Illegal migration blamed on bad governance

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has blamed the unbridled illegal migration of Nigerian youths to Europe and America on hopelessness and acute shortage of sustainable employment in the country.

Speaking at a programme on ‘Safe and legal migration’ organised by the Young Catholic Students (YCS) in Abuja, National Social Communications Director of CSN, Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, lamented that things that Nigerians once took for granted which are the basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter were becoming very scarce, making them wallow in hunger and abject poverty. 

He said: “Migration is a serious global social issue, but there is a common trend.

In almost all the countries that have a high level of migration, it is a tough economy and difficulties that are driving migration.

“The high rate of migration of Nigerians to Europe, America, and other countries for greener pastures is as a result of bad governance. 

“Government need to be sincere and stop deceiving the youths.

Government must do something to save the situation.”

Umoh urged youths to have faith in the country and eschew the get-rich-quick syndrome and stop traveling through the desert and if there is any need to migrate, it should be done properly. 

National President of YCS, Charity Chioma Udebani urged the Federal government to create more employment opportunities for the youths to reduce the rate of illegal migration and called on political leaders to cut down the cost of governance. 

She appealed to the youths to also acquire skills in order to be self-reliant.