The National Youth Parliament (NYP), as part of activities marking its 30-day campaign against illegal migration,  on Wednesday, convened a day's briefing for stakeholders at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

The theme of the forum was:"In search of collective solutions to the youth illegal migration".

The forum which was aimed at creating dialogue amongst young people and stakeholders in the true spirit of partnership, thereby promoting the enabling environment and build synergy in responding to the challenges poised by illegal migration, was attended by ministers, security chiefs, young people, among others.

In his welcoming remarks, Njundu Drammeh of the Child Protection Alliance (CPA), cited the havoc of illegal migration on the lives of young people who take to the high seas in search of greener pasture.

He said the forum will help to find a solution to the phenomenon and  described the youth as the cream of the nation, noting that without them there cannot be any development. He urged them to stay and venture into skillful jobs that can make them self-reliant. For his part, Ousman Sonko, minister of Interior, said the government of President Jammeh has provided an enabling environment for the youths of this country. He challenged the youths to desist from the risky journey. He thanked the national youth parliament for their stance in sensitising the mass on the consequences of illegal migration.

The Interior minister went on to quote Dr Lalla Ben Barka, deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), who once said: "African government has a great responsibility to ensure that brains remain in the continents, otherwise in 25 years' time, Africa will be empty of brains". He expressed his ministry's commitment to monitor about departing points of illegal migrants. He called for collective work in fighting against the problem.

For his part, minister of Youth and Sports Sheriff ML Gomez, in his solidarity statement, urged all stakeholders to take illegal migration as a major concern. He described the menace as agrowing one, urging all hands to be on desk in order to eradicate the risky journey. He thanked NYP for valuing the problem of  illegal immigration, urging the youth to change their attitude and contribute to the national development.

Minister Gomez therefore commended the Spanish government for their partnership with The Gambia government in curbing the menace. He cited the number of youths who lost their lives over the Red sea. For her part, Maimuna Sarr, speaker of NYP dilated on her association's continued commitment towards sensitising the mass on the dangers of illegal immigration. She citied the relevance of partnership they had with stakeholders in achieving their goals.

She said the forum is meant for them to dialogue with stakeholders on the youth illegal migration, adding that NYP has a crucial role to play raising mass awareness on the dangers involve in illegal migration. She challenged family members to avoid supporting their siblings to so by the sea. Fatoumata Baldeh, clerk of NYP made a presentation on NYP and its role in the country.