The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Opinion

  • Enugu 2023: Isi Uzo’s Self-Pity and Attempts to Distort History

    Enugu 2023: Isi Uzo’s Self-Pity and Attempts to Distort History

     

    By Prince Ejeh Josh

     

    Moments ago, a friend adverted my attention to a certain mind-numbing article written by one Ifeanyi Ogenyi from Isi Uzo local government area with the caption: *Enugu 2023: Give Isi-Uzo A Chance To Occupy The Lion Building; Don’t Treat Them As Politically Displaced People*.

    It was interesting reading through the title which had appeared like an appeal to the political conscience of the people of Enugu East Senatorial zone, and indeed, the entire people of Enugu state. I had expected Ogenyi would do justice to the topic by pointing out, with facts and figures, why the people of Isi Uzo deserved the top job, and who is knowledgeable, competent and ably qualified enough from that side to fly the ticket, and move the state forward. There must be a substantial, convincing and realistic evidence laying credence to that.

    It’s, however, to my chagrin and that of other feelers that had dedicated their pricey time to run through the lengthy article, that the author had superficially embarked on a voyage of perpetual discovery, wandering in his search to hurl blame game and present the people from the other divide in a bad light. Ogenyi had accused the good and loving people of Enugu East Senatorial zone to the exclusion of Isi-Uzo enclave of “greed” and wanton discrimination in his opening paragraph. From the prefatory lines, one could feel the bitterness and anger bottled up against innocent people who daily mind their usual, legal and constitutionally guaranteed businesses.

    The lines read: “Justice has been wounded in Enugu East Senatorial Zone against Isi-Uzo people. How long will justice, equity and fairness in sharing of political positions in Enugu East Senatorial Zone be crucified? How long will Isi-Uzo be marginalized in the zone? The subjugation of Isi-Uzo people in their senatorial zone appears to have left us standing bare, naked and dejected like orphans. Has the gate of justice perpetually closed against my people?” The above was an extract from the author. In his desperate attempt to take recourse to self-pity—a notoriously known destructive vice—and demonise a people who are even more occupied with their own worries in order to browbeat the state into ceding ticket to the council area, the author has brazenly undone himself and did his people no good.

    The questions are: How are the people of Isi-Uzo being marginalized? Who is marginalizing the Isi-Uzoars? What is the author’s understanding and definition of justice, equity and fairness? Must the author join the gullible bandwagon of those blowing the false flute of injustice even without understanding the basic tenet of the word? That, it appears to me. The sneaky trick of the author and his bed-fellow alarmists is that, by accusing the other councils of oppression, they would be forced or browbeaten to relegate their interest and allow the people of Isi-Uzo to have the democratically and constitutionally universal right on a platter.

    Sadly, as Dale Carnegie would bluntly submit: Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition is not only a waste of time and energy but the worst habit you could possibly have. Self-pity has kept many people immobilized to the extent that their future is no different from the past. Whingeing while standing akimbo, expecting people to spoon-feed you is the height of laziness a people could ever entertain. Shelling a bombardment of political campaign of calumny against a peace-loving people would only boomerang, and depict the wailers as unserious and lethargic.

    While Mr. Ogenyi dabbled on the Communique recently issued by Enugu East Senatorial Zone on the preservation, defence and continuation of the zoning tradition in Enugu State which has enabled development and political stability in the state, the author had exhibited a mortifying and strange act of suspicion about the people behind the meeting even when he appeared to have concurred with the letters of the resolution. That’s a yet to be reconciled confusion and self-contradiction Mr. Ogenyi has mired himself with. Probably, he needs some help and direction. He needs some lecture too.

    It’s on record that the said Enugu East Senatorial zone “Stakeholders’ Meeting” was well attended and had the presence of the major players from the six local councils making up the zone. The questions Ogenyi, then, refused to clarify are: What did he mean by: “Notwithstanding the body languages and political posturing of some of the stakeholders within the senatorial zone?” Whose body languages and political posturing? Who are the stakeholders from the zone with such behavioral incongruities? The shallow submission could have borne out of collective suspicion and propelled through the author to the public. The allegations made by Ogenyi and his sponsors smack of reality, and could have been conceived out of spuriousness. It’s just a conception from the figment of imagination. The people of Nkanu and Enugu East senatorial zone in general are staunch believers in democracy, and will not do anything to pervert anybody, however the minority posture a group or community may be. Level playing ground has always been the core article of faith for the people.

    Notwithstanding the above, nobody or group of people will fold their arms and plead with Isi-Uzo people to take what belongs to the people in general. It is time for the pampered bride to wean herself and become mature. In Enugu East senatorial zone, there are three local government areas yet to produce governor—Nkanu East, Enugu East and Isi-Uzo. Statistically, Nkanu East is the lest developed but—most qualified out of the three councils. The reason is crystal-clear: protracted abandonment. So, why are the people of Isi-Uzo crying more than the bereaved?

    Interestingly, Ogenyi wrote: “The history and facts about the state of power distribution in the zone are glaringly up there for anyone to see and pass judgment in favour of Isi-Uzo….But more than ever, we are optimistic that there is always an end to every ugly situation faced by a man or a people. The injustices of yesteryears can be rederess (sic) now of which conceding the governorship position to Ndi Isi-Uzo by our brothers from the other parts of the zone by 2023 would naturally soothe our ill-feelings”. Such a comical hypothesis! In terms of power distribution and appointments in the zone, the people of Isi-Uzo have been floating atop most of the other parts. In terms of development in infrastructure, successive administrations have given them a large chunk of the projects meant for the zone. Yet, these people are basking in infamous sense of entitlement. Typical of fulanization attempt of other parts. That’s weird and absolutely unfair. The purported ill-feelings being rigidly nursed is as a result of their inability to take eclectic view of the state of affairs and appreciate that the zone belongs to all.

    Each time these set of travelers present distorted facts in a desperate but calculated step to attract sympathy to themselves, I feel ashamed and confounded by their deliberate act of mendacity. That won’t help them, anyway. So, no matter how many times a lie is told, or multiple of times falsehood is propagated, it does not negate the truth to become false. False is false, twist it. According to them, the other councils have been enmeshed with “indiscriminate share of positions in the zone” to their exclusion. Such a brazen audacity of lie.

