Nigerian journalists have been called upon to stop criminalising migration, commonly known as ‘Japa’.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the call in her address at the sixth International Conference on Development and Communication in Africa, held in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The conference was organised by the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), with the theme: “Japa: Communicating Migration, Diaspora and Africa’s Development”.
Dabiri-Erewa who was represented by the Secretary of NIDCOM, Mr Sule Bassi, urged the media to engage in open, honest conversations about both the opportunities and challenges that come with migration.
She cautioned that the unscrupulous activities done by a few Nigerians was not enough for the criminalisation of all Nigerians in the diaspora.
“We must first of all identify and agree that migration is a fundamental human right issue. Regular migration, therefore, should not be criminalised in anyway whatsoever.
“The media, therefore should present factual and balanced reportage on Nigerians and Africans generally in the diaspora, mostly on achievements done by Nigerians abroad.
“Furthermore we must address the brain-drain syndrome by fostering environments where our youths can thrive, thereby turning the brain drain to brain gain and braun calculation,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa described the theme of the conference as apt, of great importance to Africans as it presents a timely intervention to reflect, collaborate and interrogate communication strategies to build stronger connections between Nigeria’s diaspora and the continent” and write the story of the exploits of the people of the diaspora.
She also called on academics, policymakers, media practitioners and diaspora engagement influencers to work collaboratively to ensure that migration contributes to Nigeria’s development and growth rather than worsening the challenges.
