Featured

Civil Society Petition Chinese Company Over Alleged Injustice, Inadequate Welfare For Workers

Published

5 years ago

January 26, 2021

Tunde Olabisi, Abuja

The PAN African Youth Development Network has petition the management of BN ceramics Nigeria Limited, Kogi over an alleged injustice and lot of irregularities perpetrated by the company on Nigeria youth whom they engaged as factory workers.

In the petition written to the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Force Headquarters, signed by the Aare Oladotun Hassan, Esq. Principal Partner, was titled’’ petition against BN ceramics Nigeria limited and others over act of criminal conspiracy, gross ineptitude, devaluation and violation of human rights, threat to life, attempted murder and shooting of mr oloye elega and other acts of molestation of workers and staffs of the company in contravention of factory act 2004 fgn.

The petition dated 24^th, Janury, 2021, read thus, ‘With sublime respect, we are Solicitors to PAN African united Youth Development Network represented by Amb. ,Habib Muhammad, Nigerian Youth Coalition represented by Bar. Aare Oladotun Hassan, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide represented by Sola Olumola, and All Concerned and Affected Staffs of BN Ceramic Nigeria Limited hereinafter referred to as “Our Clients/Victims, on whose behalf we seek you’re urgent due diligent investigation and prosecution of the above captioned matter respectively.

‘’Based on this premise, the fact of the matter is bordering on continuous criminal actions of slavery and multiple injustices meted on the helpless Nigerian youths by the management of BN Ceramic Limited perpetrated by Mr. Saliu Mohammed, Human Resource Manager, wherein for many years the culprits subjected innocent female youths to sexual harassment, recent shooting of Oloye Elega, a cleaner, threatening violence and attack our clients respectively.

‘’Hence, we are aghast to report this serial act of threats against workers, for lots of workers have been subjected to gross human rights violations under hash circumstances, but if nothing meaningful is done, this threat is capable of reality and eventual evil consequences to our clients, precipitating our urgent appeal for a due diligent investigation of the culprits.

‘’Our clients are civil and law abiding citizens, with no traces of criminality or taints. We shall await your accelerated approval of our petition for onward investigation accordingly.

Earlier, The President of PAN African Youth Development Network Ambassador Habib Muhammad has called Federal Governmnet to look into the alleged slavery and injustice meted on Nigerian youth by the management of BN ceramics Nigeria Limited.

Muhammad made the call when he led other members of the organisation to BN Ceramics Company owned by Chinese investors based in Ajaokuta, Kogi State and Addressing the management of the company after the team toured the production site, Muhammed explained that the visit was borne out of series of complaints received from the workers of the industry.

He lamented that after the tour of BN ceramics factory the group observed a lot of irregularities perpetrated by the management of the company on Nigeria youth whom they engaged as factory workers.

The youth leader who was visibly furious stated that the organization cannot sit down and allow Nigerian youth being used as slaves in their own country.

He blamed the Human Resource Manager of the company Salihu Mohammed for conniving with the Chinese to suffer Nigeria youth through arbitrary deduction of their salaries, poor remuneration and hazardous working environment.

The President of coalition of youth organizations in Nigeria, Barrister Oladotun Hassan who was part of the team that visited the company stated that the workers of BN Ceramics Nigeria limited have complaint of gross ineptitude, devaluation and violation of human rights as contained in the labor law, stressing that the tour to the factory of the company proved that the complaints are genuine.

He alleged that the company has violated the factory Act 2004 of the federal republic of Nigeria in relation to health, safety, hazard and precautionary measures, expressed displeasure over prolonged working hours and actualization of workers and working without appointment letters as complained by the employees of BN Ceramics Limited.

The youth leader also disclosed that a legal action will be taking over the shooting of one Oloye Elega, a cleaner in the company who was paid a paltry sum of money as compensation.

He also called on the Minister of labour Dr Chris Ngige to act swiftly with a view to end such anomalies , stressing that the minister cannot be sitting in the comfort of his office while foreigners are dehumanizing Nigerian youth under the pretense of creating jobs for Nigerians.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook