Nigerians Report Online

Thursday, November 28, 2013

BIAFRA: The Untold Story in Pictures

(wrong original caption) Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi head of Nigeria's new Federal Military Government and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 25, 1966.

1000_demonstrators_protest at 48th Street and Park Avenue in New York, Aug. 18, 1968. The marchers came from an interfaith service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 53rd St. and F street

A Biafran doctor hands out cups containing the daily ration of powdered milk to a line of children at a refugee camp in Anwa, Biafra, Aug. 5, 1968

A federal Nigerian soldier holding an anti-tank bazooka is seen covering the end of the Aba-Umuahia road where Biafran troops hold positions, Sept. 21, 1968.

Original Caption: An Ibo soldier captured by Nigerian troops near Owerri in Biafra throws up his hands in anguish as his captors tell him he will die as a traitor, Sept. 1968.

Biafra Declaration 30th may 1967

Biafran women and children outside White House in an effort to see first lady Lady Bird Johnson Oct 5 1968 about starving countrymen back home in war-torn Biafra

Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu at Nigerian-Biafran peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the Emperor Haile Selassie is chairman of the committte Aug 5 1968

Company of Biafran soldiers leave their positions to advance on a Nigerian position 100 yards away during the Aba offensive, Aug. 1968.

Federal Nigerian police push back crowds of demonstrators outside the French Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, Sept. 16, 1968 - They were demonstrating against French assistance to Biafra

John Lennon & Yoko Ono displaying letter from Lennon to British PM Harold Wilson, Nov. 25, 1969. The letter explains John Lennon's reasons for returning his Order of the British Empire, OBE medal - British support of America in Vietnam & involvement/support of Nigeria against Biafra

Jubilant Nigerians in the capital city of Lagos cheer as they read of the surrender of the rebel Biafran forces, Jan. 12, 1970.

Major General Yakubu Gowon at Dodan barracks, stands before a map of Nigeria as he tells reporters at a press conference that the war will be over in 4-8 weeks - Sept 13 1968

New head of state Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu in Enugu shortly after the declaration of independence and formation of the new state of Biafra, June 10 1967 takes the oath of office.

Wounded soldier attended by Igbo medic Biafra Nigeria 1968

9 yr old Igbo albino clutching an empty corned beef tin Biafra, Nigeria. April 1968
Why has there been an outcry against brutalities committed in Rwanda, Darfur, Liberia, South Africa, etc....and yet no one has been held accountable for the atrocities deliberately committed against these innocent children?

A young mother breast feeds her five-month-old baby boy while holding her starving four-year-old daughter, near Anwa, Biafra, Aug. 5, 1968.The daughter died a few hours later

Belgian Mercenary Marc Goosens Killed during a Nigerian attack on Onitsa, Biafra Nigeria Nov 1968

Catholic Mission Food Distribution Biafra Nigeria April 1968
It breaks my heart to recall the huge sacrifices that these young men made for a cause that they believed in. The lame leading the blind.

Cinematographer Raymond Depardon Biafra, Nigeria August 1968 by Gilles Caron

Igbo officer addressing one of his dead soldiers Biafra Nigeria April 1968
When you look at these photos you will realize that the Biafra story is yet to be fully told

Igbo Soldier Biafra Nigeria Nov 1968 by Gilles Caron
He is probably a teenager or in his early 20s. How greed and raw wickedness deprived so many of their youthful innocence.

Igbo 'soldier' carrying a wounded comrade Biafra Nigeria April 1968
These are boys...and yet when we talk about African child soldiers no one ever seems to refer to the first...Biafran boys!

Igbo Soldiers, Biafra Nigeria April 1968

Igbo Soldiers retreating, Biafra, Nigeria April 1968

Igbo Soldiers, Biafra Nigeria April 1968

Igbo Victim of the civil war, Biafra, Nigeria, July 1968

Makeshift Ambulance on the frontline Biafra Nigeria April 1968

Sixteen-year-old Ibo boy, Biafra, Nigeria, 1968

Starving Igbos, Biafra, Nigeria July 1968

Wife of a Nigerian Officer burned alive Biafra Nigeria April 1968

The Biafran Cabinet at a Church service, on the extreme right is the late Sir Louis Mbanefo- former Supreme Court Judge and Judge of the World Court

1968 - A Biafran soldier in the bush on alert before the invasion of Abagana

1969, at parade to celebrate the Second Independence Anniversary of Biafra; General Effiong is fourth from left; General Ojukwu, Head of State, is fifth from left

1969, Major General Philip Efiong returning from a visit to a refugee camp in Nto Edino in present-day Akwa Ibom State

August 29, 1968 - Folk singer Joan Baez and rock singer Jimi Hendrix chat between acts at a Biafran Relief Benefit show at a place in Manhattan called Steve Paul's Scene.

Biafran child soldier said to be about 13, and one of the Onumonus, and former French Legionnaire Rolf Steiner awaiting orders

End of the Nigerian civil war. Major-General Gowon (left) shakes hands with Lt-Colonel Phillip Effiong (right).

End of the War; In the true spirit of African reconciliation, kola nut is shared; General Efiong, extreme right, takes a piece

Owerri, Biafra -Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of secessionist Biafra, announces introduction of new currency and postage stamps, officially issued on January 29th 1968

Nigerian Troops firing artillery gun in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, during the Nigerian Civil War. Col Benjamin Adekunle is seen here with left hand on the artillery gun.

Biafra The will for Independence

Biafran soldiers at the frontline during the Nigerian Civil War

From FFSA
Federation of the Free States of Africa
Contact
Secretary General
Mangovo Ngoyo

Email: africa.federation@gmail.com
www.africafederation.net

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ON THE TRUE STORY OF BIAFRA.

From the legendary author of Things Fall Apart—a long-awaited memoir of coming of age in a fragile new nation, and its destruction in a tragic civil war

For more than forty years, Chinua Achebe has maintained a considered silence on the events of the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Now, decades in the making, comes a towering account of one of modern Africa’s most disastrous events, from a writer whose words and courage have left an enduring stamp on world literature. A marriage of history and memoir, vivid firsthand observation and decades of research and reflection, There Was a Country is a work whose wisdom and compassion remind us of Chinua Achebe’s place as one of the great literary and moral voices of our age.

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Lancelot Imasuen Makes History with Epic Movie and "ABCs of Death" Series

Lancelot Imasuen Makes History with Epic Movie and "ABCs of Death" Series

Lancelot Imasuen.

Lancelot Imasuen, one of the most ambitious filmmakers in Nigeria’s Nollywood is breaking new grounds with his historical epic movie Invasion 1897 and for being the only African director among the 26 selected directors making the short horror thrillers of The ABCs of Death series. He is one of the most prolific producers in Africa and his movies have focused on the unexplored aspects of the African experience including tribalism, witchcraft, crime, poverty, religion, and folk beliefs.

Lancelot has just concluded his own segment for the Alphabet P with “Prince Venom” in the 26 segments of the horrors of death anthology in Benin. Then he will be in London for the British locations of Invasion 1897, featuring Nigerian born Charles "Chucky" Venn who is famous for his roles as Curtis Alexander in Sky's "One's Dream Team", Tremaine Gidigbi in "Footballers' Wives" and as Ray Dixon in "EastEnders", and also starring the St. Lucian-born English actor Joseph Marcell, who has acted in over 34 films and 3 TV shows, including "The Santa Trap", "Brothers And Sisters" and "The Bill" and popularly known for his role as Geoffrey, the English butler on the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". The top Nigerian stars in the epic include Segun Arinze Paul Obazele, Mike Omoregbe who played the lead role as Oba Ovoramwen, Charles Inojie and the late Justus Esiri. Invasion 1897 has been endorsed by the Benin monarch, Oba Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopolo and by the Edo state government. The film production is co-financed by Senator Daisy Danjuma and South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, supported by Capt (Dr.) Hosa Okunbor, the Chairman of FEVA TV in Toronto, Canada and J2konsult in the UK are marketing the film in Europe and planning the London unit of the movie.

Lancelot at a recent international event.

Lancelot Imasuen, High Chief Edem Duke, Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation and actor Emeka Enyiocha.

Invasion 1897 (Nogbaisi Ovonramwen) is perhaps the most daring film project in the history of the Nigerian film industry, because no previous movie can be compared to it, both in scope and perspective of the historical context. The epic is based on the invasion of the Benin Kingdom by the British Empire in 1897 and looting the priceless ancient artifacts of the Benin kingdom, including the famous commemorative head and pendant of ivory mask representing Queen Idia (from court of Benin, 16th century) who was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550. The commemorative head is at the British Museum, while the pendant is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA.

The commemorative head and ivory mask pendant of Queen Mother Idia carted away by British soldiers during the invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897..

“It will coincide with the country’s centenary celebration and which marks 100 years Oba Ovonramen N’ogbaisi (the then sitting Oba) died in exile in Calabar, on the 14th of January, 1914, where he was banished by the British,” Lancelot said and will also “kick start our call for reparations by the return of all the looted Benin Artworks from all the museums around the world”.

Lancelot on locations of "Invasion 1897".

Lancelot Imasuen’s inclusion in the second part of The ABCs of Death has shot him to global limelight as millions of movie lovers await the next 26 segments of the horror series.

The first part of The ABCs of Death 2012 American anthology horror comedy film was produced by Ant Timpson and Tim League; a thriller of 26 different shorts, each by different directors spanning fifteen countries. The 26 chapters assigned a letter of the alphabet and the directors were free to choose a word to create a story involving death. The varieties of death range from accidents to murders. The film premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and was released on VOD on January 31 and in theaters March 8, 2013, with end credits featuring the music of Australian band Skyhooks' 1974 song "Horror Movie".

For The ABCs of Death 2, a contest was held for the role of the 26th director. The winner was UK-based director Lee Hardcastle, who submitted the claymation short for T. The horror anthology runs with the tagline, “26 directors, 26 ways to die.” For the first 25 segments, a group of 25 directors were engaged and each was given a letter of the alphabet and then tasked with creating a short film about death inspired by that letter. The result was a string of shorts including “D is for Dogfight,” “F is for Fart,” “M is for Miscarriage,” and more twisted titles to get your head spinning.
With 26 directors and 26 ways to die, "Viewer Discretion Is Advised"!

Like Invasion 1897 on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Invasion1897Movie
See the YouTube teaser trailer, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YljETHmfD34
See Official Trailer of The ABCs of Death on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU2NHb_pKso Follow The ABCs of Death 2 on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ABCsofDeath

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.
© International Digital Post Network Limited. 2013. No reproduction in any format of media without the authorization and permission of the copyright owners.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Wonderful Women Are Doing Wonderful Things in the World

If women ran the world we wouldn't have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days.
~ Robin Williams

The world is full of wonderful women doing wonderful things every day and everywhere and one of them could be your sister, niece, cousin, aunt, girlfriend, wife, mother, grandmother and even great grandmother and they have wowed us in countless ways. But in most cases, these Amazons among us have not been celebrated.

They may not be on the "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" List of Forbes Magazine and they may not be on the covers of celebrity magazines beaming at us, but they are still doing wonderful works in their own wonderful ways at home and at work and from those sweeping the streets everyday to those making straight As in the classroom and those brainstorming in the boardroom. They are all wonderful women among us.

Those who don't celebrate you will underestimate you!
And don't let anyone underestimate you in anyway!

You are the wonderful creation of God and you have been made to wow every one. So, you must be successful and be Wonderful! Don't settle for less. Lest we forget, without women, there will be no men today. Women bring men into the world!

It is past time for women to take their rightful place, side by side with men, in the rooms where the fates of peoples, where their children’s and grand children’s fates, are decided.
~ Hillary Clinton

Our wonderful women doing wonders are going to be given the respect and honour they deserve and we are going to do so every year in our awesome Women of Outstanding Wonder (WOW) Awards in Lagos, Nigeria and you are welcome to join us. You must know wonderful women in your family, community and larger society and tell us the wonderful things they have done or are doing for humanity.

Get involved, email us at publisher@nigeriansreport.com and watch out for more information on the first ever Women of Outstanding Wonder (WOW) Awards coming soon!

The 29th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

This House Has Fallen? Since When?

To understand Africa, one must understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. This House Has Fallen is a bracing and disturbing report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. Though Nigeria is a nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, its per capita income has fallen dramatically in the past two decades. Military coup follows military coup. A bellwether for Africa, it is a country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, very possibly on the verge of utter collapse — a collapse that could dramatically overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, This House Has Fallen looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. Updated with a new preface by the author.

I have already addressed Karl Maier in my In the House of Dogs that should be read by anyone who wants to know the genesis of the Nigerian crisis from the testimonies of someone born and bred in Nigeria and not from the pedestrian observations of a foreigner. A visitor does not know your home more than you no matter how long the visitor stays with you.

A journey into contemporary Africa's most powerful, most corrupt nation.. To understand Africa, you have to understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. In the tradition of Philip Gourevitch's bestselling We Regret to Inform You...and Redmond O'Hanlon's No Mercy, This House Has Fallen is a bracing, disturbing, evocative report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. A nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, Nigeria's per capita income has dramatically fallen in the past two decades. All of the money has been stolen by elites. Also stolen has been democracy. Nigeria's leaders tend to elect themselves, often with the help of a gun. Military coup follows military coup. A rare democratic election is often merely a prelude to the next seizure of power by a general who wants greater access to the state's rapidly depleted vaults. A country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, Nigeria is a bellwether for Africa. And yet some think it is on the verge of utter collapse, a collapse that could overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, this book looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. To understand Africa, you have to understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. In the tradition of Philip Gourevitch's bestselling We Regret to Inform You...and Redmond O'Hanlon's No Mercy, This House Has Fallen is a bracing, disturbing, evocative report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. A nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, Nigeria's per capita income has dramatically fallen in the past two decades. All of the money has been stolen by elites. Also stolen has been democracy. Nigeria's leaders tend to elect themselves, often with the help of a gun. Military coup follows military coup. A rare democratic election is often merely a prelude to the next seizure of power by a general who wants greater access to the state's rapidly depleted vaults. A country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, Nigeria is a bellwether for Africa. And yet some think it is on the verge of utter collapse, a collapse that could overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, this book looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. *The first significant book on this subject in decades Nigeria is strategically vital to the United States-- it is one of our major suppliers of oil.

Katy Perry's WOW Moment!

Katy Perry is famous not only for her chart topping songs, movies and concerts, but for her philanthropy and played a big role in Gucci’s A-list Chime For Change campaign, which urges women to come together for global issues such as justice, healthcare and just yesterday on Monday November 25, 2013, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Gucci announced that it has raised $4.4 million through its Chime for Change initiative for women and girls.

(RED) Brings Together The World's Biggest DJs + Pop Artists To Release DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES2 On iTunes Out Now

25 Nov 2013 21:01 Africa/Lagos

(RED) Brings Together The World's Biggest DJs + Pop Artists To Release DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES2 On iTunes Out Now AVAILABLE NOW: iTunes.com/DanceRED ALBUM TO KICK-OFF THIS YEAR'S WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATIONS TOGETHER WITH CALVIN HARRIS, AVICII, KATY PERRY, SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA, ROBIN THICKE, TIESTO, DEADMAU5 AND MORE

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the global success of the 2012 DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES music compilation - which topped the iTunes dance charts at #1 in 33 countries - (RED) together with today's hottest electronic and pop artists, today release DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² . Produced in partnership with Capitol Music Group's Priority Records, DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² is available now exclusively on iTunes, where it immediately debuted at #1 on the Dance Chart: iTunes.com/danceRED.

