Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has said that his administration inherited over N359 billion in salary arrears for several years from his predecessor.

The governor stated this at Okpoga, headquarters of  Okpokwu Local Government Area on Monday, during a thank you tour of  Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

He alleged that previous administrations in the state lied to the people and that the Federal Government denied them funds to pay salaries.

The governor promised that his administration would continue to prioritise the payment of workers’ salaries.

“Henceforth, civil servants in the State will be paid from the 22nd of every month,“he said.

He thanked the people for the confidence reposed in him to lead the State and promised to revive the Igumale Cement factory as well as construct access roads in the area.

“I see that Okpoga is in darkness, I will light it up with 5,000 kw electricity. I have come to reduce your pains and suffering.,“he said.

He urged them to continue to support his administration and be patient with President Bola Tinubu , as he has good policies for Nigerians.

Earlier, Mr Daniel Onjeh, a former Senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress ( APC), urged the governor to match words with  action by fulfilling his campaign  promises to the people.

Onjeh said the opposition parties were mocking the people that he has abandoned them in terms of infrastructures and appointments.

‘The opposition is asking what you have done for Benue South. We want to see things manifest. Do not be distracted by the blackmail of the opposition”, he said.

Mr Benjamin Omakolon,  the APC Acting Chairman, while receiving 500 persons who defected from the opposition parties to the APC at the event,  promised them  equal treatment.

[Vanguard]

Umuawulu, a sleepy settlement in Awka, the capital of Anambra State in the south-east, is the unlikely origin of one of the greatest sporting resumes ever to come out of Nigeria. In the bowels of this village lies Holy Cross High School, the site from which this story sprouted.

Until the politicians contrived to destroy education generally, Nigeria’s high schools used to guarantee an interminable production line of rarefied sporting talent. This role pre-dated Independence. Historian, Peter Alegi, recalls that in territories – such as Nigeria – ruled by the British, missionaries and colonialists formed steeped in Victorian traditions, anchored their mutually complementary missions on “a belief that sport forged physically fit young men of sound moral character.” In the pantheon of sporting activities inspired by this belief, football was the undisputed king.

In 1963, a young man arrived at Holy Cross Umuawulu to begin his secondary education. Emmanuel Okala was 12 when his goalkeeping career began in Umuawulu. Born in May 1951, his contemporaries from then remember him as a rather spindly figure whose height took him to the lower reaches of the heavens. Even as a new arrival at the beginning of his high school journey at the time, those who beheld him acknowledged that they were in the presence of a generational phenomenon.

In 1970, Emma joined a football club created around the talents of a few young men most of whom had been demobilized from the war. Its name was Rangers International Football Club of Enugu. At the time, the leading continental footballing superstar was Robert Mensah, the legendary goalkeeper of Ghana’s Black Stars and also of Ashanti Kotoko Football Club. After Mensah was killed in a stabbing incident on 2 November, 1971, the continent cried out for a new goalkeeping supremo.

From his humble beginnings in Umuawulu, Emmanuel Okala rose rather effortlessly to become the country’s undisputed goalkeeper over the next decade, ultimately growing to fill the void created by the untimely passing of Robert Mensah. Emma’s influence grew to outstrip the role of the solitary minder at the rear of the outfield players. In 1978 the African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU) voted him as the African Footballer of the Year, the first person and the first Nigerian to win that distinction. By then, he was better known as the “Man Mountain” a moniker invented by leading football commentator, Ernest Okonkwo.

Two years later, in 1980, Okala was a goalkeeper of the national football team, then known as the Green Eagles, which won the African Cup of Nations (AfCON). The captain of that team was Christian Chukwu, who, like Emmanuel Okala, also began his footballing career as an “Academical” at the National Secondary School, Nike, on the outskirts of Enugu. Like Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu was also born in 1951. From Nike National, he also joined the Enugu Rangers. As a footballer, it was said that his  “outstanding will to lead and motivate others earned him the nickname ‘Chairman’, as his colleagues saw him as an anchor of hope.”

That story of hope was not confined to the soccer pitch. The Rangers Football Club for whom both Christian Chukwu and Emmanuel Okala were leading super-stars, embodied the hopes of the people of south-east Nigeria as they emerged from the ruins of an utterly destructive civil war at the beginning of 1970 bereft of both capital and dignity.

The core of that team also included Johnny Egbuonu described by a leading sports publication as “a classic dribbler” who could “do anything with the ball.” Popularly known as “School Boy”, Johnny’s career also began in high school. He was destined for a great career in the colours of his country but left early for Germany to pursue qualifications in veterinary medicine.

That Rangers team would become the mascot of the race and region as they embarked on the reconstruction of the Igbo identity well after the war. That team also evolved to become the backbone of Nigeria’s national football team that went on in 1980 to conquer footballing heights in Africa.

Of the members of that original Rangers International team of 1970-1975, fewer than 13 are now alive. In addition to Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and Johnny Egbuonu, the others still around include Dominic Nwobodo, Francis Nwosu, Kenneth Abana, Patrick Ilouno, John Uwanaka, Godwin Adimachukwu, Johnny Azinge, and Sylvester Onwuekwe. At the time of this writing, the remains of two leading members of that side – Stanley Okoronkwo and Harrison Mecha – lie in the mortuary, awaiting the final earthly rites for their mortal remains.

At the peak of their powers, these men could have played for nearly any team in the world. At the time, however, the sport was poorly organised in Nigeria; management was non-existent; football administration was poor; attention to the wellbeing of the athletes was haphazard at best; and sports science was only just beginning to receive attention globally. Neither fully professional nor indeed amateur, their careers were spent in a vocational no-man’s-land. Their wealth in public adulation did not easily or at all translate into material comfort.

At that time also, football administration was mostly run as part of the public sector. At the end of their sporting careers, some of them went into sports administration and management but, even then, their careers also suffered from the debilities of a disorganised public sector. As senior citizens today, the public sector has forgotten them and the legacies of that generation of great sporting attainments are at risk of being lost.

At the personal level, Segun Odegbami, himself a leading member of that 1980 AfCON winning team, notes that these men – now senior citizens all – are today “slowed down now by arthritis – the ailment of retired footballers.” Some of them suffer a combination of even more serious ailments too and now spend considerable sums on medical bills.

To address this neglect and also preserve the sporting and civic legacies of the original Enugu Rangers International, it has become necessary to establish the Enugu Rangers Veterans Trust. This is currently led by the trio of Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and Johnny Egbuonu as incorporated trustees with the mandate to provide a convening framework for mobilising and governing the resources required to address pressing well-being needs of the living members of the Rangers originals and to preserve and document their legacies for the digital age.

Last week in Enugu, I joined Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and Johnny Egbuonu, together with leading chartered accountant and former chair of the Enugu Sports Club, Bennet Etiaba, in putting the final touches to preparations for the launch of this undertaking. Media partners also support this Rangers Veterans and Legacy project. Over the next month, there will be a formal rollout of this project.

Although self-evident, the point of all of this nevertheless bears restating. There was a time in which sports generally and football in particular provided a glue for coexistence in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. The lessons from that age deserve attention in a time such as the present when advocates of coexistence are endangered and the people who made that age possible deserve acknowledgement as well as appreciation. In calling attention to their lives and distilling their stories, it is possible to hold out lessons that can make a significant difference to the fate of succeeding generations.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman and chairman of FBN Holdings, has acquired an additional 2.22 percent shares in the First Bank of Nigeria

The acquisition was disclosed in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) on Monday.

The fresh acquisition further cements the billionaire’s control of the company as his shareholding has now reached 11.63 percent — the highest.

More to follow…

[TheCable]

Much Ado About the Recommended Purchase of Two New Presidential Aircrafts

The recent recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence for the Federal Government to purchase two new presidential aircrafts for the President and Vice President of Nigeria has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue that the acquisition is insensitive given the country's current economic challenges; hence suggest that existing aircrafts should be overhauled. On the other hand, proponents maintain that the purchase is a necessity rather than a luxury, crucial for the effective functioning of the highest offices in the land.

Recent travel issues faced by the President and Vice President underscore the pressing need for reliable and functional aircrafts. In April, the President was forced to take a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia, and he also recently returned from South Africa using a chartered flight. Additionally, the Vice President aborted his flight to the United States due to a faulty presidential jet. These incidents highlight the necessity for dependable transportation to ensure that the President and vice president can perform their duties without undue risk or delay. The ability to travel at short notice is vital for both national and international responsibilities. Just as business CEOs invest in private jets to ensure punctuality and reliability, the same principle applies. The stakes are even higher for the President and Vice President.

Maintaining outdated aircraft can be prohibitively expensive. Similar to how companies replace cars after a certain period to avoid high maintenance costs, the same logic applies to presidential aircraft. Furthermore, owning aircraft is more cost-effective in the long run than frequently chartering flights, which can accumulate substantial expenses. Newer planes are likely to be more fuel-efficient and require less frequent repairs, thereby reducing operational costs., contributing to the overall efficiency of government operations.

Functional aircrafts will enable the President and Vice President to fulfil their duties optimally. This is not about luxury but necessity. Reliable transportation is critical to the effective execution of their duties; including attending international summits, engaging in diplomatic missions, and responding promptly to emergencies. Presidential planes also serve as symbols of national pride and the status of the office. They are often seen as extensions of the country’s sovereignty and dignity, carrying the nation's leaders to important engagements. Ensuring these planes are in optimal condition reflects positively on the country and its leadership.

Nigeria currently faces high inflation, business difficulties, and unresolved issues like the new minimum wage process and the implementation of CNG buses, highlighting the financial struggles of the populace. The government's decision to invest in new planes amidst these hardships appears insensitive to many; making it a contentious issue. Additionally, there is increasing doubt about the sincerity of the current administration, leading to questions about the rationale behind purchasing the new aircrafts.

While avoiding waste and corruption is essential, leadership involves making investments that facilitate effective governance. The planes, considered assets, will serve beyond the current administration, contributing to the long-term efficiency of government operations. The concept of saving money is often over-emphasized. Government leaders are elected to positively impact the lives of citizens and perform their duties effectively. Overemphasizing cost containment can lead to cost savings at the expense of service delivery. Therefore, the focus should be on making prudent investments that enhance governance and public service. The primary concern for Nigerians should be ensuring that the planes are not purchased at inflated prices.

In conclusion, the purchase of two new presidential aircrafts will ensure the safety and security of the President and Vice President, provide cost-effective and reliable transportation, and enhance the efficiency of government operations. While the economic hardships faced by Nigeria are real and pressing, the acquisition of reliable presidential aircrafts is a step towards ensuring that the government can function effectively and fulfil its primary function of the security and welfare of its citizens. However, this decision must be communicated transparently to the public, emphasizing its necessity for effective governance while acknowledging the current economic difficulties.

Kenechukwu Aguolu  FCA

Abuja, Nigeria

Once hailed as the "Giant of Africa" for its abundant resources and economic potential, Nigeria now faces numerous economic challenges. The causes of this decline are multifaceted and complex, with some attributing it to leadership failures and others to sabotage or international conspiracy. To revitalize Nigeria's economy, a comprehensive and resolute approach is essential. This endeavour demands unwavering political determination from the government to enact meaningful reforms and foster an environment conducive for economic growth.

A key component of transforming Nigeria's economy is the reorientation of both citizens and leaders. As management expert Peter Drucker famously said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." For Nigeria to thrive, a culture of unity and patriotism must be deeply embedded within society. Recognizing this, the present government has reintroduced the old national anthem, a symbolic step toward fostering national unity and patriotism. The National Orientation Agency has a crucial role to play in this regard.

Accurate demographic data is essential for effective planning. Nigeria's last population census was conducted in 2006, making it imperative for another one. In addition to conducting a population census, a robust system should be established to register new births, ensuring that population data remains current. Population census should be held at least every ten years to facilitate informed planning.

Diversification of the economy is another critical area that requires urgent attention. Sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism remain largely untapped, presenting significant opportunities to increase the country's revenue base and improve its balance of trade. Diversifying the economy will also help stabilize the currency, reduce unemployment, and lower poverty rates, fostering overall economic resilience.

