He made this known at a one-day advocacy engagement meeting with traditional and religious leaders on prevention of infectious diseases on Thursday in Bauchi.

The meeting was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Women Development Association for Self Sustenance, WODASS, supported by WaterAid Nigeria.

The chairman, represented by Haruna Wakil, Deputy Director, Disease Control and Immunisation of the

agency, said the state also recorded 678 suspected Lassa fever cases, 95 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.

He added that “the worst hit local government areas were Alkaleri, Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Ganjuwa, Dass, Kirfi, Toro and parts of Kanam in Plateau.

He, therefore, stressed the need for proactive measures in the fight against infectious diseases, adding that traditional rulers and community leaders had significant roles to play in achieving the set objectives.

He further stressed the need to always pause and reflect on the present situation of things in communities to achieve the set objectives of a healthy society.

He assured the agency’s readiness to collaborate with relevant organisations and NGOs to promote primary healthcare services in communities.

Haruna Suleiman, Head of Inspection, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, BASEPA, said that the meeting was aimed at achieving a healthy society.

Suleiman said that the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, could not be overemphasised “because it is the basis of living due to the fact that life itself revolves around cleanliness.”

He, however, lamented that people had since abandoned the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing, washing of hands and wearing of face mask, a development that increased the spread of infectious diseases.

On his part, Magaji Barde of WODASS, said that the meeting was aimed at sensitising traditional rulers and community leaders on efforts toward mobilising people to ensure healthy environment.

Source: NAN

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Tinubu made the declaration on Saturday after casting his vote at Polling Unit 085, Ward C, Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja.

The former governor of Lagos State, who spoke in reaction to a question about his chances at the poll said: “I’m too certain… It has to be me.”

Speaking generally, Tinubu said he was impressed about the turn out and that he wanted it.

“I want a very good turnout.  This is expected. We need a good turn out and that is the adoption and commitment to democracy and the democratic process must take root.”

He said his government would bring about a “progressive, prosperous and very transformative Nigeria.”

He stated further: “This is it.  It has arrived. Democracy is here and here to stay.”

He spoke about the activities of his supporters: “I’m happy with them. I’m very confident with what they are doing. I just appeal to them to continue to keep peace, maintain orderliness, and maintain peaceful environment for democracy to take proper root in the country.  I am for that.”

Tinubu said he suffered for democracy and was excited that it was taking place.

“I fought for it.  It is taking place. I am happy for it. We have to celebrate,” he added.

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Mrs Simon said: “I am a head of a unit in our organization and I am having trouble managing male subordinates. There is one in particular who responds slow to requests and appears to frown whenever I give directives”. Her real name is not Mrs Simon, but it’s being used here to protect her identity. She is team lead in Major Corporation in Lagos, Nigeria. We met online during a Leadership and Communication Seminar for corporate managers. There were about 25 managers from various organizations and I had just walked them through some tips on corporate communication. Mrs Simon seemed visibly concerned: “What can I do?”, she asked.

Asking women if they can have both career and family has always elicited rapid responses. The female gender appears to move into their restive and rather riotous mode and begin to challenge anyone who seeks to deny them these rights of being fulfilled at home and on the job. You best not get in their way if you are a man! My approach has been the attempt to use such questions to pull them out of their reserve and get them to discuss the topic.  But back to Mrs Simon: Anyone would probably advise: Give the man hell! Who does he think he is? But I have a different approach. Rather than fight the subordinate to prove my superiority I would ask him openly first in a one-on-one meeting then, if that does not work in departmental meeting: Mr John (We are just using that name here) do you have any problems working with me or taking cues from me, because I seem to sense some hesitation or reservation on your part when I give you directives.” If you ask Mr John that question in time it is least expected, you will probably catch him off guard and he is liable to fall in line after that. Of course there is the need to treat Mr John fairly and like any other subordinate you work with because the slightest aroma of condescension could lead to another round of resentment and resistance.

Experience is one of the greatest denominators in the assessment of women for leadership position in the corproate world. The number of years at a management position account for a lot of the qualities required for leadership.

Women in the corporate world are challenged in positions of leadership. The boss lady has to work twice as hard to prove herself equal to the task of running a company, team, department or organization. One of the major reasons is people are watching to find fault so they can put it down to her gender. And these fault finders sometimes are also women! Ironical as this may seem, male domination in the corporate world is real and a major factor that might limit the performance of women in the near future. Men who are underlings might stonewall, resist and hesitate when they are asked to perform duties by women. The only environment where such nuances are absent appears to be in the military and law enforcement where the chain of command is visibly emphasized in every day drills and activity.  The higher you go in the corporate world today, the fewer women there are. This might erroneously understate that leadership is male preoccupation. Indra Nooyi former CEO and former chairman of Pepsi Co worked in male dominated environment and thrived; mainly because she was able over a period of time produce results for the company. Now nobody can argue with results.

But to get the necessary results in a leadership position, a certain amount of skill is required. Now skill acquisition takes time; especially if you are to acquire it on the job. Time is a factor that many female executives do not have in abundance.  Understanding the nuances that are involved in managing people, resources and technology is more of a hands on activity than mere formal skills acquisition.  A lot of women who desire to top their skills have to make sure that the home front is settled and fortified so that they can venture into the corporate world and spend the required time they need to participate in the board room. In the modern world, child birth and maternity leaves are organized in such a way that they do not necessarily hinder the progress of the corporate women. Creches have been introduced near the work place, special nursery services and medical facilities are being established in certain environment to aid the corporate woman. Before now all concessions have been limited to a paltry three month maternity leave. Where women cannot provide their own structures or rely on those given by the government or organizations they serve, their corporate development will be limited.

Experience is one of the greatest denominators in the assessment of women for leadership position in the corproate world. The number of years at a management position account for a lot of the qualities required for leadership. The boards that will approve such positions are often dominated by men, many of whom will be discriminatory or even chauvinistic. There are two factors that make them differ: Inclusion which is tempered by feminist activism and gender rights. But the most potent factor is results! Nobody can argue with metrics and analytics once it has been established that they are independent, objective and verifiable.  As CEO of Pepsi co. Indra Nooyi was able play active roles in marketing, production and strategy which enabled her to oversee innovations that led to improved sales of products on her watch ;this made it difficult for the board to overlook her when the position of CEO was open.

In the final analysis, organizational culture must be able to shove individual cultures of male chauvinism, gender differences and male domination to the back end when it comes to corproate activity.

It’s already been established that a lot of women need to be fulfilled on the home front and at the office. This can be achieved if proper structures are put in place. One vital aspect of these structures is whom the woman marries. If the man is the kind who insists that the woman’s place is in the kitchen, then her corporate functions may be challenged since her spouse might look forward to her resigning her job to come home and take care of the children and the home front.  But suppose spousal agreements enable her have time for corporate development? Then of course she will be able to compete and hold her own at the office. Dual career families are the fad in most parts of the modern world today where husband and wife come home at the end of a hard days work and compare notes without necessarily trying to prove to one another whose job is more functional or imporant.

Where the home front is not secured it would automatically place pressure on spouses at work and they would be incapable of putting in their best. But research has shown that indepth communication among partners in marriage could resolve all these issues and at the end of it all both partners come out satisfied that they have not been deterred in their ambitions to reach the top in their chosen professions.

In the final analysis, organizational culture must be able to shove individual cultures of male chauvinism, gender differences and male domination to the back end when it comes to corproate activity. Results or outcomes are what are important, not necessarily which gender is in control of a process or whether a man or a woman is at the head of a corporation.

*Ogundadegbe is a renowned management consultant. He trains managers and executives in the arts of Customer Service, Human Resources Management and Management strategy (alexogundadegbe@gmail.com).

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Mohammed spoke on Saturday shortly after undertaking an inspection tour of work done so far on the facility.

He lauded the Bankers’ Committee for providing the finances for the project.

Mohammed also lauded the Lagos State government for providing the enabling environment, especially in the areas of rail transportation and the usage of the waterways.

“From what we have seen, a lot of work has been undertaken here since our last visit in December 2021.

“We are satisfied with the progress that has been made. We are hopeful. And we have crossed the rubicon.

“By the time we come back in two months time, we will all see that a lot of work has been buried under,” he said.

The minister assured Nigerians that the renovation project would, “not be an abandoned project”.

Alao speaking, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said that by the last estimates, the project cost the Bankers’ Committee about $100 million.

“For avoidance of doubt, this project is costing the bankers’ committee, by last estimates, about $100 million. More will be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies will be realised again.

“I’m happy that foreign investors are already showing interest.

“I want to place it on record that we have received enquiries from the United States from investors who have said that they are interested in taking a look at not just the National Arts Theatre, but also the creative opportunities that we are developing around here.

“So, I must say that this is exciting for us at the Bankers’  Committee and also at the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari would, on the day of the inauguration, lay the foundation for the four verticals –  the music, the movie, IT as well as the fashion hub.

He thanked the Lagos State government for actively supporting the project and declared that he was excited with the progress so far made.

“I am getting excited because we are hoping that by the end of this year, there will be some programmes and global activities which will be hosted in this complex.

“We would be talking to arts gallery and hopefully by this year, we can bring the arts exhibition into this complex because we know that by November, this place will be ready.

“So, in November, we can begin to bring this place back to us again, and then put life into the tourism sector in Nigeria  and particularly in Lagos State,” he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, commended the Lagos State government and the CBN governor for their dogged commitment to the National Theatre renovation project.

