“The irony of these marks is that it makes victims subjects of mockery by friends. Imagine someone being called a tiger simply because of the thick cheeks resulting from facial marks.Melaye stated that besides the health implication of the practice, it was an infringement on the rights of children, adding that every Nigerian child deserved the right to live.
These people have been subjected to different reactions. Some have lamented the marks that are bequeathed on them as generational inheritance.
Many have cursed the day which this dastardly act was performed on them.
Many of the grown adults have confessed that the most terrific debacle of their lives is their tribal marks. Some have become eunuchs because of this stigma.
Imagine a boy in the class of 25 pupils carrying a tribal mark. His mates will call him the boy with the railway line. They are emblems of disfiguration.
Some of them have developed low self-esteem and most times treated with scorn and ridicule including rejection by the female folks.
The reactions of people who interact with them say it dampens and lowers their spirit,’’ he said.
“In the 21st century, there is no need to argue that either because of religion or custom someone would use sharp object on their children just for identification.The Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio equally supported the bill, saying it was a welcome development.
The Constitution provides that the primary function of government is protection of lives. It is disheartening to note that children who have not been tested to know if they are short of blood are being made to lose blood.
In the 21st century, not only this chamber but every chamber in Africa should rise up to this occasion to stop the pains being inflicted on our children,” he said.
The Chief Whip called for stiff penalty to deter others, adding “our generation must permanently stop that reproach’’.
I pray no child will have the kind of mark I have on my hands. This should be banned and we will proscribe severe penalties for both the parents and the so called surgeons,” he added.
“In those days, people wanted it because they were from royal homes, but these days it is no longer in vogue. The international community will be happy we rose to this occasion, so I support this with all my heart.He also called for stiff penalties for offenders to serve as deterrent to others.
It is a violation of the rights of children. The child has no option and can’t fight back. Outside the infection, pain can generate something else and lead to insanity.
If we have a law already in existence, we should merge the bill with that of female genital mutilation because they are similar,’’ he said.
“I am aware that under our constitution, especially Section 34 (1) forbids torture in humans and degrading treatment. This is no doubt inhuman, and it is our responsibility as lawmakers to add flesh to the bones of our constitution.The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to be returned to senate in four weeks.
On a day like this, I am proud of the senate and I believe that when it goes through the second reading it will go to the committee and return as quickly as possible.
This is so that we pass it and ensure that it is implemented as quickly as possible to save our children from this inhuman degrading treatment,’’ he said.
Does working from home or any remote location of your choice, while dictating your schedule and having complete control over your career sound good?
If so, you should consider starting an online career. It’s a lot easier than you might think -- thanks to the internet, it’s actually quite simple, requiring much less startup capital than you might imagine.
With a combination of drive, determination and skill, your online career can start almost
immediately. Here are ten that you could literally start today.
1. Virtual assistant
With so many companies operating these days without a physical office
location, it has opened up multiple remote opportunities for virtual assistants to handle a wide range of tasks. These include customer
service duties, answering phones, setting appointments and screening emails.
You can start small with a single client and then once you identify your specialty or an area you want to focus on -- social media customer service, for example -- you can then begin to take on more clients, thus increasing yourearning potential.
2. Business coach
If you are an expert in a particular field leverage your knowledge and become a coach, teaching students form all over the world. The
internet allows you to reach anyone that is interested, regardless of their geographical location. Take fellow Entrepreneur
contributor Timothy Sykes for example. He is a very successful penny stock trader that used his
knowledge and expertise to create a program that teaches his strategies to students that sign up for his challenge program.
3. Freelance content creator
Virtually every business is doing some form of content marketing these days -- it’s been the buzzword for the past several years, but for good reason -- it works. With everyone trying to capture attention, demand for excellent writers is at an all time high.
Anyone can publish content, but very few businesses are creating compelling content that commands attention and converts their audience into revenue. If you are a skilled
writer there is plenty of lucrative opportunities waiting for you.
4. eBay store owner
Gary Vaynerchuk is a huge fan of garage sales, saying, “The garage sale eBay conversion has some of the biggest margins in the world.” The concept is very simple: buy low and sell high.
This is also a very viable option if you’re looking to raise startup funds. It’s a great bridge for those looking to start an online career but don’t want to abandon the security and paycheck of a 9 to 5 job, because you can hit garage sales on
the weekend and handle your auction listings in the evening.
5. T-shirt ecommerce store
With several print on demand solutions available, it makes starting a t-shirt company much more affordable than it was years ago. In the past, you would have to order large quantities of shirts, in multiple colors and sizes, forcing you to guess what was going to sell.
Now, creative designs and the power of social media can get a t-shirt brand up and running -- and generating revenue -- almost overnight. Chummy Tees is a great example of how you can turn catchy tag-lines and creative designs into a profitable online business.
Wealth creation is not easy. If it was, we would all be billionaires. As much as I acknowledge the fact that
it is not easy, it is also not rocket science. There is a formula to it and it involves hard work, diligence earning, saving, investing and multiplying your money. I have come
up with some simple ABCs to always bear in mind, to help you on your journey of wealth creation and financial independence.
Always think about the numbers –returns, interest, revenue, cost andprofit. Numbers, numbers, numbers!
Be fearless and audacious.
Create multiple sources of income/revenue
Develop value adding relationships.
Your network is net worth
Excellence . You don’t have to be good at everything. Find what you are good at and be excellent at it.
Delegate the other stuff. Your name should be synonymous with something, Bill Gates: Microsoft;
Atedo Peterside: Banking; Linda Ikeji: Blogging; etc. Whatever you do, strive to excel at something.
Focus on what really matters
Get a mentor who is genuinely interested in your success.
Hustle day and night! Side hustle, main hustle, right hustle, all hustle!
Invest your money, no matter howlittle you think it is Just because you can buy it does not mean that you can afford it. Learn
to delay your gratification. Show up, NOT show off!
Keep your costs and expenses in check! – Always below your income Learn (formally or informally) and continue to invest in and improve your self
Make a conscious decision to be successful and work tirelessly to achieve it.
Never give up. Beconsistent, keep
the pressure on the hustle. It will eventually pay off
Open your mind up to new ideas and change. Poverty is not an option.
Quit complaining and making excuses. Just do it!
Resourcefulness. Rome was not built in a day. Start where you are, with what you have.
Save continuously and invest to multiply your money Turn your thoughts and dreams into action and wealth Understand the business idea, industry, market and product before you invest your money Value your time. Time is money!
Work hard, work smart and be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed X-ray people in your industry. Learn the secrets of their success and/ or failure.
You hold the key to your success and the key to unlocking your wealth Zeal. Investors prefer to invest in zealous, passionate and knowledgeable people.
Let these simple ABCs guide you on your journey to achieving financial independence.
Remember, start now, start small – just do it!
About Ifeoma Adeoye
Ifeoma Adeoye is an
entrepreneur and a business consultant. She is keen on social and charitable causes and
spends a considerable amount of her time establishing and providing business advisory services to startup businesses in Africa. She is a motivational speaker and is passionate about motivating people to be
innovative, entrepreneurial, financially savvy and
independent. She loves all things related to making money legitimately and believes that we should all strive to have lots of
it.
You can contact her via email at
ifeoma.adeoye@gmail.com
and on Instagram & twitter
@nairalogue
The Afrorepublik Festival in London, which is being organized by Wizkid and his team, is just a few days away and the major acts are all tro...
