The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for assenting the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, WOTCLEF, Bill while in office.
WOTCLEF, an agency that fights against women trafficking,
was established by the former First Lady, Titi Abubakar.
Atiku said Obasanjo’s leadership created an energized
environment for WOTCLEF’s mission.
The former Vice President made the remark while celebrating
the 25th anniversary of WOTCLEF.
The statement he signed partly read: “Today, we gather not
only to celebrate an important milestone—the 25th anniversary of the Women
Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, known affectionately as
WOTCLEF— but also to honour a vision that has reshaped the landscape of human
rights and social justice in Nigeria.
“Before I begin, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to
each of you for being here today. Your presence underscores your commitment to
eradicating the horrific realities of human trafficking and child labour, as
well as your steadfast support for the rights of women and children in our
nation.
“Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, our journey commenced. It
was a year of transformative promise—a year that heralded not just the dawn of
a new democracy, but also the emergence of a beacon of hope for our most
vulnerable. WOTCLEF arose from a profound need for change, to confront the grim
realities faced by so many, where the innocent often fell victim to human
trafficking, child labour, and abuse.
“At the heart of this initiative was my beloved wife, Her
Excellency Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, who recognized the urgency to become a
voice for the voiceless upon my swearing-in as Vice President.
“As I stand here today, I am filled with pride and admiration
for Titi. Her unwavering dedication to combatting human trafficking and child
labour has changed countless lives. She did not merely witness the suffering of
women and children; she took decisive action to lead the charge for change.
“Furthermore, I want to extend our profound and most
heartfelt appreciation to President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) for his swift
assent to the WOTCLEF bill, which prohibited women trafficking and child labour
in Nigeria. His courageous leadership fostered the environment that energized
WOTCLEF’s mission, reinforcing our democratic values while delivering vital
hope to our downtrodden communities.
“Subsequent Nigerian Presidents have carried forward this
noble effort, recognizing the urgency of combatting women trafficking and child
labour. They diligently scrutinized the 2003 Act, leading to its repeal and
re-enactment on March 26, 2015, by President Muhammadu Buhari, which
re-established NAPTIP as a federal agency devoted to fighting the most
egregious violations of women’s and children’s rights.
“Together, these actions highlight the strength of
collaborative governance, and our collective will to build a safer, fairer
society for all.”
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