NiMet, NAPTIP partner to raise awareness on climate change-induced trafficking 

In a conscious effort to tackle the common challenge of climate change which has led to extreme weather conditions and impacted people’s lives negatively in recent times, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons are to partner to reduce the impact on people.

According to a statement obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, this was the highlight of the discussions when the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with World Meteorological Organisation, Prof. Charles Anosike, paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, at the Abuja headquarters of NAPTIP on Tuesday.

While congratulating the NAPTIP DG on her appointment, Anosike noted that the adverse effects of climate disasters are always extreme, which is why the partnership is a crucial one.

“It is important to have a leader who has a listening ear to understand the impact of climate change. Climate change affects all aspects of our lives.

“We are seeing the increasing effect of extreme weather events and the impact of climate change. When climate disaster strikes, it dislocates people and throws them into poverty.

“People are made to migrate. We need to invest in preparedness to ensure everyone is protected by early warnings of climate disasters. There’s a nexus between climate change and human trafficking.

“That is why we need to establish this partnership with NAPTIP. This is because investing in early warning is very important. We cannot stop the extreme weather events but we can reduce impacts. Partnering with NAPTIP will give us the platform to reach the vulnerable ones, our young ones, women, and the elderly who are mostly affected”.

“If we can strengthen our relationship with NAPTIP, we’ll be able to advise policymakers accordingly. The flooding we are experiencing in the Northeast is also going to come down to the Southwest and the Southeast.
We will partner and ensure that the government at all levels adequately responds to reduce the impact of extreme weather events”, Anosike stated.

In his remarks, the NAPTIP DG, Bello, stated that her vision at the agency is to find ways of not only preventing human trafficking but eradicating it.

She welcomed the partnership idea with NiMet and the state governments.

“My target as the Director General is to eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria in line with the determination of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu. I am worried because the issues of human trafficking have become a national concern bearing in mind the huge numbers of victims from all States within the Country.

“We must collaborate and find a lasting solution to the menace. This is why it is important to increase partnership and step up advocacy to all parts of the Country to reduce their vulnerability”, Bello said.