Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Imaan Sulaiman – Ibrahim has called for the strengthening of policies, programmes and legal instrument that will further enhance the protection of Children in the Country.
This is contained in her speech to mark the 2021 Children’s Day.
The NAPTIP boss said “As the world celebrates Children during the 2021 World Children’s Day, I join millions of Nigerians across the globe in wishing our children a Happy Children’s Day.
“This year’s celebration presents us with the opportunity of drawing attention to those critical issues that bother on the interrupted education and wellbeing of our children.
“Human Trafficking and Child labour are a set of twin evils which currently are afflicting every state and region of the country. Quite a large number of Nigerian children have fallen victims of illicit commercial activities which include human trafficking, sexual exploitation domestic servitude, and street begging.
“The safety of our children from kidnappers, abusive parents and guardians as well as the sale of our children for exploitative purposes further re-enforces the need to strengthen the resolve to accelerate action on policies and programs including a legal framework that will help in enhancing the protection of our children from these evil elements and criminal minds.
“This framework includes the need for the passage and full implementation of the Child’s Right Acts, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in all States that have neither passed nor implemented these laws as these laws have been designed to provide a safe-net for our children.
“There is a great need to begin instilling in our children the core values of honesty, hard work, selfless service, moral rectitude, patriotism, respect for elders, accountability, discipline and self-confidence. We as leaders must set a good example for the children.
“I am convinced that if our children grow with these core values instilled in them, the hope of having a truly great Nation in the near future will be rekindled.
“To parents, teachers, guardians and religious leaders, I implore you all on this day to take into cognisance the need to protect our children and wards from unscrupulous elements that see our children as mere commodities and toys to be toiled with and exploited.
“It is therefore imperative that parents work closely with NAPTIP and other law Enforcement Agencies in ensuring that perpetrators of evil acts towards our children are reported in order to ensure that such perpetrators are brought to book.
“I want to commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for its commitment in safeguarding the interests of Nigerian children and saving them from the hands of violators and human traffickers.
“NAPTIP on its part, shall continue to work assiduously towards the protection of our children.
“Let us therefore join hands together and protect, provide and promote the interests and wellbeing of our children. We must all see it as our collective responsibility to ensure that our children are safe at all times”, the NAPTIP Director General said.
Stella Nezan
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
