President Bola Tinubu has stated that if African leaders make their nations convenient, their citizens would have no reason to migrate to other countries in search of manual labour jobs. He has also reassured the international community that African leaders are committed to strengthening their economies to deter their mostly young citizens from risky migration across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities.
The pledge was made by President Tinubu in his opening speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), which had as its theme “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, prosperity, progress, and Sustainability for All.”
In his speech, the president of Nigeria stated that a stronger economy was also necessary to stop the “inhumane commerce” that has grown along migrant routes and has reduced men, women, and children to commodities.
The President added that: “Our entire region is embroiled in a protracted war against violent extremists. Dangerous migration has a negative influence on regional peace and stability, which is exacerbated by the entry of mercenaries and extremists from the north. An evil trade route for inhumane goods has emerged in the chaos. Everything along the way is for sale. Children, women, and men are viewed as chattel.
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“Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.
“This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region. African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations. We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf.
“Yet, to fully corral this threat, the international community must strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa,” he said.
