The Nation Newspaper

Category: Online Special

  • How to look chic in glasses

    How to look chic in glasses

    Wearing glasses might not always have been the easiest way to look cool, which is why many people choose to wear contact lenses. With time, busy schedules means comfort is more important so we find ourselves reaching for our frames more often. Here, some helpful tips on looking chic in your frames.

    Wear small earrings

    Anything you wear on your lobes- long, dangly or statement-making will compete with your frames and overwhelm your face. Instead, stick to smaller pieces that will add a hint of polish to your look without being too distracting. Your glasses should be seen as a purposeful accessory, not an afterthought. And sparkly little studs will help bring it all together, delicately.

    Match your jewelry metal to the colour of your frame

    Even though mixing and matching is okay when it comes to fashion, but when it comes to glasses, mind your color coordination. For example, if you have brown or tortoise frames, keep with gold jewelry. If you have silver, clear or cool-toned glasses, stick to silver or stones. But! If you have black specs, anything goes.

    Play down other accessories

    Any accessories worn on the head already cover a large part of your face, which can look a little too busy. If you must wear hats, don smaller-brimmed hats that sit away from your face. Also wear smaller and sleeker hair accessories to keep hair out of the way. This is true for both eyeglasses and sunglasses.

    DRESS IT UP

    There is nothing wrong with dressing comfortably, but wearing them with glasses tends to give a schoolgirl vibe to your look. For an adult and professional look, ensure that at least one element of your outfit is on the dressier side, like a fitted jacket or a pair of pointed flats for a polished look.

    DUMP THE BLACK EYELINER AND HEAVY SHADOWS

    Try rocking a navy liner and light shadow instead. Black wings tend to look a bit harsh when magnified by your glasses. But a deep blue will define your eyes just the same, while brightening up the whites. Pair with a sweep of rose-gold eye shadow on your lids and you’re good to go.

     

    STRATEGICALLY CONCEAL

    Focus on areas that are in closest proximity to your frames, under your eyes, on your cheeks and around the nose. If you use a cream concealer, get a liquid formula instead. Creams are more likely to crease and migrate to the nose pads of your glasses.

    APPLY MASCARA AT THE ROOTS ONLY

    Don’t wear as much on the tips of your lashes. Apply your first coat as you normally would. Then, for your second coat, wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes and pull out, but not up through the lashes. This way you get more pigment at the roots, thus framing your eyes. You’ll also be less likely to have your lashes poke the insides of your frames all day.

    GO BOLD WITH LIPS

    Whatever your preference, red, pink, coral, pile it on liberally. A pop of bright color on the lips helps to balance out a heavy frame, and keeps the overall look from feeling “lazy.” Even if you’re not much of a lipstick wearer, a simple nude gloss will do.

  • Buhari and El-Rufai’s comment on government

    Buhari and El-Rufai’s comment on government

    The corridor of power is wrapped in some mystique and those familiar with the internal workings of the seat of government would readily concede to the existence of an inner circle which influences major decisions. In Nigeria, it is loosely referred to as the “kitchen cabinet.”

    Most times, it is a combination of informal busybodies who arrogate to themselves the powers of scratching the leader’s conscience or claim usurpation of his wisdom to tilt perceptions and decisions on leadership issues. They regale in it and often display a pseudo aura of sophistry more than the crown himself.

    Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s acclaimed stiffness, he is perceived to be surrounded by this clique, and Nigerians who know better even speculate and broadcast the names. And Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is touted as belonging to this President’s Kitchen cabinet or his inner circle of influential men and women.

    Whether it is true or false is less important. What is incontestable is El-Rufai’s closeness’ to Buhari. There is no doubt that he is one of PMB’s closest confidantes. He is reputed as sharing same perceptions about life or leadership with Buhari. And El-Rufai had once publicly confessed owing his elevation to the seat of governor of Kaduna state to Buhari’s prodding.

    It implies the allegiance El-Rufai owes to Buhari. And quite often he expresses concern about his desire to see an exceptional Buhari Presidency. He speaks in a manner that suggests a Buhari presidency excelling in performance to the level of not only disarming his critics, but to the point of gasping for breath.

    A perturbed El-Rufai once voiced his desire of a perfect Buhari Presidency during a state prayer session organised by an opaque group, by the nomenclature of Abdullah Network Communication.

    After lamenting the enormity of the afflictions of Nigeria, he said; “it will be more painful if this government fails Nigerians.”

    Therefore, in respect of El-Rufai, it is safe to hazard the guess of intimacy with Buhari and moreover, they belong to the same region and political party. By implication, El-Rufai can have the President’s audience more frequently than his other colleagues.

    An astute leader, no doubt, the governor is expected to deploy his energy and wealth of experience to assist PMB succeeds in the herculean task of governing Nigeria in order to redefine the Nigeria he wishes to see.

    Nigeria is a large and complex country. And to abandon the burden of leadership of this great country on the shoulders of one man and expecting a wonderful performance is demanding too much. Buhari’s acolytes’ who share his vision and perceptions about changing Nigeria must necessarily and audaciously step out to render assistance.

    Unfortunately, Governor El-Rufai has not explored this plank of thinking. Rather, he has chosen to anoint himself with the toga of the many half-hearted loyalists and sympathizers’ of the Buhari administration. What these folks often flaunt is lamentations and wailings about the gravity of the decay in Nigeria and the hapless Buhari, always burdened with the responsibility of salvaging Nigeria from its degenerative pit.

