The Nation Newspaper

Tag: right

  • Rights group organises public lecture

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) will hold a lecture and rally on November 30 at Jordan School.

    With the theme, Man and his inalienable rights in a democratic society, the one-day seminar will hold at 17/23 Jordan Avenue, off Ademola Ashiru Street, Isheri Osun, Lagos.

    Topics lined up for discussion include “Fundamental human rights: Issues and challenges,” “Your rights and responsibilities: ignorance and problems,” “Respect for human rights: A gateway for peace and justice in a democratic society,” “Rights and responsibilities: Landlords and tenants” and “Human rights vis-à-vis domestic violence: Effects and consequences in our society” to be delivered by Comrade C. O. Ifechigha of the University of Lagos; Revd Titus Oyeyemi; Pat Anyadubolu; Comrade Deji Adebowale and Comrade Alex Omotehinse.

    Addressing reporters at Rights House, the Coordinator of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Isheri Osun unit, Comrade Queen Chinazo Ifechigha, said the seminar aims at sensitising residents of Isheri-Osun and its environs on the need to understand their rights and recognise when they are trampled upon.

     

  • Soyinka to youths: demand right to sound education from leaders

    Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday urged youths to demand from the leaders, right to sound education and safety if they must enjoy a better future.

    He said although adults should bring up the issue of better education and other social services for the children before the government, the responsibility is on youths to “demand and insist on being educated” despite the stifling environment, such as the Boko Haram insurgency and restrictive cultural factors.

    Prof. Soyinka spoke in Abeokuta when he received 79 students from across the country, who participated in an essay competition to mark his 79th birthday.

    In the essay competition on the topic: ‘Memoirs for our future’, Miss Akinpelu Motolani from Oyo State emerged the winner, Cosmas Adedero from Makurdi came second and Adebisi Oluwatobi from Ibadan clinched the third position.

    Hailing the participants, the Nobel laureate said youths should pay attention to the events around them and draw inspiration from what happened on the floor of the United Nations (UN) recently when a 16-year-old girl from Pakistan mounted the UN podium and addressed the world body, demanding that she and millions of others in her country deserved to be educated as a matter of right even if the system there is averse to it.

    Soyinka, who fielded questions from the pupils, said Nigeria faces “a very critical period” and “a very difficult time” because of the growing insurgency of the Boko Haram, particularly the sect’s attack on pupils and schools in the North.

    He said the activities of Boko Haram painted a bleak future for youths in that part of the country.

    Soyinka went on: “We face a critical time as a nation. It is a very difficult time. How many of you came from Borno State? Is there any of you, who knows somebody whose school was burnt or who lost friends? In other words, some of your colleagues have experienced the practical impact of the negative things going on there?

    “So you see, it is part of what is called growing old very fast.

    “I don’t want you to feel bad about it. I don’t want you to think it is too negative or too bleak. But I want you to look at the positive aspect of life, your intellectual development, your education and cultural development because something significant is going on at the world stage.

    “Very remarkable, something very pertinent to you, which to me portends the face of the future and not what is happening around you here.

    “The true positive face of the future of the world. That event took place at the United Nations and was witnessed by leaders, ministers, functionaries, non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon. The Assembly was addressed by a 16-year-old girl. I think what was her history?

    “She was shot in the face by those people we are talking about, the Afghanistan version of Boko Haram. Those who don’t want children and youths to be educated. People who believe that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. They go to schools, set them ablaze, kill pupils as well as teachers.

    “When you see an individual standing before a world body and demanding what is being denied, saying no matter what happens, we need education, you should know there is a ray of hope because you are not a complete human being if you are not educated.

    “It is symbolic and historic because she was making a practical demand and those demands are being listened to. Some were moved to tears. She knows she has got satisfaction, certainly the leaders would act and the world body would act.

    “This is what I want you to take away. No matter what, when we adults say you attend schools with full security, you the children, as young as you are, must also stand up, demand and insist on your right to education from the governors and the President”.

    He said he never came out of the university with a third-class as was believed by many, adding that even if he had graduated with just a mere pass, which he referred to as “let my people go,” he would still have attained the height he has reached today.

    He urged youths to define themselves and not allow others do so for them so as to realise their potential.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun described Prof. Soyinka as a “citizen of the world,” who attained that feat by dint of hard work, focus and commitment to his chosen path.

    He enjoined youths to emulate him, saying if they remained studious, focused and dedicated, they would reach a greater height.

  • ‘Women have a right to be who they want to be’

    ‘Women have a right to be who they want to be’

    Oreoluwa Somolu is the Executive Director of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC). The masters degree holder in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics has used the organisation to encourage women to use technology to empower themselves by building technology skills among women, technology literacy workshops, research, career counselling and mentoring through the Girls’ Technology camp. In a chat with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about the achievements recorded, challenges and new projects.

     

     

    SOMOLU first worked for several years in the United States at an educational not-for-profit organisation on a number of projects which explored the interplay between gender and technology and which sought to attract more girls and women to study and work in science and technology-related fields. She also managed an oil and gas career awareness programme for secondary school and higher education students in Nigeria prior to setting-up W.TEC.

    What is going on at Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) at the moment?

    I would say that everything is going fine in terms of our programmes. This year we are going to have three camps. The first training camp is going to commence this April and we are already set for it. The second camp will take place in July and we are collaborating with an international organisation called Weeuu Foundation in the United States of America for this. The last of training is our yearly event which holds in August and it is going to be a very interesting programme this year.

    Let’s go back to when you started the organisation about six years ago. What was your vision at that point?

    For a while I had conceived the idea but it became a reality in year 2008. Looking back now from when we started, I would say that we have recorded a number of achievements. First, we have reached out to about 5000 women and girls and they have also reached out to people in their various organisations and networks. We also try to reach out to our alumnae who are now in higher institutions in different parts of the country as well as those outside the country.

    Even though not all of them are doing science-related courses but you can see a difference in their perspectives and how the exposure has helped to widen their horizon. Interestingly, they have integrated what they have learnt and they have also used the knowledge gained to teach their friends, parents, siblings and other family members.

    They also use the skills in the organisations that they belong to, like the church for recording church activities, and much more. We also target women who are unemployed so that they can use the knowledge acquired to empower themselves socially and economically. Some of the older women who are working with civil society organisations have set up their own blogs and they use it to publicise their activities in a unique way.

    How do you monitor and evaluate the impact made?

    We do follow up interviews and we also get feedbacks. We have built a lot of capacity and you cannot even imagine the multiplier effect that the trainings have created. WTEC has reached out in a number of ways and we have worked with a number of development partners in the process. We get a lot of referrals from people who have passed through our organisation and this has earned us a number of recognitions locally and internationally.

    Would you say that you have achieved what you set out to achieve at the beginning?

    Yes, I would say that I am fulfilled seeing the results of what we have done in the past and the fact that we can still impact more lives in the nearest future. It can be very exciting when you are working on something and at every turn you find that there is still much more to do. To make it interesting and dynamic, we are always revising our curriculum and we are planning to set up computer clubs. This is going to be a place where we can bring the girls back to teach others as well as learn more. We also go out to different schools to give talks and we have also discovered a number of feedbacks in the process.

    Talking about the computer and exposure to technology, you find a lot of people abusing the social media…

    Of course, we also know that there are a lot of fraudsters and mischievous people online. However, I would say that it is the same thing as everything else in the world. The young mind is also very adventurous and we try as much as possible to educate them about hacking, cyber bullying and cyber stalking. We also take them through cases that have happened in the past so that they can identify people who would want to harm them.

    Basically, we take them through a number of things that must be avoided, things to watch out for to know if the site is credible or not. We also advice them to avoid things like pornography and not get distracted as they empower themselves. This is very important because you must know how to navigate the internet safely. The internet certainly has so many pros and cons and so it is better to always highlight the positives areas more and create awareness about the negative things that may come their way.

    What would you consider as the greatest influence so far?

    Financially, I must say it is not so rewarding. Luckily for me that was not the motive at the beginning. Personally, I feel really fulfilled because it is a dream comes true. I am usually very excited when I see these girls coming back with stories of how the skills they acquired through us have helped to transform their lives. Impacting the lives of women, therefore, has been a great source of inspiration for me. It has also made me more organised and has improved my managerial skills. I am now a better manager in terms of managing people, resources and my time. I have also learnt how to delegate duties, identify people with skills and talents.

    Let’s talk about your late sister who died in the Dana crash last year. What do you miss about her?

    I really don’t want to talk about her death. I know that the investigation about the crash is still on and we are waiting for the report. I don’t want to preempt anything now.

    How would you assess the performance of Nigerian women in different spheres of life?

    Nigerian women are very innovative and very hardworking. Women all over the world are expected to manage their homes very well as well as be very successful in their careers especially in Africa and Nigeria where there are lots of expectations. Of course, we all know that there are a lot of women who are very successful in their careers who have also managed their homes very well. I believe that women should have a right to be who they want to be and not what people expect them to be. If they want to be career women alone then they should be allowed to be themselves. Or if we have women who just want to be housewives and have babies then they should be respected for this. Unfortunately, there are lots of expectations, like a woman must be married at a certain age and all that.

    Who are some of the women that you admire?

    Everyone says that they admire their mother. Yes, I must say that I admire my mum a lot. I love the way that my mum has managed her career and family. But apart from that I have women that I admire for different reasons. I admire Oprah Winfrey even though she isn’t married or have children. She decided from a very early stage that she wanted to be independent and she followed her instinct. In Nigeria, I also admire the current Minister of Communication, Adebola Johnson. She is very intelligent and she is passionate about improving technology and everything that affects the sector.

    If you had to advise Nigerian women, what you would you tell them?

    Well, that’s hard to say because women have different values. I would like that every woman can achieve their dreams, follow their instincts and be focused.

  • ACN: PDP elders right on governor

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday backed the PDP elders’ petition against Governor Idris Wada.

    Its Chairman Haddy Ametuo noted that the Wada administration has manifested the malaise witnessed during “the dark years of military brigandage”.

    In a statement in Makurdi, the state capital, Ametuo said: “It is with a sense of propriety and our profound faith in Nigeria, as true democrats, that we are obliged to advise the national leadership of the PDP to take very seriously the petition by some elders of their political party as it relates to the debilitating state of affairs in Kogi State under Capt. Wada. That the crisis of leadership is synonymous with the Kogi State is a source of constant angst. But never since the dark years of military brigandage has this tragedy manifested so agonisingly than the Wada administration.

    “If the revelation had come from opposition parties, the PDP would have found a very ready haven to hide. Now that it’s from within, we challenge you to talk and talk you must because Kogi is truly drifting.

    “While former Governor Ibrahim Idris was very slow and intellectually bankrupt, Wada is an illegal ‘treadmill’ governor who appears to be perpetually in motion but still at the same point. The present occupant of the Kogi Government House has shown that he is not governed by the Nigerian Constitution. Anyone who thinks Wada would obey any existing or future court order without the intervention of the appropriate authorities that are desirous of sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, including the international community, should believe a stranger who tells you that you are not your mother’s child.

    “If the people of Kogi State are to salvage their democracy, a much more concerted effort on the part of the international community as well as its population, is needed. You can get a government to see and hear no evil but not the electorate or the international community.

    “Wada has not made any progress since he took over as ‘governor’ on January 30 after the Vice-President directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to escort him to Government House in Lokoja…”

  • I made right choice — Obagoal

    I made right choice — Obagoal

    Levante’s summer signing Obafemi Martins has enjoyed a good start to his career in La Liga, and the attacker has admitted that he made a mistake in moving to Rubin Kazan.

    Since his transfer, the powerful forward has netted two goals in three Primera Division games, including scoring the winner against Real Sociedad on his debut.

    The former Newcastle man attracted interest from a number of clubs in the last transfer window but Martins was drawn to the Costa Blanca outfit after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo out-sprinted by defender Sergio Ballesteros.

    “In a match against Real Madrid, I was amazed to see Cristiano Ronaldo beaten in a sprint by an old man. I asked myself who is he, and how could he run that fast? It turned out it was Bellesteros, who I know well now and is an incredible player to still be playing,” Martins told Marca.

    The Nigerian added: “I was attracted to Levante because of their ambition. I’m the first to admit that things didn’t go well for me at Rubin Kazan, but I think I have made the right choice in coming here.”

  • Choosing the right photo album

    Photographs preserve memories. So, we have to protect photographs to keep memories alive. The album comes in handy here.

    Photo albums have changed over time. They are purely purposeful picture binders’ for protecting and arranging photographs. They come in black, white, brown, blue, green, pink, natural and multi and are sold for between N2, 500 and N30, 000

    Some albums have plastic slots to insert pictures in while others have nylon or paper slot. There are cheap plastic mini-albums made by Walmart, or heavy leather albums from departmental shops around you.

    The time that passes never comes back. It is an absolute fact, but the presence of photo albums makes the statement partially true. Whenever you visit a place or attend an important occasion, you capture the precious moments with your camera to keep it with you forever. A photo frame or album acts as the best medium through which an individual gets an opportunity to look at his past and relive the moments once again. From childhood to old age, an album is a partner of the individuals throughout life.

    Other types of albums available are; John Jewis, Deva, Kolarz, Artfile, Caroline gardner, Emma Bridgewater, Hello kitty, Aspinal of London, Jan Constantine, Sanderson slip-in photo album, Metropolis suedethe which is 6 by 4 long in size among others

    The saffron diamond heart wedding photo album as its name implies is exclusively a wedding album. It is made with an ivory fabric and it is a thoughtful and long lasting way to celebrate a special day. It is presented in a white box to keep it safe for years to come. It is a lovely gift to give to any newly wedded couple.

