Health
Child labour, societal consequences and insecurity
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)
As the world marks International Women’s Day, 4 Communities by Communities (4CbyC) is highlighting the resilience of women battling cervical cancer. Through personal narratives, the organization aims to raise awareness about the disease, stressing the importance of early detection, vaccination, and community-driven healthcare solutions.
For Ene, the impact of cervical cancer became deeply personal following the loss of her aunt, Evelyn, and the declining health of her mother. Living in Awo-Kajola, their family’s once-vibrant evenings were shattered by grief. Fearing a tragic pattern, Ene sought answers at the One-Stop Shop for Health, where she met a clinician, Funke.
Funke’s explanation changed everything: cervical cancer was not a curse but a preventable disease. Testing confirmed Ene’s worst fears—her mother had Stage 3 cervical cancer. However, hope remained. Funke assured Ene that she and her sister, Blessing, could receive the HPV vaccine, preventing future cases.
Similarly, Jennifer’s story underscores the urgency of awareness and healthcare access. Misdiagnosed for years, her cervical cancer advanced unchecked, and by the time she received proper care, it was too late. Financial constraints and limited healthcare resources delayed her treatment, leading to her passing in 2020.
To prevent more cases like Jennifer’s, organizations like the SaliHoe Foundation are stepping in, offering free cervical cancer screenings, vaccinations, and education. Campaigns such as “Know Her, Save Her” are using digital platforms to spread life-saving information, while FemmeHealth connects women with screening and treatment options.
Directors of 4CbyC—Prof. Juliet Iwelunmor, Prof. Joe Tuckler, and Prof. Oliver Ezechi—emphasize the need for continued advocacy, early detection, and accessible healthcare.
“The fight against cervical cancer is not just about health; it’s about breaking down the barriers of stigma, access, and education,” they said. “Through collective action, we can create a world where no woman dies from a preventable cancer.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an urgent alarm about the rising prevalence of diabetes in Africa, warning that it is becoming a “silent killer.” Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, highlighted that if swift action is not taken, the number of people living with diabetes on the continent could reach 54 million by 2045, representing the highest global increase. This warning is particularly concerning for Nigeria, where the disease is steadily on the rise.
According to WHO, over 24 million adults in Africa currently live with diabetes, with half of them undiagnosed. The condition is exacerbated by factors like urbanization, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, and the WHO stresses the importance of a collaborative approach to tackling the disease. Africa’s healthcare systems, which have traditionally focused on infectious diseases, are ill-prepared to address the growing burden of chronic conditions like diabetes. The continent also suffers from the lowest investment in diabetes care, receiving just 1% of health expenditure.
In Nigeria, the diabetes prevalence rate is currently estimated at 3.46% of the adult population. Regional variations are apparent, with the South-South zone reporting the highest rate at 9.8%, while the North West has the lowest at 3%. The increasing trend in Nigeria is largely attributed to lifestyle changes, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and high consumption of alcohol and sugary foods.
Dr. Uche Okenyi, a Lagos-based health expert, stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the causes and risks of diabetes. He also urged a concerted effort from governments, individuals, and corporations to tackle the rising numbers. He highlighted that Type 1 diabetes, typically affecting adolescents, is caused by insulin deficiency, while Type 2 diabetes, which mostly affects adults over 40, is linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity.
The government, according to Dr. Okenyi, can play a critical role in raising awareness, promoting healthy lifestyle changes, and investing in the healthcare sector. Corporate organizations also have a role in educating employees and supporting health initiatives, while individuals should maintain healthy habits, limit alcohol and calorie intake, and seek early medical care for risk factors.
Dr. Innocent Emeka of Divine Hospital in Lagos emphasized the need for increased education, early diagnosis, and better access to diabetes treatments, particularly insulin. He pointed out that more than half of diabetes cases in Africa go undiagnosed, which makes effective intervention difficult.
The WHO has called on all sectors—individuals, governments, communities, and health professionals—to join forces in addressing diabetes, spreading awareness, and improving care. With proper management, lifestyle changes, and early diagnosis, the alarming projections for Nigeria and the broader African continent can be mitigated.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has expressed concern over staff shortages hampering the agency’s operations.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adeyeye noted that the agency’s limited workforce has impacted its capacity to regulate substandard and falsified medicines effectively. She also highlighted that the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), responsible for registering drug-selling sites and practitioners, faces similar challenges.
“Both NAFDAC and PCN face staff shortages, which hinder our ability to reach every corner of the country,” Adeyeye said.
She drew a stark comparison between Nigeria and Indonesia, revealing that while Indonesia has 20,000 regulatory staff for a population of 280 million, Nigeria, with 220 million people, manages with only 2,000 NAFDAC personnel.
Adeyeye also addressed a recent labor union crisis within NAFDAC, clarifying that demands for staff promotions are beyond the agency’s control, as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation determines such matters. She confirmed that the issue had been temporarily resolved following discussions with the unions and intervention from the presidency.
Despite the challenges, Adeyeye assured that NAFDAC continues to prioritize staff welfare, ensuring timely payment of salaries, allowances, and benefits. She called on the government to address the staffing inadequacies to enhance the agency’s service delivery and safeguard public health.
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