The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Edo State Government will launch a new campaign targeting Ikpoba Okha, Etsako West and Esan Northeast Local Government Areas of the state in the coming weeks.

This follows the conclusion of its design lab workshop where participants strategized on the best approach to tackling irregular migration in the state and increasing awareness in the three targeted local government areas.

IOM Senior Project Officer, Adora Okoli explained that the campaign would target potential migrants, their parents and communities to further increase awareness on safe and orderly migration.

According to Okoli, the project being funded by the Italian Government will strengthen strategies and digital campaigns that aim at preventing human trafficking and irregular migration in Edo state.

On the commitment of the UN agency to Nigeria, Adora Okoli noted that since April 2017 over 30,000 young Nigerians have been returned with over 50 percent of the figure from Edo State.

On her part, the Executive Secretary, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), Itohan Okungbowa explained that the Managing Migration Through Development Program (MMDP) 2.0 as the brain child of Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki was conceived to build on the foundation laid by MMDP 1.0 which enacted the anti-human trafficking law and established the Edo state taskforce against human trafficking (ETAHT) in 2018.

Okungbowa commended the collaboration with the Italian Government, IOM, and other critical stakeholders for sustaining the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration, insisting that only a collaborative effort will stem the tide of irregular migration.

For the zonal commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Barrister Nduka Nwanwenne the workshop was another attempt by stakeholders to explore multidimensional approaches to tackling irregular migration and human trafficking.

Barrister Nwanwenne stated that with Edo occupying top five position on the ranking of states with high procurement of travel documents, as well as those seeking to migrate irregularly, conversations on how to better manage migration cannot be wished away.

The critical stakeholders commended the UN Agency for its commitment to Nigeria and Edo State. 

The participants were drawn from the Media, Civil Society Organizations, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Orientation Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Edo State Taskforce Against Trafficking, Edo State Skills Development Agency (Edojobs), among others.