IKENGA International Journal of Institute of ... - University of Nigeria

IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Volume 21, Nos.1 & 2

IKENGA, after which the journal has been named, is a cult object of the Igbospeaking peoples to which traditionally is attributed success or good fortune in the professions or in life generally. It is also closely associated with the right arm with which a man hacks his way through life. IKENGA could, therefore, be briefly described as the Igbo god of achievement. The journal is dedicated to the critical study of the fortunes of the black man down the centuries, and of his contemporary problems and dilemmas. Its interest covers the entire spectrum of African Studies.

IKENGA: International Journal of the Institute of African Studies is not committed to preaching any particular gospel but will accommodate all views based on the objective study and analysis of issues, whether historical or contemporary, which are of special relevance to the fortunes of the black man. Opinions expressed in the articles which IKENGA carries are entirely those of the authors.

Submissions should be between 450 and 650 words in length, typed in double spacing on be of A4 paper. The author's name, title, position, and address should appear on a separate sheet that serves as a cover to the submission. Contributors should include a floppy disk containing the materials, or alternatively send a soft copy to the Editor. Works cited should conform to the styles and conventions set out in the MLA Handbook.

IKENGA: International Journal of Institute of African Studies is indexed by

EBSCO information services.

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

EDITOR Florence Orabueze

RESEARCH ADVISOR Emeka Nwabueze

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ifeanyi Iwundu

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Dr. Dr. John Nwaogaidu (Rev. Fr.) Matthew Eze (Rev. Fr.) Godstime Eze Dr. T.M.E Chukwumezie Dr. Emmanuella Asadu Dr. David Wayas Dr. Victor Omeje

CONSULTING EDITORS Professor Patrick Ebewo, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

Professor Emmanuel O. Ezeani, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Charles A. Igwe, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Duro Oni, Unikversity of Lagos, Nigeria Professor Sam C. Ukala, Delta State University, Abraka

Professor Nnanyelugo Okoro, University Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Roseline Ijeoma Okorji, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Dr. Obiora Ekwueme, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Dr. Chinenye Amonyeze, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Editorial Secretariat Uche-vita Agundu

Onyemuwa N. Amajo

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

Table of Contents

Revisiting Peace and Reconciliation in Africa: Taking Stock of African Truth Commissions' Progress and Challenges thus far

Tendaishe Tlou

The African Woman and the Hegemony of Tradition: A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Slave Girl and Head above Water by Buchi Emecheta

Ngozi-Kris Ogbodo and Marinus Samoh Yong

Morpho-syntax of Nominal in Proverbs of Achebe's No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God

Clifford I. Gbeyonron and Dominic K. Manzo

Language and the Discursive Construction of `Self' and `Other': The Stakes of Cameroon Anglophone Identity in Anglophone Elite Discourse

Ernest Wanyu Nyamkoh

Body Tattoo and Socio-Communicative Value: The Nigeria Perception. A Study of Ogallala Studio of Arts and Tattooing

Nicholas C. Akas and Stella Nwofor-Molokwu

Lexical Experimentation in Modern Nigerian Poetry: A Study of Joe Ushie's A Reign of Locusts

Edwin O. Ifeanyi

Linguistic Anthropological Approach to Urhobo Anthroponyms Bestman E. Odeh and Sopuruchi Christian Aboh

Educational Theatre Management: A Panacea to Business Exposure Hannah Modupe Akpodiete

Oral Memories and Preservation of the Izon Culture: A Survey of Obobo Bi, Necromancy

Tarikiye E. Angaye and Odingowei M. Kwokwo

Gendered Apotheosis and Conservative Values in Nigerian Drama: A Study of Titubi in Femi Osofisan's Morountodun

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

Cindy Anene Ezeugwu Mmetta Nsmede N'iwu Nspe N'ebe Mmeta Nke ma m Akwkw Sekndr N

Chinenye Anthonia Ezema and Sopuruchi Christian Aboh Towards The Restructuring of Afro-Feminist Thought in Nigerian Drama for National Identity Mohammed-Kabir Jibril Imam and Ridwan Suleiman

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

Notes on Contributors

Sopuruchi C. Aboh is a Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, Igbo and other Nigerian Languages, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Nicholas C. Akas is a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Hannah Modupe Akpodiete is a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, Delta State University Abraka, Tarikiye E. Angaye is a Lecturer in the Department and English and Literary Studies, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Chinenye A. Ezema is a Lecturer in the Humanities Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Cindy Anene Ezeugwu is a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Clifford I. Gbeyonron is a Lecturer in the Department of English, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria.

Edwin O. Ifeanyi is a Doctoral Student in the Department of English Language and Literature, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Mohammed-Kabir J. Imam is a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Odingowei M. Kwokwo is a Lecturer in the Department and English and Literary Studies, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Stella Nwofor-Molokwu is a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Dominic K. Manzo is a Lecturer in the Department of English, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria.

Wanyu Ernest Nyamkoh is a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

Bestman E. Odeh is a Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian Languages, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Ngozi-Kris Ogbodo is a Lecturer in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Ridwan Suleiman is in the Academic Department, FCT Secondary Education Board-Government Secondary School Jiwa, Abuja. Tendaishe Tlou is an Advocate and Research Specialist in the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum C/O National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG), Zimbabwe. Marinus Samoh Yong is a Lecturer in the Department of Languages and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

REVISITING PEACE AND RECONCILIATION IN AFRICA: TAKING STOCK OF AFRICAN TRUTH COMMISSIONS' PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES THUS

FAR

Tendaishe Tlou

Abstract National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), in particular Truth Commissions,

are important institutions which can be established in both conflict and post-conflict periods to ensure that widespread or systematic human rights violations are accounted for and do not recur. Given the violent past and in some cases present human rights violations in African States, independent Commissions play a pivotal role in dealing with the past. However, no concept can be examined in a vacuum. Therefore, it is important to examine Truth Commissions within the context of the Paris Principles so as to ascertain the gains made in the past years of their emergence on the African continent. It is with much sadness that most Truth Commissions are thriving under the weight of authoritarian regimes, thus it is of utmost importance to take stock of the gains made so far in as far as truth, peace and reconciliation processes are concerned. Lessons learned from other countries will enable other Truth Commissions to navigate the rough terrain in Africa, but most importantly self-introspect, improve and shake-off the legacy of failure. Given the mammoth task facing Truth Commissions in Africa, it is pivotal for them to adopt international best practices and constantly look back, self-introspect and learn from each other so as to ensure that they effectively deliver their mandate. This paper will also proffer recommendations so that Truth Commissions are competent in implementing their intervention strategies and are able to navigate the obstacles posed by both non-state and state actors in Africa.

Keywords: Truth Commissions, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), human rights, promotion, protection, respect and Paris Principles.

Introduction Following the end of the Cold War and the subsequent entrenchment of human

rights, good governance and democracy around the world, the greater part of Africa was decolonised and African states moved to adopt National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to consolidate and to deal with past human rights violations. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) paved way for the Paris Principles discussions in 1993 which led to the establishment of NHRIs which sought to address and redress gross human rights violations committed in the past. This set standards which would see the promotion, protection and respect for human rights at national levels to guarantee nonrecurrence. This explains why in 1989 only one country had an NHRI, but to date at least twenty-five countries in Africa have adopted NHRIs in the form of Truth Commissions to deal with the past.

NHRIs are flourishing in Africa as most independent states ratified the UDHR and other United Nations statutory instruments which oblige countries to observe, protect

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IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21 Nos 1&2

and promote human rights across the continent. This paper will discuss the main functions of Paris Principles compliant NHRIs ?in the form of Truth Commission- within the context of Africa, comparing reality and what Truth Commissions are supposed to do. This shall ascertain if NHRIs are relevant in the observance and protection of human rights in the African continent. The assessment shall be done under the auspices of the mandates of a Paris Principles compliant NHRI, mandate of Truth Commissions as stipulated in national constitutions, progress made so far and the challenges Truth Commissions are encountering in delivering their mandates in both conflict and postconflict states. The assessment unpacks the competences and responsibilities of NHRIs, but not in any particular order or importance.

Human rights: are the inherent recognition of the dignity and of the equal, inalienable rights of all members of the human family based on ethics and morality (Basu, 2004). They are rights that one has simply because one is a human being...they are equal rights as everyone else is born equal to the other." (Donnelley, 2003) Shivji (1989) further argues that human rights are a universal moral right, something which all (wo) men, everywhere, at all times enjoy and something which no one may be deprived without a grave affront to justice. However, there is no universally accepted definition of rights, but it is agreed that they seek to uphold and protect human dignity. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs): are independent public bodies that fight for the furthering of human rights in their country (The Danish Institute for Human Rights, 2018). The Commonwealth Best Practice Guide mentions that "an NHRI should have a broad mandate covering the full range of human rights issues, while taking into account the universality, interdependence, interrelatedness and indivisibility of human rights, which should be defined according to both domestic and international standards of law, whether or not relevant treaties have been ratified by government." The NHRI of interest in this regard are Truth Commissions that are mandated to deal with past gross human rights violations such as genocides, but also into the future by trying to facilitate substantive institutional reforms to guarantee non-recurrence and promote national healing, reconciliation through truth-recovery and accountability for past gross human rights violations. Normative Foundations of Truth Commissions

The concept of transitional justice can be traced back to the post-Second World War period in Europe with the establishment of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremburg and the various `de-Nazification' programs in Germany and the trials of Japanese soldiers for crimes committed during the war. Today, transitional justice usually refers to the range of approaches that societies undertake to reckon with the legacies of widespread or systematic human rights abuse as they move from a period of violent conflict or oppression towards peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights (See, "What is transitional justice," ).

The third wave of democratization of the late 1980s and early 1990s has given transitional justice a new and added impetus. From its roots as a link between transition and justice in the late 1940s, the concept has now been transformed to assume a broader perspective involving a comprehensive re-examination of a society in transition from a retrospective position to a prospective one with democratic consolidation as one of its

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