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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his role in endorsing the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) Bill during his presidency.
This commendation came as WOTCLEF, an initiative founded by former First Lady, Titi Abubakar, celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Atiku highlighted that President Obasanjo’s administration provided a supportive environment that was crucial for WOTCLEF’s efforts against human trafficking.
The event also served as a moment of reunion for Atiku and his former principal, Obasanjo.
The statement reads, “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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