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GOVERNOR UZONDINMA POISED TO COMPLETE ONGOING AND ABANDONED PROJECTS BY PAST ADMINISTRATIONS.

GOVERNOR UZONDINMA POISED TO COMPLETE ONGOING AND ABANDONED PROJECTS BY PAST ADMINISTRATIONS.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring Okigwe Zone Hon. Engr. Chukwu has stated the commitment of the Shared Prosperity Administration led by the Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma to ensure that uncompleted and abandoned projects by previous administrations are completed and activated.


He made this known at Isiala Mbano LGA Headquaters Umuelemai during his maiden visit to the area in continuation of the on the spot assessment of on going and abandoned projects across the six LGAs of Okigwe Zone.

Hon. Engr. Chukwu who extolled the Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma for the award of contract for the reconstruction of Owerri-Okigwe road to world class Company like Julius Berger, called on Isiala Mbano people to support the present administration in the realization of the road project adding that when completed Isiala Mbano LGA will benefit lot from it.


According to him, Governor Uzodinma is a pragmatic and focused leader who believes in continuity.

Hon. Engr. Chukwu further said “The Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma is aware that there are many projects in the Zone both on going and abandoned and that is why he saddled me with the responsibility of Project Monitoring in our Zone to actualize the developmental agenda for Okigwe Zone in particular and our state in general in line with the three R mantra of reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery.”

In his response, the IMC Chairman of Isiala Mbano LGA Hon. Chika Okoroike represented by the Director of Administration and General Services DAGS Mr. Godwin Nneke thanked Hon. Engr. Chukwu for the visit and congratulated him on his appointment as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring Okigwe Zone.

He disclosed that the IMC Chairman has been working in synergy with the IMC members and other management staff of Isiala Mbano LGA to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Highpoint of the visit was the on the spot assessment of various Projects by Hon. Engr. Francis Chukwu, namely: the on going Isiala Mbano new Council Secretariat, the proposed but abandoned Isiala Mbano LGA General Hospital and the proposed Isiala Mbano LGA Stadium all started by previous administrations.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring Okigwe Zone Engr. Francis Chukwu conducted the projects assessment in company of the DAGS Mr. Godwin Nneke and the Chief of Staff to the IMC Chairman Hon. Golden Uzowuru among others. Bureau for Project Monitoring Okigwe Zone New Media

Hon. Engr. Francis Chukwu.

OGUN MAKES COVID-19 TEST FREE FOR ALL RETURNING SS3 BOARDING STUDENTS

OGUN MAKES COVID-19 TEST FREE FOR ALL RETURNING SS3 BOARDING STUDENTS

The State has been very apprehensive about the issue of school opening even for exit students. Data from other countries, where schools have resumed show that community transmission in school environments is a major concern. Even countries with strongerhealth care facilities than ours are being very cautious.

In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4thAugust 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the Country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

The State planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two Ogun State run laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our Health facilities.

These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the State Government.

After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

The health of our children remains our utmost priority, however in view of the total number of boarding students to be tested (5,340private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the limitation of our installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior to resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020.

Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

I have also directed the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.

The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart.

I appreciate the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in Ogun State. It is my prayer that this phase will end soonest.

“Igbega Ipinle Ogun, ajose gbogbo wa ni o.”

Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR,
Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Oyo State Commissioner send forth programme for some of their longest serving staff!

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Oyo State Commissioner send forth programme for some of their longest serving staff!

Working in an organisation for years is what many sports organisation wish for, knowing the manner staff change jobs, this is one common factor in all sports, football especially. 3SC Football Club is lucky to have some staff members working for long. It was another pace setting record as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan held a sent forth programme for some of their longest serving staff.

At the colorful event held at the Club’s Secretariat at Jericho, on Thursday, the quartet of Mr. Ganiyu Bello (Rondo), Mrs. Olubunmi Aina (Iya Shooting), Mr. Morufu Oladejo (Warrior) and Mr. Ojo Oluwasanjo Thomas (Baba Ojo) were honoured for their selfless services.

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Speaking at the occasion, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Asiwaju Seun Fakorede, said the sent forth held for the retirees, which was the first of its kind, was a further demonstration of Governor Seyi Makinde’s committment to reward excellence in service.

“This is another pace setting event that we are organising here. The present administration under His excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde values dedication and committment, that is why we want to appreciate these people for the services they have rendered for Shooting Stars all these years”.

The commissioner assured that the Government will not stop at hoouring deserving personalities as a way of encouraging dedication to duty.

Asiwaju Seun Fakorede

YAHOO BOYS ARE MESSING WITH OUR GIRLS IN OGUN! LADY CRIES OUT

YAHOO BOYS ARE MESSING WITH OUR GIRLS IN OGUN! LADY CRIES OUT

One of the bane of African development and Nigeria in particular is superstition , spiritism and cultural outlook. In the country today,a lot of youths have this notion that they can’t get rich without doing sonww spiritual rituals. Responsible citizens are calling on the government to start mass sensitisation on this.

With the level of Instagram lifestyles shown, a lot of youths have gone online to do Yahoo plus. This has resulted in most cases using human beings to do this. Having lived in Ogun State, a concerned lady and resident speaks up on the worrying trend in the state .

Chi Tola, in her words said “Hmmm… It’s very Saddening o. 70% of the young girls in about 3 Ogun State LGAs are walking corpses. Yahoo boys have taken all the life benefit in them.”

She added that ” I couldn’t believe who this was coming from. If you are in Ogun or have a young girl living in Ogun State, it’s time to start being worried o. It’s no longer funny. Sadly our leaders and rulers aren’t perturbed. End Times!!! Draw closer to God o.”

Earlier this year , Men of the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a herbalist, Lajuwon Ogunleye and two others for alleged conspiracy and murder of a seven-year-old boy, Pelumi Apalaya for ritual purpose in Abigi area of Ogun State.

Concerned and good spirit residents are begining to get worried by the Yahoo Yahoo boys actions and encouraged the law enforcement agents to step up. They also appreciated the law enforcement agencies especially the Police and EFCC on the tremendous impact they have made. While parents are also told to ensure that they raise their kids in the right way not placing money and material acquisition at the forefront.

Anthony Chukwuemeka N

USSD: Banks owe Telcos N17bn, says Danbatta

USSD: Banks owe Telcos N17bn, says Danbatta

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has said that commercial banks in the country are owing telecommunications companies over N17 billion following the regulator’s suspension of its Determination on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) Pricing last year.

The NCC, in furtherance of its mandate to protect the interests of consumers and support a robust telecommunications sector, recently announced that it had revised the Determination on the USSD.
Speaking at ATCON’s virtual forum on “Meeting the Interests of Government, Consumers and Telecoms Companies in the Era of Covid-19 and Post Covid-19 Pandemic for Digital Economy Development”, Danbatta noted that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami had already been briefed on the development with a view to ensuring a quick settlement of the debt.

Explaining the Commission’s efforts at resolving consumer-related issues, he noted that when the Commission introduced the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) code in 2015, less than 500,000 people activated the code, but there are now 22,722,366 lines on the DND.

Danbatta further stated that ninety-eight per cent (98%) of the total service-related complaints received from telecoms consumers within a 15-month period, spanning January 2019 to April 2020, have been successfully resolved by the Commission.  

On quality of service, Danbatta said “the Commission has monthly engagements with operators as well as quarterly industry working group on Quality of Service and Short Codes, and is currently monitoring 2G Key Performance Indicators, while the KPIs for 4G are being prepared.”

It should be recalled that the NCC, in a statement released to the media recently, observed that the amendment to its USSD Determination was necessitated by a protracted dispute between Mobile Network Operators and Financial Institutions on the applicable charges for USSD services and the method of billing. As a responsive and effective regulatory authority, the Commission recognises that its policies are not static and may be modified from time to time as circumstances demand.

According to Danbatta, in the interest of the consumers and other stakeholders, the Commission revised the Determination previously issued by removing the Price Floor and the Cap to allow Mobile Network Operators and the banks negotiate rates that will be mutually beneficial to all parties concerned.

The NCC also determined that Mobile Network Operators must not charge the consumers directly for the use of USSD channels for financial services in the form of end-user-billing, but revert to corporate billing. The transaction should be between the MNOs and the entity to which the service is provided (i.e. Banks and Financial Institutions).

NCC

ATCON SECTORAL FORUM 2020: TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES ARE BEING OWNED OVER 17 BILLION NAIRA – NCC EVC

ATCON SECTORAL FORUM 2020: TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES ARE BEING OWNED OVER 17 BILLION NAIRA – NCC EVC

​In a post Covid 19 workplace and era, information technology, communication and data will be the critical drivers that would power the era. Having seen the change of narrative, the Association of Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ATCON) headed by Olusola Teniola invited the key stakeholders in an online forum tagged “ATCON’ Sectoral Virtual Forum 2020.” Isa Pantami ,the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Office (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi  the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and host of others looked at how ICT will play a vital role in  post Covid 19 economic realities.

Taking to zoom conference, Isa Patanmi promise to look at the cost of broadband deployment, the minister said that the ministry is looking at reviewing the taxes that are collected by various states of federation to the Infracos and also promising to  look at giving preferential treatment to indigenous firms using the Executive order 003 and Presidential order 005.He also buttressed the need for patronage for the local Telco firms, a policy is being formulated to this regard. The Minister said that the government is doing the desired intervention to ensure that the indigenous telecom firms which ATCON is the body would be looked at.

NITDA has aided growth of Nigeria's tech ecosystem -- DG, Kashifu ...

On the interest of consumers, the Minister said that it is in the interest of the Ministry to protect the subscribers and consumers of telecommunication products and services is paramount to the Government. The Minister is working with NCC Operators to ensure a robust framework that would protect the interest of consumers. The minister used the forum to harp on the quality of service, though in most cases are caused by vandalization. The QoS is key to the government, especially the price of data will be looked at. The minister made it known that the right of way has a way of impacting on the price of data and there are efforts made to come up with packages.

The leadership of ATCON, is the body that helped to push the National Broadband Plan and the minister is looking at 70% penetration rates in the next 5 years. The Minister promised to work with ATCON members to ensure that this is feasible in a few years’ time. Speaking on the forum, Olu Teniola, the President of ATCON said that the organisation is desirous to assist the ministry on the issue of right of way and double taxation. The Minister said that telecom infrastructure is seen as national infrastructure. The minister said that the issue of Right of Way has been lingering and he is working with governors on this.

NITDA Begins Registration, Licensing of Indigenous Information Technol

Prof Danbatta, opined that the Covid 19 impact affected the whole economy and there is need to utilise the power of Information Technology and in the heart of ICT, infrastructure is the key. He said that NCC is striving very hard to meet up especially in the area of broadband deployment. On the issue of underutilisation of submarine broadband and landing capacity, the EVC said that the Commission is in the process of reviewing the Infraco framework as mandated by the National Bureau for Privatization (NBP). He said that the spectrum utilization especially 800MHz CDA, 1800MHz for LTE and Spectrum auctioning, the EVC reassured Nigerians that the NCC is in the process of issuing last mile satellite operators’ licenses to provide broadband services.

On the protection of consumers, NCC has brought out measures such as DND lines 2442 and a toll-free line of 622 has been in place. Over two hundred and seventy thousand complaints have been received by the commission. On the issue of Mobile number portability, over 1.1 million have utilised this service. The commission also launched a web portal as an alternative platform where consumers can lay their complaints. The draft review of consumer code of practice is being concluded for publication.

NCC Denies N300m Subventions To NITDA - Brand Communicator

The teething problem of Right of Way, the Commission has made tremendous strides in this regard. This year alone, NCC resolves Right of Way (RoW) disputes in Ekiti, Imo, Kaduna, and Plateau states and is working towards the harmonization of right of way charges. As a proactive agency, The NCC has allowed mobile numbers operators (MNOs) to participate fully in the provision of mobile money services through the National Financial Inclusion Strategy. This is designed to achieve an 80% financial inclusion target of the Federal Government. The EVC lamented on the huge debt being owed to telecommunication firms by many agencies, saying that over 17 billion is being owned and this has hampered the full capacity utilisation.

Kashifu Adullahi, the Director General of NITDA in his remarks said that “In a post covid 19 era, the economy would be powered by information technology. “We are witnessing the emergence of new trends such as remote work, conferences and meetings. There is a need for government intervention here because strains are being put on existing infrastructure. With over 30 million subscribers using smartphones to access the internet, there is a need for a robust framework which the president did by launching the national broadband plan”, he said.

Nigeria: ATCON to hold virtual meeting on impact of Covid-19 on ...

