By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
To enhance economic development in the area of buying and selling of goods and services in Nigeria, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Hawkers (NUH), Comrade Olumuyiwa Babalola, has urged the government at all levels to create a dignified and friendly trading environment for hawkers.
In a press statement he signed and made available to journalists within the week in the National Secretariat of the Trade Union, Babalola emphasized the importance of supporting the union’s regulatory guidelines to transform the hawking trade.
Hawking, according to him, has played a vital role in empowering individuals, particularly unemployed graduates and families, by providing a means to supplement income and escape poverty. He added that the trade has also created economic opportunities for the masses.
On the challenges and solutions,
Babalola however noted that child exploitation and child labor pose significant security risks. To address these challenges, he went on, the union aims to: Establish formal bureaucratic procedures; Provide regulatory oversight; Offer social support to members; Compile a database of hawkers with identification information and; Reduce unwholesome practices
In the area of support system, he informed that the union plans to establish a support system for its members using donations and contributions from other sources and subscribing companies.
Urging the government to address the economic hardship faced by hawkers and create a dignified and friendly trade environment while preserving the cultural significance of the trade, Prof Ezekiel Babalola said that by supporting the union’s initiatives, the government can help transform the hawking trade and promote societal well-being.
