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Economic Challenges, Insecurity among “significant drivers” of Irregular Migration of Nigerians: Catholic Bishop

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Nigeria’s Kontagora Diocese

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 25 July, 2024 / 3:48 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Nigeria’s Kontagora Diocese has identified challenges around the economy, governance, and security among major factors behind irregular migration of Nigerians. 

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the Flag-off of the Apostolate of Pastoral Care for Migration in Nigeria that the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) Migrants and Refugees Unit organized, Bishop Dauwa emphasized the Church's commitment to social justice and called for stakeholder collaboration.

“Economic hardship remains a significant driver of migration in Nigeria. People try to move from one place to another looking for either a job or some other way of trying to survive,” Bishop Bulus told ACI Africa during the Wednesday, July 24 interview.

He added, “Government policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies exacerbate the situation by increasing transportation costs and, consequently, the prices of essential goods.”

The Local Ordinary of Kontagora Diocese, who doubles as chairman of the Commission for Migrants and Refugees of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) also identified security challenge as an important factor in migration. He said, “The lingering insecurity in the country has added to the rising cases of migrants and refugees in Nigeria.”

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He expressed concern about the rising numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa’s most populous country, saying, “The number will continue to increase as long as attention is not paid to the root causes. We have many internally displaced persons because of insecurity. Something has to be done to address that. Otherwise, this will continue."

The 53-year-old Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 2012 and appointed Bishop of Kontagora in April 2020 went on to highlight the importance of the CSN initiative for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees.

“The Catholic Church’s initiative aims to provide pastoral care to migrants, ensuring they are not only welcomed but also supported in their new environments,” he said, and added, “Pastoral care is part of our work. We must have this kind of a program so that things are put in place,”

Bishop Bulus urged Dioceses to establish units dedicated to this cause. He said, “The Catholic Church will provide comprehensive pastoral care to migrants and refugees by addressing their spiritual, emotional, and social needs. 

“Spiritual support includes offering religious services, sacraments, and faith-based counselling to help individuals find solace and strength in their faith amid the challenges of displacement,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop added.

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Emphasizing the Church’s commitment to social justice and humanitarian aid, he said, “The Church can create welcoming and inclusive communities where migrants and refugees can practice their religion and participate in communal activities, fostering a sense of belonging and stability.” 

The Church, Bishop Bulus further said, “will also facilitate access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and legal assistance, ensuring that migrants and refugees receive the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.”

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.

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