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.
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.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures were disclosed in a report released by the NBS on Tuesday, marking an uptick from the 5.0 per cent recorded in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.
According to the NBS, the unemployment rate for males stood at 4.3 per cent, while females experienced a higher rate of 6.2 per cent during the same period. The report also highlighted disparities based on location, with urban areas recording a 6.0 per cent unemployment rate compared to 4.3 per cent in rural areas for Q1 2024.
“The unemployment rate for Q1 2024 was 5.3%, showing an increase from 5.0% recorded in Q3 2023,” the bureau stated in its report. The NBS defines the unemployment rate as the percentage of the labour force, including both employed and unemployed individuals, who are not working but are actively seeking employment.
Youth Unemployment Rate Declines
In a positive development, the report indicated a slight drop in youth unemployment, which fell to 8.4 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 8.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This figure represents the unemployment rate among Nigeria’s young people, a demographic that often faces unique employment challenges.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
The report further provided insights into unemployment rates based on educational attainment. Individuals with postgraduate education recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 per cent, while those with post-secondary education faced a rate of 9.0 per cent. For people with secondary education, the rate stood at 6.9 per cent, and those with only primary education recorded a 4.0 per cent unemployment rate.
Employment-to-Population Ratio Falls to 73.2%
In addition to the unemployment data, the NBS also reported a decline in Nigeria’s employment-to-population ratio, a critical indicator of workforce participation. The ratio dropped to 73.2 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 75.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This ratio represents the percentage of the working-age population that is employed.
Breaking the data down by gender, the employment-to-population ratio for males was 74.2 per cent, while it was 72.3 per cent for females. By place of residence, urban areas had an employment-to-population ratio of 69.5 per cent, while rural areas recorded 78.9 per cent in Q1 2024, compared to 71.1 per cent and 80.7 per cent in Q3 2023, respectively.
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