The Nation Newspaper

Tag: light

  • Relief for hundreds as Itsekiri communities get light, water after 8 years

    There was exhilaration in several Itsekiri communities in Warri area of Delta state as a board member of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr Victor Oritsetimeyin Woods resuscitates moribund amenities in Itsekiri communities..

    The benefiting communities include Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people, Orugbo, Ajigba and Inorin among others, some of which have been in darkness for over eight years when the power plants broke down.

    Ode-Itsekiri and others have been without portable water due to the failure of the water plants in the communities and breakdown of three power generating plants in other communities due to lack of maintenance.

    Specifically, it was gathered that Orugbo and Ode-Itsekiri were grappling with lack of portable water due to the breakdown of the water facilities, until the intervention of Woods, who is the Executive Director in charge of Planning and Research at DESOPADEC.

    Speaking with our reporter on his intervention, the DESOPADEC ED explained that her personal financed the project as his contribution to the rebirth of the communities. He said his individual effort is aimed at facilitating the return of indigenes of the areas who left in search of better living condition.

    He particularly lamented that enrolment at the Ode-Itsekiri schools could be better if there are better social amenities and facilities to make inhabitants of the areas feel like their counterparts in the upland areas.

    He expressed surprise at the low cost required to fix some of the facilities, which failure had led to untold suffering for the inhabitants of the Itsekiri communities.

    “My experience with these projects showed that sometimes you do not need to break the bank to bring some of these facilities back to life. For instance, there was a water project that required just N25,000 to bring it back to life because it was just the water pump that was faulty.

    “In Big Warri (Ode-Itsekiri) and some adjoining towns, we restore water supply, fixed three power generating sets and did some other things. All these we achieved with just a this little money and the relief it has brought to our people is priceless.”

    He blamed the deplorable state of some of the facilities on apathy of some community leaders towards government’s property, stressing that some of the faults with the amenities were things that they could easily have done.

    While conceding that it was not possible for him to personally fix the problem of amenities in all Itsekiri communities, Woods expressed hope that when the 2016 budget of the commission is passed, there would be funds for such intervention.

    “There are very few communities that don’t already have water or power (generator). But they  packed up because of one small problem or the other and because it is provided by government, if government doesn’t come, people complain we don’t have light.”

    A very impressed Itsekiri indigene, Mr Godwin Adanoritsewo, described Wood’s gesture as worthy of emulation.

    Adanoritsewo said:  “We can agree that yielding to the call and fixing of some basic needs of community can lay the foundations of Itsekiri development.”

     

  • Let there be light

    We are suffering here. Over 10 years now, we have been in darkness. We have spent about N400million through our own efforts, yet we remain in darkness… Are we not Nigerians? We cannot continue like this again. As you can see our banner-Enough is Enough.”

    The speaker, Funso Ayeni, spoke for residents of Ibafo, Mowe, Magboro and many other communities along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, who have threatened to disrupt traffic on the highway if darkness continued its reign in their localities.

    He told reporters that the prolonged darkness affected people under 187 Community Development Councils (CDCs) and over 500 Community Development Associations (CDAs).

    According to Ayeni, who is the chairman of a Community Development Council, efforts to get successive state and federal administrations to tackle their troubles failed and the people who live in darkness have decided to give the government a “week ultimatum to address their plight or risk having traffic jam on the ever-busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway”.

    These communities are a classic example of how growth goes before infrastructure, and all its attendant pains. Because of the rapidly expanding Lagos megacity, many people move out to the fringes: partly to own their own homes, to flee from shylock landlords and cut-throat prices or just to escape the urban tension.  But on balance, it is doubtful if the math adds up.

    Ayeni claimed that the people had spent a fortune on poles, cables, transformers and contractors’ fee without the desired result, meaning that the result was extended darkness.  He also lamented that they have had to provide roads, drainage, clinics, schools, electricity and community police posts for their communities without assistance from the authorities.

