The
West African Association Against Illegal Migration (WAAAIM) and Youth
Mainstreaming Positive Change (YMPC) Saturday held an open forum to address the
needs of young people on illegal migration, tribalism and youth empowerment.
Held
in Bakoteh at the Vision Real Estate office, the forum also witnessed the two
youth organisations signing a memorandum of understanding to work together to
addressing the needs of the youth.
Speaking
at the forum, the Secretary General of WAAAIM, Rev. Thomas Dzilcunm, said
WAAAIM is a non-profitable organization established in 2015 by well-qualified
teachers in 5 different countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal
and The Gambia with its headquarters in The Gambia.
It
was set up when they realised the youth including students were living classes
to embark on the deadly back-way journey.
They
thought it wise and prudent as teachers to set up an organisation to address
illegal migration, he said, adding that someone was sent to travel through the
back-way to see what young people are facing during such ventures.
He
said the organization was established to sensitise the youth on the dangers of
illegal migration and its negative impacts on national development.
Also
speaking at the forum, the chairman of WAAAIM, Dr Francis Ojuji, said as
responsible people they joined efforts in addressing the back-way journey as it
is causing disaster in families and nations.
They
are also inviting other organizations to help in making the youths comfortable
in their motherland, he said, adding that young people should be convinced of
the consequences of embarking on the illegal journey to Europe as they are the
most vulnerable.
He
said their organization had been successful in sensitising the youth on the
dangerous back-way journey to Europe.
The
president of YMPC, Yusupha Darboe, in his remarks on the occasion, said their
organization is advocating for no-tribalism, youth empowerment and illegal
migration.
He
said they have embarked on a nationwide tour to sensitise the youth on issues
affecting them, to strengthen the capacity of young people for national
development.
Lamin
B. Sawo, secretary general of YMPC, said the main reason for the illegal
migration is failure in leadership and that Africa has lots of natural
resources that could help young people.
They
always tell stakeholders that if nothing is provided for the youth they could
not lead a dignified life.
In
illegal migration, he noted, two things are involved; the push factor and the
pull factors, noting that if nothing is provided to them they would have no
option but to take the back-way journey.
“We
should serve as watchdog to our leaders to get them to work and not to praise
them. The problem of Africa is that we give power and sit in our comfort zones,
which is a disadvantage for our people.”
He
added: “It is time to make good use of our natural resources to make the youth
have a dignified life. The aim of the organisation is to help youth in the area
to get employment and empowerment.”