Subsidy: LG vice chairman distributes foodstuffs to 300 Lagos residents


The Vice Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State on Friday gave foodstuffs to 300 residents of Ikate Elegushi Community to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal on the citizens.

The vice chairman, Omo’ba Adeola Adetoro, distributed the pallatives through a non-governmental organisation she founded, Opportunity and Advancement for All.

The foodstuffs include rice, beans, Semovita and spices.

She said at the event that the organisation was using the palliatives to support residents of Eti-Osa and its environs.

Adetoro said that the organisation, founded three years ago, targetted the vulnerable and artisans in the distribution of the palliatives.

She said that the gesture was aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the residents due to the removal of petrol subsidy.

“People are hungry, they are also angry; that is why I decided to support my own people here in my own little way and put together a food bank to give it out today.

According to Adetoro, the organisation organises annual programmes but could make distribution of palliatives a monthly event to be targetted at different sets of beneficiaries.

A beneficiary, Mrs Yetunde Olaomo, said that she was glad to benefit from palliatives.

She described Adetoro as a woman of integrity.

Olaomo said that the pallatives would go a long way to help families.

Another beneficiary, Mr Idowu Tomoloju, said that he was happy to recieve the palliatives.

He thanked the vice chairman for the gesture.

Mrs Deborah Fatai, who also benefitted, said that the food stuffs would give immediate relief to families.

To commemorate World Humanitarian Day 2023, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ajeromi Ifelodun Chapter, has hosted a youth humanitarian dialogue with its Local Government Chairman, Hon Fatai Ayoola, at which it honoured its past heroes in Lagos.

Speaking during the event on Saturday, Ayoola said that the humanitarian dialogue and award-giving ceremony were designed to recognise efforts and contributions of all its past leaders.

The Chairman, who was represented by his Vice, Hon Lucky Uduikhue, said that the youths in Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA have built the kind of standards other youths in Lagos could emulate.

He said that the award was a way to thank the awardees for their continued contributions to the growth of the council.

He said that the local government holds its youths in high esteem and had appointed two of them to lead the health and environment departments and empowered others in various ways.

The Youth coordinator, NYCN, Ajeromi Ifelodun chapter, Mr Isaac Omoyele, said that the youths were actually celebrating the World Humanitarian Day and have deemed it fit to celebrate people who offered selfless service to the community.

Omoyele said that the event was simply an avenue for Youths to honour people who have actually gone the extra mile to support youth organizations and add tremendous value to the development of the Ajegunle community.

He said that he is currently running a co-working hub in Ajegunle where young people are being helped with various working tools.

He said that the co-working hub was the only place in Ajegunle where young people learned a skill, integrated into the society and worked in the community.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Alhaji Olawale Ariyo, thanked the council for deeming them worthy to be recognised.

Mid-year Review: CIBNCFS discusses trends of economic indicators


The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria Centre for Financial Studies (CIBNCFS), held its third Edition of the Mid-Year Review of 2023 Economic Outlook to discuss trends of economic indicators.

The programme, organised in collaboration with B. Adedipe Associates Ltd., is designed to evaluate the performance of the Nigerian economy in the prior half of the year while providing an outlook for the second half of the year.

Dr Ken Opara, the CIBN President, said that the half year review session was a follow-up on its 2023 National Economic Outlook held at the beginning of the year.

“More specifically, this review session is a follow-up on the 2023 National Economic Outlook, which was held at the beginning of the year, whereby actual performance and trends of economic indicators are analysed and compared with predictions asserted at the beginning of the year.

“Ultimately, it offers yet another prospect to forge valuable solutions amid the intricate challenges of this demanding year- transition in leadership,” Opara said.

He highlighted some of the the key events that shaped the first half of the year 2023 to include the cash scarcity in the regions of Nigeria which led to challenges in accessing physical cash, affecting day-to-day transactions for businesses and individuals, among others

Opara said given these myriads of challenges existing in the Nigerian economy, it became imperative for the institution to adopt a panoramic perspective on these issues, endeavoring to forge viable solutions.

Mr ‘Laoye Jaiyeola, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), said in the midst of these challenges, the economic growth would be stronger in 2023 as firms’ new orders, output growth rate, and inventory activities increase.
According to him, the private sector performance is notably responding favourably to the current policy posture of the new government.

“The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is considered a perfect predictor of economic growth momentum in Nigeria and across the globe.

“Hence, there is a likelihood for stronger than expected economic growth in the remaining part of 2023 as firms’ new orders, output growth rate, and inventory activities increase,’’ he said.

Jaiyeola, however, predicted that initial policy shocks might increase inflationary pressure and worsen the cost of living crisis if not properly managed.

He said convergence of foreign exchange market rates would reduce currency risks adding that the new policy regime would stimulate investors’ confidence in the economy.

He added that the monetary policy interest rate would likely rise until the end of the year.

On socio-economic outcome, Jaiyeola said the initial policy shocks from foreign exchange rates convergence and petroleum subsidy removal would heighten the cost of living.

He said the situation would push more people into the poverty bracket as higher inflationary pressure would erode purchasing power of many households.

Dr ‘Biodun Adedipe, the Chief Consultant, Adedipe Associates Ltd., urged the Federal Government to learn from countries that had gone through similar problems, to get the economy back on track.

“Are there lessons that we can learn from other jurisdictions especially with our dependence on hydrocarbons; there are countries we can learn from like the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, which had the same currency trouble because of supply just the same way we are having today.

“So what did the government do, they took a very firm stand and the bottom line was that the Malaysian economy recovered the following year.

“How about India, India did the monetisation that we also did in Nigeria but it was a fiasco; that was in 2018.

“The outcome in 2018 showed clearly that the monetisation of an economy that is largely driven by cash within a short window will cause trouble for the economy.

“So, the question should have been for us, when we wanted to do our own thing last year, to ask what lessons we can learn from them. And then take that on board and use that to find a way to execute our own,’’ he said.

LSPC honors best officers of the month, celebrates July birthday celebrants

As Lagos State Printing Corporation (LSPC) strives to promote a culture of excellence and professionalism, it has on Monday honors best officers of the month and celebrated July birthday celebrants.


This was disclosed in a statement signed Dr Adeola Ekine, Head, Public Affairs Unit, LSPC.

Ekine said that LSPC remained committed to nurturing talent and celebrating achievements of outstanding officers who have consistently gone above and beyond in their respective roles in ensuring the smooth functioning and success of the Corporation.

She said while LSPC remained steadfast in carrying out its main objective, the Corporation also recognizes hard work by rewarding its members of staff who has in no small measure exhibited exceptional dedication to work.

"To this end, Mr. Raymond Alabi of production department, Mr. Afeez Lukman of maintenance department and Mrs. Latifat Salau of Account Department are outstanding as recipients for the award in the month of July, 2023.

"These officers have consistently proved their mettle in their respective roles, ensuring the smooth operations and success of the Corporation, their remarkable achievements have set a standard of excellence for all employees at LSPC, motivating staff to strive for greatness.

"Furthermore, as part of effort to fostering positive and productive work environment, the Corporation celebrated the birthday of esteemed employees born in the month of July.

"The monthly birthday seminar is a cherished tradition that brings employees from various departments together.

"This has brought an extra dose of joy and camaraderie to the workplace" she said.

Ekine said that commemorating the birthdays of team members has further stimulated a sense of community and appreciation among members of staff, these celebrations has made members of staffs feel valued and strengthen the bond between colleagues, creating a positive and harmonious atmosphere within the organization.

The General Manager, LSPC, Hon. Kolawole Peregrino in his remark said “Lagos State Printing Corporation is a pioneering institution in the printing industry.

"We are striving for excellence in delivering high-quality printing services to various government agencies and private entities, we have a dedicated team of professionals and state-of-the-art technology.

"We will continue to play a vital role in supporting communication and administrative functions for numerous organizations in the State" he said.

