By: Ishowo Malik Ayomide.
The other day, I evidently saw some small children begging at a traffic light signal around Post office/ Unity area in llorin in Kwara state. What actually came to my mind was that; when will this dismaying and indignant situation totally stop in Africa? But unfortunately, I couldn’t envisage on when it’s going to stop, due to the Nigeria’s current situation that is evidently crumbling on a daily basis.
However, one of the greatest curses that still plagues our world is child labour, where children below the age of 14 years are forced to work or even hawk in some cases.
This social evil is rampant not only in Nigeria, but in India, where a great number of children can be seen working at roadside stalls, glass factories, firecracker factories, etc. When one look towards the causes behind this practice, one finds that child labour is prevalent due to poverty, illiteracy, parents not getting a good job to feed the children and also the lack of urge to do better, etc.
These poor children work as bonded labourers on a paltry wages. They rarely have sufficient food or clothing. Not only that, they are also ill-treated and unkempt. There is no one who listens to them or cares for their needs.
To me, I think what people don’t realize is that this has become a bad circle. These children when they apparently grow up still remain backward, poor and illiterate. Their children go through the same obnoxious existence and circle.
The Government, especially the Nigerian government needs to take speedy and active measures and provide opportunities to these children so that they may improve themselves. Schemes should be implemented to provide them with a better future and this in turn will contribute towards the development of the nation, and that might aftermath make Nigeria to be one of the great countries in the world.
In addition, Child labour is one of the social issues which requires the immediate attention of the authorities. According to the Sam woode dictionary, it also refers to the working of children and teens to earn a livelihood and support their family.
As per a report, the world’s most destitute and impoverished countries comprise about 25% of children as child Labourers. The leading cause of child Labour in Nigeria is the high poverty rate, where children work to earn bread for a day.
The leading causes of Child Labour in Nigeria majorly are poverty as said, social inequality, lack of education, and poverty.
According to the UNICEF’s report, children from the impoverished and rural parts of the world have no available alternatives such as teachers and schools.
Many rural communities lack adequate school facilities and the availability of schools. The low paying economy blooms with low cost, easy to hire, and Child Labour.
Besides the unorganized Agricultural sector, child Labour exists in unorganized retail works, and unorganized trade sectors.
Other factors of child Labour also include the informal economy’s size, the inability of most Nigeria companies aside the Dangote company to scale up, lack of modern technologies, and the structure and inflexibility of the Nigeria market.
Moreover, Children basically are employed due to social obligation, or loans and debts made by the familiesb basically the (Parents). Usually, children are forced to employ their families in works like brick laying , stone and quarries, and various agricultural sectors as the case may be.
The consequences of Child labour is staggering. Child labour can result in extreme bodily and mental harm, and even death. It can lead to slavery and sexual or economic exploitation. And in nearly every case, it cuts children off from schooling and health care, limiting their fundamental rights and threatening their futures.
Whatever the cause, child labour compounds social inequality and discrimination, and attack girls and boys of their childhood. Unlike activities that assist children develop, such as contributing to light housework or taking on a job after the School holidays e. t. c.
ISHOWO, Malik Ayomide.
Is**********@gm***.com
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