Minister of Youth Urges Young People To Shun Irregular Migration

The Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has advised Youths in the country to desist from irregular Migration and take advantage of the various programmes put in place by the government for young people.
Speaking during a sensitization and awareness against irregular Migration, organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Benin City, the Minister said youths should desist from irregular travels and taking dangerous risk that can take their lives.
The Minister who was represented by Kabiru Mohammed, Director, Education and Youth Development, Ministry of Youth Development,said the federal government is very concerned about young people who are the future of the society,noting that the Ministry has designed various empowerment programmes to the utmost benefit of the Nigerian youth.
According to him, ” Youths are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have, not only are they legitimately regarded as the partners of today, but also the greatest investment for a country’s development. They are recognized as vital resources whose prospect is  tied to their country.”
“Some of the factors that contribute to Youth irregular Migration include; conflict and civil unrest, unemployment as a result of worsening economic, famine, national disaster among others. In recent years we have recorded needless and avoidable deaths of irregular Migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean sea to get to Europe. In addition, we have also witnessed countless cases of organ harvesting , rape, child labour, kidnapping and prostitution etc, meted out to illegal desert migrants.
“Apart from irregular Migration situation, we are also experiencing the “Brain Drain” phenomenon whereby our educated, trained, skilled and dexterous Youth/individual are trooping out of the shores and boundary of the country daily in search of greener pastures. I am glad to inform you that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is working tirelessly in collaboration with relevant MDA’s to curb this ugly trend” he noted
While noting that Youth Development is a cross-cutting National agenda, the Minister advised that ” We all have a role to play in order to arrest the menace of Irregular Migration. The Youth are the legacies of any Nation and they play a key role in our National Development effort, so we must ensure that an enabling environment is created for them to maximize their creative and Productive potential and by so doing we would have been able to arrests the menace of Irregular Migration.”
The Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Zubairu Dada Abubakar who was represented by the Director, Youth, Aiyegbeni Balogun urged the participants to take the campaign message they have been taught to their various communities and friends, that any one who must travel should go through the right way, by getting a passport, visa and the necessary requirements.
The Senior Project Assistant, IOM, Barr. Aigbeze Uhimwen, the chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Agwinede and a representative from the Immigration gave their various good will messages stressing on the dangers of irregular migration.
The Campaign and awareness creation on the effect of Irregular Migration for Youth in the Southern Zone featured paper presentations on the definition,causes and consequences of Irregular Migration, Efforts of Government in combating Irregular Migration, Regular Pathways to Migration, Benefits of Regular Migration to the nation with evidence and there were interactive sessions during the two-day event which was rounded up with a rally and road work around major roads in Benin City to sensitize the public on the effect of Irregular Migration.

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