The Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) and Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) on Wednesday urged students and residents of border communities to stand against human trafficking.

The groups conducted sensitization campaign in border communities, Office of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Illela Local Government area of Sokoto State,They also conducted street rally and sensitization in A. A Raji Special School and Hafsatu Ahmadu Bello Model Arabic Secondary School in Sokoto metropolist.

A-TIPSOM is a project being funded by the European Union and implemented by Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP) to reduce human trafficking in the country.

The project was part of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) signed between the European Union and the Federal Government.

Addressing the crowd, National President of NACTAL, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, said that the events were to expose people, especially teenagers, to human trafficking, its dangers and the emerging tricks in trapping victims.

Abubakar said when the teenagers were enlightened, it would be difficult for them to be lured by foreign currencies and get trafficked.

He said that the traffickers capitalised on victims’ ignorance to perpetrate their acts.

He noted that organizations exerted efforts to protect Nigerians, especially the youth, from the human traffickers.

According to him, the joint outings are also aimed at developing people’s capacity to beat any trend and trick developed by traffickers to trap their victims.

The President noted that the efforts were to further contribute to the government’s initiatives aimed at reducing the ratio of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants at national and regional levels.

He said Nigerians must continue to be vigilant about the antics of human traffickers, adding that their antics continued to change on daily basis.

A-TIPSOM Representative, Joseph Sanwo, said Nigerians must remain vigilant, conscious of fantastic offers meant to lure them into all kind of forced labour, adding that they were all lies and deceptive.

Sanwo said the exercise was part of the measures to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria, stressing that the menace needed combined efforts at all levels.

He said the exercise was to help people to identify migrants, smugglers and human traffickers to assist authorities for prompt investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.”

We also included civil society organisations that were closer to people in order to facilitate more understanding on trafficking and identification techniques,” Sanwo said.

NACTAL’s Sokoto State Chairman, Bello Gwadabawa, said the exercise was designed to attract public attention on the ills of human trafficking and other related offences.

Gwadabawa said members conducting the exercise were drawn from the seven northwest states of Nigeria and the programme would continue in other areas.

The Vice Principal of A. A Raji Special School, Hudu Shehu, commended the organizers for targeting students who are young that could easily be lured

The Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), SLOT Systems Limited and GIZ, a German development agency, have trained youths on mobile phones and laptop repair.

According to the training facilitators, this was aimed at eradicating  unemployment and poverty, while  promoting self-reliance.

The training and skill acquisition programme, which ran for nine months, exposed youths to practical  knowledge on computer hardware and mobile phones repair.

Speaking at the graduation in Lagos, Executive Secretary, LASTVEB, Moronke Azeez, stated that it was imperative to equip youths with 21st century skills to eradicate unemployment.

She said: “It is a three-way partnership with Ezeigbo SLOT Foundation founded by  Nnamdi Ezeigbo, LASTVEB and GIZ  to train unemployed youths on mobile phones and computer hardware repairs. We all have similar goals and we have all come together to train youths between 18 and 35 years.”

Azeez noted that 1,000 people applied, but they could only admit 100 and eventually this was reduced to 98 after the screening.

She said the training began last July, while in March, this year, the participants went for a three months internship in various SLOT companies across Lagos State.

She added that in June, they carried out an external certification through LASTVEB.

Ezeigbo stressed the need for young people to have vocational skills and become financially independent.

“We have been able to train over 2,500 young people. We are particular about employability and human capital development. We are in partnership with Lagos, Edo and Abia states,” he said.

He also said among the 2,500 people that have gone through the programme, about 60 per cent of them are gainfully employed while the rest are running their own businesses.

Head of programmes, GIZ, Tobias Wolfgang, said he was impressed that almost 100 people benefitted from the training.

Participants were given tools as starter packs. They were also awarded certificates  by the organisers.

They noted that the programme had impacted them positively.

School owners, parents and educators have been urged to place premium on the safety  of children and protect them from negative influences that may make them victims of sexual molestation and substance abuse.

This charge was given last weekend at a seminar organised by Lagooz Schools to sensitise pupils and parents on sexual exploitation, drug abuse, gender identity and others.

The seminar took place in the school in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

Nollywood actress Sola Kosoko-Abina, who was the guest speaker, urged parents, educators and school owners to ensure that children are trained and protected from negative influences that would make them become victims of sexual molestation and drug abuse.

“The major responsibility first lies in the hands of parents in ensuring a safe and healthy environment to raise their children and also give them adequate training and guidance regarding sex education and drug abuse. Educators and school owners must also ensure the safety of children in their care,” she said.

Proprietor of Lagooz Schools and National President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Yomi Otubela, quoting UNICEF, explained that six out of 10 children in Nigeria, experience emotional, physical or sexual abuse before age 18, hence it was imperative to take such issues seriously.

Discussants at the seminar, which had as theme: “Sexual exploitation and substance abuse among learners: prevention, control and management strategy”, included, Founder of Brainy Educate, Eniola Shakirah Olajobi, an educational psychologist; Unuane Isaac, Assistant Commander of Narcotics and Area Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Tunde Adunola, Chief Executive Officer of Firmstep Educational Support Services.

Olajobi, who spoke on “Human development, puberty, sexual orientation and gender identity”, called for proper training of children from infancy, stressing that it is  the most important stage of human development.

She, however, urged parents to  be available to take care of their children and seek professional advice to create a safer and saner world for them.

On his part, Isaac advised pupils to avoid abuse and misuse of drugs. The NDLEA Assistant Commander, who said drug abuse had grave consequences on health, called on all stakeholders to collaborate in tackling it.

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Francisca Nwafulugo, has warned new students against indulging in vices at its 38th matriculation.

Dr. Nwafulugo said a lot of things made the institution the cynosure of eyes in the country.

According to her, such things, include having zero-tolerance for cultism, superb internal security network and checkmating indecent dressing among the students.

Others, she said, are no-room for examination malpractice, which attracts immediate expulsion, and respect for the school constituted authorities.

The matriculation was held via zoom as a result of the 2020 pandemic, as few students and the full complement of the management staff were in attendance.

The rector said: “Our internal security network is working effectively and has kept cultism at bay. I will like to inform you that by the grace of God, cultism is extinct here.

“This has given our students the peace of mind and energy to focus on their studies without fear of intimidation or molestation.

“My young ones, I want to assure you of the goodwill of my administration to provide all the necessary framework that will guarantee your academic excellence.

“However, I want to ask for your co-operation. There are ethics and codes you must as a matter of necessity imbibe in order to excel.

“We demand respect for constituted authorities. No student is expected to take matters into their hands. Every grievance should be directed to appropriate channels.

“We seriously frown at unruly behaviour, violence, inappropriate and indecent dressing, etc. In order to checkmate this, we established an ethics and dress code department, which has helped in maintaining decency among our students population.

“You need to understand that your admission here is not only aimed at equipping you intellectually, but also to develop you in character and morals. You must, therefore, shun hooliganism, misconduct and all forms of vices and imbibe good morals.

“Avoid examination malpractice.  It attracts expulsion. If you give due diligence to your studies, I promise, you won’t have any cause to regret,” Dr. Nwafulugo said

On the matriculation, she said: “The Federal Polytechnic Oko exists because of the students that are being groomed in it. My dear matriculating students, we are delighted to have you as part of the polytechnic community’’.

“Your choice of Federal Polytechnic Oko is indeed a wise choice. Be rest assured that your interest for a quality and reliable education will be adequately catered for.

“My administration never compromises on excellence and quality. Moreso, we do not condone the exploitation of students and have put measures in place to checkmate this.”