Kano state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Binta Tijjani Jibril, has warned parents and guardians against sending their children, especially daughters, to urban areas for child labour.
Jibril gave the warning while repatriating a 12-year-old girl to her relatives after she was found roaming the streets after being deported from Lagos state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Child Department, Hajiya Hafsat Kawu, re-affirmed government’s commitment towards fighting the “ugly trend.”
She added that already the state government had passed a law on child labour, hawking and trafficking and advised parents and agents to be alive to their responsibilities.
She called on traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and community leaders to assist government in its efforts towards forging the crusade.
Speaking on behalf of the girl’s relatives, the District Head of Bunkure, Barayen Kano Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, commanded the state government for its efforts in tackling the child labour.
He instructed all the Imams of Friday mosques and ward heads in the area to enlighten their subjects on the danger of the child labour and appealed to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development to continue its door-to-door enlightenment campaign against the menace.