Peregrino said that it was worthy to note that under the leadership of the General Manager, LSPC, the Corporation has witnessed remarkable improvements which have had significant impact on the work culture and team morale.

He said he has initiated programs that has recognized hard work and dedication of employees.


Ekine noted in attendance was the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olumide Shogunle and the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu.

Clinical scientists call for joint collaboration to reach grassroots



The Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has called for joint collaboration in research and practice to reach the grassroots.

The clinical scientists made the call in Lagos on Tuesday during its 18th annual conference and gathering with the theme: “A Sick Eye in a Sick Body: Multidisciplinary Team as a Research Tool”.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Adeola Onakoya, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Head, Glaucoma Services, CMUL, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said that the conference was about the impact of collaboration.

She said that as clinicians, the members looked after the body, human beings.

“And what we’re trying to say is that no one can work in isolation”.

According to her, there are different specialties in medicine, hence the need to collaborate and work together to have an integrative system to improve the health care system.

Speaking, Prof. Folasade Akinsola, Dean, Faculty Of Clinical Science, said that the guest speaker went through what one could called anatomical foundations.

She talked about the importance of parts of the body, likening them to the field of clinical science and medicine in general.

“The brain is a very important organ in the body.

“Once there is no brain, there is no person.

“The eyes are the offshoots of the brain and vessels that are in the eyes are vessels which could also affect the vessels all over the body.

“If you have issues with the vessels in the eyes, then you have issues all over your entire body.”

She said that the issue was about jointly collaborating to reach the grassroots, noting that the government must also help the specialists .

Also, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, said that the public starts with the medical community, but that they must also collaborate with the civil society organisations (CSOs) and NGOs.

Ogunsola said that the NGOs and civil societies were doing a better job of reaching and engaging the grassroots.

She said that within the hospital setting and doctors, they were beginning to realise that they must do a lot more in working with communities.

“I am aware that there has also been a lot of push to go into the communities,” she said.

DISCLAIMER

We pioneer members of Oke-Afa Comprehensive College, (OACC) set of 1994 hereby inform the general public that the Alumni has no sitting president nor Exco in place.

The Alumni is in its teething stage and is yet to find its feet.

OACC Pioneer set hereby warn the public not to have any communication whatsoever with anyone on behalf of the Alumni or the person does so at his or her own peril.

Signed
Pioneer set OACC 2000 set.

Members of Biochemist Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BPAON) have volunteered to check drug abuse and addiction among youths in Nigerian.

Olayemi Ikotun, the association’s President, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

According to Ikotun, within the last 20 years, the involvement of youths in drugs addiction, misuse and abuse has taken a wide, rapidly and frightening dimension.

He said adolescent and young adult of both sexes between the age of 13 and 30 years constitute the high-risk group for drug-abuse.

“Biochemist practitioners statistics analysis show that more than 70 per cent of drug abusers in Nigeria are youths. Statistics also show that youths start engaging in drug misuse and abuse even as early as the age of 10 years old.

“Am scared. In the next 10 years to come some of our youths must have been experiencing various diseases and damage associated with heart organs.

“Due to the unwanted hard particles and contaminants releases from hard drugs, which damage their heart cavities and eventually lead to cardiac arrest and might finally lead to death if care is not taken,” Ikotun said.

He said that the BPAON members’ major focus on volunteering themselves was to let teenagers and youths across the nation realise the effect of drugs addiction and abuse in their bodies’ circulatory system and to abstain completely.

He also stated that members of the association were ready to volunteer themselves for seminar outreach presentation on effect of drug addiction and abuse on body circulatory system among teenagers and youths in Nigeria.

He said that the association requested and sought the support of individuals, State and Federal Governments to accomplish the seminar presentation outreach.

Club 70’s Epe celebrate 20th Anniversary, induct new members in grand



** Presents Awards and  inaugurate new executives

** As Lawmakers, community leaders urge the club to embrace unity, togetherness

 
The member Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency I, Hon. Abiodun Tobun and High Chief Olawale Mogaji, the Otun Balogun of Epe Kingdom has urged members of Club Seventies Epe to ensure that unity and togetherness remains there watchword.
Tobun who was a special guest, gave the advise at the Club’s 20th Anniversary, inauguration and awards ceremony in Lagos.
He urged members to allow the spirit of nationalism and unity to reflect in their social activities in the club to promote peaceful co-existence in the community.
The lawmaker said that with 20 years of coming into existence, the club had come of age.
He said the Club Seventies Epe is the engine room to propel Epe community to achieved all round development.

He stressed that the activities of the club instilled spirit of unity and peaceful co-existence among youths from different background in the community.
Chief Olawale Mogaji, the Otun Balogun of Epe kingdom who Chair the programme said that the club had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Epe community in enhancing unity.
He said that the club has been a great builder of all positive development in the community.
Mogaji added that the 20th Anniversary programme was timely.
“This is because, it comes at a time that the unity of the community is paramount.

“The primary aim is to promote national cohesion and unity among members of the community ethic nationalities.
“For the club to give back to the community is a good omen to the unity of Epe community,” he said.
The Otun Balogun of Epe Kingdom thanked the club management for the vision they have embarked upon to further unite all sons and daughters of Epe Division mindless of the diverse traditions and heritages.
He said: “I must sincerely thank the gesture of the club to honour some of us and I also pray that the people of the division will reciprocate the gestures.
Dr. Hassan Sanuth, Director, Ministry of Environment in Lagos State advised members of the club to see themselves as one and indivisible entity for proper growth and steady development in the division
“With this, I believe that the sky is the starting point.
Also, Mr. Kolapo Adediran Wasiu, Deputy Director, Legislative Department, Lagos State House of Assembly, made a frantic call for unity among the club members.
He admonished that, “It is marvellous to see these set of people being together for a period of 20 years.
” A Yoruba adage will always have it that it is not possible for a group of people to be together for twenty (20) years.
“But this has been proved wrong. It’s great to see this happening”.
During the inauguration of new executives, the outgoing president of the club, DM Ibrahim Adesegun Sanuth was excited for a successful and seamless handing over to new President.
Sanuth advised the incoming administration to continue with the legacies previous administration’s laid down procedures and regulations.
“I’m very happy with the level of progress so far since twenty (20) years ago. It has not been easy getting to this point. We can do more and better”.
“The incoming regime must be proactive and understand the situation on ground. Our commitment / coming together is not only to socialize and help co-members but to also provide support for the people of the community and the state at large.
“I must also register my sincere appreciation to all and sundry who are here to honour our invitation. Thank you all,” he said.
In his remarks the President, MD Adelaja Hassan, the newly inaugurated president of the Club pledged to further unite the club the more.
Hassan said that the 20th Anniversary programme included the presentation of merit awards to various individuals who have registered names in the development of Epe and the state at large.
He said that the club is also inducting new members, while  reiterating the primary goal of the club as;

“This is a club which was established by most of us who were given birth to in the 70s to among other things bring unity to the community. We started with few members and our first meeting was held at the late Mallam Edu’s house in Epe here”.
“ Our primary aim is to bring positive development to Epe division as a whole. Hence, membership is designed to cut across all the communities in Epe Division”.
“The club has since inception been intervening in human capacity building/empowerment, education, health, political awareness/sensitization, providing palliatives for the vulnerable, support and collaborate with the government and traditional institutions as well as providing social responsibility to sundry”.
“We have touched some areas of importance in Epe. We bought TV sets and waiting seats at the Epe General Hospital, Epe. We also provided palliatives to the vulnerable people in Epe during COVID-19 and we were happy doing that”.
“I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide the club, but to unite it. I won’t see religion and ethnicity as barriers but unifying factors”.
“Our administration will be tagged: Collective Responsibility’ and our focus will be on the welfare of our members and revamping community development”, he pointed out.
He however confirmed that the club has since been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
The club also gave awards of different categories of individuals.
The awardees includes; Engr. Adeniyi Kemi Ogunsanya, Engr. Kola Balogun, Barr. Rotimi Sheriff Seriki, Mr. Olanrewaju Ahmed, Chief Al-Bashir Bolanle Mogaji among others
 
The ceremony called for the presence of the who-is-who in the country.
Among those in attendance were the Otun Balogun of Epe kingdom, High Chief Olawale Mogaji, members  of Lagos State House of Assembly, Epe Constituency 1 and 2, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Hon  Silvester Ogunkelu (Sketel) and Hon. Rasheed Debola Shabi Lagos Mainland Constituency who is also the President of Epe Club, the DVC Lagos State University of Education, Associate Prof. Nosiru Olajide Onibon, Barr Uthman (Vice President Epe Club), Engr Ogunsanya and a host of other personalities.

