By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) assured of
working with Daurama Foundation to tackle the vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, especially those that leave them at risk of being trafficked or exploited.
Giving the assurance at the virtual graduation of 39 young women fromyoung women from the 12 -week capacity building initiative of the Samira Buhari Mentorship Programme (SBMP), the Director General of NAPTIP Dr Binta Adamu Bello, said SBMP aligned with their national strategies to protect women and girls.
The DG represented by the agency’s Director of Counselling and Rehabilitation,
Angela Agbayekhai, added that SBMP is equiping young women with skills and opportunities capable of making them self reliant.
“Across our communities, girls and women face vulnerabilities that can echo across generations. What SBMP is doing, taking young women off the margins and empowering them, is timely and essential. NAPTIP stands ready to partner so this momentum translates into safer, stronger futures,” NAPTIP DG noted.
Earlier in her remarks, the founder of SBMP, Dr Samira Buhari said the 12-week capacity-building initiative which focused on leadership, career development, public speaking, business and digital literacy,
According to Dr Buhari, the event themed ‘Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Women Leaders’ prepares participants for professional and entrepreneurial pursuits thereby equiping them with the needed confidence and skills to take on leadership roles in their communities and beyond.
“A statement by Communications Coordinator of SMBP,
Francisca Nzeagwu quoted Dr Samira as saying, “This is far more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of courage and possibility. Mentorship should open doors, nurture confidence, and ignite a fire that lasts well beyond the classroom.
“When we invest in women, we transform communities, economies, and nations. Women’s voices belong at the table, at the helm, and at the heart of progress,” Dr Buhari enthused.
Continuing, Dr Buhari who gave cash prices and digital devices to top performing participants furrher
reassured that, the Daurama Foundation, will continue to serve as a platform for building network of women leaders and promoting skills development as part of broader efforts to address gender inequality and economic marginalisation.
One of the mentors who facilitated the dmDigital Productivity session, Mercy Ajeh confirmed that participants were eager to learn and often go beyond class activities; sharing calendars, drafting documents, and even taking minutes, adding, “the structure pushed them to meet high standards, and they rose to the challenge,”
One of the graduates, Fatima Shema, reflected on how the mentorship experience had impacted her career path saying, “SBMP gave me confidence and direction.
“The day after our mock interviews, I passed a real interview and got the job. I’ve found my voice, and I’m building a creative enterprise that creates opportunities for other women,” she said.
The ceremony also acknowledged the contributions of partner organisations such as NAPTIP, the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, and the FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat, along with the volunteers and staff who supported the programme’s delivery.