HUNGER IN NIGERIA, POVERTY IN EUROPE

To reduce the surge of emigrants, Nigeria must tackle the problems of poverty, unemployment and corruption, argues Charles Iyare

The increasing surge of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea from Africa and other parts of the world, mainly into Europe, has become a critical issue which is catching global attention. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of migrants have fled their countries seeking asylum as refugees in European countries. About 90% of migrants are usually from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mexico and Iran, where there are high security risks, insurgency, humanitarian crisis, war, poverty, human rights abuses, among others.

A report on Daily Post by Danielle Ogbeche on May 27, 2016 indicated that from January and April, 2016 the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 152 victims of human trafficking in Lagos State. In the report, the Lagos Zonal Commander, Mr. Joseph Famakin said his agency has successfully sent over 276 Nigerians to prison, with 51 cases in the federal and state high courts. He added that there are seven cases in the Court of Appeal and two cases in the Supreme Court. About 316 victims were rescued and brought to Lagos in 2014, while in 2015, a total of 417 victims were rescued.

The Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) in its yearly report from January 1 to November 13, 2016 stated that an estimated number of 341,055 arrived some key part of Europe through the Mediterranean Sea route, while 4,271 deaths were recorded. When compared to 2015, from January 1 – November 13, there were 728, 926 arrivals and 3,522 deaths recorded. Despite such alarming figures, three million migrants are still expected in the European Union, (EU) in 2017, compared to 1.5 million in 2016.

Migration has the capacity to alter the total demographic, ethnographic, economic, and productive growth of both the emigrant home of origin as well as country of arrival. Migration has adverse effects on the host country, whose public utilities may be pressured and overstretched. It may also affect the income - per - capita (IPC) of the citizens in the host country as well as the public infrastructure that has been designed to serve certain population of people in a location and which can lead to scarcity, tension, and conflict.

Most Nigerians who brave the stormy seas and unfriendly deserts have lost hope in an economic system that is characterised by poor governance, poor income, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, humanitarian crisis and increasing poverty.

Despite the risk involved, there is high patronage of human traffickers (who charge unimaginable amounts) who lure or assist migrants across borders, promising them jobs, education and a better living condition. Many of them, mostly women and children, are

MANY VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING NEVER LIVE TO TELL THEIR STORY AS THEY ARE EXPOSED TO HARSH TERRAIN, TERRIBLE INHUMAN CONDITIONS AND DENIED ACCESS TO PROPER LIFE

sold into prostitution, raped, and abused. Many victims of human trafficking never live to tell their story as they are exposed to harsh terrain, terrible inhuman conditions and denied access to proper life.

The United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, has stated that since the past six years, emigrants and migrants, in and out of Nigeria, has shown that a minimum difference of 60,000 leave the shores of the country yearly. Many of these migrants are sold into prostitution, child labour, and slavery in countries like Libya, Spain, and Italy. In 2016 alone, not less than 162 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya, 41 from USA, and 40 from the UK. Data from the EU indicate that an average of 83 Nigerians crossed illegally from Nigeria to Europe daily, while 22,500 illegally crossed via the Mediterranean in the first nine months of 2016.

The number of international migrants is growing faster than the world’s population. The share of migrants in the global population reached 244 million (3.3%) in 2015 (41% increase in 15 years) while the current average population growing rate in 2016 is estimated at 80 million (1.13%) per year.

One can safely justify that in Nigeria, there is correlation between poverty, corruption, war and migration. The startling record of human rights abuses, poverty, unemployment and insecurity is a major reason why there is increase in migration since the past two decades. To reduce the surge of emigrants out of Nigeria, government must tackle the problems of poverty, unemployment, hunger and corruption.

The government determination to guarantee national security and workable policies at all levels for its citizens will bring about sustainable economic growth and other forms of development. Government should support communities across the country, mostly in areas where irregular migration is rampant, by improving economic opportunities and empowerment initiatives to the youths. Government and NGOs must develop skill acquisition programmes such as welding, painting, fashion designing and carpentry as well as reintegration assistance for returnees to enable them rebuild their lives, raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration to both children and adults.

Only then can Nigeria boast of the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We call on all countries to address issues of humanitarian crisis, strengthen the resilience of host communities, consider the vulnerability of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, and implement policies that will eradicate human trafficking. Iyare wrote from the M&E Unit, ANEEJ