COMBATING THE VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY TODAY MONDAY JUNE 23
In a concise and precise term, a widow is a woman or a female human whose husband has died. In the same vein, Widowhood is the state of being a widow or a widower.
It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because definitely his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.
In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her class or status, is severely molested, intimidated, and as well humiliated, coupled with the deprivation of her late husband’s properties/possessions by her in-laws in their entirety. In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through.
In some quarters, the poor widow would be mandated to drink the water used in washing her late husband's corpse to prove that she has no hand in the death. Most pathetically, she may be subjected to marry her late husband’s elder/younger brother which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’.
Today being Monday June 23, 2014, the world over is marking the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23rd day of June.
It is worthy to note that, The International Widows’ Day was established in 2005 by Lord Loomba under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation, to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon; the proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children.
A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation solely because, they have lost their husbands.
As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event as it is being commemorated by the United Nations. Suffice to say; in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows is totally silenced.
At this juncture, I urge all the Civil Rights Societies, religious institutions, stakeholders, the media, women organizations, and well-meaning individuals to embark on a holistic sensitization and as well contribute their respective quotas towards ensuring that this remarkable crusade becomes nothing but a success.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Public Affairs analyst & Social activist
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+2348054719437
Monday, 23 June 2014
Admission Racketeering: Unending Societal Menace!
ADMISSION RACKETEERING: UNENDING SOCIETAL MENACE
Greetings brethren. Let me once again salute those faces that wake me up every morning, stay with me throughout the day, and invariably take me to bed at night. Frankly speaking; your enticing and ever charming faces remain my optimum impetus. I sincerely promise that I will never let you down.
Few weeks ago having woken up from my usual long-lasted night slumber that ushered me into a fantastic and memorable dream, a certain phone call instantly mesmerized the lovely mood which I found myself. A good friend of mine residing in Ghana called to enquire how the present Nigeria’s admission mode was faring. Believe me, the abrupt enquiry introduced an unforeseen ennui to my humble soul in its totality.
As regards the caller’s quest, unequivocally having heard from him about the nature of Ghana’s admission process (mode), I told him that that of Nigeria would remain a thing of mockery until she squarely addresses the ongoing education menace known as ‘Admission racketeering’ found on her various campuses. I went further to disclose to him that, if proper and adequate care is not taken, in the near future the current Nigeria’s admission scenario would end-up admitting ‘imbeciles’ into our campuses.
Racketeering is the act of making money by threatening people or by selling to them illegal, worthless, or immoral goods and/or services. In the same vein, Admission Racketeering based on the context of this edition, is the activity of making money by selling admission spaces to applicants of a certain institution of learning thereby silencing admission by merit.
The aforementioned criminal act could be found in either primary, secondary, or tertiary citadel of learning. Of course it’s no longer news that in Nigeria for instance, it has become the order of the day. In fact, most of our present days’ youths and as well teachers, have seen the activity as a ‘lucrative’ occupation or another means of survival.
The recent dimension of admission racketeering found in all the government tertiary academic institutions in Nigeria has really brought a nervous wreck to my person. It has grown out of hand to an extent that the racketeers or the miscreants in question now have official offices where they attend to their clients or the applicants. They even go a long way advertising their services as if it’s a legalized activity.
Barely few days ago, I allegedly learnt that a certain brilliant chap who scored above two hundred and sixty (260) in both UTME and Aptitude test having enrolled for Medical Laboratory Science in one of the state tertiary schools in Imo State was unable to secure an admission in the school in question due to admission racketeering. Afterwards, fortunately for the chap, he was admitted in the famous University of Ibadan, Oyo State to study Pharmacy with the same score he got in JAMB (UTME). Needless to say that, the degree of admission racketeering taking place in the existing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria varies from one to another. Let’s ride on!
The above anomaly, admission racketeering, is also taking place in our various government model secondary schools. In this case, the teachers or the head teachers as the case may be, are assumed to be the captains of the respective ships. Yes, the so-called educationists/teachers pilot the dirty affair known as admission racketeering. In most of the schools, the admission is no longer granted by merit; rather, it is being given to the highest bidders thereby depriving the less-privileged ones the chances of being admitted. So pathetic!
The type occurring in the existing private tertiary citadel of learning is not exempted. Though it may not be referred to as ‘admission racketeering’, but it is even more devastating. In this case, it’s obvious that admission is solely meant for the children/wards of the well-to-do parents/guardians. In other words, the only prerequisite to securing admission in such schools remains the amount of money in your pocket, provided the applicant has sat for UTME even if he/she scored zero or thereabouts, thereby throwing ‘admission by merit’ to the dustbin.
There’s only one way out as regards putting this menace to the history book. The Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other relevant and concerned agencies and groups including the non-governmental organizations and religious bodies have very vital respective roles to play in this regard.
They must as a matter of urgency in their respective capacities tender bills bearing grievous/capital penalty regarding silencing the cankerworm, to the Nigeria’s Legislative Arm of government. Most importantly, the agencies or groups must ensure that the bill if passed into law is duly implemented by the various Executive Arms of government which inculcate federal and states.
With regard to the above, the Judiciary must also ensure that any case regarding admission racketeering/anomaly brought to any court is duly handled in earnest in order to ensure that the suspect(s) is/are brought to book without any delay.
More so, the parents who encourage or patronize those miscreants ought to know that they are endangering the educational image as well as the future of their children or wards. ‘To before warned is to before armed.’
Above all brethren, all hands are expected to be on deck as regards silencing this ugly and deadly ubiquitous cankerworm that is liable to cost the entire Nigerian state an eternal socio-economic mayhem in no distant time. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Greetings brethren. Let me once again salute those faces that wake me up every morning, stay with me throughout the day, and invariably take me to bed at night. Frankly speaking; your enticing and ever charming faces remain my optimum impetus. I sincerely promise that I will never let you down.
Few weeks ago having woken up from my usual long-lasted night slumber that ushered me into a fantastic and memorable dream, a certain phone call instantly mesmerized the lovely mood which I found myself. A good friend of mine residing in Ghana called to enquire how the present Nigeria’s admission mode was faring. Believe me, the abrupt enquiry introduced an unforeseen ennui to my humble soul in its totality.
As regards the caller’s quest, unequivocally having heard from him about the nature of Ghana’s admission process (mode), I told him that that of Nigeria would remain a thing of mockery until she squarely addresses the ongoing education menace known as ‘Admission racketeering’ found on her various campuses. I went further to disclose to him that, if proper and adequate care is not taken, in the near future the current Nigeria’s admission scenario would end-up admitting ‘imbeciles’ into our campuses.
Racketeering is the act of making money by threatening people or by selling to them illegal, worthless, or immoral goods and/or services. In the same vein, Admission Racketeering based on the context of this edition, is the activity of making money by selling admission spaces to applicants of a certain institution of learning thereby silencing admission by merit.
The aforementioned criminal act could be found in either primary, secondary, or tertiary citadel of learning. Of course it’s no longer news that in Nigeria for instance, it has become the order of the day. In fact, most of our present days’ youths and as well teachers, have seen the activity as a ‘lucrative’ occupation or another means of survival.
The recent dimension of admission racketeering found in all the government tertiary academic institutions in Nigeria has really brought a nervous wreck to my person. It has grown out of hand to an extent that the racketeers or the miscreants in question now have official offices where they attend to their clients or the applicants. They even go a long way advertising their services as if it’s a legalized activity.
Barely few days ago, I allegedly learnt that a certain brilliant chap who scored above two hundred and sixty (260) in both UTME and Aptitude test having enrolled for Medical Laboratory Science in one of the state tertiary schools in Imo State was unable to secure an admission in the school in question due to admission racketeering. Afterwards, fortunately for the chap, he was admitted in the famous University of Ibadan, Oyo State to study Pharmacy with the same score he got in JAMB (UTME). Needless to say that, the degree of admission racketeering taking place in the existing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria varies from one to another. Let’s ride on!
The above anomaly, admission racketeering, is also taking place in our various government model secondary schools. In this case, the teachers or the head teachers as the case may be, are assumed to be the captains of the respective ships. Yes, the so-called educationists/teachers pilot the dirty affair known as admission racketeering. In most of the schools, the admission is no longer granted by merit; rather, it is being given to the highest bidders thereby depriving the less-privileged ones the chances of being admitted. So pathetic!
The type occurring in the existing private tertiary citadel of learning is not exempted. Though it may not be referred to as ‘admission racketeering’, but it is even more devastating. In this case, it’s obvious that admission is solely meant for the children/wards of the well-to-do parents/guardians. In other words, the only prerequisite to securing admission in such schools remains the amount of money in your pocket, provided the applicant has sat for UTME even if he/she scored zero or thereabouts, thereby throwing ‘admission by merit’ to the dustbin.
There’s only one way out as regards putting this menace to the history book. The Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other relevant and concerned agencies and groups including the non-governmental organizations and religious bodies have very vital respective roles to play in this regard.
They must as a matter of urgency in their respective capacities tender bills bearing grievous/capital penalty regarding silencing the cankerworm, to the Nigeria’s Legislative Arm of government. Most importantly, the agencies or groups must ensure that the bill if passed into law is duly implemented by the various Executive Arms of government which inculcate federal and states.
With regard to the above, the Judiciary must also ensure that any case regarding admission racketeering/anomaly brought to any court is duly handled in earnest in order to ensure that the suspect(s) is/are brought to book without any delay.
More so, the parents who encourage or patronize those miscreants ought to know that they are endangering the educational image as well as the future of their children or wards. ‘To before warned is to before armed.’
Above all brethren, all hands are expected to be on deck as regards silencing this ugly and deadly ubiquitous cankerworm that is liable to cost the entire Nigerian state an eternal socio-economic mayhem in no distant time. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
A Fact Nigerians Must Comprehend
ONE FACT NIGERIANS MUST COMPREHEND
Greetings brethren. Today’s crusade undoubtedly would be brief because we are heading directly to the point. No need beating about the bush; it’s high time we comprehended one fact as anarchy and imbroglio linger in our great and dear society.
To start with; honestly there’s nothing that is impossible to transpire in any existing society. For instance; there’s nothing unusual about a President dying in office. Of course we are all aware that William Harrison was the first United States’ President to kick the bucket whilst in office. And, John Kennedy remains the last that exited in such manner. In fact, eight sitting US Presidents have died either by virtue of nature, ill-health, accident or assassination. For example, Franklin Roosevelt died of cerebral heamorrhage; and so on and so forth.
Then considering Nigeria, five Presidents have exited while in office. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Gen. J.T. Aguiyi-Ironsi were both assassinated in 1966; Gen Murtala Mohammed was also assassinated in 1976; Gen. Sani Abacha died in 1998 under a condition that remains a mystery till date, therefore could be tagged as ‘natural’; and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua died in 2010 under a protracted illness.
What I’m saying in essence is that, anything whatsoever is bound to take place or be experienced by us/anyone provided we still live. On the other side, we must note that if peradventure crisis or anarchy takes place or abruptly becomes the order of the day, there is still enormous room for its exit. In other words, anything that has a beginning must surely end; this is a fact I sincerely want us to understand.
But mind you; for any crisis to come to an end, a tangible role must be played by the people concerned. Every negative circumstance is expected to be addressed squarely to enable its exit. Even if the crisis is as a result of the sins or evil deeds committed by the affected persons which is widely known and recognized as nemesis or repercussion, there are certain things that must be done by the people involved, because every sin committed has a penance that must be observed and duly absorbed by the person who committed it.
Most importantly, I want us to be aware and comprehend fully that every crisis has an end. The ‘Biafra war’ came and left peacefully though having consumed several souls; we had the MKO Abiola or the ‘June 12’ fiasco perpetrated by Ibrahim Babangida; there was also the Sani Abacha Military-to-Civilian President melodrama, and as well the Olusegun Obasanjo ‘Third Term’ distortion that resulted to series of anarchy; not forgotten the ‘Niger Delta Militancy’ saga that also found its exit point.
Though sometimes the lingering nature or manner of some political/social crises might warrant certain questions, which I often tag as ‘inevitable’. The inevitable questions are: Why would any person or group of persons hold ‘the giant of Africa’ to ransom? Why would any group, be it political, social or religious, act as if their ambition/interest takes precedence over the national interest? Could it be that the Mr. President’s ambition or vision and that of those surrounding him are such that they think very little of this country? And lastly, why do we sit still whilst a group of persons take us for fools? Let’s ride on!
At this juncture, I want to disclose the ‘fact’ Nigerians must fully comprehend. Frankly, the singular fact every Nigerian must comprehend is that every plight has its exit point, thus must surely come to an end; but such end/exit point will never come until a drastic and thorough measure is initiated and totally implemented as well.
We must wake up from our respective slumbers and become cerebral and ingenious as Nigeria in its totality seems to be approaching its moment of doom. For crying out loud; it is only a child that is meant to receive moral lesson. An adult is assumed to be fully aware of morality and its prerequisite.
If Nigeria must be better, then we must start from our respective borders. We must implement absolute networking as regards security at the various borders linking us to our neighbouring countries.
Also, we must be prepared to separate the chaffs from the grains. Honestly, the grains which remain useful are profoundly mixed, albeit ignorantly, with the chaffs which remain a societal menace. Believe me, the chaffs know themselves and the grains also know the chaffs; the harvester too knows which is the chaff and which is the grain.
I want to let you realize the fact that Nigeria doesn’t even need the assistance of the foreigners to fish out the miscreants because she is extremely informed, capable and competent in regard to putting these bullshits to an end.
In repeat; the fact we must comprehend to the fullness is that Nigeria would be well again owing to the fact that there’s nothing that is impossible to transpire in any society. Therefore, I urge the patriotic ones to remain steadfast, and the non-patriotic ones to embrace thorough repentance else their entire generations would live to face fathomless regrets. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Greetings brethren. Today’s crusade undoubtedly would be brief because we are heading directly to the point. No need beating about the bush; it’s high time we comprehended one fact as anarchy and imbroglio linger in our great and dear society.
To start with; honestly there’s nothing that is impossible to transpire in any existing society. For instance; there’s nothing unusual about a President dying in office. Of course we are all aware that William Harrison was the first United States’ President to kick the bucket whilst in office. And, John Kennedy remains the last that exited in such manner. In fact, eight sitting US Presidents have died either by virtue of nature, ill-health, accident or assassination. For example, Franklin Roosevelt died of cerebral heamorrhage; and so on and so forth.
Then considering Nigeria, five Presidents have exited while in office. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Gen. J.T. Aguiyi-Ironsi were both assassinated in 1966; Gen Murtala Mohammed was also assassinated in 1976; Gen. Sani Abacha died in 1998 under a condition that remains a mystery till date, therefore could be tagged as ‘natural’; and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua died in 2010 under a protracted illness.
What I’m saying in essence is that, anything whatsoever is bound to take place or be experienced by us/anyone provided we still live. On the other side, we must note that if peradventure crisis or anarchy takes place or abruptly becomes the order of the day, there is still enormous room for its exit. In other words, anything that has a beginning must surely end; this is a fact I sincerely want us to understand.
But mind you; for any crisis to come to an end, a tangible role must be played by the people concerned. Every negative circumstance is expected to be addressed squarely to enable its exit. Even if the crisis is as a result of the sins or evil deeds committed by the affected persons which is widely known and recognized as nemesis or repercussion, there are certain things that must be done by the people involved, because every sin committed has a penance that must be observed and duly absorbed by the person who committed it.
Most importantly, I want us to be aware and comprehend fully that every crisis has an end. The ‘Biafra war’ came and left peacefully though having consumed several souls; we had the MKO Abiola or the ‘June 12’ fiasco perpetrated by Ibrahim Babangida; there was also the Sani Abacha Military-to-Civilian President melodrama, and as well the Olusegun Obasanjo ‘Third Term’ distortion that resulted to series of anarchy; not forgotten the ‘Niger Delta Militancy’ saga that also found its exit point.
Though sometimes the lingering nature or manner of some political/social crises might warrant certain questions, which I often tag as ‘inevitable’. The inevitable questions are: Why would any person or group of persons hold ‘the giant of Africa’ to ransom? Why would any group, be it political, social or religious, act as if their ambition/interest takes precedence over the national interest? Could it be that the Mr. President’s ambition or vision and that of those surrounding him are such that they think very little of this country? And lastly, why do we sit still whilst a group of persons take us for fools? Let’s ride on!
At this juncture, I want to disclose the ‘fact’ Nigerians must fully comprehend. Frankly, the singular fact every Nigerian must comprehend is that every plight has its exit point, thus must surely come to an end; but such end/exit point will never come until a drastic and thorough measure is initiated and totally implemented as well.
We must wake up from our respective slumbers and become cerebral and ingenious as Nigeria in its totality seems to be approaching its moment of doom. For crying out loud; it is only a child that is meant to receive moral lesson. An adult is assumed to be fully aware of morality and its prerequisite.
If Nigeria must be better, then we must start from our respective borders. We must implement absolute networking as regards security at the various borders linking us to our neighbouring countries.
Also, we must be prepared to separate the chaffs from the grains. Honestly, the grains which remain useful are profoundly mixed, albeit ignorantly, with the chaffs which remain a societal menace. Believe me, the chaffs know themselves and the grains also know the chaffs; the harvester too knows which is the chaff and which is the grain.
I want to let you realize the fact that Nigeria doesn’t even need the assistance of the foreigners to fish out the miscreants because she is extremely informed, capable and competent in regard to putting these bullshits to an end.
In repeat; the fact we must comprehend to the fullness is that Nigeria would be well again owing to the fact that there’s nothing that is impossible to transpire in any society. Therefore, I urge the patriotic ones to remain steadfast, and the non-patriotic ones to embrace thorough repentance else their entire generations would live to face fathomless regrets. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
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