By Godwin Ugbor, Assistant Programme Officer- PRAWA,
Sopuruchi Anosike, Assistant Programme Officer- PRAWA, Lagos

The Illegal Migration Awareness Project (I-MAP) is a youth oriented program with the aim of creating awareness on the ills of illegal migration. It is being implemented in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu States of Nigeria and commenced in Lagos State on 28 August 2012 with the training of youth volunteers on the Impacts of Illegal Migration, Alternatives to Violence and Life Planning Skills. As the training concluded in Enugu on September 14, 2012, the second phase of the project which is focused on community outreach activities by the volunteers commenced.

In Enugu State, the campus of the Institute of Technology (IMT) has been bustling with activities following the establishment of an I-MAP Youth Club called the I-MAP IMT which seeks to achieve the aim of the project within the student body of the Institute. The club currently has about 25 active members and its outreach activities are carried out on-campus, every Thursday. By 1 November 2012, over 50 students have indicated interest to join the youth club. Arrangements are in to gear to establish more I-MAP clubs, especially in secondary schools in Enugu.

On Saturday 13 October 2012, I-MAP Enugu peer-educators participated in a capacity building seminar organized at the PRAWA Enugu office. Resource persons at the event included Jasper Ukachukwu of PRAWA and Nwachukwu Hedge of Hedge Resource Services. At the seminar, presentations were made on the Development of Process Maps; Stakeholders Analysis for I-MAP Clubs; the Concept of Service: Impact, Advantages and Procedures; and Entrepreneurial Skills training.

In Lagos State, on the 20 October 2012, The Psychology group of IMAP- Lagos, visited the Home of God’s Grace Orphanage situated in Imota, Ikorodu part of Lagos State, as part of implementing the Alternatives to Violence Training and skills learnt during the peer educators workshop. The home which presently harbors 64 children, 5 of which are in the University, provided the team with a platform to sensitize the youths at the orphanage on the need for life planning skills, the alternative ways of approaching seemingly violent situations and the effects of illegal migration.

On 31 October 2012, the Economic group of I-MAP- Lagos paid a visit to Senior students of the Angus Memorial High School, Somolu. The team did not only sensitize the youths on the key issues of the project, they went ahead to provide a 2-day training on Soap making with the aim of providing economic empowerment to the participants.