From Okey Sampson, Aba
Disturbed by the undying quest of the youths to look for greener pastures abroad, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Re-educating Africans on the Risks and Dangers of Unplanned Journey Abroad and Empowering Youths (RARDUJA), has taken up the lead to educate the youths that “those that have found their ways on the shores of Europe and America have not found their feet.”
Recently, the NGO carried its crusade to students in secondary schools in Aba, Abia State to enlighten them on the dangers and consequences of making unplanned and risky journeys abroad.
Founded by an Imo State-born parliamentarian in Germany, Comrade Eddy Duru, RARDUJA, according to its National Coordinator, Andrew Duru, is an NGO that was founded not only to debunk the erroneous belief that Africans could only make it if they travel outside the continent, but also to tell the people the true and first-hand untold stories in Europe and beyond which would make them to know that those places are not paradise on earth after all.
Duru told the students drawn from different schools in the city and others that gathered for the one-day seminar that “every unplanned journey will lead you to an unplanned location”, stressing that the purpose of every journey must be defined “because when purpose is not known, you hardly get to your destination successfully”.
He admonished the youths not to embark on an unplanned travel outside the country,, pointing out that things have changed to the point that whereas in the past, unskilled people travel outside the country and get good jobs, now even skilled people travel out and do not get jobs.
He said this was so due to the sanctions placed on what he called illegal workers and rogue employers by foreign countries.
Duru told the participants that it was morally wrong for anybody to enter into other peoples’ country through the back door.
Supporting his assertion scripturally he quoted John 10:1, which says, “He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climb up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber”.
Touching on the consequences of unplanned journey, he told the bewildered students the story of a 28-year-old Nigerian who in his desperation to get a resident permit abroad went and married a 71-year-old white grandmother, saying that to make it appear real the ‘marriage’ was with the consent of the young man’s parents that took place in Lagos.
The RARDUJA national coordinator hinted of some people who had good jobs in Nigeria, but travelled out and became labourers in their new countries; some going into crimes, drugs and prostitution and ending up in jail or even some meeting their death.
He urged the youths to believe in themselves and be focused, assuring them that they would make it in Nigeria if they imbibe the right attitude.
The South-South coordinator of RARDUJA, Lawani Friday John, also told the participants of the need not to make an unplanned and risky travel abroad because of the inherent dangers.
John was of the view that instead they should look for alternative legal means to travel abroad for legitimate purposes such as securing school admission and travelling with relevant documents.
“Africans must be reminded that Africa is the heartbeat of the planet earth blessed with everything that human beings on earth need to survive and that is also the message we are bringing to you here”, he said.
One of the partners of RARDUJA, ICON Breeders represented by its CEO, Jonathan Efiavwore, pointed out that those who embark on unplanned journeys abroad go into self slavery, adding that freedom from this self-imposed slavery would only come when one realises he was enslaved and plans working towards freedom.
Blaming the quest for the mad rush by especially the youths abroad on greed, Efiavwore accused the youths of always wanting more in life with little thought for saving or investment.
“Another factor that lures the youths abroad is selfishness, wanting to do it alone and be above all”, he said, blaming the rush abroad syndrome on the country’s leaders who he accused of being reactive instead of being proactive on issues concerning the development of the nation.
In her paper entitled: “Consequences and implication of illegal migration –the Nigerian experience”, the Comptroller of Immigration Services, Abia State Command, Mrs A.I Opara highlighted some of the dangers inherent in illegal journeys abroad.
Opera who was represented by Chief Superintendent of Immigration, Mrs E.A Ukah said: “Nigerian citizens, especially the gullible youths have often been deceived, cajoled and sometimes pressured into embarking on illegal migration. The promoters of this wicked and illegal business have just one prime motive –making money”.
She described such promoters as evil traders who are like slave traders of old, saying that the money made through such means was blood money because human lives were involved.
Cautioning on the readiness of her anti-human and child trafficking department’s renewed vigour to fight the malady, Mrs Opara reminded the youths that there were no free lunch anywhere in the world, saying as leaders of tomorrow, they should not mortgage their future for a plate of porridge.
Why Imo Govt gave us award -Hotelier
By HENRY UMAHI
Recently, Imo State celebrated its 40th anniversary with fanfare. During the celebration, individuals and organisations that had distinguished themselves over the years were recognised.
One one of the awardees was highbrow Full Moon Hotel, Owerri which won the Imo @ 40 Community Development Award as Hotel of the Year. According to the organisers, the outfit was given the award in recognition of its contribution to society.
In a chat, the General Manager, Full Moon, Mr Emeka Ewelike, said that the award was not won by luck but a function of God’s grace and hardwork. His words: “First, we thank God for making it possible; without Him, one can do nothing. It is a collective effort and I thank the management team of the enterprise for creating conducive atmosphere for the staffers to discharge their responsibilities diligently. We are not the only hotel in the system and the challenges are enormous, especially at this point in time but we remain committed to the ideals of operating a hotel that offers optimum relaxation and invigorating ambience. I believe that the people that made the selection must have carried out due diligence evaluations before arriving at their choice. It’s an honour to be so recognised because other operators were expecting to win but we did. We want to pledge to keep doing what we are doing to make sure that we remain at the top.
Actually, the award means a lot to us. It means that people are watching and taking stock. It means that we have no choice but to up our game. It motivates us to do more so as to remain at the zenith of the system.”
Maintaining that Full Moon will continue to bring innovative ideas that will make it remain a unique brand, Ewelike said: “ We are always coming up with strategies to continue to raise the bar and remain on top. People may not realise what we are doing but for us, who are professionals in the business, we try to be a step ahead of our competitors at all times. We look at what the challenges are and put in one or two things just to be at the forefront. Innovation, creativity and customer- satisfaction stand us out. You cannot come to Full Moon once without desiring to come again because we are fresh all the time.”
The general manager further explained: “Hotel business is a very serious business. People who are watching from afar may think that it is simple and easy but if you look at the dynamics of the business, you will realise that it is a round-the-clock stuff. So, you really need to do a lot to remain there. It is hard work to get to the top and it is tougher to remain there because the expectations will be huge. For me, we keep thanking the people whose loyalty we enjoy, especially the corporate clients and individuals that patronise us on daily basis. We are not leaving any stone unturned; we keep striving not just to meet our clients at the point of their needs but to go beyond their expectations.”