[caption id="attachment_65518" align="alignright" width="235"] Dada Adefolami[/caption] By Dada Adefolami Children’s rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to minors. The Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 defines a child as “any human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.” Children’s rights include their right to association with both parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for physical protection, food and universal state Just over one in 10 children around the world some 168 million are currently working as child labourers. This has now become a business issue – one that has the potential to damage government where government are found to have turned a blind eye to the exploitation of children in their activities. therefore, taking action to protect the rights of children isn’t just about philanthropy; We should take it as part of essential and expected government and all responsibilities Government and Corporate Organization can have an impact on children’s rights in numerous ways. Products and advertising can have positive or negative effects, while exploitation of children through the internet is a major concern. For businesses new to this concept, the process may seem discouraging. That’s why UNICEF developed the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, which guide companies on the actions they can take to respect and support children’s rights. It has also created tools that help businesses integrate children’s rights into due diligence processes. Workplace is of importance when considering business impacts on children’s rights, not least as a result of child labour. UNICEF defines child labour as ‘work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have changed the expectation of business. The growing demand for corporate reporting on human rights from consumers, shareholders, investors and governments increases the pressure on businesses to undertake due diligence. This process regularly identifies, prevents, mitigates and accounts for how impacts on human rights, including those of children, are being addressed. It firmly moves businesses away from a reactive approach to human rights and towards one whereby it is their responsibility to seek out and address any actual or potential negative impact their activities may have on individuals and community’s mental development’. More Countries are beginning to recognize that protecting children’s rights is good for business as it leads to better risk management, enhanced reputation and the social economic of development, a motivated workforce and a stable and sustainable business environment while also delivering long-term Stakeholder value. Employing children under the legal minimum working age – or requiring anyone under the age of 18 to perform hazardous work – is child labour. Childrenhave the right to an adequate standard of living, health care, education and services, and to play and recreation. These include a balanced diet, a warm bed to sleep in, and access to schooling. Protection: Children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. The problem is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa Regions, where 21.4% of the region’s children (59 million) are estimated to be involved. In Asia and the Pacific, 9.3% of the region’s children (78 million) are child labourers. Given the increasingly long supply chains involved in global business today, many Western-based groups could be unknowingly exposed to the risk of child labour. Many industries can be affected, including agriculture and food production, retail, mining, travel and tourism. Welfares The workplace can have an impact in other ways. If parents are paid wages below the level that they need to support their families, then their children may be forced to earn an income. Every company board should therefore be asking and addressing many questions around children’s rights and the workplace, encompassing child labour, working conditions, migrant workers and discrimination. When boards ask such questions, and take steps to protect children’s rights, the benefits can extend beyond enhanced risk management. Corporate reputations can be strengthened when businesses are perceived to behave responsibly, and the social authorization to operate is secured. Businesses that take their responsibility towards children seriously may also become more attractive to prospective employees, and benefit from greater staff retention and motivation. Many employees are parents, and appreciate employers who pay a fair wage and offer good working conditions. In general, government that play their part in supporting the communities in which they operate – including protecting the interests of children by minimizing pollution or supporting educational opportunities – help to create a stable and sustainable economic environment. these are potential business benefits of protecting children’s rights, so there are risks that arise from ignoring them. These increased risk exposure, potential legal action, reputational and brand damage, human resource challenges and an unstable social and business environment. In effect, if government and leaderships fail to take account of children’s rights, they run ethical, reputational and legal risks that will affect the bottom line, If businesses need any more persuasion to act, then shareholders and governments may provide it. Nigeria shareholdergroups should be interested in the issue of children’s rights – for example, by questioning whether companies’ advertising and privacy policies adequately safeguard children. Some investors are beginning to develop procedures for integrating children’s rights into their investment decision-making processes. Governments, have been paying attention to the way that companies impact on human rights, including children’s rights. Greater transparency is also being expected, with UK quoted companies now required to disclose information on human rights that could affect the business. Time to performance Once businesses acknowledge their responsibilities in relation to children and their rights, the next challenge is to act on those responsibilities across all their operations. The Children’s Rights and Business Principles, developed by Save the Children, UNICEF and the UN Global Compact, provide an invaluable launch pad. The principles build on previous international conventions, and set out actions that businesses can take to fulfil their corporate responsibility to respect and support children’s rights in the widest sense: in the workplace, marketplace and for Nigeria in general. Organizations such as UNICEF have also developed many business toolkits. These are designed to help businesses develop policies and codes of conduct in relation to children’s rights, assess their risks associated with children’s rights, take action to address and mitigate those risks, and report on their actions, such efforts by business are essential. ‘It is becoming increasingly clear that respecting children’s rights is not only required but necessary if businesses are to have a strong foundation. ‘To fully recognize children’s rights, companies must embark on thorough investigations of their sales activities, supply chains and core business. Childhood is a time of physical, mental and emotional development which can all be affected by the actions of business. Yet children often lack a public voice: they cannot vote or form trade unions; they cannot influence government and Organizationthrough assembly,buying stocks and shares, and attending shareholder meetings, businesses therefore have an inescapable responsibility to consider their impacts on children’s rights carefully. Childres Right ‘Children’s rights are an issue for government, because children are important. And this is an issue for a wider range of government. Government should ask itself how it might affect children’s rights, and what those impacts on children are. The Government can have an impact in a range of ways – particularly in terms of levels of pay. One of the causes of child labour is the low rate of wages paid to their parents. When parents are paid a poverty rate, they have no choice but to get their children to work. So, the default position for all government should be that they probably do have a significant impact on children. It is an issue they need to be address. This might not be an issue that comes across the desks of Ministers every day. But what is the responsibility of the Ministers? It’s not only to look after the Projects and money, but also to look after the public interest. Ministries have a mandate to look at their business more broadly and consider children’s rights. ‘When children’s rights are not respected, that could create a risk for the Countries. Considering the business impact on children’s rights should to be part of any due diligence analysis of risk – which is a familiar activity to Ministers and Commissioners. Finally Expect number of regulatory requirements around non-financial reporting, and these include the reporting of issues related to human rights. So this is an issue that is only going to figure more strongly in the survives of Ministries and Society Children have a right to privacy – and not in the technical, legal sense (though in that too, because it’s enshrined in Article 16 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the UK has both signed and ratified) but in what I would call the real, natural, sense. [caption id="attachment_65518" align="alignright" width="235"] Dada Adefolami[/caption] Much more to this approach than businesses just avoiding damage. The private sector can be an incredible force for good in children’s lives and companies should consider how they can leverage their resources, skills and innovative approaches to ensure that core business achieves transformational change for children.Children’s rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to minors. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989 defines a child as any human person who has not reached the age of eighteen years. Child advocacy may refer to an individuals, professionals and advocacy organizations who speak out on the best interests of children. An individual or organization engaging in advocacy typically seeks to protect children’s rights which may be abridged or abused in many areas. When are you coming to be advocacy good Nigeria? The Man Adefolami • Dada Suraju Adefolami, Professor of Finance, School of Business Administration, UNEM University Costa Rica, is a Finance / Management Consultant and Certified Forensic Accountant. You can reach him via: surajudada@yahoo.com; 08052043855 According to a letter written by Universidad Empresarial De Costa Rica, dated 27 May 2017 and signed by Prof. Daniel E. Odin, PhD, Director of the International Program at UNEM: “I would like to confirm that Suraju Adefolami Dada´s appointment was as Professor of Finance at UNEM´s international program School of Business Administration upon recommendation by the Rector of the International Faculty on the 21 May 2015. Below mentioned achievements and experience qualified him to be appointed as faculty Professor of Finance. Suraju Adefolami Dada committed Professor with over 10 years of experience at one of the leading USA academic institutions teaching students from various Business, social Economic and Financial Management backgrounds, possessing excellent administrative, verbal communication and written skills along with constructive and effective teaching methods that promote a stimulating learning environment. He is able to work in a managerial role or as part of team and having the proven ability to successfully work to tight schedules and deadlines. Base on his contributions to management science and business economics, Dada´s doctoral dissertation introduced disruptive Innovation into the Field of Treasury Management. He helped to reformulate the economics of industrial organization and organization theory using non- cooperatives game theory. His research and Publication such as Significance of Project Management to Organization’s Performance from 13 October 2014 has influenced policies for large firms, particularly in the energy industry.” Adefolami’s Career History and Responsibilities Dr. Dada was Assistance Professor from 2013 onward and he was responsible for carrying out teaching and research duties. He was also involved in the administration of degree and postgraduate courses as well as responsible for organizing lectures and supervising seminars and tutorials. He has delivering lectures to groups of students and using advanced teaching techniques to inspire and motivate them for higher level qualifications and employment. He was also involved in recruiting and interviewing staff and responsible for organizing open events and giving demonstrations to students and parents on the university commitment to high quality education and training at the respective partner institutions in situ. He taught the required strategic management capstone course for the graduate and MBA programs such as Introduction to Management, Business Plan, Entrepreneurial Strategies, Corporate Renewal and Finance, and he conducted seminars in Management for MBA students, all with excellent evaluation. Professor Suraju Adefolami Dada has published sixty-five (65) articles that appeared in leaned journals and contributed well to his academic standing in the world and especially in Nigeria. The News magazine: WWW.Thenewsnigeria.com.ng. In addition, Professor’s academic qualifications, teachings, management field experiences and numerous publications in his field of expertise have contributed well to economic growth and academic standards. Academic Qualifications PhD in Treasury Management 2013 Master certificate in Treasury Management 2013 MBA – Finance 2000 PGD – Financial Management (upper Credit) 1998 PGD- Business Management 1991 ACADEMIC HONOURS 1. Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 Honor by President Barrack Obama 2. Coordinator/ Council Member (2014 to date) Institute of Professional Financial Consultants of Nigeria (IPFC). 3. Chief Examiner, (20011 to Date) Chartered Institute of Commerce Nigeria. Senior Group Commercial Diploma Specialist in Accountancy 1981 (HND Equivalent Professionals Qualifications 1. Fellow Institute of Management Specialist (London) 2. Fellow Institute of professional financial Manger (London) 3. Fellow Chartered Institute Corporate Treasurers (USA) 4. Certified professional forensic Accountant (USA) 5. Certified Financial Consultant (USA) 6. Certified Professional Financial Manger (London) 7. Chartered Management Consultant (USA) 8. Certified Professional Forensic Accountant (USA) 9. Associate Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) 10. Council Member of Institute of Professional Financial Consultants of Nigeria (IPFC)