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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Wife of Edo State governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, yesterday, lauded the state government concerted effort in taking the state from the number one position on the list of human trafficking to the fifth.
She gave the commendation at the weekend during the International Organization for Migration (IOM)-Laliga-Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) Football tournament in Benin City.
Mrs. Obaseki said prior to this time, the state was notorious for human trafficking and this has given it a very bad image among the comity of states.
She said the government, through its various approaches, has been able to change the narratives.
She said initiatives to raise awareness against the scourge of illegal migration would be sustained beyond the present administration.
According to her, “it is a way for us to let our girls know that you don’t have to leave the shore of Nigeria to earn money. Football is a veritable avenue to migrate and earn money “.
For Philip Shaibu, the Edo State deputy governor, while commending the organisation and the first lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki, for championing the fight against illegal migration, said the sport event came at the right time when the state government is redefining sports management.
Earlier, Cyprine Cheptepkeny, IOM Awareness Raising Officer, said the essence of the football tournament was to enlighten potential migrants on the dangers of illegal migration as well as use sports as a unifier because of the stigma most returnees face.
She said since the IOM collaboration with other stakeholders and with the various measures of empowerments put in place, the state has really witnessed a decline in the area of human trafficking.
