Opinion

Dorcas Egwuje

Nigeria’s citadel of learning is currently distressed with many issues such as hike in school fees, lack of infrastructure, and strike on the part of the students and refusal to pay salaries by government and poor working environment on the part of the lecturer, sadly, cases of sexual harassment by randy lecturers and immoral dressing on the part of female students has become an eyesore that urgently needs attention.

While sexual harassment of female students has been blamed on randy lecturers, university authorities are fighting back by allegedly blaming the “provocative” mode of dressing by female students for the harassment.

Female students have often complained that to pass their examinations, they have to sleep with the lecturers.

Meanwhile, visit to some campuses shows just how scantily and provocatively dressed some of the students could be, majority of the students in their efforts to follow the latest fashion trend, dress in tight fitting trousers or short skirts and tops which show off part of their navels and upper body.

Majority of higher institution as part of admission criteria tells students in their oath form to pledge to always dress decently while on campus, while others erect billboards to pass their message on campus.

Recently, the Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof Timothy Adebayo, said the university would not tolerate any form of immoral conduct among students. He added that the institution would not bend the rule for anyone found guilty of immoral practices.

In a speech he delivered at the matriculation for new students, Adebayo said, “ACU frowns severely at any form of misconduct. There are stern measures taken against students who engage in the slightest form of examination malpractice. Also, sexual immorality and any other shades of deviant behaviours are not tolerated in the university. The university frowns at indecent dressing, and strict actions are taken against erring students.”

He added that the school would not relent in its effort to produce graduates that are intellectually and morally sophisticated to meet up with the demands of the global market.

It should however be noted that the need to restore morality in Nigeria’s universities has led to the imposition of a mode of dressing or the banning of indecent dressing among female students by some of the higher institutions of learning.

Similarly, the federal polytechnic, ilaro ogun state ruled that no student should come to school without putting on pants and bra also any dress worn must cover intimate parts of the body.

The letter stressed the importance of female students of the polytechnic to add to their dressing while on campus a bra and pants .

It urged the female students to wear pants and bras for their safety, comfort and respect for their fellow students, also to avoid harassment from randy lecturers.

While reiterating the significance of the message, speaker of the student representative council, Sulaimon Adedamola in a letter said wearing pants and bras is a requirement and not a suggestion.

The letter read “It is important to remember that pants and bras are required while on campus. This is not only for your own comfort and safety, but, also out of respect for your fellow students.

“It is absolutely essential that you wear pants and a bra while on campus. This is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

“If you do not comply, you will face the consequences and may face disciplinary action. Please respect your fellow students and the rules of the school by wearing appropriate clothing at all times.

“This could include warnings and even suspension. The school takes this rule very seriously, and any violation will be treated as a serious offence.”

To drive this home, authorities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, recently suspended a dean in the faculty of who was indicted of sexually assaulting female students.

In retaliation, several female law students of the University staged a protest in the institution, accusing the Dean of frequently harassing them sexually.

They were seen moving about in groups on the campus late Monday afternoon chanting ‘Ndifon, go! go!’

The students displayed placards with various inscriptions, including “Ndifon Must Go!” “We’re tired of sucking dicks for marks”, “Law Girls Are Not Bonanza”, “Prof Ndifon Must Stop Grabbing our Bum Bum”.

President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria, LAWSAN, Unical branch, Comrade Benedict Otu led the students in the protest against Ndifon

The concept of freedom has been abused in the university. As a result, the university has risen to address the issue of generational stigma by introducing a policy on mode of dressing for its students.

Accordingly students are expected to appear in corporate dressing to lectures and other university functions.

Recently, the senate passed into law bill for an Act to make provision for the prohibition and punishment of sexual harassment of students by lecturers in tertiary institutions.

The objective of the Bill is to prohibit the offence of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions and impose stiff penalties on perpetrators.

It also creates a strict liability offence by removing mutual consent as a defence in prosecution of sexual harassment cases, as it were in the extant law

The new Act when signed to law, will not only prohibit lecturers from having sexual intercourse with underage students; it will also punish lecturers who demand for sex from female students as a condition to giving passing grades.

As against the initial proposal of the sponsors of the Bill that any lecturer who harasses female student shall be liable to 3 years imprisonment; Senator Umaru said the clause has been amended.

“Any person who commits any of the acts specified in section 3 of this Act is guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years and there shall be no option of fine”, the Bill reads.

It was, however, agreed upon presentation, that the penalty should be 5 years imprisonment or option of fine to the tune of N5m or both.

The Act also provides that the head of an institution upon receiving a written complaint of sexual harassment from a victim, shall set up a ‘Sexual Harassment Investigation Panel’ which shall submit its report in writing within 30 days.

While it will be an uphill struggle to combat the ‘indecent’ dressing in Nigeria where 40 percent of the country’s population is under the age of 18, as long as there exist higher institutions of learning, cases of sexual assault will still remain though may reduce when lecturers caught are named and shamed, also the bill should not just be paperwork but lecturers caught should serve as deterrent to others.

Students should know that dressing indecently does not just expose them to randy lecturers but to other male colleagues who may take advantage of them, of course there is no gain in exposing ones body in the public if not for an ‘intention’, however rather than engage in such immorality, they should face their studies squarely and be fully baked for the ‘bright’ future that lies ahead.

Dorcas Egwuje

Japa’, a Yoruba word for “to run, flee, or escape,” has become a buzzword for the aspiration that young Nigerians have to leave the country and migrate elsewhere to seek greener pastures. It’s a response to the leadership failure across decades and governments – civilian and military. 

Nigeria has a population of over 200 million people, most of whom are youths. According to the Census Bureau of the United States, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the United States in 2047. This is understandable, going by the data obtained from Macrotrends, and Statista, which put Nigeria’s annual population growth rate at 2.41 per cent; and the population growth of the US at 0.12 per cent in 2021. 

Nigeria’s large population should be a blessing for, according to China’s revolutionary founder, Mao Zedong: ‘…the contest of strength is not only a contest of military and economic power but also a contest of human power and morale.’  To make a meaning out of Zedong’s quote, let’s take a look at China. It is pleasing that Nigeria as a nation also has this strength; as the most populous country in Africa. But the question is why are we having issues of mass migration? 

For clearer insight, mass migration entails ‘large movement of people from one country to another; which could be voluntary or otherwise. Although migration is a global phenomenon, the rate at which Nigerians are leaving the shores of this country is worrisome.  

There is no doubt that mass migration has lots of debilitating effects on the economy and on various aspects of a country’s life. But what are the triggers? What could make youths weather the storms of a foreign travel and foreign land and abandon their own fatherland?  Nigerian youths’ desire for prosperity, the high cost of living and low standard of living,  weak economy, social distress, underemployment, poverty, hunger and mounting insecurity are the causes of ‘japa’ of the Nigerian youths. 

Some effects of mass migration include but are not limited to the following: 

Loss of investors’ confidence: When Nigerians are leaving in droves, it weakens the spirit of foreign investors to come and establish businesses that would translate to employment generations for our teeming youths.

The message this sends to the investors is that the country’s business environment will not be favourable to investments; and lack of jobs drives social ills. 

Brain drain: One of the consequences of mass migration on the economy is that of the brain drain. Our experienced and qualified hands both in the academia and healthcare sectors, for instance, leave the country in droves for greener pastures. This has left the young upcoming ones without requisite experiences in the sectors of the economy. 

In the healthcare sector, the old experienced hands that are supposed to groom and mentor the upcoming practitioners are being poached by foreign countries. This sad reality applies also to our universities and higher institutions today, where only few experienced hands are still found in the classrooms. 

Today in most of our tertiary institutions, it is only teaching that takes place in classes without corresponding learning experiences; as few lecturers battle with large populations of students. 

Low economic productivity: Optimal productivity is only possible when a good number of competent and skilled workforce perform their duties. Besides the fact that it saves time and energy, it also reduces possible cases of errors on the job. 

Higher cases of errors on the job resulting in deaths: Without hostile reference to medical professionals, a good number of skilled and talented Nigerians had lost their lives or suffered from medical negligence of some practitioners arising from their hurried and shallow medical examinations that require calm and thorough diagnoses either due to lack of experiences or larger number of doctor-to-patient ratio. 

Negative perception about the country: Mass migration of our people in a desperate manner would make ‘outsiders’ form unfavorable and unrealistic collective opinions about Nigeria. Our citizens would also be perceived abroad as those who had no good future in their homelands till they migrated. 

The cases of Ghana and even South Africa that had troubled our nationals in xenophobic attacks in the recent past cannot be forgotten in a hurry and not even at all.  

Hence, the following practical solutions are urgently needed to reverse this unfortunate trend. 

First, we must quickly embark on social mobilisation and behaviour change in communication by engaging and motivating relevant bodies and partners across board to instill the spirit of patriotism and confidence in our fellow citizens; using effective, repetitive communication and persuasion techniques. We need to make our fellow citizens believe that economic prosperity is attainable anywhere Nigeria inclusive. 

Also, governments at all levels must sincerely tackle triggers of mass migration such as poverty, hunger and unemployment; and invest in modern agriculture, ICT and digital economy. To achieve these, government must genuinely craft the right macro-economic policies that will make us competitive while putting us on the same pedestal as other countries. 

Furthermore, we need to promote social inclusion, plug growing wealth gaps and focus attention on programmes that will enhance standards of living and reduce costs of living. 

Also very necessary and timely, we must get relevant educational bodies to craft curricula that will especially teach our young population survival skills, beyond theoretical entrepreneurship being taught, innovation and problem-solving skills right from schools; and seek  to enhance our knowledge. 

Egwuje Dorcas

It is no longer news that the Nigeria’s educational system with its various anomalies just shun out graduates in their thousands with “certificates” and no place in the labour market to fix them, but one would wonder, why would one pay heavily to go through school and at the end, no plan by the government to make one gainfully employed thereafter. Or is it that people especially Nigerian your just go to school only for the certificates?

Analysts have described the unemployment, harsh economic realities and the surging inflation currently bedeviling Nigeria as the major reason many Nigerian youths have resorted to seeking quick fame and fortune in the entertainment industry.

Research indicates that over 40% of Nigerian youths in the job market have dumped their professions to seek wealth on social media and most recently, in reality, television shows.

One could argue that the trend of young professionals choosing entertainment over professional careers is a reflection of Nigeria’s growth in that sector, unfortunately, many do not agree with this opinion.

They insist Nigerian youths run to entertainment because of unemployment, poverty and economic challenges.

Winners in educational competitions in Nigeria have been poorly rewarded, compared with those in entertainment competitions. Entertainment competitions receive more coverage, attention and sponsorship while participants of educational contests languish in misery.

As the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, is currently ongoing with a N120million grand prize for the winner, many Nigerians have asked why the attention given to the entertainment sector by government, brands and individuals is not extended to the education sector. Some educationists have asked why such huge sums of money are not channelled to the educational sector or used to fund the various innovations by students in secondary and tertiary schools.

Moreso, the best student in the just concluded west African senior school certificate Examination ( WASSCE) was awarded with just N2million Naira, while the best graduating student in the higher institution was given N5million Naira.

But the entertainment sector is said to be the second-highest employer in Nigeria after agriculture, assimilating over 60% of Nigerian youths who studied Performing Arts or other disciplines.

A case in study is the Big Brother Naija show which parades young professionals, doctors, lawyers, teachers and scientists who acquired their degrees from various reputable institutions across the world.

