FG, Netherlands hold talks on illegal migration, youth development

Federal Government and the government of Netherlands have met to chart ways of tackling illegal migration by young Nigerians and the development of their capacities for national development

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, described as worrisome young Nigerians losing their lives in the Mediterranean sea all in the bud to migrate out of the country for greener pastures.

She said “It’s unfortunate that we have Nigerians, young people, who should be contributing to the development of the nation, go to loose their lives in the Mediterranean Sea and go through very awkward conditions outside the country. This energy of these young minds with great innovation and ability to expand the economic frontiers of the country should be actually contributing here,” (Nigeria).

The minister notes that the Rabat Process meeting in migration, expected to hold in the Netherlands later this year, us expected to look into and issues of concern to the front burner.

“I believe very strongly that the Rabat Process Meeting is an avenue to bring all of this to the forefront. The meeting which will be co hosted with Netherlands would also be another opportunity to really look into youth and their developmental capacity.

“We will look forward to this meeting in person and to work with the team and see how we can successfully proffer solutions for Nigerians and of course the ways in which we can collaborate with Europe and Netherlands to improve the lives of our young people and the opportunities to be accessed.

” His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that part of his agenda is to ensure that he eradicate poverty and puts young people on the front burner of his administration, empower them, creates jobs for them, and creates a more conducive environment where their minds can really go all the way and achieve whatever it is they set out to achieve,” she adds

Netherlands ‘ ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, said that Nigeria and the Netherlands will continue to partner while sharing a common goals.

He pointed the enormous potentials of Nigerian youths in various aspects of the economy stating that it is extremely important for the two countries to work towards eradicating the danger of illegal migration among young people especially.

“We find it extremely important to work together with Nigeria for trying to end the tremendous hardship of young people. Indeed, in the desert or in the Mediterranean.

“I have come to appreciate enormously the creativity, innovation, the drive and the commitment of Nigerian young women and young men doing what you’re best at, and that is often enterprise private sector in producing things, innovation.

“And actually we had the privilege of visiting Benin City where we saw some of the projects that the Netherlands is financing through the International Organisation of migration where young women men get to be trained in IT, tailoring sewing and leather work, so all kinds of skills to effect the future in Nigeria to contribute to the development of Nigeria.

“At the same time we are also interested in exploring with you those legal pathways, opportunities, circular migration is definitely also an interesting pathway,” he said.