Gov Abiodun Inaugurates Task Force Team On Human Trafficking, See The Members And The Chairman

The Executive Governor Of Ogun State Prince Dapo has inaugurated Task Force Team on Human Trafficking in Ogun state.

According to the address released by him, I join others to welcome us all to this auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the Ogun State Taskforce Team on human trafficking. This event is part of our direct and concerted efforts to continue to deepen our approach towards delivering good governance with the core components of inclusiveness, fairness, equity and justice. And, by this, all our people will continue to contribute their respective quotas to the “Building of our Future Together” Agenda for the continued development of our dear State.  Therefore, I commend the organizers and all other persons who have, in one way or another, contributed into making this event a reality.

2.​Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me observe that for any society to develop, the Government has much to do in ensuring adequate security of lives and property. This is to say that no development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity where criminal acts such as child abuse and human trafficking have become a free business. Apart from being one of the most illicit acts of criminality across the globe, human trafficking is a serious crime and grave violation of human rights.

3.​I commend the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for its persistent efforts at curbing the menace at the national level. But, I must say that it is the high time everybody, at different capacities, nipped human trafficking in the bud. Government and other stakeholders, at all levels, all around the world must expedite actions to stop the growing record of human trafficking in our society. According to the Year 2017 NAPTIP Reports, human trafficking exists in every State of Nigeria. And, Ogun State is not an exemption. In fact, on yearly basis, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of these traffickers. It is a fact that, till today, many of our people, especially our women and children, are still vulnerable to this heinous act as being perpetrated by the crime-minded people who are against the free will of humanity.

4.​For us in Ogun State, measures are already in place to stem child abuse, human trafficking, and other acts of violence against humanity. In this aspect, while we have continued to deploy resources to ensure security of lives and property, it is also a matter of policy to continue to provide conducive environment for our people to nurture and harness their potentials. It is our belief that a well educated populace will not only be easy to govern but they will also contribute positively and meaningfully to the development of the society. Our Administration has put in place various social intervention programmes designed towards increasing individual prosperity of our people and improving the economy of our dear State. I am happy to report that the results have been massive and positive.

5.​As a direct approach, relevant Government’s Agencies have been empowered and supported to be more proactive in the campaign and action towards eradicating the menace of child trafficking in our dear State. For instance, the Ministries of Justice; and, Women Affairs and Social Development, have been collaborating with other Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and relevant local and international agencies as well as Civil Society Groups in the fight against this menace. Also, the regular sensitization, and advocacy programmes put up by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to all stakeholders (Women groups, religious organization and others) are already giving positive results.

6.​Furthermore, The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Law) that we have in Ogun State is aimed at eradicating all forms of violence including human trafficking. In addition, our Administration has enacted the Child Rights Law to protect our children against all forms of violence that may be perpetrated  which may hinder their optimal development.

7.​Therefore, the inauguration of the taskforce team on human trafficking, today, is very symbolic. This will further strengthen our machinery against the menace, but to further express our Administration’s commitment towards the discharge of good governance to the people of our dear State. In doing this, we will continue to provide platforms and other avenues for our people to contribute their quotas in the decision making processes towards the continued development of our sear State.

8.​Let me also note that this inauguration is apt and timely particularly at this time of our national life. The increasing rate of forms of violence such as child trafficking, child abuse and ritual killings in the country, occasioned by global emergency as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, is already taking its toll. Therefore, inauguration of this taskforce team is to ensure that all our people, including the most vulnerable, are secure.

9.​To drive this taskforce, the membership of the team includes:

