…Netherland Ambassador praised Dr. Betta Edu for proactive approach to migration issues
The Ambassador of the Netherlands Mr. Wouter Plomp paid a courtesy visit on the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu and congratulated her on the ministerial appointment saying that her successful antecedents speak volumes NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
He said the visit was also to discuss issues on migration partnership between Netherlands and Nigeria. He informed her of the outcome of the Rabat Process meeting, which requires Nigeria and Netherlands to host a migration dialogue scheduled to hold from 19th to 20th October 2023 and that 58 countries have signed the agreement.
He further said there will be a side event on youth development as ways to reduce illegal migration through the desert and Mediterranean Sea.
The meeting will be an avenue for Nigeria to understand opportunities and needs and how Europe can support young people in Nigeria.
It will also give them the opportunity to understand climate change induced mobility.
Also in the meeting was the Acting Head of NCFRMI, Ambassador Catherine Udidah, who further expressed the importance of The Rabat Process, which is a migration dialogue between Europe and Africa.
“It’s the agreement of 58 countries in Europe and Africa, which has the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) as its secretariat and chaired by Morocco, which now host the rotational Presidency. Nigeria is one of the 4 countries that just got elected into the Steering Committee. Nigeria and Netherlands are co-hosting a thematic event on Youth and Development in the Hague on the 19th and 20th of October 2023. The Honourable Minister is expected to chair the two days event” She expressed.
Responding, the Honourable Minister thanked the Ambassador for engaging and reemphasized the Federal Governments’ commitment to reduce poverty according to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She said that innovative measures must be taken to provide opportunities for young persons and create jobs so that they become less attracted to seeking illegal migration into Europe by all means.
“President Bola Tinubu is creating lots of opportunities and Jobs for young persons in Nigeria and the country must work with Europe to end the countless death that occur in the desert and Mediterranean Sea as well as the hard conditions migrants the are exposed to when the illegally arrive in Europe.” The Honourable Minister added
Dr Betta Edu also called for support to the humanitarian and poverty alleviation drive in the country.
“it would be great if both countries could present different perspectives on the migrants and give opportunity for young Nigerians. It is also hoped that both countries will explore the issue of circular migration” She urged them.
The meeting ended with the Netherlands Ambassador committing to support Nigeria and the ministry on several fronts.
Nigeria and Netherlands to Co-Host Migration Dialogue in the Netherlands in October 2023
Ambassador of the Netherlands Commends Dr. Betta Edu’s Proactive Approach to Migration Issues.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Wouter Plomp, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu. During the visit, Ambassador Plomp congratulated Dr. Edu on her ministerial appointment, highlighting her successful track record.
The primary purpose of Ambassador Plomp’s visit was to discuss matters related to migration partnership between the Netherlands and Nigeria. He shared insights from the Rabat Process meeting, where it was decided that Nigeria and the Netherlands would jointly host a migration dialogue scheduled for October 19th to 20th, 2023. Notably, 58 countries have signed the agreement for this initiative.
Ambassador Plomp emphasized that the dialogue would encompass a side event focused on youth development as a strategy to reduce illegal migration through the perilous desert and Mediterranean Sea routes. The event aims to provide Nigeria with an understanding of opportunities and needs while exploring how Europe can support the country’s youth. Additionally, it will offer insights into addressing climate change-induced migration.
Also present at the meeting was the Acting Head of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Ambassador Catherine Udidah. She highlighted the significance of the Rabat Process, which serves as a migration dialogue platform between Europe and Africa. The agreement involves 58 countries from both continents, with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) serving as its secretariat. Morocco currently chairs the rotational Presidency, with Nigeria among the newly elected members of the Steering Committee. Nigeria and the Netherlands are set to co-host a thematic event on Youth and Development in The Hague on October 19th and 20th, 2023, with Dr. Betta Edu expected to chair the two-day event.
In response, Honourable Minister Dr. Betta Edu expressed her gratitude to Ambassador Plomp and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to poverty reduction in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. She stressed the need for innovative measures to create opportunities and jobs for young Nigerians, thereby reducing their inclination to seek illegal migration routes into Europe.
Dr. Edu underlined President Tinubu’s efforts to generate numerous opportunities and jobs for Nigerian youth. She emphasized the urgency of working with Europe to end the tragic loss of life in the desert and Mediterranean Sea and to improve the conditions faced by migrants when they arrive illegally in Europe.
The Honourable Minister also called for support for humanitarian and poverty alleviation efforts in Nigeria, highlighting the opportunity for both countries to present different perspectives on migration and provide opportunities for young Nigerians. She encouraged both nations to explore the concept of circular migration.
The meeting concluded with Ambassador Plomp pledging his support for Nigeria and the ministry on various fronts. This collaboration between Nigeria and the Netherlands marks a significant step toward addressing migration challenges and fostering sustainable solutions.
