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Human Trafficking: AFJN-N Organises Seminar Against Menace

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Cross Section of Participants at the seminar


With a view to supporting the government in curbing the rising menace of human trafficking in Nigeria particularly in Edo State, Africa Faith and Justice Network Nigeria (AFJN-N), yesterday, organised advocacy seminar against human trafficking in Benin City.

AFJN-N is a fellowship of Rev. Fr. and Sisters drawn from the Catholic Church around the world.

Speaking at the event, Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, Executive Director, AFJN-N said the programme was organised going by the rising rate of trafficking in persons and the consequent torture victims are exposed to, saying AFJN-N can no longer keep quiet with the touture persons trafficked particularly to abroad face.

The programme with the theme, ‘Solidarity Against Trafficking in Person’, AFJN-N challenged Nigerians to cry out against human trafficking in unison, describing the body as vanguard for voice of the voiceless.

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While lamenting bottle neck faced in gaining access to Nigerian polical leaders in order to discuss way forward in combating human trafficking menace, the fellowship noted that there was need for leaders and followers to sit in round table in order to curb human trafficking.

AFJN-N urged the political class in Nigeria to discharge their responsibilities deligently, saying bad governance by our leaders make people to subject themselves for trafficking, adding that though that’s not enough reason.

“It is through things are bad in this country, the economy is not at its best, there is unemployment and other forms of bad governance going on in the country, but that is not sufficient reasons to subject our brothers, sisters, children to inhumane treatment abroad.

“So my advice is let’s be patient rather than traveling out of the country. We can change home to be a better place. The fact is that Nigeria is not a poor country. The problem is management of the resources God has given to us.

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“Do you know that way back then Nigeria was even giving foreign aide to Thailand. But here we are now. Go to Highland and see what its looks like compare to Nigeria.

“You know Nigeria taught Malaysia how to produce palm oil but now they are far away ahead of us. So, it is not we don’t have capacity of the capability, we do”, Rev Fr. added.

Also speaking at the seminar, Professor Mrs. Yinka Omoregbe, Edo State Anthony General, said the state government has put in place machinery in tackling human trafficking, stressing that this is being done in collaboration with stakeholders such as AFJN-N.

She stated that the law of the land is against selling and buying of human in any form of disguise it may be carried out eithe by internationally or locally.

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She urged Nigerians particularly Edo people to report any body being forced to relocate against his or her consent to report to the ministry.

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Shettima Launches NEDC’s School Enrollment Drive Programme

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Accelerated Senior Secondary School Education Programme (ASSEP) initiated by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with the office of the VP to enhance child enrollment drive in schools within the North-East sub-region.

Speaking during the launching of the programme in Bauchi on Saturday, the VP said that consequences of the nation’s action and inaction were evident in all indices used to assess development.

He said while primary education provides a foundation, secondary education is a bridge, adding that the Northeast sub-region has been the victim of inability to enforce a uniform policy to drive school and the persistent cultural perversion to formal education in the country.

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READ ALSO: Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

We in the Northeast occupy a quantum of position in ranking of essential services. Education being a key sector of this country, this is especially pronounced in the post primary education, while the Northeast secondary school enrollment drive stands at 19 percent, far below the nation’s 39 percent,” he said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, said that the primary education completion level of 85 per cent in the Northeast is among the best in Nigeria, but secondary school enrolment is a mere 15 per cent, the second worst nationally.

According to him, due to the challenges in the post-primary education segment, JAMB UTME applications and admissions into tertiary institutions in 2019 were the lowest for the Northeast compared to other regions.

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READ ALSO: Three Children Rescued As Fire Guts Storey Building In Delta

He added that, nationally, the Northeast has the lowest number of teachers and the highest percentage 55 per cent of those available are without literacy skills.

The MD also revealed that the challenges in the post-primary education segment include weak quality indices and a wide demand-supply gap driven by economic and cultural factors.

“The Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme seeks to boost the post primary education rating across the North East region through improved enrolment into tertiary institutions.

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“It’s also to improve skills development as well as the elevation of teacher quality. It would pay special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and communication.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Governing Board Members For 111 Tertiary Institutions

“These would foster creativity and critical thinking; motivates and inspires young people to generate new technologies and ideas to learn from inquiry-based tasks,” he said.

Alkali also explained that the programme would also raise awareness about after-school possibilities and the potential for diligent students to become successful and prominent contributors to the North East region and Nigeria at large.

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He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government especially, the Vice President for the deep interest and commitment to human development in the North-East.

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Edo Police Break Silence On Operatives Fighting Dirty In Viral Video

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

The Edo State Police Command says a trending video showing two operatives of the command engaging in a fight is a handiwork of mischief makers.

In the video which has gone viral on the internet, two policemen are seen fighting themselves, while a voice commentary in the background claims they are from the Igueben Decisional Police Station headquarters in the state.

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A writeup also attached to a version of the video sighted by Info Daily also claims that the policemen were fighting because of sharing formula of money collected from motorists on the highway. The writeup also claims that the incident happened yesterday, May 17th, 2024.

READ ALSO: Three Children Rescued As Fire Guts Storey Building In Delta

But reacting to the viral video in a statement issued by SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer, the command said contrary to the claim, the incident happened in 2020, adding that disciplinary measures were taken against the erring policemen.

The statement which issued electronically to newsmen in Benin on Saturday evening partly reads: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that it’s aware of a video trending on the internet showing two policemen that engaged themselves in a fight in public spaces and wishes to state as follows that;

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“The now trending video happened in April 2020 in a community called Ebelle in the Igueben local government area of Edo State.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Governing Board Members For 111 Tertiary Institutions

“The two erring policemen, namely; (i) F/NO.491112 CPL Ozimeade Aidonojie and (ii) F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen were attached to Ebelle Police Divisional Headquarters.

“They defaulted, tried in an orderly and upon conviction dismissed from the Force for the offence of discreditable conduct contrary to Paragraph ‘E’ Sub Section 111 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 Cap. P19 of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

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Nwabuzor in the statement reiterated the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, commitment to “making Edo State a desired secured state where the law abiding citizens and the general public go about their lawful businesses in making Edo State economic hubs of Nigeria without fear or intimidation.”

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Excitement, Dance As ‘Looted Ancestral Stools’ Return To Oba Of Benin

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It was a moment of joy, excitement and dance at the palace of the Oba of Benin as the revered monarch, Oba Ewuare II took custody of two looted royal stools from the German government.

They were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022.

The Director-General of
National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on Saturday May18, 2024 in Oba of Benin Palace, Benin City.

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According to history, the artefacts — Bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several Centuries ago, were looted from Oba Palace during the punitive expedition in 1897.

READ ALSO: Over 100 Priests, Palace Chiefs Storm Court For Oba Of Benin In Solidarity 

Addressing the Benin Throne during the presentation of the artefacts, Mr Holloway, pledged on behalf of NCMM, to work-hand-in hand with the Benin Royal Court in uplifting and displaying Edo heritage.

He revealed that as the Benin Bronzes and other art works are gradually making their way home (Nigeria), “NCMM will join hands with the Royal Court to create a befitting destination for people around the world to come and appreciate these works”.

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“What you see before us were originally taken away from the Royal family in 1897.

“We have a stool made of Bronze and a wooden stool.

“I speak for every member of my team, to say that we remain loyal to the Royal Court. And if there is anything we can do, we will do to support this laudable initiative.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends Six Officials For Posing As Palace Emissaries To Ooni Of Ife

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“This heritage is not just Benin heritage, but Nigeria’s heritage.
When we speak of Benin heritage, there is nobody that doesn’t know the great works of ours.

“I appreciate you, we will always do what we can do with our powers to make His Royal Majesty lineage in memory”, he said.

After unveiling the repatriated Artefacts, Oba of Benin, who danced joyfully to Benin traditional rendition in dramatic dance steps, with excited Chiefs and members of the Royal family, offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors.

The traditional ruler, who was visibly overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.

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The royal father, thereafter, in a historic move, sat in one of the royal stools (Ekete), and personally presented a chunk of white, which, according to belief, symbolizes peace and blessings to the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Olugbile Holloway.

Oba Ewuare II also prayed for Mr Holloway and his team, accompanied by the Curator, National Museum, Benin, Mr Mark Olaitan, Director, Legal Services, NCMM, Barrister Babatunde Adebiyi on the visit where Royal Drummers gave a good account of their stewardship.

 

 

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