SMEDAN and the Swiss Government-backed International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have fortified their existing collaboration by signing a MOU for the rehabilitation of Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVRs), trafficked persons and other migrant beneficiaries of IOM programmes in Nigeria.

At the ceremony was held at SMEDAN Headquarters in Abuja, the Chief of Mission, IOM, Mr. Martin Ocaga, signed on behalf of the Organisation, while the Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar, signed on behalf of SMEDAN.

IOM is an organisation that is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society, and so, assists in meeting the operational challenges of migration, encourages social and economic development through migration, and works towards effective respect of human rights and well-being of migrants.
                               

Both SMEDAN and IOM, conscious of the need for closer co-operation in common interests and desirous of further enhancing and strengthening such co-operation agreed that the activities related to MSME development and reintegration and rehabilitation of AVRs, trafficked persons and other migrant beneficiaries of IOM Nigeria programmes shall be coordinated to the extent possible to achieve maximum co-operation. Both Organizations shall endeavour, in so far as possible and in compliance with its constituent instruments and decisions of its competent bodies, to respond favourably to such requests for co-operation in accordance with procedures to be mutually agreed upon. More importantly, the execution of this Memorandum shall be without prejudice to the privileges and immunities enjoyed by IOM as an International Organization.
Source: Levi Anyikwa, Assistant Director (Corporate Affairs)