Bad Brains singer to have brain surgery…Read full details

This file photo taken on August 5, 2007 shows Singer H.R. of Bad Brains performing onstage at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. The singer of the influential punk band Bad Brains has revealed that he will undergo surgery — for his brain. H.R., the frontman of the influential Washington-based band, suffers from a rare type of headache known as SUNCT that brings intense and frequent pain. The singer told the metal news site Loudwire that he will undergo surgery on February 21, 2017 with a doctor who has performed similar operations more than 200 times.<br />Scott GRIES / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The singer of the influential punk band Bad Brains has revealed that he will undergo surgery — for his brain.

H.R., the frontman of the influential Washington-based band, suffers from a rare type of headache known as SUNCT that brings intense and frequent pain.

The singer told the metal news site Loudwire that he will undergo surgery on February 21 with a doctor who has performed similar operations more than 200 times.

His wife and caregiver Lori raised funds for the operation through an online pitch to fans, saying his treatment was not fully covered by health insurance.

“The intensity of the nighttime headaches is so great that he yells, cries out, groans and sobs — repeatedly, every few minutes, for most of the night,” she wrote in the appeal last year.

Bad Brains, who were nominated last year to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, were at the forefront of the hardcore punk scene that emerged in the US capital in the early 1980s.

One of the rare African American bands in punk rock, Bad Brains gradually brought more reggae into the music as the group emphasized Rastafarian spirituality.

Multichoice commissions Kunle Afolayan on three films…Read full details

Kunle Afolayan

After a swell outing with his pan Africa film, ‘The CEO’, popular Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan is back with a set of three films, sponsored by Multichoice Nigeria.

The threesome; ‘Roti’, ‘Umogwo’ and ‘Tribunal’ will enjoy back-to-back filming that will fast-track their releases, beginning from the first quarter of the year.

Originally planned as television productions, the ace filmmaker has however secured the understanding of his sponsors for the films to explore the traditional channels of exhibitions safe for DVD; thus, the films will make debut with an April 2017 cinema release, enjoy some festival routings before berthing on Africa Magic channels.

The three films are engaging some A-list stars who are acting on Kunle Afolayan’s set for the first time. They include Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Nobert Young, Toyin Oshinaike, Fathia Balogun, Dari Afolayan, Funsho Adeolu, Ade Laoye, Omowunmi Dada, Damilola Ogunsi, Ayo Adesanya, Yaw and Gloria Anozie Young among others.

In ‘Roti’ which stars Kunle Afolayan himself playing alongside Kate Henshaw, Toyin Oshinaike, Fathia Balogun and Dari Afolayan, the story is told of how, years after a couple loses their son called Roti to a brief illness, the wife sees a boy called Juwon who is an exact replica of her dead son. After discovering that Juwon is not a reincarnation of Roti, she is washed anew by grief and soon descends into depression and consequent hysteria.

In ‘Tribunal’, “Jimi Disu, a man in his fifties, is one of the bright- minded lawyers who co-establish a leading law firm in Lagos many years ago. However, he lost his sense of direction and strength after being hit by a series of personal challenges that question his resolve as a man. He becomes a ‘charge and bail’ lawyer with no further ambition. Approached by a young, enthusiastic, fresh law school graduate, Tanimowo (who adores him for the stature of his legendary pedigree as a lawyer), to defend her friend, an albino, who has been unfairly relieved of his duties at work, Jimi Disu is presented a chance to battle his old law firm. ‘Tribunal’ stars Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde, Funsho Adeolu, Nobert Young, Ade Laoye, and Damilola Ogunsi.

The third flick which stars Ayo Adesanya, Yaw, Gloria Anozie Young and Omowunmi Dada is ‘Umogwo’, the story of Omotunde, a young Yoruba civil engineer, married to Raymond, an Igbo man. Coloured by different cultural backgrounds, drama ensues when Raymond’s mother, Chimanda, insists on performing Umogwo, an Igbo cultural practice by which the mother of one of the couples lives with the couple for a period of time to relieve the nursing mother of the pressures of convalescing and baby care.

Omotunde’s mother, an egotistic, self-absorbed woman feels she has the right, as Chimanda, to be there for her daughter and granddaughter and receive as much praise as Chimanda. Both mothers-in-law move in with the couple and complicate their lives even further in this comic-filled drama.
The shooting of ‘Roti’ is currently ongoing. Directed by Kunle Afolayan, the movie also marks the return of prolific DoP, Yinka Edward to Golden Effects Production after his further study in the United Kingdom.

Why the government’s claim to have defeated Boko Haram was a serious error (Read full details)

Boko Haram. (AFP)<br />

The current government have confronted the threat of Boko Haram with a resolve that the last government never did. Until the final months of their term, the last administration was alarmingly dismissive of the threat that Boko Haram posed. Under their watch, Boko Haram became the deadly occupying force that a more alert, responsive government wouldn’t have allowed them to be. President Buhari’s administration has not repeated those mistakes but has needlessly fashioned their own.

They have pursued dealing with the threat of Boko Haram more aggressively. Since his term began, there has been continual success in reducing the terrorist group’s capability across Northern Nigeria.

But his administration has repeatedly framed the war in near-propagandist terms. Their rhetoric on Boko Haram has made defeating the group seem a neat, simple objective, achievable over a clearly set time frame, as opposed to the long-fought, complex, difficult war that it has proven to be.

The government and President Buhari, early into his presidency, pledged to defeat Boko Haram by the end of 2016. But to give the war a timeline in this way and to promise a “defeat” so soon was an error.

It implied that insurgent groups functioned like nation-states do. That this was a historically conventional war, with a declared starting point and ending with defeat or victory. It ignored the fact that Boko Haram’s insurgency, whilst militant, is underpinned by social, economic and ideological challenges that a military effort can never resolve. And that the likelihood is that Boko Haram will ever be completely wiped out, in the near or foreseeable future, is extremely slim.

Before the end of December last year, the military and the government claimed that they had defeated Boko Haram. President Buhari declared “The final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists”, claiming that their last enclave in the Sambisa Forest, “Camp Zero” had been captured by the military. The military also declared that they had defeated Boko Haram and captured the Sambisa Forest.

But the declarations of victory by the government and the military were prompted by a deadline that should never have been set. They framed what was a symbolic victory of capturing a key enclave in the Sambisa Forest, as a conclusive end to the group. The facts on the ground give those pronouncements a veneer of propaganda. The military is still pursuing Boko Haram hideouts in the Sambisa, a vast region, part forest, part shrub-lands, two thirds of the size of Scotland.

In Borno, many areas liberated from Boko Haram militants remain deeply insecure. The tragic bombing in Rann on an IDP camp, where a military air strike killed over a hundred people and injured scores, further highlights the current conflict. Rann was an area only liberated from Boko Haram occupation last year. The strikes confused the camp with Boko Haram militants due to warfare that was taking place only a few kilometers away. Had Boko Haram been defeated, those air strikes would not have been necessary.

The minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, told Journalists in late December that Boko Haram was “largely defeated”, explaining that the militants could no longer hold territory or carry out “spectacular attacks”. The minister was correct in that the militants no longer occupy urban territory as they did at the height of the insurgency. That the government would want to draw attention to their successes is also understandable.

But according to aid groups in Borno, despite the decreased insurgency, a number of rural communities that remain hard to access as Rann was, remain under constant threat. That the militants still retain a large number of abductees, including many of the abducted Chibok girls, implies that Camp Zero is not their only base.

Since December, horrific attacks by Boko Haram, such as in a market in Madagali, Adamawa, killing 56 people and injuring over 170, can reasonably be described as “spectacular”. For the millions of Nigerians in the North East who live in areas that are no longer occupied, but remain vulnerable to suicide attacks, government announcements of “defeat” will not reflect their present anxieties. When innocent civilians continue to die through Boko Haram attacks, the war against Boko Haram seems further away from any conclusion.

The administration and the military should explain with each significant step forward, that they have made progress but that more needs to be done. They should explain that Boko Haram are not defeated, but seriously degraded, on the back foot and still deadly. They should reframe their language in explaining the insurgency in less absolute terms. They should not, as they did in December, declare a false victory.

By doing so they have made the fight against Boko Haram more politicised than it should have been. It should not be about whether they have defeated Boko Haram but about whether they are doing all that they can to do so.

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Why the government’s claim to have defeated Boko Haram was a serious error

ICT experts seek use of geo-satellite equipment to tackle unemployment (Read full details)

ICT

Adequate deployment of information communication technology is a potent weapon against massive youth unemployment ravaging the country, an Austrian-based ICT Expert, Walter Mayer, has said.

Mayer, who gave the advice in Abuja at a roundtable on Dynamics of Agro-ICT Satellite Solutions, convened by Dilimson Holdings Limited, in conjunction with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, said unemployment level in the country would be cut by half if government embraced Geo satellite equipment in agriculture business.

He argued that deployment of Geo-satellite equipment in agriculture will create new jobs for large number of youths who would be offered employment through the ICT based technology, adding that agriculture has the potential of turning in more revenue than oil and gas combined if properly harnessed.

Mayer stated that Nigeria is on the right path in seeking diversification of the economy but would need to deploy ICT in managing her vast mineral and forest resources.

According to him, Nigeria needs to practice precision farming in order to avoid wastage of scarce resources adding that the advantage is that the country is able to identify soil types, best location for mineral resources, arid lands among other information.

The convener of the roundtable, George Umuobi, said the essence of the discussion is to avail the Federal Government with affordable information technology that can help it achieve diversification of the economy.

He stressed that the use of ICT in the diversification efforts will encourage youths to take part in the critical sector, which can contribute more than oil and gas to the nation’s GDP.

A former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Prof Placid Njoku, who was also present at the event, said the area of livestock is an important part of agriculture that can generate money for the Federal Government, much more than oil and gas, if properly harness,

He added: “The Federal Government needs to be properly guided in this area to enable her get the best from the sector, especially for revenue generation. Protein deficiency can be a thing of the past if government takes Geo-surveillance technology seriously.”

ICT experts seek use of geo-satellite equipment to tackle unemployment

Benin Monarch cautions Obaseki on political promises (Read full details)

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and Governor Godwin Obaseki during the Oba’s visit to Government House…

The Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, yesterday, called on Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to ensure that he makes statements and promises that he is sure of fulfilling and not make them for political reasons.

He however promised to support the governor in his policies and programmes that would boost his promises.

The Monarch spoke at the Government House in Benin, after having a closed door meeting with Governor Obaseki. He told journalists that himself and the governor discussed issues of mutual cooperation, adding that the Benin Palace was ready to partner the state government for the development of the state.

On the agitation for the establishment of the famous Gelegele Seaport in Ovai North East local council, through which the Portuguese first entered Benin in the 12th Century and through which the British also entered in the 18th Century, Oba Ewuare said he was passionate about the establishment of an Export Free Processing Zone in Gelegele, pledging the support of the palace for the special committee on the project already set up by Obaseki.

