A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
About six Nigeria Navy Secondary School personnel on Saturday beat a man and a Corp Member in Ondo state.
According to an eyewitness the incident happened in Idoani in Ose LGA of Ondo State around 9:30am.
He said the Navy Secondary School recruit personnel came to the Idoani's First Bank to make withdrawal at the ATM Machine.
But that the queue at the ATM Machine was long owing to the fact that it was a market day.
Eyewitness said 'everybody was on the queue when about six Nigeria Navy Secondary School recruit personnel came around 9:30 abort the line to make withdrawal
‘One of them alighted first from their Coaster bus, worked toward the ATM machine without seeking permission from those on the queue to make withdrawal but the man in front of the ATM machine queue pleaded that he had been there since 5am and that six of them could not make o withdrawal at the same time’
The Eyewitness further said ‘next thing we saw was that one of them (Navy Secondary School personnel) slapped the man on the face and others joined in beating the man.
‘It seem the branch manager saw what was going on through his CCTV camera he came out to ask what was happening and why were they beating the man. A Corp Member explained to the branch manager what had happened and he took his phone and called the Commander of Nigeria Navy secondary Imeri.
‘After the branch manager Left. The Naval person slapped the Corp Member for narrating the incident to the bank manage.
From the producers of the blockbuster movie 'Couple of Days', comes another highly anticipated movie 'Ajuwaya – The Haunted Village'. The movie will make its nationwide cinema debut on Friday July 7. Ajuwaya– the Haunted Village' is produced and directed by Tolu Lord Tanner who is known for his 'Couple of Days' movie that stars Kemi Lala Akindoju, Rahama Sadau, Timini Egbuson, Lanre Hassan, Etinosa Idemudia and many others.
Ajuwaya Cast
The Haunted Village' follows the story of six Corpers who were posted to a remote village in Osun state for their youth service and unwittingly woke an age-long evil.
Speaking at a private screening of the movie on Wednesday, the director and producer, Tolu Lord Tanner said "When I was about to come into the movie industry, one of the things I wanted to do was make a movie that targets ages 18 – 30, the young vibrant age who do not watch Nollywood and this is what we are doing with Ajuwaya. One of the best experiences I ever had was during my Youth Service. That year I got to experience another life in the same country called Nigeria. Many young adults and even the older ones especially those who underwent the one year compulsory service will be able to relate with this movie and its story. We have a number of new faces in the movie, although some of them are also quite popular in their own space. The story is a good one although not the usual popular Nollywood genre but the audience and all lovers of good movie will enjoy watching it."
Courtesy of the fully integrated telecommunications outfit, Globacom, top joke merchants, Basketmouth, Gordons and Arinze Baba joined other world-class comedians to treat residents of Ijebu Ode, to a glorious show over the weekend.
Living up to their lifestyle as one of the most colourful ethnic groups in the country, the residents came out in impressive ceremonial attires, and other adornments to enjoy the show. The people, among them, full members of the same families, poured into Spectralinks Hall in Imosan end of the city to savour the much publicised show which coincided with the end of the Ramadan fast.
Gordons
Besides Basketmouth, Arinze Baba and Gordons, other celebrated comedians who thrilled the audience were the sensational preacher/interpreter comic act, Still Ringing, made up of Ojo Ladipupo Daniel and Ayodeji Samuel, as well as accomplished comics Acapella and Seyi Law.
It was full entertainment for the audience who had enormous fun listening to different shades of comedy from these talented stand-up comedians, even as the DJ filled the intervals with danceable music to complete the celebratory mood.
While all the comedians recorded massive appreciation from the audience for their efforts, the duo of Seyi Law and Acapella were especially outstanding, as their joke selection resonated with the audience.
These sensational joke masters focus on contemporary issues such as politics, the economy and religion. Seyi Law particularly focused on childhood experiences, drawing humorous comparison between how parents corrected their children in the past and today. The audience, which included considerable number of parents and a handful of grandparents, connected with and thoroughly enjoyed the parenting jokes and responded with loud ovation.
More excitement was added to the show by the presence of celebrity guests such as Bolaji Amusan, more popularly known as Mr. Latin, Nollywood legend, Patience Ozokwor, and screen divas Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Ebube Nwagbo who co-anchored the show.
The next destination of the show is Kaduna today. Other cities that will host the show in the weeks ahead include Awka, Ikeja, Ikorodu, FESTAC, Ajah, Asaba, Aba, Suleja, Kubwa, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Abeokuta, Lokoja, Makurdi and Anyigba.
A lot might have been writen about high-flying Yoruba actress, Biodun Okeowo; some nice and most, not very nice, but the fact remains that the single mother of two would stand squeaky clean where many of her peers would appear like something dipped in tar.
Biodun Okeowo
As unbelievable as it may seem the actress married as a virgin. At least, she told Potpourri that much in a recent chat. Now, how many women can come forward with such a claim in this flurry-hurry world of quick fix.
"Yes, I did and I can boldly say that," she declared.
She then went on to bemoan the spate of pre-marital sex among the youths these days, saying it is not a good sign for the future
"It is saddening that pre-marital sex has taken over our time. In the past, most of our men would disassociate themselves from girls who have been deflowered outside wedlock. Then, a woman's virginity was her pride but time has changed and human beings have changed. I am not happy about it. Maybe we should blame civilisation or modernisation for this. I pray for God's intervention in this era"
Describing her first encounter with sex, she says "My first experience was full of fear, uncertainty, pain and alas! I loved it at the end"
Internet sensation and Nigerian cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, is having a tough time keeping off people who detest his way of life from his Instagram page. There’s' no single post the African male Barbie made without receiving a load of hate comments. Though Bobrisky who claims he is prettier than 70% of Nigerian women is undaunted and always at war with each and everyone of them.
Bobrisky
Recently, the girlish man asked his followers on Instagram what they will prefer between a N5,000 cash or 25 minutes dinner with him. The load of negative comments that greeted him should have made anyone wince but not Bobrisky who seems immuned from caustic comments.
"I will choose the 5K over him but honestly I don't hate Bobrisky but if there's a fire outbreak and Bobrisky is inside the house and there is a bucket full of water to save him, I will use the water to wash my legs, but honestly, I don't hate Bobrisky, I just want my legs to be clean," says a respondent
Another respondent says, "I will gladly take N200 than come within 20ft of Bobrisky…. it's not hate I just need money for Nairabet
Couple of days ago, controversial actor and Instagram commentator, Uche Maduagwu , in a lengthy post, expressed his distaste for Bobrisky looks, admonishing him to stop frightening the kids with his 'Incredible looks'.
"Stop frightening our kids with your "incredible" looks @bobrisky222 am sorry bro, you know I always defend you? but I can't take this anymore, you just scared the hell out of my elder sisters kid with your looks, please its high time you stop this, the poor girl woke up to see your pics on television, and she started crying. I've never seen her cry like this before, brother, please stop all this, its not getting funny anymore. Please go back to your natural look, stop giving our kids unnecessary nightmares…we can't be casting and binding recession away from Nigeria and at the same time dealing with this. I am not trying to pull you down, but its just a candid advice from a brother. Don't take it the wrong way," Maduagwu wrote
And Bobrisky fired back: "Everybody know you are an idiot. When I mean real idiot that is what you are. Keep looking for cheap attention. Bye, idiot."
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, has disclosed the state government's willingness to upgrade and renovate all its hospitals in the state.
Dr. Azinge disclosed this to journalists recently when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Warri Central Hospital for an on the spot assessment of the hospital facilities based on some rumour on the deplorable state of the facilities on some social media.
He said that he deemed it fit to visit the hospital after his ministry received reports and appeals from the hospital management on the need for the Delta State government to upgrade some of the hospital’s facilities.
Dr. Azinge, in his response, thanked the management and staff for their commitment, charging them to ensure proper usage of the facilities provided by the state government. He assured them that the government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will continue to do its best to ensuring Deltans get quality health care services.
He also disclosed that two dialysis machines will be supplied to Warri Central Hospital as soon as possible, while assuring all of Governor Okowa commitment to ensuring a total upgrade of all health facilities in all government's hospitals, while saying, a committee will be set up to facilitate the provision of the hospital’s demands.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Ijomoney Ese, who was on hand to welcome the commissioner, conducted him and his team round the hospital. He appreciated the commissioner for the visit to the hospital on what he described as a fact finding mission and disclosed that the hospital is being faced with power challenges because only 12 power generating sets are functional out of the 15 in the hospital.
He lauded the State Government for provision of a new ambulance and incinerator for the hospital and appealed to the State Government to look into the problems being faced by the hospital with a view to addressing them.
Unless there is urgent intervention, 25 years old Serah Osabuohien may not live to fulfill her laudable dreams of becoming one of the best teachers Nigeria has ever produced. This is because Serah needs assistance to continue with her colon cancer (colorectal cancer) treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
•Serah Osabuohien
Oncologists handling her case say she needs about N10 million to complete her treatment which include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Serah, an NCE holder, and her mother cannot afford the cost. As you read this story, Serah may not go for her next chemotherapy because over N300, 000 is needed for the section this week. Today, Serah cannot defecate through the anus because her intestine has been redirected from the anus into a bag, known as catheter.
Narrating her ordeal to Vanguard, Serah said she was wrongly diagnosed of ulcer initial before she came to LUTH.
"I am told by the doctors that I she still has the chance of living a normal life if the required amount is available for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The doctor told me when the test result came out, that I still have about 60 to 70 per cent chance of survival as the cancer cells were still localised. But he warned that I must start chemotherapy as soon as possible. "I was told the N10m will cover six chemotherapy sessions, radiotherapy for 30 days and surgery to put back my intestine, so that I can defecate the normal way."
Sarah told Sunday Vanguard that she been able to raise N330, 000 through Niola Cancer Foundation, which she used to pay for her first surgery after LUTH carried out the surgery without payment.
"I immediately started the chemotherapy because I was advised to start as soon as possible, while continuously looking for funds to complete my treatment. I have done two sessions now, and I can see the difference. Few months ago, I stopped walking; I was getting emaciated and felt dizzy often. But since the two sessions now, I have regained my strength back."
Sadly, Serah is left with nothing to do another session which is billed for Thursday; she urgently needs assistance from good spirited Nigerians to complete her remaining four sessions, 30 days radiotherapy and a surgery.
"Doctors say if I delay my sessions, I may relapse, while the cancer continue to spread until it is unable to be tackled. Right now I have been told I have all the chances to survive, but I don't have the finance to continue my sessions. I don't want to miss my sessions," she added.
If you are touched by Sarah's plight please call 08134685268. Or send your donations to Account Numbers; Serah Osabuohein, account number: 2039564498, bank: UBA, Esther Osemeke Osaseyi, 0238535081, GTBank.
Some years back, Bassey was sitting quietly in his office, a bit bored when one of his girlfriends was showed in. "My goodness", she said in mock exasperation. "That heat is so intense, it's making me horny!" Bassey arched his brow. A man of-the world, in his own estimation, at least, he'd never seen such brazenness. "It is all these under-garments' you ladies insist on wearing", he said, trying to match her flippancy. "I don't wear them", she answered boldly.
"I beg your pardon"! "I don't wear any undergarments, I never do", assured the girlfriend. "Show me," Bassey challenged. She then sat on his table facing him and did exactly that. "I was shocked." Bassey admitted. "I was in an office for goodness sake. I quickly rushed to the door and turned the key. It was up to me to take up her challenge, and I didn't let her down. Sex was written all over her face. That was one of the most memorable screws I'd had in my life. In fact, she was the best girl I ever had, all things considered."
Guess who came smirking to me quite recently? Bassey who else! He holds one of these plum jobs that exposes him to all kinds of men – wealthy men with financial baits, and sizzlingly pretty women with sexual baits. Again, his latest escapade took place in his office. If only walls could talk. This married lady had casually let it drop that her husband would be away for months and she was lonely. "Read Psalm 35," Bassey joked.
"What has that got to do with it"? The lady wanted to know. "It implores God to deal with your detractors", Bassey told her. "In this case, male detractors who might want to lead you astray." "From then on", continued Bassey, "whenever she called or phoned, I jokingly reminded her of the Psalm. Then came this late afternoon when she called in my office after closing hours.
"I was alone in the office with a very close friend. As soon as she got in, she started complaining about how frustrated lack of sex was making her to be. I gave her what I thought would be a sympathy kiss but to my surprise, she clung to me hungrily. "Well. I like challenges! I kissed her some more, running my hands all over her body, she ignored my friend and was rummaging in my pants. I stole a glance at my friend. His eyes were on stalks. Feeling more daring. I raised up her skirts and pulled down her pants. She clung more tightly to me, breathing very heavily. My friend virtually fled from the room. Later, when I finally found him, he was standing behind my car. Looking very disapproving.
"How can a married woman carry on that way?" he asked as if she'd just strangled an infant "It is one thing to have a discrete affair but to put on that kind of shameless show in front of a spectator? And she calls herself – mother? What type of children, would that one raise?' I told him to stop
being a prude. If we are in the so called jet age and woman want to make the most of emancipation, I want to be first in line reaping all the benefits."
One of nature's imperfections is that by the time the average woman reaches her sexual peak in her mid-thirties, her male counterpart's sexual drive is draining away like used bath water. As a result, most of her sexual fantasies remain unfulfilled and she becomes thoroughly frustrated. The more exposed men are to the most sophisticated pornography and sexual gadgets the more women too become aware of what they are capable of sexually, and how to go about it. It is no secret that quite a number of executive women pack highly sensitive vibrators into their suitcases when they go on business trips.
An industrialist once confessed that he felt humiliated after finally succeeding in making love to one of such women only for her to reach for her vibrator to finish things off: so she could attain an orgasm – a slight on his prowess! He snorted, "she told me I'd only succeeded in arousing her, not in letting her reach orgasm. Animal! That's the set of women we are raising now. They are nothing more than sex maniacs." Touchy!
By Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo – A student of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Osogbo, Miss Latifat Abiola Oyeleye was declared the over best medical student of the Karazin Kharkiv National University as well as the 2017overall best students in the entire Ukraine with an outstanding score of 95.6% in KROK 2 Exams.
Lateefat Oyeleye Abiola speaks during the convocation ceremony. Behind her is UNIOSUN VC, Professor Labo Popoola, Vice President for Research and Education of the University, Prof Mykola O. Azarenkov, left also listen
Fifty of the 85 students of Osun State University sent to Ukraine to complete their medical studies by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola's administration graduated from the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkov, Ukraine and become medical doctors.
Over 500 medical students, among which are the 50 UNIOSUN students, were inducted as qualified medical doctor in a ceremony that was chaired by the Vice-President for Research and Education of the University, Prof Mykola O. Azarenkov, on Friday.
The convocation of the students came after their successful outing in the 2017 KROK 2 National Exams which is the final qualifying medical exams in Ukraine.
