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  • Okpa-Iroha: Calling the shots in clothing manufacturing

    Okpa-Iroha: Calling the shots in clothing manufacturing

    Ayo Joy Okpa-Iroha is the Managing Director/CEO of AyoIroha Clothing Limited, a clothing manufacturing company, and its sister company, Fashion Brokers Consult Limited, which gives other garment brand owners the springboard to launch their labels into the market. The burgeoning fashion entrepreneur bestrides the industry like a colossus, a feat she owes to her creativity, innovation and tenacity. With nine regular staff and several tailors under her payroll, she shares the inspiring story of her rise to fame and fortune and her future plans with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

     

    THE drew inspiration from her military officer father’s interest and taste in fashion to launch herself into what is now a flourishing clothing manufacturing business.

    Today, Ayo Joy Okpa-Iroha is a successful fashion entrepreneur and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AyoIroha Clothing Limited, a garment making company, and its sister company, Fashion Brokers Consult Limited, which produces for other labels.

    It all started in the 90s, when, growing up, Okpa-Iroha could not help but admire her father, now late, who adorned himself in bespoke apparels. His unique taste in fashion and well-tailored Safari suits served as inspiration to an impressionable Okpa-Iroha and led her to pursue a career in fashion.

    “Everything he wore was well tailored; a lot of Safari suits when we were growing up and I think that left a very strong picture in my mind as to how men should look. I think in the late 90s, I began to nurture it as something I wanted to do,” Okpa-Iroha recalled, with a tone tinged with unmistakable sense of pride and fulfillment.

    Although she did not, at the time, start making cloths for men in line with her father’s taste in fashion, Okpa-Iroha put the right foot forward, first by studying fabrics, textures and how they work. She also went back and forth to Accra, Ghana for about two years, studying fabrics and also finding out how to launch her own clothing line.

    To further hone her skill, the fashion aficionado also took a fashion and marketing course in 1996 at the Fate Foundation, Lagos, Nigeria. And by 2003, she started off her clothing line fully in Nigeria, launching AyoIroha Clothing Limited. But, before then, she had founded a fashion house known as Noiree (French for Blackish), which she later rebranded as ‘AyoIroha.’

    Okpa-Iroha said then, she was just making some garments for very few clients, nothing large scale. However, by the time she went for two fashion shows – in Lagos and Abuja – her business took a different turn. For instance, at the Abuja fashion show tagged ‘Face of Abuja,’ which held in 2004, she emerged first runner-up.

    The show was her big break. “When I had a fashion show in Abuja called ‘Face of Abuja,’ it became the big break for me because before then, I was just meandering in the industry until I was spotted out by one or two guys in the fashion industry,” she told The Nation in an interview during the week.

    According to her, the show was her biggest break because she was designing alongside popular designers such as Modela. “Modela was the winner of the ‘Face of Abuja’ fashion show and I was the second,” Okpa-Iroha gleefully said, adding that she also organised a private fashion show in Amsterdam, Holland, in June 2012.

    By November same year, the acclaimed fashion designer and style consultant, who has never hidden her passion for African heritage and culture through her selection and combination of fabrics and colours that reflect the African diversity and history, also participated at the ‘Africa Day Fashion’ show, also in Amsterdam.

    Expectedly, such local and international fashion engagements and exposures literally worked magic. Apart from leveraging them to gain more career mileage via networking, a number of mouth-watering international jobs started coming Okpa-Iroha’s way. “Amazingly, my first break, in November 2012, was to produce for a clothing line in Amsterdam,” she said.

    Continuing, she said: “It was the first time I got an international production and that gave me a very high level of confidence because I was able to meet up. Everything we produced came clean. So, part of my prayer to God now is to get more international jobs, because when you have international clients they understand the process; they don’t argue with you unlike when you have our people.”

    Okpa-Iroha also said it was in the course of her trip to Amsterdam, on two occasions, and networking in their fashion industry that she was privileged to meet with a company that indicated readiness to work with her at the time to see how they could bring fabrics into Nigeria.

    Perhaps, more importantly, it was on the strength of her numerous foreign trips to the United Kingdom (UK) and Amsterdam, for instance, that she realised that it was possible to grow the kind of fashion industry that is obtainable in those countries where there is a lot of garment lines and people can actually borrow a leaf and grow their clothing line back home.

    Enter Fashion Brokers Consult Ltd.

    Sufficiently armed with the extra confidence and experience garnered from several local and international fashion engagements and also determined to further stamp her feet in the industry, Okpa-Iroha set up a sister company known as Fashion Brokers Consult Ltd. in 2016.

    An arm of AyoIroha Clothing Ltd., Fashion Brokers Consult is involved in bulk sewing and delivery as a solution to other designers in Nigeria. It provides the platform for other garment brand owners to launch their labels in the market.

    Fashion Brokers Consult, according to her, was borne out of the need to produce for other people to help them have some kind of space to scale up as independent, private labels. Her words: “What I have done is create a sister company of AyoIroha that now produces for private labels, small business owners who want to grow a small clothing line and they don’t know where to produce.

    “They (private labels or small business owners) can’t go to China, because if they have to, they have to do a lot of quantities. But they want to grow a label they can produce here in Nigeria so, that’s what Fashion Brokers now does for people, to help them produce clothing lines across their designs and then grow them gradually.”

    To further clarify the difference between both companies, the fashion entrepreneur said: ”AyoIroha Clothing is my brand which I use to make clothing line to sale as my brand with my label.

    “But Fashion Brokers is a sister company that produces for other labels. So, you bring your label, possibly I do your label and the designs for you. Or you already have a design and then we help you work through that design. It is that process that people don’t really know.”

    Recalling how she branched out into Fashion Brokers, Okpa-Iroha said she actually started thinking of the idea of helping people, mostly small scale, to produce garments in Nigeria and then scale up, in 2014. However, the idea gained more traction in 2016 when she was selected to be part of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP’s) 14-week training.

    Okpa-Iroha, an alumna of the TEEP Foundation, is also that of EMPRETEC Nigeria, a flagship capacity-building programme of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where she won the most innovative idea award in 2016.

    It was the EMPRETEC platform that gave Okpa-Iroha extensive training on business management and how to grow small businesses.

    “So, by 2017, on the strength of the training, it became quite glaring what I really wanted to do and how I wanted to grow that small factory into something big to help people, she stated, noting that the business has indeed, blossomed into a giant employing at least, nine regular staff and several other tailors engaged on contract basis.

    Not one to compromise on quality, durability and good finishing, Okpa-Iroha and her two firms have become household names within Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, where the business is located. Although her customers include men and women, its predominantly more of children’s clothing.

    “Most of it is children’s’ clothing now,” she said. But within Fashion Brokers, Okpa-Iroha has brought her innovation and creativity to bear in the last one year. Her words: “I started producing what I don’t produce for my clients. I started producing kids’ essentials. I call it kids’ essentials because children will wear pants, singlet, bra tops.

    “So, from Fashion Brokers I created a brand that is just only trademarked and so, I produce kids’singlet in bulk, where I look for bulk buyers to come and take. I also created another brand that provides some kind of business for women who don’t necessarily have a lot of businesses but are looking for something to put in their hands to sell.

    “So, we just started the idea of producing singlets and pants in bulk for women who just want to start a small business online and they can come and buy pants and display it, possibly put their own label because we don’t put labels on them.”

    Smart and witty, Okpa-Iroha understands the market like no other, which is why, despite locating her business in the highbrow Alausa area of Nigeria’s commercial capital, her target customers include those at the lower rung of the economic and social ladder, people who can afford to start a small business.

    She rationalised it thus: “The truth is that in my little experience, the money is within the poor, and they spend more. So, if you can target them, it is not with disrespect, it’s just what it is. They spend more and they buy more. When I say they spend more, there are a lot of them who just want to do business in Oshodi and make their money with small margin and they are reasonably okay.

    “If you put your product online, you will sell, but you will not sell compared to the open market where that woman from Kwara State, for instance, drove to come and buy things and take back to Kwara. That particular woman is not online so she doesn’t know what your online means to her. So, those are my targets.”

    Evidently ambitious, Okpa-Iroha envisions a future where Fashion Brokers will be producing for 50 to 60 labels steadily in the next few years. She also said her vision is to fully launch her clothing line for men and boys, just as she plans to have a very big space for her kids’ essentials.

    “We want to have a very big space for our essentials in terms of not just the open market locally, but also a store where people can just walk in and buy pants, singlet, at very affordable prices, and also bra tops which we lack seriously in the market,” she stated, noting that for now, she does pants and bra tops for children, briefs for boys, pants for girls, singlet for school children. She also said by March this year, she will start production for children aged 0-18 months.

    Okpa-Iroha, however, said she is yet to start making stockings because she needs to get the machines to start that line of production, which, hopefully, “Will enable me employ more people.”

    Born in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 11, 1972, the 49-year old astute entrepreneur, who studied Textile Management, has never shied away from empowering others especially women and the less-privileged.

    For instance, she founded The Entrepreneurs’ Cooperative (TEC) in 2019 to support the growth of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria.

    She and a few other Alumni The Tony Elumelu Foundation set up TEC to help themselves and other entrepreneurs access funds for business, collective clearing of goods, as well as showcase each other’s business on the same platform.

    Throwing lifeline to the down-trodden

    Okpa-Iroha has also been training physically challenged small business owners to see how they can get little funds for their business. This, according to her, led her to start employing more of physically challenged tailors in her factory on contractual production.

    According to her, she never bought the idea of all the tailors having to come from Cotonou or Cote d’Ivoire. “Of course, I tried my hands on immigrant tailors from those countries and got my fingers burnt,” she regretted, stating that the first tailor she got was physically challenged, deaf and dumb, but had have hands-on experience. Luckily for her, at the time, her admin lady was born to a deaf and dumb mum and dad so, she could handle the deaf and dumb tailors. And with the curiosity the experience stirred in her, Okpa-Iroha started delving into their lives.

    That took her to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) in Alausa, where she met the agency’s  director and discussed how to engage a few of the physically challenged tailors in her business.

    Since then, Okpa-Iroha has never looked back. “The agency has these people (the physically challenged) come in and take money every week to survive. But by the time I came on board, the director was so happy. That’s how I have been working with the physically challenged till now. I have about five of them under my umbrella now.

    She also said it through LASODA she met one of the top guys among the physically challenged popularly known as Mr. C. C Okoli. In the agency, he is the lawyer; the guy who is a lawyer that I talk to all the time is blind. He drove a whole lot for physically challenged people back then. We did a few things together for these guys. They are so good. I have had them working for me for the past two years. They are all Nigerians,” she told The Nation.

     

     

     

     

  • Building world-class African brands is Uju’s forte

    Building world-class African brands is Uju’s forte

    Platform Branding Co. Limited, an integrated marketing communications firm, was borne out of the need to fill the gap for quality marketing communications services for medium and large companies in Africa. Under its co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Uju Obuekwe, the company has been planning and managing branding strategies for clients to increase their brand awareness, loyalty, revenue and growth. The brand strategist and entrepreneur says her goal is to help build world-class African brands that can compete effectively in an ever-changing business world. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

     

    HER life as an entrepreneur revolves around her core values of professionalism, integrity and equity. How the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Platform Branding, an integrated marketing communications firm, Uju Obuekwe, has managed to align her professional pursuits, passion and skills with these values, perhaps, explains why she has been able to accomplish so much in such a remarkably short time.

    For instance, the company, which she and her sister started about 11 years ago with one employee and small savings, today, has over 20 employees, several interns and a remarkable team of first-class brand strategists, talented designers, digital strategists and graphic designers. Also, from a shop hitherto co-located with another company, Platform Branding, now boasts of offices in Lagos, Abuja and the United States (U.S.).

    Apparently excited by the milestones she has so far recorded, an appreciative Uju said: “I am incredibly pleased with our team and the work we have done with some of the best industry leaders within the corporate world in Nigeria and outside of Nigeria. We have also won several awards from inception till date. Being able to provide jobs and contribute my quota to easing unemployment gives me great joy.”

    Uju’s impactful and inspiring entrepreneurial journey started in 2009.That was when she and her sister, who studied advertising in U.S., realised that many medium to large companies had challenges obtaining quality marketing communications services within the country. There was dearth of agencies in the marketing communications space to cater to companies in that segment.

    According to the budding entrepreneur, her sister challenged her to join her in setting up a marketing communications agency because she (the U.S.-based sister) saw the gap in the market. Besides, Uju said she wanted to pursue her love for brands and marketing, having come from a marketing background.

    “Platform Branding was borne out of the need to cater to this segment of the market,” she told The Nation, pointing out: “Our goal is to help local companies build world-class African brands that can compete effectively in an ever-changing world.”

    According to Uju, the company plans and manages branding strategies for clients to increase brand awareness, brand loyalty, revenue and accelerate growth. She added that as an entrepreneur, she would continue to build more enduring businesses that would be passed on to future generations.

    Indeed, with the setting up of Platform Branding, the 1992 law graduate from Nigerian Law School has brought her over 20 years’ experience in integrated marketing communications, law and human capacity development, as well as her expertise in brand management, corporate communications, strategy and business processes to bear on the award-winning agency.

    As its Head of Brand Strategy and Business Development, she has been responsible for strategy development and marketing and for leading corporations across diverse industries. She has expertise in developing brands through the planning and execution of effective marketing and communication strategies, including market positioning, personal brand development and communication strategies.

    In positioning Platform Branding as an integrated marketing communications firm to beat, Uju drew so much strength from her rich background in business mentorship and training, as well as experience garnered over the years as a prolific author and business development service provider.

    For instance, she is a mentor of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative programmes. A rare combination of beauty, brain and brawn, Uju was also fortunate to have attended the 25th Global Edition of the Women Economic Forum (WEF) in New Delhi, India, where she was given the WEF Woman of Excellence Award.

    She has also managed to combine business with continuing education, obtaining a certificate in Corporate Innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business LEAD Programme, for instance. Before that, she earned a certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, where she is the Vice President, Enterprise Development Centre Alumni Association (EDCAA).

    The brand strategist is also a Fellow of the Institute of Brand Management; Institute of Corporate Administration, as well as Member, Institute of Management Consultants. She is also one of the role models – Women in LPG and a Member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). She also serves as First National Vice President of her alma mater, Federal Government College, Enugu.

    Uju is also a scholar – Road to Women’s Business Growth Program (Cherie Blair Foundation/Exxon Mobil Foundation)and World Bank Scholar. She also recently graduated from the founder Institute based in Silicon Valley, with chapters across 200 cities and 90 countries.

    The founder Institute is the world’s premier idea-stage accelerator that has helped launch some of the fastest-rising start-ups across six continents. It is a very challenging start-up launch programme for talented entrepreneurs that give the structured process, expert mentors and a global network of entrepreneurs needed to build an enduring global company.

    An acclaimed speaker at various local and international fora, Uju is also an author of several published books. For instance, she wrote ‘The Essential Guide to Personal Branding,’ ‘Monetise Your Expertise, Make Extraordinary Impact’, and ‘Create Financial Success.’

    Two other books are also in the works, one on branding entitled: ‘Branding to Win’ How Ageless Principles Build Timeless Brands’ and the other, ‘After the Break: A Returning Woman’s Guide to Work’. She has also been featured in several publications and mediums, including press, radio and television.

    Through her courses, books, speaking engagements, coaching and consulting, Uju is easily one of the most sought-after brand strategists. Her ability to help clients from diverse sectors become the best version of themselves, create the future they want, fulfil their career and entrepreneurial goals has continued to endear her to many lucky to come her way.

    However, as exciting and hugely rewarding as her career has been, Uju’s road to fame and fortune is not without challenges, particularly in the start-off stage. “Some of the challenges we faced in the formative years of the business, in addition to the usual challenges that we are all aware of like inadequate provision of infrastructure, included hiring the right talent and the lack of access to capital to grow our business,” she told The Nation.

    She also stated that till date, many financial institutions still do not understand the service business. “We also realised that at the time, women had insufficient networking opportunities, mentoring and peer groups, which is why I set out to deliberately join different female entrepreneurial groups,” Uju added.

    Having successfully navigated the challenges, Uju has some pieces of advice for young entrepreneurs. Her words: “While pursuing your business endeavours, don’t forget to prioritise your health, family, relationships and other interests you might have.

    “It is also important to consider doing what makes you happy. That way, your passion will get you through the difficult moments that are part of the entrepreneurial journey.”

    She also counselled that to be a successful entrepreneur, one needs a work-life harmony. “When I was starting out as an entrepreneur, I was able to schedule my work around my children. It meant missing out on some meetings and events, but that’s ok.

    “I understand that not everyone will have the luxury of flexible working hours as I did, but it’s important to organise and prioritise what is most important to you. You also need a support system; as well as outsourcing and delegating non-essential functions,” Uju added.

  • For better ports management

    For better ports management

    Last week, the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) started an e-call-up system. Stakeholders say the agency needs to expand container free-flow system by introducing a Port Management Information System (PMIS) that will provide seamless communication among truckers, service providers, importers and others to make the ports more efficient, OLUWAKEMI DAUDA reports.

     

    IT was one problem too many. The congestion around Apapa and its environs in Lagos State had become a menace, not only to the areas, but also the entire industry, contributing to its near-collapse.

    However, relief came last week when in a bid to solve the problem, the management of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) commenced the implementation of the much-awaited e-call-up system for articulated vehicles accessing the port to pick cargoes and containers.

    But stakeholders said NPA, in collaboration with other agencies at the port, should, in addition, introduce a Port Management Information System (PMIS) to provide intercommunication for truckers, service providers, importers and others.

    Its Assistant General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications Mr. Nasiru Ibrahim, explained that the e-truck call-up system was designed for truck movement management and access to and from the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports.

    Providing articulated vehicles access to free flow – a container delivery method need to be made available to make cargo clearance easy and increase container throughout with minimal investment.

    Port operations involve pulling containers off ships and placing them randomly into long rows. Truckers arrive at the terminal with a specific container number, and operators have to dig that container out of the pile. On average, three containers must be moved out of the way for every one container delivered.

    But imagine if specific containers weren’t assigned to a driver until after one was loaded onto his truck. This would allow the ports to peel off the first available container and place it on the next available driver and chassis, much like a taxi line at the airport.

    Dead moves are eliminated and truck turn times are reduced. Findings have shown that free-flow containers will reduce trucker turn-around times by more than 50 percent.

    High-volume shippers with 50 or more containers on a vessel regularly free-flow containers. Because the containers have the same drop-off location, it doesn’t matter which container a trucker receives, and no special technology is needed to coordinate the drivers.

    After receiving a container, the driver would enter its number into his phone, and its delivery and routing information would appear on his screen. The delivery could be directed to a distribution centre or to an off-site yard at a later time.

    The shipper would receive status notifications when the container has been picked up, the driver is about to arrive, and the container has been delivered.

    After the driver drops the container, his phone would direct him to the empty closest to its Last Free Day (or in a first-in-first-out manner) to return empties to the ports. If no empties are available at the drop-off location, the driver’s phone routes him to a nearby yard that has empties to return (preferably to a terminal they are picking up from next).

    Throughout the process, any stakeholder could pull up a map on their phone or computer and see the driver’s precise location. In this way, technology-enabled free flow would not only move more containers out of the ports efficiently, it would also provide greater transparency for shippers and carriers.

    Requirements

    All trucks doing business at the two Lagos ports are required to park at the approved truck parks until they are called up into the port through the Eto app.

    Ibrahim told The Nation that an e-platform has been created for ease of assessment by truckers, adding that the app will be responsible for the scheduling, entry and exit of all trucks into the ports in few days time.

    “Therefore, transporters, trucks owners and truck drivers will be required to download the Eto app from Google play store or sign up at http://eto.ttp.com.ng before the commencement date to enable them register accordingly.

    “In addition to this, cargo owners are advised to ensure that empty containers can only be returned to the ports through the approved holding bays of shipping companies using the Eto platform.’’

    Movement of containers to holding bays

    The image maker said it is the responsibility of the shipping firm to move empty containers from their holding bay to the port. All cargo owners have to do is drop their empty containers at the holding bay of the shipping company.

