Lagos – Newton Jibunoh, the founder of FADE (Fight Against Desert Encroachment) Foundation, has proffered ways to stop the 21st century slavery, epitomised by the dehumanisation of Nigerians in Libya.
He advocated catching up with the recruitment cartel in the country and getting families involved as ways to tackle to issue of illegal migration in the country.
Jibuno stated this during the Anti-Human Trafficking and Slavery media chat organised by the foundation at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The environmentalist, who remarked that though it might not be possible to overtake the cartels, noted that getting the families, villages and towns together as well as finding a way of involving the states, could be a very good starting point.
“They don’t just come from nowhere; the families know and some of them encourage them because out of every 10 that goes, one would succeed. How do we catch up with the cartel? We need to start showcasing something else to parents, to families and individuals in villages.
“Since we now have all these information, let us find a way of letting the parents, communities and state governments see that this is what you experience when you go. If we pass this information, we may be starting the process of catching up with the cartel; because the cartel is a multi-million dollar business. They have their headquarters in Benin, with branches in Asaba, Onitsha, Aba and they get them to swear to an oath.”
Noting that it was not just the slavery that was shown on television, but the deaths that occur on regularly basis, he stressed the need to stand on a strong legal platform to fight the cartel, without which it would be a lost battle.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, disclosed that the government, in conjunction with other agencies, would be arranging evacuations in Libya with a February deadline.
According to her, by then, every Nigerian stranded in Libya and willing to come back would be returned home.
While recalling the days when foreigners struggle to come to Nigeria to work, Gabriel Osakwe, a lawyer, asked: “How do we make Nigeria better?”
According to him, the bulk of the answer lies with the government.
If we improve our lives here in Nigeria, nobody would want to go out, he said.
“Nigeria is not like America or Europe where individuals play fundamental roles in the economy of their countries. We run a government-dominated economy. Therefore, if we talk from now till tomorrow, if the government does not hold it as a priority, nothing would happen.”
For Abiola Kosoko, Oba of Ebutega, Ikorodu, it is important that we keep talking about it through billboards, more jingles and more of the things that would make people believe that they don’t need to travel through the desert.
He explained that people could start life in Nigeria with less than half of the money they pay for the illegal migration.
“I started my own business with what I got from my NYSC which is just N45,000. And today, I own the biggest connections of boat operations in Ikorodu. I have a functional zoo; I have an event centre. As I speak now, I employ about 242 people. Put visa aside, put education aside, what can you do?” said he.
After narrating his personal experience 21 years ago as an illegal immigrant, Rev. Emmanuel Okonkwo of Icon Foundation said “to stay ahead of the cartels, the authorities need to stop drug traffickers because they use the same route, the same mechanism and the same mode of operations.”
The post How To Stop Illegal Migration, By Jibunor appeared first on Independent Nigeria.
How To Stop Illegal Migration, By Jibunor
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