The Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Abuja Country Office for Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liaison Office for the ECOWAS, Ms. Vanessa Phala, has made a passionate call for stakeholders to intensify efforts to eradicate child labour.
Speaking at a commemorative event in Akure, Ms. Phala emphasised the need for unity in the fight against child labour and forced labour, advocating for a world where every child can grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
The event, funded by the United States Department of Labour through the ILO’s Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) and Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB) projects, saw the participation of over 350 students from 40 schools across Ondo State. Represented by ACLAWA Project Manager Agatha Kolawole, Ms. Phala urged all stakeholders to honour their commitments to ILO Convention No. 182, which aims at the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
Ms. Phala highlighted the significance of the World Day Against Child Labour, stressing its role in the effective implementation of ILO Conventions and the necessity for reinvigorated actions to end child labour. She pointed out the pressing need to meet the 2025 target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target 8.7) for the elimination of child labour, particularly as the deadline approaches.
“Balancing education and work poses complex challenges,” Ms. Phala noted, “emphasising the importance of concerted efforts to eradicate child labour and ensure access to quality education for all.”
Mrs. Olanike Mogboruko, Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Ondo State, echoed these sentiments, stating that every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation and full of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
She acknowledged the ongoing issue of child labour, which affects over 160 million children worldwide, depriving them of basic rights to education, health, and a safe environment. Mrs. Mogboruko called for strengthened efforts and cross-sector collaboration to develop sustainable solutions to this pervasive problem.
The event underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to create a world where children can enjoy their rights and live free from the burdens of child labour.
