Jide Orintunsin
4 August 2005
Minna — Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Maryam Ciroma has said eight million Nigerian children were subjected to child labour and trafficking and lamented that only six states had passed the Child Rights Act.
Ciroma made the disclosure in Minna while addressing Niger State Governor, Abdul-kadir Kure, members of the State Executive Council and State House of Assembly.
The minister regretted that the girl child was worse off, as they were engaged more in child labour and trafficking than boys.
The minister frowned at the lukewarm attitude of state governments to restoration of the rights of children, despite efforts made by Federal Government to protect the future leaders, through passage of the Act.
She regretted that only six of the 36 states had passed the child rights bill, thereby putting the future of the Nigerian children into further agony.
Ciroma who was in Minna on an advocacy visit for passage of the bill warned that if decisive decision, in form of legislation was not in place to check the rising profile of child labour trafficking, the future of the country would be in jeopardy.
The minister explained that the future of children could only be secured by proper upbringing and functional education, arguing that "development of the country can only be assured when today's children are properly catered for."
She told top government functionaries in the state that the practice of engaging children in labour was no longer acceptable to her ministry.
"Let me use this medium to warn parents who engagd their children in street hawking to stop forthwith. Those who also engage their children in menial jobs, instead of sending them to school should also stop," she warned.
Ciroma urged the government and Assembly to adopt the Rights Act. And implored them to be sensitive in political appointments.
Responding, Governor, Abdulkadir Kure promised quick passage of the bill, just as he assured the minister that women would be given equal opportunity in political appointments. The governor also promised to ensure an improved funding of the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
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