General News
ILO tasks FG, stakeholders on stronger enforcement of child labour
Our Reporter
The International Labour Organization (ILO) on Tuesday called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting children from labour.
Ms Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone made the call at the sixth edition of the National Children’s Conference in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour.
She urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to move beyond awareness and translate existing commitments, laws and policies into concrete action to eliminate child labour.
“Nigeria has laws and policies at the federal, state and community levels. We are not short of policies.
“What we need is to reinforce our collective action to implement these policies so that we can begin to see the expected results,” she said.
Phala said poverty and hardship placed pressure on families, urging stakeholders to strengthen social protection, quality education and decent livelihoods to reduce child labour.
The country director said childhood should be about learning, playing, discovering talents, building friendships and developing dreams, rather than engaging in harmful work.
“Our message today must be very clear: no child should have to choose between survival and education.
“No child should be exploited for profit. No child should be silenced by fear, and no child should be left behind,” she said.
Phala said children should be treated as important partners in developing solutions to child labour, rather than merely beneficiaries of government programmes.
“We can move from commemoration to action,” Phala said, adding that the Marrakech Action Plan would be translated into tangible activities to deliver progress.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting children from labour exploitation.
Shoretire said every child deserved a safe environment, education and opportunities to learn, play, develop talents and pursue future aspirations.
“Children belong in schools. Children belong in safe environments and safe spaces where they can learn, grow, play and dream,” he said.
He said the government was working with relevant ministries, agencies, state governments, development partners and civil society organisations to eliminate child labour.
Shoretire said government would address factors pushing children into labour, while strengthening protection against hazardous and exploitative work.
He urged children to speak about challenges affecting them and suggested practical measures government, parents, schools and communities could adopt.
“Your voice has value, and we cherish it. I also want you to know that the government is listening,” the permanent secretary said.
Shoretire said children were rights-holders whose voices and experiences should inform policies and programmes affecting their development.
“Your education matters to us. Your safety matters. Your happiness matters to us. And we assure you that no child will be left behind,” he said.
Also, Dr Alves Gorge, said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had developed strategies and action plans to combat child labour across West Africa.
Gorge is the Head of Social Affairs Division, ECOWAS.
He said ECOWAS would strengthen regional efforts, laws and instruments against child labour while tackling poverty, which he identified as a major driver.
Some children participating in the conference urged the government to strengthen child labour data collection and establish reliable systems for identifying and monitoring children at risk.
They also called for stronger measures to ensure vulnerable children remained in school and were protected from exploitation.
NAN reports that the World Day Against Child Labour is an ILO-sanctioned holiday first inaugurated in 2002 aiming to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.
It was spurred by ratifications of ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment and ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour.
The day, which is held every year on June 12, is intended to foster the worldwide movement against child labour. (NAN).
By Our Reporter
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” he wrote.
He added: “We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most prominent veteran actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.
Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, Jacobs began his career in British television and later featured in several international productions before returning to Nigeria, where he became a major figure in the country’s film industry.
He went on to star in numerous Nigerian films and became widely recognised for his commanding performances, earning several industry honours, including the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival.
Jacobs was also a film executive and, alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, was involved in the Lufodo Group and the development of performing arts in Nigeria
From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau
Former governor of Zamfara, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari has assured the people of the State of the readiness of the Federal government to end tne lingering insecurity in not only Zamfara, but the entire nation.
He also called on them to continue to rally round the Tinubu’s administration in its quest toward developing the nation politically and economically so that it can compete with its counterparts globally.
Yari made the call and assertion when he addressed thousands of Imams who converted at his residence to register their support, and congratulate him over his appointment as campaign DG of President Tinubu 2027 election.
Senator Yari explained that President Tinubu is much worried of what is happening in particularly Zamfara as far as insecurity is concerned, and thus vowed to make sure that it has become a history.
According to the campaign DG, Tinubu deserved to be re-elected for the second term going by what did to the nation with regard to development in the northern part of the country in mostly the areas of security itself.”Me President is currently doing everything possible toward addressing the issue of insecurity, but I also want to tell you that the issue of insecurity is something that one person only cannot do it, it is something that needs many hands, so in this regard, there is need for coming together, irrespective political inclination to collectively join hands and fight it, and by the grace of God we will succeed”, Yari added.
He therefore urged Imams to continue to pray for the return of peace in the State, and by extention, to the whole nation. “I therefore urge you to assist us with massive prayers, and when you go back to your respective areas, tell others to embark on same with a view to addressing the calamity, as I said earlier, everybody’s hand is needed in this journey”.
Speaking further, the former governor stated that no nation can develop when it is confronted with insecurity no matter how powerful it is, because peace is the most needed ingredient for every development globally, adding that “from our own side, we will not leave any stone unturned toward providing all that is needed for the success of achieving the desired goals.
Abubakar Kabir
A child rights organisation funded by the Malala Fund is seeking stronger backing from the Bauchi State Government to return adolescent girls who dropped out of school due to marriage back to classrooms.
The Women Child Youth Health and Education Initiative, WCY, made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Women and Child Development in Bauchi.
WCY Senior Programme Officer, Kamal Ali Bello, said the group is focused on enrollment, retention and completion for out-of-school children, with special attention to girls who left school early.
“The organisation is poised to ensure the return, retention and completion of adolescent girls who dropped out as a result of marriage or any other reason,” Bello said.
He also asked the ministry to set up the implementation and monitoring committee provided for in the state’s Child Protection Law to help track progress.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajiya Talatu Musa Gar, reiterated the government’s commitment to the health and welfare of women and children. She assured that the ministry will partner with any organisation willing to improve their welfare.
The ministry said it is ready to work with WCY and other partners to reduce Bauchi’s out-of-school numbers.
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