The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Exploring

  • Exploring the Wonders of Kingdom Stewardship!

    Serving God is a big-time business! That is the reason Jesus defined Kingdom stewardship as the Father’s business. As it is written: He said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?(Luke 2:49;Exodus 23:25-26).

    Therefore, Kingdom stewardship is the Father’s business and it is a platform established by God for profitable living.

    What, then, is Kingdom Stewardship?

    Kingdom stewardship is all about serving God and the interests of His Kingdom as a lifestyle. It is one of the great steps that lead us to a world of wonders. As it written: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (Job 36:11; see also Matthew 6:33).

    That means we are not permitted to live under pressures when we serve God. Furthermore, we understand from scriptures that Kingdom stewardship which includes soul-winning,emits and engenders wonder rewards.

    WHAT, THEN, ARE THEAMAZING WONDERS IN SOUL-WINNING?

    • The Flow of Divine Wisdom: In soul-winning, we are co-labourers with Christ and The Bible says: He that walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20; Mark 16:20).In other words, as we engage in soul-winning, we work and walk with God, and we cannot walk with the only wise God and not partake of His wisdom. As result, every soul winner flows in divine wisdom supernaturally (Daniel 12: 3).

    We are empowered to scale new heights: The Bible says: But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28).

    No one ever prays or fasts into greatness, we can only serve into greatness. It is the covenant platform for unlimited heights. Therefore, we scale new and strange heights as we serve God with meekness and humility.

    Command of Signs and Wonders (Mark 16:20): Every time He sends us, He backs us with the signs and wonders anointing.  As it is written: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1).

    The more committed we are to soul-winning, the higher our level of command of signs and wonders. Moreover, the Bible says that the husbandman,wholabours is ordained to be the first partaker of the fruits (2 Timothy 2:6). Therefore, as we engage whole-heartedly in soul-winning, the value of our lives is enhanced.

    Access to Divine Favour: The Apostles were out reaping a bountiful harvest for God and they were having favour with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). That means favour was flowing as souls were won into the Kingdom. Thus, when we engage in spiritual stewardship, we enjoy divine favour. As it written:Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory (Psalm 102:13-15).

    Divine Health: A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health (Proverbs 13:17). We are ambassadors of Christ, because we are reconciling the world back to God. Therefore, we are entitled to divine health (2 Corinthians 5:20). It is written: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:1-2).  Thus, as fruit-bearing Christians, Jesus becomes our personal Physician and His mission is to keep us supernaturally fit.

    Divine Protection: Every soul winneris empowered for protection (Luke 10:17-19).

    Supernatural Supplies: When we are on the go for Christ, we are not permitted to lack anything (Luke 22:35).

    Miracle Children: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalm 127:3). When we engage in soul-winning, we become fruit-bearing branches. This is because everyone who bears fruits for the Kingdom, God releases fruits into their lives (John 15:2).

    Miracle Marriage: The Bible says: Marriage is honourable in all… (Hebrew 13:4). Marriage is ordained an honourable thing and it is one the entitlement of everyone who honours Jesus. Every soul winner honours God and as such, is entitled to honour in return, which includes miracle marriage (1 Samuel 2:30).

    Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books:Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Exploring ICT for better learning

    Exploring ICT for better learning

    Sadly, over the years, mass failure in public examinations seems to have become the norm in Nigeria. Many are blaming the boost in information communication technology (ICT) partly for the problem.  Some experts have developed an application that could turn things around. But with increasing sophistication in IT-assisted crimes, how far can this application go? LUCAS AJANAKU writes.

    he use of internet has eased the way people live in Nigeria. Many applications (apps) have been developed in the areas of agriculture and education, health among others, which have helped solving human problems.

    President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Bayo Banjo, said access to the internet has become a double-edged sword. To Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, the hidden dangers unguided access to internet portends to students, moved the state to organise an awareness campaign for  primary and secondary schools pupils.

    Aside using the internet as a platform to acquire genuine knowledge, it has also become a platform for the perfection of organised examination frauds. Through the internet, innocent people have been swindled of their whole life savings. Several marriages have been consummated and broken on the internet while cyber bullies have forced the young at heart to commit suicide.

    The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson said the information communication technology industry (ICT) in Nigeria has grown phenomenally over the last one decade. According to her, the industry is now viewed as “a critical sector of the economy, ranked with oil & gas and power,” contributing significantly to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    “The industry currently contributes 9.58 per cent to GDP (Q3 2014) and is further enabling other sectors of the economy. The total mobile internet subscriptions increased to 73.8 million as at September 2014 from 45 million in 2011 while internet penetration increased to about 52 per cent in September 2014 from about 26.5 per cent in September 2011,” she said.

    But determined to ensure that the internet is deployed to knowledge acquisition, two firms, Cinfores Limited and WaveTek Nigeria Limited, have developed e-learning app they argue will address mass failure in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the two software technology companies to address the increasing rate of mass failure in national examinations in the country through the innovative JAMB BrainFriend app.

    According to JAMB, in 2011, a total of 1,493,604 candidates wrote the examination out of which 2, 892 candidates scored above 300 marks while 842, 851 candidates below 200 marks. 495,426 candidates scored between 200-249 while 67,732 candidates scored between 250 and 269. The result further showed that 31, 444 candidates scored between 270-299 marks while another 7, 504 candidates had their results withheld because they were under investigation. Another 15,160 about 1.14per cent had their results cancelled because of examination malpractices while 28,069 candidates had invalid and incomplete results.

    In 2012, only three candidates scored 300 and above; 901 scored between 270 and 299; 71,339 scored between 250 and 269; 601,151 scored between 200 and 249; 374, 920 scored between 170 and 199 while 336, 330 scored below 170.

    Two years ago, the board withheld 12,110 results for possible disciplinary action. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said after thorough processing of answer scripts of the candidates who sat for the examination, the board discovered some forms of malpractice perpetuated during the conduct of the examination.

    A total of 1,629,102 candidates applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while 15,008 candidates applied for the Dual Based Test, bringing the number of candidates to 1,644,110.

    He said: “The general performance of candidates in this year’s examination shows remarkable improvement compared with last year’s. Ten candidates scored 300 marks and above, while 127,017 candidates scored between 1-159 marks.

    “About 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid due to either multiple shading or no shading at all.  After processing all the results, the board also discovered that about 47,974 candidates were absent.”

    These are certainly disturbing results no doubts. The Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, lamented the steep decline in the quality of education in the country and the need to use ICT to improve the situation. He stressed the need to apply home-grown technology resources to address the twin issues of mass failure and malpractices in examination.

    He said: ‘There is certainly a sharp decline in the quality of education in our country. The mass failure in JAMB exams and other national examinations in recent years is a function of many things including the dearth of quality local resources to address the scourge. JAMB BrainFriend software will definitely tackle this.”

    Jack said, NITDA, as an IT agency, is committed to transforming every sector of the country. Jack said the agency will leave no stone unturned and partner local and international organisations to develop local solutions that will meet the needs of the sector. He said NITDA will do everything  within its power to support the partnership between the two companies. He added that this is why the agency has keyed into the initiative as part of its effort to deepen and encourage local content development in education and other sectors of the economy as mandated by the ACT setting up the agency.

    Managing Director Cinfores Limited, Mr. Asawo Ibifuro, said the two software firm decided to introduce the software to arm students with all that is needed for them to do well in their examination.

    Asawo, who frowned at the increasing rate of failure of students in JAMB examinations, said the software firm will continue to develop innovative apps that would promote ease in knowledge acquisition. He said: “We are committed to helping the students to pass their various educational examinations. We have assembled over 20,000 questions, answers and explanations that would help them overcome any kind of questions that come their way. This software will also banish any phobia that may arise from the electronic JAMB examination taking off this year.”

    The Managing Director of WaveTek Nigeria Limited Mr. Ken Spann, said the two companies realised the dangers of mass failure and its implication for the future of the country. According to him, the 75 per cent failure rate in the last JAMB examination in the country is unacceptable Spann who worked for 11 years at Microsoft Corporation in the United States (US) and Nigeria respectively promoting Microsoft Education value through Microsoft IT Academies, added that the firm would leverage on its network in the education sector.

    He said: “Through our strong network in education, we are collaborating with Cinfores to be its marketing partner and ensure that BrainFriend is used by the over 1.4 million students registered for the exam taking place in March this year.”

    Cinfores Limited had in the last 10 years pioneered locally developed e-learning and exam preparatory software also known as Cinfores BrainFriend.

    The new version of the software also contains over 20,000 questions, answers and explanation; 19 JAMB subjects/ subject combinations for the major disciplines; prototype/ past JAMB questions; career counseling guide; quick references/ study notes; performance tracking; summary/ questions on the UTME 2015 special literature –The Last Days at Forcados; available on Windows/ Android devices; free online counseling @ www.brainfriendonline.com; approved/ certified by the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) and NITDA and affordable.

    Sector analysts say access to both PC and devices remain major challenges. For one, the software could only run on Android/Windows devices that are relatively expensive. The software cannot run on features phones that are affordable.

    But Mr. Jack has promised to make the software available to all the NITDA digital centres across the country to enable examination candidate access it. He also promised to reach out to the NCC and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to make available the software to all its Community Communication Centres in order to extend the reach of the software to all, especially the candidates who cannot afford either a personal computer (PC) or a mobile device to activate the software for personal use.

    The two organisations are however optimistic that with the new wave of public and private sector deployment of locally adapted ICTs for the education sector, most of the challenges faced in the sector will be history. The CEOs urged all well-meaning Nigerians, organisations and institutions operating in the country to support the efforts by acquiring the licenses of the software and make it available to pupils and students across the country.

    Parents and teachers were also urged to download its mobile version on their Android or Windows devices to enable their wards that may not have devices to access the software pending when they could get devices for them. This is to ensure that at least 60 per cent of the candidates preparing for the examination have access to the software to use it to prepare adequately for the forth-coming examination.

    “We are sure this will be the game changer and we will begin to have more successful candidates in our national exams as we fully embrace this solution for forth coming JAMB UTME and related solutions for similar exams,” they said.

  • Exploring social media’s job potential

    Exploring social media’s job potential

    The social media is a potpourri of sorts. You find the sublime and the ridiculous there. But, beyond that, it is an avenue for job creation, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE

     

    People use the social media for various reasons. Some to search for friends; some for shopping; some for dating and others just for the fun of it. When we talk of social media, we are talking about Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Nairaland,Hi5, Whassup, Badoo, T2 Go, YouTube, Blogs, Skype, Skills Page, among others.

    While some applicants post their resume on the social media in anticipation of getting a job, others use them for job creation. People conceive and showcase job ideas on their laptop, I-PAD, Wireless Application (WAP) enabled phones, among other mobile devices.

    Though many have yet to explore the job potential on the social media, it remains veritable sources of creating jobs.

    Findings show that people in developed economies, such as the United States (US) and Europe use social media to create jobs. In such climes, they leverage on the media to create ideas and earn a living. Nigeria has joined the growing list of countries that have realised the importance of using the social media for job creation.

    Experts said with the gradual reduction in paid jobs, people have no choice than to conceive, create and implement job ideas to survive. Companies, they said, are cutting down their workforce in line with economic reality, stressing that the unemployed must tap into the opportunities around them to achieve their aspirations.

    Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee, Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Mr Jide Awe, said the social media tools can be used to create millions of jobs and reduce the pressure on the labour market.

    Awe said once people understand the rudiments of using social media tools, creating jobs would be less of a task. He said millions have used social media to create and execute job ideas in developed countries, adding that the development has helped in reducing the unemployment rate.

    He said Nigerians can do the same thing by providing jobs for themselves through the use of the social media.

    Awe said an unemployed does not need to open an office or employ people, before they create jobs through the social media. He said what job seekers need to do is to get laptop(s) or any other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) device and get connected to the internet.

    He said the process of creating jobs through the social media are many, adding that it requires painstaking, understanding of ICT devices, good and marketable job ideas, among others.

    He said: “Unlike the traditional mode of creating jobs that requires getting an office space and employing people, social media is not. Once you are connected to the internet, you create and offer your services through any of the social media.

    For instance, you can render e-learning services, once you are well grounded in academics. You teach people across the world through the media, and get paid. Once your services are acceptable, you will get a large audience to attend to. This translates to a lot of money. When many people can offer a product or different lines of products on the social media, each would get its own patrons.

    “There are so many job’ ideas. There are ideas in the areas of agriculture, education, financial services among other sectors of the economy. People can go on the social media to create job ideas in these areas, get audience and paid.”

    According to him, people can leverage on community-based projects to create jobs for themselves. One of them is group networking through, which people in different locations would discuss business issues, irrespective of the geographical barriers. He said people get paid for providing the services.

    Also, the Managing Director, New Horizon Computer Learning Centre, Mr. Tim Akano said people must be versatile before they can create jobs through social media networks.

    He said people must know the workings of the internet before they can create job ideas on any social network.

    Akano said technology has brought in different innovations, adding that people can create ideas once they know how to use ICT devices well. He said new social media networks are springing up because people keep on conducting research globally. He said the social media are originally developed for fun among internet users, adding that people are creating different ideas through them to achieve their goals.

    He said interactive media could be used for many things, depending on what people are looking for.

    He said: “As unemployment is increasing and governments are incapable of tackling it, it behoves on people to think, and create ideas to survive. I think the social media are channels of executing job ideas.

    “Ideas are relative, depending on the goals which the unemployed have set for themselves. There are more than one million ideas in the world. The most important thing is for job’ seekers to think of ideas that can sell well. The world is a global village. Millions of people can connect to one or two social media networks at a time. Once the patronage on social media increases, people that create ideas are bound to get good response and profits.

    He said there is no limit to the number of jobs that can be created through the social media, advising unemployed to be creative and enterprising.

    Akano said there are job ideas in the academics, marketing, among others.

    Similarly, a communication expert, Mr Yinka Adeniran, said researchers and people with proven communication skills can create part-time jobs through the social media. Adeniran said one can get people that want to conduct research on some issues through the social media. He said that there are thousands of people looking for researchers through the social media.

    He said: “If you are a communication specialist, you would get jobs to do via social media. I could remember that I made over $2000 in 2011. Some companies saw my resumes on one of the social media networks. They got in touch with me through the same process. Thereafter, they asked me to write detailed articles on operations and performance of MTN Nigeria, among other companies in the country. For each article, I was paid at least $300. People must read wide, and get acquainted with socio-economic and political developments globally. Once people know the depth of works, you get jobs. He advised the unemployed to think of what they can do for themselves if they want to grow.”

     

  • Exploring aluminum sector for 80,000 jobs

    Exploring aluminum sector for 80,000 jobs

    The aluminum industry is in dire straits. It has lost a huge market share to Chinese products. It is also faced with dwindling resources. But market watchers believe that all hope is not lost for the sector, which they say, can create 80,000 jobs, if the macro-economic environment is right, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE.

    With a high unemployment rate, the government has a major challenge in its hand. How can it tame this unemployment monster in order to grow the economy?

    Statistician-General of the Federation Dr Temi Kale said about 20.3 million Nigerians are unemployed. The figure, he said, represents 30 per cent of the working population, adding that the figure is likely to increase in the next few years. He said unemployment has untold effects on the economy, calling for more proactive measures on the issue.

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is also concerned about the huge number of unemployed graduates in the country. It said the country would experience job crisis, if steps were not taken to reverse the trend.

    The United Nations, in its 2012 Economic Index for developing countries, said Nigeria has one of the fastest growing unemployment rates in Africa. The body said the country, in spite of its huge mineral resources, has refused to grow its economy to an enviable height. It said Nigeria has a lower per capita income because its people live on less than $2 per day.

    To tackle the problem, experts advise the government to revive the ailing sectors of the economy. They said the aluminum industry is under threat of extinction, and must be revamped. They said Nigeria has huge iron ore reserves, arguing that it stands a better chance of producing aluminum products optimally. According to them, the industry can easily generate between 70,000 to 80,000 jobs, once there is an enabling environment.

    Speaking on the issue, the General Manager, Human Resources, Tower Aluminum Rolling Mills, Mr Olawale Fatolu, said the industry would easily create 50,000 jobs or more in the first two years of stable power supply in Nigeria.

    Fatolu said aluminum companies would create jobs, irrespective of their product lines. He said the industry is losing jobs, instead of employing more hands to meet its needs. He said there is a huge job prospects in the sector, advising the government to make the environment conducive for the operators.

    Government’s reduction of tariffs on importation of semi-finished and finished aluminum products from 20 per cent to five per cent has affected local manufacturers. He noted that local firms were forced to cut down operations and workforce. Fatolu said the industry boasts of untapped job opportunities.

    He said: “I conducted a research on the aluminum sector recently. The research shows that the industry boasts of 4,000 jobs. Fifty per cent of these jobs have been lost in the past few years. The reason is because many companies have downsized, while others have closed down and instead resort to importation of finished products. From the research, it was discovered that the industry needs at least 50,000 jobs now to survive. More jobs are expected to be created because different lines of products can be produced by the aluminum companies. It is either the government wakes up to its responsibility by providing adequate infrastructure or the industry is forced into extinction.”

    He said the industry provides jobs for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers because of its nature. Semi-skilled workers are drawn from technical colleges, adding that they still need to be trained.

    These workers, he said, are technicians employed to work in aluminum rolling mills, extrusions among other areas. Aluminum extrusion is where domestic items, such as cooking pots, and plates are produced.

    “The unskilled workers are gardeners, cleaners and office attendants. The skilled personnel are mechanical and electrical engineers. Others are quality control officers, and accountants. Those employed in electrical department produce coils and circles used in producing pots,” he added.

    The Chairman, Steel and Engineering Workers’Union of Nigeria,Comrade Uthman Momoh, said the major problem facing the industry is government’s policies. Momoh said each aluminum company can produce thousands of jobs, if adequate facilities are provided. He said many engineering graduates would get jobs, provided the government provide facilities to make the industry work.

    Said he: “Every year, aluminum companies employ fresh engineering graduates, and train them for between six months to one year to fit into the system. With the industry facing critical problems, it is hard for such graduates to get jobs. If government can provide necessary incentives for the industry, it would be easier for graduates to get jobs.”

    He said technicians are badly needed in aluminum companies, urging the government to provide infrastructure to reduce unemployment in the sector.

    A member of Business Club, Ikeja (BCI), Lagos, Mr Thompson Adebowale, attributed inability of companies to produce optimally and further create jobs to poor power supply.

    Adebowale said companies, such as Cadbury Nigeria Plc use alternative power throughout the year, due to the nature of its products. He said chocolate material coagulates once there is a power failure. He said the development has prevented the companies from using national grid.

    Adebowale, who is a former Managing Director, Berger Paints Plc, said manufacturing companies not only using chemicals a lot, but also record losses when there is interrupted power supply.

    He said steel and allied companies consume more power, and require stable energy supply to function.

    “The only way by which government can galvanise the potentials of the economy is to generate employment opportunities. There is a wide infrastructural gap in the country. Of note is power. Many companies cannot produce optimally due to power problem. Steel industry has collapsed because of inability of companies to generate enough power for operations. I think there are huge employment prospects in companies that use steel by-products,” he added.

    According to him, the potential in the aluminum industry are huge and must be harnessed for economic growth. He advised the government to provide a flexible tax regime, improve power supply, curb the excesses of manufacturers of sub-standards products to help grow the economy.

    “Once good regulatory framework is in place, it would not be hard seeing aluminum companies competing favourably with their counterparts aboard. When this happens, thousands of jobs would be created and the economy would be better. We can create millions of jobs for Nigerians, if we can get it right in the country,” he added.