The Plateau State Government has issued a stern warning regarding a potential crackdown on Persons involved in child trafficking within the state.
This announcement came on Monday alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the international Non-Governmental Organisation, Both Ends Believing (BEB), and the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON).
The objective of this agreement is to develop a digital identity system for children residing in orphanages across Plateau State.
The MoU was signed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with the aim of facilitating efforts to connect children in orphanages with safe and permanent families.
BEB, a globally recognized non-profit organization, utilizes an innovative technology called Children First Software (CFS) to assist children living in institutions in reuniting with loving families.
Through the implementation of Children First Software, BEB is empowering governmental authorities to provide vulnerable children with the opportunity to thrive within nurturing family environments.
Additionally, the NGO has contributed a laboratory designed to monitor the activities of orphanages in the state.
At the event, Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed, “With the signing of this MoU, we can track down and know the number of our children in the orphanages.”
Represented by Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, the governor highlighted the government’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting operators of fraudulent orphanages throughout the Plateau.
He said, “We would prosecute anyone who is discovered to be involved in child trafficking in any of the state’s 17 local government areas. Many of our children are being taken out of the state; there is a cartel in Plateau State that links up with parents to traffic children to other parts of the country. “This, we would not tolerate.
“As a government, we would continue to educate our people on the need for them to train their children.”
Furthermore, the governor reiterated his administration’s dedication to prioritizing the rights, welfare, education, security, and safety of children within the state.
He stated, “We are focused on protecting the rights of every child and making sure children of school age have access to quality basic education, which will inspire them to express their creativity in science, technology, art, and music, and make their voices heard in society.”
“Children are an essential part of our society. Without them, there will not be a transition to a greater tomorrow. We are therefore committed to ensuring that their rights, which are fundamental to my administration, are protected.
“Our administration has made it a point of duty to commit to the education, welfare, safety, and rights of our children. As a government, we are working hard to tackle challenges confronting vulnerable children in our state.”
The governor also commended the NGO for their partnership with the state, underscoring that children in orphanages deserve both care and secure homes.
“We would continue to partner with agencies that would bring development to our people,” he added. Mr. Bruce Graham, President of Both Ends Believing (BEB), praised the state government for its commitment to enhancing the lives of vulnerable children.
He stated, “Our goal is for children to be integrated into safe and loving families. We work to create digital profiles of children living in institutions around the world.”
Dr. Gabriel Oyedeji, President of ASOHON, described the signing of the MoU as a herald of a new beginning, emphasizing, “We can now comfortably track down our orphanages as well as unregistered, closed down, and non-existing homes, and this will go a long way to escalate trust.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of his deputy, Mrs. Sandra Chikan, in making the MoU a reality.
