The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Nigeria not ripe for state police

    Nigeria not ripe for state police

    Sir: Given the current state of insecurity in the country, many Nigerians have suggested the establishment of state police, an idea that has been in the front burner of national discourse for some time. More than 14 state governors have submitted proposals for the establishment of state police in their respective domains since the federal government indicated that it is considering the idea.

    Nigeria is a country with a huge landmass and a federal system of government. Countries like the U.S.A, which share some similarities with Nigeria, such as the diversity of population, the land mass, economy and social development, usually opt for a federal system of government and other features that go with it. For instance, the land mass of the U.S.A is almost like the whole of the African continent, from New York to Florida is about six hours by flight non-stop.

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    But, in the case of Nigeria, the push by the Bola Tinubu administration towards the establishment of state police may not be a good one. Not all Nigerians are agreement that the establishment of state police is the right way to go. For instance, 22 out of the 36 states are not convinced that the idea would work.

    Besides, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbotokun indicated at a recent town hall meeting organised to discuss the idea that Nigeria does not need state police.

    He said what the country needs is to build on the centralised policing system it has on ground; with better equipment, training and good remunerations like their counterparts in other parts of the world. In the past, the Nigeria Police Force was effective in maintaining law and order in the country. Then, to hear of operatives of the mobile police were on their way to an area or community was an indication that something wrong had been discovered in such area.

    We witnessed situations in the past where a mobile policeman jumped from the top of a storey building to the ground floor in the cause of his duty. The khaki and khaki uniform was a threat to many criminals. Therefore, state police may not be the answer. The major problem is that we do not have enough men and women in uniform. Besides, the force is not properly equipped for modern policing. The government should do the needful by equipping the police force to handle the current security challenges in the country.

    The problems of the state police will start from day one –recruiting village hoodlums who are known for various criminal activities in their localities, particularly people that do not possess sound educational foundation. The federal character structure of the Nigeria Police helps a lot in taking sides in the interest of ethnicity, tribe, religion and position.

    So, what is needed is a reinvigoration of the present force with good services and more hands. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should be merged with the Nigeria Police Force without delay. There is a need for a thorough screening of the personnel who got there through the back door. The NSCDC, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other similar agencies have no business existing as independent bodies.

    •Isaiah Ted Omobude,

    Jos, Plateau State.

  • Ondo/Edo Guber: APC needs reconciliation

    Ondo/Edo Guber: APC needs reconciliation

    Sir: The path to the September 21, and November 14, gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively, poses significant challenges for the APC and its gubernatorial candidates due to the influence held by some of the aggrieved aspirants within the party’s support base. Without successful reconciliation, the APC will require something akin to miracles to secure victory in the two elections.

    The prevailing sentiment in the political sphere is that if the APC were to conduct free and fair primaries in both Edo and Ondo states, the candidates who secured the party’s tickets would likely win the November 14 and September 21 gubernatorial elections, buoyed by the influence of President Tinubu and the APC’s status as the ruling party at the centre. However, with the controversies and lawsuits surrounding the primary elections, the APC must strategize to overcome these obstacles.

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    First, reconciliation efforts are paramount: earnestly seek reconciliation with the aggrieved aspirants. Second, integrate them into the campaign structure and rally their supporters. Third, consider reimbursing their incurred expenses. Fourth, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, the Edo APC critical stakeholders, and the governorship candidate should engage each of the aggrieved aspirants, leveraging their pedigree and political acumen to foster unity and collaboration for a successful outing during the off-cycle gubernatorial elections.

    Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa and Senator Monday Okpebholo face a daunting challenge: Aiyedatiwa is a candidate and a sitting governor seeking re-election, while Senator Monday Okpebholo is a serving senator seeking to be a governor. The two candidates’ reconciliation efforts must be genuinely inclusive to stand a chance of winning the governorship elections.

    For Ondo, the late Governor Akeredolu’s political group must be begged and persuaded. Individuals like Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who command significant grassroots support, political alliances, and a strong war chest needs to be brought on board.

    Also for Edo State, it will require a lot of dialogue and reconciliation. For example, an aggrieved aspirant like Anamero Dekeri, who enjoys state-wide youth support and has a strong war chest capable of facing any challenge, must be factored into the equation if the APC wants a smooth run in Edo. APC both at the headquarters and state levels should lay the groundwork for genuine reconciliation, accommodate all interest groups, and ‘beg’ the bigwigs, including reimbursing their incurred expenses. All efforts are essential if a win is to be achieved in both Edo and Ondo state off-cycle gubernatorial elections slated for September 21 and November 14.

    •Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.

  • Uba Sani’s strides in education

    Uba Sani’s strides in education

    Sir: Since his inauguration as the executive governor of Kaduna State on May, 29 2023, Governor Uba Sani has never hidden his desire and passion to develop education in the state. Evidence is the reduction or slashing of tuition fees of state’s tertiary institutions by 50% as witnessed last year.

    The downward review of the fees aligns with his government’s commitment to offer palliatives to cushion the effect of general rising cost of living in the polity, especially in the wake of recent petroleum subsidy removal.

    The governor continues to take all measures necessary to ensure access to free and qualitative education for every child in Kaduna State from primary to secondary school; expand access to higher education; enhance teachers’ welfare and teaching standards; improve school infrastructure; build ICT competence in students from basic education level; and intensify investments in technical and vocational education.

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     Governor Uba Sani did not stop at that. His sympathy for the less privileged has further manifested recently, where he directed the state university to allow students facing financial difficulties to sit for exams despite outstanding school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session. The university’s management, will later in a statement explain that the development was under the directive of Governor Uba Sani, to lessen the impact of current economic challenges on its student body.  Governor Uba Sani’s giant strides in education within a period of less than a year are a testimony of his avowed determination and commitment to improve literacy rate in the state.

     The trajectory of primary education in Kaduna State started during the last administration of Nasir El-rufai where thousands of primary school teachers considered incompetent or unqualified were sacked. However, the subsequent recruitment by the government failed to fill in the vacuum created by the massive retrenchment. I believe Governor Uba Sani is not unaware of the understaffing in the primary education. Some primary schools in the state are in desperate need of teachers. Disturbingly, one can find many schools with more population but insufficient teachers to cover up expected lessons. The governor should scale up massive recruitment to augment the shortages of manpower. If the twins problems of inadequate teachers and training of teaching personal are addressed, our struggling primary education will breathe a new life, emerge stronger and become a force to reckon with.                                         

    •Job James Maigamo,

    Nasaru, Kubau LGEA, Kaduna State.

  • A year of healing and unifying Nigeria

    A year of healing and unifying Nigeria

    Sir: It has been President Tinubu’s one year of healing and unifying Nigeria. In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, the president made a declaration that has become a defining motif of his administration.

    He said: ‘Our administration shall govern on your behalf but never rule over you. We shall consult and dialogue but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own. We are here to further mend and heal this nation, not tear, and injure it.’’

    And true to his promise, President Tinubu has been listening and reaching out to Nigerians of diverse complexions and artificial partitions, as well as mending and healing the nation.

    The president has maintained an accustomed patriotic, graceful, and expansive mien. In his public statements, mostly done extempore, he has always faithfully affirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s unity.

    In one of his many noble articulations, he said: “I am irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy. Constitutional democracy has been reflected greatly here since we assumed office.’’

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    Also to consider are the broad and far-reaching projects and programmes which are in themselves totems of unity – with all Nigerians, irrespective of class or creed, as beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries.

    The approval of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund to facilitate effective infrastructure development across the pivotal areas of agriculture, transportation, ports, aviation, energy, healthcare, and education, with salient projects across the country is a further affirmation of statesmanship and leadership.

     The ongoing epochal Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, with its attendant immense economic and social benefits to many states within and outside that corridor; the Sokoto-Badagry Road project, and the completed Port Harcourt to Aba stretch of the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri narrow-gauge rail, among other key developments across the nation, asserts the all-encompassing and genuine intentionality to nation building. No Nigerian is left behind.

    Within the first year, the president also approved the upgrade of key health infrastructure and equipment across all six geo-political zones in line with his administration’s vision of overhauling the health and social welfare sector for enhanced service delivery to all Nigerians.

    The following teaching hospitals across the geo-political zones were marked for the establishment of oncology and nuclear medicine centres as part of the president’s bid to ensure that top-tier cancer diagnosis and care is accessible across the country: (1) University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (2) Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, (3) University of Nigeria (Nsukka) Teaching Hospital, (4) Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, (5) University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and (6) Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

    Ten other hospitals across all the geo-political zones were also pencilled for critical healthcare-service expansion projects across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterization.

