The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tackle

  • How to tackle insecurity, by Belgore

    How to tackle insecurity, by Belgore

    Kwara State  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain  Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) has reflected on the security situation, urging Nigerians to support government’s efforts.

    He said the Boko Haram insurgency is a national headache, which can only be cured through collective effort.

    Belgore called on federal and state governments  to collaborate in the fight against terror.

    The governorship aspirant spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the official inauguration of the Jonathan  Actualisation Movement. His keynote address was titled: ‘Security challenges, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.’

    He said: “When there is collaboration, problems are better addressed and solved. A good example is the current struggle against the Ebola virus that has unfortunately been dumped on us.”

    He pointed out that the Boko Haram crisis cannot be resolved by the President or Federal Governments without the assistance of Nigerians.

    Belgore added: “The collaboration between the Lagos State and the Federal Government has helped tremendously to curb what would have been a major national calamity. There have been no finger pointing, personal insults or abuses of any kind. The two parties have worked closely together and are now winning the battle.

    “There is a big lesson for us all in this, as we combat the Boko Haram menace. That lesson is that, if we work together, we can overcome all the security challenges we currently have.”

    The legal luminary called on the government to also address the “main causes of insecurity,” which  include “youth idleness due to mass unemployment, lack of hope for a better tomorrow, religious fanaticism, desperation, ignorance, exploitation, misguidance, indiscipline, poor leadership and societal influence.”

    Belgore said: “Government must come off the thinking that giving N20,000-a-month-job to a few  youths would ebb their restiveness.

    “We have to provide our youths with gainful employment that will keep them away from all antisocial activities. Employing a few thousands youths and paying them a stipend like N20,000 per month is not it. There needs to be massive job creation to employ millions of people,” he added.

    “Both the federal and state governments need to work together on the creation of our own equivalent of the ‘Marshal Plan’ that was established in Europe after the second World War to put the millions of people back to work.”

    Belgore urged the government to bring  to bring perpetrators of crimes to book to reduce the culture of tcrime.

    He added: “We shouldn’t just be tough on Boko Haram and their likes, on cultism, kidnapping and urban violence, we should dig deep and be tough on the causes of such crimes. This is not to suggest that there is any valid justification for those crimes, but, we should critically examine societal problems that make young men and women easy preys to such crimes – issues of unemployment, falling moral standards, declining parental responsibility, and decaying educational system.

    “Addressing the crime without addressing their possible causes would merely be scratching the problem on the face. It would not make for a lasting solution.”

  • UN asks firms to tackle corruption

    UN asks firms to tackle corruption

    The United Nation Global Compact (UNGC) has advised business operators to shun bribery and corruption in the course of their operation, its Head, Transparency & Anti-corruption, Mrs Olajobi Makinwa, has said.

    Mrs. Makinwa, who spoke in Lagos, called for entrenchment of anti-corruption initiatives in all organisations, adding that governments at all levels are also expected to make commitment that would enhance transparency, sustainability in  business practices.

    She said the fight against corruption is a collective one between government and private sector operators. The UN executive said over 10,000 companies have signed up with the UN’s anti-corruption policy created by the Global Compact and Global Compact Nigeria to fight corruption.

    She said local and global business operators have also shown commitment to fight against corruption by signing the call to Action: Anti-corruption and the Global Development Agenda. The Call to Action, she explained, is an appeal from the private sector to governments aimed at promoting anti-corruption measures and implementing policies that enhance good governance.

    She said the project has garnered more than 100 global business signatories to date, including Oando Plc.

    Mrs. Makinwa said the UNGC has also been at the forefront of advancing the 10th principle against corruption, which asks businesses to work and fight against corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery.

    “The initiative funded by Siemens, has sought to create a platform for dialogue, collaboration and capacity building by building alliances of like-minded business and public officials,” she said.

    Makinwa said the project has succeeded in increasing dialogue between the oil and gas industry in Nigeria on issues of fraud and corruption as well as raising awareness of corruption issues, especially in the procurement process.

    The project, she added, has helped in engaging a large number of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in multi stakeholder dialogues against corruption.

    Also, MTN’s Company Secretary, Mrs Uto Ukpanah, said the firm has been supporting the UNGC in its fight against corruption, adding that top management of MTN is in support of the body’s operations.

  • How to tackle insurgency, by activist

    How to tackle insurgency, by activist

    Human rights activist Comrade Joseph Evah has urged the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue to end insurgency in the country.

    He advised President Goodluck  to be less inflexible and more condescending in this period of national emergency, stressing that only a statesman can overcome the present challenge through dialogue.

    Evah, who is the Coordinator of  the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), urged the President to release detained Boko Haram terrorists to facilitate the release of Chibok school girls abducted by the sect three months ago.

    He said the President can prepare the ground for negotiation in the national interest.

    The activist described dialogue as a tool for peace during conflict, advising the Federal Government to embrace the option without delay.

    Lamenting the killings, he said the primary function of the government is to protect life and property.

    Evah said:“This has been one of the key demands of the Boko Haram. They have been demanding the release of some of their members as one of the conditions for releasing the Chibok girls. Why not do so, if this step will help bring our girls back home?”

    Urging Jonathan to ignore some people who may advise him to shun negotiation, he said the lack of dialogue will prolong tension.

    He added: “We are in a state of war now. We should not deceive ourselves that we are not in a war situation. The Boko Haram insurgency has assumed a war situation and, in any war situation, exchange and swapping of prisoners is legitimate.

    “The United States of America recently exchanged an abducted US solder with some detained Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan. UK, France, Israel, all had at one time or the other being involved in exchange of prisoners.”

    Evah said Nigerian should thank God that the recent bomb blast in Kaduna didn not claim the life of the former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said  that the blast would have led to a disastrous consequences, if  Buhari had been killed.

    Evah said that no effort should be spared in finding an urgent solution to the insecurity. He lamented President Jonathan is surrounded by selfish advisers.

    He stressed: “It is unfortunate that the President is surrounded by selfish advisers. People who will not give him right advice. They are also the ones that are shielding those who will give the President the right advise from having access to him. It is unfortunate that Jonathan is being held in hostage in Aso Rock.”

  • How to tackle insecurity in Northeast, by Naval chief

    THE  Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin has urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the nation’s peace and unity .

    Vice Admiral Jibrin spoke at the Interdenominational service to mark the beginning of the 2014 Navy Week at the St. Andrew’s Protestant Church in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

    It was part of the activities commemorating the  force’s 58th anniversary.

    Vice Admiral Jibrin emphasised the role of security in accomplishing the government’s transformation agenda.

    Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, the Naval  chief said the current security challenges facing the nation was a common problem for all Nigerians irrespective of age or ethnic group.

    According to the Naval chief, the insecurity particularly in the Northeast can be surmounted with hard work, dedication and determination, just as he pleaded with Nigerians to unite with the government in confronting the menace.

    “I strongly believe that your prayers in this church and in other places of worship have continued to strengthen and usher in more blessings for the Navy,” he said.

    Praising his personnel for their commitment in ensuring the nation’s maritime space were secured, Jibrin said sea crimes have reduced significantly and the impact felt on government’s revenue.

    “I am aware of the constraints to our operations as well as the myriads of welfare problems facing you in the Navy.  In this regard, I am delighted to say unambiguously that improved welfare shall remain the cornerstone of my administration.

    “I will do all in my powers with available resources at my disposal to improve your welfare, notably in the areas of new barracks accommodation, quality training and provision of uniforms, amongst others.

    “While we strive to address the welfare problems, I urge you to continue collectively and individually to conduct yourselves and discharge your duties with the highest sense of integrity, teamwork and professionalism.

    “I sincerely appreciate your immense support and look forward to working more closely with you to achieve our shared aspirations for improved security not only in our maritime environment but in other areas in the overall national interest.

    The officiating priest, Rev BME Ajayi appealed to youths to stop being used as agents of destruction.

    He noted that insecurity in the country was on the rise as a result of the erosion of moral values, urging parents to live up to the duties.

    Rev Ajayi expressed the hope that the challenges will be surmounted if youths are actively engaged, just as he noted that the church aside praying, teaches youths in the community how to be self-employed, while awaiting their dream jobs.

    At the service were the FOC, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Goddy Ayankpele; Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral E.G. Ofik; Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot, Rear Admiral JKA Ango and Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae.

  • NigComSat, CBN tackle capital flight

    Nigerian Communications Satellite ( NigComSat Limited) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are working to block revenue leakages and discourage capital flight arising from the patronage of foreign satellite firms in the country, its Acting Managing Director, Ms Abimbola Alale has said.

    She said NigComSat has abundant satellite bandwidth capacity to deploy for the services of government ministries and agencies (MDAs) and corporate oragnisations in the country to lower the cost of doing business and save the nation the huge capital that occasions taking capacity from foreign firms.

    According to her, NigComSat 1R has the best satellite coverage over Nigeria “as the satellite was specifically designed to provide bandwidth for services within Nigeria and several other African nations.”

    She expressed displeasure that despite the availability of this critical national infrastructure, the predilection in government institutions and the private sector is to look outside the shores of the country for satellite bandwidth requirements.

    She explained that the CBN may no longer honour requests for foreign exchange for bandwidth procurement from foreign companies.

    “Where the capacity on NigComSat1R is unavailable, or coverage on another satellite is required due to the specific nature of the business, NigComSat shall rely on agreements with foreign satellite operators to provide bandwidth in such instances,” she was quoted to have said in a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Sonny Aragba-Akpore.

    It is worrisome that in spite of the abundant satellite capacity available in the country, the trend in “government institutions and the private sector is sourcing for their satellite bandwidth requirements from foreign satellite operators at the expense of the indigenous operator NigComSat,’’ she said.

    She added that NigComSat as a national operator is mandated to meet the bandwidth requirements of the nation, stressing that the “policy initiative is aimed in part at reducing the capital flight caused by patronage of foreign satellite operators.”

  • Flamingoes tackle Spain Friday

    Flamingoes tackle Spain Friday

    Nigeria’s Flamingoes will on Friday lead Africa’s quest for honour against Europe at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Liberia, Costa Rica.

    The encounter, which holds 8.00pm local time (3.00am Thursday in Nigeria), will have New Zealand’s Anna-Marie Keighley as centre referee as the Flamingoes go head to head with Spain.

    The Nigerians have been hugely impressive, advancing from the group phase with a 100 per cent record and scoring seven goals and conceding two in the process. However, Spain recovered from their opening-day defeat to Japan to qualify in style with a 7-1 defeat of Paraguay – their biggest ever victory – and have high hopes of matching their performance at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, where they finished third.

    Interestingly, Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu has been a thorn in the side of opposing defences at Costa Rica 2014, continually making herself available for her team-mates and showing off the full range of her passing skills.

    “In finding the back of the net against Mexico, she (Kanu) became only the second player in the competition to score in every group match, Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos being the first,” a release in FIFA’s official website read in part.

    Meanwhile, the other African side still in the hunt, Ghana’s Black Maidens’ will be banking on the experience they acquired at the last two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups when they take on Italy. The Italians, who won their first two group matches before falling to Venezuela, have a daunting task against a team that finished third at Azerbaijan 2012 and topped their group after accounting for both Korea DPR and Germany.

  • NigComSat, CBN tackle capital flight

    Nigerian Communications Satellite ( NigComSat Limited) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are working to block revenue leakages and discourage capital flight arising from the patronage of foreign satellite firms in the country, its Acting Managing Director, Ms Abimbola Alale has said.

    She said NigComSat has abundant satellite bandwidth capacity to deploy for the services of government ministries and agencies (MDAs) and corporate oragnisations in the country to lower the cost of doing business and save the nation the huge capital that occasions taking capacity from foreign firms.

    According to her, NigComSat 1R has the best satellite coverage over Nigeria “as the satellite was specifically designed to provide bandwidth for services within Nigeria and several other African nations.”

    She expressed displeasure that despite the availability of this critical national infrastructure, the predilection in government institutions and the private sector is to look outside the shores of the country for satellite bandwidth requirements.

    She explained that the CBN may no longer honour requests for foreign exchange for bandwidth procurement from foreign companies.

    “Where the capacity on NigComSat1R is unavailable, or coverage on another satellite is required due to the specific nature of the business, NigComSat shall rely on agreements with foreign satellite operators to provide bandwidth in such instances,” she was quoted to have said in a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Sonny Aragba-Akpore.

    It is worrisome that in spite of the abundant satellite capacity available in the country, the trend in “government institutions and the private sector is sourcing for their satellite bandwidth requirements from foreign satellite operators at the expense of the indigenous operator NigComSat,’’ she said.

    She added that NigComSat as a national operator is mandated to meet the bandwidth requirements of the nation, stressing that the “policy initiative is aimed in part at reducing the capital flight caused by patronage of foreign satellite operators.”

  • How to tackle Sexual Dysfunction

    A Medic with Fidson Healthcare Plc, Kunle Oke answers the first question; Dr Emmanso A. Umobong of Healthways International handles the second.

    Sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction is the difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, plateau and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. There are both emotional and physical causes. Emotional factors include stress and anxiety; recent changes in socioeconomic status; partner and relationship issues; lack of communication or emotional closeness; lack of sexual interest on part of partner; abuse; gender identity and sexual orientation conflicts. The physical factors include drugs; injuries to the back; enlarged prostate gland; problems with blood supply, nerve damage (as in spinal cord injuries); diseases and Hormonal deficiencies

    About 43.8 to 57.4 per cent Nigerian men of over 35 years reportedly are affected by sexual dysfunction according to Okulate G. et al. Effects of SD are but not limited to Female Sexual Disorder (FSD); emotional trauma ; loss of self-confidence; lack of interest in sex; strain on couple/relationship; dysfunctional marriages; broken homes and infertility. Fidson Healthcare Plc has taken a bold step in proffering another essential solution to sexual dysfunction- Vigomax Forte. Its formulation are Tribulus terrestris which enhances libido and acts by stimulating the higher sex centres; Mucuna pruriens that stimulates neurons by dopamine release to enhance bioavailability of Nitric Oxide; Ricinus communis which increases sexual urge and intracavernous pressure due to androgen increasing property by releasing bound testosterones and Withania somnifera that offers testosterone like effect and enhances Vigour and Vitality.

    Vigomax Forte is a rational Aphrodisiac formulation that combines these time tested efficacious herbs, which are known to increase the sexual desire, correct weak erection and enhances libido in men.

    The rate of sexual dysfunction amongst Nigerian men is worrisome and Fidson is concerned over its effect on the sexual health, as well as the emotional, social and psychological wellbeing of Nigerian families and homes.

    Although It is a psychogenic problem, its social and psychological effects on the wellbeing of its sufferers are as worrisome as the problem itself, if not more.

    Sexual dysfunction has resulted in the breakup of many marriages and caused serious problems in many homes in Nigeria, with Vigomax, hope is here for affected couples. Vigomax Forte increases sexual urge and intracavernous pressure due to androgen increasing property by releasing bound testosterones, offers testosterone like-effect as well as enhances vigour and vitality. Nature has a lot to offer us as humans and Vigomax is one solution with natural ingredients that act as an aphrodisiac, rejuvenator, revitalizer and a mood elevator. Vigomax Forte helps in the management of impotence either psychogenic or idiopathic, frigidity in the female and premature senility or loss of libido in both sexes.

    I suggest this herbal preparation because it has been proven to help in the management of decreased libido and sexual insufficiency; Erectile Dysfunction; Psychogenic impotence with appropriate counselling; exhaustion states and drug induced decline in libido.

  • How to tackle human trafficking, by experts

    How to tackle human trafficking, by experts

    HUMAN trafficking, sex labour and child abuse, among others, topped discussions at the Third International Law  Conference for Women and Children in Lagos last week. Those who spoke included lawyers and human rights activists.

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said of all criminal activities, human trafficking alone was estimated to generate $9.5 billion yearly worldwide.

    Quoting statistics from the United States Bureau of Investigation, Ikuforiji, while declaring open the event in Victoria Island, Lagos, said further that reports indicated that the illegal industry was the second largest criminal industry in the world, next to arms and ammunition.

    He said: “This industry, according to the United Nations Development Fund For Women and the United Nations Interagency Project on Human Trafficking, especially sex trafficking appears to be growing in scope and magnitude, with increasing number of countries involved and the relative ease with which traffickers are able to do the business.”

    Ikuforiji said no fewer than 800,000 women and children are trafficked across border yearly.

    He regretted that the people who engage in the business of transporting and selling women and children for cheap labour only look at the financial gains, not the socio-economic consequences of their actions.

    “While the problem varies from one country to the other, one constituent pattern is that these victims are engaged in sex labour, forced marriage, factory works with ridiculous remunerations,” he noted.

    The speaker described ‘human trafficking’ as  ‘new slavery’, because “it has many of the same characteristics of a slave-master relationship. In the new slavery, women and children are purchased cheaply and sold to customers at a high profit margin”.

    Ikuforiji lamented that Nigeria is one of the many countries that do not have stringent anti-trafficking laws adding, “even when legislations are in place, they are not often well enforced. It has been the system that cases of human trafficking are not prosecuted and those that are prosecuted have not resulted in convictions, like other cases that bear on infringements on rights of the people”.

    He recalled that the National Assembly passed a Human Trafficking Law to end the nefarious activities of the merchants,  whether it is in trafficking of children or women. “But I have not seen or heard any conviction of perpetrators since the human trafficking bill was signed into law at the federal land,” he added.

    He further recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly, put in place some laws to curb the menace, including the “ Lagos State Domestic Violence Law 2007, and Child Rights Law of 2007”.

    He, however, feared that these laws, the Child’s Rights Law and the Domestic Violence Law, might were inadequate to confront this illegal trade.

    Ikuforiji said he has  consulted with his colleagues in the house on the need to explore the legal aspects of trafficking in women and children by domesticating the Human Trafficking Law of the federation in Lagos.

    “It is believed that doing so will go a long way in tightening noose on the traffickers and killing the trade entirely.

    “As legislators and government, we must take the bull by the horn to ensure that our people, especially the women and the children, are shielded from this onslaught,” he added.

    He appealed to the Executive arm of Government to rise above sentiments and rid the society of a scourge that is ravaging the polity so that we can live a better and prosperous life.

    Executive Secretary, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said no fewer than two million people were trafficked across the world yearly.

    She spoke on challenges in addressing the prevalence of trafficking in Nigerian women and children: the NAPTIP experience.

    She identified ignorance, illitracy and poverty as factors responsible for the menace.

    Jedy-Agba, who was represented by NAPTIP Intelligence Officer, Mr Josiah Emereole, said poor social-economic rights of women and child made them to be more susceptible as the most vulnerable group in the society.

    According to her, between 750,000 and one million people were trafficked within and outside the country yearly. She lamented that 80 per cent of young women in prostitution in Italy are Nigerians.

    Jedy-Agba said human trafficking is prevalent in every state, but that the vice is endemic in 22 states.

    The process of trafficking, she said, began with the abduction or recruitment of a person and continue with transportation, adding that people should report any of such cases to the appropriate authorities.

    She said porous borders, lack of commitment, data and inadequate funds were challenges faced by NAPTIB to curb trafficking.

    Jedy-Agba said everybody should join hands to fight the menace. “Those who are involved in human trafficking should be reported and appropriate action taken,” she added.

    A social worker, Ifeyinwa Mbakogu at the School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, said about 15 million children in Nigeria were engaged in child labour because of human trafficking.

    Mbakogu spoke on the topic: Ears wide open: What do Nigerian children’s story about their trafficking experiences tell us about the causes of trafficking in Nigeria?

    She said: “Forty per cent of that figure was those trafficked within and externally.”

    Mbakogu berated the government for not making education free, stressing that most poor students usually don’t further their education after the completion of their Junior Secondary School (JSS) because they couldn’t afford to pay for books and other items.

    All those who spoke on the vice were unanimous that to end the menace would require concerted efforts from everybody to fashion a way forward to nip the menace, which has demeaned the people, in the bud.

     

  • Nigeria needs N4.3tr to tackle shoreline erosion

    Nigeria needs about N4.3 trillion to tackle coastal erosion and ocean surge in 853km shorelines in nine states.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Prince Adesegun Oniru gave the figure on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the 2013 Annual Distinguished Lecture organised by the Nigeria Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) at the Eko Hotels and Suites.

    The lecture was on: “Nigeria’s Coastal Erosion: A Case Study of the Lagos State Coastline”.

    Oniru said Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ogun states need urgent intervention to protect coastlines serving as national boundaries.

    He urged the Federal Government to set up a special budget to avoid disaster in coastal states.

    Oniru said the Federal Government has made little effort to address coastal erosion, leaving states to bear the entire burden of funding coastal protection interventions.

    He said Lagos has strived to bring a lasting solution to the surge at the Alpha Beach in 2011 and Kuramo Beach in 2012.

    Oniru said President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister for Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga and a delegation from the Ecological Fund Office visited Alpha Beach in 2011 after the surge and promised that the Federal Government would assist Lagos to address the challenge.

    He said: “As I speak, we have not received any form of assistance in any way from the Federal Government.”

    Oniru said the state government has spent about N39 billion on intervention works to protect the 7.5km coastline from the end of the Eko Atlantic City to Alpha Beach, while N440 billion is required to save the coastline from the end of the Eko Atlantic City to the coastline boundary in the state.

    He said the Eko Atlantic City project was initiated to preserve Victoria Island and its environs.

    Oniru said: “The Federal Government needs to recognise that littoral states are our national boundary. A special budget should be made available for states and legislation put in place to avoid coastline disasters.”

    He urged ecological experts to continue to speak out about the dangers of paying lip-service to the protection of coastlines, adding that preventive measures would be easier to contain that the devastating effects of ocean surge.