NWAV Lagos Chapter: itinerant awareness raising campaign in five locations in Lagos, Summer 2020

On July, 30th 2020 (United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons) the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and IOM Lagos aimed to create awareness about human trafficking and worldwide efforts to defeat this scourge. The theme for this year for the UN World Day against Trafficking in Persons was “Committed to the cause-working on the frontline to end Human Trafficking” focused on the first responders to human trafficking. These are the people who work in different sectors – identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking, and challenging the impunity of the traffickers.

For this occasion, the Nigerian Women Association Verona – Lagos chapter, officially launched the first day of the “Activity: 4.3 On the road Awareness Raising – Nigeria” with a joint event in IKEJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA – Lagos with NAPTIP, IOM and several Ngo’s. During August 2020, another four days of campaign have been realized by NWA Lagos chapter in different locations in Lagos. Finally, more than 1.000 masks with ICMPD/Action InSight logo and flyers with information about NWA Help Desk have been delivered during the campaign.

The five locations have been chosen by the NWA Help Desk Officer for their diverse socio-economic and demographic aspects, with a special attention on the specific risks related to human trafficking on each location:

1) IKEJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria. It lies 10.5 miles (17 km) northwest of Lagos city, its population as of 2006 census is 313,196. It’s a well-planned, clean and quite residential and commercial town with shopping malls, pharmacies and government reservation areas, but presently there are heavy industries in and around Ikeja, and import-export businesses are also centred at Ikeja. This environment attracts the unemployed making them preys to traffickers.

2) ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Alimosho is a Local Government Area in the Ikeja Division, Lagos State, Nigeria. The LGA contains the urban area of Egbeda/Akowonjo, it is the largest local government area in Lagos state with over 11million residents. It is currently a semi-urban community mainly residential, with substantial commercial activities. This environment has overpopulated areas as well which attracts traffickers to lure the poor among them.

3) IBA LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA
Iba Local council development authority is a new area under Ojo Local government. This area stretches over 15 kms with a population of over 5,000 residents. The area is mostly residential synonymous with congested houses and little commercial activities. This environment has low income population which attracts traffickers to lure the poor amongst them.

4) OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ojo is a Local Government Area and town in Lagos State, Nigeria. Both Lagos State University and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, are located there. The popular Trade fair market and Alaba international markets are located there. Ojo is located on the eastern section of the Trans–West African Coastal Highway, about 37km west of Lagos. It is part of the Lagos Metropolitan Area. With over half a million residents. This environment has overpopulated areas as well which attracts traffickers to lure the poor amongst them.

5) AMUWO-ODOFIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Amuwo-Odofin is a local government area (LGA) in the Badagry Division, Lagos State, within it is the popular Festac Town a federal housing estate located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The LGA has a population of over 1,500,000 according to the 2006 Census. This environment attracts the young school leavers, youths and unemployed making them preys to traffickers.