Cleric warns churches on illegal migration

A cleric, Peter Obaseki, yesterday, urged churches to speak against the practice of young persons migrating illegally.

In a chat with journalists in Benin City, Obaseki, who is the General Overseer of the Divine Grace of Glory Church, regretted that some parents persuade their wards to risk crossing the Mediterranean Sea. He also enjoined people not to see Nigeria as a hopeless country.

“Yes, the church must be open and outspoken to discourage this menace that has taken the lives of several of our able youths and loved ones. Like I have always said, of course, we have problems with unemployment. But that should not be an excuse to take the risk of going to Europe thought the desert.

“Even in the present state of the country, there is still something meaningful you can do for yourself if you are creative or ready to learn a trade. You do not have millions of naira to plan your life. The church and parents must encourage those who are not ready for school to learn a trade. The church should be ready to tell the truth at all times,” he said.

He added: “Many parents have come to me to pray for their children who were about traveling out. The first thing I ask them is about their passport. I always deny them such prayers when they cannot produce a passport. I have seen many of them leave the church because of this. But many regret later and come back to appreciate me.”