Patience is golden, patience is rare but patience is to be treasured. At such a time when Nigerians are filled with hope and great expectations from President Muhammadu Buhari, all we must do now is to be patient and see what he is able to do. My message is from the story of a boy who had no helpers but eventually became a great man. In life, whether you have a helper or not, don’t give up! Keep trying, in good faith you will get there one day.
Ken Okocha
Benin City.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to be patient with democracy and accept it as a lifestyle and not as a system of government.
Democracy, he said, should be a lifestyle towards ensuring development of the country.
Buhari made the remark when he paid homage to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar on Friday after attending the Juma’at prayer at the Low Cost Mosque in Daura, Katsina State.
He said: “If Nigerians continuously follows the tenets of democracy the country will always be at peace since democracy on its own with its institutions has the mechanism for resolving conflicts peacefully.”
Speaking in Hausa language, he urged those who were aggrieved after the 2015 elections to seek redress through democratic means and institutions.
According to him, Nigeria was adopting democracy from the western nations and learning fast by avoiding mistakes made when studying the weaknesses and strengths of those nations.
He noted that some avoidable mistakes can be made if Nigerians decide to be hasty.
Stressing that election at all levels must be conducted based on democratic principles, he urged those interested in elective positions to look for a political platform of their choice, declare their interests and the party would support them.
He said that many people did not give him a chance in 2002 when he joined politics because they knew his antecedents as a military officer.
According to him, he decided to contest elections because of his commitment to serve the people and not to be served or to amass wealth.
He said that the 2015 polls had clearly shown that it is God that chooses who becomes a leader.
He said: “It is not by power, it is not by wealth but by the Grace of God that I won the election.”
Despite serving the nation in different capacities in the past, he said that he had not had so much money in the banks either locally or anywhere in the world.
He said that all he has is “integrity and commitment to serve the people’’
Buhari said that he would fulfill his promises to the people.
Speaking earlier, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, said he had known Buhari for his consistency which had become the hallmark of his integrity.
He said he was happy that Buhari was eventually elected as the President of the country after some trials.
He said Buhari was not new in government and wherever he had served he always distinguished himself with integrity and in all he had returned home penniless.
The Emir urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration so that they could allow Buhari to deliver on his promises; he sought Nigerians’ support to the administration with prayers for Buhari in his new responsibility.
SIR: As Nigerians eagerly expect the composition of the ‘change’ cabinet by President Muhammadu Buhari, several factors are being speculated influencing the choice of the new ministers. The calibre of ministers, when eventually announced will either soar his popularity rating or cause Nigerians to be cautiously optimistic about the ability of the new administration in ushering change.
If I were the President, the following criteria will guide me in appointing my cabinet ministers. The ideal candidate should have a track record of achievement in previous positions. A cabinet position should not be for green horns, not with the national problems waiting to be surmounted.
These times demand that candidates for ministerial positions should have a banner without stain. People or politicians with proven or suspected cases of abuse of office or misconduct should not have a place in Buhari’s cabinet. We should not have a cabinet nominee that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency would keep under house arrest for past misdeeds.
Ministerial nominees should be subjected to health screening to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo the rigours of the office. Though all of us are human and susceptible to sicknesses, a potential cabinet Minister should not be managing ‘terminal’ disease.
Of course, it is realistic to expect that a cabinet Minister should be someone that the President trusts. The ideal candidate should also believe in the manifesto of the ruling party- the All Progress Congress, as well as patriotically loyal to the Nigerian nation and people.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. There should be a way we of determining the godliness of our potential appointees to cabinet positions, as this is the surest way of determining their moral values. A letter of reference from their Pastor or Imam could be useful. If public officers know that they are representing various constituencies, including their religious communities, there is a likelihood that they will properly comport themselves in office.
In line with the electoral promise of President Buhari, his ministerial nominees should be willing to publicly declare their assets as soon as their nomination is confirmed.
The ‘change’ cabinet should reflect societal diversities, we should have a mixture of the old and new breed, and we should respect gender interests, while vulnerable groups should be represented. It is not out of place to appoint a physically challenged person into the cabinet.
We should have at the minimum, graduates as cabinet ministers. Potential cabinet ministers should have innovative ideas for change. It may not be out of place to even conduct interviews and administer competence tests on potential ministerial nominees. It should not be business as usual, as the APC’s change slogan symbolises.
Lagos
Water projects in Nigeria have recorded low achievement going by the current pilot study of water infrastructure in the country, which is due to non-professional heading the water ministry in the country, therefore there is a need for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a professional as the Minister of Water Resources.
Those were the words of the National President of Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners, (AWDROP), Mr Michael Ale while having a chat with journalist in Ibadan, Oyo State capital entitled” The Nigeria We want”
According to him, in the history of the Ministry of Water Resources, no president has ever appointed a professional to head the ministry and this has brought retroggression ?to the ministry.
In order to address the varing challenges confronting the water sector, Ale urged President Buhari to appoint a water expert or geologist as a minister of water resources.
The AWDROP national president further warned the president against merging the Ministry of Water Resources with any other ministry, as he has been planning to reduce the ministries to 19.
“We heard that President Buhari is intending to downsize the Ministries to 19, we are not against downsizing but Ministry of Water Resources should be independent and shout not be attached with any ministry. If attached to any other ministry it will bring about degeneration in the water sector.
“Water has been giving little or no priority by past administration but that must stop now for the sector to be productive.” he said
On the challenges confronting their profession, Ale stated that? about two years ago, precisely 2013, the uncontrolled, unabated invasion of many of the Asian drillers numbering up to 300 Indian rigs into the country has not only sent it’s members out of job, but has caused environmental hazard for the public.
“Illegal drilling by Asian invaders is really killing our business and they have also commonised our profession. They are not professionals but are merely a welder when they came into this country. As a result of their presence, many of our members are out of job.
“But people are patronising them because they are cheaper without knowing the danger associated with the borehole they are drilling for them. We are looking at an integrated approach to solve water challenges in the country but we cannot do it alone without the support of the government” Ale noted
He said that government needs to formulate a law to regulate the management of water issues, adding that there has been a bill to that effect but the lawmakers has been putting it under the carpet without passing it into law.
“Each States can have its own water drilling regulation laws without waiting for the federal government. Its the responsibility of the state assembly lawmakers and the governor to ensure this. If this is done, economic activities will improve in such state, there will be improved internal generated revenue, jobs will be created and it will santify the environment for healthy living” Ale said
The AWDROP boss further appealed to the government to assist it’s members financially by subsidising drilling equipment for them, noting that this will in turn reduce the cost of borehole drilling for the public.
Ale said: “We are also government stakeholders because if we stop borehole drilling, it will put government at a great task to provide water for its citizens, but all we are appealing for is the regulation of this sector.”
United Nations agency, the World Food Programme (WFP), expressed yesterday its concern about the consequences of insecurity in Nigeria and the over 200,000 displaced people.
A number of the displaced are seeking refuge in Niger, Cameroon and Chad, while others are waiting at the borders, the agency said
“Nearly half a million people – refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and local communities – face an acute food security and livelihood crisis,” added WFP spokesperson Elisabeth Byrs at a news conference in Geneva.
Civilians in the northeast are fleeing Boko Haram attacks.
Emphasising the plight of newly arriving refugee children in Niger and Cameroon, Ms. Byrs said malnutrition rates have surpassed emergency thresholds.
“In some violence-affected areas near the Cameroon-Nigeria border, acute malnutrition rates among children under five years of age could be as high as 36 percent,” she warned.
With the arrival of the rainy season, already stretched health centres would struggle to cope, she continued. As food became scarce, some 4,000 refugees have moved to the Minawao refugee camp since the end of April. “Displaced people said they could not rely for help on host communities which are already struggling to access food”, she added.
Making up 75 per cent of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, 84 per cent of internally displaced persons in Cameroon, and more than 80 per cent of the Nigerian refugees in Niger, women and children are the most exposed.
WFP aims to provide food to nearly 400,000 people each month but it is impossible without urgent funding, stressed the spokesperson. The Programme is less than 50 per cent funded – with $41.6 million needed until the end of the year.
“In April-May, WFP provided food to about half of the people it was planning to assist and, in some instances, the ration size was reduced”, Ms. Byrs said.
Nigerians were told yesterday that the country’s old glory will be restored if they believe in God “and work hard to ensure that selfish interest is substituted for national interest”.
Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II)of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide gave the advice during a special sermon to mark the church’s 51st founder’s anniversary.
The church was founded by Archbishop Isaiah M. Akinadewo on June 14, 1964.
The anniversary was celebrated with special thanksgiving in all parishes of the church, including the international headquarters in Ondo, Ondo State.
Speaking at the Restoration Parish of the church in Akute, Ogun State, Akinadewo said: “Nothing is too hard for the Lord, the God of all flesh to do. If and when Nigerians change from their evil ways, Nigeria will, once again, become the darling of all in the comity of nations”.
Quoting Jeremiah 17:5, the cleric said that Nigerians, for decades, had put their hope in human beings “and they have been disappointed. For this country to grow financially, spiritually, economically, politically and industrially, we must start to put our hope in God and, at the same time, do the right thing.
“According to Jeremiah 29:11, God has good plans for this country and its people but Nigerians are their own problems by deviating from God’s plans because of selfish interests. With the natural resources that abound in the country, there is enough for all Nigerians. Let us commit our ways unto God, trust Him and He shall bring His plans for us to pass.
“Nigerians are prayerful. In every street, you will see one, two or three churches. But it is not only the truth we know that will set this country free but the truth we do. We know the right thing to do and once this is done by removing selfishness from our thinking, God will move mightily to restore the old glory of this country”.
Some Nigerians resident in South Africa have hailed the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Chad in a 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, as a good start for the team.
The Vice-President of Nigeria Union (NUSA), South Africa, Anthony Usembo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pretoria, South Africa, that the match was difficult for the Eagles.
“The match was difficult because the Chadians were physical, even though in the end, the Eagles won; that is important,’’ he said.
Adetola Olubajo, Secretary of the Union, commended the Eagles for the win and called for continuity in their game plan.
“I am impressed with the new players fielded by Coach Stephen Keshi. I also appeal to Nigerians to give the coach a chance as he tries to re-build the new national team.
“The team played well, given the fact that they were playing together for the first time in a long while,’’ he said.
Chris Ifeacho, a lecturer at the Kwazulu Natal University, said the Eagles utilised the chances that came their way in the second half to record victory.
“We are happy for this victory. Winning this match is a welcome development.
“It is a good start and I hope the team keeps it up and ensures they qualify for the next AFCON tournament,’’ he said.
Odunze Samuel, Vice-Chairman of the Eastern Cape chapter of the Nigerian Union, urged the Eagles to remain focused and win in their other matches.
“I urge them to win in the other matches in the group,’’ he said.
A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Femi Olugbile, on Wednesday said that at least 20 per cent of Nigerians are prone to mental disorder.
Olugbile, also a former Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
“At least 20 per cent of the population will at some time in their lives experience at least one episode of mental disorder,’’ he said.
According to him, it can also be due to high rate of poverty, lack of social welfare and high rate of endemic infectious diseases.
He said that at any point in time, two to five per cent of the 20 per cent population would manifest the symptoms of mental disorder at early stage.
“These figures are universal, but the mental disorder can increase in times of social upheaval, such as war, terrorism and so on.
“Also, security challenges including kidnappings and armed robbery can lead to increased stress, which increases the likelihood of nervous breakdown,’’ Olugbile said.
The consultant psychiatrist decried the few number of psychiatry hospitals in the country, said that the facilities would not meet the number of people that need medical attention.
He suggested that a larger number of specialist hospitals spread across the country should be useful in the management of mental disorder.
“There are eight Federal Government-owned neuro-psychiatric hospitals, and there are smaller units in the teaching hospitals and a few general hospitals handling mental cases.
“However, there is need to effectively use what is on the ground as mental healthcare should start from the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
“All PHCs should be primed to render basic mental healthcare in form of diagnosis and simple treatment, while referral, where necessary, should originate from here,’’ Olugbile said.
He said that the private hospitals should also be integrated into the system to provide universal care.
Olugbile said integration of private hospitals would enable people to get care close to their homes, while the specialist hospitals would only deal with serious referral cases.
Also speaking, another consultant psychiatrist, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, said that there was need for more enlightenment of the populace on mental disorder.
Kadiri, who is also the Medical Director of a Lagos based private hospital, Pinnacle Medical Services, said that stigmatisation still remained a challenge in the management of mental illnesses.
“The society need to be educated on the signs associated with mental illness including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.
“When people are well educated, those with mental disorders will be appreciated rather than being stigmatised.
“People who suffer from various mental illnesses tend to be perceived by the society as witches or being attacked spiritually.
“What such people need is family or social support so that they can get appropriate treatment they needed,” she said.
SIR: In as much as Nigerians across the divide have given NAFDAC a pass mark in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs in Nigeria, little or nothing have been done by the agency as regard ridding the drug market of expired drugs. The expiration date of pharmaceuticals specifies the date the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug. It is a fact that most drugs get expired even before their expiry date. This is occasioned by poor storage facilities, poor transportation, weather and climatic conditions and environmental factors.
It is important to keep in mind that the expiry date of a particular drug was determined through testing of previously unopened-products, stored in its original container and under a standard weather and climate condition of temperature. Once you open a bottle, or transfer it to another container (like a prescription vial), the manufacturer’s expiry date is no longer reliable.
Considering the harmful and toxic effects in the usage of expired drugs, NAFDAC should beam its search light on the activities of the local drug shops popularly called ‘chemists’ who handle and store drugs in ways that compromise the efficacy and potency of such medicines, making them dangerous for use even before the expiry date.
Pharmaceutics are meant to be kept and stored under a certain range of temperature and climatic conditions which are not always adhered strictly to by the chemists. Even though the expiry date inscribed by the manufacturer of these medicines states otherwise, one may not be wrong to conclude that about 80 percent of drugs in the local drug shops are already expired and dangerous to health.
Because of their spread and nearness to the people, most Nigerians patronize the ‘chemists’. Another factor is that their drugs are cheaper than the ones of the very big and sophisticated pharmaceutical stores; this makes them a destination of choice for low income earners and the not-so-rich.
Hence, the need for NAFDAC to do more at safeguarding the health of the nation by constantly sending out their task force to flush out, sanction and close down any ‘chemist’ which fail to adhere strictly to standard in the storage of drugs, because the health and well-being of poor Nigerians are equally as important as that of the rich. The relevant department in NAFDAC should be adequately empowered by law to prevent poor Nigerians from consuming poison as drugs.
Ilorin, Kwara State