While many claim the show is not the best example of morality for young Nigerians, others insist the over ninety days production, employs a vast majority of professionals in cinematography, thereby reducing the rate of unemployment by fractions.

Contestants who made it into Big Brother’s House this season, is a lawyer, a medical doctor, a professional basketball player, a secondary school teacher, actors, musicians, fashion designers and undergraduates.

These young professionals chose to abandon careers in their fields of study for the reality show in search of a better life for themselves.

This contestants peculiar situation is one reason analysts say bad leadership, resulting in very harsh economic situations and unimaginable rates of joblessness for graduates have pushed youths into reality TV shows.

Some of the housemates say they are in the show to promote themselves, become popular and secure their future, claiming their university degrees cannot afford them such opportunities.

Barring one’s liberty to change career paths, many believe Nigeria’s socio-economic problems and desire for quick wealth are the driving forces behind these switches.

Christy Atuegwu, a female lawyer, who reacted to Jumoke’ decision said she was disappointed to hear that a young lady chose reality TV over her call to bar after six years of study.

”One wonders what message this comment you say she made sends to younger folks who are aspiring to be in the law profession”, Christy said.

”It says a lot about Nigeria and our priorities” She maintained.

An education expert, Innocent Chukwuma, said the Nigerian system forced the professionals into entertainment, a life path they would not have chosen if the country was any better.

The trend had started encouraging more students to focus on becoming entertainment stars instead of striving to become academic geniuses who stand a better chance of contributing to the development of the country.

“Quite a number of students tend to get more involved in being musicians or entertainment celebs rather than academic genius because they know you get faster reward being a player in the entertainment sector than working towards being great intellectuals, which takes more time, which is more demanding but serves the society better,” he added while calling on major stakeholders, including religious bodies, corporate organisations and the family to reverse the trend.

Egwuje Dorcas

Nigeria, despite her economic, political and financial prowess still battles with flooding, a disaster that is no longer news as every year, the government, citizens and major stakeholders look forward to another disaster waiting to ravage the nation.

While the meteorological agencies predicts cases of emerging floods both nationally and internationally, the country and her citizens still loose billions of dollars to the disaster including lives that would have been saved.

What is more worrisome however is, why would there be preventive measures rather than curative?

According to report, the 2022 flood was the worse ever recorded since 2012, which affected many parts of the country. From the Federal Government Data, the floods had displaced over 1.4 million people, killed over 603 people, and injured more than 2,400 persons. About 82,035 houses had been damaged, and 332,327 hectares of land had also been affected.

Recently, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned that at least 31 communities across 14 states of Nigeria would experience heavy downpours that may lead to devastating floods. They urged stakeholders to take precautionary measures to forestall its impact. 

This looks like a deja vu of last year’s experience when floods ravaged many communities across different regions of Nigeria. The floods were described as the worst in decades. According to the Federal Government of Nigeria, it claimed over 600 lives, displaced over 1.3 million people and more than 200,000 houses damaged. 

While there are many other causes of flood, especially in Nigeria, it is important to understand the critical role that climate change plays in the entire flooding episode. There is no doubt that climate change has contributed immensely to incessant precipitation. This is basically caused by unusual warmth around the planet, leading to warmer ocean waters and more moisture in the atmosphere thereby producing rains that could lead to flooding. Thus, don’t be surprised when the same drainage system that contained the penultimate year’s rain is unable to contain this year’s downpour. 

With the unpredictable nature of climate change across the world and the fact that the phenomenon has come to stay, there is no better time to educate young people, communities, schools, and community-based organisations on how to mitigate the potentially devastating impact of climate change, especially how it affects developing countries like Nigeria.

While there are general geography subjects in secondary schools, this is an opportunity to review the curriculum to include practical courses related to climate change and how it impacts even the school and surrounding environments. This can be achieved via laboratory sessions, showing how climate change can lead to flooding and how it can be mitigated. While schools are used to excursions to fancy and historical locations, an empirical experience of locations that have been or are vulnerable to flooding due to climate change will also go a long way in improving understanding of the process. Beyond experience-sharing sessions in schools, educating students on climate change could also trigger service projects supported by educational trust funds amongst others.

Community-based organizations also have a responsibility to educate members of their communities on actions to take in order to mitigate the negative impact of climate change. There is a need to integrate social and behavioural change communications into strategic programming on climate change to ensure beneficiaries take necessary actions that can help mitigate impacts like flooding. For instance, training on action points can be stepped down to traditional, religious rulers and other community influencers in a bid to promote more compliance among citizens of vulnerable communities.

Beyond just flooding as an important effect of climate change, there are immense opportunities to develop a comprehensive toolkit on every other aspect of human endeavours that climate change can potentially influence. A climate change education repertoire will not just decentralise knowledge about the potential impact but will prompt the right actions to prevent the escalation of any negative impact.

Citizens who are mostly affected should prioritize their safety by not building on water-ways or dumping refuse indiscriminately on dredges and all adhere to all government instructions.

Governments at all levels must take intentional steps by investing in both human and financial resources to decentralize climate change education ensuring climate change effects are cushioned. Thus, ministries, agencies and departments must develop a strategic framework and put the right structures in place to enable individuals, groups and communities to take effective action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

It time however for the government at all levels, stakeholders and citizens begin preventive measures rather than wait headlong for another flood to consume us all.

Igbos have been advised to copy the fighting pattern of the Hyenas that fight and confront in groups if they must survive the rumoured anti-Igbo agenda that may characterize the Tinubu-Shettima administration.  USA Igbo Tink-Tank group, the “Igbo Patriots” gave the advice following a delegate meeting it held in Texas, USA on the 16^th of May, 2023.

According to a communique exclusively obtained by LeadingReporters, the group’s Security and Economic Strategic Advisor” Dr Ben Chisombiri hinted that the group has a verifiable security report that suggests the vulnerability of Igbos under the President-Elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.  Dr. Chisombiri said that the Tinubu Government would be circled by anti-Igbo hawks who will ensure that Igbos are economically reduced, and their properties destroyed at will.

The group said that there is expected aggrandizement of anti-Igbo crusade and the peak of it may be witnessed under the Tinubu-Shettima administration.

“The choice of Tinubu and Shettima is not a decision that was abruptly taken.  It took years of strategizing, restrategizing, engaging and re-engaging.  For those that still believe that the war is over, it is high time for them to understand that there was an agenda so many decades ago.  Igbos seem to be slowing the agenda.  Simply put, that Agenda is anti-Igbo.

“Tinubu-Shettima administration was planned to manifest that agenda and unless igbos fight as a pack, just like hyenas do, they would be swallowed up if they dare fight as one single lion in the wood.bi

The group advised Igbos to temporarily halt investments that has to do with landed property in other parts and watch events as they unfold.  The group claimed that the report is not hinged on assumptions or sentiments of tribal affiliation, but on a valid intelligence report, it possesses.

The group advised Igbos to re-stir its kindred spirit and look out for each other.  It also advised Igbos, especially those in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and other vulnerable places in Nigeria to rekindle their communality and share strategic information.

The Patriots further counselled Igbos to plan beyond buying and selling but resort to other opportunities that abound in the entertainment industry, ICT, AI, vocations, and skills acquisition.

“Our message to our dear brothers and sisters is simple.  Don’t lose your guard.  You are in the middle of jackals that hates and prey on you; jackals that envy you, and question your inventiveness.  They would do everything humanly possible to end your existence.  We are not sharing tales with you.  We are sharing evidence-based intelligence report. Do not return hatred for hatred, but surprise them with your unity, communality; your kindred spirit and your ability to break odds and shine amidst storms.  That time is now”.  Dr Chisombiri said.