CITIPAGE

Five richest states: ‘Ogun is first among equals’

Against the backdrop of the report of the Economic Confidential, which listed Ogun among the five rich states in Nigeria, Soyombo Opeyemi, Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Ogun State, spoke to Sunday Vanguard in Abeokuta. 
 
Recently, the Economic Confidential listed Ogun among the five rich states in Nigeria in terms of its Internally Generated Revenue. Others are Lagos, Rivers, Delta and Edo. The report must have come to your government as good news… 
 
 
Gov Amosun 
Of course, we are elated by the report. One should however try to appreciate its ramifications. By virtue of the size of allocation from the Federation Account in the year reviewed by the economic magazine, Ogun is number 25. That means 24 out of the 36 states in the country got more money from Abuja than Ogun State. As a matter of fact, except Ekiti State, Ogun collects the least from the Federation Account among the South-West states. But we are number four out of the 36 states in terms of the size of our IGR. Again, when you compare the IGRs of states to what they receive from the Federation Account (in terms of percentage), Ogun is number four among the 36 states. 
 
This is what the findings of the Economic Confidential reveal. In comparison to the situation of the state before Amosun mounted the saddle of leadership, it shows we have leap-fogged economically. And this should not come as a surprise when you have a technocrat-politician as governor. I guess you know that the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria with track records of achievements in the private sector. 
 
Lest I forget, there was the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report released in April this Year. The NBS rated Ogun State as number one among the 36 states of the federation in terms of percentage improvement of the Internally Generated Revenues between 2014 and 2015. Our state can be said to be   first among equals in this regard. The vision of the governor is for the state to depend less and less on funds from the Federation Account. These are reports of independent institutions. They show the quantum of progress made under the Amosun administration in terms of financial re-engineering. In a nutshell, we are thrilled by the latest report but we are not exactly surprised because there is always a reward for hard work. 
 
The implementation of Income Tax once led to an industrial dispute in your state. How was your government able to achieve these feats? 
 
I must thank you for that question. No governor has the power to increase the income tax. All he can do is to implement the tax law. The Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) is a federal law. It had been in force throughout Nigeria long before Amosun became the governor. Yes, the Act was amended in 2011 and I think it was the interpretation of it that led to the minor dispute, which was quickly resolved then. However, raising income tax is usually the only road known to those who cannot think out of the box in order to raise public revenue. If you create an enabling environment for business to thrive, as Amosun has done, more and industries will be established, which will pay tax to government, federal and state. 
 
They will employ more hands which will also pay income tax. So you see why you don’t talk of increasing the tax to be paid by your people even if you had the power to do so. You can increase the tax net, by that I mean get more hands to be productively engaged so that you reduce crime, raise the standard of living of the people in the process and the government get more revenue. In the last five years of the Amosun administration, about 90 major industries have been established due to the investment of the governor in security and other services that boost investors’ confidence. These are multi-billion naira industries. If you check the reports of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), then you know under the current government, Ogun State has attained th

Five richest states: ‘Ogun is first among equals’

Against the backdrop of the report of the Economic Confidential, which listed Ogun among the five rich states in Nigeria, Soyombo Opeyemi, ...

Why Igbo leaders can’t control pro-Biafra agitators- Okorie

1:35 am Unknown 0

United Progressives Party,UPP, presidential candidate in the last general elections,Chief Chekwas Okorie,in this interview, says worsening socio-economic situation in the South-East and South-South  is responsible for the strident calls for secession. Excerpts… 
 
 
Okorie 
What is your impression about the Biafra anniversary that turned bloody and the struggle for secession from Nigerian state? 
 
The government we have today has an attitude towards the agitators for a separate state of Biafra which to my mind will not resolve the issues amicably. The attitude of the government is that there is no basis for dialogue. But the  advice that I have given over and over again is that there is need for dialogue, there is need to discuss. Many eminent Nigerians have  advocated for dialogue. 
 
President Buhari has repeatedly said that the people who are agitating, most of them were not born during or before the war and, therefore, will not know what most of   those who participated on both sides suffered and  by his figures, Nigeria lost two million people. 
 
I don’t know how he arrived at the two million to know which side lost more. And my attitude is that the fact that majority of these people were  not born is the more reason they should be brought to the negotiation table. Buhari does not need to be involved personally, he is the president of Nigeria. 
 
There are so many agencies of government that can do that on their own or as a team. The office of the National Security Adviser,NSA, can handle this issue of dialogue, the Directorate of State Security can do  it; even the office of the Inspector General of Police can handle it. These are security agencies and departments of government that can handle this without direct involvement of the President and eventually advise the President on the best way to go. 
 
These young men cannot understand. We their fathers and elders cannot sufficiently convince them and nobody in Nigeria can explain to them why their situation is this miserable, nobody can tell them why their condition, compared to their peers from other parts of the country, is widely different. 
 
Nobody can tell them why a graduate will remain unemployed for several years and his counterpart from  another part of the country, especially  from the North, will have jobs waiting for him even before graduation and, by the time some of them eventually get a place, they are subordinates to people they graduated the same year with. Nobody can tell them why to gain admission into university that somebody with about 200 points at  University Matriculation Examination may not be considered to have earned enough to be admitted and another person from another part of the country with less than 100 points will gain admission. 
 
What is the implication? The implication is that while he is still waiting to have that figure, that number that will admit him, that one that he is more brilliant than is ahead of him. There are so many things you can’t explain to these people and efforts have been made to restructure Nigeria, efforts have been made to remove some of the obnoxious policies but these have been restricted and so some of these people feel that if they confront government, they are dead, if they fail to confront government, they are dead. 
 
So when you now sit them down and explain a few things to them and give them hope, perhaps their methods will be different, perhaps their attitude will be different and some of us who are their elders will also have a little peace of mind because, let nobody joke about it, most of us in our age and situation are under pressure too. We are even branded saboteurs, we are called names. If you go to social media, some of us are called names because the youths believe we have not done enough for them and we are asking government, ‘help us to help the country and also talk to these people’. We have been looking at a situation where government is looking for any way they can speak to leaders of   Boko Haram. 
 
Meanw

Why Igbo leaders can’t control pro-Biafra agitators- Okorie

United Progressives Party,UPP, presidential candidate in the last general elections,Chief Chekwas Okorie,in this interview, says worsening ...

10 tips to successful dining with in-laws

1:32 am Unknown 0

Congratulation! You just got married and as a new bride, your pride and joy is to do everything good for the love of your life. Your dream is to settle down, start a family and happily ever after. The challenge you would agree is in this case, staying married and happy. 
 
Remember, just as your own family is welcome in your home, your in laws should be too. When the in laws com visiting that is a crucial time when you can make or break your relationship with them. If you have taken the pleasure of inviting your mother and father-in-law over for dinner, this is the perfect time for you to put on your royal cap and impress them. 
 
3-COURSE MEAL OR BUFFET 
 
For a classy presentation, your meal should start with a light starter, possibly soup or a nice light salad. The main course can be presented on a plate or placed in separate serving dishes for your in-laws to choose what they prefer. Presentation of the food is key so try to add garnishes and serve in special guests. This will create a great impression. End your meal with a light desert of fruit salad, ice-cream or a simple cake. 
 
 
 
HOME DÉCOR 
 
Your home is where your class, image and style are determined. You can tell the personality of an individual from the décor of their house. Simple and elegant is the way to go, rather than cheap and cheerful. Make your home comfortable, you may start with classic wedding pictures on the wall. Since you are just starting, do not overdo it. 
 
SETTING THE TABLE 
 
If your dining table seats 4 – 8 people, ensure that cutlery, glassware and tableware are all uniform. Of course depending on what you intended to serve for lunch or dinner, set cutlery with knives on the right and forks on the left. Drinking glasses should always be to the right of the table setting. Provide for both water and wine\ juice. Every woman should invest in best china or decorative plates and cutlery. 
 
Note: Be mindful of your parent’s in laws preferences and background. Some might prefer the old-fashioned way of serving dinner as opposed to the English style. 
 
TABLE DÉCOR 
 
Lightening the mood and creating a welcoming ambience beautifies your table. Simply add a nice floral arrangement as a center piece or just place a nice decorative flower. Your table décor is an appetizer to the good food coming. 
 
GOOD MUSIC 
 
To create that welcoming feel, have soft music of choice in the background. This breaks the ice of rigidity and formality. This shows that you have taken the time to care for their comfort. 
 
LIKES AND DISLIKES (PROVIDE VARIETY) 
 
In choosing the menu for the day, try to find out what your in-laws like and dislike. Provide food that is generally people’s favorite. In case fish is not preferred, ensure. Come up with a couple of fancy looking dishes that are unique to you. 
 
 
 
DRESS TO IMPRESS 
 
Even though you are in your own home, always look very presentable, acceptable and respectful. Choose clothes that fit the occasion and are comfortable. Your clothing should be impressive but not over the top. Engage in a full grooming make over with neat hair, moderate make up with nice classy shoes or slippers. In choosing the menu for the day, try to find out what your in-laws like and dislike, and provide food that is generally people favourite. 
 
CONVERSATION SKILLS 
 
The whole dining experience should be one of fun and excitement. Make sure you enjoy yourself too. Topics of discussion should be well thought out. Current topics in and around the world are good. Fun aspects of your wedding day, best hobbies, favourite things and things you like about your husband. Allow conversations to come from your in-laws too and do not be domineering or too quite either. 
 
RESPECT AND POLITENESS 
 
Remember that even though it is your home, the rule of the day is all about you as a person. Respect and politeness will win you over. Pleasantries, when welcoming them into your new home is essential. Offer them a drink to start off with. Do not be offended if it is only water they request for, i

10 tips to successful dining with in-laws

Congratulation! You just got married and as a new bride, your pride and joy is to do everything good for the love of your life. Your dream ...

Why it is so hard to generate revenue in Nigeria

1:15 am Unknown 0

In the last few months, the story that many of our states are unviable and therefore unable to meet basic needs of their peoeple such as payment of workers’ salaries has taken a firm root in everyone’s sub-consciousness. 
 
The reason for it is not only because it true but more because it has been repeatedly said even at the highest quarters. There is the hypothesis that states are unable to generate revenue because our people don’t like to pay taxes. 
 
 
 
For us, it is simplistic to hold-on to such point without seeking to know why our people detest taxation when world-wide; it is known that governments depend on taxes for societal development. 
 
So, if Nigerians who constantly yearn for improved living standards which can only be achieved through the execution of development projects are the same people who avoid and indeed evade taxes when will our nation grow? Put differently, why is it so difficult to generate revenue for development in Nigeria? 
 
As an orientation and media professional, I am positioned to know that the main problem with the subject is the high degree of distrust for government by the people. Every Nigerian, whether rich or poor tends to believe that taxes collected do not get into the coffers of government. 
 
Instead, it is those in charge of taxes that help themselves to a big share of the collections. So, why pay taxes that fellow citizens would misappropriate? 
 
In a recent study, this writer found an interesting trend in many states where those in charge of taxes do not get in there on the basis of specialization; but are deployed there as trusted friends, associates and relations of those in power. 
 
While some are there as spies to monitor collections, so that at the end of day, some good returns can be made privately to Oga, others get there because the schedule is even more lucrative than police check points which favourites scramble for. 
 
Those in the second group are there to recoup their election expenses or to get compensated for their dirty roles in our ever ‘unfair and unfree’ elections. 
 
On this score, no conscientious effort is made to handle taxation effectively or efficiently. Many people who pick up compromised tax clearance certificates are probably victims of our convoluted system. 
 
What we have said about direct taxation is truer of the more popular fees and charges. 
 
In Nigeria, almost every government body is empowered to impose fees and charges on the people. Because the items on which they all impose such charges are many, it is difficult to understand why government still cannot generate enough revenue for development. 
 
The truth again is that the lethargy in the framework for revenue generation is deliberately tolerated by government. 
 
A good example of where this occurs is motor vehicle licences. Many people are not eager to follow the rules because they know that the collections are more often than not diverted. 
 
So people resort to ‘settling’ the officials. What this suggests is that our people collude with officials to defraud government which ordinarily may be taken for lack of patriotism? 
 
Interestingly, it is not exactly so. Our people know that whether you have the correct licence or not, once an official stops a person for a check, the person can hardly regain freedom without parting with a tip. This makes it more attractive to give tips than obtain any licence. 
 
In any case, it is extremely difficult to know who actually is empowered to do what, when, where and how in the vehicle licence business. Is it Police, Road Safety Commission or Vehicle Inspection Office? Incidentally, the aspect of inspection is conveniently claimed by all of them and each has in its custody its enabling law to buttress its claim. 
 
