The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cheap

  • ‘Mortgage banks need cheap, long-tenure funds’

    Mortgage banks are taking steps to ensure that more Nigerians have access to cheaper loans to enable them own houses. In this interview with COLLINS NWEZE, Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited Manager Mrs. Ronke Akinleye speaks on steps taken by the bank to ensure that more Nigerians access mortgage funds to build their houses. She also speaks on the need for policy review that would allow mortgage banks take over property of homeowners who fail to pay their loans to ensure more compliance.

    everyone wants to own a home, but this is not easy. What does it take for one to get an affordable home?

    When you look at the three major needs of a man, home is one of such critical needs. For us at Imperial Homes, we have identified needs in the mortgage industry, and came up with products that can suit different categories of people. If you earn N100,000, we have the National Housing Fund that you can take which is very, very affordable in tenor, and also very attractive pricing. The National Housing Fund loan takes a maximum of 30 years, depending on your age and is at six per cent. If you earn as low as N100,000, you can actually afford such loans. At Imperial Homes, we have also created a product called Vantage Homes, which is also priced at 14 per cent. You know, owning a home is something you have to plan towards.

    The way the product works is simple. There are different categories of the product. You have the gold, silver and platinum, and the Flex. You have to contribute a minimum of 30 per cent. So, you can take up to N18.5 million loan from banks at 14 per cent. We have been able to do a research on our own to determine what an average Nigerian needs. Many people are not even aware of what mortgage is all about. If you come to me as a prospective customer, I will ask you certain questions, to be able to advise, on the best mortgage funding that suits your income.

    Is the National Housing Fund (NHF) accessible to prospective home owners?

    It is. It is possible. Here, we have been able to process NHF for a lot of people. We have done close to N2 billion in NHF. So, it is something that is easy, and affordable, if you bank with the right mortgage bank. May be a lot of people do not know how to go about it. That is one thing that in Imperial Homes, we are trying to educate our customers on. Although it has its own challenges, the Federal Mortgage Bank is working to make some of its processes automated so that the turnaround time is also attractive to people. Before now, you can be there for two years and still waiting on the loan. But they have tried to automate their processes, so that people can have access to these loans.

    On your own part, is the NHF  available for clients to access?

    It is on demand since we do not warehouse the funds. It operates on need basis. You have a customer that wants to buy into different products, you have been able to categorise them into different batches, profile them to determine if they can afford whatever amount they are taking. Put your applications together, forward it to Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), it is only when FMBN disburses to us, that is when we give to the applicants.

    Are there stipulated tenors for mortgage loans?

    Yes. There is nothing that has a beginning that will not have when it will end. At Imperial Homes, the maximum tenor is 30 years, depending on your retirement age. If you are 50 years now, that means you cannot exceed 10 years because of the 60 years’ retirement age. But our Vantage product is seven years. We also have some that are 15 years. That is what happens depending on what suits the client. Home ownership is something you have to plan. You need to be building your equity with the bank. But the savings is critical. You must save religiously. If you save N500,000 monthly, that can afford you to buy a property of N25 million, which means bringing your own equity and that of the bank together, you can buy a home of N25 million. The cheapest of it is N50,000 and it has to be regular because once you miss out, it disqualifies you. It is like a pool of funds, which are loaned to people.

    Does the customer earn interest during the period of savings?

    Yes. Interest is paid. We also need to determine what is 33.3 per cent of your income on a monthly basis, and that is what you will start saving. So, we plan it with you. Affordabi-lity is key, and if the customer defaults, it is also going to affect the bank. If everybody pays and when due, it will enable the bank to create more loans.

    What policy shift do you want to see in the mortgage industry?

    There are quite a number of them. If you look at what the mortgage banks are doing, for instance, we have not gotten to single digit mortgage. We have not gotten to that point in Nigeria. For us, the most important thing is for the mortgage lenders to have access to long and cheap tenored funds. And how is that possible? Looking at pension funds, these are the type of funds that should be channeled into solving the housing gaps that we have. So, if they channel those kinds of funds to primary mortgage banks, I am sure we can create products that can be at single digit interest rate because these are long-tenored funds, and you are matching it with long-tenored loans. Unlike when you are using funds from mortgage banks that come from savings, and you cannot stop depositors from coming to take their funds.

    We need access to cheap funds, and we want the government to see what they can do to let the mortgage banks have such access. That will enable the mortgage banks to even do more.

    Are there other challenges facing the industry?

    The next thing is foreclosure law. It has been a serious thing for us in the mortgage industry. Foreclosure law is when a customer takes loan, and has defaulted. The security that we have taken for the loan is the property we have given you money to buy. So, that is the bank’s security. And because you are not paying the bank, and I need to recover the loans, what I need to do is to foreclose on that property, put it on the market for sell, and when I sell, if there is any change left, I can then give you the balance. But because of the judicial system that we have, it is not friendly when it comes to lenders. Even when you have done what you are supposed to do, and is demanded of you, to enforce your right, it is difficult. We have ran to the Federal Government to ensure that when any borrower is owing a bank, you have it at the back of your mind, that see I need to pay my loan back because if the money is not paid back, other people will not be able to access the funds. We also want the government to create policies that will backup our business. Also, in the perspective of borrower, what the borrower wants is affordable mortgage. So, it is paramount that Federal Government should give us policies that support mortgage banking. We are also trying to educate Nigerians on mortgage.

    What do you think about the mindset that borrowing to build one’s house may not be right?

    I think it is just to change the mindset of people. If you do not know what you can gain from a particular thing, you might not see why you should go into it. By the time you weigh the options, you will see that instead of struggling to build your own home for the past how many years, it is possible with easy access to mortgage loans. You can look and say that you have been a tenant for many years, and if you put together those rents, in owning your own home, is it not better for you? We need to create that awareness and educate people on the benefits of getting a mortgage. In the Western World, credit facilities are open to everybody once you start working. But we do not have that type of opportunity here in Nigeria. I would want to see a process, whereby once you are graduating from Nigerian school, you have a good paying job, there should be a bank waiting to help you buy a home of your choice.

    How would you describe the mortgage industry in Nigeria?

    The industry in Nigeria is very vibrant. We are trying to create more awareness. We are waiting to see how the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria can make its processes simpler. I think it is also trying to make things faster. The way we are being pushed to get things done in the mortgage industry, I think the sky is the beginning for us. It is more vibrant than what it used to be.

    It looks like the industry is dominated by men?

    We, as the women, it takes a lot of hard work, commitment to balance work with family. We have few ladies that are also in the industry. There is no gender discrimination in the industry. The same work a man is doing, I also need to do to enable me get to the top of my career. I think it is equal platform for both men and women. It is just women need to work harder and attain the leadership position in the industry.

    I know it is a busy industry, so how do you balance home with the work?

    Honestly, a lot of people ask me that question. And I think it is your passion, the level of passion for your job. When you have an understanding spouse that wants you to also succeed in your career that does not mean you should neglect home. When you have a good backup as your spouse, someone that is supporting you, so that even if you have not done something at home, he should be able to help you bridge that gap. I have been able to balance the two to the glory of God.

    Why is it that only five per cent of the 13 million housing units in Nigeria are financed with mortgage funds?

    The truth is that a lot of people are not even aware of opportunities in the mortgage industry. And because of this native intelligence, many people don’t want other people to know they are owing. So, a lot of times, people do not want to borrow to own a home. I do not know any bank that is interested, especially in Imperial Homes, in selling anybody’s property. That is why we take our time to plan it with the customer. Instead of some people to buy a property they can afford, they will go for the one they cannot afford. They want to buy a home of N100 million, and the salary cannot support anyone to be building his/her castle in the air. We want you to be realistic.

    Can you tell us more about the National Housing Fund?

    The National Housing Fund’s contribution, is the contribution that you pay. There is 2.5 per cent of your basic salary that you must be remitting on monthly basis. It qualifies you to apply for loan with the FMBN. You must be remitting that. What is required is minimum of six months. Let’s say, I got a job today, and I start paying the 2.5 per cent from my basic salary. In six months, I am qualified to apply for a loan from FMBN.

    Many people are always interested in the pension fund, that is not forth coming most times. The FMBN is working together with the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc (NMRC), working together to create products out of the pension funds. For the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing, they also want to bridge the mortgage deficit gap. We know that mortgage banks do not have that access to liquidity to create many mortgages. They also come to our aid, saying that once the loan is given, the loans can be refinanced, provided they are quality loans.

    In refinancing, the NMRC packages the loans together, and profile the loans to see if they are performing. If I have given loan of say, N300 million to 30 different customers, they take those loans and pay me back the outstanding for me to create more loans. But there would have to be a record of the loans performance, for they can take such loans. Also, the loan must have been running with the mortgage bank for six months, it is called season period, during which they will check the performance of the loan.

  • Reno Omokri’s cheap shots

    SIR: Since it held a non-elective convention on August 12, Nigerians who had doubts that the PDP is studded with talented, pathological and professional mischief makers, manipulators, agents of deceit and confusion had their doubts totally erased.

    The utterances by party big wigs at the event drove home the fact that it still remained a party of intrigues and manipulations and that Nigerians were victims of PDP machinations which held them hostage and captives throughout the period the party was in power.

    The officials did not stop their gimmicks at the convention. The numerous interviews they granted to electronic and print media after the event showed that they have mastered the art of deceiving gullible Nigerians by giving them the impression that the party has learnt its lessons and is now ready to take over Aso Rock Villa in 2019.  Party officials who granted the interviews brandished bandied fictitious figures and inaccurate pronouncements in the bid to justify the false claims they made to impress Nigerians.

    Reno Omokri, one time Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan is one character who has become notorious for perpetuating the art. Reno in a recent publication claimed that “a fall in the price of oil should not lead to a collapse of the Nigerian economy.” It is a known fact that Nigeria is a mono-economy with its budget mainly based on the price of crude oil at the international market. The import of the development is that the fall in oil price adversely affected its income just like other major oil producing nations like Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq.

    It is disturbing that Reno trivializes the high level of corruption that laced PDP government at a time Nigerians continue to grapple with the revelation by former CBN governor of the non-remittance, by NNPC, of about $20 billion oil revenue into government coffers between 2012 and 2013.

    It is on record that the PDP government stoutly denied knowledge of the dirty deal and instead of instituting an investigation, suspended the former CBN governor. The whole saga became more ridiculous when President Jonathan said in response to questions on the development that “if anyone steals

    Reno should also be told that using only the rating of Transparency International to judge the success of anti-corruption campaign of the present administration is not right when it is obvious that he is pretending not to know that the UN report in July 2017 showed that for first time in 16 years, Nigeria did not make the list of 10 most corrupt countries in the world.

    His total disregard for the modest achievements of President Buhari in the area of security leaves no one in doubt about why PDP government treated issues concerning the lives and property of Nigerians with kid gloves. It is most uncharitable that Reno views the giant strides made in the war against terrorism as nothing. No wonder it took his boss two days to acknowledge that the Baga massacre ever happened even when the Secretary General of the U.N. and other world leaders had not only condemned the killings but sent their condolences. Same was the case with Chibok girls. It took the PDP government 19 days to admit and condemn the abduction of the 276 girls. It has also since been established that the $2.1bn meant to purchase arms to fight terror was squandered through the office of the National Security Adviser. The case is still on.

    Saying that the introduction of Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) were ploys by the PDP government to fight corruption was another false claim by Reno because the PDP government which introduced both schemes could not implement them due lack of political will caused by high level of corruption. It will be recalled that former President Jonathan recently said on a national TV that he could not implement TSA and BVN due to pressure from the party.

     

    • Faiza & Hamidah Busari,

     Abuja.

  • GIFTY: THOUGH I KISSED BUT NEVER FELT CHEAP

    GIFTY: THOUGH I KISSED BUT NEVER FELT CHEAP

    Recently evicted Big Brother Naija housemate, Gifty, in this interview with JOE AGBRO JR. clears the air about her rumoured marriage, fake accent and being tagged as the most controversial housemate. Excerpts 

    HOW do you feel, not winning the 25million prize?

    I’m a human being. I’m meant to feel a little bit bad but I’m feeling a little bit not good. But all the same, it’s a game.

    Who do you think might win the grand prize?

    I feel everyone is a winner. Whoever the winner may be, I wish the person good luck. I don’t have anyone in mind. I just see everyone as a winner.

    What lessons have you learnt about life when you look back at all that have transpired in the BBNaija house?

    I have learnt more about understanding and tolerance. I’ve acquired a little bit of wisdom there because nobody is perfect. Every day, we learn in life. It’s not easy to cope with different characters, and to mingle with them. So, yes, I’ve learnt so many things.

    What would you do differently, given another opportunity?

    I think I would actually… hmm. At first, it was a game. I brought so many acting stuffs up. So, I think I would bring lots of me in it if I’m given a second chance and I will try to prove to the viewers that this is me.

    Some people are of the opinion that kissing all the guys in the house made you ‘cheap’. What do you say to that?

    I always say this: It was actually a game plan. So, whoever I kissed, whoever I did something with was part of the game. So, nothing attached actually. I’ve never felt cheap. It wasn’t based on cheapness or anything. It was just based on strategy. I was just acting up. I feel, ‘yeah, it’s a game,’ let’s play it. I wasn’t feeling bad, I wasn’t feeling innocent, I was just feeling, ‘alright, let’s play the game’ because that was part of the plan.

    How do you feel being tagged the most controversial housemate on the show?

    Actually, my game plan was to be controversial and hilarious. So, being controversial was also part of my game plan. So, I feel good.

    Tell us one uplifting thing that a family member or friend has said to you since you left the house.

    Yesterday (Tuesday), I actually got comments from my friends and they were like, ‘Omo babe, you bad ooo, you get mind ooo,’ ‘my God, I can’t believe you went to that extent,’ ‘anyway, I trust you, I know what you can do.’ Crazy stuffs.

    And one embarrassing thing that a family member or friend has said to you since you left the house…

    Oh no. No embarrassing comments because they actually know who I am and they knew what I can do. Being an actress, we can act whatever needs to be done. They actually trusted my actions and never judged me.

    What is the true situation with your accent; make believe too?

    Okay, first of all, I’m actually an actress. So being an actress, you’re meant to bring different characters, you’re meant to make your viewers happy and enjoy your actions. So me being in the house, I felt like I was on set with cameras all around me and everything. And really, this is how I talk. I’m not forming anything. I’m a typical Nigerian, from Anambra State. So, all the different accents and everything was just based on acting. Everything was fake. I was just trying to keep my viewers happy and enjoy watching me. So, as an actress, you need to be gifted, so I made everything up. It was part of my game plan. So, that’s it.

    You were so excited each time it was either a kissing festival or Truth or Dare game, did you think those daring exercises were what the viewers like?

    Everything based on Big Brother was ‘be crazy’, ‘be mad’, ‘be gaga’. If you want to have sex, do it. So, I think it was part of it. And definitely, I’m sure the viewers also enjoyed it.

    Did it ever bother you how people at home would perceive you?

    Actually, for every action that I displayed there, for every word that I spoke there, I ignored whatever word that people might say. I just went ahead and did everything. Everything that I had planned, I just had to display it because definitely, you want something, you ‘gotta’ do whatever it takes.

    Who was your favourite mate in the house?

    My favourite housemate was actually Miyonse. Miyonse was this kind of innocent-looking calm chef who everybody adores and love. Don’t get it wrong. I love everybody too but definitely, there is going to be your favourite person. Miyonse was my favourite because he was this kind of understanding, calm, reserved, normal fun person to be with.

    What is your attachment to shredded jeans?

    Okay, I love shredded jeans so much. It brings out the personality in me. Most of my jeans are actually ripped.

    How much has Payporte improved your wardrobe?

    Payporte, omo, no be small ooo. Payporte has been the best and would always be the best. In fact, it’s my favourite now and without Payporte, I don’t think my wardrobe will be that exclusive. And I will always use Payporte

    Would you say those clothes you got every week are enough reason to want to go back to the house?

    I don’t mind going back to the house (laughs) because oh boy, I just wish that you guys would feel it but if na because of that, Big Brother, if you dey hear me, I want to come back to the house (laughs). Payporte is the best. I would advise everybody to use Payporte.

    You apologised for saying you didn’t know Banky W and Falz… Do you think your apologies have been accepted?

    I feel so because Banky actually replied me and he said he knew it was a game. So, he won’t actually take my words so serious. He replied me and said, ‘baby it’s okay, no problem,’ that he understood. But I think I was misunderstood because what I actually meant was that I don’t know Banky one on one, like I don’t know him personally. That was why I had to ask one of my housemate that ‘who is that?’ before they told me that it’s Banky and I said, ‘okay.’ And besides, I’m not the music kind of person. I love working 2-47, going in and out but still the same, I really do apologise.

