Mrs Soludo Declares Open Workshop On Child Trafficking, Illegal Adoptions In Awka…

Amidst growing cases of child-related crimes in Nigeria, Anambra State Governor’s Wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, says the state is taking necessary steps to check cases of child trafficking and illegal adoptions.

The governor’s wife stated this in Awka while declaring open a workshop organized for Non-Governmental Organizations by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP.

The aim of the workshop, attended by representatives of NGOs from Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, is to address emerging issues in trafficking in persons and illegal adoption procedures.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Soludo said that the issues of child trafficking and illegal adoption must be given the needed attention, as recent statistics has indicated sharp increase in such cases.

She noted that effective feedback platforms must be developed to get reports on welfare of children that have been adopted legally, while conscious and collective actions need to be taken to tackle the challenge of child trafficking.

The governor’s wife lamented rising scale of violence against children in the hands of guardians and called for stronger child protection legislation , increased education, awareness and community dialogues, stressing that the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has achieved commendable results in tackling human trafficking, domestic violence and illegal adoptions.

Earlier in his remark, the Director General of NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, represented by the Director, Training and Manpower Development of the agency, Mr. Arinze Orakwue, said that NAPTIP is committed to maintaining lasting partnership with Anambra State to eliminate the prevailing challenges .

He explained that a larger percentage of trafficking and adoption crimes are committed by women, and suggested increased enlightenment to teach them the social dangers of child labour, battery and other domestic crimes.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, was also present at the event.