JDPC BENIN REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE MESURES AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (SMAT-P) OCTOBER 2018-MARCH 2021.
Sustainable Measures Against Trafficking in Persons (SMAT-P) is a Two year project sponsored by the Italian Bishops Conference. Caritas Nigeria is the implementing partners while JDPCs in Edo State (Auchi, Uromi, Benin). Cross River State ( ogoja) and Delta State ( issele uku) are Co-implementers of the project.
The goal of the project is that persons vulnerable to Human Trafficking are supported to live a more meaningful and productive lives within target communities.
The objectives of the project includes: Sensitization on the ills of Human Trafficking
To strengthen the livelihood of most vulnerable household in the targeted LGA.
To support improve access to Education/Vocational training of vulnerable children/youths through provision of block grants and scholarships.
To provide safe accommodation for victims of Human Trafficking and vulnerable children.
Project start date October 2018, suppose end date September 2020 but was extended to March 2021 due to COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak.
JDPC Benin works in Two (2) target LGA (Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha ) with six(6) communities which include; Ologbo, Iyanomo and Idogbo in Ikpoba-Okha LGA while in Orhionmwon ( Ugo community, Umogun and Ottah-Igbanke respectively.
At the start of the project baseline survey were conducted for target beneficiaries, focused group discussions and administration of questionnaires in the communities. Advocacy visit were paid to community leaders, local government council heads, heads of relevant law enforcement, State Ministries of Education, National Agency for the prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), religious leaders.
Project implementation committee was set up from each community and 10 frontline advocates were selected and trained on the 7th and 8th January 2019.
With the support from the Italian Bishops Conference through Caritas Nigeria, JDPC Benin has given grants to strengthen the livelihood of One Hundred (100) beneficiaries. There was disbursement of grant in which beneficiaries collected their ATM cards from the bank which has fifty thousand Naira (50) deposit in it. Our team also followed up beneficiaries businesses to ensure compliance of the grant given to them.
JDPC Benin team carried out distribution of school materials in six (6) schools across Ikpoba-Okha LGA which includes; RRIN primary and secondary school Iyanomo community, Imasabor primary school Ologbo community, Ohen primary school Olobgo community, Oghobaye primary school Olobgo, Idogbo primary and secondary school, Ozuola mixed secondary school Ologbo community.
In addition, Eight (8) schools across Orhionmwon LGA which includes; Adanako primary school Ugo community, Odionwere primary school Umoghun community, Ugboukhen primary school Ugo community, Umoghunzuabor secondary school Umoghunzuabor community, Ugo grammar school Ugo community, Ottah primary school Ottah-Igbanke, Osafele primary school Ottah-Igbanke and Igbanke mixed secondary school Ottah-Igbanke community respectively. total number of students; One hundred and twenty two (122) students. F-68, M-54, for Educational grant and Six (6) students for tertiary scholarship.
Formation of four (4) Anti-human trafficking clubs in RRin seconding school, Ozuola grammar school (Ikpoba-Okha LGA) and Igbanke mixed secondary school, Ugo grammar school Orhionmwon LGA.
JDPC Benin team had trainers of beneficiaries for vocational skills to sign the Memorandum of understanding (MOU), during the meeting our legal officer read the MOU and made the trainers understand what it entails. Questions were asked and answers were given accordingly before the trainers signed. JDPC Director Very Rev. Fr. Paul Onyeoghane signed his column followed by witnesses. Payment was also made to the trainer’s bank accounts. Thirty (30) Youths. F-22, M-8, selected from the 2LGAs benefited. The skills include; Tailoring, hair dressing, Machine Mechanic, shoe making, Weldering, Tiling Electrical works and Makeup Artistry.
Savings and internal lending communities (SILC) is a traditional practice of savings to also help strengthen the livelihood of beneficiaries formed in the six targeted communities.
We have 2 victim support groups in Ottah-Igbanke community and Umoghun in Orhionmwon LGA.
We had a 5km walk with National agency for the prohibition of trafficking in persons (NAPTIP) to mark world day against human trafficking and a brief talk on SMAT-P progress at Edo broadcasting service (EBS) during JDPC corner.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony of SMAT-P was held on the 29th of April 2021 with the empowerment of 30 beneficiaries into various skills.
Present at the event was the Archbishop of the Archdioceses of Benin City, His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze ably represented by the Chancellor, Very Rev.Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt.Hon. Com. Philip Shaibu, Permanent secretary office of the deputy Governor and Staffs of Caritas Nigeria and media personnel.
30 persons have been empowered with skills in, and startup tools for; Tailoring, Makeup artistry, Electrical work, Hair dressing, Machine Mechanic, Weldering, Tiling, Shoe making and Hair dressing
Items for tailoring include; manual sewing machine, 1.5Kva generator, table and chair, charcoal iron, sewing kits-thread needle e.t.c.
Makeup artistry; Ring- light, makeup box, mirror and cosmetics.
Machine Mechanic; Tools box and safety uniform
Hair dressing; Equator dryer, washing hand basin, 2.5Kva senwel generator, table and chair.
Electrical work; Tools box, ladder and safety uniform.
Tiling; Cuter, mallet, trowel and shovel.
Weldering; Filing machine, Weldering machine, vice, hand saw, drilling machine, sledge hammer, chisel and pounch.
Shoe making; oci gum and mosfrank gum, filling machine, hammer.
Challenges faced in course of the project
Transportation was a major challenge as JDPC Benin has no vehicle of her own to access communities.
Community participation; in the course of the project, some of the selected beneficiaries withdrew, relocated, while others lied to benefit.
There were days we could not access communities like Ugo, Ologbo and Ottah-Igbanke due to security challenges on the high way and crisis in the communities.
Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic which delayed our activities.
We encountered challenges of the community not accepting the project at the initial stage because they have been scammed by some organizations.
Distance was also a challenge but we scaled through for these communities are target areas for traffickers.
We could not travel on scheduled dates due to the Nation wild protest to end special Anti-Robbery Squad (EndSars) which was hijacked by hoodlums, armed robbers and kidnappers leading to insecurities and the Government imposing curfew in the state.
SUCCESS STORY
1. It was reported some youths in Ottah-Igbanke community backed out from been recruited during festive season because they heard the messages on the ills of Human Trafficking.
2. We sensitized various lecture houses the hub for young boys and girls who are preparing for examination into the University.
3. An orphan in Ugo community whose hope on furthering his Education was shattered is back to school.
4. Moses Oseghale a beneficiary from Idogbo community was sent back to school to further his HND course after he dropped out at OND level. Also he gained scholarship from Capt. Hosa wells Okunbor to further his Education in Canada. His admission has been granted and acceptance fees paid for by Ocean Marine Group owned by Capt. Hosa Wells Okunbor and the visa process is almost complete. He is expected to resume in September.
5. A beneficiary from Ikpoba-Okha LGA was removed from the street and enrolled into skill acquisition.
6. A child headed household from Idogbo secondary school benefited from Educational grant.
7. A dropout from RRIN primary school was enrolled into secondary school to further his Education.
8. The Communities are fully involved to help curb Human Trafficking. During community Meetings some returnees share their experience and also talk about Caritas training and empowerment from which they benefited.
9. A student did a research on human Trafficking and presented it during Anti Human Trafficking Club Meeting.
The most vulnerable persons in the communities were selected to benefit from the project.
Lessons Learnt
Through advocacy visit to the community heads (Enogie), various community leaders introduced the project to the people, made it easy for us to gain entrance to the communities.
We developed good relationship with the communities, sometimes we visit their homes.
Cross section of pictures below
Advocacy visit to Ugo community, Rev. Fr Benedict Onwugbenu addressing the Enogie HRH E. O. Ogiugo JP.
Advocacy visit to the Enogie of Ottah Igbanke community HRH (DR) Julius C. Isitor, members of his cabinet, Rev. Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu the Project Coordinator and Juliana Oseaje.
Advocacy visit to the CIE of Ikpoba okha LGA, Mrs. Ebomoyi E. And Rev. Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu
Focus group in Ologbo community
Training of frontline Advocate Elders Forum Meeting at Iyanomo
Before and After Picture of a School Dropout in RRIN Sec Sch. Iyanomo Community
SILC meeting at Iyanomo community Sensitization at Great Scholars Lecture House Idogbo
Beneficiaries of Ozuola grammar sch Jrn and Srn sec sch with their sch principals,
Very Rev.Fr Paul Onyeoghane (JDPC director), Rev.Fr Benedict Onwugbenu (Asst.director)
And SMAT-P Team.
Beneficiaries of Idogbo sec sch and the principal acknowledging the materials
Given to his student
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Livelihood Beneficiaries of Ugo Community, Ottah-Igbanke, Ologbo and Iyanomo with their ATM Cards.
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The Archbishop of Benin represented by Very Rev.Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt.Hon.Com. Philip Shaibu, Permanent secretary office of the deputy Governor, Staffs of Caritas Nigeria and 30 Beneficiaries and Staffs of JDPC Benin.
Startup Tools for Beneficiaries
Ugo Sec Sch. Anti-Human Trafficking Club. Sensitization at Enikaro Pry Sch. and Oligie Market Sensitization.
Monitoring of Livelihood Beneficiaries Business and Skill Acquisition Centre
Victims support group meeting in ottah-Igbanke community
And Umoghun in Orhionmwon LGA.