Ooni empowers 55 victims of human trafficking, 42 others

No fewer than 97 repatriated victims of human trafficking and other youths benefitted from different empowerment initiatives of the Ooni of lfe, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

They were trained in different crafts and artworks at Ojaja II Fashion Training Institute (OFTI), Ile-Ife, for them to be self-reliant and become productive members in the society.

The graduation ceremony coincides with the fifth coronation anniversary of the highly revered monarch.

The victims of human trafficking who narrated how they were dehumanized and physically assaulted while abroad before the intervention of Ooni Ogunwusi are grateful to the monarch for the gesture.

Oba Ogunwusi highlighted the need for all hands to be on deck on youths development and assurance of hope in the future to calm their frail nerves.

He said youths’ anger and hunger should be pacified with supports in form of training, mentorship and other empowerment initiatives.

“In line with the celebration of my 5th year on the throne, I have mapped out plans to empower 5,000 youths to be financially independent and be able to feed others.

“I hereby call on Nigerian leaders, political, traditional and religious leaders to know that it is now a necessity to empower the youths. Out of our earnings, let us dedicate part to the empowerment of youths in our areas. We must consider this as a necessity and what should be done on a regular basis.

“We just had a sample of youth restiveness and it should be a lesson to all of us that nobody can handle their anger, so it is about time that we know that it is unwise to keep money in the bank while the needy continue to wallow in poverty,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

One of the partners of the initiative and an advocate against human trafficking, Adelaja Ogulafo acknowledged efforts of government and non governmental organizations, particularly the Ooni in ensuring that the girls were repatriated from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Omar and other parts of the world

Ogulafo stressed the need to sensitize young girls on the dangers leaving the country for uncertainty abroad.

Two of the human trafficking victims, Comfort Adebisi and Omolara Oluwasinu thanked the Ooni for giving them a new lease of life.

They appreciated his supports during their travails while abroad and also how they were reintegrated to the society with the training and equivalent to work with.

Beneficiaries were presented with sewing machines and certificates of apprenticeship to start up.