The Nation Newspaper

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  • Perpetual rise of Africa’s leading metropolis

    Perpetual rise of Africa’s leading metropolis

    By Maryam Kamilu

    SIR: Nestled along the Gulf of Guinea, Lagos stands as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and a beacon of urban vibrancy in Africa. Its steady ascent to the top echelons of global recognition is a testament to an amalgamation of factors that converge to propel its continual rise and sustained prominence.

    Lagos, as the commercial heart of Nigeria, serves as an economic engine not only for the country but for the entire West African region. The city’s economic significance is underscored by its robust GDP contribution, fuelled by diverse sectors such as finance, manufacturing, entertainment, and telecommunications. The strategic location of Lagos as a bustling port city amplifies its role in facilitating trade and commerce, drawing both domestic and foreign investments.

    One of Lagos’s defining features is its rich cultural tapestry, woven together by a mosaic of traditions, languages, and vibrant social customs. From the bustling markets of Mushin to the eclectic art scene in Ikoyi, the city exudes an unparalleled fusion of diverse cultures. This cultural dynamism is reflected in its music, fashion, art, and culinary delights, drawing global attention and fostering an environment of creativity and innovation.

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    In recent years, Lagos has emerged as a burgeoning tech hub, earning itself the moniker “Silicon Lagoon.” The city’s tech ecosystem is flourishing, hosting numerous start-ups, incubators, and tech accelerators. Areas like Yabacon Valley have become breeding grounds for innovation, birthing ground-breaking solutions in fintech, e-commerce, and mobile technology. Lagos’s embrace of technological advancements positions it as a frontrunner in Africa’s digital transformation.

    Lagos grapples with the inherent challenges of rapid urbanization, including traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and housing shortages. However, what distinguishes Lagosians is their indomitable spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. The city’s inhabitants exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive amidst challenges, fuelling the relentless drive for progress and development.

    Recognizing the imperative for infrastructural enhancements, Lagos has embarked on ambitious projects aimed at transforming the cityscape. Initiatives such as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, road expansions, and the development of new city districts like Eko Atlantic City signify a commitment to modernization and improved urban living standards.

    Lagos stands as a testament to Nigeria’s diverse population, accommodating people from various ethnicities, backgrounds, and walks of life. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging, contributing to the city’s social cohesion and harmonious coexistence among its residents.

    Lagos’s meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. The city’s economic significance, cultural vibrancy, and technological advancements have garnered international attention, solidifying its position as a leading metropolis in Africa and a destination for global investments, cultural exchanges, and business collaborations.

    Lagos’s perpetual ascent to the top is a multifaceted narrative of economic prowess, cultural richness, technological innovation, resilience in the face of challenges, infrastructural advancements, and inclusivity. The city’s journey to prominence exemplifies the triumph of a spirited and diverse populace amidst the complexities of urbanization. As Lagos continues to evolve and grow, it remains a testament to the potential of African cities, standing tall as a beacon of progress and dynamism on the continent and the world stage.

    Lagos is not just a city; it’s an embodiment of the pulsating heartbeat of Africa—a beacon that radiates resilience, innovation, and diversity, inviting the world to witness its perpetual rise.

    • Maryam Kamilu, Borno State University, Maiduguri.

  • When banks fleece their customers

    When banks fleece their customers

    By Samuel Jekeli

    SIR: The banking sector plays a crucial role in the economic development of any nation. Nigeria, with its vibrant economy, relies heavily on the integrity of its financial institutions to maintain trust and stability. However, a growing concern has emerged regarding the minor and unnoticeable theft some bank workers perpetrate. This issue affects individual customers and casts a shadow on the reputation of the banks and the country as a whole. While these actions may seem insignificant in isolation, their cumulative impact can be substantial, affecting both customers and the bank’s overall reputation. In many cases, it is the unsuspecting clients who bear the brunt of such dishonest practices.

    One prevalent form of mini-theft involves unauthorized charges that customers may not immediately notice. These charges often go unnoticed until customers meticulously review their account statements.

    Another form of theft is through subtle manipulations in interest or exchange rates during transactions. These manipulations, even if slight, can accumulate into substantial losses for clients over time. Unfortunately, these acts of dishonesty not only impact individual customers but also contribute to the erosion of trust in the banking sector.

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    One alarming trend associated with bank workers is the habit of passing the blame up the hierarchy.. This not only complicates the resolution process but also tarnishes the reputation of the bank’s leadership.

    This blame-shifting culture can have severe consequences for the overall efficiency of the banking sector. It creates an environment of distrust and undermines the collaborative efforts needed to maintain a secure and transparent financial system. The blame game not only hinders the resolution of specific cases but also perpetuates a culture of dishonesty within the industry.

    The actions of a few dishonest bank workers, while seemingly isolated, collectively contribute to staining the image of the entire country. In a globalized world where perceptions matter, reports of corruption within the banking sector can deter foreign investors and damage Nigeria’s standing in the international community.

    The reputation of a nation’s financial institutions is integral to its economic growth. When stories of mini and unnoticeable theft by bank workers make headlines, potential investors may question the integrity of the country’s financial system. This scepticism can result in reduced foreign investments and hinder the nation’s progress toward economic development.

    To tackle the issue of mini and unnoticeable theft by some bank workers in Nigeria, a multifaceted approach is required. Transparency must be at the forefront of banking operations, with financial institutions proactively disclosing their fees, charges, and transaction policies. This transparency not only empowers customers but also creates a culture of openness within the sector.

    Accountability is equally crucial in addressing this challenge. Bank workers found guilty of engaging in mini theft must face consequences for their actions. Internal mechanisms for reporting and investigating such incidents should be strengthened to ensure that dishonest employees are held accountable. This includes fostering a culture where individuals feel safe reporting misconduct without fear of retribution.

    Institutions should invest in educating their employees about the consequences of dishonest practices and the importance of upholding the integrity of the financial system.

    By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, the banking sector can regain the public’s trust and contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable economic development. It is time for the industry to take a united stand against dishonest practices and work collaboratively towards building a banking system that is fair, transparent, and resilient

    • Samuel Jekeli, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Nigeria signs updated regulations to deepen connectivity

    Nigeria signs updated regulations to deepen connectivity

    At the conclusion of the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) 2023, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to sign unto the Final Act WRC-23, which constitutes a record of the decisions taken at the conference.

    The Final Act comprises  the new and revised provisions of the Radio Regulations, an international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, represented Nigeria and was joined by the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida and the Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat Limited), Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen.

    The WRC-2023 is a global, inter-governmental treaty conference, which is held every three to four years by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations (UN)-affiliated international organisation for telecommunications.

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    At the end of each conference, countries signed an updated Final Act, the outcome of agreements on agendas put forward by country administrations.

     ”The agreement to the updated Radio Regulations identifies new spectrum resources to support technological innovation, deepen global connectivity, increase access to and equitable use of space-based radio resources, and enhance safety at sea, in the air, and on land,” ITU said.

    Among the decisions reached, the conference also identified spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), which will be crucial for expanding broadband connectivity and developing IMT mobile services, also known as 4G, 5G and, in the future, 6G.

    The conference also identified new frequencies for non-geostationary fixed-satellite service Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs) that would provide high-speed broadband onboard aircraft, vessels, trains, and vehicles. These satellite services are also critical following disasters where local communication infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

    Provisions were also included to protect ship and aircraft mobile service stations located in international airspace and waters from other stations within national territories.

    Nigeria’s delegation at the conference comprised seasoned engineers and experts in telecommunications and satellite regulations and governance from the Ministry, NCC, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), NigComSat Ltd, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), telecom operators and other practitioners from the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

    Dr Tijani thanked the delegation for their sacrifices which, he noted, were made for the collective benefit of the future of Nigeria.

    He also enjoined the Nigerian delegation to commence preparation for future conferences to ensure the preservation of the country’s interest by developing capacity through investments in extensive research and inter-agency collaboration.

    Also, during an engagement with the delegation, Maida commended the delegation for collaborating towards Nigeria’s best interest. He emphasised the conference’s significant importance for Nigeria.

    He said: “The agreements reached at this year’s conference will provide valuable spectrum resources that will benefit the Commission’s stakeholders, especially ordinary Nigerians by enhancing service quality and bridging the digital gap in rural areas.

     ”Additionally, the establishment of international standards for radiocommunications and the decisions made at the conference will impact the development and implementation of new technologies.

     ”These outcomes align with Nigeria’s overall objectives and the Minister’s Strategic Plan for the Ministry particularly on expanding broadband connectivity, in harmony with the global transition to 5G and future 6G technologies, as well as improving quality of experience and providing equitable access to all Nigerians.”

  • Akume: Bureaucrat, governor and scribe at 70!

    Akume: Bureaucrat, governor and scribe at 70!

    By Tunde Olusunle

    Ahead of the proclamation of the “Eighth Senate” of the National Assembly and the election of its leadership, the name of George Akume was a recurring decimal. He ticked the boxes, meeting all the criteria laid out for a president of the senate for that season. He was very highly favoured to clinch the top job. Among other considerations, he is from the north-central geopolitical zone to which the office was zoned. Secondly, he was a ranking senator, having been first elected to represent Benue North West, in 2007 and re-elected in 2015 and subsequently in 2019, respectively. Akume indeed previously served for two terms as governor of his state, Benue, between 1999 and 2007.

    This implied he had substantial grounding in governance, policy and statecraft. He was indeed a career bureaucrat who rose to the very peak of his calling before contesting for public office. Akume and I developed a robust relationship during his years as governor which has been sustained up till the present. I was equally very close to Akume’s deputy at the time, Ogirri Ajene, the down-to-earth, jolly blue-blood from Idoma land, who sadly passed about a decade ago.

    My very good friend and brother of over four decades beginning from our years in the classroom in the University of Ilorin, Tivlumun Gabriel Nyitse, was also prominent in the Benue State bureaucracy. He subsequently became a notable figure in the politics of the state. First, he rose to the position of managing director and chief executive of the state-owned newspapers. The Voice. He was later appointed Permanent Secretary by Akume and functioned variously in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Ministry of Information and Culture, respectively, under Akume’s leadership. Such was my interconnectedness with the Benue system, which has endured till this time.

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    In the weeks preceding the proclamation of the Eighth Senate, Akume’s Maitama, Abuja home, became a Mecca for the political class. There was a virtual round-the-clock streaming in and out by fellow politicians, friends and associates, who bought into the prospects of an Akume senate presidency. Quite a number of latter day top functionaries in the Muhammadu Buhari presidency including subsequent members of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), took their places in his waiting room, bidding their time in the listless comings and goings, those days. The otherwise spacious premises of Akume’s home, “shrank,” literally, overwhelmed by the sudden invasion of political supporters and admirers alike. His kitchen relocated to an external annex to cope with the culinary demands of the ever surging human traffic.

    Akume, unfortunately, didn’t make it to the senate presidency. As we say, the rest is history. Bukola Saraki, his colleague who won the contest, assigned him the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army. In the Seventh Senate, Akume was Minority Leader between 2011 to 2015. That was when the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), dominated the executive and legislative arms of government, under the superintendence of President Goodluck Jonathan. He had previously chaired important committees in the upper legislature and served in a broad spectrum of other organs of the parliament. He became something of a repository of legislative experience. Such systemic entrenchment is imperative for the growth and development of democratic structures in a country notorious for its scant attention for the preservation of institutional memory.

    The former Benue chief executive did not make it in his attempt to return to the senate for a fourth term in 2019. The experiences he had garnered over time, however, recommended him for appointment as Minister for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs by former President Buhari. This consecrated him as a member of the FEC, where he was in a position to canvas for attention for his home state, to complement the efforts of the state government. Akume’s critics despised his schedule describing it as a “no job” ministry. He was, however, resolved to prove doubters wrong. Whereas the Buhari administration never hosted one singular ceremony to recognise deserving Nigerians with national honours all through its first term, it is credit to Akume’s hard work that two such events were hosted within 12 months.

    Friday June 2, Akume was appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On Wednesday June 7, he was sworn-in as Nigeria’s 21st occupant of that office which is easily the very heart of federal governance.

    A consummate public servant, charismatic politician and inimitable legislator, George Akume is 70 today, Wednesday, December 27, this season of the yuletide. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters in Labour Relations, both from the University of Ibadan, (UI), Nigeria’s premier university. In the early days of his public service career, he was local government secretary and later, chairman, in his home state, Benue.

    Akume was governor of Benue State for two terms of four years each, between 1999 and 2007, on the platform of the PDP. He was famous for prioritising workers’ welfare, against the backdrop of his personal, hands-on acquaintance with the tides and traditions in the public service. He was succeeded by Gabriel Suswam in 2007, even as he proceeded to the senate where he selflessly represented Benue North-West. Within the specific context of Tiv politics, Akume holds the all-time record of being the only senator serially elected on three successive occasions. In global Benue politics and probably Nigeria’s, David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark is perhaps the only Nigerian to have been elected on five consecutive occasions into the senate.

    Symbolically, Akume ran for his second term in the senate on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), in 2011. Two years later, four political parties: the ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP); the Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC); and factions of the PDP, (nPDP) and the All Peoples Grand Alliance, (APGA), coalesced to birth the All Progressives Congress, (APC). Akume’s third shot at the senate was therefore on the podium of the APC. He is easily one of very few Nigerian politicians to have flown the flag of three different political brands in popular elections.

    Akume is substantially credited with the odyssey of the APC in Benue politics and would further lead it to take over the governorship during the 2015 elections. He latched on latent disaffection within the ranks of the PDP during the party’s gubernatorial primary in December 2014, and poached Samuel Ioraer Ortom, who felt hard done by the process which produced the PDP flagbearer. Ortom who was immediate past Minister of State for Trade and Investment, thereafter defeated the candidate of the PDP, Terhemen Tarzoor, at the general polls. Akume and Ortom would, in a short while, go their different ways as is characteristic of “godfather-godson” relationships in Nigerian politics.

    More recently, Akume rallied everything, every stunt in his arsenal as a dominant political force in Benue State, to upstage once again upstage the PDP, during the general elections in February and March this year. His candidate, Hyacinth Alia a Catholic priest, trounced Titus Tyoapine Uba, former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, who was favoured to win since he was backed by a sitting PDP government. The Akume whirlwind equally swept two of the three senatorial seats in the state, into the bag of his party, among other harvests. The Idoma/Agatu peoples of “Zone C” in Benue politics survived the Tsunami and stood solidly behind their PDP candidate, Abba Moro, who contested for the senatorial position for a second time.

    Having been governor, senator and minister all within the initial 24-year span of Nigeria’s contemporary politics, George Akume without dispute, is one of the most prepared Nigerians to drive the engine of governance and administration at this epoch in the nation’s development. Yes, he has seen it all beginning from the padded swivel chair of Government House; to the theatre-style, red-lacquered parliament, and thenceforth to the marbled interiors of the chambers of the federal executive council. Articulate, accessible, unassuming, experienced, broad-minded and thoroughly pan-Nigerian, he can be trusted to deliver.

    • Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA)

  • So much for Christmas

    So much for Christmas

    By Valentine Obienyem

    The truth is that nobody knows for sure the exact day that Jesus Christ was born.  The choice of December 25 is symbolic.  Pope Julius I chose that day in the 4th century as a subtle way of blighting pagan celebration of Saturnalia in the bud.  This has been a consistent feature of Christianity and the logic is simple: by superimposing Christian celebrations on pagan own, especially in the infancy of Christianity, the influence of paganism waned.  Even till now, most churches are built in forests that were considered as belonging to evil spirits.  This is a proven evangelism tool, and this is the same logic by which Christmas came to overshadow the pagan saturnalia

    A yearly ritual, it has come to be associated with fanfare of the Epicurean dimension.  People now look longingly to its coming.  Because of its very nature, it is only a few that even know that Easter is considered as more profound and by far more significant than Christmas.

    One of the things that make Christmas popular is the fact that it takes place towards the end of the year, an ideal time for stock-staking, to determine how one has fared for the year.  The fact that it is usually a public holiday has contributed to its popularity.

    By third week to Christmas, its preparations are usually at a crescendo.  Traffic all over the country becomes heavy because of so many people travelling home for the celebration.  It is a month of joy, a month of sharing and a month of introspection.  It is a month that is particularly gratifying to our parents/relations in the villages, whose food stores will be replenished.  It is also a month with a fair share of troubles and tribulations.  We have actually seen people who committed suicide because they felt they were denied what it takes to celebrate a worthy Christmas.  See these people’s reactions whenever Christmas approaches.  Some will roll while others will wail on the ground.  Their tales are usually that of a year bent on frustrating them and their efforts.  As a way of keeping themselves out of circulation, against popular tide, they will decide not to travel home for Christmas, until, perhaps, the economy improves.

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    Honestly, Christmas drives a lot of people out of their wits.  It may sound incredible, but it is true that some people’s ideas about Christmas end with a great celebration, where people go and show of.  The people that think thus are those that will take all the money they have or even borrow from friends to buy cars for Christmas.  They do not end at this.  They also spend their last money in buying expensive cloths; jewels and other ornaments.  This is the epicurean dimension earlier talked about.

    To some women, Christmas is a time of dressing competition.  There are many social occasions lined up; each has its own dress.  Women at this time are usually moving showcases of their husbands’ prosperity.  Even though Christmas is for festivity and is longed for, some women actually decline travelling on the reason that they are not prepared.  Preparations in this case have to do with being unable to procure enough cloths to terrorise other women.

    Youngsters are not left out. Those in the flower of their maturity, in whom the light of puberty has just been lit, often have in mind to travel and announce to everybody that they have come of age.  They dress in inconceivable manners that will drive beholders eyes all the more to wantonness. They will, however, discover that even those in the villages dress likewise.  In their inexperience, they strive to be the talk of the town.  Some of them, the grown up ones, who have come of age to marry are made to travel home for Christmas – the possibility of catching the prancing eyes of some eligible bachelors.

    Christmas, in its very conception, is supposed to be a positive feast/celebration, but like everything else, it has been corrupted.  Wait till January, after the effects of Christmas festivities wear down, you will hear the tales of people suffering from one outrageous disease or the other.  Some of these diseases are only metaphysically explicable.  Also, by January, most of the housemaid that travelled for Christmas will be sent back to their homes.  Tongues will wag; people will guess why the sudden “repatriation” until their tummies start to bulge in four/five months’ time.   So much for Christmas!

    Frankly, Christmas is supposed to be a joyful season.  Is it?  It is a temptation-filled season instead.  Come to think about the antics of the boys who are undergoing apprenticeship in different places (umuboyi). From January to December, these people will start saving monies they pilfer from their masters.  By December they will have a few thousands.  Guess what?  They will spend it in such a vulgar manner as if they were going to die the next day.  They drink, they spray, they give to girls, they go to parties, and they indulge in other vices common to their ages.  After seeing such indulgence, some boys of their age will think that all is now well with them.  In their delusions, they will announce defiantly their intentions to stop schooling and take to trading.  They do this without realizing that most of those boys actually live like slaves under the tutelages of their masters.  So much for Christmas!

    Christmas lasts for a few days, but its disturbing memories linger on.  At Christmas people make friends.  Adolescents meet each other, go to functions together, attend night masses together, and get infatuated with one another.  Very soon they go back to their respective schools.  The first few months of getting back to schools are usually characterized by tension between studies and the 6th commandment.  You will see students who cannot hold the definitions of subjects that have been taught many times retaining the pictures of the fair forms they have seen but once.  In attempting to read, they will, rather than see the letters they are reading, be confronted with the images of those fair forms.  So much for Christmas!

    Christmas is also a period that brings out the true images of some of us.  Look at what our church founders do in this season.  It has become a season of crusades, with pastors advertising for people to come for miracles, prosperity, signs and wonders.  Preaching at this time is usually tailored to remind people who have made it to come and thank the Lord with their tithes.  They also remind those who have not made it to come and draw spiritual strength to enable them make it the next year.  They all clothe material demands in scriptural quotations.

    Christmas is a feast which very conception is noble and spiritually enriching.  The fact now is that different forces, which are struggling over its soul, have hijacked it.  It is supposed to be a season of joy and peace.  It is inconceivable that some people in an attempt to enjoy it do grievous harm to themselves.  Some spend recklessly only to turn round and look for where to get money to pay the children’s school fees.  A lot of things are wrong about our own conception of how Christmas is celebrated.  It is yet another season that tests our maturity and calls for circumspection.

  • Oil price rises on Red Sea attacks

    Oil price rises on Red Sea attacks

    Oil prices were rising yesterday as transit disruptions continued following several attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

    West Texas Intermediate crude, the U..S. benchmark, was up 1.9 per cent to $74.99, while Brent crude, the international standard, gained 1.8per cent to $80.24. Oil prices have traded lower earlier in the day.

    Houthi rebels have attacked multiple commercial ships this month.

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    Several companies have rerouted or paused their shipments through the area in an effort to avoid conflict.

    The U.S. last week announced a 10-nation coalition to counter the attacks in the Red Sea. Following the announcement, shipping giant Moeller-Maersk announced Sunday that it would gradually resume Red Sea shipments. “We are currently working on plans for the first vessels to make the transit and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible,” the company said in a customer advisory.

    News from last week that Angola was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also continued to pressure oil prices.

  • Pathway to economic development through industrialisation

    Pathway to economic development through industrialisation

    By Vincent O. Akinyosoye

    It has been established in the literature of development that development comes in stages, starting from the primitive stage to the mass consumption stage. And, every country follows this established process of development, starting from agricultural production and mining operations using primitive technologies based mainly on human labour and rudimentary tools as capital items. This is followed by the second stage in which outputs of the primary production process are transformed into higher-value products through processing and low-level manufacturing augmented with the provision of utilities and construction activities. The tertiary stage is characterised by production activities made up of service activities like transportation, communications, trade, hotels and restaurants, finance, insurance, real estate, housing, business services and tourism as well as high-level government operations. This third stage is inter-twined with the second stage to produce the next stage which sets the condition for take-off to advance development in which the secondary production becomes the leading contributor to GDP, employment and income with substantial export of semi-finished and finished products.

    At the next stage of development, service industries completely dominate with substantial consumption activities like entertainment, hospitality, tourism, and sports. At this fourth stage, the economy becomes mature, leading to the final stage of development characterised by mass consumption in which different sectors of the economy become highly linked together, at which point the growth of one sector stimulates growth in the other sectors, with a seamless flow of new technologies across sectors.

    The Nigerian economy today is a mixture of these stages of development but it is chiefly defined by the take-off stage in which some modicum of primitive production, particularly in agriculture, exists with the secondary stage along which manufacturing and some service industries exist.

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    At independence in 1960 and before crude oil mining in the 1970s, primitive agriculture was the leading mode.  And since the 1970s, crude oil took over with trade and ICT-based activities now dominating.  Changes in the economy came through changes in private investment, public policies, and the civil war which altered the direction of investment by setting up arbitrary demands and changing the condition of supply. At present, the leading sectors of the Nigerian economy, as established in a recent macro-economic analytical work, throw up nine leading activity sectors, namely Construction, Oil refining, Rail Transportation, Pipelines, Textile, Apparel and Furniture, Trade (Wholesale and Retail), Utilities (Power Supply, Water Supply and Waste Management), Agriculture (Crops, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry) and agro-allied manufacturing.  These are activity sectors consistent with the second and third stages of development.  To ensure that our economy grows beyond the present growth trajectory and moves the economy into the matured stage of development, the focus of government and private investors should be on the value-adding industrialisation process.

    This process will add value to agricultural produce and mineral resources, notably crude oil, gas, crude metal ores, precious stones and gemstones. Producing processed goods from these raw agricultural and crude mineral resources can provide the government an avenue to earn revenues through various taxes, duties, and levies that the producers will pay into the coffers of the government. Companies that produce value-added products from the raw produce will earn substantially more revenue than those entities that produce primary raw materials. Such companies can earn a premium for their extra efforts in their processing and finishing operations. This explains why a country’s earnings from taxes, duties and levies can be boosted by more industrialisation and enhanced production of value-added products they manufacture and sell in the domestic and export markets.

    The capability to produce semi-finished and finished products through value-addition activities will enable Nigeria to compete better in the international markets and make it possible for the country to earn substantially more foreign exchange by leveraging on the current ECOWAS trade protocols and African Continental Trade Agreement (AFCTA).  The foregoing explains why the country can boost its earnings in the domestic market and foreign exchange accruals from increased international trade through our numerous agricultural produce and minerals, as well as create jobs and improve workers’ technical competencies.  This way, value-adding manufacturing will contribute to greater output, income, and employment multipliers from industrialization as well as cause lesser leakage multipliers by relying less on imported inputs and export of semi-finished and finished products.

    The major value-added products that can be manufactured from the agricultural, solid mineral and petroleum resources in Nigeria are numerous and run into thousands.  From agricultural produce for example, industries can be built around the production of starch, bioethanol and bio-based products as well as others which include vegetable oils, beverages, glue, ethanol, soaps, detergents, sweeteners, candy, cigarettes, chocolate, leather, tyres and so on. From crude metal ores, we have structures of iron and steel, flat sheet iron, screws and bolts, flat-rolled products of stainless steel, hand tools, aluminium structures, railway construction materials, unwrought tin, wires of iron and copper and aluminium, cutlery, tools, etc.

    Furthermore, some industries can be built on the manufacture of chemical products based on the constituent elements in crude oil such as medications, serums and articles of hydrocarbons, polymers, insecticides, rodenticides, cleaning products, vulcanized rubbers, reagents, plastic fittings, fertilizers, perfumes, acids, paints, ethers, inks, hydrocarbons, amongst other chemical products.

    Another fast-moving industrial product from crude oil with a large market presence includes products such as plastics, integrated circuits transmission materials for communication, electronic boards, batteries, transformers and other like products. In the area of mobility products, industries can be developed around parts (components) for the manufacture of motor vehicles, tractors, motorcycles, trailers, vehicle bodies, bicycles, parts of railway locomotives, military tanks and armoured fighting vehicles. Others are vehicle chassis, engines, locomotives, and other like products.  In the case of the solid minerals, we have precious stones and gemstones from which beneficiation and refinement can produce jewellery of high quality in the form of gold, bronze, and silver as well as from tourmaline, beryl, amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, sapphire to name a few.

    Additionally, in the areas of crude petroleum and gas resources, several processing activities can be established around the production of fuel (petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene) liquid natural gas (LNG), cooking gas, wax, ink, ballpoint pens, plastics, nail polish, plastic bags, petroleum jelly, antiseptic, medicines, dyes, TV cabinets, battery cases, yarn, toilet seats, linoleum, candles, hand lotions, and so on.

    Building manufacturing businesses on these aforementioned products will not only increase output (GDP) into the future, the multiplier effects of the processes will add significantly to employment generation, increase income streams to the economy, reduce our dependence on imported raw materials and finished goods, as well as increase forex inflow into the country through exports and strengthen the value of the naira. On the part of the government, private sector associations like MAN, NACCIMA, and other private sector associations should be continually educated on the business possibilities in agriculture, solid minerals, and crude petroleum industries.

    Another area government can enable industrialisation is to pay great attention to making all items of economic, social, and institutional infrastructure fully functional in the country.  This way the country will fully move from middle to a high-income nation like Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, for example.

    • Akinyosoye, retired Professor of Applied Economics and Data Management is the first Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

  • 22 things to know about former Reps speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba  

    22 things to know about former Reps speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba  

    A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba died on Wednesday, December 27.

    Family sources said that the late Na’Abba battled with the ailment for a long time before passing away.

    He was initially flown abroad for medical treatment and stayed there for several months before returning to Nigeria.

    Here are 22 things to know about former reps speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba  

    1. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, CFR was born into the family of Alhaji Umar Na’Abba, a businessman in Tudun Wada, Kano City, Kano Municipal Local Government on 27 September 1958.

    2. He was 65.

    3. He was a Nigerian politician and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    4. His father was a firm disciplinarian and an Islamic scholar.

    5. His father taught him the virtues of hard work, entrepreneurship, forthrightness, audacity, sincerity, dynamism, liberal disposition, prudence, modesty, and strong religious inclination.

    6. His early education was at Jakarta Primary School, Kano where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1969.

    7. He later attended Rumfa College, Kano for his West African School Certificate and was also at the School of Preliminary Studies, Kano, between 1974 and 1976, before gaining admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in October 1976.

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    8. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979.

    9. He completed a postgraduate programme on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the United States in 2004. He served as Speaker of the House and led several international bodies in parliament in the wake of the millennium.

    10. After his university education and a one-year compulsory National Youth Service, before his branch into politics, Ghali, in 1980 joined his father’s chain of companies.

    11. His business interests ranged from the importation of goods, and manufacturing to publishing.

    12. He first became, Secretary, Na’Abba Commercial Trading Company Limited.

    13. As a Political Science student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he was elected as an executive committee member of the ABU chapter of the revolutionary People’s Redemption Party established in the Second Republic by the maverick politician, Mallam Aminu Kano. As a student of Mallam Aminu school of good governance, nation building and transparency in politics he became a notable politician in Kano state and Nigeria in general.

    14. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 during its formative period.

