Connect with us

Metro

Child Labour Rises to 160m – ILO, UNICEF

Published

on

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Share

The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide, according to a new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF.

The report titled: “Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, Trends and the Road Forward’’ was released on Thursday, on the sidelines of the virtual ongoing 109th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, Trends and the Road Forward, was released ahead of World Day Against Child to be marked on June 12.

The ILO Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder said that the new estimate was a wake-up to all.

“The new estimates are a wake-up call. We cannot stand by while a new generation of children is put at risk,” he said.

Ryder however said that inclusive social protection allows families to keep their children in school even in the face of economic hardship.

He said that increased investment in rural development and decent work in agriculture was essential.

“We are at a pivotal moment and much depends on how we respond.

“This is a time for renewed commitment and energy to turn the corner and break the cycle of poverty and child labour,’’ Ryder said.

Also, UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore said that globally the world was not doing well in the fight against child labour.

“We are losing ground in the fight against child labour and the last year has not made that fight any easier.

“Now, well into a second year of global lockdowns, school closures, economic disruptions and shrinking national budgets, families are forced to make heart-breaking choices.

“We urge governments and international development banks to prioritise investments in programmes that can get children out of the workforce and back into school,’’ she said.

Fore also called for social protection programmes that would help families avoid making such choice in the first place.

The report said this was the first increase in two decades and warned that nine million additional children were at risk as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

It stated that to reverse the upward trend in child labour, the ILO and UNICEF had called for adequate social protection for all including universal child benefits.

The ILO and UNICEF also called for increased spending on free and good-quality schooling and getting all children back into school including children who were out of school before COVID-19.

“Promotion of decent work for adults, so families don’t have to resort to children helping to generate family income.

“An end to harmful gender norms and discrimination that influence child labour.

“Investment in child protection systems, agricultural development, rural public services, infrastructure and livelihoods, ‘’ it said.

NAN report that “ Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward’’ is the first-ever joint ILO-UNICEF report on child labour estimates and forms part of a broader inter-agency effort to measure and monitor progress towards target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

NAN also report that during a week of action from 10–17 June, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore will join other high-level speakers and youth advocates  during the ILC to discuss the release of the new global estimates and the roadmap ahead.(NAN)

Metro

S’West Doctors threaten Strike over Unfavorable Allowances

Published

on

Share

Torough David, Abuja

The South-West Caucus of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said its members may embark on strike if the unfavorable allowances introduced for doctors by the Federal Government is not withdrawn.

The caucus, which comprised Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo states, said this at a news conference in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Dr Adeniyi Fasanu, the Caucus Chairman, stated that the recent circular issued by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning doctors (increased) allowances, is not in tandem with economic reality.

Fasanu, who is also the Osun State NMA Chairman, said the national leadership of NMA had given the Federal Government 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the circular.

He said the southwest caucus aligns with national leadership of the NMA in demanding for: immediate correction of inconsequential adjustment in alignment with the 2001, 2009 and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

“Full payment of 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and comprehensive review of the fund to reflect current economic realities,” he said

Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, Ondo NMA Chairman, said the FG did not consult them before announcing the allowances.

Alonge said this was the time medical doctors needed to be motivated as there was a serious shortage of doctors in the country, with a ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients.

Speaking, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, Ekiti State NMA Chairman, said 2,000 doctors leave the country yearly, adding that if doctors’ welfare was not given adequate attention, doctors would continue to leave the country for greener pasture.

Ogun State NMA Chairman, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi said the NWIC circular on doctor’s allowances would discourage doctors that were already overworked and underpaid, to want to remain and practice in the Nigerian health sector.

Oyo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo said the government needed to be responsive to the plight of doctors, saying the allowance being introduced was insignificant against the rising inflation in the country.

The caucus, among their 18 demands, also ask for the implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement, and implementation of the revised retirement age for medical and dental practitioners.

They said if the Federal Government failed to attend to their demands, the caucus would convene an emergency meeting to advise their members appropriately in concert with the national leadership of NMA.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Metro

Don Urges Curricula Reform to Include African Perspectives in Science, Logic

Published

on

Share

Torough David, Abuja

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Oseni Afisi, on Tuesday called for reform of Nigeria’s education curricula to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

Afisi made the call while delivering the 108th LASU Inaugural Lecture Series at the university’s main campus, Ojo.

Afisi is a Professor of Philosophy of Science, Logic and Critical Rationalism at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, LASU.

Afisi’s lecture was entitled ‘The Oracle and the Open Society: Rethinking of Evolution of Authority and the Pursuit of Epistemical Justice in African Philosophical Thought’.

The inaugural lecturer said that teaching reforms should also emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability and critical thinking rooted in local languages.

“Curricula at all levels of education must be reformed to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

“Beyond token inclusion, educational content should reflect the depth, complexity and contemporary relevance of African philosophies.

“Teaching methods should emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability, and critical thinking rooted in local languages, oral traditions and community experiences.

“Textbooks and materials should be developed to support these aims,” he said.

He said that scholars must rise to the challenge of rethinking epistemology beyond the western cannon.

“Scholars should embrace epistemic pluralism by critically engaging indigenous knowledge systems and legitimising their knowledge within global discourse.

“Research must not only be methodologically rigorous but also socially responsive.

“Interdisciplinary work that bridges philosophy, science and African worldviews should be encouraged through collaborative platforms and funding schemes,” he added.

He said that there was an urgent need to institutionalise plural approaches to knowledge.

He also said that national policies should formally recognise and regulate the interface between biomedicine and traditional healing system.

“Artificial Intelligence systems must be built with transparency, fairness and communal accountability at their core.

“Algorithmic decision-making tools should be subjected to ethical scrutiny informed by African communitarian ethics such as Ubuntu.

“Innovation hubs and tech curricula should incorporate training in philosophy of technology and digital ethics from African perspectives,” he said.

According to Afisi, the lecture was not merely about comparing African and Western systems of knowledge.

“It is about addressing a deeper concern: the epistemic injustice suffered by African traditions under colonialism and their continued marginalisation in our institutions today.

“It is about reclaiming the integrity of indigenous epistemologies, engaging critically with global thought systems.

 “Let us, therefore, re-imagine African societies where technological advancement is tempered by moral insight, where education is guided by critical consciousness and where governance reflects dialogue and dignity.

“May the African open society not be a borrowed idea, but a living tradition, critically reconstructed, philosophically grounded and ethically sustained,” he said.

Continue Reading

Metro

I was Pressured to Abandoned Benue Anti-open Grazing Law – Ortom

Published

on

Share

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom yesterday alleged that he faced severe pressure from the immediate past administration of Muhammad Buhari to abandon the implementation of the anti-open grazing law in the state.

He further revealed  that his refusal to step down the law as demanded by Buhari Govt, also denied him  N75 billion grant given to other states governors to clear salary arrears of civil servants, gratuities of pensioners and  infrastructural development.

Ortom, who disclosed this during a media interaction held at his residence in Makurdi on Thursday, explained that, at first, he was offered N40 Billion  free interest loan for infrastructural developments and another N35 billion to clear salary, gratuities of civil servants and pensioners.

“So, I was pressured to abandoned the law but I said no and I  was denied N75 billion in all, including taken free interest loan from infrastructural bank to finance development projects and clear salary and gratuities civil servants and pensioners because of my stance to defend my people”

“That was why the killings could not stop. Is not all about anti open grazing law. It is Fulani herdsmen agenda. Their plans to chase us out of our land. It’s about land grabbing and so, we must not allow it to happen. We should continue to pray for the governor of Benue State, Fr. Alia, the SGF and President Tinubu to succeed”, Ortom stated.

Speaking on the clamour by some northern politicians for power to return back to the north, Chief alluded that he stands with southerners to continue with the presidency comes 2027.

He maintained that in line with the gentlemanly agreement of rotating the presidency from North to South, he insisted that the South be allowed to complete its eight years before the baton returned to the northern part of the country.

“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in the southern presidency, even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years.

“So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate. But we will do strategic partnerships to win elections. I will encourage it. Samuel Ortom believed in the southern presidency. I will not support the northern presidency in 2027. It was a gentleman’s agreement that power should rotate between north and south”, Ortom stated. Even if my party is bringing a candidate from the south, we need to scrutinize the people before he can be accepted”.

Asked to assess the president’s administration, Ortom applauded the ongoing reforms of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the reforms were adding value to the economy.

“The Tinubu administration is doing well, je is ensuring that the rule of law prevails and this is good for our country.

“The oil industry had been a place where a few cliques siphoned our common wealth but with the removal of subsidy, there is a lot of money in all the states.

“The president even stated this during his visit to Benue at the height of the killing of our people in Yelwata where he said that no state would say it doesn’t have money to pay salary.

“Also, the tax reform is a good step, and the ongoing reforms will help our economy to grow, Tinubu is not partisan, his dream is to make the country grow.

While castigating Buhari’s administration the former governor said that the Buhari administration took the country from ‘top to bottom’.

Ortom who is now member of Board of Trustee of the Peoples Democratic Party said, he is not part of coalition, adding that he is a bona fide member of PDP, leader of PDP and member of BoT of the party which made him not to think of going out of the party.

“I remain a member and leader of Peoples Democratic Party, am even a board member of my party and I don’t believe in coalition but where there’s need for strategic partnership you will see me there.

“Politics is a game of interest, no permanent enemy or permanent friend, but permanent interest. I don’t believe in the coalition movement. President Tinubu is doing very well.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

POLITICS1 day ago

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise...

NEWS1 day ago

Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu...

NEWS1 day ago

C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

ShareThe first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her...

NEWS1 day ago

Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

ShareThe Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable...

POLITICS1 day ago

PDP Stakeholders Olorunda Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Adeleke

ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Olorunda Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Stakeholders has passed vote of confidence on Governor Ademola Adeleke...

NEWS2 days ago

Town Planners Task Benue Govt on Regional Devt, Master Plans

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr. Chime Ogbonna, has urged the Benue State...

NEWS2 days ago

Illegal Detention: Court Awards Bauchi Accountant General N100m

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja In a decisive rebuke of official impunity, the Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi has declared...

NEWS2 days ago

Military Cracks Down on Terror Collaborators, Exposes Arms Trafficking by Transport Union Members

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced multiple breakthroughs in its ongoing counter-terrorism operations, revealing that Nigerian...

NEWS2 days ago

Peace, Order Return to Niger LG after Series of Banditry Attacks

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Rijau Local Government Area, one of the Frontline Councils under sustained banditry attack is now heaving...

NEWS2 days ago

LG Pensions/Gratuities: Bayelsa Warns Principal Officers Against Sabotage of Quick Payment Policy

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Government has warned principal officers of local government councils in the state to desist...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc