allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Female Prostitution - The Case of Youths in Nasarawa (Page 1 of 2)

Prostitution is about the oldest profession known to mankind. It has become a sad tale in the history of the world as several solutions have been proffered on how to stop teenagers from going into the profession. Despite these solutions, the trend is still flourishing most especially in higher institutions across the country. George Okoh writes

The trend is ever becoming more dangerous in Nigeria today as prostitution is no longer a thing of the street and brothels but is fast turning higher institutions in the country into red light districts. Today, the Nasarawa state University is fast gaining a reputation as an abode for girls of easy going virtues despite the high prevalence of HIV/Aids in the country and particularly in Nasarawa State.

Although it most be said that this trend is not peculiar to Nasarawa State University alone as it has crept in to virtually almost all higher institutions in the country today, but what is pertinent to ask is what the school authority is doing about the menace?

It is of common knowledge today to see students of the Nasarawa State University most especially girls of between 18 to 25 years old due to the proximity of the school in Keffi to the federal capital territory Abuja trooping to Abuja for a weekend night out.

According to a student of the school, Peter Mowen the way and manner most female students of the school have embraced prostitution under the guise of socialising is sad and ungodly. He said, "majority of this girls usually leave the campus on Friday under the pretense of going home for

the weekend only to end up on the street of Abuja , bars and night clubs. In most cases they return back to school after the weekend with large junk of monies. To some of these girls, it's just having fun on the weekend but for the fact that in most times they sleep around and collect money from men, they hardly know it is prostitution".

On a check-out to some of these clubs and bars by THISDAY revealed an ugly situation were majority of these girls who easily flung their bodies over men are claimed to be students of Nasarawa State University.

In a chat with one of the girls who simply gave her name as Jane, she said her school and Keffi is usually very doll during the weekend so she heads to Abuja to catch some fun. Asked if her parent or if she had any relative staying in Abuja? She said none but usually when she comes to the club, there are men (she referred to as aristos) who will pick her up for the night and treat her very well.

One other style of this trend of prostitution in the school campus is to see men with easy access to these girls patronising the school to pick some of the girls. A visit to the school revealed a situation where men with flashy cars besiege the school on daily bases enticing these girls with juicy monitory offers to hang-out with them.

These men easily lure these willing girls into popular spots around Keffi such as the Keffi Hotel, Flash Hotel, Atlantic Hotel and Gwarza Hotel were the perform their act for handsome reward.

The trend is even getting worste now as professional prostitutes are obtaining certificate at all means so as to gain admission into the university because according to them, its more lucrative now being a student in the campus. "Men no longer patronize brothels and streets as they prefer students whom the find more trusting".

The situation in the Nasarawa State University gives a cause for concern bearing the fact that Nasarawa State is rated among the state with the highest preference of HIV cases in the country. Most of these girls are exposing themselves to the deadly virus, unwanted pregnancy and the evil act of ritualism. It is also pertinent to note that this ugly vice is existing in the school due to the neglect of the government, the authority of the school and parents who have not impacted enough knowledge on the effect of the action of their wards.

Most students in the school complain of lack of conducive atmosphere for their programmes. One of such is the issue of student accommodation. The accommodation provided by the school authority can only accommodate less than ten per cent of the student population of about five thousand. Majority of the students stay off campus in areas that lack all the basic necessities for living.

The most degrading area were majority of the students stay include Angwan Lambu. According to a student, the situation of this area is so bad. There is hardly electricity in the area, as the transformer in the area broke-down a long time ago and both the government and the school authority have not dim it necessary to do something about it. They complained of lack of water, poor sanitary conditions that easily swayed this girls into temptation by men, simply because the crave for good things.

In as much as this ugly trend of prostitution is on the increase in the University, the school authority has not done much to put a stop to it.

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