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Tag: Women

  • Why no woman should die from Cervical Cancer

    Why no woman should die from Cervical Cancer

    By Vivian Ihechu

    Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria and the fourth most common cancer among women globally, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Current estimates for Nigeria in 2023 by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Centre indicate that every year 12,075 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 7,968 die from the disease in the country.

    About 3.5 per cent of women in the general population are estimated to harbour cervical HPV-16/18 infection at a given time, and 66.9 per cent of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18.

    However, with proven interventions to prevent and manage the disease, experts say that no woman is expected to lose her life to cervical cancer.

    Prof. Isaac Adewole, a former Minister of Health, Nigeria and  Co-Founder, African Cancer Coalition, told NAN in Lagos that cervical cancer had become a public health issue.

    Nevertheless, Adewole, a professor at the University of Ibadan and Northwestern University, said the disease which was caused almost entirely by a virus, could be tackled.

    He said cervical cancer was preventable and treatable, if presented and diagnosed early.

    He said part of the strategies to eliminate cervical cancer included, vaccination of about 90 per cent of girls between ages nine and 14 with HPV vaccine to prevent them from having the cancer.

    According to him, it takes about an average of 20 to 30 years for cervical cancer to develop, and the HPV vaccination offers a window of opportunity to kick against the cancer.

    He said screening of no fewer than 70 per cent of women using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45, was also a strategy to save women from cervical cancer.

    “When we screen women who are asymptomatic, we have no complaints at all.

    “When we screen them, we’ll be able to determine and diagnose stages that occur before development of cancer. We call these stages pre-malignant stages.

    “We are able to detect them and when we offer appropriate treatment they will be cured,” said Adewole.

    A third way of addressing the cervical cancer menace, according to Adewole, is prompt and appropriate treatment when detected early.

    “Even those who develop cervical cancer, when we pick them in the early stages, we can almost uniformly cure them.

    “Treatment of women with early presentation as well as invasive cancer management helps.

    “When you look at the three factors of prevention,  screening, which is secondary prevention; and treatments of early stages, we have a disease on our hands that applying public health principles, we can control,” explained the professor.

    Adewole advocated allocation of resources for cancer prevention, detection, treatment and management.

    “Cervical cancer disease is common in areas that are not developed or areas where they have not allocated appropriate resources and attention to this disease.

    “It is a disease of under development.

    “And where you have infrastructure well developed, where you have appropriate policies that are well-resourced, where you have leadership showing interest in this disease, we collectively can eliminate cervical cancer.

    “And this has been amply demonstrated through projections scientifically showing that if you do this, then cervical cancer can become something of history,” said Adewole.

    According to him, the challenge in Nigeria, just like in Africa and many developing countries, is that a lot of people are largely unaware of the situation with cervical cancer.

    Therefore, he said when cases were presented to the hospitals, they were largely in advanced stage, for quite a number of reasons.

    The former health minister also noted that the non-availability and affordability of vaccine hindered efforts in the drive to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria.

    “It is very expensive if you go to the shelf to buy it and then, globally, the developed countries have ‘cornered’ the vaccine for their people because they recognise the value of the vaccine.

    “So, we are left at the mercy of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and multilateral donors to fund us.

    “The prices are coming down gradually but it is still out of reach for most groups.

    “But, there is a  window or door of opportunity for many as countries that were previously giving two or three shots can now give one and that will free some of the supplies,” continued Adewole.

    He said by adopting, introducing and implementing the Global Elimination Agenda for Cervical Cancer Control https://www.cervicalcancerdeclaration.org/, eliminating  cervical cancer as a public health issue would be realised.

    “Hence, we call for urgent action to make cervical cancer elimination a global priority, with high-level commitment and resources to make it a reality.

    “No woman should lose her life to cervical cancer when we have the tools to prevent, and, especially when diagnosed early, to treat it,” he said.

    HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and most people are infected with HPV shortly after the onset of sexual activity.

    Twelve leading health experts from around the world have initiated a call to action in the fight against cervical cancer through The Global Declaration to Eliminate Cervical Cancer.