The ultimate soundtrack to this year's World AIDS Day weekend celebrations, the DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² compilation features new remixes of some of the biggest names in pop and electronic music such as Robin Thicke, Katy Perry, Tiesto, Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding, Martin Solveig and Major Lazer, as well as original collaborations from Baauer & RL Grime, deadmau5 & Eric Prydz and Dada Life & Josh Wink. The album costs $9.99 and ALL proceeds from the sales of DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.

Beginning on November 30 in Sydney, Australia where (RED) will be renewing its partnership with Stereosonic Festival, DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² will kick off the annual dance party taking place across the 2013 World AIDS Day weekend. Sets by many of the biggest names in dance music, including Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell and more will be live-streamed on VICE's electronic music and culture channel – THUMP, bringing fans an unforgettable live global music experience.

The DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES ² album artwork features a collaborative design by pioneering graffiti artist and graphic designer, Futura, and German design student Ramona Ring as part of (RED)'s global design competition with Adobe Creative Cloud™.

WATCH THE DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES² CAMPAIGN VIDEO HERE

DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES² ALBUM TRACKLIST

Katy Perry - Roar (DallasK Remix)
Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (Swedish House Mafia Remix)
Major Lazer ft. Bruno Mars, Tyga and Mystic - Bubble Butt (Flosstradamus Remix)
Empire of the Sun & Tommy Trash - Celebrate (Tommy Trash Remix)
Madonna vs. Avicii - Girl Gone Wild (Avicii's UMF Mix)
Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining (Jesse Rose 'Bootleg' Remix)
Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding - I Need Your Love (R3hab Remix)
Dada Life vs. Josh Wink - Higher State of Dada Land
Robin Thicke ft. Kendrick Lamar - Give It 2 U (Benny Benassi Remix)
Capital Cities - Kangaroo Court (Robert DeLong Remix)
Banks - Waiting Game (Kaytranada Edition)
Baauer & RL Grime - Infinite Daps
Claire - Broken Promise Land (Giorgio Moroder Remix & Vocoder)
Bingo Players - Buzzcut (Popeska Remix)
Icona Pop - All Night (Crookers Remix)
Tiesto, Mark Alston, Baggi Begovic, Jason Taylor - Love & Run ft. Teddy Geiger (MOTi Remix)
Deadmau5 vs. Eric Prydz - The Veldt (Prydz Festival Edit)
Martin Solveig & The Cataracts - Hey Now ft. Kyle (Pierce Fulton Remix)
Gorgon City - Voltage
Felix Cartal ft. HAERTS - Slow Motion
Rebecca & Fiona ft. VICE - Hot Shots (RED Edition)
Tritonal ft. Underdown - Deep Into Black (Club Mix)
Chuckie - Skydive ft. Maiday (Candyland Remix)
Far East Movement - There Will Be No Rain (Kill Paris Remix)

About (RED)™
(RED) was founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS.
(RED) partners with the world's most iconic brands who contribute up to 50% of profits from (RED) branded goods and services to the Global Fund. (RED) Proud Partners include: Apple, Starbucks, The Coca-Cola Company, Beats by Dr. Dre, Belvedere, Claro, SAP, Telcel and Live Nation Entertainment. (RED) Special Edition partners include: Shazam, Girl Skateboards, Mophie, FEED, Nanda Home, Bottletop, Fatboy USA, Bed Bath & Beyond, HEAD.

To date, (RED) has generated more than $240 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to support HIV/AIDS grants in Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania. 100 percent of that money goes to work on the ground – no overhead is taken. Global Fund grants that (RED) supports have impacted more than 14 million people with prevention, treatment, counseling, HIV testing and care services.
(RED) is a division of The ONE Campaign. Learn more at www.red.org.

About The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The Global Fund is an international financing institution dedicated to attracting and disbursing resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria. The Global Fund promotes partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities, the most effective way to help reach those in need. This innovative approach relies on country ownership and performance-based funding, meaning that people in countries implement their own programs based on their priorities and the Global Fund provides financing where verifiable results are achieved.
Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has approved funding of US$ 22.9 billion for in 140 countries. To date, programs supported by the Global Fund have provided AIDS treatment for 5.3 million people, anti-tuberculosis treatment for 11 million people and 340 million insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts in dealing with the three diseases.

Video with caption: "(RED) BRINGS TOGETHER THE WORLD'S BIGGEST DJS + POP ARTISTS TO RELEASE DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES2 ON iTUNES OUT NOW AVAILABLE NOW: iTunes.com/DanceRED." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26AYBCL174c
Image with caption: "(RED) BRINGS TOGETHER THE WORLD'S BIGGEST DJS POP ARTISTS TO RELEASE DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES2 ON iTUNES OUT NOW ALBUM TO KICK-OFF THIS YEAR'S WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATIONS TOGETHER WITH CALVIN HARRIS, AVICII, KATY PERRY, SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA, ROBIN THICKE, TIESTO, DEADMAU5 AND MORE." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131125/NY23543

SOURCE (RED)
CONTACT: Holly Aubry, (RED), +1 212 405 4991, Holly.aubry@red.org
Web Site: http://www.red.org

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Kenya Protest After Alleged Gang-rapists Ordered To Cut Grass As Punishment

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Kenya's capital after police punished the alleged rapists of a 16-year-old schoolgirl by making them cut their compound's lawn. The girl, widely referred to as ..

Violence Against Women is Unacceptable – No Matter What She Was Wearing

23 Nov 2013 07:32 Africa/Lagos

Violence against women is unacceptable – no matter what she was wearing

GENEVA, 22 November 2013 / PRNewswire Africa / - Violence against women remains one of the greatest scourges of our time. It is disgraceful that even today, for many women and girls everywhere, violence is lurking around street corners, in workplaces or in their very own homes. And too often, justice is elusive.

In Busia, Kenya, in June this year, a 16-year-old girl was gang-raped and thrown into a six-metre-deep pit latrine, breaking her back and leaving her with obstetric fistula. Police chose not to prosecute the men, instead ordering them to cut grass around the police station as punishment. The news unleashed a rare outpouring of public indignation and a petition was signed by 1.4 million people. The “Justice for Liz” campaign led the Chief Justice of Kenya to call for immediate action in the case. Why did it take agitation by 1.4 million people to begin the process of justice which is the victim's fundamental human right?

Halfway around the world, in Auckland, New Zealand, when a 13-year-old girl had gone to the police to report that she had been raped by three young men, one of the first questions she was reportedly asked was: “What were you wearing”. This was in 2011. Two years later, after many similar attacks by the same gang, it took a public exposé to rattle the authorities into action. The Independent Police Conduct Authority of New Zealand has been ordered to look into the handling of these cases and police are now finally conducting the investigations they should have begun two years ago.

Sadly, these are not isolated cases. Such crimes occur on a daily basis in countries across the world, but they rarely make headlines or lead to public outrage and action by high-level officials. In most parts of the world, women are too ashamed or fearful to report violence, particularly sexual violence, to the police. And when they overcome various societal barriers and taboos to file a complaint, they are all too often met with callous, insensitive official reactions, effectively blocking all access to justice.

Violence against women and girls has been perpetuated by centuries of male dominance and gender-based discrimination. Building on deeply entrenched social norms that frame women's worth around discriminatory notions of chastity and “honour”, violence is often used to control and humiliate not only the victims, but also their families and communities. It is essential to challenge such notions, which often permeate the justice system itself, resulting in a vicious cycle of impunity and further violence.

The UN Committee on the Elimination on Discrimination against Women and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women have been documenting violence against women, its causes and consequences in all parts of the world and recommending measures to eliminate such violence and to remedy its consequences. These recommendations must be taken seriously. States are obliged by international human rights law to ensure that the criminal justice system, at every stage, is free of gender bias, including in investigation, prosecution, interrogation and protection of victims and witnesses, and in sentencing.

The suggestion that women have a propensity to lie and that their testimony must be corroborated or treated with caution should be eliminated from every level of the judicial process, as must the idea that women invite sexual violence by being out late or by dressing in a particular manner.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, let us do our part to eliminate the harmful gender stereotypes that help perpetuate a climate where violence against women is considered acceptable or “deserved”. Violence is simply and totally unacceptable – no matter what she was wearing.

SOURCE United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Friday, November 22, 2013

Youth Writing Winner: The Battle Against Corruption Starts from Within

Ugoh Wilson Emenike

22 Nov 2013 01:43 Africa/Lagos

YOUTH WRITING WINNER: THE BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION STARTS FROM WITHIN

BERLIN, 21 November 2013 / PRNewswire Africa / - If young people want to see change in the world, they have to realise the battle against corruption starts with them – they must resolve to do the right thing. This is the message from Nigeria's Ugoh Wilson Emenike, 23, the winner of our 20th anniversary youth writing competition.

Emenike's essay is a semi-fictional account of a youngster who loses respect for a highly regarded teacher after he connives with a supplier and inflates the price of sporting equipment to “get his slice of the cake”. After leaving school, the youngster takes a stand against the endemic corruption he experienced by resisting to pay a bribe to get into college. Read the full story here.

We chatted with Emenike when he was in Berlin recently to accept his prize at Transparency International's 20th Anniversary Celebrations. Here are some of his insights on the power of story-telling and the importance of setting an example:

How can creative writing be used as a tool to fight corruption:
Writing is a way of drawing people in and giving them information about issues that are a problem in society, like corruption. If your writing is interesting and creative, you can pass your message across effectively. When people don't realise that corruption is a problem, they don't think of ways to solve it. Story-telling helps to make people more aware.

What was the reaction back home in Nigeria after you won this competition?
There was a big reaction – my essay was publicised widely in the newspapers and online. I was also contacted by a number of people who wanted to talk to me about it. One man's reaction said it all: “If there is one area in society where change should start, it's the education system. But when young people in the education system are exposed to corruption as if it's a normal part of life, you'll get a lot of problems.” People can now see that there are individuals like me who are not comfortable with corruption – that may change their thinking and attitudes. I hope that will help to make a difference.
Why did you decide to enter the competition?

I saw the competition as an opportunity for me to speak out about a very personal problem – the problem of corruption. Although the essay is a work of fiction, I have experienced all these events in my own life – you could say I am the main character. When money meant for paying lecturers goes missing and those lecturers go on strike for months, young people like myself are affected. These young people can no longer attend classes and some can't even graduate. Their futures are being jeopardised by corruption.
What is your advice to other youngsters who encounter corruption in their daily lives in Nigeria?
In order to fight corruption, you have to recognise it as a problem first. Then you must make the decision to change. You can't make the change when you're not ready for it – beating corruption requires a change of attitude. You can't just keep on complaining things are wrong – you must actively resolve not to indulge in corruption.

Where to from here?
I want to continue the fight. I want to continue telling stories. My weapon remains my writing – I will keep on telling people corruption is not right, and turn my messages into stories so they draw people in.
It's important that we talk about issues of corruption in Nigeria, so people know what's happening there. I hope my writing puts it in the spotlight.

More about Ugoh Wilson Emenike
Ugoh Wilson Emenike is a youth activist, writer and teacher from Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Although he comes from an economically disadvantaged background, Emenike says he believes that there is no limit to what one can achieve with determination. He works with a faith-based organisation to help young people develop their potential and make a positive impact on society. Emenike says his interest in corruption developed from his realisation that it can be the root cause of many challenges that youth face globally, including unemployment.

SOURCE Transparency International

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22 Nov 2013