Author: PeakNews

• Senator Dino Melaye is loved by many. He is an iconic leader who was known for his flamboyant and resilient nature. These traits had hitherto seen him achieve a great deal with his life.

The Kogi West Senator is also well noted for his powerful speeches, particularly those he gave at the legislative sessions and also on issues concerning the state of the nation.

Senator Dino has much to teach us about courage, persistence and leadership. He pushed through years and years of hard times to eventually triumph. He is known for facing problems head-on and for ‘never ever giving up”

Here are 75 of my favorite Dino Melaye
quotes. Read them slowly and take away a nugget of inspiration from the man who was known for his no nonsense approach to life.

1. “If you say the truth you will die, if you lie you die. But I have decided to say the truth so that I may die”
2. “No senator is distinguished until all Nigerians are distinguished, no member of the House of Representative is honourable until all Nigerians are honourable. No governor or president is excellent until all Nigerians are excellent “
3. “Security is not the absence of danger but the presence of God. I introduce the true God to you. Trust only Him and you will be above danger”
4. “When GREED is stronger than COMPASSION the people will remain in HUNGER, our leaders at all levels must show the people COMPASSION”
5. “We will also move in order to encourage the made-in-Nigeria products in Nigeria, begin to talk about Made-in-Nigeria women. Apologies to my uncle, the governor of Edo state, we must as a people stop paying dowry in dollars and pounds.”

• Melaye made the comment during the senate pleanary session on March 2, 2016.

1. “And instead repatriating our national patrimony for the purchase of stoves, he has given something to the youth. Let me say, that borrowing this time will be beneficial to the ‘talakawas’, the ‘mekunus’ and the palm-wine tappers in Umuleri”

• Sen. Melaye made the comment on Thursday, January 21, 2016, while contributing his thoughts on the budget proposal.

1. “No deputy or governor or president is excellent until all Nigerians are excellent.”
2. “I am a private investigator if you follow my trend, you will know that I am an anti-corruption person and I take delight in investigating and finding out the leakages and corruption in our system in a way to build a new Nigeria of our dream,”

• Melaye made this declarations on Wednesday December 16, 2015.

1. “I do not have the capability, capacity or powers to individually investigate any government institution, but by presenting primary fact to the senate, the senate will constitute a body that is relevant and proper investigation will be carried.”

• Sen. Melaye explaining the role of the lawmakers.

1. “As legislators what we do is like whistle blowing and when you blow your whistle you may not get 100 percent, but at least it will be a lead,”

• Sen. Melaye explaining he is an ‘anti-corruption person who likes to expose corrupt dealings in Nigeria.

1. “It is time for my colleagues here to become born again”

• Melaye made the comment while supporting a suggestion by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe urging the senate to make laws to encourage the consumption of local goods.

1. “Anyone who is not up to anything who waylaid another will be beaten to a pulp”
2. “My cars cannot underwrite the
   recession problems of this country. Even if you sell my cars now, it will not make Nigeria to come out of recession.”
3. “I’m entitled to my privacy,”

-Dino Melaye reacts to PREMIUM TIMES report on N180 million car

15. ” I sold and hawked like this too. Keep your dream alive. You can and will make it”
16. ” The words ‘thank’ & ‘think’ come from same root. If we would think more, we would thank more.Thanksgiving is good but Thanksliving is better”
    -15 May 2016
17. ” Focus on your real face”
18. ” Praise can rectify your mistakes and multiply your grace.”
    17 Apr 2016
19. ” May we be willing to work for d rewards we so earnestly desire. You can’t climb the ladder of life with your hands in your pockets.”
    15 May 2016
20. “I am so glad that Jesus loves me
    Jesus loves me Jesus loves me
    I am so glad that Jesus loves me
    Jesus loves even me.”
    17 Apr 2016
21. “Rolling before the God that delivers me”
22. ” Brethren, don’t make the mistake of selling urself short. No matter the size of your challenges, you can be sure that you & God can work it together.”

• 8 May 2016

15. “If I speak the truth, I will die. If I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them. I am championing an administrative cause.”

