The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Group offers 4-day free medical outreach in Lagos

    By Adekunle Yusuf

    TO complement efforts of the state government in providing quality healthcare services to the people, the Soyuznik Alumni, an association  of graduates of institutions of higher learning in countries of Baltic states (former USSR), has flagged off a 4-day free medical outreach. The free healthcare services, which began yesterday (Thursday), is taking place at Ijegun in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.

    Already, the non-governmental organisation said it has begun screening for hundreds of people, with many of them requiring surgical operations, it said at a press conference this week. The national president of the association, Otunba Henry Ajomale, said the gesture for the body, which comprises many successful professionals in various vocations, is a way of giving back to society. The event scheduled to hold between November 21 and 24 would focus on life-disrupting medical conditions requiring surgery.

    “The medical intervention programme that coincides with the 102 anniversary of the 7th October 1917 Revolution and its widows mite to support various efforts at improving living standards through quality medical services to the less privileged. The outreach program is also a compliment to the effort of the government of Lagos State under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in providing access to quality medical services. The programme, due to its uncommon and serial feature, will also support the social intervention pledge of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million out of poverty by 2023.

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    ‘’Common knowledge about medical outreach program is an all comer affair restricted to screening and diagnostics for non-communicable diseases (sugar level, malaria, cancer without streamlined targets) with poor streamlining,’’ Ajomale, who was represented by Lagos chairman of the association, Dr. Lasisi Durojaye, said.

    The NGO explained further that the outreach is not only for Ijegun residents, but for all rural dwellers, women, widows, orphan and physically challenged people and the neglected and under-served. “Noteworthy is the fact that the free surgery operations for fibroid, hernia and lumps will be delivered by medical and health professionals who are members of Soyuznik in Lagos State. This exercise is symbolic to the association, Lagos State and Nigeria because this will be a maiden of a series of programmes to be delivered by the medical outreach team of Soyuznik. Aside the over 400 years combined practice experience as heads of various government and private clinics in Lagos State with an average of 25 years post qualification experience,” Ajomale said.

  • Coping with skin ulcers, worms, wrinkles and boils

    Dr Joel Akande

    In this article, we will conclude the series on common skin disorders. We will explore diseases that are peculiar to children and some that are common to adults and children alike.

    Ringworm (Tinea): Ringworm often wrongly called “ezcema” is common to all: women, men, adult and children, but most especially seen in children. Unlike its name, ringworm is not a worm and it’s neither a ring. The disease is caused by fungus that takes opportunity into its hand to grow. Ringworm can be found often in the head and may become very obvious as a pale circular rash on dark skin. It may also appear in the body often on the chest, back, abdomen, groin, hands and feet. Ringwork is infectious, meaning the infection can spread from one person to another. Ringworm, except those affecting the nails that require a more prolonged and sustained treatment, can be easily treated once recognised by the doctor.

    Boils (Furunculosis). Boils occur where we can find hairs in any part of the body. Therefore, boils can occur on the head, eyes, ears, chest, neck, hands, groin and legs. For this reason, boils do not occur on our soles and palms. When the root of the hairs are infected by germs, boils can result. If the boil recurs more than three times in a year, it’s called recurrent furunculosis and if a big boil occurs it is called carbunculosis. In both cases, germs such as bacteria are the cause. The treatment for both may be by use of antibiotics. For carbunculosis, the doctor may have to open the boil up so as to drain pus that is contained in the boil.

    Cellulitis: Infection of the skin in parts of the body such as hands, legs, chest, abdomen and face may give rise to a crawling and infection that spread to nearby skin. It may gradually spread to cover large parts of the affected areas. The skin becomes warm, swollen, and painful and the person may become very ill with fever. This may become an emergency due to the ill feelings. This skin disorder may affect anyone, including children. Boils may lead to cellulitits. Any small wound in affected parts may also lead to cellulitis. The treatment is urgent as delay may worsen the illness. Complications such as septicemia (blood poisoning) may also develop if care is not taken. Antibiotics are the main form of treatment.

    Read Also: Skin itching and how to manage it

     

    There are some conditions where frequent occurrence of boils, ringworm and cellulitis may indicate an underlying illness such as diabetes and depressed immunity (the body having low ability to defend itself against infections such as HIV and cancers). What appears as a simple boil that refuses to go away in spite of the best efforts of the sufferer, be it a child or adult, may indeed not be so simple after all. That is to say, that you should take recurrent boils and cellulitis very seriously.

    Skin ulcers (open wound of the skin): A skin ulcer or “boil” that fails to heal in a normal well-nourished person calls for urgent attention. An ulcer that is recurrent or multiple recurrent skin ulcer is also an indication to see the doctor for attention without delay. Skin ulcer that fails to heal may be due to underlying infections such as STD (see last week’s article) such as syphilis and HIV. Skin ulcer may also indicate tuberculosis (TB) of the skin as well guineaworm. Still, skin ulcer may be an indication of cancer of the skin (melanoma and basal cell carcinoma), or cancer from other parts of the body that has spread to the skin. Yet, skin ulcer, like boils, cellulitis and ringworm may be telling us of other serious illnesses such as diabetes or depressed immunity, anaemia, or heart failure brought upon the sufferers. Strange skin ulcer in children or mentally unwell adults or dementia in and elderly or any vulnerable person is a form of abuse until proven otherwise. Skin ulcer in a person that is physically or mentally disabled who stays too long on any part of the body may be pressure sores. In all these, vigilance and urgency are called for.  So skin ulcer may be a pointer to a killer disease that is lurking underneath.

