By Jubril Bada

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Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured his government’s continued partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other relevant organizations to wage war against all forms of child labour.

He said it is part of his administration’s focus to ensure that the elimination of child labour is achieved in the state.

The governor stated this at the presentation meeting of the CAP Document for State and Local Government Authorities, held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, adding that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure children have access to better education rather than engaging in child labour.

At the event, it was agreed that there should be strong collaboration among the stakeholders to eradicate child labour.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, the governor described child labour as a violation against children’s fundamental rights, hindering their potential as future leaders.

Aiyedatiwa, who declared the two-day workshop opened, described it as a risky situation for a country with 50 percent of children that are out of school.

He called on local government officers to keep the state government informed where its attention is needed, particularly for the renovation of dilapidated public schools, the health sector at the local government level, and advocacy against child labour.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olayato Aribo, called on stakeholders to have all hands on deck for the full implementation of the outcome of the programme.

The 10 communities benefited from the Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) project with the presentation of Community Action Plans (CAP) including Ala, Amuren, Asolo, Bagbe, Bajare, Ero/Mariwo, Igunshin, Iju dada, Orisunmibare, Bapie/Paranta, and Tejugbola-Gberiwojo.

In her remarks, the ILO Country Director,, Dr. Vanessa Phala, called on government entities at the state and local government levels, organizations, enterprises, development workers, academia, civil society, and the media to strengthen the organization’s unity in its fight against child labour and forced labour.

Represented by the Project Manager, ACLAWA, ILO, Dr. Agatha Kolawole, Phala, said child labour has unfortunately been woven into the fabric of rural life in Nigeria, particularly within agricultural communities.

At the end of the two-day programme on Tuesday, a communique was issued which itemized all the recommendations.