Nigerian musician and philanthropist, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly called TuBaba, Tuesday appointed a regional Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
TuBaba is the first Nigerian to be appointed as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Announcing the appointment of world-renowned musician, music producer and philanthropist as a Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR said the TuBaba has been a committed High-Level Supporter of UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu campaign – a pan-African movement of people from all walks of life investing in a better future for forcibly displaced people across the continent for the past three years.
The UN agency said in this role, he has dedicated his time to uplift the narrative of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in Africa. In 2017, 2Baba visited IDP camps in north-eastern Nigeria’s Borno State.
“These families shared heart-breaking stories of watching loved ones being kidnapped or killed, forced to flee the comfort of their homes and leave everything they knew behind.
“I saw how they struggled to access basic things that we take for granted – like food, water, education and healthcare.
“I witnessed UNHCR’s work firsthand during my visits and commend the organisation for being on the frontlines, providing emergency relief and support to forcibly displaced families. I believe in this organization and I’m proud to be associated with UNHCR,” said TuBaba.
Reacting to the development, UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya, said: “Nigeria hosts 60,239 refugees in South-east Nigeria and over 2.6 million internally displaced persons in North-east Nigeria.
“With such staggering numbers of people forced to flee in Africa, TuBaba’s support and advocacy is instrumental for Nigeria and the continent.
“We look forward to his continued incredible commitment.”
As an Afropop music legend, TuBaba has given his voice to refugee and IDP causes.
In 2017, he wrote and recorded, ‘Hold My Hand,’ a song dedicated to internally displaced persons, which helped raise funds for UNHCR’s humanitarian response.
He has also generously contributed personal funds to support refugee and IDP families in Africa, while continuing to use his celebrity status to raise awareness and support for UNHCR’s work.
“At a time when one per cent of humanity has been forced to flee, we welcome TuBaba’s help in raising awareness and support for refugees and our cause.
“We welcome TuBaba to the UNHCR family as a Goodwill Ambassador and commend him for being part of the movement challenging the narrative of the African refugee,” said UNHCR’s Director of External Relations, Dominique Hyde.
The appointment of TuBaba comes as the world is facing unprecedented levels of forced displacement globally, with 79.5 million people forcibly displaced.
More than 26.4 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have been forced to flee their home, the largest number of displaced people in the world.
Text excluding title courtesy Newsbite
