Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation deserves supports from government—Dr Ogunbiyi

Dr Yewande Omikunle Ogunbiyi, the Director of Public Affairs for Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation, a breast cancer charity that has been creating breast cancer awareness in Africa since 2008, has decried the absence of government support for the Foundation.

Ogunbiyi took the stance at a free breast cancer screening programme organized the by Rotary Club of Ikoyi at Obalende LCDA Hall, Lagos State on Friday, December 1, 2023.

Responding to a question on how much of assistance the government of Nigeria has offered to the foundation, she answered that there has not been assistance from government. “Unfortunately government has not been helpful, an organisation that has been making global impact on cancer deserves support with amenities, funds and equipment, the foundation has not been able to receive any support from Nigerian government.”

Speaking on what the foundation has achieved since its establishment, Ogunbiyi said that the foundation has very strong base and have educated more than 10,000 Nigerians on the effect of breast cancer and have referred cancer patients to places where they can get help; they have also raised funds for cancer patients with pathetic conditions.

Ogunbiyi acknowledged the positive response by those who have benefitted from the gesture of the foundation. “They are referring us, recommending us to the global space, because they are monitoring us and they are seeing our impact on the cancer survivors we have projected to the global watch and they are seeing help.”

She said the foundation also focuses of cervical and prostate cancer awareness campaign. “We cover cervical cancer, prostate cancer, not only breast; these are the three aspects of cancer we focus on. We have free prostate cancer screening in July in partnership with Lagos State hospital in Victoria Island.

On how the foundation raises funds for all they do, she disclosed that the organisation is sponsored  by the Founder himself, Dr. Olayinka Oduwaiye and Alber Valiya Esq. the chairman in the United States and Dr, Banji Oyebami, the Chairman in Nigeria and friends and partners in the US and UK.

On predominance of cancer in Nigeria when compared with other climes, she said “In Nigeria I feel there is negligence on the part of the people, there has not been adequate cancer information. You know, in a community where you want to sensitise them towards the effects of cancer, they don’t really know what empowerment entails, they want to be bought, they want us to bribe them before we can get them seated, getting people together to pay attention to what we have to say has always been a challenge.

“So I think the nation should adopt adequate breast cancer information so that people can be familiar with the negative impact and the importance of early detection. They should know the importance of getting tested early because if the cancer is found early, it can be treated,” Ogunbiyi stated.

Delving a little into the establishment of the foundation she disclosed that Dr Olayinka Oduwaiye established the Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation in memory of his mother, the late Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye who died as a result of breast cancer, and ever since the foundation has been making great impact across the world, not just in Nigeria and Africa.

According to Dr Ogunbiyi, the foundation has been making great impact across Nigeria, even beyond. “We make impact in Uganda, Sierra Leone, United kingdom, and United States of America. We have been creating breast cancer awareness. We have been partnering with organisations with like minds, just as we are partnering with Rotary Club of Ikoyi, government agencies on health sector, rural communities, traditional rulers, and individuals.”

Ogunbiyi disclosed that the foundation was registered in Nigeria, with operations in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. “And we have our branches in Nigeria in the six geopolitical zones, we have our volunteers. Here in Nigeria we are located in Lagos and Abeokuta, we do medical outreach in Abeokuta at least twice in a year and we make sure we partner with health centers in the rural communities.”

 

 

 

Rotary Club of Ikoyi partners Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation, screens Obalende women for breast cancer

The Rotary Club of Ikoyi under District 9110 covering Lagos and Ogun states, has partnered Sarah Ayoka Oduwaiye Foundation to make available opportunity for women of the densely populated Obalende area of Lagos State to have their breasts screened for cancer.

Over 300 women were expected to be screen at the programme which took place at the Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Friday, December 1, 2023.

To understand the importance attachéd to the exercise by the Rotary International, the District Governor, District 9110, Ify Rita Ejezie, was physically present to monitor and assess the screening.

Apart from the screening of the women for breast cancer, they were also screened for HIV, the day being the World’s AIDS Day

Speaking to Journalists, the District Governor stated that the choice of Obalande is not unconnected with the dense population of the area and the fact that it is a market area. “Obalende is a densely populated area, some are ignorant of the fact that they need to check themselves, some know but due to lack of finance, they would not want to do that, and some ordinarily don’t have the habit of going for checkups until sickness comes. So what we are doing which is our way of giving back to society is to give them an opportunity  to get tested and to know their health status, and that is what the president and members of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, one of the most vibrant clubs in the district, is doing here today.

