Buhari Tasks Religious Leaders To Contribute In Fighting Child Trafficking, Cybercrime

President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked religious and traditional leaders to use their influence to combat the insurgency, child trafficking and cybercrime in the nation.

The President made the appeal on Monday during the Regional Conference for African Traditional and Religious Leaders on Keeping Girls in School in Africa.

He reminded religious and traditional leaders of their role to advise and assist the government in tackling the challenges. He also described traditional leaders as original guardians of history, security, traditions, customs and culture.

“By the age of 14, our girls should be literate with computer skills and preliminary training to face life in the 21^st century.

“May I appeal to your majesties to use your influence to bear and help the government in combatting the modern-day challenges we face, such as insurgency, human and drug trafficking, cybercrimes and disruptive social media,” he said

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the event, highlighted the dangers of neglecting women education. According to him, the Keeping Girls in School Conference is designed to address the human capital deficit.

“We have been told by experts consistently that development of Africa in every society starts with human capital development. The conference is conceived and designed to address this human capital development deficit,” the Sultan said.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, in his address said funds are needed from the public and private sector to fund girl child education.

“We have been spending a lot of time blaming the victims. So while we talk about cultural practices, attitudes, we also talk about the need for these schools to be available for funding by the public and private sector.”

The Regional Conference for African Traditional and Religious Leaders on Keeping Girls in School in Africa is a three-day conference aimed at triggering a kind of renaissance in Africa, by launching the drive for girls child education in Africa.

It is also aimed at ensuring that African girls and future mothers are educated so that they produce and bring up healthy and educated children who will lead Africa to greatness in the 21^st century.