The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Syndrome

  • The Nigerian syndrome

    The Nigerian syndrome

    • By Leonard Karshima Shilgba

    The Nigerian refuses responsibility, but pushes it to the “leaders”. Let’s consider an example: If you frequently ride the train on the Itakpe-Warri line, you would have noticed that the toilets at train stations along the route and on the train coaches are without water! Passengers are often dehumanised: men and women are made to ease themselves in the bushes around (polluting the environment)! And if you are in natural need while on board, may heaven help you. You see overhead water tanks at those stations, but there is no water in them. This is not the responsibility of “leaders” in Abuja o. It is the responsibility of “ordinary” staff of NRC at those train stations, who would rather collect money from desperate passengers (who could not book their trip online because seats have been fully booked) and push them aboard without seats!

    Additionally, those NRC staff have failed to either keep the train stations neat or the facilities working (including the television system for passengers) blame the “leaders!

    What Nigerians often blame in their “leaders” is a thriving virus within themselves!

    Ungrateful Nigerian: You would find a Nigerian claiming they have benefitted nothing from Nigeria. He has attended or attends a highly subsidized federal university where the whole fees up to graduation is less than N800,000 ($500), and receives highly subsidized medical care from a government hospital. This ungrateful Nigerian doesn’t pay taxes; he vandalizes public property: as they build and construct, he cannibalizes. Yet, he blames Nigeria’s challenges on “corrupt leaders”.

    Read Also: AGSOBA celebrates 116th Founder day, brainstorms on Japa syndrome

    The Nigerian always sees the greener field “abroad”: The Nigerian receives subsidized education in Nigeria, becomes a medical doctor, and fights any attempts to make him serve his country for a few years before taking the “japa” bug. Oh, how Nigerians hate Nigeria, and do everything they can to destroy her! The rush to anywhere “abroad” is a mad one.

    “Don’t blame Nigerians, blame their leaders,” someone may say. Take a flight backwards in time, and start counting from 1999: Many of the “leaders”, political leaders in Nigeria today, were like you 25 years ago: unknown, unsung, just “ordinary” Nigerians complaining against “corrupt and incompetent leaders”, just as you are doing today. What you need is not from “abroad”. People build their country. “They have not given me an opportunity,” you defend yourself. They gave you an opportunity to receive subsidized education; how many opportunities do you need? Life is hard. Create the opportunity that you need; by the way, there are Nigerians who are building, creating, founding, and doing great things in Nigeria. Some of you Nigerians that have “japa” are living in very degrading circumstances, but for the banal fun of “I am living overseas”. Don’t misread me: some of you have decent purpose and living abroad. I was once one of you.

    Ignorant Nigerian: Have you ever come across an ignorant Nigerian arguing confidently, yet ignorantly from an uninformed position? Many Nigerians read junk (comedies, gossips, etc.) on social media. They don’t have appetite for economics, law, political development, civics, or mathematics. How can we build a nation with so many ignorant people, who DON’T READ, but feast on rumours?

    Correct a Nigerian, oh, he will let you know that he is not a “fool”; but he has just said it, not you!

    As I listen in to Nigerians, observe them, read them, and try to engage them, I am afraid for Nigeria for the egregious preponderance of ignorance. The people don’t understand the significance of government’s fiscal, monetary, or social policies. All they do is cry “Things are hard, give us food, bring back fuel subsidy, make a litre of petrol N167, make the exchange rate N300 to $1…”

    Ah, and some of those Nigerians are university graduates! They believe that economic change is by decree, and that their “leaders” wish them death by refusing to pronounce the economic decree.

    They overlook the local and state governments in their search for welfare and fix their gaze and expectation on the federal government. When shall those Nigerians READ? Almost N50 out of every N100 shared for Nigerians is to the local and state governments! During the #EndBadGovernance protests, it was reported that one state governor told protesters, “I will collect and pass on your complaints to the president”.

    I was shocked at such display of ignorance on both sides!

    Sense of entitlement: Nigerians often believe that Nigeria owes them. Nigeria means its citizens. Who owes you, Nigerian, and who do you owe? You Nigerian belong to a family in which you have certain responsibilities. If you live a dependent life as an adult within your small family, caring for no one, but expecting from everyone, you are a burden on the nation. And aggregation of people like you is a threat to Nigeria. There are Nigerian men who have more children than their incomes can support. After doing all the marrying and producing of children without government’s endorsement, they blame government for not “helping” them, while they pay no taxes. But government is like a community cooperative. Members make a regular contribution, and each withdraws according to what they have put in. What have you put into Nigeria? Haven’t you withdrawn more than you have put in?

    We need Nigerians that build. And if you can’t build, neither must you pull down.

    • Shilgba, PhD is professor of Mathematics, Admiralty University of Nigeria.

  • Media and ‘governor of the year’ syndrome

    SIR: As the year rolls by, Nigerians are assured to be entertained by the antics and close collaboration of politicians and the major media especially the print media in the country. In normal circumstances the press is expected to identify and promote real excellence in public life. This is apart from their role to expose and attempt to correct the ills of society. In large measure the Nigerian press has not fallen short of this expectation, that is, until recently.

    In the past, politicians particularly governors had always sought to be acclaimed as performers and heroes among their colleagues. They did not campaign nor did they seek cheap popularity from the press. This has changed considerably in recent times. These days, some governors have unconsciously fallen to the trap set by some media organizations. These media houses in their quest to make cheap money and earn undeserved popularity now go any length to entice unsuspecting governors to their less than noble objectives. Many of these governors appear cheap and as they lack appropriate exposure and orientation, quickly fall in to the machination of some cynical objectives of some media houses.

    Now the season is on between the months of December and February when Nigerians can expect to be treated to series of flamboyant and elaborate “award” extravaganza for serving governors. These governors are eulogized, praised to high heavens-lavished receptions and loud entertainments in toe. In some cases, important politicians and leaders of foreign nearby countries are invited to chair such historic occasions to present ‘award’ to governors who have performed wonders in the administration of their States.

    It does not matter whether the governor owes workers five to six months salary arrears or whether he has been booked down for interrogation, prosecution, and possible imprisonment the moment his immunity expires.

    Unfortunately, the Nigerian public is hoodwinked into believing that the intention of the media houses is altruistic, patriotic and enlightening. Only insiders would know that it is a purely business arrangement between governor and media house. It is a case of ‘polish’ me and I would pay handsomely for it.

    Or how else how can one classify a situation where practically every governor is seen and acknowledged as the “best performing governor, the most responsive governor, the most loved governor or the most cost effective chief executive”. For the press, it is a money go round exercise as the accolade will go round all the governors at one time or the other. All they need to do is to be patient and ensure a deep pocket.

    The danger here is that it is not only because corruption is involved, but it is being organized and executed by institutions which are expected to be sentinels of integrity and of public interest.

    On proper assessment, the governors might not have performed to expectation, might not have changed the condition of the back wood communities, might have concentrated on showy projects in selected communities, might have plundered the treasury without much quam, yet to the press, he is ‘Governor of the year’.

    Incidentally, the media exploit which they claim is merit award is now reaching to individuals. For these days so-called important people or politically exposed people are approached by innocuous, irrelevant and obscure bodies claiming to do you a favour by awarding you an honour which is as strange as the donor.

    On investigation, some have been told that the trend is a by-product of civilization and social and economic development. They claim that Nigeria is maturing fast, ready to play active roles in the 21st century. This is not only tenuous and ridiculous; it is absolutely not a part of any progressive society. Put simply and honestly, it is the dawn of social manipulation, and if you like, “financial yahoo” and our governors and other public office holders are advised to take note.

     

    • Asiwaju Deji Fasuan MON; JP Ado Ekiti.

  • ‘The Big VD’ and cold fish syndrome

    Let’s not beat about the bush…The big VD is not about any terrible venereal disease…but about VAGINAL DRYNESS! And the cold fish syndrome? That’s about women who fail to light up in the bedroom when their men are flaming! One of my cousins reminds me of such women whenever our extended family has to meet to resolve a dispute between her and her husband. He’d say, accusingly, he could count, on his fingertips, the number of times she yielded in 10 years to make four children with him! The peace meeting would roar in laughter as she asks him: “is it food?”

    The idea of vaginal dryness, a possible cause of frigidity, as “The Big VD” comes from Judy Lindberg McFarland, in her book AGING WITHOUT GROWING OLD. In one of her television appearances for nutritional medicine advocacy, she was interviewed by Jim McClellan, the host. The subject was The Symptoms of Menopause. At the end of the first episode, Jim cracked a joke that “when we come back, we would talk about The Big VD”. Then, he whispered to the audience: “Vaginal Dryness”.

    Everyone laughed. But that was not the end of the story. Judy afterwards received a letter from an elderly woman who requested: “You tell Jim that Vaginal dryness is not funny. I have it and it hurts”.

    Judy McFarland replies in her book that “it hurts, indeed”. Apart from being a source of psychological stress to many women who reluctantly yield in the bedroom like “logs of wood”, friction against the unlubricated vaginal wall may cause bruises or breaks which may cause pain and, when infected, inflammation and unrelenting pain.

    As Judy McFarland describes it:

    “Reduced estrogen levels may cause the mucus membranes of the vaginal to change. The vaginal walls begin to lose their elasticity and become drier and thinner. The vaginal secretions and secretions from the cervix become less acidic, and the risk of vaginal infection increases. The vaginal itself shrinks, becoming shorter and narrower. This can cause increased frequency of urination and may result in increased urinary tract infections, and leaking of urine upon coughing, laughing or sneezing. These changes may result in discomfort during intercourse for some women. It could be specially important to use the progesterone cream on the vaginal area since proper lubrication is essential. You should also buy a good Vitamin E oil and apply to the area everyday. In Chapter 5, I discussed Vitamin E and Vitamin A mixed in Jojoba oil, which would also help you. When used externally, Vitamin E is excellent on for dry skin, burns, wounds, cuts et.c.”

     

    Understanding VD

    Many women do not know how the vagina is lubricated by Mother Nature. There are glands in the vagina and the cervix which produce some of the lubricants. Other lubricants come from droplets in the bloodstream as the blood circulates in this region. Lubricants dropping from the circulation are rich in Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, other electrolytes and proteins, which seep from the vaginal wall into the vaginal vault. Equally important for vaginal hydration are Omega-3 fatty acids, which may be obtained from fish-oil food supplements, Vitamin A and Flax seed oil. The water soluble Vitamin A or solubilised Vitamin A, a special proprietary formula, is more effective than the fat-soluble variety because it is easier to absorb and use. It has been of help to people who suffer from such dehydration challenges as dry eyes, dry skin and even dry lung tissue, and offers hope in dry vagina as well. It should not be forgotten that the vaginals mucus membrane, like mucus membranes throughout the body, do well on feeds of Vitamin A and Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Aloe vera gel, whether the natural leaf or a proprietary blend, is also a good hydrator. In some cases, Aloe vera gel and Slippery elm have been mixed and used as a rehydrating gel. Coconut oil and Olive oil, too, have had roles to play in the health of the vagina in this regard, being rehydrating and anti-microbial.

    Dietary deficiencies are not the only causes of vaginal dryness, which may strike at a woman of any age, although menopausal and post menopausal women are more at risk. A leading major cause of this problem is hormonal imbalance in which estrogen levels drop in the ratios with progesterone, the counterbalancing female hormone. Estrogen makes a woman gives her those fascinating mammary glands and curves, which make her alluring to the opposite gender. Dietary deficiencies may affect a woman’s estrogen production in the right proportions. Stress can also cause an imbalance of the hormones. So do surgical removal of the ovaries or subnormal functioning ovaries, as it is in the ovaries that most of the estrogen needs of a woman is produced. When a woman arrives at menopausal age, the ovaries are already tired or so they seem, and begin to produce less estrogen. The function goes to the adrenal glands or to the fat cells in her body, which is a likely reason for the acquisition of more fats in the abdomen and hips at this time.

    In fact, it is said that if a woman is abnormally big from the hips and the thighs downwards, it suggests that her ovaries are not working well. On the other hand, it is believed that if a woman is abnormally big upstream (arms and breasts) it suggests that her thyroid gland is not working well. Downstream weight problems can be caused by stress. When a woman is under more stress than she can bear, the adrenal glands, which protect the body against stress, can be overworked, fatigued and even burnt out. In this case the adrenal glands cease to produce adequate levels of stress hormones to protect the body against stress. The brain overcomes this lapse by instructing that other hormones not needed in emergency services, especially sex hormones, be converted to stress hormones to prevent the body from capitulating to stress and breaking down. When sex hormones are converted to stress hormones, libido or interest in sex declines because estrogen output has also declines. As estrogen output declines, vaginal lubrication also declines. The vaginal wall rapidly grows older, weak, thin and tired. Any penile friction against it may easily bruise the tissue and expose nerves and blood vessels which lie beneath it like conduit work. When the nerves are pinched, the affected woman expresses pain. When the blood vessels are broken, blood may leak into the vaginal and infections may occur. A woman in this situation cannot but become a “cold fish” in the bedroom, irresponsive to the warmth or heat and advances of her spouse. Many men do not understand this and, so, do not treat with compassion women who recoil from sex on this account.

    To offset the loss of estrogen output from the ovaries, estrogen containing herbs are often suggested for inclusion in the diet. Actually a Nigerian network company solds product called PHYTOESTROGEN about a decade ago. Other herbs with estrogenic activity include Black Cohosh, Vitex, Dong quai, Siberian Ginseng, Licorice and Soya for its isoflavones.

    Judy McFarland says: “Years ago, we were taught the KEGEL exercises which we used in high school to prevent menstrual cramps. This set of exercises is now used to help increase vaginal blood flow and improve muscle tone. Dr. Kegel, a gynecologist who developed this exercise, states they can be done anytime. All you do is imagine you need to stop urinating, which tightens muscles around the anus, uterus, and vagina. All for a few seconds, then relax, repeated often, this helps strengthen the whole vaginal area.

    “Remember that anti-histamine, diuretics, and cold pills designed to dry up the nasal tissues can also dry other tissues.”

    Men also benefit from kegel exercise which can improve their staying power and prevent premature ejaculation.

    Irene Simpson, a neuropathic practitioner in Arlington, Washington sums it up in THE DOCTORS BOOK OF HOME REMEDIES:

    “You can strengthen your anal, vaginal, and urinary muscles with a special exercise called kegel. Stronger muscles can help you relax and use these muscles with less pain and more pleasure during intercourse. They are also good for preventing urinary incontinence, a problem for some menopausal women. Here’s how to do it.

    “Imagine you want to stop urine in midstream. Squeeze the muscles in your vaginal area firmly. Hold to the count of three, then relax. Practice with a rapid alternation between tightening and letting go. You can practice this exercise anywhere, anytime.”

     

    Beating Erectle Dysfunction, building staying power

    ALMOST everyone over 50 lives with one health challenge or the other under the cover of his or her clothes. What one person may consider too insignificant to think or worry about may appear like a Mount Kilimanjaro / or Everest to another. When a man in his seventies complains about erectile dysfunction, the man who is beset with prostate cancer has a tendency to think the other man must be mentally ill. That is because the prostate-challenged man would gladly exchange his problem with another which merely compels him to hang his boots. When my blood pressure was on the low, averaging eighty-something over fifty-something, I saw many high-blood pressure-challenged people who thought I was a lucky man. How I always wished they knew low blood pressure could kill faster than high blood pressure. I knew this in practical terms from the death of one of my brothers-in-law. The day before his death, he was at his doctor’s. The doctor wanted to place him under observation overnight. But he said he had an important wedding to attend the following day, promising to leave the ceremony after “showing” his face and come straight to hospital. But, overnight, he became too weak and, so, could not attend the wedding. His family sent for an ambulance as he could not get up from his chair. The doctor gently walked him to the ambulance. But, before the engine could be started, he slumped and died.

    Health challenges of all sorts, including insomnia, acid reflux, indigestion, headaches should not be taken lightly. I learned last week of an eight-year-old girl who is on the waiting at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for surgery to correct a blockage in her esophagus. It would cost about #500,000, a budget too heavy for her poor parents. Her problem may have begun from acid reflux or an infection in the throat which made swallowing difficult.

    We should, therefore, not consider any irreverence in the body’s functioning too minor to seek advice for. For this reason, this column is devoted today to answering, publicly, some questions asked by its readers…

     

    Sexual, blood pressure problems

    I have a problem of sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure 165/95. Any herbal solutions?

    The causes of erectile dysfunction are diverse. In simple, descriptive terms, it means the penis is not getting up as it should to perform its sexual function. Poor blood circulation to the penile shaft is one of the causes. Another is poor energy flow in the nerves which control activities in that region. Yet another is a poor or unbalanced hormonal profile. Urogenital conditions (urinary tract and other sexual organs) also may have a hand in it. Stress and adrenal weakness or burn out may be in the train as well. Depression and sleep disorder may also be spanners in the works. In the brain, they may disturb feelings of sexual excitement Psychological factors cannot be ruled out. Alcoholism, tobacco use and exposure to recreational substances may constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the penile shaft. In the same train are weight problems, diabetes and heart disease. In fact many men who take anti-hypertensive drugs are known to be poor sexual performers. This is because the pharmaceutical drugs reduce the heart rate (of pumping blood) and the consequent reduced blood flow does not give the penile shalf enough blood to make it turgid and up and doing for the desired duration.

    Adequate blood flow is critical. In some men, the blood vessels do not permit easy flow of blood either because they are blocked by, say, Cholesterol or Homocysteine and other substances (atherosclerosis) or because they are hardened (arteriosclerosis) by deposits of Calcium on their soft muscles. Add to these duo a possible hardening of the various organs due to Calcium infiltration or granulation of toxins in their circulatory passages.

    One of the little explored causes of ED is hypothyroidism. This condition means the thyroid gland, which is in the neck region, is under working. A subnormal thyroid activity reduces the metabolic rate of the body and keeps everything on a low key.

     

    Herbal solutions

    A possible solution is tied to one or more possible causes. Blockages in the blood vessels can be cleaned up with Cayenne, Onion, Garlic or the cell (tissue) salt called Ferrum phos. Calcification of blood vessels eases up with Magnesium supplementation of the diet. This is helpful, also, for men who suffer from premature ejaculation, which is caused partly by nerve and muscle spasms in the urogenital region. Those who have used it successfully in spasms in the hands and legs (Pajapaja in Yoruba) can attest to this, especially when they combine Magnesium with a circulation-promoting herb such as Cayenne and add an Oxygen tablet to the bargain. If the heart is too weak to pump enough blood due to either pharmaceutical drugs taken for high blood pressure, or other causes, it may be that there is not enough Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the diet. Dr. Karl Folkers, father of CoQ10 research since 1952 (www.olufemikusa.com) suggests that most hearts begin to misbehave when their CoQ10 stocks fall short below 25percent of normal. For adult users of CoQ10, Ubiquinol is recommended for many reasons. The heart also needs B-Complex Vitamins to overcome stress. It needs Vitamin E and Selenium as well as Calcium and Magnesium. As for the thyroid gland, which may slow down the entire system if its activity is subnormal, Sea Kelp is a good ginger. Some doctors prefer pure iodine. As it helps to raise the metabolic rate, there is a tendency for weight problems to be resolved somewhat. Orange Peel helps to burn sugar as does Chromium picolinate, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Pawpaw leaf et.c. As sugar blood congestion eases, circulation improves. The B-Complex vitamins, especially Vitamin B1 (thiamine) helps the nerves. Without the nerves, our bodies are nothing. But it is Lion’s Mane mushroom that is currently the star because it helps the brain to produce Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which supports the repair of damaged nerves. The nerve junction in the pubis (Frankenhauser’s) is often infiltrated by heavy metals which disturbs nerve activity in the pubis and penis. The herb Chlorella removes them from the brain, cells and nerves and the herb Cilantro (efo ebolo in Yoruba) excretes them from the body.

    To calm agitated nerves the herb German Chamomile does a good job. Asparagus racemosus is widely used in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, where it is called shatauari or “curer of one hundred diseases”.

    In www.heathene.com we learn that “it is meant to improve sexual function and health”. It adds:

    “Some studies have shown its effectiveness on the male reproductive system in its capability to Improve circulation and calm nerves. Both of these “benefits should aid men”.”

    As for high blood pressure, many of the herbs mentioned above should help. For heart issues, I often suggest Ubiquinol to energise the heart, Hawthorn berry flowers to clean up the blood vessels, Hawthorn berry fruit to clear blockages in the heart arteries and to curb enlargement of the heart, Vitamin E and Cayenne to help blood flow and L-Arginine to dilate blood vessels and improve sperm count.

    In Nigeria, many men are now aware of Robust Roots for instant action, and African Black Ant for slow but steady action. Men with high blood pressure may need to watch African Black Ant which also helps kidney and prostate gland function.

    The adrenal glands situated on the kidneys, are organs which help us stand the rigours of stress without knowing it. They are like the shock absorbers of a motorcar. We know we are stressed if the adrenals do not work properly. In that condition, the brain commands the conversion of sex hormones to stress hormones, enough of which the adrenals may no longer be producing. When this happens, Libido collapses. To shore up Libido and get the sex hormones back, herbs such as Ginseng, Borage Oil, Maca, Ginkgo biloba are often used.

  • ‘Sit-tight syndrome, mistrust, cause of LASU crisis’

    ‘Sit-tight syndrome, mistrust, cause of LASU crisis’

    Major-General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd) has been re-elected as the National President of the LASU Alumni Association. His inauguration was held at the conference hall of the LASU Vice Chancellor Office. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Esekhaigbe spoke on plans by the alumni to partner with the university in its ongoing rebranding project

    Congrats on your inauguration, sir. How long have you been an active member of LASU alumni?

    I graduated from LASU in 1990 and became a financial member of the alumni association in 1995.

    LASU in the past has been synonymous with crises, with the last two administrations ending in crisis? Why is it now that the alumni are rising up to solidarise with the present administration? Does it mean the alumni abandoned previous administrations?

    In human interactions there are bound to be crises but the ability to resolve them is what makes the difference. The alumni association has always interfaced with the Lagos State government, university management and the various unions in efforts aimed at resolving their crises. What had been the main cause of the malignancy was firstly the quest for every stake holder to hold on tenaciously to their positions without the spirit of ‘good and take’. Secondly, there was mistrust among stakeholders which made meaningful dialogue difficult. Thirdly, there was simmering students frustration which bred violence.

    (Cuts) And do you think government is doing anything in this direction?

    Yes! We now have turning point which is a renewed commitment by government and LASU management and other stake holders to put LASU first in deliberations. The humility and forthrightness of the present leadership have also created an enabling environment for engagement. The important revelation here is that in almost all unions, alumni are great members. The executive has to leverage on this to address early warning signals of crises.

    There are still issues of LASU graduates being turned back by corporate organisations during screening because of its once bad image. What role would the alumni play in stepping up campaign to reverse this trend?

    We heard that rumour too and immediately tasked some members to investigate. But so far from the reports we have received, it is still a rumour. LASU ranked among leading state universities and even among older universities in Nigeria. Every university has her own share of crises so I really do not see where that bad image is coming from. The crises in the recent past did not stop LASU students from working hard and coming tops in various disciplines as we have seen with some of our students that recently excelled in international competitions. In fact, the association recently honoured a graduate of LASU who bagged a PhD in her early 20s. I don’t think any genuine certificate issued by LASU can be discriminated against.

    You emerged at a time it appeared a populist VC has taken the baton. What are the steps lined up by the alumni to support him?

    I was returned for a second term. The alumni body is the third leg of support after the government and management. We will all work together to take LASU to greater heights. We are determined to support the quest for academic excellence through robust contribution towards acquiring the state -of- the-art facilities. We  will also partner with the management and government in ensuring a crisis-free environment.

    How old is the association. Does it have a database of members and their spread?

    The association is as old as the year the first set graduated in 1988. The pioneer leaders have laboured to create a database which we are now updating. We have branches in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and Uk, US and Canada, and we are still expanding.

     

  • The ’ember’ month syndrome

    It is evident that road accidents are caused majorly by people’s non-compliance to traffic rules such as fastening of seatbelts, and ensuring vehicles are in good condition.

    Similarly, the act of over speeding, drunkenness, overloading, while usage of mobile phones on the highway has contributed to numerous road accidents.

    In fact, many life’s including that of innocent citizens have been wasted due to these human factors.

    Aside the above mentioned causes of road accidents, many people also have the perception that road accidents occur mostly during the so called “EMBER MONTHS”.

    While some has attributed major road accidents during the “Ember months” to Spiritual causes, various stakeholders have described the phenomenon belief as a fallacy that could not be proved.

    Through research and study conducted, it is noted that the rate of road accidents during the ember months have always been on the increase, because of the unimaginable travelling rate of people which commercial drivers are willing to explore, while this drivers are willing to take risk of travelling against traffic rules by embarking on over allotted trips by the road unions, while not bearing in mind the psychological effect of embarking on multiple trips without resting all in the name of “making money”.

    Also, commercial drivers while trying to boost and motivate themselves to go on multiple trips, take intoxicated concussions known as “opa eyin”, which would make them to be hyper active, thereby risking the life of the commuters.

    However, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement and other Agencies (TRACE) in Ogun State also stated a total number of 26 crashes was recorded during the 2015 festive period which was less than 74 crashes recorded during the same period in year 2014.

    It is against this backdrop that, the Ogun State Government considered it worthy to continue to sensitize members of the Public on the need to be safety conscious, as it embarked on the “Ember month” campaign for 2015. Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, during a flag off campaign at major Motor parks in Abeokuta, the State capital attributed the causes of road accidents to human factor.

    According to her, she stated that it is high time people change their mindset on “Ember months”, as road accidents are caused by negligence of the motorists. She therefore advised Motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations, while Passengers should support all measures, towards ensuring safety of their life’s on the road.

    She specifically charged the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) and other agencies in the State to intensify efforts on compliance to traffic rules emphasizing the agency to apprehend motorists driving against traffic.

    To the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ita-Oshin branch Alhaji Adetunji Odunfa, saw the need for Government to intensify efforts towards ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement of motorists with a view to achieving accident free on the road at all time. Another stakeholder who is also the General Manager of Parks and Garages in Ogun State Alhaji Olaayo Ogunsholu while highlighting various measures put in place by government stemming the tide of road accidents in the State apt, on the need to adhere to the basic traffic rules and regulation.

    In conclusion, stakeholders should join hands with traffic enforcement organizations and other related agencies in the task of ensuring that the road is free from auto crash, considering the fact that human factor constitute major causes of road accidents.

    Similarly, motorists and other road users should abide by basic traffic rules and regulations while on the wheel rather than attributing causes of road accident to spiritual forces. They should as a matter of fact, realize that lifes and properties of passengers can be secured, if they desist from over speeding, drunkenness, over loading and others traffic offences as “Life does have a reset button”.

    • Koleade wrote from Kenta, Abeokuta.

  • Obi, T.A. Orji and Igbo enweze syndrome

    The sterling examples set by former governors Peter Obi and Theodore Orji of Anambra and Abia states respectively would remain the pride of the Southeast for a long time to come. The Obi phenomenon is stuff for business school books about prudence in public office. T.A. Orji on the other hand, rescued Abia from the death-grips of a family cabal that had hijacked the state for its own.

    For instance, until TA took over effectively, Abia had become a wasted ghost land where worthy sons dared not return to. He changed all that. Obi transformed Anambra from a near-jungle to a model state. This duo that ought to be shining lights in Igbo land are being abused and disparaged daily by their successors and predecessors just to taint them and bring them down. Any wonder miscreants are taking over and not a single guiding voice in the land. N’ezia, Igbo enwe eze, what a shame.

  • Buhari and the First Lady syndrome

    I have read with bated breath the outrage that greeted General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate’s remark that he would scrap the position of the First Lady if he wins the forthcoming presidential election.

    It is worrisome to read the sentimental and deplorable arguments marshaled by some so called rights groups in support of the office of the First Lady which has remained a conduit pipe for draining the resources of the country.

    It was shocking to read a statement credited to one Mrs. Nkechi Mba, the  National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), in which she condemned Gen Buhari’s statement. Without any statistical proof, she said that Nigerian women are not happy about Buhari’s planto scrap the office of the First Lady.

    because since inception of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, many women have been empowered, and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has been advocating for more women in both elective and appointive positions.

    Another Canada-based gender rights activist, Chioma Ikejiani, leading a protest, called on Nigerian women to rise against former the military Head of State, arguing that if he succeeds, the action would put an end to the development of women through his resolve to make the Office of the First Lady extinct.

    Riding on their lame argument, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who has been feasting on the controversial office emphasized the importance of the office of the First Lady in the Nigerian politics, saying that the office has been an avenue for mobilizing women for mass participation in politics.

    What a myopic and jejune argument in support of  naked illegality. The office, in the first place is unconstitutional. Despite of the fact that there is no constitutional backing  for the office of the First Lady, huge financial resources  of the state are usually deployed to service it with impunity. The allocation is often not within the annual budget and is never accounted for.

    Do we really need the office of a First Lady to mobilize and empower women in the country? The answer to this is simply no.

    Since 1957, when Nigerian delegates sat to deliberate at the 1957 Constitutional Conference, there has always been the presence of women. Although Nigerian politics have been dominated by men, women have somehow found their ways to  holding public offices.

    The concept of having a First Lady in Nigeria could be rightly traced to the period of  Flora Lugard, the wife of , the first colonial Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard .

    It is to her credit that the country got her name, Nigeria. With the present structure of 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and 774 local government areas, Nigeria is believed to have over 800 women who enjoy this position of eminence as ‘first among equals’.

    At Nigeria’s independence, Mrs. Flora Azikiwe became the country’s First Lady and she frequently attended state functions with her husband.

    After her were a few other First Ladies  like Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi and Victoria Gowon that were prominent despite the relative short time they spent in ‘office’ (State house). They merely  played ceremonial role of hosting dignitaries from within and outside the country  dinners and chatting with their wives while the husbands hold formal meetings.

    The office of the First Lady took a new dimension during the era of Gen Ibrahim Babangida when the late wife, Maryam started her pet project called Better Life for Rural women. After Maryam Babangida came Mrs. Mariam Abacha. She also launched her pet project known as the Family Support Programme and an offshoot known as Family Economic Advancement Programme.

    In 1999 when Abubakar assumed office after the demise of Gen. Abacha, his wife Hon. Justice Fati Abubakar established a Non-Governmental Organisation known as Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative.

    The trend continued when democracy returned in 1999. Stella Obasanjo the First Lady of Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo also set up her own project known as Child Care Trust.  By the time former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua assumed power in 2007, his wife, Turai, also toed the line of previous First Ladies by setting up the Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation.

    Mrs. Patience Jonathan inaugurated the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Maternal and Child Health otherwise known as MAMA Project with a declaration that she should no longer be called Patience but ‘Mama Peace’.

    Unlike others before her, she has continued to wield excessive powers and influence to the extent of being alleged of exercising  some political powers by endorsing political candidates for election which usually do not allow for a level playing ground among contestants.

    This has resulted into some kind of  crisis and interparty brouhaha. In fact the latest trend is for First Ladies to want to combine their unconstitutional role with elective offices or control the apparatus of political parties.

    A point in case, is that of the first lady of Kogi State Mrs. Farida Ijeoma Wada, the wife of the current governor of Kogi State who tried to use the position of her husband as a seating governor to grab a seat at the Federal House of Representative in Abia State where she hails from under the People Democratic Party.

    She tried everything within her power to grab the ticket of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Consitutency at the House Representatives. Even when it was obvious that she could not win the primary election as she was not popular.  She refused to step down like some other contestants and she was floored at the polls.

    Recently, some Nigerian women under the aegis of Women Arise marched in protest against a proposed wasteful allocation of N4billion to building a ‘Mission House’ for Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan.

    Apart from their argument that the proposed N4billion would create numerous jobs for women and youths, the women offered that only one-tenth of the proposed N4billion for building ‘Mission House’ for Mrs. Jonathan could restore the abandoned Women Development Center (WDC) for Mrs. Jonathan to use as “Mission House” in the interest of all women and in place of an extravagant building to be constructed as a personal building.

    To show the sufferings of the majority Nigerian women in the country where only one woman amasses wealth for herself, widow of late Dr. Beko Kuti, Mrs. Abosede Ransome Kuti showed to Governor Fashola, some boxes of matches, a sachet of ‘pure water’ and a piece of onion which she said she bought from women she encountered on her way at Oshodi.

    The big question therefore is, when and who will interpret the constitution to our politicians that there is no constitutional role for the office of the First Lady . It is  an aberration, a misuse of power and a waste of tax payers’ money. The earlier this is resolved the better for the country as it will save the country several millions of naira being  allocated to the unconstitutional office. If this is done, the resources  can be redirected to more useful ventures that will benefit the citizenry and also help to make politics less attractive to politicians.

    It is in this light that the critics of Buhari’s statement should re-direct their thinking and not in the  shallow and deceptive belief that the office of the First Lady helps to mobilize and empower women. If the Ministry of Women Affairs is allowed to do its job very well, the would be no need to create an unconstitutional office of a First Lady which benefits just a few at the detriment of the majority.

    Instead of the flamboyant First Ladies that they country has been having all these years, Buhari  has said that his wife will act as one who provides moral support for the government as a mother to all Nigerians without necessarily wearing the garb as a first lady or live a flamboyant lifestyle that first ladies are known for in Nigeria.

    It remains to be seen whether Buhari’s pledge to scrap the office would achieve positive strides for the womenfolk if he is elected as president in the coming election.

    •  Edeye, a public commentator and analyst writes from Lagos

  • ‘Dependency syndrome affecting governance in Bayelsa’

    ‘Dependency syndrome affecting governance in Bayelsa’

    Bayesa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with reporters in Yenogoa, the state capital, on his developmental programmes and other issues. Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU was there.  

    What have you achieved in the last two years?

    I’m working with a competent and dedicated team. When I was campaigning for the office, I knew the agenda I wanted to pursue, if elected. And two years and three months down the line, nobody is in any doubt about all the areas  I  said I was going to make a difference, whether it is in the area of reform of the governance process, transparency and accountability and openness that now drives our government or in the area of the promise I made about turning Yenogoa into a massive construction site or is it in the promises I made in the declaration of emergency in the education sector or in the promotion and defence of the Ijaw fundamental interest, promotion of our language and security.

    How has the state been coping with the shortfall in revenue allocation?

    At a time the revenue of states dropped to the extent that some states of the federation were not able to pay salaries four months. Development projects in most states were not stalled because of prudence and discipline we have brought into the system; things are moving.

    What have you achieved in the education sector?

    We have within two years built schools.  I’m not talking of the conventional school.  I’m not talking about the College of Education that is one of the best.  I’m not talking of the polytechnic that we have set up. I’m not talking about the Maritime Academy. Look at the schools we are building; secondary schools, teachers’ training institutes.  You know that our focus is on human capacity building.  That’s why Bayelsa as a state has more scholars in different fields of human endeavour  than any other state in Nigeria.I budgeted N1 billion for the post-graduate scholarship, but I ended up giving close to N7 billion.  It is unfortunate that when I had accommodated all of that, the revenue of the state crashed. Our commitment to human capacity remains the central focus of our government.  Every state needs to do that. The crippling poverty that is ravaging our people can be traced to insufficient skills, insufficient knowledge in an increasingly competitive and global world, so we remain committed to that.

    Is there any empowerment programme for the aged?

    I believe that they are the most important components of the society.  They matter more than we the leaders and it is a failed government that do not impact on their lives.  The people must remain the central focus of all activities of government. One of the sections of our population that had been ignored before now are the old people.   All of us, you will agree with me, are praying to grow old too. I am well a welfarist.  I believe that government must be committed to the welfare of the individual, especially the vulnerable in the society.  The elite usually wants to corner everything.  They get all the contracts, they get all the appointments.  When they don’t get what they want, they start a fight.  But the vulnerable people in our society, the aged, those who have some disability of one form or the other and women are not always considered in the scheme of things.  What we are presently doing is to pay them  N5,000  every month. Once you are 70 and above. Our government spends between N60 million and N65 million  every month.  That’s a huge amount. So, in a year we are spending  seven hundred and twenty million plus administrative cost.

    Could you shed light on the volunteer scheme?

    The volunteer programme that was unfolded less than a week ago. We engaged one thousand people who will earn N15,000 every month.  After a rigorous selection process, which will be community based and an orientation course organised for them, they will all have to stay in their respective communities.  That one alone is a welfare programme.  Once they graduate from there and have businesses of their own or have gainful employment, they slip out of that scheme and others take their place.  In addition, we’ve also made room as a welfare programme for the accommodation of one hundred graduates on a voluntary scheme.  So, for the first time, we have two categories of volunteers.  We have the volunteers who are not graduates, who will earn N15,000 per month.  Then, you also have those who will be officers, who are graduates and they also need to be trained.

    How are you fighting the infrastructure battle?

    We are working on the health insurance programme that will be comprehensive. The hospitals and the other facilities that we are building are of world class standard.  If you see the diagnostic centre, you will think for a moment that you are in London or America.All these things are designed in such a way that, not only that Bayelsans too can have access to world class medical facilities, but we also want to be the centre of world tourism in Nigeria. The government hospital complex, it is like a Five-Star Hotel.  It’s a clinic, but because of my passion for the people, I’ve said that other wings should have access.  The public should have access to it because that is one clinic where light will not go off. As long as there is light in the Government House, the people that are on medical treatment undergoing surgical operation, who are on oxygen, they too need to enjoy it.

    In Bayelsa, some people still want the government to be giving them free money. How are you coping with this?

      That actually is one of the major areas we all need to work to address.  Our people must stand up to these challenges and take responsibility for their lives.  I am also a product of this environment.  I am not someone who dropped from the moon. I started life from the scratch, stayed in my community, went to primary school, went to the Government Secondary School, Toru-Ebeni, in my local government and was over 19 years before I to joined the Nigeria Police as a constable, taking responsibility for my life, taking responsibility for my future.  I’m not saying I am what I am because of my hard work. I attribute it to the mercies of God. But, every human being must work hard.  In the old Rivers State, we were far from government. But, in Bayelsa State, people now want the  stateto provide dinner for them.  The state will now buy a car for you, even marry a wife for you.  The state will now, if your vehicle brakes down, will fix it.  That’s dependency syndrome. You need to make your sacrifices today to make your tomorrow better. If you don’t, there is no  one you will hold responsible for your plight.  My answer is that they must take responsibility for their lives.  I am convinced that this attitude, the prevailing attitude is wrong. My mates who were children of big people live in Port Harcourt and other places, they don’t know how to farm but there is no work I didn’t do.  There is nothing in the village that a young man can do that I didn’t engage in.  So, living has a cost.  Are you expected to share the money after paying salary every month for everybody?

    There are complaints that the projects you are doing are dragging…

    It will surprise you. It’s so bad that because we know the economic position of our people, even jobs that could have been done by one person, say for instance, in Sagbama and this applies to all the jobs in the state.  Those jobs have about 15 buildings, fifteen to twenty buildings.  Instead of giving it to one contractor, we now share it into different compartments.

    What efforts are you putting in place to improve on the power situation in the state and reduction in sea piracy?

     Very soon, we shall be launching the power programme, ‘Operation Lighting Up Bayelsa’.  We have made huge investment, connected a lot of areas to the national grid, now up to Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government. We are working on the Central Senatorial District, connecting all these Famgbe, Angiama areas, and Nembe. Once the gas turbine is finished, and even before the gas turbine is brought back, the commissioner has briefed me. We now have extra power to be able to sustain us, even in the communities that are affected by the breakdown of the gas turbine.  We are having it good in the area of electricity.  Our plan is connecting all areas to the national grid.  In all the local governments, in all the senatorial districts, massive work is going on.

    How cordial is the government/labour relations?

     You know I’m a very labour friendly governor. There is a little misconception. I call on the labour leaders and all workers to ensure that they don’t allow misguided politicians, politicians who can’t stand the issues, to influence them.  If you want to do anything, come and stand on the issue.  Tell us how many roads and bridges you can build. Tell us what agenda you have that is better than ours on education and on eecurity. Instead of doing that, some people under this cover go to labour leaders. You talked about arrears. I’ve had meeting with organised labour and we agreed on the procedure, time frame for payment. You see there are so many issues we deal with. For example, since 2006 till I came in, this state owed pensioners. That is very sad. We condemned it. It is criminal.

     Two months ago the state House of Assembly uncovered N25 billion massive monumental scam allegedly perpetrated by banks operating in the state, from overdraft and bank deductions. What’s your view?

     First of all, I want to commend the House of Assembly for being alive to its oversight responsibilities. I came from a parliamentary background. I told them to feel free to exercise the full weight and ambit of their jurisdiction, in terms of over-sighting my government. And these are the kind of things the House of Assembly ought to be doing. What they have done goes to affirm their rating as the best in the country. Now, I won’t characterise what they have discovered as a monumental fraud that you in the press would want to call it. For now, that is refreshing news for me. My eyes are red for money to do our work. But, I want to call it a discrepancy, a discrepancy which I’ve directed the Commissioner of Finance to find out. I have a finance team, a competent finance team of experts to work with the House of Assembly to ensure that the discrepancies and any amount so concerned are reconciled.Then, the state will make a move to ensure that these monies are paid to the state and let me tell you, I’m keenly following up this matter. And I look forward to the day to do the reconciliation so that I can have funds for the state because I’m doing big ticket infrastructural items.

     

  • The Akotileta syndrome in Edo State

    The Akotileta syndrome in Edo State

    The PDP in Edo State has lost the voice to attack Adams Oshiomhole because of his good deeds. Now, they seem to have found some counterfeit melody accusing the governor of trying to sell the Edo House in Lagos to himself. The courts are now adjudicating the matter because a tenant, who would not pay his rent for close to eight years, had turned it into a profiteering pot. Part of the real estate is now used as hotel facility for slipshod morality called short time. The over N2 billion property costs the state millions yearly and it cannot take possession of what belongs to it. And Lagos State now wants the Edo State government to pay about N50 million a year for land use charge. Yet, the state does not get any rent.

    Now that it is for sale, the convenient thing is to say the governor wants to possess it. Let them present evidence or remain quiet. The man renting the property is not from the state. Now the governor is calling the state citizens to buy, the PDP men are complaining. Would they prefer outsiders to hold on to their treasure? This is the Akotileta syndrome in Yoruba land, where the prodigal son sells family treasures to an outsider and fritters away the money.

  • Group donates bus to Down Syndrome foundation

    As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the West African Ventures Group (WAV), an integrated oil service company, has donated a brand new 18-seater bus to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria.

    Making the presentation at the foundation’s office in Lagos, Mrs. Eno Agada, who represented the company’s president, stated that the gesture was part of WAV’s effort at giving back to the society and putting smiles on the faces of the needy.

    On the choice of the foundation as a beneficiary, Eno said the foundation was found to be in dire need and the WAV Group felt honoured to meet such need.

    She said: “Their fliers got to us, and we visited the premises and based on our findings, we presented a report to the president who immediately took decision that the company should donate a brand new bus to the foundation.”

    Receiving the key of the bus, the National President of the foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi, expressed appreciation for the kind gesture from the company.

    Mordi said: “I think I’m short of words because I’m totally overwhelmed. I least expected this, but I think it is the best Christmas gift my children have had. This is the first time we are getting this type of gift at this time of the year. Usually, people give us food stuffs or give us some money or school equipment but I think this bus donation beats all.

    “It is one of the most important items that we need for the smooth running of the foundation. The children we have here have special needs and part of the programme we have is social integration and we have to move them around because they cannot take public transport, they cannot go out for events on their own and if we don’t have a vehicle to take them out, the programme will not be effective. This gift could not have come at a better time”

    She explained that the foundation takes care of Down syndrome in children and some adults that is caused by a genetic disorder resulting from the addition of an extra chromosome in a zygote, which according to her, predisposes them to mental retardation and a few other health issues.

    “The only way to take care of them is to carry out early medical intervention, early educational intervention plus vocational training and early social integration. And if these three programmes are effectively carried out, these children can live at least a semi independent life,” she added.

    Mordi called on the government and private organisations to help the foundation put in place structures that would help provide early intervention for the affected children. “We call on the Federal and state governments as well as corporate organisations to partner with us. In advanced countries, the basic structures for such organisations are provided by the government but unfortunately there is no such thing in Nigeria.”