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Hardship Forced Nigerian Migrants’ Return – NBS
A recent study by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that hardship is the leading reason why Nigerian migrants abroad return home, accounting for 47.9 per cent of the returnees.
This is contained in the “Awareness and Perception of Intending and Returned Migrants on the Dangers of Irregular Migration 20223 survey report released in Abuja, yesterday.
The NBS said a total of 2,400 households were sampled from six purposive states from each of the six geopolitical zones.
They are: Anambra (South East), Edo (South South), Lagos, (South West) Benue, (North Central) Gombe, (North East) and Kano (North West).
The bureau said the purpose of the study was to collect data and provide evidence on the awareness and perception of intending and returned migrants and raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
“It study also seeks to highlight government efforts towards combating the prevalence of irregular migration in Nigeria.
“This evidence is expected to provide a database for policy formulation in line
with the increasing demand for data-driven human development initiatives” the report said.
The NBS said the 2022 migration survey expanded its focus to cover the two other vulnerable groups namely, Almajiris and House Helps.
“Key findings from the report showed that the average age of the respondents is 27 years, about 60.1 per cent of them are from the urban area and 51.8 per cent have attended secondary education”, it showed.
The study further showed that about 24.9 per cent of the respondents indicated engaging in business as the reason for traveling abroad, followed by 22.6 per cent whom said they went there to work.
Those who said they left for ‘greener pasture’ make up 21.4 per cent of the respondents.
However, the report revealed that a majority of the respondents, 48 per cent, said hardship forced them to return home. They followed by deceit at 20.1 per cent.
“This was followed by “no papers at 16.4 per cent”; `no job` at 13.8 per cent, and `crime` at 1.7 per cent. “
The study showed that Kano state recorded the highest number of returnees from abroad at 39 per cent, followed by Lagos at 20.7 per cent.
“This was followed by Edo at 16.7 per cent, Anambra at 11 per cent, Gombe at 8.7 per cent, and Benue at 3.9 per cent “, the report said.
The survey showed that 31.8 per cent said detention was the climax of their suffering in the course of their stay abroad. They are followed by 30.8 per cent who pointed at hunger.
The report said “deportation accounted for 15 per cent, slavery/forced labour at 12.1 per cent, and sexual abuse at 7.5 per cent. “
It showed that Edo state recorded 52.4 per cent of returned migrants who would want to travel back in spite of the risk involved.
“This was followed by Lagos at 14.29 per cent, Anmabra at 12.70 per cent, and Benue and Kano at 1.59 per cent. “
On returned migrants and the sources of assistance upon return, the study revealed that philanthropists constituted the majority of sources of relief with 24.8 per cent of assistance to returnees.
This was followed by Federal Government at 21.5 per cent, international organisations at 19 per cent, Non-Governmental Organisations at 15.7 per cent, and state government at 12.4 per cent.
“On the contrary, Civil Society Organisations recorded less than one per cent
of support to the returned migrants”, the report said.
The study revealed that 68.2 per cent of rural households and 31.8 per cent of urban households send their children or wards to Almajiri.
The survey showed that 98.6 per cent of the households interviewed sent their children or wards to Almajiranci to acquire Quranic education and religious morals.
“While those that sent their children because it is free of charge and those that see it as a religious obligation had 0.7 per cent each”, the NBS report said.
The study also showed that 47.7 per cent of the households who give out their members as house help do so because of hardship.
The NBS said the data was collected through National Integrated Survey for Households (NISH) which provides direct interactions with eligible respondents at the households using questionnaires.
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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