By Ajibola Abayomi,
Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Senator Basheer Garba Muhammed, has described NAPTIP as one of the Agencies with the biggest mandates that touches various families and societies in the country.
In his submission as contained in a statement signed by Vincent Adekoye, the Press Officer of NAPTIP, he said there was urgent need to unbundle and expand the scope of the activities of the agency to enable it render mega rehabilitation services that would meet the needs and expectation of the victims and scale up its awareness and sensitization strategies.
In his submission as contained in a statement signed by Vincent Adekoye, the Press Officer of NAPTIP, he said there was urgent need to unbundle and expand the scope of the activities of the agency to enable it render mega rehabilitation services that would meet the needs and expectation of the victims and scale up its awareness and sensitization strategies.
Muhammed, stated this when he played host to a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) led by the Country Chief of Mission, Mr. Franz Celestin.
The NAPTIP boss used the opportunity to unveil his strategic goals and visions for the Agency which included expanding the scope to include improved and remodeled Victim Rehabilitation Scheme, reloaded awareness and sensitization across the nation.
“I want NAPTIP anti-human trafficking messages to be in the minds and at the doorsteps of all Nigerians irrespective of their languages and locations. We shall use radio, television, newspapers, social media platforms, Nollywood actors and even local town criers.
“Nigerians need to know more about NAPTIP, the various offences and punishment attached to them as well as the various legislations put in place to protect our Citizens from all forms of exploitation.
“Our anti human trafficking messages must be syndicated in all languages so that everybody can understand it. This will go a long way to reduce the vulnerability of the people. I strongly believe that it is better and more economical to take step now and sensitize the people than doing damage control after they must have been deceived and trafficked by human traffickers” the DG said.
He appreciated the timely and sustained intervention of the IOM in all the thematic areas of the agency which he said had aided the realization of its mandates and solicited for more supports and collaboration the UN body.
Responding, the IOM Chief of Mission congratulated the DG for his appointment and commended him for the remarkable achievements recorded at the National Commission for Refugee, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons while he was in charge.
Franz pledged that the Organization would continue to support NAPTIP in order to boost its enlightenment.
He added that the IOM would donate another “Blue Bus” to accelerate prosecution and enhance legal discuss on human trafficking, the establishment of States Task Forces on Human Trafficking in no fewer than 14 States in Nigeria as well as capacity building for operatives of the NAPTIP.
He assured the DG that IOM shall continue to support NAPTIP in order to reduce the incidence of human trafficking and irregular migration.
The IOM Chief of Mission was accompanied to the NAPTIP by the Head, Programme Support Unit, Prestage Murima and Ukamaka Osigwe, a Programme Officer, Migration Management.