News

Irregular Migration: UNHCR Campaigns Against Human Trafficking, Screens Short Film In Benin

Published

12 months ago

May 24, 2023

Editor

Panel of discussants

In an effort to mitigating the scourge of irregular migration and trafficking in persons in the society, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on February, the 2nd, 2023 premiered a short film in Abuja titled ‘Dangerous Hope.’

The short film produced in collaboration with various stakeholders including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP), civil society groups and refugees was screened at KADA Cinema, Benin City, on May the 24, 2023 after it premiered in Abuja.

The short film is a tool geared towards creating awareness on the risks involved in human trafficking and also to galvanise stakeholders to take actions that would cumulatively enhance the protection for affected groups in the society.

A cross section of participants at the film screening.

‘Dangerous Hope’ is a story of loss, survival, and hope. It follows the lives of characters named Mukete and Roseline as as they escape from crisis-plagued southwestern Comeroon to Nigeria where they hope find safety and rebuild their lives, far away from home in settlement for refugees.

In his opening remarks, Ephraim Kabura, Head, Lagos Field Office, said the short film examines human trafficking in the context of forced displacement, adding that it also educates by increasing knowledge and awareness in human trafficking.

While thanking government, ministries, departments, agencies, etc, he called on stakeholders to galvanise support towards addressing the menace of human trafficking and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants carrying out a ‘Call to Action’

He added: “We are using this medium to call for the cumulative efforts of all
stakeholders to galvanize support towards addressing the menace of
human trafficking and contribute to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals, aimed at significantly reducing all forms of
violence and related death rates everywhere, ending abuse,
exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and
torture of children, ensure equal access to justice for all at ending
abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and
torture of children and to promote peaceful and inclusive societies
for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and
build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

There was also section of panel of discussion wherein discussants stressed the need for more enlightenment on the dangers involved in irregular migration and trafficking in persons.

Panel of discussants include Barr. Nduka Nwanwenne, Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); Mr. Uba Waziri, Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Edo State Command; ably represented; Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), represented by Barrister Itohan.

Others include Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo, Uromi Justice Development and Peace Caritas (Uromi JDPC); Alhaji (Barr.) Nurudeen Asunogie, Chairman of the Edo State Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; Onomen Oriakhi, Caritas Nigeria; Okojie Brown, Founder, Great Esan Returnees Association (GERA).

News

[BREAKING] ‘Juju’ Scare: Edo Speaker Suspends Shaibu’s Ally, Two Others

Published

41 mins ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers of the Assembly.

One of the suspended lawmakers, Donald Okogbe, PDP, Akoko-Edo II, is an ally of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and was the only lawmaker who did not sign the petition that led to Shaibu’s impeachment.

The two others are Addeh Emankhu Isibor, APC, Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, PDP, Orhionnwon II.

Agbebaku also accused the trio of bringing native doctors to the House on May 1 at around 1am to perform a sacrifice.

Agbebaku said the three lawmakers were suspended indefinitely, alleging that external forces were influencing them to cause chaos and remove the house’s leadership.

The suspension of the lawmakers, however, created tension in the House as the affected lawmakers kicked against their suspension.

In a rowdy session, the three suspended lawmakers were seen screaming, “Mr Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house.

“You must call for votes. Allow members vote on the matter.”

The Speaker, thereafter, adjourned the plenary abruptly.

News

Man, 35, Docked For Allegedly Forging Oyo Govt Hackney Permit

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The police on Monday docked Mr Samuel Oyetayo, 35, in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly forging the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket.

Oyetayo, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a count charge bothering on forgery of the Oyo Government hackney permit.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 1, around Dugbe, Ibadan.

Ibrahim said that the defendant, on the said date and place, forged the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket without the government’s consent.

He said the offence contravened Section 467 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until June 24 for hearing.
(NAN)

News

PIND, Niger Delta Ministry Validate Regional Peacebuilding Strategy

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and other stakeholders in the region have validated the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS).

PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, disclosed this at a validation workshop held on April 18 in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

He said the document co-designed by PIND and the MNDD, will provide the framework for the implementation of a regional peacebuilding apparatus in the Niger Delta.

Idowu, who was represented by PIND’s Peacebuilding Manager, David Udofia, said: “This apparatus will apply a multistakeholder approach, where all stakeholders focused on peacebuilding and conflict management and resolution in the Niger Delta will join resources to ensure the effective prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in the region.”

Mr. Idowu noted that the validated NDRPS document had passed through due process and was very participatory.

“To ensure that the resulting strategy addresses conflict management holistically, we solicited inputs from various stakeholders at the community level, civil society organizations, government institutions, unions, and social groups,” he said.

“On January 23, 2024, PIND, the MNDD, representatives from various security agencies, academia, civil society and multinational organizations, traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders reviewed the final draft,” he added.

He explained that the development of the NDRPS was based on a presidential directive to the MNDD in 2021 to guarantee an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

“The NDRPS highlights the importance of establishing an outfit that is not just security-focused but also serves the needs of the people through effective conflict prevention, resolution, and management through multi-stakeholder and inclusive approaches necessary for conflict resolution and management.”

In his remarks, the Minister of the MNDD, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, commended the commitment of all the stakeholders involved in the process.

The Minister who was represented by Gorah Ayuba, Deputy Director of Community Development of MNDD said: “Your inputs are not in vain as the finalized NDRPS framework will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approval and necessary action.”

Participants at the validation workshop included representatives of security agencies, states’ Ministries of Planning and Budget, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders from across the nine Niger Delta states.

During the technical session, which also included breakout sessions, the stakeholders provided valuable input to update the NDRPS document.

The Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, Emmanuel Peter, emphasized promoting citizenship sensitization for inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.

Dr. Emmanuel Maman, the Director of Conflict Resolution, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, while commending PIND and its partners for its peacebuilding efforts, congratulated them on organizing the validation workshop and proposed enhanced inter-agency collaboration as a panacea for conflict mitigation in the region.

On his part, Dr. Iboro Nelson of Silverline Development Initiatives noted that since youth unemployment was a major driver of conflict, a system of economic empowerment as a peacebuilding approach should be included in the document.

At the end of the validation process, PIND officially handed over the NDRPS document to the MNDD, marking a significant milestone in the process.

The launching of the strategic document is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.