    The take-off of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme, to enable citizens improve their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time, and by the same token bolstering local industry and stimulating job creation is another social cohesion sealant – with all classes of working Nigerians as beneficiaries. 

    In summary, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) with the pre-eminent vision of safeguarding Nigeria’s future by ensuring that all Nigerian students and youths, regardless of their social, ethnic, or religious backgrounds, have access to sustainable higher education and functional skills, further accents the president’s fidelity to building a stable, strong, united, peaceful, and progressive nation.

    One thing is certain: Citizens agree that they have a president for all Nigerians.

    •Fredrick Nwabufo,

     The Presidency, Abuja.

  • Cultivating a favourable work environment for women

    Cultivating a favourable work environment for women

    Sir: In Nigeria, as in many parts of the world, women have from time immemorial been an integral part of the workforce, contributing significantly to various sectors of the economy. Despite their undeniable capabilities, women across the continent often face unique challenges and barriers especially in the workplace.

    According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), women globally are paid 20% less than men and majority of the gender wage pay may be related to sexism or gender discrimination even though sometimes it can be attributed to individual qualities like education, experience, or skill level. The situation is even worse in several African countries.

    Issues of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for children or the elderly are just fewer personal reasons that frequently require more women than men to take a job break. It is clear that most times the difficulty of juggling work and home obligations prevent a lot of women from pursuing formal jobs and leadership positions due to the aforementioned challenges.

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    Women frequently find themselves in a bind between missing their children’s school performance, games, open day, sport day and working late hours at the office or travelling long distance for significant projects. Creating a favourable work environment for women is not only a matter of gender equality but also essential for maximizing talent, productivity, and innovation.

    In recent years, Nigeria has made strides in this regard, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that women can thrive professionally without facing discrimination or limitations. Some organizations now have a hybrid style of work to enable people to work from home, have crèche for nursing mothers and employed a professional care giver and HR policy that encourage women to apply for job opportunities and also ensure staff sign the anti-harassment policy.

    One of the primary factors in fostering a favourable work environment for women is ensuring equal opportunities for career advancement. Historically, women in Nigeria, like in many other countries, have faced systemic barriers to climbing the corporate ladder. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, leading to efforts to promote gender equality in leadership positions. Companies and organization are implementing gender policies and anti-harassment policies to support women’s career development, including mentorship programs, leadership training, and initiatives to address unconscious bias in promotion decisions.

    Flexible work arrangements also play a crucial role in creating a conducive environment for women in Nigeria. Balancing work and family responsibilities can be particularly challenging for women, especially in a society where traditional gender roles are deeply entrenched. Offering options such as remote work, flexible hours, and parental leave can help women better manage their personal and professional lives. By accommodating the diverse needs of employees, organizations not only support women but also benefit from increased employee satisfaction and retention.

    Furthermore, promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity is essential for creating a safe and supportive work environment for women. Addressing issues such as sexual harassment and discrimination is paramount in ensuring that women feel valued and empowered in the workplace. Companies must implement zero-tolerance policies for harassment, provide training to employees on appropriate behaviour, and establish confidential reporting mechanisms. By fostering a culture of respect and accountability, organizations can create an environment where all employees feel safe and able to contribute their best work.

    Additionally, promoting work-life balance and employee wellness initiatives can contribute to a positive work environment for women. Offering benefits such as onsite childcare facilities, wellness programs, health insurance and mental health support services can help women better manage the demands of their professional and personal lives. By prioritizing employee well-being, organizations demonstrate their commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

    Creating a favourable work environment for women in Nigeria requires concerted efforts from businesses, government agencies, and society as a whole. By promoting equal opportunities for career advancement, implementing flexible work arrangements, fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity, investing in education and skills development, and prioritizing employee well-being, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its female workforce.

    •Weng Dung,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • A country without men

    A country without men

    Sir: As police inspector in Plateau State was reported to have cut off his wife’s hand over N3000 . Reports say he gave her N20,000 to keep, but she could only account for N3000. While the woman has been hospitalized, the man has been detained as the investigation continues.

    While violence against women is mostly a conscious act, the circumstances that conduce to it are mostly subconscious. A lot of gender-based violence begins from the mind where the hierarchy of patriarchy sets up a perverse pyramid which crushes women underneath. A society that strains to render women invisible from birth is one averse to the scars they bear as they have to navigate life and marriage. The cartography from girlhood to womanhood to marriage is usually aided by a foolproof compass of scars inflicted by men who should be protectors but have instead become predators.

    The law is prescient in recognizing that because men sometimes bin nobility in treating women, there should be sanctions-regulated  standards of treating women. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Constitution are just some  standards-setting legislations.

     Implementing them though has not been effortful enough. This strengthens the case for gender equality, for radical feminism.

    In her seminal book We should all be Feminists, global literary icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes that: Gender matters everywhere in the world. And I would like today to ask that we begin to dream about and plan for a different world. A fairer world. A world of happier men and happier women who are truer to themselves. And this is how to start: We must raise our daughters differently. We must also raise our sons differently.”

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    What has marriage become today, what is it becoming? What is making friction into fisticuffs in that exulted field of human elevation and affection that should be inherently non-violent and non-abusive? Why should disagreements degenerate into murder and grievous bodily harm?

    These questions warrant society’s attention because what starts out as disagreement between two people in marriage are increasing having nationwide consequences. The effect of such terrible news of marital harm on the senses, the way it provokes the humanity in each of us indicates it is an emergency.

    It is not male genitalia that makes a man. It is the ability to love and protect women and children at all costs. This means empowering women to live their best and most productive lives. It means emboldening women to break the curse of silence that cloaks domestic violence. It means hoisting them up not just to reach glass ceilings but break them. A society failing to do this is one without men. Nigeria is presently and resoundingly failing to protect women from monsters parading as men. Nigeria has no men.

    A society of such bland promise is equally one of a bleak future. The laws will not implement themselves.

    For each woman hit in her marriage; for each woman for whom the only heat in her home is not from her kitchen – her only nation; for each woman denied of opportunities by an abusive spouse and forced instead to shoulder a sack of physical and emotional scars; for each woman dead from repeated acts of domestic violence; for each woman forced into silence in the face of life-threatening violence by the senseless expectation of society, we are all victims and there is no victor and no justice.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    Ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • How plastic industry undermines campaign against pollution

    How plastic industry undermines campaign against pollution

    Sir: Plastic waste pollution is a growing environmental menace affecting lives and livelihoods across the world. But the latest efforts to combat this problem through a global plastics treaty have exposed a worrying trend: the plastic industry’s growing negative influence on and its shunning of established science.

    The fossil fuel and chemical industries – source of the plastic industry – showed their intent between April 23 and 29 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Canada, during the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

    Just like it did during INC-3 in Nairobi, Kenya last year, the industry deployed several measures – including registering an unprecedented number of lobbyists – to hijack the negotiation processes at INC-4 and tone down established narratives.

    Last year, an analysis by the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) disclosed that 143 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists registered to attend INC-3, gaining access to the negotiations at a time when talks on a global plastics treaty were entering a critical phase. The 143 fossil fuel and chemical company lobbyists at INC-3 outnumbered the 70 smallest member states delegations at the negotiations.

    This year, the industry registered an unprecedented 196 lobbyists, representing about 37 per cent of the total attendees at INC-4, and as was to be expected, the lobbyists affirmed their determination to advance self-serving interests and stall positions that embrace the otherwise.

    These lobbyists not only vehemently resisted and shut down proceedings that exposed their fallacies, but they also influenced the plastic policies of parties and states that dared to question their stance. Their presence stalled the needed progress as they effectively reduced the event to a marketplace. 

    Ninety-nine per cent of plastics are derived from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels account for over 75 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, meaning fossil fuel-generated plastics are directly tied to increases in greenhouse gas emissions annually. Fossil fuels disguised as plastics can be found everywhere in our lives.

    It is natural to expect the industry to leverage such a gathering to expand its coverage and deepen its hold on market share in emerging and vulnerable states. For them, INC-4 is nothing but interest and profits at the expense of human and animal survival, eco-sustainability, and societal well-being.

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    The industry is not unaware of the significance of the outcomes of INC-4, particularly in advancing treaty texts that will be adopted at the final scheduled session (INC-5) in Busan, Republic of Korea later in the year, hence its unapologetic resolve to monopolise the process.

    To this end, the industry has been behind several false claims to downplay the negative consequences of plastic pollution. One such claim is that the consequences of micro- and nano-plastics, including growth inhibition, increased oxidative stress, and decreased feeding behaviour, among others, are not backed with facts. But this has been debunked as there are now over 20,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications on micro- and nano-plastics according to the Web of Science database. This database established that plastic products release dangerous micro- and nanoparticles at all stages of the plastics life cycle, including production, normal and intended use, waste management, and recycling, and that these micro-plastics can alter the natural environment both locally and on a global scale.

    Similarly, the industry’s claim that plastics’ effects on the marine environment are insignificant and suffer a dearth of evidence has also been proven to be untrue; scientific evidence has confirmed that micro-plastics affect terrestrial ecosystems and that human bodies are not protected from these exposures.

    Back home, with about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, the World Economic Forum (WEC)’s Global Plastic Action Partnership ranks Nigeria ninth globally among countries with the highest contributions to plastic pollution. Unfortunately, over 88 per cent of the plastic waste generated in the country is not recycled. Instead, much of it ends up in water bodies – rivers, lakes, drains, lagoons and the ocean. In just Lagos State alone, plastics account for 15 per cent of the total generated waste. According to experts, the situation in Nigeria may get worse with the expected rise in the population to about 401 million in 2050. Furthermore, the production of plastic is growing. Dangote Refinery, the largest petrochemical refinery in Africa, has started operations in Nigeria and apart from refining fuel, will also produce plastic products.

    As the world waits for the progressive phase-out of these problematic and avoidable plastics, clear boundaries for corporations in the decision-making process will prevent potential mix-ups of financial and political interests with legitimate interests or biases.  In the same vein, policy audits and oversight procedures must be incorporated before and during negotiation processes to address imbalances, corporate overlay, poor representation, and undue considerations for corporate benefits and privileged interests.

    •Ogunlade Olamide,Lagos.

  • On the rumoured hosting of foreign military bases

    On the rumoured hosting of foreign military bases

    • By Amb Dapo Fafowora

    Sir: I thought the issue of not allowing foreign military bases in Nigeria was settled a long time ago. In 1961, we, the students of the then University College, Ibadan, fought successfully for the abrogation of the Anglo/Nigeria defence pact. During our civil war, we were careful enough not to allow any foreign military bases in Nigeria or enter into any military alliance with foreign powers. We bought weapons from all of them, except France, without entering into any formal military alliance with them. The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was a wholly Nigerian-led military formation in West Africa. The US and its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies promised military assistance which did not materialise.

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    One of the primary objectives of Nigerian foreign and defence policy has been to get French forces out of Africa. Now the French are being forced to leave the Sahel. Are we going to allow our country to offer France a military base in Nigeria when it has always been our strategy to get all foreign military bases out of Africa? Was this objective not one of the reasons why we joined the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)? And how can we qualify for membership of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries if we offer the US and France military bases in Nigeria?

    I don’t even believe that this government will even think of this kind of military engagement with the United States and France. I am confident that this government will not entertain or seriously entertain this sordid idea. If it does, it will be digging its own political grave as it will be confronted by massive domestic opposition.

    Nigeria does not deserve to survive if it needs to bring in foreign forces for its security. This will be a negation of what this country has stood for in its post-colonial history.

    •Amb Dapo Fafowora, OON, FNAL

    Lagos.

  • Why power sector doom is imminent

    Why power sector doom is imminent

    Sir: The future of the power sector is inevitably doomed and damned with National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC and the present distribution companies (DISCOS) at the helm of energy distribution.

    After complaining to NERC severally and repeatedly about how Ikeja Electric has been extorting, oppressing and depriving us, NERC has done nothing to stop this robbery.

    We are customers on tariff plan B -non MD (11-Oke IraINJ-T2-Kayode) band B feeder paying for 16-20hrs of daily electricity but instead we are supplied 0-4hrs of electricity and subjected to all night daily blackout since late December 2023 even till present while neighbouring streets on 11-OgbaINJ-T2-Agege band B feeder and tariff plan B-non MD (same plan B as ours) are averaging 20-24hrs of electricity like those on plan A.

    If neighbouring streets on 11-OgbaINJ-T2-Agege band B feeder and tariff plan B-non MD are averaging 20-24hrs of electricity daily, then it only shows that there are only two tariff plans which are plan A and the rest. The idea of naming the rest as plan B, C, D and E is an act of deception otherwise why is it only customers on plan A that both NERC and DISCOS are giving attention to?

    For example, only the list of customers on plan A are found on both NERC and DISCOS website and their record of daily power supply is published online. Why has NERC failed to instruct all DISCOS to publish on their website and online the record of daily power supply to other plans such as B, C, D and E? Why is it only for plan A customers alone as if they are the only existing customers?

    This shows that there is no transparency from both NERC and DISCOS, only deception to fool the nation they are active.

    Why are all customers not on a single tariff plan? Why the classification and discrimination of customers? Why can’t customers choose their plan and mode of electricity supply (when they need or want power supplied)? Why force various plans on them and when you feel like supplying them electricity? Why are some customers paying same money for same tariff as their neighbour and getting inferior and unequal service in comparison? Why are some paying more for a tariff plan and those paying less get same service as those who pay more? For example, why are those paying for plan B getting same service as those paying more for plan A? What rights do customers have because even when they complain it falls on deaf ears?

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    Why is there no transparency and accountability from NERC and DISCOS despite the regular and frequent complaints of customers about paying for a particular plan but instead receiving the service of the lowest or non-existing plan? Today, nobody is being held accountable for the ongoing duplicity from these DISCOS. This is why the DISCOS are encouraged to keep up the duplicitous act of cheating, extorting, oppressing and depriving customers of their rights and what they are rightfully entitled to.

    How can NERC and these DISCOS explain or justify this fraudulent act of rendering non-existing plan service (the lowest plan E still get 4-8hrs) to customers paying for plan B, yet these companies are quick to fault and penalize customers on grounds of illegal connections, bypassing and etc. Of course, they are free to rob their customers with no clarification and explanation as to why they fail to provide adequately the services they are paid for.

    They believe they are untouchable and above the law. It baffles me why EFCC and other anti-graft outfits are turning blind eyes to the huge corruption rocking the power sector.

    Honestly, if these DISCOS are not stopped, then the future of the power sector is definitely doomed and damned because the big problems today were small problems that kept growing due to negligence.

    •Tolulope Oyebanjo,

     <tiiboy@yahoo.com>

  • Social media and artificial intelligence

    Social media and artificial intelligence

    • By Ganiu Bamgbose

    Sir: Whatever be the discussion now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the icing on the cake. There is the AI dimension to virtually every topic. Even though artificial intelligence is not as recent as many think, its tentacles have, certainly, got broadened beyond imaginable limits. Britannica defines artificial intelligence as a term “frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience”.

    Studies and positions abound on the use, misuse and even abuse of artificial intelligence but issues concerning AI and social media usage have not enjoyed inquiries.

    In his article, Mike Kaput described the relationship between social media and AI as a match made in heaven. He further enlightens that every social media platform on the planet uses AI in some way to function. This is to the extent that AI dictates what content surfaces in your feed and it moderates comments and content to improve user experience. From marketing, to creating publicity for contents, the social media platforms serve as relevant outlets which AI algorithm can boost. It is deserving of mention that there is no venture that does not have a market on the social media– you teach, preach, sing, sew, make hair, make people laugh… someone on social media is waiting to have your craft as their craze. And with AI, you can do the feasibility study for whatever your product is on social media, generate contents for your products, boost visibility for what you do, among many other benefits. Networking opportunities also abound on social media for anyone who can make the best use of them.

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    On the other side of the discussion, one disturbing thing with the social media is how it regularly creates so much to engage viewers through the help of AI while disengaging them from their own life. From apps that make you finer than how you are in real life and clothe you without having to pay, to the ones that predict your looks at old age, the social media have got so much for everyone to relax with that you may forget you owe your life the responsibility of growth. If you would have loved to be a judge but didn’t get the chance to study law, social media present you with numerous disputes to adjudicate on. From why Yul Edochie had to get a second wife, to who did what between Comedian Ay and his wife before their marriage ended, you would always have cases to attend to on social media that the only case you may forget to treat is your own life reality.

    To be a literate person in the 20th century was to have a properly sharpened brain from reading novels, magazines, the holy books, articles, textbooks and so on. With the advent of social media in the 21st century where fake, false and fabricated news are all many read online, a literate person might even be more myopic than someone who is unable to read and write. From reel, to status, to story, it is amazing how Facebook and other social media have grown in less than two decades, giving us so much to engage us while disengaging many from things that concern them. Like other AI devices, the social media can help you do a lot for yourself and can help boost an idle, lazy and unproductive life for the unconscious ones.

    The discussion on artificial intelligence remains narrow without a proper exploration of the concept from the perspective of social media. And like scholars say, the discussion continues.

    •Ganiu Bamgbose PhD,

    Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.