Ogun state government collaborates with anti-human traffic agencies to protect students from menace

Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)

The Ogun State Government has officially approved the expansion of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (ATIPVAP) Vanguard to schools across the state, as it intensifies efforts against human trafficking.

Penpushing reports that the Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu made this known  at the sensitisation and awareness programme, held on Friday, organised in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The Commissioner represented by the Director in the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Mary Oluwabisi Okereafor at the ceremony held at Muslim High School, Isolu, Odeda local government area of the state, said the government has renewed commitment to protecting schoolchildren.

“This programme has been approved to be carried out and expanded to all schools so that our learners, who are the future generation, will have adequate knowledge of human trafficking, how to cope with it and how to prevent it. Those chosen today as vanguards will sensitise their peers and guide them on how to remain conscious of anything that can distract or endanger them’, he added.

Penpushing further reports that he explained that the programme was deliberately designed to address the growing cases of human trafficking involving school-age children, particularly female students.

The Commissioner added that the initiative focuses on early awareness, prevention and value re-orientation among learners, noting that many trafficking cases originate from ignorance and deception within school environments and surrounding communities.

“We are here to ensure that our learners are properly sensitised on how to curb human trafficking in Ogun State, while also promoting gender equity and strong ethical values among them’, he stated.

‘Teachers are fully involved in this programme to help build these learners, especially those selected as leaders, who will now take responsibility for propagating awareness against human trafficking’.

Penpushing also reports that he explained that investigations have shown that some students, especially girls, leave their homes with hidden belongings and are initiated by individuals within or around school premises, who lure them into sexual exploitation and other harmful activities.

The Commissioner stressed that such disturbing trends informed the government’s decision to strengthen school-based intervention strategies, adding that the Ministry, in partnership with relevant agencies, is committed to ensuring that students are educated to identify early warning signs and resist traffickers’ tactics.

Penpushing reports that he emphasised the importance of parental and community involvement, explaining that representatives of parents were invited to ensure the message goes beyond the school.

“When parents are conscious, they will guide their children properly and help curb child trafficking and other social vices. Human trafficking comes in several forms, and we have experienced many of them’.

 Penpushing further reports that he commended the organisers for their sustained collaboration with the ministry, expressing optimism that Ogun State would eventually overcome the menace of human trafficking despite currently being one of the states most affected.

The Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) , Binta Adamu Bello represented by Ogun State Commander Mrs. Bosede Jimoh, in her remarks described human trafficking as a serious crime against humanity and explained that the agency was established on July 14, 2003, to curb the activities of traffickers nationwide.

Penpushing also reports that she explained that human trafficking involves the movement of persons from one place to another for exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, child abuse, rape, incest and organ harvesting.

“We are here to raise your awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. These traffickers’ subject fellow human beings to all forms of violence, and schools are major targets because children are vulnerable’, she said.

Penpushing reports that the Director General  disclosed that since National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) commenced full operations in Ogun State about two and half years ago, adding that the command has recorded many of trafficking-related complaints, including cases of victims trafficked to other African countries through deception.

“Some victims return with HIV, unwanted pregnancies and deep trauma. This is why we cannot do this work alone. Collaboration with schools, parents, communities and international partners is critical’, she said.

Penpushing further reports that the Project Officer of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Mr. Samuel Okoroji, said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to build the capacity of students and stakeholders to prevent human trafficking.

The Project Officer disclosed that awareness creation has led to the establishment of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (ATIPVAP) Vanguards in about 250 schools nationwide.

Penpushing also reports that Okoroji pointed out that International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), works closely with National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), federal and state education ministries, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

“When we say we are building your capacity, it means we are training and empowering you to do better. Human trafficking education has been integrated into the school curriculum to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for children,” he said.

Penpushing reports that Okoroji added that 30 students were inaugurated as vanguards at the school and will serve as peer-to-peer educators, engaging their colleagues during club activities and providing guidance on how to identify and report trafficking-related threats.

The programme ended with the formal inauguration of the student vanguards and a renewed call on parents, educators and communities to support government efforts in protecting children and eradicating human trafficking in Ogun State.

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