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‘ Nigeria To Withness Increase In Irregular Migration’

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4 years ago

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The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR), said situations in the country would likely drive many Nigerian into irregular migration.
Executive Director of IYAMIDR, Mr Solomon Okoduwa, who is a former aide to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Illegal Migration, made this known in an interview with The Tide source in Benin, yesterday.
He noted that apart of the post COVID-19 challenges, the current economic situation would also form part of the reason why many Nigerians will be seeking greener pastures outside.
Okoduwa said that the activities of some syndicates who lure young people abroad was also increasing the act, adding that no fewer than 55 persons leaves Benin weekly by road to Europe through Libya.
While regretting that most of these people die before they get to their destination, he said genuine approach must be developed by government at all levels to stem the tide.
According to him, “These migrants narrow their grievances to unemployment while some others see the exchange rate between the Naira and Euro as a compelling force.
“The current hardship in the country occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic have also, in no small means, contributed to this.
“As I speak with you, between 55 to 60 persons leave Benin on a weekly basis by road to Libya through Niger Republic to take the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
“If we must address this menace, there must be a competitive advantage for school leavers. Skills should also be developed. Government at all levels must pay attention to issues of illegal migration.”
He said that genuine initiatives must be taken to stem the tide of irregular migration among youths in the country, adding that the Edo Okomu Oil was a good example.
“Okomu Oil engaged about three thousand returnees from Libya and truly, this is the way to go. These people who are now productively engaged will not think of embarking on the risky journey again.
“Government and other individuals or organisations can also use the Okomu example to engage these people who are mostly youths.
“The European countries should also not dole out money to secure the Mediterranean, instead, such funds should be channelled towards helping the endemic countries and communities in Sub Saharan Africa.”
Okoduwa, however, stressed that the activities of illegal migrants were not only restricted to roads.
“There are many more who leave by air transport than by road and you will never know this. They leave through visas procured through other countries,” he stated.

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NGOs Urge RSG To Prioritise Child Protection Funding 

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6 days ago

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June 20, 2025

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The South South Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention Info Hub, in partnership with the Child Protection Network(CPN), Rivers State and the Gender and Development Action (GADA) has called on the Rivers State Government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV), and put measures in place to facilitate transformative reforms in the State’s budgeting and planning, to prioritise children’s rights, with focus on combating SGBV.
The NGOs, which made the call during a media briefing as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Day of the African Child in Port Harcourt last Monday, said Rivers State particularly faces a severe SGBV crisis, profoundly affecting children and caregivers.
They noted that this year’s theme of the Day of the African Child, ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights:Progress Since 2010’, is apt and timely, as it urges African Union(AU) member states to assess progress in integrating children’s issues into national budgets since 2010 and adopt child rights-based budgeting approaches.
According to the media statement signed by Inyingi Irimagha of the Gender and Development Action(GADA); Darling Ogbulu Peter of the Child Protection Network (CPN); and Loretta Ahuokpeme of the South South SGBV Prevention Info Hub, in Rivers State, SGBV, inadequate funding, and political instability exacerbate vulnerabilities, leaving critical social services under-sourced.
The NGOs frowned at a situation where Rivers State is the only State in the South South without accredited Sexual Assault Referral Centres(SARCs), saying, this leaves child survivors without critical medical care, psychological support or legal aid, thus, resulting in prolonged trauma, physical injuries, and social stigmatisation, violating their rights to safety and well-being.
They, therefore, urged the state government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of SGBV, contending that as the only State in the South South region without an accredited SARC, Rivers State must act swiftly to establish explicit budget lines and engage stakeholders to address critical issues affecting children and caregivers.
To align with the African Union’s theme for this year’s Day of the African Child, they called on the State to reform her budgeting, to prioritise SGBV and child protection; and the State’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance, to prioritise funding for critical infrastructure supporting vulnerable populations.
The organisations equally urged the state government to adequately fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to protect, safeguard and rehabilitate susceptible children and persons, and harped on the need for the government to strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs to enhance its legal capacity.
They challenged the government to without further delay establish SARCs in the State and allocate funds to build and operate them; fund safe spaces and halfway homes to shelter SGBV survivors and at-risk children; strengthen child protection infrastructure by investing in shelters, counselling centres, and legal aid, to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation; as well as support caregivers by implementing vocational training, microfinance, and financial assistance to empower them, preventing child abandonment and supporting children’s right to a family.
The NGOs called on the state government to enhance law enforcement capacity by training and equipping the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) to handle SGBV cases, ensuring children’s right to justice; and also strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs by establishing a legal department within the Ministry to handle SGBV cases and refer them to courts. They also advocated for a special SGBV court, to expedite justice, ensuring swift prosecution of offenders and perpetrators.
They stressed the need for the state government to fully fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation by providing adequate resources to enable effective protection, safeguarding and rehabilitation services for vulnerable children and persons, thereby reducing the burden on NGOs, saying, the government could as well improve inter-ministerial coordination by funding regular meetings among Ministries and agencies like the police and NAPTIP, for cohesive responses.
The NGOs urged the government to promote transparent budget tracking by establishing monitoring mechanisms for child- specific allocations, ensuring accountability in accordance with AU standards.
The event also featured the presentation of a short film screening highlighting the dangers of SGBV against children and vulnerable persons.
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Oceans Exhibition Understand And Act: Raising Awareness Through French Language

Published

2 weeks ago

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June 12, 2025

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The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.

The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.

The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.

The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.

According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.

Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.

Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)

Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement

However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.

In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.

It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.

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Deputy Commandant Hails  Tinubu For Signing NFSS Bill Into Law 

Published

2 weeks ago

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June 12, 2025

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The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation  during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and  induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the  Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on  the lives of the  average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit  the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the  forests across the nation  are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him  and other leaders to assist  the youths who are interested in  jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka,  praised the determination and sacrifices made by  the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace  and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF);  the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended  the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national  assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking  officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for  his sacrifices and untiring  efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the  officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.

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