    This is a familiar picture. It is perhaps darker than others, but it is familiar. It illustrates the suffering in many communities across the country. In the case of these communities in Obafemi Local Government Area of Ogun State, they reportedly blamed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for their dark situation. Ayeni said the electricity company had promised to provide electricity by January 8. The company’s failure to keep its word is a reflection of how the authorities pay lip service to development.

    It goes without saying that the state of affairs has negatively affected socio-economic activities in these communities, apart from the resultant frustration of the people.

    But this dark tale is not just about these particular communities. Moving from the particular to the general, it is the sad story of Nigeria, a country living in darkness in an age of light and enlightenment.

    Still, it is doubtful if invading and shutting down the expressway is the solution to the problem. Yes, these citizens feel hurt, ignored and neglected — and painfully so.  But would they be right to inflict pains on other Nigerians just to vent their own frustrations?  Hardly.

    So, the Ogun State government should liaise with Ibadan DISCO to see what can be done to improve the parlous power situation. But the people should not take the law into their hands.

  • Fifty beams light on Lagos big babes

    Fifty beams light on Lagos big babes

    Described as the golden age, the attainment of fifty is crowning is many instances. Very absorbing and engaging are some of the intricacies life bears on many people. For women, the date perhaps signifies when many things are ‘south’ bound. It is scary for some women. And Fifty, a new movie written and produced by Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV and Ebony Life Films, captures that angst as it follows four Lagos-based women in characters that show braveness, weakness and forgiveness amongst others.

    Detailing the relationships between four Nigerian women – Tola (Dakore Egbuson), Elizabeth (Ireti Doyle), Maria (Omoni Oboli) and Kate (Nse Ikpe Etim) – and how they grapple the multiple challenges life throws at them as they inch towards 50, Abudu, in her debut as a writer has crafted a story that one hardly notices amidst the bustle of city life. Yet, it is very common place.

    In Fifty, Tola, a big time TV host is planning her 50th birthday. Kate, her friend, is also her event planner. Maria is dating Kunle (Wale Ojo), Tola’s husband, and even gets pregnant for him but refuses to disclose who is responsible, even to her friend, Elizabeth, who is also a renowned gynaecologist. Meanwhile, Elizabeth enjoys frolicking with younger men. This fact also distances her from her daughter, who is also working with Tola to plan her birthday party.

    From the temperamental Tola to vivacious Elizabeth and from the prayerful Kate to the pragmatic Maria, the story unfolds. All through the movie, sections of the everyday life of the average and upper-class Lagos women is documented.

    But as Tola’s birthday nears, various secrets spill out, perhaps, the gravest being that from Tola’s father (Taiwo Obileye), breaking the normalcy. Who is responsible for Maria’s baby strikes a more than a chord? What is the true relationship between Tola and her ‘brother’? What devastating news is really responsible for Kate’s sullen dispensation? And would Elizabeth and her daughter’s squabble ever mend? These questions keep the twists going in Fifty.

    The movie also aims to show the beautiful sides of Lagos, unlike some other movies. Outdoor scenes also showcase various landmarks in Lagos, especially the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge and other popular sites within the affluent metropolis. Fifty, directed by Biyi Bandele who is making a sophomoric outing after his directorial debut with Half Of A Yellow Sun, does this without sacrificing the cinematographic excellence. Also, the technical aspects of the movie are top-notch, with the sound and lighting on a world-class standard.

    Fifty also gets a dose of quality live musical performances from King Sunny Ade, Waje, Nneka and Tiwa Savage. The song of Evi Edna Ogholi also features on the movie.

    Set to officially premiere in Nigeria on December 13 and go into the cinemas by December 18, the movie is already enjoying support from the Lagos State government and getting positive reviews globally.

    While Abudu is making her debut as film writer and producer, she also exposes some of the anxieties, insecurities and fears felt by women around attaining the golden age. Abudu, who was 51 in September, might have indeed succeeded in making a film she’s not only convinced of, but which she relates to. But surely, Fifty is a story that anyone who empathises with women can connect to.

  • Light Rail project gets 2015 completion date

    Light Rail project gets 2015 completion date

    The ongoing Lots 1A and 3 of the Abuja Light Rail project, traversing the Central Business District-Idu Industrial Zone-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Kubwa, will be completed in October, next year.

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CCECC on the Addendum II of the Abuja Light Rail project.

    Senator Mohammed said the Addendum II consists of final design and construction of Lot 1B of the Abuja Light Rail project, which is expected to cover Garki I District, Wuse I and II Districts, Utako and some districts in Phases II and III of the Federal Capital City.

    The minister further said the ongoing Lots IA and three will cover a distance of 45.245 kilometers, while Lot 1B is about 31 kilometers, crisscrossing the city of Abuja.

    According to him, the Lot 1B is expected to cost 792 million US Dollars, even though the process has not been completed as it has not been vetted by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council.

    He stated that the ongoing Lots 1A and three has reached 60 per cent completion, which informed the October 2015 completion date as being feasible.

    The minister reiterated that the achievements are recorded as a result of the foresight and pragmatism of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, which seems to have truly accelerated the physical development of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Speaking earlier, the FCT Transportation Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Ivoke Achara praised the FCT minister for being able to push all the projects despite scarcity of funds.

    He said the project was very significant to the overall development of the Federal Capital Territory because every modern city needs an effective transportation network.

    Responding, the Vice-President of CCECC, Mr. Cao Bao Gang, said he has been in Nigeria for over 10 years and in Abuja for over eight years; noting that the pace of development of Abuja under Senator Bala Mohammed is unprecedented.

    Gang assured that his company will not fail in delivering the Lots 1A and three of the ongoing Abuja Light Rail by October 2015, adding that the remaining phases would be treated with all the seriousness they deserve.

    He emphasised that his company cherished the existing partnership and collaboration with the FCT Administration, saying it is committed and determined to take the city to greater heights.

  • Let there be light

    Let there be light

    Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna (KADPOLY) have won the Sahara Light up Nigeria Challenge, a contest organised by Entrepreneurship Action In Us (Enactus) in collaboration with the Sahara Group, with their power project, which brought a community out of darkness. WALE AJETUNMOBI and BALIKIS MOYOSORE report.

    TO residents of Butsen Gaya village in Kaduna State, the students are God sent. About 40 kilometres away from their campus, students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna (KADPOLY) travelled to the remote Kaduna South Local Government to give the community light.

    The community had been without electricity since the state was created, but the students, who are members of Entrepreneurship Action in Us (Enactus) team in KADPOLY, have built a power turbine to light up the village.

    For the feat, the students emerged winner of the Sahara Light up Nigeria Challenge organised last month by the Enactus in collaboration with the Sahara Group.

    The challenge was instituted to inspire undergraduates, who are members of Enactus teams  in higher institutions, to explore opportunities in the value chain to generate sustainable electricity.

    About 29 teams entered for the challenge, but only five were able to develop projects that met the standards of the Business Development Unit of the Sahara Group.

    The five teams comprised students of the Federal University of Agriculture (UNIAGRIC) in Makurdi, Federal University of Uyo (UNIUYO), KADPOLY, Federal Polytechnic, Idah (IDAH POLY) and the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTECH).

    The KADPOLY team tagged its project Renewable Energy Advance Project (REAP) and leveraged wind energy by constructing a turbine from waste materials, which converted wind energy to electricity. The electricity generated powered household appliances in the community.

    The UNIUYO team came second with its wind turbine to specifically power a healthcare facility, which hitherto depended on erratic and public electricity for its daily operations. UNIAGRIC was the second runner-up with an innovative fuel-less and sound-less generator that uses car battery and an alternator to generate electricity. The machine is built for small-scale business owners, who depend on a continuous supply of electricity to remain in business.

    According to the organiser, the challenge is aimed at engaging students to deploy their ingenuity and resourcefulness to become part of the solutions to the electricity problem facing the country, especially in remote communities which cannot afford alternative source of power, such as generators and inverters.

