By Ngozi Nwankwo
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,NAPTIP, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), have concluded plans to join forces to address human trafficking and the effects of climate change on targeted Communities and States across the Country.
This is one of the outcomes of the Courtesy visit of the Director General of NiMET, Professor Charles Anosike, on the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, at the Headquarters of the Agency, Abuja.
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It would be recalled that several persons have been displaced by the ravaging flooding occasioned by climate change across the Country most of whom have become victims of human trafficking and irregular migration thereby facing various forms of abuses.
Speaking during the visit, the Director General of NAPTIP who described the meeting between both Agencies as most timely stated that her mission is to eradicate all forms of human trafficking in the Country through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders including sister Agencies of Government.
She said, “My target as the Director General is to eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria in line with the determination of the present administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am worried because the issues of human trafficking have become a national concern bearing in mind the huge numbers of victims from all States within the Country.
“We must collaborate and find a lasting solution to the menace. This is why it is important to increase partnership and step up advocacy to all parts of the Country to reduce their vulnerability”, the NAPTIP Director General said.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency,NiMet, and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the World Meteorological Organization,WMO, Prof. Charles Anosike said; “Climate change affects all aspects of our lives. We are seeing the increasing effect of extreme weather events and the impact of climate change. When climate disaster strikes, it dislocates people and throws them into poverty.
“People are made to migrate. Forced migration increases the rate of vulnerability and exposure to the risk of human trafficking. We must invest in preparedness to ensure everyone is protected by early warnings of climate disasters. It is important to prepare our people for preparedness and adequate response.
“There’s a nexus between climate change and human trafficking. That is why we need to establish this partnership with NAPTIP.
“We cannot stop the extreme weather events but we can reduce impact. Partnering with NAPTIP will give us the platform to reach the vulnerable ones, our young ones, women, and the elderly who are mostly affected”.
Anosike also said; “If we can strengthen our relationship with NAPTIP, we’ll be able to advise policymakers accordingly. The flooding we are experiencing in the Northeast will come down to the Southwest and the Southeast. We will partner and reduce the impact and ensure that the government at all levels adequately responds to reduce the impact of extreme weather events”.
He, therefore, congratulated Binta Adamu Bello, on her appointment as the Director General of NAPTIP and assured her of the support of NiMET in the realisation of her mandate at the Agency.
Both parties agreed on the need to step up advocacy, and empowerment of stakeholders including the state and non-state actors.