A 40-year-old Nigerian, Bayode Treasure Olawunmi, who few days ago set himself on a reading spree to break the World Guinness Book of Records mark for the “Longest Marathon Reading Aloud” Category has finally done it.
The book enthusiast and proud father of three children, logged 120 hours at 3:30 pm today at the YouRead Library Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria.
His amazing record outpaced that of his predecessor – Deepak Sharma Bajagain from Nepal, who had 113 hours 15 minutes in 2008.
Bajagain’s book reading began on September 19 and ended on September 24, 2008. In accomplishing this, he recited 17 different books from 13 authors during his record attempt.
However, the latest world champion, Bayode, started his reading at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 26, 2018 and ended 3:30 pm on Saturday. This made it five days and two hours of marathon reading.
To show his excitement at his world record, Bayode took to his Facebook page to announce his feat. This is what he had to say:
“Hello everybody, something just happened right now! My name is Bayode Treasures Olubunmi (Olawunmi) – I have just finished reading aloud for 120 hours non-stop!
I did it for the CULTURE!”.
The Osun State Polytechnic alumni whose persistence and determination to follow through on his dream to was palpable was obvious and palpable before and during the reading foray
In a Twitter post he said: “I have always loved to read good materials right from when I was in secondary school. I am doing this for the youths.”
Special Adviser to the Lagos state governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh expressed his joy at Bayode’s accomplishment, and said that he has been taken to a location where he will recuperate before meeting with His Excellency, the executive governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Bayode is definite a great beacon light of hope and inspiration to this generation. Nigeria, Africa and the world needs more readers and thinkers to move the wheels of innovations and development.
President Muhammadu Buhari today welcomed the former Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Althani and former Prime Minister of Qatar H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassin Bin Baber Althani to the State House. Other senior government officials attended the Meeting that followed.
Buhari with former Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Althani and former Prime Minister of Qatar H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassin Bin Baber Althani at the State House
Buhari receiving Emir of Qatar and other senior govt. officialsBuhari receiving Emir of Qatar and other senior govt. officials
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has promised to probe those behind the delay in the passage of Disability Rights Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The bill is to ensure full integration of Nigerians with disabilities into the society and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.
Saraki in a Facebook post said, “Today, ahead of my courtesy call with the Kpakpando Foundation for Physically Challenges Persons, led by its Founder and Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso, I called the Clerk to find out about the status of the ‘Discrimination Against Persons Living with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, which is also known as the Disability Rights Bill.
“I was very disappointed to learn that due to some administrative mishaps, this Bill, which passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and should have already been on the President’s desk for his signature, has failed to make its way out of the National Assembly system. I have therefore directed the Clerk to query all involved.”
Stressing the importance and fierce urgency with which the bill should be treated, he said, “make no mistake, both the Senate and the House feel very strongly about the impact of this Bill. This is because its passage will further empower people living with disabilities (PLWDs) and ensure that they are not discriminated against in anyway.
“Moving forward, I would like to make this promise: 30 days from today, this Bill will be sent to Mr. President for his assent.
“We will fast-track the harmonization process in both houses, because there is no doubt that once this Bill is passed, it will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country, hence, the sooner that we start implementing the act, the better for all of us.”
According to a definition by Wikipedia, dementia is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember that is great enough to affect a person’s daily functioning.
Other common symptoms include emotional problems, problems with language, and a decrease in motivation.
A newly published study has analyzed that more than a million patients diagnosed with the illness between 2008 and 2013. More importantly, heavy drinkers are at serious risk of dementia.
The study which was published in the Lancet Public Health journal, included 1,109,343 patients discharged from French hospitals during the period.
The study revealed that alcohol use disorders were the strongest modifiable risk factor for the disease.
Researchers said nearly 40% of the 57,353 cases of early-onset of the disease (below 65 years) were directly alcohol-related, and 17.6 per cent had an additional diagnosis of alcohol use disorders.
It is advisable that heavy drinkers go for regular medical care, with treatment or intervention done when necessary.
Lead author Michael Schwarzinger also noted in the report that the research showed damage done to the brain by alcohol is never repaired.
For heavy drinkers who had been sober for a time, the level of risk of the disease is “about the same”, he said.
Prof. Olukunle Iyanda is President, Nigerian Institute of Management ( NIM ). In this interview with MOSES EMORINKEN he speaks on concerted efforts by the institute towards addressing the management crisis bedevilling public and organised private sectors among other sundry issues. Excerpts:
How do you intend to bring back your corporate members?
The history of this institute is that it was founded by corporate members. Many of the institutions facilities and structures were donated by corporate organisations such as UAC, Unilever, BAC, CFAO, LEVENTIS etc. Somehow they have kind of faded from the institute’s activities, and there is a saying that a stream that despises its source shall go dry, so we must go back to our source.
We intend to do a lot of cooperate business to let them know and to get them back. The council already agreed that we nominated five of them who now will be on our council and hopefully the council they will begin to gain more prominence in the governance of the institute and so we intend to carry out a lot of collaborative activities with them and therefore be able to get back into the governance and the operation of the institute.
You have been the deputy president since 2015 and now you are the newly elected president of the institute. What are the other challenges that you intend to creatively manage or over come?
Well what we have always done and what we will continue to do and intensify is to strengthen our advocacy programe. The institute promotes management practice and as you know management practice in our country is very lax.
This country is blessed, we have the size, resources (material or human); so we are endowed to excel but why are we not excelling? Why is it that we are still poor? We are the ones who are trying to traverses the Mediterranean Sea to cross to countries which should be coming to us. It is a management issue.
The fact that we are not managing those resources for the benefit of the country is worrying. The fact that Nigeria is a poor country with a lot of richest citizens is equally a concern. There is a kind of paradox here – we have the riches black man and woman in Africa. How did they get rich? Is it from productivity?
In the west, people like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates etc., became rich by solving human problems and challenges. In turn, people are able to say this is what these rich people do to get rich.
Until we are able to do that, we cannot move forward as a country and as a people. In that line, we have proposed the establishment of a Management Hall of Fame which we hope will put a perpetual memory of the nation and the men and women who have served this country conscientiously. It is going to be a very stiff test so that those who emerged to qualify to be named as member of the Management Hall of Fame will be people who have served conscientiously; who have kept the code of conduct of this country or our institute, and have put service above self.
We want to become the think tank for this country within the limitation of our resources. We intend to undertake research studies of some of the issues that we see as the obstacles to our growth and to our wellbeing.
Lagos to Benin, Ibadan to Lagos or Lagos to Ibadan, you will see the road have been under construction for ten years. 2009 was when it was flagged off; up till now, they are not 50% on that road yet and billions of Naira has been spent already.
We have four refineries; they can produce what we need. Why are they not working? Why are we importing petroleum which we export the crude and then we bring back petroleum. These are management issues.
What kind of education are we getting? Yes, we boast quantity – we have 172 universities, if you look at the per capital expenditure of those universities, it is nothing compared to what some countries pay, so we would if we have the means try to attend to see education.
Currently, we have the controversy about Agronomy versus animal husbandry, which is a way out? We need them both (meat and crops), but must one destroy the other? It is high time we moved them out of politics and move them into management to which they rightly belong.
We have the problem of structure of our economy. Structure is a way of organizing an entity in a way that that it can be most effective and efficient in achieving that goals or objectives of that organization.
We hope to be a think-tank looking at problems that we can within our means since we don’t have all the means we will select those ones, commission knowledgeable experts in that area they will study, they will propose a solution we will disseminate that solution to the stakeholders hoping that we would have influenced the policy and the orientation in order to make Nigeria a better managed country.
We intend to also improve on our examination system and professional exams. we intend to set up a panel of management educators to review the curriculum, update it, make it more rigorous that by the time we go through it we will know that yes we have got something.
Also, we need to look at our heroes in the institute. We consider people who have, sacrifice their time, their talent, their treasure so that we don’t forget them. Already we visited Dr Abebe about a month ago, on January 11; we went to Iruepe to see him as he will be 99 years old in July this year, we pray that he would be a 100. Dr omolayode was 89 in December; we went to felicitate with him on his birthday. We also visited Dr Christopher Kolade who was 85 also in December. We have plans to visit others who are still alive so that they will know that they are remembered, and that I think can make people begin to see that yes it is not how much money that you have amassed, but that you are leaving a legacy that would be appreciated and that should be a motivation to other people.
Even as Nigeria has exited recession things are still difficult for the common man. What policies do you think can be put in place to turn the economy around?
