UN, China, Nigeria Express Worry Over Child Labour

The United Nations, China and Nigeria have expressed worries over the massive number of children subjected to child labour.

They all called on the media to sustain campaigns aimed at Nigerians in every nooks and crannies of the country, sensitizing them on the menace of the practice.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lamented that over 150 million children are still subjected to child labour accounting for one in 10 children around the world.

Speaking during an event to commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave
Trade and its Abolition in Abuja on Monday, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, tasked youth leaders and students to take the message of the campaign against modern-day slavery to schools, homes, and neighbourhoods to sensitize Nigerians on it’s menace.

Also, China said it was ready to work with Nigeria to halt modern-day slavery.

Speaking on the theme ‘Modern Day Slavery, A National Question: Protecting the Future Generation’, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda, said though the abolition of slavery happened a long time ago it still has its practical significance in our modern-day society.

He, however, said his country is ready to work with Nigeria to protect the future generation.

He said, “China is ready to work with Nigeria to fight against Modern Day Slavery and create a better future for our next generation.”

He, therefore, urged all hands to be on deck to stop the menace of modern-day slavery.

He explained that “As we are aware, in contemporary times, new forms of slavery have emerged, especially the modern-day subtle, concealed and undefended forms of slavery.”

On the occasion, Xuda stated that it is very mandatory to commemorate International Day on August 23 every year especially for the sake of numerous brave people who gave their precious lives to the great fight against slavery.

“We should always remember and honour those slaves who suffered, fought, and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system as well as its abolition, always keep in mind the significance of commemorating the International Day.”

Meanwhile, the secretary-general NAT-COM UNESCO, Idowu Olagunju stated that modern-day slavery is not history as it still manifests today in form of “child labour, forced marriages, death bondage amongst others”.

Quoting the International Labour Organization, he said “more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern-day slavery which includes minorities, migrants and indigenous people in the country.”

He, therefore, urged that data should be made available to curb this menace while victims should be taken care of and empowered.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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