The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hope

  • What can we still hope from President Buhari?

    The Buhari presidency kicked off on a big note of hope – especially because President Buhari immediately embarked on a war against corruption. But, unhappily, in its one year, it has slumped badly. The eagle that the world gathered to watch soaring above the highest mountains is flapping helplessly among the lowliest shrubs.

    From the way Buhari’s political party base crystallized and fought for his election, we Nigerians had good reason to hope that he would unite our country and mobilize some of the best of our talents to move our country fast and far into success and prosperity. Instead he has chosen to retreat into building an administration led and guided almost wholly by his kinsmen. Even the formerly solid South-west base of his party is being pulverized. The Igbo of the South-east are virtually excluded. The Ijaw of the South-south and the Kanuri of the North-east are being battered by insurgency and war. The many small nationalities of the Middle Belt are being subdued by incessant brutalization by Fulani herdsmen and the herdsmen’s other kinsmen. The same herdsmen are doing all their worst to disrupt orderly farming and rural life in all the states of the South. The old animosities between North and the South have risen to great heights again.  Even in the Hausa-Fulani North-west, the Buhari presidency has managed to generate internal animosities, mostly by excluding some sections – with the result that many respectable north-western voices have been raised in condemnation of the Buhari presidency. In all essence, Nigeria is a lot more divided and more shaky today than it was only a year ago.

    In the midst of all these, and under the impact of poor understanding of economic forces and incompetent management of the economy, Nigeria’s economy is being shattered. Many Nigerians talk of recession, but we appear to be more in a depression today than in a recession. A number of times in recent months, the national electricity grid has plunged all the way close to zero. Businesses are being wiped out. Large numbers of small businesses are finding it impossible to cope. Investment is fleeing from our country, and we are experiencing a process of deindustrialization. Commodity prices are sky-rocketing. Some food prices are doubling within days. The hold of hopeless poverty on the masses of our people is tightening. The National Bureau of Statistics said some months ago that about 70% of Nigerians were living in “absolute poverty” and that that percentage was increasing. The percentage may have risen close to 80% by now.

    In spite of this condition of our country’s economy, President Buhari still opts for war to solve some of the most challenging problems of our country. The presidency says that some 3,000 troops are now fighting the people of the South-south and that the number will be increased to 10,000 by next January. He obviously thinks that those Nigerian national groups hitting now at Nigeria can only be pacified in only two ways – by subduing them with military force, or by bribing or tricking them into surrendering and reconciling with the status quo. He has no thoughts whatsoever of considering serious changes in the status quo in order to bring the troubles to an end. And, as far as we can see, his intention is to raise heavy loans to finance this policy. Some days ago, he placed before the National Assembly a request to be allowed to raise the equivalent of N9.12 trillion from abroad – a loan that will instantly raise Nigeria’s foreign debt by a staggering 150%.

    Altogether, President Buhari is pushing or pulling our country towards something truly frightening. What this will be if he continues with it, only God knows at this point. But President Buhari does not have to continue along this path. There are other options. In the interest of the country that gave him power as president, and in the interest of the over 180 million of us Nigerians, he must now consider other options.

    First, as much as possible, Nigeria must liberate the inherent energies of each Nigerian nationality, or every section of Nigeria, so that it may develop its own homeland in its own way and make its own kind of contribution to the overall progress and prosperity of Nigeria. That means, we need to restructure our federation rationally. The capricious structure given gradually to the Nigerian federation since the 1960s, and the massing of all power and resource control and development in the hands of the federal government, has not worked and it can never work. It is a path to the death of Nigeria. And it needs to be changed expeditiously.

    Secondly, Nigeria must begin to invest heavily in our youths in all corners of our country.  I mean in quality education, in modern job skills training programmes, in entrepreneurial development programmes, in leadership development programmes, in business support programmes, etc. All of these should be a mandated agenda in all our states, and should be strongly shielded from infestation by partisan political germs and viruses. The objective must be that our men and women will soon rank among the world’s best modern workers, best managers, best chief executives of companies, most prolific inventors and business starters, most professional and dignified civil servants, etc.

    Thirdly, we must definitively crack the knotty problem of our infrastructures. In particular, we must zero in on electricity, and make partial, haphazard and spasmodic supply of electricity a thing of the past in all parts of our country. This will serve as an incentive to draw countless Nigerians out to scramble for, and push, a modern economic and industrial culture in our country. Centralization of electricity supply has failed our country; we need to diversify in various ways.

    Fourthly, we must create various incentive policies to encourage investment – investments by Nigerians and by foreigners, in all facets of our economy (industrial, commercial, service, agricultural, research and development, tourism, social services, real estate, etc). We must devise ways and means to attract Nigerians scattered all over the world to be part of this investment movement. And we must establish various incentives to encourage businesses in Nigeria to pursue an aggressive export orientation – to produce high quality products that can easily penetrate the most sophisticated markets in the world, and to evolve superior and efficient export management practices.

    Fifthly, we must de-emphasize politics as a means of livelihood among our ambitious citizens. We must drastically reduce the emoluments and perquisites earned in politics and public offices, shut down the unrestricted and uncontrolled access of public officials to public money, revive the public service rules and regulations that guided the handling of public money during the 1950s (rules and regulations that were destroyed by the military regimes in 1966-99), and institute enforceable limitations and controls over political and electoral expenses.

    All these will deal a heavy blow at public corruption in our country – in addition to whatever other methods the Buhari presidency may choose to use to fight corruption. To crush public corruption effectively and abidingly, we need to reform or change the structures, institutions and practices that uphold public corruption in our country. Merely striking at the manifestations and culprits of public corruption at the top cannot really eliminate corruption. If it subdues corruption to some extent now, it cannot ensure that corruption will not return.

    Sixthly and finally, it is time we put to rest the growing influence of religion in our political life. Our country was much more peaceful and stable in the 1950s when religion was not so much a force in our politics. Of course, all should be free to practice and propagate their faith. But the government of a country of religious plurality like Nigeria should not be involved in promoting any religion.

    The developmental strategies summarized above are by no means new to the Nigerian debate. They are from the progressive agenda which germinated in the then Western Region in the 1950s and which reached its maximum flowering in the late 1970s under Chief Awolowo’s leadership.  Though it started in a region of Nigeria, its purposes have never been regional or sectional. Its objective is to reinforce growth and development in all corners of Nigeria, to put the opportunity to prosper within the reach of all Nigerians, and to make Nigeria a prosperous, powerful and great country. It is part of our Nigerian heritage, and it is easily accessible to Nigeria’s topmost servant of today – President Buhari.

  • Hope rises for infertile women

    Hope rises for infertile women

    The major difficulty associated with infertility in a developing countries like Nigeria is that it transforms from a private agony into a public stigma, with complex and devastating consequences. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes on how ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative is engaging professionals in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to cause a cultural shift, and also empower affected women.

    The expansive hall of the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was filled to capacity. It was the Nigerian leg of the launch of the ‘Merck More than a Mother’ campaign. The campaign is a pan-African dialogue to empower infertile women in developing countries. Merck aims to empower them through access to information, health and change of mind-set with the initiative that was launched in June, last year.

    Stakeholders from all walks of life – lawmakers, activists, pressure groups, sufferers, survivors, pen pushers, men, women, mothers, fathers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and even children – were in attendance.

    Tears flowed. Some women stifled their cries. The participants wore a look of incredibility as viictims – one after the other – told their stories. This compelled the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Lanre Tejuoso, to announce that his committee would ensure a quick regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Nigeria.

    Jackline Mwende, a victim of infertility stigma, was the first to relate her story. Jackline had her hands brutally chopped off for failing to bear children after seven years of marriage.

    Jackline Mwende, a young woman of 27 years from Masii, Machakos County in Kenya, had her hands hacked off – not by thieves – but by her husband for failing to conceive, even though he was the one with fertility problems. Her husband told her ‘today is your last day’.

    “It is so shocking that someone would go to such an extent to batter his own wife and leave her nearly dead. Infertility should never be a reason to separate, hurt or kill your partner. There are so many options out there available to manage infertility,” said Hon. Joyce Lay, member of Parliament and the ambassador for ‘Merck More than a Mother’ in Kenya.

    “Through ‘Empowering Berna’ project, Merck will support Jackline Mwende throughout the rest of her life to empower and enable her to become an independent productive member in the society. ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative will provide Mwende with a monthly income of $250, it will establish a business for her through which she will be able to generate a sustainable monthly income of not less than $250.

    “At the same time Merck will provide her with the needed physical and physiological rehabilitation to enable her to support herself and stand on her own two feet, despite the challenge of her disability that was caused by the stigma of infertility – even though her husband is the one who was found with the infertility problem, yet she is still the one who bore the devastating consequences of the public stigma associated with it,” said Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare.

    Mwende didn’t deserve what she went through and, especially, because her husband was the one with the infertility problem. Society, government and stakeholders need to continue to join hands with Merck in its campaign to encourage the acceptance of people living with infertility because the stigma associated with it  puts pressure on them to a point where they do crazy and criminal things. We need to know that it’s a shared responsibility, not just for the couple but for the society too.

    “Jackline Mwende’s story is the reason all people should appreciate ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative. No sane person should torture a woman for failing to produce children. Men should not think that their failure to be a biological father is due to women’s infertility. Why torture a fellow human being and inflict such permanent bodily harm for a fault that could be yours? No amount of justice in the courts of law will bring back Mwende’s arms. Justice will only prevail if Mwende’s case marks a turning point in society that appreciates one fact- ‘that women are women irrespective of their ability to bear children- they need to be respected,’ emphasised Hon. Sarah Opendi, Uganda Minister of State of Health and the Uganda ambassador of ‘Merck More than a Mother’.

    “This terrible violence Mwende suffered has emphasised the significance of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative for Africa. ‘Merck More than a Mother’ will continue working closely with partners to create a culture shift and to empower infertile women economically and socially through “Empowering Berna” Project to ensure no other woman in Africa should ever go through such violence, humiliation or misery again,” Rasha Kelej emphasised.

    Mwende’s husband has been accused of attempting to kill her and is waiting for his trial.

    Jackline Mwende is not alone. In many African cultures, childless women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. Infertility can transform from an acute, private distress into a harsh public stigma with complex and devastating consequences. An inability to have a child or to become pregnant can result in being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This may result in divorce or physical and psychological violence.

    ‘Merck More than a Mother initiative’ aims to define interventions to reduce the stigma and social suffering of infertile women, empower them and raise awareness about male infertility and the necessity for a team approach to family building among couples across the continent.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), lower levels of development are thought to be associated with higher levels of non-genetic and preventable causes of infertility. For instance, poor nutrition, untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unsafe abortion, consequences of infections caused by the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or child marriage, exposure to smoking, leaded petrol and other environmental pollutants can lead to infertility.

    For Victoria John Kuba, a resident in the Northern part of Nigeria, she walked out of her marriage when she could not bear the beatings by her husband due to childlessness. She met her husband while she was still in school through a friend. They dated for a short period and got married. They hoped to have children but no pregnancy. Then problems arose in their home. Her husband insulted and made jests of her. Her father-in-law would often come from the village to check if she was pregnant.

    Recapping her experience, Victoria said after her husband and she got married, they lived together for two years without a child. He got impatient, causing her to seek fertility solutions. She went to a hospital, there the doctor confirmed that her womb was tampered with, and that it would take the grace of God for her to conceive. When her husband heard this, they started having marital problems. Things really got bad between them. Whenever he came back from work, he beat her, insulted her and alleged that she removed her womb and fed it to pigs. He said her family knew she could not conceive, yet they gave her out in marriage to him. He beat her continually and Victoria had nowhere to run to.

    As for her father-in-law, who resided in the village, whenever he visited the couple, he always said Victoria’s mother-in-law sent him to check if she was pregnant. He went into the couple’s room at night when the couple is sleeping without knocking, or asking for permission. He insulted her husband that he wasted money in marrying her.

    There was a night; Victoria’s husband pressed her face forcefully, almost choking her to death. She struggled for her life. She could not breathe. She struggled and screamed. She tried to free herself but then he bit her at the back of her head. She screamed and bit him back, he then let go of her. She ran out naked, picked up a neighbour’s wrapper, tied it around her waist and ran for her dear life.

    Moved by her story, the audience went dead. If a pin had dropped, the sound would have sounded like a clanging cymbal. It drew empathy.

    Victoria went to her sister’s house, and then she called her pastor and informed him of what happened. The pastor scheduled a meeting with her husband and her. At the meeting they could not reach an agreement, so they separated from each other.

    Victoria said if God comes down today she will ask him why He did not give her a child, even if it is just one. “God didn’t give me a child, or peace of mind. No peace from my husband, no child. I will ask God all these questions. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would never have gotten married. I will live without a husband,” moaned Victoria.

    She said she appreciated Merck for helping her to live a better life. “And I thank God and believe he has not forgotten me. Merck has set up a Kerosene business for me. I hope to go back to school from the profit I made from the sales. Before now, I was into laundry work. I don’t get regularly paid, and may not even have transport fares. During the raining season, it is difficult for clothes to dry sometimes. And if stained in this period, I don’t get paid,” Victoria explained.

    Victoria doubts her remarrying again. Chinelo Azodo, Ijeoma Ezeaku, Oluchi Omenife, and Nneka Omenife shared their experiences as well. And have been reached out to by the “Merck More than a Mother” initiative.

    President, Africa Fertility Society (AFS), Prof Oladapo Ashiru, said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), lower levels of development are thought to be associated with higher levels of non-genetic and preventable causes of infertility such as poor nutrition, untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unsafe abortion, consequence of infections caused by the practice of female genital mutilation, exposure to smoking and to leaded petrol and other environmental pollutants. Hence prevention awareness is very important.

    “Together we can create a culture shift”, the ‘Merck More than a Mother’ social media campaign will challenge the social and cultural perception of infertile women in Africa. Moreover it will raise awareness about male infertility, prevention of infertility and infertility management at large. Women are the ones who seek help when they cannot get children. Yet in most of the cases doctors keep treating women who have no problem. Men need to accompany their women to the clinic. When men do this the success rate of fertility treatment is higher,” said Prof Ashiru.

    Vice-President, Africa Fertility Society, Dr. James Olobo-Lalobo said, “We are very happy to partner with Merck, through this historic campaign, “Merck More than a Mother” where specialised practical training for our embryologists will be provided and awareness about prevention of infertility and male infertility will be raised across the continent for the first time in history. Together with Merck, we can challenge the perception about infertile women, their roles and worth in society, both within and beyond the medical profession in order to achieve any systemic shift in the current culture of gender discrimination in the context of fertility care”.

    Dr Tejuoso said the National Assembly organisation is committed to ensure the issues are bought to the front burner as he said, “Nigeria has a population of 180 million people and so also has a big infertility problem. When there is infertility people believe it’s more spiritual than physical. Therefore, members of parliament (MPs) have a big role to play as we can go all over the country to educate people and I commit to be an ambassador of “Merck More than a Mother” campaign in Nigeria.

    Dr Abayomi Ajayi of Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos said ART has come to stay in Africa, nay Nigeria and should be explored by fertility challenged couples.

  • Foundation brings hope to students

    The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held its Career Guidance Week, which afforded members of staff and students to engage in talks on leadership, entrepreneurship and career.

    The event, which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the Students’ Affairs office, featured a contest, where students had an opportunity to display their leadership abilities. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and take-off grants to start small-scale businesses. The prizes were provided by Salimo Wits Foundation, which partnered the organiser.

    President of the foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko, represented by Mr Sunny Ikhioya, a member of Board of Trustees, said the foundation had the aim of empowering business-minded students and help develop next generation of leaders.

    Ekoko said: “I am delighted to announce to you that Salimo Wits Foundation will work with students as partner and friend to provide them with adequate training, tools, business networks, guardianship, mentorship and other supports required to actualise their business ideas, dreams and ambitions.”

    Over 150 students registered to be part of the foundation’s activities at the end of the event. Ekoko said opportunities remained open for others who wish to register.

    He said the foundation’s vision was to build leaders and make change with global impact. The mission, he said, was to redeem the future of the nation by investing in youth through value, principle and character-based training.

    Ekoko said the foundation had created a social network platform that would help like-minded youths, seeking change in the nation, to organise youth-based programmes. The platform, he added, would hold transformational programmes and projects that would improve the living standards and wellbeing of the people.

    Gift items, including books on leadership and drug abuse, were given freely to the students. Other members present included Mr Roland Eyetu, Mr Kingsley Ewere, Mr Emmanuel Owoyemi, Mr Vincent Prosper and programme officer, Mr Akin Adelakun.

  • Release of girls signals hope for Nigeria, says IBB

    Release of girls signals hope for Nigeria, says IBB

    Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi  Babangida yesterday described the release of the 21 girls as signaling a hope for the nation after moments of despair the abduction of the over 200 schools girls brought to the family, the country and the global community.

    Gen Babangida, military president between 1985 and 1993, rejoiced with the families, people of Nigeria and the federal government over the release of  21of the  abducted Girls. He said their release is an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is committed to ensuring safe release of all the abducted girls.

    “It is a thing of joy for the girls to have been reunited with their families after being taken away in such painfully and abrupt manner for  two and half years.”

    Speaking at his residence in Minna yesterday, Gen. Babangida said; urged the federal government, security agents and other  partners to hasten negotiations to free the remaining girls and rehabilitate them from psychological trauma they might have encountered in the last two and half years.

    The former military President reaffirmed his belief in the professional capability of the armed forces and other security agencies in ensuring that an end is put to the activities of the Boko Haram sect completely. He said the armed forces had the training and the professional background to end all forms of security threat to the nation such as   kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle rustling, farmers/herders clashes and other forms of vandalism.

    He called on all Nigerians to offer assistance to the  released Chibok girls in order for them to overcome the mental, physical  and psychological trauma they must have gone through.

  • Foundation brings hope to students

    The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held the 2016 Career Guidance Week, which afforded members of staff and students to engage in talks on leadership, entrepreneurship and career.

    The event, which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the Students’ Affairs office, featured a contest, where students had an opportunity to display their leadership abilities. The winners were rewarded with cash prizes and take-off grants to start small-scale businesses. The prizes were provided by Salimo Wits Foundation, which partnered the organiser.

    President of the foundation, Mr Dan Ekoko, represented by Mr Sunny Ikhioya, a member of Board of Trustees, said the foundation had the aim of empowering business-minded students and help develop next generation of leaders.

    Ekoko said: “I am delighted to announce to you that Salimo Wits Foundation will work with students as partner and friend to provide them with adequate training, tools, business networks, guardianship, mentorship and other supports required to actualise their business ideas, dreams and ambitions.”

    Over 150 students registered to be part of the foundation’s activities at the end of the event. Ekoko said opportunities remained open for others who wish to register.

    He said the foundation’s vision was to build leaders and make change with global impact. The mission, he said, was to redeem the future of the nation by investing in youth through value, principle and character-based training.

    Ekoko said the foundation had created a social network platform that would help like-minded youths, seeking change in the nation, to organise youth-based programmes. The platform, he added, would hold transformational programmes and projects that would improve the living standards and wellbeing of the people.

    Gift items, including books on leadership and drug abuse, were given freely to the students. Other members present included Mr Roland Eyetu, Mr Kingsley Ewere, Mr Emmanuel Owoyemi, Mr Vincent Prosper and programme officer, Mr Akin Adelakun.

  • Timi Dakolo gives Nigerians hope with Great Nation

    Timi Dakolo gives Nigerians hope with Great Nation

    Timi Dakolo brought tears to the eyes of many Nigerians when he sang his hit song, Great Nation at the One Nation, No Shaking; The Independence Carnival which held on Sunday at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

    Known for his powerful voice, the composer and musician, like a preacher, moved those in attendance, singing along to the lyrics of the song which gives hope.

    In attendance was the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was the special guest of honour while Waje, Omawunmi, Cobhams and Joke Silva were among celebrities that made the event colourful.

  • Hope @ 56

    Hope @ 56

    It is another birthday anniversary for dear country. And for nations, as for individuals, birthdays are joyous occasions with boisterous galas, concerts, balloons, fireworks, exciting rendering of the national anthem and display of national colours. For us, however, on this birthday, as others before it in the last twenty- something years, we have been forced to low-key celebrations.

    If we go back just 23 years, 1993 saw us contending with the self-inflicted wound of political unrest following the annulment of the presidential election. From then until 1998, ours was a nation in distress, unsure of its survival or longevity, let alone prosperity. Then the military retreated and the nation got a new lease of life.

    Or so we thought. The depressing state of the nation in the last 16 years, especially after we ought to have learnt from the terrible mistakes of the earlier 40, is mind boggling. History is strict. It works according to its inscrutable laws without bending to the wishes of anyone, and it cares less about human motivations.

    As it has warned us repeatedly as a nation, history repeats itself to the detriment of those who refuse to correct the path it has once pronounced upon as ill-fated. But we have ignored every such warning. There is no point rehashing the foibles of our remote and immediate past. It is more important to remind ourselves what the possibilities are if we set our minds to the task of nation-building, moral regeneration and economic renewal.

    In the matter of nation-building, we must recognise the simple truth that as long as we remain unfaithful to the truth that individuals and groups count and deserve equal treatment, we cannot even begin to see a credible path to nation building, a precursor of national unity. A nation must exist before we can talk of its unity. We now have a country, a territorial space, NOT a nation, if by this term we mean a people with a shared sense of belonging and a willingness to make sacrifices for the continued existence and prospering of the whole.

    Since Nigeria’s birth, nation-building and national unity have not been taken seriously as indispensable requirements for the advancement of the country. We counted on raw power to cow individuals and groups into submission. It has not proved effective and there is no reason to believe that it will. Over-dependence on raw political power is dangerous for a country still in the throes of ethnic divisions and sectarian suspicions. To build a nation where no human is oppressed, we need to invite all its components to the architectural design desk. Once they feel a part of the project, it shouldn’t be difficult to attract them to the construction site.

    To the observation that every constitutional conference or summit in the last 60 years has been an invitation to the architectural desk, I respond that it has not all been motivated by the general will. Instead, the private or group will to dominate and get the most for self or group to which it belongs, rather than the will to do the best for the new country to become a thriving nation, has been dominant. The general will demands not just objectivity of thinking, but also the readiness to sacrifice some self-interest for the greater good of the whole.

    The result of past efforts is that once a group, which had approached the issue with an open mind and a readiness to sacrifice, saw the selfishness of another, displayed with utter disregard for the national interest, it naturally went back in its trenches and soon everyone was in defensive mode. The goal of nation building and national unity necessarily takes the back bench when individual and group interests are prioritised. For this reason, at every turn of the road in our search for national unity, the outcome has been so predictable. By feeding individual or group interest into the box, it is illogical to expect the emergence of national interest.

    For the desirable outcome of nation-building and national unity, we must first ask the question: what are the tools of nation building and what factors preserve national unity? First is seeing the individual or group as part of a whole. Second is identifying the essentials for the survival and advancement of the whole. Third is willingness to make individual and group sacrifice for the sake of the whole. Each of these is a vital link in the chain, the most difficult being the second. It is what goes into its norm and what we have been unable to agree upon in the last 50 years.

    For a country of diverse population with a history of mistrust, what is constitutionally and structurally essential for building trust and promoting unity? When we answer this question with the objectivity and neutrality of mind that it requires, we will be ready for the next higher plane of national advancement.

    In the matter of moral regeneration, we cannot deny that in the last 40 years, we have slid from a people imbued with moral conscience to one wallowing in moral squalor. The evidence is beyond dispute and it is inevitably linked to our economic degeneration. A people without a sense of justice, fairness and decorum in their relationship to their country and to fellow-citizens cannot expect to collectively climb the highest rung of the ladder of economic achievement. Surely, some will thrive at the expense of others. But in their selfish ascendancy, they will negatively impact the rise of the collective.

    Consider the condition of the filthy rich who have it all at the expense of the majority in the dungeon of existence. They are afraid to venture out without security. They live in gilded cages watching their back for fear of kidnappers and armed gangs. Those riches can be used to improve the standard of education across the land, an important prerequisite for producing marketable graduates.This improves employability, which reduces the risk of the devil finding them jobs in the darkest territories of earthly hell. This in turn improves the security of the rich and enables them to enjoy their wealth.

    The absence of moral leadership in the political, business, educational, and, sadly, religious sectors, is inexcusable and is directly responsible for the loss of three generations of Nigerians, thus far, to cultism, drug abuse, robbery and generalised moral lapses. This makes it extremely difficult to see a path towards moral regeneration in the near term.

    Surely, economic deprivation did not promote ethical delinquency in the past. That was because despite their failures in other matters, the leaders of the First Republic managed to provide for the well-being of citizens and they lived modestly themselves. This suggests that leadership by example matters in the matter of moral regeneration. Whatever change you desire to effect in others, let them see it clearly in you.

    The matter of economic renewal is not that complicated. Paraphrasing the enigmatic Kwame Nkrumah, with political kingdom secured, everything else will follow. However, gaining political kingdom is much more than securing flag independence. It also requires dismantling the colonisers’policy of divide and conquer, and transiting from being a mere supplier of raw materials to the coloniser and market for its finished products. Unfortunately, by not addressing the legacy of divide and conquer, we failed to really achieve the political kingdom and all the other steps logically failed to follow.

    Assume we achieve nation building and national unity, and we have purposeful leadership focused on economic renewal, our collective endeavour should be easy to achieve. President Muhammadu Buhari has laid down an agenda of economic diversification based on agriculture and mining. If sectionalism does not get in the way, if every part of the country is treated equally in the development of the infrastructure needed for the exploitation of its natural endowments in agriculture and mining, and if education becomes a priority so that quality products are released to the labour market, then we can be confident that economically, the sleeping giant will wake up again to its destined responsibility in Africa and the world.

    Happy October 1st!

  • To the future with hope

    To the future with hope

    Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, appears to have defied solution. However, many youths are not giving up; they are taking their destinies in their hands, exploiting opportunities in the thriving Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports on the youths’exploits in the sector .

    He probably never envisaged that his choice of an obscure corner in the  busy Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, would pay off. But the trader, who preferred to be identified by his first name, Paul, has carved a niche for himself in the sale of mobile phone accessories, including phone pouch, chargers, screen protector and ear piece.

    Since venturing into the business about four years ago, Paul has never looked back. Although he declined to say how much he makes from the business, the fact that the business, which he plied using a table space has expanded to the extent of engaging apprentices is an indication that he could not have made a better decision.

    Another dealer in accessories, Mr. Uche Barnabas, also counts himself lucky for heeding his friends advice to relocate to the Computer Village, which is arguably, Africa’s biggest Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Barnabas was originally in the business of selling Peugeot spares parts in Abule Egba area of Lagos. That was eight years ago before he heard about the thriving ICT market from his friend.

    Barnabas wasted no time in moving his business to the computer market. But unlike Paul who had to pay for the small space he uses, Barnabas brought innovation and ingenuity into the business by selling all kinds of phone and laptop accessories such as phone charger, laptop charger, memory cards, ear piece, flash drive and hard drive right from the boot of his car.

    The wares are neatly arranged in a show glass. Proceeds from the business, he said, have been sustaining his family made of his wife and four children. He told The Nation that he makes about N5, 000 daily, which translates to about N150, 000 monthly. This is an amount most salary earners can only dream of.

    Encouraged by his remarkable success and the ICT sector’s positive growth prospects, Barnabas told The Nation that in the near future, he hoped to import his stock from China, assuring that he would sell only original accessories to satisfy his growing customers.

    Similarly, Suntex Computer Limited, a firm which deals in new and used mobile phones, laptops, games as well as accessories, has been waxing stronger 10 years after it was established. Its founder, who pleaded anonymity, said the business which started off with his selling of phone accessories in a show glass, today boasts five other shops.

    It’s the same story for Olatunji Akinyemi who sells United Kingdom (UK)-used mobile phones. A school dropout, Akinyemi could not continue his education at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State due to lack of tuition fees. He is doing the business with his sister and raising money to further his education at Yaba College of Technology.

    While admitting that business has been good, Akinyemi said his dream is to become a an ICT business mogul in the mould of Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft Founder Bill gates.

    Many youths are turning to the ICT sector to beat the unemployment scourge. According to a Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Patience Akpan-Obong of the Arizona State University, United States, the ICT industry has done a lot to increase the level of employment in the country.

    She said various segments of the sector have generated income for Nigerians, including those in the business of selling mobile devices, accessories and recharge cards among others. The don added that government can create more jobs from the ICT sector by investing in the manufacturing of ICT components and development of human capacity.

    Akpan-Obong said the government can also invest in the manufacturing of mobile devices and its accessories; hardware, software and applications. She lamented that Nigeria is still importing chargers and mobile devices when it has the capacity, man power and resources to make ICT components.

    “If Nigeria has a factory that manufactures mobile devices and its accessories, it would generate a lot of employment for both people working in the factory and service providers,” she said, adding that the country needs to believe in and develop her human capacity.

    According to Akpan-Obong, “We need to look at the human resources we have in the country and exploit it to develop both the ICT sector and generate employment. Government should look into hiring Nigerian ICT professionals to develop the sector.

    “We should not always rely on foreigners because Nigerians have the capacity and we must take our own people seriously by giving them contracts, consultancy and jobs.”

     Rising unemployment driving uptake of ICT jobs

    The paradigm shift to the ICT sector, observers say, is driven largely by Nigeria’s unenviable employment, particularly among the youths. The rising unemployment rate is said to have forced a strategic rethink by many youths in favour of self- employment instead of searching for non-existent white collar jobs.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment rate rose to 12.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year, from 10.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year. It was the highest since December 2009.

    The Bureau, in its latest unemployment watch report, said between last December and March this year, the population of unemployed Nigerians increased by 518,000 to over 1.45 million. NBS said the unemployed Nigerians were those who were looking for work, but could not find work.

    The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) Director-General, Prof Akpan Ekpo, noted that Nigeria’s unemployment rate has been rising alongside the increased incidence of poverty. He described the country’s rising unemployment as “a looming time bomb and a national crisis”.

    Indeed, the rising violent crimes and the widespread insecurity across the country, many people believe, is traced to the rising unemployment in the last couple of years. Today, kidnapping, advance fee fraud, otherwise called ‘419’, armed robbery, prostitution, cultism, drug and child trafficking, among others, have become daily occurrences.

    A new and scary dimension has since been added to these social ills, following the upsurge in violent campaigns by terrorist groups, particularly the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. Many youths, for lack of paid employments, have become ready recruits into terrorist organisations, a development that confirms fears that the country is, indeed, sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

    Indeed, the worsening unemployment in the country, especially among youths, which experts put at 54 per cent, poses great danger to the economic, social and political stability of the country. This has prompted calls by stakeholders in various sectors of the economy for the adoption of appropriate policies to fix the problem.

    Some of them who spoke with The Nation said this could be done through the creation of an enabling environment for the private sector, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to retain jobs and create new ones.

    For instance, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) recently added its voice to the call to halt the unemployment scourge. Although the Council acknowledged the various initiatives of the government, such as the Youth Enterprise for Innovation (YouWin) programme, it believes that given the magnitude of the problem, a more fundamental and sustainable strategy was necessary.

    The LCCI proposed, among other policy options, support for SMEs to retain jobs and create new ones; critical areas of support to include funding and capacity building; the government should accord higher priority to investments in infrastructure to reduce the high infrastructure deficit and moderate the cost of doing business in the economy.

    Despite the robust, far-reaching recommendations, the government’s perceived failure to implement some of these may have forced youths to look inward. And for many of them, the burgeoning ICT sector hold promises hence the rush to take advantage of the opportunities therein.

  • Ajaokuta: hope renewed?

    •We must get it right this time if we are truly desirous of industrialising

    Thirty-seven years after its establishment, and eight years after a rather acrimonious parting with India’s Global Steel Holdings Limited (GSHL) to which it was sold in controversial circumstances in May 2007, the multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta Steel Company, has another chance to get back into business. Last week, solid minerals development minister, Kayode Fayemi, announced that both the Federal Government and GSHL had forged a renegotiated concession agreement under which the ownership of the steel complex reverts to the Federal Government while the concessionaires, GSHL retain the ownership of the ore producing company – the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), at Itakpe.

    Considering that the arbitral proceedings have been on for the whole of the last eight years, it is no doubt a major step forward for the two parties. One only needs to recall the bitter recriminations and bad faith exhibited at the initial stage of the botched agreement to appreciate the import of the agreement which in every respect now looks a win-win. By freeing the steel complex of all encumbrances, the nation is not only offered the opportunity for a fresh start, its aspirations in steel production are once again revived. On the other hand, an Iron Ore Mining Company in the hand of GSHL, in addition to its bountiful rewards, keeps the nation’s dream of backward integration alive.

    We hope both parties have learnt their lessons, the most important of which is the need for fidelity to the letters and spirit of negotiated agreement. If we may remind both parties of the reason why the initial agreement was botched; for GSHL it was on account of its failure to adhere strictly to the terms of that initial agreement; while for the Federal Government, it was the sloppy crafting by unpatriotic officials that handed the Federal Government the wishy-washy agreement that left Nigeria with the short end of the stick.

    Today, we have a new agreement in place with two goals in sight: to bring NIOMCO to full function and to get a new operator to take over the steel complex. Those goals must remain in sight no matter the odds.

    Unfortunately, setting out worthy goals has proven to be the easier part – if the nation’s experiences are anything to go by. Indeed, Nigerians ought to be forgiven for growing weary of putting too much premium on them after seeing promises failing so soon after the high-octane affairs of putting pens on paper. Nigerians need to see concrete evidence that things will be different this time around. Considering the whopping $4.6 billion already sunk into the complex in the last 37 years, it is the least that the nation deserves.

    To realise the nation’s steel dreams, the road ahead, though long and arduous, calls for discipline. At this time, we can only advise the Federal Government to be wary of the shenanigans of bureaucrats; a group so adept at conflating their self-interests with the national interest, even if that risks stalling high priority projects interminably.

    Above all, it seems to us an inescapable part of the current demands for transparency that the Federal Government should want to make public the agreement between it and GSHL. That would allow Nigerians know the various milestones set out against their timelines to enable them judge whether or not progress is being made. The same would of course apply to the concessionaire for Ajaokuta Steel whenever the process is finalised. Given that time is of the essence, our expectation is that the Federal Government will immediately put in place a credible process to pick the operator for the steel complex. It’s probably the last chance for the nation to get it right.

     

  • Hope, dignity for people living with leprosy

    Hope, dignity for people living with leprosy

    In the yesteryear, people living with leprosy were regarded as unclean and therefore discriminated against, even by their kith and kin. However, hope seems to rise for these people who the late dramatist Ola Rotimi referred to as living dead in his book Hope of the Living Dead. LUCAS AJANAKU writes that two non-governmental organisations (NGOs); Junior Chamber International (JCI) and NIPPON Foundation are collaborating to bring hope, dignity to lepers 

    From the Biblical times, people living with leprosy were regarded as unclean. People hate associating with them and anyone seen going close to them was also regarded as having been infested with the disease. The notion in that pristine era was that one gets infected with the disease because of certain transgression for which the gods punished the victim. They had no hope and dignity.

    A typical example in the Bible was Neman who lived with the disease and was a taboo of sorts before his people. They were at arm’s length to him because they believed that whoever went close to him will be infected.

    His sorry condition continued until he had contact with Prophet Elisha who asked him to dip his leprous body in River Jordan seven times. That he did and he was healed.

    The discrimination that lepers in the olden days suffered is still being meted out to those who are living with the disease in our contemporary period.

    Worried by this dehumanising situation which lepers experience in the society, a group, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, in collaboration with a Japan-based private, non-profit grant-making organisation, NIPPON Foundation, has begun a nation-wide campaign designed to restore hope and dignity to people living with leprosy.

    The two organisations said they are worried about the stigmatisation of people living with leprosy, adding that there is need to restore hope to people living with the disease.

    According to C. E. Ogbonnaya, L. U. Ogbonnaya, C. M. Chuka-Okosa, the prevalence of leprosy has reduced from the estimated 10-12 million (with 5.4 million registered) worldwide in 1980s to about 0.75 million registered patients by 2002.

    However, the incidence increased from 550,000 by 1985 to approximately 700,000 by 2002. Many cured leprosy patients are living with disability, including ocular disability. Many of these are potentially sight threatening. Already, about 350, 000 to 400, 000 leprosy patients are estimated to be blind worldwide.

    In the Nigerian Journal of Ophthamology Vol. 12 (2) 2004: 38-45, Ogbonnaya, Chuka-Okosa said though the prevalence of leprosy is reducing, its incidence is increasing. Many cured leprosy patients are, however, living with ocular complications that could lead to blindness. Most of these blinding complications could be prevented with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

    The authors advised that every health worker, particularly ophthalmologists, should be familiar with the ocular complications of leprosy, adding that periodic screening and surgical outreach programmes by ophthalmologists should be integrated into leprosy care programmes with a view to treating avoidable causes of blindness, especially cataract, uveitis and lagophthalmos. Funding for research on leprosy and health care delivery for leprosy should be sustained because available data show that leprosy is still a cause for concern.

    Speaking at a forum to kick-start the programme, the President, JCI Nigeria, Mr. Olatunji Oyeyemi, said the campaign is part of NIPPON Foundation’s global appeals to draw attention to the plight of people living with leprosy.

    He said: “We are delighted to be involved in the campaign to ensure that individuals live with dignity. The campaign is part of the NIPPON Foundation’s global appeals termed “Think Leprosy Now” campaign and we are glad to be able to work with them to bring a change to how the disease and people living with it are perceived.

    “A lot of Nigerians do not know that leprosy is a curable disease and this has resulted in unnecessary stigmatisation of victims. If the public understands the disease better, people affected with leprosy will feel freer to seek treatment at most general hospitals where treatment is free instead of segregating themselves. As young people, we would educate our peers nation-wide in order to establish a society that is compassionate towards people affected by leprosy.”

    According to him, JCI will connect with like-minded organisations such as IDEA Nigeria, that already has programmes aimed at bringing succour to people living with leprosy and their families locally.

    Some of the programmes planned for the “Think Leprosy Now” campaign include leprosy orientation, training for youths, nation-wide awareness campaign and production of a documentary highlighting the effects of leprosy in rural areas.

    Also speaking at the forum, the National Chairman, IDEA Nigeria, Mr. Ahmed Muhammed, said leprosy can be managed, adding that people should stop discriminating against people living with the disease.

    ”Leprosy is a disease that can be managed and treated but due to the high level of discrimination, most patients are ashamed of coming out for treatment. In the rural areas, most people do not know the symptoms, and as such they are most often disabled before they realise that they are affected. If it is discovered and treated early, most of the effected people will avoid the resultant disability that comes with it.

    ”The disease not only impacts the sufferers but also their families as they are unable to work and take care of their healthy children who often times have to go into isolation with them in communities set up for them. Even when some are completely cured, the disability from the disease which they’ve already overcome makes people still discriminate against them, leading to inability to find jobs and provide for their families,” he said.

    He said IDEA Nigeria has been involved in identifying people affected with the disease in rural areas and directing them to free treatment centres in most general hospitals to avoid the disability which lack of early treatment can cause. He pointed out that most people affected by the disease also have the tendency to discriminate against themselves which often leads them to segregate themselves and avoid help.

    JCI will use its active citizen framework to bring stakeholders such as government, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the business community for collaboration as it seeks to demonstrate the power of youth in creating positive change in the face of societal challenges.