    The students took up the challenge and deployed their creativity and innovations in developing simple power models that could reduce production cost, encourage the broad utilisation of available energy sources, support businesses and improve people’s standard of living.

    Using the bottom up approach, the team of students deployed local and easy-to-use technologies that can either generate or conserve electricity.

    Enactus is an international non-profit organisation that brings together student, academic and business leaders to use their power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living of people.

    Guided by academic advisors and business experts, students of Enactus initiate and implement community empowerment projects around the world. The action does not only transform lives, it also helps students develop the talent and perspective that are essential to leadership.

  • Pillar of light comes over Otto community

    Pillar of light comes over Otto community

    What a Sallah celebration it was last week for the people of Otto in Lagos Mainland  as their long years of suffering erratic power supply came to an end during the Eid-Ul-Fitri festival when they were given a 500KVA electricity transformer by their representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly. OZIEGBE OKOEKI was at the handover ceremony.

    For residents of Otto in Lagos Mainland 1 constituency, there was no better Sallah present than the one given to them by their representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Bashir Oloto last week.

    For quite a long time residents of the area have been experiencing erratic public power supply due to a fault detected in the  old transformer  that they have been using for years, forcing some of them to relocate. But as they celebrated the end of Ramadan last week, Hon. Oloto brought relief to them with his presentation of a 500KVA electricity transformer

    Oloto also gave out about 3,500 bags of rice, food items to his constituents as part of his goodwill gesture for the sallah celebration.

    According to the people of the area, several efforts have been made to get the attention of the relevant authorities to supply the area another transformer but such efforts have been unproductive. A community leader in the area, Taiwo Ajayi, who spoke to newsmen at the handing over ceremony of the transformer, disclosed that “we have been through a lot of challenges as regards the issue of electricity supply. Out of the 24 hours in a day, we hardly make use of electricity for one hour. There are times that we don’t have it for more than a week and almost every household relies on generator.

    “Our businesses have been down for a very long time because of lack of electricity supply. It was so bad that some had to relocate to neighbouring communities that are enjoying electricity. Now we are very happy that our representative in the House of Assembly has come to our rescue, the issue of epileptic power supply can now become a thing of the past,” Ajayi enthused.

    Oloto noted that the problem of epileptic power supply has been a major problem in the area “and it has been there before I became a member of the House. It was part of my electioneering campaign that I will ensure that Otto gets another power transformer and that is what I am doing today; I am fulfilling that promise I made before getting their mandate. As a lawmaker and representative of the people, it is my responsibility to make sure that my people get everything that will make them comfortable. Now that they have this new 500 KVA transformer, it will replace the old one and they can now enjoy regular supply of electricity,” he said.

    Traditional ruler of the area, Oba Ganiyu Odesanya, Oloto of Otto and Mainland, commended the lawmaker for the gesture, noting that “this is worthy of commendation because this is the best way a politician can repay his people. It is not when you give money to people that you can repay them. You look at what they lack and look for a way to provide those things for them, even if those things are out of your reach, you can use your position to get them for the people. Oloto has done well by remembering those that gave their mandates to him to represent them.

    “Some months ago, I was informed that he gave GCE forms to about 1, 000 students in his constituency, these are some of the things we expect from politicians not just to select some people and be doling money out to them, while many people will not benefit. I want to commend him and I want to advise him not to relent. The only thing we require from him is quality representation at the House of Assembly and I can assure him that he will always get the support of the people whenever the need arises,” Odesanya added.

    Speaking on behalf of the Community Development Association, Olufemi Akano, explained that “our community has waited too long to get this transformer and now that we have it, we will make judicious use of it. We will protect it very well, especially from those who can damage it. We thank out Honourable member for doing this for us and we pray that God will continue to protect and grant him his heart desires,” he said.

    Expressing the excitement of the community, the oldest man in the area, Elder Babatunde Ayinla, noted the tremendous achievements of the lawmaker since he was elected, even as he lamented the absence of power supply to the community for several months now and appreciated the lawmaker for coming to their rescue.

