By Erasmus Ikhide

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki of Edo State is not my friend, but he took a decision I should have taken a long time ago myself if I were seating in Osadebe Avenue as the Governor of the state by prohibiting the embarrassing and bizarre open ended practice of prostitution in Benin City.

For a fact – except we’re running away from the sordid reality – every Edo citizen, home and abroad, has borne the humiliating stigma of wholesale accusation of being precursor of prostitution for ‘hailing from the land of prostitution’! The appropriate tagging has long been entrenched and taken as the gospel truth, and has remained like the chameleon faeces that wouldn’t go away, however hard you deodorized it.

Yours sincerely was a victim of prostitutes’ revolt early this year when the curiosity in me – the first attribute of journalism levitated – to video thousands of them at Ihama Road, covering the swathe of Royal Marble junction, to the tail end of Edo House of Assembly Legislative Quarters. I was rescued by a taxi driver out of the horrific scene, having abandoned my marked car inside Exquisite Hotel, opposite Royal Marble.
What makes paid sex even more offensive, worrisome is the terrible drama involved in it, coupled with the associated rituals that are made out of what is done with the third arms of the legs.

The abhorrent practices of girl child abuse in relation with prostitution in Edo State has been long in coming in Benin City, even though prostitution is as old as humanity. Places like Ugbague street, Ihama, Country Home Road opposite Stella Obasanjo’s Women and Children’s Hospital, Boligo Hotel at Upper Mission Extension and other sexually sullen places are hotbeds and breeding grounds for human trafficking.

Tragically, Benin City is one place where ugly and offensive prostitution practice is exalted to abominable level where married couples agreed for the wife to travel to Italy and other parts of Europe to make money and send back home for the husband’s and families- upkeep.

A particular traumatizing instance of such debasing scenarios left a sour taste in the mouth. A relation of a family friend whose wife returned home after ten years of prostitution in Italy found out that the proceeds of prostitution she transferred to her husband to build a home for them was diverted to marry more wives. The woman became dejected, used and abandoned to waste away after being thoroughly exploited, and sexually vandalised.

First, the banning of solicited open prostitution is one way out of the labyrinth of state failure and citizens’ destitution on the state and society.
The government needs to take a step further by strengthening its position on this by legislating against streets begging, hawking and criminalization of illiteracy.
Part of the backlashes of prostitution in the state is the incidences of violence crime since some of the prostitutes’ warehouse small arms and light weapons and ammunition for criminal elements who are mostly armed robbers, cultists and land grabbers.

Second, the state government should cooperate with anti-human trafficking organisations such as The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and related global bodies to achieve effective results by way of reorientatating some of them who are innocently lured into prostitution, one way or the other.

Lastly, the Governor should implement the much-talked-about industrialisation policy of his administration in the state by way of opening fabrics and shoe making factories for some of these whores to work in, so that they can eke out a leaving for themselves and their loved ones.

Until that is done, Edo State will remain the headquarters of prostitution in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Erasmus Ikhide can be reached via: ikhideerasmus@gmail.com

STRIKING LECTURERS: WORKERS PROTEST IN NIGERIA
NLC EMBARKS ON A THREE-DAY NATIONAL WARNING STRIKE
CONSIDERS INDEFINITE STRIKE

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that it will embark on a three-day warning strike immediately after the Tuesday and Wednesday nationwide protest in solidarity with the striking lecturers.
Also the National Union of Electricity Employees is expected to join Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in solidarity protest with ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

