Malawi election: Court orders new vote after May 2019 result annulled

Malawi's constitutional court has annulled last year's controversial election, which saw President Peter Mutharika narrowly re-elected.

The judge found there had been widespread irregularities in the 21 May vote.

This is the first election to be legally challenged since Malawi's independence in 1964. A new vote will take place within 151 days.

There have been regular anti-government protests since the election.

The court ruled that Mr Mutharika will stay in power until a new election takes place.

Why was a legal challenge filed?
President Peter Mutharika won a second term in May with 38.6% of the vote.

But opposition candidates Lazarus Chakwera, who came second, and Saulos Chilima, who finished third, went to court to argue that the election was not fair.

They said the way the election was conducted was full of irregularities.

The judges, who arrived in court in the capital, Lilongwe, under military escort, upheld the complaint on Monday.

According to the official results, Mr Chakwera, who claims he won the election, garnered 35.4% of the vote as the flag bearer for the Malawi Congress Party.

Mr Chilima, a former ally of the president, got 20.2%. He was the candidate for the UTM.

There is a high level of anxiety in the country following months of tense clashes between the police and opposition supporters.

Many schools were closed and some public transport had been suspended ahead of Monday's court decision.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has stated that the Federal Government would review the concessioning of its silos leased to private firms in the country.

The Minister disclosed this during his inspection tour of the facility at the 25,000 Capacity metric tonnes silos in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State over the weekend.

The Minister informed that the Federal Government would revoke the license of any concessionaire who failed to meet the terms of its agreement with the Ministry.

Nanono pointed out that “I am here to see some of the silos leased to the companies and see whether they are doing the job in accordance with the concession agreement’’.

He further said “we will review all the concessions to see if they met the necessary conditions. If they do; we allow them to continue and revoke those who do not comply’’.

The minister noted that the silos were provided in different parts of the country for strategic reserves and enhance the food security programme of the Federal Government which is in line with Mr President’ s agenda for the Agricultural Sector. According to him, the facilities were also designed to mop up excess grainS during the harvest season for preservation and price stability.

In his remarks, the Governor represented by the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini, who accompanied the minister on the Inspection tour said the state Government would key inTO THE Federal Government’S Policies and programmeS in the agricultural sector, assuring that the state government would take advantage of the policy to create jobs and grow the economy of the state.

In his brief on the facility to the Minister, the Regional Director, North West in the Ministry, Engr. Olusegun Owolabi said that all the activities at the site were being handled by the concessionaire; Martrix Ville Company, from staffing, maintenance and purchasing of grains for storage under the supervision of the Ministry.

The Minister also inspected the 25,000 metric tonnes Gaya Silo Complex in Gaya Local Government Area, in Kano State.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says there is an ongoing effort to improve the security situation in the country including plans to recruit more troops and officers to beef up the personnel of security agencies.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the vice president received at the Presidential Villa, clergymen from the Northern part of Nigeria under the aegis of the Arewa Pastors Forum for Peace.

The VP said the Federal Government was committed to containing the threats and security concerns in the country.

He assured the pastors that the Federal Government was doing everything that needed to be done.

“We are handling security well, and as you know, including military deployment in diverse fields, like the Boko Haram in the North-East.

“In fact, we have to now recruit more into the army, and much faster than we ever did because we need men on the ground; resources also – to buy more arms, to buy more platforms.

“At the last meeting of the National Security Council that was held on Thursday, we had discussions on how to beef up the military’s platforms.

“How do we beef up the numbers? How do we recruit more men and women into the army? How do we collaborate more with local vigilante, the Civilian Joint Task Force and all that.

“So, there is a lot going on in terms of trying to beef up security; the security situation is one that is very challenging.

“We are also looking at aspects of surveillance – how we can do more aerial surveillance using drones and electronic devices to improve surveillance,” he said.

Osinbajo assured the clergymen that the Federal Government was also committed to finding lasting solutions to the perennial crisis in communities in the North and other parts of the country, including the ones bothering on religious prejudices.

He urged the group as ‘Men of God,” to also come up with ideas and their thoughts on how to find lasting peace.

