Razaq Bamidele
The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), comprising over 300 Journalists across the continents has called on the Federal Government and other relivant institutions in Nigeria to give priority to capacity building for Journalists covering migration matters, insisting that, it is one of the potent tools to combat human trafficking and other irregular migration menaces in 2022.
The call was made by JIFORM President, Ajibola Abayomi, in the organization’s New Year message as it’s third annual global migration conference takes place in Toronto, Canada between February 25 and March 6, 2022.
JIFORM with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria urged the government and it’s agencies that included National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to organize more knowledge sharing sessions with Journalists on migration matters.
According to him, the development would further broaden the knowledge of the media practitioners on the enormity of human trafficking, slavery and other crimes pointing out that Nigeria was among nations with highest figure which nationals are being used as slaves in the world.
He used the opportunity to commend the International Organization for Migration (IOM), FIIAPP and other international bodies for offering technical support and training to the Nigerian Journalists over the years, noting that there efforts are yielding positive results and helping to raise awareness that reduces irregular migration.
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His words: “This year, we are focusing on strategic partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and others to get maximum supports for media capacity development on migration matters.”
Ajibola disclosed that the JIFORM, in its proposal already sent across to relevant authorities and organisations had pencilled four strategic locations to train many Journalists from all the geopolitical zones in the nation.
“We are saying the era of no funds to support media training should be over. We don’t need all the monies in this world to equip Journalists with knowledge. Giving what was spent to repatriate thousands of Nigerians from abroad in 2021 alone, it will be foolhardy to jettison capacity building for the media to aid purposeful communication as one of preventive strategies against irregular migration.
“Journalists should be exposed to the trafficking routes in Benin, Niger, Burkina faso, Mali and other corridors in the West Africa. It is doable. This is not a rocket science.
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“Further exposure to these routes especially Agades and Timbuktu in Niger Republic and Musa Park in Benin Republic will give Journalists more insights into the pains and deceits being orchestrated to deceive our people. Telling the story with deep passion will help to discourage more trafficking of persons along those routes.
“All of us have a duty to halt irregular migration fuelling human trafficking, organ harvesting, domestic abuse of Nigerians both home and abroad. On this JIFORM will be all out to work for the good of humanity,” JIFORM boss concluded.