VP Osinbajo Chairs Committee On The Migrant Situation In Libya & The Sahel On 29/11/2017

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, CHAIRS COMMITTEE ON MIGRANT SITUATION IN LIBYA AND THE SAHEL ON THE 29^TH OF NOVEMBER 2017

I am sure that we are all familiar with the issues outlined. I believe that it was just yesterday or today, the President issued a statement in Ivory Coast, where he mentioned specifically that, he was concerned of course about the issues that have arisen concerning the ladies who died in the very unfortunate incident while obviously trying to migrate, perhaps on the way to crossing to Europe.

And of course, the recent information we got from CNN about alleged slave dealing in Libya, which also involved some Nigerians. The President’s statement was to the effect that he intended that all Nigerians, who were in Libya or held in camps in Libya or elsewhere, were given an opportunity to return home. And that he intended to ensure that that would be done. That he would make arrangements for all of them to come home, and that he would also take steps to ensure that these types of migration do not take place, or at least in the circumstances that these particular ones took place, that these are not repeated.

People trying to cross in some cases, dangerous water bodies or in some cases, crossing the Sahara Desert and all of that, and being exposed to completely inhumane conditions is a matter which obviously the President is very concerned about, and all of us as Nigerians are extremely concerned about it.

I believe that is exactly the reason why it is important for us to address the issue – of course, they are long term issues here. The issues around ensuring that the economic conditions are right for people. Now, these are relatively long-time issues and most countries have their own economic difficulties. But I think in the short term, we must make sure that people do not endanger themselves in the way that some of the young men and women have endangered themselves.

Most of it, I believe is on account of lack of information. Many of them are given the impression that life out there is rosy, and that the grass is greener elsewhere, and that by paying some money to some persons who basically are criminals of one kind or the other, and who are just trying to recruit persons for some illegitimate purpose or illegal purpose, by paying them, they can advance themselves or advance their careers in one way or the other. We have to point out that is wrong, I think by sensitising young Nigerians, we’ll be able to ensure that such young people do not go abroad on this definitely ill-advised escapades or journeys.

I think we are all set to do so. We have all of the relevant agencies; NAPTIP, the Refugee Commission, NEMA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, everyone who is going to be involved in this process is here. We will be working out what steps need to be taken. Already, a lot has been done, and I am sure that the reports of the Refugee Commission will show that several thousands of Nigerian young men and women have already returned to Nigeria and have been duly, properly profiled, counselled and some have come back to their respective homes.

But I think that it will be important for us in response to Mr. President’s position on this and his call to ensure that we are able to put in place something that might be a bit more permanent, and may answer to some of the issues and questions that have been raised over time, to ensure that we are able to do something that is effective and will last and endure for a long time.

I would like to welcome you all and all of those who are here for this meeting, and to say that we look forward to being able to in a matter of a day or two, have a well-prepared position and action points that we will be able to implement.

Thank you.