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… says their conditions are inhumane, wants FG urgent intervention

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Davidson Ogbu is appealing to the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come to the rescue of Nigerians languishing in the Cote d’Ivoire prisons.

He made this appeal in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Chris Onokpegu in his office, in Koumassi, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, December 26.

Chief Ogbu who is also the Coordinator of Delta State Community in Cote d’Ivoire disclosed that many of them did not commit any crime but found themselves in prisons due to administrative issues and intimidation from opposition. His words, “I am raising this alarm because of the huge numbers of Nigerians languishing in Cote d’Ivoire prisons. I want the federal government to intervene because some of them are going through inhumane conditions.”

He continued “Some of them did not commit crime, they just need administrative clearance. There is a need for our federal government to intervene at this time because the huge number of Nigerians in prison is so enormous that, it is becoming so alarming. Many of them were thrown into prison by some of the opposition group who will go to the villages and arrest these women and extort them and those who could not are kept in the prison. Many of them are languishing in the prison somehow. Our government needs to do something about it since they are still humans. There is a need for the government of Nigeria to intervene in order to help those who desire presidential interventions to be freed.”

The Delta State-born Advocate further said “Many of them are sick and many of them don’t have the administrative fee to free themselves, little, little thing is what is holding them. Nigerian government needs to intervene maybe through the Prison Service in Nigeria by collaborating with the Prison Service in Cote d’Ivoire, and see how they can give better conditions to Nigerian prisoners. We are not saying those that committed crime should not serve but we want better conditions and for those who did not commit crime should be set free.

The Humanitarian and Businessman concluded by saying that many of the prisoners mainly women are going through inhumane conditions hence they need to be rescued before their health deteriorate. “Normally, it is something we should raise alarm on because the last time I visited there, their health conditions were deteriorating and if something is not done urgently, we might lose some of them.”

Recalled that the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu has also visited the prisons on several occasions. He had also intervened on countless times with the Nigerian Embassy to ensure that some of them are rescued from going to prison.

…calls for togetherness, unity and love

The President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu wishes to felicitate with Nigerians on the celebration of Christmas, a significance of the birth of Jesus Christ.

In his Christmas message, Chief Onwuchelu emphasized on the importance of the celebration of Christmas and what it means to humanity, urging people to celebrate moderately while calling on all to extend a hand of fellowship not only to their fellow Nigerians but to other nationals residing in the country especially people of other faiths who are not christians.

He said, “Christmas is a season of love, hope, and unity. A time to come together and settle our differences. A time to reflect on what Christmas really means to us, the reason why Jesus Christ, our Lord was born. It is interesting to note that Jesus came to liberate mankind from the shackles of sin hence when celebrating, we shouldn’t do things that will not glory His name. We should celebrate moderately and avoid issues that will attract problems to us.

“Let’s remember that we are ambassadors of Nigeria. Let’s remember who we are as Nigerians, what we are known for – good and hospitable people, let’s carry the values of love and goodwill and extend our hands of fellowship to others not only to our fellow Nigerians but also to other nationals residing in the country especially people of other faiths who are not christians” he noted.

The President however assured that the new year, 2025 which is fast-approaching will bring goodies that will make all Nigerians both at home in Nigeria and in Cote d’Ivoire to smile.

He concluded by wishing all Nigerians a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year, ahead, while encouraging all to embrace peace and look out for how to collaborate with the Nigerian Community in the new year to make things work for the progress of everybody.

He concluded by saying, “On behalf of the executives of the Nigerian Community in Cote, I wish you all a wonderful and beautiful celebration ahead. Merry Christmas! “🎄

SIGNED:

Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu
President, Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire

Her Regal Majesty, Amb. Queen Dr. Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi said she is ready to visit Cote d’Ivoire to support the fight against human trafficking and child prostitution.

She gave this assurance when she was answering questions from journalists after receiving her award at the AH Hotel and Conference East Legon Accra, Ghana recently.

The Queen who was elated by the honour bestowed upon her by the Elation Magazine said she is always ready to visit anywhere as long as her attention is needed and she is invited over.

Queen Enitan Ogunwusi who runs a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO that supports orphans, widows and other vulnerable people in society narrated how her visit to Uganda ghetto recently changed the narrative in that country.

She revealed that her visit drew the rich to the poor, including the government of Uganda to the ghetto for the first time, a scenario that has never happened in the history of Uganda.

