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Tag: Chido Nwakanma

  • The relevance of the OUK formula in Abia succession politics – By Chido Nwakanma

    The relevance of the OUK formula in Abia succession politics – By Chido Nwakanma

    By Chido Nwakanma

    Both sides of the dispute over the tilt of the governorship of Abia State circa 2023-2027 may find in former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu an unlikely resource for its resolution. Kalu implemented a formula that changed the state’s power structure into a quadrant. He did so unwittingly in 2007 when he ensured that Chief (now Senator) Theodore Orji succeeded him in office.

    Orji Kalu came from the Old Umuahia zone in the old configuration. The governor came from Abia North Senatorial Zone in the new geopolitics. Rather than follow the formula of Abia’s fathers’ drawn ab initio ahead of the creation of the state, he chose a new procedure. He picked on Chief Theodore Orji, his then Chief of Staff, from Umuahia or the new Abia Central senatorial zone. It is interestingly coincidental that both men sit in the Senate currently representing Abia North and Abia Central.

    Abia Central, however, is a mini-Abia State in its configuration with six local governments. There is an equal representation of three local governments front Aba and Umuahia. The local governments are Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South from the Umuahia axis, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, and Osisioma of the Ngwa axis.

    Representation in the Abia Central senate seat swings between the Ngwa and Umuahia in the legislature. Senator Bob Nwanunu from Ngwa land took the first shot in 1999 and served for one term. Senator Chris Adighije from Umuahia took over and did one tour as well.

    Nkechi Nwaogu from Osisioma became the Senator in 2007. She served for two terms based on a consensus of the political leaders following the exit of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu from the PDP to form the Progressive People’s Alliance.

    The senatorial seat swung back to Umuahia in 2015, with former Governor Theodore Orji from Ibeku Umuahia becoming a senator.

    Significantly, in anointing Theodore Orji for the governor’s seat when he did, Orji Uzor Kalu carved the political structure of Abia State into a quadrant rather than the triangle upon which some base their succession arguments.

    Abia Central has honoured the Abia Charter of Equity 1981 in political representation in the legislature. It would need to continue. It has respected the quadrant that is now the structure of Abia politics.

    The Ngwa of Abia Central base their claims to the governorship rotation on this quadrant and the Abia Charter of Equity 1981. One half of the senatorial zone took its turn for eight years with Theodore Orji as Governor. It then went to Abia South with Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

    It should return to Abia Central with the remaining part of the quadrant, the three Ngwa local governments. It is equitable and in line with what the players have done in the legislature since 1999.

    The other issue is the length of stay in the Governor’s Office. It currently stands at 18 years for Umuahia Division or Abia North and seven years for Aba Division or Abia South senatorial zone. When Ikpeazu leaves office in May 2023, Aba Division would have done only eight years versus eighteen years.

    Fairness and equity dictate that the Ngwa half of Abia Central should do eight years to try to close the gap.

  • As Onyeka Onwenu attains the Biblical 70 years

    As Onyeka Onwenu attains the Biblical 70 years

    By Chido Nwakanma

    Congratulations to Onyeka Onwenu on attaining the Biblical three score and ten. More than congratulations, however, I write to thank Onyeka Onwenu for happening in our lifetime. It has been 42 years since Onyeka Onwenu burst into our lives on vinyl and tube.

    She is the investigative reporter at the Nigerian Television Authority that reported on “A Squandering of Riches”. It traced the paths of the wastage of Nigeria’s resources in the oil fields and boardrooms. The squandering of our riches is still the story.

    Onyeka Onwenu, daughter of Nigeria and Igboland, has played excellently on the Nigerian media, arts, and entertainment stages. She has been an advocate for women’s rights and served in politics and government.

    She lit up Nollywood with excellent performances in various roles and films. She valiantly lost to patriarchy and dirt as she sought grassroots political office.

    One of the most poignant memories I have of Onyeka Onwenu happened in 1987. I was the young Regional Correspondent for THISWEEK magazine in Port Harcourt. Onyeka the performer dazzled at the Civic Centre. Then she performed her all-time best “One Love”.

    The hall bubbled and bubbled. People left their seats. It was standing room only.

    I still feel the energy and love in that hall.

