By Victor Bieni, Asaba
A leading United Nations Intergovernmental organization dealing with migration issues, International Organization For Migration (IOM) has urged youths in Delta State to shun illegal migration, while Sensitizing critical Stakeholders on the need to support the call to end the menace of human trafficking in the country.
The media learnt this recently during a one day Sensitization workshop held at Hotels Benizia, Asaba, Delta State capital, which was organized by the, United Nations agency for migration management in partnership with the Traditional And Religious Leaders Steering Committee as sponsored by European Uniion and project implemented by IOM group.
One of the speakers in that workshop, who is the Acting Secretary of the Delta State Taskforce on human trafficking and Irregular migration, Mrs Nwanze Ijeoma, stated that, Migration is not a crime, but must be done in a right way, the migrant must migrate legally otherwise it becomes wrong, or dangerous, that is, it mu be done according to the law of the land.
The Chairman of The State Steering Committee Human Trafficking And Irregular Migration, And Delta State Honourable Attorney General And Commissioner For Justice, Hon IsaiahBozimo, ably represented by Pst Azuka Onyebo (A member of the Taskforce Representing Religious Bodies) restated the members position and exploits as he defined Human Trafficking as the abuse of position of vulnerability. Human Trafficking can be Internal or external.
According to him: “The elements of human trafficking included amongst others such as exploitation, either sexual, labour and others, threats, transfer, diabolical, coercion, receiving and harbouring, recruitment, fraud, abortion, debt bondage, organ harvest”.
Speaking on the project overview, the objectives of IOM in the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration, the IOM South-South, Edo State Projects Assistant, Migration Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr. James Osubor, stated the benefits of the interventionist agency to Youths, Deltans, Delta State government, security agencies and other critical Stakeholders, while he enjoined the participants on the need to take the message to the grassroots to reduce the menace.
IOM officer said: “The roles of IOM among others are: To promote effective and efficient data collection and management of victims. To facilitate migration and migration management. To promote preparedness, response, transition and recovery of victims. To promote re-integration, protection, human development, labour mobility, additional assistance to vulnerable migrants”.
“2022 NAPTIP Report shows that the agency has convicted over 510 human traffickers. As at December 2021, IOM as a United Agency has supported about 12, 675 migrants. And we have initiated a process of re-integration for about 5, 675 and we have completed the process of re-integration for over 7000 returnees victims as today who are beneficiaries of IOM interventions on illegal migration and human trafficking”.
HRM Obi Mathar Dunkwu who represented the women and Traditional institutions in that workshop uged the women to reclaim there place of womanhood in the society by ensuring that they inculcate societal values on their children to promote sustainable development of Delta State and Nigeria in general.
The Delta State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Chris Anyabuine also urged stakeholders to help in the Sensitization towards protection, re-integration, human development, reduction of high level of stigmatization amongst vulnerable citizens who are already victims of the menace of illegal migration and human trafficking.
The Workshop has critical Stakeholders in attendance which included amongst others are: The leadership of Delta State Clans/Communities President-Generals, Delta NYCN, NPF, NIS, NOA, NSCDC, Delta State Government Steering Committee On Fight Against Illegal Migration And Human Trafficking, CSOs/NGOs, CAN, Moslem Community, Market Leaders, Women group, State MDAs, Traditional Rulers and other Religious leaders.
The stakeholders resolved and restated commitments by promising to support the Youths and join hands with other critical Stakeholders to reduce high rate of crime in the society through adequate Sensitization to eradicate, resist the menace, dangers of the key elements of human trafficking and illegal migration in the state.