On June 14, 2025, CYPF led a hiking activity in Kuje Area Council, Abuja—not just for fitness or adventure, but for impact. In commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour, this initiative was designed to raise awareness about the rising rates of child labour in Nigeria and generate direct support for out-of-school children.
Organized in collaboration with Osirus & Friends and Child Shield Initiative, and spearheaded by the Child and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF), the hike brought together participants from diverse backgrounds. Each participant paid a modest fee, not as an event fee, but as a donation to support the enrollment of identified children back into school. This was not just a physical journey—it was a deliberate step toward advocacy and action.
The event opened with remarks from Jedidiah Osoba, CYPF’s Communications Officer, who emphasized the deep link between school closures, child labour, and poverty. With over 24.6 million children in child labour across Nigeria—and over 230,000 in the FCT alone—this issue is far from abstract. And with the FCT primary schools and healthcare centres still on strike, many children are now left without education, healthcare, or protection.
The hike was both symbolic and strategic. Along the route, conversations bloomed around systemic failure, community resilience, and the urgent need for collective action. The CYPF National Coordinator concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks and reaffirmed CYPF’s commitment to ensuring that this wasn’t a one-off effort. The funds raised will directly support the re-enrollment of at least one child, with plans for broader community-based support underway.
This initiative proved that impact doesn’t always require grand stages—it begins with small, intentional actions. At CYPF, we believe that child protection isn’t just a policy goal—it’s a shared responsibility. We walked for the children who can’t. And until every child is in school, we won’t stop walking.
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#EndChildLabour #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour #EducationForAll #CYPF #SocialImpact #CommunityEngagement #ChildRights #WhenSchoolsShut #AdvocacyInAction
JEDIDIAH OSOBA
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