Earlier in his remark, President of the Forum, Bishop Mbayo Japhet, said the group’s visit to the Presidential Villa was to support the regime and the vice president.

The Bishop described Osinbajo as an apostle of peace.

Life is deep you know?Huh? Have u ever gotten to a point in ur life and it seems all hope is gone
Just only you and your God
I pray No one experience what I have been through in the resent time, hmmmmmmmm
It's been really tough oooooo
Injections upon injections
Medicines upon medicines Tufiakwa
At some point self I hardly sleep at night , and like seriously I don't joke with my sleep fam
Some Nights I will be crying like a baby cos of pain kaiiiiii ,
If I never take sleeping tablets, my eyes won't close Whatttttttt
Take out time and visit those in the hospital you will understand why you need to live like is ur last day on earth , no reasons to live a lie , even in ur Little way, this life is empty people are laying critically ill at hospitals
different kinds of sickness
You've never heard b4, human being Dey sick am hmmmmm
Be grateful for life everyday
Many are Gone and some1 else is enjoying their wealth, thank God
You are better than someone ,
Every day I look at my son and say God I thank u for keeping me alive
we go about our hustle everyday and yet we come back protected.
You sleep freely ,wake up sound and alive is not by your own making
just say Protect me and my family lord
It’s a short prayer that goes along way .

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi on Monday said Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu must have considered the interest of a greater percentage of Lagosians before deciding to ban Okada and tricycles in some parts of the state.

Speaking on Channels Television programmed ‘Sunrise Daily’, the Minister who was a former governor of Rivers state said he also took the decision to ban Okada during his tenure as some people were using it to rob and kidnap people.

He, however, said banning Okada and tricycles without provision of alternatives may force people to go into crimes, as their means of livelihood has been taken away from them.

“I don’t know the reason why the governor of Lagos banned Okada and tricycles, only he could tell because, for a governor, the interest of the larger society far outweighs that of a particular group of people”.

“He must have made the decision based on the interest of the larger majority of Lagosians. Now he also has a problem to face. I’m sure he must have addressed it in his mind before he took that decision”.

“One of them is an increase in crime because all those Okada and tricycle riders are providing for themselves a means of livelihood”.

“Now if you ban it and there is no alternative, the chances are that some of them may go to crimes. But believe me, he may have made that decision based on the interest of the greater majority” he said.

China has placed visa restrictions on Nigerians pending when the Coronavirus ravaging the country was contained.

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, on Monday said the embassy had stopped the issuance of visas to Nigerians.

The ambassador said China was concerned about the health of other nationals visiting China and has taken the measure to protect them.

“Life comes first. The Chinese Government is committed to safeguarding the lives and health of the Chinese people.

“We will, in a responsible manner, safeguard the life of every foreign national in China and address their legitimate concerns in a timely manner.

“We will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the international community and work hand in hand for the epidemic prevention and control,” he said.

He also advised other countries to adopt a responsible attitude, work together to combat the virus, and avoid overreaction that might result in more negative spillover effects.

He added that a total of 60 Nigerians were living in Wuhan city where the virus broke out from, adding that no Nigerian in China had been infected.

Zhou said that the authorities were maintaining regular communication with them in case of any need for assistance.

“And 21,558 people were suspected of being infected in the Chinese mainland according to China’s National Health Commission.

“A total number of 361 people have died of the disease while 475 people had been discharged from hospital after recovery."

He said that an increase in the number of deaths was recorded because of the newness of the virus, which had been subjected to research.

He added that scientists were still working hard to come up with the drug for the treatment of the disease.

According to the ambassador, China has built a nationwide prevention and control system with special focus on Wuhan and Hubei.

He said that a 1000-bed makeshift hospital was built in Wuhan within nine days in Wuhan to contain the virus.

Zhou expressed confidence that the country’s economy and trade cooperation with the world would remain strong.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government for its show of support to the people of China.

Minna – Civil Servants in Niger State Government’s payroll are set to begin indefinite strike following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum given to the state government to implement the new minimum wage across boards.

