By EricJames Ochigbo
The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power, Rep. Joshua Gana (PDP-Niger), has reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to protecting the interests, safety and dignity of Nigerians living and working abroad.
Gana stated this in Abuja on Monday at a one-day conference on the “Effect of Migration on African Citizens” hosted by the African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), against the backdrop of renewed Afrophobia and xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
Gana, who represents Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency of Niger State, said the National Assembly had a responsibility to defend citizens whenever their rights and interests were threatened.
He said the recent suspension of legislative engagements with South Africa was part of legislative efforts to protect Nigerians and to strengthen Nigeria’s position in diplomatic negotiations.
“Our duty as Nigerian parliamentarians is to those who elected us. We are to defend the integrity and the people of Nigeria first.
“In other countries, nobody will defend us in their own countries. We must defend our own people. And so that’s the decision taken to start that diplomatic process,” he said.
The lawmaker urged partnership and skills exchange for mutual growth and development rather than acrimony and attacks.
Gana urged relevant government agencies, including the diaspora authorities, to develop policies and mechanisms that could provide support for Nigerians seeking legitimate opportunities to contribute their skills and expertise abroad.
The lawmaker pledged to push for the inclusion of the outcome of the conference in policy decisions and actions that would be taken to protect Nigerians abroad.
Earlier, the President of AFRIDU, Prof. Chidiebere Ogbu, urged African governments to take concrete measures to protect migrants from trafficking, exploitation, xenophobia and other dangers associated with unsafe and irregular migration.
Ogbu said migration should not be treated merely as statistics or policy issues, saying that behind every migrant was a human being, a family and a community.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of Africans embarking on dangerous journeys through deserts and unsafe sea routes in search of better opportunities.
Ogbu warned against fraudulent migration agents who deceive young Africans with promises of jobs and prosperity, only to subject them to trafficking, debt, forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
The president called for stronger enforcement, accountability, cross-border cooperation and prosecution of trafficking networks.
“African countries must confront xenophobia and Afrophobia, particularly attacks against African migrants in other African countries.
“African unity cannot be achieved while Africans continue to fear or attack one another because of nationality; governments must ensure protection, investigation and justice for victims.
“While sovereign states have the right to enforce immigration laws and protect their economies and national security, such measures must remain lawful and humane.
“Immigration enforcement should not be allowed to become discrimination or collective punishment against foreign nationals,” he said.
Ogbu advocated the introduction of migration education in secondary and tertiary institutions to equip young Africans with information about migration opportunities, risks, fraudulent agents and their rights.
He said governments should provide legitimate migration pathways and create better economic opportunities at home to reduce migration driven by desperation.
He urged African governments and institutions to move beyond declarations and conferences by setting measurable commitments, assigning responsibilities and establishing timelines for protecting migrants and combating trafficking and Afrophobia.
Ogbu said the objective should not be to prevent Africans from travelling, but to ensure that migration was safe, legal and dignified.
In his remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Mr Jerry Egemba, said Africans were human beings and should not be subdued or subjected to any form of discrimination.
He, however, urged Nigerians in the diaspora to consider returning home to contribute to development with their expertise and experiences.
Egemba said Africa deserved the best and should be the best, saying that no African could have two native lands. (NAN)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
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