By Abujah Racheal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Every year, as the rains transform sunbaked roads into muddy rivers, a different kind of storm gathers across Nigeria.

Cholera, a ruthless bacterial infection, silently spreads through contaminated public wells, overflowing gutters and pit latrines.

Unlike the wars and famines that dominate headlines, this silent scourge claims lives relentlessly; hence, the need for a holistic approach to address it.

According to public health experts, recurring cholera outbreaks can be attributed to lack of access to potable water, which is essential for maintaining good hygiene practices, lack of continued surveillance even after outbreaks have ended, flooding and poverty.

Malam Ibrahim Isa’s experience is an excruciating account of the menace of cholera.

Rabi, Isa’s seven-year-old daughter clutched her stomach; her whimpers echoing through their cramped one-room shack in Maiduguri, Borno.

Isa watched helplessly as his daughter’s once-bright eyes dimmed with dehydration.

“It started with a few cramps; then came the relentless vomiting and diarrhea.

“We have nothing; no clean water, no proper toilet; how can I fight this invisible enemy,” he said.

His tragic story is common across the country; it reflects the devastating impact of poor sanitation and hygiene.

According to the 2021 WASHNORM III report, nearly 90 per cent of Nigerians lack access to complete basic water, sanitation and hygiene services, leaving millions vulnerable, particularly children and women.

The report indicates that cholera has been endemic in Nigeria since it first appeared in 1972.

It shows that the 1991 outbreak was the most severe on record; resulting in 59,478 cases and 7,654 deaths, a case fatality rate of 12.9 per cent.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommended benchmark case fatality rate is less than one per cent.

This rate represents the number of deaths as a percentage of the total confirmed cases, both alive and dead.

Rates of outbreak in Nigeria have mostly fluctuated between one per cent and about four per cent.

Dr Emmanuel Agogo, Director of Pandemic Threats at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), explained the high fatality rate during the 1991 outbreak.

“The 1991 rate was high due to very poor sanitation and hygiene strategies.

“Little or no surveillance was in place; and there was no community engagement or education on the dangers of the disease,” he said.

Agogo explained the importance of a unified approach.

“A whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach is needed.

“We must involve multiple sectors and stakeholders to prevent, prepare for, detect and respond to public health threats like cholera,” he said.

Although, currently, cholera treatment is free in all government facilities, shortage of health facilities, illiteracy, lack of infrastructure for water supply and waste disposal and conflict, leading to overcrowded conditions for displaced people are also major predisposing factors.

Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reveals a grim reality.

“In the past four years (2021-2024), about 139,730 Nigerians are suspected to have contracted cholera, with a staggering 4,364 deaths.

“However, as of June 23, a total of 1,579 suspected cases, including 54 deaths (Case Fatality Rate of 3.4 per cent) have been reported from 32 states.

“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age group five is mostly affected, followed by the age groups five years to 14 years in aggregate of both males and females.

“Of all suspected cases, 50 per cent are males and 50 per cent are females.

“Lagos state (537 cases) accounts for 34 per cent of all suspected cases in the country, out of the 32 States that have reported cases of cholera.

“Southern Ijaw Local Government in Bayelsa (151 cases) accounts for 10 per cent of all suspected cases reported in the country,’’ the data indicates.

Available statistics further show Bayelsa (466 cases), Abia (109), Zamfara (64 cases), Bauchi (46 cases), Katsina (45 cases) and Cross River (43 cases).

Others are Ebonyi (38 cases), Rivers (37 cases), Delta (34 cases), Imo (28), Ogun (21), Nasarawa (19 cases), Ondo (17 cases), Kano (13 cases), Niger (11 cases) and Osun (11 cases).

These account for 97.5 per cent of the suspected cases this year.

Comparatively, suspected cases of Cholera have decreased by 37 per cent compared to what was reported at Epi-week 25 in 2023.

More so, cumulative deaths recorded have decreased by 21 per cent.

In Nigeria, the availability of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) can vary across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During a cholera outbreak, EHOs are crucial for controlling the spread by ensuring proper sanitation, safe drinking water and effective waste disposal.

The impact of EHOs was evident during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.

While EHOs are generally present in all states, the effectiveness and reach of their work can be influenced by factors such as funding, infrastructure, and local government support.

In some areas, there may be shortages or limited capacity to respond adequately to outbreaks.

Efforts to control cholera often involve collaboration between EHOs, public health officials, and community organisations to ensure comprehensive coverage and response.

Principally, in the discussion around cholera, appropriate waste disposal becomes pivotal.

Mallam Kabiru Usman’s stall in Sabon Gari market in Kano exemplifies the sanitation challenges contributing to the outbreak.

The pungent odour of rotten vegetables mixes with the scarce, murky water used for washing – a stark reminder of the lack of clean water and proper waste disposal.

Usman’s story highlights just one aspect of the problem.

Open defecation, prevalent in rural areas like Bauchi, where Mrs Sarah Abubakar, a retired nurse resides, exposes individuals, especially women and children, to waterborne diseases like cholera.

The 2021 WASHNORM III report revealed a worrying rise in open defecation – from 46 million Nigerians in 2019 to 48 million in 2021.

Dr Amina Mohammed, a public health physician based in Kano, stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach.

“Cholera thrives in a web of neglect; we need immediate interventions like improved sanitation facilities in markets and slums, access to clean water, and a robust public awareness campaign.”

Mohammed pointed out the need for residents to work with local authorities to install handwashing stations at strategic points within the Sabon Gari market.

“Simple solutions like these, coupled with education on proper hygiene practices, can make a significant difference,” she said.

Dr Salman Samson Polycarp, an epidemiologist, stressed the critical role of market hygiene.

According to Polycarp, contaminated water and poor waste management can quickly escalate the situation.

He highlighted the lack of proper infrastructure in markets across the country as a significant factor.

Dr Jay Osi Samuel, a public health expert, warned of the dangers of improper abattoir management, where contaminated water can spread the bacteria far and wide.

Samuel explained the importance of strong public health surveillance to swiftly identify and address outbreaks.

“The fight against cholera is not just about battling bacteria; it is a fight for dignity, health and a brighter future for Nigerian communities,” he said.

Dr Jide Idris, Director General of NCDC, highlighted the need to address the root causes.

“Open defecation is a major challenge. It requires infrastructure and education. Building toilets is not enough; people need to understand why they must use them,” he said

He underscored the importance of local solutions and mobilising resources from state and local government levels.

Experts hold that the future of Nigerian communities depends on decisive actions.

Together, government agencies, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and ordinary citizens can turn the tide against cholera and build a healthier future for all.

People can be part of the solution by supporting relevant NGOs or volunteering their time to organisations working on sanitation projects and hygiene education in Nigeria.

Concerted efforts are required in the onslaught against cholera including raising awareness and sharing information about cholera prevention measures at family and community levels.

What’s more, it is critical to mobilise local representatives to prioritise sanitation and healthcare initiatives.

Public health specialists say that synergy among Nigerians can break the cycle of cholera and ensure a healthier future for all. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

**If used, please, credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

By Taiye Olayemi (News Agency of Nigeria)

Nigeria, popularly known as the giant of Africa is endowed with immense tourism attractions capable of attracting international tourists and investors.

The black nation, covering an area of about 923,769 square kilometres, with a population of over 230 million, is the most populous country in Africa and the world’s sixth-most populous country.

Nigeria, with its numerous beautiful landscape, waterfalls, caves, hills, creeks, rock formations, greenery vegetation, beaches, culture, arts and crafts, can yield huge economic benefits when these tourism potential are adequately explored and exploited.

British-trained Nigerian documentary photographer, Dayo Adedayo, expresses great love for his father’s land, investing his resources on documenting Nigerian tourism sites.

Adedayo, also a Cultural Anthropologist and Author, describes Nigeria as the most beautiful country in the world but most difficult to photograph due to the series of bottlenecks he encountered while documenting Nigerian tourism potential through photography.

Speaking extensively on the ennormous tourism potential in the country, Adedayo says Nigeria has no business being poor neither any of its citizens.

He says having gone round the 36 states of Nigeria, the 774 local government areas in the last 21 years, there are lots of tales of hidden treasures to unravel to Nigerians who remain unconscious of the immense potential they live with.

He explains that Ogun should be considered the religious hub of the nation where religious tourism can be developed for wealth creation.

Expatiating on this, Adedayo explains that churches and Islamic gatherings that accomodate the largest members are all located in Ogun.

He says government needs to look in this direction of developing religious tourism in Nigeria which can be a money spinner for the nation.

“Ogun state should be the “Jerusalem” and “Mecca” of Nigeria. All the largest churches in Nigeria are domiciled in Ogun, the Redeemed Christian Church of God that attracts at least one million visitors in a month is there.

“The largest Islamic gathering is also in Ogun state, the Living Faith church with their large congregation; the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) which used to be the largest church in the world is also in Ogun.

“The founder of this church was also buried in Imeko, Ogun; the biblical Queen Sheba was also buried in Oke-Eiri, Ijebu-Ode, in same Ogun.

“These are iconic structures and beautiful potential to develop religious tourism in Nigeria. Saudi Arabia is generating a minimum of $20 billion from religious tourism annually.

“Jerusalem and Israel are also making a lot of money from religious tourism, Nigeria needs to look in this direction,” he says.

Speaking on the traditional religion, known as “Ifa”, Adedayo says Ifa is the fastest growing religion in Mexico and Cuba which can be related to developing one of Nigeria’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage sites- Osun Oshogbo groove.

The professional photographer still speaking on the beauty of Nigeria, says every zone of the nation can boast of unique tourism assets.

He says the South-East region should be proud of the numerous breath-taking and beautiful caves like Ogba-Ukwu, Awhum, Arochukwu and Amanchor caves.

“The South-South will be proud of the Niger-Delta lovely creeks. The North-Central ordinarily should have been the richest zone in Nigeria due to the huge tourism potential domiciled there.

“We have the Katampe hills, Zuma rock, and Farin Ruwa- the most spectacular waterfall in Nigeria, located in Nasarawa State.

“In the North-East we have the Kurara hills, Sukur heritage site and more. And in the North-West, we have the Sokoto Museum, the best in terms of content.

“Lagos is also massive for tourism, it is the Athens of Africa with numerous historical heritage sites, the Lagos Island is full of historical colonial heritage sites that can be tapped.

“The largest monument ever built- Sungbo-Eredo heritage site in Epe- is also a beautiful one, we have several beaches and clubs in Lagos,” he says.

Speaking on his challenges, Adedayo says he had been arrested several times while trying to take photographs of iconic toursm sites within the country.

He says at another occasion, his expensive camera got damaged as particles of sand got into the lens.

He says Nigerians have to change their perception of the tourism industry as the industry is a huge boost to the economy.

He explains that marketing Nigeria at this point of its development should be encouraged, government should encourage photographs in tourism sites.

“Photographing Nigeria has been a life project for me, I started documenting Nigeria in 2003, that was my first time in Abuja and I was blown away with what I saw, how beautiful Abuja was, sparsely populated and the greens.

“Going on top of the hills, seeing the greenery vegetation, the black tard roads and the white demarcation marks, so beautiful, that was what developed my interest in photographing Nigeria.

“I also observed that countries like Kenya South Africa and Ghana have books about their nation but I haven’t got a book on Nigeria, that was what made me develop interest in documenting Nigeria.

“And 21 years after, I have over 4 million Nigerian images on my archives, travelling by road to states. Nigeria is indeed a beautiful country with beautiful landscapes,” he says

According to Adedayo, the most captivating of these tourism sites in Nigeria is the Mambilla Plateau, located in Taraba state, which measures 122 kilometres from its bottom to the top.

He said right on the plateau, he could sight the cloud coming toward him, describing the experience as heavenly.

“Right there at the Mambilla Plateau, I said to myself, “We are not selling Nigeria, we need to market this beautiful nation”.

“In Asia, China is the largest and their economy is booming, Germany is the largest in Europe with a booming economy so what happens to Nigeria, the largest in Africa.

“We must tap our tourism potential and other non-tangible assets we have to occupy our treasued position.

“So at 60, I am trying to lay a legacy to establish an experience centre that will be named, Dayo Adedayo Photography (DAP) Experience Centre, where over 10 million images of this beautiful Nigeria will be domiciled for generations yet unborn to see our civilisation.

“There will be a museum and a boat room in the experience centre where people can have same experience I had when I was in the Niger-Delta creek virtually. It is a beautiful country and we need to sell ourselves,” he says.

According to Adedayo, the experience centre located in Lekki, Lagos, is currently under construction and will be completed and ready for use before the third quarter of 2025.

He says the building of the experience centre is designed to last over 200 years, to survive the worst kind of earthquake and also designed to be anti-rust because of its location.

“I plan to have at least six of this experience centre, one in each geo-political zone. This is meant to inspire the younger ones so that they can aspire to achieve more than me.

“There at the experience centre, we will have the digital floor where documentary of Nigeria will be constantly viewed, there will be children arena to learn, also the history and evolution of photography and videography will be showcased,” he says.

Adedayo advises Nigerians to project the positive image of the nation more, change their wrong perception about Nigeria and begin to think positive of the nation.

He says their negative thoughts about Nigeria will affect their progress on the land while every positive thoughts will definitely go a long way in making them realise their goals. (NANFeatures)

***Please credit the writer and the News Agency of  Nigeria if used***

Timeless melodies: Honouring legacies of music legends

By Taiye Olayemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Music analysts have observed that songs from the 1960s through 1990s uphold positive and edifying lyrics with minimal vulgar languages and obscene views.

This value calls for the need to celebrate the timeless legacies of such music and create room for up-and-coming artistes, as well as the youths generally to learn from such, they argue.

Music is said to be the food for the soul with some therapeutic effect on the listeners and it could be seen to boost intelligence, improve memory, relieve stress, improve one’s mood, enhance cognitive performance, boost productivity and performance.

According to them, since music plays important role in individual’s daily activities, there ought to be quality of contents generated from inspiring music.

However, they observe that it is worrisome to note the gradual transformation of useful lyrical contents in music of the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s to what music is in the 21st century.

They are worried that currently, most contemporary musicians do not even promote positive values in their songs as they sing to promote alcoholism, smoking, sex and nudity, among others, negating the African values.

On the contrary, artistes like Dan Maraya Jos, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Victor Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Ebenezer Obey, Funmi Aragbaye, Osita Osadebe and many more could be considered musical legends that must be honoured with their evergreen lyrical contents, beautiful vocals and melody.

Christy Essien-Igbokwe, known as Nigeria’s Lady of Songs, through her music, addressed many issues, such as love among people, community, association, woman-man relationship and childhood mentoring.

Essien-Igbokwe’s passion for peace, equity and fairness put her among those that championed the creation of some states, specifically Akwa Ibom and the new Anambra.

She was known for her songs: Seun Rere, Tete Nula, Ife, Hear the Call and Give Me a Chance.

Also, Adamu Dan Maraya Jos, popularly known as “Dan Maraya’’ had his songs focus on uniting people across ethnic and religious divide.

With his local musical instrument, kutigi — a single string improvised guitar-like instrument — Dan Maraya was fond of engaging in praise singing for the rich and the common people.

The folk musician’s most famous song was “Wak’ar Karen Mota’’, (Song of the driver’s mate) in appreciation of the young men who call passengers in and out of buses and do the dirty work of changing tyres.

With Prof. Victor Uwaifo’s timeless evergreen songs such as Joromi, Guitar Boy, Ekassa, Akwete, Ebiss Ebiss and more, he was reputed for his highlife melodies garnished by the dexterity of his guitar and captivating dance steps.

The Guitar Boy’s creation of Ekassa and Akwete music style greatly has helped in the development and showcase of the Benin culture to the world.

Also, Onyeka Onwenu uses her music and its timeless messages to promote the nation’s culture. Her music duet with King Sunny Ade entitled “Wait for Me’’, has remained evergreen.

It is remembered always as a song with deep lyrical message which was put together to help the government of that era fight seriously against the outburst of population explosion while also regulating it with the different family planning programmes put together by the government.

Her song, “African Woman’’, helped greatly in projecting the innate exquisiteness of the African woman giving them a sense of pride and belonging amid poverty, widowhood, rape, lack of care, hatred, humiliation and abandonment, among others.

Her evergreen classic, “Sodom and Gomorrah’’, is a biblical narrative of the popular story of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, a city destroyed by God due to their heedlessness and high level of immorality.

Legendary Juju Musician, Ebenezer Obey’s music transcends mere entertainment. His ability to weave thought-provoking proverbs and social commentary into his danceable compositions is outstanding.

Obey’s music often praise successful Nigerians and explore themes of faith and social justice.

Current musical contents pose serious worry to parents and commenting on this, legendary Fuji Musician, Dr Adewale Ayuba, advises co-artistes to be mindful of their musical lyrics and ensure it is such that can inspire listeners in the positive.

Ayuba also calls on National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to step up their activities in the area of censorship.

He says this is quite important considering the rate at which negative musical contents continue to affect the younger generation, leading them astray.

Similarly, Reggae musicians, Austin Peter, popularly known as “King Wadada’’ blames the laxity on the path of the NFVCB to do justice to musical video censorship.

He also notes that the media had its own blame as well for promoting obscene, provocative movies and musical videos through their stations.

“Government has a lot to do as regards obscene views and negative musical contents because it is obvious both media owners and the NFVCB are not doing enough.

“The future of our youths is at stake here. They are being exposed to social vices prematurely and these are beginning to send wrong signals to them as they want to practise whatever they see on the screens,’’ he says.

Also Onyeka Onwenu who chose to align with producers of such negative musical contents says change is constant and such development was mere response to change and societal happenings.

Onwenu, however, advises the contemporary musicians to be conscious of ensuring their music brings about social change.

At the forefront of promoting and preservation of Africa’s music of yesteryears is the Evergreen Musical Company, focused on ensuring the legacy of all music of yesteryears are properly preserved for the younger generation to learn from.

The late Chief Femi Esho, Chairman of Evergreen Musical Company, who saddled himself with the promotion and preservation of music of yesteryears was able to do that through his flagship concert entitled: “Ariya Eko’’.

He held Ariya Eko for some years where most of these evergreen artistes perform, bringing back beautiful memories of their music to their fans.

The company is an offshoot of Femi Esho’s hobby of collecting music which began when he was only 12 years old.

Esho, just few months to his death partnered with Dr Daniel Olukoya, founder of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries to build a musical museum which he said would be named “Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation’’.

The museum located at Oyedele Ogunniyi Street, Anthony Village in Lagos, could be considered as Esho’s parting gift for every music lover and the edifice will be completed before the end of 2024.

Bimbo Esho, the Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company, who is a daughter to late Esho, said that the edifice would accommodate a music museum, music library, gallery showcasing head burst of artistes, display of over 1,000 pictures of Nigerian musicians from 1914 till date.

She explained that there would also be relics of the musicians’ costumes, old musical instruments, an event centre for music concerts, cinema theatre, recording studio and so much more.

“The museum, upon completion, will be an experience centre where people in and outside the country will be privileged to see our country’s musical worth and history.

“There will be on display music from 1914, musical relics, old musical instruments, head bust of artistes, original vinyl of artistes, books, documentaries, cassettes, reel to reel, gramophone as old as 100 years, journals, cassettes and more.

“The edifice is a place the youth can come to enjoy quality music and research into the past musical history of some of Nigeria’s most accomplished musicians of the 1950s, the 1960s down to the 1990s,’’ she said.

She cautioned that all hands must be on deck to ensure that children are not continually exposed to negative musical contents. (NANFeatures)

**If used, please, credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

By Fortune Abang, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Stakeholders gathered in Banjul, The Gambia, for a two-day African regional workshop organised by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) from May 31 to June 1, 2024.

The workshop brought together 27 attendees from 23 countries, including both diplomatic and technical representatives.

During the two-day event, participants emphasised the significance of African countries’ adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) for ensuring peace and security across the region.

Topics discussed included strategies to increase support for and achieve universal adoption of the CTBT in Africa, as well as ways to build momentum towards its entry into force.

There was call to Africa Heads of State and Governments to advance the ratification and national implementation of the Treaty.

The CTBT, a multilateral agreement opened for signature in September 1996, has since been signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178, prohibiting any nuclear weapons test anywhere in the world by anyone.

The workshop also focused on ensuring that all States Signatories benefit from Treaty membership, whether through using the data collected by the organization’s state-of-the-art verification regime or accessing capacity building and training opportunities.

It followed other regional and sub-regional outreach events held in Cairo, Egypt; Nairobi, Kenya; Rabat, Morocco; Niamey, Niger; Abuja, Nigeria; Dakar, Senegal; Pretoria, South Africa; and Tunis, Tunisia, among others.

During the workshop, suggestions were made on how to better contribute to the International Monitoring System (IMS), a technical platform of CTBTO’s verification regime that detects nuclear test explosions globally.

Others called for capacity building programmes and training initiatives to promote States signatories’ access to IMS data and International Data Centre (IDC) products for civil and scientific applications, such as earthquake warnings and climate change research.

CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd emphasised the importance of the ban on nuclear testing for the African region, highlighting the Treaty’s International Monitoring System’s capability to detect any nuclear.

He disclosed that the CTBT has not yet formally entered into force, requiring ratification from 9 remaining countries from a list of 44, including China, the United States, and Russia.

He said that entry into force would unlock the Treaty’s full verification tools, including the ability to conduct on-site inspections to confirm the nature of any suspected nuclear test.

Floyd emphasised the devastating impact of nuclear weapons, citing the Hiroshima bombing as an example, and encouraged African countries to ratify the CTBT, noting that Africa’s 35 IMS stations are actively monitoring global seismic activity.

He praised Africa’s role in building consensus for the Treaty’s adoption by the UN General Assembly and highlighted the importance of complete adherence to the CTBT for realising a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa.

Similarly, Mr Dawda Jallow, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of The Gambia, said the regional workshop would help the stakeholders to discuss and advance the nuclear testing ban policy objective within the region.

He said The Gambia’s ratification of the Treaty in 2022 demonstrated commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, as well as dedication to a safer and more peaceful world.

According to him, the challenges Africans faced today required collective efforts through dialogue and diplomacy with relevant support to the CTBT.

Jallow said: “The CTBT’s primary aim is to prevent nuclear testing, but it can also have civil and scientific applications.”

“The verification regime established by the CTBT offers valuable data and tools that can be utilised for purposes, such as climate change research, disaster prevention, including Tsunami warning.”

“These capabilities provide additional benefits to countries like The Gambia and also have the potential of generating positive outcomes across various sectors of economy.”

Dr Oumar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, said Africa has been a driving force in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

He said this was particularly through the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ) in the region.

“This workshop is important to uniting African countries towards achieving a shared future, advancing the CTBT and reinforcing our collective resolve to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote global security.”

“Today, we are gathered to contribute to a cause that not only affects our continents, but the entire world.”

“This workshop is a testament to our shared dedication towards achieving sustainable peace and cooperation in Africa and beyond”, Touray said.

Mako Sitali, a senior Geo-scientist at Namibia’s CTBT National Data Centre (NDC) extolled the workshop to have provided platform for knowledge sharing on gains of nuclear testing ban.

“I believe in teamwork. Being in a room with so much regional expertise was a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other and collaborate. This is a crucial first step towards realising our vision of a world without nuclear tests”, Sitali said.

The stakeholders agreed that the proposed 2025 workshop scheduled to be hosted in Latin America and the Caribbean or the Pacific will benefit all signatories to the Treaty.

This, they agreed, will be achieved through capacity building, especially those interested in engaging in dialogue against nuclear weapons testing.

This will also ensure the safety and protection of the environment from nuclear weapons tests, aid in disaster management.

It will also serve various other civil and scientific purposes. It aims to establish a world without nuclear tests and create barriers against further development and proliferation of nuclear weapons. (NANFeatures)

By Dorcas Jonah, News Agency of Nigeria NAN

Mrs Abimbola Ojo, a hardworking confidential secretary, has remained stagnated for over 10 years, while others recruited after her, in a federal ministry, are forging ahead, getting juicy positions in the ministry.

Ojo was told to pay some money or engage in an illicit relationship to guarantee that her name was on the promotion list.

She refused. The consequence is that her career has stagnated. She was depressed and eventually resigned without financial compensation.

This is the fate of many women, in public and private sectors of the economy and in political groups.

Available statistics indicate that the national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 per cent in elective and appointive positions.

This is below the Global Average of 22.5 per cent, Africa Regional Average of 23.4 per cent and West African Sub Regional Average of 15 per cent.

Statistics have also indicated that the number of women elected to the National Assembly in 2023 is the lowest since 2003 when 24 women were elected.

The 2007 general elections produced the highest number of women in the National Assembly with 34 elected. The second lowest number was recorded in 2011 and repeated in the 2015 elections with 29. The lowest was in 1999 with only 15 women elected.

The 2023 National Assembly elections recorded 14 female members in the lower chamber and three in the upper chamber.

President Bola Tinubu also appointed eight female ministers in his cabinet.

Nigeria is rated as one of the worst countries with poor female representation in parliament worldwide.

The Nigerian government has taken some steps to combat corruption, such as establishing anti-corruption agencies, but progress has been limited.

Many women have been frustrated, abused, and discriminated against because of corrupt and immoral practices in the economic and political spheres.

They are curtailed from attaining leadership positions, even when they are better and have more charisma than their male counterparts.

According to the United Nations, Women’s equal participation and leadership in politics and economy is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

However, the UN data shows that women are underrepresented, at all levels of decision-making worldwide while achieving gender parity in all sectors, requires the implementation of strategies.

Samuels Isopi, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, equally frowned at the poor participation of women in politics, in Nigeria.

Isopi, represented by the EU Deputy Head of Mission to Nigeria, Zissimos Vergos, expressed his reservations at a two-day roundtable on women’s inclusion in politics, recently held in Abuja

The programme was in commemoration of the International Women’s Week.

“In Nigeria, the advocacy for women’s political participation has been long drawn. In spite of the very dynamic interventions by women groups and other key stakeholders, their representation remains in steady decline.

“For example, women’s representation in the 10th National Assembly is 7.4 per cent out of a total of 469 combined seats in the Senate and House of Representatives,” she said.

Isopi opined that there is strong evidence that, as more women are elected into office, there is an increase in policymaking that emphasizes quality of life and reflects the priorities of families, women, and marginalised groups.

“We must, therefore, strive for a society where every woman does not just feel safe enough to survive but empowered enough to thrive,” she said.

According to Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, corruption impacted on women’s leadership, women’s representation and women’s participation in three ways.

Itodo said that when corruption is rampant in a society, it creates inequality, both in political and economic space, and women are at a disadvantage and unable to garner the kind of resources that they require.

In Nigeria, contesting for public office involves lots of money and women are not able to achieve this because a few people have decided to strip women of that opportunity.

“Beyond the fact that corruption is a cancer, it disempowers women because they are unable to access resources.

According to him, once women are disempowered economically, they are unable to exert or participate actively in civic life.

Another dimension where corruption impacted women is when it became the order of the day…

Under such circumstances, jobs that rightfully belong to women to empower themselves are not available to them.

“This, I think is the fundamental problem and challenge that we have. So, when you think about how corruption affects women and women’s leadership, this is actually a classic example.

“Often, when women expose corruption, they are intimidated because they are considered, ‘a weaker sex’ and they cannot withstand pressure,” he said.

Itodo said the situation was a negative stereotype about women, adding that, where courageous women have spoken against corruption, the society actually tends to frown at them and punished them for doing so.

He said injustices and structural inequalities in the Nigeria’s politics needed to be reversed, either through the instrumentality of law, through socialisation or accountability.

The Head of Department, Women and Youth, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mrs Rita Goyit, said corruption runs through every level of the Nigerian government.

Goyit said that corruption runs from top to bottom, including contract fraud, through petty bribery, money laundering schemes, embezzlement, among others.

She said most time the monies and other resources that were meant for development infrastructure are diverted by individuals or groups.

“This is not right because everything that is given to you is done in trust, whatever position you are holding is in trust for the people to be used for the good of everybody.

“But corruption has made it in such a way that those things, instead of being used for the good of others, have been diverted to be used for the good of some individuals.

“Some of these individuals are people who are able to, in quotes, ‘steal those monies or tax those monies or loot the money as the way we saw is corruption,” she said.

Goyit said that in Nigeria corruption has become endemic, because there was no aspect of life that corruption has not affected.

“It has affected our well-being as citizens because money meant for our good is not used. It has affected development and infrastructure.

“So, people take it away and all of that. It has even affected our democracy as it were,” she said.

Goyit said Nigerian women and youth were yet to feel the impact of the activities of the Ministry of Labour and Employment because they had been marginalised in that sector.

According to her, we expect that in terms of other trapezoidal or bipartite relationships, there should be some capacity building so that we’ll be able to understand one another.

Similarly, Dr Comfort Adokwe, a Deputy Director, Centre for Gender Studies, said corruption hinders economic progress and good governance.

She said that Nigerian women have historically faced substantial obstacles to attaining positions of economic and political leadership.

Adokwe said corruption has also eroded public trust in the political process, discouraging many women from seeking leadership positions.

The perception that advancement requires engaging in corrupt practices deters women, who often face greater social stigma for doing so, Adokwe said.

She said corrupt officials also employ various means to impede or undermine women candidates.

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, said that corruption undermined the integrity of women who want to participate in the social and economic development in Nigeria.

He said political participation has been commercialised, privatised, in a way that it was given to the highest bidder, a situation he said, had deprived many women from realising their political dreams.

He said women are being marginalised because they are not interested in engaging in political violence.

“Many women do not believe that they have to sell their bodies to get involved in the political environment that is why they have been isolated.

“Also, many women who want to do things professionally have also been ambushed by men,” he said.

Rafsanjani said the implication would be more poverty for women as they continue to be undermined from participating in the socio-economic and political development.

The ease of doing business has not also been unfavorable to women because they are operating from the informal sector where most of them don’t have access to credit facilities.

“Neither are they able to access any government programmes that will enhance their businesses because they are reluctant to give bribes to get contracts.

“They cannot get contracts even when they are legitimately qualified to get those contracts.

“So, these are fundamental challenges that corruption has brought into undermining women’s political and economic participation in Nigeria,” Rafsanjani said.

Corruption remains a significant barrier to women’s participation in economic and political leadership in Nigeria.

Anti-corruption crusaders say to address this requires a multi -faceted approach which includes fair access to opportunities and resources, transparency, accountability, and gender-sensitive policies, institutional reforms and societal norms.

Strong legal frameworks, transparent institutions, and a culture of accountability and integrity at all levels of society will also help to elevate women into leadership roles that can also help drive anti-corruption efforts. (NANFeatures)

(This investigation is for the GENDER, THE AGENDA project for Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) supported by the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), and the MacArthur Foundation)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

By Martha Agas, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd (ASCL) as the name implies, is located in Ajaokuta, in the north central state of Kogi, on 24,000 hectares of land was established in 1979 by the government of President Shehu Shagari.

It was meant to drive Nigeria’s modernity through industrialisation. The steel plant is not just a rolling mill but an integrated iron and steel plant with about 43 units.

By design, it has four rolling mills: the Billet Mills, the Light section Mill (LSM), the Wire Rod Mill and the Medium section and Structural Mill.

They are all envisaged to facilitate numerous socio economic benefits to the country and enhance the nation’s productive capacity through its integration with other industrial sectors.

This is in addition to serving as a means of saving and earning foreign exchange.

Besides supplying materials for infrastructure development, the plant is expected to produce 10,000 direct jobs in its first phase. The multiplier effect is projected to generate an additional 500,000 indirect jobs.

Before the Shagari administration was ousted by the junta in1983, it was 84 per cent completed and by 1994, it was 98 per cent completed.

However, the project  could not continue due to a lack of funds, mismanagement and legal battles.

Unfortunately, what was meant to be Nigeria`s pride, 40 years later, remains in  a comatose as efforts by past governments  to complete its construction and resuscitate the then functional parts yielded no result.

While previous efforts and promises to resuscitate the plant may seems cliché, President Bola Tinubu`s assured that a significant difference would be seen before his tenure expires.

This aligns with his vision of the renewed hope agenda which has economic diversification as one of its major flanks.

The target is to grow the economy of Nigeria to more than one trillion dollars by the end of its first term.

When Tinubu took the helm of the nation`s affairs on May 29, 2023, he promised to remodel Nigeria`s economy to bolster growth and development.

He also said that his industrial policy would utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

To achieve this feat, he embarked on reforms and initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the economy and promoting industrialisation in Nigeria.

However, for this to happen, the iron and steel industry must be priortised and fully developed because of its crucial role in achieving this feat.

The president emphasised the importance of a revitalised steel industry, as a catalyst for robust economic growth and a gateway to immense opportunities for Nigeria’s vast pool of talented entrepreneurs.

In line with this, the president established the Ministry of Steel Development in August 2023, to champion the vision and work on the improvement of all steel and metallic resources in the country for economic growth.

The ministry`s mandates include to resuscitate the Ajaokuta steel company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) Itakpe, and also to revive the steel industry.

The move is also in keeping to his campaign promise of resuscitating the Ajaokuta Steel Company by the end of his second term, aimed at creating 500,000 jobs to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

For a company that has been in comatose for 40 years, resuscitating it requires courage and political will which the Tinubu administration appears to have.

Experts estimate that a minimum of two billion dollars is required to resuscitate it.

Discussions with the original equipment builders of the steel plant, Russian company, Tyamzhpromexport (TPE) to complete the job they started 45 years ago are on-going.

Although the Chinese, Indian and Arab companies have indicated interest, to handle the job, the Russian consortium, comprising a team from Russia’s TPE/Rostec, Novostal, and Nigeria’s Proforce, are chiselling out a blueprint for the revival of the plant.

To demonstrate his commitment to the resuscitation, Tinubu appointed an indigene of Kogi, Prince Shuiabu Audu, as the Minister of Steel Development.

It is projected that his success would be a source of pride to Nigeria, and particularly to his kinsmen, whom he would not want to disappoint.

When Audu took office, he said the ministry would adopt a collegiate approach to reviving the plant by exploring all realistic means.

One of the approaches is a three-year roadmap of short and medium term plans.

Under the arrangement, due to the substantial amount involved, the units would be concessioned to investors with core competence to manage them.

At the ministerial sector update on the performance of the Tinubu`s administration, Audu said he directed that while navigating through resolving broader issues, the challenges that could be resolved in immediate term should be addressed.

In line with the directive, the minister set in motion the revival of the Light Mill Section (LSM) of the plant, projected to produce 400,000 metric tonnes of iron rods per annum.

These rods would be used for the construction of 30,000 KM of roads across the six geopolitical zones in the President`s first term.

This is part of the concrete road revolution of the renewed hope agenda of the president.

The construction is estimated to require seven million metric tonnes of iron rods over the four year period, about which Shuiabu mentioned talks have been held with the Minister of Works.

He added that Ajaokuta can produce 400,000 tonnes of it, and although it is a small amount, the president wants the company to supply some of the rods needed for Federal Government projects.

In realising this feat, the minister obtained presidential approval to raise private capital to restart the LSM.

“We are at the final stages of raising over N35 billion from a local financial institution, which is around 25 million US dollars to be able to restart the light section mill of the complex so that we can produce iron rods.

“The local financial institution has given us a final offer which I have done a cover letter and forwarded the relevant documents to the minister of finance to be able to take the financing on behalf of the federal government.

“This is through signed promissory notes that will be discounted and provided for the Ajaokuta mill to be able to get back on track in terms of the iron rods production.

“That light section mill has the capacity to produce up to 400,000 metric tonnes of iron rods per annum,“ he said.

He said that the Federal Government plans to establish Ajaokuta as a Free Trade Zone to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and to diversify the country`s economy.

“Part of the plan is to designate the 24,000 hectare land of Ajaokuta as an Industrial Park and create a Free Trade Zone to further attract Foreign Direct Investment’’, he said.

The second stage of the plant`s resuscitation involves producing military hardware.

The Federal Government has taken steps to begin the production of military hardware in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, as the Ministries of Steel Development and Defence are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation.

The plant has engineering workshops with the capacity to manufacture hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.

Stakeholders observe that the move is timely, considering Nigeria`s enormous security challenges.

The minister mentioned that the Metallurgical Development Centre in Jos has the capability to provide the Lead and Zinc required to produce military hardware such as rifles, vests, helmets and bullets, among other things in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

While these stages are in motion, discussions have begun on reviving the 110 megawatt power plant in Ajaokuta, which can supply power not only to the plant but also to the national grid.

Due to the difficulties in securing funds to implement the plan, the minister is spearheading some initiatives for public-private partnerships.

In this framework, the asset would serve as collateral, enabling private investors to provide financing and expertise to rehabilitate the power plant.

The potential investors include Transcorp Power, Niger Delta Power Holding and Reticulated Global Engineering.

But while these efforts are on-going, there are myths surrounding the delay in the completion of the plant.

Leaders of Geregu and Ajaokuta, the company’s host communities, said in the past that the non-completion was due to mystical forces arising from the neglect of the communities.

They still live with the unfulfilled promises made to them of road construction and rehabilitation, the repair of their schools and other developmental projects. They say the gods must be pacified to make any tangible progress.

The Chairman of Geregu Community Association, Alhaji Idris Aliyu, said that the ancestors are not happy because the agreement reached when the company acquired their lands in 1976 has not been implemented.

He urged that their bad roads be fixed and schools repaired as promised.

While these claims may not be empirical, it is important that all necessary land compensation be fulfilled and basic amenities provided for the communities.

After decades of delay, will Tinubu deliver on his promise or will the long wait continue? (NAN Features)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Justina Auta, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Land is one the most valued properties in the world. It is not for nothing that famous economic scholar, Adam Smith, classified it as one of the factors of production.

In many ancient African communities, land ownership is a major determinant of who is rich and who is poor, however,  challenges remain in some traditional settings, as women are not permitted to own land and the impact is far-reaching on women.

“I had the money and want to buy land but instead of buying directly, I gave it to my ex-husband to buy and he bought it in his name.

“And now that he has remarried, he is living on the land with his new wife and their children, while my children and I are in a rented one-bedroom apartment,” says Mrs Murna Ayuba, a mother of six.

According to Ayuba, the experience made her more vulnerable to exploitation as she has to depend on her meagre income from a beans cake business to fend for herself, her children, and her aged mother.

“I have to work all the time, if I am not in the market buying items for my business, I am at home picking the beans or by the roadside frying beans cake in the rain, cold, or under the sun.

Ayuba, who said that her experience left a scar on her mentally, added that “I was naive and thought I will build a house with my ex-husband, not knowing that another woman and her children will benefit from it. I will never trust anybody again.”

Similarly, Mary Emmanuel, a 49 year-old teacher, said though she was the eldest among seven siblings, her father bequeathed the only family land to the youngest and only son among them.

“It is culturally uncommon for women to inherit landed properties because they believe that women will end up married and, hence did not need property,” she said.

Many women have been denied of their land ownership right, leading to different mental torture and psychological bruises as they seek ways to acquire property that cultural practices stripe them of.

These and many other similar cultural orientations contribute to land disparities between women and men in many societies in Africa, affecting many women’s economic conditions and impacted negatively on their socio-psychological well-being.

Gender disparity refers to unequal and unfair differences in the status, rights, opportunities and treatment of individuals based on their gender.

According to the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the North East has more women (57 per cent) who own houses with a Title/Deed, while the North West comes after with 43.8 per cent.

The South-West with 31.4 per cent, while women in the South East own 2 per cent.

These disparities clearly favour men and are often institutionalised through the law, justice, socio-cultural norms, religion and other factors.

According to experts, these differences are reflected in virtually all aspects of life, including education, economic opportunities, political representation, health, social and cultural norms, and property ownership.

The issue of gender disparity in land ownership is significant in many parts of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Chapter Eight, Section 297 of the Nigerian Constitution, all the land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

They are under the authority of the FCT Minister, through the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) and Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in a document recently released on the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan, also known as WEE, says only 10 per cent of landowners in Nigeria are women.

The 129-page document released by the minister revealed that while women account for 70 to 80 per cent of agriculture labour and output in Nigeria, only 10 per cent own land.

The document read in part: “only one in five landowners in Nigeria is female. This accounts for only 10 per cent of all landowners in Nigeria.’’

The document notes several political and sociocultural factors such as ineffective programmes, limited funds, technical capacity bottlenecks, purely welfare-based interventions, and normative barriers, limited women’s progress contribute to gender inequality.

Meanwhile, Mr Bunmi Aimola, a legal practitioner, says there is no law that prohibits anyone from owning land or properties based on gender.

Aimola said: “Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution says every citizen (includes both women and men) of Nigeria shall have the right to acquire and own immovable property (land inclusive) anywhere in Nigeria.

“Even if, for which I doubt the existence of any law that discriminate against women owning landed properties, our constitution will override such practices that exist in any part of the country including the FCT.

“But that is not to say because of this low percentage of women owning property in Abuja is due to any discriminatory factor or law that forbids them from owning property.

“And even if there are identifiable cultures or traditions in any part of FCT that prohibits a woman from owning landed property, if it is challenged in court, be rest assured that such practices will definitely not see the light of the day by virtue of this provision in the Constitution.’’

He added that land administration reforms by streamlining registration and processes to reduce gender-based discrimination would also ensure women own more properties, including land.

“Women should be more forceful and pushing in terms of acquiring landed properties.

“Government should look at and identify areas if there are any, where such barbaric cultural practices and traditions still exist that deny women full property rights.

“Government should also produce a policy that if certain plots of land are to be sold to individuals, consideration should be given to women.

“This should be in terms of the amount of money to be paid just as it is done during electioneering to encourage more women to acquire land and properties’’, he said.

He said society owes women the responsibility of protecting them from land grabbers, harassment and intimidation.

“The weight of the law should be meted on such land grabbers, encourage them and give them confidence when they know that their rights can be protected.

“Policies should be tailored toward strengthening law enforcement agencies to go very hard on land grabbers that tend to intimidate women from enjoying their land or acquiring their land,” he said.

Mr Johnson Edeh, an estate developer, said men are more likely to own land and properties than women due to economic inequality, social and cultural norms, illiteracy, laws and policies, as well as inheritance.

Edeh said that to address the issue, legal reforms, awareness, providing economic opportunities and support for women, as well as strengthening security forces to protect women from land grabbers should be pursued.

Mrs Gloria Gabriel, an FCT resident and businesswoman, however, blamed patriarchy, discriminatory laws, cultural norms, economic inequality and lack of awareness for gender disparity in property ownership in the territory.

According to her, women don’t think about long-term tangible investment, like acquiring land, property, like men.

“So, there is need to enlighten women on property ownership in their name, instead of joint ownership.

“Parents need to learn how to bequeath properties to their children because some people prefer to bequeath the male child a land as gift, while the female child gets electronics, furniture like fridge, among others.”

Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, the Vice-President, Zone D, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said there is need for specific legislation on discrimination against women regarding land inheritance.

She added that “there is also the need to increase advocacy and sensitisation through traditional institutions and religious groups on discrimination against women, including ownership of property.

Ogbeche said that changing the culture and tradition of people is usually a slow process, noting that changing the culture of land ownership is a task that should be promoted by all stakeholders.

Ms Adaora Jack, the Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), recognised the pivotal role the media plays in bridging gender disparities in every sphere and promoting gender inclusivity.

She said the need to ensure gender accountability prompted the Gender for Agenda project with support from MacArthur Foundation and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism to undertake gender-gap bridging initiatives.

“Nigeria, like many countries, has been grappling with gender disparities, limiting the full potential and contributions of its female population.

“By empowering women, the country stands to benefit from a more diverse and inclusive workforce, increased economic growth, improved societal well-being and enhanced political representation,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, in spite of disparities between men and women in land ownership and other property acquisition that tend to hinder their progress, Nigerian women have continued to excel in various disciplines.

They have made great landmarks in their chosen professions both locally and on the global stage.

Some of them are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Amina Mohammed, Deputy-Secretary General, UN, and Folorunsho Alakija, the wealthiest black woman globally.

These women have proven that if given level playing ground, women can excel even beyond expectations. Removing cultural inhibitions to land ownership now is one of such steps.

This should be done in no other place than the FCT, given its position in Nigeria’s political and economic life. (NANFeatures)

(This investigation is for the GENDER, THE AGENDA project for Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), supported by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and the MacArthur Foundation).

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Policing Kano in a complex, unusual era: The AIG Gumel example

By Aminu Garko, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

With an estimated population of over 14 million people, Kano Sate is bigger than many countries in Africa such as Togo (8.4 million) Benin Republic (13.4 million), Lesotho (2.4 million) Gabon (2.4 million), among others.

During electioneering campaigns, it is said that the fear of Kano is the beginning of wisdom. There is hardly any riot in Nigeria that Kano is not regarded as a flashpoint.

Its large voting population makes the battle for the soul of Kano literally a ‘do-or-die-affair’ for politicians.

The complex nature of security in Kano can be attributed to the fact that it is the commercial nerve Centre of northern Nigeria. Kano is the melting point where people from different parts of Nigeria and even citizens of other countries such as Niger, Chad, Lebanon, Mali find convenient to do business.

It is against this background that the police hierarchy in Abuja is always meticulous in posting a Commissioner of Police (CP) to the state.

Before the appointment of Mr Usaini Gumel, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, as the CP of the Police Command in Kano State, in May 2023, the state had witnessed what could be described as chaotic and cacophonic deployments in months.

Each of the CPs posted to the state was withdrawn and redeployed by Loius Edet House in quick succession as the police high command considered the sensitive nature of policing Kano State.

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, police chiefs in Abuja replaced then Kano CP, Mr Mamman Dauda; was replaced by Muhammad Yakubu. Mamman was redeployed to Plateau State.

Shortly after, Mr Balarabe Sule, former Chief Security Officer to then governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje was appointed Kano State CP as Yakubu was dropped by Abuja.

As expected, Sule’s posting was resisted by those opposed to Ganduje and hence his replacement with Faleye Olaleye. In another quick fire move, Olaleye was replaced with Ahmed Kontagora.

Immediately after the election and ahead of Presidential Inauguration, Kontagora was redeployed, paving the way for the appointment of Gumel, who was the CP, Sokoto State Command.

Recognising that the police alone cannot guarantee the safety of Kano State residents and their property, Gumel on assumption of duty emphasized the need for synergy among security agencies in the state.

Gumel’s arrival has seen an upscale in the anti-robbery, anti-kidnapping, thuggery and other criminal activities. Just recently the command announced a harvest of 19 suspects for alleged armed robbery, cattle rustling and kidnapping in different parts of the state.

The spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the weapons recovered from the suspects included: 2 AK-47 rifles, one Smoke Pistol, one Pump Action rifle, 26 rounds of 7.2mm live ammunition, 17 live cartridges, 2 motor vehicles, 16 rams, dangerous weapons and house-breaking implements.

Identifying criminal’s hideouts and smoking them are key elements of policing under Gumel; the Command discharged this responsibility effectively.

It announced this in its Special Crime Bulletin on Thuggery Control Measures it unveiled the identities of 13 arrowheads of the gangsters in Kano metropolis

“The Command has intensified efforts to dominate all attempts to reemergence of thuggery activities by some restive street boys infamously known as “Yan Daba” in some parts of Dala, Gwale and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas.

“The recent surge in thuggery activities in these areas has raised concerns among residents and authorities alike.

“The Kano State Police Command is currently implementing series of proactive measures including the deployment of more personnel to curtail these unlawful activities and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the command said.

The bulletin said the move was to restore sanity in Kano metropolis and save the residents from the “harrowing experience of phone snatching and infliction of life threatening injuries to unsuspecting members of the public including women and children.

Perhaps the greatest challenge to the leadership of Gumel in the police command in Kano came with the dethronement of Emir, Ado Bayero and reinstatement of former Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II.

The throne of Emir of Kano is strategic in social and economic life of Kano State people hence any action regarding the Emirship is handled with utmost caution.

Following the reinstatement of Sanusi, many observers of security situation in Kano expected the city to be up in flames as both Emirs are currently operating from different palaces.

However, so far, apart from skirmishes against Sanusi’s public appearance, the security situation has been well handled by the police.

Some Kano residents acknowledged the complexity of this challenge.

‘’Amidst the heightened tensions, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano ordered Sanusi’s eviction from the emir’s palace, while the Kano State High Court issued an injunction restraining his eviction, resulting in a legal impasse.

‘’In this stalemate and volatile environment, Gumel played a pivotal role in maintaining the peace and preventing violence.

‘’When Bayero returned to the state two days after his removal and Sanusi occupied the main palace, the police commissioner promptly mobilised his men.

‘’He worked closely with the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to ensure enhanced patrols and strategic house-to-house searches, preempting potential disturbances.

‘’The police commissioner took proactive measures to save the ancient city from a looming chaos that would have enveloped the whole state,’’ said Malam Ibrahim Umar.

Gumel’s proactive measures, according to Mohammed Lawan, another Kano resident, included deploying additional Mobile Police personnel, making public appeals for calm and urging the residents to respect the rule of law, among others.

His efforts were instrumental in calming nerves and reducing the risk of violence. He ensured that both supporters of Sanusi and Bayero expressed their views without resorting to conflict.

“By effectively managing the security apparatuses, CP Gumel ensured that the crisis did not escalate into widespread violence, showcasing his adeptness in handling complex, high-stakes situations,” he said.

Generally speaking, Gumel’s tenure in Kano has been marked by innovative approaches to crime prevention. That strategy focuses on community engagement, professional conduct and the use of technology.

“This approach has not only improved security but also strengthened the bond between the police and the communities they serve,” Lawan added.

Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar of Charanchi, Gwale Local Government Area praised the outgoing Gumel for being there for the residents.

He said the security measures already in place gave room for residents, especially in the metropolitan Local Government Areas, to move about without their lives and property being threatened.

“We are not finding it easy before the coming of the outgoing Commissioner of police because hoodlums and thugs have taken over major roads snatching phones and bags from our children.

“It is now history due to the various security measures initiated and implemented by the officers and men of the Kano command.

“We hope the incoming commissioner of police will sustain the tempo for peace, progress and political stability in our state,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Hajiya Aishatu Abdulsalam of Hotoro quarters want the state government to give the incoming commissioner of police require support to sustain the fight against criminal elements in the state.

Abdulsalam said that it was only by so doing that residents would go about their legitimate business in a peacefully atmosphere.

Mr James Godwin of France Road, Kano, commended Gumel for being bold in tackling all form of criminal elements in and outside the state metropolis.

Godwin urged residents to continue to support security agencies deployed with require information that could aid in apprehending bad characters in the society.

“We must imbibe the culture of providing credible information on movement of dubious characters in our midst to enable the security personnel deal with them accordingly.’’

Gumel has been redeployed to Force Headquarters to take charge of training; even in the twilight of his tenure in Kano he is still upbeat about his responsibilities.

“Members of the public are hereby informed that joint security agencies will remain steadfast and resolute to maintain law and order in all parts of the State.

“We also warn that the joint security agencies are committed to arresting whoever intends to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.

“No stone will be left unturned in ensuring the arrest and prosecution of any deviant,” he said.

Conscious of the volatility of Kano and the activities of desperate politicians to exploit crisis situations such as the impasse over the Kano Emirship to make political gains, Gumel has sounded a note of warning to politicians.

“We will remain focused on our mandate and will not be distracted from providing a peaceful atmosphere for residents.”

The police chief, therefore, urged the public to provide the police with necessary information towards identifying, apprehending and prosecuting criminal elements in the society.

“We will not be distracted in the course of providing the platform for peaceful coexistence of the residents.

“The Police Command and all heads of relevant security agencies appreciate the continuing stakeholders collective supports, advise and direction that keep us together in sustaining peace in the state,” he said.

But these feats did not come without some challenges such as inadequate communication equipment and operational vehicles, as admitted by Gumel.

He believes that to overcome the challenges there must be more inter-agency collaboration, bridging the personnel gap and deployment of more constabulary personnel.

He also recommended more partnership with vigilante groups, improvement for the Force, particularly in the area of operations and investigation as well as prudent management of available resources.

Security experts say that given its huge landmass and population, police personnel in the command require more equipment and technology such as drones to discharge their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently.

To adapt to the policing challenges of the 21st century, experts further urge more training for security personnel not just in Kano State but across the country. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Folasade Akpan

As Nigerians revel in the nation’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, a cross section of citizens, including stakeholders in the health sector have expressed different views on how the sector fared.

Mr Chibuzor Akpa, a businessman, said the years of uninterrupted democracy has been good for the health sector as it has seen changes that would otherwise have been absent had the nation continued to tow the line of military rule.

According to Akpa, the re-birth of democracy in 1999 brought about health insurance for Nigerians, which has helped to reduce out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare.

He said “though that has only served civil servants, others in the private sector and who make up the bulk of Nigerians are yet to be captured.

“I am also of the opinion that those who are above 18 years, as well as other Nigerians in the private sector or who work for themselves should be captured too so that everyone can benefit.”

For Mrs Victoria Akande, a retired civil servant, democracy is the best thing that happened to Nigeria.

Dwelling on the health sector, she said that in the past, old people were made to wait long hours in the queue before being attended to in hospitals.

She said senior citizens now have their own section and they are promptly attended to, as medical personnel are friendlier with them now.

“I also noticed that there are more and better medical equipment than there were before and the outlook of the hospitals are better and neater than in the past.

“Also, the health insurance system is better now for retirees, we pay N15,000 to access services for one year, which is better than not having access to healthcare like it was in the past.”

As for Prof. Mike Ogirima, the former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the last 25 years was a departure from military style of planning and execution of policies.

According to him, the pre-democratic era witnessed diversed health policies acquired from the missionaries and colonial rule.

“However, with democracy, we witnessed health insurance scheme and authority to reduce out-of-pocket expenses on health.

“There were episodes of upgrade of selected tertiary hospitals though with less emphasis on Primary Health Care (PHC) with poor and total lack of secondary level of healthcare in many states of the federation.

“Overall, there is little improvement in the budgetary provision for health at the federal level (4.67 per cent of 2024 budget).

“Few states are however spending close to 15 per cent of their budgets on health with visible impacts”, he said.

Ogirima added that more than before, the health sector is witnessing massive brain drain.

He, however, commended the efforts of the present administration, adding that it is gradually turning the drains into gains through the attraction of specialists from developed centres to provide services in form of outreach and establishment of specialised care centres.

For him, medical tourism is slowly being discouraged, while epidemics are being effectively restricted although with heavy extra- budgetary spending with variable governance issues.

“The present administration will need to do more to saturate the labour market to stem migration by improving the training facilities and motivating human resource for health,” the former NMA President advised.

On his part, the Managing Director of Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr Omokhudu Idogho, said 25 years of unbroken democracy is a commendable step for Nigerians, judging from the benefits and the gains recorded over the years.

He said that prior to democracy in 1999, the health sector was just struggling, with the country being like a pariah nation.

This, he said, meant that a lot of the foreign donor support were not coming in and the resources that were available to respond to health challenges were mostly domestic.

He, however, said that since 1999, there has been significant growth in terms of inflow of resources to support the health sector in different areas.

“We must be honest with significant achievements in certain spaces. For example, infectious disease as a country, I would say, in the last 25 years, we’ve almost moved to epidemic control for HIV.

“We made very giant strides in tuberculosis control and those are things that are commendable and worth celebrating, while immunisation coverage has also gone up in this timeframe.

“We have also seen some moderate increase both in terms of contraceptive prevalence rate, as well as Safe Motherhood as the number of women who actually have care during delivery increased.”

Idogho said though there have been lots of improvements in the sector, there have also been areas of challenge.

He said that in 25 years, with the resources the country has, it could have done better if some of the resources were better coordinated.

“We could have done better if we have had maybe strong leadership within the health sector, in terms of clarity of direction.

“We also must celebrate the moment that at least some of that is slowly coming together with the leadership of Prof. Ali Pate and his team who are now at the helm of affairs in the ministry.”

On the issue of brain drain popularly referred to as ‘Japa Syndrome’ in the health sector, which seems to have increased unlike pre-1999, he said it is a global issue.

According to him, there is need to recognise that human resource is a global phenomenon.

“If you’re looking at the difference between 25 years ago and today, it is an increasing realisation that when you train your doctors, pharmacies, nurses, they become globally mobile.

“It is one of the outcomes of globalisation that you can ply your trade anywhere in the world, which was less so a couple of years back, but it may have been there.”

He, however, said that it’s a situation that should be converted into an opportunity.

“That is really where we should focus on, we have the population, we have the intellect. So, the idea is how do we build pipelines of healthcare workers that will save us as Nigerians?.

“Generate a surplus that would still serve the wider human resource market with a caveat that we do this in a proactive way, so that we get the value of that approach.”

For the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, a lot of the developments recorded in the last 25 years occurred in the context of sustained democratic system that allowed interface between different levels of government and everyone in government priority setting.

According to him, health is the responsibility of the federal, state and local governments.

Going down memory lane, Pate told NAN that in 2004, the first National Health Policy was enacted, assigning the responsibility of PHCs to local governments, the states attend to secondary care and support the local governments, while the Federal Government support the states, local governments and PHCs.

The minister said “that phase tried to rationalise the roles and responsibilities of various actors and kicked off the development of the National Health Bill and ultimately the National Health Act that was passed in 2014, signed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“That National Health Act created a national health system that has continued to develop and with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, his Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the sectorwide approach that we are implementing in the health sector.

“This is the bulk of the reforms that preceded our time, but are now being executed to improve the health outcomes of Nigerians, using the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which allocates one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to PHC Centres to make them functional.

“In addition, with the democratic process that we’ve been implementing, the National Health Insurance Scheme gradually evolved and in 2022, became National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) that mandated insurance for everyone.”

Pate also said that the NHIA created the vulnerable group fund that is now expanding to ensure that healthcare services are affordable for the majority of Nigerians for the poorest and vulnerable to also be protected.

He added that there is also the expansion of the health infrastructure through federal teaching hospitals, with several of them being expanded, while institutions like the National Centre for Disease Control deals with public health crisis.

He noted that in terms of public health intervention, Nigeria has made tremendous progress in vaccination against critical diseases like polio and eventually eliminated the Wild Polio Virus.

He said that moving away from military rule has seen health policies being developed under a democratic dispensation, while in a non-democratic setting, it’s primarily by fiat and as directed.

He recalled that before 1999, many development partner support to Nigeria had exited the country, but with the re-installation of democracy, the confidence of Nigerians was enhanced.

He said “there is a sense of positivity that wouldn’t have happened if we had a dictatorship.

“This year, we have our president as Africa Union Champion for Health, Human Resources, as well as for community health delivery, chosen by the African Union Heads of States.

“We have the Africa Centre for Disease Control that has established office here in Abuja, and the President was gracious to give them a location.

“We have ourselves here representing the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, elected by the West and Central Africa to serve as representative of the region in the Global Fund Board in Geneva, Switzerland.

“These are all because we have a democratic dispensation.”

Envisioning another 25 years of the health sector in a democracy, Pate said he shares the President’s vision that in 25 years, Nigeria’s youthful population would be healthier.

He also said that the health system would have developed with a strong public sector, as well as a strong private sector and that the nation would be able to manufacture drugs, commodities, devices that it uses.

“We will have robust health infrastructure and equipment that other countries in the region and perhaps even globally can come to Nigeria and seek for healthcare services, and that many of our citizens that are in the diaspora will find it comfortable to come back home.

“Those who are leaving will find no reason to leave, and the country will be on its path to greatness, as envisioned by the President and the work that his administration is doing across sectors, including health and social welfare.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Mark Longyen, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Mr David Adebayo and Ms. Ngozi Chinedu were two hardworking Nigerians with divergent career paths.

Adebayo, a senior administrative officer in the public sector, dedicated his life to the civil service.

By the age of 60 which coincided with his 35 years in service he retired, according to government regulations.

In contrast, Chinedu, a senior marketing executive at a multinational corporation, continued working until the age of 65, benefiting from the stability and perks of her private sector job.

Upon retirement, Adebayo encountered several challenges. His pension, often delayed and not adjusted to inflation, was insufficient for a comfortable post-retirement life.

Losing his employer-sponsored health insurance forced him to rely on the National Health Insurance Scheme, which barely covered his basic healthcare needs.

Not having enough leisure time during his service years, post-retirement financial strain and inadequate healthcare support took a toll on his well-being.

Chinedu’s experience was however markedly different. Working until 65 allowed her to amass a larger pension fund, ensuring financial security on her retirement.

Her private health insurance continued into her retirement years, providing comprehensive coverage.

The extended work period also meant that she enjoyed a better work-life balance and job satisfaction, marked by professional growth and substantial earnings.

In retirement, Adebayo and Chinedu’s lives further diverged.

Adebayo, without a solid post-retirement plan, struggled with social isolation and mental health issues.

Chinedu maintained her professional network and engaged in community activities, finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

This narrative reflects the impact of retirement age discrepancies in Nigeria.

It underscores the relentless call by stakeholders on the federal government to accede to the demand for the review and harmonization of the retirement age of all public servants across-the-board.

Many public analysts believe that harmonising Nigeria’s retirement age discrepancies by addressing the variations in retirement ages across all sectors in the country, is long overdue.

According to them, inconsistent policies that culminate in retirement age disparities in the workforce is discriminatory, counter-productive, and a morale killer.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has, for instance, persistently demanded that the retirement age and length of service in the entire public service be reviewed upward to 65 years of age and 40 years of service, respectively.

Reinforcing this standpoint, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the 2023 and 2024 May Day celebrations, reiterated that the organised labour was resolutely committed to its demand for the upward review and harmonization of public servants’ retirement age.

He said that increasing the years of service should be done uniformly across all sectors, instead of being selectively done in favor of just a few sectors of the public service in the country.

“Only a few establishments, including the core civil service, are now left out.

“We are, therefore, demanding that the age of retirement and length of service in the entire public service, including the core civil service, be reviewed upward to 65 years of age and 40 years of service,” Ajaero said.

Concurring with Ajaero, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), an NGO that is committed to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria, also called for the immediate upward review of the retirement age of civil servants.

PLAC argued that this would facilitate an efficient pension administration process for the welfare of core civil servants, be they judicial officers like retired judges or public servants in any sector.

It was against this backdrop that former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 12, 2021, approved the upward review of the retirement age of health sector workers from 60 to 65, and catapulted that of consultants from 65 to 70.

The former President also signed a Law in 2022 increasing the retirement age for primary school teachers to 65, with no fewer than 15 state governments currently implementing it already.

On June 8, 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed a Constitution Alteration Act to amend Section 291 of the Constitution, to ensure uniformity in the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers of superior courts.

This Act, the Fifth Alteration (No.37) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, eliminates disparity in the retirement age of judicial officers by harmonising it at 70 years.

It also reduces the period of service required to determine a judicial officer’s pension from fifteen to ten years.

Also, the Nigerian Senate recently passed a Bill to increase the retirement age for civil servants working in the National Assembly to 65 years or 40 years of service.

The Bill, which was initiated by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), has set tongues wagging across socio-political and ethnic divides.

PASAN has argued that increasing the retirement age would help fill the vacuum caused by retiring experienced officers and better utilize their experience while building the capacity of younger employees.

According to Sunday Sabiyi, PASAN chairman, the Bill is expected to be signed into law by President Bola Tinubu soon, and when signed, national and state assembly workers will retire at the age of 65 years and 40 years of service, respectively.

Similarly, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has been upbeat in its call for an upward review of the retirement age for employees in the core civil service.

Joshua Apebo, ASCSN Secretary-General, while reiterating the association’s position, urged the trade union movement to ensure uniformity in retirement age in the public service.

Apebo argued that since judicial officers, university lecturers, health workers, and primary school teachers now enjoy the new retirement age hike, and with that of the legislature in view, it was only fair that it also benefitted other core civil servants.

Dr Gboyega Daniel, a public affairs analyst, picked holes in the discrepancies in retirement age in Nigeria, and called for immediate policy reforms to harmonise the benchmarks.

Daniel said that these discrepancies create perceptions of inequality, favoritism, and strain the pension system, which affects service morale and productivity, culminating in imbalances and potential sustainability issues.

According to him, varied retirement ages complicate workforce planning and disrupt the systematic transfer of knowledge and experiences.

“The civil service mandates retirement at 60 years or after 35 years of service, while the academia sees professors and other academic staff retiring at 70 years.

“Judges and justices in the judiciary retire at ages ranging from 65 to 70, depending on their positions.

“Ditto for teachers, who have since had their retirement age jacked up by the Buhari administration,” he said.

He, therefore, suggested immediate legislative actions to amend existing laws and implement policy reforms that would establish unified retirement age across all sectors.

Dr Tunde Balogun, a UK-based Nigerian, said the current debate about reviewing the retirement age and length of service was not limited to Nigeria.

“Recently, the UK Government said it was considering raising the retirement age of public servants from the current 60 years to 68 years.

“At the moment, retirement at age 65 years is common in many EU member states. Many countries have already decided to raise the retirement age to 67 years,” he said.

Experts say that reviewing the core civil servants’ retirement age to 65 years and 40 years of service as well as harmonising the discrepancies across the board, is a policy that is long overdue.

Although some critics argue that the policy would be inimical to the career progression of their younger colleagues and affect fresh employments, its proponents say the benefits far outweigh its demerits.

According to them, achieving uniformity in retirement age policy can leverage experience and expertise, enhance fairness, efficiency, and sustainability in workforce management and pension systems.

They believe government should demonstrate sincerity of purpose and apply a holistic approach to the issue. (NANFeatures)