The Nation Newspaper

Tag: due

  • Giving them their due

    Giving them their due

    Champions of gender equality and students gathered at the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, to discuss the leadership challenges facing women. TAIWO ADEBULU reports.

    Gender equality remains a hot issue globally, especially in Africa where men  dominate leadership.

    Last Thursday, some activists and students converged on the TETFund Auditorium in the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ogun State, for the Southwest Students’ Parliamentary Summit to discuss gender equality and women empowerment.

    Speaker of TASUED Students’ Parliamentary Council (SPC) Taiwo Badru said the event was held against the backdrop of growing gender inequality, to proffer solutions and sensitise students on their roles in promoting a gender-balanced society. Taiwo said no nation would develop without women’s contributions.

    In a lecture titled: Gender equality through women empowerment and good governance, a frontline rights activist and President of Women Arise for Change Initiative Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, chronicled the efforts of some women, who campaigned against marginalisation of women in leadership.

    She said: “People treat women as spare tyres or cheer leaders in most occasions. Some of the religions we practise today give women subordinate role. That is one of the major reasons women abuse is rising. Our society believes that women must only be seen, but not heard. Women are so precious that if their innate virtues are brought out, they will change the society for good.”

    A member of House of Representatives representing Ijebu Central Constituency, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, said emancipation of women was non-negotiable.

    He said: “Women have not taken their rightful positions, even as we call them mothers of the nation. But, I don’t believe it is men that prevented women from taking up leadership positions. Women have to prioritise their values. We must not focus on women alone, but men also, who are integral part of their lives. We must provide enabling environment for men and woman to aspire.”

    In a keynote speech, Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, said gender equality campaign in Nigeria was far from being over. She cited a survey conducted on women in politics by the United Nations (UN), which ranked Nigeria 124th out of the 138 countries where the research was conducted. She said women make up 6.7 per cent of the House of Representatives, and 6.4 per cent of the Senate.

    Senator Tinubu, represented by Mrs. Kemi Soname, said: “As much as we cannot deny the fact that there have been improvements in women occupying leadership positions in various fields of endeavour, there still remains a lot to be done. I also wish to reiterate that women should endeavour to empower other women. For me, that is the simple definition of women empowerment. Women in position of leadership should mentor younger women, and the younger women should have a teachable spirit.

    “I believe that there is a leader in every woman when given the opportunity. Hence, I want to encourage our young women to know that they should not be afraid to participate in contributing to the growth of the society.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Yemisi Obilade, spoke on the challenges that must be addressed before attempting to bridge gender gap. She said: “We must address the socialisation process that gives less worth to the girl-child. Our society from birth has conferred a subordinate role on the girl-child. We must also address equity more than equality. This will provide a ladder for women to succeed.”

    Olawumi Oluwasogo, a 300-Level History and Diplomatic Studies student, said women had shaped the history of the nation in significant ways, citing the exploits of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Queen Amina and Madam Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti. She wondered why today’s society keeps women out of leadership role.

    Titilayo Adewole, a 100-Level Business Education student, said: “This summit is really an eye opener for me to learn about the role of women in governance and in the society.  In the entrepreneurship world, ladies are the brainbox. Men must see our activities beyond the kitchen. We are the solution of the world’s problem; we create change. Now, I have all the motivation to achieve my dreams.”

    Highlights of the event included presentation of awards to guests and proponents of women’s rights. Senator Tinubu was honoured with the Outstanding Female Lawmaker award, while the Outstanding Male Lawmaker award went to Hon. Odeneye. Dr Okei-Odumakin was presented with an award of excellence for her contribution to the promotion of women’s rights, while Prof Obilade was awarded Outstanding University Administrator.

  • Akintola should be given his due

    SIR: It was the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe who wrote in Things Fall Apart that “Those who pay respect to great men are paying respect to their own greatness”. Invariably, those who do not pay respect to great men are not paying respect to their own greatness. It is ina this context that I want to situate the near total lack of commitment on the part of the governments in the South-west to the 50th anniversary of the demise of the second premier of the Western Region, Chief S.L. Akintola.

    Besides being premier, Akintola distinguished himself as a lawyer, journalist, politician, but most importantly he was one of the nationalists who fought for Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule. In post-colonial Nigeria, he served as member of national parliament as opposition leader, a federal minister amongst others.  He was a contemporary of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Tafa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikwe, Micheal Okpara amongst many others now deceased.

    However, our governments appear to have downplayed the role of Akintola in national development. If not so, the recently held 50th years of his demise along with other eminent Nigerians would have been supported by the governments in the old western region comprising Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Delta and Edo states. Although, Governor Ajimobi was in Ogbomoso for a lecture organized to mark the anniversary at LAUTECH on Thursday January 14, I am of the opinion that being Akintola’s home state, charity must begin at home.

    Suffice to say that all the achievements by the Western Region in the 50s and 60s had imprints of Akintola.

    It is high time our governments particularly in the South-west irrespective of party affiliation begin to give honour to our heroes past. This is the only way to show that the labour of our heroes past was not in vain. These are the heroes who laid the foundation upon which our present leaders are building upon today.

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    Adema2kk@yahoo.com

  • Give Lagos its due

    The state deserves a special status because it carries a collective burden

    Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, has opened again the debate on giving Lagos a special status, as former political capital but extant economic power house.

    Speaking during an event marking the anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Mr. Falana asked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to demand compensation from President Muhammadu Buhari, for Lagos.

    “As long as we have this distorted federalism, Lagos must go further and demand its rights in the constitution,” he said. “All the shipping activities are done in Lagos, all the aeroplanes are flying over Lagos. This is the time,” he added, “ for Lagos to ask for compensation for what it is contributing to the country.”

    Despite Mr. Falana’s slight hyperbole (on Lagos as sole host to shipping and aviation activity), his claim is, over all, self-evident, fair and equitable. We therefore completely endorse it; and call on Governor Ambode to do as advised; and President Buhari to, without delay, do the needful.

    Indeed, way back in 1976, when Gen. Murtala Muhammed, then Head of State, approved the Justice Akinola Aguda committee’s recommendation to move Nigeria’s political capital from Lagos to Abuja, Gen. Muhammed pledged that the Federal Government would not abandon Lagos, since it was most likely to continue as the economic capital.

    Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, whose government formalised the movement to the new federal capital, also gave the impression that he was not averse to a special status for Lagos. Even during the last electioneering, President Buhari, then as presidential candidate, told former Governor Babatunde Fashola to, should their party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) win, pressure him to deliver on the Lagos promise.

    Still, Lagos continues to bear the brunt of the nation’s economic activity, putting immense pressure on its roads and other infrastructure, with the explosion of economic migrants, from all over Nigeria.

    The absence of a modern and efficient rail system is especially dire on Lagos roads; while housing delivery is tantamount to dropping spoonfuls of water, when an ocean-pour would be more like it. Though the Fashola government was very active on the environment front, the wear-and-tear is still all too visible, requiring the new Ambode Government to make sizeable investments, especially in transportation, housing, health, education and security, to cater for the needs of the state’s explosive population, put unofficially at near-20 million.

    President Buhari should, therefore, consider the Lagos special status as top priority; for any extra kobo spent on Lagos is well spent on all parts of the country, for no part is unrepresented in the Lagos mega-sprawl.

    This is all the more imperative, going by states’ internally generated revenue (IGR) figures, which the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) just released.

    In a pool of 23 states, Lagos in 2014 generated N276.1 billion (averaging N23 billion a month). Between Lagos and second-placed Rivers (N89.1 billion) was a gulf. But that Lagos earned 28.1 per cent lower than the N384.2 billion it grossed in 2013 appears to suggest its IGR-raising capacity is creaking.  Yet, its 20 million population appear far from being satisfied.

    That is why, aside from a special fund for Lagos’ development (which should pass for “compensation”), some economic derivation should be worked out for Lagos, if oil-bearing states enjoy 13 per cent derivation. Yes, these oil states face massive environmental hazards.  But Lagos’ roaring population, if neglected, could end in much worse: urban decay, breeding violent crimes, general insecurity and structured poverty.

    This derivation should come from a fair share from money made from massive business in Lagos sea ports; and airport.  Besides, earnings from VAT should be distributed in such a way that Lagos, which generates a good percentage of it, gets an equitable share. Indeed, the Buhari Presidency should assist Lagos in its light rail project, to give intra-state commuting a boost.

    Nigeria should pay Lagos its due.  It is called enlightened self-interest: for an unsettled Lagos slows down Nigeria’s economy; and invariably deepens poverty nationwide.

  • Victory due to hard work — Abubakar

    Victory due to hard work — Abubakar

    HASSAN Abubakar has attributed Kaduna United’s 3-0 victory over bottom placed Nembe City on Match Day 12 to hard work.

    The former Golden Eaglets coach told SportingLife after the game that: “It has been a tough month for us as we have taken 7points from 9 after my loss to Gombe United 48hours after I took charge of the Crocodiles.

    “It was a good match for us as my players took the game to Nembe City knowing fully well that a draw or defeat would see them return the match winning bonus the club had paid them hours to the game.

    “The bonus payment, in the long run spurred them on, little wonder we were able to win by a three goal margin.

    “So, we are happy that our fans are now beginning to smile as the results are coming our way.

    “The players too, have shown better commitments as I have been able to blend them to my own programme, but much still need to be done as we hope to get one or three points on the road too.

    “Nevertheless, we won’t only savour the win against Nembe City but take today (Thursday) to prepare for our Match Day 13 game against Enyimba of Aba who lost to Nasarawa United on Match Day 12.

    “We should hit Aba on Friday for another tough game where we hope to play the game of our lives. The Aba Elephants are a good team but we don’t intend to play them with much respect as we’ll try to match them strength for strengths and skill for skills.”

    With Wednesday’s result, Kaduna United are now placed 18th on the Globacom Premier League log with 14 points.

     

  • Gombe reviews movement due to fasting

    Gombe State government has reviewed the restriction on motorcycles movement in the state capital from the hitherto 6am to 5pm to 6am to 11pm.

    The Commissioner of Police, Kudu Abdullahi Nma announced this briefly after the State Security Council meeting held yesterday.

    He explained that while commercial motorcycles can now close by 6pm, the public could use motorcycle till 11pm but must not carry any passenger.

    He said the arrangement was to enable Muslims attend evening lecture (Tafsir) normally conducted during the Ramadan period.

    The Commissioner added that buses have been provided to convey Muslims to-and-fro Tafsir grounds at subsidised rates from 10 designated stations recommended by the leaders of the religion in the state.

    He warned that the arrangement did not in any way imply that the security agencies have relaxed security but “only reviewed timing because of the fasting period.”

    In their remarks, Secretary of Jama’atu Naril Islam JNI in the state, Alhaji Saleh Danburam and the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Abare Kalla urged members of the public to be law abiding and cooperate with security agencies.