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Zamfara Govt. cautions residents against indiscriminate tree felling
Zamfara Govt. cautions residents against indiscriminate tree felling
Environment
By Ishaq Zaki
Gusau Jun. 10, 2024 (NAN) The Zamfara Government has cautioned the residents of the state against the indiscriminate cutting down of trees so as to prevent environmental challenges.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Garba Dauran, gave the warning in Gusau on Monday at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event
with a theme ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’, was organized by the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF.
“As we all know, among the major challenges to our environment today are pollution, overpopulation, land degradation and deforestation.
“Other challenges include waste management, flood, erosion, greenhouse effect global warming and climate change.
“These challenges are multi-sectoral in nature comprising: Environment, agriculture and water resources,” Dauran said.
According to him, one of the major challenges to the environment sector now is the rampant felling down of trees.
“I am therefore calling on the residents of the state to avoid illegal cutting of trees.
“The state government under Gov. Dauda Lawal has established a forest management agency for afforestation and reforestation activities aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
“Addressing environmental challenges is a responsibility of all, not government alone, therefore, all hands must be on deck for proper solutions to various environmental challenges,”Dauran explained.
In his remarks, the representative of UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Mr Kabir Safana, assured its sustained support to ensure proper environmental management.
“UNICEF will continue to partner with the state government to implement strategies towards addressing various environmental challenges,” Safana said.
The Programme Manager, State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN), Alhaji Sani Gurbinbore, said that the event was organised to raise public awareness about the various challenges directly affecting the environment.
Gurbinbore commended the various stakeholders who participated in the event, adding that addressing environmental issues was the responsibility of all.
Earlier, while presenting a paper titled ‘Land Restoration’, Dr Al’amin Tsafe, from the Federal University, Gusau, highlighted the effects of over population, land use and other human practices resulting in environmental degradation and the loss of soil nutrients.
Tsafe urged the government and other relevant stakeholders to promote climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and tree planting activities to provide lasting solutions to the environmental challenges.
The event was attended by various stakeholders including representatives from government agencies, traditional rulers, NGOs, CSOs and the media, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IZ/OJI/BRM
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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Bashir Rabe Mani

June 11, 2024
Acceptable Hajj sure path to paradise – Sheikh Gadon-Kaya
Hajj
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Sheikh Abdallahi Gadon-Kaya, one of the famous Islamic scholars, says an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) is a sure and genuine path to paradise.
He stated this while presenting a lecture on rituals of Hajj to the Kebbi pilgrims at Hotel Number One in Qudai, Makkatul Mukarrama, otherwise known as Kebbi House on Monday.
The cleric quoted the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: “Acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) has no reward except paradise.”
Gadon-Kaya, who summarised the entire Hajj exercise in ten steps, observed that every pilgrim that had the opportunity to come to perform Hajj, “God Almighty wants him to enter paradise with ease.
He said, “Therefore, just feel in your mind that after the completion of your Hajj exercise, you will become a companion of paradise. So, we should be happy for this great opportunity from our creator.”
The cleric recalled that many famous Islamic scholars who published numerous books didn’t have the opportunity to perform Hajj, citing Sheikh Uthman Danfodiyo as an example of such scholars.
“Hence the need for you to appreciate God Almighty for this great opportunity,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya enumerated the ten steps to include; intention after wearing of Ihram, entering Makkah, circumambulation (Dawafil Ifadha/Dawafil Hajj), farewell circumambulation (Dawafil Wadah), trekking between the mount of Safa and Marwa (Sa’ayi) and going to Muna.
Others according to him are; standing at mount of Arfat, going to Munzalifa, stoning of Jamrat with pebbles, slaughtering of animal (sacrifice) for those pilgrims that perform Tamatu’i or Qirani form of Hajj, while the last and the tenth is cutting of hair.
While advising the pilgrims to hold on to the steps for smooth and easy exercise, Gadon-Kaya urged them to be orderly and ensure respect for constituted authority towards a successful Hajj operation.
He said the entire Hajj exercise was being conducted in just four or five days, from 8th to 13th of Dhul-Hajj, advising that pilgrims should use the knowledge acquired from different clerics to put the steps into practice.
The cleric reminded the pilgrims that standing on the Day of Arfat remained the vital organ of Hajj, recalling that the Prophet (PBUH) said : “Hajj is Arafat (Al-Hajju Arafat)” meaning without Arfat there would be no Hajj at all.
