The Charge d’ Affairs and Deputy Chief of Missions United States (US) Embassy in Abuja, David Young, has applauded the Edo State government’s well-articulated efforts in creating jobs for youths as well as initiatives to curb human trafficking and illegal migration.
Young, who made the submission during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City, Edo State, commended the state government’s efforts, noting, “We are here to talk about your plans to revitalise the economy and create jobs and opportunities for young people.”
The US diplomat said the state government through the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) was working tirelessly to combat trafficking in persons, applauding “the excellent effort and steps taken in Edo by the inter-agency taskforce to arrest the menace.
“It is commendable that the state government signed the anti-human trafficking law and set up the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking. We salute the Taskforce. We also commend the anti-trafficking law which moves to codify prosecution for those involved in trafficking in persons.”
The delegation is in the state to explore areas in which it can provide support to the government to prevent young people from falling victims of human traffickers.
He also praised the collaboration between the state government and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), stating, “We commend the information sharing and coordination on prosecution with NAPTIP in the fight against trafficking in persons which are in line with the three P’s strategy of Prevention, Protection and Prosecution, to move against trafficking, a horrific crime with adverse effect on young people.
“On his part, the acting governor, Philip Shaibu, noted that the state government realised that “the only way to move the state forward is to keep the youth engaged.”
Shaibu blamed human trafficking on bad governance in the past, which caused the people to lose hope in the country, noting that the state government was changing the narrative with its economic reforms and skills development programmes, such as EdoJobs, agricultural activities, and also in the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme to help in intelligence gathering for security agencies in the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Godwin Obaseki has congratulated Joshua Otaigbe, a professor in the University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering, on his receipt of the prestigious Jefferson Science Fellowship Award from the United States’ National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
In a statement by Crusoe Osagie, special adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, the governor said the award to Otaigbe reflected positively on the image of the country and the state in particular.
He said Otaigbe had distinguished himself as a scholar of international repute, contributing to development in his area of expertise and helping to advance society, noting, “We are proud of Prof. Otaigbe, for what he stands for as a scholar and also for the fact that he has continued to be an inspiration to Edo youths. He displays traits that cuts him out as a true Edo son, building an intimidating portfolio in the sciences that will inspire our young ones for greatness.”
In a statement, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), said Otaigbe was “among 14 academic scientists, engineers and physicians selected from institutions of higher learning in the United States in 2019.
“Before being decorated by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Dr. Otaigbe was the principal investigator of a number of research outfits, including Chemtura Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of flame-retardant additives for plastics.
“Recently, he was awarded the Fulbright-Tocqueville Distinguished Chair Professor of Engineering in France for 2014, an appointment reserved for eminent scholars with substantial experience and publications in their respective fields.”
