Category: Nigerian Tribune

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has donated N52 million to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State and survivors of the incident.

The APC National Chairman, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda, announced the donation when he led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on a sympathy visit to the state in Minna.

Yilwatda said N1 million would be given to each of the families of the 37 deceased miners, amounting to N37 million, to help cushion the impact of the tragedy on their loved ones.

He added that N500,000 would be given to each of the artisanal miners who survived the incident, bringing the total support package to N52 million.

The APC chairman expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as unfortunate and painful.

He said the financial assistance was intended to provide relief to the affected families and survivors as they dealt with the consequences of the incident.

Yilwatda also commended the Niger State Government for its response to the tragedy and called for continued efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Responding, the state governor, Umaru Bago, thanked the APC National Chairman and members of the NWC for supporting the affected families.

Bago said the visit ‘speaks volumes,’ adding that the gesture demonstrated the party’s concern for the state at a difficult time.

The governor confirmed that the N52 million would be distributed through the committee headed by the deputy governor in collaboration with the Minna Emirate.

All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 09, Oke-Iserin, Igboora, in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State, has expelled former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Saubana Ajibola Muraina from the party.

The decision as contained in a statement by Mr. Fasasi Mustapha and Mr. Afolabi Abiodun, Chairman and Secretary Ward 09 Oke Iserin Igboora, Oyo state respectively

was taken at an emergency Executive meeting of the Ward.

Hon. Dr. Muraina, a former member of the APC in Ward 09, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after failing to secure the APC ticket for Ibarapa Central / Ibarapa North Federal Constituency for the 2027 general elections, and has now emerged as the PDP candidate for the same constituency.

The Ward Executive further stated that despite his defection, Hon. Muraina has continued to parade himself as a member of the APC in a calculated attempt to cause confusion and sow division within the party in Ward 09 and Ibarapa Central LGA.

His actions were described as gross anti-party activities, in clear violation of Article 21(A)(ii), (v), and (x) of the APC Constitution (as amended).

‘Consequently, Hon. Dr. Saubana Ajibola Muraina is hereby expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 09, Oke-Iserin, Igboora. He ceases to be a member of our party at Ward, Local Government, State and National levels and should no longer be related with or paraded as a member or leader of the APC,’ the statement read.

The Ward disclosed that the expulsion letter has been forwarded through the LGA Party Chairman to the State Chairman for ratification and onward transmission to the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja for necessary action.

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated the Samuel Adetayo Onadele Health Centre, in Odoralamo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, said the ultramodern facility, facilitated by the Odoralamo Development Association (ODA) and sponsored by the Onadele family of Itun Nla Quarters of the community, would boost access to healthcare services in the area.

Saying the initiative was a major milestone in the development of the community, the governor commended stakeholders in the project for their development initiatives aimed at making life meaningful for the people at the grassroots.

Earlier, the ODA chairman, Elder Matthew Adebambo, said the facility was a significant achievement in the association’s commitment to the development and wellbeing of the community.

He noted that the association’s development agenda extended beyond healthcare delivery, as it had equally embarked on the supply of potable water, solar-powered street lights, education, physical infrastructure, and other community development initiatives.

Adebambo commended the stakeholders, particularly the Onadele family, for sponsoring the project, adding that the facility was a lasting legacy and a milestone in the development of the area.

He attributed the achievement to the collective commitment of the people, purposeful partnerships and the generousity of individuals, families and other stakeholders who had consistently supported the community’s development initiatives.

Also featured at the inauguration was an empowerment programme sponsored by Professor Adeboye Dada through the Hannah Olawunmi Dada (HOD) Foundation.

Ahead of the 2027 governorship election, candidates of political parties contesting the election have signed a peace accord in Yola.

The candidates said they were committed to peaceful and issue-based campaigns before, during and after the February 2027 election.

The peace accord was signed on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Adamawa State Government House, Yola, during the Adamawa State 2027 Violence-Free Campaigns and Elections Peace Accord Summit, held under the theme, ‘Peace Before, During and After the Elections.’

The peace accord was an initiative of the ABAK Peace Foundation in collaboration with the National Peace Committee and the Adamawa State Peace Commission.

The National Peace Committee is chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, while The Kukah Centre serves as its secretariat.

Under the agreement, the candidates pledged to reject electoral violence, hate speech, ethnic and religious incitement, intimidation, threats, misinformation, disinformation and personal attacks throughout the electoral process.

They also committed to conducting issue-based campaigns centred on their policies, programmes and visions for the development of Adamawa State.

The summit brought together political stakeholders and other relevant actors to discuss measures for preventing election-related violence and ensuring that political differences are addressed through lawful and democratic means.

The organisers said sustaining peace during the 2027 electoral process would require the collective efforts of political parties and candidates, as well as their supporters.

They added that traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, youth and women’s groups, and the electorate were all critical stakeholders in the peace project.

The Adamawa Peace Accord is a follow-up to a National Peace Accord signed in Abuja in August 2026, under which political parties and presidential candidates pledged to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisers said the state-level accord was intended to translate the national commitment into a framework for peaceful political competition and promote respect for democratic processes and peaceful coexistence in Adamawa State.

Shareholders of University Press Plc have approved a dividend of 18 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo at the company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), representing an increase from the 15 kobo paid in the previous year.

Chairman of the company, Mr Obafunso Ogunkeye, disclosed that the dividend payment amounts to approximately N77.65 million and will be subject to withholding tax.

Speaking at the AGM, Ogunkeye commended the company’s workforce for their resilience amid challenging economic conditions marked by global geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and uncertainties in energy and commodity markets.

According to him, the company recorded a revenue growth of about 14 per cent, rising to N3.895 billion from N3.402 billion in the preceding financial year.

The chairman also introduced the company’s new Secretary and Legal Adviser, Ms Olusayo Adeleye, to shareholders, while he called for a minute silence for the company’s immediate past managing director, Alhaji Akin Olajide, who passed away last month.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Mr Samuel Kolawole, expressed optimism about the company’s prospects in the 2026/2027 financial year, noting that management remains committed to sustaining growth and operational excellence.

‘To achieve future successes, we must preserve the strength of our core publishing business, improve efficiency and build new channels through which learners and institutions can access our content more easily,’ he said.

Kolawole thanked shareholders for their continued confidence and support, which he said had helped the company navigate changing economic and industry realities over the years.

Meanwhile, shareholders ratified the appointment of Major-General Daniel Danjuma Kitchener (retd) as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the company.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, communities, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders to accelerate efforts to eliminate rabies in Nigeria by 2030.

Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Director, Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Dr Samuel Akawu Anzaku, made the call during activities commemorating the 2026 World Rabies Day in Abuja.

The event, held under the theme, ‘Stronger Together: Ending Rabies in Nigeria’, featured calls for increased public awareness, mass dog vaccination and coordinated action across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.

Anzaku said rabies remains a major public health concern despite being preventable through vaccination, stressing that activities marking World Rabies Day should translate into sustained interventions beyond the annual commemoration.

He stated that ministry’s campaign would include mass vaccination of dogs in communities and Area Councils, a technical symposium and wider national mobilisation involving State Veterinary Services, development partners, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders.

The chief veterinary officer also disclosed plans to introduce human pre-exposure prophylaxis for frontline workers regularly exposed to dogs, including veterinarians, para-veterinary professionals and hunters.

He stressed the need for the adoption of the one health approach, noting that effective rabies control required coordinated interventions across the livestock, human health and environmental sectors.

Anzaku also called for stronger measures to address the problem of stray dogs, with the active involvement of relevant environmental authorities.

He urged Nigerians to take unusual changes in the behaviour of dogs seriously, particularly unprovoked aggression, excessive irritability and abnormal biting.

He advised dog owners to ensure that their animals are regularly vaccinated, urging anyone bitten or exposed to a suspected rabid animal to immediately report to the nearest health or veterinary facility for appropriate medical attention.

Also speaking, National Coordinator, Rabies Control Programme in Nigeria and Coordinator, National One Health Technical Working Group on Rabies, Dr George Uzaga Onyemaokwu, said Nigeria continued to record rabies cases across the country.

He disclosed that reports had been received from between 18 and 20 states in some months, with more than 100 cases recorded between January and August 2026.

According to him, rabies has been reported in different parts of the country, with some areas in the North-Central and North-East identified as areas of particular concern.

Onyemaokwu identified responsible dog ownership as one of the most important measures for controlling the disease.

He explained that although dogs were not naturally carriers of the rabies virus, they could become infected when exposed to it.

He said Nigeria had an estimated dog population of more than 30 million and stressed the need to achieve high vaccination coverage, with a target of vaccinating about 70 per cent of the country’s dog population.

He therefore called on state governments, development partners, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders to support mass dog vaccination campaigns, noting that prevention through vaccination remained critical to saving lives and reducing the economic burden associated with rabies.

The One Health Lead at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Nasir Ahmed, also stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities and other stakeholders.

Ahmed said the NCDC continued to support public awareness and access to post-exposure prophylaxis for people exposed to rabies.

Similarly, the FCT One Health Desk Officer, Dr Sharifat Fadugba, called for stronger community engagement, improved availability of reliable data on the dog population and increased vaccination coverage, particularly at the grassroots.

The Chairperson of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT Chapter, Dr Chinnemeka Joe Irobe, who represented the National President, Dr Moses Arokoju, disclosed that the association had commenced mass dog vaccination across rural communities in the FCT.

She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at preventing and eventually eliminating rabies.

The stakeholders urged Nigerians to practise responsible dog ownership, ensure that their dogs were vaccinated and promptly report all dog-bite incidents to the nearest health or veterinary facility.

They emphasised that sustained collaboration across the human, animal and environmental health sectors would be critical to achieving Nigeria’s goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.

The growing intersection between traditional institutions and partisan politics in Nigeria came under scrutiny during The Toyin Falola Interview, as Professor Toyin Falola and the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba Professor Saka Adelola Matemilola, examined the political responsibilities and limits of traditional rulers in contemporary Nigeria.

The discussion formed part of the interview themed ‘Indigenous Education, Character Formation and the Making of Citizens,’ but broadened into a significant conversation about governance, political authority and the place of traditional institutions in a democratic society.

The panel was led by Falola and included Professor Gabriel Olatunde Babawale, renowned scholar of Political Economy; Professor Bridget Itunu Awosika, distinguished Professor of Home Economics at Adeyemi Federal University of Education; and Dr Olabimpe Olori Adeyemi, linguist, poet and chanter and a lecturer in linguistics and Nigerian languages at the University of Ilorin.

Introducing the Olowu, Falola described him as ‘the rare synthesis of traditional leadership and global academia,’ noting his academic training in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ibadan and Applied Mechanics at the University of Cambridge, alongside his professional experience in engineering and the energy sector.

The political dimension of the conversation emerged from a question about whether traditional rulers can remain relevant in modern governance without becoming political actors.

For Matemilola, the distinction is critical. He argued that traditional rulers cannot completely detach themselves from governance because their communities are affected directly by government decisions, but they must distinguish participation in governance from partisan political alignment.

‘The reality is this: we cannot absorb ourselves from the politics of governance. However, partisanship is what must be avoided by traditional rulers. It must be,’ the monarch said.

He explained that the authority of a traditional ruler derives partly from the expectation that the monarch represents the entire community rather than a section identified with a particular political party.

‘We are supposed to be the father of our people,’ he said.

Matemilola consequently warned against traditional rulers openly campaigning for political parties or candidates.

‘When a monarch, a traditional ruler begins to carry the placard of a particular political party, then that person is ridiculing his stool and his people,’ he said.

‘So, again, we must avoid partisanship as traditional rulers,’ he added.

The issue raised a wider question about the relationship between political power and traditional authority in Nigeria. Falola’s intervention challenged participants to consider whether traditional institutions lose part of their legitimacy when they become too closely associated with political interests.

The question is particularly significant because traditional rulers remain influential at the community level even though they do not derive their authority from electoral contests. Their ability to mediate disputes, mobilise communities and engage government officials gives them a continuing public role, while their traditional status places expectations of neutrality upon them.

Matemilola argued that this grassroots position should instead be used to strengthen governance.

‘For those who really know their role and are playing their role, they are close to the grassroots. They know people in the various neighborhoods,’ he said.

According to him, that proximity is especially valuable in dealing with insecurity.

‘When there’s an issue, there’s a problem, for example, insecurity, they get to know very quickly,’ he said.

He added: ‘So, when it comes to security issues, traditional rulers are very, very key to ensuring that we are able to stem the tide of insecurity that we have in this country.’

For Falola, the issue was not simply whether kings should remain relevant but how their traditional authority should relate to the institutions of the modern state. His questioning brought into focus the apparent tension between inherited authority and democratic political structures.

Matemilola, however, described the two systems as capable of operating alongside each other.

‘I don’t see that as a threat to them at all because it’s complementary, it’s supporting them,’ he said.

He argued that the relationship could become more productive if the responsibilities of traditional rulers were properly defined rather than left largely to convention.

‘Our role is formally not just recognized but also given the right responsibility in the constitution and accountability in the constitution, such that we are able to benefit and complement the efforts of the established political structure that we have,’ he said.

The monarch also identified traditional dispute resolution as an area where the palace could contribute to the effectiveness of government institutions. Referring to the Owu Alternative Dispute Resolution initiative, he said traditional institutions could help address cases that might otherwise remain within an already burdened judicial system.

‘ADR is another major area that can help with the judicial system. It can help free our judicial system,’ Matemilola said.

‘There are a lot of backlogs of cases that judges are struggling with that can be resolved amicably in palaces,’ he added.

The conversation thus presented traditional institutions not as substitutes for elected government but as community-based institutions whose influence could be harnessed without compromising their political neutrality.

The distinction between participating in governance and participating in partisan politics emerged as one of the clearest positions from the discussion. For Matemilola, traditional rulers can engage government, contribute to security and development discussions and represent community interests, but their authority becomes vulnerable when they openly identify themselves with particular political parties.

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, has tasked the Federal Government with urgently expanding Nigeria’s clinical-trial infrastructure and strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce the country’s dependence on imported medicines.

Salako said Nigeria needed more Phase I to Phase IV clinical-trial centres, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to strengthen the country’s research capacity and generate evidence relevant to its population.

He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 4th Nigerian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (NISPET) Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting in Ibadan. The conference was held under the theme, ‘Pharmacology Beyond Boundaries: Innovation and Translational Science for Sustainable Health.’

Salako said pharmacologists should play a more prominent role in clinical-trial design and management, ethical compliance, pharmacovigilance and the development of national drug policies.

He also called for stronger partnerships among universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical manufacturers, start-ups and government to ensure that scientific discoveries are translated into medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies.

‘Nigeria has everything it needs to become a pharmacology powerhouse – biodiversity, disease diversity and a huge population. What is required now is coordination, ambition and bold leadership,’ he said.

The former NIMR chief also called for an end to professional and institutional silos within the health sector, saying greater collaboration was essential to building a sustainable healthcare system.

‘For too long, health professionals in Nigeria have operated in silence. But if we are to achieve a truly sustainable health system for our nation, a paradigm shift is urgently needed,’ he said.

He urged professional associations and scientific societies to work together on research funding, health policy, medical education and workforce development.

Salako also urged greater investment in medicinal plants, natural products and ethnopharmacology, saying Nigeria’s biodiversity offered significant opportunities for indigenous drug discovery.

