…Says Nigeria beneficiary of $1.3m support
The US Consul General Will Stevens has said the fight against human trafficking required “a more coordinated approach to tame the scourge.”
He also said the U.S., between 2021 and 2023, assisted Nigeria with $1.3 million to fight the challenge.
Stevens, who spoke in Lagos on Friday at official handover of the Countering Human Trafficking Office in Lagos, also said the move represented “a significant step forward in our collective efforts to combat one of the most egregious violations of human rights.”
He said the establishment of the office would strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system in its response to trafficking in persons.
Stevens said it would enhance new moves to enhance the system and bring hope to victims of human trafficking.
He said his country had, apart from investing in physical infrastructure-housing, gone further in trading and manpower development for beneficiary countries.
“The U.S. government through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs provided $1.3 million to UNODC to support the Nigerian government’s efforts to protect those vulnerable to trafficking. By consolidating our resources and expertise, we aim to create a robust framework that will not only address the needs of current victims, but also work towards prevention of future trafficking.
“The U.S. government understands the importance of a comprehensive response to human trafficking. That is why in addition to projects like this, which build the physical infrastructure, we have invested in the training of first responders as well as the reintegration of victims of trafficking.
“In 2023, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. government trained 160 civilian law enforcement officers to respond to cases of human trafficking and counseled more than 100 civil society organisations on how to identify and refer potential victims of trafficking. Through our Academy for Women Entrepreneurs programme, 20 victims of trafficking and other returned migrants received specialised business management training and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, giving them the needed economic and social support to reintegrate into their communities,” he said.
He thanked governments and institutions, including the Lagos state government, Netherlands, etc, for supporting the fight and the US effort against human trafficking.
