By Ezinne Ude…
The Imo State government is seeking the support of the Federal Government in the fight against human trafficking, availing that the issue is a national problem that is affecting the entire strata of the society.
Speaking at the High- level Advocacy and Sensitization visit to the State on the best interest procedures (BIP) Guidelines and Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) on family tracing, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with International Organization for Migration,(IOM), held at the conference hall Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imo State.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Godson Okeoma, who represented the Commissioner, hinted that the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma is desirous in the fight against human trafficking, stating that recently the State government applied all methods in rescuing Imolites (girls) who were trafficked to Ghana.
“Human trafficking is destroying our society, all hands must be on deck in ensuring that we end this ugly menace and restore the future of our children”. He stated
While thanking the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for the prompt response in organizing the event which will see to the end of child trafficking, which involves ways of rescuing victims, Mr. Okeoma solicited for FG’s support towards the fight.
Earlier in her address the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, explained that IOM and partners which includes state and non-state actors have been encountering situations where decisions involving individual children and adults (unaccompanied and separated children and adults who as a consequence resulting from their mental or physical or physiological health condition are not able to make decisions for themselves, were not guided by the Best Interest Determination (BID) and harmonized principle as provided for in various human rights Conventions which Nigeria and other States of the Federation, including Benue and Imo, have ratified.
The Honourable Minister who was represented by her aide Engr. Adaji Usman, stated, “in line with meeting the obligations of various human rights Conventions and Treaties signed and ratified by the Nigerian Government, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) signed an MOU with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to institute sustainable measures that would effectively protect the rights of the vulnerable and returning migrants, especially women and children in Nigeria”.
She added that the collaboration is aimed at strengthening protection systems through the development and implementation of needs based policies and guidelines, that a major outcome of the collaboration between the two organizations is the development and validation of two National Policy documents on Best Interest Procedure (BIP) Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) for Vulnerable Migrants.
Sarah Shimsou, IOM National Project Officer Protection, stressed that the meeting with State actors is to ensure collaboration and partnership at the State level to the implementation of the two policy documents.
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