He said traditional knowledge should be subjected to rigorous scientific validation before being developed into safe and effective therapeutic products.

He further advocated the integration of artificial intelligence, genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and digital health into pharmacological research and training.

Salako said Nigeria must urgently bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and their application in healthcare.

‘Too often, promising discoveries remain untapped and trapped in academic journals, never reaching the patients who need them most,’ he said.

He called for stronger links between researchers, clinicians, industry and policymakers to accelerate the translation of discoveries from the laboratory to the bedside.

He also encouraged the deployment of digital technologies to improve medication adherence, remote monitoring and treatment delivery, stressing that ‘innovation must serve humanity, not markets.’

Salako further advocated stronger African cooperation in clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

According to him, Nigeria can strengthen its role in African pharmacology by investing in research infrastructure, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and creating effective pathways for translating scientific discoveries into locally produced health solutions.

He said the future of pharmacology depended on breaking disciplinary, institutional and geographical boundaries while ensuring that research ultimately translated into better healthcare outcomes.

The Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro has inaugurated an Interact Club at Remescrown College, Ibadan, as part of efforts to engage young people in community service, leadership and humanitarian activities.

The newly inaugurated club comprises 29 members, with Melody Olatunji as President, Fiyinfunoluwa Oluwole as Vice President, Ebunoluwa Oluwole as Treasurer and Oyinkansola Oresanya as Secretary.

At the inauguration ceremony, members of the club were presented with bags, exercise books and membership certificates.

The Rotary Club, in collaboration with University Press Plc, also donated textbooks to the school library to support teaching and learning.

Speaking at the occasion, President of the Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro, Rotarian Omolara Oluborode, said the inauguration marked another step in the club’s commitment to developing young people who would grow into responsible leaders and agents of positive change in society.

Oluborode welcomed the new Interactors into a movement built on service, leadership, friendship and positive change, describing their induction as the beginning of a new journey in Rotary International’s youth service programme.

She said the programme would provide the students with opportunities to develop leadership skills while serving their school, community and the wider society.

She urged the students to lead by example, uphold integrity and embrace the willingness to serve with compassion, energy, courage and determination.

‘It would be fulfilling to see them grow from Interactors into responsible leaders and citizens who will make a lasting contribution to society,’ she said.

Oluborode assured the new Interactors of the club’s commitment to guiding, encouraging and supporting them throughout their journey.

Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator, Bisi Yomi-Layinka, explained that Interact was a Rotary-sponsored club for young people aged 12 to 18 who come together to identify and address issues affecting their communities.

She said the name ‘Interact’ represented ‘International’ and ‘Action’, noting that the movement was about young people taking positive action to make their communities and the world better.

According to her, the new members had joined a global family of more than 500,000 Interactors in over 150 countries, united by the Rotary ideal of ‘Service Above Self.’

She thereafter formally inaugurated the Interact Club of Remescrown College into the Rotary International District 9126 family.

In her acceptance speech, the pioneer President of the club, Melody Olatunji, expressed appreciation to the school management, teachers, Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro and others who entrusted her with the leadership responsibility.

Olatunji said her administration would focus on teamwork, kindness, leadership, community service, academic excellence and friendship.

She noted that the club would encourage students to identify challenges around them and work collectively towards finding meaningful solutions.

She said, ‘Being the President of this club is not just about having a title. It is about service, leadership, friendship, responsibility, and making a positive difference.

‘As Interactors, we are young people with great potential. We may be students today, but we are also the leaders, professionals and change-makers of tomorrow.’

She assured members that their ideas, talents and contributions would be valued, adding that she would promote a collective leadership approach.

Found of Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation, Dr Chibuzo Onyema, has called for a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FMFA), relevant government agencies, employers, development partners and international organisations to establish pathways for tackling irregular migration among young Africans.

Onyema, convener of the Anti-Irregular Migration Summit, said skills acquisition alone would not stop young people from embarking on irregular migration unless the skills could be converted into decent jobs, sustainable livelihoods and income-generating opportunities.

He made the call while explaining the Africa Global Employability and Mobility Solutions (AfriGEMS), a human-capital development and migration-mitigation initiative developed by BANC Foundation and implemented through the Pathways Institute for Mobility Alternatives (PIMA), in Abuja over the weekend.

He said to him, AfriGEMS is designed to support efforts by African and European institutions to mitigate irregular migration by addressing some of the economic realities that compel young people to seek opportunities outside their countries.

He stated that young people who acquire skills but cannot find decent work or earn sustainable incomes could still see migration as their only viable option.

Onyema argued that interventions against irregular migration should go beyond discouraging young people from leaving their countries and instead address the economic conditions that influence their decisions.

‘A distinguishing feature of AfriGEMS is its deliberate connection between skills development, employability and responsible human mobility,’ he said.

According to him, the initiative equips young Africans with globally relevant industrial, technical, vocational, digital and green skills through practical training and apprenticeships linked to certification, employment and entrepreneurship.

He stressed that the model was not built around certificates alone but around creating a practical route through which participants could develop competencies that translate into employment, enterprise creation and productive livelihoods.

He explained that participants would be prepared to acquire demonstrable competencies linked to apprenticeships, local employment, self-employment, enterprise creation and other income-generating opportunities.

He added that where legitimate opportunities existed, the model would also provide pathways to ethical and regular cross-border employment.

Onyema said the intended progression was from skills acquisition to occupational competence, apprenticeship or enterprise, employment and sustainable livelihood, and ultimately regular mobility opportunities for those who chose to migrate.

He said this approach was necessary because migration itself was not necessarily the problem, stressing that the major concern was migration undertaken through unsafe and irregular channels that could expose young people to trafficking, exploitation, fraudulent recruitment and other abuses.

‘Rather than leaving opportunity-seeking youths vulnerable to exploitative agents, fraudulent recruiters and trafficking networks, governments adopting the AfriGEMS model can engage destination countries and legitimate employers directly to facilitate verified employment and regular migration pathways,’ he said.

The BANC founder said governments and relevant institutions should therefore work with employers and destination countries to develop credible labour-mobility channels through which young people with relevant skills could access legitimate employment opportunities.

He said such an arrangement would also make it possible to properly identify and document people seeking to migrate for employment, while supporting the safe, orderly and regular processing of labour mobility.

Onyema called for partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant government agencies including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE), universities and polytechnics, employers and licensed private employment agencies.

He also identified international organisations and development partners, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), as potential partners.

He said such collaboration was necessary to ensure that training programmes responded to verified labour-market demand and that young people did not end up with skills that had little connection to available employment opportunities.

‘Training must respond to verified labour-market demand, employers must provide apprenticeships and jobs, and governments and destination countries must establish bilateral labour pathways,’ Onyema said.

He added that development partners and international organisations could support standards, certification and safeguards required to protect young people throughout the recruitment, employment and migration process.

According to him, employers should be actively involved in the process by providing apprenticeships and job opportunities, while training institutions should align their programmes with the skills required in the labour market.

He said governments, on their part, should provide the institutional framework needed to connect skills development with decent work and, where appropriate, regular international labour mobility.

Onyema said AfriGEMS was therefore intended to create ‘credible economic alternatives’ for young people at home while also recognising that some would still choose to work abroad.

He maintained that the objective should be to ensure that such decisions were made through legitimate employment channels rather than desperation or exposure to unsafe migration routes.

He said the initiative ultimately sought to connect skills, employment, livelihoods and safe mobility, arguing that providing skills without creating pathways to decent work could leave young people facing the same economic pressures that initially encouraged them to migrate.

The BANC founder said a sustainable response to irregular migration must consequently combine employability, decent work, productive livelihoods and safe, orderly and regular labour mobility, rather than relying solely on campaigns discouraging young people from migrating.