The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Union's Secretariat in Lagos to deepen collaboration on migration reporting and journalists' capacity development.
Leading the IOM delegation, the organisation's Chief of Media and Communications, Rajat Madhok, said the visit was aimed at strengthening engagement with the NUJ and exploring new areas of collaboration beyond previous initiatives.
"We are here to take further steps in our engagement with journalists," Madhok said.
"We are looking at opportunities beyond what we have done in the past because we are interested in telling the world positive stories of successful migration while also addressing the challenges associated with both regular and irregular migration.
"Through this, journalists will be better equipped with the knowledge needed to help the public make informed decisions.
"This partnership is important and by working together, we can effectively highlight these critical issues."
Responding, the Deputy President of the NUJ, Dr. (Mrs) Abimbola Oyetunde, welcomed the IOM delegation and described the proposed partnership as a timely initiative that would benefit both organisations and strengthen migration reporting in Nigeria.
She noted that many journalists, particularly those who do not specialise in migration reporting, lack adequate knowledge of the concepts of regular and irregular migration.
"Apart from journalists who specifically report on migration, many media practitioners do not fully understand the distinction between regular and irregular migration," she said.
"We need to prioritise capacity building to enable journalists report migration issues accurately, responsibly and professionally.
"Irregular migration has claimed many lives, as countless people continue to embark on dangerous journeys through illegal routes in search of better opportunities," Oyetunde said.
Both organisations agreed to work towards developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a formal framework for their partnership.
They also proposed the establishment of a tripartite committee comprising representatives of institutions of higher learning, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to drive training, research and knowledge sharing on migration issues.
The collaboration is expected to enhance journalists' understanding of migration governance, immigration laws, human trafficking legislation, privacy and data protection laws, and other related legal and policy issues, thereby promoting accurate, ethical, and evidence-based reporting on migration.