Watch out for more details on her visit to Uganda in our next publication.

President of the Benue Community Union in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief (Amb) Joseph Onah has called on the federal government of Nigeria led by President Bola Tinubu to tighten Nigerian borders as a way of curbing human trafficking and child prostitution.

He made this call during an award ceremony at the AH Hotel and Conference East Legon Accra, Ghana recently during an interactive session with the organisers.

Chief Onah, who is also the President and Founder of Aid-Life Foundation further revealed that the young girls are being taken through the Nigerian borders hence the need for the government to put checks in place to apprehend the traffickers.

While praising the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu for their dogged fight and commitment, he however assured that he will continue to support the fight against human trafficking and child prostitution.

Meanwhile, during the award nite, Chief Onah was honoured alongside his beautiful wife, Mrs Vivian Ogugua Joseph-Onah and others with the Award of Africa Living Legends and Mother Africa Merit Award respectively by the Elation Magazine for their contributions and commitment to Humanitarian Works, Youth Empowerment, and Community Development.

His words, “We want the government to tighten our borders because these children are being taken away from Nigeria through the borders. If our borders are being tightened, it will be difficult for the traffickers to take away these children.

“I want to praise the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu for what he and his team are doing. We will continue to support the fight against human trafficking and child prostitution in Cote d’Ivoire,” he assured.

Recalled that this is the umpteenth time that he is being rewarded for his contributions to community service, not also forgetting the awards given him by the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire for his massive contributions and role he played especially when their indigenes were rescued and repatriated to Nigeria.

Also notable amongst his award is the
Distinguished Merit Time International/UNDP ambassadorial and Outstanding Philanthropic Award in 2022/2023 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This is definitely not an exaggeration or a story to make Nigerians excited but reality. No one coerced anybody from saying anything.

During a recent visit to the Gold Coast country as Ghana is popularly known, over the weekend, Your Sincerely engaged a taxi driver in a conversation on the economy of the country.

And the young man, with the name, Koffi delved into Viladjo, the most expensive and tallest building where he claimed that most top Nigerians own properties there.

He opened up on why Nigerians are doing better than his countrymen and said he loved the way they do business. “Nigerians know how to do business very well.”

He gave an instance “If a Nigerian buys a phone for 70 cedis, he may add just five cedis as profit and quickly return to get more goods but a Ghanaian will want to sell for 100 cedis and at the end, the Nigerian will be enjoying patronage and making money. This is why some Ghanaians hate them – business sense, not because of anything.”

It was celebration galore last Saturday in far away Accra, the capital city of Ghana where the quartets of Chief Joseph Onah, Mrs Vivian Ogugua Joseph-Onah, Chief Louis Ononiwu and Dr Kroa Ehoule were honoured as African Living Legends by Elation Magazine.

Mrs Vivian Ogugua Joseph-Onah

The event which took place at AH Hotel and Conference East Legon Accra Ghana, saw the only two women amongst the recipients being honoured as Mother Africa Merit Award. Before the awards, the duo of Her Regal Majesty, Amb. Dr. Queen Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi and Mrs Vivian Ogugua Joseph-Onah were inducted alongside others.

Chief and Mrs Joseph Onah

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO/Chairman of TSW, Chief Joseph Onah was honoured with the Africa Living Legends award alongside with Chief Louis Ononiwu and Dr Kroa Ehoule, the Coordinating Director, Department of Promotion of Traditional Medicines, Ministry of Health Côte D’Ivoire.

While giving his opening speech, the organiser of the Award Ceremony and Publisher of Elation Magazine, Chief Darlington Umoru said they decided to honour the recipients because of the impact they have on the lives of people over the years.

Chief Louis Ononiwu

Also speaking after receiving his award, Chief Onah who was very elated said, “I am so happy to be honoured.” He further said, “The award is to spur me to do more. This is not to say you have arrived but that people are seeing what you are doing hence we are encouraged to do more. In fact I am encouraged, well encouraged to do the work of humanity.

“Yes, I am not a politician that can attract awards from everywhere, I am only doing humanitarian work. Just like Her Royal Majesty said today, doing the work of humanity is a calling and when you are doing that, you are not expecting any reward from anywhere and so, you do it with love and when award like this come, you will be excited and encouraged to do more,” he noted.

Recalled that Chief Onah was recognized for his contributions towards his support for the fight against human trafficking and child prostitution in Cote d’Ivoire.

