Day: June 21, 2024

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it is preparing a platform for ensuring an opportunity for government to interact with organised businesses for rewarding economic reforms.

NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos,

According to him, the organisation will hold Employers’ Summit, expected to drive conversations surrounding the private sector and economic development.

He said that the third edition ‘is apt as it is coming at a time of new reforms.

‘The summit is not basically to interrogate those reforms, but to deepen or share the nexus between the reforms and private sector.

‘Also, it is on how government can actually leverage the agility of the private sector to navigate through these reforms and achieve the desired outcomes.

‘This is a fundamental summit, which time has come to play a major role in the context of the growth of the private sector, economy, and competitiveness of businesses’.

Also, the Chairman of
the Summit, Mr Olumuyiwa Adebayo, said that some of the goals of the summit would include fostering dialogue.

‘In supporting government, it means we need to support them in policies, call it to order when we need to do so and this is always through advocacy.

‘We believe that sharing innovative practices is key between the private sector and government officials.

‘This is because whatever policy we have is only going to be implemented by the private sector as the case may be because it is the engine room for any economy around the world,’ he observed.

In her remarks, the Co-Chairman, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said that there must be effective communication and collaboration between the government and private sector for development.

‘We want to work together to develop strategies that will really drive economic growth.

‘Through this summit, we need to reinforce our role as private sector as the engine of national development.

‘We believe that the outcome from this engagement as we have done in other years wi
ll be driven through the government, but we will continue the conversation.

‘Thi is the beginning of a dialogue; this is what the summit is,’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Nigeria Employers’ Summit would be held between June 25 and June 26 in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is, ‘Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility ‘

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Devatop Centre for Africa Development, an anti-human trafficking and human rights organisation, has urged state governments to strengthen enforcement of laws and implementation of policies protecting children against exploitation.

The Group Project Manager, Mr Andrew Adaji, gave the advice on Thursday at the group’s commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour.

The event, which held in Ikeja, was tagged: ‘TALKAM Against Child Labour’.

The World Day Against Child Labour is celebrated every June 12 to raise awareness and activism against child labour.

This 2024 edition had the theme: ‘Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Devatop Centre for Africa Development is focused on combating human trafficking, gender-based violence and irregular migration, as well as supporting survivors and at-risk youths.

Adaji called on governments, organisations and individuals to intensify efforts in ending child labour and ensuring children’s rights to educ
ation, health and a safe environment.

He emphasised the need for concrete actions and fulfillment of commitments toward eradicating child labour.

‘Governments should enforce the Child Rights Act and provide free and quality education.

‘They should support families with economic opportunities to reduce poverty which is a key driver of child labour.

‘Also, there is need for sensitilisation, public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the harm of child labour,’ he said.

The manager also advised parents and guardians to refrain from engaging children in harmful work or exploiting them for financial gain.

According to him, every child deserves education, protection and childhood free from exploitation.

‘Parents should ensure their children attend schools regularly and complete their education.

‘They should provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children to grow, he said.

Mrs Mienye Badejo, South-West Zonal Director, Ministry of Labour and Employment, in her keynote address, said th
at no child should be exploited in any way.

In the address titled: ‘Our Corporate Responsibility In Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Child Domestic Workers’, Badejo said that children should be treated as children, not as adults.

She said that eradicating child labour required collaboration of everyone.

‘Let us unite in the common cause of ensuring that every child in Nigeria is afforded the opportunity to grow, dream and learn.

‘They should be given the chance to contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of our great nation without the burden of exploitative child labour, ‘ she said.

Earlier, in her goodwill message, Mrs Comfort Agboko, Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Lagos Zone, called on all stakeholders to intensify interventions against child labour.

According to her, there is a difference between child work and child labour.

She said that no child should be reduced to a slave even within the family circle.

The zonal commander said that there was ne
ed to carry out evidence-based interventions with key performance indicators that would directly impact positively on children.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A cross section of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says they can no longer fend for their families due to the rising cost of foodstuff .

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that eating beans and yam have become a luxury due to its high cost.

This, they said, had affected their domestic food time table, making it impossible to eat varieties.

Mrs Glory Ocholi, a mother, said that beans have become so expensive that it is difficult to buy in bulk as she usually does to help in her nutrition plan.

‘Before now, I used to buy 10 mudus of white beans for between N9, 000 to N10, 000, at N900 to N950 each.

‘While the red one was usually slightly above N100 or N200.

‘Currently, white beans cost N2,800 while red beans are sold for N3,000 to N3,500 , yam, Irish and sweet potatoes are also very expensive, it is only the rich that can afford them.

‘You cannot buy corn or sorghum, vegetables are a no-go area, so at the end o
f the day, our children are forced to eat whatever we can provide,” she said.

Ocholi said that buying foodstuff at a higher cost had forced her to take off meals like ‘akara’ and pap which used to be a Saturday morning meal in her home.

She appealed to both the government and Nigerian Food Products Suppliers and Manufacturers to find ways to address the situation.

Mr Habila Makama, said that he could no longer afford certain foods in his household due to the high prices.

‘I used to compliment yam with sweet or Irish potatoes when yam is not in season but now, I cannot afford any of them.

‘Sweet potatoes that used to be the cheapest are also expensive. Rice is the only available food now in spite of the cost.

‘We eat it every day of the week and probably exchange it with any available swallow with the soup you can afford,” he said.

A NAN correspondent who visited the Dutse-Alhaji market reported that five big tubers of yam now go for a negotiable price of N12, 000 to N14, 000.

At Karu market, corn an
d millet which previously sold for N850 and N900, is now being sold for N1, 300 per mudu.

NAN also reports that a bag of corn which was previously sold for N40, 000 and millet for N65, 000, are now being sold for N90, 000 per bag.

One of the traders in karu market, Mallam Bashiru Ahmed, said that prices of goods fluctuate daily and could increase by 20 per cent or more, within a week.

He said that traders sometimes go to the market to buy a bag of beans for N160, 000, but end up buying for between N180, 000 or N200, 000 due to price fluctuation.

Ahmed attributed the high cost to transportation of the goods from the northern states to the distribution units or towns, where other middle men or traders go to buy from.

‘The cost of transportation has contributed to the increase in cost of these foods and it has really affected our business.

‘We had to increase the price of grains to meet up with the expenses in logistics, and this is making our customers complain, thereby affecting patronage,” he said.

He
pleaded with the government to put in place measures that could salvage the cost of transportation and control market price for grains.

This, he said would stop distributors and sellers from inducing unnecessary price increase.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United Nations (UN) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have urged young people not to allow themselves to be used to incite and deepen hatred in Nigeria.

The organisations gave the advice at the commemoration of the third International Day for Countering Hate Speech, jointly organised by NHRC and UN on Friday in Abuja.

The Executive-Secretary of NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu, decried the impact of hate speeches in the society.

Ojukwu said hate speech had promoted discrimination; divisions; incited violence; and such impeded voters participation and access to elections.

Ojukwu said that in order to ensure peaceful, prosperous and united nations; Nigerians, particularly young people should reflect on things that would bind compatriots together, rather than separate them.

‘Young people are more invested in the future of Nigeria than any other group in our population, and should not allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders to incite and deepen hatred in the country.

‘Coincidentally, youths for
m the bedrock of our nation and this demographic dividend should at all times be mobilised for the social and economic development of our dear nation.

‘Sensitising and mobilising young people to combat hate speech is crucial in today’s world, where they are not only the target, but also influential voices in their communities,’ he said.

He promised to work closely with the UN system in Nigeria, youth leaders and other stakeholders to create relevant awareness to identify and counter hate speeches.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Fall, said that hate speech contradicted all the values and principles enshrined in international human rights law.

Fall, who was represented by Mr Phillippe Delanghe, added that it undermined efforts to achieve the aim of 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind.

‘Hate speeches often target the most vulnerable in our societies and minorities, if left unchecked, it can harm peace and development.

‘It lays the foundation f
or conflicts and tensions, undermine social cohesion and contribute to wide scale human rights violations and crime.

‘The devastating effect of hatred is not new. However, new technologies of communication has amplified the scale and impact of hate speech.

‘Social media and the internet are now the most frequent methods for spreading divisive rhetoric and ideologies on a global scale,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Oghogho Musa, the President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), on Friday, pledged continuous support for wives of fallen heroes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Musa said this at the commemoration of the 2024 International Widows Day in Abuja.

She said the day was set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness on the plight of widows worldwide and to advocate for their rights and well-being.

Musa said that widows had historically been left unseen, unsupported and unmeasured in many societies, emphasising the need to support them.

She stressed the need to bring widows’ needs to the forefront and ensure their voices are heard.

