Thousands of Africans stake their lives as they venture on a boat journey in search of what they think will be a better and easier living standard. A journey that begins with hope but end with despair.
It's painful that Nigeria ranks highest in the statistics of irregular Migration. Communities had lost able bodied youths, valuable assets and properties to Irregular Migration.
Call for action.
The regular fixture and menace of irregular migration by youths, Nigerians especially has called for actions by actors from different sectors including the United Nations, with imminent mayhem set to loose at the slack of quick attention.
Blind by rapt desires to dump marrowless bones for sumptuous, delicious strong meats, several youths have had to bid the world farewell in hurtful ways which of course has left their family members chewing dirge like a gum.
You would agree with me that thousands of Africans stake their lives as they venture on a boat journey in search of what they think will be a better and easier living standard. A journey that begins with hope but end with despair.
Also Read: Austrian government to train 1,000 illegal Nigerian migrants before repatriation.
Following several “Save our soul” messages from stranded migrants last November, over 3,000 Nigerian youths were repatriated courtesy of the collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria and International Organization of Migration (IOM) from Libya due to inhuman activities they were baptized into like slave trade, sexual harassments amongst others en route Italy and other European countries.
Dreadful Misadventure.
Plethora inexcusable excuses may arise as being the cause for embarking on this dreadful adventure by many youths, bearing in mind, the state of the unfavouring Nigerian economy status yet, truth be told that migrating off the country unlawfully may as well result to migrating to the earth beyond.
The unquenchable thirst and unholy search for Golden Fleece or greener pastures has proven to be the top motivating factor for illegal migration of Nigerian youths. Driven by wrong optimistic mindsets, many of them risk their lives and future for pecuniary interest only to become stranded in the country with infinitesimally few of the list being lucky.
Knowing that it’s a scary game, some have sworn to oust from the country and rather die in the Mediterranean sea with murmurs of being unable to bear the said poverty level in Nigeria.
But, it’d be myopic to rely solely on the aforementioned as reason for youth irregular migration, as other underlying factors should be unravelled.
Other Factors.
Let me quickly establish the fact that our youths are broadminded and goal inclined as well, believing their potentials or goals will wear a new toga if only they can eject to appear in European countries hence, resorting to illegal migration due to the low cost of transportation it offers compared to flight ticket. We may tag this as unreasonable while it’s factually true because some of them are principled, not wanting to resort to theft or borrowing for travelling purpose. Who would even agree to give out loan on travelling terms? None, I guess! So they rest on their hopes for a better life.
Also Read: Bodies of 20 migrants recovered at sea in Spain.
Notably, many graduates; HND especially desires to travel out for Postgraduate programmes because of the stereotyped conception that has greeted HND Certification in Nigeria, the need to stand tall among peers in the industry, ensuring 5 years(one year I.T inclusive) in the Polytechnic doesn’t flood away.
“Truth is getting a valid Visa sometimes may take going through hell sentence, not even when International Passport issuance is taking decade if proper settlements isn’t made to certain ranked immigration officers. Corrupt, sharp practices in this agency has also contributed negatively to the rise of irregular migration in Nigeria. Many have also fallen into the cobwebs of fraudsters resulting in loss of huge amount of money; they jump at any chance to eschew shame among friends and family.
The money to get a passport, if I sum it together with what I have, the route Emeka passed to Canada will be okay so as to get little fund to spend after getting there; another reason may arise from here.
Dangers involved.
Be that as it may, mishap looms for irregular migrants for the negative impacts it stamps on them may remain lifetime scars; some may be lucky to tell the awful story while others may not be chanced to do so.
Should we talk about the psychological effect that would remain crested in parents after the loss of their children, wives that may end up being abandoned in psychiatric hospitals due to husband’s death or even the migrants that may get isolated with psychological imbalance for unwarranted evil experiences, experienced?
Sexual abuse is inevitable, males inclusive. Females among them are used as sex dolls in foreign countries with little or no pay only to contact HIV/AIDS or ‘sleep in peace’ after several abortion attempts. Circumstances arise where their kidneys and livers are sold, leaving them half dead.
Worthy of note is that, many never get to their desired destination but, end their lives in the Mediterranean Sean while some are hijacked, us as sacrificial lambs, slave trade and trafficking.
Furthermore, those involved in anti-social activities such as drug peddling, internet fraud, prostitution get remanded in prisons with double count charges of illegal migration and societal disruptions.
Regrettably, a large number of them do not get good jobs even with their genuine academic certificates but, gives-in to dirty menial jobs that could have been endured at home since they’re always on the lookout for police raids. Their hope dashes away when eventually caught and deported back to their country with disappointment and shame for not coming back home as a champion. Suicide action may arise from a depressed one.
Nigeria will also lose its honour as Africa’s giant in the face of other nations if concise efforts aren’t geared to curtail this incessant trend.
Youths, this journey is illegal, destructive, mind-bending, frustrating, tear and breathe taking. It’s not a voyage worth dying for when you can easily stay in Nigeria to become successful and establish an enterprise that Whites can patronise in Nigeria. If you really have reasonable things to do, migrate in the right way via the Emigration office!
Alternatives.
Alternatively, there are fields wherein youths can venture into which can in turn birth financial stability. Example is poultry business. This may look unrealistic but according to research, poultry farming is very lucrative and the good news is that it doesn't require big capital to start. Also, youths should learn about technical trades that can lead to paid/self employment. Practical skills in Solar Technology are sorely lacking in Nigeria and young people who acquire qualification in this field are assured of lucrative jobs since the trend is now towards sustainable renewable energy.
This fight against Youth Irregular Migration however, demand all stakeholders in the country involving NGOs, Community Leaders, Religious houses, Parents and not leaving out Government at all levels, to work differently and in unison to attain the needed level of sanity against this cause. Advocacy programmes regarding the dangers of irregular Migration be noised abroad in and via all media platforms, social media importantly.
Youth Migration Summit.
Big hands to the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library for steering up a fiery campaign about Irregular Migration which would be backed up by a Youth Migration Summit come March 24th, 2018 towards Curbing this menace.
Legal ways to migrate abound, with no consequence which will make anything you desire doing outside your homeland sane, accomplishable and successful. The Emigration office is always there to guide you via the right manners. My dear youths, do it right, do it well.
Wisdom is the ability of discern difference between good and bad, life and death. Naija youths, let's be part of #TheAbroad campaign and #SayNoToIrregularMigration in order to totally curb this from damaging the lives and future of our youths. Be wise!
Written by Adekunle Adewunmi.
Adekunle Adewunmi is YDC-OOPL State Ambassador, Kogi State for the fight against Youth Irregular Migration. He's a Correspondent at Church Times Agency, Nigeria. Some of his works have been published on websites like Church Times Nigeria, YNaija, MoshoodMuhammed, Pulse NG,Eyimofe Okuwoga.
FB: Adekunle Israel Adewunmi Twitter: @AdekunleDIsrael
Migration: Youth irregular migration:Cons and way out
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