Kaduna State Government in partnership with a nongovernmental organization, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA has embarked on training of 30 victims and vulnerable/potential victims of trafficking.

PRAWA Program officer, Barrister Ogechi Ogu said the training was to touch the lives of the victims positively and make them self reliant and independent.

According to him, poverty was identified as a major factor responsible for trafficking hence the need to change their minds before they fall victims of the traffickers.

Barrister Ogu cautioned beneficiaries on sustainability, saying the training was in two phases of Life planning and Entrepreneurship development programme.

He said the training will guide the beneficiaries to choose trade of their choice after which they will be given six months of extensive training in their skill acquisition area of choice.

“PRAWA with sponsorship of Netherlands embassy is in Kaduna because it is one of the 5 states along Anambra, Edo, Ogun and Kano with high prevalence cases of human trafficking just as the training is also taking place simultaneously in the states.

“PRAWA is closely working with National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP in the following areas: Identification of victims of human trafficking, selection of beneficiaries, carrying out awareness creation activities in targeted schools and communities. Engagement of stakeholders relevant to the project activities and counseling of victims and other areas where they can make significant contributions in the course of project implementation.

“So after the training which is in two phases of life planning skills training and entrepreneurship development programme to enable them acquire identified vocational skills, we will set aside a “seed capital” that will serve as a takeoff grant for revolving credit scheme.

“we will also facilitate the development of an MoU and the establishment of a self-help group (SHG) management committee to oversee the revolving scheme. Also establish 10 units of SHG (each group shall consist of 10 – 15 victims of human trafficking),” Bar. Ogu stated.

Earlier, Zonal Commander, Kano office of NAPTIP, Shehu Umar lamented that cases of human trafficking is rampant hence the need to partner with PRAWA to eradicate the ugly menace to the barest minimum.

The Commander represented by his Head of Counseling and Rehabilitation unit, Malam Ado Labaran said the traffickers capitalize on the vulnerability of the potential victims to brainwash them.

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