By Lucky Isibor
As part of its avowed commitment to the reintegration of returnee migrants who were trafficked out of the country, the Uromi Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (Uromi JDPCI) on Friday, 24 October empowered some of the returnee migrants it earlier sent for vocational training, with starter packs and rent for their shops to the tune of One Million Naira each.
In his opening address at the presentation ceremony held at the Uromi Catholic Diocesean Chancery at Uromi, the Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo noted that the occasion was not just for the presentation of empowerment starter and equipment to the beneficiaries, but was also a celebration of transformation, courage and reinvented dignity for the female returnees who were victims of human trafficking and exploitation.
Arhedo pointed out that Uromi JDPCI in the last two years under the aegis of the Act Against Child Trafficking in Nigeria (AACTING) project. has worked assiduously to strengthen community and institutional systems to prevent child trafficking, enhance their protection and reintegrate survivors in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State.
“Today’s gathering is not merely about distributing business start-up materials/equipment, it is a celebration of transformation, courage, and renewed dignity for our young female returnees who were once victims of human trafficking and exploitation, but have now chosen the path of healing and self-reliance.
“For the past two years, under the AACTING project, Uromi JDPCI has worked tirelessly to strengthen community and institutional systems to prevent child trafficking and enhance protection and reintegration for survivors in Edo Central Senatorial District.
“Our mission has been guided by the conviction that every human life has an inherent dignity—a principle rooted in the Social Doctrine of the Church (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 108)—and that no one should ever be treated as a commodity.”
While enumerating the criteria used in enlisting returnees into the Uromi JDPCI vocational and entrepreneural training and the selection of the final seven beneficiaries of the empowerment, Fr. Arhedo pointed out that a psychologist was also involved in the rehabilitation process to give the victims psychosocial empowerment.
“A major component of our work is the economic and psychosocial empowerment of returnees, ensuring that those who have been rescued or repatriated can rebuild their lives, regain their selfworth, and live in freedom.
“Our engagement with the young women we celebrate today began through a careful process of identification, profiling, and needs assessment to ensure that our support reached those most in need.
“For many, this was the beginning of a long journey from trauma to transformation. With the help of our counsellors and trainers, they began to rediscover their value, rebuild self-confidence, and believe once again that a better life is possible here at home.
“They were subsequently enrolled in vocational and entrepreneurial training across various trades of their choice including hairdressing, makeup artistry, and small-scale business management. Through hard work, discipline, and perseverance, they mastered practical skills and received mentoring on financial literacy and ethical business practices.”
While commending the beneficiaries for their determination, Fr.Arhedo counseled them that the empowerment tools are neither charity nor gifts for comfort, but that are investments in human potential and tools for their socioeconomic independence and restoration.
“Today’s empowerment ceremony marks the successful completion of their training phase. Each of our seven beneficiaries will receive business start-up materials/equipment and one year of shop rent, amounting to over one million naira in total.
“This support is not charity—it is an investment in human potential. It is a practical expression of Pope Francis’ call to “accompany, protect, promote, and integrate” migrants and survivors of trafficking (Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2018).
“To our dear beneficiaries, congratulations. You have shown remarkable courage and determination. The items you receive today are not gifts for comfort, but tools for independence and restoration. Use them wisely and creatively. Let your hard work speak for itself. These items are not to be sold.
“You are now ambassadors of hope to others still struggling in silence. Build your businesses with integrity, remain focused, and make yourselves, your families, and your communities proud.”
Rev. Fr. Arhedo who expressed appreciation to its international partners—ECPAT France and Luxembourg, the Agence Frangaise de Développement (AFD), and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, NAPTIP, Edo State Migration Agency, Caritas Nigeria, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Local Government Social Welfare Departments, however called for collaboration from well meaning individuals, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), corporate organisations to reach out to other vulnerable and at – risk- youths in the society.
“We express deep gratitude to our international partners—ECPAT France and Luxembourg, the Agence Frangaise de Développement (AFD), and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg—for your unwavering support and trust. Your collaboration has brought hope where there was despair, and light where there was darkness.
“As we celebrate these milestones, I extend an open hand of partnership to all who share our vision—government agencies, NGOs, faith leaders, private sector actors, and individuals of goodwill.
“Together, let us expand our reach to other vulnerable and at-risk youths, especially school dropouts and out-of-school children, by equipping them with skills, mentorship, and start-up support. When we invest in people, we build peace, reduce irregular migration, and create lasting change in our communities.”
In her remarks, the Project Officer of ECPAT France, Holly Dowie who joined the ceremony via zoom from France, commended Uromi JDPCI for its efforts in rehabilitating returnee migrants and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and be good examples to others.
The Edo State Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Samuel Offiah (Esq) thanked Uromi JDPCI for its efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate returnee migrants into the society.
Offiah who was represented by an officer in the Edo State Zonal Command of NAPTIP, Ifeoma Bello urged the beneficiaries to take the empowerment as a new beginning in their lives and ensure they do not allow anyone to deceive them, adding that what Uromi JDPCI is doing to them is a new start in their life.
He appealed to them to avoid bad company and friends that will lure them into selling the equipment under the wrong notion that another set of empowerment will come, as according to him, empowerment will not come to them again under such circumstances.
The representative of Caritas Nigeria, Onomen Oriakhi (Esq), described the empowerment as a reflection of Uromi JDPCI’S commitment to uplifting vulnerable persons and supporting returned migrants, especially female survivors across Edo Central Senatorial District.
Oriakhi who was represented by Precious Esezobor (Esq), added that, “Our partnership with Uromi JDPCI has continued to yield remarkable results, from reintegration and psychosocial support to sustained livelihood and community resilience programmes.”
A member of the Board of Trustees of Uromi JDPCI, Dr (Mrs) Irene Akhideno assured that Uromi JDPCI will continue to implement programmes that will stem human trafficking and reintegrate returnees.
Dr. Akhideno who is also the President of the Edo State chapter of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), appealed to the beneficiaries to resist the temptation to sell the empowerment items, adding that they can carry out several businesses that will be earning them income from the items she is seeing at the ceremony.
The Regional Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, Archbishop Anthony Okosun noted that the donors of the empowerment items are not richer than most people in Nigeria, but made sacrifice to empower and take them out of the street. He therefore urged them to make good use of the items.
In their separate remarks, Godfrey Itua who represented the Edo State Migration Agency, the National Vice – President of Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Chief Patrick Ebason who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Ebason and a reintegrated and rehabilitated returnee, who is one of the trainers, Mrs. Obi Blessing Osose appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and shun the temptation to sell them.