LIPS Director Urges Youths To Desist From Illegal Migration

Mr. Daniel Osagie, the Director of Lamin Institute of Professional Studies (LIPS) has urged Gambian youths to desist from illegal migration and venture into productive skills to contribute their quota to national development.

According to him, The Gambia has lost a significant number of young people who undertook perilous journey to the Canary Island.

Director Osagie made this statement at a one-day symposium on "Operation no back-way to Europe," held at the LIPS grounds on Friday 2nd October 2009.

The symposium, which was organised and funded by LIPS, aims among others, to enlighten youths on the importance of skills and knowledge acquisition.

"Our youths are still embarking on the dangerous journeys to Europe illegally resulting in many deaths, while those who reached their final destination are arrested and jailed as if they are not human beings," he said.

According to him, such ill treatments are inflicted on them by so-called advocators of democracy and human rights.

He noted that LIPS has deemed it fitting to organise such a symposium to complement government's efforts in the fight against illegal migration.

For his part, Mr. Baboucarr Jabbie, the Guest speaker at the occasion, described illegal migration as a horrible venture in which young people who are the human resources of their countries risk their lives.

According to Mr. Jabbie, latest report by the International Organisation has stated that in 2005, the population for global migration was 192 million.

He noted that in the sub-Saharan Africa, poverty remains the most important factor that tends to push most young men and women into seeking greener pastures.

Mr. Jabbie added that the objective of "Operation no back-way to Europe" is to eradicate illegal migration, gather sufficient information on issues relating to illegal migration and sensitise the general public on the dangers and negative impacts of illegal migration.