The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commended the Devatop Centre for Africa Development for its efforts in addressing gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre, a tech-driven human rights organisation, has developed a device known as the ‘Talkam App’ to facilitate the reporting of human rights abuses to relevant authorities.
The centre is currently collaborating with NAPTIP, other government agencies, NGOs, as well as national and international organisations, to promote human rights.
NAPTIP’s Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, represented by Mr Festus Gav, Assistant Director of Training and Manpower Development, gave the commendation during a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
“As you may be aware, the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) 2015, in Section 5, mandates the agency to adopt effective measures for the prevention and eradication of trafficking in persons and related offences.
“It also requires the agency to establish coordinated preventive, regulatory, and investigative mechanisms aimed at eradicating trafficking in persons, among other objectives.
“It is for these reasons, and indeed many others, that NAPTIP entered into a partnership with the Devatop Centre 11 years ago.
“During this period, the Devatop Centre has documented and referred cases of human trafficking and abuse to the agency.
“It provided skills acquisition training and business start-ups to victims of trafficking and human rights abuses in Sokoto, Delta, and Enugu States.
“The centre has also offered psychosocial counselling to victims, supported the production of short films on human trafficking including issues like sextortion and organ harvesting and trained NAPTIP staff on digital case management and rapid response using the Talkam App.
“This event is therefore significant as it celebrates the United Nations’ recognition of Devatop for developing the Talkam App, a remarkable achievement for Nigeria, Africa, and indeed the world,” Adamu-Bello said.
The NAPTIP D-G stated that the Talkam App’s digital case management system enables organisations in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond to report and address human trafficking and abuse.
Earlier, the Founder and Executive Director of the Devatop Centre, Mr Joseph Osuigwe, stated that the organisation’s mission is to promote human rights and discourage inhumane activities at local, national, and international levels.
He noted the culture of silence and low public participation in reporting abuses as major challenges, which led to the development of the Talkam App to expose perpetrators.
Osuigwe emphasised the need to leverage technology to break the culture of silence and stimulate civic engagement.
“Between 2017 and 2018, we began formulating a strategy to encourage citizens, including victims, to report abuses to appropriate organisations and agencies in order to seek justice.
“We recognised that, in this digital age, a seamless, user-friendly technological tool was needed. This tool would educate users about human rights and connect victims to human rights organisations”.
He added that the Talkam App is designed to strengthen public confidence in government institutions like NAPTIP and urged Nigerians to download the Talkam Human Rights App via www.talkam.app.
Osuigwe further revealed plans to incorporate local languages into the Talkam App by 2025, enhancing its accessibility and effectiveness in reporting human rights abuses.
NAN reports that the event’s highlight included the unveiling of the Talkam App recognition plaque by the NAPTIP Director-General and a video presentation showcasing its recognition by an international organisation.