“The Prophet (PBUH) said Allah (SWT) accepts supplication on Arfat day and the best of supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat.
“Supplication on Arafat day starts by Zuhur prayer after pilgrims jointly prayer Zuhur and Asr prayer in a short form (qasru). The Prophet raised his hand after Zuhur prayer supplicating to Allah, he did not bring down his hand until after Magrib,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya cautioned the pilgrims against wasting time doing nothing on Arafat day, saying, ”instead, they should devote their time for supplication, begging God Almighty to bless them with good here and good in the hereafter.”
He also urged them to pray for their leaders to be able to fix the nation’s economy, urging, “you should also pray for prevailing peace across Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KLM/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai
June 11, 2024
Nnamdi Kanu files contempt charge against DSS DG, Bichi
Nnamdi Kanu files contempt charge against DSS DG, Bichi
Contempt
By Taiye Agbaje
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed contempt charge against the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, over his alleged refusal to obey court orders.
Kanu, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, on Monday filed Form 49 titled: “Notice to Show Cause Why An Order Of Committal Should Not Be Made,” at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.
The application, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, is dated and filed on June 10.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as complainant/1st respondent, Yusuf Magaji Bichi is listed as 2nd respondent/contemnor.
The IPOB leader alleged that despite being served with the orders of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of a FHC in Abuja, made on May 20, Bichi had refused to comply with the said orders.
NAN reports that Justice Nyako had, on May 20, declined to grant an application filed by Kanu to set aside his 2017 bail revocation following the allegation that he jumped bail.
The judge also refused to transfer him to Kuje Correctional Centre or place him under house arrest as requested.
However, Justice Nyako reviewed conditions for visiting the IPOB leader at the DSS facility by his lawyers.
In a ruling, she varied the visitation days from two to three days in a week.
The judge ordered that Kanu should be given a safe and “clean” room to prepare for his defence with his team of counsel not exceeding five in number, instead of three lawyers that was formerly directed.
She equally ordered that Kanu and his lawyers should be allowed such a facility that is required for the preparation of his defence and be allowed to take notes.
However, in the application, Kanu alleged that the DSS DG had failed to abide by the orders.
It reads:in part: “Take Notice that the Defendant will on the ____day of _______, 2024, at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court made on the 20th day of May 2024, which stated in pertinent part as follows:
“You have not complied with the 3 (three) days per week visitation to the Applicant as was ordered by the court.
“You have not provided a safe and ‘clean’ room to the Applicant at the present facility to prepare for his defense with his team of counsel.
“You have not allowed such facility that is required for the preparation of the Applicant’s defence, which facility you have disallowed on every visitation since the said order was entered, as set out below:
“Interdiction, seizure, perusal and photocopying of legal documents relating to the trial preparation of the Applicant.
“By not retracing your steps after you were, on the 31st day of May 2024, served with a Form 48; Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court.
“AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that you are hereby required to attend the court on the first-mentioned day to show cause why an Order for your Committal should not be made.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TOA/SH
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edited by Sadiya Hamza
June 11, 2024
Residents protest indiscriminate dredging in Badagry communities
One of the tools use in dredging in Badagry community.
Residents protest indiscriminate dredging in Badagry communities
Dredging
By Raji Rasak
Badagry (Lagos State), June 10, 2024 (NAN) Some residents of Ganyingbo and Gbaji-Yeketome communities in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Monday protested indiscriminate dredging in the communities.
The residents came out carrying placards with different inscriptions such as ” Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please save us from indiscriminate dredging”.
Other placards they carried read: “Enough is enough we don’t want dredgers in our community” and “President Bola Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu save our souls from flooding.”
Mr Henry Benjamin, a community leader in Ganyingbo, said the residents had stopped four dredgers from dredging in the community recently.
“This one came pretending that he came to repair something, but suddenly he started dredging activities.
“Dredging in this water will result in flooding; we don’t want them in our community.
“The indiscriminate dredging here is dangerous to our lives and property.
“We don’t want them here in our communities, they are planning to chase us out of this community,” he said.
Mr Israel Oke, a community leader from Yeketome, said that the illegal activities of the dredgers had chased away youths and fishermen from the river.
Oke begged the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, to come to their assistance by stopping the illegal activity.
Mr Sunday Ayedogbon, the Chairman of Badagry Fishermen Association said dredging activities in Yeketome- Ganyingbo communities are illegal.
“I’m sure when the government comes they will sensitise the people.
