By Emmanuel Antswen
The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have trained 150 subject teachers in Benue on the national revised curriculum.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a 2-day workshop in Makurdi, Mrs Rhoda Dia-Johnson, Project Manager, ICMPD School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), said experts would build the capacities of participants on the new curriculum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is “Training of Subject Teachers on Mainstreamed Trafficking In Persons (TIP) in the Revised National Curriculum”.
Dia-Johnson, who was represented by Mr Favour Simeon, Project Officer, STEAP/ICMPD Abuja, said 150 subject teachers from government, civic education and national value across the 50 selected schools in the state participated in the training.
She explained that the subject “National Value” has now replaced social studies, security education and civic education subjects at the basic school levels.
She said the exercise was to train the teachers who will be responsible for the mainstreamed Trafficking In Person (TIP) content in the revised national curriculum in the schools.
“In this workshop, we will ensure that the subject teachers understand issues infused in the curriculum and how to join the fight against human trafficking.
“The main targets of human traffickers are the schools, so you play a very key role in this fight against human trafficking both in our schools and communities.
“We hope that at the end, you can translate this knowledge into lesson notes and teach the children in the coming months to be aware of traffickers and how to identify their moves,” she said.
In her address, Director General (D-G) NAPTIP, Mrs Binta Bello, said the workshop would further deepen public awareness on issues of human trafficking in Nigeria.
Represented by Mr Josiah Emerole, Director of Research and Programme Development, Bello said the exercise aimed to educate the subject teachers on the national revised curriculum.
Bello assured that the agency would continue to be committed to its mandate and mitigate the activities of traffickers in the country.
“We are here to talk to you as subject teachers of these subjects where these issues have been infused so that you will understand these issues that have been infused and be able to know what they are all about and not just to read them in books.
“Hearing from experts will provide you with a better understanding of the issues for better teaching.
“Over the years some states have always topped the trafficking chart in the country. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Benue is at the apex as far as our data is concerned.
“Benue is topping all the states in the last few years on the number of traffickers that have been rescued, and you are here to support us and the state to change the narrative,” she said.
Also, Mrs Gloria Bai, Zonal Commander, NAPTIP in Benue, during her paper presentation, “Overview of Human Trafficking in Nigeria – The Journey So Far”, said through STEAP they hoped to curb human trafficking in the state.
Bai, who is also the State Co-Chairperson of the Benue Task Force on Human Trafficking, said the workshop would enhance the participants’ capacity on the prevention of human trafficking.
She said the subject teachers were extremely crucial for the prevention of human trafficking among school-aged children in the state.
She said all hands must be on deck to achieve the set goals, as there were many modern ways of human trafficking ongoing in the country. NAN
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Edited by Peter Amine
