U.S Honours NAPTIP’s Executive Secretary as “Trafficking in Persons Hero”

  The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, Wednesday, conferred an award on the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons [NAPTIP], Beatrice Jedy-Agba. Mrs. Jedy-Agba was named a 2014 trafficking in persons hero. According to a statement made available to Connect Nigeria by NAPTIP’s media director, Arinze Orakwue, the award is in recognition of her tireless efforts in fighting human trafficking and her passionate commitment to end modern day slavery. The U.S. government said Mrs. Jedy-Agba is one of the 10 notable persons globally, who despite resistance, opposition and even threats to their lives protect victims, punish offenders and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and beyond. During the awards ceremony, Mr. Kerry said “the crime of human trafficking affects all parts of the world and no government is doing enough to combat it”. He lauded the efforts of NAPTIP, noting that Mrs. Jedy-Agba has transformed the anti-human trafficking landscape by incorporating anti-trafficking issues into national development discourse, planning and policy. He also called on all the awardees to form a global network of action and actors to combat the scourge. The Secretary of State said “it takes a global village working together to combat a global crime.” Apparently delighted by the recognition, Mrs. Jedy-Agba said the award would spur NAPTIP further towards more effective initiative in the fight against human trafficking. The NAPTIP boss said “in the fact of justice and equality, all of humanity is connected and criminals thrive when we disconnect.” Other activities lined up for the awardees include a two-week programme of meetings. During the period, the awardees will meet with officials from the U.S. Department of State, NGO representatives, some U.S. government agencies, and professionals. The meetings are for sharing ideas in a continued effort to further end modern day slavery. Mrs. Jedy-Agba was appointed Executive Secretary of NAPTIP in 2011. She has since then taken the lead in Nigeria’s effort to eradicate human trafficking, as well as ensure justice for trafficked persons. The 2014 trafficking in persons report placed Nigeria on tier 2 ranking which means the country needs to increase its efforts in all areas including but not limited to justice for victims, prosecution for traffickers, and increasing prevention efforts through awareness creation.