News
Waziri-Azu: NAPTIP Would Continue to Improve Operational Horizon
Waziri-Azu: NAPTIP Would Continue to Improve Operational Horizon
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri – Azi has assured that the agency will continue to expand its operational horizon through improved partnership, enhanced partnership with all stakeholders as well as diligent prosecution of offenders, to outsmart the criminal elements.
The Director General also cautioned desperate Nigerians against indiscriminate migration in the name of the popular “Japa” so as not to be enslaved by migrant smugglers who are poised at preying on their ignorance and vulnerability with the attendance consequences of mindless exploitation.
Waziri – Azi, stated this on the Special Edition of the online interactive programme tagged “Conversation with NAPTIP”, put together as part of the activities to mark the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the agency and the 2023 World Day Against Human Trafficking.
Conversation with NAPTIP is a specially designed platform that promotes mutual interaction between the agency and stakeholders for the purpose of enlightenment and feedback engagement in order to improve service delivery.
The Director General disclosed some of the modest achievements of the agency within the past 20 years to include the conviction of 624 traffickers, the rescue of over 22,000 victims of trafficking, sponsoring of 19 survivors through University Education, development of several counter–trafficking policies, engagement with diverse stakeholders including the Justice sector through the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and global partnership with critical partners to counter the emerging trends in human trafficking.
On the dynamism of human trafficking in Nigeria and the response of the agency in tackling them, Waziri – Azi reiterated that human trafficking has assumed a national spread across the country with the emerging trends including an increase in online catfishing of youngsters by traffickers, fake job offers and advertorials, fake scholarship offers increase trafficking under cover of sporting activities, orphanage trafficking as well as buying and selling of babies.
She said: “In the past 20 years, the crime of human trafficking has evolved in terms of trends and patterns. But, one thing I can say for sure is that Nigeria is better poised to tackle the issues of human trafficking.”
She added that through partnerships with global anti-trafficking Law Enforcement Agencies and corporate bodies such as Meta, owner of Facebook, and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, the Agency has been able to tackle them effectively.
On the nagging issues of mass exodus of Nigeria abroad, the Director General who appreciated the concerns and plights of Nigerians who daily seek alternative places to settle outside the country, urged them to be mindful of the Red Flag associated with human trafficking in order to avoid exploitation.
She said: “If you must Japa, Japa the right way. Migrate legally. Nobody is saying you should not travel. Nobody is saying you should not aspire more than what you are now. But, the point is, you have to do your homework. You have to do your research. You must ask the right questions.
And this attitude of Nigerians going through a middle person, people must learn to own the process.
“You must know the red flags. When someone tells you that he wants to sponsor you abroad and the next thing is that he starts manipulating your personal information on your passport. They change your name, they changed your age, they changed your date of birth, that is a red flag. Or when someone tells you that I want to take you to Italy and the next thing is that you see yourself in a bus going to Seme border or you see yourself going through Jibia border, that in itself is a red flag.”
Waziri – Azi while expressing appreciation to all partners for their sustained support and collaboration with the agency since its creation, declared that her projection is to place the agency on a sound pedestal as a foremost counter trafficking agency within the comity of nations through the potent implementation of all the relevant laws and ensuring that Nigeria is safe from all forms of trafficking and exploitation.
The online engagement provided an opportunity for many partners within and outside the country to ask questions about the activities of the agency.
Waziri-Azu: NAPTIP Would Continue to Improve Operational Horizon
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, attended the National Teachers’ Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he stood in for the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Governor Zulum commended the Federal Government for its strategic investments in education, citing the positive impact of Students Loan Scheme, the strengthening of key educational institutions, and the upward review of salaries for federal university teachers as evidence of a clear policy direction aimed at revitalising the sector.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to educational development and human capital advancement in Borno State.
The summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Education, provided a strategic platform to review the state of Nigeria’s education sector, strengthen policy implementation, and formally launch “Edu Revamp”, a platform to enhance teacher capacity, utilise digital tools for 21st-century skills, and foster collaboration to improve learning outcomes.
About 12 exemplary teachers were honoured for their outstanding service to the nation. Six teachers—one from each of the six geopolitical zones—from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), alongside six secondary school teachers, received cash awards of ₦25 million each. The Overall Best Teacher award was presented to Mr Solanke Francis Taiwo, who received a cash prize of ₦50 million.
Governor Zulum commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the maiden National Teachers’ Summit at the Presidential Villa, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s prioritisation of education.
He particularly applauded her sustained advocacy for girl-child education and her support through scholarships and grants that continue to reduce barriers to educational access for vulnerable Nigerians.
He also praised the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, for their focused and reform-driven leadership.
2026 teachers’ summit: Zulum stands in for NGF chair, commends FG for NELFUND
News
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
By: Our Reporter
Nigeria is participating in the Cocoa Beyond Borders 2026 Conference in the United Kingdom, joining global policymakers, industry leaders, financiers, and farmer representatives to examine power imbalances and compliance challenges in the global cocoa sector.
Delivering a keynote address, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria, challenged existing trade and compliance regimes, stating that cocoa-producing nations “must not remain rule-takers in a system where the rules are made without their meaningful input.”
Speaking within the conference theme, “Rules Without Recourse? Navigating Compliance, Power, and Trade Justice in the Cocoa Sector,” the Minister warned that sustainability frameworks would fail if they undermine farmer livelihoods and national sovereignty, stressing that “compliance cannot be just if it weakens producer economies while protecting markets elsewhere.”
Senator Kyari also cautioned against the weaponisation of ESG and environmental regulations as non-tariff barriers, noting that climate action must advance alongside fairness and equity in global trade.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reclaiming value across the cocoa supply chain, emphasising the need for producing countries to move beyond raw exports to processing, branding, and greater market influence, while calling for stronger producer-led alliances to reshape global cocoa governance.
The two-day conference is examining ESG compliance, digital traceability, climate finance, price volatility, and the future of cocoa innovation, positioning cocoa as a strategic asset in global trade justice.
Kyari Urges Fairer Global Trade Rules as Nigeria Participates in Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference in UK
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Three persons were arrested following a foiled armed robbery along the Bauchi–Gombe Federal Highway in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Jan. 26.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:16 a.m. when armed robbers blocked the road near Kalajanga Hamlet via Bara Village.
Officers on routine patrol responded promptly, engaging the hoodlums and forcing them to abandon their operation and flee into the surrounding bush.
The trail of the robbers led authorities to the house of one Nasiru Ibrahim of Saddiya Hamlet, where two of his children, Isya Nasiru, 20, and Umar Nasiru, 18, were also arrested in connection with the case.
Recovered items included two sticks, a touch light, three bags, a local bullet-proof shirt, face masks, two pairs of shoes, an Oppo android phone, and several local charms.
Sources say Investigations are ongoing.
Armed robbery foiled by Bauchi Police, three suspects arrested in Bauchi
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