The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Concert, sports mark CAC Yaba 80th anniversary

    Concert, sports mark CAC Yaba 80th anniversary

    By Evelyn Osagie

     

    From a mega-concert of 400 voices to free medical checkup and sporting competition involving different churches, there is something for everyone as the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Yaba District clocks 80.

    The church unveiled activities to mark its 80th anniversary in Lagos, stating that the whole world is coming down to Yaba to commemorate with the church.

    The organising committee, led by the Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom in Osun State, HRM Latiiri I, Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera, revealed to The Nation activities planned for the 80th anniversary of one of the earliest Lagos branches established in the 1940s.

    “The year-long celebration boasts of diverse highlights, such as the annual flagship programme ‘Songs of Praise’ consisting of a mega concert of 400 voices, skills acquisition workshop, free medical checkups, sporting activities and other fascinating lineups that will enrich participants spiritually and physically,” it said.

    With anniversary logo launched on  January 1, 2020, it became  “important to hold a press conference so as to sensitise the whole world about what our church is all about and the sort of significance the church attaches to such anniversary”  the committee told journalists. The briefing kick-started the activities, it was said.

    At the event were the Superintendent, Yaba District Coordinating Council, Pastor S.E.A. Oludare; Pst. Sola Ajidagba; YDCC Good Women Association Leader, Deaconess C.B.Sanda; Elder I.A Osinaiki; Chairperson Mass Choir Planning Committee, Deaconess Folashade Jaeaba; Vice-chairman anniversary committee, Elder Denrele Alayande and Elder Salawu.

    Announcing the theme for the landmark event, the superintendent observed that since its inception 80 years ago, the church  has remained evangelical and revivalistic.

    Recalling the history of the church, he said: “The church started 80 years ago and still waxing strong and still wonderfully situated.

    The district headquarters has continued to wax stronger in its evangelical and revivalistic mission which is the fulcrum of the Christ Apostolic Church worldwide. It serves as the district coordinating council that has nurtured and groomed many other branches in Lagos and  Ogun states.

    “It’s just God’s love that has kept us. It’s not by the power of any man. Many have come and gone but the church of God remains.

    The theme for the anniversary is: Celebrating the Love of God. And we are coming together to celebrate God’s love, according to Psalm 36:7, that says: ‘How priceless is your unfailing love, O God; both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings’.

    As last year was rounding off, the Lord told me that we should make the theme of 2020: The year for love and unity, and that is what gave birth to the anniversary theme.”

    Pst. Oludare said the church has concluded plans to extend its hands of fellowship beyond its walls, especially to orphanages.

    ‘’We are coming together to celebrate love and show love to others. We are going out to spread love; visit orphanages  to spread the love of Christ.

    It’s the love of Christ that has brought us together; and so from the first quarter of the year to the last when the grand finale will take place, we are going out to celebrate it in grand style.”

    While reeling out the programme of events, the anniversary organising committee chair, HRM Oba Akinrera declared that  the celebration aims at touching the lives of the young, stating that Saturday, March 7 features the Youth Day.

    He said: “We have segmented our activities to run throughout the entire four quarters of the year. The Youth Day, which is open to all youths regardless of denomination or faith, will expose youths to different skills acquisition programmes.

    Subsequently, a most remarkable mass-choir concert will take place at the church premises from 5pm on March 15. Already, preparations are in top gear to make the concert an unforgettable experience.

    “Also intended to shed lights on the various ways of improving our health, there will be a health talk and exhibition scheduled for March 21 where experts will be delivering lectures on different ways of improving our health.

    Following that,  on March 22 is a one-day free medical checkup by medical professionals. And then on March 28, there will be a general cleaning exercise of the church.

    Furthermore, the Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom stated that there would be a ‘Walk for Life’ event for exercise and an avenue to preach the gospel of Christ which is one of the cardinal aims of the celebration, adding that there will also be a reunion. ”

    You will agree with me that it isn’t easy for a church to clock eighty. The members of the church would sit down to resolve differences and there would be posthumous awards for our departed staunch members as well.

    Another important event is the visit to the less-privileged.  Ultimately, we are going to preach the gospel at every opportunity during these events.”

    For Deaconess Jaeaba, who was part of the women’s singing group that is credited for recording the first gospel album, CAC church Yaba has distinguished itself in many ways particularly with its historic and extraordinary choir performances.

    “As you may be aware, CAC church Yaba is synonymous with beautiful choral renditions, dating back to 1968 when its choir produced the first Christian album in Nigeria,” she said.

     

  • Foundation inaugurates cultural hub, children’s books

    Foundation inaugurates cultural hub, children’s books

    Our Reporter

     

    A non-governmental organisation in Osogbo, Osun State under the auspices of Ben-Ber Foundation, has inaugurated a cultural hub and children’s books for the promotion of Yoruba culture and language. It is in memory of the late Deacon Benjamin Adeyemi Kolade and his wife, late Chief Bernice Alake Kolade.

