The Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) on Saturday in Lagos x-rayed three films to create more awareness on the call against human trafficking
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the three short films were selected out of 461 others from 71 countries because they gave adequate insight on human trafficking.
The films include “Debt of Death”, “After Thought” and “The Bodies”, all produced by Nigerian film makers – Azubuike Erinugha, Ino Moses and Nelson Bright respectively.
A-TIPSOM is a project funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).
The exhibition is done to commemorate the EU Anti-Trafficking Day scheduled for Oct. 18,2021.
Mr. Rasheed Olatunji, Head, Data and Statistics, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), called for more awareness to prevent human trafficking.
According to Olatunji, the agency will continue to create awareness on human trafficking through the creation of movies and skits that will get across to youths faster.
”Films on human trafficking should be able to state the dangers and consequences of the menace in order to act as a deterrent to prospective victims,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Osita Osemene, National Secretary, Network Against Child Trafficking , Abuse and Labour, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that part of the network’s strategies in sensitization was the organization of community town hall meetings.
“At these meetings, we invite parents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders into the fight against trafficking.
“We understand that information is key in terms of reducing the prevalence of human trafficking. People say that prevention is better than cure.
“People claim that poverty is the cause of this menace but we also look at it from the aspect of greed.
“Some parents don’t have value for their children and would be eager to give them away to traffickers for money. We need to stop using human beings as commodities,” Osemene said
He added that protection services were provided for women, children and young men who had been rescued because the network recognizes the importance of protecting victims of trafficking,
Also, Mr. Rafael Rios, Team Leader, A-TIPSOM, said it was easier to sensitize the younger generation through movies in the fight against human trafficking.
Rios said that the exhibition was aimed at encouraging filmmakers, actors and skit-makers to be at the forefront of creating effective anti-human trafficking awareness through their various platforms.
He said that FIIAPP was working in strategic areas of the Nigerian government to tackle trafficking in persons.
These areas, he said are policy, prevention, protection, partnership and prosecution.
“We will continue to organize seminars and trainings to sensitize families in rural and urban areas on the dangers of falling for traffickers.
“If you have any questions or get lured by traffickers with fake opportunities, call the relevant bodies for clarity.
“We believe that a global problem like this needs a global solution so all hands must be on deck. We will continue working with Nigerian agencies to put an end to this,” he said.
Similarly, Mr. Daniel Millar, Spanish Consul General in Lagos, appealed to youths to apply lessons learnt from trafficking-focused movies in their journeys through life.
“Human trafficking is 21st century slavery but can be mitigated with the tight awareness and joint efforts. Everyone has an important role to play in this,” he said.
Also, Ino Moses, the Filmmaker and Producer of ”After Thought”, said that the movie industry had an important role to play in raising awareness on human trafficking through visuals.
Moses noted that the major challenges with producing movies about the menace are the cumbersome laws and ethics by film agencies.
He added that low levels of interest from agencies to screen films was another problem.
“If we are going to create perfect works to raise awareness, we need enabling environment,” Moses said. (NAN)
