ABEOKUTA– The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has estimated about 15 million children under the age of 14 working to earn a living in Nigeria.
According to a release by the international body, many of such children works in the worst forms of child labour including quarrying of granite and gravel, domestic servitude and hawking.
The Chairman, Ogun State Steering committee on Child Labour (SSCCL), Mr Eshomounu Itemoagbo made this known while addressing newsmen at the year 2022 World Day Against Child Labour held at the NUJ secretariat, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.
He however called on the Ogun state government to improve and enforce social protection policies that will address child forced labour in the state.
“In Ogun State, children are still found working in quarries, restaurants and as domestic servanthood. Being a border state, there are children from neighboring West African countries found in various child labour situations within the state.
“The heightened risk of child labour underscore the urgent need for targeted and coordinated action at National, State and local levels to create awareness of the existing legal framework and ensure their effective implementation through the enforcement of the laws”, he added
Mr Asokoghene emphasized that concerted efforts must also be put in place by all tiers of governments and private sector at ensuring that issues related to child labour are well addressed.
The Committee Chairman who commended the efforts of the Federal and State governments for embarking on social protection programmes like N-Power and Home Grown School Feeding Programs among others, appealed to Governments to prioritized child protection and reduced school dropouts.
In their separate remarks, the Representatives of Child Protection Network, Mrs Ikepo Adebayo, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Fashina Adebayo and Ministry of Information, Mrs Kowo explained that the rights of children have been trampled by those that are supposed to protect them. They therefore appealed to stakeholders and Individual to rise up to the challenges and defend child right.
In a welcome address, Secretary, NUJ Caretaker committee, Ogun State Council, Mr Olawale Oluokun assured that the union and all members would continue to play their part at ensuring that right of Children are adequately protected.
