Spain advocates stiffer action against illegal migration 

Consul General of Spain in Nigeria, Juan Sell, has said that issues of illegal migration should be dealt with, using a multi-dimensional approach that includes fighting traffickers.

Expressing displeasure over illegal migration, he said the number of deaths caused by the trend was unacceptable and stressed the need to eliminate the threats to the lives of people involved in such journeys.

He spoke at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Ambassadorial Forum, themed Diplomatic and Economic Relations between Spain and Nigeria, held, yesterday, in Lagos.

He stressed the need to make extra effort towards finding the right balance to fight illegal migration against deportation agreements the world recently witnessed.

“Out of our 48 million population, six million are foreigners, which has defined its position regarding migration, so we understand migration as a natural phenomenon that should be dealt with in a multi-dimensional approach that includes fighting mafia trafficking people,” he said.

According to Sell, Spain does not take democracy for granted because they understand through their experiences that democracy is something to fight for.

Sell said that though Spain had been a long-time partner of Nigeria, the country hoped to deepen the relations and diversify trades, adding that in the current Nigerian administration, no fewer than eight of its ministers had visited Spain on various assignments.

According to him, Spain is Nigeria’s second largest trade partner as she purchases a lot of oil and gas from Nigeria with the current trade exchange at $9 billion to Spain and approximately $400 million from Spain to Nigeria.

Director General (DG), NIIA, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, said it was important to have such a discussion with Spain, which had been a long-time partner with Nigeria and to seek ways to enhance existing relations.

He emphasised the need for trade diversification and reduced dependence on oil and gas, stating that Spain remained pivotal in achieving this.