“With their activities, Gbaji Bridge is at risk, this is the only bridge that links Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and many other communities in Badagry.
“Once the bridge is under threat, there is no way for us again.
“We want the government to consider giving licenses to the dredgers.
“Because dredging will result in flooding, if not controlled,” he said.
Mr Junaid Rufai, the Youth Chairman in Gbayingbo, said the communities used to experience flooding in October due to dredging.
“We don’t want them in our community, by October, water will start coming to us for some weeks before going back,” he said.
Mr Samson Sowanu, a youthp representative, urged the government to stop the dredging for the sake of humanity. (NAN)
ROR/NNO/COF
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Edited by Christiana Fadare

Edited by Nick Nicholas
June 11, 2024
Oma-Benedi emerges winner of ‘I Beg to Differ’ student debate in Abuja
Oma-Benedi emerges winner of ‘I Beg to Differ’ student debate in Abuja
Master Oma-Benedi Excel, Over Winner of I Beg to Differ Debate Tournament Organised by Nigeria Info
Winner
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Master Oma-Benedi Excel of the Government Science Secondary School, Piakasa in Maitama on Monday emerged the overall winner of the Abuja ‘I Beg to Differ’ student debate tournament.
While Excel clinched the prize of N1 million and a phone tablet, the runner, Miss Cindy Paul, an SSII student of Roberto Schools in Wuse II, Abuja got the prize of N500,000 and a phone tablet respectively.
The debate tournament was organised by the Nigeria Info and supported by 3Js Hotel and Apartment, PressPay Ng and Call to fly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Excel and Paul would represent Abuja in Lagos where they would slog it out with other winners from Port Harcourt and Lagos in the ‘I beg to differ’ debate soon.
Meanwhile, the 13 year-old Excel described the victory as “ecstatic. It is a brilliant feeling. I had a great time competing with the best in Abuja.
“However, to get here was not easy, it took a lot of effort, sleepless nights and support from those around me. I hope to positively represent Abuja in Lagos.
“For what I will do with the prize money, I prefer to keep it confidential. However, the experience of meeting Cindy, Mazida, Tommy amd others that participated in the debate was great,” Excel said.
He appreciated the organiser, sponsors, his parents, teachers, fellow students for the support and encouragement that propelled him to victory.
Similarly the runner up, Paul said, coming second felt like a dream, adding that she had never experienced such before.
“Half of the prize money will be going for savings and the other half for investment.
“In Lagos, expect more better performance. I will do much research and preparation to ensure that the Abuja team bring back the trophy,” Paul said.
Meanwhile, the Group Programme Director of CoolWabiaInfo , Mr Prince Daniel also known as ‘Aboki’ said the debate was one of Nigeria Info’s platforms.
“Having done ‘I Beg to Differ’ in Lagos and Port Harcourt twice and for the first edition in Abuja, is beyond our expectation. It was greater than we expected.
“This is something we will like to continue , because our mission is to advance the cause of education in Nigeria. So using this platform gives us the opportunity to do that.
“All the four people that made it to the semi-finals and finals will be meeting other contestants from Port Harcourt and those that won in Lagos. All will meet in Lagos to debate.
“We actually want to power debating clubs in school and as well as begin to organise Abuja City Debate.
“We are also construction Kids FM in Port Harcourt. We have launched one in Lagos already and soon, we will start that of Abuja,” Daniel said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CMY/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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June 10, 2024
Ex NIMASA MD’s death huge loss to Enugu, Nigeria- Mbah
Death
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Monday mourned the former Director-General of the National Maritime Authority (NMA) now Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ferdinand Agu.
The governor described Agu’s death as a “huge loss” to the state and Nigeria.
Mbah in a message he personally signed in Enugu, noted that the deceased was a boardroom guru and technocrat, who gave his best for the growth and development of Enugu State and Nigeria.
The governor said he received with deep grief the sudden death of his brother, Agu, a development he had been struggling to come to terms with.
“Agu was an illustrious son of Enugu State, a fine gentleman, brilliant mind, savvy administrator, political engineer, consummate technocrat, and a quite achiever, who gave his best in service to Nigeria.
“As a former Director-General of the defunct National Maritime Authority, NMA, now NIMMASA, as well as former Senior Special Assistant to the President between 2011 and 2015, he contributed immensely to the development of our nation and state.
“Therefore, he will always remain in our thoughts. I send heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Enugu State, and indeed to his friends and associates across the country and beyond.
Mbah prayed that God grant him eternal repose. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AAE/MAM/MNA
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Maureen Atuonwu

June 10, 2024
Gov. Mbah inaugurates N15m prize debate competition for Enugu youths

Debate
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has inaugurated a debate competition for youths, with a whopping prize of N15 million for the winning team.
Mbah disclosed this on his verified X handle, @PNMbah, on Monday, adding that the debate was being organised through the Office of his Senior Special Assistant on Social Culture and Self-Development, with support from the private sector.
He said the debate would feature 37 teams, representing all the 20 universities in the state, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the 17 local government areas.
“My latest social culture project is a ‘Debate Tournament’ for young people in Enugu State. I have provided a platform for you to debate social issues that influence our culture, and the winning team will be rewarded with N15 million.
“It is important to give our young people a platform to voice their opinions and contribute to the society.
“It is important that they feel heard and understood. One of the best ways to achieve this is through intellectual discourse.
“To our young people, this is your time and your turn; the stage is yours. Do your research and think critically; challenge the norms and amaze us with your wits and persuasion.
“Congrats in advance to the winning team,” the governor said.
He advised those interested in knowing more about the debate to follow the social media handles, @debatecoolit and @deradebates, and also check the state government’s website, enugustate.gov.ng. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AAE/FON/MNA
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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Maureen Atuonwu
June 10, 2024
Prof Ezeilo urges end to human trafficking, unsafe migration

Trafficking
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The former United Nations Special Rapporteur, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, has urged end to human trafficking and unsafe migration to stop Nigeria women from abuses.
Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made the call in a statement on Monday in Enugu while reacting to the viral video of young Nigerian girls trafficked for forced prostitution in Ghana.
She attributed the current economic challenges in Nigeria as the factor fueling human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and unsafe migration, including the “Japa” syndrome.
According to her, watching the trending video of young Nigerian girls,, trafficked for forced prostitution to neighbouring Ghana is a stark reminder of the pervasive and cross-border issue of human trafficking or Trafficking In Persons (TiP).
She observed that in Africa, one in every four trafficked persons was Nigerian, making the country the most affected by trafficking.
“This issue remains prevalent in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Edo was once considered the epicenter of trafficking in persons but that was no longer the case.
“Nigerian women, children, and men are vulnerable to transnational or cross-border human trafficking, primarily to Europe and Africa, as well as to other parts of the world, including Asia and the Americas.
“Human trafficking knows no borders.
“During my time as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, from 2008 to 2014, I encountered Nigerians who were trafficked.
“Or living as irregular migrants in nearly 100 countries I visited as part of my global assignment,” Ezeilo said.
She added that the main reasons for the trend included increasing poverty, unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence, lack of access to education, ignorance, conflicts and displacement.
The Founder of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), noted that most widespread form of human trafficking was sexual exploitation, accounting for 79 per cent of cases, with girls being the most common victims of sexual exploitation.
“I strongly urge the government at all levels to implement urgent measures to address the root causes, particularly to reduce the vulnerabilities of young girls.
“Establishing early warning mechanisms is important to identify when girls disappear from school, fail to enroll in school, or live outside of family care.
“Additionally, we need to address unsuitable working environments that increase the vulnerability of women and children to trafficking,” she said.
The situations, she said, included where girls worked as waitresses in restaurants, hotels and brothels while still under 18 years of age or when they worked as apprentices in specific high-risk jobs and environment
“End human trafficking and unsafe migration now. Stop the impunity of traffickers through effective prosecution and punishment.
“Join NAPTIP and other actors, including WACOL, to eradicate human trafficking and unsafe migration in Nigeria,” appealed. (NAN)
AAE/CHOM/MNA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu

June 10, 2024
ATASP trains 50 Anambra, Enugu youths on agribusiness

Agribusiness
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-1 (ATASP-1) on Monday began a 10-day training of 50 youths from Anambra and Enugu States on agribusiness incubation in Enugu to enhance food sufficiency.
The incubatees were selected from eight participating local governments in ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone coverage area of Anambra and Enugu states.
The National Programme Coordinator ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, informed participants that the Federal Government launched the programme to attract private sector investment in agriculture and ensure food and nutritional sufficiency.
“The ATASP-1 is also transforming agricultural landscape through reduction in post-harvest losses, value addition to local agricultural produce and development of rural infrastructure,” he said.
Arabi, represented by ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr Kunle Alege, said the programme would also enhance access of farmers and other value chain actors to financial services and markets.
“The objective is to enhance food and nutrition security, poverty alleviation, employment generation, wealth creation, rural access and accessibility and facilitation of financial services and markets for the benefiting communities of the Programme.”
Arabi said that the project had developed strategies that would attract, train and retain these youths in the agribusiness sector.
He said that the youths would be provided with on-the-job training and mentoring to improve their practical skills and knowledge in agribusiness.
Declaring the training open, Dr Patrick Ubru, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, said the Gov Peter Mbah administration in conjunction with ATASP-1 and other donor funded agencies, empowered the youths with agricultural innovations.
According to him, there are endless opportunities in modern agriculture for youths that have the energy and drive.
The commissioner explained that all the value-chains were open, which included digital agricultural marketing if one did not want to go to the farm.
“As you are already aware of Enugu State Government’s core vision, led by His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah is to grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031”.
“While between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of this target is expected to be generated from the agricultural sector.
“It should be noted that no country develops without sustainably huge investments in agriculture.
“Being mindful of the above, His Excellency, Gov. Mbah had paid seven years of counterpart funds for ATASP-1 and many other donor agencies’ funds within the first few months into his administration,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Zonal Programme Coordinator ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr Romanus Egba, lauded the support and smooth working relationship of the Enugu State Government.
Egba said: “I commend the agriculture-loving Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, for paying a huge backlog of 7-year arrears of ATASP-1 counterpart fund at once.
“This shows the outright commitment and seriousness of the government towards agriculture.
He noted that the incubatees that performed exceptionally well during the training and with a practical business plan/proposal would get seed fund as a start-up grant.
The coordinator said that ATASP would also link the incubatees with lawmakers, offices and organizations willing to support youth agribusinesses.
One of the incubatees, Miss Amarachi Ezemaduekwe, appreciated the Federal Government and ATASP-1 for providing the opportunity for the intensive and extensive training which had made an impact on her agribusiness outlook.
“I am grateful to all, especially ATASP-1 that made the training possible. I will appeal for a sort of support for us to practically engage in what we have learnt here,” Ezemaduekwe appealed.
Another incubatee, Mr Kingsley Chukwuebuka, said that the training had made a huge impact in his life as he would be going back home after the training to start his own business. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
KSN/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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June 10, 2024
NAPTIP, women affairs ministry to rehabilitate trafficked victims
NAPTIP, women affairs ministry to rehabilitate trafficpked ovictims
Trafficking
By Aderogba George
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs have signed a deal to rehabilitate victims of human trafficking.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was reached in Abuja on Monday, during a visit by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to NAPTIP Headquarters.
NAN also reports that the rehabilitation deal will kickstart with the 10 Nigerian girls recently trafficked to Ghana for sexual exploitation. The girls were later rescued.
NAPTIP’s Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, thanked Kennedy-Ohanenye for the visit and her support toward sustaining the fight against human trafficking.
Waziri-Azi said that the agency was proactive in carrying out its mandates and had successfully convicted 29 human traffickers this year.
She said that the agency had successfully convicted 670 human traffickers since its inception, and rescued 23,000 victims.
According to her, NAPTIP is in touch with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, adding that Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana had been rescued and are safe.
“The perpetrator has been arrested and I am also in contact with Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). We are delighted by the visit of the minister this morning.
“From our conversation with Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, we will definitely approach this issue in a more strategic wpppp
in terms of prevention, because prevention is better than cure.
“I also want to emphasise to parents and young people that there is no free lunch anywhere, if it is free, then you are definitely the product.
“We know that everyone desires a better life, but wanting a better life does not mean you should not be discerning.
“When somebody comes and offers you Eldorado, please ask questions,” she said.
On her part, Kennedy-Ohanenye commended NAPTIP for its visible impact in tackling human trafficking in Nigeria, and promised to work with the agency for sustained rehabilitation of trafficked victims.
She said that the ministry would be assisting NAPTIP with the existing empowerment scheme that had been established by the ministry.
“I came here to see my sister concerning the issue of the Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana. We will join hands with NAPTIP to empower them, give them skills or send them to school,” the minister said.
She also disclosed plans to embark on massive advocacy on issues of human trafficking among diverse stakeholders, including operators of commercial transport.
“People in the aviation sector, marine sector and a cross-section of parents across the country will also be reached,” she said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye said that parents and transport operators would be held responsible if found culpable in the trafficking of children.
She solicited the support and cooperation of all Nigerians in tackling human trafficking in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AG/FON/ETS
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June 10, 2024