JIFORM set to take irregular migration advocacy to schools

By Ere-ebi Imisi Journalist international forum for Migration, JOFORM, has disclosed that it is set to take the advocacy against irregular migration to schools and rural communities adding that Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commissioning, Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa is slated to attend. In a statement issued by the JIFORM President/Executive Director, Ajibola Abayomi, stated that JIFORM, having engaged in several international and local advocacies against irregular migration decided to take its campaign to reach out to schools and rural communities to further enlighten Nigerians against activities of human traffickers. According to Abayomi the event is slated to hold later in March at the Villanova Polytechnic, Imesi-Ile, Osun state. The JIFORM president however noted that the global body comprising over 150 seasoned journalists across the continent is taking the advocacy against irregular migration and human trafficking to schools and rural communities after hosting its inaugural international migration summit in Abuja in 2019. Also he stated that Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, MRF and the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Osun State, Mrs Funke Egbemode, have been slated to attend an anti-human trafficking summit in Osun state. “At the JIFORM, we have decided to work the talk by taking the message of anti-human trafficking especially to the rural communities and students giving the growing concern regarding the rate at which Nigerians are being deceived to embark on unplanned journey premised on fake promises of better life. “It is our belief that we can’t continue to write alone as journalists focusing on migration rather time has come for us to share practical experiences with the people and orientate them against attempt to lure them into modern day slavery through deceits” he explained. ReplyForward

NGO sensitive security agencies on protection of women, children

By Ere-ebi Imisi

A non-governmental organization, Partners West Africa Nigeria, PWAN has sensitised security agencies in Borno state on steps to protect the vulnerable population in conflict-prone areas especially women and children.

This is aimed at mitigating the impact of crisis among the vulnerable population in the society particularly women and children caught up in crisis area, also enhance the participation of women in the country’s security sector. 

In a statement signed by the Communication Officer of the group, Charity Onwubiko, the need to provide such empowerment workshop for the security officers in the terrorism-ravaged states of Borno and Yobe cannot be overemphasized especially regarding the provision of gender-sensitive protection strategies to minimize gender related casualties, particularly sexual violence most times associated with women folk. 

According to Onwubiko, this is also part of PWAN’s contribution in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 16 and 17 which is aimed at building strong peace and justice institutions and partnerships.

“The changing face of insurgency especially with regards to women undoubtedly calls for a more inclusive and strategic approach in resolving conflicts and countering terrorism. Nigeria’s security sector as it currently stands reflects the traditional society in its patriarchal nature. This has affected the structure of the security sector with regards to inclusiveness, gender parity and discriminatory practices against women” she said.

While commending all the security agencies in the country for taking steps to integrate gender equality, she enjoined them to continue to improve their capacity to provide gender sensitive protection strategies for all vulnerable population particularly women and girls.

She also expressed the commitment of PWAN to partner with relevant security organizations in ensuring more participation of women in decision-making and overall structure of the security sector in the country.  

The group also reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari commitment to address incidents of sexual violence, sexual abuses in schools, human trafficking and cultural practices that violate women’s rights adding that it is worthy of commendation.

Highlight of the sensitization program was the launching of notepads, bottles and pens as IEC materials.