He explained that instead of Gelegele Seaport, he chose to focus on‎ Export Free Zone because he was so advised by experts, adding that he and the governor also discussed roads that would connect the Export Free Zone and the Gelegele Seaport among other things.

Benin Monarch cautions Obaseki on political promises

Is masturbation lawful in Islam? – Part 1 (Read full details)

Muslim pilgrims / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI

Brethren, once again, I thought today was settled. I had thought that our sermon today would explore the drama that unfolded last week when the name of the Almighty appeared on a Moringa tree in a town in Ogun State. It was a matter of surprise for me to hear that some compatriots of mine and yours, men and women, later went to the tree and began to, was it out of ignorance or mischief, pray on to it the same way the Makkans used to pray unto their various idols before the advent of Islam.. When I eventually saw the images of those men and women who stood beside the tree, held up bottles of water and began to pray ceaselessly and fervently for one favour or the other, I immediately switched on my sense of empathy. What else could I have done other than to pity those men and women who basked in empty spiritual fantasy? Brethren, how could you have imagined that an ordinary tree could grant unto you what the Almighty withholds? How could you conflate illumination with the Sun or the tree for the Forest? When men and women begin to adore the messenger in utter neglect and disregard of the message and its Owner then one comes to the understanding of the reasons nations before us suffered perditions and interdictions. Brethren, the Moringa tree was a message, the owner of the message is the Almighty; it is unto Him not the tree or any other creature that you should direct your prayers and requests to. He is ever alive; He never dies.

But I had to side-step all of the above in today’s sermon when I received an anonymous text from a compatriot of mine. He wrote to ask for my opinion on masturbation. He wanted to know whether masturbation is a grievous sin that is punishable by the Almighty on the day resurrection. Just before I sat down beside my computer to do this piece, I thought I needed a professional input. I then put a call across to a medic friend and brother of mine. I asked him: ‘Brother! What is the medical position on masturbation?” He responded: “You know what Prof! I do not know of any negative medical implication that could result from indulgence in masturbation. What I do know however from interactions with those who practice it, is that masturbation does not guarantee maximum sexual satisfaction. Those who practice it usually experience hallucination. Instead of the act providing sexual succour and gratification it only usually makes the desire for sex stronger…”

Thus when our friend and reader of the Friday Sermon sent the text message to me asking about the position of Islam on masturbation, I resisted the urge to send a reply to him the moment the message came in. I thought I should widen the geography of the enquiry a bit to include other prohibitions that Muslims are aware of and which are recipes for healthy life and living. I therefore sought the medical opinion on masturbation not in anticipation of a response that would give the practice a ‘clean bill of health’. Rather, I did that with the intention to argue that hardly is there a prohibition in Islam that reason or medical practice would conflict. For example, a thousand four hundred and thirty seven years ago, Islam forbade the consumption of alcoholic drinks and beverages. I do not know, as at today, of a medical opinion which says alcoholism is good for your body. “Do not go near fornication” so says the Quran (17:32); tell me of a culture or civilization that says illicit sexual practice is a virtue.

Now a reader of the Quran would not see an equivalent in Arabic for masturbation which is al-Istimna. The latter in English refers to sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex-toys such as vibrators, or combinations of these. It is not only men who engage in this, women equally do. The last time I visited a mall in United States, I saw various sexual equipments on sale; in America you do not need the opposite gender before you pleasure yourself to hell!

Now at least two perspectives are available in Islamic jurisprudence in regard to masturbation: the permissive and the prohibitive. Scholars who consider the act permissible do so based on necessity. They have argued that when a married or unmarried person experiences sexual urge and he finds no legal avenue to assuage his desire he could turn himself to both the “actor” and the “acted upon”. In other words, masturbation is a lesser evil in comparison to fornication and adultery. Scholars who travel this path would also argue that the verse we prefaced this sermon with does not explicitly mentions masturbation and as such the law is ‘silent’ on it.

Another group of Muslim jurists consider masturbation as Makruh (something detestable in Islam). Actions that are considered to be Makruh straddles the ‘dangerous’ space between the lawful and the permitted. Some scholars of the past have permitted it to students and soldiers who are single in non-Muslim societies where temptations are usually high, in order to save them from adultery.

However, a larger group of Muslim jurists, exegetes and legists consider masturbation as completely forbidden.

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Is masturbation lawful in Islam? – Part 1

That the bridges may be built (Read full details)

Third Mainland Bridge. PHOTO: PageOne.ng

That the Federal Government would repair some bridges across the nation at a total cost of N275 billion would seem good news in view of the need for upgrade of Nigeria’s road infrastructure but the choice of 52 bridges raises questions of why and how.

Why are the bridges to be repaired within the same period (spanning three years) considering the fact that they were built at different times to specifications and maintenance dates for the designed lifespan? And how would the Federal Government source the money, jobs for this. That many of the bridges in the country “had not been maintained in four decades, is, of course, very bad.

On a recent inspection of repair works on the Lagos Island approach to the Third Mainland Bridge, Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola said the structure had not been repaired in 25 years, a great risk to public safety. Not long ago, the first section of the bridge built by one company was closed for a long time for remedial works while the Ebute Metta-Oworonshoki section built by another, is noticeably different. In retrospect, was the decision not to award the contract to one company a mistake?

Oh, how we miss the olden days! Things worked perfectly and the nation’s assets were well built and properly maintained. There was the all-embracing Public Works Department which had its training school for artisans and professional engineers. “Director of Public Works” was not just a top position in government, he was the custodian of the nation’s assets. Engineer M Tukur Usman was renowned for maintaining infrastructure at the Federal level and Engineer T. M. Aluko was in Western Nigeria. The PWD covered every aspect of public projects: lands, housing, water, electricity. Over the years, one area or the other was excised and placed under a separate agency. The Ministry of Works handled lands, housing and federal roads. In the Francophone countries, it was aptly named Ministry of Public Works (Ministere des Travaux Publiques). Over time, a separate ministry was created for housing as well as environment.

Since 1970, all the studies and reform recommendations have called for a separate agency for roads. The World Bank has consistently stated that the term “Works” had become an anachronism, given the fact that all the items under the behemoth PWD had gone to separate agencies or ministries. An attempt was made to comply when the military government placed highways under the Ministry of Transportation. However, the validity of the 1972 Wey Commission Report became apparent: that the proposed agency for roads should not be placed in transportation which at the time handled the ports, waterways, railways and air transport. The vacillation continues till date.

It is pertinent to note that construction costs are estimates based on today’s material prices. The bill of quantities always predates the paperwork leading to contract signing and release of mobilisation. The road alignment is surveyed in detail but ground experience often demands on-site adjustment. Against this background, the N270 billion estimate for 52 bridges, over three years may definitely go higher, if the political will remains to sustain the initiative.

Also the comprehensive list of the 52 bridges that will be rehabilitated and maintained is yet unknown. Could the figure be for all bridges on federal roads nationwide, including flyovers in urban and rural areas as well as viaducts over swampy terrain? There are bailey bridges and steel bridges, such as the bridges over River Niger in Onitsha and Ogun River in Abeokuta. These were erected in colonial times and there is need to further assess their structural integrity. The bridges of latter years have been deck on piles. These two types require specific engineering inputs. Experiences of pile shifting on the Five Cowries Creek section of the flyover bridge from Marina to Ikoyi and the Third Mainland Bridge abound. These experiences ought to have given the ministry’s engineers the discipline for regular inspection of bridges as is also required for the roads.

In keeping with best practices worldwide, there must be workshops at which federal and state highways engineers share experiences and document papers in the best traditions of their noble profession. For this reason, the erstwhile annual meeting of the National Council of Works must be given a deeper assignment profile. For years, many professionals have called for a separate annual conference on roads, to bring together highways engineers from the federal, state and local government with all other stakeholders. These include the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Federation of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Nigeria, Transport Union Representatives, the National Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigeria Police Highway Patrol Division, the Nigeria Road Federation and individuals interested in roads.

All things considered, a major concern now is the source of funds for the proposed works. Budgetary allocations are insufficient for funding roads. The minister must also draw from his experience as a former state governor to highlight the plight of state governments who have spent heavily on federal roads and are yet to be reimbursed. He must institute the process for re-classification of roads. Above all, he must play an active role towards the establishment of the National Road Fund and the Federal Highways Authority.

That the bridges may be built

Ambode mourns Lagos State House reporter (Read full details)

Suberu

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed rude shock and sadness over the death of a member of staff of National Mirror newspaper, Mr. Francis Suberu.

Suberu, a reporter attached to the Government House in Lagos, died on Tuesday after a brief illness at the age of 37. His wife, two children and aged mother, among other relatives, survived him.

Ambode, in a condolence letter he personally signed and addressed to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Folashade Omolara Suberu, described the late journalist as a quiet and unassuming man who contributed immensely in projecting the programmes and policies of his administration in the last 19 months through balanced news reports.

The governor said it was always painful to lose a soulmate and family breadwinner, but urged members of the family to take solace in the fact that Suberu led a good life and was a member of the esteemed journalism profession.

According to the letter dated January 18, 2017, Ambode said: “I was shocked to learn of the passage of your beloved husband and member of the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents (LAGOCO). It is always a painful experience to lose a soul mate, a father, a confidant and the family breadwinner in any circumstance.

“However, painful as the suddenness of this physical separation could be, I urge you to take solace in the fact that Mr. Francis Suberu was an active member of the esteemed journalism profession who, despite his quiet and unassuming nature, contributed in no small measure to the projection of the programmes and policies of my administration in the last 19 months through his balanced news reports in his media organization, National Mirror.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, please accept my sincere condolences once again. May Almighty God grant the soul of the departed sweet repose and endow you and all family members left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Ambode mourns Lagos State House reporter

Woman dies in Lagos road crash while returning to United States (Read full details)

The accident scene…yesterday

An American returnee, billed to have travelled back yesterday, died in a fatal head-on collision with a trailer fully loaded with granite, while her driver sustained grievous injuries. The incident, which occurred around 2:03a.m., happened at Stadium Bus Stop, inward Alaka, Surulere, Lagos State.

According to an eyewitness, the car carrying the American returnee, a black Camry Saloon car with registration number KUJ 412 AA (FCT), had rammed into the trailer with registration number EKY 668 XL.

Responding to the distress call, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its operatives immediately activated the agency’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) to the scene of the incident.

Preliminary investigation conducted by the ERT at the scene of the incident revealed the immediate cause of the incident as reckless driving. According to the agency, the driver of the saloon car was driving recklessly, as well as over-speeding when he rammed into the trailer.

He was said not to have noticed the moving trailer driving inward Stadium Bus Stop and thus, lost control and crashed into the truck, upon sighting it quite late.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, said they responded immediately they got the distress call. He said: “An adult female, who was billed to travel to the United States lost her life while the driver of the Camry car sustained some injuries.

“He was taken to the trauma centre by the LASAMBUS officials, while the agency’s ERT extricated the trapped victim from the mangled car and was handed over to the police from Surulere Division.”

He, however, expressed dismay at the attack on the agency’s officials by irate youths at the scene of the incident during their recovery operation.

He said the state government would no longer condone unnecessary attacks on its officials while performing their assigned duties.

While advising motorists to drive within the approved speed limit and also observe road traffic signs, he said the police would carry out further investigation into the incident.

Woman dies in Lagos road crash while returning to United States

Antidepressants prescribed during pregnancy heighten risk of birth defects (Read full details)

A new Université de Montréal Canada study in the British Medical Journal reveals that antidepressants prescribed to pregnant women could increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects. The risk — six to 10 per cent, versus three to five per cent in women who do not take the drugs — is high enough to merit caution in their use, especially since, in most cases, they are only marginally effective, the study says.

“In pregnancy, you’re treating the mother but you’re worried about the unborn child, and the benefit needs to outweigh the risk,” said the study’s senior author, Anick Bérard, a professor at UdeM’s Faculty of Pharmacy and researcher at its affiliated children’s hospital, CHU Sainte-Justine. A well-known expert in pregnancy and depression, Bérard has previously established links between antidepressants and low birth weight, gestational hypertension, miscarriages and autism. Her new study is among the first to examine the link to birth defects among depressed women.

Depression is on the rise across the globe and is a leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization. Depression is particularly serious during pregnancy, and doctors — especially psychiatrists, obstetricians and other specialists — are prescribing more antidepressants than ever to expectant mothers.

For example, when Celexa (the brand name for citalopram) was taken in the first trimester, the risk of major birth defects jumped from five per cent to eight per cent, Bérard found. In all, 88 cases of malformations were linked to use of the drug. Similarly, use of Paxil (paroxetine) was associated with an increased risk of heart defects; venlafaxine (Effexor), with lung defects; and tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil), with increased eye, ear, face and neck defects.

Every year, about 135,000 Quebec women get pregnant, and of those, about seven per cent show some signs of depression, mostly mild to moderate. A much smaller percentage — less than one per cent — suffers from severe depression.

In her study, Bérard looked at 18,487 depressed women in the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort, a longitudinal, population-based grouping of 289,688 pregnancies recorded between 1998 to 2009. Of the women studied, 3,640 — about 20 per cent — took antidepressants in the first three months.

“We only looked at the first trimester, because this is where all the organ systems are developing,” said Bérard. “At 12 weeks of gestation, the baby is formed.”

Antidepressant use during this critical time-window has the potential to interfere with serotonin intake by the fetus, which can result in malformations.

“Serotonin during early pregnancy is essential for the development of all embryonic cells, and thus any insult that disturbs the serotonin signaling process has the potential to result in a wide variety of malformations,” the study says.

Over the decade or so that Bérard studied her cohort, the proportion of expectant mothers on antidepressants in Quebec doubled, from 21 users per 1,000 pregnancies in 1998 to 43 per 1,000 in 2009.

Those using the drugs tend to be older, live alone or be on welfare; they also may have other ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, the new study shows. The women generally don’t have the financial means, leisure time or support to seek other solutions, such as exercising regularly or consulting with a psychotherapist.

Antidepressants prescribed during pregnancy heighten risk of birth defects

More forex crisis as Senate okays N305 to $1 for budget (Read full details)

• Approves plan to borrow N2.321 trillion
• To probe N130b donor funds for IDPs
• Reps adopt $44.5 per barrel benchmark

The Senate yesterday retained the foreign exchange rate of N305 to the dollar for the 2017 budget. This was part of the key decisions by the upper legislative chamber while passing the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

Adopting the recommendations of its Joint Committee on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning on the document, the Senate however, raised the proposed oil benchmark of $42.50 in 2017 budget to $44.5 per barrel.

The decision to retain a conservative exchange rate benchmark of N305 per dollar could further mount pressure on the naira, especially as the CBN has failed to meet forex demand in recent times. Industry experts had condemned the wide gap between official exchange rate and that of the parallel market, saying it was the reason for the weak naira.

Presenting the report, the joint committee chairman, John Enoh, stated that “a judicious monetary fiscal policy mix and deliberate government policies to expand the productive base of the economy would be expedient to improve the exchange value of the naira relative to the dollar.”

According to him, “it has become obvious that the fixed exchange rate regime as implemented in Nigeria is no longer useful. The sustained and widening gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market has created several loopholes in the system. However, the recent transition from fixed exchange rate regime to flexible exchange regime appears commendable.”

He commended the recent migration from fixed exchange rate regime to flexible exchange rate regime but tasked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to put in place measures meant to close the gap between parallel market and the official exchange rate.

Defending its decision to raise the oil benchmark, the committee said international oil industry watchers had forecast that oil prices were gradually heading towards $60 per barrel.

The Senate also approved the recommendation to retain 2.2 million barrel per day oil production volume, observing that the projection is achievable if the Federal Government makes concerted efforts to stem the tide of militancy in the Niger Delta.

The Senate approved the government’s borrowing plan of N2.321 trillion, made up of N1.253 trillion as domestic borrowing and N1.067 trillion external borrowing. It charged the government to be focused and ensure that the loans are used to finance critical projects capable of increasing productivity which will in turn yield revenue to service the debt.

