Award-winning journalist unveils new book on child trafficking

Nigerian award-winning journalist, Juliana Francis, is set to unveil her new book on child trafficking into sex slavery.

The book, “We Are Priceless”, seeks to address the menace of children’s sex slavery, trafficking in general, child labour, child abuse, among other forms of crime against children.

In a statement signed by the book launch committee, the committee announced that the book would be unveiled at the POWA Hall, Oduduwa, off Sobo Arobiodu, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos by 11am on August 31, 2023,

“We Are Priceless” centres on the escape of five courageous children from sex slavery, which they were deceived into by the people who their parents and guardians trusted.

According to the author, the book reminds us of how vulnerable children continue to be sacrificed on the altar of unbridled wealth accumulation via the selfish quest of adults who should protect them.

She said, “For too long, parents have been fooled into giving their children to human traffickers and merchants of child labour.

“In Nigeria, children as young as eight years old, 10, and 13 are trafficked into sex slavery, child labour, and other crimes and many are killed in the process.”

Francis disclosed that the menace of human trafficking could be fought by first catching the young ones, educating them to know about the ill, and joining in stopping it.

“It is a campaign tool for all sectors, showing the realities of human trafficking and urging Nigerians to join the fight to checkmate the menace,” she said.

The author, Juliana Francis is a crime journalist whose passion for unearthing crimes against humanity, especially the girl-child, has earned her several awards and multiple nominations across the globe. She is the first female overall winner of the coveted Wole Soyinka Prize for Investigative Reporting in Nigeria.

Francis, also a media consultant, is the CEO of Youthlens Initiative Development and the publisher of Youthlens.com. She is an alumnus of the Report Women Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), 2017 set and also a trainer and mentor to budding journalists.

The launch will be headlined by dignitaries from all walks of life. Dignitaries expected include the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) now the Chair of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase (PhD) who is the Chairman of the event, Olufunke Fayemi of the Report Women Network and chief producer, Voice of Nigeria, Evelyn Usman, Vice-president, Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), and Godwin Morka, former director, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Other distinguished guests include the President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPSS), Yomi Odubela, former Presidential aide, Femi Adesina, who will be reviewing the book and the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Frank Mba.

Other Special Guests of Honour are the CEO, Raimi Salau Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Raimi Salau, the Director-General (DG), NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, and the Chair/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.