The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali has urged journalists reporting migration to use their journalism skills to hold Nigerian leaders accountable in order to stem the tide of irregular migration.
He made the call on Tuesday when a delegation of the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), a media foundation comprising over three hundred journalists across the continents reporting migration matters led by its President, Ajibola Abayomi paid him a courtesy call at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Concerned about various forms of abuses that Nigerians in irregular status are being subjected to overseas, the CP urged journalists to constantly remind those in authority to better the lots of the nation so as to reduce the urge for desperate migration among the youths to seek greener pastures abroad.
The Delta State police boss who pledged full support for JIFORM capacity development for journalists in the state called for more support for the federal government to improve the economy while admonishing members of the public to always work with the police to curtail human trafficking and other migration crimes.
While making his submissions, Ajibola had earlier called for further collaboration between the police and the media to raise the stake of awareness against unplanned journeys predominant among the youths in Southern Nigeria.
He said the media needed more training to be on top of migration reportage stating that “JIFORM is proposing to have a workshop for journalists in Delta State between June 9 and 10, 2021. We need the support of your office and others to make it success.
“We believe that despite what Nigeria is going through, the nation shall emerge stronger. In as much as we care to contain the spread of Covid-19, the authorities must note that human traffickers and other criminals don’t go on lockdown, therefore we must devise means to continue to impact knowledge on our people to do the needful.”
The JIFORM delegation comprised Felix Ahon of Vanguard Newspaper, Asaba, Abirhire Thomas, a member of the Police Force Headquarters media link, Emenyonu Adibe of Thisday Newspaper, Benin City Edo State and Ese Bobson Ogbakpan, a Delta State based migration advocate.
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