Abayomi G. Omotayo
The Sultan of
Sokoto wants the Gender Equality Bill rejected by the Senate. He expressed his
opinion which he is entitled to at the closing ceremony of the 20th
Zamfara State Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition. I hope this remains an
opinion and this does not become a directive. This is Nigeria and there is a
thin, almost nonexistent line between opinions and directives especially if it
is coming from a ‘big man’.
Some of the elements
of the bill include; the equality of male and female
children in sharing inheritance, the widow should be entitled to the custody of
her children unless it is contrary to the welfare of the children, a widow
should have the right to remarry any man of her choice and should have the
right to the fair share in the inheritance of her late husband’s property and
the right to live in her matrimonial home. I am still at a loss figuring out
why a move to protect the most vulnerable people in our society would be
blatantly opposed. This is Nigeria, we don’t care about women and children. The
alarming number of beggars and hawkers who are school-age children and the abuse
of women and children in the IDP camps are indicative of this. The sad news
from the IDP camps only succeeded in making headlines but be rest assured that
the perpetrators will not face any hard times. This is Nigeria, justice uses
its discretion judiciously.
In a multi
religious society like Nigeria, our leaders must be careful and very thoughtful
when making statements or expressing opinions. The opposition from the Sultan is
based on religious reasons, this raises the question whether Nigeria is a
religious or a secular state. The constitution rightly guarantees freedom of
religion but it does not cede supremacy to any religion whatsoever. It is
therefore imperative that the laws that guide and protect us as a people must
be made based on common good and not on religious sentiments. Let us imagine
that all the traditional worshippers, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and other
religious affiliations begin to ask for their rights based on their personal religious
beliefs to be enshrined into the constitution. Chaos will be the result. Well,
this is Nigeria and we are no stranger to chaos.
Our lawmakers
will do well not to confuse universal rights with religious rights. While
religious rights should be accommodated by universal rights to the extent that
it does not compromise the common good or well being of the society, the
senators must not forget that we did not vote them in because they owe us any
religious obligations, we voted them with the hope that they will make laws
that will make our country a better place. The debate and deliberations over
this bill should be devoid of any religious consideration. The bill should
simply be considered on its merits. I hope the senators will allow objectivity
and not religious and cultural sentiments to prevail. This is Nigeria, religion
makes simple things complicated. Very complicated.
I urge the
civil societies and the NGOs, even though there is no prospect of ‘IDP
Donation’ in this matter, to keep the pressure on the senate and continuously
put this issue at the front burner of national discourse to ensure that this
bill is passed. Let every learned, objective and common-sense-bequeathed citizen
from the constituencies of our senators hold their representatives accountable
over this bill. It must see the light of the day. This is Nigeria, darkness
oftentimes triumph over PHCN.
In this season
of goodwill and as we approach the new year with high hopes, let us remember
the vulnerable women and children in the IDP camps, the woman left with no
inheritance because the men, her siblings have grabbed it all, the child with
no future because the father is dead and the family have ejected the mother
with the children from her matrimonial home, stripped her naked financially and
socially. They need our prayers but beyond that, they need our voices and
active engagement to ensure that they are shielded from abuse and protected. This
is Nigeria and a certain circle in gold guarantees more protection that the
law.
follow @AbayomiGOmotayo on twitter
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