National News
FG Assure on Redoubling Efforts to Tackle Human Trafficking in Nigeria
FG Assure on Redoubling Efforts to Tackle Human Trafficking in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has promised to
redouble its efforts, strategies, and policy implementation to tackle all forms of human trafficking in the country.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the European Union (EU) Member States’ Immigration Liaison Officers (ILOs) meeting, held at the premises of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
She said the Federal Government of Nigeria through NAPTIP, shall continue to double its efforts, strategies, and policy implementation in line with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to tackle all forms of human trafficking in the Country.
The meeting was presided over by the EU Ambassador-Designate, Gautier Mignot, with the Liaison Officers of all Member States’ of the EU in attendance.
The main purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the existing good cooperation with NAPTIP and give the agency the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with the EU Member States on issues of human trafficking as well as highlight NAPTIP priorities for the future.
Addressing the participants, the Director General, who stated that her administration shall build on the existing policies and counter-trafficking programme of her predecessors, told the EU Member States’ that she will deepen actions and do more in line with the National Action Policy on Human Trafficking in Nigeria, to smoke out human traffickers out of the country.
The NAPTIP boss said: “We will do more in line with the National Action Plan (NAP) in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria and tying it to the priorities of the present administration and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. More attention would be paid to the following areas:
“Developing a more efficient and cooperative system for the identification and return of trafficking victims in the EU countries; Improved relations with partners;
“Construction of six (6) Victims Support Centers (shelters with skills acquisition facilities) one in each of the 6 geopolitical Zones of the country for returned and rescued victims of trafficking to cater for their maximum rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration into society.
“Renovation and supply of equipment to existing shelters; Conducting joint cross-border operations targeting trafficking routes; Expansion of corporations with neighboring countries; Capacity Building of personnel especially Investigators and Intelligence officers; Counsellor and care Givers; and Prosecutors;
“Improve the technology capacity for tracking and analyzing trafficking data and forensics. Improve NAPTIP’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges such as cyber-trafficking and the use of digital platforms for recruitment and exploitation.
“Developing a common front to prevent, fight and suppress trafficking in persons especially women and children through impactful and evidence-based awareness campaigns; Promoting friendly co-operation amongst parties with a view to attaining streamlined Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), end-to-end investigation, prosecution of traffickers and asset recovery;
“Improved research activities focused on combating human trafficking; Evacuation of Nigerian Victims of trafficking trapped in different countries that are willing to return home”
She however noted that all these and many more can only be achieved through collaborative efforts and partnerships between the agency and its stakeholders and partners.
She said: “I am trusting that members of the European Union especially the ILOs gathered here would support me to get the job done. My doors would be wide open to you at all times as we need each other to get the job done.”
The Director General acknowledged the tremendous support that Nigeria through NAPTIP received from the European Union as a body and also the various Member States in the course of the counter-trafficking efforts adding that the projects have impacted positively in the realization of the mandates of the Agency, especially in rescue and support to victims of trafficking; capacity development of officers; various prevention activities and partnership with Civil Society organizations and partnership with neighboring countries within the West African sub-region.
In his remarks, the EU Ambassador-Designate, Gautier Mignot, commended the Director General for the modest achievements of the agency, adding that the fight against human trafficking is a global priority that deserves the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.
The high point of the meeting was an interactive session involving all participants where more clarification on the operations and activities of NAPTIP, were sought.
The Immigration Liaison Officers are the EU Member States’ experts in migration and the first point of contact for EU Embassies in matters of trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants.
FG Assure on Redoubling Efforts to Tackle Human Trafficking in Nigeria
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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