By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja – Former President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, has warned Nigerian youths against perilous journeys to Europe, through the Mediterranean sea and Sahara Desert.
Uhomoibhi gave the warming while speaking with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He urged the youths to dissuade from embarking on dangerous journey in the name of seeking greener pastures.
He advised them to be more focused on developing themselves, becoming resourceful in their home countries and erasing the false mindset of seeking greener pastures in Europe.
According to him, illegal migration poses serious risk to individuals who embark on such journeys.
When trapped in transit countries, most end up being used as sex slaves or becoming victims of other crimes.
He explained that those who eventually make it through the journeys would be seen as criminals abroad; since they are undocumented and entered the country illegally.
Uhomoibhi, who is the President of the PAN African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy (PAIGAS), said that PAIGAS was focusing on youth advocacy against illegal migration.
PAIGAS is an institute made up of retired Ambassadors.
He said that PAIGAS was not against youths going abroad but against those going through illegal routes.
The institute is currently working in partnership with the European Union Commission to dissuade Nigerian youths from migrating illegally.
Youths made up 68 per cent of the over 9,000 mortality rate of illegal Nigerian migrants last year, according to Uhomoibhi.
He disclosed that in the past one year, PAIGAS has sensitised 110 National Youth Service Corps Members against illegal migration.
“The first thing is to acknowledge that there is a problem; at PAIGAS, we have a different narrative that the situation at home is not hopeless.
“It is also wrong to assume that the situation outside is better than your own country.
“We as retired ambassadors can testify to that because we have served in most of these countries and we know that when you go there illegally, you have no rights, no privileges, you are a criminal because you have done something illegal.
“A suicide mission is not a rational thing to do,” Uhomoibhi said.
The former UN Official added that there was no society that does not have its own challenges, therefore, the onus lies on every Nigerian to make home a better place.
He said that the illegal migrants pay between N500,000 to N600,000 to agents to carry them through illegal routes which was more than enough money to begin a meaningful business in Nigeria.
He said that instead of the continuous blame on government, youths should key into the system, vote and get voted for, so that they can bring about the much needed change in the country. (NAN)