By Our Correspondent
Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Sen. Basheer Garba Muhammed, has called for an urgent need to unbundle and expand the scope of the activities of NAPTIP to be able to render mega rehabilitation services that will meet the needs and expectation of victims and scale up its awareness and sensitization strategies.
He stated this when he played host to a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) led by the Country Chief of Mission, Mr. Franz Celestin to his office on Thursday.
The NAPTIP boss used the opportunity to unveil his strategic goals and visions for the Agency, which included expanding the scope of NAPTIP in the areas of improved and remodeled Victim Rehabilitation Scheme.
“I want NAPTIP anti human trafficking messages to be in the minds at the doorsteps of all Nigerians irrespective of their languages and locations.
We shall use radio, television, newspapers, social media platforms, Nollywood actors and even local town criers.
“Nigerians need to know more about NAPTIP, the various offences and punishment attached to them as well as the various legislations put in place to protect our Citizens from all forms of exploitation.
“Our anti human trafficking messages must be syndicated to all languages so that everybody can understand it. This will go a long way to reduce the vulnerability of the people.
“I strongly believe that it is better and more economical to take step now and sensitize the people than doing damage control after they must have been deceived and trafficked by human traffickers” Sen. Muhammed said.
In his response, the IOM Chief of Mission congratulated the NAPTIP DG for his appointment and commended him for the remarkable achievements recorded at the National Commission for Refugee, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons and pledged that his organization will continue to support the agency.
He noted that in order to boost the enlightenment programme of the Agency, the Organization was in the process of donating another “”Blue Bus” to the Agency.
