Aguonye Calls For Synergy, Proactive Approach In Fighting Human Trafficking, Irregular Migration

By Magnus Emuji

The Principal of Osadenis Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Mrs. Patience Ngozi Aguonye , has stressed the need for effective collaboration and proactive approach in tackling the unabated menace of human trafficking and irregular migration confronting the society.

Aguonye stated this in Asaba during a one -day sensitization workshop on School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) .

She said that the aim of the awareness campaign was to enlighten teachers, students and community leaders as well as parents about the risk inherent in human trafficking and irregular migration.

Aguonye, who described the workshop as timely and commendable, noted that available information stated that most of the people that fall victims were those who were promised better opportunities elsewhere and in most cases abroad but often end up being subjected to undignified activities.

The Principal identified peer group influence and increasing demands and undue pressure on children by their parents as well as the urge to get rich without a proper and genuine source of livelihood as some of the factors that could make one to fall victim of human trafficking and irregular migration.

Aguonye stated that victims of human trafficking and irregular migration usually go through physical and emotional trauma including sexual exploitation, forced labour, poor living conditions, anxiety and depression as well as fear and intimidation.

While saying that human trafficking was real and existing, Aguonye advised parents to be mindful of who to trust their children to as the society nowadays was full of evil, just as she implored everyone to be guided by moral values at all times.

Aguonye, however, enjoined participants at the workshop to contribute their quota in eliminating human trafficking and irregular migration by taking the awareness campaign to their various homes, churches and market places and the where their work.