By Oluwatoyin Adegoke
Ogun State Government has strengthened efforts to curb human trafficking by expanding the Schools Anti-Trafficking Club to more students across the state.
Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu who stated this at Muslim High School, Isolu in Odeda Local Government area, during the sensitization and awareness programme on the induction of more students into the schools Anti – Trafficking Club explained that it was part of efforts at protecting them.
Thirty students were inducted at the event organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, under the Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project.
Represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Dr Oluwabisi Akinola-Okereafor, The Commissioner for Education said the students’ membership of the Anti-Trafficking Vanguard Club would position them as ambassadors in the fight against human trafficking in schools, communities and across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Principal of the school, Mr Semiu Ogunrinu, expressed support for the programme, describing it as timely and relevant in raising awareness among students.
The Ogun State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Bosede Jimoh had earlier emphasised that combating human trafficking required the strong collaboration of both the state and non-state actors, as well as international organisations, noting that the crime was a global challenge.
Also, the STEAP Project Officer of ICMPD in the State, Mr Samuel Okoroji, said the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) had partnered with NAPTIP and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to infuse anti-trafficking content into the national school curriculum, as part of a broader strategy to educate and protect young people.
The thirty newly inducted students would be joining one hundred and twenty others inaugurated during the week at four different schools to project the Anti-Trafficking Vanguard Club as a platform for educating their peers and members of the public on the dangers of human trafficking.
Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi
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