Seventy-eight Lecturers, Student Leaders in the Colleges of Education, and selected Traditional leaders in Benue State have been trained to help implement the Schools Anti-trafficking Education and Advocacy Project STEAP to curb human trafficking activities in the State.
The training was organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development ICMPD in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP held in Gboko Local Government Area.
Participants were drawn from the College of Education, Katsina-Ala; Sinia College of Education & Entrepreneurial Studies, Gboko; Gboko College of Education, Jonorto College of Education, Wannune; Doviana College of Education, Gboko, and Lessel College of Education, Lessel, Ushongo.
Project Manager ICMPD, Dr. Rhoda Diajohnson, said the training, which targets lecturers, students,s and traditional leaders, was aimed at equipping the trainers on strategies of prevention of all forms of Human trafficking and for them to step down the message to the Local communities.
Represented by the Project Officer Mr. Selbo Langyi, Dr Diajohnson said the objectives of the Step-Down Training are to enhance the Capacity of stakeholders to gain in-depth knowledge of human trafficking issues and on methodology for teaching tip-infused curriculum, build stronger partnerships and networks for implementing anti-trafficking education within school systems.
Director General National Agency for the Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Bello, who was represented by the NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mrs Gloria Bai, stated that they are working in partnership with ICMPD to reduce the rate of trafficking in five states, including Benue.
Hajia Bello emphasised that the training is timely, especially as the state is faced with different humanitarian situations which have triggered human trafficking, and urged participants to take the training with every seriousness to address the problem.
Commissioner, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Dr Margaret Adamu, represented by the Education Desk Officer, Timothy Aule, explained that human trafficking is a menace that is devastating Nigeria, with Benue topping the list of victims being trafficked globally, saying the most trafficked victims are children of school age.
Chief Verrumun Ahanbe, who spoke on behalf of Traditional leaders and two other participants, Dr John Nyareghger and Janet Tor, commended the organizers for the initiative and assured them that the message would be taken to their people in the communities.
Edited By Terna Injua
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