Preparation for Nigeria’s General Elections

Gender Sensitivity Training for Nigerian Journalists

Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality

Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality

Nigeria will hold general elections in 2019 to choose the President and the National Assembly. This is the 6th time elections are being held since 1999 when military rule came to an end.

President Buhari has said he will run for a second term. There are a slew of other candidates. You can read about them here. There are no women, and few in the running for the national assembly.

Buhari’s party, the APC, ousted the PDP in 2015 general elections, marking the first time there had been a change in the governing political party since 1999. The election was regarded as mostly free and fair, enough to be credible.

Just as in the U.S., many advocates for women’s rights believe women are grossly underrepresented in national and local political life. There are some efforts underway to get women more involved.

To assist the media to do more reporting about women and women’s issues, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) with funding from UN Women, held a two-day workshop in Lokoja, Nigeria. (Thanks to Susan who pointed me to the article.)

2019: Nigerian journalists trained on gender sensitive reporting

The writer of the article says, “James Bigila, a representative of UN Women, said the media have a big role of putting gender issue on the front burner of political discussions.”

Bigila said, “Women have 48 per cent of the population in Nigeria but they are poorly represented in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly. There is need to bridge this gap in 2019.”

As another speaker said, attention to women candidates and women’s issues won’t happen overnight, but it is important to make an effort in the direction of greater coverage. Journalists have a critical role to play.

The Meaning of Chukwukadibia 

From Wikimedia, Igbo medicine man, or Dibia

From Wikimedia, Igbo medicine man, or Dibia

My husband pointed out that when I shared the story about his birth last time, I forgot to include the name he was given by his mother’s father, Chukwukadibia.

He uses it as his middle name. I think his name should win a prize for length – Clement Chukwukadibia Onyemelukwe!

He said I should explain it to you, giving you the literal and figurative meanings. But instead, I’ll let you tell me what you think it means! You might want to go back to the story about how difficult it was for Clem’s mother to conceive, and her worry.

I’ll give you a clue – the “ka” in the middle is making a comparison.

If you remember it from hearing me explain it or from my memoir, feel free to answer!

The Underground Railroad Conversation

At my Mount Holyoke Book Group last week we talked about The Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Have you read it? It’s a novel told as if the underground railroad that helped slaves get to freedom was a real railroad. The main character is Cora, an enslaved girl on a plantation in Georgia. Her mother attempted to escape, leaving Cora alone. She agrees to accompany an enslaved young man as they make their own run for freedom.

The horrors of slavery are described in excruciating detail in the book.

“As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for black people in the pre–Civil War era, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America from the brutal importation of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day,” the description on Amazon says.

After Cora manages to get away from a slave-catcher, she finds herself on a farm in Indiana, a haven for free Black people, where she feels safe for a while. But even that place cannot stand against the hatred of the surrounding white families and she must run again toward the homesteading opportunities further west.

I was reminded of the play Flyin’ West which I saw at the Westport Playhouse earlier this month. It takes place in Nicodemus, Kansas, a real town founded by Black people. The year is 1898.

The town still exists, we learned, with about 50 people.

Death of Our Cousin Njide

A few days ago we heard from Clem’s cousin Christian about the death of his sister Njide. She was 67. She had been mentally unable to care for herself for nearly the whole time I knew her. For the last 15 or 20 years I hardly ever saw her outside of the house where her mother Obele nursed her.

Obele between Clem and our son Sam in 2012, before her cataract surgery.

Obele between Clem and our son Sam in 2012, before her cataract surgery.

A few years ago, Obele nearly lost her sight. Then a team of cataract surgeons came to the town and she had her cataracts removed. She was overjoyed at being able to see again.

Four years ago her sons put on a 90th birthday party for her.

Whenever we are in the village, I walk across to her house each day, and she comes to ours. I have always asked about Njide.

Christian said his children commented on how much Obele will miss Njide. I can barely imagine how lonely she must feel now.

Nigeria and the World Cup

Flags on the bridge in Westport for UN Day; I couldn't find Nigeria!

Flags on the bridge in Westport for UN Day; I couldn’t find Nigeria!

Nigeria defeated Iceland 2-0 on Saturday, after a draw with Croatia in their match last week!

Our son Chinaku explained the World Cup scoring to me. There are 8 groups of 4. Nigeria is in Group D, with Iceland, Argentina, and Croatia.

Each team of the 4 plays every other. A win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point. Croatia and Nigeria each have 3 points now.

Nigeria's flag for the Super Eagles!

Nigeria’s flag. Go Super Eagles!

The two teams of the four who have the highest number of points go forward to the round of 16. Nigeria has a chance to advance; they play Argentina on Tuesday!

From the round of 16, it’s a straight knock-out.

Author: Catherine Onyemelukwe

Author, blogger, speaker. Born in New York, grew up in mid west United States, lived in Nigeria for 24 years, back in U.S. since 1986. Advocate for racial justice.

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