Stop neglecting erring Nigerians abroad ‘Daily Sun’ tells Nigerian government.
Nigeria map with flag
Frequent reports of harrowing experiences of Nigerian immigrants in different parts of the world have become an embarrassment to the country.
One of the most recent of these is the revelation that no fewer than 20,000 Nigerians are languishing in prisons and detention centres in the United Kingdom (UK) over immigration offences.
Mr. Fola Rahman, the UK based legal practitioner and immigration consultant who disclosed the bad news, said the Nigerian detainees in UK include young adults, the aged and pregnant women.
The lawyer decried the difficult times Nigerians are facing in the UK.
He cited one instance in which 26 Nigerians were found living in a single room accommodation in that country.
The plight of these Nigerian detainees should be of interest to the authorities.
Negative reports on Nigerians abroad reduce the stature of our country in the international community.
It is lamentable that so many of our compatriots are in detention in UK for flouting the immigration laws of that country.
The situation requires the prompt intervention of our foreign minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia.
Our representative in the UK should step in to do whatever he can to ensure prompt and fair hearing for the detained Nigerians.
Robust intervention by the authorities will go a long way to quicken the resolution of the cases against the beleaguered Nigerians.
Our High Commission in the United Kingdom should ensure that there are no instances of racial bias or stigmatisation in the cases against the Nigerian immigrants. Everything should be done to ensure justice for them. However, we need to be strong at home to earn respect for our citizens and our country, abroad.
The government should work harder at improving the economy and managing the exchange rate of the naira to the world’s major currencies.
Most Nigerian immigrants are economic migrants who are lured abroad by the prospects of better economic opportunities and the superior value of the pound and the dollar over the naira.
Unemployment is a major cause of emigration. Provision of an enabling environment for gainful employment will reduce the desperation to leave the country. The government should provide a good environment for productive ventures to thrive in the country.
Nigerians should also strive harder to make a success of their lives here. They should realise that no country has its streets paved with gold. They should eschew improper channels in their bid to relocate abroad so that they do not end up in prison when they flout immigration laws of other countries.
The Sun
Many Nigerians have died as stowaways on aircraft en route Europe, while scores drowned during attempts to access the continent via the Mediterranean Sea. Many are in prisons in different parts of the world. In Indonesia alone, 18 of our compatriots are on death row. Nigerians were among the 18 killed in Libya last Sunday. Our people should learn lessons from these incidents. In addition, government should henceforth take a serious view of the activities of syndicates and fraudsters who lure young Nigerians abroad through improper channels.
However, the seeming antagonism against Nigerians in Britain is unexpected. Britain, as Nigeria’s former colonial authority, should be understanding of our country’s many challenges. She should be more open to our people. Nigeria and Britain have strong relations dating back many decades.
Diplomacy matters a lot in the way immigration issues between our two countries are handled. Britain, indeed, can grant amnesty to deserving cases among the detainees. The country can help to grow the economy of Nigeria and strengthen democracy and good governance, to reduce the desperation of Nigerian youths to escape the harsh conditions in the country.
The cases against the 20,000 Nigerian detainees should be speedily resolved. Every possible assistance should be given to them by the appropriate authorities
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