Concerned by the rising cases of human trafficking in Delta State, a Non-Governmental Organisation, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, has selected 50 schools for a pilot project aimed at combating human trafficking in the state.
The project is designed to take a holistic approach, targeting not only students but also the entire school community, including teachers, parents, and local civil society organisations.
The Head of the West Africa Region of the ICMPD, Dr Mojisola Sodeinde, disclosed this on Friday after a two-day workshop in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Sodeinde, represented by Rhoda Dia-Johnson, stated that human trafficking has long cast a shadow over Delta communities, particularly affecting the most vulnerable, including children.
She said, “As we convene this workshop, we acknowledge the presence of our esteemed donor, the representative of the Government of the Netherlands, our partners from NAPTIP, and other government officials from the federal, state, and local levels.
“With over 75 per cent of trafficking victims in West Africa being minors, the urgency of STEAP’s mission is clear.
“Our collective goal with STEAP is to embed a robust educational framework within our schools, informing and protecting our students and empowering them to be vigilant guardians of their futures.
“The ICMPD is an inter-governmental organisation headquartered in Vienna, Austria, with over 20 member states. ICMPD promotes innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable migration policies to harmonise and make migration management more efficient, serving as a mechanism for the exchange of services between governments and organisations.”
Sodeinde said activities over the two days would include in-depth discussions on the issue of trafficking in persons, especially school-age children. She emphasised that “your understanding of this subject and its dynamics is crucial as a critical stakeholder in the education sector.”
“As we move forward, let us remember that the essence of our work is to safeguard our future, a future where every child can pursue education without fear, and every community can thrive free from the chains of exploitation.
“We have selected 50 schools in Delta for the pilot phase of this project. We will train classroom teachers and school heads in both primary and secondary schools.”
The Director General of NAPTIP, Mr Binta Bello, who was represented by the Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr Josiah Emerole, highlighted the importance of the sensitisation campaign against human trafficking to the agency.
Bello added that NAPTIP, established by law to combat human trafficking, also supports victims of trafficking and carries out preventive activities to reduce trafficking cases in Nigeria.
He stated that “the fight against human trafficking is not the sole responsibility of the federal, state, and local governments; it is a collective effort because all our communities are vulnerable.”
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Netherlands Embassy in Abuja commended Mojisola Sodeinde for organising the sensitisation and awareness workshop for stakeholders in the education sector on trafficking in persons.
“Thank you for your hard work in bringing together the wide range of participants here from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and for your tireless efforts in implementing the STEAP project with financial support from the Netherlands.
“The Netherlands has a Migration Partnership with Nigeria. The prevention of and fight against human trafficking is a key aspect of this partnership, which the Netherlands prioritises. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to trafficking, accounting for over 75 per cent of the victims identified in West Africa.
“This underscores the importance of adopting a specific approach to prevent children from becoming victims and helping those affected reintegrate into the school system.”
