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  • NDDC’s good music for youths

    NDDC’s good music for youths

    it is my belief that when we develop and empower young people, we are bound to reduce crime and violence in the Niger Delta region. We also check kidnappings and vandalism of public infrastructure, especially oil installations, which are negatively affecting our economy today.” That succinctly summarises the position of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as espoused by its Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, at the 1st Niger Delta Regional Youth Conference on Ethics and Value Re-Orientation, held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

    At that crucial conference, the NDDC articulated a 3-point agenda of capacity building, wealth creation and employment generation for the youths of the Niger Delta region. The action plan was the interventionist agencies’ affirmation that the youths of the region hold the key to the peaceful development of the future.

    According to the Managing Director, the 3-point agenda for youths was significantly focused on deepening youth development and empowerment through re-orientation; rehabilitation and re-integration, to enable them contribute positively to the growth of the region.

    Sir Dan-Abia said that the new action plan was a timely prescription to addressing the myriads of challenges faced by youths of the region with a view to creating a peaceful, secured and prosperous Niger Delta for all. “We are of the view that sustainable youth development and empowerment that will unlock the potentials of young people is a must do,” he said.

    The NDDC boss stated that the youth conference was aimed at deepening development in the region with emphasis on raising world-class youths with the requisite skill and inventiveness to meet contemporary challenges in the oil-rich region.

    He said that it was only through moral rejuvenation and ethical re-orientation that we could achieve sustainable youth development and empowerment, noting that the philosophy of the conference was hinged on the bed-rock of a deep concern and the need for total re-orientation of youths of the region.

    The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, spoke along the same line, noting that the commission was putting a lot of emphasis on taking care of the youths of the Niger Delta. He observed that the youth conference was part of the new thrust of the NDDC to enhance its service delivery.

    Senator Ewa-Henshaw assured the youths that the commission would partner with them for appropriate training and mentorship, stating that the commission was determined to transform the Niger Delta in line with the development agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    The NDDC Director of Youths, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs, Prince W. Alazigha, said that the importance of youths in any society could not be over-emphasized, adding that they bear the brunt of most societal inadequacies. On account of this fact, he said that the NDDC had since inception mounted various skill acquisition programmes to train the youths of the Niger Delta.

    The views of the captains of the NDDC show that they understand that youths represent the collective dreams of a stable and prosperous society where commerce and industry thrive, and people develop their fullest potentials in peace and security.

    It is not surprising, therefore, that the  key aspect of NDDC youth development scheme appear to focus on enabling the youths to gain useful skills with which they could be gainfully employed. The fruits of this strategy are beginning to manifest as statistics made available by the commission indicate that a total of 5,765 youths across the Niger Delta Region have so far benefited from various skill programmes of the commission.

    To further improve the lot of the youths, the NDDC recently announced plans to engage 450 Niger Delta youths as part of its youth empowerment programmes. The new initiative involves the selection of 50 young men and women from each of the nine states of the Niger Delta region to carry-out periodic environmental sanitary services, traffic decongestion and control, clearing of grasses and weeds on the sides of major roads, cleaning and opening up of blocked drainages, security surveillance on oil/gas facilities and installations (pipelines) and other related matters under a special scheme.

    The empowerment programme, meant to reduce unemployment in the region, has been aptly tagged as the Niger Delta Volunteer Scheme. Throwing more light on the programme, Barr.George Turnah, the Special Adviser to the NDDC MD on Youth, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs, said that the first phase would focus on engaging the skills of the youth in environmental sanitation, while the second phase would emphasize collaboration and cooperation between the commission and its development partners with a view to increasing the number of youths under the scheme.

    He said that the final phase of the scheme would ensure that the young people were given opportunities to be employed in highly skilled jobs to enable the programme contribute to the economy of the region in terms of wealth creation and employment generation.

    Turnah, noted that NDDC would continue to intervene in the provision of employment to the youths of the Niger Delta. “It is the hope of the NDDC that the volunteer scheme will provide multiple benefits for young people in the region where employment options are otherwise limited. The 450 Niger Delta youths participating in the scheme will earn a monthly stipend as a form of support to enable them give their best to community development in the region and in particular for their productivity.”

