Perception Of Osogbo Residents Of Mass Media Campaign Against Child Trafficking In Nigeria

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In Africa, it is difficult to extricate trafficking in persons from the communal culture of Africanswhich makes a child a communal possession. The family is widely extended and can include all that belong to atribe or even an ethnic group where all claim common descent. It is common place therefore for a child to livewith an uncle of a hard to trace familial connection and enjoy paternal love and care from such. At the same time,such a child might be subjected to severe conditions in form of child labour under the supervision of such anuncle. Whatever the case might be, the parents are supposed to appreciate the ‘benefactor’ and nothing to thecontrary.Anexposuretoadverseconditionearlyinlifeissupposedtostrengthenthechildandpreparehimforthe challenges of the future. The Yoruba would say, ‘Omo a fi’sewonindagba, omo a fi ojuojo bi ko to gege’.Thisculturehasinevitablylent ahand to thechild traffickingphenomenonin Africa.

On the other hand, in the West, the industrial revolution of the 16thC ignited a huge demand for labour-particularlycheaplabour.ThisquestledtotheSlaveTradethatlastedoverthreecenturies-16th-18thC(Wikipedia) when young African young men and women were carted away to Europe and the Americas. Thiscrop of young, virile and healthy males and female Africans were made to work on their masters’ plantationsundercoarseconditionswiththeirwomenandgirlssubjectedtorapeandother crimestohumanity.

Before the slave trade, British Kings, Earls, Lords and Bourgeoisie had retinue of servants working intheir households at the mercy of their masters’ whims and caprices. This culture is not alien to other civilisationsintheworldeveninAfrica.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
I beat every sound minded Nigerians imagination why such act like child trafficking that is akin to slavery should continue after more than 200 years since slavery was stopped all over the world. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been indicted as a transit point irrespective of efforts of the media, government and non-governmental bodies towards finding a lasting solution to the change.

The exploitive and slave like conditions meted out on young persons under the age of seventeen is better described as cruelty to the Nigeria child. This indecent and ungodly act-should not strive. In Nigeria if the provision of the United Nation Conventions in 2000 and the Nigerian 1999 constitution is something to go by given the abuse emotional trauma and neglect the child in Nigeria undergoes, one can therefore agree that an average Nigerian is not much aware of the child right bill.

Several publication have been made by the Nigerian mass media concerning children that are continuously abuse and trafficked to foreign countries and within the nation in deceit for trafficking. Based on this premise, this research will further explain the danger the scourge portends and the need for all hands to be on deck for the mass media campaign on anti-child trafficking to be a success. Also we cannot continue to allow undesirable element to destroy the destinies of our children.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The nefarious act of child trafficking is no longer news in the country. Also to say that Nigeria is a catchment ground and as well as dumping point for child traffickers cannot in anyway raise eyebolt. No one can ever deny the fact that child abuse is on the increase in Nigeria. Based on these issues, government bodies and good spirited individuals are expected to take the bull by the horn to motivate, encourage and participate directly on the Nigerian mass media role in the anti-child trafficking campaigns. However, the main aim of this study is to determine the perception of Osogbo residents of mass media campaign against child trafficking in Nigeria using  Fresh FM, Osogbo, Osun State is the case study.

Objectives of a study call for ways to address these under listed steps with a view to find lasting solution to this menace. Objectives of this are:

a) To look inwardly as to discover the things that has impeded the Nigerian mass media anti-child trafficking campaign.
b) To appreciate and explain the Nigerian mass media role in their anti-child trafficking campaign as well as,
c) Identifying and addressing the root cause of the scourge.
d) The study should also ascertain the government and non-governmental bodies’ effort in this campaign.
e) And to suggest some other measures that would be of help to the media in their quest to eradicate the scourge.
f) To investigate the level of ignorance exhibited by some media claimants.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCES OF STUDY
The study tends to provide information on child trafficking in the country. Also the need to address the Nigerian mass media encumbrances in their bid to fight the menace.

The research will be of immense help to guardians, parents, and children the nation and the entire world. The causes and measures to tackle these mysterious vices will be treated.

The study will help people understand how ungodly the menace is and the bad image it has created to Nigerians especially at times like this when the country is leading a crusade on re-branding the image of the nation.

The work among other things will go a long way in protecting the destinies of our children and the research shall serve as a referential material to other researcher who would like to embark on similar research work in due course.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1) What are the mass media roles in the anti-child trafficking campaign in Nigeria?
2) Arethe Nigeria mass media effectively carry out their anti-child trafficking campaign?
3) Have the Nigerian mass media live up to expectation so far?
4) What are the factors adversely impeding their effort in their anti-child traffickingcampaign.

1.6 DELIMITATIONS / LIMITATION
The study will be restricted to the role of Fresh FM, Osogbo, Osun State mass media in the anti-child trafficking campaign in Nigeria. The study is limited to Osun State alone due to financial and time constraints. At any rate, the problem encountered in the cause of this research is getting of reports and materials on the Nigeria trafficking campaign and how to source out other relevant data.

Be that as it may, the research was able to obtain material from the press, books, and internet and media outlets.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT
PERCEPTION:  Perception is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment.

MASS MEDIA: Sources of information and news such as newspaper, magazine, radio, television, internet, films that reach and influence the attitude and opinions of large people.

ANTI: Something a person does not agree with or accept

CHILD TRAFFICKING: The illegal sending away of children to foreign countries and within the country. Child abuse: It is a crime that harms a child in a physical, sexual or emotional way.

CAMPAIGN: A series of activities that is well articulated planned and organized to achieve or accomplish a particular goal.