The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and stakeholders in the fight against End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) have charged members of the ESGBV Media Corps in Benue to intensify advocacy, survivor-focused reporting and public enlightenment on SGBV.
This charge was made on Wednesday, September 30, during a physical mentoring meeting of the Media Corps held at the NAPTIP Zonal Office, Makurdi, where members presented progress reports on the implementation of their action plans and identified challenges confronting their work.
The NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Makurdi, Mrs. Theresa Hembadoon Kuma, commended the media for keeping the public informed about SGBV and the agency’s interventions. She said the prevalence of SGBV, particularly in Benue Zones A and B, remained a concern, prompting NAPTIP to produce educative jingles in local languages and intensify sensitisation campaigns among travellers and other members of the public.
Represented by Mr. Vincent Adekoye, the NAPTIP Director-General expressed satisfaction with the Media Corps initiative, saying it was established to give greater attention to SGBV, amplify survivors’ voices, strengthen coordination among actors and promote access to justice for survivors.
Mr. Adekoye urged media practitioners not to relent in the campaign, warning that silence could create more room for perpetrators to continue exploiting victims. He called for stronger coordination and information-sharing among media practitioners and other stakeholders, while assuring the Media Corps of NAPTIP’s commitment to the success of the initiative.
The ESGBV State Coordinator, Mrs. Gloria Bai, described the initiative as effective and productive, commending NAPTIP, the International IDEA and the European Union for their partnership and support. She urged members of the Media Corps to sustain reporting on SGBV, raise public awareness, support victims and contribute to efforts aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating survivors.
The mentor, Dr Tim Aniebonam, said the meeting was not designed to find fault with members but to promote learning and improvement. He stressed the need for stronger advocacy and public awareness, while urging practitioners to comply with reporting standards and timelines for the programme’s activities.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Media Corps members to review their action plans, assess progress, identify implementation gaps and chart a way forward for a more coordinated and sustained media response to ESGBV in Benue.
