•As LWR tasks farmers on elimination of child-labour practices
Stakeholders in the cocoa industry have appealed to government at all levels to enhance the capabilities of farmers, in order to save the cash crop from extinction.
The stakeholders disclosed this at a two-day awareness campaign on elimination of child-labour practices and negative impact on cocoa farmers in Idanre and Ifedore Local Councils of Ondo State.
The campaign is part of the Child Labour Education and Resilience (CLEAR) project organised by the Lutheran World Relief and funded by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in partnership with the Ondo State government, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
In his remarks, the Chief of Party, Lutheran World Relief, Nene Akwetey-Kodjoe, said there is need to eradicate the use of children for labour, adding, “what we are saying is that hard-labour is not allowed, we need to do it right.”
Represented by the Human Resources Manager, Lutheran World Relief, Foluso Wilson, Akwetey-Kodjoe, said there is need to allow children out-there to go back to school because education is a general knowledge that will grow their brain.
In his goodwill message, the President of CFAN, Adeola Adegoke, said cocoa production is now alternative to crude oil, especially with the current economy hardship facing the country.
Adegoke said: “The problem we are having today is because we are moving from production to consumption. Our cocoa has the prospect that can guarantee our push from consumption to production in Nigeria. Cocoa still remains what can actually be the backbone of our economy with what we are seeing now in this country.”
In his brief presentation on CLEAR project, the Programme Technical Advisor, Lutheran World Relief, Siji Ofoesuwa, said the project’s goal is to significantly reduce prevalence of child labour practices among cocoa farmers in the state.
According to Ofoesuwa, schools that were approved for the project in the two councils include – Ala Comprehensive High School, Ala-Elefosan; Oniseere Community High School, Ofosu; Olofin Grammar School; L.A Primary School Ita-Loorun; L.A Primary School, Gbalegi; Alasagba Community High School, Ibuji; United Comprehensive High School, Ikota; Ayo Grammar School, Ibulesoro; Community Primary School Molete and L.A Primary School Ajebamidele.
The Deputy Director, Guidance and Counseling Unit, Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Olayemi Fakehin, said government has put in place a comprehensive plan to eliminate child labour in the state.
According to her, the comprehensive plans include – strengthening the existing laws and policies towards providing a greater protection for children and harsher penalties for those who exploit them for labour.
