Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Joe Acha, at the ground breaking ceremony of High Court building at Abudu, Headquarter of Orhionmwon LGA of the state.
The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Joe Acha, said excellent conducive environment was the necessary panacea for improved administrative and dispensation of justice in the country.
Acha said this on Tuesday during the inauguration and handover of a Magistrates’ Court Complex built by the state government but executed by Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDOSOPADEC) at Urhonigbe, Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Acha had earlier performed a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a High Court and Staff quarter at Abudu, headquarter of Orhionmwon LGA.
Acha commended the state government for the gesture, saying the edifice would help in the quick dispensation of justice in the state.
“The state judiciary is appreciative of the state government’s commitment towards improving infrastructure of the state judiciary and its staff welfare for speedy delivery of justice.
“This edifice is well thought out while the users will find joy in putting it to good use.
“I am more grateful that these projects are coming during my time as Chief Judge.
Our prayers are with the state government and urge it to replicate this in other areas of human endeavour”, he said.
In his address, the Chairman of EDOSOPADEC, Mr Kennedy Osifo, said the conception of the projects was in line with the state government’s agenda of “Making Edo Great Again (MEGA).”
Osifo, however, urged the personnel of the state judiciary to put the complex in good use for the benefits of mankind.
Edo Sate Government on Thursday flagged off the long abandoned 16.7 Kim Ikpako-Ajoki road project to improve the social economic activities of about 10 communities across Ovia North East and Ikpoba Okha local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
The inhabitants of the mostly agrarian and fishing communities who were full of excitement at the ceremony, sued for its quick completion.
The communities included Ikpako, Obateru ( corrupted as Obateni), Evbuorokho and Evbuode in Ovia North East LGA and Ajoki, Abiala, Ajamokha and Kolokolo in Ikpoba Okha LGA .
Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in his address, described the road project as historic,saying it would be completed on time.
He said “We are making history not just because we are constructing another road; we’ve constructed so many roads in Edo, but this road is special,
“Before now we used to suffer the embarrassment of accessing Edo communities from Delta.
“This road will now ensure that our people can access all the Edo communities in this region. This road is going to be an economic road because it is connecting oil producing communities and will improve oil producing activities.
“Not just the the communities but the activities that this project brings. We are likely to see a road that will now begin to bring in more than just agricultural produce,; it will also bring in oil producing products , particularly gas.
“This road is very unique in terms of the way we conceived it and it gives us hope,’ he said.
According to the governor, this road is a joint venture, it’s a collaboration between Edo government, Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and ENAGEED, a subsidiary of Sahara company, in partnership with NNPC.
“Edo state and EDSOGPADEC are contributing 30 per cent each while ENAGEED is bringing 40 per cent.”
On the uniqueness of the road project Obaseki said “it’s not just the monetary part, it’s the way we have come together in securing the contract for the road.
” it shows that the way we procure project in Edo is of International standard because it meets with the same standard NNPC uses in procuring their infrastructure.
“Why this is project is mportant to us and me personally, is that we tried to this same method last year or two years ago with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the Benin-Abraka road.
‘We proposed the same financing agreement, we established bank accounts, signed agreement but NDDC failed us.
“So it made us loose hope and we didn’t believe that this kind of structure can work; but are happy now that it is working with NNPC and its partners on the same financing structure.
“And flagging off this road today and with the money for this road already in the bank gives us lots of hope and courage.
“Before now, bulk of infrastructural development was done by government but today you can see that we are creating innovative ways in partnering with private sector and the federal government to create infrastructure.
“This is just the beginning, the best is yet to come,; let me assure all the communities in this environment that we have already started the design of the road from Gelegele to join Ekewan road to Benin.
“We are going to accelerate that work because of this one so that you will not have challenges in coming to the city, ” he said.
Earlier, chairman of .EDSOGPADEC, Pastor Kennedy Osifo, assured the people of the communities of delivery quality and durable project that would meet international standards.
He noted that the road project was special because it would free the people from economic slavery.
