Africa In Focus

Africa In Focus: "The mainstream thinking now is that Africa is different and we could get it right if we want. The choice is fully ours, and it is now time for us to define what we want."

African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka.

Friday 22 August 2014

“I serve a faithful God who answers prayers” - US Doctor who survives #Ebola Virus




33-year-old doctor Dr Kent Brantly gave an emotional speech upon his release from Emory University.

Dr Brantly spent two weeks at the hospital to receive an experimental serum called “Zmapp” to cure the Ebola disease which he contacted during his missionary work in Liberia.

Dr. Kent Brantly stands with his wife Amber and makes a statement at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta following his discharge from the facility on Thursday

Here is Dr Brantley speech in his own words:


“Today is a miraculous day. I am thrilled to be alive, to be well and to be reunited with my family. As a medical missionary, I never imagined myself in this position. When my family and I moved to Liberia last October to begin a two-year term working with Samaritan’s Purse, Ebola was not on the radar. We moved to Liberia because God called us to serve the people of Liberia.

In March, when we got word that Ebola was in Guinea and had spread to Liberia, we began preparing for the worst. We didn’t receive our first Ebola patient until June, but when she arrived, we were ready. During the course of June and July, the number of Ebola patients increased steadily, and our amazing crew at ELWA Hospital took care of each patient with great care and compassion. We also took every precaution to protect ourselves from this dreaded disease by following MSF and WHO guidelines for safety.

After taking Amber and our children to the airport to return to the States on Sunday morning, July 20, I poured myself into my work even more than before – transferring patients to our new, bigger isolation unit; training and orienting new staff; and working with our Human Resources officer to fill our staffing needs. Three days later, on Wednesday, July 23, I woke up feeling under the weather, and then my life took an unexpected turn as I was diagnosed with Ebola Virus Disease. As I lay in my bed in Liberia for the following nine days, getting sicker and weaker each day, I prayed that God would help me to be faithful even in my illness, and I prayed that in my life or in my death, He would be glorified.

I did not know then, but I have learned since, that there were thousands, maybe even millions of people around the world praying for me throughout that week, and even till today. And I have heard story after story of how this situation has impacted the lives of individuals around the globe – both among my friends and family, and also among complete strangers. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and your support. But what I can tell you is that I serve a faithful God who answers prayers.

Through the care of the Samaritan’s Purse and SIM missionary team in Liberia, the use of an experimental drug, and the expertise and resources of the health care team at Emory University Hospital, God saved my life – a direct answer to thousands and thousands of prayers.

Ebola virus survivor Dr Kent Brantly and his wife, Amber (left) listen to Dr. Bruce Ribner (right), medical director of Emory's Infectious Disease Unit at a news conference on Thursday 

I am incredibly thankful to all of those who were involved in my care, from the first day of my illness all the way up to today – the day of my release from Emory. If I tried to thank everyone, I would undoubtedly forget many. But I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to a few. I want to thank Samaritan’s Purse, who has taken care of me and my family as though we were their own family. Thank you to the Samaritan’s Purse and SIM Liberia community. You cared for me and ministered to me during the most difficult experience of my life, and you did so with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Thank you to Emory University Hospital and especially to the medical staff in the isolation unit. You treated me with such expertise, yet with such tenderness and compassion. For the last three weeks you have been my friends and my family. And so many of you ministered to me not only physically, but also spiritually, which has been an important part of my recovery. I will never forget you and all that you have done for me.

And thank you to my family, my friends, my church family and to all who lifted me up in prayer, asking for my healing and recovery. Please do not stop praying for the people of Liberia and West Africa, and for a quick end to this Ebola epidemic.

My dear friend, Nancy Writebol, upon her release from the hospital, wanted me to share her gratitude for all the prayers on her behalf. As she walked out of her isolation room, all she could say was, ‘To God be the glory.’ Nancy and David are now spending some much needed time together.

Nancy Writebol, a missionary worker in Liberia, left hospital on Tuesday, Ebola free. She has asked for privacy as she continues to recover from the disease which weakened her

Thank you for your support through this whole ordeal. My family and I will now be going away for a period of time to reconnect, decompress and continue to recover physically and emotionally. After I have recovered a little more and regained some of my strength, we will look forward to sharing more of our story; but for now, we need some time together after more than a month apart. We appreciate having the opportunity to spend some time in private before talking to some of you who have expressed an interest in hearing more of our journey. Thank you for granting us that.

Again, before we slip out, I want to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Samaritan’s Purse, SIM, Emory and all of the people involved in my treatment and care.

Dr Brantly spoke at a press conference on Thursday alongside his wife Amber who had accompanied him in his missionary work to Liberia

Above all, I am forever thankful to God for sparing my life and am glad for any attention my sickness has attracted to the plight of West Africa in the midst of this epidemic. Please continue to pray for Liberia and the people of West Africa, and encourage those in positions of leadership and influence to do everything possible to bring this Ebola outbreak to an end. Thank you.”

Thursday 7 August 2014

Sexual Violence: The Role Of The Police


 
The damning state of insecurity has fueled the rise of sexual harassment and violence in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation of about 170 million people.

Although sexual violence is rarely reported in Nigeria, no fewer than two or three stories on sexual and reproductive violence are published in the newspapers daily. Such stories range from rape, kidnapping, acid-bath, wife-battery and other forms of physical and emotional abuse.

Continuous terror attacks, ruthless killings and abduction of children have not helped to curb the growth the ugly scourge of his menace and the most affected victims of this erroneous act are the women and the children.

While the issue has been brought to fore by concerned stakeholders, little has been done to properly address this situation. There is no standard law to address the fight against sexual violence in this present generation – especially in regards to the definition of what sexual violence is in the 21st century.

The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP Bill) that has been drafted for approval into law has continue to hit stone wall. When this bill is passed, it will address the present problem especially in regards to the modern law unlike the 19th century colonial law the country still follow to combat this problem.

So who should we turn to when the going gets tough on sexual harassment?  The police.
However, the police – a constituted agency of law has also been found wanting in aiding and abetting sexual violence acts through their actions and deeds.

Often time, the policemen themselves harass their suspects and handle sexual violence cases with such levity that the public has start to lose faith in their capacity as the forerunner to the messiah that will liberate them. (The messiah here is the passage of the VAPP Bill and the court who will issue appropriate sanction and sentences to the offender).

This is not to point an accusing finger at the police or utterly criticize their role in helping to maintain peace and security in the country, but the truth of the matter is their actions have fueled the rise of sexual violence in the country.

The fact that they consider most cases of sexual violence as inconsequential because “there are no evidence to back up the act” is an injustice that should not be overlooked.

In Nigeria, the regular Police attitude towards cases of sexual violence and harassment are of that of “Bystander apathy”.  They consider cases of sexual violence as part of culture, tradition and a family matter.

The police may argue that they are doing their best, but there is need to reinstate that they need to do more in seeing that justice prevail.


So, what are the roles of the Police In Sexual Reproductive Right?
·         The police are first responders to cases of sexual violence
·         Their primary duty is to save life
·         Duty to protect human rights
·         Equal treatment to all
·         Enforce law not tradition or religion
·         Show empathy
·         Apply discretion
·         Provide appropriate response
·         Counsel: safe abortion/ adoption
·         Proper referral
·         Be involved in women’s rights and health
·         A denial of any of women rights and health diminishes police role.

What does the law Say?

According to the Nigerian constitution:
Section 15 (Sub-section 2)  ...National integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.
Section 34 (1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly –
(a) No person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment;
Section 42 (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
(a)  be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.
Also,
The United Nations Code Of Conduct For Law Enforcement Officers
Article 2
In the performance of their duty, law enforcement officials shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons.
Article 5
No law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, nor may any law enforcement official invoke superior orders or exceptional circumstances such as a state of war or a threat of war, a threat of national security, internal political instability or any other public emergency as a justification of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Section 340… a police officer is required to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the laws, and of police orders and instructions, and to develop the attributes of:
            …integrity, in refusing to allow religious, racial, political, or personal feelings or other considerations to influence him in the exercise of his duties; ETC

Nigerian Police Act and Regulations:
Section 340… a police officer is required to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the laws, and of police orders and instructions, and to develop the attributes of:
            …integrity, in refusing to allow religious, racial, political, or personal feelings or other considerations to influence him in the exercise of his duties; ETC
Regulation 353: “A Police Officer shall not conduct himself in such manner as to bring his private interests into conflict with his public duties or in such manner as is likely to cause a suspicion in the mind of any reasonable person that he has –
a.         allowed his private interests to come into conflict with his public duties; or
b.         used his public position for his advantage”.
YOUR RELIGION OR TRADITION IS PRIVATE. IT IS NOT THE LAW
A Police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without favour or affection, or ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration.
All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration and dignity.
Sections 4 of the Police Act CAP 359 LFN 19:
·         The prevention and detection of crime
·         The apprehension of offenders
·         The preservation of law and order
·         The protection of life and property,
·         Due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged,
·          Perform such military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required of them by, or under the Authority of this or any other Act.


What the police must know in cases of sexual violence:

Although abortion is not fully legal in Nigeria; a woman has the right to:
·         Safe abortion (Unsafe abortion is the 3rd largest cause of maternal mortality).
·         Family planning (Spacing babies and choice of number of babies).
·         Counseling.
·         Choice of male partner/ who to have sex with.
·         Maturity before marriage.

They must also bear in mind that:
·         Every girl-child has a right to education.
·         Women are pivotal to our national development
·         Women’s rights are human rights

How can police help to address cases of sexual violence?
·         Protect human right.
·         Ensure equal treatment to all.
·         Enforce law, not tradition and customs.
·         Show empathy in cases of violence
·         Apply discretion when handling cases.
·         Counsel safe abortion /adoption and give appropriate response.

Since the police are one of the primary groups that can help to deal with sexual violence issues in the society; they have a huge responsibility to handle related cases with care so that they would not compound the problem.

This is because if the police must take their job seriously because “if police fails, the nation fails.”


Monday 4 August 2014

AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka Speaks On Poverty Alleviation And Women Empowerment


 

What is your view on the New Faces New Voices, a Pan African Advocacy group for women empowerment?

The founder, Mrs. Graca Machel, is a respected figure all over Africa who has been a woman of integrity, dignity and resilience whose main purpose is to serve humanity, which the late legend, Dr. Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela, is known for. A lot of businesses operating by women have suffered a lot. And this is not a trivial issue and this is the reason I support this idea. We need financial institutions that will support women and in the process they will realise their economy potential.

What are the challenges of women entrepreneurs in Africa?

I think the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Africa cuts across.  It has to do with access to funding. To alleviate these problems, every country has to put into practice and ensure that good policies on gender issues are put in place. Often times, we talk about women in finance or micro finance. And to go further and to ensure that half of Africa which is women have access to financial products such as insurance, banking, non-banking which men also have access to,  we have to remove the barriers  that hinder women so  they too can grow like their male counterparts.

Collateral has always been an issue that denies women access to funds. And there is a cliché that says don’t give money to people who cannot pay.  What policies are there at the ADB to ensure more women participate in generating economic wealth on the continent and also to have access to fund?

We are trying at ADB with what we call a quantitative target that in everything we do, either in infrastructure, education, agriculture and so on, at the middle, 30 per cent of it will go to companies under women. And for that reason, our procurement regulations have some kind of indices bias for companies under women.  Looking at the collateral issue, it is a common knowledge that banks don’t own money, they own our money (you and I) as customers or stakeholders. Before banks lend out money, they need collaterals or guarantee and if they ask for it, it is because they want to protect your money. I think we should encourage them to continue to lend wisely. The best way to ensure that women can have access to fund is to develop products which ensure that those who don’t have collateral can have access to funds. Then banks need to build a risk management system to ensure that lending money becomes less risky. And that is why I am a big advocate in New Faces New Voices that while giving out money; you also take equity in the business by providing technical services.
Are there specific financing programmes tailored for women in ADB?

There are some commercial banks rendering services for women in this regard in Zambia. As you know, commercial banks don’t do micro finance but real finance. Going forward, we want to develop products which combine debt equity and some kind of technical assistance.   The issue is not simple access to finance it is also ensuring that you don’t burden people with debt. In other words, you have to give them equity as well. For women to be fully involved we need to open the window, we need to restructure our financial institutions to respond to the needs of women. That would be the next step.

What specific roles do you think women should play in realising the African economic potential?

Let’s go back to the basics. We often talk about inclusive development. You don’t talk about inclusive development leaving Africans behind. The whole thing is about men and women, boys and girls having the same opportunities whether it is in finance or education. Also, to have the same opportunity to develop their continents.

In the course of your speech at the opening ceremony, you talked about Africa is rising. And yearly, several African countries are recording remarkable growth in their economies. These trends are described as hollow without any impact on the lives of African citizens. How can this issue best be addressed?

Yes.  We have been talking about Africa is rising. In my own view, it must rise for all Africans and not for a few Africans.  Everything is not about measuring the GDP (which shows how much economy has done), but how well people are doing. Yes Africa is rising but you don’t have money in your pocket. Economy is doing well but people still remain poor.  So everybody must feel that we are in the same boat. In my own opinion, the best is for all to do well in the continent.  In 1997, the former Tanzanian President said each time he was invited to Europe, they would ask ‘him how is Rwanda, Uganda, and so on doing?’, not how is Tanzania doing but how the whole of Africans were doing because they see us as one. I think we have wasted so much time on where we come from. This is part of the struggle we have to win. Above all, every country must have a policy that ensures that every person has the same opportunity.

Still talking about poverty in Africa, as a banker of repute, how do you think these perennial problems can be tackled?

First of all, we Africans must all address the business of ‘talking down on our continent.’ When you are talking about poor people, the highest numbers are in  India and China, which happen to be the fastest growing countries in terms of economy in the world. The number of poor people in Brazil, China and India is more than what we have in Africa.  But those countries are growing very fast. Poverty is a challenge everywhere. In Africa, especially in the 70s and 80s, population was increasing at the rate of three per cent and economy was not growing. So, per capital growth was negative and the countries were getting poorer.   Now, we have population growth of 2.6 per cent and the economy growth is between six and seven per cent growth, which indicates that we are moving up. But because the population is increasing, we still have a large number of people living in abject poverty. It will take some time for us to beat poverty. Again, five to six per cent of economy growth is not enough. We will need up to 10 per cent minimum which can take more than 15 years to achieve. If you have an economy which relies on small sectors to oil and gas, mining, that won’t give us the transformation we need. Again, we should not confuse economic growth with economic transformation. What beats poverty? It is the economic growth and economic transformation.

Nigeria recently re-based her economy which lifted it to become the largest economy in Africa. How can this country leverage successfully on this vantage position?

First of all, I welcome the re-basing of the economy and I want the statistics to continue. But I want it to go beyond the size of the economy to the structure of the economy. Nigeria has made a lot of progress. And contrary to what people think, the dependence on oil is over-exaggerated. Agriculture, film industry and others are growing tremendously. The economy is getting bigger, which to me, is a welcome development but they need to work on the structure.

Your bank is one of the advocates for improved transport infrastructure in Africa. In what ways are you working to make this goal a reality?

We are the biggest funder of infrastructure on the continent of Africa. In every country, we have done airports, highways, dams the list is endless but we alone cannot do everything. I am proud of what African Development Bank has done in the field of infrastructure which is 60 per cent of everything we do every year which amount to $80 billion.

In your speech at the opening ceremony, you talked about how African countries can work together for the good of the continent. In what ways do you think these boundary barriers can be tackled so that together they can achieve their full economy boost and cooperation?

If you get to London today, they first see you as an African before considering you as a Nigerian. For me, economic integration is possible but we have to remove the physical barriers to movement of people and improve infrastructure in the continent. Though this isn’t enough, we also have to remove the bureaucracy in terms of visa procedures. I am an advocate of abolition of visas for Africans travel within Africa. As a Nigerian, you can come for tourism or one business or the other in Zambia without going through visa stress. So we need to make this practical.  In Europe, they have something called Siegen Visa that enables you to move across European countries unhindered. I am a Rwandan, if I want to come to Nigeria, I will need a visa, if I want to go to Benin Republic, Togo or Ghana, I will have to procure visas to enter these countries. Time has come to put an end to this for us to realise economic boost among African countries.
West Africa is working towards a common currency for the region to boost economic integration and better trade relations among member countries. What is your view on this?

It is a good proposal, at the same time it is important that conditions are in place for economic currency. And those conditions have to be a very high degree of macro economic policies such as fiscal policies, investment policies, common financial policies, common bank system policies etc. This is important in order not to run into problems when it is implemented. If Africa wants to move to a common currency, it is very important to ensure that the foundations are very strong such as policies on borrowing, inflation, investment, domestic debt and all that. I am happy the way things are going but I am not an advocate of rushing to common currency until conditions are in place.

And your advice for women who participated in the just concluded 3rd African Women’s Economic Summit, in order to make Africa a better place economically and more positively-disposed to women empowerment?

I have said it all; we need an equitable society where our sons and daughters, boys and girls are given the same opportunity in life. It cannot centre on gender issues alone. It is about creating a fair society, social mobility, social justice and opportunity for everyone.

Source: ThisDay



ONE: Africans Desire Jobs, Education and Security



 Image result for ONE
Africans see jobs, education and security as their biggest areas of concern, according to a poll on Monday conducted by ONE, the anti-poverty campaign co-founded by rockers Bono and Bob Geldof.
The poll comes on the eve of an Aug. 4-6 African summit of nearly 50 African leaders hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington where deals worth billions of dollars are expected to be announced.
The poll offers a snapshot of priorities for Africans and their attitudes towards the United States from nine countries as small as Benin and Rwanda to larger and more populous nations including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
While most of the 4,500 respondents believe that the United States has had some impact on their country and community, they think the world's richest nation has been slow coming to the party of an economically rising Africa.
The poll was conducted over a five-day period at the end of July surveying 500 people in each country, with the average age of respondent about 26. The margin of error is plus or minus 5.
As Washington prepares to showcase its interest in Africa at the summit, most respondents believe the United States has had "some impact" on their country and community although were not sure how supportive Obama had been.
Most respondents surveyed said the United States had "some impact" on their country and community. In Rwanda, however, 62 percent of respondents said the United States had a "big impact" on their country, as did 31 percent in Tanzania, and 37 percent in Uganda.
When it came to Obama's support, 55 percent of respondents in Benin were not sure, as were 38 percent in Ghana, 41 percent in Rwanda, 47 percent in South Africa and 48 percent in Tunisia.
A large chunk of respondents, some 42 percent, in Nigeria believed Obama had been "very" supportive and 49 percent in Tunisia thought he had been somewhat supportive.
The poll measured attitudes towards governments and found that a vast majority believe their government had best addressed security issues, followed by education and corruption.
In Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia, security was the biggest priority. In Rwanda it was trade and jobs followed closely by education, security and health. To respondents in South Africa, education and jobs were key areas of concern.
In Benin, 36 percent of the people surveyed thought their government had best addressed agricultural and corruption issues. Some 43 percent of respondents in Kenya, 28 percent in Tanzania, 34 percent in Nigeria, and 81 percent in Rwanda listed security as the area where their government had done a good job.
All respondents felt their governments needed to invest a lot more in agriculture. In Tanzania, however, an overwhelming 56 percent thought their government should invest a bit more.


Source: Reuters

Friday 1 August 2014

#Opportunity: Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2015 Now Open, $150,000 In Prizes



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The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) is calling on all African innovators to submit their entries for the fourth edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) competition.

The IPA is presented annually, enabling and encouraging African pioneers to develop creative ideas and techniques to overcome some of the challenges faced by the continent and support sustainable development.

All innovations are evaluated based on the following criteria: originality, marketability, scalability, social impact and scientific/technical aspects. The best submission will be awarded a grand prize of USD 100 000.  The second prize of USD 25 000 will be awarded to an innovator with an innovation which has the best commercial and business potential. An additional award is a special prize granted to the innovator whose innovation has the best social impact in the community.

The IPA encourages entries in five key categories: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Environment, Energy and Water, Health and Wellbeing, ICT applications, and Manufacturing and Services Industries.

“IPA provides a platform to encourage and harness these entrepreneurial skills in order to help improve the lives of Africans and to help realise untapped potential. The prize is also a great way of unleashing creativity and promoting growth within the African continent.”

IPA 2013 winner, AgriProtein went on to raise $11 million to build its first two commercial farms in Cape Town.

“Africa needs meaningful investment to alleviate poverty and provide inclusive prosperity. To achieve this, we need to be able to provide environments that promote quality investment for the people and reduce risks." said AgriProtein spokesperson, David Drew.
 The IPA also beckons all investors, governments and other stakeholders interested in evaluating, investing and maximising the continent’s resources to participate in this innovative and empowering initiative and make a significant change through generous contributions that will accelerate the Africa’s economic growth.

The deadline for submitting applications: 31 October 2014 at 24h00 GMT.

For more information, please visit: http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/.


Are Nigerians Spending Too Much On Sport Betting?

     
dice 


In a country where most people live on less than $1 a day, a new research conducted by the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) claims that no fewer than 60 million Nigerians between 18 and 40 years of age spends up to N1.8 billion on sports betting daily.

The investigation showed that they commit on the average N3,000 on sports betting daily.

Mr. Dotun Ajekigbe, a sports betting analyst, said about 60 million of Nigeria’s about 170 million population placed bets on different matches daily across the country.

While he described sport betting as a risky but rewarding venture, Ajekigbe said most unemployed youth have taken to online and other forms of sports betting to make a living.

“Sport betting is gambling, not investing in bank shares. But almost everything in life is a gamble, more so with money matters. With gambling comes risks because it not 100 per cent guaranteed.”

“However, you can dramatically reduce your risks by taking calculated risks only."

"When you take calculated risks, you base your decisions on sound research and evidence, not intuition."

“Sport betting is by chance. The better informed the player is, the better the chance he/she has of making money,” he said.

Ambrose Obialor, who runs Yobo Viewing Centre, Lagos, says that some people bet between N2,000, N10,000 and above, depending on the individual.

He said that some people denied themselves of food after spending all they had on a bet.
Afeez Adigun, an agent for 1960 Bet Company, Lagos, said that between 200 and 300 people visit his office to place bets on match days during football seasons while about 150 people bet at off-seasons.

According to him, a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to meet winners obligations in terms of payment.

He also described sports’ betting as very risky but highly rewarding business.


sports betting in Naija Bella Naija


A representative of another betting company, Betting World, who did not want his name mentioned, said that sport betting companies have employed about 50 youth in Lagos.

He also said that betting outlets were always filled with countless young people between ages 18 and 40 who come to place their bets.

The representative said that most people borrow as much as 10,000 for their daily stakes, stressing that some of them win, while others lose but returned for the next day’s betting.

He said that most people did not like to place bets on Nigerian matches because they were highly predictable.

Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, said the lottery industry was very risky but also lucrative.

Mr. Gbajabiamila said that the board generated about N1 million in 2013 from about 11 sport betting companies in the state. He added that more revenue could be generated with more investment to develop the industry.

“The state government has been making efforts to provide an enabling environment for the lottery industry but only 40 per cent of the industry had been tapped into.

“We urge the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for operators in the industry to increase revenue and create jobs for youths.

“The major needs of the operators are improved electricity and internet provision to boost the business,” he said.

He restated the commitment of the board to rid the state of illegal lottery operators.


Additional Reports from NAN