Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister for Women Affairs, emphasized the importance of involving children in the advancement of our nation’s urban development during her address on Thursday. She made this statement while addressing attendees at the 2023 Anambra Investment Summit.
Drawing a compelling parallel, the minister highlighted that in China, children actively contribute to the country’s production efforts. This practice serves as an inspiring example of how youth involvement can play a crucial role in a nation’s progress.
“I am pleading for us to look into more production of some of these things in our societies, especially the necessities like the matchbox, the toothpick, the cotton buds, the sanitary pads and stuff like that,” she said.
“Let us introduce urban development in the schools, if we can think about using Fridays as free for our children to start producing things just like they do in China. In China, even young kids get involved in production.”
Kennedy-Ohanenye said she has already spoken to the president of the Traders Union Association who is ready to partner on the initiative so that “when they produce these things, they carry it and market it within our country”.
She said the move would check the high unemployment rates in the country and curtail drug abuse among children.
“They will school and they will equally do some production to start earning money on time. It will equally curtail the insecurity in our society,” she added.
“Let us help ourselves. If we are hoping on government to do it all, it will never happen.”
Her comments have raised concerns about child rights violations.
