The article examines the extent to which International Labour standards (ILS) have contributed to combating child labour. Child labour is regarded as an impediment to children's development and their human rights. The ILO's endeavour to improve labour relations and eradicate child labour globally has seen the organisation engaged in adopting Conventions and Recommendations focusing on current critical issues in the labour environment. The idea that the International labour Organisation is a necessity which the world has been waiting for years (Thomas, 1921: p. 5, 22) is underpinned by the working mechanisms that are well accepted among member states. More significantly, the optimism of the founders and their desire to thrive were the driving forces necessary to put the ILO on the track to longevity. Hence, the article evaluates the working mechanisms of the organisation which facilitate the materialisation of its approaches to various labour issues. The approach taken is a textual analysis and justification of the International Labour Standards (ILS). The article concludes that the ILO has the legitimacy to set international labour standards and that its standards are fit for purpose. Indeed in the light of its focus, its working mechanism, and its efficient approach to labour issues, the ILO cannot be denied the status of "most adequate institution" in addressing child labour issues with a view to eradicating the phenomenon worldwide.

The Article examines the challenging issues of child trafficking and the new perspective in combating the phenomenon in Nigeria. It shows the multiplicity and the complex nature of the problem which has social, cultural and political underpinnings. The lack of genuine political will and focus on addressing the factors per se contributes to the perpetuation of the phenomenon. The need for the identification and eradication of child trafficking has become a matter of urgency, hence a particular attention from authorities and all stakeholders is deemed an imperative. The article focuses on the legal and political approach adopted by Nigerian law and policy makers in recent years. The article evaluates the achievements made through various actions undertaken to eliminate the phenomenon. It concludes that there are shortcomings although the new approaches adopted as the Nigerian authorities have yet to deliver in the area of child trafficking and the protection of children's rights.

Child trafficking remains an alarming issue in Nigeria. Child trafficking leads to various child rights abuses, and it is also a mean for acquiring child labourers. It is therefore evident that such practice cannot be tolerated both morally and legally. It is well acknowledged that the legal pluralism in the Nigerian legal system permits the cohabitation of the inherited English legal system, some traditional rules, and religious rules. The environment legal pluralism has often created ambiguity regarding human rights in general and child rights in particular. Hence this paper examines the role of culture and traditions in the perpetuation of child trafficking in Nigeria. The paper shows that in the Nigerian context, there are conflicting views on the issue. The paper also evaluates the efficacy of legal and institutional frameworks available in addressing the problem. The research methodology relied upon is predominantly textual analysis. It is necessary to proceed from an interdisciplinary approach in order to address the various questions sufficiently. The paper concludes that conflicting views must lead to a paradigm shift in approaches to the phenomenon of child trafficking to ensure and secure a system where children's human rights are well protected.

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