    It is what El-Rufai has been doing in the last 18 months when Buhari ascended the throne as President and he held the other end as governor of Kaduna, a state referred to as the northern mafia center. Irritatingly drumming the obvious hardship in the country, which he blamed on pervasive corruption of past era, which Buhari inherited and the decline in oil production as a result of militancy in the Niger Delta, Governor El-Rufai said;

    “This collapse happened because there is a reduction in price of oil. Secondly, we were producing over two million barrels of oil per day but because of the situation in the Niger Delta, we are now producing about 1.1million barrels per day. It is therefore inevitable that there will be cut and pain. But to say that it is government that is doing it without referring to the cause, it is not fair.”

    Earlier, as a guest at the Sunday Service of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Governor El-Rufai had also descended into another session of wailing, pitying Buhari, instead of thinking on how to assist him to overcome the daunting challenges governance has bestowed on him.

    Thus he said; “When we sit down with President Buhari these days, I pity him. I pity him because he has always become president anytime Nigeria is in trouble. First, it was after the NPN (National Party of Nigeria) government had almost grounded the economy (in 1984) and now, after a massive looting of the nation’s treasury; and he has to lead the team to fix it.”

    Frankly, this is a flawed approach about someone you cherish who finds himself in a dilemma. But El-Rufai can do more than his present posturing. Lamenting and wailing all over Nigeria about the country’s past or why the masses must suffer and necessarily lick their wounds in appreciation and why no one should expect anything good too soon is disguised mockery of the President and Nigerians. It dampens the spirit and faith of Nigerians in the Buhari Presidency.

    El-Rufai can be more positive and pragmatic, if his intention is to render genuine assistance to PMB. For instance, he could assemble some prominent Niger Delta leaders, (some of whom might be even his friends), to open their own mutual dialogue with the dissenting voices and restive interests in the region.

    The initiative could offer an informal platform for a parley with these disenchanted interests in the region, outside of the officialdom of government, with the intent of prevailing on them to also see the other side of the coin. If the parley strikes this reasoning and commitment from stakeholders in the region, it would douse tension in the area considerably and increase Nigeria’s daily crude oil exploration and export.

    As a Northerner, El-Rufai is in a privileged position to know the secret sponsors of Islamic extremism, which has mutated into religious terrorism. He could privately engage these arrowheads in secret talks to convince them to discard such ideas and call their adherents to order.

    Though not part of Buhari’s media handlers, but it is more worthwhile during such public outbursts, El-Rufai could devote time to explain to Nigerians the Buhari policies and programmes, which are still misty as well as the derivable benefits to wax masses support of them and the Presidency than wailing about past wrongs.

    It is loftier to reason and act this way in support of the Buhari Presidency than posture in a manner suggestive of masses revulsion against PMB for inflicting pains on them. Competing for a medal in wailing as demonstrated by El-Rufai is not the panacea. He must be seen engaging practical steps to assist President Buhari to salvage Nigeria. But if this task is too heavy for him, it is better and more honourable to remain mute than inspire and stir up the passions of hatred in Nigerians against the government with wailings’.

    Philip Agbese is based in the United Kingdom.

  • SGF, Nigerian senate and faulty steps

    SGF, Nigerian senate and faulty steps

    In its customary and baseless umbrage, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has indicted the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Babachir David Lawal over alleged contract scams. Flowing from this, the Red Chamber has also issued a matching order in a resolution calling on his resignation or suspension.

    Precisely, the indictment of the SGF is over alleged contract infractions from the Presidential Initiative on the Northeast (PINE) on Internally Displayed persons (IDPs) camps. The Senate also directed President Muhammedu Buhari (PMB) to ensure his prosecution for contravening Nigeria’s code of conduct for public officials as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

    Nigerians need no soothsayer to remind them of the absence of a Senate, which can proudly lay claim to the status of truly venerated parliamentarians of Nigeria. It has been the unfortunate situation since the return of democracy in 1999.

    It explains former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s (OBJ) constant criticisms of the National Assembly. He adamantly and consistently describes them in derogative terms as crooks and unarmed robbers. Weeks ago, OBJ at the Akintola William Annul Lecture series in Lagos renewed the bellicose in these words;

    “The National Assembly cabal of today is worse than any cabal that anybody may find anywhere in our national governance system at any time. Members of the National Assembly pay themselves allowances for staff and offices they do not have or maintain. Once you are a member, you are co-opted and your mouth is stuffed with rottenness and corruption…the National Assembly is a den of corruption by a gang of unarmed robbers.”

    Like OBJ’s vexations, what is however novel today is the realization of the current Senate headed by Senator Bokula Saraki, as incomparably worse than preceding Senates. Many a times, they are seen indulging in responsibilities which at best seek to usurp the duties of other arms of government, while their cardinal job of legislation suffers neglect.

    There is nearly nothing this senate has set out to do that it has done cleanly to the applause of all. It is famed in scandals and the blackmail of the executive.

    When some Senators queued up to pressurize the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against prosecuting Senator Saraki for alleged violation of assets declaration laws for public officers, it gave an inkling into their mindset. The egoistic refusal to consider President Muhammedu Buhari’s (PMB) about $39 billion loan request to salvage Nigeria or Sen. Dino Maleye’s verbal assaults to Senator Remi Tinubu have cleansed the Senate of any vestige of integrity.

    The Senate’s grudge against Babachir is his alleged fraudulent handling of the contract awards emanating from PINE, an initiative domiciled in the SGF’s office for supervision.

    The Senate’s ad-hoc committee chaired by Senator Shehu Sani which conducted an inquest into the mounting humanitarian crisis in the Northeast affecting IDPs claimed its findings suggest Babachir awarded fake and inflated contracts to his company, Global Vision Ltd. The Senate report alleged the SGF awarded the N200 million contract to clear ‘invasive plant specie’ in Yobe State to his company, where he presided as a director until last September, while holding the position of SGF.

    It also accused PINE of exploiting the critical and deplorable conditions in IDPs in camps in the Northeast to allegedly award fraudulent contracts, as realities on ground in the camps showed a chasm between spent funds and remedied problems.

    The Senate marketed their pre-conceived intentions on PMB through Senator Isah Misau who called for SGF’s suspension and prosecution. Misau claimed Buhari administration have difficulties with performance delivery “because of people like the SGF,” noting that “Without the prosecution of the SGF, this anti-corruption fight will go nowhere.”

    In Babachir’s reaction to the Senate’s altercation with him, he described the lawmakers as people infested with the pull-him-down syndrome which they unleash on the best people unjustifiably, insisting that the Senate resolution was gibberish. Reminding Nigerians of the familiar imprints and antecedents of the Nigerian Senate, Babachir insisted that the Senate resolution is balderdash insofar as the committee never deemed it necessary to accord him the opportunity to defend himself over the allegations before nailing him in court of public opinion, after concocting outright blatant lies.

    His words, “It is therefore, surprising that they devoted a whole session of today (yesterday) at maligning me, claiming what is not true without even giving me the chance to come and put my own case before them.”

    The SGF made a valid point at this juncture. The validity of his submissions can be gleaned from the fact that as lawmakers, Senators are privy to the stipulations of law which demands fair hearing from all parties to a dispute before a verdict of condemnation is issued. But since today’s Nigerian senate is increasingly turning towards the absurd, extending such luxury to the SGF, who is perhaps, their arch-enemy, is unthinkable. So, they rushed like ravenous wolves in all directions to devour him with a verdict of guilt.

    Anyway, Babachir is a man who is not given to the niceties of groveling before arrant rubbish, bluntly told the Senate “I will not resign.” The scenario brings to the fore for the umpteenth time, the Senate’s obstinate nude dances in the market place. It is a chamber that has so far stripped itself of any modicum of integrity and respect in public estimation.

    It is a Senate that allegedly forges House Standing rules; it is a Senate whose leader, Senator President Saraki has engaged tricks to evade trial for his alleged false assets declaration and it is a Senate with the least consideration of the feelings and the pains of the masses; they preach patriotism but settle for foreign official cars, worth millions, in the time of the country’s economic recession.

    Sometimes, without any scruples, they anoint themselves with the wigs and robes of members of the Bar and the Bench, by conducting investigations into everything, everywhere to pass damnable verdicts. But sensitive bills affecting the lives of Nigerians gather dust on the shelves.

    It is the proclivity to pursue the mundane, instead of the germane that the PIB has survived many sessions of the Senate untouched; the bill for the establishment of the National Poverty Eradication Commission is still at its virgin stage and for sure, a bill for the establishment of Special anti-graft and other related offences, as contemplated by PMB would be stalled and frustrated, because it would speedy the trial and conviction of the corrupt ones among them.

    But when they resolved to protect Saraki from prosecution or whittle down the powers of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), amendment to clauses in the enabling Act received expeditious attention and passed overnight. The 2017 Appropriation Bill is likely to be passed mid next year again, as they would devote more time to chase the SGF. Can these Senators excuse Nigeria from their profane tendencies?

    Okanga Agila writes from Agila, Benue State.

  • Child Safety: Empower your children and give them a voice

    Child Safety: Empower your children and give them a voice

    Last week, I tried to show you how the mind of pedophiles work, I am sure by now you can identify the signal of a potential pedophile and get them off the back of your children or wards.
    This week, I shall focus more on how to prevent the incidence of child molestation. in the end, you will be able to arm your children with the skills to take charge of their safety.
    During one of my child safety workshops in a private secondary school in Lagos, I asked the students to write down any experience of sexual molestation or any questions they wanted me to discuss, a sizeable number of the students have stories of attempted sexual molestation.
    One student shared how she has been constantly sexually molested by her uncle, although she wasn’t detailed in her explanation. Nobody knew what she was going through, not even her mother. Child body safety education is extremely important in empowering children to recognize sexual abuse, react to it and to report it.
    An average parent spends only a quarter of the 24hours with their children, a lot more spend less than that. They believe everything the child requires to be sound and responsible are taught in the schools. Most schools do not have this extracurricular where children or students are empowered to ward off sexual predators; I believe it is an essential learning that has been left out from school curriculum.
    As I move from school to school, teaching children and students how to grow up to be a whole adult with the capacity to make right choices concerning their sexual reproductive health and rights, I find enormous ignorance from teachers themselves. I believe there should be a balance in curriculum and where the school fails to prepare children to make informed decisions on their sexuality, parents must as a matter of top priority empower their children from an early age to become aware of themselves and how to cherish and preserve their sexuality.
    I have heard parents tell me they don’t know how to relate with their children when it comes to the issues of discussing sexuality. The problem is that if you don’t teach them, they will be tricked by outsiders and their innocence stolen at a very young age.
    At this point, it may be too late to make corrections. I strongly believe that quality parenting will reflect in the kind of society that we have. If parents themselves are poorly trained or ill prepared to be parents, then we will have a society of confused adults who will also mutate unbalanced children.
    If you think discussing sexual rights with your children in early age is not something you want to do, wait for this statistics. Studies have shown that one in every four girls is sexually molested before the age of 18 and one in every six boys is sexually molested before they turn eighteen. 90% of sexual abuses are perpetrated by persons known to the children.
    I have seen children from disciplined homes becoming sexually exposed at younger age. At a closer insight, you will discover that they have failed to teach the child the discipline of early sexual orientation that makes him or her responsible in making the right choices.
    Let’s get the facts straight, a child who has been molested will have an abnormal adulthood. The psychological impact is far reaching, it could result in some form of mental illness, lack of concentration at home or at school, promiscuity, chronic illness, trauma and a lot more.
    An empowered child however, grows to become responsible, confident and self effacing adult capable of making informed decisions with little supervisions.
    Parents should be mindful of red flags in a sexual predator so as to minimize the risk and opportunity of their children being exposed to pedophiles. It is the parent’s job and that of the children too to learn some safety rules and inappropriate behavior in other people so that they can recognize when something is not quite right.
    In my child safety workshops for schools, children are taught that they are the boss of their body which means that they are in charge of their body. They are in control of their body and their body belongs to them and if anyone tries to mess with them, they should act like the boss of their body. They are taught the private part rule which is that no one should touch their private part. No one should tell them to touch their private part. No one should talk about private part to them, or show them picture of private part. We let them know that it is unsafe and that if anyone tries to touch their private part, they should stretch their hands out in defensive manner and yell NO!! DON’T TOUCH MY PRIVATE PART like the boss of their body without fear.

