Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria

We have all converged here today to submit our voices and thoughts to answers on critical issues. For me, today’s topic is as pertinent as those before it, but distinct from individual experiences and perspectives.

It is about big social problems that have been calling for our immediate attention. I’m excited to be here today to join you all in finding solutions and addressing specific issues that have become growing nightmares for our society.

Let me thank NACTAL, Anambra State and Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria, for kicking this great one off, and for every of its passionate interventions in re-creating our world to work better for every resident. Once again, I’m super elated to be here with you.

We often hear about cases of human trafficking, whether in the media, face-to-face conversations or even from personal experiences. Whichever channel we have come across the subject or reality, we all can bear witnesses to the fact that human trafficking is a valid threat that steals from us all.

But it is not only about that; we are looking at the trauma and pains of children, women, boys, girls and every other gender that is going through or has gone through the excruciating pains of trafficking.

From sex and drug trafficking, to labour and other forms of trafficking, we are looking at the same crime, in different pictures and shapes. We are looking at a crime against humanity and every other composition that makes us students and adherents of morality.

As we are talking about the deadly nature of human trafficking, we are also looking at how our actions have made it a thriving criminal enterprise for culprits. First thing we must understand is that human trafficking is a crime against nature and humanity.

We can go on and on talking about what victims of human trafficking go through in the hands of their abductors.

We could even paint a vivid picture of what this heinous subject represents in the domain of humanity.

They are not enough to explain its awfulness and deadly attributes. What this tells us is that we owe so much to the fight to defeat the scourge.

The big questions now are: How do we get close to the war front? What is our strategy? And, how sincere are we in the quest? We are confronted with an array of choices buried in questions.

Yet, they all point to the same important direction. We can only come close to beating the ugly tide when we face the situation boldly.

Human trafficking counts in Nigeria are growing astronomically. And despite known efforts by government institutions and organized stakeholders, the nightmare remains undefeated.

The statistics of human trafficking syndrome in Nigeria is scary. It is a revelation of parents forcing their female children into dangerous occupations, guardians trading their wards for money.

We have also seen cases of mothers selling off their babies for money, and parents giving out their children to a stranger on the promise of a better life.

There is abundance of examples of how this problem has affected each and every one of us here today. It leads us to that point where it is crucial to understand that either we get more serious in the fight or we lose it entirely. Of course, we can win. But how do we kick start?

Human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria are down to unemployment, economic inequalities and poverty.

We can now look at what can do or have done – in our respective domains – to confront the challenges. First, we need to strengthen our existing laws against human trafficking and related offences to not only deal with unfolding crimes but, most importantly, to effectively tackle existing crimes. Prosecuting institutions also need to be supervised to ensure that every case is completed.

Guardians also have to get necessary documents for adoption from legalized local authorities. Those into abusive and toxic relationships have to speak up or leave.

As a strong advocate of the campaign against trafficking in persons and related crimes, I believe that we have really not done much to say that we have maintained a strong grip on the war. We must wake up. It gets better when we fully realise that it is we alone against the ravaging monster.

While we are advocating for the full implementation of existing laws against human trafficking, there is also the need to strengthen legal institutions dealing with such cases.

On our part as an administration, we are opening up lasting economic, educational and social opportunities for women and girls to explore.

The current administration in Anambra State is determined to achieve significant results in this fight, and we will. However, winning the war is an all-stakeholder pursuit.

Those who are going through any form of abuses and social deprivations must also open up. If you see something, you say something. Defeating this menace is our collective responsibility.

We see the movement differently in Anambra State because we are concerned. Everybody must get in. We will win the war.

The theme of this important event, captures valid insights and calls us to action. To defeat trafficking in person and related offences, there has to be a dedicated framework that sees the the urgency of the task.

We have begun the conversation. Now, we need to mobilize actions in order to complete the chain. Like I have mentioned earlier, this conversation is everybody’s business.

Government alone cannot end human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. This is an inclusive war, and the information we provide can go a long way. So I urge all of us here today to see what we can add to the ongoing efforts.

My NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo is also leading the front in education and awareness. While we are focused on re-establishing the right health habits in homes, we are also looking at how to promote social reforms and moral responsibility. By giving school children an opportunity to appreciate healthy living, a window has been opened for other great results.

Ours is to make the world a better place for today and tomorrow’s generations. And we believe that we can achieve each target through consistency and planning. We are close. We will win. Thank you so much for being here today, and may God bless you all.

Written By: Nonye Soludo (Wife of Anambra State Governor and founder, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative)