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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has called on the European Union (EU) and other partners to support the state government’s efforts to discourage irregular migration in the state.
He made the call when he received a delegation of EU representatives on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin.
The governor said his administration was committed to protecting Edo residents from the dangers associated with irregular migration, saying that living abroad was not necessarily the best option for everyone.
He explained that his government was making efforts to address the factors driving migration by engaging relevant stakeholders and exploring ways to improve opportunities for residents at home.
“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 to another country is the best thing to do, that is why we take it seriously to make sure we protect our people.
“This is one of the major reasons why we set up Edo State Migration Agency and Edo State Diaspora Agency to interface with the relevant stakeholders.
“If I were to be in Germany or any other country other than Nigeria, I won’t be the governor, that is why I try as much as possible to discourage people from leaving their country,” he said.
Okpebholo noted that migration from the state appeared to be declining, while expressing concern over the challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad.
The governor 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 the country’s development.
He, however, acknowledged that government alone could not adequately address the challenges facing returnees, calling for increased support from international partners.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA), Mr Lucky Agazuma, commended Okpebholo for his administration’s efforts in managing migration and addressing human trafficking in the state.
Agazuma said the governor’s commitment to migration management had attracted attention beyond Edo, noting that other states had expressed interest in learning from the state’s strategies.
He engaged the EU and other international partners to explore collaborative approaches to migration management.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, called for stronger efforts to address irregular migration and promote safe labour migration.
Ogboro-Okor commended the governor for supporting the agency, saying his commitment reflected an understanding of the importance of protecting the lives of Edo indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora.
On his part, Franklin Nguendia, Seconded National Expert and EU Liaison Officer, said the EU delegation was in the state to engage with state authorities on migration challenges.
Nguendia said the visit would enable the delegation to understand the current migration situation in the state, identify existing gaps and discuss ways to improve cooperation in addressing related challenges.
