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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Executive Director of African Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), Dr Arome Salifu, has suggested ways Nigeria can tackle migration-related problems.
Arome, at a parley with media executives, yesterday in Abuja, advised government to provide a conducive environment and working tools for both operatives and migrants at respective border posts.
He encouraged government to train operatives on migrants’ rights protection at the borders and create a unit to checkmate possible abuses.
According to him, the rights and privileges of migrants must not be trampled upon, adding that more logistics, training, sensitization and enlightenment should be organized by the government.
He said: “Security operatives stationed at the borders should be encouraged to attend more training on migrants’s right protection.
“Available shelters for parastatals should be upgraded through the assistance of the state and federal government
“Establishment of conducive environment and working tools for both operatives and migrants at respective border posts.
“Each of the agencies should train their operatives on migrants’ rights protection at the borders and create a unit to checkmate possible abuses.
“Capacity building workshop on human and migrants rights should be organized for management or sectional heads of each border operating agencies.
“Government should pay attention to host communities and recruit members of the host communities as border operatives.
“More resource personnel familiar with the operation at borders should be present and more traditional rulers invited to attend the training subsequently.
“Interagency cooperation should be continuously encouraged among officers.”
He disclosed that his organisation recently “worked with several international organisations and government institutions.”
He said: “In the migration sector, we have a project implementation on labour inspection. The project is on labour extension activities in places where migrant workers would be present.
“As you might be aware, Nigerians are subjected to all manner of ill treatment abroad. Nigeria as a country needed to demand the right and privileges to be extended to them in where they are living.
“But for Nigeria to demand that, the country is expected to set its own record right in order to deploy the principle of reciprocity by ensuring that Nigeria takes care of its own migrants slaving in Nigeria.”
He appealed the media to maintain the tempo of excellence, stressing that no organisation can succeed with the the role of the media.
“As an organization, we partner with the media sector. We understand that we could hardly do anything sustainably without media support.
“The media and the civil society actors shape the conversation and set the agenda for the government and the business sectors.
“So, to that extend we cannot divorce the presence of the society from the partnership needed between the media and the non-state actors.
“This informs why AYGF has put together this dinner to celebrate the media and to also appreciate professionals for their work, efforts and sacrifices to cover all issues regardless of the parties involved.
“We are truly thankful to the Nigerian media for how far they have contributed to the development of the country over the years.
“As key actors in the sector, we have realised the need to, not just partner, but to sustain the partnership with the media.
“So, on the occasion of marking the 16th years anniversary of AYGF, we are having the media as key and central stakeholder to work with and to drive and project national issues. We have shared responsibility in this regard.”
