The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Help! Drug addiction is growing

    With worrisome statistics that more and more of teenagers and youth are getting addicted to drugs, experts are calling for concerted efforts by the government to rid the nation of the scourge, writes FEMI OGUNSHOLA

    A new pandemic is raging and ravaging the active population of the nation – youths and experts are worried that the right attention is not yet drawn to it or strategies in place to arrest the scourge.

    Neuro-psychiatrists are raising the alarm that drugs and drug addiction have left even its traditional space and slipping into primary and secondary schools across the country.

    Checks revealed that in many public schools, even teenagers are becoming dangerously hooked to mind-bending drugs. They are therefore urging parents to be more involved in child-rearing and not leave the grooming of their children or wards to teachers.

    Dr Yusuf Misau, Department of Community Medicine, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, said addiction in whatever form has become a silent reality that Nigerians should worry about.

    He said that “drug abuse is a curse on the society because it comes at heavy cost with terrible implication on the individual and the community at large.

    Experts at a workshop on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction to national development decried the involvement of Nigerian youths in the deviant act.

    They blamed the prevalence of the act partly on poor parental upbringing and bad peer group influences, among others.

    Participants at a capacity building workshop, organised by Green Crescent Health Development, in collaboration with the International Federation of Green Crescent, were drawn from community-based non-governmental organisations.

    The theme of the workshop is: “Universal Addiction Advocacy Campaign Intervention.”

    The United Nations Office on Crime and Drugs (UNODC), listed cannabis sativa as the most abused drug in Nigeria, by youths between 20-29 years.

    Dr Mohammed Audi, the President of Green Crescent Health Development, stressed the need to support drug addiction prevention and also invest in the youths and other vulnerable population.

    The prevention campaign, according to him is aimed at promoting healthy behaviour.

    Audi said that keeping drug use prevalence low and continually reducing it remained the best prevention, noting that preventing harm from occurring in the most cost-effective.

    He also said drug policies must be “human rights-based, gender-sensitive and age-appropriate.’’

    Mr Khaleel Abdullahi, a legal practitioner, said drug problem is as old as man, noting that no society is immune to the negative consequences of illicit drugs.

    Read Also: Drug abuse: Killing Nigeria softly

    He, however, said the issue assumed worrisome dimensions at the end of the Second World War, following the return of some Nigerian soldiers from Burma and India.

    Abdullahi said some of the soldiers returned home with the seeds of the cannabis sativa which they experimented, and discovered it could grow well in some parts of the country.

    He noted that, with time, the cultivation of cannabis sativa became popular, while the consumption also expanded.

    He added that addiction, in all its ramifications remained the principal cause of low productivity, social vices, crimes, diseases, upheavals, suicide and political rascality especially in developing society.

    Abdullahi said that substance addiction, such as drugs and alcohol cause clinical and functional impairments and disability, which sometimes lead to failure to meet major responsibilities.

    According to him, behavioural addiction is what an individual learns over time and becomes part of such individual, which include gambling, playing cards, chess and ludo, among others.

    “Technological addiction is otherwise known as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a new phenomenon, but already taking a new dimension in health practice.’’

    He noted that though alcohol addiction is part of substance addiction, Nigerian law permits the licensing of breweries and beer parlours.

    The only warning it gives according to the lawyer is, “Drink responsibly” or “Do not drink and drive.”

    He stated that technological addiction, according to Nigerian law, is yet to be regulated, the duration somebody stays online or on a particular site, or a site where a child should not visit.

    On gambling and other games of chance, he stated that Nigerian law is not discouraging gambling, but rather encourage it.

    According to him, Nigerian law does not frontally address tobacco addiction, even with the existence of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015.

    “Companies are only asked to advertise that smoking kills or the failed attempt that no one should smoke in public gatherings.’’

    The legal practitioner noted that these statements were too charitable, adding that the implementation of the act is required to address addiction.

    Abdullahi also said that the campaign on addiction prevention should be taken down to all strata of the society, especially schools where the leaders of tomorrow are being groomed.

    He called on government agencies entrusted with the mandate to fight addiction to live up to their responsibilities and ensure they recruit the right people for the jobs.

    “Whether chemical, behavioural or digital, is a scourge not only in the individual’s brain, but also on the vast majority of communities in Nigeria and the majority of concerned citizens crave to live in communities free from addiction and addiction-related harm.’’

    Dr Tajudeen Abiola of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, called for a comprehensive community-wide action to curb the problem.

    He said the problem should be solved through an integrated and evidenced-based approach, adding that there must be community involvement.

    According to him, we are painfully aware of the destructive impact of alcohol, tobacco and gambling industries in the country.

    “We are deeply concerned about the emergence of online gaming, among others, that promote drug use and e-gaming for private profit, causing substantial harm, especially to the youths and vulnerable group.’’

    Mr Abdullahi Baba-Husseini, Assistant Comptroller General, Narcotics (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the collective effort was the only panacea to addressing the challenges of substance abuse.

    He disclosed that no fewer than 14 per cent of Nigerians abuse different substances through addiction.

    He listed the substances mostly abused as Tramadol, Benylin with codeine, adding that a high percentage of women were involved in drug abuse.

    He said the agency has stepped up strategies to create awareness on drug abuse and its dangers, and called on state governments to include drug education in the school curriculum.

    He said with the inclusion of drug education in the school curriculum, young people would be aware of the dangers inherent in indiscriminate drug use.

    Baba-Husseini added that with rising population, the agency had low manpower to tackle the growing addiction, stressing that more partnership was needed to tackle drug addiction in the country.

    Ogunshola is of the News Agency of Nigeria

  • How Masari’s dialogue caged banditry, kidnapping in Katsina

    The resolve by Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State to engage bandits and kidnappers in the state in dialogue appears to have paid off as evident in the quick return of peace and reconciliation in the state, AUGUSTINE OKEZIE writes.

    The option of dialogue as a way out of the insecurity that held Katsina State by the jugular was first blown open by Governor Aminu Bello Masari on August 29 when he engaged representatives of bandits, killer herdsmen and community elders from the eight frontline local government areas in the state with a view to finding a permanent solution to the incessant attacks and kidnappings that have gripped the state for some time.

    The meeting, which was held at the state secretariat, also had in attendance the heads of security agencies, the Deputy Governor Alhaji Manir Yakubu, traditional rulers and districts heads, led by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman; the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa; transition committee chairmen of the affected front line local government areas and representatives of the association of cattle rearers popularly called Myyeti Allah.

    The Nation gathered at the meeting that attendance by representatives of the bandits was made possible by the recent amnesty declared by North West governors at a recent meeting held in the state.

    Masari, who spoke in Hausa, had warned at the meeting that the insecurity rocking the affected local government areas (LGAs) in the state had become embarrassing to both the state government and President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also an indigene of the state, adding: “Enough is enough!”

    He further restated the commitment of his government to deploy whatever means possible in dealing decisively and ruthlessly with the activities of bandits and kidnappers in the state. He also expressed the belief that securing the lives and property of Katsina citizens lies not only in the hands of government or security personnel but also in everyone.

    A stronger indication of his willingness to dialogue irrespective of location or environment was clearly indicated in his decision to meet with bandits wherever they invited him to, since he was not afraid to meet with anyone that could end the problem

    He said: “As a leader, I must find the solution to the problem of my people, so that if today I die, I know how to defend myself before God. I will not allow this to continue. Enough is enough. I have directed the security operatives to take all necessary measures to change the narrative on insecurity in the state by any means necessary.”

    Tortuous journey to dialogue

    Travelling to the hideouts and dubious strongholds of bandits to dialogue with them was one of the most challenging and daring journeys Governor Aminu Bello Masari had undertaken. Not a few people in the state had expected that arrangements would be made to bring the bandits to the comfort zone of the governor. But they were disappointed because the governor rather chose to go into the forests, wade through bumpy and rough terrains, sometimes finding his jeep stuck in the mud on the way to Faskari-Geza and Banda in Faskari and Danmusa Local Government Areas.

    The first day of the dialogue meeting, which held at Gbagegi Primary School, Dankolo for Dandume and Sabwa local government areas, witnessed a heavy downpour which threatened to disrupt it, but the governor and other top government functionaries at the meeting deployed umbrellas and other improvised covers to endure the weather condition.

    Although the journey to the respective strongholds of the bandits was definitely tortuous, it presented a firsthand opportunity for the governor to appreciate the challenges and living conditions of the people and the need to urgently address them

    Governor’s appeal/message to bandits and kidnappers

    Masari’s message to the bandits at each meeting point was consistently hinged on the bandits realising the futility of their engagements and isolation in the bush, the need to fear God in dealing with their brothers and community, embracing peace and concord and not daring the ability of government to win the war against banditry and kidnapping should they persist.

    He further told the people who turned out in their numbers that it is better they abandon the bush and killing of their brothers and embrace peace and amnesty.

