The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, has pledged to prosecute individuals involved in exploiting children for economic gain.
Her commitment came to light during an incident in her office in Awka, where a concerned citizen reported a case of a 7-year-old boy found hawking in Ochanja market, Onitsha, during school hours.
The ministry shared the development on its official Facebook page, emphasizing the seriousness with which the state government views child labour.
Expressing dismay over the prevalence of child labour, Commissioner Obinabo underscored the psychological toll it takes on young victims, depriving them of their childhood.
She urged parents to take advantage of the free education policy implemented by the Prof Chukwuma Soludo-led administration and ensure their children attend school.
The 7-year-old boy, living with his grandmother in Onitsha while his mother resides in Lagos with his elder brother, recounted his daily routine of hawking sachet water in Ochanja market at his grandmother’s behest to earn money for their sustenance.
Despite earning about N2000 daily from his sales, the boy disclosed that the money is primarily used to purchase food items like rice and spaghetti for their meals.
However, his entrepreneurial activities were brought to an abrupt halt when concerned citizens intervened and brought him to the attention of the Commissioner’s office.