    As would be expected, the youths were very excited by the new programme. The Chairman, Niger Delta Youth Leaders Council, Mr. Ebis Orube, said the new initiative by NDDC to help the unemployed youths in the Niger Delta was a laudable programme that would go a long way in reducing social vices associated with youths as a result of idleness.

    He said: “I just hope it will accommodate as many youths as possible and at the same time become a sustainable programme. So, I advise that they involve those that are really in need of jobs in order for them to have a means of livelihood and not give out the opportunities based on political considerations.”

    Mr. Joseph Nwabuakwu, a youth leader from Aniocha North Local Government Area in Delta State, was one of the many others that hailed the programme. He said he was optimistic that a better Niger Delta was in the offing, noting that the current efforts of the NDDC to turn the tide for the region were encouraging. “We can hope for a greater future for the Niger Delta, because the NDDC is transforming this region and in no distant time we shall see a greater Niger Delta region. The inclusion of the young people in its development plans also means it is going to be sustainable,” Nwabuakwu said.

    He added: “We have not yet gotten to where we should be, but it doesn’t mean we are still curled up where we used to be. The tough situation we experience in the region can be conquered when all hands are on deck. It involves the coming together of government, major stakeholders and the youths as well. The youths will take the mantle some day. So, whatever issues or programmes we have should have their interest at heart.”

    For the former National President, Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), Mr. Godspower Odenema, the programme was a welcome initiative as it had the potential of not only meaningfully engaging the Niger Delta’s jobless youths, but also giving impetus to the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

    According to Odenema, “I am happy that the NDDC is making efforts to transform the Niger Delta into an economically prosperous, socially stable and politically peaceful region with this programme. The Niger Delta Volunteer service scheme will surely resolve many knotty problems inherent in the region.”

    The NDDC, he said, did very well by starting a programme that would take many youths off the streets. He further said that it would reduce the problem of youth restiveness in the region and promote stability and peace.

    Before the introduction of the Volunteer Service Scheme, the NDDC had intervened in several rural communities, where many less-privileged people were empowered through skill acquisition programmes. In some of these communities in Cross River State, the beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes were full of praises for the interventionist agency.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Christiana Eyamba, from Obanliku Local Government Area of the state, said the cassava grinding machine she received through the programme would boost her garri production. She said she had since longed for a grinding machine to enable her to process more cassava and produce garri in commercial quantity. “I needed it, because we plant plenty of cassava in our area; with this machine I can now employ people to help me to grind.

    Eyamba said that the skill acquisition programme and the starter packs given to them would go a long way in assisting the beneficiaries, because it would enable them to make more money and train their children in school. “We are going to produce garri in large quantity and we will sell to people from far and near; it will yield more money to us and the community,” she enthused.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Roseline Adie, from Ikom, said the programme which was organised by the NDDC with the aim of fighting poverty at the grassroots, was a good and progressive effort. She noted that the sewing machine she got from the commission would assist her to expand her business and take care of her family.

  • I’ll promote good governance, says Lagos Speaker

    I’ll promote good governance, says Lagos Speaker

    •Ikuforiji declares governorship ambition

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said his vision for the state was to consolidate and promote the legacy of good governance that Lagos is known for.

    Ikuforiji spoke yesterday at the official declaration of his governorship ambition at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 Ikeja, Lagos.

    At the event were member of the House of Representatives from Epe, Lanre Odubote, members of the House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader, Kolawole Taiwo and Dayo Adeyeye, among others.

    The Speaker said the time has come to re-articulate the vision of the founding fathers of Lagos, and “re-energise the people of this great city”.

    “My dear people of Lagos, I believe that the time has come for us to consolidate the gains of good governance … and take Lagos even further.

    “I intend to build on the achievements of Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola to make Lagos a truly global city.”

    Ikuforiji said if he emerges the party candidate and governor, Lagos would become a global city that all will be proud of.

    He said: “I will work hard to make Lagos the African Alpha City, one that will link the African economy to the world economy. Lagos will constitute the heartbeat of the continent in the 21st Century.

    “I believe that our state has all it takes to seize this role. I am convinced that we can make it happen for Lagos under my leadership.

    “I will ensure that even to the most politically aloof resident, politics will be attractive and no longer perceived as a dirty game characterised by nepotism.

    “My government will combine the populist approach of Lateef Jakande, the financial ingenuity of Tinubu and the vigour of Fashola for Lagos.

    “I am in this race to make a difference; my conscience tells me this is the best time to do the will of God for Lagos. I am well placed to lead this new phase in the history of Lagos.

    “I have the training, the required experience- the vision, the leadership qualities as shown in the last nine years as Speaker.

    “I have suffered all sorts of attempts at distractions. I have triumphed over trumped-up charges, and even survived an assassination attempt. But through it all, I have remained committed to the ideals of Lagos.”

    He promised to bring about major turn around in major sectors of the economy through a 10-point cardinal programme, which connects all critical areas and provides a synergy between these sectors.

    Ikuforiji highlighted areas such as education, health, energy, agriculture, tourism, transportation etc.

    “Within the first 18 months of my government, our hospitals will be upgraded to world class standard. Our schools will be restored to their former glory and I will not rest until the State University is one of the top 500 universities in the world.”

    His wife, Mayowa, said he has a good vision for the state. “I am sure that Adeyemi, my husband, will deliver because he wants to do for you in other sectors what he did for education by ensuring increased allocation.

  • Alaafin calls for good governance

    Alaafin calls for good governance

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has called on parties to live up to their responsibilities by applying rules to aid good governance.

    The monarch spoke at the weekend while addressing residents, who stormed the palace to show their solidarity for his son, Adeniyi, who is contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives.

    Oba Adeyemi said parties should organise debates for the candidates to ensure that credible and dedicated got the mandate.

    ‘’During the debate, the incumbent must tell the public what projects they have been able to do and the aspirants must lay down proper manifestos.”

    He said such steps would prevent aspirants who have no programme to get the party’s ticket.

    ”If a young serving political office holder of less than  30 years  can boast of N300 million mansion when his total pay package for four years is not up to half of the amount spent to build the mansion, is that not disturbing and worrisome?

    The monarch urged the people to exhibit the concept of Omoluabi, which is an integral part of Yoruba culture and tradition.

    He warned that unless  parties brace up and refocus their operational modes, there may be no end to impunity, corruption, poverty and unemployment.

    Alaafin later presented N2.2million to his son and N500,000 to the member representing Atiba State Constituency, Waliu Adekunle Alagbom to buy expression of interest forms.

  • Wanted: Good virtues

    Lagos is a funny place to live in. But as the most populous state, every shade of human being is found in the state – from the good, to the bad and the worst. This piece is not to disparage the state and its government, but it is informed by my encounter with ‘fellow Lagosians’ on the road recently.

    Reluctantly, I left school for home to pick up a few things that I needed. On getting to main gate of the University of Lagos, where commercial bus call passengers, I hopped into one of the buses going to Yaba, from where I would join another bus going to Iyana Ipaja, where my I live with my parents.

    Luckily, I got a bus going directly to my destination at the school gate. I heaved a sigh of relief and told myself: “I will get home faster.” Unknown to the passengers, the driver of the bus had broken a traffic law for which he was being trailed by the police.

    While we were waiting for the last passenger, the bus driver was arrested and we were ordered out of the bus. Then, the transporters’ union brought another bus – a rickety one. Hastily, we moved into the substituted bus. Some passengers exchanged words as we hopped in. But who cared?

    Then, the journey started. A few minutes later, we all received the shock of our lives. The bus’ break system was faulty. The driver struggled with the break to slow down whenever we approach traffic point. To stop was a big task for the driver each time a passenger was alighting. Then, I began to think the driver was actually playing with people’s lives. “What if the vehicle hits another vehicle or a trailer…”

    Perhaps, I was guessing right. The bus rammed into a car from behind and this made all passengers to scream as though, there was a serious accident. They were united in heaping insults on the driver for the delay he would cause. When the driver came down, we thought he was going to beg the driver of the car for what he did, we were shocked to see the bus driver checking his vehicle’s front guide if there was damage to it.

    This is the height of selfishness, I told myself. Upon seeing that there was no damage to his rickety bus, the driver smiled and returned into the bus. Possibly, the car owner could have been someone who did not want to join issue with anyone, he decided to leave the scene. Then, I wished the car was owned by one of these retired soldiers, who go about with horse whip.

    And while my mind in thought of possible scenarios that could have happened while in the rickety bus and the driver behaving like a retarded cow, I overheard the conversation of three Master’s students sitting at the back – two males and a female. They were chatting about the Nigerian situation – corruption and dilapidated infrastructure.

    If given an opportunity to govern the country or a state, one of the male students said he would siphon all the public funds in his care. But the lady among them showed disgust for the misappropriation of money by politicians.

    The other guy said there was no reason to be a saint in a corruption-infested system. “If you try to be saint, people will still say something bad about you and look every means to tarnish your image as being corrupt,” he said. Hence, he said he would rather be part of the corrupt politicians and make money, rather than being a saint while others corner the public funds.

    I would not try to be a saint by condemning all of them. Somehow, they all have good points. They expressed their minds according to the way they feel the country should be. But Michael Jackson of blessed memory said, if there must be a change in the society, it should start from the man in the mirror. This is you and I.

    Why don’t we want the change we desire start with us? I know nobody wants to be an example of an honest man in a country where honesty is no more a good value. But then, honesty is all that can help our country to surmount all its challenges.

    If the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or Lagos State Traffic Maintenance Agency (LASTMA) are honest, the rickety bus driver, who put the lives of his passengers at risk, would not have had the effrontery to drive on the road. But because he could bribe (has bribed) some officials of the agencies, he boldly took his unsound vehicle on the road to transport people in a bus that had no functional break system.

    An honest man never loses his integrity and respect. This virtue stands the test of time than any other worldly reward. If we must see the change that we all desire, we must endeavour to promote honesty everywhere we find ourselves.

    My argument is that we must start to rebuild our society and make it free of corruption and dishonesty. Because the honesty men have shown indifference, this is why we have so many corrupt people at the helms of affairs. They change our way of life and promote misdemeanour in our national life. It is our society and how we run it will give outsiders an opinion of our being. We must all remember that the change we desire starts with us. If we show good values, our society will be a better place to live in.

     

    Temitope, 300-Level English, UNILAG

  • Pray for good governance, says APC chief

    Pray for good governance, says APC chief

    A member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, has urged Nigerians to use the period of the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for good governance.

    He said bad governance and nepotism had robbed the country of its potential to be great.

    In his message to Muslims, made available to The Nation in Abuja yesterday, Nkire said they should not just embark on festivities, but should use the period to pray for good and purposeful governance.

    He said governance had gone so bad that Nigerians needed to pray to make their leaders change, adding that no amount of prayer was too much.

    Nkire said non-Muslims should also pray “at this festive season to ask God for a better leadership next year.”

    He said it was obvious that many criminals went into crimes due to bad governance arising from nepotism and corruption by the leaders.

    The APC chieftain said it was necessary that Nigerians should choose good leaders in the coming elections.

    He enjoined Nigerians to pray for an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

  • 60 cheers to a good man

    60 cheers to a good man

    Olayinka Olanrewaju Ogunbiyi, a principal manager with the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has celebrated his 60th birthday and retirement from service. The event was held at the Jubilee Hall of the Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports. 

    It was an afternoon of celebration and an occasion to share in the joy of a good man. Members of the Lagos Country Club and some staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), family and friends came to the venue in choice traditional attires. Many used the silver head gears/caps chosen for the occasion.

    They came to rejoice with an engineer, Mr Olayinka Ogunbiyi, on the occasion of his 60th birthday and retirement from service. He retired as the principal manager in the distribution department of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) after serving for about 32 years.

    The Jubilee Hall of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, was decorated with pink and white fabrics and lightings all over.

    Divine Muzik, a life band, entertained guests.

    Pastor Oluwole Olatimehin of the True Divine Evangelical Ministry in Lagos said the opening prayer.

    The celebrator and his wife, Omokehinde, entered the hall in the company of friends and family members dancing to the music supplied by the band. Ogunbiyi wore blue linen Agbada and a pink cap. His male children wore the same linen but in different styles.   His wife wore blue lace blouse and wrapper with pink head gear, ipele, a pair of shoes and bag to match. Her female children also wore the same blue lace but made in choice beautiful styles.

    Pastor Olatimehin, in his short sermon, said it was good to celebrate one’s birthday because it would help you number your days and compare your life with God’s standard and requirement.

    He urged the gathering to live their lives in accordance to the purpose of God.

    “Be guided by God on a daily basis, follow His direction, fear Him and seek His wisdom. Let your treasure be in God and not in money, sex, power, houses, cars, corruption and all other fleshy desire,” he said.

    The chairman on the occasion, the Otunba of Igboholand in Oyo State, Otunba Olawuwo Oni, congratulated the celebrator and welcomed him to the ‘age of those getting younger.’ He described retirement from service as a life-time achievement, wishing him well on his journey.

    He said the celebrator is a loyal and committed friend.

    “He is a brilliant professional and a good man on his job,” he said.

    Some of the guests were also called to talk about the celebrator.

    A chartered accountant, Adeleke Elujoba, urged the celebrator to continue his good works, saying he has touched many lives.

    A retired engineer from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10, Mr Titus Adedeji, described the celebrator as humble, reliable, and transparent.

    Ogunbiyi, he said, is a man that has helped and is still helping so many people in diverse ways.

    Mr Babatunde Okunuga, a friend to the celebrator, described him as a complete gentle man.

    “He is quiet to a fault; he does not want to offend anyone and would therefore go out to all the way he can to ensure everyone is comfortable. He makes sure he attends to whatever problem people have anywhere,” he said.

    The celebrator and his wife, Omokehinde, took to the stage to cut cake. The three- step white cake with pink design was cut at the spelling of J-E-S-U-S.

    A session of photographs followed, during which guests dropped their gifts for the celebrator.

    The party continued with dance as family, friends, colleague and club members   were called one after the other.

    The celebrator said the day was his happiest.

    “I thank God for sparing my life till today. I won’t say I am fulfilled yet, but I thank God for what he has done today and I am hopeful that things will continue to be fine,” he said.

    Ogunbiyi added: “I am the Chairman in Brilliant Esteem Private School, I want to go into agriculture and I am still a consultant in PHCN. Life till 60 has taught me to be humble and diligent and I thank God because I never had a day of sickness.”

    His wife Omokehinde, the Proprietress of Brilliant Esteem Private School, gave God thanks on the life of her husband.

    “My husband is a good man to me; he is a nice father to the children, younger and elder brother to his family and he is a good in-law. He is a friend indeed; I wish him sound health and that he will not be tired as he is retiring,” she said.

  • Traits of a good leader

    Traits of a good leader

    Let me start this piece by looking at leadership from my own perspective. A true leader is not dictatorial but offers a responsible service to the people. It is pursuit of success and responsibility that empowers such a leader to influence his followers to achieve set goals. The motive, method and means by which he leads are important, as this will determine the quality of the leadership he would render and its impact on his followers. The major and prominent motive for leadership is simply for service. Service to the people is the ultimate goal of leadership.

    Leadership is more than a title, status or position one occupies. Leadership is a task and assignment that must be achieved through hard work. Anyone who is not ready to work hard should not aspire to lead because leadership and diligence are Siamese twins. The way we apply the force of diligence to responsibility will determine how far we will go and what impact we will make in leadership position. Success in leadership is the result of utilising whatever ability, skills and resources we have at our disposal maximally.

    Diligence has to do with mental alertness, intelligence and hard work which are geared towards producing specific results that will make the purpose of our leadership a reality. Diligence demands painstaking attention and utmost focus. Diligence means doing the right thing in the right way and at the right time, with the right people and with the right resources.

    An effective leader is always known for his tenacity to what is right and insisting on efficiency all the time. Many leaders succumb to the pressure of change, even though it is not needed at that particular time. “Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there,” Josh Billings said. Our leadership exploits will be at risk if we do things frivorously and impulsively, without consistent and persistent approach.

    When our effort is inconsistent, we are not being diligent and we stand the risk of being inefficient. Diligence will produce perseverance, which is a vital key in making impact in life. John Rockeffer once quipped: “I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature. “The truth of the matter is this; a man who does not put in steady effort in the execution of his assignment cannot be relied on’’.

    Working hard on its own does not necessarily constitute diligence. Diligence constitutes working hard carefully. We must not fall into the danger of being busy while on the wrong track. We can be hard working, yet doing the wrong thing and channeling our energy and resources in the wrong direction. We have to be careful and give a lot of attention and thought to doing things properly.

    Working hard carefully on our way to becoming a great leader requires doing the right thing in the right way, at the right time, in the right place and with the right motive and strategy. This is diligence, which is crucial in putting us on the right track towards excelling as a leader.

    Any leader cannot succeed if he does not give a lot of attention and thought to what he does. He must make sure he consciously channels his human and material resources rightly in the execution of his leadership objective. The buck ends on his table. So, he must put in place a mechanism to ensure his goals and objectives are carried out the way he plans them.

     

    Yinka, 400-Level Chemistry, IBBU

  • Not yet good news

    Not yet good news

    • We hope the discovery of oil in Lagos will be a blessing

    From all indications, Lagos State is set to join the league of oil-producing states in Nigeria next year. The  Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had reportedly approved, early this year, the Field Development Plan (FDP) for the take-off the project. On this basis, the Final Investment Decision (FIT) is expected to be taken anytime from now, with first production scheduled for the end of 2015.

    The area where oil has been proven to exist in commercially viable quantities is the Aje Oil Field located in OML 113, approximately 24km offshore in Badagry, Lagos. The joint venture partners involved in the project – Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum, Jacka Resources, New Age, First Hydrocarbons Nigeria, Energy Equity Resources and Panoro Egypt are understandably excited about the prospects of the business.

    They anticipate an initial field production rate of approximately 10,000 barrels of oil per day, using solution gas as fuel. And the Cenomanian variety of crude available in the Aje Field is light, sweet under-saturated oil with a gas-oil ratio of 375-480 standard cubic feet per barrel. A spokesman of the joint venture partners thus enthused that although “No crude sales agreements have yet been entered into for the project, but as the Cenomanian oil is light crude and the project is located on major shipping routes to and from Nigeria’s main oil-producing areas, sales and access to transport is not expected to be a problem”.

    Ordinarily, this development ought to be good news both for the economy of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. But we are hesitant to come to any such conclusion because of the sordid realities of the country’s petroleum sector.

    Yes, petroleum has generated humongous revenues for Nigeria over the last five decades. But this has not translated into development for the country or better living standards for the majority of her people. For one, oil revenue has spawned reckless corruption that has enriched a small minority while impoverishing the larger populace. Again, a critical sector of the economy that blossomed before the discovery of oil, namely agriculture, has been neglected because of oil, with the country becoming dependent on food imports.

    Moreover, oil has perverted the structure of our federalism with the component parts of the country failing to develop their natural potential, including solid minerals because of access to easy oil money. Indeed, oil has become a veritable ‘resource curse’ to those states where the commodity is found, leading to massive pollution of their environment with negative consequences for their health and sources of livelihood.

    The country’s petroleum industry is plagued by so much criminal malfeasance, illegality and self-inflicted inefficiency that the discovery of new sources of oil can have no positive impact without drastic reforms in the sector. Yet, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) designed to achieve this objective has remained stalled at the National Assembly for years now. It remains a mystery, for instance, why the country has for decades been unable to refine crude oil locally.

    The existing government-owned refineries have perennially operated substantially below capacity despite billions purportedly spent on their Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM). To compound matters, the country has been unable to attract the necessary private investment to eliminate or drastically reduce her dependency on imported refined petroleum products. The implication is an intricate and massive fraud network built around purported subsidies on imported petroleum products.

    Lagos has over the years been able to build a robust internally generated revenue base that has significantly reduced her dependence on oil revenues from the centre. We hope that the prospects of oil revenues will not lull the state into complacency and the abandonment of the virtues of fiscal innovation, discipline and self-reliance.

  • Eat colourful fruits, get good sight

    Eat colourful fruits, get good sight

    Do you know that you can improve on your sight by taking colourful fruits?

    An iridologist, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, said fruits such as cashew nut, avocado fruit and pepper fruit (mmimi in Igbo), as well as guava, carrot and honey are very appropriate for eye health.

    According to him, problems can be kept at bay eating guava because it contains vitamin A.

    Similarly, vitamins found in the vegetable can help promote overall eye health.

    He said food rich in carotenoids can likewise help to improve people’s sight.

    Moreover, carotenoids are the colourful plants that produce vitamin A, adding that they are powerful antioxidants, which are beneficial to the eyes.

    Ezebgige said herbal and nutritional therapies can provide support treatment for the management of eye disorders, adding: “Vitamins, such as, vitamins A, B complex, B2, C and E play different important but important roles in addressing various eye problems.

    “People can use a balanced multi-mineral supplementation to go with eye treatment,” he said, stressing that “additional zinc supplementation, in some cases, might be necessary sometime”.

    Naturopaths, he said, have been using Aloe vera gel for ages to ease eye pressure, adding: “When the gel is applied to eyes it stops irritations and ensures bright eyes”.

    He said traditional eye doctors have used extract of bitter kola seed as eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure in patient living with glaucoma.

    “Moringa oleifera leaf tea also nourishes the eyes and the brain, Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) herbal tea which can be taken internally as well as utilised in preparing various eye wash, Bilberry herb and so many others,” Ezengige said.

    He said the eye was a special organ of vision which every individual should protect.

    Ezengige said poor eating habits, aside from congenital defects, is a major cause of bad or poor vision.

    He advised expectant mothers to eat colourful fruits always because it will impart positively on their babies.

    The iridologist urged parents to caution their children from spending longer hours watching television, especially at a very close range because it can damage their eyes.

    This, he said, was why some children often require corrective or contact eye glasses as a result of shortsightedness they are experiencing.

    He recommended eye rolling as a form of exercise to ease pressure to the eyes, stressing that many people do not know that exercise can actually be carried out on the eyes.

  • God is really good

    God is really good

    •Eagles star returns to form

    Nigeria international midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is back to full fitness at his Italian club SS Lazio after the injury sustained in the round of 16 game between France and Nigeria. The French beat their Nigerian counterparts 2-0 in Brasilia.

    Onazi suffered an ankle injury initially thought to be a broken leg though tests showed no fracture after a bad tackle by Blaise Matuidi during a second round game between Nigeria and France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

    The 21-year-old has since returned to Italy where he has teamed up with Serie A club SS Lazio for pre- season. On Friday, he took to Twitter to discuss his current situation.

    “God is really good; if you told me I’d be back to my best and to top fitness right now, I’d have laughed at you,” he tweeted via @OnaziOgenyi.

    Onazi is famous for his fierce and powerful shots. He underlined his power with his feet when he broke the hand of his teammate, Michael Babatunde, during Nigeria’s World Cup game against Argentina. The midfielder jokingly stressed his return to fitness and pointed out that his shots were still as powerful as ever.

    “My people for Naija, as I dey talk to una right now, I wan play one shot from Rome to meet una for Lagos. Who go pick the ball?” he queried in Pidgin English.

    Onazi, who made 29 league appearances for Lazio last season, has been capped 21 times by Nigeria.