The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has commenced intensive and sustained advocacy with child protection stakeholders across the country.
The Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Mrs Stella Nezan, said this in a statement made available in Abuja.
Nezan explained that the initiative was to enhance the nationwide domestication and the effective implementation of the contents of the Child Rights Act.
She said that the advocacy was meant to interface with the National Assembly, State Governors, State Houses of Assembly, the Judiciary and relevant professional bodies.
According to her, others are Diplomatic communities, the Media, Civil Society organisations and International partners.
In a message to mark the 2018 World Against Child Labour Day, Nezan quoted the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, saying that the agency is focused on protection of children from trafficking, child labour and abuse.
According to her, the agency commenced purposeful advocacy nationwide to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Child Rights Act.
“It is sad to note that many individuals, organisations and even a group of people have continued to hide under one form of corporate protection or the other to abuse children.
“I just received some concerned youths few hours ago and their testimonies about the level of child abuse and violation by some highly placed individuals were heartbreaking.
“It has come to the knowledge of the agency that even some of our children who were believed to be protected under the custody of revered educational institutions are the worst victims.
“It was gathered that administrators of those schools have continued to feast on the innocent children at will.
“The worst scenario is the case of children rescued from some difficult environments due to insurgency who are further subjected to unimaginable level of sexual abuse and exploitation by the very personalities that have sworn to protect them.
“The big question that is begging for answer is why is it that when there is a global economic recession and financial crunch, it is the child that is given out to work as domestic helpers and in hazardous places and he or she bears the brunt?
“Why is it that when there is a sexual desire within the family, it is the child that is sacrificed? This must change,” she said.
According to the NAPTIP boss, the agency has commenced a nationwide advocacy to drum up massive support for the accelerated implementation and domestication of Child Rights Act across the country.
“Already, we have kicked off consultations with stakeholders at all levels.
“Our operatives have been dispatched to those areas and establishments where the rights of Nigerian children are being taken for granted.
“These include those confined institutions, quarries, cocoa plantations and other areas,” she explained.
The spokesperson stated that Okah-Donli called on policy makers across the country to consider the plight of children at the formation of any policy.
She said that the director-general also enjoined children to always speak out when they were abused so that help could come their way speedily. (NAN)
