The Nation Newspaper

Tag: zero

  • Five governors endorse plan for zero hunger by 2025

    Five governors have endorsed a peer advisory mechanism to enable them to monitor the implementation of their state-grown agricultural plans with a view to ending hunger by 2030.

    The peer advisory mechanism is a brainchild of the Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum (NZHF) is aimed at reviewing, monitoring, and advising states on the ways by which the states themselves, using available resources, can achieve zero hunger by 2030.

    The five pilot states, which have given their nod include Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Ogun and Sokoto state.

    “More states will be involved as we make progress,” according to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Goodwill Ambassador, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is chairing the NZHF.

    According to a communique issued at the end of the maiden edition of the NZHF in Makurdi, members of the NZHF, which cut across the private sector, government and development partners agreed to hold its advisory meeting on quarterly across the states.

    The Forum also adopted a template for its future advisory meetings: The first day should be dedicated to a welcome address by the state followed by presentations of what is going on in the host state related to achieving zero hunger (challenges, successes, and lessons learnt). The next day, should be dedicated to field visits to engage with large, medium, and small scale farmer groups; medium and large scale agriculture related industries such as food and feed processors, and fertiliser blending factories, and programs to improve the health and nutrition of infants and children. The day should end with reflections of the day and a communique.

    IITA Deputy Director-General for Partnerships for Delivery, Dr Kenton Dashiell, who also manages the secretariat of the NZHF at IITA, explained that the peer advisory mechanism of the NZHF would encourage states to focus on the commitments they made towards agriculture so they could by themselves achieve their set targets.

    He commended the maiden meeting in Benue state, noting that the state has the capacity to feed the country if its agricultural potential was fully tapped.

    Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, described the Nigeria Zero Hunger initiative as a tool that would accelerate the agricultural development of states through peer learning.  He noted that through the instrumentality of the Forum the state was able to purchase fertilisers in good time for distribution to farmers.

    “Again from the NZHF meeting, we have been given advice on how to handle certain areas and in some cases the former president personally made contacts through the phone on our behalf to persons who have the answers,” Ortom explained.

    The meeting in Benue, had in attendance Ortom, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Deputy Governor of Borno State, and representatives of the Governors of Ogun and Sokoto states, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), African Development Bank (AfDB), World Food Program (WFP), the private sector, farmer groups, members of Benue State Executive Council, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), the Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), and members of the press.

    The NZHF is supported by IITA, African Development Bank (AfDB), WFP and the OlusegunObasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

  • Back to zero

    Sink, sinking and sunk. That aptly describes the state in which Tony’s heart is at the moment. At a glance, it looks like he has lost practically everything sown along the emotional corridor. What a mess! He had put in all his energy into a good job (heart); something that he was so passionate about. Flashback to 2012, the whole idea consumed his being and it was something that was on his mind 24 hours a day.

    Kudos everywhere ! A job well done and the passion for this job (love) got better. Then it was time to take stock, count the blessings and his heart was on the plaque (marriage). Instead of recognising a great performance, he got a sack (jilted) letter.

    Oh dear! What really is the problem here? Nobody was willing to tell him the truth, and then a co-worker (rival) ‘bell the cat’. “You have worked (loved too much) too hard.” Doing this, he hinted, made him look too desperate for the job (heart).

    In the emotional space, you cannot afford to be slow, too fast or just an Island. It’s about understanding the vibes and keeping in at the right time. Of course, you also have got to abide by the rules and be considerate about the emotions of the other players. Not nice to take the other party for granted at all.

    If you are giving 80 and they are giving 20, then you may just have been taken for granted with a heart that is likely to suffer from emotional ‘constipation’. The resident of Love Avenue can be highly critical and irrational and it is important to understand how to relate with the heart that you treasure. If you do not learn to interpret the moods, actions and inactions, then you would continue to step on emotional toes instead of reaping from the sweet-nothings whispered, the type every woman wants to hear.

    Smart? No, it has nothing to do with having a critical mind to survive. There are times you put in so much, expecting an overdose in terms of affections. Great expectations, and you anticipate a bountiful harvest. Yet all you get is a stingy heart, a heart that doesn’t match your expectations.

    Life goes on and now that this Buddie has learnt one or two lessons from life (love), it dawns on him that he is bankrupt (no emotions). Emptied! Yes, that is the stark reality and a quick search for leftovers here and there; there is really nothing worth the while. His emotional account was simply in red.

    The crux of the matter here is that a sinking heart drains. A broken heart is blind. You just cannot see anything clearly. No matter how hard you try, the tears simply take over. No matter how hard you try to conceal the pain, reality hits you like a sharp knife thrust into your heart and you are back to zero.

    What is he going to do without the right resources to do it right? Unfortunately, if you do not have what it takes, then you may just have to turn to the other alternative, the type that is very common; a bag of tricks (lies). Time to put on his thinking (lovecraft) cap and luckily a bright idea comes to mind. Instead of suffering in silence and bothering about emotional ethics, isn’t it better to just go window shopping.

