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NAPTIP D-G wants legal framework combating human trafficking-related corruption strengthened

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2024

The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, has recommended the strengthening of legal framework as a measure to combat corruption in human trafficking.

The NAPTIP boss made this recommendation in her research paper presented at the 8th inaugural lecture series of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) on Thursday in Abuja.

The reports have it that the title of the research paper is, “The Interplay between Corruption and Human Trafficking Epidemic: The Implications and Solutions for Nigeria.”

Waziri-Azi stated that the reasons why arrests, investigations, prosecutions and protection had not been successful in human trafficking issues was because of high-level corruption endemic in the system.

She said that corruption had seriously interfered in Nigeria’s policies, adding that if corruption in trafficking in persons was jointly addressed, it would help effectively in combating human trafficking.

The NAPTIP boss said that strengthening of the country’s legal framework would help immensely in ending human trafficking issues, which she said, was prevalent in the country.
She recommended the strengthening of the country’s domestic laws on trafficking in persons, adding that it should be in line with international standards.

“The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration (TIPPEA) Act 2015 should be amended to include corruption-related human trafficking issues.
“A new section may be introduced or section 34 which provides for tampering with evidence and witness may be amended.

“The section may also make it illegal for a public official to use their office or position to impede investigation, prosecution or execution of a lawful order under the TIPPEA Act.
“The official shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than seven (7) years and to a fine not less than N2,000,000 or both.

“An additional subsection may also be added to provide that ‘Any government official who issues travel documents or facilitate the issuance of same without following the prescribed procedures provided for by law to stop the arrest of offender shall be held liable’,” she stressed.

Waziri-Azi also recommended the enhancing of law enforcement capacities, promoting transparency, accountability and framework of integrity for public officers.

She also called for other joint collaborative efforts of all stakeholders like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and others, as well as integration of the National Action Plan on human trafficking.

She recommended the enhancement of investigation of corruption-related issues, whistle blower and witness protection mechanism, and transparent and stringent recruitment of staff who work in the risk sectors.

The Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Mohammed Ladan, commended Waziri-Azi for coming up with such research work and stated the relevant section of the constitution that spoke to the topic which the NAPTIP D-G had written about.

NAN

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RMRDC: Making Giant Strides Under Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso

Published

6 hours ago

September 19, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago. This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office, he said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, “In the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; and Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations.

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed further: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC), at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research (JORMAR) will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. “The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

“The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.”Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program. “Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance.

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

The DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

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