Our reporter
The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Marie Bisi Idaomi, has underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in combating human trafficking and advancing women’s empowerment.
Speaking in Benin City during a meeting with officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Idaomi called for closer collaboration between the Ministry and the Agency. She stressed the need for a nationwide framework that ensures the full involvement of Women Affairs Ministries across the country in addressing the issue.
“If we are serious about collaboration, we must consider the broader picture. We need to demonstrate to our Governor and the world that Edo State is shedding its stigma as a hub for human trafficking,” she stated. She further highlighted the necessity of data-driven strategies and sustained financial support to maintain progress.
Responding to her remarks, NAPTIP Zonal Commandant, Mr Ganiu Aganran, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to working in synergy with the Ministry. He also confirmed that human trafficking cases in Edo State were on the decline, indicating that the collective efforts were yielding positive results.
In a related development, the Ministry is also prioritising women’s economic empowerment through a potential collaboration with Vesa Fisheries. During a meeting in Benin City, Chief Idaomi and her team engaged with the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Veronica Igbe, to explore initiatives that promote women’s welfare.
Key areas of focus include the establishment of crèches to support nursing mothers in markets and training programmes in fish-related businesses and economic ventures. Mrs Igbe welcomed the initiative, describing it as a transformative step towards economic security for women and their families.
The Ministry remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and forge private-sector partnerships to drive sustainable social development in Edo State.
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