BENIN CITY- As part of its efforts to strengthening collaboration and building formidable coalition between the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration, the group, CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental and non-profit Organisation (NGO) has held capacity building workshop for journalists and CSOs in Edo State
In her welcome remarks, the Acting Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs. Ruth Olofin, said that the aim of the one-day training workshop is to mutually focused campaigns on human trafficking and related issues in order to raise awareness against the scourge and integrating victims of human services into the society
She averred that the success of curbing any societal problem depends largely on the effective communication of the facts, circumstances and issues on the menace.
“CLEEN Foundation recognises the strategic importance the media plays in mobilizing public support and involvement to help prevent, combat trafficking owing to their reach and ability to mold public opinion.
“It is on this basis that CLEEN Foundation is organising this roundtable to build a workable coalition between the media and Civil Society Organisations in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration which can be further strengthened through improved data collection and information exchange.
Olofin who was represented at the event by the Legal Officer of the foundation, Mr. Fikih Obaro, described trafficking of girls and women from the country to European and African countries as serious phenomenon, adding that the volume keeps growing steadily and rising to the levels that call for concern.
While maintaining that the triggers of human trafficking are largely economic-related and poor livelihoods, the Ag. Executive Director said that human trafficking and forced migration are further sustained by cultural orientation, poor government policies which according to her do not address the socio-economic conditions of the youths.
She added that the current COVID-19 pandemic ravaging most parts of the world has worsened the economic and financial situation of Nigeria, especially the youths.
Olofin, however, thanked the United Nations Women for supporting the implementation of the project, just as she also appreciated partners of the foundation for their unflinching commitment thus far in the intervention of human trafficking and forced migration.
In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of UN Women, NAPTIP, NOA, NUJ Chairman, and CSOs, described the event as apt, adding that the place of the media and CSOs in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration could not be emphasised.
High point of the event was the presentation of lectures entitled “Building Effective Communication Strategies and Investigative Skills in curbing Human Trafficking and Forced Migration”, “Enhancing the capacity of the media to advocate against forced migration and trafficking” and presentation of Draft Road Map/Action Plan by Mrs. Joy Olabisi Akpaida, Dr. Nosa Aladeselu and Fikih Obaro.