    15. He emerged as the party’s candidate in the April 1999 National Assembly election in Kano Municipal Federal Constituency of Kano state and won the election to represent the Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

    16. With the victory and support of other House members-elect from Kano and North West geo-political zone, he pursued the role of Speaker of the House.

    17. Although he amassed substantial support from his colleagues and party leaders, he bowed to counsel and conceded to Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, who later emerged as the first Speaker of the Fourth Republic House of Representatives.

    18. He was thus appointed the House Committee Chairman on Appropriations.

    19. Buhari’s tenure was short-lived.

    20. Following his resignation due to certain misdemeanors, the House was thus faced with the arduous challenge of electing a leader who has the capacity and political will, and skill to instill sanity in the House, restore its integrity and design, and pursue veritable legislative framework.

    21. The mantle of leadership fittingly fell on Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

    22. The House collectively struck an unprecedented consensus and made Ghali the Speaker.

  • Ganduje mourns ex-Reps Speaker Na’Abba

    Ganduje mourns ex-Reps Speaker Na’Abba

    The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje has described the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba was a thoroughbred politician and legislator who meant well for the country.

    This eulogy was contained in a condolence message by Ganduje through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu in Abuja on Wednesday, December 27, on the passage of the former lawmaker.

    Na’Abba, the second speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly in the current 4th Republic, died in the wee hours of Wednesday.

    Expressing his condolences, Ganduje recalled the pivotal role Na’Abba played when he served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives to entrench the independence of the legislative arm of government even in the face of provocation by top operatives of the executive arm.

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    Eulogising the late Speaker, the APC chairman said: “His rich experiences and doggedness even when faced with the risk of impeachment were contributory to whatever achievements we recorded at the National Assembly today. He diligently served Nigeria. His wit, intellect, diligence, and warm personality were legendary.”

    He prayed to Allah to grant him Aljana Firdaus and grant the entire members of the Na’Abba family, the people of Kano State, and Nigeria at large the fortitude to bear his irreparable loss.

    Na’Abba was elected Member of the House of Representatives in 1999 from Kano State. He became the Speaker a few months after the inauguration of the House following the resignation of the then Speaker, Salisu Buhari, from the same Kano State, over certificate forgery scandal.

  • ‘Shanty Town,’ ‘Underbelly,’ emerge top winners at BON Awards

    ‘Shanty Town,’ ‘Underbelly,’ emerge top winners at BON Awards

    Chinenye Nworah’s ‘Shanty Town’ and Tunde Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ emerged major contenders for the highest number of awards received at the 15th Best Of Nollywood (BON) Awards.

    The ceremony held in Osogbo, the state capital last Friday was attended by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

    Also at the event was the BON awards founder/Chief Executive Officer, Seun Oloketuyi.

    A total of 29 awards were won by film practitioners while two special recognition awards were conferred on two veterans, Adebayo Salami (aka Oga Bello, and Chief Toyin Adegbola (aka Asewo to re mecca).

    The special recognition awards were presented to the two veterans by the governor.

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    Nworah’s ‘Shanty Town’ and Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ emerged the biggest winners with five awards each while ‘Shanty Town’ won awards for Best Use Of Make Up, Best Actress In A Supporting Role English, Best Actress In An English Movie, Best Actor in an English Movie, and Movie of the Year, ‘Underbelly’ clinched the awards for Best Use of Special Effect, Production Design, Most Promising Actor, Best Actor in a Supporting Role English, and Director of the Year.

    Other winners included ‘Ifedichie,’ ‘Obara’m,’ Mustapha Solagbade, Debbie Sokoya, Funso Adeolu, Jumoke Odetola and Princess Kossy Nwogu.

    Other notable attendees at the event included state commissioners; Chief Dele Momodu;  Nobert Young, Yemi Blaq, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Fred Amata, Kemi Adekomi, Damilola Oni, and Abiola Atanda (aka Madam Kofo).

    The highlight of the awards that  held at the Adolak Events Centre was Adeleke’s performance. Referred to as the dancing governor, Adeleke gave guests a splendid performance as he thrilled with his dance steps as well as miming his nephew, Davido, and son, Sina Rambo’s songs.

    The governor said that everyone knows about his love for the entertainment and arts industry.

    He noted that his son and nephew are top players and that he strives to support the entertainment industry.

    Adeleke implored the film practitioners to take advantage of the landscape and support of the state government.