The lawmakers approved government’s independent revenue projection of N807.57 billion as contained in the revised MTEF and FSP just as it approved the projected N5.122 trillion non-oil revenue in 2017. They tasked the revenue collection agencies to “intensify their collections drive to boost the non-oil components of the revenue.”

But Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) faulted the approval of N305 exchange rate. He said: “You have pegged the exchange rate at N305 to the dollar. Nobody in this room today can go to the bank and buy the dollar at N305 and so, we have an exchange rate that is ridiculous. The black market is about N500 and it is only about N200 differential. Between 1960 and 1980, despite the civil war, when (Chief Obafemi Awolowo was federal commissioner for finance), the country was moving on without borrowing a penny.

“In the exchange rate between the official and black markets, there was no differential. In 1980, it was $1: 97cents to the naira and the difference between official and black market was N10 kobo.

“When (Shehu) Shagari was overthrown on December 31st in 1983, the official rate of exchange was N3 to the dollar and the black market was N4 to the dollar. So, it was a N1 differential. Three years ago, it was a N10 to N15 differential between the black market and the official rate.

“Today, it is N200 and so, it is better for businessmen to round trip than to manufacture. The exchange rate we have is encouraging round tripping. When the exchange rate encourages round tripping, we will never close the gap because the richest people in Nigeria today are treasurers of banks. The exchange rate is wrong. N305 is unrealistic.”

The House of Representatives also yesterday adopted $44. 5 per barrel as benchmark price for the 2017 budget.The resolution followed the adoption of the report of Ibrahim Babangida- led joint House committees on Finance, Appropriation, National Planning and Economic Development, Legislative Budget and Research and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) at the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Sulaimon Yussuf Lasun.

Also, the Senate yesterday resolved to probe ‎the use of about N130 billion donated by international bodies to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria to fund humanitarian relief activities in the North East.

Adopting a motion by Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), titled “The state of Humanitarian Relief Effort in the North East amidst high level of funding so far”, the upper legislative chamber mandated its Committee on Special Duties to initiate the process of synergising between United Nations, donor agencies, NGOs, federal, state and local governments to ensure effective coordination of the humanitarian response for the benefit of the displaced persons and victims of the insurgency in the North East, and report back in two weeks.

Ndume noted that‎ the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that over $426 million or N130 billion had been received as at December 2016. “Although an estimated N36 billion worth of funding for food security has been reportedly donated towards alleviating the food security problem in the north east, malnutrition has reached extreme levels in parts of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states,” Ndume said.

More forex crisis as Senate okays N305 to $1 for budget

Oil, gas-rich Ndokwa lament neglect, list demands to FG (Read full details)

President Muhammadu Buhari PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

A nine-point demand has been presented to the Federal Government by Ndokwa ethnic nationality of Delta State to appease the area while lamenting its marginalization and neglect.

It is also part of their contributions to end the persistent crisis in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The demands, available to the media yesterday, were presented by the member representing Ndokwa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossai Ossai, to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the latter’s visit to Delta State as part of government’s search for solutions to the protracted crisis in the region.

The position paper was signed by the President-General of Ndokwa Neku or Ndokwa Nationality Union (NNU), High Chief Johnson Opone. It lamented that Ndokwaland, a major oil and gas area that produces 110,000 barrels daily since AGIP and its joint venture partners commenced operations since 1962 has virtually no commensurate development. 

Ndokwa hosts the AGIP/NNPC joint venture, which owns the 480MW Okpai Power Plant and the Kwale Gas Plant. Other exploration companies flaring gas in the area include Midwestern Oil & Gas, Energia, Platform, Pillar, Sterling Global and Chorus Energy.   

NNU stated: “ The Ndokwa people welcome His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as part of efforts being made to address the crisis occasioned by mindless marginalisation of the Niger Delta people. 
 
“We must confess that issues bordering on the Niger Delta did not start with the present administration; however, it is pertinent that we find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Niger Delta people.  

“Ndokwa people are peace-loving people and have maintained a non-violent approach and must not be taken for granted as our youths are agitated already, hence the need to find solutions.

“Today, Ndokwa Nation is a major oil and gas community in the Niger Delta with AGIP and its joint venture partner’s haven commenced operations in 1962 and continues to do so in Ndokwa communities.  We are hosts to AGIP/NNPC joint venture, which owns the 480MW Okpai Power Plant and the Kwale Gas Plant all in Ndokwa land among others.  

“In addition, we have other companies operating in Ndokwa Land namely, Midwestern Oil & Gas, Energia, Platform, Pillar, Sterling Global and Chorus Energy.  “Today, Ndokwa Nation produces 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day.  When this quantum of production is translated into United State Dollar it tells the Ndokwa contribution to the national coffers.  

“It is worthy to note that the Okpai Power Plant was commissioned in  2005 by the then President, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, who directed NNPC/AGIP to ensure that the host communities in Ndokwa land are given Electricity from Okpai Power Plant taken into cognisance the fact that Kwale Gas Plant supplies Gas to the Power Plant.

“Ndokwa Nation, of which I am the President General, has mandated me to put forward these demands which we considered necessary and fair to appease our people for so many years of neglect. ‘That a 132/33KV Transmission line from the National grid be  constructed with a sub-station in Kwale to service the Electricity need of the Ndokwa people: That a Federal Institution that is, a University or Polytechnic be sited in Ndokwa land as the Ndokwa people presently do not have any Federal Institution in our land; and That Ndokwa land presently has the largest deposits of Gas in the West Africa sub-region and it will only be fair that Ndokwa land owns an LNG project which will meet local demand and export.

“That our people be nominated for political appointment in the position of Ministers, Ambassadors and Head of Government Parastatals among others; That Ndokwa roads, especially those in Ndokwa East be given good roads to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and for the movement of our people; and That a jetty be built at Ase and Okpai to facilitate water transportation. 

“That our people be appointed to various position in the oil companies operating in our communities; That the country be re-structured along the 6 geo-political zones whereby each zone will control its resources and contribute to the centre by paying taxes and the agreed percentages which will be enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and That a bridge be constructed to link Kwale with Okpai across the Ase -Creek (River).”Opone, however, applauded the administration of President Muhammadu  Buhari  for its efforts to resolve the Niger Delta crisis. 

Oil, gas-rich Ndokwa lament neglect, list demands to FG

United Capital, Societe Generale, Orange, others support African SMEs with €77m (Read full details)

United Capital Plc, a leading African investment banking group, has partnered with global financial and corporate institutions to set up a Franco-African Investment Fund (FFA), with investible funds of 77 million euro.

The aim of the fund is to accelerate the growth of innovative and entrepreneurial African and French small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with development projects on both continents.

It is the first cross border investment fund dedicated to the development of African and French SMEs, and will have a lifespan of 10 years.Beyond financial performance, particular attention will be paid to the positive impact of the Fund’s investments in terms of governance, transparency, job creation, and respect for social and environmental values.

The agreement to set up the fund was signed in Bamako, Mali, on Saturday, at the sideline of the Franco African Summit, which was witnessed by the Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, French President Francois Hollande and a host of other global leaders in the private and public sectors.

The Deputy Group CEO of United Capital, Bunmi Akinremi, signed on behalf of the investment firm, a limited partner on the French Africa Fund.Other investors in the  Investment Fund include: Societe Generale Orange, BpiFrance, Africinvet, Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance Sociale of CDI, Proparco (AFD), SAHAM from Morocco, Financecom, the pension fund of the Central Bank of Kenya, and other private investors in Kenya.   The fund is sponsored by BpiFrance and Africinvet.

The participation by United Capital is considered symbolic as it portends a strategic inroad into the continent, which would see it play big in an emerging continental economy.

According to Akinremi, ‘The French government wants to explore growth markets and Africa has been identified as another area of growth. United Capital is keen to encourage the expansion of economic opportunity for Africa’. The Group Chief Executive Officer Oluwatoyin Sanni explained, “United Capital is committed to expanding its investment horizon and identifying prime opportunities to grow returns for its investors not just in Nigeria but on the African continent. The purpose of the fund aligns with what United Capital seeks to achieve in Africa.”

The Fund will be split into half with 50 per cent to be invested in French SMEs, who have interest in doing business in and with Africa and the other half will be invested in African SMEs.

The FFA will invest primarily in African SMEs with high growth potential in order to create champions of regional and even continental statures.Beyond capital contribution, the Fund managers will assist French companies to grow in Africa, and conversely, African companies in their growth strategy in France and Europe.

United Capital, Societe Generale, Orange, others support African SMEs with €77m 

Aubameyang rescues point for Gabon (Read full details)

Gabon’s Didier Ibrahim Ndong (left) challenges Burkina Faso’s Alain Traore during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match at the Stade de l’Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville…<br />yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Hosts, Gabon, had to rely on Skipper Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s 38th minute penalty to rescue a point against Burkina Faso in Libreville yesterday. It was the hosts’ second successive 1-1 draw in the competition, which means they must beat Cameroun in their last game to qualify for the second round of the competition.Préjuce Niguimbé gave Burkina Faso the lead after 23 minutes when he slotted home from close range.

Gabon were held 1-1 by Guinea Bissau in the opening game of the tournament and they once again relied on their talisman, Aubameyang to level the scores yesterday. He converted a penalty he won after being fouled by the opposition goalkeeper.

The result leaves the two sides level on two points with one game to go in the group stage.With Burkina Faso going up against group minnows Guinea Bissau in the last game, a defeat to Cameroun could see Gabon make a shock early exit. Not even a draw would guarantee their progression.

Gabon played without Juventus star, Mario Lemina, but the side did not show any sign of inferiority against the 2013 finalists, who came into the game clearly determined to carry the day.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Baba Rahman is out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to the knee injury he sustained during the Black Stars’ opening 1-0 win over Uganda.Rahman twisted his knee and left the field on a stretcher after Andre Ayew scored a decisive first-half penalty during the Group D clash.

The 22-year-old left-back is on loan at Schalke from Chelsea this season and the Bundesliga club confirmed he had suffered a bruised meniscus.Rahman has returned to Gelsenkirchen for further treatment.

Aubameyang rescues point for Gabon

Experts insist policy option, timing fail Nigeria’s economy (Read full details)

International Monetary Fund

Professionals in the financial industry have insisted that policy choices and timing, particularly in the fiscal and monetary space, have failed the country.This was in response to the assertion by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria’s efforts to save the naira crumbled, resulting to aggravated economic issues.
 
The country was affirmed recessed in August 2016, two years after its major revenue earner- crude oil, lost value in the international commodity market. Thereafter, Nigeria has been flickering between monetary and fiscal policies that many believe have not helped economic activities.
 
The analysts, like the IMF, said government’s response-timing and decisions, were far from the solution, but rather worsened productive activities and general price of goods and services.

