- House of Representatives has raised alarm over slavery of Nigeria in Libya
- Some members of the house said the government should adopt proactive measures to discourage the youth from embarking on needless journeys
- Emma Ogene (Lagos state), however, said the only solutions is employment opportunity
House of Representatives has urged the federal government to liaise with the government of Libya to find a solution to the menace of migration and modern day slavery in the country.
Vanguard reports that It also mandated its committees on human rights, and foreign affairs to interface with the ministry of foreign affairs and relevant stakeholders to identify the factors that encourage migrants to embark on the perilous journey.
Moving the motion, Fijabi said a certain Nigerian was sold for $400 (₦144,000) to north African buyers as potential farm hands.
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The motion which also has a reflection to another one moved by Omosede Igbinedion noted that Nigerians who migrate abroad in search of greener pastures ended up either dead or permanently injured.
Fajabi said: ''The House notes that African migrants from nations including Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger and Gambia make the dangerous crossing through the Sahara Desert to Libya with hopes of making it over the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and other European countries in search of greener pastures.''
Contributing to the debate on the motion, some members of the House said the government needed to adopt proactive measures to discourage the youth from embarking on needless journeys.
Also speaking, Emma Ogene (Lagos state) said that it was a sad moment for the country.
Ogene however said that the unhealthy development was a wake up call for all levels of government to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
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He said: ''The solutions lies in the various levels of government in providing employment to our youths”
On his part, the leader of the House Femi Gbajabiamila advised Nigerian parents against subjecting their house helps to inhuman treatments, saying it was also slavery.
According to Gbajabiamila, ''We are practicing the slavery here on our soil.''
The committees on human rights, and foreign affairs were also given 4 weeks within which to work and report back to the House for further legislative action.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the Nigerian Senate raised concerns over slavery of Nigerians in Libya as a result of illegal migration and desire to seek greener pastures abroad.
The senate made their concerns known while debating a motion sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai.
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 30 November 2017