The Ondo State Government has called on brothel owners in the state to turn their centres into hotels or other legal businesses where the government could support them with loans or grants.
Olamide Falana, the Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Gender, stated this yesterday in Akure at a sensitisation programme organised by NSCDC, Ondo State command, in collaboration with the state Task Force on Human Trafficking and with support from NAPTIP.
She said the state government had provided adequate employment for its citizens.
Falana, who also called on brothel owners and others to shun any form of illegality in the course of carrying out their businesses or face the full wrath of the law, said that all hands must be on deck to fight against all forms of social vices, particularly amongst the youth in the state.
According to her, now is the time to speak out against human trafficking in society, rather than being an accomplice to crime, saying that the state government has zero tolerance for crime, prostitution and other illegal trades.
Falana urged brothel owners and the general public to act as whistleblowers by reporting those using their property as centres for sex workers and other illegal activities.
She said; “Ondo State has zero tolerance for prostitution, yahoo-yahoo business, human trafficking and others. We should support the government’s efforts toward providing quality education to our young boys and girls.”
Read also: Buhari leaves indelible mark on ailing power sector
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Olayinka Olatundun, said that it was imperative for brothel owners to ensure that proper things were done before embarking on their business.
Olatundun said that anybody violating the established law would face the consequences.
“You have to be conversant with those you are engaging and those working for you within the age that the law permits. Human rights issues are very important in our society. You need to be sensitive so as to ensure that when you are doing your business, it does not constitute a problem to society,” he said.
One of the participants, Alade Olugbega, appreciated NSCDC for the sensitisation, saying that it would go a long way in redefining their business.
Olugbenga, who is the Secretary of the Association of Brothel Owners in Akure South, said that they would go back to enlighten their members on proper ways of operating their business.
