End Human Trafficking and

Irregular Migration Advocacy

In Commemoration of
2018 National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Theme: Fostering Action Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration
Date: 30th January, 2018 at U.S Embassy, Abuja.
 The United States Senate designated January as National Human Trafficking
Awareness Month. National Human Trafficking Awareness Month is a period to
promote awareness and actions against Human Trafficking in the Country and
around the world. It seeks to end this slavery, return rights to individuals and make
the world a safer place for all inhabitants. This is also a time to get private sectors,
Individuals, Religious Groups, Organizations, and Government involved in
combating and preventing Human Trafficking. An estimated 27 million people are
victims of human trafficking globally. They are bought and sold into prostitution, labor
exploitation and child pornography. For years, human trafficking has continued to
thrive in shadow and in the silence of others. 80% of the victims are young people
between the ages of 6 and 24 years. Nigeria is a source, destination and transit of
people trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation. Also, there has been high rise in
illegal migration of Nigerian youth to foreign countries, which has led to death of
hundreds in Libya, Mediterranean Sea, and deserts. According to Global Slavery
Index, there are 875,500 victims of human trafficking in Nigeria.
To commemorate this year's National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Devatop
Centre for Africa Development in partnership with American Center (AC), U.S
Embassy Abuja hosted a one-day interactive Discussion with the theme: “Fostering
Action Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration” for CSOs, Youth,
Educators, Religious Leaders, Law Enforcement Officers, and interested individuals.

Discussants at the event include:

· Mr. Orakwue Arinze (Director of Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP)
· Joseph Osuigwe (Director, Devatop Centre for Africa Development)
· Mr. Kolawole Olatosimi, Coordinator, NACTAL-North Central
· Bar. Ngozi Ikenga, Chairperson, FIDA
Mrs Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, Executive Director, WOTCLEF
Mr. Joseph Osuigwe, the Executive Director of www.devatop.org spoke briefly about Human
Trafficking. Joseph cited that according to 2016 Global Slavery Index, there are over 875, 500
Nigerians who are victims of human trafficking overtime. According to him, “Every year, 32 billion
dollars is generated from the exploitation of 27 million victims globally. And NewsMax stated that 30,
000 victims of human trafficking die every year as a result of torture, hunger, and disease. He
explained, “Devatop Centre for Africa Development is currently working on developing a mobile
application known as TALKAM which can be used to report incidences or cases of human trafficking
and other human rights abuses. TALKAM will increase reportage of human trafficking in Nigeria”

The Director-General of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), who
was represented by Mr. Arinze Orakwe buttressed that people have become vulnerable thereby
making them gullible just to make ends meet. He went on to differentiate between illegal/irregular
migrations and human trafficking. According to him, an illegal migrant has no travel document or
paper work, no permission or provision made for the migrant to travel and live in a country.

Bar. Ngozi Ikenga, chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Abuja

Chapter) reminded the participants that some of the trafficked victims genuinely think they are going
for greener pastures not knowing they are being trafficked.

Mr. Kolawole pointed out that human trafficking is caused by two factors which are the pull and push
factor. He said that lack of social security and moral standard in the country are among the causes of
human trafficking.

Mrs. Imaobong Ladipo Sanusi blamed the cause of human trafficking on the break down in moral
system and also clergies who stand on the pulpit encouraging people to go abroad.
Also, all the discussants spoke emphatically on the need for everyone to take action against human
trafficking. They highlighted that some of the actions citizens can take include: observing and
reporting human trafficking in their communities, educating young people, volunteering with anti-
human trafficking organizations, providing support for anti-human trafficking projects, and creating
awareness.
Devatop Centre for Africa Development organized the interactive discussion to suggest solutions
and to stimulate participants to take pragmatic steps to tackle human trafficking and irregular
migration. Participants pledged to take actions within their various communities. The next
interactive discussion on End Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration will hold in April, 2018.