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Marginalisation: Ray Of Hope For Women

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Recently, history was made as judgement was delivered in favour of Nigerian women at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The Federal High Court granted all the reliefs sought in the suit filed by various coalitions and organisations challenging the Marginalisation suffered by women in the political space.
That seemed like a ray of hope for women, suffering marginalisation in Nigerian political space as court okays 35per cent Affirmative Action.
In that incidence, Nigerian women were represented by a counsel of the Falana and Falana Chambers, Barrister Marshal Abubakar.
Lately, women realising that they possess so much potentials felt that they have suffered enough of the marginalisation in the Nigerian political space therefore decided to seek redress in the law court.
To their advantage, the Federal High Court, Abuja, on April 6, 2022, delivered a judgement in a matter on Affirmative Action before Justice Donatus Akorowo.
Representatives of the women as well as other stakeholders were a coalition of women groups including the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Women In Politics Forum (WIPF), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa),  Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), YIAGA, Africa, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and 100 Women Lobby Groups.
The group had gone to court, seeking true reflection of democracy through strict compliance to the anti-discriminatory provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Gender Equality in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution.
It was a landmark judgement for Nigerian women who have earnestly desired a truly inclusive governance process in Nigeria since the matter started in 2020.
Reports have it that Nigeria currently ranks very low globally as it is rated 184th (out of 187) in female representation in parliament.
Although, the matter was adjourned a number of times but the development shows the extent of readiness of Nigeria to practise inclusion based on the international and regional instruments that it signed especially since independence in 1960.
It would be recalled that on March 2, 2022 over 1000 women groups in Nigeria wrote National Assembly and demanded reconsideration of all Gender bills for passage as a matter of urgency.
March 7, 2022, as it would be recalled, also recorded another scenario on gender bills where women vowed to continue to occupy National Assembly until six point demands were met.
As women celebrated International Women Day (IWD) 2022 recently, USAID, State2State put together “dialogue to proffer solutions to gender biases.
It was celebration for Nigerian women as they congratulated themselves for the fact that a litigation process which was on since 2020 ended with victory.
It is hoped that those clear interpretations of the Constitution both at the states and National Assembly will provide an enabling environment for women in governance and politics in Nigeria.
A Sharia Court of Appeal headed by Muhammad Uthman El- Mainari, has lamented that Nigeria as a male-dominated society has limited women in the country from discovering their full potentials and as such relegating them to the background.
El-Mainari raised such concern recently at a one-day stakeholders consultative meeting on women, peace and security in Nigeria (phase 11) organised by UN women.  He said that women should have a say in matters directly affecting them in the family and society.
According to him, there is urgent need to stand up for women and support every programme aimed at promoting gender equality and place women in their proper position.
“We need to stand up to fight for the rights of women, support them to get into positions of decision making in governance”, he emphasised.
While the UN and sister organisations are commended for coming up with different programmes aimed at making women feel a sense of belonging in the society, concerted efforts must continue to ensure that every form of gender-based violence against women and girls was eliminated in the society and the rights of women were adequately protected.
Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of the Rights of Women to Share in Family Property Bill, 2022 came up for hearing in the Rivers State House of Assembly, recently.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, took laudable steps to streamline the issues of obnoxious traditional practices and discrimination laws against women and the girl-child in the state.
The bill as The Tide Women Desk gathered was initiated by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 11, Hon. Kingsley Oke-Chinda.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter,  commended the Rivers 9th Assembly for the bold step taken to pass such Bill into law and made some recommendations.
NAWOJ also recommended for Repeal of Laws that terminate Widows Share Upon Remarriage.
The Chairperson, NAWOJ, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, says NAWOJ prides herself as one of the first respondent in issues of abuses because according to her, we always get the calls to probe further in discrimination and neglect in collaboration with sister agencies, have continued to champion the cause of women and girls in the society by making sure that our voices are heard, using our various media platforms.
She expressed optimism that the Bill would put into consideration that the state civil laws shall have supremacy over customary laws and obnoxious practices where some opinion leaders will insist their tradition is supreme.
In her words: “We also hope that the legislation should state that, upon remarrying, a surviving spouse retains the full rights of any property she inherited from the deceased’s estate”.
“Drafters should repeal any law that terminates interests upon remarriage for the widow, but not widower”, she insisted.
Although, Rivers State is already leading other states in women emancipation, but when the Bill is speadily passed into law, it will place Rivers as the most gender-friendly, not just in Nigeria but in Africa at large.
Members of the committee of the 9th Assembly must be commended while ensuring that the Bill receives the attention it deserves.

By: Eunice Choko-Kayode

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Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky

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IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights

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Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing

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The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication.  Non-verbal communication has been asserted  as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols.  It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”.  He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands.  The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage.  It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet,  in trending times of this 21st century, dress code  and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should  dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing.  Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame.  This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public.  Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace  of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed.  There may be no room for a second impression.  To the single ladies,  your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather,  it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.

Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.

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NWAPDI Launches Home Farming Scheme For Women In Okrika

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A non-governmental group,  Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive Development Initiative (NWAPDI), has taken it’s sensitization programme on home grown farming to women in Okrika Local Government Area.
The body which started in April, 2024 in Rivers State is boasting of huge grassroot followership and is planning a green revolution.
The Rivers State Coordinator, Barrister Ngozi Ajayi, who disclosed this in Okrika, last Thursday, said the programme would change the fortunes of women farmers and their families.
Ajayi was joined by  local government coordinators from Etche, Okrika, Emohua, and Omuma, at Ibaka Town, Okrika, to inaugurate 12-member Ward Coordinators of NWAPDI in the area.
Ajayi stated that since July, when the local government coordinators of NWAPDI were inaugurated, the body which aims to boost food sufficiency and arm women with skills in agro-production, had grown in followership, especially among the women folk.
She commended women in Okrika for the interest they had shown in the scheme, adding that she was impressed with the huge turnout and participation.
Shortly after inaugurating the 12 Ward Coordinators, Ajayi charged the women to exploit the opportunities provided by NWAPDI.
She reiterated that the body had come to stay as a way of  improving the wellbeing of women who, most times, were providers in their families.
“We want all of you to go back to your families and tell your people that whatever space you have, utilize it for subsistence farming.
“As you can see, the body is made up of lawyers, lecturers, teachers, and women in different sectors. The essence is to call attention on the need for women to collaborate together so their voices will be heard.
“Women are the major backbone in the agric sector, and if their efforts are harnessed to impact on the nation’s food production, their impact can go far,”she said.
With NWAPDI on board, she expressed optimism that the plight of women farmers would be reduced, such that all government and international support would get to the grassroots.
Also speaking, NWAPDI Coordinator in Okrika Local Government  Area, Prof. Nene Jamabo, a professor of Aqua Culture at the University of Port Harcourt, had  expressed delight over the interest shown by women in the LGA, saying with cluster farming, women would be empowered more than before.
“What we intend to do is Cluster Farming, and it’s  a whole lot of value chain. We want every woman to put food on their table.
“In Okrika we have observed that most of the women are into crafts, so we will combine cluster with integrated farming- to create a chain; some will be farming, some will be processing and others will be into marketing”, she said.
In her speech, the Chairperson, Caretaker Committee of Okrika Local Government Council, Mrs Gold Okujagu, who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, expressed satisfaction with the initiative.
She described NWAPDI as timely and very crucial to the current economic challenges in the country.
She explained that in an era of processed foods, the initiative would encourage women to grow organic foods.
She urged every woman to engage in subsistence farming at any level to reduce hazardous things that were being consumed as food.
Speaking after the inauguration, the Ward 2 Coordinator, Mrs Ibiere Williams, expressed gratitude to the Rivers State and Okrika Local Government Coordinators for organizing the programme.
Mrs Williams, who is of Ngeme-Biri, a civil servant, observed that many women from different parts of Okrika attended the programme, which indicated the readiness on their part to end food scarcity in the area.
“We saw many women from different parts of Okrika. That means we are ready to farm and see what we can gain. We appreciate the organisers, and they really encouraged us. We learned that there are so many ways for planting since we do not have much land in Okrika. Our women were happy.
“We are given these items free to plant in broken buckets, nylon and bags due to scarcity of land in the area. We were taught that sand mixed with fresh fish intestine can serve as manure. This was very educative. If we practice what we were taught, in the next one year, there will be food sufficiency in Okrika”, she said.
In her comments, a member of NWAPDI, Mrs Felicia Barasin, a business woman from Bulome-Biri stated that the programme was good and timely as many families were finding it difficult to feed because of the harsh economy.
Highlight of the occasion was the administration of oaths to the Ward Coordinators of the local government area by the Legal Officer, Ibiwari Maureen Waribo.
Also, the award of certificates and recognition of executive members of NWAPDI Okrika LGA by the State Coordinator. The EXCO include Vice Coordinator, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo; Secretary, Ms. Constance Kalio; Treasurer, Mrs. Sime Loveday; and Public Relations Officer, Mrs Roseline Orupabo.
Cassava stems, okro, and vegetable seeds were shared amongst the women after the training section.
Over 500 women from Okrika Local Government Area attended the programme.
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