Prince (Dr.) Ifalade Oyekan, FISN, General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), has called on Nigerian returnees to embrace hope, resilience, and self-reliance as they rebuild their lives following their repatriation.
Prince Oyekan made the call while delivering a goodwill message at a reintegration workshop organised by Co-Create NGO for Nigerian returnees from Lagos and Ogun States.
Addressing the participants, the LNSA boss encouraged them to view their return not as a setback but as an opportunity for a fresh beginning. He urged them to take advantage of available opportunities by acquiring vocational skills, pursuing legitimate means of livelihood, and making meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation’s development.
He emphasised that perseverance, discipline, and integrity remain essential ingredients for success, urging the returnees to shun crime, negative influences, and other activities capable of undermining their future.
Prince Oyekan also commended the organisers for their commitment to the rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees, describing the initiative as a vital step towards restoring dignity, promoting self-reliance and fostering sustainable community development.
He reaffirmed the commitment of government institutions and relevant stakeholders to supporting programmes that empower vulnerable citizens and create opportunities for productive living.
The workshop featured presentations by Dr. Sarah Adeyinka, Senior Lecturer at the University of Amsterdam and Principal Investigator of the Stronger Futures Project, and Mr. Xander De Valkeneer, Legal Practitioner and Advisory Board Member of Co-Create NGO.
Participants also benefited from sessions on psychosocial support, entrepreneurship, vocational skills development, and community reintegration, equipping them with practical knowledge and tools for successful reintegration into society.
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