GO FOR REGULAR MEDICAL CHECK UP, AMBODE'S WIFE URGES RESIDENTS

By Tope Musowo

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Wednesday enjoined residents of the state, to always go for medical check-up and engage in physical exercise, for good health and early diagnosis of medical conditions.

Mrs. Ambode gave the advice yesterday at her home town, Poka, Epe, in Eredo area of Epe Local Government, where she flagged-off a health outreach initiative, organized by the National Youth Service Corps.

In an emotion-laden address, she thanked people of the community for their support for the State’s administration led by her husband, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, promising that they would not be disappointed.

She said, “I am filled with joy as I join you this morning, not just as wife of the governor of Lagos State but also as a daughter of this great community, to flag-off the NYSC Health Initiative for rural dwellers programme, designed by the NYSC management to provide timely health intervention to rural dwellers.

“I want to appreciate the royal fathers and traditional rulers, my people of Poka and Epe in general, for your great support for the administration of my husband, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. You will not be disappointed.”

She said that the easiest way to discover upcoming unfavourable health conditions was through medical check-ups, which according to her would enable early diagnosis and easier management.

According to her, “Health is wealth, poor health is a common enemy to all and there is need for us to wage a collective war against it. This can only be achieved through early diagnosis and treatment”.

Mrs. Ambode extolled the contributions of the NYSC management to rural health development in Lagos State and urged people of the area to use the opportunity of the intervention to know their health status.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Prince Mohammed Momoh, noted that the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme was introduced by the Director-General of the Corps in 2015, to mobilize corps medical volunteers in respective states, for health interventions through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and mass sensitization.

He said that since the inception of the scheme, about 3000 persons in 15 rural communities had been reached in the State, stressing that the Corps would work harder to cover more rural communities in the short time.

While commending the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for creating an enabling environment for the noble initiative of the NYSC to thrive in Lagos State, he reminded the people that the programme was for the benefit of all, hence the need for members of the benefitting communities to take ownership of its sustainability, saying the NYSC, would be motivated to do more, if it yields the desired result for which it was established.

The programme was well attended by Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Segun Olulade, APC Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson, traditional rulers in the area, council chairmen, law makers, politicians and prominent individuals across the State.

BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP :U.S. DELEGATION VISITS NIGERIA

Senator Christopher Coons

By Tope Musowo

An eight member Congressional delegation from the United States will visit Nigeria fromAugust 28 – August 31.  The delegation will be led by Senator Christopher Coons (D-Delaware).  Senator Coons is a member of the Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Ethics committees.

The delegation also includes Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan); Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado); Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware); Representative Terri Sewell (D-Alabama); Representative Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania); Representative Barbara Lee (D-California); and Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Florida).

The Congressional delegation is visiting Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and The Gambia in addition to Nigeria during their West Africa tour.

While in Abuja, the U.S. legislators will meet with a range of high-ranking leaders to gain a fulsome picture of the bilateral relationship.  They will be briefed by Ambassador W. Stuart Symington and staff before meeting with Vice President Osinbajo, Senate President Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dogara, other members of the National Assembly, and religious and civil society leaders.

Among the issues of particular interest to the U.S. officials will be the fight against Boko Haram and the humanitarian situation in the northeast of Nigeria.

They will also visit Lagos, where trade and investment relations will be the theme.  In the country’s financial capital, they will meet with Nigerian business executives, tour the Egbin Thermal Power Plant, participate in an American Business Council roundtable, and conclude with a reception featuring alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Tony Elemelu Foundation.

RENEWABLE ENERGY : ONDO PRODUCES 200 FEMALE EXPERTS

By Tope Musowo

In her commitment to making Ondo State woman attain their maximum potentials and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the State, wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu has graduated 200 female secondary school students from the summer renewable energy training tagged “Solar4GirlsNaija” organized by the office of the wife of the Governor in collaboration with Ashadam Solar Initiative held at Elizade University Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore  Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The week long training offered the 200 girls drawn from the 18 Local Government Area of the State and beyond the opportunity to learn energy management, building of solar panels and introduction to green energy sources.
Other benefits of the training include climate change awareness, life enhancing skills, breast health awareness, sanitation and menstrual hygiene, plus fitness and aerobics.

