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  • Untold story of Illegal mining activities, deforestation in Taraba

    Untold story of Illegal mining activities, deforestation in Taraba

    Despite its huge natural endowments, Taraba State sits on the lowest rungs of the human development index in Nigeria. Among these endowments are rich forests and mineral resources. Our Taraba State Correspondent VICTOR GAI, looks into the perennial illegal activities of deforestation and solid minerals exploitation by local and foreign agents with far reaching consequences on the environment and economy of the state.

    Boasting one of the largest landmass in the country, Taraba State is naturally gifted with arable land for farming, livestock and fisheries. It has the largest stretch of the River Benue and one of the largest collections of livestock in the country. All these might have earned it its sobriquet, ‘nature’s gift to the nation’.

    But below the fertile lands and in the interspersed terrain are exotic solid mineral resources and forest trees that the state had not given much attention to until recently when foreigners began to exploit them with rapacious tendency. With the connivance of locals, foreign nationals have made huge fortunes which eventually drew the attention of the government.

    Akwana, a community in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, is the hotbed of illegal mining activities. It is among several others spread across the state that are notorious for illegal mining. It is located at the Taraba/Benue border which has been a flashpoint for kidnapping, banditry and inter-communal clashes over time.

    Findings made by ‘The Nation’ shows that the activities of illegal miners are responsible for the spate of kidnapping, banditry and boundary disputes that have lingered between Taraba and Benue states.

    According to a local source who craved anonimity for security reasons, the menace of illegal mining thrived with the connivance of security agents, state government officials and some local lords who have the cover of authorities.

    The source said: “It is the individuals in the community that decide to handle mining disregarding warnings from the chiefdom and even the mines officer. At a point, even the mines officer was involved in the racket. I can say that anytime and anywhere. He was giving them immunity.

    “Illegal mining led to the influx of unknown people, leading to kidnapping, robberies and others. It got to the extent that even the DSS and some security operatives got so interested in the case because of the infiltration of illegal explosives used for mining activities.

    “They claim that they as indigenes deserve to mine what they have in their community. But the question is do you have the licence to mine?

    “Any time I write a report, because we do write monthly reports, within five minutes, I will start recieving calls that they know what I am doing.

    “So I became a target. Hence I myself don’t go there.”

    He further disclosed that despite the government ban on illegal mining, the practice still contineud because of the presence of a ‘mafia’ who control the state boundaries for their business interests.

    “They themselves don’t want to stop. So it took the grace of the task force to stop them.

    “The illegal mining got so bad that in the boundary issue between Taraba and Benue states, knowing full well that there is a ban in Taraba State, some locals in Akwana would tell the Tiv people living in that area to claim the place as Benue State so that Taraba authorities would not be able to come in.

    “At some point, through the allocation of cadastral unit for mining, some points were mapped out of Taraba State and placed in Benue,” the source added.

    The Madrid debacle

    In the heyday of rosewood exploitation, popularly known as Madrid, the immediate past governor, Darius Ishaku, had to wade into the matter to restore order and decorum. Business men took advantage of the weak regulatory environment to deny the state of revenue from the product until the government intervened.

    The Ministry of Environment was stripped of powers to collect revenue from the product and the state’s Internal Revenue Service took over. But by the time order was restored to the industry, millionaires were made. Young men and women left school to engage in the trade while the state lost billions from the illegal business.

    In her 2018 study titled Eco-criticism: A comparative Study of Madrid Deforestation and its Effect on Secondary School Students’ Learning Performance in Jalingo and Ardo Kola Local Government Taraba State of Nigeria, Dr. Abigail Seth Karfe of the Taraba State University wrote: “Critical observation has been seen on how this benefit of natural resources (forestation) has been jeopardised because of human beings’ self desire and unnecessary quest for money.

    “This is usually ignored in most states and local governments and is resulting in a lot of deforestation, reducing the learning performance of students in secondary schools and land degradation.

    “Madrid deforestation in Taraba State needs to be discouraged.”

    She quoted Dayo Aiyetan of the International Centre for Investigative Reporters, in his study titled: How China fuels deforestation in Nigeria, West Africa. “Smart Chinese businessmen are exploiting a lax regulatory and enforcement environment, loopholes in existing laws, lack of government policy and direction as well as official corruption by government officials to drive an illegal trade in and export of the country’s forestry resources that might have grave consequences for both the environment and the economy…forestry experts are warned that the unrestrained and uncontrolled harvesting of the special type of timber across the states will have devastating impact on the environment and contribute immensely to global warming which is currently threatening the world.

    “Apart from the effect on the environment, the experts fear that the illegal activities of local and Chinese merchants will also have telling economic implications in the near future in many communities where the forests that are being violated are located.

    “In many states, including Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Taraba, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Cross River, a rapacious demand by China for an ornate species of wood, rose wood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) locally known as Kosso, has since late 2013 fuelled an unprecedented frenzy of illegal logging of wood that is fast depleting the nation’s natural forestry resources.”

    According to Karfe in her findings, students were “immensely involved in Madrid deforestation and this has a lot of negative influence and effect on their learning performance as shown in their results for both Mathematics and English language… and “Madrid deforestation equally promotes global warming.”

    In her recommendation, she called for government intervention to curb the trend through education and enlightenment of citizens, promulgation of laws, strengthening of security and economic empowerment of the citizens.

     Kefas to the rescue

    Meanwhile, the menace of illegal mining continued side by side with the heavy deforestation of the land, posing a double jeopardy for the state.

    In June 2023, the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, inaugurated the Taraba State Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation, headed by Brig-Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (rtd). The governor then signed the Executive Order 3 and 5 (as amended) suspending mining activities and deforestation in the state.

    This policy direction by the governor could be a deliberate attempt at looking at alternative revenue sources for the state rather than an attempt to save the environment.

    The Task Force has achieved a lot just as it faced several challenges due to the presence of an entrenched “cartel” and bottlenecks from official and non-official quarters. Besides that, the terrain is a huge challenge considering the land mass and the under-developed nature of the state.

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    According to the Task Force through its spokesman, Ibrahim Zuppai, it has discovered 15 illegal mining sites across five local government areas  namely Sardauna, Gashaka, Bali, Wukari and Karim-Lamido. They have arrested 17 foreign nationals and 100 Nigerians involved in illegal mining. The suspects have since been handed over to the special mobile court for prosecution.

    Also, over a billion naira has been realised as fines from those arrested for flouting the Executive Order. The minerals discovered include Fluoride, Zircon, Blue Sapphire, Lead, Iron Monzite, Quartz and Galena.

    In September 2023, the Task Force made the biggest recovery of 22,373 kilograms of Blue Sapphire in Mayo Sena, a notorious illegal mining site in Sardauna LGA of Taraba State. While speaking on the discovery, Faransa also disclosed the enormous mineral potentials in the state, which includes the discovery of uranium in Yorro LGA.

    But as the Task Force was yet to recover from the euphoria of its successes, a scandal ensued which might potentially pitch the Task Force against the authorities. The latest scandal was the destruction of mining equipment in yet another notorious mining site in Akwana, a border community between Taraba and Benue states, a fortnight ago.

    The Task Force was allegedly accused of ordering the burning down of mining equipment which belonged to the state government. The mining equipment, reportedly worth billions of naira, were said to have been procured and transported to site by the Taraba State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources. They include excavators, soundproof Mikano generators, detecting machines, motorcycles and others.

    That act actually generated social media reactions and concerns by citizens who have all along criticised the activities of the Task Force. Controversy is still raging in the state over the matter as citizens continue to lament over what they say is an unnecessary waste of tax payers’ funds used in the purchase of the equipment.

    Irked by this development, a pressure group known as Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC) have accused the Task Force of destroying State-owned mining assets and called on Governor Kefas to come out clear and inform the people of the state on the true position of things. They demanded to know why a Task Force established by his government would go all out to destroy equipment worth billions of naira which were procured with tax payers’ money.

    The Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emos Tijani, while addressing journalists in Jalingo, Taraba State capital last week, alleged that there were discrepancies leading to the burning of the mining equipment. He stated that “it is still not clear why a Task Force that was established by the governor would destroy state owned properties of such magnitude”.

    He said: “We the concerned citizens are still confused on what led to the destruction of the mining equipment.

    “Is it that the Faransa-led Task Force is in disagreement with the state government or is it that the governor and his government have also engaged in illegal mining activities that the equipment worth billions of naira were destroyed at this time that we are always told there is economic hardship?

    “We demand to know.”

    The Permanent Secretary, Taraba State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Matsai David, confirmed that he did convey the mining equipment procured by the Bureau to Akwana in Wukari on the directive of the governor.

    He said: “I conveyed the mining equipment to Wukari on the directive of the governor. I am not answerable to the Task Force. When the governor comes back from his trip, I will give my explanation on the situation. For now, I reserve my comment.”

    But the Taraba State Government did not come out clear on the matter and only gave a tacit response on the matter.

    Speaking during a parley with journalists in Jalingo, the Taraba State Commissioner of Information, Barrister Zainab Usman Jalingo, said: “I don’t think there is a disconnection between the Task Force on Illegal Mining and the government. If there is a misunderstanding, it is something to be sorted out at their level.”

    According to her, the legal and regulatory framework has already been put in place in the state, in collaboration with the federal government in order to avoid conflicts.

    Jalingo stated: “I happen to be part of the delegation at the Ministry of Solid Minerals and I happen to be part of the committee that tidied up and sorted out the Mining Act in the state.

    “As far as Taraba State is concerned, the issue of mining, we have concurrent interest as to the implementation of the Mining Act.

    “Where any of the miners is going to explore more than five centimetres into the ground, the state government has to be taken into consideration.

    “We have tidied that up at the House of Assembly and they have promulgated a law before the initial issue of mining in the state.

    “So anyone that enters Taraba must first register with the Minister of Solid Minerals at the federal level and then at the state level too.”

    On the part of the Task Force, it said it did not deliberately burn the equipment and usually follows due process in its activities.

    According to the spokesman of the Task Force, Ibrahim Zuppai, the governor actually gave the directive for any illegal mining equipment to be burnt whenever they are found since they can’t be confiscated. He added that the allegation was a ploy by a “cartel” to pit the Task Force against the governor.

    A statement he issued reads: “The attention of the Taraba State Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation has been drawn to a malicious allegation circulating in the media. The Task Force and its Chairman, Brigadier General Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), were accused of destroying government owned mining equipment in Akwana.

    “We categorically debunk this baseless allegation and set the record straight. The Task Force has been diligently carrying out its functions in accordance with Executive Order No. 3 and 5 as amended, signed by Gov. Agbu Kegas in 2023.

    “The allegation of destroying government-owned mining equipment is a clear attempt by a cartel to create a rift between the governor and the Task Force and to undermine our efforts to protect the State’s environment, its resources and citizens as the task force was not communicated of any government’s equipment deployed to any mining site when the government is still working on a clear guide line for all miners to adhere to.”

  • Sanwo-Olu govt has completed 19 abandoned housing schemes

    Sanwo-Olu govt has completed 19 abandoned housing schemes

    Moruf Akinderu-Fatai is the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing. He won the Housing Commissioner of the Year for the second time this year. In this interview at The Nation’s Open Forum, he speaks on the housing sector and the government’s plans to reduce housing deficit in the state. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO and Damola Kola-Dare report

    You were announced as Housing  Commissioner  of the year. This is not the first time you are winning the award. What is your ministry doing differently that earned you that award?

    Apart  from the bricks and mortar, there are so many technicalities. I am not an engineer, I am an administrator, a chartered secretary. When I got into housing, it was a challenge. I never knew Mr Governor will give me that assignment. I took it as a challenge, but what I discovered was that those in the real estate sector focused on the high end, because that  is where they can easily make money. But nothing is done  about low income earners. About 19 of our estates were abandoned. But instead of focusing on that, we see a lot of activities going on in Oniru and Lekki axis. It now appeared that the low income earners do not matter and that’s why we see a lot of people moving to Ogun State. So, the governor said there would not be new projects, rather we should finish the abandoned projects. Before then, the contracts were not strategic. But we were strategic, we tinkered with what we had.We faced one at a time. There is what we call Rent-to-Own programme in Lagos and there is outright sales. The initial idea  under former Governor Babatunde Fashola was for people to pay 30 percent. After that, they start paying till over ten years. But we discovered that even with that, people couldn’t really afford it. So it had to come down to five percent and 10 payment with years six percent simple  interest rate for first time buyers. The idea, according to Mr Governor, is to bring  new people into the housing ladder. We had to find a way to approach this so that we can build at affordable rate.

    So, we are trying to get 1,000 units done in Ipaja. But on our part, we were able to complete about 19 abandoned housing scheme. Some are big, some are small,.and we have been able to bring in a lot of people and the governor has also been magnanimous in the sense that whenever we have a scheme like that, after we finish, we don’t sell before we finish, it is after the governor commissions it that we decide. He will ask how much is the rate around the area. For instance, when we finished Lateef Kayode Jakande LKJ Gardens in Igando, we fixed the rate around N10 and N15 million; then he will say we should pick the lower rate and 75 percent will go for Rent-to-Own, while 25 percent goes for outright sales. The one in Igbogbo went as far as N8 million for three-bed room, while one bed went for N3.5 million. The one at Ibeshe went for N13 million; then one bed, N6 million.

    When we say affordable,    it should  be affordable. Then, how do we make sure people who don’t have capacity can access it? We have been having a lot of discussions and looking for new technologies. But it is just the focus and determination to see that low income earners are really served. We are also working on rentage and mortgage system to make it for people who are bringing money to have confidence in the sector.  We have two approaches; those we built through budgetary allocation and joint venture partners. As the price of construction kept going up, the budget was reducing. That is why we are looking into other means of financing. We are trying to move to new home schemes and we are having robust discussions with some financial institutions. As we speak, Access Bank has agreed to assist us. We are almost there. Very soon we will do groundbreaking in Ikorodu. It will be about 800 units, and we have one with joint venture partners collaborating with Federal Mortgage Bank at Ipaja. That is 1,000 units. So, we are seeing how we can escalate activities for low income earners. While working with Access Bank, we tried to bring down the price, the  N8 million price for three bedroom is no longer sustainable for a livable environment. The governor’s position is that every one should  be able to live in a livable environment.   That’s why when you go to Ibeshe, Igbogbo or LKJ in Igando, what you have there is what you have in Iponri and Lekki. We sold Iponri at N30 million, while we sold the one at Lekki at N50 million.  We sold the one at Igando for N10 million. The idea of the governor is that why not use that and allow LSDPC to concentrate on the high networth individuals. We commissioned 270 units in Egan; the cost is around N24 million per two bedroom. As we speak, Ipaja area sells for around N40 million because of the cost of construction and to be able to break even. Then, the struggle of those that really need it, a serious struggle. And to be sure that those who actually need it, get it. It was  on social media at some point that there is massive fraud in the Ministry of Housing, just because I curbed  some moves. So, they attacked me and I said no problem. But the most important thing is that it has to be for those who actually need it. It is not easy to achieve that. We can see somebody that even uses his driver to front. So, it is always like that. When you come for change of ownership, maybe we commissioned last year and you are coming for it this year, I don’t always treat such request. I try and put it somewhere. I understand what is happening there. It happens because we have supply lower than demand. The population keeps rising. As we speak, people are coming in Lagos and they don’t intend to go back. They don’t have anywhere to stay. And one of our strategic thing is we don’t build three bedroom anymore. So, we try to build two beds for young families so when they are ready to move on, they can always do that.

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    How are you overcoming the challenge of getting people who actually need it to get it?

    We  have a Lagos Mortgage Board and you cannot just go in there that you want to buy. You have to prove that you leave in Lagos, you have to prove that this is how you earn your income,   and you also need to bring your statement of account and your company will also have to endorse you. So, there are mechanisms to it. And you cannot sell that place until after 10 years. There is so much pressure. Those who want us to have more revenue are pushing, and with that, we will be defeating the purpose. My position stays that if you buy through Rent-to-Own, you cannot sell until after 10 years.

    How about those not in paid employment?

    Everybody can apply. You must have your statement of account, and  people who can vouch for you. It has to be 33.3 percent of your earnings per month, they will remove every month. So, one could combine with his wife.

    In tackling the soaring deficit,  talking about land, how are you tackling the challenge of land acquisition?

    Lagos has no choice than to go vertical. What we are doing now is moving to Badagry, Agbowa, Epe axis.But we have to go  vertical. You see the Omo onile trying to sell off parcels of land; this is also a major challenge. Like Ipaja I mentioned earlier, there is family called Tinubu Efunroye. They came in and it was a Herculean task taking them off. We have a place called Workers’ Village in Ipaja, we went there and it was tough. In fact, they shot at our people, but we are able to take them off. We are taking them off. We are up to the task. And people naturally without checking buy those parcels of land and erect beautiful buildings there, so when you say you spent a lot of money on building without having proper documentation and you are confident without having any approved plan, except the receipt, then, when government comes, you now say they are witch-hunting you. So, we are going back to the Workers’ Village because we are building our 600 units of two beds there.

    People complain about getting Certificate of Occupancy how is government trying to resolve  the hurdles?

    It is not only governor that signs consent. We have over eight commissioners who sign on behalf of the Governor. And we have also gone online. Today, Lagos is a leading example. We have mapped every inch of Lagos land. All you need to do is to properly document. If you don’t check the status of your land, there are certain areas you can never get permit. You see people building and when officials come, they give them money. They will naturally go back. You see this idea that you should continue to build and later they will release it for you, that idea must stop. Lagos is less than four percent of Nigeria in terms of land mass. So when you look at the land mass and one-third of that is water, and you are talking of a space that at a particular point in a day,  during working days, Lagos can go as high as 35 million with people coming in from various parts of West Africa, all over Nigeria, Niger and Chad to trade. So at a particular point, the pressure is much on the governor and his team and how to continually struggle and think out of the box. Lagos needs help and we need to put a lot of things in order. You can talk of documentation as far as back as the 19th century. You see that there are so many court cases here and there. So, if you  want to buy a space, you need to go and check the status. So, immediately you have all your facts you know whether to go ahead or not. There are people who build on water beds. It may not appear like water bed. We have about five rivers entering Lagos, some as far as from Kwara State. And all the waters move towards the Atlantic. Around Ikorodu axis, around Iba axis, we still have this mass of land and during the dry season, you think it is dry land. But when rain comes the water discharges into the Lagoon. By the time you build around those corridors, you will be creating a lot of problems even for people who are on the high part and we may even divert the water to other areas. That’s why when you want to take down buildings, they are supposed to go court. Why is it that they don’t go to court?  Why do they go to social media? It is because they have no papers to back up. For instance, the one at the back of Odo Alaro, you see there is so much noise. Yes, you may have your land, and you see at the back if it,there is another land and you now use style to capture it, and do something there. So, when they are looking for the natural path of the water, then, they will get there. That is when you start hearing noises everywhere. But the truth of the matter, they will tell you they have C of O. Align it with what you have, then, you discover they have taken more than they should.

    How is the Lagos State Ministry of Housing collaborating with the Federal Housing Authority to resolve this soaring housing deficit?

    People outside Lagos tend to see Lagos as another country. They don’t see us as needing any help. So, it has been a serious battle between the last regime and now.  The FHA were there. They are going to say two bedroom will be at a cost of N3 million. That is not Lagos product. For Lagos product, before you even prepare the land to use, you have spent N3 million. So, we had a lot of conversations with them. Though, they came back to listen to us to agree on how to go about it. We demarcated a place in Imota and as at that time, we wanted to build about 3,000 units, and the cost then was N9 million maximum with the FHA scheme. But before it was realised, all the calculations tumbled. But, as of today, we have had series of meetings, even last week, the programme we had,  was an example of perfect  collaboration. We are talking to the Federal Mortgage Bank now. We are talking to the minister and he is ready to help, he has even sent delegations to Lagos and they would be involved because we want to agree. It is in two parts. The Federal Ministry of Housing wants land for their own to build directly, while the other part is driven using private sector funds. That’s also being driven by the FMB. What we are doing now is encouraging and leading our joint venture partners to them to agree. And we made a lot of progress in the past one week and they would be there too for our team and their team to work together. So, we are hoping to strike a deal. That’s when I mentioned the 1,000 units in Ipaja. We also have space in Igbogbo now. The challenge is that for low income earners; we have to look for solid land. Most of the land, we have to do piling and that will add to the cost of the land. I am very sure the collaboration will be positive.

    What are you doing to make the houses more accessible to people?

    When you have demand high than supply, it will always be difficult for people to access. It was easy in 1979 because they were even begging people to move to the Jakande buildings. I was in Oshodi, we made jest of people who moved to Ejigbo. So, when you see this kind of pressure, Lagos population continues to rise,some say three percent per annum. As we speak, people are coming to Lagos. They don’t have where to stay, they don’t have a job. But the belief system of I’m going to make it  is there. But where are they going to stay. So, you see there are so many houses locked up in Lekki,Ikoyi, because people want to maximize returns on their investment. But government is also making sure we service that part of the economy that needs to be serviced. That’s why we still have a lot of work to do. The moment we are able to get it right, we  bring in the necessary investment.

    There is no way there won’t be issues like that [knowing a big shot to get the houses] when supply is lower.For instance, in one of our estates, people bought for their drivers, but it also has  challenges, a lot of problems. You see people who bought Egan/Igando over 20 years ago, at N5 million, if they have finished paying,we won’t have issues with them. You see people going behind even when they don’t have the money. They don’t need it actually.

     It is a struggle that we still have sanity. If you are there, I don’t need to know you. Now , we want to go back to open ballot system because the figures can be staggering at times. You can have 480 units and you have over 2,000 people applying. So, going forward, we put everyone in the ballot and we dip. Why it was stopped was because the people also found a way round it. If you have about 20 apprentices, you now buy for all of them, and that is defeating our purpose.

    Those who get it that way don’t seem to appreciate what government has done. When the time comes for them to really appreciate the fact that you bought this at a price that is very friendly,you still see alot of action. We don’t really appreciate what government has done. It is a supply/demand problem. Even after two years, we can revoke some. It is an ongoing thing.

    Why has Lagos State Government not attracted foreign loans to build mass housing units like Borno and Kaduna State?

    If you come to my office now and you want to collaborate with me, the first question I would ask you is that, is the money local or foreign? If you tell it is foreign, I may not be ready. We have a project in Badagry, 252 schemes. They came when it was N316 to dollar. By the time they finished, it was around N470 to dollar. So, you can only work with us if that money is coming to live in Nigeria. That is you are bringing the money and do not have the intention of taking it out soon. I see naira as a strong currency locally. It is only when you expose it to foreign exchange that you see it as weak. If you want to buy land in London, you cannot spend less than £600,000.  If you want rent in such a place you can’t pay less than £1,200 per month. But the governor wants to  encourage things like this. That is why we have to pay them off and we are now selling at our rate because we could not sell at their price, so we took it off them. So, others can come in when. we have stability. Otherwise,the feedback from the international community would not be nice.

    In Lagos, everything is going digital, Is there no way Ministry of Housing can go digital?

    We are there now, we will be launching that soon.

    With the picture you are painting now, what is the likelihood that in our lifetime,  the local government be able to build houses for locals just like few did in Epe and Lekki?

    Maybe, because of the Supreme Court judgment. Till now we are still grappling with the implications of the judgement. We are still looking at the judgement. Lagos doesn’t really have problems in terms of finances in the local governments. As we speak now, Agboyi Ketu, even if it is a joint venture partnership they are into housing scheme. In Oshodi/Isolo, we are not going to get land, unlike in Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry. 

    Also Iba axis and the rest, we can be encouraged to do that.

    What is the figures of housing deficit in Lagos?

    I don’t bandy figures I don’t have. As we speak, people are coming in. We are not Singapore that can issue visa . As Nigerians, they can go anywhere. What we need is a very strong support from the Federal Government and other state governments should also take this responsibility. All over the world, people move towards prosperity and that’s why we see people also move to Lagos because they see prosperity here. The best approach to do the data is through LASRA. If you lived up to three months in Lagos, you should register. This we are doing to capture as much as possible. You cannot get allocation from Ministry of Housing without LASRA card and without payment of tax. This is to capture data and enable us to plan. It is a big task. It is only when there are issues that you see people shouting. If there is one mistake, it will seem the state is in a mess, but when issues are addressed, they won’t talk about it.  Lagos really needs help from Federal Government because the kind of pressure coming to Lagos is a mental torture for people in charge.

    What’s your assessment of the legal framework for the regulation of the relationship between landlord and tenant in Lagos?

    We need to amend the rentage and mortgage law which our lawyers are working on. The idea is to give confidence to investors to get their returns as and when due. The present law doesn’t seem to favour landlords and this also discourages investment. Not everyone wants to buy a house now. Some want to rent. Then, when you want to move in you pay three months instead of paying at the end of the year. We get salaries every month and not every year. Instead of paying at the end of the year, monthly is easier and also when it is time to evacuate too. The judiciary is also working to ensure there is quick resolution when there is feud between landlord and tenant. That is the short-term approach. But the long-term is to give more confidence to investors and more people will invest in that space.

  • 10 ways to tell if a guy no longer fancies you

    10 ways to tell if a guy no longer fancies you

    When a guy who was once very attentive and affectionate suddenly backs off and creates distance between the two of you, it is only natural to wonder why. There are a lot of theories out there on how to tell if a guy is losing interest in you.

    Women are naturally wired to love by the things they hear and, this is why when a guy says nice things to a lady, depending on her emotional state of mind at the time, she can fall hopelessly in love with him. She then goes on to build fantasies with this said guy and the sparkles between them are very evident. Even when she sees the red flags, she ignores and pays no heed to it because her senses have been so blinded by what she feels for her man. Then, somewhere along the line, she observes that her man is no longer the man she knew him for. He no longer does the things he does for her or even spends as much time as he should with her. Her head tells her the guy has begun to withdraw from her but her heart tells her he’s probably awestruck by his love for her so he needs time to digest it.

    Here are the 10 ways to tell if a guy no longer fancies you:

    1. HE SLOWS DOWN ON KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOU.

    Men are wired naturally to be hunters. They go after what catches their fancy and, even after they’ve had it within their grip, they find it very very difficult to let go. Notice how he always comes up with excuses as to why he can’t keep in touch with you; lame stuff that you know doesn’t even make an atom of sense. From gradually slowing down on keeping in touch, he stops TOTALLY! At this point, you find yourself making efforts to reach him but, he’ll claim he had loads of stuff to do that has kept him away and, should you dare complain, you’ll automatically be tagged the nagging type. If a guy truly loves you and means to be with you, nothing will stop him from that.

    2. HE IGNORES YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

    A lot of people might not want to agree with this but, when a guy can completely ignore you on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram but you see him very active and commenting or reacting to other people’s posts, girl, you mean nothing more than a pinch of salt to him. And, should you take the bold step of trying to drop a comment on his page, you’ll get ignored as well. There’s nothing worse than being in the same space with someone yet, they act like you don’t exist.

    3. HE DOESN’T WANT TO BE SEEN CLOSE TO YOU BUT WILL GLADLY FLIRT WITH ANOTHER GIRL.

    This, right here, is self explanatory. When a guy truly loves you, he’ll do just about anything to prove to the world that he loves you and is proud to be associated with you. When he dreads having a conversation with you because he doesn’t want those around him to think you’re an item, that’s a huge red flag. Guys are naturally expressive; especially when it has to do with the woman they love so, if he’s not doing this for you, BACK OFF!

    4. HE IGNORES EVERY FIXED APPOINTMENT YOU BOTH HAVE AND HE HAS A LEGIT EXCUSE FOR IT.

    No man who truly loves a woman will stand her up and feel very comfortable with it. He will apologize for it and make up for it almost immediately. When you notice that your man stops keeping to appointments and/or meet-ups and you have to be the one to call to find out why he had to stand you up, you don’t need to be told that he doesn’t feel you anymore. Genuine love for your partner is like something great that you’re addicted to. No matter how hard you try, you can’t go a day without it. When a man truly means to be with you, every minute spent with you means a whole lot to him.

    5. HE BEGINS TO SEE YOU AS A BOTHER OR BEING OVERLY DEPENDENT ON HIM.

    Men love to feel like the men in da hood. They love to be in charge; not bossy and assertive per se. They love to care for and protect their women. They love to get things for their women; depending on what they can afford. When you start to observe that your man has slowed down in showing you affection like you used to and, when you try to double up affection on your own end so he doesn’t feel let down but, he still isn’t cool with it, then, you’ve stopped meaning that much to him. Each time you try to keep in touch through whatever means, he kicks against it and sees it as a bother.

    6. HE DEMANDS FOR SPACE.

    If you truly mean anything to your man, the last thing he’ll want to do is be away from you. Men love to keep close to themselves what they adore. When your man suddenly wakes up and asks for some sort of distance between you two, then, it’s pretty obvious that you’ve become as irritating to him as ever. When a guy needs “space”, he has stylishly broken up with you without your knowledge; except you’re smart enough to decode it.

    7. HE TREATS YOU VERY CASUALLY.

    You notice that all of a sudden, your man has begun to see you as a “hello, hi” kinda person and it doesn’t bother him one bit. You greet him, it’s a problem. You try to be all mushy and romantic like you’ve always been to him, he gives you this look that suggests you’re overstepping your boundaries. This is a clear indication that you both no longer operate on the same space cos, a lot of water has passed under the bridge.

    8. HE DOESN’T SUPPORT YOU 

    He is no longer interested in your dreams, aspirations, and needs. He doesn’t support you in your important decisions in both personal and professional life. Moreover, you may feel that you can no longer look up to him or trust him in planning your goals or celebrating your achievements.

    9. HE DOESN’T GO EXTRA MILE 

    If your partner does the bare minimum to keep things going between you two, it’s a red flag in your relationship. He doesn’t want to go the extra mile to make you feel special, spend time with you, or keep the relationship exciting. You may feel that the relationship has become one-sided.

    10. HE HAS STOPPED ASKING QUESTIONS

    When your partner asks you questions, it helps them understand and know you better—how things are at work and with friends and family or how you are dealing with a specific situation. When he stops asking questions, it may show that he is not interested in checking on you and would like to keep to himself.

  • Digital technologies will spur more ICT jobs

    Digital technologies will spur more ICT jobs

    The information communication technology (ICT) sector has literally become the cash cow of the country contributing about 20 per cent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). The CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria, Wole Abu, says increased technology adoption will inevitably spur job creation and boost the economy. Abu speaks on how to halt the high mortality rate of internet service providers, roles of the startup ecosystem and others in an interview with LUCAS AJANAKU.

    How can Nigeria boost its current ICT sector to increase contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP)?

    Collaboration is key making it crucial for the government and the private sector to work together to ensure that the ICT sector increasingly contributes to the growth of the economy. Reducing regulatory barriers and promoting Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with the academia, would be a big help, as would incorporating connectivity infrastructure into public work projects. In addition, the government should make it a priority to make it easier to build the necessary facilities. We are talking about cell towers, fibre optic networks, and data centres.

    Additionally, tax cuts to infrastructure providers would provide incentives for companies to contribute to the public good. Steady supply of power is a challenge in Nigeria. Many African nations face this, and governments in those countries need to work towards providing steady and reliable power through the national grid as ICT cannot thrive without adequate electricity.

    Digital literacy is also important, and governments need to equip children and youths with the skills for a digital future. They can do this by providing a school curriculum that teaches them the necessary digital skills.

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    The government has talked about job creation through the ICT sector. How can this happen?

    The increase of job creation through the ICT sector can be achieved through enhanced adoption of digital technologies.  It is also important to note that the adoption of digital technologies to drive job creation is necessary but insufficient on its own. National policies, electricity, road access, education, and skills as well as attainable financing are all parts of the solution. Bold policy actions and initiatives that create a conducive environment for digital technologies will lead to positive employment impacts visible to governments, enterprises, and households. This emphasises the importance of collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders to drive investments, targeted regulations, and market-induced price reductions to help address affordability. Investments can include common access facilities for all, especially hubs for entrepreneurial training and support.

    A key aspect is also digital literacy and retaining talents. The way you retain top-tier talent is by providing an environment which is conducive for them to work for not only fantastic companies but world-class companies. For that to happen in Nigeria, a lot of things need to change. First, before we look at retaining talents, we need to look at training talents for the future. We need to train through the school curriculums to produce sought-after tech talents.

    Once they are in the employment market, businesses must create a favourable work environment and offer them opportunities for career development, learning, and skills – not just on-the-job training, but academia too. We must provide them with opportunities to upskill and gain qualifications. Today, most people are self-taught. We need to invest massively in training and development programmes because tech talent is in high demand globally.  Considering we have over 200million people in Nigeria with over half of them under 25, there is great potential to create more professionals to not only fulfill our needs, but also export to the world.

    Nigeria and other 12 countries recently experienced internet shutdown due to four submarine cable cuts. How can this be averted in the future?

    The recent events emphasise the importance of choosing an internet service provider (ISP) with built-in redundancy and automatic traffic rerouting to maintain service during unexpected events. For us at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, our investment in multiple undersea cables along the East and West coasts allowed us to carry traffic with minimal disruption. We operate an intelligent subsea cable system that automatically reroutes network traffic during such outages, thus ensuring service reliability on our resilient architecture. This differentiates Liquid Intelligent Technologies from other wholesalers that do not have access to similar infrastructure.

    How can the growing number of mortalities of small players such as ISPs be stopped in the industry?

    Survivability of ISPs entails overcoming the major issue of improving customer base, despite the existing challenges and competition. ISPs business in Nigeria is viable but there is the need to partner with the public sector for an enabling business environment. The sector needs regulatory support in terms of licensing issues, spectrum availability and price, inter-sector policies framework, Right of Way intervention, human security, and safety at the plants. There should be a level playing ground for all ISPs and mobile network operators (MNOs) to play in.

    It is ultimately the responsibility of the ISPs to secure a niche in the industry, the right cost of data purchase and other sound business strategies that will ensure continuity and growth.

    ISPs need to find key players to collaborate with for wider broadband reach as well as save costs. They must also consolidate and expand serviceable footprints. The growing demand for data capacity, digital services, 5G and the increasing need to invest in infrastructure efficiently are major opportunities for ISPs and should be harnessed to drive growth.

    Nigeria has one of the fastest growing startup ecosystems on the continent. How crucial is this ecosystem to Nigeria’s economic growth?

    A strong startup ecosystem, supported by entrepreneurship, fosters economic growth, and contributes to a country’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. Startups are major job creators, especially in a country like Nigeria with a large youth population, providing opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. In terms of innovation and technology, they introduce new products and services, bringing fresh ideas that improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness across industries. The startup ecosystem also attracts the much-needed foreign direct investment (FDI), as evidenced by the emergence of ‘unicorns’ in Nigeria; startups that have grown into small medium enterprises (SMEs), some even expanding to other African countries. Successful startups contribute to talent development and retention, providing career opportunities and a supportive environment that helps retain local talent. Additionally, startups have a significant social impact, addressing key issues in health, education, and other sectors, improving the overall quality of life of their communities.

    What role does the IT sector overall play in supporting the startup ecosystem?

    The IT sector plays a pivotal role in supporting startups and the economy at large, providing the essential infrastructure, software, and services that are critical for modern businesses. To this end, Liquid is committed to working with the government to achieve the objectives in Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan and to transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy, a vision enshrined in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. Through our comprehensive suite of cloud computing, network, data centre storage, and cyber security products and expertise, we empower startups to leverage technology securely and gain a competitive edge in the digital age. Our 110,000km fibre network spanning the continent enables us to provide the reach, tools, and virtual platforms required to grow businesses.

    What are the key challenges facing Nigerian startups, and how can reliable IT solutions address these challenges effectively?

    A key challenge is infrastructure and connectivity, including inconsistent power supply. Liquid’s cloud solutions reduce the need for on-premises infrastructure and reliance on mobile technology for operations. Access to funding is another challenge; the internet connectivity we provide helps startups access online investment platforms, launch crowdfunding campaigns, and use blockchain-based solutions for fundraising and financial transactions. Finding the right talent is also a common hurdle, and we support startups through training and skills development initiatives.

    How can service offerings such as that of your organisation benefit startups in terms of scalability and innovation?

    We begin by deeply understanding their businesses, enabling us to offer scalable cloud solutions tailored to their specific stage in the business lifecycle. Through research and analytics, we gain insights into the local environment, regulatory challenges, cultural nuances, and other factors, allowing us to customise our solutions to meet their unique needs. Our cloud-based services provide startups with a highly scalable infrastructure that supports various verticals such as talent development and management, cyber security, digital marketing, e-commerce, and technical training and support. This scalability ensures that startups can adapt and grow their operations without being constrained by infrastructure limitations. Additionally, we support startups through partnerships and collaborations, facilitating their participation in events and providing access to networks that can foster growth and innovation.

    Through strategic partnerships with leading players, Liquid Nigeria is redefining network, cloud, and cyber security offerings, bringing innovative business applications, intelligent cloud services, and world-class security to Nigeria. What sets us apart from the competition is our comprehensive suite of services that encompass everything a startup needs to thrive, and our geographical spread across over 50 countries. Operating in Asia, the Americas, South America, and Africa allows us to understand and navigate diverse regulatory and cultural environments, making us an ideal partner for startups looking to scale across Africa and beyond.

    How do you ensure data protection of startups in the ever-evolving digital landscape with cyber crooks always on the prowl?

    In today’s digital landscape, cyber security and data protection are of paramount importance for startups. Many startups may not have the expertise or resources to effectively protect themselves, which is where Liquid Nigeria comes in. We embed security into everything we do, offering tailored cyber security services to protect startups from these threats. We also partner with leading cyber security providers, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of industry trends and can deliver cutting-edge solutions to our customers. This not only protects startups from potential threats but also builds trust with their customers, ultimately supporting their growth and success in the digital age.

    What role can partnerships and collaborations with local organisations and stakeholders, including government, play in further strengthening the ecosystem with reliable IT solutions?

    Partnerships and collaborations with local organisations, stakeholders, and the government play a crucial role in Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. Liquid has established partnerships with leading technology companies, and we actively participate in the startup ecosystem, collaborating with innovation hubs across the continent. We partner with startup accelerators, co-working spaces, incubators, and other players in the ecosystem, offering cross-promotion of services. For example, we have partnerships with banks to provide bundled offerings for startups, including access to the internet and cloud services, helping them transition into the digital space. Additionally, we work with education and research institutes to improve access to the internet and provide relevant content to tertiary institutions. We also partner with companies providing tools for specific segments such as logistics, agriculture, and fintech.

    Looking ahead, what are the prospects for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, and how can you continue to lead and innovate in the realm of IT solutions to support this growth?

    With a rapidly growing tech talent base, increased access to funding, and legislation such as the Startup Act, the ecosystem is poised for significant growth. Key sectors such as fintech, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy are expected to experience massive expansion. Startups require flexible and scalable solutions as they respond to their growth, and our infrastructure, platform, software, and network services cater to these needs. Our support programmes also provide discounted services, training, and mentorship to foster the next generation of innovators. We are also partnering with artificial intelligence (AI) companies to develop platforms and applications that enable startups to quickly build and iterate on solutions. As entrepreneurs at heart, our vision is to leave no African behind.

    By digitally empowering Nigerian startups, we help them take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead in Nigeria’s vibrant startup ecosystem.

    When you talk about partnership, how has your company demonstrated this?

    We have partnered with over 30 new businesses in Nigeria since entering the cloud space. Through these partnerships, we have successfully onboarded several businesses that are now thriving, creating jobs, and becoming industry leaders. This is testament to our commitment to supporting startups and helping them grow and succeed in Nigeria’s ever-evolving digital landscape.

  • Seven things not to do when meeting your partner’s parents for first time

    Seven things not to do when meeting your partner’s parents for first time

     It is a major step in the relationship and first impression can be a lasting impression, potentially a lot riding on it.

    How you ensure you don’t come off like some mannerless person during this first encounter is important.

    Here are seven things you should not do when meeting your partner’s parents for the first time

    1. Glued to your phone

    Avoid being on your phone, texting, checking your email or browsing social media. Your spouse’s parents might feel dismissed and think that you are not interested in getting to know them.

    2. Lie to make yourself look good

    Being fake instead of who you truly are is a mistake that will upset your partner’s parents. You’re also likely to be found out at some point and possibly when it could really hurt your relationship.

    If your partner has accepted the kind of person you are, then his/ her parents should be able to accept you too.

    3. Publicly display affection

    Although public displays of affection can be a wonderful thing, there is an appropriate time and place for it.

    This does not mean you have to become cold, distant and robotic, but it does mean you need to know the audience you are in front of.

    4. Spark controversial topics for discussion

    Bringing up controversial topics like religion, politics or sex is a no go area.

    Even if you definitely know that your beliefs are in line with your partner’s parents, some people still consider it to be in poor taste to bring it up.

    Better get to know them more before raising such topics.

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    5. Talk only about yourself

    Despite the fact that your partner’s parents are probably very interested in getting to know you, they also do not want to spend the entire time listening to your life story.

    Try to find a balance in the conversation by also asking them questions to show interest in getting to know them as well.

    6. Don’t pass the night

    No matter the persuasion, don’t pass the night in their house on your first day of visit.

    7. Being a know it all

    Even if you are an expert in a certain area, please keep it cool. Don’t let it seem like you know everything better than everyone else.

  • Nasarawa community mourns as boat accident claims four siblings

    Nasarawa community mourns as boat accident claims four siblings

    The Ubbe community in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State is in sorrow over the sudden death of four members in a mysterious boat accident on a river in Awe Local Government Area of the state. Particularly distressed is the Dauda family of which the deceased graduates and undergraduates were members.

     The victims were crossing River Awe to Wuse village in a boat on Monday evening to harvest rice from their farm when their canoe capsized. Among the deceased were Shedrack Dauda, 29, who had just graduated top of his class at the Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Akolo Moses Dauda and Meshach Dauda, who are also undergraduates of the university, and Alkali Congo Dauda, 39, who had just graduated from the College of Education Akwanga.

    It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred on Monday while they were travelling to their rice farm in Wuse for harvesting. Although there are different accounts of the incident, the most popular is that the river’s tide forced the boat to hit a tree, culminating in the accident.

    The entire Ubbe community has since been thrown into mourning over the death of four educated members of the same family.

    A witness, Mr Ibrahim Abu, said the deceased victims had barely boarded the boat for three minutes when the accident occurred.

    Abu said: “The four young men came with their bags and boarded the boat. Three minutes after take-off, the boat capsized and all the four young university graduates in the boat died.

    “I don’t know what happened when they took off, but the boat broke inside the river.

    Abu lamented that the people of Wuse resort to water transportation because there are no access roads leading to the community.

    “Our problem is that there is no access road that connects all the Wuse communities. We have no choice but to travel on water.

    The aged mother of the siblings was far from getting over the disaster when our correspondent visited as she grappled with an experience her fragile posture could hardly bear. In a short speech amid tears, Mrs Dauda said her children had planned to pursue their academic programmes to master’s level.

    The entire Dauda family was in pensive mood when our correspondent visited. It took the reporter some time to get them to speak about the death of their four grown up loves ones.

    Sitting dejected in a corner of the house was a relative of the deceased victims, Joseph Congo Dauda.

    Tears rolled down his cheeks before he could utter a word. But after gaining some composure, he sat back, clear his throat and declared that he would speak only briefly about the lives and times of the victims and the misfortune that befell the family.

    Dauda said the entire family was living happily before tragedy struck on November 6. He said the deceased young men were workaholics who had chosen to assist their parents by engaging in farm activities to support the home front and support their education and other family needs. Consequently, he said, they acquired some lands in Wuse where they farmed rice.

    Dauda said: “They were actually travelling to the farm to harvest their rice ahead of the Christmas celebration and school resumption in January

    “We were in constant communication throughout the trip, even at the point of boarding the boat. Little did they or we at home know that they were on a journey of no return. A few minutes after they boarded the boat, we received the sad news that the boat capsized in the middle of the river and consumed them.

    “We raised these children ourselves. The parents are not well to do people, but with their strong determination, they were able to make it through secondary school and up to the university and college of education.

    “We never thought the four of them could die in one swoop. In fact, they died while working to build their future. I said so because they were going to harvest their rice farm to help them clear their educational needs.

    “They were already laying a foundation for themselves to be self-sustained. They were so obedient, calm and focused on pursuing their dreams in life. I still can’t believe the pain of this whole loss. My heart is broken.

    “I cannot believe that I will never see them again. I literally can’t bear it. The four young university graduates were already thinking of pursuing further studies to build a solid future. Sadly, death sneaked in, in a mysterious and cruel manner, killing not just one but the four of them in one swoop.

    “We are going to accept what has happened, and I’m not blaming anybody for this. But I am appealing to both the state and federal government to construct a bridge, not only across the Awe River but other rivers around the country to avoid boat mishaps.

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    “Our plan for Shedrack, who was the first to graduate from the University before the other ones, was to support them in their educational pursuit to, at least, master’s level, so that in the future, they will have a great impact on the society

    “We wanted them to be financially stable so that they would help the underprivileged in the society and contribute to the growth of Nasarawa State. Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes.

    “The four of them are no more. Sometimes it is ideal to question God’s work, but because He is invisible, you don’t see Him to question. Taking four graduates away in a family at a time is painful, to say the least.

    “The children were very peaceful. They never had issues with people even in school. Throughout their period in primary, secondary to tertiary institutions, they never had any disagreement with anybody. They loved God so much and they were very mindful of how they relate with people because they did not like having misunderstanding with anyone.”

    Asked what he and the family would miss about them, Dauda said: “We will miss so many things about them. Shedrack was a very good young man to the family. While he was growing up, especially after his graduation from the university in Keffi, he decided that he would learn some craft in Lafia and also assist his brothers to achieve their academic programmes, which was why he went with them to Awe to help them harvest rice.

    “It is always his wish to assist his siblings. He supported us greatly even while in school. We will continue to miss and be proud of him. He was indeed a good young man.

    “The death of four graduates in one fell swoop is a big tragedy and the entire Ubbe community has been crying since Monday when the news was broken. Their death came to us as a shock. The situation is really hard for us but we just cannot question God. He knows best, so we have to accept our fate.

    The distraught mother Mrs Dauda explained amid tears that due to the difficult times, training four children in the higher institution at the same time was actually a difficult task, but the “committed and determined” young boys decided that they would return to the farm to assist their parents in settling some of their educational needs.

    She said: “They farm rice yearly in far away Awe Local Government Area, and during holidays, they collectively travel there to harvest it to assist themselves in settling their school fees when they are resuming in January so as to save their parents the stress of catering for their school needs alone.

    “Losing them in their prime is a lifetime scar; it will never heal. It is traumatic.”

    She said their mysterious death was a bad dream she wished she could wake up from to hear it never happened.

    “Why didn’t God take away my life? These children are the ones to bury me and not me burying them. What then is the meaning of life?

    “I was already feeling fulfilled in life when Shedrack graduated from the university. He didn’t even wait to enjoy the fruit of his labour. He left alongside his brothers. What a world!

    “Despite the difficulties, the boys kept encouraging me not to lose hope in life; that the future was bright. They had all the hope that the days/years ahead would be better.“They had good plans for me and the entire family, and they never foresaw death in the near future.

    “Before their trip to Awe, the boys and I were inseparable. They gave me true love, cared so much about me and were constantly in touch with me even when they were in school.

    “They meant well for the entire family. They always encouraged me to endure the hardship; that it was a matter of time. Now the time has not come and they are no more.

    “God is not fair to the entire family. He has inflicted a permanent wound in my entire life. There is absolutely no point taking them away at the same time in their prime. What is their offence? My joy has been stolen, my expectations were to see them grow up to become men in the society, but God took them back.

    “It is only God that can console us for us for we don’t have much to do to console ourselves. I will miss them so much. No one on earth can fill the space they have left in my life. My children were easy going people, good and dutiful, always committed to achieving whatever they wanted to achieve by leaving no stone unturned.

    “We are badly touched by this whole loss. Their untimely exit from this sinful world has left us all distraught.”

    A pastor, Rev. Solomon, who was friends with the deceased graduates, urged the family members not to query God over the incident, saying Christians should know that living and dying are in God’s control.

    He advised Christians to emulate Christ, adding that because Jesus submitted himself to God’s authority, though He died, He later rose on the third day

    According to him, Christians should know that the death of the four was of God and not of man. He said if the people understood life’s mystery, it would help them to correct and discard things denying them of God’s glory.

    “It is God alone that can console the family for we don’t have much to do that will console them. The Daudas are for God and so, only God will console them.

     “Jesus was for God and He died for God and because of that, we have life. It is therefore true that those who died in God will return to life as Jesus did, because He lives. May God enable those living to realise this and give God thanks in all things.”

    Rev. Solomon said he was heartbroken over the incident, commiserating with the family in its moment of grief.

    “I’m deeply sad because of this incident. We are together in it. The word of God is peace and in anything, he says there is peace.

    “Our prayer for the Dauda family is that God will give them peace. We know what the people recorded in the Bible suffered and in the end, God repaid them.”

    He prayed that such calamity would never be repeated in the land.

  • Much ado about tales of missing genitals in Abuja, others

    Much ado about tales of missing genitals in Abuja, others

    Since the time of Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine’, around 400 B.C., medical science is yet to document a single case of mystically-disappearing manhood. But in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), well above 100 of such cases have been said to have occurred within the past three months.

    In other parts of the country, many claim to have also heard about numerous such cases. It is not uncommon to see irreverent skit makers weave content out of such common anxieties that produce disturbing results.

    On October 13 last month, a man on evangelising mission accused of snatching someone’s manhood was lynched by a mob at One Man Village, an area in Nasarawa State just outside the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT). The killers of the victim, who was said to be a member of Living Faith Church, fled before police arrived at the scene.

    Earlier, on Thursday, October 5, a commercial cyclist identified as Yahuza died in hospital after he was brutally attacked by a mob in Nyanya following an allegation by one of his passengers that he caused his manhood to disappear during a brief ride.

    The FCT Commissioner of Police announced subsequently that between September 21 when the first case of missing manhood was reported in Gwagwalada and last week, there had been no fewer than 62 cases of alleged disappearance of manhood reported to the police in the territory.

    “The first case of male organ disappearance was first recorded in Gwagwalada on 21/09/2023. It has spread all over FCT whereby as of today, we have had a total of sixty-two (62) cases reported. Fifty-one (51) have been suspects charged to court for giving false information and inciting public disturbance,” he said.

    Still, many who claim to know someone that knows someone who is a victim have continued to spread fears about alleged disappearance of manhood, especially in Abuja suburbs and other towns.

    For instance, Mr. Adamson, an otherwise well-educated worker with a private firm in Wuse, could not hide his disdain for any thought that a conversation about missing manhood is an unserious affair. He would not hesitate to bring out the ‘antidotes’ he carries about in his pocket nowadays – an unbroken piece of bitter kola and a stone-sized charcoal.

    According to him and several other men close to Wuse Market, these odd objects generate enough metaphysical vibrations to counter the curious powers of unidentified people who routinely perform the odd exercise of magically snatching away any man’s manhood for the gratification of some equally odd, manhood-hungry gods.

    So where do the disappearing phalluses go? To some distant shrine where they are received in some calabash, with a sprinkling of the victim’s blood on top – like some serving of Mama Put amala or in the closet of some sex-hungry madams with sated appetite for battery-operated vibrators? Till date, no one knows with any measure of certainty; the superstitious realm appears convincing or comforting enough.

    One common explanation is that witches, wizards and politicians conspire to somehow use the item for replication of wealth and acquisition of more political influence.

    A conviction about the presence of paranormal powers and occurrences spans across the tapestry of diverse cultures, but there exists a distinctive peculiarity in the manner through which this belief manifests in the heart of Africa. It is such that some assert that our belief systems could be part of reasons why the rest of the world seems to have sprinted ahead while we linger in the shadows of political and economic underdevelopment.

    The African cosmology, deeply interwoven with spirituality, could be seen as a key factor predisposing us to a pattern of belief that borders on the mystical and superstitious. This unique worldview, rich with the essence of spirituality, may have in its intricate fabric threads of superstition which add to the complex tapestry of our belief systems.

    For those old enough, it is easy to recall that in few cities during the 1970s, there were fears about the possibility of one’s masculinity vanishing into thin air like mist upon shaking hands or having mere physical contact with a person rumoured to possess unfathomable mystical prowess. Such apprehension, like the ebbing tide, would periodically retreat, only to resurface again, casting its shadow upon us. Note too, that once in a long while; we get enthusiastically regaled with stories of how someone turned children or even grown men into tubers of yam.

    Now, the ‘missing manhood’ fears that once gripped parts of Nigeria during the 1980s before a decisive threat of summary detention by the military regime ended it currently manifests beyond Abuja.

    Just last month, Delta State Police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed an arrest and warned the public in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

    “On Sunday, 8th October, 2023, at DBS Road Asaba, this 18-year-old suspect, Ebube Linus, raised a false alarm that an old woman inside a tricycle touched him and his manhood (penis) disappeared. Over 100 misguided touts gathered and mobbed this woman, stripping her naked and beating her to a stupor to the point of almost killing her,” he stated.

    Yet one Vincent Nwosu, a resident of Garki, who is in his 30s, asserts that missing manhood is real because it once happened to him.

    “I went to sleep as a whole man, but upon waking, it had vanished. I searched high and low, but there was no sign of it. It’s as if it evaporated into thin air. But after shutting myself in and doing one hour of mighty prayers, God restored it,” he said in a really incredible tale.

    A disturbing viral video clip that circulated in October had shown a 68-year-old widow, Mrs Ann Ekechukwu, mobbed, stripped naked and later handed over to the police over allegations that she ‘stole’ someone’s manhood during a ride in a commercial tricycle in Asaba, Delta State.

    Concerned about how anxieties spurred by the new wave of allegedly disappearing genitals may negatively affect its annual internationally-known ‘Calabar Festival’ that holds every December, the Cross River State Government sought an immediate end to such talks and the beatings that sometimes follow.

    In a September 12, 2023 press statement, the state government emphatically described reports of disappearing genitals as “fake news” and threatened to apply “the full· wrath of the law” against anyone found to have a hand in spreading such accusations/rumours. Still, the problem persists!

    Last month too, the Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the arrest of NSCDC officers seen in a video clip circulated online, following their vicious beating up of a man who was alleged to have stolen the genitalia of two men.

    In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the disturbing phenomenon of alleged missing manhoods have culminated into cases of cruel physical assaults. The problem allegedly caused by the powers of sorcery and witchcraft resulted into numerous reports of men losing their penises – partially or completely – while walking through the streets, waking up in bed, during sexual activity or just passing by someone who appears to have some unseen magical powers.

    In spite of the serious warnings from FCT Police Command, the unusual and perplexing phenomenon has gripped the population and a wave of mass hysteria has swept across many neighbourhoods, leaving people bewildered and anxious.

    Read Also: Kogi 2023: Police bar security escort for VIPs at polling units

    It is a peculiar situation that defies logical explanation. And as rumours and fear spread, many are left in distress and anxiety that lead them to resort to all manner of counter-measures.

    Consequently, some people no longer respond to greetings or requests for direction from strangers. Others now stay more alert while sharing seats in commercial vehicles and some others find faith in having objects like a small Bible or a combination of charcoal and bitter kola in their pockets.

    The most worrisome aspect of the problem of alleged missing manhood in Abuja is the ease with which it is causing mob lynching across the FCT.

    Rahab Emmanuel, a housewife and mother of four, told the FCT Commissioner for Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Mr Ezekiel Musa Dalhatu, how she was almost lynched for allegedly stealing a man’s genitals at Gosa village along the Abuja-Airport Road.

    Rahab, who eked out a living by doing domestic chores for people, said that a man who gave her N200 for her to buy biscuit for her little child suddenly turned around and started shouting that his manhood was missing. Before she could process what was happening, several young men had appeared with sticks and other objects that they used on her before she was taken into the area’s vigilante office nearby.

    Psychological and Medical Explanations.

    Danjuma, a police detective, attributes most cases of alleged genital disappearance to criminals’ ploys aimed towards diverting public attention or putting potential victims into threat situations.

    He said: “When a man is dragged out of his car and beaten up over allegations of stolen manhood, no one asks about what happens to the money or telephone handset in his pocket.

    “And worse things have been known to happen because frustrated, angry youths easily join in spontaneous application of jungle justice on any unfortunate victim.”

    Remi Kehinde Ojewumi, a university lecturer who has a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, thinks that there may be a psychological explanation for the problem.

    Ojewumi said: “We deal with what we can verify objectively. Again, are you aware of what we call ‘Group Control’? This means that people around us can influence our thoughts and behaviour in a numbers of ways.

    “Also, look up the concept of ‘Self-fulfilling prophecy’ and you can see that a whole lot of this phenomenon can be explained by Psychology. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true at least in part as a result of a person’s belief or expectation that said prediction would come true.”

    Delving into the database of medical research, one easily comes up with ‘Koro Syndrome’ which somewhat bears close similarity to the missing manhood issue being reported in Abuja.

    In men, Koro may manifest as the unwarranted conviction that their penis is undergoing a gradual vanishing act. Conversely, in women, the fear may centre around the perceived shrinking or disappearance of their breasts. This highly localised and culture-specific manifestation of anxiety underscores the influence of cultural beliefs on mental health.

    Part of the scientific literature of the United States’ National Institute of Health published on February 21, 2023 and made available online is a paper: ‘Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options’ authored by Yukino Strong and nine others, following a study in parts of Asia where there were claims about the retraction or ‘disappearance’ of male genitals.

    “Koro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one’s sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death.

    “Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an epidemic form in East and Southeast Asia, although it can present anywhere worldwide in its sporadic form. The condition typically affects young males who believe in sex-related myths, and many individuals can co-present with anxiety, depression, or even psychosis.

    “Although most presentations of Koro are self-limiting, the condition is harmful for one’s self-esteem and quality of life, and some individuals may go through extreme, physically injurious measures to prevent genital retraction. Treatments include the use of psychotherapy that has a sex education component, especially if the patient believes in culturally rooted myths.

    “In sporadic Koro, it is believed that if the primary psychiatric disorder is treated with anxiolytics, antidepressants, sedatives, or psychotics, the secondary Koro-like symptoms will also fade.

    “Additional investigation on the prevalence, pathogenesis, factors that correlate with treatment efficacy are needed to fully understand Koro syndrome,” the researchers stated.

    Addressing Koro is a delicate task, as it involves not only the individual’s mental well-being but also the cultural and societal beliefs that contribute to the condition’s persistence. While psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can help individuals manage their distress and anxiety, broader strategies are required to address the cultural and social factors perpetuating Koro.

    Education and awareness play a crucial role in dispelling myths and misconceptions related to sexuality that contribute to the onset of Koro. Open dialogue within affected communities, led by mental health professionals and cultural leaders, can help individuals understand the psychological underpinnings of the condition and encourage more constructive belief systems.

    No doubt, Abuja may need more that the threat from the FCT Commissioner of police before the scare of missing manhood becomes a thing of the past once again.

    The spate of untold merciless beatings of randomly suspected manhood thieves across several Nigerian towns and cities call for great attention.

    While speculations run rampant, numerous individuals, including experts, traditional healers, and religious figures who proffer their own interpretations and remedies only add to the intrigue surrounding this peculiar crisis.

  • Inside Nigeria’s multi-billion naira aphrodisiac business

    Inside Nigeria’s multi-billion naira aphrodisiac business

    • Herbalists, distillers, others flood market with products
    • Ghanaians, others smile to bank selling unregistered products
    • in Nigeria   Youths high on enhancers mess up at orgy party

    Production and sale of aphrodisiacs has become a big money spinner. Most herbal concoctions, energy drinks, alcoholic bitters, among others, are laced with aphrodisiac ingredients and marketed with messages that brazenly hype their potency. Ghana and many other countries are latching onto the thriving business and turning Nigeria into a dumping ground for all manner of unregistered aphrodisiac products. INNOCENT DURU examines the implications of the trend for the rising incidents of rape and health problems in the society.

    ADAMU, a dark complexioned young man, sells herbal medicines stuffed in plastic bottles along LASU/Isheri Road in Lagos. Besides the herbs, he also sells all manner of aphrodisiacs which he brazenly displays on his table.

    The products need no introduction, because the obscene pictures on the packages say it all.

    “This one works well,” he said in reply to our correspondent’s request for potent brands. “It costs just N500 a pack. It is in tablet form and you only need it before the match,” he said in salacious tone.

    Pointing to another, he said, “This one is just like coffee. You only pour it in hot water and drink before you start action. Walahi, e dey work well well (I swear, it works very well)”

    Asked how he knew that it works well, Adamu said: “People buy it a lot. It is one of the brands that people buy the most.”

    Checks on some of the products showed that they are not made in Nigeria and are not registered by NAFDAC. Information on the packages showed that some of them came from Ghana while others bear Arabic inscriptions without NAFDAC’s mark of approval on them.

    As the conversation was going on, a man suspected to be in his 50s walked in. The customer knew what he wanted and where it was kept as he opened a box, took a small tablet and handed N200 over to Adamu.

    “What is that?” our correspondent inquired after the customer left. Adamu opened the box containing different tablets cut into pieces. A particular brand was shaped like a man’s private part with the sac attached to it.

    “It helps man to perform well. The man will last longer after taking it, Adamu said with a sense of expertise.”

    A number of other young men also strolled in at regular intervals to pick their brands from Adamu while our correspondent sat observing the craze for aphrodisiacs among Nigerian men.

    Besides the likes of Adamu who sell by the roadside, online checks revealed that many young ladies have been quitting their jobs and floating mega aphrodisiac businesses, which they say is highly lucrative because the products are in high demand.

    Walking away from Adamu, our correspondent ran into another trader who gleefully marketed his products to him.

    He particularly advertised a product he claimed had no side effects.

    “Oga, this one is not for drinking. You only need to rob it on your manhood and it will stand well well,” he said, assuring that our correspondent would come looking for the product subsequently.

    Prior to his meeting with the above traders, our correspondent had run into a trader who caught his attention in an unusual way.

    “Oga, buy Maradona,” he said as our correspondent gazed at him to see what he meant.

    Having caught his attention, the trader raised a very dark wood perfectly carved like manhood.  Holding it firmly, he tossed it up and down to demonstrate how turgid a man’s manhood would become after using his product.

    “When you use it, you will still be on after one hour,” he said as he brought out other products he said were in high demand.  

    Herbal concoctions aggressively marketed as aphrodisiacs

    Apart from the above types of sex enhancers, checks further revealed that regular herbal concoctions sellers have begun to make brisk business aggressively promoting aphrodisiacs. While some sell their aphrodisiacs in raw forms, others have elevated their brands, selling them in well branded packages.

    The poor herbal concoction sellers have moved from selling powdery aphrodisiac called ale (hardener) in Yoruba language. They now do a series of mixtures for their clients.

    “How about the one that will make you perform very well as a man,” a seller asked our correspondent who had bought herbs meant for treatment of pile from her.

    For some who use megaphones to market their wares in public areas, the manner of advertising the products are sometimes crude and disturbing. They pronounce private parts and sexual issues without any consideration for the effects it could have on the morality of the children who are listening to them.

    One of the marketers’ advertisements on major roads in Lagos goes thus: “Oga, you do only three seconds and give up, saying yours is a quick action. Are you a fowl? Better buy this enhancer and make madam happy.

    “When you use it, your manhood will stand kakaraka like iron, and wherever you meet your woman, you will be able to hit her well. If you see her in the kitchen, you hit her. If you see her in the bathroom, you hit her.”

    At times, they employ fear appeal to compel pliable consumers to buy their products.

    “You, a landlord that performs only once and gives up, may God never allow your tenant to take over your wife. You better come here before a tenant takes over your responsibility.”

     Some more privileged manufacturers go on air to advertise their wares and are overlooked as they use all manners of foul expressions.

    Alcoholic bitters, energy drinks, others as aphrodisiacs

    Other forms of aphrodisiacs that are highly abused are energy drinks and alcoholic bitters. The brands in the market are innumerable and they all thrive on being potent aphrodisiacs.

    The adverts are couched in suggestive words and at times in irresponsible manners. They come in sachets, small plastic bottles as well as big bottles.

    Age restrictions about who can consume the products are at times placed on the packages but that is hardly followed.  

    Aphrodisiacs in pharmacies and supermarkets

    The sales of aphrodisiacs are also common in supermarkets and pharmacies. In supermarkets, the drugs are sold as over the counter products and open to anyone who has the money to buy them.

    At supermarkets, they come in different forms, including herbal teas. Everywhere you turn to in the country, aphrodisiacs are available in any form you want.

     Why demand for aphrodisiacs is on the rise

    Speaking on why demands for aphrodisiacs are on the increase, a sex therapist and  Executive Director of Sex in Marriage Therapy (SIM) Omolola Natural, said: “Its use has been abused overtime just because of people’s ideology of what is expected of them when it comes to sex. It is something majorly used by men because they want to last longer.

    “That is not the only reason, but most times, men want something that will make them last longer in bed because they feel that is what makes them a man.

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    “The use of those things come from wrong viewpoints about sex in the first place. For a woman’s satisfaction, it is not about the man lasting longer because the man can last as long as can be and still not satisfy a woman. Most men don’t understand that aspect.  They don’t understand that satisfying a woman is not just about the jerking and penetration. They are just all about ‘let me last long’.

    “It has become something like a norm that if you don’t use these things, you can’t perform and you are not a man. Everybody wants to feel like a man and they go all out.  They can pay anything to get it.

    “Like I can have people book for therapy and tell them the therapy fee and explain the gains of doing it. But they will just tell you no, no,no, just give me the drugs.

    “I tell them you actually don’t need drugs but they don’t want to hear that. They are not interested in the right information. They are just interested in the drug.”

    Aside from wanting to last longer in bed, she said: “Some men tell me that they want a longer manhood because theirs is six inches. They want eight inches. It is just this mentality of wanting more.

    “I don’t know if you read the story of the man with the longest manhood. He is feeling he is carrying too much load. Although he has entered the Guinness Book of record, he has lost many job opportunities. Now it has become a burden for the man who has a long one, but those who have shorter ones want it to be longer.”

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of Initiative for Sustaining Family Unity, Kate Ibeanusi, said: “Some people take it as self-help medication to help them perform no matter how minimal. Some are using it to show that they can do this and do it more than any other person. Then, there are these people who are taking it for the fun of it to embolden them to molest people.”

    Going further, she said: “Nigeria is a fertile ground for everything that is not good, and it is coming from the point of regulation. We have the rules but we don’t have strong institutions that can monitor and control whatever rules that exist.

    “The country becomes very porous and people can bring in anything at any time without any fear of reprimand or being caught or cautioned. Even when they are caught, they would easily tell you that they will get away with it.”

     She regretted that individuals in Nigeria are using the excuse that the times are hard to indulge in vices that have long term implications for productivity for relationships with one another.

    “These vices are affecting meaningful conversations because a number of people take this, I don’t know if it is only the sexual effects it has on them, I also believe it impairs their judgment.

    “If the only thing that is occupying the mind of a man is how he will take aphrodisiac to perform, it will impair his judgment, which will eventually make him not to have attraction just for the partner for which he has taken it but it could also be for harassing and intimidating other people.”

    Youths share aphrodisiacs at orgy party

    Kate Ibeanusi also spoke about how youths hold orgy parties where they share aphrodisiacs.

    She said: “Young people now put anything in the foods they eat. They now hold orgy parties where they come together and collectively share aphrodisiacs to spike their sexual desire for one another.

    “Beyond it being linked to the increase in rape cases, what about the ones that these teenagers come together cook food and spike it?

    “They also make cookies and spike it with the intention to raise their sexual arousal level so that they can all make love to one another. It is a huge problem.”

    She said the use of aphrodisiacs among the youth is like a rite of passage now. “It is a way to show that you are in town. It is not only for the guys but also for the girls. It is a ritual of growing up in recent years. They force themselves on one another. For those who are not consenting, they will force them.

    “Little children engage in different sexual activities simply because they are taking these things. So many of them are getting raped and raping one another because they are taking these things.

    “And because we don’t have strong institutions, anybody can buy anything. In more organised countries, even to buy alcohol, you have to show your ID card to show that you are up to a certain age. But here, even little children are sent to buy alcoholic drinks. Even these alcoholic drinks you are talking about and all these sachet drinks they call all manners of ridiculous names, little children are sent to buy them for adults. So, why would it not be everywhere?

    “It is no longer a thing that people hide. Before, when people talked about Viagra they covered their mouths and lowered their voices. Now with the proliferation of production of all these kinds of bitters, energy drinks and all that, people are no longer ashamed of using it.

    “Young men buy a bottle of coke, pour these drinks in them and consume.”

    Why some women use aphrodisiacs

    Omolola Natural explained why apart from men, some women also use aphrodisiacs.

    She said: “Women take these things for different purposes. I told you that men take it for the purpose of energy to last longer. Women are not interested in energy or lasting longer. Some women are interested in being wet for a longer time because they go dry on time. There is what we call virginal sugar.

    “Some women take it because they want their virginal sweeter. We have something like Spanish Fly that can make a woman go gaga, but only a few women want to do that. I hardly see women who would do that because they want to go gaga.

    “I am not talking about women who use sex as their means of trade.  Those ones might want to do anything to be in the mood.  We hardly have products in this category that are adulterated because they are natural.”

    Demand fuels adulteration

    Omolola Natural noted that there has been adulteration of aphrodisiacs because of the high demand for them.

    She said: “The reason why we are having adulteration is because of that unsatisfying desire in the heart of people to just want to do anything to feel like a man and what makes them feel like a man is because they feel it is when I am able to last longer to the extent that she can’t walk.

