Thirty-seven thousand Nigerians emigrated to Italy in 2016 alone, the President, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Mrs. Laura Boldrini, disclosed in Abuja on Monday. She spoke during a visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, at the National Assembly. The chamber of deputies is the equivalent of the House of Representatives in Italy. Italy, too, has a second chamber, the Senate.

Boldrini, who condemned terrorism, said Italy commended President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in securing freedom for 82 of the abducted Chibok school girls. She added that the parliament in Italy was ready to support Nigeria, where possible, in the rehabilitation programme for the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. She also said Italy was against the trafficking in persons, especially the girl child, stating that in 2016, the total number of Nigerians who arrived in her country was 37, 000.

Boldrini said, “We support unified efforts for both countries to check terrorism. Italy stands by Nigeria’s side to combat terrorism. We do appreciate your efforts and believe that since terrorism is a threat to the entire world, we need to join forces in this regard.”

On the provision of aid to terrorism victims, she added, “It is important that the international community continues to provide funding, to get resources for those in need so that they don’t cut aid for victims of terrorism in this country.”

On his part, Dogara called for economic empowerment and education for citizens of poor countries, in order to contain terrorism and illegal migration.