i. Barr. Gbolahan Adeniran​​​-​ Chairman

ii. Mr. Daniel Atokolo​​​​​-​ Co-Chairman

iii. Hon. (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Efuwape​-​Member

iv. Hon. (Mrs.) Adijat Oladapo Adeleye​-​Member

v. Mrs. Alimson Abisoye O.​​​​-​Member

vi. Mrs. Odule Mary Olabisi​​​​-​Member

vii. Mrs. Clementina Udoro​​​​-​Member

viii. Sunda-Ahwen RossitaHembadoon​​-​Member

ix. Mrs. Caston-Cole Olufunmilayo​​-​Member

x. Ibitoye Bolanle Oluseyi​​​​-​Member

xi. Alfred Soleye​​​​​​-​Member

xii. Peju Osoba​​​​​​-​Member

xiii. Kunle Sanni​​​​​​-​Member

xiv. Mrs. Taiwo Adebanjo​​​​-​Member

xv. Mrs. Modupeola Arike Usman​​-​Member

xvi. Olori Aishat Ajibola Adeyiga​​​-​Member

xvii. Mrs. Sorinola​​​​​​-​Member

xviii. Rev. Gbolahan Larry​​​​-​Member

xix. Alhaja Qudrat Rabiu​​​​-​Member

xx. Mrs. Olayemi Bolanle​​​​-​Member

xxi. Mrs. Bashiru Adebayo​​​​-​Member

xxii. Oba Olufemi Ogunleye​​​​-​Member

xxiii. Oba Adeyinke Onakade​​​​-​Member

xxiv. Oba (Alh.) Mojeed Adesegun Rufai​​-​Member

xxv. Rev. (Mrs.) Fola Achudume​​​-​Member

xxvi. Prof. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Asimolowo​​-​Member

xxvii. Chief (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Abeke Oloyede-​Member

xxviii. Chief (Mrs.) Olasonde Oduwaye​​-​Member

xxix. Mrs. Dayo Ogunjebe​​​​-​Member

xxx. Samuel Ali Nuhu​​​​​-​Member

xxxi. Badewa Osiguwa​​​​​-​Member

xxxii. Akolawole Shoremi​​​​​-​Member

xxxiii. Sokoya Damilola​​​​​-​Member

xxxiv. Com. Akeem Bodunrin (Iyeru)​​-​Member

xxxv. Akibu Titilayo (Efele)​​​​-​Member

xxxvi. Kayode Sowunmi​​​​​-​Member

xxxvii. Nurudeen Aina​​​​​-​Member

xxxviii. Sotayo Rasaq Olusola​​​​-​Member

xxxix. Fadare E.A.​​​​​​-​Member

xl. Y.Y. Davies​​​​​​-​Member

xli. Akinola Toyin Kayode​​​​-​Member

xlii. Fasina Adebayo R.​​​​​-​Member

 

10.​The scope of work for the Task Force Team is to provide a forum for dialogue and coordination in the State and particularly to:

(i) Develop strategies and State Action Plans on counter trafficking issues;

(ii) Carry out programmes for effective reintegration of trafficked victims into the society;

(iii) To work with the State Ministry of Justice on how to protect, assist and provide access to justice for victims of trafficking;

(iv) Create massive awareness programmes that will further enhance the visibility of NAPTIP in the state;

(v) Draw up strategies involving all stakeholders for the effective implementation of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in victim rehabilitation;

(vi) Ensure the application of international standard and human rights based approach to victim protection and assistance irrespective of their cooperation with law enforcement taking into accounts the special needs of children;

(vii) Adopt necessary legislative measures and establish comprehensive policies and programmes to prevent trafficking in person and protect victims from re-victimization including measures to promote or support lawful migration for decent work for youth of working age;

(viii) Develop programmes that complement the efforts of the State and Federal Government through NAPTIP and international organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking;

(ix) Ensure coherence among public related to NAPTIP (migration, crime prevention, education, employment, health, security, non-discrimination, economic development, protection of human rights, child protection, gender equality amongst other);

(x) Develop mechanisms relating to the collection, management and sharing of data; and,

(xi) Ensure monitoring and evaluation of strategies and or Plan of Action to assess progress and impact in order to enable corrective action, additional measures and or chances in the national policies.

11.​Let me use this opportunity to reassure the people of Ogun State that our Administration will continue to provide a secure environment towards creating a more prosperous today and a strong foundation for tomorrow that we can all look forward to. In this wise, I enjoin all our people to cooperate and support the Taskforce on Human Trafficking as part of our machinery and measures put in place to creating individual prosperity and a sustainable development of our dear State. Together, we shall build our future.

12.​At this point, it is with a sense of duty that I inaugurate the Ogun State Taskforce Team on human trafficking, today, to the glory of God and the continued security of lives and property in our dear State.

13.​I thank you all for listening and God bless.

​Igbega Ipinle Ogun, Ajose gbogbo wa ni o!

Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR

Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Friday, 11th September, 2020