The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, addressed the rising issue of human trafficking in the country, attributing part of the problem to distorted narratives propagated by certain films, social media, and religious groups that promote a get-rich-quick mentality. This statement was made during a visit from the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, at the State House in Abuja.
In her remarks, Tinubu expressed her full support for NAPTIP’s efforts to combat human trafficking, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift towards hard work and patience among Nigerian youth. She highlighted the alarming trend of trafficking, which she believes to be exacerbated by societal influences.
The First Lady noted the agency’s recent successes, including the rescue of 19 young pregnant girls from a baby factory in Abuja, and called for greater awareness among young people to avoid falling victim to traffickers. “The get-rich-quick syndrome is detrimental. Even religious teachings stress the importance of hard work,” she stated.
Furthermore, Tinubu pledged to collaborate with the wives of State Governors to enhance awareness and advocacy against human trafficking. She echoed NAPTIP’s call for comprehensive support, stressing that addressing this issue requires the engagement of all stakeholders to effectively combat the second-largest transnational organized crime globally.
Binta Bello highlighted the agency’s challenges, including resource mobilization and the need for legislative support, while seeking the First Lady’s assistance in implementing skills acquisition programs and safe shelter provisions for victims.
In a separate engagement, Tinubu also met with the new executives of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, encouraging them to utilize programs under the Renewed Hope Initiative to benefit their members and strengthen community ties. The First Lady remains steadfast in her commitment to building better families and communities through this initiative.
