NEWS
15m Kids Forced Into Child Labor Globally, Says FG
The International Labour Organization (ILO) expressed its concern over the fact that approximately 160 million children around the world are involved in child labor.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, disclosed that 15 million children are currently engaged in this practice. Daju stated that the government is committed to reducing, if not completely eradicating, child and forced labor and is actively taking steps towards achieving this goal.
She noted that children who were seen as leaders of the future ought, not to be exposed to such practices at a tender age but rather shown love and properly catered for, in the interest of the country.
Daju said: “Child labour is a multi dimensional development concern. It cuts across various lines: economic, social, religious, cultural and regional divides.
”The worst forms of child labour constitute exploitation and gross violation of human rights for both boys and girls, causing physical, emotional, and mental consequences for the child. Such violations take place at the household level, community level, institutions, and business areas.
“In Nigeria, child labour has become a scourge. Several children find themselves on the streets, forced to make a living, with others employed in industrial complexes and hazardous environments.
“This is attributable to various factors, such as poverty, ignorance, unemployment, absence of social security for the vulnerable, misinterpretation of cultural and religious beliefs and weak institutional framework.
“Statistics reveal that there are no fewer than 15 million child workers in Nigeria; this is according to the ILO, with the UN warning that the absence of mitigating strategies could see an exponential increase in the number of children engaged in child labour.”
This, of course, will certainly have massive implications for the future.
“As a country however, we take pride in stating that giant strides have been made in dealing with this menace, most notably the adoption and ratification of ILO Conventions 138 and 182 on Minimum Age and Worst forms of Child Labour respectively; the passage of the Child Rights Act into law to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by 35 state governments and the FCT; the review and the validation of the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour, Prohibition and Elimination of Forced Labour, Modern Slavery, and Human Trafficking in workplaces spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, amongst many other achievements.”
Similarly, the International Labour Organization, ILO, laments the fact that about 160 million children were currently actively engaged in child labour globally.
The Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Ms Venessa Phala, who disclosed this at a stakeholders meetibng in Abuja weekend, said children had a right to better lives than engage in forced labour practices just to shore up income on behalf of their parents.
Phala argued that the practice of engaging under-aged children in eking out a living runs contrary to ILO Convention on the World of Work.
She said: “We all know that the number of children engaging in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide, which is represents an increase of 8.4 million children when compared with the last report.
“In eradicating the scourge of child labour and force labour in Nigeria, concerted efforts are required from all stakeholders, part of which is the development of monitoring infrastructure to determine and measure its magnitude, distribution, dimensions and characteristics at the national and sub-national levels.”
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed strong support for the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Onokpasa, a lawyer, described Ekpa as a dangerous figure whose actions warranted severe measures, including his elimination.
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Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland earlier this week by the country’s Central Criminal Police alongside three other individuals.
The arrests were part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activities.
Finnish authorities confirmed the development in a statement, noting that Ekpa and others were being questioned for their alleged roles in terrorism-related crimes.
Onokpasa, who has been a vocal critic of the separatist leader, revealed that he had previously called for Ekpa to be neutralized due to his alleged involvement in violent activities in Nigeria’s Southeast.
“The case of Simon Ekpa—his arrest is long overdue,” Onokpasa said during the interview. “In fact, I had actually encouraged that he should be shot because he was killing his fellow Igbos. If the person is an enemy combatant, he is liable to be shot. I know the law. This is just intelligence stuff.”
The APC chieftain also described Ekpa as “a crazy, poorly educated fellow,” adding that his actions have led to significant bloodshed among Igbos in the region.
Onokpasa emphasized his unwavering support for Ekpa’s arrest, which he believes is a necessary step in addressing the violence linked to separatist agitation. “In that case, I am in full support of his arrest,” he added.
Ekpa has been a polarizing figure, often accused of fueling unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast through his advocacy for Biafran independence.
His arrest is being hailed by some as a crucial step toward restoring peace in the region.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
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“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
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