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Tag: violence

  • Commandant urge Rivers youths to shun violence, embrace peace

    Commandant urge Rivers youths to shun violence, embrace peace

    The Rivers State Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Oyemike Oyemike, has urged youths to shun violence and embrace peace.

    He spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, at a public lecture to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.

    Oyemike noted that the international day of peace was an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace.

    He said: “It is necessary for Nigerians from different religions and ethnic backgrounds to do away with sentimental beliefs and pursue the virtue of peace, law and social order.

    “The act of conflict prevention, peace building, peace making and post-conflict transformation, the cornerstone of thriving democracy and sustainable development, involve all, especially the government, individuals and the larger society.”

    The commandant also stated that it is in preparing youths towards embracing the culture of peace and the act of non-violence that the founding fathers of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, in their wisdom, initiated the scheme, tailored at redirecting the productive energy of youths, to make them useful to their families and nation.

    The guest speaker, Dr. Raimi Lasisi, who spoke on “Together for Peace, Respect, Safety and Dignity for all,” insisted that efforts must be made to ensure peace to have development and make progress.

    Lasisi said: “While the United Nations, which acts as the global watchdog, is doing everything possible to ensure global peace, the actions or even inactions of individuals and select groups continue to provide incentives for violence, conflicts and war in many parts of the country and the world in general.

    “Anti-peace drums are being sounded across Nigeria, as the old evil of Boko Haram struggles to maintain its deadly status in the North, in addition to the migratory character of the herdsmen violence. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is corroborating their efforts in the East. This is in addition to widespread discontent and in most cases social antagonism among Nigerian citizens concerning the economic hardship in the country.

    “In Nigeria, the threat to our collective conscience (togetherness), sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity emerged as a result of structural historical circumstances that were not humanely addressed and now, they have festered to the extent that it is almost difficult to exorcise their ghosts.

    “While economic conditions, notably poverty, are the major drivers of violence and crime around the world, especially in developing societies, cultural and religious indicators are by far the most devastating, with regard to living together for sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity around the world.”

    The guest speaker also stated that coming together to ensure sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity for all in any society would require mutual respect for diversity, especially in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria, stressing that sustainable peace and respect would provide the necessary pathway to safety and dignity for all.

    He pointed out that the importance of good governance in cementing relationships among citizens in any society could never be overemphasised, stressing that good governance would create an enabling environment for citizens of any country to feel the positive impact of governance, have respect for the institutions and succumb to the rule of law.

    Lasisi noted that government must ensure that youths were empowered through healthy employment opportunities, stating that the absence of sustainable jobs, especially for the youths, would make them a ready army for all kinds of illicit socio-economic activities that would undermine sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity for all.

  • ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    Adekunle Ajasin University  Akungba-Akoko (AAUA),  Ondo State Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Igbekele Ajibefun has said students’ unionism should not cause hostility and destruction in the university, but be seen as a call to serve, in concert with the school management to promote students’ welfare and provide a conducive atmosphere for learning and research.

    Prof Ajibefun gave the advice penultimate Monday at a three-day Leadership Training and Seminar, organised for members of the institution’s Student Union Government (SUG) in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

    The event with the theme: Promoting a peaceful university environment, was at the instance of the Students’ Affairs Unit of the school.

    The VC condemned the notion that unionism should be destructive, violent, quarrelsome and confrontational, pointing out that the SUG is a platform for students to acquire progressive leadership values.

    He said: “It is a regrettable error that some student unionists believe that the effectiveness of their stewardship would be measured by the number of battles and wars they fight with the school authorities. They tend to believe that their members would hail them as ‘action man’ if they are constantly at war with the management or how effective they are pushing for destructive Aluta.

    “You must understand that these are wrong notions about student unionism.  SUG members stand to gain more and achieve their target of improving the lots of their members through mutual cooperation, and constant dialogue with management on whatever demands they make.

    “Therefore, as student leaders, you must be firm and resolute. You must also be transparent and carry your members along in all decisions. There have been peace and tranquility on our campus for some years; you have responsibility to maintain this tempo during your tenure.”

    Prof Ajibefun promised the students’ leaders that the management would always listen to them and strive to meet their demands, despite the challenge of funding. He assured them that the university would prioritise students’ interests.

    The event featured lectures and interactive sessions with members of the union executive and Students Representative Council (SRC).

    In a lecture titled: The roles of communication ethics in peaceful and progressive unionism, former AAUA Deputy VC (Administration), Prof Francis Oyebade, advised the students’ leaders to create channel of effective communication with their members and the school authorities in presenting their goals logically. He said lack of communication would lead to suspicion, which would in turn fuel crisis that may bring the union into disrepute.

    The Deputy VC, Prof Olugbenga Ige, took the students on the theme: Redefining the roles of 21st Century students’ unionism: A pragmatic approach to leadership, while the Bursar, Mrs Olubunmi Ologun, spoke on how the students’ leaders could be accountable in her lecture with the theme: Roles of financial record keeping and transparency in students’ union leadership as panacea for peace in the university.

    Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Francis Gbore,  urged the students to imbibe the lessons learnt from the seminar, urging them to become pragmatic leaders.

    The training, he said, was necessary to engender a peaceful campus and train the students on the values of leadership.

    The union president, Olawale Ijanusi, thanked the management for the training. He added that the seminar changed their perception of unionism and leadership values.

  • Why violence rule our world

    SIR: It hasn’t been long since a lot of us finally got our lives back—after enduring the massive media hype that surrounded the fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. Just like every other boxing match, it’s always a memorable night of having two consenting adults punch each other silly in the ring—until it gets to the fun part when one of them is lucky to unleash a knockout blow to the head of their opponent. Isn’t that always a delightful sight for boxing fans?

    Violence is a strong part of human character. While some people act on it, others think about it, and some others take delight in watching it get under way. No matter how much we evolve our minds or cloak ourselves in the best clothing, the savage nature in every human being lies in wait, and can be triggered the moment a perfect opportunity presents itself.

    The most successful films are fast turning out to be the violent ones. A lot of viewers will rarely find a movie that doesn’t involve elements of shooting, killing—and a fancy bit of martial arts interesting. Kids on the other hand, learn to enjoy the art of savagery through ‘kid-friendly’ cartoons. While a child awaits adolescence—when TV restrictions aren’t often imposed, the child momentarily makes do with the funny but extremely cruel things ‘Tom and Jerry’ do to each other. Isn’t it interesting how kids giggle in amusement whenever rival cartoon characters give each other an agonizing experience?

    American Football (NFL), is one of the many interesting sports in the United States. Among the numerous reasons why it is loved, the violent thrill of the sport outranks them all. In Nigeria, it’s fast becoming a social convention to ensure roadside thieves are lynched and burned alive publicly. How such barbaric acts are easily carried out by fellow human beings, terrifies me deeply. The same can be said for the weirdos who mutilate human body parts for voodoo rituals.

    Religion, tribal sentiments and politics incites people, but our savage human nature engineers the violence associated with extremism. Nations are driven into senseless wars by the bloodthirsty savage nature of men. Domestic violence, rape, robbery, brutal killings by people who look quite squeaky clean—and our desires for violent sports, movies or games, are all various degrees of savagery.

    With the acquisition of nuclear weapons by the world powers and their rival prodigies, the world can be likened to a ticking time bomb!

    Although, we’ve got a great deal of monstrous traits in us, if we can all tame ourselves—and pretend some more to be civilized, the world could be a little safer.

     

    • Nimi Princewill,

    princewill.nimi@yahoo.com

  • Agency targets two million to fight sexual violence

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has begun a six-month intensified campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), its Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said yesterday.

    It plans to reach out to two million people to join the crusade against the menace.

    At a training session for journalists on best practices for investigating and reporting sexual and gender-based violence cases, Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi promised that no community would be left behind in the fight against SGBV.

    According to her, DSVRT would embark on intensive sensitisation campaigns at Fagba, Ajuwon, Surulere, Ikeja, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Iwaya, Epe, Badagry, Onike, Ijanikin, Ojo, Idimu, Lagos Island, Alimosho and Agege.

    She said inner communities in Badore, Sangotedo, Oke Yaya, Owutu would not be left out of the campaign.

    “The campaign will be conducted through door-to-door canvassing, engagement of children in schools, town hall meetings, market rallies, engagement at religious gatherings, and visitation to salons.

    “There would also be an extensive media outreach through Billboards, radio and television jingles in English, pidgin and other indigenous languages,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

    The team, she said, would ensure that literature on domestic violence prevention was distributed through local governments and marriage registries to intending couples.

  • Residents lament violence in Somolu

    Residents and youths in Somolu area of Lagos yesterday lamented the rising wave of violence in the area.

    They alleged that trend was not unconnected with the upcoming local government election.

    It would be recalled that there was sporadic shootings in the area on Thursday during a rally organised by one of the parties participating in the election.

    The violence resulted to the damage of vehicles and many injured.

    Somolu Indigenous Youths spokesperson Shina Abbey, said residents in the area were uncomfortable with the security situation.

    He appealed to political parties not to turn Somolu to a battle ground in the name of election.

    He said: “It appears that the forthcoming election, which we hope will restore normalcy and development to Somolu is turning out to something else.

    “This persistent violence is caused by members of the same party. We urge their leaders to settle things amicably among them.”

    A resident of the area, who identified himself as Elder Kayode, said: “We have written to the party leaders to inform them of our displeasure and disapproval of their nominated candidates.”

  • Olubadan cautions against violence during Egungun festival

    As the yearly Egungun Festival begins today in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has called for peaceful conduct among masquerades and their followers during the three-week long festival.

    The monarch said the annual festival is a celebration of Ibadan custom and tradition, warneding that it should not be turned into an avenue for unleashing terror and violence on the people.

    Oba Adetunji said law enforcement agents had assured the residents of their readiness to maintain law and order by arresting and prosecuting those who cause mayhem during the festival.

    He said: “As a monarch, my appeal to our people is to celebrate the festival within the ambit of the law. Also, I will like to persuade our people to avoid the use of weapons, such as guns, daggers, machetes and broken bottles, not only during the Egungun Festival but also after it. The long arm of the law would not spare any merchant of violence.”

    Last year, 18 vehicles were destroyed at Akuro and Igbonna in Ibadan when some masqueraders engaged street urchins in a free-for-all, leaving the residents to tell tales of woes.

     

  • Gombe tackles violence against children

    Gombe tackles violence against children

    Gombe is the second state in the North, and fifth in the country to have a plan against violence targeting children, reports VINCENT OHONBAMU

    On September 15, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments to end violence against children; on October 25, 2016 he renewed the call. Few states have heeded the call, Gombe recently becoming the second in the North and fifth in the country to respond to the President’s appeal.

    Why the hesitation across the country? It is because society largely dismisses violence against children as a hoax. But the vice is real, occurring in physical, sexual or emotional forms. It is mostly perpetrated in the name of culture, tradition and norms; thus it is seen as disciplining the child, especially the physical form of it, which is why people hardly believe its existence. Where some reluctantly admit it, they are quick to associate it with the poor. But it transcends the socio-economic status of homes–meaning it could take place in rich, poor or middleclass homes.

    Perpetrators are mostly people the children know–parents, guardians, relatives, househelps and teachers, neighbours and schoolmates, and it normally occurs in places where victims ought to be safe like home and school for instance.

    Therefore, it is mindboggling, the large number of children experiencing violence on daily bases or would have experienced violence at a given point in their lives.

    According to the Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey, children in Nigeria suffer violence in millions yearly – approximately six out of every 10 children experience some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence before the age of 18. One in every two children experience physical violence (smacking, whipping, burning, choking, trying to drown); one in four girls and one in 10 boys experience sexual violence; one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence.

    For example, a four-year-old girl was repeatedly raped by her teacher; a nine-year-old boy was thoroughly beaten up and then chained and locked up in seclusion by her father and step-mother, denied food or water for days; kids are bullied or even physically assaulted by others at school. How about 12- and 14-year-old female siblings who were continually raped and threatened by their father? House-helps in some cases vent their frustration on children, even babies and beat them up frequently. In some cases, little boys or girls are regularly put down by parent(s) or guardians with words like – “you are useless, I regret giving birth to you, you will never succeed; you will die in poverty like your parents; you are a never do well,” etc.

    While over 60% of Nigerian children are affected, less than only 5% ever receive the service they need to recover because they mostly do not speak out about their sufferings.

    Violence against children leads to mental distress, thought of suicide, low self-esteem, alcoholism, depression, inferiority complex, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, among other effects.

    Children who experience sexual and physical violence in childhood are much more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence in adulthood or see nothing wrong in doing same to their children or wards.

    Failure to invest in checking violence against children leads to substantial socio-economic losses estimated at 2 – 8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “When we think about the fact that children make up tomorrow and children grow into adulthood, then we begin to wonder the effect and the cost of VAC to the society. If 60% of our children are undergoing this, then we need to start asking ourselves what kind of adults are we hoping to produce, what kind of society are we hoping to produce,” queried Alabi, a Child Protection Specialist in UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.

    Aside the President’s call, the statistics coupled with the ugly consequences of VAC on the individual and national development compelled Gombe State’s undertaking to protect the rights of her children with the support by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

    Speaking at the event, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo warned that any individual or group of persons found perpetrating VAC would be made to face the wrath of the law. He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), human rights activities, United Nations Agencies and other partners to redouble efforts towards stemming out the rising unacceptable cases of VAC.

    “Children are the most important asset for the sustainable development of any society. I therefore call on parents, families, communities and the society at large to rise up to our responsibilities as regards to our children.”

    “I would like to assure you that government would work assiduously towards implementing policies and programmes aimed at ending violence against children.

    “This is an obligation we all owe our children in line with the rights guaranteed them in the 1999 constitution and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory,” Governor Dankwambo affirmed.

    Rabi Daniel, Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare said the launch of the campaign underscored the importance Gombe State government attaches to the protection, survival, participation and development of children.

    She said her Ministry on its part would continue to articulate programmes to build protective services and empower families to prevent as well as respond to any issue of VAC.

    She made a passionate plea for the cooperation of the media, saying: “The campaign on ending violence against children must be consistent, continuous and carried out with passion for it to elicit action.”

    Also pledging commitment, Gombe state Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar vowed the Police preparedness to ensure that perpetrators of VAC are adequately punished according to the dictates of the law.

    He said the Command was looking to collaborate with community and religious leaders, relevant state and Federal Governments agencies as well as the judiciary towards ensuring the success of the campaign.

    Justice Hakeela Heman, Chief Judge of Gombe state who was represented by Justice Beatrice Iliya described the campaign as timely because of the high rate of violence against children in the state and country at large.

    “Children are subjected to inhuman treatment and degradation like kidnapping, adoption, rape, sex slavery among others and they have no way of getting help. Unfortunately, most of these heinous crimes are committed in the name of culture and religion,” he said.

    Ironically, Gombe State is yet to domesticate the Child Right Act, a development which many believe could hamper the fight against violence targeting children in the state.

     

  • Our Girls: ‘Bribery, Violence, New Faces’

    Our Girls are still missing since April 15, 2014. Pray and work for their release.

    Repeatedly we see democracy in action from the so-called cradles of democracy in the USA, France and now the UK where Theresa May unwittingly threw away her party majority and must link with a smaller party to rule effectively, losing many conservatives their seats. Not one of these democracies bribed, killed or even maimed a single citizen in the electoral process. It was all ‘Policy’ not ‘Physical’ or ‘Fiscal’ corruption.  Three elections, no deaths, no physical violence! Only the word violence was allowed and was quite vicious. Terms like ‘fake news’ were landmarks of the election process.

    Nearly all 37 governments and even the much debated National Assembly (NASS) boast of their sometimes questionable achievements at half-time in their four year ‘game’. Let us all be more analytical and perhaps more critical, constructively of course, of all the governments nationwide. Politicians worldwide are known for turning failures into verbal achievements. As we in Nigeria prepare for our Election 2019, we require to take on board the issues of Election 2019 – BVN =‘Bribery, Violence, New Faces’. Election 2019:  No to Bribery & Violence and Yes to New Faces.

    The application of the term ‘New Faces’ does not mean young faces but also trusted older persons newly introduced to politics on the basis of contribution, integrity, honesty and ability. However in general, Nigeria’s politics must shift towards a younger generation of politicians and a higher female representation. These were achieved at once in France where there is a 39-year old President who immediately appointed a cabinet with 50% women and several minority participants.  Even the old cry about ‘Experience In Government’ being a key qualification for government office has been thrown out in successful democracies and even in Lagos State where at director level, many ‘private sector’ outsiders have been introduced with good results cutting down the paraphernalia of government and action time.

    Finally it is fully established as a myth that women are less corrupt than men. Equal bragging rights to ‘Corruption Maximus’ are shared by both genders. This is exemplified in Nigeria where some females elevated with admiration to the highest offices in banking, professions and political levels have disappointed us, ‘lost it’ and ‘gone as mad for money, power, possessions and buildings,’ as men when it came to corruption and even outstripping them often. However those rotten eggs are not sufficient evidence to deny womankind the right to have a 50% share in offices based on their percentage of the population. The country has millions of good honest hardworking women of maximum integrity, in the mould of the ‘Virtuous Woman’ who could really change the country if ‘opportunity knocked’.

