Nigeria has adopted the Child’s Rights Act and I wonder when the Act will be implemented in States of Nigeria.

Child Labour is a serious menace going on in our society and it’s like the government care less about this indiscriminate action being perpetrated by most parents/children, but do I blame them……..when POVERTY is on the increase.

Some children that are engaged in child labour are either into it on the instruction of their parents/guardian (for those who have one) or on their own inclination (at least man must "wak")…. But on a serious note, is Child Labour right?

A talk ensued between my Dad and a child hawking smoked fish….. here is their conversation:

Daddy: How old are you and do you attend school?

Child: I am 14years old and I attend ………. secondary school

Daddy: You are in what class?

Child: I am going to JSS3 (promoting to JSS3)

Daddy: Are you aware of the dangers in your business of fish hawking and do you know hawking is not right?

Child: No dangers are there and in fact if I don’t hawk where do I get the money to feed and go to school.

Daddy: What I’m telling you is that it is not good for you and your parents can still feed you if don’t do this hawking… by the time Policemen start to arrest you on the streets, then you will know what I’m saying….

Child: Baba, awon Oloopa O le nu nbe (meaning Daddy, Policemen can’t do nothing), even Policemen wives do engage their child in hawking too……

The conversation went on and on, we bought fish from her and my Dad gave her a complimentary copy of his authored book titled "Rights and Responsibilities of the Nigerian Child: Under the Child’s Rights Act 2003" to read and share among her friends, give to her parents and her teachers in school…..and the girl eventually said thank you and left.

Can you see the mindset of these children….they actually see nothing wrong in this act and its like they are even enjoying it…..

I pray the Government come to the aid of our children sooner than later……… am sure the Implementation of this Act in most states will go a long way in curbing this act of child labour and other rights children are been deprived of.

PS: A copy of a book authored by my Dad and titled "Rights and Responsibilities of the Nigerian Child: Under the Child’s Rights Act 2003" is available for all those interested individuals/agencies involved/interested in  the course Nigerian Child.