NGO feeds 1000 street children, awards traffic officer on Children’s Day



Children’s day celebrations are one of the most revered and most fun filled events in the world.


It is not surprising, considering that our little ones are precious and they bring joy to our world.

As is the custom of the Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative (SCCWI), a charitable organization that caters to street children by providing them with food, shelter, healthcare, security, as well as helping them become better versions of themselves through educational and empowerment programmes, has provided food and water for over 1000 children living on the streets of Lagos, through its annual Feed the Children Initiative, in areas such as Oshodi, Oko Baba, Oko Agbon, Makoko, Yaba, amongst others.


The event marks a significant step towards SCCWI’s vision of rescuing, nurturing and reintegrating disadvantaged children in our society.


Comfort Alli, Project Director, SCCWI, led the team of child welfare professionals and volunteers to the event, and described it as one of the most fulfilling project any human being can take part in.


“Food is a basic human need, but you would be surprised at the percentage of our population who cannot afford one square meal, let alone three square meals.


When it comes to children, it becomes even worse because this makes them easy targets for child trafficking, child abuse, thuggery, drug abuse, sexual harassments, terrorism and many other ills.


It is a heart issue; we all need to get involved, and we are thankful to our donors and sponsors who help us to achieve our goals as we contribute our bit to society”, Comfort said.


SCCWI has also introduced another category to its list of appreciation and recognition recipients.


It is called the humanitarian service award to celebrate public officials who show outstanding dedication and selflessness through their work.


This year, a traffic police officer, Inspector Justina Omogbai, who combines impressive motherly instincts with a rare passion for children’s welfare, by ensuring that all school children who pass through her duty post every morning, at the Sabo Yaba traffic junction in Lagos, are well dressed, clean, neat, and safe when crossing the roads, has received the award.


As a token of appreciation for her contributions, the SCCWI team presented her with a humanitarian service award plaque, cash gift, and large bundles of school socks which were immediately distributed to delighted children around the region, amidst cheers and applauses from vehicle drivers who also got inspired by the emotional event.

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday inaugurated the Ikeja Towns Square Complex and unveiled HERDEBERG speed master cx104-5 color units.

Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the inauguration, said that the programme was one of the various 11-day programmes lined up to usher in his administration for the second tenure.

Sanwo-Olu said he was delighted to stand at the historic event packaged by Lagos State Printing Corporation, Lagos State Building Investment Company (LBIC) Brickshomes Integrated Limited and Heildelberg.

He commended them for the wonderful partnership that produced the edifice.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Special Adviser on Works, Aramide Adeyoye, appreciated all the people who worked on the project for ensuring that international best practices were applied and necessary building approvals and standards were met.

He said that the edifice would boost the economic values of the state’s businesses and also enhance the ecstatic value of other properties within and around this place.

He, therefore, urged everyone to maintain the structure and continue to create a business friendly environment for customers and other users.

“Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, with today’s unveiling of the state of the art machines and equipment, there is no doubt the corporation will take its rightful place among contemporary Printing Corporations across the continent.

“Lagos Printing Corporation holds a special place in the heart of our administration in Lagos, especially because of its peculiarity to all our daily activities.

“The Heidelberg Speed Master CX104-5Color Unit represents the pinnacle of innovation and engineering excellence.

“It has the capacity of printing over 16,500 copies per hour.

“This state of art color unit incorporates cutting- edge technologies, precision engineering and advanced features that will redefine the standards of print quality, speed and efficiency” the governor said.

Speaking, the General Manager, Lagos Printing Corporation , Hon. Kolawole Peregrino, said that Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda on making Lagos a 21st century economy which focused on creativity, innovation and development, was committed to ensuring that Lagos State Printing Corporation competes with its counterparts across the globe.

Peregrino said that this metamorphosed to the official unveiling of Heidelberg Speed Master Cx 104 – 5 + L color unit, with a high tech quality that could print over 16,500 copies per hour.

He said this was the first of its kind in the state and Africa confirmimg Lagos State’s readiness to remain relevant in global ranking.

He specially appreciated Sanwo-Olu for his uncommon compassion and strong determination.

Also, the Managing Director of LBIC, Mr Oluwatobiloba Lawal, appreciated the governor who had displayed an exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication to the task of improving the lives of all Lagos residents.

Lawal said that the governor’s commitment and strong will in ensuring that Lagos state was continually seen as a major commercial and economic hub of Nigeria was praiseworthy.

Also, the Managing Director of Brickhomes, Mr Lanre Obisesan, said that the company’s focus was on property development, civil construction, sales and marketing of iconic real estate products and services.

Obisesan said that over the years, the company had mastered the art and science of its trade and was well positioned to handle medium, large and complex luxury and commercial developments.

He said that Brickhomes delivered value to its esteemed clients through a combination of rigorous analysis, project conception and execution, hand on management and innovative designs.

Lawal said that the governor’s commitment and strong will in ensuring that Lagos state was continually seen as a major commercial and economic hub of Nigeria was praiseworthy.

Also, the Managing Director of Brickhomes, Mr Lanre Obisesan, said that the company’s focus was on property development, civil construction, sales and marketing of iconic real estate products and services.

Obisesan said that over the years, the company had mastered the art and science of its trade and was well positioned to handle medium, large and complex luxury and commercial developments.

He said that Brickhomes delivered value to its esteemed clients through a combination of rigorous analysis, project conception and execution, hand on management and innovative designs.

The Estate Youths Parliament (EYP) has held its maiden quiz competition in Lagos, Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo to support pupils with their educational needs and encouraged them in their educational pursuit.

The programme was held on Saturday with about 16 students competitors.

Forms were offered for pick up from EYP requesting interested students to pick up for free to compete in Mathematics, English and Current Affairs. Outstanding students from the competition received certificate of participation, cash prizes, school bags and mathematical set.

The maiden quiz competition was an initiative of EYP.


Speaking its Chairman, Mr Adeyemi Yusuf said that EYP has always been trying its best to ensure it carried out an activity of this type since 2020 but unfortunately its idea of engaging the community schools didn’t work out but changed the approach to community students for the first and here we are with the ideology.

Yusuf said that EYP has always understood the importance of education and was happy that the maiden quiz competition actualized in the shortest possible time.


He appreciated EYP membership base, support and pray that God would continue to be with all the people that made this a success.

He said EYP was highly determined to ensure that the best students emerge as winners, so thata standard could be set for subsequent editions of the EYP Community Students Quiz.

He also appreciated the committee members for their doggedness and commitment towards the success of the programme.


The winner of the maiden quiz competition, Mr Daniel Iyere said he was happy that he won and wants to win more.


Iyere said that the process was scary and so tough but it was all fun.


He said that he was delighted that he emerged victorious and expressed his appreciation to EYP for the opportunity to participate.

GreyHub Therapeutic Centre, a mental health and rehabilitation centre, has opened a new office in Ikoyi, Lagos, to cater for the mental health and emotional wellbeing of workers in the workplace.

Dr Sola Olowookere, the Consultant Psychiatrist and Chief Executive Officer ofGreyHub, said at the launch that the new centre would help people to discover themselves and create a balance in life.

“I can’t really explain why I am doing this, but over the years, I’ve just concluded that it is just out of extreme genuine passion in trying to make a difference.

