IDP CAMPS IN NIGERIA TURN BABY-MAKING FACTORIES

It was not entirely shocking to hear that Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Nigeria have continued to record increasing birth rates, especially following reports of rape and violation of women and girls in many of these camps by security operatives and camp officials. What is disturbing however, is the rising toll of births. An article by Kreazetofa Odey on December 8, 2016; recounting the words of Mohammed Gujibawu; an IDP camp manager, reported that "no fewer than 3,213 pregnancies were recorded in Bakassi camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, between June and December this year (2016)". He also reported further that "there are 2,234 breastfeeding mothers among the 21,202 IDPs, the camp presently hosts".

These statistics are particularly interesting for a number of reasons: firstly, they represent records from Bakassi camp, which is just one of the 32 IDP camps remaining in Borno state, according to a NEMA report on November 1, 2016. Secondly, the 21,202 IDPs in Bakassi camp alone, which has grown from the initial 4,743 IDPs when the camp was opened, include both male and female IDPs, and although it is not clear how many male and female IDPs are in Bakassi camp, we would not be entirely wrong to put the ratio of women to babies at 10:1, or even worse. Thirdly, the challenges identified by the Bakassi IDP camp manager: inadequate supply for infants and adults, inadequate school learning materials for the children, lack of potable water, inadequate supply of drugs for underage patients, and absence of ambulance, completely left out the very significant challenge of violation and sexual harassment of women and girls. We can just go on and on!

The nature of IDPs in Nigeria is becoming a daily cause of concern that will most definitely to have a ripple effect on the Nigerian state, as well as implications on issues of mortality rate (infant and adult), population growth, unemployment, crime rate, among several others, in the very near future.

The Nigerian government seem to have left a lot to chance in the administration of IDPs and IDP camps in Nigeria, and unfortunately, the consequences would only manifest in the future, which is not too far from now...

VICTORIA ACERTA!

So the journey of Donald J. Trump to the White House can best be described with the phrase: A luta continua, Victoria Acerta!

Indeed, it was a struggle! But Donald Trump has finally been declared the 45th President-Elect of the United States of America - Victory has been won!

It has indeed been a November to Remember as finally a businessman has been elected to run the global 'business'. Donald Trump would be 'Trumpeted' into the Oval Office, come January 2017, especially amidst controversy.

Questions that beg for answers, for me, however, are:

1. What is the influence, if any, of the US Presidential debate for outcome of the election?

2. What are the real needs of the American people?

3. How well does the media mirror the view of society?

4. What are the implications of this outcome for Nigeria, especially how can we make the most of it?

Reflections on these questions, for me, are the crux of the moment while we give our prayers to Mr President-Elect, Donald J. Trump; 45th President-Elect of the United States of America.

ON YOUR BALLOT...

Wow! Sure you would agree with me that its been quite an intrigue: interesting display of politics, captivating mix of candidacy, and a very engaging global audience... We should give ourselves kudos!

The race to the Oval office is about to be decided; Americans are deciding; the Republican Trump and Democratic Hillary are about to hit the finish line of a race that began in the fall of 2014...

Kindly participate in the MykOgu Blog poll to predict who emerges as the 45th President of the Unites States of America... Simply type "Trump" or "Clinton" in the comment section on the blog.

On your ballot!...Get set!...White House!

Bigamist: You'll Be Surprised What It Means!

So I attended a lecture last week at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) on Women Bigamist in Southeast Nigeria, the lecturer and my friend; Dr. Amaka Emordi of the Department of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University had invited me. I honestly didn't know what to expect from the lecture, but my mind was blown away by the end of the lecture.

A woman bigamist is "a woman who simultaneously and successfully engages in more than one form of marriage". Don't get surprised just yet. A bigamist is not a lesbian, as she doesn't have any sexual relationship with her wife, even though they are legally married. Some variants of bigamy are: a woman marrying a younger woman for herself; a daughter marrying a wife for her father; a sister marrying a wife for her brother, among others.

Some of the major reason for bigamy include childlessness and the lack of male children. Poverty and social status as well as poor living standards are other factors necessitating women bigamy. Now, here are few complications from bigamy: the woman-husband (bigamist) fulfils all customary marriage rites and legally marries a fellow woman; the woman-wife is free to sleep with any man of her choice and as many men as she wants as long as it results in children for the woman-husband; the woman-wife is taken care of by her woman-husband as a man takes care of his wife and attends to her every need aside sexual... One interesting recommendation from the lecture, among others, is the establishment of sperm banks and encouragement of anonymous donations of sperms and female eggs to address the problem of infertility and lack of male children.

Now my questions:
1. Why on earth would you accept to be a woman-wife; legally married to a fellow woman?
2. Why would you buy sperm or eggs from a bank, or why not?

Kindly provide answers in the comment box, you never know who is reading... Shalom!

A HEART FOR REFUGEES!

 

So it's been a while I was here. I literally got overwhelmed with happenstances all around, both locally and internationally, if you are as observant, you would agree that these issues are indeed overwhelming. Thanks to Favor for nudging me back to consciousness, I know you are reading this, thank you!

So I recently came across a research on the refugees not just in Nigeria, but the international refugee situation, to which Nigeria is a major contributor, and I was literally broken to see how individuals, who possibly are better citizens than you and I, become 'wonderers' for the rest of their lives.

 

The United Nations had identified 15 trouble hot spots globally that contribute to the refugee situation, namely South Sudan, Central African Republic, northeastern Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Ukraine, Iraq, and recently Syria. In fact, as of February 2016, the UN reported that 13.5million Syrians required humanitarian assistance, and of this number, 6.6 million had been displaced inside of Syria and 4.8 million were refugees outside of Syria; especially in Turkey. These figures are from just one of the 15 hot spots. "Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me", Ban Ki-moon couldn't have said it any better.

The tales from some of these refugees situations will move you to tears. One volunteer asserted, "I have worked in a lot of difficult situations, but this one is the biggest and toughest so far. My body is tired, but my soul sings". 

Joram has been a refugee for only a few months, and in mixed emotions he reported, "I'm 28 years old, and I'm studying English...Seven members of our family were beheaded, one of my relatives had to witness her daughter being killed... All we want is a normal life". Sami had also been a refugee for two years, and speaking of the young lady in his company, he said, "This is my love. We have been happy together for the past two years. We're waiting for our whole family to be safe in one place, then we will get married". 

 

It is indeed a tale of mixed emotions; some have stories of death and suffering, others have stories of love and laughter through pain, all these however doesn't excuse the reality of a dare situation. 

June 20 is slated as the annual UN World Refugee Day, so do we wait another 9 months to extend love and support to refugees closest to us? I recommend that 'everyday is a refugee day for everyone', as long as we have the heart, the means, and refugees.

THE PAIN OF SOCIAL MEDIA IRRESPONSIBILITY!

 

I prayed I would not have to write about this, but here I am. Most times what you pray about, you are not able to bring about; sadly, this is life!

About a month or so ago, the social media was trending with the news and campaign; championed by some of 'Nigeria's voices': Toyin Aimakhu and Linda Ikeji, amongst others, for some millions of Naira to save the life of Mayowa Ahmed who, at the time, was battling with ovarian cancer. Nigerians were shocked when few days later, the same people came back to say that what they had given so much time and effort into and Nigerians had responded timely to, was a hoax and false. Emotions indeed were hurt; those of campaigners, donors and recipients alike.

After proper investigation, it was discovered that it wasn't a hoax afterall and Mayowa still needed help. Apologies can be more hurtful sometimes, especially when actions or reactions are not properly thought out. 

 

Mayowa Ahmed was flown to South Africa on August 11; a delay that would have resulted from the complications surrounding the campaign and false alarm on the funds raised. Sadly, Mayowa passed in the early hours of today August 21st. It would be unfair to blame any part of Mayowa's sad incident on any of the individuals involved in the drama, but these individuals may, for a long time, keep memories of Mayowa and the role they played in her final weeks.

Linda Ikeji has since apologized for an act I call 'social media irresponsibility' and Toyin Aimakhu had also deleted all posts of the passionate appeal made for the dying Mayowa from her Instagram account, but I wish the same could be done to the records in the mind...

 

The lesson is simple! Social media can be likened to the tongue, and could even be more dangerous than it: USE WISELY!

#SleepwellMayowaAhmed

STATE OF THE ECONOMY

 

The last few months in Nigeria seem to have been the worse ever experienced in the history of Nigeria, maybe since the end of the civil war. In fact, some Nigerians have concluded that 'things have fallen apart'; from a bag of rice rising from N13,000 to N28,000; a rim of A4 paper rising from N500 to N1,200 and even one gala rising from N50 to N70 or so Naira, and unfortunately, income isn't just constant, but threatening to reduce. Things indeed seem to have fallen apart. Someone was reported to have committed suicide two days back; the first of its kind in my area and without a note, now am wondering could this be the new trend?

 

We can help each other survive this unique times of the Nigerian economy. Simply share with us how you have kept yourself up and going in this sickening times in Nigeria. You can just be helping someone survive tomorrow or the day after.

C'mon just leave a comment please and share if you can! 👍