    They could have forgotten that Isi-Uzo once had Hon. Late Senator Isaiah Ani from Isi-Uzo as the representative of the people. Whether he represented the people under the whatever Republic is no issue. He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their attempts to limit their arguments to the Fourth Republic have given them away as co-travellers paddling with lies. It’s an effort to distort history and hoodwink those with a “slanted sense of history”.

    They would deceitfully refuse to tell the world that Festus Ugwu from the council area was once appointed a Managing Director, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, or that Hon. Ejike Eze was a Federal Commissioner at the National Population Commission, or that Hon. Chijioke Edeoga was a Presidential Liasion Officer to the National Assembly, or even that His Excellency, Hon. Kingsley Ebenyi has had to serve Nigeria as a super Ambassador to Spain and the Vatican. This is in addition to the many times they’ve been elected to the National Assembly to represent the zone in the Green Chambers. All these gigantic offices were meant for the people from the zone. Yet, their “brothers from the other parts” are not complaining, instead, they have been supportive.

    Embarking on a journey induced by self-pity will not do Ogenyi and his cohorts any good. That reminds me the time-tested pronouncement of John Gardner that self-pity is easily the most destructive of non-pharmaceutical narcotics. It’s addictive; gives pleasure and separates the victims from reality. Indulging in the voyage of treadmill instead of the people presenting a viable candidate, capable of matching qualifications and competency with their “brothers from the other parts” will only end in self- annihilation and regrets. We should all be our brothers’ keepers.

     

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  • Opinion: Ekweremadu at 59- A Journey with Destiny

    Opinion: Ekweremadu at 59- A Journey with Destiny

    By Uche Anichukwu

    Names such as Chinedum (God leads me), Chibuike (God is my strength), Mmaduabuchi (No man can successfully play God), Chidera (God has the final say or what God has written is already written), Osinanchiadimma (God bestows good fortunes), et cetera, underscore the Igbo belief in the supremacy of God in the affairs of men.

    Nevertheless, they believe that one should not imitate the praying mantis that went to sleep because her co-wife promised her some pounded yam. She did not as much as venture into her mate’s hut to find out if the food was ready. She kept stretching her neck in expectation. That was how the praying mantis developed a long, lean neck from hunger and protracted giraffing.

    In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart also, Unoka, the loafer father of Okonkwo, clears the farmland when others are already planting. He flutes away his time. Expectedly, he is debt-ridden and without a title or a place of honour among real men in Umuofia. He dies a man whom Okonkwo is too ashamed to identify with as his father.

    However, there are many, who, like the great men of Umuofia, are not just on a rendezvous with destiny, but whose cocktail of determination, courage, vision, intellect, humility and industry also blend with grace and destiny in perfect proportions. Each time destiny leads opportunity to their doorsteps, it always finds in them willing and well-prepared partners, even if disguised as humble responsibilities. Senator Ike Ekweremadu is one of such men.

    At a valedictory service for a set of graduating secondary school students of Boys Secondary School, Umueze Awkunanaw, Enugu State, around 1980, the officiating priest had asked the young men to ask God for anything as they began their journey into the world. The young Ekweremadu scanned the circumstances around him, his hometown and locality with his mind’s eyes and prayed Jabez’s kind of prayer: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory; that thou would use me as an instrument of transformation for my people and I would in return build a place of worship for You”.

    Anybody who has followed his political rise or knew Mpu and Aninri in particular as well as Enugu West in general before the rise of Ekweremadu would agree that God is a keeper of covenants indeed.

    As a 10-year-old, Ekweremadu’s mates in Mpu had already elected/appointed him chairman of their age grade association. As he grew into a man, the people of Mpu, on their own, beckoned on him to lead the community as the town union president-general. He occupied the position for so many years at the pleasure and insistence of the community.

    In 1996, he was the secretary of the movement for the creation of Aninri LGA to bring development to the towns of Ndeaboh, Mpu, Oduma, Okpanku, and Nenwe. He was also chosen to make Aninri’s presentation before the visiting Abuja panel. Upon the creation of the local government by the Gen. Sani Abacha regime, thanks to people like the late Prof. Samson Ukpabi, a delegation of Aninri elders came to him with a message to provide leadership for the new LGA as its pioneer elected chairman. He contested and won the council election in 1997.

    The military administrator was shocked to meet and launch a new council secretariat at Ndeaboh, the Aninri LGA headquarters, during his tour of local governments in Enugu State. He was even more surprised that Ikeoha did not take any loan to accomplish the feat. Ekweremadu was voted the Best Council Chairman in 1997 and the footprints of that stewardship are still very visible till date.

    Upon the sudden dissolution of the councils by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, following the death of Abacha, Ekweremadu re-contested for the position during Abdulsalami’s transition to civil rule programme in order to continue with his good work, but was practically stopped through brigandage, escaping death by the whiskers. However, that loss was actually destiny taking him on the path of higher political ground.

    To cut a long story short, Ekweremadu was later to link up with Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and became the director-general of his governorship campaign organisation. Nnamani had, during a January 2019 visit by Ikeoha narrated how he found himself in a fix in finding a role for Ikeoha in his government after the election, as some powerful political forces blocked the position he was pencilled down for in a pre-election understanding. Worse, although Ikeoha could have taken Enugu’s ministerial slot as requested by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, he (Nnamani) said he felt Ikeoha would be key to the success of his administration. Thus, that slot was given to Chief Dubem Onyia, who was second on the list.

    As he rode in the same car with Ekweremadu from the old Governor’s Lodge to the Government House one day (around Bisala Road), the Radio Nigeria network news announced the appointment of a Chief of Staff and a spokesperson by Obasanjo. Greatly relieved that he finally found a role for Ikeoha, Nnamani immediately took a cue from Obasanjo, appointing Ikeoha the first Chief of Staff to a governor in Nigeria. Governors used to have only principal secretaries.

    Ekweremadu emerged the Secretary to the Government in a dramatic fashion when that position became vacant in the course of Dr. Nnamani’s first tenure in 2001, as he strongly declined. Another person, who later became the Attorney-General during Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration, was picked.

    Ekweremadu was seeing him off after the kitchen cabinet meeting, hoping to head to the Enugu State Broadcasting Service to submit the new appointment for announcement, but on their way out of Lion Building, the man said he didn’t want the office, as it would appear that he masterminded Chief Onyemuche Nnamani’s removal. Consequently, Ikeoha was appointed the SSG despite his initial refusal.

    Senator Adolphus Wabara was favoured by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership as the President of the 5th Senate, leading to the withdrawal of other interested persons. Ekweremadu also lost the contest for the Senate Presidency to his kinsman, Senator Ken Nnamani, following Wabara’s removal in 2005. But ahead of the inauguration of the 6th Senate in 2007, the position of the Deputy President of the Senate landed on his laps. It was the late Senator Kanti Bello (PDP, Katsina), who came to inform him that party leaders had chosen Senator David Mark as incoming President of the Senate, while also endorsing him (Ikeoha) as deputy on the recommendation of Mark, who spoke so highly of his brilliance and unalloyed loyalty to his Governor, Nnamani, in the 5th Senate.

    However, Ekweremadu once told the story of how the former Chairman of PDP BoT, the late Chief Tony Anenih, invited him to a breakfast meeting a day to the inauguration of the 6th Senate. Anenih informed him that party leaders and President Umaru Yar’Adua had changed their minds. Senator George Akume would now become the President of the Senate, also with Ekweremadu as his deputy. But Ekweremadu respectfully declined and asked that leaders should as well get another Deputy for Akume because he could not in good conscience abandon Mark at that point. Although deserted by many, both men, through God’s grace of God and strong support of some party leaders and their colleagues turned things around. Mark beat Akume 68 to 39 votes, while Ekweremadu emerged unopposed. The rest is history.

    Ikeoha was re-elected unopposed as Deputy President in 2011. In this capacity and having earlier served as a First Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, it was another date with destiny for him, as he was also unanimously elected as Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament when it was Nigeria’s turn to occupy the office in 2011. Since the office rotates among the 15-member nations in alphabetical order, it would take about 60 years from the end of Ekweremadu’s tenure in 2015 before another Nigerian occupies the seat.

    After PDP’s devastating loss of the presidency and majority status in the National Assembly in 2015, some political rivals and pundits declared that it was the end of the road for Ikeoha. But he re-emerged Deputy President of the 8th Senate as an opposition leader in an intrigues-soaked politicking. Then, they said he would not survive more than six month. But God saw him and Senator Bukola Saraki through the tribulations and diabolical political machinations, while he also showed himself a truly principled politician by refusing to abandon his party at its most trying period. Instead, he dug in and fought for PDP’s eventual revival.

    Indeed, running for dear life with family and surviving the civil war, which broke out when he was about five, disappearing from his father’s home years after the war on a day he was to be taken for apprenticeship by a trader (whereas he preferred to continue his education) and reappearing a day after, buoyed by destiny, benevolent spirits and destiny helpers; equipped with LL.B, B.L, LL.M, PhD. (Constitutional Law), fortified by experience, and armed with enviable record as the longest serving presiding officer, the question on the lips of many as Ikeoha clocks 59 on 12th May is: What next?

    As Ikeoha rightly stated during a radio interview in Enugu last year, this is a question, which even himself cannot answer. As a man on a journey with destiny, his future is in the hands of God.

    Happy birthday, Your Excellency, Ikeoha Ndigbo.

    •Anichukwu is Media Adviser to Ekweremadu

  • PRAISE “CHOPPERS” NO DEY DO WORK.

    PRAISE CHOPPERS NO DEY DO WORK. 

     

    By E.A Grahams.

     

    Naturally I see people who come around me trying to praise me as enemies and I do everything humanly possible to make them see how much they can help me to fail in life with their unsolicited praise.

    If I in anyway inspire you,just say thank you and keep going and never sing it anywhere.

    There is this human nature that tends to retard him in activity the moment praises and encomiums start pouring in. Yes, praise begets laxity and no laxity goes without a fall.

    When someone is praised for what he didn’t do or overpraised beyond what he did, he is unknowingly given an impression that he has done much even when he has done nada or that the people are already pleased with him and there won’t be any need to invest in them again to inspire them or to in earnest serve them .

    This is exactly why most leaders sweep all your resources into their cupboard for them and their families because you gave them the impression that “nke ha mere or nke ha a kaa mero ezugo”

    It is mgbawaobistically appalling to note that praisetravaganza has become an inevitable agenda of our political process that political parties even go out of their ways to hire professional praisesingers and ndi-ikonus to up their ante and to charge their thermometric readings. Ohoooiii! Grahams nwa Agbowo, ebe ima nkea, ima nke ozo?

    You appointed someone to go to represent and work for your Constituency, he coughs, you praise, he smiles you praise, haba! una be turkey body?

    The earlier we save this praise singing abnormalia, the better the performance of our political office holders.

    If we still see it as a sine qua non, let us not come to ebenato to search for who is doing to us what is happening to us that we suicidally take an option all by ourselves ike and dike to do in ebenabo.

     

    Di anyi,a puom!

     

    E.A.GRAHAMS writes from Enugu.

     

     

     

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  • Social media toxicity and Criticisms

    There is a ‘’SARS’’ in some Nigerians; reservoirs of cynicism, misanthropy and bigotry. These ones see other people through the bifocals of their own vile existence. Just like SARS, the notorious but disbanded police unit, profiles young Nigerians with tattoo branding and dreadlocks, this category of Nigerians reduces every individual to an offender. You are guilty without charges, convicted and summarily sentenced – by the self-appointed rogue jury!

     

    That predilection for exacting jungle (in)justice on alleged offenders in the streets is very much the same on Nigeria’s social media platforms – where you expect to find refined people above the stratum of ‘’agberos’’. It is all the same – in the streets and on social media district. Nigerian Twitter, in particular, is a toxic locale – defiant to order and devoid of joy. There is that proclivity for ‘’gotcha gotcha’’. It is always about ‘’dragging this person or that person’’. I must say, very angry creatures take residence there.

     

     

    A few days ago, Japheth Omojuwa, the digital media entrepreneur, was the whipping boy of these internet infestations. They clobbered, scratched and gored him with pitchforks and daggers, even throwing dynamites into the mix. Much of their grouse with the gentleman was the side he chose to support in the 2015 election. They seized a moment to creep out of their crevices and forgotten neck of the woods to extract a toll. I have never seen such virulence and turpitude on social media before.

     

    We are a nation of extremists. When you stray from the single narrative promoted by some compromised persons, you become an enemy pencilled down for demolition. Is this not a tyranny of opinion? How did we become so vile, unfeeling, and sadistic? The beauty of intellection is in the variety and robustness of opinions. Why must everyone submit to a lone account – even if it is falsehood? Why should everyone hold the same opinion?

     

    What is happening on Nigerian social media is akin to the Dark Ages where people were hanged for having contrary opinions. And the Dark Ages was a blot on humanity – because knowledge was forbidden. We are in an era of intellectual darkness in Nigeria where all opinions must be unitary and must conform to certain ethnic and religious prejudices.

     

    Some of the loudest voices accusing others of extremism are themselves extremists, who ambush and savage contrary opinions. It must be their way or the Milky Way to assaults and threats.

     

    How did we become so pugnacious that we will tear anyone and anything that does not agree with us?

     

    We are all potential victims of mob (in)justice. The mob runs Nigeria’s social media. You either fall in line with the governing narrative or risk violence. This mob rule has to end.

     

     

     

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    Source: thenationonlineng.net

  • What does the House of Representatives intend to achieve with the Religious Discrimination( Prohibition and Prevention) Bill 2020?

     

    The Religious Discrimination( Prohibition and Prevention) bill 2020, which is sponsored by Saidu Abdullahi seeks to allow citizens to wear religious emblems like the hijab in educational institutions, place of work and other public places, among others.

     

    The proposed legislation, according to its explanatory memorandum, “seeks to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, Universal Declaration of Human Rights Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, African charter on human and people’s rights, the protocol to the African charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of women in Africa.”

     

     

     

    Section 4(1) of the bill provides that: “A person shall not, directly or indirectly or by any combination of the two, be intimidated, harassed, victimized or discriminated against on the basis of religious belief or activity or on the ground of manifestation of religion or religious belief or any other ground of a characteristic, that people who have or engage in the religious belief or activity generally have; and on the ground of a characteristic that people who have or engage in the religious belief or activity are generally presumed to have or manifest which may include wearing religious emblem”.

     

    Similarly, Section 12(3) of the proposed law states that “ a person shall not be subject to any condition, requirement, measure or practice that limits or proposes to limit the person’s right to manifest his religious belief such as using or wearing religious emblem, religious head cover such as hijab, tunic and veil, decent and modest religious wear etc, as a condition to access public good, services or facilities such as access to finance, health, education, recreational activities or registration with any private or public office, or services such as registration for passport or any other enrollment exercise of public nature”

     

    Also, the bill in Section 13(2) stipulates that “any person employed in the security sector, whether within the military or paramilitary or otherwise, shall not be discriminated against on the ground of the exercise of his right to manifestation of his religion in worship, teaching, practice and observance such as wearing religious emblem, head cover, or hijab in concomitant with the common uniform code or conduct in relation to the choice of colour, type, or design of such religious emblem, religious head cover or hijab.”

     

     

     

    However, the proposed legislation has been a source of controversy in the polity with the Christian community kicking against it. While the sponsor of the bill says, it will help to promote religious harmony in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says there is more to it than meets the eyes. According to the Christian body, the proposed legislation, apart from being to the detriment of Christians, will trigger crises in the country.

     

    Ironically, the bill had scaled second reading in the Green chamber without much ado and is currently awaiting public hearing.

     

    Abdullahi, who represents Bida/Katcha/ Gbako Federal Constituency of Niger State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) says the proposed legislation is intended to bring religious harmony in the country.

     

    The lawmaker, who spoke during an advocacy visit to the CAN leadership, ahead of the public hearing on the contentious bill, said “ I see a problem that has become a big challenge and we have shied away from it over the years. It is the issue of religious discrimination. It has been mirrored to just one aspect of discrimination.

     

    “So, we came up with a proposal to address religious discrimination in this country. When we came up with the proposal, it was not really about the hijab issue that it has become today. Some of the things contained in the proposal were informed by some of the things we see happening in the country.

     

    “We came up with the idea in 2019 and wanted to come by way of a motion to discuss the issue. But we got a superior argument that we should provide a legal framework for prohibiting discrimination against people on the basis of their religious belief.

     

    “There are some sections of the constitution that guaranteed people the right to religion without discrimination. But we have seen this issue rearing its ugly head over the years and it is really taking us back as a country.”

     

    However, the CAN president, Rev Samson Ayokunle demures. Ayokunle said the proposed legislation if passed into law will be a recipe for chaos in the country.

     

    “We have laws already that can take care of discrimination. And if anyone is discriminated against, the court is open. The bill if passed will enforce discrimination rather than war against it.

     

    “The bill is causing wahala. You don’t sit on my nose because you have a right to sit down. Beyond your good intent to solve a problem, we may be creating many other ones. There is no mutual respect.

     

    “Your name will go into history as one who disregarded the rights of the Christians to promote their own in their institutions.”

     

    Ayokunle added: “Why do we have to wage war against ourselves? Why do we want to wake up a problem which is sleeping. Wearing of hijab has not made any student more intelligent. Piety is in the heart. In a multi ethnic nation like ours, school uniform creates uniformity, classless. Once you pass that bill, be prepared for a state of confusion”.

     

    According to him, “We have laws already that can take care of discrimination and if anybody is discriminated against, the court is open to handle that matter. So, why do we still need laws on this issue now? Secondly, the bill if passed into law will enforce discrimination rather than fight against it.”

     

    He stated that: “as a Muslim, when you go to pray, you remove your shoes, sit on a mat and pray. That bill is saying that as somebody who is outside that religious practice, I can enter the Mosque without respect to your right to worship in a particular way.

     

    “That will create problems and lack of mutual respect. What we are saying is that despite your good intention to solve a problem, you may be creating many other problems unintended.”