     

    Njideka Obi

    Now this is so empowering, it builds their confidence and gives them a voice and trust me, nobody will mess with a child that has been empowered. A sexual predators greatest fear is getting caught and once he/she finds out that a child has been empowered, they leave the child alone and target voiceless weak children.
    Here are preventive actions parents must arm themselves with:
    1. Pay attention to anyone who is excessively admiring your child. Nothing is wrong with admiring a child but it could be a red flag, no matter who they are keep a close watch on your child’s admirers. If you notice any red flag in a person’s relationship with your child, STOP that person immediately from spending time alone with your child.
    2. Trust your instinct: always listen to your instinct as a parent. Your instinct is the best barometer for when something is not quite right.
    3. Make sure you teach your children the ASK FIRST rule, whether they’re four years old or sixteen years old they should know that before they go into someone’s house, car, or go for a walk with anyone, they have to ask you first. This rule is extremely important.
    4. Listen and communicate effectively with your child. Ask them for details after they have spent some time away from you. When they are narrating how their day went, you listen carefully for any red flag that needs an urgent action.
    5. Talk to your child about child body safety and arm them with knowledge.
    Njideka Obi, lawyer and a safety Advocate
    Phone no: 08060424282. safersmarterchildren@gmail.com

  • Ozokwelu: Expertise intervention critical to solving Nigeria’s energy crisis

    Ozokwelu: Expertise intervention critical to solving Nigeria’s energy crisis

    Professor Dickson Enuma Ozokwelu, a world renowned expert in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is a fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, AIChE and Nigerian Society for Chemical Engineers, NSChE.
    A licensed professional engineer in the State of Tennessee, USA, he has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA degree with concentration in Planning and Management.

    His professional experience includes over 15 years in the US government working as Lead Technology Manager in the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and significant leadership roles in reshaping US national energy policies. Prior to US DOE, Dr. Ozokwelu held senior engineering positions in BP North America and Eastman Kodak Chemicals Company.

    In this interview with journalists recently, he posits that fixing Nigeria’s intractable energy crisis is a possibility, saying such could be made possible through Diaspora expertise intervention.

    Excerpts:

    What is the secret behind constant power supply in the United States?
    The generation, transmission and distribution functions are managed very well by the right professionals and according to all the given guidelines and regulations.

    Is this scenario possible in Nigeria?

    Yes, if we create enabling environment to make the newly privatized power entities in Nigeria to work more efficiently and play by the rules. This should be the job of a focused National Electricity RegulationCommission managed by competent energy related technocrats and professionals.

    There have been arguments by labor that the sector shouldn’t have been privatized. Do you think the sector could have been better handled by the government?

    No. The sector is better handled by the private sector any day which by nature is always more efficient than the bureaucratic public sector. The problem with Nigerian privatizations is corruption where senior government officials in power bought the assets being privatized and created inefficient monopolies.

    Billions of dollars have been spent to stabilize the energy sector, but it seems things are NOT going the way they should go. What is your opinion about this?

    Corruption

    Are there political solutions to this?

    Yes. The major political solution here is to appoint leaders in the power sector, particularly the NERC chairman and Power minister that have the kind of profiles discussed a priori in this interview. Not doing so will perpetuate the status quo in the power sector and eventual collapse of the sector.

    Can investment in electrical power infrastructure development help Nigeria recover from recession?

    The electricity industry contributes to economic growth in two ways. First, electricity is an important sector of the economy that creates jobs and value by generating, transmitting and distributing electricity throughout the economy. The electricity industry directly affects the economy by using labor and capital to produce electricity. This role is particularly important when economic growth and job creation are such high priorities around the world.

    Second, electricity underpins the rest of the economy as an input for nearly all goods and services. As a result, tariff increases and supply interruptions can shake whole economies. For countries like Nigeria that face chronic electricity shortages, continuing disruptions take a heavy toll on the whole economy.

    As an example, in 2012, the Conference Board of Canada reported that an investment in electricity infrastructure in Canada from 2011 to 2030 with total estimated cost of $347.5 billion, will add an average of $10.9 billion per year to real GDP and create an average of 156,000 jobs per year. Stated in another way, for every $100 million (inflation adjusted) invested in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, real GDP will be boosted by $85.6 million and 1,200 jobs will be created.

    Also, according to US Energy and Employment report on Construction and Installation in 2015, of the 6.8 million construction jobs in the nation, roughly three in ten workers (27%) support the energy industry through Generation and Fuels, Transmission, Wholesale Trade and Distribution, Storage, and Energy Efficiency technology construction. Of these, 1.8 million workers, over two‐thirds (68%) are employed by Energy Efficiency firms.

    Lastly, University of California Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education reported recently that small-scale solar can be more equitably distributed than it has been to date and create better jobs than large or utility scale solar (greater than 20 MW)

    According to international Energy Agency and CNN news of April 1, 2016, 600 million people or better said 70 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa currently lack access to electricity. Half of all businesses say that the lack of reliable electricity is a major constraint. Power outages cost African countries an estimated 1-2 per cent of their GDP annually.

    Based on the aforementioned discussions, there is no other better place for Nigeria to invest for recovery from recession than electrical power, particularly small sale distributed wind, solar and micro-hydro power systems.

    What is needed is a technology that circumvents transmission since 60+% of African population including Nigeria are off grid. Such approach is labor intensive and will therefore create lots of jobs leading to poverty alleviation during implementation. Right after the early part of its implementation, these power systems will begin to usher in energy use related jobs particularly in the rural areas andhence help to pull Nigeria out of recession.

    One critical step in the process is implementation. Let the dreamer implement the process. Very often once we get some idea and it sounds simple we think we can do it only to bastardize the whole process, resulting in dismal failure. What is described here is best done by the dreamer if best results are expected. Let the dreamer implement the entire process.

    One of the major promises of the present administration in Nigeria is to ensure stable electricity across the country. But that has not been so. What do you think is the problem? Can you proffer solution to this seemingly intractable problem?

    The problem with sustainable generation and distribution of electricity in Nigeria is ridden with many problems. I will attempt to discuss them under the following subheadings:

    The absence of well constituted Regulatory Commission:

    Since this administration came into office about one and half years ago, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has been run by a single person who is also the Acting Chairman. There are supposed to be seven members of the commission, consisting of one member from each of the six geopolitical zones and a chairman. To drive the point home, this is like a soccer match going on without a referee. Any of the players can even score goal against his side because there is no competent referee to enforce the rules, hence so many mistakes are being made in the power sector. Yet the power sector is the most strategic sector for development of the country!

    The absence of well trained, qualified, and experienced personnel in leadership positions in the power sector.

    Because of the technical nature of this sector, we need technocrats with competency in the sector to provide leadership in the sector. Being a professor or having a PhD does not guarantee competency. We have seen that some academically brilliant fellows sometimes have problem applying their knowledge. So being a professor or having a PhD is great but we need those who in addition have relevant experience as well. It is shameful that we have excellent technocrats of Nigerian origin scattered all over the world whom we congratulate when they are employed by different reputable agencies around the world instead of getting them home particularly when we need their skills to solve our national problems. The Nigerian power sector needs emergency attention and we need well experienced Nigerians in Diaspora to come home and assist us to fix the sector. We need people with not only technical qualification and experience but also policy experience in the energy sector of advanced countries like USA, people who have experience working with people from diverse background, good people skills and enough international contacts to attract international technical and financial assistance as needed. The nominee for the Chairman of NERC particularly should have the profile presented above plus passion for helping his country Nigeria.

    The answer for this subheading will not be complete without mentioning the Indian experience. In an address by Mr. Yashwant Sinha, once Minister for External Affairs of India he said and I quote, ‘’Distinguished Members of Parliament from India and abroad, and Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my most pleasant duty to welcome all of you here for the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’. January 9 is a very special day. It was on this day that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. The choice of this date for the celebration of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is, therefore, most appropriate. Just as the Mahatma changed the course of Indian history after his return, I am certain, overseas Indians will play a major role in building a glorious future for India and for the world. An eminent predecessor of mine had outlined India’s vision towards overseas Indians.

    He declared at a seminar in New Delhi, and I quote: “The subject of overseas Indians is one which is very dear to our hearts. Everyone of Indian origin, overseas, is a representative of India and retains many aspects of our cultural traditions and civilization. Though our sons and daughters have gone abroad to work or to reside there, India will never disown them or fail to appreciate and respect their essential loyalty to the culture and heritage of the mother country.”

    These words were spoken 25 years ago by none else than our respected Prime Minister. We have amidst us today entrepreneurs, scientists, economists, scholars, writers, social workers, public figures and national leaders. The Indian diaspora has made a distinctive impact on every one of the countries in which they live by virtue of their loyalty, dedication, hard work and success. Each one of you who has maintained and at the same time is maintaining your commitment to Bharatiyata or Indianness has done India proud. Every one of you here is an achiever in your own right and as you succeed, India succeeds with you. The love and affection with which the Indian diaspora regards India, its people, its culture, and its concerns, is something which strikes everyone who comes into contact with members of the diaspora.” Unquote.

    Indian technocrats were paid the same emolument as British and America experts and they went home in droves to develop India. Today India leads the world in several economic sectors, including health, electronics, auto manufacture, energy, agriculture and you name it! Nigeria should emulate India!

