The Rivers State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. George Mfongang, has expressed concern over the increasing number of young Nigerian graduates migrating abroad in search of better opportunities.
He made this statement while receiving the Rivers State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Nwamaka Ikediashi, at his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Mfongang emphasized that Nigeria is “a great country with great potential” for its young graduates and urged leaders and citizens to be patriotic, disciplined, honest, and selfless in their efforts to improve the nation.
His comments came in response to a request from the NAPTIP commander to allow the agency to educate corps members during orientation camps on the dangers of illegal migration. Mfongang suggested that she direct the request to NYSC headquarters through NAPTIP headquarters.
He assured Ikediashi that corps members in Rivers State would greatly benefit from the sensitization if the NYSC incorporated NAPTIP’s proposal into its nationwide orientation timetable.
Earlier, Ikediashi had visited the NYSC state office to seek collaboration with the management in raising awareness among corps members about the dangers of illegal migration, particularly among young graduates. She noted that NAPTIP aims to form a strategic partnership with NYSC to discourage corps members from illegal migration due to its associated risks.
She also cautioned corps members to be wary of fake agencies and agents who lure young graduates with false promises of good jobs and a better life abroad. Ikediashi warned that many graduates have fallen victim to such schemes, only to end up in situations involving prostitution, drug trafficking, slave labor, or even organ harvesting.
(NAN)