News

JIFORM Wants Global Garnishee Order Against Human Traffickers, Investigation Of Borno Sexual Abuse

By Web News 564

The Journalists International Forum For Migration, JIFORM this week at a public lecture to mark the 100 days in office of Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) called for a garnishee order to confiscate the property and illicit funds of human traffickers across the world.

At the occasion, the NAPTIP DG called for more collaboration with various stakeholders and expressed the desire to work with everyone to rid the nation of the menace of human traffickers. She added that the door of the agency was opened to genuine cooperation that would aid the advancement of its aims and objectives. 

Ajibola Abayomi, the President of JIFORM delivering a presentation on the role of media in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria at the virtual event lauded the NAPTIP DG for his efforts on Trafficking In person matters (TIP) recommended the way forward. 

“For the Justice administration to be more effective in Nigeria there is need for facilitation of training for judges on the anti-human trafficking laws specifically with provision for garnishee orders allowing global confiscation of assets and funds belonging to the convicted human traffickers of Nigerians anywhere in the world in collaboration with international partners and countries.

“At the Internally Displaced person camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, the Federal Government should support NAPTIP to carry out thorough and independent investigations against the security personnel and the officials of Committee on Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and make the culprits accountable for alleged trafficking offences, including sex trafficking at the IDPs and unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers in the northeast. 

“Efforts should be made to track the illicit funds being the proceeds of human trafficking flowing from overseas and from Nigeria to other nations too to further crimple human traffickers and such money should be plough back into the rehabilitation of victims of the crime.

“There should be more collaboration between the NAPTIP and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to adequately monitor the activities of job recruiting agencies in Nigeria to forestall labour trafficking and exploitation both within and outside the country at intervals” Ajibola stated. 

The JIFORM President re-echoed the need to upgrade NAPTIP to arm bearing and uniform agency with visibility in all 774 local governments in the nation, allocation of adequately funded by the Federal Government to the agency to fund its budget to allow for the recruitment of more hands and give it some oversight functions but at the entry and exit routes across the nation’s borders.   

He described the NAPTIP DG as prayer answered for the agency, who he said was a true believer in the fight against human trafficking both in and beyond Nigeria.

Ajibola said the event was an opportunity to appraise to migration matters particularly the fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) given the commendable efforts of the NAPTIP aimed to combat human trafficking in the country.

 “I am not just saying this to flatter the DG and her team, truly, it has been 100 days of consolidation on war against TIP and SOM with determination and renewed zeal.

“On behalf of the Journalists International Forum For Migration JIFORM, with over 350 journalists across the continents, out of which we have over 160 Nigerian journalists on the platform we have nurtured since 2018 as the rallying point for Journalists focusing on migration reportage in Nigeria and across the globe with special focus on TIP and SOM matters, I congratulate the DG and her entire team for sustaining the flying colours of the NAPTIP founded in 2003 till date.”

Speakers at the event included the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration IOM, Nigeria, Mr Celestine Frantz who was represented by the Head of Programmes of the agency Mariam Prestage; the Executive Director of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, (WOTCLEF), Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi; and the National President of Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour NACTAL, Abdul-Ganiyu Abubakar.

Adedayo Adelowo

Entertainment

Immortalize Victor Uwaifo As god Of Art, JIFORM Tells FG

By Web News 755

The Journalists International Forum For Migration, JIFORM has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to keep the memories of late Sir Victor Uwaifo, a music icon who passed on at 80 on Saturday describing him as a god of art.

In a tribute to the Benin, Edo State born legend, Ajibola Abayomi, the President of JIFORM said: “It is not too much for the Federal Government to immortalize Uwaifo, an extraordinary talent and a gift to this generation as the god of art. 

“Indeed, the scripture confirmed human beings as gods in Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34 saying “for ye are gods” so Uwaifo was a god of art. The musician, professor, knight, sculptor, flutist, writer, inventor of musical instruments, a university lecturer, and the first truly Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria deserves every respect from all of us. 

Venerated as Living Human Treasure  in 2017 by the UNESCO-United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) as one who possessed to a very high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re-creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage Thus, in three words, a “Living human treasure”, he came, he saw and conquered the world of art and other endeavors.

