“To Crack Down on Child Traffickers”
By Isreal Adamu, Jos
The Plateau State Government has announced plans to take stringent action against individuals involved in the trafficking of children from the state.
On Monday, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the international NGO Both Ends Believing (BEB) and the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria to create a digital identity system for children in orphanages throughout the state.
According to our correspondent, the MOU was signed through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and aims to support the process of finding permanent, safe, and loving families for children in orphanages.
BEB is a global nonprofit organization that utilizes unique technology, known as Children First Software (CFS), to help children living in institutions connect with loving families. Through CFS, the organization empowers government authorities to facilitate the transition of vulnerable children into nurturing environments, allowing them to grow and thrive within families.
The NGO also donated a laboratory to monitor the activities of orphanages in the state.
During the signing ceremony, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasized the importance of the MOU, stating, “With this Memorandum of Understanding, we can track the number of children in orphanages.”
Represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, he asserted that the state would also pursue legal action against operators of fake orphanages.
“We will prosecute anyone found to be involved in child trafficking across any of the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.”
Governor Mutfwang highlighted the concerning trend of children being taken out of the state, noting, “There is a cartel in Plateau State that collaborates with parents to traffic children to other parts of the country, and we will not tolerate this.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to educating the populace on the importance of raising their children.
“We remain focused on protecting the rights of every child, ensuring that school-aged children have access to high-quality basic education that fosters their creativity in science, technology, arts, and music, enabling them to voice their opinions in society.”
“Children are an essential part of our society. Without them, there will be no transition to a better tomorrow.”
“We are committed to ensuring that their rights, which are fundamental to my administration, are protected. Our government is dedicated to the education, welfare, safety, and rights of our children.”
Governor Mutfwang commended the NGO for partnering with the state, emphasizing that children in orphanages deserve care and secure homes.
“We will continue to collaborate with agencies that contribute to the development of our communities.”
Bruce Graham, President of Both Ends Believing (BEB), praised the state government for its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children.
“Our goal is to integrate children into safe and loving families. We work to create digital profiles of children living in institutions around the world,” he said, commending the partnership with the state government.
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Oyedeji, President of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), stated that the signing of the MOU signifies a new beginning. “We can now effectively track orphanages, including unregistered, closed, and non-existing homes. This will enhance trust,” he added.
He also acknowledged the efforts of his Vice President, Mrs. Sandra Chikan, for her role in making the signing of the MOU a reality.
Mrs. Chikan emphasized the need for children to be adopted into safe and loving families, stating, “Children should not remain in orphanages for extended periods.”