    “Personally, I have been monitoring his activities in the House of Assembly and to an extent, I can say he has represented us well considering the kind of representation we have had in the past. We have lawmakers that only share money among few people, instead of using the money to bring about development to the constituency; they give money out to their loyalists. But Oloto has not been like that, some people came to me to complain that Oloto doesn’t give them money and I told them that his responsibility is not to share money to people and since then, they have stopped coming to complain to me,” said Ayinla.

    While speaking on why he decided to reach out to his constituents, Oloto disclosed that he has not forgotten the overwhelming support the electorate gave to him and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last election in Lagos State.

    In order for the constituents to have a joyful Eid-Ul-Fitri celebration, the lawmaker also gave out about 3,000 mini bags of rice to residents of the 11 wards in Lagos Mainland 1 constituency. This gesture, according to the lawmaker, “is just to appreciate the electorate in a little way. The packaged bags of rice we have shared were meant to let the people have something to celebrate the sallah festival. And what we have done is to go about the whole Wards in my constituency to share the food-stuffs.

    “Some people might feel we are doing these things because 2015 is fast approaching but this is far from it. I am very close to my people and it is important for me to do what I can do to provide for some of their needs and that sallah and nothing more,” said the lawmaker.

    Some of the beneficiaries applauded the lawmaker for the gesture, noting that such largesse could not have come at a better time. “Honourable Oloto is a kind person; I have known him for a very long time, before he became a member of the House. He has always been generous. He donated a transformer to the people of Otto and now, he has given some of us mini bags of rice, which we can use to celebrate the salah festival,” said Mrs. Aminat Ahmed, a resident of Ward A in Makoko area of the constituency.

    Another resident in Freeman Street, Mrs. Titilola Sawyer, said “we are grateful to our lawmaker for these bags of rice he has distributed to us. It is very rare and hard to see a politician that will come back and give back to the people. I want to personally say thank you to him for this gesture and I pray that God will grant him all his heart desires and wherever he is aiming to get to in life, the Almighty God will take him there,” Mrs. Sawyer prayed.

    When asked to give the financial estimate of the things he has done for the people, the lawmaker said “I really can’t give you the financial figure of these things I have done for my people. The point is I don’t always do the financial estimation of whatever I want to do for my people. No amount of money is too much to spend on those who gave me their mandate, so let us not talk about the financial cost of doing these things for them,” he said.

    Oloto, however, urged the people to protect the transformer from those who may want to vandalize it, saying “you have to protect the transformer from those that can vandalize it because once it is vandalized, it will become a problem for the community and I can’t imagine seeing you going back to darkness. So make sure you protect it very well so that you can keep enjoying constant supply of electricity,” the lawmaker added.

  • Light shines on Akwa Ibom community after three years

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was holding town hall meetings in the constituencies in the state. It was the turn of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency and the people used the opportunity to tell the governor that they had been in darkness for three years.

    Their sad years are now over as light has been restored in Ikono. The Senior Special Assistant on Power to the Governor, Dr. Victor Udo, in collaboration with the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, Emmanuel Ukpong and other power sector stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene Business unit, accomplished the feat of restoring power supply to the people of Ikono in three days.

    Residents of Ikono, who have been in a state of euphoria, have not stopped expressing gratitude to Akpabio for keeping his promise and the SSA on Power for the prompt response.

    The Paramount ruler of Ikono, HRM Edidem Nyong Obop, said: “The governor has honored his promise by giving Ikono people light and so I give my unreserved appreciation for what he has done to Ikono people. I very much thank the Senior Special Assistant to His Excellency on Power because he has meticulously carried out the directive of the governor.”

    Ukpong said the restoration of power supply to Ikono would increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and help small businesses to grow.

    In a statement, the SSA on Power said: “It was a pleasure to have worked with the Chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong, who provided the funds and logistics to accomplish His Excellency’s mandate. The Chairman has demonstrated a new model of partnering with the LGAs to accelerate steady power supply across the state consistent with the vision of His Excellency.”

