Rakiya A.Muhammad
The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) has called for child-specific social protection interventions for millions of vulnerable children in Nigeria.
“As a network, we are aware of the agony, trauma and the enduring repressing child protection system that have left over 17.5 million Nigerian children in the most difficult circumstances, including many orphaned by HIV/AIDS, Hunger, Malaria, Malnutrition and other preventable diseases,” NACTAL stated
The National President, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, made the call in a statement to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour 2022 with the theme ‘Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.’
“It is quite disheartening that despite the passage of the child rights act since 2003 by the Government of Nigeria, over 10.5 million Nigerian Children still lack access to free, quality and compulsory basic education,” he stated.
“Thousands are bought and sold into slavery, including child labour, child trafficking, domestic servitude and prostitution. Many have also lost their lives, while some others have suffered permanent impairment with negative impact on their growth and development.”
The NACTAL helmsman noted Nigeria contributes significantly to.the number of children in child labour, with over 152 million trapped in the social vice globally.
He expressed sadness that the Nigerian Child endures such pain and hardship in a country blessed with abundant natural resources.
“While the government has a pocket of social investment programs that address poverty and unemployment among poor Nigerians, NACTAL demands child-specific social protection intervention,” he.stressed.
“There is no better time than now for the Nigerian Government to consolidate its various policies that are intended to improve the quality of life of the Nigerian Children than now by hearkening to the global call for action to entrench holistic social protection systems.”
Abubakar, however, assured that as the largest network of civil society organisations in the fight against child labour in Nigeria, the network would continue to work with and for Nigerian Children to lead a quality life and live free from slavery and abuse of any forms.
He reiterated their commitment to intensify advocacy and campaign to end child labour by 2025 in line with the global agenda of sustainable development goals.
According to him, NACTAL members across the country would continue to interface with local communities, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, opinion leaders and community-based organisations to address harmful traditional and cultural practices that promote practices that expose millions of children to exploitation and abuse.
“We shall consistently demand a protective environment where children are nurtured for greatness and protected from violence,” he asserted.
