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The Editor’s Pick

My passion for Nigeria is infallible

by Joseph Edgar August 2, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

Editors Note

My passion for Nigeria is infallible. I believe very strongly in the economic potentials of this country as the main driver for not only its socio-political wellbeing but also as a veritable tool for Political stability

This is why I support people like Akintoye Akindele who continues to work assiduously to create powerful opportunities within the economic space.

With this video

DIEGO ROEL

I am an incurable optimist. I understand reality very well. In my limited years on this earth, I have seen Life & Life have happened to me. I understand disappointments, betrayals & loss more than most people imagine. I understand failure, pain, heartbreak but all these experiences make me a harder working man, a kinder person, a deeply spiritual & grateful soul & a more resolute optimist.

My belief in the future of Nigeria & Africa is extremely positive. Yes, you heard me right. Despite all the negative elements of our current existence, painful history over the last several hundred years, governance, suboptimal use of our resources, and wickedness to each other, I see our greatness everywhere. When we conceived the Africa walk initiative, I believed and hence prayed for miracles from the possibilities that will arise when invited international investors & operators set their foot of motherland and form their own impressions of Nigeria and Africa themselves as against media Narrative

This video is one of the many miracles God allowed and blessed. So Today, August 2nd, as you go out in search of your blessings, let this video remind you anything is possible. Whatever the year has thrown your way to date, Greatness still awaits you

From Your Hope Merchant & Star Gazer

August 2, 2021 0 comment

The Editor's Pick

GTB- a fading legacy?

by Joseph Edgar June 14, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

As i drive past the upteenth branch with faded signposts i shake my head at the Bank Mr Agbaje would be leaving behind

Mr. Agbajes ending tenure seems to be riddled with all sorts of stories. A culling of top Executives reminiscent of the recent appointment of a Chief for our hard-pressed Army, entitlements held back on the back of pettiness, and a workforce lethargic from a dearth in incentives and inspiration.

I am sad. Cos I loved the story. The vibrancy that came with its foundation and the pride you had holding a GTB checkbook.

It was a dream. A Nigerian dream. Something that came our of the corpse that was our essence. It stood up bright and proud and we all bowed to the terrific enigma that was an institution

The music seems to have slowly ebbed into the hollow corridors of ineptitude. The weight of its legacy bearing very strongly on the tiny legs of a whittled down structure and a reawkening delayed by the seeming fear of critics heralding a cultue of silence

I sha like to be mischevious even as i imagine the wrinkling noses of the suit’s in their Adeyemo Alakija Towers read this and the snigger from others who would say, ‘This Duke can find trouble’

But what does the future hold when well built institutions like this begin to crackle even before the demise of its founders.

How do we maintain a continuity that will serve as a bulwark against the leprous existence we face when things are going one kind and people for fear of only God knows what will be silent and be watching.

Where is my respect for the brand ? Where is my pride for the institution? All gone with its lost vibrancy.

Now we see its children breaking ground, capturing markets falling on its pristine values while the orange brand or whatever was its colouring pale into insignificance like the colour of the spoilt tangerine it parades all over its many branches.

What legacy is being left behind. How do we define this just ended era.

Hope lies in its sturdy foundations. The believe that its enigmatic foundations would carry the weight of a renaissance after this seeming darkness

We will yet smile. But this chapter has to close and then the cock will crow for a new Dawn

For now let GTB sleep uneasily as it awaits its re-emergence

Thank you

Duke of Shomolu

June 14, 2021 0 comment

The Editor's Pick

Ife Fashola and Dapo Ojo – shining through

by Joseph Edgar May 31, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

One of the keystones here at theAlvinreport is to continue to believe in the sanctity that is the concept of One Nigeria. I personally think that it is the height of cowardice to seek dissolution because one can’t seem to make any headway either politically, economically, or any ‘ally’ if you get my meaning.

This is why we will continue to celebrate our people who despite all this still stand tall.

Dapo Ojo is a friend and brother. Met him through very brilliant Ore Sofekun another ‘standing tall’ Nigerian. Dapo is brilliant don’t even know what to call him. With a massive studio layout of over 6,000 sq Metres and a staff strength in excess of 80, he runs the largest film, TV producing lot in West Africa. Very popular shows like the Voice and the rest are shot in his studios thereby creating jobs, paying taxes, and contributing very vigorously to the economic process.

On a visit to the lot this last Saturday, we sat and spoke very robustly about the Nigerian economic milieu, and his thoughts and positions were quite well thought out. He believes in what he is doing and will continue to be a lightning rod to the rest of us as we struggle to stand.

Ife Fashola is one of the most brilliant Investment Bankers that I have come to engage. She runs the mega influential Kedari Capital Group that has offices in Accra Ghana and Lagos Nigeria. That she is cerebral can be gleaned from her contributions on The Duke Summit, a platform that has pulled in the very best in Nigeria to a ‘whats app’ hotbed of ideas and exchanges.

I am celebrating Ife this morning because she has just been appointed into the Advisory Group on Investments (AGI) a ten-member committee of renowned experts to support the UN Secretary General’s Roadmap for Financing the 2030 Agenda by channeling infrastructure and innovation. Also called the S31, it aims to provide affordable housing and clean energy to millions of people and boost innovative start-ups that are dedicated to seeking solutions to acute global problems. One out of 9 chosen Globally, Ife surely will make us proud.

May 31, 2021 0 comment

The Editor's Pick

Why You Should Be Part of The Donor Community

by Joseph Edgar May 12, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

It was at the height of the Endsars protest, Lagos was on fire and I was trying to make my way home from the island. I live at Yaba just a few minutes’ drive from the third mainland bridge but I could not get home.

Protesters had taken over the road and had made bonfires and there was chaos. In frustration, I made a video on some of the demands being made by the protesters and talked especially on the need to understand how Government works especially in making their demands and their expectations.

The video went viral and I received the abuse of my life. Nobody related with the points I had made but instead, my mother became the butt of the abuse. All over Twitter, it was an emotive rage with no one actually taking the pains to look at the issue raised.

So, it dawned on me that there was no way, that intelligent people will be heard in this cacophony. That day the need to cull out a platform that would allow for intelligent discussions, with the sole aim of being heard and hopefully affect policymaking and execution was born.

Thealvinreport.com has been set up to do just that. With a strong editorial team and the richest catchment of contributors – over 39, the report has in just one month positioned itself as the richest purveyor of the most intelligent discussions on the economy, business, finance, and impact. In less than a month, we have hit the 5,000-visitor mark and been identified by Google.

In trying ting to maintain our editorial integrity, the need to secure sustainable and independent funding was identified. It is in this regard, that the Alvin donor community was formed.

This community would support financially the vision, own the vision and ensure its longevity. With only a minimum of N10,000 per quarter donation, you would be energizing and powering this dream.

Apart from the wanton satisfaction of being part of a new force, other benefits accruing would include but not limited to – securing exclusive invites to our Events, including the Annual Gala Night where the Chief Emeka Anyaoku Prize for impact in writing would be given amongst other such top-class Events and engagements.

Hurry, call me on 09095325791 or send me an email on josephsampsonedgar@gmail.com, or better still just send your donations to

Duke of Shomolu Productions
VBank
1003574627

Thank you so much

……..now the intelligent people are talking.

May 12, 2021 1 comment

The Editor's Pick

CRISIS IN HEALTHCARE – OPEN LETTER TO GOV. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU

by Joseph Edgar May 10, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

Good morning Sir, permit me to go straight to the point. Our Healthcare delivery system is in a morbid state. It has been hijacked by the philistines who have now turned it into a hubris of death. Daily we hear and feel the pains of Lagosians losing loved ones in the hands of these merchants of death.

I for one do not subscribe to the popular belief that it is the Government’s fault. The Government may have its own fair share of the blame but I want to believe very strongly that the madness we see in this sector is attitudinally fed by a lack of capacity and a dearth of the necessary passion needed to operate within the system.

People have taken advantage of the dislocation in the Public Healthcare delivery system to forge on unsuspecting Lagosians a system that has led to the death of thousands while pumping funds into the pockets of a few who masquerade themselves as Healthcare delivery players.

My Lord, you have come to governance with a different approach. Remember that at your emergence, I was one of your most reluctant supporters but recently your approach to governance and the practicality of your engagement has more or less silenced me.

The pragmatic approach you took at the inception of the pandemic and the policies your administration forged have kept Lagosians although hosting the epicenter of the scourge relatively safe and for this we thank you.

My fervent request Your Excellency is to look very critically at Health Care delivery in the state especially the Private arm. Look at its funding, Human Capital, regulatory capacity, training, and certification amongst others.

Kindly cause a wholesome overhaul of the whole system with a view to recalibrating the whole value chain.

Special attention should be looked at the ownership structure of these Hospitals especially at the level of the Medical Directors. A new code of conduct be thrown up and monitoring and engagement strengthened.

Sir, we should also look at strengthening autopsy, post mortem capacity, and every death MUST go through an inquest. Even if it is to set up a new regulatory body for that sole intent because when people know that a thorough inquest will be carried out we will have more care.

My Lord, the issue of pricing should also be looked at. Yes, they are private institutions and must appropriately price their services viz their cost of being in business but how do you explain the N30m some of these were charging for Covid and still were recording a 70% mortality rate.

Sir, Lagosians cannot be dying of Fibroid under your watch in specialized high brow Hospitals that charge an arm and a leg. Your Excellency Lagosians cannot be dying of diabetes due to mismanagement of the process under your watch? Sir, Lagosians cannot be dying of Malaria and typhoid under your watch.

We are proposing a middle-of-the-road solution. We would be launching a citizen-driven Trust Fund that would partner with your Government in strengthening the capacity of public health institutions especially in the areas of training, equipment, and welfare while also engaging serious and well-run private institutions in the same areas. This for me is a better way to change the narrative instead of flooding social media with tears and lamentations.

My Lord, I know you will in your characteristic manner turn your searchlight into this issue and bring justice and succor to your people.

Well-done on the ongoing Massey Street Hospital, I know this will surely impact very seriously the sector.

Thanks, and God bless.

May 10, 2021 0 comment

The Editor's Pick

The Alvin Report gets an exclusive view of The Marriot

by Joseph Edgar May 6, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

Editor in Chief and Publisher of The Alvin Report Mr Joseph Edgar was yesterday evening taken on a private and exclusive tour of the new JW Marriot Hotel in Ikeja GRA Lagos Nigeria by its promoter Mr Taiwo Afolabi۔

Also on the tour was Chike Ogeah who is The Managing Director of McFolly the Owners of the hotel which will be managed by the global brand JW Brand

According to Mr Afolabi، the Hotel comes with 250 exquisite Rooms، a 1000 seater Ball Room and various conference Rooms designed to taste۔

it took seven years to complete with a N45b price tag۔

it promises to disrupt the space with the expected world class service۔

Enjoy the exclusive Pics only on Thealvinreport

May 6, 2021 1 comment

The Editor's Pick

Publishers First Salvo

by Joseph Edgar April 2, 2021

written by Joseph Edgar 10mins read

My first ambition in life was to be the president of this country until they killed Murtala Muhammed. I felt the job was too risky since l really didn’t find being pumped with hot bullets an exciting proposition.

Then l fell in love with words. From the age of three, my father would drop Sunday Times on my laps and walk away. I would devour it end to end.

I love words. They give life, they are therapeutic and they are the building blocks of civilization. They can also be evil and destructive, depending on who is using them.

Then l started watching the cartoon series, ‘Spiderman’ and the antics of his editor in chief who insisted on meeting deadlines; the race for breaking news, l fell in love with journalism.

That love has stayed. I have written for so many journals, millions of words, and simply admire the finest and the best.

Today, l will be fulfilling another milestone. I will be the the-editor-in chief of a very powerful journal- The Alvin Report.

April 2, 2021 7 comments