Devatop’s Impact and Achievement in 2017- What Next?

I bring you greetings and Happy New Year from all of us at Devatop Centre for Africa Development.

We want to use this opportunity to appreciate you all for your  support and passion towards our projects in 2017, and for joining us in the fight against human trafficking.

Looking into 2017, we are thrilled by our various impacts and achievements, and these give us confidence that we can do more in 2018.

Below is the summary of our 2017 Impact and Achievements:

1.          January – February 2017: We equipped over 30 volunteers on how they can effectively combat human trafficking, gender-based violence and female genital mutilation in their communities.  (Watch video here) 4000 community members were reached by the volunteers within three months.  We also did series of talkshows on Television and Radio stations to sensitize the public. Click Here To Read News
2.         February: We inaugurated five celebrities and influential Nigerians as our anti-human trafficking ambassadors, which include: Kenneth Okonkwo(Nollywood actor), John Fashanu(Football legend), Rachel Bakam(TV personality), Chido Onumah(Journalist ) and Esther Ekanem(Anti-Sex Trafficking Activist) – Click Here To Read News
3.         March – April: We carried out a project on “Ending Female Genital Mutilation-Human Rights Abuse” in Kuje Area Council, which directly impacted over 8, 000 indigent women and children, through the activities of 102 trained End FGM Advocates. Click Here To Read News
4.        April: In commemoration of World Book Day, we organized a reading competition and donation tour at a rural community, known as Aleyta. More than 100 pupils benefited from the donations. (Click Here To Watch Video)
5.        May: In commemoration of National Children’s Day, we sensitized children at Abuja Orphanage Homes on How To Combat Child Trafficking and also donated food and educational materials to them. (Click Here To Read News)
6.         May – July:  We carried out another End Female Genital Mutilation Advocacy in Okigwe Zone, Imo State(eastern Nigeria), through which 115 women leaders, community leaders, educators, health workers and youth were trained and given sub-grants to carry out community projects in over 21 communities. (Click Here To Read News). The project directly impacted over 13, 000 community members, and reached over 50, 6000 people in the state.
7.         June:  We kicked off Our Take Action Against Human Trafficking Campaign which stimulated over 50 volunteers to take strategic actions as projects  in 3 states in Nigeria. Through this, a victim was rescued and supported through a joint effect between our organization and law enforcement agency (NAPTIP). To  view some of the actions by volunteers Click  Here,  and  Here
8.        July: We organized World Day Against Human Trafficking Conference, which was attended by  Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, and representatives from U.S Embassy, Australian Embassy and BBC Africa. Read The News Here
9.         August and September: We organized Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy Training during which over 30 young people were empowered, and within two months, they sensitized 3680 vulnerable members of the communities in different states in Nigeria. There actions led to the arrest of a trafficker, and return of her victim (who was sold thrice in Mali, before she returned to Nigeria). Click Here To Read News     
10.        September: Our organization, through the Executive Director, Joseph Osuigwe was represented  at International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference USA, where he presented a  paper about how we  are combating human trafficking in Nigeria. Click Here To Read News
11.        October and November:  Through Support from U.S Embassy Nigeria, we mobilized 40 National Youth Service Corps from Six Area Councils in Federal Capital Territory and Kogi State, and trained them as advocates, and empowered them with resources to carryout community projects on combating human trafficking. Currently, over 2000 people have been impacted by them, and still counting. Click Here To Watch Video, or Here To Read News About Project By Trained Advocate
12.       December: We joined International Federal of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to educate lawyers, educators, and youth on human trafficking.  (Click Here To Watch Video)

This 2018, we are prepared to do more, and increase our reach within and outside Nigeria. This year, we will extend our focus to End Illegal Migration/Smuggling Advocacy.

Some of our Projects for 2018 include:

a.  TALKAM-   This is an initiative that focuses on utilizing information and communication technology and local method to increase reportage of human trafficking and other human rights abuses in communities, and strengthen the response system.

b. End Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking Advocacy (EMAT)- This is a strategic and innovative approach to foster community actions against illegal migration and human trafficking.  This project will stimulate young people, religious leaders, community/traditional rulers, women, youth and decision makers to play strategic roles in combating illegal migration and human trafficking with sense of urgency.  The advocacy will also include an annual “National Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration Conference” and a strategic campaign known as “#NotForTrade”. The campaign is meant to educate people on dangers of illegal migration, how it leads to human trafficking, and facts about human trafficking, thereby stimulating actions among young people and other community members.

c. Young People Against Trafficking in Persons And Abuse Movement (YATIPAM)-This focuses on establishing clubs in tertiary institutions, cities, and rural areas to promote actions, research, and monitoring on human trafficking, illegal migration, gender-based violence and other human rights abuses.

d.  Board of Supporters and Partners – Board of Supporters/Partners is a fundraising campaign that seeks to stimulate individuals, companies and organizations to donate/support  projects on ending human trafficking, illegal migration and other human rights abuses.

e. Red Card2FGM Campaign – This is the use of sporting activities to increase the awareness on dangers of female genital mutilation and stimulate young people to act collectively towards the abandonment of the practice.

Join Us This Year To Make Nigeria A Better Place.

Yours In Service,

Joseph Osuigwe C.

Executive Director,

Devatop Centre for Africa Development,(www.devatop.org)