By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State Government has restated its unwavering resolve to intensify efforts in tackling human trafficking while assuring continuous support to stakeholders working to curb the societal menace.

This assurance was given by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, during a courtesy visit by the Ondo State Task Force on Trafficking in Persons to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The delegation, led by the Task Force Secretary, Blessing Olanrewaju, Esq., was warmly received by top officials of the ministry.

Dr. Osamaye, who addressed the team via a phone call due to her absence at the meeting occasioned by other pressing state duties, pledged the current administration’s commitment to ensuring that the scourge of human trafficking is addressed with vigour.

She said: “It is unacceptable for the state government to witness our children being trafficked to other countries of the world. This administration under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains committed to supporting the Task Force and all relevant bodies to ensure that this menace is brought to the barest minimum.”

Osamaye highlighted various government-led interventions focused on empowering women and youths as preventive strategies against self-trafficking and irregular migration.

In her remarks, the Task Force Secretary, Blessing Olanrewaju, Esq., appreciated the Special Adviser for granting their audience despite her busy schedule.

She congratulated her on her reappointment and noted that the visit was intended to enhance collaboration and deepen the Ministry’s understanding of the Task Force’s mission.

She revealed that the Ondo State Task Force on Human Trafficking was established on March 26, 2019, with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as Chairman.

Also speaking, Mr. Emmanuel Adaramola, a member of the Task Force and representative of Emmanuel World Children’s Foundation, decried the alarming rate of human trafficking and called for the integration of anti-trafficking campaigns into all ministry programmes.

He appealed to the government to demonstrate sufficient political will to host the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is expected to visit the state in June this year.

On their part, the Directors of Social Welfare and Child Development, Mr. Adebayo Oyegunwa and Mr. Mefun Tophas, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to partnering with the Task Force to stamp out trafficking.

They lauded the visit and urged the Task Force to remain dedicated to its cause.

Similarly, the Director of Planning, Research & Statistics, Mr. Sola Oladeji, underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of trafficking. He advocated for the revival of youth empowerment initiatives by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to combat the trend of irregular migration and self-trafficking among young people.

The Ondo State Task Force on Trafficking in Persons comprises a broad range of professionals drawn from MDAs, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and paramilitary agencies.