    You were said to have walked out of your marriage in less than a year in search of fame. Do you sometimes regret that you took that decision?

    Wow, when I first heard that, I was like, ‘what the … Who would say that?’ I was never married, like everything that was said was just rumours. Definitely, I’m an actress, so most of the scenes that I have acted are marriage scenes, giving a drink to an actor, so I think that person that actually posted the picture was trying to make himself or herself famous because they would like to use my identity to make themselves famous and stuffs like that. But whoever that person is, I don’t know. It’s just rumours.

    You answer to Ebuka on how to achieve fame and power was not properly articulated, could you tell us a more defined approach.?

    What I intend to actually do is just applying wisdom in everything in getting it because you can’t just stand and say you want power and fame. You ‘gotta’ work towards getting the power and fame. So, definitely, there are a lot of things involved.

    Now that you don’t seem to be getting any movie roles in Lagos, are you planning on going back to  Asaba?

    Acting has always been my passion. So, I have made up my mind that wherever I find myself in or wherever I am that I’m being called for a movie, definitely, I’m going to go for it. My location doesn’t matter, my base doesn’t matter. Whenever you need me, whenever you want me, I’m always there for my movies.

    How did you feel that you were the least talented in the house, in terms of music?

    Like I said, whatever action that was displayed in the house has always been the game plan.

    Some pictures actually linked you to some men, could you tell us your relationship with Flavour and Mr. 2Kay?

    Flavour, I had no relationship with him. I never dated him. I just saw him as a talented musician and I love his songs. And Mr 2Kay is just a very good friend of mine. We were quite close. So, nothing intimate.

    Tell us about some of your rough past, including being a hair dresser.

    Actually, I wouldn’t want to talk about my past because that’s why it’s called past. Past is gone. And the rumour of me being a hairdresser is wrong. I’ve never been a hairdresser before.

    But you made the hair of Soma, the hair of Jon in the house so well…

    I think it’ just something I love doing. I love touching people’s hair. I love touching my friends’ hair. I love playing with their hair and all that. Besides, I have a very good talent which is, if you teach me something, I learn it. I’m a quick learner.

    Were you also a victim of domestic abuse as speculated?

    Ermm, no actually.

    Because this was linked to why you left your marriage…

    First of all, I have never been married before. It was actually rumours. So, no domestic violence, nothing.

    How do you feel that BBNaija has revealed some of your best kept secrets? Would you want to attempt such reality shows in the future?

    Hmm, how do I feel? Actually I feel good. I feel normal. Definitely, everyone’s secrets are going to come out. So, no big deal about that. And yes, I’d like to be in reality shows in the future. I think I will also have my own reality show but I don’t think I would want to go to any reality show because I’ve gotten what I wanted which was the Big Brother Naija. It’s a very very big platform. I think one of the biggest, so what more am I asking for? What more am I looking for?

    How was it like spending  a month without your phone and social media interactions?

    The first week, I felt kind of lonely, I felt kind of sad, worried because a lady’s best friend is her mobile phone. So, I felt like, ‘where is my phone? Who’s holding my phone?’ That kind of crazy thoughts. But from the second week, I felt, ‘whatever men,’ I’m here to play a game. I’m here to win N25m. So, let me just focus my mind on the game plan and the money and everything and win everybody’s heart

    Apart from losing the prize money, is there a way the game has made you a better person?

    Actually, yes.  First of all, I feel whatever that happens, God knows why. And it made me open to lots of great opportunities. Yes, it gave me few platforms and stuffs like that, yes, sure.

    Who among the other housemates do you wish to maintain a friendship with after the show?

    First is T-Boss, second is Miyonse, actually lastly is Soma.

    Why? What qualities do they possess?

    Not just the qualities. But because they’re good friends to me. they’ve been quite nice and cool. I kind of observed that from their game plan, they’ve brought nice and little real things about themselves out. So, yes, they’re cool.

    Where do you go from here?

    Where do I go from here? To the highest tower in life is where I would go from here, achieve all my dreams, achieve my projects and lay a very strong foundation and make sure that I do the right thing.

  • Apostolic threat or just cheap bluff?

    Controversial Apostle Johnson Suleiman, nestling in Governor Ayo Fayose’s Ekiti State House, from DSS’s reported blitz, finally found his voice to let fly some apostolic threats.

    Should the security agencies dare to arrest him, even for a day, Nigeria would retard for a year!  Should the arrest period spill into say, 10 days, from the glorious man of God’s apostolic arithmetic, Nigeria would retard for 10 years, and that probably, on geometrical proportions!

    Waoh!  How awesome!

    But that was not all.  Should the government even as much as try any monkey business, then the Suleiman 500,000-strong Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide would just explode into an Armageddon, burning here, scalding there and searing yonder!

    In no time, among his earthly traducers, the falcon would no longer hear the falconer; and mere anarchy would be loosed upon their world — apologies to WB Yeats, the Irish poet, who originated these famous lines; and Chinua Achebe, who popularised them, as the fulcrum of his Things Fall Apart classic.

    Holy Lord!  While some amateurs battle with physical forces, the real pros duel with spiritual powers and principalities!  So beware, cocky official of state!  Lay not your hands on the Lord’s anointed!

    Seriously?  Some real deal in apostolic threat?  Or just an excited but extremely relieved soul, waxing lyrical and poetic, over the extreme joy of escaping arrest for charging one set of citizens to kill another set of citizens?

