SDG 3 : U.S,Nigeria collaborates to prevent recurrence of epidemic diseases

By Tope Musowo

 United States of America (USA) and Nigeria through the Ministry of Defence, have launched a collaborative effort to prevent the recurrence of epidemic diseases in West Africa.

This launching of the Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG), took place yesterday after the MODHIP-WARP-N Biopreparedness training and research programme  at Sheraton Hotel,Ikeja Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, who was represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr (Mrs) Doyin Akinlade, said the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak of 2015 revealed the weak prevention efforts, inadequate disease detection mechanism and lack of sufficient capacity to respond to public health emergencies in the countries affected.

Akinlade stressed that the imported outbreak in Nigeria was successfully managed and contained nationwide, adding further that efforts have been made to accelerate research and development of an Ebola vaccine.

She added " The JWARG study titled " Severe Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Detection in West Africa" (RV 466) is to commence in 3 NMOD health facilities. The study is aimed at identifying common pathogens in West Africa that could pose public health threat"

Akinlade explained that the 3-Day bio-preparedness training is to strengthening the capacity of the participants not only in the area of research but also to be able to detect and respond appropriately and promptly to public health emergencies.

" The need to have a biocontainment facility in one of the NMOD health facilities cannot be overemphasised. It is hoped that the outcome of the bio surveillance site assessment of 68 Nigeria Army Reference hospital Yaba-Lagos will expedite necessary steps towards having a dedicated biocontainment facility in Nigeria", said Akinlade

She concluded "It is pertinent to note that the support of the Nigeria Ministry of Defence for the Military-Military partnership that was established 12 years ago has contributed significantly to the nation's response to some diseases of public health significance. The sustainability of this partnership through counterpart funding by the Federal Government of Nigeria makes it global model".

Meanwhile,the United States Consul General,F John Bray, who was speaking with journalists after the programme said, "the programme is with Nigeria Government Ministry of Defence,secondly it is multilateral, it also involves the countries of Ghana,Liberia, and Nigeria".

According to Bray, the collaboration was designed to show that the international community,Africa at large, three countries involved and the United States of America can respond effectively to the next the victim.

"The goals for the program in the next five years is to build a world class laboratory,diagnostic centres ,share medical information that can protect the next victim",Bray said.

Recalled that Nigeria Biopreparedness Initiative ( NBI) partners have a long history of working in the region to improve health and respond to emerging pathogens.

Nigerian Ministry of Defence Health Implementation programme (NMOD/HIP) has collaborated  with U.S Walter Reed Program-Nigeria (WRP-N) on a range of infectious disease research and response in Lagos,Abuja and elsewhere.

The Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WARIR) is WRT-P's parent organization and has extensive Ebola virus vaccine trial experience, as well as health program implementation success across Africa

SDG 5: FEMALE GOVERNOR ,A POSSIBILITY IN LAGOS - AMBODE

By Tope Musowo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today expressed optimism that in no distant time, Lagos would produce its first elected female Governor of the State.

Governor Ambode, who spoke when he received the One-Day Governor of the State, Miss Zuffon Bukola and members of her cabinet at the Exco Chambers, Lagos House in Ikeja, said that the emergence of Miss Zuffon and the One-Day Deputy Governor, Miss Rosemary Ogidan was a signpost to what the future portends for the State.

Zuffon, a 16 year-old SS 2 student of Awodiora Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle emerged the One-Day Governor of the State after she emerged winner at a keenly contested Spelling Bee Competition in June 2017, while Ogidan, also an SS 2 student of Methodist Senior High School, Badagry finished as runner up.

According to the Governor, the emergence of two females as One-Day Governor and Deputy Governor of the State clearly indicates that a female can likewise be elected as the Governor of the State.

He said: “This is a significant day for Lagos State and it also signals what the future actually holds for Lagos State in which we have seated here, two female strong members of the new State Executive Council and we have a female Governor and a female Deputy Governor.

“It is also telling us a story about what the future of Lagos is all about that one day we would find seated here, not just a day governor, but for a period or tenure of four years, there would be a female Governor in this State.

“We’ve had female Deputy Governors in this State; it also says something that these younger ones are telling our women in Lagos to rise up and actually take their position.”

He said the State Government was encouraged by the exploits of past One Day Governors and their cabinet members who are excelling in their various endeavours, just as he commended parents of the students as well as the school management for all the efforts put into bringing out the best in them.

Governor Ambode also commended Zuffon and her cabinet members, noting that their feat was an indication that the funds expended by the State Government to improve the educational sector was not in vain, adding that efforts would be intensified to further develop the sector.

“I want to congratulate her and her cabinet members for also showing to us that the future of education in Lagos is strong. We believe that the resources we are spending in the educational sector are not going to be a waste and they have also shown that they are ready to succeed us as long as we encourage them.

“So we’ll do everything just like what we have been doing in the last two years to continue to pay greater attention to education and also make sure that we do so much in youth development to allow them to be mentally capable of succeeding us even as we move away from all the things we have done in the public service,” the Governor said.

In order to encourage their efforts, Governor Ambode awarded full scholarship to the One Day Governor, Miss Zuffon and her Deputy, Miss Ogidan while also announcing a cash donation of N1million each to them.

The Governor also awarded a cash donation of N500, 000 each to members of the One Day Governor’s cabinet consisting of Master Tovishede Ayobami (Secretary to the State Government); Master Philip Daniel (Speaker of the House of Assembly); Master Durojaiye Oluwasegun (Commissioner for Education); Master Atabo Ufedojo (Commissioner for Science and Technology).

Earlier, Miss Zuffon while addressing Governor Ambode and members of the State Executive Council commended the Governor for his visionary leadership and numerous achievements especially in the educational sector, saying that despite the economic challenges, teachers’ salaries and entitlements were being paid as at when due.

Zuffon, who is aspiring to become a lawyer, also seized the occasion to request for a School Bus, renovation of the school’s multipurpose hall as well as construction of drainage channels in her school, which Governor Ambode expressly granted.

In a related development, wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode who received Zuffon and her cabinet members congratulated them for emerging winners in the various categories of the keenly contested competition and for doing their families, schools and local governments proud.

She charged them to remain focused and study harder to actualize their dreams, praying that God would take them to higher positions in life.

The wife of the governor commended the initiator of the Spelling Bee Competition, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the organizers for their steadfastness since inception of the competition 17 years ago.

SDG 5: Monarch condemns gender discrimination in the name of tradition

By Tope Musowo

The Imperial Majesty Oluwo of Iwo Kingdom ,King AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi (Ilufemiloye Telugu 1),has condemned the habit of discriminating against women in the name of obeying tradition and culture.

The monarch who was speaking at a book launch held at the Renaissance Hotel Ikeja Lagos on Monday,expressed dissatisfaction at the way the female folks in the African society are being treated just to follow tradition and culture,saying it was time to review such tradition as the women deserve equal treatment with their male counterparts

The Oluwo berated other traditional rulers who condemned him for allowing his wife ,"a woman for that matter" to be wearing crown against Yoruba tradition,adding that nothing stops a woman from wearing crown if men could wear too.

"When I crowned my queen,there was an uproar among the Yoruba Obas that I acted against the tradition by giving the age long traditional crown to a woman,and the question I asked them was,did the crown fall from heaven, why are we deifying what we made ourselves?. Even our progenitor, Odudwa also crowned his queen,go and find out",the monarch reaffirmed.

The Kabiyesi graced the book launch along with his queen ,stating the importance of waging war against corrupt tendencies in our society,stressed that it has been the bane of Nigeria, the most populous black nation.

Oba AbdulRasheed who is the Deputy Chairman of Osun State Council of Obas and President Iwo Traditional Council lament the greed and avarice mentioned in the political circles,charging all Nigerians not to vote to power any politician without a well mapped strategy of fighting corruption.

The monarch commended the author of the book, stating that awareness is key in making people change their perception about anything.

"Consolidation of democracy and changing peoples perception about the polity is fundamental,enlightenment act is also afforded in the book written by Remi.

"It is targeted at taking our people out of poverty of the mind about all this myths and superstition that is bringing us back.

"These are the change that we need and also we need to kill corruption in Nigeria,it is the only deadly disease killing us in droves,it is genocidal we need to eradicate corruption if it doesn’t go it would kill us all and it is killing us everyday.

"We need to tell our politicians,anyone who needs our votes to give us his structured agenda to fight corruption,we should not vote to power anyone without the agenda to fight corruption that is my message to Nigerians.

Also at the occasion was the former Lagos State Speaker Rt. Hon.Sabit Adeyemi Ikuforiji ,who while speaking on the titled of the book:"The Legislature and the Path to Democratic Consolidation" authored by Mr. Remi Durojaiye,said that the ranging power tussle between the legislature and the other arms of government in Nigeria is as a result of lack of quality understanding about how the arm is constitutionally built to function.

The astute lawmaker noted that the friction observed in the political space of the country is born out of inexperience and a clear attempt to muzzle a constitutionally empowered arm of government.

"We are still very far away from the level of enlightenment required,the people that legislature is supposed to serve know very little about the roles and functions assigned by the constitution to the legislature and it is a pity that even members of the legislature too probably are not well equipped enough as at now.

"It is a question of looking at it from the angle of the nation’s history you will realize that the Nigeria legislature today is barely 17,18 years old, the executive and judiciary have been there since 1914 almagamation, it is the legislature that is so young yet it is saddled with the responsibility of over sighting these older arms of government.

"The older arms have lots of experience which the legislature does not have of course,no matter what education is given experience matters a lot, but then education helps to bridge the gaps faster so we should continually educate the legislative arm so that it can catch up faster than it is doing.

The elated author also mirror his piece as a feat that gives him a knack to aspire higher.

"The legislature is very germane in our day to day politics in that the arm has a very big role to play in our nascent democracy.

"This is just the beginning of my own contribution to this country and come 2019, I am going aspire for the House of Assembly in Ijebu Igbo North constituency Ogun state as a member just watch out.

"This is a public unveiling of the book I am still going to have a tour of all the local government in Lagos state in particular,these will start upper week Monday,from my experience we have the best legislature in this country and there is hope us".Remi said.

The book reviewer Dr. Mudashiru Suraj Associate Professor Department of Political Sciences did a deep critique of the book with 10 chapters, citing the need for a wider scope that will take an holistic view of the democratic structures across Africa relating the three arms and their roles. 

The chief launcher Engineer Afolabi Lawan CEO Cubitec Engineering and Services Limited,Former LAWMA boss Dr. Ola Oresanya, Mr. Leland Abdul GMD, Cleanserve Energy Solutions Integrated Opebi-Ikeja,Lagos and many other dignitaries officially launched the book for public presentation.   

U.S., FSD Offer Training, Support to Emerging Entrepreneurs

By Tope Musowo

The United States Consulate General Lagos, in collaboration with Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, on yesterday organized a follow-up business and entrepreneurship mentoring program for 65 emerging Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Building on the introductory two-day intensive conference for emerging entrepreneurs held in March, the program was aimed at helping the participants evaluate their achievements till date while also gaining insights into the challenges hindering their business growth potential.

Leading business leaders, business financing institutions, entrepreneurship faculty and trainers, including the Academic Director, Owner-Manager Program at the Lagos Business School, Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, and CEO Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde, provided the participants with practical guidance on how to transform their businesses and drive profitability.

United States Consul General F. John Bray renewed the U.S. government’s commitment to enhancing the skills and capacity of budding Nigerian entrepreneurs.

“I made a commitment to you in March on behalf of the U.S. government that we would do our best to support you on your journey to establish a successful business. I am pleased to learn that some of you have achieved a certain level of success since March.  I am equally pleased that all of you here today, like the more established Nigerian entrepreneurs, are dynamic, forward looking, and committed to the economic success of Nigeria,” Consul General Bray said while welcoming the participants.

Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate General Lagos, Ms. Darcy Zotter, stated that the follow-up training became expedient in order to equip the entrepreneurs with enhanced set of skills and networks to help them as they strive to achieve business success.

“I am pleased to see that many of the emerging entrepreneurs we trained in March have returned. We know that entrepreneurs can be made – and aren’t necessarily born.  

Entrepreneurial skills can be taught.  The process of learning and honing their entrepreneurial skills is on-going. We hope that when they finish today they will have a stronger network of supportive friends and mentors,” Public Affairs Officer Darcy Zotter said. 

MAC RALLIES AGAINST CORRUPTION IN LAGOS

By Tope Musowo

It was huge turnout today in Lagos as members of the committee of Movement Against Corruption (MAC) –  a new civil society organisation rallied to press for a corrupt free-country.

The rally, which had in attendance various groups – rights activists, youths organisations, NGOs, corps members, amongst others, began from Ikeja to Alausa the State Assembly and governor’s office.

Displaying placards with different  inscriptions such as “kill corruption now”,  “corruption is cancerous, kill it now”, “Nigerians are suffering because of corruption”, and red cards to indicate eviction of corruption, the group stated that it was prepared to develop and execute practical strategies geared towards the prevention and eradication of all forms of corrupt practices and abuse of office, in both public and private sectors in the country.

It said that as a result of corruption, the country has been debased, noting that its consequences gave rise to the various crimes in the country.

“We can no longer ignore the prevailing mass poverty, hunger, unemployment, decayed medical and educational systems, poor infrastructure, epileptic power supply and absence of social services, which are indicators of the damaging effects of corruption in Nigeria.

“Nigerians have suffered immeasurably from corruption and the time to give corruption a red card is now.

“We appeal to Nigerians to join us in this crusade to completely eliminate this cancer worm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our nation”, the organisation said in a joint statement.

Reacting to the rally, representative of the government, Commissioner for Special Duties and External Relations, Hon. Seye Oladapo, while noting that corruption is not only inherent in public and private sectors, but also in religious bodies, said the crusade would be supported by the government and will be taken to every nook and cranny of the state.

He assured the government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration would practically defend the course to rid the country of the menace.

He further joined voices with the movement to chant solidarity song and raising the red card to signal his allegiance to the course.  

 MAC is a coalition of over 50 CSOs with its committee chaired by Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin and was launched about two weeks ago in Lagos, with a sole mandate to eradicate corruption in the country.

Commander U.S. Naval Forces Africa visits Nigeria

Admiral Michelle Howard

By Temitope Musowo

Admiral Michelle J. Howard, commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, visited Abuja, Nigeria,this week, where she  met senior Nigerian civilian and military officials to discuss maritime collaboration and the naval bilateral relationship.

Admiral Howard also visited Nigeria’s naval headquarters for discussions with Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibom Ete Ibas.  After that,she later with with Nigerian graduates of U.S. service academies and delivered a presentation on women, peace and security at the Nigerian Defence College.

"Nigeria has over 450 miles of coastline and their central location in the Gulf of Guinea makes their Navy a key player in the fight against illicit maritime activity,” said Howard.  I'm visiting to discuss the security challenges and deepening our relationship in training and exercises," says Howard.

The visit  allowed Howard to talk to Nigeria’s leaders about the significant contributions they could make to confronting security challenges and enhancing stability throughout the region.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa.

Admiral Michelle Howard graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 and from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998, with a Masters in Military Arts and Sciences.

She took command of USS Rushmore (LSD 47) March 12, 1999, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy.

On July 1, 2014, Howard became the first woman promoted to the rank of four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy. That day she was also appointed the 38th vice-chief of naval operations (VCNO), making her the second highest ranking officer in the U.S. Navy.

35 migrants including children, Nigerians, other nationals drown in Libya

By Tope Musowo

No fewer than 34 illegal Migrants from  sub-Saharan African countries including children from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana feared drowned off Libya this week.


Thirty-five migrants, including seven children, were feared drowned after their inflatable boat sank this week off the Libyan coast, the coastguard said.

Eighty-five migrants, including 18 women, were rescued with the help of fishermen who alerted the coastguard, said Issa al-Zarrouk, a coastguard official in Garabulli, 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Tripoli.

Navy spokesman Ayoub Kacem said the boat sank six nautical miles northwest of Garabulli, and 10 fishing boats took part in the rescue.

The rescued migrants were from countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast and Ghana, Kacem said.

Nigerian hairdresser Vivian Effoussa described watching, horrified as fellow passengers fell into the sea.

“The boat we entered was leaking,” said Effoussa, who attempted the crossing to Europe after struggling to support two children back home.

“All of a sudden… the water was (coming) inside. Everybody started shouting,” she said, speaking in English.

“Gradually, gradually, we see ourselves inside the sea. Everybody, we’re falling inside, dragging each other. They even pulled my hair, dragging me.”

“Really, I didn’t think the sea was big like this,” Effousa said, adding that, had she known, she would not have come.

Human traffickers have exploited years of chaos in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer G

adhafi to boost their lucrative but deadly trade.

Tens of thousands of migrants have resorted to paying smugglers to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to what they hope will be a better life in Europe.

Nearly 77,000 migrants have landed in Italy since January, up 15 percent on the same period in 2016.

Altogether, at least 2,247 people have died or are missing after trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe this year, the IOM says