Tinubu’s Minister Clears Air on Toothpick Production: “I Never Said Children Will Be Used”

• Uju Kennedy has denied the viral media reports tasking Nigerian children to be productive under Bola Tinubu's government
• The minister of women affairs explained she was more interested in empowering school girls as she denied advocating for child labour under the current administration
• In a recent interview, the minister noted that the media misconstrued her statement

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's minister of women affairs, Uju Kennedy, has denied advocating child labour.

Tinubu's minister speaks on children working for Tinubu's government

Reacting to the viral statement on her proposition of local toothpick production, she said her position has always been empowering schoolgirls.

Uju appeared on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, aired on Monday, October 9. She responded to reports credited to her where she purportedly proposed that Nigeria model China in the involvement of schoolchildren to produce commodities like toothpicks on Fridays.

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“I never said the children will be used for the production of toothpicks. I don’t know why you people keep mentioning toothpicks,” she said.

The minister reiterated her commitment to providing children with vocational training and educational opportunities, highlighting that these centres would empower young girls to acquire skills that could help them become financially independent by age 18. Uju stated:

“I said I want to put vocational machines in schools where these children will learn skills."

Watch her full interview below:

Women affairs minister tasks Nigerian children

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye urged Nigerian children to take part in the country's urban development.

Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed this on Thursday, September 7, at the 2023 Anambra Investment Summit.

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According to the minister, children in other parts of the world, like China, engage in production, which is the reason for the country's high urban development. Hence, Nigerian children should contribute to the country's development.

Five quick facts about Uju Kennedy

Meanwhile, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye recently assumed duty as minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

The new minister is not a newbie in Nigerian politics, as she is known for championing women empowerment programmes that provide women with the requisite skills to upgrade their economic status.

Legit.ng compiled vital facts about the minister that will drive women's affairs under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

Source: Legit.ng