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Child labour, societal consequences and insecurity

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Against the backdrop of the International Day Against Child Labour, annually marked around the globe on June 12 to bring to the fore, problems associated with child labour and to find ways to eradicate the menace, there is need to evaluate its link with insecurity and other societal vices.

The day, which has “Act Now, End Child Labour” as its theme for 2021, is to raise awareness about the harmful mental and physical problems faced by children who are forced into harmful practices.
According to layman’s perspective, child labour is the act of subjecting a minor between five to 17 years of age to forced labour, abuse, assault, capable of triggering psychological trauma.
It also refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful.

However, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) says not all work done by children should be classified as child labour, and be targeted for elimination.

It says children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive.

This includes activities such as helping parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays, as these kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and welfare of families and provide skills to prepare them to be productive members of society.

ILO, therefore, defined child labour as work that is dangerous and deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, interferes with their schooling, obliging them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to combine school with excessively long and heavy work that is harmful to their physical and mental development.

However, child labour could be due to poverty and high unemployment levels in given societies or communities even countries. While some stakeholders believe it is deliberate in some cultures, some argue that it is situational. Mrs Sophia Obinor, a primary school teacher in Abuja, blamed the increase in child labour to limited or the lack of access to compulsory, free education. Obinor explained that child labour is still permissible in states where existing laws or codes of conduct are often violated. She said “laws and enforcement are often inadequate. National laws often include exemptions and workers’ rights are repressed.”Mr Suleiman Abubakar of Eagle Eye Security company noted with dismay the increasing violation and abuse of the rights of children. Suleiman, who vehemently condemned all forms of exploitation, repression and dehumanisation of children, identified insecurity as one of the greatest consequences. He said majority of the bandits and terrorists threatening the peace of people today in the country are victims of child labour. Understandably, Richard Wright’s Native Boy is a clear illustration of the consequences of child labour. Wright’s protagonist, Bigger Thomas, mutated to a beast with utter hatred for the society and subsequent rebellion ventilated through violence and criminality as occasioned by his exploitation. Mr Ikenna Nwakamma of Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (NINERELA+), urged policy makers and stakeholders to rise against child labour to save the society from imminent chaos. Nwakamma affirmed the ravaging brutality in the society as one of the consequences of child labour. He said every child who had been subjected to labour would mentally feel insecure, thereby resorting to self help. He added that “such self help can be armed robbery, cultism, banditry, terrorism, prostitution and many more. ”It is on record that globally, 152 million children aged five to 17 years are in child labour. About half of them, 72.5 million, perform hazardous work that places their health, safety or moral development at risk. One in five children in Africa is involved in child labour, making it the region where the risk of child labour is greatest. Half of affected children live in lower-middle and upper-middle income countries and the problem is prevalent in countries experiencing conflict and disaster. Dr Okai Aku of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) said: “child labour is defined by international standards as work that is hazardous or performed by children who are too young. “Children work because their survival depends on it, because adults take advantage of their vulnerability, and because national education systems are weak. “Child labour is sometimes the result of some customs and traditions. ”Child labour has been on the increase in Nigeria, especially insurgents-riddled areas where children are internally displaced. Mr Nduka Arinze, the former Director, Population Management, National Population Commission (NPC), said hundreds of children who have been turned into orphans or internally displaced are subjected to exploitation in the North East. Meanwhile, ILO estimate shows that the current number of child workers in Nigeria is 15 million, about 43 per cent of the total population of minors. Child labour can result into extreme bodily and mental harm, and even death. It can lead to slavery and sexual or economic exploitation. And in nearly every case, it cuts children off from schooling and healthcare, restricting their fundamental rights and threatening their future. The time to take action against child labour is now, aimed at not only securing the children’s future but restoring hope and love among them. Consequently, there is the need to increase awareness on what constitutes child labour and for government to promulgate stringent laws and effectively implement them, as well as ensure more children are sent to school. Other measures are to discourage people from employing children in homes, shops and factories, among others, as well as support NGOs to continue to preach against the practice. (NANFeatures)** If used, please credit the writer, as well as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Health

Mental Illness: Kebbi Gov’t. Offers Free Treatment to 23,542 Patients

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The Kebbi Government says it offered free treatment to 23,542 patients with mental illness
at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach from 2023 till date in the state.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, made this known at the weekly ministerial press
briefing organised by the state’s Ministry of Information and Culture.

He said “the ministry intervenes in cases of mental health and other social challenges.

“Between May 2023 and now, 23,542 patients with mental illness cases received treatment and medications at the Zauro Psychiatric Medical Outreach in Birnin Kebbi.

On regulation of the conduct of Almajiris, Sani-Aliyu disclosed that a unit had been established to carry out a demography of Islamiyya and Almajiri schools in the state.

He added that the aim is to identify age and number of pupils, their various origins, parents and their living conditions for appropriate actions.

He added that “over 1,500 cases have been handled by the state Hisbah under the Shari’a Department of the ministry to usher peace, tranquility and brotherhood in our society.”

On partnerships, the commissioner said that the ministry facilitated the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and Qatar Foundation.

This, he said, would result to the construction of over 200 boreholes and other social amenities for the teeming populace.

“Furthermore, the ministry will establish linkage with the Indonesian Embassy on possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, socio- cultural and education cooperation,” he said.

Sani-Aliyu said that the state government had liaised with the ministry to intervene in cushioning the effect of hardship faced by the people before, during and after Ramadan in the state.

“The areas we intervened are: Ramadan feeding at designated Mosques across the state, targeting 11,400 persons per day and the vulnerable groups Ramadan intervention for girls’ schools and women groups in centres across the state by Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris, targeting 1,700 families.

“Others are the joint house to house Ramadan packages in Birnin Kebbi and women groups at designated centres in three emirate headquarters outside Birnin Kebbi, targetting
14,000 families, among others.”

The commissioner commended Gov. Nasir Idris for the idea to use religion to reduce moral decadence, youth waywardness, vices and crimes through moral education and counselling in liaison with relevant government agencies.  (NAN)

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Tuberculosis Claims 1,869 Lives in Kwara in 2023–Commissioner

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Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, has submitted that in 2023, Tuberculosis claimed about 1,869 lives in Kwara.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with symptoms such as persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness

El-Imam, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explained that the disease continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.

She stressed the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring that patients receive anti-TB drugs.

“It is only when all active cases are treated that we can break the chain of transmission of Tuberculosis.

“The Kwara State Ministry of Health remains committed to finding cases of Tuberculosis wherever they may be.

“We are intensifying community sensitization and active case search using our well-established structures of community informants, surveillance officers, and community TB/HIV workers,” she affirmed.

El-Imam highlighted the Kwara Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.

She acknowledged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for Tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.

Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Opeloyeru, the Director-General of Ajike People’s Support Center, reiterated government’s commitment to eliminate tuberculosis and promote a healthy Kwara.

Abdulrazaq urged all Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.

Also, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, the Director of Public Health, emphasized the importance of citizens supporting the various healthcare efforts of the present administration to help reduce TB spread, echoing this year’s theme.

Reports says that highlight of the 2024 World TB Day includes an outreach to Mandate Market, Ilorin, where people were tested for Tuberculosis free of charge. (NAN)

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2024 WTBD: WHO Raises Alarm Over 2.5m People Infected in 2022

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The World Health Organization, WHO, has raised alarm over 2.5 million people that were infected with Tuberculosis, TB in Africa in 2022.

In a statement issued by WHO, to commemorate 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, WTBD, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in the statement said 

In 2022, there was a 20% increase was recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

She lamented that TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. 

The statement reads, “Since then, a 20% increase has been recorded in identified paediatric TB cases compared to the previous year.

This signifies a positive step, indicating a more practical approach to recognizing TB in children and a decisive push to end this ancient disease.

According to Dr. Moeti, “Today, we reflect on our progress while recognizing the challenges in our efforts to eliminate it as a public health threat. 

“TB continues to be the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. According to the latest report, about 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in 2022 in the region, equating to one person every 13 seconds. 

“Additionally, the number of TB deaths in 2022 reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute—even when TB is preventable and treatable. These figures underscore the urgency of our collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlight the need for sustained efforts to end it.

“WHO African Region supports our member states’ fight against TB in Africa by setting strategic directions, developing monitoring tools, like the African TB scorecard with the African Union, and ensuring progress towards the End TB Strategy. 

‘Our Organization is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods. We support countries by updating TB treatment guidelines to reflect the latest practices and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools. Emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, the WHO African Region encourages knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts across countries, significantly advancing the mission to eliminate TB as a public health threat in Africa.

“In the WHO African Region, we celebrate another milestone: diagnosing 70% of TB patients, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and propelling us closer to our goal. This achievement is a testament to the relentless efforts of our Member States and partners, showcasing what can be accomplished through a shared vision and concerted action.

“Between 2015 and 2022, our region achieved a remarkable 38% reduction in TB deaths, surpassing the initial End TB Strategy milestone of 35% by 2020. From 2015 to 2022, the region also saw a 23% reduction in new TB cases, exceeding the initial End TB Strategy target of 20% by 2020. All this underscores the effectiveness of implemented strategies and renewed commitment from countries.

“However, while the reduction in TB deaths is commendable, it still falls short of the 2025 End TB Strategy target of a 75% reduction. Similarly, the 23% decline in TB incidence misses the mark of the 50% reduction target for 2025. This highlights the need for continued and intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals”.

She decried, the “Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to new tools and technologies, and the ongoing threat of multi-drug resistant TB require continued vigilance and sustained efforts”.  

She therefore tasked stakeholder to join WHO in providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships. 

“Through this unified action, we can address the challenges of TB in Africa and achieve our goal of its elimination as a public health threat.

“I urge all our Member States to prioritize a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the disease while bolstering our efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

“I urge health leaders to intensify their commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and scaling up innovative interventions. 

“Investing in research and developing new tools, including vaccines and improved diagnostics, is essential to accelerate progress. 

“Furthermore, countries must prioritize addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to healthcare, to achieve sustainable outcomes. Collaboration across sectors and borders is paramount. 

“I firmly commit to supporting all our Member States and partners with unwavering determination for a world free of TB. Set”, she said.

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