    All of us on social media are celebrating her ahead of her actual birth date. Understandably.

    Onyeka Onwenu was born on 31 January 1952. She is a singer/songwriter, actress, human rights activist, social activist, journalist, politician, and former X Factor series judge.

    The Nigerian press used the oxymoron Elegant Stallion to describe her. It resonated because of her attributes of strength, elegance and seeming male qualities.

    Onyeka served as chair of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and from 2013 as Executive Director/CEO of the National Centre for Women Development.

    As an employee of the NTA, Onwenu made an impact as a newsreader and reporter. In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria, A Squandering of Riches which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria as well as the intractable Niger Delta agitation for resource control and campaign against environmental degradation in the oil rich region of Nigeria.[11] A former member on the board of the NTA, she has also worked as a TV presenter, hosting the shows Contact (1988) and Who’s On? (1993) both on NTA Network, her Wikipedia entry notes.

    Onyeka graduated with BA in International Relations and Communication from the Ivy-League Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and obtained an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. She worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year national service with the NTA.

    Nigerians know her mostly for music. Her contributions are outstanding.

    Hear Wikipedia, again: “Originally a secular artist, Onwenu made the transition to gospel music in the 90s, and most of her songs are self-penned. She continues to write and sing about issues such as health (HIV/AIDS), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women rights, and the plight of children. She began her music career in 1981 while still working with the NTA, releasing the album For the Love of You, a pop album that featured an orchestral cover of Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight”, and her second album Endless Life was produced by Sonny Okosun. Both records were released on the EMI label.

    Onwenu’s first album with Polygram, In The Morning Light, was released in 1984. Recorded in London, it featured the track “Masterplan” written by close friend Tyna Onwudiwe who had previously contributed to Onwenu’s BBC documentary and subsequently sang back-up vocals on the album. After her fourth release, 1986’s One Love which contained an updated version of the song “(In the) Morning Light, Onwenu collaborated with veteran jùjú artist Sunny Ade on the track “Madawolohun (Let Them Say)” which appeared in 1988’s Dancing In The Sun. This was the first of three songs the pair worked on together; the other two – “Choices” and “Wait For Me” – centred on family planning, and were endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria who used “Choices” in their PSA. Onwenu’s final release on Polygram was dedicated to Winnie Mandela, the subject of a song of the same name which Onwenu performed live when Nelson Mandela and his wife visited Nigeria in 1990 following his release from prison.

    Onwenu diverted to Benson and Hedges Music in 1992 and released the self-titled Onyeka!, her only album with the label, after which she made the transition to Christian/gospel music. Her latest collection, “Inspiration for Change,” focused on the need for an attitudinal change in Nigeria.

    She is in partnership with Paris-based La Cave Musik, headed by a Nigerian cultural entrepreneur, Onyeka Nwelue and a UK-based Jungle Entertainment Ventures, headed by musicologist David Evans-Uhegbu. La Cave Musik is set to release her collection titled “Rebirth of a Legend”. In recognition of her contribution to music and arts in Nigeria, she has been celebrated by professionals like Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Laolu Akins, Charles O’Tudor, and former PMAN president Tony Okoroji among others in the arts industry in Nigeria.[16]

    In 2013, Onwenu served as one of the three judges on X Factor Nigeria.”

    Onyeka owes no one, neither Ekwe nor any other.

    She is also a Nollywood personality. Note that a personality has passed the level of a star! “Onwenu’s first movie role was as Joke, a childless woman who adopts an abandoned baby in Zik Zulu Okafor’s Nightmare. She has since featured in numerous Nollywood movies, and in 2006 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the movie “Widow’s Cot”. She was also nominated that same year for African Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” in the movie “Rising Moon”. She was in the movie Half of a Yellow Sun with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton, and Lion Heart (2018).”

    Her musical corpus is rich and variegated.

    Which Onyeka Onwenu song touched you the most? Which one moves you even now?

    “You and 1” was the entry song for my wedding reception. I loved it that much. I stood my ground when someone on the High Table tried to change the flow I had arranged as an event planner. It caused a stir but then stirred everyone to rise and dance You and I with my partner and I. Memories.

    Then there is Ekwe. My friend Chukwuma Nwokoh loved its insouciance yet calmness in our undergraduate days. Chukwuma says now: “My favourite Onyeka song is “You and I”. Ekwe is next. Loved and infatuated on her the first time I saw her picture because of her low cut then.”

    I also consider “Bia Nulu” evergreen. Bia Nulu marked her passage into gospel music. She then sang “Alleluya” in that genre. Do you remember “Iyogogo” that reminds me of village life? Or her praise song to mothers, “Ochie Dike”? Her collabo with Phyno on Ochie Dike refreshed it and made it contemporary.

    Friend, which Onyeka Onwenu song or performance is your favourite? It is her 70th, so tell her.

    Thank you for Onyeka Onwenu in our lifetime.

  • The call of Nigerian Content from Bayelsa, By Chido Nwakanma

    The call of Nigerian Content from Bayelsa, By Chido Nwakanma

    Slowly but steadily, Nigerian or Local Content is becoming familiar and accepted terminology in the oil and gas sector that drives the Nigerian economy. As the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) pursues its mandate, it creates opportunities for many more Nigerians to participate in the sector that drives the economic fortunes of the country. It has a herculean task of creating awareness beyond the small band of oil industry players to include entrepreneurs in other sectors.

    The primary focus is getting greater involvement of the host communities of oil and gas operations in the states that make up the oil-producing belt of the country. The states are Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Delta, Edo, and Delta.

    Opportunity beckons to Nigerians as individuals, companies, and communities in the evolving narrative around increasing the Nigerian Content of inputs and services in our premier industry, oil and gas. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board is pushing the envelope for even greater participation and inclusion of Nigerians in this critical sector. They have grown Nigerian content from less than 5% in 2010 to 32% in 2020. The goal is to drive it to 70% by 2027.

    The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) of 2010 established the NCDMB. Its six key thrusts include integrating oil and gas producing communities into the oil and gas value chain; maximise the participation of Nigerians in oil and gas activities; and maximise utilisation of Nigerian resources, i.e. workforce, goods, services and assets. Others are to attract investments to the Nigeria oil and gas sector (service provider, equipment suppliers and other investment relevant to oil and gas industry; link oil and gas sector to other sectors of the economy and foster institutional collaboration.

    In short, the goal is to “develop the capacity of the local supply chain for effective and efficient service delivery to the oil and gas industry without compromising standards”.

    The new Community Content Guideline (CCG) is one of the expected game-changers. It seeks to achieve a key performance indicator that asked the industry to “deploy 30% of business opportunities from operating companies to communities” as articulated in the Petroleum Industry Roadmap President Muhammadu Buhari launched on 27 October 2016.

    The NCDMB’s Community Content Guideline will increase “community content” in oil and gas around four pillars of the establishment of Project Office; Employment and Human Capital Development; Procurement of Goods and Services and Funding.

    NCDMB now requires that all operators must have a functional Project Office” in the community where they have significant operations”. It applies to projects above $100m that would last for two years and above. They should staff the Project Office with persons capable of taking project management and procurement decisions.

    All unskilled jobs will go to indigenes. Indigenes will get 50% of semi-skilled employment and at least 10% of skilled roles”.

    “If the host community or communities does not have qualified personnel to take up to 10% of the skilled roles, and object to the filling of the skilled roles from the neighbouring community or communities, then “the firms should convert the 10% slot to additional relevant skill training for the community or communities.”

    Firms in the sector must develop human capital from the grassroots. The Human Capital Development interventions will cover scholarships, entrepreneurship and empowerment and training on projects. The platform for such recruitment would be the NOGICJQS. NCDMB promises to sensitise youths in the communities to register therein and leverage the Digital Centres in its Zonal Offices.

    We gathered at Habitat Hotel in Choba, Port Harcourt, kilometres from the River Nun and the 17-floor imposing headquarters of the NCDMB in Yenagoa. President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned that tallest building in the South-South and South-East only recently.

    Our Port Harcourt gathering next door to the University of Port Harcourt was to tackle the theme Sustaining Nigerian Content Development Amidst COVID-19 pandemic: The role of the media.

