Category: Special Report

With over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 35 and youth unemployment a challenge, the creative industry is capable of creating meaningful and rewarding jobs for them. However, this will not be achieved if the major source of revenue for the sector, which is advertising, is performing far below par, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

Worried by the Nigerian media advertising industry below average performance relative to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), the Federal Government has resolved to establish a Task Team of industry experts to work on three objectives to redress this development, according to Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Members of the Task Team are Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, Mr. Obi Asika, Hajia Sa’aa Ibrahim, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Balogun, Mrs Pauline Ehusani, Mr. Joe Mutah and a representative of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria. The Task Team will be inaugurated at a date to be announced.

According to the minister, the team is expected to identify best practice audience measurement system that will support the sustainable growth of the Nigerian creative industry, recommend a framework for supporting the sustainability of the audience measurement system, independent of the Federal Government and recommend a payment and disbursement framework among the key stakeholders in the industry.

The minister, who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), in Lagos, said bringing the Nigerian TV advertisement market up to par could result in additional $400 million of revenue to the industry, based on current comparisons with other African countries. This, he said, is our next task and ‘we invite all well-meaning practitioners of this industry to join hands with us to achieve this.’

He stressed that there is a need for an objective and scientific audience measurement system that articulates the value of the content to consumers as well as the value of the audience to advertisers, particularly in the television sector but also in the outdoor segment.

He identified lack of authentic and real data as a great challenge to the advertising industry, noting that the Nigerian media advertising total industry volume has historically performed below the global average benchmark relative to the country’s GDP, when compared with leading global and African markets (despite Nigeria’s position as a leading African economy).

“In 2018, Price Water House reports that Nigeria’s total advertising revenue performed very poorly (0.12 per cent), when compared with South Africa (0.83 per cent), Kenya (0.35 per cent), Ghana (0.29 per cent) and even Tanzania (0.18 per cent). This is attributable directly to a lack of measurement and currency of trading, a most basic requirement in all developed markets for the success of the production industry,” he added.

He stated that the current value of the Nigeria television advertising market is estimated at $200 million, despite a population of about 200 million, which translates to $1 per  person adding that in Ghana, its $3 per person, in South Africa, its $18 per person and in Kenya $7 per person.  He reasoned that if Nigeria reaches Ghana’s level of spend, this would triple the size of the TV advertising market to $600 million per annum, which is an extra $400 million per annum. And 90 percent or more of this increase would go directly to the businesses and the talents creating the content.

“This challenge has resulted in under-investment in the sector, which is necessary to foster the growth of the industry. The advertising community continues to rely on subjective factors when making decisions on the content they want, as opposed to how many viewers the content truly attracts.

“As a consequence, television platforms are subjected to renting out space on their channels to sustain their businesses, while content producers have become increasingly over-reliant on sponsorship, which unfortunately skews the authenticity of their creative output in favor of a few decision makers, instead of the millions of TV viewers.

The existing model will never enable the Nigeria’s Creative Industry to reach its full potential. It stunts the quality of the content that can be created and also limits the capacity of television platforms to invest in dynamic offerings that consumers will be attracted to.

“Also, the value of Nigeria’s Broadcasting Advertising Market is not proportionate to the country’s population, when compared to the top 3 markets in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Despite having a population more than three times that of South Africa, Nigeria’s Television Advertising Revenue in 2016, US$309 million, was 76percent behind that of South Africa (US$1,301 million).  By the end of 2020, the gap between South Africa and Nigeria is projected to marginally decline to 72 percent,” he said.

Mohammed also observed that similarly in the radio sector, the value of Nigeria’s 2016 advertising revenue of US$81 million was 75 percent behind its peers, South Africa and Kenya, both at $343 million.

In both countries, he said the value and growth rate of the broadcasting advertising revenue is largely influenced by the availability of a scientific audience measurement system that provides confidence to advertisers in measuring their return-on-investment.

For the minister, it is thus imperative that ‘we urgently put in place an industry framework that will ensure that content producers receive their just due for the value of the content they create, as well as provide objective guarantees to the advertising community on their return-on-investment on media placements. This will then have the overall effect of guaranteeing greater spend by the advertisers, who are all seeking to grow their market share.’

This industry framework, he added, can only happen if the Ministry of Information and Culture acts as a catalyst for putting in place a robust audience measurement system that is in line with global standards and supports the realisation of the immense potential that the Nigerian creative industry.

Continuing, he said: “The Federal Government has already taken a critical long-term decision to support the Nigeria Creative Industry by ensuring and funding the inclusion of a middleware that is capable of scientific Audience Measurement on FREETV DTT Set-Top Boxes.

Currently, government is expected to subsidise signal distribution because the Channels cannot pay for the carriage of their channels by the licensed signal distributors, who on their part have invested in equipment and technology for Digital transmission. Things cannot continue like this and the economics of the Channel owners has to change. Government cannot fund television forever. We must create a sustainable ecosystem.”

AAAN Board of Trustee chairman Sir Steve Omojiafor, who led the members to the interaction, commended the minister for honouring the association’s invitation after many ‘futile’ attempts to reach him. In his remark, Vice President of the association, Mr. Steve Babaeko sought the minister’s intervention in reconstituting the APCON council, the absence he described as an airport without a control tower.

“The legal arm with which we can make sure that all the laws enacted to bring APCON to be and the laws that can guide advertising to play its role in national development, without the APCON Council, we are hamstrung. We can simply not function. We definitely need you to helpin this regard,” he said.

On the seeming gap between the ministry and the advertising industry, Babaeko wished for a better, closer and improved relationship. He noted that as professionals they really want to serve. He also used the opportunity of the session, which the minister described as ‘family meeting’ to seek the minister’s consent to be at the association’s annual general meeting holding later this year in Abuja.

With Cafes, shops and restaurants shut across France and Spain, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is still shocking the world, including Nigeria, write Adeyinka Aderibigbe, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Chris Oji, Ogochukwu Anioke, Duku JOEL, Chris Njoku.

• Trump tests negative
• Schools remain open, says Fed Govt

While schools in Europe and the United States have been shut to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) says schools in Nigeria will remain open as the virus is being contained in the country.

In response to a message by The Nation on whether the Federal Government plans to close schools to mitigate possible spread of the virus, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonnie Ochono, noted that the situation was being monitored.

“We are monitoring the situation closely. Students are being taught to wash hands regularly, avoid triggers and touching etc.” The index case has recovered and is now negative. The second case proved negative,” he wrote.

However, the Covid-19 Guidance Control for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) released March 5, 2020, noted that closure of schools is not necessary for now.

Nevertheless, the document advised schools to provide water and soap and enlighten teachers and learners to practice good hygiene.

The document states: “The most important advice is for all schools to encourage their students to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene to remain safe.

School proprietors, headmasters, and head mistresses must ensure that students have access to clean water and soap at all times while on the school premises.

The best way for schools to avoid COVID-19 infection is to; ensure students and teachers wash their hands frequently; show students how to cough or sneeze into a tissue, or to cough into their elbow if they cannot get tissue; clean and disinfect their premises often; encourage sick students and teachers to stay home.

On its part, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has produced video and audio clips to spread awareness about preventing spread of the virus among school communities.

The video features the Education Commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo admonishing high school pupils to wash their hands regularly while demonstrating how it should be done.

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 125,000 people and killed over 4,600 globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) forcing the agency to declare the outbreak a pandemic.

As the world continues to grapple with the reality of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Enugu State on Sunday, joined the list of states in Nigeria with the confirmation of a suspected case, who have been confined in a health facility.

This is even as the two cases so far recorded in Nigeria are said to be recovering and may soon be discharged.

Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, who disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the state Commissioner said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been contacted on the development.

“Sample has been collected and sent for investigations. We await the result. The suspect is being monitored,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed the suspected case of Coronavirus in Enugu State.

NCDC in a tweet early Sunday morning on its verified Twitter handle said the patient has been taken into isolation pending the result of test.

It said the result of the test is expected to be out on Monday.

The statement said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is aware of the patient in Enugu, suspected to have COVID19′

“This is one of several alerts received daily at the National COVID19 Emergency Operations Centre.

“The patient is in isolation, sample collected and results expected tomorrow”, the NSCDC said.

UNILORIN orders medical examination

The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has instructed its returning international students to go for medical examination.

Prof. Felicia Olasheinde-Williams, the Director, Centre for International Education (CIE), gave the directive in a letter addressed to the international students.

The letter, issued on Sunday, stated that the directive was necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus on campus.

Olasheinde-Williams said all returning international students must proceed to the University Clinic for medical examination, so as to deter the spread of the virus within and outside campus.

She said: “Note that this medical test is an important requirement for maintaining your studentship with the University.

Yobe case tested negative

A suspected COVID 19 infected person in Damaturu, Yobe State capital has tested negative.

The Commissioner for Health, Yobe State, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana who disclosed this at a press briefing in Damaturu said the Male Patient, 57 year-old, said the patient came all the way from California, United States of America 17 days earlier.

Dr. Gana noted that his specimen of the suspected case were taken to Abuja, but both preliminary and subsequent results were negative hence allaying the fears of the virus in Damaturu.

According to him, the patent has been since discharge as he was certified to have tested negative.

NEMA warns against used textiles

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned

Nigerians to stop patronising imported fairly used textiles to ensure Coronavirus is adequately checkmated in Nigeria.

This is even as the agency has called for inclusion of Disaster management as part of academic course in universities and polytechnic curriculum.

NEMA head of Imo/Abia operations, Evans Ugoh, said it would be very dangerous for Nigerians to be patronising imported fairly used textile, adding that continuous patronage on fairly used cloths was a direct invitation of the virus to Nigeria.

He urged FG to place serious sanction on importation of fairly used textiles in other to discourage smugglers.

Spain, France impose tight controls

Cafes, shops and restaurants shut down across France and Spain on Sunday and travellers faced chaos at some US airports as measures intensified to restrict the coronavirus pandemic, which has sickened more than 150,000 people and killed almost 6,000.

While France ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses, Spain went a step further and banned people from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food.

The two countries are among the worst-hit in Europe although Italy, which imposed Europe’s most draconian lockdown on its 60 million citizens last week, still dominates in terms of infections from COVID-19.

The disease has now hit all global regions, ripping up sporting and cultural calendars, causing panic in stock markets and companies – particularly airlines – and prompting a wide range of often contradictory responses from governments.

The United States imposed a travel ban on countries in Europe’s Schengen free-movement area last week and announced an extension to cover Britain and Ireland from midnight on Monday.

China, where the disease originated, is now imposing its own crackdown on international travellers – all will be put into quarantine on arrival – after linking most of its new infections to those coming from overseas.

As the global spread of the disease widened, the plight of existing hotpots intensified.

Iran announced 113 new deaths on Sunday taking its total to 724, the world’s third-worst outbreak after Italy and China, and officials urged people to heed the advice to avoid public gatherings.

US travel spat

The US travel restrictions threw airports into disarray with passengers taking to social media to complain of massive queues as staff battled with new entry rules and stipulations on screening for the virus.

The restrictions threw airports across the country into disarray, with incoming travellers forced to wait hours for medical screenings before passing through customs.

Coronavirus confuses govts in Europe

Britain, which had avoided crackdowns and instead tried to manage the spread and create “herd immunity,” cancelled local elections and hinted that it would follow most other affected European nations and ban mass gatherings.

On the other hand, France allowed municipal elections to go ahead on Sunday even as officials imposed a drastic nationwide shutdown on all non-essential businesses providing and promised to progressively restrict long-distance travel.

The risk from voting for the elderly was no greater “than going shopping”, insisted Jean-Francois Delfraissy, chairman of France’s coronavirus science council.

Several countries have announced bans on foreigners entering their countries.

Austria banned gatherings of more than five people on Sunday, telling its citizens to restrict movement unless absolutely necessary.

Norway announced it would shut ports and airports with international connections on Saturday before retreating a day later and saying although foreigners would be turned away the facilities would remain open.

The isolated turn to music

The spread of the virus has spooked even those countries without significant outbreaks – both Australia and New Zealand saying that anyone arriving from overseas must self-isolate for two weeks.

“We are going to have to get used to some changes in the way we live our lives,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency on Sunday despite having just eight confirmed infections.

In Africa, which has been spared the worst of the disease, half a dozen countries announced new infections over the weekend.

The announcements sparking restrictions on gatherings in Rwanda, panic-buying in the Seychelles and furious recriminations in Zimbabwe – a country yet to register a single case.

“Coronavirus is the work of god punishing countries who imposed sanctions on us,” said Zimbabwe’s defence minister Oppah Muchinguri on Saturday.

Latin America has also recorded only small clusters of infections, though Colombia was prompted to shut its border with Venezuela over a rise in cases there.

Chile has also taken some protective measures – quarantining more than 1,300 people aboard two cruise ships after an elderly Briton aboard one of them tested positive for the coronavirus.

However, the cancelled events, closed schools and restrictions on movements have driven people to great lengths to avoid isolation and disappointment.

Trump tests negative

United States (U.S.) President, Donald Trump, has tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19), according to his physician, Sean Conley.

“Last night after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed.

“This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative,” Conley said in a statement.

“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the president remains symptom-free.

“I have been in daily contact with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and White House Coronavirus Task Force.

“We are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation,” he added.

Trump said at a news conference that he had taken the test.

He had initially spurned advice to take the test after he was seen in a photo standing next to the Brazilian official, Fabio Wajngarten, who later tested positive for the virus.

According to reports, Wajngarten, a media aide to President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, was among officials who visited Trump at his private club in Florida last week.

No fewer than 2,443 people have been infected and 50 others dead in 49 states of the U.S., including the capital, Washington, D.C.

Despite efforts to manage the coronavirus pandemic, it still constitutes a huge threat to public health and economy in many countries, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

 

SINCE Nigeria recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus last month, political and health authorities have continued to work round the clock to prevent a mass outbreak, which can overwhelm the country’s already fragile health infrastructure. The novel virus sneaked into Nigeria’s shores when an Italian man visited Lafarge Cement Company as a consultant, testing positive to coronavirus and became the country’s index case.

Announcing the bad news on February 27, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, confirmed that COVID-19 has entered the country. The announcement made Nigeria the third African country to record a COVID-19 case. The Italian, who entered Nigeria on February 25 from Italy for a brief business visit and fell ill afterwards, was subsequently transferred to the Lagos State Biosecurity facility for isolation and testing on February 26.

Since the COVID-19 case was confirmed last month, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently allayed fears of residents over the spread of the virus, saying Lagosians have no reason to panic. The federal health authorities have also consistently assured that adequate measures are in place to tackle the situation.

“We are going to stop the opportunity for the virus to enter our community. That is what the government is doing,” Abayomi has consistently said in his daily briefings to update the public on the state of affairs concerning the management of the index case. “The coronavirus that is ravaging the world today is not a death sentence as long as detected cases are reported early, the patient isolated and the contacts traced and quarantined until tests are carried out to determine their status. The WHO has also indicated that some individuals who had been infected with coronaviruas only suffered mild illness and recovered while the infection was severe in other persons,” he said.

Nigeria has since recorded a second coronavirus case, a Nigerian. Yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the Italian would be discharged soon. He disclosed this in Abuja during a conference with the diplomatic community about measures taken by the Federal Government to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in Nigeria.

Ehanire stressed that there were only two confirmed cases in Nigeria. This, according to him, included the index case and the second who was a primary contact of the index case.

While Nigeria is lucky not to have suffered a massive outbreak of the virus, many countries are still reeling under the pangs of the pandemic, throwing their health infrastructure into turmoil. The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), named as Covid-19 by the WHO, has spread to 113 more countries apart from China.

This prompted the WHO to declare the disease a global pandemic. As at the time of filing this report, confirmed novel coronavirus cases are more than 130,000, while more than 4,700 deaths have been reported across the world, with more than one-third of the Covid-19 cases outside China where the disease started last December. No fewer than 68,891 people have recovered from the virus across the globe.

In Africa, authorities implement measures to contain the spread of the virus, especially on the continent. Almost all African governments have publicly put in place strict screening at points of entry especially airports. Cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and Nigeria. African airlines have cancelled scheduled flights to China except for Ethiopian Airlines. The Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered schools and universities to close until April 5 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. This came as a response to the country’s first registered death from the disease. Algeria has confirmed 24 cases of coronavirus, mostly among members of a single family in the city of Blida, south of the capital.

The government has already ordered a range of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on spectators at football games and the suspension of all cultural, social and political gatherings. The authorities have not clarified, however, whether the ban extends to weekly mass protests that have convulsed Algeria for more than a year, thrusting its long-established political class into crisis. Political turmoil and economic troubles also threaten hydrocarbon producer Algeria as it wrestles with the coronavirus. A crash in global oil prices has compounded years of declining energy revenues that have drained half of Algeria’s state currency reserves.

Uganda, earlier this week, returned some travellers who refused to be quarantined upon arrival in the country. In Senegal, the infectious diseases outfit, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, is set to roll out a coronavirus testing kit. Its head, Dr Amaduo Sall, said the infrastructure to build the kits will be ready in two weeks’ time. The kit, when released, will be a game changer in diagnosing persons with the deadly disease. Senegal currently has seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Authorities in South Africa have recorded four new cases, bringing the total tally as at March 12 to 17. The new cases span various provinces: Free State, Kwa Zulu Natal, Guateng and Mpumalanga. In the case of the Free State patient, the disease control outfit said a 32-year-old male, who came into contact with a Chinese businessman, was the first case of local transmission as all others have been by patients who had travelled abroad. Meanwhile, a government evacuation of citizens from Wuhan is underway with the special evacuation team heading back to South Africa with 122 people who voluntarily opted to.

In Ghana, $100 million fund was announced by the government to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Ghana is surrounded by neighbours all of whom have recorded cases. Togo was the first to record a case last week while Burkina Faso earlier this week recorded two. Ivory Coast also recorded a case in the capital Abidjan. Togo is Ghana’s eastern neighbour, Burkina Faso is to the north and Ivory Coast to the West. To the south, the country is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea. Ivory Coast has recorded its index case of coronavirus, making the country the fifth in the region to record a case after Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Burkina Faso. Elsewhere on the continent, Cameroon, DR Congo and South Africa have recorded cases. Back in January, Ivory Coast was the first country to record a suspected case, which turned out negative. The country, like many others, received testing capacity from WHO.

Ugandan authorities have announced new measures as part of processes to keep out the coronavirus. Travelers arriving in Uganda will soon be sprayed with a disinfectant – head to toe. All travellers arriving from 16 high-risk countries will be quarantined for 14 days – a measure the aimed at preventing the importation of the virus. With this measure, Uganda has joined DRC on the list of countries enforcing quarantine for certain category of travellers. Eritrea has also announced that similar measures.

Coronavirus case numbers in Malaysia and Singapore remain by a distance the highest in south-east Asia, at 149 and 178, respectively, as of Wednesday. On Thursday, Malaysia’s Health Ministry urged the postponement of all mass gatherings after it emerged that an estimated 5,000-10,000 people met at an Islamic ceremony in Kuala Lumpur in late February that was also attended by a Bruneian who subsequently tested positive for the virus. Thailand has reported 70 cases of the new coronavirus infection. Of the 70 cases, 35 people have been already discharged while 34 others are receiving treatment in hospital, according to information provided by the Public Health Ministry on Thursday.

United States President Donald Trump has since suspended all travels from Europe over fears of escalation of the disease. On Wednesday, he blamed the European Union for his decision to suspend all travels from Europe to the US over the Coronavirus pandemic. In a televised address at the White House, Trump alleged that the EU failed to take necessary steps to prevent the virus from entering its territory. As a result, he said, a large number of new cases in the US were by travellers from Europe. He said the new rules, aimed at keeping new cases from entering the country, would last for 30 days with effect from Friday. However, he said the restrictions would not apply to the United Kingdom, which had 460 confirmed cases of the virus. No fewer than 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus and 38 deaths in the U.S. as of Wednesday.

“At the very start of the outbreak, we instituted sweeping travel restrictions on China and put in place the first federally mandated quarantine in over 50 years. We declared a public health emergency and issued the highest level of travel warning on other countries as the virus spread its horrible infection. We have seen dramatic fewer cases of the virus in the United States than are now present in Europe. The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travels from China and other hotspots. As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were ceded by travelers from Europe,” Trump said.

He added that the travel suspension would also “apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo” coming into the US from Europe. The rules, he said, “will be adjusted, subject to conditions on the ground, and there will be exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings”.

Trump also announced plans to provide working Americans affected by the virus with financial relief to enable them to stay at home without fear of financial hardship.

“This will be targeted for workers who are ill, quarantined, or caring for others due to coronavirus. I will be asking Congress to take legislative action to extend this relief,” he said.

As global stock markets plummet and movement of goods and services curtailed, travel restrictions will continue to take a toll on the global economy.

Wole Soyinka

 

THESE are depressing times – stemming from different factors of course – for a large sector of the nation. Insecurity, economy in a coma, a leadership in name only, having vanished into ether, permanently AWOL in a time of serial crisis. No wonder mimic and debased forms of leadership assertiveness rush in to fill the vacuum!  The latest in the stakes of such power appropriation makes one wonder which is the more reactionary order: the so-called feudal institution, or the self-vaunting modernized governance whose apex can bring the feudal to heel quite arbitrarily, without check and without seeming consequence. To rub pepper in the wound, the protagonist of that “progressive” order enjoys near-absolute immunity, thus, even when it has disgraced its status and violated its oath of office, caught literally with its pants down in open defecation, it can still pretend to act in the interest of progress, modernity and public well being.  Such are the ironies raised by the purported dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi, with one stroke of a pen!

I was participant, albeit on the sidelines, when a similar scenario began to unfold in my own state, Ogun some years ago. The then governor, on account of an imagined slight by one of the monarchs in his domain was actually poised – not virtually but physically – poised to sign the dethronement and banishment order on that traditional ruler. His office was invaded by some of the panicked chiefs and stalwarts of Ogun state who rushed to ward off the impending order. One of them stopped at my home after the pacification session to narrate what had transpired, and how some of them had actually gone on their knees to plead with that governor to stay action. I was furious. I knew every detail of that affair, had listened to a recording of the speech that was supposed to have given this mighty offence. It was pure piffle!

“Why did you people plead with him? Don’t you realize you were making him feel a god? You should have let him carry on, then we would see what a cataclysm he had launched on the state!”

The man, an independent businessman of absolute integrity, and one of that governor’s intimate circle, smiled and said, “No, we couldn’t do that. We are his friends. We were pleading with him to save him from himself.”

What a pity Ganduje lacked friends who could have saved him from himself!  Insofar as one can acknowledge certain valued elements in traditional institutions, the man he thinks he has humiliated has demonstrated that he is one of the greatest reformers even of the feudal order. That is beyond question, a position publicly manifested in both act and pronouncements.  By contrast, Ganduje’s conduct, apart from the innate travesty of justice in this recent move, is on a par with the repudiated colonial order, one that out-feudalized feudalism itself, and is synonymous with authoritarianism of the crudest temper. The record shows, in this particular instance, that it is one that embodies modernized cronyism and alienated pomp and power – never mind the cosmetic gestures such as almajiri reformation. It has proved one of the worst examples of a system that enables even the least deserving to exercise arbitrary, unmerited authority that beggars even the despotism of the most feudalistic traditional arrangements.

Emir Sanusi was a one-man EFCC sanitizations squad in the banking system taking on the powerful corrupters of that institution.  Unblinking, he trod on the interests of powerful beneficiaries of a worm-infested sector and, in the process, created permanent enemies. By contrast, confidence in immunity has catapulted his tormentor to the ranks of the most notorious public faces of the disorder that Sanusi strove to eradicate. Obviously, vengeance lay in wait, and he was not unaware of it. The signs were omnipresent and Sanusi acknowledged their imminence. I know this for a fact. Apart from exchanges some mutual associates – we held, not so long ago, a phone conversation during his visit to London, just after the shrinking of his domain signaled the commencement of a systematic attrition of his status.  I assured him I would shortly fulfill my long-standing promise to pay him a visit.  He sounded very much aware of the impending fall of the axe of vengefulness and power primitivism. I can testify that he remained totally unfazed.

Most important of all, and most pertinently for the nation, Sanusi was one of the early warning voices against religious extremism whose bitter fruits the nation is currently reaping. Those who wish to understand how deeply he had anticipated and explored the potential consequences of this menace should refer to his novelette: The Adulteress’ Diary, a work that exposes and satirizes the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Islamic clericalism from the inside, that is, from the authoritative point of view of an Islamic scholar. This work did not endear him to hard core fundamentalist purveyors of social division, but even those opponents would have been wise to pay heed to his exposition, and its implicit warning.  Then perhaps even if Boko Haram still remained inevitable, the nation would have been much better prepared for its onslaught, and those of allied malignancies like ISWAP.

Why, I am not certain, but I do have the feeling that the palace gates of the Kano emirate are not yet definitively slammed against this Islamic scholar, royal scion and seasoned economist. It is just a feeling. Closed and bared, or merely shut however, the doors of enlightened society remain wide open to Muhammad Sanusi. As for his current crowing Nemesis, a different kind of gates remain yawning to receive him when, as must, the days of governorship immunity finally come to an end. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. The list is long, there are comrades in impunity awaiting their day of reckoning. The files remain open, and the nation remains on the watch. The wheels of justice grind slowly, but sooner or later, they arrive.

 

• Being Prof. Soyinka’s reaction to the deposition of Emir Sanusi

The traditional institution in Nigeria has come under attacks from political leadership for a long time. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU chronicles the various cases of deposition and restriction

Emirs of Kano

1. Bagauda (999-1063)
2. Warisi (1063-1095)
3. Gajimasu (1095-1134)
4. Nawata & Gawata (1134-1136)
5. Yusa (1136-1194) 58 yrs
6. Naguji (1194-1247) 53 yrs
7. Guguwa (1247-1290), 43 yrs
8. Shekarau I (1290-1307) 17 yrs
9. Tsamiya (1307-1343) 36 yrs
10. Usman Zamna Gawa (1343-1349)
11. Yaji I (Ali) (1349-1385)
12. Bugaiya (1385-1390)
13. Kanajeji Dan Yaji (1390-1410)
14. Umaru (1410-1421)
15. Dauda I (1421-1438)
16. Abdullahi Burja (1438-1452)
17. Dakuta (1452- yankwanaki)
18. Atune 1452 yankwanaki)
19. Yakubu Dan Abdullahi (1452-1463)
20. Muhammadu Rumfa (1463-1499)
21. Abdullahi (1499-1509)
22. Muhammadu kisoke (1509-1565)
23. Yakubu (1565- yankwanaki)
24. Dauda Abasama. 1565-yankwanaki
25 Abubakar kado (1565-1573)
26. Muhammadu Shashere (1573-1582)
27. Muhammadu Zaki (1582-1618)
28. Muhammadu Na Zaki (1618-1623)
29. Muhammadu Alwali I
(El-Kutunbi) (1623-1643)
30. Alhaji Dantumbi (1648-1649)
31. Shekarau II (1649-1651)
32. Kukuna Dan Alhaji (1651-1652)
33. Soyaki (1652 yankwanaki)
34. Bawa Dan Kukuna (1660-1670)
35. Dadi Dan Bawa (1670-1703)
36. Muhammadu Sharafa (1731-1743)
37. Muhammadu Kumbari
38. Alhaji Kabe (1743-1753)
39. Yaji II (1768-1776)
40. Babba Zaki (1768-1776)
41. Dauda Abasama (1776-1781)
42. Muhammadu Alwali II
(1781-1805)
43. Malam Suleiman (1805-1819)
44. Ibrahim Dabo (1819-1846)
45. Usman Ibrahim Dabo (1846-1855)
46. Abdullahi Maje Karofi (1855-1882)
47. Muhammadu Bello (1882-1893)
48. Muhammadu Tukur (1893-1894)
49. Aliyu Babba (1894-1903)
50. Muhammadu Abbas (1903-1919)
51. Usman Dan Tsoho (1919-1926)
52 . Abdullahi Bayero (1926-1953)
53. Muhammadu Sunusi 1953-1963
54. Muhammadu Inuwa
(1963-1963)
55. Ado Bayero (1963- 2014)
56. Muhammad Sunusi II (2014-2020)
57. Aminu Ado Bayero (2020….)

The historic deposition of monarchs in Nigeria underscored the tension between the Republican order and monarchy. It even started from the colonial days when the British administration brooked no opposition. A classic case was the deposition of King Dosunmu, who relocated to Epe before he later regained the throne of Oba of Lagos.

Also in Lagos, Oba Matiku Olusi was asked to step down as ruler to permit Oba Eleko Esugbayi to regain the throne. When Esugbayi died barely two years later, the conspiracy of prominent Lagosians led to the emergence of Oba Falolu. The turn of events upset Olusi, who many people believed was short-changed.

Tragedy befell more monarchs on the throne, owing largely to personal errors and punishment by the government of the day. Some of them adjusted to life outside the palace. An example was an ex-Olota of Ota, a car dealer who returned to his business in Lagos.

Alaaye of Efon-Alaaye

A popular and progressive ruler, Oba Samuel Adeniran Atewogboye 11(Kekereata Asusumasa Okorobi’gberesi), Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, ascended the throne in 1936. He and his aides were arrested, tried and sentenced for the murder of a child, Princess Adediwura, around 1949. The young lawyers, Obafemi Awolowo, Bode Thomas and Arthur Prest, defended the accused, but without success. The monarch was imprisoned. Other sources said he was electrocuted. The sad incident drew the curtains on his reign.

Alaafin of Oyo

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi, son of Alaafin Alowolodu and father of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was deposed by the old Western Regional Government headed by Chief Awolowo in 1953. The deposition followed the rift between Alhaji Adeyemi, a councillor and sympathiser of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), and the highly pompous Bode Thomas, who was Action Group (AG) chairman of Oyo District Council. Thomas died mysteriously and the monarch bore the burden of the controversy. He and his Aremo were banished to Osogbo, and later Ijora, Lagos. His exit from the ancient palace paved the way for the ascension of Alayeluwa Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 11.

Alake of Egbaland

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Ladapo Ademola, who ruled between 1920 and 1962, was exiled between 1948 and 1948, following the popular women uprising against taxation, led by Mrs. Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti. He was accommodated in Akure by the Deji, Oba Afunbiowo Adesida. However, Oba Ademola regained his throne.

Emir Sanusi 1 of Kano

Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi was number three in order importance or hierarchy in the old Northern Region, trailing behind Sultan Abubakar Sodiq and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji El-Kanemi. But, according to historians, he was more popular.

As the region was on the fast lane to self-rule, eyes were on him as the likely Governor. But, crisis broke out between the highly esteemed Emir of Kano and the Premier, Sir Ahmadu

Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto. The Premier by-passed him. Instead, former House of Representatives member Sir Hassan Kashim from Borno was appointed. In 1963, following the deep-seated crisis, the emir was removed and banished to Azare in present-day Bauchi State. As his grandson suffered the same fate on Monday, history repeated itself. Sanusi 1 died in 2002.

Attah of Ebiraland

Alhaji Ibrahim Attah was the ruler of Ebiraland. He was a very wise and clever ruler. He invested many resources in the education of his children, who were numerous. They include former Governor Adamu Attah of Kwara State, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abdulaziz Attah, and the Ohinoyi, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim. He was deposed in the sixties and banished, never to regain his throne. Knowing that he will not return, he charged his son to be united and defend his legacies.

 

Ewi of Ado-Ekiti

The young, dynamic and first educated Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Anirare Aladesanmi, had to temporarily vacate the stool, following protests by townspeople against his policies. As people gathered in annoyance outside the ancient palace, his brave supporters courageously spirited him out. He was hosted by Deji Adesida I of Akure. His brother, Adeyemo Aladesanmi, was made ruler by some aggrieved people.

But, Oba Anirare Aladesanmi bounced back, having normalised his relations with his subjects and the colonial resident. On his arrival, his brother became an interloper. He was asked to vacate the throne. In later years, Oba Anirare Aladesanmi served as the Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri.

Olowo of Owo

The legendary Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru Olagbegi was enveloped in the web of politics. He was a partner in progress with Chief Adekunle Ajasin as Owo hosted the birth of AG. But, they parted ways, following the split in the AG as a result of the protracted feud between Awolowo and Premier Ladoke Akintola. Owo was engulfed in crisis and violence of monumental proportion. Oba Olagbegi was suspended, and later, deposed by the military government of Western State.

His cousin, Adekola Ogunoye, became the new Olowo. But, after his demise, Sir Olagbegi regained his lost throne. His family was grateful to former Ondo State Governor Bamidele Olumilua.

Zarki of Arigidi

The Zarki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Olanipekun, was a minister without portfolio under the Akintola government. The rift between the AG and the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) polarised his town. The monarch was alleged to have taken sides with a political tendency. His people revolted.

Alhaji Olanipekun embarked on exile. But, 25 years later, he returned to his throne.

Odemo of Isara

The nationalist politician, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, was naturally a sympathiser of the AG, a fact that infuriated his former colleague in the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), Premier Akintola. He could not be deposed because he enjoyed the support of his subjects. But, Akintola reduced his total salary package to one kobo per annum.

However, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Raji Adebowale, was not lucky. He was deposed by the Akintola government because of his sympathy for AG. As his supporters were wailing as he was being taken out of the town by security agents, he urged them to get their voter cards ready to vote for AG in 1965 Western Regional parliamentary elections.

Awujale of Ijebuland

The Second Republic Ogun State government of Olabisi Onabanjo jolted the people of Ijebuland when it announced the deposition of the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona. But, the order was futile. The court said the announcement was made in error. The Awujale never suffered any reverse of royal fortune.

Ooni of Ife and Emir of Kano

For travelling out of the country to Israel without permission, the late Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero were restricted to their respective palaces for six months by the Buhari/Idiagbon military regime. They lost their freedom of movement and wider freedom of association and assembly.

Sultan of Sokoto

Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki succeeded Sultan Abubakar Sodiq of Sokoto. However, crisis broke out between him and the maximum ruler, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, who left the gift presented to him by the monarch at the airport in Sokoto during his visit to the Caliphate. Following his removal, Alhaji Maccindo became Sultan.

Emir of Gwandu

The promising Amry Officer and Aide-de-Camp to former military President Ibrahim Babangida, Major Mustafa Jokolo, was deposed by the Kebbi State government as Emir of Gwandu in 2005 and banished to Loko, a Fulani town in Nasarawa State.

Deji of Akure

Oba Adepoju Adesina succeeded Oba Adebobajo Adesida as Deji of Akure. He was from the Osupa Ruling House. Following his unruly behaviours, which ridiculed the throne, he was dethroned by the Ondo State government.

He made a spirited attempt to stage a comeback, following the demise of his successor, Oba Adebiyi Adesida. But, the public mood did not support his second coming. Oba Aladetoyinbo from the Osupa Ruling House was crowned in succession to Oba Adesida.

Olugbo of Ugboland

For five years, Oba Mafimisebi held forte as the Olugbo of Ugboland. But, following the court ruling affirming Oba Fredrick Akinruntan as the rightful choice, Mafimisebi had to vacate the throne. The same fate has befallen the Eleruwa of Eruwa after 10 years on the throne.

The battle between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II started in the early days of the governor’s first tenure, writes Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI

 

THE feud between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and deposed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II came to the fore in March 2017 when the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission opened an investigation into the accounts of the Kano Emirate Council. The council was accused of making questionable expenditures amounting to about N6 billion.

The palace on April 24, 2017, released a breakdown of how the N4 billion was spent. It took the intervention of five northern governors, four days later on April 28, to get Ganduje to sheathe the sword. The meeting between the two parties and the governors took place in Kaduna.

By May 10, 2017, however, the Kano State House of Assembly set up an eight-man committee to investigate the deposed Emir over alleged abuse of office and improper conduct. The palace responded eight days later indicating that Emir Sanusi II would appear before the House of Assembly committee if invited.

The House of Assembly on May 22, 2017, announced that it was suspending its investigation on Ganduje’s request following the intervention of the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, business moguls Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata, as well as national leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The 2019 governorship election was also a source of discord between the duo. Following the declaration of the contest inconclusive on March 12, Sanusi called for calm and seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to the then Kano State Commissioner of Police Muhammad Wakili. But, by April 7, after he triumphed at the supplementary elections organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ganduje accused Wakili of being biased against the APC. After Ganduje’s narrow victory at the polls, indications that the discord was far from settled surfaced. For instance, on May 2, 2019, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission invited one of the Kano Emirate’s officials, Alhaji Isa Bayero, to explain some payment vouchers bearing his name from 2013 to 2017.

Similarly, the Kano State House of Assembly Speaker, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, on May 5, read a petition by Mallam Ibrahim Salisu Chambers, requesting the House to create four additional emirates in the state. On May 8, last year, the House of Assembly passed the law for the creation of four additional emirates and transmitted the same to Ganduje who promptly signed it on the same day.

However, on May 10, last year, a Kano High Court stopped Ganduje from going ahead to implement the new law. In spite of the court order, the following day, the governor presented letters of appointment to the four new upgraded emirs. On May 12, 2019, Ganduje presented the staff of office to the four new emirs.

To add more pep to the supremacy battle, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on June 2, last year recommended the suspension of Emir Sanusi II. Similarly, on June 5, the Kano State government queried the Emir asking him to explain within 48 hours his stance on the alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the emirate.

In furtherance of the peace moves, Ganduje and Sanusi met in Abuja for a dialogue on June 7. The move was initiated by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. But the ding-dong affair continued. On June 17, last year, Sanusi replied the query issued to him by the Kano State government over alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion. The next day, Ganduje said at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that he and Sanusi had started ‘understanding each other’.

But, the power tussle continued. On November 21, 2019, a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Usman Na’Abba dissolved the four new emirates created by Ganduje. In contrast, on December 2, last year, the Kano State Executive Council approved a new Emirate Council Bill, 2019, which provided for the establishment of four additional emirates in the state.

Three days after, the new Kano Emirates Council Bill, 2019, creating four additional emirates were signed by Ganduje.

On December 8, 2019, Ganduje appointed Sanusi to chair the Kano State Council of Chiefs. Eleven days later (December 19), the Kano State government demanded that Sanusi II should indicate his “acceptance or otherwise” of his appointment as chairman of the council of chiefs.

Sanusi II lost his bid to restrain Ganduje from dethroning him. A Kano High Court presided over by Justice A. T. Badamasi, on December 17, turned down an application seeking for extension of an order restraining Ganduje from dethroning emirs in the state.

At this point, it had become obvious that the two parties were irreconcilable. In a follow-up bid to the onslaught from the Ganduje side, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in January 2020 launched a probe of the Emir over the alleged sale of landed properties belonging to the Kano Emirate Council.

Though Sanusi secured a minor victory on February 21, when a Federal High Court in Kano quashed the preliminary report by the State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission seeking his suspension, the Emir suffered a big setback when the Kano State House of Assembly, on March 4, launched a fresh probe against him over alleged violation of “some Hausa norms, culture and traditions”.

Two days earlier (March 2), the Kano State government had directed the Emir to immediately initiate a process of posting the four Kano kingmakers as district heads of local governments under his jurisdiction.

On March 6, when a Federal High Court in Kano restrained the state’s Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) from investigating the traditional ruler.

After Sanusi’s long-running battle with the Kano State authorities, Ganduje succeeded in dethroning and banishing him from the ancient city on Monday.

But, that may not be the final word, as the dethroned Sanusi has yesterday returned to the courts to challenge the Kano State government over his banishment. The deposed emir has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for his release. His lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), told reporters at a news conference in his chambers that the Kano State government would be sued if Sanusi was not released within 24 hours.

As hand sanitisers are said to be antidotes to the Coronavirus outbreak, CHINAKA OKORO writes that some greedy businessmen have cashed in on the unfortunate situation to exploit Nigerians.

 

Some acquisitive Nigerian businessmen, especially those who deal on hand sanitisers are making brisk business out of the outbreak of Coronavirus; an unfortunate situation for which they should be sympathetic for their fellow men.

Since the outbreak of the virus in the twilight of last year and following Federal Government’s directive that people should resort to the use of hand sanitisers as antidotes to the virus, dealers on the product have hiked the prices of the product.

In most cases, they hoard the item thereby creating artificial scarcity in order to increase their prices. Through this, they make much money while the poor groan.

It is unfortunate that most Nigerians exploit their kith and kin when they are in a perturbing situation. Because of the health challenge that the country is facing in terms of the Coronavirus, sellers of hand sanitisers have increased the prices of the product, thereby making it impossible for the poor in Nigeria to purchase the product which will help them to remain safe.

When countries the world over seemed to have become less apprehensive from deadly viruses such as HIV and Ebola that have been ravaging humanity, they become more disconcerted by a new and equally more noxious one.