Well, I think we have come out of the recession because we had a negative growth of about 1.45% decline in our GDP in 2016. In 2017 we had a growth of above 0.8%; so we are moving. This year most international agencies believe that we would attain a growth of 2.1% to about 2.6%. So it looks like we are likely to have about 4.3% and maybe the manufacturing sector would get about 7%.
What are the things that are being put in place to achieve these?
The government has what it calls the economic policy that focuses on six or eight areas – solid minerals, agriculture, power, petrochemical, services etc. If these are effectively implemented they certainly will get a greater buoyancy of the economy. Also, in recent times, things seems to be favouring us, as petroleum price has gained considerable progress from a about $45 per barrel in 2015/2016 climbed to about $64 and currently its now about $70 – that’s by far a major increase.
I think the TSA has been of tremendous assistance in curtailing corrupt practices that have in times past crippled the economic wheels of the country. We heard that JAMB returned about N7 billion, which has never happened before now.
Just when we thought we had seen the heights of innovations in science and technology, scientists in China have successfully cloned two monkeys.
China, in its aggressive bid to become the leader in science and technological innovation, have resurfaced with another groundbreaking creation – the cloning of monkeys in methods similar to the first cloned animal by scientists in Scotland in 1996 – Dolly the sheep.
The genetically identical long-tailed macaques born in Shanghai last month, called Zhong Zhong (8 weeks old) and Hua Hua (6 weeks old), are the first primate clones produced.
In times past, there have been scattered successes in the cloning of mammals like mice, sheep and cattle; however, the cloning of monkeys which is the closest primate to human had proven unsuccessful. Most of the failed experiments produced poorly formed monkeys or cloned monkeys that died moments after their birth.
The cloning of these identical monkeys, which is the biggest breakthrough in science at the moment have generated a groundswell of public opinions, praises and condemnation in every quarters.
We are tempted to reason that the implication of this scientific success is that human cloning is now theoretically possible; one that might be perfected in few years to come.
For the open-minded and science enthusiasts, it is a welcomed development; for the cultural and religious, it means crossing the line in the limits of God’s expectations for man. To them, man has begun to play God, which is a very sad development.
According to Muming Poo, a co-author, who directs the Institute of Neuroscience at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, “the technical barrier is now broken. In principle [this method] can be applied to humans”.
Although the reason behind the monkey cloning program might not sit well with many in the scientific community who have raised concerns about animal ethics, Muming Poo however said that the cloned animals are to produce animal models useful for medicine, for human health; there is no intention to apply this method to humans.
According to him, the ultimate goal is to clone monkeys on a large scale for use as test subjects because of their similarities to humans. These monkeys will be given specific diseases before they are born; this way, they can be used to test various treatments.
It is not surprising that China is becoming a forerunner in science and technology, as it has almost doubled the number of its local universities in ten years and is heavy on state-funded research incentive programmes.
China is poised to overtake the US and Europe in innovations in science and technology. Its aim is to become the number one innovator by 2030 and the undisputed leader in global science and technology by 2049.
Online marketing is the new normal in the business world today. We live in a world that is fast paced with rapid change, overwhelming complexities and tremendous competition.
The concept of entrepreneurship and its other appurtenances seems to have taken centre stage in major discussions bordering on economic empowerment and solving the recurring problems of unemployment.
With the rapid change in social and economic technologies, online platforms and other available social media channels offer a ubiquitous means to take ones business to the next level due to the increasing number of people available online.
Engineer Azeez Tobi, who is the co-founder of NeedMyService – an online platform that brings artisans, businesses and interested customers under a common umbrella and also provides support services for them, is a Programmer/Digital analyst, and a graduate of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure ( FUTA ).
In an interview with THE NATION reporter, Moses Emorinken, Azeez let us in into the sundry benefits of latching upon the online and social space to publicise and populate your business.
Can we meet you?
My name is Azeez Tobi, A Metallurgical and Materials Graduate of The Federal University Of Technology, Akure.
I’m passionate about communication, Human Behaviour, Societal Well-Being, Alleviating Technology, and girl child support.
I am the Creative Director (& Co-Founder) of NeedMyService. I’m also the lead strategist of Mitigate Technologist, PILL and 9jascores, but the primary way I earn money is being a Programmer/Digital analyst for Cyborg Nigeria Limited. I also help organizations and individuals create/deliver messages, build stronger teams, manage conflict and design website or app.
I do this by developing and delivering workshops, keynotes, and working one-on-one with executives.
In my free time I like to take pictures, challenge minds, sleep, read a little and argue about politics.
What are the prospects and benefits for businesses positioned online?
Internet marketing is becoming more and more popular among companies around the world, as they discover the benefits of promoting their product or services online. Same applies to small scale businesses owned by artisans around the world.
Unlike mass marketing, which succeeds in piquing the interest of local audiences through ads in newspapers, radio spots and billboards, internet marketing allows you to cultivate a more personal connection with consumers around the world generally, delivering valuable content through low-cost, personalized communication.
By developing a professional online marketing campaign, you can ultimately draw more customers to your business or product, and help your company experience unprecedented growth.
You can work – and sell – from the comfort of your own home.
You can start selling for an extremely low initial cost.
It is convenient, reduces cost and reaches a larger audience.
Can you tell us about your business?
NeedMyService offers a simple way to connect with potential customers in your neighborhood, allowing you to take a step back from marketing your business so you can focus on your service or products. Elegant, simple and easy to use, NeedMyService offers a way to generate revenue without the headaches.
What would you describe as the core competence and value proposition of your business?
NeedMyService is a social initiative born out of a deep desire to enhance the business prospects of gifted artisans and promising small and micro businesses.
It is driven by a mission to provide skilled artisans and business owners the opportunity to be showcased to the world by giving them both traditional and online presence as well as frequent brand promotional campaign across multiple digital channels. Beyond publicity, NeedMyService assists entrepreneurs and artisans with the requisite business tools and training needed to boost their chances of success.
What benefits will subscribers to your platform enjoy?
Subscribers will enjoy frequent brand promotion, Traditional and Online Presence, Google Business Listing, Email Marketing, Training & Consulting, Business Development, Seminars & Conferences, Free web page(portfolio) to showcase businesses/services render, Discounts cards to swap services or buy at certain reduced cost.
Do you think the government is doing enough to encourage entrepreneurship among the youths?
In a way, YES. But they can do better by easing process of registration of business(es), opening of corporate account, and creating more hubs and platform for SMEs to showcase their ideas, services or businesses to investors.
Seems like the majority of those subscribed to your platform are from the informal sector, what do you think the government should do to regularise and standardise the informal sector?
I always tell people on the platform, the first thing that makes you an entrepreneur is for you to own a legal and registered business.
The government must provide enabling environments to develop and implement appropriate policies to bring about change. Government at all levels must connect with key stakeholders, harness local knowledge, enact policies and plans and manage incremental infrastructure development.
Long-term financial investment and inclusive financing options. Sustained investment in affordable business and upgrading programmes is critical. This includes SME plans and financing support for all tiers of government.
Also, government needs to develop and coordinate broader integrated frameworks that are underpinned by necessary bodies, legislation and finance arrangements, supported by interconnected institutional arrangements, and one that ensure the inclusion of marginalised groups and key stakeholders.
Participation must be at the heart of this approach, ensuring an understanding of economic and social community dynamics.
Peer learning platforms that draw on stakeholders’ knowledge should be prioritised to facilitate peer learning. These platforms may include a range of communication strategies and multimedia mechanisms.
The government must adopt rights-based policies and integrated governance creates prosperous, sustainable and inclusive cities.
They should address the rampant problem of child labour.
Government should sensitize the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises ( SMEs ) on the need to pay their taxes to date and in time.
What should we expect from your organisation in the next five years?
We hope to have establish a long-term contract with Private sectors/investors and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
With the increasing number of subscribers on our online platform, we should have over 100,000 registered businesses on our platforms.
Since the satisfaction of our clients is paramount to us, we are working assiduously to establish a minimum of 95% customer satisfaction rate to cement long-term relationships with our artisans/users and create word-of-mouth marketing.
Also, we hope to have built resource and training centers around the country; this way the common man can learn a skill or two for a minimal fee.
What would be your advice to young Nigerians contemplating their foray into entrepreneurship?
Starting a business at any age is tough, but being a young entrepreneur can be especially tricky.
“Don’t ever let other people use your age as an excuse to not take you seriously,”
Start Early. Learn to work with yourself before rushing into partnerships. Learn to manage your expectations, and remember, people don’t buy what you do… they buy why you do it.