The UNIOSUN students were sent to Ukraine by Aregbesola's administration to complete their medical studies in Ukraine in 2013 as a result of non-availability of a teaching hospital for their clinical studies.
The remaining 32 sponsored UNIOSUN medical students will graduate next year.
The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Grace Titi-Laoye Tomori who represented gov. Aregbesola at the convocation ceremony, said it was a dream come true for the state government, saying in spite of paucity of fund, Aregbesola did not abandon nor recalled the students back home like other states .
Leader of the UNIOSUN Medical students in V.N. Karazin Kharkiv university, Dr S.O Owoeye thanked Aregbesola for his unflinching support in helping them realized their dreams of becoming medical doctors, not minding the challenges.
The event was graced by the Chairman, Osun Assembly House Committee of Education, Hon Bamisayemi Folorunso, the Osun Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Engr Oluremi Omowaiye, the Vice Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Prof Labo Popoola and the Rector of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr Jacob Agboola.
”AS progressives, we believe that Nigeria is greater than any individual or the sum of her Federating Units, therefore the country can only succeed when all of us have equal rights, where no one is above the law, where the culture of impunity is abolished and where there is level playing field.
”Those compatriots who have lost faith in our dear country because of insufficient and corrupt leadership; count on us for we represent an Agent of change for committed, transparent and focused leadership. As a change Agent, APC intend to cleanse our closet to halt the dangerous drift of Nigeria to a failed state; with a conscious plan for post-oil-economy in Nigeria.
Fayose, Atiku and Tinubu
”To achieve this laudable programme, APC government shall restructure the country, devolve power to the units, with the best practices of federalism and eliminate unintended paralysis of the centre.”
The above is part of the preamble to the manifesto of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC taken from its website: apc.com.ng
Subscribing to and promising to preserve the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as enshrined in chapter two of the 1999 constitution and not to abandon any ideal which will guarantee the corporate welfare and security of Nigerians, the party said it would pursue seven cardinal programmes.
The cardinal programmes are: War Against Corruption; Food Security; Accelerated Power Supply; Integrated Transport Network; Free Education; Devolution of Power; Accelerated Economic Growth; and Affordable Health Care.
Two years after assuming power, it is arguable whether or not the APC-led Federal Government is recording mileage in any or all of these cardinal programmes.
However, it is unarguable that Nigeria is currently wading through a sea of challenges. Apart from economic recession and inability of most state governments to pay salaries, there are also menace of herdsmen and recurring murderous clashes with farmers, agitation for the Republic of Biafra, restiveness in the oil-rich Niger-Delta, and alleged maltreatment of some sections of the country by the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration through appointments.
Disturbed by the deteriorating scenario, scores of eminent Nigerians across the country including APC governors and some leaders including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have made case for restructuring of the country to address these agitations and ensure good governance.
Indeed, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said that ongoing agitations in the country are as a result of the ror in the Nigerian state.
Stressing the need to dialogue with Sections of the country to resolve all misunderstandings and problems, he said: “In the past, a lot of things were done by some people with impunity and nothing was done. That is why you find shortage of good governance now weighing us down in the country.”
In like, former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, Professor Anya O Anya, said “we need a Nigeria that would be fair to all, peaceful and where everybody, irrespective of ethnic background, would be free. We need a country that would put its citizens to work and not war and in which all will benefit and not a few individuals.”
Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said time is running out and urged the government to restructure the country urgently. “If we don’t get Nigeria restructured between now and next year, we may lose this country. There is need to go back to the type of Nigeria, which our founding fathers agreed on, that is regionalism and true federating units,” he said.
APC governors back true federalism, restructuring
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors backed restructuring and true federalism as a way out of the agitation for Nigeria's break-up.
The Progressives Governors Forum also said that the recent agitation by some ethnic groups was a reflection of the prevalent weak governance, economy and law enforcement.
In an eight-page document containing the governors' position on the challenges to Nigeria's unity, entitled "There has to be a nation first", they said that the demands for political restructuring and true federalism could be met by adjusting the federal system.
Such an adjustment, said the governors, will not on its own address the root and branch of the country's challenges, but it is worth pursuing to meet the demands of various groups.
The governors said: "It appears that demands framed by different groups in terms of political restructuring or true federalism can be met through adjustment in Nigeria's federal system.
"Although such adjustment will not on its own address the root and branch of Nigeria's challenges, it is worth pursuing in order to meet the demands of various Nigerian groups. The focus of this restructuring is to restore the principle of non centralisation of power in the country's federal arrangement being the defining element of a federal polity.”
Atiku backs restructuring
Former Vice President and Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the resolution of the APC Progressive Governors Forum which called for restructuring and true federalism of Nigeria, saying the issue transcends religion and ethnicity.
The former vice president also described as patriotic the convergence of positions around restructuring by leaders from diverse regions of the country, noting that it confirms that he (Atiku Abubakar) was not just a lone voice in the wilderness in the inevitability of restructuring of Nigeria for the good of all.
According to the Mr. Abubakar, the restructuring debate transcends the ambition of any single politician in Nigeria. He said any attempt to ignore the agitations could make a bad situation more complicated.
He said the country could not afford to allow bottled up frustrations of the people to explode into violence, which threatens not only innocent lives, but also harms the country's economic assets.
PDP Governors Forum concur
The People Democratic Party's Governors Forum also concurred and called for as backed the call urgent restructuring of the country to stop ongoing agitations in some parts of the nation. The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, who is also the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, repotedly said that PDP governors were on the same page with the APC governors on the need to restructure the country.
According to him the present structure lacked the provisions that could enhance national integration, cohesion and prosperity needed to create an egalitarian society where social justice, fairness, equity and equality could thrive.
His words: "The APC governors have not just been saying it; Aregbesola said it; Ajimobi and a host of others in the APC have said it; and now, they have said it as a group and we support their call for restructuring. But the problem I have is that the Presidency is deaf to the voice of reason.
"But even if the Presidency is not going to respect the governors, what about those respected national leaders who have been calling for restructuring? Gen. Abdulsalami (Abubakar), has called for restructuring; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for restructuring; respected southerners and northerners have done so and even IBB has urged the government to restructure, but like I said, the Presidency is deaf to the voice of reason.
"The 2014 National Conference report is there and it contains recommendations made by Nigerians on how this country could be moved forward but the APC-led Federal Government is not interested in it and it has put the report on the shelf because everything about (ex-President Goodluck) Jonathan is bad.
"But if a government is always blaming yesterday for today's failure and you are not showing us a promising future, then the APC government, as led by President (Muhammadu) Buhari, has failed.
"As far as we are concerned in the PDP Governors Forum and the party at large, this country must be restructured."
Ob the kind of restructuring the PDP governors recommend, Fayose said if the Federal Government would not implement the 2014 confab report because of its "hatred for Jonathan," it could as well organise another national conference where "Nigerians will sit together and agree on conditions for national integration, mutual understanding, cohesion, governance structure, peaceful coexistence and respect for one another. ”
We can’t make progress under current structure -Tinubu
National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, added his voice to those calling for Nigeria to be restructured, adding that no progress can be made under the current political system, which operates like a military unitary system.
Tinubu stated this at the 91st anniversary of Daily Times newspaper and the Times Heroes awards in Abuja, recently.
The former Lagos State Governor , who was represented by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, said Nigeria was only a federation in name but a unitary state in practice.
He said, "Let us streamline governance; federalism in word and deed. Our constitution declares Nigeria a federation of 36 states however we still grapple with the vestiges of our past under the military rule. In any case, we still function like a unitary state despite the constitution. More power and resources need to devolve to the states.
"The Federal Government is taking on too much. We cannot flourish with over-concentration of powers at the centre. Some of the 68 items on the exclusive federal list should be transferred to the residual list as it was in most federal constitutions.
"In the 1963 Constitution, there were extensive powers granted to regions which allowed them to carry out their immense responsibility as they then saw fit." Tinubu said Nigeria's unitary political system only offered a deceptive and fake economic prosperity which was exposed when the oil price slumped.
He said even if the current recession end, the prosperity that would follow would be short-lived except structural changes were made
Why we can’t restructure now -APC
Speaking on the calls, APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi reportedly said restructuring is in the party’s manifesto but would be difficult to implement now.
His words: “I don't think it would be a wise move to add the challenges of restructuring if you have not dealt with the problems that affect the average Nigerian.
"So when people are hungry, when people are losing jobs, when people's salaries are not being paid I think any responsible government would consider this to be a priority even while it still believes in the restructuring of the country.
"The issue of restructuring is never a gimmick. It is in the manifesto of our party. How can that be a gimmick? That is why I said that the fact that it has not been done does not mean that it would not be done.”
Some participants at the just-concluded 8th Africa Armwrestling Championships on Saturday commended the Nigeria Armwrestling Federation (NAF) for staging a hitch-free competition.
Armwrestling
The championships, which commenced on June 28 ended Saturday at the Teslim Blogun, Stadium in Lagos.
Hullih Inousja, a Camroonian, who won silver In the men's 90kg category, said that the tournament was well coordinated and organised by the host.
"From the beginning to the end everything went smooghly and I am impressed because this is my first time in Nigeria.
"Nigerians are very friendly in spite of the language barrier because I dont understand english, " he said.
Alberta Ampomah, a Ghanian athlete who won gold in the women 80kg category, said she was impressed with the facilities put in place for the event
Ampomah said that though there were some delay in the timing, she noted that the championships was a huge success.
"The facility is very good and everything went smoothly, I must commend the host, " she said .
Olubode Fayowole, a gold medalist in the 60kg men's category, said competition was an eye opener for him, having competed with athletes from other countries.
"This is the first time I will be representing the country in a competition and it is a good exposure for me.
"If we can attend more continental competitions like this, it will help us to improve in the sport and I must commend the federation for their effort, " he said.
Also, Assumpta Egbuta, who won silver medal in the women 80kg category, said hosting the competition was a plus for the growth of the sport and the country.
Egbuta, who is also a sergeant in the Nigeria Police Force, urged more people to embrace the sport.
Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Eygpt and the host Nigeria participated in the championship.
European leaders joined with former US president Bill Clinton in Strasbourg on Saturday to pay a full-hearted tribute to former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, the father of German reunification and a founder of modern-day Europe.
Helmut Kohl
“A giant of the post-war period has left us,” European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said in an oration in French and German.
“Helmut Kohl was a German patriot, but he was also a European patriot,” said Juncker, the only current leader in Europe to have worked alongside the iconic figure.
“Helmut Kohl was not just the architect of German unity. He contributed substantially, more than others, to the reconciliation between European history and European geography.”
Kohl, who served as chancellor from 1982 to 1998, died on June 16. He was 87.
On his watch, the pro-Western and pro-Soviet states of West and East Germany reunified after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, becoming one of the stablest and most prosperous democracies in the world.
With former French president Francois Mitterrand, Kohl also drove the expansion and integration of the EU.
Together, they helped to open up its membership to fledgling democracies of the former Soviet bloc, create the euro single currency and ripped away internal border controls.
– Merkel moved – Kohl’s successor and one-time protege, Angela Merkel, struggled to rein in her emotions as she hailed “the chancellor of unification.”
“Without Helmut Kohl, the life of millions of people, mine included, who lived on the other side of the wall, would not be what it is today,” she declared.
French President Emmanuel Macron said: “Helmut Kohl was a privileged partner for France, an essential ally, but he was also more than that, he was a friend,”
“We are here to salute his mark on history.”
The EU flag of 12 gold stars on a blue background was draped over the coffin of the former chancellor, which was placed in the chamber of the European Parliament by a phalanx of eight German soldiers.
Three wreaths were placed in front of the casket — one in the colours of the Federal Republic of Germany, the other in the name of the EU, and the third in the name of Kohl’s wife Maike Kohl-Richter, bearing a simple inscription: “In Liebe, deine Meike” (With love, Maike).
The choice of Strasbourg for the ceremony carried great symbolic weight.
A French city on the Rhine border with Germany, Strasbourg is located in a region that once was bloodily contested by France and Germany.
Its location, along with Brussels, as the seat of the European Parliament is an emblem of the post-war reconciliation between the two former enemies that was fostered by the EU.
The parliament building was ringed by steel for the ceremony, with more than 2,000 police on duty.
Kohl’s coffin was to then taken by boat down the Rhine to the southwest German town of Speyer for his funeral service.
It was draped in the black, red and gold flag of Germany, with the eagle of the federal republic at its centre.
– Family row – Arrangements to honour Kohl were clouded by criticism from the statesman’s elder son.
Walter Kohl, whose mother was the late chancellor’s first wife Hannelore, criticised the lack of a state funeral, which was refused by his father’s current wife Maike.
Maike Kohl-Richter is 34 years younger than Kohl and the pair married when he was 78.
One of the reasons for her refusal was lingering anger at Merkel for her treatment of her former mentor.
Merkel ousted Kohl from the leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and urged the party to drop him when he became embroiled in a party funding scandal.
Walter Kohl wanted his father’s coffin to be taken to the German capital for “a national homage, an ecumenical requiem and a military farewell ceremony” near the Brandenburg Gate, where the German leader witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Because of a long-running feud with his stepmother, who jealously guards her husband’s political legacy, Walter Kohl had not had contact with his father for many years and said he learned of his death from a radio report.
He said he would not take part in the burial in Speyer.
In 1998, Kohl was named “European citizen of honour” — only the third person in EU history to receive such an award.
The others were the Frenchman Jean Monet, one of the founding fathers of the EU who died in 1979, and Jacques Delors, the 91-year-old former head of the European Commission who steered the plan to create the euro.
A football `super fan', Chief Ken Ani, has urged the League Management Company (LMC) to improve credibility and acceptability of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) by ensuring fair officiating of matches.
Ani said on Saturday in Enugu that the NPFL league should be growing and gaining local and international respect to attract the funding and quality players.
The super fan, who had continuously contributed to growth of football clubs in Enugu State, however, appreciated efforts of the LMC to sanitize the league so far this season but added "more is still needed to be done''.
Ani charged the LMC and the referees' appointment committee to go a step further in strict monitoring of some of the league centers during matches.
According to him, this is to ensure the avoidance of some ugly incidences and unfair officiating by some match officials during matches.
"This will further bring credibility and acceptability of Nigeria's Premier League in the comity of nations,'' he said.
Ani suggested that the DSTV sports channel, Super Sports, should be made to cover more of the matches live.
"More live coverage will give league matches comprehensive leverage for Nigeria football fans and international fans of the NPFL to enjoy,'' he added.
The Nigerian Army has offered free medical and environmental sanitation services to the people of Kogi as part of activities to commemorate the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Maj. Michael Bokos, Regimental Medical Officer, Medical Reception Station, Army Records, Lokoja, who led the medical team on Saturday, told newsmen that the army was celebrating itself to show its friendliness with the public.
Army
"It is just a way to showcase ourselves to the general public that we are civil-friendly, and interacting with our communities in terms of security, sanitation, healthcare, among others.
"Today, we felt that it is necessary to come out here and offer free medical checkups and treatment to the people as directed by the Army Headquarters all over the country.
"Besides, we are also rendering community service in terms of sanitation such as clearing and cleaning of drainages, cutting grasses, and providing aid to keep the environment clean.
"This is why you are seeing military men on the streets carrying brooms, cutlasses and other tools to participate in community service," Bokos said.
Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, the state's Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said the government's call for stakeholders' participation in community service was yielding results.
"Today, the Nigerian Army is participating in environmental sanitation; the decision is solely that of the military, we salute their initiative and look forward to more community, group and organisation initiated actions.
"We are delighted that the military left the barracks to clean our drainages, we are appreciative for having lots of responses in line with the Gov. Yahaya Bello New Direction Blueprint," she said.
Newsmen report that the army personnel offered medical care for malaria, hypertension, body mass index as well as random investigation of glucose content in the blood, among others.
They also gave out drugs to the beneficiaries for free.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr John Abejide, a student of the Federal University, Lokoja, appluaded the Nigerian Army for the good gesture.
"It is a great thing that the army is giving people free treatment to celebrate their day.
"I was surprised because something of this nature is very rare. I commend them for that, may God bless them.
NAN reports that NADCEL is an important annual event in the calender of Nigerian Army, meant to showcase its roles, capabilities and modest achievements.
It also affords the Nigerian Army the opportunity to relate with the larger society and collaborate with them on maintenance of law and order as well as ensuring security of lives and property.
The theme for this year's NADCEL is "Sustaining the Success of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary and Emergency Security Challenges".
General Electric (GE), a digital industrial company, says has trained 95 young Nigerian entrepreneurs in innovative techniques in manufacturing.
The Director, Communications and Public Affairs, GE Africa, Mrs Patricia Obozuwa, made this known on Saturday in Lagos during a media tour of GE Lagos Garage, a hub for advanced manufacturing, established in November 2016.
Obozuwa said the 95 entrepreneurs were given eight months intensive training to equip them.
She said the establishment of the garage was a fall-out of the World Economic Forum held in May 2014 to help build a skilled workforce and also drive entrepreneurial development of the country.
"It is noteworthy to announce the graduation of the third batch of 28 young Nigerian entrepreneurs from the Lagos Garage — a hub for advanced manufacturing-based innovation, strategy development, idea generation and collaboration.
"The new graduates joined the programme in the first week of June following a rigorous selection process and received four weeks of training on advanced manufacturing technology and business development.
"Participants learnt how to design and create products which will help position them as vital players in the advanced manufacturing and innovation ecosystem.
"The programme provided participants the opportunity to directly interact with the latest manufacturing technologies, including 3D printers, CNC mills and laser cutters that enable innovation through rapid prototyping,'' Obozuwa said.
Obozuwa noted that the young entrepreneurs had interacted with world-class instructors and technical experts, who had imparted skills in them to develop their business ideas.
The director expressed the hope that the Lagos Garage initiative would ultimately lead to the creation of more businesses and jobs in the country.
"We are very passionate about skills development in Nigeria and as such, we are proud to have trained 95 young Nigerian entrepreneurs till date.
"So far, three classes have graduated and a new class is scheduled to start in Sept. 2017."
According to her, over 100 prototypes have been developed at the Garage and 20 ideas have been transformed into practical business models.
Obozuwa recalled that GE created the garage experience in March 2012 to reinvigorate America's interest in invention, innovation, and manufacturing.
She said the Lagos Garage was designed to complement the Federal Government on local content policy and job creation.
By Jacob Ajom Nigeria has never produced a world boxing champion. Debatable? One may disagree but in an interview with Saturday Sport Vanguard, former African and Commomwealth boxing champion and a former number one contender to the world superlightweight belt, Obisia Nwakpa spoke convincingly about this assertion that one could not but agree with his conclusion that although some Nigerians like Hogan Kid Bassey and Richard Ihetu a.k.a. Dick Tiger have been in the past, they were champions not made in Nigeria by Nigeria.. •Joshua & Klitschko Obisia, a renowned former boxer who had a shot at the world title but was mysteriously unsuccessful right in Lagos, was angry when he was told that the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control would be sending a delegation to London to offer support to Nigerian born boxer, Larry Ekundayo, who is challenging British born boxer Garry Corcoran for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title on July 8. Although Obisia said such support was necessary, he observed that "it is coming too late."
He questioned, "where were they (NBBoC) when the young man was growing up here in Nigeria? Ekundayo was one of my boxers. He showed a lot of promise. He was a dedicated fighter and worked very hard. But lack of necessary support forced him to go abroad," Obisia recalled.
The veteran coach said there were still quite a number of young promising boxers in the country who need support. "It is not when they go abroad, get help from their host countries, then we will jump and quickly identify with them as Nigerians."
He said boxers like Hogan 'Kid' Bassey, would never have become a world champion if he had not gone to Britain in his early life. "Hogan Bassey was a British boxer who was trained by a British coach, managed by the British and fought under the British flag. He was not made in Nigeria,"Obisia insisted.
Obisia's view was corroborated by our findings after a research on the boxer's profile in the wikipedia. "Hogan Kid" Bassey MBE, former world featherweight champion was a Nigerian-British boxer, the first man of Nigerian descent to become a world boxing champion. He became a naturalised British when he moved to the UK, where he spent most of his life in Liverpool. He took the name Kid Bassey when he turned professional and was managed by George Biddles and trained by Jimmy August."
The same goes for Richard Ihetu who also migrated to Liverpool in his early days to pursue his boxing career and later to the United States. Dick Tiger held the World Middleweight and World Light Heavyweight Championships.
Recently, Anthony Joshua another Nigerian born British boxer claimed the IBF, WBA and WBO titles after defeating the once invincible Vladmir Klitschko in an eye catching duel inside the iconic Wembley Stadium. Nigerian boxing officials, some of who denied young Joshua the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Beijing Olympice were quick to claim him as "our own son."
Obisia said the successes of boxers of Nigerian descent outside the shores of this country shows that with a little push by the relevant authorities, Nigerian boxers can reshape the global boxing power base.
Back to Ekundayo who will be fighting next weekend, Obisia said, "the Ekundayo I knew then was a very good boxer. What worries me about him now is his age. He needs our prayers. At his age, some boxers would be in their twilight. But God willing, he can still nick it."
He said the Nigerian boxing body going to London was not a bad idea, but they should look inwards, identify the talents that are abound within the country and do the needful. "Today boxers train without fights, they look hungry and hardly meet their needs. How can we produce world champions that way?" he asked.
"We must however recognize the tremendous effort being put into Nigeria boxing by Gotv. They have breathed a new life into Nigerian boxing. "Unless we do more to produce our home made champions, we are living in borrowed robes," Obisia said.
At his inauguration into office on May 29, 2015, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, pledged new ways of doing things. And he has been so prudent in the management of state resources that a catch phrase – Egho Aria (there's no fund) is the talk in town. Egho Aria is what he tells people who besiege him for favours or jobs that he knows may not be on immense help to the state. Gov. Okowa MONDAY UWAGWU/CLETUS NGWODO/ITEVEH EKPOKPOBE got the Commissioner for Economic Planning and one of the arrowheads of the government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, explained the catch phrase, its ironic euphemistic tilt and the reasons for the government's successes, in spite of the persisting crippling effects of the subsisting economic recession. Excerpts:
Can you recall in specific terms the situation of things when this government first came into office? When we came in, it was obvious that state and the country at large were in the pit of recession, even though not officially announced. And, typical of any organization that does get into a quandary. When you are getting into office at the time of recession it calls for prudence and proper management of resources. There were challenges.