A memo dated July 22, 2022 and issued by the union’s General Secretary, Joe Ajaero urged all members to participate actively in the protest.
The memo reads, “In line with the NLC’s directive and our position which was made known at the Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Congress.
“All members of the union are enjoined to massively mobilize and actively participate in the NLC/ASUU solidarity protest against the continued closure of Nation’s Tertiary Institutions scheduled for 26/27 July, 2022.
“You are encouraged to work with the leadership of State Executive Council (SEC) of the Congress in your various states with a view of having successful outing.”
The Labour Congress stated that it might extend the warning to an indefinite strike if the federal government fails to resolve the issues with the university unions and have the schools reopen for Nigerian students.
The labour movement said it has mobilized workers across the country for a nationwide protest in all the 36 states of the federation and Abuja Tuesday.
The protest is to compel the federal government to resolve all the lingering issues to re-open universities for academic activities.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, stated this while speaking to journalists at the ongoing 18th NLC Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
“The protest happening tomorrow is not a solidarity protest but a protest of NLC against government actions that lead to our universities being shut down and our kids staying at home instead of going to school. All the unions directly involved in the strike are NLC affiliates and their members are part of NLC.
“We have taken three levels of decision. First is the protest, which is going to be national tomorrow. After the protest, a three-day national warning strike will start, and if they fail to resolve the issues and bring back our kids to school, we go on indefinite strike.
“That is the decision of our National Executive Council. And what will be helpful for them is to check the timeline we have given for them to resolve the issues. We are optimistic that they will be willing this time because we are also willing to get our children back to school,” he said.
Speaking on the harsh living condition of Nigerians, Wabba said that it is not only the education sector that is in a shambles but the economy.
Wabba said: “I never knew that the exchange rate has moved within a week from N630 to N670. This is very frightening and it erodes the purchasing power of workers. There is no way we can continue in this direction and expect that there will be shared prosperity within workers, and within the large portion of Nigerians that are in the lower echelon at the economic ladder.
“Importantly is the issue of our children that are out of school for five months. Basically, it also requires a political decision for the issue to be sorted out. What is even more worrisome is the fact that they keep posting the graduation of their children in universities out the country on social media and then the universities where the children of the working class study are closed down.
“I was told today that we have three sets of students that ought to be in the university but unfortunately they have not even sorted out their admission challenges. So it is really a very frightening future for Nigerians, particularly the youths.”
He said the irony of it is that most of the political elite today benefited from free public education, wondering why it is impossible for them to fix our public education.
“Is it about the class divide, it honestly beats somebody’s imagination. That is why all of these issues resonate that we need to engage politically. We have also realised the fact that they have used different approaches to divide Nigerians.
“Unfortunately for them, NLC is a pan-Nigerian organisation that cannot be divided and workers should not allow themselves to be divided along ethnic or religious lines. This is just diversion of interest. Their division tool is happening now. Workers should be wiser, citizens should be wiser. We should work assiduously to unite Nigeria and not to divide Nigerians.”

PRESIDENT BUHARI THANKS KASSI BROU FOR UNITED ECOWAS
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday received the exiting President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, thanking him for the role he had played in ensuring that the sub-regional body remained united.
“You showed great commitment to the unity of ECOWAS, and of the sub-region. Your tenure has been very successful, and I wish you and the family more successes ahead,” the President said.
He noted that in spite of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and political tension in some countries, Kassi Brou and his team at the ECOWAS Commission “showed capacity and patience, and dealt with all the issues.”
President Buhari hoped that Brou’s successor would study what made him succeed, for the good of the sub-regional body.
The exiting ECOWAS Commission President thanked the Nigerian leader for the support given in the past four years, “particularly at the time of great challenges like COVID-19, and political instability in some West African countries.”
He also lauded all ECOWAS leaders, as well as Nigerian Ministers who made his tour of duty a successful one.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 25, 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI CELEBRATES TRACK SUPERSTAR, AMUSAN, FOR WINNING GOLD AT WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
President Muhammadu Buhari expresses heartfelt congratulations to Tobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.
The President joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.
The President thanks the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.
President Buhari says the legendary career and achievements of the golden girl will continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.
The President also commends Ese Brume for representing Nigeria with honour and pride, winning silver medal in the Women’s long jump event.
The President lauds Team Nigeria for displaying courage, integrity and good sportsmanship at the world stage, proving that with hard work and determination, success is achievable.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 25, 2022

25 July 2022

Access Bank Plc becomes first bank certified against the Compliance Management System ISO 37301:2021 standard

In recognition of its exemplary commitment to achieving sustainable business continuity, Access Bank Plc. has been conferred the MSECB Management System Certificate in accordance with the management system requirements in ISO 37301:2021. This feat sees the institution become the first bank to achieve certification against this standard.

The certification which was issued upon review of the Bank’s compliance management system contributes to SDGs 8, 16 and 11, affirming its commitment to promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, as well as making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Commenting on the feat, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc., Roosevelt Ogbonna, said, “This certification demonstrates that the Bank’s Board of Directors and Management are committed to meeting internationally accepted standards in our global banking operations, particularly in the areas of sustainability and compliance. We believe that attaining this global standard would serve to deepen the trust that our stakeholders have in our institution as we continue to innovatively bridge worlds and connect customers to opportunities.”

The certification, which is valid for a period of three years, is subject to satisfactory surveillance audits and will also be used as a management measuring tool. The tool will be used to evaluate Access Bank’s business continuity policies and operations, sustainability practices and management compliance systems.

Published in April 2021, the ISO 37301 Compliance Management System seeks to provide a certifiable global benchmark for compliance systems.

As a leading financial institution, Access Bank continues to promote responsible environmental stewardship and stimulate socially responsible development. Its management approach to sustainability is grounded on global best practices and aims to impact across the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Its compliance management strategy has continued to evolve as it constantly seeks to meet the demands of a dynamic and fast-changing world.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CELEBRATES TRACK SUPERSTAR, AMUSAN, FOR WINNING GOLD AT WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP

President Muhammadu Buhari expresses heartfelt congratulations to Tobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.
The President joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.
The President thanks the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.
President Buhari says the legendary career and achievements of the golden girl will continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.
The President also commends Ese Brume for representing Nigeria with honour and pride, winning silver medal in the Women’s long jump event.
The President lauds Team Nigeria for displaying courage, integrity and good sportsmanship at the world stage, proving that with hard work and determination, success is achievable.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 25, 2022

*You’re Making Our Country Proud, Gov. Abiodun Tells Jimoh Ibrahim*

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has told Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim CFR that he’s making Nigeria proud as he was awarded the first-ever Doctor of Business Degree by the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The governor also described the achievement of the billionaire business mogul, who also the All Progressives Congress’ senatorial candidate for Ondo South in the forthcoming general elections, as outstanding and inspiring.

This was contained in a congratulatory letter personally signed by the governor and addressed to Ibrahim as he was on Saturday awarded Doctor of Business degree by the Cambridge University, the first-ever since it was established in 1209.

He said the award further revealed Ibrahim as a sterner stuff than perceived by people.

The letter reads in parts: “On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Ogun State, I congratulate you on your conferment with the first-ever Doctor of Business Degree by the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom on Saturday, 23rd of July, 2022.

“This well-deserved recognition did not come as a surprise. Indeed, it is yet another feather to a cap already decorated with many feathers that are a reflection of your many achievements that are as outstanding as they are inspiring.

“This award further reaffirms my conviction that you are sterner stuff than most mortals can discern. It also validates the self-evident truth of your humility, humanism, philanthropy and focus which is almost unequalled among your peers. No wonder our grateful Nation Nigeria, accorded you with the enviable National award as Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

“The conferment is both recognition of your contribution as it is and yet a challenge to do more for the development and service to humanity in general.”

Governor Abiodun, therefore, tasked Ibrahim to see the achievement as a call to serve humanity more than ever.

He said: “I urge you therefore to regard this rare honour as a task for you to be more diligent and committed to the betterment of mankind as you continue to remain a source of inspiration to the younger generation.

“Once again, please accept my hearty congratulations and the assurances of my highest regards.”

ECA says pool procurement platform, ATEX, can help mitigate impact of rising commodity prices in Africa

As part of its regular Price Watch Dialogue series, the African Centre for Statistics (ACS) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) hosted, on 21 July, a policy dialogue on the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on commodity and food prices in Africa.
In his welcoming remarks, Oliver Chinganya, ACS Director, stated “Africa, in the last two years, has been hit by exogenous shocks that undermine its dreams of prosperity. Interest rate hikes, increased borrowing costs, weakened currencies and tightening global financing conditions have had dire implications on the fiscal space of low and middle-income countries.”
Rising consumer prices, particularly rising food prices, are increasing inflationary pressures. Critical items like oils, fats and vegetables are up near 10% in Morocco, whilst the price of staple foods like cooking oil and wheat have risen by almost 50% in Kenya. Thus, to cope with market turbulence, nations have sought to pass on costs to consumers and seek external help. Increased food costs put vulnerable populations at increased risk of food insecurity. The ECA estimates the food crisis could further reduce Africa’s fiscal space by 7% of GDP on average.
The double-shock driven by the Ukraine-Russia crisis, and global conditions threatens to unleash a third debt crisis in Africa. Rising interest rates and tighter financial conditions limit government fiscal space while additional spending is needed.
Consequently, ECA is supporting Member States to reduce the severity of the food crisis through the Africa Trade Exchange Platform (ATEX). The ATEX is a pool procurement marketplace, which has the potential to strengthen Africa’s economic resilience.
“The platform can mitigate the supply shocks by pooling and aggregation Africa’s demand and supply to enable the negotiation of competitive prices and facilitate the delivery of essential commodities at affordable prices while boosting regional trade,” explained ECA economist, Wafa Aidi.
The webinar discussed further solutions to counter a third debt crisis in Africa, including the need for African countries to prioritize the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, support agriculture production and improve the resilience of agricultural systems. To address the tightening fiscal space, there’s need for immediate debt-service relief and waiving of surcharges, especially for countries with large borrowings. Another recommendation was on the need to refashion the SDR quota by increasing the share allocated to developing countries and triggering an automatic release of adequate SDRs during crisis; and extend the DSSI through December 2023 with interest payments deferred.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda, Uzziel Ndagijimana added to the discussion by suggesting the longer-term responses that are also required, “Covid-19 and the Ukraine-Russia conflict found us unprepared. It is time for Africa to embark on structural transformations – to develop and invest in its infrastructure, agricultural production, human capital and regional trade.”
The next session of the webinar policy dialogue organized by the ECA will take place in three months’ time.

-Ends-

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Economic Commission for Africa
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