• Sen. Dino Melaye speaking after the failed assassination attempt on him

15. ” I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred. I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Noting will stop me from coming home.”
16. “People may destroy your image, stain your personality but they can’t take away your character because no matter what, you are admired by the people who really know you better”
17. “I sold and hawked like this too. Keep your dream alive. You can and will make it”
18. “The secret of being rich is to continue to be rich. Think outside the box.”
19. “If you have no single supporter, it means you’re dead”
20. “It seems to me that if you wish to
    apply laws to us, it were only reasonable to consult us on them, and from what you have read to me about Parliament, I do not think any personality is invited to go there”
21. The real purpose of the opposition is to minimize the
    amount of money the ruling party will have stolen from the people at the end of its term.”

• Sen. Dino Melaye speaking during his campaign.

15. ” If I speak the truth, I will die, If I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. Conscience is the parliament in our mind. It depends on who holds the majority”
16. “As a man who believes in following the right right process, I will say democracy is probably the only discovery by mankind which mostly brought it only happiness.
17. “Dullness in matters of government is a bad singn, and not a good one, especially in Nigeria.”
18. “I am elected to represent the interest of the masses, and not the party. I have always believed in democracy and I think it has served Nigeria well.”

35 “Since we believed in the rule of law, the senate is the body empowered to perform the legislative duties in the country, we must also recognise there is separation of power.”

36. “If members speak directly to each other, the discussion will more easily degenerate into personalities”
37. “The mere reading of a motion can only impart an imperfect and figurative acquaintance with it. There is no other method for really presenting it to the minds of the members of an assembly, beside that of presenting it to their eyes.”

• Sen. Dino Melaye speaking on a motion raised by Sen. Maxi Ohabuwa. June 2015.

36. “To become an effective politician, the individual must establish goodwill, respect and trust in the eyes of the people.”
37. “Unless the reason for a rule is understood, it is difficult to learn the rule, and it is still more difficult to apply it successfully in practice, so I have chosen always to follow the path of truth and to be the voice of the voiceless”
38. “I am not deterred. I remain resolute to make Kogi State better. A nan with God is always in the majority.”
39. “One man with courage makes a majority”
40. “As a lawmaker, I am not afraid to make mistakes either while learning”

• Sen. Melaye speaking to journaists during an interview.

36. “The rules of the senate are clear. No other body or arm can intimidate us from performing our legislative duties. The senate must be respected.

• Sen Dino Melaye reacting to the failure of the Nigerian Custom boss Hameed Ali to appear before the senate.

36. “We are here to get at the will of the National Assembly to represent the wishes of the masses which is the basis of our actions.”
37. “To represent our various constituencies, we have to accomplish the goals in the best possible manner”
38. “I’m not living my life to be liked , I care less about fitting in. As long as I’m living my purpose I’m willing to be hated on, misunderstood and criticized!”
39. “When your life speaks greatness, this world will do anything to silence the voice . That’s why myself worth is not based on what you think”
40. “I will never live for your validation and your opinions on how I live hold no value to my life!”
41. “Ignorance of the rules and customs of an institution is a heavy handicap to anyone who expects to influence the policy of a society”

• Sen. Dino Melaye reacting to the refusal of the Nigerian Custom boss Hameed Ali to appear before the senate.

36. “God qualifies the unqualified nd disqualified the qualified. In Him I trust”
37. “We can not allow the citizens pay for the incompetence of the Nigerian customs service, borne out of indoctrinated and imbibed corruption”
38. “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle”
39. “Government exist to serve the governed Not the people in government.”
40. “Don’t be bothered about popular hatred due to ignorance. Time is a reveler of truth and reality”
41. “Fear not for me, I’m like the testicle of a He goat, I will dangle but wil not fall. Will speak the truth at all times without fear.”
42. “Muslims can not be terrorists and terrorists can not be muslim. Islam is the religion of peace . We’re brothers Christians and Muslims . We serve one and same God . So stop the killing!”
43. “We’re in precarious situation in this country . We are at a time when people are not sure where the next meal will come from. This government needs to consider the welfare of the people. In enacting any policy, we must look at the social impacts.”
44. “When leaders fail, followers pay the price”
45. “Build your dreams and take a first step towards achieving it . When others see challenges, you see chances.”
46. “Political maturity is not measured by how many grey hairs on your head, it is measured by your ability to listen to your conscience above money.”
47. “Human rights are not only violated by terrorism or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities. We have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few BUT we can’t have both.”
48. “Integrity gives you freedom because you have nothing to fear since you have nothing to hide!”
49. “Never will we allow democracy to be the government of the greedy, by the greedy and for the greedy thereby describing it as Greediocracy”
50. “This house is a house of the people; we must not out of fear of intimidation or harassment refuse to speak the truth.”
51. “It’s easy to see successful people and think they were born that way. The reality is that , every successful person was ambitious and relentless . Persistence is the vehicle you should be most interested in.”
52. “The people owns the government, government does not own the people . People are citizens and not subjects , government must respect her citizens.”
53. “You can either choose to survive or succeed. Nigerian youths choose to succeed . Imbibe the I can do spirit now!”
54. “Once hawked and now a senator, you can make it too. Keep hope alive . Push on with commitment.”
55. “You can get angry for what you don’t have or be thankful for what you have.”
56. “The primary purpose of government is to create satisfied citizens, we all have failed in this regards . Time to act is NOW!”
57. “Emergency patient deserves the best doctor to rescue the patient . Nigeria is in a state of emergency , leaving her in the hands of amature doctors on housemanship is to condemn her to death . The president must act now , and rejig the structure starting from his front line staff to poor performing ministers.”
58. “The true meaning of life is to plant tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
59. “We don’t need more politicians in leadership but more leadership in politicians. We must make Nigeria work , leaders at all levels must be sincere in the project Nigeria!”
60. “Your desire to succeed should be greater than ur fear for failure. Push on, u can make it!”
61. “No longer should we live in a world that totally ignore our neighbours .Be concern, show love, care and prove that we are one people blinded together in one destiny!” From these 75 wonderful quotes, we can draw inspiration and the right motivation to to leadership. The first and fundamental challenge of a man and the world is leadership.

The Kogi West senator has no doubt inspired many by his speeches and charismatic approach to issues.

I have long wondered how much longer it would take for the pretense to modernity and infrastructural development that we claim as a nation to be unraveled, I believe we’re on the threshold of discovering just how inadequate and unprepared we are as a nation to deal with a threat as existential as the one posed by the coronavirus pandemic. In a sense, the virus is a bell sounding an alarm but it is also a harbinger of misery and death.

As the death toll rises, so does the aggregate of our national anxiety. There are little or no assurances to be taken in the advisory of the government as it is obvious that they are equally overwhelmed, not just by the health implications of the virus but the evolving socio-economic impact on the country. To be fair, advanced countries world over are as much out of their depths as we are but apparently are doing a better job in nurturing relative stability in their nation’s economic life. The difference is that while most of these countries saved for projected difficult times, we bled our national coffers servicing the avarice of our political class and did little in diversifying and strengthening our revenue sources.

A time such as this was always predicted to come, though not even our modern day prophets and pundits could have detailed the specifics of the conditions we now live in. Note however that this is why nations save, this is why good leaders improve the earning and spending powers of its people, such that in a time of great difficulty, the survival of the country would be buoyed by a resilient citizenry and a robust economy. The doomsday postulation of elder statesmen, religious and economic leaders, journalists, musicians and writers amongst so many other groups is now upon us. It is inarguable that since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, we’ve made little progress worthy of commendation.

The continuous Lock down seem inevitable, as the race to find a vaccine for the virus continues to be challenged by the novelty of this coronavirus strain and its queer mutation. For Nigeria and Nigerians, every extension of the lockdown further reveals the gaping hole in our social and economic system and as sustenance runs dry, people will get desperate and act without thought for consequence. There have already been multiple reports of armed robberies and intimidation, the numbers of such incidences will rise. There is simply no dignity in hunger, and even wholesomely law-abiding citizens may in the next few weeks, explore unsavory means to make ends meet for their families.

