‘Reduce the visas you give to Nigerian youths’ – Audu Ogbeh tells EU

FG to EU: Reduce the number of visas you give Nigerians

Audu Ogbeh the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has asked that the European Union Mission reduced the number of visas given to Nigerian youths to help reduce migration to the union’s member countries.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the monthly meeting of Heads of Missions of European Union member countries in Abuja, Ogbeh stated that;

“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.

“We did raise the issue of kidnapping of investors here, we do not want any Nigerian or foreigner investing here to be kidnapped and taken away,’’ Ogbeh said.