Connect with us

News

Intending Migrants Told A Dash into Unknown Territory Spells Doom

Published

on

Intending Migrants Told A Dash into Unknown Territory Spells Doom

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians have been advised to take time out to learn about the country they may be planning to migrate to as a dash into an unknown territory could spell doom and further set the migrant back.

Legal migration pathway was at the front burner of discussion at the two days seminar organised by European Union (EU) in collaboration with International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) to curb the excesses of irregular migration as well as orientate those who have intention of migrating to Europe.

The resource person at the seminar , Comrade Ositadinmma Osemene said: “For someone to migrate legally, you need to know and understand the principle and regulations of the country you want go to, as we all know that different country have different policies and guidelines that guide the migrant. So If you are migrating, first things you should have in mind is the migration policy of the country you’re going and the directives.

“Like EU they have seven directives pathway policies that covered EU countries and the opportunities that migrant can tap into which will give them guarantee of living in any of EU countries.”

He added that: “If you understand over the period of years, we have been talking about issues of irregular migration, Human Trafficking Prevention people have been campaigning and yet you will see increase in irregular migration, people still embark on dangerous journey, people still acquire fake documents, people still get deceived by traveling agents instead of giving them visa for stay, they give them visa for visiting or tourist. So you will now find out that there is a vacuum in providing the real information about what you need to know before you can acquire this and travel to these countries.

“And these things you need to know are to be provided by the countries that you are going to, not by Nigeria, or not by the third countries, as being pronounced by EU countries. So the EU countries now have come up with this programme, a seminar on legal pathway to regular migration. And they have come up by giving us and providing us the general framework and also providing us with the directives, these directives are those requirements, those policies, those articles that you need to look at what is involved.”

Osemewe further explained the need to follow these seven pathways as it applies to the migrant. And they are, family reunification, employment as seasonal workers, intra cooperative transfer, au pairs, long term mobility permit, single permit and researcher/student directives.

He added that: “Even though you are a regular migrant there are criteria you will need to meet up with either you want to extend your stay or apply for any of these legal migration pathway. The benefit of this to the society at large is that, if you are willing or going to “JAPPA” you will be well informed, it will also enable you to follow the right way as the case may be”.

The seminar which includes twenty five selected members of the civil society organisations (CSOs) in all six geo political zone in Nigeria in partnership with FIIAPP are given mandates to disseminate this information to the grassroot and is expected to yield positive impacts.

The objective of the seminar is to concentrate on stepping it down to the local community, so that everyone will be aware of the danger of irregular migration and the opportunities that are available in case you are planning to travel to any of EU countries.

One of the participants , Mr Samuel Orovwuje, who spoke to journalists, said that: “One of the challenges in migration and development is that people don’t have sufficient information that will prepare them to use the normal channel. So, this opportunity of migrants save for legal migration is a welcome development and we think we can exploit this opportunity to improve on migration to Europe, particularly the European Union.

“But what is key from this seminar is that you have legal migration pathway that helps you to properly migrate to Europe, and that we have to reduce the negative impacts of irregular migration”.

An expert migration matters, Dr Tola Winjobi, in a comment, said government needs to pay a major role to dissuade members of the public from irregular migration.

Intending Migrants Told A Dash into Unknown Territory Spells Doom

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

Published

on

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has charged personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to continue to offer excellent services to its clients, declaring that efficient customer service is a right and not a privilege.

Comptroller General of the Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, gave the charge in Abuja when she declared open the 2025 SERVICOM Customer Service Week.

She assured that the Service is on an irreversible path of reform, modernization and improved transparency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The CGIS noted that the week-long event, themed “Mission Possible” with the NIS sub-theme “Meeting and Exceeding Expectations”, was an opportunity for officers to recommit themselves to the principles of courtesy, timeliness and citizens-centered service delivery.

She said: “The Nigeria Immigration Service must not only meet expectations but exceed them. Every passport issued, every permit processed, every encounter at our borders is a test of our professionalism and integrity. We must continue to build public trust and prove that we are a Service that delivers”, the CGIS declared.

She noted that on assuming office in 2024, she raised concerns over negative practices that dented the Service’s image and challenged officers to “go back to the drawing board.”

Nandap said that directive resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the passport automation and contactless processing system, designed to minimize physical interaction and eliminate bottlenecks.

She highlighted that: “Others are the deployment of e-gates and body cameras at airports, enhancing border security while promoting transparency; Intensified sensitization campaigns across formations to combat corruption and entrench professionalism.

“These reforms are already paying off,” she noted, citing improved national ratings, commendations and awards recently received by the NIS at government performance review retreats.

Nandap however urged NIS personnel nationwide to use the 2025 Customer Service Week as an opportunity to recommit themselves to exceeding public expectations, charging officers to uphold the Service’s reputation at all times.

She added that: “This celebration is not for fanfare. It is a solemn call to renew our pledge of service and to institutionalize transparency, courtesy and excellence as our standard culture.”

Earlier, Special Assistant to the CGIS on SERVICOM and Reform Champion, Barr. Muhammad Awwal Abubakar, a deputy comptroller of immigration, described the Customer Service Week as “a call to reflection, action and renewal.”

He emphasized that the global theme “Mission Possible” challenges public institutions to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation rather than excuses for inefficiency.

“Customer service is not a privilege given by government institutions but a right owed to the people. Our duty is to ensure that every interaction with the NIS leaves citizens and travelers with confidence in our integrity and efficiency”, Abubakar said.

The 2025 NIS SERVICOM Customer Service Week will feature activities across commands and formations nationwide, highlighting innovation, best practices and the Service’s ongoing transformation agenda.

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

Continue Reading

Crime

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Published

on

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Continue Reading

News

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

Published

on

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

By: Zagazola Makama

Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (rtd), Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee on Insecurity in Plateau State, says the crisis in the state involves both indigenes and non-indigenes across all ethnic and religious divides.

Nicholas, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, made this known while reacting to reports that the committee’s findings had indicted Fulani herdsmen as the aggressors in the prolonged conflict.

He clarified that the committee’s report, submitted last month to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, did not attribute blame to any single ethnic group, stressing that the violence in Plateau was a multi-dimensional problem involving various communities.

“The committee was set up by the state government to make findings and recommendations, which have been submitted to the government. The document is still classified until a white paper is issued,” Nicholas said.

He explained that during the committee’s engagements with community leaders across the state, it became evident that all sides had suffered and contributed to the cycle of violence.

“I think people need to be corrected based on the statement that Fulani are the ones causing the problem. The report did not say that,” he stated.

“While we are clear, everybody — all the ethnic groups in Plateau — are in one way or another involved in the crisis. In some areas, fingers have been pointed at particular groups, but our findings show that every community has played a part,” Nicholas added.

He further noted that many of the attacks in the state were reprisals triggered by earlier assaults, which often led to further bloodshed and destruction of property.

Nicholas maintained that the committee’s recommendations, once made public, would help guide the government in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering lasting peace in the state.

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights