The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has announced a ban on lodging underage girls in hotels across the country, effective June 20, 2024. This move is aimed at addressing the issue of child exploitation and human trafficking.
Speaking at the graduation and grant ceremony of the ‘Unlock training programme’ in Abuja, the minister emphasized that the ban is a step towards protecting young girls from harm. She also warned hospitals against rejecting emergency cases they are equipped to handle, stressing that the government is determined to tackle this issue.
The minister encouraged Nigerians to use social media to report any cases of rejected emergency cases or lodging of underage girls in hotels, promising to take action. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Madam Abiola Arogundade, emphasized the importance of empowering young people for economic development.
This ban is a positive step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of underage girls in Nigeria.