The Adolescent Health and Information Project (AHIP) has organized a one-day media training aimed at strengthening journalists’ engagement on issues of irregular migration, legal migration pathways, and reintegration of returnees.

The training, held on Tuesday at Gidan AHIP, Maiduguri Road, Kano, brought together media professionals to deliberate on effective communication strategies for promoting safe and legal migration practices.

AHIP, a youth-focused non-governmental organization, is implementing the ROOTS Project (Resilient Opportunities for Outreach, Trade & Sustainability) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding support from the European Union under the Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa – Phase II (FMM West Africa II) initiative.

Speaking during the event, the Executive Director of AHIP, Hajiya Mairo Bello, said the ROOTS Project was designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of migration dynamics, regional trade systems under ECOWAS free movement protocols, and climate-responsive governance aimed at promoting gender equality and migrant protection.

According to her, the media plays a vital role in shaping public perception and influencing behavior on migration-related issues. She emphasized that the training provided a platform for collaboration between the media and development partners to ensure balanced reporting and sustained awareness creation.

“We want people to understand that they can earn legitimately in their home country without the need for irregular migration to another country,”
Dr. Bello stated.

She explained that the project is being implemented in Dala, Ungogo, and Bunkure Local Government Areas of Kano State, noting that research revealed these locations as major routes used by irregular migrants.

Dr. Bello added that the initiative also seeks to support the reintegration of returnee migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs) through agribusiness and enterprise development training.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Project Manager, Hajiya Halima Usman, explained that the expected outcomes of the ROOTS Project include increased household income, improved food security, and reduced pressure for irregular migration.

She added that the project also aims to encourage safer migration practices, informed decision-making, and the strengthening of gender-responsive local institutions to enhance sustainable community resilience across Kano State.

Delivering a paper titled “Media’s Role in Preventing Irregular Migration,” the facilitator, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, described migration as a global phenomenon with significant social, economic, and security implications when undertaken irregularly.

He identified poverty, unemployment, conflict, insecurity, lack of awareness, and false promises as major drivers of irregular migration.

In another presentation titled “Using Media Content for Community Outreach,” Comrade Abbas noted that ROOTS media content focuses on empowerment, skills, resilience, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

He stated that the objectives of the ROOTS media content include promoting positive livelihood opportunities, preventing irregular migration, encouraging skills development and entrepreneurship, inspiring community resilience, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The core interventions of the ROOTS Project include:
• Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) training and input support
• Agribusiness and livelihood assistance for returnees
• Vocational and life-skills training for women and youths
• Financial literacy and cooperative development
• Migration governance and ECOWAS Free Movement awareness
• Gender-based violence prevention, psychosocial support, and community engagement

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement released on Monday, January 19, Nwajiuba highlighted the pressing need for leadership capable of crafting sound policies, negotiating effectively, and engaging grassroots political structures across the country.

The former minister, who had also served as House of Representatives member for two consecutive times, had previously sought the presidency in 2023 on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform but did not advance through the party’s primaries.

Reflecting on his qualifications, Nwajiuba said, according to the statement, that “my experience across the legislature, the executive arm of government and key national institutions has equipped me with a deep understanding of governance, public finance and policy formulation.”

The statement outlined that Nwajiuba’s campaign will prioritise education reform, economic stabilisation, and the restoration of public trust in government institutions, describing these areas as critical to Nigeria’s development.

It added, “Experience, policy depth and institutional knowledge will form the central pillars of the leadership he intends to offer.”

“With his declaration, Nwajiuba joins a growing list of aspirants aiming to shape the national conversation ahead of the next general election, as debates around competence, experience and inclusive governance continue to gain momentum,” the statement noted.

The announcement positions Nwajiuba among a field of candidates seeking to present alternatives to the current administration, emphasising technical competence and practical governance experience as defining features of his 2027 bid.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged men to actively join the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and support the promotion of gender equality across communities.

The appeal was made on Monday during a one-day training organised for Male Feminist Network (MFN) champions at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) headquarters in Kano.

The training, which attracted 70 participants, was organised for members of CAN, Kano State chapter. The programme was supported by the Ford Foundation through the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

Speaking at the event, MFN Project Officer, Mr Sani Sa’idu, said the initiative was aimed at equipping men with the knowledge and skills to challenge gender-based violence and promote inclusive and respectful communities.

Sa’idu, who spoke on the topic “Gender, Feminism, Masculinities and GBV Awareness”, said the training was designed to build a movement of men committed to equality and the elimination of GBV.

“The aim of this training is to build a movement of men who are committed to equality, challenging harmful stereotypes and ending gender-based violence,” he said.

He added that the programme sought to empower men to become allies in the struggle for women’s rights and to advocate for inclusive and safe communities.

Also speaking, Apostle Samaila Joshua Asake, PhD, Chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in Kano State, commended CITAD for taking the initiative to faith-based organisations.

Asake said engaging men, especially within religious institutions, was critical to addressing gender-based violence and fostering positive masculinity.

Similarly, the Secretary of CAN in Kano State, Rev. Ayuba Apollos Sabo, praised CITAD for organising the training and called for sustained collaboration to address social challenges.

“The church has a key role to play in promoting values of respect, justice and protection of the rights of women and girls,” Sabo said.

CITAD also used the occasion to call on men across communities to actively join efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.