Improving the country's tax revenue to gross domestic product(GDP)ratio is essential for sustainable economic growth. In 2023, this ratio stood at a mere 9.4%, which is very low by international standards. To address this, Nigeria should focus on widening its tax net, enforcing tax compliance, and possibly increasing certain taxes. These measures will enhance government revenue and enable more robust public investment.

Nigeria has a significant infrastructure deficit that hampers meaningful economic development. The lack of adequate power increases the cost of business, causing companies to lose their competitive edge. The government should Improve the road and railway infrastructure to ensure efficient movement of goods and people. Additionally, more fully operational seaports are needed to alleviate the long-standing issue of port congestion, which has caused substantial business losses due to delays in clearing goods.

Promoting entrepreneurship is crucial for advancing the Nigerian economy. It leads to job creation, poverty reduction, and GDP growth. The government should encourage economic activity and empower individuals to pursue innovative ventures by offering low-interest loans to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses. Additionally, recapitalizing banks is essential to strengthening their ability to support economic growth, especially considering the devaluation of the Nigerian currency.

The civil service, forming the backbone of governance and playing a crucial role in policy formulation, implementation, and public service delivery, requires transformation. Addressing the current challenges within the civil service is essential for enhancing governance and effectively implementing reforms. The condition of the civil service significantly impacts the economy.

Eliminating corruption and waste in governance will significantly reduce the cost of government operations. The government should champion value-for-money audits to assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of transactions. Strengthening internal controls and ensuring that anti-graft agencies are effective are crucial in safeguarding public assets from theft and fraud. It should ensure that whistle-blowing policy encourages and protects whistle-blowers as it will help curb corruption.

Proper remuneration of workers is vital for improving productivity, fostering innovation, and reducing brain drain. Nigeria has experienced a mass exodus of skilled professionals in recent years. As the government concludes the process of setting a new national minimum wage, it must ensure that the minimum wage is adequate taking cognizance of current economic realities

Effective prioritization of government expenditure is essential given the inherent limitations of resources. Governments should allocate funds judiciously, focusing on critical priorities rather than indulging in misplaced spending. Adopting a scale of preference facilitates informed decision-making, enabling authorities to allocate resources strategically based on identified needs and desired outcomes.

Revamping Nigeria's educational system is crucial. It requires aligning the curriculum with national strategic goals and ensuring access to quality education for all. This reform must prioritize equipping students with relevant skills for a modern economy, fostering innovation, and embracing technology adoption. Historically, African nations, have emphasized natural resources over human capital development. However, investing in education is paramount, as knowledge is the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness

The security situation in Nigeria represents a significant drain on resources that could otherwise be allocated to productive endeavours. Insecurity disrupts economic activities like mining, agriculture, and tourism and deters foreign direct investment (FDI) needed for economic growth. Addressing these security challenges is paramount for Nigeria to attain sustained economic prosperity.

Despite the savings from removing fuel subsidies and adopting a floating exchange rate for the naira, Nigeria still faces significant financial challenges primarily due to the substantial of servicing its debts. These high debt servicing obligations severely constrain the government's ability to finance crucial development projects that could stimulate economic growth and improve societal well-being. To alleviate this fiscal burden and create room for sustainable development, the government should pursue aggressive strategies for debt relief or restructuring. 

In conclusion, revitalizing Nigeria's economy requires a comprehensive and determined approach to address the nation's deep-rooted challenges. It is also imperative to know when and how to adjust monetary and fiscal policies, highlighting the need for astute professionals to serve as the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank. Furthermore, Nigeria can achieve lasting economic resilience and growth with unwavering political determination, a culture of unity, and patriotism.

Author: Kenechukwu Aguolu FCA, PMP, CBAP

Business Analyst | Project Manager | Chartered Accountant | Public Affairs Analyst

Abuja, Nigeria         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election Peter Obi has expressed concerns at the growing number of Multinationals exiting the country due to the bad business climate.

Obi noted that the reasons being adduced by these departing firms after many years of operations in the country are similar and largely governance problems that require urgent attention to stem the tide 

Writing in his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said "I am compelled to address the alarming exodus of multinational companies from Nigeria, which has cost our nation a staggering N95 trillion in the past five years. According to The New Telegraph, in the last year alone, over ten multinational giants such as GlaxoSmithKline, Equinor, Sanofi-Aventis, Bolt Food, Procter & Gamble, Jumia Food, PZ Cussons, Kimberly-Clark, Diageo and others, have exited Nigeria, citing eerily consistent reasons. 

"According to The Punch, "Multinational firms exit Nigeria over harsh business climate." The Guardian reports, "Insecurity, high energy costs force companies to leave Nigeria." The Nation states, "Poor business environment, inconsistent policies drive companies out of Nigeria."

"These companies have highlighted the same problems across the board. These issues are not coincidental but symptomatic of a larger governance problem. Why are we not facing and solving these problems head-on? The responsibility lies with our leadership, those we put in charge to urgently address these challenges.

"Tackling these issues requires creating a business-friendly environment that fosters investment, innovation, and growth. This includes prioritizing security, stabilizing our policies, and reducing energy costs. We must also cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

"We can build an economy that benefits all Nigerians, not just a privileged few. Let us unite to transform Nigeria into a nation conducive to business, attractive to investment, safe and prosperous for all citizens. Together, we can make Nigeria a beacon of hope and progress in Africa and the world. A new Nigeria is possible.

Signed.

Dr Yunusa Tanko 

POMR SPOKESMAN 

June 24, 2024.

-

… laments as Regulator (NMDPRA) continues to grant licences to import banned dirty diesel, jet fuel 

Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of doing everything to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals. Edwin said the IOCs are deliberately and wilfully frustrating the refinery’s efforts to buy local crude by jerking up high premium price above the market price, thereby forcing it to import crude from countries as far as United States, with its attendant high costs.

Speaking to a group of Energy Editors at a one-day training programme, organised by the Dangote Group, Edwin also lamented the activity of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in granting licences, indiscriminately to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country. He said, “the Federal Government issued 25 licences to build refinery and we are the only one that delivered on promise. In effect, we deserve every support from the Government. It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 per cent of our production, have been exported. We are calling on the Federal Government and regulators to give us the necessary support in order to create jobs and prosperity for the nation.”

According to him: “While the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are trying their best to allocate the crude for us, the IOCs are deliberately and willfully frustrating our efforts to buy the local crude. It would be recalled that the NUPRC, recently met with crude oil producers as well as refineries owners in Nigeria, in a bid to ensure full adherence to Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligations (DCSO), as enunciated under section 109(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). It seems that the IOCs’ objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails. It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or, they simply state that crude is not available. At some point, we paid $6 over and above the market price. This has forced us to reduce our output as well as import crude from countries as far as the US, increasing our cost of production…

“It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports Crude Oil and imports refined Petroleum Products. They (IOCs) are keen on exporting the raw materials to their home countries, creating employment and wealth for their countries, adding to their GDP, and dumping the expensive refined products into Nigeria - thus making us to be dependent on imported products. It is the same strategy the multinationals have been adopting in every commodity, making Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to be facing unemployment and poverty, while they create wealth for themselves at our expense. This is exploitation - pure and simple. Unfortunately, the country is also playing into their hands by continuing to issue import licences, at the expense of our economy and at the cost of the health of the Nigerians who are exposed to carcinogenic products.

"In spite of the fact that we are producing and bringing out diesel into the market, complying with ECOWAS regulations and standards, licences are being issued, in large quantities, to traders who are buying the extremely high sulphur diesel from Russia and dumping it in the Nigerian Market. Since the US, EU and UK imposed a Price Cap Scheme from 5th February, 2023 on Russian Petroleum Products, a large number of vessels are waiting near Togo with Russian ultra-high sulphur diesel and, they are being purchased and dumped into the Nigerian Market.

"In fact, some of the European countries were so alarmed about the carcinogenic effect of the extra high sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian Market that countries like Belgium and the Netherlands imposed a ban on such fuel being exported from its country, into West Africa, recently. It is sad that the country is giving import licences for such dirty diesel to be imported into Nigeria, when we have more than adequate petroleum refining capacity locally...” 

