The United Nations (UN) has urged all stakeholders to double their efforts and strengthen their unity to end child labour in Nigeria and the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) sub-region, as the world marked 25th anniversary of the adoption of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
Penpushing reports that the Director of International Labour Organisation(ILO) Abuja Country Office for Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liaison office for the Economic Community of West Africa States(ECOWAS), Ms Vanessa Phala made the call at the commemorative event held on June 12, 2024 in Akure Ondo State.
“I call on everyone here today to strengthen our unity in our fight against child labour and forced labour. We must strive to ensure that every child in the world can flourish in a safe and nurturing environment. Let us work together to make a change in the world’, she said.
Penpushing further reports that Phala, represented by the Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) Project Manager, Agatha Kolawole, urged all stakeholders to fulfill their commitments to Convention number. 182.
The Director explained that the World Day Against Child Labour, was meant for the effective implementation of those International Labour Organisation(ILO) Conventions, reinvigorated action to end child labour, and universal ratification and implementation of both conventions.
Penpushing also reports that she noted the urgency to fully implement these fundamental International Labour Organisation(ILO) Conventions is more pressing than ever, as the world and indeed Nigeria, approach the 2025 target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 8.7) for the elimination of child labour.
“Balancing education and work poses complex challenges, emphasizing the importance of concerted efforts to eradicate child labor and ensure access to quality education for all’, the director of the body emphasized.
Penpushing reports that the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Ondo State, Mrs Olanike Mogboruko, in her contributions urged all stakeholders to remember that every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation and filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Controller acknowledged that child labour remains a pervasive problem that affects over 160 million children worldwide, pointing out that these children are often deprived of their basic rights to education, health, and a safe and nurturing environment, hence, need to strengthen efforts and collaborate across all sectors to create sustainable solutions.
Penpushing further reports that representative of the children, Akinwoye Olawale, a student at Sharon Rose College, Okitipupa local government area, called for the enforcement and strengthening of laws and policies that prohibit child labour.
The student made reference to Section 2 of the Child’s Rights Act 2023 which states, that a child shall be given such protection and care as is necessary for the wellbeing of the child taking into account the rights and duties of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or other individuals, institutions, services, agencies, organisations or bodies legally responsible for the child.
Penpushing also reports that funded by the United States Department of Labour through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) and Global Accelerator lab (GALAB) projects in Nigeria, the commemoration was attended by over 350 students from 40 schools in Ondo State.
Meanwhile, the commemoration of the 2024 World Against Child Labour in Nigeria started on June 11, 2024 with Akure neighbourhood sensitisation walk by International Labour Organisation(ILO) and partners.
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