Notable migration experts including renowned Professor of Law and international speaker, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede have confirmed their readiness to be part of an international migration summit to be staged between October 15 and 17, 2020 by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM).
Confirming his participation, Prof Lumumba, the pan-Africanist and the Director of Kenyan Law School who is expected to chair the summit in his official response said: “I confirm my availability and willingness to serve PLO of Africa”.
On his part, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Babandede has been slated to officially unveil the event, while German migration advocate, Johanna Mac; Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Lagos State, Nigeria, Harvard trained migration expert, Eric Chinje and US-based international migration lawyer, Samuel Adewusi have been slated for various roles at the summit expected to bring other celebrated international speakers.
The 3-day event themed Migration Governance And Media Strategic For Development During Pandemic, will be virtually held on zoom.
Juliet Makwama, the Secretary General JIFORM, in a statement issued in Lusaka, Zambia on Saturday said the media body comprising over 200 journalists across the continents, was targeting the summit to produce glossary of terminologies for migration reportage.
“Since 2018, we have been leading advocacy against irregular migration, human trafficking and crises leading to internal displacement of citizens in nations, despite the pandemic; we are determined to reshape migration reportage to further enhance media capacity.
“In 2019, our first conference was held in Abuja, Nigeria, this year, as a result of Covid-19 spread we have to channel the event through technology space.”
She added that the event would also have robust debates and participation of CNN, BBC, VOA and German media with the use of English and French as language of communication.
Agencies expected at the conference are International Organsastion for Migration (IOM), Tony Elemelu Foundation, SEEFAR, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria and others from Europe, Asia, India and United Kingdom.
