By Ebohon Joan
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on the European Union (EU) and other international partners to support the state government’s efforts to discourage irregular migration and facilitate the reintegration of returnees.
Okpebholo made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of EU representatives during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.
The governor said his administration was committed to protecting Edo residents from the dangers associated with irregular migration, stressing that relocating abroad was not necessarily the best option for everyone.
He said the government was working with relevant stakeholders to address the factors driving migration and create better opportunities for residents to build their lives in Nigeria.
“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.
“For me, I don’t believe leaving your country for 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 explained that the establishment of the Edo State Migration Agency and the Edo State Diaspora Agency was part of his administration’s efforts to engage relevant stakeholders and address migration-related challenges.
“If I were to be in Germany or any other country other than Nigeria, I wouldn’t be the governor. That is why I try as much as possible to discourage people from leaving their country,” he added.
Okpebholo noted that migration from the state appeared to be declining, while expressing concern about the difficulties Nigerians encounter while living abroad.
He cited the return of some families from South Africa as an example, urging returnees to regard Nigeria as a place where they could rebuild their lives and contribute to national development.
The governor, however, acknowledged that government efforts alone were insufficient to address the challenges confronting returnees, calling for increased support from international partners.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA), Mr Lucky Agazuma, commended the governor for his administration’s efforts to manage migration and combat human trafficking.
Agazuma said the state’s commitment to migration management had attracted attention beyond Edo, adding that other states had expressed interest in learning from its strategies.
He also highlighted the importance of engaging the EU and other international partners to develop collaborative approaches to migration management.
Similarly, 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.
Ogboro-Okor commended the governor for supporting the agency, saying his commitment demonstrated an understanding of the need to protect Edo indigenes both at home and abroad.
Speaking on behalf of the EU delegation, Franklin Nguendia, Seconded National Expert and European Union Liaison Officer, said the visit was aimed at engaging state authorities on migration-related challenges.
Nguendia explained that the engagement would enable the delegation to understand the state’s current migration situation, identify existing gaps and explore opportunities for stronger cooperation in addressing the challenges.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the Edo State Government and international partners in promoting safe migration, combating human trafficking and supporting the successful reintegration of Nigerians returning from abroad.