It would be recalled that in May, Belgium and Netherland adopted new quality standards to halt the export of cheap, low-quality fuels to West Africa, harmonising its standards with those of the European Union. These measures synchronise fuel export standards with the European domestic market, specifically targeting diesel and petrol with high sulphur and chemical content. Historically, these fuels, with sulphur content reaching up to 10,000 ppm, were exported at reduced rates to countries like Nigeria and other West African consumers.

Belgium’s Minister of Environment, Zakia Khattabi, announced that his country followed the Netherland, which in April 2023 also prohibited the export of low-quality petrol and diesel to West Africa via the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Khattabi emphasised that the Netherlands’ decision to restrict dirty fuel exports had redirected the trade to Belgium, now used by oil producers and traders to export gasoline with excessively high levels of benzene and sulphur.

“For far too long, toxic fuels have been departing from Belgium to destinations including Africa. They cause extremely poor air quality in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon and are even carcinogenic,” said Khattabi.

In September 2017, an investigation by an international organisation, Public Eye revealed that polluted and toxic fuels were being exported on a large scale from the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam for export to African markets. As much as a quarter of the petrol and diesel available in West Africa originates from the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. These fuels contain sulphur and other pollutants, such as cancer-causing benzene, in quantities up to 400 times the limits permitted in Europe. The Netherlands and Belgium were enjoined to enforce regulations to shield millions of Africans from exposure to toxic fuels.

The decision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in granting licenses indiscriminately for the importation of dirty diesel and aviation fuel has made the Dangote refinery to expand into foreign markets. The refinery has recently exported diesel and aviation fuel to Europe and other parts of the world. The same industry players fought us for crashing the price of diesel and aviation fuel, but our aim, as I have said earlier, is to grow our economy.

He noted that because the refinery meets the international standard as well as comply with stringent guidelines and regulations to protect the local environment, it has been able to export its products to Europe and other parts of the world.

While appealing to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently intervene for speedy implementation of the PIA and to ensure the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians are protected, he said: "Recently, the government of Ghana, through legislation has banned the importation of highly contaminated diesel and PMS into their county. It is regrettable that, in Nigeria, import licences are granted despite knowing that we have the capacity to produce nearly double the amount of products needed in Nigeria and even export the surplus. Since January 2021, ECOWAS regulations have prohibited the import of highly contaminated diesel into the region.”

Yes, you can still be healed! That sickness can still go away. Yes, there can still be solution to that problem. Though it is human and natural to want to give up on a situation after putting in everything to solve it, yet, we must also recognize that there is a supernatural power that can turn our impossibilities into possibility and our difficulties into testimonies.  As I write, there are people that have given up and are just waiting for the last whistle. They have tried everything, made every effort, spent all their resources and goodwill, prayers, etc, but the situation has just refused to change. They are just spent and tired. Even when you try to encourage them, they feel reluctant to accept that anything positive can still happen to them. Before I sat down to write this message I prayed for a lady in such condition. She has cancer in the blood. She has gone for transfusion before and she is due to go again. And I also heard the brother died of the same condition. As I prayed, her voice was very low and tired. I could immediately feel what she was going through and all the questions going through her mind. But I know a testimony is coming out of her situation because I meet so many like this daily – people waiting to die. I am waiting to celebrate with her also. God must stop this trend in that family - evil pattern. Yes, I have seen God turn the worst of situations around. With him all things are possible! Every sickness, every situation, every opposition, every confusion, every hindrance bows to the name of Jesus! You are being healed of that sickness now in the mighty name of Jesus! I said that you are receiving the solution to that perennial problem today! 

   As I was brooding over the events of the past week, the story of that desperate woman in Mark Chapter Five came to my mind. That is one of the most difficult and hopeless situations in the bible. She was very sick for twelve years. She was losing her blood (life) every second of the day. She spent all she had looking for solution, yet none came. She suffered so much and the condition grew worse. No improvement. No cure. No hope. And the worst was that even when she had a glimpse of solution, the surging crowd became an obstacle, a barrier to reach Jesus. My God! What can be worse than this? Does this sound like your situation? Look at it here, “Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed’. Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” Mark 5:24-29

  Some of you reading this message are like this woman today. You have been in that situation for a long time now. It looks incurable and terminal - the type that was described as being sick unto death. You helplessly watch as your life, your resources, your joy dim and slip away from your hand. The more you try is the more the problem, the frustration increases. It may not be your health directly, but things around you have become sick – your business, your relationship, your marriage, etc. You go a step forward and three steps backward. And no help, nobody cares to help again.  People, friends and relations are now tired of helping. You know that there is a limit to what people, even relations can offer at the time of trial. Look at that woman again. Did you hear anything about her friends or relations? Maybe some good ones have tried and got tired, got exhausted and then left her to her fate. They left her in her pain, stain and drain. Remember also that her condition was the type that will always attract unpleasant smell and constant demand for resources. So everybody ran away. Please, don’t get very angry when people desert you at the middle of your trial. It is just human. But let them go because God is coming to meet you. If they don’t go, if they don’t betray you, you may never know the real manifestation of God’s unfailing power and love.

   Now, what I love most about this woman is her determination and faith. Yes, the situation was very desperate and hopeless, but she totally refused to give up. She had no more relations, no neighbors and no friends to turn to, but was ready to try Jesus. And she had a crowd as a wall of obstacle but was also ready to press against it to snatch her needed solution. Wow! This is just what you need now to come out of your present situation. Pressing against the ‘wall’.  It is what you need to get your healing and breakthrough. You must be determined. You must refuse to accept defeat. Remember it is about your life. It is about your future and destiny. You must believe that this next step will sort you out. You must not give up. You must press against any physical, spiritual and psychological obstacle. Obstacles will always give way to those that refuse to give up! Don’t sit there and die. There is still a solution. Many have gone through this and survived. True. This woman pressed on even when everything was against her. She managed to touch the tip of Jesus’ cloth and the incredible happened. She was immediately, completely healed! I see you being healed today. As you touch him receive your wholeness now in Jesus’ name! God can do it again. We will continue.

In Nigeria, cholera has been on the rise since the 1970s majorly due to extreme poverty and lack of good potable drinking water. The probable reasons are the result of government negligence in embarking on initiatives that will improve the lives of an ordinary citizen. The majority of the people in Benue State, Nigeria, are rural dwellers who have little or no access to basic modern facilities; hence, the outbreak of diseases is inevitable.

Cholera was first reported in Nigeria in 1970. Since 1990, large outbreaks were reported in 1991, 1996, 1999 and from 2009 to 2011. Between 2004 and 2016, a total of 154,910 cases and 5,127 deaths were reported (CFR ≈ 3.3%). The largest outbreaks were reported in the northern states of the country. In the north, outbreaks often spread from Nigeria to neighbouring countries around Lake Chad (Niger, Chad and Cameroon) and in the south along the Gulf of Guinea.

A multi-sectoral study, linking water, sanitation, hygiene and health sectors, was carried out in the four countries of the Lake Chad basin, and especially Nigeria. This study aimed to propose an integrated WASH and Health response by first describing the epidemiology of cholera in the Chad Lake Basin and secondly by suggesting actions of prevention, preparedness and response to cholera epidemics. The Lake Chad Basin is a specific area with a climate typical of Sudan and the Sahel. The lakeside area and the lake’s tributaries as well as a marked seasonality structure the agriculture, pastoral and transhumance activities that take place here. In this essentially rural space, cross-border communication channels attract commercial activities. Population displacements occur between the several major agglomerations where dense neighbourhoods have structural difficulties with water conveyance and sanitation.

Cholera is an infection caused by the bacteria vibrio cholerae. More often than not, the bacteria is transmitted via contaminated water or food that has come into contact with contaminated water. The most common symptoms of cholera include extensive watery diarrhoea, severe vomiting, nausea, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and muscle cramps. Severe cases may result in death, especially among children and the elderly.

The bacteria that causes cholera is usually passed out of the body of an infected person via the faeces. These bacteria may then contaminate a common source of drinking water and become widespread among populations. Poor water hygiene and sanitation are therefore important factors in the spread of the disease.

