National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has pledged sustained collaboration with the Daurama Foundation to combat vulnerabilities affecting women and girls, particularly those heightening risks of trafficking and exploitation.
This commitment was voiced during the virtual graduation of 39 young women from the 12-week capacity-building initiative of the Samira Buhari Mentorship Programme (SBMP). Representing NAPTIP’s Director General, Dr. Binta Adamu Bello, the agency’s Director of Counselling and Rehabilitation, Angela Agbayekhai, emphasized that SBMP aligns seamlessly with NAPTIP’s national strategies for protecting women and girls.
She highlighted how the program equips participants with essential skills and opportunities to foster self-reliance.
“Across our communities, girls and women face vulnerabilities that can echo across generations. What SBMP is doing—taking young women off the margins and empowering them—is timely and essential. NAPTIP stands ready to partner so this momentum translates into safer, stronger futures,” Dr. Bello noted.
In her opening remarks, SBMP founder Dr. Samira Buhari described the initiative, themed: ” _Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Women Leaders,”_ as a focused effort on leadership, career development, public speaking, business, and digital literacy.
She explained that it prepares participants for professional and entrepreneurial paths, instilling the confidence and skills needed for leadership roles in their communities and beyond.
A statement by SBMP Communications Coordinator Francisca Nzeagwu quoted Dr. Samira as saying:
“This is far more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of courage and possibility. Mentorship should open doors, nurture confidence, and ignite a fire that lasts well beyond the classroom.
“When we invest in women, we transform communities, economies, and nations. Women’s voices belong at the table, at the helm, and at the heart of progress,” Dr. Buhari enthused.
Dr. Buhari, who awarded cash prizes and digital devices to top performers, further reaffirmed the Daurama Foundation’s role as a hub for networking women leaders and advancing skills development—key steps in tackling gender inequality and economic marginalization.
Mentor Mercy Ajeh, who led the Digital Productivity session, praised the participants’ enthusiasm, saying “They were eager to learn and often went beyond class activities—sharing calendars, drafting documents, and even taking minutes. The structure pushed them to meet high standards, and they rose to the challenge.”
On of the graduates, Fatima Shema shared her transformative journey, saying “SBMP gave me confidence and direction. The day after our mock interviews, I passed a real interview and got the job. I’ve found my voice, and I’m building a creative enterprise that creates opportunities for other women.”
The ceremony also recognized vital partners, including NAPTIP, the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, and the FCTA Women Affairs Secretariat, alongside the dedicated volunteers and staff who made the program a success.