While the ultimatum was on, the state government, according to findings, commenced payments for lower cadre of civil servants, GL 1- 6, blaming its failure to pay other categories of workers on paucity of funds.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, it was gathered, had also claimed that 80 percent of the state revenue was committed to payment of salaries and allowances, insisting that if government pays the minimum wage across boards “civil servants will smile but other citizens will be at the receiving end”.

Rising from an emergency joint State Executive Council meeting which took place at the Labour House on Monday, the NLC directed all civil servants in Niger State to proceed on an indefinite strike effective midnight, February 4, 2020.

A memo to that effect, which was made available to journalists, also declared thus: “You are to please note that the strike shall be comprehensive and will remain in force until the government addresses the following lingering issues:

“Demonstrate a clear and adequate commitment on pension administration in Niger State including recovering the funds embezzled by previous administrations”.

“Immediate resumption of payment of outstanding annual leave grants for the year 2019 to desirable workers at both the state and local government Councils”.

“The immediate implementation of N30,000 minimum wage, its consequential adjustment and accrued arrears to all category of workers at both the state and local government area levels.”


The statement jointly signed by the state NLC chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba, and the state Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman, Comrade Tanimu Yunusa, however, urged workers to be law abiding during the strike and refuse to, “engage in any form of protest.”

The Federal Government had on January 23 directed the police hierarchy to commence the recruitment of special constables nationwide preparatory to the implementation of its community policing policy.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in a wireless message directed state police commands to set up screening committees for the recruitment of community policing constables.

The IG ordered all state commissioners of police, assistant commissioners of police and divisional police officers to liaise with traditional rulers and community leaders in their domains to screen volunteers who would be engaged after passing the screening tests.

The Federal Government plan came on the heels of the South-West states’ launching of a security outfit, Operation Amotekun, to address incessant killings and kidnapping in the zone.


As part of the moves to recruit community policing constables, the Ekiti State Police Command on Sunday said it had sent recruitment forms to all police stations in all the local government areas of the state. According to the command, applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 50.

It’s not another job opportunity – Ebonyi CP

The Commissioner for Police in Ebonyi State, Sola Awotinde, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Monday, shed light on the community policing policy.

Aworinde said the proposed recruitment was meant for Nigerians who were already employed.

He said that it was important for Nigerians to be told the truth so that whoever wanted to be part of the scheme, should be prepared to know what to expect.

The police commissioner added that people had misconstrued the recruitment order of the IG into the community policing to be another paid job opportunity.

He said, “We have not been given the green light to recruit anybody. We are just at the committee level. I mean the committee that will screen the would be special constables. No command has been given the go-ahead to commence the said recruitment. The Force Headquarters has not done that.

“It is the headquarters that would say go ahead and we will start. But no command has been given such an order. The first stage is screening and we are just setting up the screening committee.


“And please, people should be told this truth and sound it clear to them; it is not remuneration-based job. It is voluntary. It is just going to be like the special marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“It is for those who are gainfully employed or self-employed. There is no salary for anybody in the community policing scheme. People are misconstruing it to mean another job opportunity and I have received so many calls over this.

“It is not a paid job. Again, it is a voluntary job. And there is nothing like recruitment of constables. Also those to be engaged must be between the age of 21 and below 50.”

Also, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, said that the special constables that would be recruited would not be paid.

Abutu, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the special constables would work voluntarily in their communities.

When asked if the special constables in Ekiti State would be paid, he said, “It will not be different from what is applicable across the federation. For now, what we know is that these people are coming voluntarily. It is going to be voluntary, no monetary attachment for now.”

The Ogun State Police Command also said it would not pay any of the recruits for the special community policing scheme.

Oyeyemi said the exercise started on Monday with a meeting held between the Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson, and the executive members of the Police Community Relations Committee in the state.

The Inspector General (I-G) of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered Commissioners of Police to confiscate vehicles illegally using Spy number plates, sirens, revolving lights or covered number plates.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Adamu gave the order during a working visit by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi.

The I-G also ordered the Commissioners Police to ensure diligent prosecution of the offenders.

“To this end, all vehicles found to have Spy number plates not duly issued, using sirens, or revolving lights without permit or having covered number plates will be promptly impounded.

“These practices are illegal and pose monumental security risks to the nation and its people,” the IG said.

