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Human Trafficking: Be fair with Abike-Dabiri – Child Advocate Urges VeryDarkMan
Following the human trafficking’ allegation labelled against Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), over the increasing number of Nigerians stranded in foreign countries, Advocate Against Human Trafficking & Child Exploitation and Cameroon based publisher, Ismaila Adegbola has opens up on why Social Media activists VeryDarkman needs to be fair with NIDCOM chairperson due to her unwavering commitment to curb human trafficking’ across the globe.
The argument has ignited a wave of debates online about who truly holds responsibility for ensuring the safety and return of Nigerians stuck abroad.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa has replied to controversial activist, VeryDarkMan.
Verydarkman had given her one week ultimatum to rescue children allegedly trafficked to Ivory Coast as “misinformed and ignorant”.
Adegbola urges VDM to be fair enough with the roles Abike has been playing in favour of Nigerians in diaspora and her commitment to eradicate human trafficking in many countries.
He said: “Let’s focus on solutions, not blame, it is responsibilities of everybody to come out in unity in the fight against human trafficking,” said Adegbola.
“It is truly disheartening to witness the recent confrontation between social media activist Verydarkman and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), especially on an issue as sensitive and heartbreaking as human and child trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire.”
“Last year, I embarked on an investigative mission to Côte d’Ivoire to document the harsh realities faced by many of our children and young girls trapped in modern slavery. What I encountered was devastating, and I believe this issue demands more than outrage — it requires strategic action, unity, and compassion.
“While Verydarkman may be passionate about justice, I must strongly caution against the tone and words used towards Hon. Abike Dabiri. From my experience, she has shown consistent concern for the welfare of Nigerians abroad. I vividly remember her swift and emotional response when I notified her office about the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. She was deeply saddened and encouraged me to engage NAPTIP for further intervention. Though my repeated visits to NAPTIP were fruitless — a matter that must be addressed within that agency — it would be unfair to place the blame solely on her.
“I must also commend the Nigerian community and the Nigerian embassy in Côte d’Ivoire for their resilience and efforts so far in tackling this issue. They have shown leadership, compassion, and commitment in the face of a difficult situation.
“Let us remember: this is not a fight for one person or agency alone. This is our collective responsibility. It is time to channel our energies into meaningful partnerships. We must raise awareness, empower vulnerable communities, and demand reform at all institutional levels.”
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Abdullahi Saidu as executive chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, along with 17 others as members of the boards of the FRC and the National Human Rights Commission.
The approvals came during plenary, after lawmakers considered and adopted reports from the Senate committees on finance and on judiciary, human rights and legal matters.
Presenting the report on the FRC nominees, Lere Oyewunmi, deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the panel reviewed the nominees’ curricula vitae, educational qualifications and professional experience before recommending them for confirmation.
In a separate report, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, presented the panel’s recommendations on nominees to the NHRC governing council.
He said the nominations were referred to the committee on April 28, 2026, noting that screening took place on Tuesday.
According to him, the committee went through the nominees’ curricula vitae and supporting documents and was satisfied with their experience, qualifications, competence and exposure to human rights issues. It therefore recommended their confirmation as chairman and members of the council.
The confirmed nominees are:
The Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached far-reaching resolutions at the conciliation meetings convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The meetings, held on 22nd and 27th October, 2026 at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, were sequel to the communique issued at the end of the Joint meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC.
The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON, with representatives of the Federal Government in attendance, while the NLC delegation was led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
After extensive deliberations on the issues raised, the meeting resolved as follows:
1. National Minimum Wage: It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. However, there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.
2. Reduction in Petroleum Pump Price and Palliatives:
i. Federal Government will pay a transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) across all levels for a period of six (6) months, commencing from November 2026.
ii. Peculiar Allowance has been approved by the Federal Government with effect from 1st May, 2026. Payment of arrears will commence in November 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.
iii. Nineteen (19) months arrears of allowances for health workers will be redeemed within three (3) months with effect from December 2026.
3. Tax Relief for Workers: As tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to the National Executive Council (NEC).
4. Hazard Allowance for Agricultural Workers: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification. Verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the template for implementation will be issued by NSIWC.
5. CONHESS Adjustment: The NSIWC promised to complete the update of the cost implication within three (3) weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision on the CONHESS adjustment.
The meeting also urged State and Local Governments to key into the intervention process, while unions were enjoined to push for its implementation at their respective levels.
Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolutions.
The meeting had in attendance the DG Budget, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu; Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, OHCSF, Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.; Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON; NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; and National Secretary, JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.
The National Assembly received a comprehensive list of proposed new local government areas (LGAs) across several states in Nigeria as of January, 2026.
The submission was reported to have included requests from multiple states, reflecting demands for administrative expansion and closer governance.
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