By Goodluck Ikiebe in Abuja.
Participants in a National Workshop organised by Coalition Groups, Global Migration Research Institute (GMRI) in collaboration with Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre and Upriver Needys Empirical Solution Center, have advised Youths in Nigeria not to embark on irregular migration because of its dangers.
The coalition include:Nigeria Immigration Service, Navy and Civil Defence Corps.
The President of Global Migration Research Institute, GMRI, USA, Dr. Williams Azuma Ijoma, sounded the warning in a welcome address on Tuesday at the national workshop on migration with the theme: “Tackling Migration as a Diverse Problem for Sustainable Growth and Social Progress.”
He said the essence of the workshop was to enlighten the Youths on the dangers associated with illegal migration.
Ijoma said: “Basically what we do is to enlighten the young ones on the dangers of irregular migration because some of them travel due to ignorance.
“We have cabals, who derive joy in exploiting young ones. Some of them fall victims to Sex addict and organ harvesters. Alot of them die in the desert and the high sea.
” I have seen skeletons in the desert. Some of them run out of water and food after a few weeks and they die of starvation. Out of a hundred people that travel illegally, only ten enter successfully.”
Dr. Ijoma urged government to provide job opportunities for Youths so as to discourage them from risking their lives in search of greener pastures through illegal migration.
” If someone is gainfully employed, he will not be thinking about going outside the country.
“I was privileged to talk with a Canadian Ambassador and he said people are talking about Brain Drain but Nigerians are the best hands we have.
“Government needs to do more in the area of Education. They need to send a lot of young people abroad to understudy how it is done over there in developed countries.
“Some years ago, the Chinese sent their youths to Europe, Canada and America to understudy them in order to replicate their successes in the area of technology in China. Nigeria can borrow a leaf from the Chinese example,” he noted.
In a lecture, the Acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Wuraola Adepoju, advised youths, who want to seek greener pastures abroad to do so through legal means.
Represented by Assistant Comptroller General,(ACG), Ngozi Odikpo, Wuraola identified search for greener pastures, war, famine among others as reasons for migration.
Other Speakers from the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Space Research and Development Agency, National Orientation Agency, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria’s Diaspora Commission and National Rebranding Team, re-emphasised the need for youths to desist from irregular migration, but embrace legal means of migration, which is more acceptable and honourable.
The Executive Secretary, Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre, Chief Barth Ikiebe, called for support and collaboration with Stakeholders to enable the coalition extend the campaign to all the nooks and crannies in Nigeria.
Other highlights of the event include the presentation of Certificate to all participants and an Award to Premiere Academy, Lugbe, for its use of Digital Technology and Innovations in Education of Youths.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
