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Minister for women affairs, Uju Kennedy advocates child labour for urban development, says ‘they can produce toothpick’

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Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister for women affairs, says children should participate in the country’s urban development.

Kennedy-Ohanenye spoke on Thursday at the 2023 Anambra investment summit.

According to the minister, children in other parts of the world like China engage in production which is the reason for the country’s high urban development.

“I am pleading for us to look into more production of some of these things in our societies, especially the necessities like the matchbox, the toothpick, the cotton buds, the sanitary pads and stuff like that,” she said.

“Let us introduce urban development in the schools, if we can think about using Fridays as free for our children to start producing things just like they do in China. In China, even young kids get involved in production.”

The minister said she has already spoken to the president of the Traders Union Association who is ready to partner on the initiative so that “when they produce these things, they carry it and market it within our country”.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said the move would check the high unemployment rates in the country and curtail drug abuse among children.

“They will school and they will equally do some production to start earning money on time. It will equally curtail the insecurity in our society,” she added.

“Let us help ourselves. If we are hoping on government to do it all, it will never happen.”

CHILD LABOUR IN NIGERIA

The federal ministry of women affairs and social development which Kennedy-Ohanenye heads is also mandated to see to protecting the development and rights of children in Nigeria.

However, the minister’s recent comments have raised concerns about child rights violations as the children may be exposed to child labour if her idea sails through.

The child rights Act 2003 defines acts that constitute child labour and also stipulates some penalties for defaulters.

According to the Act, any person or group of persons:

Who subjects a child to any form of exploitative or forced labour;
Who employs a child to work in a capacity other than domestic or light agricultural and horticultural work as a family member;
Who asks a child to carry, lift or move heavy items which could pose negative effects on the child’s social, physical, moral, spiritual, and mental development;
Who employs a child as a domestic help outside the child’s family environment or home;
Who employs a child in an industrial undertaking other than required and duly supervised technical work in schools or other approved institutions; is deemed guilty of child labour in Nigeria and liable for conviction and imprisonment for 5 years or the payment of a fine not exceeding N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira). Depending on the gravity of the crime, the defaulter can be made to serve the term and also pay the fine.

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Driver escapes death as 40ft container falls on car in Lagos

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A yet-to-be-identified driver luckily escaped death on Monday morning when a 40-foot-laden container fell onto a Toyota Camry, with registration number LSR 293 HJ, at Mile 2, en route to Apapa Ports, Lagos.

The accident, according to an eyewitness, happened at about 8 a.m.

Fortunately, the driver of the car was rescued by the prompt intervention and coordinated response of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency services, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The victim received immediate medical attention after being rushed to the hospital by the joint rescue team.

Security during the operation was effectively maintained by officers from the Kirikiri Police Division, who ensured a secure and orderly environment for the emergency responders.

Following the rescue, the Toyota Camry was successfully removed from beneath the container.

As of 9.30 am, efforts to evacuate the fallen container were in full swing, while LASTMA officers managed the scene to ease traffic congestion and restore normalcy.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated the critical importance of proper container securing by truck drivers and owners.

He stressed that negligence in this regard endangers lives and property, urging strict compliance with road safety protocols to avert such catastrophic occurrences.

“LASTMA remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Lagos roadways and continues to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to uphold traffic laws and enhance public safety,” Bakare-Oki stated.

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Lagos state government removes illegal shop extensions blocking drainage channels in Lagos Island

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The Lagos State government has cleared illegal shop extensions obstructing drainage systems and a government-provided water tap in Lagos Island.

The exercise was conducted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), led by its General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Oki.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Adu Ademuyiwa, Director of Public Affairs at LASBCA, via the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.

The enforcement operation focused on Idi-Oluwo Street, where shop extensions had blocked critical drainage channels and access to potable water, leaving the community without essential resources.

Arc. Gbolahan Oki highlighted the adverse impacts of these illegal structures on residents, noting that several shop owners had constructed extensions over public drains and a government-provided water tap, causing significant disruptions to the area.

“In a proactive effort to ensure public safety, orderliness, and the smooth flow of traffic, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has taken decisive action by removing illegal shop extensions obstructing drainage systems and community water supplies along Idi-Oluwo Street, Lagos Island.

“Leading the LASBCA Enforcement Team, the General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, highlighted the adverse impacts of these illegal structures on residents. He noted that several shop owners had built extensions over public drains and water tap, causing significant disruptions,” the statement read in part.

The statement revealed that one of the removed extensions had blocked access to a government-provided water tap, cutting off the entire community’s supply of potable water. The swift removal of these illegal structures restored water access to the affected area.

Arc. Gbolahan Oki emphasized the need for residents to respect public infrastructure and take collective responsibility for preserving community resources.

Furthermore, the statement noted that Arc. Gbolahan Oki issued a one-week ultimatum to traders at Idi-Oluwo, directing them to address the identified violations or face stringent legal consequences.

At Mankanra Market, the LASBCA team uncovered several environmental infractions, including shanties obstructing walkways, which compromised the market’s functionality and safety.

Additionally, the statement highlighted that Hon. Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon, representing Lagos Island Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, praised LASBCA’s proactive efforts.

She urged market leaders to ensure their members adhere to state regulations on sanitation and structural integrity, warning that defaulters would face penalties as prescribed by law.

The LASBCA team also visited Bombata Market, where Arc. Oki advised market leaders to prioritize cleanliness and foster an orderly trading environment.

He assured them of a follow-up inspection within three months to confirm compliance with required standards and maintain the improvements.

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Lagos state government shuts establishments in Gbagada, Ogudu, others over noise pollution, environmental violations

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The Lagos State government has shut down several establishments located in Gbagada, Ogudu, Ojodu, and Agidingbi for violating noise pollution and environmental laws.

The enforcement operation was carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

This development was announced on Sunday in a post by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

The exercise led to the closure of establishments including Divine Perfection Ministry, Eagle Paints Nig Limited, Daveoris Global Ventures Limited, and Ene Global, which were found to have disregarded environmental regulations despite receiving prior warnings.

“In a decisive move to combat noise pollution and other environmental infractions, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed several establishments across Lagos, including Gbagada, Ogudu, Ojodu and Agidingbi.

“This action is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for all Lagosians.

“The establishments sealed include: Divine Perfection Ministry, Eagle Paints Nig Limited, Daveoris Global Ventures Limited, and Ene Global.

“These establishments were shut down for failing to adhere to environmental standards despite prior notices,” Wahab’s tweet read.

The sealings aim to promote a healthier environment, addressing the harmful effects of noise pollution and other infractions on public health and quality of life.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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