The Nation Newspaper

Tag: women

  • ‘We’ll make agric attractive to women’

    ‘We’ll make agric attractive to women’

    The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has given a clear indication of the FCT administration’s desire to transform agriculture in the territory.

    She said the administration is not just concerned about producing more food, although that is a prime target, but that in doing so, it will make agriculture more lucrative, sustainable and attractive to women.

    She stated this in Abuja at the signing of a performance contract agreement by the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) in the FCT, Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi and Director of Administration & Finance (ARDS), Mr John Obiahu.

    The minister and the new Permanent Secretary, FCT, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu, an engineer, signed the agreement on behalf of the FCT Administration.

    Akinjide stated that the FCTA would ensure that agriculture was practiced as lucrative commercial enterprise that is not only sustainable but attractive to the women and youths.

    She explained that the performance contract agreement was one of the major achievements of the Administration to enable it deliver on its mandate to Nigerians.

    ”Nigerians expect government to be more proactive and effective in its actions by providing the enabling environment and the requisite concrete deliverables that will enable them function more effectively.

    “The Performance Contract Agreement is meant to gauge the performance of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in line with established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The MDAs are required to develop detailed documents to guide implementation of the KPIs,” she stated.

    The minister commended the secretary and her team for their sterling performance in the last 12 months and urged them to accomplish more in 2013.

    In her response after signing the agreement, Madayi assured that the Secretariat would will assiduously to ensure sustainable food security and poverty eradication in the FCT.

    ”We will work to transform the agriculture sector in the FCT into a vibrant sector. The Year 2013 will be a year of great transformation in the agriculture sector in FCT,” she added.

    The secretary applauded the FCT Minister of State for her support and encouragement towards ensuring that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat realised its goals.

     

  • NGO empowers women

    NGO empowers women

    There is urgent need for government and public-spirited individuals to address issues relating to women and children in the country.

    This was the concern expressed by Mr Adeyinka Odukoya at the launch of Hand of God Support Organisation,a non-governmental organisation.He is the president of the group.

    According to Odukoya, if women and children are empowered there will be less economic burden in each family and the society at large, adding that as a pilot scheme, the NGO is concentrating on how to create enterprising vocation for the less privileged especially women.

    To make good his words, about 12 women were empowered with cash donations on the occasion while a good number of public school students were given free school uniforms and writing materials. The icing on the cake was the presentation of a two 14-seater urvan buses as free school ride for pupils from Alagbado axis, a densely populated area in Lagos State.

    “Our main focus is not only women and children but the less-privileged in the society. We are primarily out to touch and change lives. We also aim to assist in areas of development such as migration, education, skill acquisition, loan, counseling, accommodation and job placements, free education for the youth, among others. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe world free from injustice against women and children across the globe. Yes we are also out to fight against child abuse, domestic abuse in women and rape.

    “The financial assistance we gave out today are in categories, based on the vocations the women had undergone. At least each beneficiary had passed through a 90-day intensive vocation training of their choice. Six women are empowered on water treatment profession. They are now water technologists that can empower any other person. Don’t forget that a person success only become real when it has incorporated the value he/she has to others.

    He said the donation of the two buses was informed by the rigours students in the area have to pass through while crossing the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Express Road. He said: “ So we source for fund to get the two buses that are being used for free school ride for the pupils. We are happy doing it because it is a welcome initiative to school staff and parents of the pupils”.

    “Most of these pupils their parents are facing a whole lot of economic challenges, because of lack of employment opportunity out there. As you can see their clothes are toured and old, some of them go to school naked literarily speaking, barefooted and without books.”

    When asked on what does the people behind the initiative stand to gain, Odukoya was quick to say “ Our joy and reward will come alive when see that the social and economic conditions which prevent individuals from acquiring basic human standard of living as recognized in international law is eradicating.”

    In a chat with the Nation, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Areo Sadiq described the initiative has worthy of emulation stating that government alone cannot do it all. “The responsibility of the country is not in the shoulder of the government alone, we must contribute our quota to build a viable society worthy of international emulation like this one. That is why I am here to support and encourage the brains behind it.”

    He further charged that The government should take the plight of the masses, especially the down-trodden and less-privileged seriously. This he said could easily be achieved through genuine collaborative efforts/partnership with charity organisations.

    “Beside, every Nigerian should be prepared to play his or her role in uplifting the living standard of the less privileged,” he added

     

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

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

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

     

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    How do you monitor and evaluate the impact made?

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What would you consider as the greatest influence so far?

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

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

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

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

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

    Who are some of the women that you admire?

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

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

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

  • Women, kids among 19 killed in Kaduna attack

    Women, kids among 19 killed in Kaduna attack

    Palace vandalised

    Gunmen kill three policemen in Kano

     

    A  TWO-DAY raid by unknown gunmen on four communities in Kaura Local Government Area, Southern Kaduna, has left 20 people dead, villagers claimed yesterday. The police said 19 died.

    The gunmen, believed to be nomadic herdsmen, allegedly invaded the villages on Saturday night and continued their raid on Zilang, Taliki, Zangkan and Mafang hilltop communities – home to many villagers – till early Sunday.

    All four communities are located on the boundary between Kaduna and Plateau states.

    Council chairman Kumai L.J Badun attributed the killings to gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, who apparently launched reprisal attack over the poisoning of two cows in Mafang community.

    The council boss told reporters that the attack began from Atakar chiefdom. He said: “There was a young man, Aboi Stephen (21), in Mafan who had been complaining that cows have been grazing into his dry season farm.

    “I was told that the cattle destroyed a good portion of the farm and that there was no end in sight to the destruction.

    “Only the Fulanis own cattle there. About two weeks ago, two cows were found dead, apparently of poison. The owner of the cows was said to have publicly warned Aboi of the grave consequences of his actions. I don’t know if it was Aboi that poisoned the cows or not or even if they had died of poisoning.

    “Then, one day, Aboi was found missing. A search by the villagers found his corpse. He had deep machete cuts all over his body and his throat was slit open.

    “Upon that discovery, women and children mobilised to the palace of the chief of Atakar, Chief Tobias Nkom-Wada, and accused him of inviting the Fulani into Atakar land in the first place. They vandalised the palace. And the chief is now living in his personal house in Tachire here.

    “On seeing what the women and children did, the Fulani started moving out en masse to their kinsmen in Kanawuri areas of Plateau State, which also has some number of Atakar speaking villages.

    “On their way, they shot a young man that same day in Kanawuri area and that pitched them against the Atakar people in Plateau State and they fought for days.

    “The fighting led to the burning of some structures in Atakar, as you read in the papers. The displaced residents had to relocate to this council, where we opened the first refugee camp for them at Mifi. But we have closed it and merged it with the other camps because it was too vulnerable too.

    “When the army moved in last week, the Fulanis left Kanawuri in Plateau, staged a comeback to this place with their arms last Saturday. By 3pm, they attacked Mafan, Zalang, Taliki and Zangkan villages up the hills while able bodied men were either in the farms or in the market.

    “They went on, unchallenged from 3pm on Saturday till Sunday morning. When the army arrived at the scene on Sunday morning, the officer in charge told me that they counted 19 bodies. All the houses in the villages have been burnt.

    “They made no arrest, because the attackers left before arrival of the security men. Right now, soldiers have escorted some men back to the villages to bury their dead.

    “We have no fewer than 5000 refugees now. And that is a huge challenge for us, despite the fact that Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero has done so much and he is still doing more to help.

    “This kind of attack took me by surprise because, even during the post-election violence, the Fulani here were living in peace with the people. They left on their own and later returned on their own.”

    A refugee at Fadan Attakar, Luka Bitiong, said the attacks began on Saturday afternoon and lasted till Sunday night, adding that many residents were terrified by the sound of guns shots used by the invaders.

    Bitiong said: “When they came, we ran up to the hills in Attakar. Many of our people were killed. We left the hills to seek refuge in Attakar because we were scared of going back. Some of those who went back to our village to look at the level of destruction could not return as they were killed by the gunmen.”

    Another refugee from Mafang, lso Matthew Bulus, claimed the gunmen were dressed in black and armed with sophisticated guns.

    He said that over 80 households in Mafang village had been displaced as their homes were set ablaze by the invaders.

    “When the military men came, there was nothing much they could do because they don’t know the terrain of our communities. They asked some of our youths to follow them and guide them but our boys were scared of accompanying them since they (the boys) have no arms.

    “But the soldiers eventually went into the hills in search of the invaders. We don’t know whether they were able to make any arrest or not.”

    The District Head of Mafang, Mr. Yusuf Bilong, who ran away from his community, described the attack as “deadly”, saying: “I’ve never heard the sound of such guns. The attack was launched on Saturday at about 3:00pm. The attackers shot randomly killing mostly children and women.”

    Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adefemi Adenaike confirmed the death of 19 people in the attack.

    The police chief said: “The incident happened on top of the hills, not on the ground. We did not notice it on time due to the nature of the hills. It was, until people started running down from the hills that we noticed. But our men are on ground to restore law and order.

    “The security report I have is that only 19 people were killed by unknown gunmen. The place is now calm and peaceful.We are working round the clock to fish out the attackers. For now, we don’t know who are behind it but I assure you we will get them.”

    Yero has directed security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    In a statement by his media aide, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately provide succour to all those displaced.

    The attack came barely 24 hours after Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) reported the influx of herdsmen from other states to communities in Southern Kaduna to the governor.

    The union urged the governor to stop the trend to avoid fresh hostilities in their domain.

    SOKAPU alleged that the invaders were fleeing the manhunt launched by security operatives in some states under the Boko Haram siege.

    Union President Mr Ephraim Goje, who reacted to the influx of the herdsmen, said residents would hold the government responsible if the governor failed to act.

    Goje said: “The governor should send them back to where they are coming from. They cannot create trouble somewhere and run to Southern Kaduna for refuge.”

    Three policemen were yesterday killed by suspected terrorists in Kano. They were ambushed while patrolling the streets of the state capital.

    The incident occurred at about 8.30pm around Yankaba Quarters.

    Residents alleged that the suspected terrorists killed the security operatives and took away their AK 47 riffles.

    Immediately after the incident, men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) cordoned off the area.

    Panic gripped residents, who stayed off the streets.

    Police spokesman Majida Magaji, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), could not be reached last night for confirmation and comments.

     

  • ‘Women are being short-changed’

    ‘Women are being short-changed’

    House of Representatives member Mrs Rafeequat Onabamiro (Badagry Constituency) is the Vice Chairman, Committee on Women in Parliament. In this interview with Musa Odoshimokhe, she speaks on women marginalisation in politics and other issues.

     

    How have you been grappling with the activities of the House, since you became a member?

    As a first timer in the House, you just need to lie low and listen more than talking in order to learn the how things are done in the House. You may eventually use the first year as a learning process. This will enable you to know how to lobby and push your bills. In the United State, and I think in Britain also, first timers usually don’t get up to talk in the House. What they do is to learn. It is like a body of school where you get to know how proper lawmaking is inculcated. Though that may not necessarily be the case here ,but I have taken my time to study, learn and I am still learning and so far, it has being good. I have equally being making my impact in the House, though we are learning in the process.

    As the Vice Chairman Committee on Women in Parliament, could you shed light on the committee’s activities?

    Though our committee is responsible for the women in parliament, notwithstanding, issues affecting women have not completely been taken off our shelves. You should also remember that we have a Committee on Women Affairs that deals directly with the Ministry of Women Affairs. That also deals with the issues concerning women generally. What we do affect women generally, apart from those in the parliament. For instance, two weeks ago, I was at the United Nations in New York on issues that boarder on the abuse of women, children and gender violence. When parliamentarians go for Inter-parliamentary sessions, they usually invite us in order to look at the whole challenges facing women and how we can get the best living condition for our women and children.

    How would you assess women participation in politics?

    We have been short-changed in a lot of ways, we have been cheated for so long. There are lots of very smart women out there; very hardworking good administrators. I am talking of women who have made their marks in all facets, women who have excelled in businesses and who can handle government businesses at all levels. Some of them have been in the political scene for quite sometimes now. With due reference to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Eweala, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar and other women of repute are good examples. These women have found themselves in leadership positions and have excelled. I want to say that the men just refuse to recognise the fact that there are good women out there and they are very smart and intelligent. They are ready to work. They are not waiting for any man to do any thing for them before they prove their worth. They are go-getter; whatever they are determined to achieve, they go all for it. By and large, we have not been given our fair share in the areas of business, not even in politics. The men have taken over almost everything. The men have been there much longer. I want to say that almost all the deciding roles are in their hands. So, it is like whatever we have to forcefully take from men is what we have, but we will get there.

    Is this marginalisation peculiar to Nigeria?

    I am afraid that we have not been well favoured politically in this country. In other countries, women have had the opportunities to become the President or Prime-Minister. They have made much impact in such countries. They have done very well and have earned the confidence of their people. I don’t know why Nigerian men are afraid of allowing us to take such positions. There are women who can do extremely well in this country as President, governors. And incidentally, when we have our first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Virginia Etiaba, she proved a success in Anambra State. She made it clear that we could handle the position successfully. I know there are lots of women who can take up that position, if they are given the chance to do so.

    You have often lamented the bad nature of the Lagos/Badadry Express Way. Has your effort paid off?

    I raised a motion on the floor of the House in December last year about the condition of the road. My agitation was that the Christmas was approaching and many people would use the road. Goods would be moved on that road from Benin Republic and other West African countries to Nigeria. I was appalled by the accidents that normally occur on the road at the festive period and the terrible traffic snarl. This had led to lost of lives and goods that I can’t quantify. The matter was reported to the Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Management Agency (FERMA). The Lagos State government, during the period, came to Badagry and saw the road. It was noted that the road was in a deplorable condition and Lagos State government immediate moved in to give palliative measures. As soon as Lagos State government moved in to start work, the federal government came and said it was a federal road. That is what they have always done from the beginning. If you look back, when the former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, was there, it was the same story. It is a federal road, but you have to maintain it. This is an international road and it should not be crippled by politics. The road should be a showpiece of Nigeria’s developmental drive and there is no reason why the road should be like that. The economic viability of Badagry squarely rests on the road and when the road is better, the people will enjoy economic prosperity and Nigeria generally will reap from it.

    Is the House comfortable with the security situation in the country?

    You must realise that we are not comfortable with what is happening in the country. If you follow this House, it has shown everybody clearly that we know what we are doing. We have set agenda for ourselves and it is not business as usual. We are there to perform our function and not just there to rubberstamp what the executive pushes out. We prove this during the fuel subsidy crisis; if not for the bribery issue that came up, our stand was clear. But the government again is not sincere. Something should be done with some decisions taken. But so far Nigerians are still waiting. Take the issue of power; we still do not have enough electricity in this country despite the huge investment in the sector. Most industries and people depend on generators which they maintained at high cost. How much profit margin do these companies make that they must spend on generators? We ought to have advanced beyond the use of generators because we have crude oil. We have refineries that are not working. What kind of economy are we running? We have all its takes to succeed in the country and I want to say if APC form the next government, things will definitely change. Look at the states that are governed by ACN, things are happening there. Give us the chance at the federal level things will change for this country.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Women are still lagging behind in politics’

    ‘Women are still lagging behind in politics’

    House of Representatives member Mrs. Adeola Ajaja is from the Ibadan Northeast/Southeast, Oyo State. In this interview with Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, the lawmaker speaks on her activities as a legislator.

     

    As part of the oppositionin the House, would you say the opposition is playing its roles in democracy?

    We are doing our best. In fact, people are accusing the House leadership of pandering to the whims of the minority. Don’t forget that the opposition played a crucial role in the emergence of the House leadership. He is our Speaker and leader. So, in anything he does, he always ensures that he doesn’t disappoint and let the opposition or what you will call the minority down.

    All he wants is to do the right and, if he does what is right, we can’t go against him. And if he finds that the members are doing what is not right, he tries to call them to order. He has been a listening Speaker. Besides, he has been fulfilling his promises. In other words, he has not gone against his promises as far as we’re concerned.

    How would you score the House in the last one year?

    I’ll give the House a pass mark because, whatever the House is, that’s what the leadership is. You’ve seen how the Speaker of the of the House, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, is standing up for the truth. What else can we say? Whatever others have been thinking is immaterial. So, I will give the House a pass mark.

    What are your plans for your constituency?

    There are so many plans meant to give them the dividends of democracy. I have started and I will still continue. I’m sponsoring some students in their education because, being an educationist, I cherish education so much. And my feeling is that when you have education, it gives you a broader mind. I have been able to give to students, who actually want to further their education but are poor, some assistance. I started by paying for the National Examination Council (NECO)’s examination for students, giving money to students in the higher institutions that can’t afford the payment, empowering women by giving them financial support so that they can have something doing. I have also empowered many youths by distributing materials like grinding machines, generators and so on for technicians and women that need them. I have also provided boreholes in areas where they need them.

    I have been able to repair and plaster some of our markets like the popular big market in Ibadan. I helped them to plaster where they sit so as to make it comfortable for them. I’ve been able to provide some transformers to areas where they need them. I must say that we ahve done pretty much but it is not possible to remember all right now.

    Before I forget, we have also started to train some women in bead making, tailoring, hair dressing, Adire (clothing) etc. And when they finish, I try to provide them with whatever they need to start up the business.

    What is your future ambition?

    After four years? Well, I tell people that the future belongs to the Lord but anyway, we all have desires. The Bible tells me that the desire of the righteous will actually be granted. My desire is to come back to this House after four years to continue the good work because I am sure my people want me to continue and to finish what I’ve started. So there’s no doubt about that.

    What would be your advice for women that are aspiring to come into politics?

    We should continue to strive hard. We should not rest on our oars. In fact, I contested with somebody that is so formidable, a PDP male contestant, who has been in politics for so many years. He has been the chairman of a local government twice, and he is very close to the former Head of State and President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. So, when people heard about my intention to contest they went to inform Senator Ladoja that I cannot face the man. But I told Ladoja that it’s got nothing to do with power or anything, that he should leave me. If its money that he has to spend, he’ll meet me there. If it’s thuggery, I don’t have. We’ll meet God. And whatever he believes in, I have a capable God. My Senator then supported me by telling my critics that, if you people agree to contest with this man, are you the one to face the man? But the people did not agree. But to the glory of God, I can say that they’re not disappointed that i was chosen as their representative.

    What is your view on the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in politics?

    Last year, I was opportuned to attend the UN conference in New York. Nigeria is yet to come up. When you see what is happening in other developed countries of the world, where they have like 78-80 women in governance, you will wonder what Nigeria is waiting for. By the time we are in the conference, I was just asking myself where Nigeria as a nation should start.

    The women in parliament are trying. There is the general impression that Nigerian men want to take everything, but I don’t think that is true.

    There was a Bill that came up recently on the floor of the House, that has to with gender equality. We had to tell the men that it has nothing to do with disrespect for men and all that. And though the Bill did not pass, I am optimistic that, with more lobbying and enlightenment, things will change.

    The 35 percent affirmative action project can survive in Nigeria. Nigeria is still in transition because certain cultures stifle the voice of women. But it will change, its a matter of time.

     

  • The rise of women in Ogun

    The rise of women in Ogun

    Sir: If the Athenians of the first century were around to day, they would surely be heading for Ogun State to observe at close quarters the Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) model of governance.

    Secular and religious records bear witness that these ancient Greeks “spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new things”. Visitors were mostly welcome only if they came along with strange ideas. It was a path dictated by Socrates who had lived centuries earlier.

    In this case, our friends, the Athenians, would particularly be interested in Ogun State because of Amosun’s most recent political innovation of allocating strategic seats in the judiciary of Ogun to women.

    In a coup d’état of sorts, Amosun swore in women to take charge of the commanding heights in the judiciary. At the historic event in Abeokuta, the capital, the governor himself admitted that what he was doing was quite novel in a patriarchal society such as ours.

    He swore in Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu as the first female Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ogun State since the creation of state in 1976. Her appointment brought to 13 the number of women in the cabinet of Ogun State.

    That figure, in parenthesis, is the highest in the cabinet of any state government in Nigeria.

    On the same day and at the same event, the governor unveiled Mrs Patricia Oduniyi as the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry. He equally had the honour to swear in the first female Chief Judge of Ogun State, Mrs Olatokunbo Olopade, who was present at the inauguration of the two women. What a triumphal triumvirate!

    The importance of the event wasn’t lost on Amosun, nor on all those who have since been mulling the latest achievement of his administration. He said what the world had witnessed was unprecedented in Ogun State.

    We all must see what Governor Amosun has done as a revolutionary move that goes beyond a fulfilment of the so-called principle of Affirmative Action. The point is that the world has moved beyond the frontiers of the Beijing Declaration of 1995 which called for 30% allocation of public or political office to women.

    The new thinking is no longer about sheer number of women in power. It is about qualitative representation of the fair sex in administration of politics, the economy, sports and indeed in all strata of society. It is about having women strutting in the corridors of power.

    For too long, we’ve run our society along male-centric lines that have only stunted full progress of our people and made nonsense of our huge expenditure on manpower and infrastructure.

    A wider involvement of women in the affairs of society especially at the apex as indicated by the step Amosun has taken means engaging a critical sector of society in nation-building. It’s a new thinking we must support if society must move on to new heights of advancement in the 21st century. The so-called Asian Tigers are making it because they have leveraged governance and politics for women over the years. No wonder the region has produced more female heads of state and government than any other area on Planet Earth!

    • Yetunde Oyefeso,

    Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

     

  • Women should not stay in the kitchen

    Women should not stay in the kitchen

    Business tycoon, mother and a royal princess from Eko; these are the many hats Princess Funmilayo Bakare Okeowo wears with dignity.

    Spurred by a need to break beyond the economic and gender barrier she faced as a young wife, Funmilayo listened to her mother’s advice, strived on her own and built a business that rivalled her competitors. Now the second largest producer of envelopes in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of FAE Limited spoke with Rita Ohai on her journey to the top.

     

    YOU run the second largest envelope-manufacturing company in Nigeria. As the only woman at the top of this field, how did you build your brand?

    Over 20 years ago, my mother and I were distributors to Wigeen-Steep, a company that produced envelopes at the time. At the end of the year, they would give us fridges or television sets for being the best distributors.

    One day, I felt I had done enough and wanted to own my business. I did some research, bought the machine that was needed and became a manufacturer. I was passionate about it and it has been good for me.

    In Nigeria it is normal for men to want to oppress women but since you already have that at the back of your mind, you will need to strive harder to succeed so that you can stand tall among your peers.

    Also, I gave it my best every time because if I did not want people to just rank me among the mediocrities.

    If you look at my envelopes, you feel how smooth they are and the look very professional. And we ensure that about 80 percent of our materials are gotten locally.

    Has putting efforts into running your company profitably affected other areas of your life such as your family?

    It has not been easy but thank God my husband is a brother and father. He fills in the gap for me and whenever I am becoming weak, he is there to support me. Plus I have beautiful children who stand by me through thick and thin.

    Although my children are all out of the house, I keep in touch with all of them as much as possible. At least one of them calls me every night and we talk for about two hours each time.

    One of them works with me as the Chief Operating Officer. My baby is in the medical school in Canada while my daughter is a lawyer practicing in Calgary.

    Plus I try to prepare my husband’s favourite dish which is Ikokore. My husband had to teach me how to make it because he is an Ijebu man.

    What do you not like about being an entrepreneur?

    I love everything about owning my business. I feel proud as an industrialist.

    In the morning when I enter the factory, this might be sentimental, but there is an internal joy I feel when I hear the machines work. I just get happy.

    Sometimes when I am upset, I go to the factory, pick up a chair, sit down and look at what God has done for me.

    Who can you say has been the greatest influence in your business life?

    My mother! She was a teacher for 35 years and she was tougher than my dad, but she was the best.

    Initially I thought she was a bad mum. Along the line, I found out that she had become the closest person to me and I could discuss anything with her. Even while I was at boarding school, I would come home and work for my mum and she would pay me, no matter how small.

    When I wanted to be a full-time house wife, it did not go down well with her. It was a real tug of war and she insisted that I must work. At the time, my husband did not want me to work so I was between the devil and the deep blue sea.

    She sat me down and told me that it was a beautiful thing to be married but it was more honourable for a woman to be able to raise her head among her peers.

    So I went to work with her while she was selling small stationeries like pencils and rulers at her petty shop. We ran this company together for a few years before she passed on.

    I really loved her. If you want to destabilise me just tell me that you dreamt that my mother told you to ask me to sit down on a chair for two days, I will obey you, no matter who the person is.

    As a child, was there any household chore you could not stand doing simply because you disliked it?

    I hated washing clothes (she laughs).

    I always found a reason to run away from doing the laundry and my mother who was a disciplinarian would be on my case.

    Right now, I do not wash clothes any more, thanks to washing machines and drycleaners in this jet age.

    Also I would want to advice young women not to stay in the kitchen. Go out and work hard because what a man can do, a woman can also do it. I am not regretting the life I have lived at all. I can talk to the high and mighty. I wine and dine with the people in the corridors of power simply because I am not confined to the kitchen. That is not to say you should shirk your responsibilities, but be smart about it.

    If you had to live permanently anywhere outside Nigeria, seeing how tough the economy is, where would you pick?

    I am not going anywhere. All I want is for the country to improve because this is home for me.

    Let me give you an example, I travelled abroad for three weeks and got this severe cough. When I went to the hospitals there, they gave me all kinds of drugs and it refused to go, but the minute I stepped into Muritala Mohammed Airport, the thing disappeared.

    What do you think tears couples apart in marriage?

    The lack of friendship. Many of the people who get married these days do not work on being confidants or close friends with their spouses.

    When you are not friends, little issues blow up into major ones because there is no understanding between both parties.

    If the wife does something, the husband will not know how to handle it so he starts talking to people outside the home who will give him wrong advice, he starts having girlfriends and then trouble grows.

    When my daughter was about to get married, I just told her to focus on being friends with her husband, that way you can get away with anything.

    Smiling is a visa that can open doors even with your in-laws. People say mother-in-laws are bad but it is up to the incoming party to warm up to her because she is not bound to like you since you are from different backgrounds and she does not want anyone to displace her in her child’s life.

  • Weave-on for fashionable women

    Weave-on has gained the heart of many ladies. Most of them buy the best weave on just to look good. The Inches of these weave-on determines the prices. A weave-on customer, Miss Zainab Orelope said: “I like to buy Brazilian hair because its looks like my natural hair. An original Brazilian weave on cost N 95,000. There are cheaper ones which cost N24,000 and N1,200 respectively, they are in the 12inches and 32inches. The Chocolate weave on cost N5,500. Reamy brazil N6, 600, Peruvian cost N20,000, Laco wig cost 24,000. Celebrity cost N1,200, Pretty cost N7,00, Charming cost N7,00, Chois cost N1,500. Top quality cost N1,800, Lady rainbow cost N2,500, Mix cost N500 and Noble cost N700. Synthetic weave on cost between N3,00 and N1,700.

    The prices fluctuate like every other item, especially during December. Most people love to fix not only because its add to their beauty but also covers some ugly secrets.

    Mrs Oluwafunmi Adepoju prefers wearing a wig to cover her hair that pulls when touched.

    “I put on a wig because I don’t have hair in front, not because it adds to my beauty, it only covers my hair. Miss Chima Kalu loves fixing weave-on because it makes her hair appear longer.

    Despite the huge prices of the Brazilian weave-on, it is most ladies favourite. Miss Sharon William, a student said she prefers Brazilian hair and Peruvian hair.

    Ladies and women are the major traders of this business and every two weeks new products and hairstyles are introduced into the market.

    To differentiate the fake from the original, smoothness guarantees you are buying the genuine one; on the other hand, the fake ones are hard.

    They come in different colours, inches, which determine their prices. Selection of colour is based on individuals. Colour like black and brown are mostly used because its matches all skin type. Weave-on has now experienced new product and designs.

    Mrs Kabiru Badejo sells weave on at Aspanda along the Badagry express way. She said people patronise weave-on like Peruvian hair, Brazilian, chocolate, reamy, solo, laco wig among others. “The longer the weave-on the higher the price it is sold.” she said.

    “There are two types of human hair. One is called synthetic, while the other is original human hair.

    Original human hair is not slippery, it is straight and soft unlike the synthetic that feels slippery when touched.

  • Dabiri-Erewa decries violence against women

    Dabiri-Erewa decries violence against women

    House of Representatives member Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has called for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. She said that, as the world marks the International Women’s Day, people should reflect on the pivotal roles of women in the family and nation-building.

    In a statement in Abuja, Dabiri- Erewa bemoaned the increasing violence against women in the country.

    She said: “It is quite gladdening that the House of Representatives has taken a major step in this regard by passing a bill to eliminate all forms of violence against persons.

    “The Bill sponsored by me prescribes a life imprisonment for rape and a minimum of 20 year-jail term for anyone involved or an accomplice in gang rape. The bill also seeks compensation for victims of rape. It also deals with the domestic violence, political violence, harmful traditional practices, and protection of widows”

    Dabiri-Erewa said the bill also criminalises rape, gang rape, female circumcision, domestic and political violence, acid attacks and injury to the widows.

    The lawmaker expressed optimism that the bill would soon be passed by the Senate and subsequently signed into law by the President.