Esther Salifu
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has appealed to media practitioners to stop portraying migration in a negative light, instead encouraging open and honest conversations about its opportunities and challenges.
Speaking at the sixth International Conference on Development and Communication in Africa, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that migration, commonly referred to as “Japa,” should not be criminalized, as it is a fundamental human right issue .
“We must first of all identify and agree that migration is a fundamental human right issue. Regular migration, therefore, should not be criminalized in any way whatsoever,” she said. Dabiri-Erewa also cautioned against generalizing the unscrupulous activities of a few Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing that the media should present factual and balanced reportage on the achievements of Nigerians abroad.
Furthermore, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the need to address the brain-drain syndrome by creating environments that foster youth development, thereby turning brain drain into brain gain. She described the conference theme, “Japa: Communicating migration, diaspora, and Africa’s development,” as apt and timely, emphasizing the importance of building stronger connections between Nigeria’s diaspora and the continent.
Professor Sa’adatu Liman, Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi, also acknowledged the timeliness and importance of the conference theme, noting that migration presents both challenges and opportunities for development. Liman emphasized the need to shape migration narratives that empower rather than weaken Africa, ensuring that communication strategists contribute to national and continental progress .
