President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged Nigerian citizens, especially the youths, to stop perilous journeys through fatal deserts and sea crossings.
The President also said that a national policy on internal displacement which would help to regulate the internal displacement crisis and complement the fight against insurgency was in the process of adoption.
He spoke at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the 2018 National Migration Dialogue with the theme, “Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals for all including migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons,”
He said “I wish to implore our citizens, especially the youth who constitute the larger population of those who decide to take these perilous journeys through deserts and sea crossings and end up losing their lives to desist.
“I advise them to tap into various Government programmes in order to change their lives and improve their standards of living.” he said
According to him, his administration is committed to the realization of the SDGs with a focus to delivering hope for all citizens and migrants.
He stressed that the 2018 dialogue was holding at a time the world was grappling with migration challenges and countries are exploring measures for enhancing the positive impact of migration on development within the context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He expressed gratitude to international partners, especially the government of Switzerland through Swiss Development Cooperation, the European Union delegation among others for their support and cooperation.
December 18, he noted, has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate international migrants whose number have risen to 258 million and appreciate their innumerable contributions to national and human capital development.
He said, “We celebrate their joys and happiness and more so recognize their sacrifices, pains and sorrows.
“Since the inaugural celebration in 2014, Nigeria has marked this day with a National Dialogue on Migration.
“This event brings together all those who are working in different migration-related areas including government, international and local agencies and organizations, civil society, academia, private sector and unions.
“These people drawn from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory gather to discuss how best to manage migration dynamics in the country. We commend the leadership of NCFRMI in this regard.
“Migration governance in Nigeria has seen continuous improvement since the expansion of NCFRMI mandate to include the coordination of all migration-related matters in the country as well as the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in the Nation.