    Nigeria has had men as ‘Oga at the top’ of affairs for ever. Women in power and position have fallen short but many have been a credit. Men in power and position have fallen but many have been a credit. Many blame the women in the men’s lives for receiving stolen goods and money so easily to maintain extravagant lifestyles. Certainly the women in the lives of many corrupt men receive a sizable proportion of the loot but the man always keeps the majority. And women who steal do not give all to lovers. So women cannot be the catalyst for men’s corruption and vice versa. So let us put aside gender bias and ensure adequate representation of women in Election 2019 at all levels. If the women ‘mess it up’ they still would have done no worse than the men before them.

    My Nigeria, Do My Morals Matter? MMM? Do Your Morals Matter, YMM? Certainly they should do. Examine yourself. Do you do the right moral thing? Every Nigerian who went to school here recalls ‘Expo’ -fake or real exam questions leaked and bought at huge cost before the exam. Who does not remember actual cheating students and actual collaborating teachers at exam time in many schools and examination halls nationwide?

    Say this out loud ‘MMM’, ‘My Morals Matter’. A parent corruptly ‘child-age-lying’ on a form or corruptly facilitating an alteration on a child’s birth certificate is as corrupt as the parent offering a bribe to a teacher or willing to buy ‘Expo’ question papers or rent a mercenary to sit his child’s examinations or for the parent to cheat during at any point in an election. All corruption incidents are criminal offences. Remember to say and teach your children ‘MMM’.

    Nigeria awaits immediate action to Halt Corruption in the Uniformed Services through holding the leadership responsible for the criminal corruption of subordinates.

    Most politicians who loudly give anti-corruption advice are not immune to well-founded suspicion of corruption. We must each fight corruption. Each person goes to judgement, heaven or hell, as an individual not collectively!

    The revelations on the distribution list of the $115m slush fund to facilitate or manipulate the 2015 election shows the number of hands of INEC officials, security agencies and all others whose hands are ‘stained and tied’ to the party by money that was not the party’s to give, it was stolen. The money was for development. INEC should punish, de-list, fine or suspend any guilty party of such a terror attack to prevent a further assault by any party on Election 2019.

     

  • LASIEC partners IPAC to end political violence

    Worried by the violence arising from the conduct of party primaries ahead the July 22, council polls, the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd), has appealed to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to assist the commission to end the violence.

    She made the appeal during a meeting held by the commission with members of the executive of IPAC at the Commission’s Yaba, Lagos office.

    The LASIEC chief said the violence was capable of negatively impacting on the elections if the situation was not quickly checked, adding that a LASIEC official was injured during one of the fracas.

    She promised to beef up security at its headquarters to prevent political thugs from invading it.

    The commission, she said, could not interfere in the conduct of primaries of political parties because the law does not empower it to do so.

    IPAC Chairman Mr. Kola Ajayi blamed the violence on lack of internal democracy among the political parties, pointing out the police had an important role to play in checking the incidents of violence.

    Ajayi said the body was planning a rally to campaign against political violence.

  • Commissioner tasks social workers on response to child abuse, violence

    Worried by the rate of violence and abuses of children in some quarters across the state, the Lagos State government on Thursday urged all its social workers across the state to ‘up their ante’ in the discharge of their mediatory role among school children and the entire residents of the state.

    Responding to the feedback at a 3-day training on Child Protection System Strengthening (CPSS) and Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for social workers in collaboration with United Nation International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf appealed to social workers from state and local government areas to raise their bar on preventive and response actions.

    She said social workers must begin to see the profession as a calling and as such renew their commitment to the protection of vulnerable people from violence, abuses and supporting them to live independently.

    The Commissioner reassured social workers that the government will not desist from giving them the needed support that would enhance their performances.

    Also speaking at the event, the representative of UNICEF, Mr. D. Dennis, advised social workers to be better listeners instead of speakers at all-time such that individuals would willingly submit to their directives and repose greater confidence in them.

    A facilitator at the training, Mrs. Ronke Adebambo commended the Lagos State Government for prioritizing the social well-being of its publics.