Irregular migration practices, a ticking time bomb – BANC Foundation

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation on Friday described irregular migration practices as a ticking time bomb that must be defused.

President and CEO of BANC Foundation, Dr. Chibuzor Onyema, said this a a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos to announce the foundation’s forthcoming Anti-Irregular Migration Summit (AiMS).

The summit will take place at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, in Abuja on 19 September, 2024.

Onyema said the Anti-Irregular Migration Practices which sometimes entailed dangerous and self-destructive moves of persons across the Sahara Desert or through the Mediterranean Sea might have, perhaps, consumed as many lives of young people as had wars and natural disasters put together.

“Irregular migration practices is therefore, not just a challenge, but a ticking time bomb! Left unchecked, it threatens to undermine Africa’s development, destabilize polity of nations and erode the very fabric of our otherwise beautiful societies.

“It is against the forgoing background that we, Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation and Blacks in All Nations Community (BANC), USA, in collaboration with ECO Center for Africa, Canada have convened the Anti-Irregular Migration Summit (AiMS).

“With the erudite and very eloquent Professor PLO Lumumba as Keynote Speaker, AiM Summit is convened not only to discuss this pressing issue, but to develop actionable strategies that will secure a brighter future for Nigeria and its people, as well as Africa as a whole,” he said.

According to Onyema, instead of dwelling on the symptoms, BANC is interested on causes, lamenting that every year, thousands of youth embarked on perilous journeys, driven by the allure of greener pastures abroad.

He explained that they fled the country from unemployment, economic hardship, and social instability, often falling prey to exploitation, human trafficking, and inhumane conditions.

The BANC CEO decried that the loss of the nation’s brightest minds and most energetic youth weakens the country’s national and continental potential and sapped the strength they needed to build a thriving, prosperous Africa.

He warned that irregular migration, if allowed to continue unchecked, posed significant risks to national development, as it drained human capital, leaving critical sectors like healthcare, education, and industry, starved of talent and innovation.

Onyema added: “The remittances sent back home, though significant, can never fully compensate for the loss of skilled labor and intellectual capacity that we desperately need to drive economic growth and social progress.

“Moreover, the instability caused by irregular migration extends beyond our borders. It strains our diplomatic relations, increases security concerns, and complicates international cooperation. The stories of our citizens suffering abroad tarnish our continent’s image and undermine our standing in the global community.

“The societal impact is profound, creating broken families, fostering a sense of hopelessness, and perpetuating cycles of poverty and migration. We are here therefore, to announce to the African Youth that all hope is not lost!”

He said BANC Foundation is engaging State and Regional Governments for opportunities to train young people in strategic skills getting them ready for opportunities to work, and in collaboration with some advanced nations, provide legitimate opportunities for such well trained persons to work, not just at home, but in countries where their services might be needed on a talent-exchange basis.

Onyema stated that the theme of this summit, “The JAPA CONUNDRUM: Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing the Irregular Migration Crisis,” underscored BANC Foundation’s commitment to developing holistic and sustainable solutions, saying that “We must prioritize technical training, community education, and economic development.”

“We need to create an environment where our youth can thrive within our borders, where they can see a future filled with opportunity and hope. One of our flagship initiatives, Irregular Migration Mitigation Skills and Resource Centre (IMMSaRC), exemplifies our approach.

“This centre will provide essential vocational training, job opportunities, and a pathway to national and international employment. By equipping our youth with skills and knowledge, we empower them to build successful careers and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s growth,” he added.

Onyema, however, said this journey is not one the foundation could undertake alone, calling on African leaders, at the national, states and regional levels to partner with them in providing non-classroom, skill education for their youth.

“Let us remember that the cost of inaction is too high. Irregular migration is a threat that we cannot afford to ignore. By working together, we can defuse this time bomb and pave the way for a stable, prosperous, and vibrant Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“Let us use this summit as a launchpad for meaningful change and lasting impact. Together, we can secure a brighter future for Nigeria, Africa and the world,” he said.