The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Experts

  • Why cancer is on the increase, by Experts

    Importation of fairly used electronics and technological devices has been linked to increase in cases of cancer, diabetes and other immuno-cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.

    This is just as a recent research showed that the country generates 1.1million tonnes of electronic waste annually, with 40 percent produced in Lagos.

    Electronic wastes, mostly generated from dead electronics, fridges, mobile phones and computers are said to contain highly toxic substances, which contaminate the air, water and the ecosystem.

    Urging Nigerians to stop hoarding unused electronic devices as well as avoid buying imported fairly used electronics, a firm, E-Terra Technologies Limited said it has taken its campaign on proper disposal of e-waste to universities and communities across the country.

    It said it has also partnered the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to ensure e-waste generated do not constitute health hazards to residents.

    Giving the seriousness of the e-waste crisis, the firm said a monthly community engagement campaign has been introduced, adding that training on proper management for informal handlers of electronic gadgets would be introduced.

    According to E-Terra’s Managing Director, Ifeanyi Ochonogor, plans have been concluded for the country’s maiden waste recycling exposition, slated for May 24 in Lagos.

    At the exposition, Ochonogor said  efforts of some government agencies, partners and clients, who have shared in its vision to address the worsening environmental, health and financial problems caused by improper e-waste management would be recognised.

    According to him, Nigeria has the best machinery on proper data destruction, assuring that there would be no information leakages.

    “Giving the progress that the world is making in technology advancement, same progress and innovation should be done to ensure sustainable e-waste management and protection users.

    “From statistics, Nigeria generates at least 1.1m tons of e-waste annually and 40 percent is generated in Lagos. So, the issue now is turning these e-waste from the toxins they are to avenues for wealth creation. That is why we are calling on people to bring out all unused electronics.”

     

  • $51 oil benchmark okay for 2018 budget, say experts

    Experts have commended the decison to raise the oil benchmark from $45 to $51 per barrel for the 2018 budget passed on Wednesday by the National Assembly, more than six months after it was presented.

    The National Assembly passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N9.12 trillion, raised from the N8.61 trillion proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 7, 2017.

    The budget expenditure was premised on oil price benchmark of 51 dollars per barrel as against 45 dollars proposed by the President.

    Crude oil production was bench-marked at 2.3 million barrels per day and exchange rate of N305 to one dollar.

    Acting Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) Mr Victor Muruako, described the passge of the bill as “a relief to the nation.”

    Muruako said it would also bring hope to the populace and boost the economy.

    He described the crude oil benchmark at 51 dollars per barrel as the right thing to do, considering the current price of crude oil globally which yesterday hit the $80 threshold, the first time since 2014.

    “The crude oil price benchmark is very realistic because if you look at the current crude oil price you will see that 51 dollars is fair enough, because the essence of these things is not to have an unrealistic estimate.

    “Crude is going for 78 to 80 dollars per barrel and I think 51 dollars is even conservative but it is better to be on the safe side, so for me it is a commendable effort,” Muruako said.

    He also said the increase in the budget estimate by the National Assembly by N508 billion was in the interest of the country.

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) also commended the oil benchmark.

    The Director-General of LCCI Muda Yusuf, said: “Given the development in the crude oil market, which has pushed oil price to about $80 per barrel, I think the decision of the National Assembly to increase the benchmark is understandable.

    “If the increase is in the areas that would make impact, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security and health, it is welcome.

    “As at the time the budget was presented to the National Assembly, oil price was below $50 per barrel, so the adjustment is laudable,” he said.

    Yusuf urged the Federal Government to guard against a future recurrence of the budget delay process, adding that the delay might affect timelines for the delivery of capital projects and create uncertainties in the economy.

    “It is becoming a culture that we always have budget delays, which I do not think is good for our economy,” he said.

    President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Prof. Segun Ajibola, describd the provision of N2.8 trillion for capital expenditure in the Budget as low.

    Ajibola in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said: “Looking at the provision for the capital expenditure, one will say it is low because there are lots to be done in economy today in terms of capital projects.

    “In terms of infrastructure, we have power projects, railway, refineries, manufacturing and agriculture projects.

    “These are capital related projects that require substantial allocation from the budget.

    “When one looks at the state of economy today, one will say the provision of capital expenditure is low,’’ he said.

    Ajibola, however, called for timely release of funds to implement the capital projects.

    “We are in May now; we don’t want to hear that funds are not released for capital projects in October.

    “If that is the case, that means nothing can be achieved in the implementation of the 2018 budget,’’ the don said.

    “They are projects-hiked adjustment; they are adjustment that can be measured.

    “Also, I want you to know that the implementation of budget is done by the executive not the legislature, so the President will still do some consultations before signing the Budget.’’

    The don assured that the country’s rising debt profile of N21.7 trillion was nothing to worry about, though on the high side.

    He said it was not much to worry about because the quality of the debt was spent on projects so that the dividend of borrowing would come handy to an average Nigerian.

    “We also know that some of the debts are transmitted from local to foreign through Euro bond to reduce the debt burden.

    “It is also a good development when you look at the budget and debt services; we can say that the debt is channeled toward development,’’ Ajibola said.

  • Experts canvass Pay-As-You-Go insurance

    •NAICOM: underwriters must obtain approval on product

    Experts have called on insurance regulators, operators and other stakeholders to deepen engagements and intensify efforts among themselves to arrive at specific ways to adopt and implement Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) insurance on the continent.

    The experts spoke at the just-concluded African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference held in Accra, Ghana.

    They also said Africa’s inadequate infrastructure was affecting the adoption of PAYG insurance by local underwriters.

    A South African insurance expert, Nico Conrade, said the use of technology to enhance the delivery of insurance service is crucial to deepening insurance penetration across the continent.

    He stressed that adequate infrastructure and data analyses must be pursued to drive the implementation of the PAYG and for the growth to take place.

    Another expert urged underwriters to roll up their sleeve and carry out the plans.

    He said there was the need to reach out to the people had not been able to get insurance services.

    He said maximising efficiency and resolving problems is key to the growth of the insurance industry.

    National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said operators  must obtain approval from the Commission before they would be allowed to offer the PAYG product.

    Its Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, George Onekhena, who led a team of the Commission to the conference, said  the PAYG is a variant of use-based insurance, which can be offered at various levels of sophistication.

    Onekhena noted that insurance companies could offer the product as long as they could make the business case for it, including evidence of facility to objectively determine customers specific behaviours and usage patterns.

    In terms of readiness of Nigeria, he said it depended on choice of insurance firms on the type of product they feel commercially motivated to offer.

    He said: “It is  a product that offers insurance companies the opportunity to optimise their relationship with their clients through not only charging premiums that will more closely reflects risk they assume, but also offers their customers the opportunity to positively influence the premium they pay through appropriate behavioural  and usages choices.

    “It is a product that is, therefore, mutually beneficial to both parties in the insurance contract provided a fool-proof arrangement can be made to determine usage and claims incidents.

    ‘’Insurance companies can offer the product as long as they can make the business case for it, including evidence of facility to objectively determine customers specific behaviours and usage patterns.

    “What the regulator will be interested in are the logic in the business case presented and adequacy of customer protection features. Insurance companies have choice to offer the product to their customers. They, however, have to obtain approval from the commission.

    ‘’The commission will pass their request through the usual new product approval process and ensure they meet the test of reasonableness, commercial viability and adequacy of customer protection features.”

     

  • Experts seek intellectual property funding for innovators

    Intellectual property experts have urged the government to do more to help startups. According to them, there is not enough funding for new innovations.

    They spoke at a seminar in Kaduna organised by the Intellectual Property (IP) Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) to mark this year’s World Intellectual Property Day.

    The section also inaugurated the ‘SBL Club’ at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

    The seminar had two sessions on Securing Nigeria’s Future Through Innovation and Creativity, and Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity.

    NBA-SBL IP committee chairman Mr. Afam Nwokedi said there was need to formulate an IP policy in Nigeria, noting that as IP was crucial to development, it was necessary to get it right.

    Nwokedi advocated for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the intellectual space to encourage diversity of thoughts and cross-pollination of ideas.

    He said: “The expectations on Nigeria to meet up with what is considered as international best practices in the field of IP must not overshadow our national interest and the quest to join the comity of developed nations.”

    Wife of Kaduna State governor,  Aisa Ahmad El Rufai called for sustainable sensitisation of the public on the challenges, expectations and benefits of a proactive IP regime.

    She said there was  the need think out of the box in formulating policies, which according to her, should take into consideration the country’s strength and its peculiarities.

    She called for the teaching of sciences in local languages to solve the mother tongue language barrier issues.

    NBA-SBL Chairman Mr. Olumide Akpata said the section was committed to developing capacity.

    “To this end, the SBL is partnering relevant institutions to formulate curriculla. The process of knowledge acquisition being continuous, the Section will churn out more thought-provoking platforms to assist in the drive for knowledge acquisition, not only amongst qualified lawyers, but potential law graduates,” he said.

    He said it was with such objectives that the SBL introduced clubs in universities. “Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria is the second beneficiary of the initiative, other will follows shortly,” Akpata said.

    Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs Umma Hikima, praised the NBA-SBL and its IP Committee for chosing Kaduna for the event.

    She said Kaduna was ready to benefit from the implementations of IP treaty obligations that Nigeria has entered into.

    An IP expert, Dr. U. B. Bindir,  advocated the restructuring of the country’s educational curriculum, the inculcation of research and development as instruments of development and the creation of IP investment funds to assist inventors, innovators and creatives.

    Using scientific analysis, Dr. Bindir was of the opinion that at Nigeria’s current developmental state, the full acutualisation of the Vision 2020 target was impracticable.

    He compared the trajectory of the lower quarter of the top 20 economies and said it was practically unrealistic for Nigeria to achieve the target of been on the list in two years.

    According to him, there was need for the country to readjust its expectations and be pragmatic.

    The panelists included Dr. Musa Waziri of University of Abuja; former Registrar of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Mrs. Nima Salman; Special Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Investment Mrs. Chiaka Okoye and Dr. Zainab Haruna of ABU.

    Dr. Waziri and Mrs. Salman urged the government to fund IP initiatives.

    Mrs. Salman said the level of resources allocated to the IP sector reflected the lack of recognition of its inherent potentials for economic development.

  • Experts call for handwashing culture in schools

    The best way to prevent diseases is through the promotion of the handwashing culture in public schools, experts have said.

    A cross-section of hygiene specialists, who spoke with The Nation on the sidelines of an awareness programme on healthy good living in public schools organised by the Environmental Support Group held at the Ojodu area of Ikeja, Lagos, said a number of contagious diseases are easily spread through dirty hands.

    A hygiene expert, Nkem Usoro, said government at all levels should promote  the handwashing culture to save school children from contacting and spreading deadly but preventable diseases.

    She said: “As we all know, going by the playful nature of children at school or home, they can be hyper-active and contact deadly diseases through dirt on their body and hands and passed them on to their playmates causing illnesses and deaths. It is against this backdrop that a culture of handwashing with soap and water is important; it’s cheaper and effective in preventing diseases and saving lives.’’

    An environmental health practitioner, Mrs Adebisi Shoetan, urged the government at all levels not to jettison handwashing in the best interest of children.

  • Experts seek reforms to boost real estate

    The law regulating legal estate funding needs to be reviewed to accommodate crowdfunding, according to a financial expert, Mr. Sonnie Ayere.

    He said: “Crowdfunding,” an online platform for raising financing, is gaining popularity in other countries but is prohibited under Nigerian law.

    He spoke in Lagos when legal and real estate experts met in Lagos at the seventh Business Series seminar organised by Detail Commercial Solicitors (DETAIL), a law firm specialising in non-court room practice.

    Speaking on Alternative Funding Opportunities in a Digitally Enabled Market, Ayere, Chief Executive Officer at Dunn Loren Merrifield, said the growing trend is to look to financial technology (fintech) companies for alternative sources of funding for real estate projects, rather than the traditional banks.

    Ayere said “fintechs offer diverse financial services and solutions using modern technology, such as digital lending platforms; online real estate investment options for individuals; or investments in single-family homes for institutional investors.”

    He noted that there is a possibility that in the future, Nigerian laws and regulations could change to accommodate crowdfunding.

    Ayere also discussed financing options via the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, which was established to further increase access to mortgages in the market. He also proposed unlocking financing capital via pension funds.

    Speaking on PropTech: Developing a smarter marketplace, Dr Andrew Nevin, the Partner and Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria revealed that the real estate sector is the most important sector to the economy and the success of the economy is highly dependent on building a robust real estate sector.

    However, the growth of the real estate sector is limited by gaps in the land-titling system, he said.

    Nevin said: “The real estate system cannot work without a proper land registry. It is a mathematical impossibility. If you don’t know you own the land, you will not improve it. If the bank doesn’t know you own the land, they are not going to lend against it.”

    Nevin explained that technology, such as blockchain, can be explored and implemented to establish a proper land registry in Nigeria. Blockchain is a decentralised ledger of all transactions in a network.

    Participants in the network, he said, can confirm transactions without the need for a trusted third-party intermediary.

    “The advantages of blockchain for land registration is that it is tamper-proof, which reduces the chance of forgery or manipulation; it unifies the land registration process under a single digital platform; and it helps automate the process of registration,” said Nevin.

    Speaking on Using data to create an efficient property market, Mr. Dolapo Omidire, the Founder & Team Lead, Estate Intel explained that technology has made data more available than it was a decade ago. Data can assist in charting the future of any sector including real estate, he said.

    Omidire pointed out that access to data can assist greatly in making sound investment decisions in the real estate sector.

    An Associate Partner and head of DETAIL’s real estate and construction practice, Tosin Ajose, said: “we think that Nigeria cannot be isolated from the global trends in the real estate market and we thought it was an apt time for us to talk about the way the real estate environment is changing so people are well positioned to benefit from the disruptions.

    “DETAIL drives thought leadership around its practice areas and it has looked at the landscape and identified where the real estate market is heading, the reason for this forum’s discussion is therefore to ensure that people know where the market is going and position themselves in anticipation of the changes.”

  • Experts lament lack of saving culture among Nigerians

    Financial experts have expressed worries over the lack of saving culture among Nigerians, saying such attitude contributes to the decline of small and medium scale enterprises in the country.

    At a seminar organised by UT Financial Services held in Lagos, with the topic ‘Investing to secure the future’, a financial expert with a new generation bank, Mr Segun Akintunde, said Nigerians ranked among countries with the least saving culture, which in effect is affecting the growth of SMEs.

    “Nigerians have been ranked among people that have the lowest saving culture. It is the amount of saving that you have that will form the amount of investment you will have. This is the reason the SMEs are suffering, because Nigerians are not saving enough for them to have an investment,” he lamented.

    He continued: “There is need to improve saving culture among Nigerians. We need to save for security purpose, to enhance our standard of living, to acquire assets, raise more capital and invest.”

    According to him, some of the challenges preventing people from saving are procrastination, lack of budget, impatience, discipline and goals.

    The Chief Executive Officer, UT Financial Services, Mr Ade Adebajo, said the public should be enlightened on the importance of saving, promising that the company is ready to help individual to invest their money in profitable businesses such as property, transportation e.t.c.

    “We must take charge of money and investment decisions. People should save more, spend less and learn to live less. They can make extra income with minimal investment,” Adebajo said.

    The president of the company, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, said when people save, “it will reduce the stress of going to bank for loan,” adding that the SMEs are the livewire of any economy as it improves the economy of any country.

  • Expert to Facebook users: Avoid data leakage on platform

    An IT expert, Mr Charles Douglas, says the safest and most efficient way of stopping Facebook and other social network sites from tracking ones browsing history is by installing DNT+ in the web browser.

    DNT+ or “Do Not Track Plus’’, is a free-of-charge browser extension for blocking trackers on the internet.

    Douglas, who works with Phoenix Hubs, gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    He gave a few tips on how to avoid losing Facebook information (contacts, messages and locations) to third party users in view of the recent Facebook data leakage of over 87 million users worldwide.

    The Founder of Facebook, Mr Mark Zuckberberg, who was interrogated by the U.S. Senate, admitted that the organisation needed to have a more secure platform to forestall further exposure of data to the public.

    Douglas said “DNT+, when installed as an extension of ones browser, can expand each section and see exactly which of these social sites have been blocked.

    “For example, when visiting CNN.com, you can use DNT+ to automatically block Facebook, twitter and more. If your main concern is blocking social networks and advertisers, DNT+ is a great way of doing that.

    “In order to stop sharing of your location information with third parties on Facebook, it is better to turn off your location history on the app,” he said.

    He said it was very vital to keep Facebook data private as it might be leaked out just like what happened recently on the platform, where data of over 50 million profiles were leaked to a consulting firm.

    Douglas said that when people voluntarily release their information to Facebook and install it onto your mobile phone device, “it has gone public.’’

    “When you install Facebook onto your mobile device, it automatically grants permissions across your mobile device to access your SMS, MMS, camera, microphone, location, and other data.

    “By installing the app, you have given Facebook permission to use any of these settings at any time. You can change these permissions,’’ he said.

    “Just the way your browsing activity is monitored by browsers like Google, Mozilla and social media; Twitter, Facebook also monitors this information and stores them in the form of cookies on their servers, which they in turn sell to advertisers  to have a targeted audience.’’

    Douglas noted that Facebook users could go to app settings on their Facebook account from their device, and clear all browsing data from websites you visited while using Facebook app.

     

  • Experts launch centre for autism, neuro-development disorders

    TO raise awareness on proper management of autism,  Neuro-development disorders professionals have inaugurated a Centre for Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders (CAND-Do).

    The centre, which is at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is focus driven and positioned to address, research, learning and service needs of persons and caregivers of those living with autism and neuro-developmental disorders.

    It is also focused on the development of source and services around Autism and Neuro-developmental disorders and positioned to engage independent activities within the purview of its purpose. It is again open to partnership  with other organisations for sponsorship of its independent activities.

    At the inauguration Prof. Umafue of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), said the organisation is to promote and show case what stakeholders are doing, and what has been done.

    According to Umafue, Autism  in our society tends to be mismanaged, hence the “Centre is here to promote, showcase and inform the society on how we can well be informed on how to manage people living with autism and tackling the scourge. Autistic kids are isolated from the society due to the communication gap that exists because of them being either nonverbal or having articulation issues”.

    Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who represented University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe appreciated the CAND-Do team and promised to continue to support  children living with Autism as well as their parents, teachers and care givers “so that through us, the world can hear them”.

    Benola Chief Executive Officer Olufemi Gbadebo, who spoke on cerebral palsy, explained that it is  a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. “Signs and symptoms vary among people. Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speaking. Difficulty with the ability to think or reason. While the symptoms may get more noticeable over the first few years of life, the underlying problems do not worsen over time,”he said.

    Gbadebo, who said massive publicity from the government, corporate world and individual, can make a huge difference, added: “No matter your profession, you should help, don’t turn your back on people living with disabilities, early intervention helps. I urged parents to also look out for their kids. We know it is a very therapeutic experience.”

    Dr Yewande Oshodi, who gave an overview of CAND-Do, said it basically means we are ready, “we can do it”.

    Oshodi said “CAND-Do is ready to take up the challenges. “Early intervention helps and I encourage the society to support the CAND-Do team and vision.”

    Another member of CAN-Do, Dr Muyideen Bakare said children suffering from autism spectrum disorder and developmental disorders should not be left alone because they required special and extra care.

    “Aside the fact that people living with Autism are on different levels of the spectrum, they are also on different levels of disability – as some are deficient in areas where others are not,” he added.

    Keynote speaker, Prof Ehaleoye Ukpokolo said he was so proud of CAND-Do and urged everyone to understand how to relate with people with disability.

    “I will suggest and recommend  that there is a change of mindset on autism, because in every problem that we face we should always look for a solution.

    “I am very glad to be here to learn what I have come to do is to learn, what I have come to understand is that we all have to re-understand of this whole discourse that as to do with neurodevelopmental differently order.”

    Commending CAND-Do team the Provost, College of Medicine, UNILAG, Prof Afolabi Lesi, applauded all the participants and appreciated the CAND-Do team. “We will continue to support children living with Autism as well as their parents, teachers and care givers so that through us, the world can hear them,” said Lesi said.

  • Experts launch centre for autism, neuro-development disorders

    TO raise awareness on proper management of autism,  Neuro-development disorders professionals have inaugurated a Centre for Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders (CAND-Do).

    The centre, which is at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is focus driven and positioned to address, research, learning and service needs of persons and caregivers of those living with autism and neuro-developmental disorders.

    It is also focused on the development of source and services around Autism and Neuro-developmental disorders and positioned to engage independent activities within the purview of its purpose. It is again open to partnership  with other organisations for sponsorship of its independent activities.

    At the inauguration Prof. Umafue of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), said the organisation is to promote and show case what stakeholders are doing, and what has been done.

    According to Umafue, Autism  in our society tends to be mismanaged, hence the “Centre is here to promote, showcase and inform the society on how we can well be informed on how to manage people living with autism and tackling the scourge. Autistic kids are isolated from the society due to the communication gap that exists because of them being either nonverbal or having articulation issues”.

    Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who represented University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe appreciated the CAND-Do team and promised to continue to support  children living with Autism as well as their parents, teachers and care givers “so that through us, the world can hear them”.

    Benola Chief Executive Officer Olufemi Gbadebo, who spoke on cerebral palsy, explained that it is  a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. “Signs and symptoms vary among people. Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speaking. Difficulty with the ability to think or reason. While the symptoms may get more noticeable over the first few years of life, the underlying problems do not worsen over time,”he said.

    Gbadebo, who said massive publicity from the government, corporate world and individual, can make a huge difference, added: “No matter your profession, you should help, don’t turn your back on people living with disabilities, early intervention helps. I urged parents to also look out for their kids. We know it is a very therapeutic experience.”

    Dr Yewande Oshodi, who gave an overview of CAND-Do, said it basically means we are ready, “we can do it”.

    Oshodi said “CAND-Do is ready to take up the challenges. “Early intervention helps and I encourage the society to support the CAND-Do team and vision.”

    Another member of CAN-Do, Dr Muyideen Bakare said children suffering from autism spectrum disorder and developmental disorders should not be left alone because they required special and extra care.

    “Aside the fact that people living with Autism are on different levels of the spectrum, they are also on different levels of disability – as some are deficient in areas where others are not,” he added.

    Keynote speaker, Prof Ehaleoye Ukpokolo said he was so proud of CAND-Do and urged everyone to understand how to relate with people with disability.

    “I will suggest and recommend  that there is a change of mindset on autism, because in every problem that we face we should always look for a solution.

    “I am very glad to be here to learn what I have come to do is to learn, what I have come to understand is that we all have to re-understand of this whole discourse that as to do with neurodevelopmental differently order.”

    Commending CAND-Do team the Provost, College of Medicine, UNILAG, Prof Afolabi Lesi, applauded all the participants and appreciated the CAND-Do team. “We will continue to support children living with Autism as well as their parents, teachers and care givers so that through us, the world can hear them,” said Lesi said.