The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Female bank marketers, unholy targets and the sleaze

    Female bank marketers, unholy targets and the sleaze

    The quest to survive in the uncertain labour market has pitched female bank marketers between meeting their targets and immoral activities. In this report SINA FADARE x-rays the contending issues

    Ogechi  Obiora studied Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Naturally, she was full of hope of getting a good job after her youth service, having attended one of the best universities in the country, but after staying at home for about three years, reality dawned on her. The jobs just weren’t available. She became desperate and ready to take any job, just to keep body and soul together.

    She was introduced to a consortium that offered her a contract job in one of the latter generation banks as a marketer. At first, she was happy; at least she would no longer be a burden on her relations, whom she was leaving with in Lagos.

    But after two years on the job, the zeal and enthusiasm seem to have disappeared, and she is desperate for another job. Sharing her story with The Nation, Ogechi who thought this reporter might be of help judging by his appearance at a friend’s office said, “My brother the job is no longer interacting.”

    Pretending not to understand her plight, this reporter probed further the reason Ogechi, who obviously works with a reputable bank, going by her corporate appearance and posturing, would want to abandon certainty for uncertainty. But she looked straight into this reporter’s face and said, “This marketing job has not met my expectation.”

    According to her, she was given a huge target to meet in terms of customers, whose accounts she was expected to attract to the bank, a situation she says always puts her on her toes; and which has also made a lot of men to see her as a sex object.

    More frustrating, Ogechi said, is the fact that some of her contemporaries on the job, who ‘know their ways’ have exceeded their targets and have been given permanent employment status in the bank on the recognition that they ‘are hard working’, not minding what they have gone through. She said a lot of her colleagues go through a lot at the hands of Casanova corporate guys and businessmen, who just want their backs on the bed before they even considered opening an account with their bank.

    Bolu Adeola (not real name) is so popular among her colleagues in one of the banks on Broad Street; although no-one could say it to her face; she has a reputation as a go-getter when it comes to attracting huge customers to the bank, ranging from big time senators to top oil chief executives. Tall, fair skinned and a paragon of beauty, this reporter leant that Adeola uses her assets maximally to her advantage, hence the bank cannot afford to lose her.

    Said one of the regulatory officers in her bank, “She can penetrate any corporate world and come out with a good result.”  Her success is so unprecedented that many of her colleagues and superiors have concluded that there certainly is more to her success story than she’s telling. With the aura of luxury around her and the sleek, exotic automobiles at Adeola’s possession, many simply conclude that the Business Administration graduate of Delta State University is deep into corporate prostitution.

    A dependable source within the bank told this reporter that she was even promoted twice within a year, a situation that has turned her into an object of jealousy and envy among her marketing colleagues. “She used what she has to get what she wants, that is what the banking industry has been become.” The source said.

    To Uche Okoro, a marketer with an old generation bank in Ikeja, Lagos however, the argument that successful bank marketers are into corporate prostitution is neither here nor there. “Do you want to tell me that you journalists are not the worst culprits?” He asked pointedly, “Particularly broadcast reporters who are warming the beds of top executives of blue chip companies to get advertisement. So why are you crucifying us?” She queried.

    Uche who did not confirm or deny whether as a marketer she has been a victim of corporate prostitution emphatically said, “There is no university that will teach you how to be an efficient marketer; when you get to the field, you are going to navigate your way to get your desired goal whether by sleeping or not sleeping with anybody.”

    She however does not rule out the fact that most of the banks deliberately recruit pretty ladies to attract customers. “Seven years ago when l joined the banking industry, it was obvious that they had hidden agenda because they did not mince words. ‘Go over there and woo new customers with all that you have’ were the words from our supervisor, who told us that we were lucky to get the job because it was competitive.”

    “More agonising was the fact that some of us who were sent to Abuja at the inception of the 7th National Assembly, were specifically briefed to woo senators and members of the House of Representatives  to open accounts with our bank.  Before we knew it, it became a rival race with other banks with similar motive, and some of us soon found ourselves on their beds in desperate attempts to secure good bargaining.” She explained.

    Though she did not confirm the extent of her involvement, she pointed out that the members of the National Assembly then felt their presence so much so, that “most of them saw female bankers as preys they must sleep with before being convinced to bank with us.”

    “Some of our colleagues eventually became second or third wives to some of these politicians, when the chips were down. That is why you’d see most of them with kids; but they could not sustain the relationship because most of the ’emergency husbands’ went back to their bases after the Abuja sleaze.” She explained

    Nkiru Obiano’s (not real name) case was not only funny but pathetic; she got a third class at the University of Port Harcourt in Business Administration and was happy to be given a job as a marketer in one of the old generation banks in the port city university.  She was however shocked to find out that her sustenance on the job depended largely on the number of customer she could attract to the bank.

    Against this backdrop, she vowed to work aggressively hard and make sure she met up with the expectation of her employers. But on getting to the field, she realised that it was a different ball game entirely.

    Speaking in an emotion-laden voice, the pretty ex-marketer said she got the shock of her life on the field because virtually all the targeted clients, who were mostly oil magnates, wanted to sleep with her before having anything to do with her bank.

    “Out of frustration, coupled with the fact that I was running out of time on my target, l decided to give in to a young guy, who introduced himself as an IT consultant to one of the oil companies. He took his time after more pressure from me to agree to move one of his accounts to our bank. Before l knew it, l was warming his bed for almost a week, with a promise that as soon as he was off shore, he would give me a cheque to open a new account with my bank.

    “I almost fainted when l realised that he had issued me a bounced cheque. To make matters worse, l could not get him on phone and by the time l got back to his hotel, he had given a standing order that I should not be allowed in, that l was one of those disturbing him. Now to how many people would l tell my story and not look stupid?” She lamented.

    Obiano who is now a teacher in one of the private secondary schools in Lagos pointed out that it was a turning point in her life and an experience that will remain green in her memory for life.

    The above are just a few of the unsavoury experiences of female bank marketers whose task it is to market their banks’ products and services and attract customers or get sacked with ignominy for under-performance.

    The Nation’s investigation also revealed that some commercial banks deliberately sent marketers, mostly females after the newly-elected senators and members of the House of Representatives in Abuja during last year’s induction of the 8th National Assembly, a situation that had majority of them flooding the International Conference Centre, venue of the ceremony.

    Most of them were smartly dressed and offered loan opportunities which their bank can guaranteed with minimal interest.

    The Nation gathered that over 290 members of the House are newcomers, out of the total of 360. In the Senate, about 69 of the 109 senators are also newcomers.

    Some of the marketers had arrived Abuja even before the lawmakers, with specific instructions to get as many lawmakers as possible onto their list of clientele, since some of them would need soft loans from any quarters to sort out their logistic problems before accessing their allowances.

    A legislator who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity said the marketers did not give the lawmakers any breathing space, as they were all over the Congress Hall of the hotel for quick business.

    One supervisor in one of the new generation banks, who simply identified himself as Tony, said the banks are not doing anything unusual, because some of the lawmakers have a duration of four years to spend in the nation’s capital. “Therefore, they can be granted quick loans to enable them sort out their logistics and pressing needs. By so doing, they can be wooed to open an account with us.”

    Tony pointed out that banks are only strategising, not only to have new customers but to catch in on the fact that some of the new lawmakers might have spent a lot of money in the process of their electioneering campaign and “therefore are likely to have accommodation challenges before their official quarters are ready. Some will also need to buy new vehicles that befits their new stature, so they need our services, just as we need theirs.’

    Lawmakers to the rescue?

    Perhaps irked by the dangerous trend the situation was attaining, the House of Representatives late last year accused banks in the country of encouraging prostitution by setting unrealistic targets for their female marketers.

    Hon. Segun Alexander Adekola, who sponsored the motion entitled, “Urgent Need to Curb Unwholesome Practices of Banks in Nigeria,” said staffers who don’t meet the largely unrealistic targets are summarily dismissed.

    Adekola who represents Ekiti South, West/Ikere/Ise/Osun in the green chamber said: “A critical assessment of the targets being given to these employees to meet, show them to be unrealistic, unreasonable, ordinarily unattainable and irrational.

    “But these banks resort to unethical means to ensure that these targets are met by either explicitly or impliedly (sic) encouraging their staff, especially the female ones to engage in illicit behaviour.”

    Contributing to the motion, which culminated in a long debate, Hon. Rita Orji said in some cases, bankers who failed to meet targets were sacked through text messages.

    House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, recalled that he made an attempt to stop the practice with his Corporate Prostitution Bill presented in the Sixth Assembly, saying that the bill got to the stage of a public hearing, but some bankers shot it down.”

    Gbajabiamila, who expressed disappointment that top female bankers equally raised objections to the bill, noted that some of the international affiliates of the local banks wouldn’t attempt to send their staff out to solicit for funds in their home countries.

    Citing Section 34 of the constitution which protects Nigerians from inhuman and downgrading treatment, he said the motion was timely, as it would draw attention to the undignified treatment bankers are being put through.

    The Majority Leader lamented that “Marriages have been wrecked and homes destroyed because of this practice and I am sure that none of us here will allow our daughters to be involved in this.”

    Speaking in the same vein, Senator Suleiman Nazif who represents Bauchi North in the senate regretted that the economic adversity in the country has turned female bankers into chippies just to survive, adding that these have resorted to numerous unethical practices in a desperate bid to enhance their capital base.

    Nazif pointed out that there is an urgent need to unleash an earthquake of unprecedented stringent policies from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the banking industry, to mandate commercial banks to stop this immoral marketing strategy and also impose fines on banks that default.

    Corroborating the fear of the lawmakers, a director in one of the latter generation banks who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, regretted that the banking sector has degenerated to such a level.

    According to him the situation became uncontrollable when the Central Bank raised its deposits by banks, a situation that forced majority to merge and employ various strategies to outwit others, “since we are all in the open market where competition is very high.’

    Nazif also said “Both married women and single ladies were forced into this corporate prostitution. They either complied or stood the risk of losing their jobs. These bank staff, especially the ladies turned the whole business into a personal affair and ‘business-love’ relationship as they sleep with one client after the other. They were all given financial targets to meet individually; failure in which they lose their job. It is not a funny thing and this form of prostitution brought problems into lots of relationships and marriages.”

    If the lawmakers are worried about the ugly trend, human rights activists are in sober reflection.

    CEO, LEAH Foundation and first lady Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed who condemned the act regretted that the aim of recruiting these female marketers is to serve the selfish interest of their employers.

    According to her, “These ladies are given unrealistic targets to meet. In a bid to meet the targets and particularly keep their jobs, these ladies are consequently forced or led into prostitution with potential customers.”

    She pointed out that all hands should be on deck to salvage the ugly trend, adding that likes minds should provide a panacea to preserve the woman from losing her dignity on the platform of employment.

    Stakeholders however believe that the situation on ground can be salvaged if all hands were on deck. At a recent seminar organised by the section on Legal practice of the Nigerian Bar Association, in Lagos on the theme, “The Reality of Women’s Rights in Nigeria’, the conference agreed that women should wake up from their slumber and confront the ugly trend holistically.

    Speaking at the seminar, an executive director in Access Bank, Mrs. Titi Osuntoki argued that there is no bank that would go all out to recruit marketers for prostitution. She added that there are lots of organisations that do not have a clear-cut policy on sexual harassment of their female workers.

    She argued that “The loss of moral values in the society has led to erosion of our cherished culture that protects our women in all ramifications. Therefore, if you have an environment that does not place limits or boundaries on exploitation, this is the type of thing you are bound to witness.”

  • Fayadh: Is the arts under attack?

    Fayadh: Is the arts under attack?

    Artists from all walks of life, penultimate Thursday, converged at the Freedom Park, Lagos in solidarity with Palestinian poet, artist, and curator, Ashraf Fayadh, who has been incarcerated. Dorcas Egede was there

    With the recent persecution of artists in Nigeria and across the globe, one cannot but ask this pertinent question, is the art under attack? The last two years have witnessed the persecution and detention of several artists; but the one that has generated world concern and reaction most recently is the arrest, trial and death sentence passed on Palestinian and Sausdi Arabian-born poet, artist and curator, Ashraf Fayadh, 35.

    On the 14th of January, members of the literary community, worldwide, in response to a November 2015 appeal published by the Berlin International Literature Festival, gathered together in designated locations for an organised reading in support of the freedom of Ashraf Fayadh. Fayadh who has been active in the Saudi art scene for many years was sentenced to death by Saudi authorities for his 2008 book of poems, Instructions Within. He was accused of “promoting atheism and spreading blasphemous ideas among young people.” The Saudi authorities also accused Fayadh of renouncing his Muslim faith and of photographing women and storing their pictures on his phone, an act considered to be a violation of the country’s Anti-Cyber Crime Law.

    The Nigeria reading for the freedom of Fayadh, coordinated by actor and activist, Ropo Ewenla, took place simultaneously at the Freedom Park in Lagos, University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University. The reading in Lagos which took place at the Freedom Park located in the central business district was attended by literary Doyen and Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka, Director General of the National Troop of Nigeria, Mr Akin Adejumo, Yemi Afolabi, Kunle Ajibade, and a host of writers, poets, movies-makers, theatre artistes, and journalists. Some of the participants, either presented speeches or read their own poems or selected poems from Fayadh’s Instructions Within.

    The reading was preceeded  by a walk around the central business district, after which participants congregated inside Esther’s Revenge Lounge of the Freedom Park.

    In his keynote address during the reading, Soyinka condemned the persecution of anybody because of what they choose to hold as belief. He said, “My religion is humanism; and nobody has the right to infringe on my right to my faith.”  He emphasised the need for every society to hold in high regard the sanctity of human life. Alluding to the continuous disregard of human life, evident in nefarous acts and audacious killings by religious fanatics, racists, corrupt politicians and the likes, the world over, Soyinka opined that people must themselves rise and speak against any form of injustice or inhuman treatment meted out to any human being. “We must all resolve to uphold sanctity of human life and dignity of every human being….”

    The seasoned writer who has himself suffered many political repression, persecution, inhumane treatment and imprisonment, decried the violation of human rights. He called to the memory of his listeners, the death sentence placed on nine Nigerians (who were accused of blasphemy) by a Sharia court ruling in Notrhern Nigeria (Kano to be precise) and expressed surprise at the reason everyone, including the media, seems to be silent on the matter.

    Also at the event was Kunle Ajibade, author of Jailed for Life, memoirs from prison (a narration of the forty-six months he spent in prison) after he was arrested by the military dictator, Sani Abacha, owing to certain articles published in his magazine, The News. He gave a short background to his book from which he later read. He said, “Our offence then was to have published articles that said that the soldiers and some other people tried and condemned to death in the phantom coup that Abacha and his people cooked up did not deserve to die.”

    The Director General of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Akin Adejuwon, also spoke on the need for leaders to respect and protect the fundamental human rights of their citizens, adding that the current federal administration in Nigeria has repeatedly given assurance that it will respect rights of the citizens. Another speaker, erstwhile editor of the Vanguard newspaper and former Ogun state Commissioner of information, Kayode Samuel, opined that sometimes, the citizens of a country are to be blamed for the infringement of their fundamental human rights when he said, “When we do not raise enough questions, when we clap all the time for our oppressors even when they infringe on other people’s rights; when we without question declare political leaders as our messiahs without due interrogation of their actions, we are indirectly approving their consistent abuse of our rights, and disrespect of our human dignity.”

    Other speakers were Victor Nwokocha, member of the CORA-Arterial Network Steering Committee, who alluding to Soyinka’s words, “My religion is humanism; and nobody has the right to infringe on my right to my faith,” remarked that no religion has the monopoly of truth, and as such should not be forced down anybody’s throat. People should be allowed to make their own choices as to which religion to belong, be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or traditionalism. He also charged his audience made up mostly of artists to always bear in mind that they wield enormous powers occasioned by their works of creativity and they should continue relentlessly in their campaign for the sanctity of life.

    Some artists that have

    been persecuted in recent years

     

    Atena Farghadani

    An Iranian artist, Atena Farghadani, 29, is said to be currently serving a twelve year and nine-month jail term as punishment for criticising a draft law intended to outlaw women’s freedom to use birth control measures, as well as drawing a cartoon that depicted government officials as animals. After series of arrests and releases, Ms Farghadani’s was eventually declared guilty of “spreading propaganda, insulting members of parliament, and insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” by  judge Abolghassem Salavati of the Tehran court in June 2015.

    Danilo Maldonado

    In December 2014, one Cuban artist, graffitist and human rights activist, Danilo Maldonado, was sent to jail without trial for painting the words, ‘Raul’ and ‘Fidel’ on a pair of pigs. He was said to have done that with the intention of  releasing the pigs in central Havana, as part of a protest against the Socialist regime of the Castro brothers. But that was never to happen because he was soon arrested and thrown into prison for “disrespecting the leaders of the revolution.”

    Maldonado was set free in October of 2015, after serving a 10-month jail term. This freedom however was said to have come following continuous protests by the Cuban and international literary communities, as well as the intervention of United States President, Barack Obama.

    Jelili Atiku

    On Sunday 17th January, a certain traditional ruler in Ejigbo area of Lagos metropolis was alleged to have ordered the arrest of visual artist, Jelili Atiku. The traditional ruler was said to have been put on edge by the fact that Atiku’s performance (centered around domestic terrorism) in his ‘domain’ on the Thursday before his Sunday arrest was staged without his permission.

    Nengi Josef Ilagha

    While artists the world over protest the death sentence on Palestinian writer, artist and curator, Ashraf Fayadh, the family of Nigerian award-winning poet, writer, journalist, culture activist and social critic, Nengi Josef Ilagha bemoans the fate of their own, who according to societynowng.com is currently under police custody after a Bayelsa State high court ruling that declared him guilty of contempt of court and libel (against the Amayanabo of Nembe kingdom, king Edmund Daukoru in his book, Epistel to Maduabebe)

  • Sadness erazers et al

    Sadness erazers et al

    This is a rather unusual title for an article but it best captures intention to recognise and express our grateful thanks to the fast growing crop of sadness erazers in the fast growing networks of radio stations in Nigeria, especially in the South West, and even more so, in the Lagos/Ibadan axis. There are so many radio stations – Radio Lagos, Faaji FM, Ray Power, Inspiration FM, Brilla Sports FM, Wazobia, Nigeria info, Cool FM Radio One, Bond FM, (Lagos) Oluyole FM, Space FM, Petals FM, Fresh Radio, Amuludun FM, Splash FM, Lagelu FM, Star FM and many others.

    The growth rate of radio stations is evidently higher in Ibadan than in any other towns and cities in Nigeria! Of course, each radio station must, as a business venture,  initially invest huge sums as start-up capital, than strive to cover its operational costs for at least a period of two years, before attempting to break- even and if luck and fate and the enabling environment permit, start making profit and keeping the sponsors, management and bankers happy. The ultimate goal is to capture the attention and then interest and finally, the loyalty of listeners.

    The more your consistent and loyal listeners are, the more adverts naira your station will attract to itself and therefore the more your capability and capacity to survive into the future.

    The quality and experience of top management, the quality and quantity of intelligent personnel and broadcasters, the quality and variety of programmes such that listeners can identify with and desire to be consistently loyal to on a daily basis or on specific days of the week are the necessary and sufficient conditions that will make radio stations to thrive.

    The phenomenal growth in the radio broadcast industry, which has in turn led to each radio station hiring the best broadcasting talents that are available, with the sole motive of maximising their market share and therefore, sustainability, profitability and ability to influence society and government policy options and directions.

    There is a growing crop of sadness erazers in the radio broadcast industry, with the ability to hold you spell- bound and ensure “Consumer loyalty “to their various brands of programmes. Sadness Erazers? Yes! When you are a Nigerian who lives in Nigeria and makes a living in Nigeria, and more so, you are 50 years and above, there are some burdens and pains and anxiety and frustrations that are automatically programmed into your day- to- day existence.

    Oftentimes, you are tempted to go down memory lane and reflect on Prof Wole Soyinka’s famous pessimism of “a wasted generation” of 30 years ago. When that bombshell was thrown up 30 years ago, many beneficiaries of government patronage shouted foul, but most people accepted it as a self- evident truth. That was 1986. This is 2016. What was the population of Nigeria in 1986? For the last census count, we were counted to be 170 million. As we approach the next census, we are likely going to be heading for 190-200 million. Since there is no deliberate government policy to check the fast-growing population, economists and statisticians and planners are already indicating that Nigeria’s population would be 300milion by 2050 – the 3rd largest in the world after China and India. This is not sounding a Maltthusian Alarm, on the danger of over population. It is rather, a clarion call on the Buhari Presidency to commence deliberate efforts on population control.

    When you are age 50, 60, 70, 80 and in good health, with sharp minds, there are many strains, burdens and anxiety that are automatically programmed to plague your old age in Nigeria. Those afflictions of the   elderly in Nigeria are derivatives of successive governmental unintelligence, garnished with a massive devaluation of cultural norms and expectations.

    For instance, by the time you get into those age brackets, your children are already out of the universities. They are even already getting married and having children. Almost on a daily basis, you are tempted to go down memory lane and compare the good life and prospects the young men and women of 30 and 40 and 50 years ago, with, the gloomy prospects of today’s millions of young men and woman, graduating from the many universities of today into a massive unemployment market. That is even a small part of the emotional baggage of the elderly in Nigeria. When you graduate into that age bracket, you begin to audit your life and your past in so many departments of life.

    At 60 and above, you are often tempted to ask yourself, has your life turned out the way you planned it? Did you marry the right woman? Or the right man?  Has she or he added value to you? What is the relationship with your children? Did you marry your woman from the gutter of life, with the naive thinking that you would elevate her to your own level? Did she with her improved standards and education over the years, turn your own life upside down with her own fiendish and gutter civilisation? That is not all. On a daily basis, the elderly (and the young) are confronted with a daily dosage of bad news on the radio, television and in newspaper. The bottom line in all of this mixed grill of bad news and bad memories is a huge and growing community of anxiety-laden and sad elders.

    In the midst of all these tension, there is an expanding group of sadness erazers, with great broadcasting talent on various and fast expanding radio stations in the country. I am constrained to highlight only those ones in the south, West, and Lagos and Ibadan axis.

    Radio Lagos, Faaji FM, Inspiration FM, ( Lagos and Ibadan) Brilla FM, Lagos Splash FM Ibadan, Space FM, Ibadan, Fresh FM Ibadan, Petras FM, Ibadan, Radio Continental , Lagos, Rock City FM, Abeokuta Oluyole FM, Star FM, Wazobia FM, Ray Power FM, Radio Nigeria Ibadan, Bond FM, Lagos Ogun Radio, City FM Radio in Lagos.

    On behalf of all Nigerians, and especially the elderly Nigerians, I say to them, merci beaucoup to the managements of those various radio stations for relieving us of our burdens and stress and keeping us informed, educated and entertained. In their frantic competition to secure the loyalty of their listeners, they have secured the services of talented presenters, who make it their duty to attempt to erase the heaviness and burdens from our elderly minds.

    When you wake up in the mornings, Tajudeen Ojuelegba, Taiwo Akinsola and their colleagues on Bond FM, are ready to start your day on a humorous note, with an in-depth analysis of newspapers in the Yoruba Language.

     Alternatively, you can switch to Radio Lagos, where another first-class team of presenters and newscasters are waiting for your attention. Bolanle Onigbajo, golden voice and newscaster, Bosede Akinremi Ogunbona, golden voice, newscaster and humorist (Ariya Tawony), with her equal match, Niyi Ojemakinde, Peter Olayinka and his pair, “Alaremu on Yoruba News analysis.”

    Please come along with me, on an explorative journey to Ibadan radio stations. Without any doubt, Ibadan is the headquarters of English and Yoruba broadcasting and broadcasters in Nigeria. I remember our growing up years at Ibadan. I remember the signature tune from the bata drums “Ni’badan la wa, t’a gben sola, ni’badan lana” or “T’olubadan ba ku, ta ni o joye?” (If the Olubadan passes on, who would succeed him?). Big question. I remember those days. Once the bata drum, “Ni’badan lawa” comes up at 2 pm and 7 pm, those celebrated newscasters on Radio Nigeria Ibadan, Uncle Kunle Olasope and the late Onabolu, were ready to read the main news. When they read the news everybody listened!

    Splash FM, Amuludun FM, Fresh FM, Petras FM and Inspiration FM always manage to keep the South-west coverage area alive, informed, educated and entertained. However, there is a fourth function some of these broadcasting talents have made available to us with their gifts. They relax you! Edmund Obilo, Ife-Oluwapo Adeniyi (Voices) Folake Otuyelu and Yemisi Akinlade (Gele Odun) Folake Otuyelu/ Kola Ladoke (Tifuntedo). These great guys are on Splash FM.

    How can one ever forget that wonderful young man, Olawale Rafai “Yotomi Lana”, a 4-6 pm Sunday programme on Oluyole FM, or the boy prodigy on Petras FM, Bamidele Adeyanju – “Agbaletu”? You want to forget your sorrows. Tune into these stations and you will laugh and laugh until you can laugh no more!

    Let us go back to Lagos. Have you ever been injected with a dosage of laughter that would last for 10 hours, non-stop? The combination of those energetic, explosive, humorous and well informed Murphy Ejimba, Gentleman Sean Amadi, Sexy Joe (what a name?) Ayo Dada and Co. What about the Faaji FM Trio of Seun Adeboye (Gbenga Adeboye’s younger sister), Yemi Ajide Olayinka and Omotorera,” Sisi Mi” and the granddaughter of the famous musician, Pa Olowonyo? These intelligent ladies have broken new grounds and prepared the way for young ladies to aspire to a satisfactory future in broadcast journalism.

    What about the crazy doctor on Radio Continental, Dr Dan Akpata, who along with Sisi Mi on Faaji FM are doing a great Job of allowing injured and frustrated men and women, the opportunity to vent their frustration and get counselling that end up assuaging their hurts.

    Jones Usen, Booboo, Monday Ubana and others, Iya Jogbo “Wale Popopo and Obus (Radio Continental)

    Tope Edwards and Samson Akindele “Bayo ooooh! And Lady Faleti (Fresh FM, Ibadan). The list is endless.

    Of course, there are so many others on television stations and famous columnists in various news papers: “Tatalo Alamu”, Palladium, Femi Orebe, Simon Kolawole, Segun Adeniyi, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Funke Egbemode, Anthony Iredia, Tola Adeniyi and other celebrated columnists that space would not allow me to mention.

    Gathered together, this growing crop of greatly talented radio, television and newspaper journalists have, through their “Opelope Anoionting”, impacted on our lives, reduced our burdens and always managed to give us a cause to smile and be happy and be ready to cope with the challenges of life and living in Nigeria.

    You are all sadness erazers, on behalf of the millions of listeners and readers and viewers in the whole of Nigeria, I say merci beaucoup.

    • Runsewe wrote Via Olumuyiwa@gmail.com
  • Taiwan: Memory of a trip

    Taiwan: Memory of a trip

    Former House of Representative member, Wale Okediran shares his beautiful memoirs of his recent visit to Taiwan.

    Taipei. Midnight. I am in the middle of the Shihlin Night Market, one of the most famous and largest night markets in Taiwan. The street-long market is packed full of tourists like me as well as some locals who have come with family and friends to eat, browse and look for great bargains. All around me are people with cameras, snapping photographs amidst the crowd while intermittently haggling with vendors laden with all sorts of merchandise from wrist watches, clothes to electronic materials for a good price. Once in a while, some vendors with wares on wheelbarrows would make a dash for it at the sight of policemen whom I was told, were out to arrest illegal traders. In addition to food, night markets in Taiwan feature various forms of entertainment and a lot of shopping. Numerous products for sale include clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets, kitchen items, among other commodities.

    I had arrived Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport the previous week to a freezing 10 Celsius degree temperature after a 15-hour flight from Abuja via Dubai, via Hong Kong. So exhausting was the trip that I slept right through my first night and day at the Monarch Plaza Hotel in Taoyuan, thus missing both breakfast and lunch. The following day, thoroughly refreshed and rearing to go, I was moved by my hosts to Taipei where I joined other members of my group at the Cosmos Hotel. Set on a bustling city street next to Taipei Railway Station, the upscale hotel with an industrial-style facade is 1 km from the Ximending pedestrian shopping district. Although my hotel room was cramped due to its small size, the room was clean and well kept. Furthermore, the hotel’s nearness to the railway station made it easy for me to access the downtown area for sightseeing, shopping and food whenever the need arose.

    The drive from Taoyuan to Taipei took about 40 minutes and on the way, my guide filled me in on the island’s details.  As he put it; ‘The Republic of China (ROC) popularly known as Taiwan, is a sovereign state in East Asia. It is situated in the West Pacific with Japan to the east and northeast, the Philippines to the south and the People’s Republic of China (PRC- Mainland China) to the west. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a population of 23 million and a population density of 648 people per km2 in July 2015. Taipei is the seat of the central government, and together with the surrounding cities of New Taipei and Keelung, forms the largest metropolitan area on the island.’

    My visit to Taiwan which was on the invitation of Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) was to attend a two-week workshop on health management. The decision to attend the course was predicated on Taiwan’s excellent health facilities and professional management skills which are reflected in the country’s impressive health indices. For example, current WHO statistics put the country’s infant mortality rate at 3.9 per 1,000 live births (Nigeria; 96) with 18.77 physicians and 67.79 hospital beds per 10,000 people (Nigeria; 4.1 and 5) and an average life expectancy at 79.98 compared to Nigeria’s 54.

    And so it was that together with 20 other health professionals (doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, etc ) drawn from diverse countries such as Bahrain, Czech Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Kiribati, St Lucia, Russia, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Vietnam among others, I was hauled back to the classroom after a long gap. Mercifully, the course was a mixture of lectures, group seminars, culture tours and field trips all interspaced with numerous mouth-watering and exotic lunches and dinners. With no time for my daily exercises, I watched with alarm as I gradually put on about 5kg during the two-week trip!

    All in all, we had about ten lectures, which were based on Taiwan’s experience in the areas of Healthcare System, Health Insurance, Public Health and Nursing Care among others. The lectures took place at the Diplomat Training Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei, while the eight field trips took us to different health facilities in Taipei, Taipei City, as well as the Hualien County.  I was particularly impressed with the Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wang Fang Hospital in Taipei City, as well as the Hualien Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien County.

    The hallmark of the lectures as far as I am concerned was the one on Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI), a universal health coverage scheme that provides comprehensive health insurance to Taiwan’s 23.4 million citizens and foreign residents. Insurance benefits include outpatient visits, inpatient care, dental care, traditional Chinese medicine, renal dialysis, and prescription drugs. There are no financial barriers to needed medical care, and no ambiguity as to who receives what benefits. With a national coverage of over 75% (Nigeria; < 10%) Taiwan’s 20 year-old NHI may be said to be a high performing health care system compared with many other health care systems around the world including the US.

    Another critical lesson I learnt from the lectures was that Taiwan, currently faces an unusually rapid demographic transition-its people are living longer, but fewer children are being born. Taiwan’s fertility rate per woman of 0.9 compared to Nigeria’s 5.4 is said to be the world’s lowest. With a 75% upper age bracket, Taiwan is seriously worried about its future supply of manpower and brain power. Although the country believes that by importing foreign work force, it could ameliorate this imminent problem, it is obvious that the attendant influx of foreigners with diverse cultural and religious beliefs, which could pollute the country’s culture, is an additional worry.

    Expectedly, with just a few days into the program, members of the group despite their different nationalities had started bonding, thus creating a conducive atmosphere for a good working relationship. In addition, certain characteristics interestingly defined by ethnic backgrounds seemed to play out. Thus, while the obviously rich and dollar-laden participants from the Gulf states were the heaviest spenders, the Africans with their lean pockets were the most conservative shoppers, always on the look-out for cheap bargains, which were mostly found in the night markets we frequented. We also had the heavy drinking but very friendly Europeans, the garrulous but witty South Americans (the land of revolutions and revolts, as someone explained), the shy Asians and the introspective participants from the Caribbean and South Pacific Islands. All in all, it was a very matured, friendly and hardworking group.

    In a bid to expose us to Taiwan’s rich cultural life, my group had three cultural visits to the National Palace Museum, the Taipei 101 as well as the Taroko National Park in Hualien County. And so it was that after lunch one sunlit Saturday afternoon, we were whisked away to see Taiwan’s tallest building- Taipei 101. The Taipei 101 formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center – is a landmark super tall skyscraper in Xinyi District, Taipei. The building was officially classified as the world’s tallest in 2004, and remained such until the completion of Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009.  And as we sauntered out of our bus, we were all pleasantly overawed by the jade-green coloured skyscraper standing at a whopping 508 metres and stretching toward the heavens like a giant bamboo stalk. According to our guide, the structure and façade of Taipei 101 are steeped with symbolism. The main tower is made up of eight trapezoids, each containing eight floors. In Chinese numerology, the number 8 is considered lucky, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. In addition, each of the eight trapezoids resembles an ancient Chinese gold ingot while the circular protrusions at the top of the base resemble ancient Chinese coins. Finally, the building’s total 101 floors represents going one better than the best. We were all exhilarated as we went up to the dome of the tower in elevators and took photographs with one another.

    Our second cultural visit was to the National Palace Museum, an antique museum in Shihlin, Taipei. It is one of the National Museums of the Republic of China and has a permanent collection of more than 696,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artefacts and artworks, making it one of the largest in the world.

    After about 7 days of staying in Taipei, we boarded a big air-conditioned bus one early morning for our first trip outside Taipei. Our destination was the Taroko National Park in Hualien County, a place where our guide referred to as ‘a powerful place where nature is master and man, a mere spectator.’

    Framed by sheer seaside cliffs and majestic inland mountain peaks, Taroko National Park  is Taiwan’s most diverse national park and one of the island’s top tourist destinations. Just before our departure from Taipei, we were all handed anti-nausea tablets because of the winding elevation which we would traverse, and which may cause some people to throw up. A few hours after departing Taiwan, we were soon surrounded by soaring mountains as we traversed the iconic Taroko Gorge, said to be Taiwan’s most spectacular natural attraction.

    Situated as part of the Taroko National Park, the Gorge is about 20km long, with marble walls that soar several hundred metres above the Liwu River. And as we travelled through the narrow mountain road that had been hedged into the mountain side, the powerful diesel engine bus grunted up the steep incline as the elevation became dizzy and some participants who had forgotten to take their anti-nausea tablets started throwing up. We could see far below us, the stunningly picturesque scene of towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys that could take the breath away.

    We completed our visit to the Taroko National Park with a lunch and a visit to the Gift Shop where we bought souvenirs mostly traditional art work and pottery.

    Before long, two weeks had passed and our program gradually came to an end. At the farewell ceremony and dinner which took place at Su Hang Restaurant in Taipei a day before our final departure from Taiwan, I had a surprise waiting for me, as I was given the award for the Best Participant. Unknown to the group, each participant had been secretly scored for performance in categories such as punctuality, comportment and quality participation at all events among other criteria during the two week duration. What better place for me to celebrate the award than the ubiquitous Taiwanese night market, the haven of the bargain seeking tourist and the rendezvous of a troubadour in search of a story?

     As always, Shihlin night market was waiting for me. The market was packed full as I edged my way past other camera-touting tourists, vendors, both legal and illegal, pickpockets and police, as I did my last sightseeing and shopping. Two hours later, well after midnight, I was still roaming the market when I discovered that I was hungry. Nearby were a row of restaurants offering various Taiwanese cuisines such as ‘sugar cane shoots with red pepper,’ ‘beef stew sea cream with tofu and fried noodles’ and ‘grilled wild boar and chicken on a bed of rice’ among others. I settled for the grilled wild boar. As I tucked into the succulent and well garnished dish, the pulsating beats of that Michael Jackson’s iconic piece; ”Beat It’ wafted to me from a nearby pavilion where a group of Taiwanese youths were having a reverie. Stirred by the persistent rumble of the percussions, I tapped my feet to the rhythm of the music, my mouth full of good food in the midst of a happy throng of good people. Suddenly, it seemed that Abuja with all its allure and opportunities could do without me!

    • Dr Okediran is a former member, House of Representatives, Abuja and former National President, Association of Nigerian Authors.
  • Nigerian authors endorse fight against corruption

    Nigerian authors endorse fight against corruption

    Rising from its Inaugural Executive Council Meeting held on 9 January 2016 at the Women Development Centre, Central Area, Abuja, the National Exco of ANA after exhaustive deliberations on issues affecting the association and the nation hereby resolved as follows:

    That the popular mandate given the current administration of the association during the election at the Annual Convention of the Association held at Kaduna State University on 14 November 2015 will be held responsibly and to the utmost benefit of the Congress of the association.

    That the National Executive Council will be committed to transparency, efficiency, the guiding philosophy and ideals of the founding fathers of the Association and will promote same in all its branches across the country.

    That driven by the spirit of pragmatic deliverables, the Exco extensively discussed matters relating to the ANA land at Mpape, Abuja in addition to a site inspection to the land with a view to expediting the process of its development into a literary centre of excellence in the country.

    That the compilation of a membership directory and writers data base is critical to the plans of the Executive Council to ensure the institutionalisation of a very responsive membership structure and the internationalisation of the operations of the association.

    That ANA is poised to deliver a commemorative 35th Anniversary Convention of the Association to be hosted in Abuja in October 2016 with the Theme: Re-contextualising African Literature for the African Renaissance: Emergent Realities, Trends and Strategies for the 21st Century.

    That the Executive Council, in pursuance of its pledge of reforming and strengthening the Association institutionally, has constituted the ANA Strategic Plan Development Committee, ANA Land Development Committee and the constitutionally-provisioned National Advisory Council. The membership of the said committees and council will be made known to members.

    That the government at all levels in Nigeria should undertake with urgent emphasis the need to promote book development, reading, literature based on indigenous knowledge and other spheres, the provision of a conducive environment for creative writing, debates and ideas circulation in the country.

    That there is imminent need to mainstream the creative economic potentials of literature and the arts into the national economic planning through speedy passage of a proposed bill for an endowment fund for literature and the creative industries in the country especially given the global downward spiral in petroleum-driven economy and its particular impact on Nigeria.

    The Association supports the ongoing crusade for the entrenchment of ethical conduct and moral re-armament in private and public spheres in the country in accordance with its founding objectives of commitment to the ideals of building a humane and egalitarian society where the cause for the greater public good is championed maximally at all times.