“We can all sit down and blame the government saying they have not done this, they have not done that.

“But again, as an individual, you probably need to have a reality check and say as a citizen, have you done your own part?

“Are you in a position whereby you are able to contribute your own quota to the system? And if you have been blessed and have been lucky enough to have some form of education, have you given back to that community which is exactly what I’ve been trying to do for the past five years.

“This company started in 2016 when we saw someone that was coming from work jumped off the bridge and another happened few weeks after and I felt that I could give my support.

“I started looking more into Nigeria and the mental health services available and I couldn’t really see anything specific but probably I wasn’t looking well or there was limited evidence there.

“But I just had this huge burden on me that I have to do something and that was what led to the birth of the company today,’’ he said.

He also said that the centre would be carrying out a student wellness programme aimed at catching young people and identifying their difficulties from a younger age.

This, he said, would give the child a better chance of success in terms of outcome measures and recovery.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for passing the Mental Health Bill into law urging that the bill be allowed to fritter filter down to the grassroots.

Dr Kemi Akintoyese, a Clinical Psychologist with GreyHub, said that the centre was opened to help people develop themselves and find succour in a traumatising world.

Akintoyese said that the centre, with 24 hours tele-therapy, would also cover emotional issues, marital problems and all forms of addiction.

Another Clinical Psychologist with GreyHub, Mr Yusuf Alawode, said the newly opened centre would provide succour for adolescents who had indulged themselves in substance abuse, bullying and cyberbullying.

He said the facility has a multi-disciplinary team and the necessary facilities that would help individuals to get back their real self.

NAN reports that GreyHub Centre offers in-patient service and out-patient services to people who do not meet threshold for admission.

NGOs call on FG to enforce food fortification policy



A coalition of NGOs has called on the Federal Government to enforce the food fortification policy that is already in existence.

The call, according to them, is necessitated by the rate of hunger, malnutrition and lack of nutrients in the food system in the country, which aid impairment of physical and mental growth among citizens especially children under the ages of five.

They made the call in Lagos on Thursday during a campaign launch and media roundtable on Promoting Fortification Compliance and Workforce Nutrition in Nigeria with the theme: “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future”.

The advocacy campaign was sponsored by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) in collaboration with Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and E-Health Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Nigeria, food fortification with focus on vitamin A, iron, zinc, iodine, and other micronutrient remains key in the effort to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition.

As a result, Nigeria has formulated policies and passed laws that say that at least some food items like sugar, oil, wheat, semolina, and maize flour must be fortified with vitamin A.

Leading the campaign, Senate Chairman Committee on Health, Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe, said that the government needs to implement the policy by also providing a meal a day for its workforce.

According to Oloriegbe, workforce nutrition means food for workers in their workplaces noting that productivity is always affected negatively when workers are malnourished.

He said that other things associated with workforce nutrition included enforcing environment where drugs, alcohol consumption and smoking were not encouraged.

He said in addition to providing food, lifestyle enlightenment and stress management need to be put in place.

In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said that food fortification was a proven way to improve nutrition and health.

Rafsanjani said it was a simple, cost-effective intervention that could be used to add essential nutrients to foods that are commonly consumed by large populations.

He said fortified foods could help to prevent micronutrient deficiencies including anemia, Vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency.

“These deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including impaired cognitive development, stunted growth, and increased risk of infection.


“Fortified foods can also help to address the problem of overweight and obesity. By adding Micronutrients, Vitamins, fiber and protein to food vehicles during production can make them more filling and help people to eat healthier diets” he said.

He, therefore, asked the media to help in raising awareness of the importance of food fortification and workforce nutrition.

He said the media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy.

Rafsanjani said the media, by shining a spotlight on this issue, could helped to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians.



He also asked for the support of regulators, members of the National Assembly, civil society organizations, and food producers to ensure that the food fortification policy of 2019 was implemented effectively, and that Nigerians have access to fortified foods.

Also, Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, Consumer, Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), said that healthy food and water at work was an approach to a healthier workforce.

Ogunmoyela said that as the World celebrates Mental Awareness Week, workers must priotise their health, eating patterns and habits.

He said that employers must be concerned about eating habits of their employees and strong health and nutrition policy framework should be instituted by employers.

He said that employees are what they eat and the health of the next workforce generation would be determined by the health of today’s workforce.

In his presentation, Prof Wasiu Afolabi, Department of Nutrition and Diabetics, College of Food Science and Human Ecology, Federal University of Agriculture, Ogun State, said that proper nutrition was critical for building a strong immune system and helping the body to fight off diseases and infection.

Afolabi recommended that large-scale food fortification with multiple micronutrients should be encouraged for improved coverage and effectiveness.

NYSC Director advise corps members to capitalize on camp skills to be self reliant

NYSC Director advise corps members to capitalize on camp skills to be self reliant



The Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr. Ayodele Omotade has called on the 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Corps members to capitalise on the opportunity provided through the In-Camp and Post-Camp Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training programs to acquire a Skill that will assist them in becoming self reliant.


Omotade made this known while addresing corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Issele-Uku, Delta State, during his oversight of orientation camps on Wednesday, 10th May, 2023.


He charged them to use the period of one year mandatory national service to add value to themselves and their host communities.


This he said, would reduced over dependence on parents and guardians after service year.


He also enjoined them to cultivate savings habit no matter how little and as much as possible, shun frivolous spending.


Doing this, he said, may propel them towards starting small income generating activities and in the process add modest value to themselves and thus not becoming liabilities to their parents and guardians immediately after service.

Speaking further, Omotade advised corps members to give back to their host communities by engaging in meaningful and impacful Community Development Projects, whether on an individual capacity or in groups.


He said doing this will make their presence felt, leaveing behind lasting legacies in the society and may likely qualify them for President’s NYSC Honours Award which is the highest award of the Scheme to corps members who distinguished themselves during the one year national service.

As the Scheme celebrates her 50th Anniversary, he advocated for more relationships that could lead to more NYSC marriages amongst corps members.


In his words, “ NYSC promotes National Unity through Inter-Tribal/Ethnic marriages”. NYSC has fostered National unity over the years through this process.

Going further, he charged them to take every aspect of the one year mandatory National Youth Service seriously; Orientation, Primary Assignment, CDS and Winding Up/Passing Out programs.


He urged them to take their personal security seriously and shun acts that may compromise their safety.

High point of the address was dance presentation by the cultural troupe, donation of NYSC 50th Anniversary T-shirts and Fez Caps including cash gifts to outstanding Corps leaders, deserving Corps groups and the camp community.



He also took time out to commission a block of hostel named after him, having served as State Coordinator in Delta State from 2016 to 2019 and as pioneer Director NYSC South South Area Office from 2020 to 2021.


During his tenure, the Secretariat, in particular the Delta State Orientation Camp, Issele-Uku witnessed very remarkable positive transformation.

Afterwards, he took a tour of the camp inspecting some facilities including some building projects under massive construction as well as the Quarter Guard.

Earlier on, the State Coordinator, Mr. Aloa Olusegun in his brief, noted that corps members had been of good behaviour and have been abiding by the tenets of the orientation course while the camp officials in their various categories, have been of immense support.

To round up his visit to Delta State, the Director, pays homage to the Paramount Ruler and Obi of Issele-Uku, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Nduka, where he appreciated him again for the support he received during his tenure as State Coordinator and sojourn in Delta State, and in particular, Issele Uku Community.


He took the opportunity to canvass for same and even more support for the current leadership of NYSC in the State.

He was accompanied on the visit to the palace by the Delta State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Alao Olusegun and some other NYSC officials.

NYSC, establish to raise moral tone of Nigeria Youths -Omotade


The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr. Ayodele Omotade has said that the ideals of the NYSC was established to raise the moral tone of Nigeria Youths and adequately prepare them for leadership positions.


Omotade disclosed this on Tuesday, 9th May, 2023 while addressing the 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Corps members at the lecture auditorium of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Okada, Edo State.


The Director who described the Scheme as a melting point for refining Nigeria graduates for nation building, also spoke on the imperatives of the four (4) cardinal Programs of the NYSC; Programme; Orientation, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service (CDS) and Winding Up/Passing Out.


These he noted are necessary activities through which operations of the Scheme are distilled for a successful service year.

Going further, he urged Corps members to strive to integrate with members of their host Communities by putting to use lessons learnt from the three (3) weeks Orientation exercise which includes discipline, respect for diverse cultures and tradition of the people.

He further advised advised corps members to be law abiding and be agents of positive change during the one year mandatory national youth service.




"The only way to achieve this is by being law abiding and by cultivating the habit of making positive impact during the service year.


"Cultivate meaningful friendships on camp and during service year that may lead to possible inter-tribal marriages and other future prospects.

"Accept your postings in good faith, especially, to rural areas and to desist from seeking unnecessary relocation" he said.


The Director reminded the corps members that their deployment to Edo State was divinely orchestrated.

Reiterating the need for safety consciousness, he warned them against incessant and unauthorised journeys especially at night.


He announced that permission must be obtained through proper channels of communication before embarking on any journey outside the State of service.


He advised them to rather use that time to deepen their skills by leveraging on Post- Camp SAED Training.

High point of the visit was the inspection of Quarter Guard and camp facilities. There was also dance performance by the cultural troupe, Man ‘O’ War thug of War exhibition, presentation of cash and NYSC @ 50 anniversary T-shirts and Face Cap gifts by the Director to some Corps groups, Camp Commandant and Course Officials.

Later on, the Director made a stop over at Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, Uvwie, Effurun, Warri, Delta State on an appreciation visit to Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the General Overseer of the Deliverance Ministries. This he did, on behalf of the NYSC Director-General for providing care and support to Miss Shalom Nelson, a Delta State corps member; after she successfully escaped from kidnappers.

The Director, expressed gratitude to the General Overseer for what he referred to as an “exceptional act of kindness towards humanity” and for numerous goodwill corps members serving in his ministry have enjoyed and continued to enjoy.

The Ministries’ Television arm provides verifiable platform for service and training of corps members in relevant disciplines and the man of God provides corps members with a high regime of welfare and support in the State.

High point of the visit was presentation of the copy of an appreciation letter from the Director-General and the NYSC @ 50 Anniversary T-shirt and Face Cap to the General Overseer.

While expressing appreciation to NYSC Management, the Prophet thanked the Director-General for deeming it fit to acknowledge such a kind gesture, noting that the letter written to him from the NYSC Management remains a source of encouragement and an acknowledgment that he is on the right track. He promised to do more for the NYSC and corps members in the State.

The Director was accompanied on the visit by Delta State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Alao Olusegun and some other NYSC Staff.

South West Youth Parliament awards NYSC Director


The South West Youth Parliament (SWYP) has conffered an Award of recognition for excellent leadership on Mr Omotade Ayodele Folorunsho, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services.


The SWYP was the apex body governing the youth of South West region in Nigeria.


The award presentation took place at the Director's office at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters (NDHQ) with NYSC Deputy Directors, senior members of staffs and SWYP leaders from the six geo-political zones nationwide in attendance.

Conferring the award, speaker, SWYP, Hon. Temitope Joseph said that Omotade was recognised for his unrelenting contributions towards youth and students developmental projects.


He said his distinctive leadership style and humble accommodating spirit conformed to the Parliament’s criteria for conferment of noble award on any recipient.


"We have been following Director’s career trajectory and the Parliament is convinced that Mr Omotade is deserving and eminently qualified for this Award.




"The Award was in recognition of Director’s track record of excellence in career, hard work and unequalled enthusiasm towards the delivery of quality and efficient welfare services to the teeming corps members and administrative service to the scheme and the nation at large" Joseph said.


Acknowledging the award, Omotade who has been a recipient of many awards from various youth bodies (social and religious) thanked SWYP for finding him worthy of this honour.


He said that reward of excellence means more hard work and promised to do more for the youth and humanity in general.

In a vote of thanks, Mr S Aroni, Deputy Director, Discipline & Merit said that the award did not come as a surprise as Omotade’s antecedents and numerous works speak for him.


Aroni hinted that the honour was not just for the Director but to all staff of NYSC Corps Welfare and Health Services Department.

Class ’94 Oke-Afa Comprehensive College elects new Exco



The 1994 old students of Oke-Afa Comprehensive College (OACC) Jakande Estate has elected new executive council members to pilot its affairs for the next tenure.



This was done in an online poll held at the reunion WhatsApp group.



The elected president, Mr Sola Odukoya said that after 29years, the pioneer set of the school serendipitously has an Alumni & a WhatsApp group, some social media accounts and great plans to become a giant in making social impact and relevance to their selves and community that provide them with the basic educational foundation.




Odukoya said there has been previous efforts and laudable achievement under the administration of Mr Akeem Oduyoye who emerged as the first Alumni Executive President to organize the alumni and which eventually culminates into the formation of the gathering online of the Alumni.

He said it was of very important milestone that of the 100 pioneer students, about 85 are now members of the Alumni WhatsApp group.



“In March 2023 the pioneer students decided to put structure and organize their objectives by electing executives that will enable them accomplish their set objectives and goals.


“Through a WhatsApp poll, headed by Olu Bolarinwa Esq and an Electoral Committee, the group conducted its election and appointed a 7member Executive.



“Sola Odukoya, President, Funke Ake, Vice President, Lekan Awotunde, General Secretary, Alaba Adebanwo, Welfare, Ronke Gomez, Treasurer, Bolaji Durojaiye Financial Secretary-, Olu Bolarinwa, Legal Adviser, and Wasiu Owoyele, Publicity Secretary” Odukoya said.



The elected president said that the Alumni had promised through a number of agendas on their manifesto to look into matters as the welfare of the alumni members, pioneer teachers, the alma mata and several other projects and task that would impact also the community of their alma mata.


He said to make the reunion fun and educative, the alumni WhatsApp group was a beehive of activities such as the personality of the week, business personality of the week, Throwback Thursday, Health talks and weekly giveaways, all coordinated by selected members of the group.



He said according to one of the students, the group has become a private club to look forward to for fun and relaxation most times.



He hinted that the group boast of some of its members in diaspora elected and taking active participation in the alumni activities.

The Institute of Public Sector Management (IPSM) in the United Kingdom (UK) has conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree on Mrs Adeola Ekine, Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter.

Ekine told the Newsmen in Lagos on Friday that the award was conferred on her on April 6, 2023 in the United Kingdom.

“This award was conferred on me in recognition of my attained knowledge and understanding of the building blocks essentials to the successful practice of public sector management.

“It is also a recognition of my commitment to uphold the highest professional and ethical standard as defined by IPSM standards of best practice.

“The award was conferred on me at the institute’s office at Tower House, Lewisham High Street, London, United Kingdom on the 6th of April, 2023.”

Ekine explained that the IPSM UK was established in 1982 by a body of public sector professionals in the UK, adding that it was a global body for Public Sector Professionals.

“IPSM UK is geared towards membership, training and qualification, conference and events, research and development.

“The Honorary Doctorate Award was signed by IPSM President Mervyn Pilley who described Ekine as a hardworking, dedicated and goal-driven individual.

“Mervyn Pilley said that having considered my track record within the public sector including providing leadership and mentoring for female journalists in Lagos State, the institute considered her a qualified and certified public sector professional and is herein allowed the designation of Dr. IPSM,” Ekine said.

Ekine is also an Honorary Fellow (HFCPSP) of the Institute of Corporate and Public Sector Professionals of Nigeria and Associate Member of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.

She is a second term Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Lagos State Chapter.

The Executive Director said that the latter could be largely achieved by the implementation of the recommendations of the Oronsaye Report.

He said to encourage long-term development, the government should also ensure that borrowing was done on conditions that were consistent with entrenching debt sustainability and that borrowed funds were wisely invested in the economy’s value-added sectors.

“There is also a need for Nigeria to operate an efficient tax administration that will ensure greater compliance to remittances, devoid of all forms of evasions in the system to tackle revenue challenges.

“Incessant increases of taxes are probably because of revenue shortfall, but it is detrimental to the economy.

“There is a need for the incoming government to restructure the tax system, enlarge the tax base, eliminate harmful tax expenditures (waivers, reduced rates, special deductions, and tax credits),” he said.

DG NYSC intervenes, compensates family of deceased corps member in Delta state

The Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier- General YD Ahmed has intervened to get the Next of Kin (NOK) of deceased corps member, late Juliana Osochenemi Azakaza with State Code DT/16B/6364, paid the death benefit in Delta State.

Late Juliana Azakaza, until her death was a serving corps member in Warri South Local Government Area, a wife and a mother of a child before the cold hand of death snatched her away from her family and the NYSC.

The NYSC Director General was ably represented by Director Corps. Welfare and Health Services (CW&HS), Mr AF Omotade, at the event of handing over the death benefit to the NOK Mr. Azakaza Onajite, yesterday at the NYSC Delta State Secretariat in Asaba.

The NYSC DG sympathized and commiserated with the family of the deceased corps member and reiterated that the welfare and security of corps members, remain a top priority of his administration.

On the issue that had delayed the payment of death benefit to the next of Kin, Management at the National Directorate Headquarters upon investigation, found out that documents to back the request letter on behalf of the deceased corps member never got to the Director General. On this, he frowned at members of staff at different layers of administration for not rising up to the occasion at different points at hand to give this issue the maximum attention it deserved. He warned staff to be diligent in their duties and avoid acts of negligence that could portray the Scheme as irresponsive and insensitive to it's critical stakeholders.

The Director Corps Welfare and Health Services appreciated the NOK for his forbearance and efforts to attract attention of the NYSC top management on this issue. He stated that one major lesson drawn from the event was that someone somewhere failed to do the right thing and necessary action will be taken against anyone found wanting as such act of negligence is inimical to the operations of the Scheme.

Mr. Omotade charged members of Staff to be responsive and committed to their duties. He mentioned that staff are the closest parents to corps members while in service and must, therefore, be available to render service and attend to their needs all the time.

The Director CW&HS, who shared in the grief of bereaved family, stated that the reason management always wants to ensure immediate insurance benefit, was to guard against reopening the old wounds created as a result of loss of loved ones. Speaking further on the issue of death benefit, he said, ‘there is no amount of money that you receive that can equate the life of the individual but what NYSC is doing is a token of our love and appreciation of the individual while she was with us and a demonstration of sympathy, love and solidarity to the family’. It is to show that, “we care and identify with them", he said.

While responding, the NOK Mr. Azakaza Onajite, thanked the NYSC Director General and management for the response to his demand. He also apologized for failing to follow the laid down channels of communication to seek redress.

Earlier on, the State Coordinator Mr. Alao Olusegun O. thanked the Director General and management for identifying with the family of the deceased corps member in their grief and prayed to God that no corps member will die again while serving their fatherland. He further welcomed the Director CW&HS to the State. Such visit he said will offer him the opportunity to inspect some of his legacies which today speak volumes of his dutifulness while at the helm of affair in the Secretariat.

Similarly, the Director met with heads of branches and units in the secretariat, in an interactive session where he sensitized and cleared their views on some issues concerning the operations of the scheme .

In attendance were the Director South-South Area Office, Alhaji Baba Ladan represented by a Deputy Director Operations Mr. Christopher Okun, Assistant Directors and head of Corps Welfare and Health Services Branch Mr. Wellington Okun.

Highpoints of the event were the handing over of benefit cheque and group photographs.

Union partners Housing Loan Board, estate developer on affordable housing for members

Senior Staff Association of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, says it has partnered with Federal Government Housing Loan Board (FGSHLB) and BROOKS Asset and Resources Limited on provision of affordable housing for its members.

Chairman of the association, Mr Omoniyi Olalekan, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital (SSAUTHRIAI) home ownership scheme.

He said that the partnership was aimed at providing affordable housing for members, adding that all the stakeholders were invited to the hospital to explain the process and procedures to the prospective beneficiaries.

Olalekan, however, called for upward review of the 25 per cent of contributions in the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) earmarked by PENCOM for housing purpose.

“We’ve made it known to government since its circular on this matter came out. How much will 25 per cent be out of our pension contributions?

“There is the need for PENCOM to increase the RSA to something like 50 per cent,” he said.

According to him, increasing the earmarked amount to 50 per cent will be better than maintaining the current 25 per cent which is grossly inadequate.

Also speaking, Deputy Director, FGSHLB, Ibrahim Yakasai, said that the board was mandated to facilitate housing loans for federal public servants.

Yakasai said that federal public servants could access the loan anywhere in the country and also decide wherever they might want to build or purchase their houses.

He said that the loan scheme was tied to IPPIS, adding that those with genuine land with certificate of occupancy (C of O) could also obtain the loan.

“The loan does not fail in equity, only that you have to be a federal civil servant and the loan will be given based on your grade level,” the deputy director said.

Also, the Sales Manager, BROOKS Asset and Resources Limited, Mrs Temitope Shonde, said that the housing scheme was a good investment for civil servants.

Shonde encouraged the staffers to key into the scheme, noting that there were different apartments in different locations across Lagos, with different prices.

Polls: Political parties, candidates sign peace accord in Oyo




Some political parties and their candidates participating in the forthcoming presidential and national assembly polls have signed a peace accord as part of an effort to ensure violence-free elections on Saturday.

The peace pact was organised in Ibadan by the Independent State Based Peace Committee which serves as Oyo state chapter of the National Peace Committee.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Oyo state chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Apostle Dare Ojo said the peace pact was put together by the committee in collaboration with critical stakeholders in order to ensure that the election was held in an atmosphere of peace.

Ojo who was also the chairman of the peace pact signing committee in Oyo state urged all the contestants to put up the spirit of sportsmanship when one person emerge winner among them.

The chairman, Oyo state peace committee, Rtrd. Col. Joshua Akinyemiju, said that the committee sought to ensure that the political candidates document their commitment to ensure peace before, during and after forthcoming general elections.

Akinyemiju who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Oyo state peace committee, Mrs Surura Oyero, expressed the optimism that various sensitisation programmes by the committee since its inception would definitely bring about violence free elections.

He noted that the committee had organised stakeholders engagement prior to the signing of peace pact which involved traditional rulers, religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations(CSO) and the youth groups to bring all stakeholders to the round table to have free and fair elections.


The chairman added that the stakeholders engagement also had the support and contribution of notable Organisation such as United Nations and Kukah Foundations where all stakeholders agreed that there would be peace during the elections.

"we don't have doubt in our hearts that things will work well at the polls base on the level consultations, sensitisation and preparations put in place before now,"he said.

Also speaking, Mr Adejobi Olaposi, the Assistant Director, National Orientation Agency, Oyo state, noted that signing of the peace pact was the assurance from the candidates and the political parties that citizens should not fear but go out enmass to exercise their civil rights on the election day.

Some of the political parties that signed the peace pact included Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), People Redemption Party(PRP), Action Democratic Party(ADP) among others.

Omotade tasks corps members to use service year to add values to their lives



Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Omotade Ayodele Folorunso Benjamin has tasked corps members at Dakingari, Kebbi State and Wamakko, Sokoto State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp to use the opportunity of the one year national service to add value to their lives.

The Director gave the advise while addressing the 2023 Batch 'A’ Stream I corps members at the pavilion of both Orientation camps.

He admonished them to imbibe the spirit of self reliance in order to become great in life as government alone cannot provide job opportunities for increasing population of youths.

