Abubacarr Jabbi,  the chairperson of the National Organisation for Operation No Backway to Europe (NOOBE) has said that his organisation will continue to sensitise people especially the youths on illegal migration which is on the increase.

Speaking to the Daily Observer recently at his office in Bundung, Mr Jabbi said since the inception of the organisation some months ago, they have worked relentlessly to educate the youths about the dangers related to the mass exodus of people enroute to Europe through these high waters.

"I think it is high time for all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against this menace. Youths constitute the majority of the country's population and plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of any nation. However, in recent years, Africa has witnessed high figures of its youth going in search of greener pasture in which many died on their way to reach the Canaries," he said.

According to him, most of these people sometimes pay huge monies which could have helped them if invested in the country.

He urged youths to remember that the development of the nation lies in the hands of the citizen. He added that his organisation will continue to advocate and create more sensitisation on the consequences related to this dangerous sea journey. "Many of our loved ones have lost their lives tying to reach Europe in recent years. We will endeavour by all possible means to discourage this illegal movement of people to the West," he promised.

For his part, Basorry Jawaaneh, the coordinator of the project said it is high time for youths to sit and think about development initiatives, noting that youths are the most active sector in any country.

"As African youths, we owe a lot to our nations as everyone has a role to play in the socio-economc development of any nation. But yet there are other parents who are still encouraging their sons to engage in this perilous sea journey by paying their boat fees," he said.

According to him, The Gambia is blessed with a caring and loving president who is doing everything possible to make this country a model nation. "Youths have a lot to do in national development. Let them also put at the back of their minds the fact that Babylon was developed by Babylonians. So why not join all hands to also build our own Gambia," he urged.