Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has linked the escalating crisis of human trafficking in Nigeria to prolonged economic downturns and widespread industrial failures, which have driven desperate citizens into perilous migrations.
Speaking at the launch of Vicious Red Circle, a novel by Ambassador Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku, Yilwatda highlighted how deteriorating economic conditions expose Nigerians to exploitation by traffickers.
Drawing on his tenure as former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Chair of the African-European Migration and Development Team, he advocated for grassroots, community-led strategies to combat the issue.
Yilwatda expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic reforms, stating they would revitalize the economy and generate opportunities for Nigeria's youth.
"The battle against human trafficking extends beyond government bodies," he emphasized. "It requires engagement from families, educational institutions, and local communities. We must end this cycle.
This book urges us to act, it shouldn't stay on shelves but live in our hearts. It captures the anguish of those ensnared by traffickers due to economic hopelessness.
"Praising Oriaku's work as "courage in ink," Yilwatda lauded the use of literature for societal change.Ambassador Oriaku portrayed human trafficking as "a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of exploitation, vulnerability, and silence."
He clarified that his novel transcends fiction, serving as a "clarion call to collective action." "I didn't write this to merely add to statistics," Oriaku said.
"I wrote it to forge empathy, connecting the distant horror of a global issue to the personal story of one individual."
The story centers on Itohan, a young Nigerian girl ensnared in modern slavery, reflecting the real struggles of countless victims.
Oriaku revealed that book proceeds will aid the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), established by Mrs. Titi Abubakar.
"Purchasing this book achieves three goals," he noted: "bearing witness, sparking dialogue, and enabling real impact."
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), reviewed the novel as "a masterpiece of conscience and courage."
"This is not mere fiction; it's art serving humanity," Neliaku declared, highlighting its evocative imagery and ethical profundity.
"Spanning Benin City to Paris in 198 pages, Oriaku crafts a narrative of ambition, betrayal, and redemption, turning storytelling into advocacy."
He also commended the nod to WOTCLEF, crediting its efforts with inspiring the creation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The event drew legislators, governors, diplomats, and human rights activists, framing it as a nationwide awakening to moral responsibility.
With books selling out rapidly, attendees unified around the view that human trafficking represents not only a crime but a shared ethical shortfall requiring immediate intervention.In his closing remarks, Oriaku called for national solidarity to shatter the cycle.
"Indifference won't break this circle," he warned. "But awareness, compassion, and action will. Let's create a new one, a circle of hope."
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com