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

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…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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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

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Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

 What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022. 

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further;  “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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