Human trafficking: ODSG inaugurates Task Force
In its bid to stamp out human trafficking and child labour in the state, the Ondo State Government in collaboration with the National Agency on Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), yesterday inaugurated the State Task Force on Human Trafficking .
Inaugurating the task force, the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said all hands must be on deck to save human race from the modern form of slavery which he said is a criminal act against humanity and the will of God.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi stressed the need to strengthen all institutions and the law in connection with the activities of NAPTP to get the much desired result in this regard.
He expressed optimism that the setting up of the taskforce would help in the fight against the act in which the youths are most vulnerable, becoming slaves and prostitutes once they are outside the shores of the country.
While noting with concern the way the name of the country had been dragged in the mud by the activities of unscrupulous elements among comity of nations, Akeredolu urged the taskforce to also beam their search light on human trafficking within the state as their activities were not limited to taking their victims abroad.
Commending NAPTP for the step taken, he said: “This effort will go a long way to open the eyes and minds of our populace, especially the youths to the inherent dangers in committing their lives to the agent of darkness pretending to help them seek greener pastures outside the shore of the country”.
Earlier, the Director General of the Agency, Dame Julie Okah-Donli had lauded the collaboration of the Ondo State Government towards achieving the set objectives of NAPTIP.
She charged members of the taskforce to ensure it delivers in its task of assisting both the state and federal governments in eradicating human trafficking, saying they can not afford to betray the confidence reposed in them.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated task force who is also the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Adekola Olawoye, SAN, who spoke on behalf of other members expressed the readiness of his team to eradicate the vice within the state.
The task force has the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe as the Co-Chairman with members drawn from relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the state Ministry of Women Affairs and security agencies among others.
