The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has expressed her commendation for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for its unwavering commitment to counter-trafficking initiatives and its swift response to issues affecting women and other vulnerable populations across the nation.
During a courtesy visit by the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, Ph.D., to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, October 9th, 2023, Minister Ohanenye lauded the agency’s impactful efforts in creating public awareness, rescuing victims of human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and prosecuting perpetrators in accordance with its mandate.
In her address, Minister Ohanenye acknowledged her admiration for the dedicated work of NAPTIP and emphasized the need for closer collaboration to enhance the protection of women and children. She called for a transformation in service delivery to the nation, urging the involvement of all stakeholders, stating, “It is no longer business as usual.”
Director General Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi provided an overview of NAPTIP’s core mandates and functions to the Minister, placing particular emphasis on the implementation structure of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (2015) (VAPP), the establishment of the Nigeria Sexual Offenders and Service Register in November 2019, the roles of the High-Level Multi-Agency Team (HIMAT), the Service Providers Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC), and the annual VAPP Report. She highlighted the agency’s significant achievements in prosecuting and securing convictions of offenders, including approximately 17 convictions under the VAPP law, with three resulting in life imprisonment.
Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi expressed her gratitude for the fruitful and cordial working relationship between NAPTIP and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. She also sought increased collaboration, particularly in the area of data sharing, and emphasized the importance of jointly implementing the VAPP Law.
The visit of the Director General to the Ministry is viewed as a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria, with the prospect of achieving substantial results on the horizon.
