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Interpol rescues child slaves in Benin and Nigeria
Interpol says 216 human trafficking victims, mainly children, have been rescued from forced labour and prostitution in a major operation in Benin Republic and Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nigerians in Diaspora continue to call for the enrolment of all Nigerians outside their home country, in the National Identity Database, in a move towards achieving the Diaspora Voting Rights by 2023. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to the Nigerian President joins CNBC Africa for more.
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 13:07:20 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- The successful rescue operation by Interpol highlights the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian government to combat human trafficking, particularly in collaboration with Benin Republic.
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the importance of promoting a positive image of Nigeria and encouraging Nigerians in the diaspora to abide by local laws while abroad.
- The discussion on diaspora voting rights for Nigerians abroad in 2023 underscores the need for legislative amendments and active engagement from diaspora communities to push for their voting rights.
Interpol recently announced a successful operation that led to the rescue of 216 human trafficking victims, predominantly children, from forced labor and prostitution in Benin Republic and Nigeria. This revelation sheds light on the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian government to address the issue of human trafficking and cater to Nigerians in the diaspora. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to the Nigerian President, discussed these crucial matters in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. During the interview, she emphasized the importance of collaboration between Benin and Nigeria to combat human trafficking in the West African region. Dabiri-Erewa commended the actions taken by authorities and expressed hope for further interventions to eradicate trafficking. She noted that President Buhari has prioritized addressing trafficking issues and highlighted the successful repatriation of Nigerian citizens from Libya. The government is committed to ensuring that trafficking becomes a thing of the past. Dabiri-Erewa's role involves mediating between Nigerians in the diaspora, foreign governments, and the Nigerian government. She underscored President Buhari's encouragement for Nigerians abroad to represent their country positively and abide by the laws of their host countries. While addressing issues faced by Nigerians in the diaspora, she also highlighted the achievements of many Nigerians excelling globally. Despite challenges encountered by some citizens in foreign countries, the focus remains on celebrating success stories and promoting a positive image of Nigeria worldwide. The conversation shifted towards the regulation of activities of Nigerians in the diaspora, citing examples of other nations like China issuing warnings to their nationals abroad. Dabiri-Erewa explained that the Nigerian government emphasizes the need for Nigerians living abroad to adhere to local laws and regulations. She acknowledged that while interventions are made to assist citizens in trouble, accountability remains crucial. The government has initiated a registration process for Nigerians in the diaspora in countries like South Africa, the UAE, and London, with the aim of facilitating diaspora voting. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the significance of having a diaspora policy to guide interactions with Nigerians living outside the country. One of the key topics discussed during the interview was the prospect of diaspora voting rights in the upcoming year 2023. Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism about the achievability of diaspora voting rights, citing the need for amendments to relevant laws by the National Assembly. She called on Nigerians abroad to advocate for legislative changes that would grant them the right to vote. With billions of dollars being remitted back to Nigeria annually by diaspora communities, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that it is their fundamental right to participate in the electoral process. The interview concluded with a call to action for Nigerians in the diaspora to collaborate with the government in pushing for legislative reforms to enable diaspora voting. The path towards achieving diaspora voting rights is seen as a crucial step in enhancing the representation and engagement of Nigerians living outside the country.
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