The Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday said the state was not relenting in its avowed commitment to winning the war against human trafficking.
Okowa said this when Dame Julie Okah-Donli, the Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba.
The governor assured the director general that the Delta Government would do all it could to stamp out the ugly threat.
He also assured the DG that the agency’s request for an office accommodation in the state to enhance its operations, would be met as soon as the new ultra-modern state secretariat complex was completed.
Also, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Information and member, Delta State Task Force on Human Trafficking, said the body would restrategies on effective collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and religious organisations on how to end the crime.
Aniagwu advised youths to be weary of the inordinate crave to travel abroad to seek for greener pasture which was non-existent
Okah-Donli had earlier expressed appreciation to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for supporting NAPTIP in the joint effort to eradicate human trafficking in the country.
She said there was need for mobilisation of paramount rulers and the entire traditional institution in the state towards massive anti-human trafficking action and behavioral change communication.
“There should be patnership with all stakeholders towards sensitisation against violations of women/girls and children’s rights, through grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation, especially in Asaba and its vicinities,” she said.
The DG urged parents not to be deceived by those who promised their children of employment opportunities abroad because of the risk involved in such promises.
“It is important that parents and guardians be told the truth about the evils and dangers of human trafficking.
“Rural women should be empowered and when they have enough to take care of their children, they will not allow their children to go abroad.
“There should also be donation of life skill equipment for the empowerment of victims of human trafficking, she said.
Earlier in the day, the director general had paid the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, a courtesy visit in his palace, where she solicited the support of the traditional institution in the fight against the menace.
The monarch called for concerted effort by all stakeholders to combat the evil of human trafficking in the nation.
The Asagba of Asaba who commended the agency for taking on such responsibility, said it was a daunting task for the agency’s personnel, as they were confronting the source of livelihood of those involved in the illicit act.
“We realised that human trafficking is a problem that needs to be tackled.
“We inaugurated some women in the community and my wife (the queen) is their leader; the women in this community will work hand in hand with NAPTIP,” Prof Edozie said. (NAN)
