No fewer than 37, 000 Nigerians migrated to Italy in 2016, according to
the President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Laura Boldrini.Boldrini who made this
known during a
courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Mr. Yakubu Dogara yesterday, expressed support for a unified effort by both
Nigeria and Italy to check the ugly trend and terrorism.
Boldrini who did not specify as to whether the immigrants entered Italy
legally or not remarked that Italy stands by Nigeria’s side to combat terrorism
even as it appreciates ongoing effort to tackle the menace since it remains a
threat to the entire world.
Commending President Muhammadu Buhari for the rescue of 82 girls who were
kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State three years ago, she expressed willingness
of Italy’s parliament to collaborate with its Nigerian counterpart to address
the challenges faced by victims displaced by Boko Haram attacks, as well as the
trafficking of people, especially young girls and women, to Italy.
Guadian reported that Boldrini also said that she was concerned that “UN agencies, working to
provide aid for IDPs, are suffering because of lack of aid. It is important
that the international community continues to fund, to get resources for those
in need so that they don’t cut aid for victims of terrorism in this country,”
she said.
Dogara who expressed appreciation over her visit, stressed the need for
the education and economic empowerment of citizenry.Calling for partnership
between the two countries to stop the tide of illegal immigration and terrorism
in Nigeria, he said one of the ways the feat can be achieved is through
economic development, which is a sure way to empower people to get out of
poverty and resist the lure to engage in crime or risk travelling to Europe
through the Mediterranean Sea.
He further added that it is the quest for a better life that motivates
Nigerians and other nationalities to embark on risky journeys across the Mediterranean
Sea in hopes of getting a better life in Europe.
To check the menace, Dogara, urged Italy to invest in the economy of
Nigeria, stating, “the truth is that for us to deal with terrorism, illegal
migration, trafficking and cross border crimes, we have to address the issue of
bringing prosperity to sister countries so that citizens are catered for and
jobs are provided.’’
He called for more world partnership in the fight against terrorism, as
well as the donation of aid for resettlement of displaced persons and victims
of terrorism, saying democracy is a way of governance that caters for all.
The two heads of parliament visited an Internally Displaced Persons camp
in Kuchigoro, Abuja, where they had a first hand view of their living
conditions, after which the Italian parliament president promised to offer
assistance to the IDPs.
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