The Nation Newspaper

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  • Geographic Information Systems and public health

    Geographic Information Systems and public health

    Sir: About a fortnight ago, chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra announced that this administration is set to launch a Geospatial data repository along with an Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (ECRVS) as the country plans to conduct its first digital census. This is basically in a bid to ensure every part of the country is comprehensively covered as census has continued to prove to be an effective way to ensure equity in allocation of resources.  This coming a few days before the annual celebration of the World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) day further reiterates the importance of GIS in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy, especially public health. 

    Recently, it seems a lot of experts who have dedicated their lives to designing and implementing digital innovations to solve critical world problems may not have received the appropriate accolades for their efforts. This may be partly due to the proliferation of digital technological solutions across various sectors with varying degrees of efficacy. Thus it is heart-warming to see that the theme of the 2023  World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) day is dedicated to celebrating the immense efforts made by GIS professionals to achieve sustainable impact in solving problems in the area of public health, security, environmental preservation, emergency response and disaster management, geospatial data management and other critical decision making process.

    While it looks simplistic to say GIS is basically the use of maps to inspire change but that’s how the system has consistently been deployed over the years to identify problems, develop solutions and track changes. Importantly, data from geospatial analysis has consistently proven to be instrumental in detecting and responding to public health emergencies and natural disasters. This can go a long way in determining where and when relief materials, medical support and even vaccines could be deployed. 

    According to the World Health Organisation, by connecting maps, applications, data and people, GIS has the potential of supporting countries and partners to make informed public health decisions faster and to extend the reach of geospatial information across the organization. For instance, while the world is gradually moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic, the role geospatial tools played in equitable response to the pandemic cannot be downplayed.  The booming global availability of geospatial information according to – Karin Källander, Global Digital Health Lead, UNICEF, provided unprecedented opportunities that ensured the challenge of equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is met. 

    Read Also: Foundation raises 8,000 public health advocates

    In March 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a policy recommendation on Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC); a new intervention against plasmodium falciparum malaria. The intervention deployed GIS to monitor the intermittent administration of a curative dose of antimalarial medicine to children at high risk of severe malaria living in areas with seasonal transmission, regardless of whether they are infected with malaria. While providing near real time updates on vaccination coverage, the GIS tracking system also flagged omitted households promoting accountability and transparency during and after the intervention.

    Over the years, GIS professionals have dusted the odds using a geographic approach in addressing unprecedented health challenges like polio, malaria, climate change, global warming and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.  Beyond public healthcare interventions, Geospatial tools have been recommended as a critical solution for town planning, development of housing units, polling units’ location, and fight against insecurity amongst others.

    In a nutshell, GIS provides an immense avenue to further amplify the success stories of GIS and importantly the professionals who consistently dedicate time and resources in developing digital solutions that can be tailored to provide context-specific insights.  It will thus be fascinating to see organizations like National Population Commission (NPC), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Jamitan Tech Nig. Ltd, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), and other critical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) organizations and societies collaborate to chart pathways of strengthening GIS and its prospect as the world host  World GIS day.

    • Atef Fawaz, eHealth Africa, Kano
  • Lagos live camera update and traffic radio broadcasting

    Lagos live camera update and traffic radio broadcasting

    • By Bolade Badmus

    To stay on top of its game of radio broadcasting, Lagos Traffic Radio has in recent time been burning the candle of research and development, thinking out of the box in bringing live updates as fresh as possible to its teeming listeners. To do this, the station has continuously been leveraging technology in providing timely, accurate traffic information to the teeming residents of the State.

    John Chambers, the former executive chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, perfectly captured the importance of digital transformation when he said: “At least 40% of all businesses will die in the next 10 years if they don’t figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies.”

    Lagos Traffic Radio, determined to bring quality traffic information and advisory to its teeming audience is deploying technology in improving transit experiences of Lagosians either on the road, water, and or railway. The station in no small measure also assists the government in building the confidence of motorists and commuters in embracing organised public sector transportation.

    The traffic radio through its rich content, has a lot of educational functions, equipping vehicle owners, commuters and the public with handy information needed for daily survival, while its social media platforms target youth inclusion, promotes instant feedbacks and encourages public participation.

    As a matter of fact, the digital transformation of Lagos Traffic Radio is not just about technology itself but about people, the sequential transformation being witnessed by the agency is largely made possible through the visionary leadership of management of the station headed by Tayo Akanle, the General Manager of the station, who has been consistently improving on ways of disseminating traffic information since 2018, when he became the head of the Radio Station.

    Akanle introduced traffic updates on the station’s social media handles on Facebook, Twitter (now X), Instagram among others, to provide real time traffic information to the millions of its online audience, giving them fresh broadcasting experience and increasing the audience reach for government’s  information. Presently, the station utilizes digital platforms to deliver traffic reports, weather updates, and emergency alerts, ensuring that listeners stay informed of developments and impediments on the roads, where there are and efforts to remove such.

    The station, relies on updates from officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ogun State Traffic Management Agency (TRACE). The radio station has crossed several hurdles since its formative years in its determination to keep traffic in Africa’s leading megacity and the fifth biggest economy moving.

    Read Also: Lagos Traffic Radio: Enhancing gridlock reportage

    One of the transformation programmes is the “Motorbike Live Reports”, launched in September 15, 2020, to change the narrative in traffic reporting, as incidents and impediments induced traffic logjam were timely and accurately reported, to guide commuters and other road users.

    Another was the upward review of the traffic updates which moved from 10 to 15 minutes, in 2019, due to realities of increased influx of vehicular movements in the state.

    Through its dedicated team and advanced technology, the radio station continues to offer accurate and up-to-date information on road conditions, accidents, and traffic congestion making it a very reliable partner for all motorists and drivers on Lagos roads. Information released on the station regarding any road in the state is regarded as invaluable by all road users and it has continued to help Lagosians to plan their journeys more effectively and avoid heavily congested areas.

    The latest in the digital transformation process of Lagos Traffic Radio was the recently launched Live Camera Update Project (LCU), made possible with the active partnership and collaboration of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

    The initiative has its origin from the Lagos State Smart City project, designed to achieve multi-level integration leveraging digital and communication technologies to optimize city functions and drive economic growth, while also improving the well-being of individuals living in the city. Determined to leverage technology in driving the smart city vision, the Sanwo-Olu administration decided to construct a 6000 fibre optic cable and broadband technology round the city of Lagos. With the delivery of 3000km of the cable, and the overage of all public offices and institutions in the state and the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in about 300 critical roads, the radio station is determined to leverage these installed cameras to further ease transmission of more accurate traffic updates as the feeds come directly from live cameras round the city of Lagos. From the studios, reporters on the traffic updates can get per second live feeds from these cameras and feed the commuting or motoring public with such information across the state’s roads.

    The LCU gives the station a bird’s-eye view of the roads, enabling the transmission of real time traffic information that allows commuters to make informed decisions about their routes. Whether it’s spotting a bottleneck or identifying an alternative route, the Live Camera Update project empowers commuters to navigate the city more efficiently.

    Arguably, the Live Camera Update project will refine and enhance the station’s traffic update delivery and travel advisories to Lagosians by solving the challenges of latency of updates, i.e., delay in getting updates to commuters and motorists, reducing inaccurate description traffic situations by stakeholders, and the ever-dynamic traffic situation around the metropolis. This is indeed an innovative solution to these challenges.

    Furthermore, the availability of alternative routes through the Live Camera Update feature helps in alleviating congestion. By dispersing traffic across different roads, the overall flow of vehicles improves, resulting in shorter travel times and reduced frustration for commuters.

    This will not only save time but will also enhance productivity, as individuals can arrive at their destinations more efficiently.

    The LCU initiative will complement other means of engaging the station’s listeners by encouraging active user participation through various channels, including social media platforms and dedicated mobile apps. Commuters can share their own observations, report incidents, and seek advice from fellow travellers.

    This interactive element fosters a sense of community and collective problem-solving, making the daily commuting a shared experience.

    The digital transformation in radio broadcasting being exemplified by Lagos State Traffic Radio is essential to adapt to the changing media landscape as it will enhance accessibility, interactivity, and the overall listening experience for the radio audience. By embracing the various digital platforms made possible for radio listeners through the deployment of technologies, radio stations can continue to connect with their audience and provide valuable content in innovative ways.

    At the inauguration of the project recently, the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi said that the Live Camera Update Infrastructure was acquired to boost the capacity of the station to provide timely, accurate and dynamic traffic reportage and travel advisory to its teeming listeners. He further stated that the great significance of the project is a testament to the administration’s resolve to deploy state-of-the-art technology to drive effectiveness and efficiency in government operations and delivery.

    • Badmus a media analyst lives in Lagos 
  • Umahi’s thorny path to concrete road technology

    Umahi’s thorny path to concrete road technology

    • By Dahiru Hassan Kera

    Since Senator David Umahi, erstwhile governor of Ebonyi State was appointed Minister of Works, the man has shown that he’s not afraid of taking on at all manner of people and problems. His first combat was against workers in his ministry when he locked them out purportedly for exhibiting acts that could be described as truancy. He insisted that under his watch, lateness to work and all forms of indiscipline would not be tolerated.

    In pretty much the same fashion as the locking out of his ministry’s staff, Dave Umahi has shut the door to an existing road infrastructure policy when he announced a new road policy: reinforced concrete roads. The switch from asphaltic roads to concrete road technology is the new direction of the ministry under his watch.

    In fairness to the man, he clearly outlined government’s reasons for making the policy switch to include a great deal of sharp practices in the execution of asphalt roads, and the high cost of bitumen/asphalt which he said led importers of the substance to go for the lowest quality that ends up with additives. Reasons also adduced include a possibility of employment opportunities for Nigerians expected to either be engaged to increase the manufacture of cement, a major component of the concrete road technology or work on the concrete roads themselves. 

    In the unfolding narrative, Senator Umahi appears to have put the blame for the switch in road construction policy on road contractors and unscrupulous people in his ministry for conniving to sabotage quality in the road construction system. Umahi craftily deployed a well-oiled media machine and all the experience from his time as governor to roundly demonize Nigeria’s road contractors. 

    Faced with a practiced operative who understands the game of media jousting and technical knock outs, road contractors appear to have been slammed into silence. All Nigerians have been shown by Umahi are the rosy side of switching to concrete road technology. The minister even went as far as pointing everyone who doubts his assertions that concrete technology is better for Nigerian roads to the ports of Lagos and conveniently to Ebonyi, the state where he was governor and which adopted concrete technology for road infrastructure to great effect. 

    Interestingly, photos have emerged in social media showing many failed portions of his concrete roads’ technology in Ebonyi. Although, in fairness, no one said concrete roads are infallible, but the impression Dave Umahi creates is of roads that will never fail for at least 40 years. However, on the strength of the photos on social media, assuming they were truly from Umahi’s concrete roads in Ebonyi, then his assertions may have been greatly exaggerated. 

    Yet, that won’t be the biggest fact that Nigerians may have been misled on or shielded from. That’ll be the cost of importing machinery to drive to policy switch to concrete. In these days of forex scarcity and liquidity uncertainty, it amounts to a herculean, even unreasonable task to demand that contractors ditch their asphalt equipments to start importing whole new machines, especially since another minister may come one day and render them useless without scruples or remorse. 

    Read Also: NAF air strikes kill several terrorists, destroy four gun trucks in Borno

    The Naira is only now beginning to find its bearing. So, imagine if all Nigeria’s road contractors, and they are many, besiege the forex market in search of dollars with which to import machinery to execute Umahi’s concrete roads. The consequence, perhaps unintended, becomes glaring on the economy. Unless the federal government commits to finding ways of making forex available to these contractors, it will be unfair to tie them to the kind of deadlines and riot acts act that Umahi has been reading to them. And, nothing can be more insensitive than to leave contractors at the mercy of black market currency speculators. 

    Another possible consequence, perhaps also unintended is the expectation of a demand-pull price hike on cement. I may not be an economist, but my elementary understanding of the effect of demand and supply on prices tells me that, should all road contractors start purchasing very high volumes of cement from Nigeria’s almost duopolistic cement market to build concrete road pavements, I will expect a cement supply shortfall, and this will translate into higher prices for the commodity. Therefore, whereas Umahi’s job projection associated with increased demand for cement may hold true, the impact of exponentially increased demands on cement prices if true, may contribute to the deepening of another national problem – housing which interestingly used to be under the ministry he now oversees.

    Even though his predecessor in the combined works and housing ministry, Babatunde Raji Fashola disproved claims of a 17 million housing deficit, he acknowledged that there’s a very wide gap that needs to be plugged. Fashola also acknowledged that Nigerians have been at the forefront of providing housing for themselves with government simply augmenting the situation with homes for those with access. It is no wonder then, that Nigerians went agog with jubilation when BUA cement recently announced a price slash on the factory price of its cement. That news excited Nigerians for obvious reasons. It therefore becomes a disservice to Nigerians scraping to erect roofs over their heads if government policy in one sector leads to an increase in the price of cement. 

    There could even be a legal side to Umahi’s decision to switch to concrete roads. Although, I have not seen the contract entered into between the federal government and road contractors, I still want to think that it could amount to a breach of contract to whimsically change the terms of contracts in the manner proposed by Umahi, especially as some contracts may have been executed upwards of 80%. A better model would have been to set a new benchmark going forward. 

    So, instead of asking contractors who have executed asphalt road contracts upwards of 50% of their contracts to jettison the technology for cement, he could simply have implemented a new quality regime for the remaining part of running contracts. That way, any contractor coming to bid for new a job(s) will come safe in the knowledge that the minister prefers concrete to asphalt and they can either accept to build reinforced concrete road or let other interested contractors bid. Simple. 

    It must also be said, that Umahi’s attempt to indict contractors for the shady practices in the use of asphalt to construct low quality roads is unfortunate. Without quite knowing it, that attempt amounts instead to an indictment on the ministry of works whose responsibility it is to either directly undertake quality control checks, measurement and evaluation or appoint consultants to do same on its behalf. Makes one wonder what instruments have been put in place to shield the deployment of concrete technology from getting hijacked by the monumental corruption in the ministry of works which practically goads contractors into compromising standards in exchange for expedited processing of documents.

    While I have had cause to commend Umahi who I believe is one of the most active ministers of the Tinubu administration so far, and that his decision to switch to concrete roads technology may have been borne out of a genuine desire to transform Nigeria’s critical road infrastructure, I thought it is also very important to pay attention to his approach for delivering on that very important mandate which so far appears to be premised on the belief that asphalt can be compromised but not reinforced concrete. That’s very faulty indeed. 

    In light of this, Umahi must strive to eliminate even the tiniest chance that his new road policy will end up birthing unintended consequences that may create an even more vociferous existential crisis. I will bet that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda was never designed to shift goalposts or to rob Peter to pay Paul. Every decision that may deliver some gains to one sector but has the potential to worsen the plight of Nigerians in another sector deserves to be re-examined, reviewed, and retooled in collaboration with stakeholders in that value chain. Nigerians deserve this much and more.

    •Kera is a publisher

  • Israeli-Gaza war: The road always trodden

    Israeli-Gaza war: The road always trodden

    • By Chijioke Uwasomba

    The Gaza Strip is boiling and burning again with an understandably huge collateral damage. The death tolls on both sides of the conflict especially of innocent women and children are increasing in their thousands, eliciting cries from humanitarian organisations in Gaza which have found it extremely difficult to cope with the crisis as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) deal deadly blows on Hamas and its military machine which has become a thorn in the lives of the Israelis in the attempt by the latter to “reclaim” the Palestinian land “forcefully” taken over by the Israeli state. The condition of the Gazans and by implication some Israeli citizens has worsened since 2007 when Hamas took over power in Gaza 

    Since the current war between Israel and Hamas began, occasioned by the unprovoked killings and hostage -takings of the Israeli citizens and other nationals on October 7, the United Nations, some say, in its usual divisive and weak political positions and positioning has not been able to come up with a roadmap on how to resolve the crisis and agree on a permanent way forward for the Palestinians and their Israeli neighbours. Apart from the pounding of Hamas and its war infrastructure, many civilians especially children and women are dying as food, fuel, electricity and other human-enabling materials are either in short supply or completely run out.

    The latest war, according to informed sources, was triggered by the complete disagreement by Hamas and other Middle East forces opposed to any meaningful move to for a re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. By Hamas’s strategic calculations, its latest war gambit is aimed at stopping other willing Arab countries from having diplomatic relations with Israel. A completely free and normalised relations would not be in the interest of Hamas and its quest for a Palestinian homeland. By hitting Israel, Hamas knew that Israel would respond with a strong-arm tactics and these would provoke Saudi Arabia into halting the on-going move to re-establish relations with Israel thereby getting the support of the Arab league.

    It is mind-boggling that peace and good neighbourliness have been missing in the Middle East for many centuries in a region that produced the two leading and heavily subscribed religions in the world. It should be noted that the Middle East crisis began millions of years ago. Both the Jews and the Arabs have come a long way and as history has it, they were sired by one progenitor even though from different women.

    God, according to Biblical account had asked Abram (Abraham) who he so much loved to leave the land of Ur (today’s Iraq) to move to Canaan land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Both the Jews (Israelites) and their Palestinian cousins (from Ishmael) had lived in this disputed land area many centuries ago. Each had been in charge at one time or the other up to the Babylonian captivity and other series of occupations and enslavements. Both groups have a strong stake in what is today known as the Palestine. Truth be told: the whole hullabaloo between the two groups is Jerusalem, a land claimed by both groups as theirs because of the assumed holy provenance. From what can be seen between Israel and the Palestine, even if a two-state solution comes into being, there will not be any let up in the bickering between the two neighbours. The ultimate diadem is Jerusalem.

    Tehran, the bête noire of the West and active supporter and armer of Hamas may not relent in its support for Hamas, and other Palestinian Jihadist groups including Hezbollah to foment trouble in Gaza and Israel. Neither will Israel herself sit idly by and watch Iran become a hegemonic force in the Middle East. Palestine and its people are truly pawns on the chessboard in the proxy war between Iran, its ideological supporters on the one hand, and the United States, the West and their minions in the Middle East. It is obvious that many destabilising forces have almost made it impossible for the Oslo Accord(s) to work. Hamas and Hezbollah, two strong militant forces which have been declared as terrorist organisations by Britain and other western countries do not want to make peace with Israel and have been gung-ho in their hostile relationship with Israel.

    Israel is stunned by its security lapse on October 7, when Hamas and the Palestine Islamic Jihad in their “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” killed,1,400 Israelis, raped and humiliated many Israelis and other nationals after a ruthless six-hour operation. It is indubitable that Israelis’ rage in its response to Hamas, is aimed at bringing the group to a hors de combat and create a new political atmosphere in Gaza. But this is at a huge humanitarian cost as the conflict has become awful and tragic in Gaza land.

    The tactics and strategies of Hamas will not by any standard bring freedom for/to the Palestinian people. This is because Hamas a reactionary organisation with about forty-five percent of the Gazans supporting it. It pretends to be a resistance movement but in all its posturing and raison d’tre, it is not working and representing the interest of the poor Palestinians who live in poverty and under humiliating circumstances. Hamas’s rank and file members live under well protected tunnels while the decision-making echelon lives in faraway Qatar enjoying the best that life could offer. The Gazans and other Palestinians face the horrifying heat of the war each time a conflict arises between Hamas and Israel.

    Read Also: NAF air strikes kill several terrorists, destroy four gun trucks in Borno

    In the West Bank where Mahmoud Abbas leads the Palestine Organisation, it is curious to note that he enjoys not more than twenty-six per cent support of the people. The leadership of the organisation is seen as very corrupt and is not trusted by the people. In all of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, it is the ordinary people that are subjected to cruelty, misery and acute poverty. Both the ordinary Palestinians and their Israeli counterparts suffer more in the unending spasmodic war between the belligerent Israeli forces and the Palestinian forces.

    The United Nations has been weak and thoroughly incompetent in resolving the Palestinian question since 1948 when the Israeli state was created. Each time fissiparous forces in the Middle East notice genuine efforts at reconciling the forces at play in the Middle East, they create more crises that put peace in almost jeopardy. The UN should not wait for a spat to occur before it shows permanent interest in the Middle East. 

    In the crisis that has defined the Middle East, no group is innocent and none can claim to be right. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians are ruled by ancient grudges which every generation of theirs has become part and parcel of. Third parties like the UN and the United States must work hard to ensure that the two-state solution works in the interest of the ordinary Palestinians and the Israelis. As a pragmatic way of bringing the current crisis to an end, Hamas must be made to release and return the over 240 Israelis and other nationals that were kidnapped under humiliating and terrible circumstances on October 7. This is capable of guaranteeing a cease fire beyond the recently announced four-hour daily pause that the Israeli government has given on humanitarian grounds to allow civilians to move southwards.

    A permanent solution to the crisis will require a no-holds-barred international conference on the Palestinian question with a view to negotiating a lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the larger interest of the Middle East and the world. And from the look of things, this can only be possible with the dismantling of the war machine of Hamas.

    •Prof Uwasomba teaches at the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

  • Stakeholders set agenda for transformation of insurance sector

    Stakeholders set agenda for transformation of insurance sector

    The National Insurance Commission NAICOM has taken on an ambitious project to transform the nation’s insurance industry. This has received wide approval from industry players. The National Insurance Conference provided the setting for the insurance professionals to get a feel of what is to come, Assistant Editor Nduka Chiejina reports

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has unveiled a 10-year transformation roadmap aimed at fostering a vibrant and inclusive insurance industry.

    NAICOM seeks to enhance insurance penetration, currently below two percent, through strategic pillars like regulatory transformation, risk-based capital models, insurance promotion, product diversification, distribution channel optimisation, digitalisation, and talent development.

    The roadmap spans from 2024 to 2033 and aligns with NAICOM’s efforts to grow the insurance sector in line with its statutory functions.

    The roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan to address the challenges facing the industry and achieve sustainable growth. Key focus areas include digitalisation, talent development, and support for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

    The Nigerian economy is experiencing fast expansion, and as a result of this growth, there is a heightened demand for insurance products. This demand arises from the desire of both businesses and individuals to protect themselves from potential financial risks.

    In recognition of this fact, the Nigerian government is actively supportive of the insurance industry. The government is taking actions to encourage and facilitate the growth of this sector. These actions include implementing various policies aimed at promoting the development and success of the insurance industry in Nigeria.

    Despite these positive factors, the insurance industry in Nigeria still faces a number of challenges, including: like low insurance penetration. There is low rate of insurance coverage among Nigerians because only a small proportion of the Nigerian population has any type of insurance, indicating that the majority of individuals in Nigeria do not have insurance coverage.

    There is also the problem of lack of awareness and understanding about insurance, which industry operators agree “is a significant barrier in Nigeria. Many Nigerians may not be aware of the benefits that insurance can provide, such as financial protection against unexpected events or the ability to save and invest for the future. Additionally, there may be limited knowledge about the types of insurance products available and how to navigate the insurance market.

    This lack of awareness and understanding can stem from various factors, including limited financial literacy, cultural beliefs, and inadequate educational campaigns about insurance. To address this issue, it is crucial to promote financial literacy and raise awareness about the importance of insurance through targeted education and outreach programmes. These initiatives can help Nigerians understand the benefits of insurance, how to choose the right products, and how to access insurance services in a transparent and reliable manner.

    Another challenge confronting the insurance industry is the high cost of insurance. Insurance premiums in the country can indeed be relatively high compared to the average income, making them unaffordable for many individuals and businesses. This can limit access to essential insurance coverage and leave people financially vulnerable in the event of unexpected events or accidents.

    The high cost of insurance is often attributed to factors such as limited competition, inadequate risk assessment, high administrative expenses, and fraudulent activities. Efforts are being made to address this issue and make insurance more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

    The major problem with insurance in Nigeria is the issue of lack of trust in insurers. This is a common concern among many people, not just Nigerians. The perception that insurance companies may not pay out claims fairly can stem from various factors, including inadequate communication, excessive bureaucracy, delays in claim processing, or cases where claims are denied for reasons that policyholders find unfair.

    To address this issue, insurance companies can take several steps. They can improve transparency by clearly communicating policy terms, conditions, and claim procedures to customers. Additionally, simplifying claim processing and reducing bureaucracy can help expedite the resolution of claims, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.

    Insurance companies can also implement effective mechanisms for handling customer complaints and appeals, providing a fair and transparent process for resolving disputes. Investing in customer education and awareness programmes can also help build trust by providing information about the benefits of insurance, the claims process, and the company’s commitment to fair dealings.

    In order for the Nigerian insurance industry to reach its maximum potential, it should prioritize the following areas: The industry should adopt digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency, make insurance more accessible and affordable for customers.

    The industry should invest in the training and development of a skilled and competent workforce crucial for the industry’s growth. They should also create new and innovative insurance products that cater to the specific needs of different customer segments in order to attract and retain customers.

    Educating Nigerians about the advantages of insurance and how to purchase insurance products will help increase awareness and uptake, just as improving the regulatory framework will create a more supportive environment for the growth of the insurance industry.

    By addressing these key areas, the Nigerian insurance industry can transform itself into a vibrant and inclusive sector that supports economic growth and development.

    Steps to achieve transformation

    Before the transformation kicks in it is pertinent to see how the insurance industry has performed so far.  Industry premium income grew at an average of 13.6 percent between 2014 and 2022, from N282 billion to N726.2 billion. The total assets of the sector grew at an average of 12 percent for the same period, from N827.5 billion in 2014 to N2.33 trillion in 2022.

    The Commissioner for Insurance Olorundare Sunday Thomas highlighted NAICOM’s strategic thrusts for the next decade (2024-2033). These thrusts are aimed at transforming the regulatory environment, promoting insurance awareness and adoption, broadening insurance product offerings, enhancing digitalisation, deepening the industry’s talent pool and capabilities, and supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation and sustainability agenda.

    By implementing these strategic initiatives, NAICOM Thomas said “is committed to making the Nigerian insurance industry a vibrant and inclusive sector that plays a key role in the country’s economic development.

    Read Also: NAICOM partners NCRIB to promote professionalism

    To achieve the desired transformation, the insurance industry can take the following specific steps: Insurance companies should invest in digital technologies to enhance the customer experience and reduce costs. This involves creating online platforms for customers to purchase and manage their insurance policies, as well as utilising data analytics for improved underwriting and claims management.

    The insurance industry should aim to cultivate a more diverse workforce that reflects the demographics of Nigeria. This will help gain a better understanding of customer needs and make the industry more attractive to potential customers.

    Insurance companies need to develop innovative insurance products that cater to the unique requirements of different customer segments. This includes creating microinsurance products for low-income earners and addressing emerging risks such as climate change and cybercrime.

    It is important for the insurance industry to educate Nigerians about the advantages of insurance and how to purchase insurance products. This can be achieved through public awareness campaigns, educational programs in schools, and collaborations with banks and microfinance institutions.

    The government should undertake regulatory reforms to establish an environment that supports the growth of the insurance industry. This involves reducing regulatory burdens on insurance companies, streamlining the licensing process, and providing tax incentives to encourage investment in insurance.

    By implementing these measures, the Nigerian insurance industry can overcome challenges and unlock its full potential.

    Recommendations for Transforming Nigeria’s Insurance Industry in the next 10 years

    To transform the insurance industry in the coming decade, the following steps were recommended by industry players.

    They have called for the revision of the Insurance Act of 2003. This is crucial for enforcing mandatory insurance, boosting insurance penetration, and safeguarding Nigerians from financial losses during unforeseen events.

    There must be streamlining and acceleration of claims settlements, similar to practices in the US and Europe. This will instill public trust by ensuring faster and more efficient compensation.

    Regulatory Framework should be reformed to foster innovation and growth by prioritizing substance over approving advertisements to shape and support the sector’s evolution.

    In a bid to revolutionize the Nigerian insurance industry, Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Insurance, has put forward a series of recommendations. These proposals aim to create a more robust and accessible sector that contributes to the country’s economic growth and development.

    One of the key suggestions is to increase the capital base of insurance companies. Elumelu suggests that life insurance companies should have a capital base of N20 billion, while non-life insurance companies should have N30 billion. Additionally, he proposes the consolidation of operators with a capital base of N50 billion.

    To drive industry awareness and promote growth, Elumelu advocates for a mandatory contribution of 0.5% of total revenue from all insurers for a period of five years. This funding would be dedicated to initiatives that enhance industry awareness and education.

    Another area that requires attention, according to Elumelu, is the capital base of insurance brokers. He recommends raising their capital base to N1 billion, which would strengthen their ability to provide quality services to clients.

    In order to foster innovation and ensure that insurance is accessible to all Nigerians, Elumelu emphasises the need to eliminate stifling policies, roadblocks, and complacency within the industry. By creating an enabling environment that encourages innovation, the insurance sector can provide simple and accessible insurance solutions to Nigerians as a fundamental right.

    By implementing these recommendations, the Nigerian insurance industry has the potential to transform into a vibrant and inclusive sector. With the right policies and support, the industry can play a significant role in driving economic growth and development in the country.

    Role of insurance agent

    Insurance agents play a vital role in the Nigerian insurance industry. They are responsible for educating customers about the benefits of insurance and selling insurance products. In 2022, insurance agents contributed 51 percent of the industry’s gross premium.

    In the insurance value chain, insurance agents serve crucial roles that cannot be undermined. First and foremost, sales are an integral part of an insurance agent’s responsibilities. Their primary duty is to identify potential customers who would benefit from insurance coverage and persuade them to purchase suitable insurance products.

    Furthermore, insurance agents also engage in underwriting. This involves gathering pertinent information about customers and comprehending their specific requirements. This data is subsequently employed by insurers to evaluate the level of risk associated with each customer and determine the appropriate pricing for their policies.

    The third significant role of insurance agents is claims management. During this process, they support customers in the filing and administration of their insurance claims. Their expertise ensures that the entire claims process is efficiently handled, providing peace of mind for policyholders.

    Moreover, insurance agents assist customers in risk management. By utilising their profound knowledge and expertise, agents aid clients in recognising potential risks and implementing effective strategies to mitigate them. They play a pivotal role in helping customers safeguard their assets and reduce potential losses.

    Insurance agents perform these vital functions within the insurance industry, serving as a bridge between customers and insurers. Their expertise and dedication are invaluable in ensuring the effective operation of the insurance value chain.

    In addition to their roles in the insurance value chain, insurance agents also play a number of important social and economic roles. They create jobs, generate tax revenue, and help to protect Nigerians from financial losses.

    Insurance agents are a valuable asset to the Nigerian insurance industry. By supporting and empowering insurance agents, the industry can achieve its full potential and play a more significant role in economic growth and development.

  • Israel’s Ayatollahs

    Israel’s Ayatollahs

    • By Diane Francis

    On November 5, Israel‘s Heritage Minister said on radio that dropping a nuclear bomb was “one way” to deal with Gaza. He was also dismissive about providing humanitarian aid and commented “we wouldn’t have given the Nazis humanitarian aid. There’s no such thing as innocents in Gaza.” The world was shocked, and the next day Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended the Minister. But left-leaning newspaper Haaretz said he should have been fired, along with his party leader who has said the Gaza Strip “should be flattened” and wiped “off the map”.

    The incident upset the corridors of power globally and locally, prompting the Editor of pro-Netanyahu newspaper, Yisrael Hayom, to condemn the regime. “Cabinet ministers blurting out incendiary rhetoric only to be reprimanded and then doing it all over again as if nothing happened,” wrote Uri Dagon. “It’s time to think out loud rather than in a whisper: Benjamin Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible.”

    Politics are complicated, but Israel’s current catastrophe isn’t just about politics. It’s about religious fanaticism and raw ambition. It’s about the future of Israel. After a storied career as a war hero and Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Netanyahu began his fall after being charged in 2019 with a number of corrupt practices. To remain in power, he joined forces with ultra-right fanatics and struck a “Faustian Bargain”: He could avoid a trial and possible imprisonment and, in return, would push their ruthless agenda.

    Ever since, religious extremists have been given a green light to illegally annex Palestinian property in the West Bank and the Haredim, or ultra-Orthodox, became exempt from paying taxes or serving in the military. Such political favoritism has eroded the rule of law, democratic rights, and pluralism in the State of Israel, a reality that culminated in mass street protests this year by Israelis after Netanyahu attempted to tamper with the judiciary to suit his political purposes.

    About 73 percent of Israelis are Jewish, and most are not fanatics. The remainder of the country is populated by a mix of Christians, non-Islamist Druze Arabs, and Muslims. But now everyone living there is subjected to a government dominated by extremists and must fight a war that, according to Haaretz and others, was triggered by government security failures that resulted in the October 7 massacre. Now as this government prosecutes a war in such a ferocious way in Gaza, world opinion turns against Israel and its people. “Entire swaths of the government belong to the dangerous far right,” stated Haaretz. “Netanyahu isn’t the solution, but the problem.”

    It’s emblematic that the shocking “nuclear” threat was made by Amicha Eliyahu, a ranking member of Israel’s most troublesome political bloc — the “settlers” in the West Bank. For years, they have seized lands, in contravention of international law, and intimidated and killed Palestinians along the way. Now 500,000 strong, and in control of 40 percent of the West Bank, their tactics are reviled globally but ignored and encouraged by the Netanyahu regime.

    Since the war began, their tactics have escalated, opening another war front. According to The Times of Israel, settlers have committed more than 100 assaults since October 7, sometimes under the protection of Israel’s military, according to Israeli human rights group Yesh Din.

    “The [settler] attacks have allegedly taken place in at least 62 West Bank locations and have caused the death of at least six Palestinians by live fire. Palestinians were killed in clashes with settlers in the West Bank village of Qusra, close to Nablus, on October 11, and two more were gunned down the following day when settlers allegedly opened fire on a funeral procession,” reported The Times of Israel.

    This turmoil has grabbed the attention of allies. The European Union labels it “settler terrorism” and has asked Israel to stop it immediately. President Joe Biden last week said “they’re attacking Palestinians in places they’re entitled to be. It has to stop now.”

    Read Also: The United Nations and the Israeli-Gaza war

    The consensus inside Israel is that Netanyahu must go, and a new cabinet must be assembled that proportionally represents all Israelis and adheres to western norms. This one has no credibility. It launched devastating air attacks on Gaza and then an invasion to destroy a mobile guerrilla army that’s fled or hidden. It has displaced civilians, turned half the place into rubble, and still appears to have no end game in sight apart from revenge.

    Initially, Netanyahu said Gaza would be invaded and Israel’s forces would leave once Hamas was eradicated. Then a possible plan was leaked, prepared by Israeli intelligence, that all of Gaza’s two million residents would be relocated to Egypt, a notion that Cairo immediately stated would constitute a “declaration of war”. Netanyahu then pivoted and told ABC News that Israel would manage security in the Gaza Strip for an “indefinite period” after it dismantled Hamas.

    That was immediately slapped down by Biden. That would perpetuate the “frozen conflict”. Others speculated that, given Israeli’s current crazed leadership, continuing the occupation would replicate the West Bank quagmire where Palestinians remain, but religious settlers are allowed to expropriate large amounts of land, under the watchful eye of Israel’s occupation force.

    “Gaza cannot continue to be run by Hamas. It’s also clear that Israel cannot occupy Gaza,” stated American Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 8. “Now the reality is that there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict, but it is imperative that the Palestinian people [and Palestinian Authority] be central to the governance of Gaza and the West Bank. No reoccupation of Gaza.”

    Tragically, Israelis are trapped in a dysfunctional democracy. They are divided, ignored, and angry. Netanyahu recently had to leave a podium, where he was to address a group of elite reserve soldiers, after one shouted “you are a liar”, among other insults. The war has also upset Israel’s minorities, who pay taxes and whose children served in its military.

    On November 5, leader of Israel’s 150,000 Druze people requested revisions to the country’s Basic Law that was changed in 2018 to limit protection to Jewish residents only. According to The Jerusalem Post, Druze leader Muwafaq Tarif wrote that The Basic Law does not guarantee “our rights” and that, given the war, “it’s time that [situation] changes… Many Druze people serve in the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces], some of whom have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war.”

    Despite dissension, Israelis will remain united during the war. “The real concern is what happens after the war,” wrote Hayom’s Dagon. “It is clear that Netanyahu will not throw in the towel – unlike the IDF senior brass, the intelligence officials, and practically everyone else who is responsible for the October 7 debacle. I dread the prospect of Israel having won the war in Gaza only to lose its collective solidarity as a nation; I fear the chaos that will reign here – which will make the judicial reform protests pale in comparison.

    • This article was originally published in www.kyivpost.com
  • Science and Engineering: The pieces, processes and products

    Science and Engineering: The pieces, processes and products

    • (In quest of global peace and prosperity)
    • By John Moyo Ekundayo

    It is known and recognized that science is the mother that gives birth to engineering. In essence, application of knowledge garnered from such science subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology results in products and/or services that make lives comfortable for human beings globally. It should be highlighted that, from ages, science acting as the bedrock of engineering has evolved, with innate energy, to shape human existence. The pieces garnered from physics, mathematics, chemistry and/or biology when processed appropriately result in delivering products and services making the world to live in comfort and prosperity. It can be seen that there is a byproduct of global peace achieved in the process depending on the context of engagement. A nation that pays little attention to the development of science and engineering is definitely a backward country, and will be considered under developed. Science and engineering are associated with modernity. Hence, nations that are well heeled in science and engineering development boasting of inventions of machines, engines, military hardware, computers, etc., are considered highly ranked or rated. In fact, some of them are referred to as super powers!

    All said and done, application of knowledge garnered from both science and engineering is considered as force for improvement in the welfare of developing states or countries that impacts on the citizens’ quality of life. Conversely, the duo of science and engineering are feared by many to be potential contributors to the dehumanization of man and degradation of the environment. In the course of this treatise, details will be given to substantiate this line of thought.

    Engineering: Ensuring Peaceful Coexistence Through Application of Science

    Engineering deals with the design, building or construction, and use of engines, machines, and structures. Engines and machines are dynamic systems, while structures are static systems. In essence, engineering is about applying ideas to the real world with a view to promote and provide comfort to humanity. This goes a long way to improve quality of life; peace of mind is delivered through application of scientific ideas to solve myriads of problems or challenges confronting our world. One salient and succinct point to bring out of this scenario is that engineering, when rightly exploited, through the detailed processes involving pieces of ideas strewn together delivers products that make life meaningful, remove hardship, accelerate rate of progress, enhance movement of people, goods or services, propel prosperity among humanity and ultimately could be harnessed to usher in global peaceful coexistence.

    According to ReliefWeb, a humanitarian information service provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), it is the belief that science and technology are being explored and exploited in managing conflicts globally. Quoting an excerpt of a 2012 publication:

    “If you looked at any post-conflict intervention – in Bosnia, Afghanistan, or Iraq, for example – it would be pretty difficult to make the case that science and technology are not being used to manage conflict. Information technology in particular provides a crucial platform for communication, training, election monitoring and many other applications. These technologies are, however, off the shelf. They were designed and built for other applications – either military or civilian – and adapted for conflict management” (January 2012).

    Read Also: Fed Govt kicks off science park, museum

    Engineering: Exacerbating The Other Side?

    It is not every application of science that will positively impact the world we work and live in! For instance, through engagement of engineering, weapons of modern warfare are manufactured. One may argue that these pieces of instrument could be utilized to usher and force in peace by all means. However, these pieces of modern machines and engines are means of mass destruction of lives and properties. In addition, through use of applied science, technologies are developed to manufacture drugs that could be injurious to the human body, though when used with recommended dosage and in the right context, the effect could be positive.

    Counting Costs of Conflict Vis-à-vis Conflict Prevention

    Habitually, as an individual, this lecturer often says: peace is the absence of conflict or crisis. Globally, maintaining and sustaining peace may be a silent move but could be costly. The on-going Russia – Ukraine war as well as the Israel – Hamas imbroglio are sore points of neighbours deifying disagreement and consequently escalating such into avoidable loss of lives and properties in gargantuan proportions.

    Over 100 million have died in the conflicts of the last century, and this century has witnessed up to 60 million displaced by conflicts. According to the United Nations Organization (UNO) and the World Bank (WB), total military spending in 2019, globally, moved up to more than a whopping $1,555 billion. This humongous figure is enough to provide education for children globally for three generations! Moreover, every pound sterling spent on conflict prevention saves over 4 pound sterling for the international community. This is amazing! In essence, to sustain peace, sometimes with the inculcation of intelligence gathering, research inquiry, feedback mechanism, use of information communication technology, etc., economically, the countries of the world work better in delivering good dividends to their citizens irrespective of the context or location.

    Conclusion:

    As we mark the year 2023 World Science Day For Peace and Development, it is paramount to sound the clarion call to engineers for the need to cooperate and collaborate, across clans, counties, communities, countries and continents, in order to make life comfortable for humanity so that human beings live in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of colour, creed, religion, race and region. In essence, application of science should be geared towards making life meaningful, relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable at the rate that is accessible and affordable by many and so ensure there is no distinct dichotomy between the poor and rich within the same society. To this effect, right usage of engineering processes could result in production of engines and machines that could engender prosperity and quality of life anywhere within the globe. It is doable, and engineers could begin from now to actualize this!

    “What is the use of war, it brings destruction, more suffering and pain. I believe that humans have common sense and that our basic human nature is more compassionate.” – The Dalai Lama

    In finally concluding this piece, the words of the science pundit and prodigy, Albert Einstein, comes readily to mind. He once succinctly stated: “concern for man himself and his fate (humanity and his fate) should be the concern of all technical endeavours. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.” It is therefore imperative that in the midst of the struggle to be technologically relevant and recognized, countries, globally, in the quest for global peace should tinker along the stand and stake of Albert Einstein in their pursuit of technological innovations and inventions. In the end, as much as we seek the development of more scientifical and engineering advancement, in picking the pieces of science and engineering together in the trajectory towards prosperity, global peace should dictate the pace for scientists and engineers. Thank you for the opportunity to lend my voice on this subject and so share my perspective with this knowledgeable audience.

    •Dr. Ekundayo, MNSE, R. Eng., a registered civil engineer, is the Special Adviser/Director-General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Oke Bareke, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, and could be reached via email: drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

    •Being lecture delivered on Friday, 10th of November to mark the occasion of the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2023 with the theme: “Building Trust in Science”, organized by the Young Engineers Forum of Nigeria, an organ of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch.

  • Israel-Gaza conflicts end up the same

    Israel-Gaza conflicts end up the same

    • By Brent E. Sasley

    The brutality of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and the ruthlessness of the Israeli response, has made some observers wonder if this time, the severity of the violence will finally force Israelis and Palestinians to come up with a real and lasting solution to the conflict over Gaza.

    The problem is, all previous wars between Israel and Hamas have ended up with the status quo ante, and there’s no convincing reason to think this time will be any different. Wars between Israel and Hamas in 2008, 2008-09 and 2014 all ended in ceasefires that have done nothing to resolve the conflict. The result has been ongoing clashes, rocket fire on Israel, Israeli air strikes on Gaza and skirmishes between fighters, all of which have continually led to the killing of civilians.

    A real change in the regional order requires either a political process between Israel and Hamas, or the complete destruction of the latter. Neither of these scenarios is likely, even now — unless diplomats choose to reject this old pattern and replace it with something new.

    Why are we likely to end up in the same pattern this time?

    First, despite the fact that it can claim a devastating number of lives, Hamas does not pose an existential threat to Israel. The State of Israel is a fully integrated member of the international community. It has the region’s most powerful military and a nuclear arsenal, and an American security umbrella. Under these conditions, the most that Hamas can do is engage in intermittent “small” attacks against Israel. All it wants is to survive the current Israeli response so it will be back in position to strike again.

    This means that there is no way for Hamas to force Israel to make real concessions. The most that Hamas has achieved is to exchange kidnapped Israelis for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. But that doesn’t do anything to tamp down the specific disputes between the two.

    Second, neither side has expressed any interest in a genuine political process. Hamas has built its reputation and very purpose on its ability to “resist” Israel. Further, Hamas’ oppressive rule in Gaza has deprived it of the legitimacy it once had as a serious political alternative to Fatah, leaving its legitimacy tied only to such resistance.

    Research has shown insurgent groups only agree to participate in a diplomatic process if they are allowed to share in governing. Yet for Hamas to do so would be to give up its emphasis on violence, its sole reason for existence. The most Hamas has been willing to consider has been negotiations toward a ceasefire or an exchange of captives and prisoners — and that only through an intermediary.

    For its part, no Israeli government from anywhere on the political spectrum has ever indicated any interest in negotiating with Hamas. It, too, has only been willing to consider talks limited toward ceasefires or the release of hostages.

    Third, the status quo ante has been beneficial for the political right in Israel, in the sense that having Hamas in Gaza absolves Israel of having to negotiate with the moderate Fatah over division of the West Bank. So long as a terrorist organization exists on its borders these governments have argued that a peace process is impossible, and no Palestinian state is viable.

    There are reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself has been clear about this strategy. He has been quoted as saying in 2019 that anyone who opposes a Palestinian state should strengthen Hamas at the expense of Fatah. A manager who is most skilled at maintaining the status quo rather than a visionary or statesman who can make bold moves toward peace, Netanyahu is not likely to disrupt a system that has allowed him to avoid making concessions in a peace process. A militarized response that degrades Hamas’ capabilities is a way for him to claim that he has taken action against the organization without addressing concessions on statehood that Netanyahu is clearly unwilling to deliver. The price of Hamas terrorism is one he has been willing to pay.

    Read Also: Silence in Wembley for Israel-Gaza victims – English FA

    If the scale and brutality of Hamas’ attack this time has convinced Israel that the status quo ante really is untenable, Hamas would have to be militarily defeated. But doing so would be extraordinarily difficult — which is the fourth reason change is unlikely.

    Israel’s primary responses to previous Hamas attacks have been the use of air power. But air strikes alone are not enough to eliminate the organization. Even if Israel could demolish all of the above-ground structures that Hamas could use, the organization still has its network of tunnels beneath Gaza that it could use as a base of operations to launch a prolonged guerilla war.

    The only sure way to defeat Hamas is through a sustained ground invasion and long-term occupation. This would require the Israel Defense Forces to move slowly and methodically through both open spaces and urban areas to capture or kill Hamas fighters and leaders. This will put Israeli lives at risk — a risk that Netanyahu has tended to avoid — and lead to more Palestinian casualties, both civilians and militants. The longer such an operation continued, the more likely Israel would be subject to increasingly heavy international pressure to end the operation, probably before the military objective is met.

    Fifth, defeating Hamas on the battlefield would be inadequate to change the status quo because the conditions that have strengthened it over the years would remain in place. Studies of past counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaigns all stress the importance of long-term planning regarding the post-war settlement.

    It does not appear that Israel has a plan for stabilizing and governing Gaza after the war. Neither the Israeli public nor Israeli leaders have any appetite for administering a territory so damaged from years of war and blockade.

    A possible alternative is a coalition of actors including some combination of Arab states, Fatah, some European states, the Arab League and the United Nations. But the taint of colonialism would probably stick to the endeavor. Palestinians are also unlikely to view this as anything other than demeaning.

    Perhaps the best alternative is a multi-stage process, each phase building on the previous one. The first stage would be Israel convincing Hamas that its destruction really is imminent unless it is willing to engage in a political process, by a relentless military campaign that targets Hamas in Gaza and a diplomatic initiative to convince the international community to undercut Hamas’ finances and to stop hosting Hamas leaders.

    Such a process would require that the Israeli government reduce its commitment to expanding settlements in the West Bank and stop allowing right-wing Jews to march toward the Dome of the Rock, one of the holiest Islamic sites that sits atop the Western Wall, one of the holiest places for Jews. It would also require that Israel remove the blockade on Gaza. All of these policies convince Palestinians that Israel has no interest in peace. The removal of the blockade could be done piecemeal, in tandem with or in response to steps taken by Hamas to end its commitment to violence and improve governance of Gaza.

    Despite a few calls for such a process among Israelis and Palestinians, doing so in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ murderous violations and the ongoing deaths of thousands in Israel’s bombing campaign does not seem possible. But ultimately, the sheer number of deaths since Oct. 7 might finally be enough to make leaders and the public on both sides accept both the need and the hope for change — if everyone involved understands the deeper causes that have actually hobbled past attempts at peace.

    •This article was first published in www.politico.com with the headline ‘Israel-Gaza Conflicts End Up the Same. Here’s How This Could Be Different’

  • Helping hand

    Helping hand

    • Saudi Arabia offers succour and hope for Kano conjoined twins

    Twins Hussaina and Hassana, who were conjoined at birth, received a rare hope when Saudi Arabia authorities took interest in their plight. The twins have since been admitted at a world renowned Children Hospital at the Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. The hosts are bearing the full cost, including transporting the twins and their parents from Nigeria, their welfare, and comfort. This is great international humanitarian gesture for which the Kano State and Nigerian government must be grateful. The least our government could do was the Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf seeing them off at the airport and our ambassador to the Saudi kingdom being on hand to receive them upon arrival in Riyadh.

    A number of lessons stand out from this gesture. The Federal Government should be humbled by the development. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSARelief) is said to have reviewed 133 sets of conjoined twins from 24 countries since it started operation in 1990, and 59 sets of such twins have been successfully separated and thus given the freedom to live independently.

    Hussaina and Hassanah are said to be joined in the chest and thus share vital organs, therefore making the separation a very delicate operation. It is worthy of note that it is to Saudi Arabia that they headed, and not the advanced countries of Western Europe  and the United States of America.  Isn’t it humiliating that more than six decades after independence,  Nigeria does not have one centre of medical excellence where such critical operation could take place? If Saudi Arabia could manage its oil resources so well that it has a world renowned medical centre, shouldn’t we now repeat the poser by the late Professor Ayodele Awojobi regarding where our oil money has gone? Some exasperated Nigerians have wondered aloud if what was supposed to be oil blessing has not turned to a curse.

    We cannot but recall that billions of Naira was spent under the Obasanjo administration to turn six of our teaching hospitals to centres of excellence. It is apposite to ask now what became of the project.

    Saudi Arabia is offering us helping hand from a high-standard Children Hospital. The Association of Paediatric Surgeons in Nigeria recently lamented that it had only 130 members, of which some have gone in search of greener pastures. It could be added, how many of the 130 are satisfied with the situation in Nigerian hospitals, with many patients who could be helped dying because necessary equipment are unavailable? This is in a country of more than 200million people.

    It is time for the Federal Government to get serious and accelerate the announced plan for improvement of the country’s healthcare system. When the Federal Government takes the lead, the sub-national governments will follow suit.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign MoU on oil, gas investment

    The humanitarian gesture is also laudable. Beyond caring for the people of Saudi Arabia, other countries have benefited from the kingdom’s benevolence. When Nigerians, including some prominent retired sports men and women, actors and actresses, among others, are knocked down by chronic diseases, they resort to begging the public for support to go seek overseas medicare. In the process, some have succumbed to the cold hands of death before help came their way.

    Whether for health, election, education or direct investment, Nigeria relies on foreigners for support. We claim to be the giant of Africa, but when health needs are critical, we turn to India, Israel, South Africa, Egypt, and sometimes Saudi Arabia as in the case of these conjoined twins. Yet, successive leaders appear to have been comfortable with the situation as they could afford the best treatments in other countries, spending scarce foreign exchange resources on medical tourism. A world survey of healthcare systems in the world for 2023 ranks Nigeria at the 157th  position, while Saudi Arabia is among the top 26. The country is even ahead of the United Kingdom and United States. It offers all citizens free health coverage and is only challenged by the number of medical personnel needed to cater for its 36 million population. Sitting at the top of the table is Singapore, followed by the likes of South Korea, Norway and China. The bitter irony is that many of the countries whose systems are highly rated parade a large number of Nigerian medical personnel who dumped their home country out of frustration over poor working conditions.

    The countries that have the best healthcare systems did not arrive there overnight. They planned and worked tirelessly to cater for their people and others now seeking their services at costs that are rewarding to them for their national investment.

    The new Bola Tinubu presidency could start by making the health insurance policy functional for all Nigerians. It should neither be put into words nor implied in action that good healthcare is for only the rich, as a former Nigerian minister once said of telecommunications. Good healthcare must be made accessible to every Nigerian citizen. And that can only be the case when our hospitals are well equipped with modern medicare facilities, and the health system retains trained medical personnel that are currently emigrating in droves in search of greener pastures. This is a historic task that the Nigerian governing elite must undertake.  

  • P&ID judgment, EFCC and facts of the matter 

    P&ID judgment, EFCC and facts of the matter 

    • By Akin Popoola

    In the wake of a landmark victory for Nigeria at the Commercial Court of England and Wales, which stopped the enforcement of an $11.5billion Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited arbitration award against the country over a failed 2010 deal to develop a gasoline processing plant within the nation, the federal government, Nigerians, policymakers, media professionals, and other critical stakeholders have lauded the significant triumph, bringing an end to a protracted legal battle between the federal government and P&ID.

    While celebrating the 141-page judgment of Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, it is imperative to remember and celebrate the former acting chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, who was maligned, fought, harangued, and humiliated out of office. It was his tears, his blood, and his sacrifices that have contributed to the victory that all Nigerians are celebrating today.

    It is also important to state that there is the need to celebrate the members of the P&ID Unit that Ibrahim Magu established, who worked tirelessly, most times through the night, for years, to unravel the fraud, money laundering and corruption scheme aimed to cripple Nigeria.

    While this ground breaking judgment has drawn the attention of both local and international stakeholders, with many commending the federal government for its audacious move and resilience, it is imperative for stakeholders to commend Magu for the pivotal role he played in unravelling the monumental fraud and questionable arrangements that led to the signing of a Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) on January 11, 2010 between the Federal Government through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) and Process & Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID).

    The EFCC’s contributions, especially in the initial stages of this complex case, need to be recognized and appreciated to set the records straight.

    Records show that in June 2018, Magu received a petition from the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) and Minister of Justice, conveying directives from former President Muhammadu Buhari. These directives mandated discreet investigations into the circumstances surrounding the signing of the GSPA on January 11, 2010, between the MPR and P&ID. It was this pivotal moment that set the stage for a thorough examination of the questionable practices that led to a deal detrimental to Nigeria’s interests.

    Incidentally, the EFCC’s discreet investigation exposed a web of monumental corruption that underpinned the ill-conceived agreement between the federal government and the P&ID. This revelation provided the impetus and essential evidence for the federal government to vigorously pursue justice and discard the agreement.

    It is instructive to note that Sir Ross Cranston of Royal Court of Justice, London had in his 43-page judgment delivered on April 7, 2020 in case No CL- 2019- 000752 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Claimant) and the Process and Industrial Developments Limited (Defendant), acknowledged the tremendous investigation by the EFCC under Magu’s watch in establishing monumental fraud by the P&ID against Nigeria.

    Having examined the submissions of the parties and the evidence before him, Justice Cranston had granted Nigeria’s application for stay of execution of the arbitral award which laid the favourable foundation for the latest judgment by Justice Knowles.

    Justice Cranston also said in his landmark judgment that, “ The Attorney General’s letter to the EFCC of June 28, 2018, containing the president’s instructions, referred not to fraud but to a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the GSPA and the subsequent events.

    “In my view, Mr Mill (counsel to P&ID) underplayed the work which was undertaken over the June 2018-August 2019 period. In particular there was the successful prosecution of P&ID and P&ID Nigeria on 19 September 2019, based on the groundwork undertaken during this fifteen-month period.

    “I accept that, compared to what happened after August 2019, it cannot be said that the investigation proceeded with the same sense of urgency. There is also Mr Malami’s letter, which became available after the hearing, and the investigation being carried out into the conduct of Mr Magu as acting head of the EFCC at the time.

    “With respect, I find it hard to read the letter as an attack on Mr Magu alone and not on the performance of the EFCC under his leadership. Mr Magu’s reference to the staggering volume of work done by the EFCC after June 2018 – if that is what his letter says – might be treated as special pleading.

    Read Also: I was not involved in P&ID case, says Sagay

    “In my view, however, this does not assist P&ID in its argument that reasonable diligence was lacking. There is certainly nothing to suggest that a deliberate decision was taken in the Takhar sense not to investigate fraud. Nor is there anything to suggest that there was a deliberate decision to proceed slowly.

    “What occurred might have been the EFCC proceeding at its normal pace, in light of the resources allocated to it, the other inquiries it was conducting, and conditions in Nigeria.

    “By comparison, the position after August 2019 might be exceptional and prompted by the serious position Nigeria faced in the light of Butcher J’s decision on P&ID’s enforcement application. At this point it is impossible to say.

    “However, I cannot accept Mr Mill’s submission that there was no proper or diligent investigation. The basic point is that there was no specific information such that Nigeria ought to have become aware of the building blocks of the fraud now alleged.

    “Nigeria has to my mind, made a strong prima facie case in fraud in its serious irregularity challenge. On closer investigation this is not the type of case Butcher J rightly warned about in his judgment ordering the present hearing, where a party who has been unsuccessful in the arbitration alleges fraud in relation to the procurement of the underlying contract or in relation to the conduct of the arbitration, when that was not properly investigated at the time of the arbitration: The Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process & Industrial Developments Limited [2020] EWHC 129 (Comm), [31].Factor (vii): [2013] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 86, [33].

    “For the reasons I have given, P&ID has contributed to the delay, and it will not by reason of the delay suffer irremediable prejudice in addition to the mere loss of time if the application is permitted to proceed. Although not a primary factor, fairness in the broadest sense favours an extension in this case.”

    Granting Nigeria’s application for stay of proceedings over the unfair and fraudulent arbitral award, Justice Cranston then said, “For the reasons given, I grant Nigeria’s applications for an extension of time and relief from sanctions “

    As Nigeria joins other countries in the world to tackle corruption and its negative effects on mankind,  it is important to remind the stakeholders that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility and we must join hands in reducing the corrosive impacts of the big elephant in the room to barest minimum.

    • Popoola, a public affairs analyst, contributes this piece from Lagos