What were those initial challenges?
The issue of debt overhang has been clearly expressed by the governor when he addressed the house (Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA) and that remains the truth. In the governor's position was a lot of commitments and commitments encompass contracts awarded, existing ones, commitments made by the Tenders Board, projects that require mobilization, etc.
The governor's position was pretty clear. Now what have we done over the period? What we did was to set up Prof. Monye's Committee to re-validate most of these loans and exposures. What did we aim to achieve? In the face of dwindling resources, you must begin to prioritize your priorities.
We looked at all the jobs, all contracts awarded and we asked ourselves, 'Are there some that we could step down for now even though we have started? Is it not better to reduce our exposure, even though we have made some advance payments because we are unable to continue, in the interim, as a state? 'Are there some that have met full payment without delivery? These were the critical questions we asked ourselves. We have had cause, over the period, to look at them. We have Osubi, we have Warri Industrial Business Park, for example. We had to stop construction and job in those areas; Osubi case, in particular.
When we talk about the gravity of exposure, we look at what the government has done so far to either increase or curtail exposure. I can tell you that if we had allowed everything to continue the way it was, we would have been swimming in a whole lot of tension. Also, recall that the governor, on assumption of office, had to put out a circular to suspend all jobs and contract awarded in April, 2015.
The whole idea behind that circular was to enable us review the situation. With the privileged position of being in the transition committee, we saw the books up to date, and could, therefore, speak authoritatively as to the financial strength of the state. This was a government that hitherto earned as much as between N13b and N14 billion on monthly basis, drastically reducing and now alternating between N6b and N7 b or, even far less; it must be a matter of economic shock. We were heading for crisis; that was the direct situation.
Our prudence has led to the catch phrase 'Egho-aria'.'Egho-aria' is a euphemism for prudence. It simply means that we do not have money for those kinds of things (frivolities) because we need to prioritize our goals. We met a budget of N408 billion and some fractions which we had to cut down by 38 per cent, i.e. about N252b. You know what it means to reconstruct a building. We had to reconstruct that budget and that was a huge challenge. We had to reconstruct it for effectiveness.
That doggedness has taken us to where we are today. I can tell you categorically that Egho-aria'- there is money for things that we really need but not for frivolities.
How are you coping with Irrevocable Standard Payment Order, ISPO?
We are lucky with leadership. Governor Okowa has displayed an uncommon leadership quality. He has been able to compel followership to toe that part. What we have done, as a team, is to go down to look at our books and what is possible and apportioning them, spreading them out under immediate, short term, medium term and long term. The immediate started with salaries and actual earnings, suspending cooperatives. I am sure you experienced that. That action was to ensure that part of that money is used to sustain the system and make sure that everybody gets something to sustain life, even in the face of the economic crunch.
The commitments we have on other lines cannot be touched. The first reason it cannot be touched is because it's an Irrevocable Standard Payment Order (ISPO) that cannot be touched; it is deductible at source. We got net of whatever we required; that was the first step. The second step was that the executive had to 'suffer' in a sense. Why?
It is simply because; most of their overheads had to be suspended or reduced drastically,while we mobilised funds to pay salaries.
In the face of the immediate and short- term considerations, we also needed to deliver on the promises the governor made to Deltans. The job creation issue crept in immediately. In the first year, we had in excess of 1,235 jobs created both within the YAGEPreneurs and STEPreneurs as entrepreneurs. We also have had well over 3,000 interventions under the Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) Private Sector Partnership (PPSP), programme for private sector; the 3,000 translated to an excess of 6,000 jobs because when we begin to send inputs and cash to them, we begin to include more hands.
The state government also intervened very strongly in the micro -credit where over 6,500 beneficiaries have emerged. We also had to touch on schools, and all other ministries. You will agree with me that, on a medium term, we have done in excess of 581kilometers of road within the state, which is enormous. These roads cut across the length and breadth of the state. For the first time in the history of Delta State, we are consistently building roads in the creeks.
We have been doing so in Burutu, Gbaramatu, Okerenkoko, etc, and you know what it means to build roads there; it is like sinking raw cash into the water, in an attempt to build roads in the marshy terrain. That is exactly what we have done. We have spent in excess of N11.1 billion on education; we have constructed in excess of 44 blocks of classrooms and renovated an excess of 38 classrooms (blocks). We have done a lot of furniture and furnishing classrooms and rehabilitated technical colleges in Sapele, Agbor and Ofagbe, which are now in top shape.
The Ministry of Agriculture has intervened in three critical areas. Our programmes are properly spaced out and diversified. We are also working on the agro-industrial park; 220 hectares of land acquired in Ogwashi-Uku, just by the dam. The need to shift focus from oil has become a necessity. In as much as oil accounts for well over 70-80 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product, (GDP), and the oil sector does not create jobs in excess of 15 or 20 per cent. What does is agriculture, and perhaps, commerce.
So, why don't we engage our people in productive agriculture, especially at commercial level? These are very significant developments because the whole idea is all about Prosperity for all Deltans. The prosperity is not for those driving three Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to drive more, but for every house that is willing, to move out of any form of economic dungeon, to prosperity. We have, on this account, created every avenue in terms of training and information, among others. We also touched on health. Suffice it, that our predecessors did very well in health, but they were largely active at the secondary level. They were not, in my modest personal view, as impressive at the primary or tertiary healthcare levels. Our health insurance scheme is all-inclusive. As I speak to you now, well over, 20, 000 people have been enrolled in the programme.
Yo want to talk on the militancy that has affected the receipts of the state from the Federation Account (FA)?
Like I was saying, you will agree with me that we have been worst hit in terms of crude oil-related agitation in the Niger Delta. We still suffer (the effects of) that today. But we have stripped ourselves of luxuries. (As a state) we have also had some palliative measures from the Federal Government (FG) in terms of interventions. We have had Paris Club refunds and the sale of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) proceeds; we have had budget support from the FG, which has become a compulsory intervention that met us half way.
What is more important here is the mix of strategies that we have adopted to get out of the financial mess. We have employed micro- management payment.
But it would appear that on the heels of every intervention from the Federal Government, there is always a controversy as to how much the state truly receives?
It is mental laziness. The Ministry of Finance actually discloses what we are given but mischief makers want to twist the information. Many people feel that you have to abuse the man on the seat. What does it cost anybody to visit the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) website or the Ministry of Finance to know how much has been released? Today, the Ministry of Finance is very open; such information is on their website. What we appear to have now is an army of journalists we have to spoon feed.
The issue of information dissemination is not only by government. Investigative journalism is everything. At times, we hear we have received what we have not. Once I get such scoops I go online and verify. Here, I will say again and beg all journalists to go into investigative and in-depth journalism. We publish our scorecard and we are open on our dealings.
On Egho-aria cynicism?
It is misnomer and a misinterpretation of the actual meaning of the word 'Egho-Aria'. What you should be asking is under which circumstance we say there is no money. You don't expect that money that should be used to pay salaries be given to you on frivolous grounds or give you contracts when you know that the government can't fund it. The government is not unmindful of all the things it ought to have done. We don't have the money to do all it takes; so, we cannot put everything in the budget when we know we can't finance it and begin to build up abandoned projects again.
Egho-aria, like I said earlier, is a euphemism for prudence because we don't have that kind of money for frivolities. But if you are talking about constructing Nnebisi Road, 'Egho-huaa (there is money for that)'; if you are talking about Afisere Road, 'Egho-huaa.' For the first time in the history of Delta State, the government is reaching out to the rural riverine communities with real development projects on a scale unprecedented, and if you are talking about constructing roads in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu and other riverine areas, 'Egho-huaa'.
But we don't have money to go on a cruise; we don't have money to adorn ourselves on the pages of newspapers or for jamboree because we need that money to meet the needs of the people. So, I want to use this avenue to correct the impression, even though it is not an impression I should correct but I think it is gaining notoriety and acceptability on a platform of misconception and sarcasm; it is a euphemism. That's all.
Long before the modern people of Northern Nigeria came to be associated with herds of cattle running rampage and destroying farms across the country (a complete mis-categorization), they had been associated with portable transition radios. Without regard for religion, education, creed or class, the transition radio appeared to be a part of every Nigerian Northerner's life, and the picture of a man in traditional gear with a radio on his slim shoulder became iconic long before the advent of social media.
That little machine, powered mostly by lead batteries, has remained his major link to a world he cannot see, yet agrees is important to his fortunes.
Of course his interaction with it is in the language he is most likely to understand- Hausa. Yet Northern Nigeria's relationship with the BBC Hausa service goes beyond the region's need to stay in the loop of the world beyond it.
The radio as the ultimate tool for mass communication has not been displaced, even as social media has sought and failed to displace it. Proliferated as mobile and handheld devices have been, the tools for listening to the radio remain in abundance, including mobile phones and tablets themselves. The ability to interact freely on social media also detracts somewhat from its influence, as opposed to the radio, on which you the listener cannot interact unless the broadcaster gives you permission.
If anyone knows this, the BBC does; and has kept the Hausa service going while it remains the number 1 go-to resource for all seeking information in Northern Nigeria. It has become the culture.
Digital communication however goes far beyond the vituperations that the constancy of social media affords. Twitter, Facebook, their cousin Instagram and their neighbours Pinterest, Youtube and GooglePlus are simply the means by which internet technology has enhanced social interactions and are by no means defining of it.
Beyond affording ordinary people the world over the stimulus which arises from being able to express their every thoughts and instincts, digital technology is also a means by which information can be manipulated beyond recognition. A video can be edited until it is no longer recognizable. Photographs can be arranged with backgrounds imposed or superimposed; they can be made brighter or darker such that those taken during the day can be mistaken for those taken in the night, or vice versa. Contexts and timings can be altered. Voices can be made slower, faster, lower, louder.
President Muhammadu Buhari
In other words, propaganda can be more efficiently achieved via social media than through radio; and both have been employed with the President's Eid-el Fitri message to Nigeria in Hausa.
During the Jonathan administration, the First Lady, Dame Patience, had often been advised to stick to Pidgin English- which is just as widely spoken in the country as the English language- or her native Kirike/Ijaw with the assistance of an able translator rather than the constant onslaught suffered by the psyche of her listeners on account of her excessive creativity with the English language.
Neither was Aisha Buhari criticized last year when an interview went viral, which she had granted to the BBC Hausa service, warning us of the dire imminence of 'a cabal' taking over power from Mr. President. It had been in hhHhbghg
Hausa, and there was room for criticism, considering she is the wife of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The trouble with the Eid-el Fitri message is not with its contents or even the language via which it was delivered- it is with the context and the contentious issues with which our nationhood currently grapples.
It is an extremely dangerous narrative regardless of the explanations that have been proffered for the publication of the president's exchange with the BBC Hausa service, particularly taking into consideration the very fragile peace which we currently enjoy within the context of ethnic relations in the country today. If there are sections of the country which feel they have been marginalized, it is nothing short of political suicide for a leader to give the impression that only people with whom he shares a language should be communicated with at any time.
In Ambode's Lagos State, we will give hope to children with disability
By Morenike Taire, Sola Ogundipe, Funmi Ajumobi, Anino Aganbi and Chris Onuoha
Mrs. Joyce Onafowokan is the Special Adviser on Social Development to his Excellency Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, with the mandate to put a system in place that addresses the issue of disability in Lagos state especially in children. A certified early intervention specialist from the department of public health in the state of Massachusetts, USA, she has worked in the early intervention field for over 25 years. She has a passion and the passion arises from the phrase: "a stitch in time saves nine".
A warm family woman and a consummate public servant, Mrs. Onafowokan has degrees from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Smith University, Massachusetts, USA; as well various professional certifications.
She recently paid a courtesy call to the Vanguard where she had an interactive session with Editors. Excerpts:-
What is the governor's position on the intervention you propose?
What the governor is passionate about is, how do we begin to treat disability especially in infancy so that when the kids grow up we can maximize their potentials? He is seeing ability in disability. My job is to help him showcase the ability in the children.
Can you elaborate on the importance of your mandate to the development of the state?
The importance of the mandate is that there are too many abandoned children that you may not know who rely on churches, individuals, some of the states. Despite all the child laws in the country, you see children on the streets begging and you want to say, how do we put a system in place that even if a mother has a child that has disability you can dream. Almost every parent has a dream for their children, whether they are disabled or not. We want to bring back the dream; we want to bring back the fact that yes, there is a disability but perhaps there is a silver lining in the cloud. We also want to begin to let families understand that a disabled child is not punishment from the lord. It's not your mother in law; it is not your neighbour that you had a quarrel with a month ago before you had the child. Only God knows but the child is here. Yes there is a process that you have to grieve; we won't allow you to grieve, walking with you through the grieving process into acceptance. That, ok, the child is here, what do we do? It is most times the lack of professional treatment that allows the parents to fold their arms and they abandon because they become so helpless. When they are abandoned, they become the ward of the state.
And again science tells us now that 85% of the brain is completed by age three. If 85% of our brain is completed by age 3, can we capitalize on the younger age to manipulate the brain to do what we want it to do? Can it be a situation whereby it is not as bad as it could be? I have worked with children who have cerebral palsy. Most of them are working, they are feeding themselves; even those who are on wheelchair are able to navigate the wheelchairs themselves. They are in school. There is still hope that something good can come out of it.
I have a kid now who was diagnosed by age 1 with autism but he is on his way to the University right now to study music. We determined at a very early age that music is his passion so what we did was to capitalize on his music. He does not have great social skills but he is going to be able to take care of himself. His parents have gotten to a point that they can breathe and not say "if I die, what is going to happen to him"? That is what most parents think about. What is going to happen to my child when I am no longer there? We want to give them that reprieve. We say, you know what; it is going to be okay. We will hold their hands; we will work on their skills.
How can you evaluate the progress so far?
I am very new in the country. What I have done so far is familiarizing myself with the homes that are in the system. We are talking to businesses just to remind them about their civic responsibilities to each other. I am not going to say social responsibility to the state but it is the social responsibility with each other that makes us our brothers' keepers so that everybody can brace up and understand that disability is here to stay.
How do we create the awareness for the main people who are to benefit from such interventions to know, especially indigents in the remote parts of the city so that it doesn't become a big deal for only the rich?
Where I come from, we typically already have something in the works for continuity. We are working with LASUTH presently. We met them to help us have a data on the exact number of people with disability, especially children and to know the level of their disabilities. To categorize by age, area and by disability, to see exactly how many kids have Down syndrome in Lagos, how many with cerebral palsy and there is also the forgotten – sickle cell anemia that nobody talks about but it is a disability because it results in seizures and from seizures something else can happen. There are those with fetal alcohol syndrome that nobody talks about; that people don't even know about. There is a lot of malnutrition in children, if it is not taken care of and the brain is starved of fat that is needed, it may result in disability or even death.
