Devatop, German Embassy, U.S Embassy, FIDA and NAPTIP at Nigerian Law School
Over 2000 Nigerian Law Students Sensitized:
Devatop, German Embassy, U.S Embassy, FIDA, and NAPTIP sensitizing over 2000 law students
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 Lawyers, 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. Also, thousands of Nigerian youth have died as a result of irregular migration and smuggling while crossing Mediterranean Sea, desert or dangerous roads. There is urgent need for everyone, including lawyers to take actions against this inhumane act.
To commemorate this year’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Devatop Centre for Africa Development, through her Volunteer, Pharm. Joan Ndubuisi hosted a one day symposium for 2000 Nigerian Law Students at Nigerian Law School Bwari on 31st Jan, 2018, with the theme: “Fostering Action Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration- The Role of Lawyers”.
The discussion stimulated the interest of Law students on the need to participate actively in combating human trafficking and irregular migration. The discussants called on the lawyers start providing pro bono legal services to victims and become strong voices for victims of human trafficking.
Discussants include:
- Friedrich Birgelen, First Secretary,- Refugees, Migration, Humanitarian Assistance, Germany Embassy
- Ludwig Jung , Head of Press and Cultural Affairs, German Embassy
- Mirna Torres, Political officer at the U.S. Embassy Nigeria in Abuja
- Ngozi Ikenga, Chairperson International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Abuja Chapter.
- Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director, Devatop Centre for Africa Development
- Arinze (representing Director-General of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons)
By Godsmercy Maduka