The modern Nigerian woman

Before the millennium, iconic Nigerian women were known for dressing moderately, behaving demurely, and only speaking when they had something intelligent or compassionate to say. To appreciate how iconic Nigerian women today differ from their predecessors, one only needs to be familiar with the current crop of Nigerian Musical Videos and the comportment of our […]

Before the millennium, iconic Nigerian women were known for dressing moderately, behaving demurely, and only speaking when they had something intelligent or compassionate to say. To appreciate how iconic Nigerian women today differ from their predecessors, one only needs to be familiar with the current crop of Nigerian Musical Videos and the comportment of our president’s wife. As far as today’s Nigerian music entertainment industry goes it exhibits a complete lack of self-respect among young Nigerian women.
There was a time not so long ago when women were considered inferior to men. In those days a good woman was basically seen as a wife and mother who spoke when she was spoken to, brought up the children and maintained the “home front”. Back then even if a woman worked and did the same job with a man she would be paid less, and women were seldom elected or promoted into positions of responsibility. The Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) of the 1960’s put an end to this denigration of women. As a result of WLM efforts all public references to parts of the female anatomy were considered crude and offensive and all forms of prejudiced and sexist behaviour were deemed illegal and criminalized. Women were no longer regarded as sex objects, but as sensible human beings with something positive to contribute to society.  
Legendary British politician Margaret Thatcher rode on the crest of this wave to become the first female British Prime Minister.  She reached the top of her profession in a man’s world by dressing decently and not having to shake her waist once! This is in stark contrast to young iconic Nigerian women of today. They dress semi-naked, and dance obscenely as if they have nothing else to offer. Freed by our young women’s lack of self-respect, male Nigerian musicians sing about little else but the female anatomy. In the past sexual lyrics would cause the music to be banned from the airwaves, but these days it’s all the rage. “I wanna hold your waist” isn’t something any decent young woman should hear from the mouth of a man. It’s not a complement, it’s an insult. As if this isn’t bad enough, the internet is filled with videos of young Nigerian women (especially university students) in shameless homemade pornographic films.
Although it’s no excuse, social commentators claim that this is partly responsible for the increasing incidents of rape in the country. In the Nigerian entertainment industry today young women become icons by exposing their bodies and acting obscenely. It can only be hoped that the next generation will revert back to demanding respect from young men, covering up their bodies, behaving decently and trying to succeed in the world without compromising themselves. Just as the behaviour of our iconic young women in the entertainment industry falls way below standard so does the behaviour of many of their iconic elders in the public sphere. Our president’s wife has broken all records in this respect. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) “women leaders” are having a jamboree escorting her on non-stop travels and campaigning, even though unfortunately for her husband her utterances add no value to his campaign.  In a few weeks it will be exactly one year since the Chibok girls were abducted. Her televised intervention in the affair continues to make her a subject for un-complementary remarks and public ridicule.
Despite being in love with the appellation “Mama Peace”, she is reported to have said in Calabar that if anyone talks of change PDP supporters should “stone that person”. In her home town of Okrika her people took the advice to heart and went a step further. When the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) tried to campaign instead of being merely stoned they were shot at, bombed and almost killed. In the good old days it was taboo for an elderly married woman to publicly insult another woman’s husband. It’s to Buhari’s credit that he hasn’t replied, but rather maintained a gentlemanly sympathy with a fellow who evidently finds it difficult to control his wife’s tongue.
The General isn’t her mate in any way, shape, or form neither is he contesting election against her. The intolerable meddlesomeness of the self styled “First Lady” in politics and governance has led to a depth of criticism never before experienced by a president’s wife.  Although the position of First Lady isn’t in our Constitution, the president’s wife is supposed to be someone who all women can look up to. Yet disappointingly she has been referred to as an “incredibly crude woman” for unrestrainedly speaking her mind in poor English. Amongst her retinue of hangers on, the eloquent Onyeka Onwenu (who in later years now assists in the squandering of riches), and the graceful former Aviation Minister Kema Chikwe are far more representative of the modern Nigerian woman.  
Despite being the “Mother of the Nation” the president’s wife quite condemnably said “our men don’t give birth to children they dump on the street. We are not like people from that part of the country”. She showed no compassion for the almajiri children or understanding of their circumstances. There are many well educated, decently beha-ved, successful women in the country who are a pride to the nation. It is quite unfortunate that the iconic modern Nigerian woman is represented in the entertainment industry and in the political sphere by tastelessness and classlessness.