01062019 - APC lawmakers move against party

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42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 1, 2019 Govt needs to invest in manpower, healthcare to develop economy —Medsaf Boss Stories by Moses Nosike ivian Nwakah is the founder of Medsaf, a tech-enabled Vmedication supply chain management solution for hospitals and pharmacies. She grew up in Chicago where she started a chain of home healthcare agencies that expanded across the Midwest. Nwakah has travelled several countries of the world before before settling in Nigeria full time. In this interview with Nosike Moses, she revealed how the challenges of widespread fake medication and fake malaria drug killed her friend made her found Medsaf to reduce preventable death and streamline the pharmaceutical industry. Excerpts: Nigerians would like to know the vision of Medsaf and its focus? Yes! I spent most of life in Chicago, US and I got the chance to open home healthcare agencies across Illinois and Indiana. That exposed me to the business side of healthcare. Afterwards I entered a business school program where I studied at IAE, Sorbonne in Paris, France, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and J. Mack Robinson College, Georgia Atlanta. I was traveling around the world, thinking about the world with business mindset before connecting back to my roots in Nigeria because I wanted to give back in some way. My parents left Nigeria in the 1970s. So I came back to Lagos to do an internship and that is how I got here. While doing my internship, a friend of mine died while taking a fake malaria pill and that opened my eyes to see some of the challenges in the Nigerian healthcare system. I felt a calling to help and be a part of the solutions to fix these problems. How long have you been in this business of healthcare management and the impacts so far? I started working on this concept about four years ago, trying to understand different ways I can make the concept work. It stemmed from the idea that quality medication is a fundamental human right and it is not fair that anyone should have to worry about receiving poor healthcare. We saw that pharmaceutical distribution was a huge challenge, an area that could be fixed with technology. Two and half years ago, we launched Medsaf as a service provider to hospitals for quality control along with other services like inventory management planning as well as providing them with quality medication at an affordable price. The impact on Nigeria so far has been huge. We brought this idea of quality medication back into spotlight. Our team is going to the hospitals and pharmacies talking about the need to have good quality medications and streamline procurement. We want to ensure that those hospitals working with us have good medications and that imparts on the patient. Considering the cost of financing healthcare, are you into partnership to actualise this dream? This concept that quality medication is a fundamental human right speaks to everybody. Everybody knows somebody who has been impacted by medication or the healthcare industry and it touches you and your family. So when we go to hospitals, we tell them what we want to achieve and help them gain access to quality medication at an affordable price. So the pharmaceutical manufacturers would like to do the right thing for the operation by manufacturing quality medication and making sure that it gets to the patients to save lives. For the hospitals, pharmacies and manufacturers, it is always a winwin. How can you describe health sector in Nigeria? The Nigerian health sector suffers the same challenges other sectors of the economy suffer. It suffers from silo efforts where you have the people trying to do the right thing all on their own, like an island. There is no collaboration in the system. Everybody tries to do the best they can, but don’t realize collaboration is the key to push the sector to a higher level. There is a billion dollar medical tourism industry of people leaving Nigeria every year getting healthcare elsewhere and many are dying there in China, India, and other places. Whereas Nigeria could be the gold standard of healthcare in the world. If you go to the United States, every single top hospital there is a Nigerian doctor working there. I come from a family of healthcare providers where the whole hospital is Nigerian. Imagine the potential that Nigerians have, to be the smartest, greatest and the most successful in other countries. Yet you come to Nigeria and see a healthcare system where people are running away. Nigeria could be the gold standard of the world and I see the potential for Nigeria. Maybe not in my lifetime, but in my grand-kids lifetime. But I want to spread the word that if everybody works together in partnership, this country could be the best. Government role... It wasn’t the government who created the railroads, it wasn’t the government who created the infrastructure, it was the entrepreneurs of the time. If you look at JP Morgan Chase, he was an entrepreneur and he built and institutionalized and became something that was adopted by the government. So if you look at other countries, if you look at history, there’s a clear indication that the government needs to work with entrepreneurs. Government needs to work with people who are motivated who are building things efficiently fast and effectively and adopt those as policies. So until the government starts to do that it will be difficult to advance. I said because that is if you look at Silicon valley, we have Silicon Valley investors. Silicon Valley was built by the US government. The US government pumped billions of dollars into entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to create the army technology of the time. Now Silicon Valley start-ups are the Unicorns of the world today. You got Uber in Nigeria, you got Paypal, Facebook, name any company that has taken over the entire world came from Silicon Valley because the US government put the money there. So Nigeria has all the answers, all the resources, all the brilliant minds around the entire world. It’s up to the government to say we’re going to invest money into the people to make this country great again. Eradicating poverty among Nigerian women... If I look back in history, women especially in some cultures that pertain to Nigeria, women are the backbone of everything. In the Nigerian family, women are in position of power and women are important to making things work. More importantly women need a chance to fly. If I look at myself, I’m where I am because some people believe in me and gave me a chance to fly without any question, without any strings attached to it. They said, there is a potential in you, the way you think and do things and they invested on me. If you look at your family, can your mum do what your dad is doing, yes she can. Women are powerful, they are running businesses. The recent introduction of Hollandia Evaporated Milk’s 120g pack size affectionately referred to as “Pere” has been met with commendation from consumers. The new “Pere” pack is being seen as an irresistible way to deliver wholesome nutritious evaporated milk in a distinctive packaging. At a N100 price point, Hollandia Evap 120g “Pere” pack has endeared itself to millions of consumers across Nigeria for its unique creamy taste and nourishing value in a convenient pack. It is tailored to fit specific consumer needs with quantity benefits and AYE’s $180 per applicant targets ts one million entrepreneurs Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) has launched the Mission 1 Million Entrepreneurs (M1ME), a flagship training and development initiative, valued at $180 per applicant, to intellectually equip and provide knowledge driven support systems to one million African entrepreneurs. The initiative, funded by Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, is set to run for the next seven years, and will be completed in 2025. The Press Secretary and the Regional Manager of A.Y.E, Mrs. Joy Michael said: “The initiative is in line with key integral elements of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, and is poised to address the crucial subject of human capital deficit which has plagued the continent for years and stifled its economic projections. “The M1ME initiative has been in the works in the last two years, and has been subjected to extensive research and global consultations. The initiative, which was approved by the Board of the Organisation in April 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa, will be piloted in five countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda.” AYE President Summy Smart Francis said: “Given the ambitions of African countries on moving towards knowledge-based economies, the introduction of this initiative is timely. The African continent is decades behind in admirably competing with emerging economies across the world”. Peak Milk commences breakfast culture P eak Milk, Nigeria’s supreme dairy brand has begun a crusade on the importance of a healthy breakfast – and why it is the ideal tool enabling your day to start and end well. The campaign is aimed at creating a counterculture through series of experiential and media-led activities which reinforces the breakfast custom. As a part of awareness campaign and build up to 2019 World Milk Day today, the flagship product from dairy giant, FrieslandCampina WAMCO stormed key cities in Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Abuja, and Oyo states, where children were surprised and served with sumptuous breakfast banquets during the Childrens Day parades across the country. Speaking, the Marketing Manager for Peak Milk, Maureen Ifada said, “A lot of working-class Nigerians do not bother about having breakfast and most of those who do often do not find the time. Therefore, in our steadfastness to supporting Nigerians to be unstoppable, our brand is committed to cultivating a breakfast tradition which sets the tone of your day, from start to finish. Also, as a tribute to the local dairy farmers whose raw milk is purchase and used in the production of Peak Milk, executives from FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) visited and served breakfast to dairy farmers and pastoralists in Iseyin and neighbouring communities in Oyo State. Being pioneers of the Dairy Development Programme (DDP) in Nigeria, the Peak Brand prides itself as a product being sourced through an initiative which emphasises gender inclusion and is significantly improving food and nutrition security in the country. According to Ifada, by choosing a balanced breakfast, people can get off to the right start and fill-in the gaps likely to be missing in their diet. “Milk is a perfect breakfast complement, as it remains one of the richest natural sources of vitamins and minerals; enhancing growth and development of mental and physical performance. So, enjoy a Peak breakfast today – your guaranteed enabler to start well and end well, Ifada concluded. 16 Interns graduate from Interswitch developer academy S ixteen interns have graduated from the first cohort of the Interswitch Developer Academy in Lagos. The interns were drawn from various tertiary institutions across Nigeria. As part of its commitment to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Nigeria, Interswitch recruited a number of software engineers to participate in the six-month internship programme which held at the company’s headquarters. According to Interswitch, the vision draws inspiration from the renaissance that Nigeria has witnessed in its entertainment sector which have witnessed a great boom in recent years owing to the enterprising spirit of Nigerians, and with very little dependence on government intervention. The Academy, which took the form of an internship programme, began in December 2018. These fresh graduates from the Interswitch internship programme were selected through a careful process. The six-month intensive training was focused on basic engineering theories as well as real-life applications. Some of the interns will be retained as Interswitch staff, while the others will be prepped to join the wider Nigeria workforce. Speaking at the conclusion of the training, Interswitch’s Chief Information Officer (Technology), Babafemi Ogungbamila, said that it was really an amazing experience with the interns, noting that their commitment, readiness to learn and determination eventually paid off. “It is amazing seeing young people show passion about STEM. Certificates were also presented to all the participants. Hollandia new pack ‘Pere’ gaining consumers interest reasonably connects with an affordable price point. Across neighbourhood shops and departmental stores, the “Pere” pack has grown increasingly popular as more consumers consider it a favourite for its high quality, convenience and affordability, whenever they desire a creamy addition to their cup of tea, coffee, or meals. Mr. Oluseyi Adeniyi, a brand consultant with MarketingPlus said that while Hollandia Evap is already a household name in Nigeria for its product quality, affordability and satisfaction, its new 120g “Pere” pack size is a packaging innovation that is making inroads with its convenient portion size. “The Hollandia Evap 120g “Pere” pack size is an innovative pack that offers a good on-shelf presentation and delivers fresh appeal in addition to its creamy goodness. The pack’s increasing popularity is driven by consumer trends and desire for convenient portion size, more personal choice and affordability”. For Ezekiel Usman, a student of University of Ibadan, “Hollandia Evap is a creamy and highly nutritious milk. He noted that as students, it was imperative to settle for value adding products that are pocket friendly, and the new “Pere” pack fits the bill for his daily use. Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Roy Deepanjan, expressed delight on the feedback received so far from consumers. He stressed that the Hollandia Evap 120g “Pere” pack size has captured consumer affection by being value maximizing and innovative.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 1, 2019 — 43 APC Crisis: More state chapters back Oshiomhole •Demand apology from Shuaibu •Say his letter a personal opinion BY OMEIZA AJAYI AMID divergent positions over call for the resignation of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, party chairmen from the South- South geopolitical zone have passed a vote of confidence in him. The chairmen described the demand by the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Sen Lawali Shuabi as his personal opinion. They noted that having looked into the allegations made by the Deputy National Chairman, nothing questionable was found about the stewardship of Oshiomhole. Apologise to the party Consequently, Shauibu was asked to apologise to the National Chairman or face disciplinary actions. These were contained in a communiqué issued after an investigation into the issues raised by Shuaibu in his letter which demanded the resignation of the national chairman over sundry allegations. The Deputy National Chairman had in the May 27, 2019 letter titled: APC: It’s Fortune and Misfortune, Time to Act,” accused Oshiomhole of polarising the party and lacking the requisite capacity to effectively run its affairs. However, the state chairmen said the issues in the letter did not reflect the views of the generality of party stakeholders. The communiqué issued to that effect after a meeting in Abuja yesterday was signed by Mr. Ini Okopido, Akwa Ibom; Mr. Amos Lalabunafa, Bayelsa State; Mr. John Ochalla, Cross River, and Prophet Jones Erue; Delta State. Others are Mr. Aslem Ojezua, Edo State; and Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Rivers State. Personal opinion The statement reads: “The state chairmen rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja which was called to review the content of the said letter and to critically evaluate the situation, came to the view that the Deputy National Chairman North, merely expressed his personal opinion on perceived issues which is not a reflection of the views of the generality of party stakeholders who are yet to find anything untoward in the stewardship of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. “It was the landmines created by his predecessor, who was bent on destroying the party before departing that fueled the unfortunate situation. We wonder why Sen Shuaibu is just realising the issues he raised barely a few days after the national Working Committee,NWC, set up a committee to look into petitions against highly placed party stakeholders who were glaringly involved in anti-party activities which were responsible for the loss of the number of states mentioned in his letter visa-viz the depletion in the numbers of elected Senators in the just concluded 2019 elections. “We debunk the allegations of highhandedness against the National Chairman with particular reference to the altering of National Working Committee decisions as a plot to crucify the National Chairman over his uncompromising stance on truth. Unprovoked attacks “We call for restraint on the part of Senator Lawal Shuaibu asking him to employ more civilised ways of expressing whatever private grievance he has against the National Chairman instead of playing to the gallery by granting interviews to launch unprovoked attacks on the National Chairman and by extension, the very party he claims to love. “The state chairmen wondered whose interest the media outburst seeks to serve and its original intention. The National Chairman cannot be removed on the pages of newspapers because the constitution of the party which Senator Lawal Shuaibu subscribed to, as a member of the NWC, clearly guarantees the tenure of office of the party’s National Chairman and the processes of removing him from office. “The Deputy National Chairman North is hereby given seven days to apologise to the National Chairman in order not to receive the wrath of party members in the South- South. “The state chairmen also frowned on the intermittent and most unjustifiable attacks on the National Chairman who have maintained unblemished records since joining active politics and has ensured internal democratic norms are entrenched in the party since his assumption of office. “What the Deputy National Chairman, North has done is tantamount to creating disaffection amongst party faithful. This is very offensive to the constitution of our great party. “We hereby pass a vote of confidence in the National Chairman and vowed to resist any attempt to blackmail him out of office for standing against the injustice that had hitherto been the hallmark of his predecessor’s leadership.’’ These came on the heels of support from the party’s chapters in Oyo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Osun, Enugu, and Abia states. Its chapters in Imo and Sokoto states, however, backed the call by Sen Shuaibu. Reject cultists, ungodly politicians, Dickson tells Bayelsa people By Samuel Oyadongha GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has called on the people of the state to reject cultists and ungodly politicians aspiring to govern the state after his tenure in 2020. A statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having made the comment during the monthly Praise Night for May, in Yenagoa on Thursday night. Dickson also called on the people to be vigilant and supportive to the party, and to await the discovery of the leader God Himself had picked to rule the state after him. He stressed that the person anointed to lead the state was known to God and waiting to be discovered. Dickson predicted that the contest of the governorship of the state would be characterised by a lot of trials, temptations and fierceness because of the high price of the state. He said, “You should be vigilant and support your party and government. Pray for God’s direction. This earth has no power to give what God has not given. The leader God has anointed is there. He is waiting to be discovered.
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