    How does that even sound from the mouth of a man of God, whose Christian creed preaches pacifism, anchored on the bliss of the hereafter?

    And the grim irony?  A priest that gives his congregants the “divine” order to “kill” without fear, scampering into the illegal embrace of a governor that revels in outlawry!  So where would his killing band run to, after they had carried out their fiery pastor’s injunction?  The literary nerds are right: you know the true essence of people during the period of crisis!

    The moral of all these?  That priests should learn to leverage their spiritual influence, on secular authorities, with tact and wisdom, particularly when shooting in the naked front of earthly controversies.

    As bad as the southern Kaduna crisis is, Hardball isn’t sure any media platform, traditional or new, has reported the other side gives a sweeping instruction, to its rabid partisans, to go and “kill”, well captured on video!

    Even if the good pastor claims anger or self-defence, how does that extenuate the latent, if not blatant, criminality, in that charge?  And should the Apostle be hauled in, and really charged for incitement to brazen killing, how would he defend himself?  That he spoke ex-cathedral, and therefore had spiritual immunity?

    The Apostle would do well to gird his tongue, as the Bible, the divine Christian constitution, admonishes.

    Mouthing reckless statements, to congregation applause, could intoxicate, like the sweet wine of the moment.  But sooner than later comes the dreary hangover.

    Let Apostle Suleiman, after proclaiming the “death” of a governor and fellow citizen, and goading citizens to “kill” other citizens for whatever reason, step back from the brink.

    If he doesn’t, he risks a wide and merry way, which destination is perdition and utter destruction.

  • Solar power is cheap, says firm

    Solar power is cheap, says firm

    Petrocam Nigeria Limited has introduced solar-powered filling stations in the country to reduce dependence on the national grid for electricity, its Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Ilo, has said.

    He said Nigeria is close to the equator and, should  obtain sun directly from it, adding that his firm leverages the renewable energy source to power its filling stations for growth.

    He said the country generates about 70 per cent of its electricity from gas and 30 per cent from hydro plants, adding that the output from the two sources is not enough to meet the people’s needs.

    Ilo said: “It is safer, cheaper and reliable to use solar form of electricity for the two filling stations that were situated in Igando and Lekki- Ajah Expressway, both in Lagos. Nature has endowed us with sun, hence the decision to position our outlets in such a way that they would access solar well. Sun is God’s gift. It is free and left for people to see how they can tap the opportunities in it for power generation.”

    Ilo whose firm has partnership with Petrocam South African, an oil trading firm, said people are sure of getting fuel for their vehicles, generators and other equipment regularly, adding that the issue of epileptic power supply, which is common with grid electricity, does not arise with solar.

  • Cheap, ubiquitous civil society groups

    Cheap, ubiquitous civil society groups

    LAST week, two civil society groups nearly came to blows in Abuja over Senate President Bukola Saraki had the police not come between them. One describes its objectives as pro-Saraki, and the other describes its own as anti-Saraki. The anti-Saraki group, Citizens United for Peace and Stability, has since Tuesday laid siege to the entrance area of the National Assembly campaigning to force the resignation of the Senate President. Of course, Dr Saraki has refused to budge, preferring instead to vex the courts with his litigious fecundity. The pro-Saraki group, Citizens in Defence of Democracy, irrespective of who inspired it, also rose up on Thursday to occupy the National Assembly. It would presumably have been a showdown.

    As civil society groups go in Nigeria, no one knows how many of them exist on the roll. It is not clear indeed whether these two in question are registered or not, or whether they are ad hoc. That, admittedly, does not deny them the right to protest. And so both groups have exasperatingly chosen to protest on either side of Dr Saraki. The Senate President himself will stop at nothing, no matter how ridiculous, to stall his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and pressure groups, noble and ignoble, will add to the farcical display — until so much nonsense has been made of democracy.

  • Cheap but costly

    Cheap but costly

    •Substandard products cost Nigeria about N50 billion annually

    Since her oil boom years started in the late 70s, Nigeria has become haven for cheap, substandard and fake products from virtually all over the world. Successive weak governments and poor consumer monitoring and regulatory regimes have over the years opened the floodgate for the importation of cheaply priced but very low quality goods and products into Nigeria.

    The situation has become so pervasive today that Nigerian businessmen would scour the globe seeking for the poorest quality and sometimes, adulterated products to ship into Nigeria. What seems to be paramount to them is the profit they stand to make and not the overall cost of their venture to the nation’s economy.

    However members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), a business group comprised of local industrialists have, once again, called attention to the dangers of unbridled importation of substandard goods and products. In a recent media release, the OPS noted that Nigeria may be losing about N50 billion annually.

    Following from the recent trip of President Muhammadu Buhari to India, members of the OPS are elated that the president in his speech, made a point of letting the Indian government realize that Nigeria would no longer accept the influx of poor quality and adulterated goods from India into her shores. Considering that a large chunk of such goods come from India, China and other countries of Asia, that pronouncement was quite timely and will be expected to signpost Nigeria’s resolve to fight this canker that has almost damaged her economy.

    There is no doubt that the haemorrhaging of Nigeria’s economy arising from indiscriminate importation of goods may be far worse that the OPS envisages. One of the most crucial costs is the toll on local industries, especially the small and medium scale enterprises. It is apposite that this segment of the economy will never grow if it is besieged by cheap, fake goods. And which economy ever takes off the ground in a situation where small scale manufacturing is stymied? The cost, in this instance, to the economy is enormous, if not unquantifiable.

    There also the cost to a populace bedeviled by a suffusion of counterfeit and substandard goods that hardly serve the purpose for which they are purchased and of course, do not survive more than  a few usages. Therefore, the purchase of these goods often amount to money thrown down the drains.

    It is indeed quite salutary that President Buhari recognised this crucial ill of Nigeria’s economy and had the presence of mind to mention it at the right quarters in India. We hope that the Federal Government would take that matter beyond mere speech-making and see it for the ulcer it is to Nigeria’s economy.

    We expect that the various ministries, departments and agencies of government would come to a round table and initiate an all-encompassing campaign. The Ministry of Trade and Industry must own and lead this crucial drive to curtail what must be regarded as a clear economic sabotage. Also to play leading role in this fight would be Nigeria’s economic attaches in her foreign missions and the Nigeria Customs Service.

    Regulatory and monitoring agencies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), must all be made to wake up to their duties and responsibilities. The Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks must all be put on notice to ensure that they do not fund or facilitate the importation of products that are known to be debilitating to Nigeria’s economy.

    Finally, we must embrace a culture of excellence and quality in all our businesses and transactions. Standard is a worldwide and well calibrated phenomenon. No country would make hay transacting business otherwise. Whether we like it or not, the world would only accept ‘world standard’ imports from us or nothing; by the same token, we must also insist on reciprocal quality.

    Just as the world has become used to the famous ‘British Standard’, time is now for Nigeria to reevaluate and redefine her standards. We can create the ‘Nigerian Standard’ too.

  • ‘I don’t seek cheap fame’

    ‘I don’t seek cheap fame’

    Alex Okoroji is a woman of many parts. The daughter of Chief Tony Okoroji, former president, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, shares with ADETUTU AUDU her life as an actress, single motherhood, her failed marriage as well as her wave-making project ‘Alexandra and her naked thoughts’.

    What are you working on currently?

    Oh well, I’ve been working on a number of incredible things recently. I started my blog ALEXANDRA N’ HER NAKED THOUGHTS at www.alexokoroji.net where I share my honest, crazy and unfiltered everyday thoughts. It’s doing very well and transcends geographical borders. It is getting quite a lot of foreign traffic. What it tells me is that, not only do people connect globally with the subjects of love, life, sex, inspiration and reality. They also value my thoughts and style of writing. I also started writing my upcoming book, THE NAKED EXPERIENCE: From Timid Girl to Confident Woman. It’s sort of a memoir romancing a guide book. But it is an interesting read that will make people laugh, cry and reflect on their own lives through my weird, funny and somewhat shocking life experiences. It will be launched and released in March and then accompanied by a book tour. I also birthed my newest project, my online talk radio show on BlogTalkRadio, “THE NAKED TALK with ALEX OKOROJI”.  It’s really a candid, unscripted, uncensored interactive live show, where I chronicle the naked truth about real issues and real life experiences with some of the most celebrated guests globally as well as regular folks. It will bridge the gap to promote expression and create a presence of mind. Somewhere in the middle, there are my live video broadcasts on Hang W/, my social work with #4NL. I’m also involved in conceptualising and creating content for a few brands.

     Since you had your baby, you took a break from acting. When are we seeing you back?

    Yes, I did take a break to raise my son. But I’m still an actor. My son is quite a little man now. And so I’m back to working like my life depends on it.  (Actually, my life and his life depend on it). I recently recorded a number of independent films and I’m just waiting for the producers to premiere them. I’m also hoping I can do more quality film projects. But let’s be honest. I’m not about to jump from location to location, audition to audition trying to kiss ass for something I am clearly born to do. Yes, I love hard work and I love to grind hard for my craft, that being said, there’s a limit to what I’m willing to sacrifice at this stage in my life, as a professional seeking creative fulfilment not cheap fame. If I’m invited to a streamlined screen test and casting by reputable producers/directors who are genuinely looking for an all round actor to cast. I’ll be there in all humility before my call time, do my screening, get the hell out and pray for a call back. But we know half the time, it is usually a bunch of jokers (forgive me) wasting time I do not have enough of. Why call for a grand audition when you are looking for just one character to add to your list of table casts? Or call for serious actors when all you want are extras? (And oh, I do believe no role is too small for a good actor). It’s just the manner in which people try to take advantage of one’s hunger to work. If you are going to offer a new actor a tiny part for a tiny sum, you might as well respect them as human beings and don’t keep them in the sun or allow them to spend 5 thousand for a 10 thousand job (just assuming) I see a lot of fresh actors suffer. It is outright foolishness. Yes, one needs to pay their due, that’s not a reason to be inhumane. I only now want to work with serious film producers, directors and actors who understand not just the technicalities and business, but also the spirit of film making. (If you know what characters you are auditioning for, put it out in the public domain. So the actors can decide if they fit the bill and come in prepared.) Just my naked opinion, anyway.

    Your marriage didn’t work out and if you look at Nollywood today, there are so many failed marriages, from your point of view, what is the problem?

    My point of view is that marriage is crumbling in every faucet of the different industries, sectors, and tribes. People are simply less tolerant and perhaps more incompatible. The truth is that marriage remains an institution that is more complex than our fickle minds can fathom.

    Have you at any point in time regretted that the marriage didn’t work?

    I’ll be honest, the only regret I have is not giving my son the complete family he deserves. I sometimes feel like I failed him in that regard. That being said, he’s not alone. I am his mom and his dad and he has guidance and love from his extended family. Plus, I have God’s grace and his unwavering love. When the right time comes, God will give him a real father that will raise him with love. Anything other than that, I only have lessons.

    What has motherhood changed in you?

    Plenty!!! I simply grew. I probably didn’t change, I just grew up. And I mean that emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. I see life differently and I now embrace my responsibilities whole heartily.

    How are you coping as a single mother?

    It’s not a walk in the park. It’s not like cooking beans but I’m coping. The naked truth is that being a single mom can be challenging, especially if you are a working mom who needs to bring home the bacon. I don’t come home tired from all the work and traffic and expect someone to massage my feet and give me a back rub. I just come reminded that if there’s an ache in my knee or back. I take panadol, check on my son and go to bed.  That’s my reality. But I’m not complaining.

    You mentioned on social media that you were treating depression. What exactly happened, why were you depressed?

    I never said I was treating depression, that’s a clinical diagnosis. I was never diagnosed of depression. What I said was that I took a break because I was dealing with depression. And there are so many ways we get the feeling of depression and several sources too (anger, resentment, fear, guilt, pain, abandonment, conflict etc) and that tend to happen to most first time mothers, especially if they have a job like mine in the spotlight. Let’s be honest, I was the quintessential IT girl in 2009. (I mean almost everyone thought I was somewhat smoking hot for whatever ridiculous reasons best known to them).  So I was a budding working actress, a rising star and then I got married and pregnant and everything changed instantly. I lost my initial appeal. My body, my mood, my marriage and I had a tiny tot I didn’t know what to do with. I wanted to work so badly. I mean on TINSEL, I used to go to work with my big belly until my character, Susan, could no longer be shown and I had to do voiceovers. I love working. So to be stuck in a country where I was relatively unknown, without my support system and the people I was used to seeing day in day out, I sunk low. And delivering my child through a Ceasarean section just didn’t make the transition easy. I was constantly in pain and I didn’t know how to jerk myself back to work. You can say it was a case of post partum depression.

    Let us talk about Alex and her naked thoughts, at what point did you conceive the idea?

    It is pretty strange. I think it was when I moved back from Ghana in 2011. And I was feeling a lot of frustration and I needed to vent/channel my emotions, thoughts and pain somewhere. Unfortunately, seeing a psychologist or shrink to help us deal with the changes in our emotional health, is not a culture here in this part of Africa. So, I became my own hero and started writing to help myself heal and reclaim back my life. So, all those face book notes and BBM broadcast gave birth to the challenge that pushed me to start my blog in January. And now I’m comfortable and at peace with myself. I’m using my thoughts to also influence and help others express themselves.

    You studied Biochemistry but have passion for the arts. Are you not missing your calling?

    Where did you get that from? Missing my calling ke? I’m actually in the exact industry I was called to be from the moment I was formed as a baby. I did a post on my blog a few months ago “How I Miss Those Days….” I wrote about my early creative days from being pink house inter house sport princess, a member of the Atilogu Dance Troupe, The Igbo Cultural, Yoruba Cultural, Drama Club and Press Club in primary school to being Green house cup bearer, Blue house queen, the only junior student in the entire FGGC Akure to be an active performing member of the Music Club, Drama Club and Press Club at the same time. I represented my school in debates and mimed at inter different school events. I wrote short novel series in SS1, never commercially published but read by my school mates and I wrote poetry and songs. I have an archive of 55 unpublished songs solely written by me and I used to be the lead singer of an underground musical girl band “The Alternates”, I performed in a number of school plays. So the way I see it, this didn’t just start today or even at AMBO. It’s not a deviation. It is who I am. I’m the daughter of a musician. So many people forget that Tony Okoroji was actually a “performing” musician. He didn’t only sing or write hit songs, he played musical instruments too, a fantastic song writer and music/show producer. I’m his first child, where do you think I get my creative genes from? Despite his brilliant mind and administrative skills, he is still an artiste and everything he does is coloured by that artistic creativity. Same goes for me. My mom wanted me to be a doctor and I tried to challenge myself in that direction. But guess what, I’m an artiste. And anyone who knows me very well enough will tell you I’m a natural at its finest. It’s not forced. It took me a long time to accept the gifts of my talents and harness them into skills, knowing it’s possible to be gifted at many things and execute them with the same level of excellence and passion. That’s why I’m not in a hurry to compete with all those chasing fame my goals are clearly different. I’m an entertainer with value.

    Did your dad’s life as a musician influence your choice of career in anyway?

    Yes it did. I grew up in a house hold coloured with books and movies. I grew up listening to different genres of music and reading all sorts of great books. I was exposed to having celebrities around the house and going to a number of high profile functions/awards even at a young age. That definitely expands your creative taste, exposes your mind artistically and forms your creative decisions.

    What was growing up like, with a father like him?

    He has always been a very busy man. He wasn’t always around. But whenever he was, we definitely felt his presence.

    Aside acting and blogging, what else puts food on your table?

    My world revolves around the creative industry. I started professional writing by writing screenplays for movies and content for TV. I still do even though it’s quite hectic juggling all my writing gigs. I also do copy writing for brands. I’m a voice talent, so I record and script voiceover and jingles. I’m a television host, used to host three separate TV programmes. I host red carpet events. I started doing lots of public speaking and compering events as a ‘Mistress of Ceremony’ and I’m top of promoting #TheNakedExpression. (It’s really my clamour for honest, sincere expression, so people can be open and embrace who they really are). I produce documentaries and I create concepts and contents for brands, TV and events. I also have a production company FUSCHIA HOUSE that manages all of these. And most recently, I’m involved in the Campaign for New Lagos (#4NL).  Let’s just say I have my table full with work. I’m simply uninterested in courting unnecessary attention. My focus right now is to reap the financial reward for all the hard work I put in everyday and expand my influence.

    What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?

