Leadership (Abuja)
20 November 2008
editorial
Many tender children are engaged in private and commercial labour, doing works beyond their age when they should be at school. CHRISTIANA ESEBONU looks at the case of child labour and its implications for personal and national development.
Yes! pure water, winnas, gala meat, La Casera, Viju milk, orange, plantain chips, groundnut and so on", is what you hear from these young and bright looking children who are often found at strategic busstops in the Federal Capital Territory , running in -between moving vehicles and thrusting the products at your face for patronage.
The young bus conductors are not left out. They hang on the doors of moving buses, calling passengers in a song-like manner, leaving passengers confused of destinations mentioned such as Nyanya-Maraba, Masaka -Ado, Jabi-Airport junction, Life Camp-Karmo-Gwagwa, Madalla-Zuba-Dede, Bwari- Dutse, Suleja-Kubwa, etc etc.
Painfully too are those who are sent out as beggers to bring back money to their so-called masters. The way and manner in which they advertise their various businesses can best be likened to the fast-forwarding of a movie and is, indeed, a thing of concern. This is because if the smartness and skills applied in quickly handing out the products, collect money and refund change, if need be, is utilised in schools, Nigeria will in the nearest future achieve massive development with the help of these wonderful assets who are today being abused by their parents and guardians.
Child labour which can best be described as today's most pervasive child right challenge. It occurs when parents and guardians make a child work when that child should be at school. Examples of child labour include: sending children to hawk to make money for the family when they should be at school or doing their homework; sending children to live and assist relatives or friends as househelps instead of being in school; withdrawing them from school to work as apprentices when they are still tender too.
Surprisingly, most parents /guardians easily forget the effects of child labour which puts a child at greater risk of accidents, injuries, and sometimes premature death, poor performance in class and, in most cases, stealing, armed robbery, rape and drug abuse depending on the environment the child is exposed to, and finally ending up with a poor future.
It is worthy to note that a child's right to survival is fundamental and it is the building block towards the realisation of a child's potential and on it hinges other basic right of the child. Yet, too many children do not enjoy this right to survival, and too many still die from road tragedies that could have been prevented if they were at home or at school.
It would be recalled that Nigeria is a signatory to the convention adopted by the United Nations some years back to protect the child against all forms of abuse and uphold his right to decent existence. That international convention was adopted, domesticated and passed into law as Child's Right Act by the National Assembly during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.
The Child's Right Act, in Part 1 and Section 1 , stated clearly the objectives of the Act which is to ensure that the best interest of the child is of paramount consideration in all actions taken by the society.
Section 2 of the Act further gave the care and protection of the child with a view to ensuring its wellbeing. It spelt out categorically that: "A child shall be given such protection and care as it is necessary for the wellbeing of the child, taking into account the right and duties of the child's parent/guardian or individuals, institutions, agencies, organisations, or bodies legally responsible for the child".
Apart from the wholesome adoption of the fundamental human right enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution as part of the inherent rights of the child, the Child's Right Act boldly spelt out other right s of the child which are alienable as follow", the rights to dignity of the child , the right to parental care, protection and maintenance, the right to free, compulsory and universal primary education and many others. The act also spelt out measures that would be taken against actions that are in violation of the act.
Unarguably, every child is born with a talent which he/she did nothing to acquire. Discovering this unique gifts , therefore, would be a major milestone in the quest for true freedom. These talents which are given by God as raw materials to accomplish mandated purposes is like a seed which one has to nurture to make it spring forth from the soil and blossom. If it is starved, it simply whithers away and die.
These talents of must be developed , if a child must have a happy fulfilling life. This is because Education serves as a passion that fuels one's drive attain competence in any field.
With this in mind, going to school is, therefore, an important event in the life of every child. This is so because when a child goes to school and get educated, there are usually so many benefits for them, their families, and their communities which, in turn, move a given nation forward.
Without a doubt, education provides an opportunity for children's mind to be developed. It also gives children better quality of life, provides the necessary starting point for further studies and gives them the knowledge and skills to lead healthier lives. It also increases their chances of getting good jobs later in life. A good job here means earning more money and providing a better life for their families.
From all indications, it appears that most parents today have forgotten that education will make them proud of their children when they grow to be successful in life. Some heartless ones even go as far as depending on nieces and nephews whose parents trained well for survival rejoicing with them at any recorded achievement while they abandoned their parental responsibilities.
Going by the popular saying that 'it is little by little that a bird builds it nest', parents and guardians should try their best to enroll their wards in school. This is because keeping a child in school, especially the girl-child, will help prevent early marriage, teenage pregnancy and so on.
Considering the fact that primary education today is free and a right of every Nigerian child, it is pertinent to note that all children need the support of their parents, guardians and communities to excel in this realm.
Unsurprisingly, the negative impact of child labour is more felt by the negative impact of child labour is on young girls involved in the trade. This is because they are usually the worst hit as fear is always their constant companion, rape the stranger they have to confront at almost every dark corner, quiet roads, uncompleted buildings and at any hour.
LEADERSHIP
gathered from investigations that very few lucky children receive all the needed protection from parents without collaborating to raise money for the family's survival. Our reporter discovered that many children aged 6-15 do not go to school, but are often seen in the streets of Abuja idle or engaged in work of either fetching water or cracking stones at construction sites or running around for the few rich. "May we not forget that the child we fail to train today may sell the house we laboured to build tomorrow".
Permit me to say that although many of these challenges are difficult to handle, it is possible for individuals, families and the general society to find solutions to these problems so that we can all live a healthy life in a crime-free environment. The Federal Capital Territory situation is an ironic one because it is urban in every sense of the word. The sight of children loitering the streets hawking wares is a pointer to the fact that many parents have failed in their parental responsibility.
Little Esther Idoko who was interviewed by our reporter at Life Camp junction while thrusting pure water at peoples faces instead of being at school had this to say: "My father is one of those men who think that only male children should go to school, and so refused to enroll me in school, saying that any man who marries me in future would do so, if he sees the need to"
Esther who expressed bitterness while making this revelation added, "I know I am really making contributions to my family and national development should my brothers become great tomorrow as my dad often tells me".
It is important for parents and guardians to know that the more time a girl child spends in school, the more likely she is to grow up to be a healthy mother who will contribute positively to her home and society. It needs also to be emphasised that an educated mother will have the knowledge and self-confidence to protect herself and her family.
Worthy also to note is that education increases a girl's ability to achieve economic independence in the society just like the Director General National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof Dora Akunyili, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, popularly known in Cross River state as 'Mama Bakassi', among other great female icons who have contributed to development of this great nation.
It is, however, shocking to state here that there are still areas where children go naked in Nigeria, and about 60% of areas where such scenes are common are areas where prominent Nigerian icons and those we call heroes hail from.
The question then is when would Nigerians demonstrate the brotherly love of bearing one another's burden as the Holy Bible and Qur'an urges. It is common yesterday that the rich in our society award scholarships to the rich, leaving the helpless to rot is this fellow felling? If no, then it is time for Nigerians to rise like the prodigal son and save souls by giving water to quench future thirst, clothes to the naked, and shelter to those who desperately need it.
Grace Abutu who was interviewed at the popular Nyanya bus stop pointed to her mother who trades on fruit items at the road side and Mrs. Abutu had this to say "My dear, my child actually passed common entrance but her dad said there's no money for her to proceed to secondary school". When asked why she did not take up Grace's responsibility from the little she got from her sales, Mrs. Abutu responded thus: "Earnestly, I know the value of education, but it is not in my power to decide whether my child goes to school or not".
Ekpenyong Uko from Akwa Ibom who hawks La Casera at Power House by Asokoro junction, wept bitterly before narrating his pathetic tale to our reporter. He said his dad at school advised him to struggle for survival stressing time without number that he had fulfilled his task by bringing him into the world. According to Ekpenyong, "Each time I try to let him see reasons on why I should be sent to school, my dad always screamed at me, sounding it loud and clear to me that his parents did not train him, warning further that if am not comfortable with his decision, I should go to blazes."
Ekpeyong stated that on realising the firmness of his dad's stance, he decided to join the risky trade, but he believes strongly that his life his destiny is in God's hands.
Maidawa Idris and Aliyu Abubakar, both 10, beg for alms along Dutse Alhaji junction. When asked why they were not at school they gave this shocking revelation which was interpreted to our reporter to mean: "Na our mallam send all of us". Asked what happens to the money raised when they retire home at the end of the day, they released another shocker: "we dey go give am all the money, then him go buy food for us. We no dey hide the money because if we try am, him go know", they added.
According to them, their master has promised to settle them when due, and he will to help raise boys who will in turn serve them. He drummeded it into their ears to serve him faithfully stressing always that he was once a servant too.
Be it as it may, from all indications, there is clear evidence that some day, our great country will be turned into begger's haven, if this ugly trend is not arrested by the necessary authorities because these children instead of learning a profession are learning to be a beggars.
Augustine Egah who hawks Gala at Berger bus stop disclosed that he was brought to Abuja by an uncle who intended to transfer him to any of the good schools in FCT on losing his dad he said his uncle's intension was later reversed when he spent more than N3,500 just to get transfer certificate from FCT Education Resource Centre in order to register him in his school of choice to write an aptitude test.
As if this was not enough, on passing the exams, he was asked to bring iron bucket, cutlass, brooms and many other charges worth over N10,000 which, according to Egah, discouraged his uncle, leaving him to labour for the required money for the next term.
LEADERSHIP
also spoke with some other actors who play major roles in the lives of these children.
