DISCUSSION ON GRADUATION OF 32 CHIBOK GIRLS IN NIGERIA

Discussion Between MR. GODSFREY MARY (the proprietor Better International Christian Academy Jos) and the Media News Caster who poses question to him as the respondent over the CHIBOK GRADUATION in his school.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Good morning MR. MARY welcome to the Network service

MR. GODSFREY MARY: Gradually ride on

MEDIA ATTENDANT: How are you able to integrate the graduating Chibok girls into your school?

MR. GODSFREY MARY: I took excuse from them from the beginning because their standard were very low, though we have to give them a special classes to improve their reading skills and that took almost a whole year to be able to help them to read and understand the subjects they were about to take, though initially there were some emotional problems from the girls. And for the first three months it was really burden to us. And they supposed to have graduated by now, but those problems remain a lasting solution to sort out.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Now after you put them through in reading and writing, now can you tell us the level of their compliance in terms of understanding the teaching and modern process?

MR. GODSFREY MARY: Oh!, very ok, even when they came half of them couldn’t read but now when I go to their hostel to see them, when I speak in Hausa, they respond in English which they rarely do when they came. To tell you the level of confidence they have acquired in the process. And now I believe that most of them will succeed provided they are given the opportunity to further their education.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Mr. Mary, in your welcome address during the event, you say that 8 out of the 40 Chibok girls sent to your school left, can you tell us what really happened?

MR. GODSFREY MARY: Some of them have change of environment as they wish because they were emotionally leaving the school, and it is more of an emotional trauma. And they wanted to go home and get married, and we did everything possible appreciating the problem and showing them we knew what they were going through and made them understand that education is the only way forward for them. But the urge kept on hiking them, though they left as follows: first it was three persons, follows by two and finally another three left.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Now, what other advice do you have for others stakeholders   in their education sector and off course what many Nigeria must have best to have improved our education sector?

MR. GODSFREY MARY: Education sector had completely gone everywhere, if you go to the public schools, as a proprietor I do give scholarship to Orphans and I keep them from public schools. And by the time I bring them to the school, most of them cannot read and write. Faulty, there is fundamental problems from the primary schools; there is no good foundation laid for them at the primary school level. Government must have to be serious when they talk about education. And this problem begins from the local government level because at this stage education is dead in this country. Primary schools systems had completely collapse and any invading behind such foundation will not last, that is the problem we have in this country and I think the private sector and government must come together. There are no genuine reasons why a nine years old child could not read and write, because that is where learning began. The private sector and the government coming together, there is too much talking the needs through this level and there is too much meeting here and there involving that there is certainly no problem. That is not the correct answer to the issues at hand. We certainly need professors administering in the ministry and go back to the grass root. Then sit down and mention the decisions we have within the teaching already on ground. You go to the primary school; you will find a teacher cannot even speak good English. And he or she is meant to teach your kids, and that is a big problem in this country Nigeria. Chibok girls told me that, and these were girls who were supposed to be taken their SSCE Exams by now; but they couldn’t speak English talk more of good ones. However source, we would succeed in life.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Thank you very much MR. GODSFREY MARY, and thank you so much for the good Job you are doing and we hope that many more Nigerians will take care of their kids from what you are doing so that we can now have improved education and give that future to them who are the future leaders of the nation. Thank so much for talking with us on this media platform.

MR. GODSFREY MARY: Thank you

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Now, let us link up to the Chairman Chibok Local Government Area of Bornu state, Nigeria, MR. YAGA YAKAWA, who was also present at the graduation ceremony.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: MR. YAGA YAKAWA, thank you for joining us on the network news

MR. YAGA YAKAWA: Thank you so much

MEDIA ATTENDANT: 8 out of the 40 students sent to Better International Christian Academy rejected the offer and rest of their own donations to speak; do you know their way about? And what can you tell us about them?

MR. YAGA YAKAWA: to be frankly speaking, you know in terms of academic, when somebody is determined to schedule and go for studies; especially when she has no adventure ambition, it can be regarded as all doubt at the earlier stage. Now, these girls had decided on their own, to opt out of Better International Christian Academy because they are interested in getting married rather than going to school. Even if they were left in Girls Secondary School Chibok, they may not like to continue with their studies because they preferred being married than going to school.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Now that the 32 of them had graduated from the secondary school successfully, is there any plan by the government to have them further their education? What plans do you have for them now?

MR. YAGA YAKAWA: of course, the Bornu state government had planned for future of these girls because the reasons they are placed in the Better international Christian Academy is to further their education and a craft had been set aside to make sure they attended the best schools that a son to ambassador or a rich man may afford to go within Nigeria or Outside Nigeria.

MEDIA ATTENDANT: Thank you so much for speaking with us on this media platform

MR. YAGA YAKAWA: Thank you very much, you are welcomed

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

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THE GRADUATION OF 28 OUT OF 200 ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS FROM BITTER INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL JOS; PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA

It had been three years since more than 200 girls were abducted at the government secondary school Chibok Bornu state in Nigeria. Chibok parents took the central state provoking national and international outcries that led to the rescue of some of those girls. What, however that had not been in the public domain is that the remaining students of the Girls Secondary School Chibok was sent to learn in the school s across the country to complete their studies.

 One of the schools is the Better International Christian Academy, Jos, Plateau state where 42 Chibok school girls had completed their secondary school education in Jos. One of the newsmen was at the event and reports that the school girls were also trained with vocational skills. The principal Better International Christian Academy Jos, Plateau state MR. KENETHE ALIERE, represented by the acting principal MR. DICKSON CHIBUZO who congratulated the graduating class and explained that 41 Chibok girls were admitted into the school three years ago and 28 of them had completed their course while the rest are still undergoing their studies, according to  MR. DICKSON CHIBUZO who said that they were graduating 28 student amongst whom are the Chibok girls from Maiduguri, Nigeria who had stayed with them for three years. And they have enjoin them by giving them skills to succeed and taught them all the basic things needed to be successful in life professions.

The Chairman Chibok Local government MR. YAGA YAKAWA appreciated the commitment of the school in training the students, according to the chairman who said that they would continue to encourage them even after their secondary school and the Bornu state government will also support them to foster their education.

The graduating girls who spoke with the media reporter promised to explain more academic resources and stressed that they were confidence of surviving in this academic challenging world, one of the student expressed satisfaction over her studies and explained the hand work as well as skills she acquired in the school.

Highlights of the events are the award of price for best student in the primary and secondary categories.

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

+2348186388641

THE CURRENT ISSUES ON RENOVATING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF NIGERIA ECONOMY

The standard Organization of Nigeria yesterday, sealed up the Premises of South –South West African in Victoria Island Lagos for failure to register some of their products being marketed in Nigeria. Briefing the newsmen after the closure, they also hear the head of the registration MR. ENEBI ENUCHEYO stated the exercise was occurring to the provisions acts also aimed at 14 of 2015. According to him, the acts provide a rarely products imported into the country to be registered with the Standard Organization of Nigeria for standardization. MR. ENEBI ENUCHEYO explains that records of Standard Organization of Nigeria states that many of companies’ products in Nigerian market were not registered and even those registered were not up to standard. He also held that apparent registration stating that the facilities will be re-opened once the companies take steps to register all their products as required by law.

The Kogi state executive council had approved the construction of two standard markets across the country to be located in Adafi, Mkpa and Kabba Local Government Areas. The decisions were aimed at promoting comrade particularly amongst the market women in the state. Speaking to the newsmen at the end of the state executive council meeting at the government house lokoja, the director General Media and Publicity to GOVERNOR YAHIYA BELLO, KINGSLEY FAWO stated that the state will also generate revenue from running of the stores under construction. Also the Kogi state commissioner for works, land, housing and Urban development BAKAS EDITH said that ever the counsel had approved the construction of befitting edifice for the state old newspaper at the cost of eighty-three million naira (N83,000,000.00), to enhance the activity and efficiency.

Also the federal capital Territory (FCTA) Administration had pledged to sustain timely release of funds to ensure complete conclusion of roads project in the area.  Minister of the FCT MALLAM MOHAMMADU BELLO, made the promise on the unexpected ongoing road project in the city, according to the news correspondent on this issue who said that that the present FCT Administration on assumption of office promised to ensure the conclusion all abandoned project, especially roads to enhance the free flow of traffic and to increase the beauty of Abuja. To this end                 , the administration had embarked on some major roads project such as Inner Salon Expressway, the outer Salon Expressway which begins from the Umar Musa Yaradua expressway – Presidential villa as well as Robbon outer expressway. Inspecting the progress of work at the site, the FCT Minister MALLAM MOHAMMADU BELLO commended the contractors for a Job well done and assuring them of the timely release of funds; according to MALLAM MOHAMMADU BELLO who specified that this is one of the major infrastructure projects in the city. And I am very happy that since last year, they are able to come out with the Railway Bridge as well as the other intersections and now; this is the final intersection of the bridge.

The minister also called on the FCT Residence to always guard against when releasing public facilities; to always guard against when releasing public facilities as they are meant to improve their one fire. The Director Engineering Services in the FCT Administration MALLAM SHEHU MADI who took the minister round the project explained the progress of the work. According to MALLAM SHEHU MADI who said that some of the projected had been completed and others still in progress, still according to him, he said that one of the major challenges facing the conclusion of the inner Southern Expressway was the relocation of the three inverses.

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

+2348186388641

THE CURRENT ISSUES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

All states caretakers committees and Kwara executives set up by RASAQUE ALHJI SHEHU leadership of the People Democratic Party (PDP) had been dissolved. The Party leadership which is in Jigawa and Benue state emerged after the April –May congresses last year had been affirmed and these are some of the decisions reached at the process of the National Executive Committee and National Focus Meeting in Abuja. The party’s spokes man PRINCE DAYA ADEYEYI addressed newsmen at the meeting which involves various organs of the party in Abuja. Apart from a special National convention which is to hold next month; the PDP leaders also agreed to begin a process of constitution amendment.

On the other hand, the National auditor of the government All Progressive Congress (APC) DR. JOHN OHALU has attend the nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the November 18^th Governorship Election in Anambra state, Nigeria. At the news briefing that he had to obtain the form at the APC National Secretariat Abuja. DR. OHALU said it was not arranged to bring credibility to the governance of the state, He also expressed displeasure over the failure of some state governors to conduct Local Government Elections in their state, as at when due they promised to conduct the Local government election in Anambra with lieu before six months in office as connected to governor.

Continue to ponder on politics nationwide, the news media program had accorded politicians to desist from decamping from opposition party to a Ruling party to avoid running a one party system with the some certain people; one of them CHIEF CHARLES OBIOHA from Imo state said one of the bailers of the political party was the viewers of the opposition parties that could keep the ruling party from derailing, according to CHIEF CHARLES OBIOHA who also said that the controversy amongst our politicians from the opposition party to the ruling party, even to debt settlement and accountability shows that Nigerian is leading towards one party system made up the same set of people who  are rotating and reinforcing within themselves which is queue for the nation.

Still on another caller on the program of the Media DR. DECLAN OHUNA from Ebonyi state urged stakeholder of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the alleged settlement of the leadership crises to repair the party. According to DR. DECLAN OHUNA, he said that they should call on the PDP Chief executives and stakeholders to come together to give PDP what they want by making PDP one party again, so that those that had left the party will come back and join again. And they should try to avoid the debate they are doing both in the National assembly and to every Nigerian.

Finally, another caller on the program from Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria named ADA ALAGO said the ruling party APC should do everything possible to reduce the hiking prices on commodities and services as well as source of many corruptions intruding the country.

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

+2348186388641

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD TITLED: “IS MARRIAGE A RIGHT, AN OBLIGATION OR A CHOICE UNDER NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION”

Subject to provisions of customary imposition to sections of Nigerian Constitution; marriage becomes an obligation to certain communities, which is not binding to the entire society and when being judged by English/statutory laws as stipulates in Acts of marriage of Nigerian constitution; the persons indulging in some certain acts under customary laws are breaking statutory laws of Nigerian constitution. For example, the customary laws stipulates according to the tribes in Nigeria, that the age limits permitted for marriage varies according to customary  section 3(1) of the law which says that marriage between or in respect of persons under the age of 16 years shall be void. And it is an offense to give, confer or procure from any person any property or benefit in relation to such void marriage.

Therefore, though in some customary tribes in the middle Belt  of Nigeria, IDOMA TRIBE AND TIV tribes of Benue state stipulates for girls as follows: TIV tribe gives girls in marriage at  age of puberty while IDOMA tribe gives girls in marriage at age of fourteen (14) years which is still against the statutory age by Nigerian constitution under marriage acts, according to acts of Marriage section 48 of Nigerian constitution which stipulates that the age limit for giving out girls to marriage is 21 years and any person found guilty of such Act is punishable by 2 years imprisonment. We should also note that all obligation laws ends in customary law and will not extend to statutory laws on marriage which is the main base of discussion. The statutory laws of Nigerian constitution under marriage acts starts from  chapter 218 laws of the federation of Nigeria 1990 section 1 to section 55, which also helps to explain the limitations of custom to original English/statutory law of the federation as well as punishment for breaking such marriage acts.

Now, in section 44 of the same marriage acts, states that any person that obtains any property or use any persons’ name in marriage in order to deceive such a person to marry by pretense is committing felony and liable to 5 years imprisonment:

SECTION 44

                “Whoever personates any other person in marriage

                Or marries under a false name or description, with

                Intent to deceive the other party to marriage, shall

Be liable to imprisonment for five years”

This is why marriage is not absolutely obligation to detriment of custom but a right to the person and should be exercised to meet up with the societal ethics and values as stipulated by law. Marriage is not imposing law but a permissive law that should be exercised in accordance with requirements by constitutional law.

Now, what makes marriage a right?  Just as we said earlier, one party should not impose it on another party to get married to a particular persons or forceful marriage which is against the law. Though some customs practice it under tradition and customary law; but when measured with statutory law; it is an offense, especially when the persons in quote are girls of under 21years who is still recognized as a minor in Nigerian constitution according to section 48 of Marriage Acts.

SECTION 48

                “Whoever, knowing that written consent

Required by this Act has not been obtained

Shall marry or assist or procure any other

Person to a minor under the age of  twenty-one

Years, not being a widow or widower shall be

Liable to imprisonment for two years”

One can see that the person infuriating such act is liable to imprisonment for two years. Now, what makes marriage a choice or permissive Acts? Just as section 37 of Nigerian constitution stipulates right to privacy which government must protect:

Section 37 Of Nigeria Constitution

37.“The privacy of citizens, their homes,

correspondence, telephone conversations

and telegraphic communications is

hereby guaranteed and protected.”

Marriage I came to understand is a privacy; which the person in quote has the absolute right to decide what, when and how he wants to go about it. And that is why, it is absolutely dangerous to trade on this ground or perpetrate or trespass injustice to someone’s right to privacy. According to section 44 of marriage Acts in Nigerian constitution which we mentioned above that stipulates the punishment to personating a person’s marriage and section 47 completes the story:

SECTION 47

                “Whoever contract a marriage under provisions

                Of this Act, or any modification or re-enactment

                Thereof, being at the time married in accordance

                With customary law to any person other than the

Person with whom such marriage is contracted,

Shall be liable to imprisonment for five year”

We can see the limitations of Customary law to the constitution, they are not what the custom said and believe but what does the constitution said about them, in case a third party sues you for such offenses? Now, just as marriage is a permissive will and a choice to make, it also has limitations to choices according to marriage Acts in Nigerian constitution. Some marriages are void of Nigerian law just as it is welcomed in other countries like Europe and United State. As you are making these rights choices; never you dabble into Gay marriage because the punishment had been stipulated while you are still in Nigeria according to sections 214 to 217 of Nigerian constitution which is punishable by 14 years imprisonment as stated under:

SECTION 214

                214         “Any person who

                                (a)          have carnal knowledge of any person

                                                Against the order of nature or

                                (c)           Permits a male person to have carnal

                                                Knowledge of him or her against the

                                                Order of nature

                Is guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

SECTION 215

         215                “Any person who attempts to commit any

                                of the offense defined in the last preceding section

                                is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment

                                seven years. The offender cannot be arrested

without warrant

SECTION 217

       217                  “Any male person who whether in public or

                                Private, commits any act of gross indecency

                                With another male person, or procure another

                                Male person to commit any act of gross

indecency with him, or attempt to procure

the commission of any such act by any male

person with himself or with another male

person whether in the public or private is

guilty of felony and liable to 3 years

imprisonment”

More over the origin of the newly above amended laws is from the marriage Acts of Section 45 and 46 of Nigerian Constitution:

SECTION 45

                “Whoever goes through the Ceremony of

Marriage, or any ceremony which he or

she represents to be a Ceremony of

marriage, knowing that the marriage is void

on the marriage ground, and that the other

person believe it to be valid, shall be liable to

imprisonment for five years”

SECTION 46

                “And whoever contracts a marriage under the provisions

                Of this act, or any modification or re-enactment thereof

                Being at the time married in accordance with customary

                Law to any person other than the person with whom, such

                Marriage is contracted, shall be liable to imprisonment

                For five years”

So in conclusion, we can say that Marriage is legal institution established by God to man; which must be handled and treated as stipulated in the constitution of nations as highest sovereign authority that God’s public servants according to Holy Bible book of Romans 13:1-7 which are the governments of the nations use to administer justice by punishing offenders or law breakers. So marriage can be said to be a right choice to make according to legal law of the constitution and not an   obligation towards community or family. Though still an obligation to God but with a permissive will when you are led to do it.

