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Hardship Forced Nigerian Migrants’ Return – NBS
A recent study by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that hardship is the leading reason why Nigerian migrants abroad return home, accounting for 47.9 per cent of the returnees.
This is contained in the “Awareness and Perception of Intending and Returned Migrants on the Dangers of Irregular Migration 20223 survey report released in Abuja, yesterday.
The NBS said a total of 2,400 households were sampled from six purposive states from each of the six geopolitical zones.
They are: Anambra (South East), Edo (South South), Lagos, (South West) Benue, (North Central) Gombe, (North East) and Kano (North West).
The bureau said the purpose of the study was to collect data and provide evidence on the awareness and perception of intending and returned migrants and raise awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
“It study also seeks to highlight government efforts towards combating the prevalence of irregular migration in Nigeria.
“This evidence is expected to provide a database for policy formulation in line
with the increasing demand for data-driven human development initiatives” the report said.
The NBS said the 2022 migration survey expanded its focus to cover the two other vulnerable groups namely, Almajiris and House Helps.
“Key findings from the report showed that the average age of the respondents is 27 years, about 60.1 per cent of them are from the urban area and 51.8 per cent have attended secondary education”, it showed.
The study further showed that about 24.9 per cent of the respondents indicated engaging in business as the reason for traveling abroad, followed by 22.6 per cent whom said they went there to work.
Those who said they left for ‘greener pasture’ make up 21.4 per cent of the respondents.
However, the report revealed that a majority of the respondents, 48 per cent, said hardship forced them to return home. They followed by deceit at 20.1 per cent.
“This was followed by “no papers at 16.4 per cent”; `no job` at 13.8 per cent, and `crime` at 1.7 per cent. “
The study showed that Kano state recorded the highest number of returnees from abroad at 39 per cent, followed by Lagos at 20.7 per cent.
“This was followed by Edo at 16.7 per cent, Anambra at 11 per cent, Gombe at 8.7 per cent, and Benue at 3.9 per cent “, the report said.
The survey showed that 31.8 per cent said detention was the climax of their suffering in the course of their stay abroad. They are followed by 30.8 per cent who pointed at hunger.
The report said “deportation accounted for 15 per cent, slavery/forced labour at 12.1 per cent, and sexual abuse at 7.5 per cent. “
It showed that Edo state recorded 52.4 per cent of returned migrants who would want to travel back in spite of the risk involved.
“This was followed by Lagos at 14.29 per cent, Anmabra at 12.70 per cent, and Benue and Kano at 1.59 per cent. “
On returned migrants and the sources of assistance upon return, the study revealed that philanthropists constituted the majority of sources of relief with 24.8 per cent of assistance to returnees.
This was followed by Federal Government at 21.5 per cent, international organisations at 19 per cent, Non-Governmental Organisations at 15.7 per cent, and state government at 12.4 per cent.
“On the contrary, Civil Society Organisations recorded less than one per cent
of support to the returned migrants”, the report said.
The study revealed that 68.2 per cent of rural households and 31.8 per cent of urban households send their children or wards to Almajiri.
The survey showed that 98.6 per cent of the households interviewed sent their children or wards to Almajiranci to acquire Quranic education and religious morals.
“While those that sent their children because it is free of charge and those that see it as a religious obligation had 0.7 per cent each”, the NBS report said.
The study also showed that 47.7 per cent of the households who give out their members as house help do so because of hardship.
The NBS said the data was collected through National Integrated Survey for Households (NISH) which provides direct interactions with eligible respondents at the households using questionnaires.
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight that Rivers children are well behaved, and has admonished them to remain supportive of their parents while striving always to make a difference wherever they find themselves.
Lady Fubara gave the counsel at the 2024 Christmas Children Party, attended by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, including non-indigenes, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Christmas Children Party also witnessed the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who stopped over to share moments with them, walking from one canopy to another, waving at them, and at other times, shaking hands with them to leave lasting memories on them.
The Rivers First Lady pointed to the importance of the celebration of Christmas, which draws attention to the birth of Jesus Christ, demanding that people have a deep reflection of the love that is demonstrated and mission of the birth, which is to redeem mankind.
Lady Fubara recalled how she took out time to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where she appreciated God for safe delivery of children born on Christmas day while felicitating with the nursing mothers.
She also stated the valuable time spent with motherless babies when she visited the Port Harcourt Children’s Home in Borikiri, old Port Harcourt Township, and celebrated their meekness, innocence and the beauty they bring to the world.
She said, “Even today, as we continue the celebration, efforts were made to extend invitation to our children in all the 23 local government areas of our State. In doing this, children from all classes of society, including the physically challenged, have been offered the opportunity to sit together as brothers and sisters, play, eat and dance.
“Whilst contemplating the uniqueness of celebrating Christmas on a Boxing Day, steps were equally taken to provide gifts for the children who are there, and also to pray for them, a qualitative fun session that will last in their memories.”
Lady Fubara advised all children in the State to remember that Jesus came into the world to make a difference, advising that they must emulate him so that they can positively impact their families and society.
She urged them to pray fervently to God to bless and prosper their mothers, daddies, aunties and uncles to better cater to their needs.
She added, “Be humble, obedient and supportive at home. Do household chores, and don’t forget to make excellent grades in school next academic session. Children are the joy of every home, and we are glad to have beautiful, well-behaved children in Rivers State.
“Thank you all for witnessing this 2024 Children’s Party, and I pray God Almighty to protect, shield and keep you safe from all negative companies in the name of Jesus. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025. God bless you all,” she said.
Lady Fubara expressed appreciation to her husband and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his absolute commitment to the growth of children, and the immeasurable support that ensured that Christmas Children Party was a success.
There were performances by Virtue Dancers, Kalabari Iria dancers, Wonder Time Children of Opobo Kingdom, Children of Rivers State Council of Arts and Culture, Diseye the Poet and DJ Arnold.