The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Help! Halitosis is affecting our lives

    Help! Halitosis is affecting our lives

    Many Nigerians, suffer from Halitosis (mouth odour) but they don’t know what to do because of ignorance.  In this report, Medinat Kanabe, speaks to a dentist on what they are passing through and how it can be managed.

    Oluwaseyi and Bayo (not real names) met during their service year in Owerri, Imo State. Everyone knew them as lovebirds until the service was over. After the service year, they went to their different states.

    “After I landed in Ogun State I called him to find out if he had reached Ondo, he said yes. I asked when he will be coming to pay me a visit and he promised in two weeks,” she told The Nation.

    “After that day he stopped picking my calls. I called his friends to find out if he was fine and they all said yes, after trying for three days I decided to stop calling and wait for him to come.

    “Two weeks passed but he didn’t come. Two weeks turned to three weeks and two months but he didn’t show up or pick my calls, yet his friends said he was fine and that he spoke to them regularly. After about six months, I picked up my phone and called him and to my surprise he picked it.

    “He spoke as if nothing had happened before but I was not ready to leave it like that so I asked why he ignored me for that long. His response shocked me. He said I was his girlfriend just for the youth service period that he couldn’t continue the relationship.”

    The shocker

    Then he added that: “Moreover the smell that oozes out of your mouth cannot make me continue. I cannot take you home to my parents or friends at home because your mouth smells. That is the reason I avoided kissing you in Owerri. I only stayed with you because of your beauty.”

    Seyi said she was prepared for a break-up but wasn’t prepared for the insult.  If she wasn’t ignorant about her halitosis, she would have definitely visited a dentist before going to Owerri.

    According to her, she had never visited a dentist in her life and had always thought that halitosis could never be managed by anybody.

    Another sufferer who posted her ordeal on a medical platform online said: “I suffer from mild and sometimes sever post nasal drip and around the end of March I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and took a course of antibiotics. It helped with eliminating the migraines I was suffering from and getting rid of the post nasal drip. At that time I didn’t focus on my breath, so I assumed I was fine.

    “Sometime that month, I suffered from a half erupted wisdom tooth, and developed a flap of gum. There was no pain or inflammation, but the minutes that took place I started noticing some changes in my breath.  Now post nasal drip is back, mucus is also present in my throat, plus a nasty taste in my mouth.

    “I also noticed some reactions from people, and it makes me feel so bad. Even after I brush and chew gum, I feel I am still getting reactions. I’m so paranoid lately as I constantly smell my breath, and the funny part is I get annoyed when I don’t smell anything.

    “I am like I know it is there, but I don’t know what to do. I cannot even say yes to a man because I fear he will leave me because of the smell.”

    Hearing from an expert

    According to Dr. Victor Nwabudike, Chairman, Product Committee, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), bad breath, which is called Halitosis or fetor Oris or as the man on the street will call it ‘mouth odour’ is a term that is used to describe unpleasant odour that is exhaled in breathing or when a person talks.

    According to him, it is grouped into non-pathologic, pathologic and psychogenic halitosis. The pathologic is the one that shows that the person has a disease condition, the non-pathologic is when there is no disease condition and psychogenic has to do with a mental condition.

    “For the pathologic causes too we have oral and non-oral. The oral pathologic causes are the disease of the mouth- parentheses, oral oscillation, decays and other diseases of the mouth.

    “The non-oral causes are the systemic cause like diabetes, local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailments can cause bad breath.

    “The non- pathologic cause is usually physiologic and usually temporal. They are caused by the normal metabolic function like when you eat garlic, onions, drinking of alcohol or smoking.

    “For the psychogenic halitosis, the patient feels he or she has bad breath but in the real sense there is no bad breath. It is usually caused by a psychiatric disorder. Usually when we manage such a patient, we do it along side our psychiatric doctors; and usually such a patient comes in with accompany conditions like depression and anxiety.

    “For treatment of pathologic, we look at what may have triggered it and treat collectively, that is attack it so if diabetes is the cause of the halitosis, we will treat the diabetes.

    “For diagnosis, we listen to the person’s history but now we have a device called Halimeter which is a sophisticated gas sensor used to measure the VSC in the mouth, essentially quantifying bad breath in parts per billion.

    “The medical device tells you and your dentist whether you have mouth odour and at what level. It’s a distinction that in almost all cases individuals can’t determine on their own. The device makes diagnosis, easier and faster

    “On prevention, we basically advise our patients to improve their hygiene by doing regular scaling and polishing, use the right toothbrush and tooth paste, brush twice a day, visit the dentist twice a year and use the brushing technique when brushing. Your dentist will teach you the brushing technique.”

  • ‘Tourism is all about service’

    ‘Tourism is all about service’

    Akpan Itoro, General Manager of  Success Villa Luxury Hotel in Calabar,the  Cross River State capital, has come a long way in the hospitality industry. Akpan, who started out at Nanet Hotels Limited in Kaduna, has worked at Benue Hotel, Makurdi, Serengeti Hotel and Hotel El–Sasso. He speaks with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME on the relevance of tourism to the economy, the impact of Calabar Carnival on the state, tourism and security challenges.  

    How relevant is tourism to the growth of the nation’s economy?

    Tourism generally is all about the provision of required services to tourists. These services may include but not limited to accommodation, transportation, information and entertainment.

    Tourists as we all know are those who engage in traveling for pleasure, researches, recreation etc. Thus, it would be right to state here that tourism plays a paramount role in the nation’s economy. Why do I say so? At any angle one may like to look at nation’s economy, tourism is there. Consider the fact that for tourism to boom convergence of tourists from one place to another is a must. Hence transporters benefit from tourism. It is a known fact that a reasonable number of the nation manpower is found in the transport sector of the economy. More-so tourists feed on information, hence in dissemination of information the Mass Media Practitioners are not left out in the business of tourism. Come to think of the number of hotels eateries, recreational spots, ancient or historic edifices; all these places are maintained or run by people and they earn their living from there. For instance in Cross River State there are about three hundred hotels and these hotel are man by a substantial working population of the indigenes and non indigenes alike. Mention should also be made concerning the middle men in the sector; the contractors, suppliers, tour guides, translators etc. Apart from the sector helping to reduce the rate of unemployment, the taxes, levies etc paid by these establishments go a long way to impact positively on the nation’s economy. To add to the above tourism also play a role in attracting foreign exchange to the economy. The foreigners that visit our shore come with hard currency and this goes a long way to strengthen our economy. In summary, it is on record that tourism employs over 1 per cent of the world labour force.

