Report

Joseph Osuigwe’s Participation at.

(Sept. – Nov., 2017)

www.devatop.org
International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference is one of the largest gatherings of anti-
human trafficking experts globally. It is a platform that brings over 1000 researchers, service
providers, advocates, politicians, and students together to learn, connect, and collaborate. The
conference has been instrumental in ending modern slavery. The conference presenters have
historically provided the latest and most innovative research, practice, activism in the field of anti-
trafficking work. It is an impetus for many research collaborations, and has spurred new programming
across United States and other countries. During the conference, over 1,200 attendees from over 20
states and 11 countries participated.
The speakers at the conference focused on human trafficking topics and social justice issues.
Joseph Osuigwe was selected among others, to present his research paper titled, “Voluntary
Community Development Project as Platform for Social Action and Advocacy” at the conference.
To reinforce its effort to combating human trafficking, United States Embassy supported Joseph
Osuigwe, a Nigerian anti-human trafficking advocate and Executive Director of Devatop Centre for
Africa Development to attend the International Human Trafficking Conference at University of
Toledo, Ohio State, United States of America.

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On 22nd September, 2017, he presented his paper and emphasized on the need to
encourage volunteers to carryout community projects anti-human trafficking.
While making his presentation, he said, “Over 80% of victims of human trafficking
are young people. Obviously, human Trafficking is a weapon against the future of
young people. Hence, they need to be empowered to be at the forefront of combating
this monstrous crime. Young people have vital roles to play and need to be empowered
to carry out community projects to combat human trafficking.
Young people need to voluntarily take strategic actions against trafficking in persons.
Volunteers and community development projects are vital instruments to combating
human trafficking”.
He narrated how In 2017, 50 volunteers
from Devatop carried out community
development projects that impacted over
3000 vulnerable groups in four states of
Nigeria. The result of this is a proof that
if young people are engaged and
empowered, they will go a long way to
utilize their creativity, energy, and ideas
to combating human trafficking.
He disclosed that with over 150 young people volunteering for Devatop, the organization
is leading one of the greatest movements of young people against human trafficking in
Nigeria.
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 They always encourage volunteers/young people to carry out personal community
development projects in their communities.

Well done. Great presentation. Thank you for traveling so far and sharing your passion
and knowledge. I hope you or the agency will continue to be involved in this
conference. So much new information. I look forward to reading your book. –Molly

HOW JOSEPH OSUIGWE PARTICIPATED AT THE CONFERENCE

A part from his research presentation, he attended different

lectures where he learnt from other researches, activists and
advocates at the conference. He attended over 12 lectures on various
topics related to human trafficking and social justice issues.

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 JOSEPH OSUIGWE PRESENTED ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING
FRAME/AWARD AT THE CONFERENCE
D uring the conference lunch party, he gave a brief speech on how he was inspired by Human
Trafficking and Social Justice Conference team and the initiative of Governor of Ohio State.
Thereafter, he presented Devatop's anti-human trafficking award/frame to:

a. John Kasich(represented), the Governor of Ohio State for his bold initiative to combating human
trafficking,

b. L u c a s C o u n t y
Human Trafficking
Coalition and
Human Trafficking
and Social Justice
Institute
c. Human Trafficking
and Social Justice
Institute of
University of Toledo
for their consistency
and perseverance in
organizing the
conference since
2004.
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He reminded over 1200 participants at the event to continue to improve their actions against
human trafficking.
Joseph also volunteered at the conference to do social media activities, and discussed partnership
with different organizations. He received mind blowing advice from other researchers on how he
can implement his next project, known as TALKAM, which involves the use of mobile application
to report incidences of human trafficking and other human rights abuses.
While in U.S, Joseph noted that:
a. Combating human trafficking is among the top priority of United States government. The
president, legislators and judiciary are audacious in their public statement and commitment
to combating human trafficking.
b. There is an increased engagement of private sector in the fight against human trafficking,
and government has set a pace for private sector, and also stimulates them to join the fight
against human trafficking. The US Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking
and Slavery Act 2015 has helped encourage more businesses to help prevent human
trafficking.
c. Tertiary institutions are also showing commitment to ending human trafficking. There are
different human trafficking research institute in different tertiary institutions in USA.

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On arrival to Nigeria, Joseph started advocating for federal, state and local government to give
priority to human trafficking. He has granted interview to many media houses like News
Agency of Nigeria, Ghanaian Voice, Peoples Television, Nigerian Television Authority, and
African Independent Television, where he spoke on the need for government to call for national
action against human trafficking. He has also challenged private sector to start adopting anti-
human trafficking as cooperate social responsibilities. Joseph has been stepping up his
approach to combating human trafficking, especially through his next project known as
TALKAM. Through the project, he will develop an anti-human trafficking reporting mobile
application and set up human rights ICT Hub, which will increase reportage, strengthen
response system, and provide data/statistics to government, national and international
organizations.

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POST-CONFERENCE PROJECT

By

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 ABOUT THE TRAINING

Anti-human trafficking advocacy training is organized to equip young people as advocates, and
empower them to carryout community projects to combat human trafficking. It is a Pass-It-On
project by The Executive Director of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, Joseph Osuigwe who
was recently supported by the United State Embassy Nigeria to attend the International Human
Trafficking Conference which held at the University of Toledo, Ohio State, United States of America.

