High Human Trafficking Rates ‘Disheartening,’ Says First Lady Remi Tinubu
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, has expressed her support for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) in its ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in the country. She made the statement when the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, and other top officials of the agency visited her office at the State House in Abuja.
In a statement from the First Lady’s media aide, Busola Kukoyi, she was briefed on the agency’s activities, particularly the recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued. Senator Tinubu described the high rates of human trafficking as “disheartening” and urged the youth to stop making themselves easy targets for traffickers by embracing patience, hard work, and diligence.
She criticized the “get-rich-quick” mentality prevalent among the youth, noting that even religious institutions have contributed to this mindset through prosperity preaching. She also pointed out the influence of social media and the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, which often glorifies material success.
To aid the fight against trafficking, the First Lady pledged her support to NAPTIP, beginning with efforts to engage the wives of State Governors to enhance awareness and advocacy on the issue.
Earlier, Hajia Binta Lami Adamu Bello, Director General of NAPTIP, had solicited the First Lady’s assistance in the agency’s renewed campaign against human trafficking and gender-based violence (GBV). Bello emphasized the alarming trend of trafficking, calling it the second largest transnational organized crime globally, just behind drug trafficking.
She highlighted some of the agency’s recent successes, including the rescue of 21 young victims from Niger State, but also mentioned the challenges the agency faces, such as gaps in resource mobilization and legal frameworks. Bello urged the First Lady’s support in areas such as skills acquisition, awareness campaigns, provision of safe shelters, and legislative backing.
In addition to her engagement with NAPTIP, the First Lady also met with the new national executives of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, led by its National President, Princess Edna Azura. The delegation visited to thank her for her support, particularly after the passing of the council’s immediate past National President, Hajia Lami Adamu Lau.
Senator Tinubu commended the council for its unity and encouraged them to leverage the programs offered through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the subnational level. She reiterated her commitment to building stronger families through the initiatives under RHI.
