Not less than 100 victims of human trafficking have been repatriated in the last one year by the Oyo State government, according to Bolanle Sarumi-Aliu, senior special assistant to the governor on diaspora affairs.
The state government has also done a comprehensive needs assessment session with the returnees, who have received financial support and empowerment from the state government and different NGOs, she said.
She pledged that the state government would also intensify efforts to reconnect and resettle more trafficked girls from the state.
Speaking in Ibadan during a summit to mark the first anniversary of the office of Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State on Diaspora Matters, Sarumi-Aliu said the pacesetter state is committed to tapping into foreign investments.
She recounted the many successes of her office in the last one year and called on the indigenes to come home to invest in the state.
Speaking earlier, Bisi Ilaka, chief of staff to the governor, affirmed that the state government has executed due diligence and was ready to accommodate businesses in the state.
Read Also: We;re creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Oyo MakindeAccording to him, Oyo State has a pool of veritable talents outside the shores of Nigeria. He therefore called on them to join the state by investing in various sectors of the economy.
Ilaka commended Sarumi-Aliu, describing her office as fit for the current challenges in the state.
Meanwhile, the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) and other relevant stakeholders have applauded Oyo State government over its commitment to championing migration matters and promotion of diaspora investments.
Ajibola Abayomi, president of JIFORM, noted that the rate at which Oyo State was encouraging regular migration and diaspora investment is worthy of emulation by other states.
Abayomi commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s giant strides towards exposing the state’s economy to the benefits inherent in regular migration.
“I must commend the Oyo State government for taking the lead, opening the door to migrants and making the environment conducive for diasporans,” he said.
He also saluted the senior special assistant to the Oyo State governor on diaspora matters, describing her as a worthy appointee whose role in the Diaspora sector is unmatched.
He called on governments across the nation to show empathy for migrants and work with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in curbing irregular migration of Nigerians.
Speaking earlier, Geoffrey Onyeama, minister for foreign affairs, congratulated Oyo State for taking such initiative, which is assisting the Federal Government’s implementation of foreign policies.
The minister, who was represented by Bolaji Akinremi, the ministry’s director, consular and legal matters, pledged the ministry’s readiness to work with state governments to boost economic investments in the nation.
Abike Dabiri Erewa, chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Disapora Commission (NIDCOM), said the commission was set to key into the Oyo State agenda for diasporans.
