As the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the radio station with the largest network in Africa, throws its weight behind the second international migration summit of the Journalists International Forum For Migration, holding in Ibadan, Oyo State between October 15 and 16, 2020, the body has named country Coordinators for the event that would combine both physical and virtual presentations under the chairmanship of Prof. Patrick Lumumba from Kenya.
Other participants at the Summit include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Hon Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters; former Canadian Immigration Minister, Gerry Weiner; Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede; and member, African Union Advisory Committee on Labour Migration, Dr. Princess Ocansey.
Named as Coordinators in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Publicity Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the Summit, Salemfly Salem, an international correspondent with a French broadcasting outfit, the global media body with over 200 journalists spread across the continents were senior journalists.
Top on the list are the Secretary General JIFORM, Juliet Makwama from Zambia; Gambia JIFORM Coordinating Chairman, Ousman. A. Marong; Biriam Jobe; and President Gambian Women Journalists Association, Sarijo Camara.
Ghana has Jerry John Akomor and Fred Smith; Editor-In Chief, The Sun Newspaper, Zimbabwe and JIFORM coordinator Southern Africa, Willie Mponda; Eric Chinje, USA; Veyeh Tatah, Germany; Daphne Tolis from Greece; Rosie Pioth, Congo; Hilda Hasinjo, Madagascar; Didier Madafine, Benin Republic; and Yaqoub Popoola, Abiola Peters and Ibironke Ariyo, all from Nigeria.
Bello Muhammed, the Zonal Director of FRCN, Ibadan, while receiving the delegation of JIFORM, led by its President, Ajibola Abayomi; Secretary Local Organizing Committee, Adelowo Adedayo; and Ebenezer Akinmoyero in his office, lauded the theme of the event: “Migration Governance and Media Strategy for Development During Pandemic.”
Muhammed said it was the tradition of Radio Nigeria to support any laudable idea aimed at developing humanity and admonished Nigerians to shun deceit that could lure them to human trafficking and other irregular migration acts.
In the same vein, Rev. Niyi Dahunsi, Pastor Kayode Akinsola and Lere Shittu, the General Managers of Amuludun, Kingz and Pensioner radio stations, all based in Ibadan, promised to support the event after receiving the JIFORM team at the respective offices.