Wife of the Governor Chidinma Otti Urges Stakeholders to Join Fight Against Human Trafficking

Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs Priscilla Chidimma Otti has called on all stakeholders to join in the fight against human trafficking in the state.

Mrs. Chidimma Otti who stated this in Umuahia during a preparatory meeting on the establishment of Abia State Task Force against Human Trafficking organized by the State Government in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and NAPTIP said the creation of the taskforce would provide a platform for government, civil society, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to work together in a coordinated and sustainable way in the fight against human trafficking.

She added that the state is working towards getting a centre that will take care of rescued victims of trafficking, which will have a call centre, working with all stakeholders in the fierce fight to ensure the rescue and protection of victims.

Speaking, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa said that the State-led task force would play a pivotal role in ensuring early identification, referral and support for vulnerable migrants and victims of trafficking, among other related issues.

She said the task force is also mandated to create massive awareness against human trafficking and provide a budget line to address the case of human trafficking in the state.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix expressed joy that Abia state has been at the forefront in the fight against human trafficking and enjoined all to sustain their support for the present administration in the state.

Contributing, Representative of the Director General, NAPTIP, Mr Oluwabori Ogunkanmi appealed to the State Government to take ownership of the fight against human trafficking, adding that the task force would be chaired by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, the Co-Chairman is State Commandant, NAPTIP Nkem Okafor, while other stakeholders include the Ministries of Women Affairs, Labour and Productivity, Justice, various arms of security agencies in the State, the media among others.

In her address, the Protection Officer, International Organisation for Migration in the country, Mrs Chibalani Katongo, described the establishment of the taskforce as a significant step towards strengthening our collective response to issues of migration management, protection and efforts in combating trafficking in persons.

Stakeholders at the event commended the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing technical, capacity building and facilitation to ensure that victims of human trafficking are adequately protected and given the opportunities they deserve.