By Francis Akinnodi

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The Ondo State Government has called on brothel owners in the state to turn their centres into hotels or other legal businesses where the government could support them with loans or grants.

Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Gender, Olamide Falana stated this during a sensitisation programme organised by NSCDC, Ondo State command, in collaboration with the state Task Force on Human Trafficking and with support from NAPTIP.

She said the state government had provided adequate employment for its citizens.

Falana, who also called on brothel owners and others to shun any form of illegality in the course of carrying out their businesses or face the full wrath of the law, said that all hands must be on deck to fight against all forms of social vices, particularly amongst the youth in the state.

According to her, it is time to speak out against human trafficking in the society, rather than being an accomplice to crime, adding that the state government has zero tolerance for crime, prostitution and other illegal trades.

Falana urged brothel owners and the general public to act as whistleblowers by reporting those using their property as centres for sex workers and other illegal activities.

“Ondo State has zero tolerance for prostitution, yahoo-yahoo business, human trafficking and others. We should support the government’s efforts toward providing quality education to our youths both boys and girls.”

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Olayinka Olatundun, said that it was imperative for brothel owners to ensure that proper things were done before embarking on their business.

Olatundun said that anybody violating the established law would face the consequences.

Secretary, Association of Brothel Owners in Ondo State, Olugbega Alade said that they would go back to enlighten their members on proper ways of operating their business.