The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Netherlands, have committed to end illegal migration by developing young people through enabling environment in both countries.
The two countries joined other 48 nations in making the commitment at the thematic meeting of the Rabat Process on Migration, Youth, and Development, co-hosted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Hague, on Thursday, October 18, 2023.
The meeting chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, proffered solutions aimed at addressing global issues by exploring the connection between migration, youth, and development, especially among the young people between aged 15 and 24 years, who make up 16% of the world’s population.
The countries in attendance showed commitment to end illegal migration and develop young people in their countries, creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Chairman of the meeting, Dr. Betta Edu in series of engagement at the meeting which had Ambassadors, Ministers, Top Government Officials, Development Partners, from different parts of the world including, Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East in attendance, explored factors that propel illegal migration.
Edu spoke on various factors including illegal migration that result to humanitarian crises and poverty challenges in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
She said the challenges of young people when they migrate include human trafficking, organ harvesting, modern-day slavery, sexual abuse, poor living conditions in the new country of asylum, and sometimes death in the Mediterranean Sea or desert
She also discussed on the Multi-sectoral Approach of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Policy framework on how to solve “Japa” Syndrome through significant strides in the poverty Eradication Programmes, job creation, Creative industry, education, Health, Science, Environment, inclusion of young people in leadership, and sports, amongst others.
On the sideline of the event, was a bilateral meeting where various discussions concerning the Presidential Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, with a call for Different International Development Partners and hight net worth individuals to support.
The stakeholders were briefed about the policy direction of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on humanitarian response, Poverty Alleviation, and End Hunger Projects.
The Minister later met with the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr Eniola Ajayi, and top Diplomats in Nigeria Mission office, where she was presented with a book, “Nigeria At A Glance” authored by Eniola.