"As members of the Service Corps, duty calls for your diligence, hardwork, resilience, patriotism, honesty, transparency and perseverance in building a great future for yourselves.


"One principal way out of poverty and idleness, is to engage vigorously in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme" he said.

Furthermore, Omotade advised the corps members to strive to render services that will affect the lives of their host communities positively and leave lasting legacies at their places of primary assignments.

“Exhibit virtues that will bring honour and not shame to your families and the scheme, at your places of primary assignments,respect the culture and tradition of your host communities.

"Cultivate meaningful and lasting relationships right from camp, meaningful relationship cultivated during service year can lead to meaningful permanent friendships capable of taking them to greater heights in future" he said.

He also charged them to shun unnecessary adventure and unauthorised journeys that could compromise their personal security and reduce avoidable untimely deaths, noting that personal security depends largely on the choices you make.

Omotade however admonished them to take their health seriously and leveraged on Government approved health initiative for Corps members under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

On the forth-coming 2023 General Elections; NYSC uniform does not provide you immunity against criminal activities hence, corps members who are willing to participate must do so with patriotic zeal and must be neutral, he said.

For their outstanding performance and to spice up the forthcoming cultural carnival, the Director made presentation of gifts to Dance Troupe, Band, Quarter Guard, Orientation Broadcasting Service Crew, all Corps Members and Camp officials.

Finally, he encouraged the corps members to believe in themselves, avoid cutting corners, develop spirit of perseverance, patience, prayer and fear God in all your dealings in order to be successful in life.

Highlights of the visit included meeting with all camp officials and inspection of camp facilities.

Earlier, the host State Coordinators, welcomed and briefed the Director that a total of 1,047 and 1,139 corps members were registered in both Kebbi and Sokoto States, respectively.

They informed the Director that corps members have been well behaved, disciplined and have been committed to duties since their arrival on camp.


They appreciated the Director for his visit and wished him journey mercies back to base.

Mr. Deji Ogunde, Senior Procurement Manager (Logistics, Indirect & 3rd Party Manufacturing) for PZ Cussons Nigeria has said that COVID-19 distrupted 1000 companies supply chain.



Ogunde disclosed this in Lagos on Tuesday in his keynote address during the Haulage and Logistics Magazine Annual Conference and Exhibition (HAULMACE 2022)



The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Developing an Adaptive Framework in the Nigerian Haulage and Logistics Industry:an Imperative for Stability in a Vuca Environment”.



He said that supply chain was simply an event (risk occurrence) that leads to an imbalance in demand and supply.



Ogunde said that pre-pandemic research found that on the average, companies experience a distruption of one to two months in duration every 3.7 years.



He said that 94 per cent of the fortune 1000 companies had their supply chain distrupted due to COVID-19.



He said that external and environmental risk factors are political, economic, sociological, technological, environmental and legal factors.



Ogunde said that active attention was now required I preparing for high impact, low predictability risks rather than only contingency planning noting that research suggests entirely new supply chain.



He identified recent distruptive events as COVID-19 lockdown, Suez canal blockage, war (food crises from Ukraine war) flood(20/36 states in Nigeria) currency swap (Dec 2022) record inflation rate in 17 years, record USD/N devaluation and energy cost increase.



He said that supply chain resilience was the ability of a supply chain to prepare for and/or respond to distruptions to make a timely and cost effective recovery and therefore progress to a post-disruption state of operations.





The keynote speaker said that firms with supply chain agility could respond better to unforeseen changes as they are able to better synchroniser supply with demand.



He said that synchronisation of supply and demand requires integration across a firm’s internal functions as well as it’s suppliers and customers.



He said that new supply chain priorities (resilience, agility, sustainability) can’t be tacked on to existing supply chain setups thereby recommending innovation, technology and data, collaboration and workforce..

Corps members have the ability to convert challenges to opportunities– Director NYSC SAED


The NYSC Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Omotade Ayodele Folorunso Benjamin has urged 2022 Batch C Stream I Corps members in Ekiti state to exploit the SAED programme for their utmost benefits.

The Director made this
disclosed this while addressing the Corps members on Thursday, November 17, 2022, during a day working visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ise-Orun/Emure.

Mr. Omotade who took an inspection tour of the facilities in camp with the State Coordinator and other Principal officers of the Scheme expressed satisfaction in the level of cleanliness of the camp as well as corps members compliance with camp activities.

In his address, the astute Director whose track records has propelled to the echelons of NYSC Scheme, commended camp officials for their doggedness and commitment to camp duties since the beginning of the ongoing Orientation Camp in the state. He described them as exemplary worthy of all encomiums.

Stressing the focal point of his visit, he said that SAED was introduced into the NYSC Scheme as a result of the rising issue of unemployment in the country.

He implored them to widen their scope of knowledge beyond paid employment and take up skills that will enable them to be independent.

Mr. Omotade added that the issue of white collar job cannot be overemphasized. He said, 'white collar job openings are insignificant and infinitesimal, hence the need for the corps members to grab the opportunity before them by acquiring a skill'

He reintrated the fact that by acquiring a skill while in camp, they will an asset to both their parents as well as the nation.

"You all are creative enough to make wealth legally, harness your skills and be proud owners of sustainable means of income as you can only rely on what your hands can produce" He added.

Similarly, while addressing the issue of insecurity, he advised the Corps members to shun all negative vices and situations that can make them compromise their personal security, rather they should integrate themselves into their host communities.

Earlier, Mrs. Chikezie, the NYSC Ekiti State Coordinator in her address described his presence as homecoming and praised him for his unquantifiable sacrifices for the growth of the NYSC scheme.

The event witnessed the attendance of dignitaries such as the Camp Director, Camp Commandant, Representative of the DG in camp, Heads of Collaborating Agencies and Camp Officials.

Other highlights of the event was the presentation of gift to the corps members and a vote of thanks by one of the corps Camp Directors.

NYSC Director felicitates Ekiti state Governor, discusses matters of mutual benefits between EKSG and the NYSC.

Mr Ayodele Benjamin Omotade on Thursday visited Ado-Ekiti to felicitate his brother and childhood friend, Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on his well deserved election and successful swearing in as the 4th elected Governor of Ekiti State, the land of honor.

It was indeed a happy reunion and a special meeting having been secondary school classmates together with the Governor up until 1980 at Awo Community Comprehensive High School, (ACCHS), Awo-Ekiti in the then Ekiti Central Local Government Area.

Omotade, who himself was an erudite technocrat, an accomplished Public Servant and a Director of the NYSC, seized the opportunity to introduce NYSC State Coordinator for Ekiti State, Mrs Chikezie Mary Nnena, to the Governor as well as discussed matters of mutual benefits to both Ekiti State Government, (EKSG) and the NYSC.

Highlights of the visit included presentation of live sized congratulatory card, on behalf of the NYSC director's family, to the governor and taking of photographs.

NYSC wished the governor good health and unassailable wisdom to pilot affairs of Ekiti State, the Fountain of Knowledge and the Land of Honor, where Integrity is the watchword.

Help! A colleague landlord is too greedy

Please help call a colleague landlord who is too greedy to order. Please everyone should help call him to order.

My colleague rented a two bedroom apartment in his house last year March in ikotun idimu axis at N450k only for him to increase the annual rent to N500 without the expiration of the first money paid.

His contact details are 08034434161, Mr Akinola.

NGOs make move to cover for COVID-19 losses


Public Services International (PSI), an NGO, says it seeks srategies on how to resuscitate the economy and cover the losses that countries suffered during the COVID-19 period.

Sani Baba, Regional Secretary, PSI, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday during PSI Regional Conference.

He said there was an engagement with African governments and the European Union (EU), where efforts were made to solicit funding to deal with post COVID-19 issues.

He said the EU had really granted almost 400 million euros when they met.

“The big issue is when these funds come, how are they really going to be channeled toward supporting our infrastructure?

“This is one thing that is very fundamental in Africa; before Ebola, we had problems with our infrastructure and when ebola came and we were really put to test, we didn’t do much and now here we are with COVID-19.

“So, that’s why we really discovered that though without the statistics, clearly, Africa has suffered a lot of losses and also during the COVID-19.

“Because we do not have the sufficient records to actually report the actual statistics of what happened country by country but then of course, what it does is to affect the economy.

“And what we’re talking about here is governments have taken so much loans from China, also from other foreigners like IMF and World bank.

“But unfortunately, what they are doing now? They are trying to service their pay back not really the debt,’’ he said.

“Most countries are already running in deficit; they do not have enough money to support public infrastructure be it health, education, energy, water and the rest of them all.

“So, at the end of this programme, hopefully ,we will come up with a strategy on how to engage our governments and also some regional and international congenital bodies like ECOWAS and EU.

“This is so that we can actually make some demands on how some of these issues can be clearly looked at,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Ritta Mbisi from South Africa, said that the essence of the gathering was to review what happened, post-COVID-19 and review preparedness for the pandemic and future pandemics.

“We don’t want to be caught with our pants down again like we did with COVID-19.

“That came as a surprise, and when the world was closed, only the health workers were able to go out and work and also serve the countries.

“We have invited what we call academics from different universities to present papers because they were able to do their research on the pre-COVID and the post-COVID.

“And how the public funds were utilised from the government so that they can combat the COVID-19.

“So, what is expected now is that we should then look inwardly as to what have we done as workers, how we can as unions make sure that we protect the union’s rights of the workers and also set the records rights.

“And what is it that we can improve on in future, where and when we are confronted with such situation,’’ she said.

Daniel Oberko, PSI Tax, Trade and Digitalisation Coordinator, Ghana, said that the regional conference was on health, especially post COVID-19.

Oberko said that the essence was to look at some of the new developments taking place in health services, especially investment in health services.

He said this was important because one of the things realised during COVID-19 was that health workers became or health workers were the frontline staff/workers in the campaign or fight against COVID-19.

“It was realised that some of these health workers faced all kinds of challenges and some who were also promised all kinds of benefits after COVID-19 were not given their promises.

“Most importantly, we knew or we know that one of the things COVID-19 did to us was to expose how weak our health systems are.

“Because we are not investing in the various capital investment in health or various infrastructure of health.

“We are not investing in ensuring that the working conditions of health sector workers especially nurses and other auxiliary workers are improved.

“Our concern is that we need to start talking or having a conversation on investment in health services.

“The unfortunate thing is that government is always focusing on private investment in health,’’ he said.

Oberko said that all what the conference was saying was that, there were challenges with private sector interest in investments in health services.

“The challenge is that, one, because of the use of private equity in investing in health services, it limits government ability to raise revenue from the health sector itself to invest in the health services, to employ more workers and to improve on their working conditions’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the conference was organised by Public Services International with collaboration with Open Society Foundation and Center for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research.

Ten English and French speaking African countries were in attendance.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) says it is well established that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many developed economies.

Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, reaffirmed this during a stakeholders sensitisation and consultation meeting on fiscal support opportunities for mutual economic growth of SMEs and private corporations.

He said that SMEs are important contributors to employment, output growth, and trade expansion and in Nigeria they remain critical constituents of the economy.

“According to a 2022 report jointly released by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), there are at least 39.6 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operated in Nigeria as of December 2020.

“Accounting for 96.7 per cent of businesses, 87.9 per cent of employment, and 49.7 per cent of national GDP. Totaling about 17.4 million enterprises.

“SMEs account for about 50 per cent of industrial jobs and nearly 90 per cent of activities in the manufacturing sector, in terms of number of enterprises.

“As you know, business death is the last stage of any business life cycle” he said.

According to the African Development Bank, 80 per cent of businesses in Africa fail within five years of starting up and at least 1.9 million SMEs have been lost since 2017 in Nigeria according to a 2020 PwC report.

He said it was instructive to note that obtaining finance remained the most pressing problem MSMEs face in Nigeria.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), less than five per cent of SMEs have been able to access adequate finance for working capital and for funding business growth/expansion.

Yet, SMEs still contribute a staggering 50 per cent to GDP.

To address these issues, he said that the Nigerian government helped to fund businesses through a variety of government-backed organisations like the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Others include the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc.), Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and Development Bank of Nigeria) and has established several agencies to assist SMEs.

Furthermore, at least 26 of Nigeria’s 36 state governments have set up an SME development agency or office.

He said in spite these seemingly significant efforts, challenges persist that hinder the growth and development of the sector.

Rafsanjani said the centre needs to support small businesses by providing insights, advice and support on access to finance and reducing financial liabilities.

It remained critical to increasing their chances to succeed in an often difficult environment.

He said that CISLAC workshop in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), and with support from Oxfam, was predicated on the above, towards strengthening fiscal opportunities through relevant consultations between SMEs, relevant government and professional agencies for mutual economic growth.

Women of Wisdom Empowerment Programme (WOWEP), a Non-Government
Organisation (NGO) on Wednesday sensitised female students of EUBA Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos State
on sexual, reproductive health.

Mrs Temidayo Adeyanju, the Ministry Administrator, WOWEP, told the students that sexual and reproductive
health entail the complete state of wellbeing of women, including their mental, social and emotional aspects.

She explained that women who are in their complete state of wellbeing are supposed to take care of themselves, maintain good and clean hygiene.

She said that the sensitisation was to make the students know about their sexual and reproductive health, including family planning and menstruation.

Adeyanju added that the students would also know when their rights are violated, when to seek and get help if they see or hear anything of any girl being violated, sexually harassed or exploited.

She said that the sensitisation programme was in partnership with Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), funded by Global Affairs Canada and Action Aid Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each student got a pack of sanitary pad, antiseptic soaps, toothbrush and toothpaste.

A student, Ms Fadekemi Kayode, said that the programme was an eye opener for her as she had gotten some background information about sexual and reproductive health.

Kayode said that she now knew who to reach out to in case of anything.

She was of the opinion that it was a good initiative as more knowledge and information had been gained.

Another student, Boluwatife Ajayi, said it was the first time she was hearing about reproductive health.

Ajayi said that the programme was an insightful one and had made her to know about menstruation hygiene.

She thanked the NGO for bringing the sensitisation to them.

She was also of the opinion that if such programme was being carried out at such a tender age to female students,
the future of many girls would be secure.

The Haulage and Logistics Magazine has said that it has concluded plans to hold its annual HAULMACE event in November in Lagos.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday by the Convener, HAULMACE, Mr. Alfred Okugbeni.

Okugbeni said that HAUMACE, which started in 2015, is an annual gathering of stakeholders in the cargo delivery sector of the economy.

He said that the theme of this year’s event is “Developing an adaptive framework in the Nigerian Haulage and Logistics industry: An imperative for stability in a VUCA environment.”

He said the theme is apt following the serious level of instability the world has experienced in recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic and other major developments such as the Russian-Ukraine war.

“‘The world has continued to experience instability and this instability has significantly disrupted the supply chain of nations and businesses alike,” he said.

According to him, this year’s HAULMACE would bring stakeholders together to find ways of minimizing the impact of these disruptions on businesses in Nigeria.

Okugbeni said that the Keynote speaker for this year’s event will be Mr. Deji Ogunde, Senior Procurement Manager (Logistics, Indirect & 3rd Party Manufacturing) for PZ Cussons Nigeria.

He said that other key stakeholders that have confirmed their attendance include, Mr. Elvis Okonji, Managing Director of GPC Haulage, Mr. Deji Wright, the Managing Director of Transport Services Limited (TSL), Mr. Frank Nneji, the Managing Director of ABC Transport, and Mr. Osazeme Aghatise of Lafarge Africa PLC.

He said others are, Mr. Tony Arenyeka, Managing Director of Truck Masters Limited, Mrs. Seun Oni, Managing Director of AG Leventis, and a host of other industry leaders.