Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Drumming into the hearts of jazz lovers
Dayo Adejobi
Tosin Aribisala started out in his formative years as an artiste at a local church in Lagos in 1987. Gradually, his dexterity grew and drew large followers before he relocated
to the United States of America (USA). While in U S, he honed his creative skills and added other instruments. Aside drum, he plays African percussions like conga, cowbell, shekere and woodblock.
Going down memory lane on how it all started before he travelled, Aribisala said he went through several hands, including his father before he started out on his own.
According to him, his father was a strong influence on his music. “Outside my father, the major influential person in my music career was a man named Kunle Pinmiloye, a great teacher and drummer. He is an instructor who has maintained a reputation among his fans and peers for over 20 years as one of the very finest musicians on the traditional jazz and contemporary Nigerian music scene today. He was the first person who taught me how to read and interpret musical notations and drum rudiments. Another good teacher of mine was a Paris-based drummer called Moktar Samba, who gave me some lessons whenever I met him in France some years ago. Moktar actually expantiated extensively on what Kunle taught me in Nigeria”, he informed.
“I started performing with a professional band in 1996. The Sunny Neji Band was led by Sunny Neji himself, who recently toured the U.S. Initially I was with the band for about two months and was fired because I was not disciplined enough in keeping to time, that I was always late for rehearsals and gigs and overplaying instead of keeping a steady flow of rhythm. It was quite disappointing, but fortunately for me they called me back a few weeks later. At that time I had learned a big lesson about being more professional and disciplined on a gig. However, I was only there for less than a year before another opportunity came my way.”
The experience, he said, changed his whole attitude to music, time management and professionalism. “By then I have become a better person for it. Although as I was growing up, I was influenced by the music of the church in Nigeria which takes its root in the traditional or folk music of the land. So it is impossible to separate the two. The main differences are the lyrics and the hymns. Thus, I absorbed everything equally: church music and secular music at the same time”, Aribisala said.
Pigeonholing Aribisala as a drummer would be far from the point. Aside playing the drums, he also produces music, writes songs and performs. A true musician, he said, should be able to write, read and or interpret music. “The first song I wrote is called Harvester, which was written 11 years ago. I still perform it live. Actually, I just started performing it with my band about a year ago, and it has been rearranged for both vocal and instrumental versions. I always update my songs with new arrangements. It is like painting; you sketch out what you want to paint and you keep going back to the board to add this and that line or colour. I learned that from a Ghanaian painter who worked for my father and so I applied that to my music. Besides, I have come across some composers’ works that have been rearranged by themselves. The funny thing is that the rearrangement always take me by surprise. And that just inspires me to rework some of my compositions, which sometimes gives birth to two versions of the same song. That way the band does not get bored of playing the same song over and over.”
He explained significance of the Hallelujazz Project within this framework. “Besides my native Yoruba language that some listeners may not understand, the instrumental aspect of the music is what brings about the connection or attraction for the general listeners. This is because the instrumentation of my music is not so traditionally African but a marriage of Africa and jazz, and some Latin vibes. As a matter of fact, I also write some songs in English language, which is a more universal language that everyone could understand. I observed that in this age where the world is gradually evolving into a global village, especially with modern technology, Internet, media power, intermingling of cultures and so on, it is not difficult for people around the world to understand or connect with different cultures, music or fashion around us. I was exposed to American music -jazz, country, soul and R&B at a very early age. The same thing with Jamaican reggae music and the Rasta Movement, and many other cultures while I was still in Nigeria years ago. So, I believe the same thing could be happening to someone else in another part of the world. That way we all can easily relate to the same type of music, outfit, food, religion and what have you, think, see and feel.this is what Hallelujazz Project is all about.”
On a final note, Aribisala describes his music as very original and pleasant to the ears. He says his newly released CD, Hallelujazz Project is rarity in jazz, gospel and contemporary. The drummer moved to the U.S. in 2001. Since his arrival, he has been involved in numerous musical projects, one of which was the “Red Hot & Riot” CD - a tribute to the legendary Nigerian musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and pioneer of Afro beat music, the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997.
Tapping from his vast experience, Aribisala has developed a wide range of drumming styles, which include fusion, reggae, R&B, hip-hop, afrobeat, gospel, juju and the traditional African drumming patterns associated with what he calls the Konkolo style. In addition to playing, writing and producing music, he is also a teacher of drumming art from which he derives a great deal of satisfaction.
Aribisala is the leader Hallelujazz Project, a band he put together in 2002. Some key members of the band are Cheikh Ndoye on Bass, Ben Bokor on Sax and vocalist Monica Ssali.
Tosin Aribisala started out in his formative years as an artiste at a local church in Lagos in 1987. Gradually, his dexterity grew and drew large followers before he relocated
to the United States of America (USA). While in U S, he honed his creative skills and added other instruments. Aside drum, he plays African percussions like conga, cowbell, shekere and woodblock.
Going down memory lane on how it all started before he travelled, Aribisala said he went through several hands, including his father before he started out on his own.
According to him, his father was a strong influence on his music. “Outside my father, the major influential person in my music career was a man named Kunle Pinmiloye, a great teacher and drummer. He is an instructor who has maintained a reputation among his fans and peers for over 20 years as one of the very finest musicians on the traditional jazz and contemporary Nigerian music scene today. He was the first person who taught me how to read and interpret musical notations and drum rudiments. Another good teacher of mine was a Paris-based drummer called Moktar Samba, who gave me some lessons whenever I met him in France some years ago. Moktar actually expantiated extensively on what Kunle taught me in Nigeria”, he informed.
“I started performing with a professional band in 1996. The Sunny Neji Band was led by Sunny Neji himself, who recently toured the U.S. Initially I was with the band for about two months and was fired because I was not disciplined enough in keeping to time, that I was always late for rehearsals and gigs and overplaying instead of keeping a steady flow of rhythm. It was quite disappointing, but fortunately for me they called me back a few weeks later. At that time I had learned a big lesson about being more professional and disciplined on a gig. However, I was only there for less than a year before another opportunity came my way.”
The experience, he said, changed his whole attitude to music, time management and professionalism. “By then I have become a better person for it. Although as I was growing up, I was influenced by the music of the church in Nigeria which takes its root in the traditional or folk music of the land. So it is impossible to separate the two. The main differences are the lyrics and the hymns. Thus, I absorbed everything equally: church music and secular music at the same time”, Aribisala said.
Pigeonholing Aribisala as a drummer would be far from the point. Aside playing the drums, he also produces music, writes songs and performs. A true musician, he said, should be able to write, read and or interpret music. “The first song I wrote is called Harvester, which was written 11 years ago. I still perform it live. Actually, I just started performing it with my band about a year ago, and it has been rearranged for both vocal and instrumental versions. I always update my songs with new arrangements. It is like painting; you sketch out what you want to paint and you keep going back to the board to add this and that line or colour. I learned that from a Ghanaian painter who worked for my father and so I applied that to my music. Besides, I have come across some composers’ works that have been rearranged by themselves. The funny thing is that the rearrangement always take me by surprise. And that just inspires me to rework some of my compositions, which sometimes gives birth to two versions of the same song. That way the band does not get bored of playing the same song over and over.”
He explained significance of the Hallelujazz Project within this framework. “Besides my native Yoruba language that some listeners may not understand, the instrumental aspect of the music is what brings about the connection or attraction for the general listeners. This is because the instrumentation of my music is not so traditionally African but a marriage of Africa and jazz, and some Latin vibes. As a matter of fact, I also write some songs in English language, which is a more universal language that everyone could understand. I observed that in this age where the world is gradually evolving into a global village, especially with modern technology, Internet, media power, intermingling of cultures and so on, it is not difficult for people around the world to understand or connect with different cultures, music or fashion around us. I was exposed to American music -jazz, country, soul and R&B at a very early age. The same thing with Jamaican reggae music and the Rasta Movement, and many other cultures while I was still in Nigeria years ago. So, I believe the same thing could be happening to someone else in another part of the world. That way we all can easily relate to the same type of music, outfit, food, religion and what have you, think, see and feel.this is what Hallelujazz Project is all about.”
On a final note, Aribisala describes his music as very original and pleasant to the ears. He says his newly released CD, Hallelujazz Project is rarity in jazz, gospel and contemporary. The drummer moved to the U.S. in 2001. Since his arrival, he has been involved in numerous musical projects, one of which was the “Red Hot & Riot” CD - a tribute to the legendary Nigerian musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and pioneer of Afro beat music, the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997.
Tapping from his vast experience, Aribisala has developed a wide range of drumming styles, which include fusion, reggae, R&B, hip-hop, afrobeat, gospel, juju and the traditional African drumming patterns associated with what he calls the Konkolo style. In addition to playing, writing and producing music, he is also a teacher of drumming art from which he derives a great deal of satisfaction.
Aribisala is the leader Hallelujazz Project, a band he put together in 2002. Some key members of the band are Cheikh Ndoye on Bass, Ben Bokor on Sax and vocalist Monica Ssali.
Fashola'a 800 days in office provides 156,779 jobs
STORIES BY DAYO ADEJOBI
Fashola Marks 800 Days In Office, Pledges To Provide Platform For Youths To Unleash Potentials.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday,6th August 2009 marked his 800th day in the saddle of leadership, affirming that the responsibility of his administration and the present generation is simply to provide the platform and environment that will unleash the power and potential of the Lagos and Nigerian Youth.Governor Fashola who spoke at the Governor’s Forum with the theme: “Repositioning the Youth for Future Challenges” held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi as part of activities marking the event. He however added the country’s problems can be solved by the Youth.Said he: “ We have become the continental leaders in many fields like sports, music, fashion and business to mention a few and that convinces me that we can be leaders in all fields”.“What has kept us back is that we have been engaged for too long in fighting for the survival of our country and development has not taken place at the necessary pace to match the growth in population”, he added.He explained that while the state had a population of only about 5 million people in the 1970’s, it has exceeded 18 million in 2009 with a whooping growth of about 260 percent. He lamented that in those almost thirty years, water supply has not grown in that size and neither have new roads been constructed at the same pace.Governor Fashola added that this has led to the situation where the growing population has struggled to share the existing assets of roads, hospitals, schools, power, water, markets, entertainment centres, sports facilities and much more. “This is why life seems difficult, this is why new jobs are not emerging, this is a 30 year deficit which we are determined to reverse and this is why you must understand why we do what we do”. He eulogized.“We are building at an aggressive pace to provide more roads and create choices to ease traffic congestion; we are rebuilding and repairing classrooms and schools, new hospitals, new stadia, water works as well as markets to expand opportunities for as many of you as we can. We are clearing canals and drainages that in some cases have not been attended to in 15 years or more”.Governor Fashola added that in doing this, the administration is using people and in the process creating jobs for builders, for suppliers of building materials, food for workers, jobs for accountants, engineers, transporters and so much more to keep the economy going, thus keeping parents at work so that they can support the children.The Governor said in the last 100 days after the 700 day, the administration has been very busy in diverse sections of the economy such as transportation where 1,255 new taxis have been added to the growing fleet in Lagos.In the area of education, Governor Fashola reported that, the State successfully convened an education summit whose recommendation it is in the process of implementing, just as the State House of Assembly has been active in passing the Vocation and Technical Education Institutions Law to help accelerate the development of Technical and Vocational Education.The Lagos State Governor also listed the Model City Law which will help stem the incidence of illegal constructions that usually end up collapsing and causing deaths and the Lagos Court of Arbitration and Magistrates Court Law which would help enhance the quality of justice delivery to all as some of the accomplishments in the last 100 days.“One of the many innovative features of the Magistrate’s Court Law is that for the first time in Nigeria, Magistrates will now sit on Saturdays and in the hope that this will end the practice where people are kept in remand over the weekend simply because Courts are not in operation”, he added.Specifically as it relates to the young people, Governor Fashola added: “We have decided to do more this year and in the years to come, by focusing more directly on those things that affect you directly, even as we deal with those things that affect your parents and guardians and from which you indirectly benefit”.He explained that in the last 100 days, the administration undertook its second quarter budget review which not only recorded a 68 percent performance but has led to the creation of 156,779 jobs in 2009 alone.In his words: “We have been busy with sports through the hosting of the Federations Cup in which many of you turned out in large numbers and we have delivered another park and sporting facility at kernel Street in Surulere while we are almost completing the sports facilities in Agege and Campos Square”“We have provided 500 vacation job opportunities again this year for students on vacation within the public service to keep you busy, mentor you and provide some extra cash and pocket money to enable you address those needs that young persons have.We have aggressively through the law enforcement agents tried to protect you from those who try to corrupt you by arresting and prosecuting those who have taken advantage of your innocence to display pornographic material”, he added.He reiterated that in the last 100 days, the State has also received several accolades locally and internationally such as award as the cleanest capital in the Federation by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Award for Good Governance at 2009 African Business Awards in London and the award of transport Planner of the Year 2009 by the Transport Planning Society of United Kingdom.On the on-going ASUU strike, Governor Fashola described it as a manifestation of the imperfect Federation which neglects or fails to recognize the autonomy of states as Federating units who should be competent to take decisions in their areas of constitutional authority without any adverse consequence from decisions taken by the Federal Government.“If states own and run universities like the Federal Government as the Constitution allows, why should a disagreement between employees of the Federal Government in a Federal University paralyze the activities in all State Universities where there is no labour dispute”?. Fashola Questioned.“Why should every university lecturer whether employed by the State or Federal University earn the same wage?. What happened to the principles of competitive advantage in economics?. Can we and must we continue to fund tertiary education in the way we currently do and still attract the best lecturers or should we develop a process of guaranteed scholarships for indigent students while those who can afford to do so pay a fair fee in order to guarantee autonomy to universities and to provide funding for them”, Governor Fashola wondered.He asked rhetorically: “How does the frequency of strikes in our educational system and the uncertain academic calendar affect proper planning and what are its impacts on the job creation capacities of the public and the private sectors”.
According to Governor Fashola, it could be quite difficult for employment to be guaranteed for people if we do not know how many we are, asking: “How successful can a budget based on wrong population assumptions be”.He charged that this is probably the time to re-define the concept of jobs from job seekers to aspiring entrepreneurs, asking, “in an economy where growth is not assured on a sustainable basis should young graduates continue to look for employment or begin to think about being self employed?. Are our School Curriculum limiting job opportunities by producing graduates that the economy needs?The Forum was attended by the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, members of the State Executive Council, pupils and students representing various schools, institutions, voluntary organizations and youth bodies including political parties.
Fashola Marks 800 Days In Office, Pledges To Provide Platform For Youths To Unleash Potentials.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday,6th August 2009 marked his 800th day in the saddle of leadership, affirming that the responsibility of his administration and the present generation is simply to provide the platform and environment that will unleash the power and potential of the Lagos and Nigerian Youth.Governor Fashola who spoke at the Governor’s Forum with the theme: “Repositioning the Youth for Future Challenges” held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi as part of activities marking the event. He however added the country’s problems can be solved by the Youth.Said he: “ We have become the continental leaders in many fields like sports, music, fashion and business to mention a few and that convinces me that we can be leaders in all fields”.“What has kept us back is that we have been engaged for too long in fighting for the survival of our country and development has not taken place at the necessary pace to match the growth in population”, he added.He explained that while the state had a population of only about 5 million people in the 1970’s, it has exceeded 18 million in 2009 with a whooping growth of about 260 percent. He lamented that in those almost thirty years, water supply has not grown in that size and neither have new roads been constructed at the same pace.Governor Fashola added that this has led to the situation where the growing population has struggled to share the existing assets of roads, hospitals, schools, power, water, markets, entertainment centres, sports facilities and much more. “This is why life seems difficult, this is why new jobs are not emerging, this is a 30 year deficit which we are determined to reverse and this is why you must understand why we do what we do”. He eulogized.“We are building at an aggressive pace to provide more roads and create choices to ease traffic congestion; we are rebuilding and repairing classrooms and schools, new hospitals, new stadia, water works as well as markets to expand opportunities for as many of you as we can. We are clearing canals and drainages that in some cases have not been attended to in 15 years or more”.Governor Fashola added that in doing this, the administration is using people and in the process creating jobs for builders, for suppliers of building materials, food for workers, jobs for accountants, engineers, transporters and so much more to keep the economy going, thus keeping parents at work so that they can support the children.The Governor said in the last 100 days after the 700 day, the administration has been very busy in diverse sections of the economy such as transportation where 1,255 new taxis have been added to the growing fleet in Lagos.In the area of education, Governor Fashola reported that, the State successfully convened an education summit whose recommendation it is in the process of implementing, just as the State House of Assembly has been active in passing the Vocation and Technical Education Institutions Law to help accelerate the development of Technical and Vocational Education.The Lagos State Governor also listed the Model City Law which will help stem the incidence of illegal constructions that usually end up collapsing and causing deaths and the Lagos Court of Arbitration and Magistrates Court Law which would help enhance the quality of justice delivery to all as some of the accomplishments in the last 100 days.“One of the many innovative features of the Magistrate’s Court Law is that for the first time in Nigeria, Magistrates will now sit on Saturdays and in the hope that this will end the practice where people are kept in remand over the weekend simply because Courts are not in operation”, he added.Specifically as it relates to the young people, Governor Fashola added: “We have decided to do more this year and in the years to come, by focusing more directly on those things that affect you directly, even as we deal with those things that affect your parents and guardians and from which you indirectly benefit”.He explained that in the last 100 days, the administration undertook its second quarter budget review which not only recorded a 68 percent performance but has led to the creation of 156,779 jobs in 2009 alone.In his words: “We have been busy with sports through the hosting of the Federations Cup in which many of you turned out in large numbers and we have delivered another park and sporting facility at kernel Street in Surulere while we are almost completing the sports facilities in Agege and Campos Square”“We have provided 500 vacation job opportunities again this year for students on vacation within the public service to keep you busy, mentor you and provide some extra cash and pocket money to enable you address those needs that young persons have.We have aggressively through the law enforcement agents tried to protect you from those who try to corrupt you by arresting and prosecuting those who have taken advantage of your innocence to display pornographic material”, he added.He reiterated that in the last 100 days, the State has also received several accolades locally and internationally such as award as the cleanest capital in the Federation by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Award for Good Governance at 2009 African Business Awards in London and the award of transport Planner of the Year 2009 by the Transport Planning Society of United Kingdom.On the on-going ASUU strike, Governor Fashola described it as a manifestation of the imperfect Federation which neglects or fails to recognize the autonomy of states as Federating units who should be competent to take decisions in their areas of constitutional authority without any adverse consequence from decisions taken by the Federal Government.“If states own and run universities like the Federal Government as the Constitution allows, why should a disagreement between employees of the Federal Government in a Federal University paralyze the activities in all State Universities where there is no labour dispute”?. Fashola Questioned.“Why should every university lecturer whether employed by the State or Federal University earn the same wage?. What happened to the principles of competitive advantage in economics?. Can we and must we continue to fund tertiary education in the way we currently do and still attract the best lecturers or should we develop a process of guaranteed scholarships for indigent students while those who can afford to do so pay a fair fee in order to guarantee autonomy to universities and to provide funding for them”, Governor Fashola wondered.He asked rhetorically: “How does the frequency of strikes in our educational system and the uncertain academic calendar affect proper planning and what are its impacts on the job creation capacities of the public and the private sectors”.
According to Governor Fashola, it could be quite difficult for employment to be guaranteed for people if we do not know how many we are, asking: “How successful can a budget based on wrong population assumptions be”.He charged that this is probably the time to re-define the concept of jobs from job seekers to aspiring entrepreneurs, asking, “in an economy where growth is not assured on a sustainable basis should young graduates continue to look for employment or begin to think about being self employed?. Are our School Curriculum limiting job opportunities by producing graduates that the economy needs?The Forum was attended by the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, members of the State Executive Council, pupils and students representing various schools, institutions, voluntary organizations and youth bodies including political parties.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Oyemakinde Babajide’s ‘Who Says Lawyers are Liars’ Debuts.
These were the words of Lagos based legal luminary, Babajide Oyemakinde who yesterday publicly presented his book titled ‘‘Who Says Lawyers are Liars’’. This is my contribution to non formal legal knowledge, thus further bridging the gap between the ‘learned and unlearned,’ after all , Lawyers see others see others as ‘unlearned’, and the unlearned see the ‘learned’ as Liars. The idea behind writing the book is to foster formal education and erase the negative perception of the ordinary man, that the Lawyer is a Liar.
‘‘I have made it so easily comprehensible for the common man to digest. No cases and statutes’’. He eulogized.
The Reviewer Speaking on the Book, Barrister Jadesola Amedari described Oyemakinde’s approach and writing style as a very unique method. Oyemakinde has made the process of learning Law simple and fun, to broaden the horizon of the common reader concerning the various issues discussed. One unique feature of this work ,is that each of the twenty-two chapters informs, educates and indeed entertains the reader.
Amedari, however said the book ‘Who Says Lawyers are Liars’ is a unique and interesting publication which has taken the knowledge of law and other related life issues from the four walls of the lecture halls of universities and Law Schools and theories of the various business Schools. It has transferred the knowledge of the few to ‘all’ and has indeed proved a point that Lawyers are not Liars.
In the remarks of the Chairman of the Occasion, he described Babajide as a Man of God endowed with power and knowledge. He further charged this present generation to handle Nigeria well such that it will live up its current rebranding Campaign ‘’Good Nation Good People’’.
Oyemakinde commenting on his 36th, says he feels particularly grateful to God for keeping him alive, attaining maturity and also equipping him to positively impact the society.
The epoch making event which doubled as Babajide’s 36th birthday, was held on Tuesday 4th August, 2009, at the Paul Dike Hall, Nigerian Air Force Camp Headquarters, Ikoyi Lagos.
‘‘I have made it so easily comprehensible for the common man to digest. No cases and statutes’’. He eulogized.
The Reviewer Speaking on the Book, Barrister Jadesola Amedari described Oyemakinde’s approach and writing style as a very unique method. Oyemakinde has made the process of learning Law simple and fun, to broaden the horizon of the common reader concerning the various issues discussed. One unique feature of this work ,is that each of the twenty-two chapters informs, educates and indeed entertains the reader.
Amedari, however said the book ‘Who Says Lawyers are Liars’ is a unique and interesting publication which has taken the knowledge of law and other related life issues from the four walls of the lecture halls of universities and Law Schools and theories of the various business Schools. It has transferred the knowledge of the few to ‘all’ and has indeed proved a point that Lawyers are not Liars.
In the remarks of the Chairman of the Occasion, he described Babajide as a Man of God endowed with power and knowledge. He further charged this present generation to handle Nigeria well such that it will live up its current rebranding Campaign ‘’Good Nation Good People’’.
Oyemakinde commenting on his 36th, says he feels particularly grateful to God for keeping him alive, attaining maturity and also equipping him to positively impact the society.
The epoch making event which doubled as Babajide’s 36th birthday, was held on Tuesday 4th August, 2009, at the Paul Dike Hall, Nigerian Air Force Camp Headquarters, Ikoyi Lagos.
New Board stems patient drift from Lagos Hospitals
Dayo Adejobi
There is no doubt that the high cost of healthcare is a major factor that hinders many citizens in Lagos State from seeking care in Public Health facilities, trends have revealed that the attitude of health staff to work discourages many people from getting services from orthodox health facilities, but the latter would be addressed urgently.
The new Chairman, Health Service Commission Board, Dr .M.o Salako disclosed that reversing this negative attitude of health staff to work is one of the tasks he set for himself during on tenure.
Salako announced this plan during his inauguration as the Chairman of the Board, Health Service Commission Tuesday.
Over the years, the attitude of heath staff workers in Lagos public hospitals has put many people off, resulting in some seeking care in private facilities, traditional and herbal healing homes while others abandon the public hospitals altogether.
Such attitude include lackadaisical attitude to work, coming late to work, absenteeism, poor human relations, lack of proper communications, lack of empathy for patients ordeal amongst others.
In his acceptance Speech, the new Chairman of the HSC in Lagos State identified some challenges within the system, which the Board would address as: the increasing patients load from daily influx of people into Lagos State, in the face of limited resources.
Chronic manpower shortages in the specialties of anesthesia, radiology, radiography, Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T), physical medicine/physiotherapy, and maxillofacial surgery.
He said, the HSC shall work assiduously and within a short period to resolve the improvement in welfare of all public hospital staff, assess performance of health workforce especially on attitude to work and patient centeredness, collaborate with the Ministry of health and other stakeholders in theprimary healthcare to reduce influx of patients to secondary and tertiary health centres and encourage training in rare field such as anesthesia, E.N.T, physiotherapy etc, with the payment of inducement allowance to such healthcare practioners.
Similarly, Dr Salako he would evolve training scheme for medical officers in Family Medicine (General Medical practice) while practicing in their various public hospitals. In addition there will be sustainable staff development programmes with scheduled trainings.
There is no doubt that the high cost of healthcare is a major factor that hinders many citizens in Lagos State from seeking care in Public Health facilities, trends have revealed that the attitude of health staff to work discourages many people from getting services from orthodox health facilities, but the latter would be addressed urgently.
The new Chairman, Health Service Commission Board, Dr .M.o Salako disclosed that reversing this negative attitude of health staff to work is one of the tasks he set for himself during on tenure.
Salako announced this plan during his inauguration as the Chairman of the Board, Health Service Commission Tuesday.
Over the years, the attitude of heath staff workers in Lagos public hospitals has put many people off, resulting in some seeking care in private facilities, traditional and herbal healing homes while others abandon the public hospitals altogether.
Such attitude include lackadaisical attitude to work, coming late to work, absenteeism, poor human relations, lack of proper communications, lack of empathy for patients ordeal amongst others.
In his acceptance Speech, the new Chairman of the HSC in Lagos State identified some challenges within the system, which the Board would address as: the increasing patients load from daily influx of people into Lagos State, in the face of limited resources.
Chronic manpower shortages in the specialties of anesthesia, radiology, radiography, Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T), physical medicine/physiotherapy, and maxillofacial surgery.
He said, the HSC shall work assiduously and within a short period to resolve the improvement in welfare of all public hospital staff, assess performance of health workforce especially on attitude to work and patient centeredness, collaborate with the Ministry of health and other stakeholders in theprimary healthcare to reduce influx of patients to secondary and tertiary health centres and encourage training in rare field such as anesthesia, E.N.T, physiotherapy etc, with the payment of inducement allowance to such healthcare practioners.
Similarly, Dr Salako he would evolve training scheme for medical officers in Family Medicine (General Medical practice) while practicing in their various public hospitals. In addition there will be sustainable staff development programmes with scheduled trainings.
Lagos State breastfeeding rates 20%: Multi Indicator Cluster Survey
By Dayo Adejobi
A survey conducted by Multi Indicator Cluster Survey, an International household survey initiative developed by UNICEF to assist countries in feeling data gaps for monitoring human development in general and the situation of children and women in particular, has reflected a 20 percent in exclusive breastfeeding rate for Lagos State.
At a Press Conference on the 2009 Child Health week and World Breast feeding week in Lagos on Wednesday, The Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Dr Jide Idris said the rating was unacceptable, bearing in mind the significant role exclusive breastfeeding in the young child survival and the challenges of attaining MDG 4 by 2015.
A survey conducted by Multi Indicator Cluster Survey, an International household survey initiative developed by UNICEF to assist countries in feeling data gaps for monitoring human development in general and the situation of children and women in particular, has reflected a 20 percent in exclusive breastfeeding rate for Lagos State.
At a Press Conference on the 2009 Child Health week and World Breast feeding week in Lagos on Wednesday, The Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Dr Jide Idris said the rating was unacceptable, bearing in mind the significant role exclusive breastfeeding in the young child survival and the challenges of attaining MDG 4 by 2015.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Behold Nija's live sensation
ZIGMA Band is one of the largest and most patronized live band in Nigeria providing live music to Corporate and Influential individuals from all spheres of influence. ZIGMA band, a subsidiary of ZIGMA Music Productions & Management plays over 200 gigs every year.
Formed in 2002, The ZIGMA Band is a renowned group of outstanding performance vocalists, and musicians. They deliver a totally unique, utterly compelling & exciting musical experience at every event.
From a wedding band that plays traditional love songs to a punk band that can really get the joint jumping', The ZIGMA Band is adaptable, flexible and performs dynamic sounds creating rich harmonies. The ZIGMA Band is known for their up-tempo secular flair, swing-beat, R'n'B, dance tunes, oldies, country, traditional, soulful arrangements and more to WOW your guests.
No event would be complete without The ZIGMA Band- one of most talented and versatile band in Nigeria. Highly professional and covering an excellent variety of shows.
For over Four years, The ZIGMA Band has been delighting audiences across Nigeria . Their unique show features bite sized portions from the golden moments of live secular music, presented with laughter, passion and enjoyment. A real gem of a show!
ZIGMA band is comprised of well-known musicians whose lively personality and stunning vocal technique combine to make any evening a truly spectacular event!
Adedayo Adejobi, The MD/CEO ZIGMA Music Productions & Management, who leads the ZIGMA band, is ably armed with the professional expertise to turn your event into a sublime experience. From classics to musicals, Dayo will serenade you with music to suit your personal needs. Great for dinners, weddings & parties.
The ZIGMA band is ideal for a wide variety of functions, playing a varied set of chart music appealing to all ages. Expect songs by bands like the Beatles, Robbie Williams, Abba, the George Roban, Temptations, James Brown, Bryan Adams, Micheal Bolton, Micheal Jackson, Lagbaja, Commodore, Cool and the Gang, Forest,& more.
ZIGMA band Playing 70s disco and funk, Jazz & Blues, Latin & Salsa ,Soul, the Shuga Band make an excellent choice both background music, themed events, continental weddings, larger parties and as the main headline attraction. Choose from instrumental duos & trios to 15 piece dance band. The sound of the Shuga band is extremely exciting, powerful and fun packed evening. The ZIGMA band provides the perfect backdrop to a wedding ceremony, drinks reception or dinner. All our musicians can play a variety of styles from the traditional classical repertoire, to folk, jazz, pop and movie themes.
The perfect accompaniment to a drinks reception or meal, our pianists specialise in unobtrusive background entertainment. With the ability to interact easily and take requests from guests, our pianists are a popular choice for weddings and parties.
Formed in 2002, The ZIGMA Band is a renowned group of outstanding performance vocalists, and musicians. They deliver a totally unique, utterly compelling & exciting musical experience at every event.
From a wedding band that plays traditional love songs to a punk band that can really get the joint jumping', The ZIGMA Band is adaptable, flexible and performs dynamic sounds creating rich harmonies. The ZIGMA Band is known for their up-tempo secular flair, swing-beat, R'n'B, dance tunes, oldies, country, traditional, soulful arrangements and more to WOW your guests.
No event would be complete without The ZIGMA Band- one of most talented and versatile band in Nigeria. Highly professional and covering an excellent variety of shows.
For over Four years, The ZIGMA Band has been delighting audiences across Nigeria . Their unique show features bite sized portions from the golden moments of live secular music, presented with laughter, passion and enjoyment. A real gem of a show!
ZIGMA band is comprised of well-known musicians whose lively personality and stunning vocal technique combine to make any evening a truly spectacular event!
Adedayo Adejobi, The MD/CEO ZIGMA Music Productions & Management, who leads the ZIGMA band, is ably armed with the professional expertise to turn your event into a sublime experience. From classics to musicals, Dayo will serenade you with music to suit your personal needs. Great for dinners, weddings & parties.
The ZIGMA band is ideal for a wide variety of functions, playing a varied set of chart music appealing to all ages. Expect songs by bands like the Beatles, Robbie Williams, Abba, the George Roban, Temptations, James Brown, Bryan Adams, Micheal Bolton, Micheal Jackson, Lagbaja, Commodore, Cool and the Gang, Forest,& more.
ZIGMA band Playing 70s disco and funk, Jazz & Blues, Latin & Salsa ,Soul, the Shuga Band make an excellent choice both background music, themed events, continental weddings, larger parties and as the main headline attraction. Choose from instrumental duos & trios to 15 piece dance band. The sound of the Shuga band is extremely exciting, powerful and fun packed evening. The ZIGMA band provides the perfect backdrop to a wedding ceremony, drinks reception or dinner. All our musicians can play a variety of styles from the traditional classical repertoire, to folk, jazz, pop and movie themes.
