For over two months India and Pakistan have recorded very high temperatures, leading to loss of vegetation, water and health dangers.

Experts said the extreme heat, was due to climate change and destruction of trees.

Hence residents of Noida, in Utter Pradesh were pleasantly surprised, as rain fell heavily on Friday night.

Some parts of Delhi and Gurugram also experienced heavy rainfall, preceded by stormy winds.


Noida, short for New Okhla Industrial Development Authority, is a planned city, located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district.

It was developed, as a satellite city of Delhi and a part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India.

With the downpour, the temperature, plummeted from about 40° C to about 32°C.

https://devcomradar.org/climate-change-threatening-access-to-water-sanitation/

Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum(SMBLF) has once again, called on all delegates of all political parties to reject northern presidential candidates.

The forum urged them to, ‘only vote for those from the South in the primaries.’

They made the call, on Thursday, during a meeting in Abuja.

In a communique, issued at the end of the meeting, the forum, further warned that ‘the reported permutations by the main political parties to foist northern presidential candidates on the nation would be a grave misadventure, with grim consequences on national concord and harmony.’

The communique was signed by the leader of the group, Chief (Dr.) Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere, Dr Pogu Bitrus, President-General, Middle Belt Forum, Professor George Obiozor, President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman(Pan Niger Delta Elders’ Forum (PANDEF).

They condemned the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of the College of Education, Sokoto, by her Muslim schoolmates and the wild spread of violence that engulfed the state, following the arrest of two of her killers.

They also flayed the recent burning to death of a young man, a Sound Engineer, by commercial motorcyclists in Lagos, as well as the spree of killings and wanton destruction of properties and businesses owned by southerners, particularly the occurrence, few days, at Dei Dei Market in Abuja.

https://devcomradar.org/2023-presidency-southern-middle-belt-leaders-urge-pdp-apc-delegates-to-reject-northern-candidates/

The new dress code, requiring all Afghanistan women to wear a full hijab, by the Taliban, is still sparking angry reactions across the globe.

United Nations Women and other civil rights groups, as well as prominent Afghan have expressed their displeasure, over the draconian law.

It is not only reprehensible, but repressive and a violation of rights of the women.

However, the truth is that this is not just a political problem.

It is rooted in the ancient and quaint philosophy of the Taliban imperialism, which many other societies have jettisoned.

The UN and all concerned groups need to address the broader political and systemic root causes that have long perpetuated discriminations and undermined human rights, in Afghanistan, and nations that share their values.

https://devcomradar.org/reflections-on-new-hijab-for-afghan-women/

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has, condemned the recent killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education(SSCOE), Sokoto.

He expressed dismay at the sad incident and called on security operatives to bring the culprits to justice, saying, ‘nobody is above the law.’

He spoke, just as Governor Aminu Tambuwal, called for thorough investigation of the incident.

The deceased, identified as Miss Deborah Yakubu, was a 200-Level student, at the institution’s Department of Home Economics.

According to the state Commissioner of Information, Isa Galadanchi, the governor said the situation was unfortunate.

https://devcomradar.org/sultan-tambuwal-others-condemn-killing-of-sokoto-college-student/

Renewed demands to integrate innovative agricultural systems in climate change initiatives are exigent.

This is particularly crucial for Africa, which is disproportionally susceptible to global warming.

Clearly it requires not only political astuteness, but international backing to efficiently espouse a green economy, due to intransigent vulnerabilities.

Climate action, as clearly delineated in Sustainable Development Goal(SDG)13 calls for ‘immediate action to lower greenhouse emissions, build resilience and improve education on climate change.’

Sadly, human activities have over the last century, been largely responsible for increasing greenhouse gases, with the transition to industrial revolution.

Clearly man’s insatiable quest for advancement and exploitation of natural resources, are wrecking the earth and its resources.

Energy consumption, especially through fossil fuel combustion, is evidently, the greatest source of human-induced greenhouse emissions, accounting for about 73 percent globally.

https://devcomradar.org/innovative-agricultural-systems-critical-to-climate-action/

Amputee athlete, Jacky Hunt-Broersma, yesterday, set a new unofficial world women’s record of running 102 marathons.

The 46-year old Boston marathon finisher is now a world record-holder, for running 102 marathons in 102 straight days.

The highly-elated athlete said she had achieved her dream and promised to run two more marathons, to reach the 104 mark.

CBS described it as ‘the most consecutive marathons run by any woman ever. The Boston Marathon was number 92.’

‘Hunt-Broersma lost her leg to a rare form of cancer in 2001 and runs on a prosthetic. She runs to prove anything is possible if you set your mind to it.’

“I was told you can’t run because you’re an amputee, don’t even bother because you need prosthetics and it’s complicated and things like that. And when someone tells you that, because you suddenly can’t do it, you want to do it. That’s how my journey started,” she told WBZ-TV’s David Wade.

https://devcomradar.org/amputee-sets-unofficial-world-record-with-102-marathons-in-102-days/

Current global demands for palm oil, hold tremendous socio-economic prospects and opportunities for Nigeria and other countries.

The latest scramble for the tropical produce is quite exciting and valuable.

Notwithstanding the motley turns and twists, behind the latest upswing, stakeholders view the development, as propitious. Two major events are responsible for this rush.

The first is the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has, severely, stalled production of sunflower oil, the favorite brand of most bakers, around the world.

Ukraine is the world’s leading exporter of sunflower oil in the world, supplying about 46 percent, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Unfortunately, the war-ravaged country, can no longer sustain its oil production and supply chain, due to the massive destruction of its infrastructure.

The next trigger was the recent ban of palm oil export by Indonesia.

https://devcomradar.org/ukraine-war-and-new-demand-for-palm-oil/

Bishop Matthew Kukah of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has once again, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of dividing the country, along ethnic and religious.

‘The Buhari administration sadly has divided our people on the basis of ethnicity, religion, and region, in a way that we have never witnessed in our history.’

In his Easter message, dated April 17 and entitled: ‘To mend a broken nation: The Easter metaphor, the fiery cleric said ‘the greatest challenge now is how to begin a process of reconstructing our nation hoping that we can hang on and survive the 2023 elections.’

‘The real challenge before us now is to look beyond politics and face the challenge of forming character and faith in our country.’

https://devcomradar.org/nigeria-still-totters-wobbles-bishop-kukah/

Pope Francis, has once again, urged world leaders to embrace peace, in order to end the escalation of wars and conflicts, across the world.

He specifically, prayed for Ukraine, criticizing what he described as a “cruel and senseless” conflict.

‘May there be peace for war-torn Ukraine. In this terrible night of suffering and death, may a new dawn of hope soon appear,’ he prayed.

Delivering his Easter message, the 85-year-old Pontiff, urged leaders to strive for peace, as he marked an “Easter of war” on Sunday,’ the Vatican News reported.

In the Easter message tagged: ‘To the Church and to the World,’ Pope announced, severally, that ‘Jesus, the Crucified One, is risen,’ to about 100,000 people in St. Peter’s Square.’

https://devcomradar.org/pope-urges-world-leaders-to-embrace-peace/

The public and media storm, raging over the recent death of popular gospel artiste, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu is still thundering.

The virulent online war is clearly unprecedented, but certainly not surprising.

Recall that last month, one Mrs. Ajueze Obiorah was stripped naked and paraded in Aguleri, Anambra State, by villagers, who accused her of killing her husband with sex.

The callous humiliation and violation of this young lady, attracted public fury, with activists demanding for urgent eradication of all cultures and traditions that denigrate women, particularly in the South East region.

Many female internet users are up in arms, accusing males of perpetrating wicked acts against their spouses. However many men are equally blaming women for the crises.

https://devcomradar.org/still-on-osinachi-nwachukwus-death/

Clearly, the cashew business is a lucrative one with an estimated return range of between 30 to 40 per cent within 3-5 years of cultivation which is no small margin of profit.

Nigeria currently is the 6th largest producer of cashew globally and has proven to those in the value chain to be a profitable enterprise.

The breakdown of cashew nut export shows that cashew nuts, in shell that was exported in the review year was N38. 36 billion, while that which is shelled was valued at N7 billion, last July.

In the second quarter of 2020, exported nuts valued at N45. 88 billion, with the highest quantity recorded.

This statistics shows that it is one of the leading cashew nut exporting countries worldwide in 2020, based on export value.

In 2020, Senegal was the leading exporter of in shell cashews worldwide, with exports amounting to a value of over 38.59 million U.S. dollars.

More: https://devcomradar.org/boosting-nigerias-cashew-nut-industry/

President Muhammadu Buhari is unlike, so many other leaders before him.

His administration has continued to score poorly in national and media discourses, for incompetence, economic recession, inflation, unemployment and widespread insecurity among others.

Sadly his recent media commentaries offered little or no relief, for many people, who believe that this injury time, provides a veritable platform to mend fences, improve infrastructure and initiate viable financial channels, that will boost manufacturing, productivity and provide employment opportunities, especially for jobless youths and establish himself as a true democrat.

For most people, Buhari is still a military general despite his democratic garb.

What an irony that, after close to eight years of his administration, he has continued to appall the nation and its hapless citizens, with odious policies, nepotistic tendencies and skewed appointments.

https://devcomradar.org/buhari-and-his-obsession-for-grazing-routes/

Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission(NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has reiterated the need to harness the huge potentials of citizens in foreign countries, saying “Diaspora Direct Investment(DDI) into the country, accounts for over $25 billion.”

‘Foreign Direct Investment inflow estimated at about $25 billion boosted the economy after the nation exited recession in 2018.’

Out of this figure, ‘Nigerians in Diaspora, accounted for the biggest net contribution to the FDI.’

The NiDCOM boss stated this recently, during a webinar, organised by the United States Government Exchanges Alumni Association(USGEAA).

Abike-Dabiri, who was the guest speaker at the fifth leadership series, spoke on “Partnering With Nigerians Diaspora in Social Transformation Endeavours: Prospects and Opportunities”

According to Dabiri-Erewa also a US Government Exchange alumnus, said NiDCOM was established, two years ago to promote human capital development, saying “there are approximately 14 million Nigerians in the Diaspora.”

The commission, she noted “is currently researching on various fields of expertise of foreign-based Nigerians, as part of efforts to enhance prospects and potentials for more partnerships.’


https://devcomradar.org/nigerians-abroad-remit-over-25-billion-hon-abike-dabiri/

“Just over one percent of the African population has been fully vaccinated and around 2.5 percent have received at least the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination as at June 2021.”

This sad report was announced recently by Africa’s apex health agency, the Center for Disease Control(CDC) at a forum. This indicates underscores the need to tackle the spread of the disease across the region.

The raging COVID-19 pandemic is clearly a wake-up call for Africa.

By comparison, in the European Union(EU), at least 50 percent of the population has received the first dose with about 40 percent being fully vaccinated.

On January 1, 2020, the population of the European Union (EU) with 27 Member States was estimated at 447.7 million (4.7 million deaths and 4.2 million births in 2019).

On the contrary, the annual net increase in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country is about 5 million people. Thus, more than all births recorded in EU 27 Member States. Africa’s population currently stands at 1.4 billion; in 2020 Africa recorded over 95 million live births and about 26 million deaths, therefore, a natural increase of over 69 million people.

Read full article:

https://devcomradar.org/covid-19-a-wake-up-call-to-tackle-africas-vaccine-deficit-population-dynamics/

Just look at the title and notice the ‘Again’. Nigeria, you can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Water and oil can never mix never!

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, as well eminent health experts and scientists have hailed the new malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University researchers, as a major breakthrough in the global war against the deadly parasitic disease.

The latest vaccine is the first to achieve WHO-specified 75percent efficacy goal.

Dr. Ghebreyesus, in a tweet described the feat as ‘good news – a new #malaria vaccine, R21, shows promise in an area where malaria transmission is highly seasonal. Larger studies will tell more.’

Dr Michael Makanga, EDCTP Executive Director, congratulated ‘the Multi-stage Malaria Vaccine Consortium on these highly promising results from the Burkina Faso trial of R21.’

‘This study represents a key advance in the clinical development of the R21 malaria vaccine towards licensure, and an important step closer to malaria control and elimination,’ Makanga stated.

Gareth Jenkins, Director of Advocacy, Malaria No More UK, said ‘the effective and safe malaria vaccine would be a hugely significant extra weapon in the armoury needed to defeat malaria, which still kills over 270,000 children every year.’

The institution yesterday, confirmed its efficacy of 77 percent in African children, in its Twitter handle.

https://devcomradar.org/who-health-experts-hail-oxford-malaria-vaccine/

Adeze Ojukwu 

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a debilitating non-communicable condition, affecting nearly 850 million people worldwide, has become a major global concern. Experts fear the silent killer has reached exponential  proportions, with the epicenter in Africa and Asia, due to apparent vulnerabilities. These daunting issues resonated, again this week, as the global community marks another World Kidney Day(WKD), with renewed focus on accelerating affordable services to people.

This year’s theme tagged: ‘Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere – from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care,’ centers on strategies to combat prevalence and impact on patients. The treatise, established in 2006, is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

The annual campaign observed in March, focuses  on the importance of the kidneys and  the need to mitigate  frequency and toll of the disease on sufferers by institutionalizing quick response mechanisms.

The Foundation said ‘the global burden is escalating, with ‘one in 10 adults, representing about 850 million people has  CKD. It is projected to become the fifth most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040 and a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. Costs of dialysis and transplantation consume 2–3 percent of the annual healthcare budget in high-income countries,’ while most  patients in low-income countries have insufficient access to these life-saving treatments.

Stem cell therapies, hopefully, hold high prospects, with Regeneration Center Thailand, saying ‘Kidney stem cell therapy offers an alternative to transplantation.’

‘With millions of people using renal replacement therapy and dialysis, CKD and End-Stage Renal Disease ‘ERSD’ are increasingly common in global stem cell trials. Cellular therapies are currently used in treating Polycystic Kidney Disease(PKD).’ However, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has not approved stem cell kidney treatments in America. Dr  Theophilus Umeizudike, Consultant Nephrologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital  (LASUTH), said ‘more standardized research is necessary before it can be approved for human use.’ Cheerily, CKD ‘can be prevented, while progression to the end-stage can be delayed, with early diagnosis and medication.’ However, many countries lack effective policies on CKD, ‘a progressive loss in kidney function.’

Early detection is crucial in reducing  mortality rates, hence the need for people to go for regular health checks and avoid risky behaviour, including smoking, taking excessive salt and high protein diet. ‘Two new studies from the Netherlands and Korea suggest that high-protein diet is harmful, even to normal kidneys, and worse for obese or diabetic patients and  those with prior cardiovascular events, or a solitary kidney.’ The disorder includes kidney damage, kidney stones, diabetic nephropathy and PKD.
United States(US) Center for Disease Control  (CDC) identified major risk factors as ‘diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Others include sedentary lifestyle, obesity, advancing age, and genetics.’ Dr Umeizudike said ‘major causes in Nigeria include chronic glomerulonephritis, HIV infection, sickle cell disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, PKD.’ Sadly the impact of kidney failure, on patients and their families is gruesome, even for survivors.

This is largely due to extraneous circumstances,  complications and prohibitive bills.

Indeed the kidney is,  a complex and vital part that requires special care and maintenance. Its multifarious functions in blood production, waste removal, fluid balancing and blood purification, accord it a critical position in human health. Its continuous blood flow, makes it vulnerable to damages from metabolic diseases and infections.

WKD  encourages public activities, such as walks, free health screenings and media publicity to increase awareness and government action on renal care. Its  ultimate objective is to mobilise communities and world leaders to accentuate initiatives to improve patient care and survival rates. This is quite pertinent for Nigeria, where renal management  is ineffective, a tragic reflection of the nation’s decadence,  culminating in its current status, as the world’s poverty capital.

The incessant demand for a holistic review of the health sector, in tandem with global benchmarks for budgetary allocations and medical services is quite imperative. The lackadaisical approach of  the nation’s administrators to international treaties is appalling, because government officials and their cronies  patronise foreign hospitals, allegedly with public funds, thus undermining citizens’ welfare and infrastructural development. Stakeholders attribute this absurdity to widespread corruption and administrative ineptitude, thus precipitating low-life expectancy, epidemics, food scarcity, socio-economic crisis and general malaise in society.

Clearly, the authorities should go beyond rhetorics and advance innovative schemes to curb the disease across the country, because of the centrality of kidney health to life and productivity.

The suffering of renal patients in Nigeria is quite heart-stirring, due to huge costs of dialysis, transplantation and hospitalization, culminating in hopelessness, depression and high mortality rates.

This administration should establish more renal clinics, in order to facilitate effective service delivery on demand. It should also go beyond the usual   phantom displays on WKD, to integrate approprite facilities, within the nation’s health framework, to contain the scourge.  With the nation’s  high unemployment and poverty levels, many patients can hardly pay for dialysis and replacement surgery. Government can emulate other countries, such as Tanzania, India and China, where renal facilities are free or highly subsidized, because they place high premium on citizens’ welfare. Some notable  institutions, which  offer subsidized treatments include Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital(MPUH), India. The Managing Director, Col(Dr) Arun Rastogi said MPUH, a top nephrology-cum-urological super-specialty hospital,  ‘provides affordable services especially in kidney transplant and stone surgeries, to help needy patients.’ ‘For us every life matters and deserves quality health care service,’ Dr Rastogi added.

‘This edition places a great demand  on government to establish more renal centers,  especially in vulnerable communities,’ Umeizudike added. The Federation bemoaned ‘the plight of disadvantaged populations, saying ‘ethnic minorities, rural dwellers, women, children and the elderly should be emphasised.’ ‘Some communities in higher and lower income countries are at greater risk than others, because of ethnicity and socio-economic status, evident in disparities in survival rates, access to standard hospitals and cheap medications.

Clearly, Nigeria needs to mount a comprehensive  campaign to combat kidney disease and its humongous toll on citizens.

Ojukwu is a Lagos-based journalist and Hubert H Humphrey(HHH) Fellow

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/world-kidney-day-nigerians-lament-high-cost-of-dialysis-transplant/amp/

Ceoking6:
Untop those two bags na im you dey take pics, do you know the number of plastics in this corn tree.

Plastic pollution is a global problem even dem USA can't solve the ones in their country

You can as well go out there and do your bit in mitigating environmental hazards if it so interests you, rather than sitting all day hiding behind the keyboard, spewing trash on any & every thread.

Lagos-based environmentalist Idu Okwuosa has called on Federal Government and corporate organizations to support plastic recycling initiatives, as part of national efforts to curb environmental disasters.
‘The perennial ecological problems of flooding and erosion, arising from indiscriminate dumping of garbage in waterways and oceans, can be mitigated, through recycling and other modern waste management schemes,’ she said.

Okwuosa, founder of LasGidis Recyclers, who stated this, recently in Lagos, said ‘plastics are non-biodegradable materials that pose serious dangers to both man and the ecosystem.’
She spoke at workshops organised in Lekki and Ojo areas to sensitize the public on the benefits of recovering syntethic polymer products.

‘Nigeria is the seventh largest producer of plastic wastes,’ which according to latest global reports, ‘threaten the nation’s oceans and aquatic habitat.’

She stressed the need for governments at all levels and corporate bodies to synergize in tackling the menace, by intensifying the recycling campaign, through the media, schools, hospitals and public institutions for effective interventions.

‘Our organisation, the waste management arm of SFQ Ventures Limited, has hosted over 100 events involving about 1000 volunteers and youths, in pursuant of zero-tolerance to plastic pollution.’

‘Recycling is the panacea for indiscriminate disposal of wastes. Hence the vision of the organization, which is a social enterprise, is to ensure a cleaner Lagos, where people sort their garbage at home, before they are evacuated by Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).’

She reiterated the position of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the need for synergy between the public and governments in tackling the scourge which ‘poses serious dangers to human health and the world.


Read full story here: https://adezeoj..com/2019/09/fg-should-boost-plastic-recycling_9.html?m=1

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Stakeholders have decried recalcitrant challenges undermining Nigeria’s efforts to boost electricity supply through gas.

The nation's enormous gas reserves, estimated at 187 trillion standard cubic feet, are grossly under-utilized in the gas to power value chain.
Operators in the electricity sub-sector stated this, last week, at a conference in Lagos. The event tagged "Harnessing oil and Gas Potential for National Development, " was under the auspices of Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC).
Group Managing Director (GMD), Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Ltd, Victor Okonkwo, who chaired the occasion, said the nation's power shortage could be resolved through optimal utilization of the nation's huge gas deposits.

'Lack of appropriate synergy between policy makers and players in the energy sub-sector is a major factor for the nation's epileptic electricity supply,' he added.

According to Okonkwo, government should show greater commitment to power generation by providing a favourable environment in order to attract more investors.

Similarly, Dolapo of Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), said there must be maximum co-operation among stakeholders because energy supply is for crucial economic growth.

She also identified lack of infrastructure deficiencies in delivery of gas stockpile to power stations, regulated low prices, poor remittance and policy somersaults, as major challenges undermining their targets and operations.

According to her, provision of adequate infrastructure and robust fiscal incentives would help in reducing losses and low productivity, which will invariably boost investment and economic activities in the industry.
"Proper regulatory and contractual framework will ensure credibility and marketing the products to off takers."

Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr. Joy Ogaji, highlighted the significance of gas in power generation, saying, ‘over 80 percent of power generated in Nigeria comes from gas.’

She reiterated the urgency for collaboration among players in the petroleum industry and the ministry of power, in order to actualize increasing electricity projections and sustainability in the gas to power chain scheme.’

Speaking on the topic: ‘Commercial Viability of Gas in Power Generation,’ Oga Jim said, ‘based on statistics from system operators in Transmission Company of Nigeria, there is a demand forecast of about twenty-six thousand Megawatts (26,000mw) of power in Nigeria.’

"Currently, there is an installed capacity of 13,427 megawatts from all the Generating Companies of Nigeria (GENCOS), out of which 7500 megawatts are available for usage on the average. From 2013 till date only 3500megawatts have been utilized.'
According to her, the nation should invest massively in gas to power generation, in order to attract the right local and foreign investors, given the nation’s huge energy demand and also gas deposits.

https://adezeoj..com/2019/08/fg-should-invest-more-in-gas-to-power.html?m=1

That's your opinion, this interview was carried out to reassure young folks out there that love and marriage can still work out in their generation in spite of the uninspiring events that affect marriages today.
Also, to show marriage pessimists like you the light.

tobianthony:
That's not true.

OK you have my attention now, what's your truth?

Ezinne Felicia Chinwe Igboeli, an accomplished educationist and marriage counsellor, was recently honoured with Ambassador of Christ Award by St Peter’s Anglican Church, Abagana, Anambra State. In this interview with CHIKE, she spoke about the award and secrets of good marriage.

Madam, please kindly state your name and background.
I am Ezinne Felicia Chinwe Igboeli from Abagana in Anambra State. I am a retired teacher, with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling. I have a Bachelor of Education Degree from University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). My parents were Late Catechist Jonathan Nwobi-Okoye and Ma Grace Nwobi-Okoye (née Azie of Eziowelle). I was married to Late Samuel Igboeli of Orofia Village, Abagana.

How will you describe your husband?
My husband, Late Mr Samuel Nweke Chukwuekezie Igboeli was a handsome and godly husband. His late father, Catechist James Igboeli, was one of the first eight converts in Abagana.
Late Pa James and his wife, late Margaret Igboeli were missionaries in the Anglican Communion.
My husband’s missionary background explains why he was a disciplined man, a loving husband and a compassionate father.
My husband, an accomplished civil servant, retired as a conservationist and Chief Forest Officer in charge of Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital.

How was your marriage?
Our marriage was awesome and blessed. We wedded in Ibadan in 1965, while my husband was at Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan (FEDCOFOR), a subsidiary of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).Our marriage was blessed with seven children, fifteen grand-children, and one great grand-son. We enjoyed a humble and happy home. We trained our children and wards in the way of the Lord. By God’s mercies our children and their spouses are trained professionals in such fields as Law, Pharmacy, Engineering, Mass Communication, Academia, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

What is the secret of your long and successful marriage?
The secret of my marriage is the love of God and adherence to the Bible. We put God first in our decisions and family life.The Bible and its principles helped us to navigate through the challenges of life. These Christian tenets and faith in God helped us to enjoy our marriage and build a happy home. I also taught these godly principles to all our children, grand-children, great grand-children and dependents. I enjoyed teaching them biblical quotations, to enable them to face life with courage and confidence in God’s providence.
Proverbs 22:6 says: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ Ephesians 6:4 says: ‘And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.’

You recently received a prestigious Ambassador of Christ Award from St Peter’s Anglican Church Abagana, Anamabra State. How will the award impact your service in the church and community?
The award is very significant to me and my family because it is a recognition of my long service in the women’s ministry, as well as the church in general. I served for several years in the Women’s Executive Committee. The honour will motivate me to continue to serve in God’s vineyard in various ministries according to God’s grace and provisions to me and my family. I will personally love to continue to donate financially to evangelical and welfare projects in St. Peter's Church, Abagana, as part of my contributions to church growth and development.This award will also make people to be committed and hard working especially in church programmes.To God be the Glory!

What is your advice to young couples?
Love is the secret of a good marriage. Young couples should love themselves in all circumstances. Wives should be submissive to their own husband's. Ephesians 5:22-23, 25 says it explicitly: ‘Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church and he is the saviour of the body.

https://adezeoj..com/2019/08/madam-please-kindly-state-your-name-and.html?m=1

The unprecedented level of poverty and hunger affecting many Nigerians, may have reached exponential dimensions, according to global reports.Research findings from 15 agencies in the international humanitarian and development community showed that Nigeria, particularly northern region, was among eight countries, with two-thirds of the 113 million people, affected by acute hunger last year. The worst food crises in 2018, in order of severity, were: Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syrian, Sudan, South Sudan and Nigeria. These eight countries accounted for two thirds of the total number of people facing acute food insecurity – amounting to nearly 72 million people.’
The latest survey by United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU), identified terrorism and violence, as major factors fuelling destitution, particularly in the north, the epicentre of humanitarian crises and underdevelopment in the country. Last year’s global food crises, was generally driven by persistent instability in conflict-ridden regions and adverse climate, it added.

Experts expressed worry over escalation of food deficit in Nigeria, due to its motley challenges, including population explosion, gross mismanagement of scarce resources and security infractions. In this year’s Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), the UN said ‘the number of people unable to meet their daily food needs without humanitarian assistance has been rising for several years. Unfortunately, a short-term outlook of food insecurity for this year showed that Nigeria will remain among the world’s most severe cases of food crises, as the other seven currently affected.’ An estimated ‘three million people were acutely food insecure in three North-Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, affected by the 10-year Boko Haram insurgency, where protracted conflict and mass displacements disrupted agriculture, trade, markets, livelihoods and hiked food prices,’ it added.
Indeed Boko Haram and other splinter groups have ravaged the region and hounded residents into extreme poverty and debilitating. Widespread violence still affects many areas of northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ‘with an estimated 5.3 million people in crisis.’ These appalling findings point to a systemic rot, indicative of a nation in disarray and dire need of a pragmatic transformation of its political and socio-economic ideals. The entrenched infrastructural decay across all sectors is not only outrageous, but shameful, given the nation’s enormous oil resources, solid minerals and agricultural potentials. International development agencies and stakeholders have resonated the need for government to initiate viable programmes, capable of stimulating economic growth and attracting direct foreign investments, especially in the agro-allied industry.
Evidently, the nation’s comatose public sector, characterized by flagrant profligacy and impunity also impedes citizens’ inalienable rights to good food, decent housing, health insurance, living wages and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). It is both sad and ironical that over 60 percent of the population still subsists on less that one dollar daily, despite government’s poverty alleviation projects such as Tradermoni and school feeding. Last year the Senate queried the utilization of N500 billion, totalling a whopping sum of N1.5 trillion, over a three-year period, allegedly, on spurious projects, with little or no bearing on disenfranchised masses. These lofty initiatives, are still largely viewed as pipelines for graft and political patronage, due to lack of transparency, sustainability and equity in the implementation.
Obviously, executive lawlessness, as well as intractable carnage have taken a huge toll on agriculture and economic activities, across the land. According to Amnesty International, since three years, over 3,600 people in Nigeria have been killed in clashes between farmers and herders, while over 2,000 died in 2018 alone. Similarly, Global Terrorism Index (GTI), said recently that ‘nearly 1,700 violent deaths were attributed to Fulani herdsmen in attacks carried out between January and September 2018.’ This has led to massive loss of farms and crops as farmers, particularly, in the middle-belt, are hounded and killed, in hostilities with pastoralists.
If left unchecked these massive destructions of lives and properties, will invariably devastate the region’s rich agricultural and livestock economy and potentials, experts warn. Also Human Right Watch, in a recent review, said ‘recurring violence between herdsmen and farmers, as well as related cattle theft and banditry in many northern states posed serious threats to peace and security.’ In Zamfara state, armed bandits have reportedly, killed over 3,500 persons, injured 8,219 and devastated 500 villages in the last five years. Other vulnerable states include Kaduna, Benue, Anambra, Enugu,Delta, Plateau, and Taraba, due to ethnic tensions and grazing demands. Sadly government ineptitude and discriminatory tendencies tend to exacerbate the imbroglio.
Prominent nationals including, including business mogul Aliko Dangote, blame politicians and state governors for destabilising and impoverishing the north.Dangote, at a recent forum, blasted northern governors for failure to confront poverty and hunger, which tend to escalate the intractable carnage and religious extremities in the zone. ‘It was unacceptable for a people with vast arable land to live in such poverty. While the overall socio-economic condition in the country is a cause for concern, the regional disparities are very alarming. In the North West and North East, over 60 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty,’ he said. To him it is anomalous that, ‘the 19 northern states which account for about 54 per cent of Nigeria’s population and 70 per cent of its landmass, collectively, generate only 21 per cent of the total subnational IGR in 2017.’
Undoubtedly the region is challenged by numerous complexities, which undermine its peace and progress. Government needs to address this anarchy, as part of a holistic review of the national template on agricultural revolution and integral development. The nation must embrace best practices on mechanised agriculture, which not only focus on novel breeding techniques, genetic modification and crop multiplication methods, but on empowering poor rural farmers with relevant incentives, loans and modern technologies to boost their trade and well-being. Unless urgent measures are taken, food crises will engulf the country, as currently witnessed in the north, beleaguered by youth restiveness, desertification, land disputes and intractable conflicts.

Ojukwu, a Hubert Humphrey Fellow and Journalist wrote via adezeojukwu@gmail.com

CHIKE OJUKWU

Oil giant, Shell Oil and Gas Nigeria, stated that 2,400 Megawatts electricity equivalent is expected to be produced from its new gas supply project.

The country chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor said the development project which is ongoing in Assa North/Ohaji South, Imo State is expected to generate 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, is equivalent to 2400 Megawatts and enough to provide uninterrupted electricity to about 2.4 million homes. He stated this at the media launch of the 2019 Shell in Nigeria Briefing Notes held in Lagos, an annual publication detailing the activities of Shell companies in Nigeria covering SPDC, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Petroleum Company (SNEPCo), Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

Okunbor said, the project will satiate Nigeria's quest for energy sufficiency as well as continuous supply of local content development as part of its contribution to economic growth and development. Giving a breakdown of the gas production, Okunbor said 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day would be processed at a new gas processing plant owned by the SPDC Joint Venture while the remaining 300 million will go to a proposed gas processing plant by SEPLAT Petroleum. He added that the SPDC and its joint venture partners - NNPC, Total and Agip, would continue to explore other areas of support for the expansion of domestic gas supply.

The operations of Shell Companies in Nigeria have impacted directly on driving economic activity in Nigeria as more jobs have been created in communities were they operate by utilizing Nigerian service companies and strengthening Nigerian contracting capacity. In 2018, about $1.3 billion was spent by shell companies in Nigeria on contracts with Nigerian companies.

According to SPDC's General Manager External Relations, In 2018, approximately 10% of the country's domestic gas was supplied by the SPDC JV, chiefly for power generation and about 13% of the nation's grid connected electricity was supplied via the Afam VI power plant, which has a 650-Megawatt generating capacity. Also, about 100 industrial and commercial customers in Ogun, Rivers and Abia majorly, were supplied natural gas from SNG, used for power generation and production by industries.

SPDC and SNEPCo contributed to economic growth, by paying N515.14 billion in taxes, royalties and levies to the Federal Government in 2018. They paid N39.58 billion to the Niger Delta Development Commission as well as disbursed N44.36 billion for various community driven projects and N17.03 billion on social investment projects.

The event was also attended by, the SNEPCo's Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, SNG's Managing Director, Ed Ubong and Strategy/Value Assessment Manager, Tunde Adams.

Lead brewing company, Nigerian Breweries Plc posted a market capitalization of N684 billion in 2018, down from the N1.1 trillion recorded at the end of 2017.
The Managing Director, Mr Jordi Borrut Bel attributed this drop to oil price volatility, political instability, increase in excise duty, amongst other challenges.
He disclosed this Tuesday, at a pre-Annual General Meeting(AGM) media briefing in Lagos.
He said, ‘a new excise duty rate of N30 per litre introduced in June 2018, translated to approximately a 43 percent increase from the previous average rate of N21 per litre.’

In the third quarter, the company for the first time in a very long while, recorded a loss. However, it recorded a rebound to a profitable position in the fourth quarter.
However the year ended with a turnover of N324 billion, which was lower than N345 billion recorded in 2017.
Results from operating activities decreased from N57 billion to N37 billion due in part to higher excise duties and other operating costs. Despite the challenging operating environment, the year ended with a profit after tax of N19 billion, although lower than the N33 billion recorded in 2017.

As a responsible corporate citizen, operating under Heineken NV, NBL’s mission ‘is to be the leading beverage company in Nigeria, marketing high quality brands that deliver superior customer satisfaction, in a safe and environmentally friendly way,’ Bel added.

According to him, the company is committed to an integrated management system that meets internationally recognised standard for quality food safety, environmental and occupational health and safety, in line with all legal and other compliance obligations.’

Similarly, the Marketing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi, noted that the firm will continue to produce and market high quality beverages that are safe for consumption as well as support and sponsor activities that promote the connection of its brands with Nigerian consumers.

Earlier, the Corporate Affairs Director Mrs. Sade Morgan, highlighted several sports and educational projects sponsored by the company as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the country.
According to her, the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education, was incorporated in 1994 as a charitable Trust for the advancement of education across the country.
The brewing company has continued to partner with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to encourage safe driving among Nigerian drivers and road users.
The country’s sports and entertainment sectors have also benefitted from several sponsorships by the company.

Government seems to be playing politics with bogus youth empowerment programmes, that are often structurally flawed, lacking sustainability and viability.
A vibrant youthful population is generally viewed, as the pride and future of any nation, due to its enormous social and economic potentials. In Nigeria, the scenario is different, as many young citizens, mostly between 15 and 34 years, live on the precipice.
The challenges bedevilling these youths, who constitute over 50 percent of the population, are indisputably gruesome, requiring serious introspection and urgent redress. Daily reports of anti-social behaviours and nefarious activities associated with most of them, locally and drug internationally is a national embarrassment. They are often profiled, as prime suspects in numerous international drug-related crimes, internet scams and phony relationship murders particularly in United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Italy, India and Malaysia.
This skewed image often masks modest achievements of honest nationals in foreign lands, in education, sports, entertainment among others. Government, must find the nerve to invest more in sustainable social safety nets for youths and vulnerable citizens devoid of sharp practices and partisanship. This will enhance enormous opportunities and resources associated with this demographic segment. For several decades budgetary allocations to research, technology, education, health, agriculture and manufacturing, relevant to societal welfare and youth development have remained paltry and far below the standards of United Nations (UN).
This perfidy, indicates apathy to the demand for employment opportunities for the teeming number of graduates, by investing in manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Spiralling unemployment and inflationary rates, along with infrastructural decay, have continued to plunge many young people to early graves, with increasing cases of suicides, malnutrition and epidemics.
Evidently, this nation has had the misfortune of being led largely, by characters, bereft of integrity and ideas, imperative for effective participation in a technology-driven global economy. Even in this dispensation, Nigeria fared dismally, in all development parameters, chiefly evidenced by its current status, as the nation with the highest number of poor persons globally.
The N-Power scheme and similar programmes have come under knocks from the public and parliament, for gross ineffectiveness, which also marred the immediate past administration’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). Government seems to be playing politics with bogus youth empowerment programmes, that are often structurally flawed, lacking sustainability and viability.
Under the guise of empowering young people, unscrupulous politicians distribute shoe-shining kits, noodles and other frivolous handouts.
Currently, some youths are allegedly, on the payroll of many desperate politicians to perpetrate electoral malpractice, violence and thuggery.
This is an aberration that is totally unacceptable and untenable in saner climes. Unarguably, Nigeria parades a heinous cesspool of young people, characterised by despair, destitution and drug-addiction, over a bleak future. Many are trapped in criminal rings, trafficking syndicates and drug cartels, due to lack of sustainable means of livelihood. Every responsible government has a social contract to ensure well-being of its citizens, particularly youths because of their significance to societal peace and progress. Failure to uphold this sacred responsibility is not only fatal but self-defeatist. It is not surprising that thousands of Nigerian youths are dying in droves across deserts and oceans in desperate search for ‘elusive greener pasture.’ Countless numbers are trapped in slavery, prostitution and exploitative labour, over despicable and unbearable circumstances.
A sundry look at millions of jobless youths parading aimlessly across most cities reflects a society in disarray. Statistics shows that majority of them are not employed or underemployed, while some are clearly unemployable, due to lack of education and skills pivotal for a modern economy, which is a dangerous curve that requires urgent redress.
This is the position of United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and other international agencies, which categorised the country as a nation with ‘a youth bulge’ in need of special focus.
Government should find the political nerve to invest more in sustainable social safety nets for youths and vulnerable citizens devoid of political proclivities. Relevant agencies should periodically review and realign youth-related programmes, in tandem with best practices and Sustainable Development Goals( SDGs) on youth empowerment. United States (US) Ambassador, Stuart Symington and several stakeholders canvassed a similar position recently in Lagos.
He urged youths to participate actively in leadership and political activities, in order to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.
The ambassador who stated this at this year’s annual seminar tagged: ‘The Youth and Transformational Leadership in Nigeria,’ by Hubert H Humphrey (HHH), Fellowship Alumni Association in Lagos, said Nigeria’s greatest asset was its youths. ‘They need critical resources and trainings to become positive change agents in the nation’s economic and political growth.’ ‘The youth of Nigeria is a powerful force for good not just in Nigeria but the whole world. But the challenge is how to take that resource and make Nigeria better than it is?’
‘Youths should actively participate in politics, be keen about reading and stay abreast of development,’ he stressed. Earlier, president of the group, Mojisola Onifade urged government to invest in youth empowerment and leadership initiatives from an early age. ‘The nation will develop faster in all areas of our democracy and political sphere, if appropriate policies are initiated to empower youths to become champions of change from a young age.’
“It is important to harness and galvanise the vitality of Nigerian youths, who constitute a critical mass of the population, in order to transform them into change agents for national progress, from the cradle,’ Onifade added. According to her, early exposure to leadership training and skills would be most beneficial to society.
Similarly, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government & Public Policy (ISGPP) said taking youths to next level, demands appropriate leadership and commitment at the level of a paradigm shift and deepening of the structural basis for a patriotic relationship between youths and the Nigerian state. Those who are in the grip of poverty and unemployment, constitute the bulk of the population.’
‘Youths should be given a voice, through a shift in youth engagement from traditional platforms to constructive intergenerational dialogue.’
Wife of Taraba State Governor, Mrs Anna Ishaku, as well as youth advocates including Dapo Oyewole, Samson Itodo and Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin made similar submissions.

Ojukwu, a Hubert Humphrey Fellow and journalist, writes via adezeo@yahoo.com

https://sunnewsonline.com/playing-politics-with-youth-empowerment-programmes/amp/

CHIKE JOHN

United States (US) Ambassador, Stuart Symington has reiterated the call for free, fair and credible elections, as well as transformational leadership, as crucial to national unity and development.
“As we approach the election it is essential that it should be about freedom, fairness credibility, transparency and peaceful activities. It should be about something more which is the future of Nigeria.”
The ambassador, who made the call last Thursday in Lagos, at this year’s Annual Seminar of the Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association, said “ Nigeria needs leaders with integrity, transparent character, faithfulness and other good values to overcome current challenges.”
According to him the country needed transformational leadership to move forward as a nation.
‘’I urge all who seek to lead in Nigeria to use the love of her diversity, resilience and good cultural heritage to ensure quality and good representation of the Nigerian people.
Speaking on the theme: “The Youth and Transformational Leadership in Nigeria,” Symington said many Nigerians were noted for resilience and can-do-spirit, hence the need for mass mobilization of all eligible voters, particularly youths to participate actively in the current political process.
Earlier president of the group, Mojisola Onifade stressed the need to invest in youth empowerment and leadership initiatives from an early age.
“The nation will develop faster in all areas of our democracy and political sphere if appropriate policies are initiated to empower youths and the populace to become champions of change from a young age at grassroots levels,” she stressed.
Similarly, the US envoy said Nigeria’s greatest asset was its youths, hence the need to provide them with critical resources and trainings that will enable them to become positive change agents in the nation’s economic and political growth.
He described the country’s population, as the biggest resource in determining the kind of democracy the populace wants, hence “youths should actively participate in politics, be keen about reading and stay abreast of development.”
“What distinguishes Nigeria is neither the resource of its oil nor the resource of its land and water, it is you. If all Nigerians ask themselves ‘what we love about our country?
“Truly families, friends, your resilience, your devotion, your warmth, your resilience are the essential elements that bind Nigerians together and they are powerful forces for good.”
“The youth of Nigeria is a powerful force for good not just in Nigeria but the whole world. But the challenge now is how can those youths and people in Nigeria take that resource and make Nigeria better than it is? For me that requires the thinking of the country, the thinking of others and not self,” he stated.
Also Onifade said: “It is important to harness and galvanise the vitality of Nigerian youths, who constitute a critical mass of the population, in order to transform them into change agents for national cohesion and progress, from the cradle.”
Earlier in his presentation on ‘The Nigerian Youth and the Structural Imperatives of Leadership Development ‘, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, said the success of governance in any organized political system is determined by the quality of leadership in the government.
He said after 58 years of independence, Nigeria still battles with leadership and governance problems, due to poor and visionless leadership.
Olaopa a retired Federal Permanent Secretary and Executive Vice-Chairman, Ibadan School of Government & Public Policy (ISGPP) most political leaders were involved in corruption and mismanagement of public resources, leading to numerous social economic and political problems across the nation.
“Nigeria needs more than ordinary managers of national affairs. Good governance inheres in good leadership. Without transformational leadership, Nigeria may continue to lag while other societies continue to speed to success and in some cases using Nigeria’s resources.”
He said despite huge resources spent on policies foor good governance, there have not been visible changes in the living standard of the citizens and national development.
Nigeria he argued “has potentials to enter into a redefining era depending on how it harnesses its demographics to create the fundamentals for a reinforcing cycle that combines economic growth, investment in human capital, good governance and bold policies to resolve the youth challenge.”
‘’Indeed, taking the youths to next level demands leadership sophistication and commitment at the level of a paradigm shift. Such a shift will, require deepening the structural basis for a patriotic relationship between the youth and the Nigerian state, Whether one likes it or not, those who are helplessly caught in the grip of poverty and unemployment, constitute the bulk of the population. They cannot be expected to be loyal to the leadership or the Nigerian Project,” he stressed
“It is therefore fundamental to the civil responsibility of the Nigerian state to deconstruct that mental model through a change programme with smart strategic communication and value reorientation components.”
“Youths should be given a voice and be heard, through a shift in state-leadership-youth engagement from traditional platform that explores the crevices of youth exuberance and deviance for constructive inter-generational dialogue,” he added.
The program, which was attended by distinguished personalities including wife of Taraba State Governor, Mrs Anna Ishaku and many distinguished Humphrey fellows, also featured presentations from Dapo Oyewole, a public policy expert, Samson Itodo, a democracy activist and Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Social impact entrepreneur.

The world certainly needs more love.

Only love can end domestic violence, inequality racial discriminations and global wars.

Love is the epitome of God's nature and care for humanity.

Little wonder St Paul dedicated a whole chapter on the virtue of love.

Read on and apply the love ointment.

It will certainly make this world a better place, if we all love instead of hate !!!

1 Corinthians 13

The Greatest Gift

13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;13:6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether thereis knowledge, it will vanish away.13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.