The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Teju Abisoye for Ex-President Johnson Sirleaf’s leadership initiative

    Teju Abisoye for Ex-President Johnson Sirleaf’s leadership initiative

    Our Reporter

     

    THE Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Teju Abisoye, is one the three Nigerians selected for the second cohort of accomplished African women in the pan-African Amujae Initiative, the flagship programme of the former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development (EJS Centre).

    The initiative launched in 2020 by the first-ever elected female head of state in Africa, Johnson Sirleaf seeks to inspire and prepare women to unapologetically take up roles and excel in the highest echelons of public leadership and thus, set precedence worthy of emulation by others.

    Leaders in the Amujae Initiative are inspiring women actively involved in building and extending a legacy for others to yearn for greater heights, radically impact their world and steer a change across different facets of human endeavours including women and youth empowerment.

    Teju Abisoye, as a Development Expert, Lawyer and Youth Advocate joins fourteen (14) other women leaders across 11 countries in the African continent to build upon the laudable foundation as laid by the inaugural cohorts. Previously inaugurated leaders include Jumoke Oduwole, Hadiza Bala Usman, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Angela Nwaka, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Kula Fofana, among others.

    Aside from Mrs Abisoye, others in the second cohort are Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, Healthcare Advocate, author, Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, Government Advisor, Corporate Director, Farida Bedwei, Tech Entrepreneur, Disability Rights Advocate, Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport, Member of House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia, Susan Grace Duku, Activist, Refugee Advocate, South Sudan, Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, Economist, Lecturer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Sierra Leone, Isata Kabia, Social Entrepreneur, Former MP, Minister, Sierra Leone, Bogolo Kenewendo, Economist, Former Minister, Gender and Youth Activist, Botswana, Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister, Communications & Information Technology Expert, Egypt, Angèle Makombo, Political Advisor, Party Leader, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Fatoumatta Njai, Parliamentarian, Women’s Leadership Advocate, The Gambia,  Umra Omar, Humanitarian, Community Development Strategist, Gubernatorial Candidate, Kenya, Telia Urey, Businesswoman, Politician, Activist, Liberia and Anne Waiguru, Economist, Governor, Kenya

    Speaking at the inauguration of the 2021 leaders, Madam Sirleaf said: “We are delighted to welcome the 2021 cohort of Amujae Leaders. They have already achieved tremendous success over the course of their careers, and they have the drive and the talent to reach even greater heights. They join the initiative at a moment when women’s leadership is more important than ever before, as countries across our continent grapple with building back stronger after COVID-19.”

    Commenting on her announcement, Abisoye said: “I am humbled and delighted to be among these women of high strata, influence and impact in the public sector, who have been selected for this pan-African leadership initiative.

    “This initiative is exemplary for inspiring African women to reach more remarkable milestones and serves as a platform to engage and impact the lives of daring and passionate women in Africa and across the world.

    “I am poised and committed to help actualise the dreams of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and other Proponents of this initiative, to achieve their desired outcome for the African girl child.”

    The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for political and social change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant latent power — its women.

    Abisoye is a lawyer with experience in development finance, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. She is currently the CEO and Executive Secretary of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

    At LSTEF, Mrs. Abisoye coordinates the design and implementation of programmes that seek to upskill the youth and support entrepreneurs to create wealth and employment to address the high unemployment rate in Lagos State. Through her role, she has supported over 15,000 MSMEs to create and sustain over 100,000 jobs, and the training of over 5,000 youths.

    Prior to LSETF, Mrs. Abisoye worked to coordinate human resources and humanitarian interventions to improve the livelihoods of communities in Lagos State through her role at not-for-profit Guiding Light Assembly. Between 2012 and 2015, Mrs. Abisoye also was Programmes Director at Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!), an initiative focused on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among youth.

    Mrs. Abisoye earned an LLM, International Trade and Investment Law from the University of Pretoria and an LLB, Law from the University of Ibadan, where she graduated best in the Department of Private Business Law. She is an alumnus of Yale University’s Women’s Leadership Program.

    The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for political and social change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant latent power — its women.

    The EJS Center aims to amplify the voice of women and girls in all spheres of life by increasing the representation of women in public service leadership roles in Africa.

    Through a unique blend of programming, advocacy, archival research, and museum exhibitions, the EJS Center seeks to become a premier institution dedicated to advancing and sustaining women’s political and social development on the continent.

