HOHF COMMEMORATES WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
Erdoo Due
The world day against trafficking in persons as adopted by the United Nations has come to stay globally with Nigeria not being an exception. In commemoration of this day, House of Hilkiah Foundation (HOHF) in partnership with Lisseth London Global Consulting 4th August,2021 was at the Akawe Torkula Polytechnic Makurdi, Benue State to sensitize students on the topic.
The event witnessed a good turn up of students as well as staff of the prestigious institution including the Deputy Rector- Catherine Torbunde and other principal officers, Nelly Tule-Ministry of youth and sports and Kelvin Otokpa- NAPTIP Benue state command representative .
Catherine Torbunde in a welcome address said, “this exercise has become necessary as the society is no longer safe. A lot of social crimes have emerged and trafficking is in top gear. This opportunity availed our students by HOHF is highly appreciated and should be properly utilized by all present to stay void of becoming victims to this menace.”
In her opening remark, Dorothy Akende-Executive Director HOHF, appreciated the school management and students for the opportunity while acknowledging NAPTIP and Ministry of youth and Sports for responding promptly. According to her, human trafficking has engrossed Nigeria severely, this calls for attention. Benue State, have appreciable number of cases due to ignorance, poverty, unemployment and vulnerability most especially of the IDPs. She said, “this sensitization is being carried out in kaduna, Taraba, Benue and Ogun states. Most recently, killings and Kidnap activities have dominated the Benue Community where one of my staff was a victim of this circumstance and has been killed here in Makurdi. Some parents have been deceived and their children taken into child labour, prostitution and drugs while the body parts of some e.g liver and fallopian tube sold for a token to mention but a few. Awareness and sensitization remains the only way out of this situation so, I encourage you today most especially the students, be aggressive in watching out for yourselves, family members and friends.” she emphasized.
Kelvin Otokpa of NAPTIP in his paper presentation said, “NAPTIP is a focal agency established by law to support the nation at all levels in combating crimes of human abuse so, we are ready and willing to work with NGOs and other organisations in harnessing activities of trafficking in persons. NAPTIP operate with 5 modules of partnership, prosecution, protection (provision of preventive measures to trafficked persons), Prevention (advocacy and sensitization) and policy. But what is trafficking in persons? Human trafficking is a criminal offence and entails all acts and attempted acts involving the recruitment, transportation within and outside the country, purchase, sale, transfer, receipt or harbouring of persons involving the use of deception, cohesion or death bondage with the aim of using such persons for voluntary or involuntary services such as forced labour, prostitution, slavery, pornography, baby harvesting, organ harvesting etc. Human trafficking cannot be stopped but prevented because, it is a good fortune who the traders so, awareness and sensitization is key.”
Nelly Tule while encouraging the students to stay void of such crimes said, “Youth and students pose to be the most vulnerable for this crime and to avoid being victims, suspected cases should be reported to the appropriate quarters for prompt action” while pledging the ministry’s support at all times when called upon.
Reactions from some students were inevitable.
For Bartholomew Angbor a law Student, “the programme has opened up a lot and answered so many of my silent questions most especially where to report such cases. My neighbourhood have cases of kidnap and Gender based violence but there was nothing I could do because I didn’t know where to go but from today I know the quarters to report such.”
Joy Gbagyo of Library and information science said, “my 16 years old relative was kidnapped 3 years ago and has not returned till date. As a family, we didn’t even know what to do rather than pray for him because we had little knowledge on this topic. With the knowledge of today, I will carry out sensitization within my family and even to the public through my social media platforms so, others don’t become victims.”
According to United Nations Report 2020, Nigeria is one of the countries most affected by trafficking in persons as a crime. So, as citizens we can all be watch dogs against this crime against persons. Contact: NAPTIP MAKURDI ZONAL COMMAND -09155755219(toll free), Nelly Tule-07046778845,HOHF-08039720962.
