CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Child abuse and labour represents one of the most dehumanizing forms of human rights abuse.

Top on the hat of the slavery-like practices against children is child trafficking. Combating child

trafficking has gathered considerable momentum over the years with increased political

awareness regarding the phenomenon as illustrated by the localized adoption and ratification of

international standards and important commitments undertaken in international conference by

different states.

In 2002 the African union reaffirmed its commitment to combat child trafficking. It identified

the elimination of human trafficking as an operational priority. Economic Community of West

African States (ECOWAS) in 2001 developed strategies to fight child trafficking for

exploitative labour purposes in West and Central Africa. In Africa the first commitment to

combat trafficking is exemplified in Africa charter on the right or welfare of the child (1990).

In the United Nations (UN) protocol to prevent suppress or punish trafficking in person

especially women and children. The United Nations convention against transitional organized

crime called Palermo protocols defines human trafficking to mean the recruitment

transportation transfer harboring as receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or

other forms of coercion of abduction of fraud of deception abuse of power or of a position of

benefit vulnerability of the giving or receiving of payment to receive the consent of a person

having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation. (Arinze 2006).

In order to mobilize effective efforts political will and policy responses to prevent or combat

child trafficking the international community reached a common consensus on a common

normative definition or trafficking in human beings which include various form of sexual

exploitation or services slavery or practices similar to slavery servitude or removal of organs.

The focus of the provision stresses that trafficking for exploitative purposes should be considered

a crime and must be prosecuted. It‟s also stressed that national laws should be reviewed to ensure

compliance through legislative process the protocol as a model.

2

Prior to the time the scale of child trafficking had been hard to determine as a result of

complete unavailability of databases on child trafficking or traffickers and above all the shameful

delay in the adoption and enactment of the child‟s rights law by state in the country.

According to Arinze(206):

The activities of some non-governmental organizations like women or child labour eradication.

Women trafficking and child labour eradication foundation (WOTCLEF) and India Renaissance

brought the issue of human trafficking especially child labour to the national discourse-and made

the wife of the former vice president Mrs. Titi Abubaeke to initiate or bill to the national

assembly in person. This action was followed by the establishment of National Agency for the

prohibition trafficking in persons and other related matters. The agency is to enforce the laws

against trafficking in persons investigate or prosecute persons suspected to engage in trafficking

in persons or take change or coordinate the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.

Child trafficking takes place in most parts of the world. In Nigeria the United Nations

International Children‟s Emergency fund (UNICEF) has identified 13 human trafficking endemic

states which include Edo Ondo Ebonyi Imo Rivers Enugu Ogun Kano Cross River Akwa-

Ibom or Delta States. Research has shown that child trafficking has become an intra cross

boarder and trans-national crime. Testimonies of victims of trafficking have shown that various

techniques are used by traffickers to trick children and their parents. Research has also shown

that there is a very powerful and highly organized network that is reaping substantial profits from

exploiting the convenience of international communication weakness of penal system and

vulnerability of parents and children.

African Independent Television also known by its acronym AIT was pioneered by high chief

Dr. Raymond Dokpesi is a Nigerian satellite television station a subsidiary of Da‟ar

communication plc it was founded December 1996. AIT is the second largest commercial

television network in Africa broadcasting the most talked about television and marking a major

contribution to African‟s culture economy and communities. Its programming mix includes the

more on top entertainment soaps drama lifestyles news and sport shows.

3

AIT channel 21 and AIT international share the same vision and a similar mission. AIT has a

unique mission that of sharing the African experience with the wider global community. AIT‟s

main task is to project Africa from a holistic African prospective.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Today in west and central Africa it is acknowledged that agricultural fields gold and

diamond mines stone quarries and domestic work are areas where the working conditions of

children are often exploitative. Furthermore changes in old cultural practices such as fostering

handing over a child to a third party have been corrupted and abused. In recognition of the

challenges child abuse pose to the atonement of human rights security and sustainable

development and achievement of millemium development goals the question this study seeks to

answer is; how has African Independent Television (AIT) Influenced the discouragement of

child abuse and labour with particular focus on child trafficking in Gariki of Abuja metropolis.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The study has the following objectives they are:

1. To find out the kind of programmes relating to child abuse and labour aired on African

independent television.

2. To find out how popular these programmes are with the residents Gariki of Abuja metropolis.

3. To find out the reactions of the Gariki residents of Abuja metropolis to these programmes.

4. To find out how the programmes have helped in discouraging the practice of child abuse and

labour among the residents of Abuja metropolis.

1.4 Research Questions

The study answered the following research questions

1. What kind of programmes relating to child abuse and labour are aired on Africa Independent

television against child and labour?

2. How popular are these programmes to the residents of Abuja metropolis?

3. What are the reactions of the residents Gariki of Abuja metropolis to these programmes?

4

4 In what way have these programmes helped in discouraging the practice of child abuse

and labour among the residents of Abuja metropolis?

1.5 Scope of the study

The purpose of this study is to look at the influence of Africa independent television as a

watchdog against child abuse and labour with particular reference to child human trafficking.

This study is limited to the residents Gariki of Abuja metropolis.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study would serve as a reference material for both the students and researchers who may

have their study in line with the study‟s area of research.

The study will also be a useful guide for mass media organizations like the print and other

broadcast institutions in planning to educate the public on the consequences of child abuse and

labour.

1.7 Operational definitions of terms

Child Abuse: It is an act which constitutes all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment

sexual abuse neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other health survival

development or dignity in the context of a relationship or responsibility trust or power.

Child Labour: It is the employment of children in any work that deprives them or that may

interfere with their education or endanger their health.

Child trafficking: trafficking is a modern form of slavery that involves displacing a child for the

purpose of exploitation. It is also the recruitment transportation transfer harboring and or

receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation

Mass Media: The mass media are communication channels through which news entertainment

education data or promotional messages are disseminated. Example television radio

newspapers and magazines.

5

Child Trafficking: Child trafficking is a modern form of slavery that involves displacing a child

for the purpose of exploitation. It is also the recruitment transportation transfer harboring and

or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation.

6