DEVATOP conducts Leadership Sustainability Meeting Focusing on the Future of Anti-Trafficking Initiatives

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Devatop Centre for Africa Development hosted a Leadership Sustainability Meeting via Google Meet, uniting key leaders from the Private Sectors Against Trafficking in Persons (PATIP), Journalists Against Trafficking in Persons (JTIP), and Community Champions Against Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) from Sokoto, Enugu, and Delta States. This meeting was a crucial step in ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of the structures established under the Talkam Against Trafficking in Persons (TATIP) Project, funded by USAID/PALLADIUM through the Strenthening Civic Advoacy and Local Engagement(SCALE) Project.

Andrew Adaji, Program Manager of DEVATOP, set the stage by welcoming attendees and outlining the agenda. His opening remarks emphasized the importance of strategizing to sustain the TATIP project structures and encouraged active participation from all attendees.

Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director of DEVATOP, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the participants for their dedication to fighting human trafficking in their states. He highlighted the collective effort required to achieve long-term success and the significant role each participant plays in this crucial fight. He called on all the leaders to ensure that all the structures continue to function and carry out awareness in their various states. According to him, “though the SCALE project has ended, the forums will continue to function and take strategic actions in the communities”. Joseph also informed them that a lot of lives depend on them.

Anthony Uboho, M&E Officer of DEVATOP then delivered a comprehensive refresher on the TATIP project, reviewing its objectives, key achievements, and future plans. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the project’s structures to ensure lasting impact and success.

Leaders from various states provided updates on their activities and challenges:

• Sokoto: Nasir, PATIP Chairman, shared his initiatives in raising awareness through journalism, while Hassan Muhammad, Community Champion Lead, reported remarkable progress, including training 100 women as local watchdogs.
• Delta State: Joy Tobele, Community Champion Lead, acknowledged limited recent engagement but highlighted her efforts in actively promoting DEVATOP’s messages. Phil Badaiki, PATIP Chairperson, provided an update on her advocacy work within the Women Entrepreneurial Forum.
• Enugu: Mr. Amadi expressed concerns regarding initial training and support but continues to advance awareness through personal initiatives and events.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of sustainability strategies designed to bolster the ongoing efforts against human trafficking:

• DEVATOP will collaborate with NAPTIP and NACTAL to host training sessions for PATIP members in October 2024.
• Quarterly Meeting (Virtual or Physical) will be held for PATIP, Champions, and Journalists to discuss human trafficking and human rights issues.
• Quarterly or Monthly programs will be conducted to educate members on human trafficking and human rights abuses.
• DEVATOP will organize a national forum for anti-trafficking members to discuss and address human trafficking issues.
• DEVATOP will collect updates from leaders and publish reports online, acknowledging their contributions.
• DEVATOP will create letterheads for the forums to use in official communications.
• DEVATOP plans to engage with national private sectors to establish a National Private Sectors Against Trafficking in Persons.
• Discussions will be held with NAPTIP to recognize PATIP as stakeholders and enhance collaboration.

Nora Nongu, DEVATOP’s Program Officer concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude for the participants’ contributions and participation.