It is interesting to think of Nigeria as an overweight giant with unkempt beards irregularly scattered all over his face (at least we like to pride ourselves as THE GIANT OF AFRICA). Even an overweight giant becomes a burden to itself.
Giant of Africa?
His excessively rotund and roly-poly body is as a result of the over-consumption and excessive reliance on a particular kind of food nutrient.
He likes to drink oil and smoke gas.
Quite frankly, no human species can survive or thrive with that kind of dietary equation; in fact, such a one is a disaster waiting to happen.
After the discovery of fossil oil at Oloibiri area of Bayelsa in 1956 in commercial quantity, petroleum industry in Nigeria became the largest industry.
Oloibiri
Oil, therefore, supplied approximately 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings and about 80 percent of federal revenue and contributes to the growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our economy.
The oil boom of 1970s made Nigeria rely heavily on crude oil and natural gas for its continuous supply of economic diet. Crude oil has since then become the darling of our nation; she received preferential treatment to the detriment of our first love (Agriculture).
Eventually, agriculture which in times past earned us at least 70% of our foreign exchange deteriorated very fast because our policy wonks became derelict in their sacred obligations to her (Agriculture).
Today, the salubrious broth called crude oil has started to turn sour and rendered our taste buds sore. Significant precincts of oil-rich regions are no longer habitable due to oil spillage.
The persistent groundswells of legitimate agitations and destructive activities by militants in the Niger Delta have almost crippled the economic wheels of our dear country.
The bludgeoning and bloodying of our nation’s “economic head” by corrupt practices and sleazes in the public and private sectors are all a part of the curses and crosses emanating from our overreliance on crude oil.
It is shameful that we still grovel at the feet of crude oil when countries on the global pedestal have begun to embrace and deliberately fade out their reliance on it by cannibalizing and diversifying other sectors.
Thespians in the crude oil intoxication Melodrama
The thespians
Our ludicrous fixation on oil further deepened as we now have a President in the person of Muhammadu Buhari, who shuttles between his primary role as the chief executive helmsman of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the substantive Minister of Petroleum.
However, when we thought that we have heard and seen the last of the behavioural debauchery that took place in past administrations from crude oil intoxication, the recent wrangling between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti K. Baru regarding the alleged awarding of contracts without due consultation with the minister betrayed our gullible optimism.
The melodrama became even messier when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo debunked widespread statements that he approved the said sum as the Acting President during the period Muhammadu Buhari was on his medical vacation. Regardless of who is right or wrong, the obvious solution is a total overhaul and sanitation of the inherent tacky climate in the oil sector.
Sad yet is the fact that the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari is a member of the Board of Directors of the NNPC, according to legal experts, this is wrong in its totality. Unfortunately, this and much more have been handled like nothing is happening.
If truly our President intends to be involved personally, operationally and officially in the development of the Nigerian project, then he should hands-off the oil ministry as its head, and get a hands-on on some ministries like Agriculture, Health and Education – all of which are in dare need of a state of emergency.
If Nigeria perpetuates in this state of plateau; posturing itself as the biblical “fig tree”, it might eventually fall like the proverbial humpty dumpty for overreliance on oil “blocks”.
While the world is running, jumping and jetting into the future with precise plans and ground-breaking innovations in Science, Technology, Medicine, Agriculture, Art etc., Nigeria is busy performing the “moon walk” and sliding backward very fast into antiquity.
It is heartbreaking that our country is still unnecessarily dependent on fossil deposits that have become more or less a curse and an albatross to us as a nation instead of a great vault of opportunities to all and sundry.
Death and burial of crude oil
A Resident fetching Crude Oil from leakage at Adibawa Well 8 in Edagberi Community in Rivers State.
It is instructive to note that countries like Norway, India and France have decided to stop the exploration and production of crude oil by year 2025, 2030 and 2040 respectively in order to combat the deleterious and hazardous effects of climate change.
There seems to be a growing movement by these countries to force the extinction of vehicles that run on fossil fuels. They have resorted to the production of electric cars and the complete obliteration of petrol and diesel-driven engines.
Volvo Cars became the first mainstream automaker to sound the death knell of the internal combustion engine, saying that all the models it introduces starting in 2019 will be either hybrids or powered solely by batteries.
Their goal is to drive a sharp stake through the heart of carbon emissions; the boogeyman whose corollary effects manifests as global warming, depletion of the ozone layer and its other destructive appurtenances.
