By Christiana Onuoha
In collaboration with the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the African Union (AU) has expressed deeper commitment to foster integration among member states through job creation, management of migration issues, promotion free movement of goods and services and addressing the issue of visa-on-arrival in the continent.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who played host to a delegation of African Union (AU) Labour Migration Advisory Committee, led by the Chairman Dr. Alves D’Almada, in Abuja, assured the delegation that Nigeria is committed to the integration of the African continent.
He however said that Nigeria support for African Integration would not be to the detriment of the laws of individual sovereign States in the continent.
“African integration should benefit all countries, it should be symbiotic not parasitic, not a relationship that one country will benefit at the detriment of another.” His words.
On the issue of irregular migration to Europe and other non-African countries, Keyamo posited that the unfortunate situation has constituted a big problem in Africa which he said should not be tolerated nor encouraged.
“We need to encourage total African integration to stop migration through illegal means.” He added
The Minister went on to pledge Nigeria’s readiness to assist in legislation and policy to support the Committee in promoting African integration
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Alves D’Almada, said they were in the Ministry to explore ways of collaboration between the Committee and the Federal Government to further promote African integration through job creation for the African people, managing migration issues, promoting free movement of goods and services and addressing the issue of visa-on-arrival in the continent.
D’Almada requested the assistance of the Ministry in hastening the process of ratification and domestication of laws that concern free movement of persons, goods and services.
He then commended the Nigerian government on the successful negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage for its workers.