Adamu pledged the commitment of the police to sustain the existing partnership between the police and the FRSC in the areas of operations, training, intelligence sharing and prosecution of offenders.

The IG commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, for personally taking the charge against these unwholesome practices, especially the unauthorized concealment of number plates and other related offences.

In his remark, the Corps Marshal said the visit was to ensure improved collaboration between the police and the FRSC in key operational areas.

Techpoint can confirm that Lagos-based motorcycle-hailing startup, Gokada has laid off most of its workforce.

Launched in January 2018, the startup was founded by Fahim Saleh to solve Nigeria’s largest city traffic problems. Since then, Gokada has gone on to raise a total of $5.6 million from two rounds and claims to have completed more than a million rides.

However, amidst the fundraising and fanfare, there has always been a cloud of bad blood and uncertainty.

A year and a few months later after launch, it was reported that Deji Oduntan stepped down from his CEO role as co-founder Fahim Saleh took over. At the time, there were allegations of mismanagement and misconduct at the startup which Saleh denied during an interview with Techpoint.

In August 2019, three months after raising $5.3 million series A and announcing Ayodeji Adewunmi as co-CEO, Saleh revealed plans via a Medium post to suspend all Gokada operations for two weeks. This was due to the unpleasant experience he encountered when trying to use the motorcycle-hailing service some days before.

Consequently, Saleh said the company would undergo an overhaul to ensure that drivers were retrained as well as launch brand new bikes and new Bluetooth helmets for Lagosians. Keeping to its promise, Gokada did just that.

However, there are unconfirmed reports that this new change in operations might have cost the two-year old startup a lot.

According to an anonymous source close to the matter;

“When Fahim got the money, he used a bulk of it to buy over 2,000 bikes where each bike cost about $1500 without factoring the cost of helmet, trackers, Bluetooth, shipping and custom fees. Multiplied by 2,000 bikes, that’s a bulk of the fundraising. Having spent a bulk of the fundraising, they don’t have enough funds in the bank.

“Secondly, they couldn’t onboard enough riders and because of that, they were already in a financial crisis by December as they struggled to pay salary. Then they secretly laid off some staff. But immediately they heard the news of the okada ban, they sacked close to 70% of the staff as a cover-up of their previous sackings.”

The source also claims that Adewunmi, the co-CEO hired in May 2019, left the company last month.

In addition to this, another source claims that Gokada laid off most of its staff two days after the announcement of the ban.

Just a week ago, on the 27th of January, the Lagos state government announced the ban of all forms of motorcycles and tricycles in major parts of Lagos. Motorcycle-hailing startups like Gokada and MAX Okada were not exempt.

This caused the startups to engage in a protest against the new regulation. Also, CEO, Saleh released a video addressing the ban, so it comes as a surprise if the green-branded motorcycle-hailing service has taken this course of action.

Gokada CEO, Fahim Saleh has confirmed the layoffs, via a tweet to Techpoint reporter, Tage Kene-Okafor.

"While much of your report is accurate,” the tweet reads, “we still have money in the bank and are pivoting towards deliveries while this transport ban gets sorted. We were due to make a profit in January before the ban was announced."

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State, Rev. John Hayab, says the bombing suspect arrested while attempting to blow up a Winners’ Chapel Parish in Kaduna State on Sunday identified himself as Mohammed Sani when he was apprehended by the church.

Hayab claimed after the church handed him over to the police, the suspect’s name suddenly changed to Samuel Nathaniel.

He, therefore, said there was a need for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

The CAN chairman said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Monday.

The cleric said, “The church was in session when the young man came in, dropped his bag and exited as if he was going to the toilet, but didn’t come back in time. Some church members became suspicious. The church had put security measures in place such that they monitor everything going on in the church and they even have CCTV cameras.

“They discovered that what was in the bag looked like explosives, so they called the police. Let me state clearly that it was not the police that arrested him. It was the church that arrested him and then handed him over to the police.

“The police came to pick him up at the church. At the time he was interrogated at the church, he told the church that his name was Mohammed Sani, but when he was handed over to the police, the police told everyone that his name was Samuel Nathaniel.”

Hayab said the mix-up in the name of the suspect had further given credence to the claims by the United States that Nigeria remained a terrorist-prone country because of a lack of database.

He said the religion which the suspect practises should not be the focus of public discussions but the act of terrorism.

NAF bombards bandits in Niger, Katsina
The cleric said the police had failed to effectively investigate and profile suspects, adding that a few weeks ago, the force also arrested a hoodlum and erroneously paraded him as a pastor.

The CAN chief said, “This incident justifies the US’ decision to place visa restrictions on Nigerians. The US Government told us that one of the reasons for the visa ban was that Nigeria do not do proper background checks on people.

“So, a criminal can go to one part of Kaduna and bear John, travel to another part of the state and bear Abdullahi or Oluwole or Emeka and nobody will know. So, let us stop focusing on his name but his crime. A criminal is a criminal.

“There are now two versions, one from the church and one from the police.

“I don’t care what his name is. All I know is that a criminal wanted to blow up a church and kill people. The police should find out who his sponsors are and not play politics with names. Last week, a man was paraded by the police for faking his kidnap and identified as a pastor, only for us to find out he was never a pastor.”

Hayab said there were Christians bearing Muslim names and vice versa.

“I know Muslims that bear Paul, I know Christians that bear Mohammed. Our CAN chairman in Borno State is Mohammed Laga. I have a cousin that bears Mohammed Paul. So, let us not focus on the name but on the act of terrorism,” he said.

Hayab said it was curious that the attempted bombing took place at the same time CAN’s rally against terrorism was taking place.

He said the church would not be intimidated by anyone.

Former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, the country's longest serving leader, has died aged 95.

The death of Moi, who ruled Kenya from 1978 to 2002, was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement carried by the state broadcaster on Tuesday.

"It is with profound sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of a Great African Statesman, H.E. Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya," the announcement said.

"His Excellency the Former President passed on at the Nairobi Hospital on the early morning of this 4th February, 2020, in the presence of his family," it said.

Kenyatta ordered a period of national mourning until a state funeral is held, on a date not yet announced.

Moi had been in hospital for more than a month.

Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reporting from Kakamega in western Kenya said opinion on how people will remember the former leader is divided.

"Some people say he started off well in his presidency. He kept the country relatively stable when neighbouring countries were in conflict. He was very passionate about education and built many schools. He was also passionate about the environment and oversaw many tree-planting projects," Soi said.

"Other people will say all that was overshadowed by his reign of terror, detention of political opponents. Several of them died during his time in office," she added.

24-year reign
Despite being called a dictator by critics, Moi enjoyed strong support from many Kenyans and was seen as a uniting figure when he took power after founding President Jomo Kenyatta died in office in 1978.

Some allies of the ailing Kenyatta, however, tried to change the constitution to prevent Moi, then the vice president, from automatically taking power upon Kenyatta's death.

Wary of any threat during that uncertain period, Moi fled his Rift Valley home when he heard of Kenyatta's death, returning only after receiving assurances of his safety.

"Nobody thought he was going to last long in power. He became president to fill in a gap," Lydia Muthuma, a historian at Technical University of Kenya, told Al Jazeera.

"But after an attempted coup in 1981, we saw Moi's true colours. He made sure we understood who was in charge. The news bulletins always started with what he did on the day. He was not a tolerant leader," she added.

In 1982, Moi's government pushed a constitutional amendment through Parliament that made Kenya effectively a one-party state. Later that year, the army quelled a coup attempt plotted by opposition members and some air force officers. At least 159 people were killed.

Moi's government then became more heavy-handed in dealing with dissent, according to a report by the government's Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission that assessed his rule.

Political activists and others who dared oppose Moi's rule were routinely detained and tortured, the report said, noting unlawful detentions and assassinations, including the killing of a foreign affairs minister, Robert Ouko.

"The judiciary became an accomplice in the perpetuation of violations, while parliament was transformed into a puppet controlled by the heavy hand of the executive," the report said.

Corruption, especially the illegal allocation of land, became institutionalised, the report said, while economic power was centralized in the hands of a few.

In 1991, Moi yielded to demands for a multi-party state due to internal pressure, including a demonstration that year during which police killed more than 20 people, and external pressure from the West.

Multi-party elections in 1992 and 1997 were marred by political and ethnic violence that critics asserted were caused by the state.

By the time Moi left power in 2002, corruption had left Kenya's economy, the most developed in East Africa, with negative growth. Kenyans later voted for a new constitution that was implemented in 2010.

Moi often blamed the West for bad publicity and the economic hardships many Kenyans had to endure during his rule.

As with his predecessor, Kenyatta, many government projects, buildings and currency notes and coins were named after Moi.

I have no regrets being called cleaner – Precious Nwosu

Precious Nwosu, the CEO of Pians Enterprise, a cleaning and fumigation company, tells MOBOLA SADIQ about her journey as an entrepreneur

What is your educational background?

I studied Business Administration at the Lagos State University. I am currently taking a course at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

How did you start your business?

One day, I went to church and wanted to use the toilet but I couldn’t because of the condition of the place. I then asked the cleaner for a mop and bucket and started cleaning it. Afterwards, it became a routine. Every Sunday, I voluntarily undertook to clean the toilet. I did this for about six months and the idea came to me that I could actually take it as a business. I started watching janitorial videos on YouTube and Google, and later created adverts on WhatsApp and Facebook.

One day, an old friend called me to clean her house. I agreed to do it though I didn’t have money to buy the basic equipment. She sent half the pay I requested for and I bought the necessary things I needed to clean the house. And that was how I started this business.

What was your first pay and did it encourage you to do more?

My first pay was N20,000 to clean a three-bedroom apartment and that encouraged me to continue. The money was enough to buy all the equipment I needed. I was also able to pay the lady that worked with me and still had some profit.

How long have you been in business?

The company will be one-year-old this month. I presently have two ladies working with me on part-time basis. Whenever there are jobs to do, I call them.

What other things do you do?

I supply cocktails for weddings and other events.

Is the cleaning business enough to earn you a living?

My cleaning and fumigation business is enough to cater to my needs for now. I don’t live above my means.

Does your job affect your relationship with people?

Yes, it does. Some people call me, ‘Precious the cleaner’. Some customers also talk to me carelessly but I consider that to be normal. When I started the business, some of my friends said they could never do it. They were surprised that I would opt for a cleaning and fumigation job. But along the line, they didn’t have a choice but to accept my job. Sometimes, I feel dirty and at other times, I don’t. However, it is what pays my bills, so I’m proud of what I do.

Do you feel fulfilled with your job?

Yes, I feel fulfilled because the business is growing.

What are the challenges you face on the job?

They include being talked down on by some rude customers and treated poorly because I clean their homes. Some even refer to me as a dirty person. It could also be tough sourcing and consistently paying for adverts. The perennial Lagos traffic also affects productivity.

Have you ever felt discouraged doing your business?

I love cleaning. The toilet has always been the best part of the house for me to have conversations, make calls and reply mails. I feel relaxed using the toilet, provided it is clean. The passion I have for cleaning is what pushed me into the business, so I don’t have regrets. Sometimes, when patronage is low, I source for customers everywhere. At times, I feel discouraged because some women expect me to kneel down while doing the job, thinking that if they don’t patronise me, I wouldn’t eat.

What can be done to make the world a cleaner place?

If only the government can add cleaning and fumigation to the environmental courses that are taught in schools, people would know the importance of living in clean surroundings.

Seminars should also be organised to educate people on the need for cleanliness because of the rate of diseases everywhere.

What lessons have you learnt in the course of doing this business?

My business has imbued me with patience, humility, tolerance, politeness, independence and strong will. I believe that my customers are always right, even if it’s painful.

You can’t be proud and be a cleaner; you would fail immediately.

What do you do for fun?

I read, swim, travel and write a lot.

Are you a fashionable person?

I always want to look my best and present myself in the nicest possible way.

What’s the first thing you do when you’re about to clean a place?

I take pictures and videos of how the place is, so I can make comparisons after cleaning.

What is your dream for your business?

I want to have offices in different parts of the country with lots of employees doing interstate cleaning and fumigation.

I also hope to get government contracts to fumigate hospitals and public buildings.

Recognition and expansion are my ultimate goals.