A woman has been arrested for child labour in Anambra state.
The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo, who said this, said the woman was accused of sending his 7 year old grandson to hawk sachet water in Ochanja market, Onitsha during school hours.
She said the woman identified as Nkechi will be prosecuted for allegedly engaging her 7-year old grandson for money making in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon Obinabo said, she had summoned the grandmother, while the victim was in state government’s protection, vowing to prosecute other offenders of child labour in the state.
She expressed worry over the recent growing rise in child labour, warning that government would not relent until the habit is stopped.
According to her, one major effect of child labour is psychological instability as the childhood of the victims had been taken away from them.
Furthermore she, advised parents to take advantage of Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration’s free education to enroll their children in school.
Speaking to newsmen, the 7 year old boy, said his grandmother had asked him to hawk pure water so they would be able to feed.
He also said, “I’m a primary 2 pupil and living with my grandmother in Onitsha while my mother is in Lagos with my elder brother.
The traders who brought the victim to the Commissioner for women and Social Welfare also, donated the sum of N10,200 to assist him enroll him in school.
Hon Ify Obinabo, appreciated the traders who were members of Ochanja Market Union, who deemed it fit to bring the boy to her, charging others to emulate such act for a better society”. She noted.
