BY

Seun Trust

Cross section of Nigerians, Civil Society Organizations and Development partners have commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the National Honour conferred on the former Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah- Donli, OON, describing it as a reward of her excellent selfless service to the Nation.

It would be recalled that Dame Julie Okah - Donli, was among prominent Nigerians across all strata of the Society, recognized and honoured with the award of National Honour.

Even though several persons were honoured during the event, the former Director General of NAPTIP stood out as a star during the event.

As a Director General of a foremost Counter Trafficking Agency in Africa, Dame Julie Okah - Donli, unveiled the Agency to the global world with several strategic landmarks projects, policies, innovations an expanded stakeholders network and effective collaboration which greatly projected the corporate image and integrity of the Agency.

Her three years in Office were characterized by a series of developmental projects, renewed synergy, and national spread with the setting up of State Task Forces on Human Trafficking among other numerous initiatives thereby making NAPTIP a pace-setting Agency in Africa.

Her record-breaking performance earned her a position in the United Nation as she was appointed as a member of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF) and later Chairperson of the Fund.

Immediately after her exit from NAPTIP, the prolific Author and refined Lawyer established the Roost Foundation, a globally recognised Non - Governmental organization dedicated to the plight of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Society.

At the moment, Roost Foundation has lifted no fewer than 150 persons out of poverty through its well-designed skill acquisition programme,  reduced the vulnerability of the people through massive enlightenment and awareness creation on issues of human trafficking, Child labour, Sexual and Gender 0 Based Violence and other relates issues, enhance collective participation in the reduction of societal ills through advocacy as well as enhancing accelerated justice dispensation for survivors of human trafficking through it pro bono legal services.

Speaking on the award, a Civil Society Manager in Abuja, Mr Francis Oseghai, described Dame Julie Okah - Donli, as a woman with an undying passion for the vulnerable.

He said, “ I am not surprised that the Federal Government of Nigeria, honoured this noble woman. Words are inadequate to describe her. As DG of NAPTIP, the Agency was everywhere in the World. It was on record that as she was sensitizing Nigerians from one part of the Country to the other and creating the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking, she was visiting policymakers on advocacy, was also intercepting potential victims, arresting the traffickers and putting them in prisons.

She changed the narratives of human trafficking in Nigeria and restored the dignity of the survivors through her all-encompassing rehabilitation programme. Dame Julie Okah - Donli, deserves more than this award”, Mr Oseghai said.



In her remarks, one of the Actors in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, Mrs Justina Akinlabi said the former DG remained an asset to the entire Nation.

She said “I know that Dame Julie Okah - Donli will go places. Her love for Nigeria and humanity is immeasurable. The entire nation is happy that President Muhammadu Buhari recognised her service to the Country and awarded her the National Honour.

“I came across her a few years ago at the peak of the insurgence in the North East. She came to Maiduguri with her Officers to set up and inaugurate the Borno State task Force on Human Trafficking. It was the period that many Heads of Agencies even ministers dare not go to Maiduguri. But. this woman was there and she even went to the IDP camps, counselled and distributed basic needs to the displaced families there.

“Also, during the peak of the COVID - 19 pandemic, she was the only voice that was not silenced. Her short videos and sensitization messages were everywhere.

“She is a woman that can be trusted with higher responsibility. She was the face of the Government of Nigeria then even in the International event. I congratulate her.

Exodus News gathered that even after her stewardship in NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah - Donli, OON, has continued to consult and carry out so many other National Projects in counter-trafficking even much more than before due to her excellent knowledge and value as a Resource person, Caregiver, Lawyer and strategic advisor.