…mull new areas of regular migration between Edo and European Union
By Nosa Agbonigiarhuoyi
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, met on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in Government House, Benin City, to review the efforts so far made at taming irregular migration and human trafficking in the State, with a consensus to build on the gains that have been recorded.
Recall that before 2015, the image of Edo State received a series of media bashings as the state became the hot bed for illegal migration and human trafficking.
At a point, Edo State had about 30,000 of its citizens in Libya trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
Recalling some of the reforms carried out by his administration in curbing the menace, the Governor said: “The European Union has been very supportive of our efforts in taming the tide of irregular migration and human trafficking from Edo.
“It has worked very closely with us and their partner, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in ensuring that we are able to roll out many programs to support victims of trafficking, returnees; help them resettle and in creating job opportunities and making sure they are properly integrated into our society.”
On next steps, Obaseki said: “Now that we have achieved what we have achieved with the issue of irregular migration, how can we work together to the next stage, which is what we call “the Migration 2.0.
“Where we are now, we are looking at windows for regular migration; how we can collaborate with the European Union and European Union countries to create institutions to train our young people, certify them so that they can be properly engaged and employed in activities in Europe.”
On her part, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, who was impressed by the results that have been achieved in taming irregular migration and human trafficking in the State, reassured the Governor of the Union’s continuous partnership with the State.
She said: “Edo State a few years ago was the state where 50 percent of illegal migrants to Europe came from, and now, this percentage is lower than 10 percent; and this is thanks to the leadership of this state government and of the Governor, and of the strong partnership with the European Union.
“We try to create the right conditions for the youths of the state to find opportunities here – education opportunities and job opportunities.”
The Ambassador added: “We know that Edo State and Benin City is a cultural capital. We hear so much about the history of the country, and we wanted to come and see, and to know if we would have the opportunity to visit the cultural sites.
“We are very much looking forward to knowing the potential that culture has to connect people but also to be a vector for development, especially for the young people.”
Earlier on December 5, 2022, as part of efforts to chart a new path in strengthening the mandate of tackling illegal migration and human trafficking in Edo State, the State government, in collaboration with the Italian Government and the International Organization for Migration, formally launched the Managing Migration through Development (MMDP 2.0) project.
