Julie Okah-Donli (born 30 December 1966)[1] is a Nigerian lawyer, chartered secretary and administrator, who served as the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), an agency established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2003 to tackle human trafficking and other related matters. She is the founder of the Julie Donli Kidney Foundation, an NGO that supports people with kidney disease [2] and also mother of the musician, Lady Donli.
Julie Okah-Donli | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson, United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF), Executive Chairman, Roost Foundation | |
| In office December, 2020 – December, 2023 | |
| President | Muhammadu Buhari |
| Preceded by | Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 December 1966 Bayelsa State, Nigeria |
| Residence | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University |
| Occupation | Chairperson, United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF), Executive Chairman, Roost Foundation and FormerDirector-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) |
| Known for | Author: Parenting in the 21st Century, Murky Waters and Ending Human Trafficking in Nigeria Human rights activism and philanthropy • legal career |
Early life and education
editJulie Okah-Donli was born on 30 December 1966 to the family of Navy Commander. and Mrs. Okah; she comes from Bayelsa State, Nigeria. She is the author of Parenting in the 21st Century, Murky Waters and Ending Human Trafficking in Nigeria
She obtained a Diploma in Law and a Degree in Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was called to the bar in 1992.[1] She won the Deans Award of Moot Court Competition.[3]
Career
editFrom 1996 to 2002, Okah-Donli worked at Anthony Igbene & Co. S. O Ajayi as an Associate.[3] She worked as executive assistant to Chief Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State. She had also worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and also a one-time head of UBA Trustees.[4] Okah-Donli established a Legal Firm: Julie Okah & Co (Legal Practitioners)[1] which she was the principal partner. She later founded the Julie Donli Kidney Foundation.
On April 13, 2017, she was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to become the Director-General of NAPTIP.[5] She has been leading the federal agency to tackle human trafficking, including organ trafficking and ritual killing.[6]
Okah-Donli has advocated for more funding[7] to tackle human trafficking and in inter-agency collaboration.[8] Under her leadership as DG of NAPTIP, a Whistle Blowing Policy for Human Trafficking was formed.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "A woman's brain is her only asset that can take her to the top —Julie Okah-Donli, DG NAPTIP". Tribune. Tribune. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "Julie Donli Kidney Foundation". juliedonlikidneyfoundation.org. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ a b "JULIE DONLI - #SHEVOICES". #SHEVOICES. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "More Than Just a Symbol of Women, Meet Dame Julie Okah-Donli: The Nigerian Lawyer who devoted her career to fighting Human Trafficking | Pleasures Magazine". Pleasures Magazine. Pleasure Magazine. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ Taiwo-Obalonye, Juliana (14 April 2017). "Buhari approves new DG for NAPTIP, NSITF, others - The Sun News". The Sun News. SUN News. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "NAPTIP investigates organ harvesting, ritual killing - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. Premium Times. 29 October 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ Akinrefo, Dapo (3 August 2017). "NAPTIP boss calls for improved funding - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. Vanguard News. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "Edo State Is No Longer The Biggest Hub Of Sex Trafficking - NAPTIP DG Julie Okah Reveals | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Sahara Reporters. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ Ernest, Victor (27 April 2017). "NAPTIP D-G Wants Whistle Blowing Policy For Human Trafficking". Concise News. Concise News. Retrieved 13 May 2018.