Africans In America, Inc. Holds Event at Nigeria House,
New York City

68 years old human trafficking victim pleads for help * Planned fundraising abruptly aborted * Visiting leaders receive awards for community service

New York, March 3, 2007— Africans In America, Inc., a leading human rights and think-tank organization raising awareness on social issues concerning the larger African community in the United States hosted Nigeria leaders yesterday in New York during which it presented some community service awards.

Hon. (Mrs.) Inna Maryam Ciroma, Nigeria Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development was there.	Mrs. Marthina Okeke, the 68 years old victim of human trafficking stranded in New York plea for help was largely ignored by visiting Nigeria government officials.
Her Excellency Dame Virgy Etiaba; Former Governor, who is also the current Deputy Governor of Anambra state of Nigeria received The Person of the year 2006 Award.

Those honored with awards were;

Her Excellency Dame Virgy Etiaba receives The Person of the year 2006 Award for superior courage and the massive development projects she unleashed in Anambra State during her very brief stay in office.

In her acceptance speech, the governor thanked Africans In America, Inc. for recognizing her and thrilled the audience with her numerous achievements within her 100 days in office. The former Governor was warmly received by the audience amidst chants of ‘Mama Anambra’ and ‘Mama Nigeria’.

The Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. (Mrs.) Inna Maryam Ciroma was awarded for: ‘Exemplary, compassionate and quality leadership, as well as community service’ for being the first Nigeria government official to visit a 68 years old female Nigerian stranded victim of human trafficking in United States. Also honored was Ambassador Wigwe for recognizing that human trafficking is a big problem that warrants government attention.

The event held at Nigeria House, New York was attended by Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali of The Nigeria Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the First Lady of Plateau state - Mrs. Lydia Botmang, commissioners of Women Affairs of various states, other top government officials, leaders of civil societies in Nigeria and the press.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc, Bonaventure Ezekwenna thanked the visiting Nigeria leaders for their works and highlighted the plights of Mrs. Marthina Okeke, who was lured from her village Arondizuogu, Imo State in 1988, trafficked into United States with promises of job, pay and better life, but was rather grossly exploited for 12 years (1988 to 2000) without pay.

Through the intervention of the organization (Africans In America, Inc.) the United States government has awarded the victim a T visa, which is a special Visa for government-certified victims of human trafficking. Victims granted T visa are protected under the U.S. law. Mr. Ezekwenna pleaded with Nigeria government to come to the aid of the victims.

Mrs. Marthina Okeke, the 68 years old victim of human trafficking stranded in New York for 18 years also spoke to the visiting Nigeria dignitaries and asked for help.

The victim survives by doing babysitting job and picking empty bottles on the garbage cans on the street of New York City.

The victim presented the Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hon. (Mrs.) Inna Maryam Ciroma the T visa and social security card issued her by the U.S. government.

Unfortunately, the planned fundraising for her and other victims was sabotaged at the last minute because the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc. Bonaventure Ezekwenna refused to participate in illegal sharing of donations and bribery – a very shameful episode, which is already raising a lot of dusts.

In a haphazard un-organized ‘crocodile effort’, $265.00 was raised after the key quests (visiting Nigerian government officials) had left. Mr. Ezekwenna announced the collection on the public address system and handed the whole money to the poor 68 years old woman (victim) on the spot.

Africans In America, Inc. is resolved to effectively address the sabotage to ensure that it does not happen again by raising awareness and networking the appropriate system.