I recall how he narrated his amazing encounter with the mermaid while interviewing him in 2017 with nostalgia. Uwaifo said, “in 1966, I was the head Graphic Department of the National Television now the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at the Victorial Island.  Because of the traffic, I used to deliberately stay late and go to the bar beach to strum my guitar and get inspiration. That particular day, I stayed really late till everybody had gone.

“Not long after, I observed that each time the waves advanced towards me, I would move back, but the farther I moved the closer it came. Suddenly, I observed a figure coming towards me and before I knew it the figure was right before me. I wanted to run away. I screamed, which I later transposed into strumming the guitar, which has become a trend nowadays.

She just said, ‘if you see mammy water, never run away’. I just thought the mermaid loved music, otherwise it would have harmed me, said Uwaifo.

Ajibola said the amazing experience was a didactic that the way of God no man knows. For us, the passing of the great music legend is a celebration of the life of a man who met with the goddess of the river now he has departed with the divine mercury gift of art.

“Several visits I paid to his museum exposed me to his other talents as inventor, sculptor and unique song writer. His museum should be kept in his memory and maintained by the government as he demanded while alive”.

Born on March 1, 1941, in Benin City, Edo State. he was the first musician to be decorated with the Member of order of Nigeria (MON) in Nigeria.

He studied graphics at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and graduated in 1963 at 22. He received a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours at 54 years old (Valedictorian) and a master’s degree from the University of Benin in 1997 at 56 where he studied fine and applied arts and majored in sculpture.

He was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music.

Adedayo Adelowo

Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu, Foreign Affairs Minister, To Grace JIFORM Summit

By Web News 663

The Journalists International Forum For Migration , JIFORM, has invited the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to its third annual migration summit in Canada.

Participants from North America, Europe, Asia, South and North America, Africa and from several countries have confirmed participation at the hybrid event to be held in Toronto between December 3-11, 2021.

Ajibola Abayomi, President JIFORM in a statement said the invitation of the duo was necessitated by their interest and support for advocacy on migration matters.

JIFORM, comprising over 300 Journalists covering migration issues across the continents also announced the addition of an event company, Abedorc Productions Inc., Canada, the owners of the Dorc Tv and Dorc Radio to the list of partners for the summit in the country.

Other partners are: Home For The Needy, Edo State; Diaspora Innovation Institute, Federal University of Technology Akure, the NEKOTECH Center of Excellence, Ghana and others.

The United Nations’ lead migration agency the International Organization for Migration IOM in Nigeria and in other countries and international speakers that include former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in Canada, Hon Gerry Weiner; Professor Patrick Lumumba, a foremost pan-Africanist from Kenya and member of the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee, H E Dr Kabuki Asie Ocansey from Ghana are to deliver presentations during the summit.

Listed also were Mr Williams Goiz, the Regional Director, Asia Migration Forum; Director, Home For The Needy, Folorunso Abumere; Professor Byron Price of City University, New York City, USA and others. 

JIFORM, founded in 2018 initiated the global summit premiered in Abuja between November 26-28,  2019. On February 25-26, 2021, the media body held the maiden African Migration Summit in Accra, Ghana in partnership with the Nekotech Center of Excellence and equally organized the  first African Media Migration Summit in Lome, Togo between June 22-23 this year.

Apart from these, JIFORM has organized series of trainings and workshops on migration, anti-human trafficking, labour, decent work, economic and social developments over the years from which over 3000 Journalists and other participants have benefitted.

Kayode Banjo 

Religion

JIFORM Greets Muslims At Sallah

By Web News 528

The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has congratulated the Muslims on the celebration of Eld-el-Kabir.

Ajibola Abayomi, the President of JIFORM in a statement however admonished everyone to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity as exemplifiedEid by Prophet Mohammed (SWAT).

“We thank the Almighty Allah (SWT), the most merciful for granting us the grace to witness another Eld-el-Adha.

“On this note, JIFORM, felicitates with our Muslim brethren across the globe and call on all and sundry to rededicate ourselves to the service of humanity.

“We enjoin all Muslims to celebrate this festive period in peace and show more love to the needy by consolidating on the examples of commitment, total obedience and sacrifice lived by Prophet Ibrahim (SAW)” he said.

The statement further appealed that: “All of us must be humbled by the current dictate of the padermic to moderate the process of celebrating this year’s Eld-el-Kabir by maintaining all the protocols against the newly discovered, deadlier Covid-19 Delta variant.

“May Allah  accept the devotion of this Sallah as an act of Ibadah”.

Kayode Banjo

Lifestyle

JIFORM Invites Participants To 3rd Global Migration Summit In Canada

By Web News 743

The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has invited participants to it’s third global migration summit slated for Niagara Falls, Canada from November 29 to December 6 2021.

Ajibola Abayomi, President of JIFORM, in a statement said the summit themed Exploring The Benefits Of Migration To Retool The Global Economy is opened to various professionals and organizations.

They included media practitioners, heads of governments, world leaders, international and local migration agencies, immigration workers, captains of industries, government and private institutions and individuals working on migration matters across the globe.

JIFORM, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria comprises over 300 Journalists covering migration matters across the continents is being partnered by the notable ALTEC Global Incorporation and Lucy Damiani from the Emerging Market Trade both based in Canada.

Participants are to direct all inquiries through [email protected] pending the unveiling of the official portal this month.

JIFORM in partnership with the NEKOTECH Center of Excellence, Ghana organized the maiden African Migration Summit in Accra between February 25-26, this year after which the body staged the West African Media Migration Summit in Lome, Togo between June 22-23.

In December 2019, JIFORM was part of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) International world migration summit for the media in Tunisia and the global media body had organized several trainings and workshops from which over 3000 Journalists and other participants have benefitted across the continents.

Kayode Banjo/Adewumi Faniran

Lifestyle

Togo Set to Host, Support JIFORM West African Media Workshop in June

By Web News 782

The Government of the Republic of Togo has expressed readiness to support the West African Media Workshop for journalists in the region being facilitated by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) slated for June 21-24, in Lome, the capital of the nation.

Minister of Communication and Media and the Spokesman of the Government of Togo, Professor Akoda Ayewouadan conveyed the position of the government recently during a meeting with the President of Organisation pour l’ Integration Africaine (OIA), Dr Azuma Ijoma in Lome, who represented the JIFORM President, Ajibola Abayomi.

The workshop is being organized by the JIFORM, a global media foundation with over 300 journalists across the continents with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria in partnership with the OIA, Togo.

According to the minister, the Government was very excited about the workshop which would further enhance the capacity of the media practitioners and contribute to the development in the country.

He said having received the details of the proposal for the event, he would brief the presidency, giving an assurance of the government’s support towards ensuring that the programme was successful.

Responding, the OIA President, Dr Ijoma thanked the government for the assurance and said all the machinery needed to make the workshop to be coordinated in both French and English languages had been set in place.

It would be recalled that the JIFORM President, Ajibola Abayomi had earlier visited Togo to consult with both the government and other stakeholders on the need to back the summit.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Crime

JIFORM Seeks Rescue of 20-year Old Nigerian Lady from Prostitution Camp in Ghana

By Web News 696

The the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has petitioned National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) seeking rescue of a Nigerian lady trapped in a prostitution camp in Ghana.

The petition is contained in a Press Release signed by the Forum’s President, Ajibola Abayomi.

                                 TEXT

May 6, 2021

Press Statement by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) for urgent attention.

Phone : 08036458653.     Email: [email protected]

JIFORM Petitions NAPTIP, Seeks Rescue Of 20-year Old Nigerian Lady From Prostitution Camp In Ghana

A 20-year old Nigerian lady (name withheld) trapped in a prostitution camp in Ghana has raised the alarm over threat to her life by an agent that facilitated her travelling.

This is as an international media body with over 300 media practitioners covering migration matters across the continents, the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) with headquarters in Lagos on Thursday petitioned the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other organizations to come her rescue.

The lady trafficked since March 2020 pleaded that she was tired of prostitution and endless demands from her slave madam up to the tune of over a million naira out which she had been forced to remit N300,000. 

During an interview with JIFORM, she claimed that the said amount being forced on her was never mentioned as part of the job negotiation deal by the madam not until she arrived at her destination in Ghana.