    “But like I said earlier, satisfying a partner sexually is not really about that.

    “If you are greedy about gain, you can actually put anything together and say it works for this, and people will gladly buy it.  That is why we are beginning to have a lot of adulteration, because whether it works or not, as long as you give it that tag, people will gladly buy it.

    “They may try for the first time and not come back, but they will gladly buy it.

    “I have had a friend who spent N5,000 buying one online to improve his performance. Immediately he opened it, the whole house started smelling, and that was something that he was supposed to drink. He ended up turning the drink which costs N5, 000 into his toilet. There was no way someone could have drunk that kind of thing because it was really smelly.”

    Recently, the operatives of the Zone ‘B’ Strike Force of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted assorted foreign sex drugs worth over N6 million in Katsina State.

    According to the agency, the drugs, all bearing fake NAFDAC registration numbers, were intercepted in Malumfashi and Jibia Local Government Areas of the state as part of the NCS’s ongoing war and zero-tolerance for smuggling.

    They included 52 cartons of EJAC powder manpower alongside several manpower capsules such as Bobarak capsule manpower, Ginseng coffee manpower, Sacks manpower, Goldfly, gonorrhea capsule, amipara plus capsule and hympashy capsule.

    Aphrodisiac business highly profitable

    Speaking on the profitability of the business, Executive Director of SIM, Omolola Natural, said: “Aphrodisiac business is a big market and it is extremely profitable.  If you know how to mix the natural herbs in a way that they will work, you might probably spend N1,000 to mix something and sell it for N20,000.

    “People will buy it. You know human beings need anything to save face. One big problem of humans is shame. Anything that will make them boost their ego, human beings can give anything to get it. This is why you will see people quit their jobs to go into it.”

    Relationship between use of aphrodisiacs and rising rape incidents

    Incidents of rape in the country are said to be on the rise. Although there are no statistics to confirm this, the United Nations Women said a total of 11,200 rape cases, including children who were raped to death, were reported in Nigeria in 2020.

    The Technical Specialist, Spotlight Initiative of the UN Women, Tosin Akibu, added that violence against women and girls had continued to grow at an alarming rate.

    She said: “In 2020, a total of 11,200 rape cases were reported. Some of these included children who were raped to death. Violence against women continues to occur at an alarming rate.

    Speaking on this, Kate Ibeanusi said she could not expressly say that the use of aphrodisiacs is responsible for rising rape cases. “Just like we would tell you that alcohol is not a reason for any form of abuse, the use of aphrodisiac, I cannot say it is directly related to the increase in rape. Rather, I will say that it has an influence in the sense that people who take aphrodisiac, they have a motive for taking it.

    “Having taken it, it now emboldens them to go out and carry out that act. Just like the way alcohol does not necessarily make a man beat his wife, but with the intake of alcohol, he is more emboldened to do it. That is what these aphrodisiacs are doing.

    “Yes, rape is on the increase, but with the use of aphrodisiacs, the users are able to complete the process. At the end of the day, it still has its negative impact on our social interactions. Remember when I talked about how it interacts with social interactions, relationships and conversation.”

     NAFDAC raises alarm over indiscriminate use of aphrodisiacs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), recently raised the alarm over indiscriminate use of aphrodisiacs.

    The agency warned that consumption of such substances could lead to stroke, organ damage or sudden death.

    NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye,

    said: “Most of the performance enhancing drugs are not registered with NAFDAC. They are smuggled into the country. If they were registered, the producers and peddlers alike would not be doing what they are doing in the supermarkets, social media platforms and on the streets.

    Adeyeye lamented that many men have died using performance enhancing drugs and their relatives would blame their death on some imaginary witches in the village.

    The NAFDAC boss also described as false the claim by the producers of the products that they have no side effects, insisting that the majority of the products did not go through the approval process of the agency.

     Health implications of aphrodisiacs

     Adeyeye noted that unbridled use of aphrodisiacs has a lot of implications in the entire body system, noting that the use of the products could potentially affect blood pressure.

    The NAFDAC boss explained that “when you have a disproportionate flow of blood to a particular part of the body and lasting longer than normal, they tend to disrupt the normal flow of the circulatory system.

    “When these things are used, especially with some herbal medicines that don’t have dosage and professional prescription, it can lead to internal organ damage. It can hurt the liver and the kidneys, leading to untimely death.”

    Adeyeye recalled that over N3 billion worth of falsified and banned drugs and unwholesome food products were seized by the Agency recently at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex where no fewer than 20 trailer loads of such banned and unwholesome products were seized by officials of the agency’s investigation and enforcement directorate led by Barrister Kingsley Ejiofor.

    She disclosed that some of the drugs impounded at the trade fair complex were performance enhancing drugs. Worse still, they are counterfeited.

    “When something is counterfeited, the manufacturers don’t care about quality. They add what they are not supposed to add or add more than what they are supposed to add. Invariably, the user is the loser,” she said.

  • Concerns as ‘Almajiri’ children flood Lagos suburbs

    Concerns as ‘Almajiri’ children flood Lagos suburbs

    Kid beggars shun school, roam major roads, eateries for alms 

    They could pose serious threat to their host, says Security expert

    Sanwo-Olu, northern govs must find ways to address menace -Yaradua varsity don

    From Lagos mainland to even the highbrow parts of the Island, they loiter around major roads, streets and eateries, begging for alms and at times left over food. These almajiri children are out of school and have no plans to acquire skills in any vocation. INNOCENT DURU examines the implications of these for the pliable children, Lagos State which hosts them and the country at large.

    Hauwa, a 13-year-old girl from Funtua, Katsina State begs for alms on LASU\Isheri Road without any form of deformity or disability.

    Although enrolment in public school is free in Lagos State, neither Hauwa nor her parents have thought it wise to exploit the opportunity and acquire basic education. The young, ignorant girl is simply enamoured with alms begging; the craft she grew up into.

    “I was not going to school in Katsina and have also not been going to school since we came to Lagos,” she said in response to a question from our correspondent.

    “I come out every day to beg for alms,” she added as she sat on the walkway between the road.

    “What I get on a daily basis varies. People give me whatever they deem fit and I collect it.

    “At times, I make  up to N1,000 a day. At other times, it could be more or less.”

    Besides the issue of education, it has also not crossed Hauwa’s mind to acquire skills in any vocation.  In fact, the mention of learning a trade appeared to be alien to her.

    “Work?” she echoed, looking  confused as she shook her head.

    To make the point clearer to Hauwa, our correspondent began listing skills like tailoring and hair dressing. But before he could land, Hauwa shook her head vigorously, saying that she had not given it a thought and had no plans for such.

    Many of Hauwa’s age mates who are in school are either rounding off their junior secondary school or just beginning their senior secondary education. Those who are into vocational training would have acquired one skill or the other that would help them to have a meaningful means of livelihood and add value to the society. This is not to talk about the  impact that children in that age bracket in a developed world like China would have been making on the society.

    But as it is, Hauwa is visionless and rudderless. The road is her classroom and begging her only skill. Many  young people in her mould are said to have grown up to also have children who grew up taking after their parents who lived on begging for alms. It is almost certain that she will end up like that if nothing drastic is done about it.

    Incidentally, she is not alone in this. Hordes of her peers and others far below her age flock major roads and streets of metropolitan Lagos, singing songs laced with prayers to get money from passers-by, many of whom are easily swayed by anything woven around religion.

    Aminat, a 10-year-old, also does not have any formal education or skill. Right from her mother’s womb, she had been exposed to begging, and that remains her only vocation till date.

    “I beg passersby or motorists for alms when there is traffic. Some people give me money while some don’t. Some play with me for some time asking me to sing for them before giving me money,” she said through an interpreter.

    “I don’t go to school,” she added, beaming a smile that revealed her ignorance about the importance of education.   “My father is begging up there while my mother is begging down there,” she added as if to prove how skillful they are in the art of begging.

    Some younger kids seen around could also hardly express themselves and often rely on sign language to communicate their message before going ahead to express themselves in a few words.

    Folding her fist and raising it towards her mouth, one of the kids of about five years moved to hold a passer-by’s hand.

    “Oga, I beg, give me money. God go bless you,” she said in Pidgin as she trailed her target.

    Checks around major roads revealed that some of the grown up boys have moved from begging into other activities. Many of them now run after motorists in traffic armed with sticks wrapped with foam and  buckets filled with soapy water. They  use this to wipe the windscreens of vehicles with the aim of getting compensated by the drivers or vehicle owners.

    “Some drivers give me N100 or more while some don’t even give anything. Some of them get angry when we want to clean their windscreens but we don’t allow that to deter us.” he said.

    His partner shouted ‘ba turenci’ (I don’t understand English) as our correspondent made to approach him for comments.

    When his colleagues translated our correspondent’s question about going to school to him, he snapped back saying, “Ba makaranta (no school)” as he dashed off with his tools to look for a client.

    Worries about kid beggars’ future

    An Arewa motorcycle operator, Taheer, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed surprise that beggars are allowed to operate on major Lagos roads. He also disagreed with the use of the term ‘almajiri’ for the out of school children.

    He said: “They are not almajiri. Almajiri children go to school but these ones don’t. So there is no basis for calling them almajiri.

    “Many of them were born here and not in the north. When I came here, I was really surprised to see that they are allowed to beg on the expressway. You can’t find beggars on expressways in many parts of the north.

    “My feeling is that the Lagos State Government does not want to drive them away because they may be accused of tribalism.

    “The challenge here is that when any of them commits a crime, he will run to the north.  Go to places like Alaba Rago, Agege and see what some of them are turning into.”

    Our correspondent, who had an encounter with some of the kids at an eatery, reports that they milled around the place looking very dirty with rashes on the faces and heads of some of them. People dump all manner of leftover food on them as if they are less human, all in the name of helping them. The manner they run after vehicles for money also puts them in grave danger.

    Writing on his Facebook page, veteran journalist, Lanre Idowu, shared his experience with one of the kids in a piece he titled ‘The Girl at the Traffic Lights’

    The post reads: “Our eagerness to get home quickly and welcome the New Year with hymns and prayers was halted by the traffic lights at the junction of Adeola Odeku and Akin Adesola streets on Victoria Island. Time was 21.45 hours.

    “The car windows were wound up. As we waited for the green light to continue the journey, a young girl moved close to the driver’s side, soliciting.

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    “Involuntarily, I moved my mask to cover my nose and mouth even with the car windows closed. Our guest was not deterred. ‘Sorry Daddy,’ she pleaded. I pretended to not see her, so I kept my eyes fixed on the traffic lights, monitoring her with the corner of my left eye.”

    Idowu, fearing that the stranger could be working for some criminal minded persons, said: “You never know with this people, I thought. They come with all tricks in the book to set you up for a sucker punch and I wasn’t falling for it in these dying hours of 2021.

    “But the girl, probably no more than seven, wasn’t done yet. ‘God will promotion you,’ she declared. ‘Your children children go better well well.’

    Continuing, Idowu said: “As I pondered on her quaint expressions and started to look for loose Naira notes near the joystick, the green light came on, and I moved the car in the direction of home, unable to help the girl.

    “Thereafter, the traffic was light and nothing stood in our way until we got home twenty minutes after. What kept playing over in my mind was the girl’s eleven-word prayer. “God go promotion you. Your children children go better well well.”

    “Her opening apology of ‘Sorry Daddy’ indicates her sensitivity to disturbing my peace in the comfort of my space. The import of her prayer, ‘God go promotion you’ was that God would uplift me. I would enjoy an improvement in my circumstances.

    “Since I looked old enough to be a father and indeed a grandfather, her last statement was a prayer for my children and grandchildren; that things would go well for them.

    “Nowhere did she outrightly ask me for alms, even as there was no denying her intention. Her approach subtly employed prayer, hoping that I would do the needful.

    “As I headed home, I couldn’t help remembering the approach of girls of her age in another era, armed with the beggar’s bowl, moving in bands of twos, threes, and fours, soliciting with songs.”

    Involuntarily, he said, “I started humming one. ‘Ba bi Allah, tori Olorun ba bi Allah, e bun mi toro, ba bi Allah. Asiri abo.’

    “Ba bi Allah was a more direct plea for alms; a call for help with the persuasive appeal of music. It was a song rendered by itinerant beggars moving from home to home in the Lagos of the 1960s where traffic lights were not common sight. Appealing to our common humanity, it asked in the name of God for alms, indeed the odd three pence.

    “Then and now, street begging remains a reminder of the poverty in the land and the unfinished work of deploying state and private resources to ridding the land of poverty enveloped, in this instance, in idle begging.

    “It is a reminder that our people’s needs are largely rudimentary—food to keep body and soul together. It is what our politicians exploit to buy votes and underdevelop the land. It is what conscienceless leaders in secular and religious groups utilise to take advantage of the weak.”

    Beyond the relatively sane and safe precincts of Victoria Island where the praying girl operated on 31st December 2021, Lanre Idowu said “many like her are exposed to grave dangers of being exploited in the name of begging to douse the hunger in their stomachs and those of their parents who usually lurk in the background.”

    Don x-rays implications of menace

    Dissecting the implications of the rising number of almajiri kids in Lagos State, a lecturer with the Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Dr Bala Abdullahi Husaini, who specialises in International Relations, Defence and Security, said “the implications of that may not be far-fetched from the nature and the consequences that will come back to the host community.

    “These children were not properly trained and brought up. Anybody who is not properly trained, whatsoever social vices that is deemed fit for him will automatically be accepted by him. That has future consequences on the population of Lagos, and peaceful co-existence in Lagos. 

    “The level of security in Lagos will also be affected and that has an implication over the whole plan in Lagos State, and this also speaks of the non-challant attitude of our people especially from the north, which is not going to augur well for the north and Lagosians and Nigeria in general.

    “If care is not taken, for the future now, you should expect to plan for the worst because  these people can constitute some groups of nuisance despite the nature of Lagos and the social vices it has. This is another problem that is coming.

    “Lagos already has its own problem that  it is struggling to solve and here comes another problem that will also disturb the whole activity in the near future.”

    Asked about the implications of not going to school or learning vocational skills, DR Husaini said: “When you are not educated and not properly brought up, there is going to be a serious problem, and that serious problem could also affect the economy, political and cultural structure of Lagos. This will not only affect Lagos but the north as well.

    “Some of them when they commit an offence or are found wanting, they will definitely escape, and their safe haven will be in the north here because that is where they were known.

    “The implication is that there will be an influx of crime from Lagos to the north and from the north to Lagos, because this is somebody that is well known and well groomed here in the north with the culture, with the norms and with the tradition whatsoever.

    “He went down to Lagos and is trained with the norms and values of Lagosians. Once he commits an offence, you know he has now gained an experience, he will transfer that same experience in the event where he wants to run away from the constituted authorities there. He will run down to the north with the same character, the same habit and the same social vices that are uncalled for.

    “When he comes here, he may likely train others with those bad experiences of Lagos he has got. This is what I call “transfer of crime.”

    Kid beggars not targets of kidnappers

    Dr Husaini went on to dismiss fears that the children could become victims of kidnapping, saying: “Ritualists don’t use these children. It is one of the criteria being given to the ritualists. They are not to present anyhow person. If they have been using them, believe you me, you will not see anyone of them anymore.

    “If ritualists pick victims at random, nobody will be there as almajiri because all the ones out there will have been used by now.”

    He added: “Those children coming from the north, most of them, their parents don’t know their whereabouts. Most of them were influenced by some very useless and hopeless individuals to make ends meet.

    “I facilitated a programme regarding the repatriation of a boy from Liberia. He was originally from Katsina. He was taken from Katsina to Kano for an Islamic education and their school got burnt and the boy became affected.

    “Someone  saw him and lured him to Lagos and from Lagos to Liberia. You could see the influence. Whatever the child does, he does so at the influence of somebody.  They don’t have that thinking by themselves.  Somebody must have initiated them into it. It is a sort of child trafficking that is done in a modernised way.”

    Why it’s difficult to control population explosion

    Noting that the large size of families among the people is a causative factor for poverty and street begging, Dr Husaini said:  “The aspect of population explosion is a no go area because you can’t control it. It is cultural, religious and political.

    “Those states in the southern part of the country  are yearning for derivation and the only thing that can get that for them is by having population. Baby factories are more than you can imagine in the southern part.

    “In the north here, the issue is so much attached to religion and culture. They say the more children you have, the wealthier you are likely to become. You will find somebody with four wives and 20, 30, 40 children.

    “In the southern part, you don’t find such. You only find one wife and  some side chics. The side chics could be as many as you can have and not all the side chics have children for the man. So we can’t control the population among those people.

    “The only way you can control the population is when you are providing everything for the people. Access to health in Nigeria is not free. Education is not free. Basic social amenities are not free. When you don’t give those things free, who are you to tell me the number of children I should give birth to?

    “It is only when you give all these free that you can say that anybody that gives birth above X number will not get all those benefits. That is when you can have some measures regarding that.

    “As long as you don’t provide for them, you cannot control their population because of politics, religion and culture.”

    Sanwo-Olu, north’s governors should address problem

    Proffering solution to the menace, Dr Husaini said: “The earlier the governors at their own level decide and address the issue, the better for them. The Lagos State governor and his northern counterparts will have to find ways of addressing the problem. They should do that at their own level.

    “There should be proper sensitization, proper community awareness and implication of this. Let them know, let them hear and let them think what will happen.

    “Let the governors collaborate. If the Lagos government can decide to evacuate all of them, when they come here (north), people from Katsina will also decide to go, people from Sokoto will also decide to go. 

    “Let there be a synergy, a collaboration between the governors from the north and the south. Let them understand where each one of them is coming from so that the earlier they draw the line to address this collectively, the better for all of them.”

    Ruling out fears that tribal sentiments may be attached to the move, the erudite lecturer said: “If the governors meet and discuss, it will be fine by all and sundry. Media houses will capture that and that will also form part of the sensitization programme that the concerned governors will do to their people.  So the issue that they will chase northerners from the south will not happen. It will only happen when the sensitization is too low. When the sensitisation is at the higher level and continuously being carried out by all and sundry, the issue will automatically be erased.”

    Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development was yet to respond to our message on what it is doing to address the menace as at the time of filing this report.

  • How my kidney disappeared after operation for appendicitis – Plateau housewife

    How my kidney disappeared after operation for appendicitis – Plateau housewife

    • NMA disowns surgeon as investigation reveals he studied Economics

    These are not the best of times for the family of Mr Kehinde Kamal of Rikkos community, Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State and Dr Noah Kekere of Murna Clinic and Maternity located at Yanshanu community also in Jos North LGA, as global attention is drawn to the case of missing kidney involving the family and the medical doctor.

    The nation recently woke up to the news of Kamal’s family protesting his wife’s missing kidney and their suspicion that their medical doctor was responsible for the ugly development.

    While the culprit in the missing kidney saga remains a matter of conjecture, there is no debate as to the fact that the life of Mrs Kehinde Kamal, a 45-year old mother of four, is in clear and present danger.

    The Nation learnt that the housewife has suffered severe pains for about five years since she underwent a surgery for appendicitis in a private hospital known as Murna Clinic and Maternity located at Yanshanu.

    Narrating her ordeal in an interview with The Nation correspondent, Kehinde, the victim of the alleged organ harvesting, said: “Dr Noah Kekere has been our family doctor for years. So when I had a stomach problem in 2018, I went to his clinic for treatment.

    “After running some tests, the doctor told me my problem was appendix (appendicitis) and there was an urgent need for me to undergo surgery to remove the appendix.

    “Because we trusted him, my husband paid the bill of N80,000 and the surgery was carried out successfully.

    “But shortly after I was discharged from the hospital, I started experiencing a very strange pain in my abdomen and my husband said I should go back to the doctor for examination.

    “So I went and the doctor gave me some drugs to relief the pains, but the pains kept going and coming.

    “Each time the doctor gave me drugs to relieve the pains, I would only experience relief for a few days and the pain would return even more severe.

    “I was having sleepless nights due to the pains. Then the doctor said I should come for another surgery and gave us a bill of N60,000.

    “At that point, my husband and I decided to go to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for advanced medical examination.

    “To our surprise, we discovered at JUTH that one of my kidneys had been removed.

    “I was shocked and confused at the discovery that my kidney was missing.

    “The only thing that came to my mind was the hospital where I had a surgery in 2018, and that is our family doctor, Noah Kekere.

    “So we suspected him and my husband reported him to the police”

    “The truth is, since I was born, I had never had surgery. Even when I gave birth to my four children, I did not undergo surgery. It was only when this doctor said I had appendicitis that I underwent the surgery. So, the only person that has had access to my organs since I was born is Dr. Kekere”

    With the bizarre discovery, Kehinde’s husband Kamal reported Dr. Kekere and Murna Clinic and Maternity to the police, accusing the former of removing his wife’s kidney during an operation in 2018. Dr Kekere was promptly arrested by the police over the allegation.

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    The Nation checks revealed that Dr Kekere, an indigene of Kogi State, is a graduate of Economics from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma while the purported pastor with one of the frontline Pentecostal churches has operated the clinic for 25 years.

    The Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) told our correspondent that Dr Kekere is not one of their members because he is not known to the association.

    The branch chairman of NMA, Dr Bapigaan William Audu, said: “Our records do not show that the person accused is a medical doctor. What we have at our secretariat and the investigation we have carried out is that Dr Kekere is not our member.”

    Ironically, the self-styled doctor has earned a lot of trust from residents of the community as a competent medical doctor as many of his clients attested to the fact that they have received solutions to their health challenges at his clinic.

    Popularly known as “Yellow”, Kekere attracted a lot of patronage from the community due to his compassionate disposition towards his patients.

    A resident, Sulaiman Bala, said: “The doctor is very compassionate. He does not charge much and he even gives treatment on credit. He is very friendly with everyone and that makes people to patronise him.”

    Fifty-one-year-old Busari, an indigene of Ogbomoso, Oyo State and husband of the victim, said: “I am confused. I don’t know what to say.

    “All I am saying is that I want justice for my wife. She is has been in pains since 2018. We have never rested, and now we are discovering that her kidney is missing.

    “I will spend my last kobo to get justice for my wife.

    “I want government to help me take over this case.

    “I have spent all I have while treating my wife over this stomach problem. I need help to get out of this problem.

    “My biggest worry is that my wife is in pains. I want her to be well and healthy.

    “I need treatment for her and I need justice over her missing kidney.”

    The doctor at the centre of the missing kidney saga, Kekere, was still in police custody and could not be reached for comments. The police, however, said that investigation was ongoing as to how Kehinde’s kidney got missing.

    However, a Jos based medical doctor, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation that “this issue of missing organ is a very complex one in the sense that the truth can only be discovered after a careful and thorough investigation.

    “It is possible for someone to be born with one kidney. It is also possible she was born with two kidneys and one has been removed, but how it was removed and who removed it has to be carefully investigated.

    “Again, the antecedents of the accused owner of Murna Clinic have to be investigated, in case he has ever been suspected of such act and to also be sure his area of specialisation is in the medical field.

    “So, it is an investigation that will take some time.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Plateau State Command, Alfred Alabo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told The Nation: “The position of the police now on the missing organ is that our investigation is almost concluded.

    “We have written to the state government and to NMA so that a team of medical doctors can be consulted to actually know and examine this woman to be sure if the kidney was actually removed or she was born with one kidney.

    “We have been able to get all the other doctors that Mr Kekere employed. They are undergoing our interviews.”