By Stanley Onyekwere
A former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede has launched Sure for You Rescue and Resettlement Initiative (Sure4U), a community-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), to cater for vulnerable persons especially neglected street children and Migrants.
Among other objectives, the Initiative seeks to promote the right and dignity of children, by countering the exploitation of child labour and child abuse in all its forme through high impact interventions that address the critical needs of the street children and those with peculiar needs.
Also, the NGO intends to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in discouraging trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, whilst providing psychosocial and other needed assistance to returning migrants for purpose of rehabilitation and integration.
Performing the official unveiling SURE4U yesterday, in Abuja, the Minister of State, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, described it as a vital vehicle for societal change.
He commended the NGO for seeking to pursue social justice, gender and equality, protection and integration of vulnerable children into society through intervention, advocacy and education, which is in line with the government’s objective.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, SURE4U Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Usman K. Umar, Sarkin Kibiya, described the initiative as a milestone in the quest for social justice and other objectives, aimed at improving the society.
Umar, a Senator, who represented Kano South Senatorial District, in the 3rd Republic, appealed to government at all levels, Nigeria stakeholders and international community to be part of the NGO’s noble venture, aimed at tackling challenges threatening the stability of Nigeria as establishment.
On his part, SURE4U Founder/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Muhammad Babandede, said the NGO was birthed out of his desire to assist the vulnerable especially children, orphans and deported migrants with support through sustained persuasive and training both formal and non-formal.
Babandede said the initiative will also help build the capacity of policy-makers, law enforcement agencies, CSO’s and the public through sensitisation, conferences, workshops and seminars on issues bordering on trafficking, smuggling of migrants, street children and border security.
He however, attributed the myriad of security threats bedeviling the nigerian society, to the high number of neglected children, who are left to fend for themselves in the society.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
