Human Rights campaigner, Debbie Ariyo bags Queen’s OBE as she celebrates 10 years anniversary

Modupe Debbie Ariyo

Human Right advocate and a champion of anti children abuse campaigner,  Modupe Debbie Ariyo has been awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Debbie, Founder and Chief Executive  of Africans Unite Against Child Abuse(AFRUCA) has featured prominently among those honoured in this years Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honour list.

Her name was announced at the weekend as having  been appointed a member of the Order of British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced  at the weekend.

The announcement from Buckingham palace coincides with AFRUCA’s week of celebration as the international Organisation this week marls its 10th year anniversary.

Reacting to the news, Debbie said: “It is truly an honour to have my work recognised at this level. This award is for all the children, young people and families who have made our work at AFRUCA worthwhile and for all my colleagues who have made the AFRUCA dream a reality”

For more than ten years, Debbie has been a front runner as a Human right activist campaigning against abuse of children across the world and particularly among the black community in the United Kingdom and in Africa.

AFRUCA – Africans Unite Against Child Abuse was established in May 2001 in the aftermath of the deaths of children like Jude Akapa, Victoria Climbie and Damilola Taylor in the UK.

The Queen: Birthday honour

The organisation was set up as a platform for advocating for the welfare of African children.

It became a Company Limited By Guarantee in October 2001 and a registered Charity in July 2002, with a Board of Trustees appointed to run the organisation.

AFRUCA has gained recognition and prominence for its role in speaking out on key issues affecting African children in the UK.

One of the reasons for this could be because AFRUCA’s initial activities were targeted at policy-makers and service providers – to work with them in developing a better understanding and knowledge of the needs and priorities of African children in the United Kingdom.

AFRUCA also made an impact because of the leadership role it has played in addressing issues affecting children within the African community in the UK. In particular, AFRUCA has been at the forefront of efforts to denounce the trafficking of African children to the country.

AFRUCA Celebration Poster

Source: http://www.emnnews.com

It has drawn attention to the growing phenomenon of human trafficking through organising activities, and engaging at different levels with policy-makers, other NGOs and within the African community.

TOUN DIALOGUES WITH HON MULIKAT AKANDE- ADEOLA

• By Toun Okewale Sonaiya
  
  
  Hey Sister, I truly salute you.
  

  
  

  History, in my opinion was made on Tuesday 6 June 2011. Some said you lost; others said you failed. It has also been reported that you got 90 votes and conceded to the new speaker of House of Representatives.
  Mulikat, I say you dared to walk the very walk others dream and think of. You ventured into a terrain, yes, into a territory most people are jittery about and scared to go into. You journeyed and went on a trip into a land many other will only dream of, and to me you came out the winner. 
  
  
  Mulikat, you won because you dared. You won because of your courage and braveness. You won because you made an effort that many could never make. You won because you tried and only those who try and try and keep trying can only achieve. Yes, you won because you acted where majority talked, are still talking and will continually talk without taking any action. You had a dream; you thought of the dream, you acted on the dream, and you did it. You just didn’t sit on your dream but took reasonable steps to actualise it. 
  
  Sister, I hope you understand that this is just the beginning of the very many hurdles you still need to cross to achieve what you’ve set your mind upon; the beginning of the many mountains you will have to climb to get to the top; the beginning of the many rivers and oceans you will have to cross to get to your promised land; the beginning of the many pot holes you have to manoeuvre, jump or fill to master the game meant for best players; the beginning of you gathering the wealth of knowledge and experience you require to be the leader you have been destined to be. This is the masterpiece.
  

  
  Tuesday 6 June 2011 may look like the end of the road, rest assured it is not. It’s just a little pause or in your language, a recess, to prepare you for the next round when you will simply walk into the seat which you have secured for yourself through the effort you put in this time. If paying more and extra dues and bidding more time is what you require to achieve perfection, why not? But please remember these two vital words: integrity and accountability and do your best to adhere to their principles at all times. Many have been found wanting in these areas and I hope you will succeed
  
  Mulikat, we should take very good note and not disregard the various schools of thoughts that said women bicker; that women don’t support their own; that women are jealous and envious of other successful women; that women are pretenders; that women are… What we need to show the world is that some women are already working tirelessly to ensure that the few women who have chosen to serve the community, like you, are backed up; that some women are ready and already working very hard infront and behind the scenes to support the few women standing; that some women are and already using their time, resources, pen, and voice to support other women. 
  
  
  Let me quickly seize the opportunity now to any and every woman reading this, you can either be part of this positive movement or be square. You can be part of this, by talking positively about supporting the woman, writing positively about backing up the woman, singing positively about helping your sister, donate positively to finance and sponsor the cause of the sister, push positively –Pray Until Something Happens, joke about it, act it, until it becomes a reality and most importantly vote for the woman when the opportunity arises- to ensure that every and any woman that chooses to serve is supported in any little way. 
  To the naysayers and the cynics, I recommend that you continue to whinge, whine, complain, condemn, criticize, snare, find fault, revile, attack till you drop dead!
  
  
  Mulikat, I salute your elegance, intelligence, determination and confidence. I respect your poise as you congratulated Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal the new speaker of House of Representatives. Thank you for exhibiting professionalism, maturity and that this is not a do or die game. You have just proven to womenfolk and the men fold that you are the better team player and so long as the race remains one for the good of Nigeria, you are prepared to support whoever is willing to serve and has been given the chance to serve in any capacity. . 
  I think the likes of you, Sarah Jibril ( even though scored her own goal, sorry vote- at least she tried) and others as you serve the people of Nigeria, should be respected and admired for your COURAGE… and for me this is one of the reasons why you are the winner.
  
  Hey Sister, I truly salute you… and on a personal note, keep working and learning very hard to improve on all those tricky areas that require improvement. Keep making yourself relevant both at home and away and believing that tomorrow is another day and that day is yours. Keep talking to and mingling with the "right people" and my best wishes on this enviable journey you have chosen.
  
  I am ’Toun Okewale Sonaiya. Proudly Nigerian.
  tounokewale@hotmail.co.uk
  June 2011

Press Release: 6 June 2011: Support For Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola Candidate, Speaker House of Reps

A statement from Nigerian Women in Diaspora:

This indeed comes as the acid test for Mr President, the First Lady, Members of the House of Representative and all Nigerians, eminent and ordinary who campaigned for and won the April elections, on the promise of proportional representation of the Nigerian woman in all cadres of government and leadership in our country – ‘35% Affirmative Action’

We urge His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Goodluck, the 1^st Lady, Her Excellency Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, all men and women who fought the last election on the promise that women will be given the chance they rightly deserve to use this opportunity to demonstrate to the people of Nigeria that they meant what they promised us and did not simply use this as a façade to secure our votes. 

Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola

We have read and observed comments, benevolent and malevolent from politicians and supporters, we are therefore compelled to add our voice and express our full support for Hon. MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA. We task everyone to do as they say and no longer as they like.

MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA’s well pitched desire to lead the House is therefore the first test for Mr President and every Nigerian. We expect Mr President to urgently and strategically put his political lobbying machinery in place and ensure that just as they worked night and day to win votes for him, they will not leave any stoned unturned or rest until MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA is rightfully elected the Speaker of the House of Representative. Nothing less than that will be acceptable.  We were promised change. Let the change begin here and now.

Whilst we appreciate that politics and leadership are about commitment, competence and credibility and therefore do not wish to be seen as  supporting anyone because of their gender or status in society, we have carefully considered this woman’s antecedents and can confidently say that we know that she is the most qualified person to lead the House. We do not lightly put our weight behind people. This is therefore a well informed and reasoned decision which we urge every reasonable patriotic Nigerian to support.

Although the last outing did not deliver on that promise or reflect the  outstanding efforts which the First Lady put in towards this agenda; the mood, wishes and desires of the Nigerian woman have not changed and we have not lost hope. Our hopes are actually further fortified because the  President has since reaffirmed his commitment to honouring his promise through appointments and thereby creating and reigniting our  expectations.

Jenny Okafor

President, Nigeria Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum

We respectfully note the sentiments of the minority who despite the complexion of the new attitude to voting which has emerged from the last elections; still hold on to beliefs and attitudes which had stagnated and will continue to stifle democracy in our country if they do not change immediately. We urge them to make a quick detour and notice that unless they immediately refrain from inciting discords and lay to rest politics of north and south which has been the bane of development in Nigeria, the wind of change which is blowing across our world and which first reared its beautiful head in our country during the April elections will blow them away as failures. 

We urgently invite them to look at the dynamics of the last Presidential, governorship and legislative elections and accept that the attitude of our voters has changed. Voters are now wiser and vote for individuals, their beliefs, readiness to serve and no longer parties and corruption.

In order to allow Nigeria the opportunity to be served by the best, those relying on divisive sentiments of the past to distract Nigerians from the good qualities of this woman must refrain from inciting and assaulting the conscience of the people and most importantly our legislators.

We do not and would not accept anyone because they can be controlled and used to derogate the rights of the citizens of our great nation. No, we need people with know how and good intellectual ability, someone who is ready, able and willing to deliver on the scale everyone expects. We need a woman who will be a match for Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama to name but a few and confidently deal with them on our behalf as equals and a good Ambassador of our great nation.

Bola Olabisi

President, African Women Of Essence International of GWIIN

On this note, we urge all members of the House of Representatives who can vote in the forthcoming election to vote very conscientiously bearing in mind the future and stability of Nigeria. This is not a time to vote for  the bigoted selfish sentiments of a few who are losing grip on power because they have done nothing of value for Nigeria but themselves.

Finally, we urge every voter to test the supremacy of their voting powers by instructing their House of Representative candidates to vote for MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA as the next speaker of the House of Representatives. How they vote will show you whether they are now representing you or still representing themselves.

We also would like to take this opportunity to address all of us women as we are always considered our own worst enemies. This is a test of our ability to unite and make the difference. Get it right and we will reach the promised land. Fail, we will remain marginalized forever. The choice is ours. 

The time is now. Let us lay the politics of  Party and Regional Divides  to a final rest, as we usher in a new era where only the best will get the chance to represent and serve Nigeria. Let us enable a true ‘Change Agent’. VOTE HON. MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA as Speaker of The House of Representatives!

Signed:

Jenny Okafor

President, Nigeria Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum

Email: cokafor@btinternet.com

Website: www.nwidlf.org

Tel: +44 7985 116 595

Signed: Bola Olabisi

President, African Women Of Essence International of GWIIN,

Email: office@gwiin.com

Website: www.gwiin.com  

Tel: +44 7956 501 727

(*This Press Release is sent for and on behalf of All Nigerian Women in the Diaspora)

Editors Notes:

Nigeria Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum

Our mission is to encourage the Nigerian Woman in Diaspora and the Nigerian Girl-child to explore, cultivate and embrace her full leadership potentials and utilize the same in creating an enabling environment where the contribution of women in Community Development and Nation Building will be recognised in perpetuity. www.nwidlf.org

African Women Of Essence International

A subsidiary of GWIIN – Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network set up with a mission to support the advancement of Innovative African women in the Diaspora who are interested in linking with Africa by providing opportunities to participate in Leadership, Professional and Business Networking and Mentoring activities.  www.gwiin.com

HONOURABLE MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA, BEST CANDIDATE FOR NIGERIA'S SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

By Princess 'Deun Adedoyin Solarin


She is Indeed The Right Woman for the Job!!!

HONOURABLE MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA

Born 11th Nov 1960. A consummate Lawyer and astute politician, Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola was born on the 11th of November 1960 in Ogbomosho town of Oyo State.

She was educated at Saint Anne’s Primary School, Kaduna between 1966 and 1971, after which she attended Queen Amina College, Kaduna between 1972 and 1976. She did her advanced level certificate at the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology between 1977 and 1979. Her university education was at Ahmadu Bello University between 1979 and 1982 where she obtained her LL.B degree in Law, thereafter she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. In her quest for further academic development, she attended the University of Lagos between 1984 and 1985 during which she obtained her LL.M.

Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola’s working experience began with the National Youth Service Corp programme in Lagos, with the Nigerian-American Merchant Bank from 1983 to 1984 after which she started her real life of work with the Legal firm of Kusamotu, Olojo and Company, Lagos in 1984. She joined the legal firm of Odujirin and Adefulu in 1986 and in 1987; she became the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to Tuns Farms and Agro-Industry Ltd, Ikeja in 1987. Thereafter, in 1988 she started her own private legal practice, from where she was employed as an Assistant Manager in the Legal Department of Continental Merchant Bank Ltd where she served until 1991. By 1992 she became the Legal Adviser, Corporate Banking division of the Bank. She moved to CMB Homes Ltd, a subsidiary of the Bank, as the Head of Legal and Administration and by 1993, she became the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of CMB Homes Ltd. 

Having garnered professional and corporate experience spanning thirteen years, she resuscitated her private legal firm of M. L. Akande and Company in 1997 and managed it until 2007. She joined the political foray in the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 through the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and by 2007, she was elected into the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Ogbomosho North, South and Orire Federal Constituency. A member of the ECOWAS Parliament from 2007 to 2011.

Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola has attended many Professional and Leadership courses in Nigeria and Abroad and she is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), International Bar Association.
Numerate and articulate, intuitive and persuasive, determined and dogged, Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola, combines courage and optimism grounded in candour and humility. She exhibits kindness, magnanimity and gratitude in her dealings with people as well as loyalty to the team.

She is married with three Children. 

Speakership: PDP Deploys Govs, Mulikat is Favourite

By Chuks Okocha and Onwuka Nzeshi in Abuja

Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, House Speakership Candidate

As part of last-minute efforts to break the ranks of members of the House of Representatives working against zoning of the office of the Speaker to the South-west, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has enlisted its governors to rein in supporters of Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and enforce zoning.

This is coming as some unnamed Presidency officials and PDP are also banking on the support of new members under the aegis of the Seventh Assembly Group led by Dr. Jubrin Abdulmumin from Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State to toe the party’s line on the speakership.

Meanwhile, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, from Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire Federal Constituency (Oyo State), has emerged the front runner in the race, with Hon. Muraina Ajibola, the preferred candidate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, fast losing ground because of Obasanjo’s links. 

THISDAY gathered that the decision to enlist the assistance of the PDP governors is because of the insistence of the Tambuwal group to contest the election to the office on June 6 when the National Assembly is inaugurated.

PDP leadership had on Tuesday met with both the members-elect and the returning members to persuade them on the need to allow the party’s decision on zoning prevail, but the meeting was deadlocked as there were no tangible decisions reached.

It was as a result of this that the party decided to invite the governors, as the political leaders of the states, to intervene and ensure that the zoning, as agreed, is followed.

According to PDP sources, the governors will use the opportunity of the planned two-day retreat starting Friday to ensure that the zoning is allowed to prevail.

“It is part of the decision that the governors of the party will meet our members-elect tomorrow or Sunday after the retreat.

“The governors know both the members-elect and the returning members very well and therefore, we expect them to talk to the members to allow the party’s decision to hold,” the source explained.

He added: “We don’t think that the members will disobey their governors, who are their leaders in their respective states.”

Apart from this, it was further gathered that the party is enlisting the support of newly elected members under the aegis of the Seventh Assembly Group to break the insistence of the old members of the House in dumping the zoning arrangement.The PDP has 108 new members, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) 53; and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has 33. There are 233 new members across all the political parties.

According to the source, “the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bayero Nafada, is the link man working on the newly elected members under the aegis of the Seventh Assembly members to counter the old members led by Tambuwal and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

An NWC member of PDP confided in THISDAY: “The party will do anything possible to ensure that its decisions on zoning are adhered to and that the party is not brought to ridicule.

“Zoning is a party decision and therefore must be obeyed. We know that there is a fifth columnist working against the zoning formula, but this is a test time for the party to ensure that there is party discipline.”

The plot by the returning members of the House of Representatives is to elect Hon. Tambuwal from Sokoto State as speaker, while Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will be elected the deputy. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu from Delta State is pencilled down as House Leader.

Also, the plan to change the newly adopted secret voting pattern of the House has been defeated as before the closure of legislative business on Thursday, the matter was not brought to the floor of the Green Chamber.

A source from the Tambuwal camp told THISDAY that should the party wield the big stick, they will comply but ensure that the anointed candidate for the office of the Speaker from the South-west is defeated.

Meanwhile, the anti-zoning elements Thursday restated their resolve not to allow any   interference in the election of the next Speaker of the House, insisting that the Presidency and the PDP must respect the independence of the legislature and adhere to the doctrine of separation of powers.

A number of lawmakers suspected to be in support of the candidature of Hon. Tambuwal renewed their opposition to the zoning formula. 

The trio of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Ihedioha  and Tambuwal spoke strongly on the need  for the legislature  to assert its independence and protect its activities from undue interference from external forces.

Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Abdurahaman Kawu, who addressed a news conference shortly after, alleged that the House had uncovered a plan by “some undemocratic elements” to induce some of the lawmakers, particularly members-elect with huge sums of money in order to sway their choice of who becomes the next speaker.

According to Kawu, the forces wanting to interfere in the election have been claiming to be working on the directives of the Presidency.

“To actualise their dream of imposing a speaker on members, they have reserved accommodation for some of the lawmakers in choice hotels in Abuja so as to have easy access to them between now and Monday morning, which is against the conventional practice where the National Assembly management makes provisions for incoming lawmakers.

“We want to state clearly that such moves are undemocratic, unacceptable and capable of undermining the independence of the legislature and to a very large extent, rubbish the tenets of democracy.

“We want to debunk speculations that we are going to have a speaker of our choice with a view to fight the President. We want to state clearly that we are ready to work with the President and give him necessary support he would need in order to move the country forward. We also want to appeal to the President to ensure that there is a level-playing field for members of the House of Representatives to elect their leaders in line with their ethics and not through intimidation and blackmail,” Kawu said.

Akande-Adeola, the top tip for the position, is 50 years old. She was born in Kaduna State. She attended St Annas Primary School and Queen Amina College in Kaduna. She attended the College of Arts and Science in Zaria for her A’Level.

She proceeded to ABU, Zaria, in 1979, and obtained her LLB in 1982 (second class upper). She attended the Nigeria Law School in Lagos where she obtained her BL. She obtained a Master’s at Law in 1985

She has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2007.