     

  • Tackling medical tourism with healthcare investment

    Tackling medical tourism with healthcare investment

    Concerned by over $1 billion spending on medical tourism and the poor state of the Nigerian health sector, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has included the health sector as one of its six strategic investment areas of focus. The Board of the NSIA, as part of its COVID-19 relief programme, supported 21 healthcare institutions across the six geopolitical zones with medical equipment that will enable them meet the medical needs of Nigerians locally, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

     

    MEDICAL tourism has for years remained a drainpipe on Nigeria’s foreign exchange positions. The exercise, which involves mainly high-net worth individuals in public and private sectors, has continually depleted Nigeria foreign exchange positions.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data puts annual spend on medical tourism in excess of $1 billion, fund that would have been channeled to other uses were Nigerian health sector fully equipped to meet the growing population’s healthcare needs.

    To reverse the trend, and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is making new investments in the sector. According to NSIA,  now more than ever before, there is a growing need to impact the quality of lives of Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable through a decent health care system and this is a huge step towards providing necessary comfort for the citizens.

    Concerned by these developments and in alignment with government’s broader agenda to reverse the trend of medical tourism, the NSIA had prioritised the health sector as one of its six strategic investment areas of focus.

    NSIA Managing Director Uche Orji said the agency expects that the supply of these equipment will help in alleviating the inventory gaps in these hospitals.

    With the nation’s economy still in recovery, Orji said the Board was of the view that there is the need to add to this stock of critical medical equipment required for the containment of the virus in Nigeria.

    The NSIA Boss said the supply of oxygen concentrators and patient monitors is expected to boost Government’s efforts to provide an efficient and effective healthcare response for those affected by the virus.

    He said: “With the nation’s economy still in recovery, and medical facilities in need of additional government support to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 virus, the Board felt the need to add to this stock of critical medical equipment required for the containment of the virus in Nigeria.

    “The supply of oxygen concentrators and patient monitors – a gap identified during the first wave is expected to boost government’s efforts to provide an efficient and effective healthcare response for those affected by the virus.

    “We expect that these equipment would strengthen government’s capacity to minimise potential fatalities.”

    The donation of the equipment would be coming about five months after the Federal Government unveiled the World Class Umuahia Diagnostic Centre.”

    The NSIA invested over $20 million in establishing three ultramodern healthcare centres of excellence in the country. Recently, up to $5.5 million was invested in the establishment of the ultra-modern medical diagnostic centre which is located within the premises of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia state. Prior to this, a diagnostic centres had been established in Kano at the Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and a Cancer treatment centre was set up within the premises of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    NSIA’s investment strategy in the healthcare sector is to partner with both public and private institutions to create Centres of Excellence in the healthcare delivery in Nigeria, focusing on diagnostics, tertiary healthcare targeting non-communicable diseases and medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

    NSIA funded the construction of its diagnostic centres, including the acquisition and installation of modern laboratory and radiology equipment which will aid the provision of comprehensive diagnostics for the delivery of the highest quality of services.

    The investment is providing improved diagnostic service delivery within the South Eastern geopolitical zone, reduce waiting times for high quality diagnostic services at FMCU and improve affordability of high-quality tests to patients.

    It would also help to provide high quality training opportunities for local professionals.

    NSIA said as a manager of the Future Generation Fund, one cannot talk about the future generation without being healthy or alive and this is one of the reasons the NSIA is investing in this sector as a strategic and important area for Nigeria.

    The NSIA is also of the view that the health sector has suffered some years of neglect and as such, equipment that are needed in certain facilities are either inadequate or obsolete or both.

    With the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, which has infected more than 100,000 people and killed over 1,300 according to statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, it has become compelling to boost the level of investment in the health sector.

    Now more than ever before, there is a growing need to impact the quality of lives of Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable through a decent health care system and this is a huge step towards providing necessary comfort for the citizens.

    To achieve this, the Board of the NSIA will on Thursday formally hand over 126 units of Patient Monitors and 63 units of Oxygen Concentrators to 21 Healthcare Institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country as part of the Authority’s COVID-19 relief programme.

    The project will be inaugurated by top government officials such as the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Health Dr Osagie Enahire; and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.

    Also expected at the event are the Chief Medical Directors of the 21-target medical centres, the Board of NSIA, and representatives of Civil Society Organisations.

    According to NSIA, the donation of the health equipment is part of measures aimed at supporting the containment of the recent surge in the reported cases of Covid-19 infections in Nigeria and the significant impact this development may have on the economy.

    The NSIA said it is donating the medical equipment to augment the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to enhance clinical care available to Covid-19 patients and add to the stock of critical medical equipment needed in hospitals across the country.

    The Board of NSIA said it is hopeful that this modest contribution will go a long way towards supporting the management of Covid-19 cases and enhancing the efforts of the frontline responders providing care and treatment to people already infected with the virus.

    The items constitute a commitment of resources which NSIA expects will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of domestic healthcare centres and their treatments programs.

    The NSIA said it recognises the fact that many of these centres struggled with patient care at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the surge being experience under the second wave, they may struggle even more.

    Even though it had been established that the number of ventilators in the country was inadequate to meet the domestic requirement, an even more daunting challenge was experienced with respect to ICU and Regular monitors as well as Oxygen Concentrators which are all required to treat early stages of many respiratory ailments and thereby give patients a fighting chance.

    The NSIA said its objective in the donation of this equipment is to bridge this gap. While the decision to donate equipment to these target institutions is part of NSIA’s broader COVID-19 intervention to augment government’s ongoing efforts, the donation of the items represent a more strategic approach to enhance patient care by adding to the stock of critical medical equipment needed nationwide.

    The NSIA said the quality of health care in any country is a vital component of the standard of living.

    Indeed, it can be argued that healthcare is the most significant component of meaningful amongst the indicators of the quality of life. No wonder the popular saying that “Health is wealth” has remained evergreen. Inasmuch as life is the greatest gift of God to man, the provision of health care facilities is needed in superfluity in order that life may be sustained on earth.

    Unfortunately, in today’s Nigeria, the provision of health care facilities seems to still be at low ebb as many Nigerians remain vulnerably exposed to the danger of untimely and preventable deaths. This situation accounts for the huge spend on medical tourism by citizens, which by some reports was in excess of $1billion in 2013 and continues to increase.

    With a projected population of 263 million by 2030, the current slow pace of investments in health care infrastructure, poor condition of existing infrastructure, under-funding and mismanagement of existing facilities, inadequate equipment, under training of health workers and deficiencies in domestic pharmaceutical industry and have indeed called for an emergency response.

  • Saka shines as Arsenal beat Southampton, Ibrahimovic sees red in Milan derby

    Saka shines as Arsenal beat Southampton, Ibrahimovic sees red in Milan derby

    Adeyinka Akintunde, with Agency Report

     

    Striker Bukayo Saka was on fire on Tuesday night, scoring a wonderful goal, as  Arsenal continued their brilliant Premier League, beating Southampton 3-1

    Stuart Armstrong put Southampton ahead from a wonderful delivery by captain James Ward-Prowse. But the lead did not last long, as Nicolas Pepe equalising with a neat finish, before both sides created clear chances.

    Former Saints defender Cedric Soares volleyed narrowly wide at one end while Bernd Leno produced a flying save to keep out a header by Che Adams at the other.

    England winger Saka put the Gunners ahead after going past keeper Alex McCarthy, who had come rushing out of his penalty area, before the 19-year-old picked out Lacazette to seal the points.

    At The Hawthorns, West Brom fell flat to Manchester City, as the citizens whip them 5-0 to climb to the top of the Premier League.

    Read Also: Southampton dump Arsenal out of FA Cup

    Ilkay Gundogan continued his inspired run in front of goal with two excellent strikes, Joao Cancelo scored while an offside flag was raised and several players seemed to stop, and Riyad Mahrez powered in a fourth before the break.

    Raheem Sterling sealed the game for Manchester City who climb to the top of the table for the first time this season.

    In Italy, Inter Milan beat AC Milan 2-1 in a Coppa Italia match that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the first, following a heated fight with Inter Milan striker, Romelu Lukaku.

    Ibrahimovic’s fired in the lead in the 31st minute to give Milan the lead, his eighth goal in seven appearances for Milan against Inter in all competitions.

    Then he got into the brawl against Lukaku, and got his second yellow card after for a trip on Aleksandar Kolarov and was sent off in the 58th minute.

    Inter Milan took advantage of the extra man, Lukaku firing a 71st-minute penalty into the net off the underside of the crossbar to equalise.

    The blue side of Milan got the winner after  substitute Eriksen stepped up with a stoppage-time free kick to book his side a Coppa Italia semi-final clash with either Juventus or SPAL who play on Wednesday

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Eight Shiites arrested in Abuja

    Eight Shiites arrested in Abuja

    Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

     

    The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it arrested eight members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mariam Yusuf, in a statement late Tuesday said they were arrested following the gruesome attack on police personnel at Maitama.

    Yusuf said they also violently attacked innocent residents, causing public disturbance and malicious damage.

    Read Also: Police parade Obiano’s aide over COVID-19 rumour

    “The Command wishes to condemn the actions of members of the outlawed sect which has not only disturbed public peace, caused palpable tension amongst FCT residents but also undermined the law. It is worthy of note that, the Command issued a public warning on Monday 25th January, 2021.

    “All the suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation. While urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding, the Command wishes to reiterate its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property within the FCT,” the statement read.

    The police had on Monday arrested six members of the IMN for allegedly destroying public property and attacking innocent citizens including police officers with stones and other dangerous objects

     

  • War on the Oodua front

    War on the Oodua front

    Olakunle Abimbola

     

    WAR on the Oodua front!  But it’s not unlike that easy but macabre tease, by reggae great, Peter Tosh: everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die!