    The cultural hub and books were inaugurated by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mr Benedict Alabi, at the residence of the Kolades in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

    The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Human Resources, Alhaja Lateefat Giwa, described the late Baba and Mama Kolade in glowing terms and praised the children  for the unique way they  remembered their parents.

    Guests at the events included the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Obawale Adebisi, the former Deputy Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Muritala Akintunde Adegboye, Commissioner for Rural Development and Community Affairs Hon. Segun Olanibi, the former Commissioner for Lands, Architect Muyiwa Ige, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Folakemi Adebayo and the ace broadcaster, Mr Adetoyese Shittu Alamu.

    The first child of the family, Mrs Abokede Aderonke Funmi, in her remarks, said the foundation would provide training on economically viable vocations that would promote Yoruba culture in areas of weaving of Asooke, making of Adire, designing of clothes  and  making headgear and caps.

    Read Also: Foundation’s Point of View holds Feb 26

    Abokede said that there should be effort to ensure that Yoruba language does not go into extinction. She said: “To this effect, the foundation has embarked on publication of children’s book that will promote Yoruba language and cultural heritage”.

    Mrs. Abokede said Ben-Ber Foundation will complement the efforts of Osun State government  in building inclusive society and giving voice to the voiceless.

    She urged the government to dedicate a day to wearing of Adire attire so as to inculcate culture in the citizens. The son of the deceased, Mr Femi Kolade expressed gratitude to guests and dignitaries that graced the remembrance of their parents. The children of Special Schools in Osogbo electrified the garden with various performances as they displayed their talents. Abokede presented to some children with exceptional performances including Awe Oluwatobiloba Michael and Amilola Onifade.

     

     

     

  • Why more girls should embrace STEM fields

    More women and girls should be involved in science, especially if the world is to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, OYEBOLA OWOLABI writes.

    In Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Bolivia and Venezuela, women outnumber the men in science. Same applies in Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, Argentina, Panama, New Zealand and Tunisia, where there are more than 50 per cent of female researchers.

    But despite this number, only about 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women. The implication of this is that women and girls remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields despite global action calls for gender balance.

    Less than a third of female students choose to study higher education courses in subjects like math and engineering. Women working in STEM fields are also published less and often receive less pay, and even those who obtain STEM degrees are less likely to pursue a career in those fields.

    According to UNESCO data (2014-2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. The report adds that globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (three per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (five per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight per cent).

    In Nigeria, only 22 per cent of women are graduates of Engineering and Technology per year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The same report said women comprise only about a fifth of the total number of people working in information and communication technology.

    Does this then mean boys are better in science? Orthopaedic surgeon and Head of Orthopaedic Surgeons at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Afolabi Odunsi, notes that boys do better than girls in mathematics and sciences, not because they are more cerebral, but because girls lack encouragement. This perhaps explains why in a class of 100 students, there are only about 10 to 17 females, according to a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    One major challenge stopping women and girls from excelling in STEM is the long-standing gender biases and stereotypes which link science to masculinity. Girls, early in life, believe that boys excel more in science-related fields and so from a young age, lack the confidence to try. Most girls believe they do not have the brain capacity to cope with computer programming.

    Another barrier to the participation of women in STEM is the lack of female role models, thus imprinting the male-dominated images of programmers in their minds. Prof. Wendy Hall, a computer science professor at the University of Southampton, UK, believes that this male dominance began with the advent of home computers in the early 80s when machines were passed off as gaming systems for men. “Women were turned off computing in the 80s. Computers were sold as toys for the boys. Somehow that cultural stigma has stuck in a way that we can’t get rid of and it’s just getting worse. The skills gap is going to get huge,” she said.

    To bridge the gap therefore, there have been outcries for far-reaching actions to make more women interested in STEM fields. Leading the call is Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres who, in marking the 2020 International Day of Women and Girls in Sciences, said: “To rise to the challenges of the 21st century, we need to harness our full potential. That requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science.”

    Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), reiterates that “If we are to be able to address the enormous challenges of the 21st century – from climate change to technological disruption – we will need to rely on science and the mobilisation of all our resources. It is for this reason that the world must not be deprived of the potential, the intelligence, or the creativity of the thousands of women who are victims of deep-seated inequality and prejudice.

    “On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2020, UNESCO is calling on the international community, states and individuals to work together so that equality in the sciences and other fields can finally become a reality. Humanity has everything to gain – and so does science.”

    Also a UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, notes that one of the first steps to ensuring more women embrace STEM is breaking gender stereotypes linking science to masculinity, which can start with exposing younger generations to female role models leading the way in STEM.

    stem field in school

    Odunsi added: “Science has found the girl-child as not inferior to the boy. All the girl-child needs is encouragement and opportunity. Motivation and incentives are needed to encourage more girls to develop interest in science.”

    A former Director-General of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof. Adewale Solarin, also notes that girls back down from competitions when it matters, thereby affecting their participation in certain core science professions. He stressed that three Cs – Competence, Confidence and Courage – are needed if girls will ultimately develop interest in science.

