By Mike Aladenika.
The commitment of the federal government to pursue, to it's logical end, it's anti human trafficking war has continued to attract global recognition, the latest been the Leadership Newspapers award for the "best government agency of the year 2019".
The award, which was given to the National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP) came on the heel of frantic efforts by the management of the agency under the Leadership of it's Director-General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli to curtail the incidences of human trafficking, child abuse and irregular migration in the country was applauded by a cross section of stakeholders, partners and members of the diplomatic community, who graced the occasion.
To the organizers, NAPTIP, under it's Current Leadership is been commended for bringing the issues of human trafficking to the front burners through massive awareness campaign, proactive surveillance and investigation,as well as rescue and comprehensive rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
The organizers also acknowledged the fact that NAPTIP has remained a formidable "counter Trafficking Agency" that is giving Nigeria visibility across the world, stressing that the upgrading of the nation from the Tier-2 watch list to Tier-2, the setting up of State Task Forces in the varrious states as part of the strategic steps to address issues of human trafficking from the grassroots and the sustained collaboration of the Agency with other sister Law Enforcement Agencies, including the interface with the military.
Leadership Newspapers' management however attested to the fact that these fits may not have been achieved but for the quality Leadership provided by NAPTIP's Director-General ,Dame Julie Okah- Donli.
In her response shortly after receiving the award. The NAPTIP boss, Dame Julie Okha-Donli, said she was humbled by the honour adding that it will further spur her to perform more for the nation.
Dame Okah- Donli said “The Agency has continued to perform creditably with massive awareness campaign ongoing in all parts of the Country, Rescuing of over 16, 000 victims of Human Trafficking and empowerment large number of them, advocacy to stakeholders, prosecution and conviction of over 419 Traffickers, launching of Nigeria Sexual Offender Register and increased synergy with other Law Enforcement Agencies.
According to NAPTIP DG "The Agency is presently setting up States Task Force on Human Trafficking in all the States of the Federation to tackle the menace from the grassroots, stressing that NAPTIP is in the process of creating Human Trafficker Offender Register to name and shame traffickers."
She then drew the attention of eminent personalities at the event to the disturbing issues of "massive recruitment of Nigerians by some unscrupulous travel Agents and Self acclaimed Labour recruiters, to some Countries in the Middle East for gross exploitation and slave –like manner. As at this moment, NAPTIP has been able to bring back no fewer than 13 of such, even as others may not be lucky before help comes their way".
Dame Julie Okoh-Donli thanked "stakeholders, development partners, sister Law Enforcement Agencies, State Governors, Members of the National Assembly, supervisory ministry, Ministers of line ministries and gallant Officers of NAPTIP, whose effort and contribution made this award possible."
The NAPTIP DG then dedicated the award to the Commander – in – Chief, Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his sustained support to the Agency”.
According to a statement issued by Adekoye Vincent of the Press and Public Relations unit of NAPTIP, prominent Nigerians like former NIGERIA'S vice president Namadi Sambo and members of the diplomatic Corp among others.
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, his Adamawa State Counterpart, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and other Captains of industries we're also honored at the ceremony.
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