Abia Government Signs MOU With IOM, As Governor Otti Reiterates Commitment to Pulling Abians Out of Poverty

By Emma Nwokonna On Feb 26, 2025

Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for a closer Cooperation between the State and the IOM.

The MOU, with the support of the state, would see IOM show commitment to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. The partnership would also seek to advance understanding of migration issues, encourage cultural, social, and economic development through migration, overcome challenges and work towards effective realization of the human rights and well-being of migrants.

The IOM Chief of Mission, Paola Pace while speaking, emphasized the need for a robust collaboration that would enable the protection of migrants while ensuring that migration is a choice.

She explained that the UN IOM were in Abia to strengthen relationship through interaction with thematic Ministries, Departments and Agencies and to foster means of attracting donor agencies to the State.
She added that their mandate is to find solutions for people that migrate forcefully such as internally displaced persons.

The agreement further provided that migration-focused and related activities and initiatives of ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT and the activities related to Migration of IOM shall be coordinated, to the extent possible, in an effort to achieve the maximum cooperation and the elimination of unnecessary duplication between them, and that when common interests so dictate, either Party may request the cooperation of the other.

Abia State Government and IOM also agreed to exchange information and documentation in the public domain to the fullest extent possible on matters of common interest.

Parties agreed to consider the following areas for mutual cooperation:

a) Implementation, as appropriate, by IOM of activities in areas that relate to IOM mandate, such as making migration a choice, enhance regular migration, diaspora engagement, counter-trafficking, technical assistance among others;

b) Research on matters of mutual interest for evidenced-based policy reforms and actions;

c) Consultation between Abia State Government and IOM on the development and amendment of policies, legislations and strategies for them to mainstream migration and/or focus on migration issues such as diaspora engagement;

d) Inventory existing diaspora institutions and programs for homeland investment and collaborative opportunities;

e) Explore joint actions to address unemployment through job creation and placement in partnership with relevant agencies, government skills acquisition centres and the private sector;

f) Work together to ensure the protection and welfare of migrant workers;

g) Support the capacity of existing state actors to reduce irregular emigration and counter crimes such as trafficking and smuggling;

h) Facilitate cooperation between Abia State and other partners within the UN and outside the UN system.

Speaking during the visit,, Governor Otti thanked them for ensuring that the partnership became a reality through the signing of the MOU, and noted that the IOM is often associated with facilitating migration but that Abia’s focus is on attracting people back to the State.

He appreciated the team for their kind words over the performance of the government and restated his commitment to ensuring that the tempo of development is sustained.
Governor Otti made it clear that his government is open to people from different parts of the country and the world for developmental cooperation, and also to work and live in Abia without discrimination, and assured the team that a space would be made available to them for the setting up of their office in the state.

The Abia Chief Executive reassured that his government has taken a principled stand to pull Abia people out of poverty, a decision which informed the creation of Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.