The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, has warned parents and girls to be wary of irregular migration which had claimed the lives of numerous young Nigerians.
Mrs. Adepoju gave the warning at the 20th Outreach of the August Girls’ Assembly, (AGA), one of the largest gatherings of girls in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach themed “Christian Culture”was organised by Worth-in-Womanhood arm of Vine Branch Church Ministry.
Adepoju said trafficking of persons was real, urging parents and guardians to be careful of leaving or releasing their children to any other person who wanted to take them outside Nigeria.
According to her, people who leave Nigeria for abroad by road face many difficulties such as harsh weather conditions and predators who either feed on them or harvest their organs for sale in a crude manner.
She urged anyone seeking to go abroad to always go through regular means to avoid untold ordeals faced by those who attempted through illegal means.
She urged parents to be good role models and teach their children about sexuality so they will not be exploited.
“Parents protect your children from those who want to exploit them by luring them abroad. And, girls don’t follow anyone who wants to take you abroad by road without telling your parents,” she warned.
Adepoju enjoined the girls to face their studies, be diligent and fear God.
She also warned parents to be careful of their actions as they influence their children by what they do.
“Girls should be hard working and diligence. There is no challenge you cannot overcome with hard work and diligence. Shun exam malpractice, face your studies and prepare well for your exams.
“Be of good behaviour character; learn to be very respectful to your elders, mates and juniors. Have consideration for their feelings; whatever you do not want to be done to you don’t do it for others,” the NIS boss said.
Adepoju urged girls to avoid bad company because it will affect them in their studies.
“Take your work seriously. Your friends influence you, move with the right friends. Avoid substance abuse; anything that can affect your mind don’t put your hands into them.
“Use the internet wisely, and don’t go to negative sites. Don’t do anything you don’t want anybody to know on the internet. Use the internet positively for your assignments. Don’t expose yourselves to exploitation.
“Fear the Lord, which means shun evil. Don’t do anything that you know is not good. Obey your parents; especially parents that are godly and God-fearing should be obeyed,” she said.
The NIS boss said talents were useful and there was renewed hope in Nigeria.
NAN reports that about 1,500 girls at AGA were tutored on life and soft skills, sexuality education, christian character and safety among others
