A group, under the auspices of Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation has advised the Federal Government to address constraints of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, political instability and poor educational quality to discourage citizens from nursing the urge to booth out of the country.
According to BANC these prevailing challenges tends to fuel the urge for citizens to seek opportunities abroad.
This was the position of Dr. Chibuzor Ephraim Onyeama, Founder and CEO of BANC Foundation, while addressing participants at the Anti-Irregular Migration Summit tagged: “Japa Conundrum”.
The summit which has as its theme: “Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing Irregular Migration Practices” drew insights from some Nigerians who have travelled far and wide with vivid experiences of what it takes to embark on such journeys.
Expressing concern over the harrowing experiences faced by many African youths during dangerous migration journeys, BANC noted that despite these tragedies, a significant number of youths continue to embark on perilous migration routes.
Onyeama highlighted the inadequacy of current efforts aimed at discouraging this hazardous journeys, stressing that citizens, particularly the youths deserved better alternatives to keep them back at home to contribute their quota to national development.
The Group also called on countries with high rates of irregular migration to establish safer and more transparent regular migration pathways to protect individuals from exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery, and in extreme cases, death.
He said, “Once African governments can find a way to address pressing issues like poverty, unemployment, insecurity, political instability, and poor educational quality which are basically the challenges pushing citizens to seek opportunities abroad, they will stay back.
“Irregular migration is a “profound human tragedy” posing many dangers which includes exploitation, organ trafficking, and fatal journeys across the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea”.
Speaking further, he said governments also need to prioritize idea environments where young people can thrive, including doubling awareness campaigns about the life-threatening risks of irregular migration.
“Community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society organizations play a critical role in addressing irregular migration,” Onyeama said. “They should actively promote regular migration pathways and collaborate with governments on youth empowerment programs.”
He added that countries that are popular destinations for migrants must create safer, more transparent regular migration pathways to reduce reliance on dangerous, irregular routes often controlled by traffickers and criminal networks.
Onyeama stressed that stronger international collaboration is essential to combat human trafficking syndicates and protect vulnerable migrants.
On his part, BANC Foundation Chairman, Sani Bako, noted that while the causes of irregular migration differ from country to country, corruption remains a common underlying factor across Africa.
He emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing this pressing issue.”This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: irregular migration. It has negative consequences for both the sending and receiving countries, as well as the individuals involved”.
He called on all stakeholders, including embassies, governments, NGOs, and international organizations, to collaborate actively to combat irregular migration and its wide-ranging consequences.
He said BANC is committed to strengthening border control, implementing effective asylum systems, and addressing the root causes of migration while promoting regular migration channels and skills development programs.
