The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has called for safe and orderly migration, urging Nigerians to ensure proper documentation before embarking on any trip abroad.
Federal commissioner, NCFRMI, Aliyu Ahmed Tijani, made the call during a symbolic walk to commemorate the International Migrants Day.
Aliyu underscored migration as a fundamental human right, emphasising that everyone has the right to migrate.
He, however, stressed the importance of migrating regularly, ensuring proper documentation and being well-informed about the process.
Discussing this year‘s theme, “Leveraging on Youth Migration for National Development,” Aliyu who was represented by the director, Migration Affairs, Amb Catherine Udida explained that the commission deliberately chose it, considering that over 70 per cent of Nigerians fall within the youthful population.
He said the NCFRMI aims to empower the youth by providing information through resource centres, guiding them on how to migrate regularly while avoiding potential challenges.
Speaking on behalf of civil society organisations, the programme manager, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, NACTAL, Mr Paulinus Onabe, said the theme for this year‘s celebration „Act today for a better tomorrow for all: Improving the health of migrants to unleash the power of migration,“ underscores the significant roles and contributions of migrants to the socioeconomic and political development of the host countries and their home countries, respectively.
“Today, NACTAL joins the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), The International Organisation on Migration, along with other international partners and communities to celebrate the International Migrants Day.
“It is therefore important to recognize, respect and protect migrants’ rights while ensuring they have access to basic human needs, guarantee their health and wellbeing without any form of discrimination or prejudice to their race, colour or nationalities,“ he said.
