The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vision

  • Vision, leadership  and  the  rule of  law

    The presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji  Abubakar Atiku delivered a lecture in Lagos  at the  prestigious Island Club, Nigeria’s premier social club this week. The topic of the lecture was ‘ My  Vision  To  Get Nigeria  Working Again.’ It  was a topic that he said  he chose himself for  the 2019  Quaterly  Business Luncheon  of the Club . Given  that    the presidential  election is this  month and he is the main  alternative to  choose against  the incumbent president  in the 2019  presidential  election one cannot blame him  for  striking  whilst  the iron is hot  against  the government of his main  rival. He did that I grudgingly concede rather  eloquently  even  as I am  very  much  at odds  with his prescriptions for making Nigeria  work  again.

    My  main  grouse with the Turaki  Adamawa  as his title in his state  is,  is  that  he cannot  claim  ignorance  or  culpability in the  way  Nigeria came to be  the way  he  found it and which  gave way  to his vision  to mend it. Just    as  the topic  clearly  stated,  My  vision  to get Nigeria working  again. This, to  me    is a  vision  that  can be described  as getting  wise after an  event or  locking the stable gates after  the horses  have bolted.  Yet  in a democracy the choice of a leader is before  the electorate regardless of any  analysis including this, and I wish  the PDP candidate  the  best  of luck, like the president wished all governorship  candidates in Imo  state in his campaign there  this  week.

    I  also  wish  to congratulate the PDP presidential  candidate for the entourage and enthusiastic  crowd  that  followed him to Island  Club at Onikan Lagos. The entourage included  his present Godfather and past and present Nemesis former  President Olusegun  Obasanjo, under whom  he served  as  Vice President of Nigeria. The entourage included some  past  governors  as well as the Lagos state PDP  candidate Jimi  Agbaje  and the Senate  President Dr Bukola Saraki.  Indeed  Obasanjo’s speech in showing why  he has both slandered  Atiku in the past  and is  now  glorifying and magnifying him as the solution to Nigeria’s  economic  and leadership  problems today,  overshadowed the candidate’s  plan  as  articulated to make Nigeria  work  again. In  a way,  Obasanjo’s  long apologia  on slandering  Atiku  on many  occasions  and  forgiving him  as  the

    bible preached forgiveness, gave some insight  on  why Nigeria could not have worked  till the two  came  together  for this election. Obasanjo  invoked the name of  Jesus  who  he said was not  perfect on  earth.

    Yet  Nigeria  is a secular state of many religions especially  Christianity and Islam  and he need  not  invoke  the might of  one or either  of the two, to score  a political  point or to  rationalize a  past leadership  judgement  or  appreciation decision  or  mistake. Definitely the next presidential  election in  February  will  determine  clearly  how  much  of an impetus or albatross  the  involvement  of  Obasanjo in the  Atiku  campaign  has been  in  resolving  Nigeria’s    multifarious  problems. We shall  surely  see  from  the election results  how  much better or worse  the Nigerian  state and economy  will  be  because  of  this endorsement  that  Atiku  is deeming  his political  saving  grace and  democracy  elixir  to  lead  Nigeria as an executive  president.

    Good  enough the choice  is before the Nigerian  electorate  who have  a long  memory  and  are  not  afflicted  by any  selective amnesia  in spite  of the level  of  poverty, want and  insecurity they  have seen at  the hands of successive Nigerian leaders, both civilian  and military.

    Aside  from the  Obasanjo  sermon on  Atiku rediscovery  and metamorphosis into acceptability,  the PDP  candidate  raised  an issue  that is now  shaping  the way  and manner the 2019 election is evolving even  with  the dates for the presidential  and state elections clearly  known. INEC  has  even affirmed that there  can be no  postponement,  which  was an  extravagant statement that is uncalled for. At  his lecture  the PDP candidate  noted  that  –  our democracy  is in peril, and  he cited the suspension  of  the CJN and his replacement by  the president. He  said ‘ the action of

    unilaterally  suspending  the CJN  by  President  Buhari  is unconstitutional.  The  constitution provides laid  down rules for

    the suspension of the CJN  and this has not been followed ‘He  then went on to conclude that  a key  part of his vision for  Nigeria is respect  for the rule of law, ‘  because  without it we can have no society.’

    Definitely  I agree on his  vision and conclusion  that without  the rule of  law  there  will indeed  be no  society, which  clearly is a descent  to  anarchy. That is  even  a situation  to be avoided on the eve  of an election as  important as the one at  our  doorsteps right  now this month. But  the CJN  saga  has put the nation at the edge of a cliff in terms  of expectations, anger  and resentment at the happenings in our third arm  of  government, the  judiciary  and the legal  profession. I once here recently wrote  that the law is on trial  on this CJN matter. I now  say categorically that it is the Nigerian  state  that is on trial  for the simple reason  that there is a threat to  the Nigerian  state and security. Just  look  at  the legal  wranglings and precedents as  well as the positions of the legal  institutions both at the bench  and bar  and you  see that legal  interpretations  have to be made  transparently,  judiciously and timeously  for the tension and pressure on the political   system to  cool  down so that we can  have a smooth, safe  and fair election. Already  the NSA  reportedly told a meeting of State governors that a group of people including politicians are planning violence and mayhem during and after the  elections  and the security agencies say they are ready  and we pray  they  protect  the electoral process  this year in Nigeria successfully.

    Obviously  corruption is  at  the heart of the CJN debacle and the judiciary  and the legal  profession should find a way out  of the opprobrium  in their front  houses, which  in this case is their image or reputation. An  adage says if the fish  is rotten  it  starts from  the head. That is clearly  the case in the CJN matter.

    To me the Code of Conduct  Tribunal –CCT –  has  been  the redeeming grace that the presidency  has used  as its authority to suspend  the CJN who  in the face of clear infractions on assets declaration against the law, was  using  his position and wealth to make an  ass of the law by stalling all cases against his arraignment. He  could have gone on up to the Supreme  Court  with this frivolous  obstacles  and would  he then  have presided over  his own  case? Where was  the NJC in  all  this ?Could  the members not  have taken action or raised a point of order on the publicly  displayed and court cited offences of their leader who as a Supreme Court judge is simply  a primus inter pares and not superior to other judges  at the Supreme  Court?.

    Similarly,  the NBA called for an  industrial  action that  failed because both bar  and bench are  ashamed  and aghast at the revelations and defence  antics of the leader of the judiciary. The NBA  says  it is defending  the constitution  yet  the  corruption of the CJN is lost  in plain  sight to  it. A  legal  institution  of eminent  SANs  and lawyers  should  not  hunt with the hunter  and run with  the hunted .This  is a recipe  for  confusion  and  anarchy.

    How  does this augur  well  for a peaceful and fair  election and for post  election litigations for complaints  and electoral malpractices?. My  take is that the omens are bad and a reconsideration  of the timing of the election which INEC  says is not  is not  in sight,  may  be a    relief  or panacea  for now.  At  least  in the short run.  Once again  long  live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • 66 future leaders to Tinubu: institutionalise your ideals, vision

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to institutionalise his policies and principles to give future generations the opportunity to understudy him and his political ideologies.

    This was the thrust of a gathering of 66 future leaders selected across the state’s three senatorial districts: Lagos West, Lagos Central and Lagos East, in honour of Tinubu as he clocks 66.

    The organiser and convener of the event, Seye Oyetade, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Matters of Heritage, said the essence of the programme was to call the attention of the younger generation to the vision of the former Lagos State governor.

    Oyetade said: “Asiwaju has done a lot. We should institutionalise him so that long after he is gone, generations coming can study him. We believe that if some of the younger generation do not know him now that he is alive, they would not be able to talk about him when he is gone. Bridging this generational gap is the essence of this project,” he said.

    The children presented a dance drama titled: “Jagabanism”, which explains the principles, vision and policies of the celebrator as well as identifying his template of transformation in Lagos and indirectly implanted in the country through his protégées.

    A poem titled: “I know a legend” was also performed by a child.

    The celebrator’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, hailed the organisers for gathering children and youths to honour his husband.

    He lauded the drama and poetry performances about Tinubu by the children of Vicmob College in Lagos.

    She said: “Watching young people do a drama about Jagaban is inspiring to me. At a time when some are confused about who they are, there could still be some truth from the younger generation.

    “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a man who has continued to work for the progress of this country. He is a man driven by what he believes in.”

    Former Commissioner for Information during Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor, Dele Alake, said: “We have multitude of historical illiterates now in Nigeria. A society that loses its sense of history loses its sense of culture, which means the society has lost its sense of identity.”

    He emphasised on the need for history to be brought back to schools curriculum.

    Senator Ben Bruce, who was present at the occasion, added that Tinubu has the passion to make a change.

    He said: “Leadership is about passion. When Tinubu sees anyone with problems, he provides help. He is not a party politician. He takes positions about Nigeria and not about AD, APC, PDP or any party in office. Politics is just a vehicle, if he is wrong or right, he accepts.”

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Jumoke Oduwole. The Emir of Kano was represented by former in Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Mr. Olawale Edun.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi was represented by Prince Jide Fadairo; Edo State Governor was represented by Mr. Taiwo Akerele, Osun State Governor sent his son Rauf Aregbesola (Jnr.); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was represented by Jide Adeniji at the event.

    Others including party chieftains, loyalists, traditional leaders, youth and students attended the special birthday programme.

  • Nigeria must turn vision to reality, say Anyaoku, Sanusi, Moghalu

    Nigeria must turn vision to reality, say Anyaoku, Sanusi, Moghalu

    Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku; Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, have urged Nigerians to find ways to actualise the country’s potential.

    They identified several factors, including good leadership, effective social policies and proper use of innovation, as ways to create sustainable economic growth.

    They spoke in Lagos yesterday at the launch of Moghalu’s book titled: ”Build Innovate Grow (BIG): A vision for my country”.

    Guests at the event included former Director-General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke; a former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and former Cross River Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyo Ekpo among others.

    Anyaoku, who chaired the occasion, hailed Moghalu for identifying and suggesting solutions to the country’s problems in BIG.

    These problems, he noted, had ensured that Nigeria “is still a country and not yet a nation.”

    He said: “We have far too many fissiparous tendencies in our country, and we spend a lot of time in castigations and vituperations about who among us is the greater wrecker of our country than the other, whether in terms of individuals or groups such as ethnic or religious groups.”

    According to Anyaoku, the solution lies in restructuring.

    Anyaoku said: “No country can be reckoned with abroad in a situation in which its domestic situation is as fragile and fundamentally unsettled as Nigeria’s is today. And as I have said on many occasions, the key to stabilising Nigeria and guaranteeing its deserved economic progress lies in restructuring the country’s current governance architecture back to a truly federal structure composed of more viable federating units as was the case in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions.”

    But Sanusi suggested a different approach to tackling the country’s ills, stressing the need for re-examination of the country’s ineffective social policy framework.

    The former Central Bank Governor, who was represented by the Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, hailed Moghalu for the economic and social roadmap presented in BIG.

    Sanusi lamented that Northern Nigeria has been held back by “extremely conservative cultural attitudes to the education of the girl-child and the immunisation of children against deadly diseases such as polio.

    “Many of the problems faced by the North today – extreme poverty, the so-called “Almajiri Syndrome” with millions of children begging on the streets, drug addiction, thuggery, extremism, herdsmen-farmer conflict, etc, take their roots from a failure of social policy.”

    Moghalu, who said he is running for the presidency, identified three things the country needs.

    He said: “We need to heal Nigeria, we need to wage a decisive war against poverty and unemployment and we need to restore Nigeria’s place in the world. And that is what I tried to capture in BIG.”

    According to him,  ”Governments must govern. A government must deliver on its promises.”

    He criticised politicians who give excuses for bad governance.

    Moghalu said: “An ineffective government is a reflection of an effective man or woman, who is placed in an office for which he has no competence.”

    Reading from the book, Moghalu made a case for better funding, training and equipping for the police, noting that police’s failure was “why everywhere is so militarized”.

    According to him, Nigeria needs 1.5 million more law enforcement agents, because many of the existing about 350,000 police personnel “are guarding Very Important Persons (VIP).

  • Moghalu: Nigeria needs clear economic vision

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor and Founder, Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has advised Nigeria to establish a national vision for the country.

    The vision, he said, should be driven by leaders with sustainable plan to transform the economic structure and the lives of Nigerians.

    Joining other influential leaders at the 5th Goddy Jidenma Foundation Public Lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, the former United Nations official emphasised that Nigerians should stop underestimating the sheer scale of the challenge to the country’s economic growth.

    With theme: ‘The Challenge of Economic Growth in Nigeria’, the public lecture was organised by the Goddy Jidenma Foundation (GJF) to celebrate the legacy of the late Arc Godwin Nwaolisa Jidenma, with Moghalu as the distinguished guest lecturer. “Nigeria has failed to achieve intensive and effective economic growth because the country’s economy is managed mostly on an ad-hoc, reactive basis. It is a ‘survival’ economy in which most governments have had no real economic vision or a strategy to execute such a vision successfully. Most damaging, there is little interrogation of either received wisdom based on global economic policy “fashions” or of the country’s own policy assumptions that are consistently long on populism and short on substance”, Moghalu said.

    He further reiterated that Nigeria’s fundamental problem lies in striking a balance between the role of the state and the market in a quest for sustainable economic growth and development.

    “Our path to economic growth is challenged by the failure to build the necessary foundations for prosperity in a liberal capitalist economy. Nigeria moved into financial liberalisation without achieving the required minimum threshold of industrialization, which is what drives economic transformation. Finance does not play the optimal role it should in Nigeria’s economic development and the three factors of production – land, capital, and labour are out of synchronisation in our economy”, he emphasised.

    The Goddy Jidenma Foundation Public Lecture, which is meant to elevate public speaking, includes other activities to promote ethical leadership initiatives and self-discovery among Nigerian youths, including thought-leadership discussions that would contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Nigeria and Africa.

  • Marigold flower medicine goes beyond clear vision

    Thanks, everyone who read the last column, MARIGOLD FLOWER, EYE PROMISE, WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMIN A, and immediately pulled me by the shirt collar to remind me that Marigold flower, as medicine, does more than strengthening weak eyes and vision.

    I agree with you all. You are all people who have been reading this column for decades and are, so, familiar with information on the medicinal uses of Marigold flower. In the last column, this multi-purpose medicinal herb was featured along with two other important vision supporting nutrients, and that gave Marigold flower the image of being useful only for healthy vision. That feature was predicated on HARRY MARSLAND, the 73-year-old British optician who was reported to have become the first Briton who regain his vision in one eye virtually lost to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

    TODAY, I wish again to unmask Marigold flower in some of its true colours through a guided tour in the PSYCHIC GARDEN, a book I always recommend for the Alternative Medicine library of readers of this column. The PSYCHIC GARDEN (ISBN 0722505485) was written by MELLIE UYLDERT and first published in English language in 1980 by THORSONS PUBLISHERS LIMITED 1980. It was first published in Holland as Plantenzielen.

    The book describes Marigold as “a plant of life and death” which is controlled by forces of the sun and of the moon. The orange colour in Marigold flower reveals its creative potential, says Uyldert. People who are familiar with Marigold ointment or salve know it is better not to waste it on ordinary wounds but on those that appear incurable, such as dirty wounds, with inflammation and suppuration and on cancerous wounds and swellings that emit a bad smell.

    Mellie Uyldert adds:

    “Using its moon force, the marigold creates new cells which must replace those damaged and lost. But with its sun force, it creates a plan for new structures, the pattern for making better cells, I.e., healthy ones!

    “It cleanses at the same time. Tea from the petals may be used for washing wounds and helps to remove pus and inflammation products. Inflammation itself is a purifying fire, lit by the ego. The ego says: we shall start a new life, the old member and the spoiled pattern in the soul are removed from the subconscious, away with negative thoughts!

    “This is the subtle action of the marigold on cancer patients and it is quite remarkable how this plant appears in abundance quite by itself round houses where this sickness is present. As soon as the patient has recovered or has died, the marigold disappears, its task being completed.

    “Tea of the petals when drunk (they may be fresh or dried) is a good curative (but it must be accompanied by the proper diet and purification of the soul!).

    “Cancer is the result of creative forces that are kept suppressed, which cannot be used in life, loving or artistic creation and which then turn inwards and proceed to build up gratuitous material forms.”

    At the psychic level, Mellie Uyldert proposes: “But if these swellings contain poison, there must be poison foci in the soul of unprocessed, old sorrow. Then, there is too much moon and too little sun in proportion in the person. The sun-ego must then be strengthened, so that it can process, understand and clear away all those moon ailments and injuries that have been sustained. The house of the soul must be cleaned, the windows thrown open, allowing the light of truth to flood in. For this we need the help of this flower of sun and moon!”

    She says Marigold flower tea is good for the heart, the liver and the kidneys, and that it clears oedema. She says, also, that, in France, the flower buds are infused in vinegar and they are eaten pickled like capers.

    As for some of the other uses to which marigold may be put, Mellie Uyldert advises: “The marigold, as a tea of the green leaves and petals, cleanses and calms, and cures inflammations, wounds and sores, particularly internal ulcers. It is taken for nausea, constipation, nervous debility and nervous upsets, and it helps with menstruation. It is particularly good for scrofulous systems.”

    In http://draxe.com, Dr. Axe offers seven research based benefit of Marigold flowers. They are:

    “•Lowers Inflammation and Free Radical Damage

    Research shows that calendula’s dozens of active chemicals make it a natural cytotoxic, hepatoprotective and spasmogenic herb that’s been demonstrated in both animal and human experiments. Extracts taken from the flower have been shown to lower C-reactive protein and cytokine levels and protect cells from being damaged by free radicals — one of the primary causes of aging and cell deterioration.

    “Calendula not only controls oxidative damage from free radicals that can affect delicate tissues, such as those of the eyes, but also defend against infections of the skin, GI tract and genitals caused by viruses or bacteria.

    “In addition, research also shows that calendula marigold helps fight growth of bacteria in wounds and might even be able to reduce symptoms associated with chemotherapy and cancer treatments.

    “• Reduces Eye Inflammation and Conjunctivitis

    Findings from animal studies show that calendula extract is capable of treating conjunctivitis and other chronic ocular inflammatory conditions.

    “These extracts have demonstrated antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immuno-stimulating properties that not only reduce eye infections, but protect vision by guarding delicate tissues of the eyes from the effects of UV light, deterioration/aging and oxidative damage.

    “• Has Natural Antiseptic Properties

    One well-researched use of marigold/calendula extract is applying it in drop form to the inside of the ear canal to help treat bacterial ear infections and decrease pain. It’s been found that calendula drops can lower inner-ear swelling and inflammation within just a couple short days of use, even without the use of antibiotics in some cases.

    “Due to its antifungal properties, calendula can also be used to treat vaginitis /vaginal infections and jock itch . Applying an ointment or cream containing marigold/calendula, probiotic “good bacteria” like Lactobacillus sporogenes and lactic acid to the affected area of the groin/genitals for four weeks can help decrease symptoms, including pain, itchiness, burning when urinating and dryness.

    “•Heals Skin Wounds, Burns and Rashes

    Historically, and still today, one of the most popular uses of calendula has been applying it to irritated skin (or to the eyelids and elsewhere) to reduce itchiness, redness, sensitivity, dryness and swelling. It’s been found that calendula has the ability to promote the growth of healthy new tissue, increase blood flow to the affected area, boost collagen production, which firms and strengthens skin, hydrate dry skin, and speed up the process of skin repair following surgery or damage.

    “Marigold’s ability to help treat wounds is believed to be due to stimulation of epithelial cell production, mostly as a result of the presence of glycoproteins and nucleoproteins.

    “It’s also linked to increased cell turnover and improved collagen metabolism stimulation. In folklore medicine, marigold products were applied to various ulceration (both internal and external) and wounds to prevent infections, and

    even today calendula is used post-surgery to promote faster incision healing.

    For those with dry, flaking or rash-prone skin, calendula can be combined with natural lubricating products like coconut oil or shea butter to improve skin hydration and firmness.