    He said: “If you gather all the cattle, get all the money in this world and shed innocent blood, there is yet no benefit. You can never defeat government. If you kill 10 soldiers, government will bring 100 more and also bring thousands of guns. We will look into your requests, build roads and schools and ensure better quality of lives.’’

    Governor Masari further assured residents of the state that the dialogue would bring peace to Katsina State, North-West and Nigeria, saying: “We believed that we have started well and there is nothing better than peace.”

    While restating the commitment of his government to rendering assistance to the Fulani people living in forest areas, he urged them to embrace dialogue and live peacefully with one another in their respective territories. He promised to rebuild the schools and other decayed infrastructure and address other requests they had made.

    Complaints/grievances of repentant bandits

    Repentant bandits who appeared at the dialogue meetings with Governor Masari at each point, never ceased to accuse security operatives, particularly SARS and the Nigerian Army, of extorting money and cattle from them in exchange for their support and supply of weapons.

    Idris Yayande, one of the group leaders of the bandits, told the governor that large scale extortion perpetrated by the security operatives had seriously undermined efforts by any government to address insecurity challenges in the state and country.

    He said: “Some soldiers, policemen and other security agents are fuelling banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes bedevilling the state through large scale extortion in return for supporting us.”

    Earlier, the leader of the Volunteers (Yan-sakai) in the state, Lawal Tsoho, had accused the army, police and other security agencies in the state of fuelling bandits’ attacks on innocent civilians.

    He said: “Soldiers, policemen and other security agencies and politicians in the state are against the ongoing dialogue between the bandits and the state government because they are benefiting from it. I have all the evidence to prove my statement.”

    He urged the state to help facilitate the release of their members arrested by security agencies and detained in various prisons across the country.

    He said: “Some of our members were apprehended in villages across the state and detained for numerous years without committing offence.”

    One of the bandits, whose name was not immediately known, said: “We have some complaints. Our biggest complaint is that some of our members were arrested and detained in different prisons across the state. Government should release them before dialogue.

    “They are: Alhaji Lawal Bandu, Ibrahim Nabutamu, Sani Marji, Sani Zafi, Lawal Mairuwa. And and there are some of our children that were arrested by the army in Layin-Mahuta last year: Ali, Adamu and Abdurrahman. And since then, nobody has told us where they are and what happened to them.

    “So, we are pleading with the state government to release them to us. We don’t have anybody in our custody now. We promised before that nobody will farm within this area. But because of the dialogue, we have surrendered. If you hear of any attack, it is not from us.”

    Another of the repentant bandits, Haruna Mazge, blamed the prevailing security problem in the state on farmers who blocked cattle routes, saying 70 per cent of the cattle routes have been blocked by farmers.

    He said: “Farmers in the state have blocked all cattle routes. Even roads that our cattle do pass, they blocked them. If you look at our problem, consider that of farmers too,” he said.

    He, however, said the effort of the state government to tackle the security challenges in the state had prompted some of them to repent from their deadly attacks.

    Mazge further called on other bandits whom he said were terrorising villages in the state to surrender their arms to sustain the peace.

    He said: “This forest that we are hiding from is not beyond government’s power. Since the governor has forgiven us, we should not betray government in this dialogue by attacking any village in the state again.”

    Another bandit, Yahaya Fulani Dangogo, who appeared to set the tone for the dilemma of the Fulani, described them as browbeaten and left to despair in the circumstances they found themselves in.

    While listing their grievances as demanded by Governor Masari, which warranted their descent into banditry, he mentioned deprivation, denials and isolation, deceit by those in authority, including traditional rulers, DPOs and security operatives, including the Yansakai and SARS, and several other members of the political class.

    He said: “Yansakai and several other security operatives’ attacks and harassments are never checked and no action is taken. If you are killed, no one asks a question; your people will cry until they are tired.

    “I am begging the governor that any group that does not follow Islamic teachings should be dissolved. We don’t want armchair leadership. Every appointee of government must be transparent and up an doing.’’

    Swap agreements between government and bandits

    A major fallout from the various dialogue meetings held between the governor and the bandits was the offer to swap victims of banditry with the release of arrested bandits between both sides.

    The leader of one of the gangs, Alhaji Mansuni, who spoke on behalf of others, told Governor Masari at one of the dialogue meetings held at Angwa Tsamia Primary School, Birni Gogo, in Faskari Local Government Area, that the groups were pleased with his presence and drive to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the country. And to reciprocate his gesture of freeing their kinsmen and fellow bandits who were in the custody of security operatives, they were renouncing banditry and would immediately begin to free the abductees in their camps.

    He further told the governor that fear of insecurity, deprivation and indiscriminate arrest and killing of herdsmen by security agents led them to arm themselves and engage in banditry.

    He said: “We are happy with your coming to visit us right in our hideouts. We the Fulani have challenges which government should look into, including construction of roads, education, infrastructure and social living conditions.

    “Again, indiscriminate arrest by security agencies and extortion by members of SARS, as well the attitude of the Hausa in the rural communities, who refused to coexist with the Fulani, requires we all sit down and iron out our differences.”

    The state government also acceded to the swap arrangement by offering to release those arrested.

    Speaking on efforts to implement the terms of the agreement, the governor said those in detention in Katsina and Kano states had already been brought back to Katsina as the first step in the release process.

    He said: “They can talk to them now. But what we are saying is that we have hundreds of people being detained for ransom, so we want these people back. It is easier for them to bring them back than we bringing them back because all of them are detained in Zamfara.”

    Latest reports indicate that the swap agreement has begun with daily exchange of releases from both parties.

    Remediation efforts by government

    Government plans to reconstruct and reintegrate repentant bandits and herdsmen were unfolded during the dialogue meetings where the governor insisted that with the return of peace in the areas, development activities and the provision of needed infrastructure like roads, education and commerce would no longer be delayed.

    He said: “If there is peace, most of the things they requested are things we have already started under the first amnesty programme. So, if peace returns to the areas we have visited so far, we assure that developmental projects will continue to come.

    “It is most important. You can see the large turnout of Fulani community leaders, those leaving in the forest and those living on the fringes of the forest. And for them to agree to come here, all of them, including the farming community, to discuss and talk peace, that is the most important thing.

    “So, if they agree together in harmony because this is the foundation, we are starting with the bottom up approach. With the communities, the neighbours living peacefully with one  another, we can transit to local government and state levels.”

    “So, I do believe that we are on the right course, and we will follow up on all the promises we made to them, especially regarding those that have been detained for years without being charged to court. Why are you detaining people for years without going to court and without granting them bail?

    “We intend definitely to bring them out on bail and hand them over to their respective communities and watch developments in the next one month in these areas.’’

  • Oko: All eyes on new NDDC director

    Since the Federal Government announced the appointment of a new board of directors for the beleaguered Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday, August 20, tongues have been wagging in different quarters as to the competence of the people appointed into the board.

    First to raise the alarm were the governors of the Niger Delta states, including those of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo and Ondo. Rising from a meeting in Abuja penultimate Thursday, the governors said the process by which the board members emerged did not reflect effective governance mechanism, saying that they would seek an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the issues.

    The Niger Delta Entrepreneurs Forum (NDEF) also faulted the dissolution of the Nelson Brambaifa-led board and its replacement with the one led by Pius Odubu, a former deputy governor of Edo State. The group alleged that the development did not respect Section 4 of the NDDC Act which stipulates rotation of the chairmanship position.

    But it has been discordant tunes among the region’s stakeholders as the governors themselves came under heavy criticism for rejecting the appointments, alleging that their position was politically motivated.

    In a swift reaction to the Niger Delta governors, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the opposition of the Niger Delta governors to the reconstitution of the board was shameful and disgraceful.

    In a statement issued by its National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the APC asked the governors to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to their people. The party said it was unfortunate that the opposed to the appointment of “qualified Nigerians” into the board of the NDDC.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to various reports in the news and print media on the very shameful and disgraceful steps taken by South South governors, on the recent appointments made by Mr. President, wherein very qualified sons of South South geo political zone were appointed into the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such disgraceful steps by men we thought could have known better, but it has become imperative that we stand in the defence of justice and for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “It is sad that these governors of the oil rich states of the Niger Delta, who should be highly concerned by the level of poverty and deteriorating state of infrastructure in the zone, are rather being parochial, selfish and exhibiting the highest form of ignorance in governance.

    “They are only interested in ensuring that their family members, cronies and stooges are appointed to strategic positions to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.

    “The steps by these self-serving governors just go to show that indeed their election into such high offices was just a direct product of the subversion of the collective wills of the people in the last general elections.

    “We view the steps taken by these governors as very dishonorable and it shows that governance in our zone is at the lowest ebb.”

    The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) took a swipe at the governors in a communique, saying that the governors’ action could result in unnecessary ethnic clashes in the region. The group said the governors were acting in futility, adding that they lacked both the moral justification and constitutional leverage to advise President Buhari on the appointments.

    Basis for rancour

    At the base of the wrangling impelled by the appointment of a new board is the poor manner the finances of the commission have been handled over the years. Many believe that the development of the region, which was the reason for establishing the commission, had suffered because its funds have not been well managed.

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, recently confirmed the fear and apathy of fellow Niger Deltans when he rated the commission low for not performing well in its main responsibility, which was the development of the Niger Delta region.

    Akpabio stressed the need for redirecting the affairs of the NDDC, saying it has more than N2 trillion debt to settle.

    But against this background some stakeholders in the region commended the appointment of Maxwell Oko as the new Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDFA) of the commission.

    For instance, the pioneer president of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Dr. Felix Tuodolo, said with the appointment of Oko who himself had been in the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta as EDFA, funds belonging to the commission would be properly managed.

    He said: “We in the struggle in the human rights circle and those in the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta were very happy to hear the news of the appointment of Maxwell Oko.

    “Some of the things we have been talking about over the years, which is the essence of our struggle, is to develop the Niger Delta; the Niger Delta people controlling their resources and managing same.

    “These are the issues we are talking about, but most times, we realise that while we are talking and struggling on these bases, the little that is available to the Niger Delta is mismanaged by persons that are holding several offices.

    “But we are happy when a person that participated in the struggle gets into office. That person we know he knows the pains and the sufferings of his people, and that person tends to do things better than the ordinary man. He pursues his office with the eyes of somebody who is in the struggle.

    “With Maxwell Oko, who is part and parcel of the struggle, we know that he is going to leave his marks; excellent marks that we will appreciate and people will talk about. He knows the pains and suffering of our people.”

    ‘I’m ready for the task’

    Until his appointment on August 20, Oko was the executive vice Chairman of Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, an indigenous conglomerate with diverse interest in the Nigerian economy, spanning such sectors as power, oil and gas, security, agribusiness, infrastructural development and real estate.

    Born 45 years ago in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the upwardly mobile entrepreneur and investor is a holder of B. Tech in Architecture from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology as well as a post-graduate diploma (PGD) in Architecture from the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also a former Commissioner for Energy in Bayelsa State.

    He was member, swearing-in sub-committee of Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC); board member, Ellah Lakes Plc, a firm listed on the board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and board member, Secure Records Management Solutions. He is also on the boards of Eraskorp Nigeria Limited and Lake Oko Farms Limited.

    With the foregoing background, Oko believes that he is well prepared for the task of repositioning the commission to perform its core mandate.

    He said: “I pride myself as being innovative and action oriented with good knowledge and experience in management and administration. I am regularly involved in value creation within my community and the larger society through ground breaking projects which have provided economic empowerment for many rural communities, creating employment opportunities and alleviating poverty. I have also played leadership roles in different associations, including youth, political and volunteer groups.

    “I have been privileged to serve in various positions in government and thus been exposed to policy formulation and implementation of various programmes in different areas of the economy, both in public and private sector contexts. This has involved interaction and working with different stakeholders: government ministries, the legislature, regulatory agencies, local governments, private investors, representatives of multilateral agencies, and NGOs.

    “In the course of my career, I have acquired good contextual knowledge of local issues and socio-cultural constraints and realities. My work experiences have exposed me to regular field visits, monitoring and evaluation of projects, processes and impacts.

    “I have also learned how to overcome obstacles to achieve my goals. I always try to learn something new from every experience and seek new responsibilities and challenges because I believe there is always room for self-improvement, both personally and professionally.

    “My passion and self-motivation are the keys to my ability to identify and propose innovative solutions to solving problems and implementing improvement in all organisations where I have had professional engagement.

    “I consider myself a reliable and enthusiastic individual with a desire to excel in all I do, and diligent and committed to my set goals. Challenging tasks motivate me and I derive satisfaction in achieving demanding targets. I am convinced that I have the requisite experience and skills set to take on any challenge.”

    Stakeholders set agenda

    Affirming what he called the unassailable records of Oko in public life, the founding chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King W.S. Igbugburu, advised him to maintain his integrity and good name throughout the period of his service in the commission.

    Igbugburu said having known Oko during his days as commissioner in Bayelsa State, he was confident that the new EDFA would deliver if he refused to be hoodwinked by fraudsters whom he said were killing the commission.

    The president of Ijaw Youths Council, Pereotubo Oweilaemi, asked Oko not to disappoint those who believe in his forthrightness and ability to effect changes in the NDDC.

    The IYC president said Comrade Maxwell Oko as Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission is a round peg in a round hole.

    He said: “You know that Comrade Oko is a founding member of the Ijaw Youths Council who is passionate about the development of the region. He was chairman of IYC central zone.

    “He has held several other political offices including commissioner of power and energy in Bayelsa State under Chief Timipre Silver as governor. He also worked with the then petroleum minister, King Daukoru.

    “Maxwell is experienced and he is a man of the youth. We are very certain that he will use his office to redirect the vision of the creation of the commission and bring about desired peace and the long awaited development to the region.

    “Our agenda for him is that he should use his position to address the issues IYC has been canvassing for. As a former chairman, IYC central zone, of course he will not expect us to remind him that the Ijaw nation needs even development from the NDDC. He should ensure that all ongoing projects in Ijaw land are completely executed.

    “The commission should also initiate youth empowerment programmes in order to engage our teaming jobless youths across the region. The purpose for which the commission was established has not been successfully utilised. The developmental response by the commission towards the region is still below expectation.

    “Now that we have a former national executive member of the IYC on the board of the NDDC, we are very certain that most of our demands will be achieved. All we care for is that the commission adequately responds to the developmental needs of the region which should be commensurate to its budgetary provisions.

    “I think Buhari making the choice of Maxwell Oko in the new NDDC board means he has listened to our yearnings and aspirations. I think this is a test case for Oko to show that he has concern for his people which is glaringly the reason why Buhari considered him. Mr. President must have noticed that someone having the spirit of our struggle will know our concerns more than others. The buck now stops in Oko’s table to prove Buhari’s sincerity to the Ijaw people.”

    Also, Dr Edmund Daukoru, a former petroleum minister, spoke in glowing terms about the newly appointed Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NDDC, saying he can vouch for his capacity, integrity and capacity to deliver on his new job.

    Daukoru said his appointment was commendable, saying that “he is a round peg in a round hole.

    He said: “Maxwell (Oko) is very committed to his work and duties. He served under me as my SA (Special Assistant). He took over from Sylva. It was just revealing to see how much Maxwell parked into his brain. He is very committed, principled, disciplined person and it is just the kind of appointment that we anticipate.”

    He said with Oko’s experience in managing youths-related issues and having been involved in various development issues in the Niger Delta, he was confident that his former aide would perform.

    He said: “Dealing with communities is not an easy affair, especially because resources are always limited. He has the qualities to work with the MD, whoever he is to deliver. He has all the qualities needed to do the work.

    “He is a disciplined person; he understands priorities. When I say he is disciplined, I’m saying it based on what I know about him. He never accepted gratifications from people who tried desperately to see me; people who would want to try to break roadblocks to see the minister.

    “Maxwell was not like that. I never saw any fault in him. I can vouch for him. In terms of doing the job, I have full confidence that he will not let the authorities down. I am extremely proud of him.

    “As an elder and a king, I pray for him to succeed.”

  • Tightening the borders to save Nigerians

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled the National Border Management Strategy 2019-2023. The aim is to tighten the borders to enhance national security, writes ROBERT EGBE

     

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind with Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Their meeting coincided with the announcement of the rescue of eight people who were kidnapped on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway. They were rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Punch under 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

    “The troops tracked the kidnappers to where they were hiding in Labi village, Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State and rescued the victims at about 5 pm on Wednesday, hours after their abduction.

    “The victims who were travelling from Kano to Ilorin had their journey interrupted by bandits, who kidnapped and moved them to one of their fortified hideout in the forest,” a source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the victims were rescued following credible information.

    “The troops swung into action and stormed the bandits’ camp. During the encounter that ensued, the gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits with superior firepower resulting in the bandits abandoning the victims and fled with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops immediately released the abductees and asked them to continue with their journey.”

    It is the second time in two weeks troops of 1 Division are rescuing kidnapped victims in the state.

    Security challenge has been a major headache of the Buhari administration. As a way out of the challenge, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) yesterday unveiled its National Border Strategy.

    Comptroller-General of the Service Muhammad Babandede presented the document in Abuja with stakeholders in the sector in attendance.

    The project was funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

    He said the strategy would also help in contributing to national economic development, reinforcing social harmony and ensuring migrants’ human rights and the protection of vulnerable migrants.

    “The NIS National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) 2019 to 2023 articulates a renewed five-year vision and institutional approach to border management in Nigeria. This is within the scope of the Nigeria Immigration Service,” Babandede said.

    Babandede explained that when the borders were safe, it would result in a safe nation.

    “So the document has addressed the issue of national security, border security and addressed border as a means of trade.

    “It will ensure transparency; it will reduce corruption, it will help to ensure that human rights are protected and we will ensure that smugglers and traffickers are not allowed to leave or enter our country.”

