The Nigerian House of Representatives has declared support for the international summit being planned by the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM), the umbrella body of journalists across the continents with passion for migration reporting.
The international summit on migration with the theme: “Addressing migration menace to re-orientate national value” is slated for Abuja from November 25-29, 2019.
While receiving the delegation of JIFORM at the National Assembly, Abuja on Thursday during a courtesy call on the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Umar Mohammad Jega lauded the initiative of the group.
He said it was a welcome development the House of Representatives would support without hesitation.
“Every good partnership and initiative to bring about development of this country, I can assure you will be supported by the House of Representatives. This 9th assembly is committed to progress.
“The conference is a welcome one. Count on our support both at the committee level and the entire 9th Reps. There is need to speak to the consciousness of the people against human trafficking, irregular migration to bring about peace and crisis resolution as you have stated”, Jega said.
The Chairman added that “JIFORM should be rest assured that we shall do the needful to make the summit a huge success. We are aware of the need to boost the image of the nation through collective efforts to protect the lives of our citizens.”
JIFORM President, Ajibola Abayomi accompanied by members of the mobilization committee of the association, Adekunle Adeniyi of 99.8 Kiss FM and Idowu Isamotu of Sahel Standard Newspapers both based in Abuja during his speech said JIFORM was willing to work with the legislature to add value to the quality of laws for the benefits of Nigerians.
He said besides migration matters, the programme would boost investors’ confidence in the nation’s economy saying “we are interested in bringing several governments across the world together to exchange ideas on how to improve relationship on migration matters, border control, refugees and humanitarian services.
“Advocacy against crisis leading to internal displacement of Nigerians and human trafficking must be sustained. On this noble course, we are working with the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, other security agencies and relevant institutions.
“The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is aware of what we are doing as well as other international bodies. We are interested in every good thing that can add value to the nation and efforts of the government to improve the economy.
“Submissions at the conference won’t just end with mere verbal discussions like other events, we shall ensure that outcomes of the position papers are collated and presented to the legislature as frame work to improve relevant laws” Ajibola pledged.
Photo: JIFORM President, Ajibola Abayomi presenting the proposal of the migration summit to the Chairman, House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees, Hon. Umar Jega at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Thursday.
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