Benin observatory Centre – Civic Action Learning

Preamble

The UNIBEN Observatory, Faculty of Social Sciences was initially set up in 2009 within the frame work of the project “Counter Trafficking Initiative: analysis of the evolution of trafficking in persons, grass root social intervention, building social services and networking capacity and promoting direct assistance” . The Observatory was funded by Governments of Italy, Netherlands and Norway and projects were implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

The Observatory collected qualitative and quantitative data on problems related to trafficking and the responses at play. IOM’s intervention through the Observatory was systematic with an initial focus on Edo and Lagos States.

After the expiration of the IOM /NAPTIP project, in 2012, the Observatory continued till date as a research/study group in the University of Benin, Benin City.

A list of publications from UNIBEN Observatory

Research Reports submitted to IOM under the auspices of the Counter Trafficking Initiative (2009 to 2012)

FINAL REPORTS FROM UNIBEN OBSERVATORY SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)
S/N	Report
1.	The Prevailing Perception of Trafficking, Prevention and Anti-Trafficking Activities among Communities in Edo State, Nigeria.				76 pages
2.	Why Benin City? An assessment of Edo State and Benin City endemic areas				86 pages
3.	Monitoring Activities Related to Non-Governmental Organizations involved in the CTI Project	a)	Monitoring and Evaluation Report of Shelter Services Provided by the Committee for the Support of Dignity of Women (COSUDOW) Benin City.		53 pages
		b)	Evaluation Report on Legal Aid/Resource Referral Services: Network for Justice and Democracy (NJD) Benin City.		25pages
4.	Annotated Bibliography on Human Trafficking with Emphasis on Nigeria				90 pages
5.	Effort in Areas of Previous Assistance: A Compilation and Evaluation of Previous Areas of Assistance in Counter Trafficking Projects in Edo State				45 pages
6.	Town Hall Meetings on Eradication of Trafficking in Persons in the Three Senatorial Districts of Edo State Report And Summary	I.	Proceedings of the Town Hall Meeting Held in Benin City, Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State		15pages
		II.	Proceedings of the Town Hall Meeting Held in Benin City, Edo Central Senatorial District, Edo State		10pages
		III.	Proceedings of the Town Hall Meeting Held in Benin City, Edo North Senatorial District, Edo State		12pages
7.	Scholarships Students who carried out Specific Studies/Thesis on Trafficking.	i.	Esther Omonigho ASOATA P.G/SSC/ 0816103 M.Sc. Sociology and Anthropology (Social Work)	Socio Economic Factors Affecting Human Trafficking in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria	82 pages
		ii.	Ikpomnwonsa Solomon ABUMERE SSC0508124 B.Sw Social Work	Female Trafficking In Nigeria And The Preponderance of the Menace in Benin City, Nigeria.	40pages
		iii.	Joy Oghogho IDUHON P.G/SSC/ 0816102 M.Sc.Sociology and Anthropology (Social Work)	Socio-Cultural Factor Influencing Human Trafficking among Benin People of Edo State	76pages
		iv.	Benedicta Osayamen IMUDIA P.G/SSC/ 0816100 M.Sc. Sociology and Anthropology (Social Work)	Poverty and Human Trafficking: An Opinion Survey of Benin Metropolis	103 pages
		v.	Osasogie Joan OGBEMUDIA P.G/SSC/ 0816105 M.Sc. Sociology and Anthropology (Health and Illness Behaviour)	Assessing the Health Implication of Human Trafficking on the Trafficked Persons in Southern Edo State	83 pages

Observatory Member’s Publications and Technical Reports on Human Trafficking/ Other Publications of UNIBEN Observatory

Okojie C.E.E., O.Okojie, K.A. Eghafona, G. Vincent-Osaghae and V.Kalu./Franco Prina (2004) Trafficking of Nigerian Girls to Italy-(Il Traffico Delle Ragazze Nigererine in Italia) UNICRI-United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, ITALY

www.unicri.it/wwd/trafficking/nigeria/docs/rr_okojie_eng.pdf

UNODC (2006) Measures to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Benin, Nigeria andTogo https://www.unodc.org/pdf/publications/ht_research_report_nigeria.pdf

Eghafona K. A., The bane of female trafficking in Nigeria: an examination of the role of the family in the Benin City society, in Alfred Awaritefe, “Toward a sane society”, Benin City: Roma Publication, Ambik Press Ltd, 2009

Orobator S., (2009) Nigeria: the phenomenon of trafficking and slavery, Report presented at the University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, May, 2009

Eghafona K.A. (2017) “The Situation of Modern Slavery in Nigeria”. Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, Inaugural International Conference 8-10 February 2017.

Inaugural National Conference of the Salvation Army, Nigeria Territorial Headquarters, Anti-Human Trafficking Community Awareness & Recovery (CAR) Programme. 20-21 February 2018 Modern Slavery in Edo State: Victims Experiences and the Need for Psychosocial Post Trafficking Package

International Conference: Double Gaze: The Trafficking of Nigerian Women. Sala Verde – Cittadella Regionale Loc. Germaneto, Catanzaro Italy25/26 September 2018. “Trafficking of Nigerian Women and Girls: The Nigerian Perspective”

Africa Regional Conference of the Santa Marta Group: Church and State working together to restore Dignity to Trafficked Persons 14th-15th November 2018, Abuja, Nigeria. “Trauma Healing for Victims of Human Trafficking: The Need for Post-Trafficking Psychosocial Package”

Externalisation of borders: detention practices and denial of the right to asylum, 25th to 27th February, 2020, Lagos, Nigeria. “The phenomenon of re-trafficking of women repatriated in Nigeria”.

“INSighT – Building capacity to Deal with Human Trafficking and Transit Route in Nigeria, Italy and Sweden”. November 5th 2020. “The Evolving Dynamics of Voluntary Return: The Role of Family, Community and Associations in the Local Context for Voluntary Return”.

UNODC PROJECT: “Smuggling of migrants and related organized crime” Nigerian Perspective-UNODC G.N. Vincent-Osaghae (National Consultant) (2010)

UNODC PROJECT NGAX28: Enhancing Multi Stakeholder Co-Operation to Fight Human Trafficking In Countries of Origin and Destination. A. Eghafona (National Consultant) (2011-2012).

African Union: Assessment Team to Investigate Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of African Union Mission Troops in Somalia (AMISOM), A. Eghafona (Assessment Team Leader) October to December 2014.

The Salvation Army, Community Awareness and Recovery (CAR) Project Nigeria, End-line Survey, April 2019.

ETAHT: The Perception of Edo People on International and Irregular Migration. Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) Supported by DFID funded Market Development Programme in the Niger Delta being implemented by Development Alternatives Incorporated. Eghafona, K.A. and Sadoh, L.I. (2019).

The Salvation Army, Mid-Term Evaluation for the Community Prevention and Recovery Project (CPR) Project, Nigeria, August 2021

Academic Publications

Sadoh L.I., Alenkhe O.A. & AGBONTAEN-EGHAFONA K. (2013). Women’s participation in community meetings: Marginalization and its social consequences for development in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State. Journal of Gender Studies, University of Benin, Vol.3, No.1 &2:157-169
Sadoh L.I. and Alenkhe, A.O. (2014) Impact of Migrant Remittances on Socio-economic Development in Benin City, Nigeria. Illorin Journal of Business and Social Sciences. Vol. 16(1): 149-160

Ohonba A. & Agbontaen-Eghafona(2019) Transnational Remittances from Human Trafficking and the Changing Socio-Economic Status of Women in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria,Women’s Studies,48:5,531-549,DOI: 10.1080/00497878.2019.1632605

Eghafona K.A.(2019) The Contemporary and Sociological Dimensions of Irregular Migrations in A. Ikelegbe, A. Muhammad-Wali and A. Karim (eds) Transhumance and International Migration: Challenges for Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, National Institute for Security Studies Abuja : 63-83

Agbontaen-Eghafona, Ohonba A. & Ilevbare A.E (2021). Una ricerca della schiavitù moderna in Nigeria (An Exploration of Modern Slavery in Nigeria (DOPPIO SGUARDO La tratta delle donne nigeriane per sfruttamento sessuale attraverso i dati dei servizi sociali dedicati della Regione Calabria (Double gaze: The trafficking of Nigerian women. The phenomenon, the date and the social service. The case of Calabria) editors Akinyinka Akinyoade, Francesco Carchedi Marina Galati, Maria Rosa Impalà. Maggioli S.p.A. Maggioli Editore è un marchio di Maggioli S.p.A. Azienda con sistema di gestione qualità certificato

A List of Academic Staff of the UNIBEN Observatory, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City

S/N	Name of Staff	Department	Position	Area of Specialization
1.	Prof. (Mrs.) K.A. Eghafona	Sociology and Anthropology	Head of Observatory (The position is reserved for the Dean of the Faculty)	Anthropology: Oral Literature and Ethno-Archaeology, Cultural Resource Management, Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
2.	Dr. Lugard I. Sadoh	Sociology and Anthropology	Deputy Head of Observatory	Industrial Sociology and Labour Relations, Development and Globalization Studies, Research Methods
All the six Heads of Department (HOD) in the Faculty or their representatives are members of the Observatory
3.	Dr. O. Igbinedion	Economics	HOD Economics	International Finance Mathematical Economics Health Economics Economic Theory
4.	Prof. G. Atedhor	Geography and Regional Planning	HOD Geography and Regional Planning	Synoptic Climatology, Agro–Climatology, Climate change, Vulnerability and Adaptation.
5.	Dr. J. Aihie	Political Science	HOD Political Science	International Relations and Strategic Studies
6.	Prof. D Tonwe	Public Administration	HOD Public Administration	Public Administration, Local Government and Grassroots Activism, E-Governance in Public Sector, Public Policy, Conflict Management, Rural and Urban Management, Research Methodology
7.	Dr. (Mrs.) T.B.E. Omorogiuwa	Social Work	HOD Social Work	Child and family Welfare/ protection, Mental and public health, Counseling, Rehabilitation, Intervention development, Gender studies, International and Developmental social work.
8.	Prof. A. Dokpesi	Sociology and Anthropology	HOD Sociology and Anthropology	Industrial and Labour Studies, Develo Industrial sociology and Labour Relations, Medical Sociology and Anthropology pment Studies, Race and Ethnic Relations, Sociology of Religion, Gerontology
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE OBSERVATORY
9.	Prof (Mrs.) G.N Vincent-Osaghae	Sociology and Anthropology	Member of the Observatory	Medical sociology, Industrial sociology, Sociology of the family, Gender Studies, Sociology of organizations, Social problems.
10.	Dr. S.O. Ibonor	Social Work		School social work, Community development, Occupational/ industrial social work, Demography/ population studies, Early childhood education Environmental social work.
11.	Dr. C. Eghweree	Political Science		International Relations and Development Studies
12.	Dr. U.B. Edegbe	Social Work		Transnational migration, Social development, and Development social work.
13.	Mrs. Amen Ilevbare	Sociology and Anthropology		Medical Sociology, Social Anthropology
14.	Dr. (Mrs) E.E Ogie	Sociology and Anthropology		Industrial Sociology and Labour Relations, Sociology of Family and Marriage
15.	Dr. J.S. Longe	Sociology and Anthropology		Globalization and Development Studies
16.	Augustine Alenkhe	Sociology and Anthropology		Sociological Theory Research Methods Populations Studies
17.	Mrs. Mustafa-Shaibu Maryam	Sociology and Anthropology		Industrial sociology and Labour Relations, Medical Sociology and Anthropology
18.	Mr. O.I. Opelusi	Sociology and Anthropology		Social Psychology
19.	Engineer C. I. Mokogwu	University of Benin ICT Unit		University of Benin Webmaster

VISION AND MISSION/ CORE VALUES

VISION

UNIBEN Observatory will be the leading social research group, providing first-rate services in field research, dissemination and education in the Edo State environment.

UNIBEN Observatory will provide communities in its environment and beyond evidence-based research that is data-rich.

To achieve this vision within the University of Benin, Edo Sate and Nigeria through the following:

Rigorous research with appropriate use of survey methodology and related techniques to collect quantitative and qualitative data through mixed methods study.

Research Collaboration with interrelated interdisciplinary research with other social research teams in the community.

MISSION

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Observatory is an engine room for social research with the mission to engage in innovative and cutting-edge social research that improves the lives of people in Benin City, Edo and Delta State and South-South Nigeria as well as Nigeria as a whole. UNIBEN Observatory Mission is also to work to advance rigorous and reproducible research in social sciences, and to build collaborative, multi-disciplinary research networks in Nigeria.

CORE VALUES:

The UNIBEN Observatory seeks to advance social science research to enlighten scholars, decision makers, policy makers, caregivers and families, children and youth and the general public about important social problems facing individuals, communities, and society in order to make the society a better place.

LIST OF PREVIOUS FUND PROJECTS AND FUNDERS

S/N	Previous Fund Project	Funders
1.	Setting up of the Observatory and the Counter Trafficking Initiative (2009-2012)	International Organization for Migration (IOM)
2.	Smuggling of migrants and related organized crime” Nigerian Perspective (2010)	United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
3.	Enhancing Multi Stakeholder Co-Operation to Fight Human Trafficking In Countries of Origin and Destination (2011-2012)	United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
4.	The Salvation Army Community Awareness and Recovery (CAR) Project Nigeria, End-line Survey, April 2019.	The Salvation Army UK
5.	The Perception of Edo People on International and Irregular Migration	Department for International Development(DFID)
6.	The Salvation Army Mid-Term Evaluation for the Community Prevention and Recovery Project (CPR) Project, Nigeria, August 2021	The Salvation Army UK