European countries like England, France, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany are making definitive moves away from the use of fossil fuels. They have completed plans to announce the death and burial of the era of fossil domination.
Big car manufacturers like Tesla, Volvo, Renault and the PSA Group are beginning to embrace alternative sources of powering cars through electric, solar and battery.
The repugnant smell of doom and gloom
On a macro scale, what are the economic implications of these decisions by some of the stakeholders and key players (countries and car companies) in the crude oil space on the African continent, heck!…on Nigeria? What will be its effect on our social, political and cultural survival?
Before reaching any hasty conclusions, it is important that we understand the sundry contributions of the oil sector to our nation.
Also, how bright will the future earnings of Nigeria be? Nigeria being a member of The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the second largest producer of oil in Africa?
Your guess is almost as good as the writer’s.
We would definitely hit a slide due to the sudden drop in the demand for our crude oil.
In retrospect, when the price of oil fell from highs of about $112 a barrel in 2014 to below $50 in 2016, Nigeria was thrown into recession. It is, therefore, better imagined what will happen to Nigeria if European and Asian countries completely deviate from fossil fuel dependence to other healthy alternatives like electricity and solar, knowing fully well that Crude oil sales account for 70% of government income.
Although government have had tiny sparks of successes in several non-oil sectors like agriculture, however, it seems all we can boast of at best are “tiny sparks” because of poor storage, haulage and management of agricultural produce, which is gradually becoming an embarrassment to our nation especially with the outright rejection of our export agricultural produce in Europe, United States and other parts of the world in recent times. What a shame! We can do better in Agriculture only if we set our minds, hearts and hands to it.
Salvation in the Non-Oil sector?
There is a portion of one of the Holy Books that says: “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail…. at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling.”
There’s hope
Last month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) unveiled the bright figure of 0.55% GDP Growth in the second quarter (Q2) of 2017; this indicated that we are “statistically” out of recession. This momentous declaration by the bureau was a joyous daybreak to millions of Nigerians who had been seared in the flames of poverty and encumbered by the manacles of economic hardship.
However, for us to avoid our “joyous daybreak” reversing into long nights of starvation, those at the helms of affairs of our great country need to latch upon and capitalize on the non-oil sector to bring to us the dividends of democracy.
Below are a few statistics from the NBS:
According to the preliminary results for the second quarter of the year 2017, Nigeria’s economic recovery was driven principally by the performance of four main economic activities comprising Oil and Non-oil (agriculture, manufacturing and trade).
The results showed that Oil GDP recovered significantly from -11.63 per cent in Q2 2016 and -15.40 per cent in Q1 2017 to 1.64 per cent in Q2 2017.
While Oil GDP expanded considerably in the second quarter of 2017, Non-oil GDP only grew at 0.45 per cent, down from 0.72 per cent in the preceding quarter and -0.38 in the corresponding period in 2016.
Agriculture continued its strong and positive growth, which it had maintained throughout the recession, growing by 3.01 per cent in Q2 2017, from 3.39 per cent in Q1 2017 and 4.53 per cent in Q2 2016.
Manufacturing retained its positive growth for the second consecutive quarter in Q2 2017, growing at 0.64 per cent compared to 1.36 per cent in Q1 2017 and -3.36 per cent in Q2 2016.
Trade which has a dominant share of GDP remained negative at -1.62 per cent, but the contraction in the sector decelerated from the -3.08 per cent recorded in Q1 2017.
The results also showed that the industry sector grew positively by 1.45 per cent in Q2 2017, after nine consecutive quarters of negative growth since Q4 2014.
Service = 53.73%
Industries = 23.31%
Agriculture = 22.97%
Does it look like Nigeria’s economic future is bright? Yes! Can we begin to pop Champagne and take a little rest? Absolutely NOT!
Although the oil and gas sector accounts for about 35 per cent of gross domestic product, and petroleum exports revenue represents over 90 per cent of total exports revenue, Agriculture is expected to feature as one of the pertinent driving force in Africa’s economic rebirth and is already ranked among the critical factors contributing towards an increasing curiousity in the continent’s native resources.
It is estimated that over 60 percent of the world’s available and untapped farmland is in sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, for Nigeria, agriculture contributes about 22 percent of its GDP.
With the allocation of N92 Billion to the Agriculture sector, and the ubiquitous potentials in other sectors like tourism, entertainment, art and culture, manufacturing, trade and other non-oil sectors of the economy, the government might be able to improve the economic aesthetics of Nigeria.
A few Recommendations
We need to consciously divest our reliance on the oil sector and begin to focus on other non-oil sectors; especially those that are currently driving world economies. For example, in Asia, technology drives the wheel of their economy; in Europe, agriculture does it for them; even as they expand and bolster their technological strength.
Our leaders need to be selfless and sincere in the making of policies that are people-centred and not one to fuel their political and personal agendas.
Also, our Presidents need to eschew the ideologies of heading the oil sectors alongside their executive portfolios. This appears like they have ulterior motives.
Citizens should use the power of their votes to elect fresh and credible individuals with concrete antecedents of leadership and accomplishments. These should be individuals who can clearly enunciate their plans and can galvanise the people towards the achievement of these plans.
We need to invest more in tapping the resources between our ears and not those beneath the ground. In Asia, there are technological schools whose certifications are as valid as those of the universities; making it a viable alternative for everyone to have access to education. The never-ending battle between the B.Sc and the HND is a mere case of “potayto…potahto”; just mere nomenclature. We need to place more premiums on competence instead of certificates.
Moreover, the clamour for true federalism, especially when it bothers on resource control and decentralisation should be placed in the front burner. This will make states more competitive and accountable to their people.
These recommendations (though not exhaustive) are some of the immediate approaches we can engage to move the economic and political wheels of our country.
Accountability is the true litmus and indication of any progressive government saddled with the overwhelming responsibility and sacred obligations to delivering the dividends of democracy to its people.
On Monday, the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rasaq Olushola Ajala gave a lucid account of his four months helmsmanship of the LCDA.
According to him, “the business of governance is indeed challenging, especially in this period when the country is coming out of recession, hence, the abundance of limitless demands from our constituents has been very daunting.
“Despite this, I make bold to state, with all sense of humility that we have a robust testimonial of activities driven by the demands and needs of our people with empirical evidence dotting the nooks and crannies of our LCDA.”
Hon. Rasak wasted no time in enlightening the people of the community about his administration’s strides in Health, Works and infrastructure, Education, Sanitation, etc.
“We left no stone unturned in the health sector as we engaged in massive sensitization and advocacy, especially during the outbreak of the dreadful diseases such as Lassa Fever, Monkey pox etc.
“We also introduced a community based health insurance scheme in partnership with the state government.
“We partnered several well-meaning organisations to bring some health benefits like immunization, eye screening, ante-natal delivery, post-natal, free medical treatments, free blood pressure check and the treatment of hypertension amongst others to our people.
“In infrastructural development, we completed four major drainage projects in Ago-Owu, Alhaji-Otta, Anuoluwapo and Opeloyeru streets, covering a total distance of 727 meters.
“Also, we focused heavily on roads. We re-constructed three major roads in the LCDA, namely, Araba, Ogunji and Ibukunolu streets; we covered a total of 3,269 square meters. Rehabilitation of three roads namely: Abiodun, Kumuyi and Fafolu streets; we covered a total of 1,901 square meters.
“Also, we have commissioned 135 boreholes in the community, with high powered generators to power the constant supply of water.
“These are a few of our efforts in infrastructure in tandem with our promises to our people,” he said.
In waste and sanitation, he said that his administration had invested heavily on regular mopping up of refuse around the LCDA, sensitization programmes, desilting of drains, purchase of sanitary equipment etc.
Concerning Education, the Chairman stressed that there is an urgent need to get objective and up-to-date data on the number of schools, pupils and students, and teachers; this will in turn help the decision making process in meeting the academic and structural needs of the schools in the LCDA.
To this end, the Chairman has set up a committee whose organic function is to come up with developmental proposals and plans to meet the academic, structural and training needs of schools based on data obtained by the committee.
He further said, “part of the projects and programmes to be delivered before the end of the year are: health week, workers forum, Christian fellowship programme, Jumat service, commissioning of roads and drainages, donation of food items to widows, aged and indigents people, launching of feedback and public complaint boxes to all wards etc.
“Government belongs to all. Citizens should play their complementary roles in terms of meeting civic duties and responsibilities like the payment of taxes, rates, levies etc.”
