Lagos, Nigeria (February 2018): The UN Migration Agency (IOM) has been providing training on business skills targeting returnees from Libya. The training is aimed at providing skills and ideas on business as part of reintegration of returnees to the community.

As part of reintegration under the EUTF- IOM Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration, a total of 231 returnees have attended the training in Lagos. They were trained on how to plan, start and manage a business. Additionally, the returnees received training on “Hope Again” a psychosocial segment geared towards sensitizing returnees on coping mechanisms, available services, and the importance of psychosocial support.

Speaking at one of the trainings in Lagos, IOM’s Migration Management Programme Manager Mr. Abrham Tamrat expressed IOM’s commitment in working with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Civil Society Organizations in facilitating and supporting the smooth reintegration of returnees into the community.

“Human trafficking and irregular migration is the worst business that one can engage themselves in. We hope after the training, we all can join hands in conducting different business as brothers and sisters and also become good ambassador of hope to those who have lost hope in their life” Osita Osemene, lead trainer

“Many people are dead including my friends whom we started the journey with. Some are sick, in prison, without medication and food. I count myself lucky because God heard my prayers and gave me a second chance to be back home in one piece.” Said Okohchioma Juliet. I will endeavor to put into practice what the trainers will teach us today and hope to use the skills gained to fulfill my dream of running a beauty parlor in Lagos. Added Juliet,

Since the beginning of the project, IOM has trained over 500 returnees on business skills in Lagos, Benin and Abuja for all returnees under the project. To date, IOM has sensitized over 155 returnees on psychosocial support and available services, of which 19 returnees were referred for more specialized care. 110 victims of trafficking (VoTs) have also been provided with psychosocial counselling.

For further information, please contact IOM Nigeria Programme Manager, Abrham Tamrat on Tel: +234 906 2284580, Email: tabrham@iom.int