     

    Analysts say the fear of CAN leadership is justified. In recent times, Kwara State has been boiling over attempt by the state government to introduce the wearing of hijab in all the schools in the state.

     

    Pundits argue that the bill, if passed into law, will cause religious strife, and further escalate religious tension across the country.

     

    Another CAN leader, Professor Yusuf Turaki concurs. Yusuf stated that the central focus of the bill was on wearing of hijab in public places, as it did not address religious discrimination against Christians in Northern Nigeria.

     

    According to him, “there are serious religious violations in the North. In some areas, Christians are being discriminated against. I didn’t see it in your bill.

     

    “Are Muslims women denied the right of wearing hijabs? If there are, your bill stands the right. If not, your bill doesn’t stand.

     

    “The central focus of your document is hijab. This bill is a bill for hijab. Nigerians will ask themselves, why is hijab becoming a problem? A bill is not yet enforced yet it has become a fight. I bet you, it is going to engulf this country.”

     

    Yusuf added : “The intent of the bill is to target Christian institutions in Nigeria. Every other place is allowed to wear hijab. Christians establish institutions in order to serve their God. I do not see how this bill is going to protect Christian institutions. Is your bill going to protect Christian institutions of all kinds or one today? This bill will be misinterpreted?

     

    “We have Boko Haram in the North East because of Sharia; we have bandits, herdsmen, those states are now called Sharia states. They said they are going to bring development in the far North but today, it is a sorry state. So, bringing hijab, you are going to add division to chaos, crisis. Give it a legal backing, it will set Nigeria ablaze. This bill is going to create crises upon crises. This bill should be withdrawn and not to be discussed and passed by the national assembly”.

     

    Regardless, the Niger born lawmaker says he would not support anything that will cause divisions in the country. Abdulahi implored the Christian community to come up with suggestions on how to enrich the proposed legislation.

     

    According to him, “Let it be on record that I will never be part of anything that will cause division in the country. I am not out to cause any confusion in this country. The proposal is to find a lasting solution to the problem in this country.

     

    “I didn’t do it because I am a muslim. This is not a complete document yet. By the time we get to the public hearing, people will make their inputs which will form part of the law.There is a lacuna in the constitution. It is not enough. This is an opportunity to discuss it. I am just interested to see that this country works for us. I am so mindful of sensitive and delicate nature of religious issues in Nigeria.

     

    “I understand some of these hiccups; that’s why I decided to make this call to build consensus. There will be a public hearing too.”

     

    However, the question is: will the House listen to the concerns of the Christian community and jettison the bill or will it go ahead with the proposed legislation?

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Jamb introduces ussd code for generating registration profile code

     

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) says the board will introduce the use of USSD code as an option to the SMS process of generating a profile code for registration.

     

    This, it said, was part of measures it had put in place to address some challenges experienced by candidates of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

     

    The Registrar of the board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this during a news briefing at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, on Monday.

     

    Oloyede said the use of the USSD code would commence from Friday, April 30.

     

    He said the board had received complaints especially by parents of candidates who had tried to register their children and wards but had been unsuccessful.

     

    He said that service providers had, however, continued to extort candidates by deducting N50 SMS charges at each trial to generate a profile without a positive response.

     

    ” Parents are being extorted when sending requests unsuccessfully and at the end, nothing comes or is delayed by network and yet, N50 is being charged and deducted.

     

    ” You must note that these charges do not come to JAMB but to the service providers.

     

    ” Therefore, we have asked all those concerned to go back and ensure that where a service is not fully rendered and charges were deducted, such monies should be refunded to the candidates.

     

    ” JAMB do not have the capacity to enforce this refund or monitor compliance but we are expanding our stakeholders to include Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to do it.

     

    ” They will join our task force to check on any act of extortion, while we also invite Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to monitor and check on these service providers.

     

    ” Another option we are creating asides sending an SMS to 55019 to generate a profile code will include dialing *55019*1*NIN#.

     

    ” This will, however, take effect from Friday, April 30,” he said.

     

    The registrar, who frowned at candidates’ inability to follow the right procedure for the exercise, also said that the board, alongside its major stakeholders, had agreed to accommodate common errors made during the registration process.

     

    Some of the errors, he noted, were candidates mistakenly sending ‘NIN’ with no space before typing the actual number.

     

    ” Some type without spacing, some include comas and even hyphen.

     

    ” We have tried to enlighten the public on how to send and receive a successful profile code but candidates seem to get it wrong. We will work out modalities to accommodate all these common errors.

     

    ” That is to say that, whether one puts space or not, hyphen or commas, the message should be able to deliver.

     

    ” We have asked the service providers to go back and adjust their systems so that such errors are accommodated and we will also go back to the drawing board and incorporate these errors into our systems.

     

    ” This should take five days starting from today. We believe that after Friday, April 30, those who make such common errors should be able to generate a profile code,” he said.

     

    Oloyede also said that candidates who had registered for UTME in the previous year could also generate a code with the same telephone number, following the 2021 process of generating a profile code.

     

    He explained that the only difference between the previous registration process and that of this year was the inclusion of NIN.

     

    The same code, he stated, might be sent to the candidate but would have undergone an upgrade from the board’s system.

     

    He also noted that the board was connecting effectively with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the registration process and have had not much to worry about. (NAN)

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonlineng.net

  • Foreign Exchange utilization for food importation dropped by half this year

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says foreign exchange (FX) utilisation for food importation dropped by half in January 2021.

     

    The CBN’s economic report on ‘Sectoral Utilisation of Foreign Exchange’ for January said a total of $160 million was spent from Nigeria’s FX on importing food in January.

     

    This represents a 48 percent decline when compared to $310 million spent in December 2020.

     

     

     

    The report said FX worth $2.75 billion was expended across sectors, representing a 40.3 percent decrease from the preceding month.

     

    “Total foreign exchange utilisation by sectors decreased by 40.3 per cent from the preceding month to $2.75billion, reflecting a drop in end-user demand for foreign exchange, owing to year-end ease in economic activities,” the report said. “Visible and invisible imports, constituting 46.9 per cent and 53.1 per cent respectively of the total foreign exchange utilisation declined by 53.4 per cent and 20.7 per cent to $0.77billion and $0.87billion respectively. A disaggregation of foreign exchange utilisation for visible transactions showed that the amount utilised for industrial, manufactured products, and food products sub-sectors amounted to $0.30billion, $0.23billion, and $0.16billion respectively, relative to $0.72billion, $0.38billion, and $0.31billion in the precedi ng month…”

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Our House is on Fire

    Our House is on Fire. 

    As the day goes by we see/hear about serious security issues across our land. The flame of insecurity is gradually and consistently transforming into an inferno that will not blow anyone any good. If police stations and security agents are now a part of the constant targets, then, who will answer distress calls. With the sophisticated weapons in circulation, and the number of attacks…. One does not need a prophet to tell him that there’s fire on the mountain. With the blockade of the roads to the government house and constant lock of police stations one should know that – water don dey pass garri…

    Truth is that shying away from the reality to avoid being tagged as badmouthing the government will make things worse.
    The inability of the central government (which has taken the bogus responsibility of securing the entire nation alone) to police the hinterland’s effectively has culminated into a near anarchy. Groups are now armed, people die daily and we act as if every thing is normal.
    News of unknown gun men shooting or killing Nigerians are now very common. Some clap when they hear that police stations have been attacked, but little do they know that the system is to weaken the security personnel so as to create more havoc on the masses.

    For instance… When Boko Haram was bombing churches some Moslems cheered but now all eyes are crying. If nothing is done now and effectively we might have a total case of war in our hand. And no one will be talking about zoning again.
    Take your mind back to the lock down era and the End Sars protest. Those events are just tea party when a war breaks out. IDP camps will spring up in the south east, schools will be shut, churches will be burnt, markets and shops looted and burnt. Women and children will be abused at will and all you can do is watch or join. Political office holders and the elites will go underground and the government will not be paying salaries or allowances. No contracts or projects. Fuel will be scarce, banks will close and there will be no light or network. Hospitals will be overstretched and u know they are very efficient now. There shall be no more space for the government to prevent the situation, soldiers will be drafted everywhere and you know what it means.

    Way Forward-
    1. The FG should as urgent as possible deploy troops to parts of the Southeast to assist the police NOW.
    2.Talks should begin to amend the constitution to enable STATE POLICE.
    3. Government at the state level must begin an effective sensitization on the present situations. Educate the young ones on why its not right to take up arms.
    4. Instead of waiting for IDP CAMPS to come so that government will start giving relief material, let the fund be channelled now towards job creation and empowerment.
    5. There must be an effective control on the movement of herders and their interaction with local communities. While we wait for Ebubeagu to start.
    6. Borders must be secured and policed properly to reduced/eradicate the influx of sophisticated weapons. Just like it was monitored during lock down.
    7. Government must equip and improve the capacity of the security agents.
    Etc Etc….

    We can as well pretend that things will fix itself and continue as we are… When the because has come to become according to nwoke akegbe ugwu… We shall see.

    Edeani Chidozie T.
    Efi Na ewe odu.

  • Just In: Nkanu East Stakeholders Appeal to Ugwuanyi to Pick Successor From Their LG.

    Just In: Nkanu East Stakeholders Appeal to Ugwuanyi to Pick Successor From Their LG.

     

    …Lauds the Gov. for his spirit of equity, justice and fairness 

     

    Special Report: Prince Ejeh Josh

     

    As the clamour for zoning of the governorship seat to Enugu East Senatorial zone in 2023 continues to gain momentum in Enugu State, the people of Nkanu East local government area, a local government many believed to be lingering in marginalization from power distribution and infrastructural development in the state, have passionately appealed to the Governor of the state, His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to consider picking his successor to the Lion Building seat in 2023 general election from the local government.

     

    The request which was made yesterday, April 20, 2021 at a meeting held at the Universal Hotel in Enugu metropolis drew the presence of major stakeholders comprising traditional rulers, elders, religious leaders, political dignitaries, women, and youth organizations from the council.

     

    While speaking at the gathering, the convener of the meeting and former Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Anayo Edeh, stated that the meeting became necessary to save the people of Nkanu East from political extinction caused by decades of marginalisation.

     

    According to him, the people of the council area must speak out and cry to the governor to hear their plights. He further noted that the only thing that could save the people of the area from perpetual marginalisation, and give them a sense of belonging is to compensate them with the top seat in 2023.

     

    While adding his voice to the call for the people of the largest but most underdeveloped local government area in Enugu state to be considered for governor for the sake of equity, justice and fairness, a first class traditional ruler, HRH, Igwe Abel Nwobodo (Ezeudo) of Nara Kingdom has said the council has abundant competent sons and daughters that could take the state to a viable and envious height.

     

    In the same vein, Igwe Agabi Nwatu has also appealed to the people of Enugu state to support Nkanu East by shelving their ambition. He bemoaned the terrible state of the roads in the area, and submitted that it’s only a governor from the area that could ameliorate the development deficit.

     

    In his speech, the coordinator of the Presidents General in Nkanu East local government area, Chief James Nnaji has noted that the governor had reiterated the deployable state of underdevelopment in the area on different occasions. He expressed optimism that the governor would be compassionate to the area by seceding the ticket to them.

     

    On his own part, Engineer Lawrence Ezeh, while appreciating the convener of the meeting, described the Nkanu East zone has urgently in need of intervention from “a rural man who will understand what rural people are going through.”.

     

    Meanwhile, the Nkanu East Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Nwobodo, has paid a glowing tribute to the governor for his development strides in every nook and cranny of state. Represented by his Deputy, Hon. Chief Martin Agbo, the Chairman further added that the governor is known for equity, justice and fairness who has always stood by the people from the zone.

     

    It is, however, not clear those with governorship ambition from the council area as nobody has come out to declare openly despite appeal to them from the stakeholders to start declaring their interests.

     

    Political watchers are, however, tipping some top politicians from the zone as likely to succeed Governor Ugwuanyi in 2023. According to analysts, those to watch out for include billionaire flight magnate, Chief Everest Nnaji (Odengene), whom many believe, possesses the quality to turn things around having performed creditably well in private sector. Odengene, it’s said, is an experienced politician and good manager of the economy who would bring respite for the state. Pastor Sam Iyiogwe, a former local government chairman from the area has also been penciled down as one of those to watch. Mr. Barth Nnaji, a former Minister for Power is also a candidate to watch.

     

    In addition, the present council Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Nwobodo is also said to be qualified for the top job. A former Commissioner of Finance under Senator Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration, Mr. Peter Mbah, has also been tipped. Engr. Lawrence Ezeh, a Prince from Mburumbu kingdom, is said to be competent for the apex job in the state. While the list may not be exhaustive, many believed it’s too early to know all those eyeing the seat as consultations are still ongoing. Whichever way, the Nkanu East people have started drawing sympathy from far and near about their deployable zone and their readine ss to go for the job in 2023.

     

     

     

     

     

    Special Report: Prince Ejeh Josh

  • ENUGU 2023: POWER ROTATION MUST CONTINUE IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION

    ENUGU 2023: POWER ROTATION MUST CONTINUE IN CLOCKWISE DIRECTION

     

    By Buchi Nnaji

     

    As the 2023 general election draw close, political activities in Enugu State are gaining momentum. Politicians, cultural groups and well meaning individuals have started laying claims and counterclaims on whose turn it is to take over from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Considering the terrible state of insecurity that has become a nightmare to the South East region, one shouldn’t have had the moral justification to discuss politics while his house is on fire. But it will also be unjust to throw deaf ears on the recent brouhaha over zoning in Enugu State.

    Zoning, otherwise known as ‘rotation of power’ has no doubt enshrined equity, justice, fairness and consequently, peace and political stability in Enugu State since its divine adoption. While some argue that it is not backed by the constitution, the principle of zoning remains kosher.

    Some people wallowing in political oblivion allege that there was never a time it was agreed that zoning should be observed in Enugu State. However, feigning ignorance does not dispute the fact that rotation of power is rooted in Enugu State and also instrumental in maintaining political balancing in the State since the return of democracy.

    Before now, political activities in Enugu State have been characterized by so much violence, thuggery, killing of Innocent souls, and so on. Though it is near impossible to have a hitch free election season, the gentleman’s arrangement of zoning has reduced in no small measure the catastrophe that bedevils it.

    Just as I pointed out in one of my earlier articles on zoning, Enugu State political structure is comfortably standing on a tripod, ekwu na to. The triangular equilibrium in Enugu State is made up of the three senatorial zones, Enugu East, Enugu West, and Enugu North senatorial zones. The rotation of power started from Enugu East zone in 1999, to Enugu West zone and currently in Enugu North zone. So, whoever says there is no zoning arrangement in Enugu State is merely trying to fly an unhealthy kite to favour his or her selfish ambition.

    At this point, having concluded a cycle of power rotation, different unsavory arguments are cropping up from the camp of desperate politicians, in a bid to truncate the smooth zoning process to favor their selfish interests. One school of thought has it that since the first cycle of rotation has ended, the next cycle can start from any zone. Those towing this unproductive path are few selfish individuals who are merely trying to ignite political quagmire. Their ill-fated argument does not hold water as it lacks every sense of propriety and good judgement.

    Another epileptic reasoning has it also that since the first cycle of zoning in Enugu State has been concluded with Enugu North senatorial zone taking the last lap, the next cycle should start from the last zone (Enugu North), going anti-clockwise.

    This obnoxious line of thought on its own is ridiculous, unsubstantial, selfish and dead on arrival. Borrowing a leaf from natural principle, the earth and other planets rotate round the sun in a steady clockwise direction. Never a time was it reported that after a complete rotation, the planets started going anticlockwise. Therefore, it will be counterproductive and foolish to start rotating power in an anti-clockwise direction just to satisfy the desire of desperate politicians. Anticlockwise rotation is tantamount to swimming against the ocean current. No one goes against natural system or pattern and expect victory or good result.

    While all these debates are going on in various media, yet another naive group condemned in entirety the act of peaceful zoning in Enugu State. They claim it is undemocratic and encourages mediocrity. This assumption is utterly wrong because democracy in a simple term is defined as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If this definition is in order, it means that democracy and it’s principles revolve around the people. That means, a people can consciously or subconsciously choose a particular arrangement that works for them, in as much as it is for their collective good. That is democratic.

    Others went further to insist that zoning in Enugu State is only a PDP affair, hence does not affect other political parties. Well, as much as it resembles the truth, it is pertinent to note that zoning principle is one of the secret weapons of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Their past victories that has kept them in power can be traceable to the fact that they respect equity, fairness and justice, while abhorring marginalization, deceit and divisive actions.

    All the arguments being peddled by different individuals and groups in a deliberate attempt to manipulate, truncate and sabotage the divine political arrangement that has been working in Enugu State are invalid and should be jettisoned.

    Anyone who love Enugu State must put the interest of the state before his/her personal ambition. It will be wrong to disrupt the working zoning arrangement in Enugu State just for one’s selfish desire or aggrandizement.

    Meanwhile, in reality, everybody can never agree to zoning, but that does not change the fact that zoning as being practiced in Enugu State has been fruitful and always take it’s natural course despite efforts being made by few disgruntled individuals and groups to scuttle the gentleman’s agreement. If majority of the stakeholders and the good people of Enugu State still see the need to abide by the principle of clockwise power rotation in order to eschew anarchy, and other vices associated with electioneering, then, those who are against the peaceful zoning system should have a rethink.

    The recent zoning of 2023 governorship ticket by the All Progressive Congress, APC Enugu State to Enugu East senatorial zone is a clear indication that Enugu State respects clockwise zoning arrangement.

    It is however advisable for other political parties in Enugu State such as the incumbent People’s Democratic Party, PDP to also key into the zoning arrangement and cede their governorship ticket to Enugu East senatorial zone if they must continue to make waves in the political history of the State. By so doing, the party is expected to field a credible candidate from Enugu East senatorial zone for the 2023 gubernatorial contest.

  • Prince Omoha: Reinventing Luxury in real Estate

     

    The Chairman and CEO of Prince Luxury Group Mr, Omoha Nduka John, well-known as Prince Omoha, a real estate entrepreneur and investor is set to redefine perception of true luxury in the real estate space with a never-before-seen project. Although the core emphasis of the project is on luxury estates but at affordable rates.

     

    According to Omoha, luxury is at the heart of his company’s values and the company prides itself on delivering top notch luxurious homes that match international standard.

    “That’s why we are called Luxury, because we focus on luxury and comfort,” Omoha says

    Adding, “In terms of creating a blue ocean strategy for our projects we have created a niche market

    for Prince Luxury Group by bringing together luxury and affordability with world class facilities obtainable in leading cities of the world.”

    Prince Omoha provided a hint on his newest project as he revealed the mystery behind it and explained that the project converges two distinctly opposing entities; luxury and affordability, in a bid to put an end to the ‘average class luxury’ in real estate in Nigeria.

    Omoha also hinted at what inspired the idea of the huge project, disclosing that the inspiration materialized from the iconic architectures from Dubai. According to him, the project stands at the very core of sophistication, art and architecture.

    According to him, it is “a holistic warfare game plan that uses the elements of surprise and speed in the execution of innovative ideas to achieve the impossible.”

    “The new project is coming to disrupt architectural imagination and introduce a new trend with whose features and facilities cannot be found anywhere in Nigeria,” declares with a sense of authority.

    The Prince Luxury Group is a conglomerate with portfolios in real estate, logistics and stock investments both in Nigeria, Hong Kong and beyond.

    Prince Omoha has become popular in the real estate landscape in Nigeria for his signature luxurious residential homes in Lagos.

    In a little space of time Prince Omoha has carved a niche for himself and his company in the housing sector with a knack for imaginative innovations and friendly housing opportunities.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Fertility: What you Should know.

     

     

    Your fertility may drop if you’re taking certain medicines, so there are facts about medications that you need to know when you’re trying to conceive

     

    Your menstrual cycle is tightly controlled by the interaction between the brain, ovaries, and uterus. Any health problem or medication that disrupts this communication could adversely affect ovulation and make it challenging to achieve a pregnancy.

     

    Ironically, some medications are necessary to treat infertility and certain other conditions, leaving you to grapple with both the possible inability to conceive and the difficulty that can accompany it. Women with infertility issues have equivalent levels of anxiety and depression to those with cancer, HIV, or a heart disease. But less familiar is the fact that certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may also affect fertility.

    Therefore, close consultation with your doctor is paramount when it comes to the medications you take and your fertility. In some cases, there may be alternatives that are just as effective as prescriptions and OTC medications.

     

    There are three main ways medication can interfere with fertility, and two of them pertain directly to women. Medicines can alter ovulation and endometrial or uterine receptivity to a pregnancy.  Medicines can also cause changes in sperm production for men.

     

    A medication may affect your ability to ovulate or affect your man’s sperm count by affecting the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinising hormone (LH) by the pituitary gland.

     

    Once a medication is stopped, it takes some time for the body to recover, though the exact span varies from drug to drug. Most medications are out of the system within days, but some can interfere with normal egg production for months.  It may also take your body a month or two to get back to its optimal fertility after stopping some forms of birth control.

     

    Clear answers regarding fertility and medicines aren’t always apparent.  Most over-the-counter remedies don’t interfere with fertility, but it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor first.

     

    Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect fertility, depending on what you’re taking. If you need to take prescription drugs regularly for one reason or another, you should seek expert advice when you want to try for a baby.

     

    This is crucial because it might be necessary to adjust your dose of the medications or switch you to different drugs altogether. Actually, it’s a good idea to double-check with your doctor before using any over-the-counter or off-the-shelf drugs, or any herbal remedies when you’re trying to get pregnant.

     

    However, even if you suspect that your medication could be affecting your fertility, don’t suddenly stop taking it. Talk to your doctor first. It may be that the benefits of taking your medicine outweigh any possible fertility problems.

     

    This advice is necessary because some medicines can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly, so it’s always best to check with your physician first. Even if you do discover that you’re pregnant, don’t stop taking any prescribed medicine until you’ve spoken to the doctor.

     

    If you’re on antidepressants, for instance, you may discover that they make you less interested in sex, which isn’t at all helpful when you’re trying for a baby. If you suspect this is happening, talk to your doctor who may be able to offer a suitable alternative medicine.

     

    Essentially, when you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to avoid skin creams and gels that contain oestrogen or progesterone and other hormonal constituents, even though it’s not likely that you’d absorb enough of them through the skin to affect ovulation, but it’s best to play it safe.

     

     

    There are so many medications that affect fertility in women. One of the most common is any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID). If you’re using prescription anti-inflammatory drugs for conditions such as arthritis or rheumatism, they may temporarily interfere with your ovulation. NSAIDs can interfere with ovulation, particularly the ability of the egg to be released by the ovary.

     

    Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are much less powerful, but if you’ve been taking them regularly for a long time, or having high doses, they could also affect your fertility.

     

    You should also be wary of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). If you’re taking any AEDs, that contain valproate (valproic acid), they can affect your ovulation. The same argument goes for antipsychotics (neuroleptic medicines) some of which can affect your pituitary gland and stop or disrupt your periods.

     

    Don’t stop using them suddenly but talk to your doctor about lowering your dose or switching to an alternative. Your doctor will work with you to get the balance of this medication right, as too much or too little can reduce your chances of conceiving.

     

    There are some diuretic drugs used to treat swelling (oedema) that can adversely affect your fertility. Chances are high that your fertility should return to normal about two to three months after you stop taking them.

     

    Natural remedies are particularly tricky. There hasn’t been much research into alternative therapies and fertility, but certain herbs could potentially affect your ability to get pregnant. If you’re using any natural remedies, talk to a qualified practitioner or your doctor for more information.

     

    Some medications may not affect your fertility, but can be dangerous for your developing baby if you do conceive. If you’re taking any kind of medication at all – prescription or over-the-counter drugs– discuss with your doctor before trying for a baby.

     

     

    The bottom line is that if you are currently taking any prescription medications, discuss their impact as it relates to your desire to become pregnant with your health care provider.

     

    Most physicians would prefer that you be on as few medications as possible when trying to conceive or while pregnant. It’s a good idea to sit down with your doctor before you get pregnant to discuss the safety of each one, and to attempt to either switch  to safer ones or try non-pharmaceutical approaches.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com