Why female criminologists are crucial in nation-building – Zainab

Zainab Amna Abubakar, is a student of criminology and security studies at Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State and founder of a non-governmental organisation (NGO)- Grounds for Hope Foundation (GHF). In this interview with MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITU, she speaks on drugs abuse and related issues as they affect peace and nation-building.
Why do you think criminology and security is worth studying as a female?
Security is never optional but prime priority and sensitive to gender contribution. A female criminologist is a potential of peace builder and operates within the realm of prevention of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, child labour and wife battering. In sensitive security decisions, the female criminologist is a pro-active agent.
And looking at the dynamic nature, rate and magnitude of crime and security threats in Nigeria, it requires collaborative efforts from all individuals. As crime fighters/security analysts, women have an important role to play.

You were the first female President of Gamji students’ forum, what prompted that aspiration?
Studentship is a process of enlightenment, close the vacuum for cultural transmission, ethics, morality, and customs. Though I did not set out to lead Gamji, but it became my prop in serving humanity.
My identity as a Nigerian is rested in the power of my culture. Being Gamji’s president widens my horizon on culture and gender sensitivity. I was not just a leader but a transformer.
Literature and poetry are the customs and cosmetics of celebrating every ethnic existence. Nigeria, for instance, by the colours and its beauty of ethnic diversity, is the giant of Africa. Any umbrella set to advocate the beauty in Nigerian culture is worth promoting.

What were your achievements and challenges as a female and Muslim?
Being a female leader, perceptions affected my first projects. I faced internal leadership support problems from the group. It was normal for them to underrate my potentials because of my gender status. That though did not hinder my performance. I was encouraged to prove myself.
There was unexpected encouragement from other females in Gamji, and I grew in strength, in fact some later accused me of over confidence.
My parents in particular lend me wings and prayers which ensured success.
Religiously, I adhered to Islamic teachings, and did not face any challenge as a female Muslim and leader of Gamji.

Child Abuse ambassador, what are you doing to ensure child rights are guaranteed?
Human rights are basic and universal across the globe: Rights to life, education, security, health and welfare, are rights not denied any child by the constitution.
The child is the future of every society as such promoting their rights against any form of violence is a promotion of humanity. As the founder of Grounds for Hope Foundation, it is my visible to undertake research on contemporary child related abuses, trafficking, battering, labour, hawking and deprivations.
I am collaborating with community policing, traditional and religious entities, for deliberation on any form of child rights deprivation. Educating the general public is a key role in my position as an activist.

Drugs abuse is rampant in the country, how can this be curbed?
Abusing drugs and substances among youths is a common phenomenon in Nigeria. Looking at the pattern, scope and the type of drugs consumed by youth, you will observe that it is an inter-play between illiteracy and unemployment.
To address or minimise substance/drug abuse among youths requires both proactive and reactive measures. The proactive measure is to encourage agencies that are charged with the responsibility to contain drugs abuse to step up effort to eliminate drugs trafficking at local and international. States though should endeavour to educate and create employment opportunities for youths.
Banning the production and importation of codeine by the federal government are ways to contain the menace. Other measures should be collaboration between the government and the NGOs basically to sensitize the public against the dangers therein and assist victims to return to health.
The social media and mainstream media are reliable platforms for advocacy against drugs abuse. Also, the government should stand firm in initiating community participation at traditional and religious programmes to expose the dangers of drugs and substances abuse to human and societal development.

Girl child education is a serious problem in the North, what is your organization doing to encourage the girls’ education even up-to tertiary level?
Majority of People in Northern Nigeria are Muslims and Islam encourages gender equity and gender rights to education. My organisation is advocating under Islamic code of life to expose our communities especially the rural areas to the importance of the girl child education.
Usually, less educated parents are likely to deny the girl child education because of their limitations in thoughts and perceptions on formal education as a foreign product.
We often motivate adult education for mothers, and promote extra moral lessons within immediate communities. We also sponsor girl-child education in collaboration with other organisations.

What is NGO: The Grounds for Hope Foundation (GHF) all about?
Firstly, I have sought to break gender barriers by exposing the good works of prominent women like Late Hajiya Laila Dogonyaro, Queen Amina of Zazzau, Amina Muhammad Jibril of the UN. They have done so much to give freedom to the deprived, voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless. This, we think should motivate parents to change unpopular belief about girl-child education.
Secondly, I have always had an interest in humanitarian activities right from young age as I grew up in a house where 70 percent of the populace are either orphans or children of other families, with my mother quietly sponsoring orphans and taking care of them, while my grandfather was accommodating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in his house at Madinatu Maiduguri.
At the same time my grandmother was adopting her late siblings’ children. I think that is where it all came from. I have always dreamt of opening a very big orphanage because if it’s left for me I would adopt as many as I can, though I know it isn’t possible.
Thirdly, as an ambassador on research and statistics dealing with child related violence and offences, child rights violation is a sensitive issue which is never a segmented problem but a reflection of everyone’s concern. So basically child right in all ramifications are the major concern. And that concern is what makes us to work in Jigawa and Kano states.

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