A Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Anti Human Trafficking Issues, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa has led a delegation to Genova, Italy ahead of the 2019 International Migrants Day which holds 18th December yearly.
It is a global event set aside by the United Nations to identify the major challenges faced by Migrants especially Nigerians in Italy by various Non-Governmental Organizations in Italy and major political parties with the Nigeria Association in Italy and Genova.
The head of the cooperative social onlus Mr. Maurizio Aletti received the Nigeria delegation headed by Solomon Okoduwa who was on a fact finding mission to Italy as a build up to the event.
Amongst the NGO are the foremost Italian NGO, Mater Africa for Humanitarian Aid Initiative led by Alberto Cicala.
The representative of the Nigeria association in Italy Mr. Adewale Adeniji, Secretary General of the Association, Frank Edosa and Mr. Benald who are the host and organizers were at the entourage of the Nigeria delegation.
On arrival, some Nigerians were very glad to see a team of concerned Nigerians from Edo State who came to hear from them and address some of their challenges.
Speaking to the delegation, a Nigerian migrant, Mr. Wasiu who hails from Lagos state said he has been in the center for the past two years.
He reportedly came in with his wife and a kid. He thanked the authority for their warm reception, urgent medical attention and feeding. But he said the commission has denied his asylum request twice.
Also speaking is an Edo state indigene who hails from Ubiaja in Esan South East LGA said he has not been given documents even though he has work for it. He said he was asked to do voluntary work in the farm; he did it for six months, why doing it, he was also schooling for three hours daily. He appealed to them to grant it urgently so he can get a better job.
Another Nigerian who raised same issue is Mr. Stephen. He pointed out that there has been delay in getting Nigerian passport from the embassy.
He explained that the bottleneck has resulted to frustration of some Nigerians who seek asylum. Stephen however appealed to the Nigeria delegation to intervene so as to enable a quick response.
It would be recalled that while the delegation met with the Nigeria Ambassador in Rome in October 2019, he regretted the agonies faced by Nigerians there and promised to ensure that the embassy always attend to them as well as providing adequate booklet to match with the number of Nigerians who need the passport.
Responding to the issues raised by the Migrants in the Genova camp, Mrs. Antonella who is in charge of receiving migrants upon arrival said the camp was doing its part for the settlement of the migrants.
According to her, “when migrants arrived, we take them to the resettlement center, give them medical attention, open up clinic file for them. We will do more.”
Meanwhile, Okoduwa assured that all through their stay in Italy, they will ensure that some of the issues raised by the migrants would be addressed.
He said the issues will be brought forward during debates at the 2019 International Migrants Day in Genova, Italy.
Photo: Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Anti Human Trafficking Issues, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa
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