The Nation Newspaper

Tag: slow

  • Too slow

    Too slow

    How long will it take the Lagos State government to replace the elevator at the doctors’ quarters, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, which caused the death of Vwaere Diaso, a medical doctor, on the evening of August 1, 2023?
    She was in the elevator when it crashed from the 10th floor to the ground floor. A graduate of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, she died two weeks before the completion of her one-year housemanship.
    At the time, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had reassuringly initiated “a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure.”
    Last week, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state’s Commissioner for Health, struggled to explain why the elevator had not been replaced. He was reported saying, “We need to determine the root cause of the elevator malfunction. Is it a mechanical flaw within the elevator or a structural issue? This investigation required some time to ensure that we made an informed decision.”
    It’s been six months since the tragedy happened at the state-owned hospital, and the commissioner’s explanation was unconvincing. He also said that a contract had been awarded to “a reputable construction company” for the installation of a new elevator, and “work on the contract has commenced.” According to him, the state government’s goal “is not merely to install a new elevator but to safeguard the lives of our medical professionals.”
    His explanation came a month after it was reported that doctors at the quarters had to take the stairs to their apartments because a new elevator was yet to be installed.

    Read Also: Why upload of 2023 Presidential election result was slow, by INEC


    Also, in January, five months after the tragedy, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, were reported saying the contract to replace the elevator and renovate the building had been awarded to contractors.
    But, according to a report, “no sign of renovation or billboards proposing the beginning of renovation on the premises could be seen at the time.”
    If the explanation by the Commissioner for Health was meant to be an update on the situation at the doctors’ quarters concerning the replacement of the old elevator, it only showed that the state authorities have been inexcusably slow in installing a new elevator.
    Notably, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State zone, Benjamin Olowojebutu, had blamed the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) for the tragedy. “In that same building, there is no water, there is no light,” he lamented, adding that the agency had failed to respond to multiple complaints, including those about the allegedly faulty elevator that killed Dr Diaso.
    The state’s health authorities must not only provide a new elevator without further delay but also ensure that the doctors’ quarters are befitting.

  • Why judicial process is slow, by Onnoghen

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen yesterday blamed the slow pace of justice delivery on the use of outdated manual methods.

    He said the judiciary must adopt technology in its process, or it would be left behind.

    According to him, a digitalised society cannot continue to tolerate an analog judiciary.

    The CJN said: “Nigeria is a large country. Disputes will come up. They will multiply and explode. Can we handle those disputes by manual processes? No.

    “Indeed, you will be more surprised that perhaps, the reason we have volume of cases is because we have not been able to handle them appropriately, efficiently and speedily.”

    He spoke during a “Special Session with the CJN on access to justice”, at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.

    Chief Justice Onnoghen was of the view that full adoption of technology would fast-track justice delivery and restore confidence in the judicial system.

    “At any rate, the judiciary needs to be ready; otherwise it will reach a breaking point where the society will be moving fast, buying tickets at homes and withdrawing money at ATM points, but only when they come to court will they find manual processes.

    “You don’t expect such a society to tolerate such a legal system for long,” he said.

    The CJN, represented by the Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, said there is a judicial information technology policy, which is being implemented and will involve filing of court processes electronically.

    “It is important that we know this because without the involvement of the Bar, it cannot work or succeed.

    “It is clear that we are at a digital age, as an era where social, economic and political activities and processes are driven by the application of information and communication technology or digital technology.

    “Because of that, agreements are digitally formed and the evidence that will come will increasingly be in digital format. We are delivering justice in a digital age for digital citizens and for digital aged disputes.

    “The just, efficient and effective resolution of these disputes would have to be driven by the same technology,” Chief Justice Onnoghen said.

    Former NBA president Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who chaired the session, urged the association to ensure access to justice and respect for the rule of law.

    He regretted that NBA today “sees nothing, hears nothing and does nothing.”

    “When we talk about the rule of law, what is the role of the bar association? You are the anchor! We have to remind ourselves what NBA stands for at all seasons.

    “It is not just for bread and butter, jamboree or picnics. We have to remind ourselves about the years of yore, and what NBA was doing. So, NBA must rediscover itself when it comes to access to justice,” Olanipekun said.

     

     

     

     

  • Why waste management appears slow, by city cleaners

    Lagos waste manager – Messrs Visionscape Sanitation Services (VSS) – is battling to rid the streets of refuse. After the initial take-off glitches, the firm is back on the drawing board to rework its strategy, reports MUYIWA LUCAS.

    CITY cleaners Visionscape Sanitation Services (VSS) has explained why the new Lagos State waste management reforms have not been “fully actualised”. Its Chief Executive Officer, John Irvine, said the long-term plans could not be swiftly implemented just as the public prefers.

    VSS has gone back to the drawing board, he said, to restrategise on how best to rid the streets of Lagos of refuse.

    Irvine said: “A standard engineered sanitary landfill takes 18-24 months to construct; as this goes on in the background, bin distribution to households, roadsides, markets for large volume collection are taking place simultaneously. A reformed system cannot be delivered in the short term, patience and support of citizens is required.”

    Explaining why Lagos is still dirty despite the state government new waste management policy, Irvine explained there was an understanding that the PSP operators would transit from residential waste collection to commercial waste collection and work closely with the new residential waste collectors to ensure that there were no gaps in service delivery when the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was introduced.

    He described as unfortunate that there was dissension between PSP operators and the government which led to a court case instigated by the operators who withdrew from waste collection in the state leaving the yet-to-be announced Visionscape Sanitation to handle roadside waste heaps and residential waste collection simultaneously.

    Irvine is however pleased that the PSPs operators, now designated as “Waste Collection Operators” (WCOs) have now reached an agreement with the state government and entered into a partnership with his firm to rid the Centre of Excellence of the unsightly heaps of waste dotting the city.

    The waste situation has and will continue to improve considerably as all WCOs work closely together to achieve the primary goal of a cleaner Lagos for all, Irvine assured.

    According to him, effective waste management is one of the basic services being provided by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.

    Although the task is enormous, Irvine said the government has demonstrated the will-power to deliver a clean and healthy city.

    The state, Irvine said, is managing waste generated by over 20 million residents, noting that with rapid urbanisation, waste generation in the state has been on a significant rise.

    Only daily basis, 13,000 metric tonnes of waste is managed with old infrastructure. This figure indicates that 80 per cent of the waste generated in the state is derived from residential waste by individuals and households.

    The VSS chief said the need for change in the previous way of managing waste brought about the CLI, explaining that in the old regime, although waste was disappearing from the roads and from houses, but it was building up elsewhere and constituting potentially catastrophic incidences.

    He further explained that waste sorting, recycling and disposal, should occur at an engineered landfill, but that for decades, Lagos had operated dumpsites at Olusosun, Solous, Ikorodu and Igando; hence, the need to upgrade existing infrastructure, redesign the components and increase efficiency.

    Describing the 25-year-old Olusosun dumpsite as a “ticking time bomb”, Irvine revealed that this dumpsite, which has stared at all entrants into the state in the face for several years, had long been marked for closure.”

    He argued that the recent fire at Olusosun dumpsite was catalysed by methane gas combustion, not waste burning – a situation that the CLI, is designed to prevent.

    “The reforms under the CLI are proactive and when fully implemented, they would prevent similar occurrences,” he assured.

    On what becomes of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and PSP operators, Irvine explained that the latter have not been forced out of operation, but have been designated as WCO.

    As a form of full engagement with the WCO, they have been recertified, licensed and provided with a loan facility by the government for repairs and purchase of modern equipment.

    The WCOs (former PSP operators) are now focused on commercial waste, while Visionscape is the WCO in charge of residential waste. LAWMA is now saddled with the responsibility of regulating all WCOs in the state, he explained.

    On the CLI, Irvine regretted that notwithstanding that no fewer than four agencies – Lagos State Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB), 1977; Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (LSWDB), 1981; Lagos State Waste Management Authority, 1991; and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), 2007, to manage waste in the state, infrastructural gaps persisted, especially as waste management facility commissioned in 2011 were dilapidated by 2016.

    To this end, Irvine emphasised that the CLI, as a waste management reform has been designed to achieve better results.

    He said the initiative was geared towards addressing, enforcing and regulating the challenges in solid waste management systems.

    “The CLI aims to protect the environment, human health and the social living standards of Lagosians,” he affirmed.

    Waste management experts have said that given the size of the state’s population, 2, 500 compactors would be needed to effectively manage waste in the state.

    The experts said that there were fewer than 500 trucks at CLI inception. The CLI is working with over 400 contractors with the addition of 900 compactors into the system.

    Irvine said that the number will continue to grow as all the contractors under the CLI upgrade their equipment and scale up operations.

    He said the CLI has not only created jobs, it has boosted the economy.

     

    The CLI

     

    With ample local content involvement, as most of the contractors under the scheme are local companies, the CLI is poised to deliver over 27,500 direct jobs and 6, 500 indirect jobs.

    Besides, it is being used by the state to drive behavioural change among residents by urging them to embrace the three Rs concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle waste to conserve the environment.

    Thousands of Nigerian companies and individuals talk about the health benefits of vegetables, but not many care to take the required actions to make the products accessible to especially the city dwellers.

    Hence, by extending the seasoning brand, the company has not only made cooking easier for those who cannot do without ginger, onion and garlic but it is also spreading their health benefit

  • Costain, Jibowu bridges to go

    Costain, Jibowu bridges to go

    •Jibowu, Costain bridges to be demolished   •Track-laying  begins in April

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of work on the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.