    “The shipping company will then make the bookings on the Eto platform to return empty containers to the Port.

    “The management of the NPA solicits the cooperation of transporters, truck drivers, cargo owners, clearing agents, shipping companies and all port users in the implementation of the project, which will bring order and sanity to the ports access roads.

    “Non-compliance to the use of Eto and its guidelines will result in denial of access into the Ports, impounding of trucks and withdrawal of registration/ licence.

    NSC reacts on digitalisation

    At the end of last year, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) had announced that cargo clearing and other port transactions would be carried out online by first quarter of this year.

     

  • Can EU’s presence restore security?

    Can EU’s presence restore security?

    The European Union (EU) has moved to stem rising criminalities in the Gulf of Guinea, a lucrative maritime trading route stretching across 20 countries in the African West Coast. What are the implications of this initiative for the continent, which is saddled with providing security in the region, MUYIWA LUCAS writes.

     

    THE Gulf of Guinea (GoG) has attained notoriety for piracy and other criminal activities in the industry.

    At present, the region has been dubbed “the most dangerous sea in the world for piracy”, owing to criminalities in it by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

    Notwithstanding the pronouncements of the country’s industry safety regulators and other security agencies saddled with keeping the waters safe, which at best, has remained mere lip service. This month alone, at least two deadly attacks on vessels have been recorded in the GoG, with the latest happening last Saturday.

    According to reports, the MV Mozart, a Turkish cargo ship, was boarded by pirates 100 nautical miles northwest of Sao Tome, Sao Time and Principe, at 0525 on January 23, 2021. The MV Mozart, which sails under a Liberian flag, was traveling from Lagos to Cape Town, South Africa, when the attack took place. One crew member was killed and 15 others were taken hostage by the pirates after a struggle on board.

    Impact

    Piracy in the GoG is assuming an unprecedented dimension, especially now that kidnapping seem to have become a lucrative business. According to the IMB, there is a steady increase in kidnappings over recent years in this region, after the criminals on the waters realised that companies would pay handsomely to secure the release of their kidnapped personnel.

    The activities of pirates in the GoG are said to be taking a toll on trading, especially in cost. For instance, vessels and shipping lines that still ply the route now charge a premium for freighting, including placing a higher premium on insurance costs due to the designation of the GoG route as “high risk”.

    Global concern

    The Gulf of Guinea, which stretches off the coasts of Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, Benin and Cameroon, borders more than 20 countries and has been a source of worry for global stakeholders in the industry. These concerns led to an initiative in 2008- the “Operation Atalanta,” a European mission to secure the region’s water for shipping. The initiative recorded good success, leading to a decline in pirates attacks on vessels. Sadly, the problem is on the rise again.

    For instance, according to data from the IMB yearly piracy report, in 2019, there were 228 pirates’ attacks on vessels, while figures issued earlier this month saw an increase of piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2020, with the Gulf of Guinea the hotspot as kidnappings off West Africa approach Somalia levels from a decade ago.

    ”The latest statistics confirm the increased capabilities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea with more and more attacks taking place further from the coast. This is a worrying trend that can only be resolved through increased information exchange and coordination between vessels reporting and response agencies in the Gulf of Guinea region. Despite prompt action by navies in the region, there remains an urgent need to address this crime, which continues to have a direct impact on the safety and security of innocent seafarers,” said Michael Howlett, director of the IMB.

    In 2013, 25 countries in the region developed the “Yaounde Code”, which established coordination on piracy and other maritime crimes. Nigeria has its own “Deep Blue” initiative to develop maritime surveillance and security, and last year secured its first conviction under a new anti-piracy law.

    New initiative

    Indeed, global regulators and stakeholders are not folding their arms in ridding the GoG of criminal activities. For instance, though the Nigerian regulator takes pride in its “Deep Blue Project” equipment contracted to Israeli contractors at $195 million to tackle the GoG menace and other maritime security-related issues, the Council of EU, worried at the field day pirates and other criminals enjoy in the region, has resolved to take over the security of the GoG. In reaching the decision, the EU said its action is to protect its members’ interests aimed at tackling the menace in the region.

    Deliberating under the subject: “Council conclusions on launching the pilot case of the coordinated maritime presences in the Gulf of Guinea” the EU Council noted the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea region and reaffirmed its long-standing determination to support West and Central African states in their efforts to address the challenges to maritime security, including organised crime.

    The Union though commended the West and Central African states, which bear the primary responsibility for combating maritime crime in the region, recalling that the countries made political commitments in June 2013 under the “Code of Conduct concerning the repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships, and illicit maritime activity in West and Central Africa”. These commitments, the EU further noted, have been pivotal in the progressive establishment of the Yaoundé Architecture to improve coordination and cooperation on maritime security.

    However, the EU maintained that the Gulf of Guinea continues to face a challenging environment in which piracy, armed robbery at sea, kidnapping of seafarers, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, smuggling and trafficking of drugs and arms, as well as transnational organised crime pose a major threat to maritime security. These activities, it further observed, is adversely affecting freedom of navigation, thus endangering major trade routes, jeopardising the sustainable development of the entire region and the economic livelihood of the population, and leading to the deterioration of the environment and biodiversity.

    In this context, the EU pledged its commitment to increasing work with the coastal States of the Gulf of Guinea and the organisations of the Yaoundé Architecture, through greater European operational engagement, including ensuring continuity, restiveness, complementarity and synergy between member states’ actions in this strategic area, also having in mind cooperation with the maritime industry.

    “Recalling both the EU’s Maritime Security Strategy and the related Action Plan, as well as the EU’s Strategy on the Gulf of Guinea and its related Action Plan, following the Council Conclusions of 17 June 2020, the Council hereby launches the pilot case of the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept in the Gulf of Guinea. While being distinct from the CSDP missions and operations, the pilot case of this new EU initiative, reflecting the Union’s growing role as a maritime security provider, can provide a substantial contribution to addressing the security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea,” the resolution said.

    With this framework, the EU Council, therefore, establishes the Gulf of Guinea as a Maritime Area of Interest (MAI) and welcomes the establishment of the Maritime Area of Interest Coordination Cell (MAICC); recognises the importance for the Member States to further improve the coordination of actions carried out by their assets deployed in the MAI under national command, on a voluntary basis.

    The Council will also ensure political control and provide strategic guidance on the implementation of the CMP pilot case; highlight the importance of enhancing the voluntary sharing of maritime security information among member states and partners in the CMP pilot case if and when deemed appropriate to improve maritime domain awareness in the MAI.

    Furthermore, it said based on lessons learned from the implementation of the CMP concept, the Council will examine the possibility of applying this concept in other maritime areas of EU interest and will revert to the implementation of the pilot case of the CMP concept in the Gulf of Guinea by January 2022.

     

     

  • Brace up for membership registration, says Agunsoye

    Brace up for membership registration, says Agunsoye

    Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

     

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains are sensitising members to the importance of membership registration.

    House of Representatives member Rotimi Agunsoye took the message to party members in Agboyi-Ketu Council at the weekend, urging them to obey the party’s directive in the spirit of loyalty. But, he noted that registration may contributed to the spread of COVID-19 or discourage people from participating in the exercise.

    The grassroots politician spoke at the opening of his Constituency Office Annex on Oyebanjo Street, Agboyi-Ketu, Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos. The event was witnessed by state and local government leaders of the party from Kosofe sub-division.

    “The reason is rooted in the spirits of equity and fairness to my good people of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA. If Kosofe LGA can have the main Constituency Office in Ojota and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA too can boast of an office annex in Magodo, then, their sister LCDA deserves an annex of her own.

    “The new annex is already attracting developments to its host community with the grading of Oyebanjo Solarin Street only a few days ago,” he said.

    Urging party faithful to prepare for membership registration, Agunsoye said: “Let us mobilise ourselves as old members. Let us mobilise other new people in the renewed membership drive. We should be loyal and disciplined party members obeying party directive. In the process, our party, APC, will be enlarging its coast.”

    He added: “Our party will remain strong by the grace of our collective commitment.”

    At the Constiyuency Office,  Agunsoye tendered his stewardship as a federal legislator in the last six years. Thanking the party and the electorate for electing him, he said he had lived to expectation through effective representation, lawmaking and exercise of oversight functions.

    The legislator was hailed by constituents for ploughing back into the constituency.

    In December last year, he had organised an empowerment programme during which  500 entrepreneurs received take-off grants.

    Glowing in the pride of performance, the lawmaker listed the federal projects he had attracted to Kosofe. These include the construction of two blocks of six classrooms with VIP toilets at Comprehensive Senior High School, Alapere-Ketu,  fully equipped ICT Centres at Ojota Senior Secondary School, Ojota, Ayedere Ajibola Senior High School, Ketu, Education District II, Maryland, and Agboyi Town.

    Others are a 45,000L capacity borehole water system at the Vegetables Section of Mile 12 International Market, a 4,000L capacity borehole water System at the Shukura Yam Section of Mile 12 International Market, a 4,000L capacity borehole water system at the car park of Mile 12 International Market, Binukonu Ultra-modern Market, Ogudu Road, Ojota, Gbadebo Street, Ojota, Gidan Kwali Quarters, Ojota, Aladura, Anthony Village, Ireku Street, Oworonshoki, and community water project in Omojuwa Estate, Kosofe-Mile 12 and Mosafejo Nursery/Primary School, Owo-ronshoki.

    Agunsoye said: “I have facilitated to the Kosofe Federal Constituency Employment and Wealth Creation Scheme, the National Directorate of Employment Skills Acquisition Program, the 2018 Kosofe Youth and  Women Empowerment Program, four ICT Training Programmes by the National Human Rights Commission, the NEPZA Youth Empowerment Programme and the recent empowerment program organized in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSA-SDGs).

    “These are aside several ROT Empowerment Programs in which many benefitted from motorcycles, tricycles and cash donations.

    “The beauty of it all is that everybody is covered under different categories in all my programs with party faithfuls benefitting from slots allotted party leaders in the three LGAs and 21 wards of Kosofe Federal Constituency.

    “This is apart from the special welfare package for widows and the financial assistance register opened for indigent people at the main office in Ojota.”

     

  • Aviation amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Aviation amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Last year was turbulent for the aviation industry. This year is still taking shape and the industry is not sure of how things will turn out, writes YUNUS YUSUF

     

    THE year 2020 will not be forgotten in a hurry, owing to the global disruption in all fields of human endeavour, largely because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, code-named as COVID-19.

    The aviation industry, just like every other sector of the economy in 2020, had its own share of the disruption courtesy of COVID-19.

    The outbreak of the coronavirus from Wuhan, China and its threat to lives and businesses led to the introduction of lockdowns and other stringent measures across cities of the world to curtail its spread.

    Nigeria, like other countries, had begun the 2020 business year on a promising note. But when in March 2020, the first confirmed case of the disease was reported, the hope of a bright economy prosperous 2020 becomes deemed.

    Nigerian ground handling firms in the aviation industry consequently, counted revenue losses due to the pandemic-induced plunge.

    Aviation stakeholders have expressed divergent views on the effects of COVID-19 induced lockdowns and travel restrictions, which had forced ground handling firms to consider job cuts and cost reduction measures in a bid to survive.

    A former President, National Associations of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard, said in the first two months of the global lockdown, the Nigerian travel industry lost more than N180 billion and thousands of jobs.

    Bernard said in Nigeria, about 24,000 jobs were cut, while many employers had ceased payments for few, who still had their jobs retained until business situations improve.

    Also, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that so far, African airlines lost nearly $5 billion in revenue following the spread of COVID-19 on the continent due to low passenger demand.

    Stakeholders also called on the government to consider an urgent bailout for the industry to remain afloat.

    While others, especially the airlines and the service providers in the industry, would have to innovate to ensure their survivability post-COVID-19.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Aglow Aviation Support Services, Mr Tayo Ojuri, at an occasion remarked that COVID-19 had drawn back the aviation sector after “the robust growth” witnessed in recent years.

    “Despite the milestones in recent years, the outbreak of COVID-19 had led to a disruption in the sector.

    “This has drawn back the recent increase in passenger traffic and aviation contribution to GDP,’’ Ojuri said.

    Also analysing the setback the industry experienced in 2020, former commandant of the Lagos Airport and aviation security consultant, retired Group. Capt. John Ojikutu said COVID-19 has seriously rewind the bright progress the aviation industry had recorded in recent times.

    Ojikutu, however, said the pandemic had exposed some weaknesses in the airlines’ commercial practices and the negligence in the oversight in those practices.

    According to him, the operators hide under these weaknesses and the responsible authority negligence on oversight of their commercial practices.

    “This, they used in asking for government financial palliatives, two months into the lockdown, as if the pandemic is the bane of loses in figures of their one-year earnings.

    “There was also the negligence in the periodic maintenance of necessary critical aeronautical landing equipment that led to the diversions of international flights to neighbouring countries. This caused huge loses of revenue earnings.

    “There were setbacks in the reconstruction of the infrastructure at some airports, especially those Enugu, Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and Benin among others where the air and passengers traffic are higher,’’ Ojikutu said.

    He observed that the evacuation of foreign nationals exposed the weaknesses in the bilateral air services agreements between countries and the differences in what some countries call national or flag carriers and private airlines carriers.

    “While most foreign carriers moved unrestricted in and out of our country, it was not easy for our domestic carriers to do same into other countries.

    “We lost out in spite of the capacities in some of our domestic carriers. It is very doubtful if the pre passenger traffic figures will come by soon in the next three years locally and internationally.

    “The only available market for our domestic airlines are local and regional cargo freighting; otherwise, most of them will sooner than later be out of operations,’’ the former Lagos Airport chief said.

    Similarly, foreign airlines have also been caught in the forex tangle, as over $200 million of accumulated ticket fares sold in the last couple of weeks have lately been stuck in Nigeria due to constraints at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Aviation stakeholders, however, believe that unless the Federal Government bailed out the local industry operators and avail them a special forex window, airfares might continue to spike and become unbearable for the travelling public.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) monitoring of fares showed a slightly varying price range across the airlines and routes.

    On the average, all routes, subject to availability, were sold for between N55,000 and N75,000 Economy Class one-way tickets. Return tickets for the same class averaged N120,000.

    The one-way Business Class of N58,000 was sold for an average of N100,000, where available.

    For instance, an Azman Air Lagos-Kano Economy flight ticket that used to sell for N30,000 went for N55,000.

    The same airline sold Lagos-Abuja 10.00 a.m. flight for N85,000. Dana Air’s Lagos-Abuja Economy Class is selling for N56,000, compared to N29,000 average rates in the past.

    A travel agent, Akin Ogunnubi, said indications of fare hike had been palpable in recent months but aggravated when aviation unions picketed Arik Air.

    “Arik has the second-highest traffic after Air Peace. Picketing such an airline means serious disruption across the network,’’ Ogunnubi remarked.

    The Chief Operating Officer of one of the local carriers said the major worry was the high cost of maintenance.

    A C-check, which is required every 18 months, now costs an average of $2 million per commercial aircraft.

    “At N500 to $1, a C-check is now N1 billion; just for one aircraft! And that is one component of other obligations.

    “So, if you have N33,000 tickets now selling for N70,000, you cannot really blame the airlines, but the economy and its handlers.’’

    The Federal Government has announced a plan to prepare a special credit line to support the financial liquidity of airlines amidst the pandemic.

    Apart from the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), rolling out measure to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, stakeholders in aviation are not happy that there is no specific government policy aimed at tackle the devastating impact of the pandemic on the sector.

    Unless the existing credit facilities obtained by airline operators, and other stakeholders fall within the scope of CBN intervention facilities, they may not be entitled to take benefit of the CBN policy on the pandemic which provides for an extension of moratorium and reduction in the interest rate payable on CBN intervention facilities.

    Since the onset of the COVID-19, the government has helped airlines survive the crisis with approximately $173 billion in various forms of financial support.

    The Nigerian government, particularly, pledged to support local airlines with N4 billion, which the operators are yet to receive.

    IATA said more support would be needed in the form of fiscal stimulus. Many of the support packages are running out while the industry losses continue to mount. Airlines losses are now forecast to exceed $118 billion in last year.

    The industry is expected to continue burning out cash at a rate of almost $7 billion per month in the first half of 2021.

    Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, advised that financial support must come in ways that do not further inflate debt, which has risen by 51.4 per cent during the crisis to $651 billion.

    “To put this into perspective, total industry revenue in 2021 is expected to be $459 billion. Financially-viable airlines will be needed to lead the economic recovery from the depths of the COVID-19 crisis. Government support of $173 billion has helped many to survive.

    “With the potential to safely re-open borders and revive travel with testing, the Nigerian government will need to add measures that stimulate demand.

    “Such targeted initiatives will help generate revenues, avoid adding debt to airlines and immediately generate economic activity across the value chain,’’ de Juniac said.

     

    • Yusuf is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • I want to talk about Dance Queen Kaffy

    I want to talk about Dance Queen Kaffy

    Olukorede Yishau

     

    I WANT to talk about Dance Queen Kafayat Shafau-Ameh or Kaffy. She was Kafayat Shafau when life began for her in 1980 in a home where life was good. Dotting parents. Energetic siblings. Attendance at Grade A private school. Trips to London. Fun. Mad fun, if you wish to describe it that way.

    But, a London trip Kafayat’s parents made was a turning point, a turning point for the worst. The first sign of trouble was that when Kaffy’s parents returned from London, her sister, Nike, who went with them, was nowhere to be found.

    Soon, school fees became an issue at Chrisland Primary School, Lagos, where Kaffy began her elementary education. At first, teachers rallied around her and paid her fees. When the situation persisted, they withdrew, and her years in the school ended. Abruptly. More troubles were to come.

    Their home in an enclave named after Madam Dideolu Awolowo, the matriarch of the great Awo family, became a war zone. Her father and mother became sworn enemies to the consternation of the children who had known nothing but love. So good was the situation that nothing forewarned the children of the home that tears would soon replace laughter; nothing gave the impression that blows, slaps, and kicking would soon be regularly exchanged by the matriarch and the patriarch of the home, and that the kids would be the ones to hide the knives and other sharp weapons in the kitchen so that their mother and father would not harm themselves with these weapons. Their Dideolu Court’s home became too hot for love and it flew away.

    Kaffy has told her story in a book aptly titled ‘Alajoota’. It tells the story of this home that was love-filled, where the kids attended one of the best schools available at the time, where the parents were regular faces on the pages of celebrities’ journals of the time because of their status as socialites who sprayed dollars on musicians, where everything seemed to work until love became hate, and the kids became the responsibility of a mother who, for a long time, struggled with getting a grasp of her life; where the kids knew something was wrong but no explanation was offered and the kids were just left to wonder and wonder what was going on.

    After the parents went their separate ways, Kaffy and her siblings could not return to their Grade A private school; at some point, they could not go to any school at all and when they eventually started going to school, there was no stability because their mother was always on constant motion. The turn of events was a rude shock for Kaffy and her siblings, and she wished she had been left with her father who she considered her role model, but he felt they were better with their mother. What was wrong with her mother’s shop on Allen Avenue where she was a big-time businesswoman? This was a major question that bogged Kaffy’s young mind as her mother found it difficult to pick the pieces of her life.

    In this smooth-reading work, we see religion playing a major role, we see a mother so much in love with dreams and their interpretations that her kids started manufacturing dreams, we see men of God feasting on her belief in the efficacy of what they were offering for sale, and we see a woman who kept moving from one church to the other in the hope that the next one would be able to offer her the much-expected miracle, we also see a home where nothing was too much to be done in as much as protection was assured.

    Charms were acceptable; incisions were permissible; and prayers in whatever forms were heartily welcomed. For Kaffy’s mother, what was important was the assurance that she would conquer the enemies who, she believed, could send cockroaches, birds, and others to wreak havoc. It was not out of place for her to burn cockroaches and any other flying insects which invaded her space.

    This book will raise the question of why African mothers find it difficult to properly talk to their daughters about sex. Kaffy’s mother spoke to her about sex and pregnancy in a very crude manner; she practically sold her the lie that once a boy touched her, pregnancy was guaranteed. There was no talk about ovulation and those other factors that contribute to pregnancy. But trust girls, water will always find its level when the hormones start raging like the bull. And it was not dissimilar for Kaffy.

    So thrilling is the book you are tempted to think you are reading a piece of fiction. There is a magic about the transition between one chapter and the next as almost every chapter ends with a cliff-hanger that will force you to turn the pages to find out what was happening in this home that can be described as Shafaus’ House of Commotion. ‘Alajoota’ is easy to read. The language is simple but not simplistic. Dashes of poetic prose on the pages and a concoction of the simple, compound, and compound-complex sentence structures give the writing and storytelling a sweltering effect.

    Several questions occupy my mind before I got to the end of the book: How did Kaffy rise above the violence of her early years? How did she overcome the side effects of changing schools and homes? Did she eventually hear from her beloved father? What has become of him? What happened to Nikki, her sister, who was left in London by their parents shortly before love took flight from their home? And what battles did she have to fight to dance in a society where dancers were and are still considered in unflattering lights? You need to read ‘Alajoota’ to find answers to these questions and many more.

    The way she opened up about her marriage is ‘rare’. And this helps to make this book one hell of a story told from the heart with little or no attempt made to colour the events recorded on its pages.

    My final take: Kaffy’s riveting ‘Alajoota’ is tear-jerking but inspiring. It is a portrait that will make us better appreciate this great dancer who broke the Guinness Book of Records. Reading her story sure makes me feel I have known her all her life and it also makes me respect her and her hustle more.

    It is a book anyone hypersensitive to hilarity should stay away from. ‘Alajoota’ is an exposé worth being aware of.

     

  • Wang Yi’s visit and future of Nigeria-China relations

    Wang Yi’s visit and future of Nigeria-China relations

    By Olalekan A. Babatunde

     

    IT is no longer news that the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Wang Yi visited Nigeria on January 5, as part of his country’s annual African tours. What is new is the embrocation of relations of the visit in the COVID-19 era that has unmasked how unilateral and protectionist the world has become. No advanced nation has sent its high-ranking official to the continent in this challenging time.

    The visit came at the crossroads of whether or not 2021 would be better than 2020 in terms of alleviation of socio-economic constraints that the pandemic has unleashed. His reception should be regarded as a reassurance that Nigerian government is keen to address the current challenges its citizens are undergoing. It should also be considered as the two partners’ readiness for future engagement, come what may.

    Though Nigeria was his first port of call, in his itinerary were the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles. From the records, it is important to note that Chinese foreign ministers have chosen Africa for their first overseas visit each year since 1991 and such tradition represents how deep the Chinese government considered their bilateral and multilateral relations with the continent.

    In his remarks, Mr Wang told President Muhammadu Buhari that ”Nigeria, as a major African country, has always occupied an important position in China’s diplomacy with Africa.” Hence “mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support” have significantly defined the 50thyear-old diplomatic ties. In the same vein, the visitor expressed promising remarks during his talks with the Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama in company of selected ministers. The teams also addressed the press. But the hallmark of the visit appears not to be the N6billion-Naira (100 million Renminbis) donation to Nigeria but the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee to guide future cooperation and the seven important consensuses reached.

    These consensuses are: to strengthen cooperation against the pandemic; setting up of an intergovernmental committee to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, to deepen the Belt and Road cooperation by aligning both countries’ development plans; to accelerate Nigeria’s industrialization and independent capabilities through vigorously promoting the construction of key projects; extending cooperation into areas including digital economy and green economy in order to achieve diversified  development; to deepen military  and security cooperation to enhance national security; and, to closely coordinate regional and international affairs, practice multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests  of  developing countries.

    But what do these consensuses represent or hold for brighter future relations between Nigeria and China?

    Firstly, the initiation of the consensuses into the cooperation brings to the fore the readiness of Nigeria and China to embrace broader prospects for greater impact on peace, security and development of Nigeria. Nigeria is going through fundamental challenges from violent extremism, banditry, farmers-herders conflict, kidnapping, cultism and other nefarious activities, which are mostly driven by unemployment, poverty, ignorance, marginalization, extremism and so forth. If both parties consciously work through the cardinal agreements, then one could be assured that the underlying drivers of socio-economic and political threats and challenges would be mitigated.

    Secondly, despite their turbulent history and the wide range of problems of nation-building as well as changes in international situations, Nigeria and China remained committed to their ties. It is a commendable goodwill gesture, perhaps coming at this particular period in time when Nigeria is expanding the economic, industrial and infrastructure base to create needed opportunities for its burgeoning youth population. There has been quite a number of economic zones, roads, bridges, ports and other projects like railways, currency swap, satellite launching and electricity that are ongoing or in the pipeline. So hosting a diplomat in the capacity of State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China could accelerate the government’s plans and processes towards tangible results and success. But it is very important for the government and other local investors to take advantage of the opportunity.

    Thirdly, the visit came amid the turbulent time of a once-in-a-century pandemic, which signifies a great resilience and solidarity both nations have demonstrated for each other for decades. The Chinese taglines of equal friendship, equal partners and prosperity in solidarity have become permanently affixed to the relations. For example, President Buhari, while pleased with the results of the 50 year-old relations, acknowledged that it was only China that bought Nigeria’s oil at the time its price fell in the global market. Just in this COVID-19 pandemic when nations are paying attention to their own people, China sent medical team and supplies to Nigeria in 2020. Besides overcoming the rising unilateralism and protectionism in the world with no single hegemon to manage the multiplicity of global issues that required concreted action, this diplomatic gesture means that coronavirus or any other pandemic cannot hinder the friendship and cooperation both have fostered.

    Likewise, Nigeria has also supported China as attested to by Mr Wang when he thanked Nigeria “for siding with China on issues concerning China’s core interests.” For instance, Nigeria voted for China in its bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The establishment and development of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) since 20 years ago can also be attributed to the Nigeria’s support. The bilateral cooperation has witnessed robust engagement and exchanges in trade and investment. From hindsight, if one considers the developed infrastructure and employment opportunities that the Chinese have facilitated in the country, which now received a boost with the visit, it is reasonable to project that the visit will portend better outcomes for the two countries.

    Fourthly, as the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria needs strategic support in which China can offer. The visit was a strong boost to Nigeria-China strategic partnership and friendly cooperation.  Science and technology, economy, security, agriculture, mining, education and other development fields are areas where Nigeria should seriously transmit the consensuses to lift its citizens out of poverty, ignorance and insecurity. Currently, the bilateral trade between Nigeria and China stands at about US$20 billion, with Nigeria exporting about US$2 billion to China in the form of mineral oils and fuels, oil seeds, plastics, rubber, animal products, and fruits. China exports machinery and mechanical products, IT computers, mobile phones and digital technologies. The extent of future relations will be determined by how their trade imbalance and opportunity gaps are bridged. The Intergovernmental Committee has a lot to do in this regard.

    Fifthly, the shared similarities between two countries in population and high mobility of citizens and diversity that have entrenched the two together will receive a stimulus with Mr Wang’s visit. It will serve the common interests of the nations that their peoples who travel in large numbers for trade, investment, education and leisure encounter minimal obstacles in traveling, residence and establishment. Already, notable global airlines such as the Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopia Airlines and Kenya Airways are profiting from the large traffic on the Nigeria-China routes. If that were so, why wouldn’t the two partners make life and business comfortable in each other’s country? As historical as that visit was, both sides should continue to advance each other’s interests for the overall benefits of their citizens. How citizens are treated will define the future relations.

    As the year 2021 marks the 50thanniversary of their diplomatic ties, Mr Wang’s visit was expected to provide further initiatives that would stabilize China’s policies and regulations against a backdrop of increasing world disorder. This becomes necessary, as Nigeria has suffered from the decline of crude oil and raw material prices in the global market. Besides the development roadmap of both Forum of China-Africa Cooperation, and Belt and Road Initiative, the focus of the two partners should be on climate change and availability of COVID-19 vaccines that will be an example for others. Strengthening communication and cooperation will enhance collaboration in combating the virus.

    • Babatunde is a fellow, peace building and evidence practitioner at the Nigeria’s Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja.

  • Relieving NSITF of the yoke of Ngige

    Relieving NSITF of the yoke of Ngige

    SIR: I wish to appeal to all stakeholders in the labour, employment and social insurance space, particularly the Presidency, to wake up and deliver the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) from the yoke of Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, before it is too late.

    There is an avalanche of evidence to show that Ngige has held the parastatal (NSITF) by the jugular and literally rules it as the de facto sole administrator. So much have been revealed in his mishandling of the fund saga since July 2020. The issue first attracted interest last year when the National Assembly sat on the matter.

    To start with, Ngige flagrantly breached corporate governance standards and principles by suspending the executive committee and some management staff of NSITF on July 2, 2020 without recourse to the board of the Fund. The enabling laws such as the NSITF Act, ECA 2010 and SGF’s circular regulating the relationship between ministries and parastatals forbid ministries from taking over the running parastatals or carrying out their day-to-day management as it is now in the case of NSITF where Ngige has hijacked the role of the board. This is sheer impunity and supervisory rascality that do not have place in the corporate governance lexicon. That this arbitrariness was unleashed on some staff believed to be high performing in the Fund is destructive to the values long built by the heroes past.

    Secondly, he cleverly roped the presidency into a clear procedural mess by getting his the chairman of the board, Prince Austin Enajemo-Esire to write a false report on behalf of the board against those suspended, without the knowledge of other stakeholders such as NECA, NLC and CBN. I recall that Prince Enajemo-Esire admitted before NASS that he wrote the contrived report. Ngige raced to the presidency with this to get the supposed approval for the kangaroo suspension implemented. For him to deliberately mislead the presidency is the height of his disregard for the highest office in the land.

    How could the presidency that had issued clear directives through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) against arbitrariness of ministers turn round to endorse Ngige’s unilateral suspension of the EXCO and eight management staff of NSITF a month later? It is illogical and does not add up.

    Thirdly, it amounts to utter disregard of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, as well as the Public Service Rules and Regulations to stop the suspended staff’s salary for over six months, knowing fully well that they have children, dependants and personal needs that must be attended to. This is nothing but a punitive yoke wrongly placed on those who have served diligently and have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

    Fourthly, Ngige’s refusal to release the findings of the report of the Presidential Joint Board and Audit Investigation Panel submitted over three months ago clearly raises a lot of questions on the intent of his arbitrariness. If the investigations had been concluded and the report submitted since last year, what is holding the release of the report? Could it be because the outcome vindicates those suspended for alleged wrongdoing?

    On this note, I appeal to all the stakeholders, particularly the presidency, to compel Ngige to:

    • Release the Report of the NSITF Presidential Joint Board and Audit Investigation Panel set up to investigate the allegation of malfeasance against those suspended;
    • Recall the suspended EXCO and management staff if vindicated, and pay their salaries and entitlements;
    • Engage with the NSITF stakeholders that he has disregarded, with a view to working together with them to build the Fund;
    • Restore the autonomy of the board of NSITF and allow it to operate freely; and
    • Assure the board, management and staff of the Fund that the system would henceforth be governed in strict adherence to the NSITF Act, Public Service Rules and corporate governance best practice.
    • Vincent Ochoche, Lagos.
  • Managing piracy in Gulf of Guinea

    Managing piracy in Gulf of Guinea

    SIR: According to Joseph De Maistre, every nation gets the government it deserves. It may not be far-fetched to infer that every generation also gets the pirates it deserves.

    As old as the concept of piracy is, there is a lot about it that makes it a modern-day phenomenon. With budgetary cuts to military spending and global trade on the rise, it has become difficult for navies to reach and cover hot spots.

    Effective January and beyond, there is a need to deeply re-evaluate our approach to the narratives and the measures deployed to resolving and managing this issue.

    Over the last few weeks, we have seen that the call for military action against piracy by foreign governments, international shipping, and other interested stakeholders has intensified. These calls are justified as they are the outcome of increased attacks on foreign-owned shipping interests and innocent seafarers doing their best to ensure that we all get our food, medical, and energy requirements delivered to us without disruption.

    These calls are all targeted at protecting global trade and economic interests. They are lacking in consideration for the humane side of piracy.

    Nobody seems to be talking about the situation ashore within the coastal communities and how this contributes to the problem.

    One of the major causes of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is extreme poverty. Extreme poverty within coastal communities has forced criminal elements to combine forces, coordinating themselves into pirate syndicates, giving them greater abilities to control territory, acquire hardware and manage their financial operations, etc. The syndicates give them a structure that better positions them to launch more complex attacks, and coordinate the disappearance of kidnapped seafarers ashore, effectively holding them hostage within coastal communities.

    There is a need for us to expand our search for solutions to include work and advocacy within the coastal communities.

    Foreign governments (like the Danish and Norwegian governments), international shipping companies (like Maersk, and Hapag, etc.), and other stakeholders that have recently called for military measures should expand the scope of their calls to include non-military actions as well.

    They should intensify the call on concerned governments within the Gulf of Guinea to engage with coastal communities to help these communities take charge of these problems. African communities are generally known for the ability to manage their problems. If these communities are capable stakeholders and they should be involved in finding solutions. They know what to do to manage their children.

    While military measures may provide a short to medium term deterrent to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the real power to find sustainable long-term solutions lie in the hands of the Gulf State governments and the coastal communities.

    We need to explore a more humane approach to anti-piracy, and we need to expand the dialogue!

     

    • Bem Ibrahim Garba, fimc, cmc, GOG Marine Ltd. Lagos.