BusinessDay 26 Jan 2020

Amotekun is a vote for regionalism - Sam Amadi

‘We need to build bridge between female engineering graduates and 23 multinationals’

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The best and worst of 2019 movies and their gross earnings 28

N30,000 minimum wage still a huge burden on states

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Businesses, W/African countries await FG as Jan 31 deadline nears Insecurity defies measures as more Nigerians die from ruthless attacks …President must get rid of the service chiefs – Yabagi …Government must be more proactive – Okorie OBINNA EMELIKE and INIOBONG IWOK

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t the height of the Niger Delta militancy crisis, Nigeria was always on global news for the wrong reasons. Then, kidnapping was the order of the day, though targeted at expatriate oil workers in the region whose employers were always willing to negotiate ransom with the particular militant group that kidnapped their staff.

Of course, efforts were made to dislodge the groups who often claimed that their

ruthless activities were legitimate as long as the region, which holds Nigeria’s wealth, keeps wallowing in poverty and environmental degradation.

While the amnesty programme helped in checking them, it shifted the target to influential locals, whose relations paid huge sums to free them from the hands of the militants.

Today, kidnapping for ransom has become a huge business venture, with many cases reported every day across the country and vic-

Continues on page 4

Professor Enase Okonedo, dean, Lagos Business School, delivering her inaugural lecture on ‘Complexities of Decision-Making in a Volatile Environment’, at the 10th inaugural lecture of Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, at the weekend. Pic by Olawale Amoo

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Border re-opening: Businesses, W/African nations await FG as Jan 31 deadline nears …Rice smuggling still thrives, flood markets in S/East, S/South …Shippers seek grace to evacuate trapped goods AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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s the January 31 deadline for the expiration of the first phase of the Joint Security Operation ‘EX-SWIFT’ Response approaches, businesses in Nigeria and other neighbouring West African countries have raised expectations that the Federal Government would finally come to agreement with its neighbours to re-open the borders to genuine import and export trade.

Nigeria’s land borders have been partially closed since August 20, 2019 following the government’s determination to reduce smuggling of foreign rice, vehicles and other contraband commodities.

Since the closure, business owners in Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Niger that depend on the border to survive have been seriously affected following their inability to carry out their legitimate businesses.

Speaking to BDSUNDAY in a telephone interview, Ogbonnaya Gordon, former coordinator of the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents (NCMDCLA) at Seme border, said the border closure has negatively impacted businesses in the border area.

According to him, Nigerians welcome the government’s idea of putting a very good structure in place to protect Nigeria in terms of border business.

“But in doing this, government should equally remember that many people do genuine businesses within the border area. As Nigeria is benefiting from other areas due to the closure of border, we should also consider those that are doing genuine business at the border,” he said.

Gordon, who pointed out that border closure as at yesterday, January 25, 2020 would clock five months that the government closed the nation’s border to business, said authoritatively, that many businessmen and women have lost their chances due to the policy.

“For instance, many have lost their lives while some cannot even continue to repay the banks they borrowed money from. We are only praying to the government to allow those goods at the border to go after which we can now continue with any other policy since many have paid duty while some have used

their money to move the goods from Cotonou to the border,” he pleaded.

Bisiriyu Lasisi Fanu, former chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Seme border, told BDSUNDAY that importers and their agents will be happy, if government would re-open the border to business.

He however, observed that with the indication and what is on ground, it is as if government is not ready to re-open the border anytime soon given the fact that proper arrangements have not been concluded.

“We don’t see the border opened by Thursday 31st January, but miraculously, government may decide to allow importers and exporters evacuate their goods that were trapped at the border for months,” he said.

According to him, “Government brings in border drill and also changes the officers every now and then. If the government is ready to re-open the border, they would not be changing the officers or bringing new set of officers to take over from those on ground since it is remaining few days for the first phase to elapse.”

What seems like corroboration of this fact was the recent bilateral meeting on border closure held in London between President Muhammadu Buhari and Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghanaian president.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the meeting was held on the sidelines of UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020.

Buhari explained that the partial border closure was not solely because food products, particularly rice, were being smuggled into Nigeria, but also because arms and ammunition, as well as hard drugs were being ferried into Nigeria.

He stated that he could not keep his eyes open, and watch youths being destroyed through cheap hard drugs, and to compromise national security.

“When most of the vehicles carrying rice and other food products through our land borders are intercepted, you find hard drugs, and small arms, under the food products. This has terrible consequences for any country,” he said.

He said it was regrettable that the partial border closure was having “negative economic impact on our neighbours,” adding that the time frame for reopening of the borders, would not happen

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State with wife, Eberechi, at the 5Nights of Glory, a five-day power packed programme running annually in Salvation Ministries, hosted by Pastor David Ibiyeomie, in Port Harcourt, weekend.

till the final report of a committee set up on the matter was submitted and considered.

“We will get things sorted out.

Our farmers, especially those who grow rice, now have a market, and are happy. Once the committee comes up with its recommendations, we will sit and consider them,” he said.

Showing understanding of the need for Nigeria to protect her citizens, President Akufo-Addo pleaded for an expedited process, because, according to him, Nigerian market is significant for certain categories of businesses in Ghana.

Meanwhile, a recent BDSUNDAY visit to markets in Lagos, revealed that the rate at which foreign parboiled rice, were being sold in open markets, had drastically reduced as smugglers find it extremely difficult to bring in rice into Nigeria through Seme and Idiroko borders.

However, the smuggling of frozen foods such as chickens, turkeys, gizzards and others still thrives in the South-West as these contraband goods continue to find their way into the markets.

Ironically, as the rate of foreign rice smuggling reduces in Lagos and Ogun States, the pressure shifts to the South-South where Nigeria and Cameroon share border.

BDSUNDAY’s search shows

that selling and buying of smuggled foreign parboiled rice has become big business in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States as well as their neighbouring states in the Eastern part of the country.

A recent visit to markets in these states, shows that selling and consumption of foreign rice were still at high rate in these areas.

Presently, a bag of 50kg foreign parboiled rice sells at N25,000 in the states in those regions.

“Today, there are lots of foreign brands of parboiled rice in the market to choose from. We eat foreign rice here in the East.

Though, there was a time we experienced scarcity of foreign rice in the market at the early stage of border closure but now, all of that has ended,” said a resident of Aba, who gave her name as NgoziOnyebuchi,.

Onyebuchi, who stated that her brother-in-law deals in rice business in Aba, made it clear that many Nigerians do not patronise dealers of local rice in the East due to the issues around improper processing and packaging as well as texture of cooking, which leaves many brands of local rice with stones and chaff.

An indigene of Cross River State, who does not want his name in print, told BDSUNDAY that many of the indigenes are surviving on rice smuggling and that many of such are carried out

using the waterways.

The indigene insisted that these smugglers work in connivance with the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

BDSUNDAY can recall that the Federal Government had insisted that it would only reopen the nation’s land borders if neighbouring West African countries comply strictly with the regional trade agreements of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).

Speaking on Tuesday, December 24th, 2019, in Abuja, Mariam Katagum, minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, said that reopening of borders would depend on recommendations from the patrol team on whether Niger and Benin Republic have complied with the trade protocols.

“We had a strategic meeting with the three countries, and what we agreed with our neighbours is to activate a joint border patrol, and the border patrol comprises the Customs, all the security agencies and to follow the actual protocol laid by ECOWAS,” Katagum said.

The committee, according to her, met on November 25, and it was only when that committee is certain that all the countries are respecting the ECOWAS protocol that they will recommend the date for the opening of the border.

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News

L-R: Uche Hilary-Ogbonna, consultant Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Auwa Musa Rafsanjani, executive director, CISLAC, and Adesina Oke, director legal, CISLAC, during a press briefing on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the global corruption ranking in which Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points, falling back by one point compared to the previous ranking, held in Abuja.

Picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.

Insecurity defies measures ...

Continued from Page 1 tims, including some top security officers such as soldiers and police being held in the dens of the kidnappers until ransom was paid.

As well, banditry especially is some parts of the north, has added another dimension to attacks on innocent Nigerians. The combined impacts of kidnapping and banditry have led to loss of many lives, and property, leaving many homeless, and poorer.

The incessant herdsmen attacks have also rendered many homeless.

The Boko Haram sect in the north east of Nigeria has been the worst of the ruthless groups with impact of their attacks resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, properties, sacking of many from their homes, many of who seek refuge at the various internally displaced people’s (IDPs) camps, among others.

The Nigerian Army is also at the receiving end as many soldiers have died battling to upstage the sect from the region within the dreaded Sambisa Forest, their base, which has remained impregnable.

However, the intrigue of the imbroglio is that billions of naira have been budgeted and expended over many years now to tackle the situation, yet no peace insight.

Recall that in 2015 when Presi-

dent Muhammadu Buhari was seeking election for his first term in office and in 2019 for re-election for a second term, a focus among his key campaign promises to Nigerians, apart from focus on the economy and the fight against corruption, was to tackle insecurity and win the war against insurgency, which has ravaged the country for almost a decade.

However, several Nigerians feared if the President would be able to fulfill such promise and find a solution to the spate of insecurity across the country before the expiration of his second term in 2023.

Part of the fears was largely because of Buhari’s reluctant to change his service chiefs since he assumed and adopt a new strategy towards the insurgency fight.

Though, there has been significant progress since he assumed office in 2015, it appears that the progress made have been shortlived.

Within the last months, there has been an increased wave of kidnapping for ransom and banditry across the country, especially in the Northeast.

Last week, Boko Haram insurgents killed LawanAndimi, chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Adamawa State, in Michika local government area of the state.

The worsening security situation in the Southwest region has

necessitated the Southwest states to launch ‘Operation Amotekun’, a security outfit to complement the effort of the police.

Speaking during the launch, the six state governors of the region, said the security outfit was a solution to tackling the challenges of insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry in the region.

Reacting to the worsening security situation in the country, a former Minister of Works, Ebenezer Babatope, urged Nigerians to give the needed support to the Muhammadu Buhari administration to succeed in the insurgency fight and to stem the spate of insecurity plaguing the country.

Babatope condemned the killing of the CAN chairman in Adamawa State, while calling for more proactive action by the government.

“The general situation is bad, but we should give support to Buhari. Things are terrible; the issue of security should not be brought into partisan politics either you are PDP, Labour or APGA, we should come together and find a solution to the security challenges and support this administration.

“The killing of the CAN chairman is frightening and needs urgent solution; it is a very bad thing for Nigeria. Buhari must act and do more,” Babatope said.

ChekwasOkorie, national chairman of the Unity Party of

Nigeria (UPP), urged Buhari to seek external help from countries that are experienced in insurgency fight.

Okorie canvassed for the creation of state police to complement the effort of the Nigeria Police, stressing that it was obvious that the situation had overwhelmed the security agencies.

“As well-meaning Nigerians, we have to come together to find a way out, it is worrisome. The situation has gotten to the Northwest now, it is no more a Northeast thing, and it has worsened. What is happening is an indictment on our security agencies,” he said.

According to him, “If this kind of thing happens in advanced societies, there would have been a shakeup by now. This new trend

by Boko Haram, bringing Christian leaders into collusion with their Muslim counterpart is not healthy.

“The government must be more proactive; the government must put in extra effort. Buhari should seek help from countries that are more experienced in fighting insurgency. We should not be saying that we are a sovereign nation and allow our people to be killed like this.

“Even at the community level, you cannot get to the farm people are afraid that is why Amotekun is relevant. So, we need state police and vigilantes like the Amotekun, and we need enabling laws that support and back them.

“It is beginning to overwhelm us and it appears they don’t have a clue to a way out,” Okorie said.

SanniYabagi, national chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), said the President Buhari must urgently sack the current set of service chiefs because they have run out of ideas.

Yabagi said without the needed change in the security agencies, there would not be any appreciable success in the fight against the insurgency and effort to combat security in the country.

“The President should be expert in tackling security challenges.

But it is obvious that he needs to change the security chiefs; he does not need to be told that this system has failed us and he needs to adopt another approach in dealing with it.

“If President Buhari fails, people would say Buhari failed; it is simple.

If they cannot resign, the President should get rid of them. When you appoint people who know the enormity of the problem they will deliver.

“It is clear this set of service

chiefs does not have any clue in dealing with the security challenges. He has to change them because it appears they have nothing at stake again.And I can tell you, things would continue like this if Buhari still keeps these people,” Yabagi said.

Speaking on the issue, Luis Egbemode, retired security chief and owner of a security outfit, noted that Nigeria can adequately address her security challenges and defeat Boko Haram, but that such expectation is not realistic when government is not firm on its stand on the fight, monitoring of security efforts, collaborating with countries that have competence in fighting terrorism, among others.

“There have been cases where some soldiers were accused of sabotaging efforts at fighting Boko Haram and those elements are still in the Army. So, why will a soldier risk his life when he knows that others are going to benefit from their imminent death”, he said.

“No matter how much the funders of Boko Haram are spending, the Federal Government can outspend them, get more sophisticated equipment, collaborate in deployment of the arms and personnel, raise the morale of soldiers, sack or even kill whoever is the found to be a saboteur and with this insecurity will be a thing of the past in the country”.

In the same vein, AlachenuOmale, a lawyer, thinks that insecurity will be a thing of the past whenever the Nigerian government rises with firm hands, decisions and coordinated actions against ruthless groups in the country.

“Nigeria always raises her flag anywhere there is problem in West Africa and even Africa at large.

We have a retired army general as president, he knows what to do; it is all about giving the right orders, be firm about it, taking actions when they are not carried out and sustaining any success achieved in the fight against insecurity”, he said.

Omale disclosed that when all service chiefs are retired, police bosses changed or retired, the incoming ones would be forced to change tactics and work to save their positions, securing the country by doing so.

Omale warned those campaigning for Nigeria as an investment haven to first ensure security as no investor would invest in a country where security of lives, property and people’s investments are not guaranteed.

Operators want FG, CBN to emulate China, India in metal industry development

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SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

oddi Ihenachor, chairman of the Metal Operators of Nigeria South East zone, a Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sub-sector of the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry, has decried the neglect the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have shown to this sector which has stunted its real growth.

Ihenachor said: “In this industry, steel is power and as such the

metal subsector of the country must be repositioned by Federal Government to produce among other things, bars, rods, angles, plates, sheets, strips, pipes, wires, etc for the use of the Metal Operators and for investors to scale up their businesses.”

He noted that in the metallurgical industry, many countries that started in the way Nigeria started years back have been able to lift their economies from the third world poverty and starvation due to the level of industrialisation they have achieved through proper development of the metallurgical industry.

According to him, “Some of those countries include South Korea, Algeria, Tunisia, India, China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, etc, but Nigeria has not found its feet in this industrial sector of the economy for decades.”

He pointed out that more worrisome is the fact that both the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria have not been providing incentives to the SMEs of the Metallurgical sector unlike China and India that give incentives to their industrialists to grow their businesses.

“One of the consequences is

that the Small and Medium industrial ventures are suffering and they have stunted growth,” he said.

Ihenachor, who also is the chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) GMICORD Industrial Group and the chairman of the Metal Operators of Nigeria, South East Zone, spoke with BDSUNDAY in Owerri. He blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government for the stunted growth of the Metal Operators in the country, urging them to study the examples of China and India and apply same to energise the SMEs in the sector to thrive.

“The Federal Government should borrow a leaf from its Chinese counterpart and grant export incentives to industrialists under the auspices of Metal Operators in order to attract foreign exchange inflow to Nigeria. Government can give a certain percentage of the export value to the manufacturers”, Ihenachor said.

Citing instance with China, he said: “The lending rates there are between 0.5 and 2 percent with long term repayment period and allowing Metal Operators to borrow at commercial banks’ rates like traders is suicidal.”

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News Kwankwaso political group’s heavy weights decamp to APC in Kano

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Adeola Ajakaiye, in Kano everal top aides of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have decamped from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to their former party, the All Progressives Party (APC) in Kano State; the biggest of such decampment ever witnessed in the state.

The decampment is seen by many people in the state, as part of the political realignment of forces, towards the 2023 general election, in which politicians in the state are re-positioning themselves for the coming contest.

Speaking while receiving the decampees, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had described Kwankwaso as a “political ingrate and propagandist” whose quest is to fulfil his 2023 presidential ambition by all means.

Ganduje, who spoke at Government House when he was welcoming the state chairman of the PDP, Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi who decamped to APC with thousands of his followers, said the pre-occupation of Kwnakwaso is to use the APC platform to fulfil his presidential ambition. “This

Kwankwaso

is why he is making frantic efforts to come back to our great party,” he said.

According to him, “I am the encyclopaedia of Kwankwaso. Nobody knows Kwankwaso better than me. I taught him politics even before 1999.

As many of you are aware, I won the PDP primaries in 1999. Something happened and I was pacified to become his running mate.

“I invested my time and resources to mobilise for him in 1999. I stood by him all through even when we lost

election in 2003. But could you believe that when I was campaigning for my election in 2015, Kwankwaso never attended any of my rallies.

He never supported me with a dime. There was no support of any nature from him.”

He further stated that, “My political relationship with Kwankwaso dated back to the military era. Right from time, I was always loyal to him. But I must confess that in all my life, I have never come across a self-centered politician like Kwnakwaso.

“He has the antecedent of

imposing himself above the interest of other people. It is him and him alone.”

According to him, “It was I and Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi that formed the Kwankwassiyya which has eventually collapsed today with this re-union with Rabi’u Bichi.

Today, we have removed the heart beat of Kwankwassiyya.

“This is a happy day and a happy moment for me, because once again, I am in the midst of my political associates who we have been together for a very long time.

I am used to them, and they are used to me.”

Ganduje, however, called on the opposition to join hands with him to further develop the state, adding that his ambition is to ensure that democratic dividends are delivered to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Speaking during the occasion, the former chairman of PDP, Suleiman Bichi, described Ganduje as a patient, forthright and accommodating politician whose major concern is the development of Kano State and the welfare of the people.

Bichi, who gave reasons why he joined APC, said it was based on the call by President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ganduje for all-inclusive government.

Abia community leader urges abolition of fetish ways of choosing monarchs UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ames Nnadozie Uchegbuo, president-general of Ahuwa-Oboro Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, has advocated for abolition of compulsory initiation into a foreign god, deity or occult society during the process of choosing traditional rulers in communities.

He said that this practice should not be used as one of the criteria in choosing traditional rulers in communities that still practise it.

Uchegbuo, while speaking with select group of journalists in Umuahia, Abia State capital, advised that Oboro culture, nay other cultures in the South-East, should do away with any borrowed element that makes it look like a secret society, in order to attract tourists for the economic gain of the region.

“Our traditional rulers should be educated to develop our communities.

Secret societies cannot attract tourists. Idol worship

limits us. Things are being modernised. All the borrowed sorrowful cultures should be cancelled and cultures that attract tourists should be embraced,” he said.

Uchegbuo condemned in its entirety the practice of making a person to pass through the “Oba” society in Ikwuano before being made a traditional ruler, pointing out that such practice should be jettisoned a n d “o k o n k o ” s o c i e t y wiped out because it was old-fashioned and inhibited a community’s exposure.

He said such practice portrays the people to be myopic and retrogressive, instead of measuring up with other enlightened societies.

“A traditional ruler should not be a blind cultist; that era has passed. Let us try to be modernised.

Anybody who wants to worship idols should go ahead but should not cloth us with it. It should be voluntary; a coalition of the agreed and it should not be used to influence others or made a primary condition for ezeship stool,” he further advised.

Onicha LGA boss, following the steps of a working governor in Ebonyi Chris Chukwu

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he Chairman of the Onicha Local Government in Ebonyi State, I g b o k e Fe l i x Ogbonna has described the state Governor, David Umahi as a man with good leadership qualities and values worthy of emulation by every citizen of Nigeria.

Ogbonna, who pointed out this while addressing some members of the Council who paid him a visit at the council’s secretariat in Isu, said that the state was a valued state currently governed by a valued leader, hence, the reason for the on-going infrastructural development across the state.

The chairman called on other leaders in the country to emulate the leader-

ship qualities and good values of Governor Umahi, adding that doing so would take Nigeria to the next level and the country and her citizens would be better for it.

A member of the council who spoke about the local government chairm a n , s a i d : “ Og b o n n a came to power in 2017 and has since proved himself beyond reasonable doubt. Onicha Local Government Area has witnessed a total transformation in most key areas like health, education, empowerment and road constructions.”

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “While some local government chairmen merely fold their arms complaining about poor funding and economic crunch, Engr.

Felix made the best use of whatever fund available in giving the area a new face.

Like the popular saying, ‘the line between the idler and the achiever is the ability to make the best use of any situation in achieving successes”.

Sharing his success story with BDSUNDAY, the LG boss said: “The development we are witnessing in Onicha now is borne out

Umahi

of a passion to deliver the dividends of democracy to my people. We have tried to lift the face of our LGA from obscurity to prominence.”

He further said that his driving force was based on values, which include, good moral, quality leadership skills, hardworking and

Igboke

dedication to duty.

Th e c h a i r m a n a l s o promised to keep doing his best in the interest of the people, assuring that he is determined to touch every area that is yet to be touched.

It was gathered that Ogbonna sponsored over one thousand unem-

ployed youths in different skills with starter pack equipment worth millions of naira upon completion. He constructed a modern event garden inside the LG Secretariat with enough capacity to generate revenue for the government, constructed an international standard modern pavilion with state-of-the-art facilities. He also constructed roads with standard gutters and electrification of the community is ongoing.

His efforts were recognised as several bodies including NUJ, Actors Guide of Nigeria awarded him best performing Chairman in Ebonyi State. Also, the traditional ruler of Isu Autonomous Community, Eze Ambrose Ogbu conferred him a chieftaincy title of Odinma n’eme nma 1 of Isuokoma.

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News We are set to repatriate 18 highprofiled looters - EFCC SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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brahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has declared that the anti-graft agency was set to repatriate 18 high profiled looters hiding in different parts of the world.

Speaking with journalists during a visit to the Ilorin zonal office of the EFCC, Magu assured Nigerians that the Commission would pursue anti-graft war with a renewed vigour this year.

He said: “We will repatriate all looters hiding anywhere in the world. I think there are about 18 of them; I mean high profiled looters.

“This is just the beginning.

We will request more extradition to bring back all the looters who are hiding outside this country. The fight against corruption has just started. It’s a renewed fight this year. It’s going to be bigger.”

Magu

Magu, who explained that the EFCC alone cannot fight corruption in the land, solicited cooperation of all Nigerians in the crusade, saying “more so when some people do not believe that corruption is wrong.

“We rely on you media to help carry on activities on

sensitisation and mobilisation against corruption”.

The EFCC boss said that there would be a massive and aggressive campaign against corruption, “starting mid February this year in all states of the federation with use of serving corps members, in particular, as

Group backs Amotekun, laments rising poverty among Nigerians Iniobong Iwok

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group, People’s La g o s Ac t i o n Now (PLAN) has backed the Southwest security outfit ‘Amotekun’ saying the initiative was long overdue.

In a statement to journalists in Lagos over the weekend a copy which was made available to BD Sunday, and signed by seven gubernatorial candidates of different political parties in the 2019 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, including the group’s convener, Ifagbemi Awamaridi, The group said it took the position after a twoday meeting of principled political parties, political leaders and proactive NGOs with the interest of ‘good life’ for Lagosians and good governance in Lagos State.

The group, pledged to continue to canvass to free Lagos from the grip of the cabal that has held the destiny of the state and underdeveloped it since 1999.

PLAN criticised those against the establishment

of the security outfit, saying that they were either the perpetuator of the criminal activities in the region or against the interest the Yorubas.

It further faulted Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over his comment, saying that it was face-saving which attempted to cure his long ‘anti-Yoruba silence’.

According to the statement, “Meetings of principled political parties, political leaders and proactive NGOs with the interest of ‘good life’ for Lagosians and good governance in Lagos State was held by the under-listed parties, leaders and NGOs. “It was resolved that PLAN will continue to champion the struggle to free Lagos from the shackles of the cabal that has ‘padlocked the destiny and ‘good life’ of Lagosians since 1999.

“PLAN attributed a major cause of the misgovernance in Lagos to the tenacious grip of a cabal who seem to have clothed itself with the robe of slave-

masters, seemingly selecting their ‘senior slaves’ to manage their estate, which they ostensibly have turned Lagos into.

“PLAN agreed to champion the emancipation of Lagosians from the intimidating cabal.

“PLAN peculiarly and seriously X-rayed the Initiative of the Commission for Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, A.K.A., DAWN Commission.

“PLAN fully supports the Initiative Code-named ‘Operation Amotekun’, in fact, agreed that it is long overdue; and enjoins all indigenes, citizens and residents of Western Nigeria to wholeheartedly support and assist ‘Operation Amotekun’.

“PLAN agreed that those who have been talking against ‘Amotekun’ are either the criminals, invaders, terrorists, et al, that ‘Amotekun’ seeks to checkmate or their conspirators or their sponsors, encouraged by Yoruba fifth columnists who seek political patronage from the sponsors of the criminals, invaders, terrorists, et al.”

well as youth and civil society organisations”.

Magu, who debunked insinuation that the EFCC was established in Ilorin, Kwara State because of the immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki, pointed out that “It’s not true and it’s not fair. See, Kwara State is one of the oldest states in the North Central geopolitical zone. It deserves a headquarters of the EFCC. People should be protesting why the EFCC was not brought here earlier”.

He says no ongoing corruption cases across the country would be abandoned midway, assuring that suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations on such cases were completed.

He, however, sought the cooperation of the Nigerian media to enable the agency succeed in its efforts at making Nigeria corruption free.

“We need the cooperation of the media in making Nigeria corruption free. EFCC cannot do it alone,” Magu said.

Abia embarks on beatification of Umuahia, desilting of drainages UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

I

n its resolve to enhance the aesthetic look of the state capital, particularly the city centre (Isi-gate), the Abia State government has embarked on the beautification and desilting of blocked drainages to check the incessant flooding of the streets whenever it rains.

The exercise, which has been flagged off, is being handled by Endo Industry Limited in collaboration with Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA).

The firm has already started work from Umuwaya through Isi-gate and the exercise would cover all streets within the state capital.

Ndubuisi Eme, managing director of Endo Industry Limited and also the special adviser to the governor on transport, during the official flag-off ceremony, promised to ensure that the task was achieved by his

firm as directed by the state government.

He said the mandate of his organisation was to ensure that all the drainages within the capital city were desilted.

Speaking during the ceremony, Okochi Okali Oge, the general manager of ABROMA, said that the state government had been on the drive for infrastructural development, adding that one of the ways was to also maintain existing ones.

He promised to ensure that the zero pot-hole policy of the government was maintained in all the streets both in the urban towns and rural areas.

He disclosed that Taskforce had been set up to monitor the streets to apprehend those who always dump refuse inside the drainage instead of designated receptacles.

He warned those involved in the unwholesome act to desist from such as the full weight of the law would descend on offenders soonest.

NGO partners Lagos government to celebrate senior citizens, less-privileged widows Ngozi Okpalakunne

O

ver one thousand senior citizens, less-privileged widows, widowers in Ifako area of Lagos State were recently celebrated and fed by Touch of Love, Lifting Hands Foundation, a Lagos-based non-for-profit organisation.

The event, which was the fourth in its series, came under the theme, ‘Widows and aged people inclusive in economic activities: A panacea to an improved standards of living condition for the abandoned vulnerable people’ was supported by the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Civic Engagement, Aderemi Adebowale.

The event witnessed the special celebration of two

centenarians. Also, widows, widowers, the physically challenged, the less-privileged and other elderly citizens were treated to music, drama presentation and were served refreshments.

Speaking at the event, the founder of the organisation, Atinuke Owolabi, affirmed that the annual event was necessary to put smiles on the faces of the abandoned in the state.

Afolabi lamented the condition of the abandoned senior citizens, less-privileged widows, widowers and the youths, describing it as unfortunate.

She appealed to government at all levels as well as well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of this group of people in the society.

“Government cannot do it all alone, there is need for

cross section of some of the senior citizens, widows at the event.

the rich in the society to assist the poor and the needy, such effort will go a long way in alleviating their plights and making them live a better life”, she said.

Owolabi further said that the foundation had carried out three major social intervention programmes since its inception in 2017.

She listed them to include the distribution of food, drugs, free medical treatments and free vocational opportunities for the elderly and vulnerable people in the society.

Giving a brief background on how she started the foundation some years back, she explained that she established the foundation due to her understanding of the consequences of boredom and loneliness on mental health of widows and senior citizens who had lost their partners.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

News

INEC concludes plans for Cross River rerun election MIKE ABANG, Calabar

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River has concluded arrangements for the rerun election in the state.

The appeal court had ordered a rerun election in Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency and Abi State Constituency of Cross River holding Saturday 25, 2020.

Arrangements for the rerun elections reached its peak with the collection of sensitive materials by INEC on Friday, January, 24 in Calabar.

The materials collected included ballot papers, Forms EC 8A, EC 8D, EC 8E and some others handed over to INEC official at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Calabar branch premises by the Branch Controller of the Bank, Chuks Sokari.

Speaking while collect-

ing the materials, INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Lekki said: “I came in from Abuja yesterday (Thursday) to join the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC to oversee the elections tomorrow.

“CBN does this thing so well in terms of safe custody of sensitive materials for tomorrow’s election.

They have been doing this for a very long time. We have just taken delivery and in the next few minutes we will be leaving for Abi local government where the election is taking place. We are satisfied. We counted and everything is correct.

The political parties are here. The agents are here.

Everything is correct. We are ready to go.”

Also speaking, the new REC, Johnson Alalibo, expressed satisfaction with what has transpired so far.

“The materials included ballot papers, Forms EC 8A, EC 8D, EC 8E, among others.

“I am very much satisfied with what I have seen.

The CBN has been able to hand over the sensitive materials to INEC. And I am here with the national commissioner to receive them. The next thing is to move to the areas of election. My expectation is that we will have a peaceful, free and fair election. We just finished our meeting with the security agencies and everything is in order.”

Similarly, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Cletus Nwadiogbu said: “With what we have seen on ground and with the perfect synergy existing between the security agencies, I will assure you we have a near perfect security architecture on ground in respect of tomorrow’s election.

“There is no fear at all.

There won’t be less than fifteen policemen in each of the polling units to provide adequate security for the voters and the partici-

pants.”

Also speaking, the Cross River State chapter Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Paddy Ally said: “So far, so good, ev-

erything is in order. We are satisfied.”

It is worth noting that the House of Representatives election in Yakurr/Abi will take place in 18 polling units

in Ekureku I and II, while the Abi State Constituency will hold in 15 units in five wards, namely Afafanyi/Igbonigoni, Ekureku I, Imabana I and II, and Itigidi.

L-R: Secretary, Jakande Kasan, Housing Estate, CDA, Lekki, Eti Osa, Adebara Demola; Comedian, Samuel Perry Animashaun (Brodashaggi); ecstatic Keke Napep Winner, Ekemini Edet Moses, and Chairman, CDA, Suleiman Kazeem at the Community Prize presentation ceremony held at Jakande Market, Lagos on Friday.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 9

PhotoSplash

L-R: Binay Saraf, Chief Financial Officer, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL); Adesuwa Ladoja, Relationship Group Director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL); Kunle Fadumiye, Manager, Landside Infrastructure, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), and Steven Huekelom, Technical Director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), during a media tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project held in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

L-R: Isaac Ayo. Olawuyi, Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo; Bishop Ola Adekoya, chairman, Christain Council of Nigeria, Lagos State; Kehinde Babarinde, president, Lagos Central Baptist Conference, his wife Kemi Babarinde; Bishop James Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West, (Anglican Communion), and O B Adeleye, Archbishop of Lagos Mainland at the Annual Thanksgiving of the Lagos State Government, Ikeja

L-R: Victoria Titilayo Windapo, wife, Olori; Oba Olubayo Adesola Windapo, the Alara of Ara; Razak Adeosun, Special adviser to the governor of State of Osun on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Tunji Olugbodi, chairman, planning committee and EVC, Verdant Zeal, at the Presentation of Staff of Office to the new Alara of Ara kingdom, State of Osun

L-R: Christianah Abosede Abisoye, permanent secretary, ministry of women affairs & social inclusion, Oyo State; Odunayo Sanya, acting executive secretary, MTN Foundation; Bolanle Olaniyan, wife of the deputy governor, Oyo State; Tamunominini Makinde, first lady of Oyo State; Faosat Joke Sanni, commissioner for women affairs & social inclusion; S.B Ayanniran, officer in charge of Juvenile Correctional Institute/Child Care Unit, Ibadan, and Ezekiel Bamgboye, senior manager, enterprise business sales, MTN Nigeria, at the donation of items to the Juvenile Correctional Institute by MTN Foundation as part of its Orphanage Support Initiative

L-R: Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of kwara; Yahaya Bello of Kogi; Abubakar Bello of Niger, and Mohammed Adamu, inspector general of police, at the Nigeria Police Regional Security Summit with the theme: “Strategic Partnership for Effective Community Policing in the North Central Zone and FCT”, in Lafia. NAN

L-R: Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti/chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum; Gbenga Oyetola, governor of Osun; Abubakar Mallami, attorney-general/minister of justice; Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo State, and others, at a joint briefing of the State House Correspondents after their meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Operation Amotekun’, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. NAN

L-R: Olufemi Adebayo, head network operations, Ikeja Electric, Akowonjo business unit; Akinfolarin Baruwa, Mosan Okunola CDC chairman: Lawrence Okoye, business manager, Ikeja Electric, Akowonjo business unit, and Orefuyi Obagbolabo, chairman, Ayedade CDA, Aboru, at the commissioning of distribution transformers in Akowonjo

Ogbunaya Onu (m), minister of science and technology, receives a souvenir from Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, at the visit of the governor to the ministry in Abuja, with them is Muhammed Abdullahi (l), minister of state for science and technology. NAN

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Comment

comment is free

Curtailing the resurgence of lassa fever

Frank Aigbogun

editor Zebulon Agomuo DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS Fabian Akagha 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)

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

T

here are conflicting reports on the actual number of newly confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the country.

While a report says causality figure is 64, another puts it at 72.

Situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicates that the number of deaths has reduced as the general case fatality rate (CFR) for 2020 stood at 14.7 per cent, compared to the 23.4 per cent CFR for the same period of 2019.

States affected mostly in this renewed Lassa fever insurgence are Ondo, Edo, Delta, Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi. According to NCDC, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case in 32 Local Government Areas.

A NCDC report also states that out of the 89 per cent of all confirmed cases, Edo and Ondo recorded 38 per cent while Ebonyi recorded 11 per cent, adding that the number of suspected cases

has increased, but lower than the numbers reported last year Between January 1 and 19, a total of 398 suspected cases were reported from various states across the country, leading to 24 deaths.

From the foregoing, it is quite clear that Lassa fever remains a major public health concern in the country. The disease, which got its name from Lassa, a village in Borno, North Eastern Nigeria where it was first identified in 1969, occurs more in the dry season than the rainy season.

Lassa fever is endemic to West Africa as confirmed incidences have been recorded in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria and Mali. However, concerns exist that there may be Lassa(-like) viruses in other countries such as Central African Republic, Ghana, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and Cameroon due to trans- border migration.

It is caused by a species of rodents called the Natal multimammate rat, the common African rat, or the African soft-furred rat. The Lassa virus is transmitted when the droppings, that is the urine or faeces of the rat- the natural reservoir for the virus- comes in contact with foodstuffs or in the process of the rat accessing grain stores, either in silos or in residences.

The rodents live in houses with humans and deposit excreta on floors, tables, beds and food.

Consequently the virus is transmitted to humans through cuts and scratches, or inhaled via dust

particles in the air. In some regions these rodents are also consumed as food. Secondary transmission of the virus between humans occurs through direct contact with infected blood or bodily secretions.

In the early stages, Lassa fever is often misdiagnosed as common cold, typhoid or malaria, and as a result many patients fail to receive appropriate medical treatment.

Making a correct diagnosis of Lassa fever is made difficult by the wide spectrum of clinical effects that manifest, ranging from asymptomatic to multi-organ system failure and death.

Early signs include fever, headache and general body weakness, followed by a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea in some cases. After 4 to 7 days, many patients will start to feel better, but a small minority will present with multi-organ involvement. It can affect the gastro intestinal tract causing nausea, vomiting and stooling of blood as well as difficulty in swallowing; cardiovascular system symptoms include hypertension or hypotension as well as abnormal high heart rate and shock.

There are three ways by which the virus can be treated and also prevented from further spread.

These are implementation of barrier nursing, which is isolation of victims, tracing of people that have come in contact with sufferers as well as the initiation of treatment with the only available drug, Ribavirin. The latter is only effective if It is imperative that people

keep away from rats and report any case of persistent fever to the nearest public health facility. They are to also shun ingestion of foods and drinks infected by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats as well as catching and preparing infected rats as food.

They should also avoid inhaling small particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings. Getting directly in contact with an ailing person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose or mouth should also be avoided. Above all, residents should embrace faultless personal and environmental hygiene.

Also, all States’ Ministries of Health and Information have a lot to do in educating people who live in high-risk areas as well as those not presently affected about ways to lower the rat populations in their homes which will go a long way in controlling and preventing Lassa fever from gaining ground in the country.

Good personal hygiene, as well as frequent and thorough washing of hands with soap and water, is very essential. With the trend of event, we cannot afford to treat the current resurgence of Lassa fever with kid gloves.

On a final note, it is quite imperative that all stakeholders put up a common front against the spread of this disease, before it becomes a major plague.

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

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

Is time ticking against ‘Okada’, ‘Keke Marwa’ operators?

JOSHUA BASSEY

T

he question today is no longer whether the Lagos State Government will restrict the operations of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Marwa) in the state; rather, it is a matter of how and when it will happen.

Indications had emerged last year that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration would ultimately look into the operations of Okada and Keke Marwa. Over the years, their activities have remained a source of concern to most residents of Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.

In what is indicative that the time is near, the state government has begun pubic sensitisation to alert the operators that their unrestrained operations on highways, bridges, major roads and certain designated areas in the state is in conflict with extant Lagos Road Traffic Laws as amended.

Since the last eight months, the state government had been under pressure from two opposing forces: There are those who belong to the school of thought that believes Okada and Keke Marwa are a necessity that crept in to fill a gap in the Lagos public transportation system.

This school of thought argues that the intractable gridlocks in and around the city have made it impossible to ignore motorcycles as a means of transportation.

There are also officials of government, who believe that motorcycles and tricycles have become sources of revenue to the state government, the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LDCAs), which tax and impose various levies on the operators.

A motorcycle operator, Samuel Ajara, who plies between Volkswagen and Alaba International Electronics Market, Ojo, says each operator buys council/union ticket for N400 daily while the park fee is N500 per week, in addition to other expenses, including ‘settlement’ of security agencies.

“We are over 300 that operate from this unit.

And I am talking of one out of several units that exist in Ojo local government. You can see that the local government earns fat revenue from Okada, says Ajara, who frowns at the idea of banning their operations.

There are also officials who share the sentiment that the motorcycles are booster to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive of the state government, and therefore, should not be banned like other states have done.

Fi n d i n g s s h o w t h a t asides the local governments and LCDAs, the state government also reaps some handsome rewards from the motorcycle operators and tricycles. For example, riders of the recommended 200cc motorcycle in the state are required to pay a yearly N5,000 ‘LG Paper’ as well as ‘Rider Card’ of N2,200. There is also N500 Sticker, Roadworthiness of N2,500 and ‘Stage Carriage Permit’ of N4,000 per

annum.

However, proponents of the ban on Okada/Keke Marwa are of the view that the government must not continue to place premium on revenue over and above the safety of Lagosians, who are maimed daily from accidents involving Okada/ Keke Marwa.

A recent statistics from the state ministry of information and strategy had shown that motorcycle and tricycle related accidents remain a growing concern in Lagos eight years after the traffic law was first promulgated in 2012.

According to Gbenga Omotosho, the state commissioner for information and strategy, over 1,500 accidents involving tricycles and motorcycles were reported between 2015 and 2019, with 689 victims dead and over 250 injured across the state.

Thompson Ibeh, a Lagos-based safety expert, believes that putting some restrictions on the operations of Okada/Keke Marwa will go a long way in checking avoidable loss of lives and property to accidents involving them.

“It may not an outright ban, but enforcing the existing law which restricts their operations to certain roads and areas in the state is not a bad idea.

As a matter of fact, no serious government allows what is currently happening in Lagos to happen.

How on earth do you allow motorcycles carrying two to three passengers to compete with cars and trucks on the highway? It’s done in decent societies,” says Ibeh.

The Lagos Road Traffic Law which was promulgated and signed in 2012 by the administration of Babatunde Fashola, and revised in 2018, by the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode, with more severe penalties introduced, bars Okada and Keke Marwa from certain areas of the state, highways, major roads, and bridges.

The legislation equally prohibits Okada from carrying more than one passenger, pregnant woman or operating without helmets, both for the rider and the passenger.

Of the various provisions of the law, the most flouted is the aspect that disallows operations on highways, major roads and bridges as well as riding without helmets, as every part of the metropolis, including highways and bridges have been taken over by motorcycles and tricycles.

In December, 2019, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu indicated to come up with new measures to curb the excesses of Okada/ Keke Marwa in 2020.

The government explained that the planned measures were necessary to check flagrant abuse

of its laws by motorcycle operators, saying the “menace can no longer be condoned.”

“The violation of traffic laws by commercial motorcyclists is unacceptable, thereby necessitating the enforcement of the state traffic law to pave the way for the implementation of the present administration’s transportation project,” Omotoso said in 2019.

On Monday, January 13, 2020, after the state Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and attended by commanders of various security agencies in the state, the government said it would not take a definitive action against illegal operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles on restricted routes across the state.

According to Omotoso, the government’s decision to delay action against the motorcycles and tricycles was informed by the need to achieve a generally acceptable solution to the menace.

He added that relevant stakeholders had reached out to the government with suggestions and representation that could be adopted to proffer a win-win solution on the matter.

“We have just concluded our routine security meeting, during which the issue of motorcycles and tricycles was discussed

exhaustively. For now, no major decision will be taken on the matter. There are several factors for this development, but the main reason is to reckon with various opinions expressed by stakeholders.

“So many people have made representations to the government concerning commercial motorcycles and tricycles, including human rights groups, unionists and traders. They came up with many reasonable observations; all their views have been collated and are being considered.

“We feel it would not be good enough for the government to make final decision on the matter without considering the opinions of the stakeholders. That would be against the spirit of democracy for which the Sanwo-Olu administration stands.”

Decisions to be taken on the matter, according to the commissioner will reflect the views of all stakeholders and wishes of concerned residents.

At the same time, he reiterated that security of lives of Lagos residents and safety of visitors remain paramount to the government and the Sanwo-Olu administration will not compromise in this regard.

According to him, the ongoing enforcement of the extant traffic laws and Okada restriction will go on, pending the final decisions of the security council.

Advocacy is currently on-going to sensitise riders of motorcycles and tricycles on the need to obey traffic laws.

In fresh reaction to social media publication to the effect that the state government has banned Okada/Keke Marwa, Omtosho said “it should be disregarded,” as a definite position on the issue will soon be made public through the official media channels of the government.

Lagos moves to address manpower deficit in health sector

A

JOSHUA BASSEY

gainst the deficit in the number of personnel required in the public sector of Lagos, the state Health Service Commission has commenced mass recruitment of health sector work-

ers to bridge the gap in public health institutions across the state.

The commission’s permanent secretary, Ademuyiwa Eniayewun disclosed while speaking on the steps being taken by the government to fulfill its promises to residents in order to en-

sure prompt, qualitative and accessible health service delivery to citizens.

According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the recruitment of health workers and directed that replacement of personnel who exit the civil service must also be done promptly

to cushion the effects of brain drain in the sector.

The permanent secretary stated further that the recruitment process will not only take immediate effect but shall continue in phases for the next few months in order to bridge the manpower gap in the system.

“The quantum of staff to be recruited as we speak is phenomenal. This move is a clear indication of the commitment of the governor to ensure prompt and quality service delivery in all hospitals at all times”, he said.

Ademuyiwa urged interested applicants to down-

load the application forms via www.lagosstate.gov.ng to apply for various positions in the Lagos State Public Health Sector and submit the completed documents to the Lagos State Health Service Commission at 1, Ganiu Smith Street, Lagos Island.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Politics

Amotekun has an overwhelming support of the Yorubas - Oshun Wale Oshun is the national president of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and a former lawmaker. In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he throws his weight behind the formation of ‘Amotekun’ the Southwest security outfit recently setup by the regions state governors. He also proffers solutions to the violence which has characterised recent elections in the country, among other issues. Excerpts: Your group has been silent on the controversy that has trailed the launch of ‘Amotekun’ security outfit by the Southwest Governors? t is not true, we have not been silent, and we have been involved in even the evolution of Amotekun. Just that in Nigeria we easily forget things. When we launched the Western Nigeria development agenda back then in 2005 at the city hall, the consent of Amotekun was in that plan and that is where it was taken from.

There is no Yoruba man that would not be in support of ‘Amotekun’ this is just to protect ourselves. Listen to our Obas, our intellectuals community, the ordinary citizens it has an overwhelming approval of the Yoruba people both home and abroad.

match what they take in Abuja that is why everybody want to be a politician and do everything to subvert the process. It is only when you get there that you can enjoy most of this things.

I

There was the pro-‘Amotekun’ protest held last week which was largely successful in some states in the region. What does this signify?

The protest has come to stay. We have to realise that it is an indication that every human being has a right to protect himself.

Security is a public function; if anything, or someone comes to attack you, you have to defend yourself; that is what ‘Amotekun’ is all about.

But the AGF said it was illegal?

I have said it before that the AGF may be speaking for himself; because as the AGF he should be conversant with the constitution that every individual has a right to defend himself from unlawful attacks.

So, when you now say that we cannot set up ‘Amotekun’ and the criminals keep coming to attack us so we can’t defend ourselves from them? This is a government that is not providing the necessary guarantee that they can protect us. All the kidnapping, cult-related killings would not be taking place if the government is proactive. The killings are not taking place in one place; there have been attacks on the farms and everywhere, individuals have that right of self-protection. I believe the AGF comment is reckless. Is it the AGF that should be deciding what a policy issue is and providing protection for the people of this region?

He is the one that is politicising it, he is reckless. I have said that before and it is in the media. Maybe, he is waiting for all Yoruba people to be killed before he makes a move.

What he has not realised is that even our laws do not say when you are attacked, you fold your hands and look. Group and individuals would always defend themselves against foreign attacks. Nobody even know the original of this people coming in to kill and attack our people and somebody is telling you that you cannot defend yourself that person must be saying rubbish.

The Miyetti Allah has criticised the security outfit; what do you have to say?

I don’t know the one you are talking about now, is it the Nigerian one or the one from Mali or Chad? Because even the attacks and killings taking place across the length and

Wale Oshun

breadth of the country, in state like Zamfara they are standing up and speaking against the killings, why is Miyetti Allah saying that we have no right to defend themselves?

Where do they come from, Chad, Niger, or Mali? We need to clarify where they are coming from. You go into people’s home and attack them and you expect that they would not attack you back.

What is your take about the ruling by the Supreme Court on the Imo State gubernatorial election?

You know once we have such judgment we are all bound by the judgment because there is no other Appeal Court that you can go to.

Commenting on such judgment is just for academic exercise.

But have you been following events after the judgment?

Honestly, that is a judgment that I would love to read myself and see the reasons given by the Supreme Court for such Judgment so that I can understand the whole of it.

I can understand that those affected would have more information I don’t have, but when there is a judgment by the court either Supreme or lower court one should study it carefully before commenting.

Elections in Nigeria have become more controversial and increasingly decided by court what is the way forward?

It is a pity, and that is because we have all moved away from direct economic productivity. The kind of return that is given to holders of public offices in Nigeria there is nowhere in the world where you have such returns.

And that is why if you look at the opportunity cost, people want to fight for elections and win at all cost to be in public office.

But if we had an economic where people at the lower level, at the middle level are adequately compensated for their effort

and those who go into public office are just for purpose of serving and the remuneration and returns and benefit they are entitled to are commensurate to what other people in the society enjoys, then you would not be having all this controversy.

You saw the general election in Great Britain in December; the whole campaigns and election did not take more than six weeks.

But here, our life’s and survival depend on it, which is a tragedy. Now you find universities professors running away from the class to become Commissioner and Special Adviser’s to somebody they should not even respond to. All this is because of the economy benefit and what is involved in such positions.

The benefit is unequal. You are a Councillor today the salary almost double or more than that of the professor in the university, not to talk of when you are a Governor it is incomparable.

Been the governor, would you want to make this work? Firstly, I think we should strengthen our economy; you must make sure that the returns for political positions are diminished greatly. In fact, go and work out the salaries and allowance of the National Assembly members, I am sure it would exceed that of the Congress members in the United States.

This is a country that cannot pay N30, 000 as a minimum wage and N30, 000 is less than hundred dollars and $100 is not the take home pay of the Americans.

The minimum wage in the US is much more and exceeds N30, 000, and you also have the legislators of Nigeria earning more than US lawmakers.

So, that is why everybody wants to go there and be in public office. They fight in Court because ones you get there you are made in life. But the Court would continue to determine it.

When your take home income cannot

What areas do you think priority should be given during the amendment the 2010 Electoral Act? Firstly, my thinking is that we should make public office less attractive for those who intend to serve. The money they are collecting is outrageous.

Somebody becomes a Councillor today his salary almost match that of senior lecturer in the university, and if you are in the National Assembly it is even twenty times that of the professor. So you rather not be a professor in the prestigious university of Ibadan; but be a Special Adviser or commissioners. Can you imagine a professor still go back to take the position of a Commissioner.

There was a time that those that want to even become ordinary Councillor are retired teachers in the community because they just want to serve. When I was in the State House of Assembly my salary was just N9, 000 or so. That was in 1992. But what we are hearing now is that the state lawmakers are now collecting millions.

There is the clamour that there should be a reduction of political parties ahead 2023; what is your take?

Whether you have two parties like we had under Ibrahim Babangida, one thing is clear that this is a country of diversity, when you have only two parties it means that you are forcing people to join one another by force.

In those days, you had ANPP and PDP, this kind of situation gives room for people who are not satisfy with the mega parties, because the mega parties are there just to attain power.

For me, I think the solution is just to have stringent rules for the registration of political parties, so that at the end of the day, you don’t have more than five or six political parties at any given time.

There are increasing agitations for electronic voting what is your take?

That is the way of the world now. But again you must have difference way of assessment. I mean there must be some kind of education awareness, which you need to make so that people can get used to it. But it is the way to go.

But that does not make it is perfect, because I am told there are instances in the world where it had failed. I was told people hacked into the account of the United State passport office recently and they started issuing people visa.

If that could be done, it means that electronic voting just like others cannot be full proof. But for me, it is good we explore it and go into it because the problems associated with voting in our country is becoming too much. But that does not mean it cannot be abuse because if anybody can hack into your account, it can also be done to this.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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13

Politics Take away from North-Central security summit … Community policing strategy to the rescue

A

Solomon Attah, Lafia n all-encompassing security meeting tagged ‘The NorthCentral Security Summit’ was held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, with the view to map out strategies to contain the rising security challenges in the region, and by extension the country.

The summit, which had in attendance, governors of the six states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the region, security experts, traditional rulers, state and federal lawmakers, civil society groups and other stakeholders, unanimously agreed to adopt Community Policing Strategy as an effective tool in bringing policing to the grassroots.

This will be effectively done with the use of traditional rulers and community leaders, who will assist in the selection of community policing officers that will work within the communities.

Stakeholders at the summit who are determined to curtail the excesses of criminals and to sustain such gathering that would bring about peace, unity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationalities, as well as to ensure a safer society, have also approved the quarterly meeting of governors of the six states, including the FCT, Abuja, with the code name ‘The G-7 Joint Security Summit’.

This is with the view to appraising security situation from their different perspectives, aimed at sharing experiences on the best approach to effectively manage security situation among member states and beyond.

The one-day regional security summit came at the time the country, its government and the entire security apparatus believed to be losing grip of the situation.

In what could be likened to as a near success, a total of 36 bandits operating or rather terrorising people across the states of the zone, led by Buju Bazamfare voluntarily surrendered themselves, arms to the police at the summit.

The summit which has as its theme ‘Strategic partnership for effective community policing in the North-central zone/FCT’, was attended by the NorthCentral Governors: The governors present at the Summit included, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara, Abubakar Bello of Niger, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello was represented by Adamu Gwari, the Director of Security.

Others who attended the meeting were the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage; the Attah Igala, Michael Ameh-Oboni; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba-Gyang among others.

Also present are the Inspector General of Police, Director General, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, traditional rulers, among other critical stakeholders of the zone.

The theme of the summit was in line with the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to overhaul the security structure and to address the challenges in the country.

At the North-Central summit, speakers took turn to first share their experiences, appraise previous situations and recommend appropriate measures very

North Central governors at the summit

necessary that will ensure continued sustenance of peace, not only in the region, but the country at large.

The summit, which was at the instance of the authority of Police High Command, Abuja was held simultaneously in other geopolitical zones of the country, all in the efforts to curtail the prevailing security situation.

Some of the issues that dominated discussion at the summit included cases of armed robbery, human trafficking, kidnapping, murder, activities of the Boko Haram sect, communal clashes and conflict between farmers and herdsmen, unemployment, drug addiction and almajiri syndrome.

These issues were observed as reasons for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the hands of unpatriotic elements. It was not only a concern to the security agencies and those saddled with the responsibility of governance, but to all and sundry.

Meanwhile, there was a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, where the governors from the region were tasked to improve the capacity of the recruited officers from the community policing, as well as to ensure their welfare is taken care of.

In addition to the aforementioned, there will be a concerted effort between the state’s ministry of Information in collaboration with Traditional rulers, community leaders all within the zone to liaise with Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) in creating public awareness and senstisation programmes on the need for active engagement and participation in community policing initiative in their areas, among other resolutions.

Reading the communiqué on behalf of the governors after the meeting, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule said: “The following strategic summit decisions were made after a comprehensive and exhaustive deliberation: “The state governors have accepted and adopted community policing strategy as an effective tool in bringing policing to the grassroots, traditional rulers and community leaders do assist the police in the selection process of community policing officers to be recruited within the community.

“The governors of the state within the geographical zone will enforce and provide improved capacity for the various security apparatus in their respective states in support of community policing strategy of the Federal Government of

Nigeria “Each state within the north Central geopolitical zone will individually and periodically undertake operation against crime and criminality in synergy with the police and other security agencies.

“The states to individually develope modalities for sharing intelligence with others within the zone on the movement of activities of criminals within our zone.

“Each state within the zone to increase investment in social intervention programmes aimed at providing legitimate and alternative means of livelihood for the teeming youths, especially the repentant criminals as well.

“The state government to provide all necessary logistics to enable the return of IDPs in their various ancestral homes, the ministry of information of the various states in conjunction with traditional rulers and community leaders to liaise with police public relations officers in creating public awareness and sensitising programmes for the need of active engagement and participation in community policing initiative in their various areas.

“The IG of police to consider establishing additional squadron of mobile police/ CTU bases in trouble spots to compliment distinct security architecture and bull safety security in selected states within the zone.

“The north Central governors are enjoined to partner with Nigerian police force especially in the area of provision of lands, office accommodation, vehicles and other essentials,” he said.

Earlier at the summit, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu said that the force had arrested 1,527 kidnap suspects and recovered 2,037 firearms across the country in 2019.

Adamu said that 6, 531 other criminal suspects were arrested, while 2, 037 arms of various description with 21, 870 live ammunitions were recovered within the period.

He said that the resilience and commitment of the police and other stakeholders towards curbing crime and criminality in the country made the recoveries possible.

Adamu said comprehensive reform to reposition the Police force for enhanced service delivery was part of his deliberate policy to improve security and safety in the country.

According to the I-G, police formations and commands have been reorganised and re-equipped for effectiveness and efficiency.

“In the coming days, new Police Mobile Force (PMF) squadrons will be established in troubled spots to complement existing security architecture and boost safety and security across the country.

“We have recently deployed the Police Smart Surveillance (CCTV Camera-onthe-move) vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and other state-of-the-art tactical operational vehicles to aid our capacity in dealing with highly organised violent criminal networks.

“We have also established the Nigeria Police national command and control centre and the Nigeria Police crime and incident data base centre.

“These critical policing assets were recently commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, and with their deployment, the Nigeria police is poised to not only make Nigerians safe but to make Nigeria safer,” he said.

Adamu said the 5th North Central Security Summit was aimed at addressing the security challenges in the region.

He said that such summits had been held in the four geo-political zones, and were geared towards effective integration and implementation of policing strategies.

Adamu called on stakeholders from the zone to partner with the police towards the success of the community policing strategy.

He said the outcome of the summit would deepen understanding of security threats dynamics in the region and new strategies to strengthen the police and other stakeholders’ capacities to attain their internal security mandate.

Governor Abdullahi Sule said, the state has keyed into the initiative of the federal government, as one of the measure taken to bring the situation under control.

“You are no doubt aware that Nasarawa State had its own share of security challenges. The challenges which we had to contend with are majorly conflicts between herdsmen and farmers, as well as, ethnic groups.

“This, as you are aware, is a national phenomenon that Government at all levels is strategising to address, particularly with the current initiative of the Federal Government, aimed at developing ranches through its mechanism of National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which Nasarawa State has fully keyed into.”

Governor Sule, who described the summit as timely, appealed to President Buhari not to withdraw the Operation Whirl Operating in the zone, saying that the operation with headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State and bases in some locations in the State, has helped to mitigate farmers/herders’ clash and other criminal activities.

He stressed that the operation has greatly contributed in “our collective efforts towards sustainable peace in our border communities.”

“You may wish to be further informed that both the Nasarawa and Benue State Governments appealed to the Federal Government not to withdraw the personnel of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ Special Force until when the security situation at the border communities of our states further improve among other resolutions,” Sule said.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Politics Amotekun: Nigeria’s fault lines getting wider as fear of disintegration grows

P

Innocent Odoh, Abuja

erhaps no other issue has raised so much emotions in Nigeria and widened the fault lines in the country like the launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network code named ‘Amotekun’ by the six state governors of the South West region of the country.

While some panic reactions especially from the northern parts of the country have trailed Amotekun, leaders of the South West and their supporters across the country regard Amotekun as a prompt response to the widespread insecurity in the country, largely perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen. Others have also warned that if the crisis is not properly handled it may lead to dismemberment of the country.

On a recent television programme over the Amotekun saga, the Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the umbrella body of the Fulani herdsmen, Saleh Hassan, apparently lost some courtesy when in anger, he described the South West leaders as the most “primitive” and “intolerant” people despite their achievements in education. He alleged that the regional security outfit was targeted at his group, who rear cattle across the country and demanded it should be closed down.

Saleh’s outburst has generated bitter reactions especially from the south west and such emotional attachments have been deepening the regional, ethnic and religious divides in the country. The South West leaders have since stuck to their guns and even challenged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who described Amotekun as illegal, to go to court if he so aggrieved.

Speaking to BDSUNDAY in an exclusive interview on Thursday, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, warned that the Amotekun controversy could trigger a flurry of events that may lead to the disintegration of Nigeria if not properly handled.

“The ‘Amotekun’ saga is poetic justice for those who have managed Nigeria recently and have not listened to complaint of the gradual loss of professionalism and universalism in the management of Nigerian polity. Yes, the present crisis has the capacity to destroy the fragile unity and patriotism in the country.

“It is more worrisome because of the rhetorics of hate and demonisation that has accompanied the controversy. I think the country is moving towards disintegration. But the good news is that it’s reversible. We can still save the republic if we heed the warning signs and not pretend we can muddle through. Nigeria has almost a religious belief in its ability to break the laws of nature and of science and come to grief.

“That’s why many Nigerians proudly say God is a Nigerian. But it’s only foolish people that continue to move towards the precipice and expect God to deliver them.

We are tottering as a country and totter-

ing towards a precipice. The Amotekun saga just quickened our steps to perdition.

But like I said, it’s all reversible,” he said.

Amadi added that Amotekun is not just about security but a vote against a sense of injustice and an indictment of the federal security agencies. “It dramatizes they phenomenal failure of security in Nigeria, a failure that is aggravated by the lack of professionalism and nationalism of the security agencies,” he said.

Also reacting to the issue, Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed, who described Amotekun as illegal, reportedly accused the South West leaders of setting up the security outfit as a step to secure secession through the back door. He blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing them set up of Amotekun, stressing that the South West leaders want to test the will of the federal government by setting up what he called “fake army”.

“To me, it is not in Nigeria’s interest to allow Amotekun at this time in its history.

As far as I am concerned the fact that they went ahead to flout such an entity at this moment in the history of Nigeria shows clearly that there is something fundamentally wrong with the polity,” he said.

He reportedly accused the South West leaders of allegedly using the security outfit to bargain for concessions from the Buhari government even as he warned them of the grave consequences of their actions.

However, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus, in an interview with BDSUNDAY on Wednesday, dismissed insinuation that the launch of Amotekun will lead to disintegration of the country. He said that Amotekun is a response to a failed security system even as he warned of more ripple effects.

“Firstly I don’t agree that creation of

Amotekun is a precursor or an indication that the country will break up. I see Amotekun, which I support, as a response to a failed security system. The security system of the country has failed. Boko Haram is operating freely in the North east; ISWAP is also operating freely in the North east.

“Everyday people are being abducted and kidnapped in the North east and military men are sitting at locations which they now called super camps waiting for Boko Haram to attack before they go out and launch an attack, rather than going out

Everyday people are being abducted and kidnapped in the North east and military men are sitting at locations which they now called super camps waiting for Boko Haram to attack before they go out and launch an attack, rather than going out to fight Boko Haram

to fight Boko Haram.

“So as a result, the Yoruba felt they should not wait until what is happening in the North east come upon them. Being proactive, they have set up the security outfit to complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies. I don’t see that as a sign of break up but as a sign of the south west geopolitical zone coming together to do one primary requirements of government , that is provision of security and welfare to their people,” he said.

The Middle belt leader also castigated those who feel threatened by Amotekun, pointing out that they have ulterior motives and probably the ones sponsoring the massive insecurity ravaging most parts of the country.

He emphasised that those opposed to Amotekun are not sincere. He said “it is a ploy by the people, who may be the architect or supporters or sponsors of the aggressors in this country who don’t to see agencies like Amotekun coming up because may be they want Nigerians not to fight back so that they can be killed like rats and chickens, which serves their purpose but by the grace of God, the truth shall prevail.

“I support Amotekun and I advise other state governors to follow suit so that the military and the police will know that they have failed the country. They should either reorganise or something more than Amotekun may even arise,” he warned.

As the controversy rages, some have argued that the move by South west leaders might be a step to the much needed national consensus that may lead to the much touted true federal structure for Nigeria. However, opposition elements against true federalism, especially from the north have remained fervent. How the nation will resolve this bugbear remains within the bowels of time.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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Interview ‘Developing teachers, youth capacity remains potent way to achieving nation-building’ The call for nation building in Nigeria is increasingly gaining traction driven chiefly by millennial demographics in the country. Babs Olugbemi, founder of Positive Growth Africa, in this interview with KELECHI EWUZIE, speaks on the role of individuals in building a nation. Excerpts:

Y

ou celebrated 20th anniversary of Great Achievers’ club last year with a seminar for the executives. Why did you start the club and what were your objectives?

The Great Achievers’ Club is a registered academic club I founded while in school to help students develop academic excellence and prepare them ahead for the ICAN examinations. It was founded in the Ogun State Polytechnic in 1999 and now in the Olabisi Onabanjo University and The Polytechnic, Sapade. Aside from developing academic excellence in members, we envisaged the club will help in breeding leaders who will take ownership of others and communicate effectively.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we organised a leadership summit for the executive of the club from the three schools. We used that opportunity to rethink the objectives of the club and agree to align the purpose of the club with the current reality.

Thus, the club is now beyond just an academic club. It will henceforth, develop the six core learning skills in the members, plus life, social and entrepreneurship skills to help our graduates and members.

After 20 years of investing in people, what is your focus?

For any country to develop there is a need to develop the capacity of the people. I have focused my coaching and mentoring activities on the students, teachers, youth and employees.

My focus on these components is strategic. Singapore is an example of a country that focused on the capacity development of her people during the regime of President Lee Kuan Yew. Today, Singapore is ranked among the top three since 2015 in the Programme International Student Assessment (PISA) due to what they focused on in the 1960s.

Focusing on human capacity will produce people who can handle situations and help the country to grow.

If you see the books I have authored, they are centred around the youth, teachers, students and employees. The students are the starting point before anyone turn to a youth and without teachers with the 21st century teaching skills we cannot have students and youth with the six core learning skills to survive in this information age and transform our society.

How can Nigeria maximise her potential and develop as a nation?

We have many third world countries that have been transformed into first world countries.

Check Singapore, South Korea and recently the giant strides in Rwanda. Behind these transformations is leadership and the focus of the leaders is not to amass wealth or remain in power but to advance the lives of others.

The potent way for Nigeria to develop is to develop the capacity of her people in a balance way.

I am an advocate of balanced capacity optimisation if we are to see sustainable growth.

Take for example, the Tony Elumelu Foundation that is encouraging entrepreneurs. If you can get the grant, irrespective of your vocation, just prove to the foundation that you know what you are doing. This is unlike what some of our elected leaders are doing associating more with musical celebrities while people who for example write good books or made viable discoveries in sciences are ignored. You will notice that most of our youths either want to be overnight celebrities. This is because we are rewarding and celebrating some vocations.

Aside the balanced capacity development and creating opportunities for our youths, our leaders should focus on maximising the resources we have rather than politicking with everything.

For example, we should be like Russia, supplying gas to other countries if our gas potential is maximised.

In summary, let’s reward hard work and reduce reward for people who make money through positions without necessarily adding value to the society. We don’t need to think far, let reduce the salary and entitlement of our senators. Let’s cancel the use of state money to pay pension for someone who doesn’t need it and focus on developing the majority who are poor and struggling. If we don’t take action and help many poor youths to find their bearings, kidnapping, banditry and all other form of social vices will be here for long.

What can the youth do to reduce crime rate and be at their best?

Our youths should take the lead. I authored a book title ‘Take the lead’. Anthony Joshua is a good example of what our youths should do. He is not an overnight success. He had tried to be a football and some sort of other things before settling for boxing. One good thing about AJ is his humility in defeat and victory. You can’t see him showing wealth or in the news for the bad reasons. He recently prostrated

Babs Olugbemi

for the President while presenting his belts to him in London. I think his parent should be given award for bringing him up in such a cool-headed way while others should learn from him.

To reduce crime, our youths need not to be moved by the unnecessary information on social media. Don’t celebrate wealth you don’t know the source. Find what you love to do and develop yourself to be one of the best in doing it. I know it is tough in a country where there is no or little government support for the unemployed, but that’s not a reason to go into crime. I remember how I was at time a bus conductor before getting admission into school. As youth, your thought drives your action. Be disciplined and find one activity you will commit your entire life into doing. I have always been saying it; talent is not a big mountain you have to move. It is simply an activity you love to do. When you find it, develop yourself to the point that no one will say no to you.

Any youth that loves what he is doing and working to be the best will have no time to go into crime. Crime is as a result of idleness of thought and inaction towards a specific goal and destination.

What can we do to improve the education standard of our

students in Nigeria?

In one word, focus on the teachers. When teachers are motivated, it is easier for them to overcome difficult environment and working condition. Being a teacher is a calling and journey.

It is like riding at the back of a tiger, you keep riding. That is why I called the teachers the most important profession in nation building.

We have seen investment in infrastructure- buildings, textbooks for students. It is time we invested in the capacity of the teachers. Teaching jobs should and was once for the best students. Today, it is the last option outside oil companies and banks.

We should ensure anyone teaching and developing our future are well rewarded and trained.

The next is our curriculum.

We are still using curriculums and style of education that produces mass output of graduates without necessarily taking into consideration the desire of the students. We should revamp our curricular and extracurricular activities in the learning environment to give opportunity for talent discovery.

Why are you focusing on employees and in what capacity have your team been engaging them?

Most employees in Nige-

ria complain about their jobs, employers, the environment without really doing anything.

A lot of people are toxic staff, not engaged and only earning a living. I want people to live, energise, activate and develop their strengths starting from volunteering their latent talents not required on the job for their employers. Whenever you see someone complaining always, that person is operating at a low level of awareness.

What is the next plan of action in your nation-building activities?

We have engaged over 20,000 teachers, many students and youths. At Positive Growth Africa and Mentoras Limited, we will keep doing our best as individuals and registered entities to help others to be at their best.

We will be working with some state government institutions to improve on the education by developing the capacity of the teachers and motivating the students through our resources like the teachers and students’ fortress. We will continue to support our clients to be the best employers with engaged employees. We will focus more on private coaching for our youth and whosoever wants it.

Tell us about your new book for bankers?

It will be a crime not to author that book. The value chain banking is a practical guide for winning the business and loyalty of your customers. Though, meant for bankers, it is a must-read book for professionals with sales and bottom-line responsibility.

