GERMAN government has concluded plans to deport 12,000 Nigerians who are seeking asylum in the country. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, senior special assistant to the president on diaspora affairs, hinted that the German embassy in Nigeria had intimated her office about the plans to repatriate 12,000 Nigerians, seeking asylum in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa who described the development as unfortunate, disclosed this on Tuesday, April 4, at the public presentation of two books “From Libya with Tears’’ and “Practical News and Feature Writing’’ written by Dele Bodunde, a former managing editor/director of News Agency of Nigeria. She also said that 128 Nigerians died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. “Just some days ago, 128 Nigerians died in the Mediterranean sea out of 576. Most of them were from West African countries and they were on their way to Europe. Now, this is an unfortunate incident and I think it is better to remain in Nigeria and keep struggling, instead of making desperate journeys that could take their lives,’’ she said.

Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by Abdul-Rahman Balogun, her special assistant on Media, said some Nigerians had been trapped in Libya and were subjected to various inhuman treatments and that only the intervention of the federal government had ensured the return of many.

That notwithstanding, the presidential aide commended Bodunde for writing a book on the travails of Nigerians in Libya, saying the work could not have come at a better time.

Also speaking at the occasion, Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State and a veteran journalist, said there was the need for journalists to constantly update themselves with the requisite skills of the profession. According to Osoba, the main problem to the development of the profession is a deficit in skills. He commended the author for writing a book that sought to address the problem and urged practising and aspiring journalists to avail themselves of the books, for their professional and personal development.

In his speech, Bayo Onanuga, managing director of the NAN, described the retiring director as an accomplished journalist, who had made a great impact at the agency. Onanuga, who was represented by Kate Popoola, head of NAN Lagos Operations, said he was not surprised with the books as the author had a penchant for imparting knowledge. “I urge journalists who desire more knowledge on the job to make use of the materials for their professional development,’’ he said.

Ade Obisesan, the book reviewer, described the book “From Libya with Tears’’ as an eye opener, as it highlighted the travails of Nigerian girls trafficked to Libya. Obisesan said the book was beautifully written and reflected the writer’s hatred for anything that dehumanises the female child.

Bodunde thanked the guests, as well as the staff and management of NAN for the opportunity to serve the nation. He promised to continue to contribute his quota to the journalism profession, even in retirement.

—  Apr 5, 2017 @ 16:50 GMT

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