The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the government of the Netherlands, Organized Labour, and the Private Sector, has staged a road walk in Niger State to commemorate the 2024 World Day Against Child Labour.

The road walk, which kicked off at Obasanjo Complex in Minna, the state capital, terminated at Labour House, IBB Road over the weekend.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the Controller of the Ministry in Niger State, Hauwa Zakariya, noted that the day was set aside to sensitise the public on the dangers associated with child labour. She also stressed the need to intensify efforts to eradicate the menace.

Hon. Onyejeocha stressed the importance of stakeholders joining hands in the fight against child labour, which has been plaguing society, particularly in rural communities.

“Our expectation is to see that all children are given the right to education, the right to live, and the right to recreation,” she added.

The Minister revealed that some communities in Niger State have been identified as depriving children of the opportunity to attend school.

She added that gatekeepers have been engaged to sensitise parents and locals on the importance of education, promising that her Ministry will leave no stone unturned in enrolling children in school.

She pointed out that older children will be given skills training.

Hon. Nkiruka explained that Niger State is a pathfinder state with regard to child labour in the country.

She lauded the state government and stakeholders involved in accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in the state.

In their separate remarks, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development, Halima Ibrahim, and the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Niger State, Comrade Ibrahim Gana, stated that child labour is a cankerworm that must be fought to its logical end.

“We see children hawking in the streets, children in the mining pits, and children begging in the streets. All of these are forms of child abuse, and we must fight them with all seriousness.”

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