Buhari: Youths’ Desperation to Cross Mediterranean Injurious to Nigeria

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the sheer desperation of Nigerian youths to travel through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, in search of menial jobs in Europe, was injurious to the pride of the country.

The president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari made the remarks at State House, during a farewell audience with the outgoing High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency, Peingeondjabi Shipoh.

According to the statement, the president noted that there were vast opportunities for Nigeria and Namibia to cooperate in areas of agriculture and trade.

Adesina also said the president recalled the sacrifices made for the freedom of Namibia, particularly by the administrations of Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo.

“With great potentials in Africa, the President decried illegal exodus to Europe, at grave risk to lives and limbs, and then pledged: “We will do our best to make our country live-able again,” the president was quoted as saying.

He also said the outgoing High Commissioner, who spent four years and 11 months in Nigeria, added that the country had become second home for himself and his family.

“I enjoyed great support in carrying out my duties. I return home with absolute satisfaction that our two countries are more than ready for intra-African trade and exchange of state visits by the leaders. Our two countries have a lot in common, and Africa can only be developed by Africans themselves,” he quoted him as saying.

Adesina added that Shipoh wished Nigeria a successful general election in 2019.