Deputy Director General, IOM, Mrs Ugochi Daniels standing with Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo during the inauguration of a new office and a migration health assessment clinic (MHAC) in Benin, Edo, to respond to returnees with medical conditions
By Nefishetu Yakubu
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Friday inaugurated a new office and a migration health assessment clinic (MHAC) in Benin, Edo, to respond to returnees with medical conditions.
Inaugurating the office, the Deputy Director General, IOM, Mrs Ugochi Daniels, said the clinic was the third in the country after Abuja and Lagos.
Daniels said that opening of the third migration health assessment center in Benin was significant, adding that it reflected IOMs relationship with the state government over the years.
As we all know, Edo remains the heart of migration in Nigeria. It is, therefore, no-brainer for us to establish a center in a community where migration have driven development.
A center in Edo means we are closer to our clients based in the south-south and southeast, while offering the much needed support for our returnees with medical conditions.
It is our hope that the center will lead us into a new programming areas to complement the vision of the state government, she said.
According to her, I congratulate the IOM Nigeria, especially the Benin sub-office and the migration health unit on the commissioning of a new office and the migration health assessment clinic.
Daniels pledged the commitment of IOM to continue to support the state governments and the Nigeria government in ensuring migration was done and achieved in an orderly, safe and humane approach.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Lead Head, IOM Benin sub-office, Wintana Tarekegn, said IOM started operation in Benin in 2017 and operated from the Migrants Resource Center (MRC), at the Federal Secretariat premises.
Subsequently, the office relocated to a central location within Benin in 2018 to create a better accessibility for returnees and partners working in the field of migration, she said.
Tarekegn said the office had established strong collaboration with the state government and non-governmental organisations.
According to Terekegn, IOM in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has supported the voluntary return of 30,000 and reintegration over 17,000 Nigeria migrants stranded in Libya, Niger and other countries from 2017 to date.
With Edo and Delta accounting for the highest number of returnees, it necessitated the establishment of the Benin sub-office, she added.
In his remarks, the Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that through the state taskforce and the assistance of IOM, the menace of irregular migration and human trafficking has significantly reduce.
Obaseki said We are delighted that IOM was expanding its operational base in the state by opening this new office and upgrading its facilities.
And we believe that this will enhance their capacity to support programmes aimed at tackling this problem and challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi
Source: NAN News