  • ‘We are re-organising the transport unions’

    ‘We are re-organising the transport unions’

    Chairman, Lagos chapter of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, speaks with Daniel Adeleye on his recent award as Best State Chairman of the Year 2015, and those attributes that stands him out. He also cleared the air on some of those misconceptions that seems to have smeared the image of the union and the transportation industry over the years.

    You recently won an award as Best Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) State Chairman of the year 2015, how does it feel?

    Before your master can pronounce you a good steward, he must have keenly looked at your performances from various angles: your contributions, loyalty to him, your peaceful co-habitation with people in your area and so on. I thank God for the immeasurable peace that has reigned among our members in my one year in office. We haven’t witnessed any rancour between our members and drivers union, our members and security agents or between the transport security agents. If you say you are a leader, you must show good qualities of a leader. I cannot seat here in my office and something is going wrong with my members out there and I don’t know how to caution them or call them to order. If a man who is a leader in a zone where there is trouble is not able to forestall the trouble among his members without a gun, as State Chairman, I go there, by the time I come back, such zonal leader is gone, because there is no point keeping a leader who cannot live by example.

    Besides, when I assumed office as State Chairman, I was with the government and the security agents. Then I was with the national headquarter and also with the members of Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, at all time. Whatever the government wants me to correct, I correct without wasting time. If there is any directives from national headquarter, I implement. We have never hesitated to collaborate with security agents; we work hand in hand with them. I think it is all these that my national chairman Alh. Shehu Musa Isiwele weighed together to find me worthy as best RTEAN State Chairman of year 2015.

    Where were you before you became chairman, Lagos State branch? 

    I became a member of the RTEAN in 2001 and I have served the association in different capacities. I was deputy state chairman, Admin before the former state chairman passed on. After his death, I was appointed caretaker chairman; so when the time came, the national chairman directed us to conduct an election. I contested and God said I would be the one to be crowned chairman, Lagos State branch.

    What differentiate your association, from National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW?

    Our association, RTEAN is vehicles’ owners union. We employ drivers. NURTW is drivers’ union and they are not owners. But at the same time, they can also be owners. If I have my money, I could buy a vehicle; I could also drive the vehicle on my own. So RTEAN is known for owners, while NURTW is mainly drivers’ union. The two bodies were registered under Trade Union Act of 1978.

    The popular opinion out there is that transport unions are associations of street urchins and never do well,  how do you manage this unholy reputation?

    Let me use this medium to correct this wrong impression. Transport union is not an association of irresponsible brutes. What makes majority of people to refer to transport associations as ‘agbero’ groups is because these days, the easiest way for many family men to feed their families is through transportation jobs.

    How so?

    I say this because you don’t need to have any formal education or higher certificate before you can drive a vehicle. If you go out and learn how to drive, nobody will ask you the qualification you obtained – although there are some vehicles that require you to learn the theoretical aspects of them in the school before you can drive them. Most vehicles used for commercial purposes in this part of the world don’t require higher qualification.

    Now, if you look at the majority of our politicians in Nigeria, many of the people they use as political thugs during electioneering campaigns are people who are not lettered. I mean nobody will to school and obtain a certificate and thereafter become a political thug to a politician. After the campaigns and elections, don’t forget that those thugs cannot be employed in any office, because they have no certificate to present. They can’t even give them political appointment, because they’re not fit for it. They will now look for where those thugs can fit, which is the transport field. This is where this problem is coming from. So now, as a matter of urgency, we as a transport union have decided to forestall their emergence as our members. Before anybody can be our member now, he will first write and application letter and provide two sureties from reputable backgrounds. This is part of what we have been doing in RTEAN, Lagos State branch. It is no longer business as usual, where anybody can just come from anywhere and become our member because he has money to buy a vehicle. If such a person commits a crime, you may not know where to get him. Now if we cannot get him, we will know how to get his guarantors.

    Our major setback at the moment is not having a regulatory body. We have Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Labour but where is the regulatory body? For instance, in the transport sector, government is supposed to give us a bank that we can negotiate with and get loans to purchase vehicles, which will in turn ease the transport challenges in the country. Many of us still remember the days of cooperative bank for farmers and small scale business owners, but where are such banks for the transport sector? None of the three-tiers of government recognizes us.

    What are you doing to forestall some of the security challenges passengers face, such as ‘one chance,’ where people are robbed or kidnapped in a vehicle and so on?

    Now we want to put our data in order to know how many drivers operate from a particular park, especially in this era of ‘one chance.’ Although if you look at it very well, most of the ‘one chance’ vehicles we hear today are those vehicles that pick passengers by the road-side. Passengers that board vehicles in the parks are not likely to go through such problems, because such passengers are duly recognized and if anything happens to them, we know where to get the driver. But now we see our military men driving commercial vehicles and any attempt to challenge or protest against their conducts would only result in chaos. Part of what we have been yearning for is that whoever wants to drive a commercial vehicle should be properly registered and duly documented. You see some on the road with military emblems in their vehicle; how would you take the identity of such a person if anything happens? If the federal government genuinely helps to fight this rascality on the roads, it won’t take long for sanity to be restored to the transportation business. Look at the issue of insecurity in Nigeria; the fact remains government alone cannot fight insecurity to a halt. It requires the effort of every Nigerian. Recently, I looked at the security situation in Nigeria and sent some men for training on how to detect bombs in vehicle. I bought all the necessary equipment for them and they just inaugurated them last December.

    It is on record that 40 – 80 percent income of Nigeria workers are spent on transportation, what measures are your organisation putting in place to help reduce transportation cost, especially in Lagos?

    This is what I have explained earlier. If there is regulatory body, this would be easily achieved. In the early 70s, I can recall that there was price control on every product and service. What you buy or pay N1.00 for in one local government, went for the same price in all other local governments. That is why we are calling on our government to come to our aid. We as transporters, we need vehicles, and what type of vehicle do we need? Ours is to tell the government, while the government on their part negotiates with the countries where those vehicles are produced and imported. By the time those vehicles arrive Nigeria, government can now hand them over to the union, and from there government can regulate the fare from a particular place to another and you as a driver won’t be able to go against the government’s directives. But because there is no such provision, that is why you will see a bus driver carrying passengers for N100.00 and another one will come and carry his own for N50.00 and nobody can challenge them. I believe if there is price control, not only in the transport sector, Nigeria would be better.

    How does your association get funding?

    That is why we are owners. You can’t ask somebody that owns a vehicle where his funding is coming from; he will simply tell you, through my vehicle of course. If I buy a vehicle for commercial purpose, definitely I’m expecting money in return. So there is no other alternative or magic to make money other than that. Besides, we have fund through our ticket, which is approved by the federal government of Nigeria. Once you are a member and you put your vehicle on the road, you must buy our ticket. That is where we make money to run the administration of the association.

    One day your tenure as the state chairman of the association will end; how would you like to be remembered?

    Everybody dreams of retirement from active service one day. And after that, the person goes back to doing whatever little business he is able to do, but his record while he was in the office will continue to speak on his behalf. Another person may come and make a research on how he developed a particular thing during his stewardship in the office and may he be re-invited for assistance. That is why we see some past presidents and heads of state who are given appointments to serve in other capacities after the expiration of their tenure. I am a state chairman of this association today in Lagos, after my tenure I will go back to my house and God willing, I may go to the national level. But while my tenure lasts, justice and fairness to all the members of the association would be my watchword and I will abhor wrongdoings. For me, everything starts and ends with God.

  • Delta set to create 60,000 entrepreneurs

    Delta set to create 60,000 entrepreneurs

    With plans to create 60,000 jobs in the next four years, Delta State Government, last week, passed out the first batch of youths who completed a six-month skills acquisition programme. Okungbowa Aiwerie examines the government’s drive to combat poverty through entrepreneurship schemes.

    Last week, no fewer than 700 youths graduated from a government-sponsored six months intensive skills acquisition and entrepreneurial programme at the Songhai Delta, Amukpe, Delta State.

    Songhai Delta is an agricultural and research training facility designed to provide practical training experience.

    The event, which was the passing out ceremony for the first batch of beneficiaries in the Delta State Government job and wealth creation programme, had youths drawn from the three senatorial districts of Delta State.

    Gov Okowa had on August 26, 2015 inaugurated the job and wealth creation scheme with a mandate to create direct employment for 60,000 persons over the next four years.

    The existing job and wealth creation programmes available to youths include Youth Agricultural and Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) and Micro-credit.

    The programme, primarily, is designed to teach youth skills, tackle unemployment and raise entrepreneurs.

    Under YAGEP, unemployed, youths are trained and established in their choice of agricultural enterprise, including poultry, piggery, fishery and crop production.

    STEP is designed to train and establish unemployed youths in preferred skill or trade. Youths are made to go through a three-phase training plan comprising life skills and orientation course, vocational skills training, and business entrepreneurship training.

    Under STEP, the skills or trades include computer hardware maintenance and repair, catering and confectionery, electrical installation and repair, barbing, bead-making, cosmetology, decoration and event management, hair-dressing and makeover, fashion design and tailoring, tiling, block-moulding, Plaster of Paris (POP) and interlocking. Youths dressed in sky-blue baseball caps and crested white tee-shirts celebrated with kiths and kin in a carnival atmosphere. The mood was buoyant, as music blared from loudspeakers placed at strategic locations around the tree-lined streets of the training centre.

    The camaraderie among the trainees was infectious on this hot, breezy afternoon, as they joked and chatted in clusters over drinks and food, awaiting eagerly the arrival of the governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The wait was short. Gov Okowa alighted from his vehicle into the warm embrace of enthusiastic youths who sang lustily his praise.

    Trainees shook hands and exchanged banters with the number one citizen of the state, before he inspected a guard of honour mounted by the trainees.

    In an address at a packed conference hall, Gov. Okowa said although cynicism greeted the scheme at the initial stage, the passing-out ceremony was ‘undeniable proof that our critics were wrong’.

    The governor said, ‘A little over six months ago when we commenced this journey, there were not a few sceptics who thought it was another one of those government empowerment programmes that would eventually be scuttled by political intrigue, god-fatherism, corruption and bureaucratic red tape. Even some of the participants here were not left out in this widespread cynicism. Their initial interest was to see how they could as was the norm in the past, get their share of the ‘national cake’ before the programme is abandoned.’

    Okowa declared the programme a success, adding that only five persons dropped out of the course.

    His words, “I am informed that only five persons did not complete the course. Out of the five, one got a paid employment while another person unfortunately passed on. So, technically, only three persons dropped out from a set of 776 trainees. That translates to 99.2% performance, an unprecedented record with a scheme like this.”

    According to him, the high retention rate is the result of the rigoruos screening and selection process of the job and wealth creation scheme.

    He urged the trainees to put into practice the principles learnt from the training, stressing that success in business requires focus, diligence, careful planning, excellent service and prudent management of resources.

    Earlier, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh, expressed satisfaction at the success rate of the pioneer class of YAGEP and STEP trainees.

    He said YAGEP trainees will be provided with infrastructure and facilities, starter stocks (for livestock) and seeds/seedling (for crop) and production inputs, while STEP trainees will be provided with capital items relevant to the skill area and some working materials.

    To ensure enduring success of the programme, Eboh said, ‘trainees will be monitored and mentored throughout the gestation period of their business enterprise. The monitoring and mentoring will be carried out through technical teams comprising specialists in the respective skills or trades.’

    Despite high praise by the trainees, a major complaint has been the issue of inadequate starter packs. Some trainees want the administration to look into the issue.

    Several trainees alleged sabotage by officials managing the programme, a situation, they claimed, has dampened their enthusisasm.

    A trainee Elohor Igbuku, Isoko North L.G.A who trained as a block maker described the programme as excellent, but complained of a dearth of basic tools in the starter pack.

    His words, ‘The programme has been rewarding. All these while, we have roamed the streets unemployed, but Okowa’s government has engaged us through this initiative. The challenge we face is inadequate starter packs. I trained as a block-moulder, we are supposed to get all the required items to start our business. We listed the basic requirements needed to help us succeed, but we are given just two of those items including money. A wooden mould and an overhead tank and the sum of N20, 000. In these modern times, we require a vibrating machine, sand and cement and land to properly start up.’

    Chinyelo Mmalagu, a mother of five, from Abbe Community in Ndokwa West L.G.A, who specialised in crop farming, commended the state government’s efforts, adding that the knowledge gained from the programme will in no small measure help her business.

    Mmalagu claimed she resigned from paid employment to enrol in the programme, adding that with knowledge gained in the last three months, she is hopeful of making success within four months.

    Her words, “Before this time, I was not sure that green peppers, cabbage, cucumber, water melon, carrots, lettuce and other vegetables could be produced in our locality, but the training has opened my eyes to this possibility. In the farm where I did my internship, such vegetables are grown there. So after my training here, I believe I will be able to succeed in vegetable farming.’

    Mmalagu wants the state government to provide her with land, borehole, generator and other farming implements to enable her start her farm.

    Another trainee, Mrs Susan Nwanukwe from Asaba, Oshimili South who specialises in hair dressing and makeover had kind words for the organisers of the programme, but urged government to provide some basic items required for them to succeed in business.

    Her words, ‘In the last six months we gained a lot. The programme was very rich and rewarding. It was very tasking. In the last three months, we had to daily attend training sessions that lasted the whole day, but I think it is a privilege for me to be enrolled in this programme.

    ‘My starter pack does not have a generator and you know in this country, power is a challenge. So that is the problem I as a hair dresser will face. But the organisers have assured us to write those items we might need so that they will provide it. I pray they do as they have promised.’

    Reacting to the issue of inadequate starter packs, Kingsley Emu, Economic Planning Commissioner and Chairman, Ad-Hoc Steering Committee Job Creation had this to say: “Some of the expectations of the trainees are unrealistic, but trainees can assess micro credit administered by Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency. The resources of government are limited, especially with falling oil prices in the international market. Hardworking entrepreneurs can expect such financial assistance. The Okowa administration is not unmindful of the hazards of the business world, so measures have been put in place to help the trainees succeed. I make bold to say that all the basic items in the starter packs are intact, be rest assured. “.

  • Lions Club Nigeria flags off Measles Campaign in Lagos

    As part of activities to take National Measles Immunization programme 2016 to every door step in Lagos and its environ, Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 404, Nigeria in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and all Lions in the Southern part of Nigeria Lions are set for action for this year’s campaign.

    In this year’s campaign, it is expected that over 3,500 Lions will participate in the Southern campaign scheduled for Thursday January 28 to Wednesday February 2, 2016, through advocacy and social mobilization. These will include public awareness campaign, distribution of information and educational materials as well as distribution of incentives to mothers and children. Such campaign mobilisation tools include branded exercise books, branded children T-shirts, pencils and balloons. There will also be road shows with floats and musical bands to mobilise parents and children for the programme.

    In addition to radio jingles that will be aired on national and state radio stations, other electronic and print media will be employed to cover the programme.

     The move is a follow-up to the same measles campaign in the 19 Northern states and the F.C.T, which took place at the Garki Family Clinic on Friday 19th November 2015 and also in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    According to a press release by Lions National Measles campaign coordinator, Dr. Yinka Griffin, the involvement of Lions in measles campaign in Nigeria started with a Pilot programme in 2011. This was closely followed by another campaign in 2013, Lions have been mainly involved in advocacy and social mobilisation aimed at encouraging mothers and guardians to get their children and wards immunised against the dreaded measles disease. Our great foundation- LCIF has generously been funding the campaigns so far

    “As done in previous campaigns, activities lined up this year include advocacy visits to federal and state Ministries of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), local government chairmen, traditional rulers, radio and television stations to sensitise them of their roles during the period set aside for immunisation country wide.”

