IOM commends FG’s efforts in tackling irregular migration, trafficking in persons

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Global Migration Media Academy (GMMA), has commended the Federal Government for its efforts in the fight against irregular migration and trafficking in persons.

The IOM’s Awareness Raising Officer, Nigeria, Cyprine Cheptepkeny made the commendation at three-day training for journalists on ethical and migration reporting in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by IOM GMMA in partnership with the Pan Atlantic University (PAU).

She also commended journalists for their role in the fight against irregular migration and trafficking in persons.

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Cheptepkeny, while welcoming participants to the training, said it was part of the organisagion’s approach to raising awareness about migration issues.

Cheptepkeny said the IOM’s GMMA was established as a one-stop shop for journalists and mass communication students to get well-informed information and data as well as report migration issues accurately.

“Since April 17, IOM in collaboration with MDAs has assisted more than 21,000 stranded migrants in Libya, Niger, Mali, and other transit destination countries to voluntarily return to Nigeria.

“The commitment of IOM can be seen in the capacity building of the media partners and other interventions for the returned migrants in Nigeria.

“This training is unique because it is an avenue for IOM to strengthen ethical and accurate reportage,’’ she said.

Dr Mike Okolo, the Dean of School of Media and Communication, PAU congratulated participants, and urged them to take the training seriously.

Represented by Dr Ezechukwu Isaac-Ogugua, a facilitator at the training, Okolo said the training would enlighten them on the need to entrench ethical practices and standards in reporting migration issues.

He said that the mission of PAU was to advance knowledge in the media and communication through research and re-skill the competencies of participants.

According to him, participants at the end of the training will be able to conceptualise migration and human history.

“Participants will be able to identify the importance of migration and easily unpack the various legal means open to humans to migrate.’’

According to him, the training will also uncover the measurements of development in different economies of the world, as well as underscore the media portrayal of development and its effect on migration.

The the three- day capacity building which opened on Tuesday, would end on Thursday. (NAN)

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