By Deborah Uzoma
A Non-Governmental Organisation under the aegis of Devatop centre for Africa Development, (DCAD) on last week Friday concluded a two day sponsored training for journalists in Enugu on Human Trafficking .
The training which took place at Psalms hotel, Independence layout Enugu was aimed at reducing trafficking issues in Enugu. The training which was tagged : “TALKAM Against Trafficking in Persons (TATIP) Project in Enugu“, had many journalists and community reporters from different media organisation in attendance.
In his address, the Project Manager, DCAD, Mr. Emmanuel Obiabo disclosed that the training was part of Talkam project, which he said was tailored toward supporting victims of trafficking.
Obiabo noted that the same training has been carried out in Sokoto and Delta states respectively. His thanks goes to the resource speakers, the funders and journalists in attendance; also the platform under which the programme was carried out, Palladium.
According to Obiabo , Palladium is a leading implementer of international development programmes, being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in Nigeria by DCAD.
Delivering the first lecture was the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Enugu, Mrs. Nneka Adaora Ajie who described trafficking as a “modern day slavery”.
Ajie spoke on the causative factors of human trafficking, its types, control mechanism and effects. She identified various forms of human trafficking which she mentioned as: forced labour, begging, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, organ harvesting, prostitution, child labour, among others.
She further explained the five Ps’ in trafficking which include, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Partnership and Policy ,and the need for a reawakening of people’s consciousness in eradicating the menance of human trafficking.
In the same vein, the press officer NAPTIP, Mr. Adekoye Vincent talked on the role of journalists/media in combating Trafficking in Persons and understanding investigative stories line, while Obiabo highlighted on the Dos’ and Don’t’s in reporting, as well as how to use the TALKAM online platform to report cases of human trafficking.
