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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Nov 2009 : 20:34:24
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Illegal Migration A Major Concern
YOUTH PLATFORM
With Alieu Darboe
As the number of youths who die on a daily basis to reach Europe in search of so-called greener pastures through the desert and sea increases, it has become a rising concern for the government, NGOs and other Institutions who care for the interest of young people.
It is against this background that the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) organized a one-day Symposium at the Governor’s Office in Brikama with the objective of addressing the issue of illegal migration in the Gambia.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Babucarr M. Jallow chairperson of YEP said the organization was founded in 2007, as a project that comes to help young people in their strive to attaining their aims and aspirations, empower and train them to be self reliant.
YEP he continued has come to help potential and skillful youths to develop themselves in order to realize their potentials in life.
Energetic and able youths of Africa according to him, are loosing their lives on a daily basis in the horrible journey (illegal migration). This section of our society is the ones capable of transforming the Gambia and Africa as a whole into an earthly paradise.
“A nation without young people is a failure as they are people who can give Africa a beautiful face and color”, argued Mr. Jallow, who challenged the youths to adopt positive attitudes towards their doings and strategize their activities to create some meaningful development for the country. He urged all to come under one umbrella and combat illegal migration.
Mr. Ousman Trawally of “OPERATION NO BACK WAY TO EUROPE” dilating on illegal migration said it is a sensitive area in the country and Africa as a whole as those involved have a key role to play in peace building and freedom making. He noted that the role of young people in peace building is in a bit to combating illegal migration.
Trawally explained that this horrible journey leads to loss of young and precious lives, waste of resources, personal dignity, integrity of their various countries and the sovereign dignity of host countries. But he was quick to add that in order to address illegal migration; the root cause of it should be known and addressed while urging the youths to take up their responsibilities.
He said most of the incidents that occurred on the journey are planned in order to stop people from reaching mainland Europe and it’s leading to the reduction of the youthful population in Africa.
According to him, education is the solution and the key to success because those who obtained Masters and Bachelors degrees do not think of such horrible ventures because they got good and standard education. He said that the youths should value their lives and resources for both their benefits and that of the country in particular.
Saikou B. Fofana, an adviser to YEP in his deliberation, underscored the importance of the symposium which he said cannot be over-emphasized as it will broaden the minds of the participants on the dangers associated with illegal migration. Fofana further challenged the youths not to lack vision in life as it will invite trouble.
The vision he continued will be transformed into missions of life and urged them to develop strategies and policies for their own betterment. He also took the opportunity to encourage the youths to have education or acquire skills as the Gambia is blessed with schools and tertiary institutions across the country in order to transform the political, social, educational and economic structures of the Gambia and Africa as a whole.
Other speakers at the symposium included Fabakary Kalleh, Executive Secretary, and Youth Ambassadors for Peace who dilated on peace building and Amadou Tambedou, Youth Officer, Saamasang Federation who tasked the youths to participate in the national development of the country as future leaders who will one day take the mantle of leadership as the future generation of leaders.
Mariama Sanneh, a representative from Kabafita Community Association and Abubacarr Dembo Kambi, both thanked YEP for organizing the symposium and promised to disseminate the information and knowledge gained from the symposium to others.
In attendance were students from various schools across the country, Youth Officer, Western Region Mawdo Jallow, community members and other important dignitaries.
Source: Daily News
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