Delta Women Awarded USIDHR’s $49,880 Scholarship For Human Trafficking Prevention Training

Over the weekend, Delta State women were trained and inducted as Professional Consultants on Human Trafficking Prevention through the United States Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR’s) Full Women Scholarship Program 2024-2025 Academic Year.

In collaboration with Kortch Consult, the program was held on Saturday 22 February 2025, at Abraka Delta State and sought to equip women with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify, prevent, and combat human trafficking within their communities.

According to an official statement by the USIDHR Country Director in Nigeria, Ambassador Ibrahim Sani Abubakar, the Full Women Scholarship entails providing a study grant to 20 women to access specific educational programs offered by USIDHR.

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Adding, “The training encompasses critical topics such as human trafficking awareness, prevention strategies, community engagement, psychological and social impacts of trafficking, and practical consultancy techniques.”

He stated that the scholarship amount is equivalent to the market price of $49,880; the educational program offered is multiplied by the number of registered participants, stressing that the Scholarship funds are applied directly to USIDHR on behalf of participants at the start of the Program to cover the full cost of the tuition of the program

Ambassador Sani emphasized that USIDHR is committed to providing educational programs and training to young women and girls with the knowledge they need to advocate for human rights and fight against human trafficking, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

“To facilitate this mission, USIDHR partners with organizations in different countries and regions that will ultimately be in charge of identifying and nominating deserving scholarship recipients”, he averred.

He highlighted, therefore, that the event represented a significant opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge and understanding, and explore new avenues of cooperation because human rights are essential to the full development of individuals and communities.

In the same vein, Ambassador Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo, Representative of Kortch Consult, in her address, commended USIDHR’s dedication to women’s education and empowerment, urging participants to replicate the training in their various local organizations and communities.

She noted that equipping women with these skills will create a formidable force against human trafficking, enabling them to become advocates and change agents in their communities.

Additionally, Mrs. Nwanze Ijeoma, Head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit Delta State Ministry of Justice and Secretary of Delta State Task Force on Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, led a fruitful discussion section with participants following the training modules.

Women who were trained and inducted include: Ambassador Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo, Pioneer Director International Forum for Women in Energy Oil and Gas Delta State Chapter; Mrs. Nwanze Ijeoma from Delta State Task Force on Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration; Mrs. Odijie Keonyenasoa, Delta State Coordinator Forum for African Women Educationalists; Otorie Florence Asheka, Secretary Police Community Relations Committee, Ozoro Area Command (Women’s Wing); Pastor Mrs. Eseonye Dorothy, Peace Ambassador; Dr. Ogechi Avwunudiogba, Gender Priority Ambassador.

Barr. Omeyoma Eshemitan, Royal Princess of Oghara Kingdom, Delta State; Deaconess Regina Iwetan, Educationist and Teenagers Coach; Dr. Dom Okoebu Patricia, Counselor and Life Coach; and Precious Ohunyon, CEO Uprise A&P Integrated Services were also inducted.

Others included Ojie Michelle, Head of Corporate Services at Kortch Consult Ltd; Oniyoma Racheal, Women in Energy Oil and Gas Delta State Chapter; Ifukor Lysa Onyeka, Conflict Resolution Professional and Girls Auxiliary Coordinator; Faith Taiye Edema, Program Coordinator at Blossom Flow Empowerment Foundation.

Lastly, Ifukor Ello Mary, Head Human Resources Kortch Consult; Abiodun Olatunde, Program Coordinator NutureHer Stem Development Initiative; Opuama Anna Onoriode Asst. Director Warri South LGA; and Ekorhi Orouwei Tesiri, Administrator, Children & Teenagers Coordinator NBC, were all inducted as Anti-Human Trafficking Consultants with the United States Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.

Ambassador Fidelis Onakpoma, Co-Initiator of the Program, stressed in a closing remark that the newly certified anti-human trafficking consultants are well-equipped to make a tangible impact, intensifying efforts to eradicate human trafficking across Nigeria.

He appealed to the Federal and State Governments to support civil society groups’ initiatives to combat human trafficking, emphasizing the need for the government to punish traffickers and support victims.