The founder, Gloria Foundation for Health Education (GFHE), a non governmental organisation located at Karu in Abuja, Mrs. Nonye Igwegbe, whose foundation is focused on human development and committed to helping the poor and helpless children in the society. She emphasised the need for wealthy Nigerians to respond to what she called "social challenge."
Igwegbe explained that if these children were allowed to be abused continuously by their parents and guardians, who in most cases travel home to collect them with promises to their parent to train them, only to use them as instruments of enriching themselves, in the long run Nigeria would be a society made up of elements who would for sure terrorise our own children trained abroad. She said: "It hurts me so deeply each time I see the few enrolled in school walk bare-footed, with torn uniforms and, in most cases, without books, and also that Nigerians are not sensitive to societal problems. How on earth can we forget that an educated society is a wealthy society, she asked"?
She called individuals, civil society groups to, on their own, lend supporting hands to these helpless and jobless parents, who in most cases cannot afford a day's meal, if Nigeria must be transformed in line with Vision 2020.
Mr. Danlami Yusuf, a zonal officer at Area 3 Task Force office, stated that apart from their assigned role to keep the FCT environment clean and free from these street hawkers, he is personally bitter that parents andguardians expose their children to road risks.
According to him, "We have done everything within our power to put a stop to hawking, not necessarily because we want to ensure that hawkers are not found in strategic areas in the FCT, but to help curtail the risk involved which range from accidents, rape and many other havocs. Using Wuse market as an instance, he revealed that some children, mainly female, are seen hawking pure water from 8am to 9pm without thinking of going home.
Mr. Yusuf disclosed that one of the methods used as deterrent is suing them to magistrate court where they are usually prosecuted and asked to pay a fine of N5,000 and above but that in most cases, it has not really worked, as they are often seen in the streets again.
He, however, revealed that those who are aged 18 and above are prosecuted while the under-aged are taken home to show their parentsand guardians who at times deny knowledge of their children's involvement in such trades.
His words: "These parents should go out themselves and face these threats rather than get their words involved. They (children) mustn't contribute to their families up keep."
On his part, the Vice Principal, Administration, Government Science and Technical College, Garki, Abuja, Mr. Oga Cyprian Akpaki, fingered poverty as the major factor responsible for child labour.
He maintained that almost every Nigerian knows the value of education given the fact that every rural society today has educated persons.
Mr. Akpaki lamented bitterly that education was not free as announced by Universal Basic Education Board as children still provide their uniforms, books, and many other needed facilities. This, according to him, is why these children hawk to raise fund.
According to him, the management of his school has made the issue of the need for proper education our breakfast. This he said is done on Mondays and Fridays by assigned counsellors in the school.
On why they asked children to come with iron buckets, cutlasses, brooms, chalks, PTA fee, and other charges, he said, "Even in our various homes, we make use of all these facilities and so the school should not be exempted. He explained that these facilities are used by the students and not teachers. "Remember that school is a cooperative affair; we work as a team by co-providing these facilities and many others", he added.
On the issue of follow-up, he disclosed that anytime they discovered that their students were no longer regular at school, or performed poorly, they would call their parents/guardians to verify what the matter was. He added that such issues were often stressed at PTA meetings.
Meanwhile, a female teacher in the school (name withheld), opined strongly that child labour was the best training given to these children in order for chldren not to be dependent on the society. "Let them hawk; there's nothing wrong with that. You don't expect their parents to do so, afterall most of them do so after school or when the school is not in session," she stressed.
An officer with the Federal Inspectorate Education Board, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Okechukwu, blamed the increased rate of child labour on the harsh nature of the Nigerian economy, giving rise to the involvement of these children in the struggle for survival.
Mrs. Okechukwu disclosed that during a recent tour embarked upon by officers of the Education Inspectorate team, tagged "Operation Reach All Schools", it was also discovered that demolition was another factor responsible for children dropping out of school, since most of them moved to areas very far from the location of their schools. She pointed out that some parents withdrew their children if they do not have enough money to re-enroll their wards in new schools.
On why they have not sanctioned schools who still charge money and other items from their students considering the fact that education is supposed to be free, Mrs. Okechukwu explained that free education as announced by UBE was just on paper and but not implemented. This, according to her, is why school authorities are allowed to generate facilities in their various schools.
"It pains me that most parents do not realise that it is just the basic tuition that government subsidises, and I just cannot imagine how the situation would be like in rural areas if the number of school drop outs and child labour could reach this level in FCT", she stated.
In conclusion, child labour is a kind of modern slavery which government must apply strong political will in place to tackle. This is because it is one of the fastest growing menance in Nigeria and the West Africa region which hinders National Development. It should therefore be urgently addressed if we expect a bright tomorrow.
School authorities should also help by trimming down their charges, ranging from PTA, handiwork e .t.c., while the authorities of the Universal Basic Education Board should on their part, practise what they preach as this will go a long way in realising the set goals of a better tomorrow. They should take it upon themselves to sensitise parents on the need to educate their children rather than subject them to labour and abuse.
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