- Inaugurates 10 Vanguard Clubs
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Benin Zonal Command (Edo and Delta States) has taken the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration to secondary schools in Delta State.
In collaboration with the State Ministry of Justice and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the command has established School Vanguard Clubs in 10 secondary schools to enhance awareness among students, teachers and parents about the tricks and strategies of human traffickers.
The NAPTIP has identified Edo, Delta, Enugu,Kogi and Ogun States as most affected, according to statistics.
In Delta State,10 secondary schools have been selected for the pilot project, with 30 members each, totalling 300 for the first phase.
The objective is to prepare these young persons as anti-trafficking ambassadors, with the covenant to discourage all mindsets of irregular migration and trade in human beings.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony and call to the duty of the School Vanguard Clubs in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the zonal Commandant, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, Barr Sam Offia told the fresh ambassadors that their inauguration was a mark of distinction in the their life styles as volunteers.
They were provided with starter packs that will enable them to carry out psychological, psychotherapy and mental engagement with their peers without compromise and a promise that adult representatives will continue to visit the schools going forward.
In her own words, the ICMPD Project Officer for the zone, Ijeoma David Ukoko reminded the selected schools, their teachers and parents that trafficking in persons is modern day slavery which must be kicked out of Delta school communities, adding that human trafficking include child labour, domestic violence, deprivation from basic needs, negative exploitation, organ harvesting and sexual exploitation of teenagers.
She explained that ICMPD is a donor organization with a vision of eradicating human trafficking and irregular migration, especially among the developing countries of the world.
Some of the pilot schools are Unity Secondary School, Asaba, Okpanam High School, Macdonald School for Persons with Special Needs, Okpanam, St Thomas College, Ibusa, Westend Secondary School, Asaba and Osadenis Secondary School, Asaba.
The stakeholders, Delta State Taskforce on Anti Human Trafficking, principals and teachers from all the selected schools, thanked the organizers of the project, especially the donor organization, (ICMPD), for deeming it fit to bring advocacy to their schools at a crucial time like now..
