Governor Alex Otti Seeks Organised System for Reverse Migration, Partners IOM On Reintegration Of Returnees
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called for the establishment of an organised framework to support Nigerians returning from abroad, stressing that such a system would restore confidence among returnees and help them reintegrate into society.
The Governor made this known while receiving the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, who paid him a courtesy visit in Umuahia.
Governor Otti observed that many Nigerians in the diaspora are willing to return home but are often discouraged by uncertainty about where to begin.
“Some of them may want to return, but they are afraid of where to even start from. If there are organised systems to receive them, I am confident it will encourage their return. The initiative is a form of reverse migration,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and related crimes, Gov. Otti stressed that Abia State has zero tolerance for criminal activity.
“We are very focused on ensuring that all forms of crime and criminality are wiped away from this State. Human trafficking is one of them,” he stated.
The Governor also highlighted the critical role of diaspora remittances in sustaining education, healthcare, and economic stability, noting that Abia already engages with its global community through its annual Diaspora Homecoming. He directed the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission to ensure IOM’s participation in the December event.
To strengthen collaboration, Gov. Otti instructed the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, to provide a temporary office space for the IOM in the state pending the allocation of a permanent site.
Earlier in her remarks, the IOM Chief of Mission, Sharon Dimanche, outlined the organisation’s priority areas, including combating human trafficking, harnessing diaspora potential, supporting returnees through sustainable reintegration, and improving data management for migration governance.
She commended Abia for pioneering a Diaspora Commission and for its proactive stance against illegal migration and trafficking.
“We are here to work, and that work should start immediately. I want to see how we can establish structures and mechanisms that would facilitate diaspora remittances and channel them into community infrastructure initiatives,” Dimanche said.
The meeting was attended by top government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners for Finance, Budget & Planning, and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the DG of PPP & Investment Promotion, the Chief Strategy Officer, and senior aides to the Governor.
