By our Reporter
The Al’aiyeluwa (Oba) Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, Ademoku ll, the Ogu’ja Olu-Isa (OLISA) of Ijebu-Ode has cautioned the people of Ijebu Ode against human trafficking, kidnapping and cultism.
He made this call during an advocacy visit to his palace by a high—powered delegation comprising of officials of Ogun State Taskforce against Human Trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Lagos Zonal Command, and the International Ibero—America Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).
The leader of the delegation,Lagos Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Comfort Agboko stated that the advocacy visit has became necessary to promote awareness on the rising cases of human trafficking, irregular migration and smuggling of migrants in Ogun State.
Speaking further, she said Ogun State has become a source, transit, and destination point for trafficking in persons; a development worrisome to the agency considering the Gateway State as the cradle of education in Nigeria.
“We gathered for a
Stakeholder’s Forum at the Valley View Auditorium, Government House,and discussed the dangers and consequences of human trafficking. Today, we are here at Ijebu Ode to meet our people to continue with our sensitization. After our advocacy visit to your palace, we are embarking on a road walk to Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat to pay an advocacy visit to the Executive Chairman also.
“We continue to rely on your support for our Taskforce in Ogun State for more awareness towards the fight against these vices,” she said.
Responding, the Royal Father lamented that the negative and atrocious acts are being perpetrated daily, by people of questionable characters and shoddy deals in our midsts.
“Verily unfortunate that these people live among us to the detriment of our growth, development and advancements as highly respected people that we are known and addressed, as we have been of sound parental upbringing.
“I implore our government machineries at all levels to continue to relate extensively with our traditional institutions on these ugly incidences, among other various challenges militating against our developmental goals as a people. Our government are enjoin to bring forth the economy panaceas that would keep all hands busied, with encouraging rewards at the end of dutiful engagements at various levels of involvement.
“My good people of Ijebu land are also enjoined to always bring, on time, to the attention of the traditional institutions of any untowardness of the negative mindsets in our midst. As doing this dutifully would help to frustrate and as well nip their nefarious calculations, in the bud prior its perpetration. The arms of law are never crippled or too short to catch up with erring parties found culpable in these nefarious activities in our midsts. Our people should be mindful of the existential reality,”the Monarch explained.
The Olisa of Ijebu-Ode later led the delegation on a road walk to the Council Secretariat where the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Bola Adesanya, received the team. Adesanya, who commended the delegation for the sensitisation effort gave assurances of the Local Government’s commitment to the fight against human trafficking.
The 3—day sensitisation programme was organized by Ogun State Taskforce against Human Trafficking, was sponsored by the European Union under its Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) project.