    It was fun moving from one window to the other. Delicate pieces, colourful and bright combinations, all beckoning for attention. Somewhere simply breathtaking and almost irresistible. Once in a while, the sad reality hits our dear; you can only look but cannot take away. It got worse because the items (hearts) staring at him were communicating, ‘take me, please take me with you’.

    They weren’t the only accomplices in the process. As soon as the shop owner and attendants sighted this lovebird, they invited (lured) him within to try a shirt, a pair of shoes and more. They were excited about the fact that he was likely to buy (fall in love), they ran in and out in desperation trying to find his choice. Stylishly, he pretended that he did not like any of the options presented. The truth was that the options were all good but the timing was just wrong.

    There was a lot of excitement in the air and it worsened everything. Why would he raise their hopes, knowing fully well that he wasn’t prepared to buy anything? As he watched the ladies (hearts) scrambling for his attention to buy at least a pair of shoes, he smiled and walked away.

    Wait a minute! The only option here would be to shoplift (rape)! After all, the attendants here were so carried away with him and he could just get away with this, if he chose to do just this. No, that is not a good idea. It is not good to take what (love forcefully) does not belong to you. It comes with a lot of consequences.  He discovered that in the process of trying to make himself happy, he had dashed hopes and complicated the process.

  • Zero introduces electric motorcycles

    Zero introduces electric motorcycles

    There are some clear advantages to going electric: no need to visit the filling station, no oil, no exhaust, among others. These and many more are reasons why Zero introduces electric motorcycles – the FX and DS, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    There are a host of benefits experienced by Zero owners on a regular basis that are not as obvious.

    The Zero FX is an off road motorcycle while the DS are the street version.

    Behind the design of each cutting edge model is a philosophy of elegant simplicity that keeps the weight of the motorcycle low, virtually eliminates all routine powertrain maintenance and yields stealthy acceleration. The result is an incredibly exhilarating ride and an ownership experience that appreciates mile after mile.

    As a premium brand, Zero designs each motorcycle with the sort of quality and integrity that inspires an exceptional riding experience. Beyond that, the upfront cost of a Zero is not what it appears to be when compared against its traditional internal combustion counterparts. Each mile ridden on a Zero is considerably less expensive, making it considerably more enjoyable, due to the elimination of routine powertrain maintenance and no gas expenses. As it turns out, when compared to other premium brands, a Zero starts saving the owner money on gas and maintenance from day one. In fact, over the life of their motorcycle, many Zero owners actually save more than they would have if they had purchased a comparable internal combustion model.

    All Zero motorcycles feature a direct drive, maintenance-free powertrain. As an incredibly efficient system, direct drive channels power directly from the motor to the rear wheel via a strong and silent, constant tension belt. Not only does direct drive minimise friction loss by eliminating clutches and gears, but it also helps eliminate the need for routine powertrain maintenance and reduces the weight of the motorcycle.

    The Zero FX features a fully modular power pack system. With slots for two power packs, one can operate the Zero FX with either one or both slots filled. The modules can be charged either on the motorcycle or elsewhere using optional accessories, giving you the ability to charge without a street-level outlet.

    Modules can be fully removed from the motorcycle and transported to charge anywhere.

    The motor in the Zero FX is configured to produce incredible torque and sits inside the lightest motorcycle in the lineup. The result is thrilling acceleration. Zero Motorcycles designed the Z-Force motor from the ground up to be compact, efficient and powerful. Completely air-cooled, the motor is designed to provide a fantastic riding experience minus the need for any regular maintenance. When slowing down, the motor generates electricity that is channeled back into the power pack to help extend ride times.

    At the core of the Zero FX lies the ultimate dirt bike frame that Zero engineered from the ground up and handcrafted using aircraft-grade aluminum. The resulting combination of lower weight and higher strength means more responsiveness. In the corners and off the line, this translates into greater acceleration. For added durability, each frame is shot-peened and anodized.

     

     

     

     

  • Two ‘large banks’ record zero liquidity ratio, says CBN report

    Two ‘large banks’ record zero liquidity ratio, says CBN report

    Three banks have recorded a negative liquidity ratio in a liquidity stress test conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on 21 deposit money banks and 14 foreign subsidiaries.

    Of the three, two are among those categorised as “large banks”.

    Liquidity ratios measure the ability of  banks to meet short term debt obligations.

    The CBN Financial Stability Report released at the weekend said the zero liquidity ratio recorded by the lenders followed a cumulative 30-day shock conducted by the regulator to assess the resilience of the industry to liquidity and funding shocks. The test was conducted using the Implied Cash Flow Analysis (ICFA) and Maturity Mismatch/Rollover Risk approaches.

    The ICFA test, the CBN said, assessed the ability of the banking system to withstand unanticipated substantial withdrawal of deposits, as well as short-term wholesale and long-term funding over five-day and cumulative 30-day shocks, with specific assumptions on fire sale of assets.

    However, the stress test conducted, based on their end-December 2013 call reports indicated that the banking industry is stable and resilient. The key challenges in the industry, however, remain corporate governance and risk management practices.

    The test assumed a gradual average outflow of 3.8, five and 1.5 per cent of total deposits, short-term and long-term funding, during a five-day assessment.

