Cleric calls on churches to speak out against illegal migration
NAN-H-42
Migration
Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Jan. 25, 2018 (NAN) A cleric, Mr Peter Obaseki, has called on churches to speak out against illegal migration and counsel youths in their churches against embarking on such journey.
Obaseki made the call during a chat with newsmen on Thursday in Benin.
He spoke against the backdrop of the experience of Nigerian returnees from Libya.
Obaseki, who is the General Overseer of the Divine Grace of Glory Church, Benin, warned that the challenges of unemployment should not be used as an excuse to embark on such a dangerous journey.
He said that parents should play a greater role of persuading their wards not to take the risk of crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
He said that people, especially youths, must not see Nigeria as a “hopeless” country.
“Yes, the church must be open and outspoken to discourage this menace that has taken the lives of several of our able youths and love ones.
“Like I have always said, of course, we have problem of unemployment, but that should not be an excuse to take risk of going to Europe through the desert.
“Even in the present state of the country, there is still something meaningful you can do for yourself only if you are creative or ready to learn a trade.
“You do not need millions of naira to plan for your life.
“The church and parents must encourage those who are not ready for school to learn a trade. The church should be ready to tell the truth at all times”.
Obaseki said that he was not against people traveling outside the country for greener pasture, however, it should be done legally.
“Many parents have come to me to pray for their children who are about traveling out and the first thing I normally ask them is their passport.
“And I always deny them such prayers when they cannot produce their passports.
“I have seen many of them leave the church because of this, but many of them later regretted their actions and come back to appreciate me,” he said.
NAN reports that Edo accounts for 2, 950 of no fewer than 7, 000 returnees from Libya since October 2017.
Edo Government ha since started the rehabilitation and resettlement of the returnees who are indigenes of the state.
The Edo has also trained 150 of the returnees on various aspects of agriculture, while 600 of the returnees have started receiving monthly stipend from the state government.
NAN also reports that as part of efforts at discouraging illegal migration, the Edo government has also taken the campaign against the menace to markets, churches and other public places. (NAN)
ESI/GOM/TÁ
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Tajudeen Atitebi