The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has called for the harmonization of laws relating to child rights to enable the country to tackle all forms of modern-day slavery.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri made the call in a message on the occasion of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition in Abuja.
Dr Waziri said although the slave trade was abolished a very long time ago, the menace has moved to another shape as many Nigerian children are now victims of modern-day slavery which includes child labour, forced prostitution and human trafficking.
She said many children under the age of 12 were now being forced against their wish or into prostitution as well as being trafficked to foreign countries.
‘‘Harmonizing all laws relating to the rights of the child would help NAPTIP strengthen its fight against human traffickers and other agents of forced labour as it will remove all barriers inhibiting our operations.” Dr Waziri noted.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs Comfort Ajiboye said the Federal Government was doing all it could to stop all forms of modern-day slavery in the country.
Dr Anyawutaku said all hands must be on deck to address forced child labour and other forms of modern-day slavery as the federal government cannot do it alone.
The theme of the Day is ‘‘A Critical Appraisal of Domestic Staff in Nigeria”.
Oluwaseyi Ajibade/Adetutu Adetule
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