    House Committee Chairman on Interior Nasir Daura said the house committee would ensure that the NIS was given the necessary support to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.

    He said the document would help to provide the requisite protection that could ensure the respect and dignity of human rights.

    “As a committee, we will make the Nigeria Immigration Service more effective by providing the necessary budgetary support to better manage the borders.”

    Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed said that the effective implementation of the strategy depended on dynamic institutional framework and robust political backing.

    Mrs Ahmed was represented by a staff of the project office (migration) Mr Ekom Umoren.

    She said the surge in transnational crimes, irregular migration, trafficking and other illicit activities would be tackled in line with national development goals as contained in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERPG).

    A Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Basheer Mohammed was also present at the meeting.

    Mohammed, who was represented by Charles Anaelo, said the document was a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to entrench international best practices in border management through a coordinated approach.

    He said effective and efficient border management contributed immensely to overall migration management.

    “We have no doubt that implementation will be all-inclusive and coordinated to ensure coherence.”

    Ms Ukamaka Osigwe, IOM Nigeria National Programme Officer, said the document was developed through an intensive NIS and inter-agency consultations which spanned from October last year to March 2019.

    She said the rationale behind the development of the strategy was to articulate better border management in Nigeria within the scope of the duties of the lead agency for border management which is the NIS.

    The Controller, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), in Bauchi State, Mr Anthony Gaya, yesterday advised expatriates in the state to ensure that all their documents were genuine and complete to meet the January 2020 deadline for migrants as directed by Federal Government.

    Gaya said that the e-registration was aimed at ensuring that the database of all expatriates was captured.

    He said the exercise would reduce the threat of global insecurity.

    “The objective of the e- registration is to have a comprehensive database of migrants. Expatriates should visit the state command for the e-registration because of biometric.

    “The Federal government has given six months amnesty for expatriates to gets their travelling documents.

    “Whether you have your document ready or not, all expatriates should come for e- registration and get the documents ready before the deadline.

    “Some of the persons that were eligible for the e- registration include individuals that have attained 18 years.

    “Those exempted are persons that have diplomatic immunity and had been accredited by the government of the federation,” he said.

    The state controller, who noted that foreign investors also contribute to the economic growth of any society, urged them to adhere to the culture and religion of their host communities for peaceful coexistence.

    Also to secure the country, the agency is collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), says it is collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to prevent foreigners from enrolling as Nigerians in the National Identity Scheme.

    NIMC Director-General Aliyu Aziz said: “The essence is to prevent foreigners from getting enrolled as well as discover those who have already acquired the National Identification Number (NIN) illegally.”

    He said the NIS officials have been helpful, especially in enrolment centres within the border communities across the country.

    “You know, the immigration officers are trained to identify who is a foreigner and so far, we are working with them to achieve that.

    “Because, the immigration officers can identify foreigners from their names, their profiles and dressing,” he said.

    Aziz said foreigners residing in the country are allowed to register, noting, however, that their registration does not cover citizenship.

    “But when it comes to obtaining NIN, it is not allowed for a foreigner to enrol as a Nigerian, he or she can be registered as a foreigner, his registration can only identify him as a foreigner residing in Nigeria.

    “Like a Cameroonian for example, if he or she comes forward we register him as a Cameroonian and put his nationality as such,” he said.

    He expressed confidence that the registration would assist in resolving identity and security issues bedevilled the country.

    He, however, said that NIMC is faced with challenges of power and internet services supply in enrolling people in rural communities where electricity and network are still issues.

    “For example, in some locations in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states, rural communities don’t have broadband to send data.

    “What people do there is that, when they capture the data they have to come back to Sokoto the capital to now upload the data, they are given 72 hours or three days to do that because of privacy or data protection.

    “After three days, the data will be wiped away automatically because you are not supposed to keep it for a longer time, so the enrolment software controls it,” he said.

    He said that the commission has over 200 locations across the 36 states of the federation including the FCT where there are pockets of internet networks access.

    “But, power is also a major problem, we either use a generator or solar power system in places where we have a power problem,” he said.

     

  • Needed! More toilets

    Open defecation is a challenge that Nigeria has been unable to overcome. In this report, FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI examines the problem, which can only be fixed by 2025 if the country provides provide an average of 100 household latrines annually in all the 774 local government areas

     

    MRS Eno Etukudoh, 54, and her children have lived at the bank of Calabar River for many years, where open defecation is rampant due to lack of toilets.

    According to her, her business, including fishing and other water-related ventures depend on the water from the river, unaware of the health implications of her lifestyle.

    “We carry out our daily activities around Calabar River which we drink, bathe with it, wash our kitchen wares and all that anybody can imagine of using water to do.

    “The water from the river has been my only source of livelihood as fishing is the hallmark of my career.

    “I gave birth to all my children at the bank of the river, we do not have a toilet here and what we do is that after we defecate, we use a shovel to pack the excreta and pour it inside the river,’’ she says.

    Similarly, a primary three pupil of Idang Primary School in the community says that her school does not have toilet facilities and pupils often go to the nearby bush to defecate.

    In both communities, there have been complaints of sicknesses arising from the practice of open defecation.

    The residents confirm outbreaks of typhoid, malaria, diarrhoea and other diseases caused by intake of water from unclean sources.

    The residents, therefore, plead with the relevant authorities to look into their plight by providing toilet facilities within the school and also constructing mobile toilets around the community.

    The situation in the communities on River Calabar is worrisome to the extent that Samuel Nsaben, a 16-year-old boy says that he has never used the toilet all his life.

    According to him, he grows up to using the water as a source through which he evacuates his waste.

    Available statistics indicate that Nigeria loses about 1.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to poor sanitation and one-third of that cost is as a result of open defecation.

    Pundits have then noted that more than 100,000 children less than five years of age die each year due to diarrhoea; of which 90 per cent is directly attributed to unsafe water and sanitation.

    They noted that it is also worrisome that most schools in the country from primary to tertiary institutions do not have good sanitation facilities.

    Worried by the trend, in November 2018, the Federal Government declared a state of emergency in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

    The declaration re-affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to eliminating open defecation in the country by which the government inaugurated a national campaign to jump-start the country’s journey towards becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025.

    In a media dialogue on “Clean Nigeria campaign: Use the Toilets’’, Mr Eyo Offiong, Acting Programme Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), says that 15.7 per cent of schools in Nigeria had basic water and sanitation services.

    Offiong said that the percentage signified low WASH facilities in the educational sector, calling for an increase in the number of WASH facilities across the educational sector in the country.

    According to him, there is a need for adequate water and sanitation facilities in schools to aid teaching.

    “It is for government to ensure the political will and commitment to the provision of water in schools as well as basic sanitation facilities to expand beyond the communities or local government where the donor partners are involved in.

    “It is for the government to commit funds into ensuring that this happens. The good thing about the statistics is that it brings clearly what needs to be done and how it can be done.

    “The government has gone further to drill over 200 solar-powered boreholes in the past six months and the process of completion is ongoing,’’ he said.

    Offiong said that Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River had also committed three million dollars annually for the next five years to make the state Open Defecation Free.

    “Going by the statements of the governor, the state is ready and willing to move ahead to ensure it becomes open defecation free state and to drive the state in education and health,’’ he said.

    The acting manager also noted that to drive the initiative, six local government areas of the states had been declared Open Defecation Free which is the highest in the country.

    He said that the local governments included Obanliku, Bekwara, Yala, Ikom, Boki and Yakurr.

    He said that the state had provided 20,367 new household latrines under the Water Supply and Sanitation Council Programme, while 4,088 volunteer hygiene promoters were trained on hygiene practices.

    Mr Bioye Ogunjobi, WASH Specialist, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), observed that Nigeria “has 13 local governments certified open defecation areas.

    He added that Jigawa and Bauchi State had more than 3,000 communities certified Open Defecation Free.

    He explained that in terms of the geopolitical zone, North Central had the highest percentage of 53.9 per cent of its population still practising open defecation.

    He said that the North East has 21.8 per cent of the population also practising open defecation, while North West has 10.3 per cent, Southeast; 22.4 per cent, Southsouth; 17.9 per cent and Southwest; 28.0 per cent.

    Ogunjobi said that one in four Nigerians defecate in the open and 16 million of those who practise open defecation live in the North Central part of the country.  He also said that 35 million Nigerians practised unimproved sanitation, while 30 million practised limited sanitation.

    “There are 43 million people who practise basic sanitation and 37 million practise safely managed sanitation,’’ he observed.  The WASH specialist also said that UNICEF was working hard towards making

    Nigeria Open Defecation Free and urged the media to redouble the effort by raising awareness on hygiene.

    Mrs Yemisi Akpa, the Chief Scientific Officer, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, said that the achievement of the 13 Open Defecation Free local government areas in the country was not enough as more efforts would be needed to ensure good hygiene practice by 2025.

    Akpa said that to achieve Open Defecation Free by 2025, there would be the need to provide an average of 100 household latrines annually in all the 774 local government areas.