Vision 2020 was once touted as the culmination of the Nigerian aspiration to reach enviable heights of national development, ironically it has become the very year exposing our infrastructural backwardness and the lack of progress over time. Our health system is overwhelmed so much so that a nation of approximately 200 million people cannot boast of 500 ventilators. Not even the Aso Rock clinic had one, until one was installed after having been moved from the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital. On the other hand, directives by the Minister of Education that tertiary institutions begin online lectures was sneered at by ASUU, and with good cause because it is 2020 and we simply do not have the digital sophistication to make this happen: smart phones are pricey, internet access costs are exploitative and the networks are terrible. Yet, one sector that has it worst is our economy.

The 2020 Annual Budget passed by the National Assembly set the crude oil benchmark at $57 per barrel (pb), an unrealistic projection which even at the passing of the budget made all ridiculous by the dip in the value of oil in the international market. As I write, Bonny Light (Nigeria’s trademark oil), sells for $11.1 pb, please note that it costs Nigeria $17-18 to produce a barrel of crude oil, and at this rate, if we sell or don’t, we make losses. Crude oil as a source of national revenue is indeed a Midas’ curse, as it filled the pockets of our political class with gold but imbued it with laziness.

The fall in oil price and a depletion in our national coffers with no new savings means that our government is now broke or will be very broke soon. Invariably, the average citizen who grinds for a living will eventually suffer the most. Private sector workers would be hit hard, jobs will be lost and profit will decline. Public sector workers can expect to be owed salaries for many months, or settle for half pay. Nevertheless, one miracle that may never happen is the application of austere measures in the very running of government itself. Our political class just do not understand the need to cut down on its excesses, but all of the above comes into full effect when we are over this pandemic.

In the interim, people’s stock of food and other supplies will be depleted and the need to source for more food will override common sense for safety. People will hit the streets in search of sustenance and will be confronted by increase in price of goods and services, the naira’s purchasing power will likewise take a dip and the scale of armed robbery can be expected to rise. In all of this, the virus will continue its spread and our overwhelmed health system with a dearth of personnel and equipment (PPE & Ventilators in particular) needed to combat this virus will be unable to do much, hence, we can expect the death toll from Covid-19 to equally hit the roof.

The above isn’t a pessimistic insight, it is a wakeup call to all stakeholders and citizens, to brace up and begin to think of ways to face the incoming challenges. We are equally not testing enough people, and as such do not have a figure that best presents a picture of the spread of this virus. We’ve done just a little over 7,000 tests whilst nations like Ghana, Egypt and South Africa are hitting the 100, 000 mark in short order. For perspective, we are Africa’s most populated nation, we should be testing even more.

The failure of the federal government to fashion out a way to get monetary palliatives across to Nigerians at this time is edgy. It is one of two things, they either don’t care enough or do not have the means to. The lack of transparency in the touted disbursement of N20,000 incentives to some household begs the belief that it ever happened, and that even if it did, only a few households benefited with a bulk of the funds spirited away as usual.

Nevertheless, things are not as usual. This is not the time for “business as usual”. I urge all Nigerians to be impatient with government fumbling during this time. This is a time to demand to be cared for after years of pampering the political class with our docility and siddon-look behaviour. 2020 is revealing to us the truth that we have made no appreciable progress as a nation. But we equally have a role to play during this time.

We must stay at home and minimize movements strictly for the acquisition of essentials. Protect ourselves at all times and stay updated anyway we can on the virus, its nature and spread. Telecom companies, some of which have made contributions to the national coffers for combatting this virus, could play another role at this time: cut down on data and call costs, satellite or dish TV providers can do same. This is also the time for the federal government to place a price ceiling for certain goods, especially food items, and mandate the federal grain reserves to distribute grains nationwide, either for free or at give-away prices. Of course, there is also the need to cut down on the cost of running the government itself, let’s save money and get it across to homes who need it badly during this period.

I want to conclude by noting that there is, in fact, no middle class in Nigeria. You’re either rich or poor, and the last group make up for over 85% of the population. Every Nigerian is only a terminal illness away from being broke. Now that we have a pandemic, it has become more apparent that we’ve lived our lives as a nation with the wrong priorities.

On a lighter note, I’m a bit disappointed in our clergy, especially the prophetic ones. So no one could warn us ahead of such a time? No miracle cures? I do not say this to make fun of them, by the way, it is simply a time of despair. It is commendable that a few notable churches and church leaders have made monetary contributions running into millions to the fight against this virus. Of course, that opens up another discussion as to how they can afford to do this considering churches are, technically, non-profit making organizations. Yet at the moment, we need all the help we can get and that is all that matters now.

Fellow Nigerians, let’s stay home and stay safe.

Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq., is a Public Interests Lawyer and the Principal Partner at Pelumi Olajengbesi & Co. Law Corridor.

Sometimes, even when it’s customary and more like a ritual, it still becomes a big deal to do the normal. At times like this, it’s hard to say: Rest In Peace. The worry of wishing peace for the undeserving comes to mind, but can we even help it?

The novel Corona Virus (Covid-19) blew like a catastrophic wind, and has now thrown open, all the agelong lapses in virtually all that we do as a nation and people. This Covid-19 has not only shown that we have no health sector, but that as a nation, we have failed near completely.

Indeed, President Muhammad Buhari who today occupies the number one seat in the land isn’t to be blamed alone. We must be true and fair about this. There has been many administrations come and gone before his. They’ve individually and collectively failed, and failed woefully.

Any nation that has failed to take her health sector, as well as education sector seriously is heading to doom. It seems Nigeria is currently experiencing her doomsday (apology to fellas)! What has befallen us at this time and moment, has shown how unserious we are as a nation and people. Our level of unpreparedness and unreadiness to face challenges is stupefying to say the least.

The health sector, as well as her sister, the education sector are the bedrocks of any truly progressive nation and people. They deserve all the financing, all the support and should at all times, be headed by those who truly know of its premium importance to life and the people.

Health they say is wealth. It’s only the living that has and makes plans, then moves to achieving those. However, the dead are helpless. This is why nations that we admire and look at as progressives understand the importance of excellent healthcare delivery to her people. However, this isn’t so with Nigeria and her crop of misleaders.

Education also plays a lead role towards the navigation of the path to nation building, growth and sustenance. This is why the education of the youth and people is integral in every sane nation. The educated understands narratives, has world view and knows when and how to grow with trends of the moment and work out modalities to true progress. This is sadly, elusive of Nigeria.

Covid-19 came with a devastation that has brought the world to a standstill and to her knees. The way things are done and understood has suddenly changed. Everyone is terrified by its intimidating power, destructions and far-reaching limitations. Our way of life and everything else relating to same has been changed by this singular faceless enemy.

The almighty St. Peter’s Square, the Pope’s Basilica which usually has hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually coming to celebrate the Easter Tridum with the Pontiff, for the very first time in modern history, had the Pope and a handful of Priests, even distancing from him too, celebrating mass to an empty St. Peter’s Square.

The usual pilgrims that flood Mecca, Medina and other great choice destinations, be it in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else for Islamic rituals have all remained shut!

No one remembers that Dubai is a choice destination as the city is near totally locked down. New Yorkers have come to terms that for a fact, that same city state of New York that never sleeps, has remained asleep for onwards of one solid month. A lot has happened and a lot of things has continued to change. All these are fallouts from this novel Corona Virus.

Africa seemed even safer, however, maybe not entirely safe. Africa’s greatest problem is self-deception. There’re possibilities of hundreds of carriers of Covid-19, but just like Burundi that has claimed non-existence of the virus in their nation, but when asked, they claimed that “they do not have testing kits”. One needs to have testing kits to be able to detect carriers of the virus.

The Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President, Abba Kyari who many see as the actual President of Nigeria upon return from an electricity negotiation deal abroad on behalf of the Federal Government came in with the dreaded virus. When he tested positive, treatments commenced immediately. The Government used everything within her reach to manage and treat him. However, it’s been a sad ending, as it has now been announced that he’s dead.

The news of the demise of Abba Kyari has thrown Nigerians into two groups. The mourners and the hailers. This is the sad reality. Abba Kyari’s death has also come with its own lesson, particularly to the Nigerian political elitist class – no one is safe, and no one may be spared!

The annual allocation to the Aso Rock clinic is huge, yet the President himself never gets to actually use it. Infact, it’s a big shame that the President often jets-off to Britain to treatment ailments as common as ear infection. What does that make of Nigeria? No hospital in Nigeria is equipped so well, to be capable of treating even common ear infections.

Abba Kyari is President Muhammad Buhari’s right hand man. When Buhari wakes up, he sees him first, and before Buhari goes to bed, he sees him last. Infact, in more ways than one, Mr. Kyari is often looked upon as the alpha and omega of the Aso Rock Villa, for whatsoever he approves of becomes law and binding on all, and what he refuses may never scale through. He’s seen as being more powerful than even the President’s wife, First Lady, Aisha Buhari.

When we have privileges and opportunities, we must work to use those privileges to impact positively, so that posterity would be gracious and kind in judging us.

Abba Kyari held jealously and all to himself, President Buhari’s ear and heart. Abba Kyari had the opportunity to change the narratives for the better. Abba Kyari had the capacity to insist on President Buhari to improve Nigerian healthcare. He didn’t do all those. And now, at death, everything pops up to mind.

Abba Kyari just like many other persons occupying positions of power and authority was more concerned in primitive accumulation of wealth. The President’s Chief of Staff cared more about what he could get from the system. He didn’t care if the entire Nigerian people got to hell, all that matter even to his last moments, were even his ambition to if possible, take the place of President Buhari when he completes his tenure.

The truth is – not every person writing Rest In Peace for Abba Kyari genuinely mean it. A bulk majority actually pray his soul rest in pieces. Some proclaim of “no peace for the wicked”. Some extend their peaceful wishes to his soul, merely because they cannot do otherwise; deep down, they’re even happy and thankful to God for taking him out of the way.

Kyari’s death has divided a thin line between mourners who make fun of him, and true mourners. Well, the former constitute a bigger percentage.

This Corona Virus is teaching Nigeria and the rest of the world the importance in some of those things that we have always ignored and taken for granted, but that truly mattered. Infact, even those that had remained available and within reach, have suddenly become either less needed, or utterly of no use.

The lesson to Nigeria is bogus. They’re too many. However, the greatest worry is – would the Nigerian political class and her populace ever learn? Politicians must now realize that it’s not gonna be business as usual, just for times like this, moments of unforeseen contingencies.

Our education, as well as our health sector must take premium in whatsoever becomes of the nation. We can’t trade it in for anything else. The world and nations has shut their doors and boarders, and there’s no place to run to. We are all in this mess together. We either heal our nation or be overtaken by the inevitable.

Abba Kyari’s death is a subtle reminder that we are nothing, and that just within a split second, everything about us can be lost and forgotten. All we owned and acquired, used and unused, treasured and safe-kept, known and hidden may become futility after all.

The Yoruba have a very powerful quote that leads many of their thinking, ideologies and pursuits. Yoruba pride in the quote: ’Oruko rere, san ju wura oun fadaka lo’, which when literary translated reads: “good name surpasses gold and silver”. We should strive to always work to have our names crested positively on the heart of men and on the sand of time.

I dare ask, “what would you be remembered for?” What or who would Abba Kyari be remembered for? The good he brought upon himself and us all, or his many bad deeds? We all can keep this in mind, for when we are looked for, and we are no more, same would be asked of and about us.

Let me conclude with the Beatitudes, the seventh out of the eight Beatitudes of Jesus reads thus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”. Therefore, it’s not enough to wish Abba Kyari a peaceful rest, we should take into cognizance of a fact, “whilst he lived, was he a peaceful man”, for as the saying goes: there’s no peace for the wicked.

I comfort the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, and other staffers of the Presidency. I comfort his immediate family, associates, well wishers, staffers and indeed all those who are genuinely pained by his demise. It must really be a tough time for you all. I share in your grief.

Death is an inevitable end; whether good of bad, no sane mind wishes death upon another. We pray that heavens may be merciful in judging his transgressions. In the end, may peace be with his soul, Insha Allah.

May Abba Kyari’s death remind us that we are only passers-by, along this journey of life and may it heal Nigeria.

