HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS MINISTRY, TO PARTNER WITH NGO ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has expressed interest to partner with Justice, Development & Peace Commission Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, a non- governmental organisation to reduce the incidence of trafficking in persons in the Country through advocacy.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo mni NPOM,  disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Ministry by the Non Governmental Organisation in Abuja.

He stated that if religious groups are playing their roles it will go a long way to reduce crime in the country.

The Permanent Secretary implored the NGO to remain focused, support real programming and the agenda of making sure that Nigeria live in peace, and Nigerians have all amenities of life to enjoy.

He urged the NGO to advocate on  other areas beyond justice and peace such as the problem of  landmine,  IDPs,  insecurity, flooding, natural disasters and  humanitarian emergencies.

Dr Gwarzo told them that at his tender age he attended  Catholic Church  Primary School and in his HIV and Aids advocacy, the first people that  gave him support were the Catholic Church Archdioceses.  He was permanently placed on  their list of Master trainers, and he trained 26 Churches in Abuja and Lagos,  which earned him an award by the Archdiocese to that effect.

Dr Gwarzo, assured  them that the Ministry and NAPTiP will continue to partner with them in the fight against human trafficking

In his remarks, the Head of the delegation  of Justice, Development & Peace Commission Catholic Archdiocese Abuja, Mr Ejeh Timothy,  disclosed that their project is funded by the USAid, which they are the  implementing partner.

He said  the  collaborations and activities carried out  with  NAPTIP have been fruitful.

Mr Timothy said that the  project they are  implementing is in  trafficking in persons in Nigeria with FCT as their jurisdiction.

He informed the management of the Ministry that currently they have three advocacies that they are pushing, one of them is to increase the funding for NAPTIP because it is grossly underfunded and understaffed, the speedy trial of traffickers as well as  the activation of trafficked victims trust fund.

In attendance, were Directors of the Ministry.

Rhoda Ishaku Iliya

Deputy Director Information

Wednesday 22nd March, 2023