NAPTIP inaugurates Vanguard Campaign Group against human trafficking in Enugu schools

COSMAS CHUKWU , Enugu

 

 

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has inaugurated the Vanguard  Campaign Group against human trafficking in secondary schools in Enugu.

 

The South-East Zonal Commander of the Agency, Mr Jonathan Ukpai, stated this on Wednesday in Enugu that NAPTIP organized the inauguration in collaboration with the International Center for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD).

 

Ukpai inaugurated no fewer than 30 students each in Community Secondary School Obeagu and Community Secondary School Obuofia, respectively, as NAPTIP Vanguards.

 

The commander said the NAPTIP Vanguard would carry out a campaign against human trafficking in their various schools.

 

He said that they came to sensitise the students to be NAPTIP’s voice, while NAPTIP would be their hand in the campaign against human trafficking.

 

The zonal commander described trafficking as modern-day slavery, adding that they had empowered the inaugurated students on how to detect, identify, prevent and report cases of human trafficking.

 

He, however, said that their target was secondary school students as they could be easily confused and distracted, noting that “if they were not informed on the dangers, they would fall victim.”

 

Ukpai noted that the use of social media had led so many students into what they did not know, advising them to be focused on their studies and avoid dealing with unknown people.

 

He advised that both teachers, religious leaders, parents should carry out campaigns against human trafficking to secure the future of their youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, advised students not to be deceived by strangers with the aim of searching for greener pasture.

 

Represented by Mrs Caroline Avah, a Senior Staff, Enugu Ministry of Justice, Udeh encouraged students to work hard while in school as so many opportunities were out there waiting for them.

 

Corroborating, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, said that all hand must be on deck to fight the menace of human trafficking.

 

Represented by the Director of School Services, Enugu State Ministry of Education, Mrs Fransisca Nwokolo, Mbah said getting money by all means was forcing youths into trafficking.

 

Responding, the Principal of Community Secondary School Obeagu, Mrs Ezinne Nwatu, and that of Obuoffia, Mrs Ugomsinachi Eze, applauded NAPTIP for finding their schools worthy of being among the selected schools.

 

They promised to assist the inaugurated students to educate others students on the dangers associated with human trafficking.

 

The Traditional Ruler of Obuoffia Autonomous Community, Igwe Ferdinand Ugwu, urged students whose parents were not there to take the NAPTIP message home.

 

Ugwu encouraged them to advise their parents to give birth to the number of children that they could adequately take care of.