Cholera has been almost eradicated in most developed nations worldwide. It is, however, still a major health hazard in sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia, some parts of the Middle East and South America. Outbreaks of cholera may occur after natural disasters such as earthquakes or after war when there is overcrowding and lack of sanitation. Travellers are also susceptible to catching cholera, especially if they are travelling to areas where cholera is still endemic.

Good hygiene, access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hand washing before eating and after using the toilet are simple measures taken that have reduced the incidence of cholera worldwide. Travellers are also advised to avoid ice creams and fruit juices offered by street vendors who display their sales goods in the open where they are exposed to flies and contaminants. In addition, travellers should not eat raw, unwashed vegetables, fruits, salads, or shellfish.

There is an oral vaccine that can help prevent cholera and is estimated to be 85% effective. Vaccination is recommended for travelling to areas where cholera is endemic, such as refuge camps and war zones.

The severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes from the body through vomiting and diarrhoea can cause death among victims of cholera. The first and foremost therapy is, therefore, replenishment of fluids and electrolytes in the form of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). An ORS sachet contains a powder made up of salts and glucose, which can be dissolved in clean drinking water. Antibiotics are also useful in reducing symptoms and treating the disease.

Although cholera can be life-threatening, it is easily prevented and treated. In the United States, because of advanced water and sanitation systems, cholera is not a major threat; however, everyone, especially travelers, should be aware of how the disease is transmitted and what can be done to prevent it. Cholera has been very rare in industrialized nations for the last 100 years; however, the disease is still common today in other parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.

The National Biosafety Management Agency has called on the general public to exercise caution over the recent cholera outbreak in some states across Nigeria, as the outbreak has now trying to become an epidemic as it is spreading across the state, just last week or thereabouts, it was recorded in Ogun state as announced by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, which occurred in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

Head, Information and Communications for NBMA, Mrs. Gloria Ogbaki, in a statement recently in Abuja, quoted the Director- General, NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, as saying there was need for carefulness, “Asagbra said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records over 30 deaths and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.

“Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.’’

Asagbra said NBMA, in collaboration with health authorities, was actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease. She also called on Nigerians to imbibe various hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water or using certified water purification methods. According to her, there is a need to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating or preparing food.

The Director-General also urged Nigerians to always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, cook food thoroughly, and consume it while it was hot, advised that Nigerians to avoid raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables, unless they could be peeled or washed with safe water and to always keep the environment clean and dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination

It is now imperative to all Nigerians to be vigilant and adhere to these hygiene practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from cholera. Nigerians should also to be on red alert and report any case of cholera to the nearest hospital to aviod or avert the spread of the dearly disease.

It feels so like deja vu the gut hurts. All motion no movement. The country of great prospects pushing its people to the brink of despair. Many who can pack and leave. The poor and more vulnerable bear a disproportionate share of hunger, disease burden like Cholera and Malaria that could be avoided while self centered people of power wallow in self deceit and send attack dogs after foreign media too far away to rabies infected. Then they end up in the dung heap of history more worthless than used toilet paper.

Have I seen this before. It appears that I have. A familiar road. Pini Jason of blessed memory who found his columns from twenty years back seemed fresh and current, named his book: A familiar Road.

On this familiar road I have been called names but lived to see their Marxism or Activism disrobed and uncloaked as excuses for grabbing and misusing power for self aggrandizement often in thoughtless process that divides people, embitters many and takes away from society the cohesion enabling of the advance of the common good and significant human progress.. This familiar road began from very early as I returned from graduate school in 1982.

At the time the fire was Marxist rhetoric. I challenged that we ought to focus on creating wealth, governing well assuring opportunity for all and a social safety net for the more vulnerable. They called me names. One so thoroughly frustrated as I went toe to toe with logic against his rhetoric declared me a Bourgeoisie apologist. 

Not long after one of the rank Dr Iyorchia Ayu became Senate President in the Babangida transition. We had become friends. So he asked that I unveil him before the corporate titans. I obliged with a huge reception at my home. Just before I stepped down to welcome him and the guests I quickly glance at a journal piece I was reading titled Marxism: the apologetics of power.