According to Uju Kennedy, the minister for women’s affairs, there is no truth to accusations that she supported child labour in her proposal to produce toothpicks locally.
The minister emphasised that she has always been an advocate for schoolgirl empowerment.
Kennedy made this statement in response to allegations that purportedly quoted her as suggesting that Nigeria follow China’s lead in involving students in the production of goods like toothpicks on Fridays.
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Kennedy reaffirmed her commitment to giving kids the chance to pursue vocational training during an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday. She also emphasised that she has never advocated using kids to produce toothpicks.
“I never said the children will be used for the production of toothpicks. I don’t know why you people keep mentioning toothpicks.
“I never said the children should produce toothpicks. I said I want to put vocational machines in schools where these children will learn skills,” she said.
The minister for women’s affairs underlined the value of vocational education, pointing out that these institutions would enable young girls to have the skills necessary to become financially independent by the time they turn 18 years old.
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She emphasised that her vision calls for establishing a factory-like setting within these facilities where both practical instruction and the creation of usable goods will take place, producing cash to support the students’ educational costs.
“I equally said I will not bring just ordinary people to teach them; I will have it as a factory there so that while they are being taught, the factory can equally be producing that same thing and be making small money to empower those girls when they leave school and turn 18,” she added.
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