The Nation Newspaper

Tag: women

  • Apple backs Dre’s apology to women

    Apple backs Dre’s apology to women

    With Dr Dre’s biopic, Straight Outta Compton, topping the box office last week, garnering a $56.1 million opening, critics have charged that the movie, which was co-produced by Dre, glosses over N.W.A.’s record of misogyny and ignores Dr. Dre’s history of physically abusing women.

    This is coming on the heels of criminal battery charges levelled against the rapper following allegations he violently attacked journalist, Dee Barnes in 1991.

    Interestingly, the beat maker, who has previously spoken dismissively or vaguely about the decades-old episodes, confronted them on Friday in a statement to The New York Times.

    While he did not address each allegation individually, he said: “Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”

    He adds: “I apologise to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”

    Meanwhile, American multinational technology company, Apple has backed Dr. Dre following his statement apologising to women.

    Apple, which acquired Dr Dre’s headphone and music streaming company Beats Electronics last year for US$3 billion and made Dre an Executive, said the company believed in the rapper’s sincerity.

    “Dre has apologised for the mistakes he’s made in the past and he’s said that he’s not the same person that he was 25 years ago. After working with him for a year and a half, we have every reason to believe that he has changed,” Apple said in a statement.

    Other women, including Dre’s former girlfriend Michel’le, have also claimed he was violent towards them.

  • Five start-up secrets for women

    Five start-up secrets for women

    For the majority of women in Nigeria, entrepreneurship is a necessity. There are no jobs or viable alternative options, however, from writing a business plan to coming up with a name to hiring employees, a startup can seem overwhelming.

    Many Nigerian women who have always wanted to start their own business never do, simply because they are weighed down by the process and unsure of what specifically is required. It is no secret that women in the startup world generally face a series of unique challenges. Not only are they significantly out-numbered by men, they also find themselves intrinsically disadvantaged either by the limited funding or a dearth of high-power female role models with actual experience.

    There is no secret formula or tactics when it comes to what make female entrepreneurs thrive. Instead, what it takes to succeed is, in a lot of ways, gender neutral as the steps one needs to get there similarly should not be confined to gendered lines. At the moment, the investing community is predominantly made up of men investing in other men, making it even much more difficult for the women to hold the reins. With this in mind, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 online hotel booking portal has put up 5 start-up secrets for Nigerian women who are keen on building a successful startup anyway and fulfilling their dreams.

    Do not overthink it.

    Unlike men, women are much more likely to ask the question: “What if?” Starting anything is challenging, but the female tendency to worry can prevent them from making the first step. Do not second-guess yourself, even if the idea is a moon shot.

    Over thinking breeds fear which can stop you before you begin. Thoughts about the risk of failure, humiliation, and criticism that may come along the way can overwhelm the desire to start, especially when you have other people to care for besides yourself. However, the biggest risk is not trying. You will never know what you are capable of until you jump off of the edge entirely.

    Simplify your mission.

    Invest time to defining and breaking down the structure and goal of your business to the simplest form; be specific about what it does and what it represents.

    If you nail down a 60 – 90 seconds synopsis, it will yield a lot of dividends throughout the life of your business. Again, a simple mission makes drafting a list of actionable steps you can take every day to work towards your startup easier.

    Arm yourself with patience.

    Patience is a virtue that can be learned. It may take a much longer than expected to achieve your goals, but it is important to remain passionate and patient.

    Understand that every business will have its up and downs, surround yourself with positive thinkers and be in touch with mentors, preferably other female entrepreneur with actual experience as there are issues only female founders encounter.

    Never underestimate the importance of having role models.  Try to learn from their experiences and how they managed to survive during the most difficult times. This gives you strength and motivation.

    If possible try forming your own group of female founders and meet up regularly. If you can hang around long enough and accept the challenges that come your way, it will only be a matter of time before you achieve your goals.

     Invest in a good watch

    The aim is not to look chic, but more on showing how important time is to you.

    As a Nigerian women in the startup world, high chances are you do not have a lot of nor brand equity, so it is important that you use your time wisely your greatest asset is your time. Time management is essential to the success of any startup.

    A founder has to determine how to best employ each hour of the day to make the biggest impact on her brand. Wasted time means wasted efforts in building the brand of your dreams.

    Do not transfer aggression

    While it is essential to surround yourself with an awesome team, it is important to also remember that you are going to need them to overcome all the obstacles that come with starting and maintaining a company.

    The success of any startup lies on the team and not only on how well they manage their specific duties, but on how well they are managed as well.  You will need to have a firm grip on your emotions and learn to stay away from transferring the aggression that comes from strong emotions like fear and anger to your team while managing them.

    Be as stern as you need to be, but nothing good comes from you bringing your lack of emotional control into the work, chances are that you will create a wall or divide between you and your team, and that will certainly  have a negative effect on output.

  • Three women docked for ‘public fighting’

    A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta, Lagos, yesterday, ordered three women to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly fighting in public until they meet their bail conditions.

    Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon granted the accused: Adeshola Lawal, 28, Abiodun Onwuneme, 23 and Fadiat Ayinde, 19, bail in the sum of N50,000 each.

    She said the bail was with one surety each who must be blood relations.

    The three are facing charge of fighting in public to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Emmanuel Ajayi, said the offence was committed at Atitebi Street, Ebute Meta on August 17.

    He said that the accused fought in public over a trivial issue.

    “Ayinde accosted Onwuneme who is pregnant and started making mockery of her. She called her a prostitute that was carrying a fatherless child. Ayinde said Onwuneme was wayward hence was pregnant and sent out of home.

    “Lawal, who is a close friend of Onwuneme, didn’t like the insults. She joined to fight Ayinde,’’ Ajayi said.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 54 of the Criminal Law.

    The case was adjourned till September 9 for mention.

  • Women of easy virtue set market ablaze

    Women of easy virtue set market ablaze

    THERE was tension yesterday in Amansea, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State where women of easy virtue burnt down some structures in the cattle market to protest the demolition of their brothels.

    Men of the Anambra State Urban Development Board (ASUDEB) demolished brothels and illegal structures in the market, alleging that they were used to perpetuate crime.

    The women accused ASUDEB officials of being partial.

    One of them, Rachael, said ASUDEB officials were wicked and inhuman as they destroyed their brothel without notice, leaving behind some huts, kiosks and canteens belonging to the cattle traders.

    ASUDEB’s General Manager Mr. Enenmuo Nathan Chinedu, who led the exercise, said it was part of Governor Willie Obiano’s resolve to rid the state of crime. He described the structures as illegal, adding that the place was a hideout for prostitutes, kidnappers and armed robbers.

    He noted that the demolition would be extended to Nnewi, Onitsha and other cities where brothels and illegal structures exist.

    Chinedu debunked claims that the women got no notice, saying that they were given three weeks to vacate the vicinity.

    “A lot of prostitutes live around Amansea cattle market, spoiling our children and constituting a nuisance, and as you know, criminals hang around brothels.

    “In my capacity as the ASUDEB General Manager, I will ensure that this exists no more. Our activities are in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s zero tolerance policy for crime,” Chinedu said.

    The Secretary of the cattle market, Alhaji Bello Maigari said ASUDEB marked the illegal structures for about 21 days before acting but their wives’ canteens were not marked. His words: “Ashawo is not part of our business here. Our main business is selling and buying of cows. The demolition was to remove illegal structures used for prostitution.

    “The ones that were not demolished are places where traders stay and canteens where our wives cook for our customers, but they have been razed in the inferno.”

    Some of the women were sighted boarding taxis to Ugwuoba in Oji River council where they are said to have another brothel.

  • Buhari’s search for men and women with clean hands 

    SIR: President Buhari has attributed the delay in the formation of his cabinet to scarcity of men and women of integrity.

    Obviously there is a paradigm shift in the polity as the change campaign that ousted the Peoples Democratic Party from the centre is steadily manifesting itself in the country.

    Buhari knows that Nigerians accepted his candidature and voted for him due to his record of integrity, discipline, and perceived sincerity of purpose despite his opponents’ ploy to discredit his person.

    But he cannot do it alone; he needs honest and dedicated individuals to execute the ‘Project Rebuild Nigeria’.

    He has repeatedly said that no unclean hand will work with him!

    They should be men and women of integrity laden with commitment to his course and be ready to take responsibility; they should be personalities that will match their behaviour with values and are prepared to take correction – because often failure leads to success.  Buhari’s men should be people who can initiate good ideas that will better our lot and work with time because we can no longer wait to see, feel and enjoy this moment of ‘Change’.

    As the nomination, selection, screening and collation continue, I urge the President to increase his pace.  For how long will Nigerians have to wait? The President should be cautious; he needs to weigh his options and priorities.

    As he continues with his search for good men, he should note that part of the attributes of excellence is flexibility. Jesus Christ told the man that called him a good man: “… No one is good-except God alone.”

     

    •  Gbenga Olajobi

      Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

  • HURIWA: don’t drop expectant women from NYSC

    Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government not to stop expectant women and nursing mothers from participating in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The HURIWA National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that stopping them from taking part in the programme would be discriminatory.

    He said the action would deny them the opportunity of benefiting from the objectives of the scheme.

    According to Onwubiko, the move could jeopardise harmony in some families as wives, who were due for service, could deny their husbands intimate relationship for fear of being stopped from national service.

    He said the move also contravened Section 42 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Onwubiko said the Constitution was clear that “government policy cannot be couched and implemented to primarily discriminate against any group of citizens under any guise.”

    Also speaking, Mr Patrick Odey, an activist, told NAN that it would not be proper to deny women the right to national service on account of pregnancy or nursing of babies.

    He said the move negates the aim of NYSC, which includes encouraging relationship among Nigerian youths.

  • Buhari’s wife tasks Nigerian women on unity

    Buhari’s wife tasks Nigerian women on unity

    •Okorocha seeks more roles for women

    The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, enjoined Nigerian women to be united for developmental goals.

    Aisha, who was represented at the grand finale of this year’s August Meeting at the Ojukwu Square by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osibanjo, harped on the need for the women to arise and speak with one strong and united voice.

    She noted that the greatest challenge facing the womenfolk is the inability to come and reason together to chart a common course for the emancipation of women.

    She, however, expressed optimism that with the gathering of women under the auspices of the August meeting, as observed in the state, “it will only be a matter of time for the women to take their rightful place in the country”.

    According to Dolapo, “Wife of the President asked me to tell you that she appreciates Imo women and to remind them of the theme of this years’ August meeting, ‘Dare to Dream’.

    She said that when you dream, Nigeria will never be the same again. If women arise, there would be unity in the country”.

    The President’s wife also encouraged the women to strive and bring up their children in the knowledge of unity and truth, adding that, “I tell you when you do that, Imo will be great again, Nigeria will be great again”.

    Earlier in her speech, the host and Imo State First Lady, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha , stated that women in the state are deeply rooted in the change propagated by the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

    The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, in his speech, urged highly placed Nigerians in authority to give women a chance to prove their worth in rendering assistance to leadership in the country.

    Dignitaries at the event include the first ladies of Edo, Nasarawa, Enugu, Zamfara, Ebonyi and Abia states.

  • Call for women empowerment

    Strengthening of women farmers is key to a successful agricultural growth and rural development, a social entrepreneur, Abigail Anaba, has said.

    Anaba, an associate with Agro Nigeria, said building a group of successful women agri-food entrepreneurs that provide role models will contribute to economic growth and improvement of rural income and food security.

    She called on women in agriculture and institutions to support the empowerment of farmers, particularly in agri-business activities.

    Recognising that, women are responsible about 80 per cent of food production, Anaba said the national objective should be to strengthen inclusive growth, employment generation and sustainable livelihoods for women producers and agri-business entrepreneurs.

    To this end, she urged relevant institutions to work with government and other stakeholders to support women farmers with incentives to enable reap the benefits of profitable agriculture.

    She quoted Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, who said “when women are empowered and can claim their rights and access to land, leadership, opportunities and choices, economies grow, food security is enhanced and prospects are improved for current and future generations”.

    Anaba urged  women to take  advantage  of Growth and Employment in State-Wholesale and Retail sector (GEMS4), Enterprise Challenge Fund  that  aims to  encourage,  develop and adopt innovative business models and approaches that will create jobs and improve the income of financially challenged women engaged in Wholesale and Retail trade.

    She said the £3.5 million private sector development matching grant fund seeks to support initiatives from Lagos, Kano, Cross River, Kaduna and Enugu.

    Through the initiative, she said GEMS4 is set to provide both technical and financial support of up to £150,000 for eligible private sector actors whose business or innovative entries will ultimately result in the creation of jobs and improved incomes for economically challenged women within the sector.

  • Cleric extols women at conference

    Women have been described as carriers of untold treasures.

    Speaking at the 17th edition of the yearly Zion International Conference tagged “The Precious Jewel” organised by the Virtuous Women Services Foundation (VWSF), the President, Apostle Edu Elijah Mboho, wife of Archbishop Dr. Elijah Mboho, said it is important to remind every woman that they carry treasures that are unimaginable but that they must also be told that they have to come to Jesus through whom alone this untold treasure embedded  in them may be made manifest.

    Dwelling on the theme “The Precious Jewel”, Apostle Mboho said  “Precious”  defines a thing as being of great value, costly and highly esteemed, while “Jewel”  is a fashion ornament especially made out of a precious stone.

    Mboho told the women who gathered in thousands from across the nation at Gospel Village, Headquarters of Goodnews Community International Incorporated, Abak,  Akwa Ibom State,  that as precious and unique as  a jewel is, it is cut out of a rough stone and has to go through very rough processes, all aimed at bringing out of it beautiful sparkles that only the Creator knew and understands.

    Apostle Mboho said with the use of sharp, abrasive or hot instrument, the raw stone, taken out of the earth, is reduced in size, changed in shape and colours with the purpose of producing a desirable ornament for beautification.

    She told the excited and praying crowd that as recorded in 1st Peter 2:5, ‘We are living stones meant to be built into a spiritual house for a holy, dedicated and consecrated service to the Lord.

    Though the process may be rough, she reminded the worshippers that ‘the Master Builder has a target of bringing out every brilliantness, beauty and creativity embedded on the inside of them’. She urged them to hold on and stay encouraged as the end is glorious. ” Remember you are a chosen generation, and a special people set aside to display the virtues and perfection of Him who called you. Let your life say yes to your calling and purpose. Your blessing is tied to the fulfillment of your purpose. Your destiny is God’s divine agenda”, she admonished the worshippers.

    Membership of VWSF is open to all women, children and youth irrespective of age, nationality, colour, race or social standing in society as well as men.

    The weeklong programme, which had hundreds in camps within  the Gospel Village, ended with thanksgiving to God for His grace and mercies.

  • Firm to hold women empowerment programme

    A FIRM Comunications Support Limited is set to hold Phenomena 2015 aimed at celebrating and empowering exceptional women in various sector.

    In a statement, its Managing Director, Mike Efunkoya said the event billed for November in Lagos will provide a basis for highligting the contribution of women to corporate growth and economic development and promoting the best in women development, facilitating behaviourial change and inspiring women for high positions.

    The event, which has as theme as, Transforming the society through inspiring women, will feature speeches, connections, giving and sharing of knowledge, awards, books and music presentations, live entertainment and dinner. Attendance will be drawn from the public and private sectors.

    He said as a nation aspirating to become peaceful, united, egalitarian and most dynamic economic hub in Africa, Nigeria requires consistent and strategic investments in human capital development with particular attention to women.