Anambra Woman to Face Prosecution Over Alleged Exploitation of Grandson for Child Labour

A middle-aged woman, identified as Nkechi, is set to face legal consequences for allegedly involving her seven-year-old grandson in money-making activities, raising concerns about child labor in Onitsha.

The revelation came to light when a group of vigilant traders apprehended the young boy for selling sachet water in Ochanja market during school hours. Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, confirmed the incident, stating that the boy is now under the state government’s protection.

Commissioner Obinabo expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of child labour and emphasized the government’s commitment to holding offenders accountable. She highlighted the psychological impact on the victims, as their childhood is robbed from them.

Summoning the grandmother for questioning, Commissioner Obinabo vowed to prosecute others involved in child labour in the state. She urged parents to take advantage of the free education initiative under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to enroll their children in school.

In a poignant testimony, the young hawker revealed that his grandmother instructed him to sell sachet water for their sustenance. “I’m a primary 2 pupil living with my grandmother in Onitsha while my mother is in Lagos with my elder brother,” he said. “She usually gives me N250.00 every day to purchase water, and I trek from 33 to Ochanja each day to make sales.”

Regarding the daily earnings and their utilization, he disclosed, “I make about N2,000 every day, and we use it to buy rice and spaghetti to eat.”

Responding to the situation, the traders who brought the victim to the commissioner’s attention not only expressed their concern but also donated N10,200 to assist the boy in enrolling in school. Commissioner Obinabo commended the Ochanja Market Union for their decisive action and urged others to follow suit for the betterment of society.