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The Rantings  Of Rivers ALGON

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For the first time in the last eight years , one can observe a moribund  and toothless,  Association  of Local  Government of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter trying to lull the people of Rivers State in believing that  it exists, that it is versed and abreast with the provisions  of the 1999 Constitution  of the Federal  Republic of Nigeria (as amended), knowledgeable  about subsisting  judicial  pronouncements on  the Local government administration  matters by courts of competent jurisdiction,  and it has workers  and. the people’s  welfare at heart.
These wrong impressions  can be deduced from the text of the Press Conference  delivered by the Association  last week.
Despite the window dressing  and cosmetic posture   that the Association  of Local Government of Nigeria, Rivers Sttate chapter wants to impress on the people and residents of Rivers State,  it is crystal clear that workers at the Third Tier of  Government  have not fared well in the last eight years of the repressive  and workers unfriendly  immediate past administration  in the State.
While workers at the State were fortunate to have a controversial minimum  wage paid to them, local Government  workers did not benefit from the N30,000 Minimum  Wage which became a legal instrument  about six years until March 2024, following  a directive by the Executive  Governor,  Sir Siminalayi  Fubara,  to Local Government chairmen in the State to immediately  implement the minimum wage,  wage award and  promote workers.
Where was.the Legal Adviser  of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, whose statutory  responsibility it  was to advise the former  Rivers State. Governor  that it is  an affront on the sensibilities of  workers and fragrant.breach of extant law  to not pay minimum  wage to workers at.the 23 Local Government councils.
Civil servants at the State and Local Government  councils were not promoted and did not benefit from the annual incremental credit for about ten years. The incremental credit is a paltry and very insignificant  amount compared to the inputs of workers to drive implementation of government  policies and programmes and what elective office holders take home within the comparable period.
I had expected a “concerned  and workers-friendly ‘ Association  of Local Government in the State to midwife the promotion of workers, implementation  of Minimum wage  and fulfill their statutory  obligations to the workers and the people at the local government  areas whose resources they hold in trust and on whose behest they are in power.
It therefore  beats my imagination that    Local  Government  Chairmen  of ALGON,  who are products of  the ballot and not  appointees of the former governor lost their “Executive” status and played the second  fiddle role. Even when there was unconfirmed tampering  of local government funds, they could not  protest or raise an eye brow.
How the people who were cowardly and timid before the former  administration  in the State  suddenly  cultivated and imbibed the effrontry  and temerity to hold a Press Conference attempting to disparage the performing  and conscientious  Sir Siminalayi Fubara-led administration  leaves much to be desired  and a bad taste in the mouth of all patriotic  and truthful  Rivers people.
I expected the self serving chairmen  under the aegis of the Association  of Local Government  of Nigeria to brace up to the challenges of seeming derecognition and denial of their right of expression as elected chairmen by the former administration  in the State.
While the ALGON has the legitimacy  to contest violation  of,  or infringement on their interests, such protest should not be seen as selective. Between  1999 and 2003,  the Association  of Local Government  of.Nigeria in Rivers State was vociferous  and so  alive to its onus that they rejected allocations  that did not reflect the true figures of what the local government councils deserved from the Joint Account Allocation  Committee  (JAAC). That was when ALGON was keen and committed  to the essence  of its formation. That was a real workers-friendly ALGON.
However, with the advent of crude and uncivilised godfatherism that circumvented real democratic processes for manipulative and coercive selection that ultimately  produced  unpopular candidates of the godfather,  chairmen were reduced to puppets, playing  subservient  roles for their benefactors instead of protecting  the interest and welfare of workers and the people of their local government areas, who they ought to represent.
Having therefore failed to speak up for workers and defend the welfare of the people of their local government areas, at a time they were oppressed,  the association  in my candid opinion  does not have the  moral justification to  cry fowl against the present  administration  in  Rivers State whose policies and programmes so far, reveal that the governor  understands  that  the legitimacy  of his administration  is  derived from the people, so he is accountable to  them by putting in place infrastructure that will give fresh breath to a people who are recuperating from  the suffocation  of repressive  and coercive  governance.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara  is today a messiah to workers in Rivers State. Local government. workers are .being paid minimum wage, promoted and duly placed at their appropriate levels after 10 years of no promotion.
Civil servants  in the State are sure of receiving  their pensions immediately  after retirement  from service  which was a marked. departure from previous  administration.
Rather than vilifying or  demonising the present  administration  in the State, the Association  of  Local Government of.Nigeria, Rivers State should thank the  Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara,  for doing in less than one year what their grand master could not  do for them and workers in eight  years.
Remember, everyone will stand in the court of history  and posterity  to account for their  actions and inactions  in office.

Igbiki Benibo

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Opinion

 2050: Expectations For Poultry Enterprise

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WattAgNet.com, on the future of poultry, once wrote that by 2050, we will need to consider that routine work may be replaced by robotics or automation. There will most likely be total supply chain transparency with precision farming, total traceability and on-farm informatics. In the same vein, many years ago, Philip Wilkinson expressed his optimism about the future of poultry farming. He said that poultry, undoubtedly is going to be the leading meat protein to help feed an additional three billion people by 2050.Although his projection may not have meant so much to his listeners, Wilkinson’s assumption was borne out of his understanding of the discovery of animal product as the best bet  for adequate protein intake. The place of the poultry industry in providing the consumers’ bugging demand question has become highly indispensible that it is no longer out of place to foresee a high possibility of farm employees with doctorate degrees, hydroponics and mini-power stations becoming more common on poultry operations.
Protein, the second most abundant compound found in human body, plays many critical roles in keeping the body alive and healthy. It is not unlikely that very soon, dietary health foods may be prescribed as part of a disease prevention programme. From the contraction of the muscles which allows for body movement, to the contraction of specialised muscle that controls organ functions such as the heart, digestive movements and elimination of unwanted elements in the body, the place of protein in human body is said to be highly indispensible. Luckily, the free range organic poultry, ducks, turkeys and eggs from healthy chickens are usually handy for this purpose. No doubt, plant foods such as grains, nuts, beans and vegetables can supply the body with proteins, it is but a limited array of amino acids, animal product such as chicken, fish, beef, venison, duck, turkey and pork contain virtually all the essential amino acids needed to keep the body fit and healthy. This makes the poultry business a handy bridge between the need of a people and the availability of a solution to such need.
Wilkinson thus sees the poultry farmer as one in a position to answer the consumers’ bugging question of “what should we eat?” Of course, like the words of the President of the Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers Association (BEPPA), Wendell Clarke, in 2009, “local poultry producers are actually more than ready and willing to satisfy the needs of the local market”, but the question is, how enabling and encouraging is the economic climate under which the poultry farmer operates? No doubt, knowing the gap between the protein need or demand of the society and its existing available supply will aid in assessing the role of poultry farming towards the health and the wealth of the nation. It is in the realisation of the above fact, that the repositioning of the poultry industry in Rivers State becomes imperative. No matter how the poultry farmer struggles with continued industry volatility, even in the face of generally favourable environment, the need for flexibility and market orientation can never be overemphasised. This is to ensure that tasty, safe and enticing products grown in a manner consistent with consumers expectations, are delivered.
Therefore, if the poultry business be considered a handy bridge between the need of a people and the supply of the products, then the onus lies first on the industry to acquire a new mindset that will favour improvement in productivity. For us here in Rivers State, a state peculiar for  its burgeoning population and increasing demand for poultry products, we are found  at crossroads in the realm of poultry farming. While the potential for economic growth and food security is vast, numerous challenges plague the industry, necessitating urgent attention and strategic intervention. One of the primary issues confronting poultry farmers in Rivers State is the inconsistency in the supply chain. Fluctuating prices of feed, coupled with disruptions in the distribution network, often result in financial instability for farmers. Addressing this requires a comprehensive assessment of the supply chain and collaborative efforts between farmers and stakeholders to establish stability. Poultry farming faces constant threats from disease outbreaks. Avian influenza and other contagious diseases pose significant risks, leading to the loss of poultry stocks and economic setbacks for farmers.
There is an urgent need for the government to bolster disease control measures and provide support for farmers in the event of an outbreak. The escalating costs of inputs such as feed, vaccines, and energy are major hurdles for poultry businesses in Rivers State. A strategic approach to reducing these costs through subsidies, grants, or cooperative initiatives is crucial to sustaining the industry. There is no gainsaying that outdated and inadequate infrastructure hampers the efficiency of poultry farming. The absence of modern facilities for processing and storage limits the sector’s growth potential. Thus, government’s intervention is imperative to invest in and upgrade infrastructure to meet global standards. Talking of access to finance, this remains a significant challenge for small and medium-scale poultry farmers. Establishing dedicated financial schemes, low-interest loans, or grants tailored for the poultry sector would empower farmers to expand their operations and enhance productivity.
Poultry farmers often struggle with accessing markets and efficient distribution channels. Government support in creating market linkages, improving transportation infrastructure, and streamlining distribution networks will fortify the poultry value chain. The lack of updated knowledge and skills among farmers exacerbates challenges. Comprehensive training programmes and capacity-building initiatives can empower farmers with the necessary tools to adopt modern and sustainable practices. Environmental concerns, including waste management and water pollution, require immediate attention. Implementing eco-friendly practices and enforcing regulations to ensure sustainable farming methods is paramount for the long-term viability of poultry farming. Promoting local poultry breeds resilient to the region’s conditions can contribute to sustainable farming. Government incentives and awareness campaigns can encourage farmers to invest in indigenous breeds, fostering biodiversity and adaptability.
In all of these, creating awareness among consumers about the challenges faced by poultry farmers in Rivers State is essential. Public support and conscientious consumption can drive demand for locally produced poultry products, creating a more sustainable market. The dilemma faced by poultry farmers in Rivers State requires a multi-faceted approach involving government, private sector, and community collaboration. By addressing these challenges collectively, we can pave the way for a thriving and resilient poultry industry that contributes significantly to the state’s economic development and food security.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

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Opinion

  EFCC’s Alternative Approach Against Cybercrime

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In view of the perplexing skills with which many youths now engage in cybercrimes in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is exploring new approaches to combating the menace. The commission hopes that information technology (IT) trainings directed towards legitimate applications, would help harness the skills of tech-savvy youths, rather than watch such skills be deployed to crimes. The EFCC also hopes that the approach, as distinct from its purely prosecutorial establishments, would yield economic benefits to Nigeria, while taming interests in cyber-related crimes. Perhaps, due to lack of insights, mis-direction, or sheer impatience to work through hard times, many youths have turned their inability to secure gainful employments after school, to excuses for turning youthful energies towards internet-based crimes.
Whereas, information technology skills are meant to uplift society, such youths choose rather to misapply it. Yet the potentials of the digital age remain vastly untapped, with capacity to generate legitimately, far more revenues than is criminally obtainable. This is why the EFFC’s launch of “Alternatives to Cybercrime: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development,” during the unveiling of its 24-hour Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk, is quite commendable. During the launch, the Executive Chairman of the commission, Ola Olukoyede, rightly noted that, “The tendency towards quick riches no longer positions our young people for enterprise, resourceful intellectual aspirations and technological innovations.” It is worrisome that many youths, parading under the paranoia of the current unemployment and economic hardships in the country, are losing sense for patient hard work and commitments required for disciplined skills acquisitions, which would enable them achieve responsible livelihoods.
As a result, an increasing number of youths mortgage their future potentials by seeking self-help in yahoo-yahoo activities, a Nigerian byword for cybercrimes and related offences. Worrisome likewise, is the condoning of the now rampart menace by some adults who downplay cybercrimes as some ‘white-colar’ misdemeanors, applauding it rather incorrectly, for drawing youths away from other more physical form of crimes. Moreso, our society has descended to levels where some parents consider quick, unexplainable wealth from their wards, as welcome respites to the current economic hardships. Stemming from a culture where many Nigerians hailed as smart, Nigerian tricksters who waylaid other cultures, the internet age now enables many fraud-minded youths to operate from home soil. In a society bent on adoring materialism, many youths have become obsessed to gain social recognition by all possible means.
As yahoo-yahoo continues to draw many young people away from responsible living, fewer are eager to enroll in technical and trading skills acquisition. Those who do, lose the endurance to stay through when they watch their peers flaunt quick wealths made from the crime. But as yahoo-yahoo metamorphoses into its more diabolical version – the yahoo-plus, it is becoming obvious that untamed crimes reinforce and manifest greater crimes in society. The rumoured footprints of yahoo-plus now manifesting, shows there is more to it than cyber-trickery. The unfolding footprints show that cybercrimes in Nigeria has expanded its sphere to include syndicated networks, crypto manipulation frauds, money rituals involving murders, cultism and weird forms of other spiritual practices. Consequently, most neighbourhoods, highways, hotels and bushes have degenerated into dens of kidnappers and killers who would treacherously butcher fellow humans for body parts meant for money rituals.
Suspicion is now strong that money-making ritualism may have been operating under the cover cyber scams. These actions are abominable beyond any rationale, and the Nigerian society stands with no chance of a sustainable future if it does not halt the atmosphere of widespread kidnappings, abductions for murder, ritualism and cannibalisation. Already, the overwhelming number of criminal actors of Nigerian origin acting from home or abroad, has continued to embarrass and tarnish Nigeria’s image, a situation that draws special scrutiny to every Nigerian at international airports. Just recently, in an incident that highlighted the depths of our institutional infirmities, and further questioned the quality of scrutiny with which Nigeria recruits its public leaders, the nation came under fresh slurs with the arrest in the United States of America, of a Nigerian newly sworn-in local government chairman, for cybercrimes.
While the EFCC’s new approach remains very promising as a means of steering youths away from deviant social orders, the commission should ensure it picks training programmes that lead to lucrative employments, and deploy them effectively. It should therefore engage renowned international booth camps to train youths on IT skills vis-a-vis the application prospects, in a manner that ensures that genuine applications of IT skills generate much economic benefits to discourage deviant practitioners. Also, as moral encouragement for sustaining good behaviours in the face of hard times, the EFFC should offer greater preferences to law-abiding youths in its sponsorships, while truly repentant cybercriminals may be considered for reformative purposes. The EFCC should be wary not to re-arm unrepentant criminals who would use any additional IT knowledge acquired through public funds, to re-launch themselves.
However, the EFCC should redouble its efforts in the fight against cybercrimes by tapping into the wider global movements and networks, against the menace. Considering the diabolical and murderous dimensions unfolding across Nigeria with respect to Yahoo-plus, the EFFC should consider the wider perspectives of the accompanying crimes to synergise with other law enforcement agencies in rejiggering its strategies.

By: Joseph Nwankwor

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Opinion

Transforming Nigeria’s Health Sector

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Where does one start analysing the recent claim by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, that Nigeria is becoming a hub for quality health care and a destination choice for patients from the West African subregion and other parts of the world? Is it from the fact that as at the time he was making the statement on Tuesday, the number one citizen of the country, President Bola Tinubu was almost ready for a private visit, (believed by many to be health check related) to Paris, France the following day? Or, that the minister did not explain what he meant by “quality healthcare” nor did he tell the State House correspondents the number of patients that come to Nigeria from the USA and the UK for treatment and why.
Are they Nigerians in the diaspora visiting Nigeria and receiving treatment? Do the so-called people from all over the world come to Nigeria for medical treatment because Nigeria offers the best medical care better than anywhere in the world? No doubt, there may be some people who visit hospitals in Nigeria, maybe for fertility treatment due to certain restrictions in the countries they reside, who come to consult some particular health experts or those that find the treatment of certain ailments cheaper in Nigeria. There also exist some specialised hospitals in the country, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, who do attract patients from neighbouring West African countries for treatments in such areas as organ transplants, cardiology, fertility treatments, and advanced surgeries. But on a global scale, can Nigeria be regarded as a top destination for medical tourism? How did the minister arrive at that
And talking of quality healthcare, as earlier stated, it would have been nice if the Minister had given us the indices he used to arrive at his assertion and his own meaning of quality healthcare. Experts have defined quality healthcare as medical services that are effective, safe, timely, patient-centred, equitable, and efficient. It ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time, leading to better health outcomes. This means that, for healthcare to be considered quality, the treatments and interventions should be based on scientific evidence and best practices to improve patient health; it should minimise risks, errors, and harm to patients; patients should receive care without unnecessary delays; it should respect and respond to individual patient needs, values, and preferences; it should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender, or geographic location.
Above all, it should be efficient – resources should be used wisely to avoid waste and keep healthcare costs manageable. Are these the case in Nigeria? It is no hidden fact that many hospitals and clinics in the country, especially the public hospitals lack basic amenities like clean water, stable electricity, and modern medical equipment.  Rural areas suffer from a lack of healthcare facilities, forcing patients to travel long distances for medical attention. Many doctors, nurses, and other medical workers migrate abroad (japa syndrome) due to low wages and poor working conditions. The doctor-to-patient ratio is far below the WHO recommendation. Not once have we seen a doctor dozing off while consulting patients due to fatigue and heavy workload. All the doctors’ strike actions for these reasons have not brought about a significant change.
How easily do patients receive medical attention in our hospitals and clinics? In most government hospitals, patients spend almost a full day or more to see a doctor. When the doctor is a consultant, the waiting period will definitely be longer.  And how affordable are the treatments and the drugs? The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established in 1999 in response to increased out-of-pocket payments and the call for a movement towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Since the scheme started its operations in 2005, how many people have enrolled in the programme? The current Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, while serving as the Minister of State for Health in May 2024 said that the government had allocated dedicated funds and initiated collaborations to enhance primary healthcare services and expand health insurance coverage and that the president had mandated them to increase coverage from about seven million then to about 50 million people.
Today, records show that only a small percentage of the citizens are still covered by the scheme. According to a report by the Journal of Global Health Economic and Policy, less than 5 percent of Nigerians are enrolled in NHIS, while 70 percent still rely on out-of-pocket payments, making healthcare unaffordable for the poor The challenge of poor drug regulation, counterfeit medicine, inadequate funding, poor emergency response, inconsistent government policies and corruption, poor sanitation and hygiene are yet to be dealt with. How then do we have quality healthcare in Nigeria? What about the careless and nasty attitude of healthcare providers towards the patients. Many Nigerians are left with permanent scars and disabilities due to the negligence of so-called healthcare experts who treated them.
Sure, medical negligence is not peculiar to Nigeria but it has become a constant occurrence in our health facilities and must be looked into by the Medical and Dental  Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Medical Association and other relevant authorities. To take the nation’s healthcare system to the desired eldorado, a combination of policy reforms, increased funding, infrastructure development, workforce enhancement, attitudinal change among the healthcare providers and reduction of corruption in the health sector is necessary. Pate on Tuesday revealed that federal government has approved the sum of N12 billion for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, an advanced diagnostic equipment, across six tertiary health institutions in addition to Nigeria’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty, which aims to harmonise medical regulatory standards across the continent.
That is a commendable step by the government if only the government will ensure that the money when released will be used for the stated aim and the right equipment purchased and regularly maintained. It is also important that the government allocates at least 15 percent of the national budget to health, as recommended by the Abuja Declaration. They should explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investments in healthcare infrastructure. There is also the need to upgrade and equip existing hospitals with modern medical technology, establish more primary healthcare centers (PHCs), especially in rural areas and invest in digital health solutions such as telemedicine to improve access. The issue of shortage of healthcare workers must be addressed through improved salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
Incentives (such as scholarships, housing, and career growth opportunities) should be regularly offered to retain healthcare professionals. Other important measures to be taken include expansion of the NHIS to cover more citizens, including the informal sector; introduce community-based health insurance programmes to increase access to affordable healthcare; the government, both federal and states, should subsidise low-income families to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.The authorities should strengthen immunisation programmes to prevent disease outbreaks and promote health education campaigns on sanitation, hygiene and healthy lifestyles. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should be empowered to monitor and regulate pharmaceutical products more effectively, while the law enforcement agencies should do more in the area of enforcing stricter penalties for drug counterfeiters.
Implement technology-driven tracking systems to detect and remove fake drugs from circulation.The government should also increase funding for medical research and encourage local drug production. Partnership with universities and research institutions to develop innovative health solutions will certainly be productive. Government should also consider supporting the development of traditional medicine through scientific validation. As Africans, many Nigerians in the diaspora believe in the potency of herbs. A story was recently told of how some Nigerians make money by sending herbal medicine to Nigerians abroad. So, developing and properly regulating this sector might be the major attracter of patients. To have people come from all over the world to Nigeria, with the assurance that they will get the best of medical care here is the wish of many Nigerians.
Maybe that will reduce the president’s trip to France and save the nation some money. But achieving that goes beyond rhetorics or making political statements. Let there be more actions than words

 

Calista Ezeaku

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