By Olowofela Oluwaseun

Can we eliminate child labour in Nigeria? Though it is a desirable goal the fact remains that in the given socio-economic scenario that is prevalent in our country Nigeria, it is virtually impossible to do away with child labour. One cannot dispute the fact that employers exploit small small children by paying them much less than what they would pay in adult and the future of the working children is ruined as they will not be able to attend schools and get educated for a better future.
In 2006, the number of child workers was estimated at about 15 millions. Poverty is a major factor that drive child labour in Nigeria. In poor families, child labour is a large part of income of the family.
UNICEF Nigeria is active for children's rights. Child workers include street vendors, shoe shiners, apprentice mechanics, carpenters, vulcanisers, tailors, barbers and domestic servants. Many working children are exposed to dangerous and unhealthy environments.
But when one considers the economic compulsions of the families which force the children to work, one will be compelled to admit that elimination of child labour will be a distant dream as long as the socio - economic status of these families is not improved.
Realizing the harm caused by child labour, the Nigerian Government made laws to protect children from exploitation at work and to improve their working condition. In August, 2003, the Nigerian Government formally adopted three International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions setting a minimum age for the employment of children. The government also has implemented West African Cocoa Agriculture Project (WACAP). There is a similar inciidence of child labour in rural and urban Nigeria.
In 2010, The US Department of Labour report claims Nigeria is witnessing the worst forms of child labor, particularly in agriculture and domestic service. In rural areas, most children work in agriculture of products such as cassava, cocoa and tobacco. These children typically work long hours and for little pay, with their families. The report claims some children are exposed to pesticides and chemical fertilizers in cocoa and tobacco fields because of archaic farming practices or because they are deployed as forced labour without protective gear. Additionally, street children work as porters and scavengers, and a growing number of them engage in begging. The report claims commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially girls, is also occurring in some Nigerian cities, including Port Harcourt and Lagos.
Though elimination of child labour is an impossible task in the current socio-economic scenario, the we should task the Nigeria government to remain committed to the task of ensuring that no child remains illiterate, hungry and without medical care. When this ideal will be achieved is a million dollar question i used to ask myself.
The developed countries are exerting pressure on developing countries like Nigeria to eliminate child labour. According to the current thinking the developed countries may stop imports of those goods that involve child
labour in their production. In some of our cottage industries like making of carpets, children are employed in larger numbers. These carpets, which are being exported, may soon lose their market abroad if the producers of these carpets persist with child labour.
Child labour is, no doubt, an evil that should be done away with at the earliest. The prevalence of child labour reflects very badly on society that is not able to stop this evil. But in a society where many households
may have to suffer the pangs of hunger if the children are withdrawn from work, beggars can’t be choosers. These families have to send their children to work, even if the future of these innocents is ruined, as that is the only choice open for them to survive in this world. Therefore, unless the socio-economic status of the poor families is improved, Nigeria has to live with child labour.

Olowofela Oluwaseun
2015

http://crunchevents..com/2015/08/can-we-eliminate-child-labour-in-nigeria.html?m=1

E No possible,ko se se .U gotta pity theM wen their parent take home pay can barely sustained them for a month.E go beta

eleko1:
E No possible,ko se se .U gotta pity theM wen their parent take home pay can barely sustained them for a month.E go beta

you have said it all