Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State has called on the federal government to enact a law that would provide stiffer penalty on anybody found involved in promoting girl-child and women trafficking, adding that "it is criminal for anybody to subject lives of innocent children to such abuse."

The governor said the entire act of human trafficking is embarrassing to the image of the country, saying all efforts should be employed to curb the menace.

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau who made the observations during a visit by the minister of Women Affairs also reiterated his administration’s resolve to accord priority to women and children issues in development programmes.

He also expressed optimism that government would unfold a comprehensive package for women development in this year’s budget proposal.

The minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Rita Akpan had earlier called for stronger collaboration between state and federal governments and International Agencies to fight against girl-child and women trafficking.

Mrs. Rita Akpan made the plea during a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Shekarau at Government House, Kano, adding that she was in the state to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day.

She disclosed that federal government would establish rehabilitation centres to train girl-child and women deportees who opted not to return to their homes on vocational skills acquisition to earn their living. She therefore, requested for a piece of land for the immediate take off of the centre.

The minister commended Governor Shekarau for executing laudable women and children programmes and asked for more women representation in the government to further address women problems.

Mrs. Rita Akpan also called on the governor to involve members of the state executive council to embark on advocacy campaign to fish out people living with HIV/AIDS to give them the necessary support in order to control further escalation of the scourge.