Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bcm/src/dev/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 Discrimination in Nigeira | Zikoko!
On April 21, 2024, Abuja residents raised an outcry against a Chinese supermarket located within the China General Chamber of Commerce along Airport Road in Abuja.
According to the eyewitnesses, the store refused to sell to Nigerians stating that only Chinese nationals could shop there. This claim was subsequently confirmed by a group of residents who went to the Asian supermarket and were also denied access by a security guard, who emphasized that he’d been given a “Chinese-only” directive.
What happened after this discovery?
Following this revelation, Nigerians took to social media to express their displeasure, calling the attention of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to the situation.
On April 22, 2024, the commission sealed the supermarket after interrogating Nigerian workers in the establishment. The FCCPC, led by the Director for Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, stated that to ensure consumer protection, the store would remain closed until the owner appeared before the commission tribunal for a lawful inquiry.
What is the Chinese supermarket’s response?
The mart owner – Mrs Cindy Lui Bei – who had been caught on CCTV coverage fleeing the supermarket with her family around 8:26 am on Monday, April 22, released a statement on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, denying the allegations. She claimed that her store was a retail shop which was scheduled to downsize and eventually close up, further reiterating that the shop was in no way being discriminatory. Mrs Cindy Bei further stated that the situation was a miscommunication from the security guard as she had attended to two Nigerian customers the same day the mart was sealed. She also stated that she managed several Nigerian staff and was cordial with them.
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To catch up on discrimination cases in Nigeria, click here.
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, an incident between KFC represented by the manager at their outlet in the Murtala Mohammed Airport and the son of the former Ogun state governor, Adebola Daniels, broke into the limelight. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) acted swiftly and shut down the branch barely a day later on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The incident has sparked public reaction and criticism. Here’s everything we know about the situation.
What went down between KFC and Debola Daniels?
The issue between Debola Daniels and KFC stemmed from an incident where KFC denied access to Adebola Daniel, the son of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, who uses a wheelchair. Adebola Daniel shared his experience of being asked to leave the KFC premises at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos because of KFC’s “No wheelchairs allowed,” policy. He described this experience as humiliating and discriminative towards people with disabilities.
In his open message to KFC, Debola asks if he is not human enough to eat at the restaurant.
Debola Daniel via X
What reaction did this get?
This incident prompted a reaction from the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, who announced the shutdown of the KFC outlet following an investigation that confirmed the allegations of discrimination against Adebola Daniel by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN. The only penalty on the list was a public apology.
Some individuals took to Twitter to disagree with this penalty, stating that an apology would not cut it as KFC violated the law through their actions.
What does KFC have to say about this?
Taking to their Twitter account, KFC released a statement about the incident reinforcing the management’s stand against bias and discrimination and assuring the public that they are training their staff to be more inclusive and servicing to guests regardless of their status and ability.
While Nigerians await KFC’s public apology as directed by FAAN, you can join the conversation on our WhatsApp channel here.
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
If there is anything our dear country Nigeria is known for, it is establishing laws that are either too dehumanizing to believe they actually exist or completely unsuitable for the times we are living in. With many laws in Nigeria yet to be revised despite the institutional harm they cause, we thought it would be great to look at some of these laws we wish would be revised or completely gotten rid of.
Husbands Being Legally Permitted To Physically Abuse Their Wives
wait, what?
We promise you we had the same reaction as you probably do now when we came across this law, but it actually exists. Although this law which permits husbands to mete out physical abuse on their wives as a form of punishment enshrined in the penal code, Section 55, and only applicable in the Northern part of the country, it is still a law that has to go for the obvious reason that nobody should have the right to mete out physical abuse on another citizen, talk less of their partner. Also striking is that this law contradicts several fundamental human rights, like the right to dignity, the right to personal liberty amongst others.
The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill (SSMPA)
Yes, the one that was passed by former Nigerian president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on January 7, 2014. The one that has also made homophobia legal in Nigeria and essentially criminalized every single part of how LGBTQ+ Nigerians exist in Nigeria. The law not only bars marriage between people of the same sex, it also criminalizes public affection between people of the same gender, prohibits LGBTQ+ Nigerians from gathering or forming associations amongst a few other prohibitions. Not only do these laws affect LGBTQ+ persons in Nigeria, but they are also so vague that they can be applied to anyone who is deemed queer. And it goes without saying that all those prohibitions directly contradict the fundamental rights to assembly, personal liberty, pursuit of happiness, freedom of expression, you name it.
Attempting Suicide Being Illegal In Nigeria.
Under section 327 of the criminal code act, “Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for one year.” This law has been effected a few times, notably in 2018 when a man, Ifeanyi Ugokwe who tried to take his own life was arrested and put in jail for a few weeks. Criminalizing people’s autonomy over their life does sound ridiculous and definitely goes against one’s fundamental rights to personal liberty and right to privacy. Another interesting fact is that Britain, from where this anti-suicide law was adapted, have changed their anti-suicide laws since 1961.
4. The Practice Of Witchcraft Being Criminalized.
omo
Section 210 of the Criminal Code Act stipulates who by their actions suggests to being a witch or possessing witchcraft powers is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years.
Read part of the law below: Any person who-
(a) by his statements or actions represents himself to be a witch or to have the power of witchcraft; or
(b) accuses or threatens to accuse any person with being a witch or with having the power of witchcraft; or
(c) makes or sells or uses, or assists or takes part in making or selling or using, or has in his possession or represents himself to be in possession of any juju, drug or charm which is intended to be used or reported to possess the power to prevent or delay any person from doing an act which such person has a legal right to do, or to compel any person to do an act which such person has a legal right to refrain from doing, or which is alleged or reported to possess the power of causing any natural phenomenon or any disease or epidemic..”
This is a huge mind your speech moment for us.
5. Nigerian Women Not Being Able To Extend Their Citizen To A Foreign Partner.
Say what?
Before you say anything, yes, this like many other discriminatory laws in Nigeria does not apply to Nigerian men. These laws can be found under sections 26 and 27 of the Nigerian constitution. Not only do these laws reduce women’s autonomy and erase their humanity, but it is also downright reductive and has no place in our world today.
These laws might seem ridiculous and archaic, but they have lasting and continuous effects on the lives of the people concerned and it is something for all of us to think about as we make our way to a fair and balanced nation.
