Arts/Literary

Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen

Published

6 years ago

December 4, 2020

One of the female authors I find fascinating and her story line interesting, is Buchi Emecheta with over 20 books to her name.
Born in Lagos in 1944 to Jeremy and Alice Emecheta, she spent her formative childhood schooling in Lagos. She got married at the age of 16, got a scholarship to an all girls academy and passed with flying colours before she eventually got a job .
She later moved to the United Kingdom with her children to join her husband.
Her initial works, all are autobiographical in nature and focus on three major themes; equal treatment, self confidence and dignity.
Her novel, Second Class Citizen, which I cannot stop reading, has the narrative story telling of a voice with sophistry that has cooling effect that can keep someone awake all night and which you would not even like the story to be concluded but to tell the narrator that you want him or her; “can we continue the next day?”
The novel, Second Class Citizen is basically an autobiography but the flow of the language and how it is presented is never boring. A reader will hardly put it down once the reading starts.
Second Class Citizen is a novel of determination, independent-thinking and the experience the female folks pass through in a traditional African society. It also portrays the undue influence the larger African society plays in the lives of men and how they should relate with their families.
Adah, the main character in the novel is described as a person of strong will, independent-minded, stubborn ,ambitious and a loving person, who is also ahead of her counterparts in her drive to excel in life.
But all this comes at a cost in that she will be misunderstood, men see her as too strong- willed.
I think that her role model of a man is her father. In the novel, you hardly see any man that is really up to the standard of her late father.
The expectations, coupled with the culture shock and discrimination Adah faces are quite profound in some of the chapters and they go a long way in opening her eyes to the realities of life that tribalism and racism are just two words describing one and the same thing… we might be human beings but we are different.
Second Class Citizen also has the flavour of taking a reader a little bit back to the colonial period when some people’s dream of acquiring modern education was successful while others had theirs thwarted due to either carelessness or misplaced priorities.
The writer in the narrative reveals to us that growing up as a child without the father especially in an African household is full of setbacks in a colonial setting or immediately after independence and it takes sheer will to pass through all the hurdles.
Buchi is a gifted story-teller and despite the fact that some critics might see her as too harsh on the male image, the fact remains that her writings belong to a class of their own.

By: Tonye Ikiroma-Owiye

Social/Kiddies

The Impact Of Exclusive Breastfeeding On Children

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

The importance of breastfeeding can never be over-emphasized to babies, mothers, family and the society at large.

Breastfeeding protects infants against infections and reduces the risk of contracting diseases. It also reduces the cost of healthcare expenses because the baby does not fall sick easily due to high immunity.

One of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding if practised by nursing mothers is that it protects women from ovarian cancer. The benefits are so numerous that one cannot ignore.

Despite these benefits and more, some nursing mothers do not have the wherewithal to practice that perfectly.

The truth is that nursing mothers must feed well to be able to breastfeed a sucking infant. Balance diet is involved while three-square meal must be available. But poverty and high cost of living are impediments.

Government at all levels and stakeholders in the health sector have developed a lot of policies that will assist women in that respect considering the enormous benefits but much has not been achieved.

Nursing mothers were allowed three-month maternity leave. But they are supposed to breastfeed exclusively for six months.

Not to long, the period was extended to six months. Such policy that supports exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged and implemented to the fullest.

There should be enough parental leave for father and mother to ensure that the child is well nurtured. Government should ensure that there are breastfeeding breaks for working

mothers and their husbands.

At the level of development we find ourselves, some organisations do not allow nursing mothers to take their babies to their offices.

Allowing them a time to go and breastfeed their babies is a problem. As soon as some female employees have new born and proceed on maternity leave, that’s the end of that job.

Nursing mothers cannot be denied paid-employed jobs that will enable them earn a living because they are making babies and have other bills to settle.

According to UNICEF, the health, social and economic benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child are well-established and are acceptable the world over.

