the abuse of a child for financial gain or any other purpose is unethical and, in many jurisdictions, illegal. It’s the responsibility of authorities such as commissioners to ensure the welfare and protection of children in their jurisdiction.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, has pledged to prosecute individuals involved in child labor. This commitment came after a 7-year-old boy was found hawking in Ochanja market in Onitsha during school hours by a concerned citizen who reported the incident to her office in Awka.
The ministry shared this development on its official Facebook page on Tuesday. Expressing her dismay at the increasing cases of child labor, Obinabo emphasized that the state government will pursue legal action against offenders without relenting.
Highlighting the detrimental impact of child labor on the psychological well-being of children, Obinabo urged parents to ensure their children’s enrollment in school, especially since the Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration offers free education to every child in Anambra.
The 7-year-old boy, a Primary 2 pupil residing with his grandmother in Onitsha while his mother is in Lagos with his elder brother, recounted how his grandmother instructed him to hawk sachet water to support their livelihood.
He disclosed that his grandmother provides him with N250 daily to purchase water, and he walks from 33 to Ochanja market each day to sell. Despite making around N2000 daily from his sales, the money is primarily used to buy rice and spaghetti for their meals.
The boy’s entrepreneurial activities led to his encounter with kind-hearted individuals who brought him to the attention of the Commissioner.
