Issues

Checking Human Trafficking In Nigeria

Published

13 years ago

June 27, 2011

By most accounts, human trafficking, in whatever form, is one of the heinous crimes of the 21st Century, as observers liken it to a modern form of slave trade.

Human rights activists, among other observers, maintain that human trafficking has become a global menace, particularly within the last decade, forcing many countries, including Nigeria, to initiate measures to combat it.

Human beings, the articles of the illicit trade, are trafficked within countries or to overseas countries for the purposes of cheap labour or as sex slaves.

Over the years, human trafficking has burgeoned into frightening proportions across the world, as concerned observers note that no country or region of the world is spared from the menace.

However, like other global challenges, the world is tackling the menace of human trafficking headlong, concerned observers note.

In Nigeria, for instance, the crusade against human trafficking garnered appreciable momentum since the country became signatory to the Transnational Organised Crime Convention and Trafficking in Persons Protocol in December 2000.

To coordinate the country’s anti-human trafficking efforts, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) was established in 2003 via the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act (2003).

Since its establishment, NAPTIP has been spearheading efforts to stamp out the menace from the country and its efforts have been widely acclaimed as purposeful, resourceful and successful by observers within and outside the country.

The feats achieved by Nigeria in the war against human trafficking invariably compelled the U.S government to upgrade Nigeria from a “Tier 2” status to a “Tier 1” status in its 2010 Annual Report on Global Human Trafficking.

Mr Simon Egede, the Executive Secretary of NAP TIP, says that Nigeria is proud of the achievement, stressing that NAPTIP had been able to secure more than 70 convictions of human traffickers within the seven years of its existence.

He also says that more than 3,000 victims of human trafficking have been rescued and rehabilitated by the agency.

“We are proud of our achievements and will do all within our powers not to relent in our efforts, so as to sustain and even surpass our current feats in stemming human trafficking in Nigeria,” he says.

Egede, nonetheless, concedes that the war against human trafficking has not been a smoothsailing affair, soliciting the cooperation of all and sundry in efforts to stamp out the menace.

“The fight against trafficking in persons is an enormous task; we cannot do it singlehandedly. It is expected that all parties should come together to tackle this scourge,” he says.

“A country bedevilled by human and child trafficking is a dead nation because the country will be affected by the myriad consequences, ranging from economic to socio-cultural and diplomatic problems,” he adds.

Egede says that the war against human trafficking is far from over, citing an instance in March this year, when an 18-year-old girl, Happiness Ogechi Uche, was rescued by NAPTIP from a camp in faraway Mali.

The NAPTIP boss says that the girl was enticed to embark on the trip to Mali with promises of securing a good job, adding that she unfortunately ended up in the North African country as a sex slave.

He says that the agency became aware of the girl’s ordeal when her father, who reported the loss of her daughter, subsequently received a call from her through a woman in Mali.

Egede says that when NAPTIP was alerted of the development, it promptly started to make efforts to rescue the hapless girl.

“We swiftly set in motion our rescue operations, using the INTERPOL and the Nigerian Embassy in Mali to effect the girl’s rescue and the arrest of two suspects involved in the trafficking,” he says.

Mr John Dashe, Head of NAPTIP’s Department of Investigations, explains the agency’s operations rather succinctly.

He says that NAPTIP is working in concert with some foreign countries, which it has entered into partnerships with via the signing of a Memorandum of understanding (Mou).

“We have Mous with countries such as Italy, The Netherlands and Spain. We have agreements with The Netherlands and Spain on training, and with Italy on investigation,” he says.

Dashe enthuses that the training which NAPTIP officials received from the foreign countries has been very beneficial, adding that officials’ quality service delivery has compelled human traffickers to avoid using the country’s airports nowadays.

“The human traffickers now use land borders via Niger, Mali and some other countries,” he says.

Dashe says that the training programme for NAPTIP also involves other agencies such as police and the immigrations service, adding that the human capacity development has led to an upsurge in the arrest of human traffickers, regardless of their manner of approach.

He, nonetheless, notes that there had been no deportations from European countries this year, adding that the development indicates that the anti-human trafficking campaign has been yielding good results.

Dashe says that whenever the victims of human trafficking are rescued, they are also rehabilitated to enable them to become useful citizens.

“They are normally counselled and subjected to medical checkups. The sick ones are attended to and all the victims are debriefed accordingly because of the trauma they have undergone.

“We then ask them what they want to do; if they want to go to school, we secure admission for them and the agency pays for their education.

“In respect of skills’ acquisition, we partner with agencies like the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and SMEDAN. They come to train the victims in the camps set up for them.

“After the training, we empower them, sometimes with funds from donor countries like Norway, France and Sweden,” Dashe says.

It is quite heartwarming to note that Nigeria’s efforts to curb human trafficking have been receiving worldwide commendations.

For instance, in the 2009 Report on Trafficking in Persons by the U.S State Department, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State, lauded Nigeria’s efforts to curb human trafficking.

She said: “Nigeria’s efforts are commendable and its cumulative achievement, over the past few years, to combat human trafficking has not been left unnoticed.”

In the 2010 report, Clinton noted a global acceptance of the existence of human trafficking and a collective resolve to tackle the menace.

“Countries that once denied the existence of human trafficking now work to identify the victims and help them overcome the trauma of modern slavery, as well as hold responsible those who enslave others,” she said.

“Although progress has undoubtedly been made in the fight against human trafficking, there is more work to do,” she added.

In Nigeria, however, the campaign against human trafficking has been a collaborative effort involving NAPTIP, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

For instance, the NIS recently paraded 17 suspected victims of human trafficking, who were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to travel to Egypt.

Mrs. Chinyere Uzoma, the Comptroller-General of NIS, said that the apprehended ladies claimed that they were travelling for a legitimate business in Egypt, adding, however, that suspicions were rife that they were being trafficked.

Counselling the girls, Uzoma warned them of the dire consequences of allowing themselves to become articles of the illicit trade with the bait of securing good jobs and some other bogus promises.

“Nigeria is blessed with a fine weather; if you don’t have clothes, you will not catch cold in Nigeria because there is no winter.

“Even if you don’t have food, you cannot starve in Nigeria because a neighbour or relative will give you something to eat,” she said, adding: “But in foreign countries, you are on your own.”

Uzoma also admonished potential victims of human trafficking that living in foreign countries could be horrendous, as the human traffickers usually abandoned their victims in the countries, leaving them to fend for themselves.

She, nonetheless, gave the assurance that the relevant government agencies would strive harder to stamp out human trafficking in Nigeria.

Human trafficking is also giving the UN and its agencies a lot of concern.

At a recent workshop in Abuja, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Daouda Toure, said that an estimated 12.3 million people were subjected to forced labour across the world, adding that out of the number, 2.4 million were victims of human trafficking.

Toure said that the human traffickers usually made huge profits from the illicit trade at the expense of their dehumanised victims, adding that Nigeria still remained a “source, transit and destination” of human trafficking.

He said that the illicit trade in human beings, which thrived on misinformation, deceit, abuse and the victims’ exploitation, was quite lucrative to the perpetrators, as it collectively fetched them about 3.2 billion U.S. dollars every year.

Toure said that the rising incidence of human trafficking could be blamed on extreme poverty, adding, however, that human trafficking could not be justified under any guise whatsoever.

“It may be the search for greener pastures that is pushing young Africans to fall prey to the plot of human traffickers.

“Many of the victims do not make it to their destination and those who do, are confronted with the stark reality that the situation is darker and gloomier than that which they left behind,” Toure said.

Also speaking, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Roberto Colamine, said that human trafficking was a crime which violated the human rights of the vulnerable groups.

However, one of greatest challenges facing the crusade against human trafficking is the refusal of the victims to make useful statements to the relevant authorities whenever they are rescued.

This, according to observers, is because the perpetrators often subject their victims to oath-taking sessions, thereby compelling them to remain mum whenever they are rescued or apprehended.

“The victims are initiated in voodoo sessions and made to swear that they will never to leak any secrets regarding the traffickers’ operations. This actually makes it difficult for us to apprehend the traffickers,” Dashe says.

In spite of the comments on the anti-human trafficking crusade, observers stress the need to step up efforts to tackle the menace using a multi-faceted approach.

They also underscore the need for the Federal Government to provide adequate resources for the agencies in charge of the campaign to sustain and improve their achievements in efforts to stamp out the menace.

All said and done, the country’s rating in the global campaign to eradicate the illicit trade in humans will significantly improve, some say.

Okoronkwo, is of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Chijioke Okoronkwo

Issues

Investing In Nyesom Wike: A Story Of Dedication, Sacrifice And Ultimate Loss

Published

1 week ago

April 10, 2024

The Tide

In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

Tele Ikuru

Issues

Is Okocha A Happy Man Being Perpetual Hireling?

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2024

The Tide

The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?

Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .

Bernard C. Idike

Issues

Day Asari-Toru Declared Massive Support For Fubara

Published

1 month ago

March 11, 2024

The Tide

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.