Ahead of the maiden edition of Africa My Africa Celebrity Walk Against Human Trafficking holding in Accra, Ghana, within the first quarter of the year, the Chairman, Governing Council of Next2None support initiative, Gen. Rauf Lanrewaju Apata (Rtd.) has called on governments in Nigeria and across Africa, as well corporate bodies, to support the initiative, which is dedicated to fighting human trafficking across the continent.

The appeal is coming on the heels of celebrities’ endorsement of the Lagos version of the Accra event holding this month, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The Lagos event, which will feature top celebrities and major players in the showbiz and sports sector, is expected to set the tone for the main walk, which will bring together notable African celebrities to Accra, the host city.

General Apata, who spoke from his Gwarimpa, Abuja residence, said there was urgent need for government and corporate bodies to get involved in the fight against human trafficking, a project he is dedicating his time, energy and resources into.
“I’m using this medium to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, our dear president Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, governments across Africa as well as multinational companies to get on board and support this initiative. It is a welcome relief to see that the government of Buhari through the Ministry of Youths and Sports are showing some degree of interest; that is encouraging. So, I’m appealing to other African leaders and companies, churches among others to get on board.”

He expressed appreciation for the role UNODP, AU, ECOWAS and NAPTIP are playing in this regard and for their enormous efforts in prevention, protection and prosecution of human traffickers over the years.

Describing human trafficking as “pure evil,” Apata commended the use of celebrities across Africa for the oncoming sensitisation project tagged Africa My Africa Celebrity Walk Against Human Trafficking.
“That over 100 celebrities across Africa, movie, music, comedy, football stars have come together to say ‘NO’ to human trafficking is heartwarming. We are making some progress. As for me, I drink, eat and sleep Next2None and Africa My Africa Celebrity Walk Against Human Trafficking and I will make sure I play my part in ensuring the project becomes a success.”

According to Ndukwe Sam Obu, Founder/Chairman BoT of Next2None, the project is geared towards resuscitating the dreams of our founding fathers, who have made Africa what it should be.
“We intend to have for the very first time, a convergence of African celebrities in Accra, Ghana, to have a celebrity walk against human trafficking. Each celebrity will carry the flag of his country to showcase the solidarity of that nation against human trafficking.”

Already, the organisers have secured the cooperation of Ghana police and the Ghana MTU (Ghana’s version of Nigerian Road Safety Corps), who have mapped out a 15 kilometre road network for the celebrity walk.
“The Ghanaian government has given us the Independence Square for all the stars to converge before the walk against human trafficking will commence. The walk is to show the world that Africa is ready to fight human trafficking,” Obu said.

Last month, former World and Africa footballer of the year, Liberia’s George Weah endorsed the oncoming walk. Weah, who is now a Lawmaker in his country, Liberia pledged his support for the initiative in a statement released online.
“Today, I George Manneh Weah, courageously endorse this initiative. I stand to support this endeavor (fight against human trafficking) through my participation in the football match, which seeks to promote humanity and eradicate child trafficking football legends of Africa.

This game (football) that has always been a unifying factor will serve to amass support around this campaign against human trafficking and abuse. I hope that this will shine the light on this practice especially in Africa. It will send the message that we in the continent are no longer willing to bury our heads in the sand, look the other way or standby, and allow this hateful t diminish humanity, to diminish us all… Today, I stand, I support, I will be part of the change,” the statement read in part.

Next2None, however, released the concluding list of 100 celebrities made up of football, music, comedy and movie greats who will take part in the a charity football match at the Accra Stadium after the morning walk in solidarity against the social menace of human trafficking.
The list includes Basket Mouth, Bimbo Manuel, Razak Omotoyosi as well as Mark Fish, former South African national team captain made the list.

Others are, Robert Song, Ntap Geremy, Marcel Desailly, Anthony Yeboah, Stephen Appiah, Alain Gouamene, Sully Muntari, Micheal Essien, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Jude Osagie, Henry Crystal Suites, Kwame Ayew, Jay Jay Okocha, Stephen Keshi, Abdou Razak Traore, Mohammed Sissako, Baffoe Gyang, and John Mensah.

Kanu Nwankwo, Mohammed Amed Polo, Karim Abdul Rasak, Wilberforce Nfoum, Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Adebayor, Emmanuel Amunike, Lotanna Odukwe, Hon Daniel Effiong Asuquo, Rev Ini Ukpoho, Barr Chijoke Isiolu, Peter Rufai, Bruno Iwuoha and others.