Chinedum Treasure
The Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSONetMADE), Anambra State Chapter, has taken its campaign for safer and more structured migration to the Anambra State Government, formally inviting Deputy Governor, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim, to participate in the forthcoming South East Migration Dialogue (SEMD 2026) scheduled for September in Umuahia, Abia State.
The delegation, led by the Anambra State Coordinator of CSONetMADE, Eucharia Onyemaobi, was received at the Office of the Deputy Governor by Dr Vincent Okechi Egbuna, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor.
During the courtesy visit, Onyemaobi said the decision to hold the 2026 SEMD followed the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the Revised National Migration Policy, and the need to ensure that the revised national policy is not confined to the federal level but is effectively implemented by states across the South East.
According to her, the event, organised by CSONetMADE and hosted by the Wife of the Governor of Abia State, will bring together over 50 diplomatic missions, international organisations, development agencies and subnational governments across multiple time zones to advance safe, ethical and structured migration pathways for people in the South East.
She outlined five major pillars of the dialogue, including bilateral partnership development, legislative reforms, institutional infrastructure, regional coordination and community ownership.
Onyemaobi highlighted the proposed Abia State Migration Agency Bill, which she described as Nigeria’s first subnational migration legislation and a model that could be replicated across other South East states.
She emphasized that Anambra is of strategic importance to the Southeast Migration discourse, as the state is the most diaspora-connected state in the South East, with citizens spread across major destinations such as Houston, London and Guangzhou.
She lamented that despite the state’s vast global presence, many families still fall victim to fraudulent recruitment agents while professionals often migrate through irregular channels, leaving enormous diaspora investment and skills-transfer opportunities untapped.
She said participation in SEMD 2026 would provide Anambra with direct access to diplomatic missions and emerging visa pathways being negotiated during the dialogue, opportunities to adapt proven legislative frameworks for migration governance, and stronger protection mechanisms against human trafficking and migrant exploitation.
Responding, Dr Egbuna acknowledged the growing importance of effective migration governance, assuring the delegation that Anambra State remains committed to embracing meaningful policies that improve the lives of its citizens.
He said the state would be ready to key into any Federal Government initiative capable of promoting orderly migration, protecting citizens and enhancing development opportunities.
Also present during the visit were the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Nkeiru Mokwe; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Supervising Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Ifeoma Agbaizu.
Others are Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Engr Dr Florence Indigo-Ibenta; CSONetMADE member, Amaka Madu; and media consultant, Kenechukwu Ofomah.
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