Another 180 Nigerians are expected back in Nigeria from Libya, next Tuesday, says Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
This is the third batch of Nigerians that will be returning from Libya in the last one month. A total of 161 returned on February 14 while 171 returned on February 21.
Dabiri-Erewa made the disclosure, on Friday, yesterday while receiving the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Commission, Sadiya Farouk, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She further disclosed that the Federal Government was expecting more migrants back in the country with the current happenings around the world, adding that her office would be working with the commission to sensitise Nigerians on the need to avoid some countries.
Dabiri-Erewa said, “Your visit is timely because we expect more migrants back home. In fact, 180 Nigerians are expected back from Libya on Tuesday.
“With what is going on around the world, it is going to be worse.
“We will work with your commission to continue to sensitise Nigerians on the need for them to know that some places are not just worth it.”
Earlier, in his remarks, Farouk had commended Dabiri-Erewa for her efforts towards ensuring that Nigerians in diaspora are treated with dignity.
She condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and pledged her commitment to a sustained advocacy to end such unwarranted attacks.
She pledged to work with Dabiri-Erewa to educate Nigerians on the dangers of irregular migration.
Farouk said, “These programmes will better inform Nigerians on their options so they can make informed decision and develop realistic expectations when traveling outside the country.
“It is important to note that the issue of sensitisation is an offshoot of the National Migration Dialogue.
“The dialogue highlighted the need to establish a migration desk in all states and local governments which will provide sensitisation from the grassroots level in order to curb the root causes of irregular migration.”
Farouk said the commission has also developed a return, re-admission and reintegration programme which provides referrals to settlement services for returnees.
She added that the commission has also developed a standard operating procedure for the conduct of return, readmission and reintegration of Nigerians.
“What is currently obtainable is an ad-hoc approach which is not sustainable.
“The SOP when operationalised will ensure that the returning Nigerian migrants are adequately reintegrated into the society.
“The SOP has been validated by the relevant stakeholders but yet to be institutionalised. We therefore seek your partnership to ensure the operationalisation,” she added.
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2017 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
