WIKIMEDIA EDITORS IN NIGERIA PLOTS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKERS; Promise Increased Partnership with NAPTIP, NIS and Police
Oru Leonard
The fight against human trafficking and smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria has assumed another dimension as member of the online Media Community made up Wikimedia Contributors, Volunteer Editors, and other literary personalities, have resolved to redouble their efforts through sustained media enlightenment reports in order to reduce the vulnerability of Nigerians and run the traffickers out of their illicit business.
The Group expressed worry over the unwholesome activities of the traffickers who have now shifted attention to online recruitment of victims taking advantage of the COVID-19, various global occurrences and the latest Russian – Ukraine war.
This is part of the take home at the ongoing 2 Days Capacity Building and Editation Workshop on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrant for Wikipedia Editors in the Country holding in Lagos.
The workshop is designed to secure the support and collaboration of Wikimedia Users in Nigeria in the renewed fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants through content generation, prompt dissemination of anti-human trafficking information, unsolicited media reports and analysis as well as giving prominence and visibility to issues of human trafficking.
The programme is a component of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) awareness and sensitization programme for critical partners and online stakeholders aimed at eradicating Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening session of the well- attended workshop, Team Leader, A-TIPSOM Project Nigeria, Mr Rafael Rios Molina, reiterated the commitment of the Project toward eradication of the Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria noting that the meeting of the Wikimedia User Group was informed by the need to approach tackle the traffickers from various angles.
The A-TIPSOM Team Leader pledged to continue to partner relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies in the Country in creating the desired awareness through deliberate sensitization programme and sustained advocacy.
In his goodwill message, the National President, Wikimedia Nigeria Users Group, Mr. Olaniyan Olusola, described human traffickers as enemies of the State that must be flushed out of the country through a collective efforts and increased advocacy.
He tasked participants on the need to initiate enlightenment articles and reports that will expose the tricks and trends of human trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in the Country adding that Wikimedia Users should rise up to counter the unpleasant narratives of human trafficking in order to compliment the efforts of NAPTIP.
The highly commendable workshop has participants from the media desks of NAPTIP, NIS and the Police including the National Public Relations Officers of NACTAL including over 50 Wikimedia Users drawn from the 8 States in Nigeria in attendance.
It is the first major convocation of Wikimedia Users towards the fight Against Human trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants in the Country.
(NAPTIP Media)
