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Despite the official ban on child labour in Lagos, many children still toil at construction sites and engage in other perilous jobs in the shadows of the city’s dangerous streets just to support their families. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE, in this report, explores their daily fight for survival—heartbreaking stories of sacrifice and resilience amid harsh realities Every day, a disturbing reality plays out in Lagos, a city where children aged between five and 17 are legally barred from working at construction sites. As the morning sun streaks across the sky, the city’s skyline becomes dotted with the small, stooped figures of young labourers who navigate the hazards of construction sites every day, despite the protective legislation in place. They are also found in shadowy streets and bustling markets. Often no older than twelve, these children are not working out of choice but out of sheer necessity. For them, the daily grind is not an act of rebellion bu...

Parents, teachers, doctors, and disability inclusion advocates have identified issues that need attention to create a more supportive environment for children with autism in Rwanda. These challenges were highlighted during the National Conference on Autism, held in Kigali on April 2, in commemoration of International Autism Awareness Day. ALSO READ: Early detection of autism helps children prosper – experts The event, the first of its kind in Rwanda, brought together parents of autistic children from across the country, talented autistic children who showcased their abilities, and key stakeholders in disability inclusion. 1. Mutuelle de Sante coverage While not all autistic children require medication, those with related complications often need long-term treatment. One of the major concerns raised by parents is the high cost of autism-related treatments which are not covered under the community-based health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Sante. Parents are advocating for the inclusio...

In a powerful collaboration to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has commenced a weeklong intensive capacity-building training for health workers across Lagos State, marking ANPA’s 30th anniversary with impact and purpose. Apart from reducing maternal and child mortality, the training also aims to improve emergency medical response, and boosting chronic disease management in public health facilities. The training exercise, which began on Thursday, April 3, 2025, brings together healthcare professionals from secondary and primary health facilities across the state to upskill in critical areas including obstetric emergencies, trauma response, life-saving interventions, and the management of chronic kidney disease. Kicking off the programme was a comprehensive training on Obstetrics Emergencies, specifically Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), held a...

Pregnant women are advised to pri­oritise the growth of their unborn child by consuming foods high in vital minerals like calcium and iron. A child’s body and brain require all the essential nutrients for proper nutri­tion and healthy growth. Therefore, when pregnant mothers don’t eat at all or eat very little, they have fewer nutrients to pass on to their unborn children. This leads to Anaemia in mothers and malnu­trition, stunting, wasting, under weight in children. Anaemia affects 7.8 million pregnant women in Ni­geria. Nigeria has three million malnourished chil­dren, placing it first in Africa and first overall in terms of the number of malnourished chil­dren worldwide, the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) reported. According to UNICEF, malnutrition is an un­acceptable global issue, and no country can afford to overlook it. Due to the high prevalence of undernutrition, in 2019 the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank identified Oyo state in Southwestern Nig...

NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET — The Great Plains Food Bank's Kitchen Coalition initiative supplied nearly 40,000 meals over the last year to individuals statewide who were facing food insecurity. The initiative collaborates with nearby eateries and food service companies, utilizing excess cuisine to prepare meals for individuals facing significant needs. This project presently encompasses 10 locations spread throughout various cities within the state, such as Bismarck and Williston. Ashley Baker, who serves as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at the Great Plains Food Bank, mentions that this initiative, launched initially in 2023, provided an avenue for individuals to contribute positively to their community. "So it appeared as an opportunity to reinvest your money within the community by hiring local kitchens and caterers to prepare meals which were subsequently provided to nearby neighbors who needed fresh, home-cooked food. This concept of providing ready-to-eat m...

1. A cup rinser This will enable you to quickly clean baby bottles and sippy cups, allowing you to dedicate more time to playtime instead of spending it scrubbing while your child fusses nearby. Additionally, these tools also expedite the cleaning of coffee mugs, ensuring you can enjoy your caffeine fix effortlessly. www.amazon.com , www.amazon.com Keep in mind that this installation isn't possible on sinks without a flat edge! Promising review: I didn't realize how much I needed this item until spotting it on TikTok, and since we use both water bottles and toddler cups at home, it has become an indispensable part of...

On Wednesday, a group of three senators from both parties presented a plan requiring schools to provide non-dairy milk alternatives during lunch for students who are lactose intolerant or follow specific diets. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has historically mandated that school lunches must contain milk on every tray so that schools can receive reimbursement for these meals. However, the Freedom in School Cafeterias and Lunches (FISCAL) Act, proposed by Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and John Kennedy (R-LA), aims to revise current laws to mandate that educational institutions provide students with "plant-based milk" options that adhere to nutritional guidelines set by the Secretary. We must ensure our children receive proper nourishment at school through every possible means," Fetterman stated. "This non-partisan legislation eliminates superfluous bureaucratic hurdles within our nutritional aid initiatives, allowing studen...

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Is it appropriate for children younger than 14 to use social media platforms? Those who back House Bill 301 argue they shouldn't. The legislation was introduced at the beginning of this month. Should the bill pass, it would become illegal for kids younger than 14 to maintain social media profiles on any platform. Additionally, teenagers aged between 14 and 15 years old would be required to use platforms with parental oversight enabled. The representative from Forsyth County, Zenger, who is the main sponsor of the bill, states that the purpose of this legislation is to assist parents in safeguarding their children from the negative impacts of social media and the potentially addictive behavior associated with constant scrolling, particularly affecting young, developing minds. North Carolina is adding itself to the increasing number of states attempting to control teen usage of social media. Raesheaen Bittle from High Point stated that she ...