    The current Sector structure is faulty

    Current structure has three separate entities namely generation (Gencos), transmission, and distribution (Discos). This created a problem where Gencos sell to the Discos through a bulk trader who does not promptly pay the Gencos. This inability of the Gencos to control their revenue is the major reason why it is difficult for the Gencos to get loan to maintain or expand their operations.

    Furthermore, some users of electricity, including government offices have not been paying the Discos and the Discos are citing it as reason for not paying the Gencos through the bulk trader. This needs to be resolved ASAP because it is not sustainable. This makes the government to be part of the problem and not the solution. It makes the argument that privatization is the problem a weak one.

    Transmission lines are not many and they are old and dilapidated to the extent that most of the parts are no longer being manufactured. Some of the power plants recently built do not have pipelines to supply gas to them nor do they have transmission lines connecting them to the grid.

    As a matter of fact, we do not have adequate transmission lines to evacuate power from some of the generating plants, making the transmission lines the critical factor to deal with if we are going to have sustainable power. Typically, in Africa, including Nigeria, about 60% of the population who are in the rural areas are off the grid. Yet any meaningful development should be in the rural area where the productive industries like agricultural processing, farming and manufacturing are or should be.

    Absence of Energy Efficiency in the Energy Policy

    Nigeria can save up to 50% of the power that is currently being generated if it introduces a workable energy efficiency policy. This will enable the operators to extend electricity supply to about additional 50% of current clients with the current level of generation, subject to availability of the grid to these clients. This policy if well implemented will also reduce tariff which is so high now and therefore help with curbing inflation and part of the solution to economic recession.

    So in conclusion, what is required is careful planning and participation of experienced Nigerians from any part of this earth who already have the experience and expertise in the different strategic parts of our economy.

    Electricity generation and distribution is the most strategic sector for the economic development of any country, Nigeria included. Everybody knows it. Yet for the past decade we have been leaving this most important sector in the hands of mediocre to manage. How can we be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

    We should bring home our experts especially those who are capable and willing to come home and help solve our problems in this and other technical sectors. For example, in order to significantly improve state of electricity generation and distribution in Nigeria, a competent NERC Chairman should be able to lead a thorough assessment of the status quo in the sector and work with his team or energy council to develop a good plan to fix the sector.

    Next he will tap from his wealth of experience and international contacts to organize resources for regulation, generation, transmission, and distribution. Resources should be organized along the lines of financial resources, physical resources to include transmission lines, gas pipelines et cetera and human resources to include individuals with expertise, training, qualification and relevant experience in the subject matter space.

    Of course the nominee for the NERC chairman must have good people skills to work well with the Power Minister and other members of the NERC commission and Energy Council to implement the plan for the sector. If necessary, a state of emergency could be declared in the power sector to circumvent bureaucracy and expedite implementation. Lastly, based on the definition of management, he should set up measurements of the sectors accomplishments after implementation to know whether his goals are being met and if not to tweak his plans again to drive towards his measurable goals.

     

     

  • Boko Haram: children severely malnourished, at risk of death, says UNICEF

    Boko Haram: children severely malnourished, at risk of death, says UNICEF

    Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, on Tuesday, said the brutal years of Boko Haram insurgency had left a devastating impact on the children in northeast Nigeria.

    Lake stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday in New York on the situation of children in northeast, Nigeria.

    “The violent conflict in northeast Nigeria has left children severely malnourished and at risk of death.

    “In the three worst-affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, farming has been disrupted and crops destroyed, food reserves depleted and often pillaged, and livestock killed or abandoned.

    “In Borno, where the fighting has been most brutal, 75 per cent of the water and sanitation infrastructure and 30 per cent of all health facilities have been destroyed, looted or damaged.

    “The impact on children is devastating.

    “We estimate that 400,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition over the next year in the three affected states,” he said.

    According to him, if the children do not receive the treatment they need, one in five  will die from cases of diarrhoea, malaria or pneumonia which are on the rise.

    “These figures represent only a fraction of the suffering. Large areas of Borno state are completely inaccessible to any kind of humanitarian assistance. We are extremely concerned about the children trapped in these areas.

    “We are making a difference in the areas we can reach. With the World Food Programme and other partners, we are treating acutely malnourished children.”

    He explained that UNICEF and other aid agencies and partners are vaccinating children against measles and polio and are providing safe water and sanitation services.

    “But this is nowhere close to enough.

    “Without adequate resources and without safe access, we and our partners will be unable to reach children whose lives are at imminent risk.

    “What is already a crisis can become a catastrophe,” the UNICEF chief said.

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  • Nation online man, David marries Abigail

    Nation online man, David marries Abigail

    The line up of event for Saturday 10 of December was quite simple as The Nation Online man, David Lawal ties the nuptial knot with his “jewel of inestimable value”, Abigail Igbayiloye at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Irapada at Ijoko, Ogun State.

    The couple, who had gone to the Federal Marriage Registry, Ikoyi, a year earlier, arrived at the church premises in the company of family members and friends at about 8:00am for the wedding service.

    Led by Pastor S. Owoeye of CAC Christ Foundation, Iyana Egan – Ijoko, the service started at about 9:00am with wonderful song ministrations by the choir, which the bride used to be a member of, before going to the higher institution.

    Admonishing the couple and well-wishers in attendance from Matthew 19 vs 5-6, Pastor Z.A. Olaniyi, C.A.C Zonal Superintendent said: “Today you both have agreed to become one body, do not allow anything or anybody come in between you.