    Skin colour, bleaching and wrinkles: Our skin is primarily for protection and each skin of every one of us has been so programmed for the purpose of defense depending on the genes that we inherited from our parents and the environment that we live in. That is why we have different shades of human colour. Along with the influence of genes, the less the sunshine the paler, and the more the sunshine the darker or brownish the person. This darkness or brownishness protects against the ultraviolent rays of the sun, preventing cancer from forming. Bleaching the skin thus exposes the skin to the violent effect of the sun and likelihood of cancer forming. Wrinkles also develop due to bleaching, which would have occurred as we age but is hastened by steroid use and bleaching. Wrinkles can be caused by prolonged illness of any form or malnutrition and anxiety.

    In concluding, I will advise and strongly too that, though skin illnesses are very frequently encountered by every one of us, our skin can also tell us a lot of stories about the state of our health. I have only covered a small part of skin illnesses in the last few weeks. Skin is not just an object meant for beauty and decoration but a vital organ that protects and defends our body against attack. In doing its job, our skin encounters various insults and assaults to its integrity. It’s our job as skin owners to also take care of the skin that is so much dedicated to taking care of us. Any strange occurrence or feeling in our skin should be taken seriously by visiting our medical practitioner as soon as possible. A stich in time saves nine.

    If you have been affected by the content of this article and you require clarification, kindly call the helpline 07087733114 for support.

  • Pathologists lament brain drain in health sector

    By Tajudeen Adebanjo

    The College of Nigerian Pathologists (CNP), Lagos Chapter, has described as worrisome the shortage of pathologists in the health sector. It has, therefore, called for an urgent measure to curb the brain drain, saying it is hurting the country in many critical ways.

    The body spoke at a conference to commemorate the International Pathology Day, at Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The CNP chairman, Lagos chapter, Prof. Fatimah AbdulKareem, appealed to governments at the state and federal levels to create an enabling environment for pathologists and other healthcare professionals.

    Noting that scarcity of pathologists has encouraged the mushrooming of unregulated laboratories run by poorly-qualified non-pathologists, she urged pathologists to desist from leaving the country after it has expended so much resource in training them.

    “Let us be patriotic and stay back in Nigeria to save our fatherland. However, the government has to do more in encouraging people to delve into studying pathology by providing employment opportunities as soon as they are through with their studies. We also encourage our students to take interest in pathology to reduce the shortage of pathologists,” she said.

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    The International Pathology Day is celebrated annually to create awareness on the role of pathology in healthcare. “Pathology is the bedrock of medicine; that specialty that is concerned with the study of diseases, the causes and mechanisms that result in illnesses. He or she is described as the doctor of doctors because he is consulted by other doctors to make the final diagnosis before treatment, during treatment and even during follow-up after treatment to monitor progress or possibility of recurrence or relapse,” she said.

    She cautioned Nigerians from going to request for laboratory test without first consulting their doctors. In her keynote address, former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Olufunmilayo Olatunji, said there is need for advocacy on the way to address the acute shortage of pathologists in the country. “The issue of having just hundred pathologists in the country as reported by CNP National Chairman shows that the issue calls for emergency response action because there is no way such fewer hands can take care of about 190 million population,” she said.

    Maj. Gen. Tilewa Amusu (rtd), who chaired the event, urged the government to invest more in the health sector. “Pathologists are doing a lot in the health sector in the country. The health sector is an expensive sector; the government needs to invest more in that sector. It is not easy for people to fund their education and start looking for a job. If the government invests more on pathologists, I don’t see the reason why they would think of leaving the country. People leave the country for many reasons – they want better climate, better health care, good remuneration among others,” she said.

  • How to achieve efficient trauma care system, by experts

    Experts at a conference on trauma care have recommend how efficient emergency medical service delivery system can be achieved in Nigeria, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

     

    Without doubt, trauma has become a global public health problem, with Nigeria recording over four million injuries and more than 200,000 deaths annually from road crashes – a major cause of traumatic injuries.

    Concerned by these dire statistics and huge harvests of avoidable deaths, Trauma Care International Foundation (TCIF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in mass health, safety education, medical advocacy campaigns, and voluntary blood donation initiatives, organised a national conference on trauma care and how Nigeria can get it right like other countries of the world.

    The theme of the conference was, “Trauma Care: The Way Forward.” The conference, which held at the Radission Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, attracted key policymakers, healthcare workers of various cadres, health management organisations (HMOs), healthcare financiers, medical directors and employers of labour, among others.

    In her opening address, Dr. Deola Philips, executive director of TCIF, said the conference was deliberately designed to significantly alter the narrative by facilitating the processes and systems that alleviate the burden of injury afflicting the citizenry.

    “Not only are these possible; TCIF, through collaboration and galvanized engagement of relevant stakeholders, is committed to supporting the achievement of the sustainable development goals concerned for a healthier nation.

    “It is our hope that the inputs from this conference will proffer a real and actionable framework to be designed and agreed upon, which will impact health care delivery especially in the management of trauma cases. It is our desire that health care services for traumatic injuries become more cohesive, affordable and in compliance with global best practices,” she said.

    As expected, experts identified loopholes and defined the way forward for trauma care and emergency response services in Nigeria. Delivering his speech, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, commended TCIF for initiating a national discourse around how the country can evolve an effective national emergency medical system. He was represented by represented by Dr. Mustapha Alimi, Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. The minister promised that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is already focusing attention on creating a nationwide emergency medical response system and ambulance service scheme to take care of day-to-day civil trauma and other medical emergencies in the country.

    “Trauma is the leading cause of death in individuals under 45years of age worldwide, accounting for about 5 million deaths annually. The casualty figures and impact are lower in high- and upper middle-income countries (HUMICs) and generally much higher in low- and lower middle-income countries (LLMICs), like Nigeria, where causative factors are legend and response systems weak or non-existent.

    “The affected age group in LLMICs is even younger. This is particularly significant as victims in all the age groups will mostly be aspiring and upwardly mobile family ‘breadwinners’, economically in, or still approaching the most productive years of their lives. The social impact of the loss of such figures is serious, because families, especially dependants of victims, are left more or less abruptly, without economic support.

    “Besides this, factoring in the huge cost of mainly out-of-pocket treatment of victims leaves many a family bankrupt, hugely indebted and often destitute. The cumulative effect on national productivity and GDP is also considerable. The Federal Road Safety Commission states that 5,181 deaths occurred from road traffic crashes across the country in 2018. This figure does not consider casualty from non-road accident causes, especially industrial (work-related), domestic, Sports and other trauma,” Ehanire said.

    Read Also: ‘Churches must support traumatised people’

     

    The minister identified other sources of trauma victims, saying the lingering insurgency in the Northeast, communal conflicts, the rising crime wave in all parts of the country, with the small arms proliferation in the hands of non-state actors, which all have caused the incidence of ballistic and diverse weapon-wounded-related injuries and deaths, are worsening the situation. He, however, disclosed that his ministry is in collaboration with other ministries, departments and agencies of Government and the private sector, to support Federal Road Safety Commission and other responding entities, to further push down the statistics of casualties from road traffic and other accidents and develop a robust all-embracing response mechanism to mitigate the damaging impact of trauma from accidents on citizens and the economy.

    In his keynote address, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, commended TCIF for focusing on an important aspect in the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria. Oloriegbe, who was represented by Mr. Mike Egboh, the Country Director, USAID GHSC-PSM, said his experience in the medical practice has convinced him that an appropriate and timely care given early could significantly improve outcome from trauma care.

    “It is very gratifying to me to identify with this NGO which envisions how best to improve the state of trauma care and emergency response services in Nigeria. In view of the critical nature and attendant high mortality rate in most cases associated with trauma and other surgical and medical emergencies in our national health care delivery system, I consider the theme of this conference as very apt and timely.

    “I sincerely appreciate your efforts in contributing to focusing the attention of key stakeholders in our health care delivery system on a crucial aspect of health care service delivery in our country and which has the potential to positively alter the mortality statistics and improve quality of care in our hospitals and service delivery points,” Oloriegbe said.

    While admitting that trauma is the leading cause of death in the first four decades of life, he lamented that trauma and emergency incidents and their associated challenges have been identified as one of the major causes of deaths on a daily basis in Nigeria.  “Majority of Nigeria’s highways are without plans for emergency rescue operations either by state or non-state actors. Moreover, when such emergencies happen and evacuation takes place through help of individuals close to the scene of the accident or the emergency situation, the bureaucracy at the reception of most hospitals and health institutions may pose an obstacle to saving the endangered lives – as it used to be the practice that persons with gunshot wounds are required to provide police reports before health care providers can attend to the victims, and failure to provide the report may lead to the victims bleeding to death or dying of other complications,” he said.

    The lawmaker reminded medical professionals that time is of essence in emergency care for trauma. “Appropriate and timely care given early can significantly improve outcome from trauma. This should be one of the key messages every health care professional in this conference should go home with and strive to implement and live with,” he said.

    According to him, the National Health Act (2014), which was enacted by the 8th National Assembly, provides a frame work for the regulation, development and management of a national health system and sets standards for rendering health services in the country. Among other provisions, the Act recognises Nigerians’ right to health; while the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) provides financial resources to improve primary health care and has the potential to catalyse rapid public health improvements and progress towards the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) in Nigeria, he stressed.

    Oloriegbe explained further that the National Health Act (2014) also makes provisions emergency care. “Section 20 (1) of the National Health Act provides that: “A health care provider, health worker or health establishment shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment for any reason. Section 20 (2) of the Act provides that: A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100, 000.00 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both.”

    Furthermore, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Health also mentioned that the Act dedicated 5 per cent of the BHCPF fund for emergency treatment to be administered by a committee appointed by the National Council on Health, promising that provision of quality emergency care and attainment of UHC are key priorities in the Health Legislative Agenda of the 9th National Assembly.  To achieve this, he said the National assembly is poised to effect some reforms in the provisions of the BHCPF to make its operationalization more effective and efficient in order to actualise its primary objectives.

    “Investment in trauma and emergency care is a cardinal provision of the National Health Act 2014, which is geared towards progressive attainment of UHC in Nigeria. It is an investment in human capital, which is the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development. With our collective resolve and commitment, and working in the spirit of this conference, we shall get there and have a healthcare system in Nigeria that we all will be proud of,” Oloriegbe said.

    In her goodwill message, the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwoolu, represented by Dr. Abiola Mafe, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is fully committed to addressing trauma care by improving all aspects of healthcare delivery in the state. Also, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, represented by the Lagos State Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, commended the efforts of the Lagos State government in addressing trauma care. Omeje, who lamented the delay often brought about by bureaucratic bottlenecks his men often face when emergency cases are brought to the hospitals, appealed to the healthcare workers to render service to critical emergency victims. He also appealed to hospitals to stop closing their doors on crash victims, especially for lack of bed space.

    The former Minister of Health, Prince Juli Adelusi Adeluyi, who was the chairman of the occasion, advised participants to ensure that all that is needed is done to make sure efficient trauma care becomes a reality in the country by supporting TCIF. “Trauma itself is a big deal all over the world; it is not necessarily such a big deal here because we have other big deals; you don’t know who is going to win politically; you never know who will knock you down; even you never know when you report to the police station whether you are going to be the accused or the one reporting, too many things,” he said.

     

  • Bayelsa: Winners and losers

    The Bayelsa State governorship election has come and gone, but the echoes generated by the contest are still very much around. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the winners and losers in the election.

     

    EVEN before the D-day, it was widely expected to be a tough contest between the two major parties. At the end, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with a wide margin. The negative impact of the loss of the Bayelsa State governorship poll to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would linger for long. Following the announcement of the result of the contest, the losers and the winners are:

     

    Losers:

    Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson is the biggest loser in the contest. In bid to realize his ambition to go to the Senate, he turned deaf ears to all entreaties of various stakeholders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan. The latter was believed to be behind former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) helmsman Timi Alaibe. Dickson overplayed his hand in the manner in which he engineered the emergence of Senator Douye Diri as the party’s flag bearer in the election. The outcome of the election means the governor will not be able to bring his own successor. It also puts paid to his ambition to ‘retire’ to the Senate.

    Though Dickson has refused to accept the result, he nevertheless inaugurated a 41-member transition committee on Tuesday, to prepare to handover to the incoming administration of Chief David Lyon of the APC. Lyon is scheduled to assume office on February 14, 2020. The committee which has the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kemela Okara, as Chairman, also has Mr Talford Ongolo as Deputy Chairman and Mr Luka Obiri as Secretary.

     

    Diri

    Diri is the next big loser in the contest. Bayelsa has been governed by the PDP since the return to civil rule in 1999. Ordinarily, Senator Diri could have easily won the November 16 contest, if he had emerged as the party’s flag bearer through a free and fair process. But the over-bearing attitude of Governor Dickson angered a lot of stakeholders, many of whom left the party to join the APC. His emergence therefore polarised the party because he was not the popularly accepted candidate. So, the outcome of the election would have come as a shock to the PDP candidate, who had been assured by the governor that he is the man to beat.

    The low performance of Diri in the election was attributed to lack of support by party leaders. Dickson refused to listen to argument against Diri and fielded him and the party paid costly for it.

     

    PDP

    The loss of Bayelsa State to the APC is a big blow to the party because it means that another Southsouth state has joined the broom revolution, after Edo State. The region had been regarded as a stronghold of the opposition party. Thus, the outcome of the November 16 election means that the APC is gradually making inroads into the region. The result of the election is a blow to the PDP and a boost for the APC. With it, the number of states in the umbrella family has reduced. For the APC, it represents an expansion of its controlled territory.

     

    Secondus

    National Chairman Uche Secondus, who is from the sister state of Rivers, would also not be happy to see Bayelsa becoming an APC state under his watch. With effect from February 14, 2020, he can no longer visit Yenagoa’s Creek Haven Government House as he used to do in the past. Secondus and the PDP would now have to work harder to retain the four remaining Southsouth states in the umbrella fold.

     

    Winners:

    Sylva

    Minister of State for Petroleum Timipre Sylva is one man that had suffered defeat in the hands of Dickson twice in 2012 and 2016. The APC leader in Bayelsa State is no doubt the biggest winner. Although his name was not on the list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a candidate, he contested the election by proxy. This time around, he promised to deliver the state to the APC and this was achieved. Sylva wields a lot of influence in Bayelsa State. As a respected party man, he left no stone unturned to mobilise support for the party ahead of the election and this has eventually paid off.

     

    Read Also: ‘Why we sent PDP packing in Bayelsa’

     

    Lyon

    Governor-elect David Lyon would still be in cloud 9 over his unexpected victory in the election. Many observers outside Bayelsa did not give him much of a chance in the contest. But Lyon and his team really worked hard and should be commended for the party’s victory in the election. Since he emerged as the governor-elect, he has been visiting leaders across party lines to solicit for their support to transform the state come February 14, 2020. He must now translate his campaign promises into practical development programmes to take the state to the ‘Next Level’.

    He received the support of the people and defeated his PDP counterpart with a wide margin.

     

    APC

    The APC is the greatest beneficiary of the Bayelsa governorship election. The party has gained a foothold in another Southsouth state, after Edo. With this development, there is bound to be more defections from the PDP to consolidate the party’s grip on the state. The state is expected to benefit, by having a closer relationship with the government at the centre. The people would be looking in the direction of the APC for the change.

     

    Jonathan and Wife

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife Patience have also been applauded for their statesmanship role in the election. Prior to the polls, Jonathan visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock. Many believe that the deal to work for the APC was worked out during the visit. The former President was not at peace with recent development in the state’s chapter of the PDP. By playing host to some APC leaders after the election, the former President and wife have indicated that they are happy with the outcome of the election. Jonathan’s mother also openly prayed for Lyon before the election.

     

    Alaibe

    Timi Alaibe who is still contesting the outcome of the PDP governorship primary in court also appears to be having the ladst laugh. The former Managing Director of the NDDC was reportedly backed by Jonathan during the PDP primary. Many believe he worked for the APC just as Jonathan tacitly gave his support to the party. Denying him the PDP ticket was part of the problem the party faced. This could not be resolved before the election.

     

  • How PDP can bounce back in Ekiti, by chieftains

    By Emmanuel Oladesu

     

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Afolabi Akanni, has said that the party will bounce back to power, if it can put its House in order.

    He called for unity, stressing that past mistakes should be corrected.

    The former House of Assembly member said in a statement in Lagos that the victory of Senator Biodun Olujimi has given a ray of hope about a brighter future.

    He said all hands should be on deck for the crusade for the effective repositioning of the chapter.

    Akanni said Ekiti PDP Ekiti can recapture power and regain its pride of place.

    He said: “There is hope for PDP in Ekiti State. We should come together and out our house in order.”

    Also, former two-term Chairman of Efon Local Government and an aspirant for the position of state party chairman, Prince Aderogba Agbaje, said the party will triumph in future elections.

    Read Also: Ondo 2020: PDP, APC begin mobilisation

     

    He congratulated Olujimi for sustaining the struggle that gave her victory, adding that she had done the chapter proud.

    He said: “It is the Lord’s doing, an obvious triumph of good over evil and sure hope that democracy will thrive in Nigeria.”

    Agbaje said the judiciary had done a great job, stressing that the victory had rekindled hope that the party has a future.

    He aded: “It was a well deserved victory for a vibrant and hard working federal legislator who shook the 8th Assembly and justified her position as the Red Chamber’s Minority Leader.”

    Agbaje described the victory as a morale booster and a wake up call from politicsl slumber.

    Describing Olujimi as a “round peg in a round hole ” he advised her to remain focused, be truly forgiving and rekindle her faith in God, to whom her victory should be dedicated.

    He said the senator’s tenacity of purpose, doggedness, humility, outstanding performance, unrestrained compassion and generosity have made her a role model and worthy leader.

    Urging party leaders and members to unite for future contests, Agbaje said they should embrace the repositioning agenda.

    He said:”It is a crusade aimed at restoring sanity, decorum and due process to foster and strengthen internal democracy and mutual respect.

    “We must, above all, accord due recognition and respect and to our leaders and elders at all levels. Under the emerging new leadership and soothing atmosphere, the dark days of imposition and unbridled impunity, maladministration and a lot more, which the party paid dearly for, are gone for good.”

    Prince appealed to the founding fathers of the party, especially Senator Clement Awoyelu, Professor Tunde Adeniran, Chief Dayo Okondo,  Dr. Folayan, former Governor Segun Oni, Justice Ojuolape, Chief Ojuawo, and Dr. Bode Olowoporoku, to return to the party.

    He also urged other chieftains who left in frustration or are aloof to return for the rescue mission.

     

  • Ogun APC to APM: Accept defeat

     

    The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at the Allied  Peoples Movement (APM), and its candidate at the March 9, governorship election, on their plan to appeal the judgment of tribunal at the Supreme Court.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has dismissed the petition filed by the APM candidate, Adekunle  Akinlade, against the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

    In a unanimous decision, the Appeal court justices said the appeal “lacks merit and it is therefore struck out.”

    In the lead judgment, Justice Muhammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma declared that the 10 grounds filed by the Akinlade and his party challenging the victory of Abiodun have no merits and that the two appellants were overruled because of lack of merit.

    The judgement reads: “The respective objections raised by the two respondents are overruled and the emotions have no remit, answers to them are sustained and the two motions are dismissed.”

    However, the APM and it’s candidate told the media last weekend that they will be approaching the Supreme Court as the last port of call in gubernatorial election petition.

    Read Also: I’ll submit myself to the will of Ogun people – Dapo Abiodun

     

    In a statement, the Ogun APC Publicity Secretary,  Tunde Oladunjoye said the “APM and it’s candidates are serial losers who are merely”

    He said: “Our party, the APC has unshakeable confidence in the judiciary, the APM and its candidate are serial losers who are merely shadow-chasing and being goaded by a senator, another well known serial loser at tribunals”.

    “Prince Dapo Abiodun won unanimously at the Ogun Governorship Petition tribunal, we also won unanimously at the Appeal Court, they should be told that despite the boasts of their main sponsor, the court judgement is not for sale.”

    “The three-man state governorship election petitions tribunal, led by Justice Yusuf Halilu, while dismissing the petition and upholding Abiodun’s election, described Akinlade’s petition, challenging  Abiodun’s victory,  as  “lazy and destined to fail”.

    “This has exposed the lack of depth, procedurally contaminated and virus-invested petition to the whole world. The reason why they want to go to the Supreme Court is driven by the empty boast of the Senator financing APM, who is dropping the name of Mr. President.”

    “We advise them to get to get off their phantom horse and stop dragging the name of Mr. President into disrepute. The court is not for traders, neither is the apex court’s judgement for sale.”

     

  • Senator urges support for Buhari

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Tolu Odebiyi has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies and programmes.

    He said the programmes were designed to reposition the country for progress and stem corruption.

    Odebiyi, who represents Ogun West in the Senate also urged the people of his district to endure the temporary hardship brought by the programmes, particularly the border closure.

    The senator solicited the support of stakeholders in his efforts to bring normalcy to the border areas of Ogun West.

    He spoke on Sunday at an interactive meeting in Idiroko, Ogun State attended by the leadership of the Ogun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, security agencies and community leaders. Odebiyi said: “I want to commend everybody for the works being done in this senatorial district. On behalf of the Senate, I  want to appreciate the Customs for its efforts towards generating revenue for the nation as a whole. The reason I am here is to keep track of the issue on border closure, ban of petrol products, get further information and brainstorm to achieve desired results.”

    Read Also: APC chieftain to politicians: stop campaign for 2023 president

     

    Odebiyi, while underscoring the importance of stakeholders engagement noted that a robust synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service and the communities will ensure peace and harmony in our border areas.

    The legislator also called for an improved relations with the Customs Service and communities along the border areas in his Senatorial District.

    He said: “I have had interactions with the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and we will continue to have further interactions till we find a lasting solution to the issues on ground.”

    Odebiyi, who also took a critical look at the challenges being faced by the people in the area, added that the border closure and ban of petrol products have adversely affected the people.

    The senator, who promised to brief the Senate, said the people of Ogun West will overcome the setback assuring them of his support in the days ahead to cushion the effect of the border closure and ban of petrol products.

  • ‘APC will restore ideological politics’

    Chief Emmanuel Ibediro is the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with BOLAJI OGUNDELE on reconciliation in the party and other issues.

     

    What is your reaction to the victory of the APC in Bayelsa and Kogi states?

    I want to thank God for the victory He has given to the party in Bayelsa and Kogi states. This victory is a demonstration of the acceptance of the All Progressives Congress in the South-South of Nigeria and also a reconfirmation that in the Northcentral, APC is a party to beat. I want to thank the people of Kogi and Bayelsa States for the confidence they have in our party.

    It is not easy to bean an incumbent in a state like Bayelsa that has been under the PDP for the past 20 years. But, when you present a good man as a candidate, a man who is at home with his people, there’s no way people can forsake such a man, especially when they are confronted with a very incompetent government that has been ruling the state for the past eight years.

    Bayelsa is a small state, one of those with the smallest number of local government areas and one of the states with very huge income coming from the Federal Government, due to their location. But, upon a visit to Yenagoa, which is about the only land local government, the others ones are basically water, you cannot see the effect of the large amount of resources that go into Bayelsa state. The victory, for Bayelsa people, is a liberation.

    In Kogi, I want to thank the people for reconfirming their choice for the APC. A lot of things were said about Bello, but all I can see, these were propaganda for outside the state, the actual owners of Kogi have said who they want. It’s also another opportunity for him to correct the wrongs, if any, which people accused him of.

    I want to congratulate both governors-elect on this very important victory for their states and for our party and hope that by their actions, they will renew the trust Nigerians are beginning to have in the progressive government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Is APC an ideological party?

    I also hope that whatever they do in office will reconfirm the people’s confidence in what the APC is doing because APC, as a party, will want to move from just an ordinary platform to contest election to a party that will build progressive ideologies that will guide the growth of this nation into the future.

    I feel very happy because we have continued to maintain this winning streak since this executive committee came to office; talking about the staggered elections from Ekiti State to Osun State. We have been able to convince Nigerians to reelect Mr. President, we have also convince Nigerians to elect more APC members into the National Assembly. I believe that Nigerians are beginning to have confidence in our party and that’s why in each election, we have been able to prove that as we move every day, it keeps getting better.

    Is President Buhari transforming Nigeria through his policies?

    I disagree with those saying APC is same as PDP. Human beings are not very patient. Change is not an overnight thing. It is a gradual process and if we reflect very properly, we’ll agree that certain things are changing under the leadership of President Buhari. There are things people will not willingly do now because they know their repercussion, it’s a gradual process and like I said, the party doesn’t just want to remain a platform for merely contesting or winning elections, it wants to become a forum to canvass an ideology that will help the country move up. For instance, it takes only a man like Buhari to contemplate the closure of borders. Most countries in the world that have been able to rise from ruins had to close their borders and think inwards and come up with ways forward. We have had several governments in this country, nobody has ever thought about that.

    Read Also: Ize-Iyamu, Edo ex-Speaker, others dump PDP for APC

     

    Like the example people give; you keep wondering a country like the Republic of Benin, with a population of about 12 million people can be the highest importer of rice in Africa. Where is the market? Everything is shifted into Nigeria. They make the profit from the ports because they charge cheap imports, but at the end of the day the whole cargo finds its way into Nigeria. How can a country like Republic of Benin, with a population of about 12 million people be the largest importer of used cars in Africa? Considering their landmass, where will they drive the cars? Somehow, these cars find their ways into Nigeria. Mind you, these importations are not done by the people of the Republic of Benin, they were done by Nigerians who moved into the Republic of Benin to beat costs.

    We are not saying don’t make your importations. All we are saying is come through our ports so that Nigeria can at least get something out of it. These are gradual changes that are coming under this administration. It is like having a child that you have been living with for like five years, you may not notice the child is growing, until you travel for some time and you come back to meet a big man. People don’t notice these things, but they are happening. I believe we are on the right path and like I said, the APC will prefer be referred to in the future as a party that help nurse the growth for Nigeria and not just a platform where you just come and contest election and win.

    How would the party unite feuding members in the state, prior to the election:

    Failure is an orphan, but success has a lot of friends. We would have been mourning today if we had lost because people would have been saying we lost because we failed to listen to them. For instance, I heard people are already calling for Secondus to resign because of the party’s loss in Bayelsa. Same thing could have been happening here today; people would have been calling for the heads of the members of the National Working Committee, saying they knew the right thing to do in Bayelsa, but they refused to do it. However, today we have won and all we are getting is congratulations. Internal strife is common in any contest; everybody wants to be the flagbearer, but that is not possible and no matter how you try to process the selection, people who are not favoured will protest.

    By the grace of God, today, having victory on our side, it becomes very easy to reconcile because if you have nothing to work for, there would have been no point. But, today, we have success on our side. It is easier to ask our members to sheath their swords. We can all form this government and provide democracy dividends for our people. I believe it’s easier now. We have passed through that stage, we had one of the worst incidents when we were trying to reconcile people before the main election, after the primaries. We have gone beyond that now, by the grace of God.

    How do you assess former President Jonathan’s role in the APC victory in Bayelsa?

    There’s something we must understand. If you are a former president of a country or a statesman, you go beyond party boundaries. Also remember some of the members of the APC campaign council are sitting governors. I see nothing wrong in sitting governors going to pay courtesy visit to a former president, when they know he’s around and they were very close to him. There’s no political angle to it; it was just a normal visit to a former president. I commend his magnanimity in receiving people in position of authority without considering where they come from. Their going to see him did not mean the former president supported another party. The former president is a man, whom I’m sure if he wants to leave one party for another, will not leave anything to speculation.

     

  • How effective is celebrity endorsement?

    Celebrity endorsement is a marketing tool employed mostly by top brands to expand their grip in the market space. However, the advancement in technology and the harsh economic climate have altered the curve of consumers’ behaviour, thereby impacting the influence of celebrities as brand ambassadors, JANE CHIJIOKE writes

     

    It has been an age-long practice to use faces of celebrities to promote a brand. This is because of the influence and glamour believed to be associated with this category of people. The thinking, and usually so, is that famous faces attract consumers to the brand.

    Celebrity endorsement is simply a marketing communication channel through which a celebrity becomes the spokesman by using his or her personality, popularity, status in the society or expertise in his field to promote a brand.

    Factors like values, appeals, large followership on social media platforms, popularity, and ethics are critical considerations for brands while choosing an ambassador. The ultimate aim is to appeal to the targeted audience.

    Such strategy, to a large extent, has kept the brand it represents in good perception of the consumer. And immediately, they are attracted or motivated to buy. For instance, a popular toilet soap from the stable of a multinational, UNILEVER, in its advertisement that adorned the screens in the early 1980s, used the face of a Nigerian beauty queen to advertise. The soap became an instant hit and recorded good success. The beauty queen became the face of the soap and vice versa.

    Indeed, several practitioners in the world of advertising have acknowledged the use of celebrities as a technique for enhancing trade. Advertisers and managers spend huge budget on celebrities to enhance their products in the market and especially to keep it ahead of competition because owing to the influence they command in their society, some consumers would love to patronise goods and services endorsed by their favourite celebrity.

    In the Nigerian space, these celebrities are usually chosen from musicians, Nollywood stars, comedians or a public figure, because they are perceived as potential marketing tool to reach a targeted audience.

    Experts are convinced that with the attention they command, celebrity endorsement can be a way of enhancing credibility, gaining visibility for brands and expanding market access.

    Read Also: 2019: Tiwa Salvage Celebrates First Endorsement Deal in Style

     

    For instance Holliandia Evap Milk recently chose a Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie as new brand ambassador. In considering her for the position, the brand owners submitted that “she is an accomplished actress, wife and mother which perfectly embodies the milk brand’s  all-rounder proposition.”

    “Through her versatility, the actress would bring her lifestyle choices and influence to bear to fully relate the nutritious benefits of the milk to every member of the family,” the brand owners said in a statement.

    Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, agreed that Johnson-Okojie’s truly embodies the ideal qualities that the brand wants to be associated with.

    “We chose Mercy Johnson-Okojie to be the face of the Hollandia Evap Milk brand as we believe she will inspire a much larger audience to understand and adopt Hollandia Evap Milk for its quality nutritional benefits, convenience and value for money. We are thrilled to have her as our Hollandia Evap Milk Brand Ambassador,” he said.

     

    What influence?

    In recent years, the market has seen a tremendous shift in consumers’ behaviour. It has become more complex and the reason can be attributed to technological advancement.  Unlike in the past, consumers are now well informed, have access to information and even dictate the tone in which products  place more emphasis on satisfying the consumers needs in order  to remain relevant in the market.

    Consumers now have higher expectations from brands and with various platforms including social media, thus making it easier for consumers to lodge  complaints against any brands perceived to fall short of its  expected value.

    With these high expectations from brands to deliver value, can celebrity endorsement influence consumers to purchase a product?

    Some of the consumers The Nation spoke with said celebrity brand ambassadors do not motivate their buying habit let alone ignite their loyalty to a product.

    A consumer and housewife, Mrs Ijeoma Dimude said: “gone are those days I see celebrities advertising a product as big deal.  Then I used to think that if I used that product, I am also using the same thing a big star uses, mostly in the cosmetic products. Then it makes me feel like, I can actually have the same smooth skin projected in the advert. But with the exposure I have gotten, it’s just a fad to me”.

    Another consumer, Dickson  Aruwajaye, noted that such deployment of celebrities as brand ambassadors have become overused strategy that its value is decreasing.

    “In this time and age, how can I be influenced to buy a product just because of a celebrity?  I think this method has been overused might not be having the same effect as it used to in the past.  Some weeks ago, I saw a brand of phone being advertised by some popular musicians in the industry. I went to the market to check out.   I noticed that some of the phone’s features are not up to what I would like to have let alone being advertised by a popular musician. The hype is just too much,” he said.

    For others, it is just the fun of watching the funny adverts of most of the brands where they use celebrities to pass across their message in their commercials. While they enjoy the entertainment associated with this, yet, it has not lured them to opt for such products if it is of lower quality.

    For a supermarket operator in Ikeja, Jason  Chukwuemeka, the use of celebrity is not a determinant but the value he gets from a brand. He added that so long as a product or brand does not appeal to a consumer, it cannot be sold.

     

    “A good product sells itself.  It needs little or no celebrity endorsement. However, a good celebrity advert content that is well integrated with the target market characteristics and other marketing mix elements such as product design,  packaging, pricing and branding  can be effective on consumers.   Also brands need to understand that such venture is capital intensive and in some cases, do not achieve it’s intended objectives,” Chukwuemeka explained.

     

    Consumer sophistication

    A consumer analyst, Benjamin Adegoke, explained that today’s consumers are more influenced by their social network than a celebrity connection, stating they have become more informed and difficult to impress. Rather, they are only influenced by adverts that are relevant and provide information.

    A research conducted by Daha Tijjani, Acheampong  Owusu, Bakare Akeem Soladoye and K. Ramanatha published in the Asian  Journal of Scientific Research to determine the effectiveness of celebrities on the buying habit of consumers, mostly the youth showed that the expertise  of a celebrity does not influence the youth to purchase an endorsed product.

    The research also noted that the marketing strategy has little or  no impact on the targeted audience , an outcome that could be partly influenced by the numerous odd publicity associated with the brand’s chosen endorsers. It also noted the costly strategy which is highly embraced by telecommunication marketing managers and advertisers in Nigeria is not yielding meaningful result as expected.

    However, for some consumers, celebrities influence by celebrities  to purchase an item.  For Tayo, the status of a celebrity can authenticate  a brand as a celebrity who knows his worth would not want to associate with a brand that is substandard.

    Likewise for  Mrs Charity  Oni, the love she has for some of her selected celebrities can motivate her to purchase products  which they advertise.

     

    Double-edged sword

    The Group Chief Executive of MediaCraft Associates, John Ehiguese, said the marketing strategy is a double-edged sword.  He said it is essential for profiling and to pass strategic messages to a target audience especially when there is a coincidence between the followership the celebrity has and the target audience of a brand.

    “These  people (celebrities) have a lot of followership and can add value to a brand especially when you have a specific message you want to pass across. So the idea is to use them to reach their communities or followers especially on social media.  So they have some value. But the drawback is that should they suffer a reputational damage, it automatically affects the brand. So there is a collateral risk attached to this kind of arrangement,” Ehiguese explained.

    The Chief Executive Officer Eat’N’Go, the franchisee for Domino Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry Frozen,  Yoghurt, Patrick Micheal, said though he does not use celebrity to promote his brand, but the use of brand ambassadors is still relevant in businesses. However, it is campaign and product dependent.  In relation to profitability, it depends on the brand sales’ projection in relation to the cost.