Lagos State government in partnership with the federal government has warned public servants and youths on the dangers of illegal migration and human trafficking, urging them to make use of the opportunities Nigeria presents for them to excel in their careers.
A sensitization programme on Human Trafficking, Migrant Smuggling and ‘Japa Syndrome’ with the theme ‘Partnership for Protection: Safeguarding Public Servants Against Trafficking and Unsafe Migration’ held in Lagos, organized by the State Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations in partnership with federal government agencies on Wednesday.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde said in his address that the programme was put together to educate and enlighten the people of Lagos State, most especially public servants on the ‘despicable act’ of human trafficking.’
The commissioner described human trafficking as “a form of modern day slavery which involves the illegal recruitment and transportation of individuals through force, putting them to work and benefiting from their service.”
He described as erroneous the belief by many Nigerians that travelling out of the country is the only way for them to succeed in life, adding that traffickers are using all sorts of methods to recruit victims for the purpose of exploitation.
“Human trafficking as we know is usually for specific purposes like labour and sexual exploitation, while also exploiting people who want to leave the country to escape poverty, conflict, crises or just want a better life.
”The JAPA syndrome has also become a popular slang which represents the mass movement of our people seeking opportunities abroad due to several factors, mainly the belief of better economic opportunities,” he said.
Oyerinde urged public servants and youths to believe in the potentials of the state and Nigeria rather than using unconventional means to travel out of the country.
“Dear public servants of Lagos State, I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to you all, to remain positive and believe in the potentials of our state and the nation at large. I also wish to add that you make the best use of every opportunity available towards actualizing your dreams.
The message to end human trafficking must be heard, loud and clear. We must all be involved in the campaign to desist from human trafficking and illegal migration. Proper channels have to be followed in the course of migration.”
He reminded Nigerians that every country has its peculiar challenges but expressed confidence that with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, a strong and virile nation can be built.
He also commended federal agencies such as Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS; Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM; National Agency for Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP; National Orientation Agency, NOA, for partnering with the state to stem the tide of human trafficking and illegal migration.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri said human trafficking is not only a local problem but an issue that has assumed a global dimension which no longer put the poor and uneducated at risk but also civil servants and high-performing youths.
Dabiri further said traffickers capitalized on desperation by individuals to exploit them. She attributed the surge in migration to economic challenges, adding that people are promised non-existent employment while some have been issued fake certificates of employment after parting with millions of naira.
“There is a need to carry out due diligence and study laws of the country of your destinations if you must migrate regularly. Lagos has taken this initiative and I assure you that at the federal level, we stand ready for deeper collaboration, tighter policy protection, and stronger Intergovernmental cooperation.
We must make Nigeria not just a country people love but a country people are not forced to escape from,” Dabiri said.
Dabiri noted that President Bola Tinubu is doing all to provide jobs for the youths.
