CSO Network takes Migration Sensitisation to Anambra Teachers, Students

By Kenechukwu Ofomah, Awka

As part of efforts to deepen awareness on the dangers of irregular migration, especially among the younger generation, the Anambra Civil Society Network on Migration and Development, CSONetMADE, has embarked on an awareness programme on Migration Deceit to Land of Goshen International College, Awka, Anambra State.

The programme aims to educate the public on the dangers of irregular migration, including human trafficking, organ harvesting, and exploitation.

Major targets under the initiative are youths, students, and communities, who are often susceptible to the antics of traffickers who lure them with promises of mouth-watering job promises.
The session was highly engaging and interactive, with students actively participating and asking insightful questions on grey areas, reflecting their curiosity and eagerness to learn.
Addressing the students and teachers at the College, the Anambra State CSONetMADE Coordinator, Miss Eucharia Onyemaobi explained that the program focuses on promoting safe migration while highlighting the dangers associated with irregular migration and human trafficking.

While taking her audience on the concept of migration, the risks and consequences of irregular migration, and the realities of human trafficking, Onyemaobi expressed excitement over the level of participation and interest by the students.

According to her, irregular migration has aborted the laudable dreams of many young people due to their ignorance of the antics of traffickers, hence the need to bring down the campaign to the schools.

“The idea behind bringing this sensitization down here is to ensure that you are not taken unawares,” said Onyemaobi to the students, maintaining that the message of safe and regular migration must be carried by all stakeholders.

Acknowledging the critical role the teachers are to play in tackling migration deceit, the Anambra CSONetMADE coordinator stressed the need for them to understand the dynamics and trends in human trafficking, so as to adequately educate their students on the matter.
“It is important that the teachers and management of the school understand what is at stake, which is that our children are being trafficked on a daily basis and many of them end up dead or dehumanized.

“We must therefore begin to make deliberate efforts at keeping our young people conscious of the gimmicks of these enemies of our children, who deceive them with mouth-watering offers elsewhere.

“We must teach these students that there is no ‘free lunch’ anywhere.
“Yes, there may be greener pastures in these developed countries, but they must be well-prepared before the proceed on such movements otherwise, they may end up being used, abused or even dead.
Teaching our young ones the values of hardwork and diligence is very important. They should also learn to confide in their parents and teachers when they confused about these mouth-watering offers,” she said.

Onyemaobi expressed the commitment of the Anambra CSONetMADE under her leadership towards continuous advocacy, sensitization, and awareness creation on safe and informed migration.

On her part, the school proprietor, Mrs. Obianuju Mercy Okeke, expressed the school management’s strong interest in supporting the initiative and committed to inviting the team for future engagements, including PTA meetings.
This, she said, will ensure sustained awareness, rather than one-off interventions.