By Dele Ogbodo
The Director General of the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has said 2114 Nigerian migrants trapped
in Libya were successfully evacuated back home since January this year.
She called for a national orientation and re-orientation programmes to change the psyche of the Nigerian youth who believe that they can only survive by leaving the country to other places.
The DG made the disclosure on Saturday in a statement signed by Josiah Emerole, NAPTIP’s Head of Media in Benin City, the Edo State capital while delivering a birthday lecture at the University of Benin, Benin City, over the week end.
Some of the issues she identified as capable of making the environment conducive for foreign direct investments include: development and maintenance of infrastructure, security, strengthening the economy and provision of social security, adding that these cannot be left to the federal government alone as the States and Local governments must play their own parts adequately.
She further explained that such investments were capable of opening up the Nigerian economy and providing the elusive mass employment for the teeming youths and thereby, discouraging unnecessary migration of Nigerians to other parts of the world in search of greener pastures.
She said: “There is need for governments at all levels to come up with transformation programs and a national orientation program that will change people’s attitude to migration.
“Without this, an attitude crisis will be another major driving force for illegal migration. Something fundamental must be done to control and contain the illegal movement of people out of the countries.
“A crucial step forward is to help to re-orient and re-educate the average Nigerian youth to make them realise that they can actualise their potentials and dreams at home and that they are not necessarily poorer than their contemporaries abroad or in the country they migrate to.”
She advised youths not to be desperate to leave the country at all cost as criminal trafficking gangs were lurking all over the place to deceive them and eventually make them personal economic tools abroad.
“The grass might seem greener elsewhere, but in reality, it might end up being an illusion. If you must travel, do it legally. Ensure that you have your documents and know your rights in the country you plan to visit. It is also important to note here, that we as individuals, we should think of ways of building our country up to the standard of those we desire to go to.”
She called on public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to assist government agencies to make the reintegration of the returnees easier, stressing that to tackle migration problems across the world, there is need for a holistic approach by the countries of origin and their destination counterparts.
She assured that victims of human trafficking in its shelters will be properly assisted and eventually reintegrated into society as good citizens that would contribute to national development.
In his remarks, Dr. Okunbo commended the University for honouring him with the public lecture and for choosing a topic after his heart for discussion.
He commended the DG for the courage she has exhibited since she came on board and pledged to contribute his quota in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration as a NAPTIP Ambassador against human trafficking.