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WOTCLEF
Takes Off in America
By Anulika Nwezi
and Clara Udeh, 04.27.2005
Source: http://odili.net/news/source/2005/apr/27/219.html
In its bid to
become a major player in the
international fight against
human trafficking and Child
Labour, Women Trafficking and
Child Labour Eradication Foundation
(WOTCLEF), has commenced activities
in United States of America.
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(Left to right, Dr. Sharon Ames-Dennard, Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his wife, Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, Tony Nzeribe, Veronica Umaru, Mary Nzeribe. Standing in front of Tony Nzeribe is his son, Pierce Nzeribe, and kneeling is Peter Okocha).
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Registered in
the United State as WOTCLEF,USA,
INC., the nonprofit
organization was organized exclusively
to mobilize community awareness
and action against Human Trafficking,
Child Labour and to prevent
the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Announcing the
formal take off in the United
States, Founder of the organization
and wife of the Vice President,
Chief (Mrs.) Amina Titi Atiku
Abubakar said, "With the
commencement of activities in
America, WOTCLEF
will be a major player in working
with the American Government
and its citizens to launch a
proactive crusade against Human
Trafficking."
She explained
that America, being a world
power voice on issues, is respected
globally and should be in a
better position to rise up against
the scourge by pronouncing stiff
penalties against countries
that are doing nothing to prosecute
traffickers.
In a joint meeting
of the board of trustees of
WOTCLEF
Nigeria and WOTCLEF
USA, Mrs. Abubakar
said that the take off of the
USA Chapter has afforded the
Organization with a unique privilege
of donning a bigger garment
which goes with "more commitment,
renewed dedication and bigger
responsibilities."
Tasking the board
and staff from the United States
to be strong in their activities,
Mrs. Abubakar said "WOTCLEF
Chapter in the United State
of America will further embolden
us to spread our tentacles to
other continents in the world."
Speaking on behalf
of the United State team, Dr.
Nowak pledged the loyalty and
commitment of her members to
the general objectives of WOTCLEF.
Stating that child
prostitution has become a problem
in America, she stressed that
with WOTCLEF
USA will fight this
war with vigor and tenacity.
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| PAST
EVENTS |
| July
28, 2004 |
Workshop and review
of HIV/AIDS Teachers Training
Manual for Secondary Schools. |
| April
24-30, 2004 |
2004 African Woman
International Conference was held
in Abuja - Nigeria. |
| January
10, 2004 |
The "Battle
of Hope" musical concert
and sports fiesta was held at
the 60,000 seating capacity National
Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria to campaign
against human trafficking, child
labour and HIV/AIDS. The event
features international artists
such as Ashanti, Jermaine Jackson
and DMX. |
| December
3, 2003 |
A panel discussion
was held on the topic of "Cross
Border Trafficking in Women and
Children", as part of the
People's Forum at the Commonwealth
Head of Governments' Meeting (CHOGM)
at the Protea Hotel, Abuja. |
| October
2003 |
Red Card to Child
Labour was a project carried out
with financial sponsorship from
the ILO. It was aimed at eradicating
child labour. Attendants included
top soccer stars and notable dignitaries.
The project was planned to coincide
with the 8th All African Games
that were held in Nigeria on October
4-18. |
| May
10, 2002 |
The first graduation
ceremony for WOTCLEF's
repatriated victims of human trafficking
was held. |
| 2001 |
WOTCLEF
hosted the first ever "Pan
African Conference on Human Trafficking".
The conference attracted over
1,000 participants from African
and all over the world. The purpose
was to initiate an African response
to the issue of trans-border trafficking.
Also, the National Essay Competition
was organized for young girls
in primary, secondary and tertiary
institutions to celebrate the
2001 International Women's Day. |
| July
10-11, 2000 |
Post Beijing and
five workshops were held, and
the theme was "Harnessing
the Gains of Beijing for the WOTCLEF
Agenda." |
| April
11, 2000 |
A panel discussion
was held to explore the issue
of poverty and its relationship
to human trafficking. |
| April
9, 2000 |
The first rehabilitation
orientation for 25 deported trafficked
victims. |
| October
11, 1999 |
The National Workshop
on Women Trafficking and Child
Labour Migration was held. |
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