The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani on Tuesday played host to the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Addressing newsmen, Senator Sani said the visit of the EU Ambassador was not unconnected to his (Senator Sani) recently launched Initiative known as ‘Pan African Initiative Against Irregular Migration.’
The Senator who was recently appointed as Chairman of Senate Adhoc Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in the North East, Nigeria, also disclosed that the Head of the EU in Nigeria was in his office to discuss issues affecting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in various camps, with the view to helping to ameliorate some of the challenges.
On the irregular and dangerous migration of Africans to Europe, Senator Sani said, “It is unfortunate that thousands of young men and women from the African continent, migrate from Africa to Europe and at the end of the day, risk their lives and become victims of human trafficking.
“It is an issue of concern to me and to many people, that our young men and women that ought to have remained at home and live a productive life by contributing to the socio-economic development of their country, are being deceived to embark on elusive journey from sub Sahara Africa through Sahara and then Libya; and many of them end up being drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.”
The consequences of those irregular migrations according to Senator Sani, would include among other things, “becoming victims of Terrorists in Libya, becoming drug traffickers, becoming sex slaves, when they eventually crossed to Europe”.
On the plight of the IDPs in North East Nigeria, Senator Sani said his committee had received reports on how, “food items and other essential materials meant for the IDPs were diverted or misused by the officials who were supposed to dispose them to the right persons”.
The Comrade Senator expressed concern that the rate in which the nation is handling the issues of humanitarian crisis in the north east is portraying the country in bad image.
“The Senate in its own wisdom has decided to set up this Adhoc Committee to fully investigate the circumstances in which government Officials that ought to have dedicated themselves to serve these people in camps are now aleged to have been involved in unwholesome practices, by diverting food materials and also giving frivolous contracts”.
He, therefore, solicited the partnership of the European Union in improving the welfare of the IDPs.
On his part, the Head of the EU in Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arrion promised total support and commitment to whatever would improve the welfare of the IDPs.
He, however, advised that the Nigerian Government should take the front seat and drive the necessary supports the IDPs require from both local and international donors.
The EU envoy also reiterated the support of the union to Nigerians seeking political asylum and other refugees and vowed to make sure anyone found to have migrated illegally or engaging in irregular activities is shown the way out.
Mr. Arrion said the EU has given resident permits to about 300,000 Nigerians in the last 8 years and the European Parliaments is strictly active on the issue of migration.
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