By
Jawati Friday
The President Lutheran World Federation, Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus has called on government at all levels to address the issue of illegal migration that has tarnished the image of the country in the eyes of the global community.
Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus made the call during the potential migrant’s empowerment Youth program held at the Lutheran Church of Christ Headquarters in Numan Local Government area of Adamawa State.
While rounding up the empowerment, the Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus explained that human trafficking and illegal migration are sadly on the increase.
According to the Archbishop, as a nation, leaders must address the needs of young men and women in the country.
He added that as a church, they will contribute their quota in making life better for young people.
The President Lutheran World Federation therefore challenge the Federal government, philantrophies, Churches and other religious organizations who have the heart and love for the nation to change the sad narrative.
The Country Director, Symbols of hope project, Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Subewope Gabriel explained that the Lutheran church of Christ in Nigeria with the numerical strength of over 2.5 million people through its humanitarian department has recognized with pains the growing challenge of illegal migration and human trafficking in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Rev. Emmanuel Gabriel said in this regards the church has been so deliberately involved in contributing her quota in providing a lasting solution to the menace by identifying and providing mental health support to returnee migrants and survivors of human trafficking.
He pointed out that, current statistics revealed by the United Nations office for Drugs and Crime reflects a drastic growth in the number of irregular migrants and survivors of human trafficking across Africa, adding that it is a clarion call to pay close attention to the plight of the returnee migrants and survivors of human trafficking.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State, CP Afolabi Babatola represented by the Divisional Police Officer Numan Local Government area, Malaye Ataboh explained that trafficking is when you sell out your child for money, urging parents not to allow their children to be trafficked.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Radio Nigeria expressed appreciation to the Church for gesture.
The Church has empowered about 65 young people across the country in different fields of endeavour in the areas ofplumbing and pipe fittings, carpentary, vulcanizing, mechanicals, hair dressing, tailoring and fashion designing among others.