     

  • Staying ahead of light fingered shoppers

    Staying ahead of light fingered shoppers

    Theft is an inherent feature wherever money flows amid crowds of people. Shopping malls are no exception as they mostly comprise large open plazas, multiple shops, movie theatres, including storage and delivery sections.

    The structures are usually expansive and pose challenges for available security personnel. At any shopping mall, large crowds move in and out. Due to the high human traffic, security becomes necessary to safeguard lives and property.

    Therefore, strategically placed mall security cameras enhance security of goods and the shoppers through continual monitoring of all parts of the shopping complex.

    On Tuesday at the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall, Surulere, Lagos, shoppers stood in groups to discuss the need for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in shopping malls. To them, malls shouldn’t lack such facilities.

    “The surveillance camera doesn’t just help in curbing criminal activities; it increases the sense of security of shoppers. Customers stand assured because CCTV guarantees a person’s protection as well as his property,” said Mr Sunday Omokaro, a teacher.

    Indeed, Omokaro is not unaware of the fact that hordes of people throng such a vast space with so much money changing hands daily, thus attractive to criminals. If a would-be thief is aware that he is under watch, he would think twice before stealing anything. Then it goes without saying that cameras and other monitoring devices are needful.

    It is also believed that customers feel safer when they are being monitored by quality security cameras. It is often said that ‘safe customers are happy customers’. Monitoring employees is another advantage of having security cameras in malls. According to the Centre manager, Ikeja City Mall, Mr Norma Sander “Employee activity can be monitored via the CCTV, workers in the mall will be cautious that they have to do their jobs properly. Not just the employees, even the thieves are cautious that they might get caught, and may abstain from criminal activity.”

    The camera is able to provide measurable data that helps to sell more products, thereby helping some retailers improve in their line of business one way or the other. The device also exposes loopholes and provides lasting solutions.

    According to store owners, they closely monitor operations to improve their services with high-resolution video cameras monitoring all areas within and outside the store.

    An example is the Home Affairs Supermarket at Gbagada in Lagos. The owner changed its window displays, adding some female items after noticing that the men who had earlier shopped in the first couple of days during a discount period actually purchased more female items.

    An apparel retailer known as Mo’Bees Place in Ogudu, Lagos also launched a children’s line after noticing that more than half of its afternoon traffic was made up of kids. Another shop, Kidz Khoset situated in Lagos Island placed a Chinese-speaking personnel at one of its doors when it learnt that one/third of shoppers who visited the mall after 4 p.m was Asian; the management of the shop chose this strategy for smooth communication.

    Malls that have access to large number of people must have surveillance cameras. These are places that are most prone to criminal activity. In shopping malls, a large number of people gather, because of the benefit of variety of stores under the same roof. So you cannot differentiate a criminal if he intermingles with shoppers. Surveillance cameras are thus very necessary in shopping malls.

    It is also very important to install the cameras at proper places. Because of the expanse of the mall, security can be a challenging task. It gets harder if it has a way to get connected to a large parking area.

    Also all malls have restricted areas and staircases out of view. The surveillance cameras can solve the problem easily and fast. The cameras can find out the exact location of criminal activity and have security sent to the area.

    “While most consumers understand a need for security cameras, few expect that the in-store video monitor watching them is uncalled for, as they call themselves honest shoppers’ However, all of this tracking is a mixed bag for shoppers.

    “Some stores also have cameras in their dressing rooms. Can you imagine? exclaimed a shopper, Mr Haruna Ibiyemi.

    A report revealed that in Mumbai, India, a journalist was shot in front of a departmental store. The CCTV footage from the surveillance camera of the departmental store gave the pictures of the murderers, thereby providing key evidence to the investigation.

    Advising on how to use the camera in a shopping mall, Mr Norma said: “When you have the mall installed with close-circuit cameras, do remember to have them invariably at the entry and exit. Apart from this, parking lots are also to be monitored because a lot of criminal activity takes place there. Staircases that are out of sight must have cameras. Big lobbies, food courts, places that hold big gathering of people must have surveillance. Loading and unloading areas are also prone to criminal activity and should be monitored.

