BusinessDay 18 Aug 2019

Not in our DNA, but environment The challenge not that of talented citizens, but of poisonous environment Nigerians’ exploits abroad show what is possible ZEBULON AGOMUO

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n recent times, a number of Nigerian citizens have been recognised abroad with high profile appointments in various fields of endeavour.

The Federal Government has always sent congratulatory messages to them for “making Nigeria proud”.

Recently, Olurotimi Badero, Nigerian-American, was named as the only combined cardiologist and nephrologist (heart and kidney specialist) in the world. Nigerian Yakubu Nura recently emerged winner of the world physics competition. Kennedy Ekezie, an indigene of Imo State, was recently honoured by Queen Elizabeth

11. The 20-year-old young man was honoured for raising over $2million (two million dollars) to start mentorship programme for young Africans all over the world.

One important denominator in all of these appointments, exploits and recognitions is that those Continues on page 4

How Taraba killings expose frightening compromised security architecture INNOCENT ODOH, Abuja

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he kidnapping and allied criminal activities bedeviling Nigeria have more intensely unraveled in bigger dimensions compromised security agencies of the Nigerian state with the killing of three police officers and a civilian, by Continues on page 4

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Gas dispute: London court Kogi guber primaries: Is APC ?? GTB’s corporate action orders P&ID to seize $9bn lifts half-year interim inching towards Zamfara dividend to N71bn Nigerian assets p.7 p. 18 episode? inside

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Nigerians to Buhari: Allow your ministers to perform Say, his ‘overbearing influence’ may jeopardise performance

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ZEBULON AGOMUO

Addressing the exponential rates of suicide in Nigeria p. 30-31

gainst the backdrop of allegations that most of the immediate past ministers did not live up to expectation on their vari-

ous beats because President Muhammadu Buhari did not allow them free hand to do their job, Nigerians have urged the President to trust the incoming ministers by allowing them discharge their duties without encumbrances.

In line with the timetable released by the Presidency, the minister-designates would be having a two-day retreat starting from Monday, August 18,2019.

Observers say that no amount of retreat would do any magic

unless there is a remarkable shift from the old order, and the willingness of the President to grant them the latitude to do their job without “suffocating them with

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Peter Obi flaunts his US visa issued May 2019

…wonders motive of allegation he was denied visa

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eter Obi, a former vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has a subsisting United States of America (USA) visa issued to him in May this year, BusinessDay can confirm.

BusinessDay findings show that Obi, the former two-term governor of Anambra State, never applied for Continues on page 7

Ahmad Lawan, Senate president on Friday led a delegation of senators to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. Among those in the delegation were Abdullahi Yahaya, senate leader; Ajayi Borrofice, deputy senate leader; Sabi Abdullahi, deputy whip; Enyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader; Philip Aduda, minority whip and Sahabi Ya’u, deputy minority whip.

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Nigerians to Buhari: Allow your ministers ...

Continued from page 1 his overbearing influence.”

It was alleged that many of the past ministers had no access to the President and that they could only submit proposals through Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the President. These were said to have hindered optimal performances by the ministers.

There were also allegations that some past ministers ran into road blocks with the Office of the Chief of Staff that was said to have been difficult to penetrate. It was also alleged that on many instances, a lot of ministers did not get to see the President one-on-one to discuss important programmes of their ministries.

“I think from what we heard in the last administration, a number of the brilliant ministers failed because they did not have the necessary approval from the President. You may have great idea; if it is not financially backed, it would not fly. That was the situation the other time, or at least, what was alleged,” James Ajayi, a Lagos-based consultant, said.

“If what we heard is anything to go by, it would mean that no amount of retreat and w o r k s h o p w i l l d o. Th e n e w orientation that can work is for the President himself to have a change of attitude and set a target for each and every one of them. Those targets must have timelines and must be supervised to put them on their toes. There should be proper communication with the Nigerian people on who is drawing the country back or those doing great. Rumours thrive when there is no proper communication. Those who think it is business as usual should be shown the way out as soon as they show signs of non-performance.

Nigerians are in a haste to see real governance. Excuses will no longer be tenable,” Ajayi said.

Recall that the President had said that the incoming ministers would be guided to meet the targets of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government for the people. The President was quoted as saying recently that regular monitoring of their performances and scaling up of targets would be done by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, giving the assurance he would ensure compliance with laid down targets on key sectors of the economy that would directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians.

The Presidency had also said that among other issues to be discussed at the retreat include acquainting the appointees with the roadmap for delivery of government’s priorities and next level agenda (2019-2023), as well as deepening the understanding of participants on best practices in conducting government business.

Some Nigerians have however, expressed the pessimism that going by Buhari’s penchant to take military-like actions and decisions, he could incapacitate his cabinet by his actions and inactions.

Many Nigerians have raised eye brows over the recent Presidential directive on food import ban, wondering if the President

had the power to give such a unilateral order in a democracy.

President Buhari had flatly ordered Godwin Emiefele, the CBN governor: “Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country”!

But Kingsley Moghalu, a prof e sso r a n d a f o rm er deput y governor of the CBN, who recently contested the presidential election on the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), said: “The Central Bank Act of 2007 makes it clear that the bank is independent. It is not supposed to be taking direct instructions from politicians. The trajectory in this administration is that we have seen a very clear tendency for the President to d i r e c t p e o p l e . I n c r e a s i n g l y, Nigeria’s institutions have lost independence.”

The President, who is yet to inaugurate his 43-member cabinet, has been accused of being in a hurry to take a decision that has far-reaching implication for the country and the people, without adequate and appropriate consultations.

Bismarck Rewane, an economist and the head of consultancy firm, Financial Derivatives, reacting to the forex ban on food import, wondered if the policy emanated from a holistic, cross-pollination of ideas after the rubbing of minds from the relevant stakeholders such as farmers, food processors, marketers, the Customs Service as well as the Ministry of Agriculture across the country?

Rewane, an astute economist, who has in recent times been consulted by the Presidency to render some services, had expected government to be democratic enough in its decisions. He was the Technical Advisory Committee on Implementation of the National Minimum Wage.

Daramola Akinwale, a systems analyst, expressed the optimism that the yet-to-be- inaugurated ministers would perform better than their immediate predecessors, saying that he expects the Buhari administration to be more circumspect this time around than in his first term.

“I think that no matter the posturing in public, government knows its weak points. The drivers of the APC government cannot beat their chests and say they have acquitted themselves well in governance since 2015.

However, I see something great coming out of the incoming cabinet through conscious efforts to do things right this time around.

It is against this backdrop that I sincerely wish them successful outing in their retreat tomorrow and next,” Akinwale said.

To make an appreciable impact this time around, an insider source in the Presidency told BDSUNDAY that the President would even benefit the more by allowing the ministers unfettered access to discuss with him about their programmes.

“These people are coming from different fields with robust experiences. He must also value their contributions and in his own interest, tap into their wealth of experiences. He can enrich himself through these great ideas.

After all, when they succeed, he takes the credit,” the source said, pleading anonymity.

L-R: Ope Adedeji, moderator and managing editor, Zikoko; Peju Ibekwe, marketing manager, Sterling Bank; and Lesley Nneka Arimah, winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Africa and author, ‘What It Means When A Man Falls From The Sky’, at #In Conversation With Arimah, a book reading event hosted by Café One in collaboration with Farafina Books in Lagos.

Cafe One hosts Arimah, 2019 Caine Prize winner

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afe One, Nigeria’s first digital, hybrid experience centre by Sterling Bank Plc, recently hosted award winning Nigerian writer, Lesley Nneka Arimah, in collaboration with Farafina Books. She is the author of a collection of short stories titled, ‘What It Means When A Man Falls From The Sky,’ which won the 2019 Caine Prize for Africa.

Café One, dubbed as a place where innovation meets community, was designed for comfort and equipped to provide banking services with ease and convenience. The space boasts of serving the best coffee and pastries in Lagos, provided in partnership with gourmet coffee brand, My Coffee Lagos.

According to Tobi Jaiyesimi, business manager, Cafe One, the book reading event tagged ‘In Conversation with Arimah,’ is one of the ways through which

the platform is connecting with its community of innovators who are desirous of upping their craft.

The session was anchored by Ope Adedeji, managing editor at Zikoko, who quizzed the author on the inspiration behind the themes explored in her stories, her journey as an author, her mentors, hobby, among others.

Responding, Arimah said she was elated when her work was selected as the winning entry in the Caine Prize for Africa writing competition. She told the audience that she tries to follow human logic while writing, saying “it is good we are telling our stories by ourselves.” She said the inspiration for the book came from an observation she had with a friend.

On how to publish quality writings, she enjoined the audience made up of budding writers to read voraciously in a bid

to get ideas on what to write on, make note of ideas as they come, try not to put too much pressure on their works and also try to internalise their ideas. ‘ W h a t I t Me a n s W h e n A Man Falls From The Sky,’ was published in 2017 and explores the ties that bind couples, families, lovers and friends to one another and to the places they call home.

Arimah is a Nigerian writer who has been described as “a skilful storyteller who can render entire relationships with just a few lines of dialogue” and “a new voice with certain staying power.”

She was born in London in 1983 and grew up in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) before moving to the United States (US) in her early teens.

In 2015, her story ‘Light’ won the 2015 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Africa.

Chibuikem Uzochukwu, assistant brand manager, Eagle Brand, International Breweries; Femi Adebayo, Trophy brand ambassador; Johan Gouws, Breweries operations director, International Breweries, and Joseph Ohonyon, Ilesa Plant manager, International Breweries, at the commemoration of Brand Day at the Ilesa Brewery Plant in Ilesa, Osun State.

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Not in our DNA, but ...

Continued from page 1

involved were raised abroad, not in Nigeria!

They have the black Nigerian gene, but their intellect was honed abroad. It means that there is nothing wrong in being a Nigerian; the limiting factor has been the environment.

It is the environment that does not enable citizens to live out their potential; but kills dreams.

In the sports arena, all those that have been celebrated as having made their mark in their chosen sports, reached their peak offshore. They were discovered with great talents, but such talents would have died had they stayed in Nigeria. They got signed on to clubs abroad and had a success story. Today, many Nigerian sportsmen and women are in various parts of the world wearing the national colours of other countries and doing great exploits.

The Nigerian environment has continued to limit many citizens so much that the rate of emigration is growing exponen-

tially. People want to relocate to Canada, London, America, Australia, Ukraine, and to many other countries of the world.

Just recently also, Kemi Badenoch, became the only African woman appointed as United Kingdom minister by the new British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Badenoch is only 39!

United Kingdom is appointing youths into government positions, while the Nigerian government is busy recycling geriatric who have been in politics all their lives.

Although government has always made life difficult for people to land good opportunities or to live out their potentials in the country, they are always ready to own and appropriate the success of Nigerians abroad. Although through nepotism, they put down those qualified for jobs while filling job vacancies with mediocre people; they are always quick to “celebrate” appointments done by merits (abroad) and by a people who hate cutting corners.

Congratulating Ralph Akinfeleye, a foremost Mass Commu-

nications lecturer, on his recent election into the World Journalism Education Council, President Muhammadu Buhari, had, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Federal Government will always appreciate those who bring honour to the country, particularly in the areas of scholarship and other lofty endeavours.

The statement added that the election of the University of Lagos don in Paris, France, witnessed the “hoisting of Nigeria’s flag proudly once again in the international arena.”

In what appears to have a perfect bearing on the Nigeria story, Mensa Otabil, founder of the International Central Gospel Church, in a keynote address at Albert Ocran’s Springboard Convocation programme, stunned his listeners.

In his illustration, Otabil gave a parable of Onions and why Mark Zuckerberg is richer than Ghana, saying that environment plays a huge role in shaping the lives of citizens and in determining what they become ultimately.

He told his audience that Zuck-

How Taraba killings expose ...

Continued from Page 1 soldiers in Taraba State allegedly to rescue a kidnap kingpin.

The policemen drafted from the Intelligent Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had embarked on covert operation to arrest a prominent kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala (alias Wadume).

The police officers came under a barrage of gunfire by soldiers after, while the kidnap kingpin disappeared in inexplicable circumstances, fuelling speculations that the soldiers had come to rescue the alleged kidnapper, whose arrest may have exposed the link some nefarious security operatives have with criminals in the society. Hamisu Bala, the man at the centre of controversy between the police and the army, is said to be generous from the proceeds of his crime and is said to be well connected.

However, the killing of the police officers said to be among the best in cracking issues of kidnapping and allied forms of criminality has triggered a bitter face-off between the police and the army and increased tension of a possible reprisal by the police. Although President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered investigation into the matter, the army statement that its men shot at the police officers because they perceived them as kidnappers appears less believable.

Speaking to BDSUNDAY on Friday, a security analyst and columnist, Majeed Dahiru, described the situation as disturbing, adding that if it is not properly handled it could degenerate into total chaos.

Nigerians have continued to wonder how a most wanted criminal suspect was allegedly set free by soldiers and in the process killing men of a sister security agency.

This further gave credence to the belief that there was ulterior motive of the callous act exposing a clear collaboration between

security officials and organised crime in Nigeria.

The situation appears more threatening situation especially now that the police are enraged and threatening reprisal.

According to Dahiru, “It is indicative of a total collapse of Nigeria’s security infrastructure to such an extent that we have noticed credible evidence of infiltration within the rank and file of the forces and men of the Nigerian security across board and that is why insecurity becomes intractable among many other reasons.

So, there is a nexus between this infiltration and the intractability of the current high rate of insecurity of the Nigerian state and it is something that gets all of us worried, and this a complete failure of governance at the highest level.

“That we can even think of the fact that the police can go on reprisal and we have seen rising tempers among sister security agencies and their bickering among each other, it is also an indication of failure of governance. Also, the failure of impartial enforcement

of law and order as it concerns the civilian populace is what we are seeing in the security circle because there is no justice.”

According to the security analyst, “This has happened few days that members of the elite IRT police, who have displayed some level of competence in combating armed criminality and kidnapping were murdered by soldiers that should defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and up till now we are still dilly-dallying, committees are being set up, this is a clear case of extra-judicial murder of police officers in the line of duty.”

He noted that by now, the army should have swung into action to arrest those involved in this crime, adding that this is the only way the police officers will not begin to take the laws into their hands by carrying out reprisal attacks or even defending themselves against brutality of the army.

“The Nigerian army must understand that it is not a gangster organisation. We have seen soldiers behaving in roguish manner

erberg, a 31-year-old computer programmer, is richer than him (Otabil), his wife; richer than President Mahama and the MPs and richer than all Ghanaians combined.

Otabil pointed out that Zuckerberg is not more intelligent than the thousands of computer programmers in Ghana, but the American has a better environment; a country of opportunities.

“What is the difference between Zuckerberg and you; Steve Jobs and you? Otabil asked rhetorically. “It is not brains, it is the environment,” he answered sullenly.

In another story, Otabil said he read in a book, of a US company seeking to grow onions that will not sting the eyes. For a man who had shed onion-stinging- tears in the past from his kitchen in Accra, he will certainly wonder how an American company will grow new species of onions without its notorious characteristic. But the ‘useless’ book he was reading in the plane suddenly became useful, revealing, that the new species of onions will be planted in a ‘nonin a constitutional democracy, it is unacceptable; it creates a situation where the victims will have no choice but to defend themselves with arms available to them and that will be anarchy because both forces are equally armed.

“Going forward, I think we must begin to review our security architecture because the role of soldiers should not be internal security operations. In fact, soldiers are not supposed to appear in the midst of civilians in military uniform except in the line of duty when it is absolutely necessary.

We should begin to reform and re-equip the police force and have them take complete control of internal security because no country uses soldiers for internal security,” he said.

Nigerians are still grappling with this disturbing Taraba incident as some have linked the rampant and ceaseless banditry in the northern parts of the country to alleged collaboration with compromised security system of the country. Last year, former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Danjuma, a retired Lieutenant-General, had warned the nation that the incessant attacks against indigenous farmers across the nation by the Fulani cattle herders, receive

L-R :Oluwatoyin Adegbite-Moore, executive director, West Africa; Yemi Cardoso, former Lagos State commissioner for physical planning; Kayode Fayemi, governor, Ekiti State ; Adeyemi Dipeolu, special adviser to the president on economic matters , and Christian Jahn, executive director, Inclusive Business Action Network (IBAN), at the African Policy Road Show ,themed , building Robust Policies for Increased Social Investment and Inclusive Business in Lagos.

Pic by Pius Okeosisi

sulfuric ground.’

He learnt a new thing. Onions sting eyes because they are always grown and nurtured in a soil full of sulfur but the US company is coming with a new offer. “The reason why the onions will not sting people’s eyes is because it was going to be grown in sulfurfree soil,” he said.

“It is not the nature of onions to sting eyes. It is the environment it is nurtured in that makes it sting eyes. It struck me that a person can be so good but if he is planted in a wrong environment, he is going to turn up so bad,” Otabil said.

He wondered how much sulfur was in the Ghanaian environment that made many dreams, business break down in tears.

“What have we put in the environment, in the soil that is killing the dream of young men and young women? How can people go to university and for years and not know what to do? How can people with potential not fulfill their potential?

No matter how big the dream is, Otabil says if the environment is without a sulfur-free soil, you will achieve something, but ultimately you will become the village champion amongst global players. some cover and collaboration from the military.

Danjuma had said that the military are “colluding with bandits to kill innocent Nigerians and that “they (military) guide their movement, they cover them”, warning Nigerians that if they don’t defend themselves against the killer herdsmen, they “will die one by one” as the military cannot protect them.

Describing the Taraba episode as a poignant incident, Segun Adeniyi, spokesman of former president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said: “That, perhaps, explains why many Nigerians believe the killing of the policemen in Taraba has more to do with the protection of the kidnap suspect now at large than the spurious claim of any attempt to free some kidnap victims.”

He also expressed worry that there is now genuine fear of the “growing linkages between our security agencies and subversive activities. The high level of corrupt tendencies among the high echelon of our national security has already been exposed by the EFCC investigations of service chiefs in the immediate past administration. Equally worrisome is the dangerous tendency by security personnel to treat weapons issued to them as instruments for advancing their private interests,” Adeniyi said.

According to him, the “Taraba debacle has also brought to the fore some salient issues that need to be addressed in the interest of our collective safety. The unhealthy rivalry among these security agencies, fuelled largely by a needless fight over turf between their leaderships, has become a serious national security threat.”

The police are still seething in anger over the killing of their officers and are said to be poised for reprisal. Even the Army headquarters has warned its men to only wear mufti in public to avoid confrontation with the infuriated policemen. The tension is high and only a thorough probe into the matter and bringing the culprits to book will douse it.

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Group takes campaign for women political participation to Rivers East

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etermined to see a remarkable improvement in the participation of Niger Delta women in political leadership at the national, state and local levels, an NGO known as Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) has created a platform to facilitate mobilisation of community women for political participation.

The platform known as Women in Governance Network (WIGN) was inaugurated recently in the Rivers East senatorial district of Rivers State during a town hall meeting organised at Ahoada by the NGO with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria. The town hall meeting was attended by women from different communities who were convinced that there is need for women to get involved in decision making at all levels of governance.

David Vareba, who co-facilitated the town hall meeting with Queen Agba and Marsha Nwanne on behalf of CEHRD disclosed that the platform was necessitated by the need for a common space where women who have interest in political leadership could converge to harvest ideas.

He noted that the platform would help foster unity among women necessary for them to compete effectively with their male counterpart for governance space given the patriarchal system in place in the society. Membership of the network cuts across all political formations, Vareba said, adding that they share the same objectives and goals of emerging as part of political decision makers in their localities.

During the town hall meeting, the participants commended CEHRD and the Dutch Embassy for the initiative, saying it is a welcome development.

NLNG boosts healthcare in Bonny with health insurance scheme Ignatius Chukwu

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fundingmechanism that would boost access to health care funding has been introduced in Bonny by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The company said this would boost access to healthcare.

The scheme is said to be a partnership initiative between the NLNG and the Rivers State Government as well as the Grand Bonny Kingdom.

According to new head of corporate communications, Sophia Horsfal, the scheme was inaugurated by the Governing Board of the Bonny Community Health Insurance Programme, kicking off a scheme to ease financing and access to quality health care in Bonny Kingdom.

The inauguration, which took place at the Rivers State Government Secretariat, is said to come after the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State Government and NLNG. The event was graced by a Bonny chief, Haniel Jack Wilson Pepple, representative of the king and Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III. It was also attended by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Caroline Wali; members of the Bonny Chiefs’ Council; and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and NLNG. In her remarks, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, NLNG’s general manager for Exter-

nal Relations and Sustainable Development, said the Health Insurance Programme was part of the company’s efforts to promote good health among people who have been good hosts and who have maintained a peaceful coexistence with the company since the commencement of its operation in 1999.

She remarked that the tripartite MoU signed in February 2019 defined the components of the scheme and secured government’s endorsement and support for the programme.

“The MoU has provided the basis for the inauguration of the Governing Board for which we are gathered here today. The Board is expected to oversee the smooth operation of the scheme, in line with the provisions of the MOU. It is important to state that the Bonny Community Health Insurance Programme aligns with the Bonny-Dubai vision, as well as the United Nation’s vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by the year 2030,” she said.

Fatayi-Williams said NLNG’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, like scholarships, youth empowerment schemes, local capacity development initiatives, and provision of basic infrastructure and amenities, have had direct impact on lives in Rivers State and the nation at large.

She expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government for approving the use of the government-owned Bonny Zonal Hospital, Bonny Comprehensive Health Centre and the Finima Health Centre for the scheme.

‘Lack of transparency in asset declaration, bad governance responsible for corruption in Nigeria’ ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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articipants in a oneday workshop on mobilising stakeholders for improved accountability and good governance through asset declaration have identified bad governance and lack of transparency in asset declaration as being responsible for the high level of corruption in the country.

“Stakeholders affirm that across the country, corruption is taking a high toll on human development with increasing devaluation of the quality of living and a decline in access to the essentials of life,’’ the participants noted.

Inacommuniquéreleased at the end of the workshop, the stakeholders observed that Nigerians “are becoming despondent in the face of corruption by public officials across the country”, adding that they “are enthusiastic to see increasing fortunes in the creative ways of tackling

corruption one of which is by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

They noted that Corruption cannot be isolated from economic exclusion and lack opportunities especially for younger people, vulnerable communities like people with disability and indigenous communities “who daily face the difficult brunt of redundancy, poverty and associated despair even in the face of reckless display of ill-gotten wealth by public officials.”

According to them, the fight against corruption is

undermined by “elements of despondency characterised by ethnicity, religion and parochial divisions fanned by primordial solidarity, while corruption is ethnic and religion neutral.”

They identified declaration of assets as a key component in the fight against corruption as contained in the Fifth schedule of the 1999 Constitution as the CCB in its 14 established rules, provided the legal framework for all public office holders regarding Asset Declaration.

“Nigerians are well known as outstanding cus-

todians of high profile assets in Dubai, Europe, Asia and America whereas many of these asset owners are public officials who may have siphoned public funds for acquisition of private assets.”

It observed that the Code of Conduct Bureau has performed below public expectation in tracking illicit assets and that the establishment of the Bureau remains one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria and expressed dismay that public officials have continued to undermine, subvert and bypass the CCB rules through false declarations, phantom claims linked to questionable loans, in the face of the proceeds of corruption being increasingly used to acquire assets.

“Declaration of Assets through the Code of Conduct Bureau and compliance of public officials is one of the most effective ways of fighting corruption as contained in Schedule 1 of the 1999 Constitution,’’ the communiqué noted.

Guard against inflammatory statements in Kogi – Abdul tells politicians VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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dris Miliki Abdul, the e x e cu t ive dir e ct o r, Conscience for Human Ri g h t a n d C o n f l i c t

Abdul

Resolution (CHRCR) has urged politicians aspiring to contest governorship election fixed for November 16, to shun inflammatory statements, utterances on electronic, print and social media that are capable of heating up the polity and aggravate electoral violence in the state.

Abdul made the call in a statement he issued to journalists in Lokoja, in which he also called on nongovernmental organisations (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations in the state to collaborate and partner with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the task of organising free, fair and

credible election. “ Th e e a r l y w a r n i n g signs indicate that there are intra- and inter-party rivalry that could lead to electoral conflict that maybe dangerous to the political environment,” he said.

“We call on all aspirants and their supporters, political parties and their members to henceforth, stop pronouncements that can aggravate electoral crises in the state. They should realise that politics is not a do-or-die affair and all hands must be on deck to facilitate the process that will lead to peaceful conduct of the coming governorship election,” he said.

Abdul further said: “We call on the security agents, particularly the Nigeria Police, to urgently organise meetings with all registered political parties, and other r elev a nt sta keholder s that will look into and put machinery in place which will reduce or ensure outright stoppage of utterances, inflammatory statements that can aggravate the current relative peace ahead of the governorship election.

“We call on the media not to engage in sensational and speculative reportage as not to allow politicians across board, to take undue advantage of progressive and liberal media in Nigeria.

Umuahia Rotary Club empowers 5 Abians with micro credit grant

…Pays school fees for 4 best students UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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keleOchiabuto,newly installed president of Rotary Club Umuahia North District 9142, Nigeria, has assured Abians of the readiness of the club to continue to empower them through the club’s micro credit scheme.

Ochiabuto, who gave the assurance at the banquet hall, Kolping Society of Nigeria, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, shortly after taking the mantle of leadership as the 4th president of the club, expressed the optimism that the beneficiaries of the

scheme would be lifted from their current economic status to live a better life.

Beneficiaries of the micro credit scheme of the club’s economic and community development project include Oluchi Iroegbu, Dorathy Chinenye Chidowe, Chinatu Stella Ofoegbu, Nwakauru Enyeribe and Adanma Okezie.

“What we have done today is our little way of giving back to the society in a bid to connect the world,” Ochiabuto said.

“As Rotarians, it will not be good enough to give only what we have left over or what we can spare, but we

must truly give of ourselves with new vigour in support of the ideals of Rotary.

“We hope that the beneficiaries of our micro credit scheme will be lifted from their current economic state to live a better life. By so doing, we are keying into one of the Rotary’s areas of focus which is economic and community development, and this is the joy we share in Rotary,” he further said.

The Rotary president, while addressing four students drawn from four Secondary schools in the state for excellent performance in academics, said that the token sum would assist them in pay-

ing their school fees as part of the club’s basic education and literacy project.

He told the beneficiaries, Okafor Chinyere (J.S. 1) overall best academic student in Junior Secondary School; Ibeawuchi Oluomachi (S.S. 1) overall best academic student in Senior Secondary School; Ononiwu Rejoice (J.S.2) neatest student in school; and Okunammiri Samuel, overall best student in all the J.S 2 classes that, “Instead of using our wealth to cause divisions and confusions in our communities, let’s rather channel it to laudable projects that can positively touch the society”.

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Gas dispute: London court orders P&ID to seize $9bn Nigerian assets ...FG set to appeal judgment …May be awarded more claims in pending legal disputes OLUFIKAYO OWOEYE

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ondon-based court has granted the prayers of Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) seeking to seize $9 billion in assets from the Nigerian government over an aborted gas deal.

The Federal Government has, however, instructed its lawyers to appeal against the judgment. In a statement released on Friday evening, Dayo Apata, the solicitorgeneral of the federation and permanent secretary, federal ministry of justice, said Nigeria will seek for a stay of execution.

This is one out of several pending claims brought against it by local and foreign companies. According to bond prospectus of the government issued in November last year, the country faces as much as $9.8 billion (N2.99 trillion) in legal claims P&ID in 2012, took the Nigerian government to arbitration over the failure of the gas deal and won the award, which was based on what it could have earned during the 20-year agreement.

In February 2017, the arbitration tribunal awarded $6.59 billion against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, plus interest which is $2.3 billion as of 12 November 2018 for failing to appear in court.

According to sources, the inability of Nigerian government to show up in court to defend itself led to the presiding Judge giving a default ruling which is a binding judgment in favour of (P&ID).

Prior to the ruling, counsel to the Nigerian government argued that the award should not be enforced because England was not the correct place for the case, and even if it were, the amount awarded was “manifestly excessive.”

The London tribunal, on July 3, 2014 found out that it had jurisdiction to decide whether it had jurisdiction over the case, the capacity of the ministry to enter the agreement for Nigeria and the validity of the agreement, considering P&ID’s incorporation in the British Islands, rather than Nigeria.

The tribunal found that it had jurisdiction under the United Kingdom’s Arbitration Act 1996, that the agreement between the parties was valid and that the petroleum ministry had the authority to enter the agreement.

P&ID in March 2018, commenced proceedings in England to have the arbitral award recognised and enforced. The Federal Government is contesting those proceedings. In May 2018, P&ID filed an application with the US District Court of New York, for the recognition and enforcement of the

arbitral award.

P&ID submits that it entered a gas supply and processing agreement with Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources in January 2010.

Pursuant to the agreement, P&ID claims that it would build the necessary facilities and then refine natural gas into non-associated natural gas for a period of 20 years.

The natural gas would be used by Nigeria to power its electrical grid.

P&ID was to strip away heavy hydrocarbons known as Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) in which P&ID would retain the NGLs as payment under the agreement.

P&ID said Nigeria was to make sure that all neces-

sary pipelines and related infrastructure were installed and that arrangements were made with agencies and third parties to make sure the supply of gas was met pursuant to the agreement.

P&ID alleges that Nigeria failed to secure the agreedupon quantity of gas and failed to complete the construction of the infrastructure.

P&ID alleges that as a result of Nigeria’s failure to comply with the agreement, it suffered a loss of 20 years’ worth of profits from the potential sale of NGLs. After series of failed negotiation attempts, P&ID commenced arbitration against Nigeria and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in London.

Peter Obi flaunts his US visa issued May 2019 Continued from Page 1 a US visa nor was he denied one as was falsely alleged in some quarters last week.

A BusinessDay reporter ran into Mr. Obi at Dubai Airport early Friday as the former vice presidential candidate arrived from Gatwick in London. The reporter saw his (Obi’s) visa in the passport he was travelling on.

“The wicked thing about that report was that I was in America at the time someone made the allegation,” Obi told BusinessDay. “How does one get a visa rejection when he did not apply?” he wondered, adding, “these people have turned Nigeria into a joke and this is unfortunate. Why are we talking about who got or did not get a visa when we should be worrying about the country’s many problems like youth unemployment which is now threaten-

ing to blow up in the face of everyone?”

Obi, generally acclaimed as one of Nigeria’s finest politicians, said the current government was fond of feeding the people with stories about how bad things were when they took power instead of getting down to doing the job.

“Let us assume for once

Obi

that things were bad, so let them fix the problem,” he said.

The former governor, worried by the state of affairs in the country, suggested that perhaps, the time has come to restrict all Nigerian politicians to their homes.

“The visa restriction should not be limited to trou-

ble makers as we all should now be made to stay at home to solve the problems of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, “If Nigeria did not have issues; we will not be needing a government. Sick people go to the doctor but the physician does not waste all the time telling his patient how bad his or her situation is; the good physician is usually very good at swiftly treating the patient once a quick diagnosis is carried out. So, if the situation of Nigeria was as bad as this government says repeatedly, then it is the reason to quickly move to the theatre and not this go slow mode that we are in, perpetually.”

He further said: “Every day, I wake and I think of unemployment crisis among our youths, my heart pounds.

But do you see them do anything that can move the needle?”

Benefit of drinking warm water

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ome people may think drinking water is basically for quick digestion but there are also some benefits in drinking warm water.

Drinking warm water can provide your body with the water it needs to replenish fluids. It can also improve digestion, relieve congestion, and even make you feel more relaxed and more flourished.

Most people who drink warm water as a holistic health remedy do so first thing in the morning or right before bed for optimal health benefit in the sense that it helps them in so many ways. You may be used to drinking a cup of coffee, green tea, to start up your morning; it could be reconsidering how you start up your morning because research shows that drinking warm water on an empty stomach or after meal offers the most health benefits to every individual.

The recommended temperature is from 120 to 140 degree and it should not be more or less than that, drinking warm water first thing in the morning to help you shed those excess pounds for those who watch their weight.

Here are some ways drinking warm water in the morning or at night would benefit you.

Aids digestion Drinking warm water soothes and activates your digestive tract. Water is, after all, the lubricant that keeps your digestion going at any point in time.As the water moves through your stomach and intestines, digestive organs are better hydrated and able to eliminate waste better. Most people nowadays feel the need not to take water after every meal or before going to bed but with the intake of warm water it help to digest your food properly.

May aid in weight loss Drinking warm water wakes your body’s temperature control system up.

As your body compensates for the warm temperature of the water, it brings your internal temperature down, and activates your metabolism.

Warm water also helps your intestines contract to clear out waste products that are bloating your body, which gets rid of the dreaded “water weight. If you start your day by drinking glass of warm water with lemon, you will help your body break down in body fat. It tends to burn belly fat

at most cases.

Helps reduce toxin Drinking warm water temporarily begins to raise your internal body temperature. When you drink warm water, or when you take a warm bath, your body’s endocrine system activates and you start to sweat.

And while sweating might be uncomfortable, it’s an essential part of getting rid of toxins and irritants that you’re exposed to in your environment. Intake of warm water helps reduce toxin in the human body at any point in time.

Helps to prevent premature aging Nobody wants to age prematurely; however, with the presence of toxins in the body can make aging faster in real life today. When our body have access to accumulate toxins, it becomes very prone toillness and aging. Warm water can also help to cleanse the body from toxins. Intake of warm water is the natural antiaging clear skin remedy or solution. It also helps to eliminate the root cause of some common skin infections.Warm water also helpsagainst acne by unclogging the pores in the body system.

Relieves constipation Warm water also has the remedy to relieve constipation in most cases in the sense that it helps the intestines to contrast. When this happens, old waste from the body system (intestines) that was trapped in would be able to pass out of your body freely without any pain. Warm water tends to break food down more faster and relieving pain quicker.

Menstrual cramp A lot of young ladies might not believe this because most of them do have severe pain during their cycles but why not give it a try by taking warm water to clear up menstrual cramp and make you feel relieved from the pain going around your abdomen part. Warm water can aid in diminishing menstrual cramp, the heat of the water have a power effect of melting the cramp from your body.

Brightens the skin Drinking warm water every morning or before going to bed helps brighten the skin in a natural way. We are prone to dead cells in our skin so with the intake of warm water helps cleanse our body and recover damaged cells that are caused by free radical.

By Eseoghene Ayoma

8 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

News

Suit against soot:

Group files case at federal high court in Port Harcourt Ignatius Chukwu & Gladys

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group has taken an extra step by filing a cse against soot in Rivers State, saying allowing the menace in the past four years amounted to neglect on the part of governments.

The group, Extra Step Initiative (ESI), an environmentally-based but nongovernmental organisation, has filed a suit (FHC/PH/ FHR/140/19) at the federal high court in Port Harcourt division for the enforcement of the fundamental right to life and to a satisfactory general environment favourable to the development of people of Rivers State.

The group, in a statement by its chairman, Eugene Abels, said that the prevalence of particulate matter, also known as ‘Soot’, has persisted for the last four years.

They explained that they have done all things legally possible, but government at all levels has failed to act and bring the scourge to a stop and save the flora and fauna.

He said: “We have been forced by the scary ‘medical opinion’ arising from a survey of 22,081 medical records by the Rivers State Government and a paragraph states thus: ‘In reference to respiratory, skin and reproductive

conditions related to soot, clearly shows a significant rise in some of the assessed health events following exposure to the putative factor, presumably the soot incident in the state.’”

The group explained that in light of the scary report, and buoyed with the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the ‘Africa Charter on the Right to a Clean Environment which has even been domesticated, it had to act by approaching the courts for enforcement of the rights.

“We wish to commend the former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya, and her team for generating the report on Soot, even though it took too long when placed beside the many years of inaction.

“We hope our step will compel all the state actors to declare a health emergency in Rivers State and get the

residents screened for cancer and respiratory ailments.

“Also, this action we hope will lead to a major doorto-door public health campaign through the length and breadth of Rivers State on emergency measures such as: bathing in our polluted rivers, eating seafood from these polluted rivers, outdoor exposures for people within the vulnerable spectrum, and the consequences of illegal artisanal refining on our kith and kin.”

“Also, it is our desire that the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, in partnership with stakeholders and development partners of interest, set up air quality monitoring stations across the state.

Daily Public Health Advisory should be issued, based on the daily air quality readings.

“We also hope that this action will instigate further studies on health impact to track emerging health

trends that may be linked to prolonged exposure to particulate matter,” he said.

“We desire a reorganisation of the security architecture for purposes of accountability and transparency whereby dedicated tank farms and jetties be created for the reception of exhibits seized from non-licensed persons or groups.

“This reorganisation should include the office of the Auditor-General to account for the seized assets, NOSDRA, DPR, EFCC, the state authorities and NESRA to geotag spill sites and appropriately place liability.

“We believe that the current activities of non-state actors in artisanal refining have made the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) become ‘reactive’. They need to be retrained, re-manned and equipped with mobile testing equipment to enable them to prevent the infusion of adulterated products into the nation’s supply chain.

“We believe that the time is right for an internationallydriven Environmental Audit to be conducted in Rivers State, bearing in mind that the state has been the ‘kitchen’ for the hydrocarbon industry for the past 60 years. It is our firm belief that it is time to assess the state of our flora, particularly in the areas with a high incidence of artisanal refining”.

Kogi guber: INEC, police promise violence-free credible poll VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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s Kogi State gubernatorial election draws nearer, the Kogi command of the Nigeria Police has promised to be unbiased in ensuring adequate security for effective coverage of electoral and electioneering processes to attain a free, fair and credible conduct of the November 15, election.

Hakeem Busari, commissioner of Police, disclosed this at the command headquarters in Lokoja while addressing over 500 youths from across the state in a procession on ‘Vote Not Fight’: Election No Be War’, ‘Non-violent Election in Kogi State.’

The programme was organised by Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) in collaboration with 2Baba Foundation, INGRA, Activista with support from ActionAid, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Enough is Enough, USAID and UKAID. Commending the youth for their non-violence stance,

Busari said the police, alongside other security agencies would ensure security of lives and property before, during and after the election with adequate and effective deployment of personnel.

He said: “We have already trained our men for this upcoming election and we are going to have enough manpower because we are going to have adequate support from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from the Force Headquarters towards this coming election.

“The polling booths and the wards are going to be

Hakeem Busari

properly policed and enough policemen will be on patrol.

So, we don’t have anything to fear as far as the November 16, election is concerned”.

He however, cautioned the stakeholders to play the game according to the rules.

“And you the youth too should play the game according to the rule. If everybody conducts him/herself in a peaceful manner, the work of security will be very, very simple,” he said.

In a related development, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the state headquarters has also pledged that the Commission would not do anything short of ensuring free, credible and fair conduct during the election.

James Apam who was represented by Ahmed BaguduBiambo, head, Voter Education and Publicity, equally commended the youth for taking upon themselves to ensure credible election, saying that electoral violence would not be tolerated.

He also said that violence had far-reaching adverse effects on elections as the dis-

abled, women and the aged were often disenfranchised aside its negative impact on voter turnout, the economy, peaceful coexistence, budget implementation, among others.

Presenting their ‘Vote, Not Fight’ youth position on the November 16th, 2019 off cycle governorship election in Kogi State, Gift Omoniwa, executive director, PIBCID, said it was time to end the use of youths as thugs to perpetrate electoral violence in the state, stressing that youths constituted more than 60 percent of the state’s population (NPC, 2006) and also represented majority of registered voters in the state but had, regrettably remained marginalised and under-represented in decision-making.

“Over the years, the sponsors of electoral violence have used the youth to perpetrate violence and disrupt the electoral process,” she said.

According to her, “During election violence, voters are threatened, intimidated, restricted, wounded or killed before, during and after elections for simply exercising their constitutional rights.

Nigerian, South African Changemakers share secrets of success

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horeographer and actor, Seyi Oluyole, will be sharing her perspective on how to inspire African children to succeed in the latest episode of the popular television magazine, CNN African Voices Changemakers, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom.

The edition features Oluyole and a South African choreographer, Gcina Mhlophe, two Africans doing very well in the field of creative dancing and storytelling.

Oluyole, 27, who is also a film director, will showcase how she has used her love for choreography to positively influence street kids and rechannel their energies towards positive ends.

Oluyole, a graduate of English and Literary Studies from Covenant University, founded a non-governmental organisation named The Dream Nurture Foundation to cater for poor children and adults in need of mentoring.

She also provides educational opportunities for them through the NGO. Similarly, her dance academy, Dream Catchers, uses dance as a major tool in getting indigent children back to school in line with her belief that “every child deserves to succeed irrespective of their background”.

Aside from this, Oluwole has also been involved in screenwriting for first-rate television series such as Tinsel, Hustle and Gbera, a short film which she directed. Her commitment to the cause of children has attracted the attention of

world music star, Rihanna, who recently tipped Oluyole’s mentees for stardom.

The other guest in the edition is the 60-year-old Nokugcina Elsie Mhlophe, a South African dancer, actress, storyteller, poet, playwright, director and author.

Mhlophe uses storytelling as a means of recounting the tales of subjugation during the apartheid years and the gains of freedom which the Rainbow Nation currently enjoys.

Mhlophe was born in KwaZulu Natal into a humble background, working as a domestic servant in the early part of her working life. She later progressed to a newsreader at the Press Trust and BBC Radio, and subsequently became a writer for Learn and Teach, a magazine for newly-literate post-apartheid South Africans.

Mhlophe has performed in theatres in Soweto and London. A good number of her works have been translated into German, French, Italian, Swahili and Japanese. She has won the Obie Award for Performance as well as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. She continues to traverse Africa and other parts of the globe, giving storytelling workshops on folklore, historical information, current affairs, songs and idioms.

Catch CNN African Voices Changemakers on DSTV on Friday at 9.30 a.m. and on Saturday at 12.30 a.m., 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Other repeat broadcasts come up on Sunday at 5.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. with more repeats on Monday and Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. respectively.

1700 Abia workers sit for promotion examination UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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bout 1700 civil servants in Abia state have sat for the 2018 promotion examinations following the approvalbyGovernorOkezie Ikpeazu.

Okechukwu Ihedioha, permanent secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Pensions, Office of the Head of Service, disclosed that out of the above figure, about 941 of those who sat for the examination were for promotion, while 332 and 422 were for confirmation and conversion, respectively.

Ihedioha, who commended Ikpeazu administration’s resolve not to mortgage the promotion and welfare of

of Abia workers, however, charged public servants to reciprocate the governor’s kind gesture by showing unwavering support, loyalty and make honesty and accountability their watchword.

Onyii Wamah, the Abia head of service, told BDSUNDAY that the annual promotion examination for workers in the service was a test of knowledge geared not to ridicule or humiliate the workforce but to prove their suitability for the next position/ office they aspire to occupy if successful in the examination.

Wamah emphasised that the examination was necessary to ascertain whether workers were still operating within the stipulated civil service guidelines as well as reawaken the consciousness of workers for challenges ahead.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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News Nigerian women lack financial empowerment, access to education - NOIPolls Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja

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he lack of financial empowerment, access to quality education and poverty have been identified as the top socio-economic challenges women face in Nigeria, despite their global recognition as key contributors to economic development in any country, the report of a survey conducted by NOIPolls has revealed.

According to the results released in Abuja, 42 percent of the Nigerians who participated in the survey said women lacked financial empowerment, 35 percent said women experience poverty, while 33 percent agreed that women lacked access to quality education.

The survey results indicate that that women residing in the South-West zone accounted for the largest proportion of Nigerians who mentioned lack of financial empowerment. This response, the report noted, may be influenced by women living in Lagos State considering that the state is the economic hub of Nigeria. Similarly, women from the North-East said poverty is the main challenge in the zone, a larger share of women from the North-West zone stated that lack of access to quality education is one of the toughest issues women in the region face.

The survey further found several other socio-economic challenges women face to include gender inequality, sexual abuse, cultural discrimination, gender discrimination in employment,

religious discrimination, physical abuse, domestic violence and rape.

The NOIPolls, while noting that women constitutes nearly 50 percent of the population regretted that there is still a gross gender gap between men and women, especially in political representation, economic management and leadership due to the obnoxious social norms, political exclusion and economic disparity which dictate the presence and voice of women in Nigeria.

To this end, the respondents advocated for the establishment of a vocational training programmes, improved access to quality healthcare and healthcare professionals and access to soft loan facilities from the government.

L-R: Habiba Balogun, director and Principal Consultant of Habiba Balogun Consulting Limited; Adepeju Adebajo, deputy governor candidate, a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Ogun State; Oby Ezekwesili, public policy expert/senior economic advisor, AEDPI; Chizor Malize, managing partner & CEO, Brandzone Consulting LLC, Committee Chair, WIMBIZ Women in Politics (WIMPOL); Olusola Oworu, independent director, First Bank Nigeria Ltd; Kemi Ajayi; at the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Women in Politics Training, held recently in Lagos.

Resuscitation of Abia tools workshop will create jobs - Monarch

bia State government has been urged to resuscitate the abandoned Abia tools workshop located at Umuahia, for fabrication of various tools and machines which will create jobs and shore up the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

Eze Cyril Ogbenna, the traditional ruler of Uzi-Amizi Autonomous Community, Olokoro, Umuahia South L.G.A, of Abia State, and one of the fabricators in the Tools Workshop who made the call in his palace, noted that if the workshop was reopened, apart from creating jobs and skills acquisition, it would shore up the IGR of the state.

The Abia Royal father wondered why the workshop should be allowed to waste away while thousands of unemployed youths roam the streets of Abia.

“Abia tools workshop is lying waste, nothing is happening there; that workshop could have beefed up the internally generated revenue of Abia State, reduce youth unemployment and increase the level of skills among the Abia youths. Keke (tricycle) and motorcycle empowerment is only a breeding ground for some youths who are criminally minded”.

Eze Ogbenna noted that before Abia State nay Nigeria could progress in all ramifications, “we need a leader who is technically and technologically inclined”.

“I am not praising myself but the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry will bear witness that right from the old Imo State, I was the one displaying my products during national and international trade fairs, which made the Federal Government to name Abia State the Japan of Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, “We have a standard workshop in Abia State, the Abia tools is located near First Bank Umuahia. We have a lot of machines there. We have drilling machines, we have lead machines, we have cutting machines, we have folders, we have hydraulic press and that was the

workshop that was producing everything before. Irrespective of the fact that I am a traditional ruler and not a qualified professional engineer, but I have not seen a Nigerian engineer that can compete with me, when we go to the workshop.

“Some couple of years ago, I went to the then Commissioner of Commerce and Industry and persuaded him to convert the Abia tools to a skill acquisition centre.

He agreed and approved that the workshop be converted to a skill acquisition center, which would have attracted willing youths from the 17 L.G.As to learn one skill or the other.”

“But to my greatest surprise and most unfortunately, the then Commissioner, who I will not mention his name, instead of converting the workshop as he promised and assured, went to the Western region to look for people that would buy up the equipment in the Abia tools workshop,” the traditional ruler further said.

He explained that “When another Commissioner came on board, he came to me with his Permanent Secretary to enquire on how best to use the Abia tools workshop to the benefit of Abians. I advised them on what to do, just as I had advised the other Commissioner, but to my surprise also, they went and vandalised the workshop.

“If they had adhered to my advice, I would have further suggested that the L.G.A Chairmen, send at least four willing youths to learn a trade or skills there”.

Eze Ogbenna, who was the then second deputy chairman of IBB Technology Centre in Abia State, called on the Southeast governors to have a rethink as the country is seriously losing its grip on the youths.

“The South easterners are known for their talents; why not we sit back and have a rethink; get this workshop in Abia working again?

“Our Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu may not know the existence of the Abia tools in Umuahia, it is his lieutenants that know about it, but failed to draw his attention to it.

female politicians to start networking on time so as to brain storm on how to be successful in politics.

She however, commended organisers of the training, adding that such effort will go a long way in closing the political gap between men and women in the country.

Delving into ‘Understanding the Political Eco System’, National Chairman Alliance for New Nigeria, Emmanuel Dania, affirmed that politics is about bridging the gap between the grassroots and other cadres of Nigeria’s population.

Nigeria politics, he said takes place within a framework of a federal, presidential, representative democratic republic, in which executive power is exercised by the government legislative power that

is held by the real government and the two chambers of the legislature: the House of Representatives and the senate. He advised that women in politics need to work twice as hard and make sure they are heard.

Also, he stressed the need for them not to settle for less or expect special treatment politics.

“Be confident, speak your truth and stand by it; You don’t want to be in a situation that gives you special preference to skip any process; else it may come back to haunt you; ensure to communication effectively; make sure you are known by your audience and party members and alliances. They are the people who would speak for you or vote for you; work closely and in alignment with your team and party, he added.

UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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WIMBIZ trains women on political skills …Decries low participation in politics Ngozi Okpalakunne

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ver hundred intending and existing female politicians were recently trained in Lagos on skills required for elective positions in the country.

The women, who were trained

by Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) in partnership with the American Business Council, were drawn from Lagos and other states; they were also educated on how to fast-track the success rate of female politicians through dedicated initiatives.

Speaking at the event, Chizor

Malize, managing partner and the chief executive officer, Brandzone Consulting LLC, and committee chair, WIMBIZ Women in Politics (WIMPol), said the training aimed to increase female participation in politics, create awareness about politics and to educate the participants on how women can effectively get involved in politics.

According to Malize, this year’s programme was tailored towards galvanising Nigerian women to play a more active role in the civic and political leadership structure of Nigeria by running, voting and getting involved.

Speaking on ‘Women Leadership and Success in Politics’, Obiageli Ezekwesili, public policy expert, lamented the poor representation of

women in politics, pointing out that the political gap between men and women in the country is enormous.

According to her, there is no female leadership in an organised political party in the country.

“Political parties are all headed by men and that has made it difficult for women in politics to emerge as leaders of such parties,” Ezekwesili added.

Enumerating other factors that hinder women from participating effectively in politics, she said it include; absence of networking; finance; transparency in selection of political leaders; inability of women to understand political language, among others.

Ezekwesili therefore, stressed the need for existing and intending

10 Inside Lagos

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Apapa: AGRA wants trucks barred permanently from Liverpool …as Hitech returns to construction site

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JOSHUA BASSEY

esidents under the aegis of Apapa Government Reserved Area (AGRA) have made case for a permanent ban of flat bed trucks and petroleum tankers from Liverpool upon the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the road.

Construction work on the road which started about April this year, is however, considered very slow by some business owners in Apapa, just as site workers engaged by Hitech, the construction company handling the project, have returned to the road after a period of vacating the site.

At a stakeholders’ meeting with the Presidential Task Team on Restoration of Law and Order in Apapa, on Tuesday, August 13, AGRA members led by their chairman, Ayo Ishola-Vaughan, de-

Liverpool Road, Apapa, under construction

cried the unwholesome activities of truckers on the Liverpool Road over the years. The road falls within the Apapa GRA precincts.

The AGRA members particularly linked the collapsed state of Liverpool to the weight brought on it by container-laden trucks and petroleum tankers, saying there was the need to check this going forward.

Aside blocking the resi-

dents from gaining free access to their homes, the AGRA members contended that allowing the trucks back upon completing the road would amount a waste of resources, as it would again wear off within a short time.

When contacted, Ademola Kuti, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, conceded to the position of GRA residents. According to Kuti, Liverpool Road falls within the GRA and

House concludes screening of commissioner, special adviser nominees JOSHUA BASSEY

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overnor of Lagos St a t e , Ba b a j i d e Sa n w o - Ol u c a n now look to inaugurating his cabinet as the state House of Assembly has concluded the screening of the 38 commissioner and special adviser nominees he forwarded to the house.

A source told Inside Lagos on Friday that the 4 0 - m e m b e r Ho u s e o f Assembly would meet this week to confirm the screened nominees following which the governor will proceed to inaugurate the cabinet and assign portfolios to them.

Chairman of house committee, which screened the cabinet members, Rotimi Abiru, confirmed on Friday that all 38 would-be commissioners and special advisers were thorough screened except for those who had served as legislators either at the state or federal level.

Sanwo had in July sent the first list of 25 nominees to the house and followed up with final list of

13 nominees on Tuesday, August 13.

Abiru told reporters that the committee would work throughout this weekend to tidy up its report to the whole house “Our next sitting day is next Monday. We hope that the process for final clearance will be taking off from next Monday for further action,” he said.

Giving an insight into the screening process, Abiru said, “it has been a very tough exercise, we have taken the entire 38 nominees of the governor.

“And from what I can say, we have knowledgeable and intelligent people that actually understand how government will work to succeed; it is a mix that we have.

Among the nominees we have technocrats, politicians and people who believe that it doesn’t matter the divide that you belong, that what is most important is your urge and the zeal to want to deliver service.

“We have people who have never worked in government before but that

have seen this as a call to service and they have actually pledged before us that they will put all that God has endowed them with to ensure that good governance is witnessed with the present administration and that the people of Lagos will enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

The committee had earlier screened the first batch of 25 nominees about two weeks ago, before the governor sent the final batch of 13 nominees which the lawmakers attended between Thursday and Friday.

Among the nominees are Oladele Ajay, Oluwatoyin Fayinka , Yetunde Arobieke, Olanrewaju Sanusi, Joe Igbokwe, Bonu Solomon Saanu, Kabir Ahmed, Lola Akande and Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, Tunji Bello, who was secretary to the state government in the immediate past administration of Akinwunmi Ambode, Gbenga Omotosho, editor of The Nation Newspaper, Gbolahan Lawal, immediate past commissioner of housing, among others

shouldn’t have been having trucks plying it. But the trucks were allowed there over the period as an alternative to connect the ports via Creek Road in the bid to manage the congestion in Apapa.

Kuti told Inside Lagos that there may be no reason to allow trucks return to the 1.5 kilometre Liverpool Road upon its completion as Creek Road which is also undergoing construction would have

been completed as well.

On when the project would be completed, he said. I can’t tell you exactly when it would be delivered. But we’re projecting that the entire stretch from Apapa to Oworonshoki should be completed in three years,” said Kuti.

Liverpool Road which bgins from Point Road and terminates at Liverpool Round About had been rendered impassable by

trailers and tankers which activities created ditches and craters, cutting the road into two in some cases and shutting out residents, especially those living on Child Avenue and other streets.

Most residential and commercial buildings along this road have estate agent’s ‘To Let’ on them, meaning that the owners or former occupants have vacated and taken residence in saner parts of town. This also means more pressure on family income or company bottom-line that could have served other purposes.

The ongoing reconstruction of the road is part of the bigger project involving the reconstruction of the entire stretch of Apapa-Oworonshoki Ex p r e s s w a y c o n c e s sioned to Dangote Group by the Federal Government in lieu of tax. Dangote is staking N72 billion on the project.

Meningitis: Lagos introduces Men-A vaccine into routine immunisation

N

ational Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board with other partners have agreed to introduce Meningitis vaccine (Men-A vaccine) into routine immunisation in the state.

Modupe Owojuyigbe, director, Health Education, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, the meningitis vaccination would start from August 19 (tomorrow).

Owojuyigbe, who is the social mobilisation and demand creation cirector for Lagos, said that “the vaccine is safe, free and effective.”

“Meningitis vaccine was not part of our routine im-

munisation but now we’re introducing it. It is going to be part of the immunization schedule. It is going to be given at age nine months to 15 months. Children also take yellow fever at nine months; so now, they will also be taking meningitis vaccine.’’

She said the introduction of Men-A vaccine into the routine immunisation was necessary because Nigeria is within the belt of meningitis disease.

On the causes and possible ways to prevent meningitis, she said: “Meningitis is caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. The incidence is most common during the dry season, especially with the dust of the dry season and the cold night.

“It is not only children that can be affected with, it can affect any age group. But it is most common among children of one year to seven years more than adults and this is the age that we can prevent it.

“Vaccinating children with meningitis vaccine and maintaining hygiene in the environment by avoiding overcrowding helps prevent the disease,” she told said. Meningitis involvestheinflammationof the meninges and it is a devastating disease that causes serious global public health concern.

The membranes that line the skull and the vertebrae as well as enclose the brain are called the meninges and the function of the meninges is to protect the nervous system.

Student arraigned for knocking out man’s tooth

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21-year-old student, Chiagozie Uzor, was on Friday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly knocking out a man’s tooth because of his girlfriend’s bad conduct.

Uzor, who resides in Oyingbo area of Lagos State, was charged with conspiracy, assault and breach of the peace, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Kehinde

Olatunde, a police inspector told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 11, at 9.30p.m., on Railway Line, near Mainland Hotel, Ebute Meta.

He alleged that the defendant kicked out a front tooth of the complainant, Onyedika Alike, and hit him on the neck, leading to serious injuries.

“The defendant accused the complainant’s girlfriend

of insulting him and his brother and took out the anger on him,” he submitted.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 173, 246 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, M.A. Ajiferuke, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to September 30 for mention.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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PhotoSplash

L-R: Yinka Sanni (2nd l), chief executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc; Demola Sogunle, chief executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Rabi Isma, independent non-executive director, Stanbic IBTC Holdings plc, and other employees at the start of the annual Stanbic IBTC Health Walk.

R-L: Bimbo Ashiru, former commissioner for commerce and industry in Ogun state welcomes Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, en route Abeokuta for the inauguration of 132KV Transmission lines by Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Pic by Razaq Ayinla

R-L: Hassan Gbemisola, MD, Fatgbems Group; Suraj Adekunbi, Immediate past Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly; Shuaib Salis, chief of staff to Ogun State governor; Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Mother of the Day, Alhaja Ramota Gbemisola, Chairman Fatgbems Group, Alhaji Kabir Gbemisola and the Aare Baroyin of Egba Land, High Chief Lai Labode at the official commissioning of Fatgbems Petroleum New Mega Retail Station in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

L-R: AbdulRaheem Oladele Adeoti, Olomu of Omu Aran; Adekunle Oyinloye, group managing director, SIFAX Group and Foluke Oyinloye, at the installation of Oyinloye as the Ejemu Omu of Omu Aran, Kwara State.

L-R: Faith Aina, Maltina brand support executive; Gbenga Adeyinka, popular comedian; Aminu Logun, chief of staff, Kwara State governor, and Yinka Quadri, Nigerian actor, at Laffmattazz with Maltina in Ilorin

Abdullahi Muhammad (l), chairman, of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), with Isa Dodo, Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, at a stakeholders meeting to ensure a successful return of Nigerian pilgrims from Makkah to Nigeria. NAN

L-R: Faith Nwadisu, executive director of Koyenum Immallah Foundation; Dahiru Moyi, a panelist, and Tubodenyefa Zibima, consultant/lecturer, Niger Delta University, at a panel discussion after the screening of a documentary on the impact of corruption and conflict on investments in the energy-rich Niger Delta communities, organized by AfriTAL, in Abuja. NAN

Passengers arriving the new international terminal of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport while journalists await the arrival of the leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement, El-Zakzaky from India on Friday in Abuja. NAN

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Animals in human skin?

PUBLISHER/CEO

Frank Aigbogun EDITOR Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

TAYO OGUNBIYI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERT Adeola Ajewole ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai CIRCULATION MANAGER John Okpaire DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua ASSIST. SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Florence Kadiri GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

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Sunday 18 August 2019

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

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ate Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, means different things to diverse people.

While some see him as a legendary figure, others see him as a social nuisance. In spite of this varied perception of the iconic musician, one thing that is incontrovertible is that he was fearless. In his days, while most compatriots kept quiet in the face of unbearable pains and hardship, Fela dared the authorities with unbelievable audacity.

Of course, he paid dearly for this as he was severally brutalized.

But he was never cowed.

With his rather skinny figure, Fela would have been mincemeat for his adversaries. Not unmindful of this, he never engaged his foes in physical duels.

No! Fela’s strength and power lied in an unusual arsenal. His music was his weapon. With it, he fought many military and civilian dictators and their collaborators to a standstill. When Fela sang, ‘powerful’ oppressors in the society simply ran for cover.

One of his ever green songs is

Beast of No Nation. In the song, the late Afrobeat Maestro sang about animals in human skin and animals in Agabda and suit.

Characteristically, there is an underlining deeper philosophical message behind the seemingly hilarious vibe. Of course, the uniqueness of Fela’s songs is always in their deep idealistic connotations. In Beast of no Nation, Fela’s allusion to animals in human skin, agbada and suits simply addresses the ethos of men who occupy dignified offices but act in undignified manners.

Sadly, over 35 years after Fela symbolically drew our attention to animal in human skin as a satire for impunity in unexpected places in the country, not a few animals still exist in human skin in our beloved nation.

A certain Lance Corporal Sunday Adelola, the soldier who allegedly recently raped a 300-level student of the Department of Religious and African Studies of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), at a military checkpoint along IkareAkungba Akoko road, would fit into this description.

It was such a nauseating piece of information, one that will make every right-thinking person shiver in amazement. It simply goes to show that it is not everyone in human skin that is qualified to be called a human being. So, Fela was again right with his song. There are, indeed, lots of animals putting on human skin

in our society. Perhaps, this might be part of our fundamental challenge as a people. When animals mix with human beings, what could be the likely consequence?

Well, your guess is good as mine.

Fortunately, the brazen sexual scoundrel has been dismissed by the authorities of the Nigeria Army and has been handed over to the police for onward prosecution. But then, his infamous act has once again brought to the front burner two major ugly subjects in our society: rape and brash conduct of some security operatives.

Uncontrolled rape incidences have become a daily occurrence and a fundamental issue affecting women and girl-child development in the country. The crime takes away from the victim human rights such as right to life right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty and security of person, and right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Almost similar to rape is the issue of inapt behaviour among Nigeria’s security operatives that has been a recurrent one.

Scores of Nigerians have been sent to early graves, no thanks to the dastardly activities of some of some wild security operatives.

From January to April, 2019, in Lagos State alone, about four incidents of misuse of firearms which have resulted in extra-ju-

dicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others were recorded. More niggling is that two of these incidents occurred almost simultaneously.

It is ironic that some security operatives take pleasure in brutalizing the very people they are trained to protect. The police are especially culpable in this regard. It is often baffling to see some a policeman beat up, slap and brutalize hapless compatriots who have neither been taken to the court nor convicted of a particular offence.

Security operatives in the country must imbibe civility in their interaction with members of the public. They need to envision how things would pant out if other members of the society behave in loutish fashion. Leadership of the various security agencies need to re-orientate their officers and men on how to behave in a democratic and civilized setting.

One sincerely hopes that the law takes its full toll in the case of Corporal Sunday Adelola to serve as deterrent to others who indulge in such disgusting acts.

Ironically, the infamous scalawag was among men of the Nigerian Army who were drafted to the Akoko North area of Ondo State to protect compatriots who daily live in the fear of kidnappers and armed bandits.

Quite pitifully, he chose to be a monster, rather than a minister.

How sad!

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Interview ‘While we try to lift people from poverty, corrupt elements are making our work difficult’ Ene Obi is the country director, ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in the campaign towards the eradication of poverty and working to ensure the dignity of life of Nigerians. In this interview, she spoke with ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK on the sidelines of a-three day conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. Excerpts:

W

hat is the main focus of ActionAid? We are anti-poverty organisation and our work is to ensure the life of dignity for every Nigerian and so, we use human right approach to do everything that we do, believing that all humans are equal. That is according to the universal declaration of human and people rights that is doctored into our own Constitution and in fighting to eradicate poverty; we realise that corruption is one of the major blocks, blocking every avenue. Because you have for example, the local government administration, the closest governance to the people and that is where you have corruption. You can see that we do not even have the system. We have the normal structure-the civil service system, but do you have the funding system that condones that? The management system, the government as an organisation, because government is a tool and governance is a process of administering the government. But when you don’t have the leadership, the leadership of the local government comes in as a result of getting the local chairmen by the ruling class or the governor who appoints the caretaker committee and so on and so forth, and there are no elections there. So, where do the people really learn from? The process of governance needs to go to the lowest level.

The smallest unit is the family and from the family you are going into the society. At the local government level, that is where people are dying silently. And we have rising cases of deaths and we need to tackle that at this level. And we say leave nobody behind. Most of the things that are happening, we have seen in our work at the community level. We work down to the community level. Actually, we go to where people would not go because we work with the poorest of the poor, with people who are excluded, those who are living with disability, the women who are almost forgotten. When you have conflict or crisis, women are the most affected, because women are not the same as men. We must make that distinction.

What has been the success story of ActionAid in the last 20 years?

ActionAid has done a lot and I am smiling because we have affected many lives. We have projects like education of the girl-child. In the North for example, there are lots of children who do not go to school and we have had a lot of success because we engage the government, we are not government. A single person started ActionAid and that is Cecil Jackson Cole in the UK and that was to put some orphans and vulnerable children to schools. It was a welfare issue and then it went into the issue of charity and it wasn’t really working and making the kind of impact he was thinking. And so, we have moved into human rights approach that is to say, there is a right holder, there is a duty bearer, and so we must mobilise

the people to demand for their own duty bearers to answer this and to provide basic social amenities. So, we go to places where maybe the schools are tattered and if we are in that community, we build the school.

We will build the school and involve the government, because resources in Nigeria as we know are not getting to many places. And sometimes, if we conduct the need assessment and the community says we don’t want school, we want clinic because women are dying, we will contact the primary health, development agency and also the unit that are in charge of health and make sure that we construct a health facility. And when that is done, who takes over? And that is the process that you cannot ignore government. We know that there are capacity gaps on one side and you can have the capacity gap with right holders which are the citizens and you can have a capacity gap also with the duty bearers who may not know what to do. So, we get people together to ensure that they are able to talk together. We have put many children in school. We have lifted people out of poverty. We have a lot of projects and one of it is migration for example. We work on irregular migration and also forced migration.

Can you talk more on the issue of migration and how it is relevant to Nigeria?

We work on irregular migration in Edo State where we work with the Ministry of Interior Affairs to handle some programmes where we trained about 1500 young people- these are returnees and some of those who were vulnerable. We trained them on skills and we have female auto mechanic and a host of them in livelihood. In Maiduguri, we have forced migration because those ones are due to conflicts and we were able to take them through the process and we graduated about 2000 young people between the age of 18 and 25 years.

What has ActionAid done to bring to the barest minimum the rising tide of maternal and child mortality rate in Nigeria?

We are not government but we try to empower women wherever we go. We have worked across 30 states.

The projects are different. What we have done in the area of health, we have worked on the issue of malaria before. In the early 2000, we worked in the area of malaria and then we also worked on HIV. In the area of HIV, we created and facilitated the founding of the network, which is for the people living with HIV. We also facilitated a network which is global, a Nigerian network on education. We facilitated the network on malaria. We also facilitated and brought in public finance analysis, that in budget tracking. We actually started it. In 2008, I went to Brazil with a team to go and study Bolsa Familia, which is a social protection programme, because we were fighting poverty and we were looking at ways in which government can also contribute. But in order to challenge

Ene Obi or engage government, you need to be well informed. And so we went to Brazil and when we were called to provide technical assistance to the Nigerian government on social protection on Nigeria Social investment Programme, we were happy.

We recruited and we went to all of the organisations that wanted to be part of it to make sure that there are on ground, and not be telling us lies, so that they can monitor the social investment programme.

From your experience, can we say that the social investment programme in Nigeria is working?

It has lifted a lot of people, we have published the report and it is in our website, but there is so much to be done, because they were given only 35 percent of the money they requested for. And 35 percent is not a pass mark. So, they need to give them the money. But the question of citizenship is not the will of those in Abuja alone that can be the success of the programme. A lot of people are corrupt. Like the young people who have been given the opportunity to go for N-Teach, for example, they have tablets and some of them would not go to schools, but they would collect the money. They also disconnect the tablets, because

where you are is monitored. So, the quality of the citizenship is another problem. When you are looking at the young people, what it means to those who are supposed to be encouraged and are utilising such opportunity, a number of them are not, but some of them are doing well. But some see that the N30,000 has changed their lives. But those who got the 5,000, you need to know how poor people are in this country.

Those who are complaining that the money is not enough is the wrong people who are getting it. If they can use the money, that money can lift many people. That money is not meant to stay there forever.

It is supposed to lift people from shrinking further and also put them at the pedestal where they can help themselves and others also. There is a lot to be done. Why we successfully worked with them is that when we go to the field, we have quarterly meetings. When we take the report to them, they react immediately and we see the result. And our people come back from the field and tell us. Actually, it has affected so many lives but we can do more if only this demon called corruption is taken out.

Do you have other challenges in going about your duties apart

from the corruption that you mentioned?

We have many challenges. You know we go to where many people do not go. That means you have to go into the interior. Some of the rural roads are bad and the rural infrastructure is affected. It is a terrible thing. Because you are looking at transporters who put their vehicles on the roads. A lot of roads are bad.

But we are looking for more opportunities.

We are happy that the government is willing to fight corruption.

Most of the anti-graft agencies are doing wonderfully well, but their hands are also held, because a lot of issues are politicised. And we should not politicise this issue because corruption is killing people. Corruption is responsible for many deaths, because there are no new hospitals.

You have the security votes and so many other things.

What are they using them for?

We work with the government and we have enjoyed the partnership of governmental agencies anywhere we have worked, and we would continue to work with them and would continue to provide the kind of technical assistance as we can, but our only solidarity is with the citizens; with the people.

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Interview

‘Takwimu was created to offer solution to Africa’s data challenges’ Onyebuchi Ajufo is the group head of client service, Africa Practice. In this interview with JOSEPHINE OKOJIE, she spoke about Takwimu Africa and how broader participation in development policy and programming can be stimulated using the open data platform. Excerpts:

C

ould you please tell us about your organisation?

Africa Practice is an Africa-focused strategic advisory firm operating at the intersect of industry and government. We combine insights and advocacy to enable our clients to navigate complex stakeholder ecosystems and lead with confidence, because we believe sustainable performance depends on managing political and policy risk, building trust and delivering social and economic impact.

What is Takwimu all about?

Takwimu was developed to provide African development champions and storytellers with the best analysis and data available, supporting their work to educate, influence and advocate for change in their communities.

It is a new African development data platform providing users with expert analysis of the key stakeholders, decision processes, policies, organisations and budgets that are driving development outcomes. The free platform combines this information with access to a growing body of national and sub-national statistics in the health, agriculture, education and financial inclusion sectors in Burkina Faso, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal and Uganda.

Why was the platform developed?

The challenge of uneven access to reliable, consistent data on human development indicators inevitably affects the effectiveness of human development actors both here in Nigeria as well as across the continent. It reduces these actors’ capacity to improve the quality of lives of millions of Africans. This is one of the problems Takwimu was created to offer a

solution to. The other was the nature of the data. We didn’t just want to provide data, we wanted to provide actionable insights, to make it much easier for development champions and storytellers to find, download, share and reuse high quality analysis and data visuals to strengthen a proposal, champion a cause or advocate for change.

There is often no single, objective source of truth on development indicators, especially at sub-national level, so it takes time, resources and effort to chase down the information required.

Most international or other ‘apex’ organisations have no trouble accessing and using the data they need, whilst others, especially smaller or younger organisations face challenges and end up effectively locked out of the debate.

Who are those behind this new data platform and how do people have access to it?

Takwimu is an initiative by Africa Practice, in collaboration with Code for Africa, the continent’s largest federation of indigenous civic technology and open data laboratories. CfA manages key digital democracy resources such as the openAFRICA.net data portal and; iHub, an African support system, founded in 2010, for ICT focused tech entrepreneurs and individuals. Takwimu is underwritten by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

A lot of emphases were made on African development; can you speak more on this, especifically as it relates to Nigeria?

Africa’s development is crucial to the world’s shared progress, but the continent’s development indices have been far from positive. A data-driven approach to policymaking and policy advocacy de-risks ambitious reforms, enables rapid scale-up of suc-

Ajufo cessful programmes and ensures positive impact is sustainable. But data alone cannot drive change.

Understanding the political and economic context of the unique markets is the first step in the process of development. Data needs to be interpreted in a local context to be meaningful - and combined with relevant analysis

to have impact. Data visuals that combine quality data with succinct analysis are a powerful means to support a position or influence a debate or process.

Nigeria is Africa’s second largest economy by GDP and remains a critical player on the continent.

With a population of circa 200 million people and its current rank-

ings on the human development index, it is clear that getting it right in Nigeria will make a huge difference in Africa’s current statistics.

If we can address the data deficit and democratise access to actionable data, we would have taken a right first step in the journey to progress. This is the foundation for well-designed interventions that have the power to yield powerful stories of transformation.

How do you see the acceptance and future of Takwimu across Africa?

Takwimu is easy to use and the data is easy to understand.

Information is split by country and topic, giving users the ease of access and convenience to search by their interests. Our analysts have been careful to present information in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

Users gain access to data-rich, analytical country profiles shedding light on human development in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Because we plan to offer the platform in English, French, Amharic and Swahili, this means that development champions who speak different language across the continent can leverage the insights the platform gives, thereby broadening its potential for adoption, and impact. In addition, the platform provides interactive high-quality visuals making it easier for local development champions and storytellers who need to find, download, share and reuse high-quality data-visuals in their own materials. We hope that by opening out access in this way, Takwimu will help to stimulate broader participation, especially among local drivers of Africa’s development.

FCMB commits to economic development, tourism at Ojude Oba festival Obinna Emelike

F

irst City Monument Bank (FCMB) has congratulated Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, chiefs, age groups, all indigenes, friends and well-wishers of Ijebuland on this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, which held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on August 13, 2019.

The Ojude Oba, (which in Ijebu dialect means, “the king’s forecourt or frontage”, is a major festival in Nigeria that began over 100 years ago. It brings together all sons and daughters of Ijebuland in Nigeria and diaspora for a carnival-like celebration of the traditional, cultural, spiritual accomplishments and other values of the Ijebu nation.

Speaking at the festival, the Bank reiterated its commitment

to support activities that promote and add value to Nigeria’s culture and heritage, which are also capable of boosting tourism, trade and the hospitality sector.

Also excited at its grand and rewarding participation for the thousands of people within and outside the country that graced the fiesta, FCMB promised a more excitement in the coming edition.

In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Olasubomi Balogun CON, founder of FCMB Group, who is also the Olori Omo-Oba AkileIjebu, expressed his gratitude to the paramount ruler for his selflessness, distinguished and exemplary leadership for the 59 years he has been the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, which makes him one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria.

In the message delivered on his behalf by Diran Olojo, the group head, Corporate Affairs, FCMB, Balogun said, “As your children and subjects, the period provides us the platform, and the opportunity to pay you homage in demonstration of our affection for a very special and exceptional father. As our paramount ruler who has continued to endear himself to us, his people and who by divine grace, renews his strength annually, in unison, all Ijebus say, “Kabiyesik’adepel’ori, Ki batapel’ese. “ We pray your reign will continue to bring joy, inspire prosperity and engender togetherness in abundance to all of us, your children, the entire Ijebu race, at home and in the Diaspora. I cannot but sing our famous song, “O ye ka dupe, O ye ka dupe, Ara san, Ategunfe,

Ijija, kogbewa lo, O ye ka dupe’’, he stated.

He stressed that, “Being the Olori Ebi (the head of the family) and as your Olori Omo-Oba (the head of princes and princesses), I will continue to lead the way in showing our appreciation to you. As you extend yourself to our people’s different requests and yearnings, I wish to reiterate that the annual paying of homage, should not be the only occasion we should show our appreciation. This is because you have consistently earned our affection and our adulation, Kabiyesi’’.

In the same vein, Ladi Balogun, group chief executive, FCMB Group Plc, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years. He stated that, “The Ojude

Oba Festival is a rallying point to promote the sustainable growth and development of our community. We recognise that celebrating our heritage is an important part of our national identity, a means of educating visitors and future generations about our history and an opportunity to measure our growth, development and sustainability. Hence, for us at FCMB, the Ojude Oba Festival is not just another event.

“It is a pride to us; being a major platform through which we reaffirm our commitment to the community and promote our nation’s cultural diversity.

We will continue to support all activities of the State with focus on the economic and social development. We are committed to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival and are proud to be associated with its grandeur’’.

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BDSUNDAY 15

Interview ‘Ability to merge western, African designs makes our bags appeal to customers across the world’ Femi Olayebi is a self-taught, award-winning handbag designer, trainer, mentor, and the creative brain behind the eponymous Femi Handbags (FH) brand. In this interview with IFEOMA OKEKE, she speaks on what has differentiated her brand from others and how the right policies would grow the fashion industry.

W

hat has been your experience as an awardwinning handbag designer, trainer, mentor, and brain behind the FemiHandbags?

The FemiHandbags journey has been a truly phenomenal and valuable learning experience, especially as I have watched the Nigerian and global fashion industry evolve right before my very eyes. It has also beenahumblingexperience-Inever imagined in my wildest dreams that my work would take me places and earn me the recognition that it has.

We have found ourselves playing on the international stage at events like London Fashion Week, New York’sCoterie,CNN’sMarketplace Africa, and are now stocked in small boutique stores in Paris, London and New York. In the course of this journey, I have come to learn that there is still so much to learn, but also that with my years of experiencecomesaresponsibilitytoreach out to others in that space, mentor, train and give back. This I believe is what propelled me to create the platform, the Lagos Leather Fair, a phenomenon that has turned out to be a very fulfilling and rewarding experienceintermsoftheimpactithas made in the private-public arena. As a designer, I also recognise the fact that disruption is the new normal, and we have to continually discard the old and embrace the new. This requires that we constantly push the boundaries of our creativity to remain true to the brand vision, remain a market leader, and constantly raise the bar and prove that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.

Who are your target customers and what kind of bags do you make?

Our FH women — the brand’s major customers are predominantly HNIs, and mid- to high-earning women who have the purchasing power and ordinarily can afford to buy handbags from well-known international bag designers; for many of these women, the brand compares favourably with these international brands, and has become a welcome alternative and a favourite. Our handbags are termed iconic, and are truly oneof-a-kind. We bring together an exciting mix of traditional craft and new technology, premium leather and signature touches of the hand woven cloth, ‘aso-oke’ and mesh them all into our vintage-styled silhouettes. All that and our bold use of colour, are our most striking features; the level of attention to detail we infuse into each and every product positions Femi Handbags a cut above the rest. For us, the handbag is a statement piece, a conversation starter, and as such,

Olayebi

we do not compromise on the quality of the craftsmanship.

Where and how do you source for raw materials to make your bags?

This varies — we source from one or two suppliers from Mushin Market in Lagos, but mostly get our leathers from our trusted suppliers in the UK and Italy. However, the local market has proven inadequate as a lot of the time, we are unable to get the exact colour or texture we require, and in the required quantities for a certain style and this in spite of the fact that we have our own functional tanneries. However, our tanneries get more value for money from shipping their semiprocessed hides and skins abroad, than they would selling in-country for the simple reason that there are not enough of us to purchase their minimum quantity orders. We are also obliged to import all our hardware and accessories as we do not find the desired level of quality here. I believe however, that all this is as a function of underestimating the fast-paced growth and demand of the needs of the industry and the volume of entrepreneurs playing in that space. This is one of the

challenges that we are currently hoping to tackle through the Lagos Leather Fair — bringing as many participants across the leather industry’s value chain together to implement solutions that make it easier to access what is ultimately produced in our backyard in a mutually-beneficial manner.

What is your source of inspiration?

I have multiple sources. One of the greatest things about the dynamism of FemiHandbags and the styles is the ability to draw inspiration from anything and everything all around me. I am extremely inspired by art and colour- that definitely runs in my DNA - and by old style vintage silhouettes. We are also always working on our old designs and adding a breath of fresh air to them. That way they can be made even more impressive with a few modifications. For our brand as well, because of the bespoke nature of our pieces, and the ability of customers to — every now and again — contribute to some of the design elements of their FemiHandbag, this can bring about new ideas or new ways of depicting past ideas. The work that I do also de-

mands that I consistently seek out sources of inspiration, by attending fashion fairs, visiting exhibitions, following the work of some of my favourite designers from all over the world, and staying in touch with the evolving landscape of the fashion industry in general.

With your bags being stocked in Nigeria, London, Paris and New York,howareyouabletoappealto the demand for these large variety of customers, considering their differentenvironment,andlifestyles?

From the get-go, one of the core design characteristics that I wanted the FemiHandbags brand to embody was its ability to merge the Western with the African in a stylish and attractive manner, one that can appeal to women anywhere in the world. What this means is that while we might source inspiration from the global fashion landscape and what’s in season, every single product maintains core heritage features — every bag contains a touch of aso-oke. The fashion industry has become increasingly globalised, and Western based designers are looking towards Africa for design answers - we’ve seen foreign brands crossing borders to borrow and source style components not just from the African continent, but from cultures all over the world. In a way, this has also further enhanced the appeal of our products, at home and abroad: for the international consumer, the touch of culture makes it exotic, and for the local consumer, it’s a label and a visible reminder that Made-in-Nigeria can be amazing.

What really makes your bags different from others in Nigeria?

Exclusivity continues to be the most important feature of our bags.

More often than not, each piece is handcrafted individually even though there are countless variations, and is usually a limited edition handbag, making the wearer feel very special. We also keep reinventing ourselves so much so that the FemiHandbags label has become aspirational and a must-have accessory. Coupled with that is our bold use of quirky colours and the subtle infusion of aso-oke meshed into classic, Western-style silhouettes.

What are the major challenges of bag designers in Nigeria?

One of the biggest challenges to our work as handbag designers is the ability to find enough skilled manpower to produce to the level of quality that we aim to deliver.

I’ve been extremely lucky with my staff — I’ve been able to hold together a core team with some who have been with me for over twenty years, yet the problems linger. This has required a balancing act — understanding what they need, helping them to grow, and creating a conducive and comfort-

able working environment. That notwithstanding, we all still have issues around craftsmanship.

Another critical challenge is the availability of raw materials for the products we design. From the leather itself to smaller elements like eye-lets, buckles, or even something as small as a magnetic clasp or a screw. It’s not that these are completely unavailable, but certainly not in the quantities and the high quality we require. This is why I often have to source from outside the shores of Nigeria for my leathers, metal hardware and accessories.

Copyright is a third challenge that has become increasingly worrisome. Some up-and-coming designers look to established brands for inspiration, and sometimes, this ends up being an entire replication of the brand.

What policies do you think the government can implement to help support bag designers in Nigeria?

It is high time the government recognises the fact that the only way to address the issues within the industry is to start from ground zero, and go back to the drawing board to work out innovative solutions to help us designers achieve our goals. We can’t keep doing the same thing year in year out and expect different answers. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest livestock producers and its leather industry offers a fantastic opportunity to achieve its zero-oil plan. It is a significant area that can help boost exports and job creation; support must therefore be increased in the areas of upgrading the systems, training, craftsmanship, production, technology, marketing and branding of leather products. If our design and production skills are not enhanced, if we continue to produce low quality FLGs, if the availability of raw hides and skins remains low, and the cost to the consumer remains high, if we do not begin to truly understand the export market and how it works, we will be unable to achieve our goals. The government needs to focus on formulating a leatherindustry strategy to be driven by stakeholders, improving the regulatory framework to reduce raw materials production costs and initiating the necessary value addition processes - this will enable leather designers to have access to processed leathers. They also need to create skills acquisition and improvement centres, and this is KEY, invest in specialised machinery, formulate regulations around quality and standards, ensure the enforcement of those quality standards, then create a leather marketing campaign to attract outside markets to our FLGs, and induce greater demand.

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Living on the throes of squalor There has been much talk about government’s intention to boost liquidity in mortgage market, refinance housing loans and private capital going into different building projects for Nigerians. Yet, evidence of affordable housing is scarce in many slum communities across the country. TEMITAYO AYETOTO reports the condition of Nigerians who live in squalor.

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h e n La g o s i s tossed in the air like a coin and it dances far into highbrow edges in Lekki, Victoria Island or Ikoyi, before rolling back to another edge in Ikeja, Magodo or Surulere, it could eventually settle on a flip side in Ijora-Badia - a swampy and water-logged settlement occupied by low-income Lagosians.

This is where living on the throes of squalor is a daily struggle to nod ‘yes’ to life. Mostly makeshift, the houses on Baale Street, for instance, are not the sorts that enjoy lush display on the cover of a fancy real estate magazine which might be tucked in the seat of an airlift to London. Neither do these buildings qualify for listing on property marketing websites.

Here, there are blocks of multiple rooms constructed from patches of planks and the foundation is built from strong round woods that can endure the pressure of water.

The streets are tarred and adorned with heap of trash as a measure to strengthen the soil against water.

Consequently, residents usually don’t set foot on ground. They move around on a long stretch of flat wooden stand (makeshift bridge) that travels along central paths linking various homes. At some disconnects, medium-size stones are set for stepping before the journey continues again.

Residents rely basically on open well-water for washing, bathing and cleaning, while they resort to sachet water or tap-water for consumption. When there is electricity supply from the national grid, Abiodun Gafar, a nursing mother, spends at least N800 on water, which she has to lift on head.

Call it a shantytown, slum or an irritant of a sprawling metropolis, this is where Olasoji Oladunni, a contract staff of the biggest telecommunication company in Nigeria, by subscriber base, MTN,

Baale Street, Ijora-Badia

raises his three boys alone. As a cost control measure, Oladunni has a bicycle that takes him every day to Saka-Tinubu, Victoria Island, where an MTN mast is located. He generally maintains security and monitors engineers who have to work on the server room.

For him, it’s a sharp contrast to work during the day in an environment surrounded by asphalt-laid roads, exquisitely furnished buildings and people with polished disposition but eat, bathe and sleep in filthiness at night. The reality pierces his emotion more profoundly when a harmless question of where he lives comes up.

“Friends who want to know more about me ask me where I stay. But then I say God, if I tell this person that I’m from Ijora, he will say I’m one of those people who throw bottles. So, I find it hard to say this is where I stay because

Oladunni’s residence where he pays about N2,000 ($5) for rent monthly.

I know what the area means; is not nice,” Oladunni explained to BDSUNDAY. Unlike other plank-made buildings, Oladunni’s home is built from cement which makes the leasing rate higher at around N2, 500 and N3, 000 monthly per room. For makeshift apartments such as the one in which Matilda Temiotan, 50, lives in, renting dangles around N1, 500 and N2, 000, monthly depending on the bargaining strength of the taker.

Typical of slum structures in the vicinity, the bathroom at Temiotan’s residence is assembled from a few pieces of planks, without any roofing and it’s cited some distance away from the 10-room bungalow.

Oddly, yet commonplace, there is no toilet. The unwritten but general rule is to defecate and dispose openly in the nearby canal.

Lagosians in this type of dwell-

ing desperately seek good housing but want it inexpensive. They want basic facilities like electricity, good water supply, healthy ventilation, good drainages and roads. In fact, the financial weakness that plunge people under this poor living condition is such that makes them care less about colour themes, brands of furniture or latest interior furnishings.

Some of the inhabitants, like Oluwagbotemi Samuel, a casual staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Apapa, has earned less than N15, 000 monthly for 13 years. Yet, he caters for six children.

At 58 Baale Street, just behind Oladunni’s home, 64-year-old Justus Owowa’s single room has been converted to a school named ‘Olu Nursery and Primary School’.

There, the passionate teacher and indigene of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local

Government Area of Ondo State teaches about 100 kids. And in what highlights the poor state of their household economies, Owowa only charges parents N50 each for teaching them to read and write. He believes it is not enough for the pupils to speak in English.

They should possess the ability to identify, interpret and write what they speak.

“You will discover most of them can speak well, but to put it into writing is zero. I prefer they can put into writing what they are saying. I group them into classes according to their ability,” Owowa said.

Amid this squalor, a few new buildings are also sprouting along the canal lines right in Ijora-Badia.

But these property investors are not considering residential use.

The bungalows function as bars and inns - bubbling with blistering echoes of latest Nigerian hip-hop hit songs. Young men and ladies in catchy outfits dot the precincts.

Many there say it is the fastest moving business, found more profitable than investing in residential buildings.

Already, history records IjoraBadia as one of Lagos’ underserviced and high density areas. Many early inhabitants of Ijora-Badia were people who resettled from Oluwole Village, when it was acquired by the government for the construction of the National Theatre. The resettlement brought more people to live close to the railway tract.

Formal framework exclusion According to a 2015 World Bank report on Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance, a project that cost $205 million, Nigeria has been urbanising at an average annual growth rate of 3.75 percent since 2010 and with the trend continuing, the share of Nigerians living in urban areas is expected to rise to 55 percent of the total population by 2020.

However, non-inclusive hous-

Ignoring the filthy environment, Temiotan’s neighbour roasts fishes for sale.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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Temiotan, 50, manages this plank-made apartment with her husband and children.

ing schemes exclude millions of Nigerian urban residents like Oladunni, Owowa and Temiotan who earn less than N20, 000 salaries from access to formal affordable housing. They constitute about 60-80 percent of urban Nigerians estimated to live in squatter settlements where they suffer from limited access to services, unhealthy living environments and exclusion from economic opportunities that urban areas offer.

The formal housing supply, estimated at about 100,000 units per year, is far-fetched from current demand nearing one million units per year. The deficit was estimated to range between 20million and 30 million in 2014, but the government continues to dismiss the projection on grounds that it lacks clarity of methodology.

In the report, the World Bank highlights affordability as a huge challenge since the formal housing

market does not serve low-income households and public housing projects over the last 30 years.

An instance of such is the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) transformed into a Rent-to-Own housing programme under Akinwunmi Ambode administration.

Rather than a 30 percent equity contribution previously set for beneficiaries, the policy slashed it to 5 percent for possession to be taken, with the balance meant to be paid as rent towards the ownership of the property over a period of 10 years.

It was designed enhance access to affordable homesfor first-time buyers who are residents of Lagos State. A bedroom apartment available as at the middle of August at Odo-Onosa, Agbowa was put up at a unit price of N1 million, N100, 000 as upfront payment and N21,093 as monthly repayment

plan. A two-bedroom at Iponri Estate, Surulere has the unit price as N20 million, N1 million as 5 percent down payment and N210, 938 as monthly repayment.

But as auspicious as the scheme seems, hardly can the economically weaker section pass the affordability test, which requires that applicants make the 5 percent commitment fee payment and must not spend more than 33percentoftheir monthly income as repayment.

At the federal level, there are signs of effort on the path of Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) which refinanced 1045 mortgages to the tune of N18 billion between 2015 and 2018, a BusinessDay report in the first quarter of 2019 confirmed. The company’s mandate is to promote affordable home ownership in the country by leveraging funding from the capital market to deepen

Owowa, 64, teaching pupils in his one room, apartment converted to Olu Nursery and Primary School at 58, Baale Street, Ijora-Badia, Lagos. He charges N50 per day on each pupil. He has been displaced several times in his life from government demolition. Pics by David Apara

BDSUNDAY 17

liquidity in the primary and secondary mortgage markets. Yet, again, the evidence of this is still scarce in areas of need such as Ijora-Badia, Ajegunle, Okokomaiko, Amukoko, Badia, Bariga, Ijeshatedo, Iwaya, Makoko, among others.

Addressing why housing development capital tends to ignore the type of housing needed by belowminimum wage earners, some real estate stakeholders who spoke to BDSUNDAY came to a consensus that affordable housing does not have to do with cost alone. They say it has to do with the ability of those low income earners to afford it. It is believed that those who earn on the lowest cadre still can afford a house given a mortgage system that makes the house affordable.

Equally, concerns were raised over questions of the cost of land not coming cheap and how that translates into meeting the requirement of poor people.

“Whether we like it or not, the present construction environment does make buildings cheap. Are you going to construct without cement when a bag of cement is N2,600. We can’t construct without timber materials, no matter how lean the building is. If you want to buy a tipper of sand, you know how much it cost,” Kunle Awobudu told BDSUNDAY. The builder observed that people without regular source of income might disrupt the official arrangement of mortgage except it comes as assistance. He said: “it will require some form of economic formula to make it effective, since the purchasing power is very low.”

Rotimi Akindipe, the chief executive officer, Groveworld Realties Limited, a real estate company, stressedthat government’s input in planning neighbourhoods remains key and not just about the quality of housing, but also about the quality of neighbourhoods and the beautiful ambience that support living.

“There is something you call urban renewal which is a concept of development too. There is nothing wrong in bringing good roads to Badia; bringing pipe-borne water to Badia; having play areas in Badia or having good schools and good hospitals in Badia. If we have all these things, Badia will not be the same we are talking about,” Akindipe said.

The World Bank believes cities can play a key role in promoting inclusive growth by facilitating productivity as well as efficient service delivery for all citizens.

Home improvement loans rescue Slums structures do not exist without real owners. There are thousands of houses that are structurally sound across the country but have broken windows, leaking roofs and all they need for improvement is 20 percent of what was needed to build the house newly. The lack of surrounding infrastructurealso keeps them in slummy condition.

What they need is improvement loans for retrofitting and upgrading, says Timothy Nubi, founding director, Centre for Housing & Sustainable Development.When they improve where they are, the tenants there will live in a befitting environment.

“What they need is infrastructure upgrading. Make the people come together. Profile them and give them home improvement loan. Not everyone that goes to mortgage banks needs money

to build new houses,” Nubi, the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, the University of Lagos said.

“We have not really sat down to define our housing need. Then, we would be able to identify those that are challenged and vulnerable.

All over the world, there are people called street sleepers, they sleep at train stations and bust stops.

Government pick them up and clean them up, train, and become tax-payers.We need to get the architecture right for housing in Nigeria.The government has a constitutional responsibility to provide housing for different set of people.”

Chicago: from a Midwestern settlement town to a towering City In 1833, Chicago was a wilderness outpost of just 350 residents, clumped around a small military fort on soggy land where the Chicago River trickled into Lake Michigan. By the end of the century, this desolate swamp had been transformed into a modern metropolis of 1.7 million, known for its dense web of railroads, efficient slaughterhouses, fiery furnaces, and soaring skyscrapers.

Chicago’s rise was so sudden and so astounding. The city sits between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds, making it possible for people working or living there to travel by boat all the way to the Atlantic Ocean or to the Gulf of Mexico. But geography alone would not secure the city. Chicago’s growth, like that of many other American cities, was also predicated on governmentled engineering projectsand the mastery of its water. Between the 1830s and 1900, lawmakers, engineers, and thousands of longforgotten labourers created a new, manmade geography for Chicago, building a canal and sewers, raising city streets, and even reversing a river. These monumental feats of engineeringspurred Chicago’s miraculous growth, and provided a model for other American cities to engineer their way to success.

In swampy cities like Chicago, waterborne diseases like cholera thrived. By 1854, the city had survived epidemics of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, killing as many as 1,500 people at a time.

Though scientists had not yet identified the germs that caused these diseases, even casual observers understood that illness spread in places with poor drainage. In 1850, the newspaper Gem of the Prairie observed, for example, that parts of Chicago were swamps like Ijora Badia, the gutters running with filth at which swine turn up their noses.

The only solution was a thorough system of drainage.

Chicago’s city’s experiences suggest that is something continually made and remade by people and governments. The model of growth, based on government-led water engineering projectswas duplicated by other citiessuch as Los Angeles and Las Vegasin the 20th century.

This history shows that if a government is committed to studying welfare problems and defining solutions for each context, affordable housing will not just be about a rush for the city centre. It will also be about reposing the confidence to live in rural areas of the city with reassurance of basic amenities for good living and unhindered transport infrastructure to and from the city centre.

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Politics Kogi guber primaries: Is APC inching towards Zamfara episode? ...Bello, Jibrin, eight others pick nomination forms as sale closes Tuesday Stories by JAMES KWEN, Abuja

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s the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) heading to the Zamfara episode that led to the sacking of its Governorship Candidate, Mukhtar Idris as well as State and National Assembly candidates after the general elections in Kogi State?

This thought-provoking question is not unconnected with the controversy surrounding the mode of primary elections to be adopted in nominating the party’s candidate on August 29 ahead of the November 16 governorship poll in the state.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had approved indirect primaries to elect the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Kogi election.

According to the party, the approval was given after the NWC considered and deliberated on a formal request from the Kogi State APC Executive and stakeholders in preference for the indirect primaries.

APC National Executive Committee (NEC) at one of its meetings last year reemphasised the provision of party’s Constitution for three mode of primary election to elect party candidates – Indirect, Direct primaries and consensus – depending on the peculiarities of the state and preferences of the stakeholders in respective elections.

Under the indirect primary election, only few selected delegates, usually controlled by party leaders such as governors, nominate candidates for an election, but for direct primary election, all registered party members not totally controlled by powers that be participate in the

Bello

nomination process.

Consequently, 20 aspirants for the Kogi governorship ticket swiftly rejected the indirect mode of primary election approved by the NWC and opted for direct primary as the former would give room for the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello to hijack the process by making only Local Government Chairmen loyal to him delegates to the detriment of other contenders.

The aspirants in a protest letter to the NWC argued that, if allowed, the indirect primary election would replicate what happened in Zamfara where APC’s victory was upturned by the Supreme Court over non-conduct of proper primaries.

The letter read in part: “At an emergency meeting of all the governorship aspirants in Kogi State held on Sunday, July 7th, 2019, we reviewed the decision of the

Oshiomhole

National Working Committee visa-vis our aspiration and resolved as follows: That the planned adoption of the Indirect Party Primary is inherent with serious negative consequences for the fortune of the party in Kogi State.

“We regret to observe that such decision was taken without adequate consultation with critical stakeholders of the party in the state especially the governorship aspirants on the platform of the party and other contending groups in the polarised structure of the party in the state.

“The decision to adopt an indirect primary by the National Working Committee is fraught with severe implications. Arising from these cogent observations, we categorically reject the indirect primary adopted by our party for Kogi State”.

APC also acknowledged that

it received petitions from the aspirants in reaction to indirect primaries adopted in Kogi and assured them that their grievances will be considered, though the NWC would be guided only by the party’s rules.

However, over a month and approximately two weeks to the conduct of the governorship primary election, NWC has not said anything regarding the assurance it gave to the aggrieved Kogi governorship aspirants under its platform.

While APC remains silent on the issue, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the party to withhold plans towards adopting an indirect primary for the nomination of its governorship candidate in Kogi State.

Ruling on an ex parte application by four members of the factional

Executive Committee of APC in the state (not loyal to Governor Yahaya Bello), the judge ordered parties to the suit “to maintain the status quo” until when the main suit touching on the propriety of adopting indirect mode of the primary would be resolved by the court.

This was almost the same script that played out in Zamfara State ahead of the general elections, leading to the conduct of parallel primaries by both the then Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Marafa factions.

Though candidates from Yari faction were featured for the election and they won, the Supreme Court sacked them while the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) acquired their victory.

As the over 20 protesting APC governorship candidates in Kogi had observed, by adopting indirect primary for Kogi, APC, “may have unconsciously set a booby-trap for our party and the stage for the replay of the unfortunate Zamfara scenario”.

Meanwhile, out of the over 40 aspirants that have indicated interest to cling the APC ticket to contest for the Kogi governorship election, only 10, including the incumbent, Bello have obtained nomination forms even as sale of forms ends Tuesday, August 20.

Apart from the governor, others that have obtained forms include, Usman Jibrin; former Chief of Naval Staff, Sani Lulu; former Chairman of Nigerian Football Federation, Mohammed Seidu; immediate past Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Danlami Mohammed; former Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC),

Yakubu declares Kogi poverty, violence capital of Nigeria

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governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed Yakubu has described Kogi State the poverty and violence capital of Nigeria due to circumstances beyond the control of well meaning people of the state.

Yakubu added that the Kogi under Governor Yahaya Bello has also become the capital of thuggery and den of kidnappers against the desire of its founding fathers and responsible citizens of the Confluence State.

The former Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria while addressing journalists shortly after obtaining this expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja said the incumbent Governor, Bello has grossly underperformed and should be given

second term ticket.

Yakubu said if nominated by the party and elected by Kogi electorate he would replicate the giant stride he recorded in ABU in the state which was hitherto a shining star in northern Nigeria and economic hub of the country.

While recounting his experience, he said, “I have been a journalist all my life. I tried to do other things like intervention in some areas. That led me in 2005 to become the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and I held that position for two and half years. The record I left behind is still speaking for me. We were able to transform the University and restored its past glory.

“ABU at that time had some problems of backlog of promotion of Professors, backlog of salaries arrears that were not paid, some Professors had packed their lug-

gage to leave the University. I put smiles on their faces, we cleared the salary arrears, we cleared backlog of promotions and ABU the largest University in Africa became what it was known for, Citadel of Academic excellence. “l think that I can also take this little thing I have done in ABU to improve the lives of my own people in Kogi State and transform that State to the level that we all desire. Kogi State I used to say was the brain basket of Northern Nigeria, almost all the institutions that we have in Northern Nigeria were manned by people from Kogi State, a State known for academic excellence.

“But today due to some circumstances beyond the control of the rest of us, Kogi has become like the poverty capital of Nigeria, have become the capital of violence and become the capital of thuggery, has become the capital of kidnappers and this is not the Kogi state that

we desire,” Yakubu said.

According to him, “The Kogi State that we desire when Kogi was created in 1991 was a place that will be a place of harmony, a place of excellence that we bring all the ethnic groups together as a family and will aspire to be a hub of economic development because the strategic location of Kogi makes it an economic hub.

“Other governors call us to tap our brains so that whatever they do for their people will be peopleoriented. Why can’t I offer that kind of service to my state? The connection that this profession offers you makes it possible for me to reach any level of resources and tap those resources for the benefit of your people.”

“Ordinarily, our governor deserves a second term but that depends on performance and the perception of the people. I am not sure because he has underper-

formed; it is his fault. I think you can only perform within the limit of your capacity. So, you cannot hold him responsible for not performing well but you can hold your people responsibleforallowingabaddriver crash your car. The fault is not with the driver but the person who is giving the car to the driver,” he said.

“Some of us have to come to a place prepared. If you come to a place not prepared to serve, you have no idea of what you have come to do, really you can’t perform and that is the bane of our leadership. Election process is faulty. You don’t look at people’s background before we give them jobs, money does not mean the capacity and capability to govern.

Money does not automatically confer the wisdom of King Solomon; so experience is not what you go to the Supermarket to buy no matter how rich you are,” he further said.

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THE PREAMBLE

The thriving falsehood market in Nigeria

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n the last five years, Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal growth of a new market, driven and sustained by evil merchants whose stock in trade is disinformation or falsehood otherwise call ‘fake news’. Fake news has a senior uncle known as ‘hate speech’ and both of them, which initially co-habited in a very

narrow enclave, have grown enormously in character, size, capacity and stature, spreading their influence and impact across ethnic and religious divides in the country. In this edition, CHUKA UROKO, OBINNA EMELIKE and AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE interrogate the ugly trend in the polity and the havoc it is wreaking on the fragile unity of Nigeria.

Credit: Tribune

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Sunday Magazine

The thriving falsehood market in Nigeria I CHUKA UROKO

n the last five years, Nigeria has witnessed phenomenal growth of a new market driven and sustained by evil merchants whose stock in trade is disinformation or falsehood otherwise call ‘fake news’.

Fake news has a senior uncle known as ‘hate speech’ and both of them, which initially co-habited in a very narrow enclave, have grown enormously in character, size, capacity and stature, spreading their influence and impact across ethnic and religious divides in the country.

Fake news, which has become a ready tool in the hands of politicians, religious bigots and ethnic jingoists, range from the elevated and sublime to the ludicrous, all aimed to score cheap political or religious goals at the expense of another interested party.

Some observers say that at no time in Nigeria had fake news and hate speech been so voluminously employed as they were during the 2015 general elections when the main opposition party at the time- All Progressives Congress (APC)-spared no words in condemning actions and assassinating characters in the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which had Goodluck Jonathan as president.

It should be noted however, that fake news is not new in Nigeria. As far back as 1967 to 1970, the period when Nigeria was embroiled in a civil war with the secessionist Republic of Biafra, fake news (war propaganda) was used to condemn activities of enemy forces and also to attract sympathy and support from the international community.

Sometime in 2014, when Nigeria reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in the country, there was a major fake news that claimed the lives of some citizens who over-reacted to the disinformation. All the way from Kogi State, a story, which turned out to be disinformation or fake news, made the round, saying that the leader of a local community in the state had called on his people to bathe in salt water to avoid infection.

The fake news, which was first disseminated on Whatsapp went haywire when, from all over the country, people started calling their relations on phone. It did not stop there as that piece of information was picked up by radio and television stations. With this, the notion that bathing in salt water protected people against Ebola spread like wild fire, well beyond Kogi State.

That was how many people in Lagos were hospitalised for complying with the fake news while hundreds of miles away in Plateau State, at least, two people died and another two were hospitalised after excessively consuming salt and bitter kola, believing they would protect them against Ebola.

“From the 2015 electoral

campaigns through the 2019 elections to the present insecurity situation in the country, fake news has grown and spread like wild fire and it is amazing how extensively both traditional and social media have been deployed to propagate it,” Ephraim Ekwueme, a social commentator, noted.

Ekwueme noted further that what social media platforms, especially Whatsapp, have fed and continues to feed the public in the name of information dissemination are mind-boggling and what they have succeeded in achieving is creating fear in people, sowing seeds of discord and dividing the country.

M a x w e l l O g u e j i o f o r, a political scientist and also a social commentator, shares Ekwueme’s views, stressing, “We are at a point today in Nigeria where one is happier in his ignorance because the more you hear and read these stories off your cell phone, the more you are annoyed and even enraged.”

“I wonder sometimes what the media has come to be in Nigeria. This reminds me of the ageless observation about the media and journalism by Thomas Jefferson, the third American President,” Oguejiofor added.

Jefferson was quoted to have said in January 1787, “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer

the later.’’

But the euphoria that came with that observation had hardly died down when Jefferson countered with another observation that was seen to be a very devastating remark on the media: “The man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; in as much as he knows nothing, he is nearer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehood and errors.”

“That aptly captures the situation in Nigeria as it relates to the media, traditional and social, and the myriad of falsehood that is fed into the mind through them.

“Though there is an entertainment angle to it, over 90 percent of the fake news talk about serious issues that assault our sensibilities and enrage our minds.

Some of such news inexonerably consign us as people and also as a nation to the theatre of the absurd,” Ekwueme fumed.

During the 2019 electioneering campaigns, as the politicians schemed to outdo and outwit one another, a major fake news was released about President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the race for a second term in office because Buhari was in and out of the country on account of his ill health.

The news came that President Buhari had been replaced with a Sudanese clone-named Jubril. The fake news was first presented in a YouTube video in September 2017. The news

was widely repeated over the following months. Though most observers dismissed it as a joke, it remained stubbornly in the airwaves.

As the election approached, the presidency had to gird its loins as it became apparent that several segments of the society genuinely believe the fake news. It became so serious that President Buhari felt the need to confront it directly in December 2018 through a press release and by publicly insisting, in far away Poland, “it’s the real me, I assure you”. The impression this fake news created was that the President was dead. And it was as serious as that.

In recent times, with the vicious and ferocious activities of Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen who government prefers to call bandits, kidnappers and sundry criminals, fake news has taken over the airwaves, creating all sorts of ill-feeling among the people.

Recently, a story was told of Two Fulani men that attacked an Anglican church in a sleepy community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. They robbed the church and the neighbourhood watch (Vigilante) operating in the community was quickly alerted.

When the Vigilante got to the scene, the two Fulani men took to their heels, after shooting in the direction of the security men. They were chased by the vigilante group and one of the Fu-

lani ‘robbers’, while attempting to scale the fence of the church, broke his leg. The two men were eventually caught and the vigilante handed them over to the Nigerian Police.

Th e f a k e n e w s p e d d l e r s added that Miyetti Allah sent a delegation of Fulanis to the traditional ruler of the community, warning that if the injured Fulani man died, they would return with venom, wipe out the entire community and set it ablaze. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area was reported to have gone to the traditional ruler and advised that the community should do everything possible to treat the wounded Fulani man because the Federal Government was very upset about the condition of the Fulani ‘thief’.

It has since been established authoritatively that there was no such incident in the said community and one can only imagine what could have been in the minds of people from that community, more so as it was reported further that the community had to take the injured ‘thief’ to the best hospital in town where the Fulanis were dictating the kind of treatment and food that should be given to the ‘thief’.

This kind of fake news breeds ill-feeling strong enough to lead people to civil strife. It can also lead to people fighting the government for protecting and siding one ethnic group against another.

The fake news about an Igbo man who was reported to have been burnt alive after having his eyes gorged out for urinating near a mosque in the Northern part of Nigeria is also capable of engendering ethnic genocide as the relations of such a man would stop at nothing to avenge the gruesome death of their own.

Like any other trade, fake news vendors usually have ulterior motives to achieve with what they put out and, according to Oguejiofor, “most times, they exploit prevailing situations such elections, bad governance, disease outbreak, etc when they know that people hunger for news and information. In an election season, for instance, fake news is typically geared towards garnering more votes, dividing the electorate, or suppressing votes for one’s rivals.”

As fake news grows and thrives in Nigeria, many Nigerians are being misled into rash actions and avoidable deaths. To guard against all these, readers, listeners or viewers are advised to check multiple sources, and try to establish trusted brands over time.

They are also advised to employ various verification tools, while news content managers are encouraged to check and think before broadcasting or publishing. Added to these, people should be educated on what is trustworthy as against what is fake, so that they can draw a line between the two.

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BDSUNDAY 21

Sunday Magazine

Why Nigeria is falling to bickering, bigotry?

I

OBINNA EMELIKE n 1984, Sonny Okosun, the late African pop musician, released an album he titled, ‘Which way Nigeria?’

Wo r r i e d a b o u t t h e wrong direction the country was heading to then, the late Oziddi crooner in his lyrics observed that, “Many years after independence we still find it hard to start”. He went further to ask in his song, “How long shall we be patient still we reach the promise land?”

As well, Eedris Abdulkareem, a Nigerian hip pop artiste, bemoaned the ugly situation in the country in his time with his songs titled ‘Nigeria Jaga Jaga’, which was released in 2004, ‘Letter to Mr. President’ released in 2005 to address Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the album, and a sequel to ‘Jaga Jaga’ in January 2012 during the Occupy Nigeria protest against lifting of fuel subsidies.

If Okosun, who died on May 24, 2008 in Washington DC, were to be alive today, he would be dumbfounded by the deadlier direction the country has headed to, especially in the last four years, while the likes of Eedris Abdulkareem have either left the country or are no longer talking because of the overwhelming situation.

Beyond corruption, injustice and poor state of infrastructure across the country, which most musicians and human right activists condemned at one time or the other, the situation in the country has gotten worse with the division of the populace along the deadly ethnic and religious lines.

Now, there is so much dis-

trust among the many ethnic groups, growing suspicions and accusations of secret ethnic agenda , dismantling old alliances and forming new ones believed to favour ethnic agenda, while regional pressure groups are becoming confrontational on ethnic and religious issues.

Moreover, many fingers are pointing to the style of killings across the country, lamenting its religious and ethnic undertone, and condemning the Federal Government’s indifferent attitude to the killings, which they said was the reason for the escalation of insecurity in the country.

Sad over the level of distrust and hatred among the ethnic groups in the country today, Paul Osakwe, a public affairs analyst, said that the notion of a ‘United Nigeria’ is not practicable with the level of injustice, open aggression and lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government on national issues. “The Abiola-Kingibe ticket of 1993 will not happen again because it was a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Again, the Muslims in the country will not allow a ChristianChristian ticket too. So, people have woken up to the realities of the country now than before”, he explained.

Toeing same line, Yakubu Amos, a senior lecturer in a North-East university, said the interests of the minorities in the region and even Christians have never been protected as they are often the usual victims of the unsuspecting attacks.

He said that the hatred is on the rise because as humans, it will be difficult to force some-

one to love people who killed his/her parents or wipe their village in one night. “If you have lost a family member to an attack by gunmen, kidnappers or herdsmen, you will never like them or their sponsors. That is human nature and you cannot help it”, he said.

Amos noted further that most ethnic nationalities are becoming more conscious of developments in the country than before and are ready to fight for their interests as the Federal Government, in its usual style, may not respond if the ethnic group, state or region is assumed to be opposition.

“You don’t expect ethnic nationalities across the middlebelt, where there have been so many killings, to like you or support any of your projects no matter how germane because you did little or nothing to protect their lives and existence as a people when it mattered most”, he said.

Olumide Adigun, an economist and public affairs analyst, is of the view that the division in the country is on the rise because it is obvious that a particular ethnic group is regarded more than others in a country of many ethnic nationalities, hence people from other groups freely express aggression whenever issues concerning the ‘seemingly favourite’ ethnic group come up.

“If you consider the many condemnations and protests that trailed the proposed RUGA project, even till now, you will discover how much distrust and hatred that is out there. But the truth is that RUGA is not the good roads,

quality healthcare and education, affordable housing , stable electricity and security Nigerians need. So, the fact that it carters to the interest of an ethnic group, others will oppose it because they have not seen projects targeted at their ethnic group’s interest”, Adigun said.

Obidike Onuoha, a former legislator from Imo State, decried the fact that the proposed South East Development Bill is still facing challenges at the National Assembly, while the North East Bill sailed through.

“If you step down bills from certain regions, the senators, representatives and the people from that region will not be happy with you, especially when the bill will boost development in their region. So, it will become one good turn deserves another and will not augur well for fruitful deliberations among legislators”, Onuoha said.

Speaking on why Nigeria has suddenly become so divided along ethnic and religious lines, which is also fueling hatred and all manner of dissemination of falsehood in society, Onuoha blamed it on the breach of the constitution by the Federal Government and its apparatuses.

“The Nigerian constitution guarantees the equality of the citizens, freedom of speech and expressions, justice for all, as well as, equity upheld by the Federal Character. But in recent times, we have seen people being killed, villages sacked and high level violence by a known group, yet they are not prosecuted.

“I was among the many

that condemned the way the present administration abandoned Federal Character in its appointments, though others said the President has the right to do whatever he likes.

There has been issues with the fight against corruption, which many think government is using the anti-graft agency to intimidate opposition in spite of running a democratic system.

“You heard about the ugly drama involving a notorious kidnapper in Taraba State, how the army killed three policemen, and set the suspect free to regroup and kidnap more people. In a sane country, the army work in collaboration with the police. In all these, many smell injustice, hence distrust and hatred”, Onuoha said.

For Amos, a government that defeated the incumbent is expected to have huge opposition at least in the first term, but needs to reconcile and even forgive in order to move on and carry everybody along in the development of the country.

“If Mr. President had addressed certain issues in his first term, the insecurity and hatred in the country would not have escalated to this level. The bad eggs in the system took advantage of the lapses and the indifference of the presidency on some national issues to execute their selfish interests, and sadly they have grown out of control now,” Amos said.

Osakwe also points finger at the Federal Government for the level of insecurity in the country today. “While the country was trying to break free from the shackles of the Boko Haram insurgency, the Federal Government should have done anything to quell any violent uprising. If Mr. President orders the herdsmen to behave, they will. If they decline, he can send soldiers to enforce sanity, after all, he did same with IPOB, which was gunning for an interest as well”, Osakwe said.

He t h i n k s t h a t n a t i o n a l reconciliation, going back to Federal Character for broader representation in the country and prosecuting killers and other perpetrators of violence in the country will douse the tension and regain people’s trust in the government.

Onuoha advised that the secularity of Nigeria in terms of religion should be spelt out, any form of religious bigotry prosecuted, while the Federal Government should not listen to any attempt to take people’s indigenous land by force.

The analysts believe that Nigerians can live in peace and harmony if the constitution is upheld by every government in power to protect the rights and freedom of the citizens, while the many security agencies should be funded appropriately and retrained to handle modern challenges.

22 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Sunday Magazine Politicians sowing the seed of discord in Nigeria

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AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

or several months, the falsehood that President Muhammadu Buhari had died, prior to the last election, went viral on social media such as Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter. Many Nigerians had believed it until President Buhari personally pooh-poohed it.

The main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also had its piece of cake. A lot of falsehood was emptied into the social media on the personality of a former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, who was the then Presidential candidate of PDP. At the heat of the campaign, the ruling party had fed Nigerians with the fake news that Atiku had been declared a persona non grata in the United States of America over an alleged impending corruption case. Even when Atiku travelled to the US to prove a point, the social media was inundated with fake stories that the man had been arrested there.

Although the elections are over and despite the fact that the two major parties are before the Presidential Election Tribunal, a lot of uncharitable materials are still being posted online and offline, sometimes, not just on issues bordering on the election, but directly attacking the personality of opposing politicians.

These comments ruffle feathers and cause adrenaline rise.

Before the election there were legions of propaganda, outright lies that were fed to the Nigerian people. There was also fake news around the 2019 elections that was attributed to tweets by known figures in the society. For instance, Wole Soyinka, the Noble Laureate was quoted to have said, “Buhari has finished fighting corruption.

He should step aside for Atiku to fight poverty and hunger.”

While Attahiru Jega, the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was said to have tweeted that, “If current INEC chairman can emulate me and conduct free and fair elections, nothing will stop Atiku from winning 2019 elections.”

Though, these claims on social media were 100 percent fake, some of them were intentionally amplified by politicians including the Federal Government as people working for both Buhari and Atiku contributed to the spread with the aim of bullying and intimidating one another.

BDSUNDAY findings show that false news in Nigeria spreads through various channels, but social media provide the cheapest and quickest means to access millions of people. Many journalists aided by the privilege provided by social media, share propaganda in the form of videos, tweets, fabricated quotes and make-belief articles that seem to be real than fake.

There have been cases of bloody clashes fueled by these outright lies that were sold as truth. As these false stories kept spreading like fire, many Nigerians, aggrieved by the messages in the stories, take the lives of innocent people due to the animosity created in them by these fake stories. This explains the uncertainty and tense atmosphere created in the nation’s political space ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 elections.

Internet evolution in the global media industry, no doubt, has made today’s journalism more interesting as reporting, information search and news dissemination become easier due to the speed and visibility the internet gives to both the journalist and the stories.

However, the invention of social media such as Whatsapp and Twitter, which thrive on the platform provided by the internet, is now imposing harm as well as good on the society.

Presently, false reports are having serious negative impact in the existence of Nigeria as a diverse country. This is why the country is now faced with different internal security crises like Fulani-herdsmen and farmers, militancy, and others which have no doubt been creating tension in the society. Every day on the social media, series of fabricated stories and videos are circulated to people on killings caused by the so-called Fulani-herdsmen.

There was also the emergence of a faceless group that calls itself the Fulani Nationalist Movement (FUNAM). This unknown group was accused of fuelling ethnic and religious tensions through hate messages and

it called on Nigerians to boycott the last elections and to look forward to a time when Muslims will rule forever.

On the other hand, it was also claimed that MASSOB and IPOB encouraged the Biafrans not to go out to vote during the elections such that many people were claimed to have been attacked and lives lost for violating these orders.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), fake news has aggravated herders/farmers crises in Nigeria and has also helped in building fear among many such that people fear to travel by road due to ill reports on social media on the activities of killer herdsmen on highways.

BBC cited an example of “fake pictures circulating on social media which falsely depicts that inter-communal violence is inflaming tensions in Nigeria.”

It further stated that there were images circulating in the social media which the originators purportedly claimed were from violence in Jos, Plateau State.

“A gruesome image of a woman faces down in a pool of blood with a gaping shoulder wound is purported to be from such attacks. The picture has hundreds of re-tweets on Twitter, but it first appeared on the internet in 2011 in a story about domestic violence in Nigeria. Another image appears to show half a dozen people that were killed in the attacks. On closer look it becomes clear that the picture was not taken in Nigeria, and is actually the scene of a 2015 traffic accident in the Dominican Republic,” BBC reported.

Study has it that false stories

serve as campaign strategy, which is used during elections with the aim of garnering more votes, dividing the electorate, or suppressing votes for one’s rivals.

The major causes of fake news are quest for relevance, hostile government and civil actors, poor regulatory intervention on the use of internet and money making purposes.

As a result, ResearchGate suggested the need to always confirm the source of information (social media accounts often try to appear as if they are from legitimate news sites), check different sources to confirm the authentication of the information you are reading.

“There is the need to always penalise blogs or media outlets that post fake news no matter the circumstance. By so doing, it will serve as deterrent to others using it as a way to gain relevance or for whatever reason,” it stated.

Fake news most times instigates confusion, tension, and suicide depending on the person or institution on the other end and it undermines serious media coverage and makes it more difficult for journalists to cover.

Few days back, the Kaduna State Police Command said news circulating on social media that an Igbo boy was burnt alive in Kaduna was absolutely false.

Ali Janga, commissioner of Police, said in a press statement through Yakubu Sabo, the command Public Relations Officer, last Wednesday in Kaduna that the fake news was first published on an online media platform.

“The command wishes to state that there was no report

of such incident and the story is entirely a fabrication, maliciously intended to incite crisis and create fear in the minds of unsuspecting citizens,” he said.

The command, therefore, called on the people of Kaduna State and indeed Nigeria to disregard the story as fake, callously aimed at causing disaffection among Nigerians on the basis of tribe or religion.

Meanwhile, Hamman Gabdo, Emir of Gashaka in Taraba State called on social media users to refrain from posting unverified items to avoid causing disharmony among Nigerians.

Gabdo, who gave the advice in a recent interview with BusinessDay correspondent in Jalingo, expressed worries over how people were using social media to cause disaffection among communities, marriages and nations.

The monarch called on Nigerians to learn how to be tolerant and to forgive one another.

Therefore, people need to engage different verification tools online like Tin Eye, Google and Bing which can tell what you need to know about information you came across with.

Again, there is need to engage Metadata (a tool); it will tell you where and when an image or video was captured to avoid confusion in the case of fake news.

After that, then think before you post/share is very important.

Also, there is need for the government to work with the media and invest in training them in order to avoid creating room for fake news. Also, the government should give room for full press freedom and journalistic integrity in Nigeria.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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23

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Arts ‘Our projects have been instrumental at putting smiles on people’s faces’

Recently, the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation (CBA Foundation), a not-for-profit organisation, took its outreach programme in support of women to the palace of OLOGBON OLADEYINDE, the Baale of Okun-Ilado, in Ibeju – Lekki, Lagos, where it hosted and empowered some underprivileged women and widows. In this interview, CHINWE BODE-AKINWANDE, founder of the foundation, speaks to OBINNA EMELIKE on the impacts of the outreaches, focus on women, challenges

C

ongratulations on your recent outreach. But what is the outreach all about?

The outreach is one of the many benevolent activities by CBA Foundation, a Not for Profit Organisation dedicated to promoting the protection of widows in Nigeria and their vulnerable children. We impact with the aim of providing an immediate and lasting hope, confidence and courage in the lives of the underprivileged widows – and their wards – through various activities not limited to grants, provision of relief materials like clothing, food supplies and importantly, economic empowerment.

and mosque leaders have been notably impactful.

You need funds to execute your impactful projects, how do you source funds?

The bulk of our funding is through donations from friends, colleagues, members of the society, as well as, corporate organisations that have over the years partnered with us due to their believe in not just our impact but what we stand for.

We are grateful to them for their support and implore many more to reach out to us as indeed we cannot do it alone What project of the Foundation do you think has impacted the society most and why?

Why the choice of Ibeju-lekki and women in particular?

Ibeju Lekki was chosen due to its fast development pace, as we consider it one with opportunities for businesses, especially small businesses.

In addition, the high influx of people into the community makes it an opportunity for the market women there to make ends meet through the growing market there.

How was the reception by your host?

The reception by the community, especially the Baale was very impressive. We couldn’t have asked for more, remarkably the Baale granted us his palace to use as the event venue. This

indeed means a lot to us.

How far have you been able to achieve the objectives of CBA Foundation?

It has been the grace of God. I cannot think of anything more, God’s grace.

Apart from the outreach, what other platforms and means have your deployed to impact the society?

The task of CBA Foundation is enormous and very encompassing. Our partnership with the traditional rulers, churches

That is a very hard call and pick to make. We believe that all our projects have been instrumental at putting smiles on peoples’ faces. Much as we are focused on the unprivileged widows and their children, the multiplier effects of our impact have been far-reaching beyond our target beneficiaries. Interestingly at CBA Foundation, we categorise our beneficiaries into two groups; the direct and indirect.

The direct are individuals that are impacted at our event, those who are the primary recipient of our impact. The indirect are what we call secondary recipient(s) of our impact. So, from these, you would agree with me that the society at large has benefitted from our outreach programmes.

Have there been challenges and how have you been tackling them?

We experience quite a number of challenges. Getting people to buy into this project has not been easy. Awareness creation is a key hitch here due to culture interference. Many people are opinionated to support what they know, so when you tell them about a new initiative, they are reluctant. But in all, thankfully we are aggressive at building our awareness strength just to make sure we build a better world for the underprivileged widows and their children.

In addition, inadequate volunteers at meeting projected impact levels. Also, societal factors, as it relates to gender inequality. Being a foundation, we are not profit based, which sheds more light on the limitations we experience on funds generation. Tackling such challenges is through the passion we have for this course as we pay very little attention to the challenges that might arise.

What is the big dream or rather ‘next level’ for CBA Foundation?

The next level for CBA Foundation is built on more impact, especially at a national scale then regional – at the continental level – and definitely global.

We are encouraged with every testimony and changed life to continually impact and touch the lives of unprivileged widows with no limit.

Lillian Okeze set to launch first single, ‘Baba Ese’

N

igerian gospel singer, Lillian Okeze, is set to take gospel music to a new height as she prepares to launch her first single, which promises to refresh souls and add value to gospel music in the country.

The Delta State – born Okeze, a graduate of History and International Relations from the Lagos State University (LASU), is a leading chorister and praise worship leader in one of the parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, and has

spent many years in the choir from the age of 17, where she has been groomed by seasoned musicians.

Given her maturity level in music and the inspiration she has received from the Lord, she is now set to bless the world with her voice and music talent, with her first single, which is titled: ‘Baba Ese’.

Due for public presentation soon, the single, which is produced by Oluwafemi Adebayo of The Groove Agent Music, consist songs of a grateful heart

in praise and celebration of God for His faithfulness. ‘‘I have passed through different challenging situations in life but remembered how God has helped me all through them, hence all I have to say is Baba Ese,’’ said the gospel singer who noted further that her ordeal in life inspired her songs. ‘‘All I want to do is to put smiles on the faces of people by making them realise that there is still hope if they can only trust in God.’’ As a praise and worship leader,

she understands the importance of inspirational music. The essence of the music, according to her is, “Bringing the souls of men and women to worship and praise God in truth and in spirit.’’

While her songs are simple, they are also songs of hope, hence she declared that singing is her passion.

“I love singing, I enjoy it and I am fulfilled when I sing .My music places people in the right place to communicate with their God and also brings souls to Jesus Christ”, she concluded.

24

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Arts …Diamond Platnumz, Davido, FallyIpupa, others make Regional Category list ....Continental Category to be released on August 23

T

OBINNA EMELIKE he African Union (AU) and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, (AFRIMA) unveiled the nominees’ list (regional category) for its 6th edition at a world media conference on August 14, 2019, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

The 2019 Nominees’ list for Regional and Continental category emerged from the 8,157 songs/videos received as entries from its online portal, which closed earlier on August 2, 2019, while the remaining 25 continental categories will be released on August 23, 2019 after auditing by the International auditors of AFRIMA. The unveiling event, which was graced by an array of music industry professionals, artistes and entertainment journalists, was also aired on African Independent Television (AIT), Ray Power Fm and Kennis Music FM. The regional category for Best Female Artistes and Best Male Artistes of the five regions (Western, Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Central Africa) have been thoroughly selected

A cross section of AFRIMA International Jury members

from the entries to reveal artiste who will be competing at the 2019 awards ceremony.

This year’s list showcases a wide range of creativity and talents both from new and known artiste across the regions. Artistes like Shatta Wale, Kizz Daniel, Salif Keita, Burna Boy will be competing for the Best Male category in Western Africa, while Teniola, Simi, Aya Nakamura, Mzvee, Yemi Alade amongothers will be competing for the Best Female category in Western Africa. Dominating Central Africa include Cameroonian artiste Blanche Baily, Charlotte Dipanda, Daphne

alongside their male counterpart Locko, Magasco and Salatiel.

For Eastern Africa fields great contenders including Sheebah from Uganda; Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania; Nikita Kering from Kenya with Tanzanian Diamond platinum, Rayvanny, Mboso, and Kenyan Khaligraph Jones and Nyashinski.

Mo r o c c a n Ya n n ’ Si n e , Ahmed Soultan, Amiinux, and Algerian Soolking with Cairokee from Egypt, Salma Rachid from Morocco will be battling it out in the Northern region for Best Male and Female category.

The list has a huge representation for South African artiste as they hold sway over the Southern African region for both Male and Female categories. The artistes include, AKA, Nasty C, Cassper Nyovest, Sjava, Black Coffee, Kelly Khumalo, Zonke, Nadia Nakai among others.

Amara Brown, Tamy Moyo, Jah Prayzah, and Winky D also lock down few spots for Zimbabwe in the Southern regional category.

Drawing from their pool of experience and professionalism, the 13-man AFRIMA international jury, guided by

Nigerian Writer, Ayobami Adebayo, is 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature winner

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igerian writer, Ayobami Adebayo, has been unveiled winner of the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, the most prestigious literature prize for first time fiction writers of African origin.

For her novel ‘Stay with Me ’ , Ayo b a m i w a s a n nounced the winner at an event held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the 9mobile headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos. She received a prize of £15,000 and a Montblanc Meisterstück pen among several other rewards.

Another Nigerian, Lesley Nneka-Arimah, author of the book, ‘What it Means When a Man Falls Down from the Sky’, and a South African, Marcus Low, author of ‘Asylum’, emerged runners-up.

Ayobami’s announcement followed the unanimous selection of her book by the judging panel for the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature chaired by Nigerian academic Professor Harry Garuba and supported by Siphiwo Mahala and Doreen Baingana.

Stephane Beuvelet, acting managing director, 9mobile, congratulated the winner and the runners-up, and restated the company’s com-

mitment to continuously support Nigerians and other Africans with the best platforms to express their passion and creativity.

Beuvelet, who was represented by Abdulrahman Ado, executive director, regulatory and corporate affairs, 9mobile, also assured of the company’s commitment to the prize, stating, “We will continue our sponsorship of the prize. It will continue; I assure you it is not sunset.”

Speaking, Ayobami expressed shock at emerging the winner of the coveted

prize and commended the runners-up.

“It is unexpected. I am surprised not just in terms of winning the prize itself because it was a very strong shortlist.

The other books were very amazing. Leslie Arimah’s collection of short stories, I think, is one of the best books that was published that year.

Marcus Low’s Asylum is also really brilliant. So, it is surprising to win the prize. I am shocked,” she said.

Born in Lagos in 1988 and raised in Ilesa and Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ayobami has

L-R: Abdulrahman Ado, executive director, regulatory and corporate affairs, 9mobile; Ayobami Adebayo, winner, 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature, and Phillips Oki, chief financial officer, 9mobile, at the prize presentation in Lagos on Thursday.

written for the BBC, LitHub, The Guardian (UK), and has worked as an editor for Saraba Magazine since 2009.

Her 260-page novel, ‘Stay With Me’, set between 1985 and 2008 in Nigeria, revolves around a childless couple – Akin and Yejide. They are young educated Nigerians with modern sensibilities about work, marriage and children. Everything appears perfect, until Akin’s mother and aunts begin pressuring them to have children, something they have been unable to do despite years of trying.

Inadditiontotheprizemoney, other rewards for Ayobami include a 9mobile-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia where she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of ‘The Last King of Scotland’.

Past winners of the 9mobile Prize for Literature (previously Etisalat Prize for Literature) include Nigeria’s Jowhor Ile, for his novel, ‘And After Many Days’; Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, for his novel, ‘Tram 83’; South African writer, Songeziwe Mahlangu for his novel, ‘Penumbra’ and Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo for her novel, ‘We Need New Names’.

the AFRIMA acronym FACEIT, which stands for; fairness, authenticity, creativity, excellence, integrity, and transparency underwent a week-long process of thoroughly screening, categorizing, assessing, and grading from the thousands of entries in order to arrive at the best reflection of rich and creative talents in African music. The reviewed songs were produced from August 1, 2018, to August 2, 2019.

Speaking on behalf of the AFRIMA jury, Chris Syren, representing Southern Africa, gave a report on their activities including the tireless and assiduous process they had to embark upon during adjudication, the quality of works received, criteria for selection, and the voting process. He commended AFRIMA for its sense of inclusiveness and unity at leading the conversation of using music as a tool for integration and shared prosperity in Africa. As well, Angela Martins, head of culture, Africa Union, via a video conference, expressed her excitement of this year’s AFRIMA, its capacity to promote the African culture positively while calling for more support for the continental initiative.

The AFRIMA online voting platform is set to open to the public on Sunday, September 1 and will run till November 22, where both continental and regional nominees in the 36 AFRIMA awarding categories will compete for the coveted 23.9 carats gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.

Nominees will depend on their fans and followers spread across the globe to vote for them in an open voting process via the AFRIMA website, www. afrima.org The 2019 AFRIMA ceremony is scheduled to hold from November 20-23, 2019 during a four-day fiesta of music, glamour, Afrocentricism and entertainment in the official awards host city. The ceremony will commence with the welcome soiree followed by the AFRIMA music village, the host city tour, the Africa music business summit, the exclusive nominees’ party and concludes with the live awards ceremony.

Fans of African music globally can follow and take part in the AFRIMA 2019 events on social media, live stream on the AFRIMA website, the AFRIMA App and by tuning to over 84 television stations, which are AFRIMA partners.

Bisiriyu, Irechukwu win Getlitnaija poetry competition …describe platform as big boost to emerging poets

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inners of the maiden edition of Getlitnaija, a spoken word poetry competition launched in 2018, have described the platform as ‘a big boost’ to emerging poets in the country.

The two winners, Chisom Irechukwu (Adult Category) and Bosede Bisiriyu of Salvation Army Primary School, Ijoko Abeokuta, Ogun State (Junior Category) emerged tops in the competition, which requires contestants to write poems and make a video recording of their renditions of the works for assessment by a panel in the United States of America.

According to the duo, a competition like Getlitnaija is necessary to stimulate the urge to capture the musings of young Nigerian poets, while preparing them for the future.

Chisom, who hails from Ikeduru in Imo State, won the competition with her poem, titled, ‘Nomad’. According to her: “I wrote ‘Nomad’ a while back before the competition and it was borne out of a conversation with myself about how we are all so desperate to be welcomed by others that we sometimes let the wrong people into our lives.

“I filmed and edited it. I like to think my poems are less about me and more from what I see and hear due to my being a wallflower who just wants to understand the madness of this world. Poetry is the canvas on which I paint my view of life. All my life, I have written in order to

Bosede Bisiyinru

Chisom Irechukwu

make sense of things, of being here, of loving, and being loved and of the finality of death.

“I love art and writing poetry is the medium that comes easily for me. Conversations about love and loss are definitely my sweet spot. I have a certain ability to feel the melancholy in every person and I love to sit and listen to people or observe people at social gatherings because I think it is really beautiful how flawed we all are. I am passionate about women and our stories and my writing tends to be reflective of that love.”

The next edition of Getlitnaija will be announced soon.

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BDSUNDAY 25

Travel Former flight attendant reveals things that make passenger stand out

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Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

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hawn Kathleen, the former flight attendant who runs the popular Instagram account “Passenger Shaming,” knows more than most about bad plane behaviour.

The account, which now boasts 850,000 followers and constitutes her full-time job, initially began as a journal she kept about passengers’ behaviour while she was in the sky.

Eventually, crew members started to send her photos of passengers behaving badly - and now members of the public do, too.

However, she said that life in the sky isn’t all bad - and while there are certainly passengers with disgusting habits or stupid questions, there are also two basic good behaviours that make a passenger stand out in a positive way.

1. Start with a simple ‘hello,’ and say ‘thank you’ Shawn Kathleen said standing out is as simple as starting with a “hello” and saying “thank you.”

“I know it sounds so basic and ridiculous, but it’s true,” she said.

“Acknowledge this is somebody’s job. They might be on their 6th flight of the day.

“Just be nice, follow instructions, [and don’t] challenge the crew when they say we need you to get your seatbelt on.”

She added that passengers “don’t see the back end of the captain saying ‘make sure everybody’s buckled up because we’re about to hit something gnarly right

now.’”

“It’s about safety. The number one duty of a flight attendant is safety. Second to that is comfort.

“Be kind - just normal, basic respect and kindness. Follow crew members’ instructions if they have them. They’re not out to get you, they want you to be happy.”

She added: “Would you as a flight attendant want to be on a plane with 350 people that hated you for three hours? You paid for a ticket, be comfortable.”

“Also,” she said, “it’s not the flight attendant’s fault if we can’t give you a blanket or pillow. They don’t always have the proper tools to do that. Sometimes an aircraft only has stuff up in the front for

first-class, that’s not a crew member’s fault. They hate having to tell you that.”

2. Treat the plane like a public space - not your living room She also said that you also need to “be respectful of the other people in the aircraft,” not only the crew.

“It’s called public transportation. You’re not on NetJets - if you’re on a private jet, you do you, but if you’re on a subway or bus, it’s not the place to start trimming your nose and warts. I’ve seen all of that.”

Shawn Kathleen told INSIDER in 99% of aircraft there’s a changing table in the lavatory, but that hasn’t stopped moms and dads

from asking her to dispose of dirty diapers.

“Be aware that you’re on public transportation and you’re not in your living room,” she said. “The airline is not your living room.

The ticket you paid for does not entitle you to treat the airline as you wish.”

One of her biggest pet peeves of when people put their feet up on the bulkhead.

“People are like, ‘I can do that,’ but it’s a wall and they break, I’ve seen them detach from the fuselage of the aircraft,” she said.

“Treat it like you would your home. It’s sad you even have to have that conversation with adults.”

Finchglow Travels engages partners in capacity development, opens new branch in Abuja

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n a bid to upgrade the operations of travel agencies in the country, Finchglow Travels, Nigeria’s leading Travel Management Company (TMC), has recently held training with its trade partners in Abuja with a focus on the theme: “Collaboration to Achieving Results.”

Coming up at a time when technology is predicted to take over businesses in the coming years, the essence of the training was to educate trade partners on the latest trends and technologies in the business, as well as how to maximize these opportunities into profitability.

Ezekiel Ikotun, the Group Chief Operating Officer, Finchglow Travels (GCOO) in his opening remark said: “Finchglow Travels has been in existence since 2006, we have seen the ups and downs of this business without forgetting the days of BSP, yet we are thankful that we are here today. We

Winners of the AfricaAfrican Diaspora Tourism Association to be launched at Akwaaba

understand that it takes courage to remain in this business starting from the operating environment to many other areas which has unfortunately led to the extinction of many renowned travel agencies.

Based on this reason, at Finchglow Travels we decided to show our trade partners what we know.

The purpose for organising today’s trade partners’ forum is to foster business sustainability for our trade partners. We recognize your influence in our businesses and we can’t deny that your efforts have been remarkable. We want this to continue; hence we set up this forum to educate you.”

While delivering a lecture on the latest trends in the industry, Ikotun spoke of the New Distribution Capability (NDC), a travel industrysupported program launched by IATA for the development and market adoption of a new, XMLbased data transmission standard (NDC Standard). He urged agen-

cies to embrace it the moment the NDC is activated in Nigeria as it will enhance communications between airlines and travel agents.

Ikotun also announced the launch of Finch Trade PartnerPlus, a platform that allows the trade partners to be able to enjoy feature-rich tailored travel products and services to help trade partners enhance existing product and service portfolio and achieve incremental growth.

Speaking of the benefits, he notes: “Finchglow Travels Trade PartnerPlus offers generous POS commission, comprehensive product training, sales & technical support. The benefits are: Ticket Quotes and Sales Support, Technical Support, Promotions and Giveaways, Product Discounts, FamTrip, Issuing Right/RTS and a lot more.”

To commemorate with Finchglow Travels and to help in educating travel agents on latest

technologies, fare rules and packages, the event had representatives from Amadeus; one of the major Global Distribution System (GDS) service providers. Also in attendance were representatives from RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates who supported the event with giveaways like laptops, tickets and monetary rewards.

Also speaking during the event, Abiola Omosini, Head of BTA, Nigeria, CWA & Angola, Amadeus; urged the travel agencies present at the event and in Nigeria as a whole to move their focus from just air travel to other services like hotels, tours, cruises etc.

In celebrating this feat, Bankole Bernard, the Managing Director Finchglow Travels; says: “We are thankful to God for allowing us achieve this, we will however not stop at this, we will continue to work harder and focus on the vision of expanding to other regions of this prestigious country.”

frican Travel Quarterly, (Atqnews.com), has unveiled a shortlist of Diaspora winners of the Africa Travel 100 Global personalities awards. The award recognizes personalities of African Origin, living in Africa or outside the continent, irrespective of their current citizenship or nationality that has been contributing to the development of the continent and its Diaspora in the area of Tourism and Travel.

This comes as plans to launch a Global Tourism Association for Tourism players in Africa and the diaspora nears completion.

The African Travel 100 Global Personalities award will take place during the 15th AKWAABA African Travel Market at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on the 23rd of September, 2019.

Akwaaba African Travel Market is from 22nd to 24th of September 2019.

The award is expected to honor personalities in the travel and tourism sector that have exemplified themselves in the industry and contributed to the growth of the sector in Africa and the Diaspora. The event will be part of the First African Tourism Diaspora Conference 2019. The Conference is expected to draw top tourism personalities from around the world to Lagos Nigeria.

African Tourism Diaspora Conference 2019 is to mark the 400 years of slavery. Slavery is a very sensitive topic that has created an uncomfortable relationship between Africa and its diaspora. The Conference is an opportunity to celebrate the merging of Africans, Americans, Caribbean’s and the rest of the world during this memorable gathering expected in Lagos.

Africa with 54 countries and a population of 1.2 billion has an unbelievable tourist attraction. The Caribbean and African diaspora have a unique culture, rich heritage and beautiful destinations for tourists, hence the need to connect and combine these wonderful cultures and population, creating a huge global market.

The African Diaspora Tourism Conference presents a platform to discuss, initiate, dialogue and celebrate a new relationship.

However, the recognition of Africa as a beacon of hope for African people living on the continent and in the Diaspora to explore, relate and live using the African Diaspora Tourism Conference as the African Platform for the foundation of this long-lasting relationship.

Posterity will remember that the improvement was earned not by coincidence but by conscious efforts to validate the struggles, strengths, and linkages between African descendants on a PanAfrican scale.

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Travel Ojude Oba: A generous display of Ijebu cultural heritage OBINNA EMELIKE

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ver a century ago, some indigenes across Ijebuland gathered at the palace of the then Awujale, the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, to pay homage to the royal father.

Then, the visit, which was on the third day after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Kabir, was borne out of the generosity of the visiting subjects to appreciate their king for his good leadership and peaceful reign.

Today, thousands of the indigenes, their friends, tourists and culture enthusiasts are gathering at Ijebu Ode, the traditional base of the Ijebu nation, to appreciate Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona; the Awujale of Ijebuland, for his exemplary leadership and peaceful reign.

Of course, indigenes who desire long life were also at the festival to appreciate and receive royal blessings from the 85 years old paramount ruler, who is the longest reigning monarch in Nigeria.

Despite his age, the Oba, who ascended the throne in 1960, at a youthful age of 26, is still strong today to receive his subjects and guests, as well as, pray for them.

So, as expected, the quiet town of Ijebu Ode wore new looks on August 13, 2019 when thousands of indigenes, friends and tourists thronged to pay homage to the paramount ruler.

From across the major roads and streets, there was generous showcase of colour as well-costumed indigenes made their way to Oba S.K Adetona Golden Jubilee Centre, the venue of the festival.

The crowd was impressive as the four stands at the state-of-thearts Golden Jubilee Centre were full to the brim with people decked in beautiful cultural attires and ready for carnival. There was also huge overflow of the crowd across all the streets and junctions leading to the venue.

Also, the unique seating arrangement further made the venue more

colourful and in line with this year’s theme: ‘The uniqueness of the Ijebu nation’.

But two other stands paraded the different age groups, called ‘regberegbes’, their friends and other guests. But their colourful costumes speak volume of elegance.

Prominence was given to the Awujale’s stand, which hosted dignitaries such as Kensington Adebutu, founder of Premier Lotto, the special guests at this year’s festival, who was represented by Kola Oyefeso, a professor, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State, Olasubomi Balogun, founder of FCMB Group, Olusegun Osoba, former governor, Ogun State, among others.

While there were many highlights at the festival, a unique one was the presence of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alafin of Oyo, who probably visited for time and also came with a special masquerade that comes only on rare occasions to eulogize or pray for an Oba who has stayed long on the throne like the Awujale.

As expected, the festival started with the recitation of the national anthem and was followed shortly

with the introduction of the dignitaries and the special guest of honour.

But it was all glamour afterwards when age groups filed out in colourfull parade and procession to the Awujale’s stand. On getting there, delegates of the age group climbed a few steps further on the podium to greet the Awujale, offered him presents and afterwards opened their hands and hearts to receive his prayers and blessings.

On getting back to the group, they communicated with other members and marched back to their stands as another group took over the homage paying scene.

The strength and loyalty exhibited by very old people who joined their age groups to salute the paramount ruler, despite the near-stampede and rain were part of the many intrigues of the festival.

But the beauty of the procession by the age groups was the very slow pace, which enabled them to show off their elegance, grace among others. As well, the slow journey to Awujale’s stand to pay homage was smoother with the very accompanying afro beats music by indigenous music talents, chants, cheers and joyful sound from the

L-R: Ladi Balogun, group chief executive, FCMB Group Plc; Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, and Olori Abimbola Balogun, wife of the founder, FCMB Group, during the Ojude Oba Festival.

crowd.

From the groups’ parade, corporate sponsors matched in to salute the king as well. Globacom, First City Monument Bank, Nigeria Breweries, Rite Foods Limited, among others marched to congratulate the ruler and received his prayers for better business this year and beyond.

The specially thing about the sponsorship is that First City Monument Bank and Globacom, the two major sponsors of the festival over the years, are owned by two prominent Ijebu sons; Olasubomi Balogun and Mike Adenuga.

However, the climax of the excitement at the festival was the spectacular horse parade by the Baloguns or warrior families who rode in beautifully decorated horses, wielding traditional weapons, amid shooting dane guns to pay homage to the Awujale. As they warriors rode in, the venue was charged; the guests and even the paramount ruler were all thrilled by the enthralling performances, war chanting and displays.

Again, the festival allowed healthy rivalry among the competing age groups and Baloguns. This year, Balogun Kuku won the horse procession display, Balogun Odumaga and Balogun Shoye won the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.

In the age group parade, Bobamayegun Okunrin Asiwaju came first.

In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Olasubomi Balogun CON, founder of FCMB Group, who is also the Olori OmoOba Akile Ijebu, expressed his gratitude to the paramount ruler for his selflessness, distinguished and exemplary leadership for the 59 years he has been the paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

“We pray your reign will continue to bring joy, inspire prosperity and engender togetherness in abundance to all of us, your children, and the entire Ijebu race, at home and in the Diaspora. I cannot but sing our famous song, “O ye ka dupe, O ye ka dupe, Ara san, Ategunfe, Ijija, kogbewa lo, O ye ka dupe.

“Being the Olori Ebi (the head of the family) and as your Olori Omo-Oba (the head of princes and princesses), I will continue to lead the way in showing our apprecia-

tion to you. As you extend yourself to our people’s different requests and yearnings, I wish to reiterate that the annual paying of homage should not be the only occasion we should show our appreciation. This is because you have consistently earned our affection and our adulation, Kabiyesi’, the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu said.

In the same vein, Ladi Balogun, group chief executive, FCMB Group Plc, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years. “The Ojude Oba Festival is a rallying point to promote the sustainable growth and development of our community. We recognise that celebrating our heritage is an important part of our national identity, a means of educating visitors and future generations about our history and an opportunity to measure our growth, development and sustainability. Hence, for us at FCMB, the Ojude Oba Festival is not just another event.

“It is a pride to us; being a major platform through which we reaffirm our commitment to the community and promote our nation’s cultural diversity. We will continue to support all activities of the state with focus on the economic and social development. We are committed to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival and are proud to be associated with its grandeur’’, FCMB’s group chief executive said.

Also in his speech at the festival, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State, commended the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ijebus, describing them as very industrious people across all walks of life.

He also commended the organisers for the commitment that has lifted the festival over the years to a big festival. He promised that the state would partner the organisers in making the festival bigger and further showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ijebu people to the world.

He also pledged to give Ijebuland a facelift through robust infrastructural development.

In appreciation of his subjects and visitors, the Awujale commended everybody who made effort at gracing the festival this year and prayed for blessings and protections for them. Most importantly, he asked his people to be careful in choosing his successor, offering guidelines such as a man with integrity, a man who stands and speaks the truth, a father to all and lover of peace.

He also asked the new governor to bring development closer to Ijebuland, and encouraged the sons and daughters of the land to complement such efforts targeted at the development of their land. He also appreciated the Alafin of Oyo for felicitating with the Ijebu Nation on the occasion of the festival.

While the general blessings by the Awujale marked the official end of the festival at the venue, celebration continued at across the town, while food vendors, hawkers, restaurants and bars, taxi drivers, souvenir and craft shops smiled to the bank.

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Life&Living Different scents and what they mean

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JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON

mell is the strongest of the senses and is best able to influence brain activity. To most people, a smell isn’t just a fragrance – it’s a memory. This is probably why when we smell something, our brain instantly registers it and helps us to remember something, someone or somewhere.

But aside from their memory-inducing powers, certain scents can also do amazing things for our mind and body.

From stress relief to headache relief, certain aromas have a way of making an impact (and positively so).

Lavender (The calm Scent): Lavender can help calm the mind and body almost instantly.

But perhaps its most useful benefit is its ability to help treat insomnia. This essential oil has calming properties that help control emotional stress. Lavender has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve nervous tension and depression as well as treat headaches and migraines.

Peppermint (The energy booster): The smell of peppermint awakens your senses

and boosts your energy, as it invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking. In addition to giving you sweet breath, peppermint may also do your brain a favor. A small study out of Wheeling Jesuit University found that smelling peppermint could be linked to greater cognitive stamina, motivation and overall performance. There is also a small bit of research to suggest that the menthol scent in peppermint even tricks the brain into thinking that it alleviates stuffy

nasal passages – just the thing you need when you’re feeling a little under the weather.

Vanilla (The happy scent): Increase your level of happiness with the smell of vanilla fragrances. A recent study shows that taking a whiff of vanilla bean elevated participants’ feelings of joy and relaxation. So transform your mood today by using vanilla essential oils or burning vanilla candles in your living space.

Citrus scents (keep you alert): The smell of citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. They are called

superfruits for a reason. If you’re looking for a little pick-me-up, you may want to forget the cup of coffee and opt for citrus instead. Scents like lemon and orange are not only well-known for their Vitamin C properties, but simply sniffing the fruit can help boost energy and alertness.

Jasmine (The antidepressant): This floral scent can switch up your mood and serve as a way to help eradicate depressive thoughts. Researchers have found that the stimulating effect of jasmine oil can aid in

the relief of depression and can lead to an uplifted mood.

Jasmine has such powerful for a tiny flower.

Pumpkin (The aphrodisiac): Would you ever consider a little Eau de Pumpkin? It might be an alluring scent for men. In a study conducted by The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, researchers discovered that 40 percent of the male test subjects responded positively to a pumpkin scent when combined with lavender.

Cinnamon (Sharpens mind/ senses): There is a reason why the smell of cinnamon is associated with goals, gains, money and success. The scent which sharpens the mind and senses is known to be a positive smell and can come in handy when looking for inspiration.

Tea Tree (The healer): Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has many benefits for the skin. It’s an alternative to conventional treatments. The oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties and is therefore referred to as the healer. Although it is a topical medication, the smell of one or two drops of tea tree oil in hot water can help relieve nasal congestion.

A list of Do’s and Don’ts for bridesmaids on or before weddings IFEOMA OKEKE

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aybe it’s the first time a friend has asked you to be a bridesmaid, or maybe you’re starting to feel like Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses. Either way, even if you’re excited to celebrate with your friend and are super-supportive of her emotionally, not everyone is totally clear on all of the actual duties of a bridesmaid.

It’s not just about showing up, hanging out by the open bar, and wearing a pretty dress (or a dress of questionable taste that you’ll suffer through for your BFF). Yes, there’s work involved — but don’t worry, being there for your friend does not equal having to empty your savings.

Here are a few basic obligations of a bridesmaid, along with a few things that are definitely not expected of you (and how to say no if they are).

DOS 1. Help with pre-wedding tasks and offer to make the couple’s life easier by pitching in when you can.

2. Go with the bride to her fittings.

3. Purchase a dress or other attendant outfit (Aso-ebi) to show support.

4. Help plan and co-host the

bridal shower and bachelorette party, if it’s financially feasible for you. Help the maid of honour keep a record of the gifts and RSVPs for these parties.

5. Attend the rehearsal (if there is one), rehearsal dinner, and postwedding brunch (if there is one).

6. Help with getting the bride ready, receiving deliveries, and running any other errands.

7. Greet guests at the reception,

directing people to the guestbook, bathroom, photo booth, and anything else they need to know about.

8. If the dance floor looks sparse at first, lead by example and get guests moving. Remember that you’re a cheerleader.

9. Help bustle the bride’s gown after the ceremony if needed, and accompany her to the restroom.

10. Buy a wedding gift. Yes, you’ve likely already spent quite a

bit on travel, attire, and more, but it’s good etiquette to buy a present when you’re invited to a wedding (after all, you’re a guest, too, not just an attendant).

10. Speak up if you’re unhappy with something, but in a tactful way (and ideally with plenty of time before the wedding day).

DON’TS 1. You’re not required to commu-

nicate with vendors on behalf of the couple, sign contracts, or take on consuming tasks like putting together the seating chart.

2.You don’t need to go to every single dress fitting, if there are multiple ones, or fly in from out of town for one.

3. Don’t spend your entire bank account on these things. If the bride is asking all of the bridesmaids to buy $300 dresses and pay $200 for hair and makeup, and that’s not in your budget, feel free to speak up.

4.If you can’t afford the travel plans for these pre-wedding events, you can bow out and send a small gift (or card) instead.

5. Don’t feel obligated to buy a new outfit for each one. Most of the time, you can get away with keeping it casual.

6. Don’t try to assist the wedding coordinator, florist, or give directions to the photographer.

The pros can handle these tasks themselves.

7. Don’t spend the entire reception “at work” — make sure you have time to celebrate, too.

8. Don’t make it all about you. If the biggest problem is your bridesmaid-dress colour or the timing of the rehearsal dinner, remember that there are bigger things to focus on — like your friend getting married.

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Sunday 18 August 2019

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With God, all things are possible Hi Life Fest: At last, the grand finale!

– Kolawole, Toyin Aimakhu’s hubby I n the last three months, several cities in the East especially, have witnessed exciting and incredible moments with the Hi Life Fest talent hunt show sponsored by Life Continental Beer.

And now, the grand finale is about to go down tonight (Sunday) and it looks as if it is going to be the mother of all shows.

Even as the contestants are tensed and anxious, not knowing who would be crowned the Hi Life guru this night, residents of Onitsha, the heartbeat of Anambra State are in high spirit with the incredible starts set to perform at the grand finale tonight.

They include Phyno, KCEE and veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu.

The addition of Onyeaka Onwenu has drawn special attention to the final.

E

ver since the news of the marriage between actors Kolawole Ajeyemi and Toyin Abraham (popularly known as Toyin Aimakhu) and the arrival of their new born broke, the Internet has been awash with several congratulatory messages for the latest couple.

Even as many are eagerly waiting for pictures and stories from new couple, Kolawole went on his social media page to thank God for His mercies.

In his instagram handle where he posted the picture of him kissing the belly of his heavily pregnant wife, Kolawole said, “With God, all things are possible”. He added some other hashtags to the post including ‘our baby’s closet’.

It is actually triple blessing for Toyin who many believed has had a lot of heartbreaks in the love business.

Formerly married to Adeniyi Johnson, Toyin’s two year old marriage crashed in 2015 over allegations of infidelity and other issues.

Johnson is currently in a relationship with Seyi Ebun, another Yoruba actress.

Then again, Toyin was also allegedly romantically linked to another movie producer, Seun Egbegbe

who was reportedly charged to court for phone theft.

Apart from the joy of finding love again and birthing her child, Toyin also built a new house and so many of her fans and friends took to social media to send their love.

How Olamide, KSA, Pasuma exploded at Ariya Repete finals

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he city of Lagos, penultimate Friday, practically exploded duringtheAriyaRepetegrand finaleheldatIkejaCityMall.

In fact, it was expected since the likes of music gurus, Olamide, KSA, Pasuma and other great singers were headlined too perform at the event. The grand finale actually left music fans gleefully stunned.

As expected, the night was full of awe-inspiring performances from all the finalists. The nine remaining contestants were full of zest and charisma as they competed for the grand prize of N20M Eventually, Sulaimon Adeyemi, Yomi Johnson, and Mayowa Alayo were the three to etch their name in Ariya Repete history as they becamethewinners.However,guests were more enthusiastic when the guest artistes stormed the stage.

The living legend, King Sunny Ade, popularly known as KSA, even at over 70 years, is still the guy to beat. KSA continues to prove that age is nothing but a number, whilst also offering a timely re-

minder of his immense talents as a performer. He thrilled the audience with his incredible dance steps and his evergreen voice dishing out great vibes from his repertoire.

Next up was Taye Currency.

The Fuji veteran was full of life as he engaged the crowd in a sing-along.

Taye is a very confident performer, and his Charisma was on full display when he graced the stage.

Wrapping up the night were the performances of Pasuma and Goldberg Brand ambassador, Olamide.

From“EniDuro”to“OilandGas”,the hip-hop virtuoso took his fans down memory lane with a performance that will not be forgotten anytime soon. While Pasuma capped off the nightwithastellarperformancethat was fitting of the occasion.

The night also featured the launch of Goldberg’s new label and this was greeted by a roar of excitement from all in attendance.

The relaunch marks a new dawn for Goldberg Lager, which has now been reformulated for a greater tasting experience.

Onyeka is a living legend who has blessed us with classics such “We are one” and many others.

She rarely ever takes to stage and her performance is sure to get people tuning in to see her serenade us with her sultry vocals.

Competing for the grand prize of N5m are Frank Onyeka, Chimaroke Chimex, Chijioke Charles, and Umunnukwe Nwanja. The four of them are blessed with great vocal chords and have showcased their talents when it comes to Hi Life that the judges might find it hard to ascertain the eventual winner.

In the dance category, OfuObi dance crew, Megastar dance group, and Akamaranma dance troupe have showed incredible dexterity on the stage in the course of the competition that not just a few wonder who would go home with the N2m prize money.

Apparently to avoid prying eyes and side talks, Toyin and her current husband kept their relationship a secret. The couple had a low keyed traditional marriage few months ago and tried as much as possible to keep it under wraps.

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he African Union and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA unveiled the Nominees’ list (regional category) for its 6th edition at a World Media Conference on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at the Abora Hall, of Eko Hotels And Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria This year’s list showcases a wide range of creativity and talents both from new and known artiste across the regions. Artiste like Shatta Wale, Kizz Daniel, Salif Keita, Burna Boy will be competing for the Best Male category in Western Africa, while Teniola, Simi, Aya Nakamura, Mzvee, YemiAlade amongst others will be competing for the Best Female category in Western Africa.

Dominating Central Africa include Cameroonian artiste Blanche Baily, Charlotte Dipanda, Daphne alongside their male counterpart Locko, Magasco and Salatiel.

For Eastern Africa; there are greatcontendersincludingSheebah from Uganda; Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania; Nikita Kering from Kenya with Tanzanian Diamond platinum, Rayvanny, Mboso, and Kenyan Khaligraph Jones and Nyashinski.

Moroccan Yann’Sine, Ahmed Soultan, Amiinux, and Algerian Soolking with Cairokee from Egypt, Salma Rachid from Morocco will be battling it out in the Northern region for Best Male and Female category.

AKA,NastyC,CassperNyovest, Sjava, Black Coffee, Kelly Khumalo, Zonke, Nadia Nakai, Amara Brown, TamyMoyo,JahPrayzah,andWinky D will compete in the Southern regional category.

The Continental category comprisingofdifferentgenresofmusicwill be released Friday, August 23rd fol-

AU, AFRIMA unveil nominees for 6th edition lowing an auditing process from the international auditors of AFRIMA. Drawing from their pool of experience and professionalism, the 13-man jury, guided by the AFRIMA acronym FACEIT which stands for Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, excellence, Integrity, and Transparency underwent a week-long process of thoroughly screening, categorizing, assessing, and grading from the thousands of entries in order to arrive at the best reflection of rich and creative talents embedded in African music, reviewed songs were produced between the period of August 1, 2018, to August 2, 2019.

Mr. Chris Syren, representing Southern Africa, speaking on behalf of the AFRIMA jury, gave a report on their activities including the tireless and assiduous process they had to embark upon during adjudication, the quality of works received, criteria for selection, and the voting process. He com-

mended AFRIMA for its sense of inclusiveness and unity at leading the conversation of using music as a tool for integration and shared prosperity in Africa.

Also, the Head of Culture, Africa Union,Mrs.AngelaMartins,viaavideo conferenceexpressedherexcitement of this year’s AFRIMA, its capacity to promotetheAfricanculturepositively as well as called for more support for thecontinentalinitiative.

The AFRIMA online voting platform is set to open to the public on Sunday, September 1 and will run till November 22, where both continental and regional nominees in the 36 AFRIMA awarding categories will compete against one another for the coveted 23.9 carats gold-plated AFRIMA Trophy.

According to the organisers, the 2019 AFRIMA ceremony is scheduled to hold on November 20-23, 2019 and it would be a fourday fiesta of music, glamour and entertainment.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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BDSUNDAY 29

Kiddies ngnwaogu@yahoo.co.uk

International Youth Day: ‘State of emergency on education will save Nigeria’s future’ Stories by NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE

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ducation has been described as the best gift to bequeath to a child as it gives people the tools to help provide for themselves in the future.

It has also been said to be positive impact on key development parameters such that the rate of poverty, early girl child pregnancies and other social vices will be reduced among a large number of Nigerian youths.

In a statement signed by the Programme Director Development Communications Network, Akin Jimoh, Nigeria need to take action now to prepare the youth population to take over leadership roles as evidenced in most progressive countries today.

“To address the present turmoil and gap in educational development among Nigerian youths the Nigerian government as well as parents and guardians, should take education as a paramount goal and a basic necessity of life.

“As the country joins the world to celebrate this year’s International Youth Day tagged, “Transforming Education”, it is pertinent to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all as enshrined in Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The involvement and education of young people in all facet of life should be taken with all seriousness.

“Evidences abound that edu-

cating girls is a major strategy to reducing poverty in Nigeria.

Therefore government needs to ensure it breaks every barrier in other to make education and sexuality education a reality for every child especially girls.

“It needs to intensify efforts in monitoring outcomes, investing in teachers, making education either affordable or free and update education sector plan.

“The statistics of out -ofschool children is alarming, and a state of emergency should be declared on the country’s education sector’’, it added.

The statement also revealed that educating children contributes to the economy, increase health gains, as people are more knowledgeable and added that not declaring a state of emergency on education is quietly stealing the potential of every

Nigerian and the impact is not immediately visible till it’s too late.

Quoting UNICEF, it stated that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.

“10.5 million children are out –of- school, with 60 percent in northern Nigeria. Also, about 60 percent of out-of-school children are girls. Majority of the girls enroll in school, but many of those who do enroll drop out early.

“Some of the factors that increases drop out statistics in Nigeria includes; low perceptions of the value of education for girls, early marriages and low socio-economic status.

“Gender inequality continue to be a leading cause of education deprivation in the country.

Adolescent girls and children are the most vulnerable groups who sometimes are denied of

A

tion education.

“All young people need access to information and opportunities to be able to understand issues related to relationships, gender, sexual identities, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, sexual and reproductive health, and societal messages. Sexuality education is therefore paramount for every child and young people.

“Together let’s transform the education of our youth in Nigeria and give them the best inheritance, that can be given to every child”, it noted.

Poem A family is like a circle A family is like a circle.

The connection never ends, and even if at times it breaks, in time it always mends.

With endless words that show who they are and what they do and how they teach you so you know.

A family is like the stars.

Somehow they’re always there.

Families are those who help, who support and always care.

But don’t be weary if it’s broken or if through time it’s been so worn.

Families are like that they’re split up and always torn.

A family is like a book.

The ending’s never clear, but through the pages of the book, their love is always near.

But even if this happens, your family will always be.

They help define just who you are and will be a part of you eternally.

A family is many things.

•By Nicole M. O’Neil

Oh, how l love summer Mayen Modupeola Adetiba (middle) presenting a trophy to the Best School in Participating, Ikeja Junior High School. Received by Bodunrin Ibukunoluwa; Felicia Agubata, president, (APWEN) 3rd r, while others look on.

Women engineers hold workshop for 200 girls to encourage creativity, others s part of its continuous effort to encourage secondary school girls to be creative, innovative, and inventive in technology, Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN), held a 3- day programme in Lagos, recently.

The event, tagged ‘Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot camp for Girls’ (MATBC) aimed to give them hands-on and practical experience through speaking sessions, experiments and site visit to engineering companies.

The technical boot camp for the girls had in participation over two hundred girls from secondary schools across the state.

President APWEN, Felicia Agubata , who spoke at the event said that this year’s theme ‘Waste to Technology’ was part of her organisation’s effort at improving the participation of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education with a view to pursuing a career in engineering.

According to Agubata, the Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot camp for girls is tailored to be an annual holiday event for secondary school girls in honour

right to education due to early marriages, unplanned pregnancies and as such they drop out of school or not attend any. If youths are better informed and educated about their sexual rights, they will concentrate better in school to gain knowledge and have a better life.

“Education for young people encompasses learning about physical development, including sexual and reproductive knowledge, gender identity and social issues. It sits within the broader area of relationship education and includes violence preven-

of an esteemed elder and an engineering Icon and the first graduate engineer from SouthSouth, Nigeria, “She is the first female president of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Nigeria (ACEN)/Gamma of FIDIC, Mayen Adetiba. Her professional accomplishments and standing in the society are compelling.

“In our estimation, this event serves us better than the conventional post humous activities that have become standard in Nigeria.

“It is our firm belief that this is the right way to celebrate and honour one of our founders, an inspirational figure, an engineer, and an administrator who blazed the trail in the engineering profession.

“She is among the few Nigerian women who are pressing for the progress of emergent Nigerian woman. The bottom-line is that our shining stars should be celebrated in their life time.

As we celebrate our pacesetter, a humanist and a great patriot we pray that God will bless and keep her for many, many, many more years to come in good health and in the land of

the living,” she added.

Speaking earlier, the celebrant, Mayen Adetiba lauded APWEN for the programme, adding that it would go a long way in encouraging the young girls to develop interest in STEM. “The programme is a step in the right direction; it will not only encourage the girls to have interest in STEM, but will also motivate them to study engineering in the future,” Adetiba added.

However, she appealed to parents to ensure they encourage their girl-child to have interest in mathematics explaining that many female wards see the subject as a difficult one.

Some of the participants who spoke in an interview commended the organisers of the event, describing it as an eye opener.

They also affirmed that the three-day intensive training had positive influence on them as they have decided to study engineering in the university.

The high point of the event was an award-giving ceremony where many of the participating schools received many gifts items.

Though May did bring her deepest grey And June did bring her gloom, I woke this morning in a glorious way To Sunshine in my room.

Quick, get up, It’s time to rise.

Greet the day.

I started to cry.

For today, It has begun.

It’s finally here, The summer sun!

Feel her warmth, See my garden grow, Taste the sweetest fruits, Watch the butterflies flow.

Hear the squirrels chatter And my orioles swoon Till the evening comes With the summer moon.

It seems like I’ve waited Such a very long time, Longing for the light of Your rays of sunshine.

So please stay a while.

Bring your long, lazy days.

I’ll cherish each blue sky And ride every wave.

Oh, how I love summer And all of her songs, Happy summer to all, And may it be long!

•Susan M. Gilbert

30 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

State of the Nation

Addressing the exponential rates of suicide in Nigeria W Desmond Okon

h e n Ch i d i k e Onyeka, a 25-year-old graduate of Madonna University, returned home to his parents after being away for a year; his mother realised a change from his usual self as he had become withdrawn and always seen gazing at nothing for several minutes with an expression indicating he was in a different reality.

Onyeka refused all efforts by his sibs who offered to take him out, insisting that he wanted to be alone as he was unhappy. He sometimes complained about his inability to get a job after his one year of mandatory service.

It was reported that his mother woke up at midnight on that day to do her security routine checks, when she saw her son lying in a pool of his own blood. It was gathered that Onyeka, who returned to Aguda area of Lagos State from NYSC, stabbed himself three times with a kitchen knife.

His story is akin to other victims of suicide like the Lagosbased disc jockey, Seun Omogaji, popularly known as DJ XGee. Though Omogaji’s reason for committing suicide was not clearly stated in his suicide note which he posted on Instagram, friends claimed he had complained of facing some marital crisis and the way forward was to take his own life.

In his suicide note, he simply bade his siblings and mother farewell and asked friends to wear white to his funeral instead of black, before gulping an insecticide, ‘Sniper’.

For Tolulope Abodunrin (aka Don Tee), a bank worker, one would expect he had truly overcome his struggle with depression after admitting to having suicidal thoughts for two years due to depression, and promised to write a book about surviving the pains. But two months after, Abodunrin, also a 2006 graduate of Accounting from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, gave in to depression and took his own life on November 21, 2018.

Depression, a major cause of suicide is not restricted to age, or social status. Many celebrities have at one time or the other in their careers attempted or thought about committing suicide. Celebrities like Toke Makinwa, Julius Agwu, Mr. Ibu, Adunni Ade, Tee Billz had admit-

ted to thinking about ending things.

“A lot of people in this country, Nigeria, don’t want to admit that depression is an illness.

People don’t know the extent to which it affects the mind. A lot of people know this; in the past, I have tried to commit suicide because it was just too much, just too much for me but I guess God loves me enough to still keep me here,” Adunni Ade said in her confession.

“Depression is no joke,” she adds, and this depression has led to a surge in suicide among undergraduates and lectures in recent times. Cases obtained from several news reports show

that students of higher institutions constitute the highest victims of suicide cases in the last eight months.

On May 13, 2019, Chukwuemeka Akachi, a final year student of the University of Nigeria , Nsukka , committed suicide, sharing a poetic suicide note on Facebook. He wrote: “Forgive me. In case you are the one who finds the body. I am really sorry.

It had to be someone, you know.

I have chosen Jo Nketaih’s poem as my suicide note: ‘They said you came looking for me. I did not drown; I was the water.’

Where do atheists go to when they die? Lol. Amen.”

The deceased was said to

have battled dementia for over two months and survived a previous suicide attempt. Two lecturers had been asked by the university to monitor and counsel him but this proved futile as the English and Literary Studies student carried out his threat by taking a poisonous substance.

Another final year student of the Department of Religion and Culture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Samuel Elias, 25, also committed suicide by drinking the deadly chemical, Sniper. His mother, Kate Elias, a staff of the university, said the unfortunate incident happened on Monday June 17, around 5.30pm in her house at Justina Eze Street Nsukka.

She said Samuel was immediately rushed to Faith Foundation Hospital, Nsukka and was later referred to Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, where he eventually died. Before his death, the deceased student was said to have been lamenting over his inability to graduate from UNN because of his final year project which had been holding him back.

Also, Kolapo Olowoporoku, a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, took his life after repeatedly failing some courses. Olowoporoku was said to be an ‘extra year’ Computer Science student who ought to have graduated two sessions ago but was delayed as a result of two outstanding courses. He swallowed a poisonous substance, which led to

his death.

A 27-year-old final year student of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ilorin, Adigun Emmanuel, also committed suicide by consuming a bottle of Sniper after he failed his final year project for the three times.

In a note left behind on social media, he indicated that he had been accused of plagiarising his current research work.

Hikmat Gbadamosi, a 100-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was another of victim of suicide. According to reports, she had been showing signs of depression and had opted to live in a private apartment off school campus, and away from her colleagues.

The student of Chemical Engineering, who was also the assistant course representative of students at her level, recorded a short video in which she was seen crying and saying, “It worsens every time and I don’t know who to call” which was posted online. That was the last anyone saw her alive.

Her bloated corpse was discovered in her room some days after some of her classmates went to check on her. She consumed Sniper.

Between January and June 2019 alone, there were 42 reported cases of suicide that occurred in different parts of the country. Eleven out of the victims were students of various higher institutions of learning in the country. Fifteen out of the 42 took a dangerous insecticideSniper; while 31 other victims from different walks of life also committed suicides during the period.

The bitter statistics Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally and it occurs throughout the lifespan, according to World Health Organisation. In 2016, Nigeria ranked fifteen in WHO’s report on suicide per 100,000 people, indicating that Nigeria has the fifteenth highest suicide rate worldwide.

But in July 2018, Nigeria ranked fifth in another WHO research that ranked suicide per 100,000, per country published

by Spectator Index. Nigeria was placed fifth with 15,000 suicides in every 100,000 suicides.

Later in the year 2018, the Federal Ministry of Health said that about 20 to 30 percent of Nigerians suffer from mental illness. Abdulaziz Abdullahi, the permanent secretary of the ministry, said with a population of about 200 million, Nigeria had

Sunday 18 August 2019

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BDSUNDAY 31

State of the Nation

a high rate of mental illness. This implies that Nigeria has about 60 million persons with mental illnesses.

Explaining the cause of suicide in Nigeria and especially among undergraduates, Jombosco Chukwu Orji, Lecturer in Clinical Psychologist, at the Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, told BDSUNDAY that suicide was a multifaceted issue, and it would be over simplistic to say one thing causes suicide.

He said there are combinations of biological, socio-cultural factors that may be implicated in suicide, and these are meant to be taken into considerations because a lot of times, it is possible suicide run in families.

“Like in most cases of suicide, if you trace the family history, you’ll see that it may have occurred in the past in a relation of the person,” he said.

However, stating that it was important to consider psychosocial issues that may be implicated in suicide; the lecturer attributed the cause of suicide to mental pain—stating it was one critical factor that you must always find to be prominent in all suicide case.

“It is an unbearable pain that has exceeded the threshold of the individual’s capacity to manage, so there is this cry for help, so much silent cry for help. May be, the person may not be saying out or may be saying it out indirectly and those close to him or her may not understand. So, when this pain is so much that the individual feels that the only way to end the pain is to take his or her life, then you can see that suicide can occur,” Orji explained.

BDSUNDAY findings show that one reason given by suicide victims in their last words was poor academic performance or academic difficulties, hence, among students; the doctor said academic performance as a cause may not be ruled out.

“But there are one or two in-

stances where people have also complained that it was because of their academic performance.

So we may not rule it out,” he said.

Jolaade Philips, Media and Communications manager, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiatives, who said mental awareness has improved in Nigeria through social media which had normalised the conversations, said suicide rates among undergraduates and Nigeria at large boils down to support systems and coping mechanisms.

She said that every person has the threshold for dealing with things, and noted that most suicides are caused by mental illness but not all suicides are caused by mental illness.

“For some of these people, they could have an underlying condition, it could be an undiagnosed mental illness, it could be when a tragic thing happens in their lives, maybe they fail a particular exam, or a boyfriend breaks up with a lady. Because they have things they’ve never dealt with in their lives, it just triggers that feeling and the only thing that comes to your head is ending it.

“You discover that, there are people that fail, who don’t take their lives, and there are people that lose people close to them and they don’t die by suicide.

It’s because, as human beings, we have different thresholds and exposed to different things growing up which affect how we react to traumatic events,” Philips explained .

A case for depression The fact remains that many prominent public figures have admitted to being depressed which almost led to them having suicidal thoughts. But Doctor Orji, making reference to research, argued that though depression is a factor, it has little contribution to suicide. He said mental pain has more variance in suicide beyond what depression

contributes.

“For example, you can see individuals who have depression, but they do not commit suicide.

But you see individuals who don’t have depression, but have the mental pain and they die by suicide. Such that, where there is depression and there is mental pain, such individuals are much more likely to die by suicide than when you have depression and there is no mental pain associated with it. Depression contributes to suicide, but not as much as mental pain,” he argued.

But Philips said extreme depression, what she described as stage four, is a major trigger for

suicide. “Yes, it actually does.

When it comes to mental illness and suicide, you discover depression is among the top four mental illnesses that could eventually lead to suicide. So, people who die by suicide, sometimes you will notice that they were depressed. It’s rampant. Because the way depression works is that when you are in your lone world, the only way you look at life is through the lens of , ‘I’m hopeless, worthless,’ and ‘there is nothing else that can help me except I die’.”

According to WHO, depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.

Fighting suicide: Challenges and the way out Speaking on ways to prevent the scourge of suicide, Orji suggested more awareness in Nigeria, and universities where these occurrences are becoming prevalent in recent times. He also recommended that any intervention should be approached from different angles, and several perspectives.

“Individuals who are known to have family members that have died by suicide should always be closely looked out for, and then make efforts to always get to them, and ensure that they communicate freely with others.

And people make them communicate their problems and their troubles.

“At the institutional level, what needs to be done urgently is that, in most educational institutions, there is this lack of awareness about mental health services, even where they exist, students are not aware, and in

most cases, they do not exist,” he said.

He also said that having more toll-free hotlines so that people who choose to remain anonymous can call in Nigeria to receive mental health services would do a lot of good. He urged university institutions to establish functional counselling units and mental health centres in their institutions.

“You don’t really need the government to establish these centres. It is the universities saying we need these services and then employing the right personnel to work in such places. When you say government, it appears too big,” he said.

“So we don’t have good support systems in schools; our counselling units are not equipped to help people with mental issues or don’t position themselves well enough to help people with mental issues. If the whole outlook of our counselling units in universities is changed, I think it would go a long way,” Philips further said.

She added students don’t have anybody to talk to in school, and can’t open up to their friends because they feel they will be stigmatised. “So they resort to alcohol because they can’t cope.

Now, you can’t blame them for finding a coping mechanism because the country or the institution didn’t provide any for them.”

Talking about the challenges in the fight against suicide and promoting good mental health, Philips names stigmatisation from all sides including religious organisations, the media and others as factors.

“Lack of support; worldwide it is difficult to get support for mental illness. And also, the government didn’t do much. Then cultural stigma too, how we have been told you don’t marry somebody who has history of mental illness in their family. So, somebody who is mentally ill might be very reluctant to open up to their loved ones,” Philips said.

The government’s posture She also blamed the government over hampering efforts aimed at reducing incidences of suicide, stating that the Lunacy Act of 1958 which Nigeria operates is obsolete. According to her, the old Act that Nigeria is still riding on refers to people who are mentally ill as lunatics.

“According to that law, the patient does not have rights to treatment, so you can do anything to a patient. There is also this law that we’ve had to deal with over and over which prevents people from coming, which is, if you have a failed suicidal attempt, you are liable to one year imprisonment or fine. This prevents people from seeking help, and prevents us from helping people that we find,” she said.

In fact, “Government is the key,” said Orji. “For example, you talk of the mental health policy in Nigeria, the mental health act is only on paper. In terms of implementation we don’t know of anything serious being done and it is the division of the ministry of health that is responsible for it.”.

32 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

TheWorshippers Resist all forms of evil, cleric urges Christians …At Gospel Church of Christ 2019 annual convention

SEYI JOHN SALAU

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ric Emiaso, the presiding bishop and head of mission, Go s p e l Ch u r c h o f Christ worldwide, has charged Christians to be Christlike and resist every form of evil in the face of challenges that characterise the nation, urging Christians to continually pray and have absolute faith in God and in His word, especially as the country is going through turbulent times.

Bishop Emiaso stated this at the annual convention of the Church and one year anniversary of his inauguration as the presiding bishop, held last weekend at the Lagos International headquarters.

According to Emiaso, Christians should endeavour to be practical and responsible with obedience to the word of God and leading of the Holy Spirit, which is key to experiencing desired flourishing in Christ. He further emphasised flourishing in Christ as divine provisional needs to live a successful life.

Emiaso opined that disobedient and rebellion to the word of God have left many Christians stagnant and hindered from flourishing as they should. He

L-R: Bishop Andy Ogbu, the guest speaker; Bishop Eric & wife, Rev. (Mrs.) Rita Emiaso, host & Presiding Bishop of GCC during the annual national convention of Gospel Church of Christ, Worldwide held recently in Lagos.

therefore, challenged Christians to anchor their lives and services on the word of God and not social activities that have no impact on their spiritual growth and development.

Emiaso, whose goal is to win more souls, plant more churches and encourage women development in the church, also, decried recent developments, where some pastors are reportedly involved in rapping, adultery, fraud

and other vices that diminish the office and calling of a pastor.

“Ministry or ministerial works are not career, they are callings with divine unction, but many see it the other way round and abuse it”, Emiaso said, attributing it to satanic agents who masquerade into the ministry through the window and back doors without proper spiritual upbringing, but with the motive and inten-

tion of misleading people in the ministry.

Speaking further he said, “The church is sick, fills with unrighteous characters that have no purpose of being in the ministry than for personal satisfaction and it will require divine intervention of Jesus Christ, the owner of the church to heal the church”.

On Nigeria trajectory as a nation, the cleric said, “In a few month, Nigeria will be celebrat-

ing 59 years of independence and the reason we are still in selfafflicted bondage as a nation is because of man-made hindrances that have plagued our national growth and development. No doubt, the flourishing of Nigeria is spiritual and you cannot treat spiritual matters with physical, until Nigeria as a nation goes back to God, we will continue in all manners of situation.

“Don’t be deceived by noise making, self-acclaimed prophets, who prophesy falsehood to deceive gullible Nigerians and enrich themselves for self-edification and political gratification”.

The convention was held to empower, encourage and expose the congregation to the knowledge of further exercising their divine right to flourishing in Christ spiritually, physically and otherwise in every endeavour of life and ministry.

Present at the convention were also Bishop Andy Ogbu, Apostle Leslie Nsame from Cameroon, Bishop Sam Oniekoro, among others as guest speakers.

Other activities that featured during the four-day convention included ordination of ministers and retirement of Bishop Anthony Emeghara and Rev. Duke Atima, who have served the church meritoriously in many capacities.

Nigerian youths are languishing, says Badejo SEYI JOHN SALAU

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ilson Badejo, a retired clergyman has called for collaborative efforts by the church, government and not-for-profit organisations in reducing the high burden of poverty in Nigeria, especially the youth population that is languishing in

self-help as Nigerians continue to adjust to the economic realities in the country.

“The major issue is that the youth in our country are languishing; the church would have loved to do more, and we want to complement their efforts,” said Badejo, the founder/chairman of the Wilson Badejo Foundation and general overseer emeritus of Foursquare Gospel Church,

at the 12th annual celebration of the foundation, held recently in Lagos with the theme ‘Nigeria and the High Rise of Poverty: Seeking Economic Salvation for Today’s Youth’.

According to Badejo, the youth population is the strength of the nation and must not be allowed to waste away. “We will do our best in our little corner to encourage them, we do not just

L-R: Owei Lakemfa , guest speaker; Elizabeth Ikem, book reviewer; Rev. Sam, incoming G. O Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria; Wilson Badejo, fmr. G. O Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria & President, Wilson Badejo Foundation; his wife, Yinka Badejo; Felix Meduoye, outgoing G.O Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria; Ade, representing the chairman; Tunde Lemo; elder Obaro and Babatunde Elliot, chairman, Planning Committee WBF, cutting the anniversary cake at the 12th Annual Wilson Badejo Foundation Lecture held in Lagos.

give the money; we encourage and counsel you to assure you that there is still hope at the end of the tunnel.

“God helping us, we will continue to give people hope that all is not lost; we cry when we see people committing suicide, jumping into the ocean, and we think it should not be so. We are not limiting ourselves to universities; we are looking at colleges of education, college of technologies, and we are also looking out to bible colleges to increase godly men in our midst,” said Badejo.

John Osa-Oni, the presiding archbishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries said education is one of the ways to alleviate poverty, stating that an educated mind is directly equipped for a greater future in life. “…that is what we also learn from the missionaries that came; they didn’t just come with the message of salvation, they came with the message of education so that everybody can improve their lifestyle,” he stated.

The clergyman also opined that the solution to Nigeria’s mirage of problems is a national conference, which he has been advocating for in the 25 years.

“We need a national conference, and there is nothing wrong if Nigeria can split into seven nations if that is the solution; but there has to be a seating of all the youth, middle class, lower class, and the upper class for everyone of us to be able to contribute our views to the onslaught that is going on in the nation. We all can see it wasn’t like this before and it’s getting worse,” said Osa-Oni. Owei Lakemfa , the guest speaker, posits that education is vital in lifting people out of poverty, hence, the need to build rounded citizenry and skills, thereby making politics economically unattractive; and return Nigeria to path of productivity.

According to Lakemfa, who titled his speech as ‘Nigeria: a long prayer searching for amen,’ the basis of government is security and welfare of the people.

“You cannot combat poverty in Nigeria without a social safety system,” he said.

Lakemfa posits that Abuja, the nation’s capital is surrounded by troubled states; hence, the high level of insurgency in Nigeria. According to him, a country that exports job will import poverty, stating that underdevelopment is a disease.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

@rev.yomikasali

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s 2019, gradually ushers in the …ember months, many people are going to be glued to the lips of the Men of God at this

Still small voice point in time waiting to hear what God is planning to do during the end of the year and the coming year ahead.

Yet many people ignore the whispers of heaven that can be so readily available if we can only take some time out to listen.

Elijah was so frightened by the threats of Jezebel after he killed the false prophets of Baal in the Bible; fear gripped his heart when he was told that Jezebel had sworn to have him killed as well. He forgot for a moment that there was a God who had helped him through the contest, the great man of God took a flight for his dear life and ran to the mountains not to pray but to quit.

‘Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, so let the gods do to me and more also if I make not thy life as one of the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time, and when he ‘saw’

that, he arose and went for his life, and requested for himself that he might die, and said it is enough’ (1 kings 19 v 2-4).

But God refused his plea and request. Sometimes, this happens to all of us when God refuses to answer our prayers. He took Elijah aside and fed him with angel’s bread, showed him

His power of provision and tried to comfort his heart with visions of heaven.

Elijah heard the sound of an earthquake, fire and brimstone and so much noise; the Bible tells us God was not in these manifestations, which is very instructive to me because it appears that God was trying to tell Elijah that he should

NEWS TY Danjuma Foundation, miradex treat 181 children with severe acute malnutrition in Taraba Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

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community-based non-governmental organisation known as Miradex on Friday said it has intervened in 181 cases of acute malnutrition among children in Kaigama, Maihula and Bali A wards of Bali Local Government Council of Taraba with support from TY Danjuma Foundation.

Nwukabu Admadu, the

chief executive officer of Miradex and project coordinator disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Bali.

According to him, 137 cases of severe acute malnutrition had already been successfully treated, 35 new cases admitted; 11 defaulters, while six cases referred to Primary Care Centres and four deaths recorded after referral.

He explained that the children were treated at the out-

APC hopeful of winning Ondo 2020 governorship poll YOMI AYELESO, Akure

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has declared that the forthcoming governorship election would be an easy ride for the party, saying the government of the ruling partyhadperformedwellin the last two and a half years.

This came within 24 hours that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2016 governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, declared his intention to recontest against incumbent Rotimi Akeredolu in the 2020 election.

The state publicity secretary of the APC, Alex Kalejaiye, in a statement, said the people of the state were happy with

the APC-led administration.

Kalejaiye stated that contrary to reports, the party was not factionalised or divided.

According to him, the APC is waxing stronger daily, which will make it difficult for the opposition to overthrow the government in the next year election. The statement read: “The state executive is neither factionalised nor disenchanted with a government that has made the party proud, and created an atmosphere of confidence and trust between governmentandthegoverned.

“The State Working Committee, for example, is deeply preoccupied with its continuous duty of ensuring, and sustaining oneness and unity of members without prejudice.

The SWC has no regard for camps or groups.

patient therapeutic (OPT) centres setup at Bali, Maihula and Kaigama communities

by Miradex.

Admadu noted that Miradex was largely aimed at strengthening the health care system in the provision of nutrition services, Community Management of Malnutrition (CMM) and Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF).

He said Miradex had conducted training for health workers, community resource persons and care giv-

ers to enhance its operations.

“Miradex trained 19 Primary Health Workers, 75 Community Resource Persons (CORPs) and 110 Care givers on knowledge of CMM and IYCF strategies and adoption of standard practice to manage malnutrition. “Key attention was also drawn to identification of malnutrition, exclusive breast feeding practice, complementary feeding, hygiene & sanitation, hand washing practice.

Lagos Assembly concludes screening of Sanwo-Olu commissioner-nominees Iniobong Iwok

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he Lagos State House of Assembly’s Adhoc Committee for Screening Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners and special adviser-nominees on Friday concluded screening of the second batch of the nominees.

The committee, headed

by Rotimi Abiru, chief whip of the House, commenced the exercise for the second batch of 13 nominees last Thursday.

The committee screened six of the 13 nominees on Thursday and the remaining seven on Friday.

The nominees screened in the second batch are Oladele Ajayi, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Yetunde Arobieke, Olanrewaju Sanusi, Kabiru Abdullahi and Joe Igbokwe.

Others are Bonu Solomon Saanu, Lola Akande, Anofi Elegushi, Solape Hammond, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Shulamite Adebolu and Tokunbo Wahab.

The screening took place at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium of the Assembly Complex in Ikeja. It featured intensive screening of each nominee’s resume and what innovative idea such nominees would bring on board.

At the end of the screening exercise for individual nominees, Abiru told them that the House of Assembly would get back to them through the governor. Speaking with the newsmen at the conclusion of the exercise, the Chairman expressed satisfaction with the competence of the nominees, saying the state would be better with their wealth of experiences.

not be moved with so much ‘noise’ because sometimes He is not there. More so in these days of advertising and marketing, we usually feel that the noisier the better. If it is not in the news, television, bill boards, everywhere then we think the Lord is not with them.

However what is inspiring to note is the power of the Still Small Voice that humbled the prophet himself in God’s presence. This is one way that God manifests Himself and power to us but we hardly get.

You have to do 3 things to understand the Power of the Small Still Voice: Listen not hear: the noisy sounds of the earthquakes and fiery brimstone can be heard but it takes people who have trained their spirits to ‘listen’ that can perceive the Still Small Voice. Listening is not the same as Hearing.

Simplicity not spec-

tacular: Many believers like spectacular things and not simple things. Some of the best gifts from God have semblance of simplicity and not always complex, some people just like things that are complex and they will believe it is from God. 3. Fear and faith: Jezebel’s swords created pictures of fear in the mind of Elijah and he trembled with fright while ignoring the power of God. It could be because of the political might that Jezebel held but it should not have beclouded his spiritual judgment to the point of telling God he wanted to die. Faith and Fear are released by Words.

Embrace God’s word not man’s words.

I hope you have been inspired today and I do expect to read your feedback on how this article has blessed you.

Be Inspired!

Digify, facebook reaffirms commitment to tackle employment through digital skills David Ibemere

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igify Nigeria and Facebook have reaffirmed commitment to tackling unemployment in the country through transformational digital skills training for young graduates.

This is coming as the duo, recently graduated the third cohort of its eight weeks intensive training on digital skills at the Facebook NG_Hub, Yaba.

The programme which runs as an academy according to the organisers in a statement revealed that over 60 graduates in the last one year have been empowered with 80 percent in full time employment.

Speaking on the journey so far in a statement, Florence Atunwa Olumodimu, Program Director, DigifyPro Nigeria,saidtacklingthedigital skills gap certainly requires industry support, the programme is largely hands-on and action-learning orientated, DigifyPro stands out from other digital skills and training programmes.

“The programme is very intense, comprehensive and hands-on in response to skills gap in the industry, and the trainees was immersed in the key pillars to succeed in the Digital space which are Live briefs/Workshops/Presentations, and finally placement at an agency/organization on a paid work placement for 3 – 6 months or in a junior position.”

Some of the success stories from the previous train-

ings she revealed include, Aadam Bodurin, Marvis Ezukula, Joshua Friday, Bukola Ayeni, Omoyeme Anofojie, Adeola Adenipetun, Adeyinka Adeniyi, Obiora Obuagbaka, Vickie Onouha, Chukwuma Amobi, Olufemi Obafunmiso, Israel Oriaku, Ngozi Chidiaka and Kingsley Okoh all now in full employment with various media agencies and organisations.

Head of Public Policy, West and Central Africa for Facebook, Adaora Ikenze, said Facebook believes in supporting Africa’s youth through programmes like Digify Pro that develop and provide young people with the tools they need to build the economy.

“Weareproudofthegraduates and admire the determination and drive they have shown throughout this programme and we are excited to see them kick-start their careers,” she said.

One of the graduates Mabodu Adenike described the training as a dream come true for her. “I have never been this excited about my future like this, it is a dream come true, the last 8 weeks as open a new vista in my life and I hope to make the best out of what I have been exposed to,” she said Another elated Augustine Olaniyi a physics graduate who had hoped to leave the program with skills that will help him fulfil his desire of becoming a business analyst, said the programme not only empowered him to do that but gave him additional skills as a digital media strategist.

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Sunday 18 August 2019

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Media capture: MAN, students, other groups should provide countervailing force

T DANIEL OBI

he present relative ‘media capture’ in Nigeria which has somewhat limited the ability of the media to exercise its constitutional and professional powers to foster best practices in politics and economy sincerely calls for urgent need for lawyers, industry groups, students and other strong bodies to increase their countervailing forces to checkmate and hold leaders and politicians accountable for decisions taken.

Media capture influenced by many factors has assisted to weaken the traditional role of the media to inform and educate effectively without prejudice.

Kingsley Osadolor, a lawyer and fellow of Nigerian Guild of Editors said recently that “Perhaps the greatest impediment to the full realisation of the watchdog role is media capture, which results in deference and subservience to the other Realms and influential citizens, including powerful corporations, over whom the Fourth Estate is supposed to play the role of sentinel.

Ownership, commercial influence, ideology, governmental and partisan political pressures, as well as advertiser blackmail, are key factors in media capture.”

Osadolor, 1984 graduate of the University of Nigeria who delivered the 2019 Jackson Annual Lecture of his alma mater, the Department of Mass Communication, on the subject, “Media Freedom: Utilitarian Imperative and the pursuit of democratic ends” recently listed other encumbrances affecting media today to include failure to deploy the tools of journalism adequately, failure to utilise the legal backing to the media and inadequate rigour in reportage of issues in Nigeria’s democracy all resulting in lack of credibility of the media as a driver of citizen participation in democracy.

While it may be difficult for the ‘captured media’ to strengthen its ranks this time, unless a great restructuring, reform and paradigm shift is achieved, it is imperative that other groups join forces in guiding government decisions and correcting policies especially in the circumstance of lopsided appointments, rising insecurity, increasing poverty and religious and ethnic intolerance which have combined to

threaten Nigeria’s cohesion.

Today, many politicians don’t understand the relationship between politics and economics.

And for those that do, a kind of wave blights their understanding once they are elected into the exalted position. This is because some Nigerian politicians see politics only as an act of aggrandizement – acquiring power and influence for personal reasons.

There is little wonder then why corruption is high and many of the politicians hardly maintain contacts with the grassroots

PDP promised to build a second Niger Bridge, create jobs, increase access to potable water, deal with insecurity, especially in the North East, and transform Nigeria’s economy

after elections until the next campaign time when they come in their royalties with plenty of money.

Basically the essence of power should be to use it to promote one’s social ideology and introduce policies and programmes to improve people’s lives, create jobs and grow the economy.

Politicians may not necessary be economists but they can employ economists’ viewpoints, backed by research for proper governance. At present, it is really doubtful whether the tensed quest for power in some climes including Nigeria is really aimed to transform citizens’ lives. It is because of this that there is lack of trust between the people and politicians.

This mistrust is deepened as politicians often mount the rostrum and make promises to the gullible electorate which at the end are not fulfilled. The promises that PDP and APC - two major political parties in the 2015 elections - used to woo votes are still fresh in Nigerians minds.

PDP promised to build a second Niger Bridge, create jobs, increase access to potable water, deal with insecurity, especially in the North East, and transform Nigeria’s economy.

APC on its part, made a lot of promises to Nigerians which included paying 23 million of unemployed Nigerians N5,000 monthly each; free education;

reduction of fuel price from N87 to N45 per litre, and one free meal daily for public primary school pupils. Other promises by the party included to: revive all four refineries and build more to produce more petrol for domestic consumption, crush Boko Haram in three months once in office; provide three million jobs, and stabilise the Naira and stop importation of refined products. Their litany of promises included to: ban all government officials from seeking medical care abroad; taming corruption; reviving Ajaokuta steel company; generation, transmission and distribution of at least 20,000 MW of electricity within four years and increasing to 50,000 MW with a view to achieving 24/7 uninterrupted power supply within 10 years; recruitment and training of at least 100,000 officers into the Nigerian police force and establish a Federal Anti-terrorism Agency; eradication of requirement of state of origin and replacing that with state of residence to ensure Nigerians are Nigerians first before anything else, and many more promises.

The reader should evaluate the performance of the parties with the list of promises Why industry groups should be involved The implication of the politicians’ to promise and fail is that it makes it difficult for investors

to make investment calculations based on the plans and promises of the politicians. And because what they promise may not always happen, a key economic outcome such as job creation fails to materialise and with that the entire economy suffers.

This explains the fact that in Nigeria trust in politicians has waned considerably. Now, when they make promises or propose projects, only a few people believe them. Speaking recently at the 2018 Caritas Reputation Leadership Roundtable tagged “Ethics, Reputation and Technology in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) economy, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO of CMC Connect, regretted that in Nigeria, there is a trust deficit between the government and the people. He argued that because of this, it is difficult for people to respond accordingly to government. At this period, people always query government intentions.

In this circumstance, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, one of the biggest and crucial bodies in Nigeria, in partnership with other relevant organisations such as labour unions, the Bankers association and students can transform themselves into a lobby force to begin to hold politicians accountable on their promises. It is believed that the era of swallowing hook, line and sinker, all politicians’ statements is gone as they need to be questioned on certain statements they dish out to the populace. They make these bogus promises on the premise that many of the electorate are uneducated and cannot discern between spurious promises and genuine ones.

Like the captured media, the challenge with industry groups playing this important role is that some of the members blindly support politicians and clap for them even when they know that the politicians’ promises are not realisable. Such members are simply seeking contracts. For the media, some of them have allegiance and at the end, the politicians run away with the empty promises, only to come back after four years with refreshed and rehearsed slogans.

It is really high time a pressure groups rose to seek explanations to government decisions and to such actions as lopsided appointments and other actions that tend to divide instead of unite us as a nation.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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SundayBusiness How FMBN is championing ‘next level’ affordable housing delivery

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he Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) occupies a strategic position as a proven enabler of affordable housing delivery to Nigerian workers. The apex mortgage bank provides mortgage loans at single digit interest rates that are as low as 6 percent per annum. When compared with open market interest rates, which range from 22percent to 25 percent, the difference is huge. Second, it is the only institution that accommodates long-term housing loan payback periods of over 30 years.

This too is quite significant. Until recently, tenors for housing loans offered by private sector mortgage lenders were at most five years.

This was, in part, because financial institutions largely relied on shortterm deposits.

Another distinctive feature of FMBN’s suite of affordable housing products is its ability to offer zero equity requirement for loans below N5million, and a maximum of 10 percent equity for loans ranging from N5million to N15million.

These terms are, unarguably, without competition in the Nigerian housing market. Together, they have over time fortified the bank’s unique status as the leader in the delivery of affordable housing to Nigerian workers.

Yet, beyond these unique housing offers, FMBN also accounts

for majority of housing loans and real estate development projects.

Recent statistics show that the bank has disbursed housing loans totaling over N112billion to over 43,271 Nigerian workers and funded the construction of over 26,973 housing units totaling over N98billion in collaboration with reputable property development companies across the country.

Of course, these numbers are quite small when weighed against the massive housing deficit that experts estimate to range between 17-22million units. Housing analysts and stakeholders familiar with the Act establishing the bank are of the opinion that FMBN would have recorded greater achievements and impacted the housing deficit more if two key factors were addressed properly.

One is adequate capitalization and two, a stronger National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme. At the core of these two pivotal factors is inadequate finance owing to the capital-intensive nature which housing development requires.

This argument has strong merit at many levels. Take the size of the bank’s capital base for a start.

Statutorily, the FMBN is supposed to have a total capitalization of N5billion – a sum that is still grossly inadequate given its mandate.

Even at that, it is only 50 percent of the FMBN’s capitalization that

Procurement and Supply Chain

with Gob-Agundu Uche Branch chair (CIPS), Nigeria

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Introduction arketanalysisenables procurement to understand how the supplymarket works, the direction in which the market is going, the competitiveness and the key suppliers within the market.

The results of this analysis can help the buyer to improve and shape the strategy and tendering process and align their behavior in order to achieve better value for money, reduced prices or an improved service.

Supply market analysis assists procurement planning and ongoing management of supply arrangements by identifying structure of the market, behaviors, supply chain, barriers to market entry, environmental factors, ethical considerations, and the buyer’s value in the market (Queensland Government).

Effective procurement requires that Procurement and Supply

Management, P&SM professionals approach their roles with a highlevel view of supply markets and the competitive factors that affect these markets (Monczka et al., 2009).

Porter’s (1985) five forces analysis can provide a useful framework for understanding these issues: • degree of competition: a high degree can create more options for buyers and suppliers, with factors including speed of industry growth, capacity utilization, exit barriers, product differences, switching costs and diversity of competitors; • threat of new entrants: for example, low-cost-country manufacturers such as China are eroding the competitiveness of traditional industries in the west; • threat of substitute products and services: as an example, new sets of growing composites, thermo sets and carbon fibers are replacing traditional elements such as steel; • the power of buyers: increasing

is actually paid up by its principal shareholders, which includes the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

While the federal government has redeemed its portion of the shares amounting to N2.5 billion, the CBN and the NSITF are yet to put down the cash value of their 30 and 20 per cent shareholdings respectively.

Expectedly, this longstanding systemic handicap has in great part constrained the FMBN’s capacity to leverage housing finance – locally and internationally – with consequential implications on its drive to boost housing development and counter the housing deficit.

The second plank of the argument bordering on the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme is also quite vital. The NHF, which serves as a key financial pillar of the FMBN has a rather weak base. When the scheme was conceived and established in 1992, it was designed to have several strong self-sustaining avenues for mobilizing on a large scale, low-cost, long-term funds that will support the provision of affordable housing loans to low and medium income Nigerians that are payable over longer periods of time.

This includes the mandatory monthly contribution of 2.5 percent of workers’ salaries, investments

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) in the scheme by commercial and merchant banks of 10 percent of their loans and advances. Likewise, insurance companies were required to invest in the scheme.

As the owner of the bank, the federal government was also obliged to periodically inject funds into the scheme to bolster its ability to function as a more effective tool for housing development, a key state objective.

Unfortunately, gaps in the programme’s legal enforcement framework compromised the potency for impact. Over the years, commercial and merchant banks have failed to comply with the provisions of the Act. The NHF has only relied basically on the 2.5 percent monthly contributions from workers’ salaries to drive its operations. What is clear however is that given the resources pooled from contributions from workers under the NHF, the FMBN has indeed posted proportionally commensurate results.

Clearly, for the FMBN to unleash its full potential as a tool for driv-

ing the Buhari Affordable Housing Plan for Nigerian workers, these twin issues that anchor on inadequate financial resources must be addressed frontally as part of a broader strategic reform of the bank that reflects the urgent and rising demands for affordable housing in Nigeria.

Overall, the new direction of change at the FMBN inspires hope for expansion of access to affordable housing for a greater number of Nigerians. To sustain the tempo of reform, government and stakeholders should rally round Ahmed Dangiwa-led management of the bank and support its plans to review the NHF and FMBN Acts. These two goals are critical to taking the bank to the Next Level, in line with the plans of the Buhari administration for housing development.

Contributed by John Agbokpile, a public policy analyst based in Abuja Email: publicpolicyreviewnigeria@ gmail.com

Understanding Supply Markets and Competition power is leveraged over suppliers in the market when buyers consolidate specifications and industry standards emerge • the power of suppliers: fewer suppliers in a market increase the power levels among these individual suppliers.

On a practical level at least three categories of information should be considered when undertaking a market research on suppliers (Monczka et al., 2009). First, the information on total annual purchase volumes deriving from a spend analysis, where spend analysis refers to an integrated internal spend data and external supplier and market data. Spend analysis applies analytical and benchmarking techniques in order to identify risks and opportunities for performance improvements and savings (RAND, 2004).

Second, information obtained from interviews with stakeholders to determine their forecast requirements. If, for instance, the annual purchase volume for the previous year was £10m there is a need to determine whether this figure will fluctuate up or down next year based on the predicted work volume. Interviews might also be useful to ascertain details of sourcing elements missing from the previous year’s figure.

Finally, external market research data can identify information on

key suppliers, available capacity, technology trends, price and cost data and trends, technical requirements, or environmental and regulatory issues (Monczka et al., 2009).

Definition Understanding supply markets and competition is imperative for strategic sourcing, which refers to “satisfying an organization’s needs from markets via the proactive and planned analysis of supply markets and the selection of suppliers, with the objective of delivering solutions to meet pre-determined and agreed organizational needs” (CIPS Australia. How Do We Measure Up?).

Successful Application When undertaking market research on suppliers, and as part of strategic approach to sourcing, procurement teams should conduct a detailed analysis of the marketplace and identify how best to meet forecasted demand (e.g. using information from a spend analysis and stakeholder interviews) against the market conditions predicted for the upcoming year (Monczka et al 2009).

A supplier analysis generally entails establishing benchmarks through industry databases, issuing requests for information, conducting value chain analysis, and undertaking supplier research to identify specific capabilities and

the financial health of key suppliers in the existing supply base or of potential suppliers (Monczka et al., 2009).

Steps to Successful Application • Ascertain true category spend using spend analysis.

• Collect market data to understand what is happening in the marketplace, as well as what internal customer requirements are. Use various sources, including trade journals and annual supplier reports.

• Analyze the data. Category teams can employ various data representation tools to illustrate and explain the current situation (e.g. Porter’s Five Forces analysis, SWOT analysis, or supplier analysis).

Hints and Tips Make market intelligence a part of organizational learning: organizations need to encourage buyers and P&SM professionals to develop a market-focused attitude and awareness. This may require extensive training. Also, management must implement policies and practices that support these attitudes and behaviors (Wright et al., 2009).

Regularly review legislative developments that might have an impact on the methods of collecting competitor information. Use this information to update existing policies or to formulate new ones (Rouach and Santi, 2001).

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Sunday 18 August 2019

SundayBusiness That presidential directive on food import ban!

Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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resident Muhammadu Buhari’s recent directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it should not grant the much-sought-after Forex to importers of sundry food items has expectedly generated divergent responses from concerned Nigerians. Not left out of the heated debate are top-notch economists and understandably so.

The new policy appears noble and patriotic on the surface of it, at least to galvanise local food production, enhance food security and generate employment. That Nigeria has been an importdependent nation ever since the oilboom days is stating the obvious.

But it should not be encouraged by any serious administration.

A country that is supposed to be Africa’s largest economy still imports red palm oil, with which it once controlled 40 percent of the global market in the sixties but has since drastically dropped to

1.8percent in the New Millennium!

Besides, it still imports all manner of fish species, stock fish, canned fish, milk, rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste and even toothpick! That Nigeria has the capacity to locally produce these is what must have left President Buhari outraged to the point of outright ban of their import.

In fact, he has vowed that the foreign reserve will be used strictly for diversification of the economy. And not for encouraging more dependence on foreign food items. But it goes much deeper than it seems. To begin with, Forex comes essentially as a short form for ‘Foreign Exchange’. It means the foreign currency one obtains from the bank in exchange for the hard earned Naira. It is the dollar, pound or Yuan one requires to do business outside of Nigeria’s shores.

One’s first response was that of surprise rather than shock, given the antecedent of several anomalous policy posturing by the current administration that have underlining politicking than being people-oriented. The wars waged against the twin evils of corruption and insecurity attest to this. The emerging economic scenario of the ban on Forex for food import, laudable as it is therefore, throws up some fundamental questions.

For instance, does the CBN have the legal or constitutional authority not to grant Forex t o f o o d i m p o r t e r s ? No ! As Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN recently reminded Nigerians: “The Central Bank Act of 2007 makes it clear that the bank is independent. It is not supposed to be taking direct instructions from politicians.

Moghalu is therefore, miffed by such directive.

He said: “The trajectory in this administration is that we have seen a very clear tendency for the President to direct people.

Increasingly, Nigeria’s institutions have lost independence.” Well stated. But as usual, Nigerians may have their say but our president is likely to have his way, again! What manner of democracy is this, you may be wondering?

Should the President give a military-like directive to the CBN when it comes to economic matters? No! But the President has ordered the CBN Governor, Godwin Emiefele: “Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country”!

Worried about this, Bismarck Rewane, an economist and the head of Lagos-based consultancy Fi n a n c i a l De r i v a t i v e s , a l s o recently reiterated the fact that the apex bank is supposed to be independent. Did this policy emanate from a holistic, crosspollination of ideas after the rubbing of minds from the relevant stakeholders such as farmers, food processors, marketers, the Customs Service as well as the Ministry of Agriculture across the country? It is a vehement nay again!

It came up without their credible input. Yet, there is more to worry about.

How would this policy directive work effectively against the dark backdrop of epileptic power supply needed to enhance the capacity of food processing and preservation by the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises down to the rural areas, where the farm produce come in large amounts?

How would it assist the value chain of food processing, preservation

John Ugbe, Adebise, Ndidi, others to headline WIMCA 2019

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l e a di n g b r a n d s a n d marketing publication, Brand Communicator, has announced the third edition of its annual Women in Marketing and Communications Conference/Awards (WIMCA) event scheduled to hold on August 30, 2019 at Muson Centre, Lagos.

Confirmed to speak at the conference as Keynote speaker is Ademola Adebise, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, who will be speaking on the theme ‘Better the Balance in the Brands and Marketing Communications Industry.’

Also, John Ugbe, CEO, MultiChoice and Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, group chief, Sustainability & Governance, Dangote Industries Limited, are expected to speak on the sub-themes ‘Innovating for Change: Contemporary Trends in Marketing to Women’ and ‘Better the Balance In The Work Place; Equity or Equality?’ in the first and second sessions respectively as keynote speakers.

Other notable experts expected to speak at the event as panellists and moderators are:

Bukola Bandele, marketing director, PZ Cussons, Cool World; Bridget Oyefeso, head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Stanbic IBTC; Chris Wulf-Ceaser, marketing director, Friesland Campina Wamco; Tolulope Adedeji, marketing director, ABInBev West Africa; Emmanuel Agu, marketing director, Jotna Group; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, head, Sustainability, Access Bank; Charles Nnochiri, head of marketing, PZ Cussons; Caroline Oghuma, public relations manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Tosin Adefeko, managing partner, AT3 Resources, among others.

WI MCA i s t h e f o r e mo s t thought leadership platform for insights and contemporary trends in engaging female consumers and at the same time recognising outstanding women and corporate organizations for their contributions to the growth of their various industries and the country at large. It is a free to attend event, however, registration is required online at http://wimca.ng/ Speaking on the objective of

the conference and awards, Joshua Ajayi, convener of WIMCA, publisher of Brand Communicator, said: “WIMCA this year will be bigger and better, as experts spread across industries have confirmed to speak. Interestingly, the objective of the event remains the same which is to serve a mentorship platform for young and prospective female professionals to ignite their potential towards attaining enviable heights in marketing, management, as well as inspire the entrepreneurial spirit in women towards creating and sustaining enduring marketing and communications industry businesses.

“It is also a platform dedicated to celebrate women of outstanding achievements in the marketing and communications industry while creating a platform for networking among them.”

WIMCA since inception has been a platform that recognises and rewards excellent female professionals, brands and organisations for their contributions to their various industries and the country at large.

and marketing? As the muchrespected economist, Rewane, recently highlighted, import controls on rice, imposed even as local farmers fail to meet demand, have kept prices artificially high and led to smuggling from neighbouring Benin Republic into Nigeria. What with over one thousand porous borders, inadequate personnel of the Customs Service to checkmate the expected upsurge in smuggling?

Add these to the flourishing black market for Forex and the cloudy economic picture would start to clear a bit. As an observer stated: “If you want Forex for your palm oil or plastic rice henceforth, you may want to look the way of the Abokis or Mallams down the street corners. The banks who take orders from the central bank, will no longer listen to you”. Notwithstanding, there are still questions waiting for answers.

How would the policy mitigate the scourge of poverty, pitched against waves of insurgency, banditary and the killing spree of innocent farmers by fully armed Fulani herdsmen? That such mindless killings affect largely agrarian states in the North-East, the Middle Belt that has since snowballed to the North-Western states should be worrisome indeed.

Perhaps, Mister President must be waving the abracadabra magic stick! It is only in Nigeria’s aberrant brand of democracy that we have a centralised economy, where the Federal Government controls resources meant for state governments. In more organised societies issues such as education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, transportation and much of infrastructural development should, ordinarily be the duty of the state governments. There are other

implications in the implementation of this directive.

As Rewane recently told Reuters, foreign exchange restrictions for food imports could backfire after Buhari signed up to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in July, 2019. One of AfCFTA’s modalities is to create a continent-wide free trade zone where tariffs on most goods would be eliminated. “At this point in time, these rules will be manipulated in the interest of smugglers and their accomplices,” Rewane surmised and he is right on point.

So, what is the way forward?

The president should in the national interest and to fast track a more impactful economic gain for the people give a nod to the holistic restructuring of this country.

That would enthrone true fiscal federalism and stop all the longwinding self-deceit. Even states that he is boastful of, with huge returns in rice farming such as Kebbi, Ogun, Lagos, Jigawa , Ebonyi and Kano would still do much better if they control their resources, instead of going capin-hand every month to collect crumbs from the masters’ table.

His policies should emanate from the stakeholders’ input and backed by law instead of commandand- obey structure. Besides, he should be mindful of the impact of such policies on the people, take actions to ensure security and regular power supply instead of putting the cart before the horse!

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Facebook adds 10 local languages to expand third party fact checking programme in Africa Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

F

acebook with Africa Check has announced the addition of 10 new local language support for several African languages as part of its third-party fact-checking programme - which helps to assess the accuracy of news on Facebook, and aims to reduce the spread of misinformation.

Launched in 2018 across five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon, Facebook has partnered with Africa Check, Africa’s first independent fact-checking organisation, to expand its local language coverage across Nigeria (Yoruba and Igbo), adding to Hausa which was already supported, Kenya (Swahili), Senegal (Wolof), as well as South Africa (Afrikaans, Zulu, Setswana, Sotho, Northern Sotho and Southern Ndebele) Kojo Boakye, head of public policy, Facebook Africa, said: “We continue to make significant investments in our efforts to fight the spread of false news on our platform, whilst building supportive, safe, informed and inclusive communities. Our third-party fact-checking programme is just

one of many ways we are doing this, and with the expansion of local language coverage, this will help in further improving the quality of information people see on Facebook.

We know there is still more to do, and we’re committed to this.”

Commenting, Noko Makgato, executive director of Africa Check, said “We’re thrilled to be expanding the arsenal of the languages we cover in our work on Facebook’s third-party fact-checking programme. In countries as linguistically diverse as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Senegal, factchecking in local languages is vital.

Not only does it let us fact-check more content on Facebook, it also means we’ll be reaching more people across Africa with verified, credible information.”

Facebook’s fact-checking programme relies on feedback from the Facebook community, as one of many signals Facebook uses to raise potentially false stories to fact-checkers for review. Local articles will be fact-checked alongside the verification of photos and videos. If one of Facebook’s fact-checking partners identifies a story as false, Facebook will show it lower in News Feed, significantly reducing its distribution.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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BDSUNDAY 37

SundayBusiness NIPSA launches first Calabar Business, private sector forum to promote export

NIPSA launches first Calabar Business, private sector forum to promote export

MIKE ABANG, Calabar

D

etermined to make Calabar, the Cross River State capital, an investment hub and destination for export of Nigerian products, a non-governmental organisation, Nigerian Private Sector Alliance (NIPSA) has inaugurated and established the first chapter of the apex body in Cross River.

The first Calabar Business and private Sector Forum organised

by NIPSA is targeted at bringing together businesses, governments, as well as creating partnership to deliver rapid and sustainable growth of the Calabar Business Environment, its seaport and trade facilitation within and outside the state.

According to Nwiabu Legborsi, executive director of NIPSA, this business forum is a melting point for business leaders, government’s officials, financial institutions, SME, youths, women, and civil society leaders to network and have discussions on issues of business environment reforms, trade facilitation, investment and the boundary opportunities that lie in the belly of the state.

“Our focus is on economic justice using social innovation to close the inequality gaps through inclusive economic growth and support to people at the base of the pyramid. Our vision is to support the private sector as a driver of for social innovation, inclusive

MIKE ABANG, Calabar

D Group photo of 1st Calabar Business and private sector forum during the inauguration at Monty Suit Calabar

economic growth and sustainable development. Our mission is to provide the platforms to bring together government’s development partners, civil society leaders, academia, and business organisation to address complex development challenges that no one party alone has the capacity ,resources to do so more effectively,” he said.

In a paper presentation tagged, ‘Cross River product in export market’, Paul Manyo Ojong, a former National General Secretary and National Vice President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), said Cross River State exports over 80, 000 metric tons of Cocoa annually through Apapa port, and it costs N400,000 to transport Cocoa from Calabar to Apapa port for export.

Manyo, who is also the managing director of PAMAO and Associ-

ate Nigeria Ltd and Vice Chairman of the State Technical Management Committee on Cocoa disclosed this at the first Calabar Business and Private Sector Forum with the theme, ‘Making Calabar the Hub of Import and Export in Nigeria’, organised by Nigeria Private Sector Alliance (NIPSA) held at Monty Suite Calabar.

“For the past fifteen years, CAN in the state has been encouraging increase production of Cocoa by assisting farmers in raising millions of new hybrid Cocoa seedlings and distributing with no cost attached,” he said.

Most farmers he said are smallscale with holdings of less than 2.5 hectares. He said Nigeria was the 2nd largest producer of Cocoa in the world between 1965 and 1973 before the advent of oil.

He said Cocoa initially account-

ed for nearly 70percent of the nation’s export earning which provides income to the Federal Government as well as host communities, provides employment for millions in the value chain as farmers, traders, processors, exporters, bankers, insurers, haulage, transporters, among others.

He advised that Calabar Port should be dredged at regular interval to enable larger vessels come into the port to decongest Apapa Port.

Eta Ndoma Egba, the president of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, in his opening remarks said the Chamber has been at the forefront in advocating for the capital dredging of the Calabar Port channel. This he said will remove the draft limitations as well as the sizes of vessels that can call at the Calabar Port.

PGFA, Oxfam partner to boost youth employability Interswitch, Paga collaborate on stance, that two major issues stand open banking advocacy in Nigeria

Obinna Emelike

I

n a bid to tackle the perennial problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria, Poise Graduate Finishing Academy (a subsidiary of Nigeria’s foremost etiquette institute, Poise Nigeria) and renowned global development organization, Oxfam Novib, have teamed up to advance a flagship Employability Skills Training program, Career Kickstart. This is a welcome development in the light of Africa’s stark reality of unemployment.

With over 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, Africa has the largest youth population in the world. Sadly, this same population of vibrant youth constitute up to 60 percent of Africa’s jobless. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, and incidentally the most populous black nation, feels this scourge deeper than most. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), by the third quarter of 2018, over 20 million young Nigerians lacked employment. These debilitating figures notwithstanding, efforts of key stakeholders to understand the challenge of unemployment have produced some measure of insights.

According to the Project Lead, Asher Adeniyi, it is clear, for in-

out among the myriad factors responsible for the scourge. The first issue is, there are no enough jobs as population growth in Africa far outpaces job creation by a huge margin.

The second issue is, the majority of youths are not adequately skilled to competently take up the available opportunities. A lot of youths are simply unemployable, their formal education regardless. Asher says that this second issue of skill-gap undergirds the strategy of PGFA and OXFAM through Career Kickstart.

Career Kickstart, primarily targeted at young and aspiring executives, presents a three-week period of intensive training, during which the executives are exposed to skills essential to securing and retaining gainful employment within the highly competitive labour market. These skills include ICT Skills, communication, Creative thinking, interview & CV writing skills, problem-solving skills, innovation and creativity, business writing and selling-to- win techniques. The three-week long training is then capped with an exclusive Job Fair and an Entrepreneurship Seminar where the participants are brought in contact with prospective employers. It is interesting to note that the employment rate of Career Kickstart participants is well over 80 percent, according to reports from PGFA.

SEYI JOHN SALAU

I

nterswitch, Paga have entered a partnership with the Open Technology Foundation (OTF), the not-for-profit organisation driving the development and adoption of Open Banking standards in Nigeria. A collaborative move seen at championing open banking advocacy aimed at driving innovation in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

The addition of Interswitch and Paga as the newest corporate members of the Open Banking Nigeria would serve to further drive the adoption and promotion of a standard Application Programming Interface (API) for financial services in Nigeria.

Akeem Lawal, the Interswitch divisional chief executive officer for payment processing said the company has been at the forefront of innovation in Africa’s banking and financial services industry for almost two decade. “At Interswitch, we believe that standardised APIs would significantly transform payments in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Nigeria is a global leader in payments and is expected to similarly lead with Open APIs. As an organisation, we are committed to

working with banks and the Central Bank to actualise the Open Banking agenda of the Payment Systems Vision 2030.”

Around the world, Open Banking is transforming the financial landscape beyond the bricks and mortar by enabling and extending financial services beyond traditional services and offerings that improves overall customer engagement and increasing revenue from new channels. The benefits according to analysts also include the enablement of a sustainable service model for underserved markets of the financial ecosystem.

Jay Alabraba, the co-founder and director of business development of Paga said the partnership will position Paga to contribute to deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria.

“We understand the importance of collaboration to achieve the goal of extending the frontiers of payments and financial services as a whole.

Partnering with Open Technology and other industry stakeholders would further advance our innovative drive; broaden the wide range of our solution offerings to customers.”

Ope Adeoye, a trustee at Open Banking Nigeria, said the collaboration will further deepen the frontiers of APIs standard for the Nigerian banking and financial services industry.

etermined to make Calabar, the Cross River State capital, an investment hub and destination for export of Nigerian products, a nongovernmental organisation, Nigerian Private Sector Alliance (NIPSA) has inaugurated and established the first chapter of the apex body in Cross River.

The first Calabar Business and private Sector Forum organised

by NIPSA is targeted at bringing together businesses, governments, as well as creating partnership to deliver rapid and sustainable growth of the Calabar Business Environment, its seaport and trade facilitation within and outside the state.

According to Nwiabu Legborsi, executive director of NIPSA, this business forum is a melting point for business leaders, government’s officials, financial institutions, SME, youths, women, and civil society leaders to network and have discussions on issues of business environment reforms, trade facilitation, investment and the boundary opportunities that lie in the belly of the state.

“Our focus is on economic justice using social innovation to close the inequality gaps through inclusive economic growth and support to people at the base of the pyramid.

Our vision is to support the private sector as a driver of for social innovation, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Our mission is to provide the platforms to bring together government’s development partners, civil society leaders, academia, and business organisation to address complex development challenges that no one party alone has the capacity ,resources to do so more effectively,” he said.

In a paper presentation tagged, ‘Cross River product in export market’, Paul Manyo Ojong, a former National General Secretary and National Vice President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), said Cross River State exports over 80, 000 metric tons of Cocoa annually through Apapa port, and it costs N400,000 to transport Cocoa from Calabar to Apapa port for export.

Manyo, who is also the managing director of PAMAO and Associate Nigeria Ltd and Vice Chairman of the State Technical Management Committee on Cocoa disclosed this at the first Calabar Business and Private Sector Forum with the theme, ‘Making Calabar the Hub of Import and Export in Nigeria’, organised by Nigeria Private Sector Alliance (NIPSA) held at Monty Suite Calabar.

“For the past fifteen years, CAN in the state has been encouraging increase production of Cocoa by assisting farmers in raising millions of new hybrid Cocoa seedlings and distributing with no cost attached,” he said. Most farmers he said are small-scale with holdings of less than 2.5 hectares. He said Nigeria was the 2nd largest producer of Cocoa in the world between 1965 and 1973 before the advent of oil.

38 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Feature

Rivers Varsity killings and cultism:

… As Wike investigates lecturers, experts point to abandoned security blueprint

A

IGNATIUS CHUKWU fter sweeping away the top leadership of the Rivers State University (RSU), Governor Nyesom Wike says he has forwarded the names of the lecturers to the Directorate of State Security (DSS) for investigations.

The step followed the killings and other violent activities that erupted in the former University of Science and Technology (UST) in Port Harcourt which was made a leading centre for science and technological studies in Nigeria and in the oil region.

The UST had been rebuilt by a UNN-trained professor of veterinary medicine, Bariname B. Fakae, who was said to have worked hard for eight years on what the state government called ‘mandate for a rescue mission’.

However, almost all the ills that the Fakae administration seemed to have shooed away allegedly returned in just four years of his successor from the Uniport, Blessing C. Didia, prompting the sack of the VC and his deputy. A probe panel was immediately instituted to probe some aspects, especially employment racketeering.

A final year engineering student was first shot dead, and two days later, a 300-level Science/ Maths student was hacked down in the university in what many termed reprisal attack; more killings were feared to be on the way, until Governor Wike struck.

On the security side, Wike seemed to simply deem every lecturer guilty until proven otherwise. He thus forwarded all names to the DSS for profiling, an action that has sparked fears down the hearts of many. The step also seems to show that the government suspected that cultism is widespread in the institution and that control has become difficult for the management.

The Fakae administration had fought the vices by expelling 710 students but his successor invited them back, am action that made him popular amongst sections of the university. Now, security is said to have broken down terribly as many persons perceived it is back to business.

Wike’s riot act On August 7, 2019, few days after sacking the topmost two executive officers of the RSU, Gov Wike said his administration has sent the names of all lecturers of the RSU to the DSS for comprehensive profiling. He said any lecturer linked to cultism would be sacked.

Speaking during a meeting with the leaders and elites of Choba community at the Govern-

Prof Fakae

ment House, Port Harcourt, Wike said that the state government would provide further logistics support to fight kidnapping and cultism in the state. He declared that his administration is now working with security agencies to frontally go after kidnappers and cultists across the state, saying no kidnapper or cultist will be spared.

He said: “Security agencies are prepared to tackle these cultists and kidnappers. For us, we are releasing further logistics support to them. By the time this crackdown starts, we will not listen to any pleading”.

On the issue of cultism in the Rivers State University, the Governor said that his administration would fish out lecturers who were cult-inclined. He said: “At the Rivers State University, we have sent out names of all the lecturers to the DSS for profiling.

Any lecturer who is linked to cultism will be sacked. As a lecturer, you should not use your position to create crisis through cultism in the university”.

Wike said anti-cultism law would be amended to demolish the building of anyone indicted in cultism. He said demolition of houses will not be restricted to kidnapping. He urged the elites of Choba community to work with his administration to promote peace in the area.

Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, said that the Police Command has arrested the youth leader of Choba community and two others; that the suspects have supplied the police with the names

Prof Didia

of those involved in cultism and that the State Police Command has started tracking them.

How UST was previously sanitised In 2014, a year before he completed his tenure, the then VC, BB Fakae, at a forum, revealed how the then UST was rescued and some of the measures taken to achieve it. Also at a seminars in 2016 after he had left, Fakae delivered papers at Christian events where he revealed some steps.

Experts monitoring these papers garnered hints such as tackling corruption because it was identified by his administration as the nursing ground for campus cultism and insecurity.

Another review identified ICT as the bedrock of fighting insecurity and cultism. A source said the argument was that most students who failed to study hard relied on violence and intimidation to get promoted. The use of ICT and Apps would make it impossible to add marks or offer help to anyone to register the next year’s courses. It thus removed human activity in course registration.

The consequence, according to BDSUNDAY finding, was that e-exams would make it impossible to delay results and the marks would be passed on by computers to the university and when it is time to register; those who did not pass would not progress. There was no lecturer to beg or intimate, it was gathered.

This exposed many ‘bad boys’ who eventually were ‘WAFfed’, the source said. The report said: “Our introduction of ICT broke the wings

of corruption considerably”.

The 2014 report quoted the then VC to have said: “Do the right thing according to rules and regulations, keep in focus the dreams of the founding fathers; and you are good to go!”

The review also showed that to control a campus and wrest power and sanity from cultists, the university authorities cannot politicise education and have a peaceful campus. He hinted that students and staff read the lips and body language of the leadership of the institution. He said it takes ‘true academics’ to keep peace on campus. “Concentration on academic pursuit must be deliberate so as to keep the children and staff busy - particularly on the goals and objectives of their sojourn on campus. Unfortunately, union antics and intrigues on campus are usually retrogressive and breed instability; and so they must be watched.”

It seems that opening the doors wide for hundreds of expelled students and waving on back to the sacked lecturers caused a swoop on the institution so heavily that sanity took immediate flight.

Beware of ‘third force’ Specifically, on physical strategies on security, the then VC had made it clear in 2014 thus: “One must make friend with the security agents and be transparent to commentators. There must be no patronage of a ‘third force or boys’”.

The God factor According to a 2016 report,

Fakae made God a factor in the then UST. The fearsome man of God, David Ibioyemie of Salvation Ministries who visited the university then made it clear that the God factor had made impact in the once dreaded institution known then as university of stress and tension. The source quoted Fakae to have said: “One must keep God in the centre. With the fear of God, human life is valued and love for the institution and fellow humans becomes a destination. I did not trust in ‘Chariots and Horses’ but in God! “God helped us to get the Rivers State Polytechnic Bori right and then UST, so it can be said without any fear of contradiction that the achievement in the area of peace on campus was not just a flip. The management style was probably divine to produce those feats. Thanks be to God who fought the unseen forces of wickedness and take no glory!”

Conclusion It seems that the security architecture that held together the then UST now RSU crashed as soon as Fakae left. The invasive return of sacked lecturers and WAFfed students in their hundreds seemed to form sync with the emerging quest for overthrow of the old order, leading to anarchy. It did not take time for admission rackets to return, sorting to resume, delayed results to come back, e-exams or CBTs to disappear, cultism to reemerge, and smoking guns with killings to resume. The result is crash of the good order and ugly intervention by the Visitor.

Sunday 18 August 2019

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39

Feature

Akwa Ibom and the emerging industrial landscape

Akwa Ibom industrial landscape

ANIEFIOKUDONQUAK, Uyo

A

kwa Ibom seems to be witnessing a new industrial outlook. Many factories are opening shops and several others are on the verge of coming on stream.

Before now, Akwa Ibom was seen in many quarters as a civil service state with a weak industrial base.

With a population of over 5 million and land mass of 6,900 square kilometers, it has one of the longest coastline and is richly endowed with natural resources. However, if the disputed figure by the National Bureau of Statistics is anything to go by, it has one of the highest number of unemployed youths in the Niger Delta.

With a non-existent industrial sector, many of the youths are unemployed. The state civil service has only been able to employ about 30,000 people, leaving thousands to roam the streets.

Perhaps, to address the menace of unemployment, the state government seems to be giving much attention to industrialisation. In fact, it does appear that no other administration since the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987 had pursued the establishment of factories in partnership with the private sector as that of governor.

Though concerted efforts may have been made in the past by private sector players and the state government to set up factories to add value to many of the agricultural produce, not much success was recorded. Also, when a few factories were set up, they did not survive for a long time.

But recently, driving through the former industrial layout in Uyo, the state capital, where a

medium-size brewery is located, one cannot fail to notice the hordes of trucks and trailers parked around the vicinity. The loading of the company’s products almost on a 24-hour basis is a reminder that one of the factories established many years ago is still in operation and it appears to be doing well. This clearly justifies the partnership between the government and investors in the setting up of factories.

The fact that the brewery has survived till date is a pleasant surprise given that among the factories established by the state government then which included a steel company in Eket, ceramic factory in Itu and a biscuit factory in the then Ikot Local Government Area, many had become moribund due to a combination of mismanagement and wrong management model.

In the last administration headed by Godswill Akpabio who was in office from 2007 to 2015, though he had promised to establish one factory in each of the 31 local government areas of the state, observers say it was a political statement meant to secure his second term victory during the elections. Not one factory was set up by the state government during his tenure.

However, with more than 15 factories and industrial firms already in operations and facilitated by the present administration, Akwa Ibom State looks set to witness an industrial renaissance that will significantly change its status from a civil service-driven economy to that of an industrial hub in the Niger Delta region.

Indeed, things appear to be looking good. The state government has facilitated the establishment of over 15 factories as part of its industrialisation drive and

Udom Emmanuel in keeping with one of the thematic areas of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s five-point agenda.

The key areas of the fivepoint agenda meant to leapfrog the state into an industrial hub include small and medium scale enterprises development, infrastructure, security, human capacity development, agriculture and rural and riverine area development. Significantly, some of the factories and firms have since started operations with huge economic benefits being felt in the state. For instance, Ibom Air, which began operations in February this year with three aircraft, is one the business concerns set up by the state government in partnership with other private sector leaders and is adding value to the air transportation sector in Uyo

creating jobs for many youths of the state.

Other factories established include syringe manufacturing, metering solution company as well as toothpick and pencil company. There are also solar panel farm, flour mill and many palm oil processing mills.

It is a known fact that Nigeria spends her hard foreign currency to import many items, some as insignificant as toothpick while it still imports disposable syringes for hospital use.

The significance of both the syringe and metering solution factories is that they are considered to be the largest in this part of the world, providing jobs for thousands of people directly and indirectly.

In his completion agenda, the

second term manifesto of the state government, the governor has promised to surpass the “superior performance recorded during his first term in office and to “position Akwa Ibom as the industrial hub of Nigeria.’’

According to his second term completion agenda, his major target on industrialisation and investment would be to establish, at least, one petroleum refinery, one power plant, one petrochemical plant, one Liquified Natural Gas plant, one fertilizer manufacturing plant and one steel plant in the state before the end of my administration in 2023.’’

This is in addition to the plans to see to the actualisation of the Ibom Industrial City project and the Ibom deep sea port.

This may seem like a difficult task given the financial resources required for the establishment of these projects. Many people however, think that if the Ibom deep sea project is actualised, Akwa Ibom would be on its path to industrial revolution.

But one major concern has been the ownership of the factories. Are the factories used as fronts to defraud the state or are they owned by any particular individual, including the governor?

Adebisi Adeniyi, chief executive officer, Metering Solution Manufacturing Services, one of the factories operating in the state and facilitated by the state government, explains that what the governor has done is to create an enabling environment that investors find attractive, maintaining that in case of the metering firm, the governor has no shares in the company.

“What the governor in his magnanimity has done is to invite investors, give us the enabling environment in terms of providing the land, access road and by doing so, take off the youths from the streets and reduce crime,’’ he said.

The metering solution factory is regarded as the largest in the country with a capacity to produce three million meters annually, working on one shift.

Similarly both the syringe factories have large installed capacities same as the flour mill with a capacity of 500 metric tons per day. It is expected to create over 100 jobs directly and thousand others indirectly.

But with a good number of factories opening shop in the state, some of which require specialised skills, one question begging for answer is whether youths in the state are well equipped and have the required skills to work in the emerging industrial centres.

Last year, Mobil Producing Nigeria launched a multimillion skills acquisition centre in the state, promising to develop modern skill sets for youths in the state. The launch of the skills training centre located in Ikot Akata, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area attracted captains of industry, top government officials, including the governor as well as top management of the oil company. More than one year after the fanfare that greeted the ceremony, nothing has been heard about the centre.

Many factories are coming on stream in Akwa Ibom State; they will provide jobs for the youth, a welcome development, but the youth need to acquire skills that will enable them fit into the emerging industrial landscape of the state.

40 BDSUNDAY

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LifestyleHomes&Suites

Sunday 18 August 2019

Paul Ojenagbon pauloje2000@yahoo.com

County apartments show class at Ikota

T

he development is among the most attractive in the market at the moment.

County Apartments are located in Lekki County Estate,the flagship project of Megamound Investment Limited,a leading real estate development company. Megamound had among several others developed Carlton Gate Estate at the Chevron axis, easily one of the most appealing estates in Lagos.

County Apartments are conveniently the apartment market segment of the bigger estate, designed exclusively for those who desire a truly, unique social environment. The development

incorporates various apartment types including 1-bedroom,2bedroom and 3-bedroom respectively. Only a unit of the one bedroom is available and also a limited units of the 3-bedroom.

The 2bedroom is all sold out which indicates the immense appeal of the project.

Each apartment features a distinctive design with modern innovation to create homes with unique settings of spacious apartments,all ensuite, visitors’ toilet, front and back side balconies, fully equipped kitchen and car park.

The apartments are multifamily units which up approximately a third of all new housing units coming into the

market in recent times,a development which gives this house type the largest share of the market.

At the time Megamound flagged off the project in 2016, the plan was to provide 120 units of affordable 3-bedroom homes in response to the market realities. The scope was expanded to include the smaller units of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom following the mass appeal they generated.

A major selling point of the project is the emphasis on a clean and green environment with ample setbacks as well as expert and quality finishing of the houses.

Apart from luxury,the allur-

ing ambience, well paved roads within the existing estate,exotic ornamental trees which the Lekky County environment offers,the apartment project boasts of top the range facilities including a dedicated shopping mall,fast food outlet and a club house with its own facilities. Other major facilities include functional covered drainage system, walkways,transformers, street lights,telecommunications, gardening and beautiful landscape, borehole water treatment plant.

There would also be recreational parks,clinic,nursery and primary schools for the younger ones as well as as a security post.

The project is being approached in phases. The cur-

rent phase which is at about 65 percent completion is due for delivery this December.

The title is global certificate of occupancy issued by the Lagos state government but deed of sub lease will be issued to buyers. The apartments carry price tags as follows: N32.5million for the 3-bedroom,N29.5 million for 3-bedroom and N14 million for the 1-bedroom respectively. The initial deposit hovers between 20-30 percent depending on the type purchased. Outright payment attracts fabulous discount.

There is a soft mortgage facility for just three which gives a prospective buyer seeking this facility to explore a longer mortgage tenor with their banks.

Thomas Terraces beckons at Ajah

T

homas Terraces is a beautifully conceived residential development comprising units of teracces on two blocks sitting on a land area of about 1335 square metres. Constructed with high level of workmanship,the terraces have been completed and achieved the overall full delivery. The development undertaken by 3D MA Reliance Limited is prominently 4-bedroom terrace duplex attached with self contained 1-room boys’ quarters. It is located in the Thomas Estate along Doreen Hospital Road at Ajah opposite Royal Gardens Estate along the Lekki-

Epe Expressway.The location enjoys a serene environment and easy access to the Lekki-Epe expressway.

The terraces are set on three floors with a salient accommodation schedule that includes ante room/ presit, sitting room/ dinning area,four bedroom including master bedroom, maid’s room,all ensuite.The sitting room/ dinning area measures 33 square metres,masters bedroom 35 square metres, bedrooms 1 and 2 measure 20 square metres and bedroom 3 measures 21 square metres respectively.

The terraces are well finished internally and externally

with vitrified tile floor,high seasoned solid timber doors,IBM type windows inclusive of nets and burglary bars as well as luxurious Plaster of Paris ‘POP’ ceiling design.It comes along with smart multi-room audio system, inbuilt A/C piping, cabling for DSTV in all rooms,close circuit television (CCTV) device and minimalist wardrobes. The kitchen is contemporary and fitted.

Facilities provided include centralised water treatment plant, provision for centralised backup power facility andcentralised DStv cabling. Others include security surveillance system and centralised refuse

disposal system among others.

The property enjoys a good title of governor’s consent. As for the price,a corner piece unit,often more preferred carries N51million price tag and middle units N49 million.

The developer’s current efforts are at Abijo further down on the Lekki-Epe expressway. The development called Nest Homes comprises various house types including 1-bedroom called Desire,2-bedroom called Tango,3-bedroom called Blossom,4-bedroom semi detached duplex called Thrive and the 4-bedroom fully detached duplex called Royal.

The 4- bedroom units are attached with a 1-room boys’ quarters.

The development is on a land area of 10,201square metres.

The title is also governor’s consent. In addition to the facilities at Thomas Terraces,a children’s play ground is provided here.

The prices include N11million for the 1bedroom,N16 million for 2-bedroom,N26 million for 3-bedroom, N31 for the 4-bedroom semi detached duplex and N39 for the fully detached variant. Mortgage facility is available. Work is currently at the early stage and delivery is slated for December 2020.

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Equity GTB’s corporate action lifts half-year interim dividend to N71bn ...90% of profit from corporate and retail banking segments

G

Stories by TELIAT SULE

u a r a n t y Tr u s t Bank Plc (GTB), Nigeria’s tier one lender, sustained its tradition last weekend with the announcement of 30 kobo interim dividend per share following the release of its half year audited financial statement for the period ended June 30, 2019.

Considering its shares outstanding, GTB’s corporate action amounted to N8.83 billion interim dividend to shareholders. Thus, this has increased the total interim dividend declared year to date to N70.97 billion, according to the Dividend Monitor of BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU). Other companies that have so far announced interim dividends include Rak Unity, MTN Nigeria, Custodian Investment as well as Forte Oil Plc. Rak Unity Petroleum proposed 10 kobo interim dividend which translated to N5.7 million at half year. The closure and payment dates are August 15 and 23, 2019 respectively.

Earlier, MTN Nigeria announced N2.95 interim dividend per share which amounted to N60.05 billion and shareholders were paid on August 16, 2019. Custodian Investment proposed 10 kobo interim dividend per share which amounted to N0.59 billion with closure and payment dates on August 22 and September 5,2019 respectively. Forte Oil had earlier announced N1.15 interim dividend per share which amounted to N1.497 billion and shareholders were paid on June 10, 2019.

Meanwhile, GTB’s H1 2019 results were mixed as some

Index

All Share Index(ASI) NSE Premium Index NSE Main Board Index NSE ASeM Index NSE 30 Index NSE Banking Index NSE Insurance Index NSE Consumer Goods Index NSE Oil/Gas Index NSE Lotus Islamic Index NSE Industrial Index NSE Pension Index

Market Returns Jan 31, 2019

Market Returns Feb 28, 2019

Market Returns Mar 29, 2019/Q1

Market Returns June 28, 2019(H)

Market Returns July 31, 2019

Market Returns Aug 16, 2019

Market Returns Aug 17, 2018

-­‐2.78%

0.93%

-­‐1.24%

-­‐4.66%

-­‐11.81%

-­‐14.33%

-­‐7.78%

-­‐3.05%

1.21%

0.40%

9.17%

4.17%

3.98%

-­‐1.44%

-­‐2.57%

0.71%

-­‐1.37%

-­‐13.11%

-­‐22.55%

-­‐26.41%

-­‐8.26%

-­‐0.60% -­‐4.04%

0.87% 0.53%

1.69% -­‐1.73%

-­‐1.45% -­‐11.39%

-­‐1.80% -­‐19.60%

-­‐1.87% -­‐25.18%

-­‐25.51% -­‐8.98%

-­‐2.49%

3.05%

1.26%

-­‐8.04%

-­‐16.49%

-­‐23.63%

-­‐7.85%

-­‐3.26%

5.37%

-­‐0.40%

-­‐2.16%

-­‐8.49%

-­‐15.31%

-­‐1.08%

6.91%

-­‐2.61%

-­‐5.15%

-­‐16.89%

-­‐26.74%

-­‐31.99%

-­‐14.37%

-­‐7.27%

-­‐1.20%

-­‐3.87%

-­‐16.21%

-­‐25.26%

-­‐27.62%

-­‐10.47%

0.72%

2.41%

1.51%

-­‐12.03%

-­‐20.11%

-­‐23.61%

-­‐5.14%

5.77%

2.84%

0.14%

-­‐12.12%

-­‐13.26%

-­‐13.20%

-­‐13.11%

-­‐3.12% 0.31% -­‐1.16% -­‐12.35% -­‐19.85% -­‐23.90% Market -­‐2.78% 0.93% -­‐0.41% 12.67% 15.25% 11.95% Capitalisation Computed by BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU). For enquiries, please call 08098710024 or teliat.sule@businessday.ng ; biodunteliat24@gmail.com

-­‐4.76% -­‐5.40%

GTB’s remained corporate action lifts hto alf-­‐year ividend to N71bn N115.8interim billion das against metrics flat, but fee ...90% o f p rofit f rom c orporate a nd r etail b anking s egments and commission income en- N109.6 billion in corresponding

sured profit after tax grew by period in 2018. Profit after tax TELIAT SULE for the period rose by 4 percent some margin.

during reference period During its first sixPmonths Guaranty Trust Bank lc (GTB), of Nigeria’s tier othe ne lender, sustained its tradition last weekend with the announcement of 30 kobo interim dividend per share following the release of its half year audited from N95.58 billion to N99.13 the year, net interest income financial flat statement for the period ended billion.June 30, 2019. Considering its shares outstanding, GTB’s remained at N116.36 billion corporate action amounted to N8.83 billion interim dividend to shareholders. Thus, this has But 90 percent of its profit compared with N117.93 bilincreased the total interim dividend declared year to date to N70.97 billion, according to the came from both the corporate lion in corresponding period in Dividend Monitor of BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU). Other companies that have retail In June 2018.

Net interestinterim income after iand so far announced dividends nclude Rak banking Unity, Mspace.

TN Nigeria, Custodian Investment as well as Forte Oil Plc. loan impairment charges stood 2018, GTB realised N67.26 bilUnity Petroleum proposed interim which to N5.7 million at half lion as profitdividend after tax fromtranslated the at Rak N114.18 billion in contrast to10 kobo year. The closure and payment dates are August 15 and 23, 2019 respectively.

N115.9 billion in similar period corporate banking segment , in 2018. Interestingly, net fee compared with N68.8 billion and commission income rose by in June 2019 from the same 31 percent from N25.9 billion banking space, meaning that in June 2018 to N33.8 billion in profitability from the corpo- percent during the reference June 2019. Other income rose rate banking wing of GTB rose period. From N17.23 billion reby 13 percent to N28.04 billion by just 2.22 percent despite tail banking PAT in June 2018, at half year 2019 as against contributing 71 percent of the this segment’s PAT rose to group’s profit in June 2018 and N19.4 billion as at June 2019.

N24.7 billion in June 2018.

Personnel expenses re- 70 percent of the total profit in In effect, retail banking contributed 18 percent to the tomained unchanged while other June 2019.

Retail banking segment wit- tal profit realised in June 2018 operating expenses fell marginally. And consequently, profit nessed a turnaround as prof- and 20 percent to the total before tax grew by 6 percent itability increased by 12.47 profit made in June 2019. In

both years, the corporate and retail banking segments, when combined contributed 90 percent of the group’s total PAT. Commercial banking profit fell by 6.7 percent from N7.34 billion in June 2018 to N6.85 billion in June 2019. This implies that this segment of GTB’s operations contributed 8 percent to the total profit in June 2018 and 7 percent in June 2019. SME banking generated N1.26 billion at half year 2019 as against N1.67 billion same period in 2018, implying a 1.1 percent growth in its profitability. The worst performance was from public sector banking segment that witnessed 11.8 percent decline in its profitability. From N1.43 billion PAT in June 2018, the segment profitability fell to N1.26 billion. Worse still, its contribution also fell from

2 percent in June 2018 to 1 percent in June 2019.

Investors last Friday traded 67.86 million shares of GTB worth N1.76 billion. GTB’s share price rallied by 0.97 percent following the announcement. It closed at N26 per share but year to date; its share price is down by 24.5 percent.

Equities shed N400bn in August 2019 as Index continues downward movement

E

quities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) have shed N401.1 billion from their market capitalisation in the month of August alone, an indication of the extent of beating quoted stocks have received from uninspiring market sentiments. Since, we have only traded for just ten days in this month, it means that investors lost an average of N40 billion daily.

The All Share Index(ASI) continued its downward trend as it

closed last weekend at -14.33 which translated to 26,925.29 points. The last time the All Share Index was at this level was between May 3 and 9, 2019 when it hovered between 26,116.79 and 26,756.21 points.

All but one sub sectoral index is spared. Equities listed in the consumer goods sub sector are the worst performing. This is because year to date, the NSE Consumer Goods Index has shed -31.99 percent as it closed at 509.27 points last Friday. The

NSE Meri Value Index ended the period at -30.91 percent translating to 1,011.75 points. The NSE Oil and Gas index closed at 27.62 percent while main Board, NSE 30, Corporate Governance closed at -26 percent year to date.

Meanwhile, C & I Leasing maintained its lead on the gainers’ table as its share price has appreciated by 248.3 percent YTD to close at N6.20 per share last weekend. Dangote Flour closed at N20.65 per share having appreciated by 201.5 percent YTD.

MTN Nigeria has gained 50 percent since listing on the NSE as last Friday, its share price closed at N235 per share. BOC Gas appreciated YTD by 45.4 percent to close at N6.12 per share.

Sterling Bank, at 27.4 percent YTD appreciation, and Union Bank at 25 percent YTD appreciation, topped all the stocks listed under the financial services sub sectors. The former closed at N2.42 per share while the latter closed at N7 per share respectively.

The five worst performing stocks year to date are Total Nigeria which closed last Friday at N105.80 per share representing -47.9 percent YTD change; PZ, N6 per share representing N-50.4 percent YTD change; UACN, N4.50 per share, representing -53.8 percent YTD change; ETI, N6 per share, representing N-57.1 percent YTD decline; and International Breweries at N12 per share, which amounted to 60.7 percent YTD decline.

42 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 18 August 2019

Health&Science Experts call for urgent action against non-communicable diseases

P

ANTHONIA OBOKOH

ublic health experts are raising alarm over the rise of life threatening non-communicable diseases in Nigeria without support programs to protect the people.

Non-communicable diseases are characterized by long duration and generally slow in progression. They include cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes which are generally believed to be on the rise.

This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that millions of people in Africa will die from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2020.

Doyin Odubanjo, chairman,

Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter says the high prevalence of health crisis Nigeria is facing is not peculiar to the country as other African countries are also experiencing similar trends.

“These chronic diseases are not caused or transmitted by germs. Diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancers, and hepatitis are now on the increase,” said Odunbanjo.

Odunbanjo further said, “So on top of the communicable diseases problem, Nigerians now have what is referred to as double burden of disease which means we are dealing with communicable and non-communicable diseases which are also on the rise and some actually believe that we may have more cases of non-communicable diseases than communicable diseases. That means they will

overtake them, it does not mean communicable diseases are necessarily reducing but means non-communicable disease is on the increase.”

According to a report released by the WHO, that consolidates available data, these impending threats can be predicted because most adults in Africa have at least one risk factor that increases their chances of developing a life-threatening NCD, including heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive lung disease.

“The burden of illness, which has been gradually increasing over the past decade, will likely surpass the toll of sickness and death from infectious diseases by 2030” says WHO. “Worldwide, deaths from NCDs will reach an estimated 44 million within the next four years, an increase of 15% from WHO’s

2010 estimate.”

Uzochukwu Olise, a medical practitioner based in Abuja said that non-communicable diseases relies heavily on avoidance of some lifestyle risk factors, smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet (people not taking fruits and eating vegetables), and low level of exercises.

“Prevention of non-communicable diseases that are life threatening as well as weakening, and they place uncertain hardship on the people and family of those who are affected.

Olise further said, “These diseases mostly affect the women between the ages of 45-65.

Adults mostly have the probability of non-infectious diseases during the course of their live.

“The high rate of hypertension is worrisome; about 20-25 per cent of Nigerians are hypertensives. Most people are unaware

of their condition until it is too late. So they live their life treating hypertension through medication and lifestyle changes that can help them live longer.

Odunbanjo further said that there are a lot of programs which are targeted at the communicable diseases, big programs with huge investment like the malaria, HIV/AIDS, eradicating polio.

“But most of us have not had about diabetes, hypertension program.so for the non-infectious we do not have focus on the financial backing, experts backing, programmatic backing as we do for the communicable diseases.

“So it will be no surprise that they are on the increase and yet they are not spending enough on them. so Nigerians will definitely have a lot of these cases to contend with as the years go by,” said Doyin.

Health benefits of consuming Papaya

T

he papaya fruit or pawpaw as is commonly known in Nigeria is a very common and tasty fruit widelyeating nationwide. It almost grows wildly with pawpaw trees dotting the streetsandgrowinginfrontofeveryone’shome. Alittleknownfactisthat the tree bears a very beneficial fruit with wonderful health benefits.

Papaya fruit is very high in antioxidantsandVitaminC. Thismakes the fruit good in boosting immunity and thereby preventing infections like the common cold or flu.

In addition, reduce cholesterol buildup in the blood thereby reducing the risk of developing heart disease. The fruit is also rich in Vitamin A which is responsible for preserving vision and protecting against age related eye diseases.

Papaya can help to fight and prevent cancer. The fruit is rich in lycopene and carotene which has been demonstratedtoreducecancerrisk.

Special antioxidants in papaya have alsobeenshowntohaveanti-cancer activityaswellastoreduceoxidative damage which is a precursor to the formation of cancer.

Another benefit of papaya is its ability to fight inflammation.

Inflammation is the root of many diseases ranging from arthritis to cancer and papaya, an enzyme found in papaya has exhibited very strong anti-inflammatory qualities.

Papaya reduces pain, muscle soreness and aids in digestion. Papaya is also used in skin preparations to improve the texture of the skin and to promote wound healing.

Papaya leaves are not to be ignored; they are packed with superior medicinal qualities and have been used effectively in traditional medicine for a long time. Papaya leaves have been used to reduce fever and body pains associated with malaria. It works similar to conventional painkillers such as ibuprofen without the side effects.

The leaves also contain the enzyme papaya which aid digestion

and relieves menstrual pain. The leaves are also used to fight diabetes. It works by preventing excess sugar from staying in the blood which also helps to reduce the organ damage caused by diabetes.

Papaya leaves also accelerates wound healing making for a faster recovery. For people who have problems digesting gluten and wheat, the enzymes in papaya leaves help to break the proteins down in the body.

Papaya seeds are also very important to our health. Many of us think the seeds are inedible and we throw them away not knowing we are discarding valuable medicine. Papaya seeds are great for detoxification.

Consuming the seeds help to detoxify the liver and kidneys. The high fiber content also helps to cleanse and detoxify the colon. This can also aid in achieving weight loss for overweight people. Just like the fruit andtheleaves,papayaseedsarealso very valuable in reducing in inflammation and lowering high blood pressure. Thebenefitsgoonandon.

Inconclusion,papayaisadelicious fruit with many health advantages.

We should strive to incorporate it intoourdietsregularlyandthisshould include the seeds and the leaves.

A simple detox regimen is to try what we call ‘Pawpaw Therapy’.

Cut a medium sized papaya into 3 equal parts, and divide the seeds in to 3 equal parts. In addition, boil the leaves in a small sized cooking pot with 6 cups of water. In the morning, eat one-third of the pawpaw, swallow one third of the seeds, and drink 2 cups of the papaya leaf tea. Do this also in the afternoon and evening making sure to drink at least 3 liters of water throughout the day. Resume your regular meals the following day.

This will help to cleanse your system, lose weight and hydrate your skin. I hope you try this wonderful tip soon and start reaping the health benefits!

Analysts worry over climate change impact in addressing infectious diseases

A

DESMOND OKON

frican Health experts have expressed concerns over the impact of climate change in efforts to address infectious diseases, stating that climate change and conflicts in some parts of the continent are hampering efforts to address emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola and Lassa fever.

This subject became the focus of the fifth edition of the African Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases and Bio-security, which was organised by the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium in Abuja.

The event was an opportunity to alert African leaders and health agencies to the dangers of allowing sensitive biological materials get into the hands of insurgents, rebel groups and armed non-government actors in different parts of Africa.

Dotun Bobadoye, Chief Operating Officer, Global Emerging PathogensTreatmentConsortium, said the impact of climate change and conflict in some parts of Africa should not be overlooked due its huge impact on human beings, animals, crops and the environment.

He said that the annual conference was an avenue where emerg-

ing issues on health, especially biosecurity and emerging infectious diseases, are discussed. But that the focus of this year was on the combined impact of climate change and serious conflict in different parts of Africa on emerging infectious diseases and bio-security.

“Climate change is becoming a big challenge to Africa, especially with an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather event.Weareexperiencingdrought in parts of the continent. In Nigeria, desertification is moving southwardswith350hectaresoflandlost to desertification annually.

“Lake Chad, which used to be a source of water supply to about 30 million people, is drying up and we have lost 90 per cent of its water content within the last three decades. This is having a serious impact on bio-security. With the loss of such huge water volume, we have rebel groups rising up and killing thousands of people,” he said.

Painting a picture of the danger of armed conflicts in the Congo Democratic Republic, where Ebola epidemic is; he said it was a matter of the security of biological material given the region that is home to a lot of rebel groups and other armed actors.

“Imagine the harm that would be done if a rebel group gains ac-

cess to a sample of the Ebola virus and take it to Lagos or any part of Africa. It is about how to secure biological materials in such a way that it does not cause risk and harm to human beings, animal, crops and the environment,” he said.

Bobadoye revealed that the consortium, through the help of the Canadian Government and the Lagos State Government, had begun the construction of a biological laboratory in Lagos where sensitive biological materials would be kept from getting into the wrong hands.

“We are collaborating with Lagos State to build a bio-security laboratory where highly pathogenic biological materials will be kept so that they do not get to the wrong hands. It is sighted in Lagos State and is donated by the Canadian government. It will start operation soon,” he adds.

The event had representatives of the Federal Ministries of Health, the Director- General of the National Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu; representative of the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe, Obadiah Moyo, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Biosafety Management Agency, Rufus Ebegba; and other stakeholders in the health sector.

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports Siaisia vows to appeal FIFA ban

F

Stories by ANTHONY NLEBEM

ollowing unpleasant report on Friday that world governing football body FIFA has banned former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia for life from football activities and fined $50,000 for agreeing to receive bribe in the manipulation of matches, according to a statement from FIFA. The embattled Nigerian born coach has denied any wrong doing and vows to appeal FIFA ban, according to a twitter statement from @ColinUdoh handle who said he spoke to Siasia shortly after the news broke. @ColinUdoh: “I don’t know anything about this. I did nothing wrong and I have not received any letter from FIFA.

“I am shocked with FIFA Ban, I was never questioned by FIFA.”

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 5 will boost boxing - former Coach

V

ice Chairman, Kwara State Boxing Referees and Judges Association, Afolabi Olatoke, has expressed delight at the choice of Ilorin as host city for GOtv Boxing NextGen 5, a programme that aims to discover talented young boxers on the verge of joining the professional ranks.

The two-day programme holds at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin, on 29 and 30 August.

Speaking in a phone interview, Olatoke, who retired as Kwara State Chief Boxing Coach, said the choice of Ilorin as the host city will give young boxers in Kwara and neighbouring states the opportunity to be fast-tracked into the professional cadre.

“I can tell you that young boxers here can’t wait for the programme to commence.

Many of them are participating in the friendly boxing tournament among Ondo, Kwara, Osun and Oyo states currently going on here and have expressed interest in being part of GOtv Boxing NextGen 5. The programme has raised their hopes that they can find

the platform to express their abilities. Many of them are familiar with GOtv Boxing Night, which they watch on television and are aspiring to become stars like those they have seen on television,” he said.

The programme is open to boxers aged between 18 and 25, who will take part in sparring sessions conducted by prominent boxing coaches.

The coaches will select those adjudged ready to move into the professional cadre, while the sponsors will pay for their professional licenses and free medical examination.

Registration forms for the programme are available free of charge at the Kwara State Boxing Association Office and Referees and Judges Association Office, both in Ilorin; Akure Township Stadium Complex, Akure; Alake Sports Centre, Abeokuta; Oyo State Boxing Association Office, Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan; Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Surulere, Lagos and the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) Secretariat, National Stadium in Lagos.

The 51-year-old was found guilty of having accepted that he

N

igerian singer and songwriter Peter Okoye (Mr P) and Celebrity On Air Personality, VJ Adams recently unboxed the new LaLiga ball to signify the kick-off of the 2019/2020 LaLiga season.

The duo were selected as part of a global campaign that heralds the start of the new LaLiga season.

Mr P who was also selected alongside a few other celebrities to watch games of the opening LaLiga weekend will be at the Estadio de la Ceramica where Villarreal will host Granada CF, an experience he is looking forward to, especially with the prospect of meeting Super Eagles new sensation, Samuel Chukwueze who plays for the Yellow Submarines.

‘I’m looking forward to meeting him for the first time and also getting to see a LaLiga game live’.

Peter said.

Mr P who played football when he was younger and believed he could have played professional if he wasn’t a musician promised to show Samuel Chukwueze a few tricks when they

would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches.

“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Samson Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics”, the statement reads.

“The formal ethics proceedings against Mr Siasia were initiated on 11 February 2019 and stem from an extensive investigation into matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA via its competent departments and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.

“In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Siasia had breached art. 11 (Bribery) of the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics and banned him for life from all footballrelated activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level.

In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 has been imposed on Mr Siasia.”

Siasia won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, for whom he played over 50 times while scoring 16 goals.

Siasia was coach of Nigeria between 2010-2011 and for a spell in 2016 but the time period when FIFA believes he committed his infractions is unclear.

He has also served as coach of the country’s Under-20 and U-23 sides.

Peter Okoye, VJ Adams ‘unboxes’ new LaLiga ball ...as the 2019/2020 season kicks off

meet this weekend in Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarines who spent most of last season battling relegation will look to start the new season on a strong note with a win over newly promoted Granada who have another Nigerian, Azeez Ramon on their books.

Villarreal will be counting on the vociferous support of their fans to hit new heights this season. Interestingly, with the population of the town put at 51,000 inhabitants, half the town can fit into the 25,000 capacity Estadio de la Ceramica.

More football actions as SuperSport acquires rights to air Championship, Carabao Cup will broadcast games.

The Championship is in its … Games Live On DStv, GOtv third week and teams featur-

T

he football offering has been further boosted with Championship and Carabao Cup for the 2019/2020 football season.

The games from both English football competitions will be broadcast on both MultiChoice platforms after SuperSport acquired the rights this week.

Huddersfield Town and Fulham kick-off the live broadcast of the Championship matches and it will be aired live on SuperSport 10 on all DStv packages and on SuperSport Select 2 to GOtv Max and GOtv Plus subscribers.

On Sunday, Reading will take on Cardiff City in another Championship game. It will be aired live at 12 noon on SuperSport 10 for all DStv subscrib-

ers and SuperSport Select 2 to GOtv Max and GOtv Plus subscribers.

The Sky Bet Championship is the highest division of the English Football League and second highest in England after the Premier League.

SuperSport will be broadcast live to its subscribers on DStv and GOtv as both platforms

ing in the league’s 2019/2020 season include Leeds United, Derby County, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, and West Bromwich Albion.

The Carabao Cup is an annual knockout competition and includes all 92 clubs within the top four levels of English football.

Fixtures for Round Two of the competition will take place on Tuesday 27 August and Wednesday 28 August. The provisional fixtures include QPR versus Portsmouth, Fulham against Southampton and Nottingham Forest against Derby County.

Manchester City are the reigning champions of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea on penalties in last season’s final.

BDSUNDAY

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I

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Playing the down-to-earth politics: The Fayemi example

H

ave you seen those pictures making the rounds, of Ekiti State Governor, John Kayode Fayemi warmly relating with a 7-year-old pupil of a public school? The story has it that Fayemi and the boy met during the launch of the Federal Government’s school feeding programme in Ekiti. Since then, the governor had struck a friendly accord with the boy, forcing the former to invite the latter, his little friend, over to visit him in the office.

The pictures actually brought out another salient character of the governor, whose critics had accused of being disconnected, especially from the lowly. Many would also argue that Fayemi was always too serious and hardly had time for such an affection.

For the boy, Master Daniel Olutope, a Primary 3 Pupil of St Michael Primary School, Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti, the visit to his “friend” was an exciting experience, an assurance that a governor was also a human being of likemind and that he could also aspire to attain any height in life. The gesture was actually a confirmation of Governor Fayemi’s penchant for education, particularly, child education, and an affirmation of his knowledge economy agenda.

Prior to when the pictures started making the rounds, pundits had been wondering what was making Dr. Fayemi tick. One moment, he was seen flowing freely with the high and mighty, the next moment, he was feeling cozy in the company of those perceived as ordinary persons, without grandstanding or showy about any.

So, what can be described as the secret of the successive successes of the Ekiti Governor and Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum? What thrills him or captures his fancy? And to think those series of successes keep attracting friends and foes alike to him, makes Fayemi’s kind of politics quite interesting as a case study?

Like him or hate him, Fayemi is no longer a rookie in the Nigerian politics. Neither is he a pushover. He is seriously making an impeccable statement and an inroad as a

bridge builder.

Yes, Fayemi is fast becoming a good study in neo-progressivism in the Nigerian political setting, giving Ekiti State, which he governs as his primary assignment, a new facelift after its despoiling by his predecessor in office.

Fayemi’s kind of progressive tendencies is the one that gives support for, or advocacy to social reform, based on the idea of progress, which asserts that advancements in science, technology, economic development and social organisation are vital to the improvement of the human condition. This has greatly reflected in the five-point agenda of his administration viz: agriculture and rural development, social investment, infrastructure development, knowledge economy and governance.

Yet, Fayemi also recognises the need to involve the private sector operators in the development of his state, knowing that the state, Ekiti, is challenged economically. This policy model of his, which seeks to partner with the private sector for the good of his people is reflected in his administration’s plan to return schools to missions in a bid to further improve the quality of education in the state, and the signing of a partnership agreement with Promasidor by Ekiti State to drive its backward integration initiative aimed at creating local source of raw materials for its dairy products through the state owned Ikun Dairy Farm, among others, cannot be overlooked As a progressive, Fayemi is also concerned about the welfare of his people, ensuring equality of outcomes.

In the Nigerian politics, we have the libertarians and we have the progressives. But the ability to find a mid-point for the betterment of his people is what is making Fayemi tick. One can trace it to the emotional intelligence, which the Ekiti governor possesses in a large dose.

In case you have never met Fayemi at a close distance, but just seeing him from

afar or reading what pundits write about him, let us get into his political closet a bit.

Dr. Fayemi is a calm human being. Very, very calm; collected, but insightful and humane. He is a good listener and just too calm to be taken for an activist, which he was popularly known as before foraying into politics. Still water he appears, but he flows very deep and wide. As a governor or political leader, he is more often than not basing his decisions on what serves the greater good of his people. His goal is to unify the citizenry through genuine love of democracy, good governance and belief in the superiority of values.

Having such a standard is helping Fayemi to avoid the ego trap. It impels him to work to increase the participation of the lower and middle classes. It has inspired him to reduce conflict and distrust among his people. And it has led to his greatest decision of all, which is the resetting of the values of his people to what will transform them back to their original _omoluwabi_ status.

To help himself in this deliberative process, Fayemi has opened his mind to as many ideas and options as possible, even without discarding those of his opponents. He imagines all of the possible consequences of a strategy before committing to it.

With a calm spirit and an open mind, he hits upon policies that would give his people an “A” status, such as the creation of the Knowledge City.

Though Fayemi is urbane and has developed himself to be a global citizen, the governor is still playing local in that the voice of an _omoluwabi ekiti_ continues to resonate in him and simply stands for the higher power that exists within him. Perhaps, this is the potential he feels in his moments of calmness and focus.

The perfect idea coming to Fay-

SEGUN DIPE Segun Dipe is the senior special assistant to Ekiti Governor on Public Communications.

emi and his connection to the higher power in the present is because his mind is not weighed down with emotions.

There is, therefore, the assurance that he will reach the goals he has set for himself because he is very focused. His attention is not pulled this way and that.

There is the rational standard guiding all decisions he make. And, unlike his predecessor in office in Ekiti, he is not a fascist.

The kind of emotion most politicians exhibit can narrow the mind and make them focus on one or two ideas that satisfy their immediate desire for power and attention, ideas that usually backfire.

But with a calm spirit like that of Fayemi, one can entertain a wide range of options and solution within a short period. The voice will become clearer and clearer. When people besiege him with their endless drama and emotion, Fayemi, more often than not, rises above the distraction and applies his rationality to think past them. Like an athlete continually gets stronger through training, Fayemi’s mind is becoming more flexible and resilient. Clear and calm, he is dishing out answers and solutions that many Nigerian politicians are not envisioning.

Let every Nigerian watch out for this very unique personality, as he continues to display his unique potential in politics.

Quick Takes

Developing

FAAN: Shutting down of Enugu Airport runway by August 24th for reconstruction

T

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has notified airlines, passengers and all other stakeholders that on 24th August, 2019, the runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu will be closed for major repairs and works on the airfield.

In a statement sent by Henrietta Yakubu, general manager, corporate affairs, FAAN, she said the move is aimed at resolving the existing Safety/Security concerns to flight operations.

Yakubu said a date to reopen the runway will be communicated in due course.

Recalled that few months ago, Hadi Sirika, former minister of State, Aviation, had said that the Enugu Airport needed reconstruction to meet its status as an international airport.

Sirika said: “The runway is terrible. I have been there three times, seen the governor of the state and told them what to do but nothing has happened. There are a market and an abattoir at the side of the runway and these attract birds. Of recent, Air Peace suffered a bird strike and this

affected the airline, thank God there was no major incident.

“At the end of the runway, you have the government establishing a free trade zone at the centre. Enugu is to the East what Kaduna is to the North. When the government wanted to expand the runway to 60 metres long and 71 metres wide, there were few houses there and we were promised that they would be demolished and the owners compensated so we can have the improvement but now they have built more houses.

Enugu would have to be closed down; that is the honest truth.”

However, Air Peace, the airline with most frequency into the airport, has commended the Federal Government for the decision to close the Enugu International Airport in order to allow a proper repair and maintenance of the airports runway which has given us serious safety concerns.

In a statement sent by the airline, “For the avoidance of doubt, Air Peace is fully and totally in support of this decision. Though the decision will affect the travelling public and, of course, the airline, we place the safety of

the flying public, our crew and equipment above any commercial benefits.

“The government should go all out to put everything in place, within the period of the closure, that would make the airport rank among the best international airports in the country. We plead with the Federal Government to make the airport a 24hr flight operations airport by improving the night landing infrastructure.

“We will not fail to thank the Federal Government for the appointment of Capt. Yadudu as the Managing Director of FAAN. His appointment is a testimony to the Federal Government’s resolve to put result driven persons at the helm of its agencies. Air Peace is not alone in this thought. Since his coming, airlines have started enjoying the services that would definitely improve the standards in the industry.”

The airline thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his resolve to attend to the infrastructural decay in the industry.

-Ifeoma Okeke

N72 billion

The amount Dangote Group is staking on the reconstruction of the entire stretch of Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway concessioned to the indigenous construction company by the Federal Government in lieu of tax.

Not again!

“Liverpool Road falls within the GRA and should not have been having trucks plying it. I cannot tell you exactly when the road would be delivered. But we are projecting that the entire stretch from Apapa to Oworonshoki should be completed in three years”.

Ademola Kuti, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos.

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