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BEYOND SEX FOR GRADES: A VALUE SYSTEM IN TATTERS

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5 years ago

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BY RAY NKAMA
All over the world, the girl child and and woman are considered to be among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to sexual harassment and exploitation. The United Nations and other international interventionist bodies have continued to cry out against the different forms of sexual violence that these vulnerable groups have been subjected to over time. In developing climes like Africa, some of these aberrations have attained untamed dimensions largely as a result of multidimentional poverty which in itself is a concomitant effect of leadership failure across the continent. Most African leaders are more interested in political power than in the entrenchment of good governance and the building of strong institutions that will outlive them. It is against the backdrop of this misplaced orientation that African leaders have paved the leeway for all sorts of unimaginable problems to find their ways into the continent.
Sex for Grades is a product of a very poor and comatose value system which tries to justify it. Our collective folly of placing higher premium on academic certifications over skills and innate ability has become our greatest undoing. This is the reason you find that most of our graduates are unemployable; they have gone to tertiary institutions to acquire certificates that they cannot defend. And this is why our girls and women would trade their bodies for grades because, as they say, “the end justifies the means”. This jaundiced understanding of the Machiavellian principle has been greatly catalysed by ignorance and desperation. More so, it has remained a malignant social tumour that is eating away our collective reputation as black people.
In Nigeria where we have allowed ourselves to be polarised along ethnic, religious, political and sectional lines, it can only take decades of value reorientation before we can address some of the issues affecting our girls and women. This is so much so because, over the years, we have celebrated mediocrity and downgraded excellence. We have rewarded criminals and punished people of goodwill who carried intellectual substance. We have held innovators in low esteem and have praised imitators to high heavens. The future we ordered is now upon us and generations unborn. We must dance the macabre dance of the drumbeats we paid the monster to play for us. 
How do we reconcile the sad fact that our girls and women would now have to sleep with their teachers before they can pass exams to the sordid reality that even ‘men of God’ are involved in this attitudinal malady. There have been cases of sports women who were dropped from tournamentcamps because they refused to open their legs for their coaches. Even the award of contracts is now a matter which woman is ready to play ball with those in charge.
Sex for Grades is only a miniature aspect of the totality of our collapsing value system. The problem is so severe that it requires  concerted efforts to address. We must tackle certain social concerns like poverty, illiteracy, tribalism and sectionalism before we can get other issues right.  We must begin to recognise and reward excellence and put an end to the practice of celebrating material wealth. We must compel our lawmakers to enact laws that would protect our girls, women and all other vulnerable groups. Our justice dispensation system must be without any form of partisanship so that criminality would be dealt the deadly blow.
We can achieve all of these if we are ready to change our individual mindsets and existential orientations. We can still attain greatness as a state or nation if we work collectively to build sound institutions that thrive on strong value and belief systems just as our amiable Governor Engr. David Umahi is doing through the office of the SA, Attitudinal Change. The mission is that no Ebonyi State indigene will be associated with criminality henceforth. None of our girl children and women will be caught trading sex for grades. And it is our un-monopolistic belief that all Nigerian states would share this mission by setting up value reorientation mechanisms within their territories to help in the war against the avalanche of social maladies that are crippling our youths, especially the girl children and women. The BBC SexForGrades documentary is only a tip of the iceberg. Their are many things wrong with the crawling lizard; only its belly can tell.

Ray Nkama is Special Assistant on Attitudinal Change to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.


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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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There is a need to understand other cultures, and various heritage, Korean director

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5 hours ago

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October 6, 2024

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There is a need to understand other cultures, and various heritage, Korean director

 

 

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Kim Chang-ki, says there is a need to understand other cultures and various heritages.

 

There is a need to understand other cultures, and various heritage, Korean director

 

 

Chang-Ki said this at the 2024 Korean Cultural Festival in Lagos with the theme ‘Tour the World.

 

 

The festival is a yearly event and this year’s event was organized by the Banana Island Property Owner&Residents Association Lagos(BIPORAL)

 

 

He said the multicultural festival is indeed a great event to promote their food and culture and network with other countries.

 

 

He pointed out that the annual event helps people to learn and promote each other’s countries’ cultures.

 

 

‘As individuals tour around countries, there is the need to understand other people’s cultures and various heritages.

 

 

“Korea, the “Land of the Morning Calm, “is a dynamic East Asian nation with nearly 52 million people, famous for its scenic beauty.

 

 

“It is also an avenue to integrate and promote cultural immersion amongst residents and guests”.

