227 doctors migrated from Nigeria in 12 months — Report

Globally, free movement of highly skilled professionals and experts is a positive thing. However, the cost to the home nations of migrating professionals is incalculable in terms of development opportunities and loss of investment according to Sunday Vanguard.

UNESCO defines brain drain  as an abnormal form of scientific exchange between countries, characterized by a one-way flow in favour of the most highly developed countries. Brain drain can also be described as the international transfer of knowledge and resources in the form of human capital and applies to the migration of academics, skilled professionals, technical manpower and experts from developing to developed countries. 

Brain drain  occurs in two ways.The first  is the outright and direct out migration. The second refers to  when graduates trained abroad refuse to  return home. A country can be drained of physicians, academics, scientists, engineers, among others. 

While on a reporting project supported by the Institute for Media and Society Lagos, PANOS West Africa and the European Union, findings revealed that apart from political and cultural factors, the reasons many Nigerian best brains leave are economic which include poor salaries, lack of job opportunities, unemployment and inflation, Sunday Vanguard reported. 

Some skilled workers said  they decided to relocate from Nigeria  in search  of  job satisfaction, higher standards of living, better salaries and educational progressive society.

 Nigeria has, over the years, struggled  with the crisis of brain drain in all sectors with  medics not an exception. Findings revealed that as at 2010, a total of 637 doctors left Nigeria, accounting for 36 per cent reduction in expert migration figures.

 About 227 doctors migrated from Nigeria last year alone. A  report released on November 17,2015  by the Institute of International Education (IIE) disclosed that a total of 9,494 Nigerian students are currently studying in  colleges and universities in the United States. 

According to the report, Nigeria  is the leading source of students from Africa and the 15th largest worldwide, of  international students studying in America since 2012. For example, Nigerian students in the US studying primarily at the undergraduate level have about 50.2 percent enrollment at the undergraduate level, 35.2 percent at the graduate level and 12.6 percent pursuing optional practical training. 

Approximately two percent engage in non-degree programs or short-term studies. The overall number of international students at American colleges and universities increased by 10 per cent to a record high of 974,926 in the 2014/2015 academic year, the highest rate in 35 years, according to the IIE’s Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. 

The effects of the brain drain  enormous, resulting in more African engineers working in the US  than those in the whole of Africa. A report by the United Nations estimated that are  over the next decade, Africa will need to train an additional one million health care professionals and find ways to retain more of the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians it currently produces. Thus, the European Union, EU, through public enlightenment campaign, has been showing concern to ensure that the equation of brain drain is balanced globally. 

Also,  a  report gotten from the International Organization For Migration (IOM) states:‘“It would have cost the developed nations about $184,000 to train each of the estimated three million professionals educated in developing countries now working in the developed world, resulting in a savings of $552 billion dollars for the developed nations.” In essence, developing nations like Nigeria is giving developmental assistance to the developed nations, making the rich nations richer and the poor nations poorer. 

Speaking from Canada, Mr. Godwin Osai, a technician who had worked with Unilever Nigeria  Plc, said:”My determination to move to Canada is for better opportunities for me and my wife. According to him, relocating to Canada will give his children brighter future.

 Asked when he will return to Nigeria, Osai, who was pessimistic about Nigeria’s economy, said: ‘’Probably in the next 50 years  when the Nigerian governments  would have seen the need to provide jobs for its citizenry, give adequate security and put infrastructure in place”. 

On his part, Mr. Femi Odetokun, an  electrical engineer, who works with the Gulftainer Company Limited,  Sharjah, in United Arab Emirate (UAE), disclosed that he left Nigeria  because of labour policy. ‘’Nigeria labour policy does not favour us, it puts limitations on our career growth,” he said. 

Odetokun, who had worked with APM Terminals and Tin-can Island Container Terminal, TICT, in Nigeria, said in UAE, he  has   a good  offer with outstanding welfare package that his job in Nigeria could not offer.

 Also  Mr Laja Thomas, who left Nigeria for Canada two years ago, disclosed that opportunity for career development and growth in whatever vocation or profession he desires were some of the factors that motivated his relocation. He added that, in Canada, the education and development of children are paramount to the government. 

In Canada, he noted, it’s a secure and safe environment with opportunities devoid of nepotism, favouritism or inequality. 

“In Nigeria, it is the direct opposite. Why should I not leave?  It is a blessed country that lacks electricity, basic utilities and infrastructure. Nigeria is a country of cancerous corruption, mismanagement of our commonwealth, irresponsible leadership, lack of good governance, failing infrastructure. Why should I desire to come back?,”Thomas said. 

The challenge of reversing brain drain is huge but the opportunities it presents far outweigh the threats. Most of the developed nations have policies in place to attract skilled labour from across the world  to fill their own vacuum. The United Kingdom, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand  always update their policies to recruit this segment of international migrants. 

The US doubled its H1-B visas from 65,000 to 130,000 largely due to great lobbying by the IT and other industries. This figure does not include the 586,000 students that are attracted to the U.S. institutions from across the world, annually. Britain’s points system, adopted in 2006, ensures that only people with the right skills or contribution will be able to enter the UK to work or study. 

There is no reason  Nigeria should not have a similar policy in place to attract the best to accelerate national development. Nigeria alongside with most African countries still do not know how many of their professionals leave the country annually, why they leave, the  number that return and why they returned. The impact of this lack of awareness by the Nigerian government and most developing nations can be shown by the lack of policies in place to curb the unaccounted flow of their much needed highly trained people and little or nothing in place to attract back those currently in the diaspora.

I prepared for the worst: Survivor of Somalia beach attack tell her bitter experience

The 21 January attack by al-Shabab on a popular beachside restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu has now claimed more than 40 lives. Many of the victims died from their injuries in the days following the attack. Nasro Dahir Abukar was at the Beach View Cafe when the militants struck. Here, she gives her personal survival story.

I was with my younger brother Eyman. We were were having tea, looking out at the sea, enjoying the sight and sound of the waves. It was one of those wonderful moments in life.

Suddenly, shooting started on the side of the restaurant which spreads out onto the beach. We all got up and started running away, except those who were hit by the bullets.

As the gunfire got louder and louder, most of the people who had been sitting on the beach side of the restaurant fell down on to the sand.

I didn't see Eyman after he ran away, so I started shouting for him and running at the same time.

I fell down, but someone gave me a hand and I couldn't tell if he knew me or not. He pulled me towards where the kitchen and toilets were.

Those of us who had run for our lives went to hide in the toilets and shut ourselves inside, standing by the hand-wash area.

Even though praying is forbidden inside toilets, quietly I started reciting verses of the Koran and Hadith [the stories and traditions of Muhammad's life], praying that Allah would protect us from these evil cowards.

I wondered whether I would survive or be killed.

My thoughts also turned to my little brother Eyman. I wasn't sure if he had escaped the restaurant in time. I started shouting: "Eyman, Eyman, Eyman!"

I remembered how much my mother loved Eyman, since he was her youngest child.

I thought of how she would react to the news of our death. Eyman was not just the youngest, but my mother's only son, after she had lost her other son two years ago.

She still feels his loss now.

I prepared for the worst.

As the gunfire intensified, I thought about what would happen to our family.

I would take the blame for Eyman's death; it was my idea to bring him to Liido beach after all. "Why did I bring him with me?" I asked myself over and over.

Now, some of the bullets entered the toilet, hitting some of those I was hiding with, whose blood now poured over me.

The attackers threw bombs inside the restaurant and the attack kept getting stronger and stronger.

I could hear the cries of babies and women, of explosions and gunfire.

People were crying out: "LaaIllaaha Illalaah", which is a phrase to use when someone is on the verge of death and asking Allah for forgiveness.

But their cries made the attackers realise that there were people still alive, so they increased their fire towards us, until we asked everyone to shut their mouths and stay silent.

Now the restaurant was in darkness. The only lights we could see were came from the bullets flying through the air.

I lay on the floor, with blood running all around me. Injured people were on top of me and I couldn't say a word.

I assumed Eyman was already dead and that I was about to die too.

But then, hope came.

Some special forces from the National Intelligence Service Agency (NISA) had arrived.

They came to the window, signalling to us with lights.

Then they started breaking down a section of the wall near the window.

First, they told those who were wounded and the women to come forward. They kept telling us to come to them, but we were still in shock and didn't know what to do.

Then one of the special forces team, whose face was covered, raised his hand and asked me to come.

He had a gun in one hand and he pushed my hand, asking me to move forward.

He pulled my body and forced me to come out of the building.

When I got outside, I checked my body to see whether I was injured or not.

Luckily I was okay, except the pain throughout my body from when I had fallen down onto the floor, and people had trodden on me as they rushed to escape.

I was covered in shards of glass. The sounds of bombs and gunfire was fresh in my mind.

Then, they told me "yes" - my brother Eyman was safe.

I thought of the brave soldier who had chosen to risk his life in order to save us. The attack was still going on while the soldier was rescuing us, and we could hear the sounds of bombs and bullets all around.

I owe my life to this soldier and if I had seen his face or knew his name, I would try to find him so I could thank him personally for what he did.

I give my thanks to Allah, and to this solider who helped me survive the attack.

The soldier was so kind, professional, compassionate, committed and determined to save our lives.

I know that his mission was to save people trapped in the restaurant, and every girl or boy that he saved was also his duty, but my feelings of gratitude and appreciation are so deep.

So if you are reading this article, know that you are a brave soldier and only Allah can repay your sacrifices to humankind.

With BBC

I resign my membership of the PDP - Ken Nnamani

Former Nigerian senate president, Ken Nnamani, on Saturday, dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the party of departing from “the path of its noble vision and values”.

He announced his departure from the party in statement titled “PDP, the Burden and My Conscience”. He stated that in spite of his misgivings about the PDP, he had nothing against its leadership.

“Without any iota of bitterness in my heart, I have decided to disengage from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and consequently step aside from partisan politics in the interim. I wish to express my profound gratitude to the party that gave me the platform with which I attained the height I did in the politics of our country,” he said.

Nnamani was elected into the senate in 2003. He served as the president of the senate between 2005 and 2007.

The former senate president rued the current state of affairs in the party. He noted that the PDP was now devoid of principles and values which he set for himself.

“I do not believe I should continue to be a member of the PDP as it is defined today,” Nnamani said in the statement.

“This is certainly not the party I joined years ago to help change my country. I do not also believe that the PDP as it is managed today will provide an opportunity for me to continue to play the politics of principles and values which I set for myself as a young man on leaving graduate school and working for a large multinational in the United States in the 70s and 80s.

Nnamani further in the statement accused the leadership of the PDP of being averse to the principles of internally democracy, “several gross missteps and grievous misnomer”. He said the PDP was also arrogant by believing it could Nigeria for a very long time.

“With more than half a decade of championing such a fundamental but simple idea, I regret that the PDP leadership continues to rebuff internal democracy. The party allowed itself to be blinded by hubris to believe that it will remain in power and influence for 60 years in spite of several gross missteps and grievous misnomer.”

“Therefore, today I resign my membership of the PDP. In stepping out of partisan politics for the meantime, I will continue to be politically engaged. I will also continue to support the government and all the elected officers in Nigeria to repositioning the nation.

“I will also constructively criticize them when by commission or omission they take actions that could damage the prospects of transforming Nigeria into a productive, merit-based and honestly governed country.”

Leicester champions? ‘Why not?’ says Ranieri

Premier League leaders Leicester stunned nearest rivals Manchester City with a convincing victory at Etihad Stadium to move six points clear.

Robert Huth turned in Riyad Mahrez's corner to give the Foxes an early lead.

City rarely looked like breaking down the visitors' defence, while their own back line appeared vulnerable.

Mahrez made it 2-0 with a step-over and finish, and Huth found space to head home a Christian Fuchs corner before Sergio Aguero's late consolation.

Leicester had already beaten third-placed Tottenham at White Hart Lane in January but this resounding result against Manchester City was their most significant in a remarkable season.

The Foxes have now picked up 28 points on their travels and, although they were denied a sixth clean sheet in their past seven matches, this was another win earned by their solid defence.

Aguero's glancing header from teenage substitute Bersant Celina's cross meant Manchester City retained their record of only failing to score once at home this season, but they had toiled in front of goal for much of the match.

Claudio Ranieri's side travel to fourth-placed Arsenal next weekend - win there too, and people might be asking 'who can catch Leicester?' rather than 'can the Foxes really win the title?'.

While Leicester's defence was a solid and well-organised unit, given further protection by N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater in central midfield, Manchester City looked nervy whenever the visitors came forward.

Martin Demichelis was left flat-footed by Robert Huth for Leicester's first goal and was beaten with ease by Mahrez for their second, while Huth was completely unmarked when he made it 3-0.

Things could easily have been even worse for home boss Manuel Pellegrini in his first game at the Etihad since it was announced Pep Guardiola would be replacing him in the summer.

Leicester's Jamie Vardy twice broke clear to latch on to balls over the top and was only prevented from inflicting further damage by smart blocks by Joe Hart.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini said he had "no complaints" about the result but insists his side's hopes of winning the title are not over.

Pellegrini told BBC Sport: "Leicester played better than us. Conceding a goal from a set piece after two minutes was very important for the game.

"We had chances but it was a difficult game. I expected more from the beginning because it was very important, we are at home and playing top of the table, but we couldn't do it.

"There are 36 points to play for, nothing is finished. It is important for us to recover our players and I am continuing to not give up because we got an unexpected defeat but we must continue."

Ranieri saluted his side's defensive discipline at the final whistle, telling BBC Sport: "We played very, very compact and believed everything could be possible.

"We play without pressure because we don't have to win the league. We must enjoy. This league is so strange and now it is important to think about Arsenal.

"I want to wait until the end of April because I know the last matches are very tough. This is a fantastic moment for the Premier League, nobody knows who can win it."

While Leicester head for the Emirates and another test of their title mettle, Manchester City must pick themselves up for the visit of another in-form team, Tottenham, before starting a run of fixtures that sees them play in the FA Cup, Champions League and the Capital One Cup final in the space of a week.

Clergy man In trouble as he impregnates seven church members, two married women

A randy man of God identified as Dukes (surname withheld) in Umunede, Delta State who has been accused of sleeping with his church members in the past two years, has allegedly impregnated seven of his single female church members and two married women, according to The Punch.

While trouble is currently brewing over the act, it was reliably gathered that the self-acclaimed man of God had also allegedly seduced several young girls in neighbouring communities: Ute-Ukpu, Otolokpo under the guise of providing them with suitors before he moved into Umunede after his cover was blown.

He was said to have been arrested and detained at Agbor Police Station by aggrieved parents of his victims for two days before granted bail.

A member of his church “Light Of God Ministries” Josephine Ogor said, “The self acclaimed reverend uses preaching, choirs and organised youth fellowship to get young girls.”
“That was what he did in Ute-Okpu, Otolokpo neighbouring communities before he moved into Umunede and he was driven away by the elders of the communities, he likes girls of 15, 16 and 17 years he sleeps with,” she added.

Investigation revealed that until some married women started carrying their marital problems to him, the self-acclaimed man of God allegedly known for magical powers, specialises in mind-blowing prophecies for unsuspecting members of his church including some highly placed politicians and businessmen across the state.

His victims, some who claimed they were hoodwinked into sexual intercourse with him via magical powers, Awele John, Marble Ogoan and Rosemary Iwendi said: “Please Mr. Pressman don’t use our pictures.”

“The man is fake, he uses magical powers to woo young girls he sleeps with, that was how we fell into his net, and our eyes were opened”.

Another victim, a married woman who did not want her name in the print said she had gone to the reverend’s house to seek advice on constant quarrels between her and the husband for possible solution when Dukes allegedly gave her anointed oil for her to rub and take from it but this was not to be, when she found herself in love making with the reverend during the night.

She said: “I saw myself having sexual intercourse with the Reverend in my sleep and I was shocked before I made it known to my husband”.

Further investigation revealed that his modus operandi is to give out olive oil bottles to unsuspecting female miracle seekers, young girls looking for suitors, a situation that keep them glued to him before taking them to bed.

But in swift reaction, the Reverend dispelled on telephone as untrue and attempts to blackmail him as true man of God, adding that those who claimed to have been impregnated by him designed a plot to kill him.

He said: “I am not responsible for their pregnancies, they are lairs”.

At Agbor Police Division, two investigating police officers who did not want their names in the print said: “We are currently investigating the Reverend after some parents of the girls he allegedly seduced reported the matter at the station, we have earlier arrested and released him on bail while investigation is ongoing.”