-JOHN TAKURO

CHILD TRAFFICKING IS an act whereby a child is forcefully taken from where he or she is supposed to be and taken to another place where he or she is being subjected to various domestic labours such acts remains condemnable, according to Mrs Adebayo Omotayo, Head of Department, Women Development and Child’s Rights Programme of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan.

Mrs Omotayo, at the commemoration of the 2018 International Day for the Abolition of Modern Day Slavery, said that the 23 August event was to enlighten children about their rights as provided by the laws of the land, eradicating every form of child abuse ranging from physical assaults, child labour, sexual harassments, child trafficking, among others.

The programme at the Society of African Mission (SMA) House, Bodija, Ibadan started at about 10 am with the accreditation of participants who were majorly members of the Holy Childhood Association and their animators.

The participants played some games facilitated by Lanlate Youth Camp Initiative and coordinated by Rev. Fr Bernard Azeez and his team. The aim of the games was to enhance familiarity among the participants.

Rev. Fr Martins Olowoyeye, archdiocesan PMS chaplain, led the opening prayer that was followed by Mrs Adebayo’s welcome address.

Mr Olanipekun Ayorinde, a JDPC personnel, talked on Child Rights such as Right to Identity, which gives every child the right to be identified by a name, religion, tribe; Right to development that ensures a child’s growth according to stipulated stages in time; Right to freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly, Right to Freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion, Freedom to Private and Family life, Right to Dignity.

Others are Child Marriage which states that no child, under the age of 18 should be subjected to marriage; making incision prohibition on a child; exposing a child to alcohol and hard drugs, sexual intercourse, and many others.

Mrs Isewon, an animator from Seat of Wisdom, University of Ibadan, led the closing prayer.