    She urged Federal Government to constitute a technical working group to operationalise the National Roadmap toward Open Defecation Free.

    She also called on the Cross River government to be more committed through funding to deliver the remaining 12 local government areas that have yet to be Open Defecation Free.

     

    • Adeyemi is of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • Women, CSOs march against girls’ killers in Port Harcourt

    Who is luring girls to hotels in Rivers State and killing them? This is the mystery protesters yesterday urged the police to unravel, write PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU and ROSEMARY NWISI

     

    ON August 14, the body of a hotel worker, Jenifer Nwokocha, was discovered in one of the rooms. She was suspected to have been drugged, chained, raped and thereafter strangled by her killer who left a white cloth around her neck.

    Like Nwokocha, 23-year-old Maureen Ewusu was murdered in the same way at another hotel, still in Port Harcourt City, the Rivers State capital last month.

    Theirs were not the first as a young woman was found at a hotel in Diobu Line with a white cloth tied on her neck and legs in July. Three days after, another young woman was discovered in another hotel at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), while another incident occurred at a hotel in Rumuola. There were also instances where women have been killed and dumped on roads, such as Trans-Amadi and Township areas of the state.

    Yesterday, a minute and 56 seconds footage of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera from another hotel in the city showed another lady strangled and left on the bed in the same pattern. In this video that has set social media abuzz, the serial killer entered the hotel around 11:30 am with his guest.

    Nothing in the appearance of the suspected killer raised suspicion when he arrived at the hotel. He had no bags with him and he wore a simple striped t-shirt, a pair of jeans, black footwear and had his phone on his hands as he climbed the stairs presumably to their allotted room while the victim, a slim lady with full wavy weaves, walked behind him. Hours later, the man was seen leaving the hotel premises alone with smiles as he walked out to the reception, leaving his victim gagged with a white handkerchief.

    The last incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has, according to Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura, brought to eight the number of women killed in hotels mainly located in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State since last month.

    But Civil Society Groups (CSOs) said at least 10 women have been killed in different hotels in the city in the last one month, adding that over 140 deaths have been recorded since January.

    While many have insinuated the killings could have ritual undertones, others believe they were crimes perpetrated by women haters.

    Disturbed by the killings, women in Rivers State took to the street to protest the gender-based crime, calling security agencies and hotel owners to rise to the occasion.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration Chuks Enwonwu was reported to have said: “In as much as societal values are disintegrating, we must go back to try to educate women and discourage them from going into prostitution because that is how they fall victim to these crimes.”

    This position attracted wide condemnation from rights activists across the country who wondered whether the punishment for prostitution was murder.

    Condemning the killings, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on the Rivers State Police Command to intensify efforts to stem the tide and apprehend all those involved in the dastardly act.

    Secretary of the commission Tony Ojukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said complaints of the attack on women in hotels alleged to be prostitutes were worrisome.

    “Extermination of right to life is the mother of all human rights violations and cannot be tolerated by any decent society. At this stage of our development, some people still take laws into their hands by targeting women they term as prostitutes and killing them at will.

    “Human life is sacred and the conditions under which human life can be taken are clearly stated under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other International Human Rights Instruments which Nigeria is a party. All these instruments prohibit the violation of the right to life and other forms of extra-judicial killings,” he said.

    Ojukwu commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police so far in apprehending some of the violators saying that the Commission is worried over these unfortunate incidents and is requesting every member of the public who has information to bring this to the attention of the police or the commission in order to put an end to these incidents and forestall future occurrences.

    The attacks were not restricted to hotels in Port Harcourt alone, last week such was also heard of in a hotel in Omoku area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area(ONELGA), with the same feature of white cloths being tied around their necks and waists.

    A mother of three, who was known for selling different items in hotels and other places, was killed and her body was dumped in a street on Peter Odili Road close to the popular Market Square mall.

    Protest in Port Harcourt

    Over 75 women groups and associations yesterday protested in Port Harcourt. The groups include the Association of Federated Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigerian Union of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and women from all chapters of Rotary club in the state among others.

    The women, who dressed in black attires, delivered their complaint/ appeal letters to the Government House, the Department of Security Services, the State Assembly Complex and Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura.

    They bore placards with inscriptions, such as “stop killing women in hotels”; “Every life is important, even prostitutes have the right to live”, among others.

    The women were addressed by Secretary to State Government Dr Tammy Danagogo.

    “This is a very serious matter. Coming here and seeing the calibre of people, I want to whole heartily thank you for coming here to say what you have said.

    “Your appeal is to the President, to the Governor and the Police. It is a very laudable endeavour that you have embarked on. It is a concern for everybody. I can assure you that the Governor is heavily concern, I am heavily concerned.

    “This is a security matter and we didn’t want a situation where a lesser government official will come and address you. You know the governor is the chairman of the security committee in the state and I am the secretary.

    “It is not a matter that any of us are allowing to lie low, we have held several security council meetings with all the security agencies in the state and discussed what should be done. This is to tell you that we are doing something on the killing issue. We are expecting that the police should ensure that there is CCTV in all the hotels in Rivers State to monitor whatever they are doing,” he said.

    At the House of Assembly, the women urged lawmakers to make laws that would discourage all forms of heinous killings in the state, especially the killing of women.

    The Vice-Chairman of the state chapter of FIDA, Nnenna Igbokwe, said: “We are here to call on lawmakers in the state to rise and fight the reckless killing of went in hotels in the state, by enacting very string by laws that will end these unprovoked killings and safeguard the lives of women in the state.”

    The founder and executive Director of The Extra Step Initiative, a civil society group in Port Harcourt, Eugene Abels, said: “More than 10 women have been murdered in the state in the last two weeks; whether they were prostitutes or not it does not matter. We are aware that a hotel is a public place for everybody. Lawyers are also called up, invited to hotels to take briefs of their clients; nobody is immune to this kind of killings.

    The Deputy Clerk of the House of Assembly, Dumnu Lekia, who represented the Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, lauded the women for the show of concern and assured that the lawmakers would respond to their demands.

    Dandaura said the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators of the act were apprehended and punished accordingly.

    The CP said: “Three persons have already been arrested in connection with the hotel killings in the state. Two men were arrested earlier and another person in a hotel in a part of the state early hours of yesterday.

    “The Divisional Officer of police (DPO), in Rumuokoro area of the state had a distress call from a hotel in the area about 2 am this morning (yesterday),  that a lady’s voice was heard from one of the hotel rooms, when a team of policemen got to the hotel, it was discovered that a lady and a man were actually in there.

    “When we knocked and ordered that the door be opened, after some time of resistance, the man finally opened the door and on interrogation, the lady said the man paid and took her to the room and while she was sleeping about 2 am, the man took a towel and was about to strangulate her when she woke up and began to struggle with him. It was at that time she raised the alarm that attracted both the operators of the hotel and other guests who alerted the police.”

    He attributed the killings to cult-related activities of a particular cult group, stressing that all victims were killed in the same pattern.

    “As CP of the state, I want to assure you that efforts are on to smoking them out as we ensure that all hotels in the state comply with the rules of operation.

    “We have had two different meetings in the last two week with all hotel operators in the state, where we have stated the guidelines for their continued running of hotels and guest houses in the state.

    “There is no way someone can come to a hotel to book a run, you do not have his identity, no name, no telephone number, no CCTV in the reception, no cameras at the corridors leading to the rooms, how then can somebody come to your hotel and commit a crime and you are able to trace him?

    “We have told them that they must comply with all the conditions before they will be allowed to continue to do the business, they must instal cameras at the reception, and the corridors leading to all the rooms. Before anybody should be obliged a room in any hotel and Guesthouse, he/she must produce their Identity card, they must ensure that the name on the identity card tallies with the name they will fill in the booking form, he must also drop his contact number, which the booking officer must confirm by dialling the number there and then to ensure it rings on him before he can be cleared for accommodation in the hotel.”

  • OML 25 crisis… Two-year long walk to resolution

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Belema Oil on Tuesday signed a dispute closure agreement in Abuja yesterday. With this, operations are expected to resume at the Oil Mining Licence (OML) 25 in the next 10 days. ROSEMARY NWISI, who has followed the crisis for over two years, wonders if peace has finally come

    SPDC, Belemaoil agree to restore operations in OML25

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in June, directed all parties in the dispute relating to the Oil Mining Licence (OML) 25 to resolve all issues and reopen the oil facility in seven days. The deadline lapsed with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Belemaoil Limited still at loggerheads. But, if the deal sealed on Tuesday in Abuja is followed through, the end of the crisis is here.

    The sleepy oil-bearing communities of Offoin-Ama, Belema and Ngeje in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have been in the news of late. All thanks to the controversy surrounding the continuous shut down of the OML-25 flow-stations.

    The three Kula communities, Offion-Ama, Belema and Ngeje, share hosting rights to the flow station located in a part of the island Kingdom of Rivers State.

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), SPDC and Belema Oil signed the dispute closure agreement in Abuja yesterday. Operations at the oil well will take off in the next 10 days.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva, while signing the agreement, thanked all the parties stressing that the step signified the beginning of a new chapter in the industry.

    Sylva said the aim of the ministry was to ensure an oil industry that worked and operated in harmony and in unity.

    “When I came into the office, the issue was one of the problems that came on the table; there were so many letters from communities complaining about the problem.

    “I just decided to invite Shell to hear its own part of the story but fortunately, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, had intervened in the matter.

    “So, I have the honour now to thank him for this great intervention. And also thank Shell and Belema for cooperating to ensure that there is closure to this matter that has bedevilled the industry for so long,” he said.

    He said one of the aims of the petroleum industry was to ensure zero loss in the industry and production got to destination.

    According to him, zero loss is not loses from pipelines but lost to the country, especially with assets that can produce but for some reasons bug down by leakage issues.

    He said that the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement were not the companies but the communities, especially those in Belema who had been suffering since the beginning of the dispute.

    The minister commended the NNPC, Shell and the Belema Oil for agreeing to resolve the dispute.

    Kyari said the development was a big achievement for the corporation.

    The NNPC boss said the dispute around the OML 25 had been on for over two years, adding that  the end result was that communities lacked peace with the disruption of property and social lives in the area.

    “For us, the most important aspect of the dispute resolution is that, at least, the communities will have their peace restored.

    “At the back of it, you are aware that there is a complete stoppage of petroleum operations around the OML 25 and adjoining blocks.

    “What this means is shut down of production of over 35,000 barely of oil every day in the last two years and that is an enormous economic loss for all stakeholders, Nigeria and the communities.

    “This is why we engaged all stakeholders and we are happy to announce today that the closure has been obtained.

    “It means that the communities will have their peace back and also commence operations with the OML 25.

    “That means that there is prosperity for the community and also some returns to shareholders of Belema Oil, NNPC and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Kyari commended the Belema Oil for its role and assured full engagement of the communities, adding that all the parties would be taken care of.

    The NNPC boss also said that all opportunities found would be shared equitably for overall peace and development of the country.

    He commended the minister of petroleum for his support and assured that the operations would soon commence in the area.

    Also, the Managing Director of Shell, Osagie Okunbor said that the dispute had been for two years but “we are happy that we concluded on resolving the dispute.

    “I want to convey my deep appreciation to the GMD of NNPC for the intervention to bring this issue to a closure.

    “When dispute of this nature happens, everyone suffers, especially the immediate family, recipient community not to talk of investors like ourselves.

    “We have been in discussion with communities and Belema Oil and sometimes under the auspices of government.

    “We are very pleased that we have finally brought this to a conclusion, to work on some agreements with communities to achieve speedy return to operations on that facility,” he said.

    He said to meet the plight of the host communities, Shell had paid in the Joint MOU account, over N300 million to restart community efforts it had not done because of some issues.

    Okunbor said that under the joint MOU framework money would be paid into communities’ accounts to execute projects to ensure that employment opportunities get to the people.

    He noted that SPDC remained the operator of the OML 25 but assured commitment to ensure that all parties would derive from the benefits.

    Belema Oil President and Founder  Jack Rich-Tein also said the agreement signalled that stakeholders shared common interest and value of lifting the country high and strengthening relationships.

    “What has been resolved is that, we have agreed to work together, SPDC and Belema Oil.

    “Belema Oil is now going to be able to create a lot of employment opportunities for the communities under operations and maintenance part of the operations.

    “SPDC remains the operators because they still have the licence, the communities will be happy because we will employ them and they will be able to work with SPDC.

    “The key thing there is getting back to work and creating jobs for the local communities, everybody will be happy.”

    He said Belema Oil with 7.7 per cent asset would provide the operation maintenance and employ the community members through that platform.

    The founder said Belema Oil Producing Limited would work with shell to ensure that the development needs of the people were met.

    “We have agreed that less than 10 days from today, we will visit the communities and appeal to them and then, we go to work,” he said.

    The operation in OML 25 stopped since in 2017 when the host communities sent SPDC away from operating in the facility over issues of unemployment and underdevelopment among others.

    Host communities’ grouses

    The multinational oil giant has operated in the environment for almost 40 years. Despite these long years of operation, the communities said they have become poorer while the oil giant gets richer.

    Members of the communities decried alleged gross neglect, marginalisation, impoverishment, enslavement, maltreatment, environmental devastation; failure to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the host communities, among others necessitated the shutdown of the facility by women and children of the communities.

    But the company denied the alleged neglect, insisting that the welfare of their host communities remains paramount to it.

    The SPDC is operating the flow station as a consortium with 32.3 per cent stake on behalf of SPDC, Total E&P and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), in Joint Venture with the NNPC, which controls 60 per cent stake while Belema Oil Producing Limited has 7.7 per cent participating interest in the facility, which it inherited from Chevron Nigeria Limited.

    To attract the attention of wider society to the deplorable state of the oil-rich communities, their chiefs and leaders held a news conference at Offoin-Ama and the flow station in July. They also conducted reporters drawn from local and international media round the communities for on-the-spot assessment of the areas and to verify the claims by the oil firm on the developmental state of the communities.

    From Offoin-Ama to Belema down to Ngeje communities, the sights and sounds are the same tales of woe, lamentation, impoverishment and high level of poverty among the people. There are no signs of social amenities in the communities visited. There are no hospitals, good schools, no habitable houses and power supply. Houses in the areas are all shanties, made of polythene bags and trampoline. The rich among them built their houses with woods.

    Hunger, poverty, hardship and total and criminal neglect of the areas are prominent features of the areas and these are etched on the faces of the residents. There is a complete lack of government’s presence whatsoever in the places visited despite their huge financial contributions to the state and federal government coffers.

    They also lamented lack of jobs, business and no artisan workshop anywhere in the area. Apart from a small patent medicine store at Offoin-Ama which apparently serves as health care facility to the people, the other shop in the communities is a beer parlour shop at Belema community.

    Analysts put the estimate of revenue so far lost by the governments in the two years the business has been shut down to over $2 billion.

    The communities accused Wike of meddlesomeness, stressing that the governor had no business interfering in matters of oil and gas, insisting that he lacked the statutory powers to preside over any meeting on the dispute.

    The governor set up a committee led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr.  Tammy Danagogo, and gave him seven days to resolve all disputes, reunite parties and re-open the facility within one week.

    The host communities boycotted the meetings convened by the government where a Memorandum of Understanding was purportedly signed to re-open the oil facility.

    The Chairman of Kula Supreme Council of Chiefs and the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom, His Royal Highness Kroma Eleki was in the meeting and signed the GMoU. But he told the participants that the rightful stakeholders were absent and that his signing the agreement would not guarantee the vacation of the facility by the women.

    He said:  “I really did attend the meeting by the state government to broker peace between Shell and the host communities of OML25, flow station. As a government recognised monarch, I am supposed to attend such meetings and to advise the government on the way forward.

    “I did attend and there was settlement agreement to sign and I did sign, but before I signed, I told the government and the public that the signing of that agreement do not lead to the opening of the OML 25 flow station.

    “In any case, Shell has owed us for several years and we needed that money. So, signing the document was for us to access the money and, again, I also did tell them that the people with who they were negotiating at the meeting are not in the position to ensure the opening of OML25 and that the real stakeholders were not in the meeting.

    “I advised them to be patient until they meet with the main stakeholders and that there is a need for them to pay a visit to Kula Kingdom and the host communities to see things for themselves before they will be able to broker peace.”

    Speaking on his position in OML- 25, he said: “Since Shell began operations in Kula, they have not done any significant thing for the communities. So, I stand with the people of Kula Kingdom, because of the suffering we are going through.

    “I will not like Shell to come back to operate OML 25, it should give the right to other operators, if possible, to Belema Oil. He is our son. If on the other hand Shell feels that it has gotten a licence, they want to operate, Belema Oil has a stake in that the partnership he should be given the operatorship of that stake, so that whenever they want to sell, he should have the first option of refusal before they can sell it.”

    The spokesperson of Belema Central Women Association occupying the OML 25 flow station, Mrs. Belinda Nokiman relived their ordeal to reporters.

    She decried the poor state of the communities, adding that they do not have good drinking water in the area.

    At Offoin-Ama, Chief Ibiosiya Nath-Sukubo said: “Offoin-Ama is a co-host to OML-25 and  bellies the six and eight inches delivery lines, a myriad of oil wells, the Sego Creek manifold, riser, Eastern Gas Gathering Lines (EGGS I) and NCTL among others. It is a principal oil-producing and pipeline community and a contributor to over 200,000 barrels of oil and over 1.5 million standard cubic feet of gas (mmscf).

    “We are prone to serious ecological hazards such as earthquake and Tsunami, among others. The people’s natural source of income which is fishing has continued to diminish.”

    Nath-Sukubo reiterated the failure of SPDC to take seriously the welfare of its host communities in the area. He urged them to divest the flow-station to Belema Oil, maintaining that Shell will never be allowed back to the area.

    In the heat of the brouhaha, Shell insisted it had high regards for its host communities in the Niger Delta.

    “Shell JV’s committed to the welfare of its host communities in the Niger Delta remain unshaken, even as we debunk every allegation that we neglected the development of communities in Kula Kingdom and Belema.,” the company said.

    Will the agreement engender peace?

    Will the agreement entered into yesterday by the oil firms, NNPC and Sylva be acceptable to the host communities? The outcome of the meeting the operators are supposed to have with them in the next few days  will tell.

  • What Goalkeepers’ Report says about SDGs on child mortality, education

    Nigeria and others in sub-Saharan Africa are not expected to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets on child mortality and education by 2030, according to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)  Goalkeepers’ Report released today,  write ROBERT EGBE and OYEBOLA OWOLABI

     

    IT is not all gloom. In Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, and Kollam in India, progress has been made in addressing the inequality caused by geography. An average person in Ado-Ekiti now has more than 12 years of education, and in Kollam, an average person now has 14 years of education, almost comparable to the most developed countries. These are some of the findings of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers’ Report for 2019.

    “If we are serious about the SDGs, then we have to accelerate the fight against geographical inequality and make sure that more districts are excelling like Kollam and Ado-Ekiti. No sub-Saharan African country is expected to achieve the SDG targets on both child mortality and education by 2030,” said the report.

    The report, which urged  countries to ensure its citizens lead valuable lives despite the “natural or human made limitations which threaten their living, observed that in Budaun district in Uttar Pradesh, India, the average person gets approximately six years of education, and in Garki and Jigawa, the average year of education is five. This shows that when juxtaposed with the world standard, the Budauns and Garkis of the world are not catching up fast enough. This gap must be bridged if the world must meet the 2030 target.

    “Very few developing countries are projected to meet the health and education SDGs. Nearly two-thirds of the children in low- and middle-income countries live in districts that, at their current rate of progress, won’t reach the SDG target for child mortality by 2030. One third lives in districts that won’t even reach it by 2050,” the report said.

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers’ report for 2019 argues that human capital is critical to economic growth in poor countries. This year, its argument is that human capital investment should be designed to reach girls and prioritise those countries and districts that have to make up the most ground. One of those grounds is the gender gap which has kept the girl-child subservient most of her life.

    In addressing the gender gap, countries need to re-evaluate the number of girls who get access to quality education. The gatekeepers report notes that girls in sub-Saharan African get fewer years of schooling; 21.7 per cent are married off before their 18th birthday; spend three times more than boys on unpaid jobs and get lesser opportunities in the work environment. “This lack of access to education and jobs is destructive for everyone. It keeps women disempowered, limits their children’s life chances, and slows down economic growth,” the report added.

    Unhindered access to quality and affordable healthcare, especially for the female gender, is another way  countries can progress in meeting the SGD goals. The report proposes three choices for countries to develop their primary healthcare – spend a little more (at $86, governments of low-income countries could fully fund primary healthcare); spend on right priorities (African governments should stop meeting some people’s needs and instead make do with the infrastructure in secondary and tertiary healthcare until the primary has the investment it needs); spend more efficiently (ensure that the right products are available at the right prices and delivered to the right places at the right times.)

    The report also identified stemming infant and maternal mortality as another important goal countries have to reach. This, it notes, can be achieved through educating women with timely information about their nutritional needs and so on.

  • Tussle over stool vacated by Okonjo-Iweala’s father

    The installation of Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11 of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom has thrown the kingdom into turmoil. Another prince, Nathan Okonjo, claims he has been installed by an aggrieved party, writes Okungbowa Aiwerie in Asaba

     

    OGWASHI-UKU Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State is on the boil again. At the centre of the debacle is a decade old kingship tussle, which predates Obi Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo 11, who succeeded Obi Ben Chukuka Okonjo, a professor of mathematics and father of ex-Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

    The new obi’s coronation followed the endorsement and presentation by the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku and the traditional chalking and crowning ceremonies conducted by the Ikelike and Agidiehi (kingmakers) in Ogwashi Uku.

    Despite the colourful ceremonies heralding the reign of the young monarch, a faction of the royal family, led by Prince Nathan Okonjo and his siblings, is on the warpath.

    Historically, the Umu Obi Obahai royal family had suffered usurpation by the Dieyi’s regency for 140 years. But in a landmark ruling, an Asaba High Court on January 24, 2007, restored the throne to the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.

    Despite the court judgment, peace has eluded the Ogwashi-Uku royal family as litigation continues to threaten the community’s unity and peace.

    The crux of the matter, according to Prince Nathan Okonjo, lies in the correct interpretation of the judgment by Justice S.C Oseji, which states in item (ii): “It is the duty of the said family to meet to examine the eldest son of the late Obi and his qualifications as hereinbefore stated. It is this meeting of the sole ruling dynasty which is entitled to resolve all questions as to the qualifications and fitness for appointment and all pre-selection claims or counter-claims. If any, including in case of any dispute arising as to seniority in age between two sons of the late obi by different mothers, to determine the issue of seniority between the two sons and put forward the elder son for the succession.”

    He alleged that some key family members were induced financially, saying that due process was not followed in the selection of the incumbent obi.

    Prince Nathan Okonjo said: “I went to court because our family, the larger Umu Obi Obahai family, did the wrong thing. The Hon. Justice Oseji judgment was in favour of the Umu Obi Obahai family that went to court, but within the Umu Obi Obahai family is the Okonjo dynasty-the sole owners of the throne. Instead of allowing us (Okonjos) do the normal thing as the court-ordered i.e. picking and selecting a candidate to be put forward, the Umu Obi Obahai now decided to award the obiship to Prof Okonjo without following due process. Of course, right from the outset, I objected. I wrote a protest letter to the kingmakers telling them that they should not be in a hurry to chalk anybody. I told them that the man they are bringing forward is not fit and proper to rule. I have copies of these letters (displaying a sheaf of papers). The one we wrote on February 8, 2007, soon after the judgment, then the one of February 21, 2007, on the same subject-matter. You know the daughter was a one-time Finance mnister of the federation; she aided him.”

    He went on: “Some of us objected, pointing out that due process was not followed. That process is for the Okonjos to sit and decide because as it is, at the time of the judgment, nobody’s father was an obi. So, for someone to make the claim of succession from father to son is ludicrous. My father was the last of the Okonjos that lived and he instituted this legal action that proved successful in 1984. If things were done properly, I, being the eldest son, should be selected, but they used unorthodox means to get him (Prof Okonjo) there.”

    In his protest letter to the chairman of Aniocha South Traditional Council, Prince Okonjo said the procedure for selection of obi is that the Emordi family, acting through the Diokpa of the Emordi family, requests the Okonjo family to meet and provide two candidates for confirmation by the Emordi family. Also, the confirmation of the two candidates by an oracle must be witnessed by three or four persons in the Emordi family, one being a woman.

    According to him, this crucial process was bypassed. The Umu-Obi Obahai family, he said, acted outside the main Umu Emordi group. Their (Umu Obi Obahai) only role is to accept the nomination of the Okonjo family as presented by the Umu Emordi family.

    In furtherance of his desire to become king, Prince Nathan has commenced the chalking rites preparatory to being crowned obi.

    He added that his action is based on an Ogwashi Uku High Court’s judgment by Justice Tessy Diai delivered on November 22, 2012.

    Prince Nathan Okonjo said he had been chalked and installed by the Umuonihe Adimoso Ruling House.

    According to Nathan Okonjo, the Umuonihe Adimoso, according to Justice Diai, is entitled to nominate, recommend and present a candidate for the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Onihe of Ogwashi-Uku, which also installs an Obi.

    He said the age-long Ogwashi-Uku succession tradition of primogeniture cannot be swept under the carpet, adding that as the eldest male in the Okonjo family; he is the authentic obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.

    The late Obi Okonjo

    Also, there is another suit instituted last year by Prince Clement Okonjo at an Ogwashi Uku High Court challenging the new monarch.

    The suit between Prince Clement Okonjo and others vs Prof Ben Okonjo and six others has, among other reliefs, a perpetual injunction seeking to stop Obi Ifechukwude 11, who is listed as the fifth defendant, from parading himself as the crown prince to the throne.

    Prince Clement Okonjo said because Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo 11 was joined in the suit, it was wrong for him to have allowed himself to be crowned as obi of Ogwashi-Uku.

    His words: “This is because whether an interlocutory injunction has been granted or not against the installed obi, one should obey and respect the rule of law by holding forth until the matter is dispensed with.”

    Reacting to insinuations that the new monarch was crowned in error, the Ogwashi-Uku royal family faulted such claims.

    In a statement jointly signed by the Acting Diokpa; Umu Obi Obahai royal family; Prince Emmanuel Nwokolie Ohei; Ozoma of Ogwashi-Uku; and Palace Secretary Prince Okolobi Nkemjika Lawrence; Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi;  they urged the public and the people of Ogwashi-Ukwu to disregard any misinformation being peddled by “some disgruntled individuals”.

    The seven-paragraph statement reads:  “It has come to our attention that Patrick Okonjo, a renegade and serial petition writer has issued a statement in which he claims to be speaking for the Umu Obi Obahai royal family.

    “We want to make this known: Patrick Okonjo does not speak for the family; he speaks only for himself as he has always done.

    Prince Nathan Okonjo

    “We urge our people, the public, media and all stakeholders to ignore the reckless comments of Patrick. He has been issuing such frivolous statement and filing frivolous court cases in pursuit of his selfish interest for over a decade.

    “The Umu Obi Obahai royal family is united in its decision which produced Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo. And this decision has been endorsed by Agidiehe and Ikelike , the kingmakers. The successful installation, enthronement and the joy of the people last Friday (September 13, 2019) knows no bounds and goes to show that the people of Ogwashi-Uku are happy with this decision.”

    According to the statement, the new obi is rounding off the remaining traditional processes and set to begin his reign, adding: “ We thank God for making the process smooth and we also ask Ogwashians to pray for the progress and development of our great kingdom.”

    Certainly, the last has not been heard in the hometown of the Okonjos.

  • My wish for Nigeria, by Bill Gates

    Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, in this telephone conference with reporters from Nigeria, Stockholm, Uganda and others, speaks about 2019 Goalkeepers Report, Nigeria, the role of geography on inequality and many more. Excerpts:

     

    High level of poverty and inequality that exists in Nigeria

    Well, Nigeria is a super-important country and one that the foundation has an office there.  We did a lot of work in Nigeria on polio and we learned a lot doing that.  Nigeria has gone almost three years now without having a polio case.

    The biggest priority we have, although making absolutely sure we’re done with polio remains a big priority, now we’re able to focus even more on the primary health care system.

    If I had one wish for Nigeria, it would be that the quality and funding of the primary health care system would achieve the level of some other countries that are lower-income but have done a better job with the primary health care system.  So, it definitely is doable.

    In Nigeria for a lot of the work we do there we’re partnered with Aliko Dangote, who helps us understand who the good partners are and exactly how we can reach out to groups like the traditional leaders and get them involved in these efforts as well.

    So, Nigeria is important, I’m hopeful about Nigeria.  As you see in the report, the disparities within Nigeria are quite stark.

    Also, one challenge that Nigeria has is that the amount of money that the government raises domestically is quite small compared to other countries.  A lot of countries at that level will be raising closer to 15 per cent of GDP and Nigeria is one of the lowest in the world down at about six per cent.  And so, it is a huge challenge that when you want to fund infrastructure, health, education, all those things, that over time the tax collection, the domestic resources are going to have to go up quite a bit.

    That’s a long-term effort and I think partly by making sure the current resources are spent well like on primary health care, you gain the credibility that the citizens will say, okay, we want more of these things.  If we don’t raise the quality, you can get into a trap where they don’t feel like paying the taxes actually has that much impact, and so they’re not supportive of that.

    So, we’re working hard… we do videoconferences with state governors.  If we can make the six states into exemplars, then these practices can be extended to all 18 of the northern states.  There are best practices down in the south as well that we can learn from that as well. And so, you know, building on what we were able to achieve with polio and the relationships we’ve built there and our commitment, starting with primary health care, we think that Nigeria can tackle its inequality.

    Addressing inequality at the district level

    Well, a lot of the challenges here are quality of governance.  And so, there’s a question of can you use the new digital tools in a substantial way so that people can track the government spending, so people can give feedback to the government when the schools or primary health care is not working.  We should be able to have way more visibility, way more measurement about government services than we’ve ever had before with the pervasiveness of the cell phone.

    So, for example, in our family planning work, we go out multiple times a year and have women go around and talk to other women about: Did they have a stockout? Were they well educated? Did they feel they were being pushed to do something they weren’t comfortable with?  And that feedback comes in and we can adjust the family planning educational activities on a very immediate basis.

    I do a regular phone call with six of the governors in the north of Nigeria to talk about the statistics on their primary health care system, getting the workers there, getting the vaccine supply right, getting the mothers to show up so that we get antenatal care to be better, we get vaccination rates to be better.  And it’s really the digital tools that let us, you know, every time we meet and talk, we have a sense of, okay, what’s gone well in the last six months, what hasn’t, and what do we need to change.

    And so, you can say it’s partly because of my background, but I do see that the innovation in the digital tools, the innovation in the drugs and the vaccines, I do think those are why I feel like we can have an acceleration of improvements in nutrition, education, and health.

    The interesting thing that I always want to remind people is that the countries that do well actually graduate.  And so, a lot of the Asian aid recipients like Vietnam, Indonesia and India, although they still receive aid, that’s been going down, and the domestic resources raised, in those countries has been going up.  That’s really good news that those countries take on more and more of that effort, and that’s partly why highlighting these district differences should be valuable to them.

    There are countries that are the toughest are the ones that will remain.  I don’t pretend it will be easy in those countries, because the governance, getting that to be good is a huge challenge.  But even there, as we show in the report, we have seen progress.

    UN General Assembly

    The UN General Assembly week in New York is really an opportunity for the world to step back and look at the progress at helping those most in need.  And of course, the context for that is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    And so, this is the third year that we’ve done two things; first, come up with a report that educates people on where the gaps are and where the progress is and what we need to do to try and achieve these goals; and second, we’ll actually have an event in New York City called the Goalkeepers events where we celebrate some of the heroes, talk about some of the innovations and talk about where we need to put in more effort.

    The theme of this year’s report was the global inequality, and in some ways, it’s very impressive to see that in almost every location, not just at the country level but even down within the countries at the subnational level, what we call districts, that we are seeing progress on two of the most important metrics, which is reducing childhood mortality and increasing the number of years of schooling.

    However, the contrast, the inequality in that progress is still quite stunning.  You have almost half a billion people who live in communities without access to basic health and education.  And of course, we see that where you’re born and what gender you are do have a major effect on this global inequality.

    Countries that are interesting to look at include India and Nigeria where the districts that are the worst off are some of the toughest in the world, and the districts that are well off are actually almost exceeding developed country success.   And so, not only do we need to take best practices from the best countries to the other countries, even within countries spreading best practices is going to make a big difference.

    The gender statistics, which are still not as strong and as clear as they should be, are getting somewhat better.  Seeing that girls are subject to more violence, less opportunity, less education, all of those are things that as we understand the phenomenon better let us prioritize reducing those incredible gender gaps.

    We hope that a report like this helps countries really prioritize the things that work for the poorest in their countries to really invest in the next generation.  If we don’t accelerate progress, the gaps will continue to get larger.  And the goals that have been set in the SDGs are quite ambitious, and in these more difficult districts, we are not on track to achieve these goals.

    The kinds of investments we think that are most impactful are first of all primary health care. That’s the centrepiece of this universal healthcare SDG.

    We also see opportunities to use new technology to achieve goals, whether that’s using cell phones to find out whether government services are being delivered, to help workers do their job, also to make sure we’re investing in breakthrough vaccines and drugs that can make a huge difference for a lot of the diseases that are mostly prevalent in the poorer countries.

    Finally, I’ll mention that this year’s General Assembly meeting will talk about climate change and an aspect of climate change that hasn’t gotten much focus, which is that we need to help the poor countries adapt to the climate change that will happen in parallel with the mitigation.  And so, that could further, exacerbate these differences because it’s the equatorial countries with lots of subsistence farmers that will have the most negative impact, even though those countries did not contribute in any meaningful way to the greenhouse gases that are causing the warming.

    So, the conversation about helping the poorest, the conversation about the innovators and the heroes in this area, that’s something that we think will help accelerate the healthy, productive life that everyone should have access to.

    And so, the spirit of the report is to be frank about where we are but also to show the path to do better.

    Definition of a good school and what constitutes good schooling

    Yeah, your question is a very important one.  When people talked about this in the past, there was real prioritisation on getting kids into school, in the access, both at the primary and secondary level.  And that is the first step and the world made a lot of progress on that.

    But then people were realizing that in some of those efforts to increase access there hadn’t been enough focus on quality, you know, were kids learning to read, were kids learning the basic math skills that they’ll need in a variety of jobs.

    And so, actually the World Bank did a report.  They pick a theme every year.  I think it was two years ago the so-called World Development Report talked about the fact that the quality issue was a huge challenge, and only a few countries were really getting out of a year of schooling everything they should, and that there were a few exemplars and a lot in terms of teacher training, picking the right teachers, nothing fancy in terms of technology, just having the right human teachers there that we could do better.

    There have been a lot of efforts now to measure, to take the things that were done in developed countries like PISA and KIM to compare the school systems.  There’s a group that we’ve been backing that actually is now looking at all the different countries and showing some of those education metrics.

    And so, it really does come down to the investment in well-trained teachers and a very strong personnel system.  And often that can be done without increasing the cost of the education system significantly.