European Union-funded, A-TIPSOM Supports Nigeria Immigration Service Drama Club in Anti-SOM Short Film Workshop

FIIAPP Facilitates Workshop to Raise Awareness on Dangers of Migrant Smuggling

As part of the activities of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) initiative, which receives funding from the European Union, the Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP) has lent its support to the Drama Club of the Nigeria Immigration Service. Together, they conducted a refresher workshop and rehearsal for a short film aimed at shedding light on the perils of smuggling of migrants.

The two-day rehearsal, held on August 23^rd and 24^th , 2023, in Keffi, Nasarawa State, brought together aspiring actors from the Nigeria Immigration Service Drama Club. The workshop was skillfully facilitated by two film experts and lecturers from the Federal University if Lokoja, Kogi State, Mr. Emmanuel Ikpelemoh, a Film Director, and Dr. Tosin Olagunju, an Assistant Film Director.

In his address during the opening session, Mr. Federico Millan, the Team Leader of the A-TIPSOM Project, stressed the importance of the workshop and urged the members of the drama club to bring their best to the rehearsal to ensure professional performances during the filming. Speaking through his representative, Joseph Sanwo, Mr. Millan reaffirmed FIIAPP’s commitment to using audio-visual and multimedia tools to raise awareness about the dangers associated with migrant smuggling.

Representing the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Caroline Wurola, DCI Cecilia Ida, the coordinator of the Nigeria Immigration Drama Club, delivered the opening remarks. She extended the Comptroller General’s best wishes and expressed her gratitude to the European Union and FIIAPP for their support in supporting establishment of the Drama Club and in producing films that address smuggling of migrants.

The proposed short film aims to educate, inform, and sensitize the public on the dangers associated with smuggling migrants, ultimately contributing to the prevention of this grave criminal offense.