2 weeks ago
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Backs NAPTIP fight, champions hard work, patience
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu has blamed the “get rich quick syndrome” for fueling human trafficking and child-labour in the country, even as she pledges her full support to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), reinforcing the agency’s mission to combat human trafficking, and advocating for a societal shift towards hard work and patience.
According to a statement issued by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady gave her backing during a meeting at the State House in Abuja with NAPTIP Director General, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, where she expressed strong concerns about the high rates of human trafficking.
Highlighting a recent raid on an Abuja baby factory where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, she urged the nation’s youth to resist becoming easy targets for traffickers by embracing the values of diligence and perseverance.
“The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching, Even the bible talks about work,” the First Lady stated. She also pointed to the negative influences of social media and the film industry.
The First Lady committed to collaborating with the wives of State Governors to amplify awareness and support for NAPTIP’s initiatives.
NAPTIP DG, Bello emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that “Trafficking in persons is the second largest transnational organized crime in the world after drug trafficking. It is also a huge menace in Nigeria and it requires the buy in and active engagement of critical stakeholders to fight it”. She requested the First Lady’s support for NAPTIP’s renewed campaign against human trafficking and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Bello acknowledged NAPTIP’s successes, such as the rescue of 21 victims en route to the Republic of Niger, but also pointed out the challenges of resource mobilization and legal frameworks.
She called for interventions in skills acquisition, awareness advocacy, shelter provision and safe homes in addition to legislative and policy support as some of the areas of intervention needed from the First Lady.
In a separate audience with the new national executives of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, led by its new National President, Edna Azura, she commended them for working together in unity and encouraged the council to do more for their members by taking advantage of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programme at the subnational levels.
The delegation was in her office to thank her for her motherly support to the council, especially after the passing of its immediate past National President, Hajia Lami Adamu Lau.
Mrs Tinubu reiterated her commitment to building better families, through the Renewed Hope initiative.
English (US) ·