By Lucy Ackanyon
In the face of rising incidences of trafficking, especially of young women and girls in the country, wife of Benue State Governor, Dr Eunice Ortom has charged young girls to develop interest in current happening around them and acquire knowledge of their constitutional rights, so as to avoid the traps of traffickers.
Dr Ortom stated this Monday in Makurdi in a paper presentation made during a mentorship programme for girls tagged ‘Benue Girl Soar,’ organized by Glamorous Mothers Development Initiative (GLAMODI), in collaboration with Soroptimist International Association, ahead of this year’s International Day of the girl child.
“If you know your rights, no one can trample on you,” she emphasized, in the presentation titled: ‘Your Time is Now’, while also stating that girls should be on alert and always speak out when traffickers are on their trail.
Speaking further, the First Lady of Benue State stressed that self-awareness, resilience, focus and early preparation were key to successful future for girls, adding that understanding of personal strengths and limitations was also necessary, in order to position them for greater exploits.
In her contribution, national President of Soroptimist International Association and state Commandant of NAPTIP Mrs Gloria Bai stated that the new wave of trafficking of girls was done through the social media where the traffickers use blackmail to force girls to submission.
Mrs Bai cautioned young girls over visiting pornographic and related online sites and avoid sending nude pictures to people as according to her, many girls have fallen victims of traffickers through that channel.
Earlier, the Executive Director of GLAMODI, Mrs Stephanie Apel expressed that the event was organized to bring young girls to interact with women who have made it in their chosen careers, so as to inspire them unto greatness.
Other speakers at the event which had young school girls from different secondary schools including professor of political science at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Member George-Genyi, and Arc. Ngunan Kenge, Founder of Mindseries shared their experience.
Students of Nativity College, Makurdi and Peniel College, Makurdi, Miss Okpogher Gloria and Miss Tsaga Jessica respectively said the programme was insightful and had strengthened their confidence to act appropriately when faced with a trafficking situation.