29032020 - El Rufai tests positive as experts insist on Total lockdown

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PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 29, 2020 A •Happiness DJ TTB, Sose, others to host MTV B<strong>as</strong>e’s Instagram Live s part of the brand’s efforts to get young people to stay home, practice social distancing and stop the spread of the Covid – 19 virus, MTV B<strong>as</strong>e h<strong>as</strong> announced that it will be hosting a live party on its Instagram page (@mtvb<strong>as</strong>ewest) every Friday and Saturday nights. The virtual party is modelled after the entertainment channel’s muchloved show, ‘DJ Takeover with DJ TTB’ that airs on MTV B<strong>as</strong>e, DStv channel 322 and GOtv channel 72 by 8 pm on Fridays and 9 pm on Saturdays. It will see DJ TTB and a number of other renowned celebrity DJs including DJ Crowd Kontroller, DJ Sose, DJ Abosede and others take turns on the wheels of steel to entertain the thousands of fans that will join the Instagram Live sessions. The Instagram live sessions will be on @mtvb<strong>as</strong>ewest from 7 pm – 8 pm, and 10 pm – 12midnight on Fridays; <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> from 8 pm – 9 pm and 11 pm – 1 am on Saturday nights. It is a 5-hour non-stop entertainment with the best of DJ mixes across MTV B<strong>as</strong>e’s linear (TV) and online platforms. Speaking on the initiative, Senior Channels Manager, Solafunmi Oyeneye said, “With the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant urgent need for social distancing, we are reminded that now, more than ever, entertainment brands like us have an important responsibility to the society. At MTV B<strong>as</strong>e, we are committed to putting a smile on people’s faces and making the situation we all currently find ourselves in, <strong>as</strong> bearable <strong>as</strong> possible, by not just entertaining people but also educating them on the importance of social distancing. So the Instagram Parties will go live on @mtvb<strong>as</strong>ewest every Friday from 7 pm to 8 pm when the party will be moved to the MTV B<strong>as</strong>e channel on TV for two whole hours and then back to Instagram Live until midnight. On Saturdays, the party will kick off on Instagram by 8 pm, move to TV by 9 pm and then back on Instagram by 11 pm.” The online party is part of several activities around VCN Africa’s #AloneTogether campaign which w<strong>as</strong> created to encourage social distancing and let people know that even though they may be physically apart from their friends and loved ones, they are together in the efforts to kick out Covid-19. It takes more than money to be beautiful •DJ Sose — Happiness Adebayo One of the most qualified persons to talk about beauty and staying beautiful in Nigeria, Happiness Adebayo, Chief Executive Officer of Glee Luxury Hair and Skincare, who is widely regarded <strong>as</strong> number one in Africa in the business of human hair and skincare h<strong>as</strong> highlighted what it takes for a woman to be beautiful. She made the declaration in a recent interview with Potpourri that money is very important and that beauty to a great extent, is inborn, but nonetheless <strong>as</strong>serted that it is much more than that. She said while beauty means different things to different people, it actually takes a happy woman to be beautiful. “It takes happiness for beauty to radiate so much in you and of course, a touch of Glee Luxury Hair and Skincare products. Being really beautiful <strong>as</strong> a woman means appreciating your true self, never wanting to be someone else and having the mindset that there isn’t a better you” she said. “Well, we have seen several transformations that money h<strong>as</strong> done; quite amazing stories. Beauty is inborn but taking proper care of oneself brings out the beauty. Therefore everyone is beautiful in their own way and money h<strong>as</strong> its way of making it so pronounced,” she added. Happiness Adebayo established Glee Luxury Hair and Skincare six years ago while still in the university. It operates from two upscale locations in Lagos; Opebi, Ikeja, on the Mainland and Admiralty Way, Lekki, Island in Lagos. No regrets selling aphrodisiacs —<strong>El</strong>ohor Ovite A •Teji Gold buja-b<strong>as</strong>ed trending sex therapist and Chief Executive Officer of E and E Skincare, <strong>El</strong>ohor Ovite h<strong>as</strong> been into many other businesses before veering into selling aphrodisiac. Her re<strong>as</strong>on w<strong>as</strong> that she discovered another goldmine far better and more fun than other businesses she h<strong>as</strong> done in the p<strong>as</strong>t. In a recent interview with Potpourri the beautiful businesswoman explained why she ventured into a territory many would consider unladylike, saying she h<strong>as</strong> no regrets whatsoever. “I have no regrets at all. From my other businesses I had developed a list of female contacts who tell me their problems. After a while I became close with a lot of them, women , from there I hear their complaints. From time to time, they tell me their issues <strong>as</strong> a friend, most of which are centered on general problems that could be sorted out e<strong>as</strong>ily, most of these women are in pains and couldn’t talk to anyone with the fear of being judged. With this drive I w<strong>as</strong> able to go into research and found solution to most of the issues. The result w<strong>as</strong> Kayanmata herb. From several •Ovite conversations I realised many women have sexual issues, to me, it w<strong>as</strong> a goldmine to be tapped. Pronto, I shifted my attention from makeups and cosmetics to aphrodisiac. And it w<strong>as</strong> the best decision of my life,” she said. When <strong>as</strong>ked if the aphrodisiac business h<strong>as</strong> been lucrative, she replied with a gleam on her face. “I must say, it is quite lucrative and fun because I get to help people everyday,” she said. She’s the CEO and Founder of E and E Skincare, located in Abuja, Nigeria. She’s happily married with children. She founded the company December 19, 2016. Many women have sexual problems —Oji Oghenetejiri ne of Nigeria’s leading sex therapists, using a O special herb known <strong>as</strong> Kayanmata h<strong>as</strong> declared unapologetically that most women have sexual problems. According to her, many of them hate to admit the fact and would rather shy away from discussing it or seeking help. In a chat with Potpourri, the lady biologist turned sex therapist, said there’s a simple solution for the problem which is in the herb called Kayanmata. She said, “Women, both married and unmarried, have sexual problems, a lot of women actually, but they won’t want to talk about or look for help. Like I said, a lot of them shy away from the conversation. Men also do not help matters in telling the women they, (the women) have problems. This is because they either do not want to kill their ego, or make them feel bad. In matters of sex everyone wants to have the mindset that they are giving their partner the best, but when you tell someone they aren’t, it becomes a problem. From my experience, most women suffer low libido or sex drive. Other sexual problems in women range from vaginal weakness, looseness, vaginal infections, vaginal dryness etc.” Oji Oghenetejiri established her Teji Gold Beauty Galleria in 2018 and she h<strong>as</strong> since carved a niche for herself in the business. Born July 20, 1994, Teji Gold, <strong>as</strong> she’s fondly called by her customers and Instagram followers, hails from Ethiope West local government area of Delta State.
North h<strong>as</strong> already destroyed itself (2) OTE 1: Ordinarily, this Npage would not carry tables or charts. Those belong on the Business/Economic pages. But part 2 can best be understood by summarising the message in a table. If “a picture is worth a thousand words”, then a table is worth ten thousand words. It tells the story more effectively. NOTE 2: If you only buy the SUNDAY paper, let me urge you to buy the Monday paper in the next few weeks <strong>as</strong> we rush headlong into a recession. There are messages for you, your family and your business – which incompetent and dishonest Abuja officialdom will not deliver for your own benefit. I am not trying to sell more paper. As an economist, this is my social service to you during the tough times ahead. And it costs you only the cover price of the paper bought on Monday. Read on. “Is life so dear or peace so sweet that it must be purch<strong>as</strong>ed at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but, <strong>as</strong> for me, give me liberty or give me death” - Patrick Henry, 1775, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 128. Thank God for COVID-19, all the southern states were on the way to being sold into slavery by the par<strong>as</strong>itic North represented by Buhari – ably supported by elected senators from the South. The instrument, this time, w<strong>as</strong> the $22.7 billion loan approved by the Lawan-led Senate. Many people had previously urged senators to <strong>as</strong>k for details before giving approval. But the senators had gone ahead to grant the request for the loan. No other legislature, comprising of elected officials who deeply care for their people, would do that. The cl<strong>as</strong>sic definition of democracy, <strong>as</strong> provided by US President Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, tells us that democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people. Lincoln obviously felt that he did not need to add the word ALL before people. My readings on the late US President, who incidentally freed slaves, would suggest that he abhorred a system of government, however contrived, in which one segment of the people constitutes par<strong>as</strong>ites on another segment <strong>as</strong> the North h<strong>as</strong> become on the South in Nigeria. The ‘monkey-workbaboon-chop’ revenue allocation formula, introduced by Gowon (General Ironsi actually left the 50% derivation principle intact) and Pa Awolowo, w<strong>as</strong> the beginning of southern fiscal serfdom. Descendants of Baba Awolowo are bearing the yoke of subjugation today. “Better a declared enemy than a doubtful ally”, said Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769- 1815 (VBQ p 48) – who must have experienced treachery from people he le<strong>as</strong>t expected for selfish interest (2023 virus). The entire southern region of Nigeria is one huge slave-camp – with a few House Slaves (free-minded Americans call them Uncle Toms) elected, selected and/or appointed to hold the rest of us in check. While none of the COVID-19: No respite yet, and African leaders hoard information For the Coronavirus infection, there is no a b a t i n g . Unfortunately, weeks and running into months after its outbreak it is still the main focus of the entire world. From the American continent, E<strong>as</strong>t Asia to Africa the virus is causing unthinkable destruction to lives and properties. The death toll is rising by the day <strong>as</strong> businesses and financial institutions are on the brink of collapse. The scale at which the deadly virus is spreading is alarming. The concerning part of it is that it h<strong>as</strong> crept into the African continent where health facilities are luxury for the citizens. The advanced economies are overwhelmed by the pandemic, and they are struggling to keep the death toll down. They are trying, but the battle is far from won yet. The city of New York, in the United States of America, h<strong>as</strong> become the epicentre of this virus that commenced its journey in Wuhan. The plight of the residents of New York is reflected in the sombre and disturbed look of their governor, Andrew Cuomo, at the daily press briefing. There is a need to worry <strong>as</strong> the number of infections in the city h<strong>as</strong> surp<strong>as</strong>sed those in Italy and China. Trying to comply with the directive of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to “test, test, test” is the key challenge for governments all over the world. There is a shortage of test kits to achieve this. Many individuals are going about without knowing if they are infected with the virus or not. Keeping those who have tested <strong>positive</strong> to the virus alive remains a gigantic struggle <strong>as</strong> well. The much-needed respirators are in short supply. In the United Kingdom, the US, or elsewhere, respirators are inadequate to sustain those who are infected. In the meantime, the numbers of infected individuals are rising daily, and the intensive-care units (ICU) are overcrowded. Just <strong>as</strong> in wartime, makeshift hospitals are becoming features of cities. Stadia, events centres and hotels are being converted to accommodate more people who need care. The health workers and frontline staff are overwhelmed by what they cope with daily. They are warning the general public how dreadful the situation is in the hospitals (makeshifts or proper). two major parties had considered redressing the injustice, Buhari’s APC is the one presently moving to ensure the South lives in bondage perpetually. The President is not alone in this quest. He is ably supported by southern leaders of the party. Remember we are referring to elected, selected and appointed leaders of the party. You can c<strong>as</strong>t your imagination wide to draw the list of the traitors of the South. Be honest; don’t leave out the name of your brother or benefactor. Start from the top – Chairman, etc. You will be amazed at the names that will stare you in the face. Those are the real enemies of the South parading themselves <strong>as</strong> our leaders and great political strategists. You do not need any other evidence that the entire South is being sold into slavery by politicians re-enacting the historic slave trade, which covered nearly two hundred years and during which traditional rulers (so-called fathers of the people) sold human beings in shiploads to white men for pittance. “History is just the portrayal of crimes and misfortunes” - Voltaire, VBQ, p 93. But just in c<strong>as</strong>e you are a true southerner self-deluded <strong>as</strong> to think that the African slave trade ended with the abolition in the 19th century, then take a look at the table below and despair. PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF $22.7BN LOAN ZONE AMOUNT % N.C $6.5bn 36 N.E $300m 2 N.W N6.3bn 35 S U B - T O T A L $13.1bn 73 S.E - - S.S (- Edo) $4.7bn 26 S.W $200m 1 SUB-TOTAL 4.9bn 27 GRAND TOTAL 18.0bn 100 It is incomprehensible what could be going on in the minds of the leaders or their handlers. They hoard information, in the same way; they selfishly misappropriate the resources of the country The world is in lockdown currently. Everything is at a pause <strong>as</strong> governments and agencies try to stall the continued spread of the virus. The efforts of the key workers cannot be "over-praised", <strong>as</strong> they place themselves at risk to save what is left of the world. The risk is m<strong>as</strong>sive, <strong>as</strong> some of them do not have the test kits to certify that they are negative of the virus they are trying to stop. Despite WHO's declaration that it h<strong>as</strong> shipped almost two million individual items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to 74 countries, there is still a shortage. This trend is not limited to third world countries; it is the same all over the world. The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Friday that "the chronic global shortage of personal protective equipment is now one of the most urgent threats to our collective ability to save lives." It is remarkable that where governments are lacking, private businesses and You do not need any other evidence that the entire South is being sold into slavery by politicians re-enacting the historic slave trade Lawyers often claim that “facts speak for themselves”. That is only partly true. Some facts need to be explained or interpreted before a lot of people can fully gr<strong>as</strong>p their implications. One example is the table above. There is only one word to describe its authors in the Federal Government – conscienceless. And there are only two words to describe their southern collaborators in the APC – shameless conspirators. Let us now analyse what would have been done with the $22.7 billion loan taken on behalf of Nigerians – if COVID-19 and the foreign lenders have not slammed the door in their faces. “There are only two families in the world, my old grandmother used to say, the haves and the have-nots” - Miguel de Cervantes, 1547- 1616, VBQ, p 87. The great author of Don Quixote died over 400 years ago. But he might <strong>as</strong> well have been talking about the proposed allocation of the $22.7bn loan <strong>as</strong> revealed by the table above. As usual, the Igbo were supposed to receive nothing. Nothing new about that except that it again underlines the fact that the Igbo have remained a conquered people – never mind the nonsense ‘no victor; no vanquished’ slogan. At every available opportunity, the rest of Nigeria is telling the Igbo that they are not wanted. The FG, under Buhari, is the worst. But, don’t tell the Igbo selfish Ministers, Amb<strong>as</strong>sadors, collaborative businessmen and appointed Uncle Toms that truth. They are too busy eating what drops individuals are rising to the occ<strong>as</strong>ion. Many companies are coming up with prototypes of respirators that can be useful in the fight against the virus. The UK's health secretary, Matt Hancock had l<strong>as</strong>t week Sunday called on all manufacturers to "turn their engineering minds and production lines to making them … We need to produce more.” The US President, Donald Trump, made a dr<strong>as</strong>tic decision by invoking the Defense Production Act to force the automaker General Motors to produce ventilators for patients and hospitals. This move had been condemned <strong>as</strong> political witch-hunting, but Trump thinks otherwise. He said: "Our negotiations with GM regarding its ability to supply ventilators have been productive, but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course. GM w<strong>as</strong> w<strong>as</strong>ting time. Today's action will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives." Governments are employing various tactics to keep the virus away. L<strong>as</strong>t week, India, with a population of over a billion announced a 21- day lockdown. There have been some comical video clips coming out of the country. We could see some "dissident” citizens flogged openly for flouting the stay at home order. A few of such scenes were also recorded in Nigeria - the v<strong>as</strong>test black populated country in the world. The government had imposed the social distancing me<strong>as</strong>ure. However, unlike responsible societies, some Nigerian churches, mosques and other SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 29, 2020, PAGE 17 on the floor from the m<strong>as</strong>ters’ tables inside the Rock. The people can go to hell. “Traitors in one’s midst, always highly trusted, always splendid fellows, always the l<strong>as</strong>t people to be suspected” - Agatha Christie, VBQ, p 251. Agatha Christie, lady of crime thrillers in our younger days in secondary school, always warned us to suspect those above suspicion. The ridiculous argument can be made that the South-E<strong>as</strong>t got what it deserved. The zone did not vote for Buhari. That point of view already <strong>as</strong>sumes that the Igbo are not included among the people of Nigeria. Like it or not, they are the salt of Nigeria. At le<strong>as</strong>t they contribute more than the North to our commonwealth. When the newly-born political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, w<strong>as</strong> brought out of the ‘Labour Room’ in 2013, the Action Congress, AC, w<strong>as</strong> the largest group and had more elected officials – Governors, legislators etc – than any other. Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, w<strong>as</strong> the smallest. It had only one Governor in one of the poorest states in Nigeria. Defectors from the PDP and other ragtag <strong>as</strong>sociations joined later. The SW provided the lion’s share of campaign expenses. Yoruba people who pointed to the antecedents of the CPC leader were <strong>as</strong>sured that the brilliant political strategists of the AC had perfected plans to guarantee that the SW did not end up holding the short end of the stick. We actually believed them. But “men make history, but not just <strong>as</strong> they ple<strong>as</strong>e” - (Karl Marx, 1818-1883, VBQ, p 93). History will later record that the mouse swallowed juggernaut. Today, the leaders of the former CPC hold the knife and the yam. They would have shared it in the godless manner indicated above – North-West 35% and South-West 1% -- but, for the intervention of COVID-19. Odua w<strong>as</strong> not <strong>as</strong>leep. Like innocent cattle, fed with gr<strong>as</strong>s at intervals while being led to the abattoir, the Yoruba were delivered to their slaughterers places of worship were open "for business". As it is usual in the country, a few small-time organisations were picked out <strong>as</strong> scapegoats. The security agencies made a show of closures of such business premises while the big-time operators that had thousands more than allowed were left without any rebuke. Today, in the United Kingdom the clock goes forward to the British Summer Time (BST). The change, which takes place the l<strong>as</strong>t Sunday of March, heralds the start of summertime and the coming out of the sun. It is customarily a time of relief for the Brits who would have "wintered" for four/five winter months. The barbecue wares are dusted and kept at arm's length for use immediately there is a reflection of the sun. The neighbourhood parks flourish <strong>as</strong> the daffodils invitingly welcome residents. The spirit of the nation is elevated. The clock change today, however, is different. The COVID-19 lockdown h<strong>as</strong> dampened what could have meant a celebration of better days ahead. No one is coming out. The park will stay shut while picnics are suspended until the virus is sent packing. The announcements on Friday that the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Hancock had tested <strong>positive</strong> to Coronavirus is not good news. They are two of the 11,658 confirmed c<strong>as</strong>es in the country. Earlier in the week, the news that the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles tested to the virus w<strong>as</strong> on the air. The 71-year old h<strong>as</strong> gone into self-isolation while he hopes to pull through after 14 days. Johnson's announcement w<strong>as</strong> a surprise. He w<strong>as</strong> on the steps of 10 Downing Street a by political adventurers in their midst. And, they are not done with us yet. They have set up clandestine political machines to actualise ‘2023 virus’ – <strong>as</strong> one of their sages aptly put it. They will have their way if we allow them. We must never forget what would have occurred if foreigners did not show our officials the gate. “You can’t argue on your knees” -Anonymous. We cannot leave the table without pointing to three more anomalies. First, the South-South allocations exclude any funds for Edo State. The atrocious sharing w<strong>as</strong> done before the Chairman of the party found himself on his hands and knees at the Rock to save his job. It is difficult to see how a man on all fours in front of his saviour can summon the effrontery to query his benefactor about inequitable loan allocations. Edo people can go to blazes. Second, all the 17 states of the South put together would have received less than either the North-Central or North- E<strong>as</strong>t alone. They would have got only 78% of each of the two. Only God knows how the North-E<strong>as</strong>t lost out on the bonanza for the North. But that need not delay us here. At any rate, there is still over $4 billion unallocated. Certainly, the NE will not be left behind. Nothing demonstrates official malevolence better than the fact that while the North would have swallowed about 75 per cent of the loan, the South would be required to provide close to 80 per cent of the funds to repay. The audacity of planned robbery is only matched by the cowardice of the southern political leaders who would not have questioned the sharing formula. No leader of the APC at the federal level would have uttered a word of protest. This generation of southerners and our descendants will continue to carry the North <strong>as</strong> a burden for <strong>as</strong> long <strong>as</strong> we continue to present ourselves <strong>as</strong> be<strong>as</strong>ts of burden on which all the consequences of corrupt northern leaders can be placed. night before to lead tributes to the brave National Health Service (NHS) staff and other key workers in the UK. On the night, at exactly 8 pm, the British came out in solidarity to express their appreciation for the works of the emergency agencies. It w<strong>as</strong> emotional scenes, <strong>as</strong> claps rang out from streets in the country. The heroic works of the frontline workers were celebrated. To the British, testing <strong>positive</strong> to Coronavirus is not a shame or something to shield away from the public. Infection of the virus is not a death knell on the individuals, and never seen <strong>as</strong> something that should be treated <strong>as</strong> a state secret. As Johnson is the number one civil servant in the country, the citizens have to be updated on the PM's state of health. More so, adequate communication and sharing of information give room to no suspicion or conspiracy theories. This is the difference in approaches with what is obtained in the African continent where information is suppressed and kept away from the public. This lack of openness engenders suspicions and rumourmongering among the populace. Why African political leaders are always economical with the truth is still baffling. There is no country where lack of information is <strong>as</strong> damaging <strong>as</strong> Nigeria. The m<strong>as</strong>ses resort to rumour-mongering when the leaders do not come open with the real situation of happenings. It is incomprehensible what could be going on in the minds of the leaders or their handlers. They hoard information, in the same way; they selfishly misappropriate the resources of the country.
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