  • Nigerian, Apampa wins best author award in Hollywood

    Nigerian author and respected motivational speaker, business consultant, wealth strategist, Bunmi Apampa has won the 2015 Quality Award of the “Golden Gail” awards, from the National Academy for Bestselling Authors in Hollywood, United States Of America.

    Apampa, who is the first Nigerian to win the prestigious award outside the shores of the country, won the coveted prize after joining a select group of entrepreneurs from around the world along with, Mark Victor Hansen to co-write the bestselling book Boom.

    The project saw the world’s leading entrepreneurs and professionals reveal their secrets to improving health, wealth and lifestyle through their explosive techniques.

    Apampa, who hails from Idanre in Ondo State, explained that the bestselling book; Boom is all about experts coming together to make impact on how to live a wealthy, healthy and wise life.

    The author who not only knows how to make money Online, Offline and in between but knows how to coach and mentor successful people, said: “My mission is to share with others what I have learnt about creating your dreams with multiple streams of income, being financially empowered while making a difference in the lives of people, community and nations.”

    Amongst other books she has authored are: Vision to reality, Using social media to grow your business, Retirement business ideas, How to become a motivational speaker, Building virtual wealth, Life after retirement, Retire rich retire happy, Growing family wealth and retire rich.

    She also reiterated her continuous contribution to people’s empowerment by using the content of the award winning book to groom young women into leaders of tomorrow.

  • World of couple with quadruplets after eight years of waiting

    World of couple with quadruplets after eight years of waiting

    They waited on the Lord for eight years for children. They fasted and prayed and travelled far and wide in search of medical solution.When they had almost lost hope, God answered their prayers. Instead of one that they were praying for, He gave them four. Two months after the quadruplets’ delivery, Mr and Mrs Olusola Ololade from Ogun State are crying out for help. Why? EVELYN OSAGIE writes on their plight. 

    For eight years, they waited on God for a child. When He finally answered them, it was in a big way. He gave them quadruplets. Coping with these bundles of joy has not been easy for Mr and Mrs  Olusola  Ololade.

    It was Pemisire that cried first. Before his father could rush to carry him to prevent him from waking up his three other siblings, Ifeoluwa    responded with a loud cry. While their mother was rushing to calm her down, Semilore, their brother, also woke up.

    Left with no other choice, this reporter reached out and carried him, feeling bad that she had disturbed their morning routine.

    “We are lucky Anuoluwa is still asleep. This is how we’d go on and on today,”  Ololade, 42, said as he rocked Pemisire to sleep.”

    “Once one starts crying, others would follow; that is why you see us rushing to pacify the one who starts crying first. Still, one or two would have woken up by then,” Mrs Ololade added as she patted Ifeoluwa to sleep.

    The babies ate and slept and some minutes later, the scene was replayed again, but this time, Anuoluwa woke up first.

    It was the drama that played out when this reporter visited the Ololades. The babies, two boys and two girls born on the same day, were their first after eight years of marriage. Ifeoluwa (a girl) was born first, followed by Pemisire (a boy). Anuoluwa (a girl) was the third and her brother, Semilore, the fourth.

    The couple, both Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) under the Local Service Commission with over 10 years of experience, said they tried  for eight years diverse approach to have children to no avail.The husband works at Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State. His wife, Adesola, works with Ikenne LGA.

    “We met at the Ogun State College of Health Technology as students. After our marriage on March 10, 2007, we had agreed to have four kids, but we never thought that we would wait eight long years to have them all at once. We went through a lot, tried medical and spiritual means. Everybody around us seemed worried and had advice of medications and places to take us to. I got tired of it,” Mrs Ololade recounted the ordeal during the eight years of childlessness as he fed Anuoluwa.

    “It is sad the pressure couples whose marriages do not produce children early go through. My husband would often tell me not to worry; especially each time our efforts failed or neighbours and family members come with a would-be solution. But when I was alone, I was worried and sad. I thought a lot about our situation and prayed earnestly for a child. We went to crusades and camps to pray, sought traditional, Islamic and church counselling. I got tired of taking the herbs,” Mrs Ololade, who took Semilore, also called Temiotan, from the reporter after putting his brother to sleep, added. The emotion in her voice may have reached her as Anuoluwa began crying.

    “You have not seen anything yet,”Mr Ololade said, dropping her sister, Ifeoluwa, first by her side as he reached for her.

    Was there any medical diagnosis that certified you barren, the reporter asked?

    “No. There was none. Like my wife, I also worried and even had high blood pressure. By second and third year, when the pressure began to mount, I was even given the advice to take on another wife, but never allowed the thought to cross my mind twice. I knew we were not God; since we were medically sound, only He alone knows best. I made a promise to myself that even if I do not have a child in this life that I would not stop serving God and humanity.

    “As health workers, my wife and I ensure that people in the rural communities are taken care of – medically. We even go out of our way to visit patients in the remote areas who have stopped coming to the health centres for their treatment. So, I gave myself more to my work,” the quadruplets’ father answered

    “So how and when did this miracle occur; did you go for in vitro fertilisation (IVF),” asked the reporter?

    Mr Ololade said: “No, we didn’t do IVF. It was natural – God’s own way. By 2014, both of us decided we would stop seeking counselling in diverse places as advised; but focused only on medical approach. We were determined to go all the way, medically, as we prayed. We kept taking our medications and last year, my wife got pregnant. I did the first pregnancy test myself and you can’t imagine the joy we felt. While we were expecting just one, God gave us four instead. I prayed for my wife and children safe delivery. We were advised that considering the number of babies to be expected, it would be safe to register for ante-natal treatment at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, where the doctors prepared our minds that only two or three may survive. They were delivered on November 6, 2015 and my wife barely survived.”

    He, however, lamented that  these past two months it has not been easy. “We knew the implication of their birth is capital intensive since whatever we buy must be in fourfold. But nothing prepared us for what we, especially what my wife, have faced in terms caring for them.”

    To affirm their parent’s words, Semilore turns round and wakes Pemisire who responded with a cry while Mrs Ololade reacted quickly, raising him up and covering his mouth with her breast. The scene repeated itself several times before the end of her session with the couple.

    “It is like this every day. Its 24 hours caring for the children. I don’t know when the day starts or ends,” the excited mother of four said.

    “I barely have time for myself. Once one starts crying at midnight, others would follow. It is as if they are in a choir. And it would take three to four hours to put them to sleep. If not that my mother and sisters come to assist me with carrying them at the night; and their children to assist in the day, I would have broken down. My breast milk is never enough for them (laughs); they consume one can of baby milk per day.

    “Now that my nieces and nephews have gone back to school and the Yuletide is over, we now have limited hands to assist. My husband doesn’t live here in Sagamu, but in Isara Remo. This is my family’s house; I came here due proximity to the hospital and poor health after delivery – I went through two caesarean sections. I gave birth to my children through caesarean section at OOUTH, days after I felt severe pain and was rushed back. They found water had accumulated in a section of my womb and had to operate. I stayed there for a month. When I was discharged, we thought that I should stay here so they can take good care of me and help me with the kids since our place of abode is far from here. With all that is happening, I’m afraid I may not be able to return to work. I intend to focus on caring for my children, especially in their formative years,” Mrs Ololade observed.

    But her decision is not without its price, which is particularly financially related. Hence, the couple is seeking help from well-meaning Nigerians. “We don’t want to lose any of our children because we went through a lot to have them. We are happy and grateful to God for their delivery, but we need all the support we can get. We are seeking the help of Nigerians in taking care of the children. We would have called for help earlier but couldn’t go public at the initial stage when the children were born because my wife was re-admitted at the hospital for about a month. She is well now that is why we decided to make the birth of the children public.”

    The Ololades can be contacted on First Bank Plc, Account Name: Ololade Samson Olusola, Account Number: 3017788828.