Other recipients of the Award alongside the quartets of Chief Onah, Mrs Onah, Chief Ononiwu and Dr. Kroa are:
Her Regal Majesty, Amb. Dr. Queen Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi (Wife of Ooni of Ife)

Others are:
*HRM AMB. DR. EZE CHUKWUDI JUDE IHENETU, EZE NDIGBO 1, GHANA
*ROYAL HIGH CHIEF IYADUA VINCENT IGIETEHMO, THE OMONOMOH 1 OF UWANNO KINGDOM
*HIGH CHIEF FRANCIS ALOCHU IKPOBU
*DR. OLUWASEGUN MUSA
*JOHN ONOJA ATTAH
*CHIEF (DR.) BAYO ALBERT
*MR. FEDERICK ERHINYOJA YORO
*DC GAMBO IYERE ALIYU
*CSC SA OLUKOYA AND ALHAJI MOHAMMED HAROON

All is set for the Love Foundation International School Children Carnival on Saturday, December 14, 2024. It is scheduled to commence by 12 noon.

The 4th edition which will take place at the Ivoire Agora Caisse Port-Bouet, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire will feature Igbo Traditional Marriage Drama.

However, the theme of this year’s event is Cultural Carnival.

The School Proprietress, Mrs Loveth Udeogu said they have packaged a lot of activities different from what they had in past events. Her words, “We are doing totally different activities from what we have been doing before.”

She further said, “There shall be Special Dignitaries in attendance but I won’t let the cat out of the bag until that day. We are also going to have Special Appearances and Performances from the School Cultural Display and more. We are going to be having a pure Traditional Marriage Drama on that day too.”

Recalled that Love Foundation International School, Abidjan is situated at Gonzague Ville, Port-Bouet. It operates mainly Nigerian curriculum with Nigerian languages be taught in the school apart from french language which is compulsory.

This season can be described as “Harvest of Awards” for the Secretary General of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Louis Ononiwu.

On Saturday, he was honoured by the Royal Friends International as the ‘Royal Father’ and also conferred on him as the ‘Patron’ of the Club and while he was savouring that, his people, the Isiala Mbano Family Union, Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday at the Ecole Regional Treichville, Cote d’Ivoire, bestowed on him the “Ikemba 1 of Mbano for his outstanding commitment to community service.

Unlike the Bible verse in Mark 6:4-6, where it says, ” A prophet is not respected in his own country, among his kindred, or in his own house (paraphrased) but in the case of Chief Ononiwu, he is not only being respected but honoured by his people.

Responding after receiving the award, an elated Ononiwu said, “I feel highly delighted and I am grateful to God and to my people of Mbano. The award, Ikemba 1 of Mbano means People’s Strength or Energy. Sincerely I feel honoured. Charity they said begins at home and that is exactly what happened.”

Chief Ononiwu who is also the President of the Imo State Union continued, “This award is a call for more responsibility. Just yesterday, I was equally honoured by one of the most prestigious clubs by Nigerians in this country, Royal Friends International. I was officially given a certificate as the Patron and also made the Royal Father of the Club. I can say this is a Festival of Honour and I am very grateful.”

Also speaking is the wife of the recipient, Mrs Chinwenu Ononiwu, who was full of joy. She said, “I am very happy and proud of my husband. He deserves the award given to him because he has been supporting the Union. He has always been there for them even when it is not convenient, guiding them and playing the fatherly role, I am happy for him.”

On his part, the chairman of Isiala Mbano Family Union, Chief Eugene Ikechukwu Eze, who prefers to be called leader disclosed that they gave the four recipients award because of their commitment and support over the years.

Chief Eugene Ikechukwu Eze

His words, “They have the same vision that I have, they are the ones supporting this Union. They are the ones that made this Union to grow, contributing their money and their ideas. They deserve the awards and we are proud of them.”

Also adding his voice is the vice chairman of Isiala Mbano, Mr. Onyechi Amadi. He said, “The recipients of the awards today deserve them because they are the pillars of the Union. They contributed both their money and time. It is because of them that the Union is existing today and that is the reason why the chairman, myself and the executive decided to honour them today for their tireless efforts and contributions.”

Chairman of Ihime, Chika Prince Eze on the other hand commended the organization of the event. He said, “I love the organization of the event, the chairman of the Union, Mr. Eze did a great job and I also want to use this opportunity to thank and congratulate the President of the Imo State Union who is also the Secretary General of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Louis Ononiwu, for gracing the occasion. Of course, he deserves the award because he is the livewire of the Union.

