By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President of UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF), has called for unified national and global action to end child labour.

Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the coincidence of celebration of World Day Against Child Labour with Nigeria’s Democracy Day on the same day, was indeed instructive and symbolic, saying both had same theme of rights and protection of the peoples right.

According to him,  genuine democracy must prioritise the protection and empowerment of children.

“Today is more than symbolic, it is a call to action.

“The coincidence of these two commemorations challenges us to reflect on the kind of society we are building.

“Democracy must not only be about elections and institutions, it must protect the rights, dignity, and future of our children,” Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan said.

He added that child labour remained a pressing challenge in Nigeria and around the world, robbing millions of children of their right to education, safety, and a meaningful future.

He warned that the persistence of child labour undermined Nigeria’s development goals and the global commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 8.7, which targeted the elimination of child labour in all its forms.

He called for stronger political will, while also urging President Bola Tinubu to intensify efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda by aligning national policies with the United Nations framework for sustainable development.

“Ending child labour is not merely a policy issue, it is a moral and democratic responsibility.

“We must invest in stronger educational systems, provide economic support for vulnerable families, and ensure every child is safe from exploitation,” he stated.

Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan also emphasised that achieving real change demanded multilateral partnerships with the United Nations, humanitarian groups, grassroots organisations, and educational advocates.

These stakeholders, he noted, must work together to create innovative solutions that tackled the root causes of child labour, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and inadequate social protection.

He also acknowledged the Nigerian Government’s existing efforts to eradicating child labour but stressed the need for greater urgency and inclusiveness.

“This Democracy Day must be a catalyst for transformative action.

“We envision a future where no child is forced into labour, where every young Nigerian is free to learn, dream, and thrive,” he urged.

According to him, true democracy is measured not just by ballots cast but by the opportunities and protections afforded to its most vulnerable.

“Let our democracy stand as a beacon of justice and equality.

“The world is watching—and it is time we rise together to build a nation where childhood is protected and the promise of a better tomorrow is fulfilled,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa