At least 7000 Nigerians who embarked on illegal migration to Europe vanished in the desert in 2016.
This was disclosed by the President of Pan- African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy, Ambassador Martin Uhomaibhi while sensitising batch 'A' stream 2 members of the National Youth Service Corps against illegal migration at the Permanent Orientation camp, Wamakko.
According to him, 35,000 Nigerians embarked on the journey but only few of them survived and significant number of them were still un accounted for.
"Sixty-eight percent of the figure were graduates who were looking for greener pasture in the foreign lands which was not realistic as they ended up as sex slaves and ready tools for all forms of social vices," he added
Ambassador Uhomaibhi however described such trips as suicidal, adding that the recent Act of 'not too young to run' should be a window for the youths to struggle for power and position in their own country.
He maintained that Nigeria has all the potentialities needed to become productive nation and urged youths to tap the opportunities.
``Don let anybody to destroy your lives, any nation had its peculiar history and challenges, change your destiny as it’s in your hands, ’’ Uhomaibhi told youths.
Speaking also, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, noted illegal migration as detrimental to human development and commended Uhomaibhi on his courage.
Abubakar cautioned youths against being misled and focus their attention on proactive ways toward contributing to nation’s growth.
SOURCE: Daily Trust
