As part of Measures to curb trafficking against young persons in the country, the National agency for the prohibition of trafficking in persons, NAPTIP has held an awearness raising and capacity training workshop for principals and Teachers in some selected secondary schools in Edo state.
The program under the School Anti- Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project had participants drawn from fifty selected schools in Edo state.
Addressing participants at the occasion, Director General, National Agency for the prohibition of traffic in Persons, NAPTIP , Hajia Binta Adamu- Bello said the workshop was to bring the fight against human trafficking closer to young persons.
Represented by Director, Research and Program development of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, Hajia Adamu- Bello said the workshop was to train teachers and principals in secondary schools to help pass the message against trafficking among young persons
” We have fifty selected schools in Edo state for this project, in this schools, we have private schools , special schools and government schools ,so everyone is capture. First and foremost the fight against human trafficking is one that can only be cure through awearness creation. They said prevention is better than cure. So what we are doing is to raise capacity of Teachers,raise capacity of principals to be able to have knowledge on the issues of human trafficking, know what the red flags are and the role they can play to ensure that students who are actually the major vulnerable persons do not fall into the hands of traffickers “.
In a remark, Head , Pan Africa Region, International Centre for Migration Policy Development, MS Monica Zanette urged principals and Teachers to be Frontline defender of children’s right.
Represented by the project Manager, Amarachi Chike – Jerry, Ms Zanette said urged them to build a strong, interconnected network of protection against human trafficking that begins in the school and reaches into every corner of Society.
” Every day, news headlines remind us that school Children continue to fall victim to human trafficking. This grave issue affects millions globally, with children and young people among the most at risk. Trafficking is not a distance problem, it exists in our communities.
Schools, were Children spend a significant part of their formative years, are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. That is why this training is not just timely, but it is critical”.
Earlier, Edo state Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu who was represented by the Director school support Services, Mr Abdulkadiri Ikoghode said the State Government was open to partnership that will aid in curtailing Human trafficking in the state.
” Anti- Trafficking clubs is certainly welcome by the Edo state ministry of Education and by extension Edo state Government in our schools to help enlightened our students on the dangers involved in trafficking to unknown destination “
The project is funded by the kingdom of Netherlands and implemented by the international center for Migration Policy Development ( ICMPD) in collaboration with NAPTIP.
Source; Fortune Oyem, FRCN Benin
