Audu Ogbeh Asks EU To Reduce Number of Visas To Nigerians

Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has appealed for support from the European Union Mission in reducing the spate of youths’ migration to the union’s member countries.

Ogbeh gave the appeal in an interview with newsmen at the end of the monthly meeting of Heads of Missions of European Union member countries in Abuja on Tuesday, NAN reports.

The minister, who said that youths’ migration was not sustainable, disclosed that a joint committee would be set up to advance the programme.

According to him;

Rather than youths going out, the FG wants them to come back and invest in agriculture.“We met today to explore areas of support for agriculture, agro-industrial growth and put forward the European Union proposal for partnership and enhanced support.

“We also looked at the possibility of their private sector investors coming into Nigeria to play a part.

“We also raised the issue of migration of our youths across to Europe and the fact that it is not sustainable.

“It is something that Nigeria will like to see come to an end by creating economic activities here to make sure that young people stay back at home.

“The response of the European Union was very encouraging.

“We want to set up a joint committee that can advance this programme because rather than youths going out, we want them to come back and invest in agriculture.

“We are also lucky that Nigerian youths are interested in agriculture, different from youths in other countries. Even those who studied other courses are interested in agriculture.