International Visitor Leadership Program(IVLP) 2018

By
Joseph Osuigwe
Executive Director
Devatop Centre for Africa Development
www.devatop.org
 About IVLP

Joseph Osuigwe at White House, Washington DC

The program is U.S. Department of State sponsored exchanged program. The project entitled
“Combating Trafficking in Persons in the U.S.,” was administered by Meridian International Center and
conducted from September 23 to 29, 2018.

The program includes a variety of appointments with individuals and representatives of organizations
.
The specific objectives for the project, as outlined by Department of State are:
· Explore best practices, innovative approaches and policies to tackling human trafficking in the
U.S.
· Learn the relationship between federal, state, and local levels of government in tackling trafficking
in persons;
· Learn about the contribution of the private sector in combating trafficking in the U.S; and
· To connect with and engage anti-trafficking organizations including government, police and other
paramilitary agencies, civil society organizations, and the media.

The program held at the following cities:

Washington, DC- September 23 - 26, 2018

Austin, Texas- September 26 - 29, 2018

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 Joseph Osuigwe with Mr. Mark Robstock(R-), Taylor Smith(L-1) and Caitlin Bettendorf(L) at International Meridian Office, WDC

The invitation to participate in International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) was a great
opportunity and platform for me to explore best practices, innovative approaches and policies to
tackling human trafficking. It was as a platform to refuel his energy for the fight against human
trafficking in Nigeria.

On 24th September, 2018, I visited Meridian International Centre, Washington DC for an opening
session of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), where Mr. Mark Rebstock, Vice
President of Meridian Centre and Ms. Caitlin Betterdorf shared interesting details about IVLP and how
to get the best from engaging different organizations and federal agencies. Thereafter, I had two hour
interesting learning session with Dr.Lenneal J. Henderson (Adjunct Professor of Government
College of William) on overview of the U.S. system of government, its decentralized nature and the
decision-making process that flows from the system. Dr. Lenneal, described different levels of
government, and how they work together to address social problems. I learnt that each of the branches
and levels of government acts in the best interest of the citizens.

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 Joseph Osuigwe with Amy Rustan Haslett and Emily Korenak at U.S Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat TIP

Meetings With Government Agencies

During my meetings with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S
Department of States-Office to Combat Human Trafficking, I was amazed at the level of
importance the U.S government attached to ending human trafficking. I saw a government that
has demonstrated a strong political will to combating human trafficking, and stimulating virtually
all the federal agencies to take strategic actions against human trafficking through Presidential
Inter-agency Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (PITF), which comprises: U.S Department of
State, Department of Treasury, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of
Interior, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labour, Department of Health and Human
Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security.

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 Presidential Inter-agency Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (PITF) has been instrumental in
engaging agencies to play strategic roles in combating human trafficking.
The willingness and political will of U.S Government to combating human trafficking was
demonstrated in many obvious ways, and one of which was yearly funding for anti-human
trafficking projects through different federal agencies. This indicates that U.S government has
set a pace for other countries in fighting human trafficking. However, there is need for U.S
government to increase funding for prevention projects, and as well adjust its current
approaches to identifying victims and minor among migrants at her border.

Support for civil society organization in addressing social issues is one of the things that
Nigerian government need to consider, especially in addressing human trafficking.

Apart from the federal government, my meeting with Mr. Todd Latiolais at the Office of Child
Trafficking Team of Texas Government, revealed that most state governments in United States
have state laws/policies and initiatives to tackle trafficking in persons. Texas government has
taken the issue of trafficking in persons very serious. This is what I expected from state
governments in Nigeria.
Meetings With Civil Society Organizations and Associations
:I had an interesting and inspiring discussion with civil society organizations (CSOs) in
Washington DC and Austin, Texas. Each of my meetings with different CSOs offered a unique
information and experience to me. During my visit to Polaris Project team, I toured their building
observing the flow of information of the U.S National Human Trafficking Hotline which they have
been operating for more than three years. It was motivating to meet young people at Polaris
Project championing one of the greatest campaigns and movement against human trafficking in
the United States. Their expertise in using data to stimulate action against human trafficking was
superb, and that made me realize the importance of using data to drive action, and as well as
hold both government and private sectors accountable.

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 It was exciting meeting and
sharing experiences with
Vivian Huelgo of American
Bar Association (ABA) and
Ms. Claire Wilkinson of
International Justice
Missions. While discussing
with Ms. Vivian, I learnt
different approaches for
increasing the interest of
lawyers in combating
human trafficking. After
speaking with Ms. Claire
Wilkinson, Vice president
–Africa programs of
International Justice
I felt the urgent need for Christian groups, including Muslims in Nigeria to be engaged in
combating human trafficking.
At Austin, I had the privilege to participate in the meeting of Texas Coalition Against Human
Trafficking where I learnt and as well shared my anti-human trafficking experiences. Meeting
them was an opportunity to inspire and network with my fellow “Warriors” in the fight against
human trafficking.
During the concluding part of my stay in Austin, Texas, I visited Casa Marianella(a safe house for
migrants and survivors of human trafficking) and Austin Safeplace(a home for survivors of
sexual exploitation, single mothers, migrants, etc) to explore their facilities and learn how they
are rehabilitating survivors. I met with some of the survivors of human trafficking from Africa,
North America and South America. I was delighted to learn that Texas State government is
supporting some of these safe houses and civil society organizations.

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Government Commitment: U.S government has demonstrated a sustainable commitment to
tackling human trafficking in the country and across the globe. Not only that, virtually every
federal agencies has specific responsibility in combating this crime. U.S government
commitment is also reflected on its yearly funding provided for organizations to tackle human
trafficking globally.

Majority of state governments are making efforts to tackle human trafficking, and this is among
the things that Nigerian government should do. Obviously, tackling human trafficking is not an
exclusive responsibility of federal government and civil society organizations, it requires an
active participation different levels of government, and of course agencies and private sectors.

My Action Plan
As part of my action plan, I will lead my organization, Devatop Centre for Africa Development:
1. To partner with U.S Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in
Persons, Polaris, and other relevant organizations and agencies to improve data on human
trafficking in Nigeria through our TALKAM project(www.talkam.org). This will lead to yearly
report of human trafficking in 36 states in Nigeria, and using the statistics to demand action from
local, state and federal government.
2. To collaborate with human trafficking research institutes in United States to stimulate
human trafficking researches in University of Benin, Edo State and University of Nigeria, Enugu
State, and mentor them to start research centres to accelerate the fight against human
trafficking.
3. To partner with National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in
facilitating Inter-agency/ministry learning program on combating human trafficking.
4. Use advocacy and accountability tools to demand for and stimulate involvement of states
governments in combating human trafficking.
5. To partner with U.S Embassy, Abuja to host quarterly human trafficking events.

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Joseph Osuigwe with Claire Williams (L) and Jessica Kyle.(R,) Joseph Osuigwe with Jennifer Long, Executive Director of
at International Justice Mission, Washington DC Casa Marianella (L) and her volunteers in Austin,USA

Joseph Osuigwe at African-American Museum, Joseph Osuigwe with Mr. Philip C. Brown (Intern-
at Washington DC national visitors liaison),

www.devatop.org www.talkam.org

info@devatop.org +2348067251727