Oyo State Steering Committee on fight against child labour has begun the sensitization on fight against menace as it held a meeting with different organizations and non-governmental organizations(NGOs) in Ibadan, the state capital.
In his address, the state Controller of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Oyo State, Mr. Igbinosun Festus said: “Our primary goal is to significantly reduce the prevalence of child labour by rescuing children from the streets and engaging them meaningfully.
“This compendium will have a profound impact as it reaches key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, immigration authorities, NGOs, NABTEB, and NCDC.”
Making his contribution at the meeting, Dr. Gregory Egbadon, the Executive Director of Galilee Foundation disclosed that “We conducted media engagements, school awareness programmes and community outreach initiatives, all orchestrated by the Oyo State Steering Committee on Child Labour.
“These efforts reached 32 schools and approximately 19,000 students in the state.
“Under child rights law, every child is entitled to education. It is crucial to safeguard these rights.”
Dr. Egbadon further explained that Galilee Foundation did not relent in its advocacy by conducting weekly school visits to educate students about child labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation.
He said: “We provide toll-free helplines for children facing these issues, empowering them to seek assistance.”