NOUN deeply involved in migration discourse - VC

The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has said that the university’s Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS) has been deeply involved in articulating and projecting the contribution of academics and researchers to the international migration discourse.

The centre, the VC said, has been able to do so through an interventionist,  collaborative and integrated approach.

Peters stated this on Monday, February 19, 2024 while declaring open a one-day awareness and sensitisation workshop titled: "Current Migration Issues in Nigeria," organised by CEMGS  at the university's  headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration  (DVC Admin), Prof. Isaac Sammani Butswat, the VC said "one of the core mandates of the centre was “to create awareness and attempt to provide a way forward about pressing and emerging migration challenges in Nigeria, Africa and the globe.

"I believe that by the end of this workshop, the university community and stakeholders in the migration space will become more aware of the issues of migration as they affect the Nigerian people and the nation as well as their relatedness with the international communities."

In her welcome address, the Director, CEMGS, Prof. Gloria Anetor, said migration is a global issue, adding that "no nation or region of the world is exempted from issues  related to migration."

Anetor, who identified poor governance, huge population, insecurity, quality education among other factors as reasons for migration, also said that "migration is more pressing in the developing countries."

Speaking further, the director said "there is a compelling need for a structured conversation for a better understanding of the dynamics of migration, the ramifications and the immediate as well as remote implications."

The Professor of  Public Health Education, added that better understanding of the dynamics of migration will lead to informed policy formulation cutting across several strata.

"Migration was what opened much of the developing world, enabling the well desired interconnections, creating today's trading networks and, in part, leading to World Trade Organisations (WTO) and many similar world bodies," she said.

In his remark, the Coordinator, Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE) as well as the moderator of the workshop, Dr. Emeka Xris Obiezu said that 'Japa' syndrome is a reality in Nigeria, adding that  everybody wants to 'japa' in search of greener pasture.

Obiezu, however, appealed to governments at all levels to do the needful through the provision of social amenities, good governance, conducive environment among others with a view to preventing 'japa' syndrome.

The workshop, which featured panel discussion, had both physical and virtual discussants among whom were:  Amb. Cathrine Udida from the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI); Prof. Gloria Anetor, NOUN;  Miss Ukamaka Anyanechi from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Mr. Umar Usman from Aso Radio and Television, Abuja.

Others were: Dr. Hauwa Mahdi from the University of Guttenberg, Sweden; Prof. Toyin Adetiba from South Africa and the pioneer CEMGS director, Prof. Hakeem l. Tijani from Morgan State University, USA.

The workshop also entertained both physical and virtual questions and answers by the participants.