    Someone once asked me that and I said a fan proposed to me. Actually that’s not new, neither is it crazy. I get all sorts of messages on social media, and I’m sure I’m not the only celebrity to get proposals from fans. I used to a write up a series called THE DAILY QUICKIE, it’s not about sex but I use sexual innuendos to inspire people. Yet some mischievous fans have tried sending me nude pictures of their private genitals. I stopped finding it irritating. I just think it’s amusing when people translate my ‘naked thoughts’ so literally.

    What are your greatest achievements?

    My greatest achievement right at the top of the list is my son. No amount of money, awards, accolades or praises can equate to him. I can now follow it up by saying that configuring/designing/creating my blog all myself using just a blackberry mobile phone (Z10) is a major achievement because I had no prior knowledge of web development or designing or Java script coding et al, neither did I understand how the online world works. It has become my home and I am very proud of the two months it took me to figure it all out by myself, albeit many sleepless nights. Google was my best friend. Would you ever believe my entire weblog www.alexokoroji.net was configured by me using a phone?

  • Why is life so cheap in Nigeria?

    Why is life so cheap in Nigeria?

    SIR: There is no faith that does not recognise the sanctity of human life. The two great religions of the world, Christianity and Islam- for sure, certainly do. A mutual refrain in the two great books is: You shall not kill. It is therefore sacrilegious to take human life. This is on the side of morals.

    In our case, the contrary seems to hold sway. Our actions and inactions reflect the antithesis of the sanctity of human life. It seems praxis to flout God’s order of ‘You shall not kill’.

    A group of people are busy throwing bombs all around and attacking all places including places of worship in the name of religion. It is sheer delirium touting the reason of religion given that both Christians, Muslims, atheists and anybody are their targets.

    It will also be foolhardy to believe the economic angle. How will the death of hundreds of people on the streets of Kano, Zaria, Bauchi bring about a positive turn-around in Nigeria’s economy?

    Arguably, road mishaps remain the cause of the highest number of Nigerians. Statistics by the highly reliable Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) showed that most road accidents were caused by each or a combination of these factors: bad roads, reckless driving, over-speeding, over-loading, drunkenness et al.

    Why it took successive governments so long to find a solution to the slaughter slab that Lagos-Ibadan road was, is difficult to fathom considering the enormous resources at the disposal of the Federal Government.

    But, if government is intent in killing as many citizens as possible, why should we also be a willing accomplice? It is sad that the drivers themselves are ready and willing tools in the hands of the ‘devil’ to reduce the population of Nigeria. You need only a cursory attention at activities at our various parks and garages and you will be confounded by the assemblage of hawkers of an assortment of alcoholic drinks of various names and makes some under the guise of herbs.

    Same goes for cops who, under the influence of alcohol, pull the trigger. Only God knows how many lives have been lost due to ‘accidental discharge’.

    Can we count the number of Nigerians who have lost their lives in the hands of armed robbers, kidnappers, rapists, assassins and the likes? How can we describe robbers who forced hapless victims to lie on highways for them to be mauled by approaching vehicles? What do we call armed robbers who after dispossessing their victims of their hard-earned valuables still went ahead to wipe out the family?

    Nigerians’ proclivity to cheapen human life is inexorably tied to the incredibly high level of insecurity in the country. Any flimsy, mundane, even stupid, reason can draw cudgels, machetes, guns and other deadly weapons from any group of people against the other in a cult, gang, religious or tribal feud and before you know it, many heads would have rolled. Mere Street squabbles, beer parlour arguments, bus banter among others easily degenerate into violence, blood and deaths.

    Amidst all this grand madness, Nigerians descend on places of worship almost 24 hours every day to call on the same God that they have refused His simple injunction not to kill. If we attach a modicum out of the prodigious respect we attach to religion to regard to life, Nigeria will be a better place to live in.

     

    • Laitan Akinwunmi

    Ifako-Ijaiye

    Lagos State

     

  • Why is life so cheap?

    Why is life so cheap?

    SIR: After following the events of the brutal killing of three students of the University of Port Harcourt and their friend, I came to the sickening conclusion that in Nigeria we are living a culture of bestiality. Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, Biringa Chiadika Lordson, Mike Lloyd Toku and their friend Tekena Erikena, promising young adults were accused of stealing laptops and mobile phones.

    Even if these kids were guilty, we have our laws. And no one, no matter their position should take the laws into their hands. Considering that these boys were paraded for hours, and with the initial hush hush about it and the failure of law enforcement agents to go there quickly enough, hangs a cloud of doubt. Perhaps this may not be the first of its kind in that community, such killings may have been going on in secret without anyone knowing. This incident may just be the one that exposed them.

    To again show that all is not well with President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, while he addressed Nigerians on the 2013 Budget, he failed to use the opportunity to condemn the acts of those murderers, leaving it a little too late. A crime that was perpetrated in his own region for that matter. It is condemnable. Such attitudes can only embolden perpetrators.

    Perhaps in all this show of bestiality, the Nigerian press was the greatest felon, particularly the tabloids that splashed headlines after headlines, assailing readers with gory pictures, and cashing in on it at the same time. Where is the humanity? What about the ethics of the profession? The pictures on the net covered their genitals.

    We have lost our humanity, and that is why Nigerians no longer value life, even their own. We are still talking about the Mubi killings and now this. It did not start today. When a petty thief is caught, a crowd mills round him. A quick decision is made. In unison a tyre is put on his neck and he is set ablaze, while those who steal our commonwealth are embraced and honoured.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated a one-year prayer project for the nation. But faith without good works they say is dead. If we do not show love to our fellow humans whom we see, how can we claim that we love God who we cannot see? We must cleanse this bloodthirsty land. Perhaps that is what has been holding us back.

     

    • Dr Cosmas Odoemena

    Lagos