Stamping-out Modern Slavery

Close to two centuries after the glo
bal community in unison fought to
put an end to slavery, the world cannot be said to be totally free from the most dehumanising enterprise against mankind. In fact, more horrifying examples of what can pass as modern slavery are what nations of the world are today battling.
Ranging from child-trafficking, kid-prostitution and forced labour among minors, the new forms of slavery are even more demeaning, dangerous and indeed destructive than the old slavery the world fought to a standstill.
It is to sustain the battle against this neo-slavery that the United Nations (UN) set aside December 1, this year to attract global attention to the challenge the world today faces. In observance of same, various countries of the world held public talks and campaigns against the dangers of modern slavery, with activists calling for sterner measures to check trans-national culprits.
It was indeed to expand the scope of protest against the same that the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis last Monday convoked a faith-based forum to drum global disapproval for modern slavery, exemplified in various forms, ranging from child prostitution to forced kid-labour. That the Pope could lead such a crusade underscores the urgency of the situation and should challenge all governments of the world to do away with lip-service and act.
It is most regrettable that in spite of repeated condemnation by child-right-activists, child trafficking should continue to thrive in many countries of the world, while their governments either looking the other way or simply paying lip-service.
We expect governments across the globe to liverage on this year’s observance to think anew, appreciate the dangers which modern slavery poses and together fashion ways and means of addressing the problem. No nation can claim to be totally free from the scourge as virtually all nations of the world seem to confront same fears.
This is why a more proactive global coalition is required to check and punish culprits who are bent on turning back the hands of the clock to 1833 when the world stood together in condemnation of slavery.
In the case of today’s slavery, Sub-Sahara Africa is most vulnerable due largely to the human challenges of wars, hunger and disease.  To escape from these, minors become victims of child traffickers and indeed slave merchants. This calls for greater commitment among African leaders to collaborate and combat trans-border trade in minors.
Slavery of any kind is most condemnable and should be rejected. Here in Nigeria, more efforts are required to ensure protection of soft targets like schools and health institutions where kidnap cases occur more frequently.
Apart from the abduction of more than 200 Chibok school girls by Boko Haram insurgents, many more become victims of such attacks on virtually daily basis. This calls for extra security measures that will nip in the bud any attempt by slave merchants to make brisk business with our gullible lot.
If we must stop modern slavery now, all hands must be on deck, be more vigilant and be our brothers’ keepers, as the best way to keeping the crooks away from our clime.