BENIN-CITY – Stakeholders on illegal migration have identified local opportunities for ending illegal migration in Nigeria to include, entrepreneurship, agriculture, tailoring, leather works, as well as laptop and mobile phone repairs.
At a Town Hall meeting organised in Benin City, the Stakeholders noted that local opportunities abound everywhere in the country.
The town hall meeting was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in persons (NAPTIP) and the African Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF).
It was one of the strategic plans aimed at promoting safe migration, as well as discouraging illegal migration in Nigeria.
A panel of discussants at the meeting noted that local opportunities abound outside reliance on government.
The panelists included, the Executive Director of Edojobs, Ukinebo Dare; a Director in the Edo State Ministry of Education, Dr Osamuyi Oni; Executive Director, Genius-Hub, Mrs Isimeme White; Executive Director, AYGF, Dr. Arome Salifu; Chairman, Esan North-East Local Government Area, Hon Austin Okoibhole, represented by Okonofua Harry Osemobor and the Director of Trade Fair, Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
They noted that the orientation of individuals about government has to change as government alone cannot do all that is needed for ending illegal migration.
The Benin Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Ijeoma Uduak said that despite the recent lockdown, the agency had since January 2020 prosecuted nine persons who were sentenced to various jail terms.
According to her, the agency was not taken human trafficking agents lightly and therefore commended the doggedness of partners in the Anti-Human Trafficking crusade.
The Director in the State Ministry of Education, said that there was need to embrace entrepreneurship as a means to checking illegal migration.
She also disclosed that where traveling abroad becomes necessary, there is need to understand the institutional framework in destination country, as well as country of departure.
The Executive Director, Edojobs, Ukinebo Dare said that Edo government is doing alot for returnee migrants, besides connecting people to Job opportunities.
The Executive Director, Genius-Hub, Mrs Isimeme White said that there was need for strategic networking and streamlining aspiration.
Mr Okonofua who represented the Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area advised Nigerians to disabuse their minds that there is no value in education and as well shift their attention from migration to foreign land.
A member of Migrant as Messagers (MaM), Bright Okojie said that the group compromised of returned migrants who voluntarily offered themselves as vehicles for creating awareness on illegal migration.