    To further encourage girls to embrace STEM, The Conversation, an online journal, advocates combating stereotypes about gender and intellect. Some of the ways to combat the stereotypes include teaching a growth mindset – the belief that girls’ abilities can be developed as opposed to being static and unchangeable. “When promoting a growth mindset, it’s essential to convey that effort and strategies build ability, and that this is true for everyone – not just girls,” the report said.

    It is also important to teach the value of failure, to help girls see failure as a learning opportunity instead of something to be avoided. The report also sees exposing girls to examples of women who have succeeded in STEM as a very important way of challenging stereotypes. “The key is to portray these women as relatable and to highlight how they became scientists, making it easier for girls to envision themselves following a similar path to success.”

  • Nigeria makes case for youths in Qatar

    Delegates at this year’s Global Public Diplomacy Network (GPDNet) 6th General Assembly held in Doha, Qatar recently, resolved among others to use culture as a major instrument for maintaining peace among countries, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

    Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy received a big boost at this year’s Annual General Meeting of Global Public Diplomacy Network (GPDNetwork) held in Doha, Qatar. Nigeria’s Youth Cultural Club proposal presented at the sixth AGM got overwhelming support and approval. The proposal, seeking for the Network to establish an online Youth Cultural Club, was borne out of Nigeria’s commitment to catching them young and laying a solid cultural foundation for children as future leaders.

    The three-day meeting held at the Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar had in attendance delegates from Nigeria, Singapore, Turkey, South Korea, Philippines, Hungary, Mozambique, Mexico, Qatar and Taiwan.

    Others were from South Africa, Kenya, Serbia, Cuba, Georgia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Malaysia.

    Making a presentation at the forum was Chioma Duru of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), who described the proposal as a pointer to the institute’s conviction that a re-orientation of the youth through deliberate and strategic online interactive forum can go a long way in combating some of the worrisome and dysfunctional traits among the youth.

    According to Duru, recent global activities have made young adults target audience. Among these activities, she said, are Young Leadership programmes; India Global Youth programme; Nestle Global Youth Initiative; International Youth Conferences and Dubai EXPO 2020.

    “The concerted attention on these young adults hinge on the fact that they are the hope of the future and will ensure continuity and growth of any society. They also occupy the strategic position of being tools for positive change. A properly oriented youth can make significant contributions to world development while  one without character is a danger both to himself and society. Bearing these in mind, neglecting their wholesome development and orientation can lead to social degeneration, which poses dire consequences for national development and world peace,” she added.

    Continuing, she said: “They would be motivated to expend their boundless energies on productive ventures, especially with regard to their addiction to social media activities. GPDNet would go a notch higher by scouting for young talents and giving support to youths in various areas like business ideas, entrepreneurship, agriculture, vocational skills, ICT, literary skills, acting and movie production, textile and fashion designing etc.” Also approved by the Network was an international education fair EDUCA by Mozambique’s Academic Community for Development (CADE) as a major event scheduled for May this year.

    South Africa and four other countries- Cuba, Georgia, Ukraine and Malaysia – got admitted into Global Public Diplomacy Network as full members while three others – Kenya, Serbia and Bosnia – got associate membership of the Network. With these intakes, the Network’s membership rose to 22.

    Secretary-General, GPD Network, Darwish S. Ahmed Al Shebani who described Nigeria’s  proposal as excellent, urged all members, especially new members, to contribute to the growth of the network, saying ‘’we must create our own literature by conducting lectures and giving maximum exposure to our events.’’ He tasked members to always share knowledge and experience, thereby empowering the people. “We must organise workshops, discover talents, explore innovative tools, promote and inspire all. We need to leave a legacy for generations to come,” he said.

    He advised each member to select two experts that will contribute literature to the network on their country and region. He disclosed that the Network is working on the proposal to transform from its current status to an organisation for effectiveness. He announced February 20 to 22, 2021 as the Network’s next general assembly in Doha.

    On the successful hosting of the event, he expressed happiness with the positive results achieved during Qatar’s presidency of the sixth general assembly, saying that Qatar succeeded in attracting eight new countries after eight months of its Presidency of the Network. He assured that Katara will work to move the Network towards achieving its goals and aspirations, noting that culture is the best instrument for spreading peace between nations.

    He stressed that Katara will strive during the coming period under its presidency of the GDP Network to expand partnerships between member states and promote its concept from the cultural and geographical framework to humanity.

    Al Shebani said: “After receiving the leadership of the Network, Katara pursues a distinguished strategy in the electronic side by establishing an electronic portal linking the members of the network and providing many common services to them in a safer and more developed way.

    “The electronic portal of the network also contains news of recent events that are held in each institution of member states and an archive of previous news. It also provides a fast and flexible search engine, facilitating the process of browsing and accessing information, news or topics related to the cultural activities and events of the member countries.”

    President GPD Network Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said that by joining the Global Public Diplomacy Network and chairing the General Assembly, Katara wanted to develop cultural relations and cooperation. This, he said, is to open new horizons in exchanging information, technical proficiency and strategic experiences. “We can identify the available capabilities for establishing joint cultural projects and achieve the targeted goals of the Network,” he added.

