Allamin Foundation, a civil society and rights based organizations in Borno state northeast Nigeria, has recently trained 30 young females on the art or making money using basic trading skills.
The young women, mostly survivors of abuse in displacement camps, were equipped with petty business skills and handed token start-up cash at a two-day training on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023.
The young women who are either survivors of gender based violence or persons in financial vulnerability, were also made to undergo some psychosocial session to enable them overcome their state of depression.
The Humanitarian Times, a Nigerian online publication predisposed to reporting issues around the conflict in the Lake Chad region reported that “though the Borno state government has shut down IDP camps, many displacement persons are either perching in host communities or in unofficial camps. Most of the participants were drawn from those conditions of displacements.”
The online publication reported further that officials at Allamin Foundation, said some of the girls were victims of rape or those made to mother children whose paternity cannot be traced.
Participants at the training.
The young girls were trained on various business ideas during a 2-day workshop where relevant resource persons coached them on how to do petty trades in basic commodities like cooking ingredients, knitting of native caps, sales of apparels or making and selling confectionery.
Idris Akanmu, an official at the Foundation said the girls were also given some psychosocial support to enable them overcome trauma.
He said the training was to help the girls and women overcome their traumas as well as to tackle possible depression that may come as a result of economic hardships.
“This is basically meant to build their resilience and make them economically independent so that they don’t become vulnerable for any form of abuse or manipulations,” he said.
One of the resource persons, Hajja Bintu Bukar, from the Department of Public Administration, Ramat Polytecnic, Maiduguri, said the young girls have demonstrated noticeable commitment towards being financially independent despite the bad experiences they passed through.
She said the about 30 participants were apart from receiving psychosocial counseling, they also had a petty business entrepreneurship training on little seasonal trades they can venture into without incurring any unnecessary losses.
“Their participation was excellent and they exhibited that commitment to be self sufficient economically, and we felt highly encouraged,” she said.
Mrs Bukar, one of the facilitators at the 2-day training
Mrs Bukar said at the end of the two days training, the girls were handed cash started pack to enable them start business of their own.
Participants testimonies
Binta Audu-Liva, a 21 years old, prospective nursing student, said she was part of the training because she had always craved to be independent financially.
“Lack of economic support is the major reason why many girls and women become vulnerable in camps and I have seen many who have been abused and abandoned ,” she said.
“I was eleven years old when Boko Haram chased us out of Gwoza about ten years ago. And since then we have been living in camps but my mother who is known for her business acumen did not stop her fried food businesses even when we were in the camp. That was what has been sustaining us, though at a very meager level, till when our camp was closed last year.”
Binta who was lucky to be among the girls that got government scholarship about six years ago was able to complete her secondary education in 2021. She was unable to pass her entrance exams for the nursing school last year .
“I’ve not been able to pass the required grades last year, but I have reapplied for this year, and I’m hoping to pass so that I can fulfil my dreams of becoming a medical personnel some day and be helpful to my community,” she said.
Binta said she would use the cash support given to her by Allamin Foundation to start the sales of Hijab – a business she is optimistic would be lucrative because “almost every one wears Hijab and females want to have them in variety.”
“I would be saving part of the proceeds I make as gain to support my education,” she said.
Adama Abubakar, a mother of six, said she had most of her kids in the IDP camp. She said she has issues recalling events clearly due to the trauma of what she passed through.
Though she lived in a host community camp with her husband, but they barely could feed well.
“Since we fled Gwoza life has been very tough for us,” she said.
“I can’t recall most of the things I went through about ten years ago, but it has been tough for me and my family since then. I hope to utilize this money to go into sales of groceries and other cooking ingredients to support my poor family. I thank the Allamin Foundation for this. To me, it’s a first of its kind.
The depth of the devastating impact of the Boko Haram conflict can’t be appreciated from afar. A close look at scientifically sourced data from global humanitarian bodies like the UN would shock you.
The impact numbers of the Boko Haram-induced humanitarian crises have been horrible in terms of territories affected, monies being spent, human displacement, casualties, and deaths recorded.
A recently shared Borno state government document detailing how the consequence of the humanitarian crisis on Lake Chad revealed that on the BAY (Borno, Adamawa &Yobe) states of the Northeast subregion of Nigeria, alone has been estimated at $8.9 billion.
This was revealed during a three days ‘capacity building training for state and local governmentofficials on restoration and reinforcement of communitycivil authority, organized by the Northeast Multi-sectorial Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), a World Bank-funded program in Borno state. Participants at the workshop were informed that at least 35,000 people had been killed since the conflict’s inception.
MCRP said “UN OCHA ranks the humanitarian emergency as one of the four worst humanitarian crises globally.”
And below are some of the reasons the Boko Haram-induced humanitarian reason crisis earned the number 4 rating: ✓ 2.4 million people displaced ✓ 5 million food insecure people at crisis and emergency levels ✓ millions of civilians subjected to extreme hardship ✓ In the four Lake Chad countries, 17.4 million people live in areas affected by the crisis, and 10.7 million are in need. • 226,000 Nigerian refugees in neighboring Lake Chad countries • Nearly 2 million IDPs, 80 percent of them in Borno State • The conflict has also resulted in the massive destruction of basic infrastructure, health and educational facilities, commercial buildings, private houses a,nd agricultural assets. • Total damage in BAY States is estimated at USD 8.93 billion w, wwith the bulk of the losses (79%) attributed to agriculture (USD 3.7 billion) and private housing (USD 3.32 billion)
A Borno state-born aeronautic engineer, Ishaku Ibrahim Mshelizza, had caused hundreds of his social media followers to join him in tears when he penned a moving and weepy tribute to one of his beloved sons who died on Thursday after undergoing a successful surgical operation on his heart.
The handsome-looking boy was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease, an ailment that required specialised surgery, that cost millions of naira, as treatment.
The griefing father who referred his little son, Elijah, as priest of the house and ”a born prophet”, said though he wished his son lives on after the successful heart repair, the boy had an inkling that he would not live longer than his time.
The touching homage reads this:
“RIBUTE TO MY BELOVED ELIJAH 💔 Elijah! A son, friend and confidant, the Priest of my house, A BORN PROPHET, you lived just for a little while.
With tears rolling my eyes, I write to you this tribute as a mark of love and respect to your gentle soul as you rest within the Lord in Heaven’s.
Elijah, you came and lighten up my home, you were the First Child I witnessed your birth (My Third Born), you became so emotionally and physically attached to me. Your were an intelligent, calm and gentle type that God blessed us with. You were sleeping beside all the days of your life, my bed was where you like to be always.
The First day you were diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease, and when I was informed about the Millions of Funds that must be required for your surgery (locally and internationally), we tried all we could as a family to put smiles on your face again, we have taken you across the Nation just to seek for the best medical attention to save your life, I became friends with all the Nurses, Doctors, Pharmacists and Hospital attendants who were incharge of your care for the past 4 years.
Your sister and brothers were very happy when it was time to travel for your Surgery, we departed home in full spirit, with the hope to bring you back home in good health.
Little did we know that, your time was up. On the day of the Surgery, you said to me daddy, “I Love you” you were kissing me all through in the Ambulance on our way to the Theatre with tears rolling down my cheek, you refused to be taken to the Theatre even after given three doses of Anesthesia, you were forcefully taken from us by your Doctors (myself and your mother busted in tears as we watch you go into the Theatre).
You had a Successful Surgery and you were even awake to speak to me and your mother and even requested for water just 10 minutes after the Surgery, you needed me by your side even at the ICU.
Your mother and I, including the Doctors were full of Love and Joy, seeing you doing well after the Surgery. We had Prayed, Fasted and even cried to God for Mercy over your life.
Sadly, I was called to ICU to witness your last moment, you looked at me and said daddy “I need cold water” and that was your last breath. I brought your mother into the ICU to also kiss you good bye as we were all crying upon seeing your demise.
Your Brothers and sister have been asking, when will you be back and we don’t have an answer for them. We were consoled that you didn’t die of Heart Disease, but it was your divine Ordained time to go and be the with the Lord in Heaven!!
You Prophesied your death two weeks before you leave, you told your mother that “Mummy, I’m suffering, I’m tired, my time is up I will go and rest with the Lord” and you truly left (tears)!!
We all missed you, God Loves you, your school teachers and everyone were emotional, the Church misses you, your Namesake Elijah Hagin loves you and misses you.
Your Grand parents were heartbroken 💔, your aunties and cousins too.
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent out a hearty birth day wish to his party’s former Interim National Chairman , Chief Bisi Akande, who clocked 84 years today.
A statement from Tinubu Media Office said the leading 2023 contender for Nigeria’s Presidential seat hailed the elder statesman “for his courage and extraordinary leadership.”
The statement released by head of the APC Candidate media office, Tunde Rahman, the APC flag bearer “commended Chief Akande for his helpful contributions to Nigeria and dedication and commitment to progressive politics and good governance.”
Mr Rahman said Tinubu “noted the unblemished public service record of Chief Akande from the start of the Second Republic when he was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1979 constitution, Secretary to the Government of old Oyo State and Deputy Governor of the state in the administration of late Chief Bola Ige, and later governor of Osun State.”
Rahman’s statements continue that While thanking God on behalf of Chief Akande and his family for the grace to witness another year in good health, Asiwaju Tinubu acknowledged that the former Osun State governor served Nigeria and the people of Oyo and Osun States with integrity, and used public office to improve their lives.
Tinubu’s media aid directly quoted his thus:
“I rejoice with Chief Bisi Akande on his 84th birthday celebration. Baba Awon Omo ke ke ke as he is fondly called is a role model, mentor and extraordinary man of courage who has served the people with dignity and rare honour.
“His life continues to inspire us who are his younger ones and associates as a shining example to emulate.
“Baba Akande has been at the vanguard of progressive politics and good governance, ideals for which he has not compromised even with attendant inconveniences and challenges including detention and other risks to his life.
“We remain grateful to God for sparing his life in good health and fecund mind.
“I join family, friends, associates and all lovers of this venerable elderstatesman across Nigeria and beyond to wish him happy birthday and many memorable returns of the day and more years of joy and happiness.”
An epic photograph, taken in 1978, showed when Robert Nesta aka “Bob Marley” had returned to his home town, Nine Mile, St. Ann, Jamaica, after touring and living in the U.K.
In this photo, Bob Marley was explaining to the young boy with him in the picture that he was Bob Marley and that this was the place that he grew up in.
The youths didn’t believe him, saying that he is not Bob Marley. that if he was famous, he would have never returned there, to the impoverished place.
The picture simply explained another positive side of the Reggea music as a kindhearted humanitarian.
Those who knew him then, said the more money Bob made, the more he would give to the poor and fight for the poor.
Nine Mile Town, St.Ann, Jamaica. Photo Credit: davescustomwicker.com
The group released its debut studio album The Wailing Wailers in 1965, which contained the single “One Love“, a reworking of “People Get Ready“; the song was popular worldwide, and established the group as a rising figure in reggae. The Wailers released a further eleven studio albums, and after signing to Island Records the band’s name became Bob Marley and the Wailers.
While initially employing louder instrumentation and singing, the group began engaging in rhythmic-based song construction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which coincided with Marley’s conversion to Rastafari. Around this time, Marley relocated to London, and the group embodied their musical shift with the release of the album The Best of The Wailers (1971).[10]
The group started to gain international attention after signing to Island, and touring in support of the albums Catch a Fire and Burnin’ (both 1973). Following the disbandment of the Wailers a year later, Marley carried on under the band’s name. The album Natty Dread (1974) received positive reception. In 1975, following the global popularity of Eric Clapton‘s version of Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff“, Marley had his international breakthrough with his first hit outside Jamaica, with a live version of “No Woman, No Cry“, from the Live! album.
This was followed by his breakthrough album in the United States, Rastaman Vibration (1976), which reached the Top 50 of the Billboard Soul Charts. A few months after the album’s release Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica, which prompted him to permanently relocate to London. During his time in London he recorded the album Exodus (1977); it incorporated elements of blues, soul, and British rock and enjoyed widespread commercial and critical success.
In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the illness in 1981, shortly after baptism into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. His fans around the world expressed their grief, and he received a state funeral in Jamaica.
Borno state governor Babagana Zulum has authorized the allocation of 30 hectares of land for the establishment of two training institutes recently approved to be cited in his state, a statement from his office said.
The approved 30 hectares land will accommodate the proposed Industrial Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (IEMDI) and a Skill Acquisition Institute that we’re approved recently by President Muhammadu Buhari, for siting in Borno State.
Mr Zulum gracioudly gave the directive for the allocation of the land on Friday, Jan. 13 when the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammed Haruna, paid him a visit in Maiduguri.
The governor directed that the 30 hectares of land needed for the two projects be allocated, the next day, Saturday, Jan.14 and all documentation be completed within one week.
The governor said “Government of Borno State will provide all the necessary support for the establishment of IEMDI and the Skill Acquisition Institute projects.”
“I have therefore directed 30 hectares of land allocated to NASENI tomorrow (Saturday) and all the necessary documents presented in one week”, Zulum added.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Professor Haruna, had earlier informed the governor that Borno got approvals in recognition of Zulum’s sterling performance.
“Your Excellency (Governor Zulum), I have these glad tidings for you from Mr President. The President has approved the location (Borno) for establishment of the Industrial Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (IEMDI),” he said.
“The President has also approved the establishment of the Skills Development Institute. These are as a result of your excellent performance.”
He explained that the development institute was aimed at researching, designing and manufacturing tools, machines, processing, and equipment that will fast-track the establishment of cottage industries.
The institute, he added, will produce spare parts of all equipment that will ensure industrialization not only of Borno but the entire northeast.
On the Skill Acquisition Institute, Professor Haruna said more young persons without formal education will have avenues to acquire skills that can make them become self-reliant.
The NASENI executive vice chairman informed Governor Zulum that President Buhari has approved skills- development training of 100 youths to be selected from all the 27 LGAs, on vulcanizing and modern plumbing.
He said after training, each trainee will receive starter pack that will contain modern kits.
There is a unique tribe of people in Adamawa state who still live in the medieval era even as the world has long moved on. They are the Sukur people, somewhere in Madagali local government area.
According to the UN, the Sukur people are part of the global heritage sites. “Sukur is located along the Nigeria/ Cameroon border. They can be found some 290 km away from Yola, the Adamawa state capital in northeastern Nigeria.
Sukur is still an ancient settlement. But they have a documented history of “iron smelting technology, flourishing trade, and strong political institutions dating back to the 16th century.” Their signature native architecture of stones and iron smelting confirms that they had contact with civilization long before most parts of Africa did. Still, one wonders why they remain encapsulated in their archaic state of sophistication.
The Sukur people are very cultural and respect their king, Hidi, who symbolizes their worship, belief, and culture.
The Palace of the Hidi is situated on a hill towering over the villages below.
Photo Credit: UNESCO
The revered status of the Hidi, being the political and spiritual head of the community, “is underscored by the magnificent dry stone architectural work of his palace, in and around which is a concentration of shrines, some ceramic.”
The villages on the ow-lying ground below the Hidi Palace have their characteristic indigenous architecture. It features dry stone walls, used as social markers and defensive enclosures, sunken animal (principally bull) pens, granaries, and threshing floors. Low stone walls integrate groups of mud-walled thatched roofed houses.
When one visits Sukur, dominant features like terraced pastures, their religious emblems, and vast relics of a one-time thriving iron industry are still an incredibly intact physical manifestation of a society and its spiritual and temporal civilization.
Photo Credit: UNESCO
According to UNESCO, “the landscape is characterized by terraces on the farmlands, dry stone structures, and stone paved walkways. The terraced landscape at Sukur, with its hierarchical structure and combination of intensive and extensive farming, is remarkable. In addition, it has certain exceptional features not to be found elsewhere; notably, the use of paved tracks and the spiritual content of the terraces, with their ritual features such as sacred trees.”
Though they are once known for their iron smelting, one doesn’t understand where they later jettison such an occupation. But one could still sight the remains of many disused iron-smelting furnaces. Iron production involved complex socio-economic benefits, but there was a significant ritual practice associated with it.
According to UNESCO, The Sukur Cultural Landscape is a National Monument as determined by the Joint Instrument of Federal Decree No. 77 of 1979 (now NCMM ACT, Cap 242 of 2000) and the subsequent legal authority of the Adamawa State Government as in Gazette No. 47 Vol. 7 of 20 November 1997, and the consent of the Hidi-in-Council.
“In 1998, the Madagali Local Government, the Sukur Development Association, the State Council for Arts and Culture, and Adamawa State Government have agreed to work with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments towards the development of a sustainable preservation and cultural education program.
“In February 2010, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation inaugurated a Management Committee. They are integrating customary law and Nigeria’s decree No. 77 of 1979, the Site Management Plan for the period the Committee uses 2006-2011 as the guiding principle for site conservation, management, and protection.
Photo Credit: UNESCO
“Since its inscription in 1999, all physical remains have been appropriately conserved by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in collaboration with the Sukur community. Annual restoration work has been carried out using traditional construction materials. Along with shrines and other sacred places, the Hidi Palace Complex is Correctly maintained and edited because they are currently in use.”
Next time you visit Adamawa, go towards Madagali local government and don’t forget to visit this beautiful person who is still living in their organic state of nature.
Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that his botched third-term plans of 2010 could have scaled through if he had insisted on having his way.
It has been on recorded history that the retired army general and former military dictator, as an elected President, in 2006, sought to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally-allowed two terms of four years each. He was resisted and the plot failed.
Speaking on Thursday, at a virtual engagement organized by Africa Leadership Group, the former President denied claims that he wanted a third term as President of the country.
Mr Obasanjo, however, boasted that he would have had it, if he had wanted a third term.
“I never asked for a third term. If I wanted a third term, I would have got it. Nothing and nobody can stop me. I am audacious enough to know how to get it,” Obasanjo said.
Commenting on his recent alleged endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, the elder statesman said: “I am not in any campaign train. I’ve used benefit of my experience and I’ve put it plainly.
“I do not belong to any political party. I will not join any campaign train. I’ve said what is best for the country”.
“We must decisively look for men and women who have the character, attributes, skill and attitude that we need for leadership, that will deliver in this country.”
“I lost my pregnancy as a result of the beating by my husband,” Aisha Mohammed narrated.
“It all started in the second year of our marriage when he started accusing me of stealing food items from his house.
Ishaku, my husband, has four children from his ex-wife, and all of us live together, the 22 years old Aisha said. Adding that “the food he provides for all has never been enough.”
“One morning, when Mr. Ishaku was getting set for his farm, Aisha said she got the worst beating of her life for daring to ask her husband for money to buy some food items for the family. And she received a beating that led to her suffering a miscarriage of her two months pregnancy.
“I asked him for some money to buy food items in the house because we have run out. In response, he went hostile and started shouting and calling me names: ‘you lack home training; get out of my sight, you thief’” he said
“He slapped, pushed me to the ground, and began to hit me. I had to struggle and wriggle myself out and ran out of the compound to my mother’s house”.
“I started bleeding that afternoon, and my mother suggest we go to the hospital,” she said.
“At the hospital, Doctors said there was a complication as a result of the beating, and that I had lost the pregnancy,” she said in tears.
“Days after I was discharged from the hospital, my husband came by to insult my mother and everyone in our compound saying that we deliberately aborted his baby,” Aisha recalled.
To halt the continuation of the life-threatening assault on her, Aisha said she has to report her case to the Social Welfare Department in Biu where she lives with a prayer to secure a divorce.
” At that time, all I wanted for him was to divorce me,” she said
But having been summoned and educated on the new violence against persons prohibition law Mr. Ishaku begged and rejected the request of Aisha for a divorce.
“The officials at the Social Welfare Unit managed to resolve the issue between us without me having the divorce, and they made him sign an agreement that he will never beat me again, and he will provide for my needs, he was forced to pay all the money spent for my treatment,” she said.
It has been eight months since Aisha returned to her husband after losing her pregnancy “and he has not raised his hand to beat or insult her.
Like Aisha, Binta, another woman from Biu local government shares a slightly similar story.
The latter was a tale of perpetual violence and years of mundane culture of endurance.
Binta, a 31 years old pregnant mother of three got insulted and eventually divorced for not cooking. Binta and her kids endured days and nights of hunger because her “irresponsible” would not provide for the family but continued to force her to spend all she makes from her tailoring business.
She was seven months pregnant when her spouse walked into their home and sent her out of the house for not cooking.
“I was then pregnant with my third baby. It was in the seventh year of our marriage when my husband started showing a nonchalant attitude toward me and my children.
“I exhausted all the money I saved from my tailoring and I don’t have the strength to work again due to my natal condition. That was when the violence started. He would insult me in front of the children and our neighbors.”
“One evening, I was lying on the floor, and he walked into the house and asked for his food, I told him that there is no food in the house and the children were also hungry, and he started shouting at me he cannot continue to live with me like that; he said that I should go to my parents because he was tired of me.”
“I was seven months pregnant when that incident happened, I went to my parents and stayed up to the time I delivered.
The Doctors said I needed blood, and my father had to send for him, but he refused to show up or pay for the pints of blood needed. So my family had to pay for everything at the hospital”.
“I don’t have any money to spend on you and your children” was what my husband said to my family as I lay lifeless on the hospital bed,” Binta Adamu said.
Binta said her father phoned the husband to invite him for a talk, “but he said if my father continues to disturb him he would divorce.”
“My father was so angry with his response, so he asked him to divorce me. And he came by that evening and divorced me,” she explained
Binta said the Socail Welfare in Biu, where the new Violence Against Persons Prohibition law was domesticated saved her and her children from endless torture.
“The social welfare department has helped me in retrieving my rights that were abused by Abdullahi,” she said.
But despite the termination of the marriage, Binta continues to suffer more rights violations from her divorced spouse who would not provide for her and her kids.
“My three-month-old baby became sick and I called him to ask for some money, and Abdullahi replied that when the baby is dead, I should carry the corpse to him.”
“My family is not rich enough to take all my responsibilities, so I had to report him to the Social Welfare Department, and they summoned him and gave him custody of the two children.
“He was also made to sign an agreement that every month he will bring the sum of ₦10,000 (about $22) to their office, which I will be using to take care of the baby, this is what we have been doing for the past four months now,” she said.
Biu local government area of Borno state has earned significant notoriety for such cases of domestic violence with women at the receiving end of it all.
The root cause of the trends
“The toxic normality of women taking their responsibilities has created a belief across the state that pabir/bura (the main language spoken under Biu emirate) women can endure any form of pressure in their marital home, which directly triggers violence against women,” Hafsa Isa Baffa, an official of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in Borno state said.
Harmful social norms sustain violence against women and girls like women’s sexual purity, protecting family honor over women’s safety, and men’s authority to discipline women and children.
On another part, Poverty is seen as a major cause of intimate partner violence in Nigeria.
the commemoration of the Internal Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women 2022, Net Operating Income (NOI) conducted a survey to ascertain Nigerians perceptions of marriage and other factors responsible for domestic abuse, Nigerian’s response shows that 60% of intimate partner violence in the country is caused by poverty. Explaining that hardship leads to frustration and anger and at the slightest provocation, people find themselves resorting to violence as a means of expressing their dissatisfaction.
The Magira of Biu, Hajiya Larai Mai Umar said “Poverty is a strong influencer of intimate partner violence among our people which directly reinforces the cultural normality of women striving to feed their homes.”
“It is rare to find a man abusing his wife if she is the one providing or in any way supporting the family.” She explained
“Magira” is a traditional title at the royal palace of Biu emirate, meaning Queen Mother.
Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen has in 2021 said “Poverty is one of the principal causes of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, as women that are economically not empowered are vulnerable to abuse.
The big intervention
The state government, in collaboration with International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) flagged off the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) in Biu and other communities in southern Borno.
Officials in the state and Biu local government said though some of the local courts in the area lack jurisdiction to make VAPP operational, its domestication at the Social Walfare Department and the sensitization done about the new law have significantly mitigated the prevalence of Gender Base Violence GBV.
The Chairperson of FIDA, Hafsatu Isa Baffa, said “The state had been using other extant laws, like the Penal Code Laws of Borno 1994, which are less potent, to address gender issues. But with the adoption of the VAPP 2021, “we were able to sensitize both male and female traditional rulers through the traditional justice system in the locality on how the different laws operate and how they can resolve issues within the community with the help of the security, emirate council and people in the law.” Hafsat Isa Baffa explained.
“Through the record keeping centers, we have about 120 cases and over 90 cases were resolved as they forward the ones they cannot handle to the state level.” The FIDA Chaiperson explained
Way forward; using the law
An Assistant Chief Registrar (1), High court of justice Biu, Barrister. Mohammed Yahya acknowledged that “We have been encouraging community leaders in Biu, to keep on enlightening women to report any form of assault as it can result in life-damaging.” Adding that, community leaders are like a bridge between victims and the law.”
“The aim of the enlightenment by district heads is to develop the women’s courage to report their plights.” he said.
The Gender Base Violence focal person, at the social welfare department Biu, Yusuf Ibrahim, said the abridged version of the VAPP Act that was adopted in the locality has guided them in redesigning their policies and giving them legal power as local government agents.
“Our office is a go-to place for women with intimate partner violence cases and any other form of assault against women and girls.” he explained.
“To bring the men who deliberately fail to take responsibility for their wives yet assault them to justice, we liaise with the people in the law and designed some strict rules like making the offenders sign an agreement and making them compensate for physical damage caused by their actions,” he said
“We also have the support from our head office, which is under the ministry of women affairs, security personnel, particularly civil defense and the police department, in dealing with anyone who attempts to violate our rules or any signed agreement.”
Findings
According to WHO, intimate partner violence has an effect on women’s health. Data from the organization showed that 1 in 3 (30%) women globally, have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. 42% of women who experienced intimate partner violence reported an injury as a consequence. The organization also says women between 15 and 49 years, who have been in a relationship, report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their partner which negatively affects women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and increases the risk of having HIV.
Also, National Network to End Domestic Violence reveals that Over 90% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, and 63% have been victims of intimate partner violence as adults.
A 2013 study also showed that women who experienced intimate partner violence were 16% more likely to suffer a miscarriage and 41% more likely to have a pre-term birth. Its effect is extended to children suffering a range of behavioral and emotional disturbances. Other effects of intimate partner violence may hinder social and economic cost, as women suffer lower self-esteem, isolation, inability to work, loss of wages, or lack of interest to participate in regular activities.
It was earlier reported that Borno State Governor signed the VAPP Law on January 10th, 2022, and FIDA, Borno State branch presented the same abridged document to Biu Local Government Area on October 1st, 2022.
The World Health Organization further stated that Violence against women is preventable. The health sector and Non-Governmental organizations can provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.
This story was supported by African Women in Media as part of the Reporting Violence Against Women and Girls initiative.
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The political “analogy” widely circulated on the social media in recent days by the Kaduna State Chapter of Naka Sai Naka [roughly translated as Only Yours] campaign, that the 2023 election in Nigeria is going to be analogous to the 1979 presidential election, deserves closer scrutiny.
The group claims that “Peter Obi/Labour Party is analogous to Azikiwe/NPP [of the Second Republic]. That Tinubu/APC is analogous to Awolowo/UPN. That Atiku/PDP is analogous to Shagari/NPN, and that Kwankwaso/NNPP is analogous to Aminu Kano/PRP.”
It then added:
“1. Aminu Kano was from Kano and won only in Kano State. (Kwankwaso will do the same).
Obafemi Awolowo was from the South West and won the region. (Tinubu will do the same).
Azikiwe won his zone, South East (Peter Obi will do the same).
Shagari won the presidential election because he had North in his bag and also gathered meaningful votes from all other regions of Nigeria. Shagari also had spread all across the regions at that time. Atiku will do the same… North will massively vote for Atiku Abubakar. Naka Sai Naka!”
My observations are:
Kwankwaso/NNPP is not Aminu Kano/PRP. NNPP lacks PRP’s leftist ideology, lacks PRP’s long NEPU history dating back to 1949, lacks PRP’s spread into the old NEPU strongholds and, while Kwankwaso is charismatic and dynamic, he nowhere measures up to Aminu Kano in towering political personality.
Peter Obi/LP is not Azikiwe/NPP. Obi is the biggest political discovery of this election cycle, has made big impact on the social media and might sweep South East states. However, LP is not the South East Establishment that NPP was. Obi has nothing like Zik’s overwhelming national and Africa-wide charisma, Zik’s decades-long political staying power, his unrivalled education, intellect and dazzling eloquence. Besides, NPP went beyond South East and won old Plateau State. Doesn’t look like LP can do the same.
Atiku/PDP of 2023 is not Shagari/NPN of 1979. Sure, at one point PDP had more national spread than NPN, but it is now reduced to control of 14 states, 5 of them in rebellion, one more governor wavering, which NPN never experienced. NPN’s strongholds were North and southern minority states, while PDP’s strongholds since 2015 were South East and Niger Delta states, both of them now shaky. Atiku is more dynamic, more resolute and a more vigorous campaigner than Shagari, but Shagari recorded electoral success as an instantly sellable compromise candidate who had almost no personal enemies in Nigerian politics.
Tinubu/APC is a world different from Awo/UPN. The only historical connection is that Tinubu was probably an Awoist in 1979 and the AD/AC/ACN structure he subsequently built and led was an offshoot of AG/UPN. Yet, Tinubu achieved what Awo/UPN never did, i.e. integrated the West, once synonymous with opposition politics, into a truly national party that captured power at the federal level while retaining hold on the region. Awo could not even find a Northern running mate in 1979 and he settled for an Igbo man. Tinubu on the other hand is now supported by the Northern Political Establishment and most of the region’s governors. Awo never visited Northern Emirs during his helicopter-bound campaigns. But Tinubu receives the warmest receptions in emir’s palaces. [The emirs have no choice because most of the governors are on his side].
So all the Naka Sai Naka analogies are fraudulent.
A hush, pro-PDP Naka Sai Naka campaign is historically fraudulent because it was PDP that brought Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and convinced Northerners that he was a tried and tested friend of the region.
Two can play the same game. It is now APC’s turn to bring Tinubu and say he is a tested friend of the region.
Naka Sai Naka is not true. It is also dangerous. What happens to Nigeria if every region says Naka Sai Naka?
Bay States News 