A new non-governmental organisation, the Portals of Hope Foundation (POHF), dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable persons, has been launched in Abuja.
The foundation, established by Barrister Oluebubechi Emerole, focuses on supporting victims of human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, drug abuse, and young people awaiting trial in correctional facilities without adequate support.
The organisation was officially unveiled on 8 July 2026 during a reception held to celebrate Emerole’s call to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling, the founder of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) and wife of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Chief (Mrs) Amina Titi Abubakar, praised Emerole for the initiative, describing it as evidence that young Nigerians are increasingly taking the lead in addressing social challenges.
She recalled that when WOTCLEF began its campaign against human trafficking in 1999, many Nigerians were unaware of the scale of the problem. She said she was encouraged that more individuals, particularly young people, are now joining efforts to combat trafficking and related crimes.
Mrs Abubakar stressed that tackling human trafficking should not be the sole responsibility of government, urging wealthy individuals, private organisations and multinational companies to support non-governmental organisations such as the Portals of Hope Foundation.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, congratulated Emerole on her call to the Bar and commended her for establishing the foundation.
Bello said the initiative aligns with NAPTIP’s “Whole of Society and Whole of Government Approach” to combating human trafficking. She called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and urged young people to speak out against trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Former Minister of Education, Professor Chinwe Obaji, also commended Emerole, describing the establishment of the foundation as a demonstration of commitment and purpose.
Obaji, who serves as a visiting professor at an American university where she teaches courses on human trafficking, said greater support for the foundation would encourage more young Nigerians to reject crime and become advocates for positive social change.
Presenting an overview of the organisation, a member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mrs Chioma Omamegbe, said POHF was established to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly women and children.
She said the foundation would focus on combating human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and violence against persons, especially sexual and gender-based violence.
According to Omamegbe, the organisation’s beneficiaries will include victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, people affected by drug abuse, indigent individuals and communities impacted by violence and social exclusion, as well as young and indigent persons awaiting trial in correctional facilities.
She said the foundation’s vision is to build a society where people can live free from exploitation, abuse and fear, adding that it intends to achieve this through advocacy, public awareness campaigns and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and institutions.
Omamegbe added that the organisation is guided by the core values of integrity, transparency, compassion, accountability and respect for human rights. She appealed to individuals, development partners, government agencies and corporate organisations to support the foundation’s mission.
In her remarks, Emerole thanked guests for attending the event and described the unveiling as the formal commencement of the foundation’s activities. She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing vulnerable populations through advocacy, intervention programmes and strategic partnerships.
The event attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic corps, international development agencies, government institutions, civil society organisations, academia and religious bodies. Among those in attendance were the proprietor of Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, Professor G.O.C. Okenwa; the proprietor of Maryam Abacha Group of Universities, Professor Adamu Gwarzo; Chairman of Exam Ethics International, Chief Ike Onyechere; Chief Executive Officer of Omalicha FM Owerri, Angela Agoawike; Archbishop Samuel Ocheja; Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Rtd) Charles Ugomuoh; Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu; and Chief Cletus Iwuaru.