    The test also showed a cumulative average outflow of 22, 11 and 1.5 per cent of total deposits, short-term and long-term funding,  on a 30-day balance.

    The test revealed that, after the five-day and cumulative 30-day shocks were applied, the industry liquidity ratio declined to 12.2 and 10.4 per cent,  from 50.53 per cent. Most banks’ liquidity ratios were also below the 30 per cent threshold after the two scenarios.

    The worst-hit were the three unnamed lenders that recorded a negative liquidity ratio, following a cumulative 30-day shock. Two of these banks were among the categorised “large banks”.

    However, the report said the banking industry was resilient to liquidity stress, although the test results indicated deterioration in the banks’ resilience, compared with the position in the preceding period.

    The CBN also conducted a solvency stress test on the industry to assess the stability of the sector under various hypothetically strained macroeconomic conditions.

    The pre-shock Capital Adequacy Ratios (CAR) for the entire banking industry, large, medium and small banks stood at 17.20, 16.24, 18.05 and 18.33 per cent. These, the report  said, reflected decreases of 1.49, 2.62, 0.2 and 0.5 percentage points over the June 2013 positions.

    The CBN said its actions were focused on ensuring that the banks maintain healthy loan portfolios by creating high quality assets that will ensure sustainable growth. The regulator added that the proactive actions taken to resolve the distress situation in the system had achieved the desired results and contributed to the overall stability of the financial system.

  • From zero to love hero

    IT was a courtship that lasted for six years and she had very high hopes about the relationship. Like every other relationship, she thought it was a learning process and it was going to take her to her dreams. Unfortunately, that was not to be; she lost so much and gained very little in return. It was indeed a season of heartaches that defied all the prescriptions and emotional medication applied. The last blow was the hardest and she almost found it impossible to pick up the pieces again.

    “Ade started dating my roommate, Felicia, on campus and the news was all over the place. When I confronted him, I got a shocking reply. He told me that it was Felicia that he first fell in love with but she did not agree to his proposal then.”

    It was over and her emotions moved down to point zero. For about two years she didn’t want to have anything to do with any guy, no matter how good or great he looked. Gradually, she realised that she just had to move on and in the process met Kevin, an emotional miracle. Initially, he looked like another heart breaker and it started on her terms. She later decided to give this handsome, six footer an emotional chance. It worked, and in a short while her sinking heart was revived and they exchanged marital vows the following year.

    As you can see, the key to making a man want you all to himself is to be the woman who loves him but doesn’t need him. When he senses that he’s very lucky to have you, he’ll be motivated to seal the deal before another guy gets in there first. When he sees that you’re first and foremost committed to yourself and your dreams, he will feel fired up about you. He’ll appreciate you as having high value and be “triggered” to want you all to himself!

    It is only natural to understand where your relationship is headed and hard to resist wanting to know what the other party is up to. For a lot of people the heart sinks when the game isn’t in their favour. They get anxious, worried and sometimes very desperate. Everyone who has worn and lost the love shoe certainly knows how it pinches. It brings tears and bitterness and after a period of time the wounds may or may not heal.

    To feel on top of the emotional game, you need to understand your partner and the terrain. When you come to the realisation that things aren’t swinging in your direction, then it is better to try to talk about commitment in a unique way. If this is not handled properly, then the other party would feel stressful and this will only make such a person retreat.

    Most times the ladies are at the receiving end in the emotional bargain. And so it is usually about his moods, his feelings and his desires and not hers. So what should she do if she is at the receiving end of a relationship? Should she chicken out of this love race or force her way through this love garden? None of this approach is the best. Many would actually tell you that the answer to this emotional quagmire is not a straightforward answer at all.

    First, you need to study the guy in question to understand the best approach to use. If you also discover that he is a man of little words then you need to tread very carefully too. The best way out of the emotional woods here is that no matter how much you’re dying to know what he’s thinking, resist the temptation to bring up this tender topic.

    The more you try to make a case for how great you are as a couple, the more he feels cornered and manipulated. Your reasoning feels like criticism to him and makes him unable to share his true feelings. That’s certainly not the vibe you want to create in a loving relationship. A man falls in love when he feels like he can make you happy by being himself and sharing the deepest parts of who he is. By rejecting those parts, you make him feel wrong and cause him to protect his true feelings – and his heart – from connecting with yours.

    Sometimes, what the other person needs is a commitment or the fact that they are appreciated. So if you feel good about somebody then you must show it. You must know how to open up and share your feelings properly. This way you would encourage him or her to connect to you and the positive experience you’re sharing. As you continue to lay a stronger foundation of positive feelings, it’s only natural that the bond will get stronger and stronger.

    From experience, a lot of gals would agree that opening up about your true feelings isn’t always easy with a man. Sometimes you really have no idea what to say – and you may even be afraid of saying the wrong thing that will push him away. Well, don’t get too worried with this because what would be would be. It is better to lose him at the beginning of the relationship and not midway. Here it’s easier to adjust your emotional seatbelt and refasten it with someone who would appreciate and understand you better. Don’t ever be afraid of telling the truth because you can’t hide it for too long.