PRESS RELEASE: INAUGURATION OF DEVATOP BOARD OF VOLUNTEERS IN COMMEMORATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY

Human trafficking is the 2^nd largest crime industry with a net worth of 32 billion dollars generated from the exploitation of over 27 million victims worldwide. There are over 700, 000 human trafficking victims in Nigeria overtime. More than 45, 000 women, girls and children in Nigeria are trafficked annually within and outside borders. 80% of the victims are young people, 50% are children and over 70% are women and girls.  Millions of young people in Nigeria are vulnerable to human trafficking. 

Combating human trafficking is a cause that young people and women have to get involved with. There is an urgent need for active volunteerism in the fight against human trafficking. People need to bring out their time, resources, energy, talents, skills and experiences to combat this evil and frustrate traffickers.

To step up the fight against human trafficking, Devatop Centre for Africa Development inaugurated Board of Volunteers against human trafficking on 21st January, 2016, in commemoration of Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

 According to the Project manager, Muhammed Aasia, the Board of Volunteers was established to engage more young people and women in the fight against human trafficking. While addressing the volunteers, she listed the units in the board as follows: Fundraising unit, Media and Information Unit, Public Enlightenment Unit, Welfare Unit, Research and Content Development Unit, Legal Unit, Mobilization and Follow Up Unit.

Jenna Treen, the founder of Fight Against Child Trafficking, a partner of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, in her presentation advised the volunteers to reach out to communities and schools in rural areas and to put in their best in combating human trafficking in Nigeria. 

Also among the speakers was Esther Ekanem, an anti-human trafficking activist who taught the volunteers the practical ways they can carry out anti-human trafficking advocacy. She motivated them to take full responsibility in ending the modern day slavery.

The Executive Director of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, Joseph Osuigwe Chidiebere, appreciated the volunteers for their interest in combating human trafficking and other related matters, and reminded them that the work will require their time, energy, skills, loyalty, etc. He optimistically mentioned that the organization will be hosting Volunteers’ Celebration Day every six months, to acknowledge and appreciate committed volunteers. According to him, Devatop will raise 1001 anti-human trafficking volunteers by end of 2016.  He also reiterated the plan of Devatop to sensitize more than 10, 000 people, empower volunteers to replicate anti-human trafficking projects in their various states and countries. 

Devatop Centre for Africa Development is a 21^st century  nonprofit organization with focus on combating human trafficking & gender-based violence, achieving gender equality, ensuring quality education & life-long learning and empowering young people to be agents of national development.