Business
Child Rape: A Growing Menace
In all lands and climes, rape is a social ill heavily frowned at and in the African cultural setting, it is particularly a great taboo.
Nigeria is, however, facing a frightening scenario because of the rising wave of children’s rape, a situation which many concerned citizens describe as a very sore point in the nation’s socio-cultural history.
Nigerians are inundated daily with news of rape and molestation of innocent little children, including boys and the most annoying aspect of the development, observers say, is that most of the perpetrators of the heinous crime go scot-free, while the molested child is left to cope with the scars and trauma.
Experts point out that the effects of rape on the victims are very traumatic and could be a life-long experience if there is no proper counseling.
The Criminal Code, defines rape as an “unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with a consent obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act.”
The Penal Code, which operates in northern Nigeria, also criminalises both rape and “defilement” of girls.
Rights activists note that Nigeria is not oblivious of the global movement toward protecting the children’s rights, as the country in 2003 enacted the Child Rights Act, which domesticates the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The activists also say that the Act, which was enacted at the federal level, however, has a limiting proviso that requires state legislatures to enact it for its application in their respective states.
Other keen observers say that currently, 24 out of the country’s 36 states have passed the Child Rights Act. They note that the remaining 12 states have yet to pass the law in spite of the intense advocacy visits made to their governors by successive ministers of Women Affairs and Social Development,
Some analysts, nonetheless, express reservations about extant laws on rape and societal attitude to the crime, which seemingly provides escape routes for rapists, thus leading to an upsurge in the crime.
Some medics have even ascribed child rape tendencies to some psychiatric problems in the perpetrators.
“I feel that the rape laws of the land are highly inadequate. Enough of the ‘talk-talk’, there should be some examples to deter others from engaging in such inhuman acts,” says Dr Jasper Oniru, a medical consultant.
“If stiffer penalties are enforced, perpetrators of such acts will think twice before engaging in the dastardly act. It is because of the inadequacies in our laws that people commit the crime and carry on as if everything is norma1.
“How can you explain the N100,000 option of fine given to a man who used a screwdriver to poke the private dart of a young girl?
“It is simply ludicrous and any time I remember the incident I feel outraged. Such a man should be sent to the psychiatric hospital immediately and not to prison,” Oniru says.
Mr Idris Bawa, who is a consultant to the Justice and Growth Programme of the British Council, says that many of the sentences passed by the courts on rape cases are “disturbing”.
According to him, many of the sentences, with option of fines, do not meet international standards.
He says that the Presidency should set up a task force to review comprehensively existing laws, including those on rape, to make them relevant to our contemporary needs.
Bawa says that about 13 bills relating to the rights of women and children, which are pending at the National Assembly (NASS), should also be harmonised and passed.
He says, however, that UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the British Council had facilitated a workshop where all the pending bills were harmonised and a copy sent to NASS through the WRAPA an NGO.
Mrs Josephine Anenih, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development affirms that urgent steps should be taken to review the old laws and the prescribed sanctions, so as to deter potential offenders.
“I think it is a serious problem that should not be handled with kid gloves. I can assure you that stakeholders are meeting and consulting widely to come up with a lasting solution to this problem,” she assures.
Sharing similar sentiments, a lawyer, Halima Shekarau, who is an executive member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) says that a review of laws on rape is imperative.
“Some offences that pertain to rape were not included in the old law. Punishments were not provided for offences like forced oral sex, anal sex, finger insertion, amongst others,” she says.
Halima, who also works with I S, an NGO, stresses that efforts are being made by stakeholders to create public awareness of the need to review rape laws.
Some observers also note that existing laws are silent on the rape of young boys, which is a rising phenomenon.
Mr Femi Akin-James, a businessman, however, thinks that the problem is not about new or reviewed laws but rather on enforcement.
“You will agree with me that Nigeria boasts of the best policies concerning any issue. On paper, the policies are usually flawless but the problem is always implementation,” he says.
Rights activists recall that a report issued last year by Amnesty International (AI) described rape incidents in Nigeria as a “silent killer” and called on the Federal Govemment to be more firm in dealing with the offenders.
AI’s Africa’s Director, Mr Kola Olaniyan, alleges in the report that some unscrupulous security officials also perpetrated rape offences.
The story of a boy, who was raped by a neighbour that is married to four wives in Nasarawa State, incenses Mrs Joyce Obiakor, a housewife, who wonders if the world is indeed coming to an end.
“How else will I explain that? A year-old boy raped by a man with four wives? That is abominable,” she says.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the Children’s Day, advocates of child and women’s rights stress the urgent need to safeguard the future of the children.
They called for concerted actions by all stakeholders to stem the sexual abuse of women and children, which is assuming a frightening dimension in the country.
Bada writes for NAN
Yetunde Bada
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says it has registered 160 Port stakeholders into its Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform since the initiative began in 2023.
Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, made the disclosure on the sideline of a sensitisation programme by the commission for port operators in Lagos, with the theme, “Regulated Port Service Provider and Users”.
Represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs, Chief Cajetan Agu, Akutah emphasised the significance of the programme for stakeholders.
He said the sensitisation programme was the second edition after its commencement during the last quarter of 2023.
The Secretary said the 160 registered port operators consist of agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, individual port users as well as service providers.
“We invited the ports stakeholders for enlightening them on the processes for online registration of Regulated Port Service Provider and Users.
“We have demonstrated to them how to register and how to make payment and we were able to present before them the various categories of the registration.
“The rate of payment is also in the registration. The payment of each group depends on the operation. A shipper pays N30,000, terminal operators and shipping companies pay N300,000, truckers also pay N30,000, while some pay N50,000 and N100,000.
“The Council was able to intimate them on the benefits, because port users benefit more as we help to interface on reducing port charges from time to time”, Akutah said.
He said that there was a need to continue to work with port operators to stop delays and eliminate high costs to make the port efficient.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Stakeholders, Service, NSC, Mr Celestine Akujobi, said “the sensitisation exercise was important for the council to enable us bring all the port stakeholders together”.
According to him, this is to avoid challenges during the implementation of the council’s responsibilities.
“By the time we introduce sanctions on defaulters, no operators will complain that he or she is not aware of the registration.
“I’m happy with the turnout of this sensitisation. This shows that the operators are well informed of the statutory friction of the council as the port regulator.
“The final implementation will commence as soon as we discover that all the operators have keyed into the portal.
“We are engaging other ports across the country and we’re hopeful that before the last quater of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on defaulting operators”, Akujobi said.
Earlier, Vice Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwards (NAGAFF), Dr Ifeanyi Emoh, said port challenges were enormous, adding that they originated from some of the government agencies.
Emoh urged the council to look into regulating other government agencies, so that there could be a window through which they can collect port charges collectively instead of indiscriminately.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Chivita| Hollandia (CHI Limited) leading fruit juice and value-added dairy manufacturer in Nigeria has rewarded its long standing distributors at the recently held 2024 Distributor Conference. The event with the theme, “Break Boundaries Exceed Expectations” served as a platform to recognise and reward the exceptional contribution of the distributors and wholesalers who play a critical role in Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) success and business goals for the year.
The Distributor Conference was held in two sessions. While the morning session featured keynote addresses, industry insights and brand immersion experience, the evening session was a cultural display of elegance and funfair that culminated in the award presentation and recognition of the contribution the trade partners made to the company in the 2023 year under review.
A key highlight of the event was the award ceremony which acknowledged outstanding trade partners in various regions across the country. The awards recognized commitment, dedication, and outstanding performance in areas of sales growth, brand promotion, and market expansion.
Eelco Weber, Managing Director, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), stated that the company’s success story is incomplete without the strong partnerships it has built with trade partners. “Today, we celebrate not only the achievements, but the collaborative spirit that has made our growth possible” he said.
Bola Arotiowa, Chief Commercial Officer, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), in his statement revealed that, the event which was first of its kind will continue to be an annual meeting to enable the company work more closely with its distributors, share insights and action points, help the trade partners familiarize themselves with the company’s goals and objectives for each year, and serve as a driver for mutual success.
“Our distributors are the backbone of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited). Their relentless efforts in distributing our products, promoting our brands, and expanding our reach across the nation is truly commendable. As the bridge between us and our valued consumers, it is very important to reward their hard work and dedication for being an essential part of the Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) family. Together, we will continue to deliver great products to our conusmers which in turn will deliver value to them”, Mr. Arotiowa added.
Speaking at the conference, HajiyaBilikisuSaida, Chief Executive Officer of Smabirm Nigeria Limited, who won the Outstanding Distributor of the Year in North 1 region, and got a reward of two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) products expressed delight at the company’s recognition, and stated that the awards served as a way to inspire distributors to do more and put in more effort, which in turn would help both the distributors and the company to grow.
Other outstanding performance distributors of the year rewarded with a two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) stock include, Sunny Chuks Limited for East 1 region, MRS FA & Sons Limited for East 2 region, Hussakas Ventures for North 2 region, Rookee 1388 Ventures for Lagos 1 region, Pik N Pil Ventures for Lagos 2 region, FaithJoe Event Management Limited for West 1 region, and Progress Family Nigeria Enterprise for West 2 region.
The annual Distributors Conference aims to strengthen the bond between Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) and its trade partners. This collaborative approach fosters mutual growth and ensures the continued success of the brands in the Nigerian market.
A global leader in insurance and asset management, AXA Mansard, has supported three female-owned MSMEs with business grants totaling 1.4 million to boost their operations.
This, the company said, is part of its commitment to women and the Medium, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprise (MSME) sector in the country.
The three businesses were successful at the International Women’s Day Pitch Competition, organised in partnership with SME 100 Africa in Lagos.
According to the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye, the competition, which is aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, “is another way AXA is demonstrating its commitment to the causes of women and stimulating the MSME sector in Nigeria”.
The business pitch competition received numerous entries from women across different sectors, but after a rigorous selection process, shortlisted participants were selected to participate in the competition.
Ogunyooye said “the programme provided a unique opportunity for women from various works and socio-economic classes to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions in sectors such as food, tech, fashion, and fragrance, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community”.
He stressed the importance of investing in women, saying it is not just the right thing to do, but also aligns with AXA’s purpose of acting for human progress.
He explained that AXA believes the future of women should not be at risk, hence investing in their economic empowerment is a crucial part
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