Akwa Ibom first lady designate mutes collaboration with Immigration Service to tackle trafficking

Lady Helen Eno Obareki, first lady designate of the State has said her office was ready to partner with the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom State command to sensitize the public especially the girl-child on the danger of illegal migration and trafficking.

Obareki, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, gave the assurance on Friday, 10th January,2025 when she received the management staff of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, led by the Comptroller, CSI Agatha Odika, in her office.

The coordinator of the office of the First Lady, said her commitment to stop the trafficking of women and children was borne out of the need to curb the dangers faced by individuals trafficked after being lured from their homes and families.

She said that more work is needed to tackle the crime of human trafficking in the state declaring her readiness to partner with the Immigration Service in the area of producing sensitization materials to enlighten the public with a view to addressing trafficking of women and children in the State.

“As an office, we will collaborate with you to see how we can stem this ugly tide of trafficking in our society. Our young children especially the girls need to be aware of the dangers of embarking on illegal migration,” Lady Obareki said.

Earlier, the 23rd Comptroller of Immigration Service, Akwa Ibom State Command, Agatha Odika, commended Lady Obareki for granting them audience, listing out their duties to cover cases of issuance of passport, documents, border security and immigration management for peace and unity of the State, reiterating her commitment to eliminating quackery in an era where the backlog of international passports issuance has passed.

She further commended Akwa Ibom State for its hospitality, and lauded the unique leadership style of Governor Umo Eno, assuring that the immigration tentacles are spread across the state to ensure that scrupulous elements cannot carry out nefarious activities.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady by the State Comptroller of Immigration, Agatha Odika. In return, the coordinator presented a token of appreciation to the delegation from the State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service.