Global leaders converge on Abuja as Roost Foundation collaborates with policy house to host townhall meeting on human trafficking

•Launches three projects to restore hope to HT and SGBV victims

There was a global assemblage on Wednesday of stakeholders, members of the diplomatic Corps, development partners, regional, state and non-state actors, including decision makers across the country at the 2021 Town Hall meeting on Human Trafficking and SGBV.

The meeting was convened by an Abuja-based non governmental organisation, Roost Foundation, established by the former Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli.

The event was punctuated by heartfelt speeches of solidarity with thousands of victims of human trafficking and SGBV across the country and within the West African sub-region.

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There were commitments made by stakeholders and promises of renewed determination to end these twin evils in Nigeria.

The event, which held at the Ladi Kwali Hall conference centre of the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, further brought the issues of human trafficking and SGBV to global limelight with emphasis on the worsening plight of victims of human trafficking and SGBV occasioned by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her speech, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk, lauded the efforts of Roost Foundation in its counter trafficking efforts during the past one year since it opened its doors, adding that the Organisation has continued to set an impactful agenda whilst engaging in meaningful projects with increased hope for victims and maximum awareness and education for the public about the need to actively look out for the vulnerable. While reiterating the commitment of her ministry in responding to humanitarian issues in the country, the minister promised support and cooperation with Roost Foundation in the actualization of its set goals.

Other speakers at the meeting included representatives from ICMPD, AGA Africa, UNODC who were the sponsors, commended the Foundation for its wide-reaching awareness programmes, advocacy and empowerment with minimal resources, which have lifted a substantial number of victims out of depression and reintegrated them into the society.

The event also witnessed the launch of three major humanitarian intervention projects in Nigeria by the Roost Foundation. The set projects, tagged “Project Justice”, Project Free”, and a weekly TV drama series are carefully designed to raise awareness, address the justice needs of victims of human trafficking and irregular migration, SGBV and to end the impunity not only within Nigeria, but within the destination countries that permits these very wrong practices go continue.

Executive Chairman and Vision Bearer of Roost Foundation, Okah-Donli, was joined by other dignitaries to unveil these projects.

Roost Foundation is a global non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to the fight against human trafficking, irregular migration, sexual and gender-based violence and other associated crimes.

The Foundation has a team of experienced lawyers, carefully trained caregivers and counsellors as well as protection officers who are all committed to offering pro bono legal services to victims of all forms of abuses and human trafficking.

Speaking at the event, Dame Okah–Donli, stated further that events in recent times have made it imperative to demand justice for victims of human trafficking through criminal proceeding as well as civil litigations in order to assuage the traumatic pains and agony of the victims by securing compensation and restitution for victims to the greatest extent possible.

“The three projects are products of our well-researched efforts aimed at ensuring that victims of human trafficking and sgbv are not only able to testify against their traffickers, but also to ensure civil cases are filed to demand restitution for them. It is heart-rending that victims of sexual and gender-based violence as well as victims of illegal detention suffer from all forms of human right abuses and deprivation. There is the need to stand for them and let them smile again. Our team of over 25 lawyers are more than ready to stand for the oppressed, give hope to the indigent and restore the dignity of the abused victims”, Dame Okah-Donli said.