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  • Of JAMBGATE and Nigerian Law School

    Of JAMBGATE and Nigerian Law School

    “Surely, Allah does not change the situation of a community until that community is ready for a positive change” Q. 13:11 

     

    Preamble

    The Nigerian mass media throbbed, last week, with the shocking news of an unprecedented scandal allegedly perpetrated by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in relation to post JAMB examinations and admission into Nigerian Universities for 2015/2016 academic session. The strange game is tagged ‘JAMBGATE’ by this column (The Message).

     

    The Shocking News

    According to the shocking news, which spontaneously caused a national brouhaha, JAMB had surreptitiously shortchanged thousands of Nigerians by unilaterally changing the choices of applicants for admission into certain Universities without the knowledge of those applicants. For instance, names of applicants who made Universities of Nigeria, Lagos, Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Benin, Calabar and others their choices of study were sent to certain private Universities or public Universities far away from the ones they chose without any recourse to them.

    It was a monumental fraud typical of the impunity with which the immediate past Nigerian Federal government was known. The cat was first let out of the bag at the University of Lagos where hundreds of parents and their wards resorted to protests even as some of them took JAMB to court. Anyway, enmeshing in such a scandalous act is not strange about JAMB.

     

    In Retrospect

    In the 2009 for instance, the University Matriculation Exam (UME) in Nigeria was subject to serious controversy when the poorest results ever released by that body almost caused a revolution. Much to JAMB’s embarrassment, the spokesmen for the Board later revealed that the machines which optically graded the papers had erroneous answers and the JAMB changed some students’ scores by as much as 15%. Ever since, there has hardly been a year without some examination skirmishes continually paving way to public loss of confidence in that Board. Surely, something fundamental is wrong with JAMB which requires sanitization.

     

    Reaction

    Reacting to the alleged scandal, the Federal Ministry of Education ordered an immediate reversal of that obnoxious act which was not known until the affected candidates had reached their post JAMB examination centres. Although the ministerial intervention was welcomed as a momentary relief for the affected candidates and their parents, analysts think that the highly embarrassing case must not end there. They contend that the scandal should be officially investigated by an independent body and the culprits be brought to book. To some observers, that scandal was part of the usual ‘under table’ bunko by which most Nigerian public office holders are known and which gave Nigeria the international appellation of a ‘corrupt nation’.

     

    Observers’ Thought

    The similitude of that scam, according to those observers, was like the case of the so-called fuel subsidy removal which Goodluck Jonathan government callously forced on the already wretched masses of Nigeria to further deepen their abyss of penury in 2012. The end result of that evil policy was a monumental official scam that is still haunting today Nigeria like a demonic spectre. It seems that the customers of the Jonathan’s era of scandalous impunity are yet to realize that a clement wind of CHANGE has begun to sweep our dirty country clean hence the current JAMBGATE.

    Were the government of impunity still in place, the JAMBGATE saga would have, as usual, been upheld to justify the usual ‘under the table’ deal that would have forced thousands of qualified University admission seekers to either go to private University or forget University education altogether. That is Nigeria for you a country in which sanity, until two months ago, was an aberration and impunity was the rule.

     

    Information

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was established in 1977 by the then Federal Military Government of Nigeria. It has since become Nigeria’s official Entrance Examination Board for candidates below the Advanced Level (A/L) education seeking admission into all Universities in the country. Before then, the existing federal universities in Nigeria (numbering seven by 1974) conducted their own ‘concessional’ entrance examinations and admitted their students according to their individual policies. With time, however, that system of admission was observed by the federal government as having limitations through a waste of time and resources in the process of administering the examination especially on the part of the candidates.

    The Committee of Vice-Chancellors therefore felt concerned about the general clumsiness in the coordination of admissions into the nation’s universities especially when the problem of admission into the universities became more acute with the establishment of additional six universities in 1976 by the Federal military government.

     

    Duties of JAMB

    In addition to its functions, JAMB is also supposed to undertake the following duties statutorily:

    Conducts the Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and sends the results to Universities chosen by the candidates, so that each university selects and recommends candidates to JAMB for admission.

    Allows each university to conduct tests/interview termed screening for candidates (since . . .) before selecting those to recommend;

    Conduct similarly, entrance examination for candidate applying to Polytechnics and College of Education;

    Admits qualified candidates by Direct Entry to Universities that recommend them;

    Allows these institutions that operate Remedial Programmes to admit successful candidates, but announced in 2007 that it was counseling such from 2008. (For further information, please, see Perspectives on the History of Education in Nigeria, 2008).

     

    Key Departments of JAMB

    JAMB consists of eight key departments which statutorily carry out the day-to-day operations of the Board.  These are:

    1. Office of the Registrar which is headed by the Chief Executive who is appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education. The Registrar is responsible for the execution of policies of the Board and the day-to-day running of the affairs of the Board.

    By law, the Registrar shall hold office in the first instance for a period of five years and shall be eligible for reappointment for the same period as the president may be pleased from time to time. It is through this process that all applicants do register and get printed results online.

     

    Comment

    With JAMB becoming the gateway to tertiary education in Nigeria that examination body must live up to its responsibilities by upholding the national trust reposed in it and by utilizing that trust to propel the potential greatness of Nigeria as a foremost African country. It is pertinent for JAMB to understand that any failure on its part is Nigeria’s failure in all spheres of life since without qualitative education any nation can be pronounced dead. Thus, with such a strategic position, JAMB must know that it cannot afford to take the Nigerian populace for granted.

    Like JAMB like Nigerian Law School

    For good observers of education in Nigeria, JAMBGATE could not have come as a surprise. What JAMB did to cause uproar last week is what the Nigerian Law School has been doing in recent time. As a matter of fact, it was as if JAMB borrowed an idea of a ‘profitable’ venture from the Nigerian Law School. How many Nigerians know today that the Nigerian Law School that was once the right of every Law graduate in the country to be qualified for practice has become a privilege for just a few?

     

    Point of Departure

    Unlike in the past when the test of the prowess of the legal profession in Nigeria was accentuated by the Nigerian Law School, the real accentuation of Law practice in the country today, in grooming the practitioners of that profession, has become an instrument of power in the hands of a few who hold sway in that School. Through the use of that power the children of the poor have been tacitly declared personal non-grata in the Law profession. For instance, out of about 6000 students of Nigerian Law School in 2013/2014 session, only about 2000 were able to cross the huddle of the Bar exam. Although that cannot be strictly attributed to administrative policy the conditions laid down for enrolment in the Law School are strict enough to dissuade some students from concentration.

     

    Objective of Decentralisation

    The original objective of decentralizing the Nigerian Law School was to enable the Law Students from each geographical zone to attend the Law School in his or her zone with convenience. But this was changed by the authorities of that School who are now allocating Law School campuses arbitrarily to those students irrespective of their zones of origin and depriving them the right of changing their allocations if they are not satisfied. For instance, students from the Southwest of Nigeria who wanted to attend the Lagos Law School were arbitrarily posted Yola, in Adamawa despite the Boko Haram threat to lives. And those from the North-West who chose Kano were posted to Enugu campus without an option. The cost of this alone especially for indigent students is distractive enough. Yet, these students will still be forcefully posted to anywhere for in the country for National Youth Service after their call to the Bar. What kind of country is this?

     

    Unaffordable Charges

    The exorbitant, unaffordable levies charged for reseat in the Bar exam have prevented thousands of potential Lawyers from becoming legal practitioners. The imposed cost of feeding per meal alone is enough to scare away any prospective Law student from enrolling in that School. Eventually, thousands of University graduates in Law who are unable to realize their dream by passing through the Law School have become like marauders roaming the streets of Nigeria like Egyptian gypsies of yore, after five years of rigour in the University. What kind of country is this? And in this case, what is the difference between JAMB and the Nigerian Law School?

     

    Autocratic Song

    The song of these days, as far as the Nigerian Law School is concerned is that ‘the Law Profession is not for the Poor’. And to emphasize that oppressive song, the tuition and other fees in that school have been taken beyond the affordability level of an ordinary Nigerian. Besides, all sorts of oppressive polices are being regularly formulated to reduce the number of Nigerian Lawyers drastically and to discourage new entrants into the profession. Thus, the Law profession in Nigeria is gradually becoming an exclusive right of the senior practitioners in the profession whose children are seen and treated as their heirs apparent. For how long will this be allowed in a country that claims to maintain human rights and freedom of exercising such rights? God save Nigeria.

  • Nigerian Content good for IOCs, others, says NCDMB

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Kentebe, has said the successful implementation of Nigerian Content is good to all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, including the international oil companies (IOCs).

    He spoke when the General Managers of Nigerian Content departments of IOCs paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

    He said the Nigerian Content Act was well implemented, adding that the Board and the operators see themselves as parttners in progress. The Board decided from its inception in 2010 to collaborate with the IOCs, other operators and stakeholders in the service industry, he said, adding that the model had proven very effective in stimulating compliance with the provisions of the Act.

    According to NCDMB’s Media Relations Supervisor, Public Affairs Division, Obinna Ezeobi, the Content Board chief said the developmental role of the Board was critical and it involved collaboration with stakeholders to develop in-country’s capabilities, which make it possible to execute most industry projects hitherto taken abroad before the advent of the Act.

    He praised the operating companies’ partnership with the Board over the years, and their support to the development of local capacity through various initiatives.

    Kentebe charged the companies not to rest on their oars, considering that he is new on the job and needs their contributions.

    He assured the General Managers that the Board would work with them to find solutions to the problems their various companies might have with the Nigerian Content.

    The General Manager, Nigerian Content, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mrs. Callista Azogu underscored the IOCs’ commitment to the Nigerian Content development, which she said began before the enactment of the Act in April 2010.

    Azogu, also chairperson of the group, admitted that the operators had challenges complying with some provisions of the Nigerian Content Act, noting that such problems were resolved with the Board to the benefit of all stakeholders.

    The General Manager, Nigerian Content Department, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Raymond Wilcox, said their group and the Board had the same objectives, which include drive to increase the participation of Nigerians and utilisation of indigenous assets and facilities in the oil and gas industry, retain a greater part of the industry spend in-country and transform the economy.

    He said the Nigerian Content had taken root in the operating companies and members of their group were the vanguards of that philosophy in their organisations.

  • Nigerian and threat of a new Biafra

    Nigeria ranks number seventeen on the Fragile States 2014 index, according to the Fund for Peace (FP), published by Foreign Policy, a think-tank. Surprisingly, South Sudan, which fought-off Sudan, to become Independent, in 2011, ranks number one; while its old foe,Sudan, is at number five. Even beforeFP changedthe nomenclature from failed to fragile states, Nigeria has for many yearsremained among the top nations, with the frightful indices of a failed state. It was on the basis of those statistics, that it was projected that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015.

    Among the defining indicators of a fragile or failed state, is security apparatus, defined as internal conflict and the proliferation of non-state armed groups. In Nigeria, this indicator will apply to the biggest national threat, the Boko Haram armed conflict, and to a lesser extent, the separatist agitators from the other parts of the country.  Other indicators used by the group, include demographic pressures, refugees and internally displaced persons, group grievance, human flight and brain drain, poverty and economic decline, state legitimacy, public services, human rights and rule of law, factionalised elites, and external intervention.

    The unfortunate threat posed by Nnamdi Kanu and his so called Biafra project, may just be a further manifestation of the security apparatus indicator, inour fragile nation; particularly if they resort to armed struggle. But without doubt,the project is misguided, and will only bring more misery for the champions and for other Nigerians. The piece by Joe Igbokwe, the Lagos state publicity secretary of All Progressives Congress, titled: “Why Nnamdi Kanu’s Biafra project must be stopped” is a worthy intervention. I, however, do not agree with his sweeping statement that “anytime Nigeria wants to change a bad leadership in the country the Igbos as a bloc will resist it”. That assertion is false, albeit a red herring.

    But more importantly, the pretence by Nnamdi Kanu and his group that their agitation represents the 21st century vision of the Igbo, in the Nigerian state,is as jejune as it is false.As Mr Igbokwe correctly proffered in his argument,while urging Igbos to work for the unity of Nigeria based on social justice, equity and fair play;the Igbos cannot be intermarrying with other Nigerians, making huge and massive investments in property in Lagos, Abuja and other state capitals in the country, cooling off in other cities when theirs are under attack, thriving and making connections in other parts of Nigeria, and at the same time, engage in a separatist quest, as Mr Kanu would make the world believe.

    If it were so, then it will be fair to regard the Igbo as an unreasonable people. But I know the race is very reasonable, and the representation by some that Igbos want out of Nigeria, just for the sake of it, is self-serving. What the Igbos want and deserve, is an egalitarian Nigerian nation, built on the best tenets of liberal democracy; for which their society arguably is best suited, more than any other group, in Nigeria.So, the cheap resort to the mantra of an emergent Biafra, as a form of political agitation, in the fragile Nigeria state, unfortunately distorts the political history of the 1967-1970,Biafra/Nigeria, civil war.

    The correct interpretation, is that the civil war was a last resort by Igbos to prevent the extermination of the race, and not a programmed project, to balkanise Nigeria, and exercise the territory known as Biafra, out of Nigeria. So, those who cheaply wave the Biafran flag as political brinkmanship, to gain traction and political supremacy, in the Nigerian project, are completely misguided.The energy spent on such misadventure should be expended, to organise political parties, socio-political pressure groups and professional champions topromote democracy, which will benefit Igbo more than any other group in Nigeria.

    What the Igbo deserve and should work for is economic empowerment of the region, for enhanced productivity. Mr Kanu and his group should for instance expend their energy, to organise the south-east to demand the right, to develop coal as the primary source of electricity, to power the region to economic independence. The group should pressure the southeast governments, to plan an agro-allied industrial belt, spanning the fertile land areas in Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Abia states, to produce the aqua foods, rice and tubers that will gift the region a healthy and productive workforce. Those clamouring for the nation of the rising sun should put their energy to organise a petro-chemical industrial belt along the Enugu, Anambra and Imo river basins, to provide jobs for its teeming youths.

    Those who seek Biafra should concentrate their energy to galvanise the industrial genius and entrepreneurship of the Igbos, to help the people of the east and the Nigerian nation to become really productive. Understandably, Nigeria has remained a laggard for too long, but it will be naïve to think that the answers lie in the balkanisation of the country. The example of Sudan and Eritrea are there for everybody to learn from. What has held Nigeria down are the buccaneers, who over the years has been masquerading as political leaders. It will be foolish not to accept that the Igbo also have their own fair share, of these leeches. So, Biafra would only gift them a smaller territory to ravage.

    The political leadership in Nigeria must, however, quickly realise that it already has more troubles than it can handle, and should therefore galvanise every section of the country, to have a betterstake in the Nigerian project. As Krista Henry, Executive Director, FP said: “unfortunately, a country can become more fragile or become quite violent quickly and go up the list very easily.”

  • MAMA 2015: Nigerian stars shine

    MAMA 2015: Nigerian stars shine

    •Win eight laurels out of 16

    There were frenetic preparations by the organisers. Many of the nominees also waited with bated breath. Indeed, it generated a lot of buzz so much so that many music lovers wanted to be part of history wherever they were.

    Although it has come and gone, this year’s MTV Base Africa Music Awards (MAMA), which held at the weekend at the International Conference Centre, Durban, South Africa, truly lived up to its billing.

    As a prelude to the bagful of fun already put in place by the organisers, Nigeria’s multiple-award winning singer, Tuface Idibia, opened the show with the powerful rendition of his ever-green song, African Queen, which gave the over 5,000 guests some rhythmic splendour. And then, almost immediately, the hall literally began to rise and tumble in all imaginable fun, with varied activities.

    At one level, it was obviously another glory moment for Nigerian artistes and a clear testimony of Nigeria’s musical conquest in the continent. Reason: Nigerian artistes happily clinched majority of the awards. They include Psquare (Artistes of the Decade and Best Group); D’banj (MAMA Evolution Artiste of the Year); Davido (Best Male Act); Yemi Alade (Best Female Act) Patoranking (Best New Act Transformed by Absolut); Burna Boy (Best Collaboration for All Eyes on Me) and Don Jazzy (Dorobucci, which won Song of the Year award).

    With Nigerian acts going home with awards in eight top categories, the rest of Africa had the remaining eight to share. These include: Best Hip-hop won by Cassper Nyovest (South Africa); Best Live won by Diamond (Tanzania); Video of the Year, Nafukwa won by Riky Rick; Best Pop & Alternative won by Jeremy Loops (South Africa); Best Francophone won by DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast); Best Lusophone won by Ary (Angola); Personality of the Year won by Trevor Noah (South Africa) and MTV Base Leadership Award won by Saran Kaba Jones and S’Bu Mavundla. The Best International award went to Nicki Minaj.

    D’banj, who gave the most striking acceptance speech of the night, beat Tuface (Nigeria), Anselmo Ralph (Angola), Asa (Nigeria), Black Coffee (South Africa), Chameleone (Uganda), Fally Ipupa (DRC), HHP (South Africa), P-Square (Nigeria) and Samini (Ghana) in that category.

    He lauded his former label partner at Mo’hits, Don Jazzy, while also describing such artistes as Tuface, PSquare, Asa and Fali Ipupa as legends.

    According to him, they all encouraged him to trudge on, even in the face of the challenges he encountered at the outset of his career.

    The Evolution Award category was decided jointly by MTV Base and music fans via online voting, Twitter and Instagram.

    His rendition of Fall in Love and Oliver Twist at the show evoked memories of his glory days, which contrast sharply with his current status as one of the less active singers.

    In his comment, Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base, described The MAMA Evolution award as “an honour to established artistes who have made indelible marks on African and global music culture and taken African music to new territories around the world, thereby pushing the boundaries of creativity and shaping the sound scape of contemporary Africa.”

    For PSquare, it was time, again, to honour their parents whose prayers have continued to steady their feet in the music industry.

    With palpable joy, Yemi Alade, who was accompanied to the stage by singer Seyi Shay and other nominees in the category, expressed her gratitude to South Africa and described the award as a victory for all the female acts.

    Apart from the coveted laurels, the show was marked by electrifying performances, and stunning duets between artistes of different genres: Ne-Yo was up on stage with Seyi Shay; Tuface in tango with Bucie; Sauti Sol paired up with Yemi Alade while Patoranking did it with K.O.

    Other performers were DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Danger from Big Nuz, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond, Flavour, Toofan, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest.

    Commenting on the show, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said: “Africa is a continent of the now and the future; tonight was testament to that. MAMA 2015 represented and reflected the abundant amount of creativity and passion this continent breeds.”

    Interestingly, the glamorous event coincided with the nationwide posthumous birthday celebration of the late South African freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, with most artistes at the event rendering tributes to him.

    It, however, climaxed with an energetic performance by Nigeria’s music sensation, Psquare, just before American host and Emmy award-nominated actor, Anthony Anderson, bade the excited audience good night at the colourful ceremony. The performance, undoubtedly, fore-grounded the expected climax of the exciting fast-paced ceremony broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), MTV (DStv Channel 130) and BET (DStv Channel 129).

  • Nigerian artist wins grand-prize in US

    Nigerian artist wins grand-prize in US

    United States based Nigerian artist, Mr. Lanre Buraimoh, has won Choice Grand Prize Award at the Citywide African American Artists Exhibition at Texas Southern University Museum.

    His  artwork the ‘The Kiss’ won the grand prize with a full scholarship for one studio art class at the Glassell School of Art, Houston and a prize money of $500 prize.

    The exhibition was organized by Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas.

    Buraimoh who expressed happiness over the award said he was the only Nigerian artist that won an award at the event.  According to him, “about hundred people, both African American and African Artists in the Diaspora participated in the event. I feel very excited about the award. It makes me want to go back to the Studio immediately.”

    He described the award as a wakeup call for him. “This feat is the best I have ever had in the history of my exhibition. I have come second and in this but this it first and grand prize. So I am very pleased and encouraged. This is the fifth award all together, “he said.

    Though not sure of when he would be organizing an exhibition in Nigeria, he is currently planning big for an exhibition with would include his father. “This exhibition will Feature both me and my dad and it will Highlights the similarities and differences.”

    Nigerian artists in the US are their best to promote Nigerian culture and African culture at its best.

    He gave kudos to the Nigerian artist in the US, saying Nigerian artists style of work are unique.

    Lanre is currently looking forward to big show in Nigeria, after a long time exhibition in London, American and Canada.

    Jason Moodie who was one the organizers of the exhibition on behalf of Museum of Fine Arts Houston, presented the award to Buraimoh.

     The exhibition is open to all artists of the African Diaspora in the greater Houston area. Presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in collaboration with the Museum’s patron group Five-A (the African American Art Advisory Association) and the University Museum at Texas Southern University, the Citywide African American Artists Exhibition offers artists the opportunity to show their work to a broader public, and to the collecting community.

  • Nigerian is UN-Habitat’s Director, Africa

    Nigeria’s most senior diplomat  at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, has been appointed Acting Director, Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), UN-Habitat.

    The ROAf/UN-Habitat is in 24 countries in the Africa. They include Nigeria, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia.

    The key focus areas are: urban land, legislation and governance, especially land management, urban basic services including water, sanitation and the energy sector, risk reduction and rehabilitation, urban planning and design – especially preparation of national urban policies, housing and slum upgrading, urban economy and urban youth livelihoods.

    Oyelaran-Oyeyinka is the first Nigerian professor in Economic Development, Industrial Policy and Technology Management. An erudite scholar, who strives to translate ideas into practical action, he mixes rigorous scholarship with policy advocacy.

    He is a leader in Development Economics and a passionate champion for African development.

    He was first appointed a director at the UN-Habitat in 2007, and during the period, he led several housing, infrastructure, urban and social development initiatives at both states and federal levels in Nigeria, including co-authoring Nigeria’s recently formulated: “Nigeria Land, Housing and Urban Development Roadmap” by the Federal Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development, Abuja.

    He led the design and implementation of “City Structure Plan Programmes” in Osun, Kogi, Ondo, and Zamfara states. He  served as Director Monitoring & Research Division in which capacity he provided intellectual leadership for the UN-Habitat flagship reports: “State of the World Cities Report” and the “Global Report on Human Settlements”.

    His postings in the UN was as professor at the United Nations University – Institute for New technologies (UNU-INTECH). He spent six years at this global citadel of research and training in the Netherlands.

    Before then, he was Senior Economic Adviser, UN Centre on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva where he coordinated a 10-year review of performance of Least Developed Countries. After serving as Senior Research Fellow, he was nominated a Professorial Fellow in Innovation and Development, United Nations University- MERIT, Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Visiting Professor, Innovation and Development, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.

    He is the author of “Rich Country Poor People: The Story of Nigeria’s Poverty in the midst of Plenty” (2014) and co-author of “Urban Innovation in China’s Shanty Towns” (2014) among a dozen other books.

    He is a board member of several academic journals and programmes as well as a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.

  • Nigerian Content Fund to hit $700m

    Succour is coming for players in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, as the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) meant to assist Nigerian operating firms’credit needs rises to about $700 million.

    The Fund is intended to address  financial and liquidity challenges of  Nigerian companies by offering partial guarantee on bank loans and 50 per cent interest rebate on performing bank loans under the partial guarantee scheme.

    The Fund, estimated to be just above $540 million at the end of April, it was learnt, is growing gradually and would likely hit  its projected target of $700 million by the end of the year.

    A source at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) told The Nation that the Fund’s growth is impressive as it was started with only $50 million in 2010. “The projected growth chart was that by 2011, it would rise to $70 million and $150 million by 2012 and to $350 million by 2013, while we were looking at $450 million and $700 million by end of 2014 and 2015 respectively. But you know that these targets were mere aspirations and the expectation was that if we would be able to achieve 70-80 per cent of these targets, it would be gratifying results,” he said, adding: “But fortunately the Fund has been growing beyond expectation and may attain the planned target of $700 million by year end.”

    The source continued: “Considering the current growth potentials of the Fund, we expect a continuous increase in its size and capacity to attract other sources of funds both locally and internationally to support Nigerian oil and gas content development,” he said.

    The  Fund, according to the source, could have helped a lot of Nigerian firms, but for the challenges encountered in its formative year, adding that banks willing to lend under the programme inserted few terms and conditions that could not be met by the emerging/growing Nigerian companies.

    This resulted in consistent delays in concluding transactions and often stalled some applications. Some bankers demonstrated limited understanding of oil and gas business and the peculiarities of the sector. The limited understanding also resulted in delays in concluding credit packages and structure.

    “On the part of Nigerian companies, some challenges identified then were their inability to package and collate transaction documents for bankable deals, low response time to bank requests during credit processing, and lack of verifiable cash flows to support and sustain repayments,” the source added.

    To ensure that the Fund is not depleted, three levels of custodian monitor remittances – fund managers such as BGL/UBA global, other commercial banks participating in the programme, and Industry Advisory Committee & special purpose vehicle (SPV), are on ground to strengthen governance.

    According to the source, the NCDF was established by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act (NOGIC Act), 2010 to address financial and liquidity challenges of the Nigerian companies that operate within the Nigeria oil and gas industry. The Fund is built through the deduction of one per cent from every contract awarded to any operator, contractor, subcontractor, alliance partner or any other entity involved in any project, operation, activity or transaction in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. It is deducted at source by contract awarding entities and remitted into the Fund’s designated accounts, which are kept with Custodian Banks including BGL/UBA global and other participating commercial banks under the programme.

    The Fund is structured in such a way that 30 per cent goes for direct intervention in the beneficiary company’s operation. It is meant to identify areas with gaps and plug loopholes through trainings, technical support such as research, studies and possible temporary acquisition of stake, and  critical intervention in infrastructure development, among others.

    The other 70 per cent is for commercial intervention of which 30 per cent  is set aside as partial guarantee on bank loans to local operators in order to grow local capacity and give 50 per cent interest rebate on performing bank loans under the partial guarantee scheme.

    To benefit from the Fund, the Nigerian oil and gas company approaches its bank to discuss funding needs; backed up with a loan application and must notify NCDMB and/or its accredited financial advisers on the engagement with the bank to facilitate appropriate follow-up. If successful, the lending bank submits executed offer and loan facility agreement to NCDMB or its accredited agent. NCDMB reviews the Loan facility agreement for compliance and notifies lending bank of any approval, rejection, or suspension pending submission of additional information on the application.

    Where the application is suspended, the approval period will start to run from the date the required information is re-submitted. If approved, the NCDF will issue the Partial Guarantee Agreement to be executed between the bank and the Fund. But the company must be duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matter Act (CAMA) of 1990, and registered with the Nigeria Joint Qualification System (NJQS). The company also must be carrying out businesses within the oil and gas industry upstream value chain and must scale through their bank’s minimum credit appraisal test, which will facilitate the Bank asking for the NCDF Guarantee Appointment of independent advisers to provide financial advisory assistance for the Fund’s implementation.

  • How affordable is fuel to the average Nigerian?

    How affordable is fuel to the average Nigerian?

    Global consumer demand for petrol has steadily grown thanks to low oil prices combined with economic growth, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

    Last year, global oil demand was 92.6 million barrels per day, and demand for 2015 is expected to increase by 1.4 million barrels each day, to a total of 94 million. This phenomenon truly spans the globe; gas prices have decreased from the pumps in Pakistan to stations in Senegal. But while most countries have seen savings, the price of gas differs wildly across the globe.

    Carmudi, the leading online car platform, examined the fuel price and general affordability of petrol in eighteen emerging markets. In Africa, it comes as no surprise that fuel prices in Nigeria, the biggest oil producer in the region, are among the cheapest standing at $0.46 per litre or 5.6% of the national average income per day. Fuel prices look different for those East African countries with significantly lower average incomes. In Rwanda, where fuel costs $1.17, the average person makes only $1.55 per day. One liter accounts for over 75% of a typical daily income, almost a full day’s work.

    In Indonesia, where fuel subsidies have been cut by the government since early 2015, most people are forced to spend over 30% of their daily earnings to buy a single litre of petrol. In Sri Lanka a single litre of fuel costs $0.96, taking up to nearly 45% of the national average daily.

    Carmudi created an infographic using Q2 2015 prices and 2014 average income data compiled from sources including Nigeria National Bureau Statistics, Philippines Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, The Pan African Bank, Crédit Agricole, Trading Economics, Global Petrol Prices, and World Vision. 2014 income data were used for all countries except Vietnam (2015) and Sri Lanka (GDP per capita). Petrol price for Myanmar is Q2 2014.

    Fuel prices in Mexico, the world’s seventh largest oil producer, are similar to prices in several Asian countries such as Vietnam, where a litre is priced at $0.92 and $0.97, respectively. Despite the similar prices, the average daily income in Mexico is almost three times more than Vietnam. It takes 7.8% of a day’s wage in Mexico to buy a litre; whereas, in Vietnam it costs more than 25% of the average daily income.

    Fuel prices in the oil­wealthy Middle East are incredibly low, and that, coupled with the high average daily income, makes it the best place to own a gas guzzler. Prices range from $0.15 per liter in Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest oil producer (average daily income $143.60), to $0.26 in Qatar, the world’s third largest oil producer (average daily income $382.60), to $0.47 in the United Arab Emirates, the world’s eighth largest oil producer (average daily income $170.00).

  • Nigerian signs up with 50 cent

    Nigerian signs up with 50 cent

    Nigerian born singer, songwriter and actor, RotimiAkinoshohas been signed up to G. Unit, the label owned by American Rap artiste, 50 Cent. He thereafter featured his new boss in his recently released remix of the song Lotto.

    Born and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey, to Nigerian parents, and educated in the U.S., the multi-talented Rotimi wears many caps as an actor, singer and model.

    He has released two mix tapes, the Resume on March 8, 2011, and While you Wait on November 30, 2011.

    As an actor, he has acted in three Hollywood movies; Black Nativity in 2013, Imperial Dreams in 2013, and Divergent in 2014. He has also modeled for popular rapper, TI’s clothing brand AKOO.

  • Nigerian film industry is corrupt

    Nigerian film industry is corrupt

     Joy Amata, born and bred in Lagos State, is a rising actress who grew up in the popular slum, Ajegunle. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, she talks about her refusal to let her environment take hold of her future, and other issues relating to her acting career. 

    TELL us about yourself?

    I grew up in Ajegunle , a Lagos slum,. But when I tell people, they hardly believe me. It took much time, and grooming for my environment not to have a negative impact on me. I read many books, and watched foreign movies, which sparked my interest in the make-believe world.

    Eucharia Anuobi, is one actress who  impressed me. She speaks very good English. And in my area, you could hardly hear people speak good English; speaking more of pidgin and Yoruba. But I had to learn, which comes with a dictionary, and frequent visits to the café, which was how I learnt to separate myself from my environment.

    I am a graduate of Social Studies from the Delta State University. But I was not satisfied, due to my love for movies, so I went to a film school in Delta state, to obtain a Diploma in Film and Television Production.

    How did you get into acting?

    It is my surname. Though I am not related to the Amata’s, the name has opened doors for me, right from when I was in school, where I was always being asked about the welfare of Uncle Fred and Zack. And I would just smile and say they are fine. And then I brag with the name, but then that was how it began.

    I have an elder sister who used to act, but is now into gospel music. I would beg to go with her whenever she had a shoot,. One day I went with her, and while they were shooting, I felt like jumping on set. That was when it clicked. Prior to that I had been approached several times by people who believed that I looked like an actress. That further pushed me to pursue my dream to become an actress. A friend once called me to ask if I was already acting, as she had seen it in her dream. All this came at a particular time. And because I also loved it, it made it easier for me, even if it is a difficult industry to work in.

    My first acting gig, was through the film school, where I met Zeb Ejiro. He introduced me to some people in the industry. I also sing, though not professionally. That was the first time I met Fred Amata. After the performance he insisted on meeting me. He has introduced me to people as his talented sister from another mother ever since . I have thereafter attended auditions and taken roles. But the challenge is sometimes you don’t have what the producers are looking for; like height, body, face and other factors.

    What can you say has kept you going as a young actor despite the challenges?

    Though it can sometimes be frustrating, my love for acting, and the many people that believe in me, have kept me going. So many people have encouraged me over the years. The fact is that I have never been to any audition and failed to impress. I have also performed on stage, receiving many compliments. That is what keeps me going.

    So which movie would you say gave you your big break?

    In my opinion, I am yet to break through as I am yet to get to play a lead role, but I get sub leads with notable actors. But I do more of stage performances, which hardly sells people in this country. People hardly go to the theatre to watch plays. So I am still hoping for that big break. I was meant to get one recently, but the lead character was swapped. But I know it is coming soon.

    Why haven’t you taken the same steps as your other upcoming colleagues?

    I don’t really like assuming, but I believe it is luck and timing. I have a lot of faith and I am waiting for that time. And maybe I don’t have the body like others that can sell movies; like a busty front, or an attractive backside. I can’t sleep my way to fame, despite the strong temptations to grab the opportunity given to climb the ladder of fame in the “easiest’ manner”, by sleeping around, I have chosen to stay focused and let success come at the right time.

    I have been approached by many, including popular actors and producers. They all believe that once you have made up your mind to be in the movie world, the best way you can be known is to dance to their tune. But that has made me stronger.

    I have been around for a while now, and see the way things are done. Once you agree to sleep with one of them, you will get tossed around. I don’t want that for my career, which may be why I don’t get called like the others. I was recently at an audition for a popular production company, where I was selected to play the role of a Warri babe. The role went to someone else, because the director wanted his own person to play that role. That is how the whole thing goes , which is why talented actors and actresses are yet to have a break. The industry is corrupt, and talent is seen to be secondary.

    I have seen cases where talented people are marked down, and friends put in their place. That is where favouritism comes in.

    You mentioned Zeb Ejiro and Fred Amata, should’nt those names have opened doors for you?

    I ask myself the same question sometimes. But it does not work that way. The industry has grown, leading to an influx of new directors and producers, who dish out good movies. The ones I mentioned were part of the starters of Nollywood, but they are no longer as strong as they used to be. They really can’t do much, and can only offer encouragement. The industry is more challenging than it used to be, financially and creatively.

    The clique thing is another factor, it means that  you have to belong to a particular set of people to gain recognition. If you have noticed, in Emem Isong movies, you will see a certain set of people. And when you see a new face, the person must have a strong link to them. The producer has a film school, but I have never seen her feature any of her students. Is she saying, she has not seen any talented student in her school? Even her students complain; she doesn’t use them, she goes for her friends to shoot her movies. They don’t really give talents a chance. Making it hard for new talents to rise.

    How do you balance your corporate work with acting?

    You have to work to look good and well packaged in order to make an impression when going for auditions. But if you don’t work, it means you will have to do some rough stuffs. But right now I have resigned from the corporate world, because it didn’t work. I am running a personal business, selling imported ladies stuff. I also manage a hotel for a friend, giving me enough time to go for auditions and casting. But I pick auditions too, because there are people who only want to play with your time.

    At this age, are you not considering settling own?

    I am really taking my time. I have married sisters, and marriage is scary to me. Though I have seen some encouraging ones that will make you want to go into marriage, at the same time, I have seen marriages that involve lot of things; money, wanting to leave your parents house, and other factors. Those pressures make people marry, and later on have problems. When I marry, I don’t want to regret it, I want my first marriage to be my last. I want it to be almost perfect, though I know that no marriage is perfect. But I want to get married to my friend, because I don’t have the heart; I am very emotional. There is no space for pains in my heart. There is someone though.

    Is he cool with your ambition to become a full time actor?

    He says, he is cool with it. But I see some signs; like ‘you know acting is part time?’ so I think somewhere in his heart, he is not really sure. That is why I am taking my time, because I can’t sacrifice my career for any man.