    In the gangling, growling, sabre-rattling mood of the season, everyone bawls war! But about everyone too, is cock-sure to live to tell the tale!

    The stupidity of scalding passion!  The danger of wild delusion! The inevitability of ice-cold reason!

    It dawned with the Ondo gubernatorial diktat, the Presidency’s counter riposte, and the acute danger of faulty messaging.

    Meeting with Hausa, Fulani and Ebira leaders in Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu decreed that herders (who kidnappers fake), within seven days, must quit the Ondo forest reserves-turned-kidnappers’ den.

    The governor’s key call here was worsening insecurity.  Spikes in kidnappings and killings were intolerable.  The lawful majority must be protected.  So, the diktat was both reasonable and popular.

    Also, these crimes are often associated with “herders”: following endless tales from the seized, that alien kidnappers have turned Ondo forests into ransom-awaiting refuge; and grim slaughter slabs for victims that couldn’t pay.

    Yet, these forests stream with herdsmen that speak same language as these alleged criminals, thus making a perfect camouflage.  It makes eminent sense, therefore, to clear the area of every noxious element.

    Still, under the law — and politics — of the Federal Republic, can a state governor give non-indigenes a sweeping order to vacate a precinct, without provoking similar backlashes from other governors?  To every “Sabo” (northern conclaves) in the South, aren’t there Sabongeri (southern settlements) in the North?

    Stripped of its ethnic interpretation, that would appear the core of the Garba Shehu Presidency retort, to the Ondo gubernatorial diktat.

    Incidentally, the same Shehu had issued two previous but similar statements.  One: to press the right of northerners in the East, against threats from some eastern elements.  The other: to defend Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah’s residential right in Sokoto, again after some locals threatened to expel him.

    So, except you apply the most disingenuous of ad hominem fallacies, Shehu cannot be right in defending Father Kukah’s right in Sokoto, yet be wrong in defending northerners’ rights in the East, or herders’ rights in Ondo — particularly law-abiding herders, not convicted of any crime — just because of accusation that the presidential spokesperson is a Fulani ethnic jingoist.

    But even if Shehu has, on citizen rights, been consistent, he dangerously begged the serious security question in the Ondo case.

    The governor didn’t just rise from the wrong side of the bed to bark out quit orders.  He acted from intolerable kidnapping, many of them by Northerners, plaguing his people.  On that he can’t be faulted.

    On the security question, therefore, both the Presidency and the Ondo government should be on the same page; not work at cross purposes.

    But as these skirmishes flared, sub-state extremists jumped into the fray.

    Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, now styled “Yoruba ethnic activist”, galloped into town at Igangan, Ibarapa North in Oyo State, and ordered the resident Fulani in there to scram — or else …

    The comedy, from this brewing tragedy: the Ivy League-educated FFK goads Igboho on, as his new-found Yoruba champion.  But Gani Adams warns his fellow sub-state player to beware of a suicide mission — both for himself and for “the struggle” they both push!

    For Yorubaland, however, an epochal regression: a people hitherto hoisted on the cutting intellect of the great Obafemi Awolowo, now comfy with the likes of Igboho and Adams — no thanks to some careerist-Awoists, who have morphed into neo-Samsons, ready to crash the edifice on all and everyone!

    In all the excitement, a scornful Igboho told Governor Seyi Makinde to go jump into the Ogunpa River, for daring to call for his arrest; when it was Igboho, and Igboho alone, that made him governor!

    Somewhat, that echoed a 2nd Republic brush, between the great Bola Ige and ace partisan fixer, Busari Adelakun, in same Oyo State!  With that came the serenading of Igboho’s alleged awesome magical powers!  Enter: new atavistic champ come to save the Yoruba from the Fulani!

    Still, only Igboho and Igboho alone would answer to the law, if charged with any felony.

    Of course, intemperate outbursts weighed in from the northern divide, the craziest of which represents a cattle lobby, claiming the Fulani owned every grain of Nigerian soil; and could well do whatever they damn well liked with it!

    That such a lunatic could crow and make sense to anyone, in 21st century Nigeria, should bother everyone.

    Newspapers, of course, take predictable regional stands.  Ironically, Daily Trust, which arguably had the more cautionary editorial, slapped you with a reckless and rabid headline.  The Nation essayed a centrist mode, but its southern sympathies were without question.  The Punch?  A thunderous bombast and tirade, that only preached to the converted.

    No surprise at all: both the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the rump of Afenifere, gung-ho, tore at each other, in defence of the right of own people — a Nigerian notorious penchant, to be sure, to talk at (not with) one another.

