On the 7th July 2023, the delegation of ASATTAHIR International Foundation led by the Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees Aliyu Sidi Attahiru who’s entourage include the Executive Secretary of the Foundation Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba, as well as the project management staff of the Foundation witnessed the official handing over ceremony and inauguration of the newly sworn in State Coordinator of the Network Against Child Trafficking Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) Sokoto state chapter, Rufus Yagkong.
In her opening remarks, the Deputy Coordinator NACTAL Sokoto state chapter Hauwa S. Sadiq welcomed all member organizations to the handing over ceremony and inauguration of the new state Coordinator, and wished all a successful ceremony.
The gathering was also blessed with the presence of the national president of the network Mal. Abdulganiyu Abubakar. In his goodwill message, the national president commended the outgone state coordinator for his resilience and the successes recorded in the network while he was in office.
Noting the geographical location and the characteristics of Sokoto state serving as Source, Destination and Transit state of human trafficking altogether, he
stressed on the need for coordinated effort in responding to TIP and child labour effectively.
He expressed confidence that the current leadership of the network will work relentlessly in achieving the mandate of the network.
The Chief Executive Officer, Life Helpers Initiative Mr. Tayo Fatinikun (who hosted the event) expressed with joy the direction CSOs in Sokoto state are taking. He expressed optimism that member organizations has what it takes to bring the needed impact in the state.
In the same vein, the Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees Aliyu Sidi Attahiru while thanking the outgone state coordinator for his immense contributions to the network and the state at large, he congratulated the newly sworn in state coordinator of the network Rufus Yagkong for his emergence as the coordinator Sokoto state chapter.
The Founder expressed confidence that Rufus Yagkong who is the current Head of Programs and Research of ASATTAHIR International Foundation has the willpower and the capacity to steer the affairs of the network effectively.
Similarly, Professor Yahaya Tanko Baba while delivering his goodwill message called on all member organizations to put all hands on deck to ensure smooth implementation of child protection, prevention and response to human trafficking incidences in the state. He wished the new state coordinator and his executives best of luck as they discharge their duties.
During the handing over session, the outgone state coordinator Mal. Bello Gwadabawa who was recently elected as the chairman coalition of NGOs Sokoto state, stated that the rationale behind relinquishing his position as the state coordinator of the network bwas to enable him effectively lead the coalition of NGOs.
He thanked the executive members who worked with him over the years for their support and selflessness. He charged them to maintain such spirit and give the new state coordinator their maximum support.
The new state coordinator Rufus Yagkong thanked the national president of the network, the outgone state coordinator, executives and
member organizations for giving him the opportunity to steer the affairs of the network.
He assured to ensure that Sokoto state is ranked among the best performing states in the prevention and response to human trafficking in the state.
