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Vanishing fear of COVID-19 in Nigeria and its consequences, By Isaac N. Obasi

Since the period of mammoth political rallies in both Edo and Ondo states, and followed closely by the #EndSARS protest and its aftermath, Nigerians have not been taking the observance of the non-pharmaceutical protocols seriously. And observing closely how Nigerians are behaving these days with regards to safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), one would be tempted to conclude that the war against the virus is over. Yet, the world (including Nigeria) “is still in the middle of this pandemic” as Mr. Boss Mustapha (Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19) would always put it when making passionate appeal to Nigerians to obey the non-pharmaceutical protocols and guidelines. 

We can all vividly recall that there was a time in the period of this pandemic when the fear of the raging and ravaging virus was the first step in the wisdom of actions towards preserving one’s life. The virus was then dreaded for its ravaging effects across the world. Although the compliance level of the risk communication messages by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was low in Nigeria, the federal and state governments did a good job of imposing lockdowns and other restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. But this virus has not gone away to warrant the fast vanishing fears of its ravaging effects among many Nigerians. 

When we look at what is happening in some parts of the world such as Europe, United States of America, South America, India, and Australia, we will see how deadly this virus has even become since its first wave in China and Europe. As of 19 November, 2020 (at 3.45 pm Eastern Time) the world has recorded a total number of 56.7 million COVID-19 cases and about 1.4 million deaths according to Johns Hopkins University that tracks global spread of the virus. 

The statistics in five countries with the highest number of infections and fatalities clearly demonstrate that COVID-19 pandemic is still very dangerous as it was in China where the first case was recorded close to a year ago. The statistics released by Johns Hopkins University as at the same date and time, show that the United States of America has 11,647,930 total number of cases of infections, and 251,756 deaths. This is followed by India with 8,958,483 total number of cases and 131,578 deaths; and then Brazil 5,945,849 cases and 167,455 deaths; France with 2,087,196 cases and 46,795 deaths; and lastly Russia with 1,998,966 cases and 34,525 deaths. 

There are a number of countries, however, that recorded total number of deaths much higher than either France or Russia among the first five countries above. Such countries are Mexico with 99,528 deaths; United Kingdom 53,755 deaths; Italy with 47,870 deaths; Iran 43,417 deaths; Spain with 42,291 deaths; Peru with 35,317 deaths; and lastly Colombia with 34,563 deaths. In terms of the total number of deaths recorded alone, Mexico ranks fourth after France. Again, the United Kingdom with 53,755 has higher figure than France and Russia listed among the five countries above.

 The central message here is that many countries have recorded very high number of deaths that ordinarily should put fear into the minds of people across the world. But like in Trump’s America, many people do not seem to care much about respecting or observing the non-pharmaceutical protocols. President Donald Trump and his ‘trumpeters’ (supporters) have made such safety measures (like wearing of masks) a huge political issue. Again, and surprisingly, many people in different countries of the world are even protesting against the observance of safety measures introduced by their governments. 

Coming to Nigeria, the lower number of cases and deaths in relation to other nations reported above may be contributing to making people not to be afraid of COVID-19 again. Nigeria so far has recorded 65,693 total number of infections and 1,163 deaths (as at the same 3.45 pm Eastern Time reported by the Johns Hopkins University). It seems that Nigeria is enjoying God’s merciful favour otherwise  millions of people would have died if the virus was ravaging the country like it is doing in USA, Europe, India and Latin America among other places. Should Nigerians be taking this divine favour for granted? I think we should not, for as the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves. The consequences for taking things for granted by abandoning the observance of the non-pharmaceutical protocols are very catastrophic. 

First, economically, Nigeria is too weak now to experience another wave of the virus. The various governments across the three tiers appear to be struggling to meet their enormous financial obligations. The execution of both the capital and recurrent expenses are seriously challenged by paucity of funds. The Federal Government for example is under a heavy debt burden presently. Where will the money come from to confront another serious spike of the virus beyond where we are?

Secondly, our health system is equally too weak to withstand any further stress of its infrastructure and facilities. In human terms, the health professionals and allied workers who have been working very hard and making enormous sacrifice since the outbreak of this virus in Nigeria are already experiencing serious fatigue to face such a new scaring challenge. These patriotic Nigerians have been working under poor conditions of service. We should help them by observing the non-pharmaceutical protocols.

Lastly, the level of poverty in Nigeria currently is unprecedented that a second serious wave of the virus will leave many people dead or simply be left at the mercy of the ravaging virus. At present, millions of people are struggling to eat, as unemployment is so high that those working are basically sharing their salaries at the end of the month among the endless list of requests from relatives, friends, well-wishers, or even acquaintances and unknown people whom they come into contact with in the course of daily activities. Burial ceremonies requiring assistance from those working have become endless. Indeed things are hard. Many people are literarily begging but in a disguised manner at the end of the month. When people cannot eat, how then can they meet the demands of their health challenge?

But then it is surprising that with all these challenges, people are still not ready to help themselves by preventing a more calamitous health situation emerging simply by just wearing masks and observing other less difficult or burdensome pharmaceutical protocols. This contradiction appears to be a mystery which social psychologists can help us to unravel. 

•Prof. Obasi of the University of Abuja, is a Visiting (Adjunct) Research Professor at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, (ACAN), ICPC, Email: [email protected].

BREAKING: Salami panel recommends Magu’s sack

The Justice Ayo Salami panel has recommended the sack of Ibrahim Magu, a commissioner of police, as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), TheCable can report.

The panel, which submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, also asked the president to appoint the new EFCC chairman in an interim position for two years.

Buhari should also look outside the police force in appointing the next chairman, the panel recommended.

More to follow…

Bank customers to now pay for failed direct debit transactions

Bank customers will now pay a charge for failed direct debit transactions.

According to the Guide to Charges by Banks, other financial and non-financial institutions published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the charge will only apply to transactions that fail due to the account being unfunded.

Customers will be required to pay either one percent of the amount or N5,000 (whichever is higher) as the penal charge.

Direct debit is an arrangement made with a bank that allows a third party to transfer money from a person’s account on agreed dates

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FG ’ll Prevent Another #EndSARS Protest – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that his administration would do everything to prevent a repeat of the recent #EndSARS protest.

The President gave the assurance during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja.

Briefing State House Correspondents on the proceedings from the meeting, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, said President Buhari also stated that Nigerians, especially the youth, would be carried along by the administration in issues concerning maintenance of peace in the country.

He said the Council expressed concerns over the deplorable security situation in the northern part of the country and agreed it must be dealt with more decisively, employing proactive methods.

According to him, the Council also emphasised the need to give more attention to the police, especially concerning making the agency properly equipped and prepared to deliver its statutory duties.

“The meeting noted with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry particularly in the north west and north eastern part of the country. The meeting agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a more decisive manner.

“The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology.

“The meeting thanked the president for the concern which he has shown in repositioning the police to perform more effectively.

 “In his concluding remarks, Mr. President thanked members for the efforts they are making in maintain peace and assured members that he will do whatever it takes to support security agencies in providing peace in the country.

“Mr. President assured Nigerians that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the repeat of #EndSARS protests does not occur in Nigeria again.

“Mr. President reassured that all stakeholders will be involved in the Process of maintaining peace in the country, particularly the youth, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, religious leaders and others.

“The federal government will continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country,” he said.

He explained that in vowing to do everything within his power to prevent a reoccurrence of the protests, the president assured that he will carry all stakeholders, including the youth, along in the process of maintaining peace in the country.

Asked whether it would include a crackdown on potential protesters, the minister replied: “On the issue of #EndSARS that you have raised, what we are saying is that government will continue to dialogue, it will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties, public and private, individuals in this country.

“On decisive action means, it’s an all-inclusive action that is going to be taken to ensure that in terms of technology, equipment we can face these challenges head-on,” he said.

dailyasset

Sanction Justice A. R. Mohammed For Granting Order For CBN To Freeze Accounts Of #EndSars Protesters — ‘Lawyers Against Impunity’ Writes NJC

Lawyers under the aegis of Lawyers Against Impunity (LAGI) have petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the granting of ex-parte order to freeze accounts of EndSars protesters for 90 days

The letter signed by its National Coordinator, Onyedika Okoye, sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer, stated that Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed granted the order even when he was on vacation and Michael Aondoakaa who purportedly represented CBN has denied being briefed by CBN to seek the order.

The Group also argued that the order is irregular and an abuse of the court process.

They, therefore, called on the NJC to investigate the matter and the same should not be treated with levity.

Read the letter below

19th November 2020

The Chairman,

National Judicial Council,

Three Arms Zone,

Abuja.

Dear Sir,

PETITION AGAINST THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA OVER THE FREEZING ORDER GRANTED THE CBN GOVERNOR ON THE 4TH NOVEMBER, 2020 AGAINST THE #ENDSARS PROTESTERS: A CALL FOR IMMEDIATE PROBE AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTION

FACTUAL BACKGROUND:

The above subject refers.

On the 4th day of November, 2020, the Federal High Court Abuja, per Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed, issued an ex-parte order freezing the accounts of some 20 Nigerians who participated in the #ENDSARS protests for 90 days. The subject of this petition is the impunity that appears on the face of the monstrous order suggesting very strongly that the hazy circumstances under which the Order was procured demands a very urgent explanation from the Judge who delivered the strange Order, the Honourable Justice A.R. Mohammed.

JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED WAS ON VACATION WHEN HE PURPORTEDLY ISSUED THE ORDER:

We firstly note that the Honourable Justice A.R. Mohammed who issued the said order was one of the vacation Judges of the Federal High Court and he proceeded on his own vacation when the Federal High Court resumed in late September, 2020. It is on record that the Honourable Justice A.R. Mohammed resumed work on the 9th day of November, 2020 and that while on his own vacation, he did not attend to pending applications in his Court, even with affidavit of extreme urgency, on the ground that he was on vacation. However, Justice A.R. Mohammed managed to grant the ex-parte application tabled by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria through their Counsel on record, Chief Michael Kaase, Aondoakaa within the same period of his. Where then did the Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed sit to hear and grant the Order? Was he the only Judge in the Abuja judicial Division of the Federal High Court that the matter was assigned to him during his vacation and he managed to hear same while side-stepping every other application pending before him which were assigned to him earlier in time? What gave the CBN Governor’s application more credence over the other matters pending before Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed?

DENIAL BY CHIEF MICHAEL KAASE AONDOAKAA:

With the uproar that attended the Order of My Lord A.R. Mohammed, the Counsel on record to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa issued a public statement denying being briefed by the CBN Governor to file ex-parte application resulting in the freezing Order of Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed of 4th November, 2020. This denial by the Counsel who on record moved the application as appeared on the face of the Order compounds the integrity challenge of the Court’s Order.

THE ORDER IS IRREGULAR AND ABUSE OF JUDICIAL POWER:

There is no power in the Federal High Court to have made the Order that it made. Supreme Court authorities exist to the effect that ex-parte orders should be only issued sparingly and if at all they must be issued, the lifespan must be very short. Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed was fully aware (or deemed to know) of this legal position and more particularly the decision of the Nigerian Court of Appeal bearing directly on the point in ADEDAMOLA VS GTB where it is emphatically engraved that any restriction placed on any bank account by ex-parte Order beyond 14 days is purely unconstitutional and that no Court has the power to do such. In proceeding as he did, despite his knowledge of the avalanche of existing authorities pointing in a different direction, Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed, J. cast the age-long doctrine of judicial precedent to the dogs, polluted on the Constitution and most unfortunately set himself on a collision course with the Supreme Court. The Nigerian Supreme Court, in DALHATU VS. TURAKI, described this kind of conduct exhibited by Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed variously as “judicial impertinence”, “judicial rascality” and the Judge himself a “judicial misfit”.

HON. JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED MUST BE INTERROGATED AS TO HIS JUDICIAL EXCESSES SO THAT ONE MAN MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO DERAIL THE DEMOCRACY OF THE ENTIRE NATION:

In BAKARE V. APENA, Justice Obaseki, J.S.C. taught us that “a trial Judge ought to know that he is on trial for any improper conduct during the trial of a case before him and immediately thereafter.”

In ERIOBUNAH V. OBIORAH, Justice Tobi aptly added that;

“A Judge by the nature of his position and professional calling, is expected to be straightforward, upright, diligent, consistent and open in whatever he does in court and in any other place of human interaction and human endeavor that he happens to find himself. This is because his character as a Judge is public property. He is the cynosure of the entire adjudication in the court, and like Caesar’s wife of Ancient Rome, he is expected to live above board and above suspicion, and he must live above board and above suspicion, if the judicial process should not experience any reverse or suffer any detriment. A Judge should know that by the nature of his judicial functions, he is persistently and consistently on trial for any improper conduct immediately before, during and immediately after the trial of a case.

Yet again, in DANIEL VS FRN, Justice Saulawa, regretted that;

“The problem of a corrupt judicial officer is equally antithetical and rather devastating to the well cherished rule of law. Undoubtedly, the conscience of a corrupt judicial officer is warped. His judicial oath means nothing at all, thus he hardly realizes that he is a dangerous obstacle to administration of justice. Perhaps, until nemesis catches up with him, he remains a perpetual obstacle in the way of justice. Otherwise, he is impervious to appreciate, let alone uphold, justice according to the rule of law.”

The great Master of the Rolls, Lord Denning, in his classic, Family Story at page 162 issued a similar warning to the effect that:

“When a judge sits to try a case he is himself on trial before his fellow countrymen (gathered in the courtroom.) It is on his behavior that they will form their opinion of our system of justice. He must be robed in the scarlet of the Red Judge – so as to show that he represents the majesty of the law. He must be dignified – so as to earn the respect of all who appear before him”

PRAYER:

We pray in this petition that the National Judicial Council (NJC) promptly commence an all-embracing investigation into all the allegations which this petition projects in a transparent and impartial manner. The #ENDSARS protests, the live issues it generated and the resulting needless deaths attending it are all already grave enough. Greeting citizens of this great country with such monstrous account freezing order as was done by the Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed should not be treated with levity but with all the seriousness that it deserves.

As we express undiluted faith in the disposition of the NJC to maintain a clean judicial system for the country, we anchor our hope ultimately on the Biblical assurance that in the end, unadulterated justice will “surge like waters, and righteousness like an unfailing stream” (Amos 5: 24).

Yours faithfully,

ONYEDIKA OKOYE
National Coordinator.
Cc: The Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed

Media Stations Sanctioned By NBC For EndSars Report Have Paid Their Fines — Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says the sanctions imposed on some broadcast media stations in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests were justified and that the affected stations already paid their fines.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a media briefing on the #EndSARS protest and its aftermaths.

The minister said that two of the stations paid their fines in full, while the third paid a part of the fine, with an appeal for time to pay the balance.

Mohammed stressed that the fines imposed on the stations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) were not only justified but that the NBC was indeed lenient.

“In the aftermath of the EndSARS crisis, NBC fined three broadcast stations for using unverified and dangerous information from social media.

“Commentators, many of whom didn’t even know why the NBC imposed the fine, rushed to allege an attempt to stifle free speech.

“Unknown to them, the stations themselves knew that they breached the Broadcast Code.

“It is sad to see the traditional media jettisoning the age-long gate-keeping process and instead rushing to rely on the free-wheeling social media, devoid of any gatekeeping, for news,’’ he said.

The minister also said it was imperative for the traditional media to authenticate the information from social media or from any source, for that matter, before publishing or broadcasting the same.

He condemned the emerging trend in which traditional media freely used materials from social media sources without taking the pains to verify their authenticity.

“This is a dangerous trend that must be curbed, in the interest of media practitioners themselves, the profession and indeed the country,’’ he said.

Mohammed said if NBC had wielded the big stick during the protest, some broadcast media organisations would have faced more severe sanctions than mere fines.

“Recall that an otherwise reputable broadcast media organisation had carried a fake report that the Ecumenical Centre in Abuja was on fire during the violence that followed the protest.

“Though the organisation in question later retracted the story, the kind of reprisal attack this could have sparked is better imagined.

“Also, another reputable broadcast media organisation featured a report that identified a maintenance worker atop a bank building overlooking the Lekki tollgate in Lagos as a sniper, leading to attacks that destroyed many of the bank’s branches.

“The organisations have not even been sanctioned for these terrible disinformation, yet rabble-rousers have latched on to the fines to make all sorts of baseless allegations,’’ he said

The NBC fined Channels Television, AIT and Arise TV N3 million each on Oct. 26 over their unprofessional coverage of the #EndSARS protest and the crises that followed it.

Acting Director-General of NBC, Prof Armstrong Idachaba, announced the sanctions at a news conference in Abuja. (NAN)

Gov. Diri Urged To Honour Double 1st Class Law Graduate, Ebizi Blessing Eradiri The Way He Honoured Nengi Of BBNaija

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has been urged to honour Bayelsa-born First Class Law Graduate, Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri who has not only made Bayelsans proud but the entire Izon nation on her excellent performance at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.

Peresine urged Governor Diri to take a bold step to correct his earlier mistake of honouring BBNaija third position winner, Nengi as a role model to Bayelsa youths, said the right person to be honoured and awarded as a ‘Role Model’ to Bayelsa youths, to emulate is Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Esq, who has distinguished herself before men and women, and she has also written her name in the Guinness Book of records.

“If Governor Douye Diri places priority on education, and he wants the best for the youths in Bayelsa State educationally, morally, culturally and spiritually, then he must not set a wrong precedence for the youths, but he should set a good precedence for the youths in the State by hosting, honouring and awarding the ‘Role Model of Bayelsa Youths’ Award to Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Esq, who graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.75 to become the only First Class graduate from Niger Delta University Law Department, and also bagged First Class Honours at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus”, he stated.

The Peace Ambassador further stated that Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Esq, had received Award on Director General’s Prize for Attaining First Class Honours; Overall Best Graduand, Faculty of Law Award; Overall Best Graduand, Niger Delta University Award; Customary Court of Appeal, Bayelsa State Award for Best Graduand; amongst others, and he looked forward to seeing the Diri administration honouring her with a well deserved Award and assist her financially and other genuine means in order for her to fulfill her dream in the legal profession.

“As I congratulate our Miracle Governor on his victory at the Supreme Court yesterday, and appeal to him passionately to take my pieces of advice to give Ebizi State Honour seriously, I also wish to use this medium to congratulate my learned Izon sister Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Esq, who is currently an Associate at Templars”, he stated.

thenigerialawyer

I Did Not Collect N2 Billion To Facilitate Confirmation Of Yakubu As INEC Chairman — Senate President, Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has denied allegation of receiving N2billion to facilitate confirmation of the nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Lawan described the allegation as spurious existing only in the minds of the purveyors of the fake news.

The Senate President, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, said: “The attention of the Office of the Senate President has been drawn to a report by SaharaReporters alleging that a group led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, collected N2billion from Professor Mahmood Yakubu to facilitate the confirmation of his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to a fresh five-year tenure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It is noteworthy that the publication, as always with its ridiculous fabricated reports, could not even expand the entertainment of its readers by providing the names of members of the fictitious group and where the group operates from.

“To be sure, that group exists only in the mischievous imagination of the writer of the fiction.

“We, therefore, wish to enjoin Nigerians to ignore the report as yet another incident of hallucination by the comical characters operating the fabricated news platform. The online medium has long earned its notoriety as a purveyor of fake news with high profile public officials as its targets.

“It is well known that only the President can nominate a candidate for appointment or reappointment as Chairman of INEC. And only the Senate as a body can confirm or reject the appointment, after due screening of the candidate. The parliamentary process for the confirmation of nominations by the President is open and involves all distinguished senators.

“The Senate President is only a presiding officer of the Senate and does not lead any group in or outside the august chamber that acts in any way to circumvent the processes of the Senate. We reassure Nigerians that the Senate President did not receive any gratification, in his or behalf of others, to help Professor Yakubu get a second term as chairman of INEC.

“We challenge SaharaReporters and the sponsors of the false publication to provide whatever evidence that they can in support of their glib claims, failing which Nigerians should dismiss the report as another cheap blackmail from a platform that has no reputation for credible reportage and ethical journalism practise.”

thenigerialawyer

#WorldChildrensDay: Aisha Saleh and Possibilities for the Nigerian Pikin

*On Her New appointment/Recognitions and a Look at the Unsavoury Past.

November 20 is marked annually as World Children’s Day, the anniversary of adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations. It is also a day to create awareness among children, highlight issues around children’s rights and welfare globally.

Amidst the challenges that we face as a nation, the day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the possibilities for the Nigerian child , aka Naija pikin, and to celebrate them.

Aisha Saleh personifies the reality that every child everywhere no matter the circumstances of their birth possesses exceptional potentials and can be a game changer at any level worldwide. What stands before them and greatness mostly is the availability or otherwise of opportunities. Access. Access.

Recently, Aisha who will clock 16 next month, was appointed a Climate Adviser to the United Kingdom-based international child’s rights group, Child Rights International Network (CRIN). She is one of 15 young persons from across the world so appointed. Earlier in the year, she also was selected as one of two children from Nigeria to be featured in ‘Know Your Right’, a soon-to-be-released book written by Amnesty International in collaboration with American actress/celebrity, Angelina Jolie and Professor Geraldine Van Bueren QC, one of the original drafters of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It will feature child activists from across the world. Aisha is also a co-presenter of CEE-HOPE’s maiden children podcast/radio show, ‘Children and COVID-19’ which highlights the often spoken about impacts of the global pandemic on young people, and presented in their own voices.

Miss Saleh who lost her mother, Zainab at a much younger age, lives with her grandmother after whom she was named, with her only sibling Mohammed, in Monkey Village, Opebi, one of Lagos’ most impoverished informal communities. Owing to her exceptional academic brilliance, she spent four rather than six years at the Opebi Primary School, Lagos, as she earned two double promotions in school. From her first year in primary school to her current SSS 1 class at the Opebi Senior Grammar School, she has consistently topped her class. Aisha, a polyglot, speaks five languages (English, Yoruba, Hausa, Arabic and Egun language), and all five from at about age eight.

Her leadership qualities have also been glaring as she currently serves as coordinator of our Mal and Carol ICT Centre/Youth Hub in her community, is the community librarian and leader of the Girls-Go-for-Greatness (Triple) girl empowerment club in her community, rallying other children and young persons for various activities and causes eg, discouraging parents in her community from getting their daughters into early marriages, and promoting girl education etc. Aisha, a jolly good girl with her trademark gap-toothed smiles, is also the maiden ambassador for our period poverty campaign, the Give-a-Girl-a-Pad project, featuring in our short documentary on same topic, ‘Give Us This Day Our Monthly Pads’ earlier in the year.

Aisha came to limelight last year when she lost a major opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 30th Anniversary celebration of the UN’s Child Rights Convention slated for Geneva, Switzerland November 20, 2019, exactly a year ago. The conference brought together star kids, child activists, celebrities, politicians and other stakeholders from across the world. But officials at the Nigerian Immigration office at Ikoyi, Lagos refused to issue her an international passport as to them poor Aisha, accompanied by her poor dad, Saleh Mohammed, didn’t cut the picture of ones who should be traveling to Switzerland much less being a representative of Nigeria. Even after the presentation of valid documents from their host in Geneva, the sponsor, Amnesty International (whose staff and her dad were to accompany her on the trip), hotel booking, attestation from her school (where her status as a child prodigy is well known), proof of her accomplishments from CEE-HOPE etc, the officials blatantly refused, rather, they set up an ‘investigative committee for a potential child trafficking case’. After much media outrage and intervention from higher authorities, she was issued passport in one day, after three long weeks, but it was too late to obtain a Swiss visa and she missed the golden opportunity. That injustice remains unredressed by the relevant authorities as we speak.

But Aisha has since wiped her tears and moved on, comforting her self with the faith that more good things would come her way. We are happy that a year after that disappointment, good things are indeed trailing her young and promising life.

Our very deep appreciations go to all who put in a word or two for Aisha and who showed her solidarity and great generosity. Thank you.

Aisha Saleh mirrors the abundance of talents and of potentials domiciled among the young people in the populous, striving and often forgotten poor communities across Nigeria.

Congrats, Aisha, congrats, our striving youngers. The best is yet to come!

WeSeeHope
  • Betty Abah

MEN IN NORTHERN NIGERIA DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF MALE ALLIES FOR WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

ON INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY, THE MAGAMA COMMUNITY OFFERS AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WHEN MALE ALLIES SUPPORT WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER JUSTICE

Earlier this year, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, one of the communities where we work in northern Nigeria celebrated a significant milestone: the withdrawal of Women for Women International from their village. Over the past three years in Magama Gumau district, 876 women have successfully graduated from our 12-month programme, and hundreds more male leaders and community members have taken part in Men’s Engagement activities. Exiting a community is an important, positive step in the life cycle of our work, and vital to achieving sustainable, long-term progress for women’s rights and gender equality. At Women for Women International, we never plan to remain in any community indefinitely. The goal of our holistic, intensive approach is always to reach a point where women’s empowerment becomes self-sustaining and community-led. We do this by equipping marginalised women with tools to shape and drive change for themselves, on their own terms – and by recruiting men as critical allies and partners in transforming gender norms and creating healthier, more resilient communities.

THE IMPACT FOR WOMEN IN MAGAMA

Magama was the first community where we worked in Bauchi state, one of Nigeria’s poorest states, and home to a large population of internally-displaced people (IDPs) who have been uprooted from their homes by the Boko Haram insurgency, natural disasters and inter-ethnic clashes. When Women for Women International entered the community in 2017, women in Magama reported facing multiple challenges and barriers, including harmful gender norms and high rates of violence. For example, at the time of programme enrolment, 27% of women reported experiencing domestic violence and 80% said they believed husbands are justified in beating their wives.

As the final cohort of women prepared to graduate from our year-long programme in July 2020, Magama Gumau’s district head, Seriki Musa Sambo, paid a visit to the Women for Women International-Nigeria team. Mr Sambo recounted some of the changes he had seen since Women for Women International began partnering with the community in Magama three years ago:

Women in the community have become more aware of their rights and they can now defend them. The women are now able to participate more than before in decision-making within their family and in the community. They have contributed a lot to household needs. 

He celebrated the benefits of group structures and support networks to build self-suffiiency: “Through Women for Women International, we now have women’s cooperatives, which give out loans to members. They do businesses like rearing animals and livestock; these are some of the activities that the community has witnessed with the coming of Women for Women International.”

Magama Gumau
Magama Gumau’s District Head, Seriki Musa Sambo (second left), and community stakeholders visit the Women for Women International-Nigeria team. Photo: Women for Women International

With the coming of Women for Women International, we have seen a lot of changes.

SERIKI MUSA SAMBO, MAGAMA GUMAU DISTRICT HEAD

THE ROLE OF MEN AS ALLIES

While women have led the way, the changes witnessed in Magama over the past three years could not have been achieved without the support and involvement of the whole community – including men, who hold positions of power and have the ability to influence social norms.