    Still, all of these are the proverbial din, that begs the market question.  The critical business is a failing security infrastructure, which both the Federal Government and states must partner to renew and reshape; or otherwise face looming but avoidable catastrophe.

    The genteel — among whom most Yoruba regard themselves — would cringe at Igboho’s atavism.  But they are no less riled by some cocky criminals from the North, who triggered the Ondo and Ibarapa, Oyo crises.

    That you have a constitutional right to roam nationwide does not equate a democratic right to free-wheeling crime.  That is true of northerners in the South; as it is of southerners in the North.

    But all these wouldn’t be issues if the security infrastructure were adequate — inserting state police, for instance — and security agencies are perceived firm, fair but tough on crime, no matter the tongue, or the ethnics, of the criminals.

    This is where the Federal Government must show leadership; and launch critical initiatives, on which it must partner with the states to implement.  Had that been the case, most of the current crisis wouldn’t even occur.

    But the media too must play its part.  You can’t because of a few criminals profile the entire Fulani as felons; or demonize honest herders, as kidnappers.

  • Mixed reactions over appointment of new Service Chiefs

    Mixed reactions over appointment of new Service Chiefs

    Alao Abiodun

     

    The appointment of new Service Chiefs has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians.

    The Nation had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday announced the replacement of Service Chiefs.

    In the statement, Femi Adesina said Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

    “PMB appoints new Service Chiefs. Maj Gen LEO Irabor, CDS, Maj Gen I Attahiru, Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo, Navy, AVM IO Amao, Air Force. He congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country,” Adesina tweeted.

    Irabor replaces Defense Chief Abayomi Olonisakin, while Army Chief Tukur Buratai is succeeded by Attahiru.

    Gambo is to head the Navy, replacing Navy Chief Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas while Amao takes over from Air Chief Sadique Abubakar.

    Recall that the replaced Service Chiefs were appointed by President Buhari in 2015 after he was elected to his first presidential term but there has been a widespread clamour for their sack as Nigeria continued to wallow in security challenges.

    The Senate, House of Representatives and Nigerians have persistently called for the sack of Service Chiefs.

    Nigerians however took to social media to express their thoughts over the new replacement.

    While many commended the President with the optimism the tenure of the new Service Chiefs would usher in peace and stability, some others noted that their replacement was ‘long overdue’.

    Reno Omokri said: “I commend General Buhari for listening to voices of reason and sacking his clueless and nepotistic service chiefs. Good riddance to bad rubbish. It is disappointing that he maintained his practice of appointing largely Northern Muslim males, but half bread is better than none”

    Dr. Dípò Awójídé said: “Finally, Buhari has fired and replaced the Service Chiefs who were appointed in 2015. We are in a mess and insecurity is a major issue. I hope the new Service Chiefs will deliver”

    Shehu Sani said: “Service Chiefs removal; better late than never. To the new Chiefs; Confront and end the killings, kidnappings and the violence in Nigeria and restore law and order!”

    Kelvin Odanz said: “Buhari finally changes the service Chiefs. Welcome development.”

    @potter_lite on Twitter said: “I’m not a pessimist but let’s be sincere here…. The appointment of new service chiefs won’t bring any changes to the security situation in the country. The problem is not the service chiefs & the Buhari government knows this.”

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Meet Nigeria’s new Service Chiefs

    @__Babangeeda said, “Though some Nigerians believed @Mbuhari waited too long before he listened to the public cries regarding the sacking of the service chiefs; howbeit, it’s better to be late than never”

    @bulamabukarti “Pres. Buhari has just replaced the Service Chiefs according to multiple media reports. We urge the new chiefs to take a careful, genuine look at the security challenges across Nigeria, grasp the huge challenge before them & work flat out to tackle it. May they succeed.”

    @Morris_Monye “If President Buhari thinks the Service Chiefs had “Overwhelming achievements” and thinks giving them a soft landing by “accepting their resignation” is the best, then it speaks of incompetence from the Presidency. Saying “I fired them” sends a message that you are in charge”

    Bello Shagari said “The best news I have heard this year is the appointment of the new service chiefs. I am so excited, not because it will abruptly bring the end to the years of insecurity, but at least we would give another set of military men the opportunity to grow and try their best.”

    @mrfestusogun said “Now that the Service Chiefs have been sacked, can they now proceed to the International Criminal Court to face trial over their heinous crimes against humanity?”

    “Don’t shout Hallelujah or Alhamdulilihi for the locomotive announcement of new service chiefs. Not Uhuru yet. Shine your eyes Nigerians.” Senator Dino Melaye tweeted.

    @AbdulMahmud01 said, “If the New Service Chiefs cannot put down markers with which future leadership of our country will be judged, we will be done as a nation. As men born during our country’s turbulent years – 1965 -1966 – they’ve to make the vision of 60’s generation count, by: ) Ending the BH war”

    @Bulamacartoons, “I don’t think we should be congratulating the new Service Chiefs considering the daunting task ahead of them.”

     

  • Kwara: Don’t distract the driver, please!

    Kwara: Don’t distract the driver, please!

    SIR: After years of being left in the lurch, divine intervention came for Nigeria’s State of Harmony, Kwara when, in 2019, the people elected what came close to their idea of a people’s government. The election of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq lifted people’s moral and the governor, aware of the heavy burden on his shoulders, literally hit the ground running when he assumed office. He has not buckled under the burden since then.

    It is 17 months into the journey and, already, dirty politics is threatening to buckle him. From all indications, some passengers in the jalopy the governor is have become distractingly rowdy in a way that could bring the journey to grief! Let unresolved, the needless and avoidable crisis that has engulfed the Kwara State branch of the ruling APC party portends real bad news for the state. This is not cheering news for the state’s estimated three million people. It is time for decent Nigerians to rise and avert a return to the Kwara’s better-forgotten past.

    The advertised grouse of those who have sworn to make Kwara ungovernable is two-fold:  one, they allege that they are not carried along in running the state and, two, that Governor Abdulrazaq triggered events that ousted the state’s interim chairman of the party by the national caretaker committee of the APC.

    Keen watchers of Kwara politics knew that opposition to the governor would not be long in coming immediately after he named his first cabinet. Reason was that those who expected to be ‘compensated’ for bringing APC to power in the state felt aggrieved that neither they nor their handpicked nominees featured in the list. That, in the estimation of those who aspire to be Kwara’s new political overlords, was the first alleged infraction committed by Governor Abdulrazaq.

    More curious was the opposition to the governor’s decision to insist on competitive bidding for ongoing developmental projects in the state! Reasonable as it sounds, the governor’s decision opened him to charges of being too rigid and unyielding! For politicians who are long used to being ‘compensated’, this was the last straw: the governor has crossed the proverbial redline and therefore deserve to have spanners thrown into his work. No one cared a hoot about the man’s adjudged honesty and incorruptibility or, for that matter, his rating as a performing and achieving chief executive! Enough on the lame advertised reasons for the crisis!

    It appears the die is cast and nobody should be deluded into believing that the politicians will leave the governor to seamlessly execute his mandate. Meanwhile, in the midst of the preventable confusion, the vultures have started to fly low in anticipation of a major feast. In an ironic twist of events, even the rampaging governors who made no distinction between Kwara state treasury and their private accounts are coming out of their political Siberia to jump into the fray. To worsen matters, some big voices in the “O to ge!” campaign now hobnob with corruption high priests of yore, all in the desperation to diminish Governor Abdulrazaq.

    Perhaps, it is time to awaken the politicians who aspire to replace the rampaging oligarchs of the immediate past to the stark reality that it was the people, not a handful of APC chieftains that elected Governor Abdulrazaq. And, from all indications, the people chose a governor they can always call their own! But, since it is impossible for people to be compensated individually, the best the people expect his government to do is precisely what it has busied itself with since 2019: execute life-changing developmental projects and upgrade decayed infrastructure across the state!

    A word of caution suffices here. It is important to remind ourselves that a return to the oligarchic past, when a few people treated state funds as personal wealth, frittered opportunities, elevated cronyism to an art and effectively turned the people of Kwara State into a vulnerable, unquestioning and submissive lot is not an option. The people must resist the urge to return to the famished path of the past when available jobs, major and minor, denied competent hands in the state and contracted to friends and family members elsewhere. Kwara must not return to the past when cultists, armed robbers, hired killers, and other roughnecks had a field day and operated, oftentimes, with the support of prominent politicians.

    • Abdulrazaq Magaji, Abuja.

  • When elephant comes to revenue

    When elephant comes to revenue

    The symbolism is striking, the structure is imposing. Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie writes on the relevance and transformation of the former Elephant House to Revenue House

     

    IT was named Elephant House at a time that Elephant Portland cement of the West Africa Portland Cement Company (WAPCO) was dominant in the Nigeria, the iconic ingredient behind many historic buildings and landmarks. Now, the iconic Elephant House is transforming into Revenue House, another historic transition at a time revenue is the central theme of governance.

    Elephant Cement House is one of the iconic buildings in the state and roughly a minute drive to the seat of power. It is conspicuously located, a first-time visitor to the State Secretariat, Ikeja Central Business District (CBD) or to lkeja Mall housing anchor tenants such as Shoprite, cannot fail to notice the imposing edifice in the heart of the state capital.

     

    At the onset

    The imposing building was initially owed by West Africa Portland Cement Company (WAPCO) Plc, now known as Lafarge Africa Plc. It was sold to the Lagos State Government for N3.1 billion some six years ago when the company re­strategised, divested and needed to shore its capital base. The building, which before now hosted banks, financial institutions, professional institutions and others, is now being renovated to serve solely as the base for all revenue-related agencies of the Lagos State Government, thus its new name, Revenue House.

    Speaking on the sale in its first quarter 2017 financial statement submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Lafarge Africa said the disposal was part of the company’s turnaround and divestment plan. The divestment to the Lagos State Government was for N3.1 billion, generating a capital gain of N1.2 billion.

    When the rumour mills was agog six years ago on plans by the cement giant to put the building up for sale, it became the subject of much discussion within professionals in the built environment sector, investors  and others, who felt the building was too strategic and ‘domineering’ for it to be put on sale.

    Others felt the owners of the building must have thought over it and came up with a blueprint that it was the way to go. But it was an opportunity for the state government in its bid to entrench the ease of doing business. The location, for the state, is strategic, almost within the vicinity of the levers of government in the state. For those who do business with the government, they can’t thank the government enough for the convenience to conduct their business under a roof.

    This building with great history is set to be inaugurated next month. Investigations by The Nation confirmed that it would have been before now but for the COVID­19 pandemic. All things being equal, the Lagos State government will inaugurate a massive office complex – the “Revenue House”, located at the Central Business District, Ikeja, and in close proximity to the State Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja, next month. The Lagos Revenue House upon completion will accommodate revenue-generating agencies of the state government.

     

    Revenue takes the centre

    “The Revenue House” was an idea muted in the administration of former Governor Raji Fashola. However, upon cost consideration, that is, for purchase and renovation to bring the facility to usable condition for the state government and the space available for use as car park and others the idea was discarded. It was further argued that it would make more sense to complete the state multi­purpose building located opposite the Ministry of Environment which has more generous car park and other facilities fit for the agencies rather than buying the Elephant Cement Building”, an official of the government who didn’t want to be named because of the sensitivity of project stated told The Nation.

    Upon assumption of office, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode thought otherwise and went for the project. He was, however, unable to complete the renovation before leaving office.

    Stakeholders in the real estate sector have severally submitted that construction in the industry would be spiked by offices and shopping malls development. A cursory look at real estate in the last five years attests to this position.

     

    A fillip to real estate

    President, Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Kunle Awobodu, who commended the move by the Lagos government administration to continue with the process of ownership of the building for the state, said it makes a lot of meaning for ease of administration.

    He said: “For a very long time, the Lagos State government has had some of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the old secretariat and some in rented buildings and apartments. For administrative purposes, it doesn’t make for smooth running of process and procedures. It’s also pertinent to note that the state plan to bring in all their revenue agencies under one umbrella, the idea to my mind, will make for easy and effective administration of the agencies. Clients or those who have businesses to transact or any other thing anything with the agencies will be rest assured that they will do their business under one roof that is purpose built. It’s reassuring that this will give litmus to the much talked about ease of doing business.”

    A realtor Ibidemi Ayodele, in his contribution, said: “This complex, formerly known as “Elephant Cement House”, owned by the cement manufacturing firm, Lafarge Holcim Africa, is touted as a project that will change the face of office development in the country, following its acquisition by the Lagos State Government. He was happy to note that it didn’t go the way of other government projects that were abandoned midstream. He said for businesses like his and others who are always at the Secretariat and hopping from one block to the other, the bringing together of the agencies is a welcome development.

     

    The transformation

    Information available to The Nation have it that the building, a multi-storey office complex, was acquired at a cost of N3.1 billion about six years ago and is situated on a land area of 10,307.97 square metres.

    It also has a space of 4, 687 square metres that will be used as car park.The total built area is about 1,700 square metres while its green area is about 800 square metres. The building consists of four wings of seven floors plus a wing of eight floors and the multi-storey structure consisting of three blocks on a total area of site of 2.01 hectares.

    The new Lagos Revenue House has eight floors with four wings labelled A, B, C and D. Wing A, B and C have seven floors, while Wing D (inner Rotunda) has eight floors (a Penthouse). Architectural wings A and C are bilaterally symmetrical with the same features.

    Essentially, the facility has office spaces of 1,640 square metres per floor and 11,450 square metres offices. The designated guest car park accommodates 220 cars. Other features include a conference room and banking hall.

    Some of the facilities provided for in the building include borehole, storage tank, Water Treatment Plant, Central, Sewage Treatment Plants, Pumping Machines. Other ancillary facilities are: four gate houses, a generator house, a central open courtyard, four elevators, toilets and other conveniences.

