National Issues
Woes of Women in Conflict Societies.
THE fate of women in warring societies is a very pathetic one, which has really attracted a global attention. Investigation has revealed that women contribute more than half of the internally displaced population (IDP) and an army of refugees in Africa.
Many of them paraded severe agony of the mind; they have had a bitter experience as several unspeakable atrocities have been committed against them.
Oftentimes, these helpless women were forced to have canal pleasure with their children; some daughters were made to engage in sex bouts with their father or male relatives on the directives of the armed combatants; so traumatic!
It is glaring that several women and young ladies have become victims and subjected to a lot of nefarious practices such as sex slavery and gang rape in armed conflict.
Rape is one of the notable atrocities suffered by womenfolk in conflict ridden societies which have become a weapon of war in recent time. While gang rape has also become a regular feature of armed conflict in Africa, innocent female civilians become victims of this dastardly act irrespective of age, status, ethnic background and education.
This was evidenced in the case of Josette, a victim of Rwandan crisis who narrated how she was raped by a lot of people, and at different times. She stressed further that she could not ‘think how many times’. Also, in February 27, 2004, Darfu, Sudan where the ‘Janjaweeds’ militia men launched a bestial attack on Tawaila village where over hundred women and young girls, even as young as eight years were raped.
The marathon gang rape was conducted by these militants on their victims to humiliate them in front of their relatives and husbands. Up to 14 militia men may pounce on a woman in such a show of shame. Over 40,000 women and girls were reportedly raped in Sudan, many of whom got pregnant in such a horrible circumstances.
In the similar vein, it is imperative to note that women in conflict societies are also at the risk of injury and physical disability resulting from attacks from the armed combatants. In Sudan, very young girls and women have been reported to have had several degrees of injuries inflicted on them by the Janjaweed militia terrorists, many whom have had their legs broken while others were inflicted with horrible marks on their bodies and faces.
The savage action of physical dismemberment of the victims by the lunatic Janjaweed fighters was to prevent the innocent and armless female civilians from escaping as they were subjected to gang rape and sexual slavery.
These victims of rape are always experiencing psychological torments; they feel dishonoured and disrespected by the societies in Africa. Due to the psychological trauma, many of them are no more comfortable being in the midst of men and develop a deep hatred against male folks. This trauma may even produce another set of negativities and dispassionate feelings such as eagerness for commitment of suicide.
Continuing, many of these victims are subjected to socio-economic problems as they rejected not only by their husbands, relatives but by the whole societies. Societies see them as ill destined or the ‘warehouses’ of HIV/AIDS.
These victims and their children face public vituperation and discrimination, they were abandoned or enjoy very little support from former husbands, and they experience severe socio-economic hardship in a bid to cater for their children.
Similarly, many female victims of armed conflict have had their arms chopped off, and some of whom have lost their hubbies to the armed conflicts encounter enormous task to take care of their family, thus affect their productivity, ditto resort to street begging.
So sad that these innocent women always face the risk of murder. The genocidal war between the Hutus and Tutsis still fresh in my memory, where not less than 400,000 women lost their lives. In Liberia, the NPFL rebels were reported to have raped a lot of women and young girls during the civil war crusade, they were also killed, particularly those who trying to refuse the rape attempts of the rebels.
In conclusion, women encounter a lot of challenges in her everyday life. She is subjected to a lot of agonies and pains. Several crimes are usually perpetuated against her, ranging from battery, sexual economic imperialism, customary oppression, political animosity, rape and sexual abuse, injury to murder.
It is imperative for every society to imbibe and promote “Gender Justice”, since its demands that there should be effective justice system, which engenders fairness, due process and equity to guide the affairs of state.
Every society must show sincere commitment to gender justice as a peace building initiative.
By Idowu Ayodele.
The Nigerian government spent a staggering $3.58 billion on servicing foreign debt within the first nine months of 2024, marking a significant 39.77% increase compared to the $2.56 billion expended over the same period in 2023.
This data, drawn from a recent report on international payment statistics by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), reflects a concerning rise in the country’s foreign debt obligations amid depreciating currency values.
According to the report, the most substantial monthly debt servicing payment occurred in May 2024, totaling $854.37 million. This is a substantial 286.52% increase from May 2023’s $221.05 million.
Meanwhile, the highest monthly payment for 2023 was $641.7 million in July, underscoring the trend of Nigeria’s escalating debt costs.
Detailed analysis of monthly payments further illuminates the trend.
In January 2024, debt servicing costs surged by 398.89%, reaching $560.52 million, a significant rise from $112.35 million in January 2023. However, February saw a modest reduction of 1.84%, with costs decreasing from $288.54 million in 2023 to $283.22 million in 2024. March also recorded a decline of 31.04%, down to $276.17 million from $400.47 million the previous year.
Additional fluctuations in debt payments continued throughout the year, with June witnessing a slight decrease of 6.51% to $50.82 million from $54.36 million in 2023. July 2024 payments dropped by 15.48%, while August showed a 9.69% decline compared to 2023. September, however, reversed the trend with a 17.49% increase, highlighting persistent pressure on foreign debt obligations.
With the rise in exchange rates exacerbating these financial strains, Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing costs are projected to remain elevated.
The central bank’s data highlights how these obligations are stretching national resources as the naira’s devaluation continues to impact debt repayment in dollar terms.
Rising State Debt Levels Add Pressure
The federal government’s debt challenges are mirrored by state governments, whose collective debt rose to N11.47 trillion by June 30, 2024.
Despite allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and internally generated revenue (IGR), states remain heavily reliant on federal transfers to meet budgetary demands.
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the debt burden for Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rose by 14.57% from N10.01 trillion in December 2023.
In naira terms, debt rose by 73.46%, from N4.15 trillion to N7.2 trillion, primarily due to the naira’s depreciation from N899.39 to N1,470.19 per dollar within six months. External debt for states and the FCT also increased from $4.61 billion to $4.89 billion during this period.
Further data from BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report illustrates how reliant states are on federal support. The report revealed that 32 states depended on FAAC allocations for at least 55% of their revenue in 2023.
In fact, 14 states relied on FAAC for 70% or more of their revenue. This heavy dependence on federal transfers underscores the vulnerability of states to fluctuations in federal revenue, particularly those tied to oil prices.
The economic challenges facing both the federal and state governments are stark. The combination of mounting foreign debt, fluctuating exchange rates, and high reliance on federally distributed revenue suggests a need for fiscal reforms to bolster revenue generation and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
With foreign debt obligations continuing to grow, the report emphasizes the urgency for Nigeria to address its debt sustainability to foster long-term economic stability.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has called for a prompt investigation into the increasing occurrences of building collapses in major cities across Nigeria.
In a motion presented to the House on Wednesday, Oseni expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of building collapses, emphasising the threat they pose to the lives and property of Nigerians.
The APC lawmaker, through a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, cited the recent collapse of a two-storey school building at Saint Academy in Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State, on July 12, 2024. The tragic incident, which trapped 154 people and claimed 22 lives, is the latest in a series of similar disasters, raising serious concerns nationwide.
Oseni also referenced a report from The Punch newspaper, which revealed that Nigeria had recorded 135 building collapse incidents between 2022 and July 2024.
“This figure is alarming and unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the urgency of preventing further occurrences.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni reminded the House that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other relevant professional bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with building standards and practices.
“Despite these regulatory frameworks, the recurring collapses suggest that enforcement is lacking. The loss of lives, properties, and resources is staggering, and this disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” he remarked.
He proposed the formation of an Adhoc Committee to investigate the underlying causes of these collapses and recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.
Also, he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure swift implementation of any recommendations.
The House agreed to deliberate on the motion and is expected to present its findings and proposed actions within eight weeks.
The Vice-chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in material pursuits, accusing them of abandoning their spiritual duties in favour of wealth and influence.
Oba Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, made this statement during a visit from the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement “Ayo Ni O,” led by Baba Aladura Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, at his palace in Surulere Local Government on Thursday.
The monarch accused some religious leaders of sharing part of the blame for the moral and political crises that have engulfed the nation. According to him, spiritual leaders, once seen as the moral compass of society, have become compromised by corruption, aligning themselves with the very forces they should condemn.
Oba Alao was unapologetic in his criticism, stating, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders, both political and religious, are spiritually compromised.”
He argued that this moral decay among clerics has made it impossible for them to hold political leaders accountable or speak the truth to those in power, as their integrity has been eroded by their pursuit of material wealth.
“Carnality has taken over spirituality. Our religious leaders can no longer speak the truth to those in authority because their minds have been corrupted. Most of the so-called General Overseers (G.O.) are corrupt and perverted,” Oba Alao added.
He stressed that this shift towards wealth accumulation at the expense of spiritual values has greatly contributed to the country’s stagnation in development and social justice.
Olugbon urged both religious leaders and traditional rulers to reflect on their actions, reminding them that they would be held accountable for their stewardship, both in this world and the next.
“The prayers of sinners are an abomination before God, hence the need for our leaders to rethink,” he warned.
The monarch concluded by reiterating the transient nature of power and the importance of staying true to sacred duties, regardless of the temptation to indulge in worldly gains. “I am a traditional ruler. I don’t belong, and will never belong, to any occultic groups,” he emphasised, drawing a clear line between his position and the corrupt practices of some leaders.
In response to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement’s request for collaboration on community development projects, Oba Alao assured them of his support.
“Your requests are aimed at the development of the Orile Igbon community. I am assuring you that necessary assistance will be provided in this regard.”
Earlier, Prophet Alogbo requested the monarch’s collaboration on a range of community development projects. These initiatives include the establishment of a women and youth empowerment center, clean drinking water initiatives, a bakery, animal production facilities, and farm produce processing.
Other proposals included a diagnostic and medical center, a full-size recreational sports facility, and a home care facility for the elderly.
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