…..Niger, Ondo, and Osun are listed by NECA as common states.
Earlier, Taiwo Adeniyi, the president of NECA, stated that the project’s longevity and the launch of “Accelerating action for the elimination of child labor in supply chains in Africa” are milestones for our nation.”
It is undoubtedly a significant accomplishment in the ongoing efforts under the ACCEL Project to promote the abolition of child labor in the cocoa and artisanal small-scale gold mining, ASGM, sectors in Nigeria.
Okay.ng learnt that Adeniyi was represented by NECA’s First Vice President, Kunle Oyelana. He noted that Nigeria has strengthened and deepened the capacity of organizations and key stakeholders in the organized private sector on the urgent need to eliminate child labor practices and their impact from global supply chains in our nation and the rest of the world since implementation of the 2020 Agenda.
“There is no doubt that the Project has favorably benefited the focus regions in Nigeria, particularly villages in Niger, Ondo, and Osun States where child labor abuses are pervasive,” he said. Many young people work long hours in hazardous and unhealthy conditions and are given more responsibility than is appropriate for their age.
They put children’s rights in jeopardy by working for little pay, little food, no education, and no medical care. Despite Nigeria having ratified both Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Convention 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, both conventions address child labor.
“As the leading employers” organization and the voice of business in Nigeria, NECA will constantly promote and raise awareness among the participants in the supply chain about the negative employment practices of suppliers and the advantages of ethical companies that don’t use child labor. Employers, in our opinion, should lead the charge in promoting best practices.
“On behalf of the Governing Council and Management of our Association, let me use this opportunity, to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contribution of the Sponsors and key stakeholders of the ACCEL Africa Project – the International Labour Organization, ILO; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and government of the Netherlands; the Federal Government of Nigeri,” he said, praising the benefits this Project has brought to businesses in the organized private sector.