A common claim these days is the charge that a road user’s licence is fake. None of the bodies is interested in stopping the quacks that issue such alleged fake documents even though it is a notorious fact that the syndicates behind the deals operate from within. They als

Why it is so hard to generate revenue in Nigeria

In the last few months, the story that many of our states are unviable and therefore unable to meet basic needs of their peoeple such as pa...

Irate youths destroy Catholic Church property, attack worshippers

1:12 am Unknown 0

A group of Muslim youths on Friday attacked St. Philip’s Catholic Parish, Baki Iku, close to Zuma Rock in Niger State. 
 
According to eyewitnesses, some Catholics had gone to the church to pray when they were attacked by the Muslims who claimed that Friday was their day of prayer and that the church only had right to worship on Sundays. 
 
The youths were said to have destroyed the church’s property, including doors and the windows. 
 
Some soldiers managed to get there later, but not before harm had been done to the building. 
 
Worshippers ran away in different directions to avoid being killed. Rev. Fr. Luka Sylvester Gopep, the Vicar-General of the Diocese, confirmed the incident. 
 
Gopep said: “Sometime around 2pm, some Muslim youths in their hundreds left their mosque after their Friday Jumat prayer and rushed to the church premises, climbed the wall and destroyed everything in the church: the windows, the altar, musical instruments, the chapel. 
 
“The security man in the church premises was beaten to pulp. 
 
“Some women who were holding a prayer meeting were chased away. 
 
“The seminarian who is resident in the premises was also beaten up and chased away.” 
 
Niger State Police Command spokesman, Bala Elkana, confirmed the story, adding, however, that no life was lost. 
 
He said the prompt response of the police stopped the situation from escalating.

Irate youths destroy Catholic Church property, attack worshippers

A group of Muslim youths on Friday attacked St. Philip’s Catholic Parish, Baki Iku, close to Zuma Rock in Niger State. According to eyewi...

Strange island where pregnant women must not go into labour at midnight

9:41 pm Unknown 0

A trip to Igbologun community, located on Snake Island, Lagos, can be scary. 
 
The town has a population of  over 20,000 people. 
 
A two-day visit by Sunday Vanguard to the community was an eye opener. The journey began from Coconut Bus Stop to the quayside during a downpour. It was followed by a N100 boat ride with 14 other passengers. But in the middle of  the restless ocean, the engine coughed and went off, setting off panic among the passengers. The boat was in danger of tipping over as the passengers shifted about, several of them thinking the end had come, but the driver and a few level-headed passengers appealed for calm. 
 
During several attempts to restart the engine, a boat loaded with sachet water passed by, also on   its way to Igbologun while a canoe, with a lone female occupant, equally sailed by. 
 
 
• The community’s toilet and refuse dump site 
Finally, the driver brought the engine back to life and the journey continued. As passengers disembarked at the destination, the reporter was accosted by two young boys of about 12 and 16. They were there to help offload passengers’ luggage from the boat for a fee. Commercial motorcycle riders (Okada) also swarmed around the passengers. 
 
Welcome to Igbologun, a community made up of different tribes, cultures and religions. It was gathered that Snake Island, on which the community sits, derived its name from the (snaky) way it appears on the map, contrary to the belief that it is so called because of the large population of snakes there. 
 
Snake Island has so much beach sand such that, as you walk, your legs sink in and it is as if you’re being pulled back. Interestingly, the hugely populated island, situated  in the heart of Apapa, is under Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area. 
 
Despite being so close to the hub of trade and commerce, and all its modernity, what would seem like another shocking discovery, for a first-time visitor, is how typically rural the island remains. 
 
Igbologun, despite a history of existence that precedes even the Nigerian nation, is dying for government attention for the provision of basic social amenities like schools, standard hospitals, tarred roads, potable water, stable power, standard market place and means of waste disposal, among others. 
 
The first impressionable building to behold is Igbologun Senior Secondary School. Close to it is a police post that offers the community the only source of drinking water and it is about 30 minutes-walk into the heart of the community. 
 
Trooping out were young and old women carrying trays of all sorts laden with wares of smoked fish (Egun Fish). Young children were also hawking. 
 
A striking feature that immediately becomes apparent across the community is the high number of pregnant teenage girls. This reporter soon gathered that even though pregnant, majority of the girls are not registered for ante natal care, mainly as a result of financial constraint and cultural beliefs. 
 
Findings showed that there is a sense of laxity that enables these young girls engage in sexual activities. The development is essentially fuelled by the high level of poverty in the community. Many of the girls are lured with money by the young men who are boat drivers or Okada operators. 
 
“Most of these guys you see  riding Okada or driving boat have more than three girlfriends each because they make quick money from their businesses and live like kings in the community,” said Mr. Jude. 
 
Further investigation revealed that whenever a pregnant woman in the community goes into labour, particularly at  mid-night, they are usually in a dilemma. This is due to  the inability to afford to register in a standard hospital, and for those who could afford it, reaching the centre at mid-night is a tug of war while obstetric complication that may require surgery is out of the question. The result is that many pregnant women and newborns often lose their lives. The only Primary Healthcare Centre in Igbologun is defunct. 
 
Sunday Vanguard encountered some men who had sad tales to tell.   David lost his wife during childbirth. Emeka, who lives in Mama P compound in the community, also lost his wife along with a set of twins while Daramola lost his wife and is left to bring up their baby alone. What the three men have in common is that their wives fell into labour at night. 
 
Bolanle, David’s wife, 27, may have been alive today to experience the joy of motherhood, but her dream was cut short because she found herself at Igbologun. Bolanle’s desire to give life led her to the great beyond. She fell into labour in the middle of the night. 
 
“When she went into labour in the middle of the night, we already knew there was a problem. Her mother called for help, but there was little anyone could do because there was no means of conveying her to the other side of the lagoon for medical attention”, said Mr. Gbenga Sosanya, a neighbour. 
 
“Prior to her delivery time, Bolanle registered for antenatal at Tolu Hospital in Ajegunle, but no boat could convey her there in the night. She and her baby died after several hours of labour in the hands of  traditional birth attendants”. 
 
Pointing to the spot where Bolanle was buried, Sosanya said that the trauma forced her parents to leave the community. He hinted that several of such cases were recorded in the community until few years ago, when someone set up a small private hospital. 
 
“The only Primary Healthcare Centre in the community can simply be described as an empty building because there are no doctors or nurses and, most of the time, it is locked.” 
 
Agony of motherhood 
 
 
• Charity Felix (left) and • Elizabeth Luke (right) 
Sunday Vanguard visited the private hospital. It has seven rooms for the over 20,000 residents. The doctor in charge was battling to save the life of Pasca Kapo, a year and six months old child who was brought in a breathe away from death. 
 
Pasca was brought in gasping for breath, his legs and arms cold. After administering first aid, the doctor said he had severe malaria and anaemia with PCV of 10 percent. To worsen matters, Pasca is O-negative, a rare blood group. The doctor required a transfusion urgently but the child’s parents were broke. They were running from pillar to pole to raise money. 
 
After a lengthy persuasion, John Kapo, they boy’s step father,  spoke with our reporter. “I am not the biological father of Pasca. I married his mother when she was rejected while pregnant with him. It is the present pregnancy she is carrying that belongs to me, but I just have to help save him even though he is someone else’s child”, he narrated 
 
“We tried our best at home in the first three days when he was showing the signs, but when it went beyond us, we took him to the traditional birth attendant where he was for two days. When he was at the point of death, they said we should take him away.” 
 
In the nursing ward was Charity Felix. The 30-year-old woman recounted how the doctor saved her life. “I went into labour around 2am. I had registered at Sonnex Hospital in Ajegunle where I had my second child who is presently six years old. My first child, who is 10, was delivered by the Ijaw women here in Igbologun. I could not cross to the other side of the ocean for delivery. When the Ijaw women tried all their best to take the delivery, with no success, they sent  me to this private hospital”. 
 
In tears, Charity said her first two children were delivered normally but the third was through C-section and she had been in the hospital for two weeks and two days because they could not settle their bills. 
 
“Recently, my husband lost his job, and to eat  became a problem. We have property to sell, but nobody is ready to buy. Even to pay the house rent is very difficult.” Charity, who hails from Igueben local government area of Edo State, has lost contact with her parents since she lost her handset. 
 
Next to her was Elizabeth Luke, 20, who was rushed from a nearby Island, Sabokogi. She went into labour around 7 pm and, after failure by  traditional birth attendants to deliver her of the body, around 4am, she was transported with a chartered speedboat to Igbologun Medical Centre where she went through a C-section. Elizabeth said there is a PHC in their community but no doctor and no drugs. 
 
Several hours later, our reporter engaged Dr. Sodipo Gbolahan, who opened up on the pathetic status of healthcare services in the community. 
 
 
 
Only doctor in the community 
 
The only doctor serving the over 20,000  presidents of Igbologan graduated from University of Ibadan  in 2005. He served at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka and later joined Ibadan Central Hospital for a year and a  half before moving to Otolu Medical Centre in Olodi-Apapa. 
 
While at Olodi-Apapa, a patient attending ante natal facilitated his relocation to Igbologun. “When one of the pregnant women who came for ante natal told me they lost a pregnant woman with twins overnight because there was no means to transport her to the hospital, I was surprised and asked why they did not call  for an ambulance. She said no ambulance could get there,”the doctor said. 
 
Gbolahan discussed his intention to relocate with his wife who kicked against it. “But as God will have it, she was having problem with her own pregnancy; so I quickly took her to the United States of America and, before she returned, I had moved to the community.” 
 
Over the past five years, he has been practising in Igbologun. Most of his patients have been vulnerable groups, children, pregnant women and the elderly. He explained that most of his patients come to his clinic after trying so many options and only come at the point of death. 
 
“Few  (pregnant women) register across the ocean in Ajegunle but usually have no means to cross the ocean and end up dead in the hands of traditional birth attendants or are brought to me very late. There was a case I just discharged, she presented very late, but eventually we saved her life but lost the baby. She went to be delivered  in a church in the community, where there was no nurse. After several hours of prayer and miracles did not happen, they sent for me,”the doctor said. 
 
“When I got there, there was no nurse to take the delivery. The woman was already weak, the baby distressed. She couldn’t push, so we had a C-section to bring the baby out dead, but the mother was alive. She spent three weeks here and they were able to raise the N70,000 bill. Sometimes when patients present, I don’t expect them to survive but miraculously they do. 
 
“Generally here, people don’t go to hospital for delivery. They believe that strong women should deliver at home. There was a lady who, during her first pregnancy, tried to deliver at home but lost the baby. When she got pregnant a second time, she ran to me and said doctor, ‘nothing must happen to this baby’. 
 
“When I came here five years ago, they told me there was no light two years before my arrival and in my five years of staying, there was no light. The situation persisted until January this year when we had light because  Governor Akinbode came to our aid. But for three months now, it’s been blackout”. 
 
Running the hospitalGbolahan began running his hospital inside a room, self-contained, but later expanded. “I purchased used beds from doctors in Ajegunle. I keep one room as private ward in which those admitted are able to pay their bills. It is from there I settle my own bills, pay my staff and buy drugs. I am here until the day I will not be able to cope again. Probably before that time, government may have come to their rescue.” 
 
Way forward 
 
He urged the state government to partner with private facilities because Igbologun is just one of several islands. “If you go to Igboejo, Tomaro, Itu Agan or Sabokoji, government can put three secondary healthcare centres which will feed Island Maternity or the Lagos General Hospital,”the doctor said. 
 
“Also in this community, there is nothing to motivate the younger ones. After their primary school, the next thing is to be a boat driver or a  fisherman. They seduce females and impregnate them and later go for abortions that result in complications. 
 
“I was trying to talk to the school principal to start a scholarship. There could be potential doctors here. If a doctor is from among them, they would be committed. Half of the girls drop out in SS2 due to pregnancy. Most of time when I talk to the ladies, they say after secondary schools they will get  married.” 
 
Religious leader 
 
The Chief Imam of Igbologun, Osani Saka Olaribigbe, who complained bitterly over the state of healthcare in the community, said  the only PHC in Igbologun  can best be described as an empty building. “In that health centre, they don’t have any equipment, no drugs, no doctor; so we cannot call it hospital, it is just an ordinary building. The two nurses their only refer people to urban areas to seek healthcare and once it is 2pm they close the centre,”Olaribigbe said. 
 
“The last delivery I could remember they took in that PHC was in 2004. Even when they refer us to across the ocean, there is no means of transporting our pregnant women to the General Hospital or Kadoso Hospital in Ajegunle”. 
 
Traditional ruler 
 
The Baale of the Igbologun , Chief Amisu Alao Gegeiyawo, also complained that they have tabled their challenges on several occasion to the government without favourable outcome. He said that among the challenges confronting the community was lack of waste disposal facilities and source of potable water. 
 
