By Mike Oboh
The illegal migration of youths in Africa to other part of the world will affect the development of the continent if massive efforts are not made to address it.
UNESCO Regional officer in Abuja, Mr. Mamadou Lamine Sow made the assertion on Monday night at an Art exhibition held in Abuja.
Sow said it was quite unfortunate that the majority of youths in the continent find their way out of Africa in search of economic and social benefit which will in the future affect development in the continent.
According to him, the youths who are the most valued asset of the continent’s population are compelled to take such ventures because of the situations in the various countries.
He said the nations stand to lose their manpower development if the issues are not addressed to curb it.
“In a situation where the youths are trained in their various countries with the available resources and at the end of their trainings they move out through illegal channels will in the future affect the development of the countries, so to eliminate it the countries should address what manifest their interest in such move by providing the enabling environment for them to excel.
“There should be quality education, provide the enabling environment and in all I will advocate for multipurpose solutions in addressing the issues,” Sow said.
Also speaking, the coordinator of the event planners of the exhibition, Mr. Osaze Efe said the photography exhibition was held to change the narratives about illegal migration and give it a human face.
Afe said the exhibition which featured photographs telling the stories of different illegal migrants by 10 trained photo journalists was put in place by Art for Humanity Foundation.
He said the photo exhibition on selected works of independent young photojournalists was about increasing public access to ethical narratives about migration in Nigeria.
“The curated images were made by selected 10 independent photojournalists who were previously trained in a 2 days’ workshop in Benin and commissioned to various parts of the country to photograph individuals who have been involved or affected by regular or irregular migration within and outside Nigeria” Afe said.
The sole purpose of the exhibition which is themed “En route” is to dispel myths about migration and provide ethical narratives using Photography.
The top three winners will get various prizes at the end of the exhibition.
