Two Strong Women, Fela, and My Book

Women in Nigeria’s Election

An analysis piece in All Africa on April 24 bemoaned the lack of women in Nigerian elected offices. There had appeared to be some progress, but it hasn’t lasted. The writer said, “In 2003, women made up only three percent of elected officials, in 2007 they made seven percent and in 2011 they made up about five percent. Even before the 2015 general elections, few women emerged as candidates after the political party primaries.

Senator-Aisha-Alhassan who lost the governorship in Taraba State

Senator-Aisha-Alhassan who lost the governorship in Taraba State

“Several factors such as our patriarchal society, culture, religion, money politics, and violence among others have militated against women’s participation in politics in the country,” the author of the piece said. She also noted that primaries are not contested fairly. Candidates are nominated not be a democratic process but by favoritism. It is very difficult for a woman to become a candidate, she said.

But Aisha Alhassan has succeeded. She has been a senator from Taraba State and was running for governor as the APC candidate. The original governorship election was inconclusive. So when the All Africa piece was published, the result wasn’t yet known.

The next day the vote was held. As if to fulfill the tenor of the article, she lost. But she had credible numbers and made an impact. Many fans applauded her on Twitter and other social media. One writer said, “Mama Taraba might lose the election, but she is a winner in the eyes of many of us. She is a leader & an inspiration to many Nigerians.”

There was a woman contesting the primary to become the candidate for a federal legislative seat, in our town of Nanka. She was quite outspoken and even persuaded the MC at a holiday party to let her make a short campaign speech. I wonder if she won the primary and then the election – I doubt it. We would surely have heard.

Women in the World

Obi Ezekwesili has had an impressive career and is now an advocate

Obi Ezekwesili has had an impressive career and is now an advocate

The New York Times held the 6th annual Women in the World on April 27. After the event Tina Brown, the host, wrote about the phenomenal women who participated and shared their stories. Her article, moments that were meaningful, is wonderful and full of inspirational tales of hardship, survival, and perseverance.

It’s exciting to read about the amazing activities that women in the world are undertaking.

She said, “One of the unsettling themes of this summit was this: how quickly we forget. Obi Ezekwesili, from Nigeria, wept as she begged us to see Bring Back our Girls not just as a hashtag but as a tragically ongoing horror that must be resolved.”

The Nigerian military has announced that they have rescued hundreds of women and girls from Boko Haram in recent days. But the Chibok girls are not among them.

Fela’s Sons

Ebong Udoma, WSHU (our local public radio) Senior Reporter and a friend, is in Nigeria for three to six months. He posted a video on Facebook of a concert by two sons of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

That’s the Fela of the Broadway show that ran for many months. Now there is a film melding the show and other music images, coming out soon.

The sons have been musicians building on their father’s legacy for a long time but have not appeared together. So this concert at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island was historic and quite amazing. I wonder if our son Sam was there.

Fun at Posh Nails

Yesterday I went to Posh Nails as I do every two to three weeks. Sang, a pleasant Chinese man, usually does my manicure and pedicure. During the manicure I receive a massage from an Hispanic woman.

Last time I was there the owner asked for a copy of my book.

my memoir

Nigeria Revisited My Life and Loves Abroad, my memoir

I don’t how she knew about it, but I’ve given out bookmarks to Sang and anyone else who showed the slightest interest. I happily sold her one. She said she wouldn’t read it, but would give it to her daughter.

As I was getting the final touches on the gel manicure and the massage yesterday, another of the women who gives massages came up. “You wrote a book!” she said, almost as an accusation. I did, I told her. Then she smiled and said, “One day a customer was reading your book. We told her you come here.”

I gave her a bookmark which she showed to a few customers.

A couple of minutes later, another client came up to tell me she had copied down the information about the book and would buy it for her Nook. “It’s just my cup of tea,” she said. She also said she would sign up for my blog – maybe she’s here already!

And Sonja, the manicurist who made the connection, said I should give her a book to reward her for her marketing on my behalf! I’ll take one for her next time and tell her it’s for the future connections too.

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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