    The Declaration was formally launched at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 22, with signatures from more than 1,200 global health leaders and advocates representing no fewer than 100 countries.

    Top among them included former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, CEO of Amref Health Africa, Githinji Gitahi; President of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO), Jeanne Conry, and President-elect of the International Pediatric Association, Naveen Thacker.

    Adewole and  Prof.  Margaret Stanley of Cambridge University, UK and Past President of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS), are among the experts championing the declaration.

    Stanley told NAN that it was worrisome that 90 per cent of women with cervical cancer lived in low and middle income countries.

    According to her, in high income countries like U.S., UK, Europe, there are highly organised medical services which women can access easily.

    She added that same services should be replicated in low income countries like Nigeria.

    Stanley also agreed that no woman should die from cervical cancer as eliminating the disease was achievable with urgent action in three areas – vaccination, screening and treatment.

    “Vaccinating girls aged nine to 14 against HPV is the primary way to prevent cervical cancer.

    “HPV vaccines are safe, effective, and can prevent up to 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

    “Cervical cancer can also be prevented through screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions,” said Stanley.

    She also recommended the ‘new’ one-dose HPV vaccination regime as part of routine programmes for girls.

    The British virologist and epithelial biologist also called for provision of  X rays for screening for cervical cancer, while advocating increased access to adequate health facilities and trained health personnel.

    According to experts, tools are available to eliminate cervical cancer and everything must be engaged collectively to eliminate the disease and save women from losing their lives to cervical cancer.

    NAN

  • Women’s W/Cup: Players to get $30,000 each as prize money

    Women’s W/Cup: Players to get $30,000 each as prize money

    Players at the Women’s World Cup will be guaranteed at least 30,000 dollars each after FIFA decided to disburse some of the prize money to individuals rather than national federations.

    All 23 members of the winning team will take home 270,000 dollars each, part of a 110 million dollars total prize pool that is roughly 300 per cent higher than what FIFA offered for the 2019 tournament.

    The 30,000 dollars minimum directed prize money is more than twice the average salary of 14,000 dollars for paid players surveyed in FIFA’s 2022 benchmarking report.

    In March, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, pledged at the FIFA Congress that organisers would direct prize money towards the players, a first for the women’s tournament, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

    For the upcoming Women’s World Cup, member-associations will also receive increased funding based on performance, with winners taking 4.29 million dollars home and delegations earning 1.56 million dollars for participating in the group stage.

    The total performance-based prize funds still significantly trail what was on offer at the men’s tournament last year, where 440 million dollars total prize fund was awarded.

    FIFA has made it clear to national federations that it expects that the amount retained by member-associations would be reinvested in their footballing activities, including coaching staff, grassroots projects, youth national teams and women’s football capacity-building programmes.

    FIFPRO said the news “represents not only the outcome of tremendous global collective action by 150 national team players, but a constructive negotiation with FIFA over the past months.”

    “They have listened to the voice of the players and we have taken steps toward greater gender equity in our game at the highest levels,” the global soccer players union said in a statement.

  • Omisore commends APWEN for empowering  women, pupils

    Omisore commends APWEN for empowering  women, pupils

    The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore has commended the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), supporting women, pupils for a better society.

    Omisore made the commendation in a remark when the body visited the National Secretariat of the party on a courtesy visit, saying that it is a beautiful thing as an Engineer to also see women who are Engineers and are driven by passion to use it to empower women most especially women in the rural areas through acquisition of vocational skills.

    According to Omisore, the APC is meant for both men and women stressing that it will ensure the success of the APWEN conference that is coming up in September, 2023.

    He maintains that he will keep supporting Female empowerment because only through it can the society be free of unnecessary danger.

    He said: ” The party is for men and women and for Nigerians. As an Engineer, I believe that it is not out of place to encourage female engineers as much as possible particularly your conference that is coming up.

    ” You have lofty programs as enumerated in your captions. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the party Secretariat, we will not mind to work with you.

    ” Without sounding immodest, we welcome all of you to our party. I understand that your society is non partisan. It is an NGO. They will have Labour Party, APGA. We can only show example by showing you what we are doing.

