The Symbols of Hope (SOH) project, an initiative of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has called for an end to human trafficking and irregular migration.

The LWF with its member church, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), made the call while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Country Representative, Rev. Lesmore Ezekiel, said that the LEF is empowering and building capacity in the member churches to better respond to issues related to irregular migration.

He said that the SOH project sought to rekindle hope in the lives of youth to explore the enormous potentials at home for gainful engagements through sustainable livelihood initiatives that would be supported.

He said that SOH project have established a nationwide outreach, including remote rural areas where other governmental and non-governmental actors may be less present and influential.

Ezekiel prayed fervently for God to arrest the lives of the perpetrators of human trafficking in the state just as they appealed to the international community to come to the aid of the government.

He urged religious leaders to lead the fight against human trafficking using their influence as spiritual leaders in the society, especially as the illicit trade appeared to have enjoyed the backing of some religious leaders in the state.

“If the government must record success in the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration, all hands must be on deck to bring about the desire change we need at a nation,” he said.

He asserted that the commitment of religious leaders would help in ending the scourge of human trafficking in the Nigeria.

He described human trafficking as a crime against God and humanity, just as he urged religious leaders to engage in the fight and support the initiative.

Speaking on antics of the human trafficking cartel, he said, “The human trafficking cartels should be charged for crimes against humanity considering the scale of their inhuman and criminal activities that have led to the death and salary of many Nigerian youths.

He said that SOH is in collaboration with The International Criminal Police Organisation, commonly known as Interpol, key religious institution, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigeria Immigration to respond to the threat of human trafficking.

He explained that one of the strategies of the human trafficking cartels is to paint a hopeless picture of the Nation.

The cleric said that the nation have lost Thousands of youths in the desert and Mediterranean Sea.

“All who went through all the illegal routes went through torment. Despite all the gory stories of those trapped in such horrendous conditions.

“Many people are contemplating to undertake such dangerous adventure because of different push factors, such as joblessness, economic deprivation, conflict and insecurity, gender based disparity and violence, socio-political servitude,” he said.

The Country Director pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure that push factors, he listed as joblessness, economic deprivation, violent conflict and insecurity should be addressed speedily.

“The government has been constitutionally obligated to ensure that citizens are protected and basic social amenities for the wellbeing of all nation cohesion and respect are provided.

“The nation’s dignity is partly undermined by the seemingly obstinate incidence of human trafficking through illegal migration and other illicit acts,” he said.

He, however, commended the various efforts made by the Federal Government through its designated agencies to respond to the challenges of human trafficking.

Rev. Ezekiel also commended the relentless efforts of the CSOs, international agencies and diplomatic corp and some media agencies for their continuous publicity to the various initiatives to curb the menace of human trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lutheran Church is aimed at mobilising adherents of all religions and the general public in Nigeria and some African countries to deliberately respond to the dehumanising acts of all forms of human trafficking from socio-religious dimensions.

The programme started in July, 2017, helped churches inform and raise awareness in their communities on migration.

The LWF assumes a role of networking, resource mobilization and strengthening church capacities. (NAN)

– Oct. 30, 2018 @ 17:59 GMT |