INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE: 25TH MARCH, 2016.

International Day Of Remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade is a United Nations international observance designated in 2007 to be marked on 25 March of every year. It gives us the opportunity to remember and honour those who suffered and died as a consequence of the transatlantic slave trade which has been called "the worst violation of human rights in history" in which more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of slavery.
Slavery is referred to as a social practice of owning human beings as property, especially for use as forced labourers. It was majorly practiced in some parts of Africa, Europe, Asia and America for many year before the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade.

The transatlantic slave trade was the biggest deportation in history and a determining factor in the world economy of the 18th century. Millions of Africans were torn from their homes, deported to the American continent and sold as slaves. History has it that the period of transatlantic trade was one of the gloomy periods in history and it has been globally referred to as period of heinous crime against humanity.

From 1501 - 1830, the largest forced migration and one of the most inhuman in recorded history took place through the transatlantic slave trade. The European and other slave traders captured people from the coasts of the continent and sent them on cramped ships through the ports in south American and Caribbean Islands.

The aftermath of that unprecedented brutal slavery system is not only the untold sufferings the victims had undergone and the number of deaths recorded but also the psychological trauma and other negative effects of the ugly experience on the current and generations yet to be born. It was indeed the worst period of violation of human rights especially to that of women and vulnerable children. Not only did the enslaved women endure the harsh conditions of forced labour, they were also victims of sexual exploitation.
The essence of today's observance is to further enlighten us on the causes, consequences and long term impacts of the slave trade today and to communicate to us all, the dangers of racism and prejudices in our society which was the major cause of this heinous act and ensure that it does not repeat itself in history.

Take for instance our country Nigeria, which is a multi ethnic and religious society. Prejudices predominantly occur when there is a misconception against a person or group of people on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, culture or tradition or a belief in the inferiority of people who are different. Misconceptions in most cases, lead to hatred, violence, bigotry and all forms of social vices.
Today, much more than in times past, there is a need for us to strive towards integrating and accommodating our differences irrespective of our different ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds. This will go a long way in promoting peace, tolerance, unity and harmony. It will invariably reduce conflicts, rancour and extreme acts of violence and uphold economic, social and political development which creates room for progress in our country, Nigeria.

Especially today, let us all speak with one voice of peace, defending and promoting the rights and interests of our citizenry.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON,
The Governor of Rivers State