Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has called on the European Union (EU) and other international partners to support efforts to discourage irregular migration, combat human trafficking and facilitate the reintegration of Nigerians returning from abroad.
The governor made the appeal on Wednesday when he received a delegation of EU representatives on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Okpebholo said his administration was committed to protecting Edo residents from the dangers associated with irregular migration while addressing the factors pushing people to leave the country.
The governor stressed that living abroad was not necessarily the best option for everyone, arguing that Nigerians who remained at home could contribute significantly to national development if given the right opportunities.
“Each time I travel, I see Nigerians in the diaspora, and something comes to my mind. If these people were in Nigeria, they could have contributed significantly to the country’s development,” he said.
Okpebholo explained that his administration had established the Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA) and the Edo State Diaspora Agency to engage relevant stakeholders and strengthen efforts to manage migration-related challenges.
“For me, I don’t believe leaving your country to another country is the best thing to do. That is why we take it seriously to make sure we protect our people,” the governor said.
He added that the government was exploring ways to improve opportunities for residents within the state to reduce the pressure to migrate irregularly.
Okpebholo Raises Concern Over Challenges Facing Returnees
The governor expressed optimism that migration from Edo State appeared to be declining but acknowledged the difficulties confronting Nigerians living abroad and those returning home.
He cited the return of some families from South Africa as an example, urging them to see Nigeria as a place where they could rebuild their lives and contribute to national development.
Okpebholo, however, acknowledged that the state government could not adequately address all the challenges facing returnees without assistance from international partners.
He therefore called for stronger collaboration with the EU and other development partners to support migration management, protect vulnerable residents and facilitate the reintegration of returnees into their communities.
EDMA Says Edo’s Migration Strategy Attracting Attention
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Mr Lucky Agazuma, commended the governor for his administration’s efforts to manage migration and tackle human trafficking.
Agazuma said the state’s approach had attracted interest beyond Edo, noting that other states had expressed interest in learning from its strategies.
He called for increased engagement with the European Union and other international partners to develop collaborative approaches to migration management and address the challenges associated with irregular migration.
Diaspora Agency Advocates Safe Labour Migration
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, called for stronger measures to discourage irregular migration and promote safe labour migration.
She commended Okpebholo for supporting the agency, noting that the administration’s commitment reflected an understanding of the need to protect Edo indigenes both at home and abroad.
Ogboro-Okor emphasised the importance of safeguarding residents against the risks associated with unsafe migration while promoting legitimate opportunities for those seeking employment outside Nigeria.
EU Delegation Seeks Closer Cooperation with Edo
On his part, Franklin Nguendia, Seconded National Expert and European Union Liaison Officer, said the delegation visited Edo State to engage government officials on migration-related challenges.
He explained that the visit would enable the EU team to gain a better understanding of the state’s migration situation, identify existing gaps and explore opportunities for improved cooperation.
The engagement is expected to provide a platform for discussions on strengthening migration management, addressing human trafficking and improving support for people returning to Edo State.
