In its continued efforts to protecting children’s rights and promoting the well-being and development of children across all its operational sites, the Management of Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited held a sensitization campaign with the theme, “Fight Against Child Labour”, focused on educating children on the dangers of child labour and the importance of education.
In his remarks, the HSE/SD Manager, Jonathan Okeosisi, explained that child labour involves work that is inappropriate for a child’s age or interferes with their education, health, safety and development. He noted that children may assist their parents with age-appropriate tasks at home, but such activities become child labour when they become hazardous, excessive, and interfere with their education. He further maintained that RENL has a zero-tolerance policy for child labour, particularly within its plantations, and does not permit children to be involved in any activities that could expose them to danger or prevent them from attending school. He reminded the children of the campaign slogan, “Child Labour is Wrong”, and encouraged them to uphold the message and share it with their friends, and parents at home.
As part of the sensitization campaign, the management of Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited distributed writing materials to the children, including notebooks, pencils, biros, and erasers, to all the pupils in schools within its plantations. The initiative is aimed at supporting the children’s learning while encouraging them to remain in school to learn, grow, and look forward to a brighter future.
The Headmaster of Estates Primary School, Osse River, Ige Adebiyi Kehinde, expressed his appreciation to RENL management for the sensitization campaign and the distribution of writing materials to the pupils. He described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that the awareness would help the children understand the dangers of child labour and the importance of staying in school. He commended the management for supporting the pupils with learning materials, adding that the gesture would help in providing children with the necessary materials for learning and development.