    He stressed that cultural diplomacy has established a new approach in international relations, which is to serve political and economic relations because it relies on the soft power of culture, arts and literature. “Thus it has become a gateway for cooperation and exchange of knowledge, a bridge for dialogue and a platform for making friendship among nations as well as promoting understanding between peoples.

    “It is based on values and ideas, and to adopt purposeful cultural projects to promote common interests by peaceful means,” he said.

    Secretary General Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi observed that public international diplomacy is advancing today and is fast becoming a bridge for communication between nations, adding that it is an instrument for change towards the best in mutual relations. “Qatar has a distinguished and leading experience in adopting public international diplomacy, as Qatar has succeeded in enhancing its position and active presence in public international diplomacy by achieving a set of projects in the fields of culture, sports, education, economics and media, which are considered as soft power sources.”

    He noted that the soft power that relies on balanced and calm diplomacy has become the most prominent means of contributing to expanding understanding, rapprochement, communication and dialogue between peoples and societies, and to promote peace across the world. The AGM also featured conferences, workshops, ratification of new members and launch of the Network’s website.

    Scholars and diplomats drawn from different countries presented papers and shared experiences on topics such as public diplomacy as an organisation, cultural diplomacy as a soft power, public diplomatic communication and sports as an essential tool in public diplomacy. They included Dr. Melih Barut, Dr. Bisera Turkovic, Dr. Taehwan Kim, Mr. Salah Ben Rejeb, Mr. Peter Polak, Dr. Mazher Al-Zoubi, Dr. Hamat Hamidou, Dr. Mohammed Kirat, Dr. Mahfoud Amara and Dr. Irene Theodoropoulou.

  • From boardroom to pulpit

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

    After presiding over a multimillion naira trade and import business as Chairman/CEO, Resurge Resources Limited, Lagos for three decades, Isaac Olamide Ode has dumped the boardroom for the altar. At first, heeding the call of God was difficult, but it remains his best decision ever taken because it offers him the golden opportunity to serve God and humanity faithfully. In 2010, he received the call of God to serve with a clear mandate for ‘care and healing.’ Initially, he was hesitant and confused about how to start off the ministry as he was not only a novice in pastoral work then, but was least prepared for such an assignment from God. But, in order to be spiritually ready for the big task ahead, he did a programme on Spiritual Gift Discovery and Development at the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries in 2011 as a foundation for his pastoral work.

    Today, Ode the General Overseer, Perfect Healing and Miracle Ministries, is into full-time care and healing ministry founded in 2013 and located on Agege Motor Road, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos. He said since then, God has been very faithful to him and the ministry, ‘doing many signs and wonders by my hand. He has delivered many and restored many through me.’

    My long battle to serve God

    “As if to let me understand what God was doing with me, He spilt the process of His call of me into three.

    Once, He showed me as a screen bearing “Your incorruptible No 18.”  This kept on showing on the screen like television for some time until it stuck. Waking up, I realised it was a divine message, which meaning I did not know for a long time. I even thought it was a power point, which I could have staked in gambling at Macao, a mere two hour road drive from where I was in China.

    However, getting back home, he and his work of 17-18 (this number scaled down from 57 member of staff before recession) applied the No 18 to praising God at our one hour devotion every week day and whenever I minister prayer at any assembly.

    Next stage was also in China when in a dream I saw displayed on the screen like television “Bishop Awosan 18/8.” Like the earlier one, it rolled on the screen for some time until the message stuck. Again, although I knew it was a divine message, I did not know the meaning. This coincided with a prayer to God then to relocate me to choice location. That was why on arrival home in Lagos, I put my staff on the road searching for No 18 Bishop Awosan Street in Ikoyi, Victoria Island or GRA Ikeja.

    In between these two spiritual occurrences, something very profound, an incident which would have been a major plane disaster that would have affected the lives of about 300 people was miraculously averted.

    For three weeks, I had a growing premonition of imminent disaster. Yet, there was also a feeling that something good was about to happen. Each night, I could not sleep more than an hour. I would wake up trembling with fear. Even though I prayed, the feeling was persistently growing such that I was now afraid to sleep. This was so until that fateful Monday in the last week of August 2008. That week, our memory verse in our work place devotion was Psalm118 vs 17 “I shall not die but I shall live to recount the good deeds of the Lord”. God had also made me listen to Sunday Sermon of a man of God, which theme was “Kill the enemy that wants to destroy you at the point of breakthrough”.

    Then came the fateful day. I was on board a flight with about 300 passengers. It was during summer and the flight was fully booked. I was to connect for China at Addis-Ababa and just about 20 minutes to landing, for three consecutive times, the plane got into terrible nose diving kind of turbulence that shook the plane. People lost hope. Some wept whilst others made their last minutes confession. Reinforced by the memory verse and the sermon of the previous day, I stood like a ‘general’ making decree for our survival. Miraculously, the plane landed safely and I had a guard of honor at Addis Ababa.

    On this occasion, I arrived the city of Guangzhou almost totally disoriented, such that I did not know how I lost some money and my phone between the Airport and my hotel. I was in this condition when a day later, I bought an IPad from a Chinese boy on the street. He was gone soon after I paid him cash unknown to me what he sold to me was a defective reject, thrown off in factory. Meanwhile, a feeling of guilt started growing inside of me. I felt I was an accomplice to theft and considered myself a sinner who had aided someone to steal and the guy will go and steal again.

    The feeling of guilt in me was so strong I did not have my dinner. I also took the decision to restitute back home in Lagos, confess to my staff and destroy the iPad.

    That was how I had my first dramatic encounter with the Lord. In my sleep, some light much brighter than daylight shone round my hotel room as I heard:

    “Son, Son, Son, now, I know how much you fear me that you would humiliate yourself to your staff for the sake of my name. Be sure, that I am in your life till the end of time”. Then the bright light disappeared He the Lord, was gone. Thereafter, I found that something representing His presence has always been with me I want to compare it to the Ark. But, it is golden and stays before me always.

    The third stage of the call process was the event of 18/8/2010 in a hotel room in Congo Brazzaville.  I came back to Africa from China where I had signed contracts of supplies of solid minerals worth over 6 billion naira and it was to be a repeat order. I was trying to arrange production and supply with miners in Africa when the appointed day came without me thinking of it because I did not understand the meaning of the message at the two earlier stages. I tried to rest late evening in a Brazzaville hotel room when the booming voice of the Lord came amidst a very powerful brightness of light and I heard:

    “Son, Son, Son, what you wanted I have done for you. Besides, I have done much more for you.

    Henceforth, you will take care of people around, you will lay hands upon the sick and they will recover. Start from your office.”

     

    Worries about the business empire

    “Many times, I had wondered how I would be leaving all of these business activities and networks for a ministry I wasn’t prepared for. Remember that I had offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Cotonou, and Hangzhou in China. And I was serving as director in some companies. So, I met some men of God from where a new chapter of my life started. Then I began to realise that what God has placed before me is greater than the personal things I was doing for myself. Now, God has called me to take care of so many people in the entire world spiritually rather than the few people I thought I was helping before.

    My pledge to God

    “When God gave me the command, he said you will bless people and you will lay your hand on people and they will recover. So, the church was named Perfect Healing Miracle Church. Our primary mission is to spread the message of God to people. On my call, I made a pledge to God that the ministry will organise an event every year, which will include training of local priests and we did some things on demography, including the number of churches and priests. I asked questions like why is the place so deeply engrossed in evil acts? Why are people not on the side of God? I have a programme where I train priests at a seminary. At a time, I used to bring all the priests to Lagos to train them, so at a stage, because of the financial burden, we would hold a conference and train them there. This is in addition to the crusade we hold at the beginning. That crusade was all embracing and we do health programmes along with revival.

    ‘’I think the role of spiritual leader must be well mapped out. It is to continue to preach the message of love which is the gospel and which spiritual leaders have been doing. Occasionally, there are some which have deviated, but the major role of spiritual leaders is to teach the gospel and cater for the people spiritually. Give leadership to people and restore hope and make people to come back to God.

    Corona virus and God’s healing

    “In China, somebody needs to reach out to them and tell them about God. Someone should reach out to them that God can eliminate the Corona Virus. It has been done before in 2014. With my experience with Ebola, it was purely an act of God that stopped Ebola. Nigerian government didn’t do more than other afflicted nations of West Africa, and it went on for a prolonged period and God appeared to me and said ‘Son, for your sake, I’ll take away Ebola from Nigeria.’

    In the same way when the authorities of China are made aware that there is a God who can heal them and if we cry to Him on their behalf, He would remove Corona Virus ravage.

    Message to the Christendom

    “It’s great to be a Christian but it is greater to be a born again Christian. If you want to live a prosperous life, take away your hands from unholy things and sinful life, for it is written “Be you holy for I’m holy”, that’s God telling his people. Christians should abide by this, if they do, there is peace and joy that will follow, otherwise, it is said that the wages of sin is death, let Christians live a holy life devoid of corruption, sin and wickedness.

    Insecurity in the land

    “I think the state of insecurity in the country is an unfortunate one and everyone including our leaders must see it that way. It’s also a sign that God is angry with Nigerians and a call to do a revival and a re-dedication. If the country has been led away from the path of God, which is the cause of what we are seeing, then our leaders must embrace God in a way that we can stem all of these that is going on. Kidnapping, cattle rustling, assassination and all, these are things that happen in an ungodly situation. Again what we have is a consequence of reckless corruption, abandonment of social security of the populace and aggrandisement of the leaders. It means we have to come back to God in persistence and ask for forgiveness.”

  • Rotary promotes health for humanity

    By Musa Odoshimokhe

    Egbe Rotary Club, Lagos has donated medical equipment to the Igando General Hospital, to compliment government efforts in promoting health for humanity.

    The President of the club Babatunde Alayande said the dearth in health equipment had multiplier effects on the poor, who find it difficult to cope with health changes.

    He added that poor and needy are over burden with socio-economic challenges, noting this contributed largely to their inability to afford good health that will enhance better life.

    Alayande said the club was saddled with the responsibilities of touching lives, sponsoring projects and enhancing the cause of humanity.

    Read Also: Rotary empowers 35 on energy management

    He said: “These medical equipments which include wheel chairs, electronic blood/pressure machines, drip holding stands, mattresses and pillow cases will benefit the needy and other users of the Igando General Hospital.

    “Those who benefit from it do not have relationship with the Rotary club. All that we are just doing is serving humanity. Nobody care about your tribe, religion or the background of the person who makes the donation.”

    He said the club approach the hospital on how it could impact on the lives, stressing that what was donated was specifically agreed upon.

    “What we had in mind was to provide incubators for premature delivered babies. But when we met the hospital management, we changed in line with their priorities.

    “Our donation will go a long way to assist the ordinary people, particularly those can’t afford bed spaces. We are planning to make impact in children’s wards in our next donation.”

    Receiving the equipment, Medical Director, Igando General Hospital Dr. Madewa Adebanjo said the donation by Rotary club was benevolent. Adding it would benefit many in view of the large population of Alimosho area.

    He added that the hospital management was grateful, particularly when donors give to better the health of the ordinary people.

    “For us there is no aspect of human endeavour that does not have health implications. So, when you now have partners that take interest in health, it is not only welcome but commendable.

    “The equipment are very vital to relieving patients of pains and assist in the long run to fully be healed.”

  • US Dept of Justice, NCC get awards

    By Evelyn Osagie

     

    THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has been honoured with a merit award by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) “for rendering exceptional service to the international Customs community”.

    The WCO, on the occasion in Abuja, also honoured two other government agencies, the United States Department of Justice (USDoJ) and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

    Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd), presented the awards respectively to the Director-General of NCC, Mr. John O. Asein; Director-General of NBMA, Mr. Rufus Ebegba and the Legal Advisor, USDoJ Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) in the US Mission, Nigeria, Mrs Bisi Olabanji.

    The Comptroller-General stated that this year’s theme: Customs Fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and Planet, chosen by the WCO focused on the contributions of Customs and allied development partners “towards sustainable future where social, economic, health and environmental needs of our people are brought to bear on Customs operations”.

    He noted that a total of 19 Customs officers, government agencies and private organisations that have shown commitment and distinguished themselves towards the actualisation of the theme were recognised and accorded the prestigious WCO Merit Award.

    According to the Comptroller-General, the NCS has contributed immensely and would continue to contribute towards the actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the guidelines of the WCO in the areas of poverty reduction, food security, good health, climatic action, industrial innovation and infrastructure, as well as overall wellbeing of life on land and water.

    He assured that the NCS remained passionate in the discharge of its mandates, in the protection of national security and economy, adding that this has resulted in the collection of a historic N1.3 trillion revenue, exceeding the N937 billion target set by the Federal Government for 2019.

    He listed other achievements of the Service as the seizure of prohibited articles of trade comprising food, counterfeit and other items harmful to the environment; the interception of the illicit cash flows through our airports and trade in endangered species and contributions towards Nigeria’s new ranking in the World Bank’s ease of doing business by facilitating speedy release of goods to compliant traders.

    Receiving the award on behalf of NCC and the entire creative industry, the DG of Nigerian Copyright Commission, praised the efforts of the NCS towards the growth of the creative sector through monitoring of the country’s borders to check the influx of pirated works to the country.

    Mr. Asein noted that the celebration of Nigeria today all over the world was due to its abundant talents and high level of creativity and therefore thanked the Comptroller General for the collaboration with the NCS in the protection of the intellectual property rights of authors.

    Read Also: Copyright: Filmmakers to dialogue with pirates

     

    The Director-General described the NCS as the linchpin of Nigeria’s economy and a bastion of development for the IP sector and called for enhanced collaboration to boost the fight against IP thefts across the nation’s borders.

    In his congratulatory message to the NCS, the Director-General noted that this year’s theme “is an affirmation of the critical role of Customs administrations in guaranteeing the sustainable growth of any nation, its people and economy, while helping to preserve the future of our planet.

    It is also a reminder of the enormous contributions of Customs authorities all over the world to our social, economic, health and environmental well-being.”

    Mr. Asein remarked: “The creative sector in Nigeria, including the book, music, visual art, film, broadcast, and other dependent industries have benefited from the intervention of the Nigeria Customs Service in checking the importation of pirated materials that are injurious to legitimate trade and the prosperity of that sector.”

    He lauded the NCS for working closely with the NCC on various anti-piracy strategies adding that the synergy has helped to strengthen copyright enforcement in Nigeria.

    “The joint operations of both agencies, have led to the removal of over nine million assorted pirated copyright works with estimated market value of over N10 billion’, he stated.

    Mr. Asein saluted the Comptroller General of Customs for his able leadership and commended the gallant officers and men of the Service who often go beyond the call of duty to ensure that our border posts are safe from pirated works.

    In addition to seven distinguished high-ranking Customs officers that clinched the awards of excellence this year, the commands and units of NSC that received the WCO Merit Awards were the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos; ICT Unit; Intellectual Property Rights Unit (IPRU); Federal Operations Unit, Zone A; and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    Awardees from private sector organisations were Don Climax Logistics and Agency, Clarion Logistics, Nigerian Breweries Plc and DHL Courier Services.

  • Advocates harp on safer environment

    For years, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has been in the forefront of controlling impacts of climate change through its nature conservation activities in Nigeria and beyond, Ebere Chibuzor reports.

     

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the world is in crisis of environmental degradation.

    He said for example, the nation’s landscape of 923,770 square kilometer is fast reducing because there are sand dooms in the north, erosion in the southeast and massive water degradation in the southwest. He noted that unfortunately as the land is shrinking, population is increasing.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, spoke at the 18th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture held at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The lecture attracted conservation veterans and other stakeholders. It was put together by NCF to create suitable ambience in achieving sustainable environment.

    The governor recalled that in the 70s, Lake Chad took care of six countries and shares borders with four countries including Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

    “In the 70s the surface of the water was 26, 000 square kilometres, the depth was about 11 meters and it was serving close to 40 million people.

    But today, that same water is 1,350 square kilometers, which is about 14,000 percent reduction. The tragedy is that population of that locality has increased.

    “So, the Nigeria’s landscape is 923,770 square kilometers, but the truth is that land is actually reducing, there is sand doom in the north, there is erosion in the south east and there is massive water degradation in the south west.

    So, the land is shrinking while population is expanding. In fact, the population of Africa by 2050 is estimated to have about 1.3 billion people.

    “The question is what do black people give to the world? Is it just people or is it development because we can see the other people have given us greater amount of advancement.

    How do we manage our population? As we can see around the world, even those who don’t believe in climate change, they are now seeing the signs.

    The reality is that the weather is changing and things have changed.  And therefore the amount of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen that are in the system we have messed up with them.

    Therefore our living standard is clashing. I think it is not just the role of the royal fathers it is the role of everybody,” he said.

    He observed that the Nigerian Conservation Foundation is doing extremely well in preserving the environment, warning that if ‘we don’t sustain the environment everything else will collapse.’

    According to him, there must be a paradigm shift so that ‘we can live a sustainable life for ourselves.’

    The lecture with theme: The role of traditional leaders in protecting and restoring the Nigeria environment, was supported by Chevron Nigeria Limited and Chief S.L. Edu family.

    Read Also: Foundation seeks protection of endangered wildlife

     

    Notably, this is the first time culture custodian has led such lecture in the history of the foundation. Also, it is coming at a time when climate change has become a great threat.

    Among guests at the lecture included Oba Olatunji Adewale of Epeland, Oba Saheed Adewole Elegushi, Yeye Oba of  Lagos  Erelu  Abiola Dosumu, US Consulate General Claire Peragelo, National President of Nigeria Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks Francis Abioye.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Muhammad Abubakar, noted that there should be a paradigm shift in crafting action plans. He identified monitoring and evaluation as key elements to meeting set targets of environmental preservation.

    General Manager of Chevron Nigeria Limited on Public, Government and Policy Affairs,  Esimaje Brikin, said the topic of the lecture  is very apt as it speaks to traditional rulers as active agents of behavourial change, sustainable development and advocate for  multi-stakeholders partnership in  support of the environment.

    He added that the traditional rulers also need to fashion out how traditional institution which is closer to the people can support environmental conservation.   .

    Director Muhtari Aminu Kano said the traditional rulers were brought because is part of the missing link in the campaigns the government and others are carrying out to address the environmental issues in Nigeria.

    “They are custodians of our culture, land and our traditions and when they speak everybody listen and you send them message it goes deep,”he added.

    Renowned Environmental Conservationist Desmond Majekodunmi said: ‘’we are over tasking  the resources of this very life  support system on the planet and there is far too much pollution  on the atmosphere, far too much on the  seas,  which breaks down biodiversity,  and  climate change  is a serious threat.  We must cut down the pollution, we must resolve these things.’’

     

  • Hospitality drives Africa’s economic growth

    By George Ukadike

     

    The tourism sector is expected to drive Africa’s economic growth following the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) through its travel and hospitality subsectors.

    This can be attributed to the progressive contribution of the two sectors to the continent’s GDP, from 7.8 per cent in 2016; 8.1 per cent in 2017 to 8.5 per cent (about $194.2 billion) in 2018).

    This impressive growth made African region the second fastest growing tourism industry in the world, with a growth rate of 5.6 per cent in 2018.

    In 2018, there were 67 million visitors to Africa on business and leisure. This showed a seven per cent increase from 63 million recorded in 2017 and a significant increase from 58 million in 2016.

    This figure is expected to rise in astronomical proportions in the coming years when the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) becomes operational.

    There are 55 countries on the African continent with about 1.2 billion people, and with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion, the expectation is that AfCTA would create the world’s largest free trade area.

    This will hopefully promote intra-African trade that currently stands at a paltry 16 per cent.

    The free movement of people and goods within the continent will expectedly open up new vistas in the tourism industry, creating business opportunities for investors.

    A few years ago, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicted that the hospitality sub sector would be one of the key drivers of economic growth on the continent.

    The prediction was premised on the fact that an increase in both domestic and international travels would lead to an expansion of hotel chains on the continent, which would in turn reinforce the growth potential of the sub sector.

    The PwC named five countries in Africa where the hotel sector is going to experience growth, with significant increase in room revenue, namely, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kenya.

    The company expected Nigeria to be the fastest growing hotel market in Africa over a five year period ending 2022.

    Indeed, the forecast is that Nigeria will become the fastest growing tourism market on the continent, with a projected 12 per cent compound annual increase.

    This forecast is predicated on Nigeria’s growing affluence, which would make consumer tourism a more important sector.

    Adventure tourism is becoming more popular and the growing interest in experiences is allowing the country to attract visitors interested in the local culture.

    International hotel brands have apparently recognized the potential of the African hospitality industry, which explains why some of them are currently embarking on expansion programmes on the continent.

    Read Also: ‘Abuja’s new terminal encouraging hospitality industry’

     

    In 2017, the Hyatt hotel chain announced plans to double its presence in Africa by 2020. Marriot started an expansion programme that would increase its portfolio on the continent by 50 per cent, by 2023.

    It is the same year the Hilton group intends to double its presence in Africa, while Radisson will reach the same goal in Francophone countries on the continent by 2022.

    A number of African hotel brands are establishing strong footholds on the continent, though without the spread of their international counterparts.

    The spread has started, all the same. The big ones are predominantly South African-owned, like Tsogo Sun, under which are Southern Sun and Sun International, Protea, as well as Laico Hotels and Resorts.

    The expected growth of the hospitality sub sector is going to impact on many other sectors in the value chain – the reason it is predicted to be an economic growth driver.

    Such sectors include agriculture, garment, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering; furniture, manufacturing, etc.

    Hotels will rely on local farmers for sources of agricultural produce, including poultry, beef and fish, thereby creating jobs and enhancing those businesses, with the ultimate benefit of improving the quality of lives of people in those sectors.

    They will also rely on local manufacturers of agro-allied products like fruit juice, dairy, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

     

  • How Soyinka inspires Osagie’s Valentine’s show

    By Ebube Ojukwu

     

    After a successful outing in three local government areas of Lagos, multitalented journartist Evelyn Osagie is set to stage a Valentine’s Day show tagged: WORDS MEET IMAGES (WMI).

    The family show has become a staple during the Valentine’s season. It features poetry, drama, music and photo exhibition. “And as the world is celebrating the season of “Love”, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we are also joining our voice to the universal message, in addition to the move to rekindle art appreciation on the street, – in children and adults alike.

    The displays will showcase how art can beautify not only the environment but our world. It is driven by conversation and the need to preserve the environment,” she said.

    Known on stage as Evelyn D’Poet, the show is her art-to-the-street project that is hinged on the message of peace and unity.

    The initiative, which began in 2018 in Agege, is in its fourth edition. It will hold in  Diamond Mine School, No.1 Adeyeri Crescent, off Oyemekun Bus Stop in Ogba, Lagos.

    Through her initiative, Osagie has brought a unique freshness to performance (poetry and drama) and visual art (photography).

    Osagie, who currently works with The Nation newspaper, is also the initiator of Project #TASAA campaign. She expresses her voice through diverse arts, especially photography and performance poetry.

    Read Also: Valentine: ‘Don’t compromise safety’

     

    With the theme, Embers of Love, guests will be treated to an outdoor art “Together series” installation, open-air poetry, drama and music concert.

    “The event is a melting pot that seeks to promote the appreciation of the arts, the environment and communality.It brings together different art forms and people of diverse social strata from all over the state; while also promoting fresh talents even as it showcases my creative expressions.

    “It started two years ahead of the 2019 elections in view of diverse national and security concerns in Agege, then moved to Somolu and Isolo. Ogba is the fourth and a special edition not only because of its unique timing because but it will have over 200 primary school children present with their parents, among other guests.

    The theme Embers of Love, is meant to reawaken the importance of love/peace as indispensable continuum in our polity in the wake of security and other national concerns,” she said.

    The poetry and music concert will feature acts between the ages of 12 and 60 plus, such as a 12- year-old singing sensation, Chidindu Okorie and his group; the WMI drama group and others.

    The exhibition usually showcases human installation using market women and our traditional wares and furniture to create a local milieu that is meant to reignite the feeling of the old days in her audience.

    This edition’s play entitled: “Kitchen Revolution” and written by Osagie will be performed by WMI cast drawn from different strata of the society, including market women in her human installation.

    She said: “The play is inspired by Prof. Wole Soyinka. I was at a briefing where he, reacting to insecurity issues and Amotekun, said: ‘Hunger is real!  Poverty is real! It’s very much with us and reaching a critical mass.

    Amotekun is only part of the story. We should start thinking of ‘Soup Kitchen’ as obtained in other parts of the world’”.