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CWEENS, Partners Host Anti-Trafficking Town Hall in Bassa, Plateau State
As part of ongoing efforts to tackle human trafficking in Plateau State, the Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), in collaboration with Women for Women International, organized a town hall meeting on Monday, May 26, 2025, in Bassa Local Government Area. The event follows similar engagements held in Riyom and Langtang North LGAs, aimed at mobilizing communities to take a collective stand against trafficking.
In a continued effort to combat human trafficking in Plateau State, the Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), in partnership with Women for Women International, held a town hall meeting in Bassa Local Government Area on Monday 26th May 2025. This follows similar engagements previously held in Riyom (Here) and Langtang North LGAs (Here), all aimed at mobilizing communities to take a stand against trafficking.
Themed “Human Trafficking Awareness and Support Services,” the Bassa town hall brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including community leaders, women’s groups, youth activists, government representatives, and law enforcement agencies. Discussions focused on identifying the root causes of trafficking and devising local solutions to curb the growing menace.
Speaking at the event, Kiyenpya Mafuyai, Plateau State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), identified poverty, insecurity, and ignorance as key drivers of trafficking in the area. “Each of us has a role to play,” she said. “We must report traffickers, raise awareness, and support victims. There are no benefits to trafficking—only loss and trauma for individuals, families, and communities.”
Mafuyai also stressed the need for government intervention through education, empowerment, and adequate funding for agencies like NAPTIP. “Laws alone are not enough. Without the resources to enforce them, we cannot effectively prosecute offenders or support survivors,” she added.
Mrs. Rejoice Adamson, Head of the Women Unit in Bassa LGA, described the meeting as “timely and necessary,” pointing to the insecurity in Bassa as a factor increasing community vulnerability. “Many parents are deceived by false promises of better lives for their children. Out of desperation, they unknowingly hand them over to traffickers,” she warned.
Adding her voice, Mrs. Lillian Joshua Riti, wife of the Bassa LGA Chairman, called for sustained grassroots sensitization and investment in education. “We must continue this campaign in churches, markets, and community spaces. Education—both formal and informal—is a long-term solution,” she said.
Ward Councillor Hon. Musa Samuel highlighted the link between human trafficking and economic hardship. “When families are unable to afford school fees, they become easy targets for traffickers. We need to address unemployment and create local support systems,” he urged.
Youth activist Davidson Malison commended CWEENS for facilitating the engagement. “This meeting has given us the responsibility to carry this message home. As youth leaders, we must enlighten our communities on the dangers of child trafficking,” he said.
Mrs. Mary Jegfa, National President of the Irigwe Development Association Women’s Wing, shared a chilling account of trafficking in Rubuka community. “Over 300 children were taken under the guise of being offered education, and many are still missing. We must act now,” she declared, pledging to rally traditional women councils for intensified advocacy.
CWEENS Program Manager, Dirmicit B. Pyentam, emphasized the need for communities to break the silence around trafficking. “We’ve rescued and rehabilitated many trafficked children. Sadly, some residents still shield perpetrators due to fear or misplaced loyalty,” she revealed. “This town hall is a platform to raise awareness and build community-led prevention strategies.”
The Bassa town hall marks a critical step in CWEENS’ broader anti-trafficking campaign across Plateau State. With increasing collaboration among civil society, local authorities, and residents, the organization aims to create a safer environment for women and children vulnerable to exploitation.
Nigeria has lost its bid to host the 2031 African Games after Uganda was officially awarded the hosting rights for the continent’s premier multi-sport event during the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS5).
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According to reports from the virtual meeting held on June 2, Nigeria’s proposal was rejected as the body prefer the Uganda bid.
Uganda was subsequently confirmed as host of the 15th edition of the African Games scheduled for 2031, marking a major sporting milestone for the East African nation.
The meeting also approved revised African Games Fundamental Regulations aimed at improving governance, transparency, and operational standards for future editions of the Games.
Member states further reiterated their commitment to global anti-doping standards, including timely contributions to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), while emphasizing the importance of clean sport development across Africa.
Nigeria’s latest setback adds to a growing list of unsuccessful international sporting bids, while Uganda now begins preparations to welcome athletes from across the continent in 2031.
Nigeria recorded $10.37 billion in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 83.83 per cent increase compared to the $5.64 billion received in the corresponding period of 2025
The development was contained in a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
The bureau’s latest Capital Importation Report also showed that foreign capital inflows increased by 60.97 per cent from the $6.44 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to the report, the increase reflects stronger investor participation in Nigeria’s financial markets during the period under review.
Portfolio investment dominates inflows
The report showed that portfolio investment remained the largest component of capital importation, accounting for $9.86 billion or 95.09 per cent of the total inflows recorded during the quarter.
Other investments amounted to $374.48 million, representing 3.61 per cent of total capital imported, while foreign direct investment (FDI) stood at $135.08 million, accounting for 1.30 per cent.
The NBS noted that portfolio investment significantly outperformed other categories of capital inflows during the period.
Within the portfolio investment category, money market instruments attracted the highest inflows at $6.50 billion.
Investments in bonds totalled $3.23 billion, while equity investments totalled $131.81 million.
The figures indicate that investors continued to favour fixed-income instruments over equity investments during the quarter.
Banking sector attracts largest share
Sectoral analysis showed that the banking sector received the highest volume of foreign capital, attracting $7.55 billion, which represents 72.79 per cent of total capital imported during the period.
The financing sector followed with inflows of $2.43 billion, or 23.42 per cent of the total.
The production and manufacturing sector received $152.27 million, accounting for 1.47 per cent of total inflows.
Other sectors that attracted foreign investments included agriculture, telecommunications, information technology services, oil and gas, healthcare, construction, education, consultancy services, transport, trading and shares.
The United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of capital inflows into Nigeria during the first quarter of 2026.
According to the report, investments originating from the UK amounted to $5.08 billion, representing 49.01 per cent of total capital importation.
The United States followed with $3.18 billion, accounting for 30.69 per cent, while South Africa contributed $983.83 million, representing 9.49 per cent of the total.
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited handled the largest share of capital importation during the quarter.
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The bank received $4.41 billion in inflows, representing 42.56 per cent of the total capital imported into the country.
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $2.78 billion, or 26.79 per cent, while Rand Merchant Bank facilitated inflows of $930.82 million, accounting for 8.97 per cent.
Other banks that processed foreign capital inflows during the period included Access Bank, Citibank Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa.
The NBS stated that the capital importation statistics were compiled using information supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria and reports submitted by commercial banks on fresh foreign capital brought into the country.
The bureau added that the figures do not capture other components of foreign direct investment, including reinvested earnings.
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