Maryam Aminu
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, has voiced her concern over the increasing trend of irregular migration among young people in Nigeria.
This concern was expressed during a two-day awareness programme on the effects of irregular migration, organized by the Ministry in Benin, Edo State, Southern Zone.
Represented by Mr. Kabiru Mohammed, Director of Education and Youth Development of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim highlighted the alarming rate at which irregular migration is impacting the stability and functionality of societies.
She stressed the social, economic, and cultural challenges posed by this issue and called for urgent, collaborative efforts to address and mitigate these challenges.
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, through the Ministry of Youth Development, is working diligently with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to curb this growing concern.
“The Ministry has developed various empowerment programmes such as the restructured National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), the Presidential Initiative on Youth Cluster, the National Youth Skills Programme, the proposed construction of Youth Villages, the development of Youth Development Centres nationwide, and a 30% affirmative action for youth participation in government, among other initiatives,” she stated.
The Honourable Minister also reflected on the needless and avoidable deaths of young Nigerians attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, and the numerous cases of organ harvesting, rape, child labor, kidnapping, and prostitution faced by illegal desert migrants.
Dr. Ibrahim educated participants on the concept of migration, emphasizing that youth development is a cross-cutting national agenda and that all stakeholders have a role to play in combating the menace of irregular migration.
She noted that young people are the legacies of any nation and play a crucial role in national development.
In his goodwill message, the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service, Edo State Command, MC Monyei, represented by Assistant Comptroller Chris Dodoh, described irregular migration as a perilous journey for many young people, often driven by dreams of a better life but frequently ending in tragedy.
He emphasized that the sensitization and awareness campaign is a critical step in the collective efforts to educate and inform young people about the harsh and uncertain realities of irregular migration.
He called on all stakeholders to empower the youth with knowledge about legal and safer ways to achieve their aspirations without risking their lives or dignity.
One of the participants, Igbon Osedebamen, noted that the programme helped her understand the distinction between regular and irregular migration.
“I now realize that regular migration can be measured, while irregular migration cannot. As young people, it is time for us to reject this problem in our society that exposes us to danger and choose the correct way to migrate,” she stated.
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