"Japa": Regular Migration Should Not Be Criminalised in Anyway – Dabiri-Erewa

The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged media professionals to avoid portraying migration, commonly referred to as “Japa,” in a negative light.

Speaking at the sixth International Conference on Development and Communication in Africa, held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the need for balanced reporting that acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities associated with migration. 

She encouraged the media to foster a more constructive discourse on the subject.

The theme of the conference organised by the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) is “Japa: Communicating migration, diaspora and Africa’s development”.

Dabiri-Erewa represented by Mr Sule Bassi, Secretary of NIDCOM, rather urged the media to engage in open, honest conversations about both the opportunities and challenges that come with migration.

“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,” she said.

She cautioned that the unscrupulous activities done by a few Nigerians was not enough for the criminalisation of all Nigerians in the diaspora.

“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 added.