A Review of AU response to Corruption in Africa

Abstract
This paper examines the African Union’s fight against Corruption in African Countries. While developing countries are striving to achieve socio-economic integration, there are a number of social and political evils that undermines economic growth in these countries. This paper analyses the causes and effects of corruption, which has constitutes a severe constraint to economic growth. The paper argues that much as the African Union deserves commendation for the role it is playing towards eradication of corruption in Africa, the measures adopted by the Union can hardly help reduce corruption to any appreciable extent, due to some factors that militate against such measures.

Introduction

The African Union was founded in July 2002 at the Durban Summit, following the Sirte Declaration on 09 September 1999 and succeeded the Organisation of African Unity. The establishment of the African Union was as a result of the various initiatives by the OAU amongst which was the greater need for a process of accelerated, sustainable socio-economy, cultural and political integration in the African continent. There is no doubt that it was modelled on the European Union which itself was previously known as The European Economic Union (EEC). While the OAU was fighting diplomatically against racism and apartheid and decolonisation and the Soviet Union and the West were watching each other with more than an eagle eye and ready to press the Red button of destruction, the AU became the aftermath of that. The changing faces of the East – West relationship from the ever ready to lunch the weapons of mass devastation to that of cooperation was noted by the Heads of State of the defunct OAU at their two days summit of Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 1990.

The Heads of State and Government of the OAU in that summit took a critical review of the political, social and economic situation of the Africa continent, in light of the rapid changes taking place in the World and their impact on Africa, as presented in the Report of the Secretary General on the Fundamental Changes taking place in the World and their Implication for Africa: Proposal for an African Response.[1] The real treat of the African Continent’s marginalisation in global affairs, especially in socio-economics situations which remains precarious today is now much a greater and in present danger than ever before, unless the AU tackles the menace corruption of in all its forms.

The African has suffered from decades of socio-economics, cultural and political decades of decline and marginalisation. The aftermath of independence has witnessed nothing but a string of wide spread corruption and gross abuse of power dictators as Heads of Government with poor economic policies and civil wars. Corruption has and continues to be cankerworms deep in the mind set of over 99% of African Heads of Government and her people both in the public and private sector. “Its deep effects on society have been described as being worse than prostitution. While prostitution may jeopardise the morals of individual, corruption on the other hand affects in multitude and diverse ways the well being of the whole nation.” [2]

The corroding effects of corruption are multifaceted. This evil in particular spreads and paralysis entire government and public sector operations if left unimpeded. Corruption is as much structurally conditioned as it is a personal-choice driven behaviour. This is why anti-corruption strategies and policies ought to seek to reduce structural opportunities for corruption as well as motivational factors to corrupt and/or to be corrupted. The criminal justice approach in combating corruption divorced from prevention and human development efforts will make a few headlines and will put a few behind the bars but cannot dismantle the economic, cultural and political forces driving a corruption zeal. Similarly, anti-corruption proclamations and mere economic growth cannot, on their own, dismantle a personal choice to get involved in a corrupt
Transaction, be it for survival, greed or mere convenience. Thus, the integration of structural and motivational factors generating corruption requires even stronger and targeted integration of anti-corruption approaches and interventions.[3]

Organised crime and corruption pose a massive security challenge in Africa. They indirectly compromise the welfare and integrity of society through unlawful practices that create victims, while at the same time generating benefits only for criminals. They undermine the rule of law and engender lawlessness, thus creating an environment in which governments seem incapable of providing security for their people. Government officials have themselves been found to be complicit in acts of crime and corruption. Failure to curb this problem only serves to chain the continent to deprivation, weak economic performance, bad governance, social disintegration, poverty, apathy and strife. This poses a threat to the achievement of the developmental objectives envisioned in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Programme – the blueprint document that sketches the path towards Africa’s economic growth and development.

It is argued in this paper that NEPAD, which is sanctioned by the African Union (AU), should create a forum to drive a targeted, holistic, programmatic approach towards containing organised crime and corruption in Africa. This approach should aim at developing national capacities to tackle organised crime and corruption effectively. By doing so, countries will be able to foster a stronger regional and wider global response to the challenge. Without this approach, Africa will continue to lag behind and remain the weak link in global efforts to control organised crime and corruption, as is the case with other social ills that afflict the continent.

Africa is affected by various kinds of organised crime, including banditry, the diversion of humanitarian aid and crucial food resources, racketeering, the theft and smuggling of mineral resources, motor vehicle theft and smuggling, trafficking in illegal drugs and small arms, poaching and cattle rustling. Human trafficking is also starting to emerge as an area of concern. These crimes affect all African countries. However, differences in the degree to which countries are affected do, in turn, have a bearing on the level of national prioritisation and coordination between countries in efforts to control these criminal activities. Countries often do not have the same priorities, let alone similar capacities to fight organised crime and corruption. This not only has a direct impact on national capacity to fight organised crime and corruption, but also negatively affects international cooperation. The latter takes place more often and effectively at bilateral level and to a lesser extent at regional level. In order to launch an effective struggle against crime and corruption, capacity will need to be enhanced initially at national level.[4]

Causes of Corruption

The causes of the corruption in the continent are multifaceted and primarily center on greed. Corruption is a global phenomenon but the African continent pays more dearly for this evil act. The lack of basic infrastructure, good education, health care, genuine means of income to sustain your family are amongst some of the factors that triggers corrupt acts. Accountability and transparency is ill developed in the region due to lack of quality leadership. That is a critical factor in the determination of the prevalence of corruption. “The senses of public duty and of national vision are often in which all can benefit is often not present, and may not be shared by all even in some liberal democratic societies”.[5] Corruption is intertwined with politics and it is indeed a symptom of weak political institution.

In Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, to name but a few are such countries that are grossly guilty of the causes of corruption. Where miscreant, privilege individuals, illegitimating amass national funds to the detriment of the lager majority of its citizenry; corruption is thus giving birth to. The erosion and abuse of the judiciary and enforcement structures also play a pivotal role in abuse of power by those entrusted with leadership.

Effect on the People

Indeed, corruption is global but the high level corruption in the African continent is mind blowing. In some part of the region, there is barely a meal for the day. Yet there leaders’ leaves gold paved palaces, with bank accounts across the globe. The effect of such misappropriation is a limited national and international investment and ineffective system of administration – government. The citizens are unproductive, living in some cases way below the poverty line. These citizens faces untold hardship, without a better choice, learned to cope with high inflation, increased cost of transport, food stuff, fuel, medicines, lack of clean drinking water, electricity, inaccessible roads etc. In a State or region where there is no stimulation of socio-economic growth, the effect is felt at all levels of life for those at the receiving end of bad governance and such is the unfortunate situation in Zimbabwe were a few enjoys at the expense of the majority.

Corruption is so endemic in Africa that the World Bank estimates that some $1 trillion is paid globally on bribes alone each year. According to the bank, the sums of money embezzled or stolen from the public funds and assets by corrupt officials and the unaccounted volume of fraud within the private sector could exceed the scale of global corruption. It furthered argued that, not only does it obstruct development but it fetters business growth. The bank surveyed nine African countries amongst which are those named above and ranked corruption as the major impediment to their development. It is estimated by the bank that where good governance and corruption control have been firmly established, the long-term economic dividend can be as much as three to fourfold increase in income per capital, together with economic growth of about 4%.[6]

Corruption is bad enough on its own but, what makes it worse is that the proceeds from these corruptive malpractices are spent and kept in banks outside the African continent. Where these illicit proceeds which the World Bank estimates to be in the region of $100 billion to $200 billion every year spent in Africa, it would to an extent create more needed jobs and some kind of infrastructure.

Corruption enriches the few minorities and strangulates economic growth and inadvertently blocks much needed development in the African region. It forestalls in flock of potential international investments, thus underpinning the region in an analogue age. Corruption is a man made disease, it is global in nature, but practices more in Africa by self-serving public office holders. At the expense of those whom they were meant to serve and protect – the private sector whom on the other hand were infested by the disease and thus became magnitude in nature.

The consequences of corruption are invariably felt most by those at the bottom of the economic scale – the poor people who due to their poorness have less means to cushion the negative impact. It is observed that, “Corruption has a strong negative effect on all aspects of society: It distorts the economy, it challenges the rule of law and it undermines the functioning of the political system. It is further observed that “While the effects of corruption may not be felt by the well-off decision-makers of business and politics, widespread corruption has however a direct bearing on the everyday lives of the poorest strata of the society as well”.[7]

African Union Convention

The AU convention on preventing and combating corruption and related offences was adopted by the heads of state at the AU summit held in Maputo on 11 July 2003. The fight against corruption was not specifically introduced at the regional level until June 1998, at a session of the assembly of heads of state and government in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The assembly passed a resolution calling on the secretary general to convene a high-level meeting of experts in cooperation with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. These experts were to consider ways of removing obstacles to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights – such as through the fight against corruption impunity – and propose appropriate legislative and other measures for reform. The scene was set for the drafting of a historic convention. Civil society groups, including Transparency International, actively participated in the writing of the first draft of the of the AU convention at expert meetings in Addis Ababa in November 2001 and September 2002.[8] The framework which covers a range of criminal offences, also calls for preventive measures, more serious, meaningful regional co-operation, regional and international legal assistance in the recovery of assets, illicit enrichment in both the public and private sector corruption. This convention is unique in the sense that African heads of government are for the first time taking a pro-active steps in the fight against corruption by a mandatory provision with respect to accountability in all sectors of their economy i.e. transparency in political funding, designated public office holders declaration of assets, restrictions on immunity for public office holders (Article 7), bribery etc. The steps are indeed right steps in the right direction. However, the ratification is yet to attained the require signatories for it to be enforced. Only 21 out of the 53 countries have signed the AU convention but none has ratified it. [9] It is in the interest of the African state to urgently ratify and vigorously pursue and effective mechanism in the eradication of corruption. As Susan Rose argued, high level corruption limits investment and growth and lead to an ineffective government.

Objectives

The African Union under the current leadership of the Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who succeeded South African president Thabo Mbeki seems poised to institute measures to combat institutional and private sector corruption. To promote foreign investment in Africa, the effect is what we are seeing in Chinese railway and agricultural investment in Africa notably Nigeria, through NEPA (New partnership for Africa’s Development) programme. To promote human rights, peace, security and the alleviation of the living standard of the African people. To promote regional cooperation for the effective implementation of measures adopted in the interest of the continent, such as money laundering, people trafficking, eradication of corruption and related offences. Under the Articles of the convention, the harmonisation and co-operation of policies and legislation amongst the signatory African states for the purposes of eradicating corruption, detection, prevention and punishing is stated as one of its major goals. The goal of socio-economic development is another stated as objectives of the convention. The aim of these objectives is to combat corruption at every level and promote social, economic, political and cultural rights to the enjoyment of growth in the region.[10] The emphasis of the convention is to encourage member states to ‘promote and strengthen the development… of mechanisms required to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in Africa and to ensure effectiveness of these measures.’[11] The convention has listed and strengthened laws on corruption and related offences thereby ensuring they are punishable by national legislation. By encouraging and promoting public awareness both national and internationally, the convention has thus enlisted global co-operation in the detection, confiscation, forfeiture of the proceeds of corruption, the repatriation of such proceeds and furthermore, punishment for those involved in the corrupt act.


Offences Constituting Corruption

Transparency International defines corruption “as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.”[12] It went further in its report, “corruption is considered to include offering, soliciting and accepting bribes. The report points out that embezzlement through mechanisms which include siphoning off funds to non-existent companies and through fake and mispriced transactions is rife throughout Africa.”[13] The convention defined corruption broadly enough as to ensure that corruption or related offences committed both within the common law and civil law jurisdiction would not escape punishment. Under the civil law rule, corruption and embezzlement are offences which are only capable of being committed by holders of public office or involving public funds. By introducing the term “related offences” the convention found a way round that common law rule thus introducing civil law rules. The convention is now able to define corruption as “the acts and practices including related offences proscribed in this convention.”[14]

The convention has clearly and broadly defined corruption enough as to pre-empt any conflicts of interpretation in both the civil and common law jurisdictions. Under this AU convention, the inclusion of ‘related offences’ means those who commits the offence of corruption within official and private sectors in civil law countries cannot escape punishment. As they have thus falling into the armpit of both common and civil law jurisdiction.

However, the provision of the illicit enrichment in the convention has been criticised. In that, the burden of the presumption of innocence in criminal law is somehow shifted from the prosecution. In criminal cases which involve illicit enrichment or unjustified enrichment, the burden of proof usually rest with the prosecution to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that acquired wealth is not justified by earnings. Here, under the convention, the prosecution is not legally required to prove beyond our accustomed reasonable doubt that wealth exceeds income, nor does the prosecution necessarily need to prove that the unjustified income was derived from corruption. It is automatically presumed that unjustified income is a proceed from corrupt source. It is argued that, if implemented, such provisions are likely to face legal challenges, particularly in countries where the presumption of innocence is imbedded in the constitution.[15]

African Union: International Co-operation against Corruption

The African Union has solicited the assistance of the international community in a global war against corruption in the region. The need to render such assistance was promptly recognised by the British government, the World Bank, United Nations, the international and regional business communities.

The British government welcomed the report and responded to the recommendations in the Africa All Party Parliamentary group, titled “The Other Side of The Coin” by acknowledging that corruption and related offences presents a critical obstacle to development in Africa. As such legal framework to combat international bribery, corruption and money laundry were said to be re-enforced. Furthermore, recommendations from the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) bribery working group has also been revisited to combat bribery of foreign public officials in international business dealings. The United Nations adopted also adopted a convention on 9 December 2003 against corruption.

African Union: Efforts to Present and Combat Corruption
The African Union has been concerned about the negative effects of corruption and impunity on the political, economic, social and cultural stability of African States and its devastating effects on the economic and social development of the African peoples. It has come to grip with the devastation caused by corruption and acknowledge that corruption undermines accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs as well as socio-economic development on the continent, thus recognizing the need to address the root causes of corruption on the continent. It is convinced of the need to formulate and pursue, as a matter of priority, a common penal policy aimed at protecting the society against corruption, including the adoption of appropriate legislative and adequate preventive measures. The African Union is determined to build partnerships between governments and all segments of civil society, in particular, women, youth, media and the private sector in order to fight the scourge of corruption.[16]

The Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption has its basis in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as well as other resolutions and declarations of the OAU. These include, the 1990 Declaration of fundamental changes taking place in the World and their Implications for Africa.[17] The adoption of the convention was hailed both in the region and international community as a step in the right direction. Furthermore, accountability and transparency awareness is now a phenomenon welcomed in the region. The need for better governance in Africa cannot be under estimated. Without good governance the effort to achieve economic integration will be futile.

















Reference
Conga, Frank. Corruption in Africa. Charleston, USA: Booksurge, 2006
Mbaku, John, M. Institutions and Development in Africa. Trenton, USA: African World Press, 2004
Mbaku, John, M., Corruption in Africa: Causes, Consequences and Clean up Lanham, USA: Lexington, 2007
Olaniya, K, The African Union on Prevention and Combating of Corruption: A Critical Appraisal, African Human Rights Journal, 2004, Vol. 4 No. 1 74-92
Sardan, Jean-Piere, O. D., and Cox, Susan. Everyday Corruption and the State: Citizens and the Public Officials in Africa. London: Zed Books Ltd, 2006Sinjela, M., The African Union takes a legal stand on Corruption,. African yearbook of International Law; 2005 vol. 11, p143-159
[1] http://www.africanreview.org/docs/govern/changes.pdf
[2] Sinjela, M., The African Union takes a legal stand on Corruption,. African yearbook of International Law; vol. 11, p143-159/2005
[3] See Corruption and anti corruption in South Africa.
http://www.unodc.org/pdf/southafrica/southafrica_corruption.pdf
[4]http://www.iss.co.za/index.php?link_id=28&slink_id=1185&link_type=12&slink_type=12&tmpl_id=3
[5] Ibid fn 2
[6] See Lord Chidgey., House of Lord debates, Monday 19 June 2006. On the report of the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group, The other side of the coin: The UK and Corruption in Africa. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2006-06-19a.585.0&m=100562. Also see, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank
[7] Ibid fn 2
[8] Ibid
[9] Htt://www.u4.no/helpdesk/helpdesk/queries/query30.cfm
[10] See Article 2 of the convention
[11] See A. Muna, The African Convention against Corruption, in Transparency International (TI), Global and regional reports, p.117
[12] ibid fn 8
[13] ibid
[14] ibid fn 2; also see the preamble of the convention
[15] Ibid fn 9
[16] See p.2 & 3., AFRICAN UNION CONVENTION ON PREVENTING AND COMBATING CORRUPTION http://www.africa union.org/root/AU/Documents/Treaties/Text/Convention%20on%20Combating%20Corruption.pdf
[17] Ibidi fn 1

Female Circumcision: violation of Human Rights in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract

The paper argues that female circumcision (FC), often referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM) or female genital cutting (FGC) is a crime under International law. The papers primary focus would be on Benin and Esan ethnic communities of Edo State, which is a part of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. That the myth is a violation of the fundamental human rights of these women, whether, in her infancy, childhood, adolescence or as a young adult. That the historic assertion which claimed cutting off the female genital help curbs promiscuity and promote female faithfulness to their husbands is a ridiculous, repugnant and repulsive line of thoughts. Thus, every right minded thinking person, group or government, should actively promote awareness of the consequences and harmful effect of female genital mutilation, must see to the abolishment of the act.

Introduction

Edo State, like other States in Nigeria is predominantly male dominated. The desire for continuation of female circumcision under the disguise of cultural and ethnic belief remains widespread, even though the State passed a law against it in 1999 and there is absolutely no legal, moral, cultural and ethnical justification for its continuation. Female circumcision, if you like female genital mutilation is a crime which causes suffering and psychological problems for the victim.
The partial or total cutting away of the external female genitalia has been practiced for centuries in Edo and Esan communities and indeed, in most part of Africa and eventually, due to immigration in Europe, Asia, Scandinavia and America. It is estimated that over a 100 million women worldwide[1] are subjected to the barbaric act of female circumcision in clear violation of the victims’ human rights.
Nigeria became a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, in 1960 upon gaining her independence and also a signatory to the African Charters of Human Rights 1961 and 1970. Modern human rights, born in the aftermath of the Second World War and crystallized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, reflect a broader, societal, approach to the complex problem of well-being. Human rights are about the societal preconditions for physical, mental and social well-being.

The end of the Second World War brought about unprecedented changes in global system such includes internationalization of political ideologies such as right and freedom of citizens. All these while, human rights were not seen as health issue, conscious efforts was only made in 1995 at the National Council of International Health (NCIH) conference where professional in health, law and social science met at Columbia University, the land mark of this historical event was the recognition of fundamental human rights as health issue. We can look at it from economic angle and from health issue. The core right is the right to life which has to do with survival. Since health has to do with harmony between mind and body to ward off death, then the extension of right to life as a health issue becomes imperative.[2]

Key document that have sprung up at international convention on civil and political rights, the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights, the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The covenant on the rights of the children, and lastly the covenant dealing with slavery in all these, there are provision particularly touching on human health which female circumcision borders on. The right to health as articulation in these instruments has since become norms of civilized states. Upon careful examination of Nigeria constitutions of 1979, 1985, 1989, 1995, and 1999, health rights feature prominently. Thus, the constitution is the most important for providing protection for women. Although the applicable provisions are indirect, for example there are provision in chapter II on the equality of the sexes and the prohibition of discrimination in all forms.

It is clear that the Nigerian State, enshrined in its Constitution of 1999 in chapter 4, the protection of fundamental Human Rights in all it facet. Thus the rights of children and women are protected. Unfortunately, the provisions that directly address the rights of female born into these primitive beliefs that compelled them against their will to be violently violated by cutting off their sexual organs, whether on cultural or ethnical ground, are not adequately protected by law. In that, one of the rights that are denied to the Nigerian woman is the right to health, through female circumcision because section (6) of the Constitution prevent the courts from looking into whether or not the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy have been implemented if states: " The judicial powers rested in accordance with the fore going provision of this section . . . shall not, except as otherwise provided by this constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive principles of state policy set out in Chapter II of this constitution."

Female circumcision has been condemned as cruel, discriminatory and degrading by a long series of international instruments, declarations, resolutions, pronouncements and recommendations. Nothing turns on the detail of these. Their tenor may be illustrated by a recent report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective E/CN.4/2002/83, 31 January 2002, introduction, para 6: 'Nevertheless, many of the practices enumerated in the next section are unconscionable and challenge the very concept of universal human rights. Many of them involve “severe pain and suffering” and may be considered “torture like” in their manifestation. Others such as property and marital rights are inherently unequal and blatantly challenge the international imperatives towards equality. The right to be free from torture is considered by many scholars to be jus cogens, a norm of international law that cannot be derogated from by nation States. So fundamental is the right to be free from torture that, along with the right to be free from genocide, it is seen as a norm that binds all nation States, whether or not they have signed any international Convention or document. Therefore those cultural practices that involve “severe pain and suffering” for the woman or the girl child, those that do not respect the physical integrity of the female body, must receive maximum international scrutiny and agitation. It is imperative that practices such as female genital mutilation, honour killings, Sati or any other form of cultural practice that brutalizes the female body receive international attention, and international leverage should be used to ensure that these practices are curtailed and eliminated as quickly as possible.'

In some countries, including the United Kingdom, effect is given to this international consensus by the prohibition of female circumcision on pain of severe criminal sanctions.[3]

What is Female Circumcision?

Female circumcision is a process where, base on traditional or cultural beliefs, the female clitoris, which is a very sensitive organ and part or the entire part of the external genitalia are cut off in other to reduce the woman’s supposedly sexual overdrive. The barbaric act, according to some observers are often performed without anaesthetic under poor conditions by untrained practitioners, native herbalist or older women with little or no knowledge of human anatomy or medicine, using unsterilized knives, razor blades or even broken bottles. It is claimed that, the mutilation or cutting off of these external genitals guarantees the woman’s faithfulness to her husband and promote chastity in women. The age at which the clitoris and other part of her external genitalia are totally cut off varies in various communities. In the Esan and Benin ethnic communities, where female circumcision does take place, expect opinions is that it predominantly performed during infancy.

In some very traditional communities, if a deceased woman is discovered to have never had the procedure; it may be performed on her before burial. In some communities it is performed on pregnant women during the birthing process and accounts for much of the high morbidity and mortality rates. It varies among ethnic groups. Highly respected women in the community, including traditional birth attendants (TBAs), local barbers and medical doctors and health workers usually perform the procedure. Unless performed in medical facilities, it is generally performed without the use of anaesthesia.[4] The harmful health effect, present and aftermath of female circumcision cannot be over emphasised, yet the practitioners are less concern of the grave risk their actions possess to their female victims because of a false, ancestral or traditional belief.

Generations of supporters of the barbaric act have advanced wide range of arguments as to why female circumcision constitutes an important part of their cultural and ethnical way of life. For the tortured infants, toddlers, adolescents, young adult or matured woman, the instruction and mutilation of their body is an unwelcome rite of passage to womanhood and clear violation their fundamental human rights.

According to World Health Organisation these include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue. Haemorrhage and infection can cause death. More recently, concern has arisen about possible transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the use of one instrument in multiple operations, but this has not been the subject of detailed research.[5] Long-term consequences include cysts and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth.[6] Psychosexual and psychological health: Genital mutilation may leave a lasting mark on the life and mind of the woman who has undergone it. In the longer term, women may suffer feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression.[7] In these Esan and Edo communities, the practitioners are oblivious to the immediate and long term health consequences of their actions. Majority of these practitioners are lay persons who use a variety of harsh methods to violate the rights of these females by invading and mutilating their clitoris and other external organs, with razor blades, knives (most cases unsterilized).

The origin of Female Circumcision

The origin of female circumcision remains highly speculative. According to some experts it is an ageless act which is claimed to have originated from Africa. That it might have been practice as far back as ancient Egypt as a sign of distinction, while others hypothesize origins in ancient Greece, Rome, pre-Islamic Arabia and Tsarist Russia. Up until the mid-20th century, some physicians in the United States wrongly performed clitoridectomies for a variety of clinically unsound reasons.[8] An alternative supposition on the question of its origin identifies Islam as the primary source. Female circumcision is frequently described as an "age-old Muslim ritual," when in fact it predates Islam and is even believed to be pre-Judaic. There is no mention of it in the Koran, and only a brief mention in the authentic hadiths, which states: "A woman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Prophet said to her: 'do not cut severely, as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband.’ Because of this still debated hadz'th, some scholars of the Shari school of Islam, found mostly in East Africa, consider female circumcision obligatory. 'The Hanafi and most other schools maintain it is merely recommended, not essential.[9] However, some expert opinion suggests that the act of female circumcision is not pertinent to Islam alone. Thus, the custom cuts across religions whether Christian, Islam, Jews and any other religion. Hanny Lightfoot-Klein, defined it as, dating back to antiquity, that its origins are obscured, ‘excision practices can be assumed to date back thousands of years, conceivably to the early beginning of mankind.’

Why practice Female Circumcision?

It is believed, from time immemorial, in certain cultures that it facilitates a rightful passage to womanhood, essentially a good credential for marriage; thus, bring honour to her family and community. A conformity to the norms of tradition, the historic assertion that circumcising the female help curbs promiscuity, promote female faithfulness to their husbands and affords her recognition and economic security through marriage and childbearing and also, that the cutting off of the clitoris and external genitals has hygienic benefits.
Conference on women in 1995 in the sub-commission on the presentation of discrimination and protection of minorities adopted in which it appealed to all states "to achieve the total elimination of female genital mutilation.

Types of Female Circumcision

There are different types of female circumcision; type 1, is the clitoridectomy, part or the entire clitoris is removed, while in type 2 (often referred to as excision), both the clitoris and the labia minora are removed. Type 3 (Infibulation) is the most severe: After excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, the labia majora are cut or scraped away to create raw surfaces, which are held in contact until they heal, either by stitching the edges of the wound or by tying the legs together. As the wounds heal, scar tissue joins the labia and covers the urethra and most of the vaginal orifice, leaving an opening that may be as small as a matchstick for the passage of urine and menstrual blood.[10] Infibulation are the most practiced in Nigeria. Type IV is practiced to a much lesser extent. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of the many cultures, traditions and customs that exist in Nigeria. It crosses the lines of various religious groups. It is found among Christians, Muslims and Animists alike.[11]

There is no accurate figure as to the number of female in Benin and Esan communities, or in the world at large who have undergone each type of circumcision. However, World Health Organization study reported that an estimated 30.6million women and girls, or about 60 percent of the total population of Nigeria, have undergone genital mutilation. A 1996 United Nations Development Programme study put the figure at 32.7 million[12] and estimate it to be between 100 and 140 million female worldwide.[13]

At its thirteenth session in 1976, the Committee on the rights of child expressed its concern at the continuation of the practice of female genital mutilation, and the insufficient measure being taken by the government to address the practice, although clitoridectomy appears to be by far the most common procedure. It is estimated that about 15% of all circumcised women have been infibulated, although an estimated 80-90% of all circumcisions in Djibouti, Somalia and the Sudan are of this type.[14]

Incidence: With over 250 ethnic groups and an estimated population of 120 million, a national estimate of this practice is very difficult. The most recent survey is a 1999 Demographic and Health Survey of 8,205 women nationally. This survey estimates that 25.1 percent of the women of Nigeria have undergone one of these procedures. According to a 1997 World Health Organization (WHO) study, an estimated 30,625 million women and girls, or about 60 percent of the nation's total female population, have undergone one of these forms. A 1996 United Nations Development Systems study reported a similar number of 32.7 million Nigerian women affected. According to a Nigerian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coalition study, 33 percent of all households practice one of these forms. However, according to some Nigerian experts in the field, the actual incidence may be much higher than these figures. Leaders of the Nigerian National Committee (also the Inter-African Committee of Nigeria on Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children [IAC]) have been conducting a state by state study of the practice. This 1997 study by the Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife was contracted in 1996 by a number of organizations including WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Nigerian Federal Health Ministry. The study covered 148,000 women and girls from 31 community samples nationwide. The results from fragmented data, according to IAC Nigeria, show the following prevalence and type in the following states in Nigeria, Abia (no study); Adamawa (60-70 percent, Type IV); Akwa Ibom (65-75 percent, Type II); Anambra (40-60 percent, Type II); Bauchi (50-60 percent, Type IV); Benue (90-100 percent, Type II); Borno (10-90 percent, Types I, III and IV); Cross River (no study); Delta (80-90 percent, Type II); Edo (30-40 percent, Type II); Enugu (no study); Imo (40-50 percent, Type II); Jigawa (60-70 percent, Type IV); Kaduna (50-70 percent, Type IV); Katsina (no study); Kano (no study); Kebbi (90-100 percent, Type IV); Kogi (one percent, Type IV); Kwara (60-70 percent, Types I and II); Lagos (20-30 percent, Type I); Niger (no study); Ogun (35-45 percent, Types I and II); Ondo (90-98 percent, Type II); Osun (80-90 percent, Type I); Oyo (60-70 percent, Type I); Plateau (30-90 percent, Types I and IV); Rivers (60-70 percent, Types I and II); Sokoto (no study); Taraba (no study); Yobe (0-1 percent, Type IV); Fct Abuja (no study). While all three forms occur throughout the country, Type III, the most severe form, has a higher incidence in the northern states. Type II and Type I are more predominant in the south. Of the six largest ethnic groups, the Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ibo, Ijaw and Kanuri, only the Fulani do not practice any form. The Yoruba practice mainly Type II and Type I. The Hausa and Kanuri practice Type III. The Ibo and Ijaw, depending upon the local community, practice any one of the three forms.[15]

Justification

The Women's Centre for Peace and Development (WOPED) has concluded that Nigerians, Benin and Esan communities alike, continue this practice out of adherence to a cultural dictate that uncircumcised women are promiscuous, unclean, unmarriageable, physically undesirable and/or potential health risks to themselves and their children, especially during childbirth. One traditional belief is that if a male child's head touches the clitoris during childbirth, the child will die.

Outreach

The campaign against Female circumcision has long been waged, for the most part, by international, national and non-governmental organizations. In 1950s and 1960s, African activists and medical practitioners brought the health consequences of female circumcision to the attention of international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it was not until 1979 that any formal policy statement was made: A seminar organized by WHO in Khartoum to address traditional practices affecting the health of women and children issued recommendations that governments work to eliminate the practice.
During the following decade, the widespread silence surrounding female circumcision was broken. After African women's organizations met in Dakar, Senegal, in 1984 to discuss female circumcision and other detrimental cultural practices, the Inter African Committee against Harmful Traditional Practices (IAC) was formed. With national committees in more than 20 countries, the IAC has been important in bringing the harmful effects of female circumcision to the attention of African governments. In addition, other African women's networks and organizations that had focused primarily on such issues as reproductive health, women's rights and legal justice became involved in working against the practice. Such groups as Mandalaeo Ya Wanawake in Kenya, NOW in Nigeria and New Woman in Egypt now include the elimination of female circumcision among their goals. In the Platform of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, female genital mutilation was cited as both a threat to women's reproductive health and a violation of their human rights. In addition to making general recommendations, the Platform specifically called on governments to "enact and enforce legislation against the perpetrators of practices and acts of violence against women, such as female genital mutilation...." Notably, the drive to include language specifically condemning female genital mutilation in the Platform was led by Africans.[16]

Inter African Committee in Nigeria holds meetings and programs in both urban and rural communities throughout the country to inform the public about this subject. It uses videos, booklets and the mass media to reach school age children. In 1997, outreach programs on the dangers of this practice were intensified. In the states of Osun and Bayelsa, nurses and midwives were trained about the harmful health effects and how to select, train and supervise TBAs. There was extensive community outreach to men, women, school children and health workers. Anatomical models, films and posters were used. Posters were distributed in villages. Also actively campaigning against this practice are the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, the Nigerian Medical Women's Association and the Nigerian Medical Association. These three groups in particular are against the legitimization of this practice as a medical necessity for females and are working to inform all Nigerian health practitioners about the harmful effects of the practice. The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives created a national information package about the harmful effects of the various procedures. WHO, UNDP, DFID of Great Britain and Daneco of Sweden are actively funding Nigerian NGOs in addressing this practice. International organizations have adopted plans of action to eradicate these practices in Nigeria.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has a three-year short-term plan (1996-1998); an eight-year medium-term plan (1999-2006); and a nine-year long-term plan to eventually eliminate this practice from Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Nurses and paediatricians have long campaigned against this practice. They have campaigned nationwide starting with national workshops in Lagos. Trainers were trained who in turn conducted informational activities about this practice at the state and local community levels. A variety of methods were used to get the message across as to the harmful effects. These included dramas, community mobilizations, national television talk shows, radio broadcasts, articles in newspapers, etc. The once taboo subject is now discussed in the open. The government has publicly opposed this practice. Government officials have voiced their support for the campaign against female circumcision. Both the Federal Health Ministry and the Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs support the nationwide study on this issue. In conjunction with a number of House State Assembly members, medical workers, attorneys and NGO representatives, WOPED organized a national policy symposium on female circumcision in May 2000. The symposium revealed that over the past decade both government ministries and NGOs have been active and mutually collaborative in studying how to end this practice. However, little has been accomplished beyond the recommendation stage. Nigeria was one of five countries that sponsored a resolution at the forty-sixth World Health Assembly calling for eradication of harmful traditional practices, including female circumcision. [17]
Most NGOs working on this issue claim that helping traditional communities change their cultural folklore is necessary to end this practice. Proverbs, songs, theatrical and dance performances and other cultural activities have reinforced this practice for centuries. The NGOs also point out that efforts to end the practice will fail unless Nigerian men learn that uncircumcised women are marriageable, will not be promiscuous and are not poor risks as mothers. DFID of Great Britain is working with IAC/Nigeria on a pilot project with ten excisors. The excisors were educated about the criminalization of FGM/FGC in their state. DFID then purchased deep freezers and ice cream makers for each excisor to start her own business in her community. In each case, the excisor has been earning enough to replace her former practice of FGM/FGC as her source of income. When families have brought their daughters to them to be circumcised, they are refusing to refer them to others still practicing and have even threatened to bring in the authorities if the families try to pursue the operation. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working with members of the Women's Caucus of the National Assembly in addressing women's health issues, including this problem. The Calvary Foundation based in Enugu State was awarded a grant of US$20,000 from the U.S. Embassy's Democracy and Human Rights Fund to continue its campaign to ban this practice in five south eastern states.[18]

However, where this is narrowed to Edo State in the Niger-Delta area of Nigeria, it is not surprising that there have been different play groups involved in the campaign against female circumcision. Amongst these groups oppose to female circumcision is the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Prof. Friday Okonofua, who sited various ills associated with female circumcision, in a workshop held in Benin City, Edo State. The Project Coordinator of Women's Rights Watch Nigeria, Mrs Nogi Imoukhuede also drew attention to the human rights perspective ‘female circumcision, as a violation of women's rights’. Another feminine critique of the practice, the chair of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development, Senator Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma said research had shown that female circumcision was not a panacea for promiscuity. She emphasis the fact that the act was a cruelty by man against his fellow human-being, “Female Genital Mutilation and Violence against Women”, and that, contrary to some misguided arguments advanced by the perpetrators and supporters of the heinous, that the beliefs has nothing to do with hygiene or passage to womanhood but instead, complications could arise from the practise, which she described as injurious to the health of women. She listed such complications to include excessive bleeding, urinary problems, difficult menstruation, vaginal infections and infertility.[19] Ehanire-Danjuma added that female circumcision was a harmful practise based on misguided traditional beliefs. The Senator said that it was erroneous to believe that circumcising a lady would stop her from being promiscuous. That primitive, historic assertion has thus, according to some observer, put over 2 million lives at the risk annually. [20] That represents about 50% of Edo State communities.
There is no federal law banning female circumcision in Nigeria. Opponents of this practice rely on Section 34(1)(a) 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that states, "no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment," as the basis for banning the practice nationwide.[21] Edo State passed a law prohibiting the practise (Under section (2) Edo State Female Genital Mutilation (Prohibition) Law 1999). Section 4, lists the principal offenders; that those parents, guardian or female person who offers a child or herself and the performer of female circumcision are jointly and severally in breach of the law. It therefore follows that, consent is not a defence and a plea of cultural and ethnic values would also not form a basis for defence (s.3). Persons convicted under the law are subject to a 1000 Naira (US$10) fine and imprisonment of six months. Opponents of the practice applaud such laws however, criticized the small fine and lack of real willingness of enforcement. Female circumcision cannot be justified by arguments that suggest that it reduces sexual activity in women and prevents adverse outcomes of sexuality.
It is clear from the local, national and international level that efforts are being made to educate the performer of this barbaric act of female circumcision. But except these efforts are aggressively translated at grass root level by all educational means available, both perpetrators and those who aid, abet, counsel or procure the performance are severely punished by a combination of fine, long prison terms and public shaming, offenders may continue to violate the fundamental rights of the female who, though has a voice and choice but silenced and denied by misguided traditional rite.
It is clear from expert research that brutalising the female body in other to be the property of has husband - that is if she survives, invading her privacy and cutting off her external sexual organs, thus unlawfully reducing or denying her satisfaction, indicates that, ‘giving a choice and empower to defend that choice’[22] would rather not allow their circumcision.
Therefore those cultural practices that involve “severe pain and suffering” for the woman or the girl child, those that do not respect the physical integrity of the female body, must receive maximum international scrutiny and agitation. It is imperative that practices such as female circumcision, or any other form of cultural practice that brutalizes the female body receive international attention and condemnation, and international leverage should be used to ensure that these practices are curtailed and eliminated as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Edo State government needs to start the process of revisiting this draconian act by proactively assisting the various partners to the elimination of female circumcision, to imbibe the age old law of nature that says when a custom is repugnant to Natural Justice, Equity and Good conscience, such a custom or tradition of female circumcision (FC) as in this case should be extinguished and discontinued. It is hoped that this paper will also serve as a good source of enlightenment for the victims of female circumcision and that, it would enhance their ability to appreciate what remedies they would have in the law as a fundamental Human right enshrined in the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria. Furthermore, to serve as a beginning of the healing process psychologically, emotionally and otherwise for the victims of such acts and knowing their rights would deter other from further perpetrating this barbaric custom and tradition that should be given a decent burial.

References

Abusharaf, R.M. (2006) Female circumcision/moral and ethical aspects/Africa (University of Pennsylvania press)

Akindele, F. (1990) Dangers in Female Circumcision: Home Doctor, No. 24, (St Publishers Ltd., Lagos, Pp. 29-31).

Barendt, E. (1985) Freedom of Speech. (Oxford: Clarendon Press).
Ebomoyi, E. (1987) Prevalence of female circumcision in two Nigerian communities. (Journal: Sex Roles. Springer Netherlands, Vol 17, Issue 3-4).
Evans, M and Murray, R. Ed (2001) Documents of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights: (Oxford: Hart Publishing).
Larsen, U., Okonofua, F.E., Oronsaye, F., Snow, R.C., and Slanger, T.E. (2002) The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria. (BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Vol 109 Issue 10 Pp. 1089-1096).
Lightfoot-Klein, H. (1989) Prisoners of ritual: An odyssey into female genital circumcision in Africa. (Haworth press).
Mann, J. (1999) Human experimentation in medicine (London: Routledge)
O’Boyle, M. Harris, DJ and Warbrick, C. (1995) Law of the European Convention on Human Rights. (London: Butterworth).
Pietila, H and Vickers, J. (1996) Making Women Matter: The Role of the United Nations. (3rd ed. London: Zed Books Ltd).
Watson, M.A. (2005) Female circumcision from Africa to the Americas: Slavery to present. (The Social Science Journal, Vol. 42, Issue 3, Pp.421-437).
[1] BBC news edition: Female genital mutilation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/241221.stm visited 05/01/2008
[2] Jimoh, R. Female Genital Mutilation: Violation of Women’s Human Rights in Nigeria. Center for Global Justice – Centro Para La Justicia Global http://www.globaljusticecenter.org/papers2005/jimoh_eng.htm visited 26/12/2007
[3] See Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985.
[4] Ibid.
[5] World Health Organisation: Female Genital Mutilation.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/ visited 27/12/2007

[6] ibid
[7] ibid
[8] See the National Women’s Health Information Centre, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. www.4woman.gov/fag/fgc.htm. Visited 27/12/2007
[9] Ibid 2, para 1
[10] Althaus, F.A. Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage or Violation of Rights. (Guttmacher: International family planning perspectives. Volume 23, Number 3, September 1997). http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/2313097.html
[11] Ibid. 2
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid. see note 3
[14] Ibid. 2
[15] Ibid. 2
[16] Ibid. 9
[17] Ibid.2
[18] Ibid.
[19] Imoukhuede, N. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – A crime in Edo State. A key note during a one day workshop on FGM and Violence against women organised by the Chair, Senate Committee on women affairs and youth – 19 July, 2004, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. http://www.rufarm.kabissa.org.artcles/fgm.htm Visited 27/12/2007
[20] Okonofua, F.E., Larsen, U., Oronsaye, F., Snow, R.C., Slanger, T.E. (2002) The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 109 (10), 1089–1096.
[21] Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
[22] Mukoro, U. J., (2004) A survey on the Psychosexual Implications of Female Genital Mutilation on Urhobo Women of the Niger Delta Communities of Nigeria. (J. Hum. Ecol., 16(2):147-150)

President Obama's visit to Ghana: A challenge for a fresh course

The importance of Barack Obama’s historic visit to Ghana, Sub-Sahara Africa as oppose to Kenya his ancestral home, where there still lies political turmoil after the electoral malpractices that resulted in a marriage of convenient, between the aging, despotic President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on the other hand Nigeria, the self proclaim ‘giant of Africa’ where over 70% of the citizens are below international poverty line and far below parity on health care delivery, and Zimbabwe where Mr Robert Mugabe leave in affluence and his people leaves in abject poverty, dying of malnutrition and cholera, speaks of Mr Obama’s values. Those values that brought him from obscurity, to a relatively unknown junior senator from Illinois Chicago, through the rigors’ of serial campaigns for the United States Democratic party ticket, election that highlighted the quintessence of a democratic process, to the most powerful office on planet earth – President of the United States of America. Those values that encompass the very essence of respect for human rights and the rule of law, values that appreciate sustainable democratic development, governance by consent and not by cohesions. Leaders that their primary thoughts and discharged duties are to those they govern, not manipulation of the electoral and legislative system, turning national treasury into a private account, indiscriminating enlarging their bank accounts with national wealth and blaming colonialism for their national woes. In the words of the Prime minister of Kenya Raila Odinga "We should stop blaming colonialism for our under-development. We really need to address issues of governance, because I believe it is the mediocrity with which Africa has been governed that is responsible for our backwardness today" (BBC live news channel July 11, 2009).

President Barack Hussain Obama, choose to side stepped sentiments by not making his father’s birth place, Kenya his first point of call. When, as the first black commander in chief of USA, visited sub-Sahara African soil. Ghana was his first point of call, a historic visit of gargantuan proportion. Why Ghana? One does not need a magnifying lens for Sub Sahara Africa to see the obvious. Ghana from the second coming of Jerry Rawlings, further to formal President John Kufuor, President John Atta Mill who succeeded Mr. Kufuor, chooses to embrace good governance in contrast to the aforementioned countries, Kenya and Nigeria to mention but a few. Ghana has distinguished itself with enviable strong democratic credentials. According to Peter baker of New York Times, May 17, 2009 referring then to the proposed visit, he stated that Ghana “as a model for governance, Mr. Obama’s advisers concluded that Ghana offered an opportunity to promote important values even in a short visit.,” By that historic visit, President Obama chooses to send a clear, unequivocal message of those important values to those that governs the states of Africa. Barack Obama, the first American black president told his audience, “Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery that is not democracy that is tyranny" (extract from CNN live coverage July 11, 2009). Africa does not need rulers, we need leaders, that can us develop strong democratic institutions, dynamic, vibrant institutions that allows growth and investment to flourish, that can deliver justice and equality. Achieving those will definitely be the road map to the eradication of poverty, bribery at police check points and all other establishments, thus ensuring security for life and properties. That pursuit can only be realised by good, sound governance!

President Obama’s message to Africa leaders from the Ghanaian Parliament could not be clearer. That his administration will be a willing partner with any African country that evidently can demonstrate good sound governance. What audacity? Oh yes, he can! His record way before he became US president attest that Barack Obama is a man that patently exhibit good values, led by examples; hence he was the first African American president of Harvard Law Review, elected by the people (not bought, rigid or intimidated votes) to the US Senate by the largest margin in Illinois history. Values that saw him listed in 1993 by Crain’s Chicago Business as “40 under forty” power to be. Values that made him co-sponsors of such Bills as “Federal Funding Accountancy and Transparency Act in 2006 (Coburn – Obama Transparency Act), in 2007, Honest Leadership and Open government Act, with Senator Feingold, which was signed into law in Sept 2007. A man, who in his first few days in the Oval office as the 44th American President reduced the secrecy given to presidential records, Should I continue? I guess not! I cannot fathom the lack of sincerity on the part of our African chieftains for transparency and accountability. Why are leadership qualities, good governance so distant from our rulers?

The US President told his audience that "Development depends upon good governance that is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long and that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans." It is therefore paramount for African States, Nigeria in particular, to actualise the importance of good governance, as it is the cream, vital for development. To, have the audacity to shun corruption and to develop human capacity. Honestly tackle the mayhem of brain drains, engineer physical material requirements of national growth. Our people, our professional are fleeing our countries in drove for, not necessary greener pasture, but from intimidation, lack of opportunities, good facilities such as health care, public transport, education and threat to life and properties. We can and must keep the brains at home, not lose them to our competitors; other countries that are already far advance than ours!

We do not need President Obama, to tell us that our problems can only be solved by us. No, not at all, they were created by us, - greed! So let us fix it and fix it now, we have the capability to, we can solve them. First by shunning corrupt practises, taking reasonable steps to avoid conflicts within or outside of our borders and adapting conflict resolution practises, instead of perpetuating them for our selfish interest, whether for political reasons, land dispute or otherwise, investing in meaningful health care, education programmes and social welfare.
Corruption was giving birth to by greed. Corruption is intrinsically so imbedded in our way of life that the only reason for most people to seek elected office is for immediate gateway to riches. President Obama, so eloquently lectured us to the evil of corruption. The only reward from corruption, it hinders progress. The African states are burdened primarily by diseases, conflicts, lack of foresight and above all corruption. To me, his message was crafted specifically for the Nigerian hierarchy. Amongst others, a major significance of that visit to Ghana is global attention, in terms of trade and tourism; undoubtedly, there will be further influx of tourism and foreign investment into that country. Surely one does not have to be an economist to know what impact such investments would have on society. Every country needs that!

President Obama’s perspicacity was clearly obvious, simple clear statement of intent as to his desire for Africa. The question now, would our African rulers (exception to Ghana; they have leaders) mend their ways? Would Nigeria, amongst other challenges, sincerely address the disparity in the Niger Delta for the sake of justice and equity? African States and indeed Nigeria, that are guilty of bad governance should not waste time analysing how Mr Obama’s visit to Ghana has slighted them, but rather, wake up to the challenge of a fresh course, to steer Nigeria on the right course of a truly recognisable greatness, to be Africa’s flagship in shaping the 21st Century, only then would we earn the desired podium of being ‘giant of Africa’, until then, let’s stop embarrassing ourselves. Yes we can!