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  • Facts you should know about Gov Oyetola at 65

    Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is 65 today. Here are basic facts to know about him:

    Below are facts you should know about Oyetola

    * Oyetola was born in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun on 29 September, 1954 to the family of Hammed Oyetola (the current Chief Imam of Egbeda, Iragbiji)

    * First born of 30 children, he attended Ifeoluwa Grammar School in Osogbo for his secondary school education which he completed in 1972. He proceeded to the University of Lagos where he bagged a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Insurance in 1978. Oyetola capped his education with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 1990 at the same university.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Oyetola on Supreme Court victory

    * He had his mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between 1978 and 1979 at Potiskum, in present day Yobe State, where he lectured at the Staff Training Centre.

    * His professional career began in 1980, when he joined Leadway Assurance Company Limited as Area Manager and worked there till 1987. He took another step by taking his expertise to Crusader Insurance Company Limited as Underwriting Manager between 1987 and 1990. He moved again in 1990 to Alliance and General Insurance as Technical Controller and served in that capacity until 1991.

    * He established his firm, Silvertrust Insurance Brokers Limited, in 1991. He was the Managing Director until his appointment as Chief of Staff in 2010.

    * His other stints in business include, Executive Vice-Chairman, Paragon Group of Companies which has interest in Oil and Gas, Mining and Real Estate from 2005 until 2011. He was also Chairman of Ebony Properties Limited.

    * He had been a Director of Pyramid Securities Limited until 2011, among other business interests, before his appointment as Chief of Staff by Governor Aregbesola.

    * Oyetola is a pronounced technocrat as well as a progressive politician. He was a founding member of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Osun State and has been a chieftain of the party through its metamorphosis to Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC).

    * He is happily married to Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola and the marriage is blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren.

    * On March 22, 2019 Osun State Tribunal nullified his election and declared Senator Ademola Adeleke winner of the poll. But on May 9, 2019, the Court of Appeal upheld Oyetola’s victory at the poll. Finally on June 5, 2019, the Supreme Court affirmed Oyetola winner of the Osun governorship election.

  • Nollywood celebrities who dumped Christianity

    A couple of Nollywood actresses have dumped their Christian faith to follow Islam. These actresses have their various reasons for doing this. Here is looking at five of them.

    1.      Vivian Metchie

    Vivian Metchie was born to a Catholic father and a Deeper Life Mother.

    She married a man who was a member of the Redeemed Church but the marriage eventually failed leaving her with four children.

    According to her, she switched religions because, at a point in time, she got confused as various Christian churches had something bad to say about one another. Explaining her actions, the screen diva said, “It is a personal decision. I understand the Koran more than the Bible… I was probably looking for peace. Yeah! That was what I was looking for and I found it in the Koran.”

    Vivian adopted the name Fareedah as her Muslim name and according to her, her parents were supportive of her decision to switch religions.

    2. Liz Da Silva 

    Popular actress, Liz Da Silva was known to be a Christian up until the time she allegedly had a child for former NURTW Oshodi boss, Musiliu Akinsanya better known as MC Oluomo.

    When things did not work out between them, she married a Muslim man named Olaoye.

    Because of the birth of her son, Roheem and her new family, Liz became a Muslim and adopted the name Aishat.

    “In case you want to know I have a good relationship with my baby’s father and that is why I had to convert to Muslim and got a new name Aishat before the baby was named. I was a Christian, but I had to convert to Islam because of my baby,” Liz Da Silva revealed in an interview.

    Read Also: 12 Nollywood actresses who remarried

     3. Lizzy Anjorin 

    Lizzy Elizabeth Anjorin is a household name as far as Nollywood is concerned. She was brought up in a Christian family however she found solace in Islam.

    In 2013, she came out to state categorically that she is a Muslim and soon after her revelation, she jetted off to Mecca for Hajj.

    Addressing her faith to critics, Lizzy explained that she has always had ties to the Muslim world judging from the fact that her mother is a Muslim.

    She once said in an interview, “Although my name is Elizabeth, which is the Christian name my dad gave me because he was a Christian.

    Then, I also have a Muslim name, Aishat, given to me by my mother, who was a Muslim.  Also, some from my mother’s family members also named me Sekinat.  Even my daughter’s name is Rufaidat.  So, I grew with the two religions.”

    She added, “Islam has been in me for long.  I only kept it to myself.  It is my private life.” However, certain unconfirmed sources suggest that her conversion happened after a relationship with a certain Alhaji in Lagos.

     4. Laide Bakare 

    Ace actress, Laide Bakare was Christian up until the time she left her Christian husband and started dating an alleged money bag in Lagos named Alhaji Tunde Orilowo fondly referred to as ATM. Laide had to convert to Islam after marrying him and becoming another one of his wives.

     5. Lola Alao 

    Actress Lola Alao converted to Islam in July 2016 and many were taken by surprise. Alao was a Christian before her conversion. Alao converted during just after the burial of her father who was a Muslim before his death. She has adopted the name Rohdiat.

     

  • Top seven Nigerian iconic authors

    Nigeria, apart from being a country of multi talented personalities, is also gifted with great and gifted iconic writers. These writers have portrayed Nigeria in a positive way, spotlighting its customs,culture and traditions through beautiful stories.

    Wole Soyinka

    When Wole Soyinka, a playwright, poet and writer won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, Achebe joined the rest of Africa to celebrate the first African to receive the award. Soyinka’s writing often focuses on oppression and exploitation of the weak by the strong. None are spared in his critique, neither the white speculator nor the black exploiter.

    Soyinka has also played an important role in the nation’s politics, which has at times exposed him to great personal risk. The government of General Sani Abacha (1993–1998) for instance, pronounced a death sentence on him ‘in absentia’. His works include novels such as Aké: The Years of Childhood and Death and the King’s Horseman. You must set forth at Dawn: A Memoir is Soyinka’s own look at his life, experiences, and thoughts about Africa and Nigeria.

    Femi Osofisan

    Femi Osofisan’s oeuvre – encompassing plays, poems and novels – is informed by colonialism and its legacy, and is a clear protest against corruption and injustice. Nonetheless, his exploration of the themes surrounding the complex history of his country are rarely literal.

    Instead, Osofisan employs allegory and metaphor and his writing often has a surrealist bent. His first novel Kolera Kolej (1975) tells the story of a Nigerian University campus that is granted independence from the rest of the country to halt the spread of a Cholera outbreak. His best-known play, Women of Owu (2004) is a retelling of Euripides’ The Trojan Women. Osofisan translates the play to the Ijebe and Ife war that devastated the Owu Kingdom in 1821-26.

    Ben Okri

    Ben Okri is a renowned novelist and poet whose written works defy definition. He is often termed post-modern, yet his seamless interweaving of the spirit world into his stories belies this genre. The author also rejects claims that his work falls into the ‘magical realism’ category, seeing his writing not as a venture into the realm of the fantastic but instead a reflection of an upbringing wherein myths, ancestors and spirits were an intrinsic component. “Everyone’s reality is different,” he once said. His most famous work is The Famished Road (1991), forming part of a trilogy with Songs of Enchantment and Infinite Riches. It chronicle the journeys of Azaro, a spirit-child narrator.

    Buchi Emecheta

    Born in Lagos to Igbo parents, Emecheta moved to London in 1960 to live with her husband Sylvester Onwordi, who had moved there to study. The couple had been engaged since 11, and whilst the marriage produced five children, Onwordi was a violent partner.

    He even burned her first manuscript, prompting Emecheta to leave him and establish herself as a single mother. Her novels draw heavily from her life and address gender imbalance and enslavement, and how women are often defined through the narrow framework of sexuality or the ability to bear children.

    READ ALSO: Two Nigerian authors listed among 2019 Women’s Prize for Literature

    Her most acclaimed work, The Joys of Motherhood (1979), has as its protagonist a woman who defines herself through motherhood and validates her life solely through the successes of her children. Emecheta was awarded an OBE in 2005.

    Chinua Achebe

    Chinua Achebe is one of the most internationally-acclaimed writers from Africa, and his death in 2013 saw an outpouring of tributes from across the globe. Though he has often been called ‘The Father of Nigerian Literature’, he twice refused the Nigerian government’s attempt to name him Commander of the Federal Republic – first in 2004, then again in 2011 – in protest against the political regime of the country.

    His first novel Things Fall Apart (1958) is an intimate account of the clash between African native traditions of the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria and European colonisation. Weaving together oral tradition with Igbo folk tales, Achebe’s works reveal a tapestry of cultural norms, changing societal values, and the individual’s struggle to find a place in this environment.

    Sefi Atta

    Sefi Atta is a sensitive writer, who broaches polemical themes in a subtle and nuanced manner. Everything Good Will Come (2005), her debut novel, is the story of Enitan, an 11-year-old girl waiting for school to start, and her friendship with the girl next door, which receives little support from Enitan’s deeply religious mother.

    Set against the backdrop of the military rule of Nigeria in the 1970s, it is at once coming-of-age-tale and quiet campaign against political corruption and the repression of women. Atta is widely known for her radio plays, which have been broadcast on the BBC, and her short stories, that have appeared in a number of journals including the Los Angeles Review of Books.

    Helon Habila

    After graduating from University of Jos in 1995, Helon Habila worked first as a junior lecturer in Bauchi, then as Stories Editor for Hints magazine before moving to England in 2002 to become the African Fellow at the University of East Anglia. That same year, his first novel was published: Waiting for an Angel is a complex book that interweaves seven narratives, collectively speaking of life under dictatorship rule in Nigeria.

    The book won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in the African region, spurring the author to greater success. His two subsequent novels, Measuring Time (2007) and the latest, Oil on Water (2011) were equally well-received, and the list of awards and honors the Habila has gained attest to his sophisticated and poetic literary voice.

  • 10 successful celebrity marriages

    Despite the difficult celebrity lives, many famous couples do have happy marriages.

    Although some celebrity marriages and relationships often come with news of splits, not all celebrity couples are destined to break up.

    In fact, quite a number of A-list stars revel in having a happy marriage to their longtime partner. The 10 couples that follow are some of the Nigerian celebrities with successful marriages

     

    1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

    This is unarguably the number one on our list. These two have spent over 30 years together as a married couple.

    Despite going through some rough times together, also witnessing the loss of a child, they have both still remained strong.

    The couple has cited God, communication and trust as the few factors that keep their marriage going.

    2. Tunde and Wunmi Obe

    Tunde and Wunmi Obe, professionally known as T.W.O are Nigerian show business couple, entertainers, television personalities and entrepreneurs.

    They met and began their music career as undergraduates in the 90s. Revealing the secrets of their marriage, the veteran musician and dad of 3 revealed he married a woman who supports his plans and also helps to make good decisions for the future.

    3. Patrick and Ireti Doyle

    Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle has been married for over 15 years to broadcaster, veteran actor and media personality, Patrick Doyle.

    Although the marriage has experienced some ups and downs, the duo has maintained newness of love in their union.

    4. Isaac and Nneka Moses

    Since meeting on the set of a movie in 1996, the couple has been inseparable.

    They both present, produce and direct their award-winning culture and tourism TV show, Goge Africa, on television and cable networks.

    “It is easy because whatever decision we make is in the best interest of our vision and passion. There is no superiority contest among us. He sometimes allows me to make decisions and that really makes me feel good,” Nneka was once reported saying.

    5. Omotola Jalade and Matthew Ekeinde

    Nollywood diva, Omotola has been married to Matthew Ekeinde for over 20 years.

    The couple has a blissful marriage and are blessed with four beautiful kids.

    Considering the controversies and scandals associated with celebrity-life, the Ekeinde’s have managed to stay off scandals.

    “It would have been extremely painful if my husband takes things to the heart, then it would have been a rollercoaster ride for me,” Omotola said, paying compliment to her husband’s maturity for the success of their marriage.

    Read Also: 10 Nigerian celebrities who suffered domestic violence

    6. Richard and Jumobi Mofe-Damijo

    In 2000, RMD married former Africa Independent Television (AIT) presenter, Jumobi Adegbesan.

    Of course, this marriage has witnessed murky waters based on alleged infidelity on both sides but the love and stability in their marriage seem to be waxing stronger by the day.

    7. Omoni and Nnamdi Oboli

    Married for over fifteen years with three beautiful boys, they are just an epitome of a perfect match.

    The couple who could pass as siblings are very much into each other that they do literally everything together.

    8. Fela and Tara Durotoye

    While she is the leading pioneer make-up artist in Nigeria, he is one of the most sort-after motivational speakers in Africa and a best-selling author.

    The couple complements each other in every way.

    Tara never ceases to use the opportunity to share some tips on relationship and marriage principles. “We have committed to making each other happy and making it work as we both come from broken homes,” Tara once wrote.

    9. Norbert and Gloria Young

    Norbert and Gloria Young

    Nollywood couple Norbert and Gloria Young have been married for over 15 years and share three beautiful kids.

    Despite several rumours, the couple has stood the test of time and is still going strong.

    10. Soni and Betty Irabor

    Soni and Betty are one of the most adorable celebrity couples in Nigeria. They have been married for over 30 years. They make marriage look easy and sweet. Soni is a broadcaster and CEO of Inspiration FM, and Betty is a journalist, author and publisher.

     

  • Justice reform should top agenda in Oyo, says report

    Nelson Olanipekun has advised that the justice sector should top the agenda for Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde who just celebrated 100 days in government.

    Nelson, Lead for Citizens Gavel a civic tech and justice sector reform advocacy organisation, believes that “Justice reform that can increase the pace of justice delivery in the state” should top agenda for Makinde’s government.

    “Oyo state has one of the highest numbers of awaiting trial detainees, which stands at 86 percent based on our April data survey, this is higher than the National average which stands at 69 percent,” Nelson stated.

    In a report by Citizens Gavel 1 of 5 people arrested by Police in Oyo state are been brutalized, from data collected from 16 LGAs in Oyo State, over 20 percent of citizens arrested by the Nigerian police are been brutalized during and before arrest.

    It was also gathered that over 80 percent of inmates were not treated fairly by prison wardens against the conditions of detention in police custody and pre-trial detention started in the LUANDA Guidelines Section 24.

    Prison Cells in Oyo State are overcrowded. Some very small cells have over 100 detainees.

    It was also reported there is very poor hygiene of arrested and detained persons at police stations in Oyo State, which can lead to serious health conditions of inmates. Less than 2 percent have their baths once in a week.

    It was also highlighted in the report that over 90 percent of the respondents said they have had very bad experiences in Oyo state Prisons and stations.

    Even though N17 billion was the budget allocated for feeding of awaiting trials and convicts in the Nigeria Prisons, less than 4 percent of Oyo inmates were feed twice daily in detention cells.

    Despite the N366.1 billion police budget for 2019 less than 7 percent of arrested and detained citizens were given food once daily in Oyo State.

    The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) provision of session 34 says that Magistrates are supposed to be visiting Police stations but due to lack of proper framework to implement the provisions less than 1 percent of the inmates have been visited.

    Arrested and detained persons have, according Section 8(1) of ACJL of Oyo State, rights to be informed of reasons their arrest and charges against them but less than 2 percent are notified of the reason for their arrest during or before the arrest.

    It was also reported that almost 60 percent of people arrested and inmates in OYO states are youths.

    According to LUANDA guidelines it is the duty of court to ensure that every detainee is represented by a lawyer but 100 percent of respondents say that they were not assigned by a lawyer by the court.

    And only 2 out of 100 respondents wrote their statements in front of a lawyer.

  • Ten things you should know about yellow fever

    Months ago, there were reports over 40 persons had died from yellow fever outbreaks in different parts of the country.

    Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is spread through mosquito bites.

    The disease is vaccine-preventable and is not contagious and can only be spread through bites from mosquitoes carrying the virus.

    Yellow fever can be commonly found mostly in African countries where millions of people have been killed by the disease.

    Below are some facts you should know about yellow fever:

    * Vaccination is the best preventive measure against the deadly disease.

    * The disease is treatable if diagnosed early.

    * Symptoms take three to six days to develop and they include fever, chills, headache, backache and muscle aches.

    * About 15 per cent of people who get yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death.

    * Vaccines are advisable for people within six months to 49 years. If you are above 60, you might want to consult a medical expert before taking the vaccine.

    READ ALSO: Yellow fever: Bauchi to vaccinate 500,000 residents

    * The yellow fever vaccine can have serious and sometimes fatal side effects. People older than 60 years and people with weakened immune systems might be at higher risk of developing these side effects. Pregnant and nursing women are advised to talk to their doctor about whether getting the vaccine or not.

    * In some cases where vaccination is not available, prevention can be achieved through mosquitoes repellent.

    * Vaccination is compulsory for those travelling to Africa and some parts of South America.

    * People travelling to yellow fever risk countries are advised to receive the vaccine within 10 days of the trip so as to develop the immunity to protect them against the deathly disease.

    * 10. 99% percent of people who take the vaccines are protected within one month of vaccination and this appears to be life-long.

  • No evidence Abdulsalam is critically sick

    CLAIM: Former Head of States General Abdulsalam Abubakar is critically sick and has been flown abroad, a recent publication alleged.

    FALSE: Abubakar, who lives in Minna Niger state, was present at a lecture by his foundation in Minna last Saturday.

    Full Text

    A news report from “yahoournalist.com” stated former the former Head of States General Abdulsalam Abubakar is critically sick and has been flown abroad for medical treatment.

    The reporter claimed to have gotten the scoop from Jackson Ude, former Director of Strategy and Communication under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ude on Thursday, September 19 tweeted: “Please pray for General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He is sick and hospitalised in a London Hospital.”

    Ude’s tweet gathered over 127 likes and 63 retweets. It should be noted that Ude is a prominent influencer with his followership ranging over 31,000 users. He has also been at the centre stage with respect to a lot of online activism in the country.

    Verification

    The Nation confirmed that Abubakar is in Niger state, Nigeria. He was at the second General Abdulsalam Abubakar Foundation annual Peace lecture in Minna on Saturday, September, less than 32 hours after the post circulated.

    The Former President was also at the Central mosque in Minna for the Jummat prayers on 20th September.

    Most of the worshippers who saw him attested that he was behind the Imam in the mosque during the prayers.

    One of the worshippers at the mosque, Abubakar Sani said:  “I observed my Jummat Service today at the Minna Central Mosque and saw the General behind the Chief Imam seated on a chair.”

    Conclusion – The news report is FALSE. Abubakar is not critically sick.

    This fact-check was done by a Dubawa Fact-checking Fellow in collaboration with The Nation.

  • Seven things you might not have known about Oxlade

    Singer has been in the industry for five years and doesn’t seem like he’s backing out any time soon.

    Here are seven things you might be interested in knowing about the Shugar crooner:

    1. Born on the 22nd of April 1997, Oxlade has been pursuing music right from his secondary school days despite disapproval from his father and ran it up until he gained admission into the Lagos State University (LASU).

    2. Like many other Nigerian artistes, Oxlade started his journey from the church – alongside creative videographer Naya Effects and became the junior choir master not long after.

    3. He stopped recording and was just about to give up on music before Blaqbonez heard his previous single ‘Sour’ and arranged to work with him.

    READ ALSO: ‘Gimme a name for my Album,’ Davido appeals to fans

    4. He dropped out of LASU two years after enrollment into the History and International Relations department. This move didn’t sit well with his father, who in turn stopped catering for his needs.

    5. He was chastised for making secular music by his maternal uncles. This, also, greatly affected his activities in church.

    6. Again, a much needed encouragement was given by singer Davido, who sent him messages on Instagram filled with words of encouragement after he listened to one of his songs. According to him, the messages came at the point where he was about giving up on music.

    7. Oxlade is expected to perform at the 02 Academy, where Davido shut down few months ago on the 29th of September with DJ Tunez.

  • Benefits of marrying an Igbo or Yoruba girl

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Love is a beautiful thing. The Holy Book says that it is not good for a man to be alone, and that a man must leave his father and his mother and will get married to his wife and the two of them will become one.

    Marriage is revered and it is carefully entered into. A man is always careful to choose the wife he marries, as it is widely believed that 90 per cent of the success or failure of a person depends on the person he or she gets married to in life.
    There are however things to know if a man gets married to a girl from the two major tribes in Nigeria. There are inherent benefits of marrying an Igbo girl from the South-East and a Yoruba girl from the South-West.

     

    IGBO

    One quick advantage to mention about Igbo girls is that it is widely argued that they are extremely beautiful and considered the best when it comes to cooking.

    Other advantages may include:

    1.            She will raise your children with love and teach them her local language

     If you marry an Igbo girl, you can be sure that your children would speak the Igbo language whether you like it or not. She would raise the children with love and instill the right values and morals into them.

    The Igbo people value their culture a lot and would make sure they pass something from it onto their children- your children.

    This means that your children would be able to speak more than one language.

    2.            Her family members will always visit

    There is nothing like total privacy if you marry an Igbo woman. Her family members would always visit and the house will always be full.

    This has advantages and disadvantages as you may spend more seeing to their affairs while playing the perfect in-law but you can be sure it would be fun all the way.

    This would make your wife happy and more contented.

    3.            They are very religious

    Igbos are very religious people and their preferred religion is Christianity. Most Igbo girls are brought up in strict religious homes and as such, they have the fear of God and the belief in His supremacy instilled in them.

    Even when they leave their parents, they still carry those values with them into their marriage and homes. So prepare yourself for church every Sunday, and get ready to observe religious holidays and church programmes once married to an Igbo girl, because they hardly compromise on this or convert to other religions

    4.            Do not cheat on an Igbo girl if you still want to live

     They may not kill you physically but be sure that life will be very difficult for you and your mistress if you get caught. If you want to marry an Igbo girl, then you should know that as subtle and sweet as they are, they could be highly venomous when pushed and taken for granted.

    They are not ladies who would fold their hands while you cheat on them. They would confront you and your lover with their findings and would deal with both successfully.

     

    YORUBA

    1.            Yoruba girls are very respectful

     The moment a child is born in Yorubaland every elder around him or her suddenly becomes his/her parent as he or she is not only restricted to receiving discipline from the biological parent. This has made it very easy to inculcate habits like being respectful in the young child.

    Yoruba girls are brought up to totally give respect to whoever it is due. The Yoruba culture says that when a youngster meets an elder, she must kneel down to greet as a sign of respect.

    This is a major reason why Yoruba ladies top the list of respectful tribes in Nigeria

    2.            Yoruba girls are hardworking

    A lot of Yoruba girls grew up with the teachings of self-reliance. This is because at a tender age, they get taught how to do major household chores and how to exceptionally take care of the house, the man of the house and the children.  So, it is safe to call a Yoruba girl a better “helpmeet”, as she would help with her hardworking, enterprising spirit in shaping your life.

    3.            Yoruba girls are highly Intellectual

    A high percentage of Yoruba girls take school and education seriously. This gives them an edge over other ladies from other tribes in Nigeria.

    A typical Yoruba girl would prefer to go to school, get her degrees and certificates before thinking of marriage, which is rare in some tribes. This help them plan their lives well enough; get prepared for the future before jumping into it.

    4.            Yoruba girls age gracefully

    Because most Yoruba girls keep themselves before marriage, there are better chances for them to look way younger than their real age. They are ever agile even in old age to tend to their family. Just like fine old wine, Yoruba girls get stronger as they grow older.

    So, guys, which one do you want?

  • Tickets To Europe… (2)

    APRIL 2017

    Nigerians were greeted with jaw-opening and eyes-popping news, stories and details about fellow Nigerians’ deaths and sufferings in Libya. There was unison in believe of the gory stories. Those who made it alive back to the country were the narrators.

    There have been several batches of Nigerians trafficked to Libya, who have been returning to the country since April 2017. And many more trafficked Nigerians are still stranded in Libya and several other countries such as Egypt, Morocco, amongst others.

    TOBORE OVUORIE, who has been following the lives of trafficked persons and survivors, will in this continuous migration series, titled: Tickets To Europe, bring to the fore lives of trafficked Nigerians before, during and after their ordeal. In this second part of the series, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), takes responsibility for all medical and surgical expenses of Tunmininu- a trafficking survivor, whom this reporter, in 2018, had written about. Tunmininu was set ablaze in Libya by her captor. And, survivors lament over rejection and stigmatization by their family members and the society.

    International Organization for Migration Foots Medical, Surgery Expenses Of Returnee Set Ablaze In Libya

     Following The Nation Newspaper’s earlier publication about the plights of returned Nigerians who had been trafficked to Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it will foot all medical and surgery expenses of Tunmininu, a human trafficking survivor who was set ablaze by her madam while a slave in Libya.

    The IOM made the disclosure in an official response exclusively availed this reporter who had been in touch with the United Nation’s organization since March 8th, 2018 over the story.

    The first part in the developing series was first published: https://www.google.com/amp/s/staging.thenationonlineng.net/rejected-stigmatized-trafficking-survivors-shun-libyan-horrible-experiences-ready-to-travel-again

     Tunmininu, a gospel artiste, trafficked by her mother’s friend, February 25th, 2016 aged 20, returned to Nigeria April 25th, 2017. While a slave in Tripoli, Nurian, the Libyan woman whom she served, January 10th, 2017 set her ablaze after drugging the tea given her. Some parts of her body were severely burnt. Tunmininu before the ugly incident had been sold several times by Nigerian slave dealers before arriving Tripoli and while in Libya.

    In the official response to this reporter, the IOM in the second to the last paragraph said “IOM Nigeria has further pursued the case, and as of April 17, 2018 Tunmininu has been traced by IOM medical team and her situation accessed with a recommendation of her visiting the nearest hospital for her medication. IOM will pay for her medical bills and will continue monitoring her situation until she fully recovers.”

     

    Since April 2018 when IOM’s medical team had first contact with Tunmininu, the global migration organization  has lived up to her words, while this reporter continues following up on both parties.

    National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) says in Nigeria, the two most reported human trafficking cases are foreign travels which promote prostitution and employment of children as domestic workers and inflicting grievous harm. Most of these victims are women but children and men  these days, now consist larger shares than they did 10 years ago. The anti-trafficking agency’s 2017 report states in the country, 0.1 percent of trafficked victims are men while 25 percent are females. Globally, 51 percent of trafficked persons are females and 21 percent are males. Traffickers, the report indicates are often males but women comprise a large number of convicted offenders.

    NAPTIP, in an earlier report, states in 2014, children comprised 28 percent of detected victims, and men, 21 percent. Thus, 51 percent were women. It indicates about four in 10 victims detected between 2012 and 2014 were trafficked for forced labour, and out of these victims, 63 percent were men.

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in her 2016 Global Report On Trafficking In Persons says globally, more than 500 different trafficking flows were detected between 2012 and 2014. Forty-two percent of detected victims between 2012 and 2014 were trafficked domestically, while 21,251 total victims were detected.

    The UNODC reports 69 countries reported to have detected 21,251 victims from Sub-Saharan Africa between 2012 and 2014. Nigeria had 1030 detected trafficking victims. Of these, 322 were adults (61 males, 261 females) and 708 were children (458 boys, 250 girls). Like NAPTIP, the UNODC also indicates while traffickers are overwhelmingly male, women comprise a relatively large share of convicted offenders, compared to most other crimes. This share, according to the UN organization, is even higher among traffickers convicted in the victims’ home country. Court cases and other qualitative data indicate that women are often used to recruit other women. It disclosed trafficking in persons recorded 400 offenses in 2012, 407 in 2013, 603 in 2014 and  334 in 2015. However, in 2012, it disclosed 185 males and 147 females suspects and arrests were made.

     

    HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS/LIBYA RETURNEES LAMENT REJECTION, STIGMATIZATION BY FAMILY MEMBERS, SOCIETY

    Over 8000 Nigerians trapped in Libya have voluntarily returned to the country since April 10th, 2017, through the European Union/IOM and Federal Government airlifting assistance and partnerships. Since their return, the EU/IOM and NAPTIP have began reintegrating the returnees back into the society through vocational skill acquisition programmes. This, NAPTIP’s immediate past Acting Lagos Zonal Commander, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe says, in addition to psychotherapy which NAPTIP for instance provides, will help the trafficking survivors have means of livelihood, and pick the pieces of their lives.

    However, survivors who returned to the country two years ago from Libya whom this reporter spoke with, say all is not well. Resident in six states; namely: Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo and Ondo states respectively, the 26 trafficked men and women say they are ‘back to square one’: experiencing terrible economic hardship. This time, worse than that which made them embark on the risky journey by road to Libya. That is not all. Their pains are garnished with family members, friends and the society treating them with much disdain. Many of their friends now avoid them. All the 26 returnees whom this reporter spoke with, say they are having a very difficult time reintegrating into the society. Some have fled their homes to destinations not known by their family members.

    “I got tired of being treated like excreta by my mother and brothers. When I returned to Nigeria, I was told my father slumped and never recovered when he heard Asma boys have captured me in Libya. My family are angry that I returned to Nigeria instead of crossing to Italy. They say I am worthless. Who goes abroad and returns empty handed? My mother and brothers say only useless girls like me do such to their family” Progress (surname deliberately withheld) narrated in vernacular to this reporter.

    Armed with only her Senior Secondary School Examination certificate, she has been hunting for a job since her return to Nigeria to no avail. Her mother wants her to embark on another journey; to Spain or Holland.

    “She always tells me graduates, even people with Masters degree and PhD are having difficulty getting jobs. Is it me with incomplete SSCE result that would get a job in this Nigeria? I am tired of being told I am worthless. I am sick of being compared with my age mates who are going to Italy and sending money home. So, I ran away from Benin to Ogun state. My family members don’t know where I am. I want peace. I want to start all over again. I want to forget everything that happened to me in Libya. But how can I when my family and everyone else call me terrible names and treat me like trash?” Progress narrated amidst sobs while being comforted by the friend she now lives with.

    The 25 other returnees interviewed by this reporter shared same horrendous stories of woes, rejection and being shamed by their families, friends and communities.

    “My mother said until I produce the dollars I was given in Libya, I must not come close to her door”. Grace, 23, an indigene and resident of Ondo state told this reporter. She is still in shock though it’s been well over a year since her arriving Nigeria from Libya. Her mother doesn’t believe anyone can live ‘abroad’ for two years and return to Nigeria without foreign currencies- dollars. Grace was trafficked January 2015 by her mother’s friend who had assured her of free university education in Sweden only to take her to Libya to become a sex slave. She was rescued and returned to Nigeria by the IOM April 10th, 2017.

    “I have sent many people to beg my mum. Maami ki n se eran riro o (My mother is not a pushover). She said I must either produce all the dollars or I stay away from her. At least, I have a very good OND (Ordinary National Diploma) certificate. I can’t afford the school fees of a regular university, so, I will attend National Open University (NOUN) so I can work and go to school”.

    Grace who learned tailoring alongside while studying for her OND at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, now sews from the house of her former school mate whom she squats with at the moment in Lagos state. When she arrived Nigeria two years ago, the IOM gave her some money. She used it to buy a sewing machine and external whipping machine. “These (the two machines) are my means of survival right now. I am saving most of my earnings to buy at least four more sewing machines and one internal whipping machine,” she told this reporter smiling, seated behind her sewing machine. She had been working on customers’ clothes since 6.30am that day but stopped work by 10am when the interview for this story began.

    According to her business plans (jottings in her diary) which she showed this reporter, she is working towards having a fashion training institute with stylists who will work in her shop while she studies for a degree at NOUN.

    “I am living with my former school mate so that I can save money to buy more machines and go back to school. God has been faithful. I have saved some money and still saving. By God’s grace, latest by October this year, I will be sewing in my own rented shop and will start the fashion classes by December.

    “When business is settled, by God’s grace, I will go back to school in 2020. I have made enquiries at NOUN. I was told to apply when forms are out. I will. I need money to pay my bills, so I can’t be a full-time student in a regular university” Grace’s oval face decorated with such bright eyes was alive with smiles as she shared her dreams with this reporter.

    Notwithstanding all these progress made since her return to Nigeria April 2017, her mother and family still treat her like an outcast.

    “Except she is honest enough to produce all the dollars she made in Libya, you people should stop disturbing me. Stop begging me on her behalf. Tell her to bring all the money or don’t come a centimeter close to my door” Grace’s mother, a retired headmistress sternly warned this reporter when the latter visited her in Ondo state over Grace.

    Another returnee in Benin, Edo state, Larry Udugba, said his father had driven him out of the family house since his return from Libya, calling him ‘a failure and never-do-well.’

    Twenty-eight years old Udugba said he paid N70,000 to a certain middleman, who assisted him to get to Libya, only to be sold as a slave there.

    “Even as a slave in Libya, I was better off than a free-born in Nigeria. We agreed to be rescued on the assurances given us that we would be rehabilitated in Nigeria, only for them to bring us here, feed us for a few weeks and throw us into the streets,’ Udugba lamented.

    He said, while out in the cold, some vagrants had tried to lure him into armed robbery, but that, guided by his Christian background, he shunned the temptation.

    Udugba noted that a year after their return, most of the Libyan returnees in Edo state had become worse by lack of job and social rejection.

     

    SOCIETY DIVIDED OVER ACCEPTABILITY OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS/LIBYA RETURNEES

    The United Nation Trafficking in Persons Protocol, Article 9 section 1 states: Parties shall establish comprehensive policies, programs and other measures: (a) To prevent and combat trafficking in persons; and (b) to protect victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, from re-victimization. Though policies have been put in place in Nigeria, trafficking survivors and victims are not only being re-victimized, but shamed, rejected and stigmatized.

     

    In an independent digital survey conducted by this reporter in 2018, the global community is still divided over accepting human trafficking survivors and Libya returnees. This reporter conducted the first survey via WhatsApp. Eleven of the 22 participants live in Lagos, six in Abuja, two in Ogun state and one each in Oyo, Rivers and the Republic of Benin respectively. While 14 males and eight females who consist: civil servant, book publisher, journalists, politician, life/relationship coach, IT/Brand consultants, trader, artisan, rights activists, teacher, caterer, realtor, lawyers, fashion designer and medical doctors participated in the survey.

    https://youtu.be/X-EhTScVLnk

    Titled: ‘Societal Acceptance Of Libya Returnees/Human Trafficking Survivors,’ 10 respondents of the 22 participants in the survey said they can marry the trafficked survivors. Nine on the other hand refused, while three were uncertain.

    Some of their responses include:

     

    “SOME PEOPLE’S CHARACTER WORSE THAN BEING LIBYAN RETURNEE”

    Mrs. Temitope Igbodipe, Chief Executive Officer and Creative Lead, Cream Stitches-a Bespoke fashion firm in Lagos, says Libyan returnees are not only humans but are even better than many persons who have never been trafficked. Mrs. Igbodipe who teaches trafficked survivors fashion designing for free, told this reporter there is no saint anywhere as some persons’ character are worse than having being a sex slave.

    “I might see someone or someone might ask me out seeing me looking holy and churchy, or I could be a Muslim covering my face, my hand and everything to the ground and I might be two-faced. You can’t really tell my actual attitude. I might be even worse than the person who went to Libya and returned. The person went under circumstances for crying loud. It wasn’t by choice actually, so there is no saint anywhere.

     

    https://youtu.be/uB-dac19uAg

    “Some people’s character are worse than prostitution. Anybody that gets married will also copulate, so the number of times actually doesn’t count. If you have done something bad and you repent, you can have a good life. Nothing stops us from having a good life. As a religious person, what if God says this person is your husband or wife, and because that person has certain background, will you now deny your destiny?”

    Asked if she would support her daughter or son to marry a Libyan returnee or human trafficking survivor, she said: “ Definitely. So far, studying the person afterwards and I am satisfied with what I see, definitely. There is no saint anywhere, so I will say definitely.

     

    BLAME THE GOVERNMENT, SAYS CACOL

    Rationalising the plight of the returnees, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has slammed the Federal Government for not providing a conducive environment for the development of youths in the country, generally.

    The group blamed the government for the harsh economic situation in the country, which it said caused the tragedy, adding that the government, at both federal and state levels, must tackle the rising rate of unemployment in the country to curb the menace of human trafficking.

    CACOL Director, Comrade Debo Adeniran said, “The problems of illegal migration and trafficking are an accumulated issue. We have a high population of children and youths in this country and we are not planning for their future. Workplaces are winding up and no new jobs are springing up.

    “This is why people want to leave and look for the proverbial ‘greener pastures’.”

     

    OATH SWEARING AND DRAGGY JUDICIAL PROCESS

    Mrs. Akomolafe highlighted oath swearing and Nigeria’s draggy judicial process as major obstacles in securing more convictions. She told this reporter, oath taking is the tool used to stop victims from testifying against traffickers. She noted NAPTIP now engages juju priests to break such oaths. Then, voodoo doctors found culpable are prosecuted for their roles played in trafficking the victims.

    https://soundcloud.com/user-66302873/human-trafficking-former-naptip-lagos-zonal-commander-says-effect-of-oath-sworn-by-victims-is-real

     

    But for Dr. Bolanle Ola, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Psychiatry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja oath swearing is unreal. The psychiatrist said it is simply a way of brainwashing people into silence and obedience. Victims vulnerable to mental heath problems, he said, after traumatic stress, would breakdown. This is due to the hazardous experience, not oath taken.

    Established in 2003, NAPTIP has secured 339 convictions, 73 of which is by the Lagos command with over 100 cases in court. Some of the cases, according to Ms. Akomolafe, last for five years.  She said if a judge is transferred or promoted to a higher court, even when the case is at the final stage- final address for the court to make a decision, the case starts afresh when a new judge resumes.

    Mr. Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that the Nigerian law doesn’t allow, especially in criminal cases, another judge to take over a case and continue from where the first stopped. In the country’s jurisprudence, he said, the new judge must have a complete impression of a case from beginning to the end in order to make a just decision. He must see all witnesses that were earlier called, take note of their demeanor; whether they are telling the truth or lies.

    He emphasized it actually hampers the speed of justice, hence a need for the law to be amended. Mr. Keyamo advocated if a judge has cases in advanced stages and is elevated or transferred, the judge should be allowed by law to return to the lower court to finish those cases, whilst resuming in the higher court. To him, it will help a lot in decongesting the courts and ensuring speed of trials.

     

    SPECIAL COURTS TO THE RESCUE!

    NAPTIP Director General, Ms. Dame Julie Okah Donli in an interview March 2018, said before that year ends the agency would have special courts and designated judges for speedy trials of human trafficking cases.

    She warned that any person who recruits, transports, transfers, harbors or receives another person by means of giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation of that person, commits an offense. Nigeria’s trafficking in persons (prohibition) enforcement and administration act states such person is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and a fine of not less than N250,000.

    https://soundcloud.com/user-66302873/naptip-dg-promises-special-courts-for-human-trafficking-cases

     

    Mr. Keyamo applauded it as a step in the right direction. He said to ensure speedy processes,  everything in Nigeria now requires special interventions. “If you lump it together with the general duties of that agency, or the particular agency in charge or the police force and all that, it becomes too clumsy for them”.

    https://youtu.be/xR3-Y-Sps7E

    It has been a year and five months after the NAPTIP DG said the agency would have special courts and designated judges (before the end of 2018) for speedy trials of human trafficking cases. These promises are yet to be fulfilled.

     

    Editor’s Note: The gospel singer’s real name is not Tunmininu. It was changed for her privacy. Photos and video recordings of the Libyan returnees are not used because the trafficking survivors didn’t grant permission to that effect.