Thousands Of Nigerian Illegal Migrants Await Deportation From Germany

THE publisher of African Courier Magazine, Mr. Femi Awoniyi, has sounded the alarm that thousands of illegal immigrants, especially Nigerians and other African nationals, are currently on the waiting list for deportation from Germany.

And to a very concerned Awoniyi who, is based in Germany but currently holidaying in Nigeria, has set up an NGO, a (non-governmental organization) ‘Immigration Enlightenment Project Nigeria (MEPN), with the slogan ‘Look Before You Leave’ and which is aimed at helping the governments of African countries in dissuading youths from migrating to Europe and America illegally.

Awoniyi in an interview with our reporter said. “Thousands of Nigerians/Africans have died in the Mediterranean or are in the limbo in the North Africa countries like Libya or America because of illegal migration. This year alone over 2,500 illegal immigrants are believed to have died in the Mediterranean alone because of their illegal migration journey,” Awoniyi said. ” And this we want to stop through our campaign. As I speak to you thousands of Nigerians in Germany are awaiting deportation and that is bad for the image of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Though, he is not against migration, Awoniyi who claimed to have been in Germany for more than two decades adviced that if any youth is interested in exploring the world, such a fellow must obtain necessary documents that would enable him/she enter the country of his choice as a legal migrant and enjoy all the good things that come with it.

“A great number of this irregular migrants are Nigerians. Any of these migrants left the country lured by the fake promise of people- smugglers who deceive their victims of paying, sometimes thousands of dollars for a passage to Europe. Nigerians in the Diaspora is highly disturbed about this situation hence its decision to do something about it. This is why African/German Information Centre and the African Courier Verlag both based in Germany in collaboration with Germany’s Federal Ministry of External Affairs are launching the information campaign – Migration Enlightenment Project Nigeria,” he said

According to him, the objective of the campaign is to raise public awareness to the dangers and risk of irregular migration to Europe.
The programme he also said would also highlight the opportunities for legal migration to Europe as well as encourage youths to look at the positive sides to emigration that is abound in Nigeria