By Gloria Emmanuel In a practical move towards winning the fight against human trafficking, the Executive Secretary of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Mrs Beatrice Jedy- Agba has called for a united and holistic approach by nations of the world.
The Executive Secretary made the call Tuesday in Abuja when she played host to the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury who was in her office to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a closer partnership in curbing human trafficking.
The MOU is between NAPTIP and the Ministry of the interior of the Republic of Finland.
Recall that NAPTIP and Finland have over the years worked together to curb human trafficking related problems affected Nigeria and Finland.
The NAPTIP boss noted that a holistic response would imply the adoption of the 4ps of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership by all countries, adding that any one left would negatively affect the counter-trafficking agenda of the International community.
While stating that no one country has the capacity to curb human trafficking within its territory, she maintained that collaboration in all areas identified by the United Nations through the Palermo Protocol must be maintained by supply and destination countries.
Jedy- Agba also disclosed that such an understanding informed the setting up of the Training and Manpower Development Department, and the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit for the Agency on her assumption of office.
She added that the Agency has been working with other Law Enforcement Agencies, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations in tackling the problems of human trafficking in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, however, thanked the Finland Government for the assistance so far rendered to the Agency including the rehabilitation of one of the Agency’s Shelters.
In her response, the Ambassador of Finland expressed her Country’s appreciation of the reception by NAPTIP and the cooperation between the two countries on issues relating to countering human trafficking.
While stressing that Human Trafficking is a serious violation of Human rights, she informed the Executive Secretary of her country’s desire to sustain the relationship between both countries as part of Finland’s plan of sustaining the defence of human rights of victims adding that the relationship has been beneficial to both countries.
The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to cooperate in preventing and combating trafficking in persons and forfeiture of the proceeds of trafficking in persons, in particular through the exchange of information and experience, in accordance with the national legislation and international obligations of the two countries.
Through this MOU Nigeria and Finland will promote cooperation in preventing and combating trafficking in persons through: the exchange of information and experience regarding their respective laws and regulations relating to trafficking in persons; monitoring of Trafficking in persons activities carried out on the territories of their respective States by the nationals of the other Party.
Others include: to Providing of mutual support in capacity building, training and strengthening of institutional capabilities to effectively combat trafficking in persons; Trafficking in persons prevention programmes;
Victims of trafficking in persons assistance programmes; Joint decision to participate, when appropriate, in seminars or training courses for the purpose of enhancing this Memorandum of Understanding; and Other aspects of mutual interest with a view to preventing and combating trafficking in persons.
