Saturday, 31 March 2018

My patients make advances to me –Ndupu, psychiatrist







Dr. Ogonnaya Ndupu is a medical consultant passionate about mental and behavioural health with a focus on preventive, advocacy as well as treatment. She tells Ademola Oloniluaabout her career and family life

Out of all the branches in the medical field, why did you choose to specialise in mental health?

On several occasions, people have asked me this same question, I get this question from my relatives, patients and even their relatives as well as to why I chose this path. Many years ago when I was in the medical school, I noticed that I had this strange attraction to people that had mental health challenges. Initially, it started with a fear which the general population actually have towards people with mental health disturbances but it also made me more curious. Over time, I was privileged to be with doctors who managed these patients and I got to see a patient transform from being hostile to being loveable.

For me, I realised that these people actually need love instead of being stigmatised. They needed people to understand them. Mental health is one of the most highly stigmatised conditions globally especially in this part of the world. Instead of us to stigmatise these people, they need to be understood and helped. The more I got involved the more I got to understand them and found out that I must have been called to help them because I have the passion for the job. I wanted to do more and nurse them to recovery and over the years, that is what has kept me in this part of mental health. I need to do more, to reach out to as many people as I can as regards their mental health and well-being.

How did you overcome the fear you had for people with mental health disturbance?

The more I spent time with these people, I understood how to relate with them better. It is no fault of theirs to be in that emotional state; it was based on their experience, suspecting people’s actions. For some people when you are suspicious of others, you begin to have this self-defence mechanism to protect yourself. Most times people would interpret that as hostility. It was not till I had fully delved into this field that I realised that it is just a function of their state of mind at that point in time. The more I understood it, the less the fear I had. I learnt of better ways to approach them instead of avoiding them like other people would. If you are calm enough to hear them out, then you are likely to gain their trust and you would get a lot out of them and this would assist you in helping them.

Most people with mental health issues are not hostile; I would probably say that one third of them are hostile and at the point where you get the history of a client being hostile or has exhibited any form of hostility, which may be from verbal aggression or physical aggression, everything you do in the presence of that client is important ranging from your posture to your look and the way you talk to the person. You may have your hands behind your back and he would feel there is something you are hiding. You would not want to respond to the person with a harsh tone if his voice is raised at you. You would have to be calm and hear him out. Most times, what they want to see is someone that understands their own point of view rather than taking sides with their relatives at that point. This would only make them get angry, so, it starts with a conversation. Be as civil as you can be.

That is the first approach. After you must have done all this and it has failed, every method you know by the books to calm this person down has failed, depending on the circumstance; you may let him be for a while. Sometimes when he finds out that you are not listening to him anymore because he is too agitated, he cools off. If he fails to do that and you find out that verbal aggression is tilting toward physical aggression, then you may need some external help like physical or chemical restrains as the need may be, not forgetting that in the course of managing this client, it is important as a mental health professional you ensure that the person is safe. He is not a risk to himself or the people around him.

In the course of your career, have you had any terrible experience in the hands of hostile clients?

I am sure if you ask any psychiatrist out there or anyone working in the mental health sector, they would tell you that they have all had their bad days if they have been in the profession for a long while. The least of them has been verbal aggression, they use all kinds of abusive words on me but I know that I am there to help them and most time we do not listen to what they say at that point in time because we know that it is not the true person speaking, he just needs help to come out of that state.

Yes, I have had some form of aggression from some clients. I have had a client strike me on the face; I mean she gave me a ‘hot’ slap in the process of talking to her. Afterwards, she wrote me an apology letter when she was a lot calmer. She said that she was just agitated. I also had another client who once spat on my face but the family kept pleading on the client’s behalf. That is what we call occupational hazards. There are a lot of risks involved in what we do particularly when you are a female. It happens but as much as possible, we try to minimise them.

Is it right to say that the profession is more challenging for women?

Yes, I think it is more challenging but overtime, women have been able to push that gender barrier and you would find out that more women are coming into the mental health field. The reason is because of the perception people have about the profession. I have had relatives sit with me and ask me what I am doing in this field because they think it should be a man’s job. They think of the risk of violence and they believe women are so fragile they may not be able to handle the stress of the job. Over time, the job has only made me stronger. Some years ago, I was in charge of a male drug rehabilitation centre. For about two years, I decided how these people were managed till recovery so you can imagine me in the midst of men. Also, if there is drug use, the risk of violence is higher and you would see all sorts of things. At the end of the day, we were best of friends and they came to respect me.

But don’t you also face stigmatisation being a psychiatrist?

Yes, we do even among colleagues. The stigma is in multiple stages; there is the stigma the clients face, there is the stigma the family faces and there is also the stigma the doctor faces among colleagues and members of the society and it is because people do not know a lot about mental health. There was a time I was at an event and we were asked to introduce ourselves; I stood up and introduced myself as a psychiatrist and people looked at me in a funny way. Some even asked if there were psychiatrists in Nigeria and I had to laugh but I replied in the affirmative.

I think that there is this lame perception that people have and they say that it only takes an unstable person to understand an unstable person. Some people also say that after treating people with mental health challenges for a long period of time, you would also begin to lose your mind but it is not true. I have not lost my mind in any way and unless I tell you that I am a psychiatrist, you would think that I am a regular doctor.

Do you get remarks like you look too fashionable or beautiful to be in this field?

I hear it a lot, sadly from relatives of my clients but I do not think that because I am a psychiatrist, I need to look shabby or unkempt, that is sending a wrong message. Do not forget that being in this field also helps me because I am more knowledgeable about how to manage my mental health. I do not need to break down like the clients I am managing. If people tell me that ‘what is a beautiful woman like you doing in this field?’ I tell them that it is to treat their relatives. Whatever you do, you should still be able to stick to your identity and look good at every point in time even when you work in the field. Regardless of the way I look, when there is work to be done, I do it.

Do you get love advances from your patients?

Yes, I do.

How do you handle that situation?

I have a polite way of telling them and letting them know that I am not interested and as much as possible it is important to let them know that the rejection has nothing to do with their mental state. It is so easy for that to be misunderstood. They may think it is because they have a psychiatric issue but you let them know that it has nothing to do with that. Also, in the professional ethics, there are lines you don’t cross. There is a professional ethic that states that as long as you remain my patient, there is no other relationship we can have. So if you understand what our ethics are, you would stick to that; but you have to communicate it nicely to the person.

When do you take time off work?

I try as much as possible to make out time for myself. When I want to relax, I spend time with my family; my husband and children. We go on family vacations, cinemas, other fun places. There is what we call the stress that comes with the job; it is a bit difficult for you to be a good mental health professional and not get involved emotionally with your clients. You begin to feel what your clients feel and you cannot help but worry about them. Even after you have discharged these patients, you are still concerned about them. You can imagine the number of clients I worry about. It takes a toll on you over time, so it is extremely important for you to maintain your well-being and you can only do this if you can stay off work for a while and have some rest. As much as possible, I try to make my weekend free unless I have emergencies. I use my weekend to relax and I would head to the spa for a massage treatment or hang out with my husband and kids.

Your job is 24hours; how has your husband been coping?

Sometimes we are home late at night and I receive a call about a patient and from the conversation, I know the case is bad so I have to leave home that late. He knows that I would need to see the patient that night. Because of the confidentiality of what we do, I do not discuss my patients with him but he has an idea and he is worried about me. He had been a very supportive husband as regards my career and he is always concerned about what I do but I know that in his mind, he still nurses the fear as regards my safety. Each time I tell him that I need to see a patient or I have an intervention because a patient has broken down, all he says most time is, ‘please be careful, just be careful.’ He worries about me a lot.

Did he meet you on the job?

Yes, he met me during the early years of my training.

How did he feel wooing a psychiatrist?

He had his reservations. He met me in this profession but I think the way he felt about me was a lot stronger than whatever his reservations were about the profession. By association and hanging out with me, over time, it helped to demystify his perception of mental health. I have made him see that there is no big deal in this profession. He knows a lot about it now. There are even times that he refers people to me.

How did you meet your husband?

We met through a friend. It is a long story but I don’t think I want to talk about it.
























































Rainbowgist

I dumped Britain to inspire young Nigerian jumpers – Mike Edwards







High jumper Mike Edwards had committed his future to Nigeria and is in Australia to represent the country before a shock IAAF decision stopping him from doing so. In this interview, he tells  Idris Adesina    why he snubbed Britain for Nigeria

As the current British high jump champion, why did you honour the Nigerian invite?

I wanted to break the cycle and lead the way for Nigeria’s future high jumpers and athletes in general.

What are your targets competing for Nigeria?

My targets are to keep raising the bar on and off the track.

You are also of Jamaican origin. Why did you not choose Jamaica, a renowned athletic nation, over Nigeria?

Nigeria is my roots. That’s where I’m from, hence the reason to represent Nigeria.

What was the attraction to Nigeria for you?

The love from the community right from the beginning has been incredible and it definitely helped my decision.

How much of Nigeria do you know before you decided to compete for Nigeria?

The only thing I knew was that if I didn’t switch to Nigeria it would be a huge regret.

You have a cigar company. But cigar and sports do not mix. Why did you opt for such business as a popular sportsperson?

I chose cigar due to longevity. I’m not going to be a sportsperson forever and I will have a life after sports.

What was growing up like?

Growing up was adventurous, I was raised in Moss Side an inner city of Manchester before moving to Florida. I learned to adapt quickly.

Did you encounter racism?

Yes of course. I’m a black man in Britain.

Did you always want to become an athlete?

Yes, from as long as I could remember I’ve wanted to become a professional sportsperson. I just didn’t know what sport.

How challenging was it becoming the current British champion? What was the journey like?

The road started in 2014, I finished last place at that year’s British Indoor Championship. I’ve since went on to win bronze and two silvers at the championship, my appetite kept growing hungrier each time I didn’t win. I also switched coaches to join Cliff Rovelto based in Kansas which has been incredible.

Who has been your toughest opponent?

The high jump bar – it’s undefeated never lost.

What are your best and worst moments?

Winning moment at the British Championship was special but making the Nigerian team and being in the village here in Australia is pretty awesome. I don’t keep track of my worst moments so it’s hard to recollect.

Are you hoping to assist young Nigerian athletes?

Yes, I’d love to assist younger athletes first by leading by example

Who has been your role model in athletics?

My fiancĂ© Perri Shake-Drayton, she’s a warrior and true inspiration for anyone facing adversity; she’s a true example of never giving up and still continues to chase her dreams.

What are your favourite Nigerian foods?

Pounded yam.

Have you visited Nigeria? What memories of the country do you have?

Yes I last visited when I was around three.

How do you handle criticisms and your fans?

I’m open, honest and tell it how it is. I don’t like to keep secrets.






















































Punch

FG releases treasury looters list; it is laughable, misleading – PDP









The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Friday released the list of those, he said allegedly looted the economy during the stewardship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He also mentioned the names of five people and the amount allegedly siphoned by them from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

However, those listed still have pending alleged corruption cases in the courts.

According to Mohammed: ”The PDP has challenged us to name the looters under their watch. They said they did not loot the treasury.

“I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch. Yet they decided to grandstand. This shows the hollowness of their apology to Nigerians. Let us just give them a teaser.

“This list is just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this. We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available. Some of the people on this list are seeking a plea bargain, and that is a fact.

“We insist that Nigeria was looted blind under  the watch of the PDP, and the starting point in tendering an apology is for them to return the loot.

“It is like a robber admitting to stealing your car and apologising, but saying he will keep the car. It doesn’t work that way.

“The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me  of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ‘’The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.

“We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP. They brought Nigeria to this sorry state. We are now looking for loans to build infrastructure, and they asked us not to talk about it. We will talk about it.”













































































Vanguard

Friday, 30 March 2018

Nigerian Asylum Seeker Arrested For Beating Up Hotel Owner In Italy








 A Nigerian born asylum seeker in Italy has been arrested for allegedly beating the owner of the hotel he was staying in near Taranto, Italy.

According to report, 33 year-old Emmanuel Omozee was arrested for beaten the owner with a chain and a stick. He was thereafter charged with grievous bodily harm.


















































Rainbowgist

PDP Mocks Buhari Over Fake Luther Award







The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the announcement by the Buhari Presidency that the family of human right activist, Martin Luther King jr conferred an award on President Muhammadu Buhari as a national disgrace and embarrassment.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday, said the lie by President Buhari’s handlers smacks of desperation by the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to procure international endorsement, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The leading opposition party said this embarrassing act has again made our nation a laughing stock before the international community.

The party said the nation was jolted when the King Center distanced itself from the award and noted that, “the award given to President Buhari of Nigeria was not given by The King Center, at the request of The King Center or by the children of Martin Luther King jr”.

It is now clear that this sinking, incompetent and deceptive APC administration, in their desperation, can fabricate and stage-manage anything, including name-dropping of international figures and agencies, in their desperate attempt to delude Nigerians, once again, now that the 2019 general election is fast approaching.

Nigerians have discovered that having failed to gain any endorsement from reputable international figures such as Bill Gates, the APC and the Presidency have now cheapened the nation by resorting to this despicable act of name-dropping of world-renowned human right activist, Dr. Martin Luther King jr, further dragging down our once sterling image before the comity of Nations.

The fact remains that not many Nigerians believed in the authenticity of the award in the first place, as the Buhari-led administration, by its undemocratic and anti-people proclivities, including records of violations of rights of citizens, is not deserving of any form of recognition by any human rights group, let alone the family of the world-acclaimed Martin Luther King jr.

Today, the PDP has been vindicated in its stand that the APC government is not only hypocritical but overtly deceptive and must not be trusted.

It would be recalled that we had issued a statement, earlier this year, cautioning Nigerians and the international community to be wary of information and claims coming from the APC and the Presidency, particularly on endorsements and performances indices.

While we urge the Presidency to shed its proclivity for lies, we demand the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of all the Presidency officials involved in this messy scandal and crime against our nation.

Moreover, the Presidency and the APC should save the nation further embarrassment by jettisoning other planned endorsement stunts and fabricated performance indices, as Nigerians are already rallying with the repositioned and rebranded PDP in their collective quest to end the misrule of the APC and restore a sincere, purposeful and people-oriented government come 2019.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Pope Francis Didn't Say Hell Doesn't Exist, He Was Misrepresented" - Vatican








On Thursday the Holy See stated that a reported interview between Pope Francis and an Italian journalist, which claims the Pope denied the existence of hell, should not be considered an accurate depiction of Francis’ words, but the author’s own “reconstruction.”

A recent meeting between Pope Francis and Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari, 93, was a “private meeting for the occasion of Easter; however, without giving him any interview,” the March 29 communique stated.

“What is reported by the author in today’s article is the result of his reconstruction, in which the literal words pronounced by the Pope are not quoted. No quotation of the aforementioned article must therefore be considered as a faithful transcription of the words of the Holy Father.”

Vatican spokespersons have dismissed the texts of Scalfari as unofficial. In 2014, Fr. Federico Lombardi, past papal spokesperson, told CNA that “if there are no words published by the Holy See press office and not officially confirmed, the writer takes full responsibility for what he has written.”

Pope Francis has previously spoken about the existence of hell in public speeches, including at a prayer vigil in March 2014.

There, he gave an address in which he said that members of the mafia should change their lives, “while there is still time, so that you do not end up in hell. That is what awaits you if you continue on this path.”













































Punch

Two Brothers Take Their Fight To The Streets Over Land In Delta State.







Two brothers decided to take their disagreement to the streets as they engaged each other in a bloody clash over land in Delta state. According to reports, one of the brothers is alleged to have stabbed the other in the neck. The brother who was stabbed has been identified as Anthony, a panel beater in Sapele area of the state.

Neighbours and passersby had to restrain the brothers from causing more harm to themselves.

































































Rainbowgist

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Do You Know 5 Must-check Parts When Buying A Used Car?









If you are interested in buying a pre-owned car, read our article to know 5 parts to check before reaching your wallet.
Buying a used car is not easy as many thinks, it is actually a tricky proposition. Car salesmen, especially used car sellers are infamous for their ruses to sell their products as quick as possible. Therefore, if not being alert enough, car buyers easily stumble into their traps.

But don’t worry, Naijauto will let you know 5 parts to check before buying a used car and you can avoid nasty tricks from car salesmen.

How to check used cars for accidents, repainting auto body damage

1. Check the exterior

When buying a used car, you need to pay attention to its exterior and this part is also the first thing appears in our eyes. You should make sure that the vehicle is parked in a large enough space so you can check the exterior more easily and carefully. Here are some must-check areas in the car exterior:

Front fascia:
Look at the fender and check if it was replaced. If there are any signs of a new fender, it could indicate that the car has been wrecked.

Paint:
Check for any rust, dents or scratches carefully because these parts are usually repainted to hide the car‘s shabbiness and deterioration.



Check the rust, dents or scratches carefully because these parts are usually repainted to hide the car‘s shabbiness and deterioration

Tires:
The car tires should be in an acceptable status for using. If not, you will have to spend some more money on the replacement.

Trunk:
If a car was properly maintained, its trunk would be in a good condition. So check the trunk to know how the previous owner treated his/her car.

2. Interior

Although you are buying a secondhand car, its interior also needs to be in good or at least acceptable condition. This area is considered as one of the most important parts of a car as it provides the driver and passengers space, seatings and other convenient functions. If the car has a low-qualified interior, you should reconsider buying it or require the seller to lower the price tag.



Although you are buying a secondhand car, its interior also needs to be in good or at least acceptable condition

An essential part you need to check in the interior upholstery which might be subject to tears, rips, and stains. Also, make a point of inspecting seaters; heater and the air-conditioner system. Especially, remember to check the odometer to get how long the car was used and how far it has been gone. Sometimes, a small number on the odometer might not be a good sign because this car might have been in the garage for a long time without being used.

3. The beneath

It is very advisable to have a look at the part under the car body. You might find some pieces of evidence of deterioration hidden in this area. You should inspect the car frame for signs of any replacement, bends or cracks as results of crashes. For the exhaust system, if it has black spots, it could be leaked. Also, don’t forget to check the tailpipe whether it has much grime or not by running your finger inside it.





























Naijauto

Buhari’s Lagos visit ill-timed, says Archbishop Martins











THE Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has described the planned two -day working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos as ill-timed.

In a release  by the Director of Social Communications, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Archbishop Martins wondered why the President chose to make the visit to Lagos ”at a time that coincided with the most important days of the year for Christians when they celebrate the events of the salvation of the world.”

According to him, ”in view of the large population and clustered road networks in the state, the closure of roads coupled with the ban of Okada on many routes, Christians who will be taking part in the Holy Thursday and Good Friday celebrations would be subjected to untold hardships.”

“In addition, Christians who would also like to welcome their President have been put in a difficult situation of deciding whether to fulfill their religious obligations or go out to welcome the President.  The timing does not take into consideration Christians in government and security services who would be required to be at work to ensure a smooth, secure and safe visit of the President.

KING Center: We Didn't Give Buhari Any Award







Party, Not Buhari Can Determine Oyegun's Tenure - APC Tells Court

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has opposed the hearing of the suit by aggrieved members of the party over the tenure elongation for the National Working Committee (NWC) led by John Odigie Oyegun before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The members led by Ademorin Kuye and Are Mutiu (Lagos); Sani Mayanchi (Zamfara); and Machu Tokwat (Kaduna) had earlier sought an ex parte order directing the NWC members to show cause why the court should not bar them from parading themselves as national officers of the party effective June 30.

Those joined as respondents in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, the party’s national chairman, Oyegun and the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the applicants, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) asked the court to allow the matter to be heard since President Muhammadu Buhari had at the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party on Tuesday, March 27, admitted that the tenure elongation was illegal.

However, defence lawyers, Akin Olujimi (SAN); Joseph Daudu (SAN); James Onoja (SAN) and Idris Yakubu, asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable them respond to the originating processes just served on them.

Daudu, who is counsel to the APC, argued that Order 7 Rule 1 provided for 30 days from the date of filing the suit for a reply. He therefore asked the court to discountenance Okutepa’s submission.

Responding to the president’s comment, Daudu said whatever view thereof was Buhari’s personal opinion and carried no weight until the party met and deliberated on the matter.

“As far as President Buhari’s view is concerned, it carries no weight until the party meet and decide and deliberated on it. As far as the party is concerned he is an ordinary member like others,” he said.

After listening to the argument of counsel, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba assured that the court would give fair hearing to all parties in the matter. He ordered the filing and service of processes before the court and adjourned till April 16 for hearing.


















































































Dailytrust

How To Prepare For An Interview








Do you have a job interview on your schedule? There are a number of steps you can take before (and after) the interview to ensure that you make a terrific impression during the interview. Below are tips on how to prepare for an interview.


1. Analyse the job
An important part of interview preparation is to take the time to analyze the job posting, if you have it. As you review the job description, consider what the company is seeking in a candidate.Make a list of the skills, knowledge, and professional and personal qualities that are required by the employer and are critical for success in the job.

2. Make a match
Once you have created a list of the qualifications for the job, make a list of your assets and match them to the job requirements. Create a list of up to 10 of your assets that match the requirements of the job. These might include skills, qualities, certifications, experiences, professional qualifications, abilities, computer skills, and knowledge bases. You can bring up some of these assets when you explain to the employer why you are a great fit for the job.Also think of examples from past work experiences that show you have these qualities. This way, if the interviewer asks you to describe a time when you demonstrated a particular skill or ability, you will be ready.Review the job requirements, your list of assets, and your examples, prior to the interview so that you’re prepared to share them during the interview. This preparation will help you be ready to answer job-specific interview questions and behavioral interview questions designed to determine if you have the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to perform the job.

3. Research the company
Before you go on a job interview, it’s important to find out as much as you can about not only the job, but also the company. Company research is a critical part of interview preparation. It will help you prepare to both answer interview questions about the company and to ask the interviewer questions about the company. You will also be able to find out whether the company and the company culture are a good fit for you.For a concise understanding of the company, check out the company website, specifically the “About Us” page. Get a sense of how the company compares to other organizations in the same industry by reading articles about the company in industry magazines or websites. You can also check out company reviews from clients and current and former employees.

4.Practise interviewing
Take the time to practise answering interview questions you will probably be asked during a job interview. This will help give you a chance to prepare and practise answers, and will also help calm your nerves, because you won’t be scrambling for an answer while you’re in the interview hot seat.Practise interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of time and it will be much easier when you’re actually in a job interview.Try to conduct the practice interview in the same format as the real interview. For example, if it is a phone interview, ask a friend to call you to practise answering questions over the phone. If it is a panel interview, ask a couple of friends to pretend to be a panel.


5.Get your interview clothes ready
Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your interview clothes are ready. Have an interview outfit ready to wear at all times, so you don’t have to think about what you’re going to wear while you’re scrambling to get ready for a job interview.Regardless of the type of job you’re interviewing for, that first impression should be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire.If you’re applying for a job in a more casual environment, such as a store or restaurant, it’s still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.It is also important to think about your makeup and accessories when dressing for an interview. Review these tips on how to accessorize for an interview.

6.Practise interview etiquette
Proper interview etiquette is important. Remember to greet the receptionist, your interviewer, and everyone else you meet politely, pleasantly, and enthusiastically.During the interview, watch your body language – shake hands firmly and make eye contact as you articulate your points. Pay attention, be attentive, and look interested. This is something you can work on in your practice interviews.The more positive an impression you make
, the better you’ll do during the job interview.

7.Listen and ask questions
During a job interview, listening is just as important as answering questions. If you’re not paying attention, you’re not going to be able to give a good response.It’s important to listen to the interviewer, to pay attention, and to take time, if you need it, to compose an appropriate answer.Also, be ready to engage the interviewer. You want there to be a give and take in the conversation, so you’re building a relationship with the interviewer rather than just providing rote responses to questions. Have questions of your own ready to ask the interviewer.Towards the end of the interview, let the recruiter know that you believe the job is an excellent fit and that you are highly interested.















































Tribune

Senate summons Education Minister over mass failure in WAEC results








THE Senate has summoned the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to appear before the Senator Aliyu Wamakko, APC, Sokoto North-led Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) to explain why Nigeria as a country has been experiencing mass failure in West African School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE.

The Minister is expected to explain the causes of WAEC recurring mass failure rate and recommend appropriate measures to overcome the challenge.

The Committee will at the end of the session, submit a comprehensive report to the Senate at plenary within one month. Also to appear before the Senate Committee are the Head, National Office of WAEC and any relevant stakeholder connected with the problem.

Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion by Senator Umaru Kurfi, APC, Katsina Central and entitled, “Need to address recurring mass failure in West African Examination School Certificate Examinations.” Presenting the motion, Senator Kurfi noted that “There are established recurring cases of mass failure in West African School Certificate Examinations  in the country since 2009 or thereabout which is embarrassing to the nation and prejudicial to the interest of Nigeria secondary school students and parents.

WASSCE failure rates continues to increase each year as evidence of failure of measures taken, if any, by the education authorities over the years.” He, however expressed worry that “in both 2009 and 2010 WASSCE only 25.99 and 24.94 per cent respectively passed with five credits including Mathematics and English, while the remaining others constituting 70 per cent failed.”

According to Senator Kurfi, ‘’In 2011 May/June WASSCE, only 649, 159 out of 1, 672, 224 candidates that wrote the examinations which represents just 38.81 per cent got five credits and above including in the core subjects of Mathematics and English Language.  In 2013 WASSCE, only 29.17 per cent candidates actually passed the November/December WAEC examinations while 70 per cent failed. “In both 2017 and January/February 2018 private examinations, only 17.13 per cent candidates have passed with five credits including Mathematics and English Language, respectively, while the remaining over 70 per cent candidates have failed.” Senator Kurfi lamented that the anticipated bright future of the country might continue to be bleak if urgent action was not taken to address the recurring mess facing the education sector and indeed the future generation of Nigerian leaders. Other senators such as Senator Barau JIbrin (APC Kano North), Emmanuel Paulker (PDP Bayelsa Central) and Biodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South), respectively sought urgent intervention of all stakeholders to help address the recurring challenge with a view to improving education sector in the country. In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki called on the stakeholders, including senators to urgently act fast to address the recurring mess facing the sector. Saraki said: “One of the greatest issues that we must address is increasing the value of our human resources through education and healthcare. This issue of the recurring failure is of great concern and we must get to the bottom of it. I urge the Committee to swing into action immediately and address this issue. In the next few weeks, my office will be coordinating a Roundtable Discussion on Education, which I would like all our colleagues to participate in fully so that we can use that opportunity to address some of the areas of our educational sector that need serious attention.”


























































Rainbowgist

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Community protests woman’s gang-rape in husband’s presence






No fewer than 1000 women from Okuni community, in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State on Tuesday took to the streets to demand justice for a woman who was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint in the presence of her husband.

According to the women, the incident, which happened on November 6, 2017, saw to the arrest of one of the culprits, who was later released on bail without any sanction from the police in Ikom.

The protesting women, who went to the Ikom Police Station, appealing to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, to wade into the matter.

The women said some gunmen had attacked a cocoa plantation and after stealing about 12 bags of cocoa, they beat up the farmer and rape one of his wives till she became unconscious.

One of the protesters, Grace Tam, who wore a black gown like other protesters, said, “A group of men went into our bush and raped our daughter. We took the matter to the police and it was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. But along the line, they said it was only a robbery case.

“We are angry and we want the world to know what the police did. Rape is not fun and it is not known in the land of Olulumoh.

“We want the government to produce those men who went into our bush and gang-raped our daughter.”

The women later proceeded to the palace of the traditional ruler, where the spokesman for the Okwa Traditional Rulers Council in Okuni, Okin Akpet, confirmed the incident.

“The victim, upon regaining consciousness, was brought in that state to the community. The case was reported to the police, which led to the arrest of one of the rapists. He was identified by the victim, who said he was the first to rape her.

“Sadly, the major culprit, who was supposed to fish out other perpetrators, was released on bail and the matter was charged to court. When the matter came up in court early March 2018, rape was absent from the charge sheet and the medical report was missing from the file.

“This is the reason the women decided to take to the streets to demand that the case be revisited and that justice should prevail,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, said the Commissioner of Police had removed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Okuni Police Station following the discovery that the matter was not professionally handled.

“We all know that rape is a grievous offence. When it was initially reported to the police, the suspect was arrested and a medical report showed that it was a rape case.

“But along the line, we did not know what happened. We later discovered that the suspect was released and it led to the removal of the DPO by the Commissioner of Police. Of course, after then, people started alleging that the police had collected money.

“As of today, the CP has directed that the suspect should be rearrested and tried in court,” she said.





















































Rainbowgist

Messi didn’t force my Barca exit – Ronaldinho








RONALDINHO has tried to debunk the myth that he had a bad influence on Lionel Messi and subsequently had to leave the Nou Camp.

Ronaldinho joined Barcelona at the start of Messi’s incredible career and left the club in 2008 after making 145 appearances and collecting five trophies, including the Champions League.

The Brazilian always appeared to enjoy his football while in Spain and seemed to play with a smile.

But he has revealed that Frank Rijkaard played a role in his decision to leave.

And he insists that AC Milan was the real reason for his departure as opposed to the notion that he tried to misguide Messi.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Ronaldinho said,  “It was easy – it was time to go.

“I wanted to follow in the footsteps of (Frank)  Rijkaard, who was my coach and said great things about Milan.

“I had other options, but I wanted to play for Milan. As for that stuff about Messi, it’s not true; you shouldn’t always believe what you read.

 “I always tried to be a good influence on him and actually try to do for him what Ronaldo did for me.

“I felt embraced by Ronaldo and I wanted Leo to have the same. Messi was always very shy, but always a fantastic player.

“We lived on the same street, so I had a great relationship with him and his family.

“Even then I knew he was a better player than me.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic says there’s no one like his club teammate Messi, nor will there be anyone approaching his level.

“This doesn’t exist, not in Mexico, not in Croatia. You have to say that. He’s not the best in the world for nothing — for me, the best in history,” Rakitic said after he was asked which Mexico player could be the most similar to Messi.”








































Express.co.uk


Transcript Of Bill Gates Speech To Buhari In Nigeria











Last week, Microsoft founder, Bill Gates was in Nigeria where he addressed a special session of the National Economic Council, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, and ministers in attendance.

He spoke on why the government needs to change the narrative of development efforts by focusing on human development, by investing on education, health and creating opportunities for the people.

Below is the ful text of the speech:

Your Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate President; Honorable Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House; Your Excellencies, executive governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Royal fathers; Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. And as you say in Nigeria, all other protocols observed. Thank you for welcoming me to Nigeria.

I’ve been coming here regularly since 2006, and I’ve always felt welcome. Nigerians usually greet me warmly. The first time I met the Sultan of Sokoto, I was honored that he greeted me with the gift of a white horse.

At some point during every visit, though, some brave person eventually asks me—very politely—”Why are you actually here?” It’s an understandable question. Most American technology guys don’t wander around Nigeria learning about its health system. But I think I have a good answer.

When we started Microsoft 40 years ago, we wanted to build a successful business, but we also wanted to make people’s lives better. We believed computers could revolutionise the way people lived and worked. But back then only big companies could afford them. We wanted to give everybody access.

As I got older, traveled more, and learned more about the world, I realised that billions of people had a problem that computers couldn’t solve. They lacked the basics of a good life: food, shelter, health, education, and opportunity.

And so I started my second career with my wife Melinda. With the money I’d been lucky enough to earn at Microsoft, we started working toward a different goal: a healthy and productive life for everyone.

That’s why I come to Nigeria, and that’s why Melinda and I will continue coming for as long as we are able. Our foundation’s biggest office in Africa is here. We have committed over $1.6 billion in Nigeria so far, and we plan to increase our commitment. We have strong relationships with the federal government, state governments, businesses, NGOs, and civil society organisations. We are eager to support you as you work to make Nigeria a global economic powerhouse that provides opportunity for all its citizens—as you strive to fulfil this country’s immense promise.

I’m blown away by how much Nigeria has changed in the past decade.

Consider the technology sector. That energy I talked about during the early days of Microsoft, our passion and our eagerness to take risks…. That’s the same energy that powers technology hubs across Nigeria like Co-Creation and Enspire.

The novelist Chimamanda Adichie, who my wife especially admires, captured the country’s spirit when she said her fellow Nigerians have “big dreams and big ambitions.”

This line graph of Nigeria’s per capita GDP shows where those dreams and ambitions can lead. With the exception of the recent recession, the slope goes straight up. As a result of this growth, Nigeria is now the biggest economy on the continent. You are rapidly approaching upper middle income status, like Brazil, China, and Mexico.

But growth is not inevitable. Nigeria has unmatched economic potential, but what becomes of that potential depends on the choices you make as Nigeria’s leaders.

The most important choice you can make is to maximise your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities—the “human capital” we are talking about today—then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.

You see this risk in the data. From the point of view of the quality of life, much of Nigeria still looks like a low-income country.

Let me give a few examples.

In upper middle income countries, the average life expectancy is 75 years. In lower middle income countries, it’s 68. In low income countries, it’s 62. In Nigeria, it is lower still: just 53 years.Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth, with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world, ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, and Chad.One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished.

I do not enjoy speaking to you this bluntly when you have been gracious enough to invite me here. But I am applying an important lesson I learned from Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Recently, Aliko and I were having a conversation with several governors about their states’ official immunisation rates. Aliko’s way of stressing the importance of accurate data was to tell us, “I didn’t get rich by pretending to sell bags of cement I didn’t have.” I took from that that while it may be easier to be polite, it’s more important to face facts so that you can make progress.

On immunisation, you are already living that lesson: last year Nigeria revised its immunisation coverage numbers downward to reflect more accurate sources, and I applaud you for those lower numbers. They may look worse, but they are more real, which is the first step toward saving and improving more lives.

I urge you to apply this thinking to all your investments in your people. The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies “investing in our people” as one of three “strategic objectives.” But the “execution priorities” don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritising physical capital over human capital.

