BusinessDay 29 Mar 2020

PDP and opposition role in Job racketeering in MDAs Competence, merit compromised Racketeers demand N300,000 to N800,000 from applicants the time of coronavirus Lawmakers, top government officials major beneficiaries

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he question on the lips of many Nigerians today in the face of the existential threat posed by the Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, is “What should be the role of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the main opposition party in the country?” This is against

the backdrop of the reports that the coronavirus in Nigeria was imported and spread through the carelessness of some powerful actors in the current administration, who did not do what was expected of government to nip the problem in the bud.

Kola Ologbondiyan

See page 14

Experts seek harsh punishment for culprits

Tony Ailemen, Innocent Odoh, Harrison Edeh, Solomon Ayado, Abuja

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ith unemployment rate in Nigeria hitting 23.1 percent, job place-

ments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) owned by the Federal Government have become goldmine for top government officials engaged in job racketeering.

The practice is seen as “administrative banditry” and has also seen top executives of the MDAs

reserve perceived “juicy jobs” for top government functionaries, the political elite, their children and cronies.

BDSUNDAY checks revealed that between 2015 and 2019, about 15,000 new workers were secretSee page 38

Sterling Bank posts N11bn profit, to pay N864m dividend to shareholders

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Vol 1, No. 306

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COVID-19: What lesson for Nigeria?

I am optimistic of change – Ihekweazu No lesson will be learnt – Medical practitioner Our leaders are just insensitive - Analyst ‘We are paying the price of negligence’ 2 See page

APC’s internal rumpus swept under the carpet of COVID-19

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Tough time for the arts

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, (right) and Abisola Olusanya, special adviser on Agriculture (left), during an inspection of the COVID-19 Emergency Food Response by the Lagos State Government, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives premises in Agege.

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COVID-19: What lesson for Nigeria?

CHUKA UROKO, OBINNA EMELIKE (Lagos) and INNOCENT ODOH (Abuja)

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uring his campaigns to seek election in 2015, PresidentMuhammadu Buhari made a lot of promises. Among those promises was the revamping and equipping of the country’s health system. He noted that most of the nation’s hospitals, including teaching and other specialist hospitals, had become mere consulting clinics.

On May 29, 2015, in his inaugural speech, President Buhari had vowed to end medical tourism and to revamp the nation’s health sector. If he failed in doing so in his first term, he had no reason to neglect the health sector in his second term.

But no sooner had he assumed office and power than he started looking away from the health sector. Buhari practically abandoned the country’s health system altogether.

The President, who spoke vehemently against medical tourism became the first to incessantly embark on that.

It took the intervention of the First Lady, Aisha, to get the government attend to the crisis at the Aso Rock Clinic.

The First Lady had decried the state of the clinic, saying that not even paracetamol was available in the clinic despite all the budgetary allocations to it.

Now, that rainy day appears to have come and the rains are drumming and pelting on every roof including the Aso Rock roof. Everybody is being beaten by the rain and it does seem the big and the mighty are taking the beating more.

Exposed by sudden pandemic The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic spreading in Nigeria with rapid speed has posed a grim reality to the Nigerian leaders as the virus attacked members of the Nigerian political elite in recent days amid the poor medical system in the country. As of Friday March 27, confirmed cases have hit over 65 and still counting.

In ordinary times, the pass time of the elite is to catch the next available flight to treat even headache in foreign hospitals but now that COVID-19 has forced developed nations to impose travel restrictions into their countries, it appears quite logical the leaders would look inwards in order to revamp the longneglected health sector.

But there are doubts as to the ability of the leaders to revamp the sector even as the virus appears furious in the way it infected the Nigerian rich and powerful in recent days.

On Tuesday March 24, the nation was jolted with the news that the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, contracted the deadly virus. Kyari visited Germany, where he was said to have contracted the virus.

Fear was rife that President Buhari may have been infected but some relief came later when it

emerged he tested negative. Yet the tension intensified when three of Kyari’s staff also tested positive coupled with the sad news that came from Bauchi state on Tuesday that the state governor, Bala Mohammed had contracted the virus too.

Prior to these developments former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had announced that his son Mohammed, tested positive to the virus and is currently on self-isolation at a facility in Abuja.

Nigeria has however, recorded one death from the virus when former Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Suleiman Achimugu, died of the virus in Abuja. Achimugu visited United Kingdom, where contracted the disease.

Very many people both prominent and non prominent have allegedly mingled with Kyari, Mohammed Atiku, Achimugu and their families, allies and staff, increasing the risk of spreading the highly contagious pandemic, which officially confirmed cases in Nigeria hit 70 as of Friday night.

Although the Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) have rolled out measures to contain the virus, many Nigerians have expressed fears and doubts over the capacity of the health facilities to contain increasing number of cases as some of the centers designated to tackle the scourge are said to lack basic testing tools and are also overstretched.

The grim reality is that the nation is in a health emergency in the face of poor facilities following successive years of neglect and lack of investment in the health sector by governments at all levels.

Consistent neglect of health sector In the past five years, budgetary allocations to the health sector have been very abysmal. In his address to the National Assembly on the 2020 budget, President Buhari said his administration is interested in improving the health sector, stressing that was a major reason for the increase in value-added tax (VAT) rate draft as communicated through the Finance Bill, from 5% to 7.5%.

“As such, the 2020 Appropria-

tion Bill is based on this new VAT rate. The additional revenues will be used to fund health, education and infrastructure programmes. As the States and Local Governments are allocated 85% of all VAT revenues, we expect to see greater quality and efficiency in their spending in these areas as well,” Buhari said.

In the 2020 budget of N10.59 trillion, allocation for the healthcare sector is N440.73 billion, approximately 4.16% of the total budget compared to the approved 2019 budget. It increased by 3.94% from N424.03 billion. Experts however, said that despite the marginal increase, Nigeria in the last 10 years is said to be unable to meet the April 2001 African Union declaration which states that 15% of a country’s budget should be allocated to the healthcare sector.

However, even the 2020 budget which was based on oil-benchmark of $57 per liter at 2.2 million daily production estimates has suffered serious setbacks as the pandemic continues to wreck havoc on the global economy.

Nigeria’s main source of foreign exchange-crude oil prices are falling below $30 per barrel compounded by a depleted Excess Crude Account and the rampaging failure to meet production estimates as many nations have stopped buying Nigeria’s oil. The budget will definitely be scaled down meaning that any hope of more funds for health is not feasible now.

Speaking on one of the television stations, Special Adviser (Media) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ruben Abati, said it was an opportunity for Nigerian leaders to think home and revamp the health and avert this dangerous trend.

He said: “Now that the leaders are being affected, they are all here with us, we are all in it together. The failure of the Nigerian leadership to provide infrastructure has now shown all of us that even when our leaders are sick in certain circumstances, they will also be victims of the circumstances they have created by their own negligence.”

He added that the developed countries are overstretched and would not take anybody from Nigeria. He said the lesson from the crisis

is that “there is no place like home. If we develop our home then perhaps we are safer”.

President of the Association of Resident Doctors in FCT, Roland Aigbovo, also reacted in a not too optimistic fashion. He told BDSUNDAY that the current government has failed the country.

“I don’t think anything will change because the President of Nigeria spent months in the UK where he saw the level of facilities that kept him alive all through and ever since he came back, he has not put in anything, he has not shown efforts even if is to replicate just one facility to have a semblance of what he is using in the UK. Every now and then he jets out to London, which means he does not even care.

“If the number person in his country does not have that mindset on how to improve the health system, who else is going to do that? His own situation was a near death experience and what we have now is a similar thing. If not that the borders and international airports of foreign countries were shut down by now many of these big wigs that have tested positive would have left the country to seek care outside. But unfortunately they cannot leave.

“Series of agitations and appeals to the Federal Government have fallen on deaf ears even in the states.

First and foremost the primary health care system is non-existent.

Secondly calls for the improvement of our health systems vis-à-vis improved facilities and even manpower have also fallen on deaf ears.

“Now we have a situation where nobody, no matter highly placed, you cannot leave the country to another country to seek medical care.

So, if the condition becomes so bad we will have to make do with what we have and if that cannot keep you alive then you answer the clarion call. So, all of us are in a fix,” he said.

He recalled that “We had the Ebola crisis; we were able to curtail it but what happened after Ebola, everybody went back to sleep. The President came back from London and we expected that he would fix even if it is the State House Clinic or at least one hospital in every geopolitical zone with facility that has a

semblance of what he is obtaining over there. But he did not do that.”

A Public Affairs analyst, Katch Ononuju, blamed the current crisis on President Buhari’s alleged neglect of the health sector in the last five years.

“Buhari has been there for the past five years and he has not equipped even the Aso Rock Clinic.

He has been going to London for medical care but since he heard about this Coronavirus, he has stopped traveling. We are all in this mess together, this is sad,” he said.

Another public affairs analyst and a civil society advocate, Ezenwa Nwagu, who is the Chairman of Partners for Democratic Change, stated that now that the pandemic affects the rich and powerful, they will pay attention to it just the way Ebola was handled. He however, tasked Nigerians not to recriminate and sow doubts, stressing that the virus can be tackled as it is not a death sentence.

“Now that it has affected the Chief of Staff, Atiku’s son and others, everybody will be mobilised to make sure the pandemic is ended.

“We need to create emergency situation because we truly have emergency. We should not politicise this because it has no political coloration, neither does it have tribal marks.

“The first thing is to mobilise the citizens to understand that personal precautionary measure is the first step in addressing this emergency.

To outsource that to government is to surrender your destiny to an outside influence,” he said.

Coronavirus, which broke out last year from Wuhan in the Hubei province of China spread quickly to other parts of the world. It has killed nearly 15,000 people as confirmed cases his hit over 300,000.

Paying the price of negligence As much as Coronavirus (Covid-19) is something anybody should not wish even for his enemy, the pandemic has unraveled the world in ways people never expected.

It has also exposed the many lies and insincerity of leaders in Nigeria. Before now, all political leaders used to run to Europe and United States of America for medical attention even when the case can be handled at home.

Beyond status symbol, they travel for medical care because of lack of adequate healthcare facilities in the country.

According to Price Waterhouse Coopers 2016 report, Nigerians spend $1 billion annually on medical tourism with 60 percent of it on four key specialties; oncology, orthopedics, nephrology and cardiology.

Sadly, successive governments in Nigeria have always budgeted huge sum of money for the ministry of health with little or no impact on the sector.

Again, Aso Rock Clinic has gulped N9.17 billion in four years, with government spending more on State House Clinic than on all federal teaching hospitals.

Martins Aligwe, a public heath analyst and lecturer, doubt if the Continues on Page 4

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News

COVID-19: China donates essential items to Nigeria Innocent Odoh, Abuja

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle), Lagos State Governor, flanked by Abisola Olusanya, special adviser on Agriculture, (right) and Gbolahan Lawal, commissioner for Agriculture, (left) during an inspection of the COVID-19 Emergency Food Response by the Lagos Government, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives premises in Agege.

Coronavirus: Customs agents write presidency to declare force majeure on Nigerian ports

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AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

ustoms agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have written an open letter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, requesting him to declare force majeure on Nigerian seaports owing to the impact of lockdown imposed by Federal and States Governments to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, on business.

According to the letter, which was signed by Iju Tony Nwabunike, national president of ANLCA, a copy of which was sent to BusinessDay, the Customs agents stated that it has become very difficult, if not totally impossible, to process Customs documentation and take delivery of cargoes in our ports during this period.

“Even when attempts are

made, it becomes difficult because state governments have closed interstate borders, markets are locked and movement of certain vehicles restricted. Thereby, creating fear of losing money and investments through demurrage and other charges as may be affected by the shipping companies and terminal operators in the ports,” Nwabunike stated in the letter.

While calling for the enforcement of ‘force majeure’ and total lockdown of the seaport as already done in the airports and border stations to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, he also appealed to the Federal government to prevail on shipping companies, terminal operators and other agencies in the ports to be prepared to waive all charges, taxes and fees during this period of national compromise at all levels.

Stating that business activities have not been on full swing at the ports due

to the lockdown, he stated that there is possibility that imported and exported items might have been trapped in the various gateways to the nation, resulting to more demurrage and rent payable to shipping companies, and terminal operators.

“Consequently we seek for all demurrage, rents, penalties among others emanating from inability to clear cargoes as at when due from the ports at this period to be waived effective from the first week of March, 2020 when the first case of the deadly virus was detected in Nigeria through an Italian citizen,” the letter reads.

Nwabunike however assured the Federal Government that the association and its members across the country will support the government and all its agencies in the ports to ensure government achieve its objectives in making sure activities in the ports return to normal, especially in collecting revenue to the government.

Makinde approves immediate rehabilitation, reconstruction of 8 roads REMI FEYISIPO,Ibadan

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overnor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has approved for immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction, a total of eight road projects in various zones of the State.

The roads are Airport -Ajia-New Ife Express way w i t h s p u r t o Am u l o k o (21KM), Apete-AwotanAk u f o j u n c t i o n r o a d (12.0KM), Saki-OgbooroIgboho (44.70Km) and reconstruction of Under GStadium-LAUTECH Gate Road, Ogbomoso (3.0KM).

O t h e r s a r e Ta k i e -

FGGC Road, Ogbomoso (2.5KM),reconstruction of Isaba-Ogundoyin Road, Eruwa (2.50KM), rehabilitation of Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road, Oyo (5.20KM) and Akingbile-Lagbeja-Ajibode road (3.0KM).

The State’s Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Raphael Afonja, who revealed this at the weekend, said that infrastructural development remained a key focus of the present administration.

The Commissioner quoted the governor as saying that his administration was prepared to ensure the uplift of infrastructure in State,

adding the government would ensure that adequate attention is given to road infrastructure that target the economic expansion drive of the state.

He further indicated that the determination to ensure infrastructural growth in the state informed the decision of Governor Makinde to devote a large chunk of the 2020 budget (23.93 percent) to that sector.

It reinstated the decision of the administration to institute a culture of quality road construction in the State, adding that the government was ready to build roads that would stand the test of time.

he Chinese Government has donated various items that are essential to the fight against the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to Nigeria to help contain the spread of the pandemic in the country, which has so far recorded 65 confirmed cases.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, who made the donation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, said the items are to assist Nigeria contain the threat of the virus, which is ravaging many parts world.

Some of the items include; infrared themometer, hand sanitizers, face masks, hand gloves, anti-bacterial handwash, anti-septic wipes, antiseptic soap and automatic hand dryer.

The virus, which broke out in Wuhan in the Hubei province of China, has so far killed nearly 14, 000 people and infected over 300,000 globally. The Chinese Government has however, tack-

led the menace within its territory with rapid response such that today no new cases of the virus has been reported in China.

The Chinese envoy lauded Nigeria’s solidarity with his country at the peak of their battle with the pandemic. He said “at the most difficult moment of in our fight against the outbreak, China received strong political support and assistance in various means from the government and good people of Nigeria. Such expressions of friendship will always be remembered and cherished by the Chinese people.”

He said further that “China firmly supports Nigeria’s fight against the COVID-19 and stands ready to assist, if needed, to the best of its capacity. Despite the daunting task of epidemic control remaining at home, China will try its best to provide medical supplies to Nigeria and do whatever it could to support Nigeria.

“China will continue to share information and experience with Nigeria, and

strengthen cooperation on containment, treatment and and vaccines in response to the COVID-19 challenge, with a view to building together a community of shared health for mankind,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of Policy, Research and Statistics (PRS) Lot Egopita, lauded the donation by the Chinese Government to support Nigeria’s drive towards defeating the pandemic. “ As you are aware 65 cases have been confirmed in Nigeria and the Government is leaving no stone unturned to contain the virus.These items would be used to further help in ensuring that we contain the COVID-19,” he said.

Director of Regions in the Ministry, Nura Rimi, also said the donation made by the Chinese Government is a demonstration of the excellent relations between Nigeria and China adding that this can only deepen the relations.

COVID-19: What lesson...

Continued from Page 2 money were truly spent on updating and procuring the world class medical facilities. If they were truly spent on the right things Aligwe asked, “Why do our President and top government functionaries still travel abroad for medical care?”

Toeing same line with Aligwe, Bada Amodu, a pediatric doctor, noted that Abba Kyari and other government functionaries that tested positive to Coronavirus should be taken to State House Clinic, which by the amount spent so far, should be the best in Africa.

“Our governments make us doctors look stupid when they deny you good facilities to aid your work, but they travel abroad where such facilities are in abundance as if they fall from heaven.

Governments and private investors made that possible abroad. It is a shame that coronavirus is exposing our poor facilities further,” the doctor said.

Amodu lamented that even the private sector is not encouraged to boost medical facilities that are lacking because of high importation tariffs, multiple taxation, stress of getting approvals, among other challenges that make their services very expensive for ordinary Nigerians.

“If government offers incentives to private sector, there will be improvement on medical facilities across the country. For now, investors struggle to stay afloat”, he said.

But with the coronavirus spread, Aligwe asked why government is turning to GwagwaladaHospital,which is less-equipped than Aso Rock Clinic.

The action, for him, further exposed government’s insincerity as the once neglected hospital by leaders is now their saving grace, as traveling abroad for medical treatment is not possible now because of the pandemic.

A big regret for Amodu is the many qualified Nigerian doctors who have been poached by some of these medical outfits abroad.

“If government had equipped our hospitals very well, most of our professionals who left would have been here in spite of poor remuneration. Now, they are part of the team helping countries where they are employed and are well-paid, to recover from coronavirus pandemic”, he noted.

EzennaOtuonye, an economist, thinks that government will still not learn from the coronavirus experience because of the mindset of our political leaders. “Having exposed our lack, a responsible government should in

the aftermath of coronavirus rejig the laws to encourage more funding, investments and confirmable impact in the health sector”, he said.

However, he thinks that the way the much calls for economy diversification have gone is also the way call for result-oriented healthcare sector will go if there is no action plan, time of execution and assessment of results.

“During the 2016 recession, the talk everywhere was diversification, but after the recession, we all relaxed.

The citizens are guilty too, we should hold government accountable, but we don’t and still expect different result”, he decried.

Abass Tijani, a commentator, said: “It appears Covid19 is the revolution many African nations have been waiting for. It has exposed the political class (who failed to develop local health systems and can’t travel abroad) and religious charlatans with no miracle cure either.

Another analyst said: “Any governor, minister, permanent secretary, Chief of staff or senator that tests positive to Coronavirus should be taken to the Specialist Hospital in his/her state for treatment, or Aso Rock Clinic. Let them taste their own hospitals.”

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News Covid-19: Obasanjo donates residence to Ogun govt as isolation centre RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta

A L-R: Alanyingi Sylva, CEO, Blossom Natural Food Industries Limited; Awuneba Ajumogobia, director Multistream Energy Limited; Patricia Opene-Odili, Contracts Engineering advisor at ExxonMobil; Moses Olamide, STA/COS to Minister of State Petroleum Resources; Cecilia Aqua Umorem, MD/CEO, Millennium Oil and Gas Limited, and Ibiyemi Asaolu, general manager, Shell, at a breakfast session organised by Women-In-Energy Network (WIEN) in Lagos, recently.

Kwara govt clarifies nonclosure of fuel stations, banks ...warns against hike in prices of commodities SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

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he Kwara State Government on Friday clarified that fuel stations and banks have not been shut as they are in the same category with food and drug merchants which are critical for survival.

Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Technical Committee on COVID-19 stated this while briefing journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He, however, warned against arbitrary hike in the price of essential commodities, saying: “The humanity is faced with a serious threat from a virus that has infected hundreds of thousands and killed thousands other worldwide. The least we need is exploitative attitude from suppliers and merchants of essential commodities at this critical time.”

Alabi, who commended the people of the state for the excellent compliance with the partial lockdown of movement to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the north central state, explained that the compliance with the restrictions that began early Friday showed people’s understanding of the mag-

nitude of the threat and appreciation of government’s efforts to enforce social distancing and protect the people.

The Deputy Governor specifically commended the traditional and religious institutions, transport unions and opinion moulders for standing with the government’s efforts.

He says: “The Committee commends the people of Kwara State for the excellent compliance even as we continue to monitor developments across Nigeria and beyond.

The committee commends our Royal fathers, religious leaders, opinion moulders, the transport unions and other stakeholders for their huge support for the measures so far taken.

We will continue to seek their maximum support and review situations as we face down this threat.

The committee wishes to state that apart from the equipment newly installed at the isolation centre, brand new ICU equipments are today being installed at the Sobi Specialist Hospital to strengthen our preparedness. Even then, we wish to state that our priority as a government is to ensure that Kwara is free from this virus through various preventive measures we have taken and are still taking.

The Committee seriously frowns at the pocket of violations of the lockdown which are a threat to public health.

The Committee warns defaulters to desist as the implementation committee has been given the mandate to enforce compliance with all measures put in place to safeguard Kwara from this deadly virus. We repeat, any violation of these measures is a threat to our existence.

The committee today met with the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Traditional Council who not only commended the government’s measures but also expressed unreserved support of the council for all the measures adopted by the committee, especially the partial lockdown which is meant to enforce social distancing and protect all of us.

The Emir assured the government that the Council and opinion moulders would continue to tell the public of the need to stay at home and be safe. This is because this virus is no respecter of anybody. The government is very grateful to His Royal Highness and the entire members of his council.

Committee hereby clarifies that fuel stations and banks are considered essential and they have not been asked to shut down.

The government urges petroleum marketers to dispense fuel as there is no basis for any scarcity.

The government appeals to people to avoid creating artificial scarcity.

The committee seriously frowns at reports of hike in the price of commodities, especially food and other essentials. The humanity is faced with a serious threat from a virus that has infected hundreds of thousands and killed thousands other worldwide. The least we need is exploitative attitude from suppliers and merchants of essential commodities at this critical time.

The government is considering palliative measures to support the poorest of the poor at this critical moment. The committee will soon brief the public accordingly. But it is important to state that this period calls for personal and collective sacrifice to save all of us.

Government will continue to do everything to support and protect the people.

Finally, the government repeats that our best shot in this time of global health emergency is to stop this virus from entering our state.

There is no alternative to that. This is why we appeal to the people of Kwara State to continue to comply as we do not want to bury any Kwaran on account of this pandemic.”

s part of preparation ahead of possible cases of more patients of Coronavirus in Ogun state, former President Olusegun O b a s a n j o o n Fr i d a y donated his former residence where he was residing before he later relocated to the present abode - the Penthouse on the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) - to Ogun state government as Isolation Centre.

The 32-room residence of Obasanjo had earlier been converted to a hotel - an extension of Legacy Resorts headquartered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) before it was donated to Ogun state government on Friday as Isolation Centre.

The hotel facility which is located off the popular Presidential Boulevard at Oke Sari in Abeokuta, has

each of the 32 rooms and all ensuite, with a standby generator for which clinical and medical equipment is expected to be installed within the facility by Ogun state government.

A press statement signed and issued in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital on Friday

by Kehinde Akiny emi, Sp e c i a l As s i s t a n t t o Obasanjo on Media, partly reads, “Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday, announced that his former residence at the Presidential Hilltop, Abeokuta, Ogun State be used as Isolation centre for victims of the dreaded Coronavirus disease.”

The statement quoted Obasanjo as saying that the 32-room facility had been handed over to the Ogun state government for immediate take over, asking other wealthy and influential Nigerians to follow the suit.

The former president added, “I think those who can in one way or another assist in this situation should do so.”

How we are combating COVID-19 in Abia - Information commissioner UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia.

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ohn Okiyi Kalu, AbiaState Commissioner for Information and Strategy, has said that as soon as COVID-19 became a global heath challenge, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu directed the State Ministry of Health to mobilise and map out plans to protect Abians from the dreaded disease. Kalu disclosed that when the first case was recorded in Nigeria, Ikpeazu went a step further to set up an inter-ministerial committee to manage preparation and response to the disease with Joe Osuji, the state commissioner for Health, leading other commissioners including those of Information, Homeland Security and Science & Technology.

The Abia Information boss in a statement made available to BDSUNDAY, hinted that the committee had since set out to work and started by identifying available intervention resources within the state including the following measures:Two isolation centers in Umuahia: Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and Amachara Specialist Hospital, with the former having good experience in management of patients

with infectious diseases such as those infected with Lassa fever. The facilities are purpose-equipped for isolation of patients with such infectious diseases including those who may present with Coronavirus.

The Committee, according to him has also identified and arranged a third Isolation center at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, while efforts are on to prepare another one in Abia North Senatorial District of the state.

Kalufurther said that over 10,000 face masks and 1,000 digital thermometers had been provided through the state ministry of health for distribution to health institutions, and thatmore were being procured and are currently being distributed.

Ac c o r d i n g t o h i m , “We have got adequate media resources to launch aggressive sensitisation campaign in the state through partnership with privately and governmentowned media houses in the state and beyond. We have since launched the sensitisation campaign and released phone lines through which people can us, from anywhere in the state, country or even outside the country.”

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News LPG not responsible for Abule-Ado explosion, I says NALPGAM

Abia sets up committee for assessment, remittance of PAYE, withholding taxes from LGs, parastatals UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

IFEOMA OKEKE

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he Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has said its preliminary investigation had revealed that Liquefied Petroleum Gas also known as cooking gas was not responsible for the explosion which rocked Abule-Ado in the Trade Fair axis of Lagos on March 15.

Bassey Essien, its Executive Secretary, in a statement issued in Lagos, commiserated with victims of the incident which left over 20 persons dead and several houses and vehicles destroyed.

Essien said immediately NALPGAM was informed of the incident, members of its Technical, Monitoring and Surveillance Committee visited the scene for an immediate and on the spot assessment of the damage.

He said the team also obtained eye witness accounts to unravel the empirical cause(s) of the explosion.

“Contrary to insinuations from various quarters, our preliminary investiga-

tion has revealed that LPG (cooking gas) was not the cause of the explosion.

“An LPG plant in the vicinity of the explosion as well as two LPG storage vessels with their contents in a skid plant located in a petrol filling station close to the scene of the explosion were still intact without any sign of damage done to them.

“Some quantities of 50kg gas cylinders with their contents intact belonging to a nearby gas retailer were not damaged.

“This thus lends credence to the fact that the explosion had no direct or remote connection to LPG,” Essien said.

According to him, NALPGAM is willing to make available its members, who with their wealth of experience, can assist the panel set up to investigate the Abule Ado explosion whenever their services are required.

“While we await the outcome of the panel, NALPGAM wish to commiserate with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the people of the state over the unfortunate incident.

“We commiserate with all the families that lost their

loved ones, the students and management of Bethlehem High School, Abule Ado on the loss of their Principal, Rev Sr Henrietta Alokha, who displayed unprecedented gallantry in ensuring that she saved the lives of her students even at the cost of her own life.

“The unquantifiable number of properties lost, families rendered homeless and businesses destroyed as a result of the explosion is a national calamity.

“This calls for sober reflection and support from well meaning Nigerians to reach out to the affected families to ameliorate their losses,” he said.

Essien also commended the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and security organisations for their crucial roles during the incident.

“It is our collective prayers that incidences of this nature would not occur again and that the Almighty God will console all the bereaved families. May the souls lost in the incident rest in perfect peace,” he added.

Coronavirus: NPA suspends terminal storage charges on containers ... donates Agura hotel as isolation centre in Abuja AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

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he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has directed all terminal operators to suspend all applicable terminal storage fees on consignments for an initial period of 21 days effective from Monday March 23, 2020.

Adams Jatto, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, who disclosed this in a statement said the gesture was in recognition of the pressure, which Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19

pandemic imposes on businesses.

He n o t e d t h a t t h e development imposed serious responsibility on the Authority to relief this burden on its customers as well as attain the objective of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business Policy at this trying period.

“The Authority recognises the financial implications of these policies on the terminal operators and will consider a shift in our operational charges to ameliorate the situation of stakeholders,” he assured.

In related development,

the NPA said that it has concluded discussion with its shareholders and have agreed to donate the 130bed fully furnished Agura Hotels, Abuja, to serve as isolation centre for COVID-19 in Abuja.

He described the gesture as a social responsibility initiative aimed at supporting efforts of the Federal Government to contain the spread of the virus in Nigeria.

He e n c o u r a g e d a l l Nigerians to follow all advisories issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and be confident that Nigeria shall overcome.

n its bid to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Abia State government has inaugurated a five-member committee for the assessment and remittance of Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and withholding taxes for local governments and parastatals receiving subventions in the state.

The committee, which has Fred Udensi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, as its chairman, is expected to review the implementation of Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and withholding tax policy in the Local Government administration of Abia State among other terms of reference.

Anthony Agbazuere, Chief of Staff to the Governor, while inaugurating the five-member committee on behalf of Governor Okezie

Ikpeazu at the Government House, Umuahia, said the government could no longer sit by and watch revenue that should be due to it get wasted.

Ikpeazu charged the committee to ascertain that the remittance of PAYE by all local government councils in the state to the Board of Internal Revenue as well as to recommend a process to ensure regular remittance of PAYE and withholding tax by local governments and parastatals.

According to the governor, the committee has three weeks within which to submit its report to the government and would expect among other things to assess the level of compliance of tax remittances by all institutions getting subvention from the government such as Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Health Management Board (HMB), Abia State Polytechnic, Aba,

Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), among others.

The Abia Chief Executive charged the committee to design a framework that would guarantee regular remittance of PAYE and other taxes due to the government as well as to recommend to the government other avenues that would improve collection of PAYE and withholding tax in-order to shore up government revenue.

He charged members of the committee to discharge their duty conscientiously and should not compromise.

Udensi, Chairman of the Committee, while responding on behalf of other members, thanked the governor for finding them worthy to discharge the sensitive assignment and promised to realise the goal of the government for setting up the committee.

Despite the call for better handling of food materials and general hygiene habit amid the coronavirus outbreak, butchers in Lagos State still cling to old habits.

Pic by Olawale Amoo

OAU students petition FG, call for 25% inclusion of youths in federal civil service

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he students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, under the aegis of the Radiant Justice Ch a m b e r s , Fa c u l t y o f Law, have petitioned the Federal Government of Nigeria as they call for 25 percent inclusion of youths in the federal civil service ministries, departments and agencies.

Th e p e t i t i o n w h i c h was signed by the three thousand delegates at the end of a recent International Youth Leadership Summit held at the Oduduwa Hall on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-

Ife, said recent graduates are not enough in the federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Speaking at the Youth Leadership Summit, Faruq Abbas, the keynote speaker, accused government at all levels of engaging more youths in the civil service as they alleged that many civil servantshaverefused toretire through dubious adjustment of age, just as he added that prerequisites usually required by government at entry points are to harsh on the youths.

He however admonished youths to strive for the best and be ready to work, saying: ’integrity has been so hard

to find among youths, life is about the core values of integrity, honesty and hard work, no system can be built in the absence of it. Also, be careful of people in your inner circle and have strong conviction in your laid down plans.’’

Abass commended the organizers of the summit, stressing that the participants must ensure that they put into practice what they learnt at the summit.

Th e Lo r d Ad v o c a t e of Radiant Justice, Abass Oyeyemi said, “as youths, we are charged with the responsibilities of promoting responsible leadership.

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News Public affairs commentator carpets China over coronavirus UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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ames NnadozieUchegbuo, a public affairs commentator and analyst based in Umuahia, AbiaState, has accused China of manufacturing the dreaded Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Chinese institute of laboratory virology, thereby deliberately causing economic pains and massive loss of human lives across the globe.

Uchegbuo, who made theallegation during an interview session with newsmen in Umuahia, Abia State said: “Even at Wuhan-China, the sprawling capital of Central China’s Hubei province, where the problem started, they have taken measures to control it, because the rate of spread has reduced drastically. Reason, they have means of controlling it”.

According to Uchegbuo, “From time immemorial, I predicted that the cold war between the so-called world powers will drag the entire world economy to the lowest ebb and put human lives

of the entire universe to a state of extinction. Looking at what started in Wuhan, it is just a mere fall out of a biological economic warfare by the Chinese. If you look at cases of virus both biotic and abiotic, taking into records in 1915 when the Britain tested the first nuclear weapon and the impact on the entire human race, I will be left with no doubt that COVID-19 was just manufactured in the Chinese institute of laboratory virology, deliberately to cause economic pains and massive loss of human lives in the Western world, Africa and the entire globe.

“They couldn’t manage it to a better proportion, that is why they became the first victims and exported this virus through international trades and other forms of social exchange. Europe and Africa will be the worst hit, if not properly controlled or managed. Their primary intention is to destroy the Western world economy and turn Africa and Europe to their economic slave trade.

“If you look at what is happening now, even at Wuhan,

where the problem started, they have taken measures to control the disease, because the rate of spread has reduced drastically, as they have the means of controlling it. And before other scientists of the other worlds could gather themselves to carry out a dip deep studies or researches on how to get the drugs to control it, the economy of these nations must have gone down and millions of people must have been sacrificed; while Chinese and allies will come up with the drugs to make ‘blood money’ at the expense of lives of humanity.”

He further said: “Taking for instance, their major target is America, the billions of dollars that have been lost by the lockdown of almost its entirety, the land and air services and the companies shut down because of the fear of the unknown.

“This is a biological warfare carried out against the entire world by the Chinese government just because they want to be a super power and control the economy of the whole world.

COVID 19: First Bank chooses to solve education challenges facing parents Obinna Emelike

A

desola Adeduntan, CEO, First Bank, has announced that the bank in partnership with government and other stakeholders is extending its attention to immediate needs in the society in the face of the widespread COVID-19 by putting in place complementary efforts in education to support students and minimise the disruption to education resulting from schools’ closure.

The development is following the activation of the bank’s Business Continuity Process and subsequent deployment of safety initiatives and measures implemented across its business outlets nationwide, to help flatten the curve and ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff customers and other stakeholders.

Adeduntan explained that many parents are concerned their children and

wards whose education is truncated by the current crisis and are particularly worried about keeping children at home idle as all schools from primary through to tertiary institutions are closed across the nation. Emphasising the urgent need to ensure that children are not disadvantaged, remain engaged and stay safe during this period, he announced the Bank has concluded plans with the necessary authorities to enable as many children as possible access e-learning.

Speaking on the initiative to enable as many children move on to safe e-learning, Adeduntan said, “We are warmed by the fact that different organizations have risen to the various challenges and are supporting in areas such as health and welfare, and we feel the peculiar needs of our children and youth must not be left out and have therefore elected to focus on contributing to solving the current education

challenge. Education remains the bedrock of any society and we believe that when we educate our children we enable our nation and produce global citizens who provide ground breaking solutions for the continent and the world at large.

So, building educational partnerships is an avenue to support our children to remain resourceful and fully engaged at this time so they can compete favorably with their peers internationally.

It’s a responsible approach to empower them given that they are our future and the foundation to build our country to greatness. By partnering on this we are solving a problem for families and for our future.”

To this end, First Bank is working with the states; United Nations Global Compact; innovative technology firms such as Robert & John to provide e-learning solution with the government approved curriculum for students across the country.

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BDSUNDAY 9

PhotoSplash

L-R: (front row): Kayode Adigun, divisional head, service management and technology, First City Monument Bank (FCMB); Gbemisola Dada, secretary general, Ojokoro LCDA Market Women Association; Rasheed Macaulay, director, Lagos State ministry of agriculture; Gboyega Idris, assistant director, and Adejumoke Arije, zonal head, Ikeja 2, during the commissioning ceremony of FCMB Cash Centre at Agege Abattoir, Lagos

L-R: Adewale Yusuf, co-founder and chief executive officer, Techpoint Africa; Muyiwa Matuluko, co-founder and editor-in-chief, Techpoint Africa; Kate Ifeatu Daniels, manager, brand, and communications, enterprise business unit, MTN Nigeria; Titilola Oludimu, director, SME by Techpoint, and Damilola Runsewe, senior manager, SME segment management, enterprise business unit, MTN Nigeria, during the MTN-sponsored Techpoint SME Clinic, created to accelerate businesses with the power of technology, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

R-L: Haruna Abdurrahman, manager lubricants; Elizabeth Aliyuda, general manager sales and marketing; Billy Okoye, managing director; Affiong Akpasubi, executive director, support services; Lawal Bello, executive director operations, all of NNPC Retail Limited, during the unveiling of the NNPC Lubricants at Abuja International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Jide Akeredolu (2nd l), district governor of Rotory District 9110 inducts Adebola Ismail Akindele, GMD/CEO, Courteville Business Solutions, as a senior Rotarian while, Abdul Adewale Azeez, (r), president of Rotary Club of Yaba Metropolitan, and Tunbosun, Ajayi, (l), assistant governor applaud, at the official visit of the district governor in Lagos.

L-R: Olubunmi Agbaje, shopper and channel marketing manager, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC); Rodrigo Recio, execution excellence director, NBC; Oluyomi Moses, head of marketing, NBC, and Abiodun Ajiborode, marketing manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, during the ‘Win a trip to the EPL promotion launch’ held in Lagos.

L-R Lion Abimbola Quadri, Lion Tunji Oredipe (service chairperson), Lion Animashaun Anike, Miss Benson Truth,Lion Ajibola Shola, Miss Adeyemi Grace, Lion Oguntimehim Sunday, Miss Joseph Felicia, Lion Odumosu Biodun, Miss Ayodele Joy,Lion Aluko Kayode, Lion Adefugabi Shakirat, Lion Ajayi Ahmed(Club President),Lion Esan Adefunke (FirstVP) all at the recent programme of Ikorodu Metropolitan Lions Club to donate about 500 Sanitary Pads to Tue Female Students of Zumuratul Islamiyyah Senior Secondary School Igbogbo and Community Senior Secondary School Bayeku to celebrate International Women’s Day

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 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the global corruption ranking which Nigeria scored 26 out of 100 points, falling back by one point compared to the previous ranking held in Abuja. Pic by Tunde Adeniyi.

L-R: Ari De Beer, facilitator, Steadicam MTF Masterclass; Oladimeji Gbenga of Nigeria Television Authority; Femi Odugbemi, academy director, MultiChoice Talent Factory, West Africa, and Ifeanyi Ene, manager, Outside Broadcasting and studios, at a one-day ultiChoice Talent Factory Masterclass in Steadicam operations at the Africa Magic Studios, Lagos

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COVID-19 pandemic: Breaking the circle of transmission

editor Zebulon Agomuo

via Milan, and ever since the center no longer hold. Individuals hitherto thought impregnable now stand at the mercy of the rampaging virus.

It is not surprising that Lagos, being the most populous State in the country and the nation’s center of commercial activities, has been the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria.

Fortunately, the State has prepared for the virus. It has been building capacity steadily for any biosecurity threat. The State’s biosecurity facility, a level 3 laboratory, one of the very few in the continent of Africa with modern design, can handle very dangerous pathogens. The State government has been working tirelessly to curtail the virus from spreading.

It has made effort in tracing over 2300 people that were exposed to infected persons. This is no mean feat, as the battle to curb the virus from spreading continues.

Cheerily, the Italian who imported the infection into the country has been discharged after weeks of intensive care while six other patients are allegedly on the verge of being given a clean of health. Reports say the Italian appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by staff of the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and members of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). He also consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma) which is rich in antibody proteins that target coronavirus.

Still, the Lagos State govern-

Frank Aigbogun

DEPUTY EDITOR John Osadolor, Abuja MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. Ogho Okiti 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)

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

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

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

T

ake it or leave it, Covid-19, the 21st Century monster, is causing the entire world anxious moments as no terrorist organization has ever done.

The number of people who have died as a result of the pandemic globally has now exceeded 20,000, with more than 432,000 infected in 158 countries.

This shows the massive impact the virus is having on the world.

It has found a foothold on every continent except for Antarctica.

Thousands of flight has been cancelled, music and sporting activities postponed and in some cases entirely cancelled. Some nations have been on lock down for weeks, and yet, respite seems out of sight.

On Wednesday, March 12, 2020, the WHO declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

As it was with most Africans, Nigerians did not originally bother about the plague until a certain Italian arrived Lagos on February 24th

ment didn’t relax on this feat as it pronounced the shutting down of all schools and markets in the State. Currently, public gatherings of more than 20 stand suspended while the State Public Servants from GL 01 -12 now work from home. The rapid spread of the pandemic necessitated all the precautionary measures.

This is wise, considering that the virus spreads faster when a person infected with it is exposed to a large group of people. Lagos is densely populated with over 20 million people and the virus can spread fast if not strategically contained.

According to WHO Chief, Dr Tedros GhebreyesusIf “if countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilize their people in the response, those with a handful of novel coronavirus cases can prevent those cases becoming clusters, and those clusters becoming community transmission”.

So far, the level of preparedness and efforts of the Lagos State government in curtailing the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic has been widely applauded.

Government has aroused the consciousness of residents on the symptoms and preventive measures to take in avoiding the disease. It has also fought the scourge of fake news and rumours as it gives daily updates on the virus.

Just like the case with the Ebola virus in which months later, the country was declared Ebola-free, with WHO hailing a “spectacular

success story” and commending authorities for their “effective coordination of the response”, we might soon be on course of yet another remarkable victory.

However, Lagos residents and, indeed, other compatriots need to fully come to grasp with the reality of this deadly virus. It is rather awful to note that many still carry on as if it is all a joke. People still congregate without regard to the social distance policy. Some bars and markets still carry on with business as usual.

Ironically, the disease often spread easily at large gatherings.

In South Korea and Singapore, it spread largely through organized gatherings. From the experience of a few nations that have successfully curtailed its spread, strict adherence to social distance rules clearly played a huge role.

Thus, the need to shun all forms of large gathering, and even stay at home, where possible, cannot be over-emphasized. This is the most effective way to break the circle of transmission. This has worked quite well in a few places. The virus transmits rapidly where there are large cluster of people.

Certainly, this tough time shall also pass. As Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rightly affirmed: “We have overcome more challenging situation in the past, and we shall surely surmount this also”. But then, we need to be on same page with government and other critical stakeholders by observing all rules and regulations. God bless Nigeria.

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

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11 Inside Lagos

Traders spurn social distancing directive as Covid-19 spreads …embrace other measures to contain virus Stories by JOSHUA BASSEY

G

overnment’s directive on social distancing as a way of containing the spread of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) seems a tall order in Lagos, as traders in major food markets continue to maintain close contact as if nothing happens.

Visits to the various markets in commercial city showed a total lack of compliance with the directive. There is also the lack of enforcement of the directive by security personnel in open markets around the state.

Checks showed that the enforcement teams of the Lagos State police command and the state task force are concentrating more on lockup shops, malls and street vendors to the exclusion of open markets.

However, in some of the markets visited, it was

observed that other measures are being adopted to contain the virus.

At the popular Mile 12 Market, pest control officers from the state ministry of agriculture were seen fumigating the environments.

An official said that the fumigation was one of the

measures being taken to check outbreak of diseases including COVID-19.

“The chemicals are friendly to humans and food items but deadly to pests of any kind like rats including bacteria and viruses. The fumigation is going on simultaneously in all markets in the state,’’ said

LASEMA fumigates Abule-Ado explosion site

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agos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has begun fumigation exercise at Soba-AbuleAdo community which was rocked by explosion on Sunday, March 15.

Di r e c t o r - Ge n e r a l o f LASEMA, Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu, said that the four-day exercise, which started on Thursday, would end on Sunday (today).

He said members of the public were to keep off the affected area after the exercise.

According to Oke-Osayintolu, 102 people were in relief camp out of a revised total of 588 people

displaced from their homes following the explosion.

The DG, who gave an update on the disaster, said a total of 340 buildings had been identified as affected by the impact of the explosion and would be subjected to series of tests.

“The test will be carried out by a joint public-private team led by the Materials Testing Agency, covering foundation and solid material testing. After the test, those that fail the tests will be leveled to ground zero,” he said.

He further explained that the testing exercise would apply to the identified buildings as well as all

those within a 500 meter radius from the explosion site.

“Scavengers are advised to keep away and residents who have prematurely commenced repair and reconstruction are directed to STOP WORK and wait for the results of the testing,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

He, however, appealed to members the public to be calm and urged the public to keep off the scene and to be law abiding.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that the agency’s help desk had been moved to the Igando relief camp and remained being manned by LASEMA personnel.

the official, who craved anonymous.

At the perishable food section of the Mile 12 market, officials acquired testing thermometers to check the temperature of traders and buyers before allowing them into the market, with the provision of hand sanitisers.

Femi Odusanya , the vegetable consultant to the Mile 12 Market Perishable Food Association, said that the market officials were putting everything in place to check the Covid-19 outbreak in the market.

“The state government in its wisdom decided to exclude the market from total shut down, which is commendable.

“We are taking measures to ensure that no case of COVID-19 comes from here.

“The pest control has just finished fumigating the market and this will continue for some time.

We have temperature testing equipment which everybody coming in must be subjected to, there is sanitisers, soap and water for people to wash their hands.

“We are also educating traders and our customers on how to avoid contacting and spreading the virus by adopting basic hygiene.

“We are encouraging

traders and buyers to wear face masks and hand gloves,’’ he said.

Odusanya said that all the measures being put in place would be sustained until the fight against coronavirus pandemic was won.

Some of the buyers said that they bought the masks and hand gloves because it would help to prevent contacting and spreading of the COVID-19.

At the Jakande Fruit market Ketu and Ikosi/ Isheri local council development area (LCDA), the traders welcomed the fumigation of the markets.

One of the market officials said that they were taking the precautions to prevent outbreak of the Covid-19.

He said that the food area would be opened but the hardware sections such as building materials and tyre sections, among others were closed in compliance with government’s directives.

Coronavirus: Comply with closure order, LASG tells hoteliers, others

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agos State says it expects total compliance from hoteliers, bar operators, tourist sites on the directive to temporarily shut their operations as a measure to check the spread of Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus.

State commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf stated this while speaking on the efforts by the government to ensure the safety of the residents.

Lagos is Nigeria’s epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic .The state government is taking steps to stop further spread of the virus from person to person, hence the directive to shops and offices to temporarily shut down.

Akinbile-Yussuf said the

government expected every operator within the hospitality and tourism sector in the state to cooperate with the government by fully complying with the directive, adding that it was in the interest of all.

She reiterated that the ban on social gathering of more than 25 persons and observance of social distancing was still in force.

She said the call on operators within the tourism sector became necessary following the discovery that some operators were defying the governor’s order by encouraging large gathering in their facilities.

The commissioner explained that the state government prioritises the wellbeing of its citizens and would not compromise their safety.

She noted that the temporary closure was to enforce the social distancing of limited numbers of persons, which might be difficult if their facilities are in full session. She warned that the state government would punish errant operators to serve as deterrent to others.

“If anyone flouts this order, the government will not hesitate to seal up such premises and shall only be opened at the end of the pandemic and payment of appropriate fine. Therefore, all hotels, event centres, bars and restaurants, lounge, spas, theme parks/ amusement parks, entertainment grounds among others fall into this category and are enjoined to comply strictly to this directive,’’ she said.

works, therefore road users are advised to comply with the traffic diversions to minimize inconveniences in movements, as they will be allowed to ply only the available sides of the roads while the construction works lasts.

The Lagos government

appealed to residents of the state, especially motorists that ply these corridors to bear the pains, as the project is executed for their safety and seamless movements that will meet the transportation needs of the larger populace.

Lagos closes Marine Bridge for 5-month repairs

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he Lagos State government has closed the Marine Bridge to enable the Federal Government carry out repair works that will last five months beginning from Saturday, March 28 to Saturday, August 15, 2020.

The state ministry of transportation said that the construction works to be undertaken by the federal ministry of works and housing will involve replacement of worn-out elastomeric bearing, and expansion of metallic joints on the bridge.

Other repair works will include construction of drain gully, jacketing, skin repairs of the piers and laying of asphalt.

The repair works will be done in two faces to ease traffic movements. The first half of the construction

works will last for the first 10 weeks, thereafter; the second half would commence equally and last for 10 weeks.

The closure has been slated between 8.00pm and 8.00am daily to ensure there is smooth and uninterrupted flow of the repair

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Sunday 29 March 2020

State-of-the-Nation

Coronavirus, executive illness and vanity of life Zebulon Agomuo

I

n the last few days, a lot of things have changed in Nigeria, and are still changing. By Wednesday last week, the seat of power in Abuja announced a partial shutdown as the highest occupants of the Villa went into self-quarantine.

It was the same week, precisely Tuesday that Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, tested positive for COVID-19, alongside three of his aides. Same day, Nigerians were informed that Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State governor, also tested positive.

The tests spread fear and trepidation within the length and breadth of the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly.

Consequently, the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, among others who live in that fortress, were said to have voted with their legs, seeking refuge in saner places.

Apprehension has become the companion of federal lawmakers, particularly those who recently returned from foreign trip. Is the end near for them?

Some of them may have gone under; engaging in self-medication and consulting marabouts and native doctors.

Coronavirus appears to be a leveller. It does not know the difference between the rich and the poor; male or female; in fact, the richer a man is, the more vulnerable. According to statistics reeled out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), most of those down with the virus are known to be “big men”; those who either flew to UK, Germany or other beautiful countries for reasonable business for dear country, or those who jetted out of the country for mundane reasons, all at the expense of the poor folks here.

If the virus had been known to attack only settlements where the poorest of the poor of citizens live, there would not have been any action from the Federal Government. If it were a virus that invaded the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs’) camps across the country, Aso Rock would have adopted the usual I-don’t-care attitude. Two weeks ago, there was a massive destruction of lives and property in Abule-Ado area of Lagos State, Aso Rock preferred to watch the picture rather than visit the scene of devastation!

In the last few years, Nigeria’s rating on global poverty watch has been negative; showing that the number of poor people in the country has been on the increase.

This has not received government’s attention. The only attention has been propaganda. This is because those within this bracket are not within the political class.

Today, there is fire on the

mountain, and everyone is on the run, including people in unlikely quarters. Last Wednesday, Aso Rock announced a partial shutdown, just because the virus has invaded an unlikely domain. The fortress has been desecrated!

The number one prayer point on the mind of the big shots that have tested positive must be that God should keep them alive.

Their preoccupation at this time is not about their wealth probably stashed in different banks all over the world or their choice houses in different countries. They just want to live!

It is expected that governance must wear a new look in Nigeria after the coronavirus episode.

Many observers say that except the leadership of Nigeria at the highest level had sworn an oath to be insensitive to the plight of the masses, the visit of the coronavirus to those in the corridors of power could engender a change of attitude. Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, political actors and those in government saw themselves as untouchable by any adverse situation in the country. If it were hunger, they had so conquered it that they never imagined a possible bout of famine in Nigeria could affect them no matter how long such a famine could last. While foreign rice has been banned and outlawed in poor people’s pots, it is doubtful if it has ceased to grace the dining table of those in government.

Moreover, while it is illegal to eat good rice in-country, the un-

touchables jet abroad in careless abandon to attend birthday parties and other forms of “owambe” where good species of rice are served. Whereas local hospitals

“I have three last wishes; please carry them out, for soon I will depart. My first wish is that my doctors should alone carry my coffin; my second wish is that the path towards my grave shall be strewn with gold, silver and all the precious possessions in my treasury, while my body is being brought to be buried, and my third and last wish is that my two hands shall be kept dangling out of my coffin.”

remained unequipped, leaders travel abroad to get quality healthcare even minor illness as ordinary as cough!

It is expected that the mentality of the ruling class would be attuned to the fact that all individuals at death have the same allocation of six feet grave. By now, this reality must be becoming a reality to the occupants of power stool in Nigeria.

Would there be any lesson from this scourge among the ruling class? Would Nigeria experience better governance after this period of refining? Only time will tell.

In order to drive home the words of King Solomon, “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity”, a story is told of the ‘Three Wishes of Alexander’.

Alexander the Great, known as Alexander the Third of Macedon, was the emperor of ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He led many military campaigns and created one of the largest empires ever, stretching from Greek to India.

The story has it that “After returning to Babylon, Alexander fell ill. While he was on his death bed, he thought of the vast empire he has built, each and every spoil of war he captured and the might of his military machine.

He went into depression; realising nothing was worth it as even after an extremely successful life he could not avoid death.

He wanted to see his mother for the last time before he departed, but he knew he would

not be able to do it and would soon pass away. So he called his loyal Generals and made three last wishes before dying.”

He was quoted as saying, “I have three last wishes; please carry them out, for soon I will depart. My first wish is that my doctors should alone carry my coffin; my second wish is that the path towards my grave shall be strewn with gold, silver and all the precious possessions in my treasury, while my body is being brought to be buried, and my third and last wish is that my two hands shall be kept dangling out of my coffin.”

Explaining the essence of his request to his bewildered Generals, Alexander was quoted to have said: “I want my doctors to carry my coffin to let people know that no doctor can cure anybody. They are powerless, and therefore cannot save a person from death.

“To strew gold, silver and other precious stones on the way to the graveyard, to let the people know that though I spent all my life accumulating riches, not even a grain of gold will come with me when I leave this world.

It is a sheer waste of time, energy, and peace of mind when one yearns to be rich.

Having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I want people to know that I came empty handed into this world and likewise will go empty handed from this world.”

So, he wanted to teach the rest of the world (Nigerian ruling class) that earthly possessions are not worth it, and one must not crave for them. We came empty-handed and so shall we leave when our time is up and, as the Christian faithful would sing, ‘only by our work shall we be remembered’.

Here is an example of the slack in their thinking: Earlier this month, members of the House of Representatives resolved to suspend plenary for two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the National Assembly.

Without recourse to a scientific understanding of how the virus spreads so that they could prepare a coherent containment plan for the nation they pretend to serve, they closed shop and went on holiday.

Some 17 days later, according to the letter supposedly signed

by Kyari to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, these same lawmakers have been arrogantly refusing to subject themselves to legitimate screenings at the airports. How events mock at human foresight!

The advice is that every Nigerian must stay at home as the virus thrives on movement of people from one place to another. Government must strictly enforce the stay-at-home order.

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State of the Nation

COVID-19: Small businesses, families count losses as stay-at-home order take toll on Nigerians

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AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE tategovernmentsacross the country move for a partial lockdown of economic activities to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus cases, otherwise known as COVID-19, about 200 million Nigerians have started counting their loses as the new order take toll on their businesses, family spending and purchasing power.

While small business owners worry about cash flow owing to closure of popular markets, religious centres, schools, offices and leisure spots in some states since last week, families now fear the increasing rate of spending to cater for family needs in a period of limited resources.

As at Thursday March 28, 2020 in Nigeria’s most populous city of Lagos with an estimated population of close to 20 million people, major markets including Computer Village, Ladipo and others, were closed to business activities in line with that State Government directive to shut down markets trading non-essential commodities, according to BDSUNDAY check.

The closure of markets and non-essential businesses has not been easy for us. My family rely heavily on the money I bring home on a daily basis but without having to go work since the stay-at-home policy of government started, I wonder how my children and I would survive the coming weeks, said a Lagos-based hair stylist, who gave her name as Iya Bolu.

According to her, her husband on the other hand, who is a shoe cobbler, has automatically stopped work due to the lockdown and this has become a very difficult days for her family.

“All my kids are presently at home, and trust me; children eat heavily when they are at home without any serious task to keep them engaged. As I speak to you, my house, in terms of food stuff, is empty due to lack of sufficient funds to stock up the house while others are doing so,” said the mother of four.

Iya Bolu, who expressed worry over the survival of the weekly group contribution, which she coordinates with few other women, said the lockdown has made it near impossible for most of the women in the group to raise fund to sustain the contribution.

According to her, the group of 10 women, generates N100,000 on weekly basis through the contribution of N10,000 per person but with the lockdown, these women are technically out of business that enables them to meet up this obligation.

“Some of these women have contributed for others but they

are yet to collect their own but with the development, we have to put this on hold because people rarely have enough to feed not to talk of servicing loan and obligations, “ she stated.

Madam Unique Fashion (business name) runs a business of interior decoration in the popular Balogun Market in Lagos. She has three shops with about 10 staff managing the three shops for her.

“Closing my shop is going to affect my business largely. Imagine having to stay home for two weeks without having to earn income would be more than difficulty because I have bills to pay.

I have to pay staff salary and pay shop rents,” she said.

Though, she said, the stay-athome order is for the benefit of everyone’s health but how do I pay workers’ salary? “If this thing lasts for much longer, I may be forced to relieve my workers of their duties,” she added.

The situation has not been easy for me and family, said Sunday Ohia, a civil servant with one of the ministries in Lagos State.

Ohia told BDSUNDAY that the only consolation for him, was the fact that his salary must be paid by the state government at the end of the month, but that his greatest concern with the stay-at home was that he spends a lot money on his family.

According to him, the power supply has further dropped in the past few days such that in some cases, one can stay the whole day at home without a flash of the electricity by the Discos.

“In such cases, I run generator for at least 12 hours a day in order to stay afloat with the day-to-day happenings in the country, cool the refrigerator and to put on the fan because this is the dry season in this part of the world when the

weather is usually very hot and unbearable to stay home without fans,” he explained.

Nigeria, no doubt, is a country where over 50 percent of the total population lives below the poverty line. Many of them survive with just two dollars ($2) a day and majority live on day-by-day earnings. This was why many Nigerians see the stay-at-home order as a secondary ‘disease’ which would ride on hunger to kill many Nigerians first before the Coronavirus get to them.

Though countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom, have started the process of releasing economic stimulus to aid small businesses especially self-employed in this period of global health crisis, Nigerian government is yet to announce measures to address the concerns of private businesses.

In his own view, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri of Adamawa, former Vice President of Nigeria, who applauded state governments for issuing stay-at-home orders, said that large percentage of Nigerians do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of selfisolation and even lockdown.

“It is, therefore, incumbent on the Federal and state governments to provide palliatives to Nigerians to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place for their safety. At an approximate 30 million households or thereabouts, the government should devise modalities to distribute N10,000 as a supplement for foodstuff to each household, among other palliative measures, with no one left behind,” said Atiku on his twitter handle.

He urged the National Assembly to reconvene in an emergency session, perhaps by teleconference (in line with the demands

of social distancing), to legislate a Stimulus Package Act that will cater for all Nigerian citizens.

He also called on all Mobile Telephony Companies in Nigeria to urgently develop mobile money platforms to enable government to reach the unbanked with financial assistance, even as he urged them to offer each of the 100 million mobile phone lines in Nigeria free credit of at least N1500 per mobile line, so that Nigerians who show symptoms, or those who want information, can call the nearest health facility, or even an ambulance service, as the case may be.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have taken to the social media platform to plead with the Federal Government to announced bailout funding for Nigerians during the stay-at-home period.

“Federal Government told people to stay at home without provisions, many will suffer from hunger. How about the poor? How about those who can’t feed their families except they go out in a day?” questioned a concerned Nigerian on a social media platform.

According to him, 40 million Nigerians have BVN verified bank accounts and it will cost the FG only a little over N100 billion to pay N250,000 into each account so Nigerians can buy food for themselves and their families during the Coronavirus lockdown.

“If Nigeria can budget N150 billion for a National Assembly of less than 500 legislators, then why can’t we spend over a little N100 billion paying each of the 40 million Nigerian BVN linked account N250,000 to cushion the effects of COVID-19?” the Facebook user asked.

Stating that rather than share money during election, he said that the Federal government should support every citizen with some

money just like USA is doing.

Another Facebook user shared his experience saying, “Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of all markets (except those engaged in food, medicine or pharmaceuticals) effective Thursday, March 26. My organisation arranged for everyone’s involvement in field work to feel the pulse of Lagosians towards the painful realities of this development.

“I was at the popular Ile-Epo market at Oke-Odo, Alimosho LGA, on the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway Wednesday. My observation was that most Nigerians, especially the poor, are already knocked down. On their faces, particularly the women, are signs of being completely knocked down with hopelessness, haplessness and helplessness,” he narrated.

He said, “I observed many of them, cladding babies on their back, actively engaged in ‘window-shopping’ without the required purchasing power to buy what they desired. They were roaming the entire market aimlessly. The most touching was a woman who approached a yam seller to ‘buy’ three broken pieces of tiny yam tuber which the seller had pegged at N800.

“The woman, on her knees pleaded to pay N500 so she could buy a few other things for the children as her husband was ill and had asked for meal of yam porridge.

The seller was harsh and almost rude to the woman. ‘Drop my yam and get out of my shop’, the man yelled while tears rolled down the woman’s cheeks. Another woman quickly paid, ‘grabbed’ the yam pieces and walked away. In fact, before noon, yam was exhausted at Ile-Epo on Wednesday,” he further narrated.

Touched by the pitiable ‘drama’, he stated that a man watching the encounter called the woman and directed her to a nearby seller to pick two sizeable yam tubers of her choice. She first hesitated (apparently wondering if she was in a trance) then, slowly complied.

The man quickly paid for the two yams and asked the woman to take them.

Another Facebook user has this to say, “shutting is superficial, that Britain, America choose the path doesn’t make right solution to our case. Abroad, nearly everyone is productively engaged not same here. They are ready to give citizens money, none would happen here. What we ought to do is close the borders. Educate citizens to keep hygiene. Those with symptoms to rush to medical centres.

Task our scientists to study the virus and find a cure. Shutting down under developed society is another path to annihilation.”

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Politics

Kola Ologbondiyan, national publicity secretary of the PDP

Abba Kyari

PDP and opposition role in the times of coronavirus

T

ZEBULON AGOMUO

he question on the lips of many Nigerians today in the face of the existential threat posed by the Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, is “What should be the role of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the main opposition party in the country?”

This is against the backdrop of the reports that the coronavirus in Nigeria was imported and spread through the carelessness of some powerful actors in the current administration, who did not do what was expected of the government to nip the problem in the bud.

Apart from regularly calling out the government and pointing to areas of focus at this time, observers also believe that the PDP should engage in sensitising Nigerians and find ways to render support to the government of the day in its efforts to win the war against the deadly virus.

Pundits are of the opinion that this is not the time for just finger-pointing and namecalling, but a time to work together in the overall interest of the Nigerian people.

Speaking with BDSUNDAY, Bayo Adigun, a school principal, said: “I expect the PDP to find a way to spread good news and message of hope to traumatised Nigerians at this time instead of just attacking the Buhari administration and APC government. I know that if it were the PDP that was in power at this time, the likes of Lai Mohammed would have said a lot of things, particularly with the invasion of the Presidential Villa of the virus due principally to the carelessness of the big shots in government.”

Adigun however, commended Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, for his recent in-

tervention.

“I want to place on record that former Vice President Atiku has shown a good example of what members of the opposition should be doing now. Despite the fact that his own son has tested positive, he still made a pledge of N50million and called on the government to reach out to poor Nigerians with some palliatives.

This is a good example and I expect PDP to even make some donations and not just pointing out faults at this time. I know that politics anywhere in the world is dirty, but we must not play politics with the type of situation we have at hand,” Adigun said.

Speaking with BDSUNDAY on condition of anonymity, a leader in PDP said the party has not said or done anything outside its purview, or behaved in any way that could suggest being insensitive as an opposition party since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Nigeria. According to him, whatever the party may have said or done were all in the overall interest of the country.

“If you really knew the role of an opposition party, it is not to be doling out money to do what a sitting government should be doing. I am not saying that it is not possible to do so. At least, you have seen what our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has done. He did not only make case for the poor masses of this country, he made a huge personal donation of N50million,” he said.

According to the party man, “What our great party is saying is that the government in our country at this time is highly irresponsible and insensitive. We said that flights coming into Nigeria should have been banned and airport shut since it became obvious that it was those coming from high-risk countries that were bringing in the virus, just like some other countries did. If they had heeded our call

to that effect, we wouldn’t have been having this huge problem on our hand. We also called out the President to address the nation when we noticed growing apprehension in the polity, just the way other presidents of other countries are doing, to reassure their people since the advent of the virus. Can you call this antagonism?

My dear, we are not being antagonistic, but we are moved by genuine concern and love of country.”

He also insisted that there was nothing wrong with the PDP pointing out areas it feels the government of the day has either not measuring up or things they may have done wrongly.

“For instance, we noted that the positive testing of Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Buhari, who is known to every Nigerian as the de facto president, to the coronavirus and his consequent isolation meant the collapse of governance command structure of the APC-led Federal Government. We also noted, rightly too, and condemned strongly and vehemently, the banning of some media houses from covering activities at the Presidential Villa. We said and still maintain that it was unjustified,” he further said.

A political affairs commentator, Goodluck Onah, while speaking with BDSUNDAY said there was no more opposition in Nigeria.

“I strongly believe that the opposition has been emasculated and cowed by the present government. We no longer have an opposition in the country. I think the major problem with the PDP is that the governors under the party appear divided.

They have lost that cohesion; that oneness spirit. We have heard them quarrel amongst themselves over who is a PDP in the day and APC at night. The soul of the party seems to have gone,” Onah pointed out.

According to him, “Beyond having national officers and a secretariat in Abuja, the real opposition role is missing. Imagine if what is happening were in a PDP government, the APC would have finished them off. The APC would have by now been releasing those ‘cancerous’ statements, pointing out the lapses. We can’t see that bite from PDP. “But again, I do not blame the PDP so much because without money, there is little they can do. With the dwindling allocations from FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee), the member states of the PDP have no money to meet their internal needs, let alone funding party activities at the national level. That really may have incapacitated the party the more. Mind you, you lose your voice when you lose your purse, even in your family,” he said.

You play politics with everything - BMO blasts PDP Faulting the PDP claim that governance command structure had collapsed because the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, is in seclusion, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), said such insinuation had further exposed the party’s love of hysteria and tragi-comedy.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the allegation showed how shallow PDP and its leaders were in their thinking.

BMO said: “Yes, Mallam Kyari is in isolation after testing positive to Covid-19, but it is sheer mischief, and ignorance, to suggest that this has affected ‘command structure at the Federal Executive Council’.

“Is it difficult for a PDP’s henchmen to know that under the Buhari Presidency, the Secretary to the Government of the

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Politics Is luring Matawalle into APC last hope for party in Zamfara? ... As Supreme Court dismisses review of judgment James Kwen, Abuja

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ill the luring of Governor Bello Matawalle of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) be the last hope of the APC in its quest to reclaim Zamfara State?

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State had gone back to the Supreme Court and prayed the Apex Court to review its earlier judgment which sacked all the party’s candidates who won the 2019 general election and ordered that candidates of the party that came second in the polls should be declared winners.

The Supreme Court had, on May 24, ruled that the APC did not conduct valid primaries in ahead of the 2019 general elections in Zamfara.

The Apex Court in a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel decided that a party that had no valid candidate cannot be said to have emerged winner of the elections.

It therefore, declared the first runnersup (PDP Candidates) in the 2019 general elections in the State as the winners of all the offices earlier declared to have been won by the APC and its candidates.

Not satisfied with the Supreme Court judgment, APC, through its Counsel, Robert Clarke, filed an application on June 17, 2019, asking the apex court to “review, amend, correct and/or set aside the consequential orders” contained in the May 24, 2019 judgment of the apex court.

But Apex Court last Tuesday, reserved ruling in the application, asking it to review the earlier judgment which nullified the victory of the candidates of APC at the 2019 general election in Zamfara

Bello Matawalle

Sani Yerima, a former governor, wooing Matawalle

State.

A five-member panel of the Apex Court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad had reserved judgment in the appeal after parties in the matter adopted their written addresses and said the date for its judgment in the appeal will be communicated to the lawyers.

Adopting their addresses, the APC’s Lawyer, Clarke prayed the Court to grant his clients’ application by setting aside the consequential order which gave victory to the PDP’s candidates in Zamfara State and order the APC to conduct fresh primaries.

However, the Kabiru Marafa-led faction which initiated a suit that led to the sacking of APC candidates through their Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome asked the Apex Court to dismiss the application and award huge costs against the applicants’ lawyer.

Consequently, the Supreme Court at its sitting last Friday dismissed the application filed by APC for a review of its sacking from government in Zamfara State after the 2019 elections.

The Apex Court in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro ruled that the application for a review filed by the APC is, “vexatious, frivolous and a gross abuse of Court process”, and awarded cost of N2million to be paid to the First to 140 respondents.

With the judgment now, the hope of APC to take over Zamfara has vanished legally, but can the party still succeed politically or diplomatically by making the sitting governor with other elected and appointed persons join its fold?

While the Supreme was yet to deliver judgment on the review, APC had started making overtures to Governor Matawalle to dump his present platform (PDP) for the ruling party at the centre.

Recently, an APC Chieftain, Ahmed Yarima who is a former Governor Zamfara State and three-term Senator was quoted to have confidently said Governor Matawalle will switch political allegiance to APC soon.

Yarima, who as governor appointed Matawalle as the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Local Government, said the political switch is in the works and is “most likely”.

“Yes. We are working and we are talking. Every politician tries to get more people to their party especially Governors. If I can have Governors with me, the party will be better off. I think we have gone very far,” he declared.

Similarly, the Marafa faction of APC had called on the governor to defect to the ruling party with assurance if he dumps PDP and joins APC, they would adopt him as their leader and cooperate with his administration for the good of the state.

Zamfara State Commissioner for Rural Development, Abdullahi Tsafe, a member of the Marafa faction of APC said their decision was based on the governor’s effort to restore peace in the state.

The governor had appointed members of the APC under what he tagged an “allinclusive government” and Tsafe was one of the appointees into the PDP-led government.

The Commissioner said they have noticed the Governor’s outstanding leadership qualities which led to the restoration of peace, and his defection would come with a lot of advantages especially in terms attracting federal government’s projects.

According to him, Zamfara stands to reap a lot of benefits from the federal government because there is mutual respect between Governor Matawalle and President Muhammadu Buhari.

PDP and opposition role in ...

Federation (SGF) is the clearinghouse for cabinet matters and not the office of the Chief of Staff?

“Or is it a case of throwing decency and a little bit of humanity the party might still have to the dogs, in a bid to gloat over Mallam Kyari’s situation vis-a-vis his role as President Buhari’s key aide?”

According to the group: “Only mischief-makers bent on making political capital out of everything would issue such a farcical statement when it is common knowledge that it is the SGF that treats memos from cabinet members and passes them on for discussion at FEC meetings.

“And by the way, only an irresponsible group would indulge in fake news by suggesting that ‘some Presidency officials, as well as some state governors and other high profile officials and individuals reportedly tested positive to the virus.’

“But in spite of PDP’s poorly-disguised bad-belle, Nigeria under President Buhari has the least Coronavirus infection rate and figures in the world, relative to population figures, and this government has continued to show capacity in containing

Lai Mohammed, minister of information

the spread of the virus.”

The group further said that “All issues concerning the management of Coronavirus have been taken to the public space, inclusive of the self-isolation of one of the President’s daughters, so also was the testing of both the President and the Vice President that were returned negative.”

It also wondered why the opposition party was always looking at capitalising on any challenging situation in the country to play partisan politics.

“We shudder at the sheer lack of humanity in the leadership of a party that is always looking at milking every seeming challenge confronting Nigerians.

“This party has proved that it has no qualms in engaging in needless political exhibitionism to keep its name on the pages of national dailies.

“Yet, this same PDP has not shown that it appreciates that the world is in the midst of a crisis by holding a rally at a time responsible groups were banning large gatherings and where its leaders, including a state governor, used Covid-19 to make morbid political jokes.”

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Sunday 29 March 2020

Politics Nigeria is not practising democracy but civil rule - Ugwumadu Malachy Ugwumadu is the immediate past national president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Right (CDHR). In this exclusive interview with INIOBONG IWOK, he assesses the human rights record of the current administration and suggests what Nigeria must do to deepen democracy, among other issues. Excerpts: You took over CDHR and revived the organisation; could you please share some of your experience? hanks for starting with the comments you started with, and it appears you have your fact. What you said is true; it was the reality and it was not peculiar to CDHR alone it cut across the first general civil society organisations in Nigeria. Across the country, CLO was the first civil society to be formed in 1987 and then two years later the CDHR was set up as the second civil society organisation and it has been sustained till now. Kudos to the founding fathers, but CDHR and the other first generation civil society groups were formed in response to the very autocratic military regimes that we had; we needed to evolve something like that.

So, they were structured to engage a very brutal regime, it became the tool to engage a brutal government we had then. When we returned to civil rule, this organisation also needed to change in terms of its operations to conform to the contemporary civilian rule, the people-driven government, but we were able to realise that the posturing was different. It took a while for this organisation which was set up during the military regime in Nigeria, during dictatorship and high volatile environment to turn its operation around.

Meaning that it created contradictions and force within the same group as to the output and the way forward and created a question of who are we now and what was next? The fact we had devoted energy to protection of human rights does not mean that I went to school to study activism; it was because we can’t sit and watch the rot to continue.

We are also pro-democracy organisation; pro-people you cannot rule out the fact that CDHR is one of the most successful organisations. When I took over, we had 15 branches; but when I was leaving it had increased to 28 branches. People are free to participate in government, but as an elected member of this organisation you must resign. That time was a process of indiscretion for the pro-democracy organisation, I was also the national secretary of JACON led by the Chief Gani Fawehinmi, from 1996-1999, a lot of the pro-democracy activist in the country were members- Falana, Onitiri Abiola, Femi Aborishade and the rest. What happened is that there was not much faith in the transition programme of the military administration.

There was the belief that we should not focus on the transition programme so that participatory democracy can be guaranteed.

it was in the past and previous dispensations.

The funding and the manipulation of the judiciary process are high. So, when you don’t have all of this in place you can’t be talking of democracy. At the moment we have civil rule and not democracy. All of us sacrificed a lot; look the late, Ken Saro-Wiwa, the Abiola’s family; all these are heroes of the past. We sacrificed for human rights in the country.

We are getting a far more disturbing state of human rights in the country now.

T

There is the perception that activism has nosedived in Nigeria in recent years; do you agree?

I had alluded to the fact that there was redemption in momentum. For example, in CDHR, it look like a magic, it took lot of hard work when I came on board because it was mass movement; they were existing but they

Are you worried about the human rights record of this administration?

It is worrisome, look at your colleagues, from Sowore, Agba Jalingo they were attacked and imprisoned. They go out to attack and muzzle the media; it is a former American president that said; ‘if you give me a large military and a free press, I would take free press to drive democracy’. The place of the media and the press is very important and the constitution gives the press the power to hold government accountable to do their work.

The freedom of information bill is there to hold them accountable; it gives the press the constitutional right to check; any effort to undermine this power as pillar of democracy is the reason we are getting this resistance in the way you are seeing.

Malachy Ugwumadu

were not vibrant as they were and we had a national secretariat which was virtually nonexistent. I took over an empty hall as an office and we rebuilt and turned the organisation into the one that had public image; that was the building procured under the late Bola Ige. We had visionary leaderships like Beko Ransom Kuti, the late Iyayi who was the former ASUU national president and at this time when I resumed we did so much with all modernity to the organisation. We brought CDHR to the consciousness of Nigerians and made it a mass movement, prime to defend the rights of Nigerians. We rebuilt the structure of the organisation. For a long time, the organisation was not registered; since it was founded under the military, it was part of the group’s belief, that we would not need a certification of the government to validate our right to belong to an organisation. Today, the organisation is stronger, we are more powerful, we have more activists and comrades from Kaduna State in the organisation and we had the AGM at Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna State.

If you are talking about activism noisedevising, I think what happened was that there was proliferation of civil society organisations in the country. When you talk of CDHR in those days, you did not hear of YAGA, SERAP and the rest across the

country; things have changed. Perhaps, may be, you are looking for confrontational approach; civil society used to have that in the past and for us it was important then because we were dealing with an oppressive military regime, but now the issues we are dealing with are about governance, legislation etc.

The civil society is doing the advocacy, the FoI bill is not an executive bill, and it was from the media right group. The administration of criminal justice bill, the #NotTooYoung Bill and the rest are efforts of the civil society.

You don’t carry placards at that level; you have to intelligently lobby and talk to the appropriate authority at that level. You have to come up with legislation that would benefit the people. We had a lot of civil society directing the space now and a lot of them are doing something different; a lot of the people are doing several things; electoral reforms, gender, etc. Quite a lot of effort is being made; it may not be with the same momentum, but these are people who came together to make contributions; similarly after the military left the founding partners concentrated their effort into other areas. Those people are now focusing attention on other major issues, like displacement, gender issues, environment, water and the rest.

The independence of the judiciary has come into question in this administration; as

What are the things to put in place to get our democracy on the right track?

Our democratisation is not only by the deficiency of our electoral laws, it has suffered several deficiencies and so much needs to be done and put in place to regain confidence of the people. Justice is rooted in the confidence of the people; we should change this attitude of thinking the media can be muzzled. The role of the media cannot be overemphasised.

There had been electoral changes over the years; there is hardly any election circle where there is no electoral amendment.

What is your view on the clamour for restructuring of the country?

It is important; in the last few years we have had national conference, but it was not sovereign national conference; they said that it was too revolutionary and they were scared of it.

That brought about the change of the word from a sovereign national conference to national conference. The national conference happened in virtually all the regimes and civilian administrations, but nothing happened because the sovereign was not there and it is what would bring life to the conferences. We shy away from restructuring, but it is inevitable. What we also need is a reform in the way that we carried out the affair of the country. We should give power of governance to the people; it is within their right; you need to empower Nigerians to take over the governance of the country. If you want to pursue economic restructuring; you may continue to hear that Nigeria is very rich but the people are poor.

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Politics Edo, Ondo polls: Politicians back in trenches as COVID-19 halts political activities

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Iniobong Iwok

s the lockdown associated with the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country continues there has been an increasing fear among Nigerians that gubernatorial elections scheduled for Edo and Ondo State may be affected if the current situation continues for some time.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed Saturday, September 19, 2020 as the date for the governorship election in Edo State and Saturday, October 10, 2020 for Ondo State.

In the last few days, the number of persons infected with the Covid 19 has continued to increase in the country; resulting in different states taking measures to deal and contain a further spread of the disease.

The Federal Government including several states such as Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Edo, Cross River, Ekiti, Kwara, Bauchi, Ogun and Osun have also ordered most of their workers to sit at home, while these states have equally shut their borders.

In Lagos State, private businesses except those selling food and other eatables have equally been shut down.

The Lagos State House of Assembly Friday passed a bill that would ensure anyone found guilty of violating government’s stay-at-home or close down order to be jailed for one month.

The bill also stated that the jail term could only be substituted with 100,000 naira fine or 3 months community service.

However, considering the current logjam across the country, there is the increasing fears among political observers that preparation for gubernatorial elections which are scheduled to hold in Edo and Ondo may be affected especially since the primaries of the Ondo gubernatorial election had already been fixed for July.

The current situation, is, however, beginning to have serious effect on political activities across the country, with most political parties have suspended their political activities and gathering till further notice.

In the last few days, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also postponed indefinitely the conduct of four senatorial by-elections as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Th e c o m m i s s i o n s a i d r e c e n t l y through Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee that the by-election, which included Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts, Imo North Senatorial District and Plateau South Senatorial District, were postponed until the situation normalised.

He recalled that INEC received notification of vacancies for the Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts following the swearing into

Femi Gbajabiamila

Femi Gbajabiamila

office of Senator Diri Duoye and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, respectively.

Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease, political campaign in both states of Edo and Ondo appeared to have gathered momentum ahead of governorship election.

Several aspirants have already indicated their interest to contest the election.

In the last few weeks, more than 15 aspirants have indicated interest, mainly in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat Akeredolu in Ondo State, who is currently facing

internal wrangling.

In Edo State, the ruling APC in the state has been in turmoil for some time now, largely due to the supremacy battle between the Governor of the state and his political godfather and national chairman of the party, Adam Oshiomhole Oshiomhole just survived an attempt to remove him from office, amidst several Court orders Political observers have predicted that the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki may likely get the People’s Democratic (PDP) governorship ticket in the event that he is denied a second term ticket by the APC, especially with the defection to APC of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a two-time governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

Observers are, however, of the opinion that with the lockdown in the country and current state of affairs, INEC has no choice than to review all dates for elections it had fixed, depending on how long the lockdown it lasts.

“We have seen that this is not what we wanted; political activities for now are suspended in the parties. But since we have found ourselves here, I think there must be a review of all dates for elections by INEC after this,” Wale Ogunade, lawyer and National president, Voter Awareness Initiative, said.

Speaking on the current state of affairs, a former chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Tunji Shelle, said he expected INEC to use this period and put its house in order, stressing that it was necessary that all political activities were suspended for the mean time.

According to him, “No one can predict when this would be over; our prayer is that it does not last long and get out of hand. If things remain like this for some time, no one can talk.

“INEC should look out; they should not allow infraction; INEC should use this period to put its house in order; it is only when we are alive that we can have election.

“I was in Ondo State as the chairman of the PDP appeal committee and we had to suspend it because of the situation on ground.”

Shelle further said: “I think may be, INEC can review the dates of elections and by-election that had been fixed before the outbreak of the disease to give more time for people to prepare for such elections”.

Lanre Oshogboye, former national youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP), said that his party was not ready for any election for now, stressing that even the ones conducted in the past were not free and fair.

“With what is on ground, political activities are suspended for now in our party; with what is happening, if you call us for election we would not compete.

“God willingly, this would pass, but is not about conducting elections; are the elections free and fair? These are the questions we should ask, but it appears we are not serious and some people have hijacked INEC,” he said.

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Sunday 29 March 2020

Politics APC’s internal rumpus swept under the carpet of COVID-19 INIOBONG IWOK

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t has been proven that without life, all human ambition pales into insignificance. This is evident in the completely non-existent political activities in the country at the moment, despite the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published dates for party primaries and off-season gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Edo States. The two states are currently being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to INEC timetable, primaries in Edo State should begin on June 2nd to June 27th, while election was slated for 19th September, 2020.

All campaigns were to end on 17th September, 2020.

For Ondo State, primary elections should begin on 2nd July to 25th July, 2020. Election date was fixed for 10th October, 2020 after party campaigns must have stopped on 8th October, 2020. But nobody is talking about the elections that had generated a lot of ruckus.

In the month of February, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole was going in and out of the Presidential Villa, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the crisis that nearly ended his tenure, rather abruptly.

Other factions in the crisis were no less strangers to the seat of power in Abuja as they too were regular callers to report the state of the party to the President.

Ordinarily, Nigerian could have been seeing more of such consultations now that dates for the gubernatorial primaries are fast approaching, but that is not happening.

The outbreak of the coronavirus in Nigeria and its invasion of the Aso Rock Villa, in the main, appear to have cast a lull over party activities and general politicking in the land.

Again, were it not for the COVID-19, the Nigerian citizens would have had the opportunity to assess the potency of the mediation work done by President Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the party, in leadership crisis that rocked the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that it was just a few days after the President’s intervention that the coronavirus issue took over discourse and attention of everyone without allowing the effect of the reconciliation to be assessed.

The party was nearly torn apart recently following the attrition war between Oshiomhole and some forces that insisted on his sack.

For several months, the national chairman has been at loggerheads with the governor of his state, Godwin Obaseki over the control of party machinery in Edo. At the heat of the crisis, in a matter of 24 hours Oshiomhole was sacked,

Adams Oshiomhole

Muhammadu Buhari

Bola Tinubu

Yekini Nabena

Lanre Isa-Onilu

reinstated and rejected by different institutions. First, it was a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja that suspended him from parading himself as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a judgment delivered by Justice Danlami Senchi, the judge had ordered Oshiomhole to step down pending the determination of the substantive suit seeking his removal as the APC national chairman.

Not accepting the suspension order clamped on him, Oshiomhole had got a Federal High Court in Kano State to set aside the ruling of an FCT High Court that had upheld his suspension from the party.

While the legal imbroglio was on, Mustapha Salihu, national vice chairman, North East zone of the party, had insisted that Oshiomhole suspension subsists.

Despite the fence-mending by the President, a few days ago, a former publicity secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena announced himself as the party’s acting national publicity secretary. He

claimed that his action was based on a subsisting court order issued by a Sokoto High Court restraining the APC from appointing or electing “Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu or any member” into the office except through a National Convention as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

In a statement announcing his takeover, Nabena said: The APC is a law-abiding party and as leaders of the party, we must be seen oing the right thing at all times, including respecting the order of the court. In view of this, MallamOnilu has begun the process of vacating the order of the Sokoto State High Court restraining him but pending the time this will be done, I will act in his position.”

Describing the APC internal wrangling as not yet over despite Buhari’s intervention, a politician, who asked not to be named, told BDSUNDAY that the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo present yet another ground for fresh macabre dance in the party, adding that it is the coronavirus that has shifted attention, momentarily.

I think for now, the crisis has been swallowed up by a bigger problem, the coronavirus. It will soon show up. If you tell a child to sweep a rugged sitting room (parlour), chances are that that child would be pushing the dirt under the rug. On the face value, you will see that the place is clean, but you will only get to discover accumulation of dust/dirt on the day you decide to check something under the rug. The Edo and Ondo elections present yet another opportunity to see how deep-rooted the spirit of reconciliation in the hearts of the warring politicians,” he said.

According to him, “Don’t forget that there are those who are not comfortable with the re-nomination of Obaseki in Edo or Rotimi Akeredolu in Ondo as the party’s standard bearers for the elections. Until that is sorted out we then know that the reconciliation was total. But if you ask me, I would say that it seems to me that they are bidding their time pending the end of the coronavirus scourge.”

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Politics Communication expert sets agenda for Rivers’ new PDP chairman-elect Ignatius Chukwu

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he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has elected a new chairman in the person of the former ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor. He has been the Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA). Now, a communications expert who once worked with Akawor at the GPHCDA sees greater bust of energy and creativity laced with visibility and elevation on the way. He has also poured out advice to make the new helmsman ride the turf. He has however urged the new boss to borrow a leaf from South Africa where the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) sets standards and targets and thus forces the local councils to meet it or be barred from further offices. He says grassroots development is yawning for attention and this must be the focus of the new PDP helmsman.

Akawor was born on December 1, 1964, in Egberu Ndoki in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. He is seen as loaded with political and administrative expertise. Apart from being a former ambassador, he also was Minister of State, FCT, former Executive Director, Projects, of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), former GM/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), one-time Commissioner for Water Resources & Rural Development , former Commercial Manager, First Aluminum Plc, Director General, Nyesom Wike Campaign Organisation 2015 & 2019, etc.

A crop of bureaucrats and professionals in the state led by Dagogo Josiah reacted to the development, saying Akawor is truly carefully chosen. According to the communications expert and former media manager at the GPHCDA, “A time comes in the affairs of a people to realise some ideals. I was a reporter in the heydays of military rule, between 19’92 and 1995 before leaving for Lagos as pioneer editor of the stillborn Patriot newspaper.

“Journalists were at the frontline of the fight to democratise and were frequently detained. The incarceration of Olusegun Obasanjo was the height of the repression. Then, the pro- democracy returnees simply failed to remain bound to the idea of a unity of purpose, angled for leftovers voting for their bellies.

“This led to the poor management of President Obasanjo in crucial areas like a new constitution and restructuring and expansion of the Nigerian economy culminating in stasis, stagnation and despair,” he said.

“At the Rivers State level, PDP tried to move the state forward and scored with the flagships of improved power generation of Gov.Odili and the mass road networks and bridges of Gov. Wike.

Amaechi also tried with new schools and hospitals projects.

Governor Wike

“Ambassador Akawor has an enviable profile cutting across councils and climes. He has been in the State Executive Council, Federal Executive Council, and Diplomatic Corps where he served as Nigerian ambassador to South Korea. As a humane and mild- mannered man that he is, he is very much the man wanted to hold the levers toward participation at the grassroots. Greater participation by a majority of the people remains the answer to alienation and godfatherism,” Josiah said.

Josiah noted that Akawor managed the campaigns and PDP won the last two governorship elections. The key task before him now is to organise the grass-

Desmond Akawor

roots, compile and publish a comprehensive register with photos and sanitise the delegates college. From here the people’s choices would emerge.

He went on; “This cannot be the choice of a single strongman who will now impose all the councillors, chairmen, Assembly men senators and members of the House of Reps. Heavens forbid. Ambassador Akawor is of a liberal temperament capable of levelling the playing field for the emergence of popularly accepted leadership in our great Party, PDP. It is important for him to continue with the grooming of visionary leaders prepared to serve the people and not themselves alone.”

Dagogo Josiah, urges new pdp boss to apply South Africa’s anc style on local govts

Pointing to areas of focus, he said; “Devise internal mechanism to evaluate the performance of Local Government chairman annually, objectively. If any is fund to perform poorly, such ones should be replaced and never to return to hold public office again. The African National Council (ANC) in South Africa uses this mechanism and follows it strictly.

Akawor has already made a strong statement during his acceptance remarks when he said gave credit to who it is due by commending Gov Wike for growing the PDP to become the most formidable and stable state chapter in Nigeria.

He said Wike has been a worthy ambassador of the PDP through his superlative performance since 2015. He added that members of the new Rivers State Working Committee will serve the party and lead it to greater achievements.

He assured the party of the loyalty and commitment of the new executive committee.

Akawor said that the leadership and membership of the new Rivers State PDP Executive Committee will always stand by Governor Wike throughout his administration.

Wike, while addressing the congress, said that PDP remains a force in Rivers State because his administration delivers on its development agenda. He said: “We must continue to do what will sustain the hope our people have in government.

If INEC conducts credible elections at any time, PDP candidates will win all the positions.”

Governor Wike called on the party to continue to support the State Government for the benefit of Rivers people.

“The party must continue to support the State Government. Don’t allow anyone to deceive you into distracting the State Government. This is a time for governance,” he said.

This, the governor can be sure, Akawor will do.

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Sunday 29 March 2020

Consumer Watch LASCOPA marks World Consumer Rights Day ... Tasks consumers on sustainable consumption Stories by Ngozi Okpalakunne

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onsumers have been urged to practise sustainable consumption in order that human needs can be met not only in the present, but also in the future.

Chairperson, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Funmi Falana who gave the advise recently in Lagos at a press briefing organised by the Agency to mark this year’s World Consumer Rights Day which came under the theme, ‘The Sustainable Consumer’, explained that when sustainable consumption is practised, resources are used wisely and waste products and pollution are minimized. “ Th e m a i n w a y t h i s i s achieved is by doing more and better with less. In other words, we can find ways to meet our needs and desires without depleting our planets finite natural resources,” she said.

According to her, “This might include carpooling, using renewable energy sources, such as biofuels for our transportation needs and using environmentally friendly cleaning products.’’

Explaining further, she said that practising sustainable consumption can ensure that the environment has resources available long in to the future.

She observed that in most industrialised and developed nations, consumption is not sus-

L-R: Jide Oduyebo, Board secretary, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA); Funmi Falana, chairman, Board of LASCOPA; Kemi Olugbode, general manager, LASCOPA, and Lanre Alayande, a Board member, during a press briefing organised by LASCOPA to mark this year’s World Consumer Rights. are burned, more consumption to meet their basic living needs. tainable.

“Take for instance, subsistence Driving her point home, Falana means more pollution. farming which is farming that “This level of consumption said: “Their products and services rely on too many resources and cannot be sustained due to the provides only the farmer’s needs create too many harmful emis- depletion of non-renewable re- without surplus for the market, sions when consumed. Take for source and the adverse effect requires the clearing of woodinstance, Nigeria relies on non- to the environment. Of course, lands to make room for farms renewable fossil fuels for her unsustainable consumption pat- and is one of the leading causes transportation needs. As more terns are not just a problem for of deforestation. This will lead drivers hit the roads and more fuel developed countries, but also for to environmental damage such as soil erosion, drier climates and is consumed, fossil fuel reserves many developing countries”.

To her, the consumption pat- higher levels of carbon dioxides in are depleted, and because fossil fuels emit greenhouse gasses tern in Nigeria is unsustainable the atmosphere,” Falana added.

However, she stressed the into the atmosphere when they as the citizens exploit the natural

Honda partners Enyo to reward customers …kicks off promo

LASG trains traders on proper milk handling

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n order to reward their customers across the country, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited in partnership with Enyo Retail and Supply recently kicked off a sales promotion of HR-V SUV car in Lagos.

The promo, which came under the theme, ‘March into Easter with the real deal’, will witness reduction in the price of the product which was launched into the Nigerian market early last year.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Lagos to announce the partnership and the sales promotion, Managing Director of Enyo Retail and Supply, Abayomi Awobokun expressed his excitement for the commencement of a partnership which he said looked very much like the start of so much more collaborations between the two brands.

Awobokun emphasised that Enyo was committed to whatever that makes the life of her teeming customers and the average Nigerian better and appreciated the team from Honda for the initiative behind the Honda

HR-V SUV. Head of Sales, Honda Automobiles West Africa, Remi Adams who also spoke at the briefing, affirmed that the partnership was to achieve certain solutions that would in the long run yield to customers satisfaction.

“Our core objective is to ensure that our customers are satisfied with our products and services and our coming together as brands with like mind interest will bring lots of benefits to our customers,” he said.

According to him, Honda HR-V SUV was designed and assembled in Nigeria, adding that it is suitable for Nigerian roads and the peculiarities associated with the West African terrain.

On the benefit of promo that will last for thirty days, he said each buyer is entitled to two years free car services at any Honda service centre nationwide as well as free 50 thousand naira Enyo Velox card.

Corporate Development Lead of Enyo, Banjo who spoke on the Enyo Velox card said it was the latest innovative solution by Enyo to ensure that all her customers experience maximum value and ease at any of her fuel stations.

“With the Enyo Velox card, the days of being cautious of being cheated by a pump attendant are over. The Velox card tracks your purchases and digitalises your transaction, among other benefits,” he said.

need for consumers to establish mindful shopping habits and choose products based on their impact on the environment, adding that ninety percent of plastic is not recycled and 1.3 billion tons of food gets trashed every year in Nigeria.

“There are many harmful chemicals and plastics in household products from beauty and cleaning products to clothing and food storage containers, Chemicals end up in our water and food supply. Toxins are everywhere and waste is clearly a problem. So, it is on us to educate ourselves and make conscious choices about what we consume for the health of our bodies and our planets.

“Sustainability begins at home, look around your houses and make sustainable swaps for products you use. Recycle your plastic containers and store your food in glass containers. Opt for reusable cleaning clothes instead of paper towel and use reusable food wrap instead of ziploc bags. By finding eco-friendly alternatives, you are limiting your exposure to the toxins in plastic, cutting down on waste and saving money in the long,” she said.

General manager, LASCOPA, Kemi Olugbode affirmed that the Agency since inception has not only educated consumers on their rights, but had also executed policies that protect consumers’ rights in the state. Olugbode also appealed to manufacturers in the country to be mindful of what they produce for consumption.

s part of efforts to guarantee the protection of consumers from the dangers of unwholesome products, Lagos State Government has commenced the training of traders in the proper handling and sales of powdered milk.

The training which began with market men and women in Ojuwoye market in Odi Olowo/ Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), to ensure that traders are well enlightened was organised by Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) in collaboration with Ala Food, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd and FrieslandCampina.

Addressing participants at the sensitisation programme, the general manager of LASCOPA, Kemi Olugbode said that the event was organised to give proper orientation to traders on the need to avoid unwholesome sale of powdered milk.

She said that the sensitisation which was part of strategy to fulfil the mandate of LASCOPA protecting consumers from the sale

of hazardous products was the first phase, adding that another training would be organised for solely traders of powdered milk.

Continuing, she said that it became necessary to sensitise traders and the general public on the inherent danger in the sales and consumption of powdered milk meant for industrial use after the Agency discovered, through research the trends of indecent handling of powdered milk by traders.

Olugbode further disclosed that keeping milks beside soaps and unhealthy exposure to air has great likelihood to be contaminated; noting that sale of industrial milks in piecemeal over a period of time is not only unhygienic, unacceptable, but also injurious to their health.

The general manager also warned that after the series of sensitisations, if any trader is discovered to be involved in the unwholesome display and sale of powdered milk, LASCOPA would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute such offender.

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COVID-19 Watch Can we make a health security investment to protect us in the long term? – Ihekweazu ponders ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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hikwe Ihekweazu, chief executive officer (CEO) Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has expressed the optimism that Nigeria would learn a great lesson after passing through the current scourge of coronavirus that has ravaged many countries across the globe.

Ihekweazu said: “The most important lesson we can learn is to learn from whatever we are doing. The only reason why China, Singapore and the rest of them were prepared for this better than we are they have the SARs outbreak about 10 years ago that revolutionrised their approach on their health security. They made the investment after the outbreak which led to their preparedness for what they are doing this time and that is why they have all the things they now used to respond to this outbreak.”

According to him, “It is the same for Singapore and Vietnam.

To a large extent, once they understood what they were dealing with, their response became so incredibly well and organised.

Chikwe Ihekweazu

“My message to Nigeria is that we will learn as quickly as possible from this one and we will improve because we are good at responding to emergencies. Where our challenge will be as a country is, can we learn in the long term, can

we learn from this to invest in health security not just for now, but for the future?

“When all of us working for this response will be gone, I will be gone, many of my colleagues will be gone, but as a system and

as a country, can we make a health security investment to protect us in the long term? That is not just a challenge for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it is not a challenge for the Federal Government, and it’s a challenge for all of us in the country.”

The NCDC boss further said: “As a public health physician, our profession, by definition, our profession depends on winning the public. Yes, we advocate for tougher measures. I truly believe that to control this outbreak we really need to win over the trust and confidence, collaboration and cooperations of the Nigerian people.

“If we go too quickly into enforcement people will go underground and we have learned this from many interventions from the past. So, rather than forcing people down, we need people to come out and to work with us, to support each other and if they find someone flouting the advice they have given, it is right of any Nigerian to go after him or her and say listen these few days, do this few things that are required of you and this will keep all us safe. I truly believe that the way for us to suffer as a country is to win over hearts and minds of Nigerians and not to force them.”

Sanwo-Olu rollout economic stimulus for residents, targets 200,000 households in first phase

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ew days after the Lagos State Government issued a stay-at-home directive to residents, in order to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled economic stimulus package for the indigent and the most vulnerable in the society.

The stimulus, which comes in food packs, to be distributed to every local government in the State is aimed at cushioning the effect of the fourteen days stayat-home directive.

Speaking after an on-the-spot assessment of one of the Stateowned food banks, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Agege, Sanwo-Olu said the economic stimulus will reduce the burden of the temporary economic downturn on the citizens caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Governor said the food packs, which were put together by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will reach the most vulnerable communities and households across Lagos, saying that the indigents who rely on daily wages will be given priority.

He said: ‘‘We are here for an on-the-spot assessment, of our

Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos State

readiness, to see how we can fast track some of our stimulus package for our citizens. We are all aware that this is a trying time for our citizens and since the partial drop in economic activities, our government deemed it necessary to reach out to the vulnerable ones in the society.

These people are those that fall below the pyramid, the aged and the physically challenged who

need to move from one part of the city to another for them to have a living. We felt that as a government, the least we can do is to identify them and give them these stimulus packages immediately.’’

The Governor stated that the package will touch at least 200,000 thousand households in the first phase, saying the food packs are produced for a size of six people per household and

would last for at least fourteen days.

“We have packaged dry food stimulus for about two hundred thousand families in the first instance for a household of husband, wife and about four children. We would be giving bags of rice, bags of beans, garri, bread, dry pepper and we are trying to see if we can add water and some elements of vitamin C. Each ration, we believe is going to be able to last them at least minimum 14 days just so our advocacy around stay at home, stay with your loved ones will be respected.

“This is a catalytic initiative of our administration with the hope that well-meaning corporate organisations and private individuals can step up to complement the efforts of the government’’ Sanwo-Olu said.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal earlier said the Government would be working with the existing database of the state - using the Lagos State Social register and 4000 community development association register in 377 wards.

He said the economic stimulus is part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s initiatives tailored towards ensuring that food security is sustained in Lagos.

COVID-19: Numbers being published are grossly under estimated - Johnson ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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deyemi Johnson, a cardiologist and vascular specialist, founder and managing director of First Cardiology Consultants, has raised the alarm that the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria could grow worse in thecomingweeks,months.Johnson raised the concern in a post on his LinkedIn account. “COVID-19 is here and is going to get a lot worse in the coming weeks-months in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, “Our neglected, broken down healthcare system simply cannot handle what is headed our way. The numbers being published are a major under estimation. Nigeria does not have the resources to test extensively.

“Nigeria is on the same trajectory as Italy, Spain and the United State without the resources those countries have. Thousands are going to die barring a miracle of sorts, so you have an idea of the magnitude of the problem.

It is estimated that when the outbreak peaks in Nigeria 4000 ventilators will be needed. Currently, there are less than 200 in the country and none available to buy. The whole world is short supply. The worst part of all of this is we import all our medical supplies; we don’t make a damn thing.

“Most of our young doctors and nurses have gone abroad and are fighting the covid battle in other countries that have embraced them. The more important question is how we get ourselves out of this pit we have collectively dug.

“Pointing fingers is not the solution; perhaps, looking at a mirror will give some insight. We fought Ebola and we will overcome Covid-19.”

Nigeria as at 26, March had recorded 65 cases. Currently, Lagos State is with 44 cases, the Federal Capital Territory is with 12 cases.

Ogun has three cases, While Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Bauchi, Osun and Rivers all have one case each.

However, the Federal Government said it was tracing no fewer than 4,370 people that have contacts with index cases of the novel Coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, made this known last Thursday in Abuja, while giving an update on the measures being taken by the government to tackle the pandemic.

“We have 4,370 people of interest who we are tracing, and we urge those who have had contact with suspected cases to immediately report to the authorities.

In a statement recently, the WorldHealthOrganisation(WHO) Director-General Adhanom Ghebreyesus strongly warned against lifting social distancing measures too soon. “The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence,” he said.

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COVID-19 Watch COVID 19: Contractor threatens to shut down isolation centres in Cross River over non-payment MIKE ABAN, Calabar

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rked by non-payment of their entitlement by the management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), contractors who built the isolation centre for COVID-19 and other vulnerable diseases, have threatened to shut it down. The contractor said that the amount of money owed him is over N68 million.

According to BDSUNDAY investigation, the Centre for Emerging Pathogens Research and Management (UCTH-CEPREM) was started in 2016 in the hospital under the former Chief Medical Director, Thomas Agan and completed in 2017 but the keys were handed over to the management of UCTH 2020 following the spate of Lassa fever and outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Investigations further showed that on November 15, 2016, the management of UCTH awarded the construction of an infectious disease centre (isolation centre) through an award letter UCTH/ CMD/PROG/02M/45 at the cost of N68.7m to Obi Achara Ltd. Briefing newsmen at the weekend, the Managing Director of Obi

Achara Nigeria Ltd, James Obi said that his company decided to hand over the centre because of goodwill and in consideration of the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Obi said he was shocked that after three months nothing has been said or done even suppliers were now threatening to kidnap him over his company’s inability to pay for item they bought from

them since 2016.

“We have written severally to the hospital management over the non-payment of the balance of our payment to the tune of N68million.

“We completed the project and many others as far back as 2017, but they refused to pay us; out of goodwill and the interest of the people, we decided to hand over

the centre with the view to getting payment as promised, but till date we have not heard anything.

“We followed all due process in executing the contractual agreement and happily the centre has become very useful in the outbreak of COVID-19.

“We have written severally to the management all to no avail, we would apply all legal means to close down the centre for the failure of the hospital management to meet their own contractual agreement,” he bemoaned.

When contacted, Chief Medical Director, CMD UCTH, Ikpeme Ikpeme told our correspondent on phone that they were not denying the fact that the contractor built the centre but were going to pay him when funds were available.

His words: “We are not denying that we are owing him, but we pleaded with him to kindly hand over the place to us, which he did and we promised to pay him when funds were available.

“We have not reneged on our promise and we don’t have time lag as far as the payment is concerned but what we said in the agreement was that once funds were available we will pay, and we have not deviated from that,” Ikpeme said.

Controversy erupts over number of ventilators in A/Ibom hospitals ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo

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ow many ventilators does the Akwa Ibom government have in its health facilities? That is the question that has generated debate and controversy since the outbreak of the Coronavirus which requires the medical equipment for those in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

In Akwa Ibom State, though there has been no confirmed case of COVID-19, the state has announced a lockdown from Monday but churches would be allowed to conduct services while praying and fasting for God’s mercies.

But as the number of people who have tested positive for the virus continue to increase, concern has grown amid controversy over the exact number of ventilators that are available in government health facilities in the state.

While the state government says it has 19 ventilators, many residents believe it is far less than the figure given.

The state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is not left out of the controversy, as it has stated clearly that the state govern-

ment has far less ventilators.

An official of the association, speaking on a radio programme stated that the state has only four ventilators, adding that doctors would be putting their lives on the line in the fight against the pandemic without sufficient medical equipment. He described ventilators as critical in combating COVID-19.

According to him, there is no ventilator at the Infectious Disease

Hospital in Ikot Ekpene which is being designated as an isolation centre. “If we say there is no ventilator at IDH, our statement should not be seen to be political,” the NMA official said on a radio programme.

But the state commissioner for information, Charles Udoh, who took some journalists to the multi-specialty hospital in Uyo, said the state government has been proactive in its efforts to curtail the

pandemic.

In a post on his Facebook page, Aniekeme Finbarr, a personal assistant to the governor on media who went with the commissioner said the governor had in January this year acquired 4 new ventilators.

“The Governor had in January this year, acquired four new ventilators and set up world class fully equipped isolated unit, in line with globally approved standards.

“The Isolation Unit has 3 automated beds and other support facilities. “The four new ventilators bring to 19, the total number of ventilators in Akwa Ibom state, with 4 at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, 11 at the Specialty Hospital and 4 at other Government Clinics in the state.”

Quoting an official of the specialist hospital, Udeme Ekrikpo, he said the hospital is equipped by to handle emergency cases including the COVID-19 should the need arise. He also disclosed that a new 1500KVA generating plant in addition to two other plants, are were also recently provided to keep the emergency facilities at full operations, while two new transformers have also been supplied to link the hospital to the nationalgridforpublicpowersupply.

Coronavirus: NIMR ready to flag off free testing ANTHONIA OBOKOH

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he Nigerian Institute of Medical Research is getting ready to flag off free testing for Coro-

navirus.

“If you are interested, please watch out! To this end, we need support from individuals and organisations who may be interested in this goal,” says Babatunde Salako, director-general of the Institute on his Twitter handle @lawalSalako.

In his other tweets, Salako said that the institute was also planning to look at the efficacy of Chloroquine, the barriers to case detection and KAP in the community.

According him, NIRM is involved in testing and diagnosis to support Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on case detection and surveillance.

“We helped in sequencing the index case confirming COVID-19 in the patient and we are currently designing a local kit for diagnosis through research,” he tweeted.

He further twitted that the world is factually at standstill as nations continue to announce lockdown.

“Indeed, this is a trying period for all nations of the world. As we try to combat this pandemic, we also need spiritual guidance and prayers to effectively put the pandemic behind us,” he urged.

Since that day, the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria has risen quite significantly. By the end of Thursday, March 26, the number had jumped to 65, with the addition of 14 new cases that evening.

With that, Lagos clearly established itself as the epicentre of the crisis, accounting for 44 of the 65 cases.

The other states’ shares were as follows: Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 11cases, Ogun has three cases, Bauchi two cases, while Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Osun and Rivers all have one case each.

Three persons have been discharged and only one death has been recorded, said NCDC.

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COVID-19 Watch Coronavirus: Ooni shuts down palace, urges Nigerians to stay at home, avoid rumours

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deyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, has implored Nigerians to stay at home and obey all principles laid down by the federal and state governments in a bid to curb the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

Ooni Ogunwusi gave the advice on Thursday at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile Ife, while addressing newsmen, stressing that the earlier the citizens believe in the abilities of the government to secure them during this challenging period, the better for the entire country.

“The only easiest solution to it is for everyone to stay at home, Covid-19 is not a respecter of anybody and it does not honour anybody.

This is the first time in a very long while that the whole world is having a common problem, we must tackle it together.

“We must look beyond the current negativities attached and look at the lessons embedded in this challenging period of our lives.

Coronavirus teaches high personal hygiene, let us be clean and embrace regular handwashing with clean water and soap.

“It also teaches that Nigeria as a member of the global community should invest in something bigger and also respect nature because we need it to survive, and nature does not need us.

“While staying at home, let us

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

maintain a high level of decency and avoid rumour peddling because panic kills faster than the virus itself. We now have several fake news flying across, let us act responsibly by not instilling fear in one another and it shall be well with us”, the Ooni stated.

Earlier in a statement signed

by Moses Olafare, his director of Media and Public Affairs, the Ooni who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional

Rulers, has shutdown social and cultural activities at the palace with strict restrictions of movement in and out of the palace, saying only visitors with essential mission will be allowed.

The Ooni, according to Olafare, also advised everyone especially those in the local communities to engage in frequent hand washing exercise with clean water and soap, as well as, covering of one’s mouth while coughing or

sneezing.

“We have been implored to restrict our movements only to core places in order to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. Let us abide by these simple rules and principles for our own good, the government and its officials are not trying to usurp our freedom to move around as enshrined in the constitution but only working so hard to protect us. It is on this note and in the interest of all that the Ooni has directed all daily cultural and social activities at the palace be indefinitely shut down. Only those with essential services will be allowed into the palace they must observe the necessary precaution measures already provided at the entrance gate and within.”

“It is equally important to call on our people who have just returned from any of the coronavirus infected countries to observe the self-isolation as recommended by experts and also visit the nearest accredited health facilities nationwide for prompt medical assistance in case of any suspicion or challenges.

“As it stands, Coronavirus has no publicly announced cure worldwide but we can help ourselves and others to prevent it by observing the measures mentioned above.

By the grace of the Almighty Olodumare, it is well with Nigeria, it is well with the whole world”, Olafare said.

Kogi NMA calls for improved measures against COVID-19 …commends Bello for managing Lassa fever patients at state’s treatment centre VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, Lokoja

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he Nigeria Medical Association of Nigeria (NMA), Kogi chapter, has called on the state government to improve on her level of preparedness as no state was immune to the dreaded disease of coronavirus.

In a statement issued by the NMA Chairman, Kabiru Zubair and made available to journalists, it noted that even though Kogi has not recorded any case of COVID 19, it’s bordered by ten states and FCT as well as serve as a major transit point between North and Southern states, making it vulnerable at this time.

The NMA Chairman in Kogi, also praised the government for the ongoing sensitisation on preventive measures against Lassa fever and the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state.

The chairman therefore, advised both the federal and state governments to up the preventive measures, emphasising that healthcare system was too fragile to withstand major outbreaks of

infection as caused by COVID 19.

He equally disclosed that so far 27 confirmed cases of Lassa fever disease from nine local government areas have been reported by the state epidemiologist, adding that no case of COVID-19 has been recorded in the as at March 25, 2020 ‘’The NMA in Kogi in line with directive from her national body hereby issue a press statement in respect of the ongoing contain-

ment exercise of the dual outbreak of infections cause by Lassa Fever virus and Coronavirus.

“This is especially important because of increasing incidence of Lassa fever cases reported in Kogi as well as the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our neighbouring states”.

“The NMA wishes to commend the effort of the Kogi Government so far with respect to case management of Lassa Fever patients at the

treatment centre in Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, as well as the ongoing sensitisation on preventive measures against it”.

According to the statement, ‘’The NMA is aware of some proactive measures taken by Kogi State government so far, such as shutting down of schools and public gathering with effect from March 23, and the ongoing sensitisation of the general public on preventive measures against the scourge.’’

Zubair also disclosed that the proposed isolation centre should be urgently put in place and equipped with medical gadgets like ventilators, stressing that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be made available to healthcare workers.

He equally urged the state government to set up and training and management team that could be co-opted in handling cases of COVID-19, as he reminded the Kogi government on the need to implement the corrected CONMESS for the state doctors, and equally increase the hazard allowance of health care workers in order to attract ànd keep them.

COVID-19: Government urged to collaborate with all hospitals in fight against pandemic UDOKA AGWU, Umuahia

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hristian Uche Anokwuru, a Cleric and Abia State chairman Christian Hospital Association of Nigeria (CHAN) has appealed to both Federal and state governments to carry all hospitals in the country along to collectively fight and curb the corona virus now ravaging the entire world.

Anokwuru, who is also the administrator, Madonna Hospital, Umuahia, made the appeal in his office while speaking with selectgroup ofjournalists,notingthatthiswasnot thetimetosegregateagainststateor federalhospitalsbuttocarryallalong inprovisionofbasichospitalneedsso that the war against the coronavirus could be collective and total.

“I expect government to assist hospitals whether private, Moslem or Christian hospitals by providing basickitslikenon-contactthermometer, facial masks, sanitizers and soaps. This is not the time to leave us to our fate,” he said.

He regretted that prices of facial masks and sanitizers have gone up to over 100percent in the market and if Faith-Based Organisations (FBO) and private hospitals were left to their fate at this time it would not augur well for the fight against the scourge, “As I speak, the facial masks we bought for seven thousand Naira have now gone up to twenty seven thousand Naira; sanitizers have also gone up. We need help,” he said.

Anokwuru, who is also the Health Coordinator Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, maintained that the few centres set up for the test of coronavirus and other related virus across the country of almost 200 million people were not enough, and called on governments at all levels at this time to be proactive, adding that the centres right now were necessary in all states.

The Catholic Church Cleric called on the federal and state governments to do more in sensitizing the people, disclosing that most people living in rural areas were ignorant about the virus.

“Is unbelievable that some people do not believe that coronavirus is in Nigeria and is real. Serious enlightenmentisneeded;IcommendChina for being proactive by containing the virus and I call on the Nigerian government to intensify effort now that the spread is not much,” he said.

He however, commended the Federal Government for the efforts put in place like closure of schools, churches, mosques and public places while he appealed to Nigerians to adhere strictly to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard practice of regular washing of hands, maintaining social distance, regular use of sanitizers and wearing of facial masks.

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Arts Covid-19: Tough time for the arts

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OBINNA EMELIKE hile the world is crying because of coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which has claimed many lives and wrecked economies globally, the art sector is also at the receiving end.

With travel restrictions, and especially the enforcement of lockdown across cities in the world, the art sector is heavily impacted.

At present, all museums are closed, art auction put on hold, ongoing residences cancelled, while art exhibitions are all called off.

It is really a bad beginning for most artists who entered 2020 with the ambition of impacting the sector through their creative ingenuity.

Aspiring artists who hope to hone their crafts in one of the notable art residencies this year are crying out because coronavirus is stopping them. The worse is that nobody knows when the pandemic will be over and how fast businesses will pick up again.

In Nigeria, artists are sober. No one can even sketch, draw, paint or make artistic representation of Covid-19

Visitors at Yinka Shonibare’s exhibtion stand at the art fair

because of it deadly impact.

Everybody is hiding and the industry is facing the harshest lull in a very long time.

Moreover, a few art events that opened the year are worse hit, while those in the pipeline will stay longer because of the devastating impact of the pandemic.

One of the unlucky events is ‘Dis Lagos Life’, a photo exhibition that captions the daily happenings in Lagos.

The exhibition, which opened for public viewing at the Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi on Monday February 24, 2020, probably had visitors for only two weeks before Coronavirus spread stopped people from coming to see the works.

Today, ‘Dis Lagos Life’, which was curated by SMO Contemporary Art, may not see visitors till May 17,2020 when it is supposed to end

because both restrictions on public gatherings and lockdown have kept the public and even guests away from the boutique hotel where it is being displayed.

The six talented artists: Amanda Iheme, Ayanfe Olrinde, Nelly Ating, Oluwamuyiwa Logo, Omoregie Osakpolor and Somi Nwandu are equally sad over the development, which they

cannot help.

However, Alexis Galleries in Victoria Island, Lagos, is counting losses as its two exhibitions are affected by the pandemic spread, “Treads of Infinity”, the gallery’s first exhibition, which opened on Saturday March 14, 2020, did not receive as much visitors as it should through March 21, 2020 when it ended because government had already started restricting public gatherings.

As well, the exhibiting artists, Agbezin Bamidele George and Luke Osaro, two budding visual artists, were not happy for the less impact of the exhibition, which held to commemorate the Women’s History Month anniversary in the month of March, 2020.

Again, ‘Mixed Feelings’, another exhibition, which is billed to open at Alexis Galleries on March 28, 2020 may not open due to the restrictions on public gatherings.

As expected, Olasunkanmi Oyelusi and Adedotun Fashina, the two artists who are featuring 27 recent works in the exhibition of paintings, are sad with the way things turned out.

The gallery is equally sad

that the must-see exhibition of the two artists who are in-house talents of Alexis Galleries may not make the anticipated impact.

There are many other exhibitions that have been canceled due to the restrictions on public gatherings as one of the measures to curtail the spread of the virus.

Art fairs, Easter art auction sales and other art related events in the first quarter of this year are all cancelled as well.

It seems Odia Ofeimun, a foremost poet and writer, was lucky to have celebrated his 70 birthday elaborately earlier this month before the restrictions took effect.

Most of the stage plays will not hold this Easter, especially Man Enough, which the producers hope to show again during the Easter holiday, while dance companies will cease to dance until the pandemic is over.

It is truly a tough time for the sector with no action on stage, no exhibition to see, no book reading or launch, as everybody sits at home for safety.

But some stakeholders noted that the forced holiday should be a time to unleash more creativity as no artist is working under pressure now.

Germany rolls out €50 billion aid package for artists and cultural businesses

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he German federal government is stepping in with a sweeping aid package for the country’s creative and cultural sectors. According to a press release shared by the ministry of culture and reports in the German press, a staggering €50 billion ($54 billion) in backing will be provided.

The news from the ministry comes less than two weeks after Germany first made its promise of support.

“We know the hardships, we know the desperation,” said culture minister Monika Grütters in the statement.

“The cultural sector in particular is characterized by a high proportion of self-employed people who now have problems with their livelihoods.”

She said that the federal government is “wholly aware” of the importance of the creative industries, adding that “[h]elp is coming as quickly and with as little bureaucracy as possible!”

The three-part package, according to the ministry’s statement and a report in

FAZ, includes up to €50 billion ($54 billion) in aid for individuals who are self-employed as well as for small businesses. They state the funding will come in the form grants designed to help with overhead costs like venue rentals and artist studios.

Loans will also be available within the package to help businesses bridge financial bottlenecks. In addition to arts-related individuals and organizations, the funding will support media enterprises, including newspapers.

Some have expressed confusion as to whether the €50 billion sum is going to the culture, media, and creative industries exclusively or if these industries are included as part of a larger bailout of small businesses from the federal government.

Although the Culture Department has suggested it would be distributing the €50 billion, it did not immediately respond to a request for comment to clarify.

In addition to the stimulus money, it states that social security (including unemploy-

ment insurance) will be made available to freelancers for a period of six months. With this, expenses for housing will be recognized to ensure that “everyone can stay in their own home.” To this end, the government is injecting an-

other €10 billion ($11 billion) of support. The legislation also allows tenants to be protected from eviction should they be unable to pay rent.

Loans may also be deferred, and individuals are permitted to ask the tax bureau for a

reduction in their payments or an advance on their tax refunds. [Two artists have told Artnet News that the application is actually “highly bureaucratic” with several forms and over 60 pages of small print.]

Today, England’s art council announced a significantly smaller package of $190 million in support. In New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is calling on the government to give US museums a $4 billion bailout.

The emergency legislation will have important implications for publicly funded institutions and museums. The government says that reclamations of funding are to be avoided in the event that projects cannot be implemented.

Instead, the government will try to tailor existing budgets and adapt funded programs to suit the current needs.

“Our democratic society needs its unique and diverse cultural and media landscape in this historical situation, which was unimaginable until recently,” said Grütters. “The creative courage of creative people can help to overcome the crisis. We should seize every opportunity to create good things for the future.

That is why the following applies: artists are not only indispensable, but also vital, especially now.”

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Arts Nigerian creative industry gains traction with SONTA, Plume & Partners N1b theatre production deal OBINNA EMELIKE

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he Nigerian creative industry, particularly theatre arts, has received a huge boost with a N1 billion theatre production deal sealed recently by Plume and Partner Limited and Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA).

Plume and Partner Limited, a creative content development company, is sponsoring the deal through Campus Prowler, its subsidiary. The production agreement with SONTA was signed in Abuja on Wednesday by Professor Alex C. Asigbo, president of SONTA, and Samuel BobManuel, chief executive officer, Plume and Partners Limited, on behalf of their respective parties.

The theatre production deal is expected to involve over 45 universities and 20 collages of education offering courses in Theatre Arts in movies and documentaries production tagged, Project Hostage, an acronym for Harvest of Stage.

The project with the production cost put at about N1 billion is aimed at bridging the gap between stage and the screen, script to screen play and between theory and practical.

The agreement will culminate in the production of 35,000 hours of audio-visual programmes, spanning 90 epic and contemporary movies of about 120 minutes, 45 minutes advocacy documentaries on any issue of interest and 45 campus series of 20 minutes by the various theatre arts departments of

SONTA and Plume & Partners representatives at the signing of the prodcution agreement in Abuja on Wednesday

high institutions across the country.

Also present at the event were the immediate past president of SONTA, Professor Sunny E. Ododo of the University of Maiduguri, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Benue State University, Professor Doki Gowon and Professor (Barrister) Mabel Evwierhoma of the University of Abuja.

Others are Head of Theatre Arts Department, Uniabuja, Associate Professor Olympus Ejue; Assistance Secretary General, SONTA, Dr. Chisimdi U. Ihentuge as well as Public Relations Officer, SONTA, Dr. Sunday Edum.

Speaking on the project, Bob-Manuel stated that his company was motivated by the need for quality content in the country’s movie industry.

He believed that coming from the professionals, the production would not fall short of standard in both artistic and technical contents.

He disclosed over 88

professors, 122 doctorate degree holders, as well as, over 10,000 theatre arts undergraduate students would be taking part in the audition to be conducted in various set roles.

“Theatre Arts departments are expected to develop scripts for entries in the different categories while Nollywood actors shall be included in lead roles in order to give the movies commercial value.

“Project Hostage shall have a strong academy of judges made up of one nominee each from member universities of SONTA and five nominees from Plume & Partner Limited to rate performances in various categories of awards, which include the best picture and the best actor of each season”, BobManuel explained.

Bob-Manuel added that the partnership would create opportunities for undergraduates of theatre arts to make entries into the movie

Jumoke Verissimo makes Royal Society of London’s Ondaatje Prize 2020 Longlist

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Small Silence’, debut novel of Jumoke Ve r i s s i m o, i s o n the Royal Society of London’s Ondaatje Prize 2020 Longlist, the society announced on March 26, 2020.

The Royal Society of Literature’s Ondaatje Prize is an annual award of £10,000 for a distinguished work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, best evoking the spirit of a place.

The prize is sponsored by Sir Christopher Ondaatje and has been running for the last fifteen years. Previous winners have been Aida Edemariam (2019), Pascale Petit (2018), Francis Spufford (2017), Peter Pomerantsev (2016), and Justin Marozzi (2015). Africans who have been in the running, but never won the award include; Aminatta Forna, Emmanuel

Iduma, and Jamal Mahjoub.

Those who are in the running for this year’s award have been announced by this year’s judges; Peter Frankopan (Chair), Pascale Petit and Evie Wyld and they include Jumoke Verissimo’s novel A Small Silence.

The full longlist is as follows; Jay Bernard, Surge, (Chatto & Windus), Jane Clarke, When the Tree Falls, (Bloodaxe Books), Laura Cumming, On Chapel Sands, (Chatto & Windus), Tishani Doshi, Small Days and Nights, (Bloomsbury Circus), Lucy Ellmann, Ducks, Newburyport, (Galley Beggar Press) and Luan Goldie, Nightingale Point, (HQ Fiction).

Others are; Adam Higginbotham, Midnight in Chernobyl, (Bantam Press), Kathleen Jamie, Surfacing, (Sort of Books), Robert Macfarlane, Under-

land, (Hamish Hamilton), Tim Mackintosh-Smith, Arabs: A 3,000-Year History of Peoples, Tribes, and Empires, (Yale University Press London), Philip Marsden, The Summer Isles, (Granta Books), Robert Minhinnick, Nia, (Seren), Anita Mir, The Inside City, (Unbound Digital), Max Porter, Lanny, (Faber & Faber), Roger Robinson, A Portable Paradise, (Peepal Tree Press), Elif Shafak, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, (Viking), Anna Sherman, The Bells of Old Tokyo: Travels in Japanese Time, (Picador) and Jumoke Verissimo, A Small Silence, (Cassava Republic).

The 2020 shortlist will be announced on Tuesday, April 2020 and the winner will be announced on Monday, May 4, 2020.

industry as they would be featuring in the script developed by respective universities.

Describing the project as the biggest production deal in Nigeria, with SONTA, BobManuel said that, “Though we are not discarding those already in the field because they brought the industry this far. So, to give the production commercial value, actors should be part of the production.

“It is also a very big opportunity for streaming companies, who should go into Nigerian market with the production that we are into partnership with SONTA.” He assured of the participation of intellectual and creative expertise to make the project a success. “It will generate job opportunities for artistic and technical crew, as well as, the undergraduate students not less than 10,000 across various universities who would be vying for various roles in the course of the production. We thank SON-

TA for giving us the opportunity to work with them”, he concluded.

Also explaining the project further, Professor Asigbo, the SONTA helmsman, noted that the project would avail every university offering theatre arts the opportunity to be represented in the production.

According to him, heads of respective theatre arts departments will liaise with lecturers to emerge with quality creative content that will not only meet the yearnings of the viewing audience but will also have commercial value.

To ensure that only the best are selected for production, Professor Asigbo informed that there would be academy of judges that would be drawn from among lecturers in every theatre arts department for screening and selection of the best scripts from both regional and national levels.

Considering that theatre arts department involves a lot of creating writing, he was optimistic that involvement of the academia in movie content would boost the industry with quality content that would take care of several unprofessional movie contents in the market.

For the sake of the project, the president stated that some theatre arts graduates who are already professionals in the field and whose appearances will enhance the production would be brought in to feature alongside the younger generations of artists.

“Every head of theatre arts department is a member of SONTA and they are aware of the kind of contents that

are required for the project.

If not for the break across the country, scripts would have started coming in but they are being developed in all the universities on the various genres of arts including documentary, epic and contemporary movies, soaps and series.

“So, all the heads of theatre arts departments are aware of the partnership. As such, the scripts or contents will not be a problem because that is our work. We are only hopeful that Plume will be able to contain with the deluge of scripts that would be coming from our members.

“For us, it is like a competition for the various theatre arts departments. At that level, the head of departments can liaise with the lecturers in looking at the scripts in terms of quality of content and how it will impact the society when produced”, the professor said.

He further noted that at the theatre arts department level, every script would be analyzed and the best selected to represent the individual theatre arts department in each of the categories.

He urged every university to come up with as many scripts as possible, but also bear in mind that there is a minimum pattern that every script should meet up with before it can go for production.

However, Plume and Partners Limited has stressed the ability and capability of the company to produce as much contents as would be available.

According to the company’s boss, production begins immediately the scripts are ready.

Three contestants evicted from ‘AccessTheStars’ bootcamp, as race to finals tightens

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t was an emotional evening for thousands of viewers at the first evictions from AccessTheStars reality music show recently; three contestants, Janet, Anna James and Amarachi were evicted from the bootcamp after intense competition as race to the finals tightens.

Having scaled through the regional auditions, all 13 contestants were ushered into the bootcamp in Lagos, where exciting finalists were welcomed by hosts Darey Art Alade and Olive Emodi.

All 13 finalists received intense training and masterclasses from seasoned professionals including vocal coach Miss Ige and AccessTheStars music director, Ben Ogbeiwi, popularly known as Uncle Ben. The training ran across

voice and breath control techniques, as well as an exercise session and dance classes.

Coaches also prepared the contestants for their crucial performances at the Judges Stage Show.

Themed “Trading Places,” male contestants at the stage show performed hits by female stars, while their female counterparts were put to task by hit records from male artistes.

An outstanding performance was turned in by Promyze, who received a standing ovation from Seyi Shay following an impressive rendition of the singer’s hit, ‘Right now’.

Ada Gold was showered with praises for her masterful delivery of Labrynth’s ‘Jealous’.

Gabriel Songz’s powerful cover of Adele’s ‘When we were young’ was redemptive, while

Anderson blew the audience and judges away with a stellar performance which was deemed “too perfect.”

Sadly, celebrity judges Seyi Shay, Kaffy, and Tee-Y Mix, each nominated two contestants based on their performance scores, before saving one each. Janet, Anna James and Amarachi were evicted from the show after scoring the lowest on the judges’ sheets.

The remaining finalists will continue their journey in bootcamp.

To watch the performances and keep up with your favourite finalists each week, tune in to Views Channel (8 pm), Wazobia Max (7 pm, 9 pm), Africa Magic (6 pm, 5:30 pm), Sound City (7 pm) and ONTV (7 pm) every Saturday and Sunday respectively.

26

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Sunday 29 March 2020

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

T

Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson

he Corona virus (covid19) pandemic is really taking a toll on the world, and although some badly hit countries have mandated social distancing and work from home, Nigerians are still going about their daily activities.

However, with the recent announcement by the Federal Government to shut down all schools, the restriction of social and religious activities, and the increasing numbers of confirmed positive corona virus cases in Nigeria, it will soon become necessary for most people to self isolate and work from home.

This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono.

According to a communique on Thursday, Echono who gave the order on behalf of the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, also noted that all 104 Unity Schools in the country should close on or before the 26th of March, 2020 as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded Corona virus.

“We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend.

Unity Schools that have completed their exams are to close immediately.

“Others are to hurry and close the latest on 26th March,” the statement partly read.

It has therefore become more important than ever, to have reliable broadband internet service, as more people will depend on online news sources to be informed on the situation of things in the country. Also, students and employees will need the

internet to keep working by sending emails, carrying out research and online financial transactions. Social media activities will also become more necessary during a time of social distancing.

It can really get boring and tiring sitting at home and trying to figure out how to entertain yourself and/ or your children who are back home from school - but here are a few things to keep yourself busy with during self isolation or quarantine season.

1. Clean your house: This is the perfect time to do a thorough house cleaning. Clear out clogged up wardrobes, tidy up your shelves and clean out your house. There’s nothing more relaxing than staying in a clean, fresh and tidy home.

2. Sign up for online classes: Brush up your skills whilst at home.

You can learn how to code, learn a different language, learn how to do makeup on YouTube or how to braid hair. Instead of wasting time doing nothing, you’d have yourself to thank

when you start making extra money because of the added skills you acquired during self isolation.

3. Call your family and friends: There’s no better time to frequently check up on your friends and family by voice and video calling them on the phone. Sometimes we get caught up with work and a busy lifestyle and forget to check up on the our loved ones. Now’s the time to do so. You’d be surprised how fast the day will go by when you’re on the phone catching up on old times and fun memories,

and it works both ways because they’d be glad to hear from you and know that you’re keeping well.

4. Read books: There’s more than enough time now to read all the recommended literature from your book club. Reading helps you to relax while engaging your brain at the same time.

5. Watch movies: Catch up on missed TV series and movies you’ve been longing to watch all year. It’s time to binge watch your favourite tv series and movies on Netflix.

6. Buy food and home supplies: It’s time to stock up your house with food and household supplies. The supermarkets and grocery stores might shut down soon and you wouldn’t want to be stranded at home with no food, so it’s a good idea to buy all the essentials now.

7. Games and activities for children: Try and keep your kids busy by creating play activities that engage them. Playing board games like scrabble or Ludo, playing computer games or creating obstacles courses outdoors will help keep them busy during their time at home.

8. Stay physically active: Even if you can’t go to your local gym, try and stay physically and mentally active by going for a walk and getting some fresh air. Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t go outside.

Also try and lift some weights or do some sit ups in your house. Early morning exercise keeps you energised all day.

It is important to know that voluntary social distancing is key to mitigating the spread of Covid-19. In the grand scheme of things, lying low for a little while is a small sacrifice to make for the increased safety of all.

Ways to successfully trim your fringe while social distancing

I

IFEOMA OKEKE

nexplicable boredom is a perfectly acceptable reason to get a haircut. You can’t put your finger on why, but you want a change — maybe a new bang shape or a shoulder-skimming lob — so you book an appointment with your stylist. Of course, given the fact that some salons are closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, the familiar impulse is out of reach.

All this means that you might be bored at home right now and hyperaware that your fringe hasn’t seen scissors in months. You might even be thinking: Maybe I should just trim it myself? But before you do that, it’s important to proceed with caution.

To help, we tapped three professional hairstylists to share their advice.

Keep reading for the ultimate stepby-step guide to the DIY fringe trim.

First, try to wait it out We can’t talk about the at-home bang trim without having you answer one important question: Do you

really need to cut your own fringe?

“I would wait it out, if you can,” says Bumble & bumble stylist Erickson Arrunategui.

“This is not the time to panic cut.

You’ll end up FaceTiming your mum in tears with a botched fringe.” Olivia Casanova, a fellow NYC-based stylist out of IGK Salon echoes the advice.

“I think it’s best to just wait until you can see a professional,” she explains.

“In the meantime, push them or pin them to the side. It gives you a good chance to play around with hair accessories.”

If you must trim, use proper scissors If you can’t wait to trim your fringe, make sure you find a pair of sharp, fine-tipped scissors. “I’d recommend ordering a new pair of hair scissors, ones with a very sharp, thin tip,” says Arrunategui.

If you’re looking to make do with what you have around the house, Isabel Azocar, a stylist out of Ian McCabe Studio in Washington D.C., recommends grooming scissors.

“In a pinch, you could use brow scissors, beard-trimming scissors, or even the tiny cuticle scissors that come in manicure kits,” Azocar says.

“The smaller the blades, the smaller the likelihood of error. Whatever you do, don’t use a pair of kitchen or office sheers.”

Cut on dry hair with no tension “Wet hair trends to shrink up when it dries,” explains Arrunategui. “So if you cut your hair when it’s damp, you’ll likely end up with a shorter result than you intended once it’s all dry. For that reason, it’s best to cut dry hair using little or no tension, so you don’t accidentally take off more than you mean to.” Casanova agrees and also recommends blowing out your fringe with a hairdryer beforehand, if that’s how you normally style them. Again, this lowers the risk of surprises in the end.

Work in small sections Once you have your sharp scissors and dry, styled fringe, pull the rest of your hair back and gather your fringe together. “You want to section your bangs horizontally in half — clipping the top half up with a barrette or hair pin — then start by trimming the bottom layer,” Azocar recommends.

“You’ll want to start cutting in the middle, starting at your part, and slowly work your way outwards to each side. Once you’ve trimmed

the bottom layer, let the top section down, comb it all together, and use the under layer as a guide.”

Make sure you take your time and only dust your ends. You can always cut more by repeating this process, so remove only the smallest amount of hair to start.

Cut into the hair, not across it The best technique for bangtrimming is called point cutting, which involves cutting into the hair as opposed to slicing straight across.

“Point cutting is when you hold the scissors vertically and cut into the fringe,” explains Azocar.

“It allows you to barely chip away at the split ends and avoid any harsh lines.”

Keep in mind that since you’re using sharp scissors you might not be familiar with, it’s very easy to cut yourself (or an eyebrow), so be very careful. Arrunategui agrees, adding one final note: “Work in micro movements, and keep in mind, less is more,” he says. “Or actually, maybe don’t cut your own fringe.”

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BDSUNDAY 27

BookReview The Go-Getter Subtitle: A supernatural Achiever Pages: 113 Author: James Akpeokhai Publisher: Advert planet and Communications Reviewer: Kelechi Ewuzie.

J

ames Akpeokhaiis an insightful teacher and a coach in Nigeria.

He is a successful businessman and prolific writer with several published books including: One Thousand years of collective experience -Life Tips from Twenty of the world’s Gazillionaires.

His new book, The Go-Getter (A supernatural Achiever) is an insightful rendition, which offers the author an opportunity to explain the constituent elements and attributes of the human being namely the mind, thoughts, attitude, habit, gifts and ‘ character.

The Go-Getter is a book printed with artistic cover page design that speaks to its contents and intents.

The book also portrays how human thoughts faculties can be strategically engaged in day to day activities, in goal setting and implementation, such that tremendous results can be achieved and a life of peace and plenty is enjoyed.

The three Chapters book published by Advert Planet and Communications is a deeply engaging book that is meant to firethe reader’s imagination for maximum positive impact in order to make a

LifeGuide

with Emem Nwogwugwu

difference in life.

The book starts with an introduction where the author opines that in order to set achievable and worthwhile goals, man needs to engage some tools, both within and without. These tools he says must be understood before they can be used maximally for utmost advantage.

Akpeokhaiin his book stated that studies have shown that, despite the monumental achievement of man in this present age in terms of scientific advancement, less than five percent of his brain capacity has been used.

He showed that the most vital tools that man has and needs to fulfil his purpose in life are his thoughts,

concepts, and learned habitswhich are within him.

Chapter one titled Goal Setting, Choices and Decisions, the author review five specific reasons people don’t set goal namely, Ignorance of what they want; Ignorance of how to set goals; procrastination; fear of the unknown and the poor image of oneself.

He posits that the difference between a successful person and a failure is not so much in ‘their training, special gifts, and competence, but in the way they both view things and make their choices and decisions.

He emphased the need why any forward thinking individual should never allow a day to pass without a plan, adding that people complain of lack of time, while in the real sense of it, what they lack is not time, but direction.

Chapter two focused on Merits of goal setting. In this chapter, Akpeokhai posits that to become a highflier and a Go-Getter, one must have the mind set of an optimist, adding that almost all the successful people are incurable optimists.

He argued that the mind, if not

08033455364

disciplined, has a funny way of keeping a person from embracing possibility. In order to habituate your mind to noble ideals, it must be disciplined to work by constantly engaging it on worthwhile ventures.

Motivation: By setting goals, you are compelled to have a sense of drive. The fact that you are looking forward to something acts as motivation. As a matter of fact, goal setting will make your life more magnificent and your world richer, delightful and excellent.

Satisfaction and fulfilment: Setting goals and actualizing those goals help to boast your energy and give you sense of fulfilment.

Chapter Three:Goal setting and implementation process. Akpeokhaiidentified Goal setting process to involve four basic phases which are Clarity, Decision, Action and Review. Goal setting is the first step in the process of selfrealisation.

The cruise of chapter threewhich the Author tagged: Be Smart and Sharp where he went on to dissect as S- Specific; M-Measurable; AAttainable; R-Relevance; T-Time bound.

While Sharp he posits stands for S-Simplicity; H-How; A-Actionable; R-Review and P-Progress.

In Chapter three, the author was quick to equip the readers with the relevant technics they require to be accountable for their choices and decisions. Punchy headings like: Do not procrastinate on your goals; never compete in your goals; seek balance in life; ask yourself thoughtprovoking questions; be the leader you want to be; speak about your goals among others.

The author in writing the book put simplicity ahead of technical jargons with the use simple styles and stories so that all might understand and apply the concept to achieving results. The use of images to highlight sections and point of focus makes the book simpler to understand.

There is no doubt that the book will help the readers with several practical examples of great achievers and how they used the natural powers of man to attain profound results.

To put in succulently, The GoGetter is a robust material for both mentors and mentees.

Emem Nwogwugwu is an entrepreneur, author, life coach and certified project manager.

For over a decade she has been working to motivate people to live their best lives.

How to stay organised as parent during the pandemic

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amilies all over the world are working smartly already to make life beautiful for themselves, their love ones, and specially, their children.

Adding that with this global pandemic is overwhelming to say the least. Parents have to deal with the social distancing that is affecting some business, risk of losing their source of livelihood as some companies are already bankrupt, the fear, panic attacks, economic issues, online working and to top it up to care for themselves, their mental health and their precious children.

This can be too much for some families.

I want to encourage everyone, we will overcome this. Stay positive, stay at home till you are sure it’s safe to go back to work.

Below are a few tips to help you stay super organized: As a mother and the author of ‘Parent Organiser’ a book that helps families stay organised and live excellently, it took me a few years when we welcomed my precious daughter to create a detailed routine.

Create a schedule – I can’t emphasise the need for parent to create a schedule. You can use a cardboard paper or an an online app, Now I know most children have after school classes before the pandemic and a lot of the time we parent often feel it’s stressful to add any other activity to their schedule. Once they

get home the day is over. I will say a schedule for different activities that is life-transforming does not necessarily have to take hours, it can be their daily affirmations, if you are too busy to create a tailor-made one for yourself and your children, you can order from us or buy my book. Scheduling allows your children to build discipline, develop great habits, they grow up to understand the skill of time management.

Create an easy fun menu- Menu planning is another tasking job for parents. The easiest way I do mine is to source for ideas from the cooking books in our home, social media food pages, a family food diary where I write down healthy meals I would love to try. In this season, stock up on vegetables and fruits. I encourage that families make the effort to eat healthy meals.

Take care of yourself- As a parent, going to bed early can be the game charger. I know we all want to stay up late to work on our businesses, keep the house clean or chat with other parents or even catch up on our work online, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that but remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Start your day with your positive affirmations or prayers, then follow by 30 minutes to one-hour workout.

Communicate often and clearly – Make sure everyone understands your schedule clearly even your children and your entire

household. This sounds simple but it takes a lot of work at the beginning, remember these children have never had a holiday where they attended school classes online. Your domestic employee should also be well-informed about what’s happening in the world and in Lagos, Nigeria. Teach them about the safety measures, show them videos for clarity and guidance, have a real talk with them and show them how to use your daily routine for the entire family and the children.

Use one family digital calendar- As a work life integration strategist and productivity expert for top leaders and organisations; it’s advisable that we all integrate our work and personal/family life in one calendar mostly at this time. For, parents who are working from home or run their online business and also take care of their family, you need one main digital calendar to plan your day, week, month and year. You can set reminders; so nothing gets forgotten.

Take breaks- Make sure you are not trying to win the wife or mother of the year in this season, (smiling) parenting is a partnership, your spouse and you can take turns to watch over your children even when you have a nanny, supervision is important. Nannies are a great support system, make sure they also rest or have off -days, if you they don’t live in your home. Due to this pandemic, you must be cer-

tain of their living condition, hygiene. Educate your entire household about what is going on.

Delegate chores to your children- Gone are the days when parents will raise only a well behaved girl and leave the boy child out when it comes to home chores, E.G cooking, laying of their bed, clearing their toys or books, vacuuming and the list is endless, make sure they are age appropriate chores too, we do not want slave parenting please, there should be moderation in everything. Also, it doesn’t matter how financially influential you are, don’t raise your children in a spoilt way. Draw up a daily chore’s routine, you can find the table in my book- Parent organiser.

Create a daily reading plan- I advise that your children read a wide variety of books that expands their knowledge not only major subjects. Create a reading time table that covers all subjects, spread it through the week so it’s not like a punishment for the child. Make it a fun a time, laugh, learn, train everyone on how to handle reading time to make it fun and interactive. No matter the age of your children everyone responds to love and encouragement beautifully.

It feels like I should keep sharing as I have so much more. Lastly, take care of your mind.

Read books, take free online courses, dress up, shower early as that will improve your mood and every.

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Sunday 29 March 2020

Travel

Air Cargo bottlenecks could put lives at risk, urgent government action required Stories by IFEOMA OKEKE

T

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its members renewed their call to governments to take urgent measures to ensure that vital air cargo supply lines remain open, efficient and effective.

“Air cargo is a vital partner in the global fight against COVID-19.

But we are still seeing examples of cargo flights filled with life-saving medical supplies and equipment grounded due to cumbersome and bureaucratic processes to secure slots and operating permits. These delays are endangering lives. All governments need to step up to keep global supply chains open,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said.

The COVID-19 crisis has seen almost the entire world-wide passenger aircraft fleet grounded; a fleet which normally transports almost half of total air cargo shipments. Airlines are scrambling to meet the gap between cargo demand and available lift by all means possible, including re-introducing freighter services and using passenger aircraft for cargo operations. To support these efforts, governments need to remove key obstacles by: Introducing fast track procedures for overflight and landing permits for cargo operations, particularly in key manufacturing hubs in Asia -- China, Korea and Japan -- in response to the increased number of cargo charters replacing withdrawn passenger operations.

Exempting flight crew members who do not interact with the public from 14-day quarantine requirements to ensure cargo supply chains are maintained

Supporting temporary traffic rights for cargo operations where restrictions may apply Removing economic impediments, such as overflight charges, parking fees, and slot restrictions to support air cargo operations during these unprecedented times Removing operating hour curfews for cargo flights to facilitate the most flexible global air cargo network operations The World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated the importance of air cargo in the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19: “Around the world the frontline health workers who fight against COVID- 19 need to be continuously

supplied with necessary medical equipment and protective material.

It is our collective duty to keep these supply lines open by continuing air cargo operations.

“The scale-down of air passenger flow is seriously hurting our scheduled freight operations. We call on airline companies and governments to join the global effort to ensure dedicated freight capacity continues to operate on previously high volume passenger routes that are now closed down,” Paul Molinaro, Chief, Operations Support and Logistics, WHO said.

“Air cargo is on the front line, not only fighting COVID-19 but ensuing that global supply chains are main-

COVID-19: KLM starts the summer schedule with 57 destinations

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ue to the corona crisis, KLM will start the summer schedule with a significantly reduced network. From 29 March until and including 3 May, KLM plans to fly to 25 intercontinental and 32 European destinations.

During this period, KLM will fly according to an adjusted schedule, which amounts to about 10 percent of the normal number of flights.

Intercontinental: 777’s and 787’s The intercontinental network will be operated with Boeing 777s and 787s. The Boeing 747s will be taken out of the fleet early. The remaining aircraft will be parked at Schiphol. A plan for this is currently being drawn up together

with the airport.

Sixty nine (69) return flight will be offered from 29 March to 3 May (subject to changes): For all other routes, KLM pointed out to passengers that many countries have introduced travel restrictions.

Europe: As many connections as possible The European network has been set up in such a way that as many European flights as possible connect to the intercontinental network. The following destinations will be flown daily from Schiphol from 28 March to 3 May (subject to change): Geneva, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels, Paris, Lyon, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, Rome (from 4 April), Stock-

holm, Billund, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London City, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle. These routes are currently subject to very strict travel restrictions and it will be considered at a later stage whether/when these flights can be operated.

For all other routes, KLM informs passengers that many countries have introduced travel restrictions. Please note that this sometimes happens at short notice - for an overview of the rules see IATA Travel Centre.

For both intercontinental and European flights: up-to-date flight information can be found on KLM. com or in the KLM app.

tained for the most time-sensitive materials including food and other products purchased online in support of quarantine and social distancing policies implemented by states. But we can only continue to do this if we work together with the support of governments. Keeping supply lines open also supports jobs in local economies for example producers of perishables in Africa and Latin America. We are stronger together,” Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Air Cargo, said.

Keeping air cargo moving Airlines are taking extraordinary measures to ensure the flow of vital goods by air. Some examples include:

Delta, American and United have started cargo-only flights, using passenger aircraft domestically and internationally to bolster depressed global airfreight capacity Air Canada, Aeromexico, Austrian, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Iberia, Korean, LATAM Lufthansa, Qantas, Scoot, Swiss and many other carriers have made some passenger aircraft in their fleets available for chartered cargo operations Ethiopian Airlines is playing a key role in transporting COVID-19 medical equipment through its hub to Africa’s 54 nations, including recently transporting equipment donated by the Jack Ma Foundation Croatian Airlines has operated a charter flight from Abu Dhabi to Zagreb delivering critical medical equipment China Eastern delivered a significant amount of medical supplies to support doctors in Italy Austrian used 2 passenger B777 aircraft to fly medical equipment from China to Austria Airlink, a non-profit organization working with aviation and logistics partners to transport relief workers and emergency supplies have transported 16,127 lbs, of medical supplies and food aid to help the COVID-19 relief effort FedEx Express has helped the US government transport COVID-19 test specimens from more than 50 remote drive-thru testing centers at major retailers across 12 states.

The UPS Foundation has expanded its relief response to Coronavirus, delivering urgent medical supplies, food and housing, and financial assistance to aid in recovery efforts Airbus has transported 2 million face masks from China to Europe on a test A330-800 aircraft — the majority will be donated to Spain & France.

IATA thanks governments for supporting airlines but more need to step up

T

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the support of those governments around the world that have provided financial relief to airlines and urged other governments to follow suit before more damage is done.

“Airlines are fighting for survival in every corner of the world.

Travel restrictions and evaporating demand mean that, aside from cargo, there is almost no passenger business.

“For airlines, it’s apocalypse now.

And there is a small and shrinking window for governments to provide a lifeline of financial support to prevent a liquidity crisis from shuttering the industry,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO said.

According to IATA’s latest analysis, annual passenger revenues will fall by $252 billion if severe travel restrictions remain in place for

three months. That represents a 44 percent decline compared to 2019.

This is well-over double IATA’s previous analysis of a $113 billion revenue hit that was made before countries around the world introduced sweeping travel restrictions.

“It did not seem possible, but in a matter of days, the crisis facing airlines worsened dramatically. We are 100 percent behind governments in supporting measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“But we need them to understand that without urgent relief, many airlines will not be around to lead the recovery stage. Failure to act now will make this crisis longer and more painful. Some 2.7 million airline jobs are at risk. And each of those jobs supports a further 24 in the travel and tourism value chain.

Some governments are already responding to our urgent calls, but not enough to make up the $200 billion needed,” said de Juniac.

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Travel Covid-19: No time for globetrotting OBINNA EMELIKE

T

he breaking of 2020 opened a fresh page and new decade of travel experience, especially for the wanderlust. But the global tourists never envisaged any challenge this year, particularly of the scale of Coronavirus (Covid-19), which has stopped globetrotters from traveling the world for fun.

With 550,530 cases and 24,903 deaths so far, Covid-19 has locked down the world, amid travel restrictions that have grounded many activities including tourism.

Now, many have returned to their countries as people of the world are seeking safety in their homes, leaving beautiful beaches, hotel rooms, museums, cinemas and attractions that hitherto lured tourists, empty.

Of course, the skies are empty; aircraft are not flying as passengers are restricted from travelling in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19. The world is lockdown and tourism among other sectors is at the receiving end.

Wildlife populace at the different safari game reserves would be wondering what is happening as the humans, who usually disturb their peace with many visitations, are no longer coming.

While that brings back sanity to the wild, what is wildlife when no human is watching the games?

Also, the beaches are ghost yards now. The beautiful Gold Mile, a breathtaking stretch of beachfront by the bank of the Indian Ocean in Durban is empty,

no tourist is sighted on Mombasa beach, tour companies have suspended water adventure on River Nile in Uganda and Egypt, the public are scared of visiting Badagry beach in Lagos, Accra has closed its beach areas, among other attractions as a measure to check the spread of the virus.

What manner of virus that is locking down the world and leaving sorrows behind, if one many ask?

If flights are no longer taking off or landing, the value chain is impacted too. Pilots and crew members are losing jobs already, airport taxi business is gone, air catering services gone too, then hotels are hugely impacted as aircraft fly in no passengers again, who will end up in the hotels.

With the United States of America travel restrictions on some countries, especially European, Delta Air Lines is cutting overall capacity by 40 percent and parking up to 300 aircraft.

The idle aircraft mean millions of dollars loss in revenue, and imminent hardship as some staff would be laid off until normalcy returns.

Also, Norwegian Airlines, which operates 59 flights carrying 20,000 passengers, has drastically cut the number of flights from Europe to the United States, canceling some 4,000 flights and temporarily laying off 50 percent of its employees.

In Nigeria, Air Peace, the most vibrant of the domestic airlines, is about toeing same line as closure of some airports

Dar-es-Salaam across the country is forcing the airlines to scale down operation.

Of course, some staff, suppliers and business partnerships will be affected. Aero, Arik, Ibom Air, among others are not left out as passengers even dread flying now, regarding airports and aircraft as breeding ground for Covid-19.

Moreover, when flights are no longer bringing passengers,

hotels are bound to be empty because majority of the guests come through flights. As at today, international brands are closing their hotels where the impact is felt most as occupancy of below 30 percent cannot sustain the business.

Hilton has closed about 150 hotels totaling 33,000 rooms in China. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts closed 1,000 hotels in

China, while Hyatt also closed 26 hotels in Greater China (mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) with many others that remain open running at very low occupancies.

Aside China, many international hotel brands are now closing their hotels in Europe, especially Italy, which is the epicenter of the virus in Europe.

Brands like Marriott International, IHG group, Accor Hotels, and many others are now switching to survival mode in their business across the world and even in Africa where the impact is not much.

Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja is hard hit too. Though the hotel is still open for business, the dwindling number of guests made it to switch to essential services. Other big hotels in the country are also resorting to essential services now as occupancy keeps dwindling.

At below 30 percent occupancy, a hotel owner said he would ask his management to shutdown the hotel because operation cost remains same and the hotel is losing huge revenue servicing few guests.

As well, the online travel companies (OTCs) are practically out of business as no potential passenger asks for ticket or hotel room again. Rather, the many cancellations leave OTCs with huge debts to pay after the pandemic is over.

In the interim, there will be no more travel for fun, staying at home and isolating oneself is the way to go. It is safety first, fun later!

Park Vega set to launch West Africa’s largest water park

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ark Vega, a member of the International Association of Amusements & Attractions (IAAPA) and World Waterparks Association (WWA), is set to launch Park Vega Water Park, the first international standard water park in Nigeria, and West Africa.

The water park features standard facilities such as water play areas, water slides for adults and children, splash pad, wave pool; the largest pool in West Africa, among others.

Sitting on 1,500m2 and containing close to half a million gallons of water, the wave pool mimics ocean waves by pneumatically producing waves up to 1.1m height. It is the most up-to-date technology in the international market and the centrepiece of the waterpark, offering hours of splashing fun for all ages and swimming levels.

The Park Vega’s adult slides include; space-hole slide, freefall slide, multi-surf slide, and black hole - wave combo slide.

The slides offer different experiences to riders.

From twists and turns before being thrown into a jumbo bowl, electrifying head-to-head competition over a series of gutwrenching bumps, momentary feeling of weightlessness and

Park Vegas pushing fun-seekers valour to the limits and to a steep drop that takes riders up a nearly vertical wall for a moment of weightlessness, the slides offer high-volume of fun to leisure

seeker.

Yet, children will experience very colourful aqua tower and splash pad fitted with over 50 interactive elements such as tipping bucket, bubbler jets, slides,

umbrella jets, water guns, water wheels, the pipe falls, net bridge, net climber among others. As well, children’s pools have very shallow depth and are finished with anti-slip tiles

for all-day safe play.

There is also an activity pool, which has an obstacle course, water volleyball and water polo for activity fanatics. In addition to all these, Park Vega has a swim-up bar that offers cocktails and mocktails.

According to the management, the park is an exciting and healthy way for families, and friends to bond and create unforgettable memories. “With Park Vega, Nigerians need not travel out of the country to experience world-class water park facilities. We can have these experiences in Nigeria without breaking the bank and, of course, with no visa frustrations”, the park’s management assured.

Park Vega is located in Agbor, Delta State, a transit town that connects South Western to South Eastern, Nigeria. It is close to Benin, Asaba and Warri airports. By developing the water park, Park Vega is presenting tourism as a veritable sector for economic diversification, which the present administration is calling for.

The park will also enable the company to achieve its goal of creating memories for its guests.

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Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (sms only) 08057511893

I’m still in love with Blossom Access the Stars: The race gets Chukwujekwu – Ex wife

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lossom Chukwujekwu’s estranged wife, Maureen Esisi, has revealed that she is still in love with the actor despite the crack in their marriage.

The skincare entrepreneur made this known via her instagram page recently where she had asked fans to ask her questions.

Maureen had posted, “Tell me something you think you know about me and I will reply with ‘True’ or ‘False’.”

Following this, her fans stormed her page with so many personal questions and she tried her best to answer.

Chief among the questions she was asked was if she was still in love with her ex husband.

It came as a surprise when she responded with ‘true’.

However, when she was asked if she loved Blossom from the very first day she set eyes on him, she said ‘false’.

Interestingly, Maureen admitted that she is currently dating as she answered ‘true’ when a fan asked.

She also denied that she wants to get back with Blossom. When fans asked if they were trying

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to make up, she said false. She however, revealed that that their divorce petition is not ongoing.

She also said it was false when a fans stated that she didn’t want to give Blossom a divorce because she wanted him back.

Maureen in the no hole barred chat, said she was not the cause of their break up and also said she did not break up with Blossom because he was cheated in their relationship. Maureen admitted that Blossom is a “good guy”.

My dad was disappointed in me – Fireboy

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s much as he is one of the raves of the moment, singer, Fireboy, has said it was not cake and cheese for him when he started his career as a musician.

According to the singer, his father was so disappointed in him that he chose this career path.

On the final episode of MTV Base Behind The Story, Fireboy DML opened up on his journey from being an unknown singer to being one of the most talkedabout music acts in Nigeria.

Fireboy, whose real name is Adedamola Adefolahan, spoke about his relatively normal childhood in Abeokuta before discovering music as his life’s purpose in his second year at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. “My parents expected that I would venture into academia, so it’s not surprising that my dad expressed disappointment in my career choice after my graduation from university. But with my new-found success, my parents have got over their disappointment, and have become my biggest fans,” he said.

In the interview, he narrated the journey to developing his unique sound – a fresh medley of afro-pop and R&B, that gives off some alte vibes at the same time.

hree contestants – Janet, An n a Ja m e s and Amarachi had come into the ongoing Access the Stars music talent show with high hopes. Unfortunately, the trio were kicked out of the show last weekend.

Indeed, it was an emotional evening for thousands of viewers as the first evictions from Access the Stars reality music show occurred.

Having scaled through the regional auditions, all 13 successful contestants were finally ushered into the Bootcamp in Lagos, where the exciting finalists hailing from various cities across Nigeria, were welcomed by hosts, Darey Art Alade and Olive Emodi.

Determined to get off the mark, the contestants toured the Bootcamp, before settling in for an all-inclusive orientation which included fun activities such as board games, PS4 contests and an exclusive welcome party.

With the Bootcamp in full swing, the finalists received intense training and master classes from seasoned professionals including vocal coach Miss Ige and Access The Stars music director, Ben Ogbeiwi, popularly known as Uncle Ben. The training ran across voice and breathe control techniques, as well as an exercise session and dance classes. Coaches also prepared the contestants for their crucial performances at the Judges Stage Show.

Themed “Trading Places,” male

contestants at the stage show performed hits by female stars, while their female counterparts were put to task by hit records from male artists.

An outstanding performance was turned in by Promyze, who received a standing ovation from Seyi Shay following an impressive rendition of the singer’s hit, ‘Right now’.

Also, Ada Gold was showered with praises for her masterful delivery of Labrynth’s ‘Jealous’ while Gabriel Songz’s powerful cover of Adele’s ‘When we were young’ was redemptive and Anderson blew the audience and judges away with a stellar performance which was deemed “too perfect.”

Sadly, celebrity judges Seyi Shay, Kaffy, and Tee-Y Mix, each nominated two contestants based on their performance scores, before saving one each.

Janet, Anna James and Amarachi were evicted from the show after scoring the lowest on the judges’ sheets.

The remaining finalists will continue their journey in bootcamp.

COVID19: Toyin Abraham reaches out to fans in massive giveaway

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Fireboy, also told the story behind ‘Jealous’, one of the major hits on his Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps album. According to him, it was inspired by an unhealthy relationship he had just gotten out of. He, however, knew the song was ‘the one’ after listening to the first studio recording.

While the singer also shed light on the struggles he faced as an ‘underground artiste’ trying to get his music the attention it deserved, he reminisced on how he got signed on to the YBNL label through a phone call from the CEO, Olamide, also popularly referred to as Baddo within the music industry.

Following the release of

Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps, Fireboy hinted he would go on tours, as well as work on his next music project. When Sammy Walsh, the host, asked him what video his fans should be expecting next, he simply responded, saying “wait and see”.

On how up and coming artistes can improve their music so they can attract the right people, Fireboy shared some insights from his experience on the show.

Fireboy’s episode draws the curtain on this season of Behind The Story, the thrilling MTV Base content where Nigeria’s biggest entertainment stars tell it all on their journey to the limelight, offering viewers a peek into the name behind the fame.

s the dreaded scourge, Corana Virus, has practically kept most people indoors, actor, Toyin Abraham has reached out to her fans, especially the less privileged ones, in some parts of the country, giving them food items and hand santizers.

In an earlier post on her social media page, Toyin had requested for vendors who could provide her with food items. She had posted, “Who sells hand sanitizers and small bags of rice in Ibadan, Akure, Lagos, Ogun, and Ilorin and can deliver to people in their various homes? Please comment as I would like to buy for those who might need these.

Hi guys, I am looking for genuine and honest people who can help me out with this. I will send you money but your account has to be functioning and these will be monitored every step of the way.”

Some vendors reached out to her and Toyin swung into action almost immediately. She sent money to the vendors where she posted the proof on her page.

The vendors also delivered and distributed the food items

to some of the fans who equally could not hide their surprise and excitement at receiving such gesture this trying times.

Toyin equally used the opportunity to thank singers, Simi and Adekunle Gold for their support.

She posted, “Thank You Simi and Adekunle Gold for supporting, God will bless your home for all the good things of life.”

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Ogun Watch 50,000 Ogun youths positioned for CBN’s special intervention on 10 commodities ...as 9,000 apply for second phase of Ogun broiler project

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Stories by RAZAQ AYINLA rompted by mission to empower jobless youths and drive massive investments in agriculture and agribusiness, Ogun state government has started engaging youths for agricultural production which is covered in the 10 commodities selected by Central Bank of Nigeria for special intervention.

Recall that Godwin Emefieleled Central Bank of Nigeria was in 2019 selected 10 essential commodities, namely, rice, maize, cassava, cocoa, tomato, cotton, oil-palm, poultry, fish and livestock/dairy product, for special intervention, spanning five planting seasons and designed to empower youths within the agricultural and agro-processing value chain.

Consequently, Ogun state government has begun massive production and processing of poultry under Ogun State Broiler Project and cassava plantation and processing with a view to generating job opportunities, creating wealth and improving contribution of gross domestic products coming from Ogun state to the nation.

Speaking during a spot check at the Eweje farm settlement, Odeda where the tilling of land and flagging of the second phase of state broiler project are being undertaken, Adeola Odedina, Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, said the state is committed to making agriculture more attractive to youths as the state enjoys partnership with CBN and agro-processing firms to venture into various agricultural productions such as poultry, cassava, rice, millet, maize, among others.

The Commissioner, who was accompanied by a team from

OGSG moves to curb building collapse, opens database for builders, engineers

R-L: Governor Dapo Abiodun talking to some primary and secondary school students in the State at the launch of Ogun digital classroom in Abeokuta, tagged “OgunDigiClass”, an online platform where students can read and write at home as part of effort to beat negative impacts of COVID-19.

CBN, said, “23,000 youths have registered for cassava opportunity. We have started land preparation. In totality, over 50,000 people have registered for opportunities in agriculture and a good number of them are young people.

“Also, we have been very successful in raising young people as pilots to introduce or stimulate the interest of other young people in poultry value chain.

“The first set of beneficiaries are 54 youths, tendering 54,000 broilers with profit of an average of N130,000 in six weeks and we have been reliably informed by the youths themselves that in this round (second phase), they are targeting over N200,000 in six

weeks.”

“These youths are supposed to go for four rounds or five, every six weeks, each beneficiary would be earning about N150,000, I think that is a very go way to start with the youths.

“And because of this pilot phase, over 9,000 youths have registered with the Ministry Agriculture to participate in this opportunity given by the Ogun state government in poultry value chain.

“We are going to replicate this in all the agricultural zones in the state. We have the applications already and we are working on the pens, we are working on infrastructure and CBN and other

banks are ready to support other youths with credits. Off -takers and processors are ready to partner us.”

Kunle Badejo of the Development Finance Office, CBN, noted: “basically, we are here to see fund being put into use and clearing of land for the youths in Ogun state.

Cassava, as you know, is one of focal commodities that CBN has emphasised on and invested in.

“To this end, we have empowered the state to clear land for cassava plantation. So, what we are doing today is a spot check on how far we have gone, we have equally gone to other parts of the state, Apojola, Ijebu, Omu and others, to see how the work is being done.”

n its determination to control incessant building collapse and facilitate a mutual beneficial relationship with stakeholders in the built sector, Ogun State Government has directed professional bodies in the sector to make available, list of registered members in their respective groups.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olatunji Odunlami disclosed this when he received members of Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), in his office at Abeokuta, pointing out that the need for database became imperative to ensure that accredited professionals were the ones submitting documents for processing, in order to guarantee quality service delivery in the sector.

Odunlami said the development would prevent giving approvals to applications submitted by quacks, as every land document presented for government approval must bear the stamp and seal of a professional and registered building practitioner.

He urged every practicing or intending Town Planning firm to submit their registration numbers as professionals and as a practicing firm to the State government for proper accreditation.

Earlier in his address, the President, ATOPCON, Niyi Odeloye, expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry to achieve sustainable development in the State.

COVID-19: Ogun devises financial buffers against fiscal deficits with debt servicing methods …As Assembly grants approval for Abiodun’s N109bn debt refinance request

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oing by the acute negative economic impacts being created by falling oil prices and dwindling earnings caused by Coronavirus and attendant fiscal adjustments, Ogun state government has moved to adjust repayment plan and timeframe of N109 billion debt stocks inherited by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

BDSUNDAY reports that there have been serious moves by the State government to shore up deficits being created by the current economic realities in the N449.97 billion 2020 fiscal estimates for which 60% votes for capital projects are being threatened as a result of dwindling earnings, prompting government to make a downward review of the budget

size and adjust the repayment plan earlier provided to refinance existing loan obligations.

Consequently, Governor Abiodun reeled out economic measures to cushion effects of COVID-19 and shore up budget deficits, saying: “some of the measures devised include budget review, restructuring and refinancing of existing loan obligations and processing of new credit facilities to improve the State’s cashflow and take advantage of the more favourable interest rate regime in the country.”

Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly has granted approval to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s request to restructure and refinance the various loans in the debt stocks of the State, with a view to providing financial relief

to the State in managing dwindling resources towards achieving targeted capital projects and other critical obligations across the State.

The debt facilities, according to the Governor’s correspondence dated March 17, 2020 and acknowledged by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo before the lawmakers included; “Restructured Term Loan (FGN Bond) of N55, 405, 175, 055.11 obtainedin2015;SalaryBailout to State Government and Local GovernmentofN9,779,580,234.86 and N9,139,628,430.00 obtained in 2015.

Others are; Infrastructural Loan (Excess Crude Account) of N10, 000, 000, 000.00 obtained in 2015; Special Socio-economic Development Intervention Loan N20, 000,000,000.00 obtained in 2017

and Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme of N5,000,000,000.00 obtained in 2017.

The approval of the Restructured Term Loans followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by a member representing Ijebu Ode State Constituency, Kemi Oduwole and supported by the House through a voice vote.

Contributing to the debate leading to the passage of the motion, members including Sheriff, Ganiyu Oyedeji, Bashir Oladunjoye, Solomon Osho, Akeem Balogun and Adegoke Adeyanju, explained that the approval became imperative in order to meet the short fall in the price of crude oil per barrel at the international market, which had impacted negatively on the global economy, thereby resulting in revenue downturn

to government at all levels in the nation.

Other lawmakers including, Yusuf Adejojo, Kemi Oduwole, Adeyemi Ademuyiwa and the Deputy Speaker, Oludare Kadiri, added that the approval would enable government embark on more infrastructural programmes as encapsulated in its cardinal programmes, as well as meet other financial obligations to the citizenry.

The letter, as earlier read by the Speaker partly states; “I have extensively considered the sustainability of this programme to Ogun State and this include, increase in liquidity and cash flows of the State, thereby providing fund for the State Government for the implementation of socio-economic and infrastructural development programmes across the State.

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TheWorshippers Coronavirus: The church must help build Nigerians’ faith in God – clerics SEYI JOHN SALAU

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s Nigeria braces up for a near-shutdown following the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and the need for social distancing and self-isolation to limit the spread of the virus, religious leaders in the country have taken it upon themselves to dispel fear among Nigerians and help build up their faith in God. Cl e r i c s w h o s p o k e w i t h BDSUNDAY stated that the virus was not of God, hence the need to ban and command it to cease. According to the clerics, the church is now spending more time to pray against the virus, because believers have a role to play in banning forces of the enemy.

“We are also building the faith of the people up in God and his words; because what is happening now is that there is so much

fear, and fear is opposite of faith.

And, the church is spending more time to build the people more in faith to see God as our refuge; our Fortress; our Hightower and Rock,” said AnietieEtukudo, the presiding bishop of Livingproof Bible Church, Ogba, Lagos.

According to Etukudo, what is currently ravaging the world is not meant for the church. He opined that COVID-19 cannot come near the church, because the bible says in Psalm 91:10, “No plague will come near us; no evil will come near us,” he stated.

On the government directives limiting public gathering to 25 as a means of encouraging social distancing, Etukudo said churches are complying with all the necessities. According to him, churches encourage people to use sanitizers, wash their hands and separate themselves. “What we do in our church is that we called the leaders together to spend time to pray, and the message we pass to those

who have the means to view it. We believe God that we will come out of this,” said Etukudo African Church on its own is rearranging its congregation into cells for worship in designated centres in ensuring worshippers do not miss the benefit of its services or

programmes. “The African Church is part and parcel of the society and whatever the government decides that will be to the good of the entire society; by the grace of God we have to abide by such instruction,” said Emmanuel Udofia, Primate of the African Church.

According to Udofia, the current pandemic is an avenue for the church to invest in building its presence on all digital platforms, as it avails the church the opportunity to evangelise, leveraging social media and online platforms.

“Online church services is also welcome and some of our churches are doing it, because those who cannot meet one-on-one can use the social media to meet with one another and also to hold the service as if they were worshipping in the same church,” said Udofia,noting however, that not all churches are connected online.

Joseph Ojo, presiding archbishop of Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC) Lagos, said the church services were skeletal for now.

According to him, the church is organising multiple services of 30 minutes with a maximum of 20 people for the safety of the worshippers. “We don’t really have major mid-week service,” he stated.

Church leaders must submit to authorities, says Prophet Adeyemi As the church looks to the concluding weeks of this year’s Lenten season, ProphetJoseph Olusegun Adeyemi, the Leader in Charge, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, World Light Evangelical Ministry (WOLEM Chapel) Ayo Ni O Surulere District, speaks with SEYI JOHN SALAU, on the importance of Lent to the body of Christ. Adeyemi equally stressed the need for government to tackle insurgency against Christians in the North and also the necessity for all churches to be under a regulatory body. Excerpts: As we move towards the last week of this year’s lent: what would be your message to Christians in Nigeria? ent is a period observed by all Christians throughout the whole world to mark the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a period whereby the whole Christians are meant to fast and pray for the remission of their sins, it is a period of regeneration.

As Christians, we have a lot of work to perform before God; we have to stand before God often to perform priesthood work. We cannot perform well, if our minds are not at alert, that is well sharpened.

It is only one type of fasting or the other that can do this. (Isaiah 58:5) Remember our flesh or body is responsible for the most sins we commit, so to succeed in life, we must be able to overcome most of the corporal excesses.

Lent is a period of transformation. To fast is not simply or necessarily to abstain from food but anything that hinders our communion with God, which includes self-denial. The noticeable spiritual effect on the church so far firstly is to observe the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and to note that He purposefully came for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).

‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace.’

Secondly, the effect is to make

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us an ambassador of His kingdom through His lifestyle (Matthew 3:2, John 14: 1-3). Thirdly, to give us salvation (Matthew 1:21-23) also to give us the spirit of adoption (Romans 8:16) and lastly to give us eternal life (John 3:16).

How would you want the Federal Government to relate with repentant Boko Haram members?

I would rather implore the government to deal with them squarely and re-enforce more security to areas considered soft target, to give immediate judgement on their cases. Government should clampdown on all unregistered churches and mosques that have no peaceful mission and vision for the country.

That is the so-called people who tried calling themselves Muslim; they are not the true Muslim, they are trying to create a dichotomy between the different religion; they are completely far removed from Muslim ideas and mode of worship, because they call themselves god and they are fully involved in criminalities, that is killing people, destroying lives and property.

Their own religion of taught (religion) said, if they are able to kill (70 people) that they will go to heaven; that is their false doctrine and belief.

Don’t you think that can put to a stop the incessant attacks on churches, especially in the North?

Yes! Because lots of pastors and ministers of God have run away from the north, because of the incessant attacks. You can imagine

the Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that was killed in the North; what step has the government taken?

Firstly, it does not allow evangelism to take place;also, planting of churches will not take place over there while lives and property are not safe. It will reduce the hope for standard of living, that is, it causes fear and anxiety. Freedom of speech is omitted; there is no fundamental human right because of the autocratic beliefs from their boss. For example, in Nigeria, these so-called Boko Haram has surrounded the whole places in Nige-

Prophet Joseph Olusegun Adeyemi

ria; they have taken possessions of markets, where people earn their daily bread, especially in the northeast.

Do you support calls for proper monitoring and control of the church system?

Yes! We must be under an authority that governs the church, that is Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and others.

Some people are using the avenue to do what is contrary to the rules and regulations of the authority governing the system. So, I believe

there is an urgent need for strict regulation so as to clampdown unregistered churches that are involved in ritualism and false doctrine or preaching heresy.

Do you in anyway support the border closure by the government?

I would rather say no and yes! It affects international trade, importation and exportation of goods.

However, it enables the country to maintain and rely on our local materials and produce good products for the development of the country and to promote backward integration and trade within the country. But, in the light of the current coronavirus pandemic, any right-thinking individual will support government’s efforts at closing all entry points into Nigeria.

Though it came a bit late after some COVID-19 cases were recorded; I believe it is better late than never.

We know that life is full of challenges; what challenges have you encountered in His vineyard?

Yes! I cannot tell it all but I believe with time, we will surely overcome.

What is your focal point in ministry?

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye have tribulations but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:3).

My focal point is doing the work of evangelism and also bringing more people to the kingdom of God; that is, winning of souls for the kingdom.

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TheWorshippers Inspiration With Rev. Yomi Kasali

info@yomikasali.com

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am amazed at the social media reaction to the Large Church in Ogun state that defied the laws of the land and called out thousands of their members to worship last Sunday. Owing to the imminent dangers of Covid-19 in town and the nation, it is a very reckless in my humble opinion.

The New York Governor Said last week that he had to choose between Saving Lives and the Livelihood of

A reasonable God

the citizens of the state, so he chose Saving Lives commendably. I marvel at those who should know better and whose job it really is to ‘Save Souls’ yet make decisions that put the ‘Lives’ of men at risk. I strongly believe that God wants us to Save Souls (spiritual) as much as Save Lives (natural) or else how can the church claim to ‘love souls but hate lives?’ Selah!

Let me Inspire you today on a scripture verse I ran into several years ago that changed my ideology and theology about God, it’s found in the book of Isaiah, ‘Come now, and let us Reason Together, says the Lord...

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the fruit of the Land’ (Isa 1 v 18-19).

What shocked me with the verse is that the Lord is a Reasonable God, He craves ‘reason’ from His children and many of us haven’t portrayed Him like that.

I grew up in a Christian community that gave me the impression that God wasn’t reasonable and just wanted us to obey Him foolishly in the name of faith. It was very frustrating and depressing, but then I found solace in the verse above and I haven’t

had any Cause to regret my walk with GOD since then; He is A Reasonable God. The churches and pastors that encourage rebellion by asking people to worship God without observing the social space are unreasonable and do not represent God at all.

Let me share 6 ways we can walk with our Reasonable God these days and the coming ones ahead during this Covid19 Pandemic.

hygiene. Wash your hands daily.

6 Ways to walk with our God

Obey the laws of the land: I haven’t heard the Governors of any state direct that the Worship of God should stop like the days of Daniel like some ignorant pastors are saying. Rather I’ll obey the Laws that states we should not Worship with more than 20 people in the church auditorium because of our safety and health. It’s only REASONABLE to do so and not be ‘Unreasonable’

Wash your hands: I am yet to see a scripture in the Bible that is against Personal Hygiene in the name of spirituality, so I wonder why some people find it difficult to obey simple and wise instructions on personal

Maintain social distance: This is very important and I also found out that God Himself told the Israelites to do the same in Ex. 12 during the Passover when the angel of death (their own Covid19) was walking in the

land. God told then to stay at home, lock the doors, put the blood on the door posts and window posts and maintain social distance, that is why I love this God. We serve a God willing to ‘Reason with Us’.

Avoid traveling except it is essential: I had to cancel some trips of mine in the last three weeks or so, we even cancelled the Cross Concert because of the Pandemic and I strongly feel we took a WISE decision because God wants us to serve Him with our senses intact and not the other way. Please Avoid Traveling during this period, especially air travels except it’s very critical and essential.

Get knowledge and not embrace ignorance: This is what the Lord will expect us to do, we should get as much knowledge about the pandemic and not run from knowledge out of fear.

There is nothing wrong with educating your mind on this Covid19, how it infects people, the outlets, the organs it attacks, the kind of virus it is etc. There is so much information out there about the covid19 yet many of us

choose the path of ignorance fearfully.

Test yourself regularly: This is the new one on my list, do self tests not self medication. I learnt that holding your breathe in the morning for 10 to 20 seconds can be helpful in early detection if you struggle to do so. Sneezing and symptoms of normal flu may also be ways to know your status. This is only Reasonable things to do.

Let me drop my pen and shut down my thoughts now, I hope you have been inspired and the Lord will keep us all.

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.

Business

Muoka urges Christians to seek divine intervention against coronavirus

Imo IGR hits N I.2bn dwindling IGR expected

… Suspends all activities at its Lagos headquarters

...27 LGAs get ambulances ...Traders back closure of markets

SEYI JOHN SALAU

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he General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Lazarus Muoka has urged Christian faithful to seek divine intervention against coronavirus (COVID-19), as he asked God to deliver the church from the present hopeless situation just as he did for his people in the days of the Bible when plaques and pestilences ravaged the land of Egypt.

Muoka affirmed that with God all things are possible and following the prayers of the congregation, he assured worshippers that the spread of COVID-19 would cease for God answers prayers.

Consequently, as a preventive measure to further protect worshippers from the spread of the virus; the church suspended all activities at its Lagos headquarters auditorium till further notice.

On the call for social distancing to curtail the spread of the virus, the man of God said that the Church, being an organisation that is not only heavenly conscious, but health conscious, “we are

calling on our members across the state to key into any move that would make the pandemic disease a thing of the past,” urging every member of the church to maintain personal hygiene, and do the best to join the campaign against the spread of the disease in the church, homes and business places.

The cleric however, attributed coronavirus pandemic as a programme of anti-Christ, stating however, that the church will vehemently resist

Muoka

its activities through prayers.

Muoka declared that the evil kingdom responsible for the spread of the virus shall be no more.

Standing on the scriptural authority bestowed on all born-again Christians in Mathew 18:18 which says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” Muoka thus bound and banished the evil spirit in charge of the virus, and decreed that its power to cause the death of anybody be it American, Asian, Australian, African and European is henceforth destroyed.

Louis Chidi, the Public Relations Officer of the Church, said before now, the church placed a very high premium on the spiritual and physical lives of its members because it understands that man is made of the soul, spirit and body.

According to him, the Church has provided sanitizers at every entry point of the church, stating that a healthy man is he whose sound health is directly proportional to his mental and spiritual health.

SABY ELEMBA, Owerri

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he Imo State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen to N1.2 billion as at February 2020, Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who was sworn-in last Monday, has said.

But in the next few months, the commissioner noted that there may be a fall in the IGR due to temporary closure of some companies, businesses and major markets in the state by the order of Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, which the Imo State Amalgamated Markets Association has backed.

With the increasing IGR, the commissioner said it means the state will have more money to save for the payment of contracts and other things it has at hand, but with the closure of the major markets, as well as, temporary closure of some businesses in the state, the hope of a rise in IGR may in the coming months may not materialise due to the fear of the ravaging Coronavirus.

The Information and Strategy Commissioner

who briefed journalists after the State Executive Council meeting said, “The state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from the initial N620 million, which the government met on ground in January when Governor Hope Uzodinma took over office to N1.2 billion within two months”.

However, the amount Emelumba quoted was quite contrary to what Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor, told Journalists and other Imo State Stakeholders who were hosted by the Governor at his private residence in OwerrionSunday November 24, 2019.

Ihedioha, among other things, informed that the IGR as at October 2019 stood at N871, adding, “We are gradually building the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state”.

Also during Ihedioha’s 100 Days in office, where he told the public some steps his government had taken to lift the state up. Ihedioha who was sworn -in on May 29, 2019 informed about the status of his government in terms of IGR. According to Ihedioha, the IGR status as at June 2019 stood at N241 million, it rose

to N432 million as at July, N635 million as at August and rose to N874 as at October, 2019.

No w i n t h e c o m i n g months, Imo may be recording a sharp fall in IGR as companies have reduced their workforce, lowered their production capacity, these including stay at home order

by Imo State government will have adverse effects on the coming IGR. According to Emelumba, “Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has ordered the closure of all major markets in the state, effective Saturday morning this week as part of his administration’s strategy to control the spread of the Corona virus disease. He has, therefore, appealed to citizens to do their shopping between Thursday and Friday.

“Also, the governor reiterated that civil servants who fall within the approval given by the Head of Service not to report to office should stay at home until further notice”.

The state government has also procured ambulances for the 27 local government councils in Imo State, and also procured more testing centres across the state, Emelumba said.

34 BDSUNDAY

Sunday 29 March 2020

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SundayBusiness COVID-19: What a viable mortgage industry can do when economy is in crisis

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t the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, while the rest of the world was still struggling to figure out what the virus really was, the Federal Reserve Bank, the central banking system of the United States, had taken proactive steps, cutting rates on mortgage loans with a view to stimulate the economy.

Within two weeks, the bank cut rates twice to almost zero percent, thus encouraging first home buyers to take loans to buy homes.

And, according to experts, even though coronavirus is taking toll on America and its economy, it is not as deep in the economy as it is in other economies.

This only goes to show what role mortgage can play in an economy at a time like this.

Experts have argued that if there is any time Nigeria needs to diversify its economy by looking at other growth areas, that time is now. And one of the areas that should readily come to mind is mortgage.

From an Olympian height of $110 per barrel in 2015, oil price has, in just five years, tumbled to less than $50 per barrel in March 2020 and there are speculations that it may plummet to $20 per barrel if the Coronavirus impact and fears do not abate.

Most developing economies of the world aspire to have a viable mortgage industry in the understanding that it means so much for the growth of their economy.

In the advanced economies of the world, the industry has made

and continues to make significant contribution to their GDP and the overall economic growth and development.

In Nigeria, the story is different.

The industry is still struggling to find its feet and this is why mortgage finance as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is as low as 0.5 percent which is several steps behind other economies including Mexico, Malaysia and South Africa where mortgage contributions to GDP are as high as 10 percent, 25 percent and 29 percent respectively.

However, notwithstanding the industry’s low contribution to GDP coupled with the economic challenges arising from low oil revenue, industry operators are saying that mortgage has all the potential to stimulate the economy when all the obstacles inhibiting its growth are removed.

The relative newness of the industry, lack of understanding of its dynamics and operational models by many Nigerians, and poor appreciation of the need and the ultimate benefits of keeping money in a mortgage bank are some of the militating factors.

But an economy like Nigeria’s can benefit a lot from a flourishing mortgage industry as it will help in directing the economy in the desired direction.

As part of efforts at stimulating the economy, government can make the necessary investment aimed to grow the industry. Enabling policies should also be put in place, leading to reducing high interest rate in order to encourage more

people to embrace mortgage loans.

On account of the identified obstacles, many primary mortgage Banks (PMBs) are going through very difficult times such that some are not able to meet loan applications from home seekers.

“If government pays closer attention to the PMBs by removing some of the obstacles on their way such as the drawbacks of the Land Use Act of 1978 which rests land ownership rights on the state governors, the right to easily foreclose on delinquent borrowers, ease of creating a legal mortgage and perfecting titles and the ease of falling back on one’s collateral to recover bad loan etc, the industry will surely improve tremendously”, a mortgage operator argues.

The operator, who does not want to be named, insists that until all these issues are resolved in a way that encourages the provider of capital, in this case, the mortgage bank, to give out loans, the sector will not grow as desired.

He hopes that when these obstacles are removed, the multiplier effect of mortgage will allocate more funds towards the provision of home loans while home buyers will better appreciate the implication of prompt interest and capital repayments as well as ensure discipline on the part of the people.

Some finance experts argue that limiting a mortgage institution to a fixed capital base of, say N10 billion, is wrong because that amount is too meager; even N100 billion is also meager given the kind of projects they finance.

Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) For this reason, the federal government needs to come in, look at what is happening in other civilized world and copy because, these days, “copying is no longer an act of deception but actually something that is done even in the civilized world”, says Okika Ekwem, a USbased realtor.

In such economies as US and UK, Ekwem says there is a secondary market for real estate financing where commercial banks or individual brokerage banks lend money to people and thereafter sell the securitized certificate to the secondary market and come back again to lend to individuals.

Mortgage industry growth that can impact the economy, according to Meckson Innocent Okoro, is possible if the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) plays the role of a regulator while the federal government, through the CBN, should empower the PMBs. To have a viable mortgage industry that can have significant impact on the economy,morePMBshaveto be licensed such that there could be asmanyas40PMBsineachofthebig cities, while each of the smaller cities could get as many as 10.

This is to discourage the concentration of these banks in urban cen-

Ekiti harps on social distancing in banks, petrol stations, others

MindBody & Soul

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with Chioma Nwosu

Looking after your mental health during this pandemic

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s we continue to see a rise in the COVID-19 pandemic, people would begin to notice a decline in their mental health. Feelings of fear and anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, irritability, OCD and even eating disorders would be on the increase.

What can you do to manage these emotional reactions, while taking care of your mental health during this period? *Find a healthy balance concerning media consumption. While it’s important to stay informed you might find it useful to limit your media intake. *Stay connected. Social distancing doesn’t mean

social isolation, you can still call, text, video call with friends and family *Plan your day, create a routine, as tempting as it is to stay in your nightwear all day, regular routines can reduce your stress levels and help you feel in control *Try a relaxation technique, whether it’s deep breathing, mindfulness meditation or yoga, there’s plenty of resources on the internet to help. *Engage in physical activities and exercises; dance, climb the stairs, walk, take advantage of the space within your confines and choose an activity that suits. *Take time each day to reflect on your day, and

tres and when this is done, access to housing finance will be increased.

The PMBs must be positioned to champion the whole issue of affordable or social housing for the low income earners in the country.

Mortgage finance as it is today, is not particularly established as a structure and as it exists in developed economies. The culture of mortgage finance is just gradually catching on with Nigerians and mortgage is financed the same way as every other commercial financing.

It is curious that after the recapitalization and consolidation of the PMBs, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact in the economy. As at today, the interest rate as it is cannot mobilize the industry and the situation is such that even at 10 percent, the level of income in the country cannot still support mortgage growth.

At a time like this in when the economy and the financial system were highly regulated, there were different interest rates structure for different sectors of the economy and within that period, lending to the housing sector was as low as 7-8 percent which underscored the importance attached to the sector and the government needs to look into this.

recognise the things you are grateful for no matter how little. You may even consider keeping a gratitude journal. *Be kind, whether it’s reaching out to that friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time, or sending out positive messages to your contacts every morning or donating, supporting or volunteering towards a cause during this period, you’ll certainly feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. *Keep yourself busy, engaging in activities that distract you from the current events can be helpful; watch your favourite movies or TV shows, take an online course, learn a skill, pick up a new hobby, the

options are limitless *Prioritise nutrition, stress can spike cravings for comfort food, opt for healthier options and foods that’ll boost your mood. *Seek support: If after all is said and done, you still feel a decline in your mental health state, do not hesitate to seek the help of a mental health professional.

Contact Olamma Cares and we would organise a session for you with one of our experienced specialists, Online of course!

You are not alone!

Olamma Cares Foundation info@olammacares. com

k i t i S t a t e Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Mojisola Yaya-Kolade has advised banks, petrol stations, food vendors and other private sector players providing essential services to devise measures at ensuring social distancing in the business areas as part of measures at curtailing the spread of the Coronavirus.

Yaya-Kolade, who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti while giving an update on the virus in the State, said that the only patient that tested positive for the virus in the state was in stable condition, adding that the 41people that had contact with him had been placed in self-isolation with thorough monitoring.

The Commissioner urged residents of the State to exhibit a high level of social responsibility during what she described as a critical period, in order to successfully fight the spread of the virus, adding that maintaining social distancing was conceivably the best way of contributing to the efforts at curbing the spread of the virus.

She noted that even the

State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi submitted himself for theCovid19testandhadsince been in self-isolation when he realised that he had contact with people that had tested positive to the virus.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment,GbengaAgbeyo disclosed that the state has put measures in place to ensure thatalltravelerstotheState were thoroughly checked at all entry points to reduce the possibility of contacting the virus and guarantee the general safety of all residents of the state.

Agbeyo stressed that the government taskforce on Covid 19 was working hard on how to decongest notorious hotspots, particularly the infamous Atikankan junction in Ado-Ekiti. “To decongest the Atikankan area population, the government is planning to stop all business activities in the area, work on how to ensure voluntary evacuation to Shasha market or forceful injection if resisted, and eventually bring down the shanties as well stationing security agents there”, he said.

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BDSUNDAY 35

SundayBusiness Food security in the era of Coronavirus pandemic Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje

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hile efforts are on in some of the countries affected by the Coronavirus pandemic to mitigate its devastating effects on food and nutrition security, the same cannot be said about Nigeria. This is a worrisome development because the country happens to be the World Poverty Capital. Millions of the citizens go to bed hungry virtually on daily basis.

The situation is currently worsened by directives from some states and the Federal Government with the stay-at-home advice. The question therefore, is what are people going to eat? Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed. Perhaps, we can borrow a fresh leaf from what other nations are doing. For instance, free food services are being provided to school children under the age of 18 years by the three main food delivery ride shares in Detroit, United States. According to Dane Kelly and Cassidy Johncox, writing

for the ‘Local News’, the companies include GrubHub, Uber Eats and Door.

These free food services are conducted from Monday to Friday and mainly include breakfast and lunch. Some of the schools involved in this praise-worthy initiative are Birmingham Public School, Waterfront Public School, Riverside Elementary School, Mason Middle School, Detroit Public School, Harper woods School and Ann Arbor Public School.

Most of the free food services are running from middle of March to April 3, 2020. On March 18,2020 ‘Families First Coronavirus Response Act’ was signed into law. It provides paid sick leave, insurance coverage for community testing, nutrition assistance and unemployment benefits. That is only a part of the noteworthy palliatives in the U.S. As for Britain, the British Retail Consortium has been assured by Matt Hancock that supermarkets are going to have uninterrupted supply of groceries and needed food items for sale all through the stay at home period.

Not left out of the great gestures, to assist the needy are the efforts of football club coaches such as Mourinho and Ancelotti of Tottenham Hotspurs and Everton football Clubs respectively. Both have donated food items and drugs.

On their part, both Manchester United and Manchester City football Clubs have given out cash in similar regard.

As for the Republic of Ireland the Food Safety Authority (FSA) has directed the staff to keep working from home and office but ensure their health protection.

Though there is no scientific

proof so far to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, efforts are on to protect the food handlers and consumers from contamination with it. “The advice to food businesses and consumers is to maintain good hygiene practices and to wash your hands regularly.

Thorough cooking will kill the virus”, it adds.

There are sustainable efforts on public enlightenment.

In that regard, people are being enlightened that the virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected person. It could also be by contact with the body fluid of the victim or droplets from coughing and sneezing.

It should however, be noted that contact with surfaces that an infected person has touched could prove dangerous. The virus could survive for up to 72 hours or three days on the hard surfaces.

So, simple household disinfection is required.

Frequent washing and sanitising of surfaces in the kitchen is also encouraged. Food service workers should engage in frequent hand washing and use of gloves. They should provide hand sanitizer to their customers and rearrange their tables and chairs to keep the agreed distance between customers.

I n t h e Ni g e r i a n c o n t e x t therefore, we need more of interventions from the

government, private sector, especially food companies and Non-Governmental Organisations to drive home the message of providing food to the needy and ensuring food safety.

Some state governments have also insisted that restaurants and bars must not serve customers inside their shops. All services must be “take-away”. This is to avoid many customers congregating in the name of eating food.

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

Businesses, individuals in focus as Sycamore launches solution to financial freedom CHUKA UROKO

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or people and businesses that had been finding it difficult to access secure loans, a new era is here as Sycamore, a secured peer-topeer lending platform, has entered Nigeria’s financial system with a solution.

Sycamore.ng, the Peer-toPeer Lending Platform, is aimed to advance credit culture in Nigeria by providing secured loans, targeting individuals, micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

The company believes that what it has is a solution to financial freedom for its customers because, according to its authorities, it can connect individuals or businesses looking for a good opportunity to diversify their income with responsible borrowers.

The authorities explain that, as subscribers to the platform, individuals or businesses are at liberty to either identify and select loan contracts themselves or simply opt to have their portfolio managed autonomously.

“Our platform provides a compelling combination of liquidity,

low volatility and attractive returns,” Tunde Akin-Moses, the company’s CEO, assures.

He noted in a statement at the weekend that access to finance was one of the main issues affecting the rapid growth of individuals and businesses in Africa, disclosing that their mission was for individuals to

achieve more through organized lending and borrowing.

Onyinyechukwuka Okonji, the chief marketing officer, explained that “Sycamore growth so far has been based on great customer experiences and the effectiveness of word of mouth marketing; improved marketing efforts are

being made to attract new lenders and credible borrowers”.

On his part, Mayowa Adeosun, the chief operations officer, noted that “a marketplace exists with the Sycamore P2P lending with investments designed for individuals seeking long-term capital preservation and growth;

L-R: Tunde Akin-Moses, chief executive officer; Onyinyechukwuka Okonji, chief marketing officer), and Mayowa Adeosun, chief operating officer, at a press briefing in Lagos recently

this fund offers competitive returns compared to the average online lenders.”

The company’s board chairman, Bade Aluko, who is also the chairman of GNI Plc, attested to the importance of Sycamore’s vision, emphasizing that Sycamore uses robust alternative data to make accurate financial decisions, which yields the most value for both lenders and borrowers.

Established in 2018 as a brainchild of three Lagos Business School graduates - Akin-Moses, Okonji and Adeosun, Sycamore has successfully facilitated transactions in the 9-figure range since inception.

It has framed its business holistically around Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) one, eight and 10.

With one loan at a time, Sycamore is helping to reduce poverty, foster economic growth and decent work in addition to reducing inequalities by providing the necessary springboard for small business to transit to big businesses.

Sycamore is authorized by the Money Lenders Act Cap 52, incorporates solutions, such as Flutterwave, Paystack, Remita, NIBSS and BVN infrastructure among others.

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Sunday 22 March 2020

Feature COVID-19: Why FG’s stay-at-home, social distancing directives receive poor compliance ...Army, police yet to begin full implementation SOLOMON AYADO, HARRISON EDEH, JAMES KWEN, GODSGIFT ONYEDINEFU, CYNTHIA EGBOBOH (Abuja) and NATHANIEL GBAORUN (Jalingo)

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n some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and some other states, many long-suffering Nigerians could be said to have exhibited the mannerism of the four lepers at the gate of Samaria, who felt that there was no significant difference between death and the type of life they were living.

They said: “If we say, we will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

Despite the stay-at-home and social distancing directives issued by the Federal Government as preventive measures against the spread of the dreaded coronavirus, there is lack of adherence due particularly to the fact that many poor Nigerians still depend on daily income to fend for themselves and families.

This is just as the Nigerian Army, the Police and other security agencies are yet to commence full implementation of the government order.

While the Army said it was on standby to ensure full implementation of the government directive when the coronavirus situation gets worsened in the country, the police have simply stated that they were set to start enforcement.

Asides, lack of proper awareness on the preventive measures by government which is making it difficult for many to believe the coronavirus pandemic is real is also attributed to why the directives are being flouted.

Investigations have shown that residents of Abuja and some neighbouring states are freely going about their normal businesses.

FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello had directed that offices should be shutdown especially for workers on grade levels 0-12 while shops in the markets and neighbourhood centres in the territory should also be shut down to traders except those who sell essential commodities such as food and medicine, among others.

While commercial activities are still thriving in markets in the FCT, buying and selling are also

not disrupted. Commuting of passengers by commercial motorists is going on unhindered despite the stay-at-home order.

Many residents have explained that their inability to adhere to the government directive is due largely to the fact that they depend on daily income to survive, and must therefore, go out every day to source for a living.

Some of the residents who spoke to BBSUNDAY posited that they were made to believe COVID-19 is a hoax because, according to them, the virus was only infecting the rich.

On the spot assessment by BDSUNDAY in Kubwa , Garki, Wuse, Karu, Lokogoma , Gwarimpa, Nyanya and Bwari areas in the FCT shows that people have not taken serious measures to protect themselves.

For instance, it was observed that the weekly Nyanya Market last Wednesday, same with Karu were operational as scores of traders and buyers were moving on with businesses, same situation with other markets in the FCT. Speaking in an interview, a trader at Karu Market, Mary Okeke said coronavirus was a sickness for the rich who live

in Maitama , Asokoro, Wuse and Garki areas, and that it “has nothing to do with the poor masses in remote areas.”

She further stated that she did not adhere to the government directives in order to source for a living.

“To be honest with you, if I don’t come to market, how will I eat, buy soap or provide the needs of my family members?

Even my husband has stopped working now and he is at home.

They should not think of closing the market here. They should go to big markets inside town,” she said.

Abuh Usman, a driver whose vehicle was overloaded with two passengers in the front, at AYA roundabout located in Asokoro area, said the directive by government was not fair to them as it will greatly affect their income, especially now that there is economic crunch.

“If government is sincere, fuel price should be further reviewed downwards, less than the N125 pump price. If we don’t go out, how can we feed our family?” he said.

For Musa Mutiu, who was met in a popular garden in Garki, he decided not to stay-at-home, and to patronise the garden because there was no light at home. He

said that he was “being affected by boredom since he did not have alternative source of power.”

When our correspondent visited Bwari in the FCT, the situation was not different. The market in the area was still very busy, just as relaxation spots.

“The market is still busy, people are not afraid, they are going about their normal activities and we have to sell. If we don’t open our shops, where do you expect people to go and buy food, do you think people should go hungry because of COVID-19?”

Ucheoma Iruke, a trader asked.

Elizabeth Maiyaki, a petty trader said: “I am aware of the risks, but will not shut down my business to customers because the business is a major source of income to me and my family. I sanitise my hands often as directed by government.”

A visit to the popular Lokogoma area of FCT, our correspondent found that there was negligence on the part of people over the directive. There was no implementation of the government directive.

A chat with a resident, Owolabi, shows that most of the traders lack the basic knowledge on how fast and deadly the coronavirus is. They blamed government for not embarking on aggressive

enlightenment.

“Corona virus cannot come to us oh; it is for the rich people and those that have money to travel.

There should be more awareness on the virus. We do not know the government directives you are talking about,” Owolabi said.

Meanwhile, in Taraba State, despite the state government’s directive by Governor Darius Ishaku that members of the public should maintain social distancing and avoid going to drinking spots beyond 7pm, the order seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Our correspondent gathered that people were still seen in droves when he visited ATC and road block areas of Jalingo, the state capital.

A resident who simply gave her name as Jumai, asked our correspondent: “I sell goods to take care of my family, so if I stay at home, who will provide food for my family?”

Hassan Sanisu said: “I asked my wife and children to stay at home and I came to buy food stuff for them. The government should provide means of taking care of families because hunger seems to be more deadly than cornavirus.”

When contacted on why the Army has not commenced full implementation of the government directive, Sagir Musa, director of Army Public Relations said: “It has only been directed by the Federal Government to be prepared for possible call out, if the pandemic worsens in the country.”

Efforts to reach Force PRO, Frank Mba via telephone failed as he did not pick his calls and had neither responded to a text message sent to his mobile line.

However, the FCT Police Command PRO, Anjuguri Manza, who spoke to BDSUNDAY said: “The police are working with the office of the FCT Minister and they have started implementation of the IGP directive on stay-at-home especially by stopping people from gathering in places like pubs, other places that are not supposed to be in operation.”

Meanwhile, as regards power distribution and supply, our correspondent spoke with Oyebode Fadipe, spokesperson for Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), who confirmed unavailability of electricity in some parts of the city as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He however, encouraged people to make use of their social media contacts to reach them (AEDC) since they cannot maintain physical office now.

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Feature Nigeria’s economy in jeopardy as closure of NASS affects passage of bills

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SOLOMON AYADO, Abuja s the National Assembly recently shut down to prevent the spread of the dreaded coronavirus, the closure of the seat of the Legislature has not only hampered legislative activities but seriously affected passage of bills that could foster stability of the nation’s staggering economy.

Although the shut down by NASS, apart from obviously responding to the order by the Federal Government in terms of self-isolation and social distancing, it has further put the progress of legislative duties in jeopardy.

Findings by BDSUNDAY revealed that several bills that were read at different stages and were at verge of passage have all been suspended.

Also, some of the bills that were scheduled for public hearing by both Senate and House of Representatives committees were put-off due to the shutdown of the National Assembly.

By the process of enacting laws in the National Assembly, a bill is first introduced in plenary first reading, and passed second reading before being subjected to public hearing. It is afterwards returned to plenary for third reading and, further concurred by the both Senate and House of Representatives before final passage and subsequent transmission to the President for assent.

When the coronavirus outbreak took a dangerous dimension, there was partial closure of NASS where particularly the Senate, had shut down all public hearings by its committees, and also had closed down the visitors’ gallery.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had explained that the suspension of all committee public hearings was to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

“The Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of the Coronavirus; and the Senate gallery will remain closed to the public till further notice including excursions from schools and other organizations from Tuesday, 24th March, 2020,” Lawan stated.

Thereafter, the NASS had finally shut down when it realised that the effect of the coronavirus was worsening and there was urgent need to adhere strictly to health guidelines.

Before the National Assembly was finally shut, lawmakers were making serious development in the aspect of rapid enactment of bills so as to provide solution to the many national economic challenges.

Particularly in the Senate, the Red Chamber had passed some bills, introduced many others for first reading while others passed second reading, and were await-

Ahmed Lawan, Senate president

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker, House of Representatives ing further legislative process by the relevant committees.

For instance, six of the bills had passed third reading and were even assented into law by the President. These bills were very critical to socio-economic and political stability of the nation.

BDSUNDAY gathered that aside from the six bills that were passed and assented, about 200 Bills have so far gone through first reading in the ninth Senate, while more than 50 other Bills have passed second reading and were undergoing the necessary further legislative processes at the relevant Senate Committees,

before the NASS shut down.

It will be recalled that Lawan had while giving assessment of the 9th Senate, within the first six months, in December 2019, named the passed and assented bills to include the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act CAP D3 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Others were the two Executive bills - the Appropriation Bill, 2020 and the Finance Bill 2019, as well as the Public Procurement Act 2007 (Amendment) Bills, 2019.

To show that the bills are de-

signed to stabilise the economy, the Finance Bill, 2019 for example, amended seven (7) existing tax and fiscal policy laws - (Companies Income Tax Act, 2004; Value Added Tax Act, 2007; Customs and Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act, 2004; Personal Income Tax Act, 2007; Capital Gains Tax Act, 2007; Stamp Duties Act, 2007; and Petroleum Profit Tax Act, 2004) to reform Nigeria’s tax system for enhanced implementation and effectiveness.

The Federal Government took the initiative to reform the tax system so as to create an enabling business environment and reduce the tax burden for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Finance Bill also provides a framework for the 2020 Budget and to change the existed unhealthy and unpredictable budget cycle to a January to December fiscal calendar.

Also, the Public Procurement Act 2007 (Amendment) Bills, 2019 were passed to sanitise the public procurement process and curtail the incidence and influence of corruption. But before NASS had shut down, some of the many bills that were undergoing legislative process which included the Petroleum Industry Bill, Electoral Reforms Amendment Bills and Amendment of the 1999 Constitution are seemingly sabotaged.

Also, a bill to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act (Chapter C20) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (CAMA), which has not been significantly amended in the last 28 years, and was enacted in Nigeria as a decree of the military government in 1990, was undergoing legislative process too.

Others are: a bill for an act to amend the Electoral Act, CAP E6 to empower the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise public debates for all candidates to the office of deputy governor, governor, vice president, president to help boost and strengthen electoral process; and to provide for other matters relating thereto, 2020 (SB. 176), and the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill 2019’’, protection from hate speech bill 2019 respectively.

Similarly, there was the proposed bill to repeal the police Act of 2014 and enact a new Nigeria police Act of 2020, and a bill seeking to establish Army University in Biu in Borno State, as well as a bill to for an Act to establish Nigerian Civil Defence Academy at Pando gari in Niger state.

Also, four bills seeking the establishment of zonal development commissions were before the Senate. They are: South East Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 ( SB. 161) sponsored by Senator Stella Oduah, who represent Anambra North, the North Central Development

Commission Bill, sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Services, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, (APC, Niger East) and Abba Moro (Benue South), a bill seeking the establishment of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) sponsored by Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) and a bill to establish the South West Commission (SWDC) sponsored by Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central, APC), among others.

As the Senate has shutdown down, the implication is that legislative work on the bills has stopped and the bills cannot be passed till NASS resume.

Jude Ubani, an Abuja based public affairs analyst said in an interview that COVID19 has a terribly bad effect on legislative duties hence NASS has shut down.

According to him, there is urgent need for government to intensify effort to totally eradicate coronavirus and allow normal activities in the country to flow.

He said the adjournment by NASS will cause delay in making laws that will normalise the National economy which he said, had since collapsed.

“It is obvious that the shutdown of NASS will affect legislative duties, no doubt. The sorry thing is that so many bills that were being processed to cushion the badly ravaged economy of our nation are at stand still.

In effect, it means lawmaking is stagnated and you know how this can affect a nation that is very challenged. As it is, we have crossed the red line and I think, government should intensify effort to end this pandemic before this country will finally sink,” Ubani stated.

Also speaking, a lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “We are on break and we don’t know when we shall resume. You can see how COVID19 figures are increasing everyday and I want to tell you that this is not a joke. At the moment, it is not bills that should be the concern but how coronavirus cannot spread.

“You were at plenary the day we (Senate) shut down and you heard how Senate President said we are on standby for any emergency. So if there are bills that require emergency process, I think we would not hesitate to come and perform our duties so far as that can help in stabilising the country,” the lawmaker stated.

Meanwhile, the chairman of National Assembly, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has assured that despite NASS has adjourned to prevent coronavirus spread, the lawmakers are standby for any eventuality.

Speaking after a one-hour closed-door session Lawan said the senate would be on hand to attend to any urgent legislative matter.

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Feature

Job racketeering in MDAs Continued from Page 1 ly added to the Nigerian public service, with job opportunities sold at exorbitant prices.

The jobs were added through the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.

Others include the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Federal Fire Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Prior to the recent ban on replacement in the Nigerian public service, these MDAs, who engaged in secret recruitments, extorted desperate job seekers, selling the jobs at rates between N300,000 and N800,000, depending on the perceived value placed on the agencies and their “lucrativeness” BDSUNDAY investigations show that Nigerian lawmakers and their cronies are fingered as link between the job seekers and the MDAs, as allocations to some members of the National Assembly, were “sold” to desperate job seekers at exorbitant prices.

Checks in Abuja, the nation’s capital, also revealed that the jobs go for as high as N800,000 and as low as N300,000 depending on the agency of government.

Confirming the development, chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, said: “Nigeria will not know peace until government criminalises job racketeering in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs)”.

Specifically, Ndume insisted that the National Assembly should use its constitutional powers to prescribe stiffer penalties for whoever involves in the wrongful act of demanding perks before offering jobs to unemployed persons.

According to Ndume, it has become a thing of concern that the ugly trend has persisted in MDAs without being checked by government.

He said in an interview that the ugly situation has taken a dangerous dimension where lawmakers are being requested to issue letter of recommendation before applicants are offered jobs.

Ndume said it was wrong that government agencies have placed personal connections of applicants above federal character and merit, and that if such is not totally eradicated, crisis would continue to be in the country.

“The ugly trend is worsened that we members of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, are being inundated with requests of letter of recommendation for employment in MDAs and I feel very bad. What

of those who do not have such persons? Is it wrong in Nigeria to be born from a poor family or disadvantaged?

“So, I want the government to criminalise such act. You would not believe it that one of my daughters went through my friend for recommendation letter, because I had refused her.

She was given a job and she came and was teasing me that I did not write recommendation letter but she got a job. I said I would petition her because why would she be given a job because she is privileged to be a daughter of a Senator?

“What of those less-privileged who do not have anybody? I am totally against it but people are becoming so desperate. If they are employing people, let people be employed based on constitutional provisions of federal character and on merit.

“As I said, this country will not have peace until son of a nobody can become somebody through hard work”, Ndume said.

A security expert and columnist, Dahiru Majeed, also condemned the practice, warning that it has a larger implication than just ordinary corruption, adding that Nigeria may not recover from this problem for a long time to come because if someone is buying jobs he will definitely have to profit from that position to recoup his investment in buying that job.

“The issue of money for jobs syndicate in the public service is the height of corruption; it shows you that corruption has become more brazen and more outrageous”, he said.

For him, government must reconfigure the war on corruption to focus on the real issues, to focus on sanitising the public service and also stop the brazen

I applied for the job and after being prequalified and had undergone several tests and examinations, I was shocked when they later told me to bring the sum of N800, 000 if I must get the job or forget it act of nepotism.

An applicant, John Uchenna, a quantity surveyor, who applied for a vacancy in one of the Federal Government agencies, revealed how he lost a job prospect because he could not afford the cost, when he was “asked to cough out as much as N800,000”.

“I applied for the job and after being pre-qualified and had undergone several tests and examinations, I was shocked when they later told me to bring the sum of N800, 000 if I must get the job or forget it. That was how l lost the opportunity”, he

told BDSUNDAY in Abuja.

Another applicant, who simply identified himself as Morgan, recalled how in 2014, he was asked to pay the sum of N300,000, for a Federal Fire Service recruitment job to one of the top officials at the agency.

“I paid the sum of N150 000 to someone to help me secure a job there since then I am without a job. The contact promised to help me secure the job if I paid the balance sum, but I could not. I had to use various means including threatening him to recover my money,” he said.

Morgan further said he had been a victim of wrong website recruitment for Nigerian Customs Service previously.

“It took my friend who was a customs officer to advise me that the website was a wrong one and that I should grow my little ‘Okirika business’”.

Another victim, who spoke to our correspondent narrated how he has falling victim to job racketeers but had had to advise himself to find something else to do.

“When I finished school and after service in 2008, I was eager to begin life with a good job. First, I had an agent who wanted to facilitate my movement to Europe for professional football, but he ended up duping me N1million, which he said was facilitation fee.

“I also had a terrible experience of paying for a job that I never got for almost a million naira again. I had to advise myself to move forward with whatever I lay my hand on since I have small business sustaining me,” Ogochukwu Mbamalu told BDSUNDAY. Adewale Atere, professor of Criminology, Olabisi Onabanjo

University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, blamed “secret recruitment policies in MDAs” for the development.

“Before now, it was sex for jobs, but the current economic downturn ended it and now people take money to offer job”, he said.

For him, the practice has become the norm even among politicians.

“They allocate some portion to themselves under the guise that they want to care for their constituents”.

For Atere, the resultant effects are the current poor productivity, low morale among public servants, and high rate of corruption in public service.

“Who pays eventually? It is Nigerians that will pay. Some prostitute to get those funds to pay for the jobs, others borrow at all costs, all is with the hope that as soon as they get the jobs, they will explore all means to recoup and pay back.

“So, at the end, our economy suffers, whether we like it or not.

It produces negative multiplier effect. Whether we will get out of this soon, we do not know.

Those benefiting will fight dirty”, he said.

Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), executive director, Civil Society Advocacy Legislative Centre (CISLAC), want government to thoroughly investigate MDAs and prosecute those demanding money to offer job, as well as, those appropriating the jobs to offer their cronies.

Musa lamented the unfortunate situation, adding that some government officials from the executive, the legislature and the judiciary are alleged to be involved in the racketeering, even as he called for harsh sanctions on officials, who use their positions for extortion.

“I think it is important that ICPC, EFCC take steps to address or arrest those involved in this racketeering. It is important to understand that this is a crime against the people and government must take necessary steps to stop this corruption.

“Any public office holder found culpable must be investigated and he or she must return the money and be sanctioned because what he or she is doing is to institutionalise corruption in public service.

“This is because when you pay this kind of huge amount of money to get the job, once you get employed, you first of all try to recover the money legally or illegally. I think this is something that is bad,” he said.

He called on the government to bring some level of sanity in the recruitment process and tackle forthwith the corruption in placement of jobs or appropriation of job offers to some cronies, who think they own the government.

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Interview Deregulation of downstream sector will attract $100bn investments in 5 years – REIF

H

ow do you react to the recent fuel price reduction by the federal government of Nigeria; do we see this as mere price modulation on full deregulation?

Thank you! Last week, I granted BDSUNDAY an interview on what was expected of the FG especially at such a trying time. I had observed that this is the best time to deregulate and thus urged the FG to carry out full deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil/gas sector. My take was to clearly call on the FG to see the opportunity and strike. I said it cannot be any better than now. It is simple, as we speak, the petroleum pump price is at its lowest ebbs worldwide. So, if the FG decides to take its hands off the till and allow the private sector to import fuel and sell to the people, it will sell at less than N100 per litre. If you look at the difference in crude oil price when we pegged it at N145, you will see what the price should be now. So, let the FG deregulate the downstream sector completely. The FG should take its hands off and allow market forces to determine how much petroleum products will sell in the market. That is how it is done everywhere.

From the early days of our history, the problem with FG from has always been that they seem to want to do everything for the people and end up doing nothing. They want to do subsidy on petroleum, power, roads, etc. You cannot subsidise everything and remain the same. We do not have the financial resources to do so.

We do not even have the organisation (and discipline) to do that as a country. We are not wired to do it. We as a people do not practise socialism like in China where government provides everything for the citizen. Yet, China has handed over some sectors to the private sector. As long as the FG of Nigeria continues to run subsidy, there will never be good space for the private sector.

Look at what Dangote Group is doing in Lagos, where he is pumping $22Bn into three major plants; petrochemical, fertilizer, and refinery. The FG cannot try such huge investment or project today.

So, government should leave it to those who can do it.

Any moment the FG decides to deregulate, things will happen. The market is there for Nigeria because Nigeria feeds the West and Central Africa. Our petroleum comes too cheap and even cheaper than the one they buy from their governments. That is why smuggling is taking place across the borders at the expense of the average Nigerian. These are series of largesse that were created to provide degrees of comfort but we do not have the capacity to manage it. The best solution is to stop the bleeding of our economy.

If you deregulate, automatically, the big elephant in the house (Nigeria) today is fuel subsidy because the FG spends the biggest chunk in it and we end up subsiding for half of Africa. We are just hurting ourselves.

Bobmanuel-Ibifiri So, we at the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF) hereby urge the FG to go the full hog. They have done well by bringing the price down but they need to take their hands off the matter.

They should allow the likes of Dangote to do the investing.

Space, not money, is the key; $100bn waiting to come in.

We have always known we could get investors into the modular refinery market because the amount is not very high, but the space is not encouraging. They have not given enough incentives to attract private funds for modular refineries. For instance, if you produce from modular refinery and you go to sell in the same market with the FG subsidised products, you can’t sell. FG has given licenses to companies but when you go to look for financiers or partners, they will ask you, look, if we invest say $3Bn, is your government going to

stop subsidy? The answer is no. Immediately subsidy is removed over $100billion will flow into Nigeria’s downstream sub-sector.

The first rule is that money follows the market. Why is the money not following the Nigerian market?

It is so because the climate is not there. The moment we deregulate, massive jobs will emerge. If the fear is that prices will go up, this would have been during peak crude price time. Currently, crude is at its lowest point. This is when you need to act.

Act now For starters, fuel will sell below N100 this time if we deregulated.

This gives an opportunity to export fuel. The market will reorganise itself and different players would play in different areas; exporting, investing in refineries, etc. It will create a gamut of market. This is why we think the FG should please stop drowning itself. Nigerians

need to come together and encourage the FG to act now.

Fuel in most other countries with oil is more expensive because they have taken their hands off it and Nigeria is subsidising for them. Now, I see this as a golden opportunity that will make the Nigerian economy bounce back bigger. If we wait for oil to start to peak again, regulating at that point will come with bigger pains to Nigerians and investors.

We received this news of reduction in price with a lot of excitement because everybody seems to commend the FG, but if they go by our suggestion, it means they need to go a step further; complete deregulation. It will not just be modulation which only means that government is still adjusting prices. You are still subsidising fuel.

What we ask them to do is please take off your hand completely. You will even generate more money

Introduction: Nigeria seems to be at crossroads with its fuel pricing system which requires about N800Bn at the moment on subsidy every year, an amount very difficult to sustain. Worse, the scenario has made the downstream sector of the oil sector, the section that is actually the job spinner and creator of the small and medium enterprises (SME) in massive scale, to wobble and decline on a steady basis. Add this to the hidden subsidy in the power sector of about N15bn per month or about N180Bn per year instead market-adjusted tariff, the bleeding becomes unsustainable for the Nigerian economy and continues to scare away investors in these critical sectors that ought to push other sectors.

The problem is that the masses seem to be spoon-fed so much that any attempt to suddenly withdraw the fuel subsidy could lead to uprising. This must be why investors and economic analysts think that Nigeria missed an important moment to escape from subsidy when oil prices crashed to as low as below $30 per barrel. Now, the time seems to present itself again. The logic is that if it is withdrawn now, fuel could crash to as low as N90 per litre. If crude oil prices recover, the market would continue to adjust itself. The major gain would be the attraction of investors into the downstream sector.

REIF The Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF) is a group of deep-pocket investors and entrepreneurs in Rivers State (initially, now nationwide) that share same ideology in business. They have limited membership in their zeal to remain credible and apolitical. They command the respect of, and close collaboration with, the European, the UK, USA, China, etc. Some of their members are international investors in the expatriate community in Port Harcourt and Niger Delta who often to not speak in the press.

Their presence is an UBU-trained engineer who is now into construction and tractor manufacturer, IBIFIRI BOBMANUEL, who has very strong and highly respected voice in Nigeria’s economy. He has the ears of most ministers over the years.

Interview In an exclusive interview with BDSUNDAY, the River State-born expert and investor interpreted the scenario based on his deep connections worldwide and urged the FG to strike now that the iron is hot.

‘Deregulate now or sink soon’

and goodwill by just regulating the space. It’s a win-win for the FG; that why we at the REIF keep asking why the FG is still staying on that streak.

Equalisation issues: There is this silent subsidy called equalization, which enables the FG to pay for transportation carrying fuel to far locations so as to make fuel sell at same price all over Nigeria.

How does the FG handle this type of subsidy if they are to deregulate fully?

My take is that the FG should back out of the entire space and allow the private sector to invest so that Government can only regulate the space. Government can do this by checking to see that all indices are taken into account to allow the market move smoothly. This would mean making licenses for refineries going to the north or far locations cheaper. Investors have their peculiar reasons to invest in any place. Dangote group has reason for choosing Lekki in Lagos while I may have a different reason to invest in Rivers.

The investor going to the north would have his reasons. So, costs will not be the same. The whole idea is to create seamlessness for investors. They will decide where to invest. Cheaper licenses may be the attraction they need, etc.

Private investors will not go about it like the FG does like in the issue of laying pipes from the east to the far north. They have better technologies like piping to convey your products to the north. Pipeline vandalism can be handled by advanced technologies. Dangote is piping to Lagos yet nobody will get to where the pipes are deep in the water. The private sector has the flexibility.

The difference between the two is that the government thinks about four years term and would want to deliver many immediate projects otherwise the masses would revolt. The private sector sees it as a long haul of over 10 years to recoup. The market is readily available. For the politician, he must work on a given time. That is why government is always not the right place to handle businesses. If government frees the space, huge money will come in and they will plough it back to other areas.

Power sector, too This formula will work even in the power sector. Government has been strapping their hands at the bank. If you strap any investor’s hands at the back, it makes it difficult for the investor to even spend his money. So, create an environment where the private sector person sees big returns on investment as in humongous profit. See what happened in the telecommunications sector where it went from per minute to per second billing due to competition.

It started with N250 per minute and N45,000 to buy a line with phone. Later, more players came in and one of them said no more status billing (time-barred duration for a card) but per second billing.

Everybody rushed to them and the

Continues on page 40

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Issues

Financial institutions and policies in Nigeria: A Critique for the growth of small scale enterprises (2) AKIN OLADEJI-JOHNBROWNE

W

hat is the way forward to reinvigorate the SME funding in Nigeria?

Many ideas come to mind. The institutions should begin soul searching by studying how micro credit and support of SME have worked in other jurisdictions. In 1983, Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh established Graeme Bank, which provided loan for the poor. The miniscule loan policy worked. It provided $3.4billion to 2.4 million families in rural Bangladesh. From available records it has been established that more than 250 institutions in nearly 100 countries operate micro credit program to date.

In Nigeria, micro credit program continue to fail and where it does not fail the process of loan disbursement is opaque with political intrigues. There is no credible data for the socalled Trader Money Program (TMP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria as of date. Only

All Progressive Congress Party (APC) members know the operational modalities of TMP. Recently over 400 Micro Finance Banks (MFB) were liquidated by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation instead for CBN and other relevant department of government to create enabling support policies for the dying MFB. The financial penetration and inclusion policies cannot be successful without functioning MFB that are operational in different parts of Nigeria. Public policy should not be treated as accounting profit and loss thing; social benefit should guide government decision. Once a special purpose funding initiative is set up by government, efforts should not be concentrated on funding alone. The potential for economic growth depends on interrelated institutions and the mechanism of their operation.

Government should develop standards that can ser ve as minimum requirement for institutional structures and performance. Enough is enough of politics of underdevelopment!

Government must under-

In dealing with social cohesion, government must be generous in given compensation for losers in the process of reforms stand that strong social cohesion is important in success of economic policies and implementation. A s ocially cohesive society will easily accept change, reforms and new initiatives. Success of reforms and interventionist policies in the long run rest on the people, their attitude and behaviour.

The rapid growth of China in world economies is due largely to social cohesion, ethnic homogeneity and lack of religion secularism. Nigeria must solve her heterogeneous ethnic problems headlong. We must accept the indivisibility of togetherness as planned by the founding

father of the country. Policies will always fail where there are divergent views and wrong interpretations of intentions of IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo of South East, Oduduwa People’s Congress and Amotekun of South West, Hisbah Corps and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria of North Central and Egbesu of Niger Delta and South-South etc. All these regional organisations must be seen within the context of development but not as enemy of the state. The organisations affect social values and interpretations of government policies. Christian Association of Nigeria, NASFAT and other similar bodies must preach religious harmony and bring out the benefits of religious secularism and positive side of pluralism as a country. In dealing with social cohesion, government must be generous in given compensation for losers in the process of reforms. Reforms must be seen as win- win solution for all in what Khalid Malik termed “Pareto- improving” In conclusion, the way to go

is for government to recognise that SME is the only institution that can create generous employment to absorb the growing numbers of unemployed youth.

The SME funding initiatives and institutions must adopt the slogan “begin again” and States and Federal governments must bring the best out of Nigeria human resources in domestic and international markets to get the required “change” as in the slogan of APC.

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

Deregulation of downstream sector will attract $100bn investments in 5 years – REIF Continued from page 39 former one joined the per-second method and things changed. At a point, they began to woo callers and some gave free midnight calls.

Boom came; and they expanded the space, the capabilities and the clientele. The masses benefited the most. Now, there is some degree of parity in that space. That is what we need to do in the other sectors: power, petroleum, and infrastructure.

Funds always look for market A lot of people call on the FG to spend xyz amounts on infrastructure. I say yes, they need to spend even more, but it must not come from government coffers.

The FG has no business to go cap in hand borrowing money to fix railways and roads. Make those sectors attractive for investors to borrow the money and come and do them and pay back. You do not have to be the debtor. Just make it attractive. Funds would always look for the market. It will find its way to where it will get profit. The FG responsibility is to manage the amount of profit that is being made from that sector.

If we do not change our approach, in the next quarter, Nigeria will slide back into recession, whether we like it or not. The policies will decide. If the policies come with rethinking, we would even come out stronger.

Still on the economic turbulence and deregulation, is there any other thing that could be

done especially in the face of the N3.5 trillion stimulation?

It does not stop at giving N3.5 trillion. As a people, we should desist from throwing money at every problem. It has never worked and will never work. For instance, how are we applying the money? From hindsight, it never goes well. We should be using this opportunity to push e-Commerce forward. As we ask schools and churches to shut down, we should also be pushing up another while we shut down a sector. There should be one sector at least. I think the e-Commerce sector should be the one, by leaps and bounds.

The likes of Jumia and Konga online shops should be made to take over through incentives and tax rebates to promote the new channel. The rebate would encourage more people to shop through them and reduce human activities in markets. It means the markets will not shut down fully because of e-shopping. This will stop people from going to the market massively and spread the virus. We need to think outside the box to meet our needs at this time. These are the basic things the CBN and economic team should be considering.

As a people, we must begin to believe in ourselves. No economy can over-perform its yardsticks without believing in home-grown industries, even if production lines are not yet where they ought to be. We must begin to carry those investments as national priority. Wherever the president

goes outside Nigeria, he must think of how many sales he can win. He should be able to carry leading investors on the trip. But, when our presidents travel, they come back with demands from their host countries without putting their own demands other than asking them to buy our oil.

Look, you could make more money than oil. That is why we need deregulation. If this is done, what the FG would do is to tap into the resilience of the private sector and ride on it. The potentials of Nigeria’s economy would have been obvious for all to see.

If you step into the US, it is clear what Donald Trump will tell you is you buy agric products. So, what do you demand from him? Ask him to buy certain things other than oil. That is how international trade works. It is trade by barter.

In our scenario, we have a misdirected focus and our ambassadors are mere political appointees seen as compensation. Ambassadors should be business frontline people, in fact, a business army. We should give them targets to say, you have to move our trade from this point to such a level. If you put all that into a pool, at the end of the year, the gross domestic product (GDP) would move up. We must imbibe the business approach in governance.

Are there any lessons to learn from China, even on COVID-19?

China needed to act fast to save the economy China is a country with sharp focus and resilience. Talking about Coronavirus, China saw the danger

of not handling it to mean a collapse of their economy. Factories had all shut down. Nobody was travelling; even Chinese in other countries were being stigmatised.

They needed to act fast. They acted with all they had. Today, they do not have it except those imported into the country. We must recognise danger and act to stop it.

Compared with China, we were slow. They were very swift the moment they realised it was a major problem. They quarantined areas as big as one region in Nigeria. An entire province was shut down.

With the numbers coming out of the epidemics, they knew they needed to curb it. If not, it would have finished their economy which had already hit the bottom before it started bouncing back. We need to learn a lot, but we commend the federal and state governments for efforts so far. But, they should do more?

What is the update in the tractor loan deal between Nigeria and Brazil? $1.1bn tractor loan deal with Brazil is not good It has been slow for some time now, especially because of the distractions going on now. More meetings are coming up, though.

Look, it was this administration that encouraged local manufacture of tractors in recent time past.

It is ludicrous to take a whopping $1.1bn even as a loan to import tractors. Nobody does that. It is to simply kill your local efforts. If you spend that amount at home, you would have impacted many local lines and persons to do more.

Bobmanuel-Ibifiri Even $500m for local tractor boost is great. The sector will acquire capacity to even export.

We must create capacity to satisfy both the Nigerian and the African markets. Government’s major objective should be to push for export. Why the naira is always weak is because it always chases the Dollars. When we begin to export items, different currencies will look for Naira and this would bolster it. It is a simple thing; forces of demand and supply. It is no rocket science.

Nigeria could bring back the power of the Naira as it was in the far past by allowing the economy to be private sector-driven. The past minister of Agriculture (Audu Ogbeh) was the one who encouraged that kind of focus.

These are the flip-flops on the corridor of governance that we think should be retooled.

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States need to ramp up efforts against COVID’19

Everyone is talking about it…

The war on coronavirus must be won. To achieve this faster, states should join the Federal Government and the private sector to intensify efforts, mobilise resources and equip their medics against this war. The implication of not winning this war faster is humongous on individuals and the economy. Daniel Obi writes.

Daniel Obi

I

n Nigeria, the private sector is stepping up the war against the coronavirus pandemic while states, usually in their character of laidback either waiting for fund or orders from Federal Government are yet to establish treatment or isolation centres.

Analysts fear that the gradual but steady rising level in Nigeria from 5 last week to 52 as at weekend may get to a level, if not checked that Yaba and Gwagwalada centers may be over-stretched.

Perhaps, the states are yet to come to terms with the realities of the moment. Expressing worry over the rising death toll across the world, necessitating travel bans and border closures, a Nigerian organisation, Akin Fadeyi Foundation says “For the first time since after the second world war, the whole world is facing an anomalous challenge containing the deadly COVID-19.

“The virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization following the high number of reported cases in China, Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany, S. Korea, France, US, UK and other countries, with a current record of over 8,000 deaths and 219,000 reported cases”.

The effort of closing schools, markets in some states, sharing sanitisers among communities and asking religious centres not to exceed certain number is commended but they are not enough to fight the global disease. Establishment of special treatment centres in states and equipping doctors with necessary tools are equally essential steps to contain this disease.

Jinmi Ajayi, an Agribusiness Practitioner and founder of Vds Farms said at the state level, there should be more activities “We need to further sensitise the populace in the states and it is a good call by the Lagos State Government to ban gathering of more than 20 persons” Commending the activities of Lagos State Ministry of Health so far, Jinmi Ajayi urged other states to quickly step up capacities to tackle the pandemic. ”We must at all levels develop bio-safety facilities to provide effective and rapid response that will at least stabilise patients before necessary transfer if needed”, he said in an interview with BusinessDay recently.

The case in Enugu where a woman who later tested negative was reportedly treated is undesirable.

In a protest letter by her daughter, according to reports, she claimed that her mother would not have died if she was not abandoned in a dilapidated quarter and treated

shabbily.

The “daughter” alleged that her late mother, 70 who returned to Nigeria after a five-month trip to the UK to visit her children, was isolated in an abandoned and old section of the hospital.

In the letter which had gone viral, she accused the staff of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Colliery Parklane, where the woman was isolated, of “wrong treatment, stigmatisation and being unprofessional in the way and manner her mother was treated, which, according to her, made the deceased feel worthless”.

But according to reports, a group called “Concerned Health Workers in Enugu State” has, maintained that the woman was well attended to and that the isolation centre was in good condition.

More cases and accusations are likely to take this pattern if states dither in establishing treatment centres and equipping doctors on this assignment which the world is tackling head on.

It is therefore commendable that the private sector has joined forces to curtail the spread of the disease in Nigeria. Government officials have put figures of the affected persons at about 51 as at Thursday last week, while some individuals believe that it must have exceeded that figure.

Guaranty Trust Bank is taking a novel approach to tackle the pandemic. The lender, it is said is setting up a 100-bed Intensive

Care Centre at Onikan in Lagos for Nigerians that may be infected by coronavirus.

Segun Agbaje, Chief executive Officer, GTBank in a statement said that the center will be fully equipped with all the necessary gadgets, including respirators and personnel to treat and care for those that may be affected.

The Centre will be fully set up by the end of last week, Agbaje said in a statement.

To complement this effort, it is expected that the state government or other organisations set up testing centres to identify affected people. This kind of arrangement is recommended in other states to slow the progress of the pandemic.

Other organisations such as Feminik Logistics, Jumia, the foremost e-commerce platform, Reckitt Benckiser and many others have joined forces to fight the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

To assist in checkmating the ferocious disease in Nigeria, a country with about 51 cases with one death, Feminik Logistics, one of Nigeria’s foremost logistics companies and a member of World Cargo Alliance (WCA) and Global Affinity Alliance (GAA) network, visited different spots within Lagos recently to distribute free hygienic tools including hand sanitizers, face masks and soaps to stop the spread of coronavirus in Lagos.

Speaking on the outreach, Adetoro Fowoshere, Group Managing Director, Feminik Logistics said

in a statement, “We have contact with people daily, from our drivers to our workers at the airport, we move cargo and a lot of people at the cargo office do not have time to watch TV or listen to the radio. So we needed to sensitise them about COVID-19 so they know it’s real and with the hand sanitizers, soap and face masks, they can observe basic hygiene habits because 20 seconds of hand wash and use of sanitizer can save lives.”

Also, recently Jumia, the foremost e-commerce platform in Africa entered into partnership with Reckitt Benckiser, the global health products manufacturer to help consumers’ access hygienic products.

While being urged to ramp up activities and mobilise resources to tackle the disease, states should equally prepare on how to stabilise businesses that will be affected after winning the war on coronavirus, “It’s uncertain how our MSMEs and SMEs will withstand this trying period. These cadres rely on daily or regular cashflow to manage to stay afloat. A number of businesses will fold up while some will adopt innovative strategies to stay afloat including online platforms. It will be interesting if we fail to learn from this when Covid-19 eventually clears”.

With necessary coordination and mobilisation of resources in the states and emulating GTB model, the war on coronavirus will be won faster.

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he disease has become a trending and serious issue.

Everyone is talking about it. Traditional and social media are awash with all kinds of information on what is regarded as ‘China Virus’.

People are concerned because of the ferocious nature of the virus which has killed thousands of people in Italy, China and other countries with only one death recorded in Nigeria.

Most brands have put their marketing campaigns on hold. Events are rescheduled in compliance to social distancing to slow the progressive of the virus.

Brands that are related to health are taking advantage of the pandemic to indirectly push their products while others are looking for ways to key into the fight against the disease in order to be seen also as socially responsible by its stakeholders.

Many organisations have asked their staff to work from home in what is seen as commitment in protecting their employees while many others have obeyed the government order for lockdown as a measure to checkmate the spread of the disease.

However, analysts have applauded the private sector’s growing interest to defeat the disease. As the days go by, many more companies will likely join in the campaign.

Hypo joins campaign against Coronavirus

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igeria’s disinfectant and consumer bleach producer, HYPO, has intensified awareness by taking sensitisation programmes to worship centers and markets in Lagos, pledging to support communities and family hygiene.

Speaking at the Sensitization and Hygiene talk interactive session with the theme; ‘How to Prevent Corona virus, DisinfectwithHypo’ at the Ikeja Central Mosque in Lagos, the company’s Area Marketing Manager, Adetunji Aderinto, in a statement remarked that they embarked on the Sensitization exercise to educate families and end-users on the need to disinfect their homes, surroundings and place of work.

He added that individuals must be health conscious and avoid the rapid transfer of Coronavirus.

He added that HYPO had several meetings and health engagement programmes with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to sensitize and prevent the outbreak of the epidemic virus.

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Sunday 29 March 2020

CapitalMarket Sterling Bank posts N11bn profit, to pay N864m dividend to shareholders …bank must rejig commercial, investment banking segments for profitability TELIAT SULE

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terling Bank Plc has announced it will pay its shareholders N863.7 million dividends for the year ended December 31, 2019. The tier-two bank made the announcement last week Thursday following the release of its audited financial statement for the year ended December 31,2019.

Based on the results, Sterling Bank realised N150.2 billion as gross earnings in 2019, representing just 1 percent increase over N148.7 billion the bank made in the previous year.

Profit before tax was N10.7 billion in 2019 as against N9.49 billion in 2018 while profit after tax was N10.6 billion last year compared with N9.22 billion in 2018, representing an increase of 15.01 percent.

Earnings per share rose to 37 kobo last year from 35 kobo in the previous year. The board of director of the bank has recommended a dividend per share of 3 kobo which amounted to 8 percent dividend payout ratio. Qualification date is May 4; closure of the register will run from May 5 to 8, 2020, while the payment date is May 20, 2020 which is the AGM date “In the final quarter of 2019, our relentless commitment to improving education through microbanking was rewarded with ‘The Banker’s Award for Banking in the Community’ on the global stage by The Financial Times. We were also ranked a top 3 bank in retail by Nigerian consumers in KPMG banking survey, a major accomplishment for a mid-size bank. Overall, the bank delivered a 15.0% growth in profit after tax to N10.6 billion as at December 2019,” Abubakar Suleiman, Sterling Bank’s chief executive officer, said.

The bank improved its non-performing loans which reduced to 2.2 percent in 2019 whereas it was 8.7 percent in 2018. The regulatory

Source: NSE, BRIU

Source: NSE, BRIU

threshold is 5 percent.

When ranked by contribution to overall profit, institutional banking segment outperformed other banking segments in 2019. Institutional banking segment’s profit after tax in 2019 rose by 3.97 percent over N7.56 billion made in 2018 with a

segment return on average asset of 4.2 percent while it contributed 73 percent to Sterling Bank’s PAT in 2019, which was lower than 80 percent this same segment contributed to the bank’s PAT in 2018.

Sterling Bank retail banking segment’s PAT rose by 17.3 percent in

2019, with a segment’s return on average assets of 4.9 percent while it contributed 41 percent to the group’s PAT whereas in 2018, its contribution was 39 percent.

Non interest banking segment’s PAT remained flat at N1.32 billion in 2019, but with a return on average

assets of 2.8 percent and a segment contribution of 12 percent to the group’s PAT, which was slightly lower than 14 percent that the non-interest banking segment contributed to the group’s profit in 2018.

Without doubt, Sterling Bank needs to rejig its commercial banking segment, as well as its corporate and investment banking segment. It consistently made losses in the two banking segments.

Corporate and investment banking segment’s loss after tax stood at N2.63 billion in 2019 as against loss after tax of N2.83 billion in 2018.

This loss came at a time the bank allocated more assets to this banking segment. In 2018, the total corporate and investment assets worth N653.9 billion, and that increased by 11 percent to N726.2 billion in 2019.

Loss after tax arising from commercial banking segment jumped to N631 million from loss after tax of N50 million in 2018, and was accompanied with a 19 percent reduction in asset allocation to this banking segment.

On what the bank should do to return the commercial and investment banking segments back to profitability, analysts believe sterling Bank should take a cue from other banks which have profitable commercial and investment banking segments.

“That Sterling Bank made losses in commercial and investment banking segments for two consecutive years is not a sign the bank doesn’t have what it takes to carry out those banking operations. Another tiertwo bank had its personal banking segment in losses before it returned to profitability last year. Sterling Bank should understudy tier-one banks with highly profitable commercial, corporate and investment banking segments to revive its own segment banking that are right now in losses” , an analyst with a leading investment bank who did not want his name in print said to BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU).

Coronavirus: Eleven listed firms postpone board, annual general meetings TELIAT SULE

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ollowing the directives from the Nigerian authorities managing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), eleven listed firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have postponed either their board meetings or annual general meetings (AGMs) last week.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Federal Government, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), as well as the state governments in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kogi, Rivers and Osun

have implemented some forms of restrictions that will prevent gatherings of people as usually seen during the AGMs of companies.

Therefore, in response to these directives, firms that are yet to hold either of the programs have informed their stakeholders that new dates would be announced.

Companies that postponed their board meetings are MRS Oil Nigeria, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Total Nigeria. MRS Oil initially scheduled its board meeting for March 20, 2020. This has been postponed till further notice.

NAHCO’s board meeting was scheduled for March 27, 2020 but

will now hold on April 8, 2020.

“This is to inform the Nigerian Stock Exchange and our esteemed shareholders that the meeting of the board of directors of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO AVIANCE) scheduled to hold on 27th March 2020, in Lagos to consider and approve the company’s 2019 audited financial statements and recommend dividend, has been postponed to 8th April, 2020. This postponement is because the 2019 audited financial statement has not been completed due to disruptions of the auditing process by the impact of COVID 19.

“However, the closed period

declared by the company from 12th March, 2020 will continue hours after the 2019 audited financial statements is released to the market”, a notice signed by Bello Abdullahi, company’s secretary from Dikko & Mahmoud Solicitors, stated.

Total Nigeria has postponed its board meeting as well.

Affected annual general meetings include those of Morison Industries, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Transcorp Hotels, Africa Prudential and United Capita. Others are Transnational Corporation of Nigeria(Transcorp), Notore Chemical Industries, and Greif Nigeria.

All AGMs postponed till further

notice except that of Greif Nigeria which will now hold on June 23, 2020.

“Greif is concerned with the safety and health of its employees, their families and the general public at large. As a result of this, the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 31st March 2020 has now been postponed by the Board of the Company and rescheduled the meeting to hold on Tuesday, 23rd June 2020 at Neni Hall, Rockview Hotel, Parklane Apapa Lagos by 11.00am”, according a notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

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BDSUNDAY 43

Health&Science Can you make hand sanitizer at home?

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enerally speaking , people should not attempt to make hand sanitizer at home.

There are several risks involved, perhaps most crucially, the use of ingredients that have no effect on the pathogens that cause COVID-19.

Using hand sanitizer is a useful alternative to soap and water, but it should not be a substitute for proper handwashing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper handwashing techniques can reduce the number of all types of germs, pesticides, and metals on the hands.

Researchers have demonstrated that solutions containing 60% ethanol and 70% isopropanol, which are the active ingredients in CDCrecommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers, inactivate viruses that are similar to SARS-CoV-2.

However, these approved hand sanitizers still do not kill all pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile Official guidelines Things to do if you want to self-isolate for coronavirus Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) offers this guidance for self-isolation.

The issued new guidelines are for home care and isolation of patients with emerging coronavirus with confirmed and suspected cases.

“If a person is suspected to have breached the guidelines, NCDC and the state surveillance teams will work closely with the individuals to ensure that they understand their obligations. They will also be helped to appreciate the importance and seriousness of self-isolation under the current global Covid-19 pandemic threat,” the NCDC states.

In consultation with the guideline, there are points to consider towards self- isolation, which include those who should be isolated, which are all returning travellers to Nigeria and anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.

The guidelines also state how people will move from arrival point in Nigeria to place of self-Isolation and how to be monitored during the period.

The guideline proposes how people can keep their spirit up while

Contributor

Abayomi Ajayi

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in self-isolation and develop symptoms to lookout during the period of completing the 14 days of isolation.

Explaining what self-isolation means, it’s strictly staying at home or identified accommodation, away from situations where you mix with family members or the general public, for the period of 14 days. This means any situation where you may come in close contact with others (face to face contact closer than 2 meters i.e. 5 feet).

However, the guideline states that if one has not been in contact with someone who has been infected with Covid-19, the risk of getting Covid-19 is very low.

“This is a stressful period, but taking these measures will help protect you, your family, and all of Nigeria from Covid-19,” it states.

In consultation on how to move from the arrival point in the country to the place of self-isolation, the guideline advised that people should ensure that they are only picked up by only one person and should avoid use of public transport by plane, bus, train or car.

It further advised that people should not sit in the co-drivers seat maintaining at least 1 metre between yourself and the driver; and ensuring adequate ventilation throughout the trip.

“Avoid contact with the driver and you should not travel across states in Nigeria during the selfisolation period either by plane, train, bus or car,” it states.

Besides recommendations to limit the size of gatherings and shut down public places in states where community spread of the virus is evident, other considerations from

the guideline include the following: How one can be monitored during self- isolations which simply explains that travelers and contacts of confirmed cases are required to provide their name, next of kin, physical address and telephone contact with the relevant health authorities.

These details will guide our surveillance teams in monitoring you while under self-isolation for 14 days,” it states.

On living with others, the guideline requires the contact person as much as possible to please stay in one room.

“You should limit your contact with people and avoid having visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food without having physical contact with you.”

Likewise, if you are in a home where the other residents have not travelled (e.g. your home / flat, student accommodation), minimise close contact with the other residents by avoiding situations where you may have face-to-face contact closer than 2 metres (5 feet).

The other household residents and or flat mates do not need to selfisolate provided these precautions are followed.

The guideline urges the patient and other household members to have access to appropriate, recommended personal use, and not to share plates, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, pillows or other items with other people in the home.

“After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water or place them in the dishwasher for cleaning.”

WHO warns against lifting social distancing measures too soon Anthonia Obokoh

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he World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Adhanom Ghebreyesus strongly warns against lifting social distancing measures too soon on Wednesday.

“The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said, Aggressive measures to find, isolate, test, treat and trace are not only the best and fastest way out of extreme social and economic restrictions – but also to prevent them. This is especially relevant for many countries with vulnerable health systems.

“Although we’re especially concerned about vulnerable countries, all countries have vulnerable popu-

Starting the fertility treatment journey

lations, incl. older people. They carry the collective wisdom of our societies and we need to work together to protect them from the coronavirus and to ensure their needs are being met,” he said.

According to him, we understand that countries are trying to assess when and how they will be able to ease these measures, The answer depends on what countries do while these population-wide measures are in place.

“Asking people to stay at home and shutting down population movement is buying time and reducing the pressure on health systems, but on their own, these measures will not extinguish the epidemics,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said that the point of these actions is to enable the more precise and targeted measures that are needed to stop transmission and save lives.

“We call on all countries that have introduced so-called “lockdown” measures to use this time to attack the virus. You have created a second window of opportunity.”

He added that the question is: how will you use it? , noting that there are 6 key actions that we recommend: Expand, train, and deploy your health care and public health workforce Implement a system to find every suspected case at the community level Ramp up production capacity and availability of testing Identify, adapt, and equip facilities you will use to treat patients Develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts Refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling COVID-19

here are so many issues for you to consider and questions to ask before making important treatment decisions if you are facing infertility. There are so many opinions about all aspects of treatment. Sometimes there are even no clear medical answers. The wise thing to do is to seek professional assistance. Consult a qualified doctor who would refer you to an infertility specialist.

It is not unusual that there are many couples that will not have a successful outcome despite treatment. In the same way, there are several others who will become pregnant without treatment.

As a couple, you are considered to have infertility if you have not conceived, despite regular intercourse without using birth control, for at least a year. Fifteen to 20 percent of couples will not conceive despite a year of trying. However, this does not mean that they will not conceive later on, even without treatment.

In the past, infertility was commonly considered to be solely a female problem. It is now recognized that a couple’s infertility is just as likely to stem from problems in the male partner. After couples with infertility undergo testing, about 40 percent of the cases are found to stem from female factors and another 40 percent from male factors.In 10 percent of couples, infertility factors are found in both the man and woman. In the remaining 10 percent, the infertility remains unexplained after testing.

Because either or both of you may be involved, it is important to test both you and your spouse woman before starting treatment.

No matter what the cause, most treatments require the active participation of both of you.

You might have had a successful conception in the past but you are currently having fertility issues. Yes, it is possible and such development is known as secondary infertility. It happens quite often. Secondary infertility is even more common than infertility in couples who have never achieved a pregnancy.

Sometimes a new factor, such as an infection, has damaged the reproductive organs since the last child was born. Sometimes the aging process makes it more difficult for you to conceive, even if you had no problems whenyou were younger.

Generally, the diagnosis and treatment is the same. If you are with secondary infertility you may make different treatment choices.

Overall, treatments are somewhat more likely to work in women with secondary infertility than in women who have not previously become pregnant with the same partner.

You may wish to seek emotional support specifically geared to your concerns. Do not feel alienated from those who easily create families of the size they want. You also have to cope with being envied by childless couples with infertility.

For a couple to conceive and carry a pregnancy, four parts of the reproductive system must be working adequately: These are the ova-

ries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Your ovaries must be regularly producing and releasing good-quality eggs.

Normal sperm must be produced in high enough numbers and delivered during sexual intercourse.

Your reproductive passageways must be clear enough for: sperm to enter the uterus (through the cervix) and swim into the tubes to unite with the egg. The egg or early embryo must be able to travel to the uterus (through the fallopian tubes).

The lining of the uterus must be capable of having the embryo implant, and of sustaining the pregnancy.

Many types of problems - including hormone abnormalities or blockages caused by infection or scar tissue - can affect one or more of these functions.

Many more women are seeking medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility - particularly those who have not previously had any children.

In general, women’s fertility begins to decline gradually after age 30, with a steep drop between 35 and 40. This means that, on average, it takes longer for an older woman to conceive, and older women are more likely to be diagnosed with infertility. Pregnancies in older women are also more likely to miscarry.

The most predictable age-related change is a gradual reduction in the number and quality of eggs produced as a woman enters her late thirties. As a woman nears menopause, eggs are not released in more and more of her menstrual cycles, making conception more difficult. Aging is more likely associated with illnesses or medical treatments that can compromise fertility. Some of these affect the reproductive system directly, such as endometriosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), surgery on the reproductive organs, or ectopic pregnancies. Others are general medical problems that can damage fertility, such as hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, diabetes and lupus.

As men age, they may also be exposed to infections, medications, or occupational or environmental chemicals that can impair fertility.

However, men do not experience the same dramatic and predictable age-related decline as women.Because of the increased possibility of fertility problems, if you are a woman over the age of 35, you should be counseled to seek medical advice if you have attempted to conceive for six months without success.

Sometimes infertility can be prevented. By learning about the known causes you can reduce the risks that you may face when you decide to start a family. Try to find a balance between not allowing enough time for conception and delaying too long.

Allow sufficient time to attempt conception. Many infertility factors do not make it impossible for you to conceive but only lower the chance with each cycle. This lengthens the amount of time conception is likely to take. If you do not try to become pregnant until late in your reproductive years, or if you count on conceiving within a short time period, you are more likely to be unsuccessful and to assume you need medical help - even if you might be capable, given enough time, of conceiving without treatment.

MD/CEO Nordica Fertility Centre info@abayomiajayi.com.ng,

BDSUNDAY

NEW YOU CAN TRUST

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Can Nigeria learn from China?

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appreciate the Video posting of what the city of Wuhan looks like today to aid our discourse of what’s going on worldwide. We are sure Wuhan City today is very different from what it was 50 years ago. I was one of the oldest surviving Nigerian visitors to Ancient China as am now 83 years old.

As a student leader and President of the Iconic West African Students Union (WASU) in London in succession to our illustrious Aka Bashorun, I was invited

by Chinese Students Association to lead a 6-man delegate team of West African Students in London in 1963 on a historic visit to maintain China under the Regime of Chairman Mao tse Tung for a period of 6 weeks at a time The Republic of China was totally locked to foreign visitors, particularly from the West due to the bitter cold war between the West and the East.

It was a revealing journey and spectacle.

We Africans were more non-aligned in our approach to the rivalries between the two contenders as we had been under the Colonial and Imperial structure for centuries and even up till now.

The Republic of China realised the dominance of the Imperial Power and plotted its own survival strategy in the acrimonious and existential circumstances. It decided it would not fight an open war which may again subject it to an imperial subjugation.

It decided to acquire knowledge which is a Universal instrument for accelerated development. Knowledge has no boundaries. It can be copied, stolen or acquired materially or in any other way in the dire circumstances at any time. It became a state instrument for many decades. They made mistakes internally in revolutionary ways and mended their ways.

They had a Communist Philosophy which bonded them with the Soviet Blocks but still ensured their own national pedestals till today. They saved their economy by not fighting any external wars till date and concentrated on quality education, scientific research and advancement as their main dielectrics for internal and external survival.

Wuhan of recent decades was just a village impoverished location when we visited. Imagine the difference today! China today is a combination of Communism and Capitalism! For them, their existential priorities are anchored on the theory or philosophy of the survival of the fittest strategy which must be internally adumbrated, and in their own national interest.

They have now risen to a strategic supersonic dimension which pits them mainly against the biggest continental super power which is the USA with whom they have been at Economic and Scientific and Galactic Loggerheads these two decades.

Trumps USA had to take the bull by the horn’s in the race for economic and scientific dominance for the past three years through trade tariffs, ICT, Intellectual properties and other spheres like the 4G and now 5G spectre and outer space endeavors for Galactic Dominance. China is superior to the USA in infrastructure development buildings like skyscrapers, roads,

vehicles, trains and other existential developmental activities and financial and treasury and stock investments.

With the recent Coronavirus syndrome they seem to have out-manoeuvred the Western World in the dire quest of rivalry for the survival of the FITTEST which has always been a Millennial Instrument of Dominance in which ALL tools for Superiority are deployed which include Biological Tools of War. Is it the USA or CHINA that has deployed its highest and strategic instrument to realign the World Order?

The answer is still not clear...but there is an ongoing rivalry for the survival of the fittest. How does the Third World mainly south of the equator mainly in Africa and South America fit into their equation as their prebendal practices show we have been experimental species for a millennia! Nigeria was just 13 years younger than China at Independence and imaging the dif-

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ference today! In the last decade China has extended more financial aid to all the developing countries than USA and the West... which also comes with its dominance strategic interests... but what are we doing about it except with our citadel of kleptomaniac and ‘lootocratic’ audacious tendencies even in this age of catastrophic climate change. But Nigeria, as ever, is in constant denial of our existential rights!

Pass a Coronavirus Act 2020 NOW!

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ur lawmakers must as a matter of urgency pass a Coronavirus Act 2020 to deal with the multiple challenges Nigerians face.

The law will deal with safety first and foremost, welfare second and generally to promote peace. Good order of Nigeria to confront this monstrosity.

The UK passed the Coronavirus Act of 2020 in just 2 days On the part of government, I call on the President and Governors to invoke the provisions of the Quarantine Act to order a complete lockdown of the country for at least 14 days as only the toughest possible measures will ensure we are safe.

The Quarantine law was passed in 1926. The law empowers the President to issue regulations for the safety and protection of Nigerians when in the opinion of the president or state governor there is reason to believe that there is a grave medical or other like danger as a result of an infectious or contagious disease which may pose a danger to the common good of Nigerians.

Coronavirus is real! Remember the Spanish flu, it killed 50million people. With the increased spread of coronavirus also called COVID-19; it is urgent that we cooperate with the government to stop the spread

Off the Cuff Rising COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and fear of possible danger ahead n a matter of days, the cases of coronavirus in Nigeria have continued to rise.

It moved from two cases to 10, to 18, to 42, to 51 and then to 65 as at last Thursday. Penultimate Thursday, the number of people suffering from the COVID-19 in the country were just 18. This has raised concerns that the virus is capable of affecting many more people in the country. The fear of possible escalation is strengthened by the news about how Italy which recorded just five case as at 24th February this year, with no death, has suddenly become the worst-hit country by the COVID-19.

A report on social media said that the Italian government had given stay-athome order, but it was disobeyed by the citizens. According to the report, “Thirty (30) days later, Italy has over 60,000 cases and 5,400 deaths. Our own leaders return from highly infected countries and they go to work next day instead of going into self-isolation.”

Italy, despite its level of technological advancement has been ravaged by the virus. Observers have raised the alarm that with the on-going contact-tracing of individuals who may have been unknowingly infected as a result of their exposure to some others carrying the virus.

For instance, there were two recent events in Lagos that had been suspected to have exposed many people to those having the infection. It is not yet known

Guy Omenife Ikokwu Ikokwu is a Second Republic politician and a member of the Ime-Obi (inner caucus) of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo

how far the state government has gone in tracking down those that were there or the possibility that such people have self-isolated themselves as ordered by government.

There was also the fear that some highly-placed Nigerians who attended the birthday party of the Nigerian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Justice George Oguntade may have refused to surrender themselves for proper testing, against the backdrop that two of the guests at that august gathering have died from coronavirus. It is also feared that there is a high possibility that a lot more people may have been affected among the political class, both at the Presidential Villa and at the National Assembly. With Abba Kyari and two of his aides said to have tested positive, and the report Thursday that an unnamed aide to President had also tested positive, speculations are rife that some other people there may be down with the virus. It was speculated last week that President Buhari had jetted out to treat himself as he had allegedly contracted the virus. But a statement from the Presidency quickly dispel and poohpoohed the rumour.

Recall that the President had been subjected to the COVID-19 test after Kyari, his right-hand man, tested positive.

Buhari was however, announced to have tested negative, ditto for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

At the National Assembly, some lawmakers who returned from highrisk countries recently are said to be hiding, without submitting themselves for screening. Chances are that these affected legislators may be distributing the killer virus to innocent people they still mingle with.

Recall that a few days before the bubble burst on Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff had written a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, urging him to prevail on members who just returned from foreign trips to submit themselves for testing.As it stands now, it is unimaginable how many Nigerians that are habouring the virus in their bodies.

It is against this backdrop that some state governments have placed a total ban on movements and inter-state journeys to avoid “importing” the disease into their domain.

The major concern about the virus is because of its complex nature of increase through contact system, which means that one person is capable of infecting over 100 people. It is therefore very important that we pay attention to the tracing process and people should come out for proper testing, and possible isolation.

Would Nigeria’s case go the way of Italy? Time will tell.

Olisa Agbakoba Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria, wrote in from Lagos.

of the virus. Please help the government by complying with regulations, staying at home, maintaining social distance and washing your hands regularly.

Quick Takes

N3.5 trillion This is the amount of money the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has budgeted as stimulus package in response to the ravaging impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the Nigerian economy.

“Sacrifice epitomises leadership. I wish to humbly call on my honourable colleagues, the members of the House of Representatives, let’s sacrifice our March 2020 salaries and allowances to contribute N1 million each to procure ventilators”.

Mansur Soro, (APC, Bauchi), appealing to fellow lawmakers and members of the House of Representatives to contribute part of their March salary for the purchase of ventilators for treatment of Coronavirus patients in the country.

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