ABUJA- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has introduced the Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) in Nigeria to strengthen the Federal Government ‘s ability to process individual’s identity when entering or exiting as well as to register foreigners and regularize their status in the country
This was disclosed by the Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria, Mr. Frantz Celestin at the dialogue with media editors held in Abuja yesterday.
He said to date , MIDAS has been installed at 32 locations, 14 land borders, four seaports, eight state commands, the NIS Headquarters and five international airports.
“In the Northeast, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict which has triggered the forced displacement of over two million people, constrain access to affected populations and exacerbates vulnerability and protection issues.
“In response ,IOM has scaled up its activities and continue to provide lifesaving services like shelter, water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) , Non Food items (NFI), camp coordination and camp management , capacity building and mental health and psychosocial support”.
According to him, the Federal Government in collaboration IOM is facilitating the disengagement , disassociation, reintergation and reconciliation progam as part of its Lake Chad Basin strategy to address the effects of Boko Haram and other non state armed groups.
“The program is aimed at supporting the affected governments efforts in transition, stabilisation and peacebuilding processes for community based reintegration , reconciliation and social cohesion,” he added.
While pointing out that IOM will continue to work with the media to shed light on the plight of the people and the often hidden opportunities that arise from migration, Mr Celestin said the role of the media in achieving IOM’s objectives is crucial, hence the need for information flow built on cordial relationship between media outlets and IOM Nigeria with universal commitments to international cooperation on migration issues to assist in the search for practical solutions to global migration challenges.
