As the days go by, let us not forget the great Nigerian cyclist Emmanuel Ayondongwa, popularly known as Emmiwux. His journey may seem unconventional to some, yet deeply meaningful to others. The objective behind their mission is clear: to campaign and raise awareness about the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the growing insecurity in Nigeria and the African continent.
Emmiwoux has already visited several African countries on his bicycle, during his travels he often sleeps on open streets, on balconies and in abandoned buildings. His courage in setting out on such a mission is priceless. His efforts are not about personal recognition; It is about humanity, resilience and shared responsibility. No one is complete without the other, we are all bound together in the same cloth of destiny.
According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), by the end of 2023, Nigeria hosted approximately 3.4 million internally displaced persons, with approximately 291,000 new displacements recorded that year. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) attributes these numbers to increasing conflicts, banditry and climate-induced crises. In Benue State, reports from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) indicate that more than 510,000 persons have been displaced since December 2024, the majority due to recurring farmer-herders conflicts. Plateau State has faced similar humanitarian stress, where attacks on rural communities have forced thousands of people to live in makeshift shelters.
Recognizing the magnitude of this crisis, the EU has committed an additional €250,000 in humanitarian assistance over 2025 to support at least 15,000 displaced persons in Benue and Plateau. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also noted that the protracted nature of displacement in Nigeria threatens not only humanitarian stability but broader national and regional security, as displacement often fuels migration pressure, criminal recruitment and inter-communal violence.
The importance of campaigns like Emmanuel Andoungwa's goes beyond compassion; It represents an early-warning tool within the broader framework of national security. When awareness increases, complacency decreases. When attention turns to the human cost of insecurity, leaders and institutions are forced to take action. Public awareness strengthens accountability, mobilizes resources, and motivates policy interventions that can prevent further degradation of security on land and at sea.
The relationship between internal displacement and maritime security may seem distant, yet they are interconnected. Displacement disrupts inland economies, agricultural production and trade routes, factors that indirectly affect ports, river logistics and coastal stability. When internal conflicts push populations towards the coast or drive unemployed youth towards illegal maritime activities, the impact is felt in piracy, smuggling and human trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea. Thus, addressing internal insecurity contributes to maritime order. Insecurity on land ultimately translates into instability at sea.
EmmiVux's journey therefore symbolizes a grassroots form of strategic security advocacy. Through his patience and visibility, he connects human empathy with national consciousness. He draws attention to the invisible crises that undermine social cohesion and undermine long-term peace. Their message is not only moral but structural: by restoring the dignity of displaced persons, we strengthen the foundations of collective security.
Insecurity is not limited to armed conflict or territorial defense; It begins where people lose hope, livelihood and belonging. Campaigns that raise awareness of these realities promote collaboration between citizens, government, and international partners. That cooperation, enhanced through empathy, builds resilience and prevents instability.
By raising awareness of internally displaced persons, Emmanuel Andoungwa reminds us that security starts with inclusion. His journey across nations through hardship and uncertainty is a testament to the power of individual initiative in reshaping public consciousness. It shows that the safety of people on land protects the integrity of nations, economies, and even the oceans.
So, let us support this remarkable Nigerian, Emmanuel Ondongwa (EmmyWux), whose campaign shows that when we stand up for humanity, we also stand up for security. In motion his wheels are more than a ride; They are a poignant declaration that peace, stability and awareness must travel together on the road, in our communities and across the waters that connect us all.
