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Opinion

There is no ‘insecurity’ in Nigeria | By: Tony Ogunlowo

Nuterus has recently been voted for as one of the safest countries in the world to live in. It has a zero-crime rate and you’re a lot safer walking the streets of Lagos than you are in London or New York.

This of course, is one big fat lie!
As part of his Eid el Maulud message to the nation President Buhari suggests “time has come to revise the prefixes ‘rising insecurity’ with ‘declining insecurity’ “. In short, he’s asking us to be economical with the truth. So, in short, the DSS can only do so much to stop the truth getting out and now the Presidency is politely asking journalists to “lie small, small” (- or else?).
Twitter is down (unless you are using a
VPN) and any other Social Media site used to discuss the rising insecurity in the country can be shut down with a single nod from Aso Rock.

Now, we can’t all be Lai Mohammed, as a reporter/journalist/columnist we have a job
– and responsibility – to report what we see, truthfully, for the benefit of the populace. To follow the Presidents directive would be like telling a doctor to downplay the dangers of the Covid pandemic.
The general public has a right to know what is going on in the world around them. If you downplay the insecurity in the country you risk lulling people into a false sense of security and the criminals will become bolder knowing the people have dropped their guard.
This comes at a time when the Nigerian Airforce allegedly had to bribe bandits, with
N20 Million, to return an anti-aircraft gun they had stolen but we’re not allowed to report it, Wall Street Journal dey lie!

A journalist code of ethnic’s states that a journalist must serve the people with devotion, educate while avoiding sensationalism without distorting or manipulating the facts.
So for 48 hours of ‘declining insecurity’ in Nigeria the following happened:
– 43 people killed in a Bandit attack in Sokoto state.
– 10 bandits killed in Giwa LG, Kaduna.
– Village head kidnapped in Katsina.
– The NDLEA made more than 700 arrests.
– Bandits kill 12 in Zamfara.
…and that’s not taking into account all the other ‘minor’ crimes like the Fulani herdsmen going on the rampage, again, and everywhere; cultists killing one another in running battles across the country; armed robbers having a field day in Lagos, kidnappers etc.
In 2019 I wrote an article entitled “ The Death of Free Speech in Africa” in which I pointed out that African leaders were back to their old tricks of controlling the media and this was
before the Twitter ban in Nigeria: control the media and you can control the people forever. It works well in North Korea, China, Russia and some African countries and now its slowly becoming practice again in Nigeria. Again, its being brought back by the same man who in 1984 tried to repress the press with the infamous Decree 4.
So, in my article I’ll be writing that the glorious Nigerian Army has exterminated all but five members of the dreaded Boko Haram: Governor Nasir el- Rufai has announced that Kaduna state is finally bandit free; the South-East is the most peaceful – and safest – place to live in Nigeria and all yahoo-yahoo boys and
cultists are being rounded up.
I wish!
0 1557
 Features

96ers primed for upscaled publicity in 2022- Adenugba (PRO Candidate)

Bodun Adenugba, is vying for the position of a Public Relations Officer of the Federal Government College, FEGCO 96ERS (1996 set).

Bodun, who is also monikered SPRUCE and GUBE is an Entrepreneur and CEO/MD of ACTIVISION INTEGRATED RESOURCES LTD, a Real Estate Marketing company with over a decade of field experience.

Described as a humble, passionate, sociable, accommodating, focused and disciplined man. Bodun knows his mettle and is fully committed to serve. “I have considered our group needs, and I have assessed my capabilities. I am fit as fiddle for the role. No iota of doubt about that.” He said.

Bodun acknowledged the efforts of the outgoing executives whilst pledging to work hand in hand with other newly elected executives to create laudable initiatives.

“I will come up with new innovations on how to better interrelate with mates so that everyone’s voices can be heard and they can make contributions for the betterment of our noble group. When elected, I would raise the level of P.R for all of the house meetings in order to make certain that attendance to these meetings is not only maintained but also increased. By working closely with the other executive members I hope to make sure that all house meetings gain the level of attention that the social gatherings do by using all of the possible resources open to me.” He enthused.

On being seen as a controversial person, he added, “The aspiration for perfection is a continuous one. Every day we keep learning better ways of doing things, relating better with people – all in the greater interest of the group. I have learnt and still learning. My confidence is in our collective strength to rise above personal issues to the greater good of 96ers. Remember, I belong to no one. The role serves every 96er.”

The race is between himself and a colleague Mr. Ifiok Essien who is also seen as good sport. Mr Bodun who is known for daily news updates has been consistent in promoting news articles in the group for upwards of 4 years now. He is by every stretch, one of the most active members of the 96ers group and is loved and respected for his candour, frank talk and often controversial stances. He is passionate about his beliefs and is currently seen as the underdog in a race that is bound to be highly competitive.

Asked what his reaction would be if he loses, he responds: “I will congratulate my brother and share my ideas with him. My aspiration is not for Gube, it is for 96ers. We rise by lifting others so no wahala. I am however confident that 96ers will vote me if competence and availability to work is the focus.”

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 Opinion

Opinion: Post COVID-19: Rebuilding Africa and strengthening its resilience against future economic shocks |By: Charles Leyeka Lufumpa

After demonstrating its resilience during the Ebola outbreak and the global financial crisis, Africa is once again facing a severe test of its strength and agility because of the coronavirus pandemic. The good news is that the continent has entered this crisis in reasonably good shape following decades of progression in health, education and economic outcomes.

As of early 2020, macroeconomic fundamentals in Africa were improving, with investments, rather than consumption, accounting for more than half of the region’s growth. Inflation was falling and the continent was making impressive strides towards accomplishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Africa must build on the momentum and strive to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from reversing the gains of the past 20 years.

Admittedly, that’s easier said than done: despite their best efforts, many countries still struggle with fragile health systems, high debt levels, weak external balances, as well as high rates of poverty and unemployment. The African Development Bank now projects that Africa will fall into a recession in 2020 with economic growth contracting by at least 1.7 per cent. In a worst-case-scenario, this figure could turn out as high as 3.4 per cent.

Cumulative losses in gross domestic product (GDP) across the continent could range between $173.1 billion and $236.7 billion in 2020 and 2021. The coronavirus pandemic threatens to increase the debt burden of African countries from 60 per cent to 70 per cent of gross domestic product, heightening the likelihood of a sovereign debt crisis. The additional financing required to cushion the consequences of the crisis could be in excess of $150 billion.

In a part of the world where 85 per cent of the population earn their living in the informal sector, unemployment as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic could push an additional 28 to 49 million people into extreme poverty. Moreover, if we fail to take adequate action, the impact of the crisis on food insecurity and malnutrition may be even worse than anticipated.

What can be done to support African economies?

To counter the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Africa needs robust policy responses from every country on the continent, paired with strong support from Africa’s development partners. In the short term, African countries should prioritise healthcare spending for the provision of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and materials, acceleration of local production of medical supplies including PPE and vaccine and drug discovery.

Targeted cash transfers and subsidies for vulnerable households as well as subsidies and tax relief for businesses should be high on the agenda. Central banks must inject liquidity into the economy, turning to unconventional policy tools such as quantitative easing if necessary. In the longer term, countries should seize the imperative of building resilience to future crises. As good times return and economies get back on track, it should become a priority to build domestic and external buffers against any potential exogenous shocks.

More money should be earmarked for scientific, economic and social research. Countries should pursue global and continental partnerships to prepare for eventualities. Private sector growth and revamping education and labour markets for the future of work are also key.

The role of development partners

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, multilateral development institutions took immediate action to help Africa’s poorest countries navigate the crisis and help them on the road to recovery. The African Development Bank is playing its part through its USD 10 billion COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility (CRF). The CRF offers immediate relief to African countries to address the crisis by providing additional resources for public health interventions, social protection programs and liquidity and budget support to affected sectors of their economies.

Civil society and think tanks have a useful role to play by helping to build trust, solidarity and uptake of COVID-19 prevention and containment measures. They can also help to ensure that COVID-19 interventions are carried out equitably and that governments are held accountable for their policies and actions.

The African Development Bank stands ready to work with other multilateral financial institutions and wealthier nations to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on African countries. For example, we welcome partnerships to establish dedicated donor-financed COVID-19 trust funds. We also urge G20 nations to consider debt forgiveness for low-income countries.

Reasons to remain optimistic

The continent’s youthful and innovative population, its growing middle class, its value addition to the abundant natural resources and its ever-improving governance systems give us plenty of reason to be confident that Africa will overcome the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year marks the first time the continent has entered a recession in more than half a century. Over the past two decades, Africa has boasted some of the highest growth rates in the world, setting the region up as the next investment frontier in a post–COVID-19 world.

The level of cooperation in Africa has been encouraging. But beyond the crisis, we need to continue working together to help rebuild our economies and prepare them for the future. Africa will emerge from this episode stronger and more resilient than ever before.

2 6091
 Entertainment

Genevieve Nnaji named Toronto International Film Festival 2020 ambassador ​

Genevieve Nnaji is on a roll!
 
One month after she was selected as a member of the 2020 Class of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, alongside ace director, Akin Omotoso, the Nigerian star actress,  has been chosen as the ambassador of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2020. She joins the list of 50 celebrated filmmakers and actors who are invited as the ambassadors of the TIFF.
Some of which include Priyanka Chopra, Tatiana Maslany, Natalie Portman, Donnie Yen to mention a few. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the festival which is slated  from September 10 to September 19, 2020 will feature digital screenings and virtual red carpets. 
According to the festival, many of the ambassadors will engage with audiences through interactive digital experiences and events. Filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Cianfrance will lead a dialogue session and actor-producer, while David Oyelowo will be a guest speaker as part of the TIFF Rising Stars program, Deadline reports.
 
“In a time of disruption, professionals from around the world still look for occasions to come together, share innovative ideas, buy and sell content, and find creative ways to collectively forge ahead towards a safer, healthier, and inclusive future. This year, delegates can expect to find community, connection, inspiration, and talent — the foundation that will serve as the way forward.” Geoff Macnaughton, Senior Director of Industry & Theatrical, TIFF revealed. 
 
0 5889
 Opinion

It’s Time to Take it to The Next Level ~By Tony Ogunlowo

This it! The Whole world is going crazy and you need to prepare yourself to go through incredible tough times for a long time to come! You need to be more tougher than ever to see these troubled times through ( See my previous article ‘When the going gets Too tough’). The whole wide world is fast becoming a tougher place to live in and you need to wise-up and man-up to keep up the pace.

In my article ‘2019: Time to disrupt the system!’I warned that there would come a time when the governments of the world won’t be able to care or cater for all their citizens. That time is now! The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how clueless our leaders are when it comes to dealing with an international crisis. When this clears up its going to be every man for himself. Already the lockdown we have experienced has shown us how fragile our lives are: if you don’t have, you won’t have! The Rich with their vast resources will see this through whilst the Poor, with nothing, will perish! Mass unemployment that will result from this pandemic as a result of many small businesses going bust and bigger firms making people redundant will mean many people living from pay check to pay check will end up with nothing! Many countries will go deeper into deep depression as their economies won’t be able to cope with the fallout and richer countries will have to dig deeper into their reserves to keep themselves going.

Whether this is a cull of the human race, the forced implementation of the UN Agenda 21 or the emergence of a New World Order we are yet to see. But one thing is for sure, nothing will ever be the same again.

With very tough times looming for the individual it means if you can’t swim against the tide you will drown! Life now is going to be the survival of the fittest – and shrewdest!

To ride the storm out you need to take yourself to the next level and to do that you need what I call ‘PINTS’ (N.B – not pints of beer!)

‘PINTS’  is my acronyms for:

P – Power.

IN – Intelligence.

T –  Technology.

S –  Simplicity.

So you’re mentally disciplined and can stay focused and you’re patient and resilient ( from my article ‘When the going gets too tough’) and now it’s time to condition yourself even further to be the best of the best of the best till you end up being in a league of your own

Now to break down my acronyms ‘P.I.N.T.S’ :

1, POWER can mean any kind of ‘power’ but for the purpose of this article I’ll narrow it down to physical, mental and spiritual.

When push comes to shove if you’re only used to working 9 hours a day you might have to work longer and harder. The human body can take it and you can do it! It’s a simple question of pushing yourself to do more, as required. Working longer days, weeks or even months shouldn’t be a problem but an obstacle to overcome. Or as Tech Giant Elon Musk once famously put it ‘…nobody ever changed the world [working] on 40 hours a week..’. If you can push yourself to go an extra mile, you can push yourself to go 5 more miles or even more. What does it take to achieve the impossible? You do the impossible! It can be done. You can do it. I’ve done it!

And that brings us to the second ‘power’ – mental. If the resources are there and you don’t have the will to do it you are finished! A lot of people lack the positive mental attitude to keep going let alone the motivation to push themselves to do more. A lady once told me she couldn’t lose weight because she didn’t have the willpower to stop eating. In replying her I asked her if she would take another bite of food if I put a gun to her head. Her answer was ‘No’! Don’t wait for somebody to put a gun to your head – do it yourself! Be more positive and work on your mental abilities developing an ‘I CAN DO’ attitude because you can do it. You just have to believe more in yourself.

Now we move on to ‘spiritual’ power : a man who has no supreme being he believes in is a man with no hope. Ever since the beginning  of Time mankind has always believed in the existence of one God or another; a spiritual supreme being we can pray to in times of  trouble, uncertainty and calamity. And in return we are granted miracles( – not the fake miracles concocted by most ‘pastors’!) to help us when we least expect them. So keep up with the prayers and don’t forget your intuition. By using your intuition a lot more you’ll learn how to tap into a higher state of consciousness that’ll provide new information, an endless supply of new ideas and solutions to existing problems.

2, INTELLIGENCE – Only the smartest are going to be the ones who’ll prosper in the coming years. They’ll be the ones who’ll see the new opportunities, the gaps in the market etc. not everyone is born clever so now is the time to align yourself with those who are – thinkers, innovators, mentors – and learn to see things differently. Even the late Steven Jobs  wasn’t that clever: he surrounded himself with people more clever and intelligent than himself to make his dream ideas a reality. In our new emerging world contactless cards are going to replace cash, social media video networking will increase and most people are going to be relegated to working from home. Even in times of recession and uncertainty people are making fortunes. They are the smart intelligent ones who can see a brand new opportunity a mile away – be one of them!

3, TECHNOLGY – if you’re a technophobe and still stuck in the 20th Century its time to get your skills up to date. The future is ONLINE and whether you like it or not, or you are a conspiracy theorist, 5G is coming. I’m not going to go into the dangers of 5G Technology ( because I don’t know of any) but to say that 25 years ago it was rumoured then that if you used the then analogue mobile phone too much you’ll get cancer: a rumour that was debunked at the time. 5G is just a natural progression from the 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G digital technology we’ve been using for the past 20 years. We need new technology to be able to do the things we weren’t able to do 20 or 30 years ago. For those in doubt it’s called ‘progress’ so it’s time to get your skills up to date – or be left behind. If you and your business ( any kind of business) are not online you’re screwed!

4,SIMPLICITY – It’s time to keep your life simple and spend less for you never know how soon you are going to need your savings. With all the uncertainty going on you may not have a job next week, next month or even next year and the only thing you’ll have will be your savings. So it’s time to tighten your belts and forget about ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ . Spend less and save more. Keep it simple: buy what you need and not what you want. The extra cash saved might well save your life when you don’t have an income. A Yoruba man will tell you to leave something on your plate when you eat because if you scoff everything there’ll be no leftovers to eat when you are hungry.

So now while the world doesn’t know what  it’s doing its time for you, the individual, to go to Plan B – a plan designed to see you through the worst of times and you can do this if you take yourself – and your skills – to the next level. When this all clears up its going to be a jungle out there and only the smartest will survive or as Albert Einstein once said, “ in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”.

And my personal motto for these very difficult times is simply “ I came. I saw. I conquered!”. I won’t go quietly into the night !

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat ~ May Fortune favour the Bold!

Tony is on   Twitter: @Archangel641 or visit http://www.archangel641.blogspot.co.uk

0 3906
 Arts, Entertainment

Movie Review: Sylvia | By: Jerry Chiemeke

Movie Title: Sylvia

Genre: Romance/Thriller
Cast: Chris Attoh, Zainab Balogun, Ini Dima-Okojie, Udoka Onyeka, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Lord Frank, Bolaji Ogunmola and Omotunde Adebola “Lolo” David.
Direcor: Daniel Oriahi

While it’s fairly acknowledged in literature and film, the concept of having an imaginary friend is not one that is particularly well-received in a traditional Nigerian setting. Primarily because of the way Nigerians are tethered to religion, and also because the idea of living in one’s own head is largely alien to older generations, mentioning the existence of an imaginary friend would trigger more than a few alarms. The parents and friends of an individual who comes up with such would fear that they are exhibiting symptoms of madness, or worse still, that they have been possessed by a demon.

The same sentiment applies to the phenomenon that is a “spirit spouse”. For many people in these parts, it is a dreadful thing that should never befall the ones they care about. Spirit wives are the subject of fasting programmes, midnight prayers and deliverance sessions.

Daniel Oriahi knows these things, and this is why he decided to create an experiment with his 2018 offering. He’s no stranger to directing, having previously called the shots in Misfit, Zena and Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo, but it was always going to be interesting to see how he would pull off something like this, especially in a time where comedy films and rom-coms hold sway.

Sylvia, written by Vanessa Kanu and produced by Ekene Som Mekwunye for Trino Motion Pictures, is a thriller set in urban contemporary Nigeria. The film stars Chris Attoh, Zainab Balogun, Ini Dima-Okojie and Udoka Onyeka. It also features Ijeoma Grace Agu, Lord Frank, Bolaji Ogunmola and Omotunde Adebola “Lolo” David.

It’s the story of Richard (Attoh), a man who from his childhood days has maintained a strong relationship with an imaginary friend named Sylvia (Balogun). They communicate in Richard’s dream state, and Sylvia helps him with everything, from school assignments to general life advice. The friendship grows stronger and more intense as the decades roll by, and they keep in touch even after the death of his mother.

Richard grows to become a successful corporate executive in the real world, enjoying the company of his playboy best friend Obaro (Onyeka) and being constantly hit on by his personal assistant Hawa (Agu). One day at a restaurant, he bumps into a lady named Gbemi (Dima-Okojie), and they instantly hit it off. The romance blossoms, and he communicates this to Sylvia, who expresses her displeasure. He severs his friendship with Sylvia (in spite of her pleas and reassurances of affection) on the grounds that she “is not real”.

Richard marries Gbemi, and things go smoothly, but one day when he hits a brick wall with a sales pitch at work, he decides to reach out to Sylvia. She helps him once again, but her demeanour has significantly changed, and what follows is a turn of events that changes Richard’s life forever.

The movie’s opening scene plays out in a mental institution, and that pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the film. With a running time of 104 minutes, it dwells on the paranormal, exploring the idea of a friendship that exists between a man and a spirit, as well as that sensual cum erotic love that solely manifests in the ethereal realms. It also addresses the subject of mental health in a manner that has been largely ignored by Nigerian society: there is more to mental illnesses than depression or anxiety, and other conditions like Schizophrenia or Dissociative Identity Disorder are simply not discussed enough!

One of the things that make Sylvia work is that it can be viewed from multiple angles. When seen from the perspective of mental health, it flows like the Hollywood cult classic Fight Club, but if it were a romance movie. When seen from the perspective of spirit lovers and succubuses, it reminds you of classics like Sakobi, Suicide Mission and Lies of Destiny.

Balogun’s acting prowess is usually a subject of divided opinion, but she aces her role as the villain here, with eye movements, lip pouts and facial expressions that add more nuance to her character’s personality. A lot of credit should go to her costumier too, as the wardrobe changes and choice of lipstick reflect Sylvia’s changing mood. Chris Attoh puts in a very good shift, Agu’s unsubtle flirting makes for a lovable watch, and while it appears that Dima-Okojie has little to do, her contribution is nonetheless valuable.

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The use of a red hibiscus as some sort of portal access between Richard and Sylvia appears cheesy at first, but it becomes clearer when it’s revealed that the flower represents Kali, the Indian goddess of sexuality. One wonders, though, whether there was no Nigerian equivalent among the vast array of deities across the country’s cultures. There is also the question of whether a long coma would have been enough to satisfy Sylvia’s desires to be with Richard, and how Sylvia assumed the perfect human form to navigate her way into the real world.

The second act of the film appears a tad predictable — Richard’s best friend had to be the one seduced by Sylvia’s human form — but the pace of the final act makes up for that, and the closing scene where the nurse presents Richard with a red hibiscus makes for a compelling conclusion. Sylvia serves up a story that is as heartening as it is different, and for the daring nature of its narrative, it deserves all the plaudits.

Rating: 7/10.

______________________________________________________________________________

Jerry has been a featured contributor for platforms like Okadabooks, Bellanaija, The Bagus, The Lagos Review and the Opera News Hub. He has also facilitated writing workshops in different parts of Nigeria, and for his contribution to the Nigerian literary community, he was presented with the 2019 Connect Nigeria Award for Excellence.

He is the author of ‘The Colours In These Leaves’. Get the book here
He tweets @J_Chiemeke

0 6451
 Seria A

“He has everything it takes to be better than Zidane.”Alessandro Del Piero on Pirlo’s appointment as Juve coach.

Ex Italian footballer, Alessandro Del Piero has backed his former team-mate Andrea Pirlo to be successful in his new manageria role in Juventus. The 45 year-old is confident that the midfield maestro can even do better than his counterpart at Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane. 

Pirlo was announced as the new coach of seria A side, Juventus following the sack of ex manager, Maurizio Sarri after their Champions League last-16 exit to Lyon on Friday.

Piero spoke of his surprise about Pirlo’s appointment to Sky Sport Italia, ‘To be honest, I wouldn’t have bet on him becoming the coach. It’s a surprise for me too, I was already pleased for him taking the Under-23 role and thought that was the right move for him, but he’s skipped ahead, so I can only wish him luck. I think the general perception of former players who become coaches is changing in Italy. Before, there was this need to go through a long process in the lower leagues to learn the trade, but in recent years we’ve seen Filippo and Simone Inzaghi succeed, plus Gennaro Gattuso. They were great players and started straight away with great teams.’

He is also confident that Pirlo can also be reverred like Zidane at the Bernabeu.

‘It’s not a fair comparison, because Zizou had already worked with the Real Madrid youth team and then was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager, but Pirlo has everything it takes to do even better than Zidane, He already knows the club, the players, the directors, so I think they communicated in a very clear way.’

0 3850
 Entertainment

Diamonds In The Sky movie set to debut on Netflix.

Diamonds In The Sky, a movie produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by multi-award winning director, Kunle Afolayan for Leah Foundation and supported by Sterling Bank will debut on global streaming platform, Netflix on the 7th of August, 2020.

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The movie which had its premiere at Viva Cinemas, Ilorin last year was written by internationally acclaimed writer, Tunde Babalola and parades top-notch Nollywood actors and actresses such as Joke Silva, Adebayo Salami, Femi Adebayo, Ali Nuhu, Yvonne Jegede, Mogaji Majinyawa, Yemi Shodimu, Prof Ayo Akinwale, Ebun Oloyede Omowunmi Dada, Gabriel Afolayan, Ayo Mogaji, Kolade Olaiya, Bimbo Akintola, and many more.

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Diamonds In The Sky is a family drama that takes viewers through a roller coaster of emotions like love, joy and disappointment that comes together to play in what makes this movie an outstanding flick. The Leah Foundation is a pet project of the former Kwara State First Lady, Omolewa Ahmed. It aims to initiate and implement strategies to deal with cultural, socio-economic and political issues militating against the development of the youths, women and children in Kwara State.

 

0 3338
 Sports

Arteta thanks Guardiola for helping him to become a manager.

The happiest manager in the world right now, Mikel Arteta has expressed his gratitude to Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiolafor helping him to become a manager. The Spaniard won his first trophy in charge of Arsenal after beating Chelsea to 2-1 winners at Wembley to clinch the FA Cup yesterday. The Gunners lifted their 14th FA Cup after two goals from cap.

“I have to thank Pep.” Arteta who worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City for three years before leaving to join Arsenal told BT Sport.

‘Thank you as well I have to thank you Pep in a very big way because I am a manager in a big part to him so I think I have to consider that as well.’

Sometime in June, he spoke about his influence on his life

‘Well, he [Guardiola] was an influence for me since I was 15 years old and we met at Barcelona, both as players. And in my coaching career and my personal life, he has an enormous influence. If I have to talk about the person he is, his values, the way he has treated me and how he deals with the players and the staff around him, its phenomenal. As a coach, I have learned so much from him, we have spent some amazing moments together, some difficult ones as well, but the experience next to him has been incredible.’

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Corona Virus pandemic
 Opinion

Opinion: After COVID-19, will Africa Catch Up, Stand Still or Fall Further Behind? | By: Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka

At one time or another, nations and individuals confront crisis points – moments of existential challenge that also open up new possibilities. African countries, at just such a crisis point as a result of the novel coronavirus, face three possible outcomes post-pandemic: play catch-up, stand still or fall even further behind the industrialized world [1].

With this crisis comes an economic disruption of unprecedented proportion. To avoid falling further behind, Africans must narrow the scientific and technology gap and leverage our comparative advantages. It is time for Africa to adopt radical technological and policy innovations. The global economy is increasingly driven by science-based and patent-intensive systems. Through investments in molecular technology, AI and other technologies the 4th industrial Revolution is ushering in, they can overcome existing barriers to entry.

Catching Up

India offers an example of how to catch up. There, two key developments in the sixties and seventies sharply altered the country’s trajectory.

In 1965, following past famines crises, India imported 250 tons of high-yielding Mexican dwarf wheat seed varieties for wide-scale testing on farms. Early positive results led to the importation of a further 18,000 tons. Along with the use of irrigation and other innovations adopted by farmers, Indian agriculture was transformed.

Within five years, India produced enough grains to support its population and, even following a drought in 1979, had no need to import grain. Overall, the country’s wheat and rice production tripled between 1961 and 1980. Radical policy response to famine-induced crisis birthed the Green Revolution.

India’s pharmaceutical sector also experienced a crisis-inflection point in 1972, when the government passed the Patents Act, which enabled domestic firms to replicate drugs that had been patented by multinational corporations. Local companies have since dominated the global market through reverse-engineering leading to generic medicines that are far more affordable than patented ones. Radical policy response to crisis-induced shortage of medicines transformed Indian Pharma.

Falling Behind

Africa processes a very small proportion of its agricultural produce. We continue to export raw commodities like cocoa, timber and cotton that others process and re-sell to Africa at a much higher valuation. Our continent also has sufficient sunlight, wind and hydropower, technologies that can power Africa sustainably, and other regions besides.

Critically, Africa also has a median age of 19, far younger than that of any continent, a potential demographic dividend of young innovation-driven workers and a relatively small proportion of elderly workers. This human capital will foster Africa’s forging ahead.

If we fail to harness new technologies and leverage our strengths to create abundant high paying manufacturing and service jobs to compete within global supply chains, then we risk falling even farther behind on socioeconomic terms.

Forging ahead

To forge ahead, Africa will first have to return swiftly to economic growth. Beyond that, diversifying our economies will be critical, particularly for those countries that are dependent on one or two mineral resources or commodities. Above all, African companies must deepen capacities for competitive advantage to master new technologies in emerging sectors.

African innovators need a robust innovation framework and a better enabling environment to master the so-called industrial biology embedded in the 4th Industrial Revolution. For instance, firms in Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria and some other African countries have developed COVID-19 test kits but face a difficult path to commercialization.

China’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is once more illustrative of a dynamic industrial policy. It is targeting ambitious increases in domestic firms’ share of the global medical supplies market. The government has provided cheap land for factories subsidized loans, helps them to secure a supply chain of raw materials, and to stimulate domestic demand by incentivizing hospitals and companies to use their products.

And there are powerful examples right here on the continent. South Africa successfully financed the production of The National Ventilator Project to address COVID-19, developing prototypes, securing component supply chains, and a manufacturing facility. The project owes its success in part to strong government support and broad coordination among economic and technological agencies. As with South Africa, the rest of the continent would benefit from strong innovation systems that are part of national budgeting and planning frameworks.

African businesses have a critical role to play, but so do African leaders, who must strike a delicate balance between state intervention and open markets. African governments are best placed to identify market failures and opportunities, and devise policies and regulations that benefit Africa’s private sector and its people.

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