Transforming Igbo Women .

Transforming Igbo women

 

Emeka Njoku

London, Canada

 

eanjoku@yahoo.com

 

Friday, June 6, 2007

 

Are Igbo women fully engaged in the struggle for justice, survival and progress of the Igbo race like the 1929 Igbo Women’s War or Revolution? Where is the Igbo woman’s love for her Igbo people? Is the Igbo child being taught Igbo culture, language and history by Igbo women? Is Igbo woman especially in Diaspora building up her family or destroying it?

 

  I am issuing a wakeup call and urgent appeal to Igbo women. We all are aware of the pathetic situation, injustice and oppression of our Igbo people in Nigeria as well as our dying culture and language worldwide. Many Igbo women tell me that the Igbo are the cause of their own problems or their own worst enemies in Nigeria. This is not true. There is a systemic ingrained hatred, injustice and oppression of Igbo in Nigeria as well as the greedy Igbo efulefu (fools, saboteurs, compromisers, house niggers, self-haters, moneybags, political/economic prostitutes) collaborating with those oppressing the Igbo. Like the Jews who are surrender by hostile neighbors and ingrained anti-Semitism, an Igbo cannot afford to lose sight of his external (Nigeria) and internal (Igbo  efulefu) problems. The fact that the Igbo  efulefu is collaborating with our oppressors is different from the root cause problem (Nigerian injustice and hatred) of the Igbo in Nigeria. The Igbo were killed in 1945, 1953, 1966, when the Igbo were totally united and spoke with one voice before the Nigeria-Biafra war (1967-70). Why is Ralph Uwazuruike of MASSOB the only ethnic leader still in jail?

 

 We all must be concerned about the future of our people and children in Nigeria and in Diaspora. I am, therefore, appealing to Igbo women to get involved in the effort to solve these problems facing our people and future generations in Nigeria and Diaspora. In most societies under these dangers, it is the women, like mother hens guarding their threatened chicks, which sound the alarm bells and spearhead the efforts to save the group and future generations. It is called love. If something one loves is threatened or ill-treated or suffering, one swings into action. Love is action and a verb.  Igbo women must do something instead of being on the sidelines or ignorant or  efulefu and glorified prostitutes. Mental, social and spiritual prostitution are as bad as sexual/economic prostitution. Any time one compromises oneself for any reason especially in the face of injustice and evil that is prostitution and  efulefu.

 

Throughout human history, women have played an active role in saving their oppressed people. The Bible tells us about Jewish women like Esther saving the Jewish people despite the risks. We know about Joan of Arc. We also know about the Mother of Christ (Mary) and Mary Magdalene during Christ's suffering and crucifixion. We know about Rosa Parks during the civil rights struggle in USA.  I remember Winnie Mandela and other South African women during the fight against apartheid. These women took huge risks and suffered to save their people.

 

In our Igboland, Igbo women are historically known for their dignity, principles, strength, bravery, determination, no surrender, no compromise and fighting spirit. In fact, Igbo women were unique worldwide. They were among the strongest, liberated, independent-minded, fearless freedom fighters and cannot stand injustice.  Igbo women or ‘umuada” have special roles during community crisis as well as fighting for justice. In 1929, during the colonial era, Igbo women fought (“ogu nwannyi” or Women's War or Revolution) the colonial masters and their Igbo puppets (warrant Chiefs) that were mistreating our people. Igbo women forced the colonial masters and their Igbo collaborators to redress the colonial injustice. They sacked and burnt the colonial quarters and tyrannical warrant chiefs’ houses. Before the so-called feminists in Europe and North America, Igbo women were liberating themselves from colonial rule and tyrannical Igbo  efulefu (warrant chiefs). In 1967-70, during the Nigeria-Biafra war, our women played active roles. Some even went to the war fronts to demand that the men fight bravely or let the women take over the fighting. Notice that I am focusing on principles and contributions to the community or Igbo race not self-centered materialism (money, cars, mansions, high fashion, academic degrees, profession, titles or positions). I rather have wisdom and principles without formal education than formal education without wisdom and principles. Real success is about ones principles and contributions to collective interests not selfishly amassing materialism. What difference are you making to Igbo people and Igboland?

 

Personally, I grew up surrounded by strong, wise and uncompromising fearless women. My grandfather, Eberendu Opara Erima is named after his dynamic mother (Erima). My late mother, Nzenalu Florence Njoku, was a quiet peaceful but determined, loving and uncompromising woman who taught me a lot about our family history, detractors and survival strategies. As a child, my mother indoctrinated me with a strong sense of justice and principles. Today, I cannot stand injustice and I am prepared to die fighting for justice and freedom. This is why I joined the Biafra military as a “Child solider” and refused being paid during the Nigeria-Biafra war. When my parents wanted to get me out of the military during training because I am the first son after five girls and underage, I reminded them that they taught me certain principles. My mother was devastated but proud and reconciled herself that I may die while defending and protecting our people. My village house is built on my mother’s land.  My sisters Susan Ada, Priscilla Uzomma, Bernadette Ngozi, Theresa Chinyoyere, Nkechi Apolonia and Regina Chinedu outperformed the men of their age-grade respectively. Nkechi Appo is an Iron Gate and literally another “man” in our family. My sisters are fearless and uncompromising.

