In a strategic move to curb unsafe migration, the Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP) hosted a media training session for journalists on Tuesday at its office along Maiduguri Road, Kano. The initiative is part of the Resilient Opportunities for Outreach, Trade, and Sustainability (ROOTS) Project, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union.
Mairo Bello, the founder of AHIP, stated that the intervention focuses on promoting legal migration pathways while discouraging irregular routes, with a specific focus on women and youth. “Women are prioritized because of their critical role in sustaining families and communities,” Bello explained. She identified the project’s target areas as Bunkure, Dala, and Ungogo Local Government Areas, noting that Bunkure is a hub for women smallholder farmers, Dala a transit hub, and Ungogo a recognized migration corridor.
ROOTS Project Manager, Halima Kasim, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, noting that over 65% of Kano’s population is under 30, with youth unemployment exceeding 40%. “Kano remains a key departure point; over 20,000 migrants were returned to Nigeria between 2017 and 2022,” Kasim said, adding that climate pressures and informal trade vulnerabilities further expose women to exploitation.
Facilitator Abbas Ibrahim urged journalists to use their platforms to counter misinformation and highlight local opportunities. “Consistent reporting can help communities rethink irregular migration and build resilience at home,” he concluded.
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