    It was the first time the minister would be hard since he began his monthly supervision of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) contractor handling the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge line.

    He said by now, he expected that the contractor would have commenced track laying, but has been assured by the engineers that rails could be laid in a month.

    The minister also affirmed that the Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos State would be demolished, adding that he had a tour of the impediments with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday, where decisions were reached to pull the two bridges down.

    He asserted that the December 2018 date for the $1.5 billion rail project remains sacrosanct.

    The minister said: “I am telling them that I am not satisfied with the pace at which they are going.

    “I am a layman, the Chairman and the MD are engineers. But as a layman, I think by now they should have started laying tracks in some areas and that I have not seen even though the MD said in one months the tracks can be laid.

    “I want to see that we are ready to lay the tracks.”

    The minister added that President Muhammadu Buhari would commission two locomotives and 10 coaches before Christmas.

    On some of the challenges affecting the completion of the project, the minister said: “There is no way you can do construction without challenges in different forms and kinds and you have to address them.

    “The challenges are not even here in Ogun, they are worse in Lagos. We are dealing with water, drainage, gas, power and the military. The only thing we are dealing with here is just gas and a few power transmission lines and we can manage it.”

    On the demolition of Jibowu and Costain bridges, he said: “I was on a tour with Governor of Lagos Akinwunmi Ambode and we have agreed that the two bridges will come down.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the project would be delivered by December next year.

    Amaechi said: “Be rest assured that we are chasing the Chinese to finish in December 2018. Don’t forget the contract is three years and that is their argument but our own argument is that we need it before 2019 January.

    On the commissioning of more coaches and locomotives, Amaechi said: “Two locomotives and ten coaches came into the country and the President will be commissioning it this December.

    “We want to make sure that those travelling from Abuja to Kaduna are able to use the new coaches.”

    Amaechi said track laying on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line will begin in April 2018.

    Speaking after the project’s steering committee meeting, which included management of the ministry, governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, with the contractor, Amaechi said the delays was as a result of the challenges the contractor met on site.

    By the earlier schedule, CCECC ought to begin track laying in December.

    He said: “I have been assured that once the track laying starts, it would not stop until December, to enable Mr. President inaugurate it by January 2019.”

    He restated commitment to the December 2018 deadline, saying the pace of work is encouraging.

  • Why Nigeria’s economic growth is slow, by bank chairman

    First Bank Plc Chairman Mrs. Ibukun Awosika has explained why there is slow economic growth in Nigeria.

    She said the national economy may not improve unless women empowerment is given a priority.

    Addressing the opening session of the International Law Students Association Conference at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Awosika said statistics of gender distribution of Nigeria’s population indicate that women account for 48 per cent of the working population.

    Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Rethinking the role of women in modern day Africa,” she maintained that lack of empowerment provision for such a high number of people expected to contribute positively to the national economy, no doubt, would have negative impact on the general wellbeing of the populace.

    Mrs. Awosika said: “Almost 50 per cent business potentials of Nigeria are locked up because women were not empowered. Every Nigerian must be ready to lead right within his or her space. Women should work towards retaining values in them over a long time.”

    She noted that the society seemed to be deliberately working against giving women the needed support to operate.

    Mrs. Awosika added that as long as the status quo remains, the country may continue to record poor economic growth.

    The bank chairman noted that the long held belief that women with good economic means or career cannot keep home-front should be discarded.

    According to her, despite being married for 27 years and facing daring challenges of keeping her marriage, she said she has managed to combine effectively managing her home and career.

    She said: “I was three years old in my business when I got married. And I have been married for 27 years. You can be a successful career woman or business owner and still keep your home-front intact. Women constitute 48 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce. If that huge number is left with no meaningful contribution, economy cannot grow.

    “Women can manage business successfully, but we need to empower them. I urge you all to follow your dream with passion, the result is always big. The place of your birth is beyond your control, but what you make of your life is what matters.”

  • Sector still ‘green’ despite slow growth

    Sector still ‘green’ despite slow growth

     Faced with dwindling oil revenue, the nation is gradually returning to agriculture. In the outgoing year, many states collaborated in agricultural ventures, which are now yielding dividends. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    It was another tough year for the economy.

    Economic growth was slower.  The main reasons for the relative slow down are not unique to Nigeria.The economy suffered from dwindling oil price, slowdown in infrastructural development, stagnation in improving power supply and higher borrowing costs involved in seeking funds for development.

    Notwithstanding, the agriculture sector offered attractive business opportunities, such as high-value products for domestic markets, aquaculture, vegetables and agro commodities, for the international market. There have also been successes in traditional crops with new demands.

     

    Lagos-Kebbi Rice Project

    Lagos and Kebbi state governments went into a partnership aimed at enhancing food security as well as boosting agro-economic activities in the two states. Specifically, the deal is geared towards improving rice production.

    The project has yielded results with bags of Lake rice rolled  out to Lagosians at N12,000 per 50 kg towards the Yuletide celebrations. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu launched the much-anticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened LAKE RICE, saying that the partnership which culminated into the launch was not only designed to ensure food security but showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a producing nation.

    Sales of the rice  were  made at all the 57 Local Government Areas (LG >?>?./ ./ As) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos to ensure proper distribution.  Part of the agreement is the establishment of a modern and commercially viable rice milling complex to be located in Lagos, with the capacity to process and mill 20 tonnes of rice per hour just as the finished product would be known as ‘Laskeb’ rice. Already, Kebbi has become a rice hub with the bountiful harvest recorded by farmers during this year’s dry season rice farming.

    Kebbi State has become a new haven to conventional, local millers and rice traders from Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, EbonyI, Lagos, Maiduguri, Niger and other parts of the country. Also, it has continued to witness the influx of rice buyers from Niger Republic, Benin and other neighbouring countries.

     

    Sector’s Policy

    In August, the Federal Government inaugurated a roadmap for the agriculture sector, tagged: “The Green Alternative: Agriculture Promotion Policy, 2016-2020.”

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the vision was to revive agric sector to boost food production in the country.

    According to Ogbeh, the policy will serve as the new fulcrum for economic diversification, inclusive growth and sustainable development in agric sector.

    “The launch of the `Green Alternative’ is an attestation that the change that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians canvassed and openly welcomed by giving Muhammadu Buhari a resounding victory in the last presidential election is here. “In this policy, you will see us navigating through the agricultural terrain, trucking on virtually every aspect, we launched on the human element.

    “We will reflect on years of neglect where agriculture was seen as a refuge for the wretched and unsophisticated,” Ogbeh said. The minister explained further that the emphasis on ”Green” would capture the essence, spirit and orientation of the new policy/strategy document. “The emphasis on green is deliberate; it is to underscore, not only the imperative of building a strong, vibrant and resilient economy, but also a green refreshing, generating, transformative-agriculture-led economy.

    “It is to ensure mutual complementary between efficient, effective and productive agricultural production, system and processes on one hand and environmental sustainability,” Ogbeh said.

    He stated that the policy had five major strategic driving forces namely, achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainable food security, reduction in import dependence and economic losses, particularly through value addition.

    Other, he said, were stimulation of agro-exports for enhanced foreign exchange earnings, enhancement of wealth and job creation, especially provision of employment opportunities for the teeming youths. The minister also said achievement of economic diversification to make the economy less oil-dependent was among the driving forces of the green policy.

    Ogbeh said that through the policy, farmers would have access to land, soil fertility, information and knowledge, inputs, production management, storage, processing, marketing and trade, including access to finance.

    Others are promoting agribusiness and ensuring investment development, institutional setting and roles, youth and women, infrastructure, research and innovation and nutrition security.

    Ogbeh conceded that the times were hard and that there is severe shortage of food, noting that Nigeria imports much of its food.

    Identified as likely to hinder policies put in place, are the menacing activities of herdsmen, that is slowly spreading all over the country, and Ogbeh disclosed that his talks with the Ministry of the Interior is to set up a unit in the Civil Defence Corps dedicated to guarding investments in agriculture.

    Ogbeh believes the permanent solution to this menace, is paddock development or ranching which  will put the cattle to pasture and ensure that herdsmen are curtailed  from roaming and can pay tax.

     

    Sector exports

    The development of export-oriented agriculture in Anambra ,was also one of the key developments  leading sector growth and diversification efforts. Across the country, there were a number of large-scale irrigation infrastructure projects that are quickly expanding irrigated land. Increased domestic consumption, exports and investment have led to consistent sector growth over the last six months.

    Diversification efforts by large agro-exporting companies have seen the rise of a few promising crops that are quickly climbing to the top of the country’s export list. These include vegetables, food stuff, cashew and cocoa.

     

    Growth drivers

     

    CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme

    True to his promise that he would revive agriculture by building on the policies of the past administration, President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to agriculture by kicking off dry season rice and wheat farming in Kebbi State and also launching the N20billion Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which the Central Bank of Nigeria has set aside for rice farmers across the country.

    The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at creating an ecosystem to link out-growers (small holder farmers) to local processors. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the Anchor Borrowers’ programme was designed to create economic linkages between farmers and processors, not only to ensure the output of rice and wheat, but also to bridge the gap between production and consumption.

    “Over 200,000 rice and wheat farmers will benefit from the scheme ranging from N150,000 to N250,000 to assist in procuring necessary agricultural input,’’ he said.

    In Imo State,the programme helped to bring down the price of rice. A 50kg bag of local rice sold for  N13,000 in some states that have embraced the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ratified the disbursement of about N75 billion as loan to farmers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the  aegis of Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

    The Head of NIRSAL Project Implementation Office under the Development Finance Department of the CBN, Jude Uzonwanne, explained that the guarantee would be issued to farmers through commercial banks and other financial institutions.

    “NIRSAL is a flexible financing tool designed to change the behaviour of financial institutions and would mobilise financing for Nigerian agribusiness by using credit guarantees to address the risk of default,” he said.

    Uzonwanne also noted that the programme was created to provide access to finance to farmers by consolidating end-to-end agriculture value chains, such as input producers, farmers, agro dealers, agro processors and industrial manufacturers with agricultural financing value chains – loan product development amongst others.

    “The integration is driven by NIRSAL’s five pillars, particularly the Risk Sharing Pillar and the Technical Assistance pillars, such as Risk sharing Facility, allocated 45 billion, Insurance Facility (4.5 billion), Technical assistance facility (9 billion), Agricultural bank rating scheme (1.5 billion), and Bank incentive mechanism (15 billion).The loan guarantee scheme is a public-private sector plan initiated by the apex bank, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to guarantee 75 per cent loans provided by Deposit Money Banks (DPB) to farmers as part of efforts to revitalise  the country’s agricultural sector.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, praised the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Speaking at the kick off of the dry season wheat farming and distribution of wheat seeds as well as other farm input to farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, the Sultan appreciated the CBN for making the dry season farming possible with its support of funds for the programme, saying that the bank’s commitment is worthy of celebration.

    Abubakar maintained that the  Programme is key to ensuring food security for the nation. The monarch enjoined farmers to continue to be diligent in their farming as oil will only provide funds but will not put food on the table.

    Speaking further, the Sultan said there was need for partnership between governments at all a level to evolve solution to end the farmers and herdsmen crisis.

    But farmers said the programme needs reforms to achieve more inclusive growth to reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity.

     

     Tomato scarcity

    The Tuta Absoluta pest is a leaf moth that burrows into the fruits and stems of the tomato plant causing enormous food loss  invaded tomato farms this year.

    The Federal Government moved into action and proffered solution to the menace.

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with Agronet, representatives of Russell, United Kingdom(UK) experts in Tuta Absoluta containment. The intervention programme involved containment packs for 50,000 hectares to be used by tomato producing states, capacity development on the containment solution, surveillance and monitoring in all 774 Local Govt. Areas.

    The Federal Government  partner ed states and local government areas to ensure a containment of pests and enable farmers to continue sustainable production of the fruits for local consumption and provide raw materials for processing.

  • Why NNPC’s growth is slow, by don

    Why NNPC’s growth is slow, by don

    It is not the dearth of technical know-how, but undue political interference and continued appointment of wrong personnel into the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that have been responsible for the slow growth of the Corporation, the President of the Nigerian Chapter of International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), Prof Wunmi Iledare, has said.

    The industry, he said, boasts of enough technical manpower, adding that interference from  political elite has made it difficult for people with the right skills to get on Board of NNPC and manage its affairs well in recent times.

    He said the development has prevented the Corporation from managing and moving the nation’s oil and gas industry to enviable height and compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

    He said Nigeria needs to choose between having a politically constituted NNPC’s Board or a technically constituted NNPC’ Board, if it wants to achieve meaningful progress in the petroleum industry.

    He said when the Board of NNPC is technically constituted, the Corporation would be able to carry out its commercial activities of producing and selling oil well for socio- economic growth and further compete with institutions such as Petrobas among others.

    According to him, failure to have a well regulated political process in Nigerian means that activities in NNPC and the entire industry would not go on smoothly.

    Iledare, an Emeritus Professor at the Centre for Energy Studies, University of Louisiana, United States (US), told the The Nation that some people have misconstrued the restructuring of the NNPC to mean unbundling of the corporation, adding that what the Federal Government was trying to do was to reposition NNPC commercially.

    He said: “The Federal Government has unbundled NNPC into different units or institutions several years ago. The development culminated in the emergence of subsidiaries like the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and others. What the government is doing now is to make NNPC more commercially-oriented and stronger.  The issue is line with the NNPC’s Act 1977, which stated that the Corporation should make the production, refining and selling of oil its major objectives.

    However, this has not been the case. What NNPC is doing is to preoccupy itself with many responsibilities by regulating the industry, collecting royalties from operators, refining crude oil and selling petroleum products. Why should there be multiplication of duties in NNPC if we want to compete with its counterparts across the world?

    Iledare said the government wants NNPC to focus on its commercial duties of producing, refining and selling of oil; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to concentrate on collection of taxes; Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) focusing on assets evaluation and management, among others.

    He said the idea of repositioning NNPC and the industry for greater performance is important, in view of the fact the country relies mainly on earnings from oil for growth.

  • 2014: Slow, bumpy path to creativity

    2014: Slow, bumpy path to creativity

    But for some private sector operators, the last one year would have been too slow and bumpy for any significant growth in the creative industry, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme.

    THE winner of 2012 ANA Poetry Prize, Mr. Karo Okoko, writes on poetry and drama. At the close of a stint at the Ebedi International Writing Residency at Ebedi, Iseyin in Oyo State, last September, he wrote in Ebedi Review his feelings and experiences. “I have learnt quite a lot from my colleagues. They see me as a loner who is always indoor, which is not strange because that is what people think of me…and that is what I am. But, when we commune, I learn a lot of things from them. Within those weeks, I was able to write and finish a novel from the scratch, title Letter; from Her, and a play title; Pellets of Power.

    In Washington DC, United States, a Nigerian designer, Ms Patience Torlowei was honoured by the Smithsonian Museum of African Arts for winning the Earth Matters Fashion competition in September. Her entry, Lady Esther, a hand painted dress named in memory of designer’s departed mother, is an illustration of the historical situations across Africa, such as apartheid South Africa, oil spillage in Nigeria and diamond mining in Congo. It was exhibited by the museum.

    On November 5, the founder, Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF), Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya, was also honoured by the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, US in recognition of his significant achievement in the arts over six decades. The institute held its 50th anniversary gala during which Onobrakpeya was special guest.

    These are examples of efforts of by some individuals in the creative industry that shone like stars in their chosen fields despite seemingly lack of government support. But for the significant contributions of  individuals and corporate bodies, such as gallery owners, moviemakers, artists, publishers, writers, musicians, designers among others, the year would have ended on a very sour note for the industry.

    Rainbow Book Club, Port Harcourt, is one of the leading private bodies that shaped the industry in the preceding year with Port Harcourt winning the United National Educational Scientific Cultural Oragansation  (UNESCO) World Book Capital 2014 in April. This was in recognition of the club’s successful hosting of a book festival  yearly since 2008 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The festival has impacted on the reading culture of the people, especially the youth who have been exposed to writing workshops led by renowned writers. It has also attracted great literary scholars from across the globe.

    Other key players include NLNG Nigerian Prize for Literature, Etisalat Prize for Literature, African Movie Academy Awards, (BOF) Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Terra Kulture, Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), Ake Arts and Book Festival, Muson Centre, Plateau International Film Festival, Olu Ajayi Studio, Unilever, Nigerian Breweries Plc, MTN and African Artists Foundation.

    The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation’s core mandate is to promote culture and tourism as a foreign exchange spinner, income distributor, major employer, a catalyst for rural development /poverty reduction and fostering peace. But, the implementation of these is often hindered by paucity of funds, policy somersault, poor planning, red-tape and corruption.

    Yet, its vision is to position culture and tourism as leverage for economic growth and development.

    How much of these have we witnessed in the sector? How effective are the nine parastatals, departments and agencies charged with implementing of policies of the supervising ministry? How far did they fare in 2014?

    Some of the flagship events, such as Abuja Carnival, Art Expo, ARESUVA, NAFEST, National Visual Art Competition, Nigerian Visual Art World Tour (NIVATOUR), annual distinguished lectures and symposium are either dwindling in terms of regularity, participation and content or gone moribund. The National Theatre, Lagos is still a monument  bedevilled by unclear agenda of outright sale or concession of its landed property.

    Former Deputy Editor, The Guardian, Mr. Ben Tomoloju described the sector in the outgoing year as a bag of mixed blessing. He noted that most of the positive developments were driven by the sheer gut of private sector stakeholders. “The Committee for Relevant Art continued to give a good account of itself in terms of consistency in quality programming. Private production outfits came up with stage hits, such as Kakadu and Saro. The Soyinka and J.P Clark at 80 events filled a huge vacuum for literary scholarship, theatre production and their multifaceted cultural dimension. The Macmillan Literary events remain on course. The Nigerian Prize for Literature sponsored by NNLG and the Wole Soyinlka Prize for Literature in Africa organised by Lumina Foundation sustains a heritage of literary excellence at the national and continental frontiers respectively. Outfits such as the Jos Repertory Theatre, Arojah Productions in Abuja and Crown Troupe in Lagos offered great promise,” he said.

    From the states, he said Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Osun and Ondo were exemplary in  state-funded carnival, literary and heritage events. According to him, federal cultural agencies are still on the average altogether, though there are a few with a rising profile.

    Proprietor of Terra Kulture Arts Centre, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters identified theatre as a major boost in the sector with productions such as Saro the Musical 2 creating new audiences and breaking barriers. “The visual arts remained relevant with art auctions and exhibitions organised by the various galleries and auction houses. New auction houses sprung up within the period with younger clientele showing interest in art collection. There was also a significant interest in Nigerian art by foreigners hence an increase in the number of exhibitions of Nigerian art outside the country,” Mrs Austen-Peters said.

     

    Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC)

    Expectedly, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) held its conferences and colloquiums across the country and the Diaspora during the year under review. As early as January 14 it held the 8th Pan African Congress at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It was collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, Cape Town, South Africa.  Theme was Mobilizing Global Africans, for Renaissance and Unity: The Social and Economic Conditions of Global Afro-Descendants.

    It also partnered Pan-African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG)and the Nigerian Mission in Washington DC to organise a roundtable in Washington DC, USA on January 17, 2014. The roundtable with the theme: Culture as instrument of the Nigerian Foreign Policy in America and the Americas, was held at the Nigerian Chancery, Washington DC. Other conferences included the Black History Month at Ibadan, discussion and exhibition marking the international women day, CBAAC annual colloquium at Kingston, Jamaica and the festival and colloquium at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in December.

     

    National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)

    Apart from the yearly hosting of its  events, National Festival for Arts and Culture NAFEST and African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo, the council led by Mrs. Dayo Keshi completed and inaugurated the National Research Centre on Textiles Traditions Osogbo in Osun State, the National Research Centre for Masquerade Traditions in Enugu, Enugu State, the Crafts Development Centres in Ikare, Ondo State, Kano and Sokoto in August last year. It is glad to know that these centres have been inangurated but the effective utilisation of the facilities remain the concern, especially equipping them for the local craftsmen.

    Eighteen countries and 12 states participated in the AFAC expo while only 18 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) out of 36 also participated in NAFEST last year. This drop in participation is being linked to the ongoing political campaigns towards the general elections in February.

    But the council also held the National Culture Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools at Awka, Anambra State with little or no publicity. The council honoured nine Nigerians, including Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, former National President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, Dr. Sally Nkem Adukwu-Bolujoko and Prince Adetokunbo Kayodeat its honours lecture/awards in Abuja.

    Observers say the council should among others overhaul its marketing strategy to make NAFEST and AFAC expo attractive to states and private bodies in the industry.

     

    Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)

    Mrs Sally Mbanefo-led NTDC kept faith with its three strategic imperative focusing on rebuilding the corporation, growing the tourism value chain for revenue generation and re-inventing the tourism industry through PPP programmes.

    “The National Tourism Policy thrust is to develop sustainable tourism by capitalising on heritage diversity as the basis for promoting domestic and international tourism. This is aimed at competitive sustainable tourism development within the confines of the world tourism market and open up Nigeria as a major tourist destination in Africa,” she said.

    But most importantly, NTDC began campaign for domestic tourism with the authentication of tourist sites in the six geo-political zones and covered 20 states.

    Mrs Mbanefo stressed that Nigeria must put in place mechanisms through which benefits can be derived from all departures and ‘‘we must develop tourism not just for paid travel’’ but leisure infrastructure in various communities for citizens who cannot afford to travel.

    To achieve these, the corporation called for the establishment of a tourism development fund, implementation of the 2007 tourism master plan, inclusion of tourism in concurrent list of the constitution and increase funding.

    NTDC in the last one year collaborated with diplomatic community from Mexico, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Cuba, The Gambia, Turkey, Venezuela and Israel on the need to market Nigeria in their home country. In line with the spirit of PPP, the corporation signed Memory of Order Understanding (MOUs) with VISA, ABC Transport, Arik Air, Redington Hospitals, Heritage Bank, British Airways, Nigeria Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigeria Football Federation, Jovago (hotel bookings on NTDC web portal) and the Gambia Tourism Board for best practice exchange.

    Expert say beyond the signing, the corporation must ensure that it translates the collaborations into actions that would engender tourism growth. All the collaborations must be appraised regular to keep with the spirit of the understanding as well as to maximise the benefits.

    Unlike in the past, the corporation scaled its participation in travel markets to when necessary and affordable. It maintained international profile at major travel markets such as World Travel Market, London, ITB Berlin, World Travel Market, Cape Town, South Africa as well as the hosting of Nigeria Fans Village at the FIFA World cup in Brasil.

     

    National Gallery of Art (NGA)

    Going by records, the outgoing year was not particularly eventful for the National Gallery of Art (NGA) as it could not hold some of its major programmes such as Art Expo, Nigerian Visual Art World Tour (NIVATOUR), ARESUVA, annual distinguished lecture and symposium. In its place were new programmes such as Art of Friendship, Nupe Art Conference/Exhibition held at Bida, Niger State. It featured traditional artists from the old Nupe kingdom exhibiting different works ranging from paintings, sculptures and textiles.

    This was followed by the annual NGA Children’s Day Art Competition, which drew pupils and students from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to the Women Development Centre. Then came Art of Friendship initiated in 2012 as a platform for Nigerian artists to cross-fertilise ideas with their counterparts from other nations through their embassies in Nigeria. The Art of Friendship 2 featured artists from Nigeria and four countries- Republic of Czech, France, Italy and Korea showcasing about 40 works of art comprising paintings, mix-media, drawing, sculpture and printmaking. Is Art of Friendship a replacement of NIVATOUR?

    The National Visual Arts Competition/Awards, NGA in-house exhibition, tagged, Together Again, and the unveiling of the Abuja Biennial logo were the other programmes NGA executed in the preceding year.

    Observers wondered what has become of the old programmes that have been abandoned for new ones. If it is difficult for NGA to improve on Art Expo, Aresuva and NIVATOUR, distinguished lecture and symposium what guarantees the success of the new ones such as Art of Friendship, Abuja Biennial? Or is it a problem of name or location of event? And if poor funding is the bane of the old programmes, NGA must look beyond the box to source funds for the success of these new programmes otherwise high turnover of events may not give the gallery a good image.  In the year under review, apart from NCMM, other culture agencies seemed to be less concern in executing capital projects that will provide the enabling environment for the thriving of the artist s and the arts.

    Specifically, museum and gallery deserve befitting national edifice that should serve as a home for the display of their collections. Nigeria has priceless works of art that

     

     

  • Why we’re slow in rescuing Chibok Girls — Presidency

    Why we’re slow in rescuing Chibok Girls — Presidency

    The Presidency says its slow approach to the rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State, three months ago is to avoid a repeat of the 2004 incident in experience in the North Caucasus region of Russia when 300 children were killed in an attempt by Russians to free hostages held by Chechens.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said in London on Thursday that the situation should not be misinterpreted as inaction on the part of government.

    “The need to avoid a repeat of the 2004 experience when 300 children were killed in an attempt by Russians to free hostages held by Chechens in the North Caucasus region of Russia was responsible for the seemingly slow process of freeing the Chibok girls,” Dr.Okupe said at Chatham House lecture series held at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.

    Speaking on ‘Priorities and Progress in Nigeria: Imperatives for Stability and Growth’, the Presidential spokesman said the war against insurgency is a major priority of the Federal Government.

    He decried the slowing down of the economy by the insurgency, saying, ”We are taking advantage of the offers from our international military and intelligence allies to get a greater understanding of the landscape and identify key locations.

    “We are working with our neighbours to secure the borders and limit the movements of the Boko Haram fighters, building on the agreements reached at the recent summits in Paris and London.

    He spoke of government’s plan to block domestic and international sources of funds for the group.

     

  • ‘Slow and steady win the race’

    Julius Adeniyi has been sworn in as president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA). The 400-Level English Education student told SEGUN ODUNAYO (100-Level Political Science) how the union would help project the institution’s image.

     

    How do you intend to affect the lives of students during your tenure?

    My utmost priority is to see students improve academically. We will also cater for their welfare just as we did when we pleaded with the management to extend the deadline of school fee payment; the closing date was extended by one month. That is just the beginning of good things to happen in our administration.

    Considering the slim margin with which you won the election, how do you intend to win the support of your opponents?

    Since the slogan of the union remains unity in diversity, I believe the opponents will see reason to join hands with us to improve on what we met on ground. This is not my union; it belongs to all of us. But some of them have come to meet me with great ideas and we are really working on them.

    The management has said its vision is to build a 21st century institution. How does the union intend to help this cause?

    We are elected officials. As such, we are required to also have programmes for the personal and academic development of students and the school itself. Surely, we will discourage any view that may plunge the campus into unnecessary crisis, which may jeopardise the efforts of the management in achieving its aims and objective. We will keep faith with the three C’s principle of consolidation and consultation before confrontation. But the management has taken the union as a partner in progress. This I believe will not result in misunderstanding of issues.

    Students living off-campus have been facing the challenge of epileptic power supply. How does the union intend to respond to this?

    We must know that irregular power supply is a national problem, which is beyond the management and the students’ union. However, the nonchalant attitude of the host community should also be condemned because we have made several moves to end this but they have not been supporting us. We told them to allow connection of Akungba power line to Iwaro community, but they have not been listening to us. We are, however, working towards getting the problem resolved.

    What do you have to say on the dearth of shuttle bus to convey students to school?

    We have complained about that also but the management said the buses were faulty. Later, they told us that the buses would be given out on contract. But we are working on getting the union’s buses to convey students to the campus daily.

    Is the view that your administration is slow correct?

    There is no way there will not be antagonism when it comes to politics. Since many people believe in the burn-and-destroy kind of politics, people like me are strange to such belief. We believe slowly and steadily, we will win the race. There were students that threatened violence if the registration portal was not opened before the extension was given. I told them to relax because we have a listening Vice-Chancellor. Immediately, the students felt our efforts.

    We don’t believe in causing trouble to make our challenges known. As students, we need to know we are in era of dialogue; violent agitation is no longer fashionable.

    What are those things you wish to accomplish at the end of your tenure?

    We have come up with laudable projects but implementation is still going on. Right now, we are contemplating on getting another union bus, but the management’s directive that no union on campus should purchase vehicle stopped us from going ahead. However, I am sure that students we will be happy at the end our tenure.