The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Friday, applauded the humanitarian gesture of Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, to the less privileged in the society.
Director- General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, made the commendation when she named Tonto as NAPTIP ambassador.
Tonto who led members of her NGO, Tonto Dikeh Foundation, was on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the agency in Abuja as part of collaboration on the war against trafficking in persons.
Mrs Okah-Donli said that the decision to name the actress as NAPTIP ambassador was in recognition of her passion for youths who are major victims of trafficking and her readiness to work the agency.
“Tonto is the first Nollywood actress to partner with us in fighting the scourge of human trafficking and automatically is named an ambassador for NAPTIP.
“There are many areas we can work, together using her popularity as an actress and role model to many young people.
“She has fans and followers, especially on her social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and of course she can talk about NAPTIP on such platforms.
“She is known for the free skills acquisition and an empowerment programme she offers, especially young women, through her foundation, and that is line with our objectives as well,” Okah-Donli said.
The NAPTIP chief executive noted that as a popular celebrity, Tonto Dikeh’s emergence as ambassador would boost the agency’s campaign against human trafficking across Nigeria.
She, however, urged other Nigerian celebrities alike to emulate the willingness shown by the actress to be an advocate against human trafficking.
In her remark, Tonto express willingness to partner with the agency, describing human trafficking as a national embarrassment that must be battled collectively.
“As an ambassador of NAPTIP, I intend to do a radical campaign against human trafficking across Nigeria, as far as I can go.
“I have always been inspired to do this because human trafficking is a huge national problem that should not be left for government alone.
“My passion has always been to speak against it in my little capacity, and I just found the right platform which is NAPTIP.
“I do believe that God raised celebrities to be agents of positive change in societies because they have fans and a lot of people who follow them,” she said.
