The Nation Newspaper

Tag: positive

  • ‘I will make positive impact’

    ‘I will make positive impact’

    Ekiti State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Karounwi Oladapo, has promised to bring his professional expertise to bear on governance.

    He unfolded his plans for the ministry after resuming in office yesterday, following his inauguration by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

    At the inauguration were Oladapo’s wife, Bose, the Alaaye of Efon-Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, a community leader, Chief Dele Jeje, Prince Adeyemi-Adejolu, and admirers. The former House of Assembly deputy speaker promised to positively impact on the people of the state.

    Oladapo, who addressed ministry officials, led by the permanent secretary, was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, his counterpart in the Ministry of Local Government, Chief Folorunsho Oladapo and the Special Adviser, Gender Empowerment and Mobilisation, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye.

    Read Also: Palliatives: Why we delayed distribution – Makinde

    He promised to bring his wealth of experience as a professional town planner to bear on the running of the ministry. Oladapo promised not to let the governor down, saying he would  leave no stone unturned towards achieving optimal output.

    The Permanent Secretary, Johnson Adeola, an engineer; said for the first time in the history of the state, a professional was appointed to man the ministry.

    He said there would be a lot of pressure on the commissioner as people would expect remarkably improved performance, based on his input.

  • Adeosun: Nigeria’s economic growth outlook positive

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday said the country’s economic outlook for this year and beyond was positive.

    She stated that the country was now resilient after exiting recession and has the potential to achieve a seven per cent economic growth in the next two to three years.

    The minister gave this assurance at the fourth Ogun State Investors Forum attended by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former President of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderone and eminent persons and captains of industries.

    Adeosun said the current administration had succeeded in building macroeconomic resilience for the country, particularly revising the funding mix, rebuilding fiscal buffers, enhancing foreign exchange reserves and focusing on import substitution strategies.

    She said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for the repositioning of the economy with a series of reforms which are being sequenced to ensure maximum impact and benefits to Nigeria and the citizens.

    “These include massive investments in infrastructure and social welfare across the country, improved revenue mobilisation, rebuilding of foreign reserves and stabilisation of exchange rate.”

    The Nigerian economy had returned to growth in the second quarter of last year after five consecutive quarters of negative growth.

    The country exited recession with a growth of 0.72 per cent, which was further consolidated with growths of 1.40 per cent and 1.92 per cent in the third and fourth quarters of last year, respectively.

    The minister explained that the quick reversal of the recession meant “less damage” was done to the economy and provided an opportunity for faster positive growth.

    As revenue and growth return, Adeosun said the government would increase the fiscal space for infrastructure spending.

    According to her, revenue mobilisation is potentially the master key to unlocking Nigeria’s huge growth potentials and funding the infrastructure programmes.

    “The Federal Government will continue to create more fiscal space for reforms to enhance productivity and opportunity in the non-oil sector.

    “Greater focus will also be placed on cost efficiency, blocking revenue leakages and continued support to the states,” she added.

    Recalling the actions taken by the administration on assumption of office in May 2015, the minister said it had two options of “balancing our books by cutting down on expenses and also investing massively in infrastructure and the economy.”

    He said: “If we had gone for the first option of cutting down on our costs, it means we would have laid off workers. But we chose to stimulate the economy with massive investments in roads, power, rails and other infrastructure as part of deliberate efforts to grow the economy.

    “We have invested over N2.5 trillion in infrastructure, especially on capital projects, between 2015 and 2017. If you move round the country, you will see ongoing works in roads, power, bridges, rails and other projects. These are important building blocks for the Nigerian economy.

    “Look at the road sector when we came in, it was N19 billion that was invested in the sector in 2015. We invested N307.4 billion on roads in 2016 and N208 billion in 2017.

    “Capital spending for the transport sector has also been remarkable. It was N6.49 billion in 2015, N143.1 billion in 2016 and N133.9 billion in 2017. From where we are coming from, it is a huge chunk, taking it from N6 billion to N133 billion. And there are so many other projects and sectors like that.”

    In his address at the forum, which has as theme: Consolidating the Gains and Accelerating Growth, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the state attracted 148 new industries that invested between $200 million and $2 billion in the past seven years.

    He noted that the government had improved the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    “No investment can flourish in an unsecure environment. We made significant investments in our security infrastructure and architecture, and built strong collaborations with the security services, so as to guarantee the security of lives and property,” he said.

    Amosun further noted that the government had entered into a partnership with a private firm to develop the Lisabi Independent Power Project in Abeokuta.

    “This 12 megawatts power plant has been completed and is ready for commissioning. We have also signed MoUs with eight private power providers for the establishment of a total of 314 megawatts IPP in different parts of our state,” the governor said.

    He assured existing and prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state, adding that improved approaches have been adopted by the State Government to consolidate the gains of the last few years.

  • Anxiety as medical doctor tests positive to Lassa fever

    Anxiety as medical doctor tests positive to Lassa fever

    Kogi State has recorded a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever after a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja is confirmed to be a victim of the disease.

    Medical Director of FMC, Dr Olatunji Alabi, told reporters yesterday that the male doctor was diagnosed of the disease on January 19.

    He said that the victim’s blood sample was sent to the Federal Medical Centre, Irrua, Edo State for laboratory analysis, adding that it tested positive.

    Alabi said that the 30-year-old doctor was transferred to Irrua yesterday for further treatment.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO), the state Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have been informed of the development and are already assisting the Centre in various ways.

    He said that all the people that came in contact with the sick doctor at home and work had been placed under surveillance.

    Alabi said that the centre in partnership with relevant stakeholders had commenced contact tracing to enable it trace the source of the disease and ascertain if there was any other victim within the community where the doctor resides.

    He said that the Centre would also embark on health education for its members of staff to prevent human to human transmission of the disease.The medical expert urged members of the public to endeavour to report cases of fever early to the nearest health facility for early treatment.

    He also appealed to residents to take urgent steps to eliminate rats in their houses and surroundings, saying that foodstuff like garri, rice, beans, maize should be kept in air tight containers to prevent contamination by rats.

    The Centre, in 2017, handled three cases of Lassa fever, two of the victims died, while one survived.

     

  • Another doctor tests positive for Lassa fever at LUTH

    Another doctor tests positive for Lassa fever at LUTH

    Another doctor has tested positive for Lassa fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    She is among the doctors that first had close contact with the index case.

    Yesterday, LUTH said, she had treatment and was expected to recover soon.

    She is the fourth doctor to test positive for the disease; three other doctors, who earlier tested positive to the disease, LUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Chris Bode, said, had been certified fit and discharged.

    Bode said psychological and other supports had been provided for the patient adding that her family contacts were being closely monitored.

    He said: “Seventy of the contacts being followed up have also been let off, having completed their period of observation.”

    According to him, over 400 workers of the hospital attended a “special workshop” on viral haemorrhagic fever last Wednesday, during which various aspects of the contagious ailment were discussed.

    The importance of a high index of suspicion; early diagnosis and referral were highlighted to medical workers who were also enjoined to observe universal precautions while attending to any patient who may be suspected of having Lassa fever, Bode said.

    “There is a fully equipped response squad available round the clock to assess and take over the management of any suspected cases in the hospital,” he said.

    The CMD added that various meetings have been held with doctors and other members of staff to reinforce these messages. Trainings have also been conducted and are ongoing for staff at the forefront of patients’ care.

    He said: “Both the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Ministry of Health have supported LUTH with the provision of more drugs and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), follow-up services and decontamination.  Free hand sanitisers have been deployed to various wards.  An NGO (Ebola Containment Trust Fund) has provided 10 telephones and airtime for the use of our Lassa Fever Response Team in LUTH.

    “The team has been beefed up by several volunteer staff who are working assiduously to overcome this dreaded disease and we are optimistic, buoyed by the successful discharge of those three doctors who had earlier tested positive.  An internal enquiry has been set up to audit possible breaches in established service protocols and any other reasons that resulted in the hospital personnel getting infected.”

    Bode said the disease was gradually tapering off, “but we must remain vigilant while ongoing efforts are maintained to control the disease.”

  • Calabar tank farm fire: Positive side of tragedy

    Tragedy, like war is what nobody prays for. Discussing or mere talking about it is even tough for some as they feel awful or scared at the mention of it. However, the two are realities of life. They happen whether one likes it or not.  Life, itself is even described as a war. It is a thing we live with, day in day out.