 

 

He said that there were lots of memorable activities ranging from different countries’ cultural musical performances, food, games, and other side attractions.

 

 

“The multicultural festival is a very fun experience watching attendees going round the participating countries’ booths for food tasting”.

 

 

 

The excess of Banana Island Property Owner&Residents Association Lagos(BIPORAL) appreciated everyone who took part in the event.

 

 

They added that the event was also to uphold the spirit of community fellowship, cultural integration, and patriotism.

 

 

“We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who has been part of this year’s festival.

 

 

Some of the countries that participated in the event include the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, South Korea, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cote d’Ivoire, and Jamaica.

 

 

“Other performances from Nigeria were Igbo dance, Art Afrik dance, Calabar and Yoruba dance, raffle draws, etc.

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society

Genesis Global’s 3-Day Prophetic Invasion in Abeokuta Witnesses Unprecedented Success, Attracting Over 10,000 Attendees and Exhibiting Unshakeable Power Of God And Divine Inspiration

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7 hours ago

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October 6, 2024

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Genesis Global’s 3-Day Prophetic Invasion in Abeokuta Witnesses Unprecedented Success, Attracting Over 10,000 Attendees and Exhibiting Unshakeable Power Of God And Divine Inspiration

…A 3-day public gospel crusade where offerings and donations from participants are not required.

 

 

Notably, Prophet Israel Oladele Genesis’s three-day Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion initiative demonstrates a key characteristic of a genuine prophet of God, as evidenced by its exceptionally large attendance.

Prophet Genesis, the distinguished leader of Genesis Global, with its headquarters at Duro Ishola Street, off Dalemo, Alakuko Street, Lagos, has displayed exemplary vision by embodying the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion has officially concluded on Thursday, 3rd October, 2024, as previously anticipated.

The 3-day Prophetic Invasion program was convened at Oba Odeleye Park, Shokori Abeokuta.

The remarkable gathering drew over 10,000 men and women from Ogun State and surrounding communities, united in their pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and prophetic release.

God’s benevolence was distinctly evident, corroborated by the confirmation of Prophecies and the sharing of remarkable Testimonies as the 3-day prophetic meeting yielded substantial spiritual harvest, with many souls won to Christ and several individuals delivered from satanic oppression. Notably, the prophet departed from convention by refraining from requesting offerings or seeds, underscoring the event’s focus on nurturing spiritual development over collecting financial resources.

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He further asserted that conducting open-air crusades while imposing financial obligations on participants is unacceptable. He advised the audience that the essence of Jesus’ gospel is to impart good news, ensuring that every encounter with it yields positive outcomes.

Evidently, the 3-day Abeokuta Prophetic Invasion programme hosted by Genesis Global has made a significant and lasting impression on the community of Abeokuta.

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religion

League of Imams Honors Awujale as First Amir-ul-Mulukin at Maiden Conference in Ijebu Ode

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1 day ago

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October 5, 2024

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League of Imams in Yorubaland holds a maiden conference, honoring Awujale as Amir-ul-Mulukin (Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly The League of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo, and the Delta States will hold its maiden conference from Monday, October 7 to Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

 

The Conference with the theme “Strengthening Islamic Unity and Progress in Yoruba Land” will also honor the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, as the first-ever Amirl-ul-Mulukin (*Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn* of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States) of Yorubaland at an event that will hold at Awujale Palace, Ijebu Ode, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, by 2.00 pm.

 

The letter of award from the League of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta reads in part: “We also acknowledge your tremendous contributions to the growth and development of Islam in Southwest Nigeria and other regions of the country. Your unwavering support for Arabic and Islamic education, scholarship, and community development has inspired generations. These contributions also manifested in the recent distribution of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to some Chief Imams in ljebuland, particularly the Grand Chief Imam of ljebuland, Shaykh Miftaudeen Gbadegesin Ayanbadejo.

 

“Your leadership has fostered interfaith harmony, promoting peace and understanding among diverse communities.

In recognition of your exemplary service to Islam and humanity, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States has decided to honor you with the prestigious title of Amir-ul- Mulukin (*Amīr-ul-Mulūk-il-Muslimīn* of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States) (Commander of the Muslim Kings) in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.

 

“This esteemed title reflects your status as a pillar and champion of Islamic values and a symbol of unity among Muslims.”

 

Awujale, the longest reigning first-class monarch in Nigeria, has accepted the title, and he is expected to be joined at the award ceremony by members of the Ijebu Traditional Council (IYC), representatives of the Regberegbe (Age-grade association), and other illustrious sons and daughters of Ijebuland.

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