500 in jail over child abuse , says NAPTIP

A disclosure came at the weekend from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) that over 500 people have so far been sent to jail for child abuse and human trafficking across the  country.
  Speaking at the launching of Harmony Life Family magazine in Lagos, NAPTIP Head, Public Enlightenment Unit, Lagos Zone, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe said that those sent to jail were found guilty following prosecution on laws governing acts that constitute child abuse.
   Akomolafe said “Child abuse includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role, ” and can take several forms including physical, sexual, psychological, and neglect of a concerned child.
  She called on parents and guardians to focus on the wellbeing of their children and be integrated into all aspects of child welfare services, pointing out that the agency, which is responsible for prosecution of human trafficking offenders and rescue as well as help rehabilitate victims have been carrying out an enlightenment programme to help curb this.
  “We have been carrying out enlightenment programme as one major way to create awareness of curbing this deadly menace. We have been organising programmes for sometime now where we involved some schools in carrying out campaigns against child abuse as well as National Youth Service Corps members and other institutions related to human trafficking were in attendance,” she said.
  Linking the phenomena to poverty, greed, ignorance breakdown of family values and traditions, she blamed parents for being unnecessarily greedy in making use of their children to get wealth through inappropriate ways, calling their attention to the Child Rights Act.
  “The Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Mrs. Mercy Ighofose said, Harmony Magazine is devoted to families for physically and morally growth by bringing positive changes and development to our society. It also features interviews with notable models of our society, thereby setting a platform for family discussions.
  According to her, the aim is to “correct the eroding values of the society from the family circle and also to empower and create distinctive solutions on issue affecting African families.”

The Proprietor, Westminster College, Lagos, Chief J.M. Barovbe (left); Group Operations Manager, Cool, Wazobia Nig. Info FM, Onimisi Adaba;  Dr. Taiwo Idemudia; Editor-In-Chief, Harmony Life Family Magazine, Mercy Arigo Ighofose; Chairman of the event, J.J. Akpieyi; former DMD of Shell Petroleum, Godwin Omene and MD/CEO, ARCO Petrochemical Nigeria Ltd, Alfred Okoigun, at the Harmony Life Family Magazine seminar on child abuse at Nigerian Institute of International affairs, Victoria Island at the weekend.
PHOTO: ADENIYI IDOWU ADUNOLA.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola and Tolulope Okunlola