    “This survey has highlighted how retailers are embracing technology and how they recognise the role surveillance can play,” he said

    Most shopping malls use CCTV security cameras to monitor common areas of the mall such as food courts, walkways and parking lots. They also employee security guards to monitor the cameras, walk around the mall and patrol parking areas. Crimes in shopping malls follow a typical pattern and include shoplifting, nuisance behaviour involving juveniles and thefts. Malls that are located in affluent areas attract a greater number of car thieves. CCTV security cameras have excellent image quality and offer security departments a clear picture of the mall surroundings.

  • Gandhi’s light is still bright in India

    On January 30, 1948, the people of India were thrown into mourning. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a nationalist and the country’s most respected freedom fighter, was assassinated by a Hindu extremist, Nathuram Godse. The murder of the sage came six months after India gained its independence from Britain.

    Gandhi was on his way to his evening prayer meeting after a 12-day fast to bring peace to India, which was then engulfed in riot. The Hindu nation woke up in disbelief, wondering why the elder statesman, who was known to always preach peace, was the target of any person or group.

    The nationalist leader achieved his country’s independence through a non-violent revolution; he led a struggle and campaign of passive resistance, and non-cooperation, known as Satyagraha. The London Law graduate’s successful uprising in South Africa to make the authority respect the right of Indians in the country brought him back to India to fight on the home front.

    Through his peaceful demonstration, Gandhi, known for his famous saying – you must be the change you wish to see in the world – rose to become an international figure in free India.

    Perhaps what makes Gandhi to be remembered by many is his protest by fasting to drive home his demand. Gandhi was said to have gone on 15 hunger strikes in the course of his struggle. He fasted for long period several times.

    In September 1932, while in jail, Gandhi undertook a ‘fast unto death’ to improve the status of India caste system. On January 13, 1948, because of religious violence spawned by the partition of India, Gandhi undertook another successful fast in New Delhi to bring about peace.

    These fasts were efficacious in ending the British suzerainty. Gandhi’s political and religious influence on India was so much that the British government dared not to toy with the country’s destiny after independence. He lived a Spartan and spiritual life of prayer and meditation, devoid of affluence and vainglory.

    This is contrary to Nigerian style, where leaders live in wealth while the citizens cannot afford three-square meal a day. As majority of Nigerians groan in want and abject poverty, our leaders thought it wise to feed themselves with billions of public funds, without a tinge of reflection on the suffering and depravity in the land.

    Nigerian presidency is spending a whopping sum on feeding alone. Such money is enough to give free foods to students in tertiary institutions in the country. The money is enough to upgrade national hospitals to dispense quality healthcare to the citizens. Where is our own Gandhi, a leader that will love the impoverished and less-privileged more than he loves himself?

    However, the behaviour of our leaders and sheer greed in the land show that no Gandhi will ever come out of Nigeria. All we can ever have in this country are gluttons and parasites. If only our leaders could fit in Gandhi’s garb, which does not necessarily suggest wearing loincloth and shawl as Gandhi did, the nation would truly be the pride of Africa in contrast to the present belief that we are giant of the continent.

    Supposing Gandhi was elected the president of his country after independence and he had taken bogus allowances or thrown expensive state house banquet, purchased expensive loincloths and established a state of the art kitchen, would our ailing leaders be visiting Indian hospitals for first-class treatment?

    Gandhi’s sacrifice paid it all. It is worthy of mention that he fed on vegetables, fruit juices and goat’s milk, and not continental dish and chicken.

    Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, in a broadcast farewell speech, said of Gandhi: “Our light has gone out but the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light. For a thousand years, that light will be seen in this country and the world will see it.”

    Indeed, Gandhi is forever gone but the light is still shining. Far away in the United States, Martin Luther King Jnr. saw the light, became a disciple and changed the condition of black race in America. The light is still shining and I hope Nigerian leaders will open their eyes to see the light in other countries.

     

    Taiwo, is a Corps member, NYSC Ibadan