    Considering the state of security in the country, how best can tourism blossom especially in Cross River State?

    Well we all know this is challenging period in the country security wise. But it is never an excuse for us in the sector to allow tourism die. It is on this note that I wish to thank security establishments in particular and the government in general for always organizing workshops and seminars on the developments in the security situations in the state. By so doing we are kept abreast of the right ways to keep the sector blossoming. In my personal opinion let it be known that that security is every body’s responsibility, in other word all hands should be on desk to ensure the safety of our working environment. Having said thus, it would be myopic of tourism employees to leave the entire job of security to only security agencies. One comes to this submission knowing full well that human being  not spirit works in these establishments. Hence since they are humans just like us they depend on the information at their disposal as directed to them to discharge their duties. Of late, terrorists, armed robbers, etc, activities have become worrisome and have even threatened the peace of the country almost on daily bases. Observations and studies have proved that the insurgents are majorly found in hotels, eateries, transport sectors posing as tourists. Hence we in the industry must at all times be alert to thwart their evil mission. It is on this note that I  wish to suggest that employees of this sector should look for under  listed tools or materials used in manufacturing explosives (bomb) in tourism environment, these are empty metal containers, batteries, wires, carbide, players, match boxes or lighters. Also be on the watch over possible places explosives or ammunition could be kept. These places include Public toilets, waste bins etc also one should be apprehensive of abandoned bags and vehicles. For staff working in the service areas, they should watch out for customers who stays for too long over a bottle of drink or taking nothing at all, unfamiliar guests, do everything possible to discourage two same sex guests occupying one room, guests or customers who patronise service areas at odd hours of the day and guests who stay longer than necessary.

    More so, employees should be advised to be observant at all times. Secondly, the golden role of service should be observed  while every suspicious move or object should be reported to appropriate quarters. In conclusion, staff should be encouraged to know security agencies emergency phone numbers and to feel free to call them as at when due. It is my belief that with the above suggestions tourism shall blossom in Cross River State despite the state of security in the country.

    Calabar Carnival is a yearly feast. How has this advanced tourism promotion in the state?

    First of all permit me to use this medium to thank the government of  Mr Donald Duke for taking the initiative to launch the carnival into existence and the subsequent governments for retaining the festival. It is worthy of mentioning here that the festival has been able to place Cross River State in the global tourism map. Apart from that it has also brought to lime light various tourism areas scattered across the state that were hitherto unknown. This bold step has gone a long way in awaking the subconscioussness of investors both within and without the state to invest their resources in the industry. At the backdrop of this, infrastructural development has been in the increase. For instance, the historic sites or monuments are being visited by tourists periodically and other festivals like new yam festivals, age groups festivals are assuming a higher standard in organising and display thereby attracting the attention of so many interest groups in the sector. The carnival has also made the government to construct new roads, motivate investors to embark in the building of world class hotels, conference centers etc. The carnival has also advance tourism development in the area of manpower training and development, because of high demand of good standard and excellence in the industry,  both the government and private sector are into training of personnel in the industry. For instance the monitoring body of tourism in the state (Cross River State Tourism Bureau) has been doing its possible best to ensure that many hotels in the state operate at world level standard. The body is also in the business of organizing workshops and trainings, these help to reposition personnel in the industry professionally and the end result is for the advancement of tourism in the state.

    What are the major hindrances to hospitality business in the state?

    As I did say earlier, the state and the private sector have tried in taking tourism to a new frontier but much still left to be done. There are so many hindrances to hospitality development in the state but the major one is epileptic power supply. This particular challenge has sent many an establishment grumbling. One of the essential services that customers need while patronizing hospitality outfit is constant power supply but unfortunately in the country we have been experiencing incessant power outage. This acts as a great impediment to the growth of the industry having considered the cost of running generator for a greater period of time just to satisfy customers. Another factor that hinders hospitality business in the state is poor road network. It will interest the public to know that some high class hospitality outfits are located in areas that are not motor-able, hence they investors in such businesses find it difficult to make ends meet as a result of poor patronage. Another issue that acts as obstacle to hospitality business is the mind set of some about working in hospitality industry. A lot of people in Nigeria still have this belief that hospitality job is for school drop-outs, prostitutes, less qualified people of the society and as such many do not want to make carrier  of it. Such that the industry lack highly qualified manpower to man top posts in the business, secondly the few qualified ones are not well paid. More so lack of training materials in some of the establishments couple with lack of exposure to modern equipments in the sector.

    Another hindrance in the business is poor funding. Many investors who have the interest of the industry at heart are incapacitated as result of lack of enough funds to actualize their dreams. Finally, excessive levies and what I may call double taxation on hospitality businesses.

    If you were made the commissioner of tourism in the state, what would be your priority?

    My priority would be very simple and clear. First of all I would identify genuine stake holders in the business of tourism then collaborate with relevant authorities to enable them actualise their dreams in the industry. Why would I wish to identify the genuine stake holders first? The reason is that the business of tourism is all about service, hence it is service first before every other thing but on the contrary some investors in the industry aspire to get every other thing before service. As a commissioner, I would do my very best to convince the state government to open tourism based financial institution that is empowered to to assist both  government agencies, private bodies and even individuals to get loans to fund their tourism projects. If Agriculture has a similar institution why not tourism after all statistics show that tourism is competing very well with Agriculture in employment of labour. Secondly, during my tenure I would do  everything possible to erase the erroneous belief that  tourism is for school drop-outs or for those who are not well sound educationally. These I will do by encouraging proper orientation both in schools and offices. Thus encouraging many to make career in the sector just as what is obtainable in many countries of the world. For instance countries like Brazil, Jamaica, Kenya etc are building their economies around tourism. I would also place as my priority putting square pegs in a square hole to show case professionalism. Apart from that accountability would be my watchword because every fund coming the way of my ministry must be judiciously used to proof a point. In a nutshell there are still much to be done with regards to tourism in the state even though the past administrations have achieved much but the industry is in a state of dynamism hence i would embark on research in-order to bring much dividend to government in particular and the society in general.

    What are the unique selling points of Success Villa Luxury Hotel? I mean what separates it from other competitors?

    In one sentence, I would say rendering satisfactory services before monetary rewards has been our watch-word and recognizes God in all our endeavours.

    What are your lessons in the industry?

    I wish to state here that the factor that plays a very prominent role in the survival of the business is the human factor. What I mean is that beautiful edifices, state – of- the- art  furnishing etc do play part in business patronage but service is the ultimate. Yes it is the service rendered that do attract a lot of patronages to a business concern. Hence, much attention should be paid on how we train our staff and how we take care of their welfare. Secondly experience has also taught me that it is not advisable to nurse sentiment while recruiting or employing staff both in the managerial and lower cadre. In summary, ours is service oriented business, from experience I have discovered that one must strive to satisfy clients first before looking for monetary rewards.

  • Odia Ofeimun and the poetics of creative nationalism

    Odia Ofeimun and the poetics of creative nationalism

    In this tribute, Dr Tunji Olaopa writes on renowned poet and writer Odia Ofeimun’s love for Nigeria and his forthcoming books exhibition holding today in Lagos.

    I need to be clear from the beginning what this essay intends. It is a narrative of celebration of someone who has a unique relationship with Nigeria, and from a perspective that is often not recognised even in his own profession. I am talking of Odia Ofeimun the poet of Nigeria. To place this narrative in perspective, I need begin necessarily from a personal angle that details my relationship of envious longing that is devoid of any negativity. Ofeimun is my big brother or if you like my egbon, and so I am permitted to envy him. He has those outstanding sterling qualities that I desire, so I am permitted to covet them. But this is not just some vain covetousness my Bible warned me about; there is a significant context for it.

    There are two dimensions to my envious adulation of Odia Ofeimun. The first occurred in 1987. Shortly after I had commenced my doctoral programme at the department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, one of my esteemed teachers and mentor, Professor Femi Otubanjo, invited me to an interview for a job as a research assistant. It was later that I got the startling understanding that the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was looking for a replacement for his erstwhile personal political secretary, the inimitable Odia Ofeimun. I got the job but papa Awolowo passed on before I could take on the challenge of serving the sage though I managed with a word from the late Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade to have a pre-resumption seminar session with him before exit. Odia Ofeimun was at the height of his creativity when I replaced him, but with hindsight now, I just wonder what sort of replacement I could have been then. So, who wouldn’t become envious, or even annoyed, that you better occupied a position you weren’t given the opportunity to try out (even if trying it out would have showcased one’s inadequacy)? Of course I am envious: Odia occupied a position I would have given everything to take; and he has some significant qualities that would have ensured that I survived what I am certain would have been the rigorous requirements of Chief Awolowo. Unfortunately, I doubt if I had those qualities then, or even now.

    Odia’s book exhibition is the second reason for envy—how I wish I have the books Odia has! How I wish I could collect them all in their rich diversity and deep in their contents. I am a bibliophile, and I collect them as fast as I can, but it is clear to me that I have met more than my match in this person who has made it his lifelong pursuit to make his entire house one huge library. Martin Farquhar Tupper, the British writer, once noted that ‘A good book is the best of friends, the same today and for ever.’ Odia definitely understands this better than I do. When I gave upon the greys on his head and his beards, they seem to inform about the experiences which both life and books have taken him through. That is something to be coveted!

    Odia Ofeimun is a rebellious nationalist who comes to the nationalist struggle for the soul of Nigeria from a unique perspective—poetry. Poetry is not a likeable genre, even for the literary profession. After all, if Brian Patten, the British poet, is to be believed, poetry is ‘the monster hiding in a child’s dark room; it is the scar on a beautiful person’s face.’ Who wants to publish a book of poetry when some other genres guarantee commercial success? And who reads a book of poetry about Nigeria when there are countless political essays and commentaries that we consider can do the job better? But Odia cannot be subdued; he combines the voluptuous sublimity and leanness of poetry with the critical directness of the political essay. These two become the deadly weapon that Ofeimun wields against those—leaders, politicians and even poets—who manipulate the society for their own selfish purposes. For him, the poet cannot lie; and neither can the politicians or anyone else who aspires to leadership.

    Odia Ofeimun writes politically charged poems. Of course, this character flows from his belief that a poet is necessarily a citizen; it is vain to attempt divorcing the two roles from each other. But I suspect that rather than being solely hinged to the political, Odia would rather align with Matthew Arnold understanding of poetry as ‘a criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty.’ I consider it a rather huge achievement to be able to enable a beautiful piece of poetry carry the burden of an engaged sensibility. Odia Ofeimun is such a poet. Poetry is a responsibility that goes beyond the mere architecture of words. W. B. Yeats, the Irish poet, captures this responsibility:

    A line will take us hours maybe; 

    Yet if it does not seem a moment’s thought,

    Our stitching and unstitching has been naught.

    Odia has carried Nigeria in the unfolding bowel of poetry for long. Odia’s muse must surely be a militant when confronted with the gross dysfunction that the Nigerian predicament presents. This predicament excites different reaction from all of us. For most people, the most immediate of these reactions is that of cynicism, the terrible pessimistic refusal to see anything good coming out of Nigeria. For some others, it is abject resignation to fate. The trajectory of my own life—personal and professional—has all the ingredients to lead me to profound pessimism. On the contrary, I chose optimism at the personal and institutional levels. And this is an optimism that strives actively to unfold dynamics of reforms and possibilities by which Nigeria can be reformulated. One recurrent methodological index of my optimism is the critical celebration of national heroes as people, from one generation to another, whose fate have been entwined with Nigeria’s, either by choice or by circumstance. There is no nation that does not need the cantankerous queries and effusive energies of the hero who is always at war with the nation because s/he wants that nation to transcend itself and its achievement. And Nigeria has many of these, dead or alive—Claude Ake, Billy Dudley, Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Tai Solarin, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Kolade, Gani Fawehinmi, Bala Usman, Bolanle Awe, and the younger upcoming role models Chimamanda Adiche, Bukola Elemide ‘Asa’, the list is endless.

    In a forthcoming book that ties all these heroes to the project of national integration and development in Nigeria, I had no difficulty in inviting Odia Ofeimun to write the foreword. That choice is inevitable: He shared the same heroic characteristics with all those I have celebrated. In his own words—in the foreword to my upcoming book—he said he is ‘an irredeemable partisan on the side of the Nigerian Project’ involved in ‘an almost occult pursuit of Nigeria the Beautiful.’

    Odia wields the cudgel of performance poetic that narrates the different dynamics of the Nigerian experience. In the poem ‘National Cakes,’Odia contrasts between the concepts of ‘vultures’ and ‘cakes’ to project a national metaphor that speaks to both the leadership and the followership:

    Vultures don’t bake their national cakes

     They just swoop on the ripe carcass

     of maybe, human cattle

     We too, hate to be bakers

     And so, we despoil the sunrise we seek

    His poetry and his essays speak with thunderous loudness that fears no controversies, and which no government can ever hope to escape. Odia Ofeimun is not just a political poet; I am sure he prefers being known as a revolutionary one; a true poet who, according to Wilfred Own, the British poet, must be truthful. He is a poet whose poetry oscillates between the beautiful and the severe. He drags our imagination about Nigeria into the very depth of the imaginable. I salute you my egbon!

  • ‘Stop promoting Boko Haram’

    ‘Stop promoting Boko Haram’

    In the face of terrorism, distrust and disillusionment, a university teacher, Dr Yinka Olomojobi, has written a book entitled: Frontiers of Jihad, Radical Islam in Africa. The book’s presentation drew high-profile guests to the MUSON Centre, Lagos. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    Why would anybody choose to write a book on terrorism,” Dr Folake Olomojobi had wondered, when her husband, Dr Yinka Olomojobi of Babcock University, first set out to write the book, Frontiers of Jihad, Radical Islam in Africa. Then, she was consumed in fear. Today, her thoughts have changed from fear to pride.

    “Initially, it was weird. I was asking myself: ‘why would you want to do this; wouldn’t you turn out to be a terrorist yourself?’ But as the world news added more spotlight on terrorism, I saw the need for this; and started supporting and paying attention to the work he was doing.

    “It was very time consuming and challenging. It was not easy for all of us. He put in a lot of work: he stayed away from home most of the time as his research took him far from home; he stayed up so many nights, when others things had to be done.

    “But today, we are happy with how it turned out. Whether we like it or not, it is a present reality. And we need people who have been so trained to go into historical reviews, appraise present realities and project into the future. I not only understand the need for the book at such a time as this, I am proud that my husband dedicated his time and knowledge to write it,” she said.

    Her words reflect the feeling at the formal presentation of the controversial book from the stable of Safari Book Ltd at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.

    Dignitaries from within and outside Lagos thronged Agip Recital Hall of the centre for the event.

    Olomojobi’s book focuses on how and why ‘radical Islam’ finds a breeding ground, especially in Africa. Structured into two parts, it consists of 10 chapters. The first part, Exploring the Frontiers of Jihad, has four chapters, the second, Radical Islam in Africa, consists of six chapters and an epilogue.

    With terrorism on the rise globally, any book, such as Olomojobi’s that seeks to throw more light on ways of curbing it is commendable, guests said.

    Like Dr Folake, many at the event praised the author for approaching the issue from an intellectual point of view. They observed that “guns alone will not defeat the insurgents, neither will nuclear armaments”. Success in the fight against terrorism, especially in Nigeria, “remains an illusion as long as sponsors and godfathers of terrorists occupies government positions, wine and dine with those who claimed to be fighting insurgency”, they said.

    They called for the prosecution of all those allegedly linked to Boko Haram, urging  Nigerians to stop promoting insurgency and the insurgents by calling them “Islamic radicals”.

    On the line-up of eminent guests were Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Babatunde Bakare; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, represented by Dr Adeleke Ipaye; Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria, Prof Dawud Noibi; veteran journalist, Aare ‘Lekan Alabi; Justice G. C. Okeke (rtd) and Executive Chairman, CEO of Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout.

    Also in attendance were the author’s parents, Prof Zach and Justice Rebecca Olomojobi.

    Fashola, chairman of the event, noted that linking acts of terror with criminality gave rise to what is now known globally as “Radical Islam”. Fashola called for a collective fight against the insurgents.

    “The biggest risk of succumbing to this propaganda is to put a religion on trial while expecting its adherents to join the fight against criminals. There is such a word as ‘Radical Islam’. The simple truth is we have allowed the voices of a few criminals to rise above that of billions of law abiding global citizens. I would say it is ‘Radical Dis-Islamisation’. What we are dealing with is a new wave of crime, by criminals who seem to have an edge because of the need for a new global legal order and the gaps created by globalisation.

    “Guns alone will not defeat them, neither will nuclear armaments. It is our collective understanding and our collective agreements that this has nothing to do with religion, it is our development of the appropriate counter-messaging, it is our collective resolve to stop helping to promote their brand, by calling their names, that will expose them for what and who they are, and help us to defeat them,” he said.

    Fashola described Olomojobi’s book as a “seminal work” that answers some burning questions in his heart. The questions, the former governor said, were inspired by a report on Cable News Network (CNN) that North Korea was threatening war on South Korea and an American professor was bought on set to proffer intelligence on North Koreans. And just as he was set to provoke a debate on Nigeria’s university dons/experts and the localisation of knowledge of other African states with the mind of providing intelligence that would form the basis of national security and economic decisions, he got the invitation to attend Olomojobi’s book presentation.

    He said: “I hope it challenges others to respond; because if we take the power of knowledge seriously, we would be reorganising Nigerian universities, encouraging and sponsoring scholars to specialise and do seminal work diverse areas of national and global interests. I am not suggesting that these things do not exist but think if we have more information on terrorism and terrorist groups, it would assist the security services to deal with the terror problems we are currently facing.”

    Bakare, the chief launcher, said the fight against insurgents should be a collective one. He called for the empowerment of more scholars to do such research.

    He said: “I appreciate the contribution of Fashola in separating Islam from radicalism. I was born and raised a Muslim right in the heart of Sokoto; and we still have Muslims in my family. We don’t kill ourselves. Several years ago my uncle was Sarkin Yoruba right in the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto. We live in harmony. And those who are taking advantage of us, we must join hands together to push them out of our quarters.

    “And I trust that we can genuinely do that when we have accurate information so that we do not begin to suspect ourselves. My job is to present the book to you.

    “Thank God for the book has just been presented today. I believe that it would be a good instrument in the hand of those who are in charge of our security. It’d give them insight to look at the mind-set of the people behind the Boko Haram insurgency. “As soon as I held the book, I went straight to chapter eight, Opening the Pandora’s Box of Boko Haram, I browse through and said ‘whoa!’ what an insight.  I pray our nation would begin to focus attention and give tools like Dr Olomojobi to do what they are trained to do so that we can collectively benefit from their genuine efforts.”

    Prof Noibi said the insurgents did not represent Islam. The professor also called for cooperation of all Nigerians to fight insurgency.

    He said: “This well-researched book focuses on the subject which is very important to every Nigerians. Coming from a Christian that is writing on an aspect of Islam, shows that we can live together peacefully with mutual understanding which has been lacking. The important thing to note is that those who carry out evil activities in the name of religion cannot be said to represent Islam which the author has well-explained.

    “I think that this message should be spread across the country so that we learn to show respect one another for the benefit of Nigeria. I believe that if we all unite to fight insurgency and extremism, it is the totality of the Nigerian population that would benefit.

    While blaming the past administration for popularity the terrorist groups have gained thus far, the reviewer of the book, Dr Laja Odukoya said, Olomojobi’s book provides an anatomical dissection of the mode of operations and networks of terrorist groups in Africa.

    He observed further that the book calls attention to the mutation of terrorist and terrorism through exploiting the instrumentality of Internet possibility for training in weapons and self-radicalisation.

    “I find his suggestions of a revised process of de-radicalisation through the same process by which an individual becomes radicalised and the application of African and International solutions to the terrorists challenge logical and illuminating.

    “It is thus apposite to argue that leadership failure, maladministration, cluelessness and corruption of the Goodluck Jonathan administration contributed in no small measure to the monumental crisis and national embarrassment that the Boko Haram has become,” he said.

    The event was steered by Mr Seyi Apampa, a lawyer and colleague of the author.

     

  • Twin brothers’ legacy for media

    Twin brothers’ legacy for media

    In every profession, there are those whose contributions and actions play critical roles in the growth of such human endeavour. Often times, such individuals help shape and define the trends and practices and thereby become masters of the trade. This, perhaps, informed the choice of 50 world journalists that make Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe’s book entitled 50 World Editors (conversations with journalism masters on trends and best practices.

    But, who are these world class masters of the pen profession? Your guess is as good as mine. They are drawn from top flight media organisations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The 628-page book is a compilation of conversations with the masters on issues ranging from day-to-day schedules of practising journalists to what defines a news, what defines a front page story, quality of news, tips for success as a reporter, core values of a media house, the defining story of a reporter, and many more. In all, the conversations though share many things in common, reveal some interesting stories about some editors and their media organisations, including personal experiences.

    But, the book, which is a result of the authors’ ten years of traversing the globe interviewing key players in the industry, is not all about editors, but top media players some of them at the apex of the media pole-publishers, presidents, managing editors, editor-in-chiefs, editors, bureau chiefs, line editors and correspondents who made great marks in journalism. The scope is all embracing as it covers practitioners in print, broadcast journalism and international news agencies such as Reuters, AFP and Globalpost. The book is ‘ultimately biographical in the sense that each of the candidates featured in this collection shares his or her own journalism story and in so doing, reflects on the diverse aspects of the practice and precepts of journalism in different generations covering different countries.’

    To the authors, the book is a lived experience rather than a pedantic narrative of scholarly exploration, capturing similarities, diversities and sociological nuances of media operations in different countries of the world.

    Published in 2014 by Corporate Biographers Limited, the book is in three sections A to C, with The Americas having 20 of the 50 masters, while Europe has 19 and Africa and Asia share 11 masters. Nigeria’s newspaper legend Alhaji Babatunde Ajose of the old Daily Times led the pack of masters featured in Section C that comprises Africa/Asia alongside Segun Osoba, Nduka Obaigbena Thisday newspaper), John Momoh (Channels TV), Dele Olojede, Bayo Onanuga (The News magazine), Joseph Odindo (Nation Media Group, Kenya), Ferial Haffajee (Mail & Guardian South Africa among others.

    From The Americas and Europe Sections A and B are masters such as Michael Goodwin (New York Daily News), Jill Abramson (New York Times), Chris Cramer (former President CNN), Alan Rusbridger (The Guardian UK),  Robert Thomson (The Times UK), Victor de la Serna (El Mundo, Spain) and Alan Johnston (BBC Correspondent).

    On the challenges of being editor of Daily Times at the era of Nigeria attaining independence, Alhaji Jose said: “We published a paper that was trusted by the readers. To be trusted you have to show the integrity of a leader. The people knew that I had no political ambition. I had access and was consulted by highly placed government functionaries, prime ministers, presidents. So they know that whatever we did, it was not because I am a Yoruba man. They had seen the paper openly attacking Chief Obafemi Awolowo-the leader of the Yorubas.”

    But given the content of the book, it can be described as the ‘most encyclopedic book on global journalism.’ It ranks among publications such as Martin Walker’s 1982 award winning book, Powers of the press: The World’s Great Newspapers. Apart from that, one unique character of the book is that it presents the journalistic views of the world editors in their own words.

    Again, the public presentation of the book at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos on September 15 was more than a launch. It brought together veterans in the industry to celebrate a worthy product, an effort that would gladden the heart of the late Igwe in great beyond. However, some oversights were noticed in the compilations. For instance, the retaining of late Dimgba Igwe’s email and telephone number suggests the book had gone to press with all the information before the death of Igwe. But, classifying Gillian Tett (Financial Times, USA) under Europe is an avoidable error of proof reading. If charity, they say, begins at home, 11 masters interviewed in Africa/Asia combined is an under-representation by the book, especially when considered against the conditions under which these media operate. Or is it a case of get one, you get all? Nigeria and indeed Africa deserves more representations in the book.

    Notwithstanding, the book is a legacy of a sort for the media industry, which makes it a must read for all-students of journalism, politicians and other professionals. 50 World Editors is a well-packaged book with clean quality prints and is a collector’s item any day. It will be useful for researchers, media operators and practicing journalists irrespective of generation or region of practice.

  • Exposing the tricks in politics

    Exposing the tricks in politics

    In this book, the author took excursion into the chequered history of Nigeria right from 1914 Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates and Lagos Colony into a geographical expression called Nigeria. The country became a conglomeration of people from diverse cultures and orientations, customs and traditions, religions and world outlook.

    Incidentally, the features of ethnic and cultural contradictions rather than become a source of strength and unity seem to have become Nigeria’s albatross as it is still grappling with the problem of nationhood after over 100 years of the amalgamation.  And to address the attendant uneven power equation and distribution inherent in the system which had created tension and fear of domination by any particular group, some phrases had been coined.

    Ozekhome borrowed the title of the book from one of such coinages by Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe, the most grandiloquent politician of the Second Republic who used the term, Zoning To Unzone, in his National Party of Nigeria to address the vexed issue of zoning the presidency in Nigeria as a recipe to douse the fear of the minority groups or a section of the country to lord it over other parts.

    In the book, Ozekhome synthesises the arguments generated by both protagonists and antagonists of zoning, exploring the perspectives of law and national history. He examines the issues of the Fiscal Federalism, Federal Character and the intense competition for power, resource control and derivation by different ethnic nationalities. He also discusses the vexed issues of rotational presidency and devolution of power.

    Ozekhome posits that the continuous controversy generated about zoning is simply a ploy by the political elite to partition the country into fiefdoms and share her booty; that it is all about sharing the national cake, not bothering about baking it.

    The book throws light into the reason zoning had been fervently canvassed and advocated to be the core of political scheme of things in the country, highlighting the remote and immediate causes of the great debate.  The legal luminary writes that while it seems logical to conclude that zoning has been muted by political actors and which was to be in a continual state of political evolution in Nigeria, the word did not come into prominent usage until the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.  Ozekhome observes that after his death “Political Samurais unsheathed their swords, whipping up ethnic, sectional and regional sentiments to create an atmosphere of political uncertainty while gleefully riding on the word ‘zoning’.”

    Ozekhome warns that the way and manner the concept is used or rather misused has the tendency of creating situations capable of cataclysmic effects thereby leaving the polity at the mercy of regressive forces.

    Of particular interest is the Chapter Four in which he critically examined and analysed the link between Boko Haram terrorism that has been ravaging the North East Nigeria and the politics of zoning.

    Ozekhome points the way forward.  He submits unequivocally that the assumption that the principle of power rotation and zoning are mutually exclusive is patently fallacious.  He insists that one actually presupposes the other, observing that the thought of giving every citizen and zone a sense of belonging and inclusiveness in the government of the country through rotation actually necessitated the concept of zoning.

    He contends that zoning without power rotation is meaningless and irrelevant in the political scheme of things in Nigeria; that zoning standing on its own, is no more than systemic quest to maintain the status quo thereby defeating the actual reason for the evolution of the concept.  He says that even the PDP which saw the wisdom of inserting the word zoning in its constitution never contemplated the subject in isolation of rotation.

    Ozekhome submits that there is no zone in Nigeria that has the exclusive right to access the Presidency of Nigeria to the exclusion of all others.  He argues that though zoning among the six geopolitical zones is not recognised by the 1999 Constitution, the same constitution which allows every Nigerian to aspire to the presidency, does not also state expressly the manner and order it should take.  He contends that the constitution therefore does not prohibit the concept of rotation or principle of zoning, which brings about orderliness and a sense of belonging to and hope by all segments of the society that it would one day be their turn to govern.

     

     

    “This brings about patriotism and a sense of nationalism.  Were we to use majoritorial or numerical strength alone, some of the country would lord it over others for ever, while some other will be perpetually dominated and subjugated,” he says.

    The author concludes by saying that rotational presidency and zoning help to unite the heterogeneous, religious, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of Nigeria that consists of many nationalities.

    He therefore recommends for all Nigerians of whatever gender, religion, language, ethnic group, state in life, circumstances of birth, academic and cultural backgrounds the philosophy of live and let live, and learn the principle of zoning to unzone.

    The book is very relevant in the contemporary politics of Nigeria.  For students, teachers of Nigerian History, Politics and Government, any one aspiring to the leadership of Nigeria and all patriotic Nigerians, Zone To Unzone is a must read.

    The book has the touch of a master. It is written in lucid and easy to understand language which only a person with exceptional communication skills can accomplish. The organisation of facts, printing and layout of the book are superb and done with clinical finesse. All bear the mark of professionalism.

    The book has four postscripts. The first and second deal with the South South Quest for President: The search for Equity, Justice and Fair play and the intrigues that preceded the 2015 General Elections and the limits of President’s power to declare state of emergency.  Postscript four relives the author’s traumatic experience in the hand of kidnappers.

    Chief Ozekhome, a radical lawyer and leading Human Rights Crusader  brought his commitment and dint of hard-work and perseverance to bear in this work.

    The pro-democracy campaigner, public affairs analyst reputed for being the nemesis of many opposing Counsel, Ozekhome, is deep in the knowledge of the Law and procedures and is a flamboyant master of advocacy and researcher who deploys the product of his insatiable appetite for knowledge even in fields outside the Law, to dust formidable opponents in the law courts.

    As a student and lover of philosophy, literature, history and the scriptures, Ozekhome has a way with words and possesses profound oratorical skills which enable him to strike the right chord, while painting mentally-recorded picture with words.

     

     

  • ‘Tourism is the greatest employer’

    ‘Tourism is the greatest employer’

    Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has described tourism as the greatest employer. She said the corporation under her would ensure practical development and promotion of domestic tourism, which will propel job creation, develop the nation’s economy and raise social awareness on cultural preservation and environmental protection.

    Mbanefo spoke at this year’s World Tourism Day, with the theme, 1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities, held in Enugu State which  underscored the role  of  tourism  sector  as  a  valuable  and sustainable  source  of  livelihood  for  millions  of  people.

    “Nigeria has a better advantage over so many other countries to benefit from tourism. We have the advantage of population. Tourism contributes 10% to the global GDP but as at now, Nigerian is not fully benefiting from tourism like other countries. For instance, 4,333,000 tourism visited Nigeria in 2013, which contributed about 4 per cent to our GDP, while tourism contributes 17.7 per cent to the GDP of Gambia; 13 per cent to Egypt; 12 per cent to Kenya; 11.9 per cent to Mexico; 9 per cent to South Africa, and 6 per cent to Cuba.

    “We need to know that Nigeria should focus more on tourism as the best alternative to oil, with domestic tourism as the catalyst. I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people. Have you ever wondered why most diplomats, after serving their terms chose to stay back in Nigeria? It is because of the warmth and friendliness of our people, environment and potentials,” she said.

    Mbanefo, who emphasised that the potential of tourism in Nigeria is N4billion prayed that government should take privatisation to the next level, which according to her will facilitate further facilitate an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria.

    The NTDC boss lauded the Enugu State government for making tourism alive in the state, describing the state as a hub of eco-tourism.

    Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, described tourism as the way forward for Nigeria. She noted that the Ministry is, on a daily basis, intensifying efforts at ensuring the money spinning sector is well developed and promoted in Nigeria, to ensure Nigerians, among the people of other countries, maximally benefit from the potentials of tourism.

    The Group Managing Director, Viko Nigeria Group of Companies Limited, Mr Lucky Kanu, expressed the readiness of his company to further support NTDC in promoting domestic tourism, thereby creating more jobs and wealth in Nigeria.

    “Our partnership with NTDC could be best described as demonstration of a successful practice of public private partnership in Nigeria, as the partnership has yielded opening of information desks in about six states in Nigeria, while we are working on a new project that will create over 500,000 jobs for the youth in every state of Nigeria,” Kanu said.

     

  • Obasanjo, Senator Tinubu for hoteliers’ retreat

    Obasanjo, Senator Tinubu for hoteliers’ retreat

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Remi Tinubu and governors of Southwest are among dignitaries expected at the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria (HAN) Southwest zonal retreat holding in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, between October 13 and 15.

    A statement by the association’s Public Relation Officer Mr. Jamiu Talabi said the maiden business retreat which will hold at Indices Suites and Garden, Onikolobo, in Abeokuta, Ogun state is parts of measures towards fulfilling some of the mandates of the association.

    He listed the mandates to include promoting the hotel industry towards sustainable development and efficient resources management, understanding of the principles and practices and effective service delivery through deployment of modern management skills and capacities.

    According to him, the retreat with the theme ‘Promoting industry growth, efficient resource management, service delivery and stakeholders relationship through a virile, functional and responsive regional hoteliers platform is to create a synergy for the growth and development of the industry through a viable partnership business network amongst the various players operating within the hospitality value chains.

    He said, ‘‘it will also create awareness about the existence of the association and promote its immediate and future acceptance by the various stakeholder publics. It will also emphasise on the commitment of the association to the improvement of individual and corporate well–being of its members.’’

    Managing Director, MV Consulting Limited, Mr. Akin Bashiru (the firm in charge of the Retreat) said that the 3-day retreat will feature paper presentations by former President of HOPSEA and Company Secretary EKO Hotel and Suites, Lagos Chief Samuel Alabi and Comrade Denja Yaqub, Assistant Secretary Nigerian Labour Congress while Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria and Mr Bimbo Olaleye of International Breweries are also expected to deliver goodwill messages.

    According to him, the event will also feature dinner and award night, where dignitaries including wife of the governor of Ogun State Mrs. Olufunso Amosun,,and  founder of Uplift Development  Foundation,Chief Alaba Lawson, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Erelu Olusola Obada, and Mrs.Folashade Afolabi, Executive Chairman, SIFAX Off-Dock will be given awards for their roles in the growth of the industry.

     

  • Visual artist performs on stage

    Recently, a conceptual Nigerian artist was compelled to create a piece of an artwork live on stage. The audience watched him for more than three hours as he occupied his white canvas with layers of acrylic paints and other objects.

    When the artist mounted the stage of the main auditorium of University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos; he asked the audience to provide for him any item with them which they consider useless. Biscuit papers, nylon, newspaper and other wastes were dropped on the stage for him.

    Not minding the short period given to him, the image you are looking at was the result of Kelani Abass’ effort on the stage titled Hear Us, which is also the theme for the maiden edition of Art Through 2015.

    It takes an artist a minimum of one week and maximum of three months if not even more to create a piece of artwork in the comfort of his studio. “It was difficult for me to accept to paint in front of the audience on the stage for about three hours,” he said,  “Ordinarily I spend close to four weeks on a piece of art, but I took  up the challenge because I wanted to step out of my studio.”

    Abass described his experience as wonderful. The work would be sold later and the money will be donated to charity so said Ini Dan Nkang, the CEO of Brother Art Production and the man who conceived the whole idea. “This event is as a result of a burning desire I have long conceived within me and to the glory of God we are all here to witness this burning desire of mine,” he said.

    The visual arts and the Nigerian artists have been demoted, according to Nkang, to the background in comparison to other creative arts such as the music arts, comic arts, theatre art and other performing art. He said the aim on the concert was bring the visual artist, music artists, theatre artistes and other performing artists to perform together on the stage, and this he was able to achieve.

    Though attendance was not encouraging but the organisers were optimistic that the hall will not be enough to contain people in subsequent editions. Tony Biyi Boyede was project manager while Durodola Yusuf was the Creative Director of the concert.

    Present at the concert were Samuel Bassey who represented the Akwa Ibom State Ministry for Culture and Tourism, The President of Society of Nigerian Artists, Oliver Enwonwu,  Akeju Temidayo Oluseun who represented The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Service) University of Lagos, Professor Duro Oni, amongst others.

  • King Baabu berths in Lagos

    King Baabu, Professor Wole Soyinka’s political allegory on the deeds of the Late General Bach Abach is a play to watch.  It dissects all the characteristic tendencies that made that era ever memorable in the annals of Nigeria.  The play was staged at Terra Kulture, Lagos, last weekend.  Edozie Udeze reports.

    It is quintessential Soyinka, a play heavily accentuated with the inanities of an era; an era Nigerians, mostly those who are old enough to recount can never forget in a hurry.  The play, King Baabu, is an allegory, a political allegory, full of the those troubling issues that would have plunged the nation into an unprecedented confusion and darkness if the hand of fate did not wade in to save the nation at that point in time.

    The play, written by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka mounted the stage last weekend in Lagos for obvious reasons.  It is to remind the people about the inordinate ambition of the Late General Bach Abach, one man who wanted to destroy the society due to his own stubbornness in order to remain in office.  The play is indeed an exposition of those things he did that counted against the interest of the people and consequently slowed down the progress of the society.  It was a damnable form of audaciousness in which personal interest and self-aggrandizement overtook and overrode national interest and patriotism and nationalism.

    On stage, the Bach everybody knew for his various forms of antics and inconsistent character showed himself clearer.  The play began with the sounding of the military trumpet to show that an era was to begin.  A supreme council meeting was in place with obviously general Baba in charge.  Down in the background was Bach Abach as the second in-command and the minister of Agriculture, who swore to create bulging stomachs.

    It was obvious he had reasonable powers and influence to wield in this regime.  But he was not satisfied because his wife Moriam kept prodding him on to strike.  “How can you be in-charge of goats and cows and be satisfied with it while the other man sits on petroleum?  Dambanza!”, she coursed Bach who did not immediately see why he should overthrow his man.  However, as the issue began to seep into his consciousness, the idea began also to make sense to him.  But he waited; he knew how to wait, building loyalties and military blocs here and there to solidify his position and hold.

    That opportunity soon came but before then lives had been lost as the strength of the army had even begun to wane.  But the people were not comfortable with the Bach Abach leadership.  In earnest, the agitation for democracy began.  It was clear most Nigerian leaders who spoke with two mouths visited the general at night to curry for favour and in the daytime called for democracy.  Abach was beside himself with fury for he could not understand the inconsistency in the minds of bloody civilians.  “Yes,” he said to their labour leaders and some rights activists, “I am a man of the grassroots.  I grew up in the grassroots and therefore rooted in the grass.  Is that not what you want; a man who has roots?” he asked, as the pressure intensified.

    He went on:  “My policy is to give you operation feed the stomach.  I will feed you; I will provide food plenty so that I will eradicate hunger from your belle, you bloody hungry civilians,” he howled at the leaders who swarmed like bees round him, some afraid, while others were made to bend to his whims and caprices.  Sycophancy was their greatest undoing that they began to urge Abach to transform into a civilian head of state.  This he did right on stage by pulling a huge civilian dress atop his military khaki uniform.

    Then came the marabouts who pelted him with more confounding entreaties.  They looked into his crystal ball to tell him what to do to remain in power.  As he quarreled more often with Moriam who wielded so much influence on him, so did his son infiltrate into power to imitate his father by torturing and subjecting more ‘enemies’ of the state to undue trauma and torture.  At this time, fear reigned supreme.

    Soyinka deployed all the necessary theatrical armour to produce a total satire.  It is a political satire imbued with deep recourse into the past.  No one else could have done it better.  As a world-class playwright, Soyinka followed every bit of an era, an innocuous era for that matter to produce a play that would make you laugh from the beginning to the end.  It is incisive, it is exciting and audacious in all sense of theatrical presentation and performance.  No wonder soon after it was written, Soyinka immediately became a marked man, hunted by Abach.

    Sola Adenugba who produced the play said it was chosen to show the people how democracy was fought and won in Nigeria.  “It is to show the role of the military and how some brave Nigerians stuck to their guns even in the face of terrible threats to their lives.  This is why we produce what we call live theatre on Sundays to help people unwind and relax.”

    In 2009, the live theatre project was born by Adenugba and others to shift emphasis to stage and see how people who love plays could use the opportunity to come out at weekends.  This is why in and out of season, they choose plays that have deep meanings and topical lessons to convey to the people.  King Baabu has been running for a while now, not only because it is to celebrate Soyinka but because it has more engaging issues in the lives of the people.

    Before the advent of Abach, many thought it would be impossible to have that sort of scenario in Nigeria.  But he became His imperial majesty, Emperor and Field Marshal, holding everybody hostage.  His own life was not safe, for he did not feel secured anywhere.  Yet this happened and Soyinka has made it lots clearer via theatre.