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Rape, gender-based violence, drugs use rates high in Oyo Communities – Study
Researchers working on the Global Affairs Canada landscape analysis on sexual and gender-based violence in Oyo state have found high rate of rape in Iseyin and Ogbomoso communities.
The team of experts which has Oyo State Coordinator for the UNFPA-GAC survey, Dr Adebimpe Adenugba, the Gender Reproductive Health Analyst of UNFPA, Dr Esther Somefun, Drs O.B Babalola, O.K Oyelade and Usman Ojedokun reported that drugs and alcohol consumption contribute to gender based violence in rural and rural-urban communities of the state than in urban areas.
According to them, women in interior communities of Oyo State suffer high level of rape, assault, abuse among other vices.
These were part of a preliminary report submitted to the Oyo state Ministry of Health at the Exit/Validation meeting with stakeholders on Global Affairs Canada Landscape Analysis on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Harmful Traditional Practices and Obstetrics Fistula in the state.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the research was executed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sokoto, Bauchi and Oyo States.
Although the GAC LGAs in the state are Ogbomosho West, Oyo South, Ibadan North, Kajola and Ibarapa North West the UNFPA-GAC survey was carried out in 11 council areas including: Saki East, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Surulere and Iwajowa.
Others are: Afijio, Ibadan North, Ibadan South West, Oluyole, Egbeda and Ibadan North East.
State Coordinator for the UNFPA-GAC survey, Dr Adebimpe Adenugba disclosed that women reported not enjoying any form of rights noting that women reported that their men were not living up to family responsibilities.
She noted that women still continue to face harmful traditional practices
Adenugba also noted that drug and alcoholism were discovered to be in high use which often times lead to the abuse of the women and girls child.
Speaking on the issue of rape in the affected communities, the Gender Reproductive Health Analyst of UNFPA, Dr Esther Somefun said “Yes, they said rape is consistent and is common. Apart from husband raping their wives, there is also child rape, adult rape and elderly rape. They said the children especially are vulnerable because during a period like this with high rate of poverty, they had to send their children hawking, so child labour causes rape. So there’s high rate of rape in Iseyin and Ogbomosho communities”
Somefun who also doubles as the Oyo state program officer for GAC project noted that the purpose of the study was to find out the harmful traditional practices and the rate of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Oyo State as there is no exclusive data on GBV in Oyo State and country in general, adding that the effort will go a long way in making data available for researchers in subsequent efforts.
“In the immediate, in Oyo State, the VAPP law is in place but is yet to be implemented by the court, and its prohibition acts on all persons. So if that law can be implemented immediately, there will be a solution and also we want the government to sensitize the community.
“Where we reported, it seems these SGBVs are dying down more in the urban than in the rural. But there is still some part of the urban that’s still experiencing it. Where we call the rural-urban like the Beere, Foko side are still experiencing it, but when we talk about the urban, it seems to have gone down a bit.
“But when government sensitize, let the police do their work, they should not kill cases. They report cases in police stations yet some people ensure it dies down.
“Religion has a lot to do with this. Religion and cultural practices have been a cover for SGBV. People we spoke to said even some religious leaders also perpetrate this evil. And they use religion to cover a lot of things. So I think religion is the major factor because of this culture of silence and stigma.”
They then called for more sensitisation and enlightenment of the people especially, the male folks in the communities so as to help more women live dignified lives.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo state Ministry of Health, Dr Adebisi Ayoola assures that the government will look into the preliminary report and take immediate measures to address the challenges before the final report would be submitted.
Oyo state government has been urged to facilitate the immediate and prompt implementation of the Violence Against People Prohibition (VAPP) law as a way of safeguarding women against endemic ill treatment especially in the core rural areas.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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