By PERPETUA ONUEGBU

Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, has urged governments at all levels to invest in the area of children development.

Obi said this in a statement his spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko on Monday in Abuja on 2024 Children’s Day.

He said that It was unacceptable that four out of every 10 Nigerian child was into child labour.

“On this day, we celebrate Children’s Day, I rejoice with all the Nigerian children, for whose sake, we remain firmly committed in our struggle for a New Nigeria.

“This day which is set aside to celebrate the Nigerian child, presents us the opportunity to focus on our children – the future leaders of our society, and also reminds us of the need to invest in their growth; and support and nurture their dreams.

“Every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe and secure environment to live and thrive. We must, therefore invest in these key areas of development for their sake and the future of society.

“Sadly, the challenges of child labour persist in our Nigerian society today. A National Bureau of Statistics report states that 39.2 per cent of our children are in child labour and 22.9 per cent of children are involved in hazardous work.

“The reports further assert that four out of every ten children in Nigeria are trapped in child labour, therefore, putting the children and the future of society at risk,” he said.

Obi said in tackling the challenge of child labour, Nigeria must focus on pulling more people out of poverty and ensuring the respect of the rights of every Nigerian child.

“While encouraging the parents, guardians, teachers and benefactors who see to the training of our children, I urge them to continue to give their best to raise responsible citizens in our nation.

“To the children, I encourage them to take seriously their moral and educational formation.

“We restate our commitment to building a safe, secure and productive nation for our children to live in, fully and freely explore their potentials – the New Nigeria we are working towards. It is possible,” Obi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Children’s Day was a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children, whose date of observance varies by country.

In 1925 International Children’s Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare.

In Nigeria it was first established in 1964. The date it is celebrated varies between different countries.

The day marks a celebration of children, raising awareness for issues that affect children and helping us appreciate that they are the future of our societies. (NAN)

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