By Chukwudi Samuel
It was jubilations among the officers and men of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) as the new Director General, senator Basheer Garba Mohammed resumes office.
The new Director General at his assumption to office had pledged to take the Agency to a higher level. He stated this in Abuja while addressing cross section of officers and men of the Agency shortly after his formal assumption of office.
His words, ” l promise to build on the existing operational platform, collaboration and policies to ensure national and international visibility for the agency in order to effectively curtail incidence of human trafficking and irregular migration not only in Nigeria but within the sub Sahara Africa.
It would be recalled that President Muhammad Buhari had approved the swapping of heads of agencies under the ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development thereby leading to the movement of Mrs Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim who was the then Director General of NAPTIP to the National commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons while senator Basheer Mohammed moved to NAPTIP as the new Director General.
Senator Mohammed who was received with a guard of honour mounted by the provost unit of the Agency alongside with jubilant officers of the Agency , expressed delight at the warm reception accorded him and promised to work hard to ensure the realisation of mandates of the Agency.
The new DG urged the officers to embrace discipline and shun any act that is inimical to the operations of the Agency.
Earlier during a brief meeting with the Directors of the Agency, the Director, training and manpower development, Mr Arinze Orakwe had briefed the DG on the activities of the Agency, it’s national spread, scope as well and challenges.
Mr Orakwe outlined the challenges facing the Agency as it includes dearth of funds and operational tools adding that NAPTIP is endowed with an array of well trained and loyal officers who invest their hard earned and other resources in the fight against human trafficking.
In his response, senator Mohammed who expressed gratitude to President Muhammad Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve in a capacity as Director General of NAPTIP, promised to work effectively with management of the Agency to achieve greater result.
According to the DG, ‘’I am a passionate and hard-working person that is committed to the realization of goals and objectives of any institution wherever I found myself. I am happy to be in your midst and ready to work smoothly with all of you.” He stated
Going further the DG explained that he loves people with honest and prudent minded character, his words ” however, I must let you know that I like honesty and prudent management of available resources. My goal is to work hard to ensure NAPTIP gets desired position both within and outside the country.
The Director- General was later led on a guided tour of the officers by the Director administration, Mrs Benedicta Ojugbana.
Senator Basheer Garba Mohammed is the sixth Director General of the agency for the Prohibition since its inception in 2004.