” The Ikpako-Ajoki road will open up economic activities in the two local government areas, it will also eliminate the double taxation being paid to the two states when coming to any community within Edo state,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary ministry of Roads and Bridges, Engr. Enabulele Ferguson, assured the people of the completion of the Ikpako-Anoki project, in 2024 as scheduled .saying ” this project is cash backed and in this year’s budget.
“Its not an ordinary project because of the swampy nature of the terrain We need to talk more with the Consultant on how best to open up the road first and the likely challenge and how bext to tackle it.
” That is the process we are undertaking right now. And this is a significant development in the history of this enclave. First we have to see that the road us opened up.
” After that, we begin to look at the geometry and how to effectively fix the culvert
” I can assure you that in the first quarter of this year, the clearing will be completed while the second quarter will be about accelerated construction of the culvert and majority of concrete works because the rain usually sets in early in these areas.
” These are things we have factored into our design review and these aspects can only be done when the road is cleared and the issue of alignment is properly situated.
“But we are optimistic that we will keep to the plan because this project is already being accommodated in this year’s budget.
Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Nkyari, in his address, also expressed optimism of the partnership delivery a world class road project.
” i grew up here and and started with NNPC in Benin. I have personally worked around these areas acquiring seismic data and am very familiar with these places and the challenges here.
“I can confirm that tnis road should have come 30 years ago. It’s not here. But we are happy that it is now here because of the partnership with the state govt, NNPC and our partner, ENAGEED.
” We will make this work beacuse it is our respobsibliy to bring support to areas we work and to bring about national development for the benefit of all us, “” he said.
A community leader Mr Emmanuel Uwagboe, from Obateru community, speaking on behalf of other communities, commended the state government for the gesture and assured of the communities’ support towards a successful completion of the project.
Mr. Nwankwo Chucks, receiving certificate of long service awards from a management staff of Okomu oil palm company.
No fewer than 128 staff of a multinational oil palm company, Okomu oil Ltd., in Edo, on Saturday received long-service awards, after variously putting in between 15 years and 25 years of meritorious service to the company.
The event was held at the company’s headquarters in Okomu, near Iguobazuwa, the administrative headquarters of Ovia South West local government area (LGA) of the state.
Of the 128 awardees, 107 are junior staff, 18 senior staff while three of them were outsourced senior staff to Human Assets company, a subsidiary of Okomu oil palm company.
The Managing Director of the company, Dr Graham Hefer, at the occasion, congratulated the awardees and urged them to reciprocate the gesture through renewed commitment of services to the company’s fortunes.
Hefer assured the staff of the management’s continued commitment to provide conducive environment that would enable them give their all, saying strong institutions and well-motivated staff remain veritable tools for growth of any company.
He said that environmental and health safety of its workers would never be compromised, adding that both management and staff could not afford to let down their safety guards.
“This is the reason we always ask staff to be top notch with compliance with environment and health protocols.
“What will be our gain if we drop our safety guards and allow government to either sanction or close us down? Of course, there will be no more work or award ceremonies like the one we are holding now.”
Hefer said the 2021 long-service award is unique as three staff from Human Assets company, a subsidiary of Okomu oil, for the first time, were also rewarded for long service, with each of the staff, putting in 15 years of meritorious services.
Some of the items gifted the staff included medium-sized freezers, generators, complete settees, king- and queen-sized beds, plasma TV, dinning set and detachable wardrobes.
A beneficiary, Mr Nwankwo Chucks, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, commended the company for the gesture, saying the annual event is now a tonic “that propels us to put in our best.”
Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin in an interaction with newsmen to mark her 2nd anniversary in office on Thursday in Benin
By Usman Aliyu
Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin says that the present administration under her watch has inaugurated no fewer than 12 construction projects within the first two years in office.
Salami stated on Thursday in Benin during an interaction with newsmen as part of activities to mark her 2nd anniversary in office.
These, the vice-chancellor said were achieved without undermining the core mandate of positive teaching and learning at the 51 year-old university.
She also disclosed that the university had secured approval to run undergraduate programme in Music and Psychology and well as postgraduate courses in Maternal and Child Health Nursing programmes.
