A Non-Governmental Organization, Human Development Initiative, HDI has urged the Federal Government to ensure the disbursement of Youth Development Fund to Youths in grassroots and hard to reach communities.
The Federal Government had declared the approval of 75 Billion Naira Youth Development Fund which can be harnessed towards empowerment of youths who are vulnerable to trafficking.
HDI in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Oluwafunso Owasanoye in commemoration of the 2020 World Day Against Human Trafficking stressed that it is important that due process is followed in the selection of beneficiaries for the fund.
Owasanoye explained that if the fund is properly utilized, it would reduce the rate of trafficking which is often times being disguised as migration.
“We are hopeful that the fund, if properly utilized, will empower many unemployed youths and save them from the agony of trafficking,” she added.
The HDI Executive Director also called on all agencies of government working to curb the trends of irregular migration and human trafficking to work together to achieve a greater result.
“We are also calling on all government agencies in the forefront of the fight against human trafficking especially the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NATIP) to step up the fight by ensuring inter-agency collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies for adequate enforcement of anti-trafficking laws.
“We are also calling on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to increase sensitization and community re-orientation to enlighten people on the risks of illegal migration,” she added.
The organization reiterated its commitment “to fight against human and child trafficking in partnership with NAPTIP to ensure that women and children can live in a society free from exploitation and abuse.”