The Oyo State Government has resisted plans to turn desert areas across its 33 local government areas into transit points for illegal migrants, popularly referred to as “Japa.”
As part of efforts to stamp out the practice, the government has set up a committee to tackle the issue.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Migration and Homeland Security, ACG Segun Adegoke (rtd), disclosed this after the maiden meeting of the Oyo State Reintegration Committee held in Ibadan.
According to him, the committee has a mandate to address all matters related to reintegration, illegal migration, prevention, advocacy, and public awareness of the dangers of illegal migration through the desert.
Adegoke revealed that Governor Makinde has allocated 10,000 hectares of land through the State Ministry of Agriculture for a Youth Empowerment and Reintegration Project, sponsored by the National Centre for Migration Policy in partnership with the European Union.
He added that the land, located in Iganna, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, will be coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
He explained that the Oyo State Reintegration Committee was inaugurated by the Southwest Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
“The committee was inaugurated in line with the provisions of Section 7 of the National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Act of 2021, and Section 7.2 of the National Migration Policy 2015 of Nigeria.
“It is tasked with handling all matters concerning the reintegration of returnees, migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons in Oyo State. This forms part of Nigeria’s national migration framework.
“We must commend Governor Seyi Makinde, who has shown vision by establishing the Office of Migration and Homeland Security — the only one of its kind in Nigeria. Other states have different names, but Oyo is the only state with a dedicated office for Migration and Homeland Security.
“Furthermore, as part of his youth employment initiatives, Governor Makinde, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has allocated land for a project sponsored by the National Centre for Migration Policy and the European Union, supported by the Danish Government.
“The governor has provided 10,000 hectares in Iganna for this Youth Empowerment and Reintegration Project. Under the coordination of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, this committee will serve as part of the steering team to ensure the success of the project.
“Eighteen per cent of the beneficiaries will be local indigenes, and we will ensure that only bonafide indigenes of Oyo State benefit from the programme. This is the core mandate of the committee.
“These beneficiaries will be engaged in agribusiness and trained in mechanised farming. Funding will be provided, not just seeds but full financial support, including access to markets. It is a complete value chain, and Oyo State is leading the way with full government support.
“This initiative reflects the governor’s vision and passion, and it deserves commendation. Not only will it create jobs for youths, but it will also benefit local communities and help curb illegal migration through the desert. After all, idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”
On the committee’s public awareness efforts, Adegoke said: “We are creating awareness about the dangers of illegal migration through the desert. We don’t want our indigenes to suffer another form of slavery.
“We’re not saying people shouldn’t ‘Japa’, but they should not do it through irregular means. For example, someone can apply for a United Nations job from the comfort of their home. The website is available, and if they qualify, they’ll be shortlisted, interviewed, and sent on a mission.
“What we are encouraging is safe, legal migration. The government has nothing against Japa — we just want it done the right way.
“In the next two years, Oyo State will no longer be regarded as a source, destination, or transit state for illegal migration.”
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