One in ten homes in Nigeria has a child that looks different from the other children. A child that wakes up before the entire house to do house chores. No one cares or minds their business when they see a very young child out on the street doing chores meant for the older class.
My aunts sisters cousins child is another subtle term for a housemaid in the house. Few people treat these children like theirs but that is a one in a hundred case scenario. Wanting to enjoy the luxury of an hired hand but not ready to pay them their dues is one of the reason most people bring these little children from rural areas to their homes. Providing them clothes and feeding is the payment and if lucky perhaps an education up to the secondary school.
Its so sad that at this time and age, this practice is still going on. From the average homes even to the homes of the wealthy and to most people it seems normal and unharmful. Where a nine year old child is awake as early as five in the morning to get water for the entire family and probably all day if the family consumes more water.
This form of child abuse isn't paid attention because bruises and rape isn't involved. What of the emotional, physical and physiological trauma the child suffers? Making them feel less human compared to other children their age.
This problem cannot be solved at once but taking steps in the right direction to kick child labour out of the country is a good way to start. One of them is an upgraded and improved child services in Nigeria, making sure to go from home to home to ensure every child is well taken care of and accounted for. We should be our brothers keeper when we notice a child working extra when he or she should be learning or playing like his or he mates. We need to start making changes now so our future leaders don't become rogues before our eyes.
Just a concerned Nigerian
