Joseph Edgar

We are no longer sitting on a keg of gun powder as they say it. The bomb has exploded, and we are dying on a daily basis

The Ekeremandu conviction brought it home graphically, the parlous state of our health system.

We now have only 24,000 doctors and need to produce at least 12,000 annually for five years to meet at least the minimum standards recommended by international authorities.

We are said to produce only 3,000 annually and export about 4,000 annually, leaving us with a deficit of 1,000.

It is no wonder that we are all losing loved ones daily..my Erelu died an avoidable death..we were waiting for a nephrollogist who comes only tuesdays and we got there Wednesday and before the next Tuesday that she was due, Erelu had passed.

Anger could not describe my feelings, but now it’s pity. It’s two years later, and I am seeing things differently.

Manpower is non-existent in the health sector. Conditions of service for even the ones remaining are below standards, and as such, health care provision is worse than pre historic times

It’s no wonder that Ekeremandu is facing a 10year jail time and it’s no wonder all successive Presidents from Yaradua down to the President Elect and any Government official worth his salt goes outside for the slightest migraine.

How we contained Ebola and Covid remains a major miracle with the condition of our health sector.

The worst hit is my demographic – 45 to 60. We in middle age are dogged by aging illnesses like diabetes, bp, and prostrate to mention a few.

With the situation, mortality in that range is almost at an all-time high. With the mortality rate at a high 50 years of age, which is quite sad.

During the last elections, I listened very carefully to the major candidates both at the presidential and gubernatorial levels, and they didn’t seem to connect to the wahala that is in the health sector

They instead continued to fight over other things including calling opponents ‘sons of bitches’ with no credible plan for the health sector.

My take is for an immediate push towards preventive medicine. Government and private sector shd handshake in pushing out campaigns that encourages preventive medicine in the immediate short term

Healthy lifestyles, diets, exercises shd be encouraged and even made compulsory.

This would push back a lot of illnesses, reduce stress in the system and allow for an immediate concentration on geriatric medicine and other such unavoidable illnesses

The average Nigerian is very healthy. Poverty has strengthened his imunity and reliance on unprocessed raw foods, which has also boosted his health status

So, a push towards prevention medicine will go a long way.

Another short to mid-term startegy could be the increased regulation of herbal medicine with a view to bringing it closer to mainstream.

Standardization, training, and modernisation are key. They are closer to grassroots and are easily affordable and accessible.

Then, mid to long term Government with tax rebates, customs duties, and other such incentives must begin to encourage private sector participation at the three levels of medicine. Very key.

Lastly, the production of manpower in the sector must be ramped up immediately.

Quick 2 year intervention courses to handle primary and some secondary illnesses while we begin a long term.plan of producing more experts and infrastructure.

The government should back out of it totally if you ask me. Sell off the hospitals to private bodies who will bring efficiency and which would eventually drop the cost

See hospitals like Jolaad being run by private equity concerns is meeting these standards. This must be replicated nationwide.

There must be a sense of urgency. Otherwise, more big men will face the Ekweramandu wahala on the lighter side, and on the major side, we would most likely lose over 20% of our population to avoidable health issues

Thank you

Duke of Shomolu

I have been an investment banker for over 25 years. I have worked in 5 banks and have been MD at two major asset management firms.

In the period, I have been involved in trillions of Naira worth of transactions and have built enough experience and reach.
Recently, working in theatre and media has opened me to a very huge network that spans from major High Networth Individuals to institutions and public sector.

I count at least two governors as personal friends and over 40% of current Bank MDs as my people.

Hamilton and George my Investment Advisory firm which I Co founded with my brother Lami was designed to take advantage of this my wide network and we have not done so badly in Oil and Gas and in Real Estate.

However, I get a lot of people who come to me for partnerships and all that seeking to leverage on my network to distribute.

But I have been wary. You see, these kinds of relationships are very sensitive. People at that level do not suffer fools

The currency of trade is value. Once you can’t push value, u are toast. I know that more than anything
.
Someone had once said, “Ohh Edgar, I’m bringing Floyd Maewether to the country. Could you help us

And I got one of the most flamboyant Bank Chairmen to accept to pay us N5m to host Floyd to a private lunch.

D-D no Floyd. Thankfully, we had agreed to be paid back end, but I don’t think I have been forgiven cos my calls no longer get returned.

So you see the reason why I turn down a lot of requests to ‘help’.

Then I met Steve. Steve is a neighbor. Dresses like a classic gentleman complete with bowties. Every morning as he drives to work, I watch him and say to myself- that guy reminds me of my BGL days.

Then, he reaches out and introduces himself. Edgar, I work for the Coronation Group.

I say aghhh that is AIG.” He is my Oga o. He says I am the Chief Distribution Officer, and it’s my job to distribute all financial products of the group across the board.

Interesting. I had this vision while at BGL when I was the Chief Marketing Officer. Sold the idea to Albert, but somehow, it didn’t see the light of day.

So I said talk. He says I want to partner with you. Give you capacity support and perceptive solutions, and you bring access to the table and we close transactions.

This was the first time anybody was saying this reasonable thing to me. He wasn’t asking for help? He was putting value on the table.

I liked this, and I liked him, and much more importantly, I could trade with my goodwill, knowing that his group and what they represent will not be at a disadvantage to me.

I also liked the fact that I would be working with a team that would startegise and throw up opportunities that I will now take as ready made and go lock in to target companies with no stress.

It won’t be a case if Gabriel abeg Steve want see you wetin he want see me for. He no tell me, when he come he go tell you.

This would be more professional and scientific- it wil be, ‘ Gabriel if you ramp up your downstream capacity, then we can give u a solution that will reduce your insurance system by 20% . Wait make Steve come explain. Simple.

I say Steve, my brother. I like what you are saying, but I also want to grow. We will be part of the meetings, train my staff on your products and provide product knowledge and targets and I open the doors.

He smiled and said piece of cake. We meet at their beautiful office and have a wonderful session, and Pronto, an agreement is signed, and we have a partnership.

See what excites me about this is simple. So, for example, Dere Otubu is my friend he is the chairman of EKEDC, amongst other things, but he sees me first and foremost as a writer and thespian.

So going to him directly to give me insurance business is something I will not do cos it will make me look like I’m taking the piss.

It gets worse. Gabriel Ogbechie is invested in Hamilton and George. He is one of the biggest players in oil and gas and finance in the country.

But he has never given us an advisory business cos as he says it – Edgar, you are a better writer than an investment banker. Not true, but do I blame him, no?

So pple come and say, pls I want to meet Gabriel. That is influence peddling, and that doesn’t give respect.

But with this agreement, I will approach Dere and Gabriel with the firepower power of the Coronation Group.

What they will be seeing will be that sturdy group with its capacity and an Edgar who just gave them support.

So Coronation goes in, and I follow up informally at the back to keep the trail warm.

This is exactly the way I had envisioned my post. Investment Banking years – a serious organisation’s, leveraging on my wide reach to deliver value to the system.

My staff will be going to Coronation this week for the training, and I will be having very serious briefings with them cos I must understand their culture and ways and means to be able to better sell them

I am very excited cos I will be doing what I love most to do, which is SELL.

Already Steve, send me a chat. oohh Edgar, do you know the MD of Lagis State w……. I will reply, he came for my Show the Chairman of LIRS who is my friend brought him

And Steve will say, I have a solution that wil bring them so much money and I wil send a chat to the man and he wil say, ‘ you guys can come and see me next week…

Hamilton and George will, with this partnership, now rise to its full potentials working with a serious group of professionals who will know how to harness my firepower appropriately.

I’m excited

Duke of Shomolu

To forestall a reoccurence where Nigerians trooped out enmasse to welcome and watch the very seminal Play – Ogiame Erejuwa II with the very popular and influential Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Duke of Shomolu has concluded plans to host HRM, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe at the historical Glover Hall in Lagos this Easter.

Last December, Ogiame Atuwatse III’s immense popularity overwhelmed all arrangements at the hosting of the play, with thousands of Nigerians trooping out to witness the historic event

The Facilities were completely overwhelmed with thousands turning back and not being able to see the Play, which depicted the Ogiame’s grandfather Ogiame Erejuwa II

To forestall a reoccurence, the Duke of Shomolu has put in place a unique structure which will see a Co location of the play between the enigmatic Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre and the historic Glover Hall which was built in the 1920s and recently refurbished by the Lagos State Government.

HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe in an official correspondence to The Duke has confirmed his attendance of the Command performance and in the same letter endorsed the Play which will take Nigerians through the life and times of the great Zik of Africa

In this regard, the play will be viewed by the general public on the 9th and 10th of April, 2023 at the Agip Recital Hall of The muson Centre and from there move to the Glover Memorial Hall for the Command Performance which would host the Obi of Onitsha, His Chiefs, direct Members of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s family including his son Ambassador Emeka Azikiwe, corporate sponsors and prominent Nigerians.

Attendance if the Command Performance is strictly by Invitaion.

The Duke of Shomolu Productions has emerged one of Nigeria’s most prolific theatre production outfits, churning out some of the most exciting productions while showcasing to a new audience the lives of historical Nigerian figures.

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe is the latest in a long line of subjects, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Emir Sanusi to mention a few.

It is noteworthy to note that Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, while a prominent member of the political and social class in Lagos, attended various functions at the Glover Hall, where he will be celebrated and further immortalized.

Zik is written and directed by the very briliant Dr. Ikechukwu Erojikwe and produced on behalf of The Duke of Shomolu Foundation by Mofoluwake Edgar, Emeka Agwu- Oju, and Olisa Adibua

It would play both the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Center and the Glover Hall this Easter.

Dates are 9th and 10th April 2023.

Joseph Edgar
Duke of Shomolu

In a very quick survey last night , I asked people to choose between four very popular brands – Coca-Cola versus Pepsi and Milo versus Bournvita

While I wasn’t surprised at the result that came out for the Cocoa beverage, that of the fizzy drink shocked me to my bone marrow.

Milo defeated very soundly Bournvita by nearly 98% of respondents while Pepsi dusted Coca Cola by over 70%

I remained in shock because I am a Coca-Cola person believing that after our heavenly father Jesus Christ, Coca Cola was the next best thing that had happened on planet Earth.

Over 300 people took the survey, and their age demographics ranged between 28 to 65. They had very strong purchasing power and are literate with cognitive access to media.

Reasons adduced to the complete wipe out of Bournvita by Milo include loss of brand positioning, quality, taste, and brand colors, amongst others

One respondent who is a top government functionary in one of the SW States and a veteran accountant talked about the Bunmi Oni Saga

For most of you who don’t know, Cadbury was a major multinational that was run by expatriates. It was a wonderful place to work and deal with and was one of the blue chips listed on the stock exchange.

It was very profitable and had some of the highest corporate governance and all.

Then, they had an indiginization policy bringing Nigerians into the mix. It started out well with people like Gamaliel Onosode and Christopher Kolade holding the forth very well with their superior leadership, which impressed all.

Then, someone thought up a brilliant idea. They now made it a mecca for Government College Ibadan old boys. So if you are an old boy, the first place to go get a job was Cadbury.

That is how Bunmi Oni emerged as MD. Cadbury suffered and ran into a multi-billion Naira scandal. It made national news.

I don’t think the place ever recovered as this affected all facets of its life. The few good hands were poached, the marketing of its products suffered mayb cos of lack of funds to push innovative media campaigns, quality dropped, and as someone will say, she stopped tasting the cocoa.

Furthermore, another person thought up a good idea of changing the colors and adding a touch of purple, which iritated the children who now moved in droves to Milo.

On the floor of the stock exchange, the price of its shares took very severe beating, unlike that of Milo, which was a blue chip trading at the same dizzying heights with Total and Mobil

While Bournvita was going thru this, Milo was witnessing a resurgence. The huge factory in Ogun State was opened, more money was lumped into R&D, and the colors of rich green aligned with Nigerians

As one respondent said, Nigerians simply love green. Our national football team was Green Eagles till very recently, and their colours still remain green.

80% of our national flag is green, and we aligned . Milo allighned itself with our sporting aspirations. They were the ‘food drink of future champions’

Who will forget that their iconic advert – Milooo pa pa pa Milo PA pa pa. That was the refrain in every sporting arena nationwide.

The fact that they didn’t do football, which has an ocultic followership in Nigeria, but did lesser sports like basketball and athletics didn’t stop them from leading the cocoa beverage roost on FaceTime and market popularity

Finally, Milo just tastes better. Cos of the financial crunch at Cadbury, as mentioned earlier, quality dropped. You didn’t feel the richness of the cocoa in the drink anymore, and it tasted almost bitter.

The market reacted violently. Children didn’t care for logic they just wanted a sweet and rich cocoa drink at the breakfast table, and they wanted to feel like champions on their way to school.

Another mistake was Bournvita going for their brains. They did debates, quizzes, and all of that brainy stuff.

If you have done your research, you will see that at the primary and secondary level, the brainards were in the pitifull minority. They were derided and called all sort of names – effico, SU, Aje butter, etc

People didn’t like them. They were not considered cool and, as such, mostly ignored.

It is at the point of WAEC that you start wanting to be like them. But at lower levels, they were bullied and not wanted to be seen on the fields of play or in social circles.

So, building a brand on that minority grouping, although altruistic, wasn’t going to cut it. That position targeted the parents, and you know, in that market, it was the kids who had the power.

The same thing killed Cortina Shoes. The parents loved it, but you will be yabbed to death in school if you were caught in them.

I used to throw mine away just before entering the boarding school dormitory and make do with old ‘cool sandals.

So, that Bournvita is literally dead as a brand is no longer news.

What news is that Pepsi took a beating to my Coca-Cola. Oh my God, I am still in shock.

Coca Cola is the king. Its taste is right, and you really can not beat the feeling

So you can imagine my rude shock at the result of this survey.

A lot of people alluded to taste and campaigns. Pepsi has been very strategic with leveraging on iconic figures globally.

Here in Nigeria, they have stayed true to very strong figures like Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, all of whom have very powerful followerships

They have leveraged music, sports, and the devilishly popular Big Brother Nigeria franchise to aggressively penetrate the market.

Pepsi is now considered cool as they have aligned with Music, which is a massive force in the young demographic in the country

But despite all of these, I never believed that Pepsi would take the beating to Coca Cola in this representative survey.

Coca-Cola, to say the least, has been everywhere in their marketing. A little bit of this and a little bit of that seems to be their strategy.

Even the xmas campaigns that used to leave every body glued to the screen are now tired .

There’s nothing to look forward to. The issues they had with quality control at some point also not helping matters.

The growing consciousness of the people on the ills of the sugar content also affects both brands, but Pepsi looks like riding it better…

If this result is anything to go by, then we can safely say that the next generation that is the 9 year old to the 18year old may not have the sweet pleasure of a coke and a smile by the time they hit their 20s

Sad.

Joseph Edgar knows as Duke of Shomolu is the Editor in Chief of Thealvinreport.com

Yesterday, I stirred the honest nest. Truth was that I wanted to establish a point between the market shares of Coca Cola and Pepsi cos i was suspecting a shift.

In so doing, I had even missed out on the massive influence of the indigenous beverage – Bigi on the market share in that space.

Anyway, I put Bournvita and Milo as added flavor and received a very chocolaty result.

Milo had beaten Bournvita amongst the over 300 respondents resoundly in their estimation.

Reasons adduced by a vast majority of respondents include but are not limited to quality, brand perception, taste, packaging, and general poor perception of Bournvita amongst the buying public.

On the back of these, I did a report which tried to deepen the reasons given by the respondents and expand on it with the hope that it will get to the party as our own way of sending a robust feedback.

To my surprise, the report, which was only sent out on my WhatsApp, went viral.

It was shared amongst so many people, and grouping and feedback came back in torrents.

Someone said this person called the Duke of Shomolu may have overreached himself this time.

I heard it was put on the GCI alumni page, and someone there reached out jokingly – Edgar, I will report you to Babalakin, your friend.

Even the Lagos State Chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors got it and reached out.

Other blogs carried the report verbatim, and discussions on the matter went on for pretty much all of the day.

The next minute, I saw a chat from my friend Fred Mordi. Fred is the corporate affairs and governmental relations manager of Cadbury, which is a subsidiary of Mondelez International, which is in turn reputed to be the world’s largest in the space.

Fred and I have had a funny type relationship, and I must confess I really do not envy him.

His job has been to smoothen the relationship between his firm and irritants like myself as the firm struggles through a very challenging period.

In recent times, its ownership has changed quite radically, and I must say that the fruits of that have begun to show.

He sent me a press release, which shows that it recorded an increase in total revenues by over 30% to N55bn up from a little above N40b for dec 2022.

Furthermore, its gross profit hit 7b from the previous N6b year on year, hitting a 19% increase impacting on its net profit, throwing up over a 100% increase, and berthing at over N900m from the previous N400m

With this, earnings per share increased from 24k to 50k, making shareholders quite happy.

It’s Managing Director Mrs Adeboye, whose managerial skills seem to be touching up these figures in the press release announced a new product mix, which, according to her, is having this direct impact on the bottomline.

Furthermore, Fred sent in documents showing that Cadbury was also for the third year running nominated as top employer in Africa by the international Institute of Employers.

Well, I have refrained from comparing these figures with that of Nestlé foods for very obvious reasons.

The point of the survey was a push between Bournvita and Milo as two leading beverages.

I would have liked to see sales statistics from either of the two to see if the results of the survey can be justified.

Is Milo really beating Bournvita tin for tin, sachet for Sachet, and in which market segmentation and in which demographics

It is very clear that Cadbury had flown through very strong headwinds that would have completely destroyed any lesser company, and as such, its ability to fight in the marketplace robustly impaired.

But the truth is that they have hunkered down and have fought the good fight with the results as they can be gleaned continuing to improve.

My suggestion however to the management team of Cadbury which I must say are doing a great job judging by this figures as announced, is to look very carefully at the reasons adduced for Milo market superiority and address them very urgently.

I didn’t see any reforms with the Bournvita, which I dare say is a national brand, but instead, I saw an attempt to divert attention towards other product lines, which seems to be doing well.

Lines like the Cadbury biscuit, amongst others. Does this suggest a surrender in the chocolate drink war?

For those of you, especially my brother Wole and his group, who suggest that – How does Edgar expect sponsorship from them after lashing them like this?

Or the other group who has also suggested that – maybe he us looking for sponsorships – that is why he is lashing at them

I will say very clearly that sponsorship does not drive me. Those who relate with me will know this.

Access bank is my biggest supporter back to back and by far. They have given me sponsorship and support by over 100% of the second in the group, which is Zenith and Wema

But I have tongue lashed them variously to the point that some elements there have called to ask’ are you our friend?

Recently, I have taken a stance on the political structure of our nation, which goes against the grain as it concerns the Lagos State Government, which is my major sponsors and have stood.

So my ‘lashing’ of Cadbury has nothing to do with sponsorship or any of that but an unemotional analysis based on the frantic report of the survey that was thrown up.

Like I told Wole, sponsorship or the quest of it thereof is but a very little part of my corporate or business life.

I have built a network of over 10,000 potential sponsors, and if cos I ‘yab’ you, you turn your back, your business. Doesn’t shake me.

In conclusion, I love the urgent feedback from Cadbury, which shows they have not only built a responsive team but a team that is dogged and very clear as to their mission in the marketplace.

I wish you guys well

Nb, the press release mentioned in this write-up will be released on Thealvinreport.com later in the day.

All subscribers to Thealvinreport.com will receive it in their mails.

Have you subscribed?

Thanks

Joseph Edgar
Editor in Chief
Thealvinreport.com

So today was my baby Zara’s birthday, and she flooded the house with her friends.

Over 20 of them all looked very sweet and innocent. They are ecstatic as they enter the world and are shouting and singing as they do so.

Last night I cdnt sleep. They had all squeezed into her room which was directly opposite mine and made noise all night.

I couldn’t enter the room to shout them down, but even if I could I still would not have cos they were happy, full of life and Thankful to God.

This Morming I watched them get ready. Respected myself and kept a huge distance. I felt old and was kinda sad that they didn’t even bother to ask me if I would join them.

They all jumped into the cars and made their way to VI where they finished what was left of my savings. Kai.

Then they came back and they changed and the fun continued. I liked their freedom, the lack of worry and the careless fun they were having.

They all liked the same songs, danced the same, dressed the same and even had the same hairstyles.

The boys were d same. All bw the ages of 13 and 14. Good looking tall and fresh.

Then as I walked to my room to lock myself up and work, I saw Chantal and three of her friends.

I detoured into her room. They were getting ready for the party. I asked them what sch they attended and one said – Covenant Univerity

And I said funny school and she said yes. We talked about the sexual molestation case in the school involving the chaplain and she informed me that he had been sacked and everything was ok now.

Then I asked them if they knew the most dangerous kind of molestation? They said Rape and I said NO

Then I asked – Chantal will u tell me if you were molested?” and she said yes. God bless her soul. I asked her why, and she said cos she knew I would do something about it.

Then I asked her friends and they both said NO and I asked why and they said cos they won’t be believed and that they would be blamed.

I asked her how old and she said 21. Chantal was 19 and the other was 18 plus.

They were women and looked it but had the inexperience that comes with adolescence. What the molester would see, will be physical attributes of a woman and not the pure innocence that their mature bodies carried.

So I said the worst kind of molestation is not rape. That is bold, violent, and aggressive. You can see it coming, it’s physical. You can fight it and be subdued. U can avoid it. U can consciously not put yourself in a position of vulnerability

But the one that is very dangerous is the one that plays with your mind.

One said no. That groping is the most dangerous and she is really scared of that and I said NO. Gropping is physical and can be averted with a slap.

But the one dt is perpetrated by the uncle, the step brother, the aunty, the pastor, the driver or anybody within ur circle of trust is more dangerous

The one dt plays with your mind. Making u trust them and in some extreme cases making u fall in love with them is the most dangerous.

They play with the little girls mind making her feel comfortable. Earning her trust and making her emotionally dependant and from there use her as a body.

A friend once told me how her uncle did this to her throughout her secondary school days. Her mother’s blood brother she fell in love with him cos ,’ he understood her’ and slept with her from JSS 2 till she left for university.

It was in university that the scales fell off.

So I told the girls that this is the one they shd look out for. Any uncle giving compliments should be reported immediately.

Any brother who says you can rely on me Tell me anything or giving unnecessarily frequent gifts must be reported.

I told them that their parents are the last bastion of their defense. Tell them everything even if they will ‘ worsen’ the situation still Tell them

We are in perilous times where sexual deviancy is at its peek. The lines between what is normal and abnormal are so blurred.

The communal life has to come back. We must all build a cocoon around our kids. Everybody’s child should be everybody’s responsibility

It’s scary out there..peadophiles and other such evil and vile monsters are no longer on the TV screens they live in our homes.

They are the Gardners, security men, despatch riders, pastors, sunday school teachers, uncles and aunties.

We must all remain vigilant

Thanks

Duke of Shomolu