She added that five other programmes in Cybersecurity, E-commerce, E-governance and Business Data Management are under the process of resource verification.
Reflecting on her achievements, Prof. Salami said she was more delighted with the construction of a professorial building because it was novel in the university system.
“These are offices that have space for secretary and little laboratory attached to the office and then convenience room,” she said.
Besides, she said that the institution had also approached the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) with a plan to put up a building to accommodate 75 non-professorial cadres.
On research, she stated that the institution had become of a University to march, with the number of group winning research grant jumping from one to 13.
“We have only one group winning research grant from the N7 billion that was available that has just been jet up to N7.5 billion before I came on board.
“We went from one to 13 groups and now we are hoping, based on the proposal that will be sent, that we will double that number.
“I am sure that before I bow out of office, this University will be known for a niche area and we will now be a reference point not only within Nigeria, but the outside world.
She, however, noted that funding remained the major challenge in running the affairs of the higher institution.
She asserted that the University spent nothing less than N60 million monthly to settle electricity bill, which she said the school enjoyed almost 24 hours now.
She also noted that the university was understaffed, but had to convert some qualified non-academic staff to teaching because of the embargo on employment.
“We are doing all of these so that the quality of our teaching and output in term of students graduate cannot be compromised.
The vice-chancellor said that her administration had also resuscitated the moribund work-study initiative to cater for the need of indigent students.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday applauded the University of Benin (UNIBEN) for its advancement of education and the decades of contribution to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Buhari gave the applause in Benin at the conferment of higher degrees on postgraduate graduands and honoury degrees on eminent Nigerians during the 46th and 47th combined convocation ceremony of the University.
Represented by Dr. Ruqayyatu Gambo- Iliasu of the Federal Ministry of Education, Buhari noted that the Federal Government was not relenting at finding solutions to the myriads of challenges bedevilling Nigerian University system as well the nation’s education sector.
The President, who said efforts were in top gear towards addressing these, however, commended the commitment of the University of Benin Community to the growth and development of Nigeria and her economy.
“Your service to our fatherland is greatly valued. I therefore charge you to place the overall interest of the University above tribal and personal interest and to strive at all times to justify the investment of government in this regard in this institution.
“Convocation came at a time like this when the Federal Government is grappling with socio-political and economic challenges.
“It is important that I reiterate this, that the Federal Government is committed finding solutions to the challenges that are confronting education sector in Nigeria.
“Our youths must be prepared to contribute their quota by creative and innovative venture through a collective ability to overcome the challenges,” he said.
Buhari explained that Federal Government was aware of the deficit in funding and infrastructure of tertiary institutions, but noted, however, that concerted efforts were being made to improve the current condition.
He assured that government would continue the full implementation of the budgetary provisions in the education sub-sector, adding that, education was the bedrock of national development.
“We must commend the management of the university of Benin for taking up the onerous task of redirecting our students on the path of moral rectitude, moral formation and the respect for constituted authorities,” he added.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo in his remark described University of Benin as a worthy partner in education development and assured that his government was irrevocably committed towards meeting its obligation to the State.
In his address, Prof. James Ayatse, the Chancellor of the university Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancellor of the University highlighted the achievements of the institution and extolled the sterling qualities of the five prominent persons that were honoured.
The personalities, who were conferred with the honourary doctoral degrees of the University included Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd), former minister of Defence; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Governor of Edo and Dr. Natalia Kanem, the Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund and Reproductive /Public Health Expert.Others were Dr. Thomas Iluobe, Chairman, British Rugby Football Union and Mr. Oluwakemi Pinheiro (SAN), as Prof. Oshodin, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin was conferred with Professor Emeritus.
From Left – Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chancellor and Founder, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo decorating Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun with the gown of Honorary Doctoral Degree of Political Science while the Deputy Chancellor and former Governor of Edo, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu and the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye assist during the 19th Convocation Ceremony of the University in Okada on Saturday.
By Usman Aliyu
Prof. Sarah Agbor of the African Union Commission, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun on Saturday called for the reinvigoration of the education policies in Nigeria and African continent in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
These renowned personalities made the call at the 19th convocation ceremony and conferment of honourary degrees on three eminent Nigerians of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo, which is the premier private university in Nigeria.
