The Executive Director of the Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI), Osita Osemene, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience and follow official migration routes when considering relocation abroad.
This plea came during his announcement today regarding the upcoming regional meeting for civil society organizations set to convene in Madrid, Spain.
Osemene, who led a team of non-governmental organizations working in the migration space, says his trip to Spain is symbolic.
Twenty years ago, he tried to migrate there through official channels but was denied, forcing him to take a perilous journey through the desert that nearly cost him his life.
Accounts of his experience have been recounted in his book titled “Chasing a Mirage – My Search for an Oasis.”
Reflecting on this turnaround, Osemene expressed his joy, saying, “Today, the country that once turned me away is now inviting me for an all-expense-paid visit. Even though it’s an official trip, I am thrilled beyond words!”
He further said that the meeting in Madrid aimed to address the challenges associated with EU-Africa regular migration policies. The focus is on highlighting the collaborative efforts of different stakeholders in tackling these issues.
