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The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled a bold, structured, and multi-sectoral response led by the Edo State Migration Agency to chart a new path towards sustainable migration governance, social justice, and economic reintegration.
Naija News reports that in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicate irregular migration, human trafficking, and the associated human rights abuses that have long plagued Edo State.
Okpebholo has emphasised that his administration is for all Edo people who are at home and abroad, and no one should be compelled to undertake dangerous migration journeys through the Sahel or endure modern slavery in foreign lands.
“No Edo person must die unjustly,” the Governor insists.
The Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, speaking on the development, stated that the State has adopted a strategic and human-centred approach to addressing irregular migration, which has affected thousands of Edo citizens, particularly the youth.
Agazuma explained that the Agency works closely in collaboration with faith-based institutions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and international development partners.
According to him, no administration in the history of Edo State has tackled the issue of irregular migration with the commitment, policy depth, and urgency that Governor Okpebholo has brought to the table.
The Director-General emphasised that embassies must support safe migration by making legal migration affordable and accessible.
Agazuma stated that significant rescue operations have been carried out under the Okpebholo-led administration, which include the repatriation and rehabilitation of young Edo girls trafficked to Libya and Burkina Faso.
He further stated that Okpebholo’s administration also had another landmark case involving the arrest and prosecution of a native doctor notorious for administering trafficking oaths.
He said, “His Excellency has prioritized the safety, dignity, and empowerment of Edo people, especially victims of trafficking and returnees.
“The Edo State Government, through the Migration Agency, has launched two flagship policy models: the S³ Model—See it, Say it, Sort it—which encourages community members to report suspected cases of trafficking or migration-related crimes; and the R³ Model—Re-admit, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate—targeted at returning migrants and designed to offer psychosocial support, vocational training, business start-up support, and long-term integration plans to ensure their sustainable livelihood within the State.
“To shift long-standing myths about migration, the Agency is driving a comprehensive safe migration education campaign, targeting both potential migrants and returnees. Many young people falsely believe that life abroad is a bed of roses, simply because they see flashy lifestyles during holiday returns from Europe.
“The Agency is working to correct these misconceptions by presenting truthful and practical insights into the real challenges migrants face abroad.
“The Agency’s outreach efforts have extended to the embassies of over 20 countries, particularly members of the European Union, where appeals have been made for visa reforms, reduced application costs, and better legal pathways for travel and work.”
The post ‘No Edo Person Must Die Unjustly’ – Okpebholo Unveils Plans To Tame Irregular Migration appeared first on Naija News.
