By Chris Chikelue
The newly elected President of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), Osita Osemene, has assumed office with plans to strengthen the organisation’s operations, expand its membership, improve public visibility and enhance collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and child abuse.
Osemene’s inauguration took place on Oct. 22, in Abuja at the Conference for Volunteers. He began his tenure with a meeting of the national executive, where members discussed priorities for the new administration.
He announced the activation of committees to address communication, membership management, capacity development, coordination and reporting, emphasising the need for a more effective and visible organisation.
“We have activated committees that would carry out various functions. We started with establishing the communication team, and the essence is to give NACTAL both national and global visibility,” he said.
On membership expansion, Osemene disclosed that a committee had been established to verify existing members, update records and recruit new ones. He said the administration was targeting 500 members within three months and 1,000 within six months.
He added that the new administration would prioritise capacity development, evidence based programme implementation, accurate reporting and greater inclusion of members in project activities.
Addressing concerns arising from the organisation’s recent election, Osemene said efforts were underway to reconcile aggrieved members and stakeholders, stressing that the process would involve examining the issues that led to the disagreements.
“It would be a process in order to look at the issues that have caused the grievance so as to achieve genuine reconciliation,” he said.
The NACTAL president also condemned the reported treatment of Nigerians repatriated by the Ghanaian government, arguing that people who are victims of human trafficking should not be treated as criminals.
“The Nigerian government and CSOs have frowned against the treatment. Most of them were trafficked victims and they must not be treated as criminals. Investigations should be carried out appropriately. Ghana should desist from such practice; it is a shame, as we are brothers,” he said.
He called for appropriate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident, urging that affected Nigerians be treated in accordance with their circumstances.
Osemene announced a 90-day appraisal period to assess the organisation’s operations, identify gaps and measure progress under his leadership.
Meanwhile, the immediate past president of NACTAL, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, formally handed over an inventory of office equipment and the organisation’s operational vehicle to his successor, pledging to support the new administration whenever his assistance was required.
The new administration is expected to build on these priorities to strengthen NACTAL’s internal structures, deepen stakeholder engagement and advance efforts to combat human trafficking, child abuse and labour exploitation in Nigeria.
Chris Chikelue is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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