The DG of NITDA said that the Agency is involved seriously in the area of developmental regulation especially in the area of privacy and trust. The data assets guidelines, blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are the frameworks that the agency is working on. The agency has built about 3 IT hubs, 80 Digital learning centres and other key infrastructures.

ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU

On the issue of underutilisation of submarine broadband and landing capacity, the EVC said that the Commission is in the process of reviewing the Infraco framework as mandated by the National Bureau for Privatization (NBP). He said that the spectrum utilization especially 800MHz CDA, 1800MHz for LTE and Spectrum auctioning, the EVC reassured Nigerians that the NCC is in the process of issuing last mile satellite operators’ licenses to provide broadband services.

FINTECH GURU, SIMEON ONONOBI CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY

FINTECH GURU, SIMEON ONONOBI CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY

One of the few start-ups in the country that have shown promise over the years, Simeon Ononobi, as he celebrates his birthday, his strides in the ICT space must be looked at. Just like Biblical Simeon Peter whom Our Lord handed the keys of the heaven, Simeon Ononobi seems to have the key of serial entrepreneurial spirit and giving hopes to the youths and start up, in a country that is more focused on music, culture and everything apart from ICT, Simeon has shown that Nigerians can run and float a world class financial technology ( FinTech) firm and have foreign partners collaborating with him.

Having founded SimplePay from a humble place in Lagos, the organisation has grown to be one of the few fintechs in the country that has demonstrated resilient and hope. “I don’t believe that you can just borrow something from America and use it in this environment. You have to get into the psyche of the individual” In his words with Muyiwa of TechPoint.

Advice for Founders with Simeon Ononobi | by microtraction ...

This singular statement has been his watchword and a propeller that has made him build world-class solutions for Nigeria and Africa. According to Techpoint, “SimplePay was awarded “Best Nigerian Start-up” in the 2013 edition of Seedstars World Lagos. Ononobi went on to represent Nigeria at the global event where SimplePay emerged 1st runner up to secure $330,000 in funding. In the space of less than 2 years, the start-up has grown to upwards of 60,000 transactions a month, amounting to about 80 to 100 million naira.”

Not yet done, Simeon is the Co-Founder/CEO at ThankUCash! With thevision is to create sustainable solutions to help connect 10,000 businesses to 10,000,000 customers by the year 2023. Currently, the CEO at a great company called Connected Analytics Inc., a 500 Startup portfolio company and passionate about helping small businesses stay alive and grow using data analytics and rewards. A Software Analyst/Engineer in a previous life and product developer.

As Simeon celebrates his birthday in a quiet and humble way, considering the social distance, we wish to use this opportunity to felicitate with him.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Tshimologong launches a programme to help grow female-owned tech businesses

Tshimologong launches a programme to help grow female-owned tech businesses

Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct kicks off its inaugural Ya Basadi in 4IR programme, with the financial support of J.P. Morgan. Ya Basadi, meaning ‘for women’ in Setswana, is an acceleration programme that will enable Tshimologong to support established small businesses in transitioning into both technology and/or technology-enabled companies with the purpose of optimising their operations quickly and efficiently. The programme is targeting primarily women-owned businesses, which are already trading and have a clear understanding of how tech can scale their businesses. Ya Basadi will also include underserved female entrepreneurs from low income backgrounds.

Khwezi Fudu Cenenda, Enterprise Development Manager at Tshimologong says the Ya Basadi programme taking place this month is well timed as the country dedicates the month of August to saluting women: “Entrepreneurship is fast becoming a chosen way to counteract the low economic growth and increasing unemployment. This is particularly prevalent when looking at the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) research, which notes that 72% of micro-enterprises and 40% of small enterprises are currently owned by women. Unfortunately, these businesses often require funding as well as support in terms of digital transformation.”

Of significance is the imminent rise of the Fourth Industrial revolution (4IR) and how this can be transitioned into each business. Developed with three main components: technology training, experiential learning through immersions in industry and the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the programme will enable participants to understand how to apply and adopt new technology into their business such as, amongst others, Machine Learning (ML), data analytics, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT), that can lead to growth with smarter data-analysis, rapid prototyping and understanding of adaptive manufacturing principles. The ultimate goal of the programme is to help women-owned businesses scale, generate more value and create employment in Johannesburg economies.

Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan, Kevin Latter, said: “We are excited to support this innovative programme at a time in our country where small business growth is crucial. As a firm, J.P. Morgan globally focuses on supporting small business and the empowerment of women. This programme therefore fits perfectly with our global ethos. The devastating impact of Covid-19 in South Africa has made it even more important for the business sector to support the development of smaller businesses and job creation.”

In addition, Cenenda says that the programme will also focus on 4IR because of the opportunities that it presents for women’s businesses and how this evolution could assist them to flourish beyond micro and small business status: “Only 13% of women graduate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) while only 23% hold IT jobs. This means that the potential for women to participate in 4IR is limited. Our objective with the programme is to innovate and collaborate to find new ways of increasing access for women in technology.”

With a selected cohort ready to go, she says that the entrepreneurs will be challenged to develop or build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that will be presented at the end of the programme. A cross section of some of the solutions that the cohort brings, includes the provision of a travelling nurse using an online booking system; automated recycling; the provision of WIFI to households in townships; offering assessments and career guidance purely through automated calendar bookings and video calls and using financial tools to protect Africa’s green assets.

“The key to success will be to support women-led businesses to transition to becoming tech or tech-enabled companies and to help them move to the next level as a business. Those companies that are already classified as tech businesses will get the opportunity to deepen their use of tech. This pipeline will need to be nurtured, developed and grown, which is why we are looking to secure additional partnerships to assist in developing the programme moving forward,” says Cenenda.

The year-long Ya Basadi programme will comprise of technology masterclasses in 11 areas of technology such as App and Web Development, 3D Printing, AI, Robotics, IoT, VR and Cybersecurity. In addition to this, the entrepreneurs will get practical, on the job experience in industry; learning circles for the cohort to share experiences; and will conclude with at least a MVP being developed for or by each start-up.

Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg once said, “No industry or country can reach its full potential until women reach their full potential. This is especially true of science and technology, where women with a surplus of talent still face a deficit of opportunity.”

Join Tshimologong Precinct to improve the quality of opportunities for female – led businesses, and build an ecosystem of women in technology that will forever change the landscape, shaping the way forward for women and young girls.

To partner with Ya Basadi and to get more information on the programme, please contact Khwezi Cenenda on khwezi@tshimologong.joburg.

Ends

NCC Revises Determination on USSD Pricing

NCC Revises Determination on USSD Pricing

…Initiates fresh engagement with stakeholders 

The Nigerian Communications Commission, in furtherance of its mandate to protect the interests of consumers and support a robust telecommunications sector, has revised its Determination on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) pricing published on the 23rd of July, 2019.The amendment was necessitated following a protracted dispute between Mobile Network Operators and Financial Institutions on the applicable charges for USSD services and the method of billing. 
As a responsive and effective regulatory authority, the Commission recognises that its policies are not static and may be modified from time to time as circumstances demand.

This is coming on the heels of a recent directive by the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, regarding a review of the USSD pricing by all parties involved, following a presentation made by the Commission on the billing structure, determination of USSD pricing, current status and the way forward.

Speaking during the presentation, the Minister stated that he took the decision to suspend the commencement of end-user billing (where the consumers are charged directly from their airtime balance for use of USSD channels as opposed to corporate billing where the banks paid the MNOs for the use of USSD service) because he was “genuinely besieged with a barrage of complaints at the attempted commencement of end-user billing by service providers.”The Minister also clarified that “USSD is a service to banks and not to the Telecom Consumers, and as such, banks should see themselves as corporate customers of telecom operators with a duty to pay for using the telecom network and infrastructure, including USSD channels extended to them for service delivery to their customers.” 
According to him, “Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have no direct relationship to bank customers, and cannot, therefore, charge directly for usage of USSD channel.”

The USSD channel has evolved over time from a telco-exclusive channel used for only telco services such as balance inquiry and recharges to a channel for the deployment of a broad spectrum of services, including financial, insurance, agricultural, government services and more. The use of USSD channel has become a critical resource in the economy even more so in this era of the Covid-19 pandemic that has witnessed a rise in reliance on digital services.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, in the interest of the consumers and other stakeholders, has revised the Determination previously issued by removing the Price Floor and the Cap to allow the Mobile Network Operators and the banks negotiate rates that will be mutually beneficial to all parties concerned.

The NCC also determined that Mobile Network Operators must not charge the consumers directly for the use of USSD channels for financial services in the form of end-user-billing. The transaction should be between the MNOs and the entity to which the service is provided (i.e. Banks and Financial Institutions). 

A copy of the Determination is available on the NCC’s website, www.ncc.gov.ng.

Signed

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde

HOW A PROMISING YOUNG GIRL BECAME A POWERFUL NATIVE DOCTOR

HOW A PROMISING YOUNG GIRL BECAME A POWERFUL NATIVE DOCTOR

Exactly three years ago, I was on one of my usual trips to Nnewi, Anambra to check on my ailing mother and I needed to stop by a shop on Igwe Orizu road to buy some provisions. I was attended to by a young beautiful girl, who was so courteous and customer-centric that I had to ask why she chose the salesgirl’s job instead looking for a better earning career.

The young girl told me that it was her father’s shop and that she had to help out since she could not get a job; that she just finished her youth service. I pitied her and dropped my call card asking her to send her CV to me so that I could help get her tested for employment in a bank. And she did. Her mom and dad later called to thank me for choosing to help their first daughter. And I did.

The young girl, Ebere who made a second class upper degree from a federal university proved her mettle by smashing the bank’s aptitude test at first attempt and was scheduled for oral interview. That was when I noticed she has a problem.

Candidate Ebere refused to appear for the her interview despite many opportunities created for her. Hours before her interview time, her phone would go off and she would never call back to apologize. The apologetic mother and the infuriated father were embarrassed. I forgot about her until one day she called asking for a physical meeting with me. She was in Lagos.

I could barely recognise her as she majestically walked into my office. Her resplendent looks, height, gait and measured queenly carriage distracted a couple of young boys working under me, who had to enter my office to give me undue updates on assignments. They just wanted to meet the young girl in Oga’s office.

My mouth remained agape as this young girl told me the story of her life. How her dead ancestors had been on her case and were insistent that she must take on the herbalist profession of her great grandmother and how they interfered in her life choices and how, many men of God had failed to deliver her from the nagging spiritual interference. She also narrated how her parents wouldn’t approve of any deliverance that involved spiritual sacrifice, propitiation or any solution outside their christian faith.

And she continued to suffer.

Finally, the young lady assured me that she was okay now but not after taking her destiny into her hands to seek for help from practitioners of African Traditional Religion. I would not bore you with the details. Her troubles melted away after she accepted to become a herbalist.

Herbalist Ebere told me how the ancestors would show him the herbs that cure specific illnesses and she would wake up to find those herbs exactly in those locations. She would use them to prepare her medications and her customers would come back with testimonies. And her clientele base is growing.

I had asked Ebere to get NAFDAC license for her products and she laughed. I guess she wondered if NAFDAC has ancestors as staff who could certify native medicine.

Ebere’s call to service would not surprise any grounded Igbo person as that was how all healing native doctors were called.

I had a singular opportunity of interviewing the great Nwakobe Ogbuebunu from Umuanuka Otolo in the early 1980s. And he told me that he was ordered to leave Aba in then Imo State back to Nnewi to become a native doctor, a trade his father and his ancestors plied. He told me how he would be woken up in the dead of the night and led into the bush to be shown the herbs to use. At that time, the herbs would be speaking audibly announcing what they cured. So was the case of Okeke Alịkọ of Ụmụicheke in Umuenem Otolo Nnewi.

Those called to become native doctors in Igbo land usually succeed. They are not like my neighbour who decided to learn it from a popular native doctor named Nnsọfọ from Ụmụenem Otolo Nnewi but cured nobody. He fizzled out. Some others, the bad eggs use their talents in the wrong way as some people use guns given to them for hunting for shooting people. The can cure and can also afflict illnesses on people.

It is becoming clearer to me that God had given every nation or people their own doctors with sound ways of diagnosis and treatments of their peculiar aliments or diseases. Unfortunately, the colonial masters and their religion experts have made us see what God gave us as evil. And we don’t care.

I wish Ebere, my young friend, who has decided to obey the call of her ancestors to become a medical doctor, success in her ordained profession. By the way, she doesn’t do divination or prepare charms. She is just a curative doctor.

By Anayo Nwosu, OON