2016 Int'l Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: NIGERIAN WOMAN ON MY MIND

        Friday November 25, the global community commemorated the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. From November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10 – the Human Rights Day, the sixteen (16) days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

        Undoubtedly, no society in existence can be said to be complete if a woman is yet to be found in it, regardless of its nature or size. We can testify to this fact by considering how a woman came into the world. Of course it is no longer news that having created man, God the creator thought it wise to form a woman from the rib of a man; this was so because God realized of what benefit a woman would be to a man in any society/arena he finds himself.

         A family for instance – a nuclear family precisely, which remains the smallest society on earth, can never strive successfully or attain to its anticipated height if a woman is missing. Realistically, a family cannot be formed in the first place if a woman is nowhere to be found. Having formed a family with the help of a woman, if she eventually dies, the affected family will live to suffer

the vacuum her eternal demise has created. This implies that, psychologically, no widower can boast of being a happy man, especially a situation where the late wife left some kids behind.

          Sometimes even when the widower has gotten married to another woman, provided the late wife left some indelible footprints behind such as the kids or that she was made up of some irreplaceable features, he shall remain in an unending emotional trauma, perhaps for eternity. In such situation, it is only the Creator that can provide a lasting succour.

         Ab initio, the womenfolk has been considered to constitute the integral part of the wider society. It is obvious that a social union cannot achieve an effective goal if the female members aren’t carried along. It might sound a bit controversial but the truth remains that nature had ordained woman to be the most attractive being in any society she belongs. This is the reason whenever a social group of people intends to pay a courtesy visit to a certain office holder, if they fail to include at least a woman among the delegate, the said outing might end up being fruitless. Why? Simply because the presence of a woman has a natural tendency of arresting the heart of any man irrespective who he is.

          The political terrain is not left out. Any man occupying a political position would boldly testify that his beloved wife is the reason he is thriving assiduously and successfully. This implies that a woman is in charge of any leadership position, though her impact might seem invisible. The advisory role, both morally and otherwise, a woman plays in the life of her spouse who occupies a political post supersedes whatever counsel he receives from his appointees, friends, or well-wishers.

          Considering the church, which is an institution as well as one of the oldest societies across the globe, there’s no need reiterating that its sustainability from the outset has been possible owing to the effort of the womenfolk. A woman has been proven to be more pious than a man; this is why she remains the engine room towards the uplift of the children’s spiritual lives. And we are all aware that someone or a family whose spiritual life is porous is apparently living like a tree without root. Noting that women are closer to the church, the easiest way to conscientize a married man, or any man whatsoever, toward the uplift of a church is through the woman in his life, since it is obvious that a woman has the key to a man’s heart.

          Frankly, the role of a woman both in her immediate and wider society cannot be overemphasized. From the aforementioned facts, it can be pinpointed that without a woman, the children cannot be properly raised, be it morally, academically, religiously, and what have you; a man’s social, political and emotional life shall remain incapacitated and in shambles; above all, the affected society would remain seemingly stagnant and retrogressive in its day-to-day activity.

        As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is our civic responsibility to ensure that women or girls whom are ubiquitously vulnerable owing to their nature are duly respected and safeguarded at all cost, with a view to strengthening our respective societies and the nation at large. We can contribute our individual quotas by acknowledging that women are the backbone of any society in existence.

         It is estimated that about thirty-five per cent (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence by a non-partner at some points in their lives. On the other hand, some studies show that up to seventy per cent (70%) of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. Either domestic or non-domestic, such form of violence has lingered in various countries, particularly Nigeria, thus making people insinuate that it is an acceptable tradition.

         Violence against women is a human rights violation. It’s a consequence of discrimination against women both in law and in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women. Violence against women/girls arguably impedes progress in many areas of human endeavour including poverty eradication, curbing contagious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, strengthening peace and security, thereby crippling nation building. The monster, which continued to be a global pandemic, is not inevitable; prevention is possible, and essential too. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girl children, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to exist.

        Legislation also has a vital role to play. There ought to be a stiff law to ensure that anyone at all levels found guilty of any violence against women/girls to include rape, battering, female genital mutilation, subjection into prostitution, or what have you, is duly brought to book. Violence like rape deserves life imprisonment, or even capital punishment, because such ruthless act can lead to murder.

         Parents and guardians on their part ought to equally cough up reasonable time for their wards, particularly the female folks, to enable them know their left from right when they grow up. The various schools should as well revive their guidance and counselling section towards providing the needed guideline and caution for both the male and female students. The religious bodies are not left out in this crusade; they are expected to devote much time in letting the worshippers realize the dangers inherent in the menace. 

         Women and society are interwoven; if you remove either of them, the other one would be ostensibly meaningless. Needless to say that the former is as crucial as the latter, thus must be treated as such at all times. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

Lessons from the US 2016 Presidential Polls

LESSONS FROM THE US 2016 PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

        The last time I checked, history was indeed made in the United States (US) on 9^th November 2016, the day that ushered a new political dawn in the country. On that fateful day, the renowned global business mogul, Mr. Donald J. Trump emerged as the 45^th democratically elected President of the country under the Republican Party otherwise known as the Grand Old Party (GOP) having defeated his closest rival, Mrs. Hillary Clinton who contested under the platform of the Democratic Party.

        History, in the sense that Mr. Trump’s emergence was to the utmost surprise of hundreds of millions of onlookers across the globe; in the sense that he would be the first President of the US who had never served in any political position in the past; in the sense that he would be the fifth person to emerge as American President despite losing the popular vote; in the sense that he emerged victorious in spite of the fact his candidature was denounced by most of his allies prior to the election. In fact, I’ve lost my count. The reasons that make such feat historic are countless.

        This is a clear indication that there’s a lot to learn from the just concluded electoral outing. Whatever that happened in America has the tendency of influencing other countries in the world, because it’s undoubtedly a world power. Hence, the US election remains an event that’s supposed to be closely examined by any nation that means well for itself, and Nigeria isn’t exceptional.

        The election has taught us, and indeed the entire world, that there’s a large dichotomy between politics and perception. The former is one’s ability to influence people’s thoughts or actions towards achieving his/her goal, whilst the latter is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses, or the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. Perception merely represents one’s view over something/someone. But, politics is how able are you to influence people’s mindset.

       Prior to the election, public perception showed that Mr. Trump would, or was likely to, lose it; this was why most people far and near were seemingly taken unawares by the outcome of the polls. However, politics transcend perception. Mr. Trump’s victory has proven that politics isn’t based on what the public think of you, but your ability to employ a viable political strategy. The said victor used every means to capture the minds of every existing class/race in America, including the whites, blacks, working class, elites, and of course the religious faithful - particularly the Christians who constitute the dominant religion in the US. Mind you; power is taken, not given. So, you’re expected to deploy all tactics towards influencing the mindset of the electorate.

        Mr. Trump understood that an average white in America wants to see the blacks leave the country, thus he assured them that if he became the US president he would see their (blacks’) repatriation. And the whites who occupy over 70% of the US population were convinced by this campaign promise. Similarly, Mr. Trump comprehended that the blacks were mainly Christians - Catholics precisely, who remained ardent supporters of Pro-life movement, thus he assured them that if he became the president he would revisit the abortion and homosexuality laws.

         He was equally able to capture the minds of the working and middle classes by promising to cut their tax by 30% and 35%, respectively. Among all, he knew his closest rival was a woman, hence, he thought it wise to remove his former Campaign Manager, Mr. Paul Manafort and replace him with a woman in the person of Mrs. Kellyanne Elizabeth Conway. If asked, I would say categorically that Mr. Trump played his politics very well. In other words, he got the result of what he laboured for. If not that America is known for fair and credible elections, considering public perception, none of the onlookers would have believed that Mr. Trump really won the polls.  

         Do you think Mr. Trump would redeem all his campaign pledges? Politics and governance are as well two parallel lines. The latter, which signifies dividend of democracy, can only be implemented when other institutions that make-up the government had agreed to the president’s proposal. America’s democratic terrain, likewise Nigeria’s, constitutes both the Senate and the House of Representatives; the president cannot implement any project without the consent of these authorities. So, it’s not as easy as we presume.

        During President Mohammadu Buhari’s campaign tour prior to the Nigeria’s 2015 presidential polls, he pledged that every unemployed youth in the country would be entitled to #5,000 monthly allowance. When he became the Nigerian President, he said that it was his party - the All Progressives Congress (APC) that made the promise. So, who is President Buhari, and who is APC? How do you reconcile these? The factual point is that politics is politics, while governance remains governance. They’re two different factors. You’re required to use any tactics to gain power but don’t resort to violence, then if you won and consequently assumed duty, try and implement those that are needful.

        Another pertinent lesson to learn from the US presidential elections is concerning the two-way electoral system of the country – the popular vote and the Electoral College. The popular vote pattern, which has been in existence ab intio, allows each eligible voter from each state across the federation to decide who would govern the country.

        The Electoral College, which constitutes only 538 electors to be drawn from the existing political parties in each state, was introduced thereafter as a supplement. History has it that its introduction was informed by the need to make the elites the major determinant of electoral victory in America, since an average voter/citizen was not fully informed and enlightened, thus wasn’t in good position to determine who would suit the White House.

        The number of electors to be delegated by each of the 50 states in the US depends solely on the state’s capacity as regards population. The method through which they would emerge varies from state to state. The electors are just like party delegates. Worse still, the electoral vote (Electoral College) constitutionally supersedes the popular vote. This implies that for anyone to emerge as the US President, he/she must win the Electoral College; and to win in the College, he must obtain up to 270 electoral votes.

        This provision indicates that the popular vote, which represents the real wish of the people, is seemingly useless. It would interest, perhaps shock you to note that Mrs. Clinton won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College, thereby making Mr. Trump who won the latter to emerge victorious. This nature of defeat puts Mrs. Clinton on track to become the fifth US presidential candidate to win the popular vote but lost the election. Even though I strongly wanted Mr. Trump to win, the process through which he acquired the triumph wasn’t very impressive.

        From all indications, it’s high time the US abolished the Electoral College because it doesn’t reflect the real wish of the people. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

  

CCB/CCT Act Amendment Act: Whwn NASS Dances Makossa

CCB/CCT ACT AMENDMENT: WHEN NASS DANCES MAKOSSA

       The last time I checked, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) was at it again. The said parliament on Thursday 27^th October 2016 amended the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCB/CCT Act). The amendment altered the Section 18(1) and (2) of the extant law by transferring the Presidency’s regulatory power over the bureau and tribunal to the NASS. This implies that, if assented to, henceforth the NASS as against the Presidency will have the power to determine the function of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not.

       The Senate equally reintroduced a clause in the Act as contained in Section 3(e) of the bill that mandates the CCB to invite anyone found culpable in asset declaration towards making necessary correction as against being charged to the CCT for trial. The provision states that ‘upon complaint(s) of any breach or where it appears to the Bureau that there is a breach of provisions of this Act, the person concerned shall be given particulars of such non-compliance or breaches to explain before any reference to the Tribunal’. It’s noteworthy that this very clause had earlier been expunged from the Act.

        More so, the Chamber amended Section 1(4) of the extant law, which stipulates that the chairman and members of the CCB shall vacate their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70. The amended clause prescribes a renewable five-year tenure for both the chairman and members. According to the clause, the appointment shall be subject to renewal for one term only. Section 20(4) of the CCB/CCT Act authorizes the President to appoint the chairman of the CCT based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC); the new amendment makes such recommendation and appointment invalid unless it is approved by the Senate.