In a Save Our Soul (SOS) petition filed by Ajibola Abayomi, the President of JIFORM containing the full identity, location and contacts of the victim with the NAPTIP, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria embassy in Ghana, Ghana Immigration Service, the lady expressed the desire to return home saying she was ready to be reunited with her family provided her security could be guaranteed.

The JIFORM President lamented that the pathetic story of the lady called for passionate and urgent attention especially from the NAPTIP in order to help restore both the mental and psychological conditions of the victim.

 “I decided to personally take up the matter after interviewing the parties concerned including the lady trafficked to Ghana. NAPTIP should conduct further investigations by examining in details verifiable voiced notes, hot exchanges and established threat to life. At the end of it all I want the lady returned home safely.  Also anti-human trafficking agency  must ensure that the law takes its course mo matter hose ox is gored. 

“All the details of the victims including her telephone number and current residential address as well as that of the agent had been forwarded to the relevant authorities for prompt action. My interactions with the accused agent suggests that there is more than meets the eye in this for NAPTIP to handle” Ajibola said.

The victim who was desirous of greener pastures abroad was said to have been lured to Ghana by a friend who took her to the agent that promised her a befitting job in return.

Disturbed by the development her aunt, Miss Sarah Amanabo, narrated how the lady got trapped.

She said the victim eloped without her consent thereby creating a huge concern within their family since 2020 and in the process, her dad passed on.

“My niece is a subject of concern. She went along with a friend under the guise of getting a better paying job as a bartender. It turned out it was a cover for prostitution and she reached out later on because; she was ashamed to speak to me about it, being that she eloped from home.

She said she has been sending all money to her Madam, but the Lady insisted she wasn’t working hard enough to pay back her investment and interest. She requested a bail out and the lady has been threatening her with death she wants to come home but the lady has a grip on her mind” said Mrs Amanabo.

E-signed

Ajibola Abayomi

President JIFORM

Economy

Gov. Makinde To Unveil Maiden Edition Of Diaspora Day

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Governor Seyi Makinde will unveil the maiden edition of the State’s Diaspora Day.

The event which will take place On April 22 in the Oyo State Capital, Ibadan is themed Promoting Diaspora Investments, Safe Migration and Curbing Human Trafficking.

This is as the governor’s aide on Diaspora Matters; Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu declared that the state would take the lead to drive both the foreign and local investments into the economy.

In a statement issued by the President of the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), Ajibola Abayomi, who doubles as the media anchor for the event, Bolanle stated that the Governor’s blue print on diaspora matters was economic friendly.

Expressing the governor’s desire to actualize the aged-long economic diversification advocacy towards making Nigeria less dependent on oil, she called on investors both home and abroad to access the tourism potentials and other resources in the state.

The event will have the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama as the special guest of honour with the participation of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as well as Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Director General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP).

Bolanle said the event would among other things review the investment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora especially Oyo State indigenes with a view to further develop the state’s economy.

While admonishing the youths to shun irregular migration, she said the state was committed to promoting socio-economic activities aimed at creating more jobs and to restore confidence in the economy.

 According to her, the governor was committed to the eradication of human trafficking and would continue to ensure that the interests of the Oyo State indigenes were protected across the globe.

Noting that youths in the Southern part of the country dominated the list of stranded Nigerians in the Middle East, the SSA pledged to work with other diaspora officials across the nation to further promote orderly, safe and regular migration.

Other notable appointees in the state billed for the summit are Chief Bisi Ilaka, the Chief of Staff to the Governor; Professor Oyewo Oyelowo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Segun Ogunwuyi, the Director General, Oyo State! Investment and private Public Partnership; Princess w Professor Byron Price, the Global Director Diaspora Innovation Institute, City University  USA; Professor Ikechukwu Kanu Anthony from Tansian University Anambra; Dr Williams Ijoma, the President, Organisation pour l’Integrtion Africaine (OIA) Togo; Prince Michael Nku-Abuo, the Director General, Migration Control Services Agency, Cross River State.

Adewumi Faniran

Lifestyle

JIFORM Calls for Humane Consideration for Migrants’ Plight

By Web News 583

Felicitating with the Christians at Easter, in its good-will message, the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has charged the media and the governments across the world to show unconditional love to migrants.