Gegeiyawo said that it’s been long since they enjoyed government service in the area of quality healthcare service. “The only intervention we enjoy once a while is from non -governmental organisations, which come to distribute drugs and mosquito net to our people,”the traditional head explained. 
 
“The PHC is under Amuwo Odofin Local Government and I have complained on several occasions about the on-availability of medical personnel at the centre and no drugs, but the situation remains the same.” 
 
At the PHC, the Health Assistant, Mrs. Aminat Ogungbemi, declined to make comments. The compound was overgrown with bush while the doctors’ lodge was under lock and key.

Strange island where pregnant women must not go into labour at midnight

A trip to Igbologun community, located on Snake Island, Lagos, can be scary. The town has a population of over 20,000 people. A two-da...

Strange island where pregnant women must not go into labour at midnight

9:40 pm Unknown 0

Strange island where pregnant women must not go into labour at midnight

A trip to Igbologun community, located on Snake Island, Lagos, can be scary. The town has a population of over 20,000 people. A two-da...

Chaos in Lagos Computer Village as street traders defy govt

9:30 pm Unknown 0

Despite the stance of the Lagos  state government to go tough on anyone engaging in street trading across the State,  many Information Communication Technology traders  have continued with street trading and hawking in the major streets of the Nigerian silicon valley, the Computer Village Ikeja. 
 
 
Aerial view of the Computer Village, Ikeja 
This comes after few days after  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos  stated his resolve to enforce an existing law,  prohibiting street trading . 
 
It would be recalled that following  the crisis provoked by the death of a hawker who was reportedly crushed while trying to evade arrest by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, Ambode had decided to enforce the provisions of the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003. 
 
Although the ban has received serious condemnations from different quarters,  the Lagos State Government  had  said that anybody engaging in street trading  would be liable to pay either a fine of N90,000 or get a six-month jail term. 
 
But a close monitoring of market activities in the largest ICT market in West Africa, the Computer Village Ikeja at the weekend revealed that  many youths are still hawking various ICT products in the major streets of the market including Orameji, Otigba, among others. 
 
Some of these traders who spoke to Sun Tech News yesterday  lamented that the ban had made life unbearable for them. A pirated software seller along Oremeji street who only identified himself as Chibuzo said that sales had dropped drastically for him since the ban as a result of what he described as incessant harassments from  the  law enforcement agents. 
 
“But how do you want me to survive? I cannot afford to pay for shop. I do not have the financial strength to  do that. I am a father of four. I have to pay bills. Hawking is better than robbery. Government should create an enabling environment for low income earners to thrive. That is the only way to go otherwise there will be more militancies”, he lamented. 
 
Also speaking, a phone seller in Otigba street of the market who did not want her name in the print said that the Lagos state government was insensitive following the ban. 
 
“Hawking in the  street of this market is better than prostitution. The people you see in this street are responsible. Some are married. Some are still single. Some of them have one family responsibility or the other. The government should provide an alternative for the street traders who cannot  afford to pay for full shops. But one must survive”, she explained. 
 
Illegal levies 
 
Even though street trading is not allowed in structured markets across the nation, street traders at the Computer Village Ikeja  have continued to be at the mercy  of Community Development Association, CDA, Police, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), under the Lagos State Government Ministry of Environment and Street urchins 
 
Although  street trading has  continued to disrupt movement of goods and persons in the market, the  CDA, Police and Area Boys are benefiting from their activities. 
 
According to findings, every street trader on daily basis pays N500 to KAI, N300 to CDA and N300 to Police. 
 
This illegal levies, it was learnt, are collected and returned to various interests in the market  including the Police at the market and CDA by an agent apart from KAI that collects their own personally. With the illegal levies,  the street traders passes  it to the end users who pay high price on products. 
 
However, this  development has forced prices of phones and Laptop to go up. “But do not expect prices off devices to  remain the same with all these extortions? It is just impossible”, a phone repairer  exclaimed. 
 
 CAPDAN speaks 
 
Reacting to the new development,  the Public Relations Officer Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria, CAPDAN , Mr Godwin Enamor,  said that street trading  in the market  is obstructing movement of goods and persons. 
 
“It is scaring foreign investors. But it

Chaos in Lagos Computer Village as street traders defy govt

Despite the stance of the Lagos state government to go tough on anyone engaging in street trading across the State, many Information Comm...

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Chaos in Lagos Computer Village as street traders defy govt

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