CELOHA Hosts Workshop on Human Trafficking, Reunification/Child Protection in Kano
By Mustapha Salisu
The Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid Initiative (CELOHA), a non-governmental organization, organized a one-day workshop on Human Trafficking, Family Reunification/Reintegration, and Social Services for stakeholders in Kano State.
Held on Tuesday at Babale Suite and Luxury Hotel, the meeting received support from Service Social International Afrique de l’Ouest, RESEAU AFRIQUE de l’Ouest, and ONG A N.T.D.
CELOHA’s Executive Director, Mustapha Sa’id Kano, spoke to PRIME TIME NEWS, revealing the workshop’s focus on collaboration with ECOWAS representatives from Niger, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. Their aim is to address issues related to street children and missing children in Nigeria.
“The training aims to map out ways to smoothly repatriate missing children across borders, once proper documentation is obtained,” Mustapha explained.
He expressed his satisfaction with the West Africa Network for the Protection of Children (WAN) selecting CELOHA to coordinate activities in Northern Nigeria. CELOHA will collaborate with other organizations to achieve the project’s goals.
Mr. Mohmado Sarl from Senegal, representing the International Social Service West Africa (ISS-West Africa), spoke earlier. He highlighted their role as an international child protection organization working to re-organize the West Africa Network (WAN) in Northern Nigeria.
Sarl explained that ISS-West Africa provides technical and financial support to WAN coordinators in 12 West African ECOWAS countries. As Country Support Adviser, he emphasized their collaboration with countries to strengthen their national child protection systems.
“Our purpose in Kano is to identify a National Coordinator for the West Africa Network in Northern Nigeria. We also aim to build a network that will help them achieve WAN’s goals in the region” Sarl said.
“This meeting brings together child protection actors in Kano. With the goal of introducing them to WAN and equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to protect children” he noted.
Mr. Khadoun Mostapha, representing the child protection organization INTD from the Republic of Niger, emphasized the need for a Northern Nigerian coordination unit. He highlighted Niger’s shared border with many Northern Nigerian states, making a regional coalition crucial.
“Such a coalition would significantly contribute to the project’s success. We all work with NAPTIP, lawyers, and government ministries related to child protection” Mostapha said.
He called on all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to support child protection efforts, emphasizing that “a child belongs to all, not just their parents.”
