The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, PhD, has charged the incoming Head of the Ogoja Sub-Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr. Alpha Oumar Barry, to build on the achievements of his predecessor and further strengthen the agency’s humanitarian interventions in the state.
Odey gave the charge on Monday while receiving the outgoing Head of the UNHCR Ogoja Sub-Office, Mrs. Irene Omondi, and her successor, Mr. Alpha Oumar Barry, at Government House, Calabar. He commended Mrs. Omondi for her dedication, humanitarian service, and outstanding contributions to refugee management and welfare during her tenure in the state.
Rt. Hon. Odey particularly acknowledged her efforts in supporting refugees displaced from neighbouring Cameroon and residing at the Ogoja Refugee Settlement, as well as those living in host communities across the state. He noted that her leadership strengthened the partnership between the Cross River State Government and the UNHCR in addressing humanitarian challenges and improving the welfare of refugees and other vulnerable populations.
Rt. Hon. Odey also praised Mrs. Omondi for facilitating key infrastructure projects in refugee-hosting communities, including the renovation of the Adagom Primary Health Care Centre, Ukende Primary Health Care Centre, and St. Peter’s Primary School, Adagom, noting that the facilities would significantly enhance access to healthcare and education for both refugees and members of the host communities.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration to sustaining its collaboration with the UNHCR and other development partners, the Deputy Governor said the state government would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting social inclusion, community development, and the well-being of refugees and displaced persons.
Earlier in her remarks, Mrs. Omondi expressed appreciation to the State Government for its unwavering support to refugees and other forcibly displaced persons in the state. She particularly commended the government’s inclusive policy, which integrates refugees into state programmes and services rather than treating them as separate entities, describing it as a reflection of the State’s commitment to human dignity, peaceful coexistence, and social cohesion.
She also highlighted the UNHCR’s economic empowerment initiatives, revealing that the agency is collaborating with Sterling Bank to provide low-interest loans to refugees, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the local economy. Mrs. Omondi further expressed confidence that the strong partnership between the state government and the UNHCR would continue to flourish.
Also speaking, Mr. Alpha Oumar Barry thanked the Deputy Governor for the warm reception and pledged to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor. He reaffirmed the UNHCR’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders to improve the living conditions of refugees at the Ogoja Refugee Settlement and those residing in host communities across the state.
If 47,000 is the exact figure, then write:
Cross River State hosts 47,000 refugees and forcibly displaced persons, the majority of whom are Cameroonian refugees residing in the Ogoja Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities, including Adagom and Ukende.
A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of certificates of completion for the renovation of the Adagom Primary Health Care Centre, Ukende Primary Health Care Centre, and St. Peter’s Primary School, Adagom, by the outgoing UNHCR Head, Mrs. Irene Omondi, to the Deputy Governor.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House Calabar House, Calabar.
June 23, 2026