Addressing the young solar experts popularly known as solar girl at the graduation ceremony, Mrs Akeredolu described the training as one that will challenge the girls and challenged the solar girls to make good use of the knowledge they have acquired in the training to make a difference, better their lots and boost the economy of the State.

She said “This is a training that will challenge our girls, and make them self reliance, such that they can contribute to the economy of the Nation. I want our girls to be more to themselves and to the society.
This is a training that will make our girls to ask questions; why are things not working? How can I help the situation?
Mrs Akeredolu expressed optimism that the solar girls if properly mentored with the knowledge they have acquired will do exploits.

She said technology is the major option in bridging the gap between the urban and the rural area in terms of acquiring knowledge and charged the solar girls to go and change the world.
“What they all got is a university of life not just about techy. It is possible to change this country if only we try. My solar daughters go ye and impact the world” she said.

In her valedictorian speech, Ehinmosun Tolu of Stella Maris College, Okitipupa who emerged as the best graduating student with 100% assessmentscore expressed gratitude to Mrs Akeredolu for what she called rare privilege granted to acquire invaluable knowledge that grantees a brighter future for them and pledged not to let her down.
In her remarks, the chief operating officer of Ashadam Mrs Damilola Ashele thanked the first lady for creating enabling environment for the learn process and said she is fulfilled to see that the girl who knew nothing about renewable energy before the training are now experts in the sector.

They witness a lot of activities among which are exhibition of some products of girls, presentation of certificates and gift items to the participants, and special renditions.
Mrs. Akeredolu was accompanied to the event by the Olympic gold medalist champion Mary Onyeali, International Tennis Icon Nduka Odizor, Chief Gbenga Elegbeye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on women affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, Special Advisers to the Governor, Chairman Akure South LGA, Comrade Margret Atere the Vice Chancellor of Elizade University and a host of others.

BRIDGING GENDER GAP: ONDO FIRST LADY TRAINS 100 GIRLS ON I.C.T

By Tope Musowo

In order to ensure the sustainability of the one month long training programme, Ondo State Girl Child ICT programme organised for 100 girls picked from 23 secondary schools in Akure, Ondo State, 100 tablets were today distributed by the First Lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu at the graduation ceremony which climaxed with the Closing Ceremony of the programme in Ondo State.

Speaking at the event held at the Public Service Training Institute, Ilara-Mokin, Arabinrin Akeredolu while highlighted the numerous challenges facing the nation and said that individuals and stakeholders who truly desire change must be a part of the change agenda.

The first lady of Ondo State expressed hope that these digitally empowered girls are going to use the knowledge they have acquired to become key players in the global space.

Arabinrin Akeredolu who recalled her growing days in Emeabiam, a remote community in Imo State gave insights to the dream behind the vision.

“I was born when women were not supposed to go to school and all you get is that they prepare you for that graduate husband. That is why all these things you see me do are causes I have been championing and now that God has given me the opportunity, I am running with it. We need to make extra effort to make our young girls understand that they do have the capacity to be more. That is the foundation we are laying now.

Speaking about the synergy in her initiatives she said “We all know that women are the energy managers in homes; women manage the energy for cooking, heating, lighting, they care about reducing electricity bill. The training our girls are getting from Solar4Girls Naija on Renewable Energy and Climate Change will have a ripple effect on our great nation and help in reducing our fossil fuel dependence. We have numerous social problems in our society like poverty, unemployment, lack of basic amenities of life, epileptic power supply among others”.

“I don’t just want to bridge the gender gap; I want these girls to be a part of the solution to our societal problem. Here is the connection. The Solar Girls will fix the panels in their school and the ICT girls will operate the computer. In a few years time, we should have a Digital Academy here in Akure- a virtual classroom. That is how to use skills to solve societal problem.”

The wife of the Governor explained that these initiatives are geared towards solving our social problems. We can sit back, fold our arms and watch as our problem as a nation grows bigger. Or we can choose to do something and that is what we are doing here today. Giving knowledge, opportunity and hope to the future through empowering our young children. We cannot wait for government to do everything for us, these initiatives are citizen drive”, she further stressed.

Arabinrin further acknowledge the place of ICT coupled with Solar Energy Technology as being able to help in the development is virtual classroom all over the nation most especially in the remotest villages one can imagine.

Earlier in his remark, the facilitator from SAO Capital, Temitope Runsewe highlighted all the areas of skills impacted on the girls while also calling for sustainability of the programme.

Temitope Runsewe who stated that the digitally empowered girls will go home with a tablet each reiterated that each of the tablets have been loaded with Jamb Questions, School Curriculum, WAEC syllabus among others in order to encourage them to continue with the training at home.

Mrs. Funke Opeke in her keynote address stressed the need to bridge gender gap in ICT as there is less than 10% gender gap in advanced countries while in Africa, it is over 30%.

Mrs. Opeke used the opportunity to charge young women to pursue career in engineering and sciences as it is quite fulfilling as part of efforts to close the gender gap in the nations’ drive towards development.

The climax of the event was however the distribution of 100 tablets to the 100 girls. Two of the beneficiaries, Ayomiposi Christopher and Bukola Ayodele from St. Dominic’s High School and St. Francis High School, Akure respectively expressed joy at the opportunity given to them to be a partaker while thanking the First Lady for impacting their lives for which they will forever be grateful

ACHIEVING THE SDGS : IBADAN AGOG FOR ISD SUMMIT

By Tope Musowo

The ancient city of Ibadan was agog this week witnessing both human and vehicular traffic with a boost in economic activities due to the just concluded annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit, courtesy of the Center for Sustainable Development,(CESDEV) University of Ibadan,Nigeria.

The Summit which was the 8th edition of its kind,an initiative of CESDEV  U.I. was organized in collaboration with African Sustainable Development Network (ASDN) with the theme;"Challenges and Prospects of Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,(SDGs) within Planetary Boundaries ".

The program was declared opened on Monday by the Director, Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV),Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan,with an introductory remark by the Director, Sustainable Development Solution Network, (SDSN-Nigeria),while the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, who is now the Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on SDGs,Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire gave the formal opening address.

The program began with an address by the Chairman of the event,Prof. Idowu Olayinka,Vice -Chancellor,University of Ibadan, before various speakers like Dr. Ayodele Odusola,Prof.James Tooley,Mrs Betty Egharevgha and the Mr Peter Obi began to give their keynote address on the theme of the summit.

Mr. Peter Obi,former governor of Anambra State, said Nigeria must take the issue of leadership seriously if it hopes to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals’ initiatives by the year 2030.

Speaking on the theme, “The Leadership and Governance Imperatives of Achieving the SDGs in Times of Economic Shocks and Uncertainties,” Obi, who  started by reviewing the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, that gave birth to the SDGs, said it was unfortunate that no African country achieved the MDGs due to what he called “leadership failure,” and the penchant of African leaders to pursue selfish and sectional rather than national interests.

He gave the China example,rolling out data and statistics, Obi, compared China and Africa within a given period, as he lamented that China had overtaken the entire countries of Africa put together in all indices of development due to their commitment to their country and people.

Reviewing the secret of China’s MDGs success, Obi said: “Over 15 years (200-2015), in partnership with the United Nations’ system office in China, China was fully committed to the MDGs integrating the goals into their development shortages from national to local government.

“China ensured effective and coordinated planning and managing their economic growth. China’s successful integration of MDGs into its national development plan helped China achieve an unprecedented transformative result.”

He observed that at the end of the MDGs,  China was able to lift 439 million people out of poverty, achieved 100%   literacy level , 98% enrollment among primary school age and tremendous improvement in health care delivery.

On the contrary, he said within the same period in Africa, “Reports show clearly that the African continent was off-track. Sub Saharan Africa, for example, became the only region in the world where poverty rose from 290 million in 1990 to 414 million in 2010; where undernourished children rose from 27 million in 1990 to 32 million in 2012; where children affected by stunting growth rose from 44 million in 1990 to 58 million in 2012.”

Obi  noted that China had started working towards achieving the SDGs by the year   2030 by doing exactly what it did with the MDGs and called on Nigeria to do the same by mainstreaming the SDG into Nigeria development plans.

In his words: “From the Chinese position on the SDGs, you can clearly see the leadership imperatives in achieving the SDGs. It is first about the leadership vision and commitment to the agenda.

“Secondly, it is about integrating the agenda in your planning and developmental strategies across all levels of government from national to the local governments.

“Thirdly, it involves mobilizing all resources towards achieving the goals, ensuring that the goals are well publicized in order for the citizens to take ownership and ensure participation.”

Recalling how his Government tried to pursue the MDG goals, Obi said his budgeting, planning and delivery where modeled after the MDGs.

On his part,a professor of Education Policy, University of Newcastle, UK,Prof. James Tooley, clarified the place of education in the SDGs, comparing the education part of the MDGs and SDGs, he noted that there was an element of 'free' in the Goal 4 of SDGs but still the choice parents are making is low cost private schools

Giving an example of an urban slum in Lagos called Makoko,as someone working on low cost private school, he found about 132 private schools there.

Accordimg to Tooley,when he asked the parents why they were sending their children to private schools, they responded that students are abandoned in Public schools.

He said, "there's a grassroot revolution of low cost private school around the world".Then he mentioned the recent closure of 1866 private schools by the Rivers state governor which means 200,000 students out of school and about 20,000 teachers loosing their jobs.

Day 3 of the summit also witnessed another session on the topic;" Domesticating Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria- Financial Inclusion Strategy ",with many discussants lending their voices on the topic.

On the grand finale of the program,which was Thursday Day-4,the Executive Director of Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO),Mr. Oluseyi Oyebisi,challenged the academic community to step up its game as the society is looking up to the University for solution.

The last day of the summit was field trips to various locations within and outside Ibadan, a dinner and an award night to crown the four days activities.

CHILDREN EMPOWERMENT : ONDO FIRST LADY KICKS OFF TENNIS CLINIC

By Tope Musowo

The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu yesterday set the course of history as she officially launched the kick off of the State Summer Tennis Clinic for children between the ages 4-13 at the Township Stadium, Akure.

At the event Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi.

Arabirin Akeredolu who affirmed the readiness of the Akeredolu led government to make Ondo State the tennis hub in Nigeria also noted that it was high time Ondo State began to produce its own Serena Williams, thereby building a future of champions of the game in Nigeria and the whole world at large.

Mrs. Akeredolu while observing that Ondo State has in the past produced national and international players like Princess Rolake Olateru Olagbegi, Sir Segun Balogun and the umpire at the Wimbledon, Prince Wale Olateru Olagbegi, regretted the fact that Nigeria has now become a sleeping giant, thus steps must be taken to retrace the course of history.

“This clinic is essentially to identify and develop talents in our children. It is important to encourage sports development among youths in the state, particularly at the grassroots level in order to discover and develop potentials and skills of the young ones who are capable of becoming champions.

“The benefits of catching our youths young, especially in sports cannot be over emphasized. Let us look at champions like the Williams sisters; Venue and Serena Williams, who started as young as three years and have gone on to win numerous awards and break glass ceiling, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Billie Jean king just to mention a few.”, she stressed

“This tennis clinic that we are laying the foundation today is not a government thing. You can give into it. Let nobody wait for Arakunrin to bring money here”, she added.

Mrs. Akeredolu however expressed optimism that the beneficiaries of this project will be empowered to develop independence and confidence through taking on new challenges as well as being mentored into greatness.

In his remark, Hon. Ajayi acknowledged the visions of the First Lady as being deeply rooted with far reaching effect stressing that she has indeed been touching on all the critical aspects of the economy.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Engineer Olumuyiwa Sonuga thanked the First Lady for the initiative while urging parents to continue to encourage their children to follow through with the programme, noting that it is a source of gainful employment for them in the future.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Rolake Kazeem (nee Olagbegi) charged the children to take advantage of the opportunity given them stressing that there are lots of opportunities in the field of tennis. She challenged parents to be a part of the project as plans are underway for an after school training session for the children.