    Participants were journalists drawn from media platforms in the South-South. Port Harcourt was central. Speakers included the Executive Secretary of NCDM, SimbiWabote, an engineer now running his second term. He interacted with participants via Zoom from Abuja. Dr Ginah O Ginah, General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, provided insights into Community Content Guideline, the latest initiative in deepening Nigerian Content. Engr Abayomi Bamidele briefed us on the Mid-Term Review of the Nigerian Content 10-Year Roadmap. At the same time, Prof DiriTeilanyo of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Federal University, Otuoke spoke on Improving Writing Competencies to Meet Evolving Media Trends. Chido Nwakanma spoke to the keynote of The Role of the Media in Achieving Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.

    I recommended storifying the narratives relying on the Narrative Paradigm theory, offering news you can use and deploying Solutions Journalism.

    Here are some storylines from that event that summarise the issues from the NCDMB angle: Local content ensured the continued operation of the oil and gas sector during Covid19 – NCDMB Exec Sec; NLNG Train 7 to create 40, 000 jobs with strong local content; $50m R&D Fund to deepen local content; NCDMB support critical to the establishment of Nigeria’s first modular refinery –Board Executive Secretary; Local Content Fund increased from $200m to $350m.

    The media will play a significant role in ensuring that everyone delivers on this significant national plan to provide greater local participation. It should be asking for specific key deliverables the Act requires from the operators. They include a Quarterly Procurement Report on local content for contracts exceeding USD 1m; Nigerian arm of an international firm must own 50% of equipment; Annual report on programmes for technology transfer and Nigerian Content Performance Report -60 days into each new year.

    In return, the media should seek a place on the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum that shall provide a platform for information sharing and collaboration in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The Act says the Consultative Forum should have representation from stakeholders in various areas. It lists fabrication; engineering; finance, legal and insurance; shipping and logistics; materials and manufacturing; information and communication technology; petroleum technology association of Nigeria; education and training; and any other professional services nominated by the Board. Media? I submit that the Nigerian Guild of Editors stands in the best stead to pursue this for the industry as membership cuts across all media types.

     

    https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/12/13/the-call-of-nigerian-content-from-bayelsa/https:/

     

     

     

     

  • THE PUBLIC SPHERE: Mobilising Ndigbo for voter registration – Chido Nwakanma

    THE PUBLIC SPHERE: Mobilising Ndigbo for voter registration – Chido Nwakanma

    THE PUBLIC SPHERE with Chido Nwakanma

    INEC has sounded the bell for the next voter registration exercise. It will commence in February 2021, and that exercise will play a critical role in what happens in 2023. It is time to organise for it.

    More than any other region, the South-East needs to ensure that its citizens register in the required numbers and at the right places. In the 2019 exercise, the South-East posted the least voter registration of 10.05m or 11.97 per cent. It was lower than even the distressed and war-torn North East that posted 11.2m or 13.4%. The North West posted 20.13m or 24% and the South West 16.29m or 19%.

    The breakdown for the South East shows Abia, 1, 932, 892; Anambra, 2, 447, 996; Ebonyi, 1, 459, 933; Enugu, 1, 944, 016 and Imo, 2, 272, 293. The states and the entire region can do much better than what these numbers tell.

    Numbers are a critical index in politics as in business. The South East prides itself on its understanding of numbers in business. However, it fails to do so in the critical arena of the struggle for, acquisition, control and utilisation of state power, otherwise called politics. The region must now understand the numbers game in politics.

    The South East seeks, deservedly, an opportunity to run the country with one of its own as President come 2023. The ground game is critical for this aspiration to count and for others to take it seriously. The ground game starts now with mobilisation for voter registration.

    Adequate numbers will serve as a bargaining chip in the hard-nosed negotiations ahead for both the Presidency and reckoning in other areas in the country. Many factors account for the deficient registration of voters in the region, and most of it is self-inflicted. There is the confusion caused by groups who have confused young people over the past few years, canvassing against registration for the census and voting, and the fact that a large population of the region’s people live outside.

    A breakdown of the numbers would probably show a 60-40 or even 50-50 split between those who live at home and citizens outside the homeland. South-Easterners contributed to the numbers in the South West, North Central and the North West as well as the South-South. In 2023, that rationalisation will not count. The region can minimise the numbers outside and create bulk.

    Then there is the matter of voter apathy by persons from the region. There is much lamentation on the trending village square of the mobile age, WhatsApp, but not much else. Citizens do not register, attend political events or show interest in the citizenship activities that they previously engaged in within their towns unions. They are yet to transfer participation in village developmental activities to the political arena of parties and elected governments of legislature and executive. The elite and the middle class are worse as they represent all bluster and no muster.

    The call is on the political class of the South East, the immediate beneficiaries of the political permutations if they turn out aright. The various Igbo socio-cultural and political associations should now step up to the plate. They range from Ohanaeze through Aka Ikenga, Nzuko Umunna, Igbo Bu Igbo, the Society of Igbo Professionals and the many others.

    Mobilise Ndigbo for voter registration.

    The mobilisation must be total. Mobilise the people emotionally, intellectually, physically and fiscally. Ndigbo must replicate in February 2021 the mass return to the homeland in December and August. They have to move from the major cities outside and return to the motherland to register for voting.

    These groups can and should organise and sponsor transportation for willing citizens from the major hubs. Consider Lagos and Ibadan as take off for persons in the South West. Abuja would serve persons in the FCT and neighbouring states. The NorthWest should use Kaduna and Sokoto. Then Jos and Maiduguri for the North East.

    Return to the East for voter registration should be a central theme of messaging from now, amplified during Christmas and effected in February 2021.

    It is time to stop the play-acting by the elite, the middle class and in particular the political class. These groups need to put their money in support of their mouth and ambitions. They should pay for the mass return of our citizens to register for voting.

    No, it will not suffice to call on citizens to come home. Incentivise them. Leadership involves paying the price on behalf of the many and leading the way. Leaders should earn their pips. The cost should not be a deterrent, and it is not much. We are looking at about 120-150 luxury buses over a month. Others could also sponsor PJs!

    A second reason is that February is close to Christmas. Our average citizens would be out of pocket from the sundry expenses of the Yuletide, return to school of the children, and travels. They would need support and encouragement.

    Citizens should prepare to take a one-week break for this exercise. The calculation takes in two days of travel, and at least two days to ensure that the registration happens. Allow for bureaucratic hiccups or inertia. Then return to your base.

    The Ohanaeze Strategy Team should link with socio-cultural groups as well as the secretariats of all the political parties in the region. The parties should be at the forefront. Citizen mobilisation for voting is one of the primary functions of political parties. The time is now to do so.

  • The imperative of local vigilance and protection, By Chido Nwakanma

    The imperative of local vigilance and protection, By Chido Nwakanma

    The fallouts of the END SARS protests and its disastrous aftermath will stay with Southern Nigeria for a long while. What happens and how quickly each city and state rebuild will depend on the strategic capability and responsiveness of their governments. It is a race that will speak to organisation, responsiveness and capacity to execute.
    Lagos is evidently in the lead here.
    Our premier city-state has placed the despoilation of Lagos as the primary victim of the anger of the street. The scale of damage in Lagos is relative to its size and significance. The unity and joint action of the South West on the imperative of rebuilding Lagos State deserves commendation. Other voices are joining, such as Governor Nasir El_Rufai of Kaduna State who lamented the damage on Thursday 5 October. Lagos is mobilising fast as is characteristic of the state. God speed.
    However, there was similar damage in most other parts of Southern Nigeria, particularly in the towns and cities of the South East. From Aba through Umuahia, Enugu, Awka, Calabar, and Warri, the street turned red. Many actions during the incidents remain inexplicable. The illogical narratives attending Lekki Toll Gate 20 October 2020 illustrate the confusion.
    One takeaway is that END SARS and the Aftermath are warning signs to the Nigerian State. The people are hungry and angry. Governments must wake up to do the needful.
    There are more lessons for the South East to which I now turn. The day after the unwarranted joint action by all the governors to impose curfew cordons on their states without security back up, they soon came to a realisation and realignment. The Governors called for meetings with representatives of the constituent communities.
    Readers will recall that this column not only questioned the rationale and intendment of the curfews at a time when the Police were off the streets but also drew from the empirical evidence of the Anambra State Police Command to recommend the involvement of the communities. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/10/25/the-placebo-of-curfews-by-southern-governors/.

