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Alleged Industrial Slavery: NGO Drag Chinese Companies To Public Complaint Commission, Demanding Justice

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2021

The Gleamer

…Extols Gov. Yahaya Bello for proactive steps

… Slavery will no longer be tolerated. -PCC

Joel Ajayi

Following the allegations of several abuse, injustice, sexual harassment, industrial slavery, and maltreatment of Nigerian youth in the hands of Chinese employers of the BN Ceramic Company and West Africa ceramics company in Ajaokuta in Kogi state Nigeria, a non-governmental organization known as PAN African United Youth Development Network has dragged the two companies before Nigeria’s Public Complaint Commission, demanding justice for the several victims of abuse.

Speaking earlier, the President of Pan Africa United Youth Developments Network, Amb. Habeeb Mohammed, who led members of the organization to Public Complaint Commission in a courtesy visit to submit the complaint to the commission on Monday in Abuja, said what is happening to Nigerians in the two companies are nothing but modern- day slavery.

“The reason why we are here today is to bring to your notice what is happening in the two Chinese companies in Kogi state, an Ajaokuta based Ceramics companies; BN Ceramic industry Nig. Ltd and West Africa ceramics, on how they threaten our people in our own country.

“After series of complaints on human right violation cases of rape and very poor welfare, we wrote a letter to them seeking for audience but they refused; we sent a reminder, they refused, then we went for on-spot assessment.

“When we got there, we find out on how our youths were treated like a slave in their own country, how they are being molested and we said no, we will not allow those foreign investors sabotage efforts of government and will not allow the good work of government to be adulterated by the these investors.

“We have with us evidences on how some of the machines they are using have created a lot of hazard, they don’t take care of them, they are exposed and some of them died in the process.

“No hospital to attend to emergency, some of the women was sexually harassed for job. Therefore, they can’t come here and sabotage effort of the government and state government.

“What is going on in that place is just modern- day slavery. We are not stopping foreign investors because they are providing job opportunities for our youth, but it should be done in a proper way.”

“We want to tell Nigerians that we won’t sleep to watch them make Nigerians slave in our own country.” He vowed.

Amb. Mohammed also extolled the effort of governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, saying: “We are happy because His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, who is on top of the matter, is looking at it diligently and we also believe by bringing this issue here with all evidences against them on how they treat our people in our own country, justice will be done.

“We want to tell the president, general public and every other relevant authority that we will not seat and watch our young people being treated like slave.”

On his own, the chief of the commissioner of Public Complaint Commission, Chief Chile Igbawua, assured the group that the commission will leave no stone unturned to unravel the alleged industrial slavery and will waste no time to invoke Nigeria labour law to anyone or company found guilty.

He said that the complaints were becoming unbearable and that because of the magnitude of the problem, he would not allow only the PCC state commissioners to handle the matter but would also swing into action in bringing justice to the people.

“We have labour laws in Nigeria for goodness sake and we also have industrial standards. People working in various industries, depending on the kind of work, are entitled to good working conditions and are also entitled to minimum conditions of service.

“The law is very clear on the issue of casualization of labour and that is why I would like to commend you once again. Somebody must voice out for them, so I want to commend you for that because of the steps you have taken.

“We cannot subject ourselves to foreign investors, we are independent, we are proud Nigerians and our resources cannot be used to enslave us again.

“We will ensure that going forward the conditions of service in those two industries and others are brought to conform to the laws of this country.

“I want to encourage you that whatever you have done is a great national service. I also assure you of our collaboration, you can count on us anytime that you have any information.”

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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