The Man Behind The Pen.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says the conditional cash transfer initiative of the federal government is fraught with faults.

Sadiya Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, had said that the ministry had commenced cash transfer to the poorest households in the country to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

But in an interview with Fresh FM 105.9 on Monday, Makinde, who recovered from COVID-19 in less than a week, said he is not impressed with how the poor are identified.

The governor claimed 80 per cent of the funds meant for disbursement in the state is wasted, adding that the remaining 20 per cent is meagre and inconsequential.

Asked if he wanted to “police” the initiative, Makinde said he has no plans to, though he remains dissatisfied with it.

“About, I think two days ago, in our meeting, the task force meeting, the head of service [Mrs Ololade Agboola] informed me that the conditional cash transfer from the federal government is going to give N20,000 to people in ten local government areas of Oyo state. I said ‘okay, fine. I mean it’s good that you are informing me.’ But this is a programme that predates this administration and I have never been impressed for one day by how they’ve identified the poorest of the poor and the impact,” Makinde said.

“So, I see this as an opportunity for us to ensure that we get to the real people that require those palliatives; that’s one. Secondly, once we are able to get this right, that will become the pillar upon which we can build for future efforts. And once we have been able to do it right once, we won’t have to go back to the foundation again.

“The data is already being collated by our people in the field. They started yesterday. And, I can promise the people of Oyo state that it’s not going to be business as usual, where we show a pile of foodstuffs in some warehouse somewhere and in the end, this won’t get to the people who really need it. That will not happen in Oyo state.

“Well, I am not policing it. All I am saying is I am not satisfied. I have done a little bit of work on it in terms of gathering intelligence, finding out if this money is actually getting to the people that require it, and part of my findings are that no, close to 80 per cent of that money is wasted and 20 per cent that actually gets to some form of individuals is too little and too meagre to have the desired impact. That is my own finding.

“Well, it is a federal government initiative. We will keep engaging them and more than likely, change the coordinator. Because, I do have control over the coordinator of that programme. I will change the coordinator and also when we are able to get our own data right, we will tweak it to ensure that the actual people, the real people that require this assistance, are the ones getting it.”

On the preparedness of the state government to tackle the disease should there be a rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in the state, Makinde said efforts are in place to see to it that 10,000 people in the state are tested.

He said there is a lot of “cheap talk at the top level”, adding that “as a state, we really have to take our fate in our hands”.

“But what I can say is that we have been working round the clock to ensure that we have the capability to test, to isolate and quarantine confirmed cases and ensure health workers are adequately protected,” he said.

“I believe yesterday, we… you know they have been making a lot of noise in the newspaper. Oh Jack Ma, they have some items for us so I sent the people at the Oyo state liaison office. First, at the NGF [Nigeria Governors’ Forum] meeting, I was told that those items were sent to the liaison offices. So, I called the liaison office for Oyo state in Abuja and said ‘did you receive it?’ They said ‘no’. So, eventually, they asked them to come to somewhere in Jabi to collect those items.

“They brought them yesterday. Well, I thank them but it is nothing compared to what we require. I mean it’s just some gloves, protective equipment, maybe like 25 coveralls or something like that. So, there seems to be a lot of talk… cheap talk really, at the top level. So, as a state, we really have to take our fate in our hands, you know.

“So, it’s also the reason why we pushed for a testing centre in Ibadan so we can test more people who may have come in contact with COVID-19 cases. And my aspiration, which I already discussed with the task force team, and the EOC [Emergency Operations Centre], is that we must set a target to test close to 10,000 people in Oyo state.

“It’s ambitious but just watch us, we will do it. We are setting up to have that done. For us, if we are able to meet that target, we will be able to map the state correctly. Yeah, we can wall off communities if we see cases of the virus in those communities. It is the only way that we can stay ahead of the curve and get a handle of what is really going on in Oyo state.”

MTN Nigeria PLC (MTN) has announced that Nigeria has become the first country in West Africa to trial 5G technology and applications.
TechEconomy.ng broke the news about the 5G trial by MTN Nigeria.

The Demo is as the result of a strong collaboration between the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, MTN and Huawei (Abuja), ZTE (Calabar) and Ericsson (Lagos.)

5G trial in Nigeria
Pantami led other guests at the demo session

This immersive demo and experience will travel across three Nigerian cities to showcase the capabilities of 5G and its potential to enable economic growth, and social inclusion.

By working together, MTN and its partner – Huawei, were able to provide a glimpse into a range of 5G use cases and applications at a test Lab designed to show proof-of-concept in Abuja.

Standing alongside former Super Eagles captain, legendary Joseph Yobo, attendees got to match their skills against an artificial-intelligence powered goalie; immerse themselves in a high-speed, low-latency virtual reality gaming world; experience ultra-high speed streaming and downloads on 5G devices; and engage in discourse with life-like holographic projections.

5G trial in Nigeria
5G trial in Nigeria

3D holographic communication has potential applications for education, medical imaging, video conferencing and gaming, and requires about four times as much data as a streamed 4K video.

That means that 5G is best suited to support this kind of application on a mobile network and to enable its use. It also demonstrates how 5G has the potential to support key socio-economic objectives Nigeria has set for itself, and to be a key contributor to the emergence of a fully digital economy.

5G trial in Nigeria
…Powered by MTN Nigeria

MTN was honoured to host the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; the Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, and the Chairman, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Garba Danbatta; House of Representatives, Committee on Communications, Honourable Akeem Adeyemi at the launch event, without whom the demo would not have been possible.

Speaking shortly after taking a tour of the exhibition booths, Dr. Pantami underlined the potential of 5G for sustainable growth. “I believe as long as we are able to handle the potential challenges, the deployment of 5G is very critical to our economy, because of so many advantages of 5G, the issue of latency, speed and many more.”

5G trial in Nigeria
Demo session

Stressing the importance of an enabling regulatory framework and protecting telecommunications infrastructure, Dr. Pantami stated that on the instruction of the President, he has signed a draft Executive Order declaring telecommunications infrastructure ‘critical national infrastructure’ which has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for review. The Minister referred to the proposed Executive Order as a short-term measure, stressing that the President has instructed that a proper legislation be facilitated to deal conclusively with threats to telecommunications infrastructure.

5G trial in Nigeria
CEO of MTN Nigeria

Highlighting the importance of partnerships, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said “Pushing boundaries is easier when your aspirations are supported by likeminded people. We are here today because of the support and guidance of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission who provided the trial spectrum used for this.”

Also key to this achievement are our equipment vendors who shared our vision, and whose capabilities were brought to bear in making the 5G trials across the country a reality. We are grateful for these partners, our customers and everyone who made it possible. Today’s success underlines the fact that we are good together.”

5G trial
Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mazen Mroue, stated that “In collaboration with our technical partners and the support of the Federal Government, we are proudly putting Nigeria on the 5G technology map. As we continue to invest in technology solutions to meet the wide needs of our customers, MTN will continue to strengthen these partnerships as we move to build our 5G capacity in future, guided by the standards and spectrum set by the Nigerian Communications Commission.”

In addition to the bandwidth increase for seamless video streaming or the next social application playground, 5G technology supports real-time, ultra-reliable communication between massive numbers of devices.

First 5G trial in Nigeria
Pantami, Danbatta and Chairman of MTN on 5G trial. Photo Credit: Yakubu Musa/Facebook

It creates vast possibilities in innovation and transformation, and will immensely improve quality of living, as users gain a better experience of services and technology in general – from financial services, healthcare, education, and even public service delivery to more leisurely purposes, such as video streaming services, gaming and even self-driving cars.

“5G offers tremendous benefits in terms of speed, latency (less delays), efficiency and security. This pilot offers a unique opportunity for us to explore use-cases and applications in Nigeria, and we are excited about its potential for our country and our company” noted the Chief Technical officer, MTN Nigeria, Mohammed Rufai.

Following the successful demonstration in Abuja, the 5G-demo train moves to Calabar and Lagos.

5G trial
Stakeholders at the 5G trial

In addition to which 5G trials will be run in four other cities across the country.

The 5G trial will run for three months utilizing trial spectrum allocated to MTN by the NCC.