Saturday, 31 January 2015
Girls too young to wed and their challenges in Africa
By Evelyn Okakwu
According to analysts; Child marriage is a formal marriage or informal
union entered into by an individual before reaching the age of 18.
Studies have shown that while many countries of the world have
stipulated 18 years as the consent age for child marriage to protect
children from exposure to any form of sexual exploitation, most
countries, ironically fail to abide by the provisions of these laws.
Friday, 9 January 2015
Signs of hope for 2015, ignited by the plusses of 2014
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Nigeria certainly had some good experiences last year |
By Evelyn Okakwu
The year 2014 may have had a couple of difficult moments for Nigeria, but here also, is a list of some notable events that made the country stand out, even among the international community.
During the year 1914, the Northern and southern protectorates of Nigeria, were brought together in an amalgamation that made Nigeria one.
The amalgamation which was coordinated by the then British colonial masters through their protégé, Governor-General Lord Laggard in 1914, was canvassed by various leaders of Nigeria; and although the country has seen lengths of criticism regarding the said amalgamation, Nigeria remained as intended by our forefathers, hundred years after the amalgamation.
A country with vast ethnic and religious diversity, Nigeria was able to surmount challenges, such that hundred years after, Nigerians came together to celebrate the nation’s centenary; a century of oneness in the face of obstacles.
Also, the West African economic Summit on Africa (WEFA) which was held last year in Abuja, between the 7th and 9th May was reported to be the first time the global event took place on the soil of West Africa since the African edition was convened in Switzerland in 1990.
Nigeria began its move to host the event, during the 22nd WEFA which held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2012 and was galvanised in Cape Town, South Africa in May 2013 when President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR led a high-powered government and private sector delegation to the 23rd edition of the forum.
According to previous reports; “When Nigeria’s slot for hosting the event was fully stamped in Davos, Switzerland in January 2014, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala stated that the august event was coming at a time when Nigeria is becoming more integrated into global capital markets and when the country’s aspirations to attract foreign investment into non-mineral sectors is becoming increasingly viable”.
“Veritably, the WEFA Abuja provided a platform for Nigeria to take the conversation further on how to build more credible institutions for a social protection programme, an expansion of healthcare and a long-overdue overhaul of the education system”.
President Jonathan stated in his opening address, alongside the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Li Keqiang, that the fact that more than 1,000 people from over 70 countries turned up for the meetings despite all the issues, media reports and facts about Nigeria, was a sign of the confidence we all have in this great country. He declared that as a people and an international community, we cannot allow terrorism to dictate our agenda.
In his closing remarks, Mr Philipp Rösler, the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum remarked that the Nigeria and indeed, Africa should be proud of the outcome of the 24th WEFA in Abuja as it was the most successful thus far comparing only to the Davos edition. According to him, the meetings fully achieved the WEF mission towards the commitment to the growth of the world through creation of community of interest, community of purpose and community of exchange.
Put succinctly; the WEFA attracted over 68 billion dollars (about N12.9 trillion) in investment to the African continent in the form of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) as well as private and public investments targeted at projects that would foster the agriculture sector, improve infrastructure such as roads, railways, hospitals, education, skill development and ICT across African countries. Remarkably, the meeting birthed an institutionalised response to the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, with the creation of a $20billion ‘Safe School Initiative Fund’ by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Mr. Gordon Brown, to develop and enhance education in the terrorism-ravaged areas of Nigeria. The Nigerian Government has committed US10b to this Fund while the other half comes from the UN.
In a nutshell, the immediate outcome of the 24th WEF in Abuja, beyond just money, brought opportunities for Africa which the World Economic Forum was set up to unlock for the improvement in the states of Africa.
As indicated by the reports; “It has proved also that there is a strong commitment between the private and the public sector to collaborate regionally and globally in the fight against poverty, social exclusion, and terror in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
Also in the Agricultural terrain, December last year, Nigeria was declared world largest producer of yam. This is in addition to been the world largest producer of Cassava; a record that Nigeria has maintained for some time.
Another notable event is the indomitable manner of commitment by the Nigerian government towards the fight against Ebola.
Within a span of four months, Nigeria was able to conquer the scourge of Ebola; haven been imported by Liberia’s Patrick sawyer on the 21st of July, 2014.
According to reports, Patrick Sawyer, was discovered to have been infected with the disease, after a test was conducted on him, following the fact that he had just arrived from his country, which had recorded hundred deaths from the scourge during that time.
Patrick Sawyer had earlier been tested of Malaria and HIV aids, before the third test for the Ebola virus, when the previous results came back negative.
Prior to the third test, Patrick was reported to have been questioned to determine whether he had any contact with Ebola patients. Patrick’s response, which was later discovered to have been a lie; was that that he had no such contacts.
Nonetheless, it was gathered latter that Patrick’s sister had died from an infection by the Ebola Virus in barely two weeks before his arrival to Nigeria.
Rather than yield to the demands of some Nigerians, to confront Liberia on the cruelty of one of them; The Nigerian Government decided to let sleeping Dogs lie and face the matter like adults.
Reports have it that; “Sawyer was immediately quarantined after he was discovered to have been infected with the deadly virus. In addition, a barrier nursing was implemented around Sawyer and the Lagos State Ministry of Health was immediately notified. Hospital authorities also requested the Federal Ministry of Health for additional laboratory test based on its suspicion of Ebola.”
The Federal government swung into action and quarantined all those suspected to have had contacts, both primary and secondary with Patrick Sawyer.
Even when the virus was transported to Port Harcourt; another economically viable state for Nigeria’s local and international market; the country left no stone unturned in dealing with the menace. Shortly after the virus was detected in Port Harcourt, about 380 Nigerians were quarantined. An Ebola Isolation and was immediately put in place and other measures were taken swiftly to tackle the menace.
Nigeria became the first and currently the only state in West Africa to overcome the scurge of Ebola and even donate its citizens, as medical practitioners to aid the struggle towards erraidiacting Ebola.
While Countries across West Africa record a present figure of 8,000 deaths from the dreaded disease, Nigeria maintained less than 10 deaths throughout the period of its challenge with Ebola Patients in the country.
With 9 lives claimed by Ebola, in Nigeria, this country defeated the virus to the level of international recognition, such that on the 20th of October, four months after the diseases was imported into Nigeria, the World Health Orgainisation (WHO) declared Nigeria Ebola free, making the county, the first and only country in Africa to have defeated completely the scourge of Ebola.
Therefore we must remember that while its evident that Nigeria has its challenges, it is also a statement of fact that we have recorded some notable achievements in the past year; and there are chances of even greater achievements been reckoned this year, if we remain as united as we were against the deadly threats like that present by the Ebola virus, imported by Patrick Sawyer.
2014 and Nigeria’s many tales of terror
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Nigerians hope that the year 2015 will indeed mark a turning point for Nigeria and its experience with terrorism |
By Evelyn Okakwu
The year 2014 was certainly marked with various events that will remain in the minds of some or even all Nigerians for life. While some of this events were memorable in positive ways, others, like the array of tragic events that were experienced by Nigerians, resulting from terrorist activities in Northern Nigeria can best be described as unforgettable, both by siblings of those directly affected, and certainly by every patriotic Nigerian.
While Nigeria, successfully made history in Africa’s economic stage by hosting the 24th world economic summit on Africa, producing the first ever female president of the organisation of Petroleum exporting countries, (OPEC), as well as toping the lead in global production and sale olf agricultural products like rice and yam to mention a few. Other notable positive events will be enumerated in a latter edition.
However, for the sake of those who died and the need to keep up the struggle to free Nigeria from its common enemy lof terror; here is a rundown of major terror scene experienced by unsuspecting citizens during the year 2014
On the 14 of January 2014; a member of the Boko Haram terror group detonated a powerful suicide car bomb in the heavily populated centre of Maiduguri, Borno State, at a military checkpoint at the local market district while crowds of civilians were in the market celebrating the birth of the prophet Mohammed.
30 people were reportedly killed and an additional 50 were injured in the bombing with the military blaming Boko Haram for the attack and stating that they had arrested a member of Boko Haram for the attack.
On the 26th of the same month another attack occurred in Kawuri village, Konduga Local Government, Borno State, located some 37 kilometers southeast of Maidugur.
About 85 people were killed in that attack, with 50 people, reportedly injured.
Again, on the 31st of January; an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded after a bus drove over it in Kuthra village in Borno state; killing 7 people and injuring 3 others.
Again the Boko Haram, insurgent group, was blamed for the IED explosion.
Two days later, on the 2nd of February; a Muslim cleric hostile to Boko Haram was killed in the city of Zaria while driving his car. His wife and son were injured. Suspicion fell on Boko Haram for the killing.
On the 15th of that month, Islamic militants suspected of being members of Boko Haram entered a village called Izghe and murdered 105 men and 1 woman.
On the 25th of Feb Islamic militants suspected of being members of Boko Haram broke into the Federal Government College at Buni Yadi while students were sleeping, threw explosives into dorm rooms and sprayed the rooms with gunfire, killing 59 people.
On the 15th of March; over 200 armed suicide attackers died trying to free fellow terrlorists from Prison. The Boko Haram fighters dressed in military uniforms stormed the area in vehicles painted in military colours. At least 5 of the casualties were military personnel and one was a civilian. Also reports revealed that least 212 people were killed in the assault.
Yet still, on the 14th of April; two bombs detonated at a bus station in Abuja, killing 71 people and injuring another 124.
That same day; approximately 276 female students were kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Nigeria.
The double tragedy followed by a reportedly controversial approach to the where about of the girls gave birth the famous bring back our girls campaign which has been regarded by many bas one of the worlds’ greatest campaigns in recent times; not withstanding its reported strengths and weaknesses.
And on workers day this year; a car bomb exploded in New Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal capital. The explosion killed at least 19 people and injured at least 60 others.
18 days later, a suicide car bomb killed 5 people, in Kano.
And on the 20th of the same month twin bombings, one at a market, the second 30 minutes later; at nearby a hospital occurred in Jos.
And on the 24th, the Boko Haram terror group, again pillaged three villages in Borno State killing 28 people and causing significant damage to the towns.
Also on the 11th of June; Suicide attackers exploded a bomb-laden vehicle in Aguelhok, Mali, killing four UN peacekeepers from Chad and injuring six other peacekeepers as well as four Malian soldiers. Killing 4 and injuring 10 people.
Then on the 18th of June; a suicide bomber in a tricycle taxi detonated a bomb at a venue where people were watching a World Cup soccer match, in Damaturu, Yobe State, killing 21 and wounding 27 others.
21st and 22 of June Gunmen also recorded sessions of terror attacks in the villages of Koronginim and Kwarangilam, killing dozens. These villages are located in the Borno State near Chibok, where Boko Haram militants kidnapped over 200 schoolgirls in April, 2014.
The attack was also described by many as a mockery of government’s reported attempts towards rescuing the girls.
On the 25th of June, another bomb explotion was witnessed in the Federal capital; in the shopping district of Abuja, killing at least 21 people and wounding at least 17 others.
After the attack in June; their seamed to be rfelapse in the manner of reports published, lor of tgeror attacks experienced for a while, till the month of October; when on the 31st of October, explosives were concealed on a bus and detonated during rush hour.
13 vehicles were destroyed and at least 4 people were killed and 32 injured.
Almost a month later, on the 23rd of November, a group of fish traders were on their way to Chad to buy fish when militants stopped them near Doran Baga. The traders were later tied up and some had their throats slit while the rest drowned in Lake Chad. About 48 people were killed in the attack.
Just two days later, on the 25th of November, two female suicide bombers detonated explosions killing 78 people in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
On the 27th of the same month; a roadside bomb killed 40 people including 5 soldiers at a bus station in Marabi-Mubi junction, in Adamawa state.
The following day, two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire on those who were trying to escape at a mosque in Kano, Kano State. Around 120 people were killed and another 260 injured.
1st of December was also marked with two female suicide bombers who detonated explosions at a crowded market place in Maiduguri, Nigeria. 5 people were killed with 47 injured in the incident.
And on the 10th of this month; two female suicide bombers detonated explosions near a busy market in Kano. The blasts killed 4 people, injuring 7.
13th of that month was also not left out, as 185 people in the village of Gumsuri in Maiduguri were kidnapped, and 32 people, killed.
Then on the 22nd of this month; at least 27 people die and another 60 were injured after a bomb exploded in a bus station in Gombe a city in Gombe State, Nigeria[
Notable among these tragic events is the fact that the Chibok girls kidnapped on the 14th of the first quarter of 2014, are still yet to be found. This is in addition to the sad reality that many other similar kidnaps followed without trace as to the where about of those taken.
Not Even the last day of the year, was spared as another blast claimed the lives of Seven in a bus.
Nigerians have not stopped hoping, despite every thing, that 2015 would prove that terrorism has not indeed come to stay in our dear country
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