 Urging the media to be at the forefront of dispelling misinformation about migration, particularly concerning migrants and refugees, the body with over 300 journalists spread across the continents said the greatest love for humanity with sincerity of purpose was demonstrated by Jesus Christ while on earth and demanded the same from the media practitioners.


The president Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement, called on the developed nations to see migrants as economic developers because “they are always drivers of labour serving various needs in nations.” 

He said the media should always exercise restraint by not using the word ‘illegal’ to qualify migrants at any point saying “the resurrection of Christ should teach us all how to love and not to stigmatize our fellow men and women. Therefore all acts that could provoke xenophobic attack should be guided against in the spirit of Easter”.

 He counseled journalists to always report facts embellished with human face on migration matters.

JIFORM is reputable for organizing an annual global migration summit since 2018, African Migration Summit in partnership with the Nekotech Center of Excellence in Ghana in February 25-26, 2021

Adedayo Adelowo

News

Group Calls For Rehabilitation Of Saudi Returnees

By Web News 614

Journalists International Forum For Migration, JIFORM, has admonished the Federal Government of Nigeria to go beyond accepting the reparation of her citizens from Saudi Arabia to institute a thorough rehabilitation and reintegration scheme for the 802 Nigerian deportees as they arrive the nation in batches.

JIFORM which would host the African Migration summit in Accra between February 25-26 in partnership with the NEKOTECH Center of Excellence Ghana, also called for more proactive responses to a series of distress calls by Nigerians in difficult situations abroad, particularly those secretly being tried, standing trial and being jailed in several Arab nations without fair hearing as there are still thousands of Nigerians still stranded at various locations in Saudi Arabia.

“Government should go beyond mere profiling, subjection to Covid-19 protocol and thereafter connect these people with their relatives. Repeatedly we have said the root cause of irregular migration ranging from failing economic response to guarantee jobs and meaningful living standards for the people should be attended to. How seriously have we legally dealt with the human traffickers and institute a workable preventive mechanism through the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over the years?

Ajibola Abayomi, the President of the over 300 international journalists focusing on migration reportage across the continents in a statement on Sunday although commended the government through the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM and other foreign missions for fine tuning the return of the migrants, he however observed that the returnees needed both psycho-social, mental and financial supports to adjust to life after varied encampment at various Saudi detention facilities.

 “Indeed JIFORM sympathises with the deportees who are being deported over the rise in the cost of jail upkeeps, is this how life must continue for most of the youths that were unknowingly trafficked to foreign lands? There should be sincere and systematic provisions to rehabilitate them otherwise they would in no time add to the existing economic burden in the land. It is not too much for the government to bring out the money for the good of her citizens now irrespective of the condition they have found themselves.”

Ajibola said time has come for the government to stand up to the reality that thousands of Nigerian youths are in the web of slavery in the Middle East especially in Yemen, Omani, Kuwait, Lebanon and others.

“Several Nigerians are roaming the streets in all these places and living under the fear of immigration police. To stem the tide, robust economic policies are needed to lessen the burden at home on the citizens and not the ones currently draining their pockets through unfriendly tariffs.

“Time has come to further speak the truth to those in authority on how to manage returnees. Apart from the intervention of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the migrant Assisted Voluntary Return (ASVR) programme in Nigeria, there has been no meaningful rehabilitation system by the government to cater for the needs of the returnees rather they are being made to cope with conditions not better than where they were coming from. 

“If Nigeria must win war against human traffickers apart from providing for the needs of the youths and women, there must be commitment to fully fund NAPTIP, expand frontiers across the 774 local governments with prompt monitoring of its activities and a law providing for mass recruitment as well as making it arm-bearing outfit must be passed in no distance time.

E-signed

Ajibola Abayomi,

President JIFORM.

Dayo Adelowo

Crime

JIFORM Implores AU to Tackle Trading of Migrant as Slaves

By Web News 532

As the world marks the International Migrants Day 2020 to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants, the African Union (AU) has been implored by the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) to put a stop to the en-slavery of countless African women in the Middle East through the horrible Kafala System.

Kafala is a trade system in the Middle East that encourages the trading of migrants as slave workers in connivance with some countries that part with their female folks in exchange for money.

 “In this illicit human trading a lot of governments, their officials, cabals and human traffickers have capitalized on the pitiable state of non-empowered citizens grasping to survive under the harsh economy to sell them into slavery and in return receive kick-backs in dollars from the slave masters.