The report said that about 60 per cent of the world’s infants are denied the recommended three or six months of exclusive breastfeeding.

The report has it that, four out of 10 babies are breastfed exclusively, showing 40 per cent representation globally.

It is disheartening to hear some reports in the local communities, where some mothers give flimsy excuses.

It is difficult to see mothers who breastfeed babies up to eight months. It has been reported most of them have financial problems.

Some of the mothers interviewed said they cannot practised exclusive breastfeeding since they don’t feed adequately.

Some said that if they practice exclusive breastfeeding, that their breasts will slack and change shape. They believe that standing breasts make them look trendy, then prefer to use baby formula or artificial milk to feed their babies.

Mrs Ruth Akoye, who works in private business organization complained that she stopped exclusive breastfeeding after two months to enable her resume work, otherwise she would be sacked.

She said there was no other option rather than introducing artificial milk.

Mrs Anita Umeh, prepares roasted bole and yam. She said: “Is it not when you feed very well that you can breastfeed exclusively?”

According to her, they teach us in the anti-natal clinic, but I cannot practise it because I cannot sit at home for money to come. Since I don’t have enough money to eat well, I bought baby-milk for my child to enable me gain some strength to do my business

A hair dresser, Mrs Uche Amos said only her first child, out of three enjoyed exclusive breastfeeding.

She said while nursing her second child, she became less interested about the policy and complained that her baby was always crying.

Mrs Amos alleged that neighbours were accusing her of starving the baby.

This infact, is one of the major problems in the society, some persons are of the opinion that the baby, who is exclusively breastfed does not get enough and should be introduced to baby formula and water to support the mother.

When some persons come across infants that are exclusively breastfed and they cry, they attribute it to hunger.

It is important to note that a child who is exclusively breastfed is healthier than the one that takes man-made milk. The condition can never be the same. When it comes to intelligence, the difference is clear.

A private school teacher, Mrs Amanda, said she could not continue exclusive breastfeeding for her baby due to the fact that she had to resume her teaching job within three months.

She lamented that it limited her time with the baby and the natural milk the baby would have enjoyed.

A business trader, Mrs Ijeoma Akpan, said her baby’ s joy to breast milk which she would have enjoyed was cut short because her breast milk refused to flow.

Nursing mothers need support and should be granted such requests.

Organisations, both public and private should create and establish creche in their offices where nursing mothers can keep their babies in the custody of caregivers while they breastfeed as the job is being done.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Social/Kiddies

Children’s Day: The Need To Celebrate Them

Published

6 months ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

May 27th every year is earmarked by leaders globally to celebrate the younger ones. They are celebrated because they are precious to us. We cherish them so much because you ha ve joy when they are around you.

Children are gifts from God and future leaders and so need to be protected. Protection of children cuts across several endeavours of life.

When you have a new-born and provide him or her the necessary medicare from age 0-5 years, that child is protected from child killer diseases. That is his/her right. When that is due for school and he/she is enrolled into school to acquire knowledge and skill, that childs right is protected. Provision of shelter, clothes, shoes and other personal effects is the right of every child.

When we invest in children, it is sure that their future is bright and protected.

We celebrate children by showing them love generally, not just giving them money. There are so many activities we can engage them positively.

On children’s day, parents can take them out for a picnic. Having fun generally gives them joy.

In Rivers State this year, Children’s Day celebration took place in many local government areas.

Celebrating children this year, the wife of the Governor and First Lady of Rivers State, Lady Valarie Fubara, said: “To every child, never stop believing in your dreams. Stay disciplined, focused, and be guided by good values.

“She said the future belongs to those who are hardworking, respectful and determined to make a difference.”

She urged children to shun negative influences and always choose the path that leads to growth and greatness.

Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Delta State chapter, while celebrating children’s day 2026 made strong advocacy for inclusive education, responsible parenting, digital literacy and equal opportunity for every child.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Social/Kiddies

Need For Girl-Child Education In Society

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.