Confab on human mobility, COVID-19, survival in Africa holds in Lagos

The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos and Glotan Research Services have perfected arrangement to hold the 2021 International Conference on Human Mobility, COVID-19 and Survival in Africa.   

Holding at the university from November 3 to 5 in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, the event is featuring scholars, researchers, policy-makers and experts in governance. 

In a statement, yesterday, Deputy Director, School of Government Studies, Mafikeng Campus, North West University, South Africa and one of the key speakers, Prof. Victor Ojakorotu, who gave rationale for the programme, noted: “Since the outbreak of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, human mobility across the globe, including Africa, has never been the same, resulting in intensely compact mobility across borders of all kinds. Coronavirus has not only distorted the free movement of people, but also restricted travels for purposes of tourism, business, international labour migration, international studies and family reunification.

“However, with the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, the world has continued to experience an unparalleled alteration in human mobility. Given this circumstance, it is highly important to take a critical look at how mobility has led to the spread of mobility on one hand and to examine how the virus serves as threat to human mobility and survival.”

The conveners include Dr. Kayode Esuola of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos and Dr. T.J. Mudau of the Institute for Gender and Youth Studies, University of Venda, South Africa.

The conference’s themes and sub-themes are “Migration, COVID-19 Curve and Society; Security Forces, Law and Order, Implications of Lockdown; Human Mobility, Rights Issue and COVID-19 Lockdown; Justice Administration, Court System, Human Mobility and Lockdown, as well as COVID-19 Lockdown, Compliance and Mob Movement.