We Need Young People to Help in the Fight Against Human Trafficking – Osinbajo

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerian youths to fight the scourge of human trafficking and related vices, urging all stakeholders, including the international community, to increase collaboration in the fight against human trafficking and related vices.

Osinbajo stated yesterday as a special guest at an event commemorating this year’s World Day Against Human Trafficking that human trafficking is destructive to both the human race and the economy.

“We can only collectively develop solutions capable of addressing the root causes and risk factors that perpetuate human trafficking around the world if we work together,” said Osinbajo, who was represented by Mr Adeola Ipaye, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President/Office of the Vice President.

Raising a generation of young people who understand and are conversant with technology and can easily address the issue using technological tools, according to the vice president, will aid Nigeria’s efforts to eradicate the menace.

“As a result,” Osinbajo said, “we rely on you students and other young people to make the change even where we have previously fallen short.”

Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said in her welcome that this year’s theme, ‘Use and Abuse of Technology,’ was appropriate, emphasizing the dynamism of human trafficking and the growing use of online interactions as an efficient enabler.

While technology is frequently used to facilitate human trafficking, Waziri-Azi asserted that its positive applications aid in combating trafficking and supporting anti-trafficking work, such as assisting investigations that improve prosecutions and scaling awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, the NACTAL Network congratulated the NAPTIP director and other partners on Nigeria’s promotion to Tier 2 in the 2021 TIP report.

“In partnership with NAPTIP and with the support of various development partners, our members across the 36 states and the FCT have embarked on various activities on the streets of Nigeria in the last few days to commemorate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons,” said NACTAL president Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar.