Tetrazzini Group, others pledge support for NAPTIP on human trafficking

The efforts by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to end or at least reduce incidences of human trafficking in Nigeria received massive boost in Abuja on Thursday as stakeholders commended the efforts of the Director General of the Agency, Dame Julie Okah-Donli which they say have led to the conviction of many culprits involved in the inhuman acts.

Prince Donatus Okonkwo, Chief Executive Officer, Tetrazzini Group who represented the Organised Private Sector as a special guest at the public lecture and book launch organised by NAPTIP as part of activities lined up to mark the 2018 World Day against Trafficking in Persons said the sector is ready to partner with the Agency to help consolidate on the successes achieved so far.

“We have seen that NAPTIP is working tirelessly to halt the trend of human trafficking in Nigeria and we commend them. Before now, little was heard of the agency but now they are in the limelight in the fight against the crime, even in Africa.

And that is why the organised private sector is ready to offer whatever support in terms of funding and other means to halt or curtail the menace,” Prince Okonkwo said.

Among dignitaries at the programme are representatives of Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigeria’s president, the Minister of Justice and the Secretary to the Government of the Fedeartion, Boss Mustafa.

Others present at the event include pioneer Director General of NAPTIP, Carol Ndaguba, Nollywood actress Tonto Dike, reigning Miss Nigeria Mildred Peace Ehiguese, and representatives of the European Union and ECOWAS among many others.

In a keynote address, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma commended NAPTIP for the many successes it has recorded since inception in the fight against human trafficking and challenged the Federal government to rise up to the occasion and end the wicked act as it stands against God’s purpose in creation.

Prof. Akinseye George, SAN who reviewed the five books written by the NAPTIP boss and two of her staff as part of this year’s events, said the Agency has accomplished so much in the past six years, adding that it was remarkable that the current management under Dame Julie Okah Donli has put measures in place to reposition and re-strategise towards better and enhanced performances.

He commended the Dame Julie and two other staff of the Agency for writing the books, saying that the fight against human trafficking should not just be by force but should also include deployment of intellectual resources as perpetrators device new means to outsmart regulators.

“She is fit and in the proper place to fight this war. She posses all the qualities of someone to lead NAPTIP and has the commitment and passion of a competent leader and is well-prepared to lead the fight and win,” Prof. Akinseye said of the NAPTIP chief executive, Dame Julie.

In her remark, Dame Julie told the audience that fighting for the oppressed and the disadvantaged was her normal life even before she was appointed to head NAPTIP and therefore found it easy to run seamlessly with the mandate of the Agency which is to ensure that human beings, especially women and children are not made objects of trade and commerce.

According to her, the books she wrote on human trafficking and how to prevent the heinous crime are part of her contributions to solving the problem which she hope would outlive her stay at NAPTIP as the dubious business has assumed global dimension.

Also speaking, Miss Nigeria, Mildred Peace Ehiguese said it was a rare privilege provided by NAPTIP to thank the Agency for its fight to stop the ugly menace of human trafficking in Nigeria adding that sensitisation campaigns being carried out by NAPTIP is about the most effective by any such organisation in the country.

“I am aware that not less than 41 persons have been convicted for various forms of human trafficking across the country in the last one year.

This is a rare feat in a country where people in privileged positions believe they can commit all forms of impunity and get away with them.

For NAPTIP to have convicted 359 people since its establishment 15 years ago is another testimony that your Agency is up in its game. Please keep it up.

“There is no greater crime against humanity than trafficking in persons, any person at all. It is far worse when innocent children and women are traded for money, thereby making mockery of the total essence of their existence, and in the process obliterate their personal dreams and mission in life,” Miss Nigeria stated and commended Aisha Buhari for supporting efforts aimed at eradicating human trafficking and other inhuman acts in the society.

In her goodwill message, the national ambassador to NAPTIP against human trafficking and Nollywwod sensation Tonto Dike said the full essence of the dangers of human trafficking never dawned on her until she got involved in the advocacy against the scrounge which opened her eyes to the atrocities being committed by those involved in the act and therefore commended the Director General of NAPTIP