We just heard in Europe that they place babies on vegan diet that does not give them fat for brain development.
What I am thinking about is a situation whereby we will have family centers in all the local government areas that become treatment facilities. Because if we are with you in the hood, we get to know you, we get to know your neighbours and it is easier for you to access. Again, what is really lacking is the specialists. We need specialists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and we need speech and language pathologists.
I am not talking just sign language. Sign Language is just a tool for language development. Kids whose limbs are restricted cannot sign, so we have to begin to think of other ways to give language. I have met some speech pathologists, but those I have seen are all sign language. We have to think of communicative methods that somebody else who cannot use their limbs can talk to you with. Do we begin to learn to read the eyes? Do I get to know your 'yes or no' from your eyes? There are picture exchanges, there are tools we can use but we need those specialists.
We are in the process of talking to Universities. I know that University of Lagos, last year, just revamped their school of special needs education. We are going to start by training Para-professionals.
If the competence is lacking, how do you plan to fill it?
We are in the process of talking to the University of Ife. Ife used to have a solid department of Education. I am going to talk to the new Pro chancellor to see how that can be revamped. To see how we can have a quick summer programme, probably 3 or 4 months that the Para-professionals can be trained at least to begin so there will be continued in- service training while the Universities begin to look into training the specialists proper.
Are you beginning from the scratch noticing it involves a lot of things? How do you create a sense of ownership judging by the fact that public initiatives are always perceived with levity? What is the state's policy on children living with disability?
I think we have data to some point but what I have come to see is that our data is not housed here. What we want LASUTH to do is, when it is all done, a copy will be housed in the governor's office, a copy will be housed in the ministry, and they will house it and develop on it. We see it as a living thing but we want it to be housed in a way that if you are in Australia and you click, you will get up-to-date data. Even when I look for data, most data are those done by the white man. You live in London and are a white man, did you go to Ajegunle to see, did you go to Agege or did you just stop in Ikoyi, Victoria Island?
I am collaborating with the NGO's. I have gotten to know them. This is Nigeria, it is not all of them that want to collaborate with the state and they have their rights. There is a freedom of association. I am glad that quite a number of them also want to move further than where they are. They also want to have their schools open to the less privileged. It is in that line that I am saying I am collaborating with them. And I just keep reminding them that there is a new sheriff in town. I am not the sheriff but there is the governor who is very passionate and you can see that he is a silent worker who wants it done. And he has said this train has to leave the station so what I ask people is: are you coming on board? And if you do not come on board, this train is going to leave you.
Is there a policy?
There were policies with the Child's Rights Act and there is a policy that you must not discriminate. You must not abuse.
Is there a quota given? If the state is employing, does it have a certain percentage for people with disability?
Right now, there is a process. Some people living with disability are being hired as we speak. I also know that the process of ensuring that every building in Lagos is handicapped accessible- that also is on-going. Unfortunately, with the nation as a whole, enforcement has not been our greatest strength in this country. The laws are there but we all go to the market to buy things and we see their children and wonder why a child is not in school. We all have to wake up and sensitize ourselves and indeed become our brother's keeper. Unfortunately, the Western world has taken our concept: it takes a village to raise a child.
This administration means well but what happens when another administration comes along? What plans do you have for continuity?
For instance, if you give us a building, and we just say, Vanguard Early Intervention Centre, it is already there. People are already coming from Apapa to this centre, there is no government that is going to come and close it down, except the parents cannot rise up and protest. So we want to put something solid in place that it can no longer be touched.
Most of the parents who go to South Africa, who come to the US for summer, would look inward. I am telling you, if it existed in Nigeria, they will pay top dollar to receive it right here. So what I want to do is put something that is carved in stone and that is why I am being very meticulous and going incrementally to put in a system. Even in the US, nobody does it alone because it is bigger than all of us. These are things that we want to build. I just want to bring my wealth of experience
We always think about children who are less privileged, there are also so many children living with learning disability from privileged background who are hidden away. How do you reach them?
I think when we all begin to scream from the roof top, maybe we can reawaken their conscience. For me, if I can reach one, I have done something. We may not reach every child.
Is there a place for compassion? Is it everybody that is trainable to look after a child with disability?
I don't think so. Even in the US we hire people and after two months they quit. So what I tell people is, there is no money in it. You either have the passion or you don't. You don't fake passion, no matter how you try. I keep saying this: if there is one passionate human being in Lagos state, it is Akinwunmi Ambode.
I see it in his eyes when he talks about these kids. I see it in his eyes when he says, "I have not done enough". I see it because I have the same passion and I see those who fake it too. I know them but for me, they are a distraction because I have a mandate. I just need to forge ahead with the person who has hired me.
Who believes in me that I can get something done but it is bigger than me. I need the man on the street, I need the companies. Schools have to be ready to integrate them- the Governor wants integration. Businesses have to be ready so that when they leave school, there is something for them to do. Kids with Down syndrome are the friendliest human beings on the face of the earth.
Enyimba FC gaffer, Gbenga Ogunbote has reiterated his side’s desire to fight to the end for the title. This is coming on the heels of a run of form that has them sitting 3rd on the log after 26 rounds of matches.
Ogunbote
Ogunbote speaking with npfl.ng after a midweek trashing of El-Kanemi Warriors sounded confident about his side's fortunes and rued the absence of team captain, Mfon Udoh in the squad that defeated Ladan Bosso's lads.
Gunning for an eight title "We have 12 games to decide the league. The players are equally aware of the fact that we need to step up our game. We are really determined to win and win big, and we will take our chances.
"The title is very much within reach and we can measure up. Securing wins away from home will be crucial. We expect tough games henceforth, because it is getting more critical. I am confident, we have all it takes to go for the title," said Ogunbote.
Mfon Udoh's absence On the absence of Udoh in their win against El-Kanemi on Wednesday, Ogunbote admitted his team missed their captain and believes that they would have scored more than four if the striker was in good shape to feature.
Ogunbote still could not confirm if the Enyimba captain will be fit for their trip to Uyo where they will face Akwa United.
"Actually we missed Mfon. We cannot say we did not miss him. If he played, maybe we could have scored more than four.
"We are waiting on the doctors. He has resumed training. I wouldn't know for sure if he will be in consideration for the next game (against Akwa United)," he told npfl.ng.
Enyimba have won the title seven times and only lost the race to a revitalized Rangers International last term
Enyimba’s next NPFL fixture is a trip to Uyo to face Akwa United on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – A section of the Federal Secretariat building in Abuja housing the Ministry of Health was Saturday gutted by fire.
Though, spokesman of the service, Collins Elechi was not immediately available for comments as he was said to be busy, Sunday Vanguard gathered that the incident was as a result of an electrical surge.
Some health officials however told journalists that the damage was ot substantial.
It would be recalled that a similar power surge had destroyed several home appliances in some parts of Kubwa on Wednesday.
Most Public Buildings Not Safe -Fire Service
Authorities of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) had in an earlier interview raised the alarm about the safety of most public buildings across the country, and especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which they said was not safe for workers as a result of non-compliance with fire safety requirements.
The agency, however, warned that if the occupants of the said buildings failed to install the fire-fighting requirements they would be forced to close them down.
According to the Controller-General of the Service, Engr. Joseph Garba Anebi, "So many government structures here (Abuja) need to be sanctioned because the lives of people working there are not safe. Some of these public buildings that have been found wanting should do the needful to avoid been sanctioned very soon because we have met with the occupants of these buildings."
Anebi said if the agency was to carry out its responsibility, as expected, the FCT would grind to a halt as most public buildings in the territory would be closed down.
