AS Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition, China has disclosed its readiness to work with the country to halt modern day slavery.

This is as the United Nations Education Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) revealed that over 150 million children are subject to child labour accounting for one in 10 children around the world.

Speaking on the theme, “Modern Day Slavery, A National Question: Protecting the Future Generation,” the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda, said though the abolition of slavery happened long time ago, it still has its practical significance in our modern day society.

He, however, said his country is ready to work with Nigeria to protect the future generation.

“China is ready to work with Nigeria to fight against modern day slavery and create a better future for our next generation. As we are aware, in contemporary times, new forms of slavery have emerged, especially the modern day subtle, concealed and undefended forms of slavery,” he said.

Xuda stated that it is very mandatory to commemorate the International Day on August 23 every year especially for the sake of numerous brave people who gave their precious lives to the great fight against slavery.

“We should always remember and honour those slaves who suffered, fought and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system as well as its abolition, always keep in mind the significance of commemorating the International Day.”

Corroborating him, the Secretary General, NAT-COM UNESCO, Olagunju, stated that modern day slavery is not history as it is still manifest today in form of “child labour, forced marriages, death bondage, among others.”

The Nation