    A newly wedded couple, Mr and Mrs. Christopher Okafor were presented the saffron diamond heart wedding photo album at their wedding last weekend, and they have this to say: “I and my wife were given one of the saffron diamond heart wedding photo album as a wedding gift. It is romantic and perfect for us. It is modern too; we don’t like old fashioned and traditional looking albums. I would recommend this album for all newly wedded couple. It is good value for money”

    No matter how small an album is, it can hold as many photographs as possible depending on its size. Do remember to insert photographs as you get them.

    You could recognise each of your photo albums by labeling different titles to them, they should be labeled from the outside in these manners; baby album, toddler album, travel album, family get-togethers, landscapes, cityscapes, candid shots, pet album, Christmas/Holidays album, wedding album, grandchildren’s album, retirement album, etc it’s all about being creative.

    A very creative medium is a series of photographs that tell a story, an album can contain different kinds of photographs and can be labeled as general album. You could also have a theme while going through a pile of old pictures.

    Where you place your albums determines whether it will last long or not. They can be placed on bookshelves, or inside the living room. They can also be displayed proudly on coffee tables. You could use antique pie cabinet to store yours if you like.

    However, the best place for your albums to live is where you spend your social time. Albums in kept in a concealed place can get heat damage .It is best to keep these irreplaceable momentous of your life in your own special area, where you can reach it when you need it.

    In preparing to organise a photo album, gather all photographs into one collection. This doesn’t mean they should be arranged in one book. It means that you should find all loose photos from their various locations around the house and keep them in one central area. Add new ones to this same collection site, whether it is a stack of photo boxes or one large container. Be sure that the container’s substance will not cause the photos to fade or wear in any way. Keeping the pictures in one way will make it easy to find them when you’re ready to organize an album.

    The next thing to do is to select a suitable album. Choose one that will fit with your home’s decor if you like or one with a cover that you simply find attractive. Make sure the plastic photo sleeves will accommodate the size of photo prints that you have. In fact, you may have prints of various sizes, so you may need several different sizes of photo albums. Coordinate their covers or keep them distinct to help interested family members find the set they’re looking for by the album’s cover design or by their labels.

    Arrange the photos in a specific pattern. For many families, chronological order works nicely. That way, you can literally watch the development of a loved one over several years of time. With the person, you can observe changes in styles, trends, fashions, and modes with regards to homes, clothes, automobiles, and other photo props. Or you may decide to arrange your photos by family grouping. In other words, one album can be devoted to your immediate family’s pictures. Another may contain pictures of your more distant relatives, such as uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Then you may want to create another photo gallery for your co-workers, neighbours, friends, and special relationships.

    Have the habit of giving a photo album gift. Family members who don’t collect pictures or who may not have a camera will appreciate a small, hand-held photo album of precious memories they may have forgotten.

    Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words. Start “writing” your family autobiography today through the collection and organisation of priceless photographs that will tell your family’s story for generations to come.

    There are times when your loved ones are not with you but still you get a chance to see them and feel their presence with the help of photo albums. One of the most memorable moments in an individual’s life is the birth of his child. When a baby is born, the ambience is completely filled with joy. Capturing such a moment is a lifetime memory and hence preserving it carefully is the most important thing. Buying birthday photo albums for preserving the memories related to your first parenthood experience would really be a great decision. In addition to albums for birthdays, Christening photo albums are also available for the infants.

    The birthday photo albums for children, as the name implies, are meant for preserving the memories related to the birthday celebrations of children. With the passage of time, you capture their ‘first-times’, which is one of the most significant phases of the parent’s life. Starting from day one to date, you can record each and every moments related to the birthday celebrations of your child.

    After the birth of the child and before his consecutive birthdays, comes his Christening event. Christening is an occasion when a child is assigned his name which constitutes his unique identity for later stages. To protect the moments of this occasion from getting damaged, a separate category of albums is available that is known as christening albums. The christening photo albums have come in varied designs with simple and sober cover pages that enhance their beauty to a great extent. The cover pages may also contain some sentimental messages specifying the importance of the occasion. However, not only the outer cover, but the inner meaning of the messages engraved within the Christening photo albums is also significant to look for while selecting an album for the purpose.

    Protecting the photographs within birthday photo albums does not only give the parents a chance to remember their loved ones who are not there with them, but they also help the infants go through the moments when they grow up. And this serves to be the most important benefit of preserving the memories of the past times within the birthday or christening photo albums. Just buying an album and putting the photos in a scattered way is not a good way. To keep it protected in a real sense, you should arrange the photographs in a sequence so that the children could cherish and remember those moments accordingly.