Nigerian practice makes Word of the Year…Soludo’s socio-economic masterstroke…What can ‘Omeife’ not do?...Obi Asika joins NOC Board of Trustees…plus South East Digest…

Nigerian practice makes Word of the Year

Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster announced its word of the year last week, inspired by the current age of misinformation, manipulation (and some of us may want to add the practice in Nigeria in the last one decade or so!)

The word:  gaslighting.

"A driver of disorientation and mistrust, gaslighting is the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one's own advantage," said Merriam-Webster on its website. "2022 saw a 1740% increase in lookups for gaslighting, with high interest throughout the year." 

The term "gaslighting" springs from the title of a 1938 play (and later, movie).  The plot centers on a man who attempts to make his wife believe she is going out of her mind. Out of sight from his wife, the husband repeatedly dims the house's gas lights. When this disturbs his wife, he insists the lights are not dimming and there's something wrong with her. 

Merriam-Webster officially defines gaslighting as "psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator." 

However, the dictionary publisher says that in recent years it has seen the meaning of gaslighting take on a simpler, broader meaning: "the act or practice of grossly misleading someone, especially for a personal advantage." (source:  Inc Africa).

Soludo’s socio-economic masterstroke

Five thousand people given gainful, permanent, pensionable employment in one fell swoop!  It is positive reverberating news any day, anytime, anywhere!!  That’s what Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State Governor, did last week when he gave letters of appointment to 5,000 primary and secondary school teachers.  According to Christian Aburime, Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, “the recruitment exercise was impressive in its absolute transparency and merit. The successful 5,000 teachers emerged through a rigorous and competitive evaluation process. There was no any extraneous factor of cronyism, nepotism or sentimental selection involved.” 

Aburime points out that “the fact that Soludo is recruiting this unprecedented high number of teachers to train our future leaders tells a lot about his exceptional commitment to human capital development alongside his government's many physical infrastructure development projects across the state.”

Aburime added “interestingly, the recruitment milestone by Soludo reminds one of a past glorious era when our own Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe undertook a pivotal role in radical educational development in Eastern Nigeria in the 1940s. By his own latest action, Prof. Soludo is bringing massive employment, promoting manpower development, building a brighter future for ndi Anambra children, alleviating poverty, fostering quality education /affordable education, and reinforcing transparency and credibility in governance.”

What can ‘Omeife’ not do?

A Nigerian has made history by creating the first human-like robots in Nigeria and Africa.   The robot named, Omeife, was developed by Uniccon Group of Companies, and is expected to open up new research developments on Artificial Intelligence.   The robot according to reports can speak five Nigerian languages and respond to instructions.

The Nigerian Government last week formally launched Africa’s  ‘Omeife’ to boost Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological development in Nigeria and Africa.  Director General National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Kashifu Inuwa who represented the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, who was to serve as proxy for the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, unveiled Omeife in Abuja. 

The Vice President noted that the Federal Government would ensure the project's success and urged other stakeholders to support the Omeife project and develop new ones. 

Speaking at the event, the CEO, Uniccon Group of Companies, Mr Chucks Ekwueme, said that Africa has been recognised for its contribution to the global tech ecosystem.  Ekwueme said that Omeife had the ability to speak eight different languages, which include: English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Pidgin, Wazobia and Afrikaans.

He said the six-foot-tall female African humanoid provides language as a service for businesses that need to integrate native African audiences, adding that it is a multipurpose and assistance robot.

Obi-Datti pact with Nigeria

The Labour Party last week released its Manifesto for the 2023 Presidential elections.  Highlights of the 72-page document include a 7-point agenda summary:  1) to secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency; and unite our dear nation, to manage our diversity such that no one is left behind; 2) shift emphasis from consumption to production by running a production-centered economy that is driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization; 3) restructure the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms to entrench the rule of law, aggressively fight corruption, reduce the cost of governance, and establish an honest and efficient civil service; and 4) leapfrog Nigeria into the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), through the application of scientific and technological innovations to create a digital economy.

Other parts of the 7-point agenda include 5) build expansive and world-class infrastructure for efficient power supply, rail, road, and air transportation, and pipeline network, through integrated public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial public sector governance; 6) enhance the human capital of Nigerian youth for productivity and global competitiveness through investment in world-class scholarship and research, quality healthcare, and entrepreneurship education; and 7) conduct afro-centric diplomacy that protects the rights of Nigerian citizens abroad and advance the economic interests of Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in a changing world.

About 133 million Nigerians live in poverty

A recent NBS report shows that Nigeria has 133 million poor people, representing 63 per cent of the nation's total population of 211 million. With a score of 0.257, the report said that a quarter of Nigerians suffer all kinds of possible deprivations. The Index measures poverty, reflecting the share of possible deprivations that poor people experience. It ranges from zero, indicating no poverty, to one, meaning universal poverty and lack.

The NBS report said: "Multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas, where 72 per cent of people are poor, compared to 42 per cent of people in urban areas. Approximately, 70 per cent of Nigeria's population live in rural areas, yet these areas is home to 80 per cent of poor people; the intensity of rural poverty is also higher: 42 per cent in rural areas compared to 37 per cent in urban areas."  As per the Report, 65 per cent of poor people, representing 86 million of the population, live in Northern Nigeria. In contrast, 47 million, about 35 per cent, live in the Southern part of the country. 

Nigerian States with the least poor people include Ondo State with an MPI of 0.095.  The state's MPI score shows that poor people suffer just 9.5 per cent of all possible deprivations compared with 25.7 per cent of the entire country.  Lagos State scored 0.101 on the report and came second with the least poor people in Nigeria.  Its MPI score shows that people in the state experience just 10.1 per cent of all possible deprivations. Abia State scored 0.101 and ties with Lagos State.

Anambra State has an MPI score of 0.109.  In contrast, Ekiti State Score has an MPI of 0.125, showing that poor people in the state experience 10.9 per cent of all possible deprivations while people in Ekiti State experience 12.5 per cent of all potential denials.

The NBS, in its National Multidimensional Poverty Index report said that about 63 per cent of Nigerians were poor due to a lack of access to health, education, living standards, employment and security.  The Index offers different levels of poverty assessment, identifying deprivations across health, education, living standards, work and shocks. 

Obi Asika joins NOC Board of Trustees

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has inaugurated the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).   Dare who was supported at the ceremony held at the Headquarters of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) in Abuja, by the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, congratulated the new Board Members and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for working assiduously towards the revitalisation of the BOT after the unfortunate demise of its pioneer members.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Yola called on them to take advantage of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, to drive the development of sports in the country.  He commended the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for its commitment and doggedness that led to the successes recorded at the 2022 Commonwealth Games despite the absence of its Board of Trustees.

Mr. Dare pledged the Ministry’s unflinching support to the Board and NOC, and expressed optimism that with the calibre of persons inaugurated, Nigeria is set to record more podium performances at International Competitions.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, explained that the delay in the inauguration of the BOT was as a result of necessary documentation and registration of its members at the Corporate Affairs Commission as well as the demise of five former BOT members.  According to him, “after their passage, we were constrained to fill the vacuum created as a matter of statutory requirement. In the face of this, we made a proposal to the Executive Board which led to the nomination and eventual appointment of the new Trustees we are inaugurating today”.

He urged the new appointees to support the objectives and aspirations of the Nigeria Olympic Committee by giving their best service to the nation in order to bring to reality, the dreams and aspirations of sports loving Nigerians in the field.

Members of the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees are:  Amb Haruna Garba; Hon. Ayo H. Omidiran; Dr. Lanre Glover; Mr. Jackson Bidei; Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh; Mr. Suleiyman Mu’azu; and Mr. Obi Asika.

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ABIA STATE

Ikpeazu presents N157.51b 2023 budget proposal to Abia assembly

Abia State Governor, Dr, Okezie Ikpeazu, last week, presented his proposed budget outlay of N157, 517, 504,300 .00 for the 2023 fiscal year, which is his last as Governor, to the state House of Assembly.  The budget, which is tagged, ‘Valedictory Economic Expansion and Stability Budget,’ is 6.95 per cent higher than that of 2022.

About 47.64 per cent of the proposed budget, which is N75, 044,764,400.00 billion, and is 11.73 per cent higher than that of 2022, is for recurrent expenditure, while 52.36 per cent of the budget, which is N82, 472,739,900.00 billion is proposed for capital expenditure, and is 3.38 per cent higher than that of 2022. 

Also, N33, 689,581,700.00 billion out of the proposed recurrent expenditure is for personnel cost, while N48,782,088,800.00 billion is for economic sector expenditure.

The governor, who was silent on where and how the revenue would be sourced, noted that the budget would only be partially implemented by his outgoing administration.  He noted that it is, therefore, imperative for them to put the revenue and expenditure structures on a sound footing to help the incoming administration.

Ikpeazu disclosed that while preparing the 2023 budget, his government took into consideration what policy reforms and investments should be prioritised, as well as what trade-offs should be made between costs and benefits. 

Commenting on his government’s performance in the past seven years, the governor asserted that modest achievements were recorded across several economic sectors of the state.

According to Ikpeazu: “Through support and partnership with Federal Government, as well as development partners, institutional and legal frameworks, which will facilitate delivery of improved socio-economic programmes to the poor and vulnerable households by future administrations were introduced.”

“In all of these, the goal is to find options for better life and livelihood for Abians, even as evidence shows we have not done badly.” 

ANAMBRA STATE

ASHIA best performing Health Insurance Scheme

The Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) last week hosted officials of WHO Africa Regional Office who were in the State to get firsthand experience of the success story of ASHIA from the beneficiaries across the State.  

The visit was occasioned by the selection of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme as one of the best performing subnational health insurance schemes in Africa whose model should be spread across the continent for replication by other countries.

Flood:  jubilation in Anambra communities as UNPF donates Dignity Kits to 200 women

Two hundred women of Ogbaru Local government area of Anambra State number have received Dignity Kits from the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF).  The Dignity Kits were distributed through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare at the Albert Nwabueze Pavillion in Ogbaru.

Items donated were 3in1 pants, dozens of toothpaste and toothbrushes, dozens of buckets, dozens of Vaseline cream, whistle for emergency.  Others were dozens of shaving sticks, Mats, Combs, Wrapper, Liquid soaps, dozens of 6in1 reusable pads, dozens of 2in1 bar soap, washing powder among others. 

Speaking before distributing the items, the Commissioner for women and social welfare, Hon Ify Obinabo explained that part of the reason for the distribution is to ensure that women are not neglected especially as they just came out from the flood menace.  The Women and Social Welfare boss went ahead to assure them of more interventions by the UNFPA.

 

On his part, a Sexual Reproductive Health Specialist of the UNFPA, Dr Kelvin Chukwuemeka, noted that the items are important for their well-being as this is the mandate of the organization to protect vulnerable women and girls who are victims of flood, rape and other kind of abuses.

A representative of Ogbaru Transition Committee Chairman, appreciated both the State government and the donors for supplying them with the items even as he prayed for the safety of his people.

With the directive of the UNFPA, Anambra West local government area and Ogbaru Local government area which are the major focus areas of the distribution has received 200 Dignity Kit each making it a total number of 400 dignity kit distributed so far.

ENUGU STATE

Enugu engages citizens on 2023 Budget

The Enugu State government last  Wednesday, demonstrated its ardent belief in inclusive and responsive governance as it held a Citizens’ Engagement on the 2023 Budget. 

At the event which was anchored by the Ministry of Budget and Planning at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi said his administration, has upheld a responsive-responsible governance which encourages accountability and transparency to the people; hence the core essence of Citizens’ Engagement is to get the people involved in governance.  The Governor who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mrs. Adaonah Kene-Uyanwunne, revealed that the citizen’s engagement is in adherence to the core value agenda of Ugwuanyi’s administration since inception.

Governor Ugwuanyi stated that Citizens’ Engagement can be likened to “Nzuko Umunna” because it is a gathering

where all participants can freely interact and also vent their anger as the case may be without fear.  He noted that although this year’s Citizens’ Engagement is significant because it is the last fiscal year budget that will be executed by his administration; the Citizens’ should be rest assured that their priority needs will be incorporated into the budget. He further thanked the people whose faces he noted have remained consistent over the years in the entire previous Citizens’ Engagement adding that it is a proof that they have embraced governance.

In his welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner for Budget and Planning, David O. Ugwunta, commended Governor Ugwuanyi, for remaining committed to fiscal transparency and inclusive-responsive governance since inception of his administration. 

During the presentation of the 2021 Citizens Accountability Report (CAR) done by a Deputy Director and Head of Budget Department, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Clara N. Ezeh and the Co-Chairman, Open Government Partnership representing Civil Society Organisation, Barr. Cromwell Chibuzor; it was noted that the audited financial statement of Enugu state which was produced by the Accountant General of the State is summarized in the 2021 CAR in a format that every Enugu Citizen can comprehend.  They noted that from the report, the State Government within the financial year had aggregate expenditure of N112.5 billion. Some of the Citizens’ nominated projects implemented in 2021 include: the reconstruction and rehabilitation of public buildings including schools and hospitals across the State; construction of flyover bridge at T-Junction, Nike Lake Road, Enugu East Local Government; completion of Nike Lake–Harmony Junction; rehabilitation of Ngwo/9th Mile Water Scheme and Network reticulation; rehabilitation of Urban and Rural roads among others.

Present at the event were President Generals of Town Unions; Traditional Rulers led by Igwe Amb. Agubuzo represented by Igwe Abel Ezeudo, Ada Di Iche Women Group led by Mrs. Vera Ezeugwu, Members of the followings: Christian Association of Nigeria Enugu State Chapter; National Youth Council of Enugu State Students, Nigerian Youth Parliament, National Association of Nigerian Students, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Female Comrades, National Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Nkanu Youth Assembly, Agbaja Youth Assembly, Nsukka Youth Assembly; United Youth Forum, Representatives of Civil Society Organisations including: Heroine Foundation, Lead Network Africa, CODE, A-CODE, Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiatives; Members of the Press. 

Others include top Government Officials as well as Permanent Secretaries.

IMO STATE

Hope building roads

According to Chinenye Uzo-Mbaukwu, “Citizens' reporting is a critical part of the strengthening of democracy.”  Writing in the Society of Igbo Professionals (SIP) WhatsApp platform, Chinenye noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma is certainly building more and more roads in Imo State.  He however pointed out that “the road works are not continuous but vigilance in monitoring keeps the pressure on government to deliver.”  Pictures from Owerri-Mbaise (Ahiara Junction):