PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
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SOCIETY
‘Outdated cultures, women’s bane’ “A young girl with serious menstrual pain will be forced to marry early believing that when she gives birth the pain will subside. Also the female genital mutilation may result into a bad infection capable of keeping the girl out of school,” Mrs. Suswam said. She said most of the challenges being faced by women are as a result of lack of formal education, adding that priority is often not given to the female gender as a result of outdated customs and traditions. “African customs and
Andrew Ajijah
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u t d a t e d customs hinder Nigerian women’s successes. Dooshima Suswam, the wife of the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has said that the 35 per cent women affirmation being flaunted by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is a scam and is far from being implemented. “The 30 per cent affirmation action (is) a mirage in Nigeria,” Mrs. Suswam said The Benue state first lady said this on Wednesday, at the University of Jos, while delivering a public lecture entitled “Empowering women for leadership through education.” She advocated for gender equality as a means of encouraging full participation in national economic development. Mrs. Suswam lamented the lack of equal opportunities for women in Nigeria politics saying the trend has slowed down economic development of Nigeria. The guest lecturer said that women in Nigeria have not been
Dooshima Suswam
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Dooshima Suswan give equal opportunities to compete favorably with their male counterparts.
traditions have steadfast beliefs, especially when it comes to issues bordering on gender differentiation. Nigerian seems to be holding firmly to that more than other African (countries),” she said. She said outdated cultures frustrated the female child from excelling in life. Mrs. Suswam encouraged women who might have lost out in pursing formal education to engage themselves in vocational skills to contribute their quota in economic development. Source: Premium Times
She spoke in condemnation of certain cultures that hinders the women’s progress.
She said most of the challenges being faced by women are as a result of lack of formal education, adding that priority is often not given to the female gender as a result of outdated customs and traditions.
Service to Humanity, Man's Greatest Fulfillment —Anyembugu Y
o u are the pioneer Parish Priest of St. Sylvester Catholic Church, New Nyanya. What has the experience been like so far? So far, so good. This is more so as I am barely five years old as a priest. Therefore, to be entrusted with such a responsibility, particularly as a pioneer, is a rare privilege. So I thank God and my church leaders, including my Bishop, for this opportunity. Also, the people I am working with are good people; we all operate here as a family. As a parish priest, you have sizeable responsibilities and have to take decisions, no matter who it will affect, provided it is in the best interest of the church. I pray God to give me the grace to carry on, and to carry on according. What is your new book, which was launched last Sunday, all about? The book, SHADOWS OF EXISTENCE, is my second, and it is not just a spiritual book. It has three chapters, and is devoted to pertinent issues that are god for academic purposes. So, it is of benefit for all and sundry, irrespective of your tribe and religion. As someone recently described it, it is a
On Sunday March 3, 2013 a legion of prominent personalities, including some federal legislators, political and religious leaders, among others, stormed New Nyanya in Nasarawa State to grace the book presentation of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu. In this chat with Sonde Abbah, Anyembugu opens up on his new book, his sojourn in the Lord's vineyard, and other pertinent issues, including the essence of rendering selfless services to humanity. treasure trove of insights into various significant aspects of life. Many were surprised when you organized a free medical programme for your people recently. What motivated the said programme? Thank you. It was all done to enable the people know their health status. Over the years, I have personally seen a number of seemingly healthy people succumbing to death after a sudden or brief illness. Had they done some medical check-up, some of such people would have identified their potentially fatal ailments before it would have been late. So, the aim of the said free medical check-up was, in essence, to enable people know their health status. High blood pressure, HIV and sundry others; periodic check-up can go a long way in helping the people to safe
Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu
guard their health. As such doing the programme for all and sundry (not just for our church members) is a way of helping humanity in my own humble way. From the people's response to that programme, what's your impression of the whole thing? My impression, nay experience in rendering such service, is that there is joy in giving, like the Holy Bible poignantly puts it. In fact, in my view, rendering selfless service to humanity is the ultimate; it is one of man's greatest sources of fulfillment. Let's consider the recent resignation of Pope Benedict. How do you see the action? I think it was the right step. His Holiness took the right decision, given his age and his health; I think it was better for him to resign. If you know the stress of the office, no one will complain. He is the second Pope to resign in the history of the Papacy. His resignation should be an eye-opener and a lesson for our leaders who want to perpetuate themselves in power; who want to die on the throne.