Paola Pace, Interim Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, joined forces with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), journalists from various countries, and other key stakeholders on Saturday to discuss strategies for combating irregular migration.
The discussions took place during a virtual international migration seminar titled Migration Dialogue, organized by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) with “Migration Trends: Threats and Opportunities” as the theme
In her address as guest speaker, Paola Pace, emphasized the importance of continuous capacity building, the use of appropriate language, and a human-centered approach in migration reporting as essential tools for journalists to effectively cover migration issues.
The IOM Chief also stressed the need for journalists to tell positive and impactful stories about migrants, noting that the number of Nigerian emigrants has increased from 610,200 in 2000 to approximately 1.7 million in 2022, significantly boosting diaspora remittances.
Citing the Government of Nigeria’s Diaspora Policy 2021, Pace mentioned that the Nigerian diaspora population is around 17 million. She underscored the importance of creating safe pathways as part of counter-strategies against irregular migration. While acknowledging that migration is a significant driver of human development, she reaffirmed the IOM’s commitment to supporting journalists in disseminating accurate information and exploring regular migration channels.
Pace highlighted that the IOM has successfully returned 38,597 stranded Nigerians through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration program, with over 24,000 reintegrated into society.
Journalists Daphine Tolis (Greece), Biram Jobe (Gambia), Juliet Makwama (Zambia), and Bimbo Oyetunde (Nigeria) also shared their perspectives on migration. They identified collaboration, media capacity building, and networking as key elements in strategic communication efforts to engage journalists in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration.
Vincent Adekoye, Communications Officer for NAPTIP, addressed the strategic roles of the media in mitigating irregular migration and human trafficking in Nigeria. He urged journalists to counter the false narratives promoted by human traffickers and called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to develop effective migration policies and reshape public perceptions.
Dr. Qasim Akinreti, Deputy Director, Digital and Media at th Voice of Nigeria, expressed concerns over the alarming rate of irregular migration among Nigerian youths, with over 10 million attempting illegal migration to Europe. He called on African governments to improve economic conditions, create employment opportunities for youths, and enhance media advocacy against irregular migration.
Dr. Ajibola Abayomi, President of JIFORM, stated that the outcomes of the seminar would be crucial in shaping actionable strategies to address the threats and harness the opportunities migration presents. He emphasized the need to strengthen networks among journalists, stakeholders, and migration experts. Dr. Abayomi also announced that JIFORM would host its 5th Annual Global Migration Summit in Canada, alongside other workshops in Nigeria and other countries, and called on the IOM and other migration organizations to lend their support.
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