Also, in her goodwill message, Chief Mrs. Idowu Akinbulumo urged parents to ensure full participation of their children in the course of the programme.

The event also featured other side attractions which include a jogging exercise led by Arabinrin Akeredolu and an exhibition match between the wife of the Governor and the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi.

U.S .COMMERCIAL SERVICE EXTOLS NIGERIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HONORS PARTNERS

By Tope Musowo

United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of Commerce, Seward L. Jones expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects as the country moves out of recession. 

Jones made this remark while hosting over 350 American and Nigerian firms at the U.S. Commercial Service’s annual Networking with the USA (NUSA) Appreciation Forum and International Partner Award Ceremony last week.

He (Jones), oversees the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, observed that the United States is confident that Nigeria’s economic outlook will remain positive, with further diversification from crude oil and increased fiscal transparency.

“We understand that the commodity super cycle and the precipitous drop in oil prices brought about a fiscal challenge for the Nigerian government, so we strongly support President Buhari’s drive to explore practical ways of fully diversifying the economy. Nigeria is the second largest destination in Africa for U.S. private direct investment, so we are ready and willing to support economic reform efforts.” Jones said.

In his remarks, U.S. Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray also affirmed the strong interest by U.S. firms in Nigeria. He noted that “President Trump’s Business Advisory Council for Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) has made it clear that having success in the Nigerian market is foremost on their agendas.”

The NUSA forum is organized annually by the U.S. Commercial Service to honor Nigerian business owners who promote U.S. products and services and who have contributed significantly to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria - expansion of trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria.

It could be recalled that the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria is the trade promotion agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce’ International Trade Administration (ITA) with the primary objective of opening market opportunities for American and Nigerian businesses.

FOOD SECURITY : AMBODE FLOODS LAGOS WITH LAKE RICE

By Tope Musowo

In an effort to ensure even distribution across all the sale centres, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday said that at least 70 trailer load of the LAKE RICE have arrived the State ahead of the commencement of the sale on Thursday.

The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau who spoke to journalists, said that the Government has made adequate arrangement to ensure that Lagosians willing to purchase LAKE RICE can do so without much hassles.

“This present administration has made the necessary logistics in place. Trailers are coming into the State with the rice. As we speak, there are over 30 trailer loads in Lagos, by Friday it would be about 40, by next week it would be up to 70 trucks and even after the Sallah period, there would be more coming into the State,” the Commissioner said.

According to him, the Rice would be on sale across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas, saying that the decision was to ensure that residents can get it without travelling far distance.  

He said the rice would also be available at LTV Blue Roof Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, while the prices still remain the same as N12, 000 for 50kg bag, N6,000 for 25kg and N2,500 for 10kg.

“There is going to be even distribution of the LAKE RICE and that’s why we are using all the Local governments and the Local Council Development Areas.

“This will ensure wide distribution of the product to as many people who want it. we have made arrangement for the rice to continue to come into the State, so there is no need for panic buy or any form of rush, just go to your local government or local council development area you will get it to buy,” Suarau said.

Suarau who affirmed that the sale of the LAKE RICE would commence on Thursday, said the State’s Agricultural Development Authority Complex in Oko-Oba, Agege would flag off the sales while other Local Governments centres would follow suit.

“The Local Government and Local Council Development Areas are the grassroots. Our target is the residents at the grassroots. I may be able to afford rice for N18, 000 or N20, 000 but some people may not be able to do so. Last Christmas, if not for the Lake Rice, some people would not have eaten rice and you know rice is the main food for Christmas,” he said.

The Commissioner also expressed optimism that with the up-scaling of the Imota Rice Milling Plant from 2.5 metric tons to 16 metric tons per hour, expected to be up and running by next year, the production of LAKE RICE would be done in the State to ensure availability of the product all year round.