By Jamila Musa Nuhu and A'isha Biola Raji
As the Senator Bala Mohammed led-FCT administration continues its relentless war against prostitution in Abuja, the nation's Federal capital with regular raids on known prostitutes hang outs and arrests of street girls, the Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria (SAP-CLN) is achieving the same result without resorting to the high-handed method of the government.
The coordinator of SAP-CLN, Mrs. Grace Aloko, who spoke to Peoples Daily Weekend, said that many of the ex- prostitutes came to the NGO voluntarily for rehablitation, even as others came the hard way after a court conviction which usually came after arrests by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board or the FCT task force against prostitution.
According to her, before the group came into the picture of what was happening, the prostitutes would be taken to prison as soon as they were convicted. However, when the group, which was established about two years ago, came into the picture, "we said instead of sending them to prison, why don't we rehabilitate them and send them back to the society where they can become useful?
"Initially, it was difficult but glory be to God, SAPCLN, as an organization, has a very strong team of counselors and psychologists. We were able to work on the girls before they graduated, many of them have started their businesses, they have their shops and they have asked us to come and inspect them. They are so happy they are now business owners and they will become employers of labour soon".
Mrs. Grace Aloko added that soon after news of their activities spread out, "we started having girls voluntarily coming to the office and willing to register. They said they didn't know we were serious about getting them a means of livelihood. Now they are willing to stay and finish their training, so you could see it's just help that these girls need".
The SAPCLN, which runs two rehabilitation centers at Sabon Lugbe and Bwari in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the FCT, is not attracting the reforming street girls for nothing. According to Mrs. Grace Aloko, "we give them a starter pack; for instance, those who went through the computer training, they went with one desktop computer, a printer, a UPS, and a photocopying machine. For hairdressers; we give them dryers and anything needed to set up a salon. Tailors get their sewing machine, weaving machine, table, chai,r etc just for them to stand on their own. The N100, 000 given to them is to help them get a place that is not too expensive where they can do their businesses".
However, although inmates of the centers come from all parts of the country, the states have as yet to show any support to the NGO, the coordinator lamented.
"We have written to some states but no one has replied us. You know the process; it is easier to reach us than for us to reach them. If the governors can reach out to us, I will be more than happy because the program we have works, people have seen this and it is because it takes passion and commitment and we are saying; if you are ready to work, we are ready to give you the result'.
In the next couple of weeks, about 60 ex-street girls are expected at the Sabon Lugbe Rehabilitation Centre, the coordinator, Aisha Ado has said, disclosing that already 39 girls have been rehabilitated there.
A former street girl and trainee at the centre, Balero Tolu, who hails from Kogi state, is beyond herself with gratitude to SAP-CLN, saying that the group " gave us a new life, and the only thing I will say to them is 'a big thank you' because they have really helped us to turn a new leaf in the book of our life. They took us as their own children without even knowing us before. They took us off the streets and gave us a new life by empowering us. God will reward them abundantly".
No less grateful is another ex-commercial sex worker and trainee at the rehabilitation center, Ozioma Ogbonna, an indigene of Imo state, who said that "the girls here have rest of mind unlike when they were on the streets. I have seen the first set that was rehabilitated and they look very fresh; they now have rest of mind. They no longer live in fear. Now that I am here too, I will never go back to that dirty business. I say a big 'thank you' to SAPCLN and the other supporters like the FCT, SDS and others. I pray their efforts continue so that many more girls can be rescued".
Another trainee and former prostitute is Delta state born Ogu Hannah, who dropped out of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), where she was studying Petroleum Engineering, because of lack of a sponsor.
She said she felt good "because there are a lot of benefits here, like the trades we are learning, because if I were to learn it outside I would have to pay for it, transport myself to and from and feed on a daily basis. It would have been too much expense for me to shoulder. But here, I receive everything free of charge so I have rest of mind".
