Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called for sustained collaboration among world leaders including religious leaders to combat the upsurge of migrant crises and mitigate the ugly trend of human trafficking across the world.
Obaseki made this submission in commemoration of the World Day of Peace declared by Pope Francis to be marked on New Year’s Day.
Obaseki, who noted that the input of religious leaders was critical to stemming human trafficking because of the influence and moral suasion required to convince people about the attendant risks, said it is pertinent for well-calculated lines of action to be taken especially in the new year to combat illegal migration on a global scale.
Stressing that the theme for the celebration, “Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace,†captures the essence of migrants’ struggle, he added that though the search for peace is universal, it is not right for dubious persons to exploit their fellow men for financial gains.
According to him, “World Day of Peace being marked on the New Year’s Day is significant, not only because it allows for people to start out a new chapter in their lives, it allows for realignment of priorities. So, I urge all religious leaders to help in propagating our campaign against illegal migration.
“we urge everyone across religious and geographic divides to join the collaboration being formed to fight human trafficking to a standstill. At the state level, we are intensifying efforts to discourage  illegal migration and reintegrate returnees, but we need a far-reaching collaboration  to ensure that our efforts will last and will sound the final death blow on human trafficking.â€Â  Â