BusinessDay 11 Oct 2020

Beyond human rights violations …SARS’ excesses could impede economic growth, foreign investment Page 24-25 Sunday 11 October 2020 • www.businessday.ng •

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Our ministry has got approval for complete rehabilitation of Eko Bridge — Fashola

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The way things are going, 2023 may be a make or mar year for Nigeria - Bewaji Page 14

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‘We need proper implementation of local content policy to grow our economy’ Page 21

Port Harcourt serial killer, who wasted many women, to die by hanging

Ondo poll: Akeredolu, Ajayi, Jegede win own units

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See page 2

Indigenes in bated breath as results trickle in

‘My father believed that politics gives one opportunity to serve his people not to cheat or exploit them’

Governor Akeredolu and wife, Betty, casting votes

Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), votes at his ward

Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, votes

Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of Ondo State, casts his vote

20 Being Free: A celebration of diverse women bodies with art

18 Abia council election: Ndoki youths reject Wabara’s choice

Buhari’s leadership pattern intensifies clamour for restructuring – Ononuju, Dahiru, others Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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n the last three years, the clamour for the restructuring of the country to reflect true federal arrangement has increased even in some ‘unexpected quarters’ as some analysts blamed

the style of leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the resurgent calls.

Some elements within sections of the country are believed to be making extreme calls for the disintegration of the country following intense dissatisfaction of the current system worsened by Presi-

dent Buhari’s alleged employment of nepotism as an official policy of government.

President Buhari has allegedly violated the Federal Character Principle when he appointed mostly his northern brothers into important government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and is

said to be following this up with a systematic recruitment of his people to populate the security agencies to give him the room to perpetrate the much touted ‘Fulanisation agenda’.

Virtually all regions of the country seem to agree on the need to Continues on page 3

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Sunday 11 October 2020

Akeredolu, Ajayi, Jegede win own units Whereas he polled 395; PDP got 5, while APC garnered 13.

By the same token, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, won his polling in Ward 02, Unit 09 in Akure South Local Government, where he voted.

According to the poll results announced in Ward 02, Unit 09 and Unit 10, PDP polled 158 votes, ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) got 43 votes, while Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 4 votes.

At the Ward 02, Unit 09, PDP polled 220 votes, APC polled 60 votes and ZLP got 7 votes.

RAZAQ AYINLA, KORETIMI AKINTUNDE and JOHN OLANIYI, Akure

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s the results of the gubernatorial election held yesterday in Ondo begin to trickle in, the three

major candidates in the election have delivered their individual polling units, amid mounting tension across the state as indigenes anxiously await the result of the exercise that was largely peaceful.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) delivered his unit. The APC

Ajayi knocks INEC, security

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boola Ajayi, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the Ondo State governorship election, has accused the security officials of failure to stop vote buying.

Ajayi, who is also the deputy governor, also urged the INEC to be neutral. He made the observations, after casting his vote at Polling Unit 4, Ward 2, Ese-Odo Local Government.

Seventeen candidates took part in the election.

He lauded the electorate for the massive turnout and the peaceful conduct at the polling unit.

“You can see the turnout is encouraging. And the election is peaceful,” he said.

He advised the electoral commission, INEC, to live up to expectations by being neutral and accountable to the electorate.

Agboola alleged that security operatives refused to act when someone who is not a member of the polling unit was canvassing votes for his opponent.

“The man laid siege and was forcing voters to vote for the APC. The security operatives failed to act,” he said.

Akeredolu confident of victory

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he governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed the optimism that he would emerge winner of the election.

Akeredolu, who voted at Polling Unit 006, Ward 02, Ijebu-Owo in Owo, Headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of the state at exactly 9.40am, said he was sure of victory at the end of the exercise.

Governor Akeredolu, the APC candidate, while expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise

by INEC and Security Agencies, however, appealed to the electorate to monitor and guard their votes in order to ensure that their votes count.

“I’m sure my God will give me victory at the end of the day. I put my

candidate polled 413 votes in his ward 5 unit 6, ljebu – Owo, while PDP scored 12 votes. The ZLP scored zero.

Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), also won his polling unit 004 – R.C.M at Idumado Quarters, Kiribo in EseOdo council area of Ondo State.

Impressive voter-turnout

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nlike what transpired in Edo State on September 19 during the gubernatorial election, the exercise yesterday in Ondo State witnessed impressive voter-turnout that was commended by candidates of the parties.

Despite the early morning downpour that could ordinarily dampen the morale of voters, the electorates were determined in their resolve to exercise their civic responsibility.

The election was largely peaceful, except pockets of skirmishes.

Observers said it was a reflection of the confidence of the people in the Independent National Election (INEC) as well as the security agencies that they would allow the voice of the people to be heard, in terms of the outcome.

It was believed that the huge turnout was to make a statement that the people have become the more politically-aware and conscious of the danger of staying aloof.

Voters disregard Covid-19 protocol

trust in God and I’m sure He won’t let me down. My confidence is not in any man but in God,” he said.

“From all information I have received, the election is going on smoothly. We have just started and the election has been peaceful so far,” he further said.

The announcement of the ward at the unit sparked jubilation among the Jegede’s supporters.

They also burst into victory songs, while accompanying the candidate to his family house which is about 150 metres away from his polling booth and unit.

A former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, also won in his unit.

At the Ward 7, Unit 20 in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, where Mimiko, who is the National Leader of the ZLP, voted; the ZLP scored 81, the PDP scored 31 while the ruling APC polled 19 votes.

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any voters yesterday showed outright disdain for the social distancing Covid-19 protocal as they filed out to cast their votes. A group, CDD West Africa, openly deplored the lack of strict adherence to the social distancing rule against the coronavirus while the exercise lasted. Many of the residents did not go to the polling units with face masks.

Jegede decries card reader malfunction

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he candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, has said that a major challenge in the governorship election was the card reader machines malfunctioning during the exercise.

The candidate spoke after casting his vote at his unit, Sacred Heart Primary School Unit 09, Ward 02, in Akure South Local Government Area.

Jegede, who was also the PDP’s candidate four years ago, said the card readers’ failure was creating serious delay in the process.

He, however, praised the huge turnout of voters and the peaceful conduct of voters so far.

According to him, “I was on the queue for a long time and of course, I protested the card reader malfunctioning when I was supposed to cast my vote. After 10 minutes or thereabouts, the card reader suddenly woke up again and started functioning.

“So far, at least, at this particular polling unit, the turnout has been massive, it has been peaceful, and voters have conducted themselves peacefully. The only challenge we have is INEC, and in respect to the card reader”.

The governorship candidate further expressed optimism that the election would end peacefully despite fears, stressing that he received reports of pockets of violence, especially in Ijomu area

in Akure South Local Government Area.

“I think that so far, despite all these challenges, there has not been any major disruption. I do not know what is happening in the remote areas.

“Those are incidences of violence, unfortunately, it is happening again in some major towns Akure, Owo, and unfortunately also we are seeing some decent men who are educated conducting themselves in a very unruly manner,” he added.

It was gathered that at the Ijomu area, Unit 02, Ward 4, one person was injured with machete cuts and the process was disrupted.

But the police spokesman, Tee Leo-Ikoro, disputed the report, saying there was no violence in the area.

Sunday 11 October 2020

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N30,000 minimum wage: Why is Kogi foot-dragging? - Abdul

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VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

ogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been called upon to go back to the negotiation table, demand for N30,000 minimum wage immediately, to stop the modern slavery the workers has been allegedly subjected to.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Right and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul and was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.

Miliki Abdul disclosed that minimum wage was a constitutional and legal matter, adding that as an Act of the National Assembly, it is subject for a review every five years, but lamented that it was unfortunate, worrisome that after eighteen good and solid months it signed it into law, Kogi State government is yet to conclude negotiations, not to talk of commencement of

payment.

He wonders why the federal government and some states have since commenced payment and Kogi State is still taken time to commence, adding that Kogi State workers cannot and must not be made scapegoats as they are the creators of the wealth that politicians fritter away with reckless abandon.

“Minimum wage is a constitutional and legal matter.

An Act of the National Assembly, that’s subject for a review every five years. It is unfortunate, worrisome and uncomfortable, 18 months after, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammudu Buhari, signed into law, the minimum wage.

“The Kogi State government is yet to conclude negotiations, talk more of the commencement of payment.

If the Federal Government and even some states have since commenced payment, what is the rational for the non-completion of negotiations and commencement of payment of the minimum wage in Kogi State?”

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Ondo: Again, a deviation from Kogi’s bloody election Iniobong Iwok

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n the last few weeks there had been apprehension among Nigerians that yesterday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State may be marred by violence.

Elections in Nigeria have become increasingly controversial, violence-prone and a do-or-die affair, due to the desperation of politicians to win-at-all-cost.

According to reports by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, an estimated 626 persons were killed across Nigeria in the six months between the start of the election campaign and the commencement of the general and supplementary elections in 2019.

The coalition observer group disclosed this at the release of its final report on the general election, saying that the number increased compared to the 106 killed in the 2015 general election.

The violence trend was repeated in last year’s November 16 Kogi State gubernatorial election where there were widespread intimidation of voters, killings, vote-buying and snatching of ballot boxes in polling units across the state.

Recall that the PDP women

bloody clashes that had taken place in the state involving supporters of some of the major parties, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had deployed 33,783 personnel to maintain the peace.

Going by the rivalry between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, many observers had expected to see or hear of broken limbs and blood-letting

leader was murdered and her home set ablaze by touts said to be loyal to the ruling party in the state.

However, this violence trend necessitated fears among political watchers and the electorate that next off-season gubernatorial election September 19 in Edo and Ondo’s October 10 could follow a similar pattern.

The gubernatorial election tur ne d out to b e largely peaceful in Edo despite the bitterness which characterised the electioneering period as major political actors tried not to breach the peace pact signed with leaders in the state days to the election.

The permutations before the Ondo election were also fueled by the tenor of electioneering campaign where name-calling, all manner of threats and allegations were bandied by the candidates and their parties.

Before the Ondo election yesterday, and following the

yesterday.

According to the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), 17 political parties took part in yesterday’s election; but, political watchers had said that the contest was essentially a threehorse race between incumbent Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Eyitayo

simple, countries and republics are concepts, and those concepts are designed and then worked on. In Nigeria, we have now designed a federation that should be inclusive of the diverse society but what the military bequeathed to us does not rhyme with the concept of the federation and this must be changed to meet the aspirations of the diverse elements that make up the nation including their productive capacities.”

On how Nigeria is to be restructured, Ononuju suggested restructuring on regional basis, perhaps where the current 36 states structure will be subsumed into the six-geopolitical zones already existing in the country.

But public affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru who however, expressed worry over the clamour for restructuring, blamed President Buhari for the louder level of the calls.

“My fear and my worry is this. No matter the structure you evolve, or create if those operating it are doing it without sincerity of purpose, no structure will work for Nigeria. This is why the Westminster Parliamentary democracy is working for the UK. But it did not last in Nigeria beyond six years. We practised regional autonomy we called true federalism; it collapsed in 1966. We practised presidential system of

government, and it was sent packing just after four years between 1979 and 1983.”

He said further that there is no perfect structure anywhere in the world, stressing that all political structures are always work in progress subject to continuous improvement, and Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“Nigerian problems are not so much about structure.

We have restructured Nigeria since 1960s in a number of ways but there seems to be dissatisfaction with each structure. There is more of the problem of operating the structure in Nigeria.

“Under current constitution, there is a simple provision that the local government is the third tier of government that it should be independent, it should be separate and it funds should go to it. But, the states have not been able to abide by this provision. The government has not been able to simply give life to the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.

“We have been practicing democracy from 1999 to today it has still not worked.

Whereas you have countries that military dictatorship worked for, some monarchy worked for them, some have one party dictatorship like we have in China and it is working for them because it

Analysis

Jegede.

Meanwhile, just like what was witnessed in Edo State, observers are of the view that yesterday’s Ondo gubernatorial election defied expectations as the exercise was largely peaceful across the state; though there were pockets of violence in some polling units.

Due to the bitter campaign among the major candidates in the last few weeks tension had gripped the state leading to fears in some quarters that perhaps the election could be characterised by violence and intimidation of voters.

Some had even jokingly said that dead bodies may litter the streets in some parts of the state if the security agencies were not up to their game.

However, with the relative peace witnessed yesterday during the conduct of the election, political observers say that it was worthy of commendation.

They say that politicians across Ondo State must be commended, while they should also learn to accept the outcome of election results.

While it is also a victory for INEC, and the security agencies, the commission must, however, redouble its effort, initiate reforms to the electoral process to give more credibility to the process and increase voter confidence.

Buhari’s leadership pattern intensifies clamour for ...

Continued from page 1

restructure the country. Even the socio- cultural organisations such as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum and the Northern Elders Forum have raised their voices on restructuring and are already responding to it with the formation of regional security outfits such as ‘Amotekun’.

However, the call that perhaps rattled President Buhari and his aides was the warning by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, that if the country does not restructure it risks break up.

Adeboye spoke at a symposium in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former governor of Cross River State and former presidential aspirant, Donald Duke and a former minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili. The cleric that it was either the country restructured as soon as possible or it broke up. “You don’t have to be a prophet to know that one,” he added.

But Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement described such calls as “recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country.”

The statement read, “The Presidency responds to the

recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to do one thing or another or else, in their language, ‘the nation will break up.’

“This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.”

Many have however, asked about what manner of restructuring that Nigeria needs at this moment. Responding to this, a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who does not want his name on print, noted that Nigeria needs to restructure everything ranging from the constituents units, the economic and legislative systems.

He said: “I see no reason we should have 36 states that were created by military fiat which have largely remained unproductive and dependent on the Federal Government.

The Federal Government needs to devolve power to the states so that the states can control their resources. Many of these states were created not because of economic via-

bility but for political considerations. The states need to be allowed to generate their own resources and any state that cannot stand on its own must be made to merge with others to pull their resources together.”

He queried the rationale behind some sections having more local government areas than others and drawing resources from the states with less local government areas to fund others he described as ‘parasites’. He also said that the National Assembly must also be reduced to a unicameral Legislature with equal representation rather than the two chambers that was deliberately formed to favour some sections.

Speaking to BusinessDay on Thursday, public intellectual, Katch Ononuju also said the call for restructuring is an idea which time has come, adding that Buhari’s alleged clannish leadership has become the catalyst for a more coordinated approach by varying groups to actualised the dream.

He noted that there is no way the nation can move forward with the current military-fabricated unitary constitution with massive shortcomings it imposed on a plural society as Nigeria without as much the consent of the people.

“The restructuring is very

depends on the operators of the model.”

He pointed out that no model can work for a country like Nigeria primarily because Nigeria is not a nation. He said Nigeria is only a country of multi-ethnogeographic nationalities adding that until Nigeria first evolves into a nation there is no system that can work for Nigeria.

And to evolve into a nation, he said is not something only restructuring can do.

“It has to be done through organic restructuring of the mindset of Nigerians. We must begin to promote citizenship,” he said.

Majeed also conceded to those clamoring for restructuring, saying the current structure has been badly operated by the current Buhari government in the last five years.

“It is because we have seen the worse of the operations of the current structure in the last five years people are now calling for outright pulling down and rebuilding.

“In the years past where we had a better management of the current structure, the clamour for restructuring was a bit lower, but it is loud now even in the north. But beyond this, if we do not do restructuring with a purpose, nothing will work for Nigeria,” he said.

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Rubber producers, marketers will create 52,000 direct, 16,000 indirect jobs - NARPPMAN boss MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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e t e r Ig b i n o s u n , national president of Rubber Producers, Pro c e s s ors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMAN), has disclosed that his association alone, if given the necessary support, will provide direct employment for 52,000 people yearly and 520,000 in ten years.

“It will also provide indirect employment for 16,000 people through ser vice provision and contracts. It will open up rubber industrialisation in the states through establishment of f a c tor i e s an d c ott a ge industries. This will further open up opportunities for more employments and economic empowerment,’’ he stated Speaking to BDSUNDAY in an interview, Igbinosun said the rubber industry has not been given the necessary attention by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and he appealed for collaboration.

“As concerned operators and contributors to the development of the nation’s economy, we wish to draw the attention of the NDDC to the development of rubber and its value chain in the Niger Delta Region,” he said.

According to him, “As one of the country’s cash crops that has

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resident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has proposed a capital expenditure of N127 billion for the Ministry of Education in the 2021 appropriation bill he submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday.

Buhari also proposed N70 billion for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) while proposing N545.10 billion for Ministry of Education in the recurrent expenditure in his budget speech.

The N127 billion proposed for capital expenditure for the education ministry for 2021 is higher than the N48 billion in 2020 and N47.2bn in 2019 for this pivotal sector.

According to the president budget speech, there was however a reduction in the allocation for Universal basic education commission (UBEC) for 2021 when compared to N112 billion that was budgeted in 2020, UBEC was allocated N70 billion in the 2021 appropriation bill.

In the 2019 budget N113.9 billion was allocated to UBEC. In 2018, the budget was N109.06 billion and N95 billion in 2017.

BusinessDay finding indicated that the Federal Government budgeted

…Says, ‘Lack of respect for rule of law has eroded nation’s values’

N L-R: Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Ekene Nwakuche, Idu Okwuosa (celebrant); Demola Adeyemi-Bero, and Pastor Emmanuel Dania as Idu Okwuosa celebrates her golden jubilee; Book and Product launch of Beyond Me and Ncha by SFQ.

over 50 by-products, its values cut across all sectors of the economy, a foreign exchange earner, a contributor to the National GDP, and a massive employer of labour.”

He said that Rubber was also an environmental friendly crop, an internationally sought-after non-perishable commodity.

“It is a strategic material because it cannot be replaced by synthetic rubber in most important applications,” he added.

He lamented that despite the foregoing attributes and the premium that highly industrialised nations placed on this time-tested natural raw

materials, successive Nigerian governments have by act of omission or commission paid less emphasis on its development.

“The overt neglect of this sub-sector not withstanding its important contributions to our economy, has become worrisome.

Niger Delta States (Akwa Ib om, Cross R iver, E do, Delta, Ondo, Rivers and Bayelsa States) produce over 85percent of the total rubber production in Nigeria. Most of the Rubber factories are also located in this region.

The presence of Agro Rubber – multinational Companies

(Michelin Plantations, now Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited, Pamol Ltd, Enghaut Plantation Ltd, Okomu Rubber Plantation, Royal Farms and Estates Ltd, Imoniyamen Holdings Ltd, etc) are all located in this region,” he noted.

Explaining further, he stated that most of the plantations were planted in the early sixties by the defunct Eastern Region and are no longer economically viable due to old age and outdated clones.

“Some of the factories are either moribund or producing far less than the production capacity due to insufficient raw materials,” he said.

N398billion for education in 2017. In 2018, the president initially proposed N496.9billion, but it was raised to about N605.8billion by the National Assembly. Incidentally, the budget was later cut as part of the virement for the Independent National Electoral Commission to prepare for next February’s polls.

Although the N605 billion allocated to the education sector in 2018 was higher in naira terms than the N550 billion allocated in 2017, there was a decrease in percentage terms.

The breakdown of the 2017 allocation was N398 billion for recurrent expenditure, N56 billion for capital expenditure and N95 billion to UBEC. President Buhari while presenting the N13.08 trillion proposed Appropriation bill for 2021 which he themed ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’, noted that the budget is expected to accelerate the pace of Nigeria’s economic recovery, promote economic d i v e r s i f i c at i on , e n h an c e competitiveness and ensure social inclusion.

He further noted that the Ministry of Education’s capital allocation has been increased by 65 percent to improve the education of our children. Funds have been provided for the provision of scholarship awards

to Nigerian students at home and abroad.

According to Buhari, “We have provided funds for the upgrade of security and other infrastructural facilities in our Unity Colleges nationwide. To improve access to education, we have made provision for the establishment of five new Federal Science and Technical Colleges. We have also provided for the payment of allowances to 5,000 teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme”.

However the decrease in the amount allocated to UBEC in the 2021 budget educationists decry is a bad move by the government given the menace of the increased number of out-of-school-children which if not addressed especially during this Covid-19 period may spell doom for the future generation.

Also, the Federal Ministry of Education is expected to adequately cater for the 28 parastatals as well as 43 federal universities, over 25 federal polytechnics, 21 federal colleges of education and 104 federal unity schools directly under its care with the funding.

Over the years, the country’s funding for education continued to rotate between five per cent, six per cent and seven per cent of the national budget.

The importance of the education sector in our national

development aspirations cannot be over stressed. The Nigerian budget for education is less than 10 percent says Aderemi AaronAnthony Atayero, immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Otta Ogun State.

Analysts observe that the constant below par budgetary allocation to education has several notable downsides at all levels. They opine that Basic education is still characterised by low net enrolment as about 8.5 million children are out of school. School infrastructure has not caught up with increasing enrolment.

Peter Okebukola, former executive secretar y of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), said he expects the Muhammadu Buhari administration to improve funding across all levels of education.

He observes that such a move would increase capital development to aid teaching and learning, adding that the Nigerian education system is not up to the level it should be.

Aderemi Aaron-Anthony Atayero, opines that the solutions to the socio-political and economic problems in Nigeria lie in quality and sustainable education. I boldly state that any investment in the education sector is an investment in the future of Nigeria.

Sunday 11 October 2020

Umunna urges Nigerian leaders to take business of governance seriously

Iniobong Iwok

Buhari proposes N127bn for capital expenditure in education KELECHI EWUZIE

businessdayng

igerian leaders have been urged to take the business of governance very seriously so as to move the country to the right direction.

Making the call in a statement released in Lagos, Leonard Umunna, bishop, Bible Life Church, noted that Nigeria had not made the desired progress in her 60 years post-independence, blaming the problem on leadership failures.

“Nigeria has consistently been going down. The major problem really has been with leadership as the late Chinua Achebe noted in his book, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’. It is a sad commentary that at 60, the country is retrogressing by all standards,” Umunna said.

The cleric further said that the impression of some people, foreigners and citizens alike is that Nigerian leaders “are good policy formulators but bad policy implementers.”

He also said that the trouble of Nigeria started when citizens and leaders began to sidestep ethics, morals, values, and picked up unsuitable replacements that promote corruption in their day-to-day activities.

“Corruption has badly affected our economic fortunes.

Our moral and spiritual fabrics as a nation have been eroded.

Again, we threw away economic policies that placed us above many of our peers, and have become a consuming nation- import-dependent. Our currency has become a laughing stock in the comity of nations with consistent devaluation. Our education and health sectors have since been abandoned, and Nigeria has become a poverty headquarters of the world. It is bad leadership that brought us to this sorry state,” he said.

According to the cleric, “Such failure at leadership level

is due to non-implementation or improper implementation of their visions and good policies, and those good ones given them.

We cannot continue to wallow in the utter darkness indefinitely, Nigeria must be very careful.

“The point at which we are now is very precarious; we must all watch it.”

Umunna also said that one thing that baffles him is the readiness of Nigerians to obey rules, law and order in other man’s lands abroad, but without respect for the laws of our land, Nigeria.

“Whenever they travel abroad and find themselves under the watchful eyes of organised law enforcement agents, they comply because they do not want to face the consequences of disobedience. But when they return to the country, they make themselves above the law. So, you can see that it is those in leadership positions here that have destroyed the system.

When the right-doing people are in authority, the masses enjoy peace and progress,” he noted.

He also alleged that there may have been deliberate attempt by the ruling class to keep the country down for certain ulterior motives.

“We do not lack good ideas.

Whenever Nigerian leaders meet, they raise good ideas but form bad committees to drive/ implement the resolutions, or those selected as committee members are not given free hands to implement whatever is decided. Sometimes, wrong people are deliberately put as head of such committees to frustrate good efforts. So, as injustice and nepotism hold sway, so also corruption spreads.

“It is unfortunate that there are many corrupt people in the system. These corrupt officials tighten their grip on economic powers; so, people cut corners to survive, thereby strengthening endemic and pervasive corruption,” Umunna further said.

Ondo: Ad-hoc staff, election materials rescued in capsized boat - INEC RAZAQ AYINLA, Akure and JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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ome ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on Friday night rescued around the riverine area in Ilaje local government when the boat that was transporting personnel and materials for Saturday Ondo state governorship election capsized.

Confirming the incident, Nick Dazang, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said that “there was

an incident last night during the movement of personnel and materials to the riverine Registration Areas of Ilaje LGA of Ondo State for today’s Governorship election.

“Fortunately, all personnel and election materials were rescued when the boat capsized. This was made possible by the officers and personnel of the Nigeria Navy who escorted the boats.

“The movement was eventually concluded and voting commenced as planned in all the polling units today. INEC commends the resilience and professionalism of the Nigerian Navy as well as those of all other personnel involved in the exercise”.

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HiiT to empower 2,500 Nigerian youths through ICT training Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

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iiT Plc, Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Training firm, is set to empower about 2,500 Nigerian graduates across the country by offering trainings and certification in core digital skills.

The company confirmed that 60 or more residents each from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT will be shortlisted for this exercise. HiiT has therefore advised that interested persons to visit visit its website to confirm qualification for the opportunity, adding that a Nigerian graduate, who is not older than 35 years, is qualified to apply.

“It will, however, be on first come, first served basis, as the company would not exceed the number of slots it has prepared to cater for under this offer,” HiiT stated.

The company has excelled in IT training/education, publishing, IT consultancy and IT solutions development and services in the country over the last 25 years.

Kayode Shobajo, The chief executive officer of HiiT, said that a 60 percent discount would be offered under the exercise on 30 globally trending ICT courses via HiiT online training portal an instructor led training portal.

“To qualify for a discount voucher, all a graduate needs do is to visit the website or

scan a QR code that is visibly displayed on the website. The discount voucher offer will close on October 10 and will be valid for a period of one year, October 1, 2021,” Shobajo said.

Some of the courses that will be on offer on the programme include certificate in digital literacy, digital marketing, certified ethical hacker, graphic design, python programming, web design, Java programming, data analysis, Microsoft Excel (advanced) and CompTIA N+.

Others include JavaScript programming, Python for data science, cloud computing and PHP programming, among others.

Shobajo highlighted the huge success that the company’s recent scholarship programme for Nigerian universities students recorded as its contribution to COVID-19 pandemic.

About N20 million worth of scholarships were offered to students in Nigerian universities.

He said that HiiT online training offers instructor-led training coupled with other training methodology including l i v e i nt e r a c t i v e c l a s s e s , videos, slides, whiteboards and simulation labs to impact Information Technology (IT) skills that are in huge demands by employers.

According to the testimonies of some recent graduates of HiiT online training, it has really impacted on their capacity to be more productive and employable.

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NCDC DG, NAPPSA president discuss future of global healthcare system at NAPPSA Conference Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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he DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu has said there was a need to rethink the current global healthcare delivery architecture to make it more collaborative and responsive to combat the coronavirus and future pandemics.

Ihekweazu made this appeal re c e nt ly i n h i s ke y note address, delivered virtually, at the 2020 NAPPSA (Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas) Scientific Conference and Exposition in the US themed “COVID-19 Pand e m i c : Evolut i on of Science, Practice and Training”.

“Covid-19 has taught us that health is the basis of wealth, that global health is no longer defined by Western nations and must also be guided by Africa and Asia, and that international solidarity is an essential resp onse and a superior approach to isolationism,” Ihekweazu said.

NAPPSA, the foremost group of Diaspora Nigerians with over 7,000 Nigerian

Chikwe Ihekweazu

Anthony Ikeme

pharmaceutical and related professionals, according to the group’s President, Anthony Ikeme, holds t he ye arly conference to, among other things, share knowledge and ideas on current developments and innovations in the medical and pharmaceutical field, providing insights to issues, as well as offer practical steps to help shape the future of the sector.

The NCDC boss said the new healthcare model must be global in outlook but easily adaptable to meet local needs.

According to him, it must be equitable, collaborative, and resilient, with inbuilt environmental and economic components to forestall the current haphazard global

response to Covid-19. It must also be able to meet the health security needs of each nation and inspire a new crop of scientists and public health professionals. “Every country needs a National Public Health Institute to deliver on health security. We need to inspire a new generation of scientists and public health professionals. We need to build resilience in the supply chain for essential commodities and strengthen international collaboration for equitable access to vaccines and targeted support,” Ihekweazu further said.

Ikeme, who flagged off the 2020 conference, emphasised that Nigeria must learn the lessons of the C ovid-19

pandemic and should fortify her healthcare infrastructure to be better prepared for future emergencies. He commended Ihekweazu for the great job he is doing at NCDC in effectively coordinating the Covid-19 fight in Nigeria, hence his choice as keynote speaker.

At the end of the keynote session, Ihekweazu was given an award by NAPPSA, which was presented by Ikeme, “in recognition of his exceptional leadership in monitoring and mitigating the impact of Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.”

Ihekweazu thanked NAPPSA for t he award, commending the association for its invaluable contributions to the global fight against the pandemic, particularly the leading role it continues to play in Nigeria to tackle Covid-19, including its regular updates and recent donation of Covid-19 medical and pharmaceutical materials worth millions of naira to the homeland.

Ikeme assured that NAPPSA will continue to exploit its 10-Year Strategy Plan to increase “our organisational footprint and maximising our impact as a professional organisation both in the USA and in Nigeria.”

Nigerians should expect improved power supply from next year – Welbeck Electricity boss

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he Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, Afolabi Aiyela has said that Nigerians should expect improved power supply by next year as massive foreign and local investments would be witnessed due to the Federal Government’s new Cost Reflective Tariff for electricity.

Aiyela gave the assurance during a visit by the officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, led by Mustapha Abdul-Ahmed Olorunfemi, permanent secretary of the ministry, to the Ojota Power Plant of the company.

He noted that the sector has become extremely attractive to foreign investors who are now confident of making a return on any investment they make in the biggest power market in sub-Saharan Africa, in terms of demand.

During the visit, Aiyela recalled that “The expert consensus worldwide is that fossil fuel subsidies have a net negative effect, both in individual countries and on a global scale. Electricity subsidies artificially lower prices,

leading to market distortions and consumer wastage.”

According to him, “Such consequences include environmental, economic and

social impacts.”

He further noted that “In Nigeria in particular, subsidies have led to the increase in energy consumption, strain

on government budgets and diversion of funds that could otherwise be spent on social priorities (such as healthcare or education) and reduce the

profitability of alternative energy sources.”

Aiyela also praised the Lagos and Federal Governments for the support and enabling

L-R: Hafeez Momoh, head of energy, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Mustapha Abdul-Ahmed Olorunfemi, permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Afolabi Aiyela, MD/CEO, Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, and Michael Onojafe, GM, operations, Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, during the visit of officials of the ministry to Welbeck’s Ojota power plant.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

environment they have created that had helped Welbeck Electricity to thrive.

“One thing is certain; you can’t compare Lagos State to any other state when it comes to Independent Power. If you look at the IPP capacity of Lagos State now, there is no other state to compare.

“We appreciate the encouragement and support given

by Federal Government and Lagos State and we look forward to working closely with Lagos to realise the governor’s plan to increase power supply across the state,” he said.

He further explained that “Welbeck Electricity is one of the fastest growing IPP (Independent Power Producer) companies in Nigeria. With three IPP’s ranging from 2.5MW to 5.5MW in Lagos and more upcoming this year; we are in the right position to offer customers an independent source of uninterrupted power.

“Our clients range from Switch/Data centres, such as MTN Nigeria Plc; assembly plants such as CIG Motors and Kinstar Outdoor and manufacturing plants such as Daily Need Industries, Poly Products Plc, Lontor and FAMAD Plc.”

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Covid-19: LASAA announces palliatives for outdoor advertising practitioners

Our ministry has got approval for complete rehabilitation of Eko Bridge — Fashola

Iniobong Iwok

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agos State Signage an d Adve r t i s i ng Agency (LASAA) has announced various palliatives to cushion the adverse impact of the Covid-19 on the operations of outdoor advertising practitioners in the state.

Ad e d a m o l a D o c e m o, managing director and chief executive officer (MD/CEO) of LASAA, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos weekend, said the agency has decided to waive the permit fees for outdoor practitioners spanning three months from April to June 2020, following the approval of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “This represents 25 percent of the outdoor practitioners’ bill for the year 2020,” Docemo said.

He added that the agency was also willing to offer a special discount to all outdoor advertising practitioners that are ready to completely and immediately offset their 2019 outstanding bills. “This will, however, be done on a case-bycase basis,” he said.

Docemo explained that a revised bill for this year would be sent to all registered outdoor advertising practitioners with a letter detailing the terms and conditions attached to the

Adedamola Docemo (m), managing director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA); Adegbolahan Dixon (l), special assistant Operations (LASAA), and Buky Ayodele, head, Client Services and Registration, addressing the press on Covid-19 palliatives for outdoor advertising practitioners in Lagos State.

rebate, adding that a major condition is the practitioners’ readiness to settle all 2019 outstanding bills as well as the outstanding payment for January to March 2020.

He said a formal letter has been sent to the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and other stakeholders in the industry intimating them of the new developments.

He expressed the optimism that the initiative would go a long way to demonstrate the agency’s resolve to help the industry grow as well as cushion the negative effect of the pandemic on outdoor

advertising business in the state.

“We hope the members of the outdoor advertising industry will reciprocate this good gesture from the state by ensuring prompt payment of all their obligations to the agency as this will help the state’s agenda to achieve accelerated infrastructure development,” he said.

He n o t e d t h at m o s t advertisers had suspended or cancelled their advertising contracts for the year 2020, a situation that made revenue collection an enormous task for the agency.

The CEO said the OAAN

had on behalf of its members repeatedly requested for the agency’s inter vention and support to cushion the effect of the pandemic on their businesses.

“You have spoken and we have listened and showed empathy. As an agency, we believe this will go a long way to demonstrate our readiness to support businesses in the state,” Docemo said.

He assured members of the public that the agency would continue to raise the bar when it comes to outdoor advertising regulation while also striving for the outdoor advertising industry to flourish.

CHUKA UROKO he minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, says the ministry has got approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for complete rehabilitation of Eko Bridge, otherwise called Second Mainland Bridge, in Lagos.

This is a piece of good news for Lagos motorists whose driving experience on the bridge on regular basis is better imagined than expressed. The bridge is not only in bad condition, but has become a metaphor for stress as a result of traffic congestion, especially during morning hours.

The bridge and its landward extension of 1,350 metres were constructed in phases between 1965 and 1975 by Julius Berger Nigeria. It serves as the preferred access point for vehicular traffic approaching Lagos Island from the Apapa and Surulere areas of Lagos.

Fashola who spoke during an inspection visit to the Alaka end of the Bridge on Thursday, where a major repair work is being carried out by Buildwell Construction Company, disclosed that Eko Bridge was one of the 50 bridges currently receiving maintenance, repair and refurbishment across the country in line with government’s national infrastructure maintenance programme.

The minister explained that

the infrastructure renewal, expansion and development programme has been the focus of the Muhammodu Buhari administration, adding, “this is part of the national asset maintenance programme that the FEC has approved, not just to restore national infrastructure but also to create jobs.”

The Minister explained further that the decision to close the Alaka end of the bridge was to prevent accidents following the emergency repairs of the Eko Bridge, Marine Beach Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge all of which are undergoing repair at the same time.

Similarly, the ministry will, by midnight Friday, close the Third Mainland Bridge till midnight of Sunday, October 11. This is to allow the contractor handling the refurbishment of the bridge to fix the three expansion joints ready for concrete casting between Adeniji Adele and Adekunle end of the bridge, covering about 3.5 kilometres of the 11.8 kilometres Third Mainland Bridge.

Paola Prono, executive director, Borini Prono and Co. Nigeria Limited, a civil engineering and building contractor handling the Third Mainland Bridge, said the three number expansion joints were ready for concrete casting on Saturday and requires 48 hours, hence the total closure of the bridge starting by midnight of today till midnight, Sunday, October 11, to prevent any vehicular movement on the bridge.

Home ownership opportunities beckon for Ogun residents as Richfield unveils project

Abia, UNIDO hold stakeholder workshop to provide industrial policy document

KELECHI EWUZIE

UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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pportunities to address t he housing deficit in Abeokuta in particular and Nigeria in general, continue to gain ground as savvy investors with long term view are rolling out products into the

market, and at the same time increasing buying options for home seekers.

The latest is Richfield Nigeria, a fast-growing Real Estate development company, which just launched a new housing project called Richfield Residences, a premium residential development consisting 20 units of fully detached 3

bedroom bungalows and 10 units of 2 bedroom terraces all located on Abeokuta/ Lagos Expressway, opposite Midland Galvanising Company Ile-Ise. Samson Odegbami, managing director/CEO, Richfield Nigeria, said the primary aim and objective of Richfield Nigeria is to contribute its quota to solving

L-R: Odun Oladipupo, Project Manager, Richfield Residences; Olasukanmi Oyeyemi, pioneer, Richfield Residences partner; Samson Odegbami, managing director/CEO, Richfield Residences and Olaotan Akinduro, chief operation officer, Richfield at the new housing project launching of Richfield Residences in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

t he probl e m of hous i ng deficit in Nigeria, adding that the affordability and high quality are guiding principles for the organisation.

Odegbami, while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of Richfield Residences project in Abeokuta, obser ved that housing was one of the major problems faced by Nigerians and that as an organisation, Richfield Nigeria can support the government to combat the problem of house deficit, adding that not only is the company providing houses, it ensures that its buildings are very affordable such that prospective buyers do not need all the money in the world before they can live in a comfortable apartment.

“We’ve also considered the economic state of the country and we developed a flexible payment plan all in a bid to make our facilities available to all,” Odegbami said.

The project has a completion timeline of six months and the event was well attended by dignitaries and other major stakeholders in the real estate sector.

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he Abia State government in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has held stakeholders validation workshop in Umuahia, the state capital, a bid to provide the state with sound industrial policy document.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu while speaking during the workshop commended the consultants who joined hands with the state Ministry of Industries and UNIDO to provide the industrial policy document of the state government.

Ikpeazu, who spoke through Chris Ezem, the secretary to the state government, said his administration had done so much in the promotion of garments and leather industries in the state and also reviving some moribund industries.

He noted that as soon as the document was realised, it would form the policy guide for all industries in Abia.

Uwaoma Olewengwa, the commissioner for industries,

in her speech hinted that the state government decided to have the industrial policy document in order to restore confidence in prospective investors in the state.

She disclosed that some time in the past, an investor from Czech Republic was in the state to establish waste to wealth industry but requested for the industrial policy document of the state but none was available, hence the government’s resolve to have one.

Olewengwa stated that UNIDO lays emphasis on industrial policy document before the organisation could come to assist, hence the meeting to articulate the contents of the document, adding that at the end of the meeting, Abia would be a viable place for investment.

In his brief remarks, John Bankole, the Country Director of UNIDO, said the organisation promotes accelerated inclusive industrialisation and provides technical assistance.

Bankole, who was represented by Bamidele, noted that Abia Sate was one state that UNIDO found very important because the people are highly enterprising and garments and leather clusters abound there.

Sunday 11 October 2020

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Abia council election: Ndoki youths reject Wabara’s choice GODFREY OFURUM, Aba

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outh wing of Ndoki Peoples Freedom Movement, Port Harcourt branch, has accused Adolphus Wabara, a former Senate President, of planning to impose his brother, as the preferred candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ukwa East.

The development arose as political parties prepare for local government (chairmanship and councillorship) elections in Abia State, scheduled for December 18, 2020.

The group, in a letter dated September 29, 2020, made available to BDSUNDAY, in Aba, Thursday, alleged that the former Senate President, was intimidating people with tales that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had already settled him with PDP chairmanship ticket of Ukwa East.

The y urge d G over nor Ikpeazu to stop Wabara from his plan to impose his younger brother, Chucks Wabara, as

the candidate of PDP, in the forthcoming Local Government election in the state.

The youths told Ikpeazu that if he supports what they tagged “evil and insensitive plan” being orchestrated by Wabara, to materialise, Ukwa East LGA would become a family business of the former Senate President.

“We would have kept quiet for this to happen to quicken the final burial of PDP in Ukwa East LGA, even before 2023, but because of the adverse effect it would have on us -the youths and our people- we have decided to warn against it,” they stated.

The youth urged Ikpeazu to stop the alleged political settlement of Wabara, stressing that he has been politically settled enough and should not be allowed to keep standing on the growth of other younger persons with better aspirations.

“You and your party have settled Wabara enough with the position of Pro-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu; Secretary Board of Trustees of PDP, at the National level and the Abia State Chairmanship of

PDP, at the state level.

“He also served as a Senator for eight years, as well as President of the Senate.

“Before going to the Senate, Wabara represented us at the House of Representatives and at the local level, as our LGA chairman.

“He has also served as the Supervisory Councilor of our LGA. He’s healthy and doing well.

“Allowing him to impose his younger brother on the people of Ukwa East, as elected chairman will be a source of discouragement to youths, like us and invitation for violence.

“We’ll oppose this with our blood. Even our forefathers will not forgive anyone who supports this”.

The youths told Ikpeazu that the Abia PDP where he and Wabara are stakeholders already have a well structured zoning formula that would be truncated, should Wabara’s brother become the party’s candidate for the election.

“You must have been told about what your PDP calls zoning, because as a governor,

you are a product of zoning.

“By that zoning arrangement, as agreed by your party, it was agreed that in each Zone, the Chairman can only come from any ward that has never produced an elected chairman before.

“Wabara is from Ikwueke East Ward and his ward is in Zone-B and he had served, as an elected Chairman before.

The two remaining wards that have not produced elected chairman are Obohia and Ikwuriator West wards.

“They are the only two wards qualified to contest for chairmanship. This is according to Wab ara’s PDP zoning arrangement.”

“Please do not allow him to change the rules in the middle of the game,” they further pleaded.

“Also your party said in their zoning arrangement that if Zone-A produces the House of Assembly Member, Zone-B should produce the LGA Chairman. The current House of Assembly Member, Paul Taribo is from the same village, Ohambele, as Wabara.

Delta community jubilates as Foundation refurbishes school, donates books, water facilities ...Sets up N200,000 annual educational fund for best pupil Idris Momoh and Mercy Enoch

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t was jubilation galore for the people of Oligie Community in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State recently, as a non-governmental organisation (NGO), David and Margaret Ngegu (DAMAN) Foundation, built and donated a block of three classrooms with state-of-the-art facilities to one of the primary schools in the area.

Apart from the block of classrooms, the organisation also donated water facilities as well as over three thousand branded note books to the school.

The organisation als o announced an annual educational fund of N200,000 to any of the best graduating pupil from the school, henceforth.

Making the donation, Chairman, DAMAN Foundation, Sunday Ngegu said that the gesture was part of efforts by the foundation in memory of their late father, David Ngegu, who, many years ago, was a pupil of the school and an honour to their mother, Margaret Ngegu who, he noted, stood behind their father to give them (their children) quality education.

“This Foundation was set up in their honour to continue the legacies both of them had bequeathed to us, their children. We decided to prioritise education in this regard because our father, while he was alive made the education of his

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Port Harcourt serial killer, who wasted many women, to die by hanging Ignatius Chukwu

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racious David-West who was accused of killing women in hotels is to be wasted.

This is because a Rivers High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebele, on Friday, October 9, sentenced DavidWest to death by hanging.

The judge convicted the serial killer over his role in the murder of 11 young women and attempted murder of Benita Etim in a hotel in 2019.

Enebele in his judgment said the prosecution team was able to convince the court that DavidWest was the killer of several females. The second defendant, Nimi ThankGod, who faced a one- count charge of misconduct with corpse, has been discharged and acquitted.

The convict, who was born in 1980, killed about 15 women mostly in Port Harcourt, from July to September, 2019. He was apprehended on September of the same year, and later confessed to a total of 15 murders.

In the confession, DavidWest claimed he had “an irresistible urge to kill” and told detectives that every night from June to his capture in September; he combed the streets for women in his car.

He said he would proceed to a local hotel where he and the woman would eat, have fun, and then go to sleep. In the middle of the night, he confessed, he would wake up the victim and threaten her with a knife. Before killing his victims, he would rob them of their money, ATM cards and other valuables.

He would then turn the television or the radio on high volume, and using strips of cloth he had cut from the pillow cases, he would tie up the victim before manually strangling her. Victims were often found

naked, bound with a white strip of cloth on their ankles, arms, and neck. The modus operandi and the white cloth provoked a suspicion of ritual killing.

He was arrested when his method failed him in the early morning of September 19, 2019, when a woman who had accompanied him to a hotel woke up to David-West tying her up and preparing to suffocate her.

David-West and another individual were arrested and charged with homicide.

Many have wondered how a man would be comfortable and calm in making love to a woman and killing her thereafter without any provocation. This led to many theories of his upbringing.

David-West reportedly had a tough childhood. Several individuals who knew him claimed that he was the only child born into a polygamous household, but he and his mother lived separately from the rest of the family.

He claimed his mother was poisoned and as the only son of his father much was expected of him but that he could not deliver. He claimed to attend the branch of the Lord’s Chosen Church in Obigbo, where he said he confessed to the pastor that he had been killing women.

The pastor reportedly invited him to a crusade prayer service to heal him. He stated that the church helped him to get a job in Owerri, Imo State, but he killed someone and ran away.

David-West was reportedly a member of the Greenlanders (also known as Deebham, or Dey Gbam), a mafia-styled street gang that sprung out of the armed militant groups notorious in Nigeria for engaging in criminal acts of violence and voodoo.

He was arrested while fleeing to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and cooperated with the police all through. Many wanted to hear about high profile collaboration but none of such happened till his sentencing.

Oyo govt opens bid for 2019 intervention projects, rolls out 226 contracts L-R: Ngegu Sunday, chairman, David and Margaret Ngegu (DAMAN) Foundation; Ben Oghumu, a politician; Monday Igwubase, vice chairman, Orhionmwon Local Government Council, and Rebecca Agholor, head teacher, Oligie Primary School, Oligie-Igbanke, during the presentation of a block of three classrooms, branded notebooks, water facilities by DAMAN Foundation in the area.

children and others a matter of utmost priority.

“Again, we decided to begin our educational developmental efforts from this school, Oligie Primary School because, our father, started his educational career from this same school many years ago,” Ngegu said.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the community and Edo State Government, the Vice Chairman, Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Monday Igwuobase commended the Foundation for the gesture just as he noted that as part of deliberate efforts in salvaging the educational sector from its present situation across the country, there is the urgent need for robust private and public collaboration.

He particularly lauded

the initiative of DAMAN Foundation for coming to the aid of the school and community, just as he charged other wellmeaning sons and daughters of the community to take a cue from the foundation and lift a finger of assistance to the needy in the society.

In their various remarks, some of the community leaders who included the traditional ruler of the Community, HRH Samuel Osunde; the Enogie of Ottah Community, HRH Julius Isitor; President General, Igbanke Development Union (Worldwide), Arthur Usiagwu, and a renowned politician in the area, Ben Oghumu lauded the foundation for its developmental efforts in the community.

On her part, the Head Teacher of the School, Rebecca

Agholor while expressing appreciation to the Foundation for coming to their aid, stressed that the effort would go a long way in restoring adequate teaching and learning in the school.

“What we are witnessing here today is a rare occurrence; it is only made possible by God who has seen the level of suffering both the teachers and pupils in this school had been subjected to and has decided to use the Foundation to wipe away our tears.

“On behalf of SUBEB, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Abudu, the School Base Management Committee (SBMC) staff and pupils of this school, we say a very big thank you for this gesture,” Agholor said.

REMI FEYISIPO, Ibadan

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bout 102 local contractors participated in the bid opening exercise for the 2019 FGN-UBEC/OYOSUBEB intervention projects held at the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board’s premises, BDSUNDAY has learnt.

The projects, according official statement, will be jointly financed by Oyo State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Federal Government, through the Universal Basic Education Commission.

The contracts bided for include: Construction of a Model School; Construction of eight blocks of six classrooms; construction of 14 blocks of four classrooms.

Others are construction of 32 blocks of 3 classrooms; construction of 4 ECCDE pilot cen-

tres; construction 10 perimeter fencing.

Likewise, the contractors bided for renovation of 66 blocks of classrooms; sinking of 40 boreholes; procurement of 48 lots of furniture and procurement of 3 lots of sport equipment/facilities.

Speaking after the bidding exercise, he Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Aderemi Adeniran said that a total of Two Hundred and Twenty-six (226) lots are being rolled out, adding that the process involved transparency and due process.

While saying that was done in compliance with provision of Public Procurement Act 2010 ,Adeniran stated that “we allowed due process in this bid opening, which states that people should be allowed to tender for any goods and/or services, and the tender should be open in the presence of the tenderers,” he said.

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Let there be end to Second Niger Bridge project

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re s i d e nt Mu hammadu Buhari, on Thursday at a joint session of the National Assembly for the presentation of the 2021 national budget, announced t h at t h e S e c on d Ni ge r Bridge was 46 percent completed, adding that the 11.6 kilometres bridge would be commissioned in 2023.

This, again, raised the hope of Nigerians, especially those of the South East and South extraction in whose domain the bridge is being constructed.

The Second Niger Bridge project was initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who left office in May 2015, meaning that the idea of the bridge project was initiated anytime before May 2015.

The bridge is being constructed across Nigeria’s Niger River and is intended to ease traffic congestion and will span from Asaba to Ozubulu and Ogbaru areas.

The project is undertaken on behalf of the Nigerian federal government by the Federal Ministry of Works

and Housing jointly with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

The project promises 1.6 kmlong bridge furnished with other ancillary infrastructure including a 10.3 km highway and a toll station.

It was conceived and designed to be completed in 42 months, that is, three and half years.

In 2015, Jonathan used the project as a campaign tool, assuring Nigerians that while the old Azikiwe (Nnamdi) built the First Niger Bridge, the young Azikiwe (himself) would build the second bridge.

Unfortunately, Jonathan did not win the election for his second term. But, interestingly, this vision has been sustained by the Buhari government which has, at any given opportunity, raised the hope of Nigerians in the seemingly endless project that is fast becoming the oldest construction site in Nigeria.

Originally, the bridge which was designed to cost N108 billion was given February 2022 completion date. Julius Berger, the contractor handling the construction of the project, at a time, told Nigerians that the project would be completed in 12 months.

Much as we share in the euphoria of Buhari’s Thursday

pronouncement, we are nonetheless becoming increasingly miffed by what is clearly now an endless shifting of the goal post in regards to the completion of this project.

We urge an end to this project so that its intended benefits would not be lost on the people who it is meant to serve. Like the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, people of the South East Nigeria and their friends look forward to the completion of this project with unreserved hope.

Government should prioritize the completion of this project for many reasons. Besides the many jobs it is already creating and will continue to create, a second bridge across the Niger is all that the government should do to end the end the gridlock that makes travelling to the east, especially during Yuletide, a nightmare.

Viewed from socio-political prism, this is the only meaningful project being undertaken by the federal government in the whole of South East. The few other ones, mainly roads, are either moving at snail pace, or have been abandoned completely for “lack of funding”.

The Buhari administration has, in recent time, woken up to the realisation that rail system is the way to go in transportation,

especially at a time when roads infrastructure in the country has more or less collapsed. A good measure of investment has been made in this direction, but the South East Region is not anywhere in the scheme of things.

We, therefore, call on the Buhari government to rethink the 2023 new delivery date for the project. That new date seems to us as a date that will never be, considering that it is the terminal year for the Buhari administration and this countr y is not known for project continuity by successive governments.

Again, 2023 is an election year and it nowhere in the history of Nigeria that an outgoing government would be concerned with projects and not how to win election. We are not known, in this part of the world to separate governance from election.

For these reasons and more, we appeal to President Buhari to put sentiments aside and get this project done much earlier than he has promised. Buhari was reported to be optimistic about the early completion of the bridge, saying “we hope to commission the project before the end of our tenure in 2023.” We do not doubt him, but we want him to walk the talk.

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Perspective

Communication: Takeaways from Edo election

BUNMI MAKINWA Makinwa is the CEO of AUNIQUEI Communication for Leadership.

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he recent gubernatorial election in Edo State which Governor Godwin Obaseki won convincingly over his rival, despite running on a new party platform that he joined only a few months earlier, gives a glimpse on how interactions around politics create deep favours or intense dislike for key political personalities in Nigeria.

Human activities of significance provide insights to confirm existing norms, indicate new ones as they appear, and above all yield pointers to managing future similar or related activities. The recent gubernatorial election shows communicative characteristics. This article explores some of the communicative expressions and offers comments. It is a glimpse into how the interactions of the gubernatorial candidates and their political parties with the electorate and public in general might have shaped the final outcomes.

An important point about the turbulent campaigns and rallies in Edo State is that voters’ interest did not increase despite the strong characters of the

candidates and the high stakes.

Obaseki scored 307,955 votes, which are slightly lower than 319,483 votes that he garnered in 2016 when he ran for his first term. His opponent, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, received 223,619 votes this time, also lower compared to his 253,173 votes of 2016 when he was also the chief opponent to Obaseki.

It is indeed surprising that what appeared as serious mobilisation around the elections did not create high enthusiasm for voter-turnout. Why? The results of the state elections, won handily by Obaseki despite running within a new party, pointed to the strong likelihood that voters’ decision was based on personalities and not allegiance to political parties.

Obaseki on one side versus Ize-Iyamu, tightly supported by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the other side, were the key characters.

The last two formed a union that failed to convince voters.

Obaseki was adjudged the better choice. The decision confounded those who had relied on Oshiomhole’s apparent popularity, based largely on his major victory for his second term as Edo governor in 2012.

Election campaigns present an opportunity to throw missiles of all types at opponents. The two major political parties and others were responsible for the brickbats of accusations, allegations, and blames that featured in audio and video messages of all types. One of the videos showed a candidate as homosexual and therefore, undeserving of being governor of Edo State. The video did not explain how it knew the sexual orientation of the candidate, or how being homosexual would

affect his performance. It was a just-use-anything attempt to bring an opponent down.

The time is past when established media organisations exclusively report on election campaigns, votes and results.

No matter the rules that guide news and media organisations, they do not apply to most of the popular and citizen media. Everyone who has a telephone or any communication device uses them to record and disseminate information. There were any number of reports, purported news and information on the elections.

The public and audience had to struggle to sift wrong from right information, often an impossible task.

Popularity of video and audio recordings by individuals and groups has greatly increased the availability of raw information materials on the present and the past. Gone are the days when valuable footage of important events and actions are kept in institutions or organised locations. When a leading public figure makes a claim, just about anyone could do a Google search, for example, and dig into several archival materials available through social network services online to provide verification.

It is still possible that politicians can manipulate or influence the media by force, using money, position or their power of coercion. In this manner, adversarial information or news may be prevented from spreading or being known to the public.

Wrong. It is no longer easy to stop unfavorable information or news. Information of all types can be generated and spread by anybody using social media and online network services.

The major traditional media

do occupy some pride of place and can be very influential in formation of public opinion. But they no longer stand alone and can sometimes be less powerful in shaping public agenda than the small media or social network services. Increasingly, the separation of media platforms is becoming less distinct. Most of the large established media organisations use social media as much as they use information that may originate from social network services.

A politician facing an election in the future, or one who does want to maintain great influence in his or her community should keep in mind that staying on the correct path in public and private is sound advice.

If something should not be known, then it is much better that it does not happen. Once it happens, be prepared to explain, or face the consequences and accept the blame.

Politicians often use attendance at their campaign rallies as a gauge of support that the public accord them.

In the new sophisticated environment, opinion polling is another measure of what people do and how they will vote. Opinion polls also inform politicians on how to orient their audiences and steer people to support an agenda. However, heavy turn-out at political rallies has become a very uncertain gauge of support as many people turn up at events for many reasons, including to collect gifts, monies, or in expectation of material assets. At times the turn-out is just another social outing in communities where nothing much happens.

Opinion polls are useful though not necessarily effective sources of information. Hilary

Clinton led in most results of opinion polls in 2016 and she lost the election, although she won the majority votes. That was not sufficient to get her access to the White House. A serious search for reliable means of measuring political support and voters’ interest is still wide open.

The total number of voters in Edo State during 2020 gubernatorial elections is 537,407 out of about 2.2 million registered voters. In 2016, a higher number of voters - 613,244- was recorded out of about 1.9 million registered voters. The 2012 gubernatorial election of Oshiomhole versus Solomon Airhiarvbere recorded still higher number of 630,099 voters out of about 1.5 million registered voters. The significant reduction in voting in Edo State over the past 12 years deserves more scrutiny. It may be due to several barriers such as apathy, social or economic reasons, and perceived insecurity.

In the apparently religious society that is Nigeria, political campaigns use faith terminologies, labels and ingredients to colour their “preaching” for political support or conversion to their own side. It is not unusual to begin bitter and divisive political rallies with prayers. Speeches are filled with allusions to the almighty and his powers to deliver victories to the candidates.

Spiritual songs are used to lift up enthusiasm, just as thugs dress up for violent confrontations to maim or even kill. Yet aspirants to political offices try hard to convince the public that they belong in the spiritual kingdom.

Whether overtly or subtly, political campaigns and processes around elections remain vital in forming public opinions and making decisions on voting.

Settling down at a new job EMEM NWOGWUGWU

Q

uite a number of people over the past few months have been recruited into different organisations and businesses. Some of these people have been working remotely while some have had to wait until it was safe enough to reopen offices/establishments and resume work.

A new job can cause us to be anxious due to the new environment, new management and new bosses. I will be giving you three tips to adapting into a new workplace environment so you can set yourself up for success.

Be confident: Portray confidence because it tells your coworkers that you are capable to handle the job. Self-confidence gives a good projection to employer and co-workers. This is necessary to fit in at a new workplace.

Ask questions and be curious don’t assume things and wonder : It is better to ask questions immediately you start a new job to help you understand and get the layout of things. This helps you to settle in faster and establish a working relationship with your co-workers. This is also impor-

tant so you can start meeting up with your daily deliverables.

Learn the systems, processes and business well: The earlier you are able to understand how the business works, how the processes of communication, training, reports are run and how the structure system functions the better you can perform your job with fewer setbacks. Be observant and notice how things are done, do your research and find out how you can fit into the company’s goal and start playing your part in achieving the set goals in your team and the company.

La Pax life projects is a 360 human development company that offers Trainings, Coaching sessions, Consultations and Project management to different Organisations, Families and Individuals. We handle Strategy session, Clarity sessions, Tailored trainings, Business Coaching and Project management services.

You can visit our website www.lapaxlifeprojects.com or send a DM to @emem.ng.

Until next week, don’t let the pandemic change your mindset about living a productive, profitable and exciting life.

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Sixty years of Nigeria’s unholy matrimony OLUDAYO TADE Dr. Tade, a sociologist, sent this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

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rom external colonialist to insider colonialists, Nigeria’s topsy-turvy postcolonial reality unveils unmet needs of peoples who were happy that the British colonialist agreed to leave the country physically with a strategic plan of remote colonisation of Nigeria 60-years after. Just like the female anopheles mosquito sucks the blood of her host, Britain emplaced a convenient but misfit structure through which it could continually pierce to drain the blood of the administrative convenience entity christened Nigeria. While the British colonial regime was brutal, the postcolonial experiences of Nigerians in the hands of parasitic insider colonialists are more terrorising. Conceived to serve administrative purposes, the 1914 amalgamation of unwilling peoples into a new, but undefined, contraption births the pursuit of divisive interests and clannish considerations.

Owing to divergent interests, the frontline men who fought for independence had different agenda on when and how the forced contraption should become independent.

Since the physical departure of the

British however, the leadership of the most populous Black Country has nurtured an unholy matrimony.

It has been sixty years of transactional leadership characterised by ineptitude, irresponsive and cluelessness. From North to South, East to West, tribal parasites have imposed themselves on their people and exploit with reckless abandon. Nigeria metaphorically mirrors an unholy matrimony of her constituents who are tensed up in a marriage of perpetual abuse.

Like children are nurtured by their parents (biological or otherwise), Nigerians endured British parenthood via colonialism. Similar to how relationships may be formed through individual agency of selecting suitable partner or through matchmaking, Nigeria was birthed based on ulterior matchmaking strategy by colonial masters who forced those who would have preferred to be alone into a union of abuse. This is the background of the postcolonial relations among Nigerian constituents whose relationships have been laden with distrust, mutual suspicion, and exploitation.

Nigeria at 60 therefore, represents the sociological empty-shell family where leaders portray to outsiders that all is well with the country while the masses who encounter the negative impact of governance and wicked diversion of the commonwealth mouths a sad tale of the state of the nation.

From 1960 when everyone celebrated Nigeria’s independence, succeeding years of internal governance dashed people’s hopes and aspirations and substitute these with injustices represented by poverty,

insecurity, unemployment, parasitic clannish policies, irresponsive parochialism and collapse of industries.

While the ‘head of the family’ wants to force everyone to celebrate when there is nothing to be joyful about the consistent rape of trust and shrinking of the civic space, contemporary Nigeria manifests all the trappings that contributes to high divorce rate and broken relationships.

Sociologically, the family is the microcosm of the larger society. Although couples swear to live together till death do them part, many have had to review such vows because of unmet needs and near death brutality. Before divorce becomes reality, efforts would have been made to appeal to the abusive partner to make amends, but the abusive partner may deny such exploitation exists leaving the complainant with no other option than to find ways to exit the marriage which has transformed from holy to unholy matrimony.

Our study on divorce in Nigerian courts empowers me to relate the causes of marital breakups with the factors precipitating disaffection and drums of secession in Nigeria. We found that divorce is an outcome of marriages experiencing misunderstanding, lack of love, mistrust, lack of care, infidelity, abandonment, financial problems, and brutality, among others. These factors appropriate why Nigerians are disenchanted with an abusive relationship. Through their 60 years, twenty of which comes under democracy, Nigerians have encountered nosediving fortunes which elicit positivepessimism utterances.

Despite all the factors that contribute to divorce, the courts still

make efforts to engage couples to see if they could find amicable resolution to the differences. What that implies is that genuine complaints must be attended to rather than mouthing staying together in abusive and parasitic relationship. Despite open denial and struggle by President Muhammadu Buhari and his aides to paint a rosy state of affairs, Nigeria’s topsy-turvy and mood of the majority has moved them away from believing presidential ‘E go better’ pacification. Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa conveys the hopelessness of Nigerians when he queries leadership assertion of ‘e go better’ when in actual fact, things are getting bad. Osupa queries such assertion as deceitful because it is abstract without a definite time when things will get better. Osupa laments that he heard the same assertion while younger. Now married and getting old, the Fuji maestro lamented that things are not near getting better.

Challenging the ‘e go better’ assertion as blanket, Saheed Osupa blasts Nigerian leaders who enjoy better conditions abroad but makes it impossible for their people to enjoy same reality in Nigeria. At independence, Osupa recalls that Nigerians who travelled abroad for education returned home because there was nothing there that they could not get back in their homeland. Fastforward to 2020, Nigerians abroad dread return migration because of the slide of the country into the state of nature where life is short, nasty and brutish. Just like me, Osupa asks Nigerian leadership when the promised goodness, change and next level would materialise and wonder if it will come when Nigeria becomes

100!....Naijiria e go better, e go better le hun so, e go better, e go better lati ojo tati gbominira, e go better so di ogorun odun ni, e go better Odun wo lo ma je na?.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s promised change and next level have remained on the negative for the majority of Nigerians whose dreams are daily becoming unrealisable with division entrenched in policy making while peoples’ rights to complain is framed as either hate speech or inciting violence. Rather than seeing such concerns as expression of love for Nigeria to remain indivisible, their concerns are rubbished and downplayed inspiring the emergence of insurgent citizens. Silencing a partner in a marriage while you continue to terrorise him/her only makes the abused to reflect and begin to find ways of exiting and surviving outside the Union. It makes no sense for a government to prefer to negotiate with terrorists and take care of them while turning deaf ears to genuine concerns of citizens who are drawing attention to injustices before things get out of hand.

To me, the call for secession is a strategic warning sign and also an opportunity for government to engage different groups and harmonise differences in a bid to prevent further fracture in the amalgamation. No one who sees him/herself as victim of clannish killings without seeing perpetrators being punished will believe in the 60th anniversary theme of togetherness. The gliding of Nigeria from holy to an unholy matrimony presents an opportunity to the Buhari administration to address the voices of concern to prevent the marriage from breaking down.

Nigeria 60 years later: The youth & the promise of tomorrow

(In Conversation with Akintunde Oyebode) CHINASA (‘NASA) KEN-UGWUH

“Y

ou carry the weight of a generation on your shoulders, so make it count – what you want to do is not to gain selfaccolades, but to be an example for other young people.” Akintunde Oyebode.

The quote above is a poignant message that resonated during my interview with Akintunde Oyebode (Akin), the current Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development in Ekiti State, who happens to also be my one-time line manager during my early career in Banking, a mentor and a passionate youth advocate.

Nigeria celebrated its 60th year post independence on October 1 and ironically, its average population age is 18.2 years. This is reportedly the trend across the African continent, where a substantial number of countries are about between 43 to 60 years old post-independence, with an average population age of 19.

However, what was more jarring for me was the disproportionality between the average age of the African leaders at 80 years and the average population age of 19 years. These

statistics suggested to me, a youthful population with no significant youth participation in decision-making, and when put side by side of developed countries, with a less youthful population with leaders averaging 52 years old, the question that comes to mind is– In Africa, are the youth really the leaders of tomorrow?

For as far as I remember, the narrative has always been the promise of leadership tomorrow for the youth, but when I look around me, specifically Nigeria, it’s difficult to validate or uphold this narrative because the youth, to my mind have not become the leaders of tomorrow, and if they have, they are very few and far between.

In my conversation with Akin, he started by highlighting the need to understand that Youth by definition does not mean competency and the more important question to ask is, how do we prepare young people for leadership?

According to him, the real barrier to youth leadership in Nigeria and overarchingly, Africa is not necessarily age, but more importantly, about what you have done demonstrably, as

a young person or an individual to earn a seat at the table. Conversely, from a systemic perspective, has the country been deliberate about building a pool or pipeline of leaders?

The thrust of the conversation was to shed light on the broad assumption that the youth have just been handed the short end of the stick, whereas the reality is that they have a role to play to change the narrative just as much as the governing system does.

Akin went on to share that, based on his experience from the private sector and as an “accidental public servant” (a phrase he borrows from Governor El-Rufai) who is youngish. The secret was in putting in the work, earning trust and sacrificing personal hours to volunteer in political campaigns with people that shared his values of leadership. Additionally, being aware of the skills he had and deciding to offer them to the political network, were all part of deliberate steps taken to earn a seat at the table.

Essentially, for Akin, there will come a time when the talking and bright ideas will not be enough, and you will have to take the deliberate steps to back your talk with action.

According to a Brookings Institution publication in 2018, about transformative leadership in Africa

- the youth should prioritise being formally represented in decision making processes and institutions, having a seat at the table instead of being on the menu.

Akintunde Oyebode, took that leap of faith, leaving the menu for a seat at the table, when he conceded to set up and implement successfully, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) - a public sector effort to drive youth empowerment through job creation and entrepreneurship for the State.

My key take-away, following this engaging and enlightening conversation was essentially this - to move from the menu to have a seat at the table; it is not enough to be young. What is important is to be, intentional, accountable and worthy of people’s trust in your capacity to deliver. You must begin to demonstrate these qualities in your personal circles and smaller constituencies.

On that note, I’ll leave you with yet another nugget of wisdom from Akin during our thought-provoking conversation: “We are either going to shape our future or have it shaped for us – the big question is , do you want to do it during your most active years when your skills, experience and energy can be used for developing society”.

Yours conscientiously.

To listen to the full interview, please go to www.africabusinessraio.com and find the Social Conscience featured podcast.

About Author: Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh (‘Nasa) is a millennial woman on a journey.Passionate about positive social change and development and advocating for the change she wants to see in the development of Nigeria and Africa as whole.

Instagram: @with_nasa LinkedIn: Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh

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Superheating Nigeria’s economy using the fuel of fibre optic broadband David Hundeyin

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n May 2020, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that Nigeria now has more than 141 million active Internet lines, up 18 million from 123 million in 2019. On the surface, this is a great achievement and it is certainly significant in a country that as recently as 2009, had only 31,041,429 internet users, making up just 20 percent of Nigeria’s population. While this is transformational performance, there is a new challenge in growing Internet penetration and access to the burgeoning local and international digital economy, and it goes beyond nominally having Internet access.

With an average download speed of 3.34 Mbps, the 2019 Global Broadband Speed Rankings report by UK analytics firm Cable, puts Nigeria at number 183 out of 221 countries measured for average Internet speed.

While this might not sound overly impressive, it is important to note that for reference, the UK had an average download speed of 3.8 Mbps in 2010.

In other words, without having any of the UK’s vast array of legacy telecom infrastructure to leverage, Nigeria was actually delivering speed rivalling that of what was already a fully developed knowledge economy at the time.

In fact, the main reason that Internet access in Nigeria is not even much faster than present is that it is typically provided by mobile networks offering 2G, 3G and 4G wireless connectivity.

No matter how much said networks might insist to the contrary, the fact is that factors like weather, location and movement do in fact cause fluctuations in network speed and latency.

What this inevitably means is that Nigerians using 3.34 Mbps average speeds - comparatively decent that might be - are automatically at a competitive disadvantage compared to say, Austrians with 27.74 Mbps or Emiratis with 28.33 Mbps. At a time when the world is experiencing a 4th industrial revolution led by a rapidly expanding borderless digital economy, the implication of lagging behind this way is not limited to merely waiting a long time to download a 5GB movie, which is the measure Cable’s speed test used in evaluating. Lack of access to superfast Internet speed now has real economic consequences in today’s world.

Internet speed is now an economic issue According to a 2011 report by McKinsey, The Internet accounted for 21percent of GDP growth in mature economies between 2006 and 2011.

These economies, typically located in Europe, North America and Asia primarily access The Internet through fixed fibre optic broadband connections. Japan for example, has a fixed broadband adoption rate of 31.16 connections per 100 people according to 2018 figures. In the same year, Canada had 38.57 fixed broadband connections per 100 inhabitants.

Nigeria on the other hand, had just over 112,000 fixed broadband connections in 2018, which means that the overwhelming majority of the NCC figures mentioned at the outset are relatively slower and less reliable mobile wireless connections. This has real and measurable implications on

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Focus shaku flags off construction of 5 million liter water reservoir …to boost water supply in Jalingo

Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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Experts say investment in fibre optic and 5G is a welcome boost for businesses Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

A 2016 World Bank report titled ‘Digital Dividends: Exploring the Relationship between Broadband and Economic Growth’ concluded that a 10 percentage point increase in fixed broadband penetration would increase GDP growth by 1.21percent in developed economies and 1.38percent in developing ones. In other words, adding 15,000 fixed broadband lines would add over $6 billion to Nigeria’s $448 billion 2019 GDP. This is a challenge that no organisation in Nigeria is tackling as directly as ipNX. Founded in 2000 to take on the daunting challenge of Nigeria’s then uncharted broadband market, ipNX has spent more than 7 years quietly building a fibre optic service that provides stellar, high speed connectivity to corporate, SME and residential customers in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Ibadan and Kano. The company’s vision is led by Ejovi Aror, its charismatic group managing director, who describes himself as a true believer in the power of broadband to transform Nigeria’s economy.

Aror has the profile to match the talk. Appointed GMD of ipNX since 2002, he has witnessed Nigeria’s telecom sector emerge from being near-comatose to contributing 10.11percent annually to Nigeria’s GDP. In that time, ipNX has evolved in its initiatives to provide widespread broadband access, transitioning from building Nigeria’s first multi-city fixed wireless network to rolling out what can be termed the global gold standard for high speed Internet access; Nigeria’s first true FTTx (i.e fibre to anywhere, whether premises, home, curb or node) fibre optic network. ipNX Fibre Optic Strategy’s Competitive Edge The company’s current strategy is as simple as it is elegant - target residences and businesses within the coverage area of existing fibre optic cable infrastructure and provide a highquality last mile cabled service to them. As a result, ipNX has built the

widest FTTx subscriber base across premium residential and business areas in Lagos, with similarly successful deployments in Abuja and Port Harcourt. The central selling point of ipNX is the ipNX Fibre-Optic Service (FoS), which delivers Internet and telephone services to users using 100% fibre optic cables end-to-end.

This gives ipNX the crucial advantage of high speed and low network latency, offering its users an unusually fast and high-quality networking experience. Fixed broadband providers in Nigeria often use a mix of fibre optic and wireless infrastructure for transmission and last mile services, but this has the effect of slowing down speeds and increasing latency because wireless signals are fundamentally not the most reliable. ipNX’s end-to-end FoS fibre broadband service offers users a level of speed that more than triples Nigeria’s average speeds, starting from 10 Mbps and going as high as 200 Mbps.

The company also has ambitions of branching out from the higher end of the market to offer services to the mid-level market, to ensure all Nigerians are able to benefit and become more competitive in the digital economy. One of the strong team helping to drive this is the Group Executive Director, Commercials, Bimpe Olaleye. Speaking at the recent signing ceremony of a partnership deal between ipNX and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on September 17, 2020, Olaleye said: “ipNX appreciates the trust, confidence and support of the USTDA to facilitate the design for the expansion of our fibre network. This will see us meet our strategic intent of being the bedrock of the Nigerian ICT ecosystem by providing solutions that help mankind thrive.”

The partnership between ipNX and the USTDA includes a grant from the U.S. to support ipNX’s FTTx network infrastructure, which is intended to help the company expand its fibreoptic network to over 200,000 residences across urban Nigeria. Bringing

wider coverage and access to residents and businesses across Nigeria is in line with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

This, according to Uche Nnakenyi, Divisional CEO, ipNX Infrastructure Services, will further enhance ipNX commitment to expanding its fibre footprint across Nigeria. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nnakenyi said: “ipNX is a leading broadband solution provider and a major contributor to the Nigerian digital economy and we are poised to expand that space even more with this partnership with USTDA. Our commitment and dedication to the ideals of delivering the best quality broadband Internet has set us apart as a clear leader in the industry. We are truly setting new standards in the broadband space in Nigeria.” ipNX’s leadership position in the FTTx space was explicitly mentioned as a motivating factor for being chosen as a partner by the USTDA in line with the U.S. government’s strategic goal of boosting the U.S. – Nigeria bilateral trade relationship via expansion of the digital economy. ipNX has thus gone from a hopeful startup in a completely unknown market to a U.S. government partner.

Going forward, the company has even bigger ambitions.

According to Aror, the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic provides a bigger use case for fibre-optic broadband Internet access as educational and commercial institutions increasingly opt to go remote. 11 years ago, ipNX was redefining the broadband space by offering 400kbps metered plans to corporate and residential customers.

Now, it has unveiled Nigeria’s first 200 Mbps data service. One thing is clear - you would not bet against it doing more.

Hundeyin is a writer, travel addict and journalist majoring in politics, tech and finance.

fforts by Taraba State government under the leadership of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to provide uninterrupted water supply to Jalingo, the state capital, and its environs received a boost recently with the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a 5-million litre water storage facility.

The ceremony was performed

by Governor Ishaku on Mount Jalingo.

The facility is part of the gigantic Jalingo Primary Water Scheme which is designed to meet the needs of the capital city for water for the next 35 years.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Ishaku described the construction of the reservoir as a landmark project which will aggressively address the water problem in the state.

The site of the reservoir will be developed to be an attractive tourist centre with a VIP and general restaurant.

Ishaku said water treatment facilities have been purchased in large quantities to ensure regular supply of water.

He said the supply of water is also being commercialised, adding that supply will be regular and wastage would be drastically curtailed.

He said even with the commercialisation, the water need of the poor would be catered for.

He urged the Water Supply Agency to ensure that every home is serviced and advised those being serviced to endeavour to pay their water bills.

Speaking earlier, Yusufu Akirikwen, commissioner for Water Resources, said the construction of the reservoir and other related works would mark the last stage towards the completion of the Jalingo Primary Water Supply Scheme.

The Commissioner said the state government has been sufficiently assured by the contractors of the delivery of high quality job.

He pleaded with the people of Taraba State to support the efforts of the government to solve the problem of water supply by owning the facility and protect it.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Musa Buba Siam, managing director of the Taraba State Water Supply Agency, described the approach of the governor towards solving the water problem in the state as the most pragmatic since the creation of the state.

He said the Jalingo Primary Water Scheme would increase supply of water in Jalingo from 8 million litres to 28 million litres per day.

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Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com

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Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

Working with Laycon was fantastic – Miraqulous, music producer

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ven as Laycon, Big Brother Naija 5 winner is the man of the moment, so many people who knew him before this current fame would attest that the young music artiste is a great guy.

And top on the list is Miraqulous, a music producer who the brain behind the beat of Laycon’s track, Motivation.

In a recent telephone chat with Blizz, Miraqulous said working with Laycon was very fantastic.

“He is super intelligent and he is a great guy. He is very good with his writing skills. He delivers perfectly.

He deserves all the accolades.”

Talking about how he met the reality show winner, the music producer said a mutual friend of theirs hooked them up.

“I met Laycon through my friend who is a professional photographer. I had told him I needed to work with talented artistes and he suggested Laycon. He gave me his number and we hooked up. Then we started chatting and that was it. Then one day we met at the studio. I had made the beat and when he came, he found it interesting and that was it!”

Miraqulous said he never

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knew Laycon was going into The BBN house until the day the show started.

“Few weeks before then, I had called him and I had wanted us to meet up. He told me he was not available.

Then that Sunday evening and the opening show of BBN, Laycon was all over twitter. I just started rooting for him. I was like, that is my man out there!”

Now that Laycon has at-

tained fame via BBN, Miraqulous said he feels both still have a lot to do.

“Both of us are creative people. We appreciate each other’s creative energy. There is no way we will come together and we would not create something great. I know we still have a whole lot to do. We have songs we have made that we have not released.”

Born Gbenga Fayehun, the music producer said he got his

Coca-Cola partners Nigerian Red Cross Society in fight against COVID-19

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n a bid to support the fight against the Coronavirus disease, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) along with its national society Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) has started the distribution of PPEs and risk communications efforts to the tune of N228 Million to support its COVID-19 interventions in Nigeria. This is part of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s $2.5million grant to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the COVID-19 pandemic within the West and Central Africa sub-regions.

The grant, which leverages the long-standing partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), seeks to support national efforts in the fight against the Coronavirus disease through the provision of essential medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and risk communications to impacted communities, healthcare personnel on the frontlines and treatment centres across the country.

Speaking on the donation, Yebeltal Getachew, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, explained, “The Coca-Cola System (CocaCola Nigeria, Nigeria Bottling Company and Chi Limited) remains committed to providing support to the communities we serve during these challenging times. By providing healthcare workers with much-needed PPEs, we are confident that this will go a long way in ensuring their safety as they remain on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.”

Medical supplies being donated comprise N95 respirators, surgical masks, examination gloves, face shields, medical gowns, no-touch thermometers, disposable aprons, heavy-duty rubber gloves, rubber boots, basic masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizers.

Expressing his gratitude for the donation, Abubakar Kende, Secretary-General for the Nigerian Red Cross Society explained, “We have identified the facilities in urgent need of these PPEs in consultation with NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and will subsequently be distributed to these centres.”

alias in church.

“The pastor was talking about miracles and miraculous. I liked the way the word sounded. I was with my brother and I told him I going to go with that name. I haven’t heard anybody answering that name. As a producer, everybody expects you to have another name. I felt the name would stand out. But I modified the spelling and changed mine to Miraqulous.”

Talking about why he chose to be behind the scene instead of an artiste, the music producer said, “I am all round creative. I can write, sing and produce but I choose t produce now because I want to experiment my creative skills. It is technical and I like technicalities a whole lot. That is what I want to invest my energy now.”

Talking about his career as a producer, Miraqulous said it is not always a walk in the park.

“Putting sound together is easy and not easy at the same time. It is not just a piece of cake when you are just startTiger Den launches at Ilupeju ing. But when you become s part of efforts to con- ence while giving beer-lovers accustomed to what you do, tribute positively to the the opportunity to enjoy their then it gets so much easier. strategic growth of the favourite Tiger Beer and other Nothing good comes easy Tiger brand, the Nigeria’s lead- Nigerian Breweries brands. any way.” ing brewer, Nigeria Breweries Business Manager- Modern Plc has launched its first Tiger Trade, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Den in Lagos.

Juliet Ifebueme stated at the According to the brand, event that, ”The bar will open Tiger Beer has partnered with every day of the week and Price Pointe Ilupeju, Lagos to consumers will enjoy the best of open the first Tiger Den. Tiger beer and other Nigerian Talking about the outlet, the Breweries brands at the cheapof making music that is hon- brand said, “This is a bespoke est prices’’. est and in alignment with his outlet and it is specially brandSpeaking further at the truth. ed to provide our consumers event, Senior Category & He said, “As someone who with better ambience and a Channel Manager-Premium, was born in the 80s in the city more enjoyable experience.”

Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chris of Lagos, with parents from The partnership is also Ibeh said, ‘‘We will have more mixed Nigerian heritage, I aimed at strengthening the re- partnerships before the end of know the importance of art lationship of the brand with the the year, creating more of these that compels through genuine outlets and provide consumers experiences to more consumwith better ambience and a ers across several parts of the storytelling. more enjoyable bar experi- country’’.

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Sir Dauda releases debut EP

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alented singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Sir Dauda who is Falz’ first signee under his label Bahd Guys Entertainment has released his debut 5-track EP titled “Love Ex Machina” The EP contains his 2019 hit single ‘Landlord’ and four new tracks including a feature titled “Woman” with popular Afro-pop star, Simi.

Born Oluwatobiloba Dawodu, Sir Dauda is the latest addition to the BAHD Guys Entertainment family and is a frequent collaborator of the “Bop Daddy” rapper.

He was first introduced to the Nigerian music audience in 2012 with the release of his first single titled “Sisi Oloja”, which turned out to be a fan favourite and opened the door for a number of collaborations with other Nigerian acts including Show Dem Camp, Adekunle Gold, Blackmagic, Aramide, Loose Kaynon and Eva Aloridah.

Speaking on the recent development, Falz said he was elated to work integrally with

very spiritual feel that fans would love and appreciate, so picking just one favourite track won’t be easy for them.”

Having worked with big hitters in the Nigerian pop industry such as Aramide, SDC, Loose Kaynon, Blackmagic and Adekunle Gold, Dauda has learned the importance

I’m glad we won at Lisbon Advertising Festival- Babaeko

F an artist whom he not only respects but also believes in.

“Whenever Sir Dauda opens his mouth to sing, I am always in such awe of his talent and unmatched artistry.

His pen game in the industry is unmatched so I am very blessed to have him on my team.”

Talking about his EP, Sir Dauda said, “My sound is a blend of different styles and each track on the EP gives a

ounder and CEO of X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, has expressed his joy at his company’s performance at Lisbon Advertising Festival.

The company won bronze for its International Women’s Day press campaign Make History Equal For Women.

Reacting to the feat, Babaeko said, “As the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, it’s part of our agenda to

keep putting Nigeria’s advertising on the global stage. I am glad we won this award as this is one step in the right direction.”

“The Make History Equal For Women piece was one created with a deep sense of respect for women and we’re glad it is getting the recognition it deserves. We’re also grateful to the jury and our colleagues in the advertising industry, across the globe, for always supporting our work. And I’m proud of the X3M Ideas team as I know we will only continue to do

great work that we can all be proud of,” he added.

The agency also scored three finalist entries which included Mum Hotline – its breathtaking integrated campaign for Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) and Forgiven – X3M’s widely acclaimed social media campaign for Easter, all selected by an executive jury consisting of high profile, global creative leaders such as David Kolbusz, the Chief Creative Officer of Droga5.

Sunday 11 October 2020

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State Of The Nation

Restructuring: Is Nigeria getting to a tipping point?

IGNATIUS CHUKWU (Port Harcourt), OBINNA EMELIKE and INIOBONG IWOK (Lagos)

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bviously, the debates and calls for restructuring of Nigeria are nothing new; they have been sustained in different forms since independence.

Over the years, the calls have continued to grow amid economic stress, political uncertainty and recurrent violent conflicts across the country.

For many, who have sustained the calls, restructuring is necessary now because the present system of government in Nigeria has failed the whole country.

Ademola Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, believes regionalism or restructuring is the answer to Nigeria’s poor administrative system, which has always favoured a few, bred unproductivity, and most importantly, retarded the nation’s growth since independence.

“It has worked for us before, the only defect is that it promoted ethnic loyalty, but on the contrary, regionalism brought development to the country”, the public affairs analyst said.

Speaking further, Orunbon noted that during the short-lived regionalism, the regions were highly competitive, resulting in rapid development.

“The West till today enjoys the legacy regionalism gave the country. Majority of the residents of the West are highly educated, which has and is still bringing unprecedented growth. The flairs of the type of regionalism practised during the First Republic should be worked on and Nigeria should be given an upgraded version,” he suggested.

Reviewing the booming economies built by the regional governments in the First Republic, Goodness Unegbu, a Political Science lecturer at Abia State University Uturu, noted that federalism has made political leaders lazy, as they all depend on allocations from the Federal Government, which comes with a price.

“It was in the First Republic that Nigeria was called ‘Giant of Africa’ because of its booming and self-sustained economy boosted by diverse sources of income; cocoa from the West, palm oil from the East and groundnut from the North. There was no oil then, yet the economy thrived,” Unegbu said.

According to the university lecturer, the issues of militancy in Niger Delta, Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, moribund refineries, dependence on Lagos seaports and concentration on business in one part of the country, among other indicators of lopsidedness and underdevelopment in the country, would have been solved if we had sustained regional government.

“If we had sustained regional government till date, Nigeria would have truly been the giant of Africa because

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of the fierce competition that would exist among the regions in effort to outshine others in all development indices,” Unegbu disclosed further.

Baring his mind on what must be restructured, Starman Ebiere, a maritime practitioner, noted that the system of running the economy must be restructured to give other parts of the country even opportunity to participate.

“I am from Niger Delta, but as a maritime person, I cannot carry out my business in any of the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt or Calabar. I think there is a conscious plan to suffocate other regions despite having deeper seas than Lagos. It is unfair and must change,” Ebiere lamented.

Considering the fact that oil price is falling and the economy is no longer sustainable with oil revenue, Ebiere noted that regionalism would force governments to think out of the box

President Muhammadu Buhari

on how to raise revenue for the development of their regions, as well as, being better in handling their crisis or challenges than interventions from Abuja, which always come to divide the people.

On the other hand, Unegbu thinks that power should be decentralised, autonomy given to the regions to run their affairs, and revenue sharing formula restructured to allow the owners of natural resources to earn more from their God-given wealth.

The university lecturer noted that the constitution should be rewritten with input from all regions, and current employment structure, appointments and all forms of nepotism that have neglected the ‘Federal Character’ should be restructured. “We are not safe when a country’s security agencies are dominated by some tribes, other tribes should be evenly represented.

If we have regional government, other regions will safeguard the lives of people from other regions because their own people will be at risk in other regions as well”, he said.

Agitators say that the current structure was no longer feasible, while blaming it for the nation’s woes.

At independence and during the First Republic, Nigeria had a regional structure and parliamentary system of

government. The country was structured into regions; Southern, Eastern and Northern regions with each headed by a premier.

Observers say that the structure of the country started to change after the unification decree of 1967 by Aguiyi Ironsi, after he assumed power in the nation’s first military coup in 1966.

The unification decree subsequently led to a gradual destroying of the federal structure of the country, moving the country to a unitary system.

Since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, political leaders have consistently condemned the nation’s 1999 constitution and its structure, demanding a return to true federalism agreed by the nation’s founding father before independence in 1960.

“What we mean by restructuring is going back to the Independence constitution which our leaders negotiated with the British between 1957 and

Falae, a foremost Yoruba leader said.

Successive administrations since 1999 have consistently waved the agitations aside. Despite being a key campaign promise of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed the calls for the country to be restructured into regions, saying that the problem with Nigeria was with the way of doing things and not the structure.

But amidst renewed clamour for the restructuring of the country by some prominent individuals, socio-cultural groups including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Afenifere, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, after the nation’s 60th independence, Buhari again maintained that he cannot be stampeded into taking a decision that is not in the interest of the country.

Speaking through his media aide, Garba Shehu he said his administration would not succumb to threats and undue pressure over the matter.

According to him, “This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.”

“Repeat, this administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

1959. It was on that basis that the three regions agreed to go to Independence as one united country. So, it was a negotiated constitution.

“This is because, if the three regions were not able to agree, there would not have been one united independent Nigeria. But because the three regions at that time negotiated and agreed to package a constitution, that is why they agreed to go to Independence together.

“When the military came in 1966 and threw away the constitution, they threw away the negotiated agreement among the three regions, which was the foundation of a united Nigeria.

“So, the military did not only throw away the constitution but a political consensus negotiated and agreed by our leaders of the three regions in those days.

“When we say restructuring now, we are saying let us go back substantially to that constitution which gave considerable autonomy to the regions.

For example, each region at that time collected its revenue and contributed the agreed “proportion to the centre. But when the military came, they turned it round and took everything to the centre. That could not have been accepted by Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe or Obafemi Awolowo,” Olu

because they are at an advantage so at the moment they are not interested in talking. You can see that the country gradually is disintegrating under their noise”.

Restructuring, the last chance Even by the time the Goodluck Jonathan administration accepted and began feeble steps to restructure, it was becoming too late. No administration has come in with restructuring agenda. The way it is now, even if President Buhari is pressured into starting restructuring, it would not gain traction when he would be leaving.

The next point is that restructuring means changing the existing structure.

The question is, who is complaining, and who is in power? The present structure is gainful to some sections of Nigeria. If it is that section that is in power, how would anybody expect them to change the structure to the benefit of the other side?

If the south-east has only five states and is the only old province still with less than six states, who is angry, who should change it? If the east has fewest number of local councils, who is complaining?

Blame the south The north controlled the country for most of the period that states were created, local councils were given as gifts to officers, when federalism was diluted to unitary (though they say that was why Aguiyi Isonsi was killed), and when appointments went to one side. Now, the south ruled for 14 years and did exactly nothing. Many have wondered why the north is still being

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis”.

However, political analyst, Wunmi Bewaji said the current problems were a sign that the country could no longer stand and must be urgently restructured, while need for a dialogue on its current status had become inevitable.

According to him, “The way forward now is for us to discuss, restructure, let go back to regions; you cannot rule the people like a conquered territory. Nigeria is a republic; may be, Muhammadu Buhari has forgotten two things are outstanding in our name; the word federal and the word republic.

“The word federal means there are component units, they came together to form Nigeria in 1914.

Of course, we know, for example; we have Yoruba and Igbo land and they have their territories. Anybody can settle down in Lagos that does not mean Yoruba land is not Yoruba land, or Igbo land is not there if you can and settle there.

“We need to come back to the table, if the British can bring us to the table to talk how much we ourselves? It appears we can’t do that, or maybe we are afraid. And some people would say

blamed.

It has been said that it can never be the Army General that conquered a people that would repair their wounds; that once a General has viewed a people through the eye of a gun, he would always see them as target for shooting.

This may be why many people do not expect any restructuring in Buhari’s time.

Danger The issue is, restructuring may never come voluntarily. It may have to take threats of disintegration for those in power to shift their stand and go for the lesser of the two devils.

Restructuring will bring rapid development and harmonious existence when each unit will focus at home and give help to another zone.

For now, centralism seems to operate like communism where citizens gain more by doing less instead of like in capitalism where the more you work and innovate, the more you reap profit, and the more motivated the society would be.

The last chance for peaceful restructuring may be now because a trip round all of eastern Nigeria and most of south-south and south-west shows that many now cheer whatever will make Nigeria crash. When patriotism becomes a taboo, the end is near.

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The way things are going, 2023 may be a make or mar year for Nigeria - Bewaji

Wunmi Bewaji is a former minority leader of the House of Representatives, lawyer and activist. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he spoke on Nigeria’s 60 years of independence, agitation for restructuring and what the nation needs to do to avert disintegration. Excerpts:

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igeria is 60 years old; what is your take on the current agitations for restructuring?

The agitations did not start now, but the government fuelled it by refusing to listen to the wishes of Nigerians. For me, 2023 would determine if everybody would be together or not. Even during the time of Awolowo and Azikiwe the federation has always existed based on interpersonal relationships between these leaders. But things have degenerated now; that you cannot count two or three people who are bosom friends between the North and South. Look at the APC, even Buhari and Tinubu, their relationship is neither here nor there, In the PDP, it is the same thing.

How did we get here?

Lack of trust; there is no trust and it is getting worse year after year, election after election. The people would say ok, this tribe and their people did not treat Awolowo well, they betrayed Zik, ok, Sardauna was killed by Igbo soldiers. So, the mistrust has been there and we then get to the point that present leaders that you can say believe in the Nigeria project are few.

So, if anything goes wrong between Buhari and Tinubu, that is the end for APC. But would Atiku say in 2023 that there is nobody in the South East that is good enough to be president? The region has always been loyal to the PDP at the end of the day you can’t just take the Southeast and treat them like a permanent wife; they just treat them the way they like. This is the same thing here, the Yoruba’s would not agree for the North and at the end of the day things can go either way in 2023 if not better managed.

It appears these obvious problems have been there and subsequent leaders have not taken steps to correct them?

Yes; back then we did not begin with restructuring; we started with true federalism. In 1998, the campaign that we did culminating in the election in 1998/1999, the first thing in my agenda was true federalism.

Unfortunately, Obasanjo undermined and destroyed that opportunity for us to have that heart-to-heart talk. So, after those agitations we moved to fiscal federalism, because some people were asking what is true federalism? I was part of the debate.

In 2003, there was alliance talk, between AD and PDP. When Obasanjo was begging AD to support him for the presidential election and the committee was set up headed by Ayo Fasanmi; I was Fasanmi’s de-facto adviser; I was accompanying him to every meeting and I remember, I told him we can’t be going to these meetings without any position and we did an agreement which we presented

Wunmi Bewaji

as our position in the meeting, fiscal federalism was in that agreement. But Obasanjo went behind that committee to convince Abraham Adesanya, so that the committee’s report was never implemented, except some appointments here and there.

So, it is now clear that the amalgamation of 1914 was a huge mistake?

There were two basic principles about the amalgamation; it was for administrative convenience for the North and South protectorates. You have a situation where the political system was different, you have the colony in Lagos and within the Southern system of government several of the units were different.

Secondly, it was for divide and rule, Nigeria is English speaking, bordered

by French speaking countries, there is the way European carved out Africans that they sow seed of division.

These people were military officers; so they understood the divide and rule style. If you create division and bring less people that understand the language together, the likelihood of mutiny would not be there.

You are not surprised with the current agitations?

Even at the time of independence the different ethnic groups were not at par in terms of development. The

things that separated and divided us were many. And when you look at the constitutional conference in London in 1953 and 1957 these were things that were discussed. The agitations now are not new; the British like to be seen managing the conflict that was deliberately created in the name of a federation. But it was our diversity that made them adopt the federal constitution; it was not in 1960 that it was done, it was done before independence. This division has been there, we have been grappling with it, and the recommendation of the 1953 constitution suggested that.

The reason we jettisoned the parliament system was because the Constituent Assembly discussed and felt the parliamentary system was alien to African culture. That here you have a king and you don’t have division of executive powers and it was agreed we needed an executive president who holds all the power. Some of the events in the First Republic like the conflict that existed between Zik and Tafawa Balewa also fuelled it.

The presidential system only ensures the emergence of a strong president and governor. The name of Nigeria is federal republic; people forget the meaning of Nigeria. So, when the decree was promulgated by Aguiyi

Ironsi; that was the beginning of the problem, the unification decree of 1957 destroyed the country and Nigeria would never be the same again.

Even with the crisis we had in 1966, nobody touched the federal structure of Nigeria.

Back then, we had 12 elected members in the regional House of Assembly who forwarded their representative to the centre. When we destroyed that federal structure when Gowon came and divided the country to 12 states he was meant to consolidate on his own powers and ensure that the region became weaker, and destroying the regions was mainly targeted at the Eastern region.

We have had long years of military constitution, but as it occurs to you when we have provision in the constitution on how to divide a state but no provision on how to unite a state. It pitted one tribe against another; that shows you that it is a constitution that was met to cement division among our people.

Most of the military rulers have always come from the North and at the end of the day they have benefited most from the number of states and local government areas created. So, that is why we are at a point where the majority of the National Assem-

Sunday 11 October 2020

bly members are from the North and if they disagree on any issue it would not stand. Even in the South some time, when they go with them they are often irrelevant.

What is happening now is power drunk leaders in power; there is that sense of despondency; people are starting to think they don’t have a stake anymore in the country. We now have a situation where Buhari is appointing people; they all come from the North, not just north, even Katsina State. The rest of the North has been marginalised in Buhari’s government in favour of Katsina; in favour of his household. There has never been in the history of the country where you have a government that is shallow-minded, so bigoted. He is unbelievable, because as a military officer he had gone round the country; a lot of military officers are detribalised. Even Babangida as evil as he was is not an ethnic bigot. He has driven the country to a point where people have lost faith, what we now have is a republic. A federal state is a state like Germany, United States and the rest. Political leaders shying away from calls for restructuring; there are consequences if you don’t solve their agitations.

When you talk about leaders, what political leaders are remaining now?

Presidential historians would have a lot of work to do to understand the Presidency of Buhari. Because, we have problems understanding how one person is governing the country without consultations, even among his party there is no evidence of Buhari trying to run an inclusive government. This is a civilian dictatorship not democracy. Democracy is about consensus; negotiation is not about one person wielding power.

What is the way forward?

You cannot rule the people like a conquered territory. Nigeria is a republic, may be Muhammadu Buhari has forgotten two things are outstanding in our name; the word federal and the word republic. The word federal means there are component units; they came together to form Nigeria in 1914. Of course, we know, for example; we have Yoruba and Igbo land and they have their territories. Anybody can settle down in Lagos, that does not mean Yoruba land is not Yoruba land, or Igbo land is not there, if you can and settle there.

We need to come back to the table, if the British can bring us to the table to talk how much more we ourselves?

It appears we can’t do that, or maybe we are afraid.

And some people would say because they are at an advantage so at the moment they are not interested in talking. You can see that the country gradually is disintegrating under their nose. Can you imagine a country bombing its own territory? There is a United Nation treaty on warfare against collective punishment; so, don’t be happy when you hear Nigerian Air force has bombed another location.

Are you saying in that village all the people there are Boko Haram? Are we not saying there are innocent people living in those communities? That the Buhari government is bombing its own territory, I think it has failed. So, the signs are there. When you look at the union, you cannot legislate unity but can only preach it. Unity can come through mutual respect.

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TheWorshipper

‘Nigeria needs new generation of parents that believe in truth and forthrightness’ Toyin Osakwe, a medical doctor and founder, Foundation for Family Reformation (FFR) incorporated, a nongovernmental organisation, has been passionate about influencing parents on raising good Christian homes. The foundation for many years has been training parents as it believes imparting the parents would go a long way in building a stable society. In this interview, Osakwe speaks on how Nigerian denominations operate within walls and how it limits godly parenting. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU: Religious institutions are stakeholders in child upbringing; is the church doing enough in raising godly home? o a large extent I will not say the church is not there. They are doing the best they can do but it is not enough. This is because the kind of church we have now is the church with walls; everybody is enclosed. Redeemed Christian Church of God doesn’t want to do anything with Winners’ Chapel, Winners’ Chapel doesn’t want to do things with Catholics, Catholics do not want to do anything with C&S. So you are now shut in with limited knowledge. That limits the level of knowledge and the impact.

Generally speaking, parenting has been weakened and the church has been weakened too especially in this century. We have imbibed a culture that does not support our tradition and our values even in schools. So what we do in Foundation For Family Reformation is to break down those walls and try to talk to people because those churches don’t even want you to talk to their people. So we go in the streets, we go on social media, we go on television, on radio to talk and blow the trumpet there. Those who are willing and ready come out, those who have already been struck by the terrible waves, those who are yet to get there, those who saw other

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Toyin Osakwe

people falling; so these categories of people are those who come to us at the Foundation For Family Reformation. We have group of talented super intelligent facilitators who by the years have trained themselves in

their area of specialisation and have the experience. They are the ones that teach here and they go back to the society to do likewise. So in a way, we overrun the religious houses to get this work done.

With the problems you have seen in the course of your activities; what kind of parents should we expect in the next 10 years?

Ten years is very short, what we are trusting in God for is that a new set of parents who are informed would emerge and you are not informed until you are able to impact what you have been informed about.

Before we can get out of this whole darkness, a new brand of parents must emerge; a new generation who believe in truth and forthrightness must emerge. It has to do with impacting the children and it is the parents that can do it because they are the ones in the first line of action. So, we are expecting informed parents in the next 10, 20, and 30 years for us to be able to see the light.

FFR has been around for some time, can you recap on your programme?

Today was the 8th parent class graduation. The course took place in August for five weeks and we had to celebrate them today. We had a certificate for them because it is a certificate course. Each participant had a t-shirt too. We had a presentation from Oluwatoyin Jiboku from the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta on juvenile delinquency. It is a free course. We had some partners too on ground as we try to incorporate economic empowerment because of the situation. A family without strong

Nigeria will attain her greatness, says Rev. Badejo SEYI JOHN SALAU

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he former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria and President, Wilson Badejo Foundation, Wilson Badejo, in commemorating Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary has urged Nigerians not to be weary of praying for the country, as he believes she will attain her greatness, saying Nigeria is established by God for his people to habitat.

Badejo gave the admonition at the annual Solemn Assembly of ministers and churches around Fadeyi, Onipan and Jibowu areas of Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria is a nation planted and blessed by God to prosper and flourish, but like the case of the children of Israel possessing the promised land, there will always be the giants, seen as challenges today; to distract, discouraged and threaten her faith in God. Badejo therefore called on Nigerians not to lose focus of who they are and where they are going. But to remain steadfast thanking God and pray consistently, genuinely

and faithfully stay committed to the service of God. “Despite situations and challenges, Nigeria have reason to be thankful for her existence. The impact and prayers of the faithful has kept this nation, Nigeria to be strong and keep going,” said Badejo.

On the state of insecurity in

Nigeria, Badejo said, “Our warfare is not canal and if we are willing and humble, God will answer our prayers to turn things around for our own good,” stating that Nigeria will overcome all her challenges, conquer her enemies and become prosperous to the glory of God. Femi Adegbosin, the coordina-

Rev. Dr. Wilson Badejo (former General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria and Convener) flanked by Rev. Femi Adegbosin (coordinator), Pastor Kemi Ushie, Apostle Samuel and some of the participant ministers at the Nigeria at 60 Solemn Assembly of Peace Programme in Fadeyi, Onipanu and jibowu environs.

tor of the annual meeting and zonal superintendent of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria in Fadeyi area, thanked God for the consistency of the annual nondenominational gathering that started about seven years ago and the impacts among ministers of God in the area, especially the spiritual impact.

“Praying in unity has strengthened the ministers and churches in Fadeyi, Onipan and Jibowu.

Also helped to reduced criminal activities in the environment,” said Adegbosin.

Rev. Wilson Badejo convened the Solemn Assembly in 2014 as a nondenominational gathering for ministers and churches around Fadeyi, Onipan and Jibowu environs with the aim of standing in the gap and holds the solemn assembly prayer every 1 October for the emancipation of the host communities and Nigeria as a nation.

Among the ministers from different denomination who participated in the annual assembly includes Apostle Samuel, Pastor Imade Stephen, Pastor (Mrs.) Kemi Ushie and others. While highlight of the meeting was the special prayers for the peace of Nigeria, and Lagos State in particular.

financial background can’t do much, so we used the medium to impact the people and tell them that they can improve on their financial capacity.

You enjoy training parents; what is the yardstick for measuring the success of these trainings?

We have done quite some series for parents. We call the participants’ parents partners. You have to get some knowledge, it is when you have the knowledge you can now use it, you cannot give what you don’t have.

Once you are impacted and you are taught some of these absolutes and truths, facts about life, family, training children and having a balanced child or a complete child in this present day and time, that is our focus. Once you can do this you can use it for your children and impact on others; neighbours, school teachers, religious settings. The trained participants can then impact other people’s children.

How has COVID-19 affected your operations?

It affected us because we had the graduation for the November 2019 set in January and since then it has been lockdown not until August this year when we recovered again, but then to the glory of God we have had about three graduations this year. From the outset we have trained over 60 parents. We call them parents partners and it has been very encouraging and interesting.

Rose of Sharon choir, Timi Dakolo, release new song ‘Again’ to celebrate Nigeria IFEOMA OKEKE

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he Rose of Sharon Choir of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rose of Sharon Parish has teamed up with Nigeria’s award-winning singer, Timi Dakolo to create a Masterpiece which talks about our dear Country, Nigeria.

The single track which is produced by Philip Uzo and spearheaded

by RCCG, Rose of Sharon Parish, has a soulful, faith-based rhythmic sound, Set to cause waves not only within Nigeria but across the African music scene and internationally. It is a message of hope.

The song titled AGAIN, talks about reawakening hopes and dreams again in the present, future and destiny of Nigeria. With its rich distinctive vocals and lyrical content, this project is undeniably a modern classic that will become a household reference point for the Nigeria of our dreams!

The visuals soon to be shown on live streams and television replicates the story of hope and victory as the country rise again as one Nigeria.

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My points...exactly!

How long can you wait? (Part 2)

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My points...exactly!

How long can you wait? (Part 2)

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Sunday 11 October 2020

Arts Aké Festival uplifts blacktivism for four days this October

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Some of the works featuring at the exhibition

Being Free: A celebration of diverse women bodies with art OBINNA EMELIKE

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hile the world cannot celebrate women enough because of their countless contribution to humanity, Deborah Segun, a rising visual artist, is furthering the cause of women with her works.

The multidisciplinary artist is hosting art lovers and the general public in an enthralling show tagged ‘Being Free’, an exhibition of paintings and pastel drawings.

The exhibition, which holds from October 3-31, 2020 at Temple Muse, Victoria Island, Lagos, features works that celebrate the diverse bodies of women through shape and color, portraiture and narrative, creating an important counter-point to society’s patriarchal notions of an “ideal woman”.

The intrigue of her style is her ability to combine abstraction, figuration, and recompose shapes to create voluptuous figures in varied, graceful poses, which celebrate the subject and imbue the viewer with a deep sense of admiration.

A reason to see the exhibition is that in her paintings, the subjects maintain steady and relaxed gaze, which represents a shift in focus from typical male-centered standards of

beauty.

Again, her work is a step towards claiming a new sense of freedom through art.

“My works provide a safe space in which plus size women are free to embrace themselves and their vulnerabilities. It shines a positive light on the unveiling of fat bodies by appropriating postures that are often used to highlight the beauty in slimmer bodies, whilst providing a semblance of inclusivity and making room for diversity in a society that often denies it”, she explains.

However, her initial painting process requires a lot of patience because she has to do two layers of painting.

The first layer is to lock in all the colors while the second layer is to create a more uniform coat. Also, she loves her lines to be precise and clean as she feels like it is a reflection of how clear she wants the message to come across.

Explaining her technique, she says her process usually requires her to do a lot of research, look into a lot of historical and modern references, as well as, photographic references. “Sometimes, it is impulsive, especially when it comes to drawings. Usually, my painting process is a lot more intensive, so I make a lot of sketches. I like to go into in-depth research; looking at how people interact, looking at

body movement, and then I transfer my ideas onto the canvas”, she says further.

“Segun’s titles tell half the story of her bold and colorful cubist influenced works, exploring fragility versus freedom, vulnerability versus selfacceptance, and self-love alongside bold defiance. Her female gaze, which she uses to create a safe artistic space for enfolding, is both inward and outward. She explores the meaning of being and acceptance through works, which speak to the internal conversations many of us experience and which sound a familiar bell on how we perceive a ‘body-perfect world’”, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, artistic director, SMO Contemporary Art and curator of the exhibition, says.

Charlotte Langhorst, an art historian, describes Segun’s works saying, ”Through her employment of energetic color palettes and a fearless attitude towards style and expression the oeuvre of Segun represents an expansive force, which gives life to the things around us. We feel the physique of her women before we can name any kind of anatomy, or cultural gaze”.

Supported by Champagne Billecart Salmon, Being Free runs until October 31, 2020 at Temple Muse.

ké Arts and Book Festival, Africa’s leading arts and book event, will return from October 22-25, 2020 with an amazing free programme of 65 inspiring book chats, workshops, panel discussions and performances from the most exciting voices across Africa and the African Diaspora.

Due to the global coronavirus crisis, the festival will go digital for 2020. The online edition will be free to access by audiences all over the world, creating an important platform for the intellectually and culturally curious to take part in this celebration of black excellence, resilience and resistance.

The theme for 2020 is ‘African Time’, in recognition of the global anti-racism movement that has gathered momentum and visibility in recent months.

port the next generation of creatives.

We want them to be inspired, and we consider it a privilege to be able to bring people closer to achieving their creative dreams.”

Lola Shoneyin, director and founder, Aké Arts and Book Festival, said: “Our world has changed forever; the magnitude of recent world events cannot be ignored. In 1918, African nations were in the clutches of imperial forces that degraded our stories, culture, history, language and belief systems. More than a century later, the COVID-19 pandemic finds Africa struggling with the colonial hangover of poor leadership and a predatory global order. Now is the time for Africa to recalibrate and break the cycle of betrayal by those elected to lead. It may have come later than hoped

Book reading at Ake Festival last year. jpg

Audiences across the world are invited to join luminaries from contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, film, theatre, music and visual arts in discussions about some of the most critical issues of our time, including race, gender, identity, equality and mental health, technology, religion and empathy.

Now in its eighth year, Sterling Bank is the headline sponsor of the festival, which is the world’s largest collection of African creative voices on African soil for the third consecutive year. Aké hosts some of the most sought-after, innovative voices in black thought.

According to Abubakar Suleiman, chief executive officer, Sterling Bank, “Sterling continues to support Aké Arts and Book Festival because we see the creative industry’s potential to generate local and foreign earnings. Over the last four years, we have seen the magic that happens when young Africans come into contact with their literary heroes.

Nigerians have won just about every literary prize, but it’s important to sup-

for, but, for the children of Africa everywhere, this is African Time.”

Over the course of the festival, attendees will be able to participate in 26 stimulating panel discussions, 24 author talks, storytelling sessions, 3 workshops, a concert, 2 exhibitions, poetry performances, films and a stage play. Guests include Wole Soyinka, Maryse Conde, Tayari Jones, Esi Edugyan, Marlon James, Petina Gappah, Kehinde Andrews, Elias Wondimu, Zukiswa Wanner, Molara Wood, Bolu Babalola, Okechukwu Nzelu and others. Discussions will cover a wide range of issues including intersectional feminism, blacktivism and colourism to the burgeoning post-COVID mental health crisis and decolonisation of black spaces. Panel discussion highlights include: Black Women Harnessing Anger for Social Change; Publishing While African; Decolonising Feminism in Africa; and Why African Needs Feminist Giants, The Place of Faith in a Health Crisis and more.

Heaven Baby film spices Nollywood with riveting performances KELECHI EWUZIE

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he fragile bond between a young couple is tested when Mohini, who secretly got a contraceptive implant after her wedding, has to choose between a thriving career she painstakingly built over several years and having a baby – the only thing her husband, Jaiyeola, has ever wanted more than marrying her.

This is the plot of Heaven Baby, the short film released by The Naked Convos ahead of the 2020 International Day of the Girl Child.

The film, which stars Oreka Godis, Ibrahim Suleiman, Dorcas Paul, Gbemi OlateruOlagbegi and Jude Okey is another milestone

for The Naked Convos (popularly known as TNC), which has transformed from a choice destination for young Nigerians to share their thoughts and opinions using articles and short stories to full-fledged content production and distribution company.

Heaven Baby is their second production of the year after the success of their gritty, dark drama web series titled My Name Is A-Zed. The film, which is set in the metropolitan city of Lagos, tells the story of fiercely independent Mohini Gbadebo and her best friend Anita Momoh in an obvious attempt by TNC to spot light issues related to women, family and career.

According to Olawale Adetula, chief execu-

tive officer, TNC who doubles as the executive producer of the film, “We set out to produce a film that would highlight the choices Nigerian women feel they need to make to balance their careers and person lives because we felt there weren’t enough people talking about this. At TNC, our goal is to tell original African stories and while researching story ideas, it became very obvious that many women in this part of the world aren’t brought up to know that they can have the best of both worlds – family and career.”

In Heaven Baby, Godis’ character Mohini ends up making a decision to which Adetula added “at the end of it, viewers will leave wondering if she made the right or wrong deci-

sion and we hope this will start conversations on this topic.”

At just over seventeen minutes, the film packs a punch and delivers the quality fans have come to associate with productions from The Naked Convos. Even before its public release, Heaven Baby had been selected for participation at the First-Time Filmmaker and The Lift-Off sessions online short film festivals and it is in consideration for many more.

Heaven Baby is now streaming on YouTube for everyone.

UNICEF’s International Day of the Girl is celebrated October 11 every year and the theme for this year’s celebration is “My voice, our equal future.”

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Career preparation: Senior female insurance professionals inspire young women Daniel Obi

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lobal conversations on diversity and inclusion have gained more recognition in the past few years.

This is informed by the gender gap that exists in the workplace especially against women. This becomes vivid considering their large number in the society, but who are limited by certain issues. This disparity in gender roles, scarce inclusion of women, and youths in the Insurance industry have raised whispers and closed discussions.

These were addressed at the Dive In Nigeria festival recently through a virtual conversation.

Prior to the event, Dive In Festival reached out to a few mid-level to senior-level female professionals to write letters to their younger selves in a bid to admonish, educate, inspire and prepare the youths for a great future.

Quite a series of interesting entries were received by the Dive In committee, some similar, some outstanding, but all perfectly capturing the message Dive In festival hoped to pass to the younger generation looking at making a career in Insurance and Finance.

One of such interesting letters is that written by the Head, Corporate Social Responsibility at AIICO, Abimbola Shobanjo, and entitled Dear young Abi. Shobanjo who is a strong advocate of equal-

ity, diversity, and inclusion wrote, “Always grab opportunities as they present themselves. If they do not present themselves, keep looking till you find them. Be fearless! Stand for what you believe in and do not waiver.” “Study harder, hug harder, care harder, play harder, and challenge yourself harder. If you believe in yourself, the world has no choice but to believe in you” she said.

In another mind resetting contribution from Managing Director, YOA Insurance Brokers, Enitan

Covid-19: Lagos State offers palliatives to outdoor advertising practitioners

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agos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) has announced various palliatives to cushion the adverse impact of the Covid-19 on the operations of outdoor advertising practitioners in the state.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of LASAA, Prince Adedamola Docemo, who disclosed this in a statement said the agency has decided to waive the permit fees for outdoor practitioners spanning three months from April to June 2020, following the approval of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “This represents 25 percent of the outdoor practitioners’ bill for the year 2020,” he said.

He added that the agency is also willing to offer a special discount to all outdoor advertising practitioners that are ready to offset their 2019 outstanding bills completely and immediately. “This will, however, be done on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

Prince Docemo explained that a revised bill for this year will be sent to all registered outdoor advertising practitioners with a letter detailing the terms and conditions attached to the rebate, adding that a major condition is the practitioners’ readiness to settle all 2019 outstanding bills as well as the outstanding payment for January to March 2020.

He said a formal letter has been

sent to the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and other stakeholders in the industry intimating them of the new developments.

He expressed optimism that the initiative will go a long way to demonstrate the agency’s resolve to help the industry grow as well as cushion the negative effect of the pandemic on outdoor advertising business in the state.

“We hope the members of the outdoor advertising industry will reciprocate this good gesture from the state by ensuring prompt payment of all their obligations to the agency as this will help the state’s agenda to achieve accelerated infrastructure development.”

Prince Docemo remarked that the palliatives have become imperative because the advertising sector and the economy at large had been badly hit by the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the outdoor advertising industry.

He noted that most advertisers had suspended or cancelled their advertising contracts for the year 2020, a situation that made revenue collection an enormous task for the agency.

He said that the aftermath of the pandemic has left many businesses struggling and on the brink of collapse, adding that as an organisation that listens, it became necessary for the agency to take appropriate steps in assisting small businesses under its regulatory purview.

Solarin, she said, “Make sure the people you currently admire, are individuals who have ethical values and beliefs you connect with as a person. You need role models that will shape your thought processes.

Create, grow, and nurture relationships with people ahead of you and set learning objectives to achieve in your relationships with them.

In addition to that, “Knowing who you are, I know that there will be many times that you would feel the urge or need to accomplish things

without any help or guidance…yes you will achieve a handful, but the chances of achieving much more are exponentially higher when you collaborate and work with people who seem to have figured it out before you. “ Solarin said.

Writing further in an instructional letter, the Head Life Business Operations at NSIA Insurance Limited, Funmi Ogunbiyi said, “As you read this letter, I want you to know that I have successfully manipulated the speed of light and have travelled

back in time to deliver you a message. I write this letter to you as your 24-years-old-self. I am essentially still you, only that I am much older and wiser. Never underrate the power of self-development. You can be the best at whatever you put your mind on; irrespective of your gender and social status. Don’t allow anyone to bully or intimidate you. Get the best and quality education while you see yourself grow beyond any human limits and be financially literate.”

Ending her letter by making a strong case for insurance, “ When I was your age, I was ignorant of insurance and paid dearly for this when a flood incident swept away my savings on my valuables. It is financially literate to manage your risk exposure through insurance.”

Ogunbiyi advised.

Dive In said while these letters have brought to its realization the struggles of women in their career journey, “they have most importantly opened our eyes to the necessity of guidance for the younger generation in their career journey.

These letters will now serve as a road map with which the youths can navigate their career and entry into the Nigerian workplace freely and strategically”.

Dive In is a global movement in the insurance sector to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable people to achieve their potential by raising awareness of the business case and promoting positive action for diversity in all its forms.

Consumers, food vendors endorse Crown Premium Spaghetti

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onsumers and Food vendors of pasta have rated Crown Premium as high, adding that they would easily recommend the brand as a result of its unique qualities. While consumers relish the taste and non-sticky attribute of the pasta brand, food vendors stated that the product is a source of profit as customers keep requesting for the product.

According to a statement, Ronke Oshineye, a Shomolu-based food vendor, said she was delighted by the exceptional quality of the product as compared to other pasta brands.

She said: “When I prepared Crown Premium Spaghetti in my restaurant, the customers that I cooked it for described the taste as very nice.

When they returned for another meal, they requested for the spaghetti which I cooked the last time they visited. They all said that they preferred Crown Premium Spaghetti which I currently cook. Therefore, I am recommending it to other food vendors.”

Another food vendor, Ibiwunmi Bajimileyin, owner, God’s Favour Kitchen, Ikorodu, commended the taste of Crown Premium Spaghetti.

She said: “Crown Premium Pasta is very nice. I love the appealing taste. I encourage the manufacturers of this product to keep the good quality.”

Mabel Okon who runs a restaurant, Kokoma’s Kitchen in Ikorodu recounted how switching to Crown Premium pasta helped enhance her margins. She said, “I know if I cook Crown Premium Spaghetti, I will make a profit. It absorbs water, it is non-sticky and it is also very tasty. I love Crown Premium Spaghetti. I will always buy it whenever I see it in the market. And I will tell everyone I know to purchase it as well.”

Tiwa Savage unveiled as Twisco brand ambassador

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igerian Music Sensation, Tiwa Savage, has been unveiled as the new and first brand ambassador of Twisco, a Premium Chocolate Drink Powder from the stable of Promasidor Nigeria Ltd. According to a statement, the multi-talented and award-winning singer was unveiled recently at the corporate head office of Promasidor at Isolo, Lagos State.

Tiwa Savage was unvei le d alongside her son, Jamil, to signpost the brand building objective and essence of the new product

offering from the foremost dairy company. The new chocolate drink power, according to Promasidor, is fortified with enerfort, a special blend of ten power-packed micronutrients, including Vitamin B2, B6, B12, C, D3, Niacin, Calcium, Phosphorous, Iron and Zinc- all which are necessary for optimal energy release that consumers need to power their dream.

Speaking on the choice of Tiwa savage as an ambassador for Twisco, the Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria, Anders Einarsson, said: “Tiwa Savage is

a great Nigerian, multi awardwinning singer and songwriter known worldwide.

“She is a multi-talented Nigerian whose brand equity rating remains remarkably inspiring and admirable. In addition, she is a mum of a fun-loving and energetic boy named Jamil, and supports her son in achieving his dream which is what Twisco stands for,” he stated.

Tiwa Savage stated that the new product from Promasidor, Twisco, will benefit a lot from her brand considering her cult-like following on social media.

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Interview ‘My father believed that politics gives one opportunity to serve his people not to cheat or exploit them’ Theresa Onyekachi Okonkwo is a retired principal and daughter of the late Paul Omerenyia Ururuka from Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, a renowned name in the Old Eastern Region. In this interview anchored by Godwin Adindu, director-general of the Abia State Orientation Agency (ABSOA), following the recent immortalisation of the late statesman by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, by building a statute after Ururuka at the exit point of the road he built in the 60s; she spoke on his father’s lifestyle, brand of politics, among others. Excerpts:

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y way of introduction, may we I am Theresa Onyekachi Okonkwo, Nee Ururuka. I am the first daughter of the late Paul Omerenyia Ururuka, who was honoured recently by the Governor of Abia State. I retired from the government service as a principal. I spent 22 years as a principal. Concerning the statue the governor built in honour of my father, the family is so happy. I am so elated because we have had people in the past but they didn’t recognise Ururuka. Each time, any Ngwa man wanted to contest election, the campaign message would be that he will start from where Ururuka stopped. That he would do as much as Ururuka did for Ngwa people but after they win the election, because if you promise our people that you will work like Ururuka, they will vote for you. The unfortunate thing was that they never went beyond the campaign rhetoric. But the present Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu came and gave Papa that honour.

So, we are really very happy and grateful that he realised to give honour to whom honour is due. So, our prayer as a family is that God will grant him all the grace he needs as a governor to continue to do the good things he is doing for Abia people.

And at the end that people should also remember and appreciate him because one is usually encouraged when one is appreciated.

Who was Paul Ururuka as a politician?

Papa was an astute administrator and ran his office with diligence and honesty.

When the Army took over the government after the first coup, Odumegwu Ojukwu who was in charge of Eastern Region instituted a commission of enquiry to probe the Ministers When they completed their assignment, Ojukwu appointed another Commission to probe the Ministry of Works a second time. According to him, it was not possible for somebody to serve as the Minister of Works and come out clean without being corrupt This Commission after doing a thorough job like the first still came out without anything against Papa. Then Ojukwu sent men of the Directorate of Military Inelegance to invite Papa personally and specially to be attending the meeting of the Leaders of Thought because his type was what he needed to advise him in his Government.

Your siblings said you were your father’s favourite child. How was it like growing up under him?

Whosoever told you that was right.

Papa was a loving father. I don’t like to take the credit alone but everybody said I was his favourite child. Papa cared so much about little things concerning his family. He educated us well and made sure we got good education. For me, Papa wanted me to attend the best

Catholic School, because of that reason; he had to send me to a boarding primary school in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

We were living in Enugu, but he sent me to a boarding school for primary five and six. The school was the Feeders School of the famous colonial Secondary School, Uyo. So, I had to spend two years there, just to tell you how very particular Papa was about the type of school and education he gave us and I experienced that.

No barber touched my head when I was small. Papa used to cut my hair by himself and he gave me the type of haircut he wanted. But when I left for the University he couldn’t touch my hair again. Mama was the person that sewed all my cloths except the ready-made dresses. All the dresses I wore up to the University were made by my mother.

Papa made sure that we all were around with him at the dinner table. We ate as a family and as little children; we used to struggle with what comes from his plate.

As a busy politician, he must have been traveling a lot. How was the atmosphere of the house anytime he was around?

Anytime he came back, the whole house would be excited because of the little things he brought on the way, like food items and fruits. Anytime he came back, everybody would run to him to get what he came back with. He was so caring.

He did so much not only for the Ngwas but for the whole of Eastern Region. His works are still there and everybody speaks good about him. What was his guiding philosophy or what do you think shaped his way of life?

Papa was a disciplinarian. He obeyed rules himself and insisted all around him should do the same. In those days, Ministers had their official vehicles and private ones. In our family then the rules about the use of official cars were strictly observed. No member of his family would have a ride in the official ministerial car except Papa, the minister, was inside it as the rule stipulated. That is the man: Hon P. O. Ururuka and he taught us not to be flamboyant. This is unlike this period when government vehicles bearing government number plates are used for all sorts of unapproved errands.

Even in matters like gaining admission into schools or question of getting employment, he did not use his influence to get me admission into the University. He believed so much in merit and insisted we must work hard to earn ourselves good standing in society. Papa didn’t allow me to apply for any scholarship as he always said he had the means to my school fees and government scholarships should be left and made available to brilliant students whose parents cannot pay their school fees. Papa was that selfless and considerate. His guiding principle was total trust and depen-

dence on God, love of his fellow human beings. He believed that politics gives one the opportunity to serve his people not to cheat or exploit them. Papa was a teetotaller. He never drank alcohol; as of choice, his favourite drink was squash which he usually dilute with a little water before drinking.

What are the greatest memories of him that still linger in your mind?

Papa was a very religious person. He believed that whatever you were, you had an assignment to the people who gave you their mandate and basically to God who gave you the assignment. Papa was a very humble man and he mixed up with all grades of people. It was a gift he had and he brought us up that way.

When I was growing up, anytime I was back to school at the beginning of every term, he would call me in the presence of my mother and both of them would advise me on how to behave when I got back to school. He always used the adage; don’t say my father is, say I am. So, I didn’t understand it at that age; it was later in my life when I went to secondary school and university that I started to understand what he meant. That word shaped us, both my siblings and myself.

That we don’t go out boasting that our father was a Minister. Do something for yourself and people will know you. He brought us up as an example. He mixed up with people. Visitors came from all over the place; our house was a like VIP lounge. People from Ngwa of all classes, anybody who was coming to Enugu for anything, touched base in our house at Independence Layout Enugu.

The person was sure of where to sleep, where to eat for the number of days the person would stay and Mama was always cooking. Her pot was one of the biggest pots because she always harboured our people and relations whether you were a rich man or poor, old or young. Papa welcomed everybody and Papa was a teacher and basically a teacher in politics.

How was the relationship with your

No barber touched my head when I was small. Papa used to cut my hair by himself and he gave me the type of haircut he wanted.

But when I left for the University he couldn’t touch my hair again

Theresa Onyekachi Okonkwo

mother, knowing that politicians are outdoor people?

Papa called my mother, Sussy as pet name. Her name was Susanna. They used to dance Watz and Quick steps.

Papa studied abroad, whenever he came back, he would be teaching the wife, while the grammar phone played music, especially classical music and they waltzed from one corner to the other in the room. They were so close and Papa gave her that attention because he wasn’t taking her on tours. So, whenever he was home, he made sure she was given adequate attention. My mother also was a very humble woman and incidentally came from the family of the Otigbuos.

The father of my mum was the person who brought Catholic Church to Aba Diocese from Onitsha. He was working outside and there was a priest he was close to, that was how Catholic came to Aba. Whatever Papa did, he took it as if it was God that gave it to him. He believed in a peaceful environment, quiet environment. That was why sometimes, he preferred to stay at home with his family, reading newspaper or watching television when we were living in Enugu. He went out to play games. He was a sports man right from the time he was teaching at CKC Aba. He was the sports master and the organist of the church. Papa made it a point that all of us should learn how to play. We called it a family game (Table tennis) and we inherited some of those talents from him, like my immediate junior brother. He was always the champion. He used to bring back Awards on Table tennis to his school and always winning for the school.

Then, he left after the school service and went to Government College, Afikpo. For the two years he was there, the palabic cup went to Afikpo. He was so good on the game. I picked a little of the talent of table tennis. But I was good in

all other games.

How was the politics of that time compared to what goes on today?

When Papa was in politics, the driving force behind most of them was to serve the people that elected them into the House. Then, from the house, the Premiere now made selection for ministers.

But for you to become a Minister you must have been selected by your people through an election and you were sent to the Honourable House to be a House member. From there, you were now picked by the Premiere and made a Minister. The difference now is that those who serve in the government, most of them did not contest any election except the governor. Not even his deputy. The commissioners are given that appointment by the governor or President depending on where they are serving. So, with that you can see there is a difference between the first generation of people who were voted by their people to represent them and the new generation of politicians. They did not owe anybody any responsibility except the governor, who appointed them. At that time, Ministers talked about the people who voted for them.

The needs of the people were paramount in their minds and that is why they worked the way they worked and it was a team work. Each Minister supposed to work for the good of the government and help his constituency. It was not a matter of selfishness. Papa could have worked in Umuahia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Port Harcourt and the whole of Eastern Region. As Minister for Works, he was responsible for the roads. He had total trust and dependence on God. He loved his fellow human beings; integrity humility and honesty were also virtues he held so dear.

He believed that politics gives one opportunity to serve his people not to cheat or exploit them.

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Interview

‘We need proper implementation of local content policy to grow our economy’ Olatokunbo Somolu is the first Nigerian woman to obtain Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. She retired over a decade ago as the Group General Manager Engineering and Technology Division of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). A remarkable display of her project skills was the supervision of the construction of the magnificent and world class NNPC towers complex, Abuja. In this interview with NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE, Somolu, who is celebrating her 70th birthday today, spoke on the need for total implementation of local content policy in the country.

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ost of the federal and states construction contracts are awarded to foreign engineering companies. Does it imply that Nigerian engineers lack the technical know how?

After the independence, Nigeria as a country was in a hurry to develop and we did not want to take chances.

The country that time needed experts because we did not have experts to do the work and that was how the idea of contracting jobs to foreigners started.

Besides, the country has been exposed to foreign countries. Do not forget that Britain colonised Nigeria, so there is the desire to catch up.

Take for instance, the construction of refineries was done by foreigners; there was no Nigerian company that could do that; the technology was not there. Most of the things used were imported. What the country would have done was to make it mandatory for the foreigners to involve our own people in the construction, and that was a big error. We do not have local content policy that will compel foreign companies working in our oil industries to partner with our people. There are still limitations here and there. We are still importing almost everything and that is the reason people are still crying over the state of steel and alu-

have been. If we have had political stability, there would have been a lot of progress.

There is hope, Nigeria will get better, when l see a lot of programmes on the air where people are talking about the country, exposing things, people now have the opportunity to air their views to the government, I have hope, at the same time we all could have done better.

ENGR Dr (Mrs) OLatokunbo Somolu

minum industries in Nigeria.

We have many big projects that would have helped our industrial revolution, but instability in the political leadership has been a major setback.

A leadership would emerge after setting up certain things; another would emerge and pull it down. We need good leadership in this country. Ni-

gerian engineers have been demanding for some of these contracts. In our sixty years of independence, we have a low level development. It has affected not only Nigerian engineers but also other fields. We are relatively young when we talk about civilization. We still have the opportunity to develop. We are not where we should

Opinion

Lagos and sustainable economic development Tayo Ogunbiyi

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he developmental document of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Administration in Lagos State is the T.H.E.M.E.S. (acronyms for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21ST Economy, Entertainment and Tourism and Governance and Security) Agenda.

As an article of trust, the document binds the government to the people.

Its major component is employment generation and empowerment of residents for economic liberty. Indeed, a careful scrutiny of the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda will reveal that almost every aspect of it is geared towards employment generation, empowerment and eradication of pov-

erty in the State.

As a government that is passionate about the people, the Sanwo-Olu Administration measures the success of its policies, projects and programmes on their capacity to generate further wealth among the people. Consequently, roads, bridges, markets etc are built based on the need to create opportunities for the people to create and recreate wealth.

The administration has evolved a people-oriented policy of facilitating training for the young people to acquire skills as well as granting them access to credit to start their own businesses. This is in line with its vision to make Lagos a 21st Century Economy.

It goes without saying that a vibrant, buoyant, resilient and flourishing economy is the bedrock of a progressive society and the hallmark of success. It gives a boost to the quality of life, fostering commensurate returns on investments while promoting more opportu-

nities for investments.

Essentially, the 21st century economy is reputable for innovativeness, creativity, opportunities, dynamism, and expertise, timeliness, urbanization and technology paving way for cross border, local and international transactions and investments in a seamless, rapid and transparent way.

The plan of the administration to make Lagos a 21st Century Economy is particularly crucial with regards to its economic status as the commercial and industrial hub of Nigeria and by extension West Africa.

In order to sustain Lagos’ status as the nation’s commercial and financial hub, the Sanwo-Olu administration acknowledged easy access to government services, provision of stable electricity and citizenry empowerment as vital areas of improvement.

Over the years, a major concern of the private sector in our country has al-

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Reports have shown that professional women in Nigeria and beyond are doing extremely well in their chosen fields, but engineering is still said to be a male-dominated area. How do you react to this? l graduated in 1973 as a Civil Engineer from the University of Lagos.

At that time, we were like three to five women in both Civil and Electrical engineering classes. After our graduation there was no other woman studying engineering, but later, girls started coming into engineering classes. There was also this drive to go round schools to educate girls on the need to study engineering. It is not a difficult area, but it all depends on your brain power, it has nothing to do with your facial appearance. The injunction then was that as engineers, we have to use bricks and as mechanical engineers we must go under the

ways been its inability to properly access public services, especially as it relates to enhancing the performance of business activities. Thus, in order to redress the situation, the Sanwo-Olu administration developed the Open Government Initiative, Innovation Master Plan and Lagos State Solution Hub. This is intended to advance synergy between the public and private sectors towards maximizing the State’s economic possibilities.

Similarly, the government has implemented policies and programmes that have impacted positively on industrial development. Towards this end, the $629 million financing facility aimed at completing the Lekki Deep Seaport project was signed by Mr. Governor with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The informal sector is also being transformed. In today’s Lagos, it is difficult to ignore the informal sector as it has become a veritable source of prosperity and employment for many. The transporters, vulcanisers, mechanics, battery chargers, fashion designers, hair dressers, barbers, traders, painters, welders, carpenters, bricklayers, farmers etc have so much become an integral part of our daily life that the formal sector cannot do without them.

car. That was indeed a rough notion.

In reality, if one wants to go technical you still have to do those things. During our days, we had few engineering courses, but now there are different areas of engineering. More are coming up and our women are doing great in those areas. Also, in our meeting, we encourage more females to go into different kinds of engineering as it is not specifically meant for men.

Balancing the circular job and work in the home has been a major challenge confronting many career women. In what ways do you think that these women can achieve all round success?

Nothing in life is easy. Women need to be serious in whatever they do.

They should be well organised. In my own time, l started with lecturing job because it would afford me the time to look after my children when they were very young. I couldn’t pursue a high fly job. It was later that I joined NNPC in 1982. It was a lot of moving around country’s major refineries such as Kaduna, Warri and Port Court. l did not have a social life. For a career woman to have all round success, the social life must go so that she would have enough time to concentrate on her job and the home. And that was what l did. As a matter of fact, when l went to NNPC, l disconnected a lot of things including family meetings except may be at Christmas periods. I did not have time for weddings. You cannot be in all the places at the same time. The idea of having aged parents, maids and aunties around is not the best because as a mother you need to have contact with your children so as to know who they are. Most mothers do not know their children because they do not spend quality time with them at home. As a mother, you should influence the character of your children and you can only achieve that when you are always around them.

Hence, the current administration has put in place diverse supportive initiatives to empower operatives of the sector through regular trainings, easy access to funding and required tools as well as provision of other technical backings.

As a proof of its consistent support for the sector, the State was adjudged the ‘Best State Supporting Artisans’ in the Federation in December 2019 at a programme organized by Global Sight Services Limited in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises of Nigerian [SMEDAN].

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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New BASA deals with US, India, Rwanda will grow aviation industry – Experts Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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xperts in the aviation sector have commended the federal government for signing the new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the USA, India, Morocco and Rwanda.

They say these new deals that are signed on the principle of reciprocity, are deals that will allow the country’s airlines to enjoy equal leverage, in terms of flight operations with these countries.

Few days ago Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation in his twitter handle @hadisirika stated, “I am glad to announce that Mr President, on behalf of Nigeria, has signed the instruments of ratification of the bilateral air service agreement between Nigeria and USA, India, Morocco as well as Rwanda.”

Stakeholders in the aviation sector have said the BASA agreements with these countries are yet another testimony of the commitment of this government to the growth of the domestic aviation industry.

Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace stated that this couldn’t have happened at a better time than now that the domestic industry requires all the support to stay afloat.

“It is most commendable and I promise the president that the gains thereof shall be fully harnessed. With this, the President has effectively pushed the ball in the court of domestic airline operators and I want to use this opportunity to call on my colleagues to rally to savour the full benefits of these agreements,” Onyema said.

The Air Peace boss thanked the minister for all the groundwork that

culminated in the signing of these agreements.

He noted that the minister’s determination to raise the local bar is palpable, adding that the era of lopsidedness against Nigeria in international aviation is over.

“What the president has done is a call for local operators to build capacity and remain competitive in the global air space. This shall increase job opportunities and ancillary benefits to the domestic economy. I thank you Mr President for this patriotic master stroke,” Onyema added.

Before now, there has been lopsidedness against Nigeria airlines in international aviation. For instance, the denial of landing permit to Air Peace by the UK and Canada governments were demonstrations of ‘obnoxious’ aero politics.

However, experts have said with the new BASAs, Nigeria airlines are given an opportunity to reciprocate air services with these countries.

This development is coming a few weeks after Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation announced that only countries that allow Nigeria airlines

to fly to their countries will be granted permits for their airlines to operate into Nigeria.

The minister had appealed to the countries banning Nigerians from going to their countries to be conscious of the level-playing field in reciprocity as the country will also apply the same measure.

“The principle of reciprocity would be applied. I bet you the conditions you give Nigerians who travel to your country – we will apply the same thing. If you ban us from coming to your country, the same will apply the other way; we just hope for a level-playing field on the issue of reciprocity,’’ Sirika had stated.

When the United Arab Emirates, (UAE) stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, the federal government decided to reciprocate by banning its airline, Emirates from operating in Nigeria.

Before the resumption of international flights in the country, the federal government announced that Air France, KLM, Etihad, Air Namibia, Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa, TAAG Angola Airlines were not granted approval to commence flight operations

because Nigerians were not allowed into these countries.

Stakeholders in the aviation sector who commended Sirika’s decision said the decision would elevate the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations and send a signal to international airlines that it is no more business as usual.

In a letter written to the minister, Allen Onyema commended him on the laudable decision of the federal government, he said, “You are causing a positive revolution in the aviation world. You have, by this action, brought so much respect to our people and our nation. Nigerians all over the world are walking tall with enormous pride since the last few hours when the news broke out. This is the beginning of the end of the stigmatisation of Nigeria and everything Nigerian. God bless you always. From my sincere heart, I have come to appreciate your nationalistic tendencies.”

The Air Peace boss also said the minister by his conduct and commitment, has ensured that the aviation industry is unencumbered, noting

that Sirika facilitated the customs duty waiver on aircraft and spares and is currently working on the unification of charges paid by domestic airlines.

Olumide Ohunayo, an aviation analyst said the country is battling with a pandemic and it is the citizens that pandemic affects, so the emphasis should be more on citizens of the country. He said the policy is supported by industry players, adding that he supports the government in reciprocating whatever is provided by any country.

“If we have countries that are stopping Nigerians based on the pandemic then we also have to do the same at this point in time and that is the only way to show that there is a government that is interested in its people and protection of the citizens; which is number one priority for every government,”Ohunayo said.

However, John Ojikutu, member of the aviation industry think tank group, Aviation Round Table (ART) and chief executive of Centurion Securities, told BD Sunday that the concerned authorities need to first identify the places where private airlines or private aircraft can be accommodated in the existing BASAs between Nigeria and these countries.

“That is why I said nationally, we must have policies that classify our airlines as regional flag carriers, continental flag carriers or intercontinental flag carriers. If Air Peace is being refused flights to UK now but BA is still allowed to fly into Nigeria, we must revisit the agreement that allowed Air Peace into UK pre covid19 within or without the BASA between the two countries if it is not a unilateral arrangement outside the BASA,” Ojikutu explained.

Cargo export increase to one million tons monthly amid FOB, NEPC partnership …as Bubex Foods exports eight tons to UK

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he partnership between the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Free On Board (FOB) Global Logistics and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) is yielding fruits as export cargo at the warehouse of the NAHCO has received a boost with no fewer than one million goods being exported monthly through the facilities.

Also, Bubex Foods, a Nigerian exporting company has branded and exported eight tons of pap to the United Kingdom, thereby increasing the export capacity of Nigeria and reducing the pressure on naira.

Speaking at the export of the pap to Europe on Wednesday, Segun Fagbemi, Business Manager, Export, NAHCO said that the export of cargo at the ground handling company was between 400-500 tons monthly for several years, but had since increased to one million tons in recent times.

Fagbemi attributed this to the policy of the government, which he said encourages non-oil revenues and exportation.

He stated that the ground handling company was targeting exporta-

tion of four million tons of cargo from its warehouse monthly, stressing that the company had the capacity to accommodate such massive tons.

Also speaking at the occasion, Ijeoma Ndukwe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bubex Foods, said that the company embarked on exportation of Bubex pap to Europe and America due to the encouragement received from the government.

Ndukwe explained that the eight tons of Bubex pap being exported would further increase revenue generation for the country, stressing that the company was targeting 20 percent of the 35 million Nigerians in Europe.

She lauded the management of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Free On Board (FOB) Global Logistics and NAHCO for creating the avenue for the company to export the product to Europe.

She added that apart from the United Kingdom, which the product was being exported to, the company also planned to penetrate the American market, noting that with this, demands for foreign exchange would reduce.

She declared that the pap scaled the European and American integrity tests before being exported, noting that the plan of the company was to export at least 450 million tons of pap annually.

Ndukwe emphasised that the company was established eight years ago, but went into exportation of perishable goods about five years ago, stressing that with proper packaging and branding, Nigerian goods would be acceptable around the world.

She said: “This present product would be shipped to the United Kingdom today and arrive there tomorrow (Thursday). This product has passed Europe and America integrity tests. It was shipped to NAHCO warehouse on October 1, 2020, which is about a week ago, but despite this, the taste remains the same. It shows you the amount of effort we put into place to come out with what we have today.

“We have been talking about the government creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs. This for me is an enabling environment.

We now have a system where goods including perishable cargo can be

stored and get to their destinations quickly. This to me is faster and won’t have to wait for three months before it gets to the end-users. This will be in the United Kingdom by tomorrow (Thursday).”

Also, Segun Awolowo, the Executive Director, NEPC, expressed delight at the success of the company to export the product out of the country.

Awolowo who was represented at the occasion by Samuel Oyiyipo, the Regional Coordinator, South West, NEPC, reiterated the stands of the commission to encourage exporters, saying that Nigeria was gradually diversifying its attention from oil revenue to non-oil revenues.

Awolowo described the exporting process as seamless, maintaining that the pap being exported met all the international standards.

Besides, Oluwajimi Adebakin, the Managing Director, FOB, called on the Federal Government to reestablish a national carrier for the country.

He expressed that the emergence of a national carrier would make exportation of products easier and cheaper, but lauded Ethiopian Airline

Cargo for collaborating with the company to ensure seamless exportation of the product and other goods.

He informed that the company would before the end of October export an additional 100 tons of Nigerian produce to Europe.

Biodun Oyebade, Head, Operations, NAHCO, described the success as laudable, stressing that NAHCO was happy to be a part of the success story.

According to him, the warehouse facility of NAHCO could accommodate any perishable goods either imported or exported out of the country and called on other entrepreneurs to take a cue from Bubex Foods.

He charged other entrepreneurs to collaborate to build the economy, noting that as more products are exported out of the country, there would be less dependence on foreign exchange.

“We want to beef up our capacity to support all Nigerians that are into this business. We want to help foreign exchange, build up our economy and drive down the exchange rate. We all need to come together to boost our economy,” he said.

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Travel

Trailing the wild at pristine Okomu Park Obinna Emelike

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owadays, tourism attention is on the domestic front with many converts.

If you are a would-be visitor, looking for where to explore within the domestic space, enthralling attractions abound.

One of the breathtaking places to visit within your reach is the Okomu National Park.

Formerly known as the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is a forest block within the 1,082 km2 (418 sq mi) Okomu Forest Reserve in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

From the beautifully designed gate, Okomu is a thrill for many reasons.

Despite its small enclosure of about 118 square kilometres, it has abundant flora and fauna resources with a very rich ecosystem that is very unique and distinct.

The beauty of the park is something that beckons at you the moment you walk into the wild. The air, the green luscious expanse of wild that stretches ahead of you is most luxuriating and captivating.

The park appears hidden away from the eyes of the world, but it is always a source of joy to anyone visiting as it envelopes visitors in its hidden treasure. Indeed, the small enclosure is pregnant with vast resources. It is perhaps difficult to say, which of the various offerings of the park holds the most appealing attraction.

Moreover, after the journey on bumpy roads, visitors who are weary, hungry and thirsty from travel are usually enliven by the welcoming committee of trumpeting hornbills,

scampering monkeys, and lush vegetation surrounding the lodge in the park.

Those who in a haste to see nature usually set off a few hours on arrival, trekking through the forest leaving other visitors to relax on the deck encircled by the forest.

Probably, they want to be the first

to explore the taller of the two tree houses, which shot 140 feet up into the air above the tree line allowing for a gorgeous view of the forest.

The two Tree Houses within the park are the most intriguing attractions in the outfit. The two are located at Lakes 64 and 52. The Tree Houses are additional pep to one gaining a

Nigeria Tourism Awards introduces new awards process for 2020 ...increases awards categories for 4th edition

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he organisers of Nigeria Tourism Awards, Nigeria’s prestigious tourism awards, have introduced a new awards scoring system. The new system replaces the previous process where winners emerged after a public nomination and thereafter public voting process.

The awards scoring system requires every potential winner to enter for the awards and then be scored by inspectors on a set criteria for their entered category. This gives the entrants a better chance to win the award based on merit as against depending on the limited knowledge

of the public about their current or previous state.

To raise the quality of the awards process, the organisers of the awards, have used the downtime occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic to research and carry out surveys of the entire awards process. The most significant outcome of that study is the change to an award scoring system, which eliminates the chances of particular brands continuously winning due to long entrenched public sentiments.

Nnena Fakoya - Smith, project coordinator of the awards said, “Nigeria

Tourism Awards seeks to remain at the most prestigious award celebrating innovation and excellence in Nigeria’s tourism industry. It is a strong platform to showcase the work of the best of the industry and promote outstanding brands and stakeholders”.

Ten of the awards categories for 2020 will go to individuals who have been outstanding in their contribution to the growth of domestic tourism in Nigeria. These categories include the Tourism Personality of the Year, Royal Support for Tourism, Best Tourism Commissioner and the Best Tourism Governor. There will also be special recognition awards for tourism investment, tourism support, tourism infrastructure and essential duties for public sector players who

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vintage spot from where to relax and savour the beauties of nature the park presents.

It is a bird-eye’s view of the park for visitors at the 140 feet platform. Perhaps, the only difficulty is climbing up. It could be quite exciting climbing up the 140 feet silk cotton Tree House of Lake 52. The Tree House has a base with some measure of space and platform to sit on while contemplating how to conquer the 140 feet height.

Just in case you are afraid of this adventure, never mind, sitting around and watching others go through the exciting rigour of climbing the wooden ladder to the top of the Tree House, also has its own attraction.

As well, hiking through the forest and climbing the tree to have a spectacular view of the sunset, is magnificent for most visitors that dare the adrenalin filled exercise.

As visitors, or rather adventurers, move further into the wild, they come across a number of endangered species conserved under Okomu’s bowels. There is the buffalo, forest elephants, crocodiles, warthogs, chimpanzees, red duikers, red river hogs and Mona monkeys.

Of course, there are the whitethroated monkeys - a very rare and most endangered species in the world. Even the Cross River National Park with its rich and varied fauna collections cannot boast of the specie within its confines.

The sight of the Okomu River that runs through the park is one excitement you need to delight in. It is from the river that the park derives its name. There are other rivers and streams, such as Osse River and Arakhuan stream within its space. The one that appears most captivating and

holds potential for a number of water leisure activities is the Okomu River.

The river offers visitors enough swimming time and picture sessions.

Aware of the strong effect the park is likely to have on visitors, its management has somewhat made one’s encounter and desire to commune with nature in an un-obstructive manner quite easy.

One relief by the management is the effortless and fun way of tracing nature trail tracks; a somewhat safari experience for visitors at the park.

The different compartments that bear the label of lakes make it easy for visitors to cover the expanse of forested land easily. They also enable visitors to get information or help.

Moreover, you can go on sport fishing, cruise on the water or walk pleasurably on the Iron Bridge that runs across the river.

The bridge is one of the antiquated features of the park. It was built in 1912 by the then African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) Company. Despite its recent renovation with a hut for relaxation, some of the old features of the bridge are still visible.

And the fresh air, the chirping sound of birds and occasionally, some fauna species such as antelopes, duikers and monkeys that run through, that is, if you are lucky enough to set your eyes on them as they move in a flash, add to the fun any visitor can get.

While on the trail, you will get to see some 45 villages and settlements that surround the Okomu National Park. The most popular ones are Udo and Arakhuan villages. An opportunity to interact with some of these communities on your way to the park and while on trail is another excitement on its own. It makes visitors feel the pulse of the rural people.

At the end of the trail, visitors are usually relieved and fulfilled in their communion at the abode of nature and its pleasant creations. The impression every visitor goes away with is that of a visit to an African pristine destination with a bowel full of exciting and effervescent features that would sure make the day of any visitor.

excel in tourism allied sectors like the police, immigration, parks among others.

According to Olanrewaju Samson, activations director for the awards, the best tourism commissioner will be judged based on the overall scores of the state-owned attractions. This is to encourage the commissioners to be more attentive to the quality of their attractions which is critical to the growth of tourism. The best tourism governor award will go to the governor with the friendliest policies towards tourism and the travel trade, and who has shown the most commitment in providing infrastructure for tourism.

The fourth edition of the awards will hold on Saturday February 6, 2021 to allow for an extended inspection period until December 2020.

Previous winners of the prestigious awards include the former Lagos State

governor Akinwumi Ambode, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, Bankole Bernard, Munzali Dantata, Femi Adetope, Eko Hotel, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Air Peace, La Campagne Tropicana, Travelstart, Shiro, among others.

At a time when there is increased attention for tourism around Nigeria, especially with the impact of COVID-19 on the national income and the need to diversify the economy, the competition for the awards is expected to be very keen. “We are excited and looking forward to honouring the winners whose contributions and professionalism represent the hope we have for a thriving tourism industry in Nigeria”, said Efetobo Awhana, CEO, The Balearica Awards, the organisers of Nigeria Tourism Awards.

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Sunday 11 October 2020

Beyond human rights violations

…SARS’ excesses could impede economic growth, foreign investment

extort money from criminal suspects and their families.

More so, they also target young persons. Some youths have argued that to be a young person in Nigeria today means to constantly live in fear of being harassed and molested by SARS or have your phones searched without a warrant.

Wearing dreadlocks or tinting your hair puts you on the arrest and extortion list of SARS. Young persons between the ages of 17 and 30 are at the most risk of arrest, torture, or extortion by the police unit.

Command dismissed Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, the policeman who shot Kolade Johnson dead last year, reports of SARS’ brutality and rights abuse are often treated with levity.

It appears that the unit has grown beyond the control of the government which has failed to curtail the excesses of SARS, despite a cornucopia of reported killings and violations which have led to outrage in the past and a protest in 2017 calling for an end to police brutality.

There have been several bans on the organisation. But none has worked.

In December 2017, the then Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, banned the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force from conducting stop and search operations on roads except when necessary. In what has become an annual ritual, the IGP had, in December 2017, June 2018, January 2019 and in February this year, made similar announcements to ban SARS and an immediate restructuring of the outfit.

Idris also promised to restructure and reposition the unit for effective service delivery. The then IGP’s order in June 2018 was also a ban on SARS from conducting stop and search operations on roads.

This was followed by another order in August 2018 for an immediate overhauling of SARS in compliance with a directive by then acting president, Yemi Osinbajo.

About 20 youths who were interviewed in a report said SARS officers often look out for well-dressed young men, especially those in new cars. Often, these young men are accosted at roadblocks or on the streets and accused of being internet fraudsters, known as ‘Yahoo boys’ in local parlance. The young men are taken to the station and are threatened with being charged for robbery, unless they agree to pay large sums of money for bail.

The cases are too many to count, however, Amnesty International documented 82 cases between January 2017 and May 2020.

The organisation said detainees in SARS custody have been subjected to a variety of methods of torture including hanging, mock execution, beating, punching, kicking, burning with cigarettes, water boarding, near-asphyxiation with plastic bags, forcing detainees to assume stressful bodily positions and sexual violence.

Why has Nigerian government reneged on directives against SARS? Although the Lagos State Police

After another public outcry in January 2019, the current IGP ordered a total reorganisation of SARS the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and ordered state police commissioners to command the squads in their locations. President Muhammadu Buhari, the same year, directed the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Ministry of Justice and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to work out modalities for the implementation of the report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) within three months, reports say.

Again, in February this year, following the death of a player of Remo Stars Football club, Tiamiyu Kazeem, allegedly caused by operatives of SARS, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, the IGP had announced the disbandment of SARS offices nationwide.

But despite these bans and promise of a reorganisation and psychological checks, FSARS has continued with its unbridled killings and harassments.

This explains why Nigerians are

DESMOND OKON AND INIOBONG IWOK

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ith no backing from any organisation with deep pockets, ordinary Nigerians began a three-day movement against the continued existence of the notorious police unit popularly called SARS on Wednesday in Lagos.

The protesters—mainly youths— armed with their voices and cardboards marched to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja as well as the state government’s House of Assembly to register their angst and displeasure with the extra-judicial activities of FSARS (the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad).

As the agitations continued in Ikeja the next day, with more youths mobilised, another group of youths, led by two of Nigeria’s popular celebrities, Runtown and Falz, stormed the streets of Lekki in solidarity and with the same purpose.

Their message was simple: “No reform. EndSARS,” a cardboard reads.

Taking place simultaneously in other states across Nigeria, including Abuja, Edo, and Delta states, these protests were a continuation of the online version triggered by the killing of a young man in Delta State on Saturday, October 3. A video had appeared on social media showing a team of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police allegedly shooting and killing the young man.

According to reports, the incident was said to have occurred in front of Wetland Hotel, Ughelli in Delta State.

Trending heavily on social media, the footage shows them speeding off in the victim’s vehicle – a white Lexus SUV. Eyewitness accounts said the police operatives stole the victim’s car after they killed him. The incident sparked wide outrage nationwide with residents recounting ugly encounters with SARS and calling for outright disbandment of the unit, on social media.

A litany of human rights abuses But Saturday’s occurrence was not the first time that SARS had killed, tortured, or harassed a Nigerian.

In 2019, Kolade Johnson was shot by officers with Nigeria’s anti-cultism police unit during a raid in Lagos, according to a statement from the Nigerian Police Force.

Members of the unit were searching for a suspect and at one point fired into the air. Johnson and a friend were leaving a soccer viewing centre in the area, where they had gone to watch a Premiership League match, when a stray bullet hit and killed him.

He died at the hospital while waiting for treatment. But more Nigerians have been victims before and after him.

“They held me by the trousers and when I protested and asked what my offence was, they all descended on me and started to hit me. My shorts were torn as they were trying to search my back pocket, where I kept my wallet. They put me in handcuffs and threw me inside their car,” said Adetokunbo (not real name), a 22-yearold university student, who participated in a research by Amnesty International.

Adetokunbo was physically attacked by four SARS officers in the Okota area of Lagos in May 2017. The attack took place after SARS officers saw him with an iPhone and consequently accused him of being a Yahoo boy (Internet fraudster).

“They were beating and slapping me from different sides,” he recounts.

He said he told them to check his ID card or allow him to make a call, but his plea was unheeded to. The student was asked who his father was that he could use an iPhone which they could not afford. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the dreaded SARS, Adetokunbo said they pointed a gun to his head and said they could “waste” him and nothing would happen.

According to him, there were two other men in the car who were arrested, because the policemen saw a valid visa with them.

“They were making plans to travel abroad when they were arrested. The two men, who were also accused of being Internet fraudsters, were searched by the policemen and their ATM45 cards seized. They took N70, 000 from me and took the other two men to an ATM to withdraw money... They released the two men at Oworonsoki.

They took me to 3rd Mainland Bridge and asked me to go,” Adetokunbo said.

Countless evidential tales of SARS’ cruelty have flooded Nigeria’s social media space. Just recently, another Nigerian reported his encounter on Twitter after N100, 000 was extorted from him and his friend.

He was accosted and made to get into their bus and was told he would be taken to SFU division Ikoyi, their station. After driving around for about 30 minutes to one hour he and his friend were asked to pay N1million.

He said when he asked if they were no longer taking them to the station to let them know their crime, the officer who sat in front (who seems to be their boss) got angry at the statement and further threatened them.

“These guys are real demons,” the youth said. “Seeing that we weren’t about to give them that money they ended up bringing it down to N100, 000 and they drove us to Zenith Bank along Osolo Way, opposite SOS home, where they made my guy get down from the bus to withdraw the money from the ATM. After they got the money they let us go.”

Origin of SARS, and deviation from course?

SARS is a controversial police unit in the Nigerian police force founded in 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda. The unit was originally meant to intervene in high-risk operations like robbery and kidnapping.

But it has now deviated from its course and morphed into a terror factor for the Nigerian populace, becoming notorious for extortion, framing up suspects, and even blackmail.

According to Amnesty International, the organisation targets money and property in their criminal activities as they regularly demand bribes, steal and

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insisting on the total abolition of the feared police department despite another ban on FSARS’ operation on October 4, 2020.

“Everybody here is fighting for the same course,” Folarin Falana (Falz), a Nigerian artiste, said demanding an audience with the AIG of Zone Two Command at Thursday’s protest.

“This is not the first time we have heard of a directive being issued that SARS officials are not allowed to do searches anymore, they are not allowed to harass. But they still continue killing us. What is our guarantee that this issue will stop?” A social media influencer, Pamilerin Adegoke told journalists that they want nothing from the government than to end SARS, and also that they do not want a reformation.

He said the police keeps promising to reform them (SARS) for the past three years, but after each promise comes more killings.

“We want them to just end the whole thing. They said they are protecting us, how? We can’t drive nice cars anymore.

We can’t wear nice clothes because we are scared of our fellow men killing us.

If you can end this SARS, we’re good,” Adegoke said, visibly upset.

Does this government have the capacity to end SARS? Fayoade Adegoke, a police officer who said he was representing the AIG of Zone 2 Headquarters, Oniru, told the protesting crowd that the AIG had gone for a meeting over the SARS matter, and assured the protesters that the issue would be addressed.

He said the Inspector-General of Police has addressed the issue, and the guidelines have been issued out to all police senior officers.

“This issue you have come for has become an open one and will be addressed. The directive this time is very emphatic, the IG’s directive is very emphatic and there is no police unit that will go against the IG’s directive,” the officer said.

But Gbenga Sesan, executive director, Paradigm Initiative, strongly believes that the fresh directive given

by Mohammed Adamu, the current IGP, will amount to nothing like the previous bans in “2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.” According to Sesan, when a solution, for which the Special AntiRobbery Squad was established in 1992, becomes a problem, then you can be sure that it has become bigger than the promoters of that “solution”.

“This government has demonstrated

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that it has no capacity to manage this dilemma because it is only a fraction of the larger brutality that comes from Nigeria’s security agencies — police, military, secret service, all of them,” he told BDSUNDAY. “Unfortunately, the structures set up to protect citizens have become private armies of political demi-gods and as long as they serve that purpose, their harm to citizens will only be met with empty words to placate the people,” he further said.

These protests are the first time Nigerians would come out en masse to fight back after one was held in 2017 with no impact. It would also be the first time they would show determination, desire a commitment to continue until something concrete is done. Asked if the protest would yield results, Sesan said the only thing that is guaranteed with the government is that only persistent and costly public outcry will force their hands Why SARS has remained untamed SARS is like a scar that has refused to heal. A plague that has defied variegated interventions and faux reformations, with the unit captured on social media going back to the very criminal undertakings, they were banned from.

Nigerians believe that SARS has remained untamed because the bigwigs in the police department are complicit.

A Twitter user Silvanus Divine Ugoh (@DivineUgoh) said if the ‘ogas’ were not in full support [of] the unethical personnel, the SARS team would have been purged out. Based on video pieces of evidence and the consequent laxity of the authorities to curb SARS, some argue that the department is being used to fund the police, giving their thirst to extort huge sums of money.

“The police authorities empower SARS to rob Nigerians. This madness started with police officers going on indiscriminate raids in the night [and] packing anyone they see and then demand bail. It then morphed into fullblown kidnap for ransom using SARS both during the day and night,” a source said.

A prominent online influencer, Henry Shield, said the confidence of SARS operatives to continue breaking the law, harassing and shooting innocent citizens comes from the assurance that ‘ogas’ [bosses] are involved. In his response to an email, and citing various evidence of “the evil that SARS is”, Sesan said the unit has remained untamed because of impunity. Extrapolat-

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ing from previous occurrences, he said what has happened over the years is that the officers chill and then return with a vengeance when the ban is “forgotten” or overtaken with other national issues.

“So, the main reason SARS will continue to be a problem is that from the Inspector-General to the Presidency, every form of “action” you see now is performative, similar to how a criminal promises never to repeat his offence only because he got caught this time,” he said. “It has remained untamed because those benefiting are from the very top.

The baby terrorists on the streets are only carrying out the instructions of the big boys up there,” Deji Adeyanju, convener, ConcernedNIG, bluntly stated.

Adeyanju further told BDSUNDAY that the recent ban would not change anything, noting that this is the fourth time they have been banned and nothing had changed.

He revealed that they met the IG of police over a year ago when Kolade Johnson was extrajudicially killed in Lagos and the same promises he is making today were the same ones he made to them then.

On whether the public outcry would governments’ hands this time, Adeyanju said we currently do not have a reasonable government that listens to the cry of the people because if we do have one; things would not have gotten this bad.

“What does it take to stop the extrajudicial killings of innocent citizens by this anti-people unit of the Nigeria police force? Absolutely nothing. The political will to do the right thing is just not there. And it’s tragic and sad in-

Bolt Nigeria, this could mean a fall in its market share.

The country has been battling insecurity for many years without significant success. Experts say SARS has contributed significantly to the climate of fear that threatens the spirit of innovation in Nigeria, and the latter keeps investors away, or forces them to factor in the risk that hurts the bottom-line.

In the full lockdown, police officers were pictured destroying small businesses in Lagos, a state that generates most of its IGR from MSMEs. Some officers also broke into a beer parlour and destroyed lots of goods in a bid to enforce the lockdown.

“Consider how much individuals and businesses have lost to SARS operatives who literally subjected them to kidnapping and extortion,” Sesan earlier told BDSUNDAY. Also speaking to the reporter, Mark Essien, CEO of Hotels.ng said the world is digitalising and the future of industri-

deed,” he said.

How SARS affects the economy Though it is largely a human rights problem, the excesses of SARS could be taking a toll on Nigeria’s economy.

Some encounters narrated by victims on social media during the heat of the outburst following the Ughelli incident, involved Bolt Nigeria, a taxi company, where victims were picked up during trips with the drivers alleged to be complicit. In some cases, the drivers themselves were victims. “On 25 September, we received a support request from a passenger who claimed that while on a ride with his friend, their Bolt driver had been complicit in an incident where unidentified SARS official harassed and collected N100, 000 from them,” Bolt said in a statement on its Twitter page.

The driver indicated that in the course of the journey, officers of SARS flagged down his vehicle and searched the phones of the passengers after which they allegedly found incriminating materials on the phone. He was then instructed to drive them to a police station in Surulere.

The private transport company said the driver maintains that he had no prior knowledge of the incident and was not working as an accomplice as there was no way he could have refused to halt his vehicle when SARS officers flagged him down.

But that did not stop Nigerians from deleting the company’s mobile app from their phones and sharing videos of it online to avoid falling prey. For

alisation lies in technical skills that can be learnt with a laptop.

Essien noted that SARS is targeting people who are learning and working at these skills. They are destroying the foundation of what will be Nigeria’s biggest economic activity in the future.

According to him, the police and SARS are constantly bringing bad news on the media about them brutalising people, and performing extra-judicial killings. No reasonable investors would invest in a place with such news.

“The ‘techies’ who are affected by this are also very vocal on social media— and the news is getting out really quickly about how SARS is behaving. The foreign investors are reading this news and factoring it into their risk assessment of Nigeria. SARS should simply be ended,” Essien said.

A Washington DC African Investment advisor, Aubrey Hruby, has narrated how the investors she brought from Egypt were allegedly robbed by the police last year in Nigeria.

The US-based consultant was reacting to the protest to #EndSARS known for criminal activities in the country.

“I brought VC investors to Nigeria from Egypt last year and they were completely shaken down and robbed by the police as they were leaving the country after an amazing week of meeting with stellar Nigerian entrepreneurs,” she recalls.

Joining Nigerians to advocate for the abolition of SARS, she simply said: “It is high time.”

NASS lends its voice Last Wednesday, the Nigerian senators joined their voices to the national outrage against the extra-judicial activities of FSARS. The lawmakers said officers of the unit must be made responsible for their actions. Senator Remi Tinubu (Lagos Central - APC), raised a point of concern over the activities of the unit.

She condemned some of the highprofile abuse cases that FSARS officers have been involved in and listed a host of prayers for lawmakers to pass, to rein in the excesses of the unit.

“Despite assurances by the IGP that there will be reform of FSARS, Nigerians are still daily being abducted and extorted under duress with no mechanism in place for complaints and resolution,” the lawmaker complained.

In his contribution, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central - APC), expressed concern that it is now difficult to tell the difference between FSARS officers and actual criminals because of the way they operate. Analyst, Bayo Salami said though the security may have helped in checking crime, they had gone outside their jurisdiction. He said the unit was now a threat to Nigerians, especially the youth they were meant to protect.

“Even though they have helped in checking crime, as you can see, those people are now criminals themselves, committing all sorts of atrocities on a daily basis. I support those calling for the scraping of FSARS, they have gone out of their jurisdiction.

“Even if you reform them, the problem is that there is nobody checking them; they operate as if they are not answerable to anybody,” Salami said.

Protesters can only get SARS’ reform not outright disbandment – Mba Despite the stringent calls for #EndSARS by many Nigerians, Frank Mba, a deputy commissioner of police, and Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), said the best the protesters would get was reform and not outright disbandment of the unit.

Mba, who spoke on a television programme Friday, said considering the amount of resources spent on their training and the crucial role they play in society, it would be counter-productive to disband the unit.

According to the DCP, many people are motivated by different reasons in their protests, alleging that some people may be clamouring for disbandment of SARS to pave the way for them to ply their evil trade unhindered.

Mba pointed to the exploits of SARS operatives in foiling bank robberies and checking other crimes such as banditry, kidnapping in some volatile parts of the country.

“Those who are desperate for public validation or to be social media influencers, they are the people who are carrying out the #EndSARS protest. If anybody thinks the protest for #EndSARS will mean total disbandment, that may not be possible,” he said.

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The SARS’ unending menace amid rising clamour for disbandment INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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igerians are again up against the dreaded police unit better known as Force Special Antirobbery Squad (FSARS). The #ENDSARS protests that swept across the country 2 years ago over rights violations and extra-judicial killings by the police unit resurged a week ago with more strident calls and protests to compel the police authorities to disband the ‘murderous gang in police uniform’.

This perhaps compelled the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to announced that the personnel of FSARS and other Tactical Squads of the Force including the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), AntiCultism Squad and other Tactical Squads operating at the Federal, Zonal and Command levels, have been banned from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties - stop and search duties, checkpoints, mounting of roadblocks, traffic checks, etc - with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday October 4, by Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba (DCP), stressing that in addition, no personnel of the Force is authorized to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti.

The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also condemned the brutality of the police, stressing that the federal government will take urgent steps to address the menace. Following a similar public outcry two years ago, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on 14th August 2018 directed an immediate reform of SARS. The Vice President also ordered the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to set up a judicial panel to investigate their activities. But as usual with most things Nigerian, nothing has come out of these.

So, it appears these feeble measures by government to tame the monster have produced nothing and Nigerians are becoming increasingly difficult to assuage, hence the heightened demand for complete disbandment of the outfit.

On Thursday, October 8, 2020, civil society groups stormed various police formations across the nation in the ENDSARS protests threatening to sustain the agitations until the SARS is disbanded.

In Abuja, the nations’ capital, protesters demanding the dissolution of the SARS stormed the force headquarters and demanded a meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The #EndSARS campaigners gathered at the Shehu Shagari Way, shouting ‘EndSARS,’ and disrupted vehicular traffic. They also brandished placards with the various inscriptions calling for the end of SARS. The protesters poured red liquid on the road to illustrate the killings and bloodshed by SARS operatives, many of whom have been indicted for rights violations, including extra-judicial killings, extortion, illegal detention and other misconduct.

Among the activists, were #RevolutionNow protests convener, Omoyele Sowore, #BringBackOurGirls member, Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju of Concerned Nigerians and others.

They insisted that the tactical squad must be scrapped.

DCP Frank Mba, told the protesters that the force authorities have initiated the necessary reforms to curb the illegal activities of the FSARS operatives but they are not enticed by such words and have vowed to continue the protests.

According to experts, SARS has failed to live up to expectations of curbing crime, for which it was set up but instead has changed into a killing outfit that perpetrates heinous abuses against Nigerian citizens including foreigners.

A security expert, Majeed Dahiru, blamed the failure of SARS on the way and manner the outfit was created during the military era and the inability to redirect the unit to conform to the norms of civil democracy.

He said “SARS is actually a creation of military regime in the mid 90s. Is it a unit in the police force set up to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in a manner that may not always be in line with laid down procedures of civil polic-

ing because of the expediencies of the time. So, it was reasoned then that the police force being a civil security outfit that operates within the confines of rules and regulations in order to enforce law and order may not be adequate to contain the spate of rising crimes in the 90s. It was reasoned that instead of arresting and prosecuting violent criminals, it was better to eliminate them all together. So, in essence an element of the operations of the SARS is extra-judicial killing, they were licensed to kill albeit in an extra – judiciary manner.”

He added that “but once Nigeria transited into a civil democratic rule, SARS ordinarily should have been reformed, in fact the entire police apparatus should have be reformed so that it can contain, combat and tackle criminal activities without going outside the confines of laid down rules and regulations of civil policing.

This has not been done in the case of SARS. “SARS has become very notorious for killing Nigerians that are sometimes innocent of some of the allegations against them. Elements within this unit of the police appear to now use their privileged position to further their own person interests and have now become a murderous police force, now terrorizing the Nigerian people rather than protecting them.”

Majeed believes that Nigerians have continued to bemoan their fate as the existence of SARS has not stopped increase in violent criminal activities.

He added that SARS appears to have become a monster that has defied

even those who created it, which is indicative of a deeper problem within the Nigerian police force.

“It simply means that the Nigeria police force is incapable of reforming itself and that is why people are calling for outright disbandment of SARS,” he lamented.

He called for a total overhaul of the operations of the Nigerian police force and not just SARS. He however, noted that it will be in the interest of Nigeria for the leaders of the police to move quickly disband SARS.” Majeed added that “The latest move by government will not change anything unless we reform the police holistically across board and not only SARS because it is not only SARS that carries out extra-judicial killings.”

On the effects of the brazen insecurity perpetrated by SARS on the economy, the Expert said “You cannot have this kind of insecurity environment and expect people to come in and invest in the country either as tourists to spend their money or investors when you do not have a proper policing outfit.

“The best PR for the image of a country is the police force because it is the police that come in contact with all and sundry including foreigners, tourists’ and well as investors. When the police are as bad as Nigerian police, that is a PR disaster.

“So, the police need to be reformed because it is directly linked to the economy. Security is fundamental because the purpose for the existence of any nation is economy. Welfare and

security are the key components of an economy, without adequate security you cannot have a good economy that will provide welfare for the people,” he noted.

Also speaking, veteran security analyst and columnist, Ben Okezie, said the idea that gave birth to SARS was a noble and novel because it has a major purpose of fighting violent crime.

“SARS was good at a stage and at a stage they were banned. This is not the first time they were completely banned and later on there was need for it again when robbers started gearing up and SARS was brought back.

When they brought them back, those who brought them back lost the template.

“The original template was that mobile policemen were the once that were recruited into SARS because of their training and discipline. But along the way, some of the conventional police men – those who do stop and search on the road and collecting money from people started looking for a way of finding themselves enlisted into SARS. “My finding is that these are the ones that came in and corrupted the real SARS and these are the ones that started these abuses. They came in through the back door to get into SARS some of them pay bribe to be enlisted.”

Okezie does not want SARS to be disbanded but suggested that all the bad eggs in the unit should be identified and purged adding that they should also be prosecuted. He noted that there should also be a code of conduct for all SARS members and there should be constant monitoring of the men of the police.

Former media aide to late President Umoru Musa Yar’Adua, Segun Adeniyi, while writing his disgust at the SARS scourge, quoted Amnesty International report released on 26th June 2020 entitled, ‘Time to end impunity: Torture and other human rights violations by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)’, which documented cases of extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, torture, extortion and other heinous crime perpetrated against Nigerians without the government holding them to account.

#EndSARS: Hamzat, Lagos deputy governor, engages protesters, urges them to be civil •••Conveys state’s position on police brutality

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he Government of Lagos State has advised youths protesting alleged brutality by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) - an operational outfit in the Police Force - to be civil, as they demonstrated in the state to express their grievances.

Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, on Friday, shelved official engagements and obliged the request to address aggrieved #EndSARS protesters who besieged the State House in Alausa.

Hamzat said the demonstrators’ outrage and grievance were in order and within their rights as citizens, but the Deputy Governor advised them to eschew violence and not to be unruly as their concerns would be pushed to the police authorities for action. Hamzat, who urged the protesters to leave the roads, said

R-L: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; his counterpart for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, and RRS Commander, ACP Tunji Disu, during the Deputy Governor’s address to the #EndSARS protesters at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Friday.

the State Government would not condone brutality and violation of citizens’ rights by security operatives, pointing out that the position

of the state on the matter had already been communicated to the appropriate quarters by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Deputy Governor said the state government would continue to engage the police leadership and the Federal Government to address the issues raised by the citizens and bring about needed change in the police operations.

“The tenet of the police operation is to protect the citizens. Security operatives don’t have the right to trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens, because of their unfamiliar looks, or because they are carrying laptops or iPhones. It is wrong for any police officer to expressly accuse or pronounce someone, irrespective of age, guilty because they have dreads or ride luxury vehicles.

“As a government, we support evidence-based investigations and actions driven by intelligence. The procedure of arrest and prosecution must be followed through. We are equally aggrieved like every other law-abiding Nigerian. If a young man or woman who is legitimately doing

his or her job is attacked or maimed by police officers for no reason, we will never support that. We condemn police brutality in whatever guise and we will continue to engage their leadership for change.”

Hamzat advised some of the demonstrators, who were chanting “dissolution of the police”, stressing that it would be counterproductive to pull down the entire operation of the police because of the infractions committed by a few bad eggs in the system.

He told the protesters that SARS was a special operational outfit in the police, adding that there were processes to be followed in calling for change in its operations.

Hamzat said: “We fully understand the reasons for your anger but this demonstration must also carried out in line with the law. If we employ violence or destruction to drive home our grievances, we will also be hurting ourselves.

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Here are benefits mortgage guarantee programme offers home buyers

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he highpoint of the mortgage guarantee programme is that it is coming as a homeownership enabler. That is the main advantage or benefit a home buyer has in it. It is a kind of mortgage which is given to a borrower by a lender, where an identified third party will take responsibility for the loan if the borrower defaults.

This is a new initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that holds out hope for low income earners who, ordinarily, cannot take mortgage loan because it is unaffordable to them. This explains why the delay in the implementation of the new programme is already raising concerns.

The programme is structured in such a way that once the borrower defaults, the third party receives a claim from the lender, pays the lender off, and assumes responsibility for the mortgage. This frees the potential home buyer from liabilities that are ordinarily his or hers.

Mortgage guarantee products incentivize lenders to accept loans with lower down-payments, thus increasing affordability and accessibility even to low income buyers. With increased affordability, it means more people will be brought into the mortgage net, making more money available to more home seekers.

Besides incentivizing mortgage

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lenders, a quality mortgage guarantee programme is also used to provide credit loss protection to lenders in case of borrower’s default and, according to CBN officials, a robust primary mortgage market is a synergy of several components, all working together to effect affordability and access for intending buyers.

That homeownership level in Nigeria has remained low at less than 25 percent in a country that is Africa’s largest economy, is explained more by absence of mortgage system than anything else.

The country has practically no process that supports housing development and homeownership unlike advanced societies such as England where there is a body called building society which subsidises mortgage and delivers same to home buyers either through banks or by itself.

A major problem with the mortgage system in Nigeria is accessibility and the second is clarity. When you approach mortgage banks for loan, they will begin to ask you for things that you cannot provide and so, mortgage is not accessible.

In terms of clarity, there is no unified system. It is obvious that there is no clarity in the mortgage system and if there is any such thing, it is not yet published and so people don’t know and, if people don’t know, it means such a process does not exist.

This is why the coming of mort-

gage guarantee products which exist in various forms, and are administered by different agencies are most welcome. Tokunbo Martins, director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) at CBN, explains that, “in most cases, the national government of the host country is the driver of any successful mortgage guarantee programme, which they administer either through a government agency, a private entity or a hybrid encompassing both types of entity”.

The highpoint of this programme as homeownership enabler lies in its numerous benefits. It is a product of great value to any housing market because it offers opportunity to both the supply and the demand sides of the mortgage market. It provides potential opportunity of lower down-payment for borrowers, while opening up a larger market for lenders who make the decision to finance the target population for the programme.

The importance of this programme in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized given that Nigeria is a country where typical downpayment is over 20 percent, with extremely high additional costs for regularization, titling and other home-buyer responsibilities.

“Mortgage guarantee in our market will also be used as a valuable tool to regularize and standardize

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) the market in every area from documentation to underwriting to collateralization and mortgage dispute resolution. These are major issues we need to resolve”, Martins noted in a paper she presented at a real estate forum in Abuja recently.

Continuing, she said, “one of the most important benefits of mortgage guarantee is that it has the capacity to encourage the influx of investor funds, both local and international, into the mortgage market. A well-executed mortgage guarantee programme provides comfort to intending investors by signaling the presence of standards in the industry that would likely reduce the risk of losing their invested funds”.

In addition to all these, the programme also ensures increases access to housing finance; access to higher amount mortgages; better loan rate terms; market standardization and increased consumer literacy; more stable property values, and overall more stable and improved national housing sector leading to better economy.

It also ensures reduction of credit

risk; expansion to new markets/ deepening of existing markets; reduction in capital adequacy requirements; enhanced access to financing such as portfolio risk rating, refinancing and securitization.

With all these in place, mortgages become more affordable to those who need it, especially home buyers; more people can meet their housing needs on their own; there will be financial system stability; more jobs and economic security for the citizens; better social inclusion and contentment for the citizens, and achievement of political and economic promises.

Like any other economic plan or policy, the programme which has proposed pilot project with Nigeria Mortgage Guarantee Company (NMGC) as special purpose vehicle (SPV) is not without constraints.

The project consultants, while cautiously optimistic about the viability of the project, have identified multiple constraints to its success and, according to the OFISD director, the biggest constraint is the 1978 Land Use Act.

Sanwo-Olu, Ashafa, others win awards at Thinkmint Nigeria real estate event

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overnor Babajide S a nw o - O l u o f Lagos State; Gbenga Ashafa, C E O, Fe d e r a l Hou s i n g Authority, and others have been honoured with awards

by Thinkmint Nigeria, a member of the TM Goup, during the company’s Real Estate Discussions & Awards (REDA) 2020 with the theme, ‘The real estate market: an overview of the current global

changes’.

In her welcome address, I m e l d a Us o r o - O l a o y e , managing partner of Thinkmint Nigeria, said that the conference was inspired by a need to identify those limitations handicapping players in Nigeria’s real estate market from achieving global competitiveness and improved performance of the sector as a whole.

T h e e v e nt h a d o v e r

Toke Benson-Awoyinka (r), special adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Special Recognition Award presented to her for Innovation in Public Service.

30 eminent local and international speakers from the private and public sector.

They shared insights on trends in the sector with more than 1,000 registered attendees.

Participating organisations included the Federal Housing Authority, Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Pa lt on Mor g a n G ro up, Pe r iw i n k l e R e s i d e n c e s , Cedarview Communications, Homework Development, Attarhi Nigeria and LiveVend.

In his remarks, Senator Gbenga Ashafa expressed his satisfaction with the high quality of panelists and relevance of the theme.

“As stakeholders in the real estate industr y, the theme of this program not only requires us to outline the changes that are taking place in our industry but also requires us to rethink our strategy and retool in order to meet the daily evolving needs of the consumers in line with global realities,” he said.

The organisers bestowed Lifetime Achievement Awards on Governor Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos State for his drive to raise the state’s real estate

R-L: Gbenga Ashafa receiving Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence Service, from Imelda Usoro-Olaoye, CEO, Thinkmint.

market to greater heights, and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, for his decades long commitment to improve transparency, efficiency and trust in the sector.

Receiving the award on Governor Sanwo-Olu’s behalf,

Toke B enson-Awoyinka, special adviser on Housing, reassured the audience of the administration’s commitment to “ensuring that the housing deficit being experienced in the state is a thing of the past.”

Appreciating the Special

R e c o g n it i on Aw ard for Innovation in Public service s h e c ol l e c t e d , B e ns on Awoyinka expressed her resolve to double the push for the amendment of laws guiding the sector to be allencompassing.

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SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

QUOTE: “For me people are seeing tomatoes, I’m seeing more than tomatoes, I’m seeing jobs for the youth, I’m seeing empowerment for our people, I’m seeing food security, I’m seeing exports and foreign exchange to support our GDP. So, it’s more than tomatoes first harvest but its something that we can replicate around this country.” he ab ove inspiring statement was made by the billionaire Chairman of the Wells Hosa company, Captain Hosa Okunbo, when on September 6, 2018 the first harvest of the high technology-driven Greenhouse Farm were unveiled to the public.

So, what are the features that mark it different from the rest? The answer is not far-fetched. History was made back in March 2016 when a $750million (about N150 billion) farm, designed to create 25,000 direct and 6,00 indirect jobs in Edo State, was unveiled by business

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Sunday 11 October 2020

Lessons from Wells Hosa: Nigeria’s biggest Greenhouse farm man, Captain Hosa Okunbo, at Government House, Benin City.

The Edo state-based farm happened to beWest Africa and Nigeria’s biggest hydroponic farm with 28 greenhousesand having the potential to produce 4,800 tonnes of bell pepper, tomatoes and cucumber.

Specifically, there are high quality varieties such as Red Habanero Peppers, Habanero Peppers, Red Bell Papper, Red & Yellow Bell Peppers, Beef Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes and Habanero Peppers.

The brilliant minds behind this project who happen to be members of the Advisory Board include Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbo as the Chairman, Bright Okunbo as the CEO. And Mnenena Bara-Hart as the Secretary. Others are Nosa Okunbo and Adesuwa Okunbo. So far, so great. What is significant are the noble values it has brought to the table of Nigeria’s food and nutrition security.

We l l s Ho s a e n ab l e s l o c a l production of farm produce to nourish local communities with safe, nutritious, and delicious food.

Interestingly, their fruits are picked at the height of freshness. It is therefore “on a mission to transform agriculture in Nigeria by building and operating environmentally -responsible farms”.

Fu r t h e r m ore , it s M i s s i on statement goes on to emphasize that: “We have been charting this course toward a new standard for totally-controlled agriculture since 2016. We defy traditional growing seasons by enabling local farming at commercial scale all-year round and we set a new standard for traceability by managing our greens from seed

to package’’.

All these are made possible b e c aus e t he f u l ly-cont rol le d Greenhouse farmsare well positioned to control and perfect every aspect of the color, texture, nutrition and most importantly, flavour of their produce. The hydroponic systems use a mineral-based nutrient solution to nourish all the farm produce in a soilless environment.

That means that the farms use less waterthan conventional agriculture and there is no agricultural runoff.

What these mean is that the farms keep producing various fruits irrespective of the unpredictable and freaky weather conditions.

Though they are locally grown, they are pesticide- free and ensure food safety from harvest to storage.

Good enough that the state-of-theart greenhouse farms are designed with hydroponic systems that allow for water recirculation. Let us take a closer look at the unique features of the farm.

The Layout has a total surface area of 27 hectares. The packing house is 1400 square metres with enough space to install two sorting machines, a harvest boxes warehouse, and two cool chambers with 82 pallets capacity (three 40 feet container per week).

As for the Service Module it has accurate nutrition control, automatic filtration system, computerized control for the irrigation system, and fast relief valve to protect the irrigation system. The Nursery has an area of 600 square meters, 1,000 trays to allocate 128,000 seeds producing seedlings for cycles of seven greenhouses at a time. These allow the farm to offer products the

whole year round.

The Tropical Greenhouses are specially designed for the humid tropic weather with double windows on the top help to remove hot air from the greenhouses. These are buoyed by the hydroponic substrate system with accurate irrigation system and air circulatory fans.

The benefits of hydro-ponics system include the facts that it is extremely land and water efficient.

It has ver y hig h yields with consistent, high quality produce and no agricultural run-off pest management.

Apart from food and nutrition security the N150billion farm proj e c t We l l s Ho s a h a s t h e potential to generate 85,000 jobs direct employment while indirectly employing thousands of youth and women. This is high commendable for a country groaning under the weight of high unemployment rate and several job losses. Such features gave Captain Hosa the confidence to pay a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin and present the first tomatoes harvest for his royal blessings.

Going into history, the 9,000 hectares of land was acquired in 2006, for the dream project. Hosa has partnered with his Mexican partnersto achieve his dream which he said was as something very special to him. Said he back then: “I am doing this not because of money but because of what we can give back to the society, it is a legacy project.”

It would be recalled that the Director- General of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council,(NEPC), Segun Awolowo, explained: “We started as a facilitator. The idea is to

bring investment into manufacturing and industry in Nigeria and this is a perfect example of that, partnering with Wells and Carlos Farms. Our soil is very fertile and very good. We can capture the European market.

This is a wonderful investment that will be the envy of other states and countries in Africa”.

So, what are the lessons to glean from this first-of-a-kind project in the Sub-region? It has come at the right time when the current President Muhammad Buhariled administration is harping on the importance of agriculture to diversify the revenue base away from agriculture. What more, it has appealing features to lure our youth back to the farm, but this time with modern agricultural practices.

Wells Hosa has inadvertently s h ow n t h at g i v e n t h e r i g ht environment Nigerians can dream big and bring such to fruition. The governments at both the state and federal levels should therefore, ensure that such big projects as this are supported with stable power supply, tax incentives and of course solid security. It would be painful, for instance, to learn that some hoodlums or herdsmen make their way into the farm to traumatize the farmers in one way or the other.

It is BIG kudos from us to Wells Hosa, as it marks two great years of highly successful production. We pray, as the Chairman has indicated that soon, this would be replicated all over the country.

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

Fashola beating a new path in higher institutions infrastructure Our Reporters

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here couldn’t be a more apt description for Nigeria’s dire lack of physical systems, facilities and built environment required for sustenance and economic development. It’s a situation someone has termed ‘infrastructure woes’.

It’s a condition of near total collapse of nearly all physical systems of the nation.

For many years, modest gains in infrastructure development made both in the colonial and immediate post colonial eras of Nigeria’s history were in rapid decline as government’s economic development process became increasingly unstructured and inchoate.

Tertiary education systems may have suffered the most as education budgets continued to shrink just as facilities didn’t stop to dilapidate.

Special intervention in federal tertiary education It is under this milieu that the Federal Ministry of Works and

Housing had envisioned a special intervention programme to lift the conditions of Federal Governmentowned tertiary institutions.

Just like most other sectors, these institutions, old and new, great and not so great, had suffered severe infrastructure deficits. It is to the point that the entire annual education budgets would not fix even the major roads on many Nigerian campuses.

So it was that roads in even such premier institutions like the University of Ibadan, and its affiliate University College Hospital (UCH), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Benin, among others had been give to utter dereliction, some of them starting from their imposing main gates.

Nothing tells the woe tales of a university than damaged and sometimes impassable roads within the precincts of an ivory tower.

The pictures coming out of our citadel of learning were indeed dire.

When it rains, most of them regardless of whether they may be in the north, south, east or west, become such eyesore and depressing envi-

ronments.

On account of the wretched road networks alone, hardly would any tertiary institution in Nigeria be considered for a respectable grade in a global index of schools.

This is why the recent insightful intervention by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under Babatunde Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, cannot be over-emphasised.

“This peculiar intervention is a product of deep thinking to improve education infrastructure, create

employment and even improve the economy,” says Fashola.

It is indeed a unique and worthy path to reclaim some lost sheen of our once glorious and world standard federal universities. No fewer than 44 institutions have been listed for massive improvements of their roads.

A first phase of 18 institutions spread across the six geopolitical zones was embarked upon in 2018 and they have all been completed and turned in.

The schools are the University of Ibadan and the University College

Hospital, Ibadan, Kaduna Polytechnic, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Federal College of Education, Katsina, University of Benin, Bayero University, Kano, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and Federal University, Oye, Ekiti.

Others are Federal University, Kushere, Gombe, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe, Federal University, Lokoja, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Federal University, Lafia, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, and Federal Polytechnic, Ede. Apart from other benefits this huge campus roads remediation may bring on, students are overjoyed by the improved wellbeing and aesthetics on their campuses such that they had never seen before. They are, indeed, proud to be students in tertiary schools that boast of beautiful road arteries roundabout their entire premises.

By the time the entire 44 projects are completed in a couple of years, there sure would be a fresh lease of life in our higher institutions.

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SundayBusiness

Poets Factory concludes poem competition virtually

Coca-Cola commits to post-COVID-19 sustainable environment for women, young Nigerians

...As Pupils thrill audience, cart away prizes

SEYI JOHN SALAU

Bunmi Bailey

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art of the things C o v i d - 1 9 pandemic left us with is that we could hold events, learn, as well as do so much virtually. Poets Factory’s organised final poem competition amongst a cross section of primary schools within Lagos was not left out.

This was in commemoration of World Poetry Day on March 21st.

The competition themed ‘Voices’ had the Grand Finale held via Zoom on Sunday, September 27, 2020 after an unanticipated postponement two days before the scheduled Finale (March 21st) due to the lockdown, has been a tenacious cooperation by the Convener of the event, Moyosola Olalekan who is also the Founder and Lead Creator of Poets Factory, her team, the management and teachers of the seven participating schools, parents and the eight finalist.

T h e on e - of - it s - k i n d competition featured seven primary schools which had two participants from each school making a total of fourteen entries for the poem competition. The participating schools are: Chrisland School Opebi, Caleb International School Surulere, Princeton Schools Surulere, Canadian

International School Surulere, JS Margaret Private School Surulere, Leeland Primary School Oregun and Victory Home School, Ikeja.

Poets Factory has a vision to “raise a leading global community for inspiring young poets and writers in Africa”, and a mission to “discover, nurture and develop young creative minds in Africa who would express their voices through poetry”.

They are set to change the narrative for other young wr iters and p o ets to b e discovered even at a really young age. It would be worthy of note that, a decision to proclaim March 21st as the World Poetry Day was adopted during the United Nations Educational, S cientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO’s) 30th session held in Paris in 1999. One of the main objectives set out for the day was to “support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities”.

It was also established that the observance of the World Poetry Day will encourage the return of oral tradition of poetry recitals and promote the teaching of poetry. It is in light of the above that Poets Factory commenced t h e Wo r l d Po e t r y D a y Competitions which has come to stay.

An unforgettable highlight at the preliminary stage of the competition which held on March 5th was when a 10-year old Pupil from Victory Home School Ikeja, (name withheld) recited her Poem titled: ‘Depression’. The tone of her poem, her choice of diction, content and character brought some tears from some of the Panelists. When asked why she wrote a poem with intense melancholy, the 10-year old girl who burst out in tears, said her father’s best friend suffered from depression and consequently, took his own life. This is another true life story that could be narrated, courtesy of the Poets Factory’s platform which buttresses the desire to see young scholars express their voices and not be silent either through writing or speaking as clearly stated by the convener during her opening remark.

At the Finale, there were eight finalists who competed for the prize. Going by the effective judgment of the panelist headed by Etukeno, the current Deputy Director and Vice Principal Academic for Federal S cience and Technical C ollege Yaba, supported by members of the panelist Amah-Mercy Samuel, Izuchukwu V. A. Evulukwu, Eddidiong Bassey and Toluwani Arijeniwa; the top four poets emerged namely: Ehi Mark (Chrisland School Opebi), Temitope Akinwande

(Caleb International school), O d i n c h e z o Ig b o e k w e r e (Victory Home School Ikeja), Chinatu Nnodim (Canadian International School).

It was exciting to see the winner and runners up emerge from the Maiden Edition of Poets Factory World Poetry Day Competition 2020 which was announced by Toluwani Obayan (daughter of former Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University; Lt. Professor Aize Obayan of blessed memory) are: 2nd runner up - Ehi Mark from Chrisland School Opebi, 1st runner up - Odinchezo Igboekwere from Victory Home School Ikeja, and the finale Winner of the poetry competition went to Chinatu Nno dim f rom C anadian International School Surulere.

Among the awards received by the Winner was the 1st place trophy, gold medal, certificate, free access to two Poem ebooks by Moyosola Olalekan, two hardcopy books, one-year scholarship into Poets Factory’s Virtual Poetry Club and an opportunity to be coached and mentored to write and publish a poem book in a year.

Poets Factory which is open to collaborations with L o cal and International Organisation also launched its Virtual Poetry Club for PreTeens (8-12 years) and Teens (13-18years). Their website www.poetsfactory.com can be visited for more details.

Nigerian Jay Traks wins international grant on fashion designing Modestus Anaesoronye

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ounder and creative director at Jay Traks, Trakiriowei Jacintha has won the keenly contested $5,000 growth grant as part of 360 Creative Hub’s Fashion Acceleration Program. The Grant was given by the Global Accelerator Learning Initiative, Emory University, Atlanta, at the end of a year-long monitoring and grading process that followed the Fashion Acceleration Programme.

T h e m on it or i ng an d grading was initiated to help participants of the program bu i l d t h e i r bu s i n e s s e s ; ensuring their application of the frameworks given at the Fashion Acceleration Program, with respect to established benchmarks.

Apart from winning this grant, Jay Traks also gets the opportunity to enjoy one year of Fashion Business Mentoring and support, under the ‘Designer In Residence’ program, also organised by 360 Creative Hub.

Trakiriowei Jacintha

“A lot of our homegrown designers do not understand what it means to build a brand, or run a scalable business, partly because the skills imparted at the various fashion training schools are primarily about making clothes,” said Blessing Ebere Achu CEO, 360 Creative Hub. “As a re su lt of t h i s , many designers start their businesses knowing little or nothing about marketing,

brand building and other elements of the business of fashion. This knowledge gap is what 360 Creative Hub was founded to fill through initiatives like the Fashion Acceleration Programme,” Achu added.

Trakiriowei founded the ready-to-wear line Jay Traks to stimulate a new generation of unstoppable women who are determined to be the best version of themselves

and accomplish whatever they desire in life; defying the stereotypes that limit or confine them. The brand is enjoying a growing acceptance among young working-class women in Nigeria “With a vision to create emotional connections and b ef r iend e ver y mo der n independent woman around the world in her journey towards success, Jay Traks RTW produces contemporary and Afrocentric pieces for the upwardly mobile woman that embraces her African body, giving her the right feeling of confidence and empowerment at work and beyond,” Said Trakiriowei During this period, Jay Traks will get specialised services designed to help fashion brands build brand success. This includes, Brand Development and Marketing, Manufacturing Support as well as help in building worldclass business processes. The brand also gets market access support to showcase and sell at top Fashion Concept stores and events across Africa and Europe.

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he Coca-Cola Company has created a post-COVID-19 sustainable environment initiative to help vulnerable women and young Nigerians cope with the hardship and economic loss to individuals and communities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As part of Coca-Cola’s efforts to support communities recover from the economic challenges posed by the pandemic, a post-covid economic empowerment programme tagged ‘Project Revive’ has been launched,” said Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, the public affairs, communications and sustainability manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.

According to her, Project Revive will support the economic recovery and empowerment of women and youth who have been most impacted by the pandemic.

“We have always remained committed to ensuring we achieve our environmental goals and this initiative is one of the many ways we aim to do so.

“We all have the collective responsibility of keeping our environment clean and CocaCola is committed to promoting a sustainable environment through its plastic recycling and recovery activities,” she stated.

They will be equipped with recyclables collection materials, training and access to drop-off points or recycling banks where they can exchange their recyclables for cash or household sup-

plies. “We’re resolutely focused on how we can create value and contribute best to our collective recovery like never before,” said Onyemelukwe.

She opined that Coca-Cola remains committed to ensuring the buy-in of everyone into the “World Without Waste” campaign and is much more committed to rewarding and encouraging, regardless of social class, those who participate in creating a sustainable environment for us all.

With grants of over $800,000 from the Coca-Cola Foundation to multiple local NGOs, several recycling and women empowerment programs are being implemented to address the issue of environmental protection.

As part of the initiative, a recycling bank was commissioned to aid the gathering and processing of the collected materials. “With this site, we’re very optimistic about the project as we’re working on making this a first of many,” said Aderonke Oduneye, the permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment.

According to Oduneye, the recycling bank will make collection and onward processing of recycled materials seamless and easy.

Taiwo Adewole, the executive director of RecyclePoints, said partnership with CocaCola will inform the setting up of more Recycling Banks and Drop-off Points in the country to make recycling very accessible and convenient for post-consumers to dispose their waste responsibly.

Shopagric offers investment opportunities in Nigeria’s agribusiness value-chain

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hopagric, an agritech crowdfunding firm, has birthed with the mandate of helping to curb the raising issues of food insecurity in Nigeria. The startup plans to recreate the agro-value chain, one sector at a time.

Shopagric has been in operation for over 12 months with a ranch and an agroprocessing plant located at Kuchiko-ijah, Niger state, Nigeria.

Since its inception, Shopagric has completed six major poultry farm projects, which gave birth to a production capacity of 46,000 broiler birds, one fish farm project and one rice project.

Currently, they have a 4, 000 layer bird capacity farm with a view on expanding before the end of the year to a 20,000 layers bird capacity pen fully automated.

The company also has a c at f i s h f ar m pro du c t i on capacity of 22, 000, and recently set up a functional hatchery to help increase the catfish production capacity to 100,000

by December 2020.

Wi t h t h e i n c r e a s i n g consumption of rice as a staple in Nigeria, a 60 tonne per day fully automatic rice milling

plant has been approved by the board of directors to be set up on the ranch and agroprocessing plant, in Niger state( being one of the largest riceproducing states in Nigeria).

Shopagric also has a completed and fully functional meat processing house on the ranch and agro-processing plant for the processing of all produced birds in the farm, so as to increase the value of the agro-chain in the poultry broiler production sector.

With a view on further expansion of pro duc tion capacity on the various agrosectors, a formidable and smart team had to be built; Shopagric has a staff strength of 37 young Nigerians in five different states in the country (Kano, Edo state, Abuja, Niger State and Jos).

A monthly sponsorship window which gives potentially i nt e r e s t e d i nv e s t o r s t h e opportunity to fund their e-wallet and sponsor as many units as they want online, from a range of investment opportunity; poultry farm projects at 18percent return on investment (ROI) in 18 weeks, fish farm project with a return on investment of 20percent in six months, rice processing project with an ROI of 21percent in 6 months.

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Health&Science How Nigeria can save $6 on every anti-retroviral drug purchased directly from manufacturers ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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he continued rise in price has made many essential and prescription medications unaffordable, and therefore inaccessible, by quite a large number of Nigerians, who live below the poverty line. This without doubt comes with grave consequences of morbidity and mortality to consumers of health care products in Nigeria.

To be on course to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) is saying that Nigeria expects to save $6 for every antiretroviral drug it buys from manufacturers, as against those bought through suppliers.

The non-affordability triggered by high production and supply costs encourages the sale of fake and substandard drugs in the country, while consumers who are compelled to seek cheaper drug alternatives ceaselessly fall prey to fake and substandard drugs with damage to their health.

“CISLAC/TI Nigeria gathered that the contractors currently sell the antiretroviral drugs at $13 per patient as against $7 given by the manufacturers,” said Auwal Ibrahim Musa, executive director, CISLAC According to Musa, we are also concerned that over-reliance on donor funds in the fight against HIV in the country constitutes a dangerous trend to sustainability, hence the need for the government to take full ownership in

L-R: Media Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Onyekachi Eke; Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); and Board Member, CISLAC, Adesina Oke, at the media briefing on the on going Government reforms to purchase HIV Drugs directly from the manufacturers by CISLAC and Transparency International in Lagos...on Thursday.

the prevention and treatment of HIV in the country.

He added that as the Nigerian government struggles to sustain provision of free antiretroviral drugs as part of HIV programmes at health facilities in the country for an estimated 3.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, Musa stated that this effort is mostly sabotaged by inflated prices quoted by supplying contractors, whose activities render government’s effort inadequate to eliminate the high and sometimes inequitable economic burden of HIV/ AIDS on households.

“This exorbitant prices quoted by existing contractors renders government financially incapacitated to adequately provide for, and make anti-retroviral drugs accessible across health care fa-

cilities, which records resultant regular stock-out, health hazards and relapse of illnesses. ”We observed the strong resistance by some contractors with support of some insiders to prevent the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) from buying HIV drugs directly from original manufacturers which allows the Government to put more people on treatment,” he said.

The executive director further said that CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria is perturbed by the continued but unchecked attitudes of the fraudulent contractors, whose unlawful activities hitherto dominate the procurement process of NACA. “This background informs the recent commendable decision by NACA to

purchase anti-retroviral drugs directly from the manufacturers at half the cost quoted by the contractors and middlemen to enable adequate and sustainable provision of the drugs to wider coverage within the Agency’s available resources.

“While we acknowledge NACA’s plan to establish an HIV Trust Fund driven by the private sector to support existing efforts of the government, we observe that without current support by the US Government and the Global Fund, it would cost Nigeria N50 billion to treat one million people living with HIV annually,” said Musa.

However, giving the existing costefficient practice by the United States Government and Global Fund involving direct purchase of the drugs from the manufacturers, we are worried by the ill-informed, pocket-serving and discrediting petitions by some vested interest, who have endlessly benefited from inflated prices of the drugs in the last five (5) years, to discourage the ongoing effort of NACA to directly source the drugs primarily for sustainability and wider coverage.

“Corruption in the treatment of HIV/AIDS is no different from the corruption in the health sector. In 2003, Nigeria’s ARV programmes attracted much criticism when treatment centres were alleged to be handing out expired drugs and rejecting patients,” said Musa.

He stated that in a detailed investigative news report of December 28, 2018, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that hundreds of millions of naira released for HIV campaigns, counselling and testing services

For men too, age is a barrier to fertility

ABAYOMI AJAYI, MD/CEO Nordica Fertility CENTREINFO@ABAYOMIAJAYI. COM.NG,

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hen it comes to infertility, a man’s age does matter. While you may not have a complete drop off in fertility like a woman, advanced paternal age is something that couples should be aware of. As a rule of thumb, a man and a woman must both contend with their biological clocks.

It is well known that it becomes much more difficult for a woman to become pregnant as she gets older but a man also has fertility issues with ageing.

However, this isn’t stopping you from having children later in life.

As a man you typically have changes in semen quality as you get older. Issues such as your sperm concentration, motility, and morphology all typically decrease over time. This is partly caused by your natural decline in testosterone levels.

On the average, testosterone dips by 1-2 percent per year once you hit age 30. Since testosterone plays such a strong role in spermatogenesis, it makes sense that sperm quality would see a similar decline.

Sperm DNA integrity tends to decline with age. Older men tend to have higher levels of DNA fragmentation which can lead not only to fertility difficulties, but also to higher rates of newborn birth defects. Advanced paternal age (older men having children) has been correlated with a slightly increased risk of birth defects, autism, cancer, and schizophrenia.

As couples age, they are also more likely to partake in decreased levels of sexual activity, which is directly correlated with decreased chances of conception.

The chance of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) also increases with age, though ED is typically not associated with the frequency of sex.

As a man you start to contribute to reduced fertility in your 40s. While your sperm quality doesn’t decline as quickly as a woman’s egg quality, it does drop and it can take you as an older man, longer to impregnate your wife than if you were younger.

If you are a man pursuing fertility treatment, the risk of not having a baby after IVF is more than five times higher at 41 years old or older. Note that children fathered by men older than 40 are more than five times as likely to have an autism spectrum disorder than those fathered by men under 30.

Like it or not, for a man and a woman, age is a barrier when it comes to starting a family, and the first step to making sure that you can become a father is understanding what the risks and rewards are to have a child at any age.

It is no longer a secret that male fertility generally starts to reduce around age 40 to 45 years when sperm quality decreases.

Increasing male age reduces the overall chances of pregnancy and increases time to pregnancy.

Although it is well-established that women are most fertile before 40 years, for men, there is an age-related decrease in the overall volume of semen, the total number of sperm, typical sperm morphology, and sperm motility in addition to an increase in the fragmentation of DNA. For instance, the number of motile sperm and overall sperm count begin to decline after 34 years while the number of sperm with typical morphology and concentration decrease after 40 years of age.

The underlying mechanisms of the age-related decrease in male fertility are not currently well known. It is hypothesized that such changes may be due to the increased risk of damage to the reproductive system resulting from infections or smoking due to age, reduced tissue and cellular repair of damage due to toxin or disease exposure, or due to the normal changes that occur within the reproductive system as individuals’ age.

As you age, your testes are subject to age-related structural changes even as the levels of total and free testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, decrease in line with age, increasing in the dysfunctional activity of the testes.

Most male infertility is associ-

ated with poor-quality semen, which can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from having abnormally shaped sperm, sperm that do not move correctly, and having a low sperm count.

Several other factors are attributed to male infertility. If you are trying to get pregnant as a couple, being aware of some factors and making changes where appropriate may improve your chances of conceiving.

Specific recreational drugs have been found to reduce the quality of sperm and consequently reduce fertility. While trying to get pregnant, avoid taking drugs like anabolic steroids, amphetamines and other addictive drugs.

Even cigarette smoking is not advised because it can have both a negative effect on the ability to conceive and on a newborn baby’s health. Smoking while trying to conceive can reduce fertility, and exposing a newborn baby to cigarette smoke is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome and respiratory disease.

If you have heard that the temperature of the testicles can also affect fertility, there is some truth in it. The testicles are located outside the body because they need to be around 34.5 °C compared to the rest of the body’s optimum temperature of 37 °C to produce the best quality sperm.

Note: The rest of this article continues in the online edition of Business Day @https:// businessdayonline.com/

might have ended in private pockets of contractors and government officials, as companies were specifically registered to siphon funds meant to save the lives of the infected.

“We call on the Federal Government to insist that fraudulent contractors who undermine the Public Procurement Act must be thoroughly scrutinised and discouraged from defrauding the government through inflated anti-retroviral drugs supply services.

“We also call on the newly appointed Director-General of NACA to engage stringent reforms in the Agency’s procurement process for impactful, efficient and cost-effective wider and sustainable service delivery in Nigeria,” said Musa.

Also speaking at the event, Adeshina Oke, a Legal Practitioner and a board member of CISLAC harped on the importance of good health to leadership, productive economy, and healthy citizens.

According to him, “A sick country cannot have a good leadership; neither can it have a productive economy or citizen. Hence we must get read of anything capable of deteriorating our health as a nation.

“And we cannot depend on donors forever as a country. In the long term, we must begin to look towards empowering our higher institutions for research purposes. These drugs could be a lot cheaper if they are manufactured here in Nigeria.

“Nigeria must empower her institutions so that they can be fit enough to uphold the country, should in case that day comes and funding stops coming in for purchase of retroviral drugs. And the time to start preparing is now,” Oke stated.

Over 80 percent donated bloods in Nigeria are from commercial donors –Medical expert encourage people to donate CHURCHILL OKORO, Benin blood voluntarily and to discourage commercial blood consultant Haema- donation. tologist, Marcellinus He further recommendNwagu, on Wednes- ed a well-funded National day said more than 80 per Blood Transfusion Service cent of blood utilised in (NBTS) and extension of Nigeria are received from their services to States and commercially remunerated Local Government Areas, blood donors. for an effective blood donor Nwagu made the disclo- system across the country. sure at the 3rd quarter of the He listed the benefits of Ordinary General Meeting blood donation to include of the Medical and Dental prevention of blood shortage Consultants’ Association in old age, prevention of exof Nigeria (MDCAN), Edo cessive iron deposit in vital State Hospitals Management organs, as well as prevention Board chapter, in Benin City. of heart disease.

Speaking at the scientific Earlier, Victor Ohenhen conference with the theme, Edo State chairman of MD“Blood is Life: Appropriate CAN said the topic is very use of Blood in Clinical apt amid rising issues surpractice”, he said there is rounding voluntary blood high prevalence of trans- donation, blood transfusion fusion-transmissible infec- and blood products. tions (TTI) such as Human He however, called on Immunodeficiency Virus Edo State government to (HIV) among commercially align with the federal govremunerated blood donors. ernment in implementing He noted that commercial- the Consolidated Medical ly remunerated blood donors Salary Structure (CONpose a challenge to safe blood, MESS) fully by addressing and should be phased out to the issue of skipping for the enable quality blood donation. designated grade levels.

Nwagu who is also an In his remarks, Patrick Associate Professor, depart- Okundia Edo State Comment of Haematology and missioner for Health assured Blood Transfusion in Edo that the Obaseki-led adminUniversity Iyamho, called istration would prioritise for the speedy passage of the the health sector in the next blood safety bill into law, to four years.

A

Sunday 11 October 2020

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FIFA report says transfer spending dropped by $1.9bn

Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

F

ollowing low activities in the transfer window, occasioned by the outbreak of coronavirus. Soccer clubs spent nearly $1.9 billion less than last year on international player transfers during the European summer trading window, according to FIFA report.

Disruption to the soccer industry from the coronavirus pandemic extended trading by five weeks into October. It also took billions of dollars out of the market from lost revenue in broadcasting deals and tickets sales, AFP reports.

FIFA’s transfer monitoring system recorded $3.92 billion in spending on players moving between clubs in different countries. Sales were $5.8 billion in

the shorter summer window in 2019.

Clubs have been obliged since 2010 to share financial details of cross-border player moves with the FIFA platform. It was also intended to help clean up the often murky transfer market.

European clubs were overwhelmingly the biggest spenders - paying $3.78 billion - with English clubs spending the most at $1.25 billion in the market which closed Monday. Italian clubs spent $544 million on buying players from abroad.

The money circulating showed European clubs also received $3.5 billion in transfer fees. Spanish clubs took in $672 million, Italian clubs $484 million, and $396 million went to England.

Transfer monitoring of women’s soccer became mandatory in 2018 and the recent trading period

showed the value of fees almost doubled year-on-year. FIFA said the total value of the international market from June into October was $821,800.

FIFA’s figures offer only a partial picture as they do not include transfer deals between clubs in the same country.

Still, there is a strong trend of money flowing from Europe to South America.

FIFA’s report details South American clubs receiving $295 million from international transfers and spending only $25 million.

Asian confederation clubs spent $87 million and received $62 million.

The volume of transfers also trended down from more than 9,000 international deals one year ago to 7,424 in the latest summer window.

Premier League adopts pay-perview to drive revenue

T

he Premier League is going pay-per-view in Britain for the first time in 13 years to broadcast some of the matches fans cannot attend due to the pandemic and to raise additional revenue for clubs.

Only 200 of the 380 games a season are contracted to be aired domestically despite global audiences being able to watch all of them live.

With coronavirus restrictions preventing fans attending games since March, the Premier League made every game in each round available live in its home market on Sky, BT, Amazon or the BBC. But now that the government has halted moves to bring back fans due to a spike in coronavirus infections, the clubs have decided on a new temporary system to continue making all matches available live in Britain.

For half of the 10 matches in each round, viewers will be asked to pay an additional fee of around $20 to watch them on top of their usual subscriptions for Comcast-owned Sky Sports and BT Sport.

The Premier League is already

generating $6.5 billion domestically in the 2019-22 rights cycle and $5 billion from overseas deals.

Friday’s move by the clubs was condemned by one of the faces of Sky Sports, Gary Neville, the former Manchester United and England defender who is now a leading pundit.

“This is a really bad move by the @premierleague to charge £14.95 for single matches that have been shown free for 6 months,” Neville tweeted.

The Premier League said it was an “interim solution” so fans can

still watch their teams live.

“The agreement will be regularly reviewed in consultation with clubs and in line with any decisions made by the government regarding the return of spectators to stadiums,” the league said.

“Football is not the same without supporters at matches. The Premier League and our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible.”

The Premier League last aired some games on PPV domestically from 2001 to 2007.

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31

SPORTS

Kalu, Kida fashion way forward for Nigerian basketball

S

enate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzoh Kalu has identified with the Nigeria Basketball Federation following its recent achievements which have reinforced Nigeria

as one of the emerging powerhouses in the world.

While hosting the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr Musa Kida in Abuja recently, Sen. Kalu said that the recent achievements of the federation cannot be overlooked which is an indication that Nigeria can rule the world.

The former Governor of Abia state who masterminded Enyimba FC of Aba to a back to back CAF Champions League triumph said, “I must commend you, members of your board and all stakeholders for what you have achieved so far since you came on board in 2017. It has been an exciting journey with many Nigerians really proud of what you have done in such a short time.”

Recently, the basketball culture is growing in Nigeria thanks to the suc-

cesses being recorded by our national teams as well as grassroots programs being organized by your federation.”

In his response, NBBF President, Engr Kida who recently retired as the Deputy Managing Director of Total Nigeria thanked Senator Kalu for his kind and inspiring words.

“Words like these inspire us to double our efforts to achieve more despite all the challenges associated with sports in Nigeria. With better funding, support from individuals, government and corporate organizations, we can definitely do more.”

Kida reaffirmed his commitment to bring more laurels to Nigeria.

“We have so many plans and lofty programs at the grassroots level where talents can be discovered and the next generation of stars can be discovered.

Sports is a multi-billion naira sector in Nigeria which can be well harnessed to create jobs for millions.

“To make billions from sports, there is a need for serious investment by all and sundry”, Kida concluded.

Bayern kick-off UCL defence behind closed doors

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hampions League holders Bayern Munich begin the defence of their European title behind closed doors after city officials extended the ban on fans until at least October 25.

Bayern host Atletico Madrid on October 21 in their opening Champions League group match, but the terraces at the Allianz Arena must remain empty.

Bayern’s German Cup match against fifth-tier minnows Dueren next Thursday and home league game against Eintracht Frankfurt on October 24 are also affected.

With the coronavirus numbers rising across Germany, Munich’s

mayor Dieter Reiter took the decision to keep the city’s ban on spectators.

“It is now up to all of us to keep the incidence of infection in our city under control,” said Reiter In Germany, small numbers of fans have been allowed into stadiums this season with exact crowd figures decided by the local health authorities.

However, the city of Munich has yet to give the green light.

Under current hygiene rules, the local rate of infection must be below 35 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 before fans can return to stadiums, but the figure in Munich jumped from 36.45 to 42.4 on Friday.

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Sunday 11 October 2020

Ending the SARS mentality in Nigeria

T

he recent protests against gross human rights violations, through the use of brutal force and extra-judicial killings of defenceless citizens by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across many states of the country underscores the anomaly of a political leadership that deploys force and fiat under a democratic dispensation. Indeed, the fact that the police with the constitutional mandate to protect the precious lives and property of the citizens have been turned against the freedom of association and peace of the citizenry is worrisome and reprehensible. It is a throw-back to the pre-colonial era of the oppressive mentality of using the then members of the police force to brow-beat, cow and run roughshod over the wishes of the people.

Without doubt, some our leaders need to be reminded that we are in the 21st Century Nigeria that requires civility, freedom of speech and association. While it is commendable that the Inspector-General of the Police, Muhammed Adamu has ordered members of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery (FSARS) as well as other tactical squads to desist from the stop-and-search methods and mounting of few road blocks, what has become imperative is the overhauling of the current police structure. Sustainable training and mental re-orientation is required to get a police that is more humane and people-friendly.

On their part, the protesters are demanding for the total scrapping of SARS. You cannot blame them, with not a few young Nigerians having gone through harrowing experiences of being rudely stopped along the streets for one perceived malfeasance or the other. Such issues could be as ridiculous as wearing dreadlocks, torn jeans trousers, or carrying laptops! The insidious perception from some of the misinformed police is that they are all ‘yahoo-boys’! Some have been harassed, beaten black-and-blue, with huge sums of money extorted from them. Others not so lucky have been sent to their early graves. We cannot go on like this. Hence, the several protests.

“You bowing, you crying You, dying like that one day without knowing why; You, struggling, you watching over another’s rest; You, looking no longer with laughter in your eyes; You my brother, your face full of fear and suffering; Stand up, and shout, No!” -David Diop In Lagos, it took Falz, aka ‘The Bad Guy’, a popular musician and actor,who happens to be the son of a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), along with the singer, Runtown to lead the ‘’End SARS’’protest against the gross human rights abuses, as perpetrated

by FSARS. That was after the likes of Burna Boy and Naira Marley pulled out of similar planned protests against the recent hikes in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff, in addition to police brutality respectively. Not long ago it was alleged that both Don Jazzy, ace music producer and Tiwa Savage, Nigeria’s talented songstress, were invited by the police for cautioning against deriding the government of the day! Now, Savage has come up to say that our youth should not wait for celebrities to be the arrow-heads of such demonstrations against bad governance, or clear acts of injustice. One’s instant response however, was a ‘’No!’’ The reasons are obvious. Or should be.

In fact, this situation has triggered some salient questions. All over the globe, celebrities are supposed to be role models to the millions of young people who listen to and dance to their hit songs, or watch their movies, aren’t they?

Furthermore, they are supposed to be the voices of the long-suffering masses, who keep enduring one form of maltreatment or the other, from the powers that be, should they not? And when it

comes to the Nigerian volatile social sphere celebrities also fall victims to bad governance don’t they? The answers should be obvious.

According to popular lawmaker, Shina Peller Nigerian youths have demonstrated courage and resilience with the protests.

They are doing so because of their love for the country. It is therefore, a clamour for the Inspector General of Police to do a better job.

For Obi Ezekwesili, if she was the president she would ask the IGP to tender his letter of resignation should any of the protesters be killed. But Frank Mba, the Police PRO said that people are protesting for clout!

All these remind me of none other than the iconic, Afro-music superstar, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (of blessed memory). He was one musician who did not only identify with the travails of the common man, in words and songs but walked the talk in political re-engineering. Apart from his consciencepricking and thought-provoking hit songs such as ‘Suffering and Smiling’, ‘Vagabonds in Power’ and ‘Sorrows, Tears and Blood’(STB) he sacrificed his freedom many times by speaking truth to power.

It was disheartening therefore, when in 2017 undue pressure was mounted on one of Nigeria’s longest relevant musicians, 2Face Idibia by some people in government not to go ahead with his planned protest against the sorry state of leadership in Nigeria. This was much against his fundamental human rights. So, I ask myself-for how long would the youths, who are victims of self-serving, greedy, nepotistic and ethno-centric governance, keep quite in the midst of preventable poverty? For how long would they be denied ample space in the political spectrum by geriatricpoliticians? For how long, one cannot but ask?

According to Section 214(1) of the 199 Constitution, the role of the Nigeria Police includes the power to arrest offenders, with

AYO OYOZE BAJE Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘Drumbeats of Democracy’

unimpeachable evidence; the power to prevent crime occurrence, and protection of lives and property of the citizens. Others include power for crime detection, to maintain law and order in the society, and to investigate matters pertaining to crime. Under Section 40, every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons.

Going beyond these provisions to erroneously assume that all rough-looking Nigerian youth is a criminal is debasing. To continue to intimidate and inflict psychological and physical injuries on the future Nigerians is antithetical to the tenets of democracy. Those in political positions that control the affairs of Nigerians should focus their attention on identifying and removing the root causes of youth restiveness, yahoo-yahoo syndrome, kidnapping for ransom, cultism, drug trafficking and addiction. If they were gainfully engaged would they be so malleable to sundry crimes?

Besides, it would do the nation better if politicians get to office and stop using the SARS mentality of might-is-right in forcing anti-people policies on the citizenry. Doing so would not allow the people to divulge vital information on internal insecurity to the police, thereby leading to increase in crimes and criminality. Prevention, as the wise ones say, is cheaper and better than cure.

Why Osinbajo’s new rage over SARS is shocking

IKEDDY ISIGUZO .Isiguzo, a major commentator on minor national issues, writes from Abuja.

W

ho remembers how enraged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was and what he said about the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, only two years ago? A quick reminder would be appropriate.

Osinbajo as Acting President in a press statement of Tuesday 14 August 2018, Laolu Akande, his media aide authored, which The Punch, among other media published, stated these: “Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any unit that will emerge from the process will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.

“The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects.

“The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty. In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a special panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in

order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress.”

Nigerians applauded a new SARS. The headlines praised Osinbajo’s sagacity, can-do attitude, and listening ears.

Ibrahim Kpotum Idris was InspectorGeneral of Police then. Is it possible that the directives were domiciled with Idris whose tenure ended about a year ago? Idris is gone; we have to start all over.

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has made several SARS statements since succeeding Idris.

One more statement after meeting with Vice President Osinbajo would not cost the IG any discomfort.

It is not as if Adamu was not in the police management team when the Acting President issued those clear instructions. The difference could be in him hearing them as IG. What changed after two years of the Acting President’s order? Were the orders temporary in line with the status of Osinbajo’s office then? We would still hear about SARS. The government would issue more directives and the people would complain. Would we continue that way?

Are SARS operations nationwide? The preponderance of complaints appears to be from certain parts of Nigeria. The investigations should look at the coverage of the operations, SARS training that results in the brutalities, and clearer mandates for SARS. Sunday 5 October 2020, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, and other media published Laolu Akande’s SARS statement on behalf of the Vice President, a Professor of Law: “The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong. It is unlawful and illegal, and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted. ”Today, I had a meeting with the IG and we reviewed several of these issues. The President is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform. You are probably aware that the IG

has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery. For example, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones.

“Cybercrime is an electronic crime. I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars. He has said clearly that policemen must wear police uniforms. You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed. So, clearly, a reform is in the offing”.

One would almost think the Vice President was addressing a fresh matter. No reference was made to the Human Rights Commission in the latest reform. Whatever happened to the investigation that the acting President ordered two years ago? Were his orders ignored? Has everyone forgotten?

When will the running circles end?

Sunday’s statement was weak compared with that of 2018. Even the more emphatic 2018 statement did not stop the killings.

How could it when the suspects were never punished? Many of the stories about SARS from rural Nigeria do not make it to the media.

Do we draw any confidence from the Vice President’s confirmation that President Muhammadu Buhari was very concerned about the atrocities of SARS? What comfort does the knowledge provide?

Politicians hungry for media attention have discovered that SARS makes news.

Have we also forgotten all the buzz around the death of Tiamiyu Kazeem, a young footballer with Remo Star Football Club that SARS killed on Saturday 22 February 2020?

The House of Representatives on Thurs-

day 5 March 2020 asked its Committees on Police Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights to investigate and ensure that “justice is not only done but seen to be done.” Inspector Olaniyi Ogunsoro, the officer who was involved in the death of Kazeem, was reportedly dismissed.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun confirmed on his official social media account that the perpetrator behind the death of the footballer has been arrested in which justice must be done. Has justice been done?

SARS and the anti-kidnapping units have their roles cut out. They are doing great jobs.

They have simply run out of span. Maybe, those who they saved do not speak enough.

What can we do without them? What will we do with them?

Nothing in my position suggests that the stories about SARS are not true. They are and their frequency, the depth of the brutalities, the absence of deterrent measures on officers who step out of line are obvious. These hint at lack of supervision. Apparently, nobody is concerned enough about SARS to act beyond words or realise that drastic actions need to be taken.

Challenges we face are with the police.

SARS and other special units manifest the larger malaise of the police. Unless the police are overhauled – not change of uniform, not just wearing name tags, not one day of stated intentions, not pretences at anger – we would hear more from SARS, but unfortunately they would be the same sad stories that pre-dated the Buhari administration.

In addressing these issues, we must avoid cutting the head as cure for headache.

Nigerians are distressed that after two years, an acting presidential order, numberless end SARS marches, numerous media reports of SARS brutalities, our government of change cannot change the police.

Our government prefers to blame SARS. Surprisingly, someone has forgotten to blame Goodluck Jonathan for SARS.

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