"Okpebholo Outlines Strategies to Prevent Unfair Deaths of Edo Residents in Unregulated Migration"
In a significant move towards addressing irregular migration and human trafficking, the Edo State Migration Agency, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled a multi-sectoral response to sustainable migration governance. The agency's approach is human-centered, focusing on restoring dignity to trafficked victims and their families.
Key components of the strategy include two flagship frameworks: the S³ (See it, Say it, Sort it) and R³ (Re-admit, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate). The S³ empowers communities to report and act upon trafficking or suspicious migration activities, enhancing grassroots vigilance and early intervention. The R³ framework offers psychosocial support, vocational training, business start-up support, and long-term integration plans to ensure the sustainable livelihood of returning migrants within the State.
The Edo State Migration Agency collaborates with various stakeholders, including security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and international development partners, to build a united front against trafficking networks and false migration promises.
Governor Okpebholo's administration is noted for its unprecedented commitment and depth of policy in tackling these issues. Recent efforts include intensified rescue operations and community engagement to reinforce these measures. Notable achievements include the repatriation and rehabilitation of young Edo girls trafficked to Libya and Burkina Faso.
The Governor has also made it clear that no Edo person should be compelled to undertake dangerous migration journeys or endure modern slavery in foreign lands. This commitment is reflected in the agency's outreach efforts, which have extended to the embassies of over 20 countries, particularly members of the European Union. Appeals have been made for visa reforms, reduced application costs, and better legal pathways for travel and work.
In addition, the Edo State Government, through the Migration Agency, has launched the S3 Model (See it, Say it, Sort it), encouraging community members to report suspected cases of trafficking or migration-related crimes. The agency is also driving a comprehensive safe migration education campaign, targeting both potential migrants and returnees to correct misconceptions about life abroad.
Recently, the agency had another landmark case involving the arrest and prosecution of a native doctor notorious for administering trafficking oaths. This action underscores the administration's commitment to eradicating irregular migration, human trafficking, and associated human rights abuses in Edo State.
The Edo State Migration Agency aims to promote social justice and economic reintegration, emphasizing the need for the safety, dignity, and empowerment of Edo people, especially victims of trafficking and returnees. The agency's strategic, human-centered approach is a significant step towards ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for the people of Edo State.
[1] Edo State Government Press Release, [Date]. [2] Edo State Migration Agency Report, [Date].
- In collaboration with numerous stakeholders, the Edo State Migration Agency, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has introduced the S3 Model (See it, Say it, Sort it), urging community members to report suspected cases of trafficking or migration-related crimes in Nigeria as part of their comprehensive safe migration education campaign.
- Notably, the Edo State Migration Agency's strategy includes the R³ framework (Re-admit, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate), offering comprehensive support to returning migrants, including psychosocial support, vocational training, business start-up assistance, and long-term integration plans within the state.
- As part of their efforts to eradicate human trafficking and irregular migration, the agency has engaged in intense rescue operations, community outreach, and collaborations with international development partners and embassies, advocating for visa reforms, reduced application costs, and better legal pathways for travel and work within policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Under the S³ framework (See it, Say it, Sort it), Edo State Migration Agency has empowered communities to report and act upon trafficking or suspicious migration activities, bolstering grassroots vigilance, and early intervention within crime-and-justice.
- The Edo State Migration Agency's groundbreaking effort resulted in the arrest and prosecution of a native doctor known for administering trafficking oaths, symbolizing their unwavering commitment to dismantle human trafficking networks, modern slavery, and associated human rights abuses within the state and Nigeria at large.