    “In addition, marigold is used topically in order to:

    “reduce diaper rash and protect sensitive skin, decrease the appearance of discoloration due to scarring, reduce unsightly varicose veins, treat swollen bug bites, treat burns, reduce dermatitis and eczema, reduce bruises

    heal infected cuts, soothe skin after shaving, treat ingrown hairs, reduce dandruff on the scalp, decrease other signs of poor blood flow and inflammation affecting the skin.

    “•Helps Reduce Hemorrhoid Pain

    Because marigold treatments can promote tissue healing and reduce swelling, many find that applying it topically to the anal or genital area helps reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids or anal tears (also called anal fissures). One animal study that investigated the effects of marigold treatment on bleeding wounds found that using the product for an eight-day window resulted in almost 90 percent closure of the tissue wounds, compared to only 51 percent of those who had not used the treatment.

    “6. Eases Cramps and Spasms

    Calendula’s antispasmodic actions are beneficial for relieving muscle spasms , “charley horse” pains, stomach cramps and PMS/menstrual cramps. Marigold is able to decrease cramping by improving blood flow to the painful area and lowering inflammatory responses. The florets can be consumed in tea form to help ease digestion internally and improve liver health or applied over the abdomen in ointment/extract form in order to seep into tense muscles through the skin.

    “7. Naturally Repels Bugs

    Due to their pungent odor, antioxidant content and volatile oils, marigolds can be used to naturally repel mosquitoes, pests and other insects. This is one reason marigold flowers are commonly planted in vegetable gardens and also used in extract form in candles, room or bug sprays, and many skin lotions in order to prevent mosquito bites.

    “Using marigold products on your skin helps repel bites, but you can also plant the flowers directly in your yard or garden to protect soil.

    “The flowers’ aroma works underground to keep away nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests that can eat your crops, sometimes for up to three years after being planted, according to the Farmer’s Alma

     

  • Club launches mission for vision

    Club launches mission for vision

    About 10 Primary Health Centres are being mapped out for renovation in Lagos State, while 20 Smart and Sensor canes costing about $1.57m will be distributed by the Rotary Club of Lagos- Palm groove Estate, Nigeria (District 9110).

    Club President Rtn Atul Kshetry made this known when the District Governor (Dist 9110) Rtn. Dr. Wale Adewale Ogunbadejo and his spouse Rtn. Ann. Olufunmilayo made an official visit to the club.

    Ogunbadejo described the club as the biggest mega rotary club in Nigeria having been established in 2007 and chattered in 2008. He urged members to continue their act of kindness like the founding founder, Rotn Naranbhai G. Patel (MFR).

    Rtn. Ogunbadejo told the president and his Board of Directors to explore new avenues to assimilate new members by skypeing, video chatting and other forms of communication.

    Kshetry and his Board of Directors used the medium to reveal  the  plans of the club for the current rotary year.

    He informed the District Governor of the  the club’s plan  to have to have 150 members soon.

    Arch. Klumph, member Rtn. Patel,  assured the District Governor that Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate will continue with its policy to utilise 100 percent of the donations received for projects under the six focused areas of Rotary.

    Rtn. Jayashankar Nalode, Chairman, Service Project, thanked the District Governor for honouring  the club with 11 awards, including: The Best Club in District 9110 for the previous Rotary year, assuring him that the club  would work  with the district and other rotary clubs to offer humanitarian services to the under privileged members of the society, in line with rotary goals.

    Rtn Kshetry said Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate plans to implement the following major projects during the year: Blood donation camps with a target of 1000 pints of blood in this Rotary year; in collaboration with Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services (LSBTS).

    He promised that provision of artificial limbs and its donation will be sustained because the club has its own clinic where artificial limbs are provided and fixed on a daily basis to beneficiaries, since the inception of the club. Over 40,000 limbs have been replaced.

    Also the Laboratory in the Box – a joint venture with Rotary Club of Lagos, to provide laboratory materials to 50 government primary and secondary schools to enable pupils and students conduct math and science experiments will be expanded- targeting at least 25,000 beneficiaries in the first phase.

    Throwing light on the star project of the club-‘Mission for Vision 2017’, Chair of the Mission, Rtn. Tarun Sanghvi said free cataract surgery programme will be conducted from the  end of November to early December this year, during which, the club would offer free cataract surgery to 1,500 underprivileged patients. The screening is expected to start from October and at least 10 Rotary clubs belonging to District 9110 shall participate with Rotary Club of Lagos Palm grove estate in the project. “This would be the 10th year of conducting this camp, which has given new eyesight to over 15,000 patients suffering from cataracts, completely free of cost. The club thanked the the  state government for its  support to the project over the last 10 years. It has been possible to implement these projects over the last 10 years because of the strong support from the donor community,” she stated.

    Rtn. Sanghvi made an appeal to the donor community to continue supporting the Mission for Vision project so that the club can continue to offer the free cataract surgeries to the needy and underprivileged.

    President Sanjeev Tandon of Rotary Club of Lagos Island (RCLI) pledged that his club will continue to partner  Vision in 2017 as it was in 2016.

    Chairman, Public Relations, Rtn. Pravin Kumar highlighted the role of the media and pleaded for objective and accurate reporting  of the club’s activities.

  • Lagos pursues Vision 90-90-90

    Lagos pursues Vision 90-90-90

    •Pilgrims undergo HIV screening

    About 2,000 intending pilgrims in Lagos have been screened by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. It was conducted at the Hajj Camp, Old Secretariat, Ikeja.

    LSACA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Oluseyi Temowo, who explained the rationale behind the screening,  said the exercise was in pursuant of the vision 90-90-90.

    He said the state was joining the rest of the globe’s powerful momentum, which is building towards a new narrative on HIV treatment and a new final and ambitious, but achievable target- that by year 2020, 90 per cent of those living with HIV will know their HIV status. By the same year also, 90 per cent of those diagnosed with HIV infection, will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. Again, by the same year, 90 per cent of those receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

    He said: “It is not to only reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, but it is a transformative agenda for reaching people, who are left behind. By 2020, we want to have a cascading target to have at least 90 per cent of Lagosians living with HIV know their diagnosis, 90 per cent of those people to be receiving antiretroviral treatment; and 90 per cent of those on HIV treatment to have an undetectable viral load.

    “Before the intending pilgrims were screened, they were sensitised and counseled, and it is a voluntary testing. It was the Commissioner for Home Affairs and the co-ordinating Imam, Alhaji Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who moved the idea. We have counseled them that if they turned negative they should know how to stay negative.”

    He added: “Ending AIDS will require uninterrupted access to lifelong treatment for tens of millions of people, necessitating strong, flexible health and community systems, protection and promotion of human rights, and self-replenishing financing mechanisms, capable of supporting treatment programmes across the lifespan of people living with HIV in the state.”

    According to Dr Temowo, Lagos cannot be left behind as the world is uniting around an ambitious HIV treatment target to lay the groundwork to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. “Through national, regional and global-level consultations, diverse stakeholders like Ministry of Home Affairs are pledging to ensure that by 2020: 90 per cent of people living with HIV know their HIV status; 90 per cent of people who know their status receive treatment; 90 per cent of people on HIV treatment have a suppressed viral load.

    “HIV treatment is a critical tool towards ending the AIDS epidemic, but it is not the only one. While taking action to maximise the prevention effects of HIV treatment, urgent efforts are similarly needed to scale up other core prevention strategies, including elimination of mother-to-child transmission, condom programming, pre-exposure antiretroviral prophylaxis, harm reduction services for people, who inject drugs, and focused prevention programming for other key populations.

    “To put in place a comprehensive response to end the epidemic, concerted efforts will be needed to eliminate stigma, discrimination and social exclusion,”he explained.

    On how to end same in the state, he said: “Ending AIDS will require uninterrupted access to lifelong treatment for tens of millions of people, necessitating strong, flexible health and community systems, protection and promotion of human rights, and self-replenishing financing mechanisms capable of supporting treatment programmes across the lifespan of people living with HIV. And thankfully enough, the Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has pumped money into LSACA for that.

    “He was there at the declaration of Vision 90-90-90, and he has given a marching order that all the nooks and crannies of the state should be visited for screening in pursuant of the vision.”

    A 60-year-old trader and participant, Mrs Balikisu Bakare,  said she was happy with the screening, saying: “We now know how to relate better when we get to the holy land. We won’t be scared of contracting any disease because we don’t know, who we will be staying with. Also, we will be free to share utensils without fear.”

    An education officer, Ahmed Sodiq, said it was a good initiative by the state to ensure that the pilgrims know their status. “Though it is never a crime for anybody to be living with HIV, but knowing that will assist in better management. And the FOREX is able to be manage for us other necessary screenings instead of paying N12, 000, we paid half the price,”he said.

    Mrs Silifat Abdul-Ganiyu said it was good the state conducted the screening for HIV and others because, “it will help the people concerned to prepare themselves, health-wise, to cope better in holy land.”

  • Can Nigeria achieve Vision 20: 2020?

    Can Nigeria achieve Vision 20: 2020?

    The Vision 20:2020 is a dream statement that Nigeria will become one of the first 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. The former Minister of National Planning Dr Shamsudeen Usman (2009), who unveiled the economic blueprint at a workshop, declared: “By 2020, Nigeria will be one of the 20th largest economies in the world, which will be able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena.”

    The economic agenda became a clarion call for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, status or religion, to unite and stand behind the common cause of placing the country firmly on a path of sustainable growth and taking it to its rightful place in the comity of nations. Notably, fundamental to the vision are two broad objectives: human and natural resources to achieve economic growth and translating that growth into equitable social development for all citizens. These aspirations are defined across four areas, which are social, economic, institutional and political dimensions.

    The Vision 20:2020 wants to create a peaceful, equitable, harmonious and just society where every citizen has a strong sense of national identity and citizens are supported by educational and healthcare systems that benefit all and sustains life expectancy of not less than 70 years.

    Despite this goal on the social system, little or nothing has been achieved since the vision was conceived. The nation, which has three major ethnic groups and over 250 sub-ethnic nationalities, has experienced several ethno-religious conflicts, which threatened its unity. The current life expectancy is 47 years but, the agenda, which lapses in three years from now, wants to 70 years of life expectancy. How valid is such declaration, given the bad state of our healthcare system and the economic inequality?

    The Vision 20:2020 wants to achieve a peaceful, equitable harmonious and just society. How achievable is this goal when terrorism and ethno-religious conflicts remain a major concern in the country? We have been battling with challenges of displaced people, youth restiveness and economic sabotage in the Niger-Delta.

    To achieve the vision, the government also calls for a strong sense of patriotism and national identity. National identity? The enthusiasm for patriotism among Nigerians is dwindling, unlike what is obtainable in other African countries where citizens are proud to associate with their countries and flaunt their citizenship. Reverse is the case here, because most Nigerians feel marginalised in the day-by-day running of the country. There is a low rate of political participation by the citizens and high level of ignorance among people on political matters. The glory of our education has been brought down by incessant teachers’ strikes, while the state of public healthcare is nothing to write home about. While we still battle these challenges, achieving the Vision 20:2020 seems impossible.

    Economically, achieving the Vision 20:2020 requires the creation of a globally-competitive economy that will be resilient and diversified. We must have a competitive manufacturing sector that is highly integrated and contributes no less than 25 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Given that the country is facing an economic recession, which has affected all the sectors of the economy, how do we seek to achieve Vision 20:2020? There are high prices of commodities, yet the country imports goods and services that can be produced locally. This is killing domestic industries and discouraging local investment needed by Small Scale Enterprise to flourish.

    An unstable economy cannot stand the competition of the world’s economies. Good economic planning is at the heart of any country’s development. Nigeria is still being referred to as a “developing country” because of its poor economic growth. The exchange rate fluctuates at a regular basis, causing the poor to get poorer. There are basic amenities provided by the government. Of what importance is a government, if the basic infrastructures are not delivered?

    We must strengthen the institution of democracy if we must achieve meaningful progress economically. In a situation where the rights of the citizens to determine their leaders are guaranteed and adequate statutory framework exists to support a popular rule, economy of a country would flourish.

    From what we have seen so far, there seems to be no visible effort to put the economy on solid platform to actualise the goals.

    Nigeria urgently needs infrastructure to create a globally competitive business environment that will increase its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Although policies have been put in place to carry out such vision, the reality is yet to be seen.

    It is clear to a layman that if a country is politically stable, there will be economic prosperity. When we examine the successive leadership of the country vis-à-vis our troubled electoral history, we would understand the reason why we still have high corruption record and insecurity.

    Gone are the days when the prices of commodities in the market could not determine the survival of an individual, where foreign investors are eager to invest in the country, where there was low unemployment rate, poverty reduced. After over 52 years of independence, and despite series of economic blueprints, there is nothing on round to show that Nigeria is ready to be a developed country. Little wonder some people said “Vision 20:2020” is a paper work to massage the ego of our thoughtless political elite.

     

    Tolulope, 400-Level International Relations, Landmark University

  • Betsy Obaseki… A woman of vision

    Less than a month ago, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, wife of Edo State Governor, was in the eye of a media storm. News making the rounds at the time had it that her job at the Bank of Industry (BOI) was threatened and she was only being greedy to have kept her job at the BOI after becoming First Lady.

    John Mayaki, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki and himself a journalist was having none of that. In a few articles, he quite took the fight to every negative account of Mrs Obaseki’s job such that by the time he was done, I would like to think he had convinced everyone that the negative reports were the sort of claptrap that could only have been born out of malice. He was also able to, I believe, convince his readers of the First Lady’s candour as far as her Job at the BOI related to her position as First Lady of Edo state.

    As it stands, he was right. Using her influence as the Managing Director (MD) at the Bank of Industry Trust Company (BOITC), she has been making moves to empower the women of Edo State, particularly the widows.

    In less than a month, she concluded plans to empower some 500 widows through animal husbandry, and carried this out during the recently concluded International Women’s Day celebration. This empowerment initiative was a huge statement from Mrs Obaseki in more ways than one.

    Apart from the fact that it took those who had erstwhile accused her to the pillory and exposed them as myopic and ignorant, it also actualised part of the governor’s campaign promises during electioneering.

    During his campaign, Governor Obaseki had referred to his grandmother, Madam Sarah Elabor, as one of the most important people in his life as a child. He noted that he spent some time with her and so knew what women are capable of if given the chance to excel and therefore promised to empower women even as he promised after the election that 35% of his political appointments would be women.

    He also promised to select some 100 widows and give them monthly stipend for the next four years, but she decided to take the plan a step further and develop the empowerment project for the widows by collaborating with Bank of Industry.

    Added to the fact that the initiative would go in tandem with the governor’s plans for women empowerment, there is also the aspect of agriculture, which the empowerment programme has the potential to affect.

    In executing the programme, each of the 500 widows were given 40 chickens comprising 20 layers and 20 broilers of a special breed. They will also be given the required feed for three months, and she assured them of a ready market for the produce from the chickens.

    Not to be forgotten is the potential this programme has to curb food shortage in the state. Basic things such as egg and chicken would flood the market and cause the prices of these items to drop in the market, while still serving as a steady source of revenue and food to these women and their children.

    In a word, the First Lady has handed the 500 widows steady means to an income on a silver platter. They would not only have the means to an income, they would also have an employment to keep them busy and since it is animal husbandry, they could even combine it with another job if they wanted.

    She did not plan to leave them ignorant after giving them the money. Is it not often said that a fool and his gold are soon parted? She therefore organised a 1-day training programme on poultry production for the 500 widows in the state.

    The widows were trained on how to rear birds and that the empowerment would give the widows monthly stipends and boost the production of rural women, to tackle food shortages and poverty. Notably, she did not make it a partisan affair. Mrs Obaseki revealed that the programme was for everybody, irrespective of whatever political leanings they may have. She later revealed that the programme would be extended to 1000 women in the future.

    Those who have benefitted from the programme so far are thoroughly grateful for it and see that it could offer them a new lease of life as far as their finances are concerned. They described the gesture as a good omen in their lives because it would make them self-sufficient as feeds were also given to them.

    One of the widows, who gave her name as Juliet Aibangbee, said she preferred the birds to money, as she would now be engaged in a productive venture. She said they were promised during the training programme that a ready market would be provided for their products.

    Another beneficiary, who simply gave her name as Mrs. Glory, said the women were told the High breed birds do not die easily and were capable of laying five to six eggs daily.

    Meanwhile, Mrs Obaseki did not stop her empowerment initiatives with agriculture. She additionally appealed to the Edo State House of Assembly to pass two pending bills on gender violence elimination speedily.

    This appeal was timed to mark the International Women’s day celebration in Benin. The bills – Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill 2016 and Law to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Place – have the potential to bridge the existing gap in gender issues.

    Mrs Obaseki has proven that she is not given to the frivolities, unnecessary ceremony and pomp that hang around as temptations to those occupying the office of the First Lady.

    She genuinely intends to help the women in the state and her background in finance and economics is helping her do it in such a way that not only the women, but also the state’s exchequer can potentially benefit from it.

    She showed great initiative to realise that the economic and financial challenges of the women, especially the widows in the state, could not be remedied by monetary empowerment but by granting them access to a livelihood.

    Coupled with her husband’s managerial ingenuity, Edo State may soon come into an economic and agricultural boon. This is something the people have deserved for so long. They must however sustain this tempo for it to last.

    • Oviosun, PhD, sent this piece from Benin City
  • ‘My vision for Ekiti’

    ‘My vision for Ekiti’

    Otunba Segun Agbalajobi is a governorship aspirant in Ekiti State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the state prepares for the election in 2018, the United Kingdom-based politician reveals how Nigeria can overcome economic recession, create jobs and tackle security challenges in an interview with select reporters.  Bisi Oladele was there.

    DUE to economic recession, Nigeria is today struggling to survive with most of the federating states struggling to pay salaries and run the governance machine. If you are elected governor of Ekiti State, how do you intend to overcome this problem and bring prosperity to the people of the state?

    It is about setting priorities right; putting the right people in the right positions. There are highly intelligent and exposed Nigerians who have a lot to deliver but have not had the opportunity. This is one of the reasons I offered myself to serve my people. Since my ambition is to govern Ekiti State, let me focus more on how my state can get out of the mess. If given the opportunity to serve my people, one of my plans to bail out the dwindling economy of the state is by releasing special agricultural funds for 200 farmers in each of the 16 local governments for a start to venture into large scale mechanised cash crops farming.  I intend to generate funds from the sales of the crops by exporting them to foreign countries within the first two years of my administration.

    Ekiti is primarily an agrarian state. But aside agriculture, in what other ways will you boost the economy of the state?

    Without being immodest, I have travelled to most parts of the developed world and I have the necessary link and have sufficient knowledge on governance. Having travelled to major tourism centres in Europe and discovered how nations in European countries turn their tourism centres to wealth for their citizenry and governments, I will package Ikogosi and other tourist centres in the state into international standards and facilitate easy movement of tourism developers to Ekiti State from European countries. One thing that Nigerian leaders have failed to realise over the years is the fact that there are lots of revenues derivable from tourism. I can assure you that Ekiti State will record millions of Naira from tourism within a short period.

    Ekiti people are known for their love for education. How will you meet their yearnings in the face of dwindling resources?

    For a start, I will identify 100 primary and secondary schools that need urgent renovation and facilitate a special United Nations Educational Funds meant to revamp poor schools in third world countries. I believe that will be the first as no government in the country has thought along this line as the money are transferred to a special account only to be monitored and supervised by the donors.

    Millions of youths in the country are unemployed. How do you hope to tackle unemployment in your state?

    That is one major area that gives me a lot of worry every now and then. On assumption of office, I will create jobs for the youths by opening up different skills acquisition centres in the 16 local government areas of the state and ensure that graduates from this one year training centres are employed to work in special recreational centres and other areas, and are placed on special salaries.

    Insecurity is another worrisome issue that is giving the country bad reputation. What is your advice for the Federal Government?

    My advice for the Federal Government is to be more proactive in its surveillance by forming partnership with the UK government whose air surveillance security is second to none in the world. Religious extremists are yet to launch any attack on UK because the country’s security through air surveillance has remained unbeatable among other nations of the world. They are able to ward off ISIS before they can plan any attack on Britain.