EU reiterates commitment to advance sustainable, rights-based migration governance
By Aderogba George
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, has reiterated the commitment of the union to advance sustainable, rights-based migration governance in Nigeria.
The Ambassador gave the commitment at the 28th National Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum (NSCF)/Summit on Trafficking in Persons held on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum, with the theme: “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime: End the Exploitation”, was held to commemorate the 2025 International Day against Human Trafficking, which is celebrated annually on July 30.
Mignot said that the European Union was strongly committed to supporting Nigeria’s leadership in advancing sustainable, rights-based migration governance.
He said Nigeria’s projects implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIAPP) aimed to move beyond fragmented responses.
The ambassador said that the projects were targeted at strengthening national systems that would prevent exploitation, protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
“I am very proud to announce that we have been able to mobilise further support to the existing action implemented by FIAPP and UNODC to the tune of 6 million euros to continue supporting the area of human trafficking and slavery.
“At the heart of this intervention is building resilience within institutions across borders and, most importantly, in communities that are vulnerable to the influence of criminal networks.
“It places a strong emphasis on cooperation, rule of law and data-driven action to ensure that migration takes place through safe and legal pathways, rather than through the military routes controlled by traffickers and smugglers,” he said.
He said it was important that all efforts must remain firmly rooted in human rights, gender sensitivity and ethical practices.
“We must ensure that the specific realities of women, girls and marginalised populations are reflected and addressed in policy and practice,” Mignot stressed.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) under the leadership of Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, for its unwavering commitment to tackle the menace of human trafficking.
Represented by Hajia Lami Jibril, Director of Liason in the agency, Ribadu commended the dedication of relevant government institutions, and efforts of all stakeholders working behind the scenes to prevent trafficking, protect vulnerable persons and prosecute offenders.
He said that collaboration was essential to national response, and stressed that the people must always come first, in whatever prevention they are putting on ground.
The Chairman/CEO of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohammed Marwa, said the crime of human trafficking was one of the greatest threats to human dignity, national security, and socio-economic stability.
Marwa, represented by Mr Shedrack Haruna, Secretary of the agency, stated that human trafficking was deeply intertwined with other illicit networks.
These, he said, included drug trafficking, money laundering, and cross-national organised crime.
“These human traffickers turning human lives into commodities are also the same criminal syndicates profiting from the misery of substance abuse.
“Therefore, our fight against drug abuse and trafficking is inseparable from the fight against human trafficking,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen
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