“Obalende is also where you have market women that would take advantage of this opportunity. So I am here to overseer what they are doing and to be sure it is going on well,” Ejezie stated.  

Ejezie has kind words for the Rotary Club of Ikoyi saying “The club is one of the most vibrant clubs under the district and they know what they are doing. We have seven areas of focus, the eight one is on mental health, so this is in health. What they are doing is disease prevention and treatment; it is the month of December, so how better than to check women with breast cancer. Some may have lumps they would no know, some may already have a bloated cancer in them and they wouldn’t know until  it gets serious, and we all know that early detection leads to early cure and some people have been saved from it because it was dictated early, so they are doing this today to have the women ascertain their health status, and if anything at all, maybe lump, they can advise the women for further processes on what needs to be done to save them from full blown cancer that would not be easy to cure.”

She asserted that government can come in many ways to assist, “We are calling on government of Lagos State and Ogun State, Rotary has done so much for the people of Lagos and Ogun states, so it is time for them to partner. Imagine if the Lagos State is partnering with this screening, this project would cover the whole of Lagos State, all communities. IKoyi Club as a club may not have all the necessary resources to cover everywhere, and that is why they are in Obalende alone. If government as joined us and empowered us, we have the machinery, Rotary has a veritable platform to do this, we could have covered all the communities in Lagos State with this breast cancer screening, but we can only do to the extent to which our finances can carry.”

Funsho Gbogboade, current President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi on her part stated that it is wrong for women to allow suffer from breast cancer when it can easily be detected and cured, and that was the reason Rotary pumps money on issues relating to breast cancer. Rotary pays attention to breast because they believe that prevention is better than cure, “Actually we believe that prevention is better and even cheaper than cure, a lot of cases that could have been prevented if only they are aware. We are creating awareness for women so that they can be checking their breasts every morning, if they feel anything unusual they can come around. We have done counseling  for them this morning, and then by the time you get to the hospital and you see cases that nothing can be done, it is too late, you pity the situation, something that can be prevented has now worsened, bringing too much palaver in the family, in the society, in the nation, worldwide. So that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to put in a lot of money into this proggramme.”

On how the club was able to mobilise the women to attend the screening, Gbogboade disclosed that the club employed the services of town criers. “The club employed the services of town criers to go round the vicinity, including markets, barracks to have meetings with Olojas. We are expecting nothing less than 200 women, even though we prepared for 300.”

Gbogboade said that the phase one of the screening was done at the General Hospital Lagos, where over 400 women were screened and during the exercise, three cases were detected, adding that the phase three of the screening would be at the Annual Conference of the district in Abeokuta.

She thanked Obalende LCDA for providing them with free venue and generator to ensure uninterrupted power supply throughout the exercise; Eko Electricity Distribution Company for sponsoring the day’s programme, Professor Samson Afolabi, Founder of Hope for Youths at Work Foundation for co-sponsoring the programme and Mrs Tolu Onolaja, a Rotarian from Ogudu, who also supported the programme by her donations.

Dr Akintayo Akintoba Adebayo, the Medical Officer of Obalende LCDA and also the Director of Health Planning Research and Statistics for Lagos State Health District Three said the exercise was to screen for any suspicious lump that may eventually develop into breast cancer. “If it is discovered early and appropriate investigation is done, they will be fine.”

Adebayo disclosed that the screening in three fold “It is three in one, we are doing HIV screening free of charge, secondly we are doing integrated medical outreach that includes checking their blood sugar, to see if they have diabetes, we are also checking to see if they have hypertension.  Diabetes and hypertension is still one of the leading causes of sudden death all over the world. But other places where they are knowledgeable on how to take care of themselves, what we called the concept of self-care, the mortality or the death cases reduce, but over here people are just ignorant, they are only interested in stomach infrastructure, not maintaining health as a priority. That is one of the issues we have in this country. We would not be discouraged, with Rotary, and some other well-meaning Nigerians, other organisations, by the time we continually engage people, bring information to them, do a lot of health promotion campaigns, with time, gradually people will get to know and understand the reason why it is important.”

On what can be done to eliminate breast cancer, he said that eternal vigilance is the word. “You must watch out for it, by screening yourself, by avoiding those things that would enable you to have it. People should run away from fatty foods, I am not saying they should not eat fatty food, but anything that is not taken in moderation would lead to crisis. That is in the area of breast cancer. The other one is indiscriminate use of drugs; there are some drugs that can trigger the cascading of events that may eventually lead to lumpy things in the breast, and if they are not discovered early enough may progress to full blown cancer and by which time it may be late. So screening is the only thing by which it can be discovered.”

He dismissed the fears expressed by the public that machines used for breast cancer screening bring causes cancer. “That is ignorance. For instance, I recall that when mobile phone first came in; there were a lot of misconceptions about whether it causes cancer or whatever. The point is that the dose you take is what determines it. Some people would like to sleep and put the phone on their head for 24 hours, 24/7 and for 365 days. In the process those of radiation that gets to the brain is higher. But what we are using is just illumination; we can demonstrate it for you. It is harmless, it doesn’t cause problem to the people.”

He advised the women to seek medical opinion if they discover any strange lumps in their breasts.

Mrs Comfort, one of the women whose breasts were screened, disclosed that the exercise was actually the second time she was being screened for breast cancer and she encouraged encouraged other women to take issue of their breasts seriously. “The exercise is okay, I am excited for being part of the programme, I didn’t pay any dime to do the screening. I want to say a big thank you for this great opportunity they granted us because doing it at public or private hospitals it is going to take a lot of money, very expensive, so for them to bring it down to this place free of charge, I want to tell them thank you, and may God continue to bless them and enlarge their coast in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.”

Christy Okonkwo a youth corpper serving at Etiosa Local Government Area was also screened. She said she felt blessed for the good opportunity offered by Rotary to screen her breasts. “I have never done it in my life, this is the first time, seeing the process, I have done it and everything went well, I don’t have any lump in my breasts.”

 

 

Ashafa, taking FHA to promise land, actualizing APC mass housing vision for Nigeria

By Modestus Umenzekwe

Part of the goals of every reasonable, responsible and responsive government, is to provide the citizenry with decent and affordable shelter; for outside air, water and food, the next most essential need of man is shelter, hence the importance of shelter cannot be over stressed.

Since coming into power in 2015, the APC government has shown that it has mass housing mantra as the fulcrum and major trust of its central policy, as housing over the years has become a measurement index for good governance. In this regard, both the federal government and the states under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mass housing see mass housing as an oxygen that has sustained the party and they have continued to implement mass oriented housing policies across the country.

Beyond that, having the right policies is good but the most germane in policy implementation is having the right personnel to oversee the government policies are implemented to the letter. No wonder, the man at the helms of affairs of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) since 2020, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has displayed unalloyed sense of passion, professionalism, hard work, courage in the implementation of the APC housing agenda right from the time of former President, Muhammadu Buhari and now the Renewed Hope Administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I was present on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Federal Housing Authority which took place on November 23, 2023, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, and I watched with admiration the humility, confidence and courage of Senator Ashafa, as he read his address, reeling out achievements of the Authority under his watch. In the end I have no objection to all that he said, and the entire guests nodded their heads in concurrence and agreement to all he said.

The Federal Housing Authority as we all know, was created by law which came into effect on 1st October, 1973 with the functions of the Authority being the preparation and submission from time to time to the Government of proposal for national Housing programmes; the making of recommendations to the Government on such aspects of urban and regional planning, transportation, communications, electric power, sewage and water supply development as may be relevant to the successful execution of housing programmes approved by the Government; the execution of such housing programmes as may be approved by the Government, among other responsibilities.

As a management, the authority under Senator Ashafa has taken a number of proactive steps to reposition the authority in the delivery of its mandate, first when he took over the affairs of the Authority was to restore the confidence of the staff by clearing the protracted issue of backlog of promotions, which was contentious between staff and management of the authority. Through the support of the then board and parent ministry, the Authority under Ashafa was also able to strengthen the manpower by bringing in staff in the lower rung of FHA’s organogram, towards ensuring a planned and seamless succession.

With his management team, he ensured that lands belonging to the Authority across the country were recovered and secured from encroachment.

The authority also completed and commissioned the Zuba Housing Estate in Abuja, with a dedicated Independent Injection Power station that services the estate. Ashafa has also kick-started the construction of the phase one of the Bwari Housing Estate and commenced the FHA Golden Jubilee Estate in the Mbora District of Abuja, a project that will be replicated in all the geo-political zones of our country.