Joseph Osuigwe with support from U.S Embassy Nigeria trained more than 40 youth, mostly National
Youth Service Corps selected from six(6) local Council Areas within the Federal Capital Territory
and Kogi State, on the role of Young people in combating human trafficking. Part of the areas
covered include: Forms of human trafficking, dangers of human trafficking, how to identify human
traffickers and victims, becoming an anti-human trafficking advocate, how to combat human
trafficking through community protects.
During the training, Joseph Osuigwe donated his new book titled, “Becoming An Anti-Human
Trafficking Advocate” to the trainees. The book was produced after his return from International
Human Trafficking Conference.

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 SPEECH BY JOSEPH OSUIGWE, Executive Director,
Devatop Centre for Africa Development

Ito tdoistoimportant to note that there is much work

combat human trafficking, but citizens;
especially young people should actively
participate in ending human trafficking.
Therefore, this anti-human trafficking
advocacy training is organized to equip young
people as advocates, and empower them to
carryout community projects to combat human
trafficking. Each of the advocates will educate
at least 100 community members.

“It is important to note that there is much work

to do to combat human trafficking”
SPEECH BY LARRY SOCHA, CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER OF U.S EMBASSY NIGERIA

Human trafficking must be recognized for

what it is. United States of America is
committed to addressing human trafficking
globally, and will continue to support other
countries to curb this menace. We approach
human trafficking through Prevention,
Protection, Persecution, Partnership and
Policy. Under partnership, we give support to
initiatives that address human trafficking. We
are glad to support Joseph Osuigwe, who is an
active member of YALI Network.

“Human trafficking must be recognized for what it is”.

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 Speech by Mr. Arinze Orakwue, Director of Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP
Iwashavedoingknown Joseph since 2013 while he
his National Youth Service, and
executing projects on anti-human trafficking.
He has shown commitment and resilience in
his work, against all odds. It is passion that has
brought him this far. Therefore, youth who are
here today needs to learn from Joseph
commitment, and be passionate about
executing their anti-human trafficking
projects.

“Youth need to be passionate about combating Human Trafficking”

Remark by Mrs. Martha Abang, Representative of Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development

Mr. Joseph has shown a good example to

young people on how they can combat human
trafficking. Corps members and everyone
here should make sure all hands are put on
deck in order to curb this menace that has
affected/frustrated millions of young people.

Corps members and everyone here should make sure all hands are put on deck...
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 REMARKS BY MR. YOHANA MICHAEL, REPRESENTATIVE OF FCT NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS(NYSC) COORDINATOR.

O n behalf of the coordinator of FCT-

NYSC, I want to say we are glad to partner
with Joseph Osuigwe and U.S Embassy
Nigeria to empower our corps members to
carryout community projects on human
trafficking. NYSC is committed to addressing
issues that affect communities, and this
training is pivotal to this assignment. We will
follow-up to ensure that corps members take
action against human trafficking.

“NYSC is committed to addressing issues that affect communities”

COURSE I & 2
BY
Lewis Olatunji
Intelligent Officer of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons

Topic: Human Trafficking and How To

Combat It
· Meaning of human trafficking
· Causes of human trafficking
· Forms of human trafficking (sex
trafficking, labour trafficking, organ
trafficking, forced marriage, domestic
servitude, etc)
· 4Ps on Human Trafficking
· Solutions to human trafficking

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 COURSE 3 & 4
BY
Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director, DEVATOP Center for Africa Development
Topic: Community Project and How to Do Pass-
It-On
· Meaning of Community Project
· Meaning of Pass-It-On
· How to Start a Community Project on Anti-
Human Trafficking
· Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign
Messages
· How to Gather Resources for Community
Project/Pass-It-On
? Observing and Reporting Human
Trafficking

“Young people need to be at the forefront of

combating human trafficking”

Course 5
By

Topic: Anti-Human Trafficking

Advocacy
· Meaning of Advocate and
Advocacy
· Qualities of an advocate
· 10 Steps to Effective
Advocacy

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After the post-test, all the participants filled Take Action Form, describing the kind of community
project they want to execute. The form will be used to monitor and evaluate their activities.

Topic of Discussion: What Can Youth Do To Combat Human

Trafficking?

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 PHOTOS

Cross Section & Participants Corp Members observing one minute silent for 26
Nigerian girls that died at Mediterranean

Corp Members singing National Anthem Corps members received new book titled: “Becoming
An Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate” by Joseph Osuiweg

Special Guests at the training Joseph Osuigwe receiving Mr. Larry Socha,
U.S Embassy Cultural Affair Officer

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Presentation of Certificates to Corps Members

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 INTERVIEWS

Interview with Mr Larry Socha, Cultural Affairs Officer, U.S Embassy

Interview with one of the Corp Members Interview with one of the Corp Members

Interview with Mr Arinze Orakwue, Interview with Mr. Yohana Michael, FCT NYSC
Director Public Enlightenment NAPTIP

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