LAGOS SET TO HOST MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE

LAGOS SET TO HOST MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE

… Seeks Collaborative Multi-Sectoral Approach for Improved Mental Health Services

Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health, is set to hold a mental health conference geared towards drawing attention to the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to providing improved mental health interventions for citizens as well as charting a positive and realistic course towards mental, social health assets and infrastructures needed in the State.

The conference themed: “Responding to the Mental Health Needs of a 21st Century Megacity”, is scheduled to hold at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, 18th January 2022.

Giving details about the Conference, State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the Mental Health Conference is an offshoot of the Livable City Conference held in 2013, which led to the drafting and enactment of the Mental Health Law of 2019 and the proposed establishment of a State-owned tertiary psychiatric hospital, amongst others.

He said: “This conference is a sequel to a previously organised event in 2013 where the Governor of Lagos State, top Government functionaries from the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary, Private Sector Care Providers, Mental Health Professionals and Social Justice as well as Security Experts gathered to discuss, engage, and address the Mental and Social Needs of Lagos State”.

The Commissioner noted that the conference will be a forum and platform for key Government Ministries and Agencies, Healthcare Professionals, Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations to discuss prevailing issues in Mental Health, identify opportunities and areas for collaboration, as well as professional networking in the Mental Health sub-sector.

He added that the outlined objectives of the conference include highlighting the growing scourge of Mental Health issues in Lagos State and providing a forum for dialogue amongst academics, decision-makers, policy implementers and the society, with a view to developing new policies and redesigning an existing one.

Other conference objectives, according to him, are providing a platform for all stakeholders to identify opportunities for strengthening investments towards a sustainable and collaborative mental health strategy in the State; displaying the achievements and strategic interventions that have been employed in implementing the Lagos State Mental Health Policy, as well as proffering and harmonising multi-sectoral recommendations in tackling the mental and social health needs of Lagos as an urban State.

Abayomi explained that conference participants will be drawn from a cross-section of the society with the representation of top decision-makers from the public and private sectors who have the right influence and expertise to drive the purpose of the engagement.

While noting that the last Livable City Conference provided the mileage needed to create the environment for improvement in the legal framework and access to mental health service, the Commissioner said the State government, through the plenary engagements of the mental health conference, intends to motivate and stimulate improved investments in mental health from the private sector and donor agencies.
He added that government will through the conference demonstrate to the international community, Lagos’ unequivocal commitment to Mental Healthcare and create a potential for global collaborations as well as allow all stakeholders to develop a clearer understanding of the emerging issues towards developing short and long-term improvement approaches.

Abayomi said experts who would speak at the conference include the lead speakers Dr. Vincent Udenze, a United Kingdom-based Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Intersect Consortium in Nigeria and Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

Others, he said include Prof Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, a leading health lawyer in Nigeria; Dr. Yewande Oshodi, a Consultant Psychiatrist and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry, LUTH; Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Psychiatrist with the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, a Professor of Public Mental Health and Chairman, Lagos Mental Health Advisory Committee.

The Commissioner harped on the need for improved mental health services in the country, stressing that in recent years the role of mental health in sustainable development has received greater recognition, especially with the global public health crisis.

Past Seven years: A Missed Opportunity to Stem Elite Superiority (Nkali)

Past Seven years: A Missed Opportunity to Stem Elite Superiority (Nkali)

Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote went to a Drivers Licence Center (DLC) in Lagos to renew their licences a few days ago. I saw the pictures online and called Aliko to verify the story. He confirmed.

I was happy. The reason for my happiness is that this was my goal in revamping the drivers licence. It was not only to provide a secured and verifiable document, but I included the more significant social issue of equality of all Nigerians—the removal of Nkali (superiority) in our society. The need for physical presence for data capture was a significant issue for me in the brief I gave PwC the consultants to the project.

In the past, big men like Femi and Aliko would have sent their staff or driver to procure a licence for them from DLC at a cost. They would not have appeared in person for data capture or verification. Their presence at the DLC was a good signal and example. I am sure they rarely drive and would not have been stopped for licence check by law enforcement officers. The public show also helps in building a culture of respect for rules.

The first test of my resolve to get everybody to come physically for data capture was the launch of the new Drivers License by President Goodluck Jonathan. After agreeing with him to go for the launch, I told his staff that I needed his old licence and details for the new licence. His villa staff flatly rejected my request, insisting that the President cannot go to my office for a ‘mere’ licence when other bigger agencies come to the villa for data capture.

They said he could only come to launch the licence and leave; if I want to issue him a licence, I have to come to the villa for the capture and present it to him on the launch day. I quietly left. I was resolute that the data capture at the villa was not on the table, even if it meant the President might not come.

As a young under 40 then and oblivious of the word fear, I went back to the President with the offer that if he couldn’t come for data capture, it would send the wrong signals about the new system. However, I am willing to accept a representative in his stead, though that will reduce the prominence we wanted for the event.

President Jonathan overruled his staff and came to FRSC Hq for his licence. We paid (I collected the N6000 from him, he asked his staff to pay) the FCT VIO and followed through the whole process.

Ten years later, the system is still robust and working despite known challenges. Femi and Aliko collected temporary licences and will get the permanent cards in about six weeks, if everything works fine.

When rules are enforced, everybody obeys. My team at FRSC and I set out to use technology to limit officers’ discretionary powers to bypass the system and benefit from offering elite privileges. We succeeded.

The greatest tragedy of the Buhari administration is in the inability to equalise access for all Nigerians. No Nigerian Leader was equipped like President Buhari in 2015 to restore order in Nigeria. He had a solid support base, a party in control of both Houses, and an unparalleled moral authority to redefine Nigeria.

Sadly under his watch, recruitment to government agencies are done without a competitive process. The Bureau for Public Procurement (Due Process office) have become another bureaucracy and checkpoint dampening the visibility around public procurement that was becoming a culture. Nigeria’s elite still move around with Mobile Policemen and pay scant attention to rules neither on the roads or other areas of our national life.

A pervading culture of impunity has morphed into a macabre, violent show of superiority. President Buhari’s most significant legacy would have been restoring law and order in our country. The total demystification and destruction of elite privilege is critical because lawlessness and a sense that there is no consequence for bad behaviour is at the root of the violent rebellion and the widespread corruption in the land.

His pledge to fight corruption would have been impactful if he made it clear that elite privilege was not acceptable. His tenure is a great opportunity lost. He had all the ingredients for creating a new society: soldier, austere, angry, overthrown from office, suffered electoral defeats many times and old enough not to care.

A missed opportunity, yet we need to restore order in Nigeria. 2023 presents another opportunity.

Osita Chidoka
January 2022

Governor Uzodinma Appoints Cubana Chief Priest As SA Social Media

Governor Uzodinma Appoints Cubana Chief Priest As SA Social Media

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has appointed Popular socialite and Club Owner, Paschal Okechukwu alias Cubana Chief Priest as his Special Adviser on Social Media Influence in a letter dated 14th of January, 2022 , signed by the Secretary to the government of Imo, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Okechukwu’s appointment was approved by the Governor and he is to begin work immediately.

The letter read; “His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, has approved your appointment as Special Adviser to Governor on Social Media Influence. This appointment is with effect from 10″ January, 2022.”

Credit: Okwa C ifugo

NITDA UNVEILS NDPR COMPLIANT VISITORS’ BOOKLET

NITDA UNVEILS NDPR COMPLIANT VISITORS’ BOOKLET

The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is leading by example for being the first agency of government in Nigeria to implement a major aspect of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) by launching the NDPR complaint visitors’ book today in Abuja.

The launching of the booklet was performed by the Director General of the Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, shortly after the agency’s first staff meeting of the year 2022 with all staff in attendance physically and virtually, especially for those outside the headquarters on official assignments, zonal offices or on leave.

According to Inuwa; “It is NITDA’s mandate as enshrined in NITDA Act of 2007 to inter alia; develop regulations for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour and other fields, where the use of electronic communication may improve the exchange of data and information”.

He said, “Recognizing that many public and private bodies have migrated their respective businesses and other information systems online, information solutions with both the private and public sectors now drive service delivery in the country through digital systems. These information systems have thus become critical information infrastructure that must be safeguarded, regulated, and protected against atrocious breaches”.

“Data protection applies to all transactions intended for the processing of Personal Data, notwithstanding how the data processing is being conducted or intended to be conducted in respect of natural persons in Nigeria’’, he said.

The DG stated that organisations in Nigeria were caught scrambling to comply with the NDPR when it was launched in 2019. “Most organisations especially Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) are finding it difficult to comply with some of the basic requirements of the regulation due to financial constraints,” he added.

Inuwa disclosed that a recent study has revealed that many Nigeria Public Institutions and small business owners are still confused by the rules around data protection and privacy regulations.

“Disturbingly, out of 30 surveyed, 100% confirmed their paper visitors’ books are not confidential and do not protect the visitors’ personal data. Another 98% admitted they do not dispose of paper visitor books securely and confidentially – leaving the personal data of millions of employees and customers at risk,’’ he lamented.

He explained that when putting NDPR procedures in place, it’s very likely that many organisations did so with one big misconception that the new law only affects data collected online. The NDPR is technology-agnostic. It applies to all acts of personal data collection and processing, no matter how and where it takes place, visitor data, employee personal data, etc.

Inuwa submitted that the Data Services Protection Limited (DSPL) patented visitor’s book was selected amongst the most innovative NDPR product at 2021 Privacy Week organised by NITDA. The visitor’s book pages are duplicates and works by making personal details on the visitor’s book invisible on the first page while capturing the data on the duplicate page. This basic but ingenious visitor’s book is cheap in comparison with the expensive digital visitor’s management solutions.

He, however, noted that the visitors’ book is an addition to the processes of computing the visitors’ data electronically.

Among the highlights of the staff meeting was the presentation of a plaque of recognition to the staff of the quarter Mr. Peter Chucks Emakpor, a staff of the e-Government Training Center, Kubwa, Abuja, by the Director-General.

MY TAKE ON NIGERIA – GENE NONSO MOJEKWU

MY TAKE ON NIGERIA – GENE NONSO MOJEKWU

I have received many requests to summarize my recent experience in Nigeria. In order to avoid an unnecessary expansion of this post, my experience can be summarized as being 98% good to great. The remaining 2% are flaws. Yes, Nigeria, like all other places, has flaws. However, our flaws don’t have flaws, making them easily addressable. This post is about the people of Nigeria (I may address other specific issues in subsequent posts).

There isn’t very much I would change about the people of Nigeria who are easily the most resilient, kindest, and happiest people on earth. Two of a few things I would tweak:

  1. EXCESSIVE REVERENCE: I know that our culture demands respect for our seniors (which is a great thing), but we have recently expanded it to include excessive reverence for the rich and powerful. Some of us cower too much in the presence of such people, thinking that prostrating and showering them with titles and praises will get us ahead. Breaking news: trashing your dignity (no matter how impoverished you are) gets you no where. The easiest way to get in the circle of such people is by displaying confidence, being conversant with a wide range of subject matters, and not seeking direct material favours. Just like a bank will more likely lend you money when you don’t need it, a rich person will more likely take your phone call, if they believe you don’t need them. They don’t like to be pestered with constant requests for material favours, and will most likely invite you to cookouts and other events, if you don’t appear too needy. Such events are where you could possibly be exposed to profitable ideas, not to mention the possibility of expanding your network and possibly getting life changing referrals. You simply can’t get rich by selling your dignity and expecting unfettered access to a rich person’s vault.

Excessive reverence is also one of the reasons we don’t adequately hold our elected officials accountable….a post for another day.

  1. “WE THANK GOD”: Is a phrase we overuse and abuse in addressing all manner of questions and comments. Comment: I am so proud of you; your business is doing so well (response: we thank God). Question: you look so fit; how do you do it? (response: we thank God), etc. Thanking God is a given, and is something we should do all the time, but that phrase alone usually isn’t sufficient enough answer. You will probably teach and/or encourage someone to do better by expanding that standard response a little bit. Slight modifications that can be impactful: “we thank God, but my business is successful because I wake up early every morning to work hard at it”; “we thank God, but I try to stay fit by exercising three days a week,” etc. It’s a wonderful thing when we all learn from each other.

If you are wondering why I’m awake at 4 a.m. Chicago time, blame it on jet lag 😃.

GENE NONSO MOJEKWU
A Nigerian based in the USA recounts his experience when he came back for Christmas holidays

WALTON KIDNAPPING: WE HAVE RESCUED OVER 55 HOSTAGES AND DETAINEES IN MORE THAN 24 COUNTRIES – D. TRUMP

WALTON KIDNAPPING: WE HAVE RESCUED OVER 55 HOSTAGES AND DETAINEES IN MORE THAN 24 COUNTRIES – D. TRUMP

The successful operation to free the American citizen kidnapped in in Niger republic and taken to Nigeria has shown the level of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation between the nations in getting rid of terrorism and banditry in Sub Saharan Africa. The US special forces mounted an operation in Nigeria to free an American citizen who had been kidnapped by armed men few days ago.  Forces including Navy SEALs rescued 27-year-old Philip Walton, who had been abducted on Tuesday from his home in neighboring southern Niger.

Speaking via diplomatic channels as posted by the United States Embassy, the United States Presidency said “Last night, at my direction, the United States military conducted a successful operation to rescue an American hostage in Nigeria, kidnapped just 96 hours earlier. United States Special Forces executed a daring nighttime operation to rescue their fellow American with exceptional skill, precision, and bravery. No United States Service Members were harmed. The former hostage is currently in good health and has been reunited with his family.”

US forces rescue American kidnapped in Niger | Niger | Al Jazeera

He added” Securing the freedom of Americans held in captivity abroad has been a top national security priority of my Administration. Since the beginning of my Administration, we have rescued over 55 hostages and detainees in more than 24 countries. Today’s operation should serve as a stark warning to terrorists and criminal thugs who mistakenly believe they can kidnap Americans with impunity.”

Walton was kidnapped by six men armed with AK-47 assault rifles who arrived on motorcycles at his home in southern Niger’s Massalata village early last week. They (kidnappers) demanded money and searched the family’s home before leaving with Walton. His wife, young daughter and brother were left behind.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Minister Calls Attack On The Nation, TVC Assault On Free Press, Democracy

Minister Calls Attack On The Nation, TVC Assault On Free Press, Democracy

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the recent attack on The Nation Newspaper and Television Continental (TVC), during the EndSARS protest in Lagos, as an attack on free speech and democracy.

The Minister made the assertion in Lagos on Saturday when he visited the two media organizations in Lagos to commiserate with their management and staff over the attack.

He said the action of the arsonists was a premeditated attempt to silence the voice of reason and stifle press freedom.

“We believe that the attack on the Nation is not just an attack on the Vintage Press, it’s an attack on the free press, it’s an attack on democracy, because there can be no virile and robust democracy without a free media.

“Therefore, an attack on the Nation or any media house is a direct attack on freedom of speech and also democracy and, honestly, we believe that there is no justification whatsoever for the attack,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He however expressed his delight that a few days after the attack, the two media houses bounced back, a development which he described as a sign of the commitment and sheer determination by the organization’s management and staff to continue to promote democracy in the country.

“The fact that within a few days you were able to return to the stand and on air, I think it’s a big blow to the attackers, who thought they could shut out the light of press freedom,” the Minister said.

He strongly and unreservedly condemned the attack on the media houses, saying the attempt by the arsonists to stifle press freedom has failed woefully.

Alhaji Mohammed, who expressed sadness at the extent of damage to the corporate headquarter buildings and other properties of the two media houses, said there was every reason to thank God that no life was lost in the attack.

The Minister assured that the Federal Government will continue to support responsible journalism and wished the two media organizations a quick rebound in terms of properties, equipment and revenue losses.

The Chairman of The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Managing Director of TVC, Mr. Andrew Hanlon, conducted the Minister round the premises of the two media organizations, respectively.

The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mansur Liman; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Buki Ponle; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Mr. Francis Nwosu; Registrar/CEO of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo and the Acting Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba.

Segun Adeyemi
Special Assistant To The President (Media)
Office of The Minister of Information and Culture

Coronavirus – African Union Member States (55) reporting COVID-19 cases (944,450) deaths (19,920), and recoveries (602,578)

Coronavirus – African Union Member States (55) reporting COVID-19 cases (944,450) deaths (19,920), and recoveries (602,578)

African Union Member States (55) reporting COVID-19 cases (944,450) deaths (19,920), and recoveries (602,578) by region:
Central (48,897 cases; 941 deaths; 34,212 recoveries): Burundi (395; 1; 304), Cameroon (17,255; 387; 15,320), CAR (4,614; 59; 1,635), Chad (936; 75; 813), Congo (3,387; 56; 923), DRC (9,084; 215; 7,030), Equatorial Guinea (4,821; 83; 2,182), Gabon (7,531; 50; 5,223), Sao Tome & Principe (874; 15; 782).

Eastern (77,840; 1,719; 40,902): Comoros (386; 7; 330), Djibouti (5,081; 58; 4,999), Eritrea (279; 0; 225), Ethiopia (17,999; 284; 7,195), Kenya (21,363; 364; 8,419), Madagascar (11,273; 107; 8,109), Mauritius (344; 10; 332), Rwanda (2,042; 5; 1,119), Seychelles (114; 0; 75), Somalia (3,212; 93; 1,562), South Sudan (2,418; 46; 1,195), Sudan (11,644; 720; 6,119), Tanzania (509; 21; 178), Uganda (1,176; 4; 1,045).

Northern (161,197; 6,694; 86,367): Algeria (30,394; 1,210; 20,537), Egypt (94,316; 4,834; 41,137), Libya (3,621; 74; 618), Mauritania (6,295; 157; 4,898), Morocco (25,015; 367; 17,960), Tunisia (1,552; 51; 1,217), Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (4; 1; 0).

Southern (526,870; 8,642; 352,233): Angola (1,164; 54; 460), Botswana (804; 2; 63), Eswatini (2,706; 43; 1,214), Lesotho (702; 14; 171), Malawi (4,186; 120; 1,914), Mozambique (1,907; 11; 638), Namibia (2,224; 11; 171), South Africa (503,290; 8,153; 342,461), Zambia (6,228; 165; 4,130), Zimbabwe (3,659; 69; 1,011).

Western (129,646; 1,924; 88,864): Benin (1,770, 35; 1,036), Burkina Faso (1,149; 53; 945), Cape Verde (2,480; 24; 1,837), Côte d’Ivoire (16,109; 102; 11,750), Gambia (498; 9; 68), Ghana (37,014; 182; 33,365), Guinea (7,183; 46; 6,404), Guinea-Bissau (1,981; 27; 903), Liberia (1,189; 75; 673), Mali (2,535; 124; 1,937), Niger (1,136; 69; 1,028), Nigeria (43,537; 883; 20,087), Senegal (10,284; 209; 6,822), Sierra Leone (1,823; 67; 1,362), Togo (958; 19; 647).

SOURCE

Resumption: Enugu govt moves to ensure workers’ compliance with COVID-19 protocol

Resumption: Enugu govt moves to ensure workers’ compliance with COVID-19 protocol

…Decontaminates offices ahead of August 3

Ahead of August 3 resumption of duty, after four months of lockdown, the Enugu State Government has reminded all civil servants in the state of the need to adhere strictly to the laid down preventive measures for containment of the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

The reminder was made by the state’s acting Head of Service, Mr. Ken Chukwuegbo, when he joined the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Ministerial Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Mabel Agbo and the Chairman, State Civil Service Commission, Chief Martin Ugada, to supervise the decontamination and fumigation of the State Secretariat complex and other offices, ahead of resumption of work on August 3.

Chukwuegbo, who applauded the sustained commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi towards the wellbeing and safety of the workers, disclosed that “the desk officers from the office of the Head of Service have been mandated to ensure strict compliance in addition to what the Permanent Secretaries of the MDAs will be doing from Monday, the 3rd of August”.

Describing the decontamination exercise as a welcome development, the acting Head of Service also reminded the workers “that on Monday the 3rd of August they should walk into their offices with their face masks and maintain physical and social distancing as well as adhere to other precautionary measures as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)”.

Speaking further he said: “They (workers) should not loiter around; they should remain in their offices and work; they should not move from one office to another, so that together we can have a safe environment and stay safe”.

Chukwuegbo, on behalf of the workers of Enugu State, appreciated Ugwuanyi, who he described as “the workers’ friendly governor” for paying their salaries regularly even when they are at home” as well as pensions and gratuities of retired workers of the state.

Earlier in her speech, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Ministerial Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Agbo, explained that the decontamination/fumigation exercise was approved by the governor to create a safe environment for the civil servants as they resume work on August 3.

She added that the exercise will eliminate reptiles and rodents that must have invaded the offices during the lockdown as well as prevent the spread of COVID-19, saying: “Enugu State is blessed to have a Governor in the person of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who cares for the indigenes and residents of the state by protective means”.

Stressing that the workforce is a veritable organ of government with which it achieves its economic goals, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Chief Ugada, lauded the governor’s sensibility and wise counsel that the State Secretariat should be decontaminated and fumigated for the safety of the workers and visitors.

On his part, the State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, pointed out that the state government is not only decontaminating the state secretariat but “is equally fumigating it by adding all those insecticides that can kill reptiles and mosquitoes”.

Engr. Ohaa, who handed over 600 Disinfectant Hand Sprayers to Hon. Mrs. Agbo, for distribution to offices as approved by the governor, advised the workers to stay safe and obey all the laid down COVID-19 protocol as adopted by WHO and NCDC.

Ugwuanyi News Update

PROF OSIBANJO AND FOLA TALK ON THE DEATH OF AYO FASANMI

PROF OSIBANJO AND FOLA TALK ON THE DEATH OF AYO FASANMI

Nigeria and, the Yoruba people especially has lost a gem in the name of Senator Ayo Fasanmi who passed away lately at a ripe old age. Known as a cultural icon in the Yoruba space. The Vice President, Prof Osibanjo has been surprised on his demise.

In the words of the Vice President, he said”We received the news of the passing of Senator Ayo Fasanmi, with deep sadness and grief.”

“A founding leader of Afenifere, a true patriot, a forthright servant of, and interlocutor for the common man. He was a man of deep conviction who remained loyal to the end to compatriots and colleagues from the Action Group (AG) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, he also added.

In conclusion,the Vice President said “We thank God for giving him to us for 94 years, his legacy and consistent egalitarian beliefs, social justice and action will live on.”

According to his profile in Wikipedia,He was born in 1925 at Iye Ekiti, a local government area of Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria. He attended St Paul’s primary school, Ebutte Metta and Government School, Ibadan before he proceeded to the Pharmacy School of Yaba where he received a diploma certificate in pharmacy.He practiced as a pharmacist at Oshogbo briefly before he joined the Nigerian politics.

“Life expectancy in Nigeria is 53 years; that is an upward movement from 49. If someone has lived up to 94, it is a good thing and we take solace in the fact that Baba lived a good life. Baba was a councillor, a member of the House of Representatives, a senator and an aspiring governorship candidate in the old Ondo State. We cannot, but give glory to God for his passing, which was very easy. He was not sick for long. He passed on peacefully” Fola Fasanmi, the last child of the demise Ayo .

ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU