Panacea For Gender-Based Violence

 By Adeze Ojukwu

Violence has become the new norm for most communities, countries and continents. Sadly, women tend to disproportionately bear the brunt of these criminalities. There is ample evidence that violence against women seems to be escalating despite the global campaign against such violations. This is quite unfortunate, considering that many women leaders and activists are fighting, vigorously, to end all forms of ancient and modern barriers deliberately established by societies to devour females and their rights. 

The on-going FIFA Women’s World Cup, being hosted by Australia and New Zealand, provides not just an elixir for entertainment but a veritable window to celebrate female football czars, at the Mundial. Featuring at the highest global all-ladies football competition, as in all world tournaments, is no mean feat. 

Climate Change And Threats Of Another Pandemic

 By Adeze Ojukwu

Another deadly pandemic is imminent. In fact, it looms large. It is scary. It is dreadful. The world is rattled. Environmentalists, researchers, doctors and policy makers are agitated. Questions about the when, why, how of the omnious outbreak and other flustering posers are mounting at various high-level interventionist global conferences. Indeed, this verdict remains a reality, that cannot be easily waved away. 

Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Adhanom Ghebreyesus, handed down this grievous news, at the just-ended 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. He said, “The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains.” 

As Nigerians Grapple With Escalating Poverty

 By Adeze Ojukwu  

The excruciating pain and penury arising from soaring food and fuel prices have left many Nigerians seething with anger and rage. 

Since independence, the country has had a history of bad governance, characterized by graft, tribalism and unrest, due to political, cultural and religious vulnerabilities. But never in its chequered history has the society been embroiled in such massive levels of imbroglio, which peaked during the eight-year devastating hegemony of the immediate past administration. 

No Tobacco Day: WHO And Smoking Epidemic In Africa

 By Adeze Ojukwu

World Health Organization (WHO) has again raised concerns over a looming tobacco epidemic in Africa. It called on African leaders to confront cigarette companies, who are bolstering tobacco farming in the continent. 

“The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health challenges the world has ever faced, killing more than eight million people around the world every year. While the number of people using tobacco products is decreasing in other parts of the world, it is rising in the Africa Region.” 

Did Buhari Really Apologize To Nigerians?

 By Adeze Ojukwu 

Did Buhari really apologize to Nigerians? This is the poser before many citizens.  To put the record straight, a few days ago, Muhammadu Buhari, who has barely 32 days to exit as president, asked for pardon from those he might have hurt during his tenure.

*Buhari

The question is: “Did those scant remarks convey genuine regret or sincere contrition?” 

For many nationals, his mien and diction were not only condescending and evasive but also disingenuous. He did not come across as someone who was compunctious. Obviously, he is yet to come to terms with the monumental impact of his divisive and parochial governance on the nation. 

The Scars Of Slavery And Racism

 By Adeze Ojukwu  

The horrific Atlantic slave trade officially ended about 200 years ago. However, the scars are still epitomized by the systemic racial discriminations against people of colour in Western nations and their institutions. 

Stories of bitter memories of the humongous cruelty displayed by the white merchants against their human commodities were rehashed recently, at this year’s International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The commemoration, as in previous editions, centered around the brutal abduction of thousands of young men and women from West Africa to Europe and the Americas. The account of this vicious debasement of West Africans was vividly chronicled by a publication by Ricenpeas.org. 

The Military And Its ‘Python Dance’ In South-East

By Adaeze Ojukwu

‘All the world’s a stage,  And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances…’ – William Shakespeare

The Nigerian Army is at it again. Few days ago, the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army launched ‘Operation Python Dance’ in the five South-East states. The division cited security concern as the major reason for the operation.

Meanwhile, pandemonium has spread across several cities in the South East, particularly Onitsha, with the presence of thousands of heavily-armed military personnel and armoured vehicles on major roads and streets in the region. Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the division, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the exercise would ensure security of lives and property during the yuletide season.  According to him the operation would address security issues such as kidnapping, abduction, banditry, herdsmen/farmers clashes and violent secessionist protests.  According to him, its major objective is to enforce a crime-free Christmas period in the region, just as he warned individuals and groups to shun violence to avoid being targeted by security operatives. Despite the noble objectives of this onslaught, many Nigerians, particularly those of lgbo extraction, view this move with suspicion and skepticism.

Members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and many Nigerians have dismissed the military invasion as another ploy by government and its security apparatus to unleash mayhem on the region, for its unabated agitation for independence. Others see it as part of punitive measures against Igbo people  for being part of the ‘five percenters’ that did not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in last year’s general elections.

The operation, no doubt, has continued to generate spirited debates, due to inherent flaws in its concept, timing and the culture of alleged human rights abuses of the army, in addition to escalating hostilities across the country. Indeed, it appears that the army is undertaking a futile venture, as it seems ill-conceived and ill-timed. Embarking on such a military attack at Christmas season, which is one of the most celebrated and sacred Christian festivals among Igbo people, is most insensitive. Moreso, it is coming  few days after Amnesty International released a damning report of killing of unarmed Biafran protesters by the Nigerian Army, last year. Since August 2015, security forces have killed at least 150 members and supporters of the pro-Biafran organization, IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) and injured hundreds during non-violent meetings, marches and other gatherings,’ it said.

The group said ‘it investigated the crisis brewing in the South-East, where IPOB campaigns for an independent state of Biafra.’  The report ‘documented extra-judicial executions and the use of excessive force by military, police and other security agencies. It also shows a worrying pattern of arbitrary arrests and detentions, including soldiers arresting wounded victims in hospital, and of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees,’ it added.