Also arrangements are ongoing for the commencement of the Diaspora Smart City in Kabusu, Maitama 2. The project was conceptualized as a response to the challenges the compatriots in the diaspora face in acquiring befitting houses back in Nigeria. It will also cater for Nigerians at home, by providing such standard environment and infrastructure that can compete anywhere in the world in line with the Green Environment Regime.

The CEO, known for showing gratitude, also expressed appreciation to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his Blueprint in the Housing industry, by giving Nigerians a separate Ministry of Housing. He also appreciated the President for appointing a very competent professional in the housing financing, in the person of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as the Housing Minister and Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo as the Minister of State for Housing.

For efficient and effective mass housing delivery Ashafa pleaded with the President and the leadership of the National Assembly to continue to support the authority in the effort to timeously complete the amendment of the authority’s enabling laws. Of course with such laws they would enhance operational capacity of the housing authority.

Other partners that have contributed to the success of the authority according to Ashafa include the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Family Homes Funds Limited, Shelter Afrique, the Nigerian Navy and other numerous partners and contractor.

Since coming into the office in 2020, it was revolution in the housing sector, nothing else matters to Ashafa, his only preoccupation is to see the accomplishment of the mandate of the government in power, from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Ashafa is doing this with all the amount of energy in him to ensure affordable and sustainable housing.

The coming of Ashafa in the FHA was a game changer that transformed the trajectory of housing in Nigeria, for the first time, government housing provision performance became the face saver of an administration. When it became too obvious that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was being dimmed by the activities of terrorists, bandits, and general insecurity, it was the works and housing ministry that provided something to cheer for that administration as infrastructure sprang up in all the nook and cranny of the six geopolitical zones in the country. And who made it happen? Ashafa was the man in the saddle of FHA to implement the housing vision of the minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Since then it has been good news after another in the housing sector.

Even when during the Buhari’s Administration, the Management of the FHA was reshuffled, the objective of which was to enhance the implementation of the maintenance of FHA Estates across the country which will generate new businesses and jobs in the construction industry in pursuance of the Federal Public Assets Maintenance Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, yet Senator Gbenga Ashafa, remained the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Authority; when President Tinubu took charge, Ashafa is still there, then there must be something unique, exciting, reassuring, beautiful, transparent, accountable about the professionalism and personality of Senator Ashafa.

Senator Ashafa of course is not alone in this success story as he has a team of management and staff that have keyed into his vision for the housing agency to achieve its assignment. Working with him are Barr (Mrs) Hajara Kadiri, in charge of PPP;  Engr. Chinonso Sam Omoke, Executive Director, Projects Implementation; Hauwa Babakobi, Executive Director, Estate Services; Adama Kure, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Samuel Omole, Ag. Executive Director, Management Services and his team of General Managers and Zonal Managers. These are tested hands in their various callings.

Estates under Ashafa’s jurisdiction include Festac Town, Lagos; Ipaja New Town, Lagos; Abesan 1&4, Lagos; Satellite 2, Lagos;  Abesan 2; Lagos; Gwaninpa 11, Abuja; Maitama, Abuja; Asokoro, Abuja; Kado Phase 1 & 11, Abuja; Old Karu Phase 1, Abuja; New Karu, Phase 11, Abuja; Kubwa Phase 1, 11, 111, & 1V, Abuja.

Other estates include Rumueme/TransAmadi, Port Harcourt; Sharade, Kano; Mariri, Kano; Gonin Gora, Kaduna; North Bank, Markudi, Benue State; Runjin Sambo Phase 1&2, Sokoto; Old Airport Road, Sokoto; Egbeada, Owerri; Irete, Owerri; Iguosa, Benin, Edo State; Osogbo, Osun State. Lugbe, Abuja; Apo/Guzape, Abuja; Zuba, Abuja.

These estates are not just estates, but they sit on acreages that if combined may be bigger than some African countries and an indication that Senator Ashafa is a good manager of resources, superintending over a conglomerate of estates and he is managing them effectively, and he deserves all the support, funding, and latitude to excel in this national assignment of housing infrastructure of the federal government of Nigeria.

 

Fashola as an advocate of affordable housing policy in Nigeria

By Modestus Umenzekwe:

On Thursday, 23^rd November, 2023, the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) was the Special Guest at the 50^th Anniversary of Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

To refresh our memory, the FHA was created by law which came into effect on 1^st October, 1973 with the functions of the Authority being the preparation and submission from time to time to the Government of proposal for national Housing programmes; the making of recommendations to the Government on such aspects of urban and regional planning, transportation, communications, electric power, sewage and water supply development as may be relevant to the successful execution of housing programmes approved by the Government; the execution of such housing programmes as may be approved by the Government, among other responsibilities.

Of course, the issue of housing in Nigeria has become a huge challenge not just for the citizens alone, but also to the government. To the people there are so many things associated with the ability to obtain or build affordable houses, such challenges as poor economic condition, cost of building materials, land availability, among others. On the part of government, there are also issues of prioritising and managing available scarce resources in the midst of competing demands making provision of mass housing for the citizens a bit of a herculean task. Land availability is also an issue to government. Therefore, it becomes a serious challenge to build houses that are decent and at the same time affordable.

In is keynote, Fashola delivered a paper titled ‘The Future of Housing in Nigeria and 50 Years of FHA: A Call to Action for Political Leaders and Policy Makers for Decent and Affordable Housing’.

The former Governor of Lagos State said the anniversary should be an opportunity to look forward and to ask what the next 50 years holds in stock for FHA and the way forward.

For the Fashola these issues of decent and affordable accommodation are possible with the right housing policies towards ensuring decent and affordable housing to majority of Nigerians.

A man who believes in practicality and whose leadership in Housing sector for over eight years was phenomenal; he made suggestions as to how practicable it is to realise mass housing especially giving the right financing, housing types, affordability, people’s participation and maintenance, among other suggestions.

He made it clear that perhaps, unknown to members of the public, the resources available for housing at the federal level are insignificant and not proportionate to the expectation of the people. He called for adequate funding towards ensuring that commensurate and substantial funding is available for housing delivery generally and to FHA and allied agencies particularly.

Not minding the challenges and obstacles faced by the authority, Fashola was able to suggest to the agency ways the Federal Housing Authority can raise funds to make more housing available to Nigerians. He said “As owners of very large estates, and vast tracts of land which are very valuable assets upon which financing can be raised, the Authority is in a vantage position to enhance affordable housing for Nigerians.

“I hold the view that if these assets are properly valued, titled and managed they can unlock vast financial resources for FHA to build more estates, sell or mortgage them, recoup the outlay, pay off any debts, and make profit. In this way, FHA can become a proper business run on very strict corporate governance principles that conform with global best practices and this will be consistent with previous attempts to commercialise or privatise the authority.”

According to Fashola if private organisations are buying land at open market value, building on them and scaling for profit, nothing stops FHA which already owns vast acreages of land from competing successfully in this space except FHA herself.

He said no doubt, the FHA has demonstrated its capacity to build and manage estates in FESTAC, Gwarimpa, Zuba, Guzape and such other estates as Bwari still under development.

Part of the challenges faced by Nigerians in realising affordable housing include the type of houses that FHA chooses to build which most times poses a challenge to the buyers because the houses are either too large, some out of reach, making it difficult for the actual category of buyers from accessing them. He spoke on corporate governance and the role of public officers in the sale and acquisition of FHA houses and the type of houses that FHA chooses to build. Speaking on the latter issue of type of housing in relation to whether FHA can successfully sell, he said FHA should recognise that the market demand is probably dominated by those in the age bracket of around 25 to 35 years and it would be helpful for FHA to conduct a highly professional survey of what their needs are before designing and building. This, according to him, is very instructive with the abundant evidence of empty and unoccupied houses, partly accounted for by the fact that they are no longer fit for purpose and market based on design.

He also looked at the payment mode, how can we get affordable houses for our teeming majority? In this regard the learned SAN urged FHA to factor in digital platforms for advertising, sale, and payment as the language of present class of buyers, because if FHA expected these class of buyers to go to their offices to come and collect forms to buy houses and go through some of the ancient red tape that time has tied away for FHA, then there is a risk to success.

Fashola as an advocate of affordability which he has consistently supported has remained unchanged. He said housing is a product that must respond to the realities of the economy such as demand and supply, inflation, interest rates and exchange rates. He said “Therefore, while there is scope to reduce cost of housing delivery by research, materials innovation; affordability is a two-way street not a one-way one. In the first part it is influenced by how much the house is built for, also how it is paid for.”

One of the clogs on the wheel of affordable housing is the payment mode, and that is why Fashola, in trying to marry issue of Cost and Affordability together maintained that the cheapest house can be unaffordable to the income group it is built for if it has to be paid for at once while the most expensive house can become affordable if payment is spread over a reasonable time. 

Using Lagos as example of a workable housing policy he said, “The Lagos housing programme which I superintended as Governor, delivering 200 units of housing monthly for three years with a 10-year single digit mortgage payment, had no affordability issues for the income bracket it was built for.”

Admitting the sad but painful truth that not everybody will be able to afford to buy a house, he argued that rental housing is the best way to achieve affordable housing; “I strongly believe that rental housing for all is possible, not only based on how we build but also how people pay rent.”

The former Minister stated that homelessness is the most undignifying experience for a human being and must be confronted with the necessary resolve by political leaders and policymakers. “Therefore, our housing policy must focus on rental as it focuses on ownership. Consequently, rent to own initiatives that started in the last administration must not be allowed to die. Instead, there is scope in my view for improvement in expanding rent to own schemes at Federal and State levels, and also increasing advocacy for state legislators to make laws that make the payment of rent convenient and convergent with wages and salaries.                                            

He also advocated an end to the era of 2-3 years rent payment in advance “One of the pillars of President Tinubu's economic policy is the creation of credit to finance basic needs. He started with the student loan policy on education, and it is my view that this ministry can deepen the expectation of Renewed Hope by leading the advocacy with states to end the era of 2-3 years rent payment in advance. It is the antithesis of affordability.”

 

He also encouraged Nigerians to maintain what has been built. “Nothing built by man lasts forever, but restoration, repairs and maintenance certainly help to preserve, not only design life of buildings, but their utility, value and liveability.”

 

Fashola encouraged the authority to leverage on an Executive Order Number 11 for National Infrastructure maintenance which was signed on Wednesday 6^th April 2022 in the last administration.

 

He said FHA can leverage on the Order to preserve the value of all her assets and to create sustainable jobs for artisans and professionals who run small businesses. “Going forward, all FHA estates must incorporate maintenance contracts, paid for by occupiers to cover painting, repairs, restoration, waste management, water supply and power supply to mention a few.”

 

 

 

Lamentations in Lagos as government targets the poor, destroys their means of livelihood

Early Monday Morning, November 27, 2023, tears flowed like river as petty traders at Mile 2, Suru Alaba and Alaba Suru, along Badagry Expressway in Lagos, went to market only to behold debris of their shops, kiosks, counters and their wares.

According to the traders while many of them were at the church praying to their God on Sunday, the government rolled out caterpillars to destroy their shops and goods.

Some of the traders who narrated their ordeal to journalists disclosed that they could not pick even a pin of their goods since they were not informed of the intended demolition.

The traders also disclosed that the government came with a team of soldiers, police and other security agencies who were armed to the teeth to carry out the assignment hence many of the traders out of fear could not get close to the site of the demolition for fear of being shot.

They also revealed that at Alaba Suru a young man who dared to video the demolition had his phone snatched from him and was whisked away, even though report indicated he was later released.

Many of the traders also queried why the demolition should be embarked upon now that the economy is not looking up.

One of the traders, who wanted to be identified as Okey who spoke to some journalists said, “I was in the market attending to my customers and fiam, everybody was running helter-skelter, you could not pick anything self, I could only pick a bag of the clothes that I am selling, other ones were destroyed by caterpillars. The security people intimidated us; we just ran away and watched from a distance. Why are they destroying our source of livelihood now that we can hardly make ends meet?”

Another trader who deals in foodstuffs said she does not know where to go to because she is the breadwinner of her family. “I am just tired of this life as you see me so; I don’t know what government means since all they know is to punish the people. Early this year we all went out to vote, I voted Sanwo-Olu, I voted for Tinubu, now where is the benefit of all that, if not pain and suffering.

“I feed my family, my husband is okada rider, but since the fuel something, subsidy removal, he was not meeting up, so the owner of the okada has taken it from him. So while he is still looking for what to do, I am the person feeding him and four children. What do you want me to do now? They didn’t even tell us that they are coming at least we would have removed our things. It is not fair. But why on Sunday, why?” she lamented.

All efforts to find out the agency that carried out the demolition have failed to yield result, even though all fingers are being pointed at the Lagos State Government which allegedly has been working to achieve a cleaner Lagos by pulling down offending structures around major roads and markets, which has affected many markets in Lagos including Ladpo Market, Oyinbo, Alaba International, Trade Fair Markets, among others.

