In a shocking revelation, stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the prevalence of child labour in Nigeria, with reports indicating that an alarming 50 percent of Nigerian children are victims of this exploitative practice.
These stakeholders, who gathered at a public lecture organized for women leaders in Awka, emphasized the urgent need to address this unacceptable situation.
During the lecture, which saw the participation of notable figures such as former governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, and Ministry of Information’s Mr. Paul Nwosu, child labour was characterized as a form of exploitation that robs children of their freedom and impedes their access to education.
Despite the worldwide prohibition against child exploitation, many Nigerian children are still trapped in circumstances that are detrimental to their age and development. Poverty, polygamy, lack of family planning, broken homes, adherence to tradition, and misguided mentalities were identified as some of the root causes of this pervasive issue.
Despite various government interventions and existing laws, children continue to suffer from abuse and forced labor.
The stakeholders expressed their astonishment at the persistence of conditions conducive to forced labor in certain parts of Nigeria.
They emphasized the urgency of addressing this dire situation, as Nigeria’s debt to its children, particularly those betrayed by the failures of a nation once filled with promise, continues to accumulate.
“Why should Nigeria’s youngest, who hold the key to a brighter future, endure grueling labor instead of being in school and equipped with the necessary tools to shape a peaceful and prosperous nation?” questioned the concerned stakeholders.
In light of these distressing revelations, Dame Virgy Etiaba urged the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to prioritize the welfare of children within his government’s agenda.
