The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has honoured the Director General of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Barr Julie Okar-Donli, and the founder and Chairperson, Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), Hajia Titi Abubakar, for her pioneering role in the advocacy against human trafficking.

Comrade Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of Way, who presented the award tagged “AFRICA YOUTH DAY COMMEMORATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE”, on behalf of the organisation, applauded Mrs Abubakar whose WOTCLET culminated to the establishment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Whilst the award was presented to Hajia Abubaka on November 2 at WOTCLEF Headquarters, Gwarimpa area of Abuja, the NAPTIP boss was honoured a day earlier at the agency’s headquarters in Wuse Area of Abuja on November.

WAY is the global umbrella body for national youth councils and regional youth organisations founded in London 1949.

WAY has general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and works in close cooperation with several UN agencies.

African Youth Day was instituted by the African Union Commission in Banjul at the Gambia in 2006. Since then every first day of November the Continent stands up for the youths of Africa. Governments and stakeholders bring to the fore the challenges, prospects and progress of youth development in Africa.

Ketebu-Brown noted that for the first time in the history of WAY the group issuing commemorative awards for Africa Youth Day.

She said: “In the area of humanitarian endeavor we beamed our searchlight on the migration crisis and observed that your Excellency’s mission of WOTCLEF turned out to be the most impactful and life-saving initiative in the lives of youths of the ECOWAS sub-region.

“We are aware that WOTCLEF gave birth to Nigeria’s NAPTIP thus justifying your vision and sincerity of purpose.

“We are therefore proud to single you out for our recognition, celebration and honour as a distinguished recipient of this commemorative award of excellence in service to the youths of Africa on this auspicious occasion of Africa Youth Day 2018.

“On behalf of African youths we are indeed happy to identify with WOTCLEF’S nearly two decades of humanitarian service under your pragmatic leadership and direct supervision.

“WAY looks forward to celebrating 20thanniversary of WOTCLEF with you in grand style next year.”

WAY expressed the hope that the award shall inspire the recipient to greater commitment, dedication and selfless sacrifice towards devotion to humanity.

The youth organisation further applauded the award recipient’s husband Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Former Vice President of Nigeria for his support for the worthy humanitarian cause embarked by his wife.

Ketebu-Brown said that the group had reserved a future date for the former Vice President for “Cutting of the AFRICA YOUTH DAY 2018 CAKE”.

According to the youth leader, the proposed activity is in recognition of Atiku Abubakar’s tireless efforts at empowering African Youths through education, commerce, industry and in politics.

He was accompanied by delegates from Neighbouring African Countries including Mr. Hamed Coulibali of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Sorgbo Yawo of Republic of Chad, amongst members of WAY AYD 2018 Team, Ahmed A. Bachaka, Dr. Hephzibah Ebi Suobo, Theodora Egbo, Ikechukwu Madubugwu, Oluremi Obaremi, Fineworld Imoabasi.

Responding, Hajia Titi Abubakar expressed delight at the honour for her humanitarian services through WOTCLEF in the past nineteen years and said that the award would propel her to renew her commitment to selfless service.

Update news