Hawking: Lagos To Sanction Parents

A Lagos State lawmaker, Mrs. Lola Akande on Tuesday said that the House would sanction parents who encourage their kids, especially the girl-child, to hawk during school hours.

Akande told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that government and parents owe children and the youth the right to sound and qualitative education.

She said that denying them was a violation of their fundamental human rights.

She said that the government would not hesitate to arrest and detain any parent or parents of a child caught hawking during school hours.

“In Lagos State, government has put in place facilities and provided text books which should encourage education in primary and secondary schools.

“The provision of these facilities indicates the critical position that education occupies in the development of the society.

“Education reform requires that parents compulsorily send their children to school.

“Therefore, government would not hesitate to arrest and detain any parent or parents of any child caught hawking during school hours,” Akande said.

The lawmaker said that such parents would also be made to pay some fine.

According to her, educating the girl-child would boost the number of women in the public service.

She called on state governments to increase the quota of women in the public service, noting that some states were yet to give women a chance.

“I think most states should take a cue from the Lagos state government that has encouraged the womenfolk by creating more space for them to contribute their quota.

“If you take a look at the percentage of women in governance in the country, you will discover that Lagos has the highest percentage.

“If we could catch them young and empower them through sound and qualitative education, the girl-child will be courageous and relevant in nation building,” she said.

Akande said she encouraged children by putting in place two yearly competitions— Mathematics and Public Speaking for all public schools in the state.

“These competitions are designed to improve the skills of the children in mathematics, which is the most dreaded of subjects, and instill confidence in the girl-child, through public speaking.

“If we continue to sensitize and expose the girl-child to healthy competitions and programmes, it will go a long way in reducing child slavery, prostitution and other socio-cultural malaise,” Akande stated