By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Edo State Government has appealed to the European Union (EU) and other international partners to support its drive to discourage irregular migration and reintegrate returnees.
Governor Monday Okpebholo made the call on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of EU representatives on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin.
Okpebholo said his administration was committed to protecting Edo residents from the dangers of irregular migration, adding that living abroad was not necessarily the best option for everyone.
He explained that his government was addressing the drivers of migration by engaging stakeholders and exploring ways to improve opportunities at home.
“Each time I travel, I see Nigerians in the diaspora, and something comes to my mind. If these people were in Nigeria, they could have contributed significantly to the country’s development,” he said.
“For me, I don’t believe leaving your country to another country is the best thing to do. That is why we take it seriously to make sure we protect our people.
“This is one of the major reasons why we set up the Edo State Migration Agency and the Edo State Diaspora Agency to interface with relevant stakeholders.
“If I were to be in Germany or any other country other than Nigeria, I won’t be the governor. That is why I try as much as possible to discourage people from leaving their country.”
The governor noted that migration from the state appeared to be declining, but expressed concern over the challenges faced by Nigerians abroad. He cited the return of some families from South Africa as an example, urging returnees to see Nigeria as a place to rebuild their lives and contribute to national development.
He acknowledged, however, that government alone could not address the challenges facing returnees, and called for increased support from international partners.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA), Lucky Agazuma, commended the governor for his administration’s efforts in managing migration and tackling human trafficking.
Agazuma said Okpebholo’s commitment had attracted attention beyond Edo, with other states expressing interest in learning from the state’s strategies. He urged the EU and other partners to explore collaborative approaches to migration management.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency, Loretta Ogboro-Okor, called for stronger efforts to address irregular migration and promote safe labour migration.
She commended the governor for supporting the agency, saying his commitment reflected an understanding of the need to protect the lives of Edo indigenes at home and abroad.
Franklin Nguendia, Seconded National Expert and EU Liaison Officer, said the delegation was in the state to engage with authorities on migration challenges.
He said the visit would help the EU understand the current migration situation in Edo, identify gaps and discuss ways to improve cooperation.
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