A glance at a fight against child trafficking, gender based violence in Abia State
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
Child trafficking, baby factories and gender based violence is an ill wind that blows no one any good.
It either leaves it’s victim terribly devastated or sometimes create a vacuum that can never be filled.
It is a despicable act of man inhuman treatment against God’s precious creature, a crime against humanity and degeneration of our shared values and morality and those who fail victim mostly are women and children.
It should not be allowed any place in the society.
Those who engages in this heinous crime must not be treated with kid gloves as the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has taken up the fight to eradicate child trafficking, baby factories and gender based violence in the society.
On June 4, 2023, barely a month into the administration of Governor Alex Otti, twenty one teenage pregnant girls and two babies were rescued from the now defunct Nma Charity and Social Mother’s Rehabilitation Centre, Umunkpeyi Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State by the men of the 14 Brigade Nigeria Army Base in Ohafia during a raid sequel to illegal activities going on at the centre.
Mrs. Otti, had condemned the act in its strongest terms, ordering immediate clamp down on illegal ophanages and charity homes used as a camouflage to perpetrates this heinous crime against humanity.
She also liased with the Abia state government to set mechanism in motion to apprehend and prosecute those who harps on the vulnerability of their victims to lure them into the obnoxious crime of sexual exploitation and selling their babies.
“We are geared up to ensure that Abia state will no longer be comfortable for the perpetrators of baby factories and human trafficking to operates,” she said.
Also on March 7, 2024 following a credible intelligence gathered, sixteen women who were in various stages of pregnancy was rescued from a baby factory in Aba by the Rapid Response Squad of Abia State Police Command.
The collaborative efforts of the security agencies in Abia State is not only yielding the desired results but have gone ahead in nipping the acts in the bud.
Speaking to journalists on the incident, Mrs. Otti vehemently condemned the appalling existence of baby factories in Abia state where young girls were raped, forced into pregnancy and have their babies forcefully taken away from them for profits.
The rescued victims were not abandoned, they were rehabilitated through the ministry of women affairs and empowered to start their own businesses.
19, out of the rescued social mothers who were not indigenes of Abia state were counseled for 3 months, after their stabilisation by the state ministry of women affairs they were assisted financially by the wife of Abia Governor and subsequently taken to their various states of origin for reunion with their families.
The Abia First Lady, made sure that the 4, indigent Abians amongst those rescued were well cared for, stabilised and counseled for 3 months.
Speaking with journalists at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Mrs. Otti said that, in order to ensure the full integration of the teenage mothers back to the society so that they do not relapse back to their old life, the teenage mothers were interviewed and assessed on what business they can thrive on.
She explained that Miss. Precious Ndubuisi, who showed interest in selling fashion materials was empowered with a one year rented shop space, 23 different vintage materials of 10 yards each with a take off grant of N 120,000.
Miss. Blessing Otuonye, who showed interest in poultry farming was assisted with a construction of poultry house, provision of 100 birds (chicks) with drugs, 5 bags of chicken feeds, kerosene stove, feeding bowls and a take off grant of # 120,000.
Also, Miss. Mary Monday, who showed interest in hair styling and dressing was empowered with a one year paid shop space, hair accessories, 3 cartons of hair extensions of 75 pieces each and a take off grant of N 120,000.
While Miss Faith Chinaza, who chooses to go into foodstuffs business received a one year paid shop space, one bag of toll rice, half bag of beans, half carton of Maggi star, half carton of knor cubes, measuring cups, 3 cartons of noodles, 1 carton of sachet tomatoes and a take off grant of # 120,000.
Mrs Otti also reveals that measures have been put in place to mentor and monitor them so that they will grow in their businesses and makes profits.
According to her, our gesture is for them to serve as our ambassadors to other tenagers that such life is a road not taken and to show them that they can reach their potentials without engaging in unlawful activities or crimes against humanity.
She also reveals that the operators of the defunct rehabilitation home are already in the custody of the law enforcement agency to face the law.
To forestall incidents of such crime, Mrs. Otti call on community leaders and traditional rulers to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate actions.
On gender based violence Mrs. Otti urged all stakeholders to unite against violence and injustice that disproportionately affect women and girls in the society.
A case in mind is Mrs. Amarachi Lawrence from Atta Emede Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
Mrs. Lawrence had been physically abused by her husband Mr. Lawrence Chukwunyere from Bende LGA, with severe injuries to her eyes, as well as cuts from a machete and mutilation of her genitalia.
While Mr. Lawrence was swiftly apprehended and handed over to the police for prosecution Mrs. Otti visited Amarachi to assess her condition and subsequently explore government support for her treatment and quick recovery even as she made cash donation to the victim.
She has visited key stakeholders in the state like the police, ministry of justice, and partnered FIDA in the fight against gender-based violence.
In her speech in Umuahia the state capital in a summit marking the end of the year 2024, 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Mrs. Otti expressed that the fight against GBV is not one that any individual or organization can win alone.
“It demands a united, multisectoral approach involving every stakeholder, government, civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, educators, and community members,”
Mrs. Otti further expressed that Abia State under Governor Otti is not relenting but have gone ahead in inaugurating the GBV response team and the GBV management committee.
These bodies she explained will bring together key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to GBV cases including, overseeing prevention strategies, ensuring timely intervention, and monitoring the provision of support services for survivors.
Recognizing the financial barriers that survivors often face in seeking justice or rebuilding their lives, the Abia First Lady said that the state government through her office have also established a GBV Victim Support Fund.
This fund is dedicated to helping survivors access legal aid, medical care, counseling, and emergency shelter when needed.
“We have also gone ahead to strengthening awareness campaigns to challenge cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate violence and silence victims, training law enforcement agencies and judicial officers to handle GBV cases with the sensitivity and urgency it deserves, enhanced partnership with NGOs, community leaders and international agencies to ensure that survivors receive comprehensive care and support,”.
However, Mrs. Otti said that she is delighted that the violence against persons prohibition laws(VAPP Law) would be domesticated in Abia State and appeals to the leaders, law enforcement agencies, educators, and community members to partner her in ensuring that Abia State becomes a haven where every person can live free from violence and fear.
According to her, “As the First Lady of Abia State, I remain deeply committed to this cause. Together, through our multisectoral efforts, operationalizing the VAPP law, and with unwavering determination, we will end GBV and build a future where the rights, dignity, and safety of every individual are upheld.
“Let us not wait for another moment. Let us act now and let our actions echo the message that violence has no place in Abia State,”.
Other areas Mrs. Otti has intervened are youths and women empowerment, education grants, healthcare and community markets development.
She has also visited and donated cash, sanitary materials and foodstuffs to the school of the blind, Nigeria Correctional Facilities, major ophanages, and remand homes in the state.
Also plans has been finalised with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency to end drug abuse with a significant approach in the rehabilitation of those already affected.
#Gov. Otti is Building the new Abia!
#To God be glory!
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.