A non-governmental organisation, Ugwumba Leadership Center, has offered a scholarship to Miss Divine Asuzu; a victim of human trafficking who was recently deported from Ghana.
Asuzu, was one of 10 teenage girls aged between 15 and 16 who were recently rescued by Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities from s*x traffickers in Ghana.
Reports indicate that the minors were trafficked to Ghana by a syndicate for lucrative but illegal commercial s*x work.
The girls were reportedly lured to Ghana with promises of a better life but were instead beaten, threatened and forced into prostitution.
Three of the victims are children of the same parents. A Nigerian man is in custody on charges for involvement in the crime.
The President Ugwumba Leadership Center for Africa, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu , announced the scholarship offer in Abuja, on Saturday.
He said, “With respect to the teenage girls repatriated from Ghana, Let me sincerely commend the Governor of Imo State His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma for swiftly seeing to the rescue of the underage trafficked girls back home, and at the same time appreciate those in Diaspora who identified and raised alarm that led to their rescue.
“This is not the time to pass judgement on those young girls who may have already passed through emotional and psychological trauma.
“Let’s embrace them with love and help them regain their place of honor and value in the society.
“On our side, the Ugwumba Leadership Center after discussing with the parents of Miss Divine Asuzu; one of the rescued girls who hails from Amaokpara community in Nkwerre LGA, Imo State, who indicated her interest to continue with her education.
“As an organisation that promotes youth development in Africa, we hereby award her a full scholarship to study in any of the Government Universities in Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, before her admission, we have also approved to place her on a monthly upkeep allowance.
“Special thanks to the Board and Management of the Ugwumba Leadership Center for making this possible.”