Hon Nwogu is a selfless political leader, he’ll work for Imo State, Nigeria despite political affiliation-Umenzekwe

Hon (Chief) Modestus Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina, is a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he speaks on the Appeal Court’s affirmation of the election of Hon (Dr.) Matthew Nwogu, the lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives; Imo politics, how APC will wrest power from Governor Charles Soludo in Anambra, among other burning national issues. Excerpt:

The Appeal Court recently affirmed the election of Honorable Dr. Matthew Nwogu, how did you receive the judgement considering the fact that he trounced your party member in the election and also won him at the court?

Well, it is not a matter of party now; I am talking about the person of Dr. Matthew Nwogu. Since I came in contact with him I have not seen anything to suggest that he will not excel in any field of his endeavor irrespective of party affiliation because party politics is a matter of interest, where one feels he can get a more comfortable position to serve the nation, because we are talking about serving the nation and serving humanity, that is what we are talking about. So Nwogu is a selfless political leader, right from the time he was in APC, he has been a very very dogged fighter, and don’t forget that he was made board member of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and his performance there remain excellently indelible. So he is a very popular Nigerian, a dogged fighter, unassuming, and very simple in nature. So wherever he is, whether he is in APC, Labour, PDP, the much I know him, he will always win, in as much as I will like him to rejoin APC, because that is his family, that is his political family, the much I know. And in all, I congratulate him, the people of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala will in no distance time reap dividend of democracy as attracted by Matthew Nwogu.

Imo State for quite sometimes now has been in the news for the wrong reasons of security infractions, what do you think Nwogu can do, now that he has connected to the national grid, as you normally say, what can he do, giving his national influence, regarding the security situation in his constituency in particular, and Imo State in general?

You know security is not a public something; you don’t discuss the strategies in public otherwise the information will go out to the criminal which is not good, so he is doing something which I will not tell you on the pages of newspaper, but I know he is on top of the situation, he has made a lot of proposals, he has taken some steps to make sure the security in the Imo State, and in Nigeria at large is brought under control. That is the much I can tell you about that, the blueprint is not what I am going to say in the public, but I know he is working seriously to make sure that there is improvement. And look he is for Imo irrespective of party affiliation, and he is committed to that, because if things go wrong, they would not so, oh, members of APC, member of Labour or PDP, or who will be affected, so when you through a stone inside the market, you don’t know who it will hit, it might fall on your mother, or your son, or your in-law, or your daughter, so that is the philosophy with which he is going, he believes that he is working for Imo State, he is working for Aboh Mbaise/Okpala, he is working for Nigeria, he is working for all states, because he is in Imo State does not mean he cannot help out in Anambra which is APGA state, does not mean he cannot help out in Lagos which is APC state, that is the philosophy that he is driving with, and I commend him for that, I admire him for that.

Your party member and incumbent Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma also won his election, what advice are you giving to Hon. Nwogu to collaborate and work with Hope Uzodinma to bring Democratic dividend to the people of Imo State?

I have said it before, irrespective of party affiliation, Nwogu is accommodating, and Uzodinma is accommodating, whatever they bring to Imo State is for the whole of Imo State, it is not for Nwogu, it is not for Uzodinma alone, it is not about Nwogu or about Uzodinma. I know them as two old friends, and still remain friends, yet, the much I have spoken with Nwogu, at no material time did he cast aspersions on the Governor, all he was saying was, wherever you are, bring dividend of democracy to Imo State. So my advice is that as they have been collaborating, they should keep on collaborating and make Imo State better.

Your state whether we like it or not, in a year plus from now electioneering activities will resume fully sequel to the off cycle election to choose a governor of the state. How prepared is APC to unseat the incumbent, His Excellency, Professor Charles Soludo? As it is now Soludo is working, so what magic is in place by your party to win Anambra State?

I cannot tell you the strategy of APC; we have our own internal arrangements which will come to limelight any moment from now. And then for Soludo, I still have to commend him, but that does not mean that he has done enough to attract another term expressly, but I won't say much about him until 2024 ending, because he said he should be given time.

 

However, on road infrastructure, he is doing well, as I told a journalist the other day, he is doing well at least the only major road that passes through my town, he is doing it; I cannot deny that. In the past, you can't come to my town unless you employed a caterpillar, but today we can manage to drive there, the small road that leads to my own house is nothing to write home about, I believe he will still come to our help, but the major road that passes through my town, is being done. As I am talking to you work is going on there.

But in as much as we are preparing we have to be on our toes to wrest power and he too has to be on his toes to continue, it will be a fierce contest, in as much as if my party wins it is better for me. But then we must be on our toes, but I can't deny that he is working.

Recently a political bigwig, an Anambra born politician in the name of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah left his party and joined your party, APC, what do you think is going to be the impact of Ubah in APC?

It is a very big boost to our party in Anambra State. Yes, Ifeanyi Ubah is a fighter, he is a goal getter, it will help to reshape the composition and structure of APC in Anambra State. It is a very big boost, so I welcome him, and I congratulate him on his joining us. Whatever may be his ambition, God will grant it, and we will give him good support.

 

 

LG Electronics, Fouani renovate United Christian Junior Secondary School in Lagos; install solar energy

LG Electronics Nigeria, in partnership with consumer electronics retailer, Fouani Nigeria Limited has partnered to renovate and equip the United Christian Junior Secondary School building in Apapa, Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos State. This joint effort will help to improve educational standards at the school by providing students with a modern, safe, and comfortable learning environment.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting and commissioning ceremony held at the school premises, which brought together partner of LG Electronics, Fouani Nigeria Limited, representative of Lagos District IV Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS), the school principals, Vice Principal Administration and Academics, Parents Forum Association of the School, students and members of the community, and Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. D.Y. Kim noted that the renovation of the school is part of the firm’s commitment to quality education.

The organization, according to him, has embarked on multiple CSR initiatives and has in the past eleven years honed its yearly CSR strategy around socio-economic development, particularly equipping the health sector; capacity building and holistic education interventions across all levels, including young professionals; and general philanthropy where most needed.

He urged the students and management of the school to make good use of the facilities and guard them jealously so that they will serve the purpose for which they are provided.

“The youths are the future, and today’s youths are the first generation of those born and raised in a fully digital age. They are also key contributors to creating social value in the future, and for this reason, we need to really consider how we can provide these young talents with a growth-enabling environment and practical opportunities so that they can gain knowledge, improve their employment skills, broaden their horizons, and realize their value”.

He disclosed that the organization would be committed to helping nurture the future of the children by constantly sending professionals that would hold classes to educate them and motivate them towards an impactful future.

Also at the ceremony is the Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohamed Fouani, said the school, which he said had been in existence before the organization started operating in the environment, deserves to benefit from the operation of the Consumer Electronics firm, which majors in Electronics—Home Entertainment and Home Appliances. Stressing that the renovation was a priority for the company, he pledged that the company would do more and continue its quest across other aspects of the school.

Fouani said the inspiration behind the project is aimed at providing a conducive learning environment for schoolchildren, who are the future leaders.

 “We are giving back to society. Most of us who are partners with the firm now obviously went to public schools, and then things turned around. Now everybody wants to go to a private school, and we just thought that it was important to put ourselves back where we came from.

The principal of United Christian Junior Secondary School, Mr. Olumide Badmus, who was full of excitement while responding, thanked the management of LG Electronics and Fouani Nigeria Limited for the gesture.

The Director, Education Management Information Service, representing the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Education District IV, Mrs. Abosede Ajayi, noted that the gesture was one that will spur the students to be more dedicated to their learning, stressing that an investment in education is securing a better future for not only the benefiting individuals but for the country at large. She promised LG Electronics and Fouani Nigeria Limited that the classrooms would be efficiently maximized

In his vote of thanks, the principal of the school, Mr. Olumide Badmus, said that he was delighted by the gesture done during his time. “Out of the six schools in Apapa Local Council Development Area, this school was chosen to do this CSR project. I can boldly say that our school can now be put on par with most Lagos Model Schools; the students are better motivated and feel more comfortable”.

LG Electronics, in partnership with Fouani Nigeria Limited, renovated the school by restoring light to the classrooms, adding doors and modern windows, painting the school, rehabilitating the basketball court, making new seats for the classes, installing solar power, planting green plants, and equipping the home economics lab with products. This renovation and equipping of the school building will help the students to receive a better-quality education and improve their learning experience. LG Electronics and Fouani Nigeria Limited are proud to be part of this important initiative and look forward to further developing the school's infrastructure and educational resources.