The Nigeria Immigration Service, Anambra State Command, on Thursday sensitized members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on dangers of irregular migration, in their orientation camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
In her remarks, the Comptroller Anambra State Command, God’sgift Nwoke represented by Superintendent of immigration, Vivian Onochie-Uwaezuoke and a retinue of six officers noted that migration is a salient matter that cannot be overlooked as it determines most aspects of any nation’s economy, if not all.
“From national security to economic stability, healthcare and beyond; migration has a definite role to play in the overall prosperity of any nation thus, identifying the various strategies used by the state and non-state actors in achieving migration should be a major concern if Nigeria wants to tackle the menace of insecurity, irregular migration, smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, brain drain and more recently, the “jakpa” syndrome that has seen many Nigerians leaving their places of habitual residence,” she said.
Nwoke defined ‘irregular migrant’ as a person who, owing to unauthorized entry, breach of a condition of entry, or the expiry of his or her visa, lacks legal status in a transit or host country.
She further stated that irregular migration is a humanitarian catastrophe and is a top issue for governments worldwide.
Nwoke added that for Nigerians, moving to Europe has become increasingly difficult and thousands have tried to travel irregularly, at their own risk.
Listing some dangers of irregular migration as kidnapping,exploitation by smugglers, medical risk, risk of organ harvest, abuse of children and adolescents, Mr Theophilus Muozoba on behalf of the State Comptroller, told the corps members that Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) encourages regular migration because many lives have been lost through irregular migration.
“In order to combat this menace,the following are the proper ways for safe, orderly and regular migration : A defined purpose of migration, Acquire your passport at the office of NIS and apply and process Visa through the appropriate embassy.”
The Comptroller also intimated the corps members on policies put in place to encourage regular migration at all levels which include but not limited to;“The issuance of the enhanced e-passport to deserving Nigerians which is a document of identity and protection,border surveillance,patrol and control, the registration/documentation of ECOWAS nationals residing or doing business within Nigeria, registration/documentation of other migrant workers and members of their families outside of ECOWAS region through the combined Expertriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card(CERPAC) scheme, monitoring of these workers to ensure compliance to their approved quota positions at all times through the Investigation and Compliance Directorate, enforcement of relevant immigration laws and regulations at all levels and the sensitization of the public on the realities of irregular migration,the guises through which smugglers or traffickers can be identified.”
Appreciating the immigration team, Superintendent Vivian Onochie-Uwaezuoke, Onyinye Anene (Assistant Superintendent of Immigration and command PRO), Mr Theophilus Muozoba among others, the Anambra State NYSC coordinator,Mrs Blessing Iruma thanked them for sensitizing the corps members on the topic.She also urged the corps members to contact the immigration office when the need arises, for proper guidance.
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