This praise coincided with the 25th anniversary celebration of WOTCLEF, an initiative started by former First Lady Titi Abubakar.
Atiku emphasized that the administration of President Obasanjo offered a conducive atmosphere that was essential to WOTCLEF’s anti-trafficking initiatives.
Atiku and Obasanjo, his former principal, were reunited at the ceremony as well.
In addition to commemorating a significant milestone—the 25th anniversary of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, or WOTCLEF—we are here today to honor a vision that has fundamentally changed the face of social justice and human rights in Nigeria, the statement reads.
I want to start by sincerely thanking each and every one of you for coming today. Your attendance demonstrates your unwavering support for women’s and children’s rights in our country and your dedication to ending the horrible realities of child labor and human trafficking.
Our trip began in 1999, which was twenty-five years ago. It was a year of revolutionary potential, one that signaled the emergence of a ray of hope for our most vulnerable citizens as well as the start of a new democracy. In order to address the harsh reality that so many people must face—where the defenseless are frequently the victims of abuse, child labor, and human trafficking—WOTCLEF was founded out of a deep need for change.
Her Excellency Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, my cherished wife, was at the center of this endeavor because she understood how urgent it was to speak up for the voiceless once I was sworn in as vice president.
“I am proud and full of respect for Titi as I stand here now. Numerous lives have been transformed by her unwavering commitment to fighting child labor and human trafficking. She didn’t just stand by and watch women and children suffer; she took strong action to spearhead the movement for change.
Additionally, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) for his prompt approval of the WOTCLEF Law, which outlawed child labor and women trafficking in Nigeria. His fearless leadership created an atmosphere that fueled WOTCLEF’s purpose, reinforcing our democratic values while delivering vital hope to our downtrodden communities.
“This admirable endeavor has been continued by succeeding Nigerian presidents, who have acknowledged the pressing need to address child labor and women trafficking. Following their thorough examination of the 2003 Act, President Muhammadu Buhari repealed it and re-enacted it on March 26, 2015, reestablishing NAPTIP as a government organization dedicated to combating the most serious abuses of women’s and children’s rights.
“Taken together, these acts demonstrate the power of collaborative governance and our shared determination to create a more secure and equitable society for all.”
