The United Kingdom has given their support to a campaign urging Nigerian women to stay in their country and look for jobs, instead of coming to the UK to work as modern slaves.
According the Independent, the government said the posters are to be placed in schools, churches and market places. This it said would attempt to reduce human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labour.
The campaign focuses on “aspirational stories of women who have established successful careers in Nigeria”, according to the Department for International Development.
The Not for Sale campaign is supported by UK aid and involves the National Crime Agency and the UK’s Joint Border Task Force as well as Nigerian law enforcement.
One of the stories featured in the posters, TV and radio adverts relates to Gift Jonathan, a single mother who was raped and tortured while attempting to get to Europe but has since returned to Nigeria and found work as a pastry chef.
“Three years ago, I was a single mother with two children living with my widowed mother,” she said.
“Things were so hard that when my friend told me about travelling to Germany, guy I moved! We only made it to Libya. I was sold, raped and tortured. I saw many Nigerians die including my friend Iniobong.
“When I made it to Nigeria, I met with people who registered me in a vocational centre and encouraged me.
“Today I’m a baker in Benin making enough money to take care of my family. My boys will not grow up to be ashamed of their mother. My name is Gift Jonathan and I am not for sale.”
Nigeria has one of the highest figures for modern slavery in Africa and is one of the top five countries of origin for modern slavery victims reaching Europe and the UK.
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