The perfect accompaniment to a drinks reception or meal, our pianists specialise in unobtrusive background entertainment. With the ability to interact easily and take requests from guests, our pianists are a popular choice for weddings and parties.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
ADELEKE ADEJOBI LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
New Web Site Launch: News Release
STORIES BY DAYO ADEJOBI
The Adeleke Adejobi Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a totally redesigned and improved website for, viewable and searchable at www.adelekeadejobifoundation.org.
The new site provides users with a comprehensive overview of the workings of the foundation, including previous, current and upcoming events, press releases and news clippings. Visitors to the site also will find the aesthetic—similar to the print version of the publication—to be inviting and sophisticated. The web developers at GPS Stream responsible for the redesign, worked closely with the media Unit of the Foundation to enhance the site's usability and navigation.
The updated site features an interactive, up-to-date calendar of events where registrants can get automated reminders for programs. User can now also easily access archival and cross-referenced information. For example, recordings from our lectures and symposia are available and the most current resources for such as biographies, image-galleries, and news articles are automatically presented in an “also of interest” section throughout the site. The upgraded site also enables our online visitors and members an easy, instant, and secure way to register for programs, make donations. The site allows our visitors to create individual profiles. In addition to the site’s many new technical features, the graphic design and interface present a dramatic improvement. We have streamlined the site’s navigation, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. We also created a visual navigation system for the many visitors who simply want to browse around the site without a specific destination. We think this dual presentation will allow our "power users" the ease and efficiency of rapidly getting to their resources, while simultaneously inviting
The Adeleke Adejobi Foundation (AAF) was inaugurated on September 15, 1995 by family and friends of the Late Primate at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, to immortalize and sustain the ideals of Most Rev. Apostle (Dr) Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi, the second Primate of The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide.
His ideals found expression in his zeal in proclaiming the Word of God worldwide with his deepest love and concern for humanity. His specialties were theological scholasticism and ecumenism which he pursued with passion. He actualized the earlier by establishing a Theological Seminary – Aladura Theological Seminary now renamed after him as Adejobi Memorial Theological Seminary (AMTS), and the latter by his roles, and his significant and notable impact on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), the Organization of Independent African Churches (OIAC), the Nigeria Association of Aladura Churches Inc (NAAC) at the national level and the All African Conference of Churches (AACC), the West African Association for Theological Institutions (WAATI), and the World Council of Churches at the international level.
Media interested in setting up an interview with Adeleke Adejobi Foundation representatives as regards workings of the foundation should contact The secretariat 0803-402-1685 - Pastor Adebola Adejobi0805-563-7047 - Evang. Johnson Idowu or mail- eoajuly@yahoo.com,info!adelekeadejobifoundation.org
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STORIES BY DAYO ADEJOBI
The Adeleke Adejobi Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a totally redesigned and improved website for, viewable and searchable at www.adelekeadejobifoundation.org.
The new site provides users with a comprehensive overview of the workings of the foundation, including previous, current and upcoming events, press releases and news clippings. Visitors to the site also will find the aesthetic—similar to the print version of the publication—to be inviting and sophisticated. The web developers at GPS Stream responsible for the redesign, worked closely with the media Unit of the Foundation to enhance the site's usability and navigation.
The updated site features an interactive, up-to-date calendar of events where registrants can get automated reminders for programs. User can now also easily access archival and cross-referenced information. For example, recordings from our lectures and symposia are available and the most current resources for such as biographies, image-galleries, and news articles are automatically presented in an “also of interest” section throughout the site. The upgraded site also enables our online visitors and members an easy, instant, and secure way to register for programs, make donations. The site allows our visitors to create individual profiles. In addition to the site’s many new technical features, the graphic design and interface present a dramatic improvement. We have streamlined the site’s navigation, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. We also created a visual navigation system for the many visitors who simply want to browse around the site without a specific destination. We think this dual presentation will allow our "power users" the ease and efficiency of rapidly getting to their resources, while simultaneously inviting
The Adeleke Adejobi Foundation (AAF) was inaugurated on September 15, 1995 by family and friends of the Late Primate at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, to immortalize and sustain the ideals of Most Rev. Apostle (Dr) Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi, the second Primate of The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide.
His ideals found expression in his zeal in proclaiming the Word of God worldwide with his deepest love and concern for humanity. His specialties were theological scholasticism and ecumenism which he pursued with passion. He actualized the earlier by establishing a Theological Seminary – Aladura Theological Seminary now renamed after him as Adejobi Memorial Theological Seminary (AMTS), and the latter by his roles, and his significant and notable impact on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), the Organization of Independent African Churches (OIAC), the Nigeria Association of Aladura Churches Inc (NAAC) at the national level and the All African Conference of Churches (AACC), the West African Association for Theological Institutions (WAATI), and the World Council of Churches at the international level.
Media interested in setting up an interview with Adeleke Adejobi Foundation representatives as regards workings of the foundation should contact The secretariat 0803-402-1685 - Pastor Adebola Adejobi0805-563-7047 - Evang. Johnson Idowu or mail- eoajuly@yahoo.com,info!adelekeadejobifoundation.org
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NIGERIA:A WORLD OF ENDLESS DRAMA
NIGERIA:A WORLD OF ENDLESS DRAMA
STORIES BY DAYO ADEJOBI
When Africa threw off the chains of colonialism, Nigeria was by then seen as a beacon of hope and progress by all African Nations and even the international communities. Nigeria was then looked up to as a country with enormous energy and potentials that seemed destined to lead the people of Africa to a better future. But now, after almost 43 years of independence this destiny remains unfulfilled and unachieved.For most of the people of Africa today, Nigeria is being looked at with despair, as successive governments have become locked in a cycle of contempt for human rights, corruptions and many others evils. Nigeria has instead been the inspiration for other African leaders who oppose justice and freedom, development, new innovations and encourage corruption and mismanagements.In every perspective, the types of governments we have been having in Nigeria are indeed worthless, controlled by the opportunist who have no verified records of achievements. The story would have been different if these boastful politicians aim at power not to indulge in any form of maladministration, corruption and its relatives. In the last 4 years, the kind of government in Nigeria had been absolutely insensitive to the yearnings of the entire populace who voted for them. No wonder that starving has paraded the country!From historical point of view, after the government of late Pa Awolowo in the then Western Region, there has never been a government that seemed ready or concerned about the welfare of the people. The Awolowo led government that provided free education, free health care, good roads promoted the economy of the region with just cocoa as the main source of income, would have been the best option now that we have enough resources that can generate funds. In fact, Nigeria would have been in parity with some western nations because of the fact that people like late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Azikwe any others were actually in government to better the life of ordinary people.Political parties were then formed actually to provide education, health services and many others freely throughout the nation, and not the political parties of nowadays that are primarily established to better the lives of the stakeholders. Imagine the present ruling party in Nigeria (People Democratic Party, which I can call People Destructions Party) has no plan for education, free health care and many other things that are significantly needed in human life. What sorts of generation are we nurturing?In the olden days, working, studying and living in Nigeria was as the same as in United Kingdom because our government then was established to better the lives of the people. Do you know that then, one Nigeria Naira was equivalent to one British Pound Sterling. Nigeria was actually seen then as the economic power house of Africa and many other African nations were looking up to the steps being taken Nigeria towards a meaningful future. Then pensioners were in a happy mood because they received their cake as at when due and with ease. But now the reverse has been the case as the older ones mostly the pensioners look terribly ill--- their skins are as yellow as guinea and our government (of which they once served) is not ready to cater for them. Many of these older ones have loss their precious lives as a result of the government’s crass negligence.From my own point of view, I think the problem with Nigeria government is the exclusion of the educated elite and eggheads from mainstream political and social affairs. Political system in Nigeria is traditionally an aristocratic one where those at the helms of affairs allocate post to their families and relations never chew over the fact that they may not be competently capable to handle the posts allotted them. My dear good people of Nigeria, it’s high time we stood up and fight these worthless people that paraded themselves as the messiah so as to put an end to all this kind of mess they have brought us. At this time around, there should be no let-up in our determination to get rid of all these people who have muscled into the political circles that control the government. Their trustworthiness, integrity and uprightness must be perfectly x-rayed by credible by those who have a proven record of achievements to actually figure out how they made their ways through to the helms of affairs. I hope through this, we can ascertain the kind of people they are and how far they have gone in perpetrating whatever crimes.Long live Nigeria.
STORIES BY DAYO ADEJOBI
When Africa threw off the chains of colonialism, Nigeria was by then seen as a beacon of hope and progress by all African Nations and even the international communities. Nigeria was then looked up to as a country with enormous energy and potentials that seemed destined to lead the people of Africa to a better future. But now, after almost 43 years of independence this destiny remains unfulfilled and unachieved.For most of the people of Africa today, Nigeria is being looked at with despair, as successive governments have become locked in a cycle of contempt for human rights, corruptions and many others evils. Nigeria has instead been the inspiration for other African leaders who oppose justice and freedom, development, new innovations and encourage corruption and mismanagements.In every perspective, the types of governments we have been having in Nigeria are indeed worthless, controlled by the opportunist who have no verified records of achievements. The story would have been different if these boastful politicians aim at power not to indulge in any form of maladministration, corruption and its relatives. In the last 4 years, the kind of government in Nigeria had been absolutely insensitive to the yearnings of the entire populace who voted for them. No wonder that starving has paraded the country!From historical point of view, after the government of late Pa Awolowo in the then Western Region, there has never been a government that seemed ready or concerned about the welfare of the people. The Awolowo led government that provided free education, free health care, good roads promoted the economy of the region with just cocoa as the main source of income, would have been the best option now that we have enough resources that can generate funds. In fact, Nigeria would have been in parity with some western nations because of the fact that people like late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Azikwe any others were actually in government to better the life of ordinary people.Political parties were then formed actually to provide education, health services and many others freely throughout the nation, and not the political parties of nowadays that are primarily established to better the lives of the stakeholders. Imagine the present ruling party in Nigeria (People Democratic Party, which I can call People Destructions Party) has no plan for education, free health care and many other things that are significantly needed in human life. What sorts of generation are we nurturing?In the olden days, working, studying and living in Nigeria was as the same as in United Kingdom because our government then was established to better the lives of the people. Do you know that then, one Nigeria Naira was equivalent to one British Pound Sterling. Nigeria was actually seen then as the economic power house of Africa and many other African nations were looking up to the steps being taken Nigeria towards a meaningful future. Then pensioners were in a happy mood because they received their cake as at when due and with ease. But now the reverse has been the case as the older ones mostly the pensioners look terribly ill--- their skins are as yellow as guinea and our government (of which they once served) is not ready to cater for them. Many of these older ones have loss their precious lives as a result of the government’s crass negligence.From my own point of view, I think the problem with Nigeria government is the exclusion of the educated elite and eggheads from mainstream political and social affairs. Political system in Nigeria is traditionally an aristocratic one where those at the helms of affairs allocate post to their families and relations never chew over the fact that they may not be competently capable to handle the posts allotted them. My dear good people of Nigeria, it’s high time we stood up and fight these worthless people that paraded themselves as the messiah so as to put an end to all this kind of mess they have brought us. At this time around, there should be no let-up in our determination to get rid of all these people who have muscled into the political circles that control the government. Their trustworthiness, integrity and uprightness must be perfectly x-rayed by credible by those who have a proven record of achievements to actually figure out how they made their ways through to the helms of affairs. I hope through this, we can ascertain the kind of people they are and how far they have gone in perpetrating whatever crimes.Long live Nigeria.
NIGERRIA:A WORLD OF ENDLESS DRAMA
NIGERRIA:A WORLD OF ENDLESS DRAMA
BY DAYO ADEJOBI
When African threw off the chains of colonialism, Nigeria was by then seen as a beacon of hope and progress by all African Nations and even �the international communities�. Nigeria was then looked up to as a country with enormous energy and potentials that seemed destined to lead the people of Africa to a better future. But now, after almost 43 years of independence this destiny remains unfulfilled and unachieved.For most of the people of Africa today, Nigeria is being looked at with despair, as successive governments have become locked in a cycle of contempt for human rights, corruptions and many others �evils�. Nigeria has instead been the inspiration for other African leaders who oppose justice and freedom, development, new innovations and encourage corruption and mismanagements.In every perspective, the types of governments we have been having in Nigeria are indeed worthless, controlled by the opportunist who have no verified records of achievements. The story would have been different if these boastful politicians aim at power not to indulge in any form of maladministration, corruption and its �relatives�. In the last 4 years, the kind of government in Nigeria had been absolutely insensitive to the yearnings of the entire populace who voted for them. No wonder that starving has paraded the country!From historical point of view, after the government of late Pa Awolowo in the then Western Region, there has never been a government that seemed ready or concerned about the welfare of the people. The Awolowo led government that provided free education, free health care, good roads promoted the economy of the region with just �cocoa� as the main source of income, would have been the best option now that we have enough resources that can generate funds. In fact, Nigeria would have been in parity with some western nations because of the fact that people like late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Azikwe any others were actually in government to better the life of ordinary people.Political parties were then formed actually to provide education, health services and many others freely throughout the nation, and not the political parties of nowadays that are primarily established to better the lives of the stakeholders. Imagine the present ruling party in Nigeria (People Democratic Party, which I can call �People Destructions Party�) has no plan for education, free health care and many other things that are significantly needed in human life. What sorts of generation are we nurturing?In the olden days, working, studying and living in Nigeria was as the same as in United Kingdom because our government then was established to better the lives of the people. Do you know that then, one Nigeria Naira was equivalent to one British Pound Sterling. Nigeria was actually seen then as the economic �power house� of Africa and many other African nations were looking up to the steps being taken Nigeria towards a meaningful future. Then pensioners were in a happy mood because they received their �cake� as at when due and with ease. But now the reverse has been the case as the older ones mostly the pensioners look terribly ill--- their skins are as yellow as guinea and our government (of which they once served) is not ready to cater for them. Many of these �older ones� have loss their precious lives as a result of the government�s crass negligence.From my own point of view, I think the problem with Nigeria government is the exclusion of the educated elite and eggheads from mainstream political and social affairs. Political system in Nigeria is traditionally an aristocratic one where those at the helms of affairs allocate post to their families and relations never chew over the fact that they may not be competently capable to handle the posts allotted them. My dear good people of Nigeria, it�s high time we stood up and fight these worthless people that paraded themselves as the �messiah� so as to put an end to all this kind of mess they have brought us. At this time around, there should be no let-up in our determination to get rid of all these people who have muscled into the political circles that control the government. Their trustworthiness, integrity and uprightness must be perfectly x-rayed by credible by those who have a proven record of achievements to actually figure out how they made their ways through to the helms of affairs. I hope through this, we can ascertain the kind of people they are and how far they have gone in perpetrating whatever �crimes�.Long live Nigeria�.
BY DAYO ADEJOBI
When African threw off the chains of colonialism, Nigeria was by then seen as a beacon of hope and progress by all African Nations and even �the international communities�. Nigeria was then looked up to as a country with enormous energy and potentials that seemed destined to lead the people of Africa to a better future. But now, after almost 43 years of independence this destiny remains unfulfilled and unachieved.For most of the people of Africa today, Nigeria is being looked at with despair, as successive governments have become locked in a cycle of contempt for human rights, corruptions and many others �evils�. Nigeria has instead been the inspiration for other African leaders who oppose justice and freedom, development, new innovations and encourage corruption and mismanagements.In every perspective, the types of governments we have been having in Nigeria are indeed worthless, controlled by the opportunist who have no verified records of achievements. The story would have been different if these boastful politicians aim at power not to indulge in any form of maladministration, corruption and its �relatives�. In the last 4 years, the kind of government in Nigeria had been absolutely insensitive to the yearnings of the entire populace who voted for them. No wonder that starving has paraded the country!From historical point of view, after the government of late Pa Awolowo in the then Western Region, there has never been a government that seemed ready or concerned about the welfare of the people. The Awolowo led government that provided free education, free health care, good roads promoted the economy of the region with just �cocoa� as the main source of income, would have been the best option now that we have enough resources that can generate funds. In fact, Nigeria would have been in parity with some western nations because of the fact that people like late Pa Awolowo, late Dr. Azikwe any others were actually in government to better the life of ordinary people.Political parties were then formed actually to provide education, health services and many others freely throughout the nation, and not the political parties of nowadays that are primarily established to better the lives of the stakeholders. Imagine the present ruling party in Nigeria (People Democratic Party, which I can call �People Destructions Party�) has no plan for education, free health care and many other things that are significantly needed in human life. What sorts of generation are we nurturing?In the olden days, working, studying and living in Nigeria was as the same as in United Kingdom because our government then was established to better the lives of the people. Do you know that then, one Nigeria Naira was equivalent to one British Pound Sterling. Nigeria was actually seen then as the economic �power house� of Africa and many other African nations were looking up to the steps being taken Nigeria towards a meaningful future. Then pensioners were in a happy mood because they received their �cake� as at when due and with ease. But now the reverse has been the case as the older ones mostly the pensioners look terribly ill--- their skins are as yellow as guinea and our government (of which they once served) is not ready to cater for them. Many of these �older ones� have loss their precious lives as a result of the government�s crass negligence.From my own point of view, I think the problem with Nigeria government is the exclusion of the educated elite and eggheads from mainstream political and social affairs. Political system in Nigeria is traditionally an aristocratic one where those at the helms of affairs allocate post to their families and relations never chew over the fact that they may not be competently capable to handle the posts allotted them. My dear good people of Nigeria, it�s high time we stood up and fight these worthless people that paraded themselves as the �messiah� so as to put an end to all this kind of mess they have brought us. At this time around, there should be no let-up in our determination to get rid of all these people who have muscled into the political circles that control the government. Their trustworthiness, integrity and uprightness must be perfectly x-rayed by credible by those who have a proven record of achievements to actually figure out how they made their ways through to the helms of affairs. I hope through this, we can ascertain the kind of people they are and how far they have gone in perpetrating whatever �crimes�.Long live Nigeria�.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
2009 Budget: A Nigerian is worth N2.80k health care service per day.
2009 Budget: A Nigerian is worth N2.80k health care service per day.
Dayo Adejobi
The emergency unit of the Wuse Hospital in Abuja was the only facility Mrs. Amina Bawa could take her ailing child after realizing that her only daughter had severe malaria symptoms. Unfortunately, getting to the hospital at the time she did could not save the life of her daughter Aisha, because there was no nurse to attend to her in the densely-populated hospital. Aisha died right in the arms of her mother at the hospital. Why? becomes the question. So many reasons could be responsible but suffice it to say that this is the provision of the 2009 budget for the common Nigerian.
According to 2009 Federal Government budget presented to the National Assembly in December last year on the premise to reduce poverty and help Nigeria attain its proposed Millennium Development Goals, Aisha’s life was worth only N1, 022:00 for the year, a meagre fraction of the Total budget valued at N3.1 trillion, which of course is not enough to treat malaria or provide necessary amenities for the hospital.
This was the crux of the Three-day Media Training on Accountability and Budget Monitoring organized by Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) with funding from the Ford Foundation,West Africa at the Gateway Hotel, Ota, Ogun State from July, 14 to 18.
Executive Director, JAAIDS, Olaide Akanni said the programme was organized to build the capacity of journalists on budget reporting and information sourcing, thus equipping the contemporary journalist with the knowledge and skills to better advocate for and secure HIV and AIDS policies that are all inclusive, transparent and using the media as a platform to discuss issues of HIV and AIDS policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria.
According to an independent extensive survey report recently conducted in Nigeria and published by the International Budget Partnership with head office in America , Nigeria’s rating stands at 19% on the Open Budget Index indicating that the government provides the public with scant information on the central government’s budget and financial activities during the course of the budget year, the most important economy policy instrument which reflects the state or nation’s priorities .And as such this makes it very difficult for citizens to compare government performance with activities planned and hold government accountable for its management of the public’s money.
In his presentation titled: Transparency and Accountability: A Key to Development and Good Governance, Executive Director Africa leadership Forum, Ayodele Aderinwale eulogised on the basic tenets upon which the budget of any Nation is written namely :for Planning, Communication, motivation and control ,all of which provide the ordinary Nigerian citizen with an insight into the Federal Budget preparation and implementation process and specifically, what the 2009 Budget holds for all Nigerians, thus to increase budget openness and transparency by shedding light on how the Government uses the Federal Budget as a tool to manage the nation’s finances and other resources. “Once there is power without responsibility, the whole issue of good governance, which has been described ‘‘as a social contract between the people of a country involving the expenditure of public resources, effectively and productively in such a manner that the welfare and quality of the citizenry are improved’’ takes a back seat,’’ he said.
Aderinwale charged Nigerians to be more vibrant and active in the governance process, thus demanding and securing accountability, transparency and openness from power elite, local government chairmen and politicians at all levels. He also charged the government of the day, which he referred to as ‘‘one garbed with a slew of secrecy, ostensibly in the name ‘national security and defence’ to atrophy the values to enthrone transparency and accountability.
Based on the budget analysis with refence to the 2009 budgetary allocation, Toyin Adeleke of the Budget and Advocacy Unit, JAAIDS said it is quite obvious that health and education sectors of the 2009 budget were less prioritized at five and seven per cent respectively and are not of utmost priority to our government, whereas, both are the bedrock of development. What then is the sense in the defense sector taking a large chunk of our total budget when we’re not at war? Another key means by which she put the budget in context was to compare it to the size of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) seven per cent, a measure of the nation’s full economy. An indication of the basic measure of Nigeria economic performance shows that our budget is 4.1% of Nigeria’s current Gross Domestic Product which compares favourably with the 6.6% recorded so far in 2008. Overall, the government should enact Changing policies, positions and programmes that are action oriented. ‘‘She stressed’’
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Analysing Global financial meltdown and Implications for HIV/AIDS, Lecturer at the Department for Industrial Relations and Public Administration, Dr Banji Fajonyomi said though the global economy is teetering on the brink of recession. The downturn after four years of relatively fast growth is due to a number of factors: the global fallout from the financial crisis in the United States, the bursting of the housing bubbles in the US and in other large economies, soaring commodity prices, increasingly restrictive monetary policies in a number of countries, and stock market volatility. In the midst of it all, he stated that Nigeria was still largely unaffected by the crisis due to the absence of close-links between local banks and the ailing global banks, government must not be complacent. A large chunk of the money allotted to the defense sector would have gone a long way in providing many necessary equipment in our general and teaching hospitals. A huge sum of N44 million appropriated monthly for each of the 469 members of the National Assembly, while many Nigerians cannot even afford two meals per day. The scenario from the budget is as good as having one Nigerian been entitled to N2:80k for his/her health care on daily basis which could not buy a Panadol Tablet for headache.
From the budget, it is also obvious that large sum of the budget will be spent on salaries leaving little for capital projects such as roads, hospitals, schools and refineries. e.t.c. As a result of this, constant electricity supply, quality education, good health-care delivery and other necessities of life may continue to elude the common man in the country thus defeating the focus of this administration on delivering on the promises of Seven-Point.
Furthermore, a Research and Budget Consultant with Action-Aid Nigeria, an international non-government organization (NGO), Abimbola Adewunmi analyzed the whole systems and procedures through which government decides what programmes and activities to undertake, allocate resources to these purposes, accounts for the resources and assesses the results. She said though the health budget increased by N5 billion in 2008 to N143 billion in 2009 but the per capita spending of the total budget of Nigeria’s population is N22,200 for the year while the common Nigerian is worth N60.82k value of services based on the 2009 budget.
Abimbola elucidated on the insensivity our legislators who exhibit their selfishness and insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians in their decision to take from the meager health and education budget to dualise the Abuja airport road. This can also be seen in the words of the Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Silva, who was given the N60 billion stolen from the state coffer by former governor Alamiesiegha which he said would be used to build a Transparency plaza.
According to indices raised by Adewunmi, The 2009 budget on itself is not the problem but the performance of the budget and the value it has added to the citizen is in question here.
Recently the budget office has put on their website the 1st quarter progress report of the federal budget which stands at 52.7% on capital vote, the question here is "does 52.7% translate to the various projects near completion or its the amount of funds that has left the government coffers?
Citizens need to feel and see the value and performance from the budget in terms of the basic needs which include quality and timely access to health care, regular power supply which will boost all sectors of the economy, quality teaching and facility in government schools to curb the exploitation of the so called private schools, clean portable water, safe road network, safe and affordable transportation, quality and affordable housing.
But what we see from the budget year in and out are numeric figures that don't speak to the people, inceasable arguements between our legislatures and the President, conflict and confusion between the Federal and State government on who's responsible to provide basic needs for the people.
The price of fiscal indiscipline has eaten deep into our system and is rotten. We need a cleansing solution to make it whole again, we need real performance not phanthom performance.
The question on the lip of every Nigerian is: When will the plight of Nigerians become the concern of our leaders?
In the words of International Press Center Cordinator, Lanre Agogundade,the clouds over the management of public funds at the three day training event have served as a wake up call on Nigerians to demand how elected leaders handle public funds and as such the contemporary journalist is charged with the professional responsibility of reporting true, accurate and note-worthy information. Though tricky, but it is important to tailor your content to the average Nigerian.
Dayo Adejobi
The emergency unit of the Wuse Hospital in Abuja was the only facility Mrs. Amina Bawa could take her ailing child after realizing that her only daughter had severe malaria symptoms. Unfortunately, getting to the hospital at the time she did could not save the life of her daughter Aisha, because there was no nurse to attend to her in the densely-populated hospital. Aisha died right in the arms of her mother at the hospital. Why? becomes the question. So many reasons could be responsible but suffice it to say that this is the provision of the 2009 budget for the common Nigerian.
According to 2009 Federal Government budget presented to the National Assembly in December last year on the premise to reduce poverty and help Nigeria attain its proposed Millennium Development Goals, Aisha’s life was worth only N1, 022:00 for the year, a meagre fraction of the Total budget valued at N3.1 trillion, which of course is not enough to treat malaria or provide necessary amenities for the hospital.
This was the crux of the Three-day Media Training on Accountability and Budget Monitoring organized by Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) with funding from the Ford Foundation,West Africa at the Gateway Hotel, Ota, Ogun State from July, 14 to 18.
Executive Director, JAAIDS, Olaide Akanni said the programme was organized to build the capacity of journalists on budget reporting and information sourcing, thus equipping the contemporary journalist with the knowledge and skills to better advocate for and secure HIV and AIDS policies that are all inclusive, transparent and using the media as a platform to discuss issues of HIV and AIDS policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria.
According to an independent extensive survey report recently conducted in Nigeria and published by the International Budget Partnership with head office in America , Nigeria’s rating stands at 19% on the Open Budget Index indicating that the government provides the public with scant information on the central government’s budget and financial activities during the course of the budget year, the most important economy policy instrument which reflects the state or nation’s priorities .And as such this makes it very difficult for citizens to compare government performance with activities planned and hold government accountable for its management of the public’s money.
In his presentation titled: Transparency and Accountability: A Key to Development and Good Governance, Executive Director Africa leadership Forum, Ayodele Aderinwale eulogised on the basic tenets upon which the budget of any Nation is written namely :for Planning, Communication, motivation and control ,all of which provide the ordinary Nigerian citizen with an insight into the Federal Budget preparation and implementation process and specifically, what the 2009 Budget holds for all Nigerians, thus to increase budget openness and transparency by shedding light on how the Government uses the Federal Budget as a tool to manage the nation’s finances and other resources. “Once there is power without responsibility, the whole issue of good governance, which has been described ‘‘as a social contract between the people of a country involving the expenditure of public resources, effectively and productively in such a manner that the welfare and quality of the citizenry are improved’’ takes a back seat,’’ he said.
Aderinwale charged Nigerians to be more vibrant and active in the governance process, thus demanding and securing accountability, transparency and openness from power elite, local government chairmen and politicians at all levels. He also charged the government of the day, which he referred to as ‘‘one garbed with a slew of secrecy, ostensibly in the name ‘national security and defence’ to atrophy the values to enthrone transparency and accountability.
Based on the budget analysis with refence to the 2009 budgetary allocation, Toyin Adeleke of the Budget and Advocacy Unit, JAAIDS said it is quite obvious that health and education sectors of the 2009 budget were less prioritized at five and seven per cent respectively and are not of utmost priority to our government, whereas, both are the bedrock of development. What then is the sense in the defense sector taking a large chunk of our total budget when we’re not at war? Another key means by which she put the budget in context was to compare it to the size of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) seven per cent, a measure of the nation’s full economy. An indication of the basic measure of Nigeria economic performance shows that our budget is 4.1% of Nigeria’s current Gross Domestic Product which compares favourably with the 6.6% recorded so far in 2008. Overall, the government should enact Changing policies, positions and programmes that are action oriented. ‘‘She stressed’’
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Analysing Global financial meltdown and Implications for HIV/AIDS, Lecturer at the Department for Industrial Relations and Public Administration, Dr Banji Fajonyomi said though the global economy is teetering on the brink of recession. The downturn after four years of relatively fast growth is due to a number of factors: the global fallout from the financial crisis in the United States, the bursting of the housing bubbles in the US and in other large economies, soaring commodity prices, increasingly restrictive monetary policies in a number of countries, and stock market volatility. In the midst of it all, he stated that Nigeria was still largely unaffected by the crisis due to the absence of close-links between local banks and the ailing global banks, government must not be complacent. A large chunk of the money allotted to the defense sector would have gone a long way in providing many necessary equipment in our general and teaching hospitals. A huge sum of N44 million appropriated monthly for each of the 469 members of the National Assembly, while many Nigerians cannot even afford two meals per day. The scenario from the budget is as good as having one Nigerian been entitled to N2:80k for his/her health care on daily basis which could not buy a Panadol Tablet for headache.
From the budget, it is also obvious that large sum of the budget will be spent on salaries leaving little for capital projects such as roads, hospitals, schools and refineries. e.t.c. As a result of this, constant electricity supply, quality education, good health-care delivery and other necessities of life may continue to elude the common man in the country thus defeating the focus of this administration on delivering on the promises of Seven-Point.
Furthermore, a Research and Budget Consultant with Action-Aid Nigeria, an international non-government organization (NGO), Abimbola Adewunmi analyzed the whole systems and procedures through which government decides what programmes and activities to undertake, allocate resources to these purposes, accounts for the resources and assesses the results. She said though the health budget increased by N5 billion in 2008 to N143 billion in 2009 but the per capita spending of the total budget of Nigeria’s population is N22,200 for the year while the common Nigerian is worth N60.82k value of services based on the 2009 budget.
Abimbola elucidated on the insensivity our legislators who exhibit their selfishness and insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians in their decision to take from the meager health and education budget to dualise the Abuja airport road. This can also be seen in the words of the Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Silva, who was given the N60 billion stolen from the state coffer by former governor Alamiesiegha which he said would be used to build a Transparency plaza.
According to indices raised by Adewunmi, The 2009 budget on itself is not the problem but the performance of the budget and the value it has added to the citizen is in question here.
Recently the budget office has put on their website the 1st quarter progress report of the federal budget which stands at 52.7% on capital vote, the question here is "does 52.7% translate to the various projects near completion or its the amount of funds that has left the government coffers?
Citizens need to feel and see the value and performance from the budget in terms of the basic needs which include quality and timely access to health care, regular power supply which will boost all sectors of the economy, quality teaching and facility in government schools to curb the exploitation of the so called private schools, clean portable water, safe road network, safe and affordable transportation, quality and affordable housing.
But what we see from the budget year in and out are numeric figures that don't speak to the people, inceasable arguements between our legislatures and the President, conflict and confusion between the Federal and State government on who's responsible to provide basic needs for the people.
The price of fiscal indiscipline has eaten deep into our system and is rotten. We need a cleansing solution to make it whole again, we need real performance not phanthom performance.
The question on the lip of every Nigerian is: When will the plight of Nigerians become the concern of our leaders?
In the words of International Press Center Cordinator, Lanre Agogundade,the clouds over the management of public funds at the three day training event have served as a wake up call on Nigerians to demand how elected leaders handle public funds and as such the contemporary journalist is charged with the professional responsibility of reporting true, accurate and note-worthy information. Though tricky, but it is important to tailor your content to the average Nigerian.
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