Speaking as the convocation lecturer, Prof. Agbor, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, said that though Africa had an opportunity to build sustainable structures to support her children, women and youth, but the cost of not doing enough, far outweighed the investments.
“It is impossible to achieve the Agenda 2063 vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, whose development is driven by its own people, without increased and sustained investments in quality education, science and technology as well as youth development and empowerment,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the envoy delivered a lecture titled “Higher Education and Career Advancement: Opportunities in the 21st Century Revolution”.
Agbor, who is a Cameroonian, but had her education in Nigeria, said that African graduates must destroy unemployment by creating job opportunities that speak to national reconstruction and inspire the youth to be engaged in these processes through creating creational spaces.
Gov. Obaseki in his address asserted that Nigerian universities must move from mere status symbol to instrument of national development through research.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu, said “this new role we are advocating for 21st century higher institution of learning does not means that our universities must be politicized, rather, they should help in creating an enabling environment to play advisory partnership role that involves research and information delivery.
“There is a missing link in the way and manner academic policies and course are designed in African universities.
“We must faction out a way of formulating policies in tandem with African peculiarity.
“We must be able to access and identified political, economic and social issues as well as the aspiration of the society in order to design our academic courses in line with local reality or challenges.
“Our institution must desist from producing graduates without considering the societal need; it must bequeath knowledge that can be deployed in solving African challenges rather than imitating the academic courses of foreign universities.”
He lamented that production of human capital development by African universities has been overtaken by modern trend in education and, therefore, it should diversify to address national challenges like poverty, social dysfunction, low productivity, unemployment among others.
Also speaking, Akande, who was conferred with an honorary doctor of Political Science, stressed the need for Africa to go back to native informal education, where children were taught craftsmanship, skill development and entrepreneurship.
The discovery of writing and literacy, he said had not overtaken these traditional knowledge of those days.
The erstwhile Osun governor commended the foresight of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for blazing the establishment of private university in Nigeria.
This, he said had bridge the infrastructural gap and raised the standard as well as the quality of tertiary education in the country.
The honouree announced an establishment of School of Leadership at the University, as a way of recognising the honour done him.
Earlier, the chancellor and founder of the institution, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, said the institution was established to offer qualitative education to deserving students in the nation’s quest for improved educational system.
The chancellor, who spoke through his son, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a former governor of Edo, said graduate of the institution were not only employable, but are also employers of labour in view of its entrepreneurial training.
NAN reports that Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and his Osun counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, Senator Bashir Ajibola and Senator Iyiola Omisore were among the personalities that graced the occasion in honour of Akande.
The GambarI that I know is a man who understands what is in a name and the code of conduct of diplomacy and accountability.
Apart from being a prince, he is a conservative diplomat to the core. Prof Ibrahim Gambari that I know will never indulge himself in things that are unethical. He will rather submit himself to decency rather than gratification from anyone .
Those who speculate about ethic of bargaining should also note that Gambari was already in charge of Global resources and economy lessens from other jurisdictions before becoming chief of staff to Nigeria Government.
A number 10 man man to world and global power as under secretary for two decade never strive to make money but to contribute knowledge to a sustainable world order.
At 76, Prof Gambari will not descend so low to ask for bribe and trick president Buhari at the expense of protecting the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in the face of controversial Paris Club unpaid fund.
Those behind this write up should rethink about blackmailing a man of honour like Prof Gambari. “A word is enough for the wise “.
Akomah-Mordi addressing a news conference to announce the project in Benin on Wednesday.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Benin has charged Nigerians to imbibe healthy lifestyle in this period of diseases.
Mr Austin Akomah-Mordi, Director of Communication Information of the church, gave the charge at a news conference on Wednesday to announce the church’s annual project tagged: “All Africa Service Project.”
He said the project was to persuade the public to imbibe the tradition and habit of environmental cleanliness.
According to him, developing the culture and tradition of healthy lifestyle begins with purging oneself of the slum in your system and the environment we live in.
He said the project would begin with the cleaning of the environment within selected areas of the state on Aug. 21 in Africa countries, where the church had branches.
“The All Africa Service Project started in 2006 with the aim of serving the community and encouraging the public to imbibe the tradition and habit of environmental cleanliness.
“It is also to encourage the spirit of sacrifice. Therefore, on Saturday, Aug.21, the church in Africa will observe the All Africa Service project.
“Members of the church will embark on environmental sanitation, repairs of failed portions of roads, clearing and cleaning of blocked drains.
“Other acts of service will include repair and painting of public places and buildings.
“In Benin City, members of the church will converge in eight active religious jurisdictions known as “Stakes” to execute some projects that will be beneficial to the immediate communities.
“These stakes are in Ihogbe, Ikopkan, New Benin, Oregbeni, Sakponba, Siluko, Ugbowo and Uzebu.
“Outside Benin City, the stakes are in Ekpoma, Asaba, Warri and Ekete and smaller gatherings called districts located in Agbor, Ogwashi, and Nsukwa.
“Together, it is estimated that this labour of life of the Latter-day Saints will positively affect over 50,000 members of the public,” he said.
He said the church had collaborated with several bodies, including local governments, to provide trucks to evacuate wastes, paints, brushes and manual labour to designated stakes.
The Oxford English Dictionary has defined Migration as the movement of people from one place to another, which can either be within a country or between countries. According to migration experts, migration can either be permanent, temporary or seasonal. They add that migration happens for a range of reasons, but not limited to economic, social, political or environmental.
They identified the ‘Push’ and ‘Pull’ factors as major cause of migration. According to them, the push factors are those that encourage a population to leave its home while the pull factors are those that draw a population to another area or place.
In simple language, the desire for economic emancipation by most migrants has been mostly identified as the pull factor.
However, international immigration laws continue to hinder easy migration leading to increased level of irregular migration which has become a global concern.
Experts explained that desperation to achieve the desired goal of either economic or political emancipation, was responsible for the high level of activity of irregular migrants.
Recently, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the Libyan Coast Guard rescued and returned some 250 irregular migrants to Libya.
The UNHCR had tweeted “some 250 persons returned to Tripoli after being rescued/intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guards. “UNHCR and partner IRC are on the ground providing medical care and humanitarian aid.’’ Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Irregular migrants, unaware of the many risks that await them along the routes to their desired country of destination, continued to put their lives at risk in their quest for greener pastures. Research shows that in spite of the fact that countries have continue to tighten security at their borders, the level of activities of irregular migrants have remained high.
Here in Nigeria, the Federal Government said it was worried about irregular migration. It said unlike in Europe, the issue was not people coming in, but Nigerians leaving the country.
And to mitigate this, the federal government enacted new laws to checkmate the trend.
Speaking on the worrisome phenomenon, Mr. Mohammed Babandede, Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS), said “Nigeria has demonstrated it is committed to the fight against the smuggling of migrants.
He said “we are aware that a lot of our citizens are dying in the desert and the sea.
“The government believes that only harsh measures will stop the dying. Accordingly, the new regulations include severe punishment for illegal migration. “The old immigration law from 1963 established only modest fines of less than one euro ($1.08). New fines for infractions can go up to 3,000 euros ($2,800). “Prison sentences for serious violations of the immigration law will be much longer than in the past. “Nigeria is one of the main countries of origin of illegal migration. In the last year alone, around 30,000 undocumented Nigerians crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. “Hundreds die each year attempting to reach the continent. Human trafficking has tarnished Nigeria’s reputation around the globe. “Current estimates point to more than 10,000 Nigerian women forced to prostitute themselves in Europe. “Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari believes these numbers are a blight on his country’s reputation and has called for a coordinated strategy to fight smugglers and human traffickers.
Determined to reduce the incidences of irregular migration and create safe haven for would-be migrants, the International Organisation for Migration( IOM), recently held a training session for Editors and media executives in Abuja. At the opening of the three-day training, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria,Mr Frantz Celetine, said his organisation decided to partner the media because of their very crucial roles to getting the right messages across to the right people. Celetin said the decision for the training was for deeper collaboration with media outfits and practitioners in disseminating the right information on migration. The IOM chief pointed out that it was unlikely for its target audience to get information from official reports, hence the important role of the media. He, therefore, called on the media to get directly involved in the work of IOM to help address issues of migration in Nigeria. “IOM would like to use this dialogue to facilitate your direct involvement in the dissemination of credible information on migration in support of its efforts to ensure orderly, dignified, and safe migration. “Maintaining good media relation is indispensable and contribute to IOM’s daily work. “IOM will continue to work with you to shed light on the plight of the people, and the often-hidden opportunities that arise from migration. “Governments, migrants, potential migrants, and average citizens are much more likely to hear about IOM’s work through the media than through official reports. “IOM is committed to working with journalists who will act as conduits of the organisation’s message,” he said. Celestin described the media as a very relevant part of all aspects of human endeavour, including promoting issues of safe and regular migration as well as discourage irregular migration. He expressed great conviction that with the support of the media some of the challenges faced by migrants, returnees, internally displaced persons and refugees could be addressed. Accordingnto him, the media “holds” the key to addressing other such issues such as stigmatisation, harassment, misinformation, and vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation. Giving insights into the work of the IOM, he said that the mission in Nigeria “focuses on three broad pillars: Migration Data Collection and Management, Preparedness, Response, Transition and Recovery, as well as Facilitated Migration and Migration Management. “Under our facilitated and migration management pillar, we work with the government to promote orderly and humane migration management. “IOM supports the Federal Government through Migrant Protection Assistance programming, Labour Mobility and human development, Migration health, and Policy frameworks and coordination. “IOM has supported the return of over 22,000 Nigerian migrants since 2017 and reintegrated over 11,000 migrants in the country,” he said. Celestin added that between January and May 2021, almost 20,000 migrants benefited from IOM’s health assessments before travelling to various countries. He also pointed out that IOM introduced the Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) in Nigeria to strengthen the federal government’s ability to process individuals’ identities when entering or exiting.
He added that MIDAS had been installed at 32 locations, 14 land borders, four seaports, eight state commands, the NIS Headquarters, and five international airports.
He said that the IOM had series of activities ongoing, stressing that without the media, such activities could happen unnoticed. Some of the issues discussed during the training sessions included : Reporting Migration: terminologies, Human rights, migration and the media, media ethics: data protection, overview of trafficking in persons in Nigeria,; mental health and psychosocial support . Others were environment and climate change, migration and COVID-19: challenges and the role of the media in countering misinformation. Participants, who were drawn from the broadcast, print and online media, lauded IOM for the training, saying they had become more knowledgeable about so many issues on migration. According to them, the training espoused them to so many age-long wrong usage of certain terminologies when reporting migration such as ‘illegal migrants’ which is judgmental instead of ‘irregular migrants’ being most appropriate. They mentioned some other wrong expressions on migration to include use of ‘trafficking’ for ‘smuggling’ or vice versa, victims instead of survivours and such other harmful words which offend humanity. Mrs. Bimbo Oyetunde, General Manager, Bronze FM Benin, said ” the training was insightful and refreshing. As gate keeper of my station, the several topics taught have enriched my knowledge on migration and the lessons taken away will help me change the old narrative on migration reportage. Mr Ufuoma Egbamuno, news manager, Cool fm, who described the training as excellent said ” it was an eye opener for me as it has changed my view point on migration reportage. ” By this training, i am now better informed on how to pen migration stories without offending humanity. I will henceforth learn to give migrants, especially irregular migrants a voice away from the old stereotype way of headling migration stories,” he said. For Mrs Huawa Bata, Controller news, Radio Nigeria/ Peace FM, Maiduguri, the training has made her take a resolution for the creation of migration desk in her station to improve reportage on migration issues like never before. All in all, IOM’s Project Assistant , Mr Elijah Elaigwu ,expressed optimism that ” after this training, my organisation is hopeful that we will begin to experience more of dignified and safe migration among migrants.
Kakaki 