WRITTEN BY

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

+2348186388641

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD TITLED: “SOVEREIGNTY OF A KINGDOM”

Sovereignty can be defined as a state of having the highest power which cannot be limited; a state of becoming self governing and independent in foreign affairs. Using Nigeria as a case study, Nigeria became a sovereign nation from 1^St October 1960; before that time, they were fully dependent in British Colonization as leadership and constitutional source of protection and empowerment in the nation. But after the independent, they promulgated their own laws in full force; and those laws are binding today on every citizen and there is no way Britain can interfere again in Nigerian constitution because it is sovereign as well as backed up with sanction and full right. They may plead and petition for a new law amendment if permitted by the Attorney General of the Federation, Senate President with both house and President of the federal Republic of Nigeria all in agreement, before such request can be granted. But not surmount pressure again as before the 1960 independent when they were in charge as colonial masters.

So, for a Kingdom to be sovereign means that it has the highest power and regards from his subjects; and every person are compelled by sanction to obey the rules and regulations of that kingdom which remains the supreme laws that prevails in every sector of the Kingdom economy. So, sovereignty is understood as the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from any external bodies. It is a state of supreme power and authority.

Now Nigeria as a sovereign nation bestows its powers on the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria which the Judiciary arms of government use as a guide to pass judgment on law breakers according to Chapter two of Nigerian Constitution sections 13, 14 (2a) and (2c) which state as follows:

Section 13

“It shall be the duty and responsibility of

All organs of government and all authorities

And persons exercising legislative, executive

Or Judicial powers to conform to observe

And apply the provisions of this Chapter of this

Constitution”

Section 14 (2a)

(1) “It is hereby. Accordingly, declared

(a) “Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria

From whom government through this

Constitution derives all its powers and

Authorities”

Section 14 (2c)

(c)       “The participation by the people in their

Government shall be ensured in accordance

With the provisions of this constitution”

It is now expedient to know that nobody is above the law as far as constitution is binding. When you are against those laws in your transactions, you will be severely punished if the same law catches up with you. This same principle is attributed to our God who had His own divine Kingdom that governs the entire universe. His own laws are enforced by Holy Ghost, when you are filled with it, it simply tells and teaches you things ahead of you as stated in His Holy Books.

So a kingdom becomes sovereign when the kingdom is self governing and independent of decisions of external kingdoms or other kingdoms. The same principle is applicable to kings; you cannot stand against the powers and authorities of a King unless you want to lose your life. The King’s sovereignty is supreme just as our God retains permanent and everlasting sovereignty because He is a spirit (God is a spirit and those that must worship him must do that in truth and in spirit) (JOHN 4:24). Just as it is stated in the Holy Bible book of ISAIAH 61:1

            “The spirit of the sovereign Lord Jehovah is

            Upon me; because Jehovah anointed me to

            Declare good news to the meek; He sent me

            To bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim

            Liberty to the captives; and the wild opening

            Of the eyes of the prisoners”

And when the spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon you; you are an extra superman when you relies on that same spirit to make decisions. Leadership originates from that spirit and you are superior being in manifesting that spirit. It was this same spirit that distinguishes Daniel in His days according to:

DANIEL 5:11-12

(11)    “There is a man in your Kingdom who has the

            spirit of holy gods. In the days of your father,

            Enlightenment and insight and wisdom like

the wisdom of gods were found in him

King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him

as chief of the magic practicing priests, conjurers

Chaldeans and astrologers; your father did this

O king

(12)    For Daniel, whom the King named Belteshazzar ,

            Had an extra ordinary spirit and knowledge and

            Insight to interpret dreams, to explain riddles

and to solve knotty problems. Now let Daniel be

summoned and he will tell you the interpretation.”

This same spirit is also available for free to distinguish anyone that is ready to acknowledge God’s Kingdom through Christ Jesus today; and with that spirit, you are a king in your Kingdom and Domain. Maintaining His sovereignty is the ultimate to every Kingdom. God’s sovereignty must prevail in all standards because the existing sovereignty even that of federal republic of Nigerian is an amendment from God’s Sovereignty.

WRITTEN BY

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD