The Devatop Centre for Africa Development, an anti-human trafficking and human rights organisation, has urged state governments to strengthen enforcement of laws and implementation of policies protecting children against exploitation.

The group project manager, Andrew Adaji, gave the advice on Thursday at the group’s commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour.

The event, which held in Ikeja, was tagged: “TALKAM Against Child Labour”.

The World Day Against Child Labour is celebrated every June 12 to raise awareness and activism against child labour.

Devatop Centre for Africa Development is focused on combating human trafficking, gender-based violence and irregular migration, as well as supporting survivors and at-risk youths.

Mr Adaji called on governments, organisations and individuals to intensify efforts in ending child labour and ensuring children’s rights to education, health and a safe environment.

He emphasised the need for concrete actions and fulfillment of commitments toward eradicating child labour.

“Governments should enforce the Child Rights Act and provide free and quality education.

“They should support families with economic opportunities to reduce poverty which is a key driver of child labour.

“Also, there is need for sensitilisation, public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the harm of child labour,” he said.

The manager also advised parents and guardians to refrain from engaging children in harmful work or exploiting them for financial gain.

According to him, every child deserves education, protection and childhood free from exploitation.

“Parents should ensure their children attend schools regularly and complete their education.

“They should provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children to grow,” he said.

Mienye Badejo, South-West zonal director, ministry of labour and employment, in her keynote address, said that no child should be exploited in any way.

In the address titled: “Our Corporate Responsibility In Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Child Domestic Workers”, Badejo said that children should be treated as children, not as adults.

She said that eradicating child labour required collaboration of everyone.

“Let us unite in the common cause of ensuring that every child in Nigeria is afforded the opportunity to grow, dream and learn.

“They should be given the chance to contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of our great nation without the burden of exploitative child labour, ” she said.

Earlier, in her goodwill message, Comfort Agboko, commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Lagos Zone, called on all stakeholders to intensify interventions against child labour.

According to her, there is a difference between child work and child labour.

She said that no child should be reduced to a slave even within the family circle.

The zonal commander said that there was a need to carry out evidence-based interventions with key performance indicators that would directly impact positively on children.

(NAN)