Category: Online Special

  • Full list of 29 Nigerian words added to Oxford dictionary

    A total of 29 Nigerian words and expressions have been included in the latest January 2020 updates of Oxford English Dictionary.

    Some of the words included are ‘Ember Month’, ‘Danfo’, ‘Non-indigene’, ‘Guber’, ‘Tokunbo’, ‘MamaPut’, ‘Kannywood ‘Next Tomorrow’, among others

    Here is a full list 

    agric, adj. and n.: “Of, relating to, or used in agriculture; = agricultural adj. Now chiefly West African.”

    barbing salon, n.: “A barber’s shop.”

    buka, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. bukateria n., mama put n. Frequently as a modifier…”

    bukateria, n.: “A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. Cf. buka n., mama put n.”

    chop, v.6, Additions: “transitive. Ghanaian English and Nigerian English. To acquire (money) quickly and easily. Frequently in negative sense: to misappropriate, extort, or…”

    chop-chop, n.2: “Bribery and corruption in public life; misappropriation or embezzlement of funds. Also as a modifier.”

    danfo, n.: “A yellow minibus that carries passengers for a fare as part of an informal transport system in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria. Also as a…”

    to eat money, in eat, v., Additions: “Now chiefly Nigerian English and East African. to eat money: to acquire money dishonestly; to misappropriate, extort, or embezzle funds. Cf. chop v.6…”

    ember months, n.: “The final four months of the calendar year (September to December), esp. considered together as a period of heightened or intense activity.”

    flag-off, n.: “The moment at which a race, esp. a motor race, is flagged off (see flag v.4 additions a); the start of a race. Now chiefly Indian English and…”

    flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive (usually in passive). To direct (a driver) to start a motor race, esp. one in which the competitors start at intervals, by…”
    flag, v.4, Additions: “to flag off. transitive. Indian English and Nigerian English. In extended use: to start (an event or undertaking).”

    gist, n.3, Additions: “Nigerian English. Idle chat, gossip. Also: an instance of this, a rumour or piece of gossip.”

    gist, v.2: “transitive. To reduce (a text, document, etc.) to its essence or gist; to condense, summarize, or précis.”

    guber, adj.: “Of or relating to a governor or governorship; = gubernatorial adj.”

    Kannywood, n.: “The Nigerian Hausa-language film industry, based in Kano; Kano regarded as the centre of this industry. Cf. Nollywood n.”

    K-leg, n.: “In singular and plural. A condition in which one or both of a person’s knees are turned inwards, resulting in a noticeable gap between the feet when…”

    mama put, n.: “A street vendor, typically a woman, selling cooked food at low prices from a handcart or stall. Also: a street stall or roadside restaurant run by…”

    next tomorrow, n. and adv.: “The day after tomorrow.”

    non-indigene, adj. and n.: “Not native. In later use chiefly West African: belonging to an ethnic group considered not to be indigenous to a particular area.”

    okada, n.: “In Nigeria: a motorcycle which passengers can use as a taxi service.”

    to put to bed in put, v.: “West African. to put to bed: to give birth. Also: to give birth to (a child).”

    qualitative, adj., sense 3: “West African. Of high quality; excellent.”

    to rub minds in rub, v.1: “to rub minds (together): (of two or more people) to consider a matter jointly; to consult and work together; to confer. Similarly to rub our (also…”

    sef, adv.: “Used for emphasis after a statement or rhetorical question, often expressing irritation or impatience.”

    send-forth, n.: “A celebration or event to mark a person’s departure; a send-off. Frequently as a modifier, as send-forth ceremony, send-forth party, etc.”

    severally, adv., Additions: “East African and West African. On several occasions; repeatedly.”

    tokunbo, adj.: “Denoting an imported second-hand product, esp. a car.”
    zone, v.

    zoning, n., Additions: “Nigerian English. The system or practice of allocating nominations for certain political offices to candidates from particular regions, as part of an…”

  • Five unsung ‘qualifications’ of Lagos conductors

    By Gabriel Ogunjobi

    With over 5 million cars and 200,000 commercial vehicles on the roads (when the national average is 11 vehicles per kilometer), Lagos daily records an average of 227 vehicles per kilometer of road.

    Therefore, it is not wrong to state that road transportation contributes immensely to the economy of the commercial hub of Nigeria and Lagos conductors are huge players in the chain.

    If you are a regular commuter within the Lagos city, you must have noticed at least one of the following attributes in a typical Lagos conductor:

    Logistics abilities: Here and there are usually road repairs and new construction around the tiny network of just 9,100 roads every day, which often results in traffic gridlocks, an average of 30 hours in on a weekly basis.

    Owing to the abilities of the conductors to foresee routes less congested, he/she advises the driver on the route to travel so as to beat the traffic. That is helpful for the Lagos working population who is rushing to work or an important appointment.

    The ability to discern the road ‘less taken’ by the conductors sometimes comes with a price too — that is when the driver decides to hike the fare by N50 or N100 on the excuse that most roads are clogged.

    READ ALSO: Bus Conductors to start wearing uniforms in Lagos, Jan.1, 2018

    Traffic control abilities: There must be enthusiasm to control traffic. Or, to be more civil, use ‘ clear the way’. You may not find the traffic light or traffic officials on every road. In a jiffy and without necessarily been told by the driver, you’ll see the conductor hop down from the side of the bus – to gain passage in an event of unexpected gridlock. It’s usually a collaborative effort with colleagues on duty if that does not turn awry sometimes.

    A mix of pidgin language: An average Lagosian can speak fluently in (British or American) English or the Nigerian-styled pidgin English. The reason for this not far-fetched even though Lagos is one of the six Yoruba’s Southwestern states in the country.

    The state attracts numerous tribes in Nigeria and even foreigners in spite of its vast economy. Therefore, the conductors, alongside their drivers, blend with the language style. Aside from fetching the transport fares with it, s/he will, in fact, throw banters with it even the need arises.

    Mathematical skill: Maybe this ought to come first. You can never outsmart a Lagos conductor. ‘Bring N150, collect N30’. How?! You may swiftly ask in awe because that arithmetic doesn’t resonate with you. Maybe because you’re fagged out after the day’s work or calculation is simply not your own soft spot. Not for a Lagos conductor! Every dime matters.

    Physical strength: While many cannot stand the winter or scorching sun for so long, conductors romance all kinds of weather – sun or rain. Fair, dark; lanky or ‘brief’, they are exceptional for their ruggedness. Their constant posture is to lean by the door chanting: ‘Iyana Isolo, Oshodi’; or ‘Cele, Mile 2.’ Now, you know where I crisscross every day, right? That’s it!

    Hustling is a daily endeavor for every conductor and for that, they all deserve respect for the sake of their mental health.

  • Top celebrity weddings to watch in 2020

    By Praise Olowe

     

    2019 was particularly filled with high-profile engagements. It just seemed like one celebrity after the other has paired off.

    One of the most talked-about union to look forward to in 2020 should be that of Ace singer Davido and Chioma.

    Although, fans are still keeping their fingers crossed considering the recent rift between Davido, singer Peruzzi and Goldenboy Entertainment boss, King Patrick.

    Patrick had alleged that Davido’s fiancee Chioma is a side chick to Peruzzi and not his cousin.

    However, if the wedding between the duo should proceed in 2020, it will undeniably be the most talked-about union of the year.

    Here is a list of star-studded weddings on the horizon in 2020:

    * Khafi and Gedoni

    It really wouldn’t be a wrong idea, to begin with, these two reality TV stars.

    Khafi Kareem and Gedoni Ekpata were former housemates of the popular reality TV show Big Brother Naija.
    Just like we witnessed the blissful union between Teddy A and Bambam, thus is set to be another powerful couple made out of BBNaija.

    Since the first week in the house, Khafi and Gedoni had formed a strong bond. They spent quality time together in the house.

    However on December 26, 2019, a few months after the show came to an end, Khaffi took to her Instagram page where she announced their engagement.

    She shared a picture of Gedoni hugging her while holding a piece of paper with the inscription “I said Yes”.
    Khaffi described her engagement to Gedoni as the best Christmas gift ever.

    She wrote; “Oh, and I got the best Christmas gift ever. #MrsEkpataloading”.

    This is one wedding we look forward to in 2020.

    * Josh2funny and girlfriend

    Popular social media comedian and Instagram personality widely known for his skits, Josh2funny in October last year proposed to his girlfriend.

    The celebrity took to his Instagram handle where he made the announcement.

    He shared photos of himself and his wife to be.

    “Them don collect me oooooo,” he captioned one of the pictures

    * Crazeclown and Jojo


    Social media comedian Emmanuel Ogonna Iwueke also known as Craze Clown last December announced the engagement between himself and his girlfriend Jojo via Instagram.

    The Ukraine trained medical doctor turned comedian shared pictures of the proposal with the caption “She said YESSSSS!!! #BestWayToEndTheYear.”

    This makes him the second Instagram comedian whose wedding we are definitely looking forward to this year.

    * Spiff and Sandra


    Comedian actor popular for his character in the TV series The Johnson’s, Samuel Ajibola, better known as Spif officially engaged his girlfriend Sandra.

    The film star known majorly for his funny roles made the announcement this year via Instagram.

    He shared the pictures of himself and his wife to be. They had their traditional wedding in Anambra on January 6.

    * Davido and Chioma

    Despite all recent controversies and allegations, this is a big wedding that Nigerians are waiting for.

    Ace music star Davido proposed for Chioma in September 2019. According to him, they dated for six years before he finally popped the big question

    A month after the engagement, Chioma and Davido welcomed a baby boy and named him David Adedeji Ifeanyi Adeleke Jnr.

    Regardless of the allegations by Entertainment boss, King Patrick that Davido’s fiancee Chioma is a side chick to Peruzzi and not his cousin, Nigerians are still waiting and hoping that #CHIVIDO2020 becomes reality.

  • Health benefits of eating carrots

    Our Reporter

    Help prevent cancer

    Carrots contain numerous phytochemicals that are well-studied for their anticancer properties. A few of these compounds include beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These compounds promote immunity and activate certain proteins that inhibit cancer cells. Studies show that the juice from carrots can combat leukemia as well.Carrots are also found to lower oral cancer risk.

    Promote eye health

    Vitamin A in recommended quantities is essential for good vision, and carrots offer the nutrient in abundance. If a person is deprived of vitamin A for too long, the outer segments of the eyes’ photoreceptors begin to deteriorate. This disrupts the normal chemical processes involved in vision. Restoring your vitamin A intake can facilitate restoration of your vision.

    Might enhance hair growth

    Carrots are powerhouses of vitamins A and C, carotenoids, potassium, and other antioxidants – all of which contribute to hair health. There is limited research on this, though.

    Promote skin health

    Carrots are rich in carotenoids. Research suggests that fruits and vegetables rich in these compounds can improve complexion and one’s overall appearance. They achieve this by giving your skin a healthy glow. Be mindful, though – overconsuming carrots ((or other foods high in carotenoids) can result in a condition called carotenosis, wherein your skin appears yellow or orange.

    Carrot-Juice
    Carrot-Juice

    Regulate blood pressure

    A recent study claimed that carrot juice contributed to a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure. The nutrients present in carrot juice, including fiber, potassium, nitrates, and vitamin C – are found to aid this effect .

    Aid diabetes treatment

    Following a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies show that high blood levels of vitamin A may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Carrots, being abundant in this nutrient, make for an ideal addition to a diabetic meal.

    Boost immunity

    Vitamin A regulates the functioning of your system and prevents infections. It achieves this by boosting your body’s immunity. Get this immune-boosting vitamin from carrots. Carrots also contain vitamin C. This nutrient further contributes to strengthening the immune system.

    Strengthen bones

    Vitamin A influences bone cell metabolism. The beta-carotene in carrots is a strong antioxidant that is associated with bone health .

    May aid weight loss

    Raw, fresh carrots are about 88% water. A medium carrot has only about 25 calories. Hence, including carrots in your diet is a smart way of fill yourself up without piling on calories.

    Carrots also contain fiber. A study showed that meals containing whole and blended carrots resulted in higher satiety levels in the test subjects.

    Read Also: Health benefits of cucumber

    Lower cholesterol levels

    Carrot consumption reduces cholesterol absorption and increases the antioxidant status of your body. These effects can also promote cardiovascular health. Raw carrots are also rich in a fiber called pectin that helps lower cholesterol.

    Are good for the teeth and gums

    Crisp and raw carrots help clear plaque from the teeth and freshen your breath. The fibrous carrots also increase salivation, which can neutralize the citric and malic acids usually left behind in your mouth.

    Promote liver health and eliminate toxins

    Carrots contain glutathione, a supermolecule that helps detoxify the liver. The veggies are also high in plant flavonoids and beta-carotene, both of which stimulate and support your overall liver function. The vitamin A in carrots also combats liver diseases.

    Source: stylecraze.com

  • Five things to do when you’re lonely

    By Tolulope Oni

    We definitely live in a world where there are activities all around and lots of excitement. Communication basically is key in surviving in this world. When we communicate with family, friends and loved ones, they help to bring a sort of happiness and joy to us. I can imagine the feeling of being with family and loved ones. It feels great, isn’t it?.

    With all these, people still experience the issue of being lonely and can’t seem to shake it off. When someone gets lonely or have a feeling of being lonely, it could lead to having health issues, depression and even having the thoughts of committing suicide.

    With this, let me take you through on some of things one can do to put a stop of being lonely:

    * Talk about it

    The thing to do first is to involve people that you trust on the issue you face. It might seem a little hard to do so since you’ve grown deep into the world of loneliness but it surely pays off when you discuss the problem one faces to someone who is ready to listen. When this is done, it’ll help in the other phases to stop loneliness.

    * Recognise you are not alone

    The issue of loneliness is a big thing because due to this, many have committed the act of killing themselves.

    READ ALSO: Five things you need to do before moving out of Nigeria

    The next step to take is to learn that you’re not alone in this world. I wonder why one will feel lonely but do you know that there are great people and excitements in this world. You need to know that there are people who are ready to help on issues one faces.

    *Join a forum

    When the issue of loneliness surfaces, it is also advisable to join a forum. A forum is a gathering where people with different life issues come together to share them and to majorly seek advice and solutions.

    In the gathering, pour out your mind so that the help you seek for can be rendered. In these gatherings, there are people with a high sense of humour that you can relate with to help put a stop to loneliness.

    *Engage in social media

    The social media is a way one can use to stop loneliness. In this state, visit the social media platforms ( facebook, twitter, instagram, etc). There are articles that are filled with mind-changing information that helps greatly.

    Though, the social media have some bad sides, but with helping individuals, the social media is helpful.

    * Seek Professional help

    It is necessary to seek the help of professionals when you’re in the state of loneliness. Loneliness is for a short time and definitely will go away if necessary steps are taken to ensure so. With one seeking the help of professionals, they would help to give solutions on the issue.

  • Interesting facts about 13th month salary you should know

    By Chinyere Okoroafor

    A 13th month salary is a payment that an employer pays to employees according to different terms of law or contract of employment.

    The payment, which usually takes place around December, is traditionally called Christmas bonus and the salary may be equivalent to one full month salary.

    However, the origin of 13th month payment or salary is believed to come from the fact that some months have five weeks instead of four.

    Meanwhile, the 13th-month salary is not new. It is believed to have been in practice in Italy as far back as the 1930s and it is called Tredicesima mensilit.

    The value of the 13th month payment is to enhance better staff performance and support them during the festive periods. It is to ensure that employees have money to spend during the end of year.

    The countries where 13th month salary is mandated by law are Brazil, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay and Philippines.

    The payment is usually given to (permanent) employees, mainly in December. There is also an option to give in two installments, first in May and then November.While in countries like in Armenia and Nepal, the 13th month payment is not mandated by law but it is usually paid to employees at the same time with December month salary before the New Year holidays.

    Countries in Europe like Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Turkey and Austria have no unitary regulation, and the thirteenth salary is mostly regulated in collective agreement.

    It is worthy to note that United Kingdom does not recognize the 13th-month pay. It is also alleged that some organizations in the USA pay employees 13th month pay, but it is not mandatory.

    In Singapore, it is called the Annual Wage Supplement (AWS) and it is mandated by law.

    Throughout Latin America, the primary reason why the 13th payment is sanctioned by law is to support workers with their children school fee and at the same time put more money in their pocket during the yuletide season. This is why it is paid in two equal installments, firstly at the beginning of school season and latest on the 24th of December in a calendar year.

    Meanwhile in Nigeria, the 13th-month salary or payment is not statutory. But it is alleged that some organisations in Nigeria practise it based on management approval, collective bargaining or by a contract of employment between employers and their employees.

    Under the Concurrent List, states in Nigeria are given some power to implement measures that could improve their workers’ well-being.

    For example, Lagos state government extended the period of maternity leave to six months for women and approved paternity leave for male officers under the Lagos State civil service.

    READ ALSO: How modulated salary saved jobs in Osun

    Also, Osun State during ex-governor Ogbeni Aregbesola administration approved 13th-month pay for the Osun state civil servants. But such state law does not make it mandatory for other states or corporate bodies to do same.

    Some workers have wondered if 13th monthly salary is a bonus. However, if you are paid on a monthly basis, the 13th month salary (bonus) is a compulsory.

    Here are the reasons why workers desire to be paid the 13th month salary:

    *Workers are usually underpaid on most months except February.

    *We have four weeks in a month and basically workers only get paid for 28 days in a month.

    *In fact, workers are underpaid in every other month other than February. January (3days), March (3days), April (2days), May (3days), June (2days), July (2days), August (3days), September (2days), October (3days), November (2days), and December (3days).

    *The above number of days when summed up is 29 days. This means that in reality, the 13th month salary idea is your pay. And it is not really a bonus. So if you are going to receive a 13th month salary, it is important to note that it is part of your salary.

  • What you probably didn’t know about Imo Gov-elect Uzodinma

    By Praise Olowe

    Senator Hope Uzodinma was declared Imo Governor on January 14, 2020.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, led a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court that sacked Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodinma as governor.

    Here are things to know about him:

    * He was elected Senator for the Orlu (Imo West) constituency of Imo State in the April 2011.
    * He is 61 years old having been born on 12 December, 1958

    * He is married to Chioma Ikeaka and they are blessed with two daughters Sophie Nkem Uzodinma, Sandra Nkechi Uzodinma

    *Uzodinma obtained his O’Level results at Mgbidi Secondary School, Oru West in 1982. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and an Advanced Diploma in Transport Studies. He has an Honorary Doctorate degree from Imo State University and a Fellow of the College of Agriculture, Umuagwo.
    *Uzodinma won the PDP primary for the Imo West Senatorial race on 9 January 2011, gaining 2,147 votes while the incumbent Senator Osita Izunaso came second with 891 votes.

    *However, on 5 February 2011 a Federal High court declared that Izunaso was the candidate of the party for the senatorial seat since Uzodinma had not been cleared by the PDP’s electoral panel headed by Orji Nwafor-Orizu. It seems that Nwafor-Orizu had been influenced by the December 2010 petition.

    Read Also; Uzodinma orders banks to freeze Imo accounts

    *The judge ordered the PDP to submit Izunaso’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate who had received the most votes among those qualified to run. A Court of Appeal issued a stay of execution on 17 March 2011 while the case was being decided, leaving Uzodinma free to campaign.

    *On 5 April 2011 the Court of Appeal upheld the 5 February high court judgement and declared that Uzodinma was not qualified to run and should not represent himself as a candidate. Uzodinma appealed this decision with the Supreme Court.

    I*n the 9 April 2011 elections, Uzodinma received 85,042 votes, ahead of former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with 64,228 votes and Rajis Okpalan Benedicta of the All Progressives Grand Alliance with 57,110 votes.

    *On 5 May 2011 the Supreme Court overturned the earlier decisions and declared that Uzodinma was the valid candidate and therefore had been elected The decision was influenced by the minutes of a 5 January 2011 meeting of the PDP’s National Working Committee that was attached to the April appeal to the Supreme Court.

    *The meeting had overruled Nwafor-Orizu’s decision to disqualify Uzodinma and rejected the December 2010 petition, saying “there was no evidence that Chief Hope Uzodinma has been convicted for murder, armed-robbery, obtaining money by false pretense and or for bankruptcy”.

    Source: Wikipedia

  • Nigerian celebrities who married older women

    Nigerian celebrities who married older women

    By Praise Olowe

     

    It is often common among Nigerians to spend the rest of their lives with someone who is in the same age bracket.

    Perhaps based on culture, many think it is really weird for a man to marry a woman who is much older than him.

    However, for some people, and even Nigerian celebrities, a large age gap works well.

    Here are Nigerian celebrities with daring age gaps between them and their women:

    *Lola and Peter Okoye

    Singer Peter Okoye is married to Lola Omotayo, who is said to be six years older.

    Omotayo is a marketing representative. The couples are already parents to son Cameron and daughter Aliona.

    Peter and his twin brother Paul were born on the 18th of November 1981.

    In an interview years back, Lola spoke on their age difference. She said: “Like I said, Peter is an old soul and he always tells me that I’m like a 23-year-old.
    “Even in Nigeria here, they are dating people far older than their age. So, we shouldn’t base it on the age factor. He doesn’t make me feel like he’s younger than me.”
    On November 17, 2013, Peter and Lola walked down the aisle as husband and wife in a lavish wedding ceremony.

    * Kaffy and Joseph Ameh

    Kafayat Sharafat popularly known as Kaffy is a dancer, choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach. She is best known for breaking the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party” at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006.

    Kaffy, a mother of two, got married to Joseph Ameh one of P Square’s drummers in 2012.

    She is eight years older than Pappy J as he is popularly called.
    The couple has been very happy together.

    *Deola Ayeni and Dare Art-alade

    Dare Art Alade – popularly known as Darey – is a musician, singer-songwriter, and Idol series judge. He is the son of the renowned Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade.

    Dare honed his skills at an early age, singing with several choirs, including the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and then the Cathedral Choir. From 15, he began performing extensively in clubs around Lagos, Ibadan and other cities in Nigeria.

    Dare Art-Alade and his wife Deola Ayeni, who is said to be eight years, have been married for more than 10 years.

    Dare said of the age difference: ” No pressures at all! Everybody at sometime finds what works for him or her. I am perfectly happy with my marriage to my wife and I absolutely have no problems or pressures of any sort.”

    This is another couple who has proved to us that age Is just a number when it comes to marriage.

  • Five things to know about Quique Setien, new Barca coach

    By, Tolulope Oni

    FC Barcelona has appointed former Real Betis coach, Quique Setien to replace Ernesto Valverde.

    This change came after recent loss to Atletico Madrid in the semifinal clash of the Spanish Super Cup.

    Here are 5 things to know about the new Barça manager:

    * Lionel Messi fan

    The new Barça manager is a big fan of Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi. When it comes to choosing the best in the world, he chooses Messi. He calls Messi “best player in the world”. The coach loves Messi a lot and definitely, he would play an integral role in his plans taking over as head coach of the side.

    * Formation

    During his time as the head coach of Real Betis, he favoured the use of a 3-4-2-1 formation and 4-3-3 formation, which he will probably use at Barcelona.

    READ ALSO: Quique Setien oversees first training as Barca coach

    Setien builds play from the back, which is the style of the Spanish club. Barcelona is also known to play from the defense and connect to the midfielders and attackers.

    *Building of notable players

    In his time at Betis, Quique Setien trained and developed young talents like Lo Celso who later moved to English side, Tottenham Hotspur. Fabian Ruiz is also a player developed by Setien.

    He played a crucial role in his time at Betis before moving to Napoli in Italy. Barcelona are considering to sign him and with signing of Setien as head coach, he might probably have a re-think about moving back to Spain to play at Camp Nou.

    *Developing young players

    The new head coach developed young players in his time at Betis and with this, it made Barcelona secure the signing of Junior Firpo as a future project for the Catalan club.

  • Why Nigeria’s coal-fired electricity project is a big contradiction

    By Gilbert Alasa

     

    Nigeria is like a thirsty man but would rather swallow coals of fire than gulp water.

    So, when the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Abubakar Bawa, announced plans by the Federal Government to boost power generation through coal in 2020, it sounded like good music to the ears of most Nigerians. And for obvious reasons, too.

    Image Credit: ICIR

    For a nation of nearly 200 million people – where darkness persists and where power generation only reached 5,090MW in April 2018 – Nigerians are not in the best position to negotiate the type of energy they consume.

    Like most of their African neighbors, several years of darkness means Nigerians are desperate for any solution, including dirty energy sources like coal.

    To confirm that desperation, between 1999 and 2007, Nigerian government, under the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, expended an estimated $16billion on power. Yet, the situation left Nigeria in dire straits. By the time Obasanjo left office in 2007, power generation had dipped further, hovering around 2,700MW.

