Nation
NAPTIP Receives 88 Victims Of Human Trafficking From Ivorian Govt
The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says it has received 88 rescued victims of human trafficking from the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire.
Its Director-General, Dr Fatima Waziri, said this in an interview with The Tide source on the sideline of a meeting at the Second Session of the Nigeria-Cote d’Ivoire Bi-National Commission in Abidjan, on Saturday.
Agreements on areas of agriculture, digital economy, education, consular and immigration matters, prevention of human trafficking, among others, were signed at the meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo and Ivorian Prime Minister, Patrick Achi.
Waziri said that since 2014, Nigerian and Ivorian governments through NAPTIP had been collaborating on a number of issues.
She said that eleven of the 17, 000 victims rescued by NAPTIP were Ivorians, while Ivorian Governement had handed over 88 victims to the agency.
Waziri said that over the years, Nigeria had been enjoying a lot of collaboration and intelligence sharing.
She added that the agency felt it was time to strengthen this partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to further deepen the relationship of both countries.
“The agreement covers issues of prevention; enforcement, returning and rehabilitation of victims.
“It also covers issues of repatriation, repatriation of assets connected to issues of trafficking in persons.’’
According to her, NAPTIP’s focus is not just for conviction for traffickers but to get them to forfeit their assets.
“Because for me, that is what actually sends a message; you can convict somebody, jail the person and the person comes out and still has access to his illicit wealth.
“But once that person is convicted and the person also loses assets connected to a particular crime; that also sends a strong message.’’
She said that aside, Cote d’Ivoire, efforts were underway to formalise such agreements with The Gambia, Niger Republic, Mali, South Africa, among others.
“We have started conversations with The Gambia; I think conversations with The Gambia actually started probably 2018 or 2019 but we are looking forward to formalising it.
“The draft MoU is currently being looked at, reviewed by the federal ministry of justice, we also have one with Niger Republic which I believe will be signed this or next month.
“Then, we have one with South Africa that is still in the works, we also have with Mali, ‘’ she said.
Nation
NGOs Urge RSG To Prioritise Child Protection Funding


Nation
Oceans Exhibition Understand And Act: Raising Awareness Through French Language

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.
The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.
The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.
The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.
According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.
Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.
Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)
Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement
However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.
In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.
It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.
Nation
Deputy Commandant Hails Tinubu For Signing NFSS Bill Into Law
The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on the lives of the average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the forests across the nation are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him and other leaders to assist the youths who are interested in jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka, praised the determination and sacrifices made by the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF); the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for his sacrifices and untiring efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.