No more lodging of underage girls in hotels – FG warns

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has said the Federal Government has commenced an investigation into a viral video of 10 Nigerian teenagers who were trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.

Three of the victims, between the ages of 15 and 16, were said to be of the same parents. Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the girls were rescued after a tip-off by NIDO Ghana chapter.

In a related development, Kennedy-Ohanenye cautioned hotel owners against harbouring underage girls in their facilities, saying anyone found culpable would be sanctioned.

She said this yesterday in Abuja at the ‘Unlock Training and Grants’ ceremony.

At the event, organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, 200 young entrepreneurs were given N100m.

The minister said: ”Nigeria must be better. From 20th (June), we have directed hotels to put a sign outside from the Ministry of Women. No lodging of underage girls. What happened in Niger State will be an understatement of what will happen in the FCT and I mean it.

“No more lodging of underage girls and no more bullying in schools. “Women are suffering in this country. Today, we have talked about the need to allow the poor to breathe in this country.

“Meanwhile, I am sure you saw the video circulating about our girls taken to Ghana. Did you see it? Very good. Action will start on Monday. You will hear about our action first thing on Monday morning. That is the first thing I am going to approach and see what we can do about it.’’