 
IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, had in its policy paper on macroeconomic developments and prospects in Low-Income Developing Countries (LIDCs) recently, lambasted Nigeria and other countries for “delayed and poorly managed policy adjustment” in the face of commodity price shock.
 
“Inflation has risen to troubling levels in a handful of cases, concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. Among commodity exporters, large exchange rate depreciations were a key contributor in Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia,” she said.
 
For the analysts, the key feature of Nigeria’s struggles has been blamed on currency policies, which they tagged, “controversial” and questions the apex bank’s independence.
 
In a poll of nine financial experts by The Guardian, only two said the dramatic turn of Nigeria’s economic activities would overwhelm any intelligent person.“In such situation, there is no readymade and quick fix strategy. Everything would be short term target and it would take nothing less than six months to change decision, otherwise speculations and uncertainty will naturally follow,” one that pleaded anonymity said.
 
After insisting on a fixed exchange rate in a bid to manage depleting reserves, the apex bank adopted flexible rates regime but the analysts insisted the market trends show the currency has never been fully floated.
 
Already, World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranked Nigeria 169th out of 190 countries; inflation at 18.55 per cent; interest rate 14 per cent; exchange rate at N305/4 and N490/$ at official and parallel markets respectively; and unemployment 13.9 per cent in third quarter of 2016.
 
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, in far away Davos, Switzerland, admitted that there is a need to close the gap between the official and black market rates for the naira against the dollar “very soon.”“The gap is not helpful. If you look at the economic recovery and growth plan, it is the expectation that this is a conversation we are having with Central Bank,” he said.
 
An economist, Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom, said the so-called “efforts” that failed must be anchored on policy thrust for it to make meaning.“So, where is the policy thrust? Does Nigeria have any economic blueprint on which monetary and fiscal policy will align? As long as I am concerned, the efforts have not been made, it is only intelligent guess work that is ongoing and everything is failing,” he said.
 
Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Femi Ademola, recalled that in 2011, IMF Staff Consultation Report, advised Nigeria to relax the semi-fixed exchange management system and adopt a more flexible exchange rate policy.
 
“With the current economic recession, high inflation and weakened exchange rate despite the consistent monetary tightening since 2011, it would be very valid to conclude that the Nigerian monetary policies have failed.
 
“I have argued consistently that sustained sharp and arguably miscalculated monetary policy tightening would push the economy into a recession where consumers tend to cut down on spending to as low as subsistence.
 
“Besides, there would be business production declines, leading to layoffs and low investments; and foreign appetite for the country’s exports may fall while foreign investments declined significantly. The recent slowdown in the GDP growth is indicative in this regard,” he said.
 
For a financial analyst at WSTC Financial Services Limited, Olutola Oni, said a breakdown of domestic output by income also revealed the lull in economic activities across sectors.
 
According to him, although the non-oil sector grew by a negligible 0.03% in the third quarter of 2016, a reflection of improved access to foreign exchange by some after change of policy, but trend shows that the exercise is only a shift of the peg from N198/$1 to N284/$1, and then to N305/$1.
 
“Lack of price discovery in the foreign exchange market and restrictive policies constricted inflows, while outflows outpaced inflows in all the four quarters of the year. This impacted negatively on external reserves.
 
“The tightly managed foreign exchange stance discouraged capital importation and remittances into the country. The spike in foreign direct investment to $340.64 million in the third quarter compared to an average of $180 million in the first two quarters, after the change in policy further supports this premise,” he said.
 
A Research Associate at Economic Research Southern Africa, Nonso Obikili, also raised a challenge of credibility against the apex bank, asking it to remove controls.He said: “Fiddling with the foreign exchange market is a recipe for economic collapse. The controls and multiple markets need to go and a proper functioning market without price controls needs to be implemented.

 
“The economy is at the lowest it has been in terms of confidence in a long time and needs something of a morale boost – a major reform in one of the sectors could be that boost.”
 
Also, an analyst at SBM Intelligence, Cheta Nwanze, said the elusive political will is now needed to carry out crucial reforms, otherwise Nigeria will still hinge its economic stability on OPEC’s fragile production deal.
 
“But that’s not the only deal critical to Nigeria’s economy in 2017. To take advantage of higher oil prices occasioned by the OPEC agreement, Nigeria will also need to cut a deal with militants in the Niger-Delta to ensure its daily oil production target is met. In all, given the permutations, significant growth appears unlikely in 2017,” he said.

Experts insist policy option, timing fail Nigeria’s economy

Rotary club pledges to promote reading culture among youths (Read full details)

The President of the Rotary Club of Lagos, Mrs. Gladys Modupe Sasore, has said that the club would work towards restoring the dying reading culture among Nigerian youths.
Sasore, who spoke at the club’s second annual president’s dinner in Lagos State, lamented that even though reading culture was fast departing from the youths and even ignored by the society for too long, the club would attempt to execute projects that impact positively on basic education and literacy among others.
  
“During my induction as president, I said we would attempt to execute projects that have to do with basic education and literacy, economic and community development, disease prevention and treatment and so on,” Sasore stated.

She reaffirmed that the club known for it charity works, was already gearing up for this year’s projects of which promoting reading culture among the youths in the society ranks high among others.

 
Guest speaker at the event, Richie Dayo Johnson, urged the club to, as a matter of urgency, redesign its communication so that youths would become more interested in what the club does, and what it stands for.

“One of your goals should be getting younger ones to be part of your organisation and if you want them to be part of it, you need to introduce things that interest them … We need to tell our younger people the things they can do and not what they cannot do.”

Rotary club pledges to promote reading culture among youths