United Nations High Commission on Refuge presents film to tackle menace of human trafficking

The United Nations High Commission on Refuge (UNHCR) on Tuesday launched a film to educate and address the menace of trafficking in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, just as it observed that Internally Display Persons (IDP’s) asylum seekers and refuges have become key targets of human traffickers because of their vulnerability and desperation to achieve better livelihood.

Penpushing reports that the event held at Cinema hall of a reputable hotels in Ijebu-Ode town of Ogun State had in attendance refugees, as well as stakeholders which include immigration officials, child protection network, journalists among others, and the film was produced in collaboration with Nollywood Actors, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, as well as National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI)

The synopsis of the film is a story of loss, survival and hope which followed the lives of Muteke and Roseline as they escaped from the crisis-plagued South-Western Cameroon to Nigeria, where hope to find safety and rebuild their lives, far away from home in settlement for refugees.

Penpushing further reports that the story added that as they struggle to adapt to their new lives and deal with their traumatic past, they’re seduced with the dream of much better life away from the settlement by traffickers, and after being provided livelihood and other assistance, they are made aware the risks of human trafficking

The film added that ultimately they have make a choice to decide what kind of future they want for themselves and their loved ones, while ‘Dangerous Hope’ examines human trafficking in the context of forced displacement, and it is set to educate by increasing knowledge and awareness of Human Trafficking, promote attitudinal change for potential traffickers, and empowerment and mobilize by making tools available that help survivors reclaim their lives

Penpushing also reports that Head of Field Office, Lagos of the United Nations High Commission on Refuge (UNHCR) Ephrahim Kabura earlier in his welcome address noted that the struggle to get basic needs especially food and the desire to improve their living standards often pushes those forced to flee into hands of persons who pretend to offer them assistance but end up exploiting them

‘Following through on the information strategy component of UNHCR’s 10-point plan action on mixed movement and UNHCR’s communicating with Communities approach, an anti-human trafficking film was designed and produced in 2022 with the aim of providing information about the deceptive tactics/narratives of traffickers, and the dangers of irregular onward movements to enable persons forced to flee make informed choices’, he said

Penpushing reports that the Head of Field Office of the Commission explained that the film was aimed to create awareness about plight of refugees, their vulnerabilities, and especially the risk of being trafficked

‘It will inform viewers to take action to report suspected cases of trafficking to NAPTIP for further intervention. In leveraging the digital economy, the film will be shared on UNHCR’s social media handles for easy and widespread reach among persons forced to flee to enable them to make informed choices’, he stated

‘This will also be amplified by UNHCR’S Telling the Real Story (TRS) related social media pages. As aft advocacy tool, UNHCR’s High Profile Supporter, Judth Audu will be submitting ‘Dangerous Hope’ to film festivals to garner support and donations as part of a fund raising drive towards supporting the work we do’,Kabura emphasized

Penpushing further reports that the Producer of the film Judith Audu in her remarks explained that ‘Dangerous Hope’ is a special film to her adding that, getting the opportunity to do what she love to do, making films and visually telling a strong story on anti- trafficking and hopefully making an impact in educating, enlighten people of the ills of human trafficking, making them vigilant and alert of the tactics of these criminals.

‘Dangerous Hope was made with so much love, the film was shot at the UNHCR settlement in Ogoja, Cross river state with the awesome Cameroonian refugees playing 98% of the roles, and 2 Nollywood actors, Ruth Nkweti a Cameroonian actress based in Nigeria playing the leading lady and Micheal Uchegbu playing one of the traffickers’, she said

‘The movie tells the story of forcibly displaced Cameroonians fleeing from the crisis at home but on arriving Nigeria where they now feel safe, Human traffickers shows up in a friendly form ready to take advantage of their vulnerability, they must make a choice to either remain where they are and try to make their new home work or believe the one offering a better life’, Audu stated.

‘The film was shot with some of the best filmmakers in the country in order to make the best visually appealing film to tell such a delicate yet powerful story, The director and one of the story developers is here with us today, she is one of the most sought after directors in Nollywood Uyoyou Adia, the film was shot with arguably one of the best cinematographers in Nigeria Barny Emordi, our gaffer was Flora Chinemerem, Sound recorded by Joy Chiwemdu, production manager Zinni Ekeh , music by Tarrah and Edited by Adio Solanke’, she emphasised.

‘As you watch Dangerous Hope know that one of the strongest messages is that we all need to be very vigilant and alert, human traffickers can come in different forms but one key thing is they always offer you a better life somewhere else, and they feed on vulnerable people so the more aware you are of your surroundings the better, it is hard to build lives in a new place but human traffickers are out just for exploitations and taking advantage of people’, Audu stressed

Penpushing also reports that Southwest Zonal Coordinator National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Ola Erinfolami in an interview pointed out that   human trafficking in the nation is going from bad to worst and urged parents to be mindful of who they hand their children to all  in their desire to make money.

‘The situation of trafficking in Nigeria is going from bad to worst although it’s not only in Nigeria, African continent at large. A lot of people feel that nothing good can come for them in Nigeria, they want to travel abroad thinking when they get there it is going be rosy’, she said.

‘And we keep telling them they have to work hard because even over there they would not be picking dollars from the ground, hard work is required. And we have all it takes to succeed here in Nigeria.’,Erinfolami emphasized

‘My general advice to parents, guardians and even community leaders is to travel regularly going through the normal and right process and parents should be mindful of what they say to their children not to downgrade them or hand them over to traffickers all in the name of making money’, she stressed

Penpushing reports that at the event was a panel of discussion comprising frontline stakeholder which analyzed the film as well as counter-trafficking initiatives

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