By Omowunmi Johnson
The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) comprising over 300 Journalists covering migration matters across the continents with headquarters in Nigeria has confirmed the notification of the Canada embassy in Nigeria and other nations regarding a shift in dates for it’s 3rd Global Migration Summit slated for Toronto, Canada.
President of the JIFORM, Dr Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement said the event earlier scheduled for February 25-March 6, 2022 would now be held between July 1-10.
Having noted the challenges posed by the pandemic slowing down especially the issuance of visas at the Canadian embassies, he hinted that the host of the summit Abedorc Productions Inc Canada, the owners of Dorc tv and radio stations had made representation to the Canada embassy regarding the postponement.
The notification letter dated February 10, 2022 by the Abedorc’s CEO, Prince Yinka Farinde reads thus: ‘In respect of the online Temporary Visitor Visa Applications submitted on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) portal relating to the summit themed: Exploring The Benefits Of Migration Post Covid-19 To Retool Global Economy slated scheduled between February 25 to March 6, 2022 at the Est Hotels, Toronto, we write to inform you that the event has been shifted to July 1-10, 2022 at the same venue.
“Abedorc Productions Inc Canada, as the host of the event, in conjunction with other stakeholders arrived at the decision after a careful analysis of the Covid-19 Omicron variant in Canada with a view to allowing more time for the health authorities to consolidate on the various positive steps to further contain the disease, and secondly, coupled with the varied updates on the visa processing time as reflected on the IRCC portal from November 2021 when the invited participants submitted their applications.
“Sequel to the foregoing, we hereby respectfully request that the new dates for the event be taking into consideration while we are awaiting the decision on the pending applications. We enjoin you to therefore extend the notification to your other visa processing sessions and offices.
“To this end, with reference to the entry requirements for Canada, all the invited participants by the Abedorc Productions from Nigeria and other nations have been formally briefed and have committed to the rescheduling of their arrival and departure in and from Canada to July 1 and 10, 2022 respectively regardless of the earlier dates for same as stated in their visa forms.”
Speakers at the summit include the former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in Canada, Hon Gerry Weiner; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Sierra Leone, Dr Alpha Osman Timbo; Professor Byron Price, the Global Director Diaspora and Innovation Institute, City University USA; the Regional Director, Asia Migration Forum, Mr Williams Gois; member African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee, Dr Princess Asie Kabuki Ocansey from Ghana.
Apart from the international migration agencies and institutions, other speakers are Teresa Jacob, board member Home for the Needy, Germany ; Professor Patrick Lumumba from Kenya; Solomon. A Folorunsho, the Chairman Home for the Needy Foundation, Nigeria and the Chairman, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters, Honourable Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, Ms Philomena Gnanapragasam, the Director of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, the Director General, Cross River Migration Control Agency, Dr Abuo Micheal Nku and others.
and others.