From the outset, the local stakeholders in Magama – primarily male community leaders, such as the district head and council of chiefs — were highly receptive and supportive of Women for Women International and our mission. The involvement of influential male allies in Magama ensured that the community understood the purpose and outcomes of the training programme and were willing to embrace it, creating an environment where women could flourish outside as well as inside the classroom. The district head and his council of chiefs even stood up to defend the teachings of Women for Women International when a local cleric challenged them.

The cooperation of male leaders in Magama led to new initiatives to build on the success of the programme, which were devised and implemented by the community, based on their own needs and aspirations. Magama was the first community where we worked to pilot a daycare centre to assist mothers in the programme, after childcare responsibilities were identified as one of the key barriers preventing women from gaining skills and improving their economic status. The PRaY (Project Raino Yara) daycare centre was officially opened in January 2019. The community donated a room for the centre and took over its administration, engaging the services of a teacher to care for the children and run activities. This initiative allows women to concentrate on their training without distractions, while offering children opportunities to learn and socialise with peers.

  • Magama was the first community where we worked to pilot a daycare centre to assist mothers in the programme. Photo: Women for Women International
  • Magama was the first community where we worked to pilot a daycare centre to assist mothers in the programme. Photo: Women for Women InternationalMagama was the first community where we worked to pilot a daycare centre to assist mothers in the programme. Photo: Women for Women International
  • The PRaY (Project Raino Yara) daycare centre was officially opened in January 2019 and is now run by the community. Photo: Women for Women InternationalThe PRaY (Project Raino Yara) daycare centre was officially opened in January 2019 and is now run by the community. Photo: Women for Women International
  • The PRaY (Project Raino Yara) daycare centre was officially opened in January 2019 and is now run by the community. Photo: Women for Women InternationalThe PRaY (Project Raino Yara) daycare centre was officially opened in January 2019 and is now run by the community. Photo: Women for Women International

With the support of male leaders, the community established a daycare centre to look after children while their mothers take part in our training.

INTRODUCING THE MEN’S ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Mr Sambo and other male stakeholders in Magama have been instrumental in engaging other men in the community – particularly the husbands and relatives of women enrolled in the programme. It was at the leaders’ request that Women for Women International began implementing our Men’s Engagement Programme in Magama. They saw that programme participants could not fully and effectively implement the skills they develop during their training, without a supportive environment outside the classroom. Women needed their husbands and male relatives to respect their right to work outside the home, make financial decisions, and own property. They needed to be free to pursue education and participate in community activities, without backlash, and be safe from violence and abuse. This required men to have a shared understanding and commitment to change.

  • Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women's rights. Photo: Women for Women International.
  • Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women's rights. Photo: Women for Women International.Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women’s rights. Photo: Women for Women International.
  • Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women's rights. Photo: Women for Women International.Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women’s rights. Photo: Women for Women International.
  • Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women's rights. Photo: Women for Women International.Across the communities where we work in Nigeria, as well as other conflict-affected countries worldwide, engaging with men is critical to achieving progress on gender equality and women’s rights. Photo: Women for Women International.

Working directly with men is vital to shift harmful gender norms and create an environment where everyone can reach their potential.

Passing over the torch to the men and women of Magama, Women for Women International-Nigeria Country Director, Bukola Onyishi, explained that: “While we come to the community with our services, the resources required to make them meaningful are within the Magama Gumau community itself. The Women for Women International programme is like sowing seeds in the community and, after we exit, it is the community’s role to nurture those seeds”. Nurturing the seeds of gender equality is a project that benefits everyone and requires everyone’s involvement. Women cannot carry the burden of shifting deeply-rooted patriarchal norms and power imbalances on their own. On International Men’s Day, the Magama community offers an inspiring example of what can be achieved when male allies support women’s rights and gender justice – a more healthy, prosperous and resilient future for everyone.

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