Devatop Trains & Inducts Journalist Towards Countering TIPs in Delta, Enugu & Sokoto
Devatop Centre for Africa Development conducted a 2-day training for journalists in line with its TALKAM Against Trafficking in Persons (TATIP) project as well as unveiling the timeline of activities towards achieving the project’s targets and objectives.
The training program for journalists was held with a host of selected journalists in attendance. The facilitators for these trainings included Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, Zonal Commander NAPTIP Edo Zone, Mr Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP, Mr Felix Ofou, Delta Broadcasting Service, Mrs Ijeoma Nwanze, Secretary Delta State Task Force, and Mr Yekeen Akinwale, from The Cable who joined virtually for the training in Delta; Hassana Mikaili, Adekoye Vincent and Barrister Abubakar Bashiru from NAPTIP, Rabiu Bello Gandi from STCI, for the training in Sokoto,
The Program Manager for DEVATOP, Emmanuel Obiabo, gave the opening remark at the training in Delta, on behalf of the Executive Director, Mr Joseph Osuigwe. In the opening remark, participants were appreciated for their interest in participating in the training, and it was stated that human trafficking had done more harm than good to society. Mr Emmanuel noted that it is necessary to raise advocates to sensitize and create awareness about human trafficking across the states. He, therefore, urged the participants to use their talents and platforms to amplify the fight against human trafficking.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Honourable Attorney General for believing in the project, providing an enabling environment, and showing commitment towards implementing the TATIP project.
Mr Nduka Nwanwenne of NAPTIP talked about countering the trafficking of persons and the role of the journalists in this fight.
Mr Vincent Adekoye, from NAPTIP, facilitated the training on writing about TIP cases, reporting and investigating with a victim-centred approach. He defined media ethics as issues of moral principles and values as applied to conduct, roles and content of reports. He then urged all media personnel to play their roles as watchdogs in society. Mr Felix Ofou then came up as the last resource person for the day and also reiterated the need for journalists to be ethical in their reportage before the training program was brought to an end for the day.
On the second day of the activity, Mr Yekeen Akinwale of the cable (virtual) facilitated a training session on writing about TIP cases, reporting and investigating with a victim-centred approach before opening the floor for a conversation on if and how journalists can facilitate investigations and prosecution of human trafficking issues. All the journalists stepped up to say which of the different platforms they would use to be a voice for victims of TIP. This was followed by the introduction of the TALKAM App and an explanation of how it works, and this was done by Mr Emmanuel Obiabo, the Program Manager of DEVATOP.
At the end of the two-day training, the participants expressed delight and gratitude towards the training, after which they were all inaugurated as Journalists Against Trafficking in Persons.
