Illegal Migration to Europe: NGO Trains Niger Delta Youths

Amby Uneze in Owerri

A German based non-governmental organization, the African Tide Union (ATU) has rounded off a one-week intensive training workshop for youths from the Niger Delta region of the country with the aim of educating them on the negative aspect of illegal migration to Europe.

The training which featured media workshop/training, digital communication and social work, also focused on skills young people need to succeed in a demanding society like Nigeria given the present economic realities of the world.

The programme tagged “Destination Europe: Inform 4 Chance 2017” sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry in partnership with NIDO Germany and the Bayelsa State Government was concluded with a one-day International Youth Conference held at the Cultural Centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

President of the ATU, Dr. Rosalyn Dessman, who was also the International President of the Standard Education Foundation of Nigerian, expressed gratitude to their sponsors and supporters, such as the Bayelsa state government, the Niger Delta region and youths for showing commitments and focused to the programme.

She noted that ATU, a body of African professionals based in Europe decided to come with the message to draw the attention of the youths in order to change their mind-sets and make them more useful to themselves, their families and the nation.

According to her, there is no need for any Nigerian youth especially from the Niger Delta region to want to migrate to Europe at all costs even at the risk of their lives and freedom, inspite of the abundant of natural resources that are abound in the region.

She announced that the ATU is proposing to introduce the German dual education system by building a craft development centre so that those who could not make it through the conventional university system can train and graduate in one technical field or the other with internationally recognized certificates after graduation from the centre.

The Youth Ambassador of the ATU, Tarilayu Weber said the over 2000 youths that graced the training can succeed in this country by simply believing in the country, stating “the international press has created an illusory image of Europe, America and recently in Asia as heaven on earth where everything comes easy”.

“This is a big lie and a deception of the highest order as many of our brothers and sisters over there are wishing to come back but cannot because of the deplorable condition they find themselves and the shame and stigma that will follow them for the rest of their lives if they eventually return unfulfilled”, she said.

Speaking on behalf of Bayelsa State Government, the deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) expressed readiness of the state government to continue to partner of the body to map a way out for the youths.