Benin Monarch, Belgium envoy unites in fight against human trafficking

From our news desk, Benin 

PHOTO CAPTION (L); Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin receiving a gift from  Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt with his Diplomatic Paunch during the visit.

The Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II and the Ambassador of Belgium to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt have called for collaboration and sustained advocacy against human trafficking, and irregular migration.

The resolution was activated when the Belgium Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the Monarch in his Palace in Benin City, Edo State.

This was made known in a press release signed by the press secretary to the Monarch, Osaigbovo Iguobaro and availed journalists in Benin on Thursday afternoon.

Ambassador Leenknegt was accompanied by Kelvin Uwaibi, Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion office, and Mosis Obakpolor, a Director in the State Civil Service.

This is coming five years after Oba Ewuare II, received global attention for laying a curse that broke the network of persons, groups and institutions which engaged in human trafficking and its related activities.

According to the release, the Monarch told his guests that human trafficking does not seem to be a menace that can be completely eradicated from the society, except with concerted efforts.

Noting that human trafficking and illegal migration are intertwined scourge, but not peculiar to the African Continent, it however poses a great threat to Europe and other continents of the world, Oba Ewuare II was reported to have said.

The highly revered Monarch, recalled how the Palace took desperate measures to address the scourge when Benin City was erroneously tagged by western media; as a hub for human trafficking few years back.

"Human trafficking is a menace that has been with mankind for a long time. The problem is that human trafficking is tied to illegal migration."

Addressing the Benin throne earlier, Ambassador Leenknegt was said to have lamented the plights of many Nigerian migrants who are being exploited.

As he commended Oba Ewuare II for leading the campaign against human trafficking and irregular migration.

He disclosed that the Belgian government plans to cooperate with Nigeria, relevant institutions and other stakeholders in sensitizing "people about the risk of getting entangled in network of human traffickers.

"Your Majesty, I know this is very close to your heart; the fight against human trafficking and exploitation; so, we note this at Belgium," Ambassador Leenknegt said.