Nigeria re-strategises to curb illegal migration of youths

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Federal Government says it is developing new strategies in its handling of migration issues in the country following the mass exodus of Nigerian youths to Europe and America.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha said this in Abuja at the 5th anniversary of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF).

Mustapha said Nigeria was collaborating with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to ensure protection and reintegration of returning migrants who had embarked on illegal migration.

But that there was need to restrategise through job creation and youth empowerment programmes to discourage Nigerians from embarking on illegal migration.

“This development led to the development of National Migration Policy (NMP) which provided guidelines for the management of migration in Nigeria.

“But government is looking for better ways to make things work.

“The present administration is making frantic effort to create jobs, provide central infrastructure and revamp the economy to create wealth and opportunities for economic engagement of our youths which will go a long way to making irregular migration unattractive,” he said.

Chairman of NYPF Moses Siasia said the forum was doing all it can to safeguard the future and destiny of Nigeria which he said depended on the youths.

“We have given out grants to about 35 young professionals in ICT and the creative industries through the “YES” scheme, supported by heritage bank.

“We have also given out scholarships in the last three years to some students; one of them got her admission into the University of Surrey in the UK, fully sponsored by NYPF and she graduated with distinction.

“This is one of our success stories and we have built capacity in 15 countries of the world; we have partnered different individuals, corporate organisations and 14 foreign missions in Nigeria including Spain, UK, Sweden and Morocco.

“We are already working with some African leaders on how to champion advocacy for young professionals to take over the destiny of this continent.

“Look at sports and the entertainment industry, as well as the small and medium enterprises, they are driven by young people. So, young people have a stake in Nigeria and that is why we supported the ‘Not Young to Run Initiative’ and it has now become a law.

“We thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for ensuring that the bill was passed into law,” Siasia said.

According to him, the NYPF is also working toward taking over the political space in the country and will kick start the ambition with the 2019 general election.

Siasia said: “NYPF has produced 18 House of Reps and 72 State Houses of Assembly candidates in different political parties.

“What this means is that by 2019, we will have NYPF candidates as members of the National Assembly and this is where we are going to.

Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and his Abia counterpart Okezie Ikpeazu; Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Imam of Nghar Village, Gashish district in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Mr Hamzat Lawal, advocate of “follow the money” and other prominent Nigerians were Some of the beneficiaries of this year’s NYPF awards.

The award recipients, according to the organisers, were thoroughly considered in recognition of their meritorious service and roles played in support for nation building and good governance in Nigeria, just like the Imam who saved over 200 lives during crisis in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Akinyelu Melody, an SS3 student of Baptist High School Jos, Plateau State won the essay competition organised to mark the NYPF anniversary.