    Human beings encounter tragedies or wars in different ways. For some, it is nagging domestic issues while in extreme cases, humans are faced with loss of precious ones and invaluable materials. Nobody prepares for it and none could predict its consequences. No matter how careful, one’s level of safety and security consciousness notwithstanding, they just happen, leaving behind tales of woes, sadness and catastrophes.

    For LINC Tank Farm Limited, Calabar, it was a tragedy too many on July 16, when its farm went up in flames as a result of an oil spillage. The inferno which occurred at about 3.40am claimed lives including those of a key worker of the farm, two in the opposite company, DOZZY Oil and Gas Tank Farm and some security personnel. The neighbouring community also shared from the tragedy as the inferno which erupted while people were scooping petrol (PMS) killed a number of the villagers. In addition, properties worth millions of Naira were also destroyed in LINC, DOZZY and other adjacent organizations. The environment was not spared too, as it suffered debilitating damages; the flora and fauna seriously hit.

    Three weeks after this sad incident, the whole of  Calabar Free Trade Zone is still in gloom as noticed when the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (downstream) paid an on the spot assessment to the farms last Thursday. From the entrance of the CFTZ to the LINC Farm, the adverse effects of the disaster were still palpable.

    Right inside the farm, one can only pity and empathize with the organization, as its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Oramah conducted the team round the erstwhile functional and robust depot now characterized with charred structures, burnt facilities and dim looking workers. It was a pitiable sight that left most of the legislators feeling very concerned.

    Chief Oramah explained to the lawmakers that he was traveling out of the country when he got the most destabilizing call in his life that an oil spillage in their tank farm ignited and resulted in loss of lives.

    “The tragedy” Chief Oramah said “ensued as consequence of spillage of petroleum (PMS) into the drains while it was being pumped from Dozzy Jetty, through pumps run via our farm, to Dozzy Depot, another tank farm located opposite us. The spilled petroleum later got ignited while people were scooping it outside our premises”.  He told the lawmakers that his company did not have any product in any of its tanks as at the time of the incident as the tanks had remained empty since January, the last time they sold petroleum products at the depot.

    Oramah however became emotional as he revealed to the legislators that his company was expecting delivery of products to the tank farm the week the unfortunate incident occurred declaring that the incident was a terrible calamity for them and that they were deeply saddened.

    “LINC Nigeria Limited is terribly saddened over this disaster, particularly, the loss of human lives. We intensely commiserate with the families of the bereaved and the entire Esuk Utan Community. Our heartfelt sympathies go to DOZZY Tank Farm Limited and all our neighbours over these monumental losses” Chief Oramah said in an emotion laden voice.

    He however disclosed to the visiting legislators that the management of Calabar Export Free Zone handled the tragedy with deft and utmost sense of responsibility as he also praised the Fire Service, Nigeria Police and other security and safety agencies for their promptness and diligence in combating the fire.

    The instantaneous display of concern and conscientiousness by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its regulatory agency, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to the disaster was also commended before the legislators. Oramah explained that that LINC has always been in total compliance with safety and security measures in and around its premises and in all its operations. He however added that Investigations were on- going and that his company was cooperating fully with the various agencies.

    Done with the briefings, the chairman of the committee on Petroleum (downstream), Honourable Joseph Akinlaja Iranola condoled the management of LINC, DOZZY, and the entire community over the unfortunate incident.

    Akinlaja said the committee was impressed with the effective management of the disaster by the Export Free Zone, the security and safety agencies of Cross River State and the federal government. He said with such exhibition of effectiveness in combating this tragedy, Nigeria was genuinely making progress in disaster management.

    The chairman assured that the National Assembly would continue to see to the protection and safety of lives and property of citizens in its legislative functions.

    As tragic as the incident was, it however provided some positives as narrated by the Chief Executive Officer of LINC, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Oramah: the display of capacity, competence and care by all the concerned authorities and agencies of government, that our institutions are truly living up to their responsibilities in the spirit of change. This comes with the hope that the consequences of this ugly incident would not matter to LINC, all the organizations and individuals affected in no time.

     

    • Olaosebikan writes through midascommunications@gmail.com

  • Lassa fever: One tests positive in Ogun

    A patient at the Ogun State General Hospital in Abeokuta, the state capital, has been placed under close observation for reportedly exhibiting ailments suspected to be symptoms of Lassa fever.

    The 22-year-old man, whose identity could not be established last night, was said to have tested positive to the virus that causes Lassa fever.

    The patient was said to have just returned from Lagos with feverish symptoms.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Babatunde Ipaye told reporters on phone that the patient was being monitored.

    Ipaye said: “He is resident here (in Abeokuta), but he travelled to Lagos and returned with fever. He is at the State General Hospital at Ijaye under medical observation.

    “We have carried out the first test. The first sample was positive. It shows some reactions, but we need to do another confirmatory test.

    “We are doing everything to see whether it is a confirmed case. The patient’s temperature was high, but today, it has reduced considerably.

    “By tomorrow, we should be able to confirm whether it is Lassa fever or not. Meanwhile, the patient has been isolated.”

    The commissioner said the government had begun preventive measures against the infection.

    Two persons, including a 36-year-old expectant mother, have reportedly died of Lassa fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) at Idi-Araba in Lagos.

    About 100 health workers are currently under close observation at the same hospital.

  • Positive narrative

    •Nigerian-born Imafidon is youngest scientist to bag British royal recognition

    It is, no doubt, a positive narrative that helps to put Nigeria in a positive light. Anne-Marie Imafidon is in the news and so is her Nigerian provenance. Recognised for her exceptional excellence and outstanding role in supporting and inspiring young women to go into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), she has earned her place as a remarkable influencer.

    Imafidon, 27, who was decorated by Queen Elizabeth II on May 19, reportedly made history as the youngest scientist to get royal recognition since 1890. When her name appeared on the 2017 Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) honours list in December 2016, it was not just a personal credit. Although she was born in England, her father, Chris Imafidon, an ophthalmologist who emigrated to London, has Edo roots, which gives a Nigerian flavour to the story of her glory.

    Described as a “British computing, mathematics and language child prodigy,” this description of Imafidon curiously downplays her Nigerian dimension, which deserves to be highlighted because it projects Nigeria positively.

    Obviously, being born in England and growing up there had advantages that helped Imafidon’s development. Her trajectory reflects a meeting of capacity and context. A pace setter, she is “one of the youngest to pass two GCSEs in two different subjects while in primary school.” At age 11, she passed exams in Mathematics and Information Technology at GCSE level. By the age of 10, she could speak six languages.

    It is a reflection of her phenomenal personality that at 13, in 2003, she got a British scholarship to study Mathematics at John Hopkins University; and she started a degree programme at the University of Oxford at 15.  Two years later, she started a master’s degree at Oxford University; and, at 19 in June 2010, she set a record as the youngest ever graduate with a master’s degree.

    In her pursuit of a career, Imafidon worked for Goldman Sachs, Hewlett Packard andDeutschebank before launching Stemettes in 2013. She saw an opportunity in the lack of diversity in the UK Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, and responded by founding Stemettes, a social platform that supports girls and young women interested in a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

    It is noteworthy that her leadership role at Stemettes attracted honours:  British Computer Society (BCS) Young IT professional of the year, 2013; Red Magazine, Women of the Year award, 2014; Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award, 2014. Her MBE honour, “For services to young women within STEM careers,” further defined her international recognition. A report said:  ”Over 7,000 young women from across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, in general, have had the Stemettes experience which includes workshops, public events, and incubators designed to introduce young women to STEM concepts, careers, and mentors.”

    Interestingly, Anne-Marie’s four younger siblings also have a claim to fame as prodigies that have as well broken records in Mathematics and sports. Indeed, the Imafidon children are known as “the smartest family in Britain.”

    It is striking that three other Nigerians were decorated alongside Imafidon:  Chris Ofili, an artist, got a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to the arts; Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu, a Professor of Nursing, got an OBE for her services in nursing; Cadet Colour Sergeant, Jeremiah Oluwatosin Ayotunde, got an OBE for his services to young people and the community of London.

    The beauty of these awards is that they make the recipients informal ambassadors of Nigeria. They are testimony to positive possibilities, the kind of message that the country needs to communicate to the world.

  • Filmmakers urged to portray culture in positive light

    The need for the Nollywood filmmakers to portray the country’s culture in a positive light has been mooted. Making the call at the last edition of Yoruba Lakotun, a cultural programme, Israel Bolaji, a Lagos-Based Public Relations professional stated that this is important so as not to scare people off the culture.

    He said, “the didactic lessons of the culture should be portrayed more to the outside world than the inimical acts. The world is desirous of seeing noble contents from the Yorubas and we must produce great contents that will attract patronage by those in the Diaspora.”

    Also speaking at the event which held at Ethnic Heritage Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, writer, Sunday Folorunso Adeniyi called on Yorubas to stop committing syntactic errors in the Yoruba language, especially with proverbs and other clichés.

    Adeniyi, who is the author of Esin Obinrin, Owu Iyagbon and other books, stated that, “Yoruba sayings have been bastardized by many people and this alteration affect the meaning of either the proverb or the cliché. In fact, many times, the meaning is lost because of the inappropriate word used. These sayings have become engrained in our daily lives that people do not know the actual saying anymore.”

    He explained that “some of these proverbs that have historical background while others are phonological. The infiltration of foreign languages into Yoruba culture is also one of the factors responsible for these syntactic errors. Yoruba writers are charged to be versed in the culture and language in order to correct these syntactic errors for posterity.”

    Another Special Guest at the edition, Otunba Lekan Ajirotutu, a Yoruba broadcaster and lecturer, said that there are a lot of people who do not understand Yoruba language and culture.

    Yoruba Lakotun is a quarterly live audience participatory programme where different creative arts are done and an interview session with a Yoruba writer. The show is hosted by Olutayo Irantiola.

  • Positive or negative change?

    Positive or negative change?

    Sir: The situation of Nigeria under the change administration is like retrogression. From the look of things in Nigeria, one can easily state unequivocally that the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led APC government is typically negative change.

    Since the political transition of 2015 from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC), virtually everything in Nigeria, including the standard of living is experiencing downturn. This is not only caused by recession, but to a large extent, shows lack of political ideology and political will by the present administration.

    Looking at the cost of some commodities today in comparison with their cost during the PDP rule that ended almost two years ago, one can easily tell the nature of change currently operating in Nigeria. For example: 12kg of gas from N2, 500 has drastically increased to N5, 200; a litre of kerosene from N100 to N400; a litre of petrol from N87 to N145; a litre of diesel from N140 to N300; a tin of Peak milk from N140 to N200; a 10kg bag of Semovita from N800 has also skyrocketed to N1700; a Congo (unit) of beans is now N550 as against its former price of N200.

    Added to these also: a 75cl bottle of palm oil from N150 has shot up to N750. Even a unit of Guinea Corn is now N300 from N70. A sachet of Indomie noodles from N35 is now sold at N100; Dangote sugar from N50 to N140, even 10 pieces of Groundnut cake at N20 is now N100; a bundle of aluminum roofing sheet from N13, 000 is now N30, 000; a bag of rice has also increased dramatically from N8,000 to almost N23,000; a bag of Cement also from N1, 300 to N2,500;  even  common Dunlop slippers that was N70  now go for N300.

    A dollar  is now  N490 as against N170;  a bag of flour has also skyrocketed from N6, 000 per bag to N12, 000;  unit  of Garri (Cassava flake) from N80 to N250; a tube of motorcycle from N700 to N1500;  a biro from N20 to N50;  an A4 paper from N650/pack to N1500/pack. What else has not gone up in Nigeria?

    Despite the high cost of living, minimum wage or income level remains constant.  In fact, salaries are not paid as usual, and the masses now wallow in poverty and hunger.  Mr. President, the masses are hungry, starvation is killing Nigerians.

     

    • Elizabeth Ozavizejames

    Ibb University, Lapai.

    Niger State.

  • Nigerians urged to be instruments of positive change

    The Prelate and Supreme Head of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder Israel Akinadewo, has urged Christians to be instruments of positive change in the country.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Ecumenism and interfaith, Apostle Emmanuel Olawuyi, to mark the start of the Lenten season, Akinadewo admonished Christians to use the period to reposition themselves towards biblical and spiritual dispositions.

    He said: “Let us move away from self-righteousness, self-justification and self-glorification, but daily be humble to buttress the undeniable fact that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

    “Christians should remember that without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we will still be in spiritual bondage, hence the need to live in accordance with biblical injunctions.

    “Let us eschew love, abhor hatred and maintain good relationship with everyone we meet.

    “Even in the face of intense adversity, Jesus Christ still loved His accusers.

    “Therefore, we must emulate this attitude during the Lenten season and thereafter,” Akinadewo stressed.