 This is contained in a statement by the President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi .

 “In as much we further social cohesion which is varied and unique to the living conditions of the present 272 million migrants with additional 51 million in 2010 as recorded in 2019 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) living new lives and building new communities in every corner of the globe, the AU must not close its eyes to the agony of her citizens being sold to slavery in Qatar, Omani, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and others under the guise of seeking employment opportunities

“AU should muster enough political courage to engage authorities in the Middle East region to abolish the deadly work being foisted on the Africans and in alternative negotiate decent jobs with human face. It is now imperative too to pay attention to those unfavorable economic policies across Africa that are direct drivers for irregular migration to other parts of the world.” The statement reads

The statement notes that Jiform president, Ajibola added that JIFORM would continue to lead advocacy on protection of all migrants’ workers and their family members and remained committed to the United Nations vision since December 4, 2000 to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems associated with migration and refugee issues, celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

Adedayo Adelowo

Lifestyle

JIFORM Mourns The Passing On of Musa, Rawlings

By Web News 730

The Journalists International Forum for Migration, JIFORM, has mourned the passing away of former Ghana President, Jerry Rawlings describing him as a great liberator and one of the greatest pan-Africanists who ever lived.

The media foundation with over 250 journalists covering migration across the world also expressed condolences to the people of Nigeria over the death of former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement said Jerry left his footprint on the sands of time as a game changer in Ghana.

He explained that during his lifetime he spoke against the enslavement of Africans on several occasions through irregular migration.

“Regrettable JIFORM missed not meeting in person in Ghana having set up meeting to engage him January 2021 in Ghana during a proposed African media summit on migration. It is not how far for Jerry, but we can attest to how well he had served his people. Our prayers are with his family, Ghana and entire Africa at large”. He said.

JIFORM President also acknowledged the late Balarabe buried as an icon of progress and a nation builder, stating that both him and Rawlings were fallen heroes. 

“Balarabe was a man that stood for the common good of the society. He was committed to a united Nigeria beyond the rhetoric of others who played politics of tribalism and destruction.”

“Balarabe was a journalists’ delight that would never shy away from attending to media issues at any hour of the day” Ajibola added.

Adedayo Adelowo

Economy

JIFORM Makes Case for Stranded Nigerians Abroad

By Web News 909

The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has urged the Federal Government to defer the evacuation mission beyond the August 25, 2020 deadline to accommodate fresh 425 trafficked Nigerian women stranded in Oman and Saudi Arabia as compiled by JIFORM and other organizations.

 JIFORM also called on the government at all levels to declare a state of emergency against human trafficking in the nation.

JIFORM in a statement by its president, Ajibola Abayomi said that a letter detailing names, state of origin, location, phone numbers and other information about the stranded migrants had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians In Diaspora Commissions (NIDCOM), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and others for further actions.

“While commending Governor Makinde of Oyo State for paying for some 55 Oyo State indigenes stranded in Lebanon recently, JIFORM implored the public to always double check oversea job vacancy adverts by seeking clarifications from NAPTIP and other security agencies where necessary so as to curb some of the strategies being deployed by human trafficking agents to lure the youths to slavery abroad”

The statement which  notes that although NAPTIP is the lead agency on the matter, says there is the need for collaborative efforts to salvage the situation that needs urgent attention as the Nigerian women are being subjected to various inhuman treatments

 “This is time for the President Muhammad Buhari to further show love to Nigerians in pains abroad largely due to their own faults. We understand the rescue operation gulping huge resources will be terminated by August 25, however, for the sake of humanity, we are pleading for an extension.

“We categorically stated that there was need to declare state of emergency on human traffickers in order to save the youths. While we empathised with the victims, we are not unmindful of their ignorance to jump into the offer they paid through their nose and are now regretting.

“The act is condemnable but for the sake of humanity, the nation should not turn deaf ears to the wailing of her citizens abroad having fed up with the ill-treatments meted to them ranging from forced labour, sexual harassment and unpaid wages, the ladies had to escape to different locations while their hosts, mistresses and employers in return initiated various criminal proceedings against them in order to stop them from applying for lawful evacuation” the statement added

Adedayo Adelowo