Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation-Africa (NIDO-Africa) will unveil its ‘Save Our Children Against Human Trafficking’ campaign today, Friday, December 20 in Abuja.
The launch, which takes place at Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, is a multi-event aims to raise awareness on the dangers of human trafficking, mobilise support for victims, honour outstanding Nigerians and groups, who have excelled in the fight against human trafficking, as well as present a book on the malaise.
Prof. Jude Osakwe, chairman of NIDO-Africa, said the organisation has been working quietly to rescue hundreds of human trafficking victims across Africa. He noted further that the menace of human trafficking is getting to an endemic level, thus the need to bring the message to every corner of Nigeria, starting with Abuja today.
“This campaign became necessary as it stemmed from years of firsthand work rescuing over 800 victims, including children from human traffickers in places like Ghana, Senegal, Mali and Benin Republic. Now, we need to bring this issue to the roots,” Osakwe declared. The NIDO-Africa boss added that the campaign is a shared fight that requires the participation of everyone, including all the government’s agencies, non-governmental agencies, religious bodies and concerned citizens.
Osakwe, a senior lecturer at Namibia University of Science and Technology, explained that the Abuja launch only marks the beginning, as NIDO-Africa plans to extend the campaign to the 36 states of the federation, adding that the organisation aims to engage local communities to raise awareness and inspire grassroots action against human trafficking.