No fewer than 150 Libya returnees from Edo state, who were trained on various aspects of agriculture a year ago, have appealed to Gov Godwin Obaseki to redeem the pledge of N100 million seed money as well as 150 hectares of land promised them.

This appeal was contained in a statement signed by three of the returnees, Thomson Ogiso, Tony Jimoh and Lucky Eghianruwa.

It would be recalled that 150 of the returnees were given two weeks intensive training which led to the promise of the seed money and land during the closing ceremony of the training in programme on December 1, 2017.


Obaseki who had promised to release the money and make available the land within 90 days, said the starter pack was meant to empower them economically.

While lamenting the non fulfillment of the promise, the returnees said their complete reintegration into the society have been stalled.



They noted that fulfillment of the promise would have seen them act as ambassadors of good governance and agent of social change to drive the policies of the governor to all potential migrants.

The statement said, owing to endless waiting, some of the returnees have returned back to Libya and other parts part of Europe through the same illegal routes.

According to the statement, “It is pertinent for you to know that some died on the way to this toutrous journey to seek for greener pasture abroad. These are deaths that were avoidable if this pledge had been redeemed as promised.


“This is one year and one day now that our governor made this resounding promise that attracted international commendation, the question is has he forgotten us?

“Remember, If we are empowered in the area of agriculture, we will not only feed ourselves but feed others. Agriculture play a vital role in ending human trafficking and stop illegal migration.”

The returnees advised the governor to take the issue of empowerment of returnees and other citizens of Edo state seriously, if the international community is to take the government serious.

It concluded by commending the International Organisation for Migration, that have been very supportive of their cause.

Meanwhile, Arctic Reporters had previously reported that Edo and Abia states have outshined other Niger Delta states at the Niger Delta Development Forum (2018)

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