According to her, the day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by widows and the need to address their unique social, economic, health and legal issues.

‘Widows particularly in developing countries, often experience discrimination, social isolation and economic hardship following the death of their husbands.

‘They may face obstacles in inheriti
ng property, accessing education and healthcare and participating in the workforce.

‘Many widows and their children are trapped in a cycle of poverty, vulnerability and marginalization,” she said.

Musa said that the day was earmarked to honour the strength of women, their resilience and courage.

‘We acknowledge the pain and the loss you have endured, but we also celebrate your determination and your refusal to be defined by grief.

‘We recognise that your journey is not easy, that there are days when the darkness feels overwhelming but we want to remind you that you are not alone.

‘You have your loved ones and you have a global community such as DEPOWA that stands with you in solidarity,’ she said.

The DEPOWA president recalled that the association had over the years, impacted positively on wives of fallen heroes, youths and less privileged through empowerments, sponsorships, donations and trainings.

She said some wives of fallen heroes and youths recently were trained at the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition
Centre, on bag making, ICT, production of household items, hair making, tying of gele, tailoring and culinary.

According to her, the essence of the programmes is to assist them to be financially independent, confident to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.

She reiterated the commitment of DEPOWA towards assisting the wives of fallen heroes to ensure they were not marginalised, stigmatised but celebrated and empowered.

Earlier, Dr Juliette Ango, a Consultant, Public Health Physician, said that part of the problems associated with widows included health issues, poverty, violence and finances.

Ango called for empowerment of widows and regular medical screening to check their health status.

According to her, it is so sad to say that women are known to take care of others and do forget to take care of themselves, especially their blood pressure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured medical outreach for widows and empowerment lectures on health, finance and manag
ing widowhood.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The International Labour Organisation has urged journalists to create awareness to combat the menace of child labour in the country.

Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone, said this at a three-day Communication Training Workshop for Media Practitioners on Friday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is on elimination of child labour.

The training was organised by ILO, funded by the U.S. Department of Labour through the Action against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa (ACLAWA) project, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Phala, represented by Dr Agatha Kolawole, Project Coordinator of ILO’s ACLAWA, said child labour had cast a long shadow across Nigerian communities, particularly within the agricultural sector.

According to her, this is driven by poverty; families often rely on children to contribute to the family’s well-being and survival.

‘Children often have to work under hazardous conditions, sacrif
icing their education, health and childhood for meager wages.

‘This not only violates their fundamental rights but also hinders their potential and perpetuates cycles of vulnerability, ‘she said

She said that the 2021 Global Child Labour report released by ILO and UNICEF, indicated a global increase of child labour prevalence by 8.4 million to reach a staggering 160 million.

She said globally, the agriculture sector accounts for 70 per cent of child labourers.

According to her, nearly 28 per cent of children aged five to 11 years and 35 per cent aged 12 to 14 years in child labour are out of school.

Phala said that the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) launched the Nigeria Child labour survey report conducted in 2022 which corroborates the global trend.

She said the media plays a pivotal role in combating child labour by raising awareness and mobilising public opinion against this pervasive issue.

‘Through investigative journalism, documentaries and news reports, the media sheds light on the often hid
den and harsh realities faced by child labourers around the world.

‘By bringing these stories to the forefront, the media educates the public and policymakers about the scale and severity of child labour, thereby creating a sense of urgency and a call to action.

‘This heightened awareness is crucial for fostering a societal consensus that child labour is unacceptable and must be eradicated,’she said.

She said media coverage can pressure governments and corporations to implement and enforce stricter laws and policies to protect children from exploitation

Phala added that in addition to raising awareness, the media serves as a platform for advocacy and education, empowering communities to take a stand against child labour.

She commended the U.S. Department of Labour for funding the ACLAWA project.

Mrs Tessy Odoh, Head, Child Labour, Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit, Inspectorate Department, Ministry of Labour and Employment said the training was apt.

Odoh said that the Federal gov
ernment had put in place some policies to mitigate the menace of child labour.

She said that Nigeria had ratified and domesticated the ILO conventions 182, 138, 29, among others.

Mr Christian Appolos, a journalist with the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, who spoke to NAN, said the training had boosts his knowledge on the issues of child labour.

‘I see the training as a targeted effort to the campaign for the eradication of Child Labour,’he said.

Other journalists who participated in the workshop pledged their continued commitments to doing reports on child labour.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria