By Osemudiamhen Gloria
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.
The commendation was from the Benin City IOM Sub-office, during a courtesy visit by the Organisation to the office of the First Lady in Government House, Benin City, Edo State.
While addressing the IOM Team, 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 Organisation in creating 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, Sen. 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 favour us and IOM will fit into it”.
While appreciating 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.
“The VAPP 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 empathy. I know the Government of Edo State is ready to assist the vulnerable anyway it can”.
The IOM Head of its Sub-office in Benin, Arshad Rashid Khan, appreciated the Edo State Governor, Sen. 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, offering durable solutions. He pledged the Organization’s continued support and collaboration with the Edo State Government on ending irregular migration in the State.
Earlier, the IOM Team had hinted on their current collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to establish a gender-based violence referral center in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
