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A SAPPED DEMOCRACY: The Political Economy of the SAP & the Political Tra...

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Join me in exploring the 3rd part of the reading. This is a focus on the dynamics of Nigeria's politicaleconomy in the 1980s and 1990s through the lens of my first book, a product of my PhD research. Titled "A Sapped Democracy." This is a study of the Political Economy of the Structural Adjustment Program and the Democratic Transition in Nigeria. Unpacking the interplay between liberal economic reforms and political changes, this study sheds light on Nigeria's dual transition period. It interrogates the complex interactions between the roles of the state, multilateral organizations, and domestic politics, and their influence in shaping policy decisions and the complex relationship between economic and political processes during the transition. Through a focus on the involvement of multilaterals, external creditors, and powerful domestic actors, this research unveils the intricate power struggles that characterized Nigeria's development strategy. By examining the i

A SAPPED DEMOCRACY: The Political Economy of the SAP & the Political Tra...

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Part 2 of A SAPPED DEMOCRACY: The Political Economy of the SAP & the Political Transition in Nigeria, 1983-1993. Questions and Argument presented. Watch this space for more readings of the book. #Nigeria #DualTransition 

A SAPPED DEMOCRACY: The Political Economy of the SAP & the Political Tra...

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What's happening in Nigerian politics today is essentially history repeating itself--neoliberalism and democratization combined in a process that promises what it is not delivering--development and democracy. A lot of the comments being made, particularly related to the commemoration of June 12 (Democracy Day), reminded me of the book's continued relevance. It's now out of print. I'm doing a multi-part reading. This is the first part.

Foreword, We Rise: Stories of women who overcome, as told by women who o...

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Foreword: We Rise Stories of women who overcome, as told by women who overcame. Mojúbàolú Olúfúnké Okome Professor of Political Science, African & Women's Studies Leonard & Claire Tow Professor, 2015/2016 Brooklyn College, CUNY   I ordinarily don’t read short stories. But my dear Sister, Ejiro Otive Igbuzor asked me to write the foreword to this collection, and I could not refuse. I am glad that I accepted. These stories are gems that explore numerous manifestations of gender relations in Nigerian society. They offer skillfully written, interesting, thought-provoking and imaginative accounts of the relationships between men and women. They expose the challenges, fault-lines and pitfalls as well as the bittersweet and tumultuous relations of dating, marriage, and breakups....

Women of Distinction Award Ceremony 2024

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The Women of Distinction Award Ceremony 2024 was interesting, meaningful and fun. I spoke about Ella Josephine Baker. Kudos to Assembly Member Bichotte-Hermelyn for showing appreciation for the work that women in the 42nd NYS Assembly District are doing. This is the 9th year. Looking forward to future events.

African immigrant philanthropy, NYC part 5

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Part 5 of the reading of my chapter "EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY" in J. Krase and R. Hutchison, eds. 2004. Race and Ethnicity in New York City. Research in Urban Sociology, Volume 7, 181–193. Here I give a brief account of some African immigrant organizations, and offer an agenda for the future. It's the conclusion. Philanthropy is one of the central ideals of African traditional mores. It is no wonder then that African philanthropy takes many forms within New YorkCity’s immigrant community. The key features of immigrant African philanthropy include the prominent role of informal institutions, lack of visibility to external observers and non-members of group, and small-scale philanthropic efforts by groups organized along ethnic, kinship, and national lines. Globalization shapes the decision to become an immigrant, the location chosen for settlement, and the challenges faced in both home country and country of settlement. Many African immigr

Emergent African Immig Philanthropy NYC part 4

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Part 4 of the reading of my chapter "EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY" in J. Krase and R. Hutchison, eds. 2004. Race and Ethnicity in New York CityResearch in Urban Sociology, Volume 7, 181–193. Here I give a brief definition of exiles, and examine some of the issues germane to the subject of African Immigration as well as relations among the old and new African Diaspora communities. Philanthropy is one of the central ideals of African traditional mores. It is nowonder then that African philanthropy takes many forms within New YorkCity’s immigrant community. The key features of immigrant African philanthropy include the prominent role of informal institutions, lack of visibility to external observers and non-members of group, and small-scale philanthropic efforts by groups organized along ethnic, kinship, and national lines. Globalization shapes the decision to become an immigrant, the location chosen for settlement, and the challenges faced in bot

Emergent African Immig Philanthropy NYC part 3

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Part 3 of the reading of my chapter "EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY" in J. Krase and R. Hutchison, eds. 2004. Race and Ethnicity in New York CityResearch in Urban Sociology, Volume 7, 181–193.I now turn to definitions. Here, I give a brief definition of refugees.  Philanthropy is one of the central ideals of African traditional mores. It is nowonder then that African philanthropy takes many forms within New YorkCity’s immigrant community. The key features of immigrant African philanthropy include the prominent role of informal institutions, lack of visibility to external observers and non-members of group, and small-scale philanthropic efforts by groups organized along ethnic, kinship, and national lines. Globalization shapes the decision to become an immigrant, the location chosen for settlement, and the challenges faced in both home country and country of settlement. Many African immigrant organizations are male dominated in leadership and decision

EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY, PART 2

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Part 2 of the reading of my chapter "EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY" in J. Krase and R. Hutchison, eds. 2004. Race and Ethnicity in New York CityResearch in Urban Sociology, Volume 7, 181–193.I now turn to definitions. Here, I give a brief definition of immigrants.Philanthropy is one of the central ideals of African traditional mores. It is nowonder then that African philanthropy takes many forms within New YorkCity’s immigrant community. The key features of immigrant African philanthropy include the prominent role of informal institutions, lack of visibility to external observers and non-members of group, and small-scale philanthropic efforts by groups organized along ethnic, kinship, and national lines. Globalization shapes the decision to become an immigrant, the location chosen for settlement, and the challenges faced in both home country and country of settlement. Many African immigrant organizations are male dominated in leadership and decision

EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY

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Part 1 of the reading of my chapter "EMERGENT AFRICAN IMMIGRANT PHILANTHROPY IN NEW YORK CITY" in J. Krase and R. Hutchison, eds. 2004. Race and Ethnicity in New York City Research in Urban Sociology, Volume 7, 181–193. Philanthropy is one of the central ideals of African traditional mores. It is no wonder then that African philanthropy takes many forms within New York City’s immigrant community. The key features of immigrant African philanthropy include the prominent role of informal institutions, lack of visibility to external observers and non-members of group, and small-scale philanthropic efforts by groups organized along ethnic, kinship, and national lines. Globalization shapes the decision to become an immigrant, the location chosen for settlement, and the challenges faced in both home country and country of settlement. Many African immigrant organizations are male dominated in leadership and decision making, with an emphasis on volunteerism and recognition of those

Imperatives and Politics of Financing Gender Equality Developing Countri...

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My Epilogue to the Book, Gender Responsive Budgeting in Practice: Lessons from Nigeria & Selected Developing Countries, edited by Bola Akanji and Funmi Soetan, Published by Lexington Books, 2022. The epilogue begins: "The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have gender equality as Goal Number Five: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” But gender parity still remains an aspiration in much of the globe especially in developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the challenge even more formidable (World Economic Forum, 2021; UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2021). According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), “As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt, closing the global gender gap has increased by a generation from 99.5 years to 135.6 years.” Both the WEF and SDGs exemplify how the global concern for gender equality and women’s empowerment have become recognized as key elements of sustainable development. The benchmarks

The Chibok Girls, Structural Violence, Gender & Education in Nigeria's N...

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The Chibok Girls: Structural Violence, Gender, and Education in Nigeria’s Northeast. Chapter by Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome in The Stolen Daughters of Chibok, edited by Dr. Aisha Muhammed Oyebode. Photographs by Akintunde Akinleye. Published by Powerhouse Books in 2023. Excerpt from the INTRODUCTION to the longer piece: In this chapter, I argue that the best explanation for the plight of the poor in Nigeria is the pervasiveness and depth of structural violence, which denies them of human security (Galtung, 1969). Although structural violence is pervasive in Nigeria, there are gendered, religious, class and regional variations that cause more or less marginalization. Girls born into poor families are affected to a greater degree because they are already marginalized by the combined consequences of the prevalence of extreme poverty and the gender-based discrimination that causes bias against girls’ education and toward more responsibility for housework and caregiving, as well as early marri

Intro to "Contextualizing Democracy, Nigerian Youth Protest and Activism"

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I engaged in #SomberTuesday , a long-term advocacy for #EndSARS youth protesters that enabled me to contribute a chapter to the book: Institutions and Popular Will in Africa’s Search for Democracy, Development and Peace: Essays in Honour of Professor Oyeleye Oyediran, edited by Babafemi Badejo, Adigun Agbaje and Cyril Obi, published by Bookbuilders Edition, 2023. This is a reading of the introduction to my Chapter: "Contextualizing Democracy, Nigerian Youth Protest and Activism." The book should be available for purchase online soon.

Gender and Development in Nigeria: Concepts, Issues, and Strategies: A R...

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I'm excited that I now have the physical copy of a book that I co-edited with Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam​, which was published in November last year. Here's the preface. You'll find an excerpt from the concept note that gives you an idea of what the book is about at the link.