    Value creation

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a visit to the complex, said upon completion, it will scale down the incidental costs of premises rentals and accommodate most parastatals of the state within the Secretariat vicinity. He, therefore, urged the contractor handling the project to accelerate its delivery to avoid cost overrun works.

    Meanwhile, The Nation learnt that the State’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, on behalf of Lagos State Government, has launched a search for competent facility management service providers/contractors to manage the public asset “in pursuance of its infrastructural assets maintenance and management plan has embraced the culture of facility management to ensure professional maintenance of the State Public Assets”.

    The tender is seeking contractors or consortium for the major architectural/structural maintenance and repairs; mechanical/ electrical maintenance and repairs; replacement of fixtures and fittings; power management; sewage and water management; landscaping; painting; pest control and fumigation as well as general routine maintenance.

     

     

  • Why Buhari can’t make hard choices

    Why Buhari can’t make hard choices

    By Tochukwu Ezukanma

    SIR: The former American Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, once summed up the follies of the Nigerian power elite: “They have squandered their oil wealth, they have allowed corruption to fester and now they are losing control of parts of their territory because they won’t make hard choices”.

    Despite his much-hyped incorruptibility and moral courage, President Buhari, like earlier Nigerian presidents, has failed to make hard choices.

    Consequently, political power continues to be wielded as an enemy of the people by self-absorbed power elite, and a shady, spooky, self-seeking cabal continues to pull its oligarchic strings from behind the façade of democracy. Power exercised as an enemy of the people ignores the legitimate aspirations of the people and subverts equity and social justice. It steals from the people and panders to the avarice of an elite few. It promotes the unjustifiable affluence of the political class and their cronies and relegates the generality of the people to hard poverty and insufferable misery.

    While Nigerian legislators are the highest paid in the world, Nigerian workers live on the lowest minimum wage in the world. The income per capita in America is 20 times that of Nigeria, but Nigerian senators earn nearly three times as much as American senators and more than the American president. Is this not, in essence, robbery, robbery colorfully festooned as legislative remuneration? In addition to their legitimized robbery, the legislators still splurge excessive amounts of money on other perks of office, for example, the spending of N5.6billion for the purchase of new SUV for senators. In the 2021 budget, the feeding and travel allowances for the president and vice president are N3.97billion. It rends the heart and boggles the mind when the greed and extravagance of our rulers are considered against the backdrop that Nigeria has the greatest concentration of extreme poverty in the world.

    The refusal to make hard choices explains the intractable problem of inadequate electric generation in Nigeria. The “spending” of significant amounts of money to increase power generation with nothing to show for it continues under the Buhari administration. Does common sense not dictate that to entrust the responsibility to revamp power generation on those that gain from lack of power is fantastic absurdity? Those that benefit from the inexplicable trillions of naira paid to oil marketers for nonexistent subsidies; importers of refined fuel that fuel private generation of power; and importers of generators cannot solve the problem of power generation. Not surprisingly, darkness holds sway over Nigeria.

    Making hard choices is challenging. It demands courage, principles, and the resolve to subordinate selfish, cliquish, oligarchic, nepotistic, and tribal interests to the collective good of the country. In addition, it demands genuineness, transparency, and accountability. The Buhari administration cannot meet these demands because President Buhari is laden with all the vices of previous Nigerian rulers. As such, like previous administrations, his administration cannot make the hard choices.

    • Tochukwu Ezukanma, Lagos.

  • I’m happy to be back, says Osimhen

    I’m happy to be back, says Osimhen

    By Olalekan Okusan with agency report

    After returning to action following 77 days absence due to shoulder injury coupled with COVID-19, Victor Osimhen has said that he was happy being part of the Napoli’s team that lost 3-1 away to Hellas Verona on Sunday.

    Amidst the doubt over the future of Coach Gennaro Gattuso at Naples, Osimhen who was the only player that commented after the loss to Verona believes the team would bounce back from the defeat.

    Commenting on his social media, the Nigerian striker said: “We are united in victory as in defeat, happy to be back … we move. ”

    Meanwhile, Gattuso’s future at Napoli is reportedly uncertain, with Rafael Benitez mentioned as the possible successor.

    Read Also: Osimhen recovers from COVID-19

    La Stampa reports President Aurelio De Laurentiis has asked for a meeting face to face with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli after the 3-1 defeat to Hellas Verona in Serie A.

    Napoli are currently sixth in the League, through to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia and the round of 32 in the Europa League.

    The newspaper claims the coach’s position could be the topic when the patron and the director meet, as the Partenopei also lost the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus last week.

    Benitez, who coached Napoli between 2013 and 2015, has recently freed himself from Dalian in China and the report claims he could return to Naples.

    But Sky Sport Italia reported yesterday that Gattuso has faith from the board.