The Nation Newspaper

Tag: women

  • Council, NGO empower women, youths though skill acquisition

    In a bid to check the rate of restiveness in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, the chairman of the area, Mrs Rita Agbo Ayim has entered a partnership with a non-governmental organization (NGO), CUSO International to train youths and women on entrepreneunership.

    The beneficiaries are to specialize on poultry farming, goat raising, fish farming among others.

    Ayim said the move is to make them self-employed, to contribute positively to the development of the economy of the area.

    The Council Chairman who signed an MOU with the organization in Ogoja said about 400 youths and women would benefit from the job-creating endeavor.

    Speaking at the signing of the MOU at the Council Hall, the Chairman adviced the beneficiaries to take the programme seriously in order to help reduce restiveness among themselves and to create job for others.

    Her words, “I am charging the participants and the beneficiaries to put more effort in the programme so they can become employers of labour, and to make sure the essence of the programme is not being defeated.”

    Ayim lauded the CUSO International team that came for the exercise and assured them of her readiness to do everything possible for the programme to succeed.

    Project Director of CUSO, Mr. Chris Braeuel also charged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity given to them in order to create jobs for others and themselves.

  • Nigeria misses out on women board membership in banks

    Nigeria misses out on women board membership in banks

    When the list of countries implementing international and local directives that more women should be given chances to serve on banks’ boards was rolled out last week, Nigeria did not make it.

    This is despite that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) directive that banks give 40 per cent board positions to women.

    Major findings in the report, titled: Where are the Women? Inclusive boardrooms in Africa’s top-listed companies, which measured 2013 data for 307 companies in 12 countries, showed that African countries with the highest percentage of women on boards, include Kenya (19.8 per cent), South Africa (17.4 per cent), Botswana (16.9 per cent), Zambia (16.9 per cent) and Ghana (17.7 per cent).

    The greatest sectoral champions for women on boards in Africa are the financial services, basic materials and construction, as well as automotive industries.

    The Special Envoy on Gender of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, said Africa has a long distance to make sure its strong economic growth includes its most talented women at the top, according to the first-ever study of female board membership in Africa, unveiled during the World Economic Forum Africa, by the AfDB, Commissioner.

    “To break the glass ceiling in Africa, we urgently need to bring women on corporate boards, which we can do by fast-tracking them through middle and senior management in the private sector,” Fraser-Moleketi, said.

    “We need to think and act differently and invest markedly in women’s leadership.”

    The report said Africa has a commanding lead among emerging regions with 14. 4 per cent of women represented on the boards of blue-chip companies (Asia-Pacific 9.8 per cent, Latin America 5.6 per cent, the Middle East one per cent). That puts Africa third behind the developed regions of Europe (18 per cent) and the US (16.9 per cent).

    The companies with the highest percentage of women on boards are East Africa Breweries of Kenya (45.5 per cent), followed by two South African firms, Impala Platinum Holdings (38.5 per cent) and Woolworths Holdings (30.8 per cent).

    It said to boost women participation in boardrooms across Africa, a list of recommendations should be sent to governments, civil society, the private sector, and African stock exchanges that includes baseline research on female board membership to track progress and setbacks, mandated public reporting by listed companies of board composition and board diversity as a listing requirement, and mandates for female board membership, starting with state-owned companies.

    The AfDB said it was the first multilateral bank to appoint a Special Envoy on Gender in 2013, Fraser-Moleketi. The board study figures into the bank’s five-year Gender Strategy, which focuses on economic empowerment, knowledge management and capacity building, and legal status and property rights.

    CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade, had insisted that the CBN has drummed it into the banks that compliance was important.

    She said there was an agreement that women on board should be increased for economic growth sustainability.

    She said the sector made commitment to increase the critical mass of women in decision-making process, 40 per cent of top management positions and 30 per cent of board positions occupied by women last year.

    She said the CBN has taken proactive steps and actions to promote gender equality and women economic empowerment.

  • Role of women in nation building

    The role of women in nation building cannot be over-emphasised. Over the years, women have been relegated to the background on issues of development, especially in developing countries, such as Nigeria.

    The reason may have been that, the views of women are always sentimental. While women have contributed positively to the progress of humanity, this article will focus on the role played by women in the development of Nigerian politics.

    Women have been playing leading role in shaping our nation and this dates back to the pre-colonial era. In the history, we have read about women, who played active part in the administrative system and business. Women during the pre-colonial period were allowed to participate in the administration of communities. For instance, the exploit of Iyalode (women leader) of the old Oyo Empire has remained the reference point on how political involvement women can engender a free society. Not only did they shape the political system of the period, they also act as mediators in inter-ethnic rivalry. This can be seen in exploit of Moremi during the Ife-Modekeke war.

    The advent of colonialism made women to disengage in political participation in the country. In this era, women’s role was limited to trading and other social activities, leaving out politics for the men. The colonial masters can be said to be chauvinistic in nature, having left out the local women in their indirect rule policy.

    Though, the likes of Mrs Margaret Ekpo, Mrs Janet Mokelu and others were members of the Eastern House of Assembly. The late Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, though not a full-fledged politician, was a very strong force to reckon with in the politics of the Western Region. Hajia Gambo Sawaba waged a fierce battle for the political and cultural emancipation of women in the North. They made impacts in pre-independence era and surmounted so many obstacles and limitation but their exploits still stand as a legacy up till today.

    The coming of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime brought the role of women in the country’s politics to the front burner. The office of the first lady was first institutionalised by Maryam Babangida. Other women who have made impact in the country’s politics include, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Minister of Finance.

    Mrs Obi Ezekwesili also left a huge landmark in the history of Nigerian politics. The late Prof Dora Akunyili, former Minister for Information, also performed credibly when she was the Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); she waged war against adulterated drug dealers, starting in her home state. There are many other women in politics that have done very well and still performing excellently well.

    Though recently women have become actively involved in the country’s politics unlike before, nevertheless, they are still face with some challenges that limits their chances and sometimes have some psychological effect that kills their morale. However, the role of women in our country can be re-energised and accorded popularity.

    The role of women in a country’s administration has regained its prominence internationally. Liberia president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made history as Africa’s first female president.

    Also, we have the likes of Hilary Clinton in the United States. The world has, in the past decades, witnessed an unprecedented expansion of women’s rights, being one of the most profound social revolutions we have ever seen. Couple of decades back, only two countries allowed women to vote. Today, that right is virtually universal.

    Millions of men and women around the world now support the call for gender equality, although there is much to be done especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

    In sum, it is apparent that no appreciable development can be made either at the local, national or international platform without recognising women as key players. The nation must empower, up-skill and invest in girl-child for a better society.

    The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said: “When we empower women, we empower communities, nations and entire human family.” The impact of political involvement of women has left a patch in path; therefore it can be asserted that women are not only loaded with valuable potentials, but also have the legal right to contribute to the development of their societies. Any government should adequately provide for the position of women in its administration and make amendment to policies that have placed women at the losing end.

     

    •Adebola, 200-Level Political Science and International Relations, LANDMARK UNIVERSITY

  • ‘Women should be encouraged in politics’

    ‘Women should be encouraged in politics’

    Hon. Olorunisola Adegeye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. She spoke with Musa Odoshimokhe on her ambition, women in politics and other issues.   

    How will you assess women participation in politics?

    The number of women in politics is too low. There have been calls from different angles to encourage women to take part in politics. Our husbands have equally been called upon to allow their wives to take part in politics. We have appealed to the husbands to allow their wives to participate in politics. The women should take the initiative to get involved in politics because it should not be a male affair.

    What has been your experience as a politician?

    My experience has been very interesting. I went into politics as a young lady. I became secretary to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Mushin Local Government, Lagos State. At the Apapa Local Government, I was the women leader and financial secretary of the party. During the era of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), I was an active member of the women’s wing of the party at Obalende, Lagos. I was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women leaders. I later decamped from the PDP in 2001; I was in Atiku’s camp, which left the PDP at that point. I want to say my political tutelage took place under Dapo Saromi, who groomed me in politics. I can safely say that I have been in politics for quite a while now. I later became a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    Why are you contesting for the chairmanship of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area?

    I have not been able to do lots of things for the people of the Amuwo Odofin, as I would have loved to. Please go to the community and ask the people about me when I served as their representatives at the House. I can say that this place, where this interview is taking place is part of my community. So, the people here are equally aware of my impact as a lawmaker. If you ask the people of Amuwo Odofin about me, I am very sure they would tell you about my antecedents as a lawmaker. I love to help people and I have been doing it even before I became a member of the House. Whatever I earned, I shared it with the people. I believe in helping people. When I was in the House, all my salaries and the allowances were not enough to take care of the people the way I wanted it. The situation is still the same, even now that I am serving as a Commissioner in the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission. The money is not enough for me to assist the people. The people have been calling me to come back to the grassroots to serve them. I am a grassroots person; if you go to my constituency, they people will tell verify what I am talking about, by attesting to who Hon. Adegeye is. I transformed this community and I still have it in mind to do better, if given the opportunity. If by the special grace of God, I am back to serve the people at the grassroots, in view of my antecedents, I will make great changes in the lives of the people.

    Your party lost the presidential, national and state assemblies elections in Amuwo Odofin. Are you not bothered about this trend?

    I don’t want to go too far on the outcome of the recent election in Amuwo Odofin. It’s a pity that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates lost the elections there. But, in this dispensation that we are talking about, it is a different ball game entirely; especially where we have Ibos and others ethnic group making their impacts. I want to tell you that the problems that we are facing in Amuwo Odofin are general problems. It is not only in Amuwo Odofin that we have these problems; I think it is all over. But, I want to tell you that I am a good achiever. Assuming that I was the one who got the ticket of the party to vie for the House of Assembly, I would not have been beaten, because I will work to ensure success. So, going for the chairman, I am not scared of anybody.

    When I get the ticket, all other contestants from the other parties will be scared. Some of them will even opt out of the race and offer to work with me. A lot of them who are in the PDP and other parties have been trying to talk to me. They want to work with me and want to decamp to the APC. They are welcome; I am not somebody that can be easily undermined in Amuwo Odofin.

    Have you consulted your party leaders on your ambition?

    I have been consulting and telling the people, especially the electorate. The electorate is the first people you need to consult. They are the people who need to know and understand your programme. By doing that you will have a good feeler, you will know what is in everybody’s mind. I have consulted people and God. By my own lifestyle, it is to consult God before any other person. My people are fully on ground at Amuwo Odofin, we have a population of 1, 150,000. My followers alone are over 600,000. So, what are we talking about?

    Women often complain of marginalization, any hope for them under the APC?

    Though, there is nothing they can do in this dispensation because the elections are over. I don’t know what will happen in the cabinet appointment. In 2003 to 2007 we had two women in the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA). From 2007 to 2011, we had five women in the House. Under this dispensation that will be rounded off in June, there are seven women in the House. But, in the next dispensation, I don’t think we will have up to three women in the House. A lot of them left in the primaries, two of them left again during the general elections. The one in Amuwo Odofin and Ojo Constituency 1 were defeated at the polls. So, we have only two or three ladies now left in the LSHA.

    Are you the only woman contesting as council chairman in Lagos this time around?

    I am not too sure of other councils, but at the Amuwo Odofin, I’m the main contestant for now. I believe more will join the race in due course.

    What were your achievements at a lawmaker in Lagos?

    During my membership of the House, it was like I went for training. I was like a primary school pupil in the House. Let me tell you that the legislature that we are talking about, both at the state and national, are different institutions entirely. It is very painful that I did not go for second term to consolidate on my experience. The first four years was just like a learning process for me. Throughout the first year at the assembly, I was in the bandwagon of I support this motion or that motion. I tried to learn what is happening on the floor of the House, but incidentally I did not go further than my first term. Our duties are to make laws. We are the bridge between the constituencies and the state. I manage to pass two laws when I was there. However, the first term for me was a learning process where I supported most of the motions. I would have used the experience garnered during my first term to consolidate, if I had returned for a second term. Again, it is never late; I still have it in mind to become a Senator, a Minister or even the Vice President some day. When I was there, I took care of my people. We were lawmakers and only depended on our salaries. Some people expected us to be having contracts; some would even call us for contract. I told them it was commissioners that give contracts. I never went to anybody for contract; my salary and allowances were all that I depended upon. Whatever my salary could afford I provided and they appreciated it.

    The agitation for the position of the speakership is on, who do you think will occupy this office?

    I think the woman that is eyeing that office can bid for that. I wish her success if she eventually gets to that seat. But, what I know is that the seat is tough and hard. It is not an easy thing; the House is made up of 40 people. And we were all crazy people in the House. I once told Mr. Speaker, he should invite a psychiatric doctor to examine us. I think we are not okay sometimes the way we conduct the business of the House. Why I said this is that the House is not an easy place. I believe that is what is happening in the National Assembly. We are all crazy people. But, somebody who is experienced, patient, transparent can only succeed as Speaker, the same way Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji succeeded. He is a great person, no matter what you were saying, Ikuforiji would be patient for you to exhaust whatever you were saying. He would allow everybody to speak and he would analyze the matter in a transparent manner. Somebody who is not transparent cannot occupy the seat; it will be too hot for the person. But, I wish Hon. Fumilayo Tejuoso the best, if she gets there. I pray God to grant her wisdom. Though, the seat is for one person, but it is a hot seat.             

    “Under this dispensation that will be rounded off in June, there are seven women in the House. But, in the next dispensation, I don’t think we will have up to three women in the House ”              

     

  • Women beg Buhari for gender parity

    President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to consider more women in his administration.

    The president of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Mrs Ebere Ifendu, a lawyer, gave the advise at a press briefing in Abuja, where she said the inclusion of women and men perspective and experience into the decision making process would lead to solutions that are more viable.

    Ifendu said the in-coming administration should remember that the “observer reports highlighted large turnout by women to the polls that saw All Progressives Congress (APC), victorious in the 2015 general elections and should therefore be appropriately represented in decision making process.”

    She said despite having very low number of women in the 8th assembly that there are capable women that could be appointed to the post of deputy Senate President, deputy speaker and even Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Ifendu, however, called on the incoming administration to implement its commitments to the Nigerian women.

    She also emphasised that appointment of women in key positions should target women with proven competence in their various fields of endeavour, stressing that the 35 per cent affirmative action should at least stand.

    Her words: “We draw the in-coming administration’s attention to the statistics published by the inter-parliamentary union as at April, 2015, Nigeria is ranked second last in Africa and at 132nd out of 190 countries that submitted data on percentage of women in parliament. It should be noted that Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Namibia are in the top ten countries.”

     

  • The women in my life-Tourism expert Egbeyemi

    The women in my life-Tourism expert Egbeyemi

    Aare Olaseni Egbeyemi is the Managing Director of Golden Legacy Hotel and Leisure Services Limited. He is among those clamouring for the proper repositioning of the Nigerian tourism sector.  In this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, he gives ideas that will bring about the transformation of the hospitality industry in the country, among other issues.

    How long have you been in the tourism industry?

    I have been in the tourism industry since my adulthood. From television, I moved into entertainment and later on went into my passion which is tourism. Currently, I promote tourism, environment and entertainment. I run a company that manages hotels and recreation centres.

    What attracted you to tourism?

    I love travelling and meeting people. I am a product of a caterer. So hospitality came naturally to me. I love to take care of people and  make people feel at home and at ease. Over time, having seen the world through working in television, I decided to put my talent into good use.

    How many hotels are you managing currently?

    We have five of them in Lagos. There are also a few others that we are consultants to. We go there from time to time, see how they are doing and ensure that standard is being maintained. Unfortunately, over here, we have laws and regulations, but enforcement is not there. So consultants like me are invited to hotels to put things in their proper perspective, especially on issues of staffing, departmental standardisation and so on. The culture of hotel management is thus looked at from proper management perspective. Some hotels call us when they want to start and that is usually the best time anyway, so that they can start properly.

    Unfortunately again in this country, everybody wants to be a hotelier because they feel it is lucrative. But when you do not do it right, there will be problems. But wise businessmen invite professionals to get it right from the onset.  As tourism consultants, we invite other core professionals to join us in the team work. There are specialists in catering, food and beverage department and even people who can do a lot with wine. There are people who are gifted or trained in the area of service delivery. These are the things we put together and come up with standards in the hotel that we manage.

    Are you enjoying your work?

    Yes, it gives me great joy. I love doing this because it gives me joy to see people. I love to welcome people,especially people who have not been to where I am. And you know after the end of their stay, they come and say thank you for this or that. It gives me immense joy to see that happen. It may interest you to know that I work in each of the hotel departments. Sometimes I find myself in the kitchen, sometimes you can find me tendering an animal in the little zoo that we have in one of our hotels. The only thing that I do not do is maintenance, and that is because I do not have engineering knowledge. I thank God for the team I work with.

    Do you have anything doing outside Lagos?

    Yes, right now, our company has secured a 50-acre land along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where we intend to build an interesting tourism site. We have a mini zoo now where we have some interesting animals.  We want to do that on a larger scale. I was in Uganda where I saw some beautiful mini zoos. I also saw some things that will interest all. In this country, for instance, we are not used to going on holidays.

    We need to encourage people to go on holidays to relax their bodies and avoid sudden deaths and diseases. Nigerians work round the clock. We do no find time to recreate. So we are creating a relaxing spot outside Lagos, a big one where people can drive in, see animals, swim in a natural ecotourism atmosphere, sleep in decent chalets and  eat fresh food. That is the project on the burner for now.

    How far is this from Lagos?

    Immediately after Ogere, there is a town called Ogunmakin. That is where the location is. We have started the project already.

    When are you completing it?

    Of course, it is our wish to complete it in record time, but we have constraints in the availability of funds. A project like this will certainly take a long time. Sourcing for loans through the banks, I must confess, is a task. You meet with embargoes here and there. The vision will soon materialise.We have a Spanish company that is interested in an aspect of what we are doing. They intend to have a milk industry. There will be a ranch there, and this will complement the tourism project that we are putting together there.

    That means you are looking at an eco-tourism centre.

    Yes, I am an environmentalist which is another part of me. I love to see greenery around me. That is why anywhere I live I plant trees. I mark my birthday by planting a new tree for that day. Those that I have lived with in my life know that I plant trees at church,house and everywhere possible. When each of my children was born, I planted  trees to celebrate their births. Sometimes I call them and show them the trees I planted the days they were born. When people who are close to me celebrate their birthdays, I plant  trees for them. When I receive a special guest at home, when the person leaves, I plant a tree in his honour.

    One of the hotels you are managing has a zoo. What brought about the inclusion of a zoo in that particular hotel?

    Mokland Hotel where the mini zoo is located was leased by us from the owner. When we got there, we saw a corner that was like a dumping ground. It occurred to me to make use of it. At first, we started by greening the particular area since the hotel is big and spacious but no greenery. At the swimming pool, we have a sitting area there where we have planted coconut trees.

    We, therefore, came up with a mini zoo for that fallow ground and now, schools are coming.  We have crocodiles, donkeys, peacocks, rabbits, geese and other animals that children see only on television. But here, they see them physically. Sometimes they ask if they can touch my horse and I allow them to ride. And when they are going, we give them handouts on all they had seen at the zoo. That is why we are expanding, hoping to move to the site I told you about.

    You talked about your mum being a caterer. Was that what attracted you to hospitality industry?

    I am the first child of my mum. Naturally when mummy was not around, I had to take charge. There was an incident when we were living in Kaduna. She wasn’t at home. Someone brought an order for a cake. We didn’t tell the woman that mummy had travelled. We charged her for the cake and between my sibling and I, we did the cake and collected the money. When the woman came to collect the cake, she was pleased. She said we should thank mum. From then, I kept on studying my mum and whenever she was not around, I entered the kitchen and did everything that she used to do. So that was how I turned myself into a good cook.

    And in my home, hospitality is part of us.

    What do you think of tourism regulatory bodies in the country?

    The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) ought to be a good regulatory body for the hotels in the country, so that our tourism can grow. You know tourism for incoming visitors starts from the arrival point to the taxi driver at the airport who must have  Nigerian culture to be readily showcased to the visitor. They must sell Nigeria to you through the services they are offering. This is the kind of things that the NTDC should be promoting. That is the orientation of the Nigerian mind towards tourism. And it should extend even to the conductors and drivers and all contact points that visitors are likely to be in touch with. We should sell a positive image to visitors.  In some countries, there is a synergy between all the people along the route where visitors are likely to get in contact with. All of them will be selling their country through positive image. Your car breaks down at some point in some countries and the next thing is that as the mechanic is repairing the car for you, he is telling you about possible historic sites that you can stop by to see before you depart.

    The NTDC should do reorientation for the average Nigerian in this direction. We even have different names for hotels in this country. Some hotels are not even qualified to be called a restaurant, but somehow, they call themselves hotels.

    But the NTDC started a classification exercise at a time?

    Yes, they did, but then, the political will must be there to enforce and clamp down on hotels that do not comply with regulations.

    But do think that hotels in Nigeria are really up to standard?

    We have wonderful, good hotels in this country. Indeed, Nigerians are investing heavily in the hotel industry. I was in a hotel in Ibadan.I saw the extent of the investment in the different aspects of the hotel, but something was missing: proper staffing orientation. The hotel is being  managed by the people with no knowledge to manage a business. I entered one hotel with a lovely edifice, but inside I felt like vomiting. There was no maintenance culture, and above all things, the power system was not helping matters. We must have a proper plan for the tourism industry for the next decade. There must be a projection for it. The change we clamoured for must take effect. Nigeria is a wonderful country, but we should do things in the right way.

     

    Would you say that room rates are expensive?

    I do not think so because there are still places where one can find as low as N10,000 which is not up to hundred dollars. Charges must be in agreement with service. It is wrong when that is not in place. I slept at a hotel recently, but did not get what I wanted there. So I made my comments known when I was leaving the place through the comment box. When I went back, I saw that what I complained about had been taken care of.

    How do you recreate?

    I do workout every day.I climb the stairs of our hotels as a form of exercise. I sit with friends at recreation centres and visit hotels. I drive out some nights to check into other hotels to check the competition. There, I see things myself and correct some things too in my outlets. Currently, I am also writing a book on hotel management in Nigeria. Also because I am also a script writer, we have a series on hotel life coming up soon. Life in hotel is large; it is a hospitality business, a place to care for people. People who go to hotels need care.

    As a tourism consultant, what is your style?

    I love wearing shorts and T-shirts. I like walking around easily,  especially when I am at work. Recently, somebody came up with a design for me which my friends are now calling my logo. It is a simple African dress. I love it. I love sandals. They make me free. I wear shoes when it is a formal event.  I love to wear sandals and be free. I do not wear caps because they make me feel headache.

    How about family?

    I am a married man with a beautiful wife and children. Mind you, I have beautiful daughters too. These are the women in my life.

  • Buhari’s New Deal for women

    One catch-phrase that endeared many Nigerian voters to the campaign of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), was the promise of a “New Deal” for women and youths of Nigeria. Ordinarily, promises such as giving prominent positions to deserving women,would simply be ignored and treated with a wave of the hand by Nigerians, coming from a politician who is seeking political power.

    Another is the fact that Nigerians already have a basket full of such promises and have developed thick skins towards politicians who hardly respect their campaign promises once voted into power.  Besides, talk is cheap, and drawing from the Machiavellian parlance, the end justifies the means-whatever is said or done in the quest for political power, pales into insignificance so long as the end (acquiring power) is achieved eventually.

    But it can be argued that the case here is different. The man at the centre, Muhammadu Buhari is not the normal Nigerian politician whose words cannot be taken to the bank. He is an acclaimed gentleman imbued with an uncanny sense of honesty and integrity which even his opponents find hard to controvert.

    So, when he said that his party has a new deal for women, Nigerians did not view those words as coming from an average politician. This accounted for the overwhelming support he garnered from the women folks during the elections. Besides, many Nigerian women with eyes on the Beijing Declaration believed that government under GMB will respect the global position on the need to place women appropriately in the socio-political cum economic scheme of things; and in the Nigerian context, with at least 35% of total appointive and elective governmental positions.

    Their hope stemmed from the very persona of GMB himself, which many believe, is rooted in probity and rare candour.

    One of his numerous campaign statements which were made in his characteristic candour reads thus:

    “We shall commit ourselves to merit based Affirmative Actions to level the playing field for women and provide them with opportunities to be part of decision-making and governance at all levels.

    It is against the background that this writer feels compelled to remind the respectable General to, as an article of faith, begin to take steps to implement his campaign promises, especially the ones that touch on gender sensitivity. The General must not be oblivious of a “cloud of witnesses” surrounding him. Besides, many traducers are waiting eagerly for any mistake or actions that will be tantamount to reneging on some of these promises. Of course, the PDP has a track record of respect for women’s ability; hence, as a matter of deliberate policy, the party can proudly boast of many women who have held and are still holding high decision-making positions(character and competence not withstanding) in its 16 years on the saddle.

    Besides affirmative actions and the need to fulfil his campaign promises, GMB should, even if to gratify the women whose dedication and commitment saw him through the topsy-turvy of the elections, appoint women of impeccable pedigree into his cabinet. Besides, he can use his good offices, based on his party’s policy, to convince the party of the imperative of giving women appropriate representation within the leadership of the National Assembly. Moreover, since he is the President, Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, the face, the leader and the executor of APC’s manifesto and programmes, placing women who have proved their mettle both in the public and private lives should be his prerogative.

    The APC is not in short supply of eminently qualified women who can fly the flag of the party in any capacity in government.    It can be argued that this advocacy is more germane in the Legislative House where there has been a paucity of women principal officers vis-à-vis their male counterparts. If there is any arm of government where the principle of affirmative actions should be strictly adhered to, it should be at the National Assembly, where our laws are made.

    Looking at the geo-political configuration based on current power equation, it appears that the South-west may be favoured to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives. If this calculation is correct, it is only logical that an experienced woman, versed in legislative processes and procedures, be chosen from the North-east as Deputy Speaker.

    This thinking is premised on the fact that the North-east zone is considered the most short-changed in the power equation of the National Assembly since 1991, as no woman from the zone has been privileged to serve as principal officer of the legislative body.

    Besides, the North-east is considered the third most populous in Nigeria after North-west and South-west; having the highest minority tribes who are often the victims of marginalization in the country’s power-sharing arrangement. Moreover, in the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections, the North-east produced the second highest number of federal lawmakers for the party.

    Based on the above, the choice of Honourable Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim from the zone as a Deputy Speaker in the Eighth National Assembly will be a logical step towards righting the wrongs of  many years. More importantly, her choice will lend credence to the much vaunted policy of APC on women participation in political leadership position.

    However, it is pertinent to state unequivocally that this advocacy is not geared towards laundering any individual’s image just for the sake of being a woman. Rather, it is premised on a fine pedigree of hard work and a record of excellence of a woman who will be bringing to the legislative business a whole gamut of experience spanning three terms in the legislative enterprise.

    Besides, it is anchored on the party’s policy of a “merit based affirmative actions” aimed at providing a level playing field…” for women and provide them with opportunities to be part of decision making and governance at all levels”. The Deputy Speaker of our dream is a foremost Amazon in the war against the vicious and malevolent enemies of modern Nigeria, the Boko Haram. With two local governments under her constituency lost to the savage attacks of Boko Haram, Honourable Khadijat Ibrahim quickly unleashed her adroitness, within her area of competence and jurisdiction, towards liberating her people from the stranglehold of the blood-thirsty monsters.  Besides, she has been championing the rehabilitation efforts of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in her state of Borno.

    By considering the 48-year old Honourable Khadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the only female lawmaker re-elected from the North-east zone for the third time, former Commissioner of Transport in Yobe State, chairperson, House Committee on Privatization and Commercialization in both the sixth and seventh National Assembly, the party would be seen to be putting a round peg in a round hole.  To many Nigerians, that will be an obvious demonstration of the new deal, for the Nigerian women.

    ‘The APC is not in short supply of eminently qualified women who can fly the flag of the party in any capacity in government.    It can be argued that this advocacy is more germane in the Legislative House where there has been a paucity of women principal officers vis-à-vis their male counterparts. If there is any arm of government where the principle of affirmative actions should be strictly adhered to, it should be at the National Assembly, where our laws are made’

     

    • Professor Adegbulu, a Public Affairs Analyst, wrote in from Lagos

     

  • Involve women in fight against insurgency

    Delta State women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of Niger Delta Women Development Initiatives (NDWDI) have advised the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to involve women in the fight against insurgency.

    The National Coordinator of NDWDI, Hon. Patience Oyowhose who gave this advice during a press conference at the unveiling of NDWDI in Abuja, said as mothers, they want the incoming administration to work with women, because the insurgents are not ghosts; they have parents.

    According to Oyowhose, mothers know where their children are. If Gen. Buhari works with women, they will be able to reach their children at any given time, in order to continue to advise them against being influenced by selfish and wicked Nigerians, who cash in on the disadvantages of the poor to perpetrate evil.

    “Mothers are responsible for their children. If the women are carried along in the fight against insurgence, I believe that there will be peace. This is because the women can reach out to the youth.

    “The Niger Delta women in the FCT and outside Abuja have not been effectively utilised by previous governments. A lot of things are happening in Niger Delta and the women are the ones farming and fishing, and there is too much pollution. The government just reports that they are doing something on papers, but nothing has been done.

    “So, this time around, we are saying that the women must have a voice and that whatever is being done; the women must be carried along. We must know what is happening to our women. How many women are being empowered and employed? How many Niger Delta women are in position to reach out to the women at the grassroots? That is why we are out to speak for our women,” she said.

    She also said they envisioned a continent in which women take their rightful place as home and nation builders, with opportunity and access in all areas of development in Niger Delta and the FCT, saying that they want to bring together female executives, professionals and leaders to further advance the leadership status of women in the Niger Delta.

    “The Niger Delta Women Development Initiative in the FCT and outside Abuja seeks to advance the status of women in leadership by creating an empowering platform and harnessing the synergies of alliance, by fostering an alliance among Niger Delta women in leadership position among others,” she added.

  • Why many women suffer anaemia, by nutritionists

    The figures are scary-49 per cent of women of reproductive age have anaemia, 24.3 per cent,  low iron supplies and 12.7 per cent  are iron deficient. Nigeria has the largest case of micro-nutrient deficiencies in the world, with anaemia as the most common.

    This is  the statistics, according to the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN).

    The figures speak volumes  about  women’s and children’s health. “Majority of adolescent girls and women did not meet the iron requirements of 20 milligrams per day as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation (WHO)”, NSN said.

    According to its President, Prof Ngozi Nnam, iron deficiency anaemia is a condition in which the red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiological needs of the body. The symptoms of anaemic condition include, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, shortages of breath and all these militate against active living and human productivity as iron is critical to learning process and energy for day-to-day activities. Iron is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies globally, with almost one of every two women of reproductive age being anemic in Nigeria.”

    Speaking at a press conference in Lagos organised by Unilever Nigeria in partnership with NSN on the impact of iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria, Prof Nnam said the causes of anaemia vary, adding that approximately 50 percent of the cases are due to iron deficiency.

    Speaking on a survey findings commissioned by Unilever Nigeria focusing on iron deficiency anaemia among women in Nigeria, Dr Folake Samuel, of the University of Ibadan said the preliminary research findings show that although many Nigerian women are aware that there are rich iron sources of food around us  with  their benefits; they are as well aware of   the consequences of iron deficiencies,and a lot of them consume iron rich food. Despite all  these, the consumption of iron rich food is still low and this calls for action and intervention.

    As a result, a significant proportion of the women frequently experience various symptoms of iron deficiency, Dr Folake said quoting the report.

    The survey sampled 615 women aged 20 to 45 years in Lagos to access their level of awareness on iron deficiencies, iron rich food and consequences of iron deficiencies.

    “Looking at the awareness level of symptoms of iron deficiency, 55 per cent of the women rated tiredness and fatigue as part of daily life and know that when you suddenly become dizzy out of the blues, it is the consequences of not eating enough iron rich food; pale complexion, being another symptom of anaemia is also common in our society. Some people mistake a woman being pale for pregnancy, not knowing that it is an indicator of being anaemic,” she said.

    Professor Ngozi Nnam added that adolescent girls and pregnant women are the segment requiring the highest amount of iron intake and are, therefore, most susceptible to iron, adding that the typical Nigerian diet is low in iron-rich foods, while cassava and cereals (high in phytates which decreases iron absorption) are commonly eaten staples.

    “Pregnant women, teenage girls and women of reproductive age are among the most vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia because of high iron requirements. Increasing iron intake during adolescence to prepare for pregnancy is crucial to decreasing the risk of iron deficiency anaemia and negative birth outcomes.

    “The commonly consumed traditional dishes may not provide sufficient iron to meet the requirements and it may be a challenge to manipulate these recipes as they are passed down from generation to generation.  In Nigeria, mothers are the kitchen ‘gatekeepers’ and their adolescent daughters learn cooking behaviours from them,” she said.

    Hygiene and Nutrition Social Mission Director, Africa, Unilever, Myriam Sidibe, said the aim of the programme was to provide more sensitisation to the general public on the importance of iron nutrients to the health of individuals.

    She said that women and children were the group of people more vulnerable to anaemia.

    ‘’These issues are common among our women and teenage girls and these people are the bedrock and foundation of the home and family which is the unit of the nation.

    ‘’These are the critical people in the society and their health is important to nation building; we need to take care of these people,” she said.

  • Bayelsa monarch, women take on NDDC over abandoned project

    Bayelsa monarch, women take on NDDC over abandoned project

    The ‘gods’ of Agge community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, are no doubt enraged. They are unhappy with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Their anger was on Tuesday demonstrated by the Paramount Ruler of the community, His Royal Highness David Isiayi, who is regarded as the custodian of their conventions.

    Isiayi abandoned his palace and shook off the orthodoxy of royalty to march the street in protest against NDDC. His participation in the protest is viewed by many people as a serious indictment against NDDC and the contractor which abandoned a N4bn shore protection job in the community.

    His involvement invoked a lot of sympathy from passers-by who cursed NDDC and the contractor for subjecting a nonagenarian king to such level of frustration. Others marched behind their dogged monarch. Elderly men and women, chiefs, community leaders and youths were not left out in the demonstration.

    A soldier standing at the site of the Ekeremor shore protection project
    A soldier standing at the site of the Ekeremor shore protection project

    The abandoned project is a shore protection contract. The contractor, Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd was hired by NDDC to sand-fill and reclaim about 2. 9Km of the community’s land washed away by an ocean surge.

    Agge which is at the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean has been under threat by water current. Large chunk of the community’s land had been swallowed by the ocean surge. Following series of complaints and mournful incidents, NDDC stepped in to award the controversial shore protection contract to the company.

    The monarch said: “The situation in Agge is threatening our existence as a people.The ocean has claimed half of our homes and people.

    “I have ruled the community for over 41 years and the deceit and failure of the company awarded the contract to do the job is a shameful act. We don’t want to die, we only want the contract awarded completed.”

    The protesters were not happy that instead of demonstrating seriousness to complete the job, the contractor tried to sublet the contract to another firm, Kameala Consult Services Company. After failing to sublet the job, the contractor reportedly tried to move its equipment out of site but was resisted by the community.

    •The women protesting against NDDC
    •The women protesting against NDDC

    The protesters who lamented their helpless situation said the contractor had refused to execute the job which was designed to save the community from extinction despite their peaceful demeanor.

    Some of their placards further suggested an attempt by the contractor to intimidate them using the operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield. Some of the placards said, “JTF should not be used to intimidate Agge people”; “NDDC, Beks, come and finish the job you were paid for” and “Agge project money should not be used for politics”.

    The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Steven Fiopare, said the contractor has always complained that NDDC awarded the contract but failed to pay the firm Mobilisation fees.

    Fiopare, also added: “The community has, over the years, lost people and houses to the ocean surge and the initial dredging work by the company has added to the problem of the community with incessant erosion into homes.

    “We are in a big problem. Houses are being washed away daily by erosion. If the hide tide comes, many indigenes will disappear and homes washed away.”

    Also speaking ,the Vice Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Joseph Iboh, said the contractors abandoned the project at the phase of sand filling and pilling with an excuse that he had not been paid.

    He said the community would no longer fold its arms and allow the project to linger without completion. He vowed that the company would not be allowed to move its equipment out of the project site adding that youths had been mobilised to keep vigil of the equipment.

    He said the firm had earlier tried in vain to move its equipment. “We stopped him from moving his equipment”, he said.

    The company is not new to controversy. In August 2013, five of its workers were kidnapped by gunmen along the creek of Opuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    The kidnappers later demanded N30 million ransom to release their victims. The incident happened when it was handling another NDDC-sponsored shore protection and reclamation work at Opuama.

    A resident of Opuama, who simply gave his name as Ebiware, said the gunmen stormed the dredger where the men were working on a speed boat.