Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NOVEMBER 12, 2016
Saturday Starter
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How can we get our children off the streets? Despite several efforts by government and relevant agencies to put an end to street hawking, especially by children, the practice seems to go on unabated, a phenomenon which experts attribute to the increasing poverty level among the populace, writes MUDA OYENIRAN
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uburat(not real name) who was hawking sachet water otherwise known as ‘pure water’ was recently knocked down by a vehicle on top speed at Agege area in Lagos state as she was about to cross the road to attend to a customer. All attempt to save her life by the people in the vicinity proved abortive as she gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. She was aged 11. According to the people at the scene of the accident, the total cost of her goods could not be more than N500. The scenario above aptly captured the risk being faced by millions of children in Nigeria who daily hawk on major streets across the country. For those who are lucky not CONTINUED ON PAGE 4