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  • Fed Govt to focus on youth empowerment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration recognised the need to focus more attention on youth empowerment by creating an enabling environment for jobs and capacity building.

    He spoke at the Global Youth Employment Forum (GYEF) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Abuja.

    The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said Nigeria placed more value on the youth who represent today and the future of the nation.

    He was optimistic that the event would bring together select young people from ILO member states, to discuss an issue of importance to the young and the old.

    He also reiterated that human capacity development, implementation of dedicated programmes and technical/financial support cannot be over-emphasised, adding that he was grateful the ILO has committed itself to youth employment and the future of work in Africa with in-depth understanding of the rapidly changing demographics, the emerging world of work and the challenges of natural economic stabilities.

    Read Also: ILO, AEA, SMEDAN partner on youth empowerment, poverty eradication

    He added that his administration recognises youths’ creative potential and the need to sharpen their global competitive edge. According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI) to improve access to long-term low-cost financing for entrepreneurs to invest in Nigeria.

    Earlier in a welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. William Alo, said a growing youth population could provide an important opportunity to expand the labour potential of any country. According to him, investing in youth education closes the gender gaps in labour markets and education.

    Alo further stated that the theme for 2019 GYEF, “Today and Tomorrow with decent Jobs for Youth”, was apt in the light of the persistent global youth employment challenges and the future of work initiative, which the ILO has placed on the front burner of discuss. He adding that the future of the world rests within the youth who constitute the most productive segment of the global population.

  • Kogi poll: What is Omebije up to?

    Former Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly Emmanuel Omebije is among the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants warming up for the primary. How far can he go? A commentator, Joseph Edegbo, examines the prospects and contraints of his ambition.

    Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State, political gladiators in the two dominant political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party,  (PDP, have begun preparations to reposition themselves in readiness for the primaries scheduled for August 26 and September 3 , respectively.

    At the last count, no fewer than 30 aspirants have picked the nomination forms of the APC, while 13 others have bought forms to fire a shot at the PDP’s number one position.

    One of the early birds among the PDP aspirants is Emmanuel Ogbe Omebije; a suave urbane and charismatic politician from Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi East Senatorial District.

    A cypress among pliant shrubs, Emmanuel Omebije, picked his nomination and signification of interest forms from the Wadata Plaza Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, to the delight of unprecedented crowd of party supporters and cheerful admirers.

    Unlike many of the aspirants who are unarguably political neophytes, Rt. Hon. Omebije is a trusted and tested political giant who has bestrode the political landscape of Kogi State like a colossus, literally leaving indelible and enviable marks in political brinkmanship and social engineering.

    Omebije, an accomplished professional Surveyor, made his foray into partisan politics in 2007, when in a bid to serve his people, he contested election into the Kogi State House of Assembly, representing Okura Constituency on the platform of the PDP.

    Read Also: Kogi APC suspends Deputy Governor Achuba

    Having won the election, he diligently served between 2007 and 2011. Still not done, Omebije sought re-election in 2011 and his appreciative constituents rewarded him with another 4- year mandate running from 2011 to 2015.

    Like a gold fish that has no hiding place, Omebije’s sterling leadership and administrative acumens, did not escape the sharp lenses of his colleague legislators who nominated and subsequently as well as unanimously elected him as the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly for the period 2011 – 2015.

    It is instructive to note that during his eight years eventful sojourn at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Omebije was not only a member of several committees but also chaired four strategic committees ; namely; House Services, Special Duties, Works and Housing and the Ethics and Privileges Committees.

    Not known for being a bench warmer, the aspirant moved several vital motions and sponsored numerous private bills, all geared towards moving Kogi State forward and impacting positively on the lives of Kogites.

    Among the litany of people -oriented bills, he sponsored the following that stood out very poignantly:

    (a) A Bill for a Law to provide for the Control of Urban and Regional Planning activities in Kogi State; the Establishment and Function of the Board, planning Authorities and other purposes connected therewith. (2011).

    (b) A Bill for a Law to promote the Rights of Disabled Persons in Kogi State and other Matters connected therewith. (2013).

    (c) A Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of Grimmard Hospital’s College of Nursing and Midwifery, Anyigba, Kogi State.

    Also during his tenure as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Omebije moved the following notable motions:

    1. i) Motion appealing to the Kogi State Government to recapitalize the State’s transport company to make it more functional;
    2. ii) Motion appealing to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCH) to hasten electricity between Geregu power station and the Eastern part of Kogi State;

    iii) Motion calling upon the Kogi State Government to forward a Bill to the House of Assembly to give legal backing to the owner-occupier Housing Scheme;

    1. IV) Motion calling upon the State Government and Local Government Councils to check the activities of vandals of electricity cables along the Ajaokuta /Anyigba road;
    2. v) Motion calling upon the State Government to upgrade the status of the Agricultural Training Centre, Ochaja to a Diploma awarding institution;

    vI) Motion Commending His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, for the massive construction and rehabilitation of township roads and streets in Kogi State; vii) Motion calling on Kogites to lay down warfare and cooperate with the government of Captain Idris Wada; and, viii) Motion calling upon the Kogi State Government to increase agricultural Extension Services and provision of farm inputs to farmers in the State.

    Aside from law- making,  Omebije initiated and completed several multi-million naira people-centered Constituency projects in Okura and Anyigba political wards to the eternal gratitude and appreciation of his constituents.

    Such projects range from construction of Primary school blocks; Community health care facilities; skill acquisition centres, provision of public toilets ,rural electrification, potable water supply to the construction of rural feeder roads.

    Satisfied that he had served his people meritoriously at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Omebije felt there was the need to up the political ante by moving a step higher to the level where he could be in a vantage position to provide good quality representation that would further rub off positively on his people. Thus, in the run-off to the 2015 general elections, he contested at the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ticket of the Federal House of Representatives, which he, however lost.  Unlike other politicians who would jump ship at the slightest opportunity, Rt. Hon. Omebije, a faithful, loyal and committed party man, stuck with the PDP, even in the face of relentless and mounting pressures to abandon the party and decamp to the ruling party, the APC.

    It is perhaps, a mark of this commitment and in realization of the need to change the present sorry State of affairs in Kogi State that Rt. Hon. Omebije decided that the time is ripe to throw his hat in the ring by picking the gubernatorial nomination form of the PDP, to slug it out with other aspirants during the party’s primaries scheduled for September 3, 2019 and ultimately, during the governorship election on November 16, 2019.

    Omebije’s political philosophy, which is premised on the mantra of “A Better Kogi is Possible,” is driven by a desire to provide governance that puts service above self; with a focus on people/purpose driven performance as well as community based development.

    In the blue print containing his vision for Kogi State, the PDP Governorship aspirant declared that “I am putting myself forward because our dear Kogi State needs to be delivered from the clutch of collapse and the mismanagement of the present crop of usurpers “.

    Omebije’s vision for Kogi State as the Governor,  is further anchored on the following benchmarks: (a) To provide a true and viable social democratic system with an all- inclusive style of governance , devoid of tribal, gender or sectional considerations, in order to decisively deal with all socio-economic vices that have gripped the State over time.

    (b) To build people as the main and prime resource of the State and compliment same strong structures and institutions devoid of personal interests and considerations, where the greatest good for the greatest number is paramount; (c) To create and lead sustainable pragmatic innovations , economic regeneration platforms ,Industrialization, entrepreneurship, due consideration and premium for education, agriculture, women and youth empowerment and job creation through private led Initiatives.

    The PDP Governorship aspirant hopes to build people as the main and prime resource of the State with strong structures and institutions devoid of personal interests and considerations based on his principle of servant leadership.

    Omebije who believes in good governance as one of the core values of modern Democracy, hopes to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the governance of Kogi State by enthroning a participatory consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient. equitable and all inclusive system of government that observes the rule of law and has zero tolerance for corruption. He also promises to promote a system of governance that accommodates the views of the minorities and the voices of the most vulnerable in the society in decision making.

    Given the humiliation which workers in Kogi State have had to endure under the outgoing anti- people government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Rt. Hon.Omebije, if given the mandate, hopes to dramatically change the narrative by creating a labour friendly atmosphere where priority will be given to the prompt payment of the salaries of civil servants who constitute the engine room for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

    A man of many parts, Rt. Hon. Omebije has cut a niche for himself in the annals of the surveying profession where he distinguished himself as a Licensed Surveyor and was subsequently recognized by the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors with a prestigious award for his contributions to the surveying profession in Nigeria at the Northern Surveyors’ Forum in 2010. An accomplished surveyor, Rt. Hon. Omebije has floated and successfully managed a number of topnotch companies; among them, Cedar Investment Limited, Abuja, as Managing Director/CEO, from 1996 to 2006; Undelete Consult Limited, also in Abuja, as Chief Surveyor (2003-2007), and Farcajo Properties Limited, Abuja, as Managing Director/CEO (2005-2007).

    Beyond the shores of Nigeria, Omebije was equally honoured with the True Leadership Award by the Mission for Africa International, Clinton Mississippi, United States of America in 2012.

    Omebije, a youth enthusiast, was also honoured with a National Certificate of Credence by the Kogi Youth Parliament, 2013, for positively identifying with the aspirations of the youths in the State through numerous youth empowerment schemes.

    In his patriotic desires to put Kogi on the map of oil producing states, Rt. Hon. Omebije, singlehandedly travelled to London, United Kingdom, were he obtained the map of the old Kabba and Ontisha Provinces from a library there. This effort, to a large extent, restored normalcy to the erstwhile lingering boundary dispute between Kogi and Anambra States in the Aguleri area.

    Omebije has adequately paid his political dues and therefore deserves to be given the mandate to govern Kogi State on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) come November 16, 2019.

    Indeed, the Governorship cap of Kogi State rightly fits RT. Hon. Emmanuel Ogbe Omebije. And as the saying goes: He who the cap fits, Let him wear it!!!

  • Dead Sea Skincare products make debut

    A skincare product brand, Rivage has partnered Cascades Luxury to introduce Dead Sea Skincare products in the market.

    The beauty product is inspired by the power of the Dead Sea to transform and enhance the natural beauty and health of the skin and hair.

    The Manager, Lagos Business Development, Cascades Luxury,  Priscilla Ogugua, said Rivage offers Dead Sea mud in pure form, which is used as body mask, amid other product, such as the soap, shampoo, and shower gel.

    “Whether you are searching for Dead Sea salt-enriched cream or Dead Sea mud soap, Rivage offers numerous options to help healthily care for the body. The healing properties of Dead Sea mineral products prove beneficial for a variety of skin concerns and will leave users looking and feeling their best.”

    Ogugua further stated that since the dawn of civilisation, the Dead Sea has attracted people seeking relaxation and healing, noting that Rivage products sourced from the Dead Sea combines three key elements: mud, water, and salt to confer a wide range of health benefits, which she said have been assessed and confirmed by independent researches.

    Read Also: 100 youths to benefit from Black Fragrance initiative

    She added: “The salts, which include potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and bromides, are used to treat psoriasis, dermatitis, dandruff, eczema, acne, and seborrhea. The salts moisturise, soften and detoxify while promoting cell regeneration – ideal for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.  These benefits of the dead sea that makes it a global centre for medical tourism are infused in the Rivage products.”

    Also, the Director, Cascades Luxury, Derrick Memeh, expressed delight at the development, and  that it is a significant milestone that would provide true and lasting solutions to people seeking natural ways of caring for their skin.

    The product is inspired by the power of the Dead Sea to enhance the natural beauty and health of the skin and hair.

  • COFFHA supports LUTH’s indigent patients

    Every parent knows that raising a child is one of life’s most fulfilling challenges. Although the emotional price of raising a sick child can be devastating, it’s only part of the picture. During the trying times, parents become overwhelmed by medical expenses and this, to an extent, hinders them from giving their children adequate medical care.

    Hope came alive for many sick children in the paediatric ward at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, when the Committee of Friends for Humanity (COFFHA) visited for its quarterly charity to the hospital. During the visit, the charity group gave cash gifts to 25 sick children.

    Some of the parents could not hide their joy when they received the cash gift. One of the parents whose children benefited from the charity thanked COFFHA for the kind gesture. The cash gift will go a long way to offset some of the medical bills for their baby, said Mr Joseph and Mrs Joseph whose 18-day baby was born prematurely and still in the incubator.

    Read Also: CMD: we’re restoring LUTH’s glory

    On the essence of the visit, Mrs Carolyn Akum-Ufere, president of COFFHA), pointed out that the group usually organises quarterly charity visits to orphans and sick people and gives out cash and gift items to them as a way of supporting those in need. “We usually organise quarterly event whereby we give out cash food and gift items to orphans and sick people in our midst. This time around, we decided to come to Lagos University Teaching Hospital and see babies that are indigent. This implies that their parents cannot afford to pay their medical bills as well as all the medication that has been listed out to them. We have gone round the paediatric ward and give out cash to their parents,” said Mrs Akum-Ufere.

    She said the visit was the third this year, adding that her group also organised medical outreaches. “Aside the charity visit, we also organise health outreach. We organised one last year and over 200 women benefited from the outreach. We still intend to organise another health outreach later this year,” she said. On how much the charity group spends on each quarterly visit, Ufere said it varies. “There was the case of a boy who had cancer and COFFHA decided to sponsor his medical bills all through. We spent over a million naira on the boy. At least quarterly, we raise N1 million or more to take care of indigent people in the society.”

    She urgged well-meaning Nigerians to help those in need. “We should be grateful to God for being alive; we should try and lend a helping hand to the less-privileged among us and you will not lose your reward,” she said.

    The Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Okwuobi Edith, who received the team, lauded COFFHA for the gesture, enjoining others to emulate COFFHA by assisting the needy.

     

  • Rainbow Hospital holds 6th diabetes workshop

    With increasing number of Nigerians grappling with complications of diabetic foot, arising from rising incidence of diabetes in the country, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre (RSMC), a private hospital with focus on the management of diabetes and other endocrine and metabolism conditions, has announced plans to host a workshop on diabetic foot and podiatry.

    The annual workshop, being its 6th edition on diabetic foot and podiatry, is designed to equip Nigerian doctors, other health workers and people living with diabetes with basic knowledge and skills on diabetic foot care.

    A release signed by Dr. Afoke Isiavwe, medical director of RSMC and coordinator of the Diabetes Podiatry Initiative Nigeria, said the workshop, which will hold from August 12 to 16, was being organised in partnership with the World Walk Foundation (Jamaican Chapter). It is supported by some diabetes care companies in the country. According to its organisers, the workshop will help to stem the steady increase of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

    Read Also: How to manage diabetes

    “It is important that primary care health workers should know the basics of diabetes such as how to recognise symptoms, how to diagnose and even know how to start treatment and most important, when to refer the patients. This will prevent misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The primary care service is essential because that’s where the people first present to whenever they have health challenges. Over the years, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Lagos, has been holding this capacity building workshop for Nigerian health workers both in the public and private institutions,” Isiavwe said.

    The release further disclosed that the 2019 edition would focus on building capacity at the primary care level and feature a diabetes refresher course for primary and secondary healthcare workers, Insulin refresher workshop for both primary and secondary healthcare workers and, also, basic and advanced Certified Diabetes foot course.

    “We are hoping hospitals will take advantage of the training and send their staff to attend. Diabetes is very common in our environment, presenting at any clinic – dental, ophthalmology, gynaecology etc. It is therefore important that doctors, nurses, community health extension workers know what to do and when to refer.”

    Dr. Isiavwe said people living with diabetes would receive free foot check during the period at Dover Hotel, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, the workshop venue.

  • Alor community in Anamabra elects new leaders

    The Alor Community Development Union (ADU) in Idemili  South Local Government of Anambra State has elected new executives to run the affairs of the community for a three-year tenure.

    The election held on Sunday was conducted by Chief John Obiekwe and Ichie Sunday Omakagu witness by Chief Uzoma Igbonwa President of Alor People’s Assembly, Ichie Godwin Nwaoye and Ichie Samuel Udoh among others.

    The newly elected officers include: Chief Anene Ngige – Chairman, Chief Obum Obiudoh- Vice-Chairman, Mr Chimezie Ukatu-Secretary, Mr Obiora Udoh-Assistant Secretary, Chief Abuchi Igweama- Social/Publicty secrtary, Mr Emmanuel Udodinma Asst.Social/Publicity Secrtary, Mr Chibuike Nwaoye- Financial Secretary, Bro.Tochukwu Uzochukwu -Asst.Secretary Financial, Mr Ikechukwu Anichebe-Treasurer, Mr Chijoke Akubue- Provost 1,Mr Norbert Ngige and Mr Azubugo Igwe-were provosts respectively.

    Speaking at the election venue at Alor Christian Community center Alafia Lagos, Chief Anene Ngige tasked the elected officials to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations guiding the Union

    Read Also: Court okays conduct of Alor community election

    He warned the officials to avoid unconstitutional activities as such may not be to their interest or that of the community they were elected to serve. He stressed that anybody found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly.

    Chief Ngige emphasised the need for peace and harmour with our fellow brothers.

    Speaking after the peaceful election, the Vice-Chairman, Chief Obum Obiudoh on behalf of other newly elected officers assured that the team will contribute meaningfully to the growth of the community. He sought for cooperation of the members, pointing out that the task ahead should be seen and regarded as everybody’s affairs, just as he requested for adequate and regular support from the immediate past chairman

    “On behalf of all newly elected executive, I want to assure the community of our commitment and dedication towards the progress of all. We are not going to disappoint you, because for electing us, you must have seen some qualities in us,” he stated.

    “We are equally using this opportunity to call on the immediate past executive and other stakeholders in the community that we shall need your support, we can’t do it alone, but with you all, we shall have breakthrough,” the Vice- chairman added.

  • Ibom Air: How best to run government business

    By now, critics of Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel may have to hang their heads in shame going by the success story of the state airline. In the buildup to the governorship election early this year,  so much was said about the project being desperately driven by a sinking governor eager to hold on to anything for survival.

    The project was announced dead even before its commencement. It was perceived by some people as purely a tactic to get re-elected.

    Really, it is difficult to blame anyone for being suspicious of politicians in a country where there are countless examples of leaders merely driven by political gains.  We have seen government officials embarking only on projects that are capable of giving them political mileage. Even at that, there have been reports of embezzlement of money devoted to such ventures.  It is for this reason that many Nigerians have become cynical. Many see political leaders as being deceptive, selfish and self-centered.

    It is,  therefore, gladdening that the Ibom Air has proved cynics wrong in that the airline has not only taken off,  it is also a venture that  may stand the test of time if successive governments in the state follow the business template for its operations.

    Read Also: Ibom Air makes maiden flight to Lagos

    It is interesting that the success story of Ibom Air is being told by the opposition, with the governor, Emmanuel, receiving praises from unexpected quarters. That is the beauty of embarking on projects that have positive impacts on the society. Good initiatives are not discriminatory.

    No sane person abandons a good road for a bad one simply because he wants to prove to be loyal to a party or an individual. That is why some people have continued to argue that good governance serves everybody’s interest-both the good and the bad the same way anyone could be a victim of bad governance.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Anietie Usen, was one of the people that openly praised the Akwa Ibom government on the Ibom Air initiative. It is interesting that Usen is not just an ordinary member of the APC; he is one of the strong supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari and a close friend of Nsima Ekere, APC governorship candidate in the last general elections.

    Going by his antecedent, Usen is not likely to be generous with praise, especially for a ruling party in a state where elections are being contested by the opposition.  So, if someone like Usen should say anything good about Ibom Air, he must have meant it.

    Usen had described Ibom Air which began flying on June 8, as the “newest and the freshest aircraft” in Nigeria. This kind of endorsement is difficult to ignore.

    According to him, flying Ibom Air was a decision he had to take because he had no other choice as the other airline he had booked had disappointed him. But despite his political difference with the ruling party in the state, he acknowledged that the Ibom Air project was a good initiative. Usen was reported to have said that the freshness of the aircraft was the first surprise he got when he boarded it sometime last month, lauding the aircraft’s spacious leg room, comfortable seats and very friendly crew.  He even took notice of how the snacks were uniquely packaged and presented in the state colours of orange, green and white.

    He was that detailed.  He enthused that the aircraft was the newest and freshest aircraft he had flown in his 43 years of flying in Nigeria. Not yet done, he spoke about the experiences of other passengers, who, according to him, all acknowledged that the airline was not only good, but also manned by professionals.

    The usual fear when it comes to government ventures such as the Ibom Air is that they are not sustainable. This is because Nigeria does not have many good examples of well managed government businesses. They are usually money guzzlers, a drainpipe and avenue for corruptly enriching the people in power.

    Many good initiatives in the past have been destroyed by political meddlesomeness. This is why Governor Emmanuel should not allow Ibom Air to go the way of other typical government projects.

    The governor should continue to bring to bear his experience as an astute administrator in the management of the Ibom Air and other businesses.

    Going by his antecedents, the governor has proved to be an efficient manager of human and capital resources. These virtues are clearly seen in his previous interventions in the state’s oil affairs since he became governor in 2015. The state has developed 11,000 hectares of coconut plantations, 2,100 hectares of cassava plantation in 15 local government areas, registered 48,000 rice farmers for the CBN anchor borrowers’ scheme and trained 450 youths in cocoa maintenance.

    The state has also established Special Cocoa Maintenance Scheme (SCMS) to train farmers and youths on pruning/shading management to improve on the yielding from its large expanse of farmlands and at the same time distributed cocoa seedlings to farmers at subsidised rates to encourage cocoa plantation among other laudable programmes.

    Its hatchery known as the Akwa Prime Hatchery hatches thousands of day-old cheeks per week.  All these are aside the syringe factory, pencil, toothpick and other industrial ventures birthed in the state in the last four years.  Most of these ventures are run on public/private participation basis to guarantee profit. This is commendable.

    For now, Akwa Ibom is the only state in the country running and operating an international airport. It is also the only state running a Category Two runway. The Ibom Air has employed close to 300 people directly while about 3,000 people are involved in its daily operations.

    But to prevent the airline from going the way of government projects in Nigeria, the governor would have to ensure that the airline continues to epitomise excellence in aviation service delivery. The airline operations should adhere strictly to international best practices in its funding and management.

    It is good that the governor has assured that political motives would be excluded in the running of the airline to make it remain afloat so that it could provide services not only to the people of the state, but also to other Nigerians and international investors as well.

    Already, it is being run as a limited liability company under the management of aviation experts to ensure sustenance. The governor should ensure that the airline services are treated as a venture and patronised on that basis and not as government project meant to provide free money for state officials.

    The success of Ibom Air has changed the perception about state governments running businesses. It has shown that states can run businesses if they are willing to apply business models in running them.

    • Bassey a public affairs analyst writes from Uyo.

  • Hero Lager presents Echefula – never forget your identity

    Hero Lager Beer, from the stable of International Breweries Plc, has begun a unique campaign tagged Echefula-“Never Forget Your Identity”.

    The awareness  seeks to connect the brand at a deeper level with the people that have welcomed and accepted it as part of their culture while also reminding consumers to be proud of their heritage, identity, and to celebrate their culture and embrace their traditions.

    The campaign will explore the uniqueness and beauty of diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. It will explore the importance of culture as the pillar of development and sustenance of communities.

    International Breweries Marketing Director Tolu Adedeji explained that the campaign is a call on Nigerians to identify and embrace their values and traditions.

    He said: “This campaign was initiated out of a strong desire to underline our identity as a people and to reawaken the spirit of who we are, our values, our history, the great exploits of our generation past and more importantly as a call to action to Never Forget our identity as HEROes irrespective of wherever in the world we may be.”

    As a result of western encroachment, ideas and influence, which is fast eroding the traits that define Africans and Nigerians, mostly in the minds of the younger generation, Adedeji added that  The Echefula campaign was aimed at preserving the  cultural heritage and will shed more light on some cultures, highlighting specific aspects of some traditions that make them special and worth honoring.

    By so doing, he said Hero will encourage consumers both home and abroad to take pride in their heritage and identity.

    “For several years Hero lager has thrived in the east. We have been part of celebrations, weddings, naming ceremonies, chieftaincy title ceremonies and we have grown with the people. As they have invited us into their homes to celebrate with them all these years, we believe it is well deserving to likewise honour, celebrate everything about them.

    “Celebrating our various traditions offer an excellent opportunity for intercultural exchange and understanding. We hope that this campaign will spark conversations around identity and pride in one’s heritage, no matter how far away from home you might be, you will be reminded of our rich heritage and roots, we must never forget our identity. This is the central message of the Echefula (Never Forget Your Identity, ‘’ he stated.

    There will also be a cultural festival and it will continue with in-bar activations where prizes will be won.

  • You and your mental health (1)

    There is probably no other area of healthcare or medicine that is unreasonably feared as mental health disorders.The mere mention of psychiatric illness in public domain and even amongst clinicians seems to drive exceeding panic into the minds of listeners. Yet this apprehension is unjustified and unreasonable.

    Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and researchers in Nigeria and indeed the world point to a very but different picture.

    In the barest minimum, at any given time in Nigeria, one in every five Nigerians suffers from one form of mental health disorder or the other.  If we translate this figure into real numbers to reflect the population of Nigeria, then we shall begin to see the enormity of psychiatric illnesses in Nigeria. Let us take the calculation.

    Assuming that we accept the  population of Nigeria to be 180million, and then about 36 million Nigerians are mentally unwell, at any given time. This percentage proportion (not the numbers) is comparable to what is obtainable in the United Kingdom and United States.

    Read Also: Suicide: Experts Call For Increased Mental Health Education

    To make matters worse, mental health is not only stigmatised but very often erroneously attributed mainly to drugs misuse as well as supernatural forces in Nigeria.  Yet and sadly, various religious groups, including traditional religious groups, will almost always want to “cast out the demon” that is causing mental illness in an individual sufferers. The apprehension of the society and individuals against mental health sufferers is understandable, but nonetheless irrational. The society’s fear of violent mentally disordered person is palpable.  When I ventured to work in mental health in the UK, on my first day, I was a bit timid until my senior colleagues informed and counselled me that only two per cent or less of mental health patients are actually violent or aggressive;  98 per cent goes about their lives without causing trouble to anyone. In my experience, this reflection holds true to this day. Certainly, the few violent conducts of mentally-ill patients that got into the media seem to blow the events out of proportions; yet thousands of innocent people in the world are killed by non-mentally ill persons every day via accidents, gun shots, poisoning, wars, and related violent behaviours.

    Scientific evidence does not support most cultural and religious positions on mental health. That is not to claim that religion and cultures have no role to play in the healing process: they certainly do as we shall see later. Thus, in this series on mental health, we shall be dealing with causes of mental health illness. In the weeks to follow, we shall be looking at the common disorders of anxiety, depression, psychosis as well as mental illness in children, special situations such as pregnancy and care of the elderly. For the remainder of this article, let us take a greater look at the causes of mental illness albeit, specific and definitive causes of mental illness is a continuing subject of investigation.

    Taking a cue from Mind Charity (UK), the following factors could potentially trigger a period of poor mental health. Childhood abuse:  Abuse can come in various forms. It may be in the form of sexual exploitation of the innocent child – be it rape or inappropriate entry into the child or misuse of the child.  Trauma to the child or neglect of the child could result in psychological adverse effects to the extent that the individual could develop mental illness either in childhood or later in adulthood.

    Regardless of age, social isolation or loneliness could lead to depression, anxiety or frank psychosis. Similarly, someone experiencing discrimination and stigma could have his personality compromised due to degradation and undignified devaluation of the person. Such individual could suffer from various mental illness.  Bereavement or grief either due to loss of a human being or due to loss of something significant  can result in depression or psychotic depression. In the same vein, severe or long-term stress may be at work, home or due to major illness may lead to mental disorder.

    Being gainfully employed contributes positively and significantly to our financial, social and mental health. Deprivation and lack of independence coming from unemployment or losing your job could lead to mental health disorder.  In line with the effect of unemploymen, social disadvantage, homelessness, or poor housing poverty and being in debt could cause one to suffer from the diseases of the mind. When a person cares for a seriously ill individual, such carer too could suffer ill effect to his or her mental health. A person that is suffering from long term illness such as cancer patients could break down due to stress and develop depression or anxiety. There is also no doubt that misuse of substances such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and alcohol could result in mental health disorder.

    Have you have been impacted by the content of this article or you need some clarification? Kindly call 07087733114 or 08188343865 for support.

  • EFCC hands over Bade’s forfeited property to NEDC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a-13 bedroom, one-storey building and a basement to the management of North East Development Commission (NEDC).

    The property was forfeited by the late Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Bade.

    The Acting spokesman for EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday explained that the property was forfeited on the order of the court, following diligent prosecution of Badeh for money laundering and corruption by the commission.

    According to him, the property are located at No 6, Ogun River Street, Maitama, Abuja, and have been handed over to NEDC management by EFCC Director of Operations, Mr Muhammed Umar.

    Umar represented the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    “I wish to congratulate the management and staff of the NEDC on taking the ownership of this beautiful edifice.

    “I equally want to implore the commission to put the property into maximum use for the benefit of the staff of the commission and the country at large,” Magu said.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests 29 suspected internet fraudsters in Oyo

    On his part, Chairman NEDC, retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa,  appreciated the gesture and promised to cooperate with the EFCC and the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

    “We are grateful to the Federal Government and EFCC for allowing us to use this place permanently as office or liaison office, here in Abuja.

    “We appreciate this gesture, because we understand that ministries and other departments and agencies have been trying to get this place but because of the importance government attaches to NEDC, we are glad that we have been considered for this.”

    NAN