At a time in my career, I was the head of the value chain banking for UBA, I was also privileged to work in almost all the sensitive departments in the banking industry which gives me a good overview and perspective about banking as a career. Coupled with my innate leadership skills, I was able to suggest how bankers could be at their best by developing intimate business relationships with customers, develop their competence and be good brand ambassadors for the banks.

The purpose of the book is therefore to reduce complaints by bankers by helping with the knowledge required to gain momentum and the understanding of the nature of the banking career. In the book, I identified three categories of bankers: the career star, transistor and survivor. The book will be turned into learning materials for online and class room based coaching for bankers in all the departments of the bank.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Interview Amotekun is a vote for regionalism - Sam Amadi Following the controversy that has enveloped the launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network code named Amotekun, senior lecturer with the Baze University, Abuja, Sam Amadi, warns that if the lingering insecurity that necessitated Amotekun is not promptly addressed by the Federal Government, Nigeria may face dismemberment. In this interview with INNOCENT ODOH, the former chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) attributes the controversy to the failure of the current government to manage the Nigerian diversity and the gradual loss of professionalism and universalism in the management of the Nigerian polity.

He faults the lopsided security appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as bad for the country. He also spoke on the Supreme Court judgment on the governorship election in Imo State, among others. Excerpts: have argued that part of failure to address these problems is not just leadership failure but also structural problem. The country is structurally difficult to manage. The argument is that if we restructure we can overcome some of these crises.

This is an arguable point but makes much sense. In fact, the crisis of service delivery and security may actually lead us to what they call true federalism. I guess we are heading towards de facto regionalism by virtue of regional efforts to supplement the failure of governance in the centre and the states.

I

Sam Amadi

n v i ew o f t h e c u r rent controversy over the security outfit ‘Amotekun’, launched by the South West governors and the seeming panic reactions coming from some sections of the country, is the country moving towards dismemberment?

The ‘Amotekun’ saga is poetic justice for those who have managed Nigeria recently and have not listened to complaints of the gradual loss of professionalism and universalism in the management of Nigerian polity. Yes, the present crisis has the capacity to destroy the fragile unity and patriotism in the country. It is more worrisome because of the rhetoric of hate and demonisation that have accompanied the controversy. I think the country is moving towards disintegration. But the good news is that it’s reversible. We can still save the republic if we heed the warning signs and not pretend we can muddle through. Nigeria has almost a religious belief in its ability to

break the laws of nature and of science and come to grief.

That’s why many Nigerians proudly say God is a Nigerian.

It’s only foolish people that continue to move towards the precipice and expect God to deliver them. We are tottering as a country and tottering towards a precipice. The Amotekun saga just quickened our steps to perdition. But like I said, it’s all reversible Some experts predict that the Amotekun mantra could lead to a ripple effect across the country, which may produce chaos and confusion if not properly handled. What is your reaction to this?

Yes, such predictions are reasonable but not unavoidable. Amotekun is not just about security. It is more than that. It’s a vote against a sense of injustice and an indictment of the federal security agencies. It dramatises the phenomenal failure of security in Nigeria, a failure that is aggravated by the lack of professionalism and nationalism of the security agencies.

Of course, every country faces such challenges but the difference is that a general high level of trust for the agencies dealing with the challenges in Nigeria is different. The President’s security team comes from one part of a regional divide. This is bad for a country that struggles with ethnic and religious conflicts and suspicion. The President has refused to change his team in spite of managerial failure and the outcry. We have also seen widespread allegations of ethnic and religious bias against the leadership of the security agencies. So, Amotekun is a vote for regionalism in a sense and it will likely lead to other things. The momentum going forward has to be better managed to avoid serious political crises that will undermine national unity and development.

Some have said that the current Federal Government despite the huge investment in the fight against insecurity, has failed to provide security and the people are merely responding by form-

ing security outfits. Is this a path to the much-touted true federalism or just a spontaneous reaction?

Of course, the failure in security is glaring. The other day, we heard about the brutal killing of the CAN chairman in Adamawa by Boko Haram. Statistics show that more people died of attacks

by Boko Haram than by any other cause. Insecurity has destroyed human capital and businesses in Nigeria. If we do an evaluation of the economic costs of insurgency and terrorism they will be mind blowing.

Government has not taken serious action to address insecurity across all levels.

We need to stop this sloganeering. Every form of insecurity has risen. Nigerians are kidnapped at will, including judges and police officers.

Obviously governments are not investing the required finance and commitment to addressing this insecurity; otherwise we would have seen better results. Today, we are less secured than we were in 2015. This is the truth. Some

The crises in the country have been attributed to lack of national consensus. So, why is it difficult for Nigeria or leaders to craft a workable national ideal for the nation?

Nigerian leaders find it difficult to strike national consensus on many of the issues that affect national stability and development. The reason for this is because Nigerian leaders have been oriented towards ethnic and religious supremacy. Nigerian political history has been based on raw competition for supremacy, especially amongst the major ethnic groups. This is really sad. So, the tendency to promote particularistic agenda as against universal good of all citizens means that Nigerian leaders are incapable of generating consensus on these important issues. This is worrisome because elite consensus is very important to sustainable development.

Finally, on the Supreme Court judgment on the governorship election in Imo State that seemingly baffled everybody for obvious reasons, can the Supreme Court reverse itself on the case?

The Imo judgment will constitute a landmark and rock of offense for many years to come. It’s a very controversial judgment. But it will be difficult to reverse except for arithmetic errors. The Supreme Court has the right to err and also have the right to correct itself.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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NewsFeature Nigeria desperate for gas buyers amid infrastructure deficit Olusola Bello

G

as supply to the domestic market has always been a hot topic in Nigeria as producers want to monetise their gas and need to find credible buyers.

The Nigerian government has always been under intense pressure to meet domestic supply obligations (DSOs).

The current administration’s policy is against awarding or renewing licences for companies that are failing to meet their DSO. Project approvals won’t be granted unless operators have a gas monetisation plan, while even producers who re-inject gas to enhance oil production will face restrictions.

The government gas policy expects that producers will see the obligations as part of their contributions to national development and doing business in Nigeria.

Domestic gas market is unappealing. The government knows this very well but it however, expects producers to do their bit no matter what.

Although Nigeria’s DSO has been increased significantly in the last three years, the target has still not been met. In 2017, the volume of DSO was doubled and actually delivered. However, the potential costs of DSO noncompliance have focused minds, particularly among the IOCs. All of them are prioritising supply to a market that is constrained in terms of infrastructure and credible buyers. Producers are desperately seeking customers, but are finding that their competitors are on exactly the same mission.

But suppliers do not just want to find just any off-taker, they want to find reliable off-takers who demand a steady supply of gas and will pay the regulated price of US$2.50/mn Btu. Non-payment for gas remains a chronic problem and the power sector is the major culprit. The sector deficit from 2015 to 2016 was nearly US$2billion. In 2017, the government established a central bank facility of US$2billion over two years to ensure that power generators are paid. This, in turn, should help them pay their gas bills. But the facility will need continual replenishment as long as the industry lacks electricity meters and below-cost tariffs are maintained.

According to Wood Mackenzie, to mitigate risk, some producers have experimented with pre-payment arrangements, but the on/off switching of supply is counter-productive for reservoirs and turbines alike.

The organisation said before producers can dream of accessing deregulated pricing, they would simply settle for getting paid by a reliable customer.

Regardless of price, receiving income no matter how low, is preferable to receiving none at all.

Gas faring...

Large resource producers, it stated, still struggle to avoid the power sector if they want to market their gas. Not only because the power sector absorbs nearly two-thirds of domestic gas demand in Nigeria (around 650mn cf/d, but because the government largely controls who you sell your gas to, and the power sector is its priority.

Gas supply agreements under the DSO are brokered by the Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN), a government middleman which aggregates gas supply and provides a weighted average price to producers. It is a transitional body that is supposed to make way for direct contracting between buyers and sellers. But after 10 years, it’s still going, even though the current administration views it as “largely unsuccessful”.

The trouble is that there is just not enough transmission capacity to carry the available power in Nigeria. Although capacity is officially 7 GW, the grid still struggles with loads much over 4 GW. So power stations (of which 8 GW is available) cannot reach their full capacity.

This has knock-on implications for gas suppliers even if they have a supply agreement with GACN. Azura-Edo is the first true permanent independent power project (IPP) that did not involve the IOCs. It started fully generating in May 2018 and is now operating all three turbines with a total capacity of 459 MW. But Azura-Edo would not have happened without multiple guarantees. It is essentially backed by the government with multi-lateral donor support too, so that its private investors are protected from risks which would typically prevent a project like this in Nigeria.

Seplat supplies the gas, receiving an index-linked price of US$3/mn Btu, compared to the regulated US$2.50/mn Btu. Azura-Edo’s output is already making a major contribution. But its output is not additive; there’s yet to be any increase in total power on the

grid.

Azura-Edo has displaced power elsewhere because of the grid’s limitations. Power stations without Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)—namely Federal Government-owned National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs)—are the first in line to be stood down, which spells bad news for their suppliers.

But this suggests that future projects which are expected to be fully contracted and supported like Azura-Edo (e.g. Qua Iboe IPP in the eastern delta) will be favoured over those that are not. Without dramatic improvement in transmission capacity (or rapid decline in Nigeria’s ageing hydro-power generation), supply to risk-laden NIPPs will be squeezed-out in favour of privately-funded generation with binding PPAs. So, better quality opportunities for some producers could arise at the expense of others who are locked into uncontracted power plants with dwindling offtake. But access to such opportunities is not guaranteed unless, of course, producers are willing to build their own power plants.

Despite the welcome success of Azura-Edo and other IPPs that follow it, extra power capacity will not necessarily equate to more power delivery, overall. So, what are the alternatives?

Can suppliers find succour by targeting large industrial off-takers beyond the confines of the gas and power grids?

Here, there are some signs of progress.

In 2017, Total signed a 74mn cf/d offtake agreement with Greenville LNG. Greenville will take gas straight from the Rumuji manifold near Port Harcourt where the high-pressure gas transmission system 1, 2 and 4 gas pipe-lines converge, so the volume risks are reduced.

This is a landmark deal because mini-LNG is a nascent industry involving LNG transport by road. Because liquefaction reduces the gas volume 600 times, mini-LNG offers decent scale for suppliers unlike compressed natural gas. But given the high costs of liquefaction

and re-gasification, not to mention the state of the roads, it will be interesting to see whether Greenville proves to be a reliable offtaker for Total’s gas.

Total also signed a supply agreement with Indorama of Indonesia. It will use its Northern Option pipeline-built at huge cost due to community issues-to supply over 100 mmcfd for its petrochemical plant expansion at Port Harcourt from 2021.

Outside the oil companies, Indorama is one of the biggest and most successful foreign investors in the Niger Delta, and should provide steady offtake for Total in contrast with its short-lived reliance on Alaoji NIPP. Both of these deals were brokered by GACN under Total’s DSO. Hence the aggregator has a major say on how and who gas is marketed to, even beyond the confines of the state-owned gas grid.

But attracting foreign investment into a country with major security concerns when there is competition from less risky locations in Sub-Saharan Africa will be tough. It may be local investment that drives industrial growth in Nigeria.

The Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) is located on the Lekki peninsula to the east of Lagos. It is home to the largest industrial complex under construction in Nigeria including the Dangote refinery, petrochemical plant, a 570MW power station and a deep sea port. Constructed with private money, LFTZ should provide a much-needed new gateway for goods into Nigeria, thus bypassing Lagos’s clogged arteries.

The refinery is the lynchpin of the LFTZ, and Dangote Group will construct a short 20-kilometre gas pipeline from Lekki to tie-in with the Escravos-Lagos transmission pipeline, so there are opportunities for gas supply using existing infrastructure, although the possibility of secure supply by extending Shell’s offshore gas gathering system (which has plenty of spare capacity) could be even more attractive.

Ishaku signs N215bn Taraba 2020 Appropriation Bill into law Nathaniel Gbaoron, Jalingo

G

overnor Darius Dickson Ishaku on Friday signed into law 2020 Taraba State Appropriation Bill of two hundred and fifteen billion, eight hundred and twenty-three million, five hundred and seventy-six thousand and eight hundred and ten naira (N215,823,576,810:00).

The figure represents an increase of two billion, one hundred and ninety-one million, five hundred thousand naira (N2,191,500,000:00) from the initial sum of two hundred and thirteen billion, six hundred and thirty-two million, seventy-six thousand, eight hundred and ten naira (N213,632,076,810:00) presented to the Taraba State House of Assembly on December 19, 2019.

Titled ‘Budget of accelerated growth and development’ it provides for projects that will rapidly open up the state for fast social and economic development.

Speaking after signing the budget document in Abuja, as mail to our correspondent by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Governor Ishaku said the budget represents the determination of his administration to work harder and leave indelible marks on the sands of history in the state.

He said the budget has been specially tailored to cover most areas being targeted for development under his rescue administration.

Ishaku recalled some of the landmark achievements of the first tenure of his administration and noted that water provision, education, transportation, health and empowerment of women and youths remain the most notable.

He commended the state House of Assembly for the cooperation his administration had enjoyed so far and without which the achievements would have been impossible. He said the administration was determined to consolidate these achievements by working harder in the second phase of his administration.

The administration, he said, would soon inaugurate the Taraba State water Company to consolidate the gains of his administration in the provision of water.

He disclosed that the dualisation of Airport Road in Jalingo has begun with the movement of the contractors to site. The road will have an overhead bridge and make ample space for parking by heavy duty vehicles.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Joseph Albasu Kunini, speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly said members had to forfeit their Christmas and New Year holiday to pass the budget quickly.

He commended members for the sacrifice and Governor Ishaku for the cooperation the members had enjoyed from his administration.

He promised the cooperation of the House with the Executive arm of government to ensure faster development of the state.

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Feature

N30,000 minimum wage still a huge burden on states

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SOLOMON AYADO, Abuja

here are strong indications that despite the fact that the N30,000 new minimum wage is signed into law, making it mandatory for all employers to comply with the new salary structure, some states in the country may not be able to pay the salary threshold.

Investigations show that at the moment, states’ allocations from the Federation Account have been a staggering issue and their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) cannot settle their huge salary wage bills.

This situation is worsened by high accumulated debt and unpaid loans. Figures obtained from the NBS show that since June 2019, states’ allocations from the federation account have not been very stable.

In June, the 36 states got N201.15bn; for July, it declined to N190.38bn and further declined to N188.925 bn in August and then to N186.816bn in September. In October however, allocations came up to N702.058bn; November got N635.826bn and for the month of December, it was N812.76bn.

Investigations further show that besides a noticeable rise in the federal allocation in the last few months, there are several deductions being made from allocations to states to service the bailouts and other loan repayment.

It was gathered that N162million is being deducted monthly from 35 states’ allocations for the N614bn bailout. It is said that there are other many deductions which are currently being done by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

It was further gathered that some of deductions include external debts, contractual obligations, national water rehabilitation projects, the National Agricultural Technology Support Programme, payment for fertilizer, state water supply project, state agricultural project and the national FADAMA project.

These deductions are done asides local and foreign debts which most of the states are grappling with repayment.

For instance, Edo State has $277.74m foreign debts; Cross River, $ 192 .73m; while Oyo is indebted to the tune of $ 136.53m.

Delta State has N 233.56 bn local debts; Akwa Ibom, N206.41bn and Cross River is battling with N168.82bn debt, among many others.

New minimum wage as a law President Muhammadu Buhari had signed into law the N30,000 Minimum Wage Repel and Enactment Act , 2019 upon which implementation of the payment

took effect from Thursday, April 18, 2019.

The National Assembly had passed the minimum wage bill on March 19 and it was transmitted to Buhari on April 2, 2019.

The bill made it mandatory for employers of labour in both public and private organisations to pay N30,000 to employees.

The law mandates the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the minister or labour to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions.

This means no state has the legality to refuse to implement the new salary threshold.

A former special assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, in an interview said the signing of the bill into law has “made it compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay their workers the sum of N30,000.”

According to Enang, employers with less than 25 workers are excluded from paying the new wage.

He said workers of “a ship which sails out of the country and other persons who are in other kinds of regulated employment which are accepted by the act” are also excluded from the new wage.

“With the new law, workers now have the right to sue their employers who fail to pay them the new minimum wage and the act empowers the Minister for Labour or his representative to act in the case of such denial of the new wage.

“It also gives workers the right if you are compelled by any circumstance to accept salary that is less than N 30,000 to sue your employer to recover the balance.

“This law applies to all agencies, persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he explained.

IGR of states and monthly allocations The analysis of the revenue profile of states and monthly allocations, according to records from the NBS, as at November 2019, indicated that a total IGR generated by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was estimated at N1.85tn in 18 months.

The net amount distributed to the states from the federation account was put at N3.76tn, implying that the amount which the states and the FCT got from the federation account during the period exceeded what was generated internally by them with about N1.91tn.

It indicates that only Lagos and Ogun States were able to raise their IGRs above the amount given to them by the FAAC. According to NBS, Lagos received a total of N177.1bn from the federation account for the 18 months period. However, the state

Chris Ngige, minister of Labour and Employment

Kayode Fayemi, chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)

was able to realise about N 587.34 bn as IGR during the period. This brought the total revenue available to the state during the 18 months period to about N764 .45 bn.

For Ogun State, out of the total revenue of N172.26bn, about N114 .13bn was earned through the IGR, while the balance of N59.13bn was received from the federation account.

The analysis showed that Rivers State generated N188.75bn in the IGR. But Delta and Kano states earned N95.82bn and N62.66 bn respectively as IGR as against their respective FAAC allocations of N322.32bn and N124.97bn.

NBS stated that Kaduna generated N51.8bn as IGR and received an allocation of N101.21bn in the 18 months’ period, while Edo had N43.89bn as IGR as against FAAC allocation of N101.05bn. Oyo State generated N38.73 bn IGR but got N87.4 bn from the federal allocation .

Also, Enugu State generated N32.84 bn as the IGR during the 18 months period and received N78.11bn from FAAC; Akwa Ibom raised N44.66bn as IGR as against FAAC allocation of N288.65bn; Kwara had N39.13bn IGR as against FAAC allocation of N65.12 bn; while Ondo generated N43.78 bn as against N92.95 bn allocated to it by FAAC. Similarly, Anambra State was able to generate N25. 37bn in 18 months but received N81.4 bn from the federation account; Imo had IGR of N25.43bn as against N81.01bn it got from FAAC; Abia raised N22.74 bn as against federal allocation of N 81 .93 bn; Bayelsa generated N19.5 bn IGR as against N218.85bn it got from FAAC; while Plateau generated N22.23 bn IGR compared to FAAC allocation of N65.24bn it received under the period under review.

Benue had IGR of N24.44bn as against FAAC allocation of N81.28bn; Sokoto generated IGR of N30.84 bn but got N81.26bn from FAAC; Kogi raised N18.01bn as IGR and received N78.34 bn from federal allocation, Niger got N19.55 bn as IGR and received N84.55bn from FAAC; Jigawa raised N14. 61bn IGR and got FAAC’s N88.86 bn; while Osun’s N20.59 bn IGR was a far cry from the N32.92 bn it got from the federation account.

About 10 states have concluded negotiations - NLC Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said about ten states have concluded negotiations with workers on consequential adjustments and are ready to implement the N30,000 national minimum wage.

Already, it was gathered that workers in Lagos and Kaduna, along with those at the Federal

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Feature level, have started enjoying the new minimum wage.

The states, which have concluded discussions on consequential adjustments, according to NLC are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos and Ebonyi. Just few days ago, Benue also announced that discussions on the adjustments have been concluded and the agrarian state is ready with payment. This brings the states to eleven.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this when he appeared Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme, recently. He said the ten states met the December 31, 2019 deadline set by organised labour.

“So far so good, we have about ten states that have concluded the process of collective bargaining and some have commenced payment. They are in three categories.

First are the states that have respected the deadline (December 31). They are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos and Ebonyi.

“We have those (states) that are still on the table and they have until yesterday (January 5) to complete the process. This constitutes about 23 states that are on the discussion table and we have seen commitments,” Waba had said.

Governors and their non-implementation body language From their body language, it has become evidently clear that most of the Nigerian governors are not ready to implement the new minimum wage.

While it is only two states that have commenced payment of the new salary structure, about ten have so far only concluded negotiations on consequential adjustments with the varied organised labour unions. This indicates that about 23 states are yet to commence negotiations.

Thirty six governors under the auspices of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had resolved that implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage and the consequential increments be paid according to capacity of states.

This was the outcome of a meeting of the governors which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, end of last year.

By the resolve, it meant that any state that is able to pay the new minimum wage can do so and it also implies that states that cannot implement it would not be compelled to do so.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi told newsmen that the governors took the position based on the fact that states have different number of workers with varied trade unions.

“We members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting today at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, deliberated on several issues.

“Governors reviewed current progress in the implementation of the Minimum Wage Law and resolved that consequential increments will depend on the capacity of each State government,” he had

Ayuba Wabba, NLC president said.

To show that many governors are not ready to implement the new minimum wage, only about ten of them were able meet the December 31 deadline by NLC for conclusion of negotiations.

TUC gives governors January 31 to comply or risk strike The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given state governments that are yet to implement the N30, 000 new minimum wage up until January 31 to comply or risk industrial action from workers.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Lagos, last Thursday. It was signed by the President, TUC, Quadri Olaleye and the Secretary General, Musa Lawal.

“The congress advises all state governments that have not complied with the implementation and immediate payment of the N30, 000 new national minimum wage to commence negotiations and implementation on or before 31st January, 2020.

“Otherwise the state governments should be responsible for the consequences of their failure.

State councils have been directed to commence mobilisation of their members immediately,” it said.

Negotiations by governors unrealistic - analysts An Abuja based social commentator, Ibrahim Manu has said the negotiations governors are going into with organised labour unions is mere political gimmick.

Manu, who is a former political office holder said there is nothing genuine and realistic about what the governors are doing on implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.

“You can agree with me that

since when this minimum wage came, about a year now, only two states have commenced payment in reality. And going by the position of NGF that states should pay according to capacity, no amount of negotiation will be real.

“They are simply playing politics with the issue. The governors do

“

Unless there is an increase in the sources of revenue, there will be less money for other capital projects and payment of salaries. The challenge before the states is to try and find new revenue sources to absorb the shock

not have the interest of the civil servants at heart. I assure you that many of them, if not all, that are yet to conclude negotiations, will not meet the January 31 deadline issued to them by labour. They will continue to buy time till many of them will leave office. Even as it is a law for them to pay, they will still go against it more so that there is selectivity in the rule of law as it is currently the situation in the country.”

John Danjuma is the president of concerned retired civil servants (CRCS) who spoke to our correspondent in an interview.

According to him, it became hard for civil servants to depend on promises of governors whenever it involves issues of salaries and staff welfare.

“We don’t believe them again.

Some of us are even retirees but we are concerned. Even the minimum wage, until they (governors) will implement it before we shall believe it. Everything revolves around politics these days. Politicians build bridges where there are no streams. But as it is matter of law, let’s wait and see if they will meet deadline issued by labour,” Danjuma stated.

States reacts Some of the states that are yet to conclude negotiations on the consequential adjustments of the new minimum wage have said they will meet the January 31 deadline issued to them by labour.

In Taraba State, Governor DariusIshakupledgedthatnegotiations between the state government and the organised Labour will be concluded before the deadline.

Ishaku through his senior special Assistant on media and publicity, Bala Dan Abu, said in an interview that the state government being workers friendly will demonstrate same leadership attribute in the minimum wage issue.

He lamented the poor financial disposition of the state and requested Taraba State workers should show consideration.

“Negations will be concluded before then. Gov Ishaku is workers friendly governor. He will demonstrate that same leadership attribute in this minimum wage issue.”

“But we request labour in Taraba State to show consideration for the poor financial disposition of the state by being less stiff on their demand”, he stated.

In Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule has revealed that he has set up with a 23-man committee, currently looking into the issues for the implementation of the minimum wage.

According to him, government will not delay in it avowed commitment to improve the living condition of its workers.

Speaking to our correspondent in Lafia, Sule urged the committee to recommend to the government a workable template for the implementation. He assured the governmentwillmeetthedeadline.

“This was in line with our determination to improve the welfare of public servants as they are the cornerstone for the implementation of

government policies and program.

“As you all recall, Nasarawa State is always in the front burner on the issues of the implementation of the National Minimum wage in the country, the 2011 case was a reference point.

“I need to point out therefore, that since the passage of the National Minimum wage (amendment) Act in April this year, government has continue to make consultations with major stakeholders, including the organised labour on how to come up with wit a sustainable strategy for the implementation of the new national minimum wage for worker from grade levels 01-06 and consequential adjustment for workers of grade levels 07-16 therein for the benefit of all,” Sule stated.

Experts advocate alternative revenue generation sources, retrenchment.

Meanwhile, experts have said for the states to be able to effect the payment of the new salary structure, they must employ alternative sources of generating revenue.

They say the IGR of most states is nothing to go by and that with the huge debts profile and loan repayment obligations, the negotiations that most states are making with labour unions is mere politics.

According to the experts, there is need states government retrench number of staff to enable them cope with the payment. They argue that most state employees whoreceivejumbopaydonoteven have schedule. They said there is need for serious reforms in the state civil service.

The Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates , Ayo Teriba, said with the impact of increase in wage bill , states must have other revenue sources to absorb the shock.

“Unless there is an increase in the sources of revenue, there will be less money for other capital projects and payment of salaries. The challenge before the states is to try and find new revenue sources to absorb the shock.”

Also, a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Samuel Nzekwe, said state governments should not give excuses not to pay the new minimum wage because they were living in affluence.

“They should see how much they are going to bring out from their security vote because it is a big chunk of money. Secondly, they have so many aides. What are they doing? These aides are paid huge sums of money. They should prioritise their expenses.”

Only three states can survive without federal allocation BudgIT BudgIT, a civic group committed to government financial transparency, says only three Nigerian state governments can finance their recurrent expenditure without allocation from the Federal Government.

According to its report “State of States 2019” released recently online, the group said Lagos led the fiscal sustainability index, followed

by Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

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Feature ‘Why payment of gratuities to A/Ibom retired workers is done in batches’ Effiong Essien is the Akwa Ibom State Head of Civil Service. He is a respected civil servant and has had a distinguished career.

Essien was appointed to the post last year. In this interview with ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, he spoke on plans by the state government to settle the agitation of workers on the new minimum wage, benefits of retired workers, the attitude of civil servants to work and the state government’s affordable housing scheme for workers among other issues. Excerpts:

T

here has been controversy over the payment of gratuities and other benefits to retired workers; what is the state government doing in this regard?

In the last quarter of last year, the Akwa Ibom State government has paid up to 4,461 cases of arrears of promotion, of short pay in salary, pension and of course, in gratuity. Gratuity is something that government is carrying a whole lot of arrears and by my estimation; the state government cannot handle everything at a go. So, government has chosen on a monthly basis to pay in batches and those whose schedules have come up, have received their gratuities. And those that are still pending should hold on because their schedules would soon come and they would receive their gratuities.

Can we say that this government has a human face when it comes to workers’ welfare?

Our Governor, Udom Emmanuel is worker-friendly. He has sympathy. He is concerned about the welfare of workers. That is why, from time to time, everything that has to do with the welfare of workers, in terms of the release of promotion, in terms of the affordable housing for the workers. Government is running two housing estates in the state. One in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and the other is in Nsit Ibom, all within Uyo capital territory. These affordable houses for the workers in the state are still parts of the welfare packages that the government has put in place. Even the prompt payment of salaries is also a sign of good governance, thinking about the welfare of workers.

How many housing units are we looking at and when are the houses likely to be ready?

In Nsit Ibom we have 100 units of houses that are ready for off-takers. We have advertised and also sent out circular to public servants to apply to the Federal Mortgage Bank that syndicated this loan for the national housing scheme. We have about 80 units in Ibiono Ibom that are also ready for off-takers.

What is the cost per unit?

I cannot give you that information now. That information can be gotten from the office of the Accountant-General.

A lot of retired workers have been complaining of not being paid their pensions and other entitlements. How true is this?

We have been paying pensions, except the arrears that have been carried over from the previous administrations in the state, but

Effiong Essien

the current administration has an automated payment system.

When you retire, you transit from salary platform to pension platform. Those who retire during this administration are having their pension as and when due, except the ones brought forward from the previous administrations. But government is trying to pay that since government is a continuum.

You described the governor as worker-friendly, but the issue of minimum wage seems to be raising dust in the state between organised labour and government. Why is it so?

Akwa Ibom State is one of the first states to set up new minimum wage committee as far back as last year when the issue came up in preparation to pay the minimum wage. When the issue came up at the national, a template was designed by the National Salary and Wages Commission. Akwa Ibom State within few days convened a committee and it has been discussing. So, labour and government have been discussing to agree

on the national minimum wage.

As we speak, Akwa Ibom State is ready to pay the minimum wage and consequential adjustments to workers, only that labour leaders are trying to ask for more benefits for the workers and that is what is delaying the matter, not that there is any matter. In fact, Akwa Ibom State has declared intention to pay the new minimum wage. But negotiations are ongoing. The state government has declared to labour that it is ready to pay according to the national template.

Will the state government be able to afford the huge increase in the wage bill?

Of course, it will pay. There is going to be an increase in the wage bill. That is why at the national, they asked labour to come and negotiate and let states declare what they would be able to pay. That is why you see some states telling labour that we cannot go beyond this and labour is insisting that you have to go that height. That is what is causing delay in some instances. But for Akwa Ibom State, our governor is a

talk-and-do governor. That is why he doesn’t want to be boxed into a situation that he accepts what he cannot do.

In a federal structure like ours, should a state be forced to pay a minimum wage determined at the national level?

That is why they said labour should negotiate with states on what they would be able to pay.

There is still room for the states to decide on what they can afford to pay or not.

Some states have been battling with the issues of ghost workers which have drained the finances of government. What is the position of Akwa Ibom? How many ghost workers have you uncovered?

I don’t know of ghost workers in the state. For one, the salary payment system in the state has been automated. Before we got to the automation of the system, there was biometric capturing of every worker. Every worker went out and did his or her thumb print and gave out other data information which was entered into a system. So, in such a system, it is difficult for one to imagine the existence of ghost workers.

A year ago, the state government advertised for recruitment into the civil service and many Akwa Ibom people applied, but feelers have it that secret recruitment has been going on?

There is no secret recruitment going on. The civil service commission advertised last year that applicants should upload their applications into the state government website and this is to allow government at any point that government wants to engage workers to check those who are qualified from the data received and engage them; so that has been going on.

Late last year, the state government had need for the services of medical personnel. Probably, that is the one you are talking about, it was not secret. From the application platform, candidates were selected and interviewed and employed as medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, and allied medical personnel and they are in service. So, it was not a secret thing.

What about the filling the vacancies of those who have retired from the service? When is the government really going to recruit people into the civil service?

That has to do with the governor giving approval for it. And as soon as approval is given, we will do it and bring in the personnel.

As the Head of Service, what is

your relationship with the workers in the state?

My relationship with workers in the state is very cordial. Like the governor, we think about the welfare in terms of training, in terms of getting their entitlements, in terms of timely promotion, in terms of welfare packages processed in timely manner. And the workers in the state do appreciate the level and manner that we are working and delivering on our policies.

What has been your major challenge so far?

The major challenge at the moment is how to give a total reorientation of the attitude of the workers. We still find some workers living in the past by coming to work late, not being steady at the duty post and some of them not even appreciating the good nature and gesture of the government.

So, these are mindsets that need to be changed. Total reorientation of attitudes of workers to work, that is what I am battling to effect comprehensively at the moment.

The journey has started.

On your resumption in office, you set up a monitoring committee. What has been the achievement of the committee?

The committee makes impromptu visits to offices and they do report some laxities, especially in the aspect of keeping the work environment clean. And they do follow up and every last Friday of the month, workers are expected to clean up their work environment and they do monitor to ensure compliance. That is why if you go to the state secretariat now, you will see a great difference that the work environment is well kept, clean and tidy.

You also initiated jogging exercise for workers. What informed that decision?

I did not initiate it but inherited it and really invigorated it. For a worker to serve better, he/she needs to be fit. You know wellness is not fitness. You can be well if you don’t have malaria, typhoid and all that, but you are not fit. If they tell you to climb a two-storey building, you would be gasping for breath as you land the first floor; that means you are not fit.

The exercise that we conduct on every second Saturday of the month; workers are not only being kept well, but are now fit to work, and their mental alertness is also increased. We also do health talk from time to time during the exercise so that people have knowledge of eating habits so as to improve on their fitness, all to ensure that the workers serve better.

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21

Feature Promoting health, safety and environmental practices in Nigeria’s event industry IFEOMA OKEKE

The HSE Manager also advised that hostesses be trained on handling and responding to emergencies, adding that their agencies should ensure they are guided against abuse or violence.

According to her, if hostesses work late, an accommodation should be secured, if event is longer than eight hours, there should be a work shift and they should be allowed to have in between short break or toilet break.

“Feed them or make provision of it in their allowance. They should know their job description and work accordingly. They under no circumstance, have a face out with guests, they should report all cases to the right channel and escalate if getting out of hand. It is a normal thing for the planner to spell out such circumstance in the contract they draw out, binding them and their clients. The client takes full responsibility of any misconduct of their guests,” she said.

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very event is a project because it has a start and finish phases. Hence, for every project, there should be a guide or policy in place to ensure successful project execution.

Safety is required as long as humans are involved in a project or activity. Safety concern should be a deliberate effort by all stakeholders involved in the project. There’s also the aspect of safety of the environment and all other things that constitute the environment.

There are typical example of organisations, where at their entrance you see “safety first” or “safety starts here” or you physically see all the measures in place to ensure safety like designated car parks, signage, use of safety gear, even, as a visitor, as little detail as signing in and being given a tag.

This is because these organisations know the value of safety and ensure safe practices in their work environment. If you think safety measures are expensive, try facing the risk that comes with unsafe practices such as, loss of lives, equipment, facility, litigation and compensation.

Safety concerns in the event industry revolves around areas of likely risk occurrence and safety concern that require adequate Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) management plan to ensure the success of any event.

Choice of event date matters because it can affect the event or cause threat to the life of guests. It is therefore, the duty of event practitioners to guide their clients on their date selection.

Some dates to consider avoiding include: national events (elections, rally, public holiday, protest etc): Risk involved- No movement, traffic congestion, violence, accident; For weather/season, risk involved includes rain which results in wet floor that can make the roads/floors slippery, resulting in accidents, trips and fall, traffic congestion, disruptions in the case of outdoor events that could lead to loss of equipment when it is windy or other natural disasters, for dry season- dust, ease of fire outbreak, fog, dehydration etc.

Religious events should also be considered and fixing a date with a venue close to where these programmes are hosted can be a risk.

Temitope Omolara Popoola, chief operating officer and HSE manager, Events HSE Services, a subsidiary of LuzLeisure Services LTD, in her writeup says a very important factor to also consider is the meeting point.

According to Popoola, an event practitioner without an office space should never invite clients to their home except they have a prior relationship with them.

“It is advisable to meet in a public place. This can never be over-emphasised. They will be guarding themselves and family against kidnappers, abuse, violence, theft, deranged people and psychopaths.

“Every event requires a venue to hold and most times, people are engaged in this venue for as long as

Temitope Omolara Popoola 8 - 20 hours. Adequate safety precautions and measures should thus be put in place because people are in the confinement of the given space,” she stated.

She listed some factors to consider as regard venue selection to include the venue’s safety measures, Venue capacity, adequate and accessible entry and exit, trailing cables, strength of materials, flooring, safety signs, obstructions, emergency, restroom, hygiene, traffic obstruction, and security of life and property.

Food handlers On Food handlers, Popoola stressed that professionals that offer services such as catering, small chops, grills, drink and anything consumable at an event; should be subjected to food handlers test, as there are basic package for this in many clinical laboratories, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV etc.

“We take all of this lightly in Nigeria because people have not started facing litigation on cases like this and because we are not conscious, so we can’t trace any issue that spring up to certain places.

“The staff needs to maintain high level of hygiene, decorum and care while serving/ carrying hot food or bottled beverages. They should also be aware of safety signs and train to use at least a fire extinguisher. Their outfit and footwear should not be such that can expose them to risk of trips, fall and burns,” chief operating officer and HSE Manager, Events HSE Services, stated.

For caterers using paracetamol, nail, soft drinks or some additives that cause danger to human health, she advised that they stop this practice immediately. She acknowledged that this might be a norm in various sectors but it is a high risk they are being exposed to.

She also advised caterers to have a standard in their menu preparation that won’t pose health risk.

“I shouldn’t have food poisoning because I ate at an event. If people eat the food you served at an event and it leads to them stooling or vomiting, you have done something wrong in your meal preparation plan. Ensure your cooking and serving procedures are safe.

“For the mixologist, I will advise you read the label of each drink you intend to mix and research each ingredient to be sure they are right and fit for consumption. Some drinks have ingredients that should not be mixed with other certain ingredients. All utensils, cutleries and cups should be sanitized per event,” she said.

Decorators, designers and stage designers Popoola also asked that decorators, designers and stage designers are to ensure safety measures are in place for their staff either ad-hoc or permanent staff.

She explained that when staff have to work at height they should be provided the appropriate tools either a ladder or scaffold where applicable and personal protecting clothing.

“Check the durability of your materials and equipment. Ensure every hanging object are properly fixed particularly ceiling installations.

Avoid obstructions in your designs, use the right equipment at all time, no shortcut please, shortcut is the easiest route to death in some cases. Ensure you do the right designs for the right space. Let safety be your watchword.

Pray not to suffer litigation before you learn to ensure the safety of your staff or those who your actions and inactions will endanger,” she said.

Hostesses, crowd control, bouncer and security

Noise pollution The acceptable noise level for every normal human ear is 75 decibels, which is also dependent on the exposure time. Anything higher is causing damage and a potential risk.

Sound operators should ensure their sound level is on the lowest and they gradually increase it.

“The testing period should be done before guests’ arrival. Many people are walking about with damaged ear drums. Where you can’t hear the lowest sound, there’s a problem or damage already done to the ears. High noise level constitute nuisance to the environment and if found wanting, such practitioner is liable to litigation or the environmental authorities can shut down the event,” she noted.

Special effect According to Popoola, all special effects to be used should be safe to human health. Outdoor effects shouldn’t be used indoors. Objects that can easily catch fire should not be close to where it will be operated.

“A fire extinguisher should be close by. An entire venue can get burnt or asthmatic attack aggravated. Where

“For the mixologist, I will advise you read the label of each drink you intend to mix and research each ingredient to be sure they are right and fit for consumption. Some drinks have ingredients that should not be mixed with other certain ingredients. All utensils, cutleries and cups should be sanitized per event”

it is being used on dance floors, it should be positioned at least ten meters from human contact. Be sure to put in mind the safety of others as the operator and also guide and advice planners and clients on the use of the effects,” she advised.

Make-up artist and hair stylist “The make-up artists should make sure they wash their brushes and sanitise before use per client and where possible, use tools per clients.

Sharp objects should not be shared, client should insist on this by ensuring it is opened in front of them. The ingredients of all cosmetics should be checked and researched. It is the duty of this practitioner to ask client of any allergies and where not asked, client should state it.

“The hairstylist should ensure they check the wiring of all tools to be used.

Make necessary guide to protect the client from burns as a result of the use of hot working tools,” she explained.

Planner Popoola stressed that it is good and advisable to have a safety professional attached to an organisation and where it is not affordable, the planner or a designated staff should take full responsibility of this.

The chief operating officer and HSE Manager, Events HSE Services said that they should attend safety trainings, know what to look out for and risk to be assessed or involved per event type handled and the mitigation to place on each assessed risk.

She said that clients be advised on anything that will breach safety of human lives and properties, adding that anything that will lead to litigation should be avoided.

Clients She noted that for clients which is believed to be the organisers of the event have the responsibility to ensure the safety of guests and make sure the event is not of risk to the health & safety of humans and the environment.

“Where not clear, seek advice or talk to a professional. Be sure all risks involved with the event have been assessed and adequate measures have been put in place to either eliminate the risk or mitigate,” Popoola said.

General rules/ practice Some of the general rules and practices Popoola suggested include insuring life of staff and properties/ equipment, teaching everyone about safety signs, teaching and training on the use of fire extinguishers, safety first should be the mantra, learning about ergonomic effects and avoiding damage to staff physiology, carrying out thorough risk assessment before the start of any event, having a safety guideline and policy and using personal protective items where needed.

“In all, every individual is responsible for their own safety and the safety of the environment. They should ensure to have measures to protect themselves and where possible eliminate or mitigate anything that pose a risk. Safety should be the first thing in mind and building block for every event process,” she said.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

ketches With Zebulon Agomuo’

08054691823

Would there ever be credible election again in Nigeria?

Pray, we have suddenly become endangered species

ncreasingly, elections in Nigeria have become shambolic. Election victories are no longer determined by vote cast by the electorate based on the popularity or acceptance of candidates, but largely based on the ability of candidates and political parties to dispense with heavy dose of brutality and thuggery. Apart from the violence-ridden elections, it appears that the courts have taken over the job of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as most elections are now inconclusive until the courts decide so.

In the last three weeks, the Supreme Court has either stamped the victories of some governors or quashed them, making the INEC decision a nullity. Elections are becoming mere fulfilment of righteousness and many eligible voters are losing interest in taking part in the election processes. A fearful and frightening template appears to have been designed on the conduct of elections and how to criteria to return winners. The template has been tested and proven to deliver expected results. The 2019 general election has been adjudged the worst so far since the return of the country to civil rule. The off-season gubernatorial election in Kogi State last November was a mere charade, a good example of what an election should not be. Despite the killings and arsons that

e a re m ov i n g d a n g e r ously in Nigeria at the moment. There is fear everywhere. The primary duty of government appears to have been neglected. Life has become so cheap in the country that apprehension has become every one’s compassion. People are killed at whim and killers go Scott free.

The security situation in the country is at its lowest ebb. Government has remained akimbo; it appears overwhelmed. All strategies to rein in all the categories of the killers that are on the prowl in the country appear to have failed. Government is practically in a confused state.

Today, government has failed the masses that look up to them for protection.

Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and herdsmen now call the shots.

They invade communities; kill, maim, rape old and young women at will. And they get away with their mind-wrenching crimes. They abduct people for ransom and even go ahead to slaughter such victims even after huge ransoms are paid.

Religious war is in the offing; ethnic cleansing is allegedly going on in the parts of the country. I received a call from a cleric in Adamawa State last Wednesday. The caller said the media is not reporting half of the “ethnic cleansing going on in Adamawa, Borno and some other parts of the north”.

He recounted some killings that took place in the month of December and how some Christian families had their houses burnt down, and how in some cases family members were pushed inside the house while the assailants set the building on

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took place, the state has moved on and those who lost their loved ones or those who were maimed or those who had their houses burnt, are now forgotten.

The Kogi election signposts what subsequent future elections are going to be.

The saddest part of it all is that victories obtained in such rancorous atmosphere are upheld by the powers that be against the expectation of peace-loving citizens.

This has emboldened those who believe in the principle of the “end justifies the means” to get hardened and more brutal in greater iniquities. I am just simply afraid of future elections in this country.

Catholic Church, Mbaka, others and ‘controversial’ political predictions

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owadays, it has become very fashionable for clerics to make all manner of predictions, which they term prophecies. The first week of January 2020 saw many of such predictions, many of which were outright doom. It was all about death, war, disintegration of Nigeria, etc. They never saw a prosperous country and a bright future for citizens. The dusts raised by such predictions are yet to settle.

There are whispers in some places that the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria may take a serious look at the activities of priest, running private ministries in the church to ensure that they do so with stricter deference to their Local Ordinary and in compliance with the tenets of their priestly vocation. It was gathered that the decision was a fallout of Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s political predictions that may have cast the Catholic Church in bad light.

The Catholic Herald Weekly reported that the regulation has become necessary “in view of the recent controversies surrounding the activities of some of the Directors of these ministries which may not have augured well with the image of the Catholic.”

The Catholic Herald quoted some sources, that were particularly piqued by the failure of some of the priests to adhere strictly to their vows of total obedience to their Local Ordinary in their operations, a situation, the sources noted that had seen some of the priests speaking and acting in ways that are not consistent with or in strict compliance

with the ethical conduct expected of the Catholic priesthood. Although it was noted that some of these private ministries, like the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria have over the years been very instrumental to the spiritual rejuvenation of many in the body of Christ, there are also fears that if “these private ministries are not properly guided, they may lose focus and fall into the nest of worldliness, thereby leading their followers astray,” the Catholic Herald Weekly said.

According to the publication, “Particularly worrisome to the hierarchy of the church at this time is the political prediction made by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, regarding the governorship of Imo State. Fr. Mbaka had in his 2020 New Year predictions revealed that the candidate of the APC at the last governorship election, Hope Uzodima would emerge the next governor of Imo State. This came at a time when there was a pending court case at the Supreme Court on the contentious election between Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP and the APC candidate, Uzodima.

“True to the prediction, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Uzodima who has since been sworn in as governor of Imo State”.

However, The Catholic Herald said that some sources strongly believed that the continuous involvement of Fr. Mbaka in the contentions issue of party politics in the country was capable of polluting the political atmosphere and bringing the Catholic Church to disrepute. Quoting a source that pleaded anonymity, the medium said: “Recall that sometime last year; he was accused of openly soliciting for funds from politician, Peter Obi, in respect of his ministry, an action which received wide condemnation. Though he later tendered an apology to the politician concerned and to his Local Ordinary in Enugu, the church was not expecting him to go back into making political pronouncement.

As a Catholic Priest he should know better that obedience is better than sacrifice.”

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fire. Government must investigate these claims, and should be seen to be concerned about the unprovoked killings going on across the country.

The other day, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State told journali s t s t h a t a r m e d h e rd s m e n h a v e taken over some communities in his state, including Agatu where Fulani herdsmen had in 2016 slaughtered dozens of indigenes in cold blood.

While addressing the media last Thursday, Samson Ayokunle, the CAN’s national president, listed shocking instances of brutal murders of Christians in the north, including the beheading by terrorists of Reverend Lawan Andimi, CAN chairman in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Nigeria has become a fearful place to live in, but I believe, government has the capacity to check the ugly trend. Many people strongly believe that government’s attitude may be encouraging the mindless killings and the barefaced criminality by some groups in the country. Governments must act fast now, because “a stitch in time saves nine.”

BDSUNDAY Numbers: 2,181 T his is the recorded number of vandalised pipeline points within one year period between October 2018 and October 2019, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The issue of vandalism in Nigeria has become a very serious one. Today, people vandalise everything. While they dream to be like the developed world, they neither work towards it nor allow the efforts of government or the private sector to materia l i s e . A p a r t f ro m t h o s e w h o g o to the creeks to burst pipelines to siphon crude, there are others whose stock-in-trade is stealing

of electrical cables and other installations they think could fetch them instant money.

For this reason, electrification projects in many communities are stalled; water projects are disrupted, and in the case of pipeline vandalism, the country is losing a lot of revenues to the unpatriotic elements that engage in these activities. What these bad behaviours mean is that they continue to delay Nigeria’s quest to join the league of developed countries, and deny everyone the necessary infrastructure that makes life worth living.

BDSUNDAY Numbers: 34,000

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his is the number of lucky women in Katsina State that benefited from the N10billion micro-grant being given to disadvantaged women across the country by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).

The women came from the 34 local government areas of the state. With the money, the beneficiaries now

have the opportunity to either start a business of boost existing ventures.

The Foundation is known for such philanthropic gestures across the country and many families have benefited and are today having a good time as a result of such gestures.

More wealthy Nigerians are enjoined to also show a little bit of kindness.

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Women World ‘We need to build bridge between female engineering graduates and multinationals’

Funmilola Ojelade is the newly installed president of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN). Speaking in an interview with NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE recently in Lagos, Ojelade who is the 16th president of the association, a chemical engineer as well as the manager pre-press, currency production, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, decried dearth of skilled female engineers in Nigeria. She affirmed that her two-year tenure just like her predecessor will centre on encouraging girls in secondary schools across the country to study Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) so as to enable them study engineering in the university. Excerpts:

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ngineering is seen by most people as a male-dominated area, What actually motivated you to study the course?

I do not really believe that engineering is a male dominated area. It was right from secondary school that l decided l was going to study engineering because my best subject then was mathematics. So, it was my good performance in mathematics that actually motivated me to study engineering. Besides mathematics, l was also good in physics and chemistry. Though, it got to a point when it was very difficult for me to understand one of the science subjects and that was in form one and two, but after a while, I picked up. Besides, it was a natural thing for me to go into engineering because my elder brother studied civil engineering and when it was time for me to fill JAMB form, it was very easy for me to do that.

As a female engineer, have you ever faced any discrimination from your male counterpart?

One of the things my brother said when I opted to study chemical engineering was that there are more girls in that field. There were 8 girls in my class of 40, and that was a lot because in some classes, there were no girls. But, since I graduated, I have never had reasons to think that I was being treated in a particular way because I am woman.

If there was any assignment to do, we don’t have to climb rooftops.

I have never had an experience of being discriminated against.

How do you intend to complement the efforts of your predecessor in terms of STEM for girls’ initiative and transforming the association?

APWEN is an educational and service organisation. Presently, under the leadership of the past president, Dr. Felicia Agubata, APWEN has taken a giant leap and we have quite a number of programmes on ground which we use to increase the numerical strength of female engineers and also be a catalyst for the progress of the woman engineers. So many of our programmes are tailored in that direction. We have a programme for primary school girls which kicked-off two years ago.

We have the ‘Invent it, Build it’ programme, the way it has been done is that it is now creating a revolution of girls that will take engineering as a career. We also have the ‘Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot Camp for Girls’, and also the ‘Introduce a girl child to engineering’ which is for girls in secondary school designed to inspire girls to

study engineering in the university.

These ones have already been laid down and I will continue with the projects. What we now need to add is for those in the university.

The question is, when you graduate from the university, what do you do? How do you fit into the industry you are going in to? A few people have actually asked me what they need to do after they graduated as engineers. So, we are now focusing more on graduating students and young engineers. We are going to introduce the town and gown mentoring programme which will bring multinationals to meet with the graduating students and young engineers. Essentially, we want them to know what is required in that industry so that they can focus their learning towards that. One of the things we have communicated with a few multinationals is to increase the percentage of female engineers.

One of the multinationals said they already have 15 per cent of female engineers and that they want to increase it to 30 per cent, because they said there is a dearth of female engineers. I am aware that there are so many female engineers who don’t even have a job. So, obviously, something is missing. It may be that they don’t have the required skill that the multinationals needed because when they call for employment, they will get thousands of applications and they don’t pick them. So, we need to build a bridge between the graduates and the multinationals. If you can get the required skills to work with the multinationals, then you can work with a local company. So, we are raising the bar so that even local companies can have good quality engineers to employ. We intend to build the capacity of our young engineers, such that while they are still in school, they can have it at the back of their mind the type of skills they needed to develop and the things to focus on even in their academics so that they can become employable. Essentially, that is what we are doing. We are creating an opening for them so that by the time they are finishing from the university, they will have a place to go. On the ‘Invent it, Build it’, programme, we have already awarded the students scholarships, so every year, we are going to require the chapters who we have mandated to organise “Boot camps” every year and ensure that girls who won the scholarships will be part of the “boot camps”. The essence is to continue to help the girls focus on the fact that they will one day become female engi-

Funmilola Ojelade

neers. The “boot camp involves” them doing experiments that have engineering concept and showing them the value of engineering in the technological development of the society.

You talked about dearth of female engineers in the country, what factors hinder women from studying engineering in the university?

As a woman, the primary thing is the mindset of the society that engineering is a career for the men. We even have parents that will say the career is a male thing; therefore, you should not go in to it. A lot of people also think that it requires physical effort like those of motor mechanics and bricklayers. We know that the engineer is the designer of the structure, methods and process that will be used primarily. We have craftsmen and technicians who are going to carry out the physical aspect.

Mathematics is one of the core subjects required to study engineering, why do people see it as a problem?

I don’t see the subject as a problem, I say that because both men and women may not be good in mathematics and we have seen what the problem is. From my own personal experience, the teaching method goes a long way. My mathematics performance was bad in form one and two. The reason was that the teacher who was taking the subject was an expatriate from the Philippines and I didn’t understand what she was saying.

She had the Philippines accent and I didn’t understand her teaching in mathematics. I grew up in Ibadan where the kind of English I understood was the one with Yoruba accent, but when they brought us a Yoruba teacher who taught us mathematics in form three, I found it very easy with the way she approached it. She was a good teacher and her efforts reinforced what she had taught us.

What challenges did you encounter in your field as a chemical engineer?

My work has always been paid employment with government

establishments. They have structure and process that have been put in place that I don’t have to be the one to think of how to do it. The only time we could have an issue is when problems arise and you have to sit down with a team and decide on how to solve it. That happens a lot and it is part of what you do to get your experience. Basically, there has not been any challenge that we have not been able to overcome.

How do you intend to empower your members technologically?

We have the business and social entrepreneurship committee in APWEN. They came up with the training and capacity building for members. Being engineers, we are in the technology field already, but there are quite a number of things that we may not know about.

For instance, things like financing because some of us are business people; there are things on entrepreneurship that some of us are not doing well. So, these are the kind of additional capacity building that the committee brought to the table. The committee also has plans for the university students which is the innovation challenge that we just concluded. The title was ‘Waste management for social good’, organised last year. This year, we are going to be working on water and sanitation. Because we are technology inclined, it is those things that we know we lack that we are going to focus on to empower ourselves.

In what ways do you think government can assist engineers to solve problems of research?

It is not everybody in government that understands the problem of engineering, so what we do basically is advocacy to advise the government on issues on research. Some of the things that happen in research institutes are that they are not tied to solving specific problem in an industry. In abroad, the industry will go to the universities and inform them about the need to do research on certain things, and the companies will fund the research. One of the things I see happening about research in Nigeria is that they give you a topic and you write your papers and keep it. But it’s important we go to the industries and look at the challenges confronting them. That is one way engineers can add value so that we can target the research for solving a specific problem. So, if you are solving a specific problem, everybody will buy it, but if you are solving a problem that had been solved somewhere, you may not have too much buyers.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Arts Taiye Idahor; an artist on the rise

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OBINNA EMELIKE f you are a passionate follower of the Nigerian visual art, you will appreciate the outstanding contributions of some female artists who seem to see no boundary or limit in expressing themselves through their works.

As well, they are vast in the various media of artistic expression, creating breathtaking works in the process.

Well, one of the enterprising female artists is Taiye Idahor, and one to look out for this year. The Fine Art graduate from Yaba College of Technology Lagos is an artist on the rise. Though she specialized in Sculpture at the college, today she runs a multimedia practice amid experiment with new concepts.

One intrigue about the artist is her sheer ability to use collage, drawing, sculpture and mixed media to contemplate ideas through the lens of memory, culture and modernity. Also, using drawn and collaged photographic elements, she skillfully reflects on the historical and contemporary status of women in within an increasingly globalized society, starting from Nigeria, her country of birth.

If you saw her first solo exhibition titled ‘Hairvolution’ in 2014 at the Whitespace Gallery in Lagos, and her current shows, you will marvel at her fast she is honing and mastering her skilled, as well as, the gradual attainment to a high level craftsmanship in the art space.

In 2018, staged her first exhibition in the United Kingdom, a successful outing that spoke volume

Taiye Idahor in her studio

of her creative ingenuity and mastering of her craft. Titled ‘Okhuo’, which translate to “woman” in Bini, the exhibition showcased the cultural splendor of Bini coral beads at Tyburn Gallery in London where she generously displayed her signature works.

While in Hairvolution, she focused on the identity of women using “hair” as a visual language in her work, in Okhuo she used figurative renderings of Benin iconography, the most prominent of which are coral beads to honor powerful women, especially in the ancient Benin Empire and contemporary Benin woman.

The Okhuo series further spotlighted her techniques; photo paper collages with pen drawings in coloured pencil, which depict dressed corals beads worn as worn by individuals against clear white and black paper, as though suspended in a clear cloud. There was no human face on it, hence offering a

Bead work by artist

composition, which gave her work an ethereal beauty. She admitted leaving out the images in order speak of the presence that should exist within the beads, but that was absent.

Art critic, who follows her works, once said that Idahor’s works embody absence through the voids and the empty spaces that are apparent in her collages but they only express the her constant questioning of the issues she is exploring while leaving room for the audience to also contemplate them.

She also lends support to the women cause. She uses female faces including her own to confront issues surrounding women in Nigeria, their daily struggle with culture and tradition in the modern world.

Recalling her days of little beginning and the lessons learnt then and encouragement that still propels her. “I remember when I was working with Olu Amoda during my one year internship in 2003 or was it

2004?!... Anyway Mr Olu would always say that every piece of metal he had left over from the gates or windows and art he made were very important”, she says.

Aside her solo outings, she has participated in many joint exhibitions and projects such as the Presidential Inauguration Exhibition Abuja Nigeria 2011, Dubai Art Fair, Marker 2013, Standing Out, an allfemale artists exhibition at Temple Muse in 2016, among others. Also, Idahor’s intricate collage and pencil drawings, which reflect Bini royalty and ancient African feminism were among the work on display at the maiden edition of Art X Lagos.

Some of her works are in major museums across the world including being part of the collections of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town, South Africa; the Davis Museum, Wellesley, Massachusetts; and the Brooklyn Museum, New York.

She lives and works in Lagos.

French art dealers buy looted African artifacts at auction to return to Benin

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group of antique dealers in France joined forces to buy 27 objects looted from Benin in order to return them to Africa. The private initiative led by a Paris-based art dealer has upped the ante on the restitution of African art looted during the colonial era, as French museums face mounting pressure to respond to a groundbreaking report on the subject commissioned

by President Macron.

Macron pledged more than two years ago to return African cultural heritage held in French museums, but little movement has been made since. The valuable items from Benin, which were on offer at auction, will now go on display at a museum in the country, which preserves the

royal heritage of the Abomey kings.

The restituted objects will join the collection of the Petit Musée de la Récade in Lobozounkpa, a small museum dedicated to recades, or ceremonial staffs. The carved recades were important symbols of power of the kings of Dahomey, who ruled the West African kingdom from the 17th to the end of the 19th century.

The items, which include recades, sabers, and Fon objects of worship, are being returned today, January 17, thanks to an initiative organized by the Paris-based art dealer Robert Vallois, who runs the Collectif des antiquaires in SaintGermain-des-Prés.

“The return of our remnants, the recades of our Kings to their

who took part in the mission.

Robert Vallois has been supporting the Benin museum since 2015, when his collective, along with a few private collectors, donated 43 objects to form its founding collection.

Since then, Vallois has been steadily acquiring artifacts for the museum, including on eBay for prices as low as €250 ($277). Previously, he bought a recade that belonged to King Glélé for €61,500 ($68,000) at a public sale in France, according to RFI Afrique.

Among the most remarkable objects in the museum’s collection is a royal recade depicting a shark, the heraldic symbol of the king. “Not all the pieces are historical,” Vallois says in a statement, but they are “fantastic.”

The museum is housed within a cultural space called Le Centre, just outside of Cotonou. The institution has also acquired some 31 recades made by contemporary artists during residencies at the space.

The French president Emmanuel Macron pledged in a historic speech in 2017 to return African heritage held in French museums but has since faced criticism for slow progress on the issue. Two years ago he announced that 26 objects looted from the royal palace of Abomey in 1892 by French troops would be sent back to Benin, but the objects remain in the Musée du quai BranlyJacques Chirac in Paris. The French culture minister Franck Riester recently promised to return them by 2021.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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Arts ‘Convergence’ opens the year for art lovers

S

OBINNA EMELIKE ince November 25, 2019, Convergence, a solo exhibition by Obi Okigbo, a Brussels-based Nigerian-born artist, has been on at Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi.

The exhibition offered quality unwinding to art lovers and guests at the boutique hotel during the festive period. However, those who have not seen and wish to see the creative display at the hotel can do so as the exhibition prepares to end February 16, 2020.

Well, there are a few reasons to visit and see the exhibition. Obi Okigbo, the exhibiting artist, is the daughter of Christopher Okigbo, late foremost Nigerian poet.

She is staging a comeback to the Nigerian art scene with the much anticipated solo exhibition, which is curated

by SMO Contemporary Art. You also need to see the exhibition because it features 50 paintings and drawings on paper, canvas, linen and silk by the artist. It also features some poems by the

late poet.

While the exhibition marked the end an exciting 2019 art program for the Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi, which has generously donated its exclusive spaces and walls for many exhibitions last year, it also marks the beginning of the 2020 art calendar of the hotel and SMO Contemporary Art, the curator.

Convergence explores the artist’s fascination with how our belief systems, behavioral patterns, and aesthetic values have been shaped by ancient art and mythology from different cultures and eras. Okigbo’s experimentation with delicate paintings using Indian ink and pigment, touch on universal themes of transcendence. Her powerful portraits of heroes of African descent are “a celebration of collective memory, the archetypal quest for the self and the truth of our existence”.

Okigbo grew up in Nigeria, and practiced architecture in London, Rome and Paris before moving to Brussels in 1995, and becom-

ing a full time studio artist.

She has exhibited in Nigeria, United Kingdom, Dubai and Belgium, and established the Christopher Okigbo Foundation in 2005, which focuses on researching and preserving the legacy of her late father, the poet Christopher Okigbo. Convergence is Okigbo’s second major solo exhibition in Nigeria since 2003.

“We are pleased to host the culturally significant works of Obi Okigbo in what can only be described as a well-timed homecoming for the artist,” said Mosun Ogunbanjo, director of the Wheatbaker. “Obi’s Convergence presents fascinating portraits of the who-is-who of heroes of African descent along the hotel’s corridor’s providing not just fantastic art, but a veritable history lesson for our esteemed guests.”

“Obi Okigbo’s creativity is a visual convergence of global mythology, literature, philosophy, and culture presented on a rich tapestry of art,” said Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, the exhibition curator and founder

Lagos to host 120 events, 200 performers at theatre festival

Minister woos investors to Nigeria’s creative industry

L

ai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, has urged investors to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in the nation’s creative Industry, which he described as the fastest growing sector of the nation’s economy, in terms of business opportunities, employment, earnings and entertainment.

The Minister made the pitch at the 11th Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (Investour), which was held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday.

He said the sector currently employs about 1 million people, directly and indirectly, and has the potential to employ millions more, with the much-needed investment. ‘’Nollywood, for example, is not just about entertainment.

It is also a major driver of economic growth and job creation, especially for youths and wom-

en’’, the minister said. ‘’With over 2,000 movies produced annually, the opportunities are immense for wealth and job creation.’’

He said though the growth in the area of cinemas, for example, has been impressive, it is yet a tip of the iceberg. ‘’In 2014, Nigeria had just 23 cinemas, 100 screens and three digital platforms. By 2018-2019, the cinemas have grown to 51, the screens to 184 and the digital platforms to five. Now, this is just a tip of the iceberg, considering that 6,000 screens and 1,000 cinemas are required to serve the Nigerian population of about 200 million people,’’ the minister said.

He said the potential impact of such growth includes the creation of additional 1 million jobs and a GDP growth contribution of 3 to 5 percent.

Mohammed, who served as a panelist at the event, said the nation also boasts of a very vibrant and popular music industry which not only reflects

of SMO Contemporary Art. “By presenting her works alongside poetry by her late father, the famous poet Christopher Okigbo, she invites us to “step back into the belly of memory”, drawing from generational stories and personal experience spanning across time and space.

A few years ago, Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, described Obi Okigbo as “belong(ing) to that sturdy artistic stock that increasingly finds its place among the best anywhere in the world. Her canvases provide shifting visions of reality, her sense of juxtaposition is always deft and eloquent, not arbitrary or faddish. The continent, so rich in many artistic traditions, should be proud to have this talented addition, who has taken the basics of form and texture into a self-renewing language of expression for a modern age.”

The exhibition is supported by the Wheatbaker and sponsored by Louis Guntrum wines and is open to the public from November 25, 2019 to February 16, 2020.

her cultural richness, but has over the years translated into international recognition and acceptance. ‘’The Nigeria music revenue grew from about $36 million in 2014 to $53 million in 2018 and is projected to hit $86 million in 2021, making it the biggest in the region,’’ he said, noting that a chunk of the figure comes from digital music consumption, an area of the market which significantly boosted the industry in Nigeria and paved the way for local artistes to thrive.

In the area of fashion, the Minister put the earnings at over N4 trillion of Nigeria’s rebased GDP (National Bureau of Statistics, 2018), and described arts and crafts as another growing area of the creative industry.

He said with rich food diversity, Nigeria could also leverage on gastronomy to grow its tourism and create job, especially for women who, he said, dominate the sector. ‘’It offers opportunities for communities to integrate tourism and local food systems in order to promote economic activities. Gastronomy tourism contributes positively to the many levels of the tourism value chain, such as agriculture and local food manufacturing and provides a platform for the promotion of cultures through the cuisine,’’ Mohammed said.

T

he 7th edition of the Lagos Theatre Festival is set to hold in multiple locations within the Lagos metropolis including; National Museum Lagos, African Artists Foundation, British Council, Alliance Française with Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island as the main festival hub among other venues.

This year’s festival will explore the theme, ‘Going out of Bounds’ and will feature over 120 events – drama, opera, dance, comedy, and spoken word and evening events of karaoke, comedy, music performances and disco.

There will be side attractions to include the famous LTF Leisure Market bringing together vendors providing food, art and crafts, and services for the pleasure of attendants (families included) of the festival.

There will also be learning opportunities with workshops and panel discussions included in festival activities for talent development.

Speaking recently at a press conference held at Freedom Park, Lagos, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), chairman

A theatre performance

of LTF Foundation, revealed that the festival is aimed at portraying Lagos as the home of artistic expressions.

This year’s edition, in partnership with the British Council, is aimed at exceeding bounds.

Bikiya Graham-Douglas, the festival executive director, shared that LTF remains focused on creating opportunities for upcoming performing artists through its site-specific scope of presentations outside the traditional theatre. “This festival will create platforms for many. We want local and

international production companies to see the Lagos Theatre Festival as a hub that fosters exchange and collaborations while telling our stories and promoting our culture”, she said.

Lydia Idakula-Sobogun, the artistic director, added that the event will bring together shows and events by over 45 production companies from home and abroad selected specifically to suit this year’s theme “Going out of Bounds” and the selection was made from over three hundred entries for LTF2020.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

BookReview ‘The Last Flight’ Year of Publication: 2009 Pages: 602 Publishers: Aeromax International Ltd. 12A Oba Akinjobi Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Reviewer: Chigachi Eke (Email: chigachieke@yahoo.co.uk) Author: Captain August Okpe.

P

aradox of development, according to Ian Morris, is a concept rooted in the changing dynamics of progress. It refers to a situation where every solution, at some point, becomes the problem.

Morris who wrote at the turn of 21st Century is precise in why nations triumph or atrophy.

The Third World is weak, he illustrates in “Why the West Rules-for Now,” because it consumes itself with “Chain of Divinities” that addresses an improbable hereafter to the detriment of its energy needs.

Advanced First World, by contrast, fares better because its “Chain of Energies” ensures better and cheaper energy for development and defence while paying scant attention to the hereafter. Deities that drove civilization in times past are an obstacle to development today as military and economic powers no longer flow from temple and altar but library and laboratory.

I lean heavily on Morris in my interpretation of General Yakubu Gowon’s post-civil war “No victor, no vanquished” policy. Though reconciliatory, it effectively foreclosed all debates on the causes, course and consequences of that war. It was like the war never really happened. The succeeding generations grew up ignorant of the frictions leading to the coups, pogroms and civil war. Then one morning we woke up only to behold violent agitations for resource control in the Niger Delta, Biafra in the South East and Islamic state in the North East. Poor Gowon’s dove now looks like monster in a true Morrisian paradox of development.

But things could have been different had the revered Gowon and his successors carried the lesson of the civil war into the classroom.

Teaching young Nigerians what led to the Nigeria-Biafra war would have curtailed ethnic and religious bigotries. Such attempt would warn the children of the victor not to push the children of the vanquished to the Fanonian point of vowing, “Enough is enough.”

Captain August Okpe’s“The Last Flight”fulfills a historical necessity in paedagogy. It deviates from the see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil that characterised Gowon’s “No victor, no vanquished.” His argument is that a vicious conflict costing the lives of millions actually took place because he actively participated in the fighting. This monumental tragedy happened because none believed it could happen as everything capable of buoying post-colonial Nigeria was relegated by the leadership. By so doing, the work tends to encourage young Nigerians to, among other things, denounce war in all its ramifications.

Coming from a hot-headed combat pilot who once swore to rocket his own father’s house at Ihiagwa from air, the radicalised youth of today sees himself in the protagonist.

Such identification tends to favour non-violence, unlike the blind vio-

lence associated with ignorance and repressed consciousness, for three reasons: One, the author comes across as role model for young Nigerians who came of age under military dictatorship. Signification, or writing, narrows the generation gap having opened dialogue with them.

Two, by convincing this generation that the preceding one actually tried war as option, the scale automatically tips in favour of dialogue. Three, Captain Okpe’s immense personal sacrifice cannot fail to inspire the deep respect of today’s youth for the preceding generation that never folded its hands and did nothing. Be it plane crash, being shot at or shooting others, the hero experienced it all in his twenties.

Again, there is redemptive dimension to Captain Okpe’s noholds-barred approach. Relieving the ghost of the past is healing for author and Nigeria. Written thirty-nine years after, the philosophical outlook brought to bear in the writing of this story is obviously not the same patriotic zeal that involved him in the conflict. Time heals; in addition, it re-examines long-standing assumptions making us wiser. This probably explains the lack of bitterness in the work, making me wonder whether the author could have written the same literature immediately after the war. If crisis precedes expurgation then this could be it.

Authentic In his Introduction to the work Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, former Biafran Head of State, privileges the work as authentic, “For the first time and, in a remarkable departure from the usual genre of literature dedicated to the ground war, a book on the Nigeria-Biafra air-war has finally been written by the specialist who, undoubtedly, is the most qualified to write it.” Captain Okpe is the “specialist” and “most qualified” to write on the exploits of Biafran Air Force, BAF, as Chief Pilot, Tactical Air Command, TAC, of that service. In that capacity he was air borne the moment Ojukwu or Defence Headquarters made tactical decision.

Trained at the Central Officers School, Royal Canadian Air Force, Centralia, Ontario; Royal Canadian Air Force Flight School, Penhold, Alberta, and Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Instructors School, Moose-Jaw, Saskatchewan (all in Canada) as well as with the US Air Force Training Command, Captain Okpe was among the first batch of cadet pilots to form the nucleus of Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Fifteen of them were sent overseas 18th February 1963 by the distinguished AlhajiMohammaduRibadu, Nigerian Minister of Defence.

With the outbreak of anti-Igbo killings years later after his return to Nigeria, he made a precarious journey with Flight Lieutenant EmekaOmeruah to Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. Eventually, the Eastern

Command was formed with Lt. Col. Louis ChudeSokei heading BAF. When the great Swedish noble man called Count Carl Gustav Von Rosen formed TAC, Ojukwu immediately drafted Captain Okpe to this elite unit where he won Biafra’s highest military citation-The Military Cross.

Synopsis/Subject Matter author is emphatic his work “is limited to dealing with facts, figures and events affecting persons involved in aviation particularly of the military kind” (p.195). Noncombat pilots flying relief sorties into Biafra, by implication, fall outside its scope. As long as subject matter is concerned, the work chronicles the genesis of BAF, exploits of Biafran combat pilots, their planes; and jungle airports of Udi, Uga, Uli, Okija; and Gabonese airports of Libreville and Nzomo Major that served them.

With a hundred and two never-seenbefore photos, BAF operational maps, secret codes and sample of mercenary pilot contract, the work achieved its statistical and record objective.

Necessity invents BAF. The economic blockade on Eastern Region

by Lagos shortly after Aburi means there is not a single fixed wing plane with Ojukwu. Lt. Col. Sokei sets up a task force charged “with the ways and means of acquiring an airplane from Nigeria to solve the transportation problem” (p.225).

Comprising of Lt. Col. F. Obioha (Military Intelligence), Captains F.A. Osakwe and Ibikare AllwellBrown of Nigerian Airways, Sam Inyagha, OnuoraNwanya, Goddy Ikwuazor, Allison Okeke and coldblooded Mark Odu, the task force successfully infiltrates Benin Air-

port and hijacks an air borne Nigerian Airways Fokker 27 passenger airplane flown by Captains P. Singh and Tokumbo Williams. Ojukwu gets his first plane 23rd April 1967 as hijacked Fokker 27 touches down the Enugu runway.

Ojukwu’s entire combat fleet includes: One American World War II B-26 bomber, six French built Alouettes II and III helicopters, One Riley Dove requisitioned from Bristow Helicopters, four Harvard T-6 from the Portuguese Air Force, few civilian aircraft seized from Nigeria Airways including one F-27, nine Swedish made MFI-9Bs (Biafran Babies) bought by Count Carl Gustav Von Rosen (the man who gave BAF its teeth), one aging DC-4 used for gun running that crashed in northern Cameroon.

Combat pilots are former NAF officers who survived the pogroms.

They include: Wing Commanders G. Ezeilo (late) and the larger than life Count Carl Gustav Von Rosen (late).

Squadron Leaders John Chukwu (late), and IfekaOnuorah (late).

Major Ernest Ike (late). Captains Frank Osakwe (late), Elendu Ukeje (late), Nnachi O. Nnachi (late), John Obianyor (late), Emma Ngwu (late), Bara Allwell­-Brown and his kid brother Ibikare Allwell-Brown (late) from Finima in Bonny Island. Flight Lieutenants Gabriel Ebube (late), Willy Bruce, GoddyAdinduNjoku, Emmanuel Oyii (late), Akahara (late), Essien (late), Alex Agbafuna (late), Osmond Ogah, Jimmy Yates, Emeka Obinwa (late), Lieutenant David Inyang (late) and Flying Officers Oraeki (late) and Omene (late).

Then, of course, are the men of valour who provided the critical sup-

port services: SqnLdrs May Nzeribe (late) and Goddy Amuchienwa, Flight Lieutenants Nwajagu, Offodile, Nwanegbo, Egbeonu (late) and Lanky Ogbolu (late) to name a few.

Mercenary combat pilots include Captains David (Kamikaze) Brown, Fred Herz, Durang, Gunnar Haglund, Martin Lang, Rune Norgren, Gil Pinto de Sousa, Alves Pereira, Jose Pignatelli, Christensen, Andre Cessou and Rene Leclerc.

The author brings his reader face to face with the indigenous technology that enabled BAF sustain bombing operations. Biafran engineers reconfigure the hijacked Fokker 27 for military operations, “Rene Leclerc and Mr. Willy Achukwu (the inventor of Ogbunigwe-the explosive weapon of mass destruction) coached the crew (not cabin stewards or stewardesses!) on how to delicately handle the bombs with regard to priming details; how and when to throw the bombs through the access hole etc. They were not to bother with the opening or closing of the access hole since that chore was exclusively reserved for the engineer, Mr. Nweke who was formerly of the Nigeria Airways” (p. 339).

History repeats itself 2016 as NAF falls back on similar homegrown technology developed by Innoson Vehicle Motors, Nnewi, for the maintenance of its Alpha fighter jets brake systems.

The story ends 7th January 1970 with BAF’s last two-bomber hostile flight operated by Captain Ibikare Allwell-Brown and Flight Lieutenant Goddy Adindu Njoku. Mission objective is to “attack what was said to be a heavily stocked ammunition store in Ughelli” (p. 580). En route back to Uga airport both pilots are pummeled and shot down near Awka by enemy anti-aircraft fire.

In the post-crash inferno the great Ibikare Allwell-Brown is incinerated in his Biafran Baby aircraft but Njoku barely survives having crash landed, bringing a sudden end to a great war literature.

Diction/Style Captain Okpe’s prose has a cosmopolitan flair consistent with great writers. I attribute this to his early exposure as an international pilot. His command of English is commendable, especially aviation and military registers. He infuses a great deal of humour in his narrative exposing the foibles of a destructive species. This brings some relief to a great African tragedy.

There is reason why war veterans prefer the genre of autobiography as a venerable literary style. The war machine deployed to crush and kill is impersonal but its constituents are real men and women with hopes and dreams. Demobilised soldiers, I believe, choose autobiography for protest reason; aside from highlighting the human factor - fear, anger, disillusionment, etc., in every war.

Telling their own stories enables them to contest the official historiContinues on page 41

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Life&Living 15 Valentine’s Day gifts so good she’ll love

F

Ifeoma Okeke

lowers and chocolates are fine, if you want to be totally predictable and uninventive. But if you’ve got a lovely lady friend in your life who loves fashion, fine fragrances and all things chic and cool, you can do better than a classic gift this Valentine’s Day. Among the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her this year, are Prada’s ‘Anatomy Of Love’ t-shirt, and Bella Freud’s ‘Close to my Heart’ fragrance, as well as underwear designed only by women and the now best-selling fur oil, so that she can make like Emma Watson and tend lovingly to her nether-regions.

Messy Bun Journal Ark Colour Design’s playful ‘messy bun journal’ is an ode to her smartest of thoughts and creative ideas, plus the bun-shaped pencil holder is just adorable.

Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt The title of Miuccia Prada’s A/W ‘19 collection was the ‘Anatomy of Romance’ – hence the Boris Karloffinspired lightning and bolt prints.

This bolt-heart is both cool and also romantic.

Monogram silk eyemask Grant her that extra hour of sleep this Valentine’s Day with a stylish silk eye mask monogrammed with her initial. She deserves it.

Close To My Heart Eau de Parfum 50ml Could you be any clearer in your messaging, with this Bella Freud perfume?

Pink Love Handles Porcelain

Vase Potter / ceramicist of the moment, Anissa Kermiche’s female form vases and candle holders are just the right gift for Valentine’s Day Sophie Padded Bralette A lingerie brand with a different sort of message, Womanhood puts representation and the celebration

of the female form at its forefront, selling lingerie made only by female designers and modelled on a range of bodies.

Panthère square-frame goldplated sunglasses A square-frame pair of sunglasses that look especially flattering on anyone with a heart or oval-shaped

face. Timeless, just like your love.

Fur Oil Made famous by Emma Watson, Fur’s famous oil is a soothing, vitamin-rich bestseller for conditioning pubic hair, so that she can tame and enrich her natural undergrowth.

Honey + Coconut Mask This product calls itself ‘perfect

for stressed, tired or winter-worn complexion’ – but you needn’t consider your lady love totally run down in order to gift her a luxurious, natural ingredient-rich face mask. Every face deserves a mask that will keep it happy.

Printed silk-twill scarf For the neck or for a bag, Gucci’s heart and GG logo motif scarf is an endlessly wearable accessory and, thus, the perfect gift.

Pink and black L knit jumper L is for love, sure, but L might also be for ‘Lisa’ or ‘Lashana.’ Personalise your Valentine’s Day gift with this gorgeous, pink, pure lambswool sweater, handcrafted in Scotland.

Adabelle Embellished-Heart Barette Some wear their hearts on their sleeves, but others prefer to do it in their hair, with a shimmery heart barette.

Paris En Fleurs scented candle Diptyque’s limited edition candles are something to behold – and inhale – and this one is a perfectly fresh but lingering fragrance for the day of love.

Tiny Heart Huggy 14-karat gold enamel hoop earring A subtle nod to your warm and fuzzy feelings. Because if in doubt, go gold.

‘Melt my Heart’ perfume necklace Part jewellery, part perfume, the ‘Melt My Heart’ fragrance necklace was dreamed up by model Helena Christensen, so you’ll be treating her to the most fashion-y of Valentine’s Day treats.

Healthy living: Ways to colon cleanse at home Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

R

ecently, the need for colon cleansing seems to come up in many conversations; on social media, real life conversations, on TV and just everywhere. I know some technology analysts claim that the use of artificial intelligence allows your phone or computer listen to in on what you’re saying. Like if you talk about buying a bag, the next thing you notice are all sorts of ads for bags on your Facebook or Instagram newsfeed and it’s not strange to believe so, because everyone seems to be talking about the need to cleanse your colon for a healthier lifestyle.

One important organ in the digestive system is the colon, also called the large intestine. Colon health is a significant part of digestive health. Some people claim that colon cleansing, otherwise known as colonic irrigation which involves flushing the colon with fluids to remove waste will help for easy digestion and help relieve issues like constipation, irregular bowel movements and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer.

I watched a television show,

where a health expert was brought on to talk about the importance of colon cleanse and since I had started seeing it everywhere I thought it’ll be nice to write about how to get your colon cleansed naturally in the comfort of your home. I reckon a lot of people might be interested in knowing how to do this, as it can be quite embarrassing going to a clinic to have them all up I your private area trying to get rid of all your poo.

You can do these simple things to boost or “claeanse” colon health naturally at home and it is also quite safe if done correctly.

Water flush Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. People who support a water flush for colon cleansing recommend drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water per day.

Also try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, celery and lettuce.

Saltwater flush The salt water flush which is made by simply adding two tea spoons of sea salt in a glass of lukewarm water and drinking early in the morning before

eating anything, works like magic, especially if you’re experiencing constipation and irregularity. Do this in the morning and in the evening, and make sure to stay home near the bathroom for a while after the

cleanse. You may need to go to the bathroom multiple times.

High-fiber diet Fibre is an essential macronutrient often overlooked in the diet. It’s

found in whole, healthy plant foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and more. Plants contain cellulose and fibers that help “bulk” up excess matter in the colon. They also regulate constipation and overactive bowels, while boosting helpful bacteria as a prebiotic.

Juices and smoothies Juices are popular colon cleansers.

These include fruit and vegetable juice fasts and cleanses, like master cleanses.

Probiotics Dieticians and nutritionists suggest that adding probiotics to the diet is another way to cleanse the colon.

This also boosts overall health in many other ways. You can get more probiotics by taking probiotic supplements or adding some apple cider vinegar to your drinking water. Also, eat lots of probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, kimchi, pickles, and other fermented foods.

Herbal teas Trying some herbal teas may assist digestive health via the colon. Ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper can also help. Try a cup of herbal tea three times a day to cleanse your colon.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Movie Review The best and worst of 2019 movies and their gross earnings LINDA OCHUGBUA

A

s you all know it’s a natural tradition for me to end the year, by giving you a rundown of all the top movies for that year, from both Nollywood and Hollywood and if there was any Bollywood that caught my fancy, most times I stick to movies I can stay patiently till the very end.

This year we witnessed amazing and brilliant movies but locally and externally, every year we witness tremendous improvement and growth from the previous, seeing more and more people flocking to the cinema especially in Nigeria.

Despite the fact that we aren’t there yet in terms of numbers and revenue, we are sure not at the point when we started years ago. We have seen producers and actresses claim millions of dollars and Naira from the cinema and we have seen some movies we thought will do so well fail, causing losses for all, but then that’s what makes the industry thick right, the ups and downs, the good sides and the bad sides, the learning and experience to make go back re-strategize to be better at what they do. 2019 was interesting with the diverse kind of movies that were released all year round some brilliant and some not as fantastic as we expected, but in all I guess that’s what makes the industry unique and interesting. 2019 was in deed fascinating and I am certain that 2020 will be even better with lineup of movies to expect, we are sure in for a bumper ride.

2019 started on a very good note as usual with the likes of Jumanji, Aqua man and Upside, and the likes of Lion Heart which became the first Nigerian movie to gain access to Netflix, with a lot of buzz at the beginning of last year, that has open the way for so many other very good Nigerian movies that have being waiting patiently to be signed on, it brought the country out to the world and painted us in a very positive light, although they were loads of conflicts and contractions from the masses concerning whether the movie was the best and should go on first, the main truth was that she was lucky and it was acquired

by Netflix, I guess the debates didn’t really matter. Most people tried to compare the Lion heart by Genevie with Kemi Adetiba movie “King of the boys” which has till date being the best Nollywood movie ever at least till now by my judgment, despite all these we have see tremendous growth, changes and improvement and this has led to loads of Nigerian movie being signed on

by Netflix, kudos and congrats to all the producers, actors, actresses and all who have made the move and effort to take the Nigerian film industry to the next year, we are super excited that 2020 would be

even way better than 2019.

So let’s go down memory lane with my top Hollywood movies and the bottom 3, we will start with my top movies we will go in the order of how they were released, so we had “UpSide” early in the year and I enjoyed the simple comedy story they grossed about $122m dollars against a budget of $37.5m, I also enjoyed “Alita” a science fiction movie about a young robotic girl that fell in love with a human, they grossed about $405m dollars against a budget of $170m, next is one of my coolest movie of 2019

“US”, I totally loved every bit of this movie and just couldn’t stop talking about it for a long time, the intrigue, thrill, suspense and the spell bound end that left us all confused at the end, thumbs up for Tyler Perry and his fantastic stories, he totally killed it, the movie grossed over $255m dollars against a budget of $20m dollars in the cinema. Next stop I move on to one of the best movies of all times, “Avengers the End Game”, we are certain that it isn’t really the end game, we are sure they will be cooking something very interest-

ing to dish out soon again, but this movie was out of this world, from the marketing to the storyline and twist and the impeccable end, they all kept us spell bound wondering what was coming next, even till now I am still super excited about this movie and their revenues came as no surprise to all. So far they have grossed about $2.79b dollars beating the world famous record breaking movie “Avatar” by about $6.1m ($2,78b), making it one of the highest grossing movie of all time to cross the $2b threshold, thumbs up to the Avengers team.My next movie is John wick 3, this was one hell of a spectacular action movie that kept everyone on the edge of their seats from start to finish, guess we are looking for to John Wick 4 coming soon, fingers crossed.

I totally enjoyed the movie called “ANNA” a Russian spy movie about a young girl who was an assassin, the movie grossed $307m dollars against a budget of $30m dollars, another fantastic movie of 2019 was “Angel has fallen” lovely action movie that feature Gerard Butler, I really enjoyed this movie they grossed about $170m dollars against a budget of $70m, “AD Astra” was another interesting

science fiction movie, I loved the storyline and the lessons learnt, I love movies that make you think and see what the future would look like, they grossed about $128m dollars against their budget of $87.5, although they didn’t make so much I felt the movie was a very good one.

Now to another epic movie called “Joker” a comic movie that we all thought was going to be a joke has gone so far to joking us all with their revenue, making it one of the most profitable comic book movie crossing the $1b dollar threshold and setting new records, the movie has also seen numerous nominations and people are still talking about the movie till date. It is the 7th highest grossing movie of 2019, with a budget of about $55m dollars, “Knives Out” which was released at the tail end of the year also made it to my list, this storyline was mind blowing and out of this world, where we all suspected the wrong people for the death of their father, we all assumed that because they want their share they killed him, but I guess we were wrong, very nice movie that has grossed about $267m dollars against a budget of $40m.

My bottom 3 movies for 2019 are “Godzilla” 2019, that grossed

$527m dollars against $160m , “Second act” that grossed $72m against $16m and Terminator 2019 that grossed $261m against $196m budget, they didn’t do well at all.

Next stop let us quickly look at the Nollywood industry first stop is the movie called “Lion Heart” although it wasn’t my best, I must not fail to commend Genevieve Nnaji for a job well done in the movie and applaud her for making it into Netflex, which has now opened doors for other Nigerian movies, the next movie is “The Setup” a fantastic well scripted movie which was directed by NiyiAkinmolayan, was a beautiful movie, where you had 5 different setups in it, at a point we all got confused who the main bad guy was and just couldn’t predict till the very end, thumbs up Niyi I totally enjoyed it, they have grossed N53m naira so far, next is UpNorth another beautiful movie that told the story of Northen Nigeria and portrayed them in a very good light, We had BankyW and Adesuwa Wellington in this movie and they killed, 2019 was a very good year for them as they featured in loads of movies all through the year, the movie

grossed N94m naira, Baby Mama was a South Africa movie that aired in the Nigerian cinema and didn’t do badly at all, the production and script was very good and globally they grossed about $70m. I enjoyed “4th Republic” that featured Kate Henshaw and the storyline was very good as we couldn’t predict the end. “Gold Statue” was brilliant an interesting and intriguing story that left everyone speechless at the end they grossed about N30m naira, “The Millions” was also very good, similar storyline to “Gold Statue” but did quiet well in the cinema they grossed about N120m naira. My next movie is “Love is War” by OmoniOboli who has released similar movie, “Moms at War” “Wives on Strike” and the likes, a simple movie of how power, affluence and wealth almost destroyed their home, I loved RMD’s role in this movie, he really is the man, they have grossed about N31m so far.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo

BDSUNDAY 29

Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893

Bloggers should stop writing crap Teni, 2baba feature about my marriage – Blosom in Behind the Story

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aureen Ezissi is obviously not happy with the way her estranged marriage to actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu is being talked about and reported.

Following this backdrop, the young lady has issued a stern warning to bloggers specifically, who feast on her break up to attract “traffic” to their blogs.

On her instastories the young lady had shared a cryptic message where she encourgaed couples to have honest conversations about who they really are.

In the post, Maureen had said that the saddest thing that could happen in a relationship is listening to what your partner had been through in the past and putting them through it again.

As such, so many blogs went to town with the story that her post was perhaps, personalised and she was referring to what could have gone wrong in her own marriage.

However, the former wife of the actor sent out warning via her instagram handle admonishing those who write such about her.

She posted, “All other blog being this silly, please stop this crap!

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I get y’all be looking for traffic but enough! I have always posted random memes about relationships and comedy even way before my breakup. This is the last warning!

Enough of this silliness. I won’t stop being me to suit your ignorance.”

When one of her fans advised her that she should have ignored those writing such about her, Maureen said no and that she was done ignoring people writing stuff about her.

“It’s the ignoring that keeps allowing this bullshit. Maybe I shouldn’t have ignored from the start! Cos if I didn’t ignore, they wouldn’t have tarnished B’s image the way they did!

This silliness gotta stop!”

Maureen and Blossom got married about three years ago. Their marriage hit the rocks some time last year and none of them has come out to categorically state what went wrong.

fter recording a very successful first season, MTV Base is back with the second season of Behind the Story and this time, popular entertainers, Teni and 2baba, will be featured.

The show, which is hosted by MTV Base VJ, Sammy Walsh, will see other leading talents in the entertainment industry take fans down memory lane, discussing topics around how their careers started, what stardom means to them and where they see themselves in the future Behind The Story which first premiered in Nigeria in 2019 with singer Dammy Krane, will return this season with Teni set to feature in the first episode.

Subsequent episodes of the show will also feature some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry including Zlatan and Sinzu as they sit to share the untold stories behind their biggest career moments as well as take their fans on an exclusive journey back to the places where their careers started.

Also, the new season will see

Sammy Walsh interview Big Brother Naija winner, Mercy Eke as well as former BBN housemates Tacha and Khafi as they share some untold stories about themselves and how the BBN show has changed their lives.

Ac c o r d i n g t o So l a f u n m i Oyeneye, the Senior Channels Manager of ViacomCBS, t h e n e w s e a s o n o f Be h i n d The Story is not just better th an its d e bu t se ason, but also thoroughly enlightening and filled with several inside stories. “As Nigeria’s number one music and lifestyle channel, MTV Base understands and appreciates the need to continually offer entertainment fans exciting and engaging content. Behind The Story has been curated specifically to provide fans with an opportunity to get to know their favourite stars even better. The show will shed light on the previously unknown backstories on the most newsworthy events that have rocked Nigeria’s entertainment scene.”

I helped to build our African business from ground up – Alex Okosi

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lex Okosi, outgoing Executive Vice President of ViacomCBS Networks International, has said he is proud of the opportunity he got to build the brand in Africa from the ground level to what it is today.

Okosi, who was also the Managing Director of VCN Africa and BET International said, “I am proud to have had the opportunity to build our Africa business from the ground up. This has played a pivotal role in transforming the music and content space and changing the narrative on Africa. Leading our Africa and BET International businesses to success is testament to the extraordinary teams, colleagues and partners that I have worked with throughout my tenure. ViacomCBS has been my home for more than 20 fantastic years, and I leave behind incredible creative and commercial talent that will continue to deliver growth.”

And following the departure of Alex Okosi, at the end of February 2020, the Network has announced Craig Paterson and Monde Twala to be named as co-General Managers of ViacomCBS Networks Africa.

Talking about Okosi, Raffaele Annecchino, President of ViacomCBS Networks Europe Middle East, Africa and Asia, said, “Alex has made an immeasurable impact on our business in Africa.

Since launching MTV Base in 2005, Alex has spearheaded the development of our business on the continent, which now delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network – reaching 100 million viewers

in 48 territories across MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET.” Okosi took over leadership of BET International in 2017 and has continued to advance the value of the brand internationally delivering double-digit distribution growth and improving profitability and margins. Under Okosi’s leadership, BET International elevated its presence at the BET Awards by incorporating the “Best International Act” award into the live broadcast, which simulcasted live in Africa for the first time. In addition, BET International expanded its presence during the BET “Hip Hop Awards” by launching a new category to honor artists from around the world.

David Lynn, President and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International added, “I’m immensely grateful to Alex for his contribution to the success of VCNI, including his role in developing such a strong team of

successors. Alex’s leadership has been essential to our success in Africa and to the continued growth of BET International.”

As co-head of the business, Twala, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Editorial VCN Africa, will focus on content, creative, editorial and marketing across all VCNI brands. Twala is currently the Vice President of ViacomCBS Networks Africa’s BET, Youth & Music brands.

Twala is responsible for driving the development and growth of iconic music, youth and entertainment brands BET, MTV, MTV Base and MTV Music24, across the African continent. Monde joined the company in 2016 after nearly 20 years’ experience in the South African broadcasting and media industry.

Paterson, Senior Vice President & General Manager, VCN Africa, will be responsible for all corporate functions, including business development and strategy. Currently Senior Vice President, Business Operations for ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Paterson is responsible for driving strategic growth and business opportunities in Africa.

Prior to this role, Paterson was responsible for Operations and Finance for multimedia brands MTV, MTV Music24, Nickelodeon, Nick Toons, Nick Junior, MTV Base, BET and Comedy Central on the African continent.

He spent nearly five years at Viacom beginning in 2011 as VP of Operations and Finance in Africa and returned to the company in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Business Operations in Africa.

BBN Mike becomes brand ambassador

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e didn’t win the last edition of the Big Brother Nigeria reality show after coming second but then Mike Edwards is not doing badly since he came out of the house.

Now, Mike has hit a big one as he has been announced the brand ambassador of Budweiser.

The excited Mike, who is also loved by not just a few for his role while in the house, took to his social media handle to inform his

fans and friends concerning the latest development.

He posted, “A KING IS BORN! I’m extremely excited to announce I have joined the @budweisernigeria family. It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of this royal throne of KINGS #KingMikeXBudweiser #BeAKing.”

Since then, his handle has been flooded with so many congratulatory messages from fans, friends and well wishers.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Travel

What kind of traveller will you be this year?

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bore who’s done everything first, or a truly great and eccentric explorer - which of these 10 types of traveller will you be this year?

The collector A sophisticated huntergatherer, a hoarder of the exceptional and exotic. Not, however, of endangered species or looted antiquities. He or she travels with a purely metaphorical blunderbuss or bullwhip - or, rather, butterfly net, swishing it this way and that in order to gather up uncommon experiences in out-of-the-way places. Once caught, these are meticulously pinned in memory and proudly displayed in conversation. Like an actual scientist, The Collector delights in the poetry and precision of proper names (‘You have not really lived until you’ve seen the Orionids meteor shower in the night sky over Pisco Elqui in October…’).

The conformist A dreary universal type.

The Conformist travels not for personal satisfaction but for social acceptance - perhaps even finds personal satisfaction in social acceptance.

Destinations are chosen from a limited, unimaginative, class-determined table d’hôte menu. This is by no means a toffs-only snob thing.

It applies across the social spectrum. The Conformist can be spotted from Magaluf to Megève. The point is not

there are cities that you and I have never heard of with populations of four or five or six million people. I am afraid, I am automatically suspicious of business travellers, a reaction probably born of a combination of ignorance and the jealous assumption that they are likely to become insanely rich through their nefarious trade-related missions. I try to remind myself that Marco Polo was basically a business traveller, as well as a true Pioneer and a stand-up guy.

where you have been but what your peers think about where you have been.

The thrill-seeker Not so much of the adventure-sports variety, though of course there is no shortage of nincompoops willing to tie their ankles to a rubber band and leap off a bridge or whatever. As with The Conformist, The Thrill-Seeker exists along a continuum - one that runs from the ticket-purchasing slum-tourist or frequenter of dodgy-looking dive bars to the professional war correspondent. The Thrill-Seeker is not altogether unlike…

The escapist Fugitive from the familiar.

An intriguing type, labouring under that most delightful of delusions, namely, that anything at all - boredom, worry, heartbreak, guilt, fear, failure, conflict, one’s own reflection in the mirror - can be lost with distance. Alas, it cannot. Yet it always seems worth a try.

The self-improver Admirable if a little dull. Up early, out late, cheerfully making the most of everything a new place has to offer. Tremendous stamina, sensible shoes, and likely to do a lot of research beforehand, to pack a lot of books and to return with even more. A second cousin of…

The pilgrim Follower of trails, visitor of shrines - religious and oth-

The occasional There for a reason - an event, a honeymoon, a do, a football match. Half-sibling to…

Adventure traveller

erwise. The most devoted Pilgrims I have ever seen were not at Lourdes or on the banks of the Ganges but at Beatrix Potter’s old house, Hill Top, in Cumbria. But that was ages ago. These days certain shopping streets and malls seem to exert a similar fascination.

I recently played a round of golf in Norway and afterwards bought my three companions beer and waffles at the clubhouse. The teenage girl tending the bar clearly knew her way around a waffle iron but seemed to me far too young to be serving alcohol. I asked her how she planned to spend the money she was earning. ‘In London,’ she said, beaming.

‘At Westfield.’ Which of the two Westfields? ‘The Stratford one. It is bigger.’

The pioneer Almost extinct in the wild.

Like most endangered species, The Pioneer is running out of habitat, since so much of the world has been pioneered already. In a lounge at Changi Airport the other day I had occasion to wonder whether The Pioneers of today are not great, fearless, eccentric explorers of the Vasco da Gama or Wilfred Thesiger variety but grey-faced men in suits opening up obscure business ventures in (I do not know) parts of China where

The oblivious The saddest type of traveller. The one not paying attention, not remotely interested in where he or she is. I was shocked, many years ago, to hear someone ask Ruth Prawer Jhabvala about her fabulously glamorous life as a celebrated novelist and screenwriter responsible for several wildly successful Merchant-Ivory movies. ‘Most of the time I do not even bother to look up and see where I am,’ she drawled from behind a pair of enormous sunglasses, or words to that effect.

I was floored. ‘Room with a View’ indeed.

The genuinely curious Eyes, ears, mind all wide open. Rare and precious and beautiful.

UNWTO Secretary General’s outlook for Africa for 2020

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frica’s tourism gains in the year 2019 is set to continue with focus on the ‘’Agenda for Africa 2030- Tourism for Inclusive Growth’’ adopted at the 23rd UNWTO General Assembly Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in his final broadcast in 2019 to the continent recalled the successes chalked during the year 2019. Among other things, he mentioned the Agenda for Africa and some of the works that have already started on the continent.

Highlight of the things he mentioned were promoting travel facilitation (connectivity / visa), promoting innovation and technology, fostering resilience (safety + security, crisis communication), unlocking growth

through investment promotion by public private partnerships, empowering youth and women through tourism.

He encouraged colleagues and Ministers of Tourism to work hand in hand to make tourism that sector, which has the magic wand to bring joy and happiness to homes, countries and many in the ecosystem.

In his outlook/expectations for the year, Pololikashvili, a former Georgian diplomat, said the quest for this year is to consolidate the outcomes of the core priority areas that have already been initiated and to start to engage the implementation of other areas.

“The quest for 2020 is to further consolidate the outcomes of those core priority areas that have already been initiated and to start

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general, UNWTO

to engage the implementation of other areas such as; Advocating the Brand Africa; Strengthening Tourism Statistics Systems; Expanding of Capacity Building incl. Train-

ing Facilities; Advancing the Sustainability Agenda (esp.

Biodiversity); Promoting Cultural Heritage ‘’, he said.

The Secretary General also stressed the need for the pub-

lic sector to collaborate with the private sector, which has identified sustainable tourism as a transformative tool for inclusive development.

“Tapping into the tourism potential that the continent has to offer would require working closely with the private sector and institutional partners that have identified sustainable tourism as a transformative tool for inclusive development. As we promote the importance of tourism and rural development in 2020, it would be ever more important to leverage on partnerships to expand our outreach to be translated into tangible results on the ground which would have a lasting impact on the livelihoods of the local communities. The UNWTO is committed to working with, and for the African continent’’, Pololikashvili concluded.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 31

Travel

FAAN issues guideline to travellers over Corona Virus Stories By IFEOMA OKEKE

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he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has called on Nigerians and others travelling through the country to comply with measures issued by concerned bodies to ensure that the new virus, Coronavirus is prevented from spreading into Nigeria.

FAAN in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday and signed by Henrietta Yakubu, its general manager, Corporate Affairs, said, “In an effort to protect passengers from the epidemic ravaging some countries and to prevent the spread of such communicable diseases into Nigeria, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby advises passengers and other airport users to comply with all quarantine procedures at the nation’s airports.”

The agency said that all the equipment and personnel used in combating the deadly Ebola virus in 2014 are still very much in place at the airports.

FAAN also said it has always had thermal scanners in her airports that monitor temperature of passengers and capture their pictures,

explaining that when passengers walk past the scanner, it registers their temperature and if too high, such passengers are pulled aside for observation.

Recently, a deadly virus known as Coronavirus broke out in China and has since killed six people, with over 300 also reported to have been infected.

The virus is highly communicable and has already spread to boarder countries like Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

FAAN said it is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, which has confirmed the adequacy of the facilities at the nation’s international airports to prevent the importation of

the virus through the facilities into Nigeria.

Passengers who are referred to secondary screening, where the secondary screening form is used and if there is an obvious public health threat, the passenger is transferred to the designated hospital (Lagos State Mainland Hospital) following appropriate protocols

(SOP) for further evaluation.

Wilfred Haggai, a top staff at Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) stated that the areas for enhanced surveillance are at the Point of Entry, on board the aircraft, at the Passenger Handling Service on the arrival queue, within the terminal building and within 400m radius of the POE. Another area for surveillance is outside the POE, as at the state and LGA Level, health facilities must be informed to always take travel history of patients and the state must do a lot of work with the health facilities.

Victoria Shin Aba, regional manager, South West FAAN said that passengers who are exposed may be in the incubation period (disease causing organism present in the body with no obvious symptom or sign) when they enter the country.

Like in the case of Duncan when he entered United States with Ebola in 2014.

Thus mooted collaboration and observance of basic Infection prevention and control measures by stakeholders is important and is being strengthened.

Passengers are therefore advised to submit themselves for routine quarantine checks whenever they are asked to.

SAHCO wins Ethiopian Airlines Innovation, social responsibility land Delta No. 19 on World’s Most Admired list ground handling contract

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elta’s leadership in social responsibility, innovation, culture and more has once again resulted in the global airline today being named one of Fortune magazine’s Top 50 Most Admired Companies for the seventh consecutive year.

Fortune also named Delta No. 1 on its Most Admired Airline list, “a direct result of [Delta people’s] dedication and passion for serving customers and each other,” shared Ed Bastian, Delta CEO in a companywide memo.

This is the ninth time over the last decade the airline has secured the top spot.

The Most Admired Companies list – compiled from the surveys of thousands of executives, experts and analysts – is a ranking across industries of the world’s most respected and reputable brands, while the airline list is based on the results from industry-specific leaders.

Today’s recognition is but the latest accolade for the airline.

Delta was recently named the Wall Street Journal’s top U.S. airline for the third consecutive year; one of Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies; a Fortune magazine 100 Best Companies to Work For, in ad-

dition to a 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials; and a Fast Company “Most Innovative Company,” among others.

During CES 2020, Delta spotlighted Sarcos Robotics’ firstever battery-powered, full-body exoskeleton, the Guardian XO, which received Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2020: Emerging Tech award and “Best Robot” by PCMag.com, in addition to recognition from Wired Magazine for being one of the smartest technologies at CES. The airline’s showcase of Misapplied Sciences’ Parallel Reality experience also garnered top marks, including Newsweek’s Best of CES, Techlicious’ 2020 CES Top Pick, Best in Show from Tom’s Guide and Mashable’s Top Pick.

Despite Delta’s long runway of successes, Bastian concluded his memo to employees by emphasizing the importance of demon-

strating humility to guard against complacency.

“The successes we have achieved in the past, and whatever we may enjoy in the future, depend upon our passion to continue improving,” he said. “We know better than anyone that we cannot rest on our laurels – even when we think we’ve reached the top our values call on us to keep climbing because there’s always going to be a new challenge to conquer.”

What makes Delta a most admired company?

Companies are ranked by leaders across industries on the following attributes, as well as their overall reputation: Innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, quality of management, social responsibility, financial soundness, longterm investment value, quality of products and services and global competitiveness.

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he Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC has been chosen to provide ground handling services to Ethiopian Airlines at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Nigeria.

Although SAHCO has been responsible for Cargo and Warehousing Handling services to the Ethiopian Airline, the procurement of State-of-the-art equipment fitted with the latest technology, well trained and customer friendly staff, seamless, safe and speedy service delivery has made them to choose SAHCO as their sole ground handling partner.

Like many other International airlines partners, Ethiopian Airlines which is the biggest Airline in Africa will now enjoy full professional ground handling and other related aviation services that SAHCO has always been known to render to her clients, using modern and up to date technologies.

With this new contract, Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC will be responsible for Passenger Handling Services, Ramp and Baggage Handling Services, Cargo and Warehousing services and all aviation related handling services for Ethiopian Airlines.

SAHCO will be providing full aviation ground handling service to Ethiopian Airlines, who is the Ethiopian flag carrier, on a passenger flight schedule of four times a

week and another schedule for its cargo flight operations at the Kano Airport.

With this engagement, passengers are assured of speedy, safe and seamless check-in, boarding, baggage services, ramp and cargo movements as they fly Ethiopian Airlines within the routes.

With constant investment in modern aviation ground support equipment; a team of engineers that can build ground support equipment from locally sourced materials which is the first of its kind in Nigeria; a team that is versed in the best of Departure Control systems in the aviation industry, World Tracer and BRS; world class warehousing services; unrivaled customer friendly service delivery in a safe, speedy and efficient culture; SAHCO has been a recipient of many airline providers moving from other handling companies to SAHCO to enjoy the best of services that SAHCO is reputed for being topnotch for.

It is worthy to note that SAHCO is also the recipient of numerous awards both locally and internationally due to its quality service delivery in aviation ground handling operations in Nigeria. SAHCO is an RA3 and IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certified company.

These certifications make the company a preferred gateway to import and export to European countries and the world at large.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

ForTheRecord My vision of a new Imo State, by Uzodinma Being the maiden broadcast to the people of Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodinma

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y good people of Imo State, my vision of a New Imo State is predicated on freedom, security, and shared prosperity welded into good governance.

The evidence on ground indicates that Imo State requires fundamental reform to forge a new trajectory.

We have witnessed, over ten years now, a slow, steady but devastating loss of the core values that had defined our dear, adorable Imo State. In place of those cherished ideals, an insipid culture of lawlessness and neo-feudalism had crept into the body fabric of our state. The time is now to take action and free our state and her people from the strangle hold of the false religion of executive lawlessness, exclusive governance and total disregard to due process.

I challenge every Imo man, woman, youth and child to hold us by the same standards and the same scales by which we judge past administrations.

The New Imo State offers a new paradigm to redress the ripples of those years of maladministration, inexperience and outright inefficiency in public administration. The New Imo State will prove to our good people that government is not instituted to deride the people, but instead to protect ‘citizens’ fundamental rights. Our New Imo State will restore financial discipline, entrench due process and conduct government business in the most transparent fashion. The New Imo State incorporates a new development trajectory that will harness the critical role of Local Government Councils in downstream value chain creation.

In line with the provisions of the Constitution, we shall urgently restore the autonomy and integrity of Local Government Administration. Thank God therefore, for the objective effort of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in uncoupling the local government finances from the meddlesome interests of state officials. The dynamic LG System of our New Imo State will guarantee the steady trickle down of democracy dividends to the atomized hamlets and clans of our rural communities. To actualize this, credible Local government elections will be held soon.

Our New Imo State will enshrine a new culture of shared prosperity in which the common wealth of the people is made available for the good of all. Above all, it is a new Imo State that will ensure good governance, prosperity, rule of law and equity. The Mission cuts across party line, religious leaning and intra ethnic divides.

From now on it will no longer be governance as usual, but governance of the people, by the people and for the people, without discrimination against anyone.

In practical terms therefore, the trajectory of development in the New Imo State of our vision is anchored on a “3-R” super structure of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery of key economic and political institutions that all of us will be proud of. In this wise, the New Imo State envisions the overhaul of State Civil Service and relevant institutions of the Bureaucracy for optimal efficiency and Service delivery- involving prompt payment of salaries, pensions and other statutory obligations to spur officers to greater productivity.

Accordingly, the following standards shall be maintained: Strict adherence to extant laws, procedures, and statutes pertaining to an efficient service delivery.

Civil Servants to be trained in line with new Digital Technology ecosystem platform in liaison with some Technology Incubation Centres.

Hierarchy and Seniority in the Public Service shall be restored forthwith to ensure discipline and adherence to Civil Service Rules.

Emoluments of core Civil Servants shall

Hope Uzodinma

continue to be drawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, (CRF) and paid promptly but not later than every month end. Pensions and Gratuities shall likewise continue to be treated as First Line Charge to the CRF in accordance with the provisions of the law. Specifically, the salaries of Civil Servants and allowances of pensioners will henceforth be paid fully. Similarly, the State Government will commence payment of minimum wage once negotiation with Labour leaders is completed.

Recruitment, Promotion and Discipline in the Civil Service shall be patterned to reflect the NEW IMO Paradigm. Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) shall now include an objective assessment of discrete output and supported with concrete evidence of MCIP (Mandatory Career Improvement Programme).

The Treasury System shall be restored and the 27 Sub-Treasuries in the 3- Geo-political Zones restored to ensure a seamless downstream government service delivery in the Rural Communities.

We shall promote a Digital Technologydriven Civil Service to ensure real-time service delivery. A staff Housing Loan scheme and Vehicle Advances shall be put in place in partnership with the Mortgage and Commercial Banks, guaranteed by government, through the facilities of a revamped State Development Finance Incorporated (DFIC).

We shall encourage hard work, resilience, honesty, and diligence in the New Imo Public Service.

My esteemed Ndi Imo, our New Imo State will incorporate an Imo State Education Opportunity Programme (ISEOP) involving but not limited to a highly functional qualitative technology and science-driven education system focused on skills acquisition, innovation, manpower development, and entrepreneurship.

The New Imo State will crave for: an Educational System that has capacity to produce a new generation of Graduates equipped for immediate post school employment and selfreliance. An Educational Programme to enhance innovation, and creative Human Capital with capacity to add value to state and nation building.

Build Foundation for innovative Human Capital that shall drive downstream value chain creation.

Mandatory Professional Teachers Continuous Education Programme in line with the

transformative impact of Digital Technology on Education Provide Measured Financial Support to students with exceptional pedigree in academics, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Other lateral non-financial support include, mentoring, career guidance and counseling, etc.

Establishment of a Job Placement Office - to enhance job search and placement, Internship (IT) and other career related programmes for graduates.

Establishment of Diaspora Learning Centres for Student Exchange and Technology Incubation Centres in the USA, UK, China and Canada, etc.

Development of a new Curriculum for schools that would integrate skills learning, innovation and entrepreneurship required to fit into the new Digital ecosystem.

Establishment of New Digital learning Environment with cognate Digital Teaching Tools and Programmes in Six Pilot Centres within the Three Senatorial zones of the State.

Restoration of Inspectorate Division in all the Zonal School Management Boards to enhance academic quality and content delivery, etc.

Similarly, our government will undertake the following in the health care delivery sector Comprehensive Medicare with focus on Primary Health Care, and Preventive Medical Care services. Within the first two years of this administration, we would have attained a 75% Health for All (HEFA), covering the 27 LGCs. We shall recruit 850 Community Health Workers to strengthen existing Primary Health Care System workforce in the state in the first year.

In Collaboration with Local Government Councils, we shall rehabilitate, renovate and equip all dilapidated Community Health Centres in the 305 Wards of the State, within the first one year in office.

Run an integrated and holistic healthcare delivery system with modern diagnostic equipment, CT scan, and Mobile X-ray, in selected Zonal General Hospitals and Health Centres, etc.

Provide a well-equipped Rapid Response Ambulance Services (RAMS) in the Zonal Divisional Hospitals, and Central Rural Health Centres to enhance an efficient 24/7 Health Support in all the Local Government Areas.

Establish a value-based healthcare as opposed to the present “fee for performance

Healthcare model.” Emphasis in our NEW IMO Health architecture shall be: optimal patient outcome, patient safety, and efficient professional and dynamic work force, etc.

Establishment of Drug Revolving Trading Accounts (DRTA) in the Hospitals, and Health Centres for “Essential” and “Non-Essential Drugs.” to ensure adequate stock of life-saving drugs. Each Hospital or Health Centre shall operate a guided Self-Accounting Status to ensure that the Drug Revolving Regime is effectively managed, and accounts rendered.

Restoration of Sanitary Health Inspection to support a holistic Primary Health/Preventive Medicare programme of government.

A NEW IMO Health architecture would include urgent Rehabilitation of the moribund Schools of Nursing, Mid-Wifery in Owerri, Aboh Mbaise, and Awo-Omamma. Awo-Omamma and Aboh Mbaise shall, in liaison with the Nursing and Mid-Wifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), be converted into collegiate systems for Basic Mid-Wifery .These very important health training institutions shall be rehabilitated and equipped within the first one year of our administration to ensure early and seamless accreditation. We shall review our standing with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in relation to equipment and materials supplied to these institutions and government counterpart funding, etc.

Establish criteria for research and integration of alternative medicine or Traditional Medical practice (Trado-medicine) into NEW IMO medical practices.

The IMSU College of Medicine, and the Teaching Hospital at Orlu, the Public Health Laboratory, and the Specialist Hospitals in Owerri, shall be equipped for Laser Surgeries, as well as serve as Regional Medical Informatics Centres, for the Southeast Region. The abandoned MRI and other sensitive scanning Machines mysteriously transferred from IMSUTH Orlu to “OCHIEDIKE,” shall be rehabilitated and restored for services in accordance with existing MoU with GE, and Howard International Medical Center, USA. On the economy, our focus in the New Imo State shall be job creation and massive economic growth. To this end we shall ensure: Mainstream Macro-Economic Programme which will involve a “3-R” Algorithm, recovery of damaged economic structures, reconstruction of core infrastructure, and rehabilitation of component micro-economic institutions - Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprises via Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Rapid economic Diversifications through “Backward Integration,” involving a synergy of Rural-Urban development paradigm. A shift from core public sector driven economy to a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) driven one.

Encourage private sector-driven knowledge based enterprise system. Provide enabling environment and selective policy intervention to bolster sustainable Medium Small Micro Enterprises (MSMEs).

Encourage Diaspora Rural Economic Partnership - Local Government Rural Malls, and Small-Scale Industries - agriculture, and Farm Settlements via Farmers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies, etc.

Stimulate downstream Value Chain through intervention and support to MSMEs, and thus generate employment opportunities at Local Government levels.

Ensure that De Sam Mbakwe’s International Cargo Airport receives URGENT Federal Government support, and provisions to qualify for IATA approval - for Air Safety and increased Traffic flow.

Establishment of Graduate Entrepreneurship Scheme to equip graduates with requisite set of skills for self-employment in the evolving

Sunday 26 January 2020

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ForTheRecord TI: Nigeria’s rating unfair, untenable, says ICPC Felix Omohomhion, Abuja

T

he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described as unfair and untenable, the rating

by Transparency International of Nigeria as second most corrupt country in West Africa.

In a statement by Rasheedat Okoduwa, spokesperson for the ICPC, she said the international body failed to take into cognizance the anti-corruption war by this administration.

The global anti-corruption watchdog in statement on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index released recently ranked Nigeria 146 out of 180 countries with a score of 26 out 0f 100.

This, the commission said, is a dismal picture of the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

“ICPC hereby states categorically that the report is unfair and untenable as Transparency International has consistently failed to recognise the efforts of the government to tame corruption. These efforts include increasing number of cases filed in court and jail terms secured in several convictions against corrupt persons across all levels of society, including hitherto ‘sacred cows’.

“More importantly, the strides of government in relation to corruption preven-

Rasheedat Okoduwa

tion measures appear to have been totally ignored. Perception is one thing, reality is another. To lend credence to perception, it may be helpful to match it against reality especially when information on perception is coming from a source such as TI. The

reality is that government has put in place several mechanisms to ensure transparency in the management of its financial affairs.

The IPPIS, GIFMIS, TSA and more recently the portal www.opentreasury.gov.ng are examples in point.

“In recognition of the seminal role of prevention in anti-corruption work, ICPC recently released its report of the system study and review exercise on the use of the Personnel Cost and Capital Development Fund in 201 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Allied to this report is also the highly publicised work of the Commission in tracking the use of the funds released for Constituency Projects and the report on the deployment of Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard in 280 MDAs. The reports on these initiatives provided very important policy recommendations to government on corruption prevention which are being acted on, including the restraining of several billions of Naira from release to MDAs which had stood the risk of misappropriation and embezzlement as well government’s recent directive that all MDAs including tertiary education and health institutions get captured on the IPPIS for transparency and accountability on the use of Personnel Cost for Federal Government employees.

“It should be noted that Nigeria currently leads Africa in asset recovery. These assets

are proceeds of corruption which would have been permanently lost to the country.

Denying perpetrators the benefit of their loot is a potent strategy in anti-corruption work. Nigeria has also improved in its rating on open government standards as the government continues to operationalise the 14 commitments enunciated in the Nigeria OGP National Action Plan.

“Not the least of the Buhari administration’s efforts to combat corruption is its unassailable political will to tackle the menace. This is amply demonstrated in the support accorded Anti-corruption agencies by way of increased resources and stance of non-interference.

“Going forward, it would be helpful if TI would publish its research parameters so its data can be disaggregated rather than build its rankings on a few issues such as political corruption. No doubt we are not yet where we ought to be, but we have not been stationary either. The country has moved well away from where it was a number of years back in terms of enforcement, prevention and citizen engagement against corruption. ICPC is firmly persuaded that the silent majority of Nigerians appreciate the anti-corruption efforts of the government led by President Muhammadu Buhari even if TI does not.

“We shall not be distracted but continue to forge ahead,” the statement said.

criminal activities, including hide outs, jungles, uncompleted buildings, forest, shrines, lakes and creeks, etc. Whether in Ohaji Egbema, or Nwaorieubi Shrine at Ifakala, or in the thick jungle at Akokwa, or Njaba or Urashi, We shall rout them and free our society of the menace of banditry, kidnappings, and ritual killings including Yahoo-Plus, and Alibaba Gangstars. It shall be a “SAD” season for criminals in Imo State.

Community Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Town Union Presidents shall be held responsible for any security lapses within their domain Failure to Report, concealing or benefiting directly or indirectly from proceeds of criminal activities, shall attract maximum punishment .

A cash reward shall be announced for a Whistleblowing Campaign. Our NEW IMO STATE shall no longer be a haven for kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, Yahoo Plus, and Alibaba Gangs, baby factory, and ritualists, human trafficking, etc.

As an honest and transparent government, we shall hold quarterly Imo Stakeholders Forum (ISHF) to provide interim government Report Card and provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQs) and concerns of citizens.

The State Ministry of Information shall likewise provide Monthly briefings on government activities.

We believe that power belongs to the people and not the other way around. Government is not instituted to deride the people, but to protect their fundamental rights. We shall be responsible and accountable to the good people of Imo State. This is the dawn of a New Imo. My beloved people of Imo State, with your enthusiastic support and encouragement, the work has already begun for the building of the NEW IMO of our dreams.

However, there is need for vigilance. It is crystal clear to me that some of those who lost out in the final battle at the Supreme Court, where the real winner of the March 2019 governorship election was determined, are finding it difficult to come to grips with reality. They have consequently resorted to mischief making and incitement of the public. They spread falsehood against me and the government. They sponsor pockets of protests against the government and seek to divide us on clannish grounds. They deride our own institutions when such institu-

tions take decisions that do not favour them.

Let me make it clear that while our doors are wide open to accommodate everyone, including my political opponents, and while we insist on enduring peace and reconciliation, we shall not brood any reckless breach of the laws of the land. Those encouraging or sponsoring any breach of public peace should desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.

Make no mistake about it, I have a responsibility to govern Imo State and to maintain the peace there from. In the discharge of these duties I shall not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on anybody, no matter how highly placed, who constitutes himself or herself into a public nuisance. I also advise law abiding people of our beloved state to resist attempts to be used for selfish reasons by desperate politicians.

We know those behind these incitements; who are sowing seeds of discord to divide our state. I appeal to them to have a rethink and remember that power comes from God and that even more importantly, no election is the end of elections but rather the confirmation that more elections are ahead. So the losers today can be the winners tomorrow and next tomorrow.

As we celebrate the birth of a new Imo which we achieved with your support, it is time for us to harp on the things that unite us not on the things that divide us.

I recall clearly that on the eve of the elections, our people were determined to ensure that no one imposed a political dynasty on them. It was the collective desire of all Imo people to see to it that our democracy was preserved in all its true tenets, to wit, government of the people for the people and by the people.

As the arrowhead in that battle, Imo people voted massively for me. This fact should not be lost on anybody.

Today, through your votes we have succeeded in disabling that obnoxious structure and dangerous ambition. Regardless, I appeal to you therefore to avail me of your total support to bring the valiant mission of a New Imo State to its logical conclusion. I count very much on your support and cooperation I thank you for your patience and wish you all a prosperous new year as you join me in the factory room to build a NEW IMO STATE of our common dream.

My vision of a new Imo...

Fourth Industrial Revolution. About 750 graduates shall benefit from the initial phase of the GES Programme. Government shall provide necessary guarantees for Start-ups through the facilities of State Development Finance and Investment Corporation (DFIC).

Establishment of State Economic Development And Rehabilitation Council (SEDARC) - to provide remedial framework and templates to redress the chronic fiscal and infrastructural deficits militating against state economic development. SEDARC shall address key economic challenges of the State- Abandoned Roads in Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe Metropolis, the Collapsing bridges, the abandoned Otamiri Water scheme, etc. shall receive the immediate attention of SEDARC. In addition, SEDARC shall fully identify, locate and recover all missing Public Assets, as well as coordinate a forensic investigation into the State Finances and determine the veracity of the huge public Debts estimated at over N200 billion, as well establish the Net-worth/ Balance Sheet of the State Government as at January 13, 2020.

SEDARC shall also recover all illegally acquired Private Lands, estates by Government or its agents and return them to their rightful owners.

SEDARC shall abolish all forms of unconscionable “Imperial,” Taxes, levies, and fees other than that established by law which its applications shall not impoverish the citizens. The State BIR shall in liaison with SEDARC develop a new IMO INTERNAL REVENUE MENU that maximizes IGR Per Capita Contribution to the State GDP. Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) shall be re-activated and in liaison with the State DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION (DFIC) engage in active trading in Nigeria’s Capital and Money Markets and by so doing build-up formidable portfolio of Financial Assets to support Government’s Treasury Services, etc.

Ndi Imo eji eme onu, good governance- democracy and rule of law are the fundamental components of the New Imo State. Consequently, We shall recover and deepen lost virtues of liberal democracy in Imo State. Our govern-

ment shall tenaciously uphold the pillars of good governance- security of life and property, right to own private properties, inclusiveness, pursuit of legitimate economic endeavours, rule of law, accountability and transparency, respect for human rights, honesty and trust.

Our Government shall be accountable to the people of Imo State and shall adhere to the AntiCorruption Mantra of our great party, APC. We shall dismantle all existing structures in the State Civil Service that encouraged the massive looting of public funds. It takes a willing Civil Servant and an overbearing politician to engage in covert expropriation of commonwealth. Civil Servants who are part of the existing mode of plundering the Treasury shall be handed over to the appropriate Anti-Graft Agencies.

In addition to the conduct of a credible local government elections soon, we shall reconstitute the State-Local Government Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JACC) (a prototype of the FAAC) to manage and superintend over Local Government’s Funds. Accordingly, all deductions from Local Government funds are hereby stopped. Local Governments will henceforth receive their full allocation and be accountable for same.

The State Government shall contribute 10% of its net IGR to JAAC as state Governments counterpart Funds towards rural economic and social development.

The Autonomy of Local Government shall be restored forthwith To Ensure Maximum Security in Imo State we shall IMMEDIATELY establish a new Security architecture - aided with installation of State of the Arts Digital Technology/equipment linked to the 27 LGCs/DPO to enhance crime detection, intelligence gathering, tracking and apprehension of criminals, etc.

We shall create a Neighbourhood Security Watch code named ‘North East West’ (NEW) involving a coordinated network of Community Intelligence Gathering Programme in liaison with the NPF, DSS, NSCDC, NSO and some Private Security Companies. In tandem, we shall launch Operation “FOC,” (Flush Out Criminals) - a combined Security Operations targeted at Flashpoints and Centres of high

34

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Ogun Watch Govt demands prompt payment of taxes, levies for even development

G

oing by the significance and benefits of prompt payment of taxes and levies to the right government authorities, Ogun State government has requested residents, workers and investors in the state to steer clear of tax evasion.

According to Akande Om o n i y i , Og u n St a t e Commissioner for Housing, payment of due taxes and levies will help government invest more in critical infrastructure such as roads, housing, bridges, among others, as non-payment of relevant taxes and levies due for state’s coffers retards the desired economic growth and development in the state.

Omoniyi said that prompt payment of taxes and other levies would boost internally generated revenue (IGR), thereby enabling government provide more developmental projects for benefits of all residents and investors.

Speaking in Abeokuta while playing host to the Executives of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Ogun State Chapter, Omoniyi noted that prompt payment of taxes would assist government in providing basic infrastructure and boost economic activities of the state as it would

Govenor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State being welcome by Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.

cause even development.

While appealing to member tax experts and accounts officers on their role to properly advise tax payers not to avoid and right rate as taxes and levies to the State government, the Commissioner of Housing however pledged government’s continued support for the

Association as a partner in progress.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Oluwaseun Olajube facilitated with the Commissioner on his appointment and used the occasion to inform Omoniyi of the Year 2020 Tax Week soon, explaining the Tax Week would a long way to sensitise tax payers

on the significance of tax payment.

Olajube said the threeday programme would feature road shows, enlightenment talk with market men and women who are the personal income tax payers, adding that the tax sensitization would also be included in the media plan, among others.

OGSG boosts ease of doing business with availability of land title documents in 28 days RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

I

n accordance with the Land Use Act 1978 which confers on the state governor, the allocation, control and management of all the land comprised in the territory of each state of Nigeria, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has pledged to allocate and make available all land title documents to the applicants in 28 working days.

The move, according to Governor Abiodun, is being undertaken to ensure that all the potential investors willing to invest in the state have unhindered access to land as all required land title documents will be made available in 28 working days, thereby, improving

on the state’s ease of doing business ranking among the comity of Nigerian states.

Speaking at the State Executive Council strategic Retreat held in Ogere-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state at the weekend, Governor Abiodun noted that the move “would enable those who want to access land to site companies or agroallied and manufacturing businesses do so in less than 28 days.”

He said: “We are working to ensure that land title deeds processing do not exceed 28 days. This is to eliminate the trouble of accessing land and that will improve our ease of doing business ranking.”

While appraising the efforts of previous admin-

istrations as regards land allocation, control and management, he lamented the inability of the previous administrations to implement the Geographic Information System (GIS), saying his administration would implement the system to enable it plan and administer its land resources adequately, as land, the governor said, is to Ogun State, what crude oil is to Nigeria.

According to Governor Abiodun, the Geographical Information System (GIS) that has now been digitised, would provide adequate information on land matters, transactions, documentation and assist in training and re-training the people on lands administration, adding that other agencies would also benefit from GIS

services.

Governor Abiodun also declared that his administration would stop at nothing in delivering 5,000 affordable housing units to the people, just as he urged those saddled with the project to work towards giving the state smart city status that will incorporate basic needs like good road network, shopping malls, health facilities, adequate security and provision for laying of fibre cables.

Also, speaking at the Commissioner for Housing, Jamiu Omoniyi, said the state housing needs are in deficit of more than two million houses, but assured the people that government is working to meet its 5,000 housing target in the nearest future.

In London, Abiodun negotiates investment opportunities, woos more investors to Ogun

G

o v e r n o r Da p o Abiodun of Ogun State has stepped up holistic and intensive approach to win more foreign direct investments to the state, negotiating more investments in far away London, United Kingdom with a view to increasing investment influx and confirm Ogun State status as the largest investment hub in the country.

At a recently-concluded UK-Africa Investment Summit held in London which was facilitated by the UK Department of International Trade, Governor Abiodun and his economic team met and entered into partnerships and working agreements with various investors in different areas which include energy, agriculture, agro-processing, infrastructure and asset management, among others.

Canvassing for more influx of investments into Ogun State on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London were Governor Abiodun and his economic team, namely, Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Finance; Kikelomo Longe, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Sola Arobieke, Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry and Debo Adeleke, Special Assistant to the Governor.

Speaking during the assessment tour of the UK manufacturing and agroprocessing firm headquarters - Alvan Blanch, a firm that specialises in the manufacturing and supply of machines and tools used for the processing of agricultural produce and waste, Governor Abiodun declared that Alvan Blanch had expressed interest and ready to invest multi-billion pounds in the state economy.

The governor, who was received by Alvan Blanch Managing Director, Andrew Blanch, disclosed that the firm would begin business relations with Ogun State and Nigeria with the imports of agro-processing machines and tools in the short term but would locate Africa largest assembly plant for the agro-processing machines and tools in the long term, adding huge employment opportunities would also be created by the imports and manufacturing activities of Alvan Blanch.

Ap a r t f r o m w o r k i n g a g r e e m e n t w i t h Al v a n Blanch, Governor Abiodun and his team were also in other five companies, covering energy, infrastructure,

agriculture, assets management, among others, to meet with their executives to work out possibilities of facilitating investments towards those economic areas with a view to convincing the investors to buy into public private partnership economic agenda of the state.

At United Green, the governor was received by Rod Bassett, Director, Agriculture and Dairy and Amin Ajami, Director, Principal Investment. United Green is a multi-interest investment company with strong focuses on agriculture and nutrition, real estate and technology.

The meeting at United Green, offered Ogun state economic team and governor the opportunity to woo investors in dairy farming as discussion was centred on the possibility of sitting a state-of-the-art commercial dairy farm in Ogun State with a strong consideration for fresh milk cluster where farmers and herders will submit milk produce on daily basis in addition to the main production of the dairy company.

Another firms and investors that received the governor and his economic team were the Chief Investment Officer, Chris Isaac and the CEO, Daniel Hulls of AgDevCo. AgDevCo is a co-funded company that invests in the transformation of agribusiness in Africa, ensuring food security by providing growth capital and support to high-potential partners.

Lion Head’s Global Partner, Christopher Egerton and its Directors, Olamide Edun and Fola Pedro also welcomed Governor Abiodun and his economic team.

They both had conversation on investment banking. The interest here is centred on financial advisory, capital raising and other investment management activities that the state could attract.

BDSUNDAY reports that the governor also met with Actis’ Senior Adviser, Simon Harford and Edu Okeke of Azura Power West Africa Ltd. Bo t h c o m p a n i e s a r e world-class power investment companies that have a long history of advisory and investment roles in Africa, especially Nigeria.

The companies expressed their will to explore numerous potentials of the state, considering among other things the state’s proximity to Lagos market, where the two firms had previously invested.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 35

BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE

Environment: Supporting recycling plants, scavengers to deal with plastic waste DANIEL OBI

I

t is common knowledge that right thinking in a right environment engenders business opportunities. Like Nollywood industry, suddenly, plastic recycling business appears to be growing in Nigeria, a development considered positive to the environment and to the economy. Experts say, in Nigeria about 148,000 tons of plastic wastes alone are generated annually while less than 30% is collected. The rest is hazardous to the environment.

Due to increasing usage of plastics, composed of toxic chemicals and nondegradable substance, it has become one of the major toxic pollutants of present time leading to air, land and water pollution creating problem for plants and animals.

Until now, Nigerians have for several years lived with ugly dumps of plastic waste in gutters and on the roads with their associated environmental and health challenges. Plastic wastes, including the bottles which are non- biodegradable are largely seen obstructing these gutters and other waterways, leading to city flooding. Plastic waste also

lead to death of animal, fishes and plants as they “have also been found to block digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death”, says experts.

Realising the dangers of plastic waste to the environment, Nigerian government in 2009 attempted to establish 26 plastic waste recycling plants in 26 cities across Nigeria to eradicate the problem of plastic waste.

But it is not sure if these plants were completed and came to fruition.

In November, 2018, Sahara Reporters quoted Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril as saying that “at present, a total of eight plants have already been completed and handed over to the states while 18 oth-

ers are at various stages of completion”. But based on its investigation, Sahara Reporters reported that Jibril indeed was unaware that the plastic waste recycling plants he said were completed or ongoing, at different locations were wasting away despite the government’s huge investment in the project.

It has always been said that government is not good in business. In spite of the efforts by government, plastic waste only started disappearing from the gutters when the private sector began to invest in the sector.

Today, there are a number of private plant recyclers which have created business opportunity for plastic scavengers both in the neighbour-

hood and in gutters. These scavengers play important part in the process of plastic waste recycling. “Scavenging contributes to reduction of the amount of solid waste to be disposed and also helps to save the natural resources that lead to sustainable development. It creates jobs and extra income for people especially the poor” says Mustapha Muktar in his write up on scavenging. Though, the scavengers earn some income but principally they supply raw materials to a lot of recycling enterprises.

It is therefore important that as these scavengers pick up the plastics, dump sites are created for them by local and state governments. For tidiness, it is from these sites they can transport their raw materials to recycling plants.

There is also the need for a proper arrangement between the recyclers and state governments to train the scavengers on how to pick and handle the plastics most of which are picked from dirty environment including gutters. This will ensure they avoid contamination to remain healthy for the job.

Muktar underscored this when he said “scavenging has some detrimental effects on the health of the scaven-

gers, who suffer from eye irritation; respiratory diseases, with coughing, sneezing, etc.; skin diseases, especially scabies; minor injuries from stepping on broken bottles or sharp objects in the refuse; headaches from working in the sun; and backaches from bending down most of the time.

Other infections associated with waste scavenging includes, skin and blood infections resulting from direct contact with waste and from infected wounds; eye and respiratory infections resulting from exposure to infected dust; zoonoses resulting from bites by wild or stray animals feeding on wastes; and enteric infections transmitted by flies on wastes, chronic diseases like respiratory diseases and cancers resulting from exposure to dust and hazardous compounds, accidental injuries that include skeletal disorders resulting from the handling of heavy containers, infected wounds from contact with sharp items; poisoning and chemical burns resulting from contact with small amounts of hazardous chemical waste mixed with general waste; burns and other injuries from occupational accidents at waste disposal sites or from methane-gas

explosions at landfill sites”.

It is understandable therefore that if scavengers are not educated on their job, they will often fall sick and the whole essence of setting up recycling plants and protecting the environment from plastic waste will be defeated.

It is appreciable that government is aware of the implications of plastic waste to the environment. In this regard, government should ensure that the business of reducing plastic waste is sustained by encouraging investors through zero duty on machines for recycling and tax breaks for initial years.

As in other countries, policies and collaboration between governments, the community and the private sector are needed to drive behavioral change for plastic waste. For instance in cities like Lagos, the residents feel the pressure of poorly managed waste systems because the city’s huge population is squeezed into just 1,200 square kilometers (500 sq. m) implying a population density of 8,000 people per sq. km.

It is time for government to heighten its support for the recycling industry to reduce the impact of plastic waste to the environment.

Baxibox Agency kicks off ‘Baxi Hero’ campaign to deepen financial services across Nigeria DANIEL OBI

O

ne of Nigeria’s f o r e m o s t Agent Banking platforms, ‘The BaxiBox’, has kicked off a rave of campaign with the aim of creating national awareness for its multiple financial services across the country.

BaxiBox is the financial platform arm of Capricorn Digital Limited.

Speaking during the formal launch of the campaign recently in Lagos, the Managing Director of Capricorn Digital Limited, Degbola Abudu said the launch of the campaign became necessary in order to avail Nigerians of the unique and innovative services available on the Baxi Platform.

“We have created a one-stop-shop payment ecosystem aimed at providing everyday financial access and solutions to our agents and customers while creating core services that directly impact their daily lives.

“At the heart of the company is innovation and

technical excellence, which drives the business to strive to find new ways to create economic value for our agents and customers”.

Abudu stated that the adoption of a multi-channel distribution approach that includes devices such as BaxiBox, BaxiPos, and BaxiMpos, web (BaxiPay), M o b i l e Ap p a n d A P I (Business-to-Business) services are tailored to meet the needs of a wide variety

of stakeholders including agents, customers and corporate clients.

“We ens ure qual i t y, stability, and security across our platforms”.

He said Capricorn Digital Limited (CDL) is a Super Agent licensed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and it is a member of the SANEF (Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility) program, a project powered by the CBN, Deposit Money Banks,

NigeriaInter-BankSettlement Systems, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria , licensed Mobile Money Operators and Shared Agents with the primary objective of accelerating financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The Company, which is also a grantee of EFInA – a development organization that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria funded by the UK Government’s Department for International

Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – has been in existence for over four years and has created a unique and stress free digital payments and distribution platform targeted at the mass market through the BaxiBox. “As a business, we are dedicated to consistently delivering value to our clients through the use of our technology which is a safe, secure and easy way

L-R: Omotayo Oyetayo, COO, Capricorn Digital Ltd; Degbola Abudu, MD/CEO, Capricorn Digital Ltd; Laura Oloyede, Partner, Laura & Lloyd Communications Ltd ; Omotayo Oguntade, CTO, Capricorn Digital Ltd at the unveil of Baxi Hero campaign on financial services, recently in Lagos.

to complete transactions.

We aim at simplifying the buying experience for the end consumer, providing speed, convenience, and confidence for the users”.

Abudu noted that an important part of the company’s value proposition is the technology platform, which he said can aggregate and integrate into a wide range of digital products and services, and also serves as a means to empower the immediate community to access financial services (Financial Inclusion).

“Our Mission is to bring a wide bouquet of digital p r od u c ts and se r v ic e s to grass root and mass market consumers through innovation, technology and a world class retail distribution network that is driven primarily by agents and merchants.

“We have created a one-stop-shop payment ecosystem aimed at providing everyday financial access and solutions to our agents and customers while creating core services that directly impact their daily lives”.

36 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 26 January 2020

TheWorshippers

‘Believers’ righteousness can revive, repair and restore Nigeria’ For the entire Sundays in January, worshippers in Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC), Lagos, are celebrating “foundational Sundays” tagged ‘Four Super Sundays’ to plan and commit the Year 2020 into God’s hand. Today being the last Sunday, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, founder and senior pastor of CKC, speaks on the importance of laying solid foundation at the start of a New Year. Excerpts by SEYI JOHN SALAU: We shall be celebrating the last in the series of Super Sundays for the month of January on Sunday (today); what influenced the idea? onestly, this January, normally we have foundational Sundays. January is the foundation of all months of the year and we have dedicated this month of January, the four Sundays in it, to four areas of the human life: it’s more than that, but we have chosen four.

The first Sunday was our foundational Sunday. God’s word says in the book of Psalm; ‘If the foundations are destroyed, what shall the righteous do?’ We established the fact that the righteous can do three things. If the foundation is destroyed; the righteous can revive it, the righteous can repair it and the righteous can restore it. It is a business of revive, repair and restore. Many foundations are destroyed in this country. Is it marriage? You know those days’ divorce was a taboo; but even in the church today, under flimsy excuses, a man would say to the wife ‘we are not compatible’ and they separate. So, we are using these four Sundays to lay a very solid foundation.

Our first Sunday was spiritual foundation; the second Sunday was Youths and students’ foundation. You know they are just resuming now and the message was geared towards building a solid foundation for children and young ones. The scriptures say ‘train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is grown up he wouldn’t depart from it’.

And the last Sunday, 19th was family and marriage foundation.

We visited areas where families can live more happily together and the family, the nuclear family,

H

Archbishop Joseph and Rev. Esther Ojo

Archbishop Joseph Ojo

can enjoy the blessings of being a part of a close family. How to manage the family and every member of the family enjoys the fruits of the family? Then the last Sunday which is January 26th, we have foundation for businesses and enterprises. We want to reach out and ensure that people don’t just do business or don’t just do what they are doing this year without having a foundation. Have a focus, at the end definitely, if you have a solid foundation, no matter the tower, it will take it. You see, there is no man who wants to build a tower that would not sit down to count the cost; so that’s what influenced our choice of the four super Sundays.

If I have to tie the spiritual Sunday to the church; the question will be, what is the place of prophesy in Christendom considering happenings in the country in recent past?

It depends on the kind of spirit they have. Some prophetic utterances or releases - a good prophet;

the bible says ‘The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet’, in other words you can direct your prophecy so that you would not kill instead of building or keeping alive. You don’t use your prophecy because you want to have ego. So that people would say you are a very powerful man of God, in other words you are also destroying yourself. You know, wise prophets’ advice; they don’t make some of their predictions public even though you see it very clear. Making it public you are just looking for attention. You should not make people to think you are powerful. It is not too good. You see, prophets in the Old Testament, they go to the king. They don’t go to media, they don’t go publicising, saying ‘if it doesn’t happen, you know I am not a man of God’, who cares? They don’t operate in wisdom and that’s the truth about it.

So when you say ‘the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet’, that draws me to the talk on authority as preachers; who are we answerable to?

I am answerable to God. In the case of PFN and other Christian groups, we know there are hierarchies. Now, in a situation where those at the top find it difficult to call subordinates to order; how do we reconcile the situation?

You begin to see rebellion. You know in every organisation, you have people that have rebellious tendencies, and like I said before those top echelon of leadership use wisdom, not to kill ‘the rat and kill the pot’. They allow time. Time, the English people say is always the greatest healer. You don’t react the way maybe your subordinates want you to. If somebody is bathing, and you are in the bathroom of those days, and a mad man comes and take the cloth you use to cover the road and he ties it, and he is running with your cloth and you come out of the bathroom pursuing the mad man naked; people will think you are the one crazy, not the mad man that is already tying your cloth.

You that is naked is the one they would see as crazy. So, leaders use wisdom to handle cases like that because people know what they are looking for. They just want to either make money or make name. And those two things are not really what a wise Christian clergy should try to portray.

Coming to the aspect of marital bliss; late last year, you celebrated your wedding anniversary and one of the Sundays in this foundation Sunday is also dedicated to marriages. So, I will like you to look back as a way of advice, being someone who had been in that institution for quite a while and then speak to the issues we have in marriages today?

You know, the picture that

people have before they get married is very important. That picture can be seen as expectation.

Some people enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations. And when they get into it and discover that what they were expecting is not what they are getting, they become very unsettled; they want to do everything possible to scuttle the whole thing.

My counsel to people today is that before you get married, try to find out from the person you are getting married to what his or her expectations are; ‘what is your expectation of this relationship?’.

Now, a common thing like having children can cause divorce. But if the expectation is there and if we get married, children did not come early no problem, we would know how to handle it and if it comes, good. So, when you get married, and the woman is expecting that she will not be trekking to church again, she will not be doing some certain things again or the husband will say ‘when I add my wife salary with mine, it would be able to take care of the family’ and when you get married, your wife says she is not giving you her salary, then there is problem.

Some men enter relationship with women because of their income. They will just add up their wife’s income with theirs, saying ‘if I add my own 100 thousand to her own two hundred thousand, at least we can manage it’. And the day you come home and your wife says ‘this is my salary, my parents trained me and I have a responsibility to them’ and you are saying ‘No, I am now your husband’.

Failed expectation is one reason marriages fail. By God’s grace, I and my wife we’ve been married for 44 years, this year 2020, makes it 45 years we’ve been married and for 45 years, I can at least counsel people on what has helped us.

We have children, we have grandchildren. And in the area of expectations, I have realistic expectation, my wife also has realistic expectation and God has done it. That is not the only thing, but this is a vital point that kills people and don’t expect the unrealistic from your spouse. There are things he can’t handle and other men can, don’t compare him with them. On our wedding day other people may have elaborate party, if the husband does not have the means and you force him to do the same as others; something else may happen. So, just try to be yourself.

So, in other words, what you are saying is that people should manage their expectation?

That’s the truth; they should be able to manage their expectation.

You said that the second Sunday was dedicated to children and youths, and I understand also that the church has a school. I would

like you to look at the educational sector vis-a-vis the church. Virtually all the churches in Nigeria are committed to educational institution as well. So, where did we get it wrong with our education?

Well, I think we got it wrong because Nigeria got it wrong. I was preaching on that second Sunday, and one of the things I said was ‘how can a government, for example, borrow legislation from the civilised politics, and tagged it ‘child abuse’? You see a child hawking along the road, they say it’s child abuse; I don’t believe it.’

If there is a policy or commitment on the part of the government to ensure that all children in school at certain age, no child will go and hawk on the streets. If parents have means to take care of their children, no one would go and sell pure water.

Most of those children are assisting their parents at home because most of those parents are not working at all and that is the only means that they can even earn a living and eat. So, it is government abuse not child abuse.

There is nothing like child abuse in Nigeria, it is government abuse.

Government abuses people by not providing qualitative or even average education. The facilities are not there, the infrastructure is not there but thank God that with the help of God and many churches that are coming out to build schools, at least some, not even all, can have basic education which is very important. Many of us were products of mission schools. We grew up having the Roman Catholic School, the CMS School and all that, and that’s how we had education. Very few of us had the opportunity of attending government school. It has been like that. Government has not been able to provide enough classrooms for the teeming population.

So, I think the government needs to come out with a policy to ensure that when a child is at the age of five, for example, that child must be in school. It is the same thing we take all things with levity, that’s why today we are having problem in knowing our exact population. Because in other civilised places, they plus and minus. They don’t do this census we do here often. They take data from hospitals because there is nobody born that his birth is not registered. There is no person that dies that is not registered. When you calculate the number of death plus the number of birth, you add it to last year’s own; you will know your population. But here in Nigeria, every five years or so they are doing censors because we lack planning and God someday, somehow will give us leaders who are reasonable and sensible enough that will not put money first but will put service first.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 37

TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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ne of the most thrilling biblical stories for me is the Rise and Fall of King Saul in Israel; someone who was a nobody being lifted up to prominence without any connection with the Priestly order became the first king of Israel, a product of the clamour of the people, raised up from

The fall of the mighty obscurity and shot into eminence within a jiffy. The big BUT is that he didn’t manage success well at all and he eventually fell flat and David penned down a poem after him and for his kind.

‘The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places and How Are The Mighty Fallen....how are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perish’ (2 Sam 1 v 19-27).

Th e m o d e r n - d a y church is obsessed with the liftings of the Mighty and success of the believer so much that we have ignored the sustainable of the Mighty after their prominence. We prepare men for Greatness not Goodness; we conveniently forget that many in scriptures have been Mighty yet Fallen because of some things that were left undone.

I want to Inspire my readers today on how to ‘Prevent a Fall’ not just on how to ‘Produce a Rise’ as we often teach on Sundays and preach during Conventions. It is rather important for us to take

a closer look at the other side of the coin so that we do not become a Samson who fell from grace, a Saul who was crushed in battle or a Satan who was thrown down to earth from the glorious place in heaven.

How to prevent a fall in this decade Character matters: I have taught and will continue to push for a Character focused church not charisma. People today act like Character can be thrown out of the window while we pursue cash or charm, but I will always choose character above the latter any day anytime.

Andimi: South-East CAN calls for sack of service chiefs …enjoins Christians to defend themselves GODFREY OFURUM, Aba

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he South East branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack all the Service Chiefs over persistent killing of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Bishop Goddy Okafor, chairman, CAN, South East region, made the call in Aba, Abia State, during an interactive session with journalists on the security situation in the country, Okafor, who anchored his response on the gruesome murder of Chairman of CAN in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram last Tuesday, called for seriousness on the part of the Federal Government in the fight against terrorism.

He described the killing of Andimi as absurd and stressed that the era of mere issuing of statementsandmakingclaims of taking care of the situation on the pages of newspaper without any serious action taken should stop.

He urged the Federal Government to clear the air on the allegation of the Islamisation

agenda, by making inclusive appointments in the security services.

“If the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is for all of us; if he claims he loves this country and wants to take this country to next level, he should pursue justice.

“About 98percent of our service chiefs are Muslims.

There’s no balance in that. I personally feel that if there’s truly war against terrorism, if the Federal Government is sincere and committed to this war against terrorism, let Mr. President sack all his Service Chiefs and appoint people from different religious affiliations who can work together to defend this country.

“He should appoint people from all zones of this country.

We don’t have best hands from one side only. There are people who can handle this situation better. There are people who can handle Boko Haram better.

“I think our government enjoys mediocrity. If they claim there’s no agenda to Islamise this country and that this country truly belongs to all of us, then they should show it because, presently their body language does not show that they are sincere and honest.

“Year after year, month after month, week after week,

day after day, it’s all about one thing and nobody is held responsible for them,” he said.

Speaking further, Okafor said: “Every year in our budget, very large chunk of tax payers’ money is allocated to the military and yet Nigerians are left to provide security for themselves.

“What happened in Adamawa is very absurd. To abduct a man of God who’s totally sold out for the word of God and paint the picture that you’ll release him and later kill him.

“A man of God was killed in cold blood. Nigeria is not Saudi Arabia. My question, is this the way Muslims kill?

Because I know that there are people who leave and work there that are not Muslims.

“We have so many Islamic nations; Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Senegal and other countries that are more than 90percent Muslims. Is this the way they kill their own people?“I want our Muslim brothers to know that this country belongs to all of us.

If they want a country where they’ll practise Sharia, where Boko Haram will be instrument of maintaining Islamic principles in the land, then they should have a rethink because this country belongs to all of us and nobody will chase us out of this country.”

People count: Those who fall disregard People and only use them instead of loving them. Relationships count in life and I run from believers who despise people and move on quickly from long standing relationships. If you want to know a good man, check his surroundings, if you cannot find people around him who have been there for decades, run from him.

Weapons fail: I have noticed with disgust the premium placed on weapons in life above God. I feel bad that we usually think battles are won with weapons, strategy and errors from the enemy and not God. The mighty

fell and their weapons of war perished in that passage above. Kindly place your trust in God not your skills, weapons, money and contacts.

Love conquers: Make sure you love always because it is going to come back someday to aid and help you from falling and prevent disaster from befalling you. Many people embrace titles and offices when successful and ignore simple virtues like loving even the unlovable.

Dedicate your life to loving and it will certainly prevent you from falling.

Grace keeps: The last but surely not the least is Grace. This is my story and my song; it is called amaz-

ing grace and it is the main substance that kept David from falling unlike Saul and Samson. Grace is from God and many are kept today

by Grace and not works of the flesh or their certificates. Let us all celebrate Grace and we shall reap the fruits of Grace in 2020.

I will like to stop here and will probably do a sequel next week on How To Produce A Rise since we have gone through How To Prevent A Fall.

Drop me a note of acknowledgment and encouragement and also follow me on my Social media handles below: Instagram: @yomi_kasali Twitter: @yomi_kasali Facebook: www.facebook. com/revyomikasali Youtube: www.youtube. com/revyomikasali Be Inspired!

Rev Yomi Kasali is Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Surulere, Lagos.

Delta seeks N7,000 seeds from CAN to save the poor from quacks Mercy Enoch, Asaba

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he poor live among you in the church. You could do so much if you provide one year health care for them”, said Martin Bolum of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, asking the Christian Clerics to sow N7,000 seeds to save the less-privileged (the poor) from quacks.

Bolum, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of the Commission, made the plea during the commission’s visit to Ashaka Branch of the association in

Okowa

Ndokwa East LGA. The visit was a continuation of the commission’s advocacy and sensitization visit to CAN at the LGA level of the state, to seek the association’s support for the less privileged Deltans who are yet to be covered by the health scheme.

The scheme boasts of over 500,000 enrollees under its coverage of which the more of the beneficiaries are from the formal sector whose premiums are often deducted at source.

Besides, while the rich could afford Medicare even at huge cost in private hospitals and clinics, the poor who are supposed to take care of their health through the state’s contributory health scheme seemed not to show interest because of lack of money. To the poor, N7,000 a year is so difficult to get because of his or her unsustainable means of livelihood, hence lives are lost to improper healthcare.

The aim of the health scheme is to ensure access to affordable health care for all including the less privileged.

Therefore, since the poor may not have the needed finance for the scheme, they cannot just be abandoned.

Bolum wants the clerics to

step in and take the message to their churches so as to help the poor live in good health.

According to him, the clerics could sow seeds in the life of the very poor by ensuring the payment of the premium of N7, 000.00 per annum which he said covered all ailments in the benefit package of the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme.

He explained that such seeds could be of immense help to the less privileged who patronise quack or road side chemists instead of going for professional health care services in times of ill health, adding that such practice causes more challenges to their health issues.

The leader of CAN, Ndokwa East LGA Chapter, Leo Ogbotobo, a bishop, thanked the state government for the laudable programme and promised to take the message to their various congregations There had been reports to the effect that some enrollees of the scheme were murmuring over irregularities but the commission advised the beneficiaries not to murmur.

They should rather complain, Bolum advised during the advocacy and sensitisation visit at Amukpe Branch of CAN in Sapele LGA.

38 BDSUNDAY

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Sunday 26 January 2020

TheWorshippers CAN calls for total overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture …Passes no confidence vote in security chiefs SEYI JOHN SALAU

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ollowing the gruesome murder of Rev. Lawan Andimi, the CAN Chairman Michika Local Government Area and the District Church Council Secretary of the Ecclesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeia (EYN) Church in Michika, Adamawa State, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, as it passes a vote of no confidence in the security chiefs.

According to CAN, the church did everything within its reach to secure the safe release of Andimi, but it was not possible because it did not have the military power to do so. Recall that the late Rev. Lawan Andimi while in captivity made a passionate appeal to the leadership of his church and the Federal Government to come to his rescue.

A statement signed by Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, the director, legal and public affairs, CAN, posits that the Church views the unabated kidnappings, extortions and killings of Christians and innocent Nigerians as shameful to the government that each time boasts that it has conquered insurgency. “Just last Sunday, a clergyman, Rev. Denis Bagauri was murdered by unknown gunmen in his residence at Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State.

“It is reprehensible and saddening that each time the government comes out to claim the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed. In the light of the current developments and the circumstantial facts surrounding the prevailing upsurge of attacks against the church, it will be difficult for us to believe that the Federal

Government under President Muhammadu Buhari is not colluding with the insurgents to exterminate Christians in Nigeria bearing in mind the very questionable leadership of the security sector that has been skewed towards a religion and region! Is that lopsidedness not a cover up for the operation of the insurgency? If not, why couldn’t the well-equipped security agents of Nigeria get this man killed rescued?”

CAN asked.

CAN equally said that maintenance of security is the least responsibility of any government that knows its worth.

“We are once again calling on the President Buhari to purge himself of the allegations of nepotism and religious favouritism by reconstituting the leadership of security outfits.

“The Federal Government is urged to ensure the release of the prisoner of faith, Leah Sharibu and hundreds of victims who are in the Boko Haram and ISWAP captivity before it is too late. A government that cannot protect the governed is a failed government.

“While we call on Christians to be calm, we challenge the Federal Government led by President Buhari to be more proactive about effort to get rid of the continuous siege on Nigeria and end the wanton killings and destructions of lives and property of Nigerians if the government is to be taken seriously,” CAN said.

Furthermore, as a show of brotherliness to the family of the departed reverend, CAN deeply sympathises with the immediate family of the late Rev. Andimi, president and members of EYN Church, the government of Adamawa State and the entire Nigeria Church.

The Christian umbrella body also raised in a statement signed Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, director,

legal and public affairs, CAN, raised some posers it believes are begging for answers: “What is the essence of SIM card registration if the authorities cannot use it to track down these killers who rely on phones as a means of communications to do their criminalities? What has become of Intelligence gathering of our security agencies?

“Is this government and the security agencies still claiming that the war against these criminals in religious garments has been won despite all the killings? Is the government sincere in fighting these terrorists or merely paying lip service to the war against the insurgency?

“Is there any hope that our security is guaranteed under this government? Can the government tell us what they did since Rev. Andimì cried out to them for help?

If the security agencies claim the terrorists are operating outside the country, why is it possible for these hoodlums to invade the country, kill, maim, burn and kidnap without any convincing checks on the part of the security agencies?

“Since the government and its apologists are claiming the killings have no religious undertones, why are the terrorists and herdsmen targeting the predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders?

If the security agencies are not living up to the expectations of the government, why hasn’t it overhauled them with a view of injecting new visionaries ones into the security system?

“As long as the government continues to live in denial and fail to face the reality, these criminals will not stop their criminalities. We are almost losing hope in government’s ability to protect Nigerians

especially Christians who have become endangered species under its watch. We once again call on the International community and developed world like the US, the UK, Germany, Israel and others to please come to our aid of Nigeria, especially, the Nigerian Church so that we might not be eliminated one by one.

“We cannot lose hope on divine protection and the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to expose those behind the sponsorship of terrorism in Nigeria and to get Nigeria safe from the arms of the criminals. We shall remain constant and not bow to the antics of terrorists and their sponsors. We know that very soon, God will unmask these ungodly and wicked elements amidst us and their collaborators in Jesus Name.

We urge all Christians to set three days apart this week to fast and pray for Nigeria.”

L-R: Umaru Abdul Mutallab, chairman, Jaiz Bank plz; Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, Osun State Governor and Abdulwaheed Adeyinka Adeola, chairman board of trustees, Fountain University, at the investiture of Umaru Abdul Mutallab as Chancellor, Fountain University, held during the 9th convocation ceremony of the University in Osun State.

NEWS As violence, evil ravage communities, cleric urges good mothers to guide their children to safe ways … Warns against covetousness Ignatius Chukwu

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itual killing to make quick wealth, avarice and evil seem to ravage most Nigerian communities, but a clergyman at the Anglican Communion, Diocese on the Niger, Rapuluchukwu Okoye, wants good mothers to serve as shields and guide their children to old good ways.

Okoye also admonished the public to shun covetousness and mad

rush for material acquisition, saying everything about this life is vanity.

Speaking as the officiating minister during the burial service of Grace Obodoekwe, mother of Steyven Obodoekwe, a Port Harcourtbased human rights defender and public interest journalist, recently at Okuzu Umuezigbogu village, Oba, Idemili South LGA, Anambra state, the cleric and vicar attached to St Thomas Anglican Church, Oba, stated that no matter what anybody acquires as wealth, properties, material possessions, and

Grace

number of cars or estates the person may have, he must surely die one day, leaving everything behind.

He said when the last bell tolls, the highest portion of the person’s wealth that can be given to him is just one small space dug about six feet below the ground for burial.

“No one knows who will inherit the wealth and what the inheritors will do with them”, he said, adding that people foolishly and ignorantly soil their hands and separate themselves from the love of God just because of earthly pleasures.

He lamented that covetousness and wickedness have put many families in deep crisis, creating enmity among family members.

He said, people should be more concerned about where they will spend eternity, rather than amassing wealth in ungodly manners for transient earthly comfort. “Live a Godly life, fear God, be at peace with God and show love to your neighbours, your relations, and to people around you at all times.

Do not use your position or your possessions to intimidate others.”

Sunday 26 January 2020

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BDSUNDAY 39

SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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About GAIN h e Gl o b a l Al l i an c e forImproved Nutrition (GAIN) is an alliance driven by the vision of a world without malnutrition. Created in 2002 at a Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Children, GAIN supports public-private partnerships to increase access to the missing nutrients in diets necessary for people, communities and economies to be stronger and healthier.

An estimated 400 million people, most at risk of malnutrition are benefitting from sustained and affordable nutritionally-enhanced food products in more than 25 countries. Half of the beneficiaries are women and children. GAIN is a Swiss Foundation headquartered in Geneva with a special international status granted by the Swiss government. Its worldwide presence includes an office in Washington D.C. as well as regional and country representatives in Johannesburg, New Delhi, Cairo, Nairobi, Kabul and Shanghai to support its activities.

GAIN’s nutrition programme in Africa Twelve Africans die every minute as a result of hunger and malnutrition. Since it began in 2003, GAIN has awarded grants to support large scale national food fortification and infant and

All about GAIN’s partnerships in Africa young child nutritionprograms.

Grants cover activities including development of policy and quality assurance and control.

Also important is the purchase of vitamin and mineral premix and fortification equipment and support of product development and marketing.

Projects, which run from three to five years, must be sustainable, compliant with international standards and able to generatepositive public health outcomes.GAIN’s programs are in Cote d’ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Af r i c a a n d Ug a n d a . G A I N ’s Regional office for East and Southern Africa in Johannesburg and GAIN Kenya Country Office provide on-the-ground support to GAIN-funded programs and essential local expertise for project development and implementation.

GAIN is also a partner in the Amsterdam InitiativeAgainstMalnutrition, a collaborateeffort between the public and private sector to eliminate malnutrition for 100million people in Africa by 2015. In addition, GAIN has supported the African Union with the development of a food and nutrition security strategy.

G A I N ’ s N a t i o n a l Fo o d Fortification Program benefits large populations through market-based approaches.

Projects reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies and associated health problems (e.g. neural tube birth defects, anemia, and impaired mental development). Particularly, in women of reproductive age and children, by adding vitamins and minerals to foods and condiments consumed by mass populations (i.e. wheat four, vegetable oil, maize meal, sugar, salt).

• 1 i n f o u r Af r i c a n s i s undernourished?

• 68 percent of the 400 million people GAIN is reaching through its programs are in Africa.

• 12 African countries in GAIN’s Nutrition Programme.

A National Fortification Alliance, a coalition of governments,

business, international organisations and civil society guides GAIN’s investment as part of national food fortification programs. These programmes are sustainable once fortification is mandated by government or adopted by industry.

GAIN’s programmes are supported by the GAIN Premix Facility (GPF). GPF provides services related to the procurement and certification of premix, a commercially prepared blend of vitamins and minerals used to fortify foods. The GPF supports nutrition programs and private sector food producers in Africa to access affordable, certified and high quality premix.

It has delivered premix in Burkina Faso, Cote d’ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa and Uganda, helping to reach millions of consumers with affordable, effective vitamins and minerals, and is actively looking to expand operations across Africa.

The GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization Partnership Project enables large populations in Africa to consume adequately iodized salt through proper quality assurance and control at production. The partnership supports small-scale salt producers through the creation of salt bank co-operatives and works with the food industry to replace non-iodized salt with iodized salt in manufacturing process recipes.

GAIN also delivers nutritious foods to specific populations. For example, GAIN’s Infant and Young Child Nutrition Program provides incentives to the private sector to commercialize affordable fortified foods that complement breast milk from six months of age and to distribute them to low-income families.

NIGERIA GAIN is working with Nigeria’s National Agency for food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC to support the fortification of wheat and maize flour with iron, vitamin A and B-vitamins and of vegetable oil and sugar with vitamin A. The project contributes to the mandatory National Food Fortification

Program, which aims to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations.

GHANA GAIN supports the Food and Drugs Board of Ghana to lead the national program to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies by fortifying wheat flour with iron, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid and other B-vitamins and vegetable oil with vitamin A. As of March 2010, the project was reaching an estimated 47percent of the population with fortified wheat flour.

Upon the request of WHO, GAIN participated in an analysis of Ghana’s readiness to strengthen national nutrition programs.

GAIN is also working with Ghana Health Services to support the implementation of the country’s Infant and Young child Feeding Action Plan. In addition, Gain supports Ghana’s National Codex Delegation to review and advance national and international food standards.

The GAIN Business Alliance (BA) This is a uniquely positioned global business network dedicated to promoting sustainable marketdriven, nutrition oriented solutions.

Utilizing GAIN’s Partnership Network and innovative tools including the GAIN premix facility and innovative finance, GAIN links andleveragesthestrengthsofitsBA members with nutrition experts, incountry implementers, academia, non governmental organizations, financial partners, institutional partners and international donors to facilitate sustainable pro-nutrition interventions that increase the availability of more nutritious and affordable products to the base of the pyramid market.

These interventions increase collective return, reach and impact for the private sector while filling nutritional gaps.

The business Alliance has two key objectives: • Improved awareness, advocacy and knowledge sharing of malnutrition within the business community and beyond in order to; • Generate commitment for the development and implementation

of market-based solutions with positive nutrition outcomes to the base of the pyramid market.

As GAIN rapidly expands and diversifies its alliance membership, BA events will focus on regional strategy, engaging those BA members interested in the development of a pipeline of specific regional interventions.

Publicity GAIN utilizes email alerts and its quarterly BA Newsletter to keep its alliance members at the forefront of new developments within the nutrition, policy and business arena.

Business Case Studies are developed to highlight alliance member’s best practices and lessons learned. These studies serve as unique knowledge sharing tools for companies surveying target country markets.

GAIN’s BA knowledge sharing: The Platform was launched in 2011 to create a multi-party exchange for GAIN’s rapidly growing membership.

Alliance members now have exclusive access to this community and be able to understand and contribute industry trends and best practice via discussion forums, online collaboration platform, member lists, messaging RSS feeds and project space for uploading shareable text, links and videos.

The platform allows members to develop innovative ideas that progress into Impactful projects.

Advocate GAIN, in association with the International Business Leaders Forum, offers the annual GAIN Innovation Award to recognize innovation in the fight against malnutrition, improve public health and promote sustainable development. The award brings malnutritionandother health issues to the attention of the international media and encourages companies to continue seeking sustainable business solution in fight against malnutrition.

Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media ayobaje@yahoo.co.uk; 08057971776

Pinnacle Communications laments alleged invasion of its Abuja office by ICPC operatives IFEOMA OKEKE

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he Management of Pinnacle Communications Ltd, a licensed Digital Switch-Over operator in Nigeria, has lamented the alleged illegal invasion of its Abuja office by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The invasion, which it described as despicable, unwarranted, and illegal allegedly

happened last Wednesday at the company’s office located on Charles De Gualle Street, Asokoro, Abuja with the ICPC officials allegedly citing an “order from above.”

The operatives of the ICPC had reportedly stormed the office with fully armed policemen in four vehicles, three Hilux vans, and a car, garbed in ICPC jackets that authenticated their identities to arrest the Chairman and to seal the company.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja last week, the company

said during the encounter, it demanded the warrants of arrest and order of the court granting the sealing of the Pinnacle office that legally gave them the impetus, adding that the operatives failed to produce any document.

Rather they claimed that they were working with geographical coordinates.

It said that after they (Pinnacle) made some calls to report the incident in the presence of the invaders, one of the ICPC operatives answered a call and proceeded to hand the phone

to one of his colleagues that appeared to have led the operation, Pinnacle Communications claims.

It added that its officials “could hear the conversation and the operative said: ‘we are here already’, ‘we have not entered’, ‘they claim he is not around’, ‘No pressmen, nobody’. Afterwards, the operative on the telephone suddenly said to his colleagues ‘let’s go, let’s go, let’s go’, and they left hurriedly like a botched operation.

“The Pinnacle officials heard the operatives lamenting on their

way to their vehicles that they should have shot (gunshot) their way into the premises as soon as they arrived.

“It is common sense in a civilised country like Nigeria that production of a warrant of arrest is the sine qua non to entering premises and attempt to arrest people and that without an order from a court of competent jurisdiction no agency of government has the right to seal off any business premises. There are boundless legal authorities on this,” the company said.

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Sunday 26 January 2020

SundayBusiness How poverty, low income ambush households access to mortgage

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he principle of mortgage, anywhere in the world, is that there must be income flow, meaning that any mortgage loan seeker must be in gainful employment or have an income flow that is not only verifiable but also dependable.

But in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, poverty which is derives from unemployment or underemployment, in some cases, is prevalent and/or endemic.

Most households in Nigeria are without steady income that could support mortgage loan of any level. This explains why many of such households live in rented accommodation, especially in the cities.

Despite its relative large population size, Africa is said to be economically underweight with high-level poverty among its people which explains the low standard of living and sub-human conditions in which some of the people live.

With only €113 billion gross asset value of real estate, representing 1 percent of the world’s total value, Africa is also said to be underweight despite its large and growing population estimated at

15 percent of the world total.

The black continent is underweight in asset value of real estate relative to other continents. But this has its positive side because it has made Africa an attractive prospect for investible funds in real estate.

Home ownership in most parts of this continent is almost a luxury because houses are literally unavailable and where they are, they are inaccessible and unaffordable because of their high prices.

The World Bank estimates that only 3 percent of the African population, about 15 percent of the world’s 7.3 billion population has income viable enough to qualify them for a mortgage, underscoring the level of poverty in the black continent where some households live below poverty line.

In Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation and one touted as its largest economy, it is estimated that 70 percent of its 170 million people lives below poverty line, which explains the low home ownership level that is a little above 20 percent in the country.

It is also estimated that about 90 percent of houses in Nigeria are self-built with less than 5 percent

of them in possession of formal title registration. Close real estate industry watchers note that mortgage loans and advances in the country stand at 0.5 percent to GDP in contrast to 30-40 percent in emerging economies and 60-80 percent in advanced economies.

Major obstacles to mortgage finance in Nigeria particularly include dearth of long-term funds, absence of a secondary mortgage market, inadequate branch network of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), among others. A lot still needs to be done to grow housing finance in the country.

The growth of housing finance in Nigeria needs the support of the small microfinance institutions in their efforts to expand and diversify their offering. He added that the growth would also come from the large commercial banks which are becoming more and more attracted by the low to medium income segment of the housing market.

The argument here is that both the microfinance institutions and commercial banks need support to develop housing products and build up projects which would positively affect the low income segment, urging organizations and

IPMAN threatens strike over non-supply of kerosene to NNPC Calabar depot MIKE ABANG,Calabar

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he Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN), Cross River State chapter has explained that the Union threatened to embark on an industrial action over the nonsupply of kerosene (DPK) to NNPC Calabar depot.

The association described as unacceptable the non-supply of kerosene to NNPC Calabar depot for over 25 years running even as they bring in millions of the product to private tank farms in Calabar.

Speaking during a courtesy visit on the management of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in Calabar, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Robert Obi, noted that bringing PMS, petrol alone is a bad business for independent marketers.

Obi said marketers in the Calabar depot have gone through hell in the name of sourcing for kerosene to sell, insisting that it is high time they supplied these three products including PMS, DPK and AGO to enable them serve their teeming customers in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states as well as be able to break even. According to him, marketers are the ones that ensure this product is taken to all nooks and crannies of both states and therefore, they should be given priority in the allocation of these products.

“We are not asking for the millions of litres of kerosene for free. We will pay for it. We are going to set up our IPMAN marine task force. We have mobilised our task force with speed boats made up of two horse power machines to monitor when this product arrives.

“And if all entreaties fail, we have no option than to embark on an

indefinite strike to press home our demands and alert the Federal Government of what has been happening in NNPC depot Calabar.”

On the issue of equalisation funds, the Chairman said it was high time their members started benefiting from this transportation arrangement meant to assist marketers.

He said it has become necessary so as to alleviate the sufferings of IPMAN members doing business in the state, adding that marketers can no longer cope, especially marketers lifting product from Calabar to market in Ogoja and Obanliku axis which is more than 100 kilometres.

He regretted that when the Federal Government adjusted the price to N145, IPMAN was not invited to take part in the meeting where the N9 margin was arrived at because of the leadership crisis in the association then.

UNICAL partners 3 American Universities MIKE ABANG, Calabar

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he University of Calabar (UNICAL) has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with three American universities. The universities are, University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Bakersfield, and Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

The terms of the MoU include exchange of faculty members, exchange of students, planning and

implementation of cooperative research projects and educational programmesandexchangeofmaterials including reports on research and education. Others are cooperation in postgraduate education and training, organisation of joint conferences, symposia, or other scientific meetings on subjects of mutual interest, exchange of academic information and materials and pursuit of avenues forgraduateandprofessionalstudent exchange during the academic year or summer time Although the terms of the MoU

are non-binding, once there are activated through agreements between the parties, there will become automatically enforceable.

All MoU will last for an initial period of five years subject to renewal as the need arises. While endorsing the MoU on behalf of the University of Calabar, the Vice-chancellor, Zana Akpagu, expressed delight with the development and enjoined faculties, institutes and directorates to take full advantage of the enormous opportunities that these partnerships will offer.

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

institutions to help one another to achieve these goals.

Training sessions need to be organized to promote housing microfinance and develop the capabilities of banks in that field.

Experts see governments as critical stakeholders required to create the regulatory framework that would make the housing market work for the low income segment.

The setting up of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and the institutions for housing finance, including microfinance and mass housing financing, with the support of the World Bank, is a good example of a platform which would facilitate the growth of initiatives there.

This will progressively enable a decrease in interest rates in the mortgage industry. However,

more support from the government is needed to lower the interest rates for the funding of affordable housing and social housing projects.

It needs to be stated that there is a need to improve the affordability of construction itself in which case social housing projects should be setting the stage by showcasing new construction techniques that could improve quality, deliver faster and reduce the cost of construction.

African governments need to creatively innovate in order to improve the living standard of their people through the provision of affordable and mortgage-backed housing programmes. Also, the mortgage system has to be improved to make it not only accessible but also affordable.

Moët & Chandon marks nine decades in cinema with Film Gala night KELECHI EWUZIE

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oët & Chandon, a brand that s y m b o l i s e s g l a m o r o u s celebrations, as part of plans to mark its 90th Year in Cinema will host stars to a night of arts, glamour and exquisite dining.

The 2020 Moët & Chandon Film Gala which is the second edition scheduled for February 2 n d i n La g o s i s a i m e d a t celebrating the ever-blooming film industry in Nigeria.

Elizabeth Oputa, manager of Champagnes and Wines Portfolio, Moët Hennessy, Nigeria says: “As we enter the turn of the decade, the theme of this year’s event is ‘Iconic’ and we pay homage to the top moments from the decade; game changers and their devotion to the craft.”

Oputa, while speaking at a press conference in Lagos, said that the crème de la crème of the film industry will converge for a night that is truly an appreciation and celebration of the industry.

According to the manager, “The pairing of the world’s most loved champagne with the most celebrated and glamorous industry has proven to be a perfect pairing, and in this second edition, there will be countless Moët Moments to adorn the occasion. Over 2000 glasses of

Moët & Chandon will be paired with six-courses of exquisite dining specially curated by the reputable Chef Daniel Olurin. “ Mo ë t & Ch a n d o n h a s long since enjoyed a special relationship with the big screen and we are so thrilled that we are able to further this relationship with the 2nd year of this first-ofits-kind film event in Nigeria.”

The Manager of Champagnes a n d W i n e s Po r t f o l i o b r a n d further said that being the exclusive champagne of celebration for illustrious film award ceremonies all over the world such as the Academy Awards and Golden Globes “places us in good stead to execute the Moët & Chandon Film Gala and celebrate the Nigerian film industry in grand style”.

T h i s Ye a r , S i l v e r b i r d Distribution joins the platform as content collaborators. The CEO of Silverbird Distribution, Jared Murray-Bruce has expressed his delight at the collaboration that has the foremost champagne brand in the world working hand in hand with Nigeria’s foremost content distribution company in and from West Africa to honour the hard work and dedication of all industry stakeholders to the craft of filmmaking as well as their commitment to raising the bar of Nigerian entertainment to global standards.

Sunday 26 January 2020

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SundayBusiness ‘There is need for coordination of key economic policies’

Eze Onyekpere is the Lead Partner Centre for Social Justice. He spoke HARRISON EDEH on the loopholes in most of the intervention programmes of the Federal Government. He urged government to target a robust economy that will provide the needed economic drive for the country. Excerpts:

Sir, could you please share your thoughts on why series of interventions of the Federal Government have failed to roll back poverty, despite huge sums of money pumped into such schemes? overty cannot be reduced merely by launching and operating a purported poverty reduction programme. The first issue on poverty reduction should be an understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and its links with various sectors of the economic, legal, social and political life of the nation.

There is need for coordination of key policies including trade, industrial, education, fiscal, monetary, etc. policies for poverty reduction programmes to be effective. For instance, government cannot be spending money on skills acquisition in trades/sectors where dumped/imported goods and service predominate while expecting the graduates of the skills acquisition to create jobs, add value and reduce poverty. Education must respond to industry, the needs of society and value addition.

Otherwise, we will continue with science without technology and the practical application of scientific knowledge.

Secondly, poverty reduction is impossible in an economy that adds little or no value to goods and services, which is import dependent, and where the productivity is very low. Further, there must be poverty in a society where the plan, policy budget continuum is treated with contempt and levity; where anyone wakes up and insertsprojectsintothebudget without policy justification.

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Eze Onyekpere

These are few examples of the disconnect between the resources spent and the impact achieved in poverty reduction.

The current approach is about throwing money at problems; not solving problems through public expenditure.

How, in your own assessment, have states shared in this blame since most of them lack accurate data of who is employed and who is not?

States are following the footsteps of the big Federal Government. There is no special blame for states except that they are not bound by federal examples. They can afford to do better on their own lead.

What is the general take on how a holistic plan could be done on this in line with preparing millions of unemployed Nigerians for the economy of the future?

It is not just a poverty reduction story; it is about getting the economy to work, the wealth creation story, becoming competitive, a destination for tourists, improving the rule of law to attract investors and tourists, repacking our image and new beautiful stories coming out of Nigeria, producing goods and services and increasing value

addition and productivity. It is about improving local content and patronising Nigerians made goods and services; getting Nigerian airlines to benefit from various open skies agreements, having Nigerian shippers befitting from cabotage, etc. It is a whole new story of ingenuity and a merit system where the best and most qualified run the public space, thieves are sent to jail and hypocrisy at the top most level of governance is reduced to the minimum while nepotism and provincialism is related to the background.

The Federal Ministry of Finance is currently preparing a long-term plan for Nigeria amidst the expiration tenure of the current Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), could you share your thoughts on expectations in this long-term plan?

We have been repeating the same mistakes in the last 50 years; just sheer running round the same pole, movement in a barber’s chair which leads to nowhere. If we need to make progress, we must have evidence-led planning, anchored on a national buy-in of stakeholders through massive consultation.

This will be followed by meticulous and conscientious implementation. However, I do not see these steps in the current efforts to get a successor to the ERGP. How could these interventions be interwoven into short medium and long-term framework to ensure it is holistic?

It requires deep knowledge and political will by the top most leadership to craft a holistic framework and to achieve medium and longterm national goals.

‘The Last Flight’ Contininued from Page 26 ography typical of Captain Okpe’s work.

The following excerpt shows the hero’s ambivalence to a purposeless war, not unlike W.B. Yeats’ “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death.”

In his lonely cockpit after a bombing expedition near IfiteUkpo Junction, the hero acknowledges it could be his turn to be shot out of the sky one day. He frankly admits that his death would kill his loving father who believes so much in him. His humanity wins the reader’s empathy: “My mind flickered momentarily on the possibility of being shot down. Dying now would not matter so much anymore since it might gratefully bring an end to this inordinate demand the Biafran situation was making on my

total resources. If I got shot down and got killed in the process- a thought that crossed the mind from time to time-it would be a deviation from my father’s avowed conviction that I could go ahead and prosecute the war in any manner I cared, that no harm was going to come my way....The only snag, I thought, was that if I died before him, he would not last a week, his supernatural disposition not withstanding....The way things are going… I might likely exit before my father and just look at the rapidity with which my pilot colleagues are bowing out- Lanky, Bobo Ebube, Akahara, Essien, Ngwu, Ernest Ike, Inyang, Alex Agbafuna..., and more would go....I stopped this mind wandering when the airport came into view and I got busy with the approach and landing. The full extent of

the damage was only determined during the post-landing check. Bruno, the engineer, described my aircraft as looking like a sieve from the infinite number of bullet holes on it. A tiny chunk of the horizontal tail plane was missing” (pp.

402 and 403).

Author’s Contact/Caveat It was near impossible getting a copy of “The Last Flight”till a brilliant lady came to my rescue. This realisation informs my including Captain Okpe’s websites and personal email address. The reading public should be able to locate him and place direct order.

With his contact details now in public domain, a necessary risk, he is exposed to fraudsters peddling bogus human rights awards, million dollar transfers and worthless Doctorate degrees from highfalutin foreign universities

NEXIM Bank to host exporter enlightenment programme in South-South Obinna Emelike

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n furtherance of its mandate of promoting the diversification of the Nigerian economy and boosting non-oil exports, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) will be hosting the Exporter Enlightenment Programme for the South-South Geopolitical Zone from January 28-30, 2020.

The event, which will hold at the Dome Event Centre, Opkanam Road, Asaba, Delta State, and will be declared open by Ifeanyi Okowa, governor, Delta State.

According to Stella Okotete, executive director, business development, Nexim Bank, the event also seeks to bring together exporters, bankers, policy makers, top government officials and other operators in the non-oil export sector towards highlighting the non-oil export potentials of the south-south region and other pertinent issues that impact the contribution of the region to economic diversification.

The theme of the conference “Maximising the Export Potentials of the

South-South Region for Economic Growth” will be addressed by various high profile speakers, including chief executive officers of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Nigerian Incentive Risk Based System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Nigerian Customs Service, the National Agency for Food & Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Others include the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and the Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC).

Also speaking at the event are various banking institutions led by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Others include the Development Bank of Nigeria, the Bank of Agriculture, the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

Exporters and prospective exporters will also have the opportunity to display their products at the exhibition stalls that would be provided, while various capac-

ity building sessions would be organised, particularly for the benefit of the small and medium enterprises.

The highpoint of the programme is the executive session, which will feature the executive governors of the six states, comprising the SouthSouth geopolitical zone, at a panel session to deliberate and agree on the strategies to enhance the contributions of the region to non-oil exports, particularly within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which has been scheduled to commence in July, 2020.

It would be recalled that following the assumption of office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which seeks to promote economic diversification through the One State One Product (OSOP) programme. To support the policy, the Nigerian ExportImport Bank launched the State Export Development Programme and earmarked N1billion per state to catalyse the production and value addition of non-oil commodities for export.

MindBody & Soul

with Chioma Nwosu

Learning to put yourself first

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he thing I’m learning is that if my yes, is not a full, enthusiastic YES! Then it’s really a NO, I’m no longer betraying myself.

This month, a friend of mine encouraged me to take on a job, I wasn’t sure if it was what I wanted, mostly because of my NGO, which I still had to run. I was a bit resistant, but I went for the job interview and got the job. I pushed my day of resumption a week later because I was still trying to convince myself about why I needed to take the job.

The day before resumption came and I had a fullblown nervous breakdown and crying episode because a part of me didn’t want this. I made it to work on the day and I was miserable throughout the whole day, I questioned my reason for accepting to take this job and I knew I didn’t want to be there, yet a part of me still wanted to please my friend who got the job for me, the

new boss and a host of imaginary people I had created in my head. I resigned the next day, probably making me the shortest employed staff ever. I had learnt throughout my self-love and personal development journey that my happiness is paramount and I had to put myself first.

So many of us fall victim of being in relationships, jobs, environments or situations that aren’t favourable for us; we find it difficult to say no and say yes to every request. We compromise on our happiness just to satisfy every other thing or person asides ourselves. It’s only a matter of time before you burn out.

You cannot pour out of an empty cup. Loving yourself means caring for yourself deeply, making your sleep, nutrition and well-being a priority. Putting yourself first in no way makes you selfish, as you can only give what you have. When you love yourself enough you’ll understand that you are the

only one you have; there’s just one of you.

Here are tips on how to put yourself first; Learn to say no; establish your priorities, keep it short; remember the reason why you are deciding to put yourself first; b e consistent Keep a balance between treating yourself and giving to others.

Putting yourself first is not selfish or self-centred.

It is healthy. It’s loving and it’s caring and it’s nurturing.

And you deserve it.

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_

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Sunday 26 January 2020

Health&Science Reducing the risk of medication related deaths in Nigeria ‘As long as we have clinicians who hide the name of prescribed medication from their patients; the rate of duplication of therapy, adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions will continue to increase. Patients have the right to know the medicines prescribed for them’ ADAKU EFURIBE

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s we clamour for universal health coverage and achieving the UN SDG goal3- Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.

There is one simple step we could take to help improve the health and well- being of Nigerians; we need to bridge the gap of lack of integrated healthcare and patient centred care using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. We need to put the patient at the centre of care and utilise pharmacist knowledge and input if we must prescribe legally and safely.

The rate of medication related deaths due to overdose, adverse drug reaction, drug- drug interactions can be reduced through medicines reviews and medicines reconciliation.

‘As long as we have clinicians who hide the name of prescribed medication from their patients; the rate of duplication of therapy, adverse drug reactions and drugdrug interactions will continue to increase. Patients have the right

to know the medicines prescribed for them’ Medicines reconciliation/review Medicines reconciliation is a process whereby patients’ medicines are reconciled as they move between different stages of healthcare, from primary – secondary care interface.

Pharmacist led medication review tend to be more indepth,capturing all the essence of patient centred care as it offers more time for the patient to ask medicines related questions which enhances concordance.

The role of the pharmacist as a ‘drug expert’ is to complete medicines reconciliation and medication reviews especially for patients taking regular medication for long term conditions like Hypertension, Diabetes, Arthritis, Asthma etc.

In a typical Nigerian Clinical setting (public and private), when a patient has contact with a clinician, most times, the patient does not have any interaction with a pharmacist. Integrated healthcare is a healthcare model where every member of the healthcare team contributes their own quota

towards excellent healthcare delivery.

This true-life story about patient X shows the importance of medicines reconciliation: Patient X is a 65-year-old man living in Sokoto, with a history of Hypertension; he takes amlodipine 10mg tablets daily. Patient X travelled to Lagos for a business meeting and he suffered a hypertensive crisis, he got admitted in a hospital in Lagos, his blood pressure was adequately controlled and he was discharged with two other antihypertensives. Patient X did not go through the medicines reconciliation process with a pharmacist or another clinician, so when he got back to Sokoto, he continued to take his newly prescribed antihypertensives in addition to the one prescribed by his doctor in Sokoto.

Few days later, Patient X suffered hypotension (low blood pressure) and had a fall on the stairway at home, breaking his hip, which made his condition worse.

A consultation with a pharmacist during the discharge /admission process could have prevented duplication of therapy, and patient educated/informed about which

WARIF wins grant to end gender-based violence in tertiary institutions …partners UN women

Education and support for patients on multiple medicines Evidence has shown that when patients understand the side effects of the medication they take; they are more likely to comply with the dosage regimen. A lot of work needs to be done in the area of patient education and information provided through medicines use reviews. The gains of patient centred care cannot be overemphasised, all medical needs have to be tailored to the individual patient, considering their personal circumstances, other co-morbidities, and sometimes frailty comes into consideration for some elderly patients as well.

There has been a drive for more

…organises 2nd High Table and Fund Raising dinner

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These strategies will also work towards breaking the culture of silence that is pervasive in many of these institutions and reduce the overall incidence of sexual assaults in our universities and colleges.

The initiative will be implemented for a period of one year and will target an average of 10,000 students in these selected universities.

Also, the Initiative represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women’s empowerment as a precondition and driver for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kemi DaSilva- Ibru ,founder of WARIF, also stated on this partnership “ WARIF is proud to partner with the UN and the EU on the Spotlight Initiative to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence in our tertiary institutions by working directly with the student based organizations and the school authorities in adopting strategies and facilitating and strengthening existing mechanisms that will provide the much needed support and safety to all students on campuses across the Country.”

The Joint EU-UN Spotlight Initia-

tive is a global multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against women through various implementation programs and partners all over the world.

WARIF also intends to support all survivors identified in these tertiary institutions with free medical care, psychosocial counseling, legal assistance, and welfare support.

WARIF is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by Kemi DaSilva Ibru, in response to the high incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring amongst young girls and women across Nigeria.

The Foundation was established to raise awareness and address the prevalence of this problem through the “WARIF Approach” – a unique holistic method of tackling Gender-Based Violence through the development and implementation of a series of initiatives, targeting both the intervention/treatment of these affected women, as well as providing preventive measures in education and community service to reduce the high incidence.

social prescribing, motivational counselling and interventions for patients who have suffered medical emergencies or patients with long term conditions. Evidence has shown that non-pharmacological interventions have a major role to play in achieving overall general health and wellbeing.

Integrated health care approach will reduce the risk of medication related deaths in Nigeria as well as enhance delivery of outcomes.

Clinicians need to work together to ensure adequate measures are put in place and everyone contributes their own quota for effective healthcare delivery. Pharmacists are part of the MDT and their expertise need to be utilised more across clinical settings in Nigeria to help prevent medication related errors and deaths. The role of the pharmacist in medicines optimisation, medicines reconciliation and patient centred care cannot be overemphasized.

Article by Adaku Efuribe A clinical pharmacist & UN SDG Advocate, Adaku advocates for better healthcare systems. She is also a health and wellbeing coach.

MEDILAG set for world-class innovation in learning, research ANTHONIA OBOKOH

ANTHONIA OBOKOH

n a bid to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has been awarded a grant by the European Union and the United Nations (UN) under the “Spotlight Initiative”.

The organization has continued to advocate the need for collective participation to put an end to the prevailing incidence of issues surrounding violence against women in Nigeria.

The project implemented by WARIF will commence in January 2020 and aims to increase the awareness of sexual and genderbased violence and reduce its prevalence by promoting the adoption of policies and strategies or assist in the strengthening of these policies where they already exist to prevent these acts of violence on campuses in select tertiary institutions in Lagos and Abuja.

Speaking on the prevalence of sexual violence in tertiary institutions, Comfort Lamptey UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that breaking the silence on sex for grades, and exposing the magnitude of the issue, is the first step to ending sexual harassment and violence in tertiary education institutions.

“We need laws and policies, both at the level of the institutions themselves and at the national level. As UN Women, along with our partner UN agencies, we remain committed to supporting the government and people of Nigeria to end sexual harassment in tertiary education institutions, and all forms of violence against women and girls,” Lamptey said in a statement seen by BusinessDay.

medication to stop/continue and also side effects to expect. Medication reviews are needed to highlight issues of blood monitoring, therapeutic drug monitoring for medicines that require special monitoring; like methotrexate, diuretics, digoxin etc. Annual blood tests are routinely checked because if dosage regimens are not adjusted or vital blood checks are not made, this may lead to increased harm to the patient or even death.

he College of Medicine of the University of Lagos has announced a date for the 2ndMedilag Alumni High Table/Fund Raising dinner as a driver to showcase its achievements and present a compendium brochure for projects.

In a release signed by Oladapo Ashiru, chairman organising committee, stated that while soliciting for support from friends of the College, philanthropic individuals, parents, multinational corporations, foundations. “the high table Dinner is going to be a black tie event would be similar to Oxford and Cambridge Ball, Harvard Alumni Dinner, or Trinity College Dublin Dinner,” he said.

According to Ashiru, this year’s dinner would hold on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Chai Tang Restaurant, Twin Waters, OkundeBluewater Zone, Lekki, Lagos. “the vision for the College is to become a world-class, continental centre of innovation driven by the core values of excellence in Research, Learning, and Teaching using innovative

curricula delivered in a conducive environment by sustaining and advancing the momentum of previous Provosts and building new bridges,” he says.

The College was set up in 1962 by an act of parliament as a body corporate within the University of Lagos to train Medical, Dental and other Allied Health professionals.

Over the past 50 years, successive leadership of the College had worked tirelessly towards the realization of the lofty goals of making the Medical School the foremost College of Medicine located in the University of first Choice and the Nations pride Achievement of the Alumni include renovation of Students’ toilets, bathrooms and kitchenettes in the male and female hostels by Alumni Sets; renovation of rooms under the “Adopt A Room” programme; rehabilitation of medical students hostel access road by Chapel of the Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Lagos; donation of consumables, microscopes, public address system by Alumni Sets; Scholarship endowments to our students by Alumni Sets, among others.

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BDSUNDAY 43

Sports

NFF explains rationale behind Normalisation Committee for Delta FA

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L-R: Obinna Ekezie, former professional NBA player; Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Africa Managing Director and Basketball Africa League (BAL) President and Olumide Oyedeji, former professional NBA player during the BAL media roundtable in Lagos.

All set for inaugural Basket Africa League

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ANTHONY NLEBEM

he maiden edition of Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between FIBA and the NBA is set to kick off with 12 teams across Africa The organisers recently announced that the new league, which begins in March 2020, would be played in six African countries including Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Lagos (Nigeria), Luanda (Angola), Rabat (Morocco) and Monastir (Tunisia) while Kigali (Rwanda) will host the first-ever BAL finals.

The new league signals the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.

Announcement about the NBA and FIBA’s launch of the BAL was made at the NBA All-Star 2019 Africa Luncheon in Charlotte, USA on February 16.

To coordinate the activities of the game, the NBA and FIBA in May 2019 named Senegalese Amadou Gallo Fall, the NBA Vice-President and Managing Director for Africa as President of the new BAL. Fall said beyond playing for prizes, the participating teams across Africa would be supported to improve on their pro-

fessionalism to catch up with the global standards. At the briefing were former NBA players, Olumide Oyedeji and Obinna Okezie. Fall disclosed that the six cities will host a regular season that will feature the 12 teams divided into two conferences, with each conference playing in three cities. The regular season will see the 12 teams play five games each, with the top three teams in each conference qualifying for the playoffs.

Fall said the body will reposition basketball in Africa and build an ecosystem that will be beneficial to stakeholders on the continent.

At a media roundtable in Lagos, Fall, who also doubles at the Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Africa, said that the aim is to make the competition one of the best professional basketball league in the next 10 years, while assuring that the teams would be supported to run their clubs professionally.

He disclosed that BAL would make further announcement on any change that might occur before the league commences, noting that they are working closely with FIBA on change in venues and other logistics.

“Teams will be playing for prize money and they will be supported to improve their overall organisational capacity. Everything about the league is going to be profession-

al from players welfare to playing surface as well as the running of the league,” stated Fall, a graduate of University of the District of Columbia where he played as a center on its basketball team.

He also stated that the game would be beamed to global audience to enhance its growth and ensure that the fans have access to the game by ensuring that venues are secure and conducive for games.

He revealed that some of the teams were already recruiting players, promising they would be supported to ensure the players’ salaries are paid promptly. He said coaches, referees and other officials would be trained, while calling on corporate organisations to team up with the league.

He said the dream of making basketball the biggest game in Africa could one day see the women version of the league.

“Our aim is to increase participation and we cannot do that by ignoring half of the population in the continent which is the women.

“The women game has grown and we can how many fans turned up for the final of the Afrobasket last year, when Nigeria defeated home team, Senegal to retain the title. So a female version of BAL is a reality,” Fall noted.

hairman of Chairmen of Nigerian Football, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has stated that the NFF resorted to appointing a Normalisation Committee to run the affairs of the Delta State Football Association following the long-drawn intractable crisis that bedevilled that affiliate.

“Early last year, the board of the Delta State Football Association wrote a petition against the acting Chairman, bordering on various allegations, and eventually held a congress where the members suspended the acting Chairman. The NFF took note of the decision because process adopted complied with the laid down regulations for such to happen.

“We gave them ample time to fully resolve the crisis and conduct fresh elections in full adherence to the guidelines provided by the NFF Statutes and the electoral code. But they could not.”

Gusau said that in as much as the nation’s governing body for the game has no interest in who takes the mantle of leadership in the Delta State Football Association, it could not afford to play the ostrich and shirk its responsibilities when the tenure of the immediate past board had expired.

“The term of the board of which Mr. Augustine Okocha was chairman, and which later appointed Mr. Edema Fuludu as acting Chairman, expired more than five months ago, without

the quagmire being conclusively resolved.

“We were later informed that elections were conducted and a board had emerged. There was no way elections could have been conducted in such miasma of crisis. The so-called elections did not follow the guidelines and the NFF cannot allow such to stand.”

Gusau, also a Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of the Zamfara State Football Association, said the meeting of chairmen of the South-South zone held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 21st January 2020 did not address the core of the issue surrounding the Delta State imbroglio.

“Delta FA is an affiliate of the NFF. Our position is that it is the football stakeholders in Delta State, and particularly those who are eligible to vote in the FA elections, who will elect people into the Delta State Football Association, not the entire stakeholders in the South-South zone.”

Gusau expressed surprise that 1997 African Player of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who seconded the motion for the suspension of Fuludu – a 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Super Eagles – is the same man now claiming to have been elected as vice chairman to the latter.

“The Normalisation Committee has started its work, and by the Grace of God, we expect to have a duly elected board for the Delta State Football Association in the next three months.”

No quick fix to improve Man United- Solskjaer …. urges patience with United’s rebuilding project

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n swift defence to Red Devils home defeat to Burnley, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United boss, has said there cannot be a quick fix and the club must avoiding reacting to outside noise.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, United were stunned at home by Burnley, who won by the same scoreline in what marked the Clarets’ first league victory at Old Trafford since 1962.

United remain six points adrift of the top four and have yet to make a breakthrough in the transfer window, with negotiations with Sporting CP over

Bruno Fernandes reported to have hit an impasse.

Solskjaer, though, continues to try to keep matters at the club in perspective, again insisting that a turnaround in United’s fortunes will take time.

He told a media conference ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Tranmere Rovers: “I think our fans know what we have started on, and I’ve been trusted to do that job by the club. For me that rebuild doesn’t go one way all the time.

“It doesn’t go ‘we’re doing great, we’re doing great, we’re winning games’. I’ve said it so many times, ups and downs.

“The foundation has to be laid and the culture has to be properly

set and laid down. With this group I feel I have a good core of players that believe in themselves and believe in what we’re doing and I trust them to be the good lads carrying us forward, with some signings, with some players coming back

from injury.

“You don’t just take your roof off when you’re going to rebuild a house, you need to knock your house down and put the foundation in. You don’t start with the roof. For us we’ve had a couple of rainy days and we wish that roof was on but you can’t hide.”

Asked why United are apparently unable to spend vast sums of money like neighbours Manchester City, Solskjaer replied: “For me, we do have a way of doing things, you can see other teams have done well.

“You can see [Liverpool manager] Jurgen [Klopp] spent four years building his team and they’re doing well now.

“It’s not gonna be a quick fix,

and it’s not eight or 10 players in in one transfer window. We’ve had one transfer window, proper one, because the Januarys, they are difficult, but we are still trying to do something now.”

It was put to Solskjaer that predecessors such as David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were not afforded the time to implement long-term plans, but he has heard nothing to suggest he will not be allowed to continue the rebuild.

“When you start on something you stick to that plan. I’m not going to change six eight, or nine or 10 months after I got the job and start believing in a different way,” said Solskjaer.

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Amotekun as catalyst for Nigeria’s restructuring

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t was only a matter of time before someone pulled the trigger on the political contraption called Nigeria’s current incongruous,pseudofederalism.A weird federal structure that has the over bloated centre controlling what it should not, for instance,community security, cannot stand on one leg for too long! Or, how do we explain the array of impunities that has had the Boko Haram extremists and the bloodhounds called the bandits running roughshod over the north-eastern and north-western states? What about fully armed Fulani herdsmen turning Benue, Taraba and Adamawa amongst other states into Nigeria’s killing fields, while those who should care regale us daily with the rhetoric of bringing the culprits to book. But no one has!

So, how do we explain the sad scenario that no one has been brought to speedy justice, over the heinous crimes against humanity? Instead, the so-called ‘repentant’ killers amongst them have been quickly embraced by the federal government with the spurious Amnesty programme at the nation’s expense!I do sincerely hope that some people do not have the erroneous belief that some citizens’ lives are more precious than that of others? Meanwhile, the killings continue, exacerbated by the recent beheading of Reverend Hassan Andimi, before now, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika LGA of Adamawa state. And some people thought that the days of mass resistance would not come? Now it has.

Welcome to the warm embrace of Amotekun. I do hope that you are not afraid of its cuddling claws? Well, those same claws could turn deadly, but only to those with blood on their hands. So good that the life-cherishing, peacefuland protectivepeople of the South-West geo-political zone have come forth to say that enough is indeed, enough! Remember, that they are still grieving over the cruel, callous and conscienceless killing of

“The voice of the people is the voice of God” -Anonymous Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin, the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

The tragedy which took place in July, 2019 has since become the trigger for the coming into being of Amotekun.

Though Undie Adie, Commissioner of Police in Ondo State claimed that bandits, rather than Fulani herdsmen were behind Olakunri’ sudden death, it remains curious that investigations into that death have since stalled! That is, according to the respected father.

The hasty response of the Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami declaring Amotekun as ‘illegal’ while he has kept mute over the Hisbah security outfit in Kano state and the Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF) in the NorthEast leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Is what is good for the goose no more sweet for the gander, concerned Nigerians keep asking? Having involved the top hierarchy of the Police Force before its official launch by the state governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Ogun, Malami ought to have urged for its statutory status at the states/regional level. But he didn’t, setting off an escalating wave of angst across the land.

So also has the injurious insult of the Miyetti Allah’s response to Amotekun.

To have stated that the South-West stands to lose the presidency come 2023, if it insists on going ahead with it is arrogating to itself the people’s right to choose who they want to lead them.

That is arrant nonsense! The National Secretary, Miyetti Allah KautalHore, Saleh Alhassan, says his organization is afraid that if the Amotekun security outfit is allowed to operate, it could turn

out to be “a disaster for the country” and “a threat to democracy”. Have the killings by armed Fulani herdsmen not blown into an unmitigated “national disaster” and a clear “threat to Nigeria’s democracy”? It is high time some people cleanse themselves from the superiority complex mentality.

And that explains the position of the Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams who reminded Malami that the problems of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity in the south-west led to the creation of the outfit by elected governors. He cited the killing of Funke Olakunrin, and reminded Malami that the people have a responsibility to defend and protect themselves.

Said he:“I find it disturbing your statement of Tuesday, January 14, 2020, declaring the security initiative of South-West governors ‘Amotekun’ as illegal. You also threatened that the full course of the law will be applied to anybody promoting the Amotekun security initiative. Maybe you have forgotten. I need to remind you that you are the Attorney-General of the country, not a section of the country,” he wrote.

“Your outburst against the governors who were elected, not selected or appointed, is against the spirit of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).“The right to life is universal and no government can legislate against that. One thing is clear: Nigerians have the right to protect themselves. This should be food for thought for Malami.

So also should the incisive response of Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka to the unfortunate maligning and misinterpretation of the Amotekun project by Balarabe Musa, that it would lead to the declaration of Oduduwa Republic.

Soyinka said, “ Balarabe is sadly but

Ayo OyozeBaje Baje is Nigerian first food technologist in the media and author of ‘DRUMBEATS OF DEMOCRACY’

I hope not tragically wrong. I invoke the tragic dimension here because the making of tragedy, especially for nations, often begins when fears are mistaken or promoted as facts…Such acts turn out , in the end , to be based on nothing but fears , sometimes generated by guilt over past injustices, such as inequitable dealing . That is the basis of tragedy, towards which nations are propelled by a partial, or wrongful reading of socio-political realities and - history. I would like to see this nation avoid such a blunder. So, I am certain, would Balarabe Musa”.

It was in a similar vein that Chief Olusegun Osoba, an APC Chieftain recently opined that the government has refused to restructure Nigeria because it is serving the interest of some section of the country. He cited the increasing agitation for what Nigerians term ‘true federalism. It is an offshoot of the agitations of the democratic transition that eventually led to civil rule in 1999. And it is an indication that all is not well with the existing practice of federalism in Nigeria.

The bitter truth therefore, is that several of our successive political leaders have thought that Nigeria’s unity was beyond questioning. No! Methinks that we need is to revisit the recommendations of the 2014 National CONFAB and begin the politico-economic restructuring process in earnest.Enough of the selfdeceit. This contraption called Nigeria’s federalism cannot work.

Quick Takes

Off the Cuff

27.5%

Are we borrowing again?

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hile some economists and financial experts are worried over the rising debt profile of Nigeria, the country seems to be borrowing even more, not minding the long term implication.

As at March 31, 2019, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt, comprising the Federal Government, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was N24.947 trillion or $ 81.274 billion.

Towards the end of 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a $29.96billion foreign loan request for approval to the National Assembly.

The President noted that the Federal Government needed the loan to access funds for the implementation of critical projects spanning across the mining, power, health, agricultural, water and educational sectors.

As expected, Ahmad Lawan, president of the Senate, assured of the approval of the loan against outcry from many Nigerians that such loans would impact negatively on the economy that is still managing to recover from recession.

Yet again, Nigeria is going for another loan.

On Friday, Sabo Nanono, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the Federal

Government would obtain $1billion from foreign banks to purchase farming equipment for local farmers in the country.

The banks, according to the minister, are Deutsche Bank (DB), Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and Islamic Development Bank.

He said the loans would be given at the rate of three percent interest and will be repaid over a period of 15 years.

At the height of the outcry against President Buhari’s loan request, Sam Ekpi, an economist, joined many others who said that “endless borrowing will lead to endless sorrowing” for Nigerians.

As usual, in the character of most Nigerian administrations to leave huge debt for their successors, some financial experts think that the present government may be heading same way considering the rising debt profile.

They opined that Nigerians should inherit improved political system, good governance, quality education and healthcare, improved infrastructure and high standard of living, than unsustainable debts.

Of course, the country’s leadership and economy managers often offer reasons for the loans, especially for infrastructural development. Well, the common man is yet to feel the impact of infrastructure, all he hears is that his country is borrow-

ing, borrowing and borrowing for his welfare.

But many are arguing that if the President easily gets the loan approved, it means the National Assembly is bought over, as well, state governors will join in the borrowing spree, leaving their people poorer as infrastructure on ground across the state does not justify the huge debt profile of the states.

Then, where is the money; what are they used for and why are those who stole public fund still walking the streets free?

The fear for many concerned citizens is that funds have been allocated for many projects that have never been completed since the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, yet the projects fall under projects that new loans will fund.

Also, many thought that President Buhari would not go the way of the politicians by borrowing when what is needed is to cut down on expenditure, especially the cost of running government. Others think that if the fight against corruption is yielding the right fruit, there would be no need for borrowing as contractors and their collaborators in government will not inflate cost.

As many suggested, endless borrowing will lead to endless sorrowing for Nigerians.

Commercial banks in the country would have to increase their cash reserves with the Central Bank of Nigeria as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the bank voted to raise cash reserve ratio to 27.5percent. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, announced this on Friday after a two-day meeting of the committee.

Shocking!

“The report itself is a perception index, so perception is what it is. It is different from the reality that you have on ground.”

Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, reacting to Nigeria’s latest corruption index report that showed Nigeria scoring lower than it did in 2018, and emerging the world’s 34th most corrupt nation.

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