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
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People
…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp
By: Michael Mike
Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.
Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.
She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.
“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.
“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”
Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.
“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”
She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”
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