“As the general secretary of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, he and the President, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu and the other executives are doing great job. Apart from fighting traffickers and rescuing the girls, they have made things very easy for us at the Embassy. Before now, things were cumbersome and frustrating but today, you can walk to the Embassy, get whatever you want, seamlessly because of their good working relationship,” he concluded.

Recalled that four persons were given awards. Apart from Chief Ononiwu, the others are: Nze Ambrose Nwachukwu as Gburugburu 1 of Mbano; Patron Kingsley Ekpemandu as Akajimba 1 of Mbano and Mrs Grace Nwachukwu as Ada Ukwu Mbano.

Chief David Ogbu is the Coordinator of Delta Community Union in Cote d’Ivoire. He is also the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire. He spoke to our correspondent, Chris Onokpegu on the influx of Nigerian girls especially those from Delta into Cote d’Ivoire. He said he wants Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to work with them in diaspora amongst other issues. Excerpts:

*Sir, we discovered that out of every 10 girls rescued, four are from Delta state, what do you think is responsible for it?
A lot of factors is actually responsible. We know that so many Delta girls are being trafficked into this country. We have more than 50,000 Deltans living in Cote d’Ivoire and out of this 50,000, close to 40,000 of them or more are young girls and women, who were trafficked for prostitution, slavery and others.

So it is really alarming! The number of Deltan people that are into this sex trade is really alarming, that is why we are calling on the Government of Delta State. Like what other states are doing, for instance, Benue State rehabilitates the girls. Whenever they found out that any of their indigenes are part of the girls that are being repatriated, either from Cote d’Ivoire or any part of West African countries, the State plays a proactive role, takes over, makes provisions for them including giving them stipends to take care of themselves.

We don’t just want to repatriate and leave the girls like that, that is why we are calling on the Government because they need to be rehabilitated. These girls are victims of circumstance. The economic situation in Nigeria, japa syndrome and so many other factors are responsible for the reason why the girls are actually being trafficked to this place. What Benue State is doing, Delta State can buy a leaf from it.

Apart from rehabilitating these girls, they also ensure they acquire skill, and for those who want to go back to school, they are given scholarships. Delta State with the enormous resources need to also be proactive with its indigenes. We are calling on the Governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori for him to intervene in this situation because it is causing us serious embarrassment.

The case is becoming too shameful; an average of 10 Delta girls is trafficked on a weekly basis. Our hands are tied, we have spent so much repatriating these girls and the more you send them, the more another sets are coming. We have done all we can, we have counselled and repatriated so many of them but there is no follow-up from the State, so we want the government to support us in this fight. We want the government to help us to save lives because these girls are the future of tomorrow.

So, let us join hands together with all the government agencies and departments that are related to these problems. We are talking of Delta State chapter of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS Delta State Command, etc. I believe Delta State have all it takes, for its indigenes for them to be well catered for.

*From the government of former Governor James Ibori down to the last administration of Ifeanyi Okowa, we discovered that they had a deliberate programme for the youths in sports, skill acquisition and empowerment, etc, can we say the present government of Oborevwori is not concentrating on the youth hence the japa syndrome being experienced in Delta?
For me, I think the government is doing what he can do and is doing its best. I believe that there is no government that is not interested in its youth. I believe that the government of Sheriff is really interested in the youth because they know that the youths are the future of tomorrow.

So, we want the government to collaborate with us here in diaspora, especially with we, the Delta State Community in Cote d’Ivoire. They need to support us because we have been spending so much and also to be helping us to receive these girls, we want them to be more proactive, giving them skill acquisition, giving them education, making sure they are doing something meaningful so that they don’t return again.

Some of them do relocate to other West African countries after being repatriated from Cote d’Ivoire. So we are totally in support of any initiative that the government will be willing to undertake in order to help these young girls.

Many of them are victims and some of them are destitutes, some are sick, some are having all sorts of problems, so we are calling on our Governor to do something about the Nigerian girls that are being trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire and for them to help us so that Delta will not be like a lost tribe. We cannot leave everything for federal government.

This is the time for the State Government to collaborate and cooperate with us. We can’t do everything; we are using our money to do most of these things – we use our money to send them back to Nigeria, buy the drugs, some of them escaped without their belongings, and so we buy them clothes. So, let the government come to our aids.

*Recently, we interviewed a 13-year-old girl and she told us that she left school at JSS 3, what it means is that some of the girls are being trafficked right from school, what do you think the Delta State Government can do to put a stop to this?
Government of Delta State have a lot to do, they should be proactive by educating their indigenes. A lot of education and enlightenment need to be carried out by government. The School Authorities and Parents should be at alert because most of these human traffickers are heartless, they are just interested in making money.

They don’t care where they take these girls to, so the government has a lot to do in the area of education, safety and protection of the children. They also need to collaborate with agencies, parents and others. The people need to be well-informed about the activities of traffickers and the menace.

You are talking about 13-years old girl, we have seen girls of 10, 11 years old girls that were trafficked here. They have not even been deflowered, it is when they come here they begin to deflower the girls, this is to tell you that many of their parents are not aware.

Some of them, their parents are still searching for them, they don’t know that their child(ren) have been trafficked to other countries for prostitution. So parents have to be very careful and be interested where their children are because there are child predators everywhere and most of these people are hell-bent to destroy the lives of our young girls. The Government should educate the parents and let them know that human trafficking is real and it is a dangerous trade.

Many people have died, many Urhobo girls were murdered in recently. Some of them were taken into the forest; imagine taking a 12 or 13 years old girl into the forest, where she knows nobody, and this child will be deflowered. Then you will see some of them will be pregnant, they will abort it and in the process lose their lives.

The Madams virtually don’t care, we had a case of a woman that have more than 37 girls under her custody. Many of the girls are minors below the age of 12 years, so we are calling on the government of Delta State led by Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to please come to our aids. They need to come to our aids because the rate at which they are trafficking these girls into Cote d’Ivoire is becoming so alarming that the government of Cote d’Ivoire is worried.

Even if the Delta State Government wants to send a delegate to Cote d’Ivoire to come and see things for themselves, we are ready to receive them. We want to show them the kinds of risks our daughters are facing here and we want them to make provisions so that when these girls are rescued, we will be able to send them home.

*One of the girls we interviewed also claimed that she went into prostitution because she couldn’t continue with her study, would you advise the Delta State Government to declare free education for all, especially for girls, so that they can go to school?
For me, I believe education is the best option, no matter how expensive it is because somebody that is educated is far better than an ignorant mind. So, our government needs to invest more into the education of our young ones because education is the bedrock of a successful and happy society. If you want to minimize crime and all sorts vices in the society, then education is the way to go. You have to put education first. There is this saying that, “Education is the most potent legacy you can leave for a child.” So Delta State Government should invest more into education.

Delta is one of the richest states in Nigeria in terms of human, natural resources, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, etc. It is one of the top four richest states in Nigeria. So Delta people especially those in crisis outside the shores of the country should not be left like sheep without shepherd. So please because of the future of these girls, our government should invest in education not just theoretical education but also skill acquisition and empowerment.

After learning skills like tailoring, hairdressing, computer applications, beads making and others, then you empower them with start-up kits like sewing machines, hair dressing machines, computers or laptops, etc.

This will go a long way to discourage these girls from falling into the hands of traffickers. Many of them were easily lured because they don’t have anything they were doing. Some of them claimed that they accepted to follow the traffickers because they do not have money, no job, no money to go to school hence they were ready to take up all sorts of risk to make ends meet.

*As the president of the Delta Community in Cote d’Ivoire, what plans do you have for your people?
Delta State Community has been existing for sometimes now. You know we have three major tribes – the Ibo, Yoruba and the Hausa communities, we are from the minority. We also have our own community as well. Delta Community has been existing for quite sometimes and we are doing well.

The Community has been empowering and supporting people including those who are just coming into country without prior knowledge of the environment. We just did our End of the Year party where all Deltans in Cote d’Ivoire assembled to appreciate the Almighty God for His provisions, protection and preservation; and it was crowned with winning and dining.

Finally, I want to commend the efforts of the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu for his selfless service to humanity. The Nigerian Community executive in which I am the Public Relations Officer have achieved a lot.

So far, we have succeeded in rescuing and repatriating about 1,280 young girls back to Nigeria and reconcile them with their parents and family members. However, one of our major challenges is that we spend so much on monthly basis for payment of rent where the girls are kept before repatriation; feeding, clothing those who escaped without their belongings and movement of the girls from Abidjan to Nigeria.

Another challenge we face is that the victims refuse to divulge information about the traffickers due to the oaths they sworn before native doctors with their hairs, nails, blood and their underwears. They are afraid that if they reveal their secrets, the oath will kill them but thus far we have succeeded in prosecuting some of the traffickers while we are also trailing the others.

*Thank you for your attention
The pleasure is mine.

President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu has once again call on the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please come to the rescue of Nigerian girls in Cote d’Ivoire who are in danger.

He made the call when reports got to him that some girls were being murdered by some criminals when they had disagreement over money while prostituting.

Chief Onwuchelu who was sad when he heard the news said they will not leave any stone unturned to apprehend those behind the wicked acts while also calling on the federal government to come to their aids.

He said, “We are saddened by this news and we would do everything humanly possible to bring the criminals to book. Recalled that we have also been doing a lot to rescue the girls that were being trafficked into the country. We are aware that some of them were lured into prostitution hence we are trying to see how we can rescue them. So far, we have repatriated 1,280 young girls back to Nigeria and reconcile them with their parents and family members.”

On their challenges, Chief Onwuchelu said, “We are spending so much on monthly basis for payment of rent where the girls are kept before repatriation (300,000f equivalent to N855,000 depending on exchange rate). We also feed them on daily basis, clothe those who escaped without their belongings. We also spend so much on transport fare. These are costing us millions of cfa hence we are using this opportunity to call on the federal government and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this fight. For instance, movement from Abidjan to Nigeria is about 45,000f per person. We are calling on the federal government of Nigeria because some of the traffickers are very influential hence they are difficult to apprehend and some of them are even working with the villagers where they operate.”

Also not happy with the situation is the President of the Delta Community, Chief David Ogbu. Chief Ogbu who broke the sad news said the girls murdered were mainly Urhobo girls.

According to him, “Parents have to be very careful and be interested where their children are because there are child predators everywhere and most of these people are hell-bent to destroy the lives of our young girls. Many people have died, many Urhobo girls were murdered in Cote d’Ivoire recently. Some of them were taken into the forest; imagine taking a 10 to 13 years old girls into the forest, where they know nobody, and these children will be deflowered.

“Then some of them will be pregnant, they will abort it and in the process lose their lives. The Madams virtually don’t care; we have had a case whereby a Madam had more than 37 girls under her custody. Many of the girls are minors below the age of 12 years, so we are calling on the government of Delta State led by Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to please come to our aids,” he noted.

Chief Ogbu further revealed that the girls mainly from Delta State are causing them serious embarrassment and the Cote d’Ivoire Government is happy with the situation on ground.

He said, “We are calling on the Governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori for him to intervene in this situation because it is causing us serious embarrassment. The case is becoming too shameful; an average of 10 Delta girls is trafficked on a weekly basis. Our hands are tied, we have spent so much repatriating these girls and the more you send them back home, the more another sets are coming. We have done all we can, we have counselled and repatriated so many of them but there is no follow-up from the State, so we want the government to support us in this fight.

“The rate at which the girls are being trafficked into Cote d’Ivoire is becoming so alarming that the government of this country (Cote d’Ivoire) is worried. Even if the Governor wants to send a delegate to Cote d’Ivoire to come and see things for themselves, we are ready to receive them. We want to show them the kinds of risks our daughters are facing here and we want them to make provisions so that when these girls are rescued, we will be able to send them home.

“Delta State can also borrow a leaf from Benue State. They quickly swung into action when their girls were rescued from Cote d’Ivoire and repatriated them to Nigeria and then to Benue. They rehabilitate them, give them skill acquisition while those who want to go back to schools were given scholarships. Delta State with the enormous resources can do more than that. We know that the government is doing well for the youth in the area of sports, let them also look into other areas because our youths are the future of tomorrow,” Chief Ogbu noted.

Chief Ogbu who is also the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire concluded by calling on Governor Oborevwori to collaborate with them so as to make things easy for them. “We have been using our money, the little resources on us to do most of the things for these girls. We feed them, buy drugs for the sick ones, and some of them escaped without their belongings, hence we buy clothes for them. We also use our money to send them back to Nigeria. The burden is too much on us hence we need government to come to our aids. This is the time for the State Government to collaborate and cooperate with us,” he said.

Chief David Ogbu , President of Delta State Community in Cote d’Ivoire