To anchor the economy over the long term, investments in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people. People without roads, ports, and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports, and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.

In preparation for my visit, I asked a research institute at the University of Washington to model Nigeria’s economic growth under three scenarios related to health and education, the core of how economists define human capital.

Here you can see Nigeria’s per capita GDP growth from 2000 until today. If current education and health trends continue—if you spend the same amount in these areas and get the same results—per capita GDP flatlines, with economic growth just barely keeping up with population growth.

If things get worse, it will decline. Unfortunately, this scenario is a very real possibility unless you intervene at both the federal and state levels. Because even in the worst-case scenario, your national income level is about to make you ineligible for certain kinds of development assistance and loans that you’ve been relying on to fund your health system and other priorities. Without more and better spent domestic money, investment in your people will decline by default as donor money shrinks—a lose-lose scenario for everyone.

What do I mean by investing in your people? I mean prioritising health and education, the factors included in the model I just showed you. I also mean continuing to open up opportunities in the agriculture and micro-enterprise sectors, as the government has proposed in the ERGP. I mean creating the conditions where Nigerians can reach their goals while adding value to the economy—the win-win scenario.

However, if you commit to getting better results in health and education—if you spend more and more effectively—per capita GDP will stay on its remarkable pre-recession trajectory.

This is the scenario we all want: Nigeria thrives because every Nigerian is able to thrive.

And the data makes it clear that this scenario is entirely within your reach.

What do I mean by investing in your people? I mean prioritising health and education, the factors included in the model I just showed you. I also mean continuing to open up opportunities in the agriculture and micro-enterprise sectors, as the government has proposed in the ERGP. I mean creating the conditions where Nigerians can reach their goals while adding value to the economy—the win-win scenario.

Our foundation doesn’t invest directly in education here, but the World Bank World Development Report that just came out makes it clear that education leads to improvements in employment, productivity, and wages.

Today, though, more than half of rural Nigerian children can’t read and write.

The conclusion is inescapable: Nigeria’s economy tomorrow depends on improving its schools today.

The same is true of health, our foundation’s primary focus area.

In 1978, Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, who later became the Nigerian minister of health, helped establish primary health care as the global standard. We now know that a strong primary care system takes care of 90 percent of people’s health needs.

Tragically, 40 years after Dr. Ransome-Kuti helped other countries set a course for the future, the Nigerian primary health care system is broken.

The evidence for this can be found in the epidemic of chronic malnutrition, or stunting. As the name suggests, chronic malnutrition is not a disease children catch. It is a condition that develops over time because they are deprived of a diverse diet and the services a strong primary health care system provides.

The consequences of stunting are devastating. Though stunted children are defined as shorter than average, we’re not particularly concerned about their height. What we’re concerned about is their brains, or what Akin Adesina calls “gray matter infrastructure.”

This is a picture of the brain of a single normally developing infant. And next to it is a picture of the brain of a single chronically malnourished infant. Every brain and every child are different, but you can clearly see the difference in the number of neural connections in these two brains. And once this kind of damage is done, it’s very hard to repair.

In Nigeria, one in three children is chronically malnourished and could therefore be at risk. This is a tragedy for each one of these children; it is also a huge blow to the economy. According to the World Bank, addressing the stunting crisis in Nigeria would add almost $30 billion to the GDP.

So what will it take to solve stunting? It will take a focus on agricultural development, nutrition, and primary health care.

?In Nigeria, one in three children is chronically malnourished and could therefore be at risk. This is a tragedy for each one of these children; it is also a huge blow to the economy. According to the World Bank, addressing the stunting crisis in Nigeria would add almost $30 billion to the GDP.

So what will it take to solve stunting? It will take a focus on agricultural development, nutrition, and primary health care.

A functioning primary health system has six features.

Adequate funding.Good facilities located in the right places.Skilled and dedicated health workers.Ample stocks of essential equipment and medicines.Patients who know about the system and want to use it.And a mechanism for collecting the data needed to improve quality.

I believe the Nigerian primary health care system is not adequately funded. But it also doesn’t get the most out of its current funding. I want to re-emphasize that last point about data. More transparency would lead to more accountability, which would strengthen governance, leadership, and management, which would improve quality across the board.

I visited a health clinic in Bodinga LGA in Sokoto yesterday, and it reminded me why I do this work. I’d like to ask all of you to spend one hour at a health center in the next month. I think you’ll see how the system can be improved—and how much good it will do when it is.

I know Nigeria can build up its primary care system, because I’ve seen what you accomplish when you meet health challenges head on.

As many of you know, we’ve been very close partners in your fight against polio.

As you can see on this graph, the hard work of hundreds of thousands of local leaders and health workers since the turn of the millennium has paid off. Nigeria has not had a case of wild polio virus in more than a year.

?But the graph also shows that you’ve reported zero cases before, only to learn that the disease was still circulating in tiny pockets hidden by insecurity. It would be catastrophic to let your guard down when you’re on the verge of eliminating the disease once and for all.

I believe—because I have seen your work in the field as recently as yesterday—that you will do what it takes to end polio in Nigeria. We will be here, working side by side with you, until you do.

?Though health is our foundation’s primary area of expertise, it’s not the only thing we do, and it’s not the only thing I mean when I say Nigeria should invest in its people. Healthy people need opportunities to thrive.

One of the most important of these opportunities is agriculture, the sector that nourishes most Nigerians and supports half the population, especially the poorest.

The agricultural sector is a pillar of the Nigerian economy. It accounts for a large proportion of your GDP, and during the oil price collapse and recession, it helped cushion the economy. But it still has a lot of potential to grow.

The majority of Nigerian smallholder farmers lack access to the seeds, fertilizer, and training they need to be more productive, and they lack access to the markets they need to profit from their labor.

The government has taken important steps to fill these gaps, with both more investment and a series of smart policies to encourage private sector investment.

These reforms lay the foundation for a booming agricultural sector that feeds the country, helps end chronic malnutrition, and lifts up tens of millions of smallholder farmers. I urge you to build on this good work.

One of the barriers that continues to prevent smallholders from thriving is their lack of access to finance. Like good roads, finance connects farmers to opportunity, yet only 4 percent of Nigerian farmers currently have a loan to grow their business.

In a country where three quarters of people have mobile phones, digital financial services provide a solution to this problem. In fact, digital finance offers the potential to boost the economy from top to bottom.

Right now, more than 50 million Nigerian adults are at the whim of chance and the informal economy. With access to digital financial tools, they can cope better with disasters that threaten to wipe them out, build assets and a credit history, and gradually lift themselves out of poverty.

Consider the impact this would have on businesses. Of the 37 million micro, small, and medium enterprises in Nigeria, more than 99 percent are micro. Their lack of access to finance is a leading reason why these businesses can’t grow. With digital payments, savings, and credit, they will finally have the resources to plan for the future.

According to the best estimates, digital financial services will create a 12.4 percent increase in Nigeria’s GDP by 2025. Meanwhile, oil accounts for about 10 percent of Nigeria’s GDP. Imagine adding another oil sector and then some to the economy, but one whose benefits spread far and wide and reach almost every single Nigerian.

There is another benefit to digital financial services that will make everything I’m urging you to do much easier: it will vastly improve the government’s ability to tax and spend efficiently.

Let me pause for a moment to say, I am confident that one thing you’ve been thinking as I’ve been talking is that, while you would like to spend more on health and nutrition and education and agriculture, you don’t have the money to do everything. I appreciate the fact that what you can spend is a function of what you raise.

Nigeria’s government revenue as a percentage of its GDP is by far the lowest in the world, at 6 percent. That makes investing in your people difficult. The next lowest country, Bangladesh, collects 10 percent of its GDP. If you got yourself up to second-to-last in the world, you would have an extra $18 billion to budget. Obviously, you’re aiming higher than that, but it gives you some idea about the scale we’re talking about.

We want to support you in your work to mobilise more resources to invest in your country. That’s why our foundation is working with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to help states track internally generated revenue.

Ultimately, raising revenue to invest in growth will require delivering on the government’s commitments to the Nigerian people, and convincing them that they will get a return on their taxes.

Right now, Nigeria’s fiscal situation is at what you might call a low equilibrium. In return for low levels of service, people pay low levels of tax. We hope to help you reach a higher equilibrium rooted in effective and transparent investments in people. This equilibrium would trigger a virtuous cycle.

More government revenue would lead to more money to spend on health and education. Better health and education, and investment in sectors like agriculture, would lead to more productive farms and factories. More productive farms would lead to more prosperous farmers who could expand their farms or invest in other businesses, especially if they had access to credit and other financial tools. These thriving farms, factories, and new businesses would lead to more government revenue. And the cycle would start again.

Triggering that cycle will require bolder action—action you have the power to take as leaders, governors, and ministers focused on Nigeria’s future.

CONCLUSION

Nigerians are known around the world for their big dreams and big ambitions.

Together with the Dangote Foundation, we will be here to help you achieve your dreams and ambitions. You have the support of the international community. The Nigerian private sector will continue to invest. We are eager to help, but we know we can’t lead. You must lead.

I believe in the grand vision of Nigeria’s future. I believe in it because I’ve seen it. It’s represented by this line—the line that depends on healthy, educated people and the surge of economic activity they will unleash.

And that means that the future depends on all of you—and your leadership in the years to come.





































Punch

Father of newborn triplets flees, abandons wife







A 44-year-old man, Paul Edobor, has allegedly abandoned his wife after she was delivered of triplets in the Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was learnt that Paul, a commercial motorcycle operator, fled his home in Uromi when his wife, Ugomma, had the three identical baby girls.

He was also said to have ignored phone calls from his wife, whom he married 12 years ago.

Ugomma told stated on Tuesday that her husband had lamented his inability to cater to the triplets as he struggled to take care of the two children she already had for him.

She said, “My husband ran away because he could not take care of the babies. I had my antenatal care in a hospital. But I put to bed at home.

“He left me when I was in labour. After I had the babies, I called his telephone, but he refused to pick the calls.”

The nursing mother, who hails from Abia State, lamented that her husband’s absence had left her and the children stranded.

She noted that she had been living on alms from kind Nigerians.

She appealed to her husband to return home, saying he had been forgiven.

Ugomma said, “People have been the ones helping me to buy baby things. I have been going to markets and churches with the babies to beg for alms.

“Wherever I go, people thank God for giving me these babies. I want my husband to come back to me. I have forgiven him. We were married in the traditional way; there is no going back.”

She appealed to the state government to also come to her aid.

“I want the government and good-spirited individuals to come to my aid to enable me to take care of my babies,” she added.






























Rainbowgist

Innoson Motors Recruiting 3000 Employees







The Board of Directors of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co Ltd, today approves the employment of over 3000 new employees for its new factory extension in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The first batch of new intake will see the employment of 1007 workers in April 2018. Based on the above, the following positions are needed for immediate employment.

- Welding Engineers- (SSCE, OND, HND, BSc)
- Automotive Painters- (SSCE, OND, HND, BSc)
- Plasterers- (SSCE, OND, HND, BSc)
- Auto Electricians- (SSCE, OND, HND, BSc)
- Mechanical Engineers- (SSCE, OND, HND, BSc)
- Administration Officers-(HND, BSc)
- Account Officers- (HND, BSc)
- Public Relation Officers- (HND, BSc)
- Marketing Executives (OND, HND, BSc)
- Quality Control Officers- (HND, BSc)


Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae to recruit@innosonvehicles.com on or before Friday April 6th 2018.

State the position you are applying for as the subject of the mail.











































Rainbowgist

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

We’re sorry for our misdeeds, PDP begs Nigerians





The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, apologised for the mistakes made in the 16 years it held the reins of power at the federal level.

The apology was immediately welcomed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, which urged Nigerians to forgive the former ruling party but demanded restitution in the form of relegation to purgatory for the PDP.

The face-off came as former President Goodluck Jonathan, through whom the PDP lost power, alleged a concerted plot by some unnamed interests to smear him.

Jonathan, whose administration had been the focus of relentless reproach by senior officials of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, made the allegation on a Facebook posting on his wall.

Meanwhile, the scheme to rebuild the PDP gained traction yesterday after one of the party’s hitherto displeased founding fathers, Chief Bode George, pledged loyalty to the Uche Secondus-led leadership.

National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, admitted the party’s mistakes in power and asked for forgiveness from Nigerians at a public discourse on contemporary politics and governance in Nigeria, organized by the party in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “Nation Building: Resetting the agenda,” Secondus pledged the readiness of the PDP to learn from its mistakes, arguing that regardless of what the party failed to do, experience remains the best teacher.

“I am the very first to admit that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria, made many mistakes. Consequently, we were roundly sanctioned by Nigerians occasioning our loss at the polls in 2015.

“Let me seize this opportunity to apologise to Nigerians unequivocally for the several shortcomings of our party in the near and far past. It was all part of an evolution process without which there can be no maturity.

“The PDP has embarked on a rescue mission, and together we will salvage this nation back from the grip of the incompetent All Progressives Congress, APC,” said Secondus.

His confession nonetheless, the APC yesterday asked Nigerians to demand restitution from the PDP in the form of relegating it to purgatory.

“Apology can only come with restitution; you cannot apologise without atoning for your sins,” APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, told Vanguardyesterday.

“Nigerians should accept their apology, but they should allow them to spend sufficient time in purgatory to ensure that they are sufficiently purged of the sins that they committed over those 16 years.

“Now that they have realised their sins, they have to spend sufficient time in purgatory; so, this one about coming back to power in 2019 does not show that they are sufficiently remorseful; they have to spend sufficient time in purgatory before Nigerians can consider whether to forgive them because they put us in the sorry state we are in today,” he said.

Reflecting on the purported divisions in the country since the assumption of office of President Buhari, Secondus said:  “Not even during the fratricidal civil war has this country been so divided along ethnic and religious fault lines.

“When a country is in such precarious situation, nation building becomes absolutely inevitable.

“Three years down the line and about 12 months to the next general elections, what is the state of our country? All gains have been clearly eroded through an acute lack of understanding of the intricacies of governing a complex state as Nigeria.

“It has quickly become apparent that propaganda and unrealistic promises that helped the current ruling party to power could not and cannot deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. You need competence and capability to do that!

“The three major planks that our opposition sold itself to Nigerians are combating corruption, tackling insecurity, especially the Boko Haram terrorist sect, and revamping of the nation’s economy. Today, the scorecard of the ruling party on all scores is embarrassingly abysmal.

On APC scorecard

“On corruption, I need not go into details except draw your attention to the latest Transparency International Report that shows that the corruption index under the watch of the so-called anti-corruption government has worsened.

“Only recently, the federal government tried to arm-twist state governors to take from the common purse, the sum of $1billion (N365bn) for the tackling of Boko Haram they claimed they defeated two years ago. The climax of the APC government politicking with security was the recent abduction of over 100 school girls from their college premises in Dapchi Girls Science and Technical College in Yobe State with government, military and police authorities contradicting one another as to who did and didn’t do what.

“President Buhari’s response to the distraught parents of the abducted girls and their colleagues when he ostensibly went on a very belated compassionate visit, was to claim that his government’s response was swifter than that of the previous one. How thoroughly embarrassing for this government?” he added.

The PDP boss also mocked President Buhari’ monetary policy saying, “our currency has been recklessly devalued from N199 in 2015 to nearly N500 a dollar before it came down to about N365 only due to an increase in oil prices and not any significant thing done by this government.

“Fuel prices rose from N97 to N145, yet the nation experiences unabated scarcity with its attendant long queues and suffering by Nigerian citizens.”

Perhaps, the biggest takeaway for Secondus was the presence of Bode George at the Transcorp Hilton venue of the public discourse.

George, who angrily pulled out of the PDP chairmanship race 24 hours to the party’s convention in December 2017, had not openly identified with the new leadership of the party until yesterday.

However, he laid aside his grievances in the interest of the party and asked all those who left for one reason or the other to return to the PDP.

“What I heard totally rekindles my absolute loyalty. It was like we took an overdose of sleeping tablet. The world is watching us.

“You have talked the talk, let the people go and walk the talk. I pray God to give you the wisdom to lead the party because we don’t have a second chance,“ George stated.

Present at the well-attended event were two former Vice Presidents, Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, ex-Jigawa State governor and 2019 Presidential hopeful, Alhaji Sule Lamido, three former governors, Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) Peter Obi (Anambra) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger), amongst others.

There’s smear campaign against me — Jonathan

Meanwhile, former President Jonathan, who is in Sierra Leone to monitor the presidential election run-off, said he had been the object of unceasing reproach by Buhari administration’s officials, including the President and his deputy.

President Buhari had, following the negotiated release of the school girls captured from Dapchi, Yobe State, said his administration did better than Jonathan’s which he claimed dilly-dallied after the kidnap of  more than 200 girls from a girl’s secondary school in Chibok, Borno State.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had on his part, accused Jonathan of sharing N150 billion in the two weeks preceding the 2015 general elections.

That allegation was denied by Jonathan’s former media aide, Reno Omokri.

However, alleging a plan to raise the tempo of allegations against him towards bringing him to disrepute, President Jonathan on Sunday night said he had been informed that some faceless persons had been recruited for the conspiracy.

“It has been brought to my attention that while I am away promoting democracy in Sierra Leone, a campaign will be unleashed against me to falsely impugn my name using both faceless and identified persons,” he wrote on his Facebook wall.

“When I was in power, I said my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Even out of power, I continue to hold that belief.

“What I will say, however, is that no matter how far and fast falsehood has travelled, it must eventually be overtaken by the truth.”





































Vanguard

Gbagada residents flee as monkeys invade homes








Invasion by monkeys from natural habitat is forcing many residents of Soluyi/Sosanya Community in Gbagada area of Lagos State, to flee.

Some of the residents said on Monday that they could no longer withstand the situation.

They called on the state government to save the community from the trouble, saying that the animals forced their ways into their rooms, destroying window and door nets, foodstuffs and other items.

The Chairman of the community’s Landlord Association, Mr. Adigun Olaleye, said that it had become difficult for the community to curtail the monkeys and their destructive attitude.

He said that the invasion might have resulted from the nearness of the community to a swamp forest that separated the community from Ifako area.

According to him, the monkeys come into residences at any time including early morning and gain entrance into rooms even if the houses are locked.

Olalaye reported that the community had written a letter to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture as regards the situation but had yet to get a relief.

“They said we would have to pay for them to come and pack the monkeys,” he said.

He said that the invasion had been on for years but recently became unbearable.

Olaleye appealed to the state government to urgently intervene.

Narrating her ordeal, a journalist who lives in the community, Mrs. Funmilola  Gboteku, said that the monkeys had forced her family to flee.

“Many times, these monkeys come to the neighbourhood to destroy our property. Once they see food items inside a house, they direct all their energies at gaining entrance forcefully.

“The monkeys are in the habit of tearing the protective nets on windows to gain entrance and eat whatever they find in the house.

“I have had to replace the protective nets several times;  I am tired of doing it.

“I have been locking my windows but locking of windows has disadvantages; there is no cross ventilation in the house and as a result, we suffer heat,’’ she further explained.

Another resident, Mr. Gabriel Omopariwa, said that he was tired of the destructive attitude of the monkeys and had tried to look for ways to stop them, to no avail.

“On several occasions, these monkeys have destroyed our kitchen nets to gain entrance and steal food items.

“Several traps have been set to capture and kill these demonic animals to no avail.

“One of my neighbours, while trying to pour a chemical on a monkey, fell in the bowl of the chemical; she had to be rushed to a hospital.

“She still lives with the scars from the unfortunate incident,”  he said.

A landlord, Mr. Joshua Folowosele, said that the monkeys entered his wife’s shop on many occasions to eat gala, biscuits and other foods.

“We have tried to poison them on many occasions, but those monkeys are too smart; once they perceive the smell of the food, they usually detect it has been poisoned.

“Some of them have been killed with guns, but we cannot keep shooting in a residential area; it is very risky.

“Those of us who are landlords can testify that these monkeys have been disturbing us for years.

“One of the landlords here had to sell his house to move to another place when he got tired of the disturbance,” Folowosele said.

Another landlord, Mr. Oluwatosin Aregbesola, reported that his tenants were no longer feeling safe in the house because of the monkeys.

“The monkeys enter kitchens to eat our soups and any foodstuff on the shelf.

“The day I tried to catch one of them, the monkey attacked me by using its long nails to punch a hole in my neck and scratch my face,” he said.

Aregbesola appealed to the state government to save the community from the menace.


























































































Punch