    ” And we will encourage you to work with us. We will do everything to encourage what you are doing. On your conference in September, 2023, I will work on the theme as a keynote speaker”, he said.

    Earlier, the President of APWEN, Engr. Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho who led the group on the visit congratulated the party for its victory in the recent presidential election which saw the President elect, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the winner.

    She stated that the body has presence in 42 cities in Nigerai with different proposals and programs for women and pupils explaining that the six geopolitical zones is also beneficial of their skill acquisition and vocational programs for women.

    She said: ” We have programs for the six geopolitical zones. There are some that are all at the states levels. There are some of the programs  involving scholarships for pupils from primary four to university level. There are some that ard just primary to secondary levels.You will discover that they are not in the same category. On this programs, we have projects and proposals for each of them.

    ” We have just come to make a level ground where we can be heard then we can now come in with different proposals with the supports that we need. It is not only finance that we need. We want to be heard as in being listen to.

    ” We need support. When we call like having the National Secretary as our keynote speaker. We have gone to different states. We are available in 42 cities in the country. Some states have two branches”, she said.

  • 10th NASS: Tinubu, APC under fire over zoning decision

    10th NASS: Tinubu, APC under fire over zoning decision

    As the race for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly gathers momentum, a group under the aegis of Women For Yari Movement, has advised the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Working Committee (NWC), of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to withdraw it earlier decision of zoning

    Recall that the NWC of the ruling party had picked the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio (South-South), and Senator Barau Jibrin (North West) as preferred candidates of the APC for the senate president and deputy president.

    But the group in a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, said the zoning list has complicated matters in the APC, among Senators-Elect and Members-Elect of the 10th NASS and generated a huge controversy among Nigerians nationwide.

    In her address at the media briefing, Convener, Women For Yari Movement, Comrade Sofiya Ibrahim Ogoh, stated that “the Women For Yari Movement deems it fit to stage this intervention because as mothers to the incoming members of the National Assembly and indeed to all in this country, we cannot sit idly and watch our children cross swords over a totally avoidable crisis.”

    “The Women For Yari Movement notes that rather than foster national unity and heal the land after a bitterly fought 2023 General Elections, the APC zoning list has divided further the party and the country.”

    The group’s statement entitled, “10th NASS Leadership: APC, Zoning and Mothers As Metaphor” continued: “The Women For Yari Movement states that the APC National Working Committee has failed to heed a great principle of successful motherhood, to wit: A wise and true Matriarch of the House does not play favouritism among her children.

    She dishes out motherly care and affection to all her children equally. It is a deliberate and life-long act which engenders peace and harmony in the family, which then allows all members of the household, particularly the children, to live to their fullest potential in the bosom of the true Matriarch.

    “Applied in politics in the particular case of electing the leadership of the incoming 10th NASS and specifically the next Senate President, the APC National Working Committee should not have anointed a favourite among the 109 senators as Senate President and for other positions.

    To stop the crisis in its wake, the group wrote: “NASS Proclamation Day is still some weeks away. Therefore, it is not too late for the APC National Working Committee to embrace the metaphor of true mothers to stem the crisis engulfing the party over that zoning list, which upsurge, we can assure the party, would continue to rise as May 29, 2023 Presidential Inauguration Day nears for the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take office.

    “Although the APC National Working Committee claimed that the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other critical stakeholders were consulted in the course of drawing up that zoning list, it has since emerged that this is far from the truth, and that a nascent cabal may have formed from the APC NWC and Asiwaju’s inner circle which unilaterally handpicked their friends and zoned the Senate leadership positions to them.

    “For instance, the Women For Yari Movement can inform you gentlemen of the press and indeed the whole nation that nothing worthy of being called “consultation” was carried out by the APC NWC among the candidates to lead the Senate.

    “That the APC zoning list had only snowballed the Senate leadership tussle into a giant inferno threatening to consume all in its path validates our claim. “Party Supremacy cannot be
    a pretext to serve out injustice.

    The Women called on the NWC to withdraw the zoning list and allow a free and fair contest for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly .”

     

     

  • Women will be well represented in my administration – Tinubu

    Women will be well represented in my administration – Tinubu

    The President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has assured that women would be properly represented in his administration.

    Tinubu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled, “101 Nigerian Women of Impact” authored by Mrs Zainab Marwa.

    The President-elect was represented by the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Betta Edu.

    He said that Nigerian women have paid the price for the development, peace and unity of Nigeria, hence they must be appreciated.

    Tinubu congratulated the author for her accomplishments in the gender space, saying the book would inspire women to greatness.

    “All I can say is Nigerian women can go home smiling because you will have one of the best times in representation in government. Nigerian women will be appreciated.”

    Tinubu described the book lunch as a celebration of Nigerian women.

    “They have done well and are still doing well. We are proud of every effort that have been put on the table.

    “The message you have sent by writing the book to celebrate 101 women amongst over 100 million is simple: You can aspire to do more.

    “The second message is that working together we can change the picture of Nigeria.

    “Nigeria is at a turning point and the missing chip in that puzzle that would fix this country and give us the speed we need are the women folk. This is your call to action and development,” Tinubu added.

  • 10th Assembly: 231 women groups want Senate Presidency, Deputy or Speaker

    10th Assembly: 231 women groups want Senate Presidency, Deputy or Speaker

    Over 231 women organisations under the aegis of Womanifesto are demanding the inclusion of women either as Senate President, Deputy Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The coalition declared that since gender equity was critical to sustainable development, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

    The CSOs which constitute members of Womanifesto included The Woman Today Newspaper, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), 100 Women Lobby Group, ActionAid Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Christian Women in Nigerian Politics, Women in Politics Forum (WiPF), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) and Enough Is Enough Nigeria (EiE).

    Others are Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kimpact Initiatives, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women Aid Collective (WACOL) and Yiaga Africa.

    Womanifesto in a statement by its Convener and Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said having women serve as parliamentary principal officers would contribute tremendously to inclusive governance and national development in the next dispensation.

    The statement titled: “Women groups call for more women in leadership positions at the National and State Assemblies”, was obtained by journalists in Abuja.

    Akiyode-Afolabi said, “At least 44 per cent of Nigeria’s voting population are women, yet less than 5 per cent of the 1,553 women who contested the 2023 elections across Nigeria were elected. Despite the consistent push for increased representation of women in politics–elective and appointive positions, the just concluded 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections show alarming underrepresentation of women.

    “For instance, of the 1,459 Legislative seats at the state and national levels, so far, women have won only 75 seats. Alarmingly, there are 15 states without a single woman in their State House of Assembly.

    “It is of great concern that in the election into the Nigerian parliament from 1999 till date, only 176 women have been elected (new and repeat) as compared to 3,107 for their male counterparts. In the coming 10th National Assembly, there is a reduction from eight women in the Senate to three, while in the House of Representatives, only 17 women have been elected so far compared to the 13 in the outgoing 9th Assembly.

    “It is no wonder that as of February 2023 the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ranks Nigeria 183 out of 193 countries in Women’s Representation in National Parliaments. In Nigeria’s 24 years of democracy, no woman has been Senate President or Deputy Senate President. Patricia Etteh is the only woman to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives from June to October 2007. Hon. Mulikat Akande was the first woman elected as Majority Leader at the Federal Legislative level in 2011.

    “More women need to be elected to leadership positions in the National Assembly of Nigeria irrespective of the current numbers. These women represent about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population and this should be reflected in the parliament’s leadership. This is a matter of equity and social inclusion.

    “The National Assembly is constitutionally vested with several functions, such as lawmaking, confirmation of nominations, representation, oversight, scrutinizing bills, legislative proposals, and motions, etc. Most of these functions are achieved through Committees made up of Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members of the House of Representatives. Section 62(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) empowers the Senate and the House of Representatives to appoint Committees of special and general purpose as may be expedient.

    “The Senate is charged with intervening in matters of national security, epidemic, poverty drought, and government and labor union disputes for industrial unity. Senate also confirms the President’s nominations for senior diplomats, federal judges, and members of INEC. Federal and state lawmakers duly elected to the National Assembly are vanguards of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, development, and unity. Decisions being made in parliament need to mainstream gender inclusion and equity.

    “With Nigerian women successfully leading in various fields globally, it is vital that they take the lead in parliament and its Committees. Besides, gender equity and inclusion are a matter of efficiency and merit. In light of the foregoing, we demand the inclusion of women among the top three slots of Principal Officers of the Nigerian Parliament either as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, or Speaker.

    “There are qualified women among the elected National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. In addition, it is the reality of the day that gender equity is critical to sustainable development; and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. Having women serve as parliamentary Principal Officers would contribute tremendously to inclusive governance and national development in the next dispensation.

    “More than ever, we demand that:
    The Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill be passed;
    the five gender bills be re-debated and voted for, as the rejection of these bills has harmed Nigerian women, the country, and our social capital and more resources be allocated to pursue an equal society.”

  • Why women should dance more – Kaffy

    Why women should dance more – Kaffy

    A Nigerian dancer, Ms Kafayat Shafau, popularly known by her stage name, Kaffy, has urged women to cultivate the habit of dancing regularly.

    She said this was helpful in reducing stress, keeping fit and being more productive in their various walks of life.

    Kaffy, who is also a dance advocate, gave the advice at the 2023 Lagos Women Dance, the fourth in its series, held on Saturday at the National Stadium in Lagos.

    The programme was organised by two organisations, Jela Projects Limited in conjunction with Seed Rehabilitation Foundation.

    Kaffy said the organisers wanted to give women empowerment for business, help with education, and so on, but there was more to this.

    “A wellness mind is a productive mind; also, a full belly is productive, but you can have a full belly and still be worried or stressed; I think both should go together.

    “Whatever we are doing for women, we should not forget that the stress of being a woman in Africa is enough to break a woman

    “So, my message here is to encourage women to understand that health is wealth, but the mind that carries the body is actually the vault of where productivity lies and we need to protect that space, “ she said.

    Kaffy said that the backbone of human living was continuous movement, and dance, as a way to move, was fun..

    According to her, the body, mind and soul benefit immensely from dancing.

    “So, if the body moves, the mind cannot tell the difference between a body that is moving positively or negatively.

    “Therefore, we always encourage people, even when we use dance as therapy, no matter your negative condition, when you get up and dance, you can never return angry or sad.

    “Dance melts that sadness, tension and also, your physiology: cardiovascular system, digestive system, muscular system. every part of your body is benefitting from dance.

    “So, when I talk about being an advocate for dance, it is not only for entertainment, but for human excellence; we need to move in order to live, “ she said.

    Also, the Chief Executive Officer and Convener of the dance, Mrs Angela Tony-Iji, said her passion for dance was the driving force behind the programme.

    She said she also had passion for strong and hardworking women.

    According to her, this cuts across women from all walks of life, including professionals, grassroots women and business women.

    “Many women hardly have time to socialise, stress out, exercise and carry a lot of burdens like physical, emotional, financial stress.

    “Some are slumping, dying of depression, having no one to talk to,” she said.

    The convener said that women love to mingle, network, learn from fellow women and build very good relationships.

    “So, out of this passion for dance, singing,  mingling, having fun is what birthed this programme, “ she said.

    Tony-Iji urged men to support their wives and partners to partake in dance and other activities that could reduce the stress in daily living.

    She also called on the government and corporate organisations to partner with others to support the well-being of women in the society.

    Tony-Iji said: “Gone are those days when they say women are not heard but seen.

    “These days, women should not be relegated to the background and stereotyped to keep them in one place, dying in silence; no man should push his wife to that point.

    “We call on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to invest more in the well-being of women in the country.”

    A participant and a mother of four children, Mrs Gladys Umokoro, said that dance had become part of her lifestyle, urging fellow women to develop the habit.

    Umukoro said, “I see dance as a way to unwind and relax myself; I have a dance club that I attend and I have also made more friends in the process.

    “Women in Nigeria suffer a lot due to pressure from the home front; however, women can still do a lot to care for themselves by dancing or doing whatever can make them feel relaxed and stay healthy.”

  • Nigerians Call For More Women In Governance, Say It Will Reduce Corruption

    Nigerians Call For More Women In Governance, Say It Will Reduce Corruption

    Exasperated by rising corruption in Africa’s most populous country, stakeholders in the fight against corruption in Nigeria have identified adequate inclusion of women in governance as an antidote to public sector corruption while lamenting the government’s effort in implementing the revised National Gender Policy (NGP).

    The call for the inclusion of more women in governance had been necessitated by the low representation of women in Nigeria’s governance structures.

    Human rights lawyer Mary Musa led the call during PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, an anti-corruption radio programme produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja.

    Speaking during the programme, Musa stated that Nigeria would be heading in the better direction if more women are deliberately handed opportunities in political leadership and public service as they embody the values, character and integrity, which is needed in building a corrupt-free nation.

    She noted that Nigerian women are prudent and have been equipped to instill prudence, character and integrity in the mind of their children and can replicate these virtues in leadership positions.

    “If we (government) put more women who are prudent in the government spaces, political spaces, corruption will reduce drastically because they are coming with values, character and integrity. We are not saying take any woman because she is a woman, we are saying take women who know what it means to be in political offices.

    “If we select those women knowing they are influencers in their spaces doing fantastic and credible jobs with excellent value systems, Nigeria is headed for a better place.

    “We have credible women, but they face barriers like sexual harassment at workplaces. Even in politics, we have a lot of women going into politics, but there are god-fathers who want to take advantage of the young women coming into politics. It’s beyond being credible and competent. It’s about creating an enabling environment for the woman to thrive,” Musa stressed.

    On the government’s lacklustre approach on implementing the revised National Gender Policy, she revealed that the most effective tool in persuading the Federal Government to implement the policy remains sensitization, advocacy and peaceful protest.

    Musa also regretted that implementation of the National Gender Policy is stifled by a lack of political will and urged the government to enforce the policy and place punitive measures on public offices that fail to align with the provisions of the revised NGP.

    On her part, Communications Manager, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Mujidat Agbabiaka backed Nigerian women to do well if given more opportunities in leadership, emphasizing that women have what it takes to participate in leadership and make the country better. She added that women must be encouraged and empowered to take charge of administration because of their discipline and integrity.

    Agbabiaka said, “We’ve seen women out there doing well in their leadership capacity and their homes are not broken. They still perform their maternal roles. They still take care of their families, their husband and children, immediate and extended families.”

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections, she advised women not to sell their votes to politicians, urging them rather to study the manifestos of political parties and candidates in order to make informed decisions.

    “We know the roles the politicians play in impoverishing the women further by giving them seasoning cubes and wrappers as if those things matter in politics and electioneering. We have said that these things are wrong and women should desist from accepting gifts but rather look inward into candidates and see what they are offering based on their manifestos.”

    Some Nigerians who phoned into the programme from Abuja, the nation’s capital, alluded that Nigeria would be better governed and less corrupt if women were given more leadership opportunities owing to their antecedents from the home front.

    PRIMORG and the Women’s Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative (WRAPA) are collaborating to promote the revised gender policy of the Federal Government for more opportunities for women in Nigeria.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • NASENI, Nasarawa govt. hands over 1,150 units of cooking stove to women

    NASENI, Nasarawa govt. hands over 1,150 units of cooking stove to women

    The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr.Abdullahi A. Sule has urged other Agencies and parastatals of Governments both at the Federal and State levels to emulate the development strides going-on at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to bring development directly to the people.

    At the occasion of the second phase of the nationwide-distribution of Save 80-Efficient Cooking Stove to households which took place in Nasarawa State Government house, Lafia and Akwanga today, the Governor said “nations are built by institutions but also institutions are to be built directly by humans. Leaders’ commitment and dedication to the ideals of such institutions are for the benefits of the people and nothing else.”

    The first set of NASENI’s environment-friendly cooking stoves with wonder pots were distributed a fortnight ago amongst women which took place at the NASENI headquarters, located at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

    Governor Sule said “what Nigeria is witnessing today with NASENI is the direct outcome of putting a round peg in a round hole with the appointment of Prof. M.S Haruna as NASENI Chief Executive, as demonstrated in the transformations that had taken place in NASENI under him as helmsman of the Agency.

    The Governor commended the Agency under Professor Haruna that “it is indeed a new NASENI and some of the things observed in the Agency currently ought to have been done several decades ago, but now on-going, because of the visionary leadership of Prof. Haruna, it is better late than never. NASENI is now led by one who understood the crucible of institutional development interventions and the mandate of the Agency, NASENI is now back on track. He stressed further saying “if only the management of NASENI would continue at this pace then in no distant future, real time development will begin to come to Nigeria and its people”

    “I have observed keenly the developments and interventions that are going-on in NASENI and I had cause to discuss with President Muhammadu Buhari about the developments at the Agency, and I can confirm to everyone that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very pleased with the various developmental strides, research and developmental works that are on-going at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure” Said Governor Sule.

    Adding, he affirmed, that the President of the Country was highly impressed with the transformations that are going on in NASENI under the leadership of Engr.Prof.M.S Haruna. Therefore he urged the EVC/CE and NASENI management to continue in this path of progress and restoration of hope of a possible industrial revolution of the country soon.

    The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI at the Nasarawa State Government House disclosed that the distributions of the Save 80-Efficient Cooking distribution carried out today was for Nasarawa North and South Senatorial Zones totaling One thousand One hundred and fifty (1,150), about 350 Units of save 80-efficient Cooking stoves had been distributed to 350 households earlier in the day in Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Akwanga Local Government Area of the State.

    NASENI and Atmosfair Germany designed and manufactured the Save 80 Efficient Cooking Stove and the wonder pots being distributed to the women nationwide. Atmosfair Germany, a non-governmental organization (NGO) is on a mission to save the environment from further deforestation and desertification. The working collaboration between NASENI and the German organization, according to professor Haruna, received gracious approval of President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    One of the interests of NASENI in the Project, according to Prof. Haruna was not only to save the environment from continuous deforestation and conservation of the vegetation flaura and fauna but also “to reach out to these less privileged women especially now that house-hold incomes are shrinking and the rural women have the difficulties of meeting their energy needs to prepare meals for their families.”

    The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI further pledged the Agency’s commitment to a continuous support for the upliftment of the rural areas through the introduction of innovative products, technology, machines and equipment to boost the economies of the rural areas in line with the mandate of the Agency.
    In addition to the save 80-Efficient Cooking Stove and the wonder pots, Prof. Haruna announced the donation to each beneficiary of the products the sum of N10,000 naira for the logistics of returning to their various villages and towns after receiving the products.

    The women were filled with joy as they received the products from the State Governor and the NASENI Executive Vice Chairman.

  • Women deserve better treatment – By Francis Ewherido

    Women deserve better treatment – By Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    I am not into women liberation the way it is seen in the Western world. For some westerners, the African culture is inferior, so we should scrap it and replace it with the Western culture. I was born in Africa and grew up in Urhobo land, to be specific. I am a typical Urhobo man, but the “typical” has been moderated by my western education and Christian beliefs. But I remain an Urhobo man.

    For instance, these days all sensible Urhobo men send their children to school, unlike our grandparents who were notorious for sending only their sons to school. If I have time, I cook for the whole house, though I firmly believe that it is the primary duty of the wife. In many of today’s families, especially in the urban centres, spouses share the chores and I do not have problems with that.

    I spent some time with my wife on Long Island, New York. Our hosts (husband and wife) did the chores together. The same applied in all the white families we visited. They were in their 70s and 80s. Before that trip, I was having running battles with my eldest daughter over dirty dishes in the sink. When I got back, the battles stopped. If I saw dirty dishes, I washed them. She and her siblings became embarrassed seeing me do dishes. The problem was substantially solved.

    I copied good traits from Western culture. But the Urhobo man in me cannot be erased. In my bachelor days, my girlfriend told me to shut up. I did, but the relationship also ended that day in my mind and effectively not long after. I have never told my wife to shut up because I think it is rude, so God forbid that day she will tell me to shut up. But I have also seen married couples of over 30 years and both of them tell each other to shut up even publicly. I have never heard that they physically fought for the over 30 years they have been married, so I guess the use of harsh language is okay by them. I also cannot tolerate a wife who wants to tell me how to live my life. NEVER. I have made costly mistakes in the process, but it is okay. I also do not tell my wife how to live her life. The boundaries were drawn before marriage and as long as she lives within boundaries, I am just fine.

    I must be consulted before she can take decisions concerning the children and the family. You cannot shave my hair in my absence. I also try to carry her along as much as possible. We do not always agree. If I feel her argument is superior, I run with it, but if I am convinced that my thinking is superior, I run with mine and accept the consequences, negative or positive.

    I have spent some time in the UK and the US and I can tell you straight away that the marriage of any Nigerian man who sticks to Nigerian values, especially male dominance, while living abroad, will collapse. In the same vein, the marriage of any Nigerian woman who abandons her African values and embraces Western values wholesale will collapse. It can never work. You can see the number of divorces of Nigerian couples in the US and the UK. Sometimes it ends in fatalities. Some Nigerian men have killed their wives, especially in the US. Sometimes they killed their own children and the mothers-in-law. Some Nigerian men have lost their homes and the little money they slaved to save, sometimes over decades. Most times they lose custody of their children. The system there favours the women. It is scary for a typical Nigerian man because our culture favours the men, but the Western culture favours women. For the marriage of a Nigerian couple to survive in Europe and America, both spouses must make adjustments to accommodate the new realities.

    But what prompted today’s article is the story of a widow, who was paraded naked in Agunese Afam-Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State eight days ago. Her offence? She was caught picking snails from a sacred forest. It is against their culture. My initial reaction was indignation. Parading an adult female, and a widow for that matter, naked is a barbaric and insensitive act. I do not support disobeying the culture of the land. From 1973 to 1980, we lived in Ozoro. My mother forbade the cooking of snails in her kitchen. My people in Emokpor quarters in Ewhu-Urhobo also forbid eating of snails. This was in deference to my father, who naturally hated snails, and our driver, who hailed from Ozoro. The widow should have been sensitive to the culture of her people.

    But let us go further, the woman is a widow, probably poor and hungry. Should she have died of hunger? When David and his troops were hungry, what did they do? They ate the sacred bread meant for priests only. What kind of barbaric culture allows misguided youths to parade an adult woman naked in the streets of a community? I know why she was paraded naked; it had nothing to do with the “offence” or tradition. I quickly checked the story and found out it was done by youths. Men, especially youths, are excited about seeing a naked woman. Some of them had not seen a naked woman before. The only ones they have seen are in their phones. Many love pornography. Some are hooked on it. When they see it live, they are excited.

    It must have been before 1993 because I did not have a car then. I was waiting for a bus at Yaba Bus Stop, opposite the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital. A mentally deranged woman was at the gate. Before we knew it traders at the Tejuosho Market and along the railway started crossing the road and hailing the woman and encouraging her on. She removed her top, bra and trousers. By the time I got a bus and was leaving she was stark naked and the traders roared in excitement.

    My next question is why the elders allowed the youths to carry out such a heinous act. It does not make sense to me. Also, doesn’t her late husband come from a family or kindred? Why didn’t they protect her? This kind of ill-treatment of women, especially widows, should not be allowed in this 21st century. Sane societies protect widows. Acts like widows being locked up with corpses of their late husbands and drinking of water used to wash their late husbands’ bodies to prove their innocence should not be tolerated. If in doubt, relatives should carry out an autopsy to find the cause of their relatives’ death. Any culture that undermines the dignity of women and all people should be abolished.

    Enugu is currently under the siege of kidnappers. The youths should channel their energies towards making their communities safe, not engaging in obscene acts and perpetuating archaic and obnoxious cultures.

    Finally, the government and law enforcement agents should fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.