The Federal Government has issued a directive prohibiting hoteliers across the nation from accommodating teenagers and underage girls in their premises. According to Drivetvnews, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, delivered this stern message on Saturday during the ‘Unlock Training and Grants’ ceremony held in Abuja.
The event, organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, disbursed N100 million to 200 young entrepreneurs. Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized during her address that hoteliers who disregard the new policy risk facing severe sanctions.
In a bid to underscore the seriousness of this directive, the Minister disclosed that hoteliers, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, have been instructed to display signs outside their establishments warning potential customers against lodging underage girls. She extended this warning to school proprietors nationwide, cautioning them to prevent any form of bullying among students or by teachers.
Kennedy-Ohanenye stated, “Nigeria must improve. Starting from the 20th of June, we have mandated hotels to display a sign provided by the Ministry of Women Affairs stating ‘No lodging of underage girls.’ Failure to comply will result in consequences worse than what transpired in Niger State, especially in the FCT, and I mean it. No more lodging of underage girls and no more bullying in schools.”
Addressing reporters, the Minister revealed that the Federal Government has launched an investigation into a disturbing video that went viral, showing 10 Nigerian teenagers who were rescued from neighboring Ghana, where they had been trafficked for prostitution. She assured that decisive action will be taken by the government on this matter starting Monday.
She further commented, “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.”
