Business
Child Rape: A Growing Menace
In all lands and climes, rape is a social ill heavily frowned at and in the African cultural setting, it is particularly a great taboo.
Nigeria is, however, facing a frightening scenario because of the rising wave of children’s rape, a situation which many concerned citizens describe as a very sore point in the nation’s socio-cultural history.
Nigerians are inundated daily with news of rape and molestation of innocent little children, including boys and the most annoying aspect of the development, observers say, is that most of the perpetrators of the heinous crime go scot-free, while the molested child is left to cope with the scars and trauma.
Experts point out that the effects of rape on the victims are very traumatic and could be a life-long experience if there is no proper counseling.
The Criminal Code, defines rape as an “unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with a consent obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act.”
The Penal Code, which operates in northern Nigeria, also criminalises both rape and “defilement” of girls.
Rights activists note that Nigeria is not oblivious of the global movement toward protecting the children’s rights, as the country in 2003 enacted the Child Rights Act, which domesticates the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The activists also say that the Act, which was enacted at the federal level, however, has a limiting proviso that requires state legislatures to enact it for its application in their respective states.
Other keen observers say that currently, 24 out of the country’s 36 states have passed the Child Rights Act. They note that the remaining 12 states have yet to pass the law in spite of the intense advocacy visits made to their governors by successive ministers of Women Affairs and Social Development,
Some analysts, nonetheless, express reservations about extant laws on rape and societal attitude to the crime, which seemingly provides escape routes for rapists, thus leading to an upsurge in the crime.
Some medics have even ascribed child rape tendencies to some psychiatric problems in the perpetrators.
“I feel that the rape laws of the land are highly inadequate. Enough of the ‘talk-talk’, there should be some examples to deter others from engaging in such inhuman acts,” says Dr Jasper Oniru, a medical consultant.
“If stiffer penalties are enforced, perpetrators of such acts will think twice before engaging in the dastardly act. It is because of the inadequacies in our laws that people commit the crime and carry on as if everything is norma1.
“How can you explain the N100,000 option of fine given to a man who used a screwdriver to poke the private dart of a young girl?
“It is simply ludicrous and any time I remember the incident I feel outraged. Such a man should be sent to the psychiatric hospital immediately and not to prison,” Oniru says.
Mr Idris Bawa, who is a consultant to the Justice and Growth Programme of the British Council, says that many of the sentences passed by the courts on rape cases are “disturbing”.
According to him, many of the sentences, with option of fines, do not meet international standards.
He says that the Presidency should set up a task force to review comprehensively existing laws, including those on rape, to make them relevant to our contemporary needs.
Bawa says that about 13 bills relating to the rights of women and children, which are pending at the National Assembly (NASS), should also be harmonised and passed.
He says, however, that UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the British Council had facilitated a workshop where all the pending bills were harmonised and a copy sent to NASS through the WRAPA an NGO.
Mrs Josephine Anenih, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development affirms that urgent steps should be taken to review the old laws and the prescribed sanctions, so as to deter potential offenders.
“I think it is a serious problem that should not be handled with kid gloves. I can assure you that stakeholders are meeting and consulting widely to come up with a lasting solution to this problem,” she assures.
Sharing similar sentiments, a lawyer, Halima Shekarau, who is an executive member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) says that a review of laws on rape is imperative.
“Some offences that pertain to rape were not included in the old law. Punishments were not provided for offences like forced oral sex, anal sex, finger insertion, amongst others,” she says.
Halima, who also works with I S, an NGO, stresses that efforts are being made by stakeholders to create public awareness of the need to review rape laws.
Some observers also note that existing laws are silent on the rape of young boys, which is a rising phenomenon.
Mr Femi Akin-James, a businessman, however, thinks that the problem is not about new or reviewed laws but rather on enforcement.
“You will agree with me that Nigeria boasts of the best policies concerning any issue. On paper, the policies are usually flawless but the problem is always implementation,” he says.
Rights activists recall that a report issued last year by Amnesty International (AI) described rape incidents in Nigeria as a “silent killer” and called on the Federal Govemment to be more firm in dealing with the offenders.
AI’s Africa’s Director, Mr Kola Olaniyan, alleges in the report that some unscrupulous security officials also perpetrated rape offences.
The story of a boy, who was raped by a neighbour that is married to four wives in Nasarawa State, incenses Mrs Joyce Obiakor, a housewife, who wonders if the world is indeed coming to an end.
“How else will I explain that? A year-old boy raped by a man with four wives? That is abominable,” she says.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the Children’s Day, advocates of child and women’s rights stress the urgent need to safeguard the future of the children.
They called for concerted actions by all stakeholders to stem the sexual abuse of women and children, which is assuming a frightening dimension in the country.
Bada writes for NAN
Yetunde Bada
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.