The Edo State Government has been commended by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its initiatives to curb illegal migration and other related issues.
This was during a courtesy visit from the Head of Sub-office in Benin City, who was accompanied by his team, to the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.
While addressing the guests present, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, expressed the State Government’s willingness to leverage its diplomatic and business ties with the IOM to create more opportunities for youths in the state.
According to her, “I want to commend you for what you do, I am very sure that the State Government has been cooperating with you, I am sure under the leadership of his Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, you will have one of the best cooperation in Nigeria, he loves humanity and he wants the best for our youths so I know you will enjoy the policy that will come out from the State, it will favor us and IOM will fit into it”
She also commended the IOM’s plans to establish a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) center in Edo Central. Mrs. Anani said, “I commend you for planning to establish a GBV center in Edo Central.
The Benin Center is very beautiful, and establishing another center in Uromi will greatly ease transportation costs and boost the confidence of women and youths.”
She continued, “the VAP law in Edo State is one of the best in Nigeria. I am happy you added persons with disabilities, they are part of us, including them in the things we do, shows that we have a human face, I know the Government of Edo State is ready to assist the vulnerable anyway we can”
The IOM Head of Sub-office in Benin, Arshad Rashid Khan, praised the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his efforts to curb illegal migration and Gender-Based Violence issues in the state.
Khan noted that the IOM has various interventions in place, including protection, saving lives, and offering durable solutions, and pledged the organization’s continued support and collaboration.
The team also highlighted their current collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a Gender-Based Violence Center (Referral Center) in Uromi, Edo Central.
