by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Government has called for the abolition of the practice of sending young boys to serve as herders instead of acquiring education.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang was speaking through his Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo, during a stakeholders’ engagement on Tuesday in Riyom local government area of Plateau State, emphasizing that the government will not rest on its oars until every child in the state is returned to the classroom.
He assured to protect children from harmful practices and introduce strict measures in prosecuting parents, who allow their children to be trafficked for domestic servitude and others.
The stakeholders’ engagement meeting was focused on addressing the dangers of child-trafficking and its long-term consequences, particularly on the girl-child, in Riyom Local Government Area and other parts of the state.
The stressed that, “There is urgent need to protect vulnerable children from exploitation,” and warned that “Any parent or guardian found complicit in such practices would face the full weight of the law.”
Also speaking, the Chairperson Plateau State Gender and Equal Rights Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, noted that Riyom local government area had the highest number of trafficked girls in the state, and urged religious and community leaders to help in combating domestic violence and child exploitation.
Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, on a contributory note, also highlighted the risks faced by trafficked children to include “organ harvesting and forced labor,” and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to curbing the menace.
She urged the legislative arm of the local government to make laws that will guide the people on ways to mitigate trafficking, and stressed the need for massive sensitization.
Earlier, the chairman of Riyom local government area, Mr. Sati Shuwa, decried the high rate of trafficking from the area, calling for collective action and stronger penalties for offenders.
Traditional, political, and religious leaders in attendance pledged to support government’s initiative by replicating the sensitization effort in their communities.