    Anxious to meet the nation’s energy needs, Nigeria is turning to coal, with an initial projection that would see coal-fired electricity accounting for 30% of its power generation. According to Bawa, the Federal Government had reviewed its policies on exploration and mining to support this ambition.

    One step forward, two backwards

    On September 22, 2016, before a mixed crowd of civil society groups and political leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Paris Agreement as Nigeria’s commitment to combating the impact of climate in the country.

    Image Credit: Social Action Nigeria

    By May 2017, the agreement was ratified, making Nigeria the 146th nation to sign the global treaty as a major provision of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC).

    Since signing the treaty, Nigeria has played a major role in all Conference of Parties events, policy roundtables and negotiations, including the recently concluded 2019 COP25 Negotiations held in Madrid, Spain.

    Yet, these efforts have translated to little or nothing. Even though Nigeria clearly articulated eight core areas of interest to reduce green gas emission – including the 2030 target to end gas flaring, 45% conditional and 20% unconditional carbon emission reduction – rhetoric still trumps action, and Nigeria faces grimmer climate prospects in the coming years.

    During the COP25 negotiations in Spain, Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, acknowledged Nigeria’s precarious situation in the ongoing climate crisis.

    “Nigeria faces grave social, economic and environmental threats consequent to climate change due to our country’s dependence on climate-sensitive resources. Climate change impacts are already threatening the survival and livelihoods of our people,” he said.

    “The devastating loss of range and crop lands to desertification each year in the northern part of the country, resource use conflicts, loss of forest cover and threatening sea-level rise on the significant coastline in the southern part of the country are a stark reminder of our vulnerability to Climate Change.”

    Yet, everything points further south. As at May 2019, Nigeria saw its gas reserve rise to 200.79 trillion cubic feet from 187 tcf, representing a growth of 7.3%. Yet, an estimated 425.9 billion standard cubic feet of gas was flared during the same year, leaving bleak any hope of solving her 60-year-old environmental problem.

    According to the Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker, a satellite gas flare tracking platform by the National Oil Spill Detention and Response Agency (NOSDRA), of the total gas flared in 2019, 22.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was emitted into the environment in 2019 alone.

    For a nation with the most polluted and deadliest air in Africa and fourth globally, gas flaring continues unabated. Despite the 1984 ban that compelled International Oil Companies (IOCs) to end the dangerous practice, Nigeria continues to adopt policies that question its sincerity to reduce its troubling carbon thresholds.

    While Nigeria grapples with the damage caused by these activities, especially in its oil-rich Niger Delta region, where pollution has destroyed communities and wrecked livelihoods, toying with an ambitious coal electricity project of this scale defies logic. If anything, the new coal-fired electricity project would only escalate the situation.

    Paris Agreement: Another formality for Nigeria?

    Signing the dotted lines and taking the front row in global treaties is never a challenge for Nigeria, commitment to the implementation is. For the Africa’s most populous nation, policies are never in short supply, except that they become forgotten with the same energy with which they were developed.

    Consider the issue of gas flare. Nigeria has pledged to end the deadly practice within the last 36 years without keeping to its word. In 2017, in its National Gas Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, Nigerian government pledged yet again to end gas flaring by 2020.

    After about two years of yet more talk and less action, in August 2019, Justice Derefaka, who heads the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP), said the 2020 deadline was no longer realistic.

    Even though 2030 is the official deadline set by the United Nations for oil-producing countries to end flare, Nigeria’s failure to end the practice for more than three decades raises doubt about its commitment to these agreements.

    Africa’s population growth is projected to equal more than half of the world’s within the next three decades. By implication, energy need in Nigeria, which is currently 10 times below the current power output according to Minister of Power Babatunde Fashola, would more than double.

    This shows why fossil-fuel dependency is not likely to reduce any soon, despite the implications on climate and the environment.

    Instead, Africa remains the favorite destination for curious energy projects. Between 2014 and 2016, nearly $20 billion was invested in energy projects across the continent by government-backed financial institutions.

    Oil Change International, a clean energy advocacy group that conducted the study, said fossil fuels accounted for about 60% of public aid for energy projects in Africa during the period.

    Except Nigeria is not committed to the terms of the Paris Agreement, which it willingly assented to in 2016, the new coal-fired electricity project only contradicts its efforts to combat climate change. it is an own goal for the people.