Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has backed the initiative of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to engage all priests, priestesses, native doctors, traditional chiefs, market women and village heads to tackle human trafficking, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.

Governor Obaseki described the initiative as a royal endorsement of the state government’s fight against human trafficking, illegal migration and other crimes in the state.

Obaseki noted that people who know the factors fuelling human trafficking and illegal migration would appreciate Oba Ewuare II wisdom in calling the meeting of traditional priests, priestesses and native doctors.

He said the native doctors have valuable ideas and inputs that is needed to develop a robust bouquet of strategies that would finally bring an end to modern day slavery and criminal trade in humans.

The Edo Governor expressed optimism that some priests and native doctors would adjust their ways because there are instances where some of these priests and native doctors have breached their codes of practice and get involved in the illegal trade.

He said, “As a government, we could not have asked for a better deal from the Oba of Benin. He is rich in wisdom and always there to offer his support to us. I am excited about the meeting, especially with the apex anti-human trafficking agency, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) scheduled to attend.

“It is time to be frank about this crisis and tackle it with all we have. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch as we lose the most productive class of our population to human trafficking and illegal migration.”

“We are setting the stage for socially and legally approved enterprises and ventures that will keep our creative youths at home and contribute to nation building. We have committed the last one year of our administration to industrialising the state and things can only get better,” he assured.

The Nation