Ryan Mer, Managing Director, eftsure Africa, a Know Your Payee™ (KYP) platform provider says technology can be a powerful tool against the fraud and corruption plunging South Africa’s municipalities and businesses into financial crisis.

According to a recent report in News 24, a former OR Tambo District Municipality project accountant who defrauded the municipality out of R9.8 million was recently sentenced to 15 years in jail. She was the authorised officer responsible for processing claims from service providers and effecting payments to their bank accounts. Money was transferred to companies belonging to her former boyfriend and sister even though no services were rendered by said businesses. Another News 24 report details how nine people who allegedly defrauded the City of Tshwane out of R53m in December 2019 when the city’s servers were allegedly hacked, were finally arrested by the Hawks in March 2021.

Cases like these have become all too common, an indication of the troubling severity of the problem. Last year the City Press reported that in 2020 alone more than 100 people, many of whom in the employ of provincial and municipal government at the time, were arrested for their involvement in various fraud and corruption scandals. Worryingly for the private sector, the global Cyber Exposure Index ranks SA sixth on its list of most-targeted countries for cyberattacks, with the highest concentration of exposed businesses.

At a broad level, rampant fraud and corruption signify a financial crisis for the country’s local and municipal government. National Treasury has described the problem as ‘a serious financial risk’, while South Africa’s Auditor General put the losses to fraud in the 2018/2019 financial year at a staggering R32 billion.

While figures in the billions are almost unfathomable, the grim reality is that the poorest and most vulnerable in our society are affected most by the misuse of public funds. It prevents basic services in communities and renders the provision of new infrastructure nearly impossible. Successful municipalities are essential for the country’s success, which is why every tool at our disposal should be used to address the problem.

A common thread in cases of fraud is the human element which very often involves irregular payments to bad actors posing as service providers. By strengthening payment protocols, municipalities, and indeed any business vulnerable to fraud, can make it much harder for nefarious individuals to interfere with supplier data, verification processes, and other payment details. By way example, eftsure’s platform provides organisations with the ability to digitise and automate the verification of payees and eft payment data, on a continuous basis through our KYP technology.

The technology required to protect organisations against fraud and error made through incorrect, fraudulently changed, or maliciously altered payee information is readily available and should be used to ensure businesses and municipalities beat corruption so that they can thrive – for the benefit of all South Africans. 

The demise of Chidi Izuwah, a man described by those in medical space as “Father of Autism” in Nigeria has left a huge gap in the treatment, awareness and intervention of autism in Nigeria. In a country saddled with a high dose of religious and superstitious beliefs, many ailments and conditions are always seen as something spiritual or supernatural. One of the ailments that people are yet to come to terms with is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to communicate, interact socially with his environment and also involves unusual behavior that might be repetitive and rigid in nature. This particular ailment has been viewed from different lenses ranging from superstitious to spiritual. The change of this perception has always been the lifetime project what the late Chidi Izuwah.  

Having done a lot of intervention, awareness and sensitization to the public. Engr. Chidi Izuwah brought to the fore the challenges of children with autism and what the government need to do to be involved in this.  His opinion on autism was in line with the scientific position and what was written in scientific journals.

He said that “The communication issues in ASD might be absent, delayed, or abnormal speech for age. They might have inability to understand facial expressions, act as though deaf or repeat words said to them. Some might have words but not for effective communication while some have poor comprehensions skills, hence inability to follow instructions”.

A major trait with ASD is the absence of social skills characterized by disinterest or insensitivity to goings on around them, aloofness and a difficulty in connecting or playing with other children. Some might not understand the concept of pretend games or use toys in a creative way. They might not understand feelings of others or share interests or achievements with others (drawings, toys).”

The late Engr. C.K.C Izuwah is Archetypical in terms of being a strong advocate and father, co-founder of Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Foundation and Autism Centre in Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria. His passion stemmed from a family member being diagnosed with Autism (ASD) 18 years ago (2003). He was personally involved in domestic affairs associated with nurturing a young mind with ASD and went into individualized personal research for a management protocol in a quest to satisfy his active cerebral mind. This passion led him to read extensively about this disorder to the extent that he was sometimes mistaken for a medical doctor in the field due to the wide knowledge he had garnered over the years and his exuberance with intellectual finesse while discussing autism.

Due to his belief in providing exceptional wholesome integrated services with empathy to children with ASD and his conviction that no child should be left behind by harnessing their potentials, he co-founded The Our Lady of Guadalupe Centre for Autism with his wife, Dr (Mrs.) Doris Izuwah. It started from one room in his humble home in Port Harcourt and has grown to a capacity of providing multidisciplinary services to over 100 children with special needs, while providing jobs to more than 50 youths. It also serves as a referral center for hospitals and is resourced with specialists who help these children especially in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, and integration/inclusion into the society.

Speaking on the progress of facility, the widow of Chidi Izuwah, Dr ( Mrs) Doris Izuwah opined that “With the improvements seen in most of the children with ASD using the multidisciplinary approach, we have extended the same management protocol to other children with developmental challenges e.g., Down syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Cerebral Palsy. My husband believed in providing quality education and succor to the parents of these children. He was their father and participated in most of the activities at the Centre.”

Dr Doris also added “Chidi ensured that all toys bought were rugged with good quality parts for durability. Starting OLG from his house meant that his children’s toys ended up being for the foundation and that did not deter him. I recollect our children making exclamations such as – “Oh it’s in OLG “when they couldn’t find their story books and toys, and this has not changed. He was generous and ensured there was continuous supply of toys that would improve the play and fine motor skills of special needs children He was ever present as a backup whenever we reached a brickwall at OLG. His Motto was, ‘NEVER GIVE UP. THERE IS ABILITY IN DISABILITY.”

“The threshold of Chidi’s patience was amazing and highly commendable. There was a story of a 3-year-old child with autism, whom he was accompanying that threw a huge tantrum at the airport for almost 2 hours. He kept his cool and remained calm till the storm was over. This is highly unusual for a man of his caliber who despite his busy routine had put in many sleepless nights managing autism issues, tackled the gray areas as there was no physical help in understanding autism in the early 2000 as he did most of the research himself”, Doris quipped.

When alive, Chidi always wanted to Improve and optimize the quality of life for Individuals with ASD, he encouraged his wife and the staff to work with many schools and hospitals in a collaborative way by organizing several trainings on education, biomedical interventions, fostering independence, proper transitioning, multi-disciplinary approach and awareness and advocacy in the community. He sponsored most of these events.

His impact in autism awareness were numerous and a lot of firsts. In conjunction with OLG, he coordinated /celebrated the first World Autism Awareness Day in Nigeria at Hilton, Abuja Nigeria with the late Prof Dora Akunyili as the special guest of honor at the event. He sponsored many OLG awareness walks & campaigns, and trainings in collaboration with institutions such as National Hospital Abuja, Garki hospital Abuja, Nisa Premier Hospital Abuja, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. He was indeed the father of autism at OLG because he was the role model of many fathers whom he inspired to rise up as FIGHTERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN instead of leaving all the cares to the mothers. He also appealed that The National Broadcasting Commission to make it mandatory for media organizations to create PSA slots and 30% of this timing will be directed towards creating autism awareness in Nigeria.

“Daddy OLG as we fondly call you, you were an icon, a legend of our time, a man whose words were always filled with inspiration, advocacy, and wisdom.  You were a great father, supportive husband, a friend to many, and a devoted Christian. You were our backbone, support, and an advocate for all special needs kids in OLG. You were their light and voice, inclusion of persons with disabilities in school, workplace and other areas was your watch word, and you never stopped preaching it till your demise”, Dr. Doris Izuwah concluded.

•Governor Commissions Union Secretariat, Promises N10m Donation

•Charges Workers to be Accountable, Render Quality Service to Lagosians

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday said his administration will place a high premium on improving the capacity of the workforce in the State through training and welfare of civil servants.

Speaking at the commissioning of the permanent secretariat of the Lagos State branch of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), called ‘Solidarity House,’ in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration will continue to respond to yearnings of workers in the State.

The Governor also announced Lagos State Government’s support of N10million for ASCSN to equip their secretariat with office furniture and library so that it can become a useful resource centre for industrial relations practitioners.

“We acknowledged your collaboration with us as a government. You are an important stakeholder and we will continue to see ourselves as partners. As partners, I wish to assure you that our Administration will continue to be responsive to the yearnings of our workers by ensuring that we discharge our obligations to you as and when due.

“We will also continue to place a high premium on improving the capacity of our workforce through regular and impactful trainings, seminars and workshops that cut across all cadres in the civil service,” Governor Sanwo-Olu assured.

The Governor added that: “All our smart learning capabilities that the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pension has set up for you (civil servants), not only is it training for thousands and thousands of civil servants on monthly basis; it is also creating an opportunity where you can indeed have the same level of training with other civil servants in whole world. I am sure that you will continue to avail yourself of the opportunity that learning platform has provided for the entire civil service.

“To whom much is given, much is also expected. The State Government will continue to support all the various unions by ensuring that we fulfill all our responsibilities at ensuring that you succeed as leaders in your own sphere. We will also provide succour for you.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also challenged trade unions in the State to be responsive, accountable and just to their members, adding that civil servants should render quality service, which citizens of Lagos State expect from them.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Comrade Olusegun Balogun commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Lagosians amid the setback brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Governor Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated to the Lagos State workers that their welfare is truly his primary assignment. “It is interesting to note that while other states of the Federation are still talking about payment of minimum wage, salary arrears, promotions areas, nonpayment of statutory deductions, pension’s benefits, etc, Lagos State is already talking about Workers’ Village,” he said.

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has expressed his deep condolences on the passing of Sir, Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi II, the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland).

The governor said it is with deep sadness that he learnt of the abrupt death of the distinguished King, who in his life time served Rivers State and the country with distinction.
Governor Wike, acknowledged that the highly revered monarch who held the ancient Ukpe throne of the Ogba people for 50 years, was a visionary, forthright, patriotic statesman who cared for the progress of the State.

He declared that a deep sense of loss is shared by people of the State following the death of King Nnam Obi II, who was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS).

“May I, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, join the Nnam Obi family and people of Ogbaland in mourning the irreparable loss of Sir, Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi II, the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland). Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and people of Ogbaland in this time of grief.”

Kelvin Ebiri
Special Assistant (Media) Rivers State Governor

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the State Security Trust Fund Bill, passed by the State House of Assembly into Law.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. kunle Somorin stated the Bill was signed by the Governor after it was presented to him by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan,Abeokuta.

Similarly, the Governor has also signed into Law the Ogun State Road Mantaince Agency (Amendment) 2019, passed by the State Assembly.

Prince Abiodun, the Statement added, had last weekend inaugurated the Committee of the Trust Fund, headed by Mr. Bolaji Balogun to source for money for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment and such human materials and financial resources that would be necessary to prevent crime and preserve public peace.

The statement said the Committee is also to promote the effect encyclopedia of all security Agencies in the State, hold gifts property and money for the purpose of crime prevention, moblise funding and resources in Cash or kind from the public, private, corporate or institutional or all other sources and manage those resources in a transparent and accountable manner for the purpose of Public security.

It added that the Committee is also to reserve part of the Fund for the training and retraining of security personnel, as well as do and perform other functions for the purpose of public security as contained in the State Security Law 2011as amended by the State Security Trust Fund Law, 2019.

They statement further added that with the passing of the Bill and signing into Law, the Ogun State Road Mantaince Agency (OGROMA), deplorable township and rural roads in the State would soon begin to wear new look as the Agency swings into action.

It stated that the administration of Prince Abiodun resuscitated the agency to serve as a quick fix mechanism to address the deplorable condition of township and rural roads.

Kunle Somorin

… Constructs Mental Health Institute With 1,500 Bed Psychiatric Hospital, Rehabilitation Centre

Lagos State Government has launched a mental health helpline tagged ‘The Lagos Lifeline’, which is a tele-Mental Health service that provides Lagos residents with access to psychosocial support, counselling and psychotherapy services free of charge through a dedicated line – 0909000MIND or 09090006463.

Speaking at the formal launch of the facility, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the Lagos Lifeline is a Mental Health Crisis Management service designed to bridge the gap in the availability of mental health service.

“The Lagos Lifeline provides a bridge to meet various challenges militating against access to mental health services including the incidence of suicidal attempts, poor access to mental health services for patients in hard-to-reach areas, Stigma to Mental Health Issues and patients who need treatment, poor access to information and referral to neighbouring health facilities providing mental health services and poor linkages for mental health support for victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence”, Abayomi stated.

He noted that the objective of the Lagos Lifeline is geared towards providing improved access to simple diagnostic counselling, and referral services for Lagosians, either as first point-of-call, or for follow-up care.

While stating that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made mental health a priority, the Commissioner averred that this is evident in the government’s implementation activities targeted at increasing access to mental health care at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health infrastructure.

Abayomi disclosed that the State Government has conceptualised a Mental Health Institute with a capacity for a 500-bed psychiatric hospital and a 1000 bed rehabilitation Centre at Ketu Ejirin in furtherance of its efforts to improve access to mental health services.

He said, “To make sure that we pick up mental health early, we are refurbishing our psychiatric wards in our general hospitals and our tertiary hospital at LASUTH, and going beyond that, we have currently designed and conceptualised probably the largest mental health institute in Nigeria; it will be 500-bed psychiatric hospital coupled with 1000 beds for rehabilitation”.

“It was originally scheduled to be built in Majidun but it will be too big for Majidun, so we had to move it to Ketu-Ejirin where we have a lot of space. It is going to be on 15 hectares of land, we are currently reclaiming the lands. We have appointed the contractors, work will start this year and it will become the focal point of our mental health strategy where we will provide Lagosians with access to mental health services and train persons who are skilled in recognising and treating mental health”, Abayomi stated.

The Commissioner hinted that the State government will expend resources to address mental health issues particularly as it affects stress, anxiety, stigmatisation and mental health disorders associated with a megacity like Lagos.

While noting that mental health is one of the disciplines in health that has been neglected, Abayomi averred that the present administration is trying to make up for the neglect by investing in infrastructure and human resource development to manage and address mental health issues.

“So while we plan to commemorate this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we will keep going with a lot of energy. We will ensure that we develop the human resources that can manage mental disorders, more importantly, create the opportunity to detect tell-tale signs very early and treat them before they become serious problems, and at the end, just making life easier for Lagosians will go a long way to easing mental disorder, mental stress and mental anxiety”, he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye said the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing response, including the lockdown strategy, brought to fore some health issues that are linked to mental health prompting the need for improved access to mental health services

He said, “The Ministry of Health recognised early that there is a reason to strengthen our mental health programme and our mental health response and this is what led to the setup of the Lagos Lifeline. We have a team of dedicated staff led by Dr. Ajomale who has been extremely committed to this process to help set up the helpline”.

Explaining how the Lifeline works, Ogboye said “we have people who have been trained in responding to callers. People call in and speak with one of our trained Lifeline counsellors who find out what the challenges are and provide help as required.

“Sometimes the Lifeline contact ends with that single conversation and sometimes it requires further engagement. The Lifeline counsellors are volunteers and they sometimes reach back to people or take calls back again from people. There is a back and forth that resolves issues and sometimes we refer specific mental health issues to mental professionals for further engagement and management”, he noted.

The Permanent Secretary stated that the Lifeline is a 24 hours service that has linkage to a much bigger programme and services for mental health in Lagos State.

Also speaking, the Head Special Projects and State Mental Health Desk Officer, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, explained that the goals of the Lifeline are to provide Psychological First Aid and Social Support service, alleviate the strain on existing public health resources by creating a coordination point to refer patients for appropriate care and serve as a Mental Health campaign feedback system.

Other goals, according to him, are to create valuable data points that can be used to track prevalence and cycle of care for Mental Health in Lagos State, access to mental health services for patients in hard-to-reach areas, improve linkages for victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence and Suicidal Threats and Emergency Medical Services.

LASG

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