Human Trafficking: NGO calls for increased sensitisation

The Director-General, PHEW Foundation International, Mrs Chigbo Uche, on Friday urged government at all levels to intensify campaigns on the dangers inherent in human trafficking.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri, Uche urged the government to collaborate with the relevant NGOs to help spread the message of illegal migration to the grassroots.

She also called for collective involvement of individuals and corporate organisations to end what she described as “international embarrassment’’.

“Government should improve on sensitisation programmes aimed at educating the public on the ills of travelling abroad in search of greener pasture through illegal means.

“It should also work in conjunction with NGOs to educate and help to fight the illicit trading in humans.

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“Create job opportunities and vocational centres for the teeming youths to discourage them from seeking greener pastures abroad.

“Individuals and corporate organisations can also get involved in the campaign while stringent punishment will be meted out on those involved in the illicit trade,’’ Uche said.

The director-general attributed the causes of human trafficking in the country to lack of moral education, greed, improper orientation, laziness and unemployment among others.

She said her NGO had received, rehabilitated and reintegrated 37 victims of trafficking, both males and female, since the establishment of the humanitarian body in March 2018.

Uche urged parents and guardians to warn their children who might be considering travelling abroad by land or sea to have a rethink, saying that there were no shortcuts to success.

“They should focus more on improving their lives here in Nigeria by acquiring education or engaging in vocational training,’’ she said.

The director-general said further that the NGO had visited five secondary schools in Delta to educate the students on the dangers of seeking greener pasture abroad through illegal means.

According to her, the NGO recently visited the Oxford International Secondary School, Off DSC Expressway by Lonia Hospital, Udu Local Government Area of Delta on March 14 to join the rest of the world to mark the #myfreedomday.