        However, the Section 20(2) of the Act, which states that members of the CCT shall consist of the chairman and two other members, has been amended to provide that ‘the tribunal shall consist of a chairman and four others, and three of the five shall form a quorum’. The passage of the bill, which was at concurrence with the House of Representatives’ bill that had earlier been passed, followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

        Shifting the regulatory power from the Presidency to the NASS is completely wrong, and has no logical representation. Authorizing the NASS to determine the power of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not, is a clear indication that our highly revered legislators are up to something. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous that the NASS was empowered by the amendment to determine the individual/officer that’s supposed to be tried by the CCT? From all indications, this is apparently a move to shield their dirty linens at the expense of the people’s wish.

       Another awkward and irritating aspect of the so-called amended Act is the idea of mandating the CCB to wear a human face. The amendment stipulates that anyone found culpable in asset declaration should be invited by the CCB to enable the individual/officer make amends where necessary. This is not just absurd, but laughable. The moment any extant law start portraying a human face, its docility outrightly sets in. The human-face part of any law/Act lasts only during the period when the concerned people or officers are expected to adhere to it; at this period, the people are given the opportunity to enjoy the privileges as provided by the law.

       But, as soon as anyone violates the stipulated privileges, s/he becomes culpable. And, no culpable or indicted individual is meant to be given a chance to express him/herself, or the reason the law was violated by him/her, except in a law court. It is only in the court a culpable individual is required to tender any expression, if need be. This is the reason whenever one is being arrested by the police or any law enforcement agency, he would be advised to remain silent, otherwise any statement made by him would be used against his person in the court.

       Mind you; ‘ignorantia juris non excusat’, meaning literally ignorance of the law is no excuse. It’s pathetic and painful that our lawmakers whom are meant to understand this very clause ended up abusing it. So, shall we tell our children that the set of persons we entrusted our laws to has failed us? Let’s not get it twisted; the truth is that, if the CCB begin to invite culpable individuals, or anyone suspected to have breached any provision of its Act, for explanation cum correction before any reference to the CCT, then no one would be arraigned consequently because such provision would create an avenue for people’s sins to be forgiven by the former.

        If I may ask; what are you to explain if found culpable? That you were not well intimated on the CCB Act; that you were on steering when responding to any questionnaire in the past; that you were bereaved, thus couldn’t concentrate while filling the assets’ declaration form; that you filled the form under duress; or that, you didn’t know the exact figure of the assets owned by you? I’m just wondering what kind of correction is expected to be made by someone who has been found culpable. This very clause doesn’t only seem weird and laughable but equally smacks of mischief, hence, ostensibly targeted to satisfy a selfish desire.

        As much as I compliment some of the amended clauses of the Act such as the stipulated renewable five-year tenure for any serving CCB chairman/member contrary to vacation of their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70 as well as the newly stipulated five-man member of the CCT and forming of a three-man quorum, I equally wish to state categorically and unequivocally that the bad-side of the amendment is far greater than the good-side; thus totally unacceptable by anyone who means well for Nigeria and Nigerians at large.

        In view of this observation, it would be advisable for us to pretend that the said Act is yet to be amended, to enable the NASS revisit it towards making a change where necessary. It’s needless to reiterate that the work was haphazardly carried out by the 109 respected officers, probably owing to their inability to comprehend that the contemporary Nigerian society comprises intelligentsia that can sense a foul play without much ado. Hence, the said public servants need to take a closer study of the real content or constituents of the society in question.

       It’s either they review the controversial provisions or consider forfeiting their integrity, because well informed citizens are already boiling in respect of the amendment. Of course, they can’t fold their hands and watch inferno engulf their mansion. The development is arguably not unlike a situation where a dog ends up devouring the bone that was hung on its neck. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador