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  • Making a living in a woman’s world

    Making a living in a woman’s world

    In a world fast evolving and collapsing barriers, Medinat Kanabe takes a trip into the world of four men, who are making a living in jobs and businesses traditionally reserved for women

    Many years ago in Africa, Nigeria especially, men were seen as mini-gods by their wives, feared by their children and respected in the society. They were considered before women in job placements and in many other opportunities.

    Consequently, when a couple gives birth to a female child, their next line of prayer is to have a male child. Men even go to the extent of marrying another wife, all in a bid to have male children, if their wives are not lucky enough to have them. Some women have also been sent parking by their husbands for this same reason.

    As if to further undermine the female gender, some jobs, which are considered weaker or softer, are reserved for the women and real men dared not touch them, even with a long pole. This probably gave vent to the saying that the woman’s place is the kitchen. This includes jobs like operating food canteens, popularly called ‘Mama put’, baby-sitting, make-up artist, hair-making, frying bean cakes and other fries for sale on road sides, cleaning, housemaids jobs, and the likes. But the borders seems to be collapsing these days, and  just like women are taking up jobs hitherto seen as the exclusive preserve of the men, the men have also taken up jobs traditionally seen as women’s jobs; sometimes excelling and proudly out-doing the women. Call it the fear of poverty if you like, but that is the reality of our time.

    The Nation took time out to speak with some of the men making waves in women’s world.

     

    Greg the hair maker

    Okaka Prince-Greg is CEO of Greg Style Saloon, GSS. He is a professional hair dresser, make-up artist and an expert in cutting of ladies hair, and you could tell that he couldn’t have been happier dressing in suits and working in any company other than his.

    Armed with a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science from Auchi Polytechnic, Okaka started making ladies hair 8 years ago.

    “I graduated in 2006 and worked for three months with TESCO Company, Ikeja. I didn’t quite enjoy going to the office everyday at a particular time and dressing corporately, so I resigned and went to South Africa. In South Africa I toiled and toiled without making much, and came back to Nigeria in February 2008.””

    Back in Nigeria, the situation was no different. He could not find a job, so he started thinking of what to do.

    Said Greg, “I didn’t want to depend on my certificate because of the situation of things in the country, so I made up my mind to learn something I can do with my hands. One day, I was with my friends and we got talking about handworks when one of them mentioned a place in Ikeja, where men make ladies hair. I was surprised but made up my mind to go into the business. He gave me the address and I went there to make enquiries. Later I enrolled for one year training.”

    Now Greg does all types of hair, although he says he prefers fixing to braiding because it is faster.

    Asked why his charges are more than that of other hair dressers in the area and yet attracts long queue of the ladies, he said it is because he and his boys are offering the best anyone can get in the community.

    “I have heard people complaining that my prices are too expensive but ladies don’t stop coming because they know that I will give them what other saloons won’t give them. Those that come here for the first time and complain don’t regret paying the money at the end of the day because we give them more than what they paid for. Remember the saying that ‘soup wey sweet na money kill am’.”

    He explained that all the other workers in the salon, who are also men, are either his younger ones or childhood friends. Some of them, he says have even gone on to open their own shops.

    In a bid to show this reporter how profitable the salon business has become, he explained that two of the boys,  Peter and Osi are currently in South Africa for further training and negotiations to open another saloon there.

    He advised men who feel they cannot do his kind of job to sit up and find a way to add value to their lives, saying they cannot be waiting for the government to come and give them jobs.

    “If I was waiting for the government, I will not be where I am today. Graduates who think that staying at home is better than making hairs are still sleeping. Nigerians should play their individual roles and help the government by sitting up and making a living out of their passion.

    Greg who is happily married, says his wife does not have any problem with his work. He added that she is a make-up artist and so understands the job. “This is what I was doing when she met me. She also knows that I am not a womanizer, and so does not feel threatened.”

    Asked if he ever feels attracted to the women while making their hair, Greg said no. But he cannot tell if the women feel anything for him. “The only thing I have on my mind is how the hair will look on the client.”

     

    John Edues, man in the ‘mama-put business

    For John Edues, a Beninese from Shaape, in Benin-Republic who operates a food canteen popularly known as ‘mama-put’, he is very proud of what he is doing.

    His is a sad story, but fate brought him the job of cooking for sale, which he says he has never regretted embracing. He revealed that he is from a very poor family, “My father was an Army Officer while my mother was a house wife. I failed my West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE  and decided not to write another one because I wasn’t sure of making my papers. My dad suggested that I joined the army or police. I was excited and started the process. I even passed all exams, but failed the medicals after I was diagnosed of having high blood pressure.

    “Thus ended my army dream. My father feared that I could slump and die during one of their daily exercises.

    Although I was 18 years-old, I knew I had to face up to life and take the bull by the horns. I was faced with two options; to learn mechanic or take up apprenticeship as a bricklayer, which I didn’t quite like. So I began thinking of what to do. At a point, someone suggested that I enrolled at a catering school.”

    John took the cue and enrolled at Shatel Catering School, Benin-Republic, where he studied for three years and got a certificate in catering services.

    He came to Nigeria in 2008 and got a job with Shoprite, Lekki, where he worked for five years and rose to the position of Chief Cook. “I left Shoprite because I wasn’t enjoying the job. The money was good, but I had no peace of mind. My boss was always having issues with me. He rained curses on me saying I would die; I would not spend my salary well; that I will use it on sicknesses…. So I took a decision to leave and open my own shop.”

    John who claims he can cook any country dish – be it African, Japanese or French said men are the best of cooks, adding that a Chinese man won the world’s best cook in 2015.

    Explaining how he meets the challenges of getting his food ready every day, he said he wakes up by 5am everyday to cook and get everything ready by 8am. “I make chicken barbecue every evening from 4pm and close by 10pm.”

    He also revealed that he is married and that his family is in Benin-Republic. John says he travels home during holidays and makes it a point of duty to cook during these occasions. “When I cook, my children clap for me saying I cook better than their mother.”

    According to John, every food has its secret and he has taught her (his wife) ways of cooking some delicacies. For instance, he says “there is no need to parboil rice before cooking it. All you have to do is wash the rice and drain the water for 5 minutes, put your pot on fire with groundnut oil or butter in it and then pour the rice into the hot groundnut oil. Stir for 15 minutes before pouring tomatoes and pepper in it. Add water and other ingredient and leave to cook until soft.”

    A customer who overheard this interview couldn’t help put interfere. “Madam if John cooks, it is like magic. His food tastes so good and I sometimes wonder how he does it. He is a champion cook.”

     

    Lawal the make-up artist and events planner

    Lawal Abiodun Jubril is a professional Make-up artist and event planner. He is a graduate of Economics from the Lagos State University, LASU. He learnt the art of make-up at Beauty Spark Studio, Egbeda, Lagos in 2007 and said he has been in the business for eight years. He told The Nation that he decided to go into make-up after he modeled for XA Model Surulere, Lagos many years ago and that the name of his studio is Beauty Africana.

    “When I saw the models being made-up, I liked it and began to developed interest in it.” Lawal said.

    Talking about his growing up, he said: “I grew up in an average family in Amukoko, Ajegunle, Lagos and attended Iganmu High School. I was also a member of Junior Chamber International on campus, where I had various trainings.”

    Asked how lucrative the business is, he said when one looks at the Nigerian environment especially the entertainment industry which has grown well in recent time, one would realise that going into make-up and event planning is lucrative.

    “When I wanted to enroll in a make-up school, there were not many around because the industry wasn’t the way it is now. Today many people are going into it even men! Men are more in it abroad and I can tell you that it is a good business, as long as you develop love and passion for it.” Lawal said.

    He also said that men have an added advantage in make-up because women relate more with them.

     

    Blessing Simon, specialist in fries

    25 years-old Blessing Simon fries doughnuts and other snacks at Ejigbo. The secondary school certificate holder says that is what he does for survival and is proud of it.

    He revealed that he gradually embraced the business, after years of fruitless search for a university admission or paid employment and more importantly because he didn’t want to stay at home, doing nothing.

    Blessing also showed great reluctance about speaking with this reporter, until he got her to make a commitment to get him a job after the interview.

    When he finally spoke, he said; “I went into this business to keep myself busy. I started about a year ago after learning under my boss who is the owner of this place that we are using. I am the first child in a family of seven children, so I have to support the family.

    “My parents both run a beer parlour close to our house. I have written WASSCE, but looking for money to send myself to the university which is one of the reasons I work very hard.”

    Blessing hopes to study Estate Management and used the opportunity of this interview to seek for a sponsorship amongst well-meaning Nigerians.

    He advised men who are home doing nothing to come out and get themselves busy, saying an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. “I know that to succeed in life, one must start from somewhere. I want my future to be bright and I must start from somewhere. This business is lucrative but I still want to go to school. I am also looking out for other jobs,” he added.

  • The Josephines of our world

    Life can really be tough if you reside in a bustling city like Lagos, it is even tougher when you’re unemployed or earn a paltry N7, 800 monthly. When you tell people what you earn they marvel at how you’ve been able to make ends meet. How do you pay your house rent, recharge your phone, eat decent meals or even transport yourself to work? They often wonder. Then one day you went to work and while doing your daily chore, you came across N12 million in ‘cool cash’ staring right at you from the blues!

    An expected battle raged in your mind. Has ‘god’ suddenly blessed me? With this amount I can live like a king, walk away from this demeaning job, buy a good tokunbo, or even a brand new Toyota Corolla car and cruise around my poverty stricken neighbourhood flaunting my new found wealth.

    As your imagination ran riot within, another voice of caution said; wait a minute, this isn’t yours, you weren’t brought up to take that which is not yours. The voice also reminded you that you’ve returned money that wasn’t yours in the past. You knew instantly this was the best way to go even though some people may call you mumu, ode or mugu. You eventually made the ‘painful’ decision of returning the N12 million to the rightful owner. By that singular act you became an instant celebrity. People – including rights groups – suddenly want to associate with you because of your unusual integrity. You weren’t bothered that you were given a paltry $50 (N10, 500) as reward for your honesty.

    This story is not fiction – even though I tried to weave a story around it; it actually happened here in Lagos! Unbelievable? Not really. One lovely young lady, Miss Josephine Agwu, a cleaner – yes, a cleaner – with one of the cleaning concessionaires at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos did just that. According to the Nigerian Tribune story, she will be honoured and probably rewarded by the Lagos State House of Assembly for finding and returning the N12 million to the owner.

    According to the Newspaper, the House of Assembly took the decision to invite Josephine to appear before it at a later date during its sitting following resumption from a month long recess. Deputy Whip of the House, Honourable Rotimi Abiru, had under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, raised the issue, calling the attention of his colleagues to the fact that Josephine was returning lost money for the third time. Abiru said that the affected lady, who earns a monthly salary of N7, 800, was given just $50 the second time she found and returned a lost money.

    Speaking on what motivated her to do what she did; Josephine words were quite instructive, “If I had taken what doesn’t belong to me, God will punish me. I am contented with my N7, 800 monthly salary. It was not my money. I believe when it pleases God, He will bless the work of my hand and will make me rich.” Can you beat that! In a Nigeria where most people believe we are all corrupt and dishonest. But we are all not like that; it is often the bad egg that produces awful stench.

    We have other Nigerians like Josephine, both within and outside our shores. I will concentrate today on three of them to show that there are still ‘ordinary’ Nigerians out there passing the integrity and honesty test with high flying distinction.

    Two years ago, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja rewarded Mr. Umeh Usuah, an Abuja taxi cab driver with N30, 000 for returning the sum of N18 million left in his cab by a passenger who he picked up at a hotel. Usuah said he was at the car-wash when he discovered a bag left in his car by a passenger and he decided to do the right thing by returning it to the owner.

    For this exemplary display of honesty, the Abuja taxi cab driver who plies the Abuja Airport road route was recognised by the NOA. While presenting the cash reward to Usuah, the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, said back then that any Nigerian who displays such exemplary behaviour such as Usuah’s deserves to be celebrated. He said the award would be given to any Nigerian irrespective of status or class that showed act that depicts the values and culture of Nigeria.

    Narrating the circumstances which led to his returning the money, the cab-driver said, “My mind went back to the man who I dropped at the hotel and I immediately alerted my chairman and he instructed me to go back to the place where I dropped him. I saw him and delivered his bag to him. I believe that was the right thing to do.”

    According to report, a representative of the Aviation Minister, Mr. Oche Elias, said it was a rare display of honesty, adding that it was “a huge integrity and trust exhibited by Usuah”. The aviation ministry later organised a dinner in Usuah’s honour to show to the world that integrity pays.

    In faraway Spain, A Nigerian tissue seller also passed the integrity test and was praised as a “Good Samaritan” after he returned €16,000 he found in a briefcase that fell from a car in December 2014. 35 year old Peter Angelina, who makes a living selling tissue paper at a traffic light junction at the corner of Calle Juan Diaz de Solis and Ruben Dario in Seville, Spain, was selling his wares on Dec. 3rd when he noticed a small briefcase left on the roof of a car.

    The briefcase fell to the ground when the driver of the car pulled away. Peter picked up the briefcase and ran after the vehicle, trying to flag the driver down to return the case to him but couldn’t get the attention of the driver. He then took the briefcase to a police station near the junction.

    When police opened the briefcase, they found €3,150 in cash and six cheques with a combined value of €13,000 as well as some documents and a mobile telephone. More money than the man who left Lagos Nigeria for London, then Spain over 10 years had ever seen in his life.

    According to Euronews which reported the story, Spanish Police tracked down the owner of the briefcase, a 42-year-old businessman from Seville, and returned his belongings. The man later found Peter and rewarded him with €100.

    “People say I could have kept the money and then thrown the briefcase away but I am not like that, and God wouldn’t have liked that. I am not crazy, I am a good man.” Peter was quoted as telling a local media.

    It turns out Peter Angelina is a doctor, but cannot practice medicine in Spain because his degree from Nigeria is not recognised in Spain. He started studying medicine in Seville five years ago and sells tissues to afford his studies. He also gets a little financial help from his father who is reportedly a policeman in Nigeria.

    These are ordinary Nigerians who have every reason to take that which did not belong to them but resisted the temptations. They may not be rich today but they have a good conscience and can sleep with both eyes closed fearing nothing.

    But unfortunately, this cannot be said of some Nigerians, especially some in public offices. The stealing by government officials in our country is systematic, planned, organised, endemic, and extreme. Nigeria’s thieving autocrats loot the treasury and spare no funds – no matter how consolidated. They spare no assets or public accounts because they are morally depraved and ethically bankrupt.

    They steal so much that no matter how lavish their life styles within the country become, they can only use a fraction of their loot in their life time. Most times their loots are hidden in foreign bank accounts in tax havens, mainly in Switzerland. Their stealing spree creates huge holes in the development process at home; hence home is unstable and unsafe to keep stolen funds. Home may explode at any minute.

    Regardless of this however, these three Nigerians have shown that there is hope for the country if we can get the leadership challenge right.

  • The world is watching Jega

    IR: Numerous reactions, domestic and foreign, have trailed the monumental event of Saturday, February 7, when Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the postponement of the general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.

    Numerous questions have also been asked, including the following:

    • Was INEC truly ready to conduct the general elections from February 14 as previously scheduled?

    • Why had over 700,000 ad hoc INEC staff not been fully mobilized and trained for the elections, prior to the postponement?

    • Why had the card readers not been fully procured, pre-tested and made ready for the elections, a few days to the e-day?

    • What accounts for the obvious lopsided distribution and collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as have been widely reported in the media – with a mega-state like Lagos recording barely 38% while Kaduna State recorded 87%, and strife-torn Borno State, with thousands of internally displaced persons, achieved 80%?

    These questions – and many more like them – cannot simply be swept under the carpet. Indeed, getting the elections right on March 28 and April 11 will depend a great deal on how these critical questions are addressed by all concerned persons, agencies and institutions.

    The reactions of the international community have also been varied – and should also be evaluated dispassionately.

    Apart from the United States which expressed its deep disappointment over the decision to postpone the general elections due to security concerns, and condemned what it called political interference with INEC, other major countries, global organizations and regional blocs showed more understanding of the circumstances surrounding the postponement of the elections.

    To underscore the strategic importance of Nigeria – and of happenings in Nigeria – in the comity of nations, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, reportedly telephoned both President Jonathan and General Buhari after the rescheduling of the Nigerian general elections. The Secretary General noted the decision of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the general elections and urged the electoral authorities to take all necessary measures, such as the rapid distribution of the remaining Permanent Voter Cards, to enable all eligible citizens, including those displaced, to exercise their right to vote in a timely manner.

    The Secretary General hoped that the elections would meet the high expectations of the Nigerian people and the international community.

    These reactions of the international community have been generally positive – underscoring the need for all stakeholders to accept the postponement in good faith and use the intervening period to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible general election, while maintaining fidelity to the presidential inauguration date of May 29.

    Overall, apart from the serious security concerns in the North-east, it is obvious that INEC was ill-prepared to conduct the elections on February 14 because over a third (34%) of all registered voters were yet to get their permanent voters cards prior to the postponement.

    In addition, as widely reported in the media, the training and simulation exercises for INEC officials and thousands of ad hoc staff on how to use the card readers for the permanent voters’ cards during the polls had not been conducted. The training manuals were not ready while simulations for the card readers had not been conducted.

    Professor Jega has built a solid reputation for integrity over the years, especially with the widely acclaimed successful conduct of the 2011 general elections. Jega should not allow himself – and his previous achievements and reputation – to be rubbished by the obviously shoddy preparations for the 2015 general elections.

     

    •  Kelechi Onyemaobi

  • World Cancer Day

    •Increasing numbers of the disease should inspire a special policy in Nigeria

    On Wednesday, Nigerians joined the rest of humanity to mark the World Cancer Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on prevention, detection and treatment of the disease.

    Cancer, which describes a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body, is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2012 alone, approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths were recorded. Of these, more than 60 percent occurred in Africa, Asia and Central and South America – that is 70 percent of the world’s cancer deaths.

    As one would expect, the statistics for Nigeria is as chilling as can be: an estimated two million Nigerians are believed to be down with the disease. Head of Oncology and Radiotherapy Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof Remi Ajekigbe, puts the estimated figure of new cancer cases at 100,000 yearly – with LUTH alone recording no fewer than 3,000 new cases yearly. Of the cases, more than 50 percent are said to occur in women – the commonest being breast and cervical cancer; the cancers frequently associated with men are prostate, lung, colorectum, stomach and liver cancers.

    What is equally noteworthy is that survival rates from the disease have doubled in the last 40 years owing to vast advances in science and medicine. Even at that, the number of new cases is projected to rise by about 70 percent over the next two decades.

    This is where the theme for this year – Not Beyond Us –would seem particularly apt. Aside underscoring the challenge ahead, it also underlies the resolve of the global scientific community to tackle the scourge via the avenues of new treatments and solutions within reach, with specific focus on four key areas: choosing healthy lives, delivering early detection, achieving treatment for all and maximising quality of life.

    Hardly an entirely new approach, this strategy would seem pragmatic; cancer treatments, even where facilities for its management are readily available are known to be very expensive. For most developing countries, including Nigeria, specialised cares for sufferers of various types of cancers are not just limited; the facilities available are overstretched just as the cost of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments are well beyond what most cancer patients can afford.

    This is where the benefits of the approach that places primary responsibility on the individual in the area of preventive check-ups and while discouraging those life-styles that predispose the individual to the disease, cannot be over-emphasised. Just like in other aspects of our national life where preventive strategy comes highly recommended, we do not think that the government is doing nearly enough to promote behavioural changes that could help cut down the rising incidences of cancer. And to imagine that we are here referring to things as basic as improved diets, routine exercises to avoid obesity and avoidance of alcohol and smoking that can be handled at the primary health care level.

    The biggest challenge however is in the area of research and the provision of equipment for cancer treatment. For a nation that aspires to join the league of developed countries less than five years from now, it is a crying shame that it does not have a centre of excellence devoted to cancer treatment and research. Even worse is that most of the radiotherapy machines in the country are said to be obsolete – constantly breaking down due to high patient load –which is why affluent Nigerians now leave in droves for treatment abroad.

    Providing our tertiary health institutions with grants to procure cancer equipment in the circumstance would not be a bad idea. The institutions can then be expected to concentrate on training the requisite manpower.

  • Lagos Countdown: Selling Bar Beach to the world

    Lagos Countdown: Selling Bar Beach to the world

    The Lagos Countdown, which ushers in a New Year, is not all about fun and razzmatazz. It is a tool designed by the state government to sell the Bar Beach to the world, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI, who was at last weekend’s colourful events, which ushered in 2015.

    A true brand experience is more than an interaction, say brand experts. It is that moment in time when a customer not only sees the brand promise but is able to live it in ways that drive deep affinity and loyalty.

    At last Wednesday’s Lagos Countdown to usher in 2015 the state government explored this  tool to market the Bar Beach waterfront in Victoria Island, Lagos, as a world destination brand.

    To the event’s organiser, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), there is more to the Lagos brand than the slogan, Eko O Ni Baje. Delivering the experience is what makes the slogan create an impact beyond the sloganeering. “When you ask executives this question, many say that branding is the best way to attract customers and foster loyalty. But there’s really more to the story. There’s actually a more effective way to attract and retain customers – and it has to do with the experience you deliver,” a brand expert who observe the Lagos Countdown, said.

    With the use of social media, CNN and other media channels to relay the experience of audience live at the Lagos Countdown, whose grand finale was held at the Bar Beach on cross-over night, the impact of the countdown in delivering what participants called “the Lagos Experiential marketing” cannot be undermined. “These experiences don’t just impact those individual in Lagos but also those who watched it on CNN, social media and more; those who came tell their friends and family. As one study found, traditional marketing activities often can’t match the power of these word-of-mouth recommendations-experiantial,” says an expert.

    As a result, the Bar Beach played host to an estimated 200,000 participants for 2014 edition of the countdown as against 100,000 recorded in 2013. According to LASAA, who put up the event for the Lagos State government, part of the aim of the countdown is to brand Lagos for global positioning in tourism with the aim of deepening its commerce.

    This aim appeared to have been achieved with the just concluded Lagos Countdown which according to report made available to The Nation, recorded trade and commerce transactions in excess of N2 billion between December 1 to the crossover night, December 31 through January 1, 2015.

     

    The experience

    The event explored music, christmas and New Year festive seasons, musical artistes and celebs to create a good experience about Lagos using the Bar Beach as the setting. An enchanting cascade of lights, fireworks and pyrotechnics, all combining to transform the entire Bar Beach, in Victoria Island, Lagos, into a melting pot of culture, entertainment, leisure and commerce.

    A participant in the countdown, Funmilayo Ademulegun, narrated her experience, saying she prayed to be alive, hale and hearty to witness the 2015 edition. Ademulegun said shortly after the crossover was announced with thunderous fireworks, she took some minutes to reverence God and thanked Him for all He has done for her in the course of the out gone year. Afterwards, she said she looked for a strategic location to enjoy the fireworks.

    “The dark sky became lit. The fireworks were coming round after rounds and it was splendid to behold. I cannot forget in a hurry the excitement that came with the fireworks, the music performance and the entire merriment will linger in my memory for the rest of the year,” she said.

    Also, a United State of America diplomat (name withheld) who was at the event described the grand finale of the countdown as “electric”. He said he would invite his family from to Nigeria to experience the next edition.

     

    Fashola’s dream about Bar Beach

    This, perhaps, informed the reason the Lagos State Governor Babtunde Raji Fashola’s clamour for repeat of the countdown every month.  According to him, “for me, the work is not finished. What we have done here for about a month now must now happen here, every month; from then on, every day. That is when the story will be complete. When there will be commerce and sport, when there will be signing, when there will be buying and selling and when the whole world will fly into this city and the state and to this country and say that I am going to Lagos State Bar Beach water front. That is the dream.”

    Fashola said the importance of the countdown is primarily to boost trade and commerce in the Bar Beach area where the annual event takes place and to make the area a globally acknowledged tourism destination not only for Nigerians, but for the entire people in the world.

    The governor who participated in many of the countdown events, including the sea food festival and the festival of light, said the standard of the countdown and its potential continues to improve, noting that the Lagos State Government aims to improve on the annual event until it becomes a daily affair.

     

    Sponsorship

    Fashola expressed appreciation to all the sponsors of the annual festival who believe in the dream.  “I must thank all our sponsors for their faith, for their trust and for their investment in our dream and this is an investment that I believe is yielding result not only by what I see but also by what is happening. A lot of enterprise, commerce is taking place on this 1.5km stretch and it’s been happening since the first day of December. We have had a fish festival here, we have had a big soccer event here and all of this is gone on. For me, this is a real economy. The economy, instead of giving our people a handout; through strategic thinking and partnership; we give them a hand up so that they can be whoever they want to be on their own efforts and their own initiatives. I want to thank all of you who have made it possible.”

    Just as expected and as reflected in the slogan for the 2014 event, “Lagos Countdown Like Never Before,” the Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr. George Noah, had in several interactions with journalists said the slogan was carefully chosen because 2014 event “will surpass those held previously.”

    Noah noted: “When you put up a show of this magnitude, you consider the lighting, the fireworks, stage and the crowd. Our friends from the United States and the United Kingdom who partnered with us helped us with the lighting, stage setting and fireworks.”

    Due to the hype, the frenzy and smooth organisation of the 2014 countdown, the international community included Lagos among the top 10 tourist destinations for crossover events; even as the ground finale of the countdown featured on CNN for the first time.

    Lots of people travelled from far and wide to witness the crossover, even as they were thrilled with melodious music and great fireworks which lasted for about 25 minutes.

    Justifying the volume of capital which changed hands during the countdown period, George Noah noted that though the money didn’t come directly into the coffers of the state, it exchanged hands among Lagos residents and helped improve their lots as they participated in trade and commerce during the countdown. Also, lots of cash, it was gathered, exchanged hands in advertisement, trade and commerce, hotels and accommodations, transportation and movements etc.

    Speaking on the uniqueness of 2014 Countdown, Noah said: “Countdown is about commerce, it’s about brand development and the rest. 2014 is a unique countdown. We have almost four weeks to start our countdown but in other places, it is just once. New York does not feature 30 artistes; it is only in Lagos this happens.”

    In addition to offering a viable platform for commerce, he said the event encouraged brand development, job creation, leisure, entertainment and tourism. 2014 Lagos Countdown served as institutionalisation of an enduring crossover tradition that signified the end of one year and the celebration of the beginning of another in a splendid fashion.

  • World Academy calls for presentation

    The World Academy for the Future of Women has called for keynote speakers presentations during the 9th Annual Women’s Symposium at the Sias Campus (Sias International University Zhengzhou, Henan, China. A statement  by the National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, Oluseyi Soremekun, said  the deadline for submission of presentations is January 5.  He said all presentations must focus on leadership related to promoting the purpose and mission of the United Nations; the United Nations Millennium Development Goals; or local actions for global impact.

    He said that the format for presentation time is 90 minutes, 30 minutes of which would be used to deliver content, 60 minutes for discussion and interaction with audience while such . presentations will be interpreted for the benefit of participants.

    He said the presentations would have a title, a one-page bio of presenter, a 250 word presentation abstract, a jpg headshot of the presenter, and the three major points of the presentation.                                                                                                                            It would also detail the presenter’s name, position, address, employer or institution, e-mail address, and phone number.

    Soremekun explained that  the 9th Annual Women’s Symposium, Millennium Milestone Makers, is a major event which purpose is to promote and accelerate the advancement of women worldwide will take place May 15-17, 2015.  According to him, the International Women’s Symposium is held every year at the SIAS campus, bringing together thousands of women from across the globe in a powerful exchange of ideas and wisdom.

  • World Bank pledges loan for basic education in Osun

    World Bank pledges loan for basic education in Osun

    The World Bank is to support the Osun State government with an interest-free loan to enhance basic education delivery.

    Dr Tunde Adekola, a representative of the bank, who visited the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, said the bank would support basic education by providing financial intervention to the government to train and re-orientate teachers, and provide Information Comunication Technology (ICT) and instructional materials  for schools – like it did in Ekiti and Lagos states.

    Though Adekola did not disclose the amount involved, he said the Osun State government would get a moratorium of between 10 and 50 years to repay the loan.

    Adekola said the problem confronting basic education in the country was that of accessibility and how to keep children in schools. He added that basic education must be free and compulsory for every child in order for them to learn to read and write.

    Responding, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said the collaboration with the World Bank would facilitate the noble objective of the government at both basic and post basic sectors. She described basic education as a critical stage in the educational development of Nigeria.

    She disclosed that the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS) were designed to prepare pupils in elementary schools for mental and physical alertness so they can compete favourably anywhere in the world.

    Mrs. Laoye-Tomori also informed Adekola of plans to teach basic school pupils in Yoruba Language to enhance understanding and assimilation.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo, praised the the global bank’s management for their contributions to basic education in the country, and also their interests to complement the efforts of the state government in the provision of functional and qualitative education.

     

  • Craving for a peaceful world

    “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Ghandi

    With the passing of every other day, world inhabitants get aggressively intolerant with each other. Due to diminishing diplomatic composure, lack of statecraft, unwillingness to let go and self destructive instincts as occasioned by environmental degradation and population explosion, violence is brewing across hitherto peaceful borders.

    Aside states that are at arms with each other, fissiparous terrorists groups with no defined territorial boundary like Al-Qaeda, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad alias Boko Haram, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, ISIL, National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, MNLA, amongst others are causing havoc, creating international nuisance and bloodshed. At every turn around the world, chaos reign supreme; Ukraine in Eastern Europe, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan in Middle East, Somalia in East Africa, Central African Republic, South Sudan in North Africa, Mali and Nigeria in West Africa, are just few collections of unrest across the globe.

    Violence can be narrowed down to any behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. The World Health Organization defines violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation. Over the years, incidence of violence had grown in leaps and bounds, from medieval warring empires collecting slaves and colonizing nations, to nations at war in themselves in a civil context, to materialist wars of diamonds and crude oil that has further impoverished the people than liberate them.

    In the last decade, violence or violent uprising has been tied around religion, protecting sovereign states, seeking inclusive democracy, reducing the ownership of nuclear weapon and combating world terrorism. In Africa, violence as occasioned by rural banditry has been exponential as nomads try to seek greener pasture through relatively declining grazing lands which presumably was caused by population explosion and urban expansion.  Amidst these are also sectarian violence claiming lives every other day.

    Today, the world is unsettled, chaotic, brutish, nasty and dangerously positioned. Under the cover of religious bigotry, territorial realignment, ethnic dominance, resource control, sustenance of geographical sovereignty, expansion of political dynasty and establishment of world hegemony, human blood are being violently spilled. We are fast losing our humanity and this portray clearly that the entire world is in disarray.  We have continuously harped on our fault lines as a basis to wage and remain at war. To be frank, it is the self-centred instinct to subjugate other nations, individuals or corporations to the whims and caprices of an aggressor(s) that has continued to escalate the divide. The world as a whole needs to stand up to this challenge in the face of an abiding aphorism – threat of injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere.

    It was Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud, who tried to explain that humans naturally grow from the state of child-like impetuous actions to a state of creating balance and judging between what is right and wrong. Taking a clue from Freud’s theory of ID, Ego and Super Ego, we as humans need to know what is right or wrong. Capitalizing on the depravity of others to gain mundane advantage places a burden of rightness on every cause of action that has led to shedding of human blood; discriminatory practices, arms trading, debt burden, population explosion, climate change, economic deprivation, child labour, unemployment and gender inequality.

    Another major obstacle to attaining world peace is the proliferation of arms. Isn’t it scandalous that the nations with the highest sales in arms are the most peaceful? They are, the agent provocateurs currently running around as peace advocates. Developing nations get loans from developed nations to purchase arms to annihilate their own people. This stringed action entrenched them in the vicious circle of debt repayment that further impoverishes the people.

    Wars bring more wars not peace, even the biblical postulation of an eye for an eye as contained in the law given to Moses has been overridden by Jesus Christ’s abiding love and the will to forgive and forget. Prophet Muhammad in copious texts established that the religion he came to redefine called Islam means peace. Mahatma Ghandi once said, ”an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Today, non-violence, sculpture of a knotted gun by Karl Fredrik stands permanently outside UN Headquarters in New York. The revolver with a knotted barrel and the muzzle pointing upwards tacitly depicts the need to destroy and discontinue the production of weapons of human destruction of all categories.

    Human beings are the eyes of the world; violence brings tears to the world’s eyes. The United Nations choose October 2 to commemorate and “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.” It advocates for “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”. Despite the UN’s advocacy, peace still remains the most expensive commodity in the global market.

    It may seem that the idea of world peace is an illusion when the greed of man is not tamed, and conflict amongst humans continues unabated, but well managed human interaction hinged on structured diplomatic manoeuvring can reduce conflict to barest minimum. Truth be told, one of the major hindrance to world peace is the politics of influence exercised by the super powers that double as world police. The proliferation of small arms and its regulation within the international community is also of great concern. Inasmuch as arms can still be purchased arbitrarily at the black market, curtailing violence would remain Herculean task.

    In the bid to prevent war, some theorists advocated for a military deterrence strategy, Mutually Assured Destruction, MAD, that suggest possible annihilation of either the attacker or defender, but they would have seen the futility of the theory that seek to stockpile armour under perceived fears of attack. Rather than abate, acquiring nuclear weapons has led to more killing than bringing peace. As long as we still have states that carry nuclear, biological and chemical weapons under the umbrella of defensive weapons, peace would remain an illusion. We should remember people go to war believing that they have been cheated, they go to war to seek presumed justice, and they go to war to seek redress. As much as we try to be empathetic in regards to why they are taking arms, the world must as a point of duty condemn violence in whatever form.

    In a monograph on ‘Boko Haram, the Government and Peace Negotiation’, Professor James B. Kantiok, stated that “peace cannot be brought about by fine phrases, jingles and nice lectures; it involves hard work and sacrifice.

    Unemployment causes many to stray into the waiting hands of eccentric rebels who cash on their state of lack to buy their loyalty. We sure can achieve a non-violent world, but it would start with food on every man’s table and a sense of belonging. Corruption is also an albatross to peaceful coexistence; governmental institutions should be strengthened to monitor developmental project compliance.

    The citizens must be given a sense of belonging to participate in government and chose for themselves their representatives in a transparent, peaceful and democratically acceptable manner. Today, a huge number of youths in what has been termed ‘Umbrella Revolution’ are occupying Central Park in Hong Kong, demanding for an inclusive democracy. One can only hope it does not get too violent before the government listen to its people. Peace is not abstract, it is visual.

    Mojeed-Sanni writes from Centre for Democracy and Development, Abuja.

  • MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship 2014: 23-Year Old student, Ajah wins title

    MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship 2014: 23-Year Old student, Ajah wins title

    Sunday Ajah, a 23 year-old secondary school leaver from Aba Golf Course, Abia State has won the major category, 0-5, in this year’ s MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship which took place at the Ibom Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over the weekend.

    The former student of Boys Technical College, Aba, who incidentally is one of the youngest players in the tournament, came to the championship as the winner of the Eastern qualifiers. In this edition, Sunday Ajah beat his close rivals in the 0-5 category, Peter Eben-Spiff of Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos and another young player, Abiodun Oyewoga of Sagamu Golf Club with a net score of 147 to 153 and 162 respectively.

    Also in other categories, Francis Demekaa of Air Assault Club, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Usenobong Akpabio of Ibom Golf Club, Akwa Ibom State and Angela Uwabor, of Ibori Golf Club, Delta State emerged the winners in the 6-10, 11-15 and 16-20 categories respectively. Babajide Oredugba of Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos State won the 21-25 category. Speaking at the prize presentation, Sunday Ajah said it took the grace of God to emerge the winner in the category. “As you are aware, 0-5 category represents the biggest in the championship, and everybody in this category is equally good and has considerable experience in the game, so it takes God’s grace, consistency and continuous hard work for me to win. I started as a caddy in 2007, I studied through the game and today I am a national champion, I believe it is the grace of God,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mike Ikpoki who also played in the 11-15 category, reiterated the company’s commitment  not only to the development of the game in Nigeria, but also as a company that will continue to act as a significant economic enabler, empowering millions of Nigerians and businesses across Nigeria.

    “In fact, through our innovative product offerings and value-adding services, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to making our customers’ lives a whole lot better. With MTN World Golfers Championship, we provide a very exciting and competitive platform to develop the players. With all modesty, this is the biggest and best Golfers Championship in the country and we are proud of it. More so, as a brand that always encourages its customers to be better in all they do, we shall continue to give it our support,” he declared.

    This year’s World Golfers Championship is the 20th edition, and for 10 years, Nigeria has been participating in the championship. The winners in the five categories of the MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship which include Sunday Ajah, Francis Demekaa, Usenobong Akpabio, Angela Uwabor and Babajide Oredugba will represent Nigeria in their respective categories at the world championship in Durban, South Africa in October this year.

  • N18m Akpabio Classics prize money, highest in the world circuit

    N18m Akpabio Classics prize money, highest in the world circuit

    Despite a  review of the prize money for this year’s Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics, the prize money of N18 million is still the highest in the world.

    The President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSC), Suleiman Gora said yesterday in Abuja, that despite a slight review of the prize monies the N18 million is the highest in the world, far above the World Championship that carries a  prize money of less than $30,000.

    Gora, who was trying to justify why the Ebola virus scare may not grossly affect the attendance of foreign players, said he was however happy to note that the star prize of $20,000  equaling about N3.3 million for the star winner in the Masters category was still intact.

    The second placed winner in the Masters category will earn $10,000 while the third place winner earns $7,272 up to 10 winners.

    In the intermediate category, there will be 10 winners with the first prize being $10,000, the second prize $5,454 and the third prize $3,030. There are also 10 winners in each of the Veterans and Open categories. The Open winner will smile home with $6,667, runner up $3,636 and the second runner up $1,818 same as the Veterans winners.

    At the prompting of the sponsor, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio, there are also gender friendly prizes set aside to the tune of about N400,000.

    The best female Masters player will earn N100,000, the best female Intermediate player N80,000 and the best Open and Veterans female players will be paid N65,000  each, up to third places.