The fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria has taken another dimension as members of the online Media Community made up of Wikimedia contributors, volunteer editors, and other literary personalities, have resolved to redouble their efforts through sustained media enlightenment reports to reduce the vulnerability of Nigerians and run traffickers out of their illicit business.
The
group expressed worry over the unwholesome activities of the traffickers who have
now shifted attention to online recruitment of victims taking advantage of
the COVID-19, various global occurrences
and the latest Russian – Ukraine war.
This
is part of the take-home at the ongoing -day
Capacity Building and Editation Workshop on Trafficking in Persons and
Smuggling of Migrant for Wikipedia Editors in the Country held in Lagos.
The
workshop is designed to secure the support and collaboration of Wikimedia Users
in Nigeria in the renewed fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants
through content generation, prompt dissemination of anti-human trafficking
information, unsolicited media reports and analysis as well as giving
prominence and visibility to issues of human trafficking.
The
programme is a component of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling
of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) awareness and sensitization programme for
critical partners and online stakeholders aimed at eradicating Human
Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria.
Speaking
at the opening session of the well-attended workshop, Team Leader, A-TIPSOM
Project Nigeria, Mr Rafael Rios Molina, reiterated the commitment of the
Project toward the eradication of the Human Trafficking and Smuggling of
Migrants in Nigeria noting that the meeting of the Wikimedia User Group was
informed by the need to approach tackle the traffickers from various angles.
The
A-TIPSOM Team Leader pledged to continue to partner with relevant Ministries,
Department and Agencies in the Country in creating the desired awareness through
deliberate sensitization programme and sustained advocacy.
In
his goodwill message, the National President, Wikimedia Nigeria Users Group,
Mr. Olaniyan Olusola, described human traffickers as enemies of the State that
must be flushed out of the country through collective efforts and increased
advocacy.
He
tasked participants with the need to initiate enlightenment articles and
reports that will expose the tricks and trends of human trafficking and
Smuggling of Migrants in the Country adding that Wikimedia Users should rise up
to counter the unpleasant narratives of human trafficking in order to complement
the efforts of NAPTIP.
The
highly commendable workshop has participants from the media desks of NAPTIP,
NIS and the Police including the National Public Relations Officers of NACTAL
including over 50 Wikimedia Users drawn from the 8 States in Nigeria in
attendance.
It
is the first major convocation of Wikimedia Users towards the fight Against
Human trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in the Country.
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