The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has increased its efforts to expose human traffickers’ ever-changing strategies for luring victims.
Mr Laurent de Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, made the announcement in Abuja at an award ceremony for the IOM 2023 short film contest on Combating Human Trafficking.
Mr de Boeck urged stakeholders to use all possible tools to raise awareness about the threat of human trafficking in society.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has intensified efforts to expose the ever-evolving tactics employed by human traffickers to lure victim.
The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Mr Laurent de Boeck, gave the indication in Abuja at an Award ceremony for IOM 2023 short film contest on Combating Human Trafficking.
Mr de Boeck enjoined stakeholders to raise awareness through any available means to mitigate the menace of trafficking in the society.
“This event marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the scourge of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that affects millions of lives around the world, and Nigeria is unfortunately no exception”. Mr de Boeck.
“We find hope and inspiration in the power of art and storytelling. Today, as we celebrate the filmmakers who have used their creativity and vision to shed light on this issue, provoke thought, and ignite conversations that can drive real change, we must remind ourselves of the need to amplify our efforts in raising awareness about the ever-evolving tactics employed by human traffickers.”
The Chief of Mission, explained that human trafficking criminals target vulnerable groups, including migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and survivors of gender-based violence.
He emphasized the adoption of the short film contest to bring in the youths, who are the most vulnerable population when it comes to trafficking in persons.
We believe that through this engagement, the youth could explore their creativity to fight and dismantle the networks that profit from the exploitation of innocent lives and create a world where no one is left behind.
According to Chief of Mission, each film is a testament to the filmmakers’ dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. As we honour the winners of this contest, we also recognise that their work extends far beyond the boundaries of the screen.
These films educate, inform, and galvanize action against exploitation, inequality, and the violation of human dignity”.
According to Mr de Boeck, NAPTIP has convicted eighty human traffic criminals in 2022 and, forty four convictions in 2023, which shows a lot progress, saying that more efforts is still needed.
Equally, IOM has been at the forefront of combating human trafficking, working tirelessly alongside the Federal Government of Nigeria and development partners.
Since 2017, over 31,000 returnees have been assisted in their journey back home, including 4,287 victims of trafficking.
The exploitation of victims ranging from labour exploitation to sexual exploitation and even modern-day slavery. IOM’s approach is comprehensive and rooted in the protection of rights, physical and mental well-being, and community sustainability.
While speaking on the short film, the International Director, MeCHAT, Ann Abok, urged all to live a life that will benefit others as well.
“Over 50 million people worldwide, their rights have been trampled on. Like Nelson Mandel says, to be free is not just for us to cast off our chains, but for us to live in live in away the will enable the freedom of others. “If you and I claim to know our rights, rights to freedom, education, whatever right we claim we have as humans. How about the right of those that have been stolen. You and I cannot be free unless we live in a way that will enable the freedom of others.”
IOM Nigeria’s Short-Film contest on combating trafficking in persons is an initiative of IOM Nigeria to employ the use of mass education and awareness-raising as strategic tools in combating human trafficking to achieve the desired behavioral changes in Nigeria.
Four winners were selected from two categories which are official and the popular vote categories.
The winners of the competition are Miss Letitia Ijeoma Osita-Obasi popularly known as Lio the producer of ZANIFA won the first prize.
While Adeola Andrea Peregrino, the producer of POACHED took the second prize
The third prize went to Kongs Shamaki, the producer of HALIMA
And the winner for the popular vote wnt to Efunshile Akinwunmi the producer of NET OF SHADOWS.
