EDSG, BATN train, equip 100 Libyan returnees, link craze for migration to no jobs
The Edo State Government (EDSG), in partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) livelihood support and social project have completed the training and empowerment of 100 Libyan returnees in several skills and businesses in Benin, the state capital.
In his remarks, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki traced the reason behind the craze for illegal migration and human trafficking to Europe via Sahara Desert and Libya to economic reasons and lack of job opportunities at home.
Obaseki, represented by the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Emmanuel Usoh at the presentation of certificates and equipment, said “The state’s returnees welcome programme was designed to address unemployment, under-employment and employability skills gap, towards stemming irregular migration and human trafficking”.
According to him, “What is being achieved today is a perfect proof of the possibilities that can be achieved through determination and the right decision-making, no matter the time or circumstance we find ourselves.
“I want to especially salute these graduands because in them you would find proofs of their personal efforts, the relief which corporate social responsibility brings.
“Having identified economic reasons as the main causative factor of irregular migration and human trafficking, Edo State government has therefore decided to boost the economic potential of our youths and indeed, Libya returnees, through capacity enhancement programmes,” Obaseki said.
Governor Obaseki warned the beneficiaries not to contemplate selling off the empowerment equipment for any reason as the government will keep monitoring their performance from time to time.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of BATNF, Abimbola Okoya, said the foundation built human capacity development of the returnees in the areas of fabrication and welding, tailoring and fashion design, bead making and make up artistry.
The official regretted that “The news of the Libya slavery re-echoes the prevailing issue of unemployment in the country and the African continent; that has necessitated so many young people to believe that they have better opportunities to excel anywhere, but Nigeria. This is not true.
“In 2018, the company began a national campaign known as ‘Wealth Is Here’, to encourage the youths to believe in Nigeria and leverage on the country’s resources to create wealth.
Okoya averred that “As part of efforts to drive the campaign and encourage returnees to explore wealth creating opportunities in Nigeria, the foundation, in partnership with the Edo State government, through the joint task force on anti-human trafficking, implemented the livelihood support and social security project.”
Giving a breakdown of Libyan returnees in Edo State, the Chairman of Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking Committee, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said there were a total of 4,202 Libya returnees in the state’s database.