 

The point is that Igbo women are genetically and cultural highly gifted as strong, intelligent, independent, achievers, fearless, change agents, activists, wise teachers and freedom fighters. But these days, the real Igbo spirit is almost gone in our Igbo women. What has happened to Igbo women? Some are apathetic and unaware while some are busy chasing money, contracts, titles, appointments, high fashion or simply prostituting themselves for Nigerian crumbs. Remember that an Efulefu is an Efulefu regardless.  Remember that a prostitute is a prostitute regardless of being a minister, special assistant, women wing political member, Abuja wife, senior civil servant, professor, business tycoon, academic degrees or whatever. Those of us who have northern Nigerian links (Emeka is also a Nigerlite) know what goes on between some Igbo women and oga Alhaji or rich Nigerian men. Some Igbo women are so cheap these days that my former illiterate northern driver once told me that he could sleep with any Igbo woman for ten naira (1 cent). The Nigerian former emperor told Igbo people during the 2007 “election” campaign that he loves the Igbo because of his cheap Igbo concubines. Normally this is the worst insult to any group and would lead to war against such a man. Igbo women no longer teach the children our culture, language and history. Igbo women in Diaspora especially those with higher income than their husbands are busy bossing them around and destroying the family and being “white”.

 

 Igbo women need transformation to restore their historical dignity and vital roles especially during times of danger, injustice against the Igbo, and cultural suicide. Where is the legendary revulsion against injustice and the fighting spirit of 1929 Igbo Women War? Where is the love (actions) for ones people? Where is the building up of the Igbo family instead of destroying them especially in Diaspora? When Igbo women were Igbo women, the Igbo oppressors and their Igbo Efulefu would be begging and running for their useless lives like the 1929 British colonials and their Igbo puppets. Igbo men would be encouraged, inspired, and exhorted to stand firm and fight on.  Igbo family especially in Diaspora would be strong. Building a strong family and keeping it together and peaceful is essentially a woman’s role. Some Igbo women in Diaspora have become mad dogs wrecking their families and being more “white’ than the real white people.

 

Women also play the vital role in any human group especially during threats, dangers and oppression by teaching the children the history, language and culture. It is the Jewish women that teach the children about Jewish history, the holocaust and Jewish survival strategy.  We are at the same juncture today in Nigeria and Diaspora as during the colonial times and the Nigeria-Biafra war. Igbo women must do what our grandmothers did. We need another women’s war or revolution against the oppressors of Igbo as was done to the British colonial masters and their Igbo  efulefu (warrant chiefs). We need an Igbo women civil defense forces to fight Igbo oppressors and punish Igbo  efulefuin today’s Nigeria as was done during the Nigeria-Biafra war (1967-70). We need Igbo women especially in Diaspora to build and maintain strong peaceful Igbo families. We need Igbo women to save the Igbo culture, language and history by teaching them to our children. Some Igbo women need to stop being glorified prostitutes and  efulefu.  Our grandmothers and mothers were driving forces for Igbo dignity, freedom, survival and progress during their times. Are you? I appeal to all Igbo women especially the Diaspora to do your part in fighting for a better future for our people and children.

@topic

You expect some of us to read this?  No wonder my computer acts up sometimes!

Hehehehe. . . .

London Canada.

 

Igbo women such as your mother, sisters and your wife, right?

No Problem. But at least you have agreed that your mum and sisters are loose. That is good for you.

including his aunts, nieces, grandmothers they are prostitutes and whores. His mum gave birth to him out of wedlock.

I assume that you do not know your father. Asnd by the way i will like to have sexual intercourse with your mum.
 

 

Oh dear. . . . .here we go again!!  

Question the Devil   not Adolf Hitler

I don't know any Emeka around here, maybe he's an older man, hmm!

Mohadana alias Okoroamadi,

The author merely mentioned what is rampant with Nigerian ladies these days. The worst of them all, Ita Giwa, Kuforiji Olubi, and other so-called Lagos socialites, who hobnob with people in power are hardly Igbo. Have you heard of anyone sleeping with Akunyili, Ezekwesili, Okonjo-Iweala, Irene Chibue and the new Head of service of the federation (amongst others notable Igbo ladies) before they got to their present positions ? Did the World Bank boss sleep with Ezekwesili before she became VP of that great institution? So stop prattling about like a little peacock on account of what you read but apparently could not really understand the salient points therein.

@okoroamadi
Seems you are taking it out on people because no one is actually interested in your copied article. It's understandable, afterall you spent so much time and energy doing that. In my own opinion your view on sex and the Igbo woman is most unfortunate. If you have just been dumped by one say so.

thank God for free speech.

 ;d

Curtailing human trafficking in Ebonyi

Esther Eze, suspected of human traffickingClement Oko-Nnachi writes on efforts being made by government and non-governmental organisations aimed at curbing the menace of human trafficking in the country, focusing on the recent clampdown of the Ebonyi State Police Command on human traffickers in the state.

Nigeria is a source, transit and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. Within Nigeria, women and girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, and boys for forced begging pr forced street hawking.

Transnationally, women, girls and boys are trafficked to Nigeria from other West and Central African countries and from Nigeria to neighbouring countries for the same purposes enunciated above. Besides, Nigerian women and girls are trafficked to North Africa, Saudi Arabia and other European countries like Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Norway and many others. The question bugging the minds of many remains, is human trafficking on the increase in Nigeria? Who are the masterminds of human trafficking? Who are most at risk of being trafficked? What are the methods employed by traffickers to lure/recruit their victims? What inhuman and unjust conditions are victims subjected to? What impact has the creation of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) made in efforts to combat these ugly development, as well as the National Assembly?

It is worthy to note that despite the effort being made by the Federal Government to stem the rising tide of human trafficking, the menace has not abated. In Ebonyi State, precisely on Thursday 12th July 2007, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Julie N. Iroha, paraded before newsmen, a total of 121 suspects, including 12 women, in connection with human trafficking offences. According to the police boss, a team of detectives from the State Command, intercepted two luxurious buses belonging to one of the reknown transport companies in Nigeria, conveying the suspects from Lagos to Cameroon.

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that one Esther Eze (female) native of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was in charge of the 121 persons, from various African countries suspected to have been trafficked persons. The Commissioner of Police disclosed that of the number, 92 are from Mali, 14 from Senegal, one from Sierra, Leone, one from Guinea Bissau, two from Mauritania, seven from Guinea, three from Niger Republic and one from Cameroon. During interrogation, the human trafficker, Esther Eze admitted that she works with a transport company in Cameroon and was assisting the victims in securing employment in various companies in Cameroon. A non-governmental organisation known as Daughters of Virtue and Empowerment Initiative (DOVENET) with its Executive Director, Mrs. Ugo. Nnachi, had been at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking, child abuse and neglect. The NGO has traversed every nook and cranny of the state with the mobilisation and sensitisation of the rural dwellers to stop giving out their children to traffickers, advising them to adopt family planning methods aimed at birth control.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) organised a seminar in 2003 for Italy, of foreign prostitutes in Italy being Nigerians. Some of the proposed remedies to the menace are multi-sectional. It was held that government should incorporate human rights and development perspectives into anti-corruption work.
It should also enact a comprehensive law that will cover most aspects of human trafficking, specify severe punishment for traffickers, rehabilitate victims and give law enforcement officers adequate investigative tools. By improving on security at border posts and adequately equipping law enforcement agencies to check the schemes of the traffickers, the problem of human trafficking would be drastically minimised.

There should also be capacity building at all levels for the eradication of human trafficking. Public enlightenment through regular workshops, seminars, conferences and through print and electronic media. Schools, religious bodies, traditional institutions and the family should be sensitised on the evils of this abominable trade. Importantly,education and employment for the teeming youths is necessary to achieve the objective of curbing human trafficking. It is also necessary to discouraging excessive materialism and the culture of ‘get rich quick’, just as ensuring proper coordination of efforts between the police and other state security services must be made a priority. The United Nations Convention against organised crime signed by 80 countries and the European Union (EU) in December 2000, defined trafficking as a modern form of slavery and servitude.

The masterminds of human trafficking are individual criminals and organised criminal groups often involving relatives or other persons already known to the victims. Exploiting the poverty and low status of women in the developing world, middlemen are able to bring together the supply and demand for cheap labour. Globalisation has not only stimulated the movement of capital, goods and technology but also the movement of all categories of people from one end of the world to the other. Contemporary human trafficking is an organised business just as the transatlantic slave trade was with various linkages spread around the globe. Today, not only children and women are trafficked, young boys fall prey. Hand in hand with this, came the commercialisation of humanity which is akin to modern day slavery.

To curb this menace of human trafficking requires prevention through education, increasing public awareness about economic alternatives, protection for victims of trafficking and prosecution of traffickers, as well as fostering close cooperation between government and the NGOs to enhance public education and awareness programmes targeted at the vulnerable groups. The effects of human trafficking, especially on the victims are better told than experienced. Investigation has shown that for the traffickers, the profits are too high and the penalties too low to resist the trade.