He commended the CBN governor for ensuring a steady flow of funds for the execution of the project.

The minister particularly expressed happiness that many jobs would be created for the youth in the area of creative entertainment.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Youths, the greatest beneficiaries of the renovation project, I want to commend the Federal Government and the Bankers’ Committee for initiating the project,” he said.

The Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the project would further help to deepen the state’s GDP and that of the country in general.

He said he was particularly excited and grateful to the Bankers’ Committee for the investment.

Sanwo-Olu also said that the new National Theatre, when fully operational, would enable Nigeria export its talent in the areas of fashion, arts, ICT, entertainment among others, to Africa and the rest of the world.

“On behalf of my entire millions of youths that are in Lagos, I want to sincerely, through the CBN Governor, thank the Bankers’ Committee; their leadership are the ones that are here today, Mr Herbert Wigwe and Mr Segun Agbaje.

“But, I tell you, there are so many of their other colleagues who are actually committed onto this project,” he said.

The minister, the CBN Governor and the Lagos State governor later inspected the train station within the National Arts Threatre Complex.

Renovation work at the National Arts Theatre would cover the amphitheatre, VIP suites, ICT hub, cinemas, banquet hall, arts gallery, exhibition spaces, among others.

It is expected that over 16,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created during and after renovation of the complex.

Source: NAN

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The Enugu State Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, confirmed the incident on Thursday.

Ohaa said that state fire service responded promptly after receiving the alert about the inferno which started at about 8:30p.m. on Wednesday night within Umunnaugwu Quarters of the community.

He said that fire service men rescued the rest of  the 10 rooms in the bungalow of about 14 rooms, adding that the inferno totally burnt down three of the rooms.

“The timely intervention of our fire team and engines helped to rescue the remaining rooms in that bungalow.

“However, before we could get to the scene, unfortunately, the fire had engulfed one of the rooms a little girl was sleeping in.

“So sad, we sympathise with family members of the deceased and pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.

Speaking, Mr Lazarus Anya-Anike, grandfather of the deceased and landlord of the building, said that the fire was caused by candle light used for reading by one of his grandchildren preparing for secondary school common entrance examination.

“My grand-daughter, Ifunanya (8), who lost her life in the incident, was inside the room sleeping while other children fled when the fire started and they shouted for help as it was beyond their control.

“The fire was put out by the intervention of fire service men who arrived at the scene.

“The fire service men’s intervention helped to stop the fire razing the entire building,” Anya-Anike said.

He appealed to the state government and public-spirited individuals to come to his family’s aid as the fire destroyed all his family belongings.

Source: NAN

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Bachelet told the Human Rights Council in Geneva, that Afghanistan was in a “new and perilous phase” with many women and members of ethnic groups and religious communities deeply concerned for their rights.

“Importantly, and in contradiction to assurances that the Taliban would uphold women’s rights, over the past three weeks, women have instead been progressively excluded from the public sphere,’’ she said in her speech.

Bachelet expressed dismay at the composition of the Taliban’s new government, noting the absence of women and its dominance by ethnic Pashtun.

She pointed to other broken pledges on granting amnesty to former civil servants and security officers linked to the previous government and prohibiting house-to-house searches.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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This is contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Mrs Funke Egbemode, on Friday in Osogbo, after a meeting of government officials with heads of security agencies.

Egbemode, who allayed the fears of a possible resurgence of the Ife/Modakeke crisis, appealed to the people of the areas not to allow criminal elements to seize any situation to unleash mayhem on the people.

The commissioner said that government had also ordered immediate deployment of armed policemen with support from the army in the troubled areas to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.

While sympathising with the families of those who died in the unfortunate incident, Egbemode called on security operatives to get to the root of the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.

She also urged the residents and citizens not to take laws into their hands.

According to her, the governor personally spoke to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Moses Oyediran Oladejo, on the situation.

She added that they both assured him of their commitment to peace by ensuring that the people from both areas also continued to remain peaceful and law abiding.

“As government, we have resolved to do everything possible to protect citizens from actual and potential threats.

“To this end, we have ordered immediate deployment of security operatives to restore law and order.

“We have also directed security operatives to arrest and prosecute any person found fomenting trouble and to fish out those responsible for the killing of the five farmers.

“The state government, therefore, enjoins all citizens to be peaceful and to be law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Police command in the state has confirmed the killing of the five persons by unknown gunmen in Ile-Ife.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Yemisi Opalola, who made the confirmation, said that the victims were on motorcycles on their way to their farms when they were ambushed and killed.

Opalola said that the Police Commissioner, Olawale Olokode, had deployed a police tactical team and officers to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the area.

She also added that investigation had commenced on the circumstance leading to the killing, assuring that perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice.

Source: NAN

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