IIDN Interviews Franz Celestin, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration Nigeria

By: Chiamaka Mogo

Franz Celestin

“IOM’s work recognizes the link between migration, socio-economic and cultural development, as well as, the right of freedom of movement.”

(Photo supplied by Franz Celestin)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the United Nations Migration Agency. The IOM branch in Nigeria is led by Chief of Mission Franz Celestin. This interview between the Initiative for Inclusive Dialogue in Nigeria (IIDN) and the Chief of Mission, touches on actions being taken to enable the well-being of Nigerian migrants, including returnees and internally displaced persons:

Who is Franz Celestin?

I am the Chief of Mission of IOM Nigeria, where, I oversee IOM’s activities throughout the country.  Before assuming the Chief of Mission position, I was the Deputy Chief of Mission and Regional Program Manager of the Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM West Africa) at IOM Nigeria. 

I joined the IOM Regional Office for North America and the Caribbean in 2006 in Washington, DC, where, I coordinated IOM’s activities throughout the Caribbean. I have experience working in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, among others.

Please briefly describe the mandates of IOM Nigeria.

IOM works to support the Federal Government of Nigeria to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. IOM’s work recognizes the link between migration, socio-economic and cultural development, as well as, the right of freedom of movement. IOM’s activities that cut across migration management include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.

What strategies have the organization applied to execute those mandates?

IOM Nigeria works closely with all relevant stakeholders as far as its mandate is concerned and these include Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), donor counterparts, the private sector, United Nations Agencies and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs).

Migration is recognised as a social determinant of health. Can you discuss IOM Nigeria's migrant health assistance processes? 

Migration health assessments are among the most well-established migration management services offered by IOM. At the request of receiving country governments, IOM provides an evaluation of the physical and mental health status of migrants prior to their departure for the purpose of resettlement, international employment, enrolment in specific migrant assistance programmes, or for obtaining a temporary or permanent visa.

Reflecting national differences in immigration and public policies and practices, there is a diverse range of health assessment requirements among receiving countries. These requirements may be specific to certain diseases of public health concern such as tuberculosis, as is the case with the United Kingdom Tuberculosis Detection Programme; requirements may also be more general in nature, or include additional interventions, such as vaccinations. But despite differences in health assessment requirements among countries, one thing remains constant: the need to ensure that the migration process does not endanger the health of either the migrant or host communities.

What kinds of impacts have the COVID-19 pandemic had on the work of IOM Nigeria, with regards to facilitating the return of migrants and also, survivors of trafficking?

The pandemic has increased the vulnerability of victims of trafficking and returnees, due to the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. IOM is working to support vulnerable communities build back better.

How can people stay updated on the work of IOM Nigeria?

IOM has solid media presence on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on the IOM Website.

About the Initiative for Inclusive Dialogue in Nigeria (IIDN)

IIDN is a registered, non-governmental organization. We promote social cohesion and sustainable development in Nigeria, through our educational, capacity-building and awareness-raising efforts. Our vision is to foster a nation where all Nigerians are committed to mutual respect, equity and the sustainable use of our nation’s many resources. Learn more: http://www.iidnigeria.org

IIDN Hosts Virtual Meeting with Stakeholders from Nigeria’s Humanitarian, Media and Development Sectors

Photo (missing a few participants), R - L: Chiamaka Mogo, Chervine Oftadeh, Sandra Ezekwesili, Tomisin Akinade, Ellen Edet

By: Chiamaka Mogo

On October 3, 2020, the Initiative for Inclusive Dialogue in Nigeria (IIDN) hosted a closed, Stakeholders Engagement Meeting with a few representatives from the humanitarian, media and development sectors. The theme of the meeting was — Harnessing inclusive partnerships for Nigeria’s socio-economic resilience. The Meeting was organised with the following objectives:

• Participants will learn from one another on organizational strategies being adopted to build Nigeria’s socio-economic resilience, during this pandemic.

• Participants will show interest in building long-lasting partnerships for the benefit of the grander society.

The Meeting attendees were: Tomisin Akinade (Program Officer, Centre for Advancement of Development Rights (CEADER)), Ellen Edet (Public Relations Officer, IIDN), Sandra Ezekwesili (Host, Hard Facts), Chiamaka Mogo (Founder, IIDN), Chervine Oftadeh (Associate Expert, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria) and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi (Executive Director, Stand to End Rape (S.T.E.R) Initiative).

Chiamaka Mogo moderated the Meeting which lasted for about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Sustainable development, human rights and governance:

Tomisin Akinade shared that CEADER has continued to engage with beneficiaries (who are women) of their work through online sessions. The organization has distributed palliatives to some women experiencing hard times,  amidst the pandemic. She also mentioned that the organization hosted an online meeting, specifically targeted at youths and the meeting was aimed at shaping future leaders who can take charge of promoting positive, social attitudes.

Sandra Ezekwesili stressed that talking is a key factor for facilitating societal change. As such, she uses her radio talk show, Hard Facts, as a platform for Nigerians to discuss pressing issues. She added that the show has over 630,000 listeners in Lagos state, Nigeria.

Chiamaka Mogo informed participants that within the past few months, IIDN published a solutions-focused briefing note on the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls. The briefing note also highlighted the compounded affects of the pandemic on victims of trafficking. She mentioned that IIDN interviewed the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria on the upholding of human rights during this pandemic. In addition, she discussed IIDN’s participation during a consultation session by an Office of the Presidency, ahead of its 2020 Voluntary National Review submission (on behalf of Nigeria) to the United Nations.

Chervine Oftadeh highlighted the value of data in creating policies aimed at tackling crime and meeting the sustainable development goals. As well, he highlighted that UNODC Nigeria is facilitating a network composed of Nigerian counsellors who are volunteering their time and skills. These counsellors are providing professional assistance to persons using drugs and their families. Also, it was shared that UNODC Nigeria has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to people in prisons.

Osai Ojigho shared on Amnesty International Nigeria’s vigilance to ensure that human rights are not further sidelined in these times. She mentioned that palliative programs have not been fairly implemented, prisoners rights to protection against COVID-19 are not respected, health workers have not been well-compensated and that women and people with disabilities are absent from the leadership of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. It was stated that Amnesty International Nigeria has written to the Attorney General of the Federation to support gender-based violence responders who are actively on stand-by.

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi stated that S.T.E.R Initiative has conducted community engagements against gender-based violence, in this period of the pandemic. She mentioned that the organization has been working hard to see more acceptance of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act. Also, she added that the lockdown somewhat affected the organization’s service delivery. However, in more recent times, activities have kicked off better. S.T.E.R Initiative is now following up on some court cases.

Future partnerships: 

At the beginning of the Meeting, Chiamaka Mogo mentioned that an expected outcome of the meeting is that stakeholders will identify and discuss possible partnerships, across mutual interests. During the Question and Answer (Q & A) session, such conversations were ignited. (Osai Ojigho excused herself to head for another meeting and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi was unable to stay further.)

Tomisin Akinade expressed interest in seeing a collaboration between CEADER and Hard Facts through the Host, Sandra Ezekwesili.

On behalf of IIDN, Chiamaka Mogo expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and also broadening the Meeting’s audience (eg. through a webinar event) in the future. She added that IIDN having funding will be a factor to making that a reality; the Board of IIDN will advise on this. She did voice to the Host of Hard Facts, a desire to have a partnership between IIDN and the former, in the near future.

Chervine Oftadeh shared, on behalf of UNODC Nigeria, a request for partnerships with the stakeholders present. Chiamaka Mogo stated that she accepts the request, on behalf of IIDN.

IIDN has connected all participants and will conduct some follow-ups on the partnership interests that were stated.