    “Take communication very seriously. Never allow issues layover before resolving them. It is important that, as a couple, you must ensure that you have communication mechanism to sort out issues and discourage unnecessary interferences by parents, family members, friends and associates.”

    In the sermon, Pastor Olaniyi charged the couple to love each other, constantly express love by word and action and depend on God for the sustainability of their relationship.

    “The best time to settle your misunderstanding is in bed where no man can disturb you both, for the journey you started today needs strength, grace and power from God.

    “Let there be sincere love, respect, honour, care, appreciation, understanding, tolerance and perseverance for each other because the head without the neck is useless and the neck without the head is equally useless,” the Cleric said.

    The groom, David was soon invited by Pastor Olaniyi to unveil his wife, Abigail, who was handed over to the Man of God by her father, Elder Clement Igbayiloye. The duo took the marital vows while friends and family affirmed to the matrimony. After the vows, the couple exchanged rings and the cleric declared them man and wife. The couple consequently signed the marriage register.

    Immediately after the church service, friends, associates and family members were hosted to a glamorous engagement and reception within the church premises.

    The visibly elated bride, a Nurse and Midwife with Mike Medics Hospital at Akinbo, Akute, described her husband as Treasure and the best gift from God for her. Her words: “I cannot explain how much he means to me. He is loving, courageous, intelligent, supportive and very available. I am just short of words.”

    David, a multimedia journalist with The Nation Newspaper, described his wife as reliable, hard-working, prudent, bold and caring. “She is my queen and she does not complain. I feel so happy and honoured for this day and I give God all the glories that I finally married my choice of woman,” he said.

  • CHILD SAFETY: Watch those who pamper your child

    CHILD SAFETY: Watch those who pamper your child

    Laura Odinka, not real name, is six years old. She is everything you can call a smart child, she is top in her class, she is bold, confident and outspoken. Ngozi her mother brags about her daughter to any listening ears. ‘My little girl is smart and brilliant’ she boasts.

    Laura’s life took a twist when her uncle visited for a short stay. Uncle Timothy looked calm and unassuming.  He looks lovable and you can take a bet that he will not hurt a fly. It turned out that Timothy had hidden in his gentle looks a debauching pedophilic savor that will one day change the life of the little girl forever. And it did in a just a little over a month. Laura’s most admired uncle who buys her gifts and ‘fights’ for her was the prey that molested her and stole her childhood.

    Laura was abused. Her uncle warned her not to tell anyone and like most parents, Ngozi wasn’t paying enough attention to the changes in Laura’s mood. She became fearful, secretive and began to grow timid, and her packs of confidence began to drop too.

    Although there are no consistent surveys on child molestation rate in Nigeria, but occasional polls suggest that one in every five children are molested or have had an experience of attempted sexual molestation. That is staggering but that is not our focus in this piece. It is  how parents can recognize sexual predators. The first step is recognising dispassionately that anyone could molest, even the most trusted person in the family because a larger chunk of child molestation cases are committed by those familiar with the child.

    Let me walk you through the mind of a potential pedophilia, one who has sexual desire for little girls or boys.

    1. They work really hard to gain your trust: They put up the vibe that they are nice. They come at you with a nice smile, very friendly and before you know it, they have warmed their way into your life and your routine. They usually take their time to win your trust; it can take months or years to win you over. But they don’t ever give up.
    2. They buy your child gifts/treats and favors: once a predator has gotten your trust, he takes it a step further by buying gifts and yummy treats for your child. They offer to do you favors. They try to be helpful as much as they can. In fact, they appear too good to be true. They are overly playful with your children but they try as much as possible not to be too attentive to them when you are around. Don’t forget that last punch liner – ‘they try as much as possible not to be too attentive to them when you are around.’
    3. They try to gain more access and private time with your child: At this stage, the predator has won your trust 100%. Your child trusts him because she knows that you trust him as well. Now, at this point, the predator’s goal is to gain more privacy with your child. They might offer to babysit your child, give your child free extra lessons, offer to take your child out. They work really hard to gain a child’s trust and to develop a special bond with your child.
    4. They desensitise your child: At this point you have gotten very comfortable with the predator and you don’t mind leaving your child with him/her. Your child is fond of them as well and always looks forward to seeing them; your child enjoys his or her company and is eager to go out with him or her. Your child might be experiencing some sort of defilement at this stage, it could be a tickling game, it usually begins from the tickling game, and where the predator accidentally touches the child’s private part and it will keep progressing till the act is done.
    5. They compel the child to keep their activities secret: The trick that predators use on children is the secret trick. The children may not know they are sexually abused. The predator tells them that it is a secret game or that they love them so much and it’s their special secret. Some will tell them that no one will believe them if they speak and they will even punish them.

    Follow this article next week, as I explore further on the preventive actions parents must arm themselves with in order to keep their children away from cougars and pedophilic predators.

    Njideka Obi, lawyer and a child safety advocate.

    08060424282,safersmarterchildren@gmail

  • Buhari : The shadows of childhood years on adulthood

    Buhari : The shadows of childhood years on adulthood
    The life of a leader is both complex and simple. He is usually endowed with virtues very rare to find. In leadership, he exudes what he was at childhood and brings it to bear on his leadership of the people or the country in adult life.
    Nigeria’s President Muhammedu Buhari (PMB) has an inspiring background. And a perusal of his teenage days discloses a promising child whom fate would later entrust with leadership of Nigeria.
    Most Nigerians would hardly know that what Buhari has demonstrated today in leadership share a symbiotic relationship with the characters he exhibited as growing up boy in his small community of Daura. If many perceive him as strict and uncompromising, these are virtues innately embedded in him from birth.
    Born  on  December 17th,  1942 to the family of  Alhaji  Hardo Adamu and Hajiya Zulaihatu Musa in Daura,  present day,  Katsina State, Buhari was the  13th and the last child of his mother. He was also the last  born of the 23 children of his father.
    Orphaned at the age of four, the young Buhari  grew up under the tutelage of his mother, Zulaihatu,  a Hausa woman, said to be from the Hausa sub-tribe of Habe.
    Buhari’s ancestry shows that he hailed from the lineage leaders and warriors as both in paternal and maternal roots. His parents had once in history played such roles in leadership or liberation of their communities from enemy forces.
    Buhari started the quest for wisdom at the age of six, as a pupil in the local Central Primary School in Daura. In 1956, Buhari proceeded to the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina).  While in school, his innate attributes began to manifest.
    His mates Kankia and Katsina testified that Buhari was more focused, deeply religious,very studious, hardworking and always targeted excellence in all his endeavours. These exemplary virtues stood him out among his mates and earned him outstanding respect from them.
    The late General Shehu Musa Yar’adua (Rtd), Buhari’s only classmate from secondary school  since 1953 who enlisted into the Nigerian army had revealed some time ago  that much of the traits Buhari displays today were peculiar to him in his growing up years.
    Gen. Yar’Adua had said, Buhari “….Worked fairly hard at his studies and games. He was reserved. He was one of the few boys in the school trusted by his classmates and was quite dependable.”
    And the flurry of testimonies from those who knew Buhari from when he was aged 12 or even younger attest that he was broad-minded, strong-willed and principled.
    For instance,  Alhaji Fathu Abdullahi says, “Buhari made a lot of friends from outside his Daura group. He was very broad-minded. Very serious for his age and had no time for frivolous talks. He was very religious even at the age of twelve.”
    Similarly, to Mallam Muhtari Zango, Buhari awes him infinitely; “He used to baffle me. He was so strong-willed and principled. He always stood his ground and did not follow the crowd.”
    Therefore, by virtue of parentage, destiny placed on Buhari leadership roles right from his childhood days and he has lived it all his life. In secondary school, Buhari was made class monitor, school prefect, house captain and eventually the head boy of the school. In military school, Buhari became a member of the School Military Cadet and later headed his unit. And he faultlessly discharged these responsibilities.
    Twice,  Buhari has had the privilege of leading Nigeria. He was first, military Head of State from December 31,1983 to 27 August 1985 and is Nigeria’s incumbent democratic President, having been elected in 2015.
    Interestingly, throughout Buhari’s more than four decades of public service both in the military and in politics, the traits identified with him in his childhood days have never ceased playing out. He lives it with his interaction with people and interrogation with governance.
    As a principled person, Buhari does not believe in the bandwagon effect commonly exhibited by Nigerians. It accounts for his rejection of the idea of joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) which his party then, the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) accepted after he lost the presidential contest to former President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.
    Buhari declared the election as a fraud and when ANPP agreed to join Yar’Adua’s government under the contraption of GNU, Buhari censured this agreement. In March 2010, Buhari dumped the ANPP for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), saying he declared support for foundation of the CPC “as a solution to the debilitating, ethical and ideological conflicts in my former party, the ANPP”.
    It is Buhari’s principled nature that made him remain in opposition politics, the proverbial “last man standing” in opposition politics, at a time politicians were cross carpeting to main stream politics to seek for greener pastures. He made history as the first Nigerian to win a presidential election on the platform of opposition.
    An ardent believer in hard work, Buhari has always excelled in all the assignments given to him. For instance, when Buhari was military Head of state for just a few months, Nigeria was on the path of recovery until IBB toppled his regime.
    He replicated the same feat as the Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a creation of General Sani Abacha’s military junta. He excelled in the pursuit of developmental projects around the country and the relics have lived till this moment. A 1998 report in New African praised the PTF under Buhari for its transparency, calling it a rare “success story”.
    A deeply religious person, Buhari has not hidden his desire to grant freedom of worship to every Nigerian according to his faith. In January 2015, Buhari again reiterated this stand when he said, “Religion must never be used as an excuse to divide us, oppress others or gain unfair advantage. All my life I have expressed the belief that all Nigerians must worship God according to their wish”.
    Today, when Buhari emphasizes the need to cleanse Nigeria of corruption and restore the lost dignity of his country, it is all about his conviction about the seriousness of life and the belief in the understanding that no society should be hamstrung, but allowed to flourish based on its potentials.
    Just like his classmates in secondary school saw Buhari as someone dependable and who could be trusted with responsibilities, Buhari has exuded this character in all the years of service to fatherland. It explains why a mean dictator like Gen. Abacah could trust him with PTF leadership/management and the belligerent former Head of state and President, Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) could trust him with the Petroleum portfolio of federal commissioner. It is this same dependability on him that Nigerians now entrust him with the task of rescuing the country from its doldrums and mirage of afflictions by overwhelmingly voting him into office in 2015.  And the steps he has so far taken in this direction are laudable.
    He endears himself to honest and hardworking members of his cabinet just like him, but loathes laziness with a passion.
    Nkechi Odoma is National Co-ordinator, Africa Arise for Change Network and contributed this piece from Abuja.