It was a national tragedy when news broke a couple of months back that 26 young Nigerian women drowned at sea trying to cross into Europe from Libya. Their remains were retrieved by an Italian-led rescue operation before they were interred in Salerno, Italy. Only two of the young women were identified; some of them as young as 14. Such a pity!

Unfortunately, this sad tale of dangerous expeditions informed by desperation is no longer shocking to some people. No thanks to the almost daily dose of news of African migrants taking horrifying journeys over the Mediterranean to cross into different parts of Europe. The sight has become embarrassing; the shame of a continent. What do we see? Young, able-bodied men and women (some women with their infants) cramped on rickety, unmanned boats and boarding ramps, leaving their fates to ocean tides and, in lucky times, to rescue boats from European countries. We see them from Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, Sudan, Nigeria and so on, travelling in droves from illegal departure ports mostly in Libya en route Europe; having convinced themselves that the grass is only greener on the other side. Many, like the 26 young Nigerian women, die tragically before they reach their destinations while the fortunate ones end up in migrant camps in Europe.

Recently, the global broadcaster, Cable News Network (CNN), began airing a series of news broadcasts on the “booming” slave trade business in Libya, where largely young Africans, Nigerians inclusive, are the victims. This heart wrenching and depressing expose generated reactions, and rightly so, from relevant stakeholders – with African nations conducting evacuation exercises to return their citizens, trapped in migrant camps in Libya, to their respective homelands.  Nigeria has repatriated over 3000 of her citizens from Libya, through the combined efforts of the Federal Government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), European Union (EU), Edo State Government as well as some faith-based and non-governmental organisations.

Of course, we acknowledge that human beings, by nature, are migrant beings. Migration is one of the most enduring human activities. Regardless of the complex nature of contemporary human relations and societies, at the base of all these is the need for man to move from point A to point B in search of essentials required to satisfy his physiological, mental and material needs. But what we are witnessing in the African migrant crisis is irrational, inordinate desire by young Africans to leave the continent in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece even at the risk of losing their lives on these dangerous voyages.

We must also acknowledge, as some have argued, that the migrant crisis and associated human trafficking activities, clearly speak to the sad fact of leadership failure in Africa. To be honest, Africa has not created enabling societies that guarantee sustainable human existence. On the one hand, the average African life is characterised by poverty, illiteracy, inequality, and lack of access to basic necessities of life, including health care, housing and sundry empowerment opportunities. On the other, recorded history is replete with tales of African leaders who plunged their countries into needless strife and restiveness with their selfish desires to perpetuate themselves in power. Yet, evidences abound of their mindless abandonment of their primary responsibilities to cater for the welfare of their citizens. The argument thus concludes that such hopeless situations encourage young Africans to make these frightening journeys, even when it is clear to them that such journeys could end up being fatal.

But regardless of what may be adduced as the reason for these dangerous migration activities by young Africans, governments across the continent still have a duty to protect their youth populations from making such precarious decisions. African governments must see this situation as a pan African crisis requiring immediate, concerted resolution efforts. They  must realise that a national government is some sort of a paterfamilias and  must demonstrate the expected level of care and responsibility, especially for the most vulnerable of its citizens – her youth. While not disparaging their zest, ingenuity and dynamism, we must remember, as the Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, opined that: “It is the failing of youth not to be able to restrain its own violence.”

Here in Nigeria, the relevant Federal agencies – especially, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) – must commence massive campaigns to demonstrate the dangers inherent in illegal migration to our teeming youth population. Working with state governments, global bodies, faith-based organisations and civil society groups, Federal agencies must take these campaigns to every nook and cranny of the country. We must particularly present counter narratives to deceits of human traffickers who lure our youths with promises of a better life in Europe. We have to let our youths (and their parents) know that such offers are decoys for modern slavery and servitude in foreign lands, under gross dehumanising conditions.

On a general note, efforts to revamp the economy and create opportunities for all must now go at full throttle. For years, the rhetoric has been that Nigeria’s youth population is her greatest asset. But we must also realise that when we fail to engage assets they become liabilities. We must not allow our youths to fully lose faith in the Nigerian project. Many of them are already weary; but we can reverse the trend. The singular focus of the federal and state governments, going forward, must be articulation and implementation of socio-economic policies that will equip our youth with the right education; provide them with relevant skills; and create opportunities for them to be gainfully engaged whilst creating value for themselves and the nation as a whole. We cannot allow a repetition of the tragic story of the 26 young women before we act. The time to act is now.

We at Honeywell Group wish all Nigerians a happy, productive and prosperous 2018.

LET US PRAY    

Dear God, we thank You for the gift of life and the grace to witness a new year. We seek Your forgiveness for our failings in times past. As we look forward to the year with hope and optimism, please help us to appreciate the beauty and benefits inherent in our brotherhood. Most importantly, guide our thoughts and actions; so we will only do that which edifies You and blesses fellow Nigerians.