BusinessDay 22 Mar 2020 by BusinessDay

Abule Ado: A day of death, fury and losses â&#x20AC;ŚResidents in anxious wait for cause of blast Desmond Okon

L-R: John Ugbe, chief executive officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, and Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), chairman MultiChoice Nigeria, at the 7th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

round 9 a.m. last Wednesday, three days after what could pass off as a mini Armageddon, our correspondent visited

the scene of a deadly gas explosion that had rocked Abule-Ado, a sleepy community in Lagos State, to see the extent of rescue work and how the survivors were picking the pieces of their lives. Grief and agony were

still palpable, as could be easily read from peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mien. Some walked slowly and melancholically; some were simply irritable, and some others were seen just soliloquizing. These captured their bad mood.

What do we do now with many COVID-19 cases in Nigeria? BUSINESS DAY

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Vol 1, No. 305

N300

Coronavirus pandemic: Why apprehension grows in Nigeria High poverty level in the land No safety net for the populace Infrastructure deficit Alleged poor attitude to governance

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MAN urges FG to help scale up incountry production, drive diversification harder 30

At home with Enotie Ogbebor; the self-taught artist 25

L-R: Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for Information and Strategy; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor; Akin Abayomi, commissioner for Health, and Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor, at the media briefing on Coronavirus pandemic, held at Lagos House, Marina.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Cover Coronavirus: Why apprehension grows in Nigeria -High poverty level in the land -No safety net for the populace -Infrastructure deficit OBINNA EMELIKE, AMAKA ANAGOREWUZIE and INIOBONG IWOK

n the last few days, the Federal Government has taken measures to ensure that Nigeria does not get to a point where the coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 begins to ravage the country in the same way it is currently doing in some other countries. Government officials have also continued to urge the citizens not to panic as the situation is under control. But some Nigerians and social commentators who spoke with BDSUNDAY said that the situation in the country and the level of unpreparedness on the part of government may be reason for panic. Reports from many parts of the world say that people’s movements are being restricted and in some places, citizens are told to stay indoors without as much as going out to buy groceries or going beyond 100 meters from their residences. In such cases, people stock their fridges, freezers and stores to last many days for them. Observers argue that should coronavirus hit Nigeria in the same magnitude it has in other countries, corpses are sure to litter everywhere in the country. An analyst, who spoke with BDSUNDAY on condition of anonymity, said: “Take for instance, if the disease invades Nigeria as in Italy as it’s being reported, Nigerians would die in droves. Why did I say so? Most Nigerians are poor and survive by subsistence means. “They have barely enough to survive for one day not to talk of two days, two weeks or months without going out to do their business. While the virus is yet to get to most Nigerians, many are already at their wits end. And you don’t blame anybody.” Continuing, he said, “If you are in a country where the President, for instance, is behaving as if he does not see, hear or read about what other presidents and prime ministers are doing elsewhere; in some countries, the President has addressed their people over three times, giving them the assurance that all will be well. “While other nations are announcing various stimulus packages for their citizens, our government announced N20 reduction in petrol pump price as if that’s the major problem of the people. The way things are, Nigerians have every cause to panic because things are not done right here; nobody thinks about them or their welfare.” In a report making the rounds on the social media, Nigeria is the only country that has not rolled out meaningful stimulus for her citizens. “The United States of America (USA): releases $1trillion stimulus. Each adult to be paid $1,200 & each child $500 in April and May;

UK: releases £330 billion and loan package; Germany releases $600 billion stimulus; Canada releases $20 billion relief package, $85 billion stimulus and stops payment of rents; Italy releases $26 billion stimulus, government to pay rents and will pay baby-sitter 600 euro, but Nigeria only removed N20.00 from fuel,” the report said. High poverty level and no safety net for the populace In 2018, report had it that Nigeria, one of the world’s largest producers of crude oil, overtook India as home to the world’s largest concentration of extreme poverty. This claim was made by three experts associated with the World Poverty Clock – in a paper for the Brookings Institution think-tank launched in 2017 to track trends in poverty reduction. According to the authors, oil-rich Nigeria overtook India in May 2018 to become the country with the world’s highest number of people – 87 million – living in extreme poverty, in comparison with India’s 73 million people. BDSUNDAY checks confirm that in Nigeria, a country with close to 200 million population, many people find it increasingly difficult to put a decent meal on their tables. Due to the poor economic situation, many presently live in slums, ghettos, and other overcrowded urban streets or districts inhabited by very poor people, where hundreds of people share same toilets and bath while in some cases people live in places without decent toilets. Sadly, inadequate environmental sanitation has become a public health hazard in the country. In some cities, living with waste as part of the natural environment has become a way of life. This is such that streets and roads in most cases have been converted into refuse dumping site with heaps of dirt covering the streets. Also, dumping of refuse inside drainages and canals in Nigeria has become a culture such that the

drainage system in most urban cities has been turned into dump sites and use for toilets for open defecation. This culture has not only gone further to expose how dirty the slums and ghettos are, but has also shown potential threat to health, if Coronavirus becomes pandemic in Nigeria. To this end, pundits believe that if Covid-19 spreads in a country like Nigeria, scores of deaths would be recorded because it would be very difficult to contain because the spread would be unimaginable. Nigerians would find it extremely difficult to self-isolate, especially for people living in already choking environment where open market system that is practised in the country makes it compulsory for a lot of people to cluster at one time, said a concerned Nigerian, who does not want his name in the print. The Nigeria’s transportation which is always overloaded and crowded with people sitting at very close proximity with one another is also a worrisome factor. “Unless movement would be restricted in such situation, if not it would be more difficult to deal with, said the concerned Nigerian. Interestingly, Nigerians are already taking advantage of the situation to hike the market prices of drugs especially Chloroquine that was said to be under test in the United States of America as possible vaccine for the treatment of Coronavirus. Barely 12 hours after President Donald Trump’s announcement during the Covid-19 update from the White House in Washington DC on Thursday, the price of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in Nigeria skyrocketed such that a pack that was formerly sold for N850 as at Thursday now goes for N3, 000, confirmed Ruth Eze, a Lagos-based pharmacist. According to her, some drug dealers are now limiting the number of packs that could be sold to one pharmacist at a time, citing an

example that she contacted her customer, a big dealer, who insisted that only five packs could be sold to one pharmacist at each request. “Our problem in Nigeria is that we lack regulation. Drug makers and dealers are presently hiking prices at will with no governmental authority to control or regulate them. This cannot happen in the Western world. Remember, the virus has not become pandemic in Nigeria and the situation is like, imagine what could become of us if Nigerian case continues to rise,” she wondered. BDSUNDAY can further recall that one of the worst hit countries in Europe is Italy, popularly known as the country of better living, which has been completely locked down and transformed into a country at war, ‘health war’. The Italian Civil Protection Agency says in its daily bulletin that death toll rose by 14.3 percent on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, while the total number of contagions also grew by 14.9 percent to 41,035. Recoveries are up by 10.3 percent to 4,440, while the number of intensive care patients – a closely watched figure given the shortage of hospital beds – has risen by 10.7 percent, to 2,498. Also, in Italy and other countries in the West, government makes it a responsibility to constantly fumigate the environment on regular basis to contain the spread of the disease. The big question is, can Nigerian government become responsible in dealing with just sanitation as the World Health Organisation (WHO) continue to preach for personal hygiene as critical to curtailing the spread of Covid-19. Fact remains that the publicowned medical facilities such as Federal Medical Centres as well as general and university teaching hospitals hardly have sufficient bed spaces for patients under a normal situation. It means that the situation could be unimaginable if the spread

of Covid-19 becomes very high in Nigeria. BDSUNDAY’s visits to some public hospitals and health centres show that many of these hospitals are yet to come to terms with reality as they do not have even sanitizers for patients and visitors. Expectations from government Aloysius Ogwu, an economist and a public affairs analyst, said that government should impress on private sector to encourage staff to work from home and movements restricted. “If you allow people to go about their business as usual, the risk is huge because the virus will spread very fast. So, restriction on movement, working from home, self isolation should be enforced. But government will have to organise places where people can buy food items with less contacts or items delivered to homes at regulated prices now”, he said further. Mike Otigi, a health expert, noted that government needs to promulgate and strictly enforce safety regulations that would ensure the virus spread no further as its epidemic would cost the nation many lives. “China locked down and now they have no new case. The people suffered it and are better off now. Nigeria should insist on all strict measures to stop coronavirus now or we will regret it as its outbreak will kill millions in a month. There should be restrictions on movements to curb the spread, people should be stopped from going out, it is an emergency situation and government should foot the bill to safe the citizenry”, he said. Considering the fact that public places that host crowd are potential spread point for the virus, Kikelomo Adekunle, a senior partner in a law firm, said domestic flights, inter-state buses, staff buses, school buses, missionary buses should be avoided as they host passengers who could spread the virus if anyone of them is positive. “I think government should also ban inter-state travels and domestic flights for now because some Nigerians returning from abroad use them for movement to their final destinations and could infect people along the way if they are positive. If there are movement restrictions, nobody will spread the virus in hinterland where people are no aware of it and are most vulnerable,” she said. Wale Ogunade, a public affairs commentator, said: “Obviously, we have to redouble our effort; it would be a major catastrophe if we allow the situation to degenerate like what we have in Italy, UK and other countries considering the way we are here. We know our people; all hands must be on deck, more information about the virus should be made available to people, especially in remote villages, while health institutions should be equipped.”

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Sunday 22 March 2020

News Sanwo-olu, Osoba, Ashafa, others laud media role in Nigeria’s democracy …As The Avalon Daily screens documentary Iniobong Iwok with agency

overnor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State; Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, and GbengaAshafa, a senator who represented Lagos-East senatorial district, have commended the role of the media in the overall development of Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s democratic experience. The commendation was made at the screening of The Avalon Daily’s documentary – ‘Paying the Price’ (Press Freedom in Nigeria), held at Freedom Park, Lagos. The documentary told the story of six journalists (DapoOlorunyomi, BabafemiOjudu, George Mba, NosaIgiebor, Soji Omotunde, and KunleAjibade) who were tortured and jailed by the military government for publishing stories that were in the interest of the society. KunleAjibade and George Mbah were both jailed for life. In his keynote address at the screening, OlusegunOsoba, a former managing director of the Daily Times, stressed on the roles of journalists in a democracy, one in which he described as being “of great significance.” Osoba also said: “The de-

mocracy and freedom we enjoy in Nigeria today was fought for by the media. I have urged my colleagues at the Tell magazine, The News, The Guardian and others to write their story so people can know what the media passed through during the military regime. Some of you might have heard of NADECO (National Democratic Coalition), but that was just a wing or an arm in the fight for democracy. What you have just watched now (the documentary) is the price the media had to pay to usher in democracy in our country.” In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-olu, represented byGbengaOmotoso, commissioner for information and strategy, paid tribute to those journalists who paid the ultimate price for defending their ideals and the ethics of their profession. “I’m glad that there are students of journalism who are also in attendance here, hopefully they would learn a bit of history and what it means to be a good journalist,” Omotoso said. He also recalled the ordeals of some of his colleagues like Senator Babafemi Ojudu who was at one point held in a cemetery by the junta. Omotoso commended The Avalon Daily for putting together the documentary, saying, “I commend the or-

ganisers of this event for preserving an important historic event in our country.” Gbenga Ashafa, a former chairman Senate committee on land transportation, who spoke after the screening of the documentary, said: “The Avalon Daily has dug into the history of journalism and media in Nigeria to produce a documentary about the huge price paid by veteran journalists during the military era. “As a people, we cannot afford to ignore the sacrifices made by those who risked all to give us a voice during oppression. I believe that as long as there is a chance for despots and authoritarian regimes to thrive, we owe our society a collective responsibility to speak up. “This documentary on ‘Paying the Price of Press Freedom in Nigeria’ is a commendable memoir that has shed light on a part of Nigeria’s history that we cannot simply forget.” Hakeem Bello, senior adviser, communications to minister of works and housing, who represented the minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in his remarks, said: “As you know, Babatubde Fashola is a stickler for documentation and he takes the documentation of important historical events like this documentary very seriously. I personally recall

when my friend and colleague was also detained at the famous cemetery and those were ugly times for our country and journalists in particular. “I am glad that the efforts of journalists, particularly in that era has been documented by The Avalon Daily, and we must continue to encourage other journalists to live up to the ethics of the profession.” In his vote of thanks, Ayodele Adio, the managing editor of The Avalon Daily and producer of the documentary, recognised one of the victims of the military’s abuse of power, George Mbah, who was jailed for life by the Sani Abacha-led military regime. Adio quoted Sir Tom Stoppard, the British playwright and screenwriter, who said: “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.” Mbah, who also spoke briefly at the event, stressed the point that “journalists should continue to do their work in the interest of the society and damn the consequences.” Other guests at the event were, Lanre Idowu, Akin Fatunke, Tomiwa Aladekomo, students of the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University (LASU), among several others.

L-R: Lanre Idowu, Akin Fatunke, Ayodele Adio, Segun Osoba, Gbenga Ashafa and Hakeem Bello at the event.

Korea promises to sustain Nigeria’s economic development through technical/vocational training VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

he Republic of Korea has promised to sustain its support to Nigeria’s economic development through Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET). Rtd Gen. Lee In Tae, ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, gave the assurance during the inauguration ceremony of a three-month Industrial Training for students of the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI) Lokoja. The event, according Tae, is symbolic because it is the first effort to strengthen industrial linkage with Nigeria in the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector, noting that Korea was an impoverished country in the sixties but overcame its poverty with a passionate “can do spirit” and its emphasis on education. “Today, Korea is an individual powerhouse with leading mega Korean companies such as Samsung, LG , Hy u n d a i a n d Ki a at the forefront of global innovation and cutting edge Technology,” Tae said.

Tae also said that TVET remained the engine of economic growth and the master key of development to any given society, saying that Nigeria as observed has limited opportunities to acquire the skills needed to enter the labour market. He further explained that the absence of linkages between academics and industry were the main challenges of skills development in the country. He said: “In view of this, we have engaged leading Ko r e a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Corporations, to provide internship opportunities to students of the NKFI Lokoja. This year, 11 students from three Departments of Electrical/Electronics, Automotive Mechatronics and ICT will be going for the industrial experience and I am urging the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of Kogi State and their institution.” He commended the Provost of the Institute, Gabriel Okewu for his diligence and commitment to duty, and also Kogi State Government for its support to the institution. He therefore, called for more in area of hostel accommodation for students and utility vehicles.

Abia embarks on biometric capturing of pensioners …Owes N1bn pension arrears UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

n its resolve to be paying pensioners in the state regularly alongside other workers in the, the Abia State government has embarked on Biomertic capturing of all pensioners in the state. Aham Uko, commissioner for Finance, disclosed that as at today pension arrears of retired civil servants in the state stood at N1billion. He however, did not state the period covering the huge arrears. Uko, who stated this in his office in Umuahia while briefing some select journalists, said the essence of embarking on the exercise was to ensure that pensioners receive their money at 25th of every month like regular workers and also eliminate ghostworkersbyascertaining those who are still living and those who are no longer alive. He also said that the Biometric capturing would assist the state government to compile the list of genuine pensioners which would go a long way to reduce the bloat-

ed pension wages in the state. He said the state government had recruited and trained 55 Information Technology personnel to carry out the exercise, adding that the exercise would be as painless as possible. “We have provided five ambulances their check-off and administered drugs on them. We will also provide entertainment for them. We are doing this in conjunction with National Union of Pensioners, Abia State chapter, so that they can point out where we are doing well or wrong,” Uko said. The Finance boss of Abia State revealed that the state inherited a lot of pensioners from the old Imo State and that the state has the duty to bear the burden. The Commissioner said that before October last year, the pension bill was N510million and that after similar exercise with NUP, it was reduced to N380million but following protests and complaints from pensioners who did not register with the union, it shored up to N480million.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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News ICPC, NOA warn National Assembly members against personalising constituency projects BENJAMIN AGESAN, Makurdi

he Makurdi zonal commissioner of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, Clement Adebayo in collaboration with the Benue State Director of National Orientation Agency NOA, Richard Audu warned the members of the National Assembly against personalising constituency projects. The commissions gave this warning at a town hall meeting tagged ‘My constituency, my projects’, held at Smile View Hotels in Makurdi the state capital. In his address, Clement Adebayo explained that the commission was a government agency with specific mandate to fight corruption by investigating reports of corruption and enforcement, examining the ways government organisations carry out their work and carrying out public enlightenment. That is why our public enlightenment effort today centres on constituency and government projects in the community and the roles

citizens have to play to make every one benefit from the projects. He emphasised. The zonal commissioner who stated that constituency projects are the projects selected by legislators and provided for in the budgets of government ministries said, in the ICPC drive to stop corruption in the projects executed by government, they launched its constituency projects Tracking Group Initiative in 2019 which commenced the first phase of tracking with twelve (12) states to see whether constituency projects were executed and done satisfactorily. Adebayo said that the exercise yield huge suc-

cess with the communities in the pilot states, on account of the fact that a lot of abandoned projects were completed or are being completed, equipment and machinery meant for the benefit of ordinary people which were kept away and were not distributed were recovered and distributed to beneficiaries. ICPC commissioner who urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the constituency projects for sustainability in the long term emphasised that, constituency and other projects are funded by the government with public money as such, the projects are not gifts or donations to

the community by political Representatives but rather fruits of national resources and government responsibility to the people. He said, “Your representatives in the legislature who select constituency projects do so because they are closer to you, and it is expected that they understand your needs better. You should therefore work with them to make to make sure that projects chosen for actually reflect your needs. Your legislative representatives have no right to divert or personalise the projects. In a remarks, the Benue State director of National Orientation Agency NOA, Richard Audu stated that projects help to give tangible meaning to their representation at the National Assembly in Abuja just as it gives the Representatives of the people the required opportunity to identify infrastructural lapses in their domain for government interventions such as, provision of books for local libraries, water boreholes projects, health facilities, donation of computers to schools, roads construction among many other areas.

Corps members urged to embrace hard work, practical approach to life for meaningful success Felix Omohomhion, Abuja

igerian youths have been advised to imbibe hard work and be practical in their approach to life in order to succeed. The advice was given in Abuja by speakers at a oneday sensitisation workshop organised for youth corps members, who went through orientation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The practical training, which held at the Kubwa Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja, was attended by a cross section of youth corps members. A volunteer and advocate of the youth, girl child and women empowerment, Asebusola Elegbede, one of the speakers during the exercise, urged members of the National Youth Service Corps to open their minds to opportunities, partnerships and collaborations, couple with hard work to succeed. “It is easy to assume we know these needs, but according to the United Nations frameworks on the

17 Sustainable Development Goals (17SDGs), it is better to ask and get feedback,” Elegbede said. She also reminded them that hard work pays, noting that tenacity and zeal to succeed have been the hallmark of Nigerians across the globe. “We all have the potential to be as big as we please. An idea in the right hands is a powerful tool,” she further observed. Elegbede, director of Valtuutaa Initiative, a non-

governmental organisation, reminded the youth that life was practical and that opportunities were available waiting for the first to get there with the correct certification. The playwright and ambassador of Nigeria, with her colleagues, took the youth through opportunities available in social media handles such as Twitter, I n s t a g r a m , Fa c e b o o k , Google+, Snapchat, among others. According to her, “Our

A cross section of youth corps members at the event

tenacity and zeal to succeed as Nigerians make the rest of the world turn all its attention and focus on us. “Today is a practical training about succeeding in Nigeria, how many of you have applied for jobs and continue to do so? Now, in a situation where the available job needs only five employees what happens? “I ask because life is practical and opportunities are available and the first to get there with the correct certification gets the job.”

Olayinka named Keystone Bank’s acting MD

n line with the strategic intent to constantly align its corporate structures and processes to support the sustained push for growth, the Board of Directors of Keystone Bank Limited has announced the appointment of Olaniran Olayinka as the bank’s acting Managing Director/CEO, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In a statement by the Company Secretary and General Counsel of the Bank, Dr. Michael Agamah, Olayinka will lead the Bank’s Executive Management to drive its strategic business and corporate goals leveraging on the robust banking experience garnered over several years across various sectors of the economy. Commenting on the development, the Chairman of Keystone Bank, Umaru H. Modibbo disclosed that the appointment of Olayinka as Acting MD/CEO is based on the Bank’s corporate philosophy and culture of optimising her human capital through sustained leadership development. He stated further that the Bank will continue to proactively nurture and harness its existing talents to assume leadership roles in the financial institution.

Olayinka

Olayinka, who is currently an Executive Director, holds a First-Class Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the prestigious University of Lagos. He has attended several executive courses and programmes in Banking Operations, Credit, Risk Management, Business Process Re-engineering, and Change Management, amongst others. He had a four-year stint with PricewaterhouseCoopers and over 25 years banking experience covering Operations, Human Resources Management, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Institutional Banking. Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

30 minutes rainstorm wreaks havoc, kills one, destroys 400 houses in Ondo KORETIMI AKINTUNDE, Akure

ne person was confirmed dead while about 400 houses were destroyed during a rainstorm that occurred in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Thursday night. Also, six persons were critically injured in the rainstorm that wreaked havoc in Olu foam, Omoniyi Estate and Igoba areas of the state capital. The deceased, Faith Utobo, according to his father, Daniel Utobo went to church for evening service when the rain started. Utobo, a retired civil servant, said his son died as a result of the injury sustained when the church building collapsed during the rainstorm. Apart from the death, several houses were destroyed rendering several people homeless in the rainstorm that lasted less than 30 minutes. Also, several electric poles were destroyed leaving the community in total blackout. What worsened the situation was that the roofs of some building were totally blown off and destroyed other buildings not affected

by the storm. Some of the affected communities visited by our Correspondent, residents were seen removing blown off roofs from the streets. Several carpenters were hired to remove roofs that fell on other buildings. A community leader, Ayeni Abayomi said: “What happened yesterday was beyond human knowledge and imagination. It started around 6pm. It destroyed over 80 houses. Most of our properties have been destroyed. This is beyond our capacity, we thank God no live was lost but the damage is too much. A woman, Helen Eniola described the situation as terrible and devastating. “The rain started and what we heard was a big storm. Our property was destroyed. We lost many things here. I was inside the house but nobody died. Another victim, Afolabi Oluwatoyin, thanked God that nothing happened to her and her three children. “We were inside when it started. I am only begging for help to enable me have roof over my head.” A r e t i r e e , Fe m i s o l a Olofinsawo urged the Ondo State government to come to their aid to ameliorate their suffering.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

News

EFCC arraigns Saraki’s cousin over alleged N220m contract scam Innocent Odoh, Abuja and Sikirat OLAMIDE, Ilorin

he Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday arraigned one Ope Saraki, a Cousin of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki on two count charges bordering on contract scam to the tune of Two Hundred and Twenty Million Naira (N220, 000, 000). Saraki was arraigned before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, a statement issued by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC headquarters, Tony Orilade, said. The EFCC alleged that the defendant, while servi n g a s Sp e c i a l Ad v i s e r to the Kwara State Government, knowingly acquired a contract of the supply 13 Ambulances to General Hospitals into a company which he had interest. Count one of the Charge reads: “That you, Ope Saraki, Sometime in 2012, whilst being the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly acquired indirectly a private interest in contract

Ibrahim Magu

worth N171,990,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy One Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) awarded to Chemistry Nigeria Limited, for the purchase of 13 units of Ambulances for 13 General/Specialist Hospital in Kwara State, contract connected to your office contrary to Section 12 of the corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under same law.” When the two count charges were read to him, Saraki pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting Counsel, Sesan Ola prayed the Court for trials date that in view of the plea of the defendant. He also asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the hearing and determina-

tion of the case”. But defence counsel, Dr N Olatoke, however urged the Court to grant bail to his client pending the hearing and determination of the case stating that Saraki would not jump bail as his international passport had been in the Custody of the EFCC, the statement added. Justice Akinpelu, in her ruling, granted bail in the sum of N300, 000, 000 (Three Hundred Million Naira) to the accused person. The judge also said that the defendant must produce two sureties with verifiable addresses. She said Saraki should remain in the custody of the EFCC till he perfects his bail conditions. Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till April 16, 2020.

COVID – 19: Subscribers to access 100 free channels on StarTimes OTT platforms

ubscribers of leading digital Pay TV Company, StarTimes Nigeria will have access to over 100 international and local channels through its OTT platforms and its streaming mobile app, StarTimes ON. This, according to the company will ensure that Nigerians have access to the latest information on the COVID-2019 pandemic and also enjoy fabulous entertainment content while they are at home. Speaking on this initiative, the Operation Director of StarTimes ON, Ariel Wang noted that “it is obvious that some patterns in watching TV are changing due to the COVID-2019 pandemic, and given the concerns about possible spreading, people are suggested to stay at home without major sport events that includes; Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, UCL

and NBA. “As a listening and caring organisation, StarTimes subscribers will have access to over 100 international and local channels that includes; International news channels such as France 24, KTN NEWS (Kenya), TVC NEWS (Nigeria) in News category and TRACE MZIKI, TV5 MONDE, DA VINCI in entertainmentandeducation category for free on its OTT platforms and Streaming Mobile App, StarTimes ON. According to Wang , “Among all the streaming media APPs available in Africa, Startimes ON thus ranked the first in the amount of free channels during this trying times. Subscribers can enjoy both live and VOD content through StarTimes ON anytime and anywhere. “There is a variety of content that includes; Top TV series, local films, educational documentaries and

children programmes on more than 150 live channels across Africa as well as in the on-demand programming storage of more than 20,000 hours. With its largecapacity content storage and high identification of network quality, StarTimes ON is able to offer additional value to the users as to save up to 30percent data consumption comparing to the other streaming media platforms. She concluded that “StarTimes will keep contributing to making people safe during the special time. Thus we opened the free access to channels and further upgraded StarTimes ON coding technology to decrease again the broadband traffic, allowing users to spend even less data and enjoy more content while using our APP, and decreasing the pressure on Internet and telecom infrastructures.”

MultiChoice offers DStv, GOtv subscribers more access to information, content

he prevailing circumstances have called on many across the African continent to adjust to new ways of living and working. Many are required to spend more time at home with their loved ones, and MultiChoice Group (MCG) remains committed to supporting its customers with the best available programming to keep families informed and entertained. To ensure the most upto-date information about COVID-19, Africa’s mostloved storyteller will provide broadened access to credible information at this time, by making news channels more widely available across the continent. From Friday March 20, 2020, MultiChoice has included CNN (channel 401), Euronews (channel 414), BBC Word News (channel 400), Aljazeera (channel 406) and Africanews (channel 417), as well as the many other local DStv news channels in markets. GOtv customers will also get the brand-new channel Africanews (channel 47) available on GOtv

Max and Jolli. While BBC News (channel 41) and CNN (channel 42) will be open to GOtv Max, Jolli and Confam customers. “We have been in constant communication with health authorities such as the World Health Organisation, and we will be rolling out Africa-wide public service announcements on COVID-19. It is important that all of us take heed of the announcements and advice from trusted experts so that we can look after our own health and that of our loved ones,” says John Ugbe, MultiChoice Nigeria’s chief executive officer. The video entertainment company is not only expanding its content offering for news, but there will also be more kids shows, movies and curated sports content. It is making revision accessible for lessons from its educational channel Mindset (DStv Channel 319) available on catch up; while also adding educational channels Da Vinci (DStv 318 and GOtv 66) until the end of May to help keep young minds stimulated and engaged. PBS packed with

thrilling content opens to DStv Access (DStv Channel 313) and GOtv Jolli (GOtv Channel 65). “In light of the disruptions to the school year in some markets, we are also working to provide access to the best available educational content, to help keep young minds stimulated and engaged,” continues Ugbe. Live sports has suffered a notable impact globally as a result of sporting federations correctly prioritising the safety of players and fans alike, by adhering to accepted measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. MCG has acquired the best awardwinning sport documentaries from around the globe and produced thematic channels for sports fans to relive the greatest sporting moments of all time. In addition, we have opened SS1 to DStv Compact plus and Compact, this channel will thrill customers with past sport stories that have created some of sports most magical moments. Also opened is SS7 which will showcase Motorsport action to DStv Access.

Lagos Bus Services transports 10 million passengers - Oguntona

h e La g o s Bu s Services Limited (LBSL), the leading bus transport company in Lagos State has successfully transported 10 million Nigerians in 10 months of its operations. This disclosure was made in Lagos on Thursday by Idowu Oguntona, the company’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive, after a commemorative bus ride with the 10-millionth passenger of the company from the OjoduBerger Terminus to Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island. The 10-millionth commuter, Uwuadileke Chinedu, was identified before the trip commenced and was given a one-month free bus pass at a short commemorative ceremony at the bus terminus. Oguntona, who was accompanied by senior management staff of LBSL, some commuters and guests during the trip, gave company’s scorecard and assured stake-

holders that its best was yet to come. He further assured commuters who use the Lagos Bus Services of its commitment to excellence as the gold bar of its operations by moving them to their destinations timely, conveniently, comfortably and at affordable fares. Oguntona assured Nigerians that the company’s long term goal is to help in making Lagos a livable city where most car owners do not see the need to put their cars on the road during business hours as they can count on Lagos Bus Services to transport them to their desired destinations within the City of Lagos. He said, “As part of our efforts to facilitate intermodal transportation in Lagos State, we collaborate with LAGFERRY to ensure seamless movement of people, and we are ready to work with other sister organisations to

ensure that the Sanwo-Olu administration’s blueprint for the transport sector is realised. “The Greater Lagos we envisage with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a smart city where a resident can get of home, ride on our bus, get on a ferry link a train and still return home in a bus, all in a day’s journey. It is no longer a dream without a date. It is now a realisable goal in our life time.” Oguntona further disclosed that the company has been growing organically, tripling its fleet from 50 buses in May 2019 to 150 high capacity buses by December 2019 as part of efforts to improve public transportation in Lagos State. Additional 65 high capacity buses were deployed and seven new major routes opened in February for the use of commuters affected by the restriction order placed on motorcycles and tricycles in some parts of Lagos. Oguntona also stated that LBSL transports 80, 000 passengers daily on its 15 routes and has such has been able to achieve the significant feat of effectively transporting 10 million passengers in 10 months since 2019 while creating jobs for hundreds of people. He also disclosed that plans were afoot to introduce more high capacity and minibuses into the company’s fleet to serve more commuters across the state.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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News

Abule-Ado disaster: Lagos Assembly urges Sanwo-Olu to build fire stations in 57 councils

Iniobong Iwok

ollowing the gas explosion in AbuleAdo area of Lagos State last Sunday, the State House of Assembly, during plenary on Friday, called on the state Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu to set up fire service stations in all the 57 council areas as part of measures to prevent more fire disasters in the state. The House also resolved that the governor should direct the Commissioner for Special Duties, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, to ensure that all public and private institutions have functioning fire

extinguishers in their domain. Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo I) who moved the motion on behalf of others during plenary, said incidents of fire disaster were too frequent in the state, adding that there was need for drastic measures for it to be curtailed “There have been incidents of fire disaster in the state. The government has expended huge amount of money on every occurrence. “The House therefore, calls on the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Ministry of Special Duties to carry out sensitization campaign on danger inherent in the failure to have fire extinguishers in schools, markets and others,” Sokunle

said. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) said the government should compel every household to have fire extinguisher so that the damage during fire disaster can be minimised “Fire usually starts on a light mode but escalates if not contained. If government compels every household to have fire extinguisher, we can easily minimise the incident of fire disaster,” he said. On his part, Abdusobur Olawale (Mushin 1) said there should be adequate publicity so that residents can take precautions. There had been many cases of fire disasters in the state in recent times which had led to loss of lives and property.

Nigerian borders must be well tightened against security threats, Abiodun tells NIS RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

pparentlydisturbed by increasing level of insecurity and insurgency which have been staring Nigeria and Nigerians on the face, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has directed Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tighten Nigerian borders against further security threats to the country, saying there must be effective security and scrutiny at the border posts in order to discover and separate genuine migrants from criminals. Speaking at a two-day Nigeria Immigration Service Officers’ Retreat held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that current security realities all over the World have testified that no country is immune to insecurity if required security measures were not taken to

forestall possible breakdown of law and order and security breach. Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi said: “Emerging facts in business and investment development have consistently shown that one of the major factors in the promotion of investment is the ease of movement of people. “Little wonder that some other countries have decided to review and amend their visa policies for foreigners coming into their respective countries. A clear example is that of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “This shows that apart from creating the ambience, there is also the need for people to take advantage of the created ambience and, at some times, the people with financial and/or technological wherewithal may not be within the same system. This

is where the Immigration Service comes in. “At this point, it becomes imperative that we properly scrutinise people coming into the country. We must be able to identify those with genuine interest who will add value to the system and not those who will come in and end up being security threats. “Some have raised different opinions why Ogun State, nay our Administration, has continued to demonstrate special interest in immigration issues. Their opinion is based on the fact that immigration, just like other security issues, is listed on the Exclusive List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). “Citizens hardly make distinction on which tier or level of Government that ensures their wellbeing and welfare. All they want and deserve is good governance.”

CLO South-South zone cries out over continued detention, torture of lawyer-activist in Abuja Ignatius Chukwu

Nigerian port charges not highest in West Africa, says NPA AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stated that it does not charge the highest tariffs along the West African coast as was wrongly reported, Jatto Adams, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, has said. According to him, in May 2019, Messers Crown Agents, who was commissioned by the Authority with the support of UK Aid, produced the result of an assessment which revealed that it is cheaper to berth general and container vessels in Nigerian ports than it is in Ghana and Togo. Jatto, who spoke in a statement that was sent to

BDSUNDAY, said that it costs $94,567.63 with Value Added Tax (VAT) to berth a general cargo vessel with GRT of 26,770, length overall (LOA) at 196 meters and cargo of 14,100 MT in Nigerian ports while ports in Ghana and Togo charge $217,879.07 and $120, 357.58 exclusive of VAT for the same types of cargo, respectively. “While the NPA charges $108, 806.90 VAT inclusive on a container vessel with 39,906 GRT, LOA of 261 meters carrying 172 by 20foot and 139 by 40-foot containers, ports in Ghana and Togo charge $117,906.58 and $128,406.94 exclusive of VAT respectively,” he said.. Jatto stated that apart from towage dues, which were reviewed to cover the

cost of providing the service in 2015, NPA’s tariffs have remained the same since 1993. “This is also in spite of the erroneous inclusion of stevedoring charges, which is collected by terminal operators as the Authority’s component. Costs like freight rates and terminal handling charges are components outside the purview of the NPA, which has no powers to regulate economic activities at the ports,” he said He assured all customers and port users of NPA’s commitment to ensuring ease of doing business policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, adding that the authority would continue to work towards enhancing the competitiveness of all Nigerian ports.

heSouth-Southzone of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) says a fellow activist and lawyer has been arrested and taken to Abuja and must be undergoing torture for an allegation the police handled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and saw nothing in. The statement by Kal Chinedu Uchegbu, zonal chairman CLO, described the arrest arbitrary, humiliation, police brutality, torture, and illegal detention without trial of a citizen, Ikechi Jeff by policemen from the

Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. The CLO named a man in Ubima town of Ikwerre local Council that may have procured the police to carry out the action due to local community politics. Explaining, CLO said Jeff, a legal practitioner who also hails from Ubima, was arrested in Gestapo style in Port Harcourt on Monday, February 17, 2020, by policemen from FCID, Abuja. “He was whisked away to Port Harcourt same day and has since then remained incommunicado in police detention. We fear that he may be subjected to cruel and sub-human treatments

as he is denied access to his family members, lawyers, and others. “We are also worried for his safety as the said Ubima opponent was said to have boasted that Jeff would either back out from being the new community liaison officer at All Grace Energy Ltd/Western Ord Oil and Gas Ltd or be killed.” The petition mentioned names of police officers that allegedly carried out the Gestapo style arrest and urged human rights organisations to call their numbers and find out why a citizen who carried out no violent action would be arrested by aspecialsquad and taken straight to Abuja from a village.

Edo guber: SDP chieftain foresees victory for party

hairman, Forum of Social Democratic Party (SDP), States Chairmen, Ambassador Oke Idawene, has called on Nigerians, especially the people of Edo state to embrace the party, as it is the only political party in Nigeria that is devoid of acrimony and capable of changing their fortunes. Idawene, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Benin-City said: “SDP remains the oldest political party in Nigeria and it is rancor-free, has zero tolerance for corruption, and abhors impunity and imposition of any kind; that is why we want the people of Edo to embrace our party and shun PDP and APC that have destroyed the fabrics of our nation. “We must work hard and

collectively this year for our party to emerge victorious at the governorship election, our members have to go back to wards, LGAs to preach the good news brought by SDP so as to redeem Edo State. SDP will win Edo State in the governorship election.” Idawane, who is the Delta State Chairman of SDP, said SDP is a party that provides a level playing field for all aspirants even as he called on genuine democrats, stakeholders in Edo project and Governor Godwin Obaseki to embrace the party to enable the people of the state enjoy true democratic dividends. He assured the people of the state that the party remains the most credible and best alternative platform that guarantees the congenial

atmosphere, free and equal space for every citizen to express their franchise and the rights to birth aspirations for any political office. He said it was obvious that political activities are revving up in Edo State, and what agitates the minds of politicians with ambition to serve was how political parties would provide the needed space for them to participate and give their aspirations a birth. “Edo State SDP is repositioning and getting well – primed for the task ahead as the only reliable political party with the interest of the generality of Edo people at heart. The major task now is that of taking over the front line position in providing political direction for the state and the nation at large.”

8 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 22 March 2020

News COVID-19: Sterling Bank offers free medicals

ith repeated calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) to maintain social distance in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, leading commercial bank, Sterling Bank is offering Nigerians free access to quality healthcare service through digital channels for a period of 90 days. A statement by the bank states that the service is part of the Bank’s social intervention plans, aimed at cushioning the effects of the Covid-19 and keep people safe at this critical period. Obinna Ukachukwu, divisional head, Health and Education Sectors, Sterling Bank PLC, according to the statement, said that the health sector was one of the five sectors that the Bank has invested in. The other sectors, he added, are education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

Ukachukwu said the bank’s intervention was aimed at helping Nigerians to maintain social distance, noting that the provision a l l o ws re m o t e a c c e s s to healthcare diagnosis, consultation, and subsequently advice and recommendations from best medical practitioners the country has. He described the initiative as “a huge opportunity for Nigerians to have access to quality healthcare. The platform is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to an improved and digitised health sector in the country. Clarifying what qualifies beneficiaries for the service, Ukachukwu said: “Our customers automatically qualified for this free medicare, but because the Sterling Bank has a HEART, those who do not bank with us and may be at risk of contacting the contagion have been provided a cover under this initiative.”

Stakeholders meet in Lagos on digital health, technology in UHC delivery SEYI JOHN SALAU

everalstakeholders in the healthcare value-chain recently converged on Lagos for the best possible ways of leveraging digital health and technology in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) delivery, especially among the Nigerian youth population. The one-day youth consultation on Digital Health and Technology, organised in Lagos by Lancet and Financial Times (FT) Commission in collaboration with some international agencies and the Lagos State government, tagged ‘Growing up in a digital world’, was focused on proffering solutions to challenges in UHC and the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “decades of neglect and underinvestment have had serious effects on the health and wellbeing

of young people and adolescents aged 10 – 24 years throughout the world. However, the way digitisation is governed and made accessible will either exacerbate these challenges or help resolve them.” Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State commissioner for health, said the health delivery ecosystem in the state was due for overhaul; hence, the ministry is championing the state’s e-Health strategy, leveraging technology through an initiative tagged,

Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP). According to him, SHIP offers opportunity to engage digital entrepreneurs to help in delivering primary healthcare to Nigerians, primarily UHC, which will be delivered predominantly at the primary healthcare level. “The Lagos e-health platform intends to create massive opportunities particularly for brilliant tech startups and giants who offer applications and other plugins that will add value to

healthcare delivery in Lagos State,” Abayomi said, stating that while it is essential for Lagos to lay the foundations for excellent care delivery now, the youth will be responsible to make it run. Njide Ndili, PharmAccess country head and commissioner, Lancet FT Commission on AI and digital health, said: “There is high potential to improve health through digitally-enabled health systems and behavioural interventions, but there are also deep concerns about ownership, privacy, human rights and increasing commercialisation.” According to Ndili, the Lancet and FT Commission governing health futures 2030 was established to run between October 2019 to December 2021, exploring the convergence of digital health, AI and other frontier technologies with universal health coverage (UHC), with a special focus on improving the health of children and young people.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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BDSUNDAY 9

PhotoSplash

L-R: Gbolahan Daodu, immediate past executive chairman, Lagos SUBEB/chairman, CPEF Vocational Skill Acquisition Initiative; Great Grand Ma, Essie Florence Ibijoke Kukoyi, former head teacher (rtd), Command Children School and Chairman, CPEF Projects Expansion Committee; Taiwo Afolabi, group executive vice chairman, SIFAX Group; Ismail Adetola Lawal, founder/chairman, IAL Nigeria Ltd/chairman, CPEF Board of Patrons and Mrs. Oluwagbemiga Benson, Pioneer Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Chairman, CPEF Advisory Committee at the installation ceremony of Afolabi as the Grand Patron of City Profs Educational Foundation which was held at SAHCO Plc, Lagos.

L-R: Evangelist Orode Obodo of Rainbow Christian Assembly, his wife, Dougherty Obodo (first from Right), Ejiro Obodo, Manager, Research and Communications Strategy, Caritas Communications, Helen Obodo, his wife and Power Agwaretoma at the Burial ceremony of Deaconess Queen Oharisi, mother of Ejiro Obodo in Kokori Inland, Delta State.

L-R: Onigbinde Ayodele, national president, National Association of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists; Sola Sobowale, face of Mouka Wellbeing Mattresses/nollywood Super Star; Raymond Murphy, chief executive officer, Mouka; Nnenna Chigbo, vice president, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, and Chief Operating Officer, Mouka, Femi Fapohunda; at this year’s Mouka World Sleep Day event held at Mouka premises in Lagos. L-R: Umoren Akpan, financial secretary, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN); John Ichue, executive secretary, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN); Jimoh Abubakar, public affairs director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Mobolaji Alalade, member technical committee, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria,(DIBAN); Sheriff Olagunju, director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition(NAFDAC); at the commissioning of BRT Buses for DIBAN advocacy campaign against Irresponsible and Underaged Drinking in Lagos

R-L: Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker, House of Representatives; Tanko Yusuf Sununu, chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, and Samuel Babatunde Adejare, deputy chairman of the Committee, the Leadership of the House of Reps with representatives of the FCT resident Doctors at an emergency meeting over the ongoing strike by the FCT National Association of resident Doctors ( NARD ) at the National Assembly. Sadiya Umar Farouq (l), minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, being presented with a plaque by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos State, during a commiseration visit over the recent Abule-AdoSoba explosions at Lagos House, Marina

L-R: Usman Gur Mohammed, CEO TCN with Sanusi Garba, vice chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) during the public hearing on application for extra-ordinary tariff review pursuant to NERC regulations on the procedure for Electricity Tariff Review Regulation held in Abuja. Picture by TUNDE ADENIYI

Ifeanyi Okowa (m), governor, Delta State; Kingsley Otuaro (2nd l), deputy governor; Charles Aniagwu (2nd r), commissioner for information; Eddy Ogwude (l), South, South NUJ chairman, and Mike Ikeogwu (r), state chairman, NUJ, during the Governor’s 2020 1st quarter press briefing in Asaba on Thursday

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Black Sunday and the mourning after

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, INNOVATION & PARTNERSHIPS Oghenevwoke Ighure ADVERT MANAGER Ijeoma Ude FINANCE MANAGER Emeka Ifeanyi MANAGER, CONFERENCES & EVENTS Obiora Onyeaso BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (South East, South South) Patrick Ijegbai COPY SALES MANAGER Florence Kadiri DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Linda Ochugbua GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (North)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

GM, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (South) Ignatius Chukwu HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Adeola Obisesan

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Publisher/Editor-in-chief

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha

@Businessdayng

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

t was a Black Sunday. A day when darkness forced its way through the cloud and enthroned despair. The day began gloomily and ended tragically. Ironically, Sunday is generally considered a day of rest. Not Sunday, the 15th of March. It was a Sunday of great turmoil. It was one Sunday that residents of Abule Ado and Ado Soba in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State wouldn’t want to remember in a hurry. It was a day of sorrow, tear and blood. It started early in the morning. First, there was a sudden bang. But it was not an ordinary bang. It was a bang that shattered lives, buried dreams and constricted hope. By the time the dust it raised died down, lives were lost, properties were razed to rubbles, persons were displaced and billions of naira lost. Such was the magnitude of the damage caused by the fury explosion that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola

Sanwo-Olu, declared he had never witnessed such level of destruction before. It was that terrible. According to the director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, 276 persons were displaced as a result of the explosion, while 57 others, who were trapped under the rubble, were rescued. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who paid a visit to the explosion site, described the incident as devastating beyond description. Farouq was in company of the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja and the deputy governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. As Mr. Governor promised when he visited the site of the horrible incident in company of his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and members of the State Executive Council, there is a need to get to the root cause of the explosion. Naturally, various fashions of the cause or causes of the incidence are already flying at the public space. For instance, one report blamed it on gas explosion which occurred after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near a Pipeline Right of Way. Another report has it that the resulting fire later spread to the oil pipeline passing through the area which aggravated the explosion.

Yet another fashion likened the explosion to some military aerial bombardment, claiming it does not sound like pipeline explosion. Proponents of this school of thought are of the view that the scale of destruction was nothing like any of the pipeline explosions we have experienced of late. They, thus, likened it to military grade explosions or aerial bombardment. For now, nothing really concrete has been established as the cause of the depressing event. Many questions are still left unanswered. Fortunately, Mr. Governor has put in place an all-encompassing Committee to look into the cause(s) of the event and make necessary recommendations. One can only wish the Committee the best of luck as it carries out this all important assignment. Meanwhile, it is important to commend the Principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Rev. Sr. Henrietta Alokha, who reportedly lost her life in the explosion while trying to save the lives of her students who were trapped in the blast. As in the case of the deadly Ebola Virus, when Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh sacrificed her life to free a whole nation from the pang of the deadly virus, the late Principal has also taught us a lesson in sacrifice and selfless service. She has shown us the true meaning of life. She remains one of the shinning lights in the annals of our nation. In a country where selfishness and greed reign supreme, she has chosen to be different. She

chose a different path. A path of pain, but full of gains. The gallant woman could have escaped the inferno and live, but she decided to sacrifice her life so her students can live. What a woman! What a heart! Something must be done to keep the memories of this amazing amazon alive. She must not die in vain. One way of ensuring this is to unveil the root cause of the explosion and make certain that those culpable do not escape the wheel of justice. It is commendable that the State government has established a N2 billion Emergency Relief Fund for victims of the sad incidence. It is even more gratifying that the government has equally gone ahead to immediately donate N250 million into that Fund. In the words of Mr. Governor: “The process of rebuilding this place is beyond what the Government, either at the national level or state, undertake on its own”. We cannot bring back the dead, but we can give hope to the living. The stark reality is that it could have been anybody. Some of the victims woke up that fateful day as landlords and ended the day homeless. We need to give them a thought. For donation, please pay into the following accounts: Polaris Bank (4030017510), Zenith Bank (1017184516) and GTBank, with (0568615688). The name of the three accounts is Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Imo Itsueli Mohammed Hayatudeen Afolabi Oladele Vincent Maduka Opeyemi Agbaje Amina Oyagbola Bolanle Onagoruwa Fola Laoye Chuka Mordi Mezuo Nwuneli Charles Anudu Tunji Adegbesan Eyo Ekpo Wiebe Boer Paul Arinze Boye Olusanya Ayo Gbeleyi Haruna Jalo-Waziri Clement Isong

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11 Inside Lagos

Why Sanwo-Olu must build fire stations across 57 councils - Lawmakers JOSHUA BASSEY

he Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the executive arm of government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately consider building fire service stations across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state. The lawmakers say this has become urgently imperative to check the spate of fire incidents and related disasters that have swept through the state since December 2019 resulting in loss of lives and properties estimated at several millions of naira. The lawmakers while deliberating on various

fire disasters in homes, markets and public places in Lagos, especially the recent explosion at Abule

Ado, also resolved that the governor should direct the state commissioner for special duties, Seye

Covid-19: Lagos to subject chloroquine drug to clinical trial …frowns at hike and hoarding of domestic supplies JOSHUA BASSEY

he Lagos government will be conducting clinical trial on the effectiveness of chloroquine in the prevention or management of Covid-19 (coronavirus) infection, the commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi has said. Abayomi while reacting to the rumours making the rounds on efficacy of chloroquine in managing the deadly virus, urged for caution. He noted that chloroquine was yet to be ascertained as an effective treatment of coronavirus disease, adding that the state was still watching the global research space to clearly define the

efficiency of the drug in the control of the disease. “We do not have any hard evidence that chloroquine is effective in preventing or managing COVID19. We are watching the global research space to clearly define its efficiency in COVID19”. The commissioner explained that chloroquine has significant side effects and should not be used without medical supervision as it may cause more harm than good. He advised citizens seek to the advice of a physician and await the directive of the Ministry of Health on the use of chloroquine and not use it without medical supervision. Ab a y o m i , h o w e v e r, urged the public not to panic

but strictly abide by the instructions of the government as the government remains committed to the fight against the spread of the virus. He appealed to citizens not to take advantage of the present situation on Covid-19 to hike or hoard domestic consumables and enrich themselves. He also urged residents of the state to be their brother’s keeper and join hands with government to curtail the spread of the virus. “It is condemnable to use this situation to enrich yourselves by hoarding or hiking the prices of domestic consumables for profiteering. We should be responsible citizens in the quest to make Lagos disease free”, he said.

Oladejo to ensure that all public and private institutions have functional fire extinguishers within their

premises. A member of the house, Akeem Shokunle (representing Oshodi-Isolo I) who moved a motion on these issues during a plenary on Thursday, noted that fire outbreaks have become too frequent, and it behooves on the government to take proactive measures to curtail them. “This house hereby calls on the state governor, to direct the ministry of special duties, to carry out sensitisation on the danger of not having fire extinguishers in schools, markets and others,” Shokunle said. He added that fire usually starts on a light mode but escalates if not contained. “If government compels every household to have fire extinguisher, we can easily minimise the

incident of fire disaster,” he noted. Contributing to the motion, another lawmaker, Olayiwola Sobur said there should be adequate publicity to enable the residents take precautions, as lives have been lost in some of the incidents in recent times. Sobur pointed to last Sunday’s explosion at Abule Ado, which resulted to fire with severe consequences. It would be recalled that an explosion rocked the Abule Ado area of Lagos, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Sunday, March 15, 2020 which resulted in fire. Twentyone lives were lost, several other injured, 276 displaced, 170 buildings and 43 vehicles destroyed in the process.

Assembly reshuffles committee chairmen

h e La g o s S t a t e House of Assembly on Friday reshuffled its standing committee chairmen following the recent developments in the house. The committee chairmen were reshuffled 11 days after four lawmakers were suspended indefinitely through voice votes for alleged gross insubordination. Azeez Sanni, the clerk of the house, in an internal memo to the lawmakers, explained that the decision to reshuffle the committees’ chairmen was to enable them to serve the people of the state better. “Following the approval of the house, be informed that the following house committees have been reconstituted with effect from Friday,” he said. Sanni explained that the former deputy majority

leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh, has been assigned as the chairman of the Committee on Central Business District (CBD). The clerk said Rotimi Abiru, who was sacked as chief whip, is the chairman, Inter-Parliamentary Committee. He also noted that the suspended Moshood Oshun, who was removed from chairman, Public Accounts Committee (State), is now chairman, Committee on Legislative Compliance. Sanni named Nurudeen Saka-Solaja as the chairman, Public Accounts Committee (State). He said: “Olatunji Oluwa is now the chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Art and Culture, while RaufAge Suleiman is now the chairman, House Committee on Procurement. “The suspended Kazeem Raheem is now the chair-

man of Establishments, Training and Pensions, from his earlier position of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations. “Raheem is swapping office with Rasheed Makinde while Mojisola Alli-Macaulay will replace Mojisola Miranda as chairman of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Committee.” The clerk said Miranda, who had been named one of the principal officers, is the current chief whip of the house. NAN reports that the two lawmakers suspended were Moshood Oshun (Mainland Constituency II) and Raheem Adewale (Ibeju Lekki Constituency II). The two principal officers, also removed from office same day, were Rotimi Abiru, former chief whip and Olumuyiwa Jimoh, former deputy majority Leader.

Lagos alerts residents as Ilupeju, Ogunmokun rail crossings shut JOSHUA BASSEY

o facilitate the ongoing upgrade and modernisation the Nigeria railway (Lagos-Ibadan section) extending to the seaport in Apapa, the Lagos State government says it is closing the Ilupeju and Ogunmokun railway

level crossings to traffic. The closure, according to Frederic Oladeinde, the state commissioner for transportation, is to enable the contractors handling the project to work on the rail tracks. The Ilupeju level crossing, the government said, would be closed on Sunday, March 22 from 6.00pm to

6.00am Monday March 23 and also from 6.00pm Monday, March 23 to 6.00am Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Similarly, the Ogunmokun level crossing would be closed on Thursday, March 26, from 6:00am to 6:00pm of the same day. Alternative routes, according to the commissioner, have been provided for

road users for the period that the closure will last. Accordingly, motorists that plying the Ilupeju axis during the period of the closure would be diverted to Ogunmokun crossing to access Mushin road, Oshodi and Surulere and subsequently when Ogunmokun is closed, Ilupeju level crossing would be opened for use.

Other alternative routes includes; Yaba crossing and Jibowu. “The closure has been slated at this time, to ensure there is smooth and uninterrupted flow of work on the rail tracks, therefore road users are advised to comply with the traffic diversions to minimise inconveniences in movements,” said Ola-

deinde. The commissioner appealed to the residents of the state, especially motorists that ply the affected corridors to bear the pains, as the project was aimed at achieving a seamless multimodal transport system that would meet the transportation needs of the larger populace.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

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State Of The Nation

Lessons from the coronavirus pandemic

Ayo OyozeBaje

ll so suddenly, the coronavirus pandemic has given meaning to the assertion of ‘a global village’ just like modern technology has turned the world into. The panic it spreads is like a raging wildfire! Economic activities have entered the whirlwind vortex in a tailspin. Airlines are folding their wings. The world of entertainment has suddenly lost its glam. Sporting arenas have been shaken into ghost cities, as once crowd-pulling activities have shut their glitzy gates on soccer-loving men and women. Cinema houses have been silenced. They are now nostalgic about “Silent Rage”(1982),“Silence of the Lambs”(1991),) and even “Dead Silence”(2007), if you get my drift. In fact, the golden boys of the music world such as the Wizkids, the Davidos and Burna Boys are no more smiling, even with their golden teeth and their diamond-decorated garments, as they used to. Oh, how utterly wicked this coronavirus could be! According to the World Health Organisation(WHO)nofewerthan 200,000 cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) have now been reported to WHO and 8,000 people have lost their lives! Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, has disclosed that more than 80 percent of all cases are from two regions – the Western Pacific and Europe. “We know that many countries now face escalating epidemics and are feeling overwhelmed”. That is saying it as it really is. For instance, COVID-19 has already killed more than 3,100 people in China. It may have cost China as much as 1.38 trillion yuan (US$196 billion) in the first two months of the year. This is as a result of huge dips in consumer spending and tourism, according to a former senior executivewiththeInternationalMonetary Fund, Zhu Min. As for the U.S., Congress has approved an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to help agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fight the spread of the virus, and President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency to free up billions more in funding. In Italy, the country that isthemostimpactedsofarinEurope by the virus more than 16 million citizens are under quarantine in its northern industrial heartland. Also, more than 360 people have died and more than 7,000 have tested positive for the virus. The Italian government has pledged to spend 7.5 billion euros ($8.5 billion) to reduce the economic impact of the outbreak. However, further economic stimulus could be underway. As for the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, appointed finance chief last month, told the U.K. Parliament that there would be £7 billion ($9 billion) available to support the labour market and an additional £5 billion to help the health-care system. Sunak also announced a further fiscal loosening of £18 billion to support

Donald Trump, U.S. President

Xi Jinping, president, China

Emmanuel Macron, president, French Republic

Muhammadu Buhari, President, Nigeria,

the U.K. economy. In Nigeria, schools are being shut, churchesandmosqueshavenumber of worshippers trimmed to 50, the Senate has closed public hearing and the CBN is rolling out palliative measures. But out of every bad situation there is always a silver lining in the clouds, for those who care to look up to God with unwavering hope. People across continents including atheists are turning back to God. The Donald Trump-led United States government was compelled to declare not only a state of emergencybutaDayofPrayeronthe15th March, 2020 against the pandemic. Like it or not the pandemic is bringing out the best in man- which is nothing but love. For instance, China’s richest man and founder of e-commerce company Alibaba Group, Jack Ma has donated 20,000 coronavirus test kits to each and every African country! Incredible, isn’t it? Ma’s generosity reportedly also comes with 100,000 masks and 1,000 protective suits and shields for each of the 54 countries.The tech billionaire’s donations come on the back of having given the United States some 500,000 test kits.

Recently too, Cristiano Ronaldo, the global soccer superstar of Italy’s Juventus football club expressed concerns over the spread of coronavirus. “The world is going through a very difficult moment which demandstheutmostcareandattention from all of us. I speak to you today not as a football player, but as a son, father, a human being concerned with the latest developments that is affecting the whole world,” he said. There were unconfirmed reports that he would transform the hotels he owns in Portugal into hospitals to help in the fight against the coronavirus. And what about one of Africa’s soccer pearls, Sadio Mane, the Senegalese striker with Liverpool Football Club? He has donated $50,000 to Senegal’s National Medical Commission in the frontal battle against coronavirus. Good enough, similar heartwarming acts of generosity are playing out in the United States, courtesy of basketball superstars. Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, said he would work on gettingarenaemployeespaidwhilethey waitforthegamestoreturnandthey

go back to work. Not left out of the uncommon spirit to give in moments of human needsuchasthis,reigningNBAMVP Antetokounmpo announced he would give $100,000 to workers at the Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love committed $100,000 to the team’s arena workers and support staff. So, what are the lessons for man to learn from all these magnanimous acts? Let us go Biblical. Proverbs 19:17(NIV)statesthat:“Whoeveris kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Hebrews 13:16 admonishes us thus: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”. Furthermore, Matthew 5:42 states that: “Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don’t turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you”. And to cap it all, Psalm 41:1-3 should inspire us: “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them

and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restoresthemtohealth.”Whatmore should we ask for? Another lesson for man is that nothing of significance ever happens tousasindividuals,communitiesand countrieswithoutsomewarningsignals. But man is too busy in trying to satisfy his whims and caprices than listening to the voice of God. That is why He says in Hosea 4:6 that:” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me.” Perhaps, political leaders should have taken Nostradamus, the ‘man who saw tomorrow’ more seriously. He wrote in 1551 that there will be a twin year (2020) from which will arise a queen (corona) who will come from the east (China) and who will spread a plaque (virus) in the darkness of the night, on a country with seven hills (Italy) and will transform the twilight of men into dust (death), to destroy and ruin the world. It will be the end of the world economy as we know it today.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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State Of The Nation

What do we do now with many COVID-19 cases in Nigeria?

Oladoyin Odubanjo

s we all probably know, thecasesofCOVID-19 in Nigeria have been on the increase and increasing along with the panic. Is it time to panic? Not at all! It’s only time to re-evaluate our strategy which has been generally good so far. Let me say at this point, that having COVID-19 cases in the country should not surprise us nor should it surprise any country. Unfortunately, that is one of the costs of globalisation – diseases travel as far and fast as people and goods can move around the globe. In short, it is more a matter of when, and not if, COVID-19 will arrive in any country. Let me also say that border closures, as seen in many countries, may last a while but are impractical in the long run. Economic downturns and consequent possible civil disorders are threats to long term shutdowns. In a country like Nigeria, that is unaffordable even with armed forces that are already stretched thin with other security matters. Also, with border closure, when would we reopen? When there are no more cases globally? As long as there are cases anywhere (irrespective of the numbers) the risk still exists even if minimal. At such a time as we reopen borders, would our surveillance system still be functional enough to pick cases up or it would have gone into a sleep mode. I write this out of some annoyance – at the panic being spread around using the mass media, social media, and any other means and, sometimes, by those who should know better! I am annoyed that every Nigerian now has become a public health expert telling the government what to do instead of listening for what they are to do. I write this to say that diseases come and go but mankind remains and will overcome. I write this to say that this would be taken care of by simply doing what we are meant to do and allowing the experts to do their job. So, as a country, what are we to do now? I have some random thoughts to share. Stop the panic! The biggest pandemic at the moment is not the outbreak of a virus but of fear! I talked with someone in a country with a high burden of COVID-19 and he told me how the fear is really tormenting for him and others. In fact, he says just thinking about the situation made him feel like he had the symptoms. His friends also felt the same way sometime or the other. We do not need to panic. In Nigeria, most people found to be positive for the virus have only had mild to moderate illness and have been recovering well. Even a vast majority

of their contacts did not catch the disease. In Wuhan (China) where it was first reported, there was no new case today and most people have recovered/are recovering. It doesn’t even mean China has totally relaxed but they have shown that even a very bad situation can be taken care with a cool head and the right strategy. I am upset that professionals say that people will die because we don’t have respirators or enough Intensive Care Units. What about appropriate local technology as we were taught in medical school. We should simply innovate in managing the relatively few people that will need that (you can understand my not giving any more details here). I recall how we managed a very (and I mean very) premature baby at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital Ibadan without even a functional incubator at the time! Let’s prepare vigorously…to win and not to lose. We have conscientiously reported the deaths but have been silent about the majority who recovered. We have quickly shared stories about the doom that hit some places but not that of other places where the outbreak is being controlled. We have not shared stories of those who told us that they are just a little unwell with the virus, and told us not to be worried. Diseases often take a worse course in individuals who are fearful. Spread encouragement and not fear. Also, the media must find a balance that enables positive and factual reporting. Situations like this pandemic require some sensitivity in reporting. The stories we share must motivate people to act while maintaining a level head. It applies

in almost every facet in life, including sports. A football team that is losing with four goals down throws away the chance of a comeback up when it panics. Good public enlightenment Curbing an epidemic is so much easier when people are effectively taught what they need to know, with attendant corresponding actions. I salute the lady who came into the country and isolated herself immediately seeing that she felt unwell and thought she might have the virus. She did so well that even her parents who picked her up from the airport and were in the same house with her for days did not catch the virus. I was excited at seeing Mr. Tonye Cole’s tweet about being on the same plane with the lady and now isolating himself as instructed by the government. Such stories are important to highlight good behaviour and to encourage other people to behave as expected/instructed, in being considerate of others. They are also testaments to the good job being done by the government and other bodies, such as the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), which must be intensified. Call centres needed A worrisome dimension has been the repeated story of people not getting through to the helplines publicised. As we succeed with the public enlightenment, we must ensure that when people do as told and phone in, they must get through to someone and, that also, easily. Luckily, this is not rocket science and our telecommunications firms should be able to help. They can provide numbers and also the

call centres and or even personnel to man them. Develop clinical capacity The disease is new and so is the required learning. However, an advantage of not being first is that we can learn from those ahead. We have learnt that ibuprofen (which people take to bring down fever) is not to be taken with this infection. We have also learnt that certain anti-hypertensive drugs are also better avoided with this infection. For sure, this is not the time to practise self-medication! We have to prepare for the relative few who develop severe disease as these are the ones that result in death and scare the population more. By the way, I just read of a 101-year-old lady, with underlying bronchitis, that made a full recovery from COVID-19 infection. Apparently, the severely ill ones will need some form of respiratory support. Are we ready for that? All I am trying to say is that infection with COVID-19 does not have to result in death, even with severe illness, with old age, or other underlying conditions. We should research into what the Chinese and others did/are doing which apparently improved outcomes as the days went by. We must do our part Similar things were said in 2014 with the Ebola outbreak. We did a few things, for a while, and then went back to our old ways. We should know by now that disease outbreaks are largely caused and sustained by human behaviour. I am sure many were shocked when, with the outbreak of COVID-19, we were told to wash our hands

to control the spread. Is that all? Is that not what we did with Ebola? Yes, human behaviour, including personal hygiene, is important in controlling the spread of most infectious diseases. This COVID virus needs droplets to go from person to person directly or indirectly. So, I must cover my mouth when I sneeze and or cough. I must cover my mouth with a piece or tissue (and discard properly) or, as an alternative, I can sneeze or cough into my elbow. I should not be using my soiled hands to touch surfaces (such as door handles) that others will touch too. If somehow I did touch a surface, I know what I did and should be considerate enough to wipe it with an appropriate agent. Of course, washing my hands frequently ensures that whatever droplets/viruses may be on it from sneezing/coughing or touching contaminated surfaces gets washed off soon enough. Let me also add that social distancing is not so much about the number of the people in a gathering but about the behaviour of the people at a time like this. However, it is easier to control a smaller crowd than a bigger one. Anyway, the main principle is avoiding bodily contact with others in case anyone was infected with the virus so it doesn’t get passed on to others. Local research I want to end with this important element. Though we are dealing with a pandemic, we should not fold our arms and wait for China, US, UK, or whatever country, to find the cure. Some scientific postulation even says that COVID-19 is likely to stay with us from now and will be a problem from time to time. Note also that any drug found now may not be available to many poor countries until the rich countries have had more than their fair share of it. Let’s fund local research now. Let’s also fund our own test kits and drugs since we could do the gene sequencing. Many countries can find many different drugs at the same time. Let’s now rethink the value we place on science, technology, and innovation. This is an important investment. See how all our economic projections for the year are now useless with a single disease outbreak. In conclusion, let me say that we must remember that most people infected with this disease have mild disease and recover. We must know that public education with attendant appropriate behaviour will be our biggest weapon in this fight and others. We should not panic but know that we can overcome this too. Dr. M. Oladoyin Odubanjo is a public health physician and of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Lagos (NAS)

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Sunday 22 March 2020

State Of The Nation Olusegun Fafore

atality rate across the globe since the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Chinese town of Wuhan on December 31, 2019 has signalled that this is not the best of times for humanity. With about 8, 988 deaths and 220,877 people infected in 176 countries since the first death was recorded in China on January 11, 2020, the pandemic has boisterously announced its immensity. Frighteningly, the virus claims human lives daily while science is still struggles with an absolute response to the scourge. More than before, humanity has become vulnerable, and at the mercy of government policies. From one end of the world to the other, governments and political leaders are facing a whirlwind that is testing their leadership. Leaders are subjected to unusual trials and are desperate for solution(s). n search of safety from the grip of the easily transmittable coronamicrobe, man is turning to the State for actions that will stem the tide, and provide succour at this difficult period. Sadly, no nation is capable of shielding the other. The ravaging disease does not regard the medically and scientifically advanced nations in its manifestation, so it is every nation to herself first, hence the increasing instances of border closure and entry restrictions. To humble humanity and heighten our fears, the epidemic started its cudgelling from the most advanced to the not-so-advanced countries of the world. Nations like China, Italy, USA, Spain, Iran, Germany and France are the worst hit, while African countries like Nigeria, Togo, Somalia and Congo have had minimal impact. Only 12 deaths out of the 590 reported cases have been reported so far in Africa. It may be safe to argue that the worst-hit countries, with records of deaths in thousands since the outbreak of the deadly disease, are ‘host country’ and ‘high-traffic areas’, but a different perspective will be that China is where the virus originated from, other countries classified as high-traffic areas, are inheritors like Nigeria and other subSaharan Africa countries, and should have had lesser impacts as well. The truth is that danger is looming and humanity is under attack. While the response strategies by Nigeria and some other countries may have contained the spread of the deadly disease, especially in Africa; this terrifying development has justified the need for increased collaboration and support amongst the nations of the world. Humans have to come together to protect their turf. The hurried spread of Coronavirus across the globe has shown that we are closer than the flight time from one region to the other suggests. People from one continent are just one person away from contingents from other continents. Asians are not far from Africans, so are Australians close to Americans, because there is no distance in human linkage(s). We now know that the world is one small circle that can be covered in just few days. There is no better authentication of this statement than the number of human victims

Segun Fafore

China to Lagos, the frightening timeline of a deadly virus succumbing to the lethal calls of microbes globally. The fact that a disease starts in a remote part of the world and travels across the hemisphere to other parts in hours proves that we are not as isolated as we had always thought. Outbreaks of pandemics like HIV/AIDS, Ebola and Coronavirus are compelling enough for us to rethink our humanity. More than wars, epidemics are greater threats to humankind. It is therefore, important that global leaders, multilateral agencies and international organisations align on investment in critical health infrastructure and scientific breakthroughs to sustain our reign on planet earth. Microbes and diseases are interested in our world. These horrible impostors are keen on displacing us in our hundreds, thousands and millions, if we continue to live the way we have always lived and refused to exploit our mutual strengths. For pandemics, the fate of Africa is always a concern to the global health community. This is because of the continent’s history of poor investment in health care and hindered scientific advancement. The African continent was not known to stand-up to its health challenges, or any global health problems. Until the containment of Ebola outbreak in 2014 when Nigeria offered the best of Africa

to the world, no one ever thought that there could be a coordinated response to a pandemic by Africans. As one of the immediate destinations of the hemorrhagic fever (Ebola) which originated from Liberia when thousands were sick and dying in the West African regions of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (28, 616 cases and 11, 310 deaths), Lagos was gripped by fear and thrown into panic because of the devastating statistics. The epidemic claimed the life of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the Lead Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at a private hospital in Lagos, who remains the heroine of the battle against the Ebola pandemic in Nigeria, but the capacity of the State to speedily deploy resources to contain the spread of the deadly disease and limit casualties to 8 deaths out of the 20 cases was globally commended by the time we defeated the outbreak in September 2014. Lagos State Government showed the world what Africans could do in times of crisis to forestall a continent-wide spread of dreaded diseases. The promptness and efficiency of the State response system protected Nigeria’s over 22 million population, occupying a landmass of approximately 3345km2, from the highly infectious disease. The averted calamity, considering that Lagos population density

was 20, 000 per persons per square kilometre in built up areas, would have been colossal. Poor management of the situation would have spelt a total disaster for the country, and perhaps Africa’s over 1.2bn people. That was a global tragedy contained. Really, such an incident should attract and induce multilateral support, in form of capacity building and investment in health infrastructure in certain areas of the world. Weaknesses or lack of capacity in certain locations in the face of pandemic outbreaks endanger the whole world, no matter how distant anyone may be from the originating country. Before Coronavirus, China was very far, right? Locations like Lagos are central to global wellbeing and progression of human health agenda for a number reasons. Notable amongst these is that the world cannot afford a weak link in the aggressive campaign for health security and wellbeing. For a destination with two domestic airports, an international airport and two seaports, which are adjudged to be the largest and busiest on the African continent, a national or subnational government can only do little in combating security, socio-economic and health challenges or threats, when they emerge from the interconnectedness of our world. Lagos is only exemplary in fight-

ing the scourge of COVID-19 because of deliberate government policy and leadership commitment to quality public health. The Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, before the outbreak had taken a strong position that made the State response to the menace adequate. As Incident Commander, his outlook inspired great confidence in the Lagos State Incident Command Team battling the menace of the deadly disease in Lagos, but would this have been the story if Africa was the origin of this deadly virus? What would the pressure on Lagos facility and the outcomes of the unanticipated stretch of the State health facility and preparedness for incidents, which have drawn commendations from far and near, especially by the World Health Organisation (WHO) been? Yes, since the detection of the first case of Coronavirus on February 27, 2020, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu has remained resolute in curbing the spread of the virus and preventing human casualty. But in reality, megacities like Lagos and other densely populated regions in the world require increased global support and collaboration towards improving healthcare and proving world-class facility. This will not only strengthen the State’s capacity to combat situations such as this, but also bolster its ability to provide support for other destination in the region during emergencies. So far, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decisions and actions have significantly moderated the possible spread of the microbe and doused fears that Coronavirus could sweep the entire country in matter of days. To manage the situation, Lagos State activated its emergency health management and response framework, embarked on a mass enlightenment campaign about the importance of personal hygiene, closed schools and prohibited public engagements with more than 50 participants at a single location in the State. Some of these decisions are tough because of the socio-economic texture of Lagos. But indeed, times are hard, and only tough decision could help humans chase microbes off our streets. As social animals, the chances that these aliens will creep into our system are very high, and definite, if we fail to demonstrate a certain level of watchfulness over ourselves. We need to help the response system work by following simple guidelines. When government demonstrates political will, citizens should reciprocate with commitment. But more importantly, it has become better known that our spaces in the world are shared facilities. Therefore, we need to increase our humanity. Leading nations, global leaders, civil society activists, well-meaning individuals, international organisations and multilateral agencies, need to rethink what our investment priorities should be. The focus of innovation and scientific advancement need to shift to healthcare infrastructure and systems in high population density regions of the world. -Fafore is the Executive Assistant on Public Relations and New Media to the Governor of Lagos State.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Sketches

With Zebulon Agomuo’ 08054691823

Coronavirus: What FG did not tell Nigerians about three shut airports CHUKA UROKO

elatedly though, the Federal Government of Nigeria has done pretty well in coming up with policy measures aimed at checking the spread of the global scourge called coronavirus which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a pandemic. So far, the government has banned social and public gatherings including religious activities where the congregants are more than 50 persons. It has also ordered the closure of all schools in the country till further notice with all the troubles and inconveniences. But the reason is worth all that. The most far-reaching decision which the government has taken, after being over hesitant and unwilling, is the travel restrictions it has placed on the US, UK, China and about 12 other high risk Coronavirus countries. The government has also gone ahead to shut down three international airports in the country, namely, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. Musa Nuhu, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who disclosed government’s decision in a statement on Thursday, said the three airports would be closed till further notice, effective Saturday, March 21. This means that only the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos are the international airports in the country open to international flight operations except for those from the Coronavirus high-risk countries. As commendable as government’s decision to shut down the three airports seems,

LifeGuide

with Emem Nwogwugwu

that singular action has left many Nigerians in a reasonable level of perplexity that needs to be cleared or explained. According to them, the action begs many questions. “There are a couple of things the Federal Government did not say or tell Nigerians regarding the shutting down of the airports,” said Desmond Ajuluchukwu, a social affairs commentator. By the last count, Nigeria has recorded nine confirmed cases of Coronavirus and all of them were imported cases by people who came through Lagos Airport. That means none of the nine cases has link to Kano, Port Harcourt or Enugu Airport. It is for this reason that many people are asking questions why the government has shut down the three regional airports leaving the two major airports, especially Lagos, which is a high risk area with confirmed cases.

The nine confirmed cases in the country today have been blamed on the government’s delay in closing its borders by allowing international flights through the international airports with Lagos and Abuja in mind. Government apparently is not moved by the confirmed cases as Lagos airport is still open. “Unless government is telling Nigerians that the three airports, unlike Lagos and Abuja, do not have the needed facilities for screening passengers, and it is not prepared to provide them in those airports, closing them to international operations, in my view, do not make much sense. And the government has not explained anything to us,” Ajuluchukwu noted. Nigerians argue that if the government is really serious about checking the spread of the virus as it appears to be, the airports that should be closed to international operations

Emem Nwogwugwu is an entrepreneur, author, life coach and certified project manager. For over a decade she has been working to motivate people to live their best lives.

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Daily habits of successful people A

s we all know and have learnt that habits determine the outcome of your life. If you’ve always wondered why certain people are more successful, now you will know how to create a daily success routine. It takes intentional daily effort to be successful, and remember success is relative, you define what success means to you, for some people success is when you have a lot of money, even if it’s gotten from dubious means, they don’t care provided they are rich. There is a popular saying that, if all you have is money, then you are not successful. Now my idea of success is in all areas of life a 360 degrees approach is what I see as success, a few examples are - your mental health, having a sound mind, someone who is passionate about their vision and is able to make great genuine success from their skill or talent, someone who is able to give back and inspire others, a successful person has healthy relationships, they have good relational equity, you can’t be truly successful without healthy relational skills, everything we do requires people, so I will say relationship management and emotional intelligence are important soft skills for successful people, they value family relationship and unity, they thrive to maintain their family relationship against any difficulty and keep it going, we can’t talk of success without mentioning the need for a balance and stable family life. A stable family life can also motivate people to achieve their daily set goals and contributes a great deal but it’s not all that

you need as I share these tips below. Don’t be hard on yourself or feel inferior, if you’ve had challenging experiences with your family. In toxic situations or violence, please stay clear. Successful people also know how to overcome wrong limiting beliefs and mindsets that want to keep them trapped; they are organised and very productive in every aspect of their lives. Daily routine for highly successful people Create a Morning Routine – Creating a morning routine that is habitual is very important. How you start your day daily, can transform your life, from the time you get up and the time you go to bed. The key is to create a routine that is healthy and that works for you. Some people start their day with prayers or affirmations followed by a workout session at the gym or by themselves. I myself go to the gym or take long hours of brisk walking by myself or with my amazing neighbour who is also my accountability partner for my workout goal. Make daily affirmations- Every morning speak positive words to yourself, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or say about you, what matters is what you say to yourself daily. Affirmations are life transforming. Affirmations will give you the positive energy you need to start your day. Successful people don’t leave their thoughts to wonder around with fear in the morning; they take charge by speaking positive words with their names. Making the affirmations more personal and impactful. You can make an audio version

are Lagos and Abuja because these are the two major entry points for either returning citizens or foreigners or both. Another major puzzle in government’s latest action is the inclusion of Enugu Airport among those closed to international flight operations. ‘Why Enugu’? is the question on every lip that has heard or read government’s statement. “Well, to the extent that Enugu is an international airport, that action is in order. But it becomes as laughable as it is thought-provoking when reminded that this is an airport that has been closed and under reconstruction since August last year with its expected re-opening in April this year hanging in the air,” said Idowu Makinde, a researcher, told BDSUNDAY. Makinde identified two possibilities in government’s thinking and action. One, he said, was that government may have decided to discontinue the reconstruction of the airport which is the only viable airport in the South East, or two, that government was determined to meet the April deadline for the reopening of the airport, but will still close it to international flight operations. Whichever is the case, he continued, too many questions beg for answers. Questions could be asked whether there is a political dimension to the whole action; whether this is an extension of the continued emasculation of the South East in which case the action has been taken as a way of cutting the nose to spite the face, even in the face of global emergencies. “Because government did not tell Nigerians all that they should know in this circumstance, a lot is left in the realm of the imagination. But as a country, Nigeria needs to be realistic and should begin to tell itself the bitter truth. One of such truth is that social distancing also includes closing its borders holistically,” Makinde posited.

with your phone device, you can type your affirmations and have it laminated and keep it in your bedroom, as soon as you get up, you can say those words out to yourself. It sets your day on the right tune. Be a Strategic Planer- A lot of people make plans but are not strategic, they leave a lot to chance, you plan for your success, it doesn’t just happen without strategic planning. Make plans that are aligned with your top goals, so you can prioritise your plans to achieve your most important goals. Make plans in all aspects of your life most importantly, your top goals. I plan my day and hours so I can be intentionally productive during the day. It’s another way to stay accountable to myself. Assigning a task to an hour or minutes. This works for entrepreneurs or paid employment too. I use a tool called the work hourly tracker. My employees also use it too, to stay committed to our daily goals. And in my home for parents get my book PARENT ORGANIZER BY EMEM NWOGWUGWU to stay organised and successful with your children and support system at home. Focus on Task that Generate IncomeEach day focus on those activities that increases your income, don’t spend your energy on tasks that do not value. Avoid time wasting meetings, unprofitable phone calls, or chats that are not value oriented. As an entrepreneur or in paid employment, you need to be productive with your time. Don’t spend hours on social media when you can schedule your post on social

media if your business is online. Find out about Apps that allows you to do that. First Sort Out the Toughest Projects – To be successful and productive, you need develop the habit of dealing with high priority items on your list first thing in the morning. There is something about mornings when your energy is still high. Make sure your list is arranged in the order of your priority. That includes your bed time, your exercise, your healthy morning breakfast to get you energised for the day. They Are Readers- They find ways to read during the day or they listen to podcasts, they subscribe to blogs and website where they are daily informed with informative ideas in business, their career, on the long run they take short or long courses to get better in their career or business throughout the year. They are committed to their daily growth. Be Consistent and Persistence- You can’t become successful without being consistent in your daily habits. Consistency helps you build tenacity. To build anything of great value, you will need to persist and stay true to your journey and goals. I have more points to add but I’ll stop here until next week. You can send in your views and opinions on how your daily habits have helped you achieve success in any area of your life. Thanks to a lot of you for all the kind compliments I have received from you all. I intend to stay consistent in writing these articles. Have a successful new week. It’s going be an amazing week. Now you know what it takes to be successful, take it one step at a time and stay consistent to your own rhythm.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Politics Nigeria not ripe for electronic voting – Idimogu Jude Emeka Idimogu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo 11 constituency and the chairman of the House Committee on wealth creation, in this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK. He reveals why electronic voting may be difficult to achieve in Nigeria, among several other issues. Excerpts: Could you share your experience so far as a lawmaker in the last five years? It has been a good experience as a lawmaker; our paramount assignment is law-making, oversight functions and also amendment of old laws. However, what is uppermost for me is representation. So, for me, apart from law-making, I am representing a constituency. All of us here in the House of Assembly are representing a constituency in the state. It has been good in the sense that we have learned a lot in the House of Assembly. We have members who have been here and are in their first, second, third, fourth and fifth terms in the House. The combination of these lawmakers and honourable members has afforded us the opportunity to learn from them, especially during plenary. We talked and share experience during committees, where we discuss issues concerning the state before we bring it to the plenary and also personal relationship with my colleagues. Been here is different from when you are not in the House; I am here now and involved; so, I know the true state of politics. That is why sometimes we have to be mindful, I have learned, politicians are quick in making promises, but with my experience, I think we have to be careful the kind of promise that we make; because as lawmakers you don’t have the pulse and cannot compare yourself with the executive who has the resources and beside, the general public and members of your constituencies see and interface with you more. The challenge is there, but for me, it is something I have always wanted to do and I pray God give me the opportunity to serve. So, despite the challenges I love it. I am lucky to marry a Yoruba woman; my wife is from Ogun State and she has been very supportive of my political career. What are the bills that you have contributed so far in the last five years? Collectively, the House comes out with bills, but personally sponsored bill not yet; is still in process. But most times, we have seen that we have lot of laws that are there that need amendment to conform to the reality of today. We see that there are lots of laws that are there, but implementation is always the challenge. As a parliament, the law has to affect Lagosians; people are after how your representation impacts them, they want to see the projects that have been attracted to them. Recently, some people in my constituency called me and asked; this road that had been repaired when would it be opened? So, collectively we do this to make sure that we deliver. When we see the issues that concern the general public we act and we have been doing that. What are the major needs of the people of your constituency? Road, the roads in my constituency in Ejigbo are bad and there is no drainage system, but I think things are getting better now. Even as at last week, there are some few roads that public corporations are working on and are about completion. The local government is doing a lot, so road is our challenge and I am sure they would do more. That by-pass bridge between Ejigbo and Chivita Company, there is always traffic, people coming from Igando, Ojo passing there and put pressure of the road. It lingers up to NNPC and now that the rains are coming, it is a challenge; you know when you have any major bad road erosion would take over.

But there is the perception that the Lagos Assembly is a rubber stamp in the hand of the Executive. What is your take? Fortunately, you saw what we have done with the former governor of the state; this House of Assembly is even probing him before he went to the Court. You saw that this House led by Mudashiru Obasa who is an experienced lawmaker, who apart from serving his fifth term now had also been a councillor. He has put in over twenty years, so when he finishes this term in 2023, he would have put in twentyfour years in legislating. But don’t forget that we are in the same party sometimes; we don’t wash our dirty linen in the public, when we have issues we look for a way to sort them out. But I can say we are not rubber stamp. There are instances where the executives would bring a bill and we tell them it would not work. We told them that when they took over LAWMA. Even now, if you look at what is going on in the House; you would think there is crisis but there is none; if issues don’t arise there may not be peace, even among family members. There are issues; it does not mean that the House is a rubberstamp. We have one government and we consider those things and urge the government to carry Lagosians along in doing things.

Jude Idimogu

But there is insinuation that the government is not doing enough in that locality because it is occupied by non-indigenes and largely opposition members? I don’t share that assertion, I am an APC member, the man in the federal House Representatives in this constituency is APC, and so which party is representing this constituency? It is our party, APC. What you are insinuating does not arise, well there could be that notion, but the governor and the deputy is detribalised, the only problem could be resources. We also expect the local government to work harder, because they are representing the executive and even more close to the people at the grassroots. But the present government in Lagos said before they came in infrastructure was very bad across the state, this government even decided to take a loan and fix them but now they have started working. The Public Works Department is working; what happens is that; when a road is fixed in a location they move to another major road in another Local Government Area. Why did you defect from the PDP to the APC? Well, let me ask you, when you joined your profession, I am sure what mattered to you is your welfare, growth and progression. Naturally, all human beings are selfish. Naturally, I should ask myself; do I have a future where I am going? When you join a political party you should tell your people; that this is where I am going and they would follow you, because if you lost out at the end of the day you would feel the pain more than other people who are sympathising with you and your followers. It is important for you to secure your political future and then your constituency; don’t forget that this state belongs to APC, even when I was in PDP I knew. In my place, they would say; party is just a platform, so the one you feel you can use to drive your needs and your people’s needs you can join. Don’t forget

that how we play politics here is different from how it is being played in other nations, even though we copied most of the things there, we have not gotten it right like them. Nigerian politics is; first of all you look at your interest, and you now look at the interest of your followers. The decision has to be done in consultation with the people and it has to be a party that would lead you to where you want. There are lots of parties, so why not go and join APGA, all those smaller parties you can join them but what would be the impact? When I won in 2015, the situation was different, you have to understand that here the federal might matters. At that time PDP was in power, during the Goodluck Jonathan administration and they had the logistics to support the party. The candidates and the party had support; because when you talk of INEC, the people that influenced your result they must have people at the top controlling them. So, it is very important that you must understand these things. No matter how strong you think you are, you must understand these people, you can’t influence them, but they have external bodies influencing them. What I am saying is that; if you don’t have this people you are just taking a chance of 50-50. Don’t forget that in 2015, Jonathan lost his election and being in an APC-dominated state, if you want to continue your political future, it was a decision that was inevitable. I sat down and thought of it, even though, I consulted but it was still my decision that I had to take despite criticism but at the end it was taken. Most of my Igbo brothers who refused to defect lost out in the last election. And you know the way we play politics in this state; it is politics of bitterness, most people when they have won in their state, they still want that party to have 100 percent representation. Now, I have a better voice even among indigenes and among my Igbo brothers. Otherwise, you can only make noise which does not help your constituency.

Are you saying what is happening in the House currently is not a crisis when it is already public knowledge? Yes, but even in other places it is happening. In Kano State House of Assembly, five members were suspended. I don’t see it as crisis; when you say there is a crisis, it means we would not be sitting. It is because you are here in the House that you can say that; things are moving on; plenary is taking place. What I know is; there is disagreement between some few lawmakers and all of us. Naturally, for you to instill discipline in certain institution, issues would come up, and it is to correct certain things that the leadership perceived is going wrong. We need to understand that things like that don’t just happen, there must have been warning before such sanction; so that even new comers can know that they can’t do certain things. What is your take on the process of amending the 2010 Electoral Act? I think INEC is doing the right thing, why would Nigeria has up to ninety parties? Most of these parties are formed because of money INEC could give them. For me, I like the Ibrahim Babangida’s regime where we had two parties; later it was five parties. Freedom of association is there but it is not helping us. If they say you cannot meet the criteria and you are parading yourself as a party, why not go and join an alliance all of us cannot be leaders at the same time. The president has nothing to lose; before he leaves he should sign into law the amended Electoral Act. We can say maybe it was because he was contesting last time that’s why he did not sign it. Do you support electronic voting? Yes, I don’t have problem with it, but can that work here? What of people in the villages, how do they vote with the epileptic electricity that we have now in the country? It means all centres would work with generators, how can that work? Let us be prepared and get it right. There is stability of electricity in those countries using it. No election is perfect, but I believe the National Assembly would listen to Nigerians and do the needful.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Politics Ondo 2020: Battle for Akeredolu’s seat hots up …15 aspirants already out in APC, PDP, others KORETIMI AKINTUNDE, Akure

s political activities gather momentum in Ondo State ahead of the October 10 governorship election, a number of aspirants have already indicated interest to contest the July primaries and are campaigning against the incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Already, more than 15 aspirants have indicated interest, mainly in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Akeredolu, who is currently facing internal rumbles within his political party, the APC. He also appears to be facing an uphill task to get the party’s second ticket. It appears that despite efforts put in place by the incumbent governor to get a smooth ride ahead of the October 10 governorship election in the state, some forces within the party are bent on working against him from securing the Second term ticket of the APC The greatest threat to Akeredolu’s second term bid is mainly from his party, APC, as many of the party bigwigs in the state, their followers across the 3009 units, political influencers in the South West and Abuja are sworn adversaries of the governor. On the other side against him are: Olusola Oke, from the Southern senatorial district of the state, Segun Abraham, one of the leading candidates in the 2016 governorship election who hails from the Northern senatorial district. Also, Ajayi Boroffice, the three-term Senator representing the Governor’s North District and Deputy Senate Leader; Bukola Adetula, who are all co-aspirants in the 2016 poll. Also, notable among those ready to slug it out with Akeredolu is the immediate past chairman of APC in the state, Isaac Kekemeke. Kekemeke from Ese-Odo Local Government who has set the ball rolling as regards his ambition to dislodge Akeredolu from power with his ‘Lekeleke’ slogan, was a former commissioner for works in the state. He has also served as Secretary to the State Government. Kekemeke and Akeredolu fell apart during the build-up and after the APC primary in 2016, after the alleged backing of one of the aspirants by the former. Others who are hell-bent on thwarting Akeredolu’s re-election bid include,the Irele-born oil mogul, Jimi Odimayo. Odimayo was one of his biggest sponsors for the 2016 election. Another strong APC chieftain from the state who is set to wrest power from Akeredolu is the Executive Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Ife Oyedele. The NDPHC Director before the appointment of Alasoadura was highly positioned and favoured as the right man for the ministerial job, considering his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Oyedele was a strong member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before the birth of APC after the merger of political parties but lost out in the struggle to make the ministerial list. Oyedele, who hails from Okitipupa Local Government Area, was said to have played a crucial role in the formation of APC in 2013 and he was being groomed and nurtured to take over the mantle of leadership in the state in 2020 from Akeredolu. Again, many of his political friends like Banji Ayiloge, his Campaign Director in 2012; Abdulsalam Taofeek, former Speaker and commissioner; Sola Amodeni, a commissioner too, who left the cabinet, have turned lethal foes to battle with. Besides, it was learnt that majority of his cabinet members, especially commissioners, grumble over the leadership style of the governor, and most of them express displeasure for reducing them to mere “titular office holders.” Recall that the governor too, while addressing journalists on the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja last month, dared the leadership of the party on his ambition, boasting that APC would lose Ondo State if he was not given the party’s ticket. He declared that he was the only candidate who could win election for APC in the state, leveraging his confidence on his achievements, especially for paying workers’ salaries regularly, massive infrastructural development; his pedigree and popularity with the masses.

Also, recently, Governor Akeredolu said he has drawn a battle line with political leaders in his party (APC), under the auspices of the Unity group, who are gathering against his second term ambition in the state, saying he is no longer interested in any peace meeting but “battle ready” for members of the group. He said, he was ready to confront members of the Unity Forum, headed by Ali Olanusi, a former deputy governor, allegedly frustrating his attempt to get a second term ticket. Among members of the Unity Forum are Olusegun Abraham, who lost the party’s governorship ticket to Akeredolu in 2016, and Ajayi Boroffice, a serving senator. Others are Olusola Oke, who contested against the governor in 2016 and Ifeoluwa Oyedele, an electrical engineer and political associate of President Buhari, who sources confirmed has support of key APC members for the 2020 governorship ticket. Also, one of the interested aspirants to contest against the incumbent governor, was the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Francis Faduyile who recently declared his interest in contesting for gubernatorial ticket on the platform of the All Progressive Congress. The professor of Pathology, who hails from Okitipupa Local Government Area in the south senatorial district, said that the state needed someone who could explore all the potentialities of the state for socio-economic development of the state.

Apart from Faduyile, a renowned America-based industrialist, Adekunle Adeleye, from Ilaje Local Government Area in the South senatorial district of the state, said he was ready to contest against Governor Akeredolu in the upcoming governorship election in the state. Adeleye has not openly joined any political platform in order to contest the election but said his political vision and ideologies are people-oriented. The governorship aspirant, who said he was still consulting widely for a visionary and ideological platform to contest, said he would introduce new perspective in governance without borrowing money home or abroad to execute his projects. As for the opposition parties, the major opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is also waiting anxiously to reap from the crisis festering in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Several political readers in PDP have predicted that the internal crises rocking APC would not only make it extremely impossible for the incumbent governor, to get re-election but will also make the boat of the party to hit a rock. Several political gladiators across the 203 wards and three senatorial districts of the state have shown interest for the number one citizen’s job; amongst them, some are putting up a debut while there are handful who are giving it a slug again with greater fervour. In the South Senatorial District, which has been the strongest base of the party, PDP, since return to civil rule in 1999, there are the South west chairman of the party, Eddy Olafeso; Sola Ebiseni, Boluwaji Kunlere, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA). Also from the district are the former state Publicity Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo; a former Commissioner for Information and Deputy Governorship candidate in last election, Olu Mafo. While in the Central, the former Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, an Akure person who was the party’s candidate in 2016, has again shown interest to re-contest; and in the North: the former Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Dayo Fadahunsi and former Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Special Duties, Femi Adekambi are all interested. Meanwhile, the PDP state Chairman, Clement Faboyede, had boasted that the major opposition party would send Governor Akeredolu packing out of the seat of government in Alagbaka in the October 10 governorship election. Faboyede declared that the party is making frantic efforts to ensure that its house is in order across the 18 local government areas of the state, adding that the party will conduct a transparent and hitch-free primary election that will produce the standard-bearer for the party. His counterpart in the APC, Ade Adetimehin, however, declared that the APC was the only party with ideology and that can keep promises. “APC is the only ideological party that makes promises and fulfils it, I assure you that,” he boasted.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Politics Why Community Policing Bill may fail to fight insecurity Innocent Odoh, Abuja

igeria appears overwhelmed by the insecurity across states of the country following the upsurge in killings and devastations. The police, who are the primary custodians of security in the country, seemed overstretched prompting some desperate measures to tackle insecurity in the land. Different security outfits are springing up along ethnic and regional lines, a clear testimony that the central security forces have either failed or compromised. In the South West, the governors, state legislators and key stakeholders in the region are unanimous in forming the South West Security Network code named ‘Amotekun’ to respond to insecurity. Some states in the South west have passed the Amotekun bill into law and facilities are already on ground to the take off. In the South East, the governors and stakeholders are said to be working out strategies for a regional security arrangement but in the meantime, states in the region have adopted ad hoc measures to tackle insecurity in their region. The North Central otherwise known as Middle Belt states are in serious consultations to create a security arrangement to help secure their citizens. This region has been one of the most affected by insecurity as thousands in states such as Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa and Kogi have been killed by suspected herdsmen and bandits, said to have invaded Nigeria from the Sahel. Many more have been displaced. There are strident calls for a state police, which is a very fundamental component of federalism especially for a diverse nation like Nigeria. Opponents of the state police however, hinge their argument on the assumption that state police may lead to the break-up of the country as the country looks fragile. These security threats and the diverse responses to them may have prompted some lawmakers in the National Assembly to enact laws that will create a synergy between the police and host communities in the country to tackle insecurity. Recently, a lawmaker, Jika Dauda Haliru, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sponsored a bill entitled “Bill for an act to Repeal the Police Act Cap P19LFN, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 to provide for the framework for the Police Service and ensure cooperation and partnership between the Police and Host Communities in maintaining peace and combating crime; and for Related Matters.” The bill, which has passed first reading in the National Assembly, provides for “effective and efficient community policing,’’ which also entails that the commissioners of police in each state of the federation shall establish Community Police Forums and Boards that shall consists broadly of the representatives of the local community in his state of jurisdiction. Some of the other items in the bill detailed that; a community Police sub -forum shall be established at all Divisional Police Headquarters. “Subject to section 65(1) (b) of this bill, the Commissioner of Police and the members designated by him from time to time for the purpose, shall be members of the

Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army staff

Adamu Mohammed, IGP

community police forum and sub-forums established at various police formations. “A State Commissioner of Police shall in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the community, establish Divisional Community Police Boards in all Police Divisions within the state “A Divisional Community Police board shall in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the community, establish Divisional Community Police Boards in all Police forums,” it noted. It added that subject to section 65(1) (b) of this Bill, the Divisional Police Officers and the members designated by him from time to time for that purpose, shall be members of the Divisional Community Police Boards concerned. In section 60(1) it detailed that a State Commissioner of Police shall in collaboration with the State Executive Council, establish a State Community Police Boards. “A State Community Police Board shall subject to subsection (3) of this section, consist of representatives of the Divisional Community Police Boards designated for that purpose by the Divisional Community Police Boards in the state concerned. “Subject to section 65(1)(b) of this Bill, the State Commissioner of Police and the members designated by him from time to time for the purpose, shall be members of the State Community Police Boards concerned,” it said. In section 61(1) the Community Police Forums and Boards shall in each state be established with a view to:(a) Maintaining a partnership between the Community and the Police (b)promoting communication between Nigerian Police and the community; (c) promoting co-operation between the police and the community in fulfilling the needs of the community regarding policy; (d) improving the rendering of Police services to the community; (e) improving transparency in the Police and accountability of the service to the community. It said further that section 61(1) shall not prevent Police liaison with the community by means other than Community Police Forums and Boards In section 62, the bill said a State or Divisional Community Police Board or Community Police Forum or Sub-Forum shall perform the functions it deems necessary and appropriate to achieve the objects stated in section 63 of this Bill Section 63.-(1) said “Every State or Divisional Community Police Board and

Community Police Forum or Sub-Forum shall:(a) shall elect from amongst its members a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the Secretary who shall be a Police Officer; (b) determine the number of members to be assigned by the State Commissioner or Division Police Officer to serve as members of the Board forum or Sub-Forum; (c) determine its own procedure and cause minutes to be kept of its proceedings; and (d) whenever it deems necessary, co-opt other members or experts or Community leaders to the Board or Forum in an advisory capacity. The bill said further that Members of the Community Police Forums or Boards shall render their services on a voluntary basis and shall have no claim to compensation solely for services rendered to such Forums and Boards. “The majority of the members of the Board, Forum or Sub-Forum concerned shall constitute a quorum at a meeting thereof. “In the absence of the Chairperson of the board or forum or sub-forum at a meeting, the vice chairperson shall act as Chairperson, and if both the Chairperson and the Vice –Chairperson are absent, the members present shall elect one of their members present at the meeting to preside,” it said. This bill appears to resonate with the recent clamour by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu , for a strategy for the implementation of the community policing following the recent upsurge in crimes across states of the federation and Abuja. The IGP during a Strategic Police Managers Meeting in Abuja, noted that recent incidents of armed banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery most especially in Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Katsina and Zamfara States have prompted the need for the full and speedy roll-out of the Community Policing strategy across the country. “Accordingly, as conceptualized, formulated, and approved by the Government, the current effort will be citizen-centered and driven by members of each community,” he said. Adamu added that the plan will involve the setting up of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) at the Ward, Local Government, and State levels including the Federal Capital Territory. The Committees, when inaugurated, are to identify credible and suitable citizens from across each locality for appointment as Special Constables who

will serve as Community Policing Officers (CPOs). “The Committees are also expected to identify the security challenges peculiar to their communities and partner with the local police in formulating plans that would mitigate the challenges. The Community Policing Officers are to deal with and resolve low-level security issues without necessarily resorting to Police Stations unless the issue is of serious legal and security consequences and require police intervention. The idea is to improve the capacity of communities to develop solutions to local security problems working closely with their local police,” he said. The IGP said that when community police becomes fully operational, the citizens would be in control of their security with the guidance of the Police and the Community Policing Committees, while the Nigeria Police would then concentrate on the management of violent and other highly organized crimes with a view to pro-actively responding to them in a manner that engender public confidence, trust, and public satisfaction in police service delivery. The IGP however, noted that the success of the community policing initiative in Nigeria, like in other policing climes, depends largely on the extent to which strategic police managers, particularly, State Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers understand its concept and practice. However, veteran security expert and columnist, Ben Okezie, faulted the community policing bill, stressing that it is a distraction that would not work, no matter how good it appeared. He said the bill was sponsored by those running away from the truth and reality of the current Nigerian situation. He said that even if the bill becomes law through the National Assembly it does not mean that it is tenable, adding that many things are against the community policing no matter the passion being employed to cajole people into believing in it. He said the police have to be restructured to win public confidence first even as he lamented the public distrust of the activities of the police such that it would be difficult to work with the police as presently constituted. “There is nothing wrong in Community policing it is been practiced all over the world. Community policing is a good idea but you have to set a good foundation before you can have it. In the United States (US) up till today they are still fine-tuning it even though it has been established even in the United Kingdom (UK) but in Nigeria the situation is different,” he said. He noted that the community policing will have serious challenges of implementation saying that members of the communities in Nigeria are not treated well by the police. He stressed that the police charge people for bail and harass innocent people on the road, which make them unhappy. “Nigerians hate the police they don’t have any good rapport with the police, look at what happened in Ibadan when a footballer was shot by the police, how do you expect the people to be the ones to help police? Look at what is happening all over the country where people are kidnapped and some few meters away the police would even be there watching. So how do you expect them to be the ones to do constabulary with the police? It would not work.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Interview

Every product we offer at MTN is an enabler – Iweanoge

MTN Nigeria recently launched a new thematic campaign tagged ‘Turn it up’ inspired by the company’s commitment to facilitate transformation, progress and success in the lives of Nigerians. In this interview with SEYI JOHN SALAU, Richard Iweanoge, general manager, Brand and Communications, MTN Nigeria, speaks on why the campaign’s Television Commercial (TVC) resonates among its subscribers and what the telco hopes to achieve with the campaign. Excerpts:

hat influenced your recentlylaunched thematic campaign, tagged

‘Turn it Up’? I think we should go back to our mission. We have stated that as a core belief; we think everyone deserves the benefit of the modern connected life, and we, MTN, want to be the company that leads customers to that bold new digital world, and we think when we do that, we would have helped brighten life for people, because in the end technology is a tool. Ultimately, it is what you have inside of you that a tool can bring out and it has been true for all of man’s history. We did a research and asked Nigerians; when we say brighter lives, what does it mean to you? Ultimately, it came down to a few things. People wanted to be better; people wanted to move up in life, and then our research brought up the fact that many people think that the way to be better or move up in life is to relocate. If you’re in the village, move from the village to the city and a lot of people in the city will leave the city to another country. So, that gave us this insight that many people think the solution to a better life is moving out. Within us lies the capability to do anything we want to do, but maybe what people don’t have are the tools and the support to be able to express themselves. So, we felt we should be that brand that supports people to unleash their potential, and that led to this campaign to encourage people to think inside, think inwards. What is that thing that you really want to do and let us be that partner that enables you to achieve it. When you look at our TVC, there are five layers to the story we wanted to tell. We wanted to tell the story of a village where people are leaving. When the people leave, they want to go and find a better life. We wanted to show, also, the dynamics that exist between the father and the son, where, I am sure everyone can relate to this, as a young boy your father is your hero and as you get older, the man gets older and he cannot continue with the things he used to do, then you have to step up your game and become the man in the house, we wanted to tell that story. We wanted to tell the story of a culture that was dying; people were leaving the village, the culture was dying and not many people were bothered about the culture. The man comes out the last time and only few people were there to even look at him. We wanted to tell a story of passion. That boy was passionate about something, he loves technology. From an early age he was tinkering with

technology and he was thinking of what he could do with it. Finally, it is the story of rejuvenation using technology. Even after he left the village, he was able to come back and with that same passion, re-unite people, his culture and his family. We thought it would be an inspiring story for a lot of Nigerians to think around ‘what can I do?’ How can I be better without necessarily having to leave? Something interesting happened a few days after we released that TVC. I got calls from multiple people pointing me to a young man – His name is Silas Adekunle – whose life almost totally reflects what we did. He was in Ibadan, went to school in US, left Nigeria with his parents, learnt robotics and he is back in Nigeria trying to get his people, as well as other people, to become more interested in science and technology. And he came to me and said wow; what you guys said is actually my life and is so true. So, it gladdens to see someone whose life reflects our story. In all of this, the key thing here appears to be the movement from point A to B. How is ‘Turn It Up’ designed to stop this? I actually disagree with you. The key thing there, for me, is not the movement. The movement is a reaction. The key thing there is about thinking inside and asking yourself ‘what can I do to better my life?’ As a partner,

Richard Iweanoge

“

One of the first things we told ourselves is to embark on a research and feel the pulse of Nigerians. From our research, we discovered that people love music and football

MTN enables you with the tools that can get you to the place you want to get to. And like I said, we want to be the company to lead our customers into that bold, new world. When we do that, and they are better than they are, they are going to do things that they want to do. Just look at all the things technology enables us to do. I can sit here record things on my phone, I can carry out bank transactions on my phone, I can connect with my family members anywhere in the world with my phone. There is just so much to do that is enabled by technology. So, it is not about the movement, it is all about thinking inside. ‘Turn It Up’ is not a package but a thematic campaign, it is almost like a philosophical statement to encourage you to be better than you are; to do things you really want to do and we, as a brand, will always stand there to support you to do those things. So, if you like music and want to become a musician, we can enable you to achieve it; like the Y’ello Star music reality show that we are currently running. If you are a science student, we’ll give you access to the internet to do your research and even provide

scholarship through MTN Foundation; if you have a business you want to start, we can enable you to start up that business with the things we offer. So, that is how we operate. MTN has been giving grants to its partners to support their businesses. How are the grants structured? MTN as a business is structured around supporting and enabling people. For example, we have the MTN Foundation that plays heavily in supporting different causes through health, education, youth empowerment and Arts and Culture Initiatives. However, when we launched the Turn It Up campaign, we went to the east, north, then the west, and south as a practical demonstration of enabling people to turn up their business. We did some on-ground activations where we had artisans attend. Depending on the particular field you are in – those particular businesses and some who became successful; we were able to give them tools of their trade to enable them turn up their business. The instance I can remember now is a lady in Aba, who is a seamstress and she said the only

thing stopping her from making progress is that she doesn’t have the money to buy her machines for sewing; she participated and was part of those who became successful. We provided her with a sewing machine to enable her fashion business. If you ask me – that is a practical way of demonstrating how we can help you turn things up. That is not the core of the intention; the intention really is around inspiration, we want to inspire people; we want people to be able to believe in themselves, we want people to think of what they can do with the promise that with MTN you will always find a partner to enable you do whatever you want to do. The TVC was shot in a secondary school somewhere. Do you think using that school can inspire the students? We shot this in Ibeju-Lekki, at St Peters church Anglican primary school; just close to the sea. We are thinking that during the next ‘21 Days of Y’ello Care’, which is when our team of staff volunteers go out en-masse to help people in the society, the school will be one of the schools we might consider for renovation and bring up to standard as a way of turning things up for them. Are there specific products tied to this campaign? It’s a thematic campaign and was developed for inspiration but if we can extend that, what we are saying is that it is everything we do at MTN. Every product we offer is an enabler to something you want to do. So, you want to call a business associate, we enable that happen; you want to do your banking, we enable that; you want to open a small business, we enable that. So, it is not just one product: we usually say our entire business is set up to turn things up. Putting this TVC together must be quite challenging; how did you decide this would be the right message for the market? That’s a very good question because we have been on this for almost two years. There is a method to the madness. One of the first things we told ourselves is to embark on a research and feel the pulse of Nigerians. From our research, we discovered that people love music and football. We also researched what ‘turn it up’ meant to people and they told us in plain terms that it was about having a better life and stepping up in life. So, we knew, if that was their pain point, we had to create a message that resonates with what people really want. Also remember that, as a brand we believe that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life, so we always know that whatever we do, we must use what we have to enable people do what they want to do.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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COVID-19 Watch Could slum in crude oil price threaten new minimum wage? JOSHUA BASSEY

his is not the best of times for the global e c o n o m y. W i t h t h e spread of the deadly Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, countries around the world and their economies are coming under severe threat, with some already devising means of absorbing the shocks or keeping afloat, at least, in the interim. Expectedly, key sectors of the global economy including aviation, tourism, hospitality, entertainment, sports, manufacturing, maritime etc, are facing a shut down. Back home, Africa’s biggest economy is quivering. Its case is being made worse by the dip in the prices of oil at the international market, forcing the Federal Government to consider a review of the 2020 budget, a development many believe is capable of taking a toll on different facets of the national economy and hinder the continued smooth implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage and overall welfare of workers. W h e r e a s Pr e s i d e n t Mu h a m m a d u Bu h a r i s i g n e d a N10.59 trillion 2020 budget, on the assumption of oil production of 2.18 million bar-

rels per day with an oil price benchmark of $57 per barrel, oi l pr i ce h a s no sedived to $30.39 per barrel as at Friday, March 20, with analysts predicting it could slide further if the Covid-19 pandemic continues its damaging blow on the global economy. Nigeria’s government and its 36 component states are heavily dependent on crude oil to fund their annual budgets. Monthly, finance commissioners from the 36 states race to Abuja to receive their share of the national revenue from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The gross monthly payout by FAAC to the three tiers of government amounted to N647 billion (US$1.77billion) i n Febr u a r y (fro m January revenue), which represented a decline of N69 billion on the previous month. Amid this, the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) declined from US$325 million to US$72 million over the month. The January payout falls short of the recurrent spending needs of most states, and of course, their capital requirements. Given the falling oil prices, the FAAC allocation in the months ahead is bound to further plunge. This is bound

Ayuba Wabba, NLC president

to further limit the ability of the federal and state government to meet their obligations as projected in their 2020 budgets. The consequences of this

will be many. One of such could the state governments reneging on the agreement signed with labour to implement the N30,000 minimum wage and its consequential

adjustments using poor revenue inflow as a justifiable excuse. This is more likely given that many of the state governments only reluctantly signed to pay the new wage in the first place. More than 21 state governments have either signed to pay the new wage or are in negotiation with their workers to pay. The labour movement comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had handed to their state councils a template in line with the agreement reached at the national level, which the state insist the state must adhere. The minimum wage law was signed into effect in April 2019, by President Muhammadu Buhari. It prescribes N30,000 as national minimum wage below which no employer in the formal and public sectors of the economy should pay its workers. President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Quadri Olaleye says the labour movement will continue to insist on the payment irrespective of the level revenue accruing to the federal and state government as its implementation borders on complying with the law of the land.

COVID-19: Taraba takes measures to prevent outbreak, curb spread

COVID-19: NAFDAC approves Chloroquine production for Clinical trial

NATHANIEL GBAORON, Jalingo

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( N A F DAC ) h a s a p proved the production of Chloroquine for clinical trials in the search for a cure for COVID-19. Mojisola Adeyeye, directorgeneral of the agency, made the announcement Friday at the NAFDAC headquarters in Lagos. The DG said that NAFDAC was not approving Chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 but for clinical trials to find treatment for the virus. “NAFDAC is not approving Chloroquine as a product that can be used for Coronavirus because there is no submission to us for registration but because it is under clinical trials, NAFDAC approves medicines meant for clinical trials. “Therefore, the medicine is being approved just for the clinical trials,” Adeyeye said. She, therefore, called on experts and researchers that are interested in doing a clinical trial on Chloroquine to approach approved outlets. “Right now, we have asked one company to make a batch of Chloroquine for the purpose of clinical trial,” Adeyeye added.

overnor Darius Is h a k u o f Ta r a b a state has directed the state ministry of health to scale up measures that would prevent the outbreak of Covid-19 in the State. Innocent Vakkai, Commissioner for Health made this known on Friday at a media briefing in Jalingo. Vakkai said that the Governor directed that adequate measures be put in place to ensure prompt detection of suspected covid-19 should the virus get to the state. Vakkai said that the ministry has commenced public education about the disease through messages on television, radio, posters and hand bills. He added that the epidemiological unit of the ministry would soon conduct sensitisation of clinicians in all the health facilities in the State. He said that such would ensure a high index suspicion by health workers and prompt response to any suspected case. “The ministry will procure

Governor Darius Ishaku, Taraba State

and pre-position drugs and medical supplies in health facilities, particularly at the federal medical Centre and Specialist hospitals in Jalingo. “For now, we want to advise people to maintain personal hygiene, imbibe the culture of regular hand washing and avoid staying in crowded places. “ I n l i n e w i t h t h e Wo r l d Health Organisation’s recommendations, we want to urge the people of the State to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing,” he said. The Commissioner said go vernme n t wa s ca re fu l l y monitoring the situation and would make a statement soon considering closure of schools and other public places. Vakkai explained that surveillance officers were stationed at strategic locations to check people coming into the state. BDSUNDAY recalls that Coronavirus broke up in China, ravaging countries of the world.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

The Sunday Magazine

Abule Ado: A day of death, fury and losses Desmond Okon

or Christian faithful, who worship on the first day of the week, Sunday is a holy day. According to the bible account of the resurrection of Christ, Sunday became very significant in the history of the Church, hence, its description as a holy day of worship. It was on this holy day, a week ago, that the devil chose to visit the residents of Abule-Ado, a sleepy community in AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving behind tears, blood and deep-seated pain. The effect of the havoc he wreaked in the area on that day and the consequent scary scars will remain indelible in some families. The magnitude of losses varies from one individual or one family to another. Around 9 a.m. last Wednesday, three days after what could pass off as a mini Armageddon, our correspondent visited the scene of a deadly gas explosion that had rocked Abule-Ado to see the extent of rescue work and how the survivors were picking the pieces of their lives. Grief and agony were still palpable, as could be easily read from people’s mien. Some walked slowly and melancholically; some were simply irritable, and some others were seen just soliloquizing. These captured their bad mood. Our reporter met on ground, what seemed a reminiscence of the account recorded in Jeremiah 31:15 (himself being a weeping prophet): “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” Today, in Abule-Ado, there are many Rachels on account of the enormous calamity that visited the community. “I will curse you now; I’m a reverend. You cannot snap me while I’m trying to get my brother’s things,” a visibly angry man unleashed his venom on the reporter who wanted to get him on camera. “I have been crying since Monday; here I am trying to get his things. You cannot snap me while I’m crying,” he repeatedly said, like he was talking to a deaf man. The expression of grief above captures some of the feelings of those who either lost their loved ones; their buildings/accommodation, businesses or other valuable items that were precious to them. The general scene was one of ruin, devastation and loss. The streets now have buildings barely standing with shattered roofs, windows and walls. The roads within the estate were overtaken with jetsam, leaving little room for people to walk through collapsed structures on a single file as they shook their heads in complete shock to what is now left of a once fine estate in Abule Ado.

…Residents in anxious wait for cause of blast

The remains of Bethlehem Girls College

The air itself was reeking of fumes—a residue of the gas explosion—strong enough to destabilise one’s health; hence, Federal and State officials within the area wore nose masks while excavating the rubble in search of possible trapped victims. Many others used handkerchiefs to cover their nostrils. The man, who roughly spoke to the reporter, was at the scene trying to salvage the remains of his brother’s belongings from the rubble. A moment before he roughly addressed the reporter, he was on the phone, talking to someone at the other end and holding back tears. He was visibly not in the mood to talk much about huge losses suffered by the family as the reporter was to gather later. “You can go to the front. He lost

Emmanual Umeh’s damaged duplex

his five jeeps,” he said, sobbing. BDSUNDAY later found out that his brother, a prominent man in the community, known as Obi Trecko, described as a wealthy man who had done so much for the community, was killed in the incident. According to an eyewitness, he died in the blast alongside his wife, second son and his house girl. He lost a number of buildings, including a private school run by the wife. It was also gathered that the son was to wed in April. As observed, on the part of the residents, four days after the unprecedented explosion, victims are still counting their losses and receiving sympathisers. One of such is Emmanuel Umeh, chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation of Saint Joseph Catholic Church Abule-Ado, and also one of the elders in the com-

munity. Dressed in borrowed shirt and trousers, Umeh was talking to some members of his church association on an inspection tour to his demolished house located at 23 Gani Adams Street, Abule-Ado. He explained to the reporter that he was still in church when he heard the explosion; he had urged other members to go on with the service thinking it was a minor occurrence. He then later went on to help evacuate girls from the Bethlehem College (which was hard hit by the explosion) when things escalated. According to him, while on the rescue mission, the fire had started consuming the house in front of his, and owing to the lateness of the fire service arriving at the scene, he watched in consternation as the fire invaded his own

house. “The fire entered through the gutter; it went down and through it, entered my house,” he said, adding that by the time they (fire service) came with water, the young man living next to him had died while trying to run from the explosion. “It was when the fire service came they discovered the body. I told them that his wife could still be inside; so, they went inside and brought out the pregnant wife’s body, and the sister whose body had been dismembered,” he said. Umeh told BDSUNDAY that he lost over N150million worth of property and goods. The house he was living in—a duplex, was built and “equipped with around N68million,” he said. “The other duplex my wife is using as saloon and fashion designing industry was built with N5 million and I equipped it with N30million. My SUV is damaged, my Camry car is damaged. I don’t have a car now. “So, somebody just lent me the car I’m using. If I quantify what I’ve lost, it’s over N150 million. But I’m not saying government should come and pay me N150million but they should come with a relief package,” he added. Though, currently squatting with his children, he asked for government aid through relief materials. “What we are saying in earnest is that we need assistance here. As I am sitting down here, whatever I am wearing here is borrowed, people have been coming to give me clothes and where I’m staying in Satellite Town is somebody’s house; he gave me a room selfcontained, I and my four children and he’s feeding us,” Umeh explained with pain. Also counting his losses is Pascal Aigbogun (a staff of a newspaper organisation in Lagos), who suffered the death of his uncle,

Sunday 22 March 2020

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The Sunday Magazine

A safty official trying to described the distance between the school gate and where the explosion took place to Lagos State government officials

Festus Ose, among other valuables. On the day of visit to the site, Aigbogun, like others, was rummaging through the flotsam for something worth salvaging. Now collapsed, his uncle’s building had a shop where they sold drinks in crates and cartons, managed by his wife, Obianuju. So, much of the salvaging he was found doing at the time was lifting crates from under the rubbles. The spot where he was removing things from is close to the house of Obi Trecko (mentioned earlier), indicating that Ose and Trecko (both dead) could have known each other prior to the catastrophe. “That day, unfortunately, was supposed to be his (Ose) child’s dedication,” he said. “He left behind his wife and four young children. He was the landlord of number 1, Basil Street, and he died opposite the girls’ school which was also badly affected.” Aigbogun wants the Federal Government to make sure that people who were badly affected are duly, rationally and timely compensated. “It does not make sense that these people who have suffered these great losses either do not get compensated in a way or do not get what they are supposed to get on time. A lot of them had all their investments in the place.” Having lost their breadwinner, their father, husband, home, and business, Obianuju and her four children are currently being housed in their church’s parish. “It’s so unimaginable, it’s crazy. Where do you begin from? How do you lose your house, business, and loved one on the same day? It’s painful! “I’ll like to plead with wellmeaning Nigerians, the federal and state governments, whoever, on behalf of the family, we’d like to plead, let the whole people help us with prayers and support,” he told the journalist. Losing a storey building of six rooms and a parlour both up and

down, and four shops could make one completely speechless. Such was the state of Joseph Ojukwu who sat in his demolished shop receiving pity from his kith and kin in a black vest and a wrapper on his waist, looking morose as he takes intermittent gazes at the skeletal structure in front of him—his house. “I can’t talk now. I’ve been talking since,” he said, and passed me on to his brother, Felix Essom, a businessman and community member in Satellite. “It’s only the government and the people that will do the investigation that will know what really happened. They say it’s a pipeline explosion, but we’ve never seen this type of explosion before,” he said, explaining what had happened the day of the incident. He continues: “The house—six rooms and parlour up and down, and his four shops got damaged completely. You know how much it costs now to do this type of work? Up to N45million. So, government should help us. “The government knows what to do. If you’re living in a house

and all of a sudden, the house gets demolished by bomb, it is the responsibility of the government to provide shelter. We want government to come to our aid. Even though they can’t build it the way it was before, let them come and build so that people will see where they can put their heads.” How it happened Whether by divine providence or sheer luck, Okuanolu Precious Nkiruka’s 11-year-old daughter, one of the students of Bethlehem Girls College, survived the blast. Okuanolu, from Anambra State, told our reporter that while she was getting ready for church service that morning, “I live in Ago Palace, Okota. I heard the sound of the blast, shattering my windows all the way to Ago, from Abule-Ado.” According to her, 10 minutes later, she received a phone call from her daughter about the blast and she rushed to the school to pick her up. “By the time I arrived there, there was no entrance, I had to go and turn towards Trade Fair, where they were taken to a safe

place—one of the parishes inside Trade Fair, that’s where I went to pick her and to God be glory she was okay just that she had minor injuries but she’s okay. “She collected a phone from one of the parents and called. I thank God she was wise enough to pick a phone and call,” she said. Like numerous eyewitness accounts, Okuanolu said what later became an explosion started with a white smoke. “It was one of the teachers that saw the smoke quickly rising in front of the school’s gate and rushed in to evacuate the children out of the school premises and ran straight to the hostel,” she told me. “We noticed that there was a smoke in a thick whitish form before the blast,” Manaseh Ahamefuna said. This smoke was seen rising and covering the area between the hours of 7am and the major explosion happened around to 9 am. According to some eyewitnesses, the blast happened five minutes after a tipper carrying granite parked on the pipeline. Due to its heavy content, it sank into the pipeline thereby blocking it, they said. “In the morning of Sunday, around 8:35am, I was going to charge my phone. Then I saw this tipper. There was only one driver and he was not staying at the steering. He was at the right-hand side. I saw the man struggling to open the door, and immediately, I started seeing smoke, it covered everywhere; I thought it was from the tyre. “The military started shouting, telling us to go back. Immediately I ran back, it exploded. The explosion went up and spread,” an eyewitness narrated on condition of anonymity. Another eyewitness who gave his name as Emmanuel said the explosion happened five minutes after the truck came into the estate. Catholic Church counts losses Describing the level of damage to journalists at the scene of the blast, Jerome Oduntan, director of education, Catholic Arch Diocese of Lagos, said the school had nine structures and all have been reduced to rubbles.

The site were the Admin block, Classroom, Refectory block and Chapel once stood close to the gate of the school.

“As you enter, by the left, we had the staff quarters, everything is gone now. Then immediately after it, by your right, we had the administrative block, the classrooms, the dining, the chapel—a big chapel, we have a bit of the hostel standing there, then we have the convent… the convent is standing on one leg because the roof has been blown off, shattered,” he said Reacting to the N2billion state fund, Oduntan said more than that amount was spent on the school. “How I wish the state government will just give us the whole N2billion,” he said. According him, “The school has 268 students on the roll, and out of the 268 students, not one of them is dead.” “None of my students died. Some of them sustained injuries, around 50. We took them to the hospital, they were treated and they were discharged. But we still have three of them who sustained serious injuries in different hospitals—Naval Hospital, Golden Cross, Festac, and LASUTH Ikeja—these are the three students who are still in the hospital,” he said, making sure it he was understood. Oduntan, however, confirmed the deaths of five members of staff, including the administrator of the school, the principal, Henrietta Alokha. Others are, one female security personnel, Bidemi Johnson; one of the cooks of the students, Irene; the cook of the Reverend Father, and one store attendant. Asked if he thinks it was bomb blast other than a gas pipeline explosion, he said it was not his field to know the cause of the explosion. “I was told it’s a pipeline explosion, but when I came here, what I saw gives me another impression. But who am I to know? That’s why I’m saying that the government should please investigate, carry out a serious investigation to let us know what really happened,” he said. He urged the government to have more respect for human lives, stating that the property was acquired over 25 or 30 years ago, and that there were no pipelines, adding that even while they built, no pipelines were found. “We didn’t discover any pipeline…even during the construction, we didn’t see any pipeline. See where they said the pipeline is, on this side, and see where my school is. So, that is just it. “If it is true that we have pipelines buried around here, when were those pipelines buried? After the buildings were in place or before the buildings?” he asked rhetorically. The blast: A terrorist attack or pipeline? The blast was heard and felt in far-flung areas in Lagos State. The people living miles away in Surulere, Ikeja, Ikotun, and Festac Town heard the loud bang. Other neighbouring communities had either the roofs or ceilings of their Continues on page 24

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Sunday 22 March 2020

The Sunday Magazine Abule Ado: A day of death... Continued from page 23

buildings pulled off, the windows shattered or both. Though the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had said the explosion happened when gas cylinders were hit by a truck in the area where Corporation has its pipelines, some residents strongly believe, given the scale of destruction, that it was a terrorist attack. “With what you can see by yourself, if it were ordinary pipeline explosion, it would have exploded and burnt what is available, but houses miles away were affected. So, we’re suspecting it’s a terrorist attack; that is why we are praying the government to set in motion bomb disposal units to come and ascertain the type of bomb or what actually went wrong,” Umeh (mentioned earlier) said. He added that it started at the edge of Bethlehem College and that the school was actually the target which was why two of its buildings sank into the ground immediately following the explosion. “So, we’re suspecting it’s a terrorist attack. Boko Haram has entered Lagos, that is a fact. But let government come and do thorough investigation and let them come to our aid,” he said. Multiple sources and eyewitnesses also believe it was not just a gas pipeline explosion. They argue that the impact has never been seen in the history of pipeline explosions in Nigeria. “The major issue is that the cause of this explosion should be identified, because to me, it is related to a bomb blast, except we just want to frame everything up. You can imagine the impact and the extent of damage. If it’s ordinary pipeline, we’ve seen cases of explosions even the ones that happened recently, there was no collapsing of houses and destruction of vehicles. It was just everything on that spot that got damaged,” said Raheem Utman, a baker. ‘Something suspicious about the explosion’ A day after the explosion, Akinbode Oluwafemi, ERA/FoEN deputy executive director, said the explosion could be likened to some military aerial bombardment and does not sound like pipeline explosion. “There is something suspiciously different about this explosion. The scale of destruction is nothing like any of the pipeline explosions we have monitored and documented for several decades. “The Sunday incident’s scale of destruction could only be likened to military grenade explosions or aerial bombardment. We can’t treat this casually as an accident caused by a truck,” he said in a statement. Magnitude of destruction and casualty rate The explosion which happened on March 15 demolished buildings, killed many people, left some

The truck alleged to be the cause of the explosion

discharged, but we still have one at LASUTH receiving treatment, we have one at Navy Hospital, we have one at Golden Cross

receiving treatment, and we have one at Alimosho General Hospital and they are receiving treatment. Again, we recovered 20 bodies,

A resident looking for something worth saving in the rubble

in critical states, and damaged many vehicles. From observation, more than two streets were affected, and in Umeh’s estimation, over 250 buildings were destroyed. Having actively involved in rescuing victims at the initial stage, he told our reporter that over 50 people must have lost their lives and “3million people are homeless…,” he said. However, official quotes from Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA) director-general, pooh-poohed Umeh’s claims on the casualty figure.

and we sympathise with their families.” Federal, state governments’ response, plan, and way forward BDSUNDAY learnt that a committee has since been constituted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, headed by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat and cochaired by the Commissioner for Ministry of Special Duties Paul Tayo Bamgbose Martins. “The committee will look into how to rebuild this place, reconstruct this place, to ensure that this place moves back to a normal society as soon as possible with good infrastructures,” LASEMA boss said. He also revealed that the agency has established an information centre that people can come in, make complaints, put down their names, adding that the governor also has directed them to also open a relief camp “and at the relief camp we’ve started taking care of the victims of this disaster.” Earlier on Monday, a day after the explosion, Sanwo-Olu had disclosed that N2billion Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund had been set up for the victims. He also said that the state government had donated N250mil-

lion to the fund and solicited for support from all Nigerians including private sectors. According to Sanwo-Olu, the fund will be used to pay medical bills of victims, support displaced citizens, among others. In response to SanwoOlu’s visit to Aso Rock to brief President Muhammadu Buhari on the ugly incident, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to do all it can to support the victims of the blast. Sadiya Umar Farouk, minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, who visited the site on Wednesday at the instance of the President, said they would join hands with state government to bring succour and relief to the victims in terms of food and non-food items as well as medical supplies to the hospitals where the people are being admitted. “And we’re also going to be part of the committee that will come up with a strategic way of addressing this issue so that we don’t see this kind of unfortunate incident occurring ever again,” she adds. Admitting that the level of destruction is devastating, describing it as “very worrisome,” and “not what I imagined at all,” she said the first steps have been taken, and that all the agencies: the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Management Agency, the Fire services and all others have joined hands to respond immediately when the incident occurred. “We are going to work with the Lagos State in investigating the root cause; we’re also going to work in the area of setting up a strategic framework so we would address these issues once and for all. We’re also going to work in the area of rebuilding these structures that have been destroyed,” she assured. While assuring the residents that the community will be rebuilt, Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor, said efforts at the moment were focused on ensuring everyone was accounted and catered for. “We’re gathering all the data of the people that used to live here to make sure that everybody is accounted for and from there we take decisions as how to now do everything,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said: “As at this morning, we have 276 people displaced, 170 houses affected, and the houses that were affected are categorised into three: those that are mildly affected are 93 in number, those that are moderately affected are 44 in number, those that are severely affected are 33 in number. We have 43 vehicles affected out of which we have 40 cars and three articulated vehicles. We have one shopping complex affected, seven churches affected, six schools affected, “However, from day one till day four, we rescued 57 out of which most have been treated and Affected homes miles away from the area where the actual explosion occured

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Arts At home with Enotie Ogbebor; the self-taught artist OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA & OBINNA EMELIKE

ometime in May 2019, some discerning art lovers, collectors and the general public stormed Om’s Flat, on Sanusi Fanfuwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, to see an enthralling solo exhibition. Aptly tagged ‘Evolution, Hubris & Modernity’, the works on display spoke volume of the sheer creative ingenuity of the artist who made them. From Gbedu Blues, 2019, The missing link, Evolution of the queen, Spectators and cultural evolution, The Cockerel, Evolution, hubris and modernity, Contemplating beauty, The three tenors hallelujah, among other works done in oil on canvas and acrylics on canvas, the private exhibition was worth seeing. On a closer look, you will appreciate the works more because they celebrate the beauty of human nature and also highlight the ugly human activities, especially the destruction of the environment, which is resulting in wildlife going extinct and climate change. The works also celebrate African culture and seek to elevate them while frowning at the ugly aspects of some African tradition. Surprisingly, the great works are borne out of someone’s passion for the art. They are courtesy of Enotie Ogbebor, a self-taught artist, who has overtime become a master of his craft. Ogbebor, a graduate of Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, has no formal training in visual art, yet he self-developed himself in art and is now a multi-talented artist with many enthralling works, short 2D/3D animation and awards to his credit. Ogbebor’s entrepreneurial experience spans successful businesses. He founded Curio Studios Lagos, Nosona Studios, a fine and digital art studio in Benin, which has become a hub for training children and younger artists, among other outfits. Describing himself, the artist says, “I am a multi-media artist and I paint, sculpt, sing and do digital/2D ani-

mation”. He believes that, “We have to tell our stories ourselves and contribute our strength to the global heritage pool”. Ogbebor, who has over 25 years experience in the art, is among those who think home and are moved by the passion to contribute their quota to the development of their homeland. With home in mind, he left successful studio practice in Lagos, which he stared in 1996 and relocated to Benin City, the Edo State capital, in 2016. For him, “I relocated to Benin City in 2016 to join hands with Godwin Noghegase Obaseki, the then incoming governor of Edo State, to develop the art, culture and tourism sector in the state. “Practicing in Benin has been more peaceful and filled with inspiration. I have lived and practiced in Lagos since 1996 when I first opened Curio Studios at Rita Lori Hotel, Surulere Lagos. It was the largest private studio at that time. I operated the studio for 10 years before relocating to Iju Hills in Ogun State where I had a studio in an expansive six bedroom house”. Though Lagos, according to him, is the epicenter of the art sector in Nigeria, he produces his works in Benin City and market globally. As well, he is still in contact with friends, fellow artists, collectors, gallery owners and art dealers, who he met during his 20 years sojourn in Lagos. “So, we produce in Benin City and market globally. The internet has become a great platform for marketing works to a global audience”,

A painting by Enotie Ogbebor

Enotie Ogbebor

he explains. So far, he has no regret relocating to Benin City as, “The art market in the city has been encouraging as we woo a whole new crop of collectors. Also, the various activities by the Edo State government have encouraged a lot of investors to come to the state, while the visits of the Smithsonian Institute Washington D.C, the British museum and lots of other culture activities have increased the tempo of the art sector in the state”. However, Ogbebor has a big project at hand; a solo exhibition at the British Museum in September 2021. He says the exhibition is a huge opportunity to lend his voice to the African narrative through his art on a global platform. “Considering that 5.9 million people walk in through the doors of the British Museum annually,

the exposure will be epic. My work will be exposed to a global audience seeing that London is a melting pot of culture. The exhibition will also allow him to share his perspectives on migration and human trafficking issues as it relates to Nigeria and Edo State and the subsequent effects on global economy and politics. He assures that some solutions would be proffered at the exhibition. Explaining further on the rationale for the London exhibition, the artist says, “My country Nigeria and Edo State, my home state, have been fighting the scourge of illegal migration and trafficking for decades now. My solo exhibition at the British Museum will further draw attention to the seriousness of the situation and the effects on our local, national and international economies.

Painting by Enotie Ogbebor

“It will look at the effect on the moral fabric of our societies and the need for a home grown solution supported by the global society to stem the tide, which has become a source of great anxiety for the western countries. Hopefully, it will also inform Africans in Diaspora that our culture and traditions do not support criminal behavior and that hardwork always pays no matter where you are based”. Ogbebor also has another work at hand, this time a bigger assignment. He is part of the team working to ensure that the proposed Royal Museum of Art in Benin City comes to fruition soon. Speaking on the project, he says, “The process has been slow but sure footed because we have a Governor and an Oba who are interested in the project. Sir David Adjaye, a world class architect, has been handpicked to work in collaboration with local talents like me and others to produce a befitting edifice to house the celebrated Benin artifacts”. The museum, according to him, will also have sections for contemporary art and other event spaces to encourage the use of the complex. It will consist of archives, libraries, seminar/conference rooms, cafes among other spaces. The museum also has a tourism masterplan to highlight all the ancient culture/ traditional sites and palaces in Benin. “It is our hope that the Edo State government’s collaboration with the Royal Benin Court, over 26 mu-

seums that house Benin artifacts in Europe and the United Kingdom, National Commission for Museum and Monuments and other relevant bodies will bring the museum project to fruition soon”, he wishes. For him, when completed and opened, the museum will go a long way in addressing the challenge of the lack of infrastructure to warehouse and display African arts and willingness by foreign museums to return Africa arts in their possession. Ogbebor, who is an acclaimed authority in Benin Court Art, has recently photo documented and painted the Igue festival in December 2010 with Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher; two esteemed National Geographic photographers. His works are included in the globally acclaimed book “Benin; Kings and Rituals” edited by Barbara Plankensteiner. He was commissioned in 1996 by the Great Benin Centenary Committee. The resulting works were shown at national and international art exhibitions organised to mark the centennial commemoration of the British Invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897. Some of the notable awards to his credit include; F.A.C.E awards for best visual artist of the year 2014, Atlanta, Georgia USA, L.M.A awards for best visual artist, among others. He was a discussant on British Museum colloquium on future of museum development in Africa, he has presented a paper at Cambridge University SWICH conference on Benin Art; History, Present and Future, while Nosona Studios, his brainchild, was appointed as a vendor partner institution to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. USA. He has hosted many exhibitions including; Evolution, Hubris & Modernity’, studio exhibition for visiting World Bank officials, at the Presidential Villa, Edo Government House, Alaghodaro group exhibition at the Edo Economic Summit, Benin City, Edo State, among others. Ogbebor has more creative ingenuity and energy to unleash greater works. He urges for your attention and followership.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Arts Nuzo Onoh: The queen of African horror fiction

reincarnation and haunting. Again, ‘The Sleepless’, her latest book; a complete novel and not short stories collection like the previous two, speaks volume of African horror. The novel is about haunting and revenge by dead children who have been victims of adult abuse and evil. In the novel, the author unveils how these innocent children who were weak victims in their lifetime are extremely powerful in death, wreaking unimaginable terror and mayhem on their living tormentors. Nuzo who started writing at the age of 12 years when she formed a school club called CoyW, a club of

young writers, while she was in boarding school, easily recalls her influence in horror writing. While the author, who is an eclectic reader, cannot point to any particular book that has influenced her life, her love for horror was influenced by authors such as Amos Tutuola and Stephen King. Steven Pressfield’s style of writing, his command and mastery of words, the fluid beauty of his dialogues, still enthrall her today, especially in his book; ‘Gates of fire’, which she recommends to the world. However, it was after her Masters in Writing at Warwick University that she became confident as a writer; even though she had published a book before then and also the fact that anyone can become a writer without degree. Nuzo is not stopping at her current books as she hopes to publish others, especially on June 28th of the year she completes the book. She is also open to partnerships that enhance her literary creativity, especially Creative Fiction Edition of Black Women Horror Aesthetics, put together by Kinitra Brooks (Ph.D), Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Linda Addison, who is the first African-American two-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. For those who want to read Nuzo’s books, especially ‘Dead Corpse’, her recent novel, the author urges them to contact Palamedes PR, UK’s No.1 publicist, for copies.

have gone into the decision to attend the festival. We commend the loyalty of our long standing partners and international collaborators, but to see that a lot of our resource persons and guests outside of Nigeria would not be able to make it to the festival is quite unfortunate, and moving the festival to a later date when we might all be able to celebrate the 10th anniversary of iREP Film Festival together, is a good course of action” “We have constantly followed global developments on COVID-19 and have been monitoring appropri-

ate sources for accurate and up-to-date information, and we believe our decision is the responsible thing to do, more so as we are expecting guests from Europe and America. Going forward, we would continuously monitor the situation and evaluate the risk actively. A new date would be communicated to the public very soon. “We recognize that this is a challenging period globally, much as we are committed to the Arts, we are equally committed to the safety of our guests, staff and our country”, the statement noted.

OBINNA EMELIKE

n March 8, 2020, the world commemorated the International Women’s Day, a celebration that highlights the contribution of women in all spheres of life. No doubt, women have contributed enormously to the growth, peace, and development of the world from their little corners to global stages, hence deserve to be celebrated. Of course, there are many women who have achieved some remarkable feats in science, engineering, aviation, literature, economics, politics, and even activism. One of such women that deserve special mention in this year’s International Women’s Day is Nuzo Onoh, a Nigerian-born British writer. I describe her as a writer with guts because she explores the unusual genre in her writing. Instead of the popular genres, Nuzo enjoys writing horror and is ranked top among African horror writers, aside being a female writer. Nuzo chose a rugged path in her creative career by delighting in horror theme, a genre most African writers dread. From ‘The Reluctant Dead’ published in 2014, ‘Unhallowed Graves’ published in 2015, ‘The Sleepless’ published in 2016, and ‘Dead Corpse’, published in 2017, the selfpublished author is proud to push the boundaries of fictional horror writing. With

Nuzo Onoh

these outstanding works on horror all published on June 28th of 2014, 2015 and 2016, except Dead Corpse, which was published in September, Nuzo confidently terms her work an unexplored genre and likening it to the Japanese Kaidan tradition. Though her stories are mostly themed around vengeance, it should ordinarily restrict her readership to a few who delight in revenge, yet her books are becoming more appreciated and read by people who never liked vengeance because of her literary dexterity that glue readers’ eyes on the socalled ‘horror’ book as if it is

Dead Corpse by Nuzo Onoh

comedy fiction. But why African horror if one may ask, when there are so many socio-economic and developmental issues bedeviling the continent? Rather than focus on negative condition of the continent as mostly portrayed by the popular media, Nuzo wants to redefine the horror subgenre in African stories as obtainable in countries like Scandinavian, Korean, and Japanese. Hence, African horror has been her passion as a writer, and she has been championing the subgenre in creative writing without relenting. But she plays up the African cultural heritage with her horror

books. Of course, her Igbo cultural background influences her passion for horror. She was born in Enugu, the Eastern part of Nigeria, formerly known as The Republic of Biafra. Nuzo lived through the civil war between Nigeria and Biafra, an experience that left a strong impact on her and continues to influence her writing. For instance, ‘Unhallowed Graves’, her second horror master piece, unravels Igbo ghost stories; showing how burial customs, deaths, Christianity, colonization and superstitions have affected African/ Igbo beliefs in the afterlife,

Organisers postpone iREP on Conoravirus

he yearly gathering of cineastes in Lagos, focused on screening documentary films, will not happen on the usual dates this year. The opening of the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival has been postponed and the festival pushed forward indefinitely. So, on March 17 evening, there was no ice-breaker screening of Supo Shasore’s Journey to An African Colony: THE MAKING OF NIGERIA’, formerly scheduled to welcome Festival guests at the Kongi Harvest Gallery of the Freedom Park on Broad

Street, Lagos Island. There will be no Festival, as originally planned from March 19 to Sunday March 22, 2020. The organisers have “taken the hard decision to postpone” the year 2020 edition of the popular festival “indefinitely”, says Femi Odugbemi, the event’s ignition key. “Over the past weeks, the world has been facing an unprecedented challenge”, he explains. “As a responsible organization that takes safety seriously, we want to do all we can to help keep our country and our participants safe and

healthy”, the executive director notes. “We can’t have a gathering

Femi Odugbemi

now…” “We clearly understand the preparation that may

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Life&Living Covid 19: How to keep yourself busy during self isolation

Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

he Corona virus (covid19) pandemic is really taking a toll on the world, and although some badly hit countries have mandated social distancing and work from home, Nigerians are still going about their daily activities. However, with the recent announcement by the Federal Government to shut down all schools, the restriction of social and religious activities, and the increasing numbers of confirmed positive corona virus cases in Nigeria, it will soon become necessary for most people to self isolate and work from home. This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono. According to a communique on Thursday, Echono who gave the order on behalf of the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, also noted that all 104 Unity Schools in the country should close on or before the 26th of March, 2020 as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded Corona virus. “We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend. Unity Schools that have completed their exams are to close immediately. “Others are to hurry and close the latest on 26th March,” the statement partly read. It has therefore become more important than ever, to have reliable broadband internet service, as more people will depend on online news sources to be informed on the situation of things in the country. Also, students and employees will need the internet to keep working by sending emails, carrying out research and online financial trans-

actions. Social media activities will also become more necessary during a time of social distancing. It can really get boring and tiring sitting at home and trying to figure out how to entertain yourself and/ or your children who are back home from school - but here are a few things to keep yourself busy with during self isolation or quarantine season. 1. Clean your house: This is the perfect time to do a thorough

house cleaning. Clear out clogged up wardrobes, tidy up your shelves and clean out your house. There’s nothing more relaxing than staying in a clean, fresh and tidy home. 2. Sign up for online classes: Brush up your skills whilst at home. You can learn how to code, learn a different language, learn how to do makeup on YouTube or how to braid hair. Instead of wasting time doing nothing, you’d have yourself to thank when you start

making extra money because of the added skills you acquired during self isolation. 3. Call your family and friends: There’s no better time to frequently check up on your friends and family by voice and video calling them on the phone. Sometimes we get caught up with work and a busy lifestyle and forget to check up on the our loved ones. Now’s the time to do so. You’d be surprised how fast the day will go by when you’re on

the phone catching up on old times and fun memories, and it works both ways because they’d be glad to hear from you and know that you’re keeping well. 4. Read books: There’s more than enough time now to read all the recommended literature from your book club. Reading helps you to relax while engaging your brain at the same time. 5. Watch movies: Catch up on missed TV series and movies you’ve been longing to watch all year. It’s time to binge watch your favourite tv series and movies on Netflix. 6. Buy food and home supplies: It’s time to stock up your house with food and household supplies. The supermarkets and grocery stores might shut down soon and you wouldn’t want to be stranded at home with no food, so it’s a good idea to buy all the essentials now. 7. Games and activities for children: Try and keep your kids busy by creating play activities that engage them. Playing board games like scrabble or Ludo, playing computer games or creating obstacles courses outdoors will help keep them busy during their time at home. 8. Stay physically active: Even if you can’t go to your local gym, try and stay physically and mentally active by going for a walk and getting some fresh air. Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. Also try and lift some weights or do some sit ups in your house. Early morning exercise keeps you energised all day. It is important to know that voluntary social distancing is key to mitigating the spread of Covid-19. In the grand scheme of things, lying low for a little while is a small sacrifice to make for the increased safety of all.

How to promote female equality in the workplace IFEOMA OKEKE

Have in-house champions o doubt women are becoming more and more empowered in the corporate world these days. In fact, an article in CNN states that “companies with a high representation of women board members significantly outperformed those with no female directors.” In other words, the more diverse leaders are on the topic, the better the rate of success. Cherry Collier, Personality Matters, INC advices that gender equality can be promoted in the office by creating a group of in-house advocates. Having employees who champion this advocacy means they can oversee short-term, and sustain long-term, actions towards equality. Be transparent about wanting to

make a change How many women do you employ? How many of those women are in top level/executive positions? Are women in equivalent roles to men paid equally? – Cha Tekeli, Chalamode, Inc says if you’re serious about promoting female equality in the workplace, be transparent about your desire address these questions and then follow up with real, shared action. Acknowledge and reward different leadership styles Men and women lead in different ways. Men are comfortable with hierarchy and tend to promote themselves and their individual work. Women lead in democratic, consensus-building ways, advocate for their teams and don’t stand out as individual leaders. Hence, adding group accomplishments and team productivity into performance

evaluations will reward women’s collaborative leadership styles. – Julie Kantor of JP Kantor Consulting. Have open and candid dialogs between men and women According to Dan Kimble, resonance executive coaching, “Too often, women speak almost exclusively with other women about this issue. Too often, men speak about it far too little — and rarely with women. If you’re a man, make it a point to discuss this with women openly, and do your best not to take it personally. If you’re a woman, make a point of talking to men about this, doing your best to leave any blame/judgement you may be feeling out of it.” Encourage women to make the leap So many women miss out on great opportunities because they mistakenly believe they are underqualified. Meanwhile, men often go after

promotions and projects they are not qualified for. – Laura Garnett, Garnett Consulting LLC suggests that women should be actively encouraged to take more chances and go for opportunities they desire. External support is great for confidence-building. Build new roles for women so business can evolve for the better Times have changed and it’s time to change “business as usual.” Women bring a different and unique perspective to business and we need to celebrate and integrate it. Brett Baughman, The Brett Baughman Companies, Inc suggests that instead of trying to shove women into the roles that men have been doing for decades, we should be more interested in hiring savvy women to develop new roles and benchmarks for how success is created.

Stop pay disparity and the gender gap In order to promote female equality in the workplace, it must first begin with equal pay. Pay disparity and the gender gap are two of the biggest recurring issues in the workforce, and certainly a catalyst to ongoing class action lawsuits. Paying employees fairly and equally based on experience level, not on gender, is truly the first step needed to properly promote gender equality. Commit to these three objectives Workplace gender dynamics have come a long way since the 1980s, and we have a long way to go. In my opinion, three things could significantly promote gender equality in the workplace: Equal pay for equal work, childcare options and flexible hours and outstanding mentoring programs for high potential women leaders.

28 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Travel

How Emirates is sustaining the culture of serving best wines at 40,000ft above sea level Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

ong-haul flights are one of the few situations in which it’s socially acceptable to day-drink. It’s been part of the culture since the golden days of flying and is arguably a deeply ingrained ‘custom’ that eases the discomfort of being strapped to a narrow chair for eight or more hours. With wines symbolising joy, celebration and festivity, there can be no better way to make passengers happy and remain delighted than serving them not just wines but top distinguishing brands of wines. Emirates is one of the very few airlines that has continued to invest huge sum of money in its wine collection on board. Speaking during its wine tasting event at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victor Dituro, one of Emirates Airline Sommeliers and wine ambassadors told BD Sunday that Emirates Airlines has invested over one billion dollars in wines from 2006 till date and has around seven million bottles of wine with its seller in France. “Some of the wines will be ready for drinking in 2036 to 2037. So imagine that we have wine that we will take for 15 years from now. We focus on wines from all round the world. “Our Sommeliers select specifically the wines we will put in the aircraft. Dom Pérignon is one of the champagnes which we are presenting. Emirates has a long lasting relationship with Dom Pérignon for about 29 years. They allow us to have access to one of their most prestigious wines. “It is a prestige for the company and our customers love it and they are happy to have such a luxurious product in our cabin and when they

L-R: Emirates Cabin Crew, Magdalene Odigie; chairman of Konga/Zonox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh; chairman of MTN Ernest Ndukwe; and Emirates regional manager West Africa, Afzal Parambil; during Emirates Wine Tasting event held in Lagos.

fly with us they are happy,” Dituro explained. The airline’s Sommelier, who is also a first class crew member for Emirates said the airline invests so much in wines because it believes that it is not easy for people to have access to such rare wines in the world. “We believe that our customers support the company a lot and they deserve the best. We believe that wines are luxurious product that people can have on board and the company doesn’t hesitate to implement whatever is the best for our customers, they deserve it,” he said. Also speaking at the event, Afzal Parambil, regional manager, Emirates West Africa said the wines on

each route are carefully selected to complement the menu and include exclusives found only on Emirates. Parambil said Emirates team of wine connoisseurs builds direct relationships with some of the world’s most prestigious vineyards to handpick and secure the most exclusive and rare wines for our customers. “We serve 80 different champagnes, wines and ports on our flights on an average day in all classes across our international network. We source our wines from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and USA. “We choose wines that are versatile, which means they’re easy to

pair with the wide range of meals on our menus. In just a few moments, we will give you a taste of this pairing experience,” he added. The selected wines that were revealed at the wine tasting event include Dom Pérignon, Metis Sauvignon Blanc Klein Constantia, Ken Forrester Gypsy, Château Pontet Canet 5ème Cru Classé and Graham’s 20 year old Tawny Port. Dom Pérignon is a brand of vintage Champagne produced by the Champagne house of Moët & Chandon, and it serves as that house’s prestige Champagne. It is named after Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk who was an important quality pioneer for Champagne

wine. Dom Pérignon is always a vintage champagne, meaning that it is not made in weak years, and all grapes used to make the wine were harvested in the same year. Emirates Airline typically serves Dom Perignon champagne in its First Class Cabin. They usually serve whichever vintage is most common at that time. The airline invests more in wine than any other airline. Metis Sauvignon Blanc was inspired by Pascal Jolivet and his holistic approach to winemaking. The name Metis refers to the collaboration between the two countries to produce this great wine. This fusion of philosophies is reflected in the flower on the label that is a hybrid of the South African Protea and French Iris. Its vintage collection was produced in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Metis Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine served on Emirates Business class. The Ken Forrester Gypsy wine was produced in Cape Town, South Africa. The character is somewhat ‘wild’, a little brambly with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, dark spices, with vanilla scents and a distinct, concentrated red-fruit focus on the finish. This is served on First and Business class cabins. Château Pontet Canet 5ème Grand Cru Classé is a premium Red wine produced in Bordeaux. The wine maintains the characteristics of the great Pauillacs. It has the aroma of cedar and dark fruit with fresh and balanced red fruit and cherries. It is a sublime wine. It is a Red wine served on Emirates First class cabin. Graham’s 20 year old Tawny Port is a Red wine produced in Portugal. It is made with red berries, dried berries, raisins, some nuts, and hints of leather and flowery aromas; Sweet on the palate with good concentration, dried berries, spice, and a long aftertaste. It is a Red wine served on Emirates First class cabin.

Coronavirus: NANTA seeks interest free loans, relaxation of IATA payment circle …cancels AGM, says 24,000 travel agents may lose jobs

he National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) to grant travel agencies across the country access to soft loans which are interest free in order to cushion impact of Covid-19 on travel business. The association said travel agents are expected to remit monies generated on sales of tickets over a period of time to the International Air Transport Association, (IATA) but unfortunately, travel agents have not been able to sell tickets and the

few tickets sold have not been paid for, therefore it may be difficult to remit the monies to IATA at these trying times. NANTA is therefore pleading with IATA to relax payment circle on the remittances and banks to help secure guarantees for a period of time. Speaking during a press conference to disclose the impact of Covid-19 on travel business and announce cancellation of the NANTA AGM in Kano, Bankole Bernard, President of NANTA said the travel agents may loss over 50percent on sales of ticket

this year and over 24,000 travel agents may lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus. He said this projection is as a result of already envisaged loss on ticket sales for two peak periods which are Easter and summer. Bernard however commended the federal government for its response so far and particularly with the restrictions of passengers and airlines from high impact countries, adding that the association has directed its members to be alert and proactive at this sad period, even as they continue to pray and monitor the spread and

development. He noted that having taken into consideration, the effective consequence of the development, the EXCO and members of the association has directed that its Kano AGM next week will be postponed to a later date. “It was a hard decision having assured you all two weeks ago that we are good to go. We are bent to be on the side of caution and not panic. We should know what covid-19 is all about since we are at the Centre, the engine room of the travel business which is presently grounded

globally. “We are concerned about our people, their health and future wellbeing during and after when this plague is over. Our association is in pain concerning the deserved shifting of our prime gathering, usually done to hand over reign of administration. “Next week, in Lagos, the board of Trustees and the EXCO, not excluding some of you, will be here to witness the hand over to a new EXCO which should have been done in Kano but for covid-19 watch regulations,” Bernard said.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Travel

Goge Africa looks back at 20 years of promoting tourism, culture OBINNA EMELIKE

…partners AGN on further promotions

n 1999, a couple, Isaac and Nneka Moses set out on a journey in the Nigerian tourism and culture landscape. They launched out with Goge Africa, their flagship project and brand with the vision of becoming a world class brand encompassing the African culture and tourism. They also wanted Goge Africa to be the number one mirror and window to Africa’s heritage. Two decades down the line, the couple looks back with fulfillment as their smiles keep igniting Africa. For them, 20 years of Goge Africa has been rewarding. It is dotted with many travels and experiences. For the 20 years, Goge travelled over 3,500,000 kilometers across over 30 African countries, as well as, four continents to reach out to African Diasporas. Also, the 20 years in business, saw Goge Africa connecting over 100,000 happy tourists to Africa, reached out to over 50 million homes while promoting African tourism and culture. Moreover, its television programme, which showcases best of tourism attractions, cultural heritage and events across the country and Africa, has been rated top among tourism and culture lovers with the insights it offers to intending tourists. As expected, Goge Africa is rolling out drums to celebrate its 20 years anniversary amid a lineup of several exciting activities. One of them is the 20 MustVisit Destinations. The project, which is in partnership with Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and Federal Ministry of Transportation, NIHOTOUR, NFVCB, National Arts Theatre, is supported by Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), state governments, discerning corporate brands, among others who are locking into the opportunity to add value through the Goge platform. In line with the 20 Must-Visit

Destinations, Goge Africa is also forming strategic partnership with Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to promote tourism in Nigeria and Africa. The partnership is the not the first time as Goge Africa and AGN have been in the forefront of promoting the best of Nigeria’s culture and tourism potentials in the last two decades. As well, both organisations have been great ambassadors of Nigeria through their related and laudable positive representations within and outside the continent of Africa. Explaining the rationale for the partnership, Goge Africa’s management affirmed there is need for the private sector to intervene strategically and timely, towards the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, especially now and through tourism, which is unarguably, the lowest hanging fruit in economy diversification. Speaking during a media parley to announce activities for the 20th anniversary celebration, Moses explained that Goge Africa is embarking on the search for 20 destinations that are must-visit to discover and promote them for people

to visit the destinations for tourism purposes, which would consequently impact the local economies and country’s GDP in the long run. While on the search, Goge Africa team hopes to spotlight each destination on NTA and 15 other television channels within and outside Nigeria. The spotlight through TV series is carefully conceptualized to project the best of Africa’s cultural

heritage, her people, tourism potential and opportunities for investment, at every location mapped out as a must-visit. “It is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, abundant natural resources and human capital”, Goge Africa said. Aside bolstering the tourism sector into becoming a key economic factor, the TV series is expected to also feature interviews with the executive governors of

select states to speak on plans for the state and incentives for interested investors in specific areas of the state’s economy. “This project is a great opportunity to highlight diverse peoples, cultures, heritage and investment opportunities to a world audience. We have signed up online to host #20MustVisitDestinations for the whole world to see. Asides the English version, we have concluded plans to translate the series into French, Chinese and Hausa languages”, Moses explained. Another programme lineup for the celebration is tourism training and workshop tagged Tourism 101 Immersive Class for 50 interested and passionate tourism entrepreneurs. The workshop hopes to drill participants in areas such as; becoming a 21st century tourism entrepreneur, tour packaging and marketing, successful tour guide, hospitality management skills, financial literacy, among others. However, some activities have been completed too. The photo, arts, video, fashion and writing contest, which pulled huge numbers of participants, was successfully completed, as the platform discovered, rewarded and motivated some of the abundant talents in arts, media and tourism. At the media parley, the Goge Africa management also pointed that the year-long celebrations began in October 2019 with the Anniversary Luxury Cruise, where a good number of high networth Nigerians, Africans at home and in diaspora, sailed on one of the world’s biggest and most luxurious cruise liners, from Miami, USA to Haiti, Mexico and Jamaica. For those who missed it, Goge promised another experience with its next luxury cruise in October 2020, which is as one of the closing chapters in the 20th anniversary specials. It is of note that the20 MustVisit Destinations started last year with visits to Senegal, Benin Republic, Jamaica, Haiti and Cozumel Mexico.

Radisson Blu Anchorage beckons for unique family unwinding OBINNA EMELIKE

ith schools closed and many working from home, it is about time to rekindle love and bolster family bond once again. Well, it is also time to seek quality couple/family outings in safe and tranquil environments. One of such places is the very modern and cozy Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos. If your concern is safety, the Radisson Hotel Group operates under some of the best health and safety policies in the global hospitality industry. But if your concern is quality offerings, the hotel knows you are on holiday and is offering the best of leisure services and facilities amid motivated personnel who ensure personal touch in their services. The hotel is also rightly located to further boost your stay. Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel sits on the bank of the beautiful Lagos Lagoon in the upscale Victoria Island. From here, guests including couples and families on holiday, this period and

Lagoon view always, can enjoy scenic views of the up-and-coming city. The luxury cruise boats, one of the evidence of the ‘affluent Lagos’, which sail to and fro on the Lagoon, also draw attention of discerning guests. Guests can also dare the waters on cruise tours, which can be arranged, after all, they are on

holiday. For the guests’ comfort, each category of the hotel’s 170 rooms and suites comes with unique allure and enduring coziness. From the breathtaking Lagos Lagoon and to the sprawling Victoria Island, the rooms come with panoramic views. You will also appreciate the investment made in upgrading the

rooms recently. There are also a number of in room entertainment activities and games for the whole family. The infinity pool offers variety to adults and children, while the play area offers the children additional fun. There is a wellness area, which lures guests to relax in the massage room, steam room and the pool. The culinary professionals who man the hotel’s kitchen are handy to offer the best delicacies no matter the palate, and presentation at the Voyage Restaurant. With that assured, this is the right time to reconnect with your family over brunch and dinner while staying in the hotel. Sunday Brunch is fantastic, and you can also linger over a light meal on the terrace at Surface Bar & Grill. But the most important thing is that the hotel offers specials for weekends, which include a dinner bed and breakfast rate. Of course, the rate is friendly with family in mind. So, leisure is up for grab at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel and at pocket-friendly rate now because the hotel is committed to

boosting family bond, life and work balance and quality unwinding for its guests. Again, there is no lack of excitement during your stay. From live band that entertains guests amid light refreshment by the Lagoon bar, wonderful time at the pool, healthy time at the fitness centre, Spa, pedicure and manicure, among others, guests can stay forever happy and engaged while in the hotel. But for the adventurous and families that want exclusive outing on water, the hotel also offers such thrills. For exclusive trips on water, guests can take advantage of the recently launched cruise package to La Campagne Resort, a five-star African themed resort at Ikegun Ibeju Lekki, all the way on water. Like the code sharing among airlines, guests can decide to enhance their experience by sharing the stay between Radisson Blu Anchorage and La Campagne Resort. It is family holiday and the hotel urges you to make the most use of it!

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Sunday 22 March 2020

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Feature

Economic turbulence:

MAN urges FG to help scale up in-country production, drive diversification harder

Ignatius Chukwu

he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) rose from its national council meeting held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, March 19, 2020, urging the Federal Government to come to the critical task of defending the Nigerian economy by helping to scale up production of essential goods in-country. A statement read out by the president, Mansur Ahmed, at the Hotel Presidential after the two-day meeting warned that nobody can say when the economic turbulence can end, further warning that the oil economy has crashed. He made it clear that the global economy has been decimated and Nigeria is threatened by this. “The oil industry has virtually collapsed and it is going to pull at the heart of the real sector. It is going to be a huge setback for Nigeria. If the CBN should scale up the manufacturing sector to sustain production of essential goods especially foods, drugs and others, Nigerians would have a chance,” he said. Commending the initiatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) so far especially the N1.1 trillion intervention fund out of which the real sector would get N1 trillion, Ahmed said the next attention by the CBN is the commercial banks that would handle the implementation. Urging the CBN to ensure effective implementation of the intervention fund, MAN warned of the activities of commercial banks, saying they always cause setback on laudable FG policies. MAN further expressed concern over the turbulence in the price of crude oil and admonished government to remain committed to the diversification of the economy. Many have pointed to agriculture and manufacturing especially import-substitution manufacture as the urgent step to take. For that to happen, MAN argued the power sector must be given fresh but deeper attention. Ahmed said: “MAN noted Disco inefficiencies as a major lacuna in the power sector and hereby declares a total opposition to the new tariff of electricity under consideration by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission. From past experience, increase in tariff was never supported by increase in power supply.” MAN has always been at the forefront of stopping any tariff increase and is always in court with NERC and the Discos. While expressing appreciation to the FG on palliative measures (CBN Intervention

Mansur Ahmed (2nd left), MAN president, reading the statement in Port Harcourt. funds) to manufacturers on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, MAN encouraged government to match policies with implementation. “Government needs to put in place remedial measures to offset whatever shocks associated with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.” MAN council looked at the states thus: “The highlight of the meeting included submissions from 16 branch chairmen that make up the nationwide network of the Association. For Ogun and Lagos State; manufacturers are still bedevilled with the water abstraction charges which are regarded as counterproductive to the policy on ease of doing business. “The port congestion and traffic gridlock still remain a challenge to manufacturers especially at the Apapa corridor. The Rivers Branch has encouraged the FG to make the port in the state fully operational and give meaning to the helpdesk setup for manufacturers. “Political instability in Plateau State challenges smooth conduct of business and poses a source of insecurity to life and property.” MAN said some states have initiated business-friendly measures to boost the economy and create jobs, and pointed at Rivers as one such states. “We commend State Governments that are responsive to the needs of manufacturers and appeal for better cooperation from Governments that are

not too responsive. In order to improve advocacy on issues that challenge manufacturers, the consensus was that MAN Branch network should deepen their engagement with relevant public sector authorities. The council asked other states to emulate the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) protocol just initiated in Rivers State to reduce difficulties confronting manufacturing and other businesses. Ahmed said testimonies from members in Port Harcourt showed that security has been restored and that regulatory agencies in Rivers State now work harmoniously with manufacturers and businesses to boost the economy. He went on: “First, I must commend the Executive Governor of our host state, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for ensuring improved security for citizens and businesses and on EoDB. These are signs of the

“The oil industry has virtually collapsed and it is going to pull at the heart of the real sector. It is going to be a huge setback for Nigeria. If the CBN should scale up the manufacturing sector to sustain production of essential goods especially foods, drugs and others, Nigerians would have a chance”

State Government’s commitment to support business in the state. This we believe is supportive of increased tempo in manufacturing production.” In this regard, manufacturers in Rivers State will complement the good gesture of the government with increased investment expected to create more employment and deepen peaceful investment environment. In addition to infrastructure upgrade in the state, MAN council has also noted and wishes to commend the government of Rivers State for the introduction of technical vocational training as part of youth skill empowerment programme.” Flanked by the national treasurer of MAN, Isaac Aboye; the acting Director-General, Ambrose Orushe; and the chairman of the Rivers/Bayelsa chapter of MAN, Adawari McPepple, the national president admitted that border closure was not good for intra-African trade agreement regime, but agreed with the FG on the action because of massive smuggling across the borders against the ECOWAS protocol. He also pointed to smuggling of weapons to threaten Nigeria. He was positive that in few months time, with serious consultations with neighbouring countries actions they have been taking on the protocol, there would be outcomes that would warrant the reopening of the closed borders. The council frowned at states

that do not seem to care about manufacturing but urged them to follow the Rivers exemplary steps and boost their economies. Reviewing the reports from states, the council frowned at activities of regulatory and revenue agencies in most states that press harder on manufacturers and depress the economic growth in states. The report singled out Ogun and Lagos where they said manufacturers were still bedeviled with the water abstraction charges which they said is regarded as counterproductive. “How can government that failed to produce water turn round to tax companies that tried to provide boreholes after the same companies had paid taxes?” The report decried continued traffic congestion at the Lagos port with attendant traffic especially in Apapa; and urged the FG to make more efforts to support PH and eastern ports to take up more responsibility and thus provide relief to the economy. MAN council regretted that political instability in Plateau State has continued to pose threats to businesses through ravaging insecurity. The national president said his administration resolved to move the council meetings round the states; thus Kano and now Rivers/Bayelsa have had shots even as he profusely commended the smoothness of the Port Harcourt meeting and harmonious atmosphere noticed between the host government and the business sector.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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News Feature

Bonny Chamber of Commerce unveils strategies to help businesses play big, go global …As BOCCIMA mobilises women entrepreneurs to trade with US firms IGNATIUS CHUKWU

he Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), which seemed to go silent since middle of 2019 after its reactivation drives, stepped out big on the island last weekend with strategic plans or dockets aimed to helping companies and businesses in Bonny fly into new gears and hit global standards. This they said is because many top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) especially from the US are lined up to do business with Bonny entrepreneurs as the $10billion NLNG Train-7 rushes on. BOCCIMA has thus begun mobilisation of business women in Bonny to join in the new move expected to move the rich island along the Dubai dream lines and international business models. The Director-General of BOCCIMA, Constance Nwokejiobi, who briefed the Bonny business women, showed various programmes that would soon be activated. According to her, after mobilising both men and women entrepreneurs in Bonny, they would be moved into opportunity zones or groups such as Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry; Education, Printing & Publishing; Professional Practice, and Financial Services; Medical, Pharmaceutical & Allied; Real Estate; and Automobile & Allied Products. Others would be Construction, Civil & Engineering Works; Hotel, Tourism and Entertainment; Manufacturing & Industry; Information Communications Technology; Oil & Gas, and BOCCIMA Women in Business. The DG said BOCCIMA will work for a viable economic growth, but said innovation is the great way to success in this digital age. “The technology which has already proved itself in the last two decades is of course the information technology (IT). The Chamber of commerce has positioned itself to act as the Business hub of Bonny Kingdom. Nigeria is at a critical juncture in our life as a nation, and she must sail or sink as smart business decision has dramatically changed the global practice.” She said BOCCIMA will work through advocacy, digital marketing, networking opportunities, mediation and conciliation, international business activities, trade missions and trade events. “Others will be access to directories, trade journals and periodicals across the world available to

Board member of BOCCIMA, BJ Chapp-Jumbo (middle) flanked by the professor, Jessica Ezikiel Har (left) and Tessy Biobaku (right)

members. She mentioned environmental protection; ethical code of conduct and best practices; etc. She added that the chamber creates awards to best companies; capacity development: (mentoring skill program, dual vocational programme, developing the capacity of SMEs; partnerships & collaboration. To help Bonny business connect with global partners, the BOCCIMA has so far ensured strategic stakeholders engagements (called BOCCIMA GoLife) as well as buy-in of strategic stakeholders around the world. She said the team shared BOCCIMA five-year business plan, proposal on Kingdom urban planning development initiative, etc. She mentioned missions to Brazil, Japan, USA, etc, on several programmes including ICT, Tourist Boat, BOCCIMA Investments -Bonny Atlantic Resort & Conference center projects, etc. She also hinted of a business hub concept which seemed to thrill the fullcapacity audience. Some success factors she mentioned include advocacy, membership, economic growth, communication, and leadership, with focus areas such as efficient support systems developed from the Bonny Kingdom master plan. This led to hints of what Bonny

Kingdom could be like in 2040. “With its exponential population projection, the kingdom must address its challenges while harnessing its opportunities. To achieve this, the strategic focus will be on 12 priorities under 4 development pillars, human capital development, economic expansion & diversification, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability”. Bonny entrepreneurs to operate international standards

“

Nigeria is at a critical juncture in our life as a nation, and she must sail or sink as smart business decision has dramatically changed the global practice

BOCCIMA brought in experts who trained the women on how to operate at global level because it is now a global village. The women were told that the US has commercial service sections in all consulates to help manage the business relationships and reduce risks of fraud and disappointments. They showed various organs and steps structured to achieve this. One of the resource persons showed the women how to structure their businesses in alignment with global and US requirements. “You must have financial structure. The foreign company does not know you. It is through your business that they want to look at you. So, endeavour to keep your books”, they advised. The women were made to know that the commercial officers of embassies do market research for foreign companies. Foreign companies will not come in directly, except through local partnerships. “So, position yourself. We send lists and some other times, we recommend about five local companies for the company abroad looking for partnership or agents down here to pick.” For the US in particular, it was stated that some of the products used in relating with Nigerian business people include: “International Partner Search (IPS); we help them search for partners in

Nigeria. Gold Key Matchmaking Service (GKMS); we help them to get companies to match their business needs. Simple Company Promotion (SCP): We do simple promos for them. International Buyer Programme (IBP); we help get market for their products and advise them on how to behave in the local market”. It was revealed that many foreign companies are keen to enter the Nigerian market because of its population and the market it offers. Nigeria’s unique problems sometimes also create solutions that many foreign firms want to exploit. The experts advised Bonny women and other SMEs to know that training is very important. Some commercial officers in embassies do advise companies back home to know that Nigerians crave for training on any equipment they are importing. Thus, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) must include training and parts in the deals. “So, prepare your company to benefit from the trainings for your workers. You could also be training others.” Many women asked questions and it was made clear that it is not true that US companies are not willing to come to Nigeria. Over 33 companies are coming to the exhibition in Lagos. The issue has Continues on page 32

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Sunday 22 March 2020

News Feature

Middle: DG of BOCCIMA, Constance Nwokejiobi, flanked by two top Bonny women; Dabota Godswill Jumbo (letft), and Anthonette David Bull (right)

Bonny Chamber of Commerce unveils strategies ... Continued from page 31

been on reputation and business climate in Nigeria. They also explained that travel ban imposed by the present president is not for business trips but residence visa. Parable of the ‘Woman on the Yellow Wallpaper’ The period being around the International Women’s Day (IWD), the BOCCIMA used the opportunity to mobilize the women entrepreneurs along economic emancipation, equality goals, and empowerment. To sensitise the women through feminist literature, a case study was made of a touching story called ‘Woman on a Yellow Wallpaper’. It was a story of Kaka and Modi. Kaka was a prosperous young medic who was the apple of every female eye while Modi was a naïve but very beautiful young girl. He married her but ended up imprisoning her in the name of protection, an action that seemed to reduce Modi to ruins and reduce her humanity and value in life. All these years, she gazed at the women in the artwork being the yellow wallpaper who seemed equally imprisoned. At frustration point, Modi tore off the wallpaper. Suddenly, she felt relief and seemed to rediscover herself, became a teacher, made impact in the community, and found fulfilment in her destiny. Dabota Godswill Jumbo, the moderator, shared the women in five groups and allowed them to search for the hidden meanings in the narrative. The women fought the challenge with the zeal of an audience angry with the plight of oppressed humans and went straight to the interpretations. They talked about the ides of isolating and restricting a women;

wondering if it was protection or suppression. Dabota wanted them to deduce; is the husband, Kaka, intimidating the wife, Modi? She suffered isolation and frustration and depression over the years; she eventually tore the wallpaper and soon broke free. Some analysed that she was treated with the concept of wife as a trophy; the husband wanted to preserve the trophy and thus isolated her which is a form of abuse. Some pointed that a woman will suffer until she breaks lose by herself or by others. Another dimension emerged. Do some women play the victim instead of finding ways to sell their proposition to the husband? A lady said she is Calabar and that she knew what to do to get what was right and good for her. A woman needs to break barriers and succeed. A female professor brought in the colour differentiation logic. Yellow means many bright things, but it also shows cowardice of a man; a deceitful man; an insecure man. The woman should work on him and help him. Dabota Jumbo pointed at the bottom line: liberate yourself, beak free in love, help your man, realize your ambition; let women help to liberate others just the way Modi tore the paper holding down the one on the wall paper. Lawrence Jumbo; BOCCIMA president An elder who is the president of BOCCIMA as well as the chairman of board, Lawrence Jumbo, said BOCCIMA has come to stay but that they need support to make it go global. Saying women were the sustaining force in life, he observed that most men credit their successes to either their

wives or mothers. “Women can change Nigeria. We expect wives to advise their husbands against evil raging in the society today.” He pointed to drugs addiction,

terrorism, etc, which all started from homes and urged women to act, now. Dabota Godswill Jombo: woman leader Dabota is a community stakeholder in Bonny who is also into business, politics, and community development. She said: “I have strong passion for women development, to build capacity for women. So, things like this, I will normally do a lot of nomination for women to come here. By what was done today, you will see that a lot of women have been liberated. It is sisters helping sisters. They would have thought of ways to come out of whatever they were in bond of, be it emotional or financial. “I picked up a lot from this story and the entire event today especially in the responses that I got back. It was a case study, so, no wrong or right answer. It’s all about perspectives. I have learnt that your dreams might be delayed but it is important to work positively towards achieving your dreams. Again, we live a life of impacts. Modi actualised her dreams and became a source of joy to her community. That thought me a lot of lessons. I have been into projects and NGO work and I have a viable hands-on skills acquisition centre where I train the less-privileged and young widows in fashion designing to empower them to be self-sustaining. They are assisted with seed capital. It’s been a success story. “Women should live out their

His Royal Majesty King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple !!

dreams and have strategic ways of solving their problems and overcoming their challenges. Like I wrapped up by saying that it may take a woman to stand up for another woman. So, let’s stop the pull-her-down syndrome. “A word about BOCCIMA: I met an exciting DG for the first time yesterday, and I was so impressed and I shared my concerns about the community especially raising women entrepreneurs taking advantage of the round the clock power supply here. Bonny is one community with such, but what are we doing with that energy. We have vast ocean reserves, so, what are we doing about high sea trawling businesses, fishing businesses, etc. “My dream is to have many women that will be string entrepreneurs into value added services and products. It is time for us to diversify the economy in Bonny, not everything centred around the NLNG. When they stopped building the trains, economic life stopped and people migrated. It is time we think of industrialisation. “My first question is; I hope the trade free zone suggestion will accommodate industrial park for us where we can build SMEs and real industries that will create jobs for the teeming youths and then have our people drive this local economy. That is critical. “Constance (the DG) is doing well; she has her eye on the ball. She is very strategic. We spoke, and incidentally we have a lot in common. She used to be a banker and I used to be in the same bank. We are products of same background, brought up to be the best in anything we do. She will go places and honestly I will be here to support her.” Irene Pepple; lawyer I am a lawyer and am in private practice. I was invited here today under a platform. The programme was a great one. The idea is for us all to embrace the possibilities that they have. We also find out ways we can engage the US companies and different ways to trade. It was a whole lot. I think the most significant thing that coincided with the IWD 2020 and the take home was that a woman can be all that she was meant to be; a home maker, a mother, but she can still fulfill purpose and touch other lives. “It’s high time women moved from being selfish and get out of the wall and bring out their best and bring smiles to others. I believe women have a lot within them and can do much more. They should move away from our self-inflicted position of thinking somebody is keeping us somewhere. You can become all you want to be. “This kind of interaction should continue in Bonny. I think the Bonny woman can actually become a successful business woman based on what the BOCCIMA is doing. I believe in interaction and that is where the world is going now. You need mentoring that can help your business to improve the society and the home. It is a win-win. Everybody gains from this kind of interaction and I am looking forward to much more. I know that the Island will be better for it.”

Sunday 22 March 2020

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Perspective Financial institutions and policies in Nigeria: A Critique for the growth of small scale enterprises (1) AKIN OLADEJI-JOHNBROWNE

any financial institutions and intervention policies have been created in the past decades in Nigeria to support new ideas or reinvigorate the existing policies of government on Small Scale Enterprises (SME). The general economic rationale for these intervention institutions and policies were mostly for development of the country, creation of new private sector wealth and improving the welfare of populace. In some instances, and of course, the institutions are used to garner public acceptance of new government in power. In fact when new government comes to power their initial policies are populist to win the sympathy of the generality of citizens, private sector organisations and social partners collaborators like the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. In Nigeria to date, the intervention policies have never worked efficiently to achieve the objectives contemplated in setting them up. Amongst the intervention policies and institutions in the past are Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigeria Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and other pseudo committees of the presidency and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) interventionist policies like the

recent Anchor Borrowers Program. This article is focused on why policies and institutions of government always fail to achieve their primary objectives and options to be considered in the future to achieve the goals in helping the growth of SME. First, the bane of institutions mentioned above is that they are established to deal with the challenges of yesterday but not of today or tomorrow. In the creation of the institution government employ two sets of people, namely, those who only understood the problems of the past but weak in mental capacity to be reactionary to tackle the requirements of the future, and in another extreme, the institutions are used for political patronage and staffed with ethnic biases and federal character in recruitment. Government even went to the extent of legislating by statute a Federal Character Commission to legalise recruitment biases in public institutions with veiled reference to competence. Another classical bane was the initial manpower of the defunct NERFUND who are bureaucrats from Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) with little experience in neither reconstruction loans nor loanable fund markets. Despite clear-cut objectives set out in the NERFUND decree, the organisation was made moribund due to defective operational models adopted for the workings of the SME loans. The loan approval used was a replica of the traditional loan models adopted by the then First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and UBA Plc. Meanwhile, NERFUND was never set up as a bank. NERFUND became an indirect extension

of government-licensed bank with the attendant loan risk challenges. Within a short period the bad debt and classified account of NERFUND became huge and ultimately led to it’s being moribund. A similar institution is NEXIM whose executive leadership has always been headed by CBN, FMF and political appointees. While NEXIM is doing some good work in export credit, their support and performance in export financing is still questionable and leave as much to be desired. Many agricultural exporters that have requested financing from NEXIM are always turned down for frivolous reasons or loan disbursed at the wrong climatic weather for judi-

...Some of the institutions began off balance sheet financial transactions copied from high street banks in Lagos, London, New York and Hong Kong. Their off balance sheet loan is outside the control and measurement of risk level.

cious working capital usage. Second, the special purpose institutions and funding organisation were hardly exposed to new training to enhance their competencies. Due to poor decision in manpower recruitment, most of the institutions lost focus and became an intruder in the efficient functioning of the loan markets by conventional banks. The institutions found themselves competing with the traditional banks in the money and capital markets transactions. A lot of the banks too found themselves by default in adopting conditionality being imposed by government intervention funds initiatives. Third, another issue that is worth exposing is the way the interventionist initiatives were put together. Government initiative is mostly deliberate in dealing with challenges of domestic markets. Therefore, the leadership of the institution continues to isolate the intervention initiative as solving domestic Nigeria issues rather than being viewed as global issues. They appear docile to think outside the box that some problems are global and require experience drawn from global economy. Therefore the innovation required in dealing with the observed challenges and raison d’etre of setting up the organisation became unrealisable. The institutions became not credible nor knowledgeable for the problems they are to solve. Fourth, budgetary problems are another downside of these initiatives and institutions. An institution that is premised on funding and loan market activities by government must ensure there is no deficit in their balance

sheet. These institutions run annual budgetary deficit, which ultimately deplete reserves. Thus, when they are expected to respond to new ideas or business reality to safe the SME they are unable to do either. BOA and BOI wallow in undercapitalisation to date due to budgetary deficit and failure of government to support the original initiative of setting the two institutions. Some of the institutions began off balance sheet financial transactions copied from high street banks in Lagos, London, New York and Hong Kong. Their off balance sheet loan is outside the control and measurement of risk level. Rather than spreading their loan default risk, loanable funds became trapped in moribund sectors of the economy resulting in their illiquidity

OLADEJI-JOHNBROWNE is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Taxation Nigeria and Securities and Investment Institute, United Kingdom. is currently based in Canada)

Still on Buhari’s volteface on NDDC board Festus Masajuwa

ollowing the Senate screening and approval of 15 nominees for the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which included Pius Odubu and Bernard Okumagba as chairman and managing director of the commission as well as 13 other nominees as members of the board, many Nigerians had expected that inauguration of the board would follow for it to hit the ground running in furtherance of the goals of the Commission to foster growth and development in the Niger Delta region. But on the contrary, the same government that submitted the names of these individuals for confirmation by the Senate, made a volteface, and by executive fiat shove aside a legitimate board and went ahead to hand-pick and constitute an interim management committee. The former deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu puts it succintly when he said “…we made a law here stating that there would be a board for NDDC, and anything outside that, for me, amounts to sabotage…” Ekweremadu went further to state that “for any person to set up an interim management board, I believe it is something that should not be acceptable to the National Assembly.” Usually, the process of screening at the National Assembly is always timeconsuming with a lot of inconveniences both on the part of the candidates being

screened and on the lawmakers. In countries where the principle of separation of powers works perfectly, once the ritual of screening has been concluded and the candidates scale through the exercise, there is no going back. But Nigerians watch in horror as President Muhammadu Buhari, in his usual disregard for the rule of law and grundnorm discarded the board. The President was able to do so since the 9th Senate under the leadership of Yakubu Dogara has been widely accused of being a rubber stamp to the Executive arm of government. The sing-song in the polity is that the President has succeeded in destroying the Judiciary as well as the Legislature. In this current administration, laws have been suspended in the country. It is only what Buhari says that is law and must be seen to be law. It actually goes without saying that Ike Ekweremadu and his fellow members that make up the minority can only have their say but the majority, made up of a few powerful interests, will always have their way. In the year 2000, the NDDC was established by an act of the National Assembly to address underdevelopment of the oil-bearing communities in Niger Delta as a result of the region’s agitation for development, and a governing board was constituted to oversee the activities of the commission. The Act spells out clearly the nature and terms that must guide the conduct of the commission which include how the board is to be constituted.

Since its establishment in 2000, although the commission has so far fallen short of its objectives and has been besieged by widespread corruption, however, one thing that previous governments have done rightly was to follow the set down rules in constituting governing boards for the commission. But under the Buhari administration, it however, does not come as a surprise that a government notorious for flouting court judgments and losing billions of dollars in contract breach (the case of P&ID vs Nigeria), that such administration will dictatorially ignore a duly and legally constituted board for an illegally constituted interim management committee. One begins to wonder if this sheer disregard for the rule of law and the constitution by this government will ever come to an end. On assumption of office the Buhari administration dissolved the NDDC board it met on ground which was to be replaced by a duly constituted governing board. The reasons he gave was for a holistic forensic audit exercise as well as verification of contracts by the commission was to be carried out. As the Buhari’s administration would deem fit, an interim management board was created in conflict with the substantive board that had already been confirmed by the Senate. What also was surprising was the appointment of an acting managing director for the commission with no considerations for the legal requirements, and also without her going through the mandatory Senate screening, and also without a board of

...under the Buhari administration, it however, does not come as a surprise that a government notorious for flouting court judgments and losing billions of dollars in contract breach (the case of P&ID vs Nigeria), that such administration will dictatorially ignore a duly and legally constituted board for an illegally constituted interim management committee directors, thereby functioning as a sole administrator. No thanks again to the media-branded rubber stamp Senate that permits such executive flagrant abuse of the law. For some reasons, one is forced to believe that there must be case of Voice of Esau but the hand of Jacob behind the scene machinating this continuity of illegality. Meanwhile, this same interim man-

agement committee that the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio says has the single task of overseeing the forensic audit, is already administering the N300billion budget of the NDDC as well as performing the functions of an actual board, which include awarding contracts. In a piece titled ‘Why Buhari must stop Akpabio’s circus at the NDDC’ by Abiye Tolarin; he buttressed the need for Buhari to immediately disband the socalled Interim Management Committee (IMC) as it is a needless waste of time. Questions that must be answered are: How come the board members whose names were submitted by the President, screened and confirmed by the Senate are not the ones overseeing the forensic auditing? If they are not capable of overseeing the audit process, how then do we confidently say they can oversee the entire commission? If the duly constituted board has the confidence of the Presidency to be able to handle the commission, one therefore, sees no reason illegally constituted IMC will instead be trusted to do a better job than the ones already screened and confirmed by the Senate. We must be very careful not to destroy tomorrow through our today’s faulty actions. We must avoid setting dangerous precedents that could be very difficult to change. The interest of Nigeria must be uppermost in the mind of those who are today privileged to sit on the transient seat of power. •Masajuwa, a public relations expert, writes from Lagos

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Sunday 22 March 2020

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Ogun Watch Abiodun begins landmark projects in Ogun central with 42km Abeokuta-Sagamu road

Stories by RAZAQ AYINLA s part of effort to sustain much-needed socio-economic d ev el op m e n t an d to build on existing infrastructure, Governor Dapo Abiodun has begun first landmark projects in Ogun central senatorial district with the reconstruction of 42 kilometre Abeokuta-Sagamu road believed to be an emerging investment hub where series of manufacturing industries are now clustering. The 42 kilometre AbeokutaSagamu road which was constructed by the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel between 2003 and 2011 has indeed played some part in opening up Abeokuta-Sagamu interchange axis with the location of manufacturing plants such as Nestle Nigeria, Honeywell, Apples and Pears, Olam, International Breweries, among others. But, with the rehabilitation of the artery road that connects Abeokuta with SagamuIjebu-Benin-Eastern Nigeria expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway by Dapo Abiodun’s administration, it is believed that manufacturing companies will come in droves to Ogun state with a view to exploring and exploiting economic potentials and comparative advantages of the State over others. Speaking on behalf of Ogun state government, Ade Akinsanya, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, declared that the road works had begun in ernest as three milling machines had been sited on the road to remove the entire asphaltic portions and replace it with new asphalt overlay of both binder and wearing course, which according to him, would ease traf-

R-L: Noimot Salako-Oyedele, deputy-govenor, Ogun state and Adeola Odedina, Commissioner for Agriculture observing some agric produce and product at the recently concluded Ogun/Lagos Nigeria Competitiveness Project for tomato, pepper, chilli, garment and leather value-chain organised in Abeokuta in collaboration with GIZ, EU and FG. fic congestion in the area, as well as improve the socio-economic development of the people along that corridor. “The rehabilitation of this road has become necessary in order to alleviate the hardship of riders and motorists plying the route and the people along the corridor stands to benefits a great deal, as the rehabilitation of this road would definitely improve their socio-economic status”, Akinsanya stated. He added that the two lane dual carriageway which was separated by a two-meter median, will boast of standard drainages, provision of functional streetlights, proper provision for turn-

ing, better ridding surfaces, as well as the re-construction of existing earth drains with adequate turn outs where necessary. Also, the site engineer. in charge of the project, Engr. Alabi assured that the project would be delivered in the next three months, as his teams were ready to work round the clock, calling on motorists to drive with caution, obey traffic rules and regulations, as the men of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency are equally on ground to maintain law and order. Some of the commercial motorists plying the corridor in their separate interviews, commended the State government,

led by Governor Dapo Abiodun for embarking on the construction of the road, saying it was a long awaited gesture that would bring relief to the hardship faced by motorists and other road users when completed. BusinessDay further reports that Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange road originates from Government House and traverses through the densely populated business districts and residential areas of Ibara, Kuto, MKO Abiola Stadium, Oke-Mosan, Laderin, Kobape and Siun to Sagamu interchange was expected to be completed in three months. Meanwhile, the Ogun State Public Works Agency (OGP-

WA) has begun rehabilitation of road network within Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta , to ensure accessibility within the academic environment, ease movement of students and stakeholders, thereby improving qualitative education in the State. The Public Relation Officer, MAPOLY, Yemi Ajibola stated this during the flag-off of the rehabilitation of road network within the Polytechnic community, noting that there had not been major repairs on the institution’s road for about 25 years, except the ones undertaken by the Maintenance Department of the institution. Ajibola said the intervention was commendable, revealing that many motorists commuting students to the Institution had stopped plying the road, which had caused attendant hardship on students. According to him, “the present repair work that is ongoing in MAPOLY is unprecedented, as we have not had this kind of intervention for decades. People go through lot of stress maneuvering their way in this community and once you are stressed up in an academic environment, you may not be optimal in your delivery, but with this, learning will be smooth for our students and for us as well”, Ajibola said. He lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun, for his resolve to bring education back to its pride of place under his administration. Remarking, the General Manager, OGPWA, Arch. Gbenga Akintola, pledged that the road would be completed on record time, as government placed high priority on education, which necessitated the repair intervention, urging all road users to desist from any act that could damage the road.

Ogun pledges support for small-scale industries, businesses OGSG moves to reduce rural-urban drift with

he Ogun State government has reiterated its commitment to support small scale businesses, as they contribute significantly to the State’s economy. The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Kikelomo Longe made this known while addressing members of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Ogun State Chapter, who paid her a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, saying government would assist in boosting them through various capacity building programmes, to enhance their entrepreneurial skills required for business growth. Longe pledged of government’s enabling environment for businesses to thrive, as well

as facilitate access to capital through partnership with various organisations, such as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and intervention funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others. She stated that the Ministry was well positioned to support entrepreneurs in identifying markets, to ensure regular demand and supply of their goods and services, adding that government was already working at ensuring that more individuals and youths utilise the Technology Incubation Centres in the State. Speaking earlier, the Chairperson, NASSI, Ogun State Chapter, Yetunde Doyin-Bello, lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s efforts at facilitating the Agriculture Small, Medium

Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) loan, as some members were already benefitting from the scheme, appealing for assistance for start-ups with single digit interest loans. Doyin-Bello also solicited the support of the Ministry in assisting members get approvals and certifications from regulatory agencies such as, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). She noted that the ability of NASSI members to gain access to the Technology Incubation Centers as a group, would enable them share the facility, as well as boost their chances of getting approvals from regulatory bodies.

inauguration of 6KW energy at Ligun community

gun State Government is set to inaugurate 6KW Solar Po w e r Mi n i Gr i d Electrification Project at Ligun Community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the State to boost socio-economic growth and people’s standards of living, thereby reducing ruralurban drift. Commissioner for Rural Development, Taiwo Oludotun, gave this hint in Abeokuta, during a meeting with A4&T Power Solution Ltd, saying the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, is an initiative of the State government to further spread the dividend of democracy to

the people in the rural area , thereby improving their living condition. Oludotun charged the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Ayo Aderinlora to ensure that the electricity tariff is affordable as the present government is committed to the well-being of the people at the grassroots. Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Olapeju Shote, urged the company to replicate such in other rural communities across the State, assuring of the ministry’s readiness to implement government’s policies aimed at bringing development to rural areas.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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CapitalMarket Coronavirus: How many Annual General Meetings will be affected?

TELIAT SULE

ased on BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit’s (BRIU) AGM Monitor, fourteen listed companies are to hold their annual general meetings between Monday March 23 and June 17, 2020. Our concerns over the forthcoming AGMs followed the directives from the Nigerian authorities for institutions and individuals to avoid mass gatherings in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. As at last week Friday, apart from United Capital which affirmed its AGM would go ahead as scheduled, stakeholders still await notifications from other firms. Initially scheduled to hold this month are the Africa Prudential that will hold its AGM on March 23; United Capital, March 24; Transcorp Hotels, March 24; Transcorp, March 25; UBA, March 27, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), March 30. In April, we have Custodian Investment’s AGM on April 15; Nigerian Breweries, April 22, and Access Bank on April 30. Two companies, Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank and MTN Nigeria Communications will hold their AGMs on May 7 and 8, 2020 respectively. Nestle Nigeria will hold its AGM on June 2; Dangote Cement, June 15 while Stanbic IBTC Holdings will hold its AGM on June 17. The dates were already decided before the notice from the NCDC and NSE. Meanwhile, stakeholders are awaiting guidance from listed firms in the country, which have their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) slated for between

March 23 to June 2020, following the advice from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to the effect that mass gatherings could possibly aggravate the spread of coronavirus if extra preventive measures are not put in place. In response to our enquiries, United Capital which AGM will come up next week affirmed that its AGM would go as scheduled.

“Please be informed that every shareholder is invited to the Annual General Meeting and there are no restrictions. The meeting will hold on the 24th of March 2020 in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja”, the United Capital said. In the last one week, a number of high profiled programs were either cancelled or postponed as government and other stakeholders devised means to curtail the

spread of the pandemic. The notice from the NCDC was further reiterated by the authorities of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to all the stakeholders through a circular NSE/RD/ LRD/CIR4/20/03/19 released on March 19, 2020. “Mass gatherings can amplify the spread of infectious diseases including coronavirus disease (COVID-19), where this is cir-

culating. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is constantly monitoring the epidemiological situation in the country. In view of the rapid evolution and global transmission of coronavirus, NCDC will make the recommendation for cancellation of mass gatherings in line with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). “At this stage, we are not advising the cancellation of gatherings, but our advice may change as the epidemiological situation evolves. This is assessed on a daily basis. Regular updates can be found on www.covid19.ncdc.gov.ng”, NCDC said. On its part, the authorities of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) called the attention of companies to the regulatory provisions of the time firms are allowed to hold their AGMs. “If an Issuer fails to hold its annual general meeting within nine (9) months from the end of its financial year end or within such extended period as may be approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission; the Issuer shall file a report with The Exchange within ten (10) business days of the end of the stipulated period explaining the reasons for their default; and they shall make an announcement in that regard in at least two (2) national daily newspapers within five (5) business days of receiving The Exchange’s approval to make the announcement. Issuers are therefore advised to utilize the windows provided by these rules as may be appropriate while planning their AGMs’’, the NSE stated. Zenith and Vitafoam held their AGMs on March 4 and 16, 2020 respectively.

Equities gain N62bn as positive sentiment returns TELIAT SULE

ositive sentiment is gradually returning to the nation’s capital market, due to a number of measures the Nigerian authorities have announced to shore up the economy from the beating it has received from the coronavirus outbreak. The measures include the extension of moratorium on CBN facilities, reduction of interest rate from 9 to 5 percent on CBN facilities; creation of N50 billion facilities through NIRSAL Microfinance Bank for households and SMEs affected by Covid 19; credit for the healthcare industry and regulatory forbearance, among others. Last Friday, equities listed

on the Nigerian Stock Exchange gained N62.5 billion as the market capitalisation rose to N11.57 trillion compared with N11.51 trillion on Thursday March 19, 2020. Another sign of the gradual return of calm was that on Friday last week, 18 listed firms appreciated in prices with three stocksPrestige Assurance, Chams and UnionDAC recording the 10 percent daily maximum gains after trading, whereas on March 19, only 13 stocks appreciated and those stocks were led by African Prudential, 9.91 percent; Jaiz Bank, 9.76 percent, Cornerstone Insurance, 9.73 percent; Sterling Bank, 9.09 percent, and Livestock Feeds, 9.09 percent. With that rally, the All Share Index of the NSE rose by 0.54 percent

last week Friday over its closing figure the previous day, but still not sufficient as on week on week basis, the ASI closed in the negative territory at -2.35 percent and -17.30 percent year to date. The outbreak of Covid 19 sent shivers down the world and the hardest hit are stock exchanges across continents. On the Nigerian bourse, year to date, only 10 stocks have appreciated in prices. The stocks are led by the Law Union and Rocks which continues to attract interest from investors following the acquisition bid made by Verod Capital to acquire 100 percent shareholding in the company. Verod Capital is to buy a share from existing shareholders at N1.23 per share. Consequently, Law Union and

Rock closed last Friday at N1 per share, which amounted to 100 percent price appreciation year to date. Beta Glass closed at N70 per share representing 30.1 percent year to date gain while Cornerstone Insurance and UBN closed at N0.58 and N7.20 per share representing 28.9 and 20 percent share price appreciation respectively. Speculation might be the reason for the rise in the share price of Union Bank because as of last week, rumours were rife that a tier-one lender, Zenith Bank was in talks with Union Bank management for the possibility of a merger and acquisition deal. The two institutions have refuted the media reports. “The attention of Union Bank has been drawn to recent online speculation suggesting an agree-

ment with Zenith Bank Plc to acquire Union Bank. ‘’Union Bank wishes to state that there is no such agreement and no bidding offer has been made by anyone to either its shareholders or the board of directors of Union Bank’’, Somuyiwa Sonubi, company secretary said in a notice to the NSE. Furthermore, construction giant, Julius Berger, closed at N23.70 per share to record 19.1 percent year to date price appreciation last Friday. Livestock closed at N0.58 representing 16 percent price appreciation YTD; AIICO, NAHCO, BUA Cement and United Capital closed last Friday at N0.78, N2.50, N35.30 and N2.41 per shares representing YTD gains of 8.3%, 4.2%, 0.9% and 0.4 percent respectively.

36 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 22 March 2020

TheWorshippers As churches and clerics we must point people’s attention to God not to ourselves – Rev Sola Idowu As Christian faithful continue to seek God for renewal of faith during Lent, Reverend Sola Idowu of Ajayi Dahunsi Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos, in this interview speaks with SEYI JOHN SALAU on the need for Christians to look back at the sacrifices of Jesus at Calvary; calls for swift government action on COVID-19 and need for peace and orderliness in the body of Christ. Excerpts: As we look to the final weeks of this year’s Lent; don’t you think the church is losing the noticeable spiritual effects of the season? he season of Lent is a period of self-denial for the purpose of specially seeking the face of God. It is a period of rededication to God as we seek to know more of His will and further commit ourselves to it. To a certain extent, I believe this season of Lent has afforded the Church an ample opportunity to pay more attention to God. The period also affords us the privilege to specially remember the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which in turn helps us to be more sacrificial in our daily living. If you follow the trend of attacks on churches in the recent past; there seems to be more attacks on orthodox churches and clergymen. What could be responsible for this? Yes, there is no doubt, the attacks on churches and clergymen, particularly on the orthodox churches, are on an alarming scale. The major reason advanced by the Federal Government that the people responsible for these wicked acts are only trying to divide the nation along religious line seems totally insufficient. The Federal Government needs to do more than just mere rhetoric by fishing out these wicked people. With regards to the connection of the attacks and the early morning mass of the Catholic Church; I do not think that this is a cause because the Catholics have been having early morning mass for a very long time in this country. The issue is simply that there is a case of serious insecurity in the country and the Federal Government needs to do more to arrest this ugly trend. What measures do you think government can adopt to stop the incessant attacks on Churches? I strongly believe that the Federal Government can and should do everything within her power to put a stop to the incessant attacks on the churches, particularly those in the northern part of the country. To actualise this, the Federal Government should recruit more people into the Armed Forces and also motivate them. The Federal Government should also stop playing politics with security and stop telling how bad the situation was before they came on board. They should settle down and do their primary work of securing lives and property of citizens. Would amnesty for Boko Haram be an acceptable option to stop the attacks? It is always a good thing to welcome and embrace a repentant

person and integrate such person into the society. However, this must be done with wisdom. Wisdom is doing the right thing with right intention at the right time. So, if the Federal Government feels that one of the ways to ending insurgency in the country is by granting amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members, it is well and good. But, the process should not in any way be hurried. Such people need a long time of rehabilitation as that period would allow the Federal Government to determine their sincerity or otherwise. Looking at the church today; there seems to be a new wave of worship that tends to focus more on the pastors: what does this portend for Christians? I recently read an article circulating on social media. The main assertion of the article was that the names of some clergymen resonate far more than the names of their churches. I must say, it is a bit challenging to agree less with the assertion as this is the reality staring us in the face. So, to a very extent, there is a serious degree of hero worship going on in the Church today. Well, it has always been there, but it is taking a higher dimension. Worshippers focus their attention more on the ‘Man of God’ than they do with the ‘God of the Man’. It is more disheartening to note that some clergymen not only enjoy this but they also demand for it. We may not be able

My suggestion would be that CAN should issue certificate of membership to her member denominations and then liaise with the Federal Government on this, such that no Church (denomination) would be registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) without such Church first presenting CAN membership certificate

Reverend Sola Idowu

to totally eradicate this because it is preparatory to the coming of the deceiver, known as the antichrist. But, we need to do our best as churches and clergymen to point the attention of the people to God rather than to ourselves. It must be said that more often than none, the worshippers themselves are the ones initiating this hero worship. As we see in the Bible when a crippled man focused his attention on Peter and John, they helped him to shift his attention from them to Jesus Christ. The Church needs to do more of that these days through proper teaching and discipleship. Like, John the Baptist, clergymen must be committed to letting Jesus Christ ‘increase’ while they ‘decrease’ in the lives of the worshippers. We must proclaim the God of the Man and not the Man of God. Do you think it is a right call for government to clamp down on unregistered Churches? Every organisation needs peace and orderliness for her to achieve her set goals and objectives. Such peace and orderliness would be realised when some factors like proper monitoring and control systems are available. So, I believe we need these factors for the Church to be well-positioned to achieve her God-given task. Furthermore, for these factors to be readily available and explored, all churches, that is denominations, must be registered with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). However, I disagree with the suggestion that the Federal Government should help to do this assignment as that may lead to another dead end that the Church may live to regret. My

suggestion would be that CAN should issue certificate of membership to her member denominations and then liaise with the Federal Government on this, such that no Church (denomination) would be registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) without such Church first presenting CAN membership certificate. We all know that every organisation must be registered with CAC for her to own property and do many other things. Some Nigerians disagreed with the government over the closure of our land borders; however, same people are urging government to close all entry points over the outbreak of coronavirus. What is your take on this? According to the Federal Government, the closure of all our land borders has been yielding great economic dividends. Personally, I am of the opinion that our land borders have been too porous in the past years, particularly in the last one decade. The government needs to do more to see that these borders are well manned. I do not think total closure is the best option; though the government also said this is a temporary measure to get our neighbouring countries do the needful. So, my advice is that our government should do more by recruiting more hands and giving them necessary motivation to man our land borders well. This will go a long way to helping us revive the nation’s economy as the products of local companies would gain platform to compete favourably well with imported goods, just as we see in the case of Rice. Porous land borders foster smuggling

and smuggling kills the economy. Since duties are not paid, smuggled goods can be sold at lower prices; thereby killing our locally produced goods. On the call for government to close entry points into Nigeria in relation to Corona-virus (COVID-19): Yes, of course. The Government has been doing well so far with the major International Airports, but I’m not sure that can be said of the Land borders. So, I share the opinion of those urging the government to close down all the Land borders. I believe health reason is more important than economic reason that led to the initial closure. This becomes more required now that the nation has recorded the third case which is independent of the first two. The border closure came with its challenges; now the world is responding to COVID-19, how would you advise Nigerians to respond to life challenges? Yes, more than ever before, the challenges of life are real to us. These challenges manifest in various forms ranging from insecurity, joblessness, economic downturns, marital/family failure to cultism and so on and so forth. I believe that the Church can respond to these and other challenges by doing the following: Know that challenges of life are real. Know that no one is immune to challenges. Remember that Jesus Christ said we would be confronted by challenges. Remember that Jesus Christ faced the greatest challenge during this season as He died for the sins of the world. Remember that Jesus Christ triumphed over this ultimate challenge as He rose powerfully from the dead. Remember that Jesus Christ promised that our victory over challenges of life is guaranteed. And finally, put our total faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ as we look unto him for perfection of our victory. What are your expectations for the rest of the year? The Scripture says a living dog is better than dead lion. The import of this is simply that as long as there is life surely, there is hope. And when hope is alive, then one can never be put to shame because things would only get better in face of hope. So, for me, my expectations for the rest of the year are that believers in Christ should remain hopeful in the Lord trusting Him to turn things around for good and shinning as the true light of God in this darkened world. I believe the Lord will help us and we will neither be disgraced nor ashamed. All we need to do is to continue to look up to the Lord and be of good cheer. Better days are surely ahead either on this side of Jordan or on the other side; Shalom.

Sunday 22 March 2020

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BDSUNDAY 37

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

t is no more news that the deadly Coronavirus has changed the world in the last few months; over a hundred countries in the world have altered their daily routines, many cities are on lockdown, grocery stores are being invaded and emptied out, fear has gripped the hearts of men, trips are being cancelled, meetings are rescheduled , football

Use your hand sanitizers

games are postponed, life has changed in general and governments of this world are constantly meeting to plan containment programs. I am at an airport lounge now and noticed while passing security that a young man in his mid thirties pulled a big 500ml to a 1000ml Hand Sanitizer out of his traveling backpack. I was shocked because it’s meant for the desks or restrooms not for traveling, I laughed within and wondered if his moral hands are clean as his physical hands are. Many people use Hand Sanitizers several times daily now and it is a very good place to INSPIRE us today. A scripture came to mind on the same practice and I’ll love you to meditate along those lines with me. We all religiously use hand sanitizers because of our awareness of the deadly import of Viruses in this world. People are highly conscious of how viruses can mortify, numb and kill if we allow them into our systems yet we ply around with moral viruses daily in our lives. Apostle James told us to

hands and still believe we are healthy. We have become morally bankrupt. Usury: There are believers who give soft loans with usury and do not think it is wrong. Your hands are filthy and needs sanitizing, your wealth is not clean, and God is against usury (Psalm 15 v 5).

Use Spiritual Hand Sanitizers when he wrote, ‘Draw Nigh Unto God and He will Draw Nigh Unto You, CLEANSE (Sanitize) your Hands, you sinners, purify your hearts, you double minded’ (James 4 v 8). I know my hyper Grace Brothers will not agree with me that there are sinners in this world or church, especially once you are saved. However, I want to speak to those who are humble in their hearts to accept the ‘revealed will of God’, to Sanitize their hands in the spirit not just in the flesh. Can you imagine what the Lord is trying to tell us here, we have many Viruses flying around that can mortify and kill the life of the spirit, believers should Sanitize or Wash their hands as admonished so that we can become free

of viruses. It is not what you do once that ensures you are clean, it must be done consistently for you to feel clean. You must constantly clean and wash your hands daily so that you will be clean and morally upright, I know you are saved ‘spiritually’ but I want you sanitized ‘morally’. 5 Viruses to prevent in our lives Corruption: there are believers whose hands are filthy and infected by the virus called corruption. Some do not even believe it is wrong and we have to cleanse our hands of corruption. People give and take bribes, churches are built with the proceeds of corruption, we live large from the loot of filthy corrupt

Coronavirus: CAN issues directives to churches, declares 22, 29 March prayer days SEYI JOHN SALAU

he leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed churches in Nigeria to observe today and Sunday, 29 March, as days of prayers against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria and globally. According to the directives by the Christian body, churches are advised to adhere strictly to measures taken by government in combating the spread of the virus, as it is trusting God for victory over the plaque.

CAN called on all churches in the country to set aside Sunday 22nd and 29th March 2020 to pray for an end to Coronavirus Pandemic in Nigeria and all over the world. It also advised churches to follow the following guidelines and precautions in all gatherings. According to CAN, prayer points should be focused on the following: that God should stop the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria and all over the world; that God should protect Nigerians from this disease, and that God should heal those who have been infected already with the virus.

Furthermore, the guidelines state that following the ban on the presence of more than 50 people in a gathering issued by most state government; therefore, worship service should be conducted as house cell based service or online. However, churches that do not have online system should conduct their worship service in shifts of not more than 50 members in each. Churches are also advised to take precautionary measures by providing alcoholbased hand rub sanitizer for use. It said regular washing of hands with soap and water

should be encouraged, while the use of same towel is not allowed. The directives also advised worshippers to maintain at least one meter (three feet) distance from anybody coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth and are advised to drink hot water regularly. Under the directives, worshippers are to practice good respiratory hygiene. This means covering of mouth and nose with bent elbow or use of tissue when coughing or sneezing. They are also advised to dispose the used tissue immediately.

Pine-Empress unveils strategic media marketing solutions for churches in Africa JOSEPHINE OKOJIE

ine-Empress Creative Concepts Limited has launched a strategic marketing solution for churches and faith-based organisations across Africa that is willing to explore the modern media technology to drive growth and impact. #TheCorporateChurch is a full-service media marketing solution for churches, ministries, faith-based organisations, entrepreneurs and nonprofits, a statement states. “We have a vision to help the Christian community knock down media commu-

nications and technology barriers to reach a larger audience just by the simple act of relating to their needs through content creation, media management and event projects,” said Adesewa Greg-Ighodaro, founder and CEO, PineEmpress Creative Concepts Limited. According to Greg-Ighodaro, the media space is ever increasing; hence, there is a need for the Church to remain relevant to an ever-increasing audience. She opined that her organisation’s mission is to help Christian communities become knowledgeable as well as equipped with the right tools to engage a global market.

“From humanitarian relief organisations and charities to churches and ministries, we have created this product to specifically work with Christian churches, schools, ministries and businesses to help them live out - or even create - their mission online,” said Greg-Ighodaro, stating that Pine-Empress goal and strategy is to help the Christian community simplify media marketing communications. “#TheCorporateChurch is made up of a team who understand the sensitivity as well as spiritual concerns administrators may have in running these organisations. We put all things in perspective and are peculiar

to solutions given to individual organisations.” She said that her organisation’s mode of operation allows for diversity in technique usage while depending on the church current need and end goal. Greg-Ighodaro added that Pine-Empress clearly understands the words used by Christians and perfectly engage it in its work processes. She noted that church leaders, ministry coordinators, non-profits digital assistants as well as Christians in business need offline and online media tools, tweaks and tips, to enable them stretch their impact in these information swamped times.

Gambling: You will not believe the amount of people involved in betting and gambling daily and claim to be believers. These things are strange to the faith and have viral effect on the morals on the believer. We should not gamble in the name of Jesus, which is why many believers lost money during the MMM scam, we are looking for quick wealth and easy way out of poverty hence embracing this deadly addictive virus called Gambling. Lying hands on social media: This is the most heart breaking because most of our hands needs Sanitizing. I also feel guilty because I reposted an information on social media late last year

and found out later that it was fake news, I felt very bad and sad. I quickly adjusted but felt I lost some morals. This is something we should all stop doing and start moving towards integrity of the hearts after our hands are sanitized. Bloody and violent hands: This is for the men that beat their wives and go to church to lift bloody and violent hands unto the Lord in worship. Those hands need sanitizing not lifting, they are virus infected and should be cleansed. I know many believers know ritual killings are wrong but keep quiet when discussed. Those hands are dirty and virus infected. Sanitize them! I hope you have been Inspired today and will ensure you Use Hand Sanitizers Morally. Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement and also follow me on my Social media handles below: Rev Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos.

News Cleric launches anti-sexual abuse, child trafficking campaign in Abia schools UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

unday Onuoha , a bishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria and President, Vision Africa Radio, has said that his organisation had embarked on campaign tagged, ‘Protect the Children Campaign’ aimed at curbing sexual abuses in schools. Onuoha noted that the Anti-sexual Abuse and Child Trafficking Programme were aimed at educating school children on their rights to be protected against sexual predators. “Vision Africa is presently visiting schools and creating awareness on this topic. Another is our Schools Mentors Programme, an initiative developed to help raise and nurture our children and direct their focus aright so that the paths of our leaders of tomorrow can be charted correctly,” Onuoha said. Onuoha, who disclosed this during the occasion of the Vision Africa Schools debate competition and prize/award presentation at Vision Africa premises, Umuahia, also said that the Vision Africa Outreach Unit had progressively developedmanyprogrammes to help young people. The President of Vision Africa said that the Vision Africa Radio (VAR) Schools Debate was conceptualised with the primary objective

of helping students develop critical thinking skills and sharpen their English Language proficiency. He said beyond its entertainment value and the use of cogent argument, poise and timeliness as a measure of grading the competitors, “it is our hope that the students who participated in the Abia State School debate have acquired or honed their public speaking skills, improved their note-taking skills, increased their self-confidence, enhanced their teamwork/ collaboration skills, and have developed better ways to graciously state their point of view with gentleness, even when standing up for the truth”. “Various schools competed in a race which became tighter through the ‘League’ process from the Local Government Areas; and then fixtures at the state level, from which three finalists who emerged now competed for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions,” he said. He reminded the students that the event was not just about going home with a prize, but about letting the process refine them and give them a better perspective of issues, pointing out that debating was a lot of fun, as it helped them structure their thoughts and succinctly express themselves in a way that was clear to those around them, using arguments that were persuasive.

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Sunday 15 March 2020

SundayBusiness What Nigeria could learn from UK mortgage for first home buyers

ith its mature housing market and well developed mortgage system, UK where home ownership level is well above 70 percent, has some lessons for Nigeria to learn from. As an emerging economy, Nigeria has a lot of gaps to bridge in areas of mortgage, property registration and alternative building techniques for mass housing. But one very important area where UK holds lessons for Nigeria is mortgage for first time home buyers. With housing a deficit estimated at 20 million units, Nigeria has a large number of first home buyers. Unlike Nigeria where first time home buyers who are predominantly low income earners do not have any kind of support from government to enable them to own homes, first time home buyers in the UK and others with small deposits draw attention from government which was why some time ago, they took a greater share of the housing market with overall approval levels also up. While there were 66,704 mortgages approved September 2018, the market may have been affected by continued impact of the Bank of England’s base rate rise a month before as there were fewer borrowers with large

deposits. According to the mortgage market monitor from residential chartered surveyors e.surv, large deposit borrowers, defined as having a deposit of 60 percent or more, accounted for 30 percent of the market, lower than the 32.5 percent recorded in August and the 33.8 percent seen in July of that year. In Nigeria, none of the built environment professionals, not even the estate surveyors and valuers, keep record of mortgage transactions in the country and, again, because mortgage transactions are in fits and stats, nobody cares to know who takes mortgage loans and from where. The primary mortgage banks (PMBs) are challenged in so many fronts, especially with low capital base, low clientele base, nonperforming loans and low housing stock on which mortgages could be created. They hardly lend to home seekers and the few that do make impossible demands from borrowers. But in the UK, small deposit borrowers saw a growth in market share month-on-month from 22.8 percent to 24.2 percent in a month. Meanwhile, mid-market borrowers also saw an increase in market share to 45.8 percent of the overall market, compared to 44.7 percent the previous month. Propertywire, an online residential property platform, quotes

Richard Sexton, director at e.surv, as saying that September was the first month many home owners would have received their new, higher mortgage bills if they are on a standard variable rate (SVR). “But first time buyers were not affected by such matters, and there was a strong increase in the proportion of the market occupied by these borrowers. Young buyers may have been helped onto the ladder by the fact that house price growth has slowed across many areas of the country. Lower prices mean that would-be buyers can achieve their dream of home ownership much sooner, and this appears to have been borne out by these figures, “ Sexton said. “With existing home owners trapped on expensive standard variable rates (SVRs) now feeling the cost of higher mortgage rates, the remortgage market cannot be under-estimated and activity was up compared to last month and September 2017,” he explained, adding, “despite the rate rise, new mortgage borrowing is still very competitive and home owners will continue to be tempted by cheap fixed rates. This will protect them against future base rate rises,”. When broken down on a regional basis, the figures show that every part of the UK saw a smaller proportion of loans given to large deposit borrowers than a month

San Jose Farms CEO urges Nigerian youths to embrace farming Ifeoma Okeke

lanrewaju Osifeso, the chief executive officer of one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural company, San Jose Cashew & Cassava Farms Nig Ltd, has encouraged youths to embrace farming. Olanrewaju said he was passionate about curbing unemployment in Nigeria, by adding value and creating wealth in the agricultural sector. In a press statement, he said over the past 10 years San Jose (Cashew & Cassava Nig Ltd) has created direct and indirect jobs for over 1,500 people in Agric business. Olanrewaju is an experienced agriculturist with specialisation in plantation farming, food processing and consultancy. He is widely recognised as one of the young leading male agriculturist in Nigeria. He stated that he had acquired over 10 years experience as an entrepreneur with a drive for private sector development, adding that he owns a number of mediumsized commercial farms in Ogun and Oyo State. San Jose Cashew & Cassava

farms Nig Ltd owns 2450 hectares of farm land. He is the initiator of GreenHills Farmstead project (A project that supports and establishes between 1,500-30,000 farm owners in Nigeria). His quick adeptness was a product of dynamic vast wealth of experience from Finance, Tech and agribusiness sectors. Olanrewaju started his career in petroleum trading, before venturing into farming on his family cashew plantation and decided to

turn the farm into a business, growing crops on large expanse of land for making profits. His academic background includes graduating with distinction from the University of Lagos, with several certifications in agribusiness within and outside Nigeria’s top tertiary institutions. Olanrewaju is currently the co-founder of Onalar Farms. He is the managing director and CEO of Dhabi Gari Energy, an oil servicing and trading firm.

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

ago. London continued to be the market most dominated by these borrowers with 40.5 percent of all loans going to this segment of the market. Close behind was the South East on 37 percent and then the South and South Wales on 32.7 percent. In contrast, some 20.3 percent in Yorkshire had a large deposit. This was ahead of the North West and the Midlands, which both saw 24 percent in the month. Four regions, Northern Ireland, the North West, the Midlands and Yorkshire, saw a greater number of loans go to small deposit borrowers than their large deposit counterparts. In Yorkshire, some 33.5 percent of loans were to first time buyers and others with small deposits. Elsewhere, in the North West some 30.4 percent of all loans went to this part of the market

while in Northern Ireland this ratio was 28.9 percent. The final region to have more small deposit borrowers than those with large deposits was the Midlands, with 28 percent of loans going to the former category. London, once again, was the market with the fewest small deposit buyers. Just 13.8 percent of all loans went to this part of the market during September, ahead of the South East at 19.4 percent. “Every single region reflected the national trend and saw a greater number of smaller deposit borrowers, while those with larger amounts of equity were squeezed. Those with small deposits in London and the South East still face a much harder time than those in the north and Northern Ireland. However, the slowdown in the capital will help more get on to the ladder in future months,’ Sexton hoped.

Lord’s Dry Gin announces honourees for second edition of Achievers’ Awards

roducers of Lord’s Dry Gin, has announced plans to showcase individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the Nigerian society in its second award ceremony which debuted last year. In a statement announcing the event, the company said that it was coming off the success of the pioneer edition of the Lord’s Dry Gin Achievers Awards held on the 24th of March 2019. “The Lord’s Dry Gin Achievers Awards honours individuals who have attained a remarkable level of progress in their different industries. This initiative was launched to uphold the brand’s desire and mission to honour prominent leadership and achievements and to celebrate young people who strive to achieve distinct success in various professions,” the producers said. According to the statement, “This year, Lord’s Dry Gin will be celebrating: Piggyvest’s triple threat; Odunayo Eweniyi, Somto Ifezue and Joshua Chibueze, the duo behind Nairabox; Jay Chikezie and Tokunbo Adetona, human rights activist; Segun Awosanya popularly known as Segalink, Art curator and founder of Rele Art Gallery; Adenrele Sonariwo, Jola Ayele and

John Adewusi of Salt&Truth TV, Human Resource specialist; Ivie Temitayo- Ibitoye ,breakout comedian Samuel Perry aka Broda Shaggi and Endometriosis advocate; Nini Iyizoba.” It further stated that the brand had carefully selected the abovelisted individuals in recognition of their excellence and impressive footprints in their various industries. “Grand Oak Limited is proud to highlight the unfolding journey of these individuals as they inspire the next generation to come,” it said. The statement recalled that in the previous year, the ceremony celebrated eight exceptional individuals who gave inspiring insights into their journey. This year, 12 individuals who have made notable achievements in their various industries will be honoured. Adekunle Rosiji, who signed the statement, added: “We believe in celebrating excellence and exceptional leadership. We established this platform for individuals who inspire others through their work despite the unfavourable challenges we face in Nigeria, they have proven determination and dedication to work is integral in moving the nation forward which is greatly encouraged by Lord’s Dry Gin.”

Sunday 22 March 2020

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BDSUNDAY 39

SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

ne of the critical issues to be addressed towards meeting the ever increasing demands of food security is that of preservation. Several researches have shown that in many countries where there are no good roads, stable electric power supply, adequate water and application of relevant technology to support preservation there is a lot of post harvest losses. There may be enough food for everyone but theses critical factors could lead to food insecurity. Nigeria is no exception. For instance, it is not unusual in states such as Benue and Ondo to find heaps of fruits like oranges, grapes, pine apple and bananas rotting away at the rural farms due to lack of processing knowhow. The various Ministries of agriculture at the state and federal level should putt in place measures that would reduce post harvest losses by providing the enabling environment. And also

The imperative of food preservation by engaging in massive human capital development through farm extension workers who should be graduates in the field of agriculture and related disciplines. There should also be the upgrading of local food preservation methods adaptable to their immediate needs. For instance, many local farmers may not be aware of some relevant research findings in this regard. A Nigerian teacher, Mohammed Bah Abba has invented a cooling system with the capacity to preserve perishable food in climates that lack sufficient water or rainfall. His motivation was out of concern for the rural poor and by a deep interest in using indigenous African technology to develop practical, local solutions to rural problems. His“pot-in-pot”coolingsystemis based on a simple physical principle that was even in use in ancient Egypt. It is simple, affordable and made form local materials. A clay pot is filled with wet sand, which is kept moist. A second smaller pot, is placed into the wet sand in the bigger pot, which is then covered with a damp cloth. As the water in the sand evaporates, it drops the temperature, and cools the inner pot. The invention that has been made public since 2009 is expected to have a significant impact in Nigerian villages and even allows young girls to attend school since they don’t have to hawk food every day. It also increases family income and helps to reduce disease. The truth however, is that a lot more still needs to be done for mass public enlightenment. The more farmers who are aware and deploy such local technology the better for Nigeria’s food security. Home makers too need to know what they could do to preserve some basic

food items they are not going to cook immediately. In addition, the issue of food preservation should not be left to the government alone. The private sector has to come in. According to the Brand Manager, Stallion Motors, Mr. Prashant Sinha recent findings have also revealed that about 70 per cent of what farmers in the country produce is usually lost between the farmlands and the markets due to the absence of a good transportation system. He made this statement in Abuja when Stallion Motors Limited moved to reduce post-harvest losses associated with agricultural products, as it unveiled a scheme that would enable it to distribute 316 pick-up vans to farmers. Each truck, according to Sinha, is valued at N2.28m and will be given to farmers at a discounted rate of 40 per cent. He said the move was part of efforts aimed at assisting the Federal Government to achieve its agriculture transformation agenda. Part of the aims of the agenda is to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to the domestic food supply chain by 2015, as well as increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Sinha said apart from helping young farmers embrace mechanisation, the scheme would also help change the face of agri-business. He , h o w e v e r, e x p r e s s e d optimism that with the new initiative, the anomaly would be corrected. Sinha said, “This promises to change the fortunes of farmers and improve the way they farm, and chart a new horizon for agro business in Nigeria. There is no gainsaying that the surest way to transform a nation is to first help it become sufficient in food production.

NEPZA takes steps to make Calabar Free Trade Zone world class industrial park HARRISON EDEH, Abuja

h e Ac t i n g Ma n a g i n g director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, (NEPZA), Bitrus Dawuk has assured that the management of the Authority under his watch will make Calabash Free Trade Zone (VFTX), a World Class industrial park. The managing director’s assurance was given as he c o m m i s s i o n e d a 5 0 0 K VA t r a n s f o r m e r a t Es u k Ut a n Community and flagged off this year’s first quarterly investment forum at the conference room of the Calabar Free Trade Zone Authority. At t h e C o m m i s s i o n i n g c e r e m o n y o f t h e 5 0 0 K VA transformer recently, the acting managing director of NEPZA also said the authority was working to ensure permanently that the issue of power was put to rest in the zone. “I was the general manager of

finance in the Authority, and in that capacity, I knew a lot about the problem facing the zone, let me star here that it is our resolve take Calabash Free Trade Zone, a world class zone, he assured. It would be noted that before the advent of the present administration, NEPZA’s capital votes from the federal government w a s N 2 b i l l i o n . H o w e v e r, with the advent of the current administration, their allocation for critical infrastructural development rose to N100bn which saw to the expansion of infrastructural development of Free Trade Zones in the country with Calabar being a key beneficiary. BDSUNDAY findings revealed that because of capital votes, infrastructural transformation, renewal and upgrading have already started in the Calabar Free Trade zone as well as the Kano Free Trade Zone which are two public or Federal Government-owned Free Trade Zones in the country. NEPZA said as a result of this development, investor-confidence

in the zones has never been higher adding that the Presidential support has impacted the sector positively. In his welcome address, the head of Calabar Free Trade zone, Godwin Ekpe lauded the acting managing director and his team for commissioning the 500KVA transformer and declaring open the first quarterly investment forum despite his busy schedules. According to him, “Today, we shall have the privilege of the acting managing director conferring on all esteemed investors and stakeholders certificates of participation on the recently training Eco-Industrial Park by UNIDO. This is in line with the management resolve to upgrade the present status of the zone to World Class,” he said. He noted that the acting managing director used the visit to present certificates to investors who actively participated at the training on resource efficiency and industrial synergy opportunity identification which was organised by UNIDO last year.

“We need to move a little faster to catch up with modern agriculture, and if we must make agro business attractive, especially to the younger generation, we must constantly improve the way we farm and embrace mechanisation.” Thedifferentscientificmethods of food preservation Preservation usually involves preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi (such as yeasts), and other micro-organisms (although some methods work by introducing benign bacteria, or fungi to the food), as well as retarding the oxidation of fats which cause rancidity. Food preservation can also include processes which inhibit visual deterioration, such as the enzymatic browning reaction in apples after they are cut, which can occur during food preparation. Many processes designed to preserve food will involve a number of food preservation methods. Preserving fruit by turning it into jam, for example, involves boiling (to reduce the fruit’s moisture content and to kill bacteria , yeasts, etc.), sugaring (to prevent their re-growth) and sealing within an airtight jar (to prevent recontamination). There are many traditional methods of preserving food that limit the energy inputs and reduce carbon footprint. Ma i n t a i n i n g o r c r e a t i n g nutritionalvalue,textureandflavour is an important aspect of food preservation, although, historically, some methods drastically altered the character of the food being preserved. In many cases these changes have now come to be seen as desirable qualities – cheese, yoghurt and pickled onions being common examples. Drying Drying is one of the most ancient

food preservation techniques, which reduces water activity sufficiently to prevent bacterial growth. Refrigeration Refrigeration preserves food by slowing down the growth and reproduction of micro-organisms and the action of enzymes which cause food to rot. The introduction of commercial and domestic refrigerators drastically improved the diets of many in the Western world by allowing foods such as fresh fruit, salads and dairy products to be stored safely for longer periods, particularly during warm weather. Freezing Freezing is also one of the most commonly used processes commercially and domestically for preserving a very wide range of food including prepared food stuffs which would not have required freezing in their unprepared state. For example, potato waffles are stored in the freezer, but potatoes themselves require only a cool dark place to ensure many months’ storage. Cold stores provide large volume, long-term storage for strategic food stocks held in case of national emergency in many countries. Smoking is used to lengthen the shelf life of perishable food items. This effect is achieved by exposing the food to smoke from burning plant materials such as wood. Most commonly subjected to this method of food preservation are meats and fish that have undergone curing.

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

Chi launches Chi Exotic, Chivita Ice Tea in cans

or the first time ever, Nigerians can now enjoy their favourite Chivita fruit juices in cans as Chi Limited, Nigeria’s foremost Fruit Juice Company, has introduced Chi Exotic and Chivita Ice Tea in new hip, trendy and convenient cans. The launch once again demonstrates the company’s continuous quest for innovation that meets the dynamic needs of Nigerian consumers. Still with the same unique and great taste of Chi Exotic and rejuvenating power of Chivita Ice Tea, this is another first from Chivita, as it is the first time a mainstream juice brand is available in cans. ThenewChiExoticandChivitaIce Tea 330ml Cans exude confidence and style, and appeal to the youthful consumer segment by providing satisfaction and refreshment on the go in line with changing lifestyle trends. The Chivita Cans are a perfect choice for on-the-go and in-home consumption, and will become a popular choice for upwardly mobile consumers who desire an aspirational, sleek and elegant image. The Cans also enable increased availability of the Chivita Brand, which is the market leader in Nigeria’s fruit juice and still drinks category.

The introduction of the new Chivita 330ml Cans is expected to disrupt the packaged fruit juice category. By expanding presence to more sales channels and outlets, this new launch will be a key lever for growth of the Chivita Brand in the coming years An innovative communication campaign tagged “Chivita New Cool Cans’’ which will employ emojis that expresses the unique Nigerian diversity from a cool, and trendy perspective will be deployed across various platforms like TV, Radio, Out of Home, Digital and Print to generate awareness among consumers. The Managing Director of Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, said that the new Chi Exotic and Chivita Ice Tea 330ml Cans was an innovative approach to address the trendy needs of upwardly mobile consumers. “We decided to introduce Chi Exotic and Chivita Ice Tea 330ml Cans in order to appeal to a youthful segment of the population, whose lifestyle needs keep evolving. These innovative Cans for Chivita are modern, and reflect the individual style and personality of the consumer who desires to be seen carrying and drinking fruit juice from a can,” he said.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

SundayBusiness Live a more hygienic life with steam technology …Today’s washers, dryers, dishwashers harness power of steam to sanitise naturally, responsibly

ersonal health and hygiene are priorities for families around the world. While germs and microbes in our external environments such as the office or subway may be outside our ability to control, the clothes we wear and the utensils and dishes we use at mealtime are not. Trying to live more hygienically without the use of harsh and potentially dangerous solvents and detergents is the bigger challenge. Nature provides us with a safe way to clean and eliminate harmful germs, bacteria and even odors without resorting to irritating chemicals: steam. Steam isn’t only the best chemical-free option for sanitising clothes and dishware; it’s one of the most effective options due to its unmatched ability to rapidly penetrate fabric, cut through grime and remove even the toughest of food debris. A company known for delivering innovation for a better life, LG Electronics (LG) is an industry leader in incorporating health-centric features into its home appliances. And LGSteam™ technology plays a pivotal role. Al o n g w i t h c l e a n e r clothes, bedding and dishes, steam provides considerable peace of mind by reducing the number of health hazards in the home. The pure, powerful steam delivered by LG’s latest dish washers, washers and dryers eliminates harmful bacteria and germs as

well as unpleasant odors. This unequaled capability of LG’s steam technology to sanitise and deodorise is the differentiated value that LG home appliance products can bring to loved ones. Clothing care solutions that disinfect garments, others Since introducing the world’s first washing machines to offer the hygienic benefits of steam 15 years ago, LG has led the industry in leveraging the power of steam in laundry appliances. Today, LG’s washers with steam technology are able to eliminate 99.9 percent of allergens and household dust mites, helping to offer relief to those with certain health issues. The company’s steam technology is also behind Allergy Care, which enables LG dryers to rid clothes and bedding of germs that might cause skin irritation and other problems. Suitable for a wide range of items, including delicates, the clothing refresh cycle with steam gets clothes dry and takes away those unwanted

wrinkles in only 20 minutes. Using the combined power of high heat and steam, LG’s dryers deliver a real knockout punch to bacteria hidden within fabrics. Dish washers for hygienically safe tableware LG TrueSteam-equipped dishwashers also harness the natural sanitary properties of steam, producing pure steam particles to completely clean and disinfect plates, utensils, glasses and cookware. LG’s premium dish washers set a new standard for hygiene, eliminating 99.9 percent of dangerous bacteria4 and viruses5 including those commonly linked to food poisoning. As the demand for more effective hygiene management grows, the market for home appliances that can help protect the health of loved ones will expand. LG’s state-of-the-art appliances represent a first-class defense against certain germs and bacteria, helping consumers and their families live safer, more hygienic lives.

COVID-19: Uzodinma names 9-member committee SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

mo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has constituted a 9-member Committee on prevention of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). An erudite scholar, former Chairman of INEC, Maurice Iwu is the chairman. Uzodinma named Okeji Austin from the Imo State ministry of health as member and the secretary of the committee. Others include, Kingsley Achigbu from the

Federal Medical Centre; Uduji Uchenna from the Imo Specialist Hospital, Duru Chukwuma of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH); Isaiah Ibe, Medical Laboratory from the University of Benin. Others are Nkem Chimeze Ijere of the Public Health; Chimezie Iwuala and Kyrian Duruewuru, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Imo State Chapter. The governor took this initiative to forestall the spread of the disease which

is ravaging many parts of the world said government took the step as a proactive measure even as Imo has not recorded any COVID-19 infection. In the wake of the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Governor Uzodimma had directed the Ministry of Health to activate all platforms, including emergency response measures with the procurement of protective equipment, enhanced border surveillance, community enlightenment and distribution of sanitisers.

L-R, Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mary Uduk, acting DG SEC, Kyari Abba, managing partner, Trans Sahara Investment Corporation and Ayodeji Balogun, CEO AFEX Commodities Exchange during the international conference on Nigerian Commodities Market, theme “Commodities Trading Ecosystem: Key to Diversifying Nigeria Economy” held in Abuja. picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.

MindBody & Soul

with Chioma Nwosu

Finding your tribe

rowing up, Nne suffered esteem issues and major social anxiety. All she wanted was to belong, to find someone or people who didn’t make her feel left out, people who’d understand her struggle, people who shared similar views with her and people who would not judge. When you struggle with a mental health issue or are going through the hard knocks of life, one of the best things to do to help you feel better is to speak up. Speaking to someone or a group of people who understand, and are non-judgmental can be extremely therapeutic. But the question is how do you find these people? How do you find your tribe? To say we are looking for “our tribe” means that we are looking for people who share commonalities or possess the traits we aspire to adapt. Whether it’s a family,

community, or group of fellow practitioners, our tribe is important because it reflects our values while simultaneously satisfying our need for companionship. A tribe isn’t a gang or just any group of people; it is an elite selection of people you choose to spend your time with. Finding your “tribe,” your people, your peeps, the folks with whom you connect, is doable, but not always a simple task. While it can feel challenging to build your tribe in adulthood, there are many ways to do so. A little effort can go a long way toward creating meaningful and supportive relationships. Below are six tips for moving into connection, viz: Have a clear idea of the kind of relationship you want; step out of your comfort zone, try new things; attend meetups and events; be open-minded, stop being too judgmental towards people;

align your energy with others like you, and love yourself. It is important to surround yourself with powerful and supportive people who encourage you to be your best self because when you finally find your tribe, it can foster tremendous growth, both personally and professionally. If you cannot find a tribe to fit into, then create your tribe!

Chioma Nwosu is a mental health/positive psychology advocate, speaker and founder of Olamma Cares Foundation an NGO focused on encouraging the social acceptance of developmental disabilities and mental disorders, finding and implementing long term solutions of these conditions through training, capacity building, advocacy and intervention. Email: cnwosu@olammacares.com Instagram: _olamma_

Sunday 22 March 2020

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BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Global brand positioning strategy for Nigeria Ehi Braimah

hat is “positioning”? According to Al Ries – one of the world’s best known marketing strategists, “Marketing was originally thought of as communications, but successful brands are those that find an open hole in the mind in a specific category and then become the first to fill the hole with their brand name”. Whereas advertising tended to focus on creativity, positioning focused on the mind of prospects and the key to successful positioning was for your brand to be number one in the mind. How do you get into the mind? Al says it is by attacking on a narrow front – by focusing on one thing! It is the surest way of building a strong equity for a brand that becomes valuable for a long time. The positioning strategy means organisations must narrow their focus because you cannot be too many things to too many people at the same time – it can confuse your target audience; you must be known for something. Al says a combination of strategy and tactics – in that order – are needed to win the battle for the mind, adding that the objective of a marketing programme is to get into the mind. In positioning, the category is the basis for establishing a brand leader in that category. For example, when we talk of internet searches (category), Google (brand) readily comes to mind as the brand leader or if you mention electric cars (category), Tesla (brand) is number one in the mind. “These brands are going to be successful for almost forever because they were the first to occupy the number spot in the mind,” Al says. In Nigeria, we can cite similar examples of brands that are lead-

ers in their respective categories because they focused on one thing. These categories include financial services, payment solutions, publishing, food and beverage, broadcasting, humanitarian service, sport betting, fashion and lifestyle, hospitality, marketing communications, education, music and entertainment, ICT, consulting, engineering and construction, telecoms, agriculture, air travel, road transportation, healthcare, real estate, and so on. Please note that each of these categories can be further subdivided into additional categories where a brand can also become number one in the mind. In fact, Al says brands should seek to create their own categories and lead in those categories by being competitor oriented, and not customer oriented. Most organisations make the mistake of extending the line for the ‘same brand’ instead of ‘creating different brands in different categories’. The danger of line extension is that a brand is

“cannibalised” to give life to new variants in the same category. Two or more brands with similar identity cannot compete in the same space – the brand image suffers a crisis of identity. Ultimately, the extensions lose their credentials, appeal, authority and equity because the positioning strategy was disregarded – the secret is to focus on a single position in a separate category. From my emails with Al, he revealed that Apple -- known for its innovative products globally -- avoided this trap by creating different lifestyle brands that became winners in their respective categories. The iPod was launched in 2001; the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. According to Al, each new brand was helped by the success of the previous ones – it means timing is important. In the process, Apple became the mostvaluable company in the world, worth $1.25 trillion on the stock market. Brands are one reason why the per-capita gross domestic prod-

uct of America is about $60,000 as compared to Nigeria’s $2,000. A global consulting firm, Interbrand, issues an annual list of the 100 most-valuable brands in the world. The country with the largest number of “most-valuable brands” is America with 49 of the 100 brands. In one email, Al sent me a 64 page power-point strategy document which was the outcome of an extensive research study on developing a global brand position for Nigeria. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa with a population of about 200 million but Al says Nigeria has another important characteristic -- Nigeria has a larger percentage of arable land (33%) than any other country in Africa. The percentages of arable land are as follows: the world (21%), Europe (35%), America (19%), Africa (7%) and Nigeria (33%). On the other hand, Africa has the lowest percentage of arable land of any of the five major continents: Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, and

this explains why Nigeria is often called The Breadbasket of Africa. In my earlier article, I hinted that Nigeria can be known to the rest of the world as the Food Basket of Africa. Al replied in an email and said he agreed with me. “Nigeria could easily become economically more successful by exporting food to almost every country in Africa -- but not generic food because it is difficult to make money selling generic products. A country’s position is not based on a marketing programme but on global brands that reflect some overall idea”, says Al. For example, Germany is known for automobiles, not because the country ran an automobile marketing campaign, but because of the global success of Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. Countries that are economically successful focus on exporting brands, not commodities. France, Italy, America have also established their credentials as home to global brands for fashion and wines, design and computer technology respectively. Talking about wines, France developed Champagne, a new wine category that made the country globally famous apart from the successes recorded by iconic fashion brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Saint Laurent amongst other equally famous fashion brands. Nigeria has a larger percentage of arable land (33%) than any other country in Africa. Based on Al’s findings, Nigeria should start the process of building global food brands that would be leaders in their categories but not all at once – we have to take one brand at a time. We have to focus on where we have our competitive advantages in the agriculture sector which supports government policy of shifting attention to non-oil exports. *Braimah is a public relations and marketing strategist based in Lagos

Kaduna-based Margaret evicted from Hymnstitute in Hymnodia Season 2

he contest was keen. The voices angelic. But someone had to go. The tears of hymnviction. The joy of survival. The emotional audience. The twist that has come to stay with the first reality television show created around worship and hymns, HYMNODIA. Put on probation after the first performance show of Hymnodia Season 2, tagged “Trials in faith and courage”, for possible

hymnviction were six Hymntestants from 2 groups. The all male group of Json, Enenche and Echezona. And group D, comprising, Elizabeth, Jessica and Margaret. Recalling what Mr Kufre Ekanem, the executive producer said immediately after the performance show “it was a tough call for the judges. And we look forward to what the public will say through their votes on who stays or leaves the Hymnstitute”. It was clear that

the judges had finished their jobs on this. It was in the public hands to vote their favourite Hymntestants to stay. Five hymntestants were save but hymntestant number 14, Margaret had the least votes from the public. She became the first hymntestant to be hymnvicted from the hymnstitute in Hymnodia Season 2. Margaret, after her emotional moments said “so far so good, the hymnstitute has been like a

home to me. I’ve met so many good people”. And if I may quote Mr Ben Ogbeini, Dean of the hymnstitute “the fear of hymnviction is the beginning of hymnwisdom”. As Hymnodia season 2 is slated for 14 stanzas (as weeks are called in the hymnstitute), the hymnviction exercise will continue till the last hymntestant wins the ASAPH, a brand new car and N5m. Who will that be? Who gets hymnvicted.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Health&Science COVID19: Augmenting response in Nigeria

he ongoing pandemic of the novel Coronavirus disease was first documented in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. So far till the 18th of March 2020, there are over 200,000 confirmed cases with over 8,000 deaths globally. The world’s health systems are being stretched converging resources into learning, treating, preventing and containing the transmission ofCOVID19amongstthehuman population and reduce mortality. Despite the evolution of strategies, no country seems to be adequately prepared for the pandemic. The measures to containing spread as well as the impact of COVID19 has crippled the manufacturing and supply of medical items leading to a global shortage of protective equipment thus, posing a tremendous risk to frontline health workers. The novelty of the coronavirus global health emergency gradually cripples world’s economy, relying on traditional response methods to confronting the pan-

demic might be futile. There is need to galvanise multi-sectoral approach - public and private - to new world’s puzzle. Globally, there are alerts on shortage of medical stocks. Countries like India have restricted the exports of masks, ventilators and raw materials for in-country reponse. With over 200million population, Ni-

geria needs to proactively mass import needed medical supplies or raw materials and awaken of local manufacturers to produce medical supplies should there be a potential surge in cases. As self-isolations and travel restrictions in-country is evolving, Telemedicine could play a crucial role in providing patient consultations and telehealth

Malnutrition: Foundation donates equipment to Lagos, Abuja health facilities ...reaches 200,000 mothers, children Godsgift Onyedinefu

he Wellbeing Foundation Africa and FHI360 Alive and Thrive Team have donated specialist transition equipment qnd state-of-the-art breastfeeding simulators to aid the education of mothers on proper breastfeeding to Lagos and Kaduna healthcare facilities. The foundation through its Alive and Thrive Infant and Young Child Feeding programme has also reached over 200,000 antenatal care attendees, 120,000 mothers of children less than 2 years and 15,000 family members with an increased counseling content of facility healthcare workers in Infant and Young Child Feeding. Toyin Ojora Saraki, WBFA Founder-President, said the foun-

dation is committed to promoting early initiation to breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, and proper complementary feeding for children after the first six months. “We have engaged more midwives across our various facilities in Lagos, Kwara, Kaduna, Osun States and Abuja, to support in-facility healthcareworkerstopromotematernal and infant nutrition “I am encouraged by the milestones we have achieved. As we conclude this impactful multi-year program, it is important that our upskilled healthworkers, interpersonal community interlocutors and coaches are empowered and engendered to build on the program’s success, independently and sustainably - this has guided our donation of state of the art equipment

so that our breastfeeding guardians may accelerate nutrition results for every newly delivered mother and her newborn, till 5 years of age. TheWellbeingFoundationAfrica is committed to improving knowledge and rates of breastfeeding for better health outcomes for women and their families in Nigeria,” she said in Abuja. According to initial available data, malnutrition accounts for more than 50 percent of “underfive” mortality in the state. Infant Mortality rate is at 103 per 1000 live births (NDHS 2013), while under-5 mortality rates are at 169 per 1000 live births (NDHS 2013). Within the State, 11.7 percent of childrenarewastedfromacuteunder nutrition, 47 percent of children under-5 years are stunted, while 34 percentare under weight (MICs 2017).

COVID-19: Nigerians enjoined to embrace high level of hygiene SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

he Chief Imam of Ilorin, Mohammed Bashir Salihu has urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to the best health practices such as washing of hands and maintaining high level of personal hygiene and tidy environment, in order to curb the corona virus pandemic. Imam Salihu, who stated this on Friday at a special prayer organized by the Ilorin Emirate in Kwara to ward off the corona virus pandemic from Nigeria and every part of the World, equally stressed the need for people to move closer to their creator, saying that God has solution to every

problem. The prayer, held at the Ilorin Juma’at Central Mosque was at the instance of the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari. The chief Imam led the prayer and was assisted by other prominent clerics, including the Imam Imale, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhamid. Imam Salihu had while recommending special prayer for Muslims to say at specific periods of the day in order to get rid of the virus, beseech God to save humanity from the corona virus pandemic and other killer ailments. Imam Salihu, equally counseled the people of the World to move

closer to their creator through acts of worship and righteousness in this crisis period. He says it is only through this that a quick solution could be found to the corona virus pandemic across the World. He thanks the Emir of Ilorin for blazing the trail in organizing prayer for a quick solution from God to the ravaging virus which has claimed many lives around the World. The chief Imam, also offered prayers for journalists who were led by the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Umar Abdulwahab to the Juma’at Central Mosque to cover the event.

for education and training while ensuring our hospitals are not overwhelmed by the need for the conventional face-to-face consultations. Reliance on innovative supply chain systems could ensure movement of medical supplies to the health facility and adequate distribution of prescribed drugs to patients who are ob-

serving self-isolation. Sample transportation would face deterrents to detection as selfisolation and travel restrictions expand in-country. Currently, there is only five laboratory for the testing of COVID19 catering for the entire Nigerian population at risk. Deployment of mass unconventional diagnostics approach to support the existing national laboratory network would play a crucial role in early detection— isolation and treatment of cases. Coronavirus pandemic is indeed the current world puzzle. The Nigerian government multisectoral approach with the inauguration of the Presidential Task Force is in the right direction. Although more needs to be done, every citizen has to play a role in COVID19 pandemic. Good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, social distancing and self-isolation will help reduce the impact of COVID19. Dr Makwe Catherine, Public Health Advocate

Rotary intervention to combat maternal and child mortality scourge in Nigeria SEYI JOHN SALAU

n continuation of her commitment to combat maternal and perinatal mortality, The Rotary International through the Rotary Action Group for Population and Development (RFPD) initiative recently conducted a one-day community dialogue on combating maternal and perinatal mortality in Nigeria. The dialogue that was held in Okeho, Oyo state focused on maternal and child care, safe pregnancy and safe motherhood campaign and healthcare delivery strategies to halve the scourge in Nigeria. Adeniji Raji, the host project contact, said maternal and child mortality has become a global concern and the Rotary Action Group for Population and Development and other Rotary clubs have decided to take on the challenge. According to him, the club is leveraging on educating women and mothers on the need to take adequate health measures to reduce mortality rate. “About 68,000 women die during child birth due to avoidable circumstances,” said Raji. “The Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development has identified a major challenge for women in Nigeria and they have made a wise decision to tackle it headlong like they did for the dreaded Polio which was endemic then and today, it has become history in Nigeria,”

said Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, the Okeho traditional ruler, appreciating the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development for bringing such a programme to his community. According to Mustapha, actions taken by Rotary club to reduce maternal and child mortality in the country through various stakeholders’ engagement in the healthcare industry will help in bringing the scourge to an end. “I urge all the women present to take heeds to all the warnings and advises given at this forum and engage health professionals periodically,” he stated. Participants were educated on nutrition in pregnancy, dangerous signs during pregnancy and child births and support for breastfeeding mothers, postnatal care and family planning. The project was sponsored by Rotary club of Gbagada and District 9110; Rotary club of Mannheim-kurfalz and District 1860, Germany; Rotary club of Hanseong and District 3650, South Korea; and the Rotary Foundation is aimed at achieving a sustainable reduction in maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity through implementation of obstetric quality assurance (OQA) and Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Guidelines in 15 selected hospitals in the three states of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states

Sunday 22 March 2020

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports

Ighalo, Ndidi, Osimhen, Gov. Okowa make Nigeria Pitch Awards shortlist Anthony Nlebem

ormer Super Eagles and Manchester United new sensation, Odion Ighalo, Super Eagles and Leicester City F.C midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, Lille F.C hitman, Victor Osimhen and Super Eagles and Villarreal FC playmaker, Sanuel Chukwueze are among names of Nigerian footballers, officials and football administrators shortlisted for honours at the 7th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Speaking in Lagos at a World Press Conference attended by SportsEditorsandjournalists,Shina Philips,PresidentoftheNigeriaPitch Awardsexpressestheappreciation of the organizers to the President and Management of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and all voters across the country that voted. He said in the last 7 years, organizers have worked hard to sustain the core values. “Since 2013, we have continued to sustain this incredible platform which rewards footballers, administrators, coaches, clubs, sponsors and journalists for their industry, commitment

L-R: Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communication; Segun Arinze, Nollywood Artist and Director; Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards and Veteran Journalist, Elder Ben Memuletiwon at the Press Conference where Nominees were unveiled in Lagos

and passion for the game and for the nation. In 7 years, the Nigeria Pitch Awards has become the longest running football awards in Nigerian history. The awards are ranked among the 10 best awards in Nigeria. We are unarguably one of the few audited awards in Africa, ” Shina said. Also speaking at the Press Conference, Nneka Eneli, SIAO Partners’ Head of Human Resources and Corporate Development, who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said the accounting firm observed all due process while collating and auditing the results.

While announcing the names of nominees, Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communication, stated that the Federation endorsed and have continued to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because the award process is credible and transparent. “Every time the Organizers announce results, there are no controversies because the award process is credible and transparent.” In the King of the Pitch category, Odion Ighalo, Manchester United striker, Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles and Lille FC Striker and Super Eagles and Leicester

Delta School Sports Festival shaping future of the youths Mercy Enoch, Asaba

ut of over 2,000 schools that registered for this year’s Delta School Sports Festival, about 1,000 athletes from over 500 participating schools made it to the finals which climaxed to the closing ceremony at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The festival ended up with the College of Commerce, Warri emerging the winner of the games with 1O gold, four silver and three bronze medals. Zappa Basic Secondary School, Asaba, came second with nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals while Western Secondary School, Asaba, came third with eight gold, four silver and five bronze medals At a colourful ceremony to mark the closing of the festival, the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa declared that the state government would sustain the festival because it has opportunity to shape the future of the youths of the state. Tagged 2020 Greater Delta Games, the event coincided with the handing over to Governor Okowa, the Torch of Unity for the now postponed National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020. Okowa said that participating in sports, especially athletics was a sure

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa (left) on Wednesday, March 11, received the Torch of Unity for the now postponed Edo 2020 National Sports Festival, from the representative of Sports Minister, Sylvester Essiet (right).

way youths could learn various significant life skills as teamwork, leadership responsibilities and discipline. Deltans, he said, were passionate about sports; hence the government’s determination to contribute to sports development because it is an area of dominance over all other state in the country and no one throws away it’s winning tools in any contest. School sports has become a primary base upon which individual talents would be developed, he said, adding that his administration was

committed to enhancing sports development in the various schools in the state as way of developing other skills outside academic pursuit. The event of the day provided the students and pupils the avenue to display their talents, which would be developed over time. Okowa said that sports had become very vital across the globe and a major means of livelihood to many people in the world, hence, there was need to encourage youth from the state and indeed the entire country to develop their God-given

talents. He therefore called on private organizations and well placed individuals to support sports development in the state as their contribution would assist in no little measures in enhancing sports development among youths in the state. The state commissioner for basic and secondary education, Patrick Ukah, noted that this year’s event marked the 2nd edition of School Sports Festival after the revamp of school sports activities. “Following our experience on the maiden edition, we have invented a number of innovations over the previous edition, to further showcase the uniqueness of the festival. “In doing this, we added team sports such as hockey and cricket; improved media support and publicity of the games in both local and national media, introduction of the Games logo and mascot to ease stress on athletes. We accommodated them in a more conducive atmosphere within Asaba, and the allowances for the athletes was improved”. He informed that the 2020 Greater Delta Games comprising of athletes (primary, junior secondary and senior secondary categories) started with local government preliminaries on Monday, January 28, 2020 with over 2,000 schools registering for the games.

City F.C midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi will vie clinch the top award. The Queen of the Pitch award will be a tough battle between Onome Ebi of Henan Huishang FC, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Super Falcons and Rivers Angels FC and Barcelona Women Barcelona Women and Super Falcon’s veteran goal poacher, Asisat Oshoala. The award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year will be a straight contest between Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Real Madrid and Barcelona battle for Alaba’s signature

ayern Munich are more to used to buying top players from other clubs than selling to them, but their hand might be forced by full-back David Alaba’s desire to leave Germany, says Sport Bild. Alaba, 27, is arguably one of the best left-sided defenders in the world and has been at Bayern since 2008, but now he wants to try a new challenge. Clearly many of Europe’s top clubs aregoingtobeinterestedintheAustria international if he becomes available for a reported €70m, but Sport states that Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelonaareleadingtheway.Though Chelsea also showed an interest in the January transfer window. As luck would have it, Alaba went on record about his future destination when he told Bild last year about the countries he wants to play in: “Spain, England. In Spain, it would be the two big clubs, I guess, Real or Barcelona. Also the big clubs in England.”

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Sunday 22 March 2020

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Can Africa keep coronavirus under control?

he map that is emerging of the global situation of coronavirus disease, better named as COVID-19, is strange and surprising. Take a map of the world with allwhite background, and put black spots to mark the places where COVID-19 cases are high or significant, Africa stands out as the only continent that remains mostly white. The other continents have large number of people who have COVID-19. Many of the countries with high number of cases also have correspondingly substantial number of deaths from the disease whilst African countries have recorded very few deaths. What is strange about Africa? Why is COVID-19 unusually bypassing Africa? Epidemiology is the study of incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health. It uses a lot of data and statistical information to reflect its conclusions or findings. It gives account of fundamental factors that influence course of diseases. As in similar studies of humans, nature and society, when no coherent explanation is possible to explain a phenomenon, epidemiology infers, extrapolates and uses conjectures. In understanding why Africa is spared to date of many cases of COVID-19, there are a lot of inferences and suggestions, but very little coherent or solid explanation. It is understandable. COVID-19 is a new and rapidly evolving disease. The scientific knowledge is growing but it is too early to draw conclusions. Compared to the rest of the world, cases of COVID-19 are low in Africa. As at this time of writing, Egypt leads with 196, and also has the highest number of deaths at 6. South Africa is a distant second with 85 cases, followed by Algeria with 61 cases, Morocco has 38 cases and Senegal has 27 cases, in that order. Morocco has recorded 6 deaths and Sudan has one. All other African countries with COVID-19 cases are in single units. The current situation on COVID-19 does not say a lot about where things may be tomorrow or in the near future. Whilst China was dealing with the first major epidemic and high number of cases, most countries that became almost overwhelmed with the disease did not foresee the trend. Within weeks, Italy has a raging epidemic with

31,000 plus cases and over 2,000 deaths, and Iran has more than 16,000 cases with almost one thousand deaths. Spain, Germany, France and USA are battling with rising numbers. There is therefore, no valid reason to celebrate or be lackadaisical about the current situation in Africa. Rather, it is as good a time as any to adopt an active and serious preparedness stance. African countries should anticipate any eventuality. There are already lessons to learn from other parts of the world. African countries cannot be over-prepared, because its best preparedness situation in medical and health services will be not anywhere as strong as the services in China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, France or United Kingdom – which health care and management capabilities were overwhelmed fast by the epidemic. According to WHO, health care and services in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are the weakest in the world. “Keep it out and be prepared”. This is my shorthand of a combined strategic imperative that should drive Africa’s readiness on Coronavirus or COVID-19 given the facts and data available regarding the disease. From reports and personal observation, African countries have set up testing facilities at airports to monitor travelers and identify possible infected persons. This is excellent. It is doubtful that the same kind of facilities are available at land borders which are often too numerous to count, and very porous. COVID-19 is said to have incubation period of between 14 and 21 days based on current knowledge. It means that an infected person with no symptoms yet may pass through the temperature recording tests at airports and manifest the disease later on. It has probably been the case with several international travelers who have been identified with the disease days after their arrival in countries. It is also assumed that COVID-19 or a variant of it is not indigenous to African countries. If it exists already, it is most likely to be passive or not as virulent as the type that is ravaging other parts of the world. The assumptions are reasonable until facts prove otherwise. If the assumption proves wrong with time, there will arise a need to respond to emergencies. For the above reasons and others, the

efforts to “keep it out”, may not be as successful as it is touted to be. Therefore, the second part of the strategy, “be prepared,” becomes even more important. Most African countries have Centre for Disease Control (CDC), or National Institutes of Public Health and similar bodies that are repository of knowledge and skills in control and preparedness for communicable and non-communicable diseases. They have capabilities to test, confirm COVID-19, treat and manage cases locally, including capability for contact tracing, isolation and follow-through medical services. However, medical and care services are most beneficial and effective when disease burden is limited. The fact that most people in the continent do not have reasonable access to health care facilities is a grave complication when epidemics strike. The maxim, prevention is the cheapest cure, cannot be more appropriate at this time. In order to “be prepared”, African countries should adopt a preventive approach premised on behaviour change, a well-developed public health and change management field. COVID-19 is a communicable, infectious disease. Unfortunately, merely reviewing measures taken by African countries to date reveal that less than 10 countries out of 54 have taken the preliminary steps of behavior modification and change that can enable people to “be prepared” to overcome the disease. Measures such as limiting gathering of groups, enforcing reduced movement for social activities, and continuous enlightenment and education with rehearsals for practical understanding are very important. It is difficult to ask people not to socialise, greet, congregate to celebrate, meet up with family and friends, as they normally do. It is challenging to ask people to wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds every so often; not to touch mouth, nose and eyes; and to avoid handling public facilities. People just like to do what they normally do. It is human. The social and cultural practices of African peoples have proved tough and resistant to behavior changes that place individuals above groups and

community. We have seen it in HIV and AIDS programmes, and in combating Ebola. Now with COVID-19, people must be ready and comfortable over time with disruption of normal life and daily routines. It is difficult to stay home for days, weeks and maybe months, but people must be geared to practice and adopt the new behavior. Official announcements setting stringent requirements to reorganise life in new ways, cancel public gatherings and events relating to education, work, leisure, and social life, are in order. People must be prodded towards changing their lifestyle. Behavior modification and change is what it means to “be prepared” for COVID-19 in Africa. It is known that behavior change takes several steps from awareness, to understanding, through acceptance, adoption, and ultimately sustainability of new behavior. It also takes several supporting factors, including policy, politics, faith, social and economic contexts to effect change of behavior in institutions, societies and amongst people. The time to begin implementing a behavior change movement to contain COVID-19 in Africa was yesterday. There is no justifiable reason for any country to be taken by surprise having seen how the disease has evolved dramatically in several countries. If, as time goes on, Africa remains unaffected by the ravages of COVID-19, nothing would have been lost by being prepared for the worst case scenario. Indeed, it would be a much better situation than saying “had we known” after the unexpected havoc that the epidemic can wreak on a fragile continent.

N230bn

Is Nigeria under siege?

Makinwa was the first head of behaviour change communication of UNAIDS at the global level from Geneva. He is the CEO of AUNIQUEI Communication for Leadership.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff ncreasingly, Nigerians are becoming the more afraid of their beloved and oncecherished country. Many things are going wrong at the same time. Quality of life is plummeting. As it is said, there is fire on the mountain, and everybody is on the run. Truth be told, these are not good times in Nigeria, the touted giants of Africa. The country is powering very low in all fronts. Of all the threats to the wellness of Nigeria is insecurity which is tearing apart, all the various parts of the country, setting the government against the people and vice versa. Whereas many citizens believe that government is not doing enough to rein in the monster of insecurity or that government by its actions and inactions may be encouraging insecurity, government on the other hand, thinks it is doing its best in this area. Today, Nigeria appears to have been seized by terror elements. The Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which dispenses terror in some parts of the country, has since been joined by other evil forces, namely, Fulani herdsmen, bandits and marauding kidnappers. Today, a country that is not at war is, on daily basis, recording high level of killings and violent attacks on communities.

Bunmi Makinwa

Only last week, a community in Plateau State conducted a mass burial of its indigenes that were slaughtered in cold blood by invading herdsmen. The people lamented the invasion of their villages by herdsmen, whose intention is to take over such communities. Reports had it that not only that the attackers killed indigenes, they invaded the people’s farms and harvested their potatoes and other crops, and also completely destroyed those farms. These ugly incidents have been experienced by farmers in Benue State on many occasions. A number of states in the North Central and even down southern Nigeria have also tasted of the satanic exploits of these demons. The abduction and killing of Christians in some core northern states have created an impression that it is now a religious thing. The thinking was fuelled by the bestial killing of Reverend Lawan Andimi, CAN chairman in Michika, Adamawa State, by Boko Haram insurgents. On Wednesday last week, the Nigerian security agents claimed that over 250 bandits and terrorists were “dislodged” or killed in Kaduna State. The report frightened many Nigerians the

more and may have created panic in many foreigners who wonder the level of security in a place where such number of bandits were “killed” at a time. We used to think that it is only the Sambisa forest that harbored terrorists; today, they are all over the north. Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum of Borno State recently told all the truth on why the insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency, is festering. He said that there are too much lies and half-truths being peddled by those who should speak the truth about the situation of things and also the unwillingness of the powers that be to hear the truth. So, because those who should hear the truth do not want to hear or be told the truth, those who should say things as they are, are telling government only what it wants to hear. This is an unfortunate situation. This attitude of living in denial of everything should stop. The Federal Government obviously needs to do more to reassure Nigerians and the outside world that safety of life and property remains the cardinal essence of government.

The ad-hoc committee of the National Economic Council (NEC) says distribution companies (DisCos) owe the electricity market N230 billion as a result of inefficient collection system and under remittance. This was contained in the committee’s report submitted to the NEC presided over by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja last Thursday.

“We must make all Nigerians, ethnic groups free if we want the country to be free. Nigerians are largely unfree. Our people are generally oppressed, at traditional levels and that creates the basis for the freedom in modern society in general,” former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko speaking recently at the opening ceremony of the birthday celebration of Odia Ofeimum, a poet.

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