At the twilight of 2019, the world was petrified by a new virus called Coronavirus that broke out in Wuhan, one of the Chinese cities.

Medical experts described it as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) while the disease associated with it is referred to as COVID-19. It is a type of common virus that infects humans, typically leading to an upper respiratory infection (URI.)

Out of the seven different types of human coronaviruses that have been identified, Medics say most people will be infected with at least one type of it in their lifetime.

They maintain that the viruses are spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, touching an object or surface contaminated with the virus and rarely, by faecal contamination. The illness caused by most coronaviruses usually lasts a short time and is characterised by runny nose, sore throat, feeling unwell, cough and fever.

As it was during the Ebola outbreak on July 20, 2014 when people were advised to use hand sanitisers, so it is now when it is the turn of Coronavirus. People have been advised to maintain personal hygiene and to use hand sanitisers.

 

Previous experience

During the Ebola outbreak of 2014, traders who deal on hand sanitisers and face masks made brisk businesses and huge gains. Prices of these products, especially hand sanitisers skyrocketed.

To make more gains, some of the traders hoarded the products and the prices rose by upwards of 200 per cent. Immediately it was announced that hand sanitisers are antidotes to the virus, owners of pharmaceutical stores, supermarkets and cosmetics stores began to exploit the situation, as they increase the prices of face masks and hand sanitisers between 140 per cent and 250 per cent.

At present, some of them have run out of stock of the items as the demand for the products have been unparalleled.

In the same manner, as the Federal Government announced that the country has recorded first case of the virus, sellers of face masks and sanitisers started making huge profits out of the unfortunate situation.

 

Dealers speak

The Managing Director of Victory Cosmetics Victor Igwe, who owns a large cosmetics store in Ikotun Market, told The Nation that the cost of face masks (a box of 50) in the open market has rose from N800 to N3, 400, while a small bottle of hand sanitiser that sold for N500 now costs N1,200.

He said. “At present, it is difficult to see the stock in most major stores. Even when you see it, the price will be double compared to its former price. But people should be careful because unconfirmed report has it that some of the hand sanitisers being sold in some stores are fakes.”

Igwe stated that in a situation such as this, traders make more money, even though it is not moral to so do.

Manager, Ude Cosmetics also in Ikotun, who spoke to The Nation in confidence for fear of repression, explained that they had run out of stock of the product due to increased demand as residents of Ikotun and areas contiguous to it had embarked on panic buying of the product.

“Most residents of this area have continued to search for hand sanitisers despite hike in their prices. Major shops and stores across Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area in Alimosho Local Government Area now make brisk business out of sanitisers as buyers were willing to get it at any price. Their safety is paramount to them, I presume,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “I have also observed that in many stores, the prices have gone up because it is scarce now. The cost of a single infrared thermometer imported from Europe that was sold for N10, 000 per unit before now has risen to N25, 000 per unit and it is amazing how Nigerians and shop owners take advantage of any unsavoury situation to make more money.”

Mrs Jennifer Ugomma Iheanacho, proprietor of Ugobest Cosmetics on Peter Agha Street, Oke-Afa Isolo area of Lagos said the situation in which every Nigerian is afraid of being in contact with one another is quite unnatural. The economy is in topsy-turvy and people are just managing to make ends meet, extra financial burden on them will break them.

It is morally wrong that Nigerians are exploited at the slightest eventuality. The same thing happened during the outbreak of Ebola in the country in 2014 when sellers of hand sanitisers milked their fellow humankind dry.

However, she said why some of them sell hand sanitisers at a high cost was because the product is costly in the market, especially since the outbreak of the virus.

She said: “These days, hand sanitisers are very costly. A container of 100 grams that we used to sell for N700 now costs N1, 300 and those we used to sell for N1, 000 now go for N1, 500. If not because of the price at which we bought the product, I wouldn’t have that moral justification to sell at such cutthroat prices.”

 

Global phenomenon

It is not only in Nigeria that prices of sanitisers have soared. The Nation checks reveal that demand for hand sanitiser is surging around the globe as the new coronavirus spreads, prompting retailers to ration supplies and online vendors to hike prices.

Sales of hand sanitisers and similar products have swelled across several international markets since the COVID-19 outbreak began in January. The virus, which originated in China, has now spread to more than 60 countries.

According to data published by Market Research firm Kantar, U.K. hand sanitiser sales witnessed an increase of 255 per cent last month.

Asian consumers have also been stockpiling personal hygiene goods in the wake of the outbreak, according to a report published by Nielsen.

Reports from Italy indicate that sales of hand soap were up by 29 per cent. Hand sanitisers sales soared by 1,807 per cent in the week ending February 15, compared to the same week a year earlier according to a data on soaring prices of hand sanitisers.

Earlier this week, data from Adobe Analytics reportedly showed that demand for hand sanitisers in the U.S. spiked by 1,400 per cent between December and January.

According to Adobe Analytics, hand sanitiser purchases in the United States were up by 73 per cent during the four weeks until February 22, with analysts predicting sales “won’t peak for some time.”

 

Health experts advise

Health experts have repeatedly urged the public to practice good hand hygiene since the coronavirus outbreak began. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises washing hands “regularly and thoroughly” with soap and water or alcohol-based hands rub if soap is not accessible.

Also fear of the virus has led people to stock up the germ-killing gel, leaving store shelves empty and online retailers with sky-high prices set by those trying to profit on the rush.

Although the alcohol-based grease is said to be convenient, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that hand sanitiser isn’t the best way to clean hands, saying that soap and water still remain the finest.

The Agency said: “If you’re not near a sink, hand sanitiser will do. But keep in mind that it doesn’t kill all germs. Read the label and make sure you’re using one that has at least 60 per cent alcohol.”

Nigerians should be empathetic to one another in a situation that is distressing. It should not be a time to make extra gains out of an unfortunate circumstance through increase of prices of a commodity that is elixir to any condition that is fast becoming pandemic.