BusinessDay 09 Aug 2020 by BusinessDay

Anxiety, ecstasy as mosques, churches reopen doors in Lagos

Attempted coup d’état: I didn’t endorse anybody - Edo CP, Kokumo

Nigeria is disintegrating, we must sit down and discuss now Ogunbanjo

…Obaseki, Police assure of security ahead of guber poll

he Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo,

has refuted claims that he endorsed members of the All Progressives Con-

gress (APC), who visited him in his office on Thurs-

Access Bank’s deal in Zambia consolidates its foothold in 13 African countries

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Vol 1, No. 323

Covid-19: Not yet celebration time Declining numbers not indication of flattening curve - NCDC, experts Nigerians unwilling to show up for testing

See page 2

Beyond oil & gas: Where the investment future of Rivers is hiding – Chukunda

Inspiring Women Series

L-R: Philip Shaibu, Edo State deputy governor; Governor Godwin Obaseki; Johnson Kokumo, Edo State commissioner of police, and S. Moh’d Waziri, director, Department of State Services, Edo State Command, after the State Security Council meeting at Government House in Benin City, on Friday.

Artists and the their pandemic tales

How erosion, lack of infrastructure make life a mini hell in Ase-Azaga community, Rivers State Monday Aghaeze

or approximately ten years now, the people of AseAzaga community, under the Ogba, Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, have

been calling on the state government to come to their aid as erosion persists every year and gradually taking over their community. But the calls and demands have been in futility as the Rivers State government keeps on promising

to intervene without fulfilling the promises. Today, the oil-rich community has been cut off from the rest of the country by erosion, an ugly development, which could have been averted if government had intervened earlier.

Moreover, the people are now living in misery as their homes and livelihoods, especially farmlands have been washed away by the ferocious erosion. Consequently, some affected members of the community have relocat-

ed to nearby villages and squatting in huts just to have roof over their heads. Emma Major, a victim of the natural disaster and farmer in the community, said that he has been moving from one uncompleted

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Covid-19: Not yet celebration time AGOMUO ZEBULON, CHUKA UROKO (Lagos) AND GODGIFT ONYEDINEFU (Abuja)

any Nigerians are currently in high spirits over the seemingly decreasing number of infected persons as released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), but experts warn that it is not yet celebration time. For a people who had been literally under lock and key in the last five months during which life was colourless, and living almost a risk, government’s quantitative easing of the lockdown, beginning with the relaxation of movement restrictions and then reopening of markets, work places, airports, schools and now worship centres, calls for excitement and celebration. The excitement could be understood from the point of view that ON July 1, Nigeria recorded the highest daily cases of 790, but on August 4, the lowest daily cases of 288 were recorded. But concerns remain. Many critical minds and close watchers of developments around this novel virus are deeply worried that, all too sudden, it seems government at both federal and state levels have started shifting grounds in the fight against the virus and, pronto, numbers have started declining. The most surprising state is Lagos which is said to be the epicenter of the disease infection with over 40 percent of the national infection rate. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the virus’s Incident Commander, went about it as though the state was at war. But the state is now reported to have closed three of its numerous isolation centres. The same with Kano State which, at the onset of the disease, posted daily frightening numbers that forced Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to raise the alarm, requesting the Federal Government to make N15 billion available to the state to enable it fight the rampaging virus. Today, most of the isolation centres in

the state are empty and in disuse. Boss Mustapha, the chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 had predicted that, unless Nigerians behaved themselves in terms of complying with health and safety protocols, dead bodies would litter the streets of the country in the weeks and months to come. The same PTF told Nigerians that the month of August, which is where we are at the moment, would mark the peak of the infection, expecting that the numbers would spike as testing would be ramped up with a target of testing about one million people a day. “I am alarmed; I don’t understand what has happened overnight. Everything has changed and still changing. We are yet to see corpses on the street and this is August. What is happening? Government is simply leaving us to our fate, at the middle of nowhere. Only yesterday the numbers were rising in multiples. Today, we are seeing a significant decline,” Henry Omale, a public health worker fumed. Continuing, Omale wondered, “is it possible they are tired? Are they cash-strapped? I see dangers ahead, especially as they have ordered the reopening of worship centres and are now considering reopening international flight operations. Who knows, they can just take

a flight and since the worship centres are now open, expect us to take our cases to God as we have always done.” Tunde Bakare, pastor and serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), had warned against the reopening of churches, urging Christians not to let any religious leader or government official lead them like a sheep to the slaughterhouse. “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter,” he warned. According to him, “If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again? “Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by adhering to all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic, like the others before it, has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.” But government and health practitioners have explanations to give and they do that as if they are in a helpless situation. When BDSUNDAY contacted NCDC on Friday, it explained that Nigeria was recording decreasing Covid-19 numbers because there is a decline in sample collection across states. Emeka Oguanuo, Risk Communication Officer at NCDC, said the downward trend does not mean that Nigeria is finally flattening the curve, because the country has not seen its peak yet, but that states are not testing enough despite the significant increases in laboratories with capacity to test for Covid-19. He said there were currently more than 60 laboratories in addition to more sample collection centres, following government’s

Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by adhering to all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic, like the others before it, has an expiry date

directive to public and private hospitals to collect samples. He also said the country has procured enough stockpile of reagents, enough to last a very long time, but samples are not coming in, because Nigerians are unwilling to show up for testing. Ejike Orji, chairman, Medical Sub-committee, FCT ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on Covid-19, noted that it was too early to assume that the country was recording a decline in cases because the trend has been inconsistent over the last few months. Orji said the daily numbers reeled out by the NCDC are just one aspect of the parameter to determine if the Covid-19 cases are receding. According to him, other important parts of the equation is the number of samples collected and tests conducted in relation to the

population across states and until Nigeria achieves maximum testing, Covid-19 cases cannot be said to be decreasing. “The reduced number of cases reeled out by the NCDC daily does not mean that Covid-19 cases are receding, if there was adequate testing done, then we can say the virus is receding. All these parameters must be met first,” he said. Orji insisted that states were not testing adequately. According to him, only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a population of about 5 million has the high penetration of testing, even more than Lagos that currently leads with the highest number of cases. He said Abuja has the highest per capita test. “The penetration of testing in relation to the population is very key,” he said. “This disease is not receding; it’s even accelerating. Nigerians are just in denial and have refused to show up for testing. Stigmatisation is also a problem,” he added. The chairman further disclosed that Nigerians dying from the diseases are more than the national numbers. He said several patients die before reaching the hospital and their data was not captured in addition to several others in rural areas. He warned that the seeming decrease in cases is not ‘uhuru’ yet, as the country is still far from the peak. Orji said Nigerians must continue to adhere religiously to the preventive measures, adding that government will need to increase sensitization, especially in rural communities. The downward trending of the Covid-19 numbers is contrary to predictions in many quarters months back that the situation could grow so bad in Nigeria to the point of people falling dead on the streets. In April, Melinda Gates, cochair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and wife of US billionaire, Bill Gates, was quoted as saying that the coronavirus pandemic “will make Africa have dead bodies lying on the streets.” A Facebook post in Kenya on April 12, 2020, said: “Melinda Gates, renowned billionaire Gates’ wife, says the lack of testing kits in Africa is the reason the continent’s Coronavirus cases are low, and this will make Africa have dead bodies lying on the streets. “Covid-19 will be horrible in the developing world, she said. My heart is in Africa. I am worried. The only reason the reported cases of the coronavirus disease in Africa is low now is most likely because there have not been wide testing of people. The disease is going to bite hard on the continent. I see dead bodies on the streets of Africa,” Melinda said.

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News PDP rejects FG’s reviewed broadcast code …Says it is aimed to muzzle media, conceal APC corruption James Kwen, Abuja

he People’s Democratic Par t y ( P DP ) has rejected the reviewed broadcast code being foisted by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, saying it is another draconian measure to muzzle the media and suppress free speech in Nigeria. PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said the APC-led government adopted the reviewed code with its N5

million fine to intimidate the media and gag whistle blowers from further exposing the humungous corruption, abuse of office, violation of human rights as well as official betrayal of trust and abuse of office in the Buhari administration. Ologbondiyan alleged that the code is also a grand plot to suppress and muzzle Nigerians and the media from publicly opposing plots by the APC to mortgage the sovereignty of our dear nation to foreign interests as being witnessed in the antiNigeria clauses in the loan agreements with China. He said the APC has been jittery over the stench of monumental corruption

Kola Ologbondiyan

oozing out from its government as well as its anti-Nigeria activities, and now seeks to suppress public opinion and media reportage of their atrocities against our nation. “ Th e P D P i n v i t e s

Nigerians to note that the APC administration rushed to review the broadcast codes and introduced draconian clauses at the height of public revelations and media reportage of its corruption and plots

FG, CHEC upbeat construction of shipyard in Bayelsa will boost economy, create jobs Innocent Odoh, Abuja

he Federal Government and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) have expressed optimism that the construction of a Shipyard in Brass Island in Bayelsa State will add value to Nigeria’s economy and generate employment for the citizens of the state. Indication to this development emerged on Thursday during a virtual meeting to kick off the feasibility study for the

construction of the shipyard, hosted by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content DevelopmentandMonitoring Board, Simbi Kesiye Wabote. Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Timiprey Silva in his remarks said, the outcomes of the feasibility study and subsequent construction and operation of the shipyard will create employment opportunities and contribute to poverty reduction in line with the cardinal aspirations of the Next Level Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He added that the scope of the feasibility study

includes geotechnical and bathymetric surveys, conducting a market study, ascertaining an optimal construction scale, developing technical proposal and construction plan and estimation of the required investment to bring the project into reality. “This kick-off meeting furtheratteststothevisionary leadership of Mr. President to provide infrastructure all over Nigeria including the frontiers of our coastal line to boost economic activities and create employment opportunities. “Construction of a worldclass shipyard in Brass Island

will provide a shipping hub to cater for domiciliation of maintenance and repair services of vessels including cargo vessels, oil tankers, and LNG carriers. The high traffic of these vessels in and out of our country provides opportunity to retain substantial value in-country by provision of dry-dock services,” he said. He a d d e d t h a t t h e proposed Brass shipyard will provide further benefits with the upcoming implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement with Nigeria serving a hub for ship-building and repairs.

Olatunji Disu (right), commander, Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and deputy commissioner of police (DCP), addressing his men during 2019/2020 award for Outstanding Officers in RRS, held at the command’s headquarters in Lagos.

to mortgage our nation’s sovereignty to China. “The reviewed broadcast code therefore, validates much the stance by Nigerians that covering of corruption and the scheme to mortgage the sovereignty of our nation are official policies of the APC which has not denied that it is the headquarters of corruption. “Our party however, wishes to inform the APC and its administration that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other laws guiding media practice, which guarantees a free press and freedom of opinion by Nigerians are clear and that no matter how much the truth is suppressed, it must

always come to light. “Moreover, the APC must know that we are in a democracy and that Nigerians cannot be suppressed from exercising their rights of speaking out in the face of injustice, corruption, abuse of trust in the APC administration, which President Buhari had also admitted. “ Th e P D P c h a r g e s President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Ministry of Information and Culture to retrace its steps and stop all acts that further exercabate the ugly situation in our country under the APC corrupt and anti-people administration”, the PDP Spokesman added.

Attempted coup d’état: I didn’t endorse Continued from Page 1 day; warning that anyone caught using his office to heat up the polity will face dire consequences. Th e C o m m i s s i o n e r gave the clarification after the State Security Council meeting, Governor Godwin Obaseki held with heads of security agencies, at the Government House, Benin City, on Friday. The commissioner, who explained that he and his office remain apolitical and open to all, noted: “It is my statutory responsibility to provide security for lives and property irrespective of political affiliation.” On his part, Governor Obaseki expressed concern over the rising security challenges ahead of the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial election in the state. According to him, “We condemned the high level of thuggery, violence and increasing influx of arms into the state. “The Commissioner of Police briefed the council on yesterday’s situation at the Edo State House of Assembly that led to some illegal and treasonable acts conducted by some individuals.” “The security personnel have assured us of their readiness to secure and tackle any security challenges faced by the state,” the governor added.

Obaseki continued: “They are up to the tasks; they have the men and materials to take charge. They assured us and the good people of Edo of adequate security to ensure the protection of lives and property.” The governor said that the state security chiefs promised to protect everyone in the state irrespective of their political affiliation. Responding to the alleged withdrawal of security details of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, the CP assured that “those who are entitled to security details will be given, while those who are not entitled to security details will be withdrawn.” Kokumo said that at the meeting, the security heads were able to review the activities of security in the last few weeks, adding: “We talked about political violence and thuggery and means of putting checks in place. “The security agencies will leave no stone unturned; we have created a conducive atmosphere for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.” “We want to assure Edo people that the preelection period would be safe and conducive for campaigns, during and after the election, to ensure there is no breach of law and order,” he added.

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News Feature

How erosion, lack of infrastructure make life... Continues from Page 1 building to another. Major wants the government to intervene now because the situation, according to him, is getting hopeless. Ifeanyi Udema, another victim, as well as a farmer in the community, decried that without a permanent home, he is now living like a nomad. Opene Obah, the mouthpiece of the community, said the remaining houses and farmlands are on the verge of being taken over by the erosion before the end of the current rainy season. According Obah, St. Bartholomew Anglican Church, a major worship centre in the community, has been washed into the centre of River Niger by the erosion, and he feared that the community may not be able to build such a gigantic edifice again. The irony, according to the people, is that the community is oil-rich and under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), yet the commission and the state are not showing any concern. The gross negligence has made them to call on the Federal Government for intervention as families sleep in houses with leaking roofs. There is no infrastructure such as roads, electricity to even charge their phones. Also, due to lack of a functional medical centre, residents die from common sicknesses as all road linkages to other villages have been washed away by the erosion. For the residents, the community is isolated from the country and life with no help from the state and the Federal Government. Me a n w h i l e, BDSU N DAY learnt that so many contracts have been awarded by the NDDC and Rivers State government to fight the erosion and provide them with social amenities but the projects were abandoned. What is left is a billboard of more than a decade old, which heralded the promises of projects that are never going to happen, rather mocking the community. The most painful part for the community is that after farming, they have no transport to convey their produce to the market because there are no motorable roads. These farm produce end up spoiling at the end of the day. The neglect A resident told BDSUNDAY that the only primary and secondary schools in the community are dilapidated, as well; no teacher wants to come to the village because there is no road linking to the community, especially during rainy season. “Many of their young men and women are jobless”, the source said. “The Niger Delta De v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n and Rivers State government collect billions of naira in taxes from companies close to the

Billboard of more than a decade old

Building that was taken by the erosion community, yet the people lack basic amenities.” There are oil and gas companies located very close to the village called Isukwa, in Ogba, Egbema/Ndoni, which sometimes try to carry out corporate social responsibilities (CSR) for the communities, but these hardly translate into an improvement in the lives of the majority of Ase–Azaga people. B D S U N DAY a l s o t o u r e d Ogba , Egbema/Ndoni local council and Ase-Azaga to investigate the situation, but some of the findings are startling. Ase-Azaga, which has several autonomous communities, is located near the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, an oil and gas company. Vince Opene, a victim of the natural disaster, and a committee member of St. Bath Anglican Church, stated that he has not seen electricity supply from a public source or Rivers Electricity Distribution Company in the village in the last decade.

Like other villagers, he pays to charge his phone at a business centre in the community, which puts on generating sets twice a week. For him, the community has depleted beyond how it was 15 years ago in terms of social amenities. “Nothing grows here again, the community is left without good soil and fishes die due to environmental pollution. You hardly go to the river and catch fish from River Niger”, Opene said. “Yet we are not compensated or benefit from the NDDC allocations.” For Obieze Olisa, the youth leader, with the many homes and properties lost to the erosion, the situation is unbearable. Olisa, who cannot afford a building now due to the impact of the erosion, is calling on the state and Federal governments to assist them. He said the community has been sending representatives to meetings with the Rivers State government, starting from the time of Peter Odili, Rotimi Ameachi, all former

Erosion press harder to take all the community

governors, and now Nyesom Wike. “There is yet no positive response from the government”, Olisa decried. Most of the residents recalled how government remembers the town during elections, but forgets afterwards as the only benefit from the state government has been unending promises. Felix Ubaka Olisa, an indigene and civil servant in Port Harcourt, stressed that the community is one of the largest tuber crop farmers in the country. “But we have no electricity, road and water”, he decried. True to words, the source of water in the community is mainly from River Niger as there is no pipe borne water anywhere. Worse still, the community lamented that the government has never sponsored any free medical test and does not recognise any traditional ruler in the community. Ijeoma Adah, a community chief and representative of the Igwe of Ase-Azaga, said that bad roads, especially during the rainy season, prevent them from taking their farm produce to market, even though their major means of transportation is canoe. The community, according to him, also has no police post and health centre as drugs are bought from other villages, while many in emergency situations have died for lack of medi-

Abandoned roads for a decade polytechnic. The sad commentary The bigger story is that individuals have been collecting millions of naira as electricity/road projects from Rivers State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) in the last 10 to 15 years on behalf of Ogba, Egbema/Ndoni, while Ase-Azaga communities were neglected from benefiting from the project. They collect the money from ISOPADEC, claiming to pay the electricity distribution company on behalf of the oil-producing communities. But the payment, if done, is ques-

Abandoned roads for a decade old cal attention. Again, a sizeable number of young people in Ase-Azaga community are jobless as many work in people’s farms and receive daily pay of N1,000 – N1,200. Sadly, the community pays for the services of teachers in its primary and secondary schools. The young men and women working in the community schools earn between N600 and N700 per month. This puts them in the extremely poor-people category, going by the World Bank classification of persons living on less than $1.90 per day as extremely poor. However, a few of the young men and women in the community have the Ordinary National Diploma (OND), a certificate obtained from completing a two-year course in a Nigerian

tionable considering that the Ase-Azaga community does not have electricity in their village. “Do you pay for the electricity you have not used?” Paul Adah, a civil servant queried. Mo r e o v e r, h e w a s d u m founded on hearing the N40 billion corruption allegation probe in NDDC, regretting that the stolen money would have been used to provide facilities and execute developmental projects that would have lifted lives and communities such as Ase-Azaga. Recall that Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor, had assured that he would no longer tolerate misuse of funds accruing to the oil-producing communities in the state. But such funds, especially for Ase-Azaga community, are still misused till date.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Feature Anxiety, ecstasy as mosques, churches reopen doors in Lagos

“

They have used up their human …Prices of sanitisers, plastic washing equipment, others skyrocket science and AMAKA EWUZIE-ANAGOR, methodologies DESMOND OKON AND SEYI JOHN SALAU to no avail. They fter about five long have succeeded months (March 2020) since churchin managing the es and mosques in Lagos were forced real and the imto shut their doors to contain the spread of the coronavirus aginary (Covid-19) pandemic in the

state, the worship centres have finally reopened. The announcement by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu penultimate Saturday conveying the relaxation of the ban on religious gathering occasioned by the pandemic was greeted with anxiety and ecstasy in equal measure. Whereas many people believe that it was a good development, Tunde Bakare, pastor and serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), warned against the reopening of churches, urging Christians not to let any religious leader or government official to lead them like a sheep to the slaughterhouse. “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter,” he warned. According to him, “If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again? “Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by adhering to all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic like the others before it has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.” Some other worshippers, who received the news with mixed feelings, said it called for caution both from the government and religious leaders. This is so, because the war against Covid-19 is not yet over; rather Nigeria seems to be reaching the peak of the pandemic, while the world and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are busy working on a possible vaccine to tackle the virus. “I must say that I was not just surprised but was also elated,” said Sola Idowu of The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Lagos who disclosed to BDSUNDAY that the news about the reopening of places of worship came to him as a

surprise. According to him, some section of the church had set a September date for the reopening of worship centres. Idowu said that the government should have waited for a time when it would be convenient for all to worship centres. “Children from age 12 downward being asked to stay back at home awakened in me mixed feelings. Really, I wish everyone, children inclusive are allowed to come to Church,” said Idowu. Similarly, Reverend Israel Kristilere of Shepherdhill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos, said Children should be allowed in church with their parents. “I see that rule as that of Pharaoh when he told the children of Israel that they can go but must leave their children behind. I think that is an anti-Christian rule; they should revisit it,” Kristilere said.

He also asked government to urgently address all issues raised concerning the guidelines given by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs. “Out of all the rules set by the Home Affairs; I have seen some discrepancies between what they request from Christians and Muslims. While they only request Muslims to have a register of regular attendant at mosque, they ask Christians to ensure that they have a worship attendant,” he further said. According to him, the process of filling the attendants’ sheet and sharing writing materials can increase the spread of Covid-19, which he believes has gone beyond the stage of contact tracing. “I think Lagos needs to step up; we are the ‘State of Excellence’, it is now a communitybased issue,” Kristilere added. Joseph Ojo, the Archbishop

of Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC) Lagos, disclosed to BDSUNDAY that easing the lockdown is a good omen for the country and the economy, and the spiritual health of the nation. “They have used up their human science and methodologies to no avail. They have succeeded in managing the real and the imaginary,” Ojo said, stating that it was a mistake to have excluded God in managing the pandemic. On how to ensure the safety of all worshippers, Ojo said: “Responsible ministers have all put in place the modus operandi of ensuring that their various congregations are safe and protected.” Me a nw hile, B D S U NDAY has discovered that since the go ahead signal was given to worship centres and schools in Lagos, prices of sanitisers, plastic hand washing equipment

and others have hit the roof following the increase in demand. For instance, when BDSUNDAY visited some markets in Lagos, it was discovered that the price of medium sized ‘plastic bucket bundle with tap,’ which were formerly sold for N2,500 per one, now sells for between N3,500 and N5,000 depending on market locations. “Prices of sanitisers and plastic hand washing buckets with tap have gone up since the Lagos State Government announced the reopening of schools and worship centres,” said a school owner, who does not want her name in the print. According to the proprietress, the demand for those equipment has also gone up because school owners and worship centres are trying hard to meet the required protocols as stipulated by the government as well as Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). While stating that her school has made it mandatory for every pupil to have at least one bottle of the smallest pocket hand sanitiser in their possession, she said that the wholesale price of pocket sanitiser, which her school ordered for recently, has also moved up from N250 to N350 per one while the retail price now goes for N600 per one. Recall that the Federal Government had in March clamped a lockdown on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun States following the rising number of cases of the Covid-19. Although, the restrictions targeted the virus’ epicenters like Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State, many other states of the country borrowed a leaf and also introduced similar restrictions. In an effort to check the Continues on page 19

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News

Covid-19: Abia First Lady distributes agro inputs to boost food production UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

n a bid to encourage Abians to farm and grow more food to combat the economic downturn occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic, Nkechi Ikpeazu, wife of Abia State governor, has flagged off the distribution of tons of fertilizers to women farmers in the 17 local government areas of the state. The tons of fertilizers provided by the First Lady are being distributed as part of the “Aka Ajaja” Project,

a statewide campaign to mobilise Abians, especially women to turn to agriculture as strategic response to the Covid-19 lockdown. Speaking during the flag-off at the Government House, Ikpeazu said it was imperative for all Abians to commit to agriculture in one form or another as it was the surest way for most families to ease the economic downturn which experts have predicted may follow the coronavirus pandemic. She thanked Governor Ikpeazu for supporting Abia women through the fertilizer distribution programme and

said there were visible signs that the ‘Aka Ajaja’ campaign, which commenced nearly three months ago, would yield fruits as the response by Abians to go to farm had been massive. The governor’s wife said that the fertilizers would go a long way to help the farmers increase their yields this farming season. She advised Abians, irrespective of their occupation as businessmen, civil servants, and artisans to target at cultivating every piece of arable land in the state as well as set other variants of farming such as

rearing farm animals and growing economic trees. Responding on behalf of the various women groups, Lady Frank Ibe of Umuahia North LGA, thanked the governor and his wife for caring about Abians during the pandemic. She said the current effort toboostfoodproductionwas a commendable initiative of the governor, adding that the ongoing massive community mass testing and tracing launched recently was a master-stroke which would help identify and commence early treatment of carriers and help reduce prevalence.

Education takes centre-stage on Glo-sponsored African Voices

ableNewsNetwork (CNN) flagship programme, Af r i c a n Vo i c e s Changemakers, this week is beaming its searchlight on education as it celebrates two young promoters of formal learning in Nigeria and Kenya. Telecom Company, Globacom, is the official sponsor of the weekly programme. First to be featured on the programme is Orondaam

Otto, a Nigerian social reformer and development enthusiast who is an executive director of Slum2School Africa, a nongovernmental organisation comprising 40 managers and hundreds of volunteers. The NGO is devoted to providing equal opportunities for disadvantaged children across slums and remote communities in Nigeria. Ottodevelopedhispassion for helping the less-privileged

when he studied for a degree in Human Anatomy at the University of Port Harcourt. He is sworn to a commitment to see that every African Child gets the best education. Ultimately, he dreams of an African continent where every child would be able to maximise his or her potential and showcase the innovative spirit of the continent. Sharing the platform with Otto is Peter Tabichi, a science teacher from rural Kenya, who

gives away most of his salary to support indigent pupils in his local Nyamira County. Tabichi is a 38-year-old Franciscan friar who also doubles as Mathematics and Physics teacher at Keriko Mi x e d Da y Se c o n d a r y School in Pwani, Nakuru County. In 2019, he won the Global Teacher Prize for his “exceptional” commitment to the pupils of a school in Kenya’s remote Rift Valley region.

Anglican Church advocates restructuring of nation’s security apparatus UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

he Umuahia Diocese of the Anglican Communion has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the security apparatus in the country by sacking the Service Chiefs as “their best is not good enough.” In a communiqué issued at the end of the third session of the ninth Synod of the Diocese of Umuahia and signed by Okwukwe N.B.C Ucheagwu and Rt.Rev Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi, Clerical Synod Secretary and Bishop, Diocese of Umuahia and President of the Synod, respectively, the church urged the Federal Government to expedite action towards the release of Leah Sharibu and other captives held by terrorists. It further appealed to government to establish industries, resuscitate ailing ones and create an enabling environment for the teeming youths to be employed. It also advised the Federal Government to diversify the

economy of the country from oil by investing heavily in Agriculture and Mining while external borrowing should be discouraged. The church also advised that no particular part or region should be marginalised either in the distribution of resources or appointments. The communiqué also condemned the acts of rape and other related offences and urged government to punish perpetrators according to the laws of the land, while victims of such acts should be rehabilitated. It also noted that the reabsorption of “repentant” terrorists into the society or the armed forces should stop forthwith and that the activities of the herders and insurgents who destroy farmlands of innocent Nigerians should be controlled and punished, while victims of such attacks should be compensated. The Synod further urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the rail system in the Eastern part of the country and also expedite action on the Second Niger Bridge project.

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Addressing incidence of fire outbreaks in Lagos

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

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Tayo Ogunbiyi Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

onsidering recent spate of fire occurrence in which goods and property were destroyed in Lagos State, it has become extremely essential for all and sundry to pay immense attention to safety issues. Recently, a gas explosion rocked Ajao Estate, thanks to the bravery of men of the State Fire Service and other first responders, the fire was quickly extinguished, thereby minimising damage. Just as the dust raised by the incidence was settling, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, made spirited efforts to douse another fire incidence that reportedly emanated from an apartment on the second floor of a two-storey building at 3, Ogunlana Street, Oshodi. The said fire incidence, which was reported via 767/112 Toll Free lines, was attributed to electrical power surge. This development is bothersome, bearing in mind its effects on socio-economic life. The price of fire incidents is apparently huge.

It results in pains and sometimes deaths to victims, loss of human and material resources as well as damages to equipment and structures. It is, therefore, discouraging to note that most of these disasters are not acts of God, but rather the products of human errors and carelessness. For instance, the fire episode that once killed a family of seven, in Lagos in 2015, was reportedly caused by candle light which was not put off at night. Risky acts such as storing of petroleum products at homes and reckless use and storage of cooking gas are common causes of fire outbreaks in our society. Storing of petroleum products at home is especially a sheer act of inconceivable thoughtlessness that must be discouraged. Equally, many people close at work or leave home without ensuring that all electrical appliances are shut down to prevent outbreak of fire in case of power surges. It is also dangerous to keep matches and other ignition materials within the reach of children. Other causes of fire outbreaks are careless attitude towards electrical outlets, faulty electrical wiring, damaged electrical appliances, heating gadgets, unattended stove and gases, uncontrolled children’s attitudes towards inflammable materials among others. To stem the tide of further fire disasters in the State, it has now become crucial for all offices and homes to have efficient fire extinguishers. This is in addition to having functional knowledge of

their usages. It is also imperative for everybody to acquire safety information in respect of fire outbreaks. We all need to be aware that fires could generally be put off by water or sand while a special foam chemical could be used to quench oil fire. People using gas for domestic or industrial purpose need to be more vigilant. Ovens and stoves should be shut off to prevent outflow of inflammables and food flaming. Motorists, chiefly drivers of articulated vehicles, should be more safety conscious while driving tankers with inflammable products. Ideally, drivers of articulated vehicles ought to be careful and extremely cognizant of the damage any slip on their part could cause in terms of human and material losses. But then, findings have shown that several carnages recorded on Lagos roads which resulted in fire disasters, causing needless losses, have been caused by their complicity. Additionally, well-meaning individuals, related government agencies and organisations need to embark on fire safety and emergency management. With the level of painful losses experienced as a result of needless fire outbreaks in the State, it is vital for all stakeholders including religious bodies, corporate organisations, schools’ owners, community leaders, Public Servants, political leaders, traditional rulers, NGOs and individuals across the State to toe the path of safety in their daily activities. Enlightenment advocacy on fire

prevention and management must not be left in the hands of government alone. Everyone must be involved. Consequently, every adult resident must educate young ones on all safety measures in order to reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of fire in the state. The present administration in Lagos State is poised to ensure a safer and better environment for all residents. To this end, it has embarked on pragmatic strategies aimed at repositioning all emergency agencies in the State. It has put in place mechanisms aimed at strengthening collaborative efforts among these various agencies. But for such pro-active measures as this, the effects of current fire episodes in the state would have been more complicated. The Lagos State Safety Commission as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, are currently at the vanguard of creating consciousness on the dangers of unsafe practices that cause fire and other disasters in the state. However, for all the first responders to perform optimally, it is important that they are given the right of way by motorists during emergency operations. Provocative acts such as attacking or cursing fire fighters, while on duty, must be discontinued. Meanwhile, residents across the state should continue to take advantage of the state emergency lines, 767 and 112 (tolls free), to contact relevant agencies in case of any emergency.

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Perspective Amaechi’s identity crisis: Is he Ikwerre, Igbo or just a Port Harcourt boy? Ikeddy ISIGUZO ISIGUZO, a major commentator on minor national issues, writes from Abuja.

hibuikeRotimiAmaechi is lost in minor crowds if there is no major controversy around him. The most recent is his prevarication over whether he is Igbo or Ikwerre. Are both identities not mutually exclusive? Some have noticed Amaechi in more Igbo outfits these days. Everything counts. Amaechi is from Umuordu, Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State. There is no doubt about that much. A state of Rivers’ standing would not have had a “foreigner” as Speaker of its House of Assembly for eight years, and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers. If being the Speaker was a mistake, Amaechi would not have been awarded governorship of the state for eight years. He promoted himself to national prominence with his controversial roles as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Cracks in the fold cascaded to the departure of some governors who won elections under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to the opposition All Progressives

Congress (APC). Amaechi was a proud leader of the movement. APC’s victory in the 2015 elections and in 2019 further raised Amaechi’s status. On both occasions he was the DirectorGeneral of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign. His national prominence has failed to improve his fortunes in the politics of Rivers. He could not gain victory for his proposed successor in 2015. The 2019 election was utter disaster. Wrangling over APC leadership in Rivers resulted in multiple primaries going to the 2019 elections. The courts, including the Supreme Court, ruled that none of the primaries met conditions for the selection of the party’s candidates for the election. Amaechi quickly extricated himself from the loss that shut APC out of chances of winning at least some seats in the state and national legislatures. What has not proven easy is which of his identifies he would use. He appears to prefer wearing different hats to match occasions, situational identity. At his 2015 Senate screening, he identified himself as an Ikwerre prince. He dressed to that role, he told Senators. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was one of the earliest to officially question Amaechi’s Igboness. He had wondered why Amaechi left out South East in the rail projects of the Federal Government. Amaechi retorted that his

name, Amaechi, was easier for Igbo speakers to make meaning of than Abaribe. His claims about the South East being in the rail projects are yet to be seen. When in March 2018 he delivered the Convocation Lecture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, his otherwise important lecture titled, ‘The Igbo in the Politics of Nigeria’, his identity was a major distraction. It was a thought-provoking deliver, laced with provocative darts at the Igbo. “It is high time they (Igbo) came into the national politics. They are completely out of the national politics and it will not pay them. If Igbo are not found in the national politics, it will be to the detriment of their children. I don’t know what they will do now for voting against the APC. For refusing to support the APC, they cannot come to the table to demand the presidency slot,” he said during the question and answer session. The reference to Igbo as “they” is noteworthy. He had a verbal confrontation with Nnia Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the event. Nwodo in his remarks kept on telling Amaechi to inform his people, the Ikwerre, that the civil war was over; they should return to being Igbo. Amaechi remarkably begun his lecture by asserting he was Igbo. He said it was his undeniable heritage. Six years earlier at a public event in Abiriba, Abia State, when

Amaechi was still in PDP, and governor, he had protested being addressed as an illustrious Igbo son. “I am Ikwerre,” he corrected then 78-year-old Chief Joe Irukwu, a former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Many in the gathering were taken aback. “For people like us in the APC, if the Igbo had come and voted Buhari, they would boldly tell Mr. President and the National Chairman of the party that presidency should go the South East since the South-South; South West and North West have produced President. What argument would the South East come up with now to convince anybody that they deserve the slot for 2023 President?” Amaechi asked in an interview he granted after the 2019 election. His claims to being Igbo is seasonal. “I am a bona fide Igbo man. My name is Amaechi, but President Jonathan who says his name is Azikiwe cannot speak the Igbo language. He says his name is Ebele; let him speak Igbo and let us see,” he said at APC’s campaign in Aba in January 2015. The choice of who he is was not his to make. Our origins are hereditary. Our rejection of them makes no difference to the fact of who we are, by birth. What does it matter if Amaechi wants to be Igbo instead of Ikwerre or the other way round? It is important to politicians angling for the South East to produce a President in 2023. While their

campaign is for an Igbo President, or a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, it is convenient for them to forget there are indigenous Igbo populations in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kogi, and Rivers States. They are finding out that they are really fighting for a President from the South East. The President’s ally, Amaechi, stands a better chance than those who feel he is crowding the field. The advantage remains Amaechi’s if he gets busy with building the rails in the South East as he promised he would. There is little time left. Now that the President’s busy schedule accommodates naming rail stations, one is fascinated by the station in Enugu being named after President Muhammadu Buhari. Trains running in the South East – and Amaechi’s South-South - should be a more pressing issue than whether Amaechi is Igbo or Ikwerre. Many would not care whichever he is if he gets the trains running. And would that not count as competence for Amaechi, in line with Mamman Daura’s prescription? Amaechi does not have to be Igbo or Ikwerre to run for President in 2023. There is no such constitutional requirement. Unless he has forgotten, Amaechi can just run as a Port Harcourt Boy (thanks Duncan Mighty). Even Governor Nyesom Wike would not deny Amaechi being a Port Harcourt Boy.

Too black to succeed: Harnessing Jamaica’s colonial struggle to inspire change (Part 1) Yakub Sidamo Grant

vents of the 1990 have turned into a pivotal period for the Caribbean nation of Jamaica. From having a stable financial system and relatively strong real sector dominated by local entrepreneurs, the country almost suddenly got mired in a deep economic crisis that tanked the credit rating of its business community. After adopting liberal policies put forward by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an ill-advised venture with the benefit of hindsight, the country’s banking system virtually collapsed with the national government having to bail out many of the deposit money banks, most of which had the largest branch network and provided a reliable credit base for the local business community as well as small scale businesses. Once exchange controls were lifted in 1991, without any arrangements or plans to contain domestic inflation or reserves or regulations

to prevent rapid depreciation of the currency, the business landscape in Jamaica was radically destabilised. The Government’s principal strategy for restoring stability was surging interest rates. But instead of calm, it brought about a tsunami of instability. The tragedy of the 1990s is that, at the same time that the county’s government’s policies were imposing high interest costs on businesses, it was removing pricing as a means of offsetting them. The 1990s saw the government accepting and imposing WTO and funding agency-promoted trade liberalisation measures, with little regard for regulatory measures to protect the interest of the Jamaican producers and workers. At the same time that high interest rates and local inflation were driving up the cost of Jamaican production, government was reducing import duties on competing imported products by as much as 60 per cent. The liberalisation opened the economy to unbridled competition from foreign goods in a contest local manufacturers were not adequately nurtured to survive.

These contradictory governmental actions put the Jamaican productive sector in a competitive straightjacket. The capacity to compete in the local market against imported products was being savagely undercut. Inflation averaging 40 per cent, surging interest rates, and the uncompetitive Jamaican dollar were effectively subsidising imports and taxing domestic production. After more than a century of successful Jamaican businesses during which the positive relationship between productive entrepreneurs and their financial partners powered the growth of the economy, the 1990s ushered in a period the partnership came to a crashing halt. And the country’s leaders who could not decipher the inherent incongruities in opening up the economy to unregulated competition labelled many of businesses that floundered were deemed to have been poorly managed. Thousands of healthy Jamaican businesses, some of which had grown to become regional and world-beaters, were disdainfully discarded by the government as “bad debtors”.

Although the government responded to the large collapse of businesses, most of which buckled underunsustainabledebts,thestate intervention in the form of a special purposevehicle-FINSAC(Financial Sector Adjustment Company) was seen as too little too late. The story of the near decimation of Jamaica’s indigenous business community following the introduction of liberal financial policies that disrupted its hitherto stable financial system has been told in a new book by Mrs. Valerie Dixon. In “Too Black to Succeed - The FINSAC Experience”, Dixon aims to engage Jamaicans at home and across the global Diaspora, as well as the millennial generation of Jamaicans, who she feels need to be more conscious of the important socio-economic factors of the past and present which are determining the quality of their lives and future. The book gives a personal account of the author’s experience of the impact of FINSAC on herself, her family and the large number of Jamaican entrepreneurs, who were negatively affected. “Too Black to Succeed” also

traces the historic, cultural and systemic marginalization, discrimination and struggles that have thwarted and frustrated the progress of the Jamaican people since slavery; and how FINSAC has been a perpetuation of this insidious process, which continues to stymie and ruin the aspirations and potential of many Jamaicans. FINSAC Limited was established by the Government of Jamaica in January 1997 with a mandate to restore stability to Jamaica’s financial institutions. At that time, a number of Jamaican banks and insurance companies were experiencing liquidity and solvency shortfalls and an erosion in customer confidence. Unfortunately, FINSAC has evolved into a uniquely ubiquitous metaphor for the economic malady that crippled the Jamaican economy through the 1990s and continues to this day to scar the economic lives of many in the Caribbean country. This two-decadelong economic nightmare blighted the economy and plunged the country into a vortex of economic decline with thousands of businesses closing their doors.

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Perspective Fayemi, Covid-19 and resilient leadership Segun Dipe Dipe is the Snr. Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Public Communications

rian Tracy, the famous motivational speaker said the true test of leadership is how well one functions in a crisis. His words haven’t resonated more than they do today as the Covid-19 continues to ravage the whole world, while turning conventional leadership strategies to foolishness. Today, the competencies required are different from standard operating leadership protocols. Rather, it is about managing crisis and navigating through feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and doom. The situation is however not entirely forlorn as it is also a good time for the emergence of crisis leaders who would need to show the world, that they are capable of weathering a storm by being decisive, being proactive, modelling expected protocol, engaging in open communication, and being ethical and empathetic. As for Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of , the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the most objective verdict any reasonable observer can give is that while he still has plenty to do, he is so far doing superbly well in meeting those parameters. The ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges to

Sanda Yakubu Yakubu, a Reform and Privatisation specialist, writes from Lafia.

Regulatory institutions hen an economy is liberalised, proper regulatory machinery must be put in place. In all the sectoral bills drafted, there are provisions for regulators. This is to ensure that the rights of all stakeholders, especially the consumers are protected. For instance the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been overseeing the telecommunications sector while the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is in charge of the power sector. One of the challenges envisaged in the post-privatisation era is the regulation of the sectors. Hitherto, this was done by either Ministries or statutory bodies that performed both regulatory and operational functions. Some public enterprises were often organised to achieve political objectives not to solve market

leadership across the world. The pace at which policymakers, practitioners and researchers react to the emerging and complex crisis will make a profound difference to people’s lives and livelihoods. Recent experience highlights the need for adaptive leadership in national and global responses to the outbreak. Amidst this global hoopla, one quality that is required more than any other as the new normal for a leader to possess is resilience. Resilience exists when a leader uses mental processes and behaviours in promoting his people as well as protecting them from the potential negative effects of stressors. In simpler terms, psychological resilience exists in people who develop psychological and behavioural capabilities that allow them to remain calm during crises and to move on from the incident without longterm negative consequences. Dr. Fayemi falls in the category of these leaders. He is not a reckless leader. He has been extremely precautious since the news of the Corona Virus pandemic broke out. He was one of the governors to admit vulnerability early enough when the hint of the Covid-19 dropped in Nigeria. When he interacted with two top federal government officials who just came back into the country and had tested positive, he didn’t hide it. Rather, he surrendered self to be tested and he quarantined himself afterwards. Thrice he subjected himself to the test for assurance and reassurance. Twice Fayemi tested negative, and when he eventually received a positive result on the third test, he did not hesitate to break the news. He went into self-isolation and did not come out until he had tested negative

again. He did not just limit this to himself, as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), he implored his fellow Governors and all those who attended the NGF meeting of March 18, 2020 to go for test and take other precautions. He also instructed members of his cabinet, and personal aides to go for the Covid-19 test. vernor, his concern was not so much about himself but was about those others who could be infected through him. What is resilience and why is it that important at this period? It is the ability to withstand, recover, and bounce back amid stress, chaos, and ever-changing circumstances. Resilient people don’t dwell on failure but rather acknowledge the situation, learn from the mistakes, and move forward. A resilient leader is a person who sees failures as temporary setbacks they can recover from quickly. They maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of opportunity during periods of turbulence. When faced with ambiguity, a resilient leader finds ways to move forward and avoids getting stuck. Many studies have indicated the importance of resilience as both an individual and leadership trait. Leading for resilience is the antithesis of hunkering down and operating conservatively. It is about pushing out boldly, knowing that something somewhere is going to kick you in the teeth, and you need to be ready before it happens. Throughout history, crises have been the breeding ground for individuals we later describe as great leaders. If the times make the leader, in many instances, those leaders emerge from unlikely places. Certain qualities

stand them out. In the case of Dr. Fayemi, we may begin to study the Ekiti State governor for the following unique qualities: Fayemi communicates powerfully and transparently. Resilient leaders are effective at communicating their intentions to others. They are willing to help others understand a new strategy or direction. Effective communication helps others understand changes, expectations and new directions. Fayemi has proven to be both humble and coachable by persons and circumstances. Resilient leaders are open to feedback and often ask others for feedback. They have a strong desire to continuously improve their skills and abilities. It requires positive relationships to get others to support change. Resilient leadership occurs when people can bring others along. By building trust and being open to differences, these leaders are able to create strong teams by building positive relationships. Ask those who know Fayemi well, and they will tell you that he is strong in this area. Fayemi is a bold risk taker and this is a strong quality of resilient individual. It is easy for most individuals to be stuck in a rut in which they continue to conduct work in the same way from year to year. That approach works well until the world changes, requiring organisations to change or die. You will not find Fayemi among this lot. Fayemi loves to develop others. Like most resilient leaders, he is not only interested in his own development but is concerned about the development of others. Resiliency is needed when we encounter failure. Developing others helps everyone

to learn from their mistakes. We continue to find that leaders who want feedback for themselves are more likely to give productive feedback and coaching to others, because they want honest feedback as well. That is Fayemi for you. Fayemi is a champion of change. Change takes courage and requires a vision about where a people is going. Resilient leaders are willing to change and able to provide the leadership to ensure that the followers also change. Resilient leaders embrace change and also encourage others to change. Fayemi is a decisive leader. He is swift and resolute. Making decisions is always difficult because no person has all the data or understands all eventualities. But the people cannot move forward until a decision gets made. The most resilient leaders are effective at making decisions and moving forward. If they make the wrong decision, they are quick to make a different decision and move in another direction. The proverb by Cato “swift and resolute action leads to success; self-doubt is a prelude to disaster” fits well here. While we celebrate individuals such as Lincoln, Churchill, Nelson Mandela, to mention just a few, we should not forget that great leaders also appear on smaller stages. An understanding of how Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Governor’s Forum has been trudging on, with the responsibilities of Ekiti on his head amidst the Covid-19 crisis and with very limited resources to throw at it, will surely make one understand where he is coming from and what type of leadership he is providing this season.

Federal Government reform activities and economic liberalisation (Part 4) failures. Many have been tools of special interest groups and corrupt officials. There is a danger that such rent-seeking coalitions, aiming to avoid financial losses from privatisation and competition, will subvert the regulatory process. Credible and stable regulation is required to achieve the benefits of privatizing and liberalizing infrastructure. A regulator should be coherent, independent, accountable, transparent, and predictable and have capacity to carry out its mandate. Thus, the institutional prerequisite for regulation include: a. Legal system that safeguards private property from state or regulatory seizure without fair compensation and relies on judicial review to protect against regulatory abuse of basic principles of fairness. In Nigerian, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act has addressed this. b. Sound administrative procedures that provide broad access to the regulatory process and make it transparent.

c. Sufficient professional staff trained in relevant technical, economic, accounting and legal principles d. Effective regulation requires that regulators be largely free from political influence, especially on a day-to-day or decision-bydecision basis though complete independence is not possible e. A regulator’s independence should be reconciled with its accountability. Allowing a regulator to set prices and quality standard gives it enormous power to redistribute rents. Without an accompanying obligation to respect previous decisions and the legal rights of all parties, a regulator has considerable leeway for opportunism. f. Infrastructure is an important policy issue, and in a democracy, all citizens need transparent information about it to evaluate government performance. Thus all regulatory rules and agreements should be a matter of public record. g. A regulatory agency’s re-

sponsibilities should match its financial and human resources. Lack of financial capacity is likely to be a genuine constraint. Similarly inadequate expertise is a much bigger challenge in many developing and transition economies. Well-developed economic, accounting, engineering and legal skills are required for regulatory functions such as monitoring industry performance, analyzing cost data, dealing with information asymmetries and analyzing the behaviour of regulated firms. Status of Current Reform Initiatives The current reform initiatives being undertaken by the NCP through its Secretariat, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) culminated in the approval of eight (8) draft reform bills by the Federal Executive Council on February 11, 2015. These bills have also been transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment. The bills are: Railway Bill; Inland Waterways Bill; Ports and Harbour Bill; Federal Roads Authority Bill;

National Roads Fund Bill; National Transport Commission Bill; Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and Postal Bill. Enactment of these bills will impact positively on the infrastructure landscape of the country as they aim to liberalise the relevant sectors and create the enabling environment for the much needed private sector investments. The bills generally seek to abrogate monopoly laws and ensure a conducive business climate to encourage private investment, promote competition and institute a sound legal and regulatory framework that would ensure independent regulation. Furthermore, they seek to create an institutional framework that delineates and defines the roles of policy formulators, operators and regulators. This will ultimately lead to the creation of new agencies as contained in the bills and the merger of others. Six of these bills are in the transport sector. Concluded

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Politics Expectations from Udom’s reshuffled cabinet in Akwa Ibom ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

he shake-up in the Akwa Ibom State executive council has long been expected; therefore, when it came last week, it was no surprise. And in the estimation of many observers, it fell below expectations in some ways. Timed perfectly to coincide with the inauguration of the new leadership committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, many felt the cabinet reshuffle was not far-reaching enough. Some commissioners were dropped; some swapped their positions while many others retained their offices. It was the first of such move since Governor Udom Emmanuel, a banker-turned politician assumed office in 2015. Given the circumstances in which Governor Emmanuel took over from his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio, it was expected that he would inherit some commissioners and some members of the state executive council were actually appointed for him ahead of his inauguration on May 29, 2019. Since some of the commissioners have spent more than five years in office, the expectation has been that they should have exited the cabinet before now to give room for others to bring in fresh ideas on how to prosecute the governor’s completion agenda which is centred around industrialisation, job creation and development of infrastructure. In addition, some of the commissioners have been in the corridors of power for more than 12 years having started as chairmen of their various local government areas. For some, it was a deft move by the governor to assert himself as the person who is in charge, who calls the shots and who decides where the bucks stop. Also, it was seen as a bold attempt to break loose from the apron strings of his predecessor and to set up his governance structures ahead of 2023 general election. Yet others felt that it had little or nothing to do with repositioning the economy of the state as the key sectors that would impact economic activities were not affected in the exercise. For instance, the Ministry of Economic Development was not affected in the shake-up, same as the Ministry of Finance. However, the ministries of Education and Health had new commissioners; a development many believe was borne out of the urgent need for the two sectors to have a breath of fresh ideas. For the education sector, a lot is required in terms of infrastructure, teachers’ welfare and recruitment as well as policy direction. Last year, the state government organised stakeholders’ conference on education after much outcry but nothing has changed since then. The health sector, as it is known now, is facing the most critical moment with the outbreak of the coronavirus. For instance, one the commissioners who was sacked, Ekong Sampson and who was in charge of the ministry of Environment, is believed to have been in power since the inception of democracy in 1999 having started from the grassroots. Similarly, another commissioner, Iniobong Essien who was in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology until he was dropped was said to have been around since the Akpabio governorship era. So, it was a big relief in a way to bring in new faces into the cabinet, hoping that they would make the much-needed difference in turning around the economic fortunes of the state. In the cabinet reshuffle, some of the com-

Udom Emmanuel

missioners were also given appointment into higher offices of responsibility though they have exited the executive council, and it is believed that it was a call to service as a result of their hard work and commitment in their previous assignments. One of such commissioners was Nse Esssien who was in charge of the ministry of education but was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the state University at Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. In the same vein, the commissioner for health, Dominic Ukpong, a retired occupational health expert was appointed honorary special adviser on health matters while the commissioner for works, Ephraim Inyang was appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor. In the case of the former works commissioner, Inyang, it is widely held that he performed creditably given the resources available at the disposal of government. A clear example was the construction of various kilometres of roads across the state which he supervised as the commissioner for works and most importantly, the construction of the isolation centre at Ituk Mbang in Uruan council area. It was gleefully acknowledged that the isolation centre for coronavirus treatment built within a record time of one month was no mean a feat given that the centre was adjudged as “a world class” facility. However, with a number of roads yet uncompleted, it is believed that a lot is still required to be done in bringing all the projects initiated by the Udom administration to fruition. This, he acknowledged while handing over to his successor, Eno Ibanga. According to him, the ministry of works being a crucial department in the state due to the number of capital projects under its purview, “the success story of this government is dependent on the jobs executed and completed.” And perhaps, that was what informed the governor’s decision to appoint Eno James Ibanga, a professor of Engineering Physics and immediate past Vice Chancellor of the state university, as the new commissioner for works. Nevertheless, the decision of the governor to drop the former works commissioner has been greeted with mixed feelings. First, many believe that the governor by removing his right hand man from the ministry of

works has gone ahead to please “others” who had been his fiercest critics while at the same time denying his home local government area the position in the cabinet. Both Udom and the former works commissioner are from the same local government area. Another sector that received a new lease of life with the appointment of a new commissioner is the information ministry where Charles Udoh called the shots before his redeployment to the Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources. The development saw the appointment of Iniobong Ememobong as the new commissioner for information and strategy. Many have received this new appointment with excitement and relief, expressing the hope that the sector would witness a new vista in information management and partnership between the ministry and the media community in the state. It remains to be seen how this would play out in the coming months. Furthermore, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development saw a change of leadership with the redeployment of erstwhile commissioner, Glory Edet to the Ministry of Agriculture and the appointment of Ini Adiakpan as the new commissioner in charge of the ministry. Edet has been a member of the executive council since Akpabio era and late last year she was also made to supervise the ministry of agriculture when the former commissioner left. When Edet was made to be in charge of the ministry of agriculture in addition to the ministry of women affairs, it was a decision that did not go down well with many people in the state. It was seen as bringing “two strange bedfellows” together by asking one commissioner to take charge of the two ministries of diverse interest. Also, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs which was headed by Udo Ekpenyong was part of the changes which saw the appointment of Frank Archibong, a serving chairman of Eket Local Government Area as Ekpenyong’s replacement while he became the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). By the same token, Enobong Mbobo, a University lecturer and an economist, was appointed new commissioner for education, replacing Nse Essien who was named as the Vice Chancellor of the state University.

There are also some untouchables who were never redeployed or sacked in the exercise with some of some them having spent more than six years as members of the state executive council. For instance, Nsikak Linus Nkan, finance commissioner was not affected in the shake up, so also Akan Okon, commissioner for Ibom Deep Seaport and Economic Development though he has been around for quite a while having been first appointed by former Governor Akpabio. Perhaps, the decision by the Governor to have Akan Okon remain in office has to do with the commissioner’s given task of ensuring the delivery of the Ibom Deep Seaport project which his ministry supervises. Okon is believed to have done well while he was in charge of the ministry of aviation which saw the take off of the Ibom Air, a wholly owned airline of the state government. In all, three commissioners were relieved of their appointments, they are Iniobong Essien who was in charge of the ministry of science and technology; Ekong Sampson, formerly of the ministry of environment and Victor Bassey Unoka who headed the ministry of labour and manpower planning while eight new members of the executive council were appointed and sworn into office. Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government, in a statement said the appointments were made as part of efforts to “strengthen all organs of government for the actualisation of the governor’s completion agenda.” While many would want a level of synergy between the new helmsmen and their respective ministries and the larger society, others do not feel so enthused by the changes given that the governor during the swearing in ceremony had given an indication that he would carry out another cabinet shake up by December. This means that a lot is still being expected from the cabinet members. One newly appointed commissioner, Augustine Umoh, a provost of the college of health sciences, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, who was named to be in charge of the health ministry takes over from Dominic Ukpong who had been embroiled in a faceoff with the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association over the management of Covid-19. It was one appointment that many felt was in order to end the imbroglio. With the current administration having less than three years to execute all its programmes, much is the expectation from the governor and members of the state executive council. For instance, such projects as the car assembly plant, the superhighway project linking many coastal local government areas to the Ibom Deep Seaport and the coconut refinery project are all still in the pipeline waiting to be fully implemented. Of particular interest is the Ibom deep seaport which has the potential of creating many jobs and boosting the revenue profile of the state and federal governments as well as expanding port infrastructure. It is one project that is keenly being awaited. There are other projects to be executed which centre on the Victor Attah International Airport and the establishment of a flight training schools. In a commitment during the presentation of the Completion Agenda before his election for a second term last year, the governor had pledged to improve upon the gains in his first term and “overcome challenges and secure a greater future for our state by surpassing our past superior performance.” Perhaps, this is central to what the people expect from Governor Emmanuel and the new members of the state executive council.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Politics More than gubernatorial election in Edo as state Assembly turned into battle ground Iniobong Iwok

s preparations for the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State intensify, the political tension in the state has aggravated in recent days, between the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his main rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obaseki’s second term bid has been assailed by disturbances, and war of attrition against political foes who have determined to see his back out of the Government House without him having a chance for a second term. For a very long time now, Obaseki has been at loggerheads with his predecessor and erstwhile benefactor, Adams Oshiomhole, who until recently was the national chairman of the ruling APC. After Obaseki’s controversial disqualification from the APC primary election believed to have been influenced by Oshiomhole and the subsequent emergence of Ize-Iyamu as the APC candidate, it seems Oshiomhole, appears hell-bent on making sure that Obaseki is defeated in the September 19 gubernatorial election or perhaps, removed from office before the election. One of such moves was last Thursday’s attempts by some pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers to forcefully take over the state Assembly. Trouble started when lawmakers in the camp of Oshiomhole, led by Yekini Idiaye, the deputy speaker, endorsed Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers and thereafter, relaunched the move for their inauguration. It was said that the lawmakers took their oath of office at a hidden location in the state last Thursday. Their intention may not be clear, however, but sources say they were mandated to remove Obaseki just one month to the gubernatorial election. A faction loyal to the governor had been in charge of the Assembly while the loyalists of Oshiomhole were left out despite attempts to hijack the inauguration and possibly remove Obaseki. Few hours after their removal, Frank Okiye Speaker of the Assembly had raised the alarm that there was a plot to forcefully take over the Assembly. On Thursday morning, security operatives stormed the Assembly complex, which led to a protest by indigenes of the state and supporters of the governor. Speaker of the House and loyalist of Governor Obaseki, Frank Okiye had alleged that the national leadership of the APC was behind the action of the security operatives. “The Edo State House of Assembly condemns any attempt to operate the House of Assembly complex at ring road, currently undergoing renovation as the inaugurated members and the Speaker have relocated the House via a

Adams Oshiomhole

Godwin Obaseki

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

letter widely circulated to a new address at Dennis Osadebay Avenue,” Okiye had said. Governor Obaseki had also stormed the Assembly complex with his Deputy, Philip Shaibu and hundreds of supporters, in a show of wits, asserting that no business of legislature would ever take place at the complex until after the forthcoming election. According to him, “I want to assure you that as governor of the state, I will do everything within my power to protect the sovereignty of the House. “For us as Executive, we will use the instrument available to us constitutionally to protect the House and the state. “Nigeria is governed by the constitution and President Muhammadu Buhari has always said we must follow the rule of law and do things according to the law,” he said. To give vent to his pronouncement, Obaseki immediately directed that the roof of the Assembly Complex be pulled down, even as tipper loads of sands and granite were being off-loaded at the complex to begin massive rehabilitation that would make it impossible for legislative business in the near term. But Ize-Iyamu, in a statement by Chairman of APC campaign council in the state, John Mayaki, debunked allegations that Oshiomhole and the Federal Government brought Police from Abuja to block the Edo Assembly complex. He accused Obaseki of carrying out several onslaughts against the constitutional independence of the legislative arm of government by attacking its members-elect and denying them representation. Ize-Iyamu insisted that the governor was responsible for numerous other sieges on the Assembly complex, and that he was in the best position to tell the world who was behind the Police blockade on the Assembly. According to him, “It is a known fact

that the outgoing Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has treated the House of Assembly, an independent and co-equal branch of government, as a mere extension of his office through the brutalisation of members-elect and the denial of representation to the majority of members. “In Gestapo style, the outgoing governor hijacked a tiny minority and purportedly inaugurated them in the dead of the night. “The sham inauguration was condemned and set aside by both arms of the National Assembly after their separate investigations revealed that the members, and indeed the Clerk, were forced to participate in the illegality under threat to life”. With a few weeks left to the gubernatorial election in the state, political observers are, however, worried about

the aggravating political tension in Edo State and its implication for a peaceful conduct of the September 19 election. Currently, there are fears in some quarters that the situation in the state would worsen and could lead to serious chaos if not checked in the next few weeks as the two camps attempt to gain superiority and public support ahead of the polls. Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and their candidates that there would be no result if there is violence in the election; observers say that the electoral body and security agencies must go beyond lip service and make sure that there is punishment for anyone found causing trouble in the state before and during the election. “At this stage, it is do-or-die, the political life of so many of them is at stake and it is going to crash if they lose. It is only stupid people that would allow himself, to be used,” Tade Ademola, a political commentator, said. “In the next four years, you would see that some of them would come together. But we need to ask, are they fighting a just cause or are they fighting for their personal interest and survival? “Government has a responsibility to make sure that the atmosphere is conducive and peaceful for the voters” Ademola further said. A political pundit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the Edo gubernatorial election would not be different from others since 2015. “If you have followed the pattern of elections in the country since 2015, it has been violence-prone. A lot is at stake in the Edo election, both on the side of the APC and the PDP. They are simply testing their might. In fact, the election means more to Oshiomhole than to IzeIyamu. They are going to use intimidation. It is going to be a serious fight; we are already seeing that,” the analyst said.

The sham inauguration was condemned and set aside by both arms of the National Assembly after their separate investigations revealed that the members, and indeed the Clerk, were forced to participate in the illegality under threat to life

Sunday 09 August 2020

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Politics Nigeria is disintegrating, we must sit down and discuss now - Ogunbanjo Olatokunbo Ogunbanjo, who represented Ogun East in the Senate between 2003 and 2007, was also the secretary of the Southern Senators’ Forum and a founding member of the Institute of Legal Practice Managers UK. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he spoke on the state of the nation, the worsening insecurity, among other issues. Excerpts:

What is your take on the state of insecurity and killings in Nigeria? t is a cause for concern, whether it is in Southern Kaduna or any other place. Whether it is one person killed or two, it is not something that any government should be proud of. It is alarming; this is not something that the citizens should be content with. The paramount objective of government is to provide security. Nobody wants to see this happen. But are you surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari has not sacked the service chiefs despite pressure from Nigerians? It is not the responsibility of the army to provide internal security; it is the job of the police and obviously the police have not been able to do what is necessary to curtail all the killings. The army can only come in when we have external aggression; we are back to the days of the military. It is politicking that allows us to be using the army for internal security. But this brings to the fore the demand from everybody about the need for state police. The police are the one in charge of security internally and the army should not be playing the role that they are playing now. There is a need for more investigation and new methods and that is the work of the police. But when there is external aggression, like what is happening in the North East army can then come in. But obviously they are not using the right strategies; because this thing has been going on for some time, ten, twelve years or so; they need to review their strategies and do something. If the service chiefs have exceeded their tenure in office they should go. I don’t know if there are people who are below them that they have brought up and have the ability to do this, but it is very bad because this administration promised to tackle insecurity in the country. What is your assessment of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s five years in office? I don’t know many Nigerians, who are satisfied with Buhari’s performance. When he came on board in 2015 we received him with open arms; because things were not going right, we all welcomed Buhari to government and we thought there would be a new direction for discipline, security and probity in Nigeria but so far, it does not seem these have happened after five years in power. What areas do you expect him to give priority? The number one thing is security of lives and property; everybody now feels insecure in Nigeria. You don’t want to travel on the road, except it is absolutely necessary. If that is sorted out we can begin to talk about other things. You can’t run an economy, when the country is not secured; how do businesses thrive when I cannot go round and monitor them safely? The whole place is just unsafe. The other day I was reading about some countries advising their citizens here on the states they should not visit in Nigeria; it appears almost a third of the country is no go areas. It means something is wrong if such advice is coming from abroad about us. Nobody is safe everywhere.

tion and I believe in oscillatory rotation. What I mean is that if the presidency is in the North and North West when it comes to the South, it should either come to South East or South West; when it goes back to the North it should go to the North East, when it comes back to the South it should go to the South West. So, with this there would be fairness and all regions can have opportunity to rule. But if not I can tell you that no one from the South- South-south would become President because of numerical minority. Every time a Yoruba man comes out Yoruba people would vote for him. Let’s forget about competency, Nigeria is not ripe for that; if it is rotated to the South we find them.

Olatokunbo Ogunbanjo

Being a former member; what is your assessment of the performance of the National Assembly? I personally don’t think that the National Assembly has met the expectation of Nigerians. The perception among Nigerians is that they are not doing what is right, though it is predominantly dominated by one party. The primary role of lawmakers is to make laws, but now the revelations coming out of the NDDC smell a lot; it is too bad. A situation where lawmakers are hand-in-glove with the executive is bad. If you point at the number of people involved and the amount, it is shocking and the NDDC is not the only agency in the country, we don’t know what they would come out with when they go to another agency. This means that the entire country is the same; all this corruption is abominable. In cutting the cost of governance can lawmaking be on par time basis? You know there is what we call the National Salaries and Wages Commission; they recommend salaries of lawmakers. It is not the National Assembly that set its own salaries and allowance that is where we have to look at it from. If you look at it in real time the National Assembly is the scapegoat, I mean the corruption that people are talking about. But I think the real issue is with the civil service; there is nothing that can be done without the civil servants being involved. They, to me, are ones behind the bulk of the real corruption but the National Assembly is just the whipping boys. I am not saying that they are not part of what is going on like we have seen, what I am saying is that the civil servants are part of it. As a lawmaker, I cannot go and do anything without the knowledge of the civil servant. People talk about constituency projects, but people have forgotten that it is just to give a dog a bad name. Constituency projects came about because a lot of people go to the National Assembly and throughout their stay

they could not influence a project to their constituency they tend to be hijacked by the leadership and committees’ chairmen. So, it was initiated so that lawmakers can say at the end of the day I have done these projects in my constituency and the amount budgeted for such was N50 million, but I don’t know what it is today. So, you can say I need this and that in my constituency within the money; but in order to give a dog a bad name they are crucifying the lawmakers. In real time, nobody knows what the Ministers, heads of parastatals are earning in Nigeria and that is where the graft is. Look at the NDDC; and the number of people involved in this, but the federal lawmakers were able to go there and discover the fraudulent acts and ask questions. The real corruption is in the agencies. So you are not surprised with revelations in the NDDC and EFCC? The impression I get is that there is really no oversight by the President on the entire agencies, you would realise when you check. If you have a company and you don’t check what your managers are doing and they are getting away with all sorts of things; they found out that the MD is not doing anything they know you would not sack them. It is the same here; why should all these people be worried about the National Assembly probe? But I am surprised why the National Assembly has not said we would not fund any project in the Ministry next year. You have a situation where they call a Minister and he refused to come, they should simply keep quiet and say in the next budgeting, your Ministry would not be funded. You can see what they are doing in America. They said they would not fund the police again, it means the police cannot function because there is no money. What is your take on zoning of the presidency in 2023? I believe that we must have zoning, rota-

What is your take on alleged lopsided appointments in the current administration? Yes, this is one of the problems of this National Assembly; we have the Federal Character Commission they really should have taken them to task on that; it is not right. What happens when the President comes to the South East and he now populates everywhere with people from his region. That is what they are setting themselves for; if the next leader does the same you can’t question him. What is happening is wrong, people are bitter. What the ethnic leaders did recently by taking Buhari to court is right, even if they don’t succeed; they have sent a message to him. Are you still in PDP or have you defected to the APC? I don’t believe in cross-carpeting and looking for political relevance. I was in PDP, I have stepped aside since 2017 and I am on the side-lines, just like the late Bola Ige said; ‘I dey sit down dey look’. But naturally, my sympathy is still with the party I was in before, even though I don’t attend their functions. I am not the type of person that would say this is the ruling party let me go there, no. I want a situation where we would move forward; we must restructure the country. I was part of the constitution review and I believe the present constitution must change for this country to survive. Unless some people are hell bent on discontinuing what we call Nigeria, we must sit down and discuss; the country is disintegrating So you would not contest any election soon? No, it is not my intention, but I would certainly lend my voice to what would set things right. I want fairness, equity and justice; everybody should have a sense of belonging and that is what I have been doing. My fear on a spiritual level is that we are heading to a crescendo, unless there is some sort of intervention but that can only come from inner desires of everybody. My fear is that toward 2021 the signs would be clear. There is a need for an intervention for the positive good of the country. But Bola Tinubu is said to be interested in the presidency in 2023. Would you not support him? Everybody can aspire. I don’t know if anybody’s interest would be achieved. But my personal sense of fairness is that, if we are going to continue like this, the presidency should come to the South and it should go to the South East.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Travel Yibo Koko: Rewriting Rivers tourism narrative Obinna Emelike

ruly, Yibo Koko, director general/chief executive officer, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), is many things rolled into one. But the most urgent goal on his mind is to deliver on the assignment given to him by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration. For this reason, he is pushing for a N100 billion grand scheme that is set to change the narrative of the state, using culture and tourism. Moreover, it is difficult to stamp a single title on Koko. To some, he is one of the top comedians who gained fame on the Opa Williams’ ‘Nite of A Thousand Laughs’ show and also publicised musical comedy genre. To another set, he is a prominent filmmaker with movies such as ‘A Clean Woman’, which fetched him accolades including an Outstanding Achievement in Film Making Award at the 42nd Brooklyn Arts Council International Film Festival, Long Island University, New York. In the creative space, he goes by a slew of titles: concept designer, creative consultant to mention a few. Perhaps, the most popular appellation that people easily connect with is a dramatist. The graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, who was once head of production at African Magic MNET West Africa, is famous for his theatre productions, particularly ‘Seki’, the dance drama, which Koko created and directed 23 years ago. The drama was originally performed as Owu-Amapu-Ti and had its first showing at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on May 27, 1998. ‘Seki’ has over the years become an identity, a badge of honour for the Niger Delta region, traversing different cultures to bring to the stage the spectacular colours, clatter and culture of the riverine region. It was the preferred choice for the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) opening performance, and when the company wanted to entertain its Big Brother Naija contestants last year on Nigeria’s rich culture, ‘Seki’ was the best option. Beyond the drama and splendour, ‘Seki’ is multilayered with historical themes. “Seki as a dance form is designed to elicit in the audience a nostalgic feeling of pristine proportions,” he explains. “To achieve this objective in design, the scripting of Seki, took into cognizance the traditional ethos of the Ijaws, Igbanis, Ikwerres, Ogonis, Ogbas, Egbemas, Ndonis and others of the old Rivers State. Select distinct dances and songs, masquerades displays were put together to retell a narrative almost obfuscated by the vagaries of modernity as expressed in pop culture, among others, which almost annihilated or render extinct the rich cultural mores of a people vibrant for their allegiance to their cultural heritage.” A notable draft of history presented in the drama is the origin of the American tap dance. Koko argues that the dance, popularised globally by African Americans, in the

Yibo Koko, director general and chief executive officer, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA). salty 19th century, came from the old Rivers State in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria with the use of the Igbiri (traditional rattle). “The unique sound that issues from the Igbiri transcends the American antecedence of the tap dancers’ shoes historically,” he says. Dance is inarguably deeply ingrained in Koko’s DNA. It is not unlikely to find him giving tutorial classes on cultural dances on social media. However, with ‘Seki’, the dramatist’s ultimate goal is to change the narrative of the Niger Delta as an area rife with militancy. “Ostensibly, the Niger Delta question has moved from rhetoric and is gradually assuming historic proportions,” he says. “The narrative of the region has generated and dominated discourse in different fora with stakeholders, gatekeepers and concerned or interested citizens proffering solutions or proactive measures toward addressing the issues confronting the region. “One of the early forms of agitation was intellectual (dialogue), which threw up issues of resource control, 13 percent derivation and fiscal federalism. Despite these proposals, one of which was approved, 13 percent derivation, coupled with the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta charged solely with the development and deployment of the resources derivable from the region for its overall benefit and development, these rather gave rise to violent agitation, resulting in pipeline vandalism and illegal refining of crude. “These activities have further destroyed the ecosystem in this region. It is bad as it can be, presently. But one can only imagine what the future holds for our children. A journey through our communities and creeks would tell the story of a future that awaits us.” The more he ponders on the

devastating state of his region, the more he queries past actions. “Wither the humongous sums already released over the last few years for the development of the region? How and for what were these monies deployed into by our leaders? One-kilometer road that lasts but for a season and breaks down due to poor quality work? Or the servicing of political appointees?” He adds, “However, as a region, we must be real with ourselves to say; we are miles behind in terms of development (structures and infrastructure). Blaming it on the difficult ‘terrain’ would not suffice.” The urgency to change that perception, which in recent times is on a lower level has notched up since Koko was appointed the new director general, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) o ‪ n January 2, 2020. It is not the first time he is working with his state government. He was the creative consultant to the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism conceptualizing and designing the rebirth of the state’s carnival popularly called CARNIRIV in 2008.

With his new appointment, Koko did not waste time rolling up his sleeves. He rises before the sun, crafting creative ways to market Rivers State; the drilling well of most oil companies in the country to the world. Not even the capricious coronavirus pandemic, which has an adverse effect on tourism globally, intimidated Koko’s fired up ambition. The stage performer devised ways to promote his cause, leveraging on social media to hold conversations that will advance his mission. Koko is convinced that the effective way to heal the bleeding region is to advance the creative economy. “From the foregoing, it is fundamental to note that whereas the Niger Delta is blessed with numerous cerebral minds, we seem not to have made the most of these intangible assets. To that end, we have thoroughly considered solutions preferred and assessed their impact and concluded that in this age and time, violent agitation should give way to the Creative Economy (Green and Blue Economy). This concept is hinged on the fact that globally today, it is the knowledge capacity, not so much of natural resources that holds sway,” he states. He is convinced that tourism in Rivers has the potential to generate over N100 billion annually with the possibility of expanding to trillions of naira in a few years. Koko takes his new assignment very seriously and he is throwing all the wealth of knowledge that he has acquired over the years into it. Because of his understanding of Governor Nyesom Wike’s drive to diversify the economy of the state through exploration and exploitation of the abundant money-spinning potentials in the state, Koko has chosen to run with the governor’s vision by aligning with the revenue base financing stimulus programme. He is convinced that revenue based financing is the most progressive economic stimulus instrument to reboot tourism to boost the IGR profile of the state by up to 50 percent. RBF is basically an investment vehicle deployed by financial institutions (banks) to finance bankable marketplace commodities. In this case, RSTDA is presenting culture and tourism commodities from each of 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

Colourful regatta, one of the cultural heritage of Rivers State.

In his calculation, Koko is targeting 10 culture and tourism products per local government area for a guaranteed return on investment. He explained, “It is not a loan or a grant, it is simply a marketplace fiscal instrument using shared revenue-partnerships to deploy strategic commodities with a high profitability profile for the investing partners. The RSTDA –Revenue based-finance strategy drives 10 commercial banks to finance 10 tourism commodity marketplaces with N100 Billion economic stimulus across a four-year structured investment framework at a guaranteed 100 percent revenue rate of return”. So how does it work? Koko is working with a team of tourism industry consultants to create arts and culture tourism –marketplace mobile app, called ‘Tourivarian’. With this in place, they will deploy 10 Heritage Tourism Commodities across 50 weeks of mobile ‘tourivarian festivals to connect two million smart culture citizens in Rivers State. This will generate in excess of N500 billion as tourism marketplace revenue. So, will the money come from the state government? “No!” Koko stated emphatically. What he needs is the start-up fund, tools and equipment for the agency. The good news is that his scheme may be a major plank of Governor Nyesom Wike’s plan to reform restive youths. He supports his proposed solution with studies that postulate that there is a decline in the production and investment in Nigeria crude oil production due to oil theft and insecurities. For long, the creative industry has been relegated but since its rapid growth in the past few years, including contributing to the Gross Domestic Product of the country, there has been an increased interest in Nollywood that was acclaimed the second biggest employer in Nigeria by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). With oil losing its relevance in a pandemic ridden era, Koko’s proposal for a creative economy might be welcoming to pundits who have for long campaigned for the revival of the arts scene in the state. Though the creative artist has been actively engaging informed persons from different parts of the industry on Instagram with the RSTDA Chats, he is using his ‘Seki’ dance as a touchpoint to promote his cause. “We have pioneered and pushed a fresh narrative for the region through the Seki Dance Drama in what we style ‘Creative Economy: A Region Beyond Oil,’” he says. “Through our performances thus far, we have proven that the majority of youths who have become cheap recruits for oil bunkering, cultism, kidnapping and political thuggery can be creatively engaged and their latent talents harnessed. “We have discovered that the creative industry is a huge canopy that can accommodate all manner of professionals from administrators, engineers, marketers, accountants, designers, to make up artists. This can also ameliorate the unemployment rate among a teeming tribe of graduates,” he explains.

BDSUNDAY Sunday 09 August 2020

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BDSUNDAY 15

Travel Ten countries reopening their borders to international visitors Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

or many of us, the idea of a holiday has never been more appealing. After months of lockdown and the inevitable cancellation of trips abroad, some countries are beginning to welcome international visitors back to their shores and the UK has finally lifted its ban on overseas travel. It’s not exactly a back-to-normal situation just yet - masks are still required on all flights and the government has said it will impose a two-week quarantine period from any arrivals where covid cases start to increase, which is what happened in Spain in late July. Many places still require proof of a negative covid test, or evidence of a temperature test. Italy Italy opened to international visitors from 3 June. After this date, which is dependent on whether or not there is a spike in new cases, tourists will not be required to quarantine upon arrival. Restaurants, cafes and bars are gradually opening with social-distancing measures still in

place. Sicily is encouraging visitors back to the sun-drenched island by reducing accommodation rates from autumn onwards. Turkey Turkey has opened its borders to international visitors, including the UK, and for the first time ever, British tourists will not need a visa to gain entry, nor will they need to selfisolate upon arrival. The country has also launched the Safe Tourism Certification Programme to ensure that it upholds the highest hygiene and health standards both for staff

Pending suit doesn’t affect operations, sale of aircraft – Med-View MD

he management of MedView Airline has said that the pending suit by Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al Thunayan, the Chairman of the airline, does not affect its operation, sale or leasing of any aircraft by the carrier. Muneer Bankole, the Managing Director, Med-View Airline in a statement to journalists in Lagos, however, confirmed that Thuanayan had a suit bothering on nonpayment of dividends to him at the Federal High Court, Lagos. Bankole explained that the Board of Directors of the airline at a meeting held on June 15, 2020, resolved to sell two of the company’s aircraft – Boeing B737-400 with the registration number: 5N-MAA and B737-400 with the registration number: 5N-MAB in order to reduce the company’s credit facility with First Bank, its banker. He noted that the decision was also aimed at restrategising its operations by acquiring two lower capacity aircraft. He explained that this was necessary following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, which collapsed many of the global economies, including the Nigerian aviation industry. He added: “The resolution was made pursuant to the request of our banker, First Bank for the company to liquidate or reduce its indebtedness to the bank. “The bank has also promised to

continue its unwavering support to acquire the two aircraft even with their approval of the sale of 5N-MAA and 5N-MAB.” According to him, the directors of the airline were all notified of the meeting, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange Commission (NSE), stressing that this was in-line with the regulations guiding quoted companies. Bankole emphasised that by the virtue of the existing Deed of Aircraft Mortgage and De- Registration Power of Attorney between Med-View Airline Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the latter was the Sole Mortgagee that could exercise all relevant legal rights over the said aircraft. He noted that in the exercise of its legal rights therefore, the bank considered and approved the sale of the two aircraft with the sale’s proceeds applied towards part liquidation of Med-View’s exposure to the financial institution. “This clarification becomes necessary therefore to inform interested purchasers of the two aircraft. “First Bank in exercise of its lien power as the sole mortgagee therefore has the competence and capacity to approve the sale of the 5N-MAA and 5N-MAB aircraft. “Interested persons and organisations should therefore submit/ conclude their offers for consideration and acceptance accordingly,” he said.

dealing with tourists and the tourists themselves. Kenya Kenya has reopened to international visitors, so long as they submit a temperature test reading lower than 37.5°C (99.5°F) and show no other covid-19 related symptoms. The Kenyan government has stipulated that passengers arriving from specified countries require quarantine, but these do not include the UK. Iceland The government of Iceland has

announced that it expects to start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June, while from 15 May some professionals began arriving in the country including scientists, filmmakers and athletes who were eligible for a modified quarantine. Jamaica The vibrant and idyllic island of Jamaica is now open to all international visitors, providing you meet its travel authorisation criteria. All tourists must fill in its online form in which you’ll be asked to provide proof of testing negative for covid-19 if arriving from a high-risk country. Greece Greece reopened its doors to international visitors from 15 June, although Brits will not be granted access until 1 July at the earliest. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said visitors will not need to have undertaken a coronavirus test, nor will they have to be quarantined after arrival. Portugal Portugal has slowly started opening hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants over the past few weeks, and international arrivals are now permitted into the country. Some

health checks will be introduced at airports but there will be no compulsory quarantine for those flying in. Belize Beautiful Belize has one of the lowest rates of Covid-19 in the world, with 22 confirmed positive and two deaths, thanks to a pioneering in-house tracking, tracing, and reporting platform and a swift government response to the outbreak. Spain Spain - the second most visited country in the world after France -started deescalating its strict lockdown restrictions at the start of May, and welcomed international visitors from 21 June. “The worst is behind us,” Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya tweeted. Rwanda One-in-a-lifetime trips to Rwanda to see the gorillas can continue again. Following the reopening of domestic tourism and international charter flights on 17 June, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced that commercial flights will once again be welcomed back into the East African country from 1 August 2020. All visitors will be required to show proof of a negative covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arriving into the country.

NLC gives Turkish Airline, Air Peace, Bristow two weeks ultimatum over workers’ sack

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will not hesitate to mobilize the weight of the entire Nigerian workforce to the premises of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters if its demands to reinstate sacked workers in these organizations are not met within two weeks. The NLC in a letter signed by Ayuba Waba, its National President, condemned the recent sack of 69 Pilots by Air Peace, 100 Pilots by Bristow Helicopters and the National Union Association Transport Employees (NUATE) union executives working with Turkish Airline describing the move as highly insensitive, callous, and unjust. The statement read, “We call on the management of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters to reinstate all the sacked workers within two weeks. As agreed between labour and Employers’ Association, social dialogue should be used to resolve industrial concerns instead of the current resort to unilateralism. We will not hesitate to mobilize the weight of the

entire Nigerian workforce to the premises of Turkish Air, Air Peace and Bristow Helicopters if our demands are not met.” The NLC in the statement said, “The unilateral sack of executive members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) working with Turkish Airline is particularly distressing. These workers were sacked for fighting for the rights of Nigerian workers in Turkish Airline. “This is very reprehensible. We wish to remind Turkish Airline that unionized workers cannot be punished or sacked for participating in trade union activities. This action is aimed at frustrating unionization in Turkish Airline and to enslave Nigerians working with Turkish Airline. “The anti-labour practices in Turkish Airline constitute fundamental infractions on our Constitution and labour laws and a gross disrespect to Nigeria. Section 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association including the right to join and participate in the activities of trade unions.

“Furthermore Section 12 sub section 14 of Nigeria’s Trade Union (Amendment) Act 2005 provides for voluntary membership of trade unions and stipulates that no worker should be victimized for joining a trade union or participating in the activities of a trade union. We posit that the sack of NUATE executives working with Turkish Airline violates their human and trade union rights. On the case of the sacked pilots and other categories of workers by Air Peace, the NLC said it was unfortunate and the management of Air Peace has fully exploited the atmosphere of industrial tyranny in Air Peace which forbids workers from joining trade unions to strike this fatal blow on the livelihood and career of the sacked workers. He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress warns that the absence of unions in Air Peace will not stop NLC from fighting for the rights of the sacked workers. We will fight for the reinstatement of the sacked workers and for workers’ unionization in Air Peace. Enough is enough.”

16BDSUNDAY

Guest: Dr. Kemi DaSilvaIbru Occupation: Consultant Specialist : Obstetrics & Gynecology Founder, Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF)

e m i Da -Si l va - Ib r u passionate about Gender Based Violence and she is a highly intelligent woman I love to have conversations with. She was recently on my live show where she shared on domestic violence, coping in this Covid-19 pandemic season, reporting abuse and others. Rape Crisis Centre Our sexual assault centre is a facility that we run in the organisation under our health pillar. It's a walk-in facility, it offers free services and it's

primarily a survival center. All the services that we have at the centre is targeted towards the safety and wellbeing of all women and children that visit us who are at risk. We have a full time staff of 11, we offer free medical treatment, we have forensic medical examination because we do have trained forensic examiners. We are able to immediately offer testing such as the HIV test, pregnancy test, and other sexually transmitted diseases, we are able to offer treatment in terms of preventing the exposure to HIV by giving the post exposure drugs and the morning after pill to prevent pregnancy. With the assistance of our trained counsellor, we offer counselling services to start the process of emotional healing. Our counselling services are either one-on-one or group counselling on a monthly basis, and now that we have the pandemic, we're able to offer virtual counseling services every weekend. Beyond the traditional services

EDITOR Kemi Ajumobi Email: kemi@businessdayonline.com TEAM: Desmond Okon Osaromena Ogbeide Designed by Aderemi Ayeni

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of a sexual assault referral center, we're privy to the fact that Nigeria is not an enabling environment and many women don't have the additional services of being assured of safety and even accommodation because, typically, the home might be the places of risk, and the perpetrator might be a care giver. We also incorporate social welfare services at the WARIF centre. We're able to identify a woman's needs socially, we're able to offer her accommodations and shelter if she needs it, we're able to offer her legal services if she's seeking justice, and we also look at her vocational skills because, sadly, women in our environment tend to make poor choices because they're financially constrained. Because of the culture of silence that accompanies rape, and sexual violence, women are reluctant to come to the centre. They're filled with shame because her family and t he community have them carry on the act that was perpetrated on her. She'd been made to feel ashamed like she's an active participant in the crime. We also offer a 24hr confidential helpline service, we offer, through our social media platforms, direct message services, and a live chat through our website. Survivors that are not yet ready to walk in can use any of these platforms where they can continue to receive care and remain anonymous and all the services are free. Common forms of gender based violence Based on the statistics that we collate, on average, 78 percent of the survivors are minors. These are young girls typically under the age of 18. So, child sexual abuse would probably be the largest percentage of types of gender based violence we see at the centre, we certainly see rapes which is the most pervasive form of GBV, we also see different forms of violence under the auspices of sexual assault. So, perhaps the act was not penetrative, but certainly, it was violent and not agreed upon by the participants. In addition to that, we also assist with sex-trafficked young girls. We work with the NAPTIP agency, so, when young girls are rescued from destination countries and brought back, we're able to assist them with counselling so that they can be reintegrated back into their communities. We also see the baby farming survivors, these are young girls forced to sell their children at the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market because of personal constraints or because the family are too ashamed to accept the fact that this young girl is pregnant. So, there are different faces to GBV, and the sad truth is, at the centre,

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over the last three and a half years, we've probably seen them all, the youngest we've had is probably age three and the oldest is 68. We've seen all different types in terms of the characteristics of a woman; whether it's her socio-economic class, educational level, religious affiliations, her race, and her age... there is no criteria. Rape happens because we have rapists. What is your organisation doing to help prevent GBV? In addition to the services we offer under the intervention, we also work under the additional pillars, we have the educational pillar where we offer preventative programmes to age-specific audiences. We have educational programmes that we take in to secondary schools. These are programmes that are targeted towards the girls of ages between 12 and 16. So, she begins to appreciate what GBV is, she is able to recognise when there are groomers who are typically perpetrators that come not in the form of a perpetrator but in the form of accepting adult; we're able to identify with her the signs and empower her with necessary information that she needs. We also work with the boy child of the same age because we have to remember that you cannot address GBV if you don't include boys and men in the conversation. So, we then take this specially designed programmes into boys schools in order to change their narrative. Because that potential young boy, if he's not mentored, if he's not shown the difference between right and wrong, he'll grow and become a perpetrator. Then we look at the university, we have different sets of problems in the university. We have sex-for-grades because the schools authorities participate in these acts of violence. We have peer pressure; we have different groups in the university. So, we started to work with universities and presently, we have an ongoing pro g ra m m e w i t h t he EU -U N Spotlight Initiative where we're offering virtual classroom sessions on the prevention of campus sexual violence. We have signed up almost 2,000 students from over 100 universities in Nigeria taking these courses. Under the community service, we work with both the rural and urban communities. Rural communities experience sexual violence, half of Nigeria is still in the rural environment recognising that they may not have access to the internet and not hear the services that we offer, we take these services to them. So, we go into these communities and implement programmes where we identify gatekeepers and respected members of the community and educate and train them. We have local midwives who are health care providers in these communities but do not recognise how to address sexual violence cases. So, we train them as first responders. We've trained over a thousand of these women, mostly

Sunday 9 August 2020 Sunday 09 August 2020

in our rural communities across the state. We also look at religious leaders because they play pivotal role in mediating many of these cases. So, we needed to educate them on so that they continue to be aware of what's going on. Then we look at the law enforcement, because we need a strong law enforcement that recognises that this is a national crisis. We started a gender sensitisation programme for the police officers and trained almost 800 of them. What's WARIF's respons e to COVID-19? We have two programmes in the rural area: The WARIF Response in Rural Communities where our traditional birth attendants we trained were engaged to go back to the communities. The first cycle of the WARIF Rural Community Programme was able to sensitise 10,900 individuals in various households. These are women that ordinarily wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to assistance, but with the door-todoor visits, they were able to receive the care that we offer. In the urban setting, we have the volunteer programme where we go into urban settings and public areas sensitising and highlighting issues of GBV that has gone up during the pandemic and the first cycle which we visited five local governments, we were able to sensitise almost 10,000 individuals. These programmes are targeting different settings, but they are highlighting the issues and offering the assistance needed. Ensuring safety at WARIF Centre The facility itself is a stand-alone facility that's guarded. With regards to the safety and confidentiality and security of all the survivors that come and visit us, that is assured. Every single frontline worker at the WARIF Centre has to be kitted with the Personal Protective equipment (PPE). The other protocol that we have in place is the physical distancing; we ensure that our follow up appointments are spaced to ensure that survivors don't meet each other. When we have walk-in visitors, we ensure that they are placed in such a way that there is at least two metres between them. Every survivor and worker that comes to the centre has to have their temperature checked, has to wear a mask otherwise they are not allowed into the premises and we designate areas where we have our hand sanitizers and we encourage that that is used frequently. Gender Based Violence (Gbv) The first thing to recognise is that when we talk about GBV, we many at times used that interchangeably with violence against women. The truth is, GBV affects both gender, but, of course, with women being the most vulnerable group, we say one in four girls before the age of 18 in Nigeria would at least have experienced one violent sexual encounter.

Sunday 9 August 2020 Sunday 09 August 2020

But we must also remember that one in ten boys are also survivors of rape and sexual violence, and they would also have experienced one sexual encounter before the age of 18. The focus of protecting women is one that is familiar across the world because global statistics have also confirmed that girls and women are more vulnerable. When we talk about protecting girls, when we talk about protecting boys, we also have to understand that perpetrators can be both male and female. But because traditionally, perpetrators are males, we tend to focus more on how to protect that female survivor from the male perpetrator. Sadly, young girls in homes of violence become immune to the violence because, it's one that they

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see every day and as such, they begin to internalise it and assume that it's normal. So, when you start to violate a young child from age two and three, the sad truth is that, by the time she's a teenager, she is accustomed to the pain, the guilt and shame. In her world, it is expected and that is what the rape culture and socialisation of GBV has done to us. Likewise, a young boy in a home where all he sees around him is violence against women and no one is there to correct or change that view, again, when he becomes a teenager, he begins to process that this is the norm. And by the time he grows into adulthood, he begins to perpetrate these acts of violence himself.

Unripe Plantain Porridge

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Peel the ripe plantain, chop into cubes and set aside. 2. Peel the unripe plantains, chop into cubes and put in a pot filled with 8 cups of water then place over a lit up stove and start cooking 3. Chop half of 1 onion and add to the pot with 1/2 cup of crayfish and bouillon powder to taste. Allow to cook.

Would you say the laws in Nigeria are effectively supporting this course? Without doubt, our laws are outdated; we know that, with regards to the GBV, specifically rape and sexual assault. We know that traditionally, our laws use different languages. The focus was on the female gender. They never included the male gender until recently. The focus was on a single perpetrator,

Stir and turn off the heat. Food is ready. Enjoy

Sometimes unripe plantains can be tricky to peel the skins. Here’s what I do. Cut off the two ends then make 5 vertices slits from top to bottom and pull. Easy Peasy?

Easy Beef Stir Fry and Vegetables

4. While you wait, chop up onions and pepper and prepare my ultimate onion-pepper medley sauce recipe. 5. About 10 mins into the cook time, add the diced ripe plantain into the pot. 6. 2 mins to the end of cooking time, add the chopped red bell pepper and mix in 7. the onion-pepper sauce, stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust accordingly. 8. If you chose to use green vegetables like kale or spinach,

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they never included the fact that you could be gang-raped. The focus was on the time you're given to report the crime. You're given a finite period of time. This is why the VAPP Act that we're hearing so much about is so relevant because it is an amendment of our laws and this was implemented in 2015. The challenge is trying to domesticate our laws across all 36 states so that there is a

harmonised law that recognises that, if you are a perpetrator and you are apprehended and successfully convicted, then it is life imprisonment and that's where we are in the GBV space trying to emphasise the need for all states to domesticate these amended laws. Today, with the VAPP Act, we have 14 states out of the 36 and still counting. Now when you ask is enough being done? In my opinion, this is the very first time it has been recognised as a national crisis. We have the First Ladies of the federation coming together to form a group: The Nigerian Governors Wives Against

BDSUNDAY17 Gender-based Violence. A lot needs to be done, but certainly, so much more is being done now. How to call for help We have exactly, that safety protocol at the WARIF Centre. We have a 24hr confidential helpline manned by qualified counsellors. We have practical safety measures that we highlight on all our platforms so that when you call in, you will immediately start to recognise that the person at the end of the phone is there for you and there is counselling if you need counselling. There are buzz words that the person will say to you because he's aware that you may not be able to tell your story because your perpetrator is a hundred yards from you. The counsellor may say to you, 'if you are in danger, say to me,' call you later'', and by repeating those words, the counsellor will immediately know that you're in imminent danger. So, we have that exact protocol and safety measure already in place and we have found them to be effective. For those women that are just seeking advice, we immediately give them practical measures. We say to 'identify who your safe space is, is it a neighbour or family member?' put that number on speed dial, 'identify confidential helpline like the WARIF line, so that you can call if you are in danger,' 'pack a small bag, keep it hidden from your abuser in case you need to run,' 'have money stored a bit in the home or make sure you have somebody outside looking in on you,' 'say to your safe person,' call me every day at a particular time. If I don't pick up, know there is a problem.' So, these are safety measures that we educate and highlight when we speak to survivors.

Ingredients (Base Sauce)

1. Mix the base sauce contents together and set aside.

•

2. Heat up skillet, add oil, begin to stir fry beef cuts.

NOTES

INGREDIENTS 6 fingers of unripe plantain 1 finger semi ripe or ripe plantain 2 medium sized onions 1 habenero pepper 1 medium red bell pepper 1 cup Palm oil Salt / bouillon powder to taste 2-3 handful kale leaves optional 8 cups of water 1/2 cup of coarsely ground crayfish

To be able to stop this cycle, we need to identify the right time in the growth of this young boy. The most formative years are between the ages of 12 and 16 and this is the time where you are most susceptible when it comes to forming your ideas and mindsets that will carry you on through adulthood. So what WARIF has done is to design a specific educational programme referred to as the Boys Conversation Café, where we go to secondary schools targeting the young between the ages of 12 and 16, recognising that his mindset is one that is based on a lot of childhood experiences. We ran an assessment in 20 secondary schools and we asked anonymous questions from young boys between 12 and 16: What would you do if you saw a girl being raped? One in five of them came back to say they would walk away. When you ask why? They gave instances of 'I don't know her,' another group mentioned 'I wasn't part of the plan', others mentioned 'maybe she was asking for it because of what she was wearing.' So, these mindsets that have now become apparent based on these experiences need to be addressed. The Boys Conversation Café is a mentor ing programme, an educational programme and it brings them in contact with role models that have been vetted by the Centre and by the organisation.

this is the time to add it.

MEALS TO ENJOY BY MY DIASPORA KITCHEN

• • • • • • • • • •

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• • • • •

1 packet McCormick® ONE Mix One Skillet Beef Stir Fry and Vegetables variety 1 Tbsp of corn starch 1/4 cup of water 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 1 tsp light brown sugar 1/2 Tbsp pepper flakes

Ingredients (Stir Fry) • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 lb beef cut up into small strips 3 Tbsp cooking oil of choice 1/4 tsp salt 3 cloves of garlic crushed 1/2 Tbsp grated ginger 1 medium Medium onion chopped chopped 1 medium medium red bell pepper chopped chopped 1/2 medium medium green bell pepper chopped 3 medium carrots cut julienne style 1 cup of water 1 small Zucchini sliced 1 medium head ( about 2 cups ) broccoli blanched

PREPARATION

3. Add the garlic, ginger and onions to the beef. Continue to stir till onions looks translucent. 4. Add the carrots, stir fry for about a minute to soften slightly. 5. Add the chopped bell peppers and continue to stir fry for another minute. 6. Add Salt then add the Zucchini slices. Water/ beef stock and base sauce. Stir in the blanched broccoli. Let sauce simmer for about a minute. Turn off heat. 7. add in eggs, combine, add sugar, melted butter and vanilla and mix till it’s all combined. 8. Pre- heat oven 150 or gas mark 4-5(depending on heat). 9. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold together with a spatula, do not over mix . Lay cases in the muffin tin and fill them up ¾ full and put in the oven. Serve with fresh fruits if you have on hand or sprinkle some cinnamon sugar like I did. Enjoy.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Sunday Interview Health service providers must embrace innovative thinking to strengthen the system – Olasogba Folarin Olasogba, a medical doctor, is the chief project officer of PreDiagnosis Telehealth Consult which is responsible for driving the initiative of PreDiagnosis International (PDI) to deliver affordable basic healthcare services to 20 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians between 2020 and 2030. In this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, he spoke on the challenges confronting public health management in the country and how these can be surmounted as well as PDI’s efforts targeted at helping the country deliver healthcare to the grassroots. Excerpts:

ith the ravaging Covid-19 putting all nations of the world on their toes, do you think we are doing enough, as a country, to curtail the pandemic? My personal assessment of the country’s emergency response to this current health crisis is very positive. To the extent that the Covid-19 pandemic is a novel experience that caught the whole world unawares and to the extent that even the world’s best, in terms of health management systems, have been struggling with the pandemic, Nigeria, through the National Centre for Disease Control, has provided a mature, organised and commendable plan for managing the pandemic in the country. I am sure that our experience, knowledge and systems willimprovetremendouslyfromthis turn of events. Are there lessons learnt by Nigeria from this pandemic? If yes, what do you think can be done to institutionalise and domesticate them as policies for better preparedness for medical situations and emergencies now and in the future? It is not an exaggeration to say that the novel coronavirus pandemic, otherwise called Covid-19, has exposed the soft underbelly of our country’s health care system, no thanks to our ill-preparedness for outbreaks of such magnitude. More than anything else, the deadly disease has practically showed the necessity for greater collaboration on health issues as well as the power of data and digital tools to combat the outbreak of pandemics or even some opportunistic infections. It has also reinforced the need for targeted digital health strategies to help countries like Nigeria get the most out of digital technology tools. Without the right strategies and technical and resource support, it is now increasingly clear that the gap in the digital divide will produce nothing but failing health outcomes. Acrosstheworld,digitalhealthisfast becoming the fad, especially among low and medium income countries with the huge responsibility to overcome traditional barriers to better healthcare,whichincludesdearthof medical staff and professionals and other physical resource constraints. Whether as electronic health (eHealth), mobile health (mHealth) and other emerging areas such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI), big health data and genomics, digital health now holds a lot of promise as it is making health information, care and diagnosis more accessible

Folarin Olasogba

to health seekers. Nigeria must urgently intensify efforts along these lines from now on. Considering the growing relevance of technology in health care, what important role do you seemedicalintelligenceandsurveillance playing in the public health space, particularly the prevention and management of deadly infections and diseases in the country? Sadly, despite Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, it is highly underserved in the health care delivery sphere. Health resources such as facilities, personnel, and medical equipment are inadequate, especially in rural areas. Significantly, public healthcare delivery is hampered more by inadequacy of healthcare resources particularly personnel, drugs and other medical equipment needed for holistic patient treatment. For instance, the doctor to patient ratio is currently 1:6000. Most of the available qualified doctors are concentrated in urban cities and towns while the rural areas have next to nothing, thereby leaving roomforself-medicationandalsofor quacks and other unqualified hands to tend citizens’ health needs. As at today, most PHCs, especially in rural areas,rotawayduetolackofcapable

personnel to man them. Given the above scenario, the primary challenge confronting the country’spublichealthsystemtoday is how to create and sustain an information-rich and patient-focused health care system that reliably delivers high-quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services that can ride on strong deployment of technologytostrengthenhealthcare accessibility at the grassroots. You believe the current model of public healthcare delivery in the country is not working? Healthcare services delivery must undergo a transmutation from the physical, brick and mortar format to a more tech-driven approach. This means the concept of tech-for-health or Health ICT must be elevated and Nigeria, now more than ever before, must confront using technology to transform her healthcare delivery system in a way that ensures a win-win for all. It is also important to point out that the growth and sophistication of Nigeria’s telecommunications and ICT sectors in the last two decades as well as the increasing global tilt towards greater deployment of ICT for health (Health ICT) have continued to point health service

providers in the country in the direction of embracing innovative new thinking required to strengthen and revolutionise the health system. The time is now. The issue of health financing has become so critical considering government’s revenue challenges leading to poor budget allocation for the health sector year in, year out. What do you think can be done to augment and address the situation at present? Over the years, public health financing has been a major barrier to building a strong health care system in many countries, not just Nigeria alone. Regarding Nigeria, at the moment, the total health expenditure is derived from the allocations for health and allocations for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is put at 1percent of the consolidated revenue fund. Since the inception of BHCPF, however, its allocation has always been below the earmarked 1percent of CRF; the allocationin2020isabout50percent less than the value of the 1percent of CRF. Because of the worsening financial capability of the country, expecting additional government funding for the health sector is a mirage; and without something significantly revolutionary being done in this ugly circumstance, demand for healthcare services, especially critical care services, may become overwhelming for the public health sector.Thisislikelytohavelong-term consequences for the health sector, as well as spillover effects to the rest of the economy in many ugly forms.

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PreDiagnosis International’s goal is to offer cheap, affordable and innovative telehealth solutions that would be at the forefront of reducing the disparity that exists in the availability

Many experts have postulated that toconfronttheproblemofdwindling economic fortunes which impacts availability of funds for developmental efforts, the best model of public health delivery the country needs to embrace is one that can deliver quality healthcare services to the remotest, undeserved villages across the length and breadth of Nigeria by leveraging technology to maximise the scarce human and operational resources for health through effective and efficient deployment. From your experience, how possible and easy is it to deliver affordable healthcare, especially for the poor and vulnerable people in the rural areas and rustic communities? It is very possible and cheap, too. Remember that modern day public healthcare is efficient only when health services can reach the hard to reach areas, when location, economic and social status do not dictate access to quality health services, when the have and have not have equal access to basic healthcareservicesandonlywhenall people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services they need in sufficient quantity without exposing them to financial hardship as declared by the World Health Organisation. For us at Pre Diagnosis, we have achievedremarkableprogressinour burning desire to harness modern technology to effectively deliver quality healthcare to two million vulnerable Nigerians annually, in a costeffective way that maximises the scarce human resources. It is our modest demonstration of how it is possible to deliver efficient healthcare as enunciated by WHO. Could you be more explicit on how these efforts could benefit the poor and vulnerable in the society, given the general poverty level they face? At the center of our commitment is the deployment of ultra-modern technology to create the PDI Telehealth Hub and the PDI Telehealth App for macro and micro management of public health delivery. The PDI Telehealth Hub is a Community health platform in the form of a solarpowered mobile clinic that can be placed anywhere and manned by a specially trained staff recruited from the host community. The hub is connected to the expansive PDI telehealth central control room where doctors are available 24/7 to micromanage these hubs. The result is delivery of continuous medical services on the ground within a community (remotely) by our medical doctors, leveraging technology but totally adapted to the culture, lifestyles and worldview of the host communities. On the other hand, PDI has also harnessed technology to develop an appthatallowsindividualstoconsult and receive wholesale treatment for many minor and major health challenges from doctors via the

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Sunday Interview cellphone without physically visiting the hospital. The PDI App is available on Google play for download by android phone users. It is an interactive mobile application that gives users immediate access to highly trained and experienced doctors who can assist them access free quality healthcare from any location in the country. The best thing about the App is that it is developed for the poor and vulnerable members of the society and therefore very cheap to access by all. Let’s talk about your company, PDI. What can you say stands PDI out among the list of healthcare providers in the country? What exactlyisthecompany’scuttingedge? Our organisation, PreDiagnosis International,isasemi-philanthropic, hybrid telehealth service provider founded in 2018 to help in bridging the dangerous and widening gap in the Nigerian healthcare delivery system. We operate as a quasi-charity entity and not strictly a business-forprofit concern. So, we are on a compassionate national rescue mission. PreDiagnosis International’s goal is to offer cheap, affordable and innovative telehealth solutions that wouldbeattheforefrontofreducing the disparity that exists in the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality healthcare services in the urban and rural areas on the one hand, and between the elites and the poor and most vulnerable citizens, on the other hand. What are PDI’s target projections for the health sector in its bid to contribute to the realisation of the country’s and United Nations’ goal of betterhealth for the people? The Vision, Mission and Target of the PDI initiative is encapsulated in thePDIRRF20-2030brandMantra. UnderourReach,RescueandFortify Mission,PDIhasthetargetofhelping Nigeria to deliver qualitative healthcare services to, at least, twomillion Nigerians annually between year 2020 and 2030 using technologydriven but largely grassroots focused platforms and model. This, in a nutshell, is what we have termed Project RRF 20-2030. This Project RRF 20-2030, which is the core of our mandate, aims to deliver quality healthcare services to the remotest, under-servedareasacrossthelength and breadth of Nigeria by leveraging technology to maximise the scarce human resource for health (HRH) through effective and efficient use. At PDI, we believe that our mission would not be fulfilled until when quality health services have reached the hard to reach areas; when location, economic and social status do not dictate access to quality health services; when the have and have not’s have equal access to basic healthcare services; and when all citizens and communities can enjoy the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services they need, in sufficient quantity and without exposing them to financial hardship as spelt out in the World Health Organisation’s policy on Universal Healthcare. Partnership, collaboration and integration are fast becoming a trend across the world for better service delivery in both private and public sectors. How best can we take advantage of this new

possibility particularly in the health sector in the wake of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic? Stakeholders in the health sector need to collaborate on diverse levels as a way of bridging the gap in the nation’s health delivery landscape. A robust alliance between the public and private sectors for overall healthcare services development in the country should be of primary concerntoall.Forinstance,underour Corporate Initiative, PDI has a thriving collaboration with the Project ECHO Institute of the University of NewMexico,ALBUQUEQUE,USA. Project ECHO which stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes is a collaborative modelofmedicaleducationandcare management programme designed toempowerlocalclinicians(Consultants, Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, etc) to deliver better care and treatment of chronic, common and complex diseases, especially in remote andunderservedlocations.PDIisthe Nigerian Official Replication Partner with the Project ECHO Institute of the University of New Mexico. This is an innovative tele-mentoring programme designed to create virtual communities of learners by bringing together healthcare providers from all over Nigeria and subject matter experts (from all over the world) using video conference technology, brief lecture presentations, and case-based learning to foster an ‘all learn, all teach’ approach. How does Nigeria stand to gain from projects and collaborations like this your Project ECHO? The mission of PDI in undertaking the Project ECHO is to assist the country develop the capacity to safely and effectively treat chronic, common, and complex diseases in rural and undeserved areas across Nigeria and to monitor outcomes of this treatment while leveraging our Telehealth consult platform. The project not only uses innovative technology to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare specialists and providers in the country; it helps health services providers to undertake co-management of patients’ treatments, thereby fostering knowledge depth and technical competencies, in addition toreducingprofessionalisolation.By encouraging collaboration and communicationbetweenruralandurban service providers and specialists, the Project helps health professionals in the country to become highly skilled in the treatment of diverse chronic and complex diseases, thus creating a center of excellence in many remote communities. This means with the PDI Project ECHO Initiative, we are committed tobuildingaClinicalKnowledgePlatform that combines authoritative contents and shared experiences drawn from the expertise available in the Nigerian healthcare community and across the world so that physicians, medical students and otherhealthcareworkerswillbeable to tap into Nigeria’s largest, most powerful Continuous Professional Development (CPD) network to resolve challenging questions at the point of care for mostly lower-income patients for different diseases. Nigeria needs more initiatives like this to truly create a modern health service sector post Covid-19.

Anxiety, ecstasy as mosques, churches reopen... Continued from page 6 spread of the virus, a lot of measures were adopted, including interstate lockdown, compulsory use of facemasks and imposition of curfews. Although other states have since relaxed restrictions on religious gathering, Lagos State did not toe that path. The state government said it was waiting for an auspicious time to do so as it had not seen much decrease in cases recorded. As at 4.23pm Thursday, August 6, 2020 a total of 15, 551 confirmed cases had been recorded; 2, 253 patients recovered and discharged while 192 deaths were recorded in Lagos State. Recall that on June 4, the state government formerly announced plans to reopen places of worship on June 21, 2020. According to Sanwo-Olu then, mosques were to reopen from June 19 while churches were to begin services from June 21 and only Friday and Sunday services should be held, as other regular services, including night vigils, must be put on hold. He said that there were to be restricted openings of religious houses based on compliance that we have seen and reviewed with the Safety Commission. “From 14 days’ time, precisely on the 19th of June for our Muslim worshippers and from the 21st of June for our Christian worshippers, we will be allowing all of our religious bodies to open at a maximum of 40 percent of their capacity and we’ll be working with them as being expected by the Lagos State Safety Commission,” he said. But 12 days after the announcement, the state government suspended the planned reopening of mosques and churches indefinitely. It explained at the time that it was as a result of the rising cases of the coronavirus pandemic in the state which has been the epicenter of the virus in the country. At the time of the suspension, Lagos had recorded a

total of 7,319 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Despite the rising cases in Nigeria and Lagos specifically, normal socio-economic, political and religious activities have since commenced in other states, while Lagos continued to adopt “wait and see” tactic. “We’re very free in Calabar. We go to church on Sundays,” a source said. Another source, public relations expert based in Abuja confirmed that activities had resumed in the Federal Capital Territory, including religious gatherings. “Activities are going well. We go out all the time. We’ve not locked down for once in Ibadan. We only have a curfew which starts from 10pm to 5am. Apart from that, you can go wherever you want to. We have parties, weddings, and church programmes in Ibadan every week,” said Babatunde Aderemi John, an Insurance advisor, Leadway Assurance Company, Ibadan Branch. He added that there were directives on how to move and the church services work with a 25-percent capacity and where the members exceed that number, more services are held and there must be facial coverings and hand-washing devices. “The same thing applies to the Mosques,” he further said. But Lagos appeared to be skeptical and remained adamant despite pressure calls for reopening of worship centres. The Archbishop of Calvary Kingdom Church, Ojo Joseph, said while the governor may have his reasons for keeping religious centers shut, it is ill-advised, because churches and schools employ millions of people. He said it would have been wise enough to allow the Godfactor in the state since buses are allowed to operate, people go to markets and political campaigns are going on in Edo and Ondo States. He called on the government to open the centres with adherence to guidelines. “These centres should be

opened but to allow the churches maintain social distancing, provide hand washing devices, facemasks, and the thermometer for temperature reading. Any church leader that flouts it is not helping the members. We’re ready to abide by it, but they are afraid. The church is a healing place,” Joseph said. Gbenga Omotosho, commissioner for information, said things are the way they are because the government is following the curve model. Omotosho, who spoke in a telephone conversation with BDSUNDAY, said experts have said that the cases will rise and peak by this month, and when the cases peak, they will gradually continue to go down. He said it was all about the safety of lives and property of Lagosians, and that the government will consider opening up when the curve begins to flatten. “The experts are telling us that this month it’s going to peak and that once it peaks, it will begin to come down gradually. So, we hope that by this month it will begin to come down gradually, I can assure you that the government will consider opening up as much as possible,” he said. Pitching himself with the government, Reverend Olusola Idowu, of The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, said the curve is still rising in Lagos State and the time has not come for anyone to relax or let down his guard. Idowu said with the look of things, the confirmed cases are going down and just as the government said, August will be the peak for Lagos, however, he hoped that in weeks ahead, the progress will be well managed and religious places can be opened by September. “So, I think, because of the reason they have given, and we’re seeing the results on a daily basis, I think it’s a good reason to be where we are because it’s better for us to be alive and get over this. If we lose days, weeks, months, it’s better than to lose lives,” Idowu said.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Focus Beyond oil & gas:

Where the investment future of Rivers is hiding – Chukunda Ignatius Chukwu

nvestments in Rivers State may soon return to the waters and arable land in the state, not just in oil and gas, so declared a business administrator and technocrat, Ersamus Chinda, in an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY in Port Harcourt. Thedirector-general(DG) ofthe Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), who is member of the business think-tank in the oil region, points to a water-based economy starting with fish-trawling and varied water transportation. Transportation Waterways is said to be one huge sector waiting to be harvested with a blueprint already on hand. He said it is one of the transportation modes that has been neglected in the region and in Nigeria. “Remember that one of the major points for boundary demarcation in the Niger Delta is waterways. If we can connect all our towns and villages in the region with water transportation system, that’s a huge investment. A company has done a proposal on acquiring fleets of boats of different kinds to establish a water transportation system in Rivers State. “That is a very huge opportunity. So, if you are going to Emuohua from Port Harcourt and you must go faster, from Iwofe you can board a boat to any of the villages in Emuohua. The first time I came to Port Harcourt was through the waterways. We took a canoe from my village to Iwofe. So if investors can venture into water transportation, it means that there would be increase in revenue base not for the government alone but for the private sector. “So, when you hear about piracy and crimes, if you have a well planned water transportation system, those threats would not be there. A water-based economy including transportation is a huge sector waiting to be exploited in Rivers State or any part of the Niger Delta. That brings us to other water resources. Rivers State was once the producer of glass (Water African Glass Industry) using sharp sand to produce glass because we have high quality sharp sand at our seashores to produce high quality glasses. We need investors to come back and harness this resource.” This is another investment opportunity in Rivers State. So far, we have only encouraged roads and air modes. There is a plan to build a sort of Niger Delta Aviation Hub that would have domestic flights to all the Niger Delta states. The plan is to have a Niger Delta Fund, it will facilitate that regional aviation hub to increase flights. Fish: Fish trawling and fishing is a major water-based economic opportunity in the region that ought to have swallowed up many youths for good, he said. “This is the home for it. Investors are needed in this sector. Fish trawling will do well in our seas as it is done in China, Indonesia, Singapore, etc. They do special cultivation in the seas. Investors can come and open up large fish ponds

Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State.

Erastmus Chukunda, director-general, Port Harcourt City Chambers.

all over he local government areas of the state and produce in large quantities. “Surveys show that most of the fish consumed in this region comes from the north that does not have water. We must encourage foreign investors to come into our waters to produce fish.” Coconut is grown near water areas in most continents. “This is a very potential in the EU market. If you have a plantation of it and can produce tonnes of coconut oil, you would be amazed. Even the bark can be used to produce charcoal briquette which goes to Europe.” Rubber; RiversState was second in rubber years ago and this attracted the likes of Mitchelin. “Investors are needed to create a rubber revolution. We have neglected this for a long time. Investors can be brought n on this alone.” Agric sector; “In this state, it is a veritable potential that any investor can explore. This is because the state has comparative advantages over other states. Oil palm has huge potentials with only one industry. It is the number one in Nigeria or West Africa. The company managing the Rivers oil palm project (Siat) is same managing the ones in Edo and Western Nigeria, Presco. There is so much in the palm oil value chain.” He went on; Land is vastly available that can be turned to oil palm plantation; cassava, maize, plantain, etc. These all do very well in Rivers State. Fruits such as pineapple, oranges, etc, are available in the state. An investor can start orchards of different fruits and produce in large quantities. There is huge market oversees for Nigerian produce to go to. The investor can also bring in the technology to process these fruits into fruit juice. We see so many apples being sold on our streets but they grow them in South Africa where you can get fresh ones from the farms. We have vast lands to grow apples. Tubers: This is a cassava zone. There are many derivatives from cassava including ethanol. Yams are grown here. These are crops that are needed for domestic and export values. Most Africans in Europe and

to have license to sell power. The FG is considering the application. The FG has brought in Siemense to restructure the nation’s power system. So, the Rivers State government can also decide to bring in any of the known investors in power to take over the state’s power plants. The state needs the license to sell the power. If power is sorted out, it means a big infrastructural facility has been solved to energise the power industry. Environment is an issue here but it too creates huge opportunities for business and investment. We need investors that can come in to turn the wastes in the whole state to wealth. This is a huge sector. Plastics, scraps and other wastes can be turned to wealth. Rivers State has a big petrochemicals plant (Indorama) and the value chain creates waste to wealth opportunities. This is another huge investment sector to grow the economy of the state. Strategic location: The location of the state is important within the coastal zone. The state also has sea ports and airports and is thus accessible to any part of the world. The service industry is the driving force of an economy. So, investors can invest in this sector. Professionals are needed in every area. These potentials so far identified in Rivers State, do we agree they exist and that they can be turned into economic fortunes? So, what then is the problem? There are many other potential areas in the state and value-chains that can be developed to accommodate small scale industries or cottage industries that can grow and also use up the available resources and make contributions in the economy. Strategic group Rivers State has vast arable and fertile lands. There is cheap labour that can work in the farms. There is a group of Niger Delta experts looking into why the region is not moving forward. They are worried that the region is not moving forward. When they are done, they will unveil the things that can be done from the private sector point of view to reengineer the economy of the region.

America crave for these foods. They create a market for them abroad. The Creative Industry: This is another huge area waiting in the state because over the years, most of the national actors and actresses come from old Rivers State. Miss Nigeria always often comes from old Rivers State. This state has produced Miss World, too. Close to this is the tourism and heritage industry. This is another area waiting to be exploited. Most sites hold colonial history and natural tourism centres. We need to mention the hospitality industry; thehotelsandentertainmentissues. More investment is needed in this direction. ICT: There is need to expand our broadband: Rivers State has big potentials in this area and has invested in this sector steadily for years but we need to expand our broadband. The Government has to assist us to acquire that license of usage of broadband in this state, it will reduce the cost of internet and other online transactions. ICT industry will be maximized. Proposal has been made. PHCCIMA has a committee that is working on it and they have made recommendations to government. If that should come to fruition, it means there would investors interested in investing heavily in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. Investment in manufacturing: This is a very crucial area so the State does not remain a consumer society. The organized private sector (OPS) has produced what we call the strategic plan on manufacturing in Rivers State. This would be launched soon. There was a referral to the years past when there were very many manufacturing companies clustered at Trans-Amadi producing different products. So many people were employed. So, one of the catalysts for economic growth is bringing in investors into the manufacturing sector. If we can bring in such people to build industries in different sectors of the economy of the state, it means that we are really ready to industrialise the state. Power plants: The Rivers State built power plants and also applied

It is an international think-tank so far put in place to see how to re-engineer the economy. Whatever you see going on is geared toward that. We had the BRACED Commission, a very brilliant idea. If it had succeeded, well, the region would have moved to the next bus stop. It did not succeed. It succeeded when all the governors were in one party (though Edo was APC). When they started moving to the other party, BRACED Commission died. So, do not be surprised why people are thinking that Edo should return to the PDP to restore the BRACED Commission in any other form. It was a government-driven initiative but now, we are having privatesector initiative coming up. If we succeed with this, it means the Niger Delta people would move forward. Infrastructural facilities: Rivers State has steadily been upgrading its infrastructural base and this is a welcome development. If you do not have roads how would investors even come. Trans-Amadi has been refurbished. When investors hear about an industrial layout, they would want to drive on its roads and find out first. The gas pipe system in the area has already been done. What is left is to get the approval from government to sell the gas. So, energy would not be a problem to investors coming to the layout. We have some moribund companies in Trans-Amadi already and investors can come in and take over those ones and make use of the infrastructure already provided. We can start there to reactivate our manufacturing base. Mining: This sector has to do crude oil and gas which is full of opportunities and gaps for much more investment. There is also abundant clay in many areas of the state which can fuel its own sector. Oil and gas is still there. The upstream and downstream have not been scratched in Rivers State. Fertilizer companies are welcome to utilize the by-products from the refineries. Indoroma is expanding because the raw materials are available in

Continues on page 21

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BDSUNDAY 21

Focus Where the investment future of Rivers is... Dogara’s defection to APC unsettles House leadership Continued from page 20

quantum. Notore too is waxing stronger because we have raw materials plus economy of scale. When you have a concentration of fertiliser companies around the same area, it brings advantage of scale. You have achieved growth in the economy of that area. There products can be cheaper. It will transfer to the farmers who apply fertilizers though our soil is rich. Fund: We know that funding is an issue and we. There is a plan to build a sort of Niger Delta Aviation Hub that would have domestic flights to all the Niger Delta states. The plan is to have a Niger Delta Fund, it will facilitate that regional aviation hub to increase flights. Challenges, solutions Security: One is insecurity but our governors do not agree on this because a lot of efforts have been put in to ensure that the region is peaceful. What the private sector is also coming up with would help in securing the region. We understand the media has been playing a negative role in this regard by the way of sensational reporting style about crime in the region. We are of the opinion that they have to be assisted to give a new narrative. It is the same insecure region that is providing the huge revenue to Nigeria. That alone should make the media to think twice and lower their hype. If the oil corporations are producing these millions of crude oil to sustain the nation, where then is the insecurity. Yes, cult clashes and flashes here and there but it should not stop an investor because there in violence even in Lagos and other places they want to run to. This is the treasure base of the nation. If this is so, investors coming to establish in these mentioned areas and sectors, the people called militants would be happy to return to jobs. They are idle. If we set up the water-based transportation system and most of the boys are involved, who then would attack the vessels? You group them into cooperatives, fund their boats, give them easy payment plans, they will excel in useful ventures. Seed capital: This is lacking in Rivers State. Reports in Ministry of Commerce and Industry or Ministry of Economic Planning have recommended a Fund that can provide seed capital to help our people establish SMEs and companies. We expect that the Government can put up money and say, this organisation will ensure that so and so kinds of factory or investments are supported in Rivers State. Investment promotion agency: Rivers State is one the states that do not have this. If we talk of investment in this state, which office in government promotes it? Many states around here have such agencies that serve as one-stop-shop for investors and that have to push for it. This has been on paper in Rivers State and has not been actualized. If done, this state would sell the state to the outside world and attract investors. The media would work with them with a focused message. This would have been the place for you to go for this analysis. Government should steadily research and bring out investment opportunities and put them forward.

The Rivers State Government recently came up recently with list of available farms or agric projects for sale to investors. They published them but who is coordinating and promoting it? They have not even come to us to say, PHCIMA, go and look for investors for us since you are in business. If that is done, we will do what we can do to make sure that all these moribund companies are packaged for sale and also be brought back to life. We are in business touch with foreign embassies, companies, etc, believe in the City Chambers more than they believe in governments. If we do this, we would have contributed to the economic development of the state, but we cannot do that without being properly invited. Industrial policy: We do not have a blueprint on this. There have been many government-arranged conferences and we have made recommendations for the government to develop investment policies and business blueprint but none of these recommendations has seen the light of the day. Over the years, they would spend all the effort, get useful suggestions, but it ends there. Now, government needs to create those policies. It is only then that the Rivers State investment position can be enhanced. Let me say that there is what we call ‘Incentivisation’ (incentives provided for investors to like a place). Those incentives have been provided by the FG through the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council. We have tax relief for five years for a new company or investor coming to invest in a specific sector of Rivers State. The policy now would be to state clearly the areas to benefit from this. The ‘Investment Blueprint’ would state where you can set up and have tax-free years. There is pioneer status that can be given to a company that is the first to set up in a type of business. The status can give you exemption in some taxes. It is to help in innovative businesses. So, an investment policy would state what would encourage investments in a state. Ease of Doing Business (EoBD): In Rivers State, the last time we looked at Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rating in Nigeria, Rivers State was not well-ranked. For this, PHCCIMA mentioned to the state government about a central place where the Government and OPS can meet to harmonise their differences. Government quickly set up a committee headed by the Deputy Governor and so far, they have come up with many things. There are some taxes that touts were collecting such as Business Premises Registration (that was being enforced by Ministry of Commerce) and the Committee has stopped them. First, get the full data of all businesses in the state and later ask them to register. That is what they are doing now. That has improved Rivers rating. Tax Harmonisation: The Revenue Board in the state has been handling this successfully. Marching ground levies have been abolished too. There is a law against it and if you disturb a person building a house, you will be charged to court. This is to improve the state’s EoDB. In the proposed Investment Policy, these things would be spelt

out on types of investments and different incentives. It will look at different kinds of partnerships; building to manage, building to hand over to the Government, building to hand over to the private sector, etc. The tax exemptions would be spelt out; how much a pioneer company pay, what will agric companies pay as a way of encouragement, etc. TheGovernmentwouldalsoneed to secure the license that they want to get from the FG to evacuate all the power in the power plants. That is another huge potential for government revenue. It is to make sure that those that built independent power plants can also benefit from it by sellingpower.So,ifthesethingsareputin place, things would improve. Youth population is also an advantage in terms of labour and employable hands. Rivers State and the NDDC has been training an army of high level manpower over the years brought up at masters and doctorate degree levels in the best universities around the world. Oil palm oil economy. We know that there is more money in palm kernel rather. It is a kind of oil, too. You can make more money by using the chaff to produce other bye products. This is an industry with a wide value chain. Role of the private sector in the PHCCIMA is that the Chamber of Commerce is an organization that does a lot of advocacy on several business and investment issues. For instance, we had problems on bringing in ships to the eastern ports and the PHCCIMA took it up and today, the ports here are now hosting ships. Recently, when the COVID-19 issue came, the Nigerian Shippers Council gave a waiver of about one month on demurrage. The PHCCIMA has been able to ensure that it was actually implemented. Advocacy needed to be put forward to the government; and the PHCCIMA with the OPS put up a document known as OPS Strategic Plan which stipulates what the private sector is going to do about investment. If not for the Covid-19 pandemic, it should have been launched in March 2020. It will be launched before the end of 2020. It will be presented to the Rivers State House of Assembly for deliberation. We can bring in investors The OPS is not just sitting down. We are always looking for what we can do to help the government bring in investors. If the government would inform us and ask us to bring in investors on their behalf, we can talk to investors abroad and in Nigeria to come and take up the moribund industries. We have already started doing something in that direction and have submitted list of moribund industries in the state to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council. We are talking to them on behalf of the Rivers State Government. A lot needs be done but cannot be done by the government alone. That is why we talk about the Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BoPPP). If they work well in this state, they would harness investment potentials of this state. Conclusion: Could Rivers State at the verge of a private sector-driven economic revolution? The answer could be within one’s fingertips.

...Gbajabiamila remains silent over former Speaker’s return ... Dogara can’t be Speaker again - APC James Kwen, Abuja

hile the pomp and ceremonythatgreeted the recent defection of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is gradually dying down, facts have emerged that his return has unsettled the House leadership. Dogara, who had in the build up to the 2019 general election dumped APC for PDP ,also rejoined the ruling party on the allegation that the mistakes the former administration in his home state of Bauchi made were being repeated by the incumbent Governor Bala Mohammed administration The lawmaker, representing Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in a letter written to the Chairman of the PDP Bogoro ‘C’ Ward, Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi give many reasons he was resigning from the party. In the letter dated 24th July, 2020, Dogara said he left the PDP because of failure of governance and mismanagement of resources in Bauchi, which have remained unanswered to him. The letter read in parts: “I write to formally intimate you of my decision to resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party. This became necessary because the same reasons why we fought hard in 2019 to effect change in the governance of our dear state are festering now. “I intend to bring these issues to the front a burner once again as the fight to instill decent and egalitarian government in our dear state continues. “Specifically, I intend to ask questions about the following: What has happened to LGA allocations since May 2019? What happened to our campaign promise to conduct LGA elections within six months of the PDP government?” Among other areas of grouse as contained in the letter, he also said: “Mr. Chairman, you will agree with me that I cannot raise these issues and many more questions without a charge of disloyalty leveled against me if I were to remain a member of the PDP. “I cannot also fail to raise these questions now, having raised similar ones during the administrations of Governors Isa Yuguda and Mohammed A. Abubakar, if I abdicate this responsibility on the altar of partisan loyalty, I will be the most irresponsible and unprincipled politician in Bauchi state.Thus, by this letter, I have resigned my membership of the PDP to enable me keep faith with my principle of fighting for good governance in our dear state”. His return to the APC was counted as one of the big achievements by the Governor Mai-Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee’s reconciliation efforts. However, the APC-dominated

Dogara leadership of the House of Representatives under Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila BDSUNDAY reliably gathered is not too comfortable with the return of Dogara to the ruling party. According to some lawmakers who would not want to be mentioned, the defection of the former Speaker to the party with the majority in the House is a disturbing situation to the leadership which is now in a quandary on how to handle him. One of the lawmakers who craved anonymity said now that Dogara is in the ruling party and with his position as a former Speaker, he must be part of any major decision by House leadership and this would naturally not augur well with the leadership. Another lawmaker noted that Dogara and the present Speaker are not best of friends since he defeated Gbajabiamila in the contest for Speakership in 2015, expressing fears that the development would open room for another fight for supremacy. “The coming back of Dogara to APC does not go down well with House leadership under Gbajabiamila. The leadership to be blunt, is threatened because as former Speaker in the ruling party, he must be part of the inner caucus and this does not go down well with the present leadership. “You know that when he was in PDP the Majority Caucus which calls the shots in the House affairs needed not to consult him, but now that he is in the ruling party, he must be part of whatever they do as a former man in charge”, a lawmaker said. A ranking member of the House also told BDSUNDAY that: “Dogara coming back to APC which controls the House is not going to be easy for the House leadership because he cannot just be a floor member but a voice to reckon with in the scheme of things. “Though he may not be made Speaker or Principal Officer, but something big must be given to him. May be, a special Committee would be set up for him to chair or there would be a reshuffle of the existing Committee leaderships to create space for him. For now, he is not a Chairman of any Committee. All this would put pressure on the House leadership”. Speaker of the House, Gbajabiamila on the other hand has remained silent since his predecessor rejoined him in APC and efforts to get his response to the intrigues proved abortive as his Spokesman, Lanre Lasisi could not reply to questions by Correspondent.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

TheWorshipper ‘Nigeria needs moral rearmament to address rising decadence in society’

As churches in Lagos reopen today after many weeks of Covid-19 lockdown, Bishop Charles Ighele, the General Superintendent, Holy Spirit Mission (aka Happy Family Centre), in this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, welcomes government decision, just as he wants government to set up a ‘Moral Rearmament Commission’ in tackling Nigeria’s decaying value system at the federal, state and local government levels. Excerpts:

Churches are reopening their doors to worshippers after over five months; how does it feel? he reopening of churches is a welcome development but it did not bring about much jubilation to a good number of pastors. This is so because many pastors are of the view that the lockdown should not have been effected in the first place. The church ought to have been treated as essential service where pastors are trained on how to teach worshippers on the control of the coronavirus. Countries that opened their worship centres during the peak of the fear of the pandemic are not known to have recorded higher coronavirus spread that can be attributed to worship activities. For example, Tanzaniawherethepresident who has a doctorate degree in Chemistry declared the church as essential service, did not record infections and deaths that are higher than those of neighbouring countries. I know that there are a few men of God who do not want churches to be reopened but a huge majority

Bishop Charles Ighele

of men of God want churches to be reopened. Are you pleased with the guidelines given by the government? I will however, like to commend the Lagos State government for raising the level of church attendance to 50percent sitting capacity. From what I know, this seems to have reduced the anger of some people over church closures and the longevity of the closure. The other guidelines which l am aware of are okay. The governor was wise enough not to stop

people who are 65 years and above not to go to church. Instead, that age bracket was advised to stay at home. As a church, Holy Spirit Mission is prepared to cooperate with the governments in the states where our churches are located to tame the coronavirus. Sexual violence has been on the increase in Nigeria; but the painful part is that fathers are now abusing their young daughters; what could be responsible for this? Justlookatwhathappened few days ago; I just read it in the news, a Ghanaian actress just stripped completely naked in front of her sevenyear-old son; saying this was how I gave birth to you and all sort. So, you can see that there is a complete decline in values. A typical African is copying the worst of Western behaviour, and yet we are not copying the best. We have so many good things we can copy from the West but we are not. Now, concerning rape and sexual violence going on in Nigeria; it is a reflection of the total collapse of value. When you look at it politically - there are no values in the way politicians run their affairs and people look to them for

leadership. Also when you look at the church because am not going to exclude the church where I belong; also youcanonlylookatasegment of the church as having values. A section of the church instead of preaching the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ - a new government that have come with a way of behaviour; we talk about how to get material things, that is being preached. We compete among ourselves who have the biggest car, who have the biggest entourage, and then the younger ones that are coming think that that is all its all about. Another group also goes to pick demonic powers so that we can be like the way we are; to do miracles and then you see a lot of nonsense going on. If you think the church has lost its value system; what could be responsible? Right now, there seems not to be real role models in the spiritual aspect that should be there; instead they have some of the charlatans as their role models. So, the real men of God have to rise up and say this is the standard, and in that area we have not succeeded in doing that at all. These younger ones do not know

the message of the cross; all they do is come and get your miracle - come and I will lay hands on you, and then they do some magic and the rest. So, in the Christian world, we as leaders have not really showed the standard, same thing with the business world - anything goes; no value. Also in the entertainment industry too, anything goes. Then with the social media that is now discipling our youth - the family system has crumbled, parents are not able to take care of their children; so there is complete lawlessness and when there is lawlessness like this, there is no extent to which somebody will not go to commit crime. So, the lawlessness is reflected in banditry in the north; BokoHaram in the northeast; kidnapping all over the country and then rape is a reflection of everything - so, the worse in human being will come out when there is lawlessness. Right now, we need moral rearmament, not just Christian values; that is the way out. I want the Federal Government to set up a Moral Rearmament Commission to operate at the federal, state and local government levels. While the lockdown

lasted, some senior pastors were accused of not standing up for the church against popular views; do you think there is a conspiracy of silence? I speak for myself but, I know that there are some pastors who do not like to speak to the press, which is their policy. Then they are afraid of being misquoted; there are also some pastors who do not want to be seen to be against government which I don’t agree with anyway because I feel that we are responsible first to God - and then all over the scriptures men of God speak; from the old testament to the new testament, and when there was a lockdown on the first church (the early church) that it should not speak or preach in the name of the Lord Jesus - Peter said whether we obey God or men: that was the first lockdown that was ordered. Then when Herod had to take his brother’s wife, John the Baptist had to speak against it. From the Old Testament also, the prophets- Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Elisha- kept talking, and I am of the belief that men of God should talk to government.

Cherubim and Seraphim (Ayo Ni O) unveils 50th anniversary logo

he Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church, Ayo Ni O, has unveiled the logo in commemoration of the church’s 50th anniversary celebration in Lagos. The unveiling is considered the forerunner of the anniversary of the church. According to the church leadership, the Lord has been good to the church and believes the pandemic will not prevent her from celebrating God’s faithfulness. “We are celebrating 50 years of God’s faithfulness in our lives since we started 50 years ago,” said Sunday Funsho Korode, chairman/ general leader, Surulere District, C&S Movement Church, Ayo Ni O. According to him, it has been a wonderful experience to see members of the C&S Movement keeping to the faith of its founding fathers.

Represented by George Ogunleye, the district general secretary, Korode opined that the founding fathers of Ayo Ni O, returned to Nigeria from the UK as young graduates, and have enjoyed wonderful experience with the church’s global growth ever since. “With oneness of spirit the leadership was followed with all sincerity and faithfulness, and all of us worked with one spirit and spiritual development took over the whole affairs and has been directing our steps one after the other,” Korode stated. Festus Ajani, chairman, 50th anniversary committee, said the church’s 50th anniversary is a landmark event because without the logo unveiling the church cannot go ahead with the anniversary plans. “...the unveiling of the logo is the symbol of the celebration and the identity of the church to showcase that

General Secretary, Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni o), Surulere District, Special Apostle, Pastor, George Ogunleye (left); with the Chairman, 50th Anniversary Committee, Special Apostle, Festus Ajani, during the unveiling of the church anniversary logo, at the Church hall, in Lagos.

this is the logo we are using to celebrate with,” Ajani said. According to him, the church started from a humble beginning, with branches in Nigeria, Canada, US, UK, South Africa, Italy, and in many other parts of the world. Ajani said that Ayo Ni O is very serious on evangelism, which is the special command God gave to his church to help actualise his mandate of saving men souls from sin. “Just like a human being who has reached 50 years, jubilee is a period of freedom; a period you look back and see all that God has done for you. “As a spiritual church we have a period during which there will be open air crusade revival: revival is also part of the regular exercise through which we evangelise,” said Ajani, stating that it will also be a time for the people to display their talents to the glory of God.

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Interview ‘Non-uniformity in varsity admission requirements based on region is a huge setback to Nigeria’ Olusoga Sofola, a professor of Physiology and a former vice chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, in this interview with NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE, speaks, among other issues, on the need for research in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions in order to make the desired developmental progress, and the need for total reorganisation of university system to function in line with international standards. Excerpts:

ow would you assess government policy on education lately and what role has it played in the advancement of the sector in the country? Government policy on education lately has been largely haphazard. In early postindependence years, the Old Western Region of Nigeria was a pace setter. Then there was free education and virtually scholarship for all attending higher institutions. The region also had institutions for middle education students to acquire skills and fend for themselves. However, nowadays, there is no consistency in policy and hardly any clear directive. Take for example, is the Basic Education scenario uniformly in all the states? Is there any objective to identify different categories of learners and identify the needs; example, the educationally ‘slow’ but that can be made to acquire useful skills, example by various artisan groups to improve on their skills, example motor maintenance, air conditioning, ‘new knowledge’ such as IT literacy and learning to maintain computers, cell phones, among others. At University level, the nonuniformity in admission requirements based on region and not ability/ knowledge is a setback for the country. While it seeks to provide for a larger group of entrants, it has been manipulated to lower the standards especially at exit points. It is these poor end products that find their way into governance and further propagate the rot in the society. As a former VC, how can the country resolve the incessant strikes by ASUU? There are no easy routes to fix these incessant strikes as they have been with us for over 50 years, from Gowon’s regime. Some of the suggestions to remediate the situation will be multifaceted. These will include the complete reorganisation of the University system so as to function according to International standards; take for instance, proper pay is good enough to also attract foreign scholars. Secondly, funds for research especially ramp up Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET FUND) and make it more attractive, easily accessible, and unbiased, with more attention to graduate students to sup-

There are many things wrong in our society that has been infested in warped values. Unless we can improve on our research and productivity, our country will continue to witness the slide into the abyss.

Sofola -

port their PhD research. In addition, there should be more reliance by government, in running the country on academics in technical/ advisory capacity. Thus, there will be the need to use more academics in solving societal problems; take for instance, when you watch reports on pandemics in Europe and USA, you see more academicians offering valuable and u n b i a s e d s u g g e s t i o n s . We also need better atmosphere for teaching and research as well as adequate provision of welfare for staff – housing/ accommodation, transport and the students’ welfare. The Academic atmosphere should be seen as serene and virtually utopic. In totality, if you provide the enabling a t m o s p he re a n d a dequa te remuneration, the need for strikes will be reduced. Many are of the view that there is dearth of research in the tertiary institutions; what is your take on that and what is the way forward? There is definitely dearth of research in tertiary institutions both in terms of quality and quantity. In the late 60s and 70s up to early 80s, Nigerian researchers were among some of the best in the world, in all aspects and majority

were working in Nigeria. We were competing quite well with our peers worldwide. N ow g o o d re s e a rc h i s b e ing carried out mainly by our colleagues in the Diaspora as there is adequacy of equipment, funding and remuneration, which are severely lacking in this country. The TETFund was set up to address some of the issues, but it has only scratched the surface, despite the good intentions of its originators. This is because as time moved on, the disbursements were becoming inadequate; take for instance, if you are given a grant of N40 million for research people will think it is a huge amount of money, but if you look at it very well, you will see that N40million which is only $100,000.00 cannot at the moment buy a reasonable research equipment for high quality work. Unless a miracle can occur, take for example, if grants are given in US dollar starting from about $500 thousand, then it can be acceptable. Of course, $500 thousand which is equivalent to N120 million, we can support research to develop our society; for example in Medicine, Engineering, Science, Mathematics, ICT and Artificial Intelligence, Business development, among others.

The Covid-19 has exposed the poor state of our health s y s t e m . C a n g ov e r n m e n t alone fund it? Yes, there were initial attempts at combating and limiting Covid-19, but as ex p o s u re ra t e s i n c re a s e d , the incidence also increased. Many of the initial problems w e re n o t m e d i c a l , b u t s o ciological. Take for example, how do you lock down a nation with large population with very poor citizens living in choked up environments, without adequate palliatives? The problems that arose simply overwhelmed the medical field. In addition, our medical intervention was sub-normal as the system could not cope. Also, as we do not have indigenous approach to solutions, take for instance, development of test kits, adequate research on treatment especially research into appropriate drugs and vaccine development and g e n e ra l l y c a t e r i n g f o r t h e large number of infected people appropriately. This would have been an opportunity for government to ramp up medical facilities, but it did not and many voluntary groups had to come in. Nigeria is faced with brain drain especially medical personnel who are fleeing to UK and US. How do we address this? This is to be expected if the country cannot recognise and adequately provide for its qualified personnel, not o nly in Medicine, but also in engineering and science. For medics, the training in Nigeria is fairly standard and acceptable, so when the doctors pass the relevant competency exams in UK and USA, they get jobs. As they say, they are looking for better life and how to improve on the welfare of their families in terms of lifestyle, kids’ education and better standard of living with basic necessities such as light and water which are scarce in our country. In addition, there is job satisfaction when you don’t have to worry about drug supply, diagnostics such as CT scan, MRI which are basic elsewhere. B ra i n d ra i n a l s o a f f e c t s

other sectors especially academics who see a bleak future in their career if they stay in the country. What has been happening is the loss of our best brain abroad or brain drain. In addition, we are all aware at the ignominious level of corruption that is evident which appalls the sensibilities of hard working individuals who continue to live subsistent lives despite their training and qualification. If what is happening now continues, we will end up with a totally dysfunctional society and when the oil outpour reduces considerably, the matter will be worse. Some post primary school students in the country will resume classes from Monday despite increased cases of Covid-19; what do you think is the implication? This is not the right option. The Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over in Nigeria. It only takes a couple of infected students to cause widespread epidemic in the school. The teachers and the elderly will be in danger. We do not have any significant Covid-19 testing rate not to talk of contact t ra c i n g a n d i s o l a t i o n . T h e major problem is that most schools have a large number of students and there is no way that you can practise ‘Social distancing’, and masking. The advice is that until there is a significant decline in rate of infection it will be unwise to resume schools. Even the advanced nations are reluctant to start schools. Reports have shown that there is proliferation of universities in the country; in what ways do you think government can checkmate that? Yes, there is proliferation of universities, but the country for its population is still underserved. Notwithstanding, the major issues are quality and standard. The National Universities Commission (NUC) grants accreditation to set up universities with well-laid out criteria. The question is ‘are these criteria being fulfilled?’ Many of these universities are glorified primary schools that are benefiting from the desire of students to attend a university. Many do not have qualified teachers and rely mostly on part time/ adjunct lecturers. The NUC will have to carry out more oversight functions to ensure that such universities fulfil its minimum standards.

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SundayBusiness Is cashew farming the new oil? Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

Introduction rom the global perspective, cashew production has been an important economic activity for many tropical countries, providing a variety of food and industrial products, for decades. That is according to MenezesandAlves,intheirresearch conducted in 1995. But the cashew nut entered world commerce at the beginning of the 20th century (Smith et al., 1992). Over the years, it has been discovered that farmers are engaged in cashew production for consumption and income generation while 33percent of female producers grow cashew for income respectively. Cashew production has great economic potentials for vibrant income generating activity and

social protection. The most notable of its products is the cashew nut. In fact, of the 30 to 35 products from the cashew tree, the nut is the most valuable. By the ranking of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, cashew comes third in world economic importance after almonds and Brazil nuts (FAO, 2010). Current world production of cashew nut is put at 3, 720 245 metric tons on 4, 097, 637 hectres of land. Vietnam, Nigeria, India, Indonesia and Brazil are currently the world’s leading producers of cashew nuts (FAO, 2010). Although the crop has its roots in Brazil, it is India, which nourished it and brought it to international eminence. Today, India is the largest producer, processor, exporter, and second-largest cashew consumer in the world Nutritional value Cashew nut is a natural source of antioxidants, according to Professor Clifford Hall, in his work ‘’Antioxidants in Food, 2001’’. The antioxidants present in cashews include catechins, epicatechins, leucocyanidins and leucopelargonidins. TheEncyclopedia of Food and Health, 2016, states that cashew nut represents one of the cheapest major sources of non-isoprenoid phenolic lipids, which have a variety of biological properties and medicinal applications and have demonstrated a potential antioxidant activity. Cashew nut is an excellent snack, a good appetizer, and an excellent nerve tonic and stimulant.Operations involved in

the processing of cashew kernels are basically cooking; drying; cutting; decortication; peeling; classification; frying and packaging. The cashew kernel is of high food value with about 40–57percent oil and 21percent protein contents. It is an important delicacy, which is mainly used in confectionery and as a desert nut. Cashew is globally one of the most popular tree nuts and is eaten as a snack or incorporated as an ingredient in a variety of foods. The kernel can be roasted and consumed; it can also be used as an adjunct in chocolate and chicken feeds. Powdered milk used in the standard milk chocolate recipe could be replaced with 25percent roasted cashew kernel. Nutkernel oils are also used as: salad oils, in cooking and other food applications. Anacardic acid has been initially isolated from cashew nuts. In this context, anacardic acid presents anti-inflammatory and anti-invasive properties by suppressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins.Collectively, research data support a potential preventive role of anacardic acid against cancer development. As pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals It is used as massages and as lubricants, as emollients in pharmaceuticals, and in cosmetics, soaps, shampoos and hair conditioning/repair products, skin lotions, and other cosmetic products. The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) can be extracted and used in various products in the chemical

industry. It can be used to cure fungal infections on human skin, for surface coatings, resins, brake linings, and brake fluid. Cashew nut shell is used as activated carbon which serves as an adsorbent. It is also used as a source of fuel, in surface coating, flame retardation and rubber processing. For the production of bioactive compounds from waste as discovered by Christianah O. Jayeola and Olayiwola Olubamiwa, in ‘’Therapeutic, Probiotic, and Unconventional Foods, 2018’’, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) has been identified as an important industrial raw material (Ghatge and Maldar, 1981). It is a good natural alternative to petrochemically derived phenol. On the basis of its diverse properties, cardanol excels over petroleum based phenol products and can be used as a substitute, often at significantly reduced cost. Cashew nut oil is used for polymer production. Its derivative, cardanol, is extensively used in the laminating industries for reducing brittleness and improving the flexibility of laminates. It is also used in paints, varnishes, and specialty inks.It is an excellent source of phenol for polymer production. Investment in cashew farming Well aware of these immense nutritional, pharmaceutical and petrochemical properties inherent, as economic benefits in cashew, Jadek Farms, based in Ogbomosho has come up with some juicy packages for the wise investors. With it one could own a farm with N600,000 one- time investment and earn return yearly for next 50

years! There are different mouthwatering packages; either one is investing in his/her plot upfront or you intend to pay by instalment. Whatever the choice you pick, your dashboard is automated and your countdown can start as soon as possible. Your cashew farm will be set up and the rest is left to Jadek Farms. One of the promises is that the farm is the farm belongs to the investor which he can visit anytime. Ogbomosho happens to be an area located in Oyo state, with good climatic conditions and highly fertile lands for planting cashew and other crops. This area has one of the best Kernels out-turn Ratios (KOR) in the whole of Nigeria. The extra benefits include, N 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 An n u a l RO I after maturity term, free farm maintenance(for the first year), insurance/other risk mitigation and 100percent return on investment. Currently, Jadek Farms deals majorly on cashew farming which is supplemented with cassava farming. But there are plans to explore other cash crops in the future. After choosing a package and making payments, the investor becomes the owner of the land and he can proceed to get his certificate of occupancy and land survey documents at his own cost. All these attractive packages are there for the asking.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 07068638066

Connak Foundation showers N40m cash grant to 50 Abia youths UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

onnak Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has issued out cheques worth N40million to fifty (50) Abia youths who have benefitted from the 2019 Youth Entrepreneurship initiative grant of the Foundation. It was dream come true for the beneficiaries who poured encomiums on the Chairman of the Foundation, Kenneth Ukeagu and Carol Emeka Sunday, the chief executive officer. The event took place at Umuegwu Okpuala Umuawa Alike, Afuguri, Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia State, One of the beneficiaries, Andrew Bassey, CEO, Andlyn Foodlink, who got N250,000, recalled the hiccups his business experienced before the intervention. “Andlyn Foodlink got incorporated in the year 2013, but we have been struggling due to funding. I must thank Inspire Africa. They did a great job in training us. They exposed us to little things we have been forgetting. Connak Foundation is God sent. In times like these, God is using the foundation to show the world that Nigeria has potentials and can do it. Connak Foundation is bringing back hope

to Nigerian youths. I want to assure the Foundation that we will not continue to be beneficiaries but we will soon partner Connak Foundation,” Bassey said. Also, a young entrepreneur Chidinma Anita Okafor who benefitted N1.5 million and the proprietor of Princeton School, Umuahia, and Joy Udogu who got N250,000.00 expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the grant and also promised to empower others in the near future. For a graduate of architecture and CEO Cosy Neoclassic Enterprise, Ukagwu Michael Uchechukwu, who benefitted one million naira, it was a confirmation that Connak Foundation is real and not a mirage as some people believed. His testimony: “I deal on animal and livestock feeds. In the year 2018, I have a friend who runs a studio. He was one of the beneficiaries of the 2018 Connak Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative Programme. Initially, I thought the programme was a mirage, not until he was given a grant of a million naira. I said wow! This is what is happening within my neighborhood and we are did not know. “I said let me give it a try. My friend told me that Connak Foundation will be starting the 2019 edition by August; so on August

26, I was a kind of having cold feet registering but on the last day of registration around September, I took the bold step, logged onto their website and concluded the registration; and on the 23rd of September same year 2019, we came for a training. The training worth it, we were trained on various aspects of entrepreneurship by Inspire Africa organisation. They took us through series of training and even without being empowered after the training, you can excel in any business venture. I got a Midas touch in my business as a result of that training. “To crown it all, at the end of the training, we were asked to write a business plan, then sell your idea, which I did and submitted. It was assessed by the Foundation panel of judges. On 25th December, that is the Founder’s Day, we all came through invitation for the programme. Everyone was just expectant, you don’t know whether you are a winner or not. When they started calling out names of qualified beneficiaries from 250 thousand naira, I said God, even if it is 250 thousand naira, I am okay. At the end of everything, I was surprised to hear the name of my enterprise. “It was a made year for me and I am super excited. I thank God for Connak Foundation. I thank God

for the CEO. I thank God for the Chairman, a very visionary man. He has really touched lives”. Carol Emeka Sunday, the CEO of Connak Foundation, earlier in her speech before handing over the cheques to the beneficiaries, said the Foundation was poised to see many Connaks in Abia State, adding that the Foundation was to see people’s progress, as this would spur the Foundation to do more. She said the Foundation was trying to create mind shift in Abians, nay Nigerians. She told the beneficiaries: “We want you all to know that Connak Foundation will want to look at what you have been able to do. We have plans for viable businesses”. She hinted that 426 Abia youths were undergoing ICT training simultaneously at Aba, the commercial nerve centre and Umuahia, the capital city of Abia; and that on graduation, all of them would be empowered. “Last year, apart from our yearly founder’s day, we did what we called Abia Youth Arise. We want youths in Abia to show us what they have. Abia youths across the federation sent in their shot videos. We got Judges who looked at them, to pick the viable ones and we staged a huge concert, the first of its kind in Abia State. It was

a massive concert, during which about nine of the participants were awarded. We had three from drama, three from music and three from comedy. We want Abia State to be known. We are ‘God’s own state’ and we cannot continue to be backwards,” She said. While handing over the cheques to the beneficiaries, the Connak Foundation Chief Executive Officer said, two out of the fifty beneficiaries won two million naira each, four of them got 1.5 million naira each; thirteen of them won one million naira each; sixteen got 750 thousand naira each, five of the beneficiaries got 500 thousand naira each while the remaining ten won 250 thousand naira each for their businesses. “I want to encourage you, we want more Connaks in Abia State, so the opportunity we are giving to you is that of a lifetime. What we encourage you to do is, put in more effort in your endeavours. We are going to be monitoring all the businesses and we have a surprise package by the time we are done. We want you all to know that Connak Foundation will want to look at what you have been able to do but we will not tell you what we have planned for the most viable businesses”, Carol Emeka Sunday said, as she encouraged the beneficiaries on hard work.

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BDSUNDAY 25

SundayBusiness Need for legislation on mortgage process to bridge housing gap

or the growth of the mortgage market and bridge housing gap in Nigeria, there is need for legislation towards mortgage process, but this will depend on how the legislation is applied. In some countries, what happens is that a body is set up that manages mortgage subsidies. This body delivers the subsidies either through banks or by itself. So, the legislation around mortgage has to be fine-tuned, implemented and advertised so that people can access it. But, for this to happen in Nigeria, the mortgage industry has to improve, and developers have to be encouraged to build mortgage-viable and ready properties; mortgage interest rates have to be reduced to single digit and made available; the whole process of securing mortgage has to be made clearer and more transparent. Mortgage has to be available on retail high street such that every time you go out looking for it, you see it. In addition, developers should be encouraged to build across all property bands, simplicity needs to be introduced into the regulatory system to make it cheaper and faster to develop.

The import system needs to be tidied up to be faster, more efficient and less punitive to the building trade by allowing quality products in without attracting huge duties and red tape. This simplicity will reduce the cost of housing, making it affordable to more buyers including low income buyers. Furthermore, the government needs to find ways to make land more of a commodity—easy to ascertain ownership, cheaper to transfer and designate large areas for social housing by ensuring developers can build for a certain sector without heavy land costs. Frequently, housing deficit is linked to undersupply of housing relative to demand. Seldom do people look deeper to see how closely housing deficit is linked to unemployment through the interplay of a functional mortgage system. In Nigeria, there are two major issues that have to do with the country’s housing deficit, estimated at 20 million units. The first is lack of a functional mortgage system while the second one is the absence of a social security system. There is an absence of a system that is dedicated to funding housing for low income families.

Ultimately, a mortgage system is only as good and functional as employment rate in the country. This means that even if a country has a viable mortgage system and the unemployment rate is very high, the system cannot solve any problem. This is because people have to be gainfully and sustainably employed to qualify for mortgage. Good employment with regular income is a basic requirement for mortgage. For that reason, governments need to come up with a comprehensive policy that recognises the average family household income and designs a mortgage product as well as a grant aided system that meets the real challenges in society. This will increase developer activity and increase supply, thereby increasing employment and reducing cost of ownership or use. It needs to be pointed out however that there are some basic problems with the mortgage system in Nigeria. One is accessibility and the second one is clarity. Talking about accessibility, when a borrower approaches a mortgage bank for loan, the bank will ask him for things that he cannot provide, meaning that mortgage is simply not accessible for those that actually need it.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com)

In terms of clarity, there is no unified system. There is nowhere the government has published a mortgage rate which the mortgage banks have to use or a mortgage standard or process which the banks have to fit into. It is obvious that there is no clarity in the mortgage system here and if there is any such thing, it is not yet publicised and so people don’t know and, if people don’t know, it means such a process does not exist. The basic principle of a mortgage is that a borrower must have steady income and be in gainful employment. He must be able to provide income in multiples for the property that will be built for his use. If his income is N4 million per annum, for instance, and the cost of the property is N30 million, unless he wants to steal, he cannot afford that property and there is

no mortgage for him at that rate given his income. In Metropolitan Lagos, most two or three-bedroom houses are sold for between N30 million and N60 million, yet the average yearly income of the white-collar worker is under N6 million. This means these properties are clearly out of the reach of the average buyer. It follows that, unless the supply side is subsidised, or the demand side is grant-aided, the market will remain untenable and the benefits that a community or society gains from a large and broad home ownership base will be eluded. With this comes the inability to access consumer finance, home based loans and a fluid, dynamic retail financial system that encourages buying power, creates trade and boosts the local economy.

Niger Delta Power Holding’s efforts at tackling the albatross of inadequate power supply Tony Ailemen, Abuja

n d o u b t e d l y, inadequate electricity generation and supply in the country is one of the major factors inhibiting rapid national growth. As part of plans to improve power supply, the Federal Government in 2005 established the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) as an interventionist project to fast-track power sector infrastructure development. The new company was handedamandatetomanage the power projects under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) scheme of the three-tiers of Nigerian government (Federal, States and Local). It was meant as an emergency intervention scheme to tackle the deficit and expand power sector infrastructure in the country. With the installation of 25,900 completely self-protected (CSP) transformers all over the country, Nigeria has significantly reduced technical losses. Under the NIPP programme, the capacity of 33/0.415kV and 11/0.415kV was increased

by 26percent. These achievements and contributions to the nation’s power sector undoubtedly put the NDPHC in good stead to continue to power Nigeria’s quest for overall national development. The NDPHC was at inception given marching orders to develop 10 power plants with a designed installed and operating capacity of 5,067MW, 102 transmission lines and substations projects and over 291 distributioninjection sub stations and gas infrastructure with over 22,000 completely Self Protected transformers among other critical projects. So far the company

has completed about 4,015MW of this designed capacity, representing about 80percent of this mandate and has also made remarkable input in Transmission, Distribution and Gas infrastructure. In power generation, eight of the 10 power plants in the NIPP portfolio, along with associated gas transmission metering/ receiving infrastructure projects to support commercial operation, have been commissioned and connected to the national grid contributing over 22,000,000kWhr of energy daily subject to availability of gas. Th e NDPHC has

continued to operate these power plants in the interest of the Nigerian economy, despite undesirable security challenges and an accumulated debt owed it by the electricity market. The NDPHC contribution represents about 30 per cent of power requirement in the national grid, despite the huge debt of over N121billion owed NDPHC by the electricity market. The NPDHC has over 3,000 MW of generation capacity available for deployment if the grid permits and this represents the best opportunity for the rapid improvement of power supply to Nigerian consumers. S o f a r, c o m p l e t e d power plants include 750MW Olorunsogo II; 450MW (Ogorode) Sapele; 434MW Geregu II; 450MW Omotosho II; 450MW Ihovbor; 450MW Alaoji; 563MW Calabar a n d 2 2 5 M W Gb a r a i n . Imminently completed ones include 225MW Omoku; 338MW Egbema and 530MW Alaoji steam machines that would wrap up the total available capacity of the plants to 1, 774MW on full completion. Many of the NIPP power

plants on the national grid also provide ancillary services like spinning reserve to support the system operations, a contribution critical for stabilising the national grid. The NDPHC has completed 2,194km of 330kV transmission lines and 809km of 132kV transmission lines. This represents an increase of 46percent and 13percent respectively over the pre-NIPP status of grid infrastructure. A total of 10 new 330/132kV substations and seven new 132/33kV substations have also been completed with several other existing substations significantly expanded thereby adding 5,590MVA and 3,313MVA capacity to the national grid. NIPP contributions to the Transmission grid system have transformed the hitherto radial 330kV/132kV grid into a more robust grid system with significant provision of alternative power flow routes which now serve as redundancies and which has resulted in a more reliable and stable Nigerian grid. The N DP HC a ls o commissioned 220km long 330kV Double Circuit

(DC) lines providing alternative thermal power into Abuja and the FCT from Geregu, through a new Lokoja substation, a new Gwagwalada substation into the existing TCN Katampe and Apo substations with several significant expansion works on existing substation developments along this route. Another 330kV Transmission backbone was commissioned to provide several 330kV DC transmission line from the Power plant zones in Calabar, Alaoji, Afam and Ikot Abasi into a switching hub at Ikot Ekpene. From this hub, a long DC lines emanate to flow power from these southern based power generation centers to Jos and the far North East through Ugwuaji and Makurdi in Enugu and Benue states. With the commissioning of about 95percent of this grid backbone in November 2016, the Nigerian Transmission Grid bid a firm andfinalgoodbyetotheradial grid era and entered into a new hitherto unattainable level of grid security, reliability and stability that has seemed elusive since the commencement of Nigerian grid operations in 1969.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

SundayBusiness We cannot have a seaport and be lamenting on how to export products - Archibong weekend during a one-day Export Workshop on Planning Export organised by the Calabar office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with Neighborhood Development and Empowerment organisation (NDEO). Archibong, who lamented that the Calabar Port was lying idle with few activities as compared to Onne and Lagos Ports, stressed that there was no local government in the state that cannot boast of at least five exportable products in all the eighteen LGAs.

MIKE ABANG, Calabar

ross River State Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Rosemary Archibong has decried the nonuse of Calabar Port by citizens of the state and exporters, saying “we cannot have a seaport and be lamenting on how to export products to other parts of the world.” Th e C o m m i s s i o n e r made the observation at the

LG gas cooker: Promoting hygienic cooking, healthy food consumption for families

eeping a hygienic lifestyle has been described as hallmark of good living. It’s a series of practices that preserve good health, longevity, prevention of spread of diseases and virus as well as preserving the climates. In the manufacturing of f o o d , ph a r m a c e u t ic al , cosmetic and other products, good hygiene is a critical component of quality assurance hence LG Electronics is taking giant strides in this to ensure that its loyal customers are offered the best kitchen appliances that help to experience the good side of life. As more Nigerians are getting conscious of their health and safety, more focus has been cantered on the area of hygiene, considered as one of the most important aspects of safeguarding good health. Kitchen is the heart of every home and what goes on in the kitchen can affect the family in diverse ways hence food safety cannot be ignored. Good food hygiene

measures need to be put in place to ensure that food is safe, right from preparation to consumption And to ensure availability of hygienic food at all times, everyone must not only live with the consciousness of what they eat and the way it is processed, they must also be concerned about what is used in cooking the food consumed. This is an area where LG Gas Cooker, a productembeddedwithEasy Clean special feature and other qualities, capable of making consumers cooking healthy and hygienic, has come to fore. Coming from the stable of a brand, which has positioned itself as a global leader in consumer electronics, the LG gas cooker has been specifically designed to meet the 21st century cooking needs of its customers. Combining great design and remarkable performance, LG gas oven feature professional-grade knobs, a stainless steel finish and cast-iron grates. The General Manager,

Home Appliances Division at LG Electronics West Africa, Mr. Jiung Park, said the company’s focus has been on creating an excellent product that meets customers’ needs and more, with the new innovation. LG EasyClean is the next generation of oven cleaning that provides user a quick and easy way of cleaning their oven. Easy clean feature is designed to be a new cleaning alternative to self-clean that uses low heat, no chemicals and allows your oven to be cleaned in just minutes. Easy clean uses low temperatures and water to loosen the soils in your oven so that the soils can be scrubbed away easily. The advantages of the Easy Clean feature are that it is smoke and odor free and requires only water as a cleaning agent instead of harsh chemicals when compared to self-clean. It saves users time and energy by reducing the heating cycle from hours to just 20 minutes for better cleaning performance with Easy

Clean. Ea s y Cl e a n c a n b e performed as often as one wishes, it really works best when your oven is lightly soiled from things such as light grease splatter and small spots of melted cheese. Combining all the great benefits LG Easy Clean offers, users are assured of dirt-free, clean oven and more importantly a hygienic interior oven space for their next cooking activity, allowing consumers to enjoy a more healthy meal. LG gas cooker also has a bigger capacity that allows users to cook more food such as large pizza, ultra-large sized chicken for the entire family. It also delivers even and faster cooking for users; giving them the confidence to deliver tasty food on time to the table, achieve excellent cooking performance and spend quality time with family after cooking. LG range of gas and electric cookers are superefficient and powerful which are available in LG Fouani outlets nationwide.

“We have enormous capacity in fish, cocoa, vegetables, limestone, rice, groundnut, among others, but the problem is the political will; my ministry is here to guard the participants,” she said. In a welcome address by the Trade Promotion Advisor of (NEPC), Emmanuel Etim, he said the workshop was a clear demonstration of the Federal Government continuous efforts to spearhead the diversification of the Nigerian economy away from the oil sector through the promotion and development of the non-oil export

sub-sector of the national economy. He revealed that NEPC is motivated by the fact that Cross River is richly endowed with golden green economy of agro-allied products like palm oil, cassava, fish, among others. In her speech, the managing director of Neghbourhood Empowerment, Valarie Henshaw said her organisation was borne out of passion for self employment, discovery, leadership, entrepreneurship, capacity and creation of wealth in order to attain financial freedom.

NAFDAC commences sanctions on illegal marketers in Kwara SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced shutting down facilities engaged in the packaging and sale of fake vegetable oil in Kwara State. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on the sidelines of the exercise recently, Roselyn Ajayi, the state coordinator of NAFDAC, disclosed that the agency was alerted to the activities of some individuals buying vegetable oil in bulk. She explained that these individuals were packaging and placing labels of unregistered brands on the product. “We were tipped off by some concerned citizens and we investigated and found out that there were individuals engaging in packaging and selling vegetable oil whose sources are unverifiable,” she said. Ajayi noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, there

was reduced routine and surveillance activities by the agency, and that this has resulted in the rampant increase in the faking activities by these individuals. “We were not able to go out for surveillance activities as we use to do. They took advantage of the fact the regulatory agency are not operating at full capacity because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Their illegal activities became heightened and based on the tip-off and the magnitude that was described to us; I had to recall some of the officers who were not suppose to be on duty to join some of us on duty. “We also involved security operatives so that we can trace where these activities are being perpetrated and the culprit,” she added. Th e N A F DAC Coordinator explained that the source of this vegetable oil cannot be verified even though the labels suggest that they were manufactured in Malaysia.

NIMASA maintains December deadline for phasing out single-hull tankers …Secures approval for disbursement of CVFF AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

heNigerianMaritime Ad m i n i s t r a t i o n and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said the country remains steadfast in its decision to stop the use of ships with single-hull tankers by December 31 this year. Bashir Jamoh, directorgeneral of NIMASA stated this on Thursday in Lagos during a virtual meeting with the Shipowners Association

of Nigeria (SOAN). Jamoh also announced that NIMASA had secured approval for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fu n d ( C V F F ) , a d d i n g that only the final details of the scheme were being considered before commencement of pay-out. “We are committed to the completephase-outofsinglehull tankers by December 31. Operators still using this type of tanker should make

adequate preparation to comply because there will be no going back on this decision. We have discussed the timeline for discontinuing the use of single-hull tankers and were given five years to comply with the ban, which is, to all intents and purposes, a generous allowance,” Jamoh said. He described ship owners as ‘the beacon and hub of any developing economy,’ saying that the journey to success for the current management

of NIMASA depends on the shipowners. He however promised that the agency would continue to pursue its functions of promoting and regulating shipping in collaboration with shipowners and all relevant stakeholders. On shipowners’ concerns about the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Jamoh stated that the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, had

approved the disbursement of the fund, meant to assist operators in the acquisition of maritime assets. “Only the details are being discussed with a view to avoiding former mistakes and ensuring effective as well as efficient utilisation of the fund. We have also submitted proposals to the Minister to seek fiscal and monetary incentives for our shipowners,” he stated. Recall that NIMASA had in 2015 revised the

timetable for phasing out ships with single-hull tankers operating in Nigeria in line with the decision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to extend its deadline for ban on single-hull tankers for certain categories of tankers not engaged in international trade. Also, NIMASA utilised the IMO extension window to shift the final phase-out date for single-hull oil tankers to December 31, 2020.

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CapitalMarket Access Bank’s deal in Zambia consolidates its foothold in 13 African countries TELIAT SULE

ccess Bank’s pan African dream is coming to fruition following another successful deal in Zambia. Just last week, Access Bank announced the execution of definitive agreement with Cavmont Capital Holdings resulting in the merger of Cavmont Bank with Access Bank Zambia. The merger with one of Zambia’s top banks when ranked by retail and commercial banking strengths, is to make Access Bank Zambia among the top ten banks in that country. After its clinical acquisition of the defunct Diamond Bank, which transformed the bank into one of the biggest banks in the country by assets, Access Bank embarked on purposefully driven expansion across the African continent. In October 2019, it completed the acquisition of Transnational Bank Plc in Kenya, east African biggest economy. By year end 2019, Access Bank had subsidiaries in United Kingdom, Rwanda, Ghana, Congo, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea while subsidiaries in Cameroon, Mozambique are to commence operations in 2020. It also has representative offices in China, Lebanon, India and the United Arabs Emirates (UAE). In FY2019, its subsidiary in the United Kingdom with three branches and 139 employees, made N30.7

billion as operating income and a profit before tax of N20.5 billion. The total assets for the period stood at N899.76 billion, while loans and advances, and total deposits were N557.2 billion and N769.8 billion respectively. Access Bank Ghana has fiftytwo branches and 546 employees. In FY 2019, it generated N27.3 billion as operating income and N14.8 billion as profit before tax. Total assets amounted to N297.8 billion; loans and advances, N75 billion while total deposits stood

at N202.8 billion. The UK and Ghana subsidiaries accounted for 94 percent of its subsidiaries’ profit before tax with a return on equity of 15 percent and 23 percent respectively in FY 2019. Announcing the deal last week, Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank’s group managing director, said the bank made the move to create the momentum that would advance its strategic objectives. “Access Bank is focused on building the scale needed to become a leading bank in its key

operating markets through leveraging the right partnerships. This transaction underscores our approach and is another stepping stone towards delivering on our strategic aspirations of becoming the World’s Most Respected African Bank and Africa’s Gateway to the world. It will strengthen our presence in Zambia, while furthering our footprint for growth in the COMESA region, Africa’s largest free trade area. “ Over the years, we have worked hard to build a sustainable

international bank of African origin that can expand the potential of businesses, support economic prosperity, facilitate trade and investment and extend the power of banking to millions of people who do not yet have the financial tools to achieve their dreams. The proposed transaction aligns with that strategy”, Wigwe said. Peet van der Walt, MD, Cavmont Bank commented that the deal would benefit and offer greater security to the bank’s customers. “Cavmont bank’s vision is to be a world-class bank, rated amongst the best in Zambia. Our customers will benefit from the greater security offered by one of the most capitalised banks in the country, increased scale in Zambia, access to a broader digital and retail offering, and a geographic network across the continent. We look forward to working closely with Access Bank to deliver the benefits of the merger to all the stakeholders”, Peet van der Walt said. On July 29, 2020, the board of Access Bank considered and approved its audited half year 2020 financial statements and the payment of an interim dividend for the period ended June 30, 2020, all subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Access Bank, in the last few years, has consistently paid N0.25 per share as interim dividend to shareholders. Its share price gained by 2.36 percent last week Friday to close at N6.50 per share.

First Bank raises CAR TO 16.5% with N25bn capital injection TELIAT SULE

irst Bank Holdings has injected N25 billion into First Bank Limited in a bid to raise its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) above the regulatory benchmark of 15 percent for banks with international banking licences. The fund injected was the proceeds of the company’s divestment from FBN Insurance Limited. Earlier in June, FBN Holdings announced the divestment of its 65 percent from FBN Insurance Limited to Sanlam Emerging Markets (Proprietary) Limited with effective divestment date being June 1, 2020. The recent injection in Nigeria’s oldest commercial bank came at a time the bank’s CAR hovered around the regulatory threshold of 15 percent. In FY2019, First Bank’s CAR was 15.5 percent but the latest capital injection increased this bench-

mark to 16.5 percent. Nevertheless, the bank’s CAR stall falls below tier-one bank’s industry average of about 22 percent. the other tier-one banksZenith, Access, GTB and UBA have a minimum of 20 percent CAR, indicating that additional funds might soon be injected to beat industry average. Commenting on the latest move to strengthen First Bank, Oyewale Ariyibi, chief financial office of the company said the overriding objective was to optimise capital across the group to drive business growth, enhance efficiency and improve overall shareholders’ value. “The divestment is in line with the group’s medium to long term strategic objectives. The divestment has unlocked significant value embedded in the former subsidiary which is being leveraged to strengthen the core banking business for which the group is known”, Ariyibi said.

Gross earnings at the end of the first half of 2020 rose by 5.8 percent to N296.4 billion up from N280.3 billion in corresponding half of 2019. Operating income

rose by 7.7 percent to N211.4 billion in H1 2020 from N196.3 billion in H1 2019. Net interest income for the period surged by 46.8 percent to N80.1 billion in

contrast to N54.6 billion in corresponding period in 2019. Profit before tax increased to N41.4 billion, representing 14.3 percent improvement over N36.2 billion realised in H1 2029. Profit after tax surged by 56.3 percent to N49. 5 billion (including discontinued operations) compared with N31.6 billion realised in H1 2019. The bank also recorded significant improvements in other metrics. Total assets for the half year 2020 increased by 14.9 percent to N7.13 trillion up from N6.20 trillion in corresponding period in 2019. Loans and advances, and customers deposits increased by 7.7 percent and 8.8 percent respectively over the corresponding figures in 2019. Last Friday, investors traded 22.96 million units of FBN Holdings shares worth N116.86 million making the stocks one of the most traded that day. It closed at N5.05 per share last Friday.

28 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 09 August 2020

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

How Imo State Deputy Speaker is breathing freshness in politics The present Imo State Deputy Speaker, Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuayanwu is a young, focused and vibrant politician to watch. He is determined to personally make a difference and positively impact the society. His community and his colleagues in the House recognise this which has assisted in his trajectory in politics. This report by Daniel Obi looks at his contributions.

mara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, the present Deputy Speaker of Imo State is an institution. The older he grows, the more useful he becomes to the society. The young politician, who is Imo State House member representing Nwangele LGA is simply a role model with desire and hunger to achieve, weaved around him. Hon. Amara is a young entrepreneurial giant who has his legacies built around integrity. He comes from a family of philanthropists in Amuzi, Dim-Na-Nume, Isu of Nwangele Local Government whose community interest is at their heart. His father, Elder Chyna Iwuanyanwu who earned the respect for cordial relationship and willingness to assist, knew God from his early age. He imbibed the Christian teachings early in life which he practiced and transferred this to his three children. Amara’s grand-father gave birth to 10 children with his father, Chyna being the fourth among his nine siblings. After his healing by God, Amara’s father, Chyna Iwuanyawu single-handedly built an ultraModern new Covenant Anglican Church in his village Amuzi Isu in about 2013 to thank God for His mercies upon him. The Church was personally dedicated by the former primate Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Nicholas Okoh and other renowned Anglican clergies. Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan was represented at the occasion by his Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo. Elder Chyna was a former journalist with Radio Nigeria and Champion newspapers. He was also a public relations consultant, politician, author who was close to his community. He was also the pioneer Chairman, University of Lagos Alumni Association, Abuja branch. Elder Chyna Iwuanyanwu contested the national chairmanship of the People’s Democratic Party in 2008 and national publicity secretary of the party in the 2012/2015 National Convention Before and after his passing unto glory on August 13, 2018, his son, Rt Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu had continued with the traits of his father.

Amara Chyna Iwuayanwu

Amara was very close to his father. He revealed this in his tribute to his father during the interment when he said his father used to call him Enyinaya, Samara, My Soulmate, my Eagle. Hon Amara was born in Owerri, Imo State in 1980s, grew up in Surulere, Lagos where he attained secondary education as Kings College and later proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka for a degree in Banking and Finance. Prior to Amara’s intention to run for the Imo State House of Assembly under PDP representing Nwangele LGA, Hon Amara who is youthful both in character and personal relationship had assisted communities and individuals. He personally undertook the rehabilitation of roads in some wards. In his speech during the flagging off ceremony at Nkwo Onyeukwu market Square Abajah in December 2017; Amara Iwuanyanwu who defected to APC in April, 2020 for better political alignment, pointed out then that the project was nonpartisan, adding that the wellbeing of an average Nwangele Indigene is his major concern. He testified to God’s goodness in his life and that of his father indicating that it was this grace that was the genesis of the initiative rather than to score cheap political points. His actions

since then are a reflection of the courage and unselfishness that his community and other individuals in Imo State have come to recognize in him. Amara, popularly called Mr. Capacity today was widely commended for the community philanthropic activities. ‘Mr. Ca-

Amara whose legacy is that of creativity, hardwork, dedication and excellence is a very quiet speaking personality whose actions carry more weight

pacity’ was his mantra for the campaign to the House of Assembly, an indication that he has both the mental and physical ability to represent his people. Since his election into the Imo State House of Assembly in 2019, Rt Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu has shown that he is a grassroots man, focused, touching base with his community. This is part of what he inherited from his father. As the Covid-19 ravages global economies, businesses and individual families, Amara continued to remember his people, showing milk of kindness to the less privileged. He has made donations of food stuffs and medical equipment to various communities to alleviate the biting effects of the pandemic. Indeed, Covid-19 created new needs as well as put enormous financial pressure on individuals and families. Without such support, it would be catastrophic for many homes. Amara who is employer of labour with various companies in some sectors, has invested in the lives of many people within and outside his community before and during Covid-19. The Deputy Speaker gesture was apparently in support of government’s effort in providing palliatives to the vulnerable during the Covid -19 pandemic. Evidences show that the lockdown implemented by the Federal Government to slow the spread of the pandemic had disproportionate impact on the people especially the poor and most vulnerable in the societies. This is why donations from organisations and individuals like Hon Amara’s hand of fellowship to people were most appropriate to cushion the effects of the pandemic. The politician’s efforts did not stop at donating gifts but mounting grassroots awareness campaigns to complement the Nigerian government’s efforts to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease to help forestall further spread of the disease which was mainly recorded in cities of Lagos, Abuja and a few other states. The awareness campaign is to further educate people in communities on the recommended hygiene protocols to keep individuals and families safe. Hon.

Amara’s type of philanthropy is not just about money, it’s about feeling the pain of others and caring enough about their needs to help. Amara whose legacy is that of creativity, hardwork, dedication and excellence is a very quiet speaking personality whose actions carry more weight. Obviously, it is not always easy to find the prized virtues of humility and selflessness domiciled in a single individual of outstanding means as it is in Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu. His exemplary lifestyle and humility is evident for all to see. One must say that Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu called Mr. Capacity is a quintessential personality, philanthropist, community fan, an epitome of decency, an iconic transformational politician, a personification of humility and a team player. The young politician who has his base and quality friends both in his community and outside as supporters because of his good relationship, readily comes to mind when the issues of impactful living and philanthropy is mentioned. From early stage, he has shown that he belongs to that rare class who will give Nigeria’s politics new meaning of positive impact. Truly, Amara, as a philanthropist and one who has touched many lives has distinguished himself in many ways. No doubt he recently emerged as Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly amidst strong contenders from Ideato North State constituency and Isu State constituency. It is no surprise that his friend, Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, popularly known as OzB who also represented Nwangele Constituency but now a federal law maker, was Deputy Speaker of the 8th Imo State House of Assembly. Fortunately Amara from the same constituency has taken over the same seat in the 9th Assembly. With the confidence on him by his colleagues and his community, there is no doubt that Amara will put in his best in this assignments of legislative business to support the Government of Shared Prosperity Mantra of the Hope Uzodinma, the Executive Governor to ensure that the government delivers on the promises to Imo people.

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Arts

Artists and the their pandemic tales Stories by OBINNA EMELIKE

or nearly six months now, art galleries, museums and other spaces for the expression of visual art have been under lock and key. Of course, the sad situation is due to the efforts at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which grounded global economies and killed many people at the peak of its outbreak in the second half of the year, though it is still ravaging. While the curve of the pandemic is being flattened and the world is talking about recovery, Nigerian artists are still feeling the impact as galleries are still closed, no exhibition and no money to make. For the artists, the first half of this year has been dotted with unprecedented scenarios in the history of visual art in Nigeria. However, some of the artists bare their mind on the situation and how they have survived the unprecedented time in their career. Speaking on the impact of the pandemic, Chika Idu, a contemporary Nigerian visual artist, was sad that the pandemic did not allow him to socialize with his fellow artists like before, while working at home was difficult as prices of art materials went up because art shops could not restock during the lockdown. “Right now I cannot visit art studios by other artists to share ideas, and art galleries are closed. Sadly, I had to retrieve some of my works from some galleries”, Idu decried. Further counting his losses, Idu disclosed that he had to cancel and postpone a lot of shows and engagements both local and international. “So, it has been a setback”, he lamented. For Jelili Atiku, multimedia performance artist and

Chika Idu

sculptor, the pandemic has traumatized his body and artistic practice. “As an artist that performs mostly in public spaces, I will feel disconnected from the sacred therapeutic energy of the public spaces and the energy that comes from the physical contact with people who are an indisputable element of my art”, Atiku lamented. In the same vein, Obinna Adiele, another contemporary artist, said that the pandemic has had a terrible impact on him and also his progress as an artist. Adiele is one of the worst hit by the pandemic because he lost his growing contacts and patronage to the pandemic. “Just six months into life as a full time studio artist, I was lucky to gain a good number of followers on social media with a couple of them interested in either buying my pieces or commissioning me to make some for them. They never showed genuine interest as soon as the pandemic hit the world”, he bemoaned. One of his greatest regrets this year was a solo exhibition sponsorship that was canceled because of the pandemic. “I could not get the funds on the agreed period of time because the sponsor pulled out when the world was shut-

Jelili Atiku

ting down”, Adiele said. On a surprise note, Idu said that patronage is not really bad in spite of the pandemic. “People are buying art, wise buyers know that this is the best time to buy art because the currency has lost value and artists have not increased the price of their works to reflect the new economic realities”, he said. Contrary to Idu, Adiele said that patronage on his side has been very poor. “Most people are just trying to survive this period, feeding their families and hoping for better days ahead. They have not been looking my way so far, but I believe things will improve next year”, Adiele said, expressing hope. On his part, Atiku thinks that the world is in a slowdown movement and art patronage is affected too. As well, the artists have stories to tell on how they survived during the lockdown. “Usually, at the end of every year, I stock my studio with art materials enough to last till the first half of the new year. I replaced whatever I ran out of, so the system of art shopping came very useful during the lockdown. I do this too for food . I do not wait till I have the need for stuff, as long as I use it regularly I never let it run out”, Idu ex-

Obinna Adiele

plained. But Atiku survived by adopting what he described as ‘Community Care’; where all that is important is caring for ourselves and healing the body. “I approached the pandemic through the Yoruba indigenous spiritual and medicinal knowledge. These made me understand in a deeper sense all that connect to the pandemic”, he said. Adiele found it a little difficult during the lockdown and had to rely on the support of his sister who is an interior designer and a friend. But on a good note, he was wellmotivated to work during the

lockdown and started three wire sculptures. In the same vein, the lockdown was a massive work booster for Idu. He was able to work with great focus because there were no visitations from people, no visit to others, no pressure from collectors or art dealers and the materials were readily available. Atiku was able to produce a series of drawings and videos as a way of healing his body during the lockdown. Considering the new normal for doing business in the post pandemic era, Idu said it has opened up new ways of

doing art business, which is online. “I believe the future of art business is through the web”, Idu said. But Atiku thinks otherwise. “I do not accept the “new normal courtesy” because it removes us from human interactions”, Atiku said. Well, the artists have plans for the pandemic inspired works. He will be showing the works in “Where I’m Coming From”, an online exhibition curated by Inventory Platform in the UK in late August. Also, video documentations of the series of performances he did as reactions of engagement with the politics of everyday and performance during the time of COVID-19 will be put online at Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Dorset website. He will be participating at the Afro Vibes Festival October 2020 in Amsterdam to show some of these works too. For Idu, most of the pandemic inspired works, which he tagged ‘Lockdown Collections’ have been collected by interested collectors. “The lockdown period paintings are almost sold out, I doubt if I have enough from that era to put up a complete show now”, he said. The artists are encouraging other artists to adopt to change and trends in creating awareness and marketing their works as galleries are still closed. Atiku has taken to Art Africa, an online platform to exhibit his works-https://www. calameo.com/artafrica/rea d/004836191fa3b85c91d5 5?authid=9SH8aZIDUPbX. Idu is pointing fellow artists to some online art marketing platforms to exploit. “One just has to find them. Auction houses are also doing their thing online. Websites and art social media networking are largely untapped in these regions, so artists need to go there, the days of waiting to be discovered are over”, Idu concluded.

Harry Song becomes brand ambassador for Popl Nigeria Josephine Okojie

arry Song, Nigerian popular singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist have been unveiled as the brand ambassador for Popl Nigeria – a contact sharing platform. The official unveiling which took place recently in Lagos is a crucial move to help Popl Nigeria maintain its link with its targeted audience. Tope Sanni, country manager, Popl Nigeria said the

organisation is very glad to have Harry Song as its brand ambassador. Sanni said that the singer has a great personality and has been in the entertainment industry for a while with great hits and highlife songs. “We feel having him on board will give us a presence in the Nigeria market because this product is an innovation that is ready to transform the way we interact with each other, especially in this era of the virus outbreak where people are not socializing again the way we used to,” he said.

Harry Song

Speaking also, Harry Song says he is very pleased to accept the brand ambassadorship contract with Popl Nigeria. He appreciated joining an innovative brand like Popl, saying he cannot wait to do great things with the product to make it popular. He says the product is coming out at a perfect time everyone is maintaining social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the digital platform app is also a conversation starter and

the opportunity to make the 1st impression on any social gathering. “The payment platform integration on this device will be the game-changer in the society. This is coming at the right time because I will be launching my EP which consists of 8 tracks, which is called Just About Now!!!,” Song said. “Thank you for the opportunity and effort in forging this brand ambassadorship deal. Wishing Popl Nigeria continuous success and look forward to serving together,” he added.

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Sunday 09 August 2020

Health&Science ISN Medical donates laboratory Miscarriage can only delay, not end equipment to Abuja hospital your chances of parenting

Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja

SN Medical, the leading supplier of medical diagnostic equipment in Nigeria, has donated premium laboratory instruments and reagents worth over 25 million naira to General Hospital, Kubwa to promote quality medical diagnosis of HIV cases among others. Some of the instruments donated include Cobas c111 and AVL, with capacity to run over 40 tests including electrolytes, renal function, liver function, lipid profile, blood glucose, proteins and critical care and the Mindray BC5150 (a fully automated hematology analyser), Merck Lab Water unit and BD Consumables. ISN is also sponsoring research by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) aimed at studying the burden, prevalence, risk factors and incidence of noncommunicable diseases among people living with HIV using five sites across the FCT, including Kubwa Hospital. ISN becomes the first indigenous company sponsoring research study coordinated by the institute of Human Virology Nigeria. Vitalis Echebiri, Acting Regional Sales Manager ISN, the motive of the donation is not to make financial gain but to strengthen indigenous research efforts through the pro-

vision of local funding for the development of medical content, which will be beneficial to all Nigerians. Echebiri, said the study is a cohort research in which 200 people living with HIV will be registered, alongside another 200 people who test negative for HIV. “They will be registered and tested periodically for non-communicable diseases over a period of two years. Starting with Kubwa Hospital as the first site, the research will expand to other sites including University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nyanya General Hospital, Asokoro District Hospital and Police Clinic”, he said. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE), an arm of IHVN, conducting the study, noted that people living with HIV are living longer and getting to that age when they develop non-communicable diseases. Collins Kalu, Project Coordinator for HIV services and Site Investigator for the research at Kubwa General Hospital revealed explained that the study will consider four groups of non-communicable diseases cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer (cervical and prostate cancer) and chronic obstructive pulmonary airway diseases. According to him, the

research will provide data that can help in more proactive and effective management of these non-communicable diseases. “This research is very important. Since we started comprehensive HIV services here, we have recruited 2,500 patients, majority of them are adult males and females. Due to the effectiveness of HIV treatment, many of them have survived and have now entered the adult age of life where diabetes, hypertension and cardiac diseases are very prevalent. You see them being on HIV treatment and at the same time they develop these other diseases. “It is very important that we evaluate it so that while we are taking care of HIV infection, which for now they have almost overcome, we are also taking care of these other diseases that come with age. We are able to evaluate to know how many of them will have noncommunicable diseases and if they do, we start managing it on time,” he said. Lasisi Muideen, medical director of Kubwa Geber hospital expressed his excitement that the hospital is part of thr progressive research like this one. “Kubwa is in the heart of the city and its services straddle adjacent states - Kogi Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa. It is affordable to many classes of people.

Friska herbal teas appoint Ariyiike Owolagba as brand ambassador

riska Farms Limited, producers of Friska Herbal Teas, has appointed one of Nigeria’s elite actors and TV presenters, Ariyiike Owolagba popularly known as AriyiikeDimples, as its brand ambassador. The appointment reinforces Friska Farms’ aim to promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle for everyone, with a vision to be the leading African organic lifestyle promoter by providing natural solutions that address wellness concerns globally. According to Usman Imanah, Chief Executive

Officer of Friska Life: “As one of Africa’s top lifestyle brands, we are committed to providing a healthy lifestyle for everyone. We are excited to welcome Ariyiike Dimples into the Friskafamily as she embodies the core values of the brand.” “Our journey with Ariyiike officially began on the 1st of August 2020, and it is one we are overjoyed to be on. She brings our vision closer and draws it closer to reality through her dedication for healthy living, fitness, mental health and lifestyle,” he added. Ariyiike Dimples expressed her utmost de-

light at the appointment. She hinted on her journey with the brand which has yielded desired results. Earlier in the year, Ariyiike had purchased the brand’s weight loss tea and coupled with her daily health routines and diets, she testified to great results. Friska Farms Ltd is dedicated to promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, not only through its production of herbal teas (wellness tea, anti-diabetic tea, blood pressure tea and weight loss tea) but also via constant public education on various healthy lifestyle approaches.

Contributor

Abayomi Ajayi MD/CEO Nordica Fertility Centreinfo@abayomiajayi.com.ng

f you had a miscarriage recently and you’re trying again, but for whatever reason, you can’t get pregnant again it is normal for you to be worried. When you have been attempting to conceive, a miscarriage can be a tragic setback and more of a problem if you discover that you are finding it difficult to conceive againafterwards. Miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence. Most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies after miscarriage and a small number of women will have repeated miscarriages. While most couples are likely to get pregnant again within a year after one miscarriage, those still having trouble are best advised to visit a fertility specialist. Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. Many miscarriages occur because the unborn baby isn’t developing normally. It could be a genetic problem as it is the case in about 50 percent of early pregnancy losses. Sometimes a health condition, such as poorly controlled diabetes or a uterine problem, might lead to miscarriage. Often, however, the cause of miscarriage isn’t known. Up to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, but the total number of actual miscarriages is probably higher because many women miscarry before they even know that they’re pregnant. For whatever reason, if, unfortunately, you got a miscarriage and you’re trying again, and it’s been a while and you can’t get pregnant again, it is not as unusual as it may seem. This is o because the rate of miscarriage in healthy couples under 35 is about 15 percent at the very best. The point is that this

is quite common. Look at it like this: If people got pregnant relatively easily, it means they weren’t taking years to get that pregnancy that miscarried, they got pregnant easily, then it is not normal for them not to be able to get pregnant again. And the vast majority of people get pregnant again. Sometimes, the miscarriage is a sign of an underlying problem. Assuming that it took you three years to get pregnant, and then you miscarried and can’t get pregnant. Now it’s been a year or two. The miscarriage is probably a sign, along with those three years of trying, that you were running out of eggs. The point is that sometimes, a miscarriage is a sign of an underlying problem that’s getting worse, and in fact, it’s also true for sperm problems. If your man has abnormal sperm, it can make you to have more miscarriages, and in the process, the abnormality gets worse. So if it was abnormal when you had a miscarriage, and now it’s really abnormal, you’re not getting pregnant. Sometimes the treatment for a miscarriage could cause further complications. Assuming that you miscarried, and passed some tissue that you didn’t expelled completely, it might cause a little infection in your uterus. If a D&C is done and in the process some scarring occurs, you could get a scarred uterus. This could be the cause of your inability to get pregnant second time around. Yo u m i g h t w o r r y about getting pregnant after miscarriage, but losing a baby shouldn’t affect your future fertility. Here’s everything you need to know about conceiving after miscarriage. If you’ve had one miscarriage, your chance of having a successful pregnancy isn’t any different from anybody else’s. Once you’re able to create an embryo, odds are that you’ll carry another one to term in the future. The trick to conceiving after miscarriage is no different than it was initially. You need to try to time intercourse as close to ovulation as possible and have sex every other day in the days leading up to it as well. You don’t want

to get pregnant simply to replace that pregnancy. Start trying when you feel truly ready for the outcome, whether it’s not getting pregnant, getting pregnant and having another loss, or getting pregnant and having a baby.” The most important thing: always ask your doctor when you should try to conceive again. Every miscarriage is different, and your doctor can advise you on personal health. It’s unclear whether fertility increases after a miscarriage but up to 70percent conceive within three months of miscarriage. In reality, the odds of a successful, healthy pregnancy after miscarriage are definitely in your favour.Of course, getting the green light for sex after miscarriage physically doesn’t mean you’re actually up for it mentally. At t i t u d e , p o s i t i v e thinking, receiving the correct information about your previous miscarriage, knowing your possibilities are all part of the package. If your last pregnancy ended in a loss, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. It’s also natural to rein in your excitement about having another baby after you’ve suffered a loss. You might do this in order to protect yourself, hoping to lessen your grief if you miscarry again. Try leaning on family, friends, and health-care providers for extra support—and realize that your partner might need additional attention too. And remember: the odds are in your favor that your next pregnancy will go smoothly! Often, there’s nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. However, making healthy lifestyle choices is important for you and your baby. Take a daily prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement, ideally beginning a few months before conception. During pregnancy, limit caffeine and avoid drinking alcohol, smoking and using illicit drugs. Once you become pregnant again after miscarriage, you’ll likely feel joyful — as well as anxious. While becoming pregnant again can be a healing experience, anxiety and depression could continue even after the birth of a healthy child.

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BDSUNDAY 31

Sports

StarTimes secures media rights for LaLiga Stories by Anthony Nlebem

igital TV operator StarTimes has announced its acquisition of LaLiga Santander broadcasting rights until 2024 across sub-Saharan Africa. The company has secured the transmission rights of the Spanish top league, which will be broadcast in French language across its media platforms for paid subscribers in 47 territories. “We are delighted to have secured the broadcast rights to LaLiga Santander, one of the most prestigious football competitions in the world,” said Kristen Miao, StarTimes Sport Director. “The acquisition of LaLiga Santander shows our commitment to continuously enrich our bouquets and to provide our subscribers with premium sport content.” “This agreement provides an exciting new way for French speaking fans across sub-Saharan Africa to get closer to our competition,”

said Melcior Soler, director of the LaLiga audiovisual department. “StarTimes has a strong presence in the region and a proven expertise in sports in general and football

English lower league clubs vote for salary cap

lubs in League One and Two have voted in favour of squad salary caps, the English Football League announced. The cap will be set at £2.5 million ($3.2 million) in League One, the third tier, and £1.5 million in League Two and has been introduced with immediate effect, the EFL said. It will cover basic wages, taxes, bonuses, image rights, agents’ fees and other fees and expenses paid directly or indirectly to all registered players. Promotion bonuses or incentives for success in cup competitions will not be included and any income generated from players going out on loan is deducted from the club’s salary cap calculation. A statement from the EFL read: “The decision follows extensive and comprehensive consultation with all clubs in respect of addressing sustainability and wage inflation issues across the EFL which were initiated prior to the suspension of football in March following

the COVID-19 outbreak and have continued during the course of the summer.” Clubs will be fined or face further sanctions if they overspend. EFL chief executive David Baldwin said: “The financial impact of COVID-19 will be profound for EFL clubs and today’s vote will help ensure clubs cannot extend themselves to the point that could cause financial instability.” Championship clubs are understood to be discussing a cap, but there are no formal plans for a vote. In a statement issued before Friday’s vote, the Professional Footballers’ Association said it had concerns that the proposed cap was being rushed through, without proper consideration or consultation. “The introduction of a salary cap in English football represents a seismic change,” the PFA said. “It is a change that will have far-reaching and significant impacts right across the professional game. We must take the time to ensure that these are properly considered and understood.”

in particular, which will help us all to reach as wide an audience as possible.” StarTimes will broadcast LaLiga Santander starting from the

coming 2020/21 season. Matches will be aired live and in HD on the StarTimes Sport channels in French as well as the StarTimes ON streaming application.

Bayern to start 2020/21 season against Schalke

efending champions Bayern Munich will start the 2020/21 Bundesliga season at home to Schalke in September, but the exact date depends on whether the Bavarians reach the Champions League final, the German league said. Bayern are pencilled to host Schalke at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Friday September 18. However, the match could be moved to Monday September 21 if Bayern reach the Champions League final in Lisbon on August 23, to allow Hansi Flick’s star-studded squad a month between matches. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the start of the 2020/21 season in Germany has been pushed back from the original date of August 21. The German Super Cup, traditionally the season’s curtain raiser, has been moved to September 30 when Bayern will play Borussia Dortmund.

Taiwo Awoniyi speaks on how he survived concussion

ive years after signing for English Premier League champions Liverpool, Nigeria under-23 striker Taiwo Awoniyi is still on the outside looking in. The 22-year-old joined Liverpool on a long-term deal in August 2015 from Nigeria’s Imperial Academy, but has never played for The Reds due to his inability to secure a work permit. His sixth loan spell outside of England at German side Mainz ended badly when he suffered concussion from a serious head injury. He was taken off the pitch on a stretcher as they lost 1-0 to Augsburg in June after the resumption of the Bundesliga and was taken to hospital. “I can never underestimate the impact of faith on my life and career. God used the referee [Marco Fritz] on the pitch before they took me to the hospital,” Awoniyi told BBC Sport Africa. “I fell awkwardly and that image scared a lot of people including my family and friends, but the quick intervention of the referee and medics from both clubs was swift. “Most significantly, I recovered remarkably quickly and it was a moment of deep reflection about God when I left the hospital. “Faith means everything to me; I put it above football and faith provides one possible explanation as to why we are all here and alive.” Since moving to England, Awoniyi has watched the transformation of the Reds under German

manager Jurgen Klopp from afar. He has seen his parent club win the European Champions League, European Super Cup and then the Club World Cup, before claiming the most-sought Premier League prize in July. “Liverpool is a great and family club. I feel very proud to say I am part of that family,” he continued. “From the outside looking in, you can see a lot has changed within the club and it has influenced how people see Liverpool. “The manager [Klopp] is admired and respected by a lot of people. You can see the impact he has made at the club. “The league title reflects his ethics, the work the whole team from the staff to the players have put together and it is very well

deserved. “Growing up I followed the league on television. There’s just a different ethos at the club that experts now see Liverpool as one of the favourites for the title every season.” Since becoming a Red, the forward has enjoyed loan spells with then German second-tier club FSV Frankfurt, Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, Belgian outfits Royal Excel Mouscron (twice) and KAA Gent in order to attract interest from national selectors and gain a work permit. For non-EU players to be granted a work permit, they must demonstrate they are an international player of “the highest calibre.” This means they must have played in 75% of a Fifa top-50 ranked national team’s matches over the previous two years. Awoniyi admits that in fairness to the manager, the issue is completely out of his hands. “I couldn’t take my chance to go on pre-season with Liverpool last year because I suffered an injury before resumption,” he recalled. “I’m a realist as well. Even if I impressed the manager and did great during the tour, I would still face the hurdle of not having a work permit to allow me to play in England. “The manager will only focus on those eligible to play. But being with the squad on pre-season is always great because you learn and develop more as a player.”

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Sunday 09 August 2020

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Encounter with an angry Andrew

“S

o, you are still concerned about this God-forsaken country called Nigeria, and you keep writing about it with passion and faith for a better tomorrow, Mister Oyoze Baje? As far as I’m concerned and with the issues and events unfolding, things cannot get better.” I was jolted by the statement which came from a long-term fan I simply refer to as Andy. A graduate of economics, I recall that he used to submit quite incisive opinion essays to me for publishing, when one was the Editorial Page Editor of the Daily times. That was early in the Millennium but we lost contact some sixteen years ago. Our recent memorable meeting was at a fuelfilling station somewhere in Ogba, Lagos. “Oh, come on Andy, contrary to your view, God has not forgotten the country. Things may be rough and tough, especially at the economic and political spheres, but I believe and strongly so, that things will eventually get better with the right, purposeful and patriotic people in place. “Yes, I still write about happenings here and proffer solutions because we don’t have any other country, do we?” was my response. “I know quite alright but Nigeria has been taken over by some power-hungry politicians who are not only unpatriotic but are heartless, cruel, callous and conscienceless to the extreme. They have no iota of the fear of God in them.” He responded, paused, looked into my eyes and continued. “Consider the recent newspaper headlines about unbelievable happenings here. Over 60 people were recently sent to their early graves in Southern Kaduna but the governor said that he was more concerned about fighting Covid-19! Can you believe that he has never considered it worthy to pay a visit to commiserate with the relatives of the victims? What about the recent ambush of the convoy of the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, who is arguably the best governor Nigeria, can boast of right now? “With all of these insecurity shenanigans happening in the country and

“The task of the artist is to sense more keenly than others the harmony of the world… and the outrage of what man has done to it and poignantly to let people know.” -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn given the fact that most of the military helmsmen have spent more than the required years in office, one would have expected the President, who told the Service Chiefs that their best was not enough, to let them go. But he is taking so long to make a much-needed decision in the national interest. Meanwhile, precious and irreplaceable lives are being lost every day and in preventable circumstances too. That is the painful aspect of it”. He said with anger, his eyeballs turning reddish. But he still had more to say. “Still talking about insecurity, what do we make of the royal treatment being meted out to the so-called ‘repentant terrorists’, being fed and clothed at the nation’s expense? Instead of listening to the alarm raised by Senator Ali Ndume that they are not truly repentant and that one of them recently killed his father, there is a bill at the National Assembly to grant them opportunities to study outside our shores? “Why not punish these villains, to serve as a stern warning to other young fellows who might be nursing the ambition to take innocent souls? Is this so-called rubbish of an amnesty for blood-suckers not encouraging other evil minds to take up arms? In fact, have we ever cared to find out, who and who are arming these mindless murderers? “Tell me, Oga Baje, how do we juxtapose all these heinous crimes against humanity with the criminal neglect of the victims of insurgency left to rot away at IDP camps? Most of them go hungry and several are there scrounging to feed on onion leaves, or simply left to die. What about the women? Many are gang-raped and nothing comes out of

their cries. “Apart from all these, there is the culture of impunity; whereby perpetrators of these sundry crimes get away with it all. How many of the killer Fulani herdsmen have been brought to justice for all the atrocities they have committed in Benue, Plateau, Adamawa and Taraba states, to mention but a few? What about the bandits and the kidnappers? “If all these are acts of insurgency, what do we make of the recent investigations into allegations of monumental sleaze traced to the erstwhile EFFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu and the accusations he has leveled against the sitting Attorney-General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Malami? “As for that, investigations are on and I trust that Mister President will see it all to their logical conclusion,” I responded, surreptitiously trying to calm him down. But it was like adding fuel to fire! “Not done with that, we have the ongoing trials of the NDDC helmsmen, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Professor Pondei. What about the NCDC claiming to have spent billions of our commonwealths to satisfy their whims and caprices during the lockdown? Or, do we talk about the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs who claimed that every household got some juicy packages as palliatives during the lockdown, later denied it but even went as far as claiming to have spent over N500 million to feed school children, who were with their parents during the lockdown? “We are on the same page, Andy. Something must be done to stop turning Nigeria into a laughing stock in the comity of nations,” I chipped in. “And we have just read in the media today (Thursday) that the federal police stormed the Edo state House of Assembly in a Gestapo style. Remember that is my home state. The repugnant aim of course, is to browbeat Governor Obaseki

Ayo Oyoze Baje Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘Drumbeats of Democracy’ and president of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN)

and dance to the drumbeats of the man called Oshiomhole. “This one man who promised to end godfatherism in the state but after eight years as the governor, he is all over the place trying to foist Ize-Iyamu, the very man he called ‘a thief’ some years back, on my people as the next state governor. What more, he is doing so in a most provocative, belligerent and desperate manner under a political party that came topower with the mantra of integrity, accountability, to change the political narrative. “As if all these sufferings are not enough, there is hike in electricity tariff, increase in fuel price, payment of stamp duty on house rent and if care is not taken, Nigeria may end up like Zambia and Kenya, losing some valuable structures to China because of the debt trap we have are caught in. Now you know why I do not believe in this country, anymore!” As I ruminated over his views, I asked myself, is Andy speaking the minds of millions of Nigerians? I recalled the popular advert in the ‘80s pleading with ‘Andrew’, a committed citizen not to leave the country for greener pastures. Definitely, it is a different ball game with the Andy here. While still trying to assure him that God will intervene in our affairs, Andy said, “Oga Baje, Mister Patriot, go and meet the fuel attendant. She is waiting for you and be ready to buy fuel at the new pump price. If you like, keep deceiving yourself that there is still a government anywhere that truly cares for you.”

Creating stronger Diaspora bond for rapid development post-Covid-19 (Part 2) Anthony Ikeme Ikeme is the president of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA)

lready, nations with strong healthcare infrastructure and a solid manufacturing base are beginning to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the pandemic to tap into the global medical and pharmaceutical products’ supply chain, following the collapse of China’s near monopoly in that sector. Nigeria can still benefit though, according to

Dr. Blessing Ikeme, if key players in the health sector, particularly private sector players, “become more assertive, more proactive… and adopt a problem-solving mentality.” Experts agree that, indeed, there is a need for all stakeholders, including Nigerian professionals abroad, to collaborate for a speedy recovery of the nation’s economic health post-pandemic. However, they worry that without government’s full commitment to infrastructure rebirth and institution of the right policy frameworks minimal gains will result from such collaborations. One area they point to that must be urgently addressed is the issue of taxation. As it currently is, the tax system it would seem is too cumbersome due to its multiplicity. Former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, was compelled to make clarifications in 2017 to Diaspora Ni-

gerians on some newly introduced taxes. “There is no tax for people that live, work abroad. You are already paying your taxes there,” Adeosun assured then. Another grey area is government’s penchant to sometimes see Diasporas as cash cows that must be milked for their capital, talents, and connections. For a truly beneficial relationship, both parties must be clear on the value each is bringing to the table. According to MPI, governments must be willing to “invest in really understanding their Diaspora, maintain meaningful communications with them and find areas of mutual interest for practical collaboration.” Engagement needs to be a “two-way street,” stakeholders contend. Countries like Senegal and the Philippines have truly invested in

their Diaspora. They actively sought bilateral agreements with other countries to allow their citizens legally migrate and work in those countries. Chairman of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has however assured that the commission has mapped out robust engagement and communications strategies to ensure the relationship is a win-win for everybody. Brain drain has definitely turned the tide. Many economies today talk about brain gain and actively sought ways to tap the gain for national development. Countries such as Indian, China, Israel, and Philippines have long rejigged their laws and policies to fit into that reality and the benefits are obvious. Nigeria may be late to the brain gain table. Thankfully, however, there is more than enough to tap from. (Concluded)

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