    The governors seemed to agree initially. It is thus disheartening to see a recourse to the Centre by most of the governors.
    Some are celebrating the entry of the Army into their states as the pivot of security management. Anambra makes a photo splash of the beautiful female soldiers now in the state’s security architecture. Others are hoping the Nigerian Police wakes up from its lethargy.
    Dear Governors, please take a step back and think more deeply about the matter. Security of lives and properties is one of the principal functions of government. Governors of states in Southern Nigeria have for long pretended that the constitution constricts them from taking charge of this vital function in their territories.
    It is untrue and merely a legal fig leaf. If it were true, why do the governors allocate and draw humungous sums to themselves
    When it comes down to brass tacks, as the aftermath of ENDSARS demonstrated, security is a local matter best handled by the governments in each geography. The lessons of history and recent experience instruct that each governor of a state should organise and superintend over local community vigilance structures.
    Work with the communities. There is no need for a big bureaucracy or fanciful terms such as community police that we have debated endlessly. Empowered communities will take care of matters of security. On the legal front, note how the states of Northern Nigeria created their Hisbah Forces to enforce sharia.
    I recommend for Abia State the creation of Ndi Nche Abia, a community-based security architecture that works with the Local and State Governments for the protection of our people. The bureaucrats should work out the modalities so long as they do not create a bureaucracy and observe the limitations on arms-bearing.
    There is another existential challenge before our people reflected in the price and absence of the ordinary onions. The Onion Inflation speaks to our current limitations in a critical area: food security. Food security is fundamental.
    Food security should now be a principal focus of the Akurueulo Movement. Governments of the South-East should mobilise, as Michael Iheonukara Okpara did half a century ago, to ensure the production of adequate food for the security of their citizens. There is hardly time. In Time Management terms, the matter is both urgent and important.
    Food insecurity in the land is one of the major fallouts from the disturbances. That we lack competitive capacity not to speak of advantage in the primary foods that we consume is not acceptable at all. It should be the battle cry.
    Why is it a matter for governments? The answer is that no one should mount the rostrum with campaigns about each family having garden farms. No. We need large scale and modernised agriculture and production. The state should serve both as enabler and instigator. Startup the projects, then get companies and individuals to go into it large scale.
    Studies show there are no limitations of geography for the South East in engaging in agricultural production of all the current staples that make up our menu. Nothing. Not land. Not the weather. Not human capacity.
    Security should be the topmost matter in Umuahia, Abakaliki, Awka, Enugu and Owerri from now until 2023, in the interim, and after that a five-year rolling plan. We must have food and physical security in the South East. Local vigilance and protection are the imperatives of today and tomorrow. Please get on with it.

  • PTF builds health infrastructure with additional 39 labs across 25 states, By Chido Nwakanma

    PTF builds health infrastructure with additional 39 labs across 25 states, By Chido Nwakanma

    By Chido Nwakanma

     

    Students of Policy in Nigeria and Africa must pay attention to institutions such as the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, the Nigerian framework for the management of the pandemic that struck at the beginning of 2020. One area of interest would be to compare its performance with what its peers are doing across the world. Another is the frequent mismatch between policy statements and their execution in Africa’s most populous country.

    Six months into its formation, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, has contributed to the upscaling of critical health infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly in disease identification and investigation.

    Through the work of the PTF, Nigeria has built additional 39 molecular laboratories able to carry out investigations into coronavirus and related ailments. There were barely five such laboratories in the country in March 2020 when the PTF commenced work.

    Dr Sani Aliyu, the PTF National Coordinator, confirmed that pushing for and upscaling health infrastructure across the country is one of the significant contributions of the PTF.

    These molecular labs are part of the 74 laboratories the National Centre for Disease Control approved for COVID-19 tests in Nigeria as of 20 October 2020. They consist of 68 public laboratories and six private health facilities of which COVID-19 tests are free at the public health facilities.

    Part of the upscaling of Nigeria’s medical response has seen the establishment of 43 Rapid Response Teams in the States.

    According to Dr Omotayo Bolu, a senior executive with the PTF, “The State Rapid Response teams are national-level teams of experts mobilized during the initial stage of the pandemic to quickly support the state teams in setting up the COVID 19 State Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs). They supported the state teams to quickly ramp up their responses, especially for epi-surveillance, case finding, sample collection, case management, and risk communication. Specifically, once a case is detected, they investigate and initiate contact tracing, ensure testing of contacts and recommend positives for isolation.”

    The PTF played a central role in the establishment of the additional laboratories. It coordinated and mobilized critical stakeholders including Ministries, Departments and Agencies, donors and private sector (notably CACOVID) to align towards the goal of achieving a single national response, thus optimizing efforts, ensuring efficiency, and avoiding duplications.

    It also assisted with resource mobilization. Dr Bolu states, “PTF mobilized partners to provide resources including donations of critical lab equipment and supplies. PTF facilitated the expansion of labs services involving private labs, thus increasing service coverage and uptake.”

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control took on the role of accrediting the labs before the establishment of their services per strict guidelines and accreditation criteria.

    Through the prompting and assistance of the Task Force and the NCDC, Nigeria now has many isolation centres to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. State governments, private sector coalitions such as CACOVID as well as groups and individuals established these isolation centres.

    What will happen to the isolation centres as the COVID-19 caseload continues to decrease? What is the counsel of the PTF on the matter? The PTF executive stated, “The plan is to transition temporary isolation centres with its equipment to permanent isolation centres in each state. The aim is to increase the level of preparedness of the states for future epidemic/pandemics. The goal is to ensure that Nigeria has permanent structures and equipment that it can sustain to respond to the ongoing outbreak and future epidemics.

    Dr Bolu offers an overview of the role of the agency. “The PTF stakeholder mobilization has resulted in the commitment of resources in the health system. These health system investments made it possible to provide critical medical equipment, training and supplies that were not readily available pre-COVID-19. Thus, it has improved the preparedness level of the health system, being in a better position to handle future epidemics/pandemics.

    “Working in close collaboration with NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health and other partners, PTF facilitated the in-country expansion of laboratory testing capacity, isolation/treatment centres, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and other equipment such as ventilators & PPEs. These infrastructures and equipment domicile in various states and they will continue to put them in good use for other medical responses to Nigerians beyond COVID-19.”

  • Incoherence on Covid19 drug between NAFDAC and PaxHerbal – Chido Nwakanma

    Incoherence on Covid19 drug between NAFDAC and PaxHerbal – Chido Nwakanma

    By Chido Nwakanma

    Ineffective communication between two significant players in the health sector muddied the waters Saturday 11 July concerning the otherwise positive news of the development of a licensed Nigerian medication against aspects of Covid19. It showed what can go wrong in communication of sensitive matters such as those requiring the approval and consent of a third party. It also provides a teachable moment for professionals in healthcare, regulation, and communication.

    Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Ewu, Edo State announced that it had finally received the approval of NAFDAC for the marketing of its CUGZIN. It was all over the media on Saturday. The Pax Herbal news release stated, “After a series of screening, spanning eight weeks, NAFDAC has today approved our Paxherbal COVID-19 herbal drug, Paxherbal Cugzin, for public use.

    “It is the first to be so approved and presently the only one. The drug is specifically for treating the symptoms associated with the coronavirus.”

    Father Anslem Adodo, Director of Pax Herbal, stated further.

    Writing on their official Facebook page, Father Anslem Adodo, Director of Pax Herbal, expatiated on the announcement. He wrote under the headline Official Announcement from Pax Herbal. Father Adodo stated, “We at Pax Herbals are happy to confirm that our CVDPlus, which has been renamed CUZIN, has been issued a NAFDAC number as ‘an immune booster and an anti-infective.’

    We are aware that there is a lot of anxiety in the land, and people are hungry for any reliable immune booster as prevention. PAXHERBAL CUGZIN will help to boost body immunity, as there is yet no officially approved drug for the cure of COVID-19. We ask our followers to look out on our Facebook page for official statements and be weary of different claims or stories or images on social media about our products.

    The Guardian report on the matter amplified the statement. It reported Adodo as saying that NAFDAC had earlier given tacit approval for the drug to be used, even though the body was yet to make that approval official; hence the first packs of the herbal remedy bore the disclaimer, “these claims have not yet been verified by NAFDAC.”

    But with that hurdle crossed, Paxherbal Cugzin now has the NAFDAC number: A7-4358L.

    Pax Herbal Cugzin, which had earlier been produced under the brand name, ‘CVD PLUS,’ before it was rebranded to ‘Paxherbal Cugzin,’ is in capsules and packaged in a container of eighty 290mg capsules, each containing Garcinia Kola, Curcuma Longa and Zingiber officinale.”

    As the news hit the airwaves, print and social media, NAFDAC reacted as one stung. It issued a disclaimer. Prof Moji Adeyeye, Director General of the Agency, dismissed the Pax Herbal claim as wrong and inaccurate.

    Prof Adeyeye stated, “Pax Herbal applied for Listing of Pax Herbal Cugzin capsule 290mg which was approved by NAFDAC and Listed as “Safe to use”. The applicant claimed that it is an immune booster and an anti-infective.

    “However, as part of the labelling of the product, and in line with global practice, a Disclaimer is on the product label, which clearly states that the claims have not been evaluated by NAFDAC.

    Therefore, the statements circulating in the social media that NAFDAC has approved Paxherbal product “specifically for treating symptoms associated with Coronavirus” is WRONG and INACCURATE.

    Until a clinical study is done in a scientific manner, no herbal medicine manufacturer can claim effectiveness to treat COVID-19 associated symptoms.”

    It is difficult to understand the source of the disagreement. The NAFDAC statement confirmed everything that Pax Herbal stated. Everything.

    Check.

    ??? ??????: “We at Pax Herbals are happy to confirm that our CVDPlus, which has been renamed CUZIN, has been issued a NAFDAC number as ‘?? ?????? ??????? ??? ????-?????????’.

    ??????: Pax Herbal applied for Listing of Pax Herbal Cugzin capsule 290mg which was approved by NAFDAC and Listed as “Safe to use”. ??? ????????? ??????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ????-?????????.

    ??? ??????: PAXHERBAL CUGZIN will help to boost body immunity, ?? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????????? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????-??.

    ??????: “As part of the labelling of the product, and in line with global practice, a Disclaimer is on the product label which clearly states that the claims have not been evaluated by NAFDAC.

    Therefore, the statements circulating in the social media that NAFDAC has approved Paxherbal product “specifically for treating symptoms associated with Coronavirus” is WRONG and INACCURATE.”

    NAFDAC evaluated the product of Pax Herbal, which clearly stated that it is an immune booster and declared it as SAFE TO USE. It then gave it a NAFDAC number. All across West and Central Africa, everyone regards a registration number from NAFDAC as a seal of approval. It is what it is.

    NAFDAC admits to approving the drug as “safe to use” but only requires a disclaimer that it has not done clinical trials. Why did they then pass it? They licensed it and gave it a number. Why the prevarication in the statement?

    Pax Herbal is no pushover in research. The research laboratory is better equipped than most institutions in Nigeria. They subject their products to rigorous testing in line with the highest scientific protocols.

    The contradictory statement of NAFDAC sees an agency in conflict with itself on the matter of regulation of traditional medicine. There is no western protocol to follow. The call is on NAFDAC to develop and implement protocols for the regulation of medication developed using indigenous herbs. It struggles with sounding scientific according to the Western canons and doing the right by our society and systems.

    NAFDAC seeks to comply with the dictates of Good Regulatory Practices (GRP). It should. The World Health Organisation states that “Good regulatory practices (GRP) provide a means for establishing sound, affordable and effective regulation of medical products as an important part of health system strengthening.”

    The WHO stipulations for GRP include legality, impartiality, consistency, proportionality, and flexibility. Others are effectiveness, efficiency, clarity, and transparency. NAFDAC should look at the dictates on proportionality, flexibility and clarity again.

    The NAFDAC statement has thrown eggs in both their faces. It was unfortunate and unnecessary. The announcement cast needless doubts on the efficacy of NAFDAC as the regulator and the desirability of using the CUGZEN. In which case, it threatens the investment of a Nigerian firm in these difficult times.

    The kerfuffle between NAFDAC and Pax Herbal stems from inadequate consultation and procedure. Best practice in managing communication on matters involving two bodies is an agreement on the tenor of public statements and the text. NAFDAC and Pax Herbal should have issued a joint statement or at least vet the statement that Pax Herbal issued.

    NAFDAC may want to look at incorporating Communication Procedure for Regulated Products in its GRP for Nigeria.