Freddie Roosemont, head of the Immigration Department at the Belgian Embassy, revealed that around 30 per cent of the Nigerian migrants seeking asylum in the country were from Edo State.
Mr. Roosemont made this in a lecture held in Benin by the Kingdom of Belgium’s Immigration Service in collaboration with the Pathfinder Justice Initiative, calling the issue of asylum seekers from Nigeria worrying.
“We have noticed an increase in the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in Belgium. In 2022, approximately 370 Nigerians will apply for asylum, and in 2023, approximately 360 will apply for asylum,” Roosemont said. did.
He said, “30 per cent are from Edo, 20 per cent from Lagos and the remaining 50 per cent are from other states in Nigeria.” Some came to Belgium through legal means, while others came via the Mediterranean Sea.
“Upon entering Belgium, they apply for asylum, but this has little meaning. Asylum is determined based on the Geneva Conventions and does not include economic motives.”
He said there was a need to raise awareness about safe migration within the country, given the high proportion of Edo-origin people involved in human trafficking and seeking asylum in Belgium.
He noted that the country’s job market was saturated and called on Nigerians not to become victims of human traffickers in the name of helping people find work in Belgium.
He noted that about 5,000 Nigerians live legally in the country, adding that the country supports legal immigration.
Ruth Benson-Idahosa, Executive Director of PJI, called on non-governmental organizations to help raise further awareness about the Safe Migration Initiative.
She further added, “’STAAY: Safe Travel Awareness for Youth at Risk’ was launched by the Belgian Ministry of Interior in partnership with PJI to provide safe travel awareness to Nigerian youth. It’s an initiative.
“People need to understand why they should stay in Nigeria. The initiative also aims to educate Nigerians about skills and job opportunities in the country and the various organizations that provide those opportunities. .”