Minister Lobbies 48 Nations To End Illegal Migration

Nigeria’s minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, chaired a meeting of ambassadors, ministers and other development partners in Hague, The Netherlands, where 48 other countries in attendance showed commitment to end illegal migration and develop young people, to create an enabling environment for them to thrive.

 The participants were from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East for a thematic meeting of the Rabat Process on Migration, Youth and Development, co-hosted by Nigeria and the Kingdom of  Netherlands.

 At the  meeting which had a global audience on social media including X(Former Twitter),Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin, the minister spoke about various factors including illegal migration that results in humanitarian crises and poverty challenges in Nigeria, Africa and the world. 

 She added that the challenges of young people when they migrate include human trafficking, organ harvesting, modern-day slavery, sexual abuse, poor living conditions in the new country of asylum, and sometimes death in the Mediterranean Sea or desert.

 Dr Edu also discussed the multi-sectoral  approach of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Policy framework on how to solve the “Japa” Syndrome  through significant strides in the poverty eradication programmes, job creation, creative industry, education, health, science, environment, inclusion of young people in  leadership and sports, etc.

Quick solution to most of these global challenges were part of the  issues  discussed  at the meeting aimed at exploring the connection between migration, youth and development, especially among  young people between ages 15 and 24 years who make up 16% of the world’s population.