By Fred Nwaozor
Imo as a state, and Imolites as a people, are at the moment conspicuously in jubilation mood owing to the emergence of Chief Emeka Nkem Ihedioha as the democratically-elected governor of the Eastern Heartland.
Prior to the election, his candidacy was obviously popular, which resulted in his notable victory at the Imo guber poll. The popularity in question, however, wasn’t unconnected with the origin of the race and the parameters that surrounded it.
Anyone who’s deeply concerned about this euphoric moment in Imo cannot painstakingly mention the progenitors behind this well-celebrated victory without mentioning the current Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere; a well-celebrated politician and technocrat who made reality to dawn on countless Imolites when it seemed they have all been deceived or misled.
The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Chief Ihedioha who had been a well-known player in respect of the Imo guber game, is now widely and popularly recognized as the incoming Executive Governor of the ancient state.
The erstwhile legislator, who ventured into politics as a technocrat, was amazingly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at about 12am on Tuesday, 12th March 2019 as the winner of the March 9 election and returned elected, having polled a total of 273,404 votes under the aegis of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to defeat his closest rival, Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) who polled a total of 190,364 votes.
Lest I forget; I earlier pointed out in strong terms in one of the previous paragraphs that Prince Madumere was one of the prime reasons behind Chief Ihedioha’s victory at the just concluded Imo guber poll. I want to revisit that assertion for the sake of clarity, and posterity too.
It would, therefore, be very pertinent to throw more light in regard to that succinct remark, though it ought to be in a nutshell since this piece isn’t targeted to analyze politics or political intrigues that transpired but the numerous technical values that are likely to accompany the awaited enthronement of the former federal lawmaker as the next governor of Imo come May 29, 2019.
It would be recalled that a faceoff was, perhaps instigated by nature, between Prince Madumere and the incumbent Imo governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha. This was owing to the duo’s political differences, or precisely the latter’s dogmatic approach to make his son-in-law Uche Nwosu his successor to the detriment of the former who had already been tipped or endorsed by many as the most preferred, dependable and eligible man for the governorship position.
When the teeming discerning Imolites, comprising mostly members cum followers of Okorocha’s camp, realized that an unjust treatment was meted out to the easy-going Madumere, they were compelled to dump the governor for his deputy, towards throwing their unalloyed weight behind the latter to enable him secure the gubernatorial slut.
Unfortunately or fortunately, when the Imo guber ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) couldn’t in the long run go to Prince Madumere, most of the uncountable allies and supporters – consisting of millions of Imolites – abruptly decided to rather shift their solidarity to the candidate of the opposition party (the PDP) Chief Ihedioha than that of the APC, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
Their major reason for supporting Ihedioha wasn’t reportedly unconnected with the opinion that the PDP candidate was another well qualified, reliable and experienced person, among other aspirants for the Imo number one post as well as the belief that he hails from the zone (Imo East) that had been presumably marginalized as regards the leadership structure in the state. It’s worthy of note that Madumere is equally from Imo East.
Hence, these countless supporters and/or followers of the deputy governor who eventually joined the Ihedioha’s camp – mainly in their bid to secure a mandate that would be well and largely acceptable by Imolites and in the best interest of Imo – are the real basis of this well-celebrated victory recorded by the Mbaise-born politician.
This is to assert that the victory in question was devoid of politics or had nothing to do with the political cum social affiliation of the victor, but could be basically attributable to Prince Madumere’s wide acceptance by the people.
Lest I digress; this piece is informed by the reason to inform us that technocrats in Imo are at the moment rejoicing or joyous over the recent emergence of Chief Ihedioha as the next Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland. And as they rejoice, they are in their number celebrating Madumere who they believe is the genesis of the ecstasy.
In this context, the term ‘technocrats’, which means technically-inclined individuals or other experts belonging/affiliated to a group that possesses political power, could be said to be ambiguous; ambiguous, in the sense that, it encompasses everyone or entity that’s knowledgeable enough to carry out or execute a certain task.
It’s ambiguous because it has to do with not just tech experts but people who truly believe in technicalities irrespective of their respective fields of endeavour. So, it’s all about individuals within the political circle who acknowledge the language of expertise, techniques, technical values, technicalities, or what have you.
Aside the indisputable fact that Chief Ihedioha is a technologist by profession, having duly bagged a bachelor degree in Food Science and Technology from the prestigious University of Lagos (UniLag), he joined politics – or was contracted to be part of Nigeria’s political happenings – based on his professional prowess in media and communications.
As he emerges victoriously at the guber poll, Imolites – home and abroad – who really have keen interest in tech-driven issues, or technicalities in general, are variously rejoicing over the victory because they are of the strong view that the victor wouldn’t hesitate to embrace technocracy – rather than ‘familiocracy’ – the moment he enters into the Imo Government House.
It’s opined in various quarters that Imo is presently in need of serious technically-oriented initiatives with a view to resuscitating her lost glory, especially in the area of education, health, public utilities and agriculture. And well-meaning Imolites are of the view that the incoming governor has all it takes to do the needful.
There’s a great believe in most quarters that Chief Ihedioha is imbued with the required features and expertise to positively turn Imo around in no distant time. It is hinted in virtually all nooks and crannies of the state that his successful emergence at the poll is apt and timely. Every wall within the shores of the state could feel the wide acceptance of the victor.
This could be the reason the technocrats in the state are already blowing their trumpets to herald the arrival of the awaited number-one citizen of the ancient state, as those who could aptly trace the origin of the victory cannot stop celebrating Prince Madumere who’s equally a technocrat.
Subsequently, on this column, I’ll extensively do a piece to exclusively assist in setting a tech-driven agenda for the impending Ihedioha-led government, because it’s my utmost desire that the victor who comprehends the language and essence of technocracy utilizes this great and golden opportunity to the fullness.
So, as I candidly congratulate this fine, young and vibrant technocrat over the well-deserved victory, I pray these hopes already raised by the teeming Imolites – particularly the technocrats – wouldn’t be dashed in the long run.
Hence, this skillful hand must be ready to take practical steps towards rigorously rebuilding Imo. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor
- Policy Analyst, Rights Activist & Tech Expert -
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
Showing posts with label Tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tech. Show all posts
Wednesday 3 April 2019
Monday 1 April 2019
Tech I On Forensic Scrutiny Of The Polls
By Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, the scheduled Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential polls have eventually come and gone, to the glory of God who made the all-inclusive national ritual possible.
Though the historic and remarkable event had been successfully conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ripples and mixed feelings created by its outcome still conspicuously linger.
The news is everywhere that Presdient Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was returned elected by the INEC as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for another period of four years.
In a related development, the news is equally at all corners of the country and beyond that the closest rival to the recognized victor of the poll, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alongside his party leadership refused to accept the outcome of the keenly contested election, citing irregularities at the polls, despite the strong plea from some quarters to concede defeat in good faith.
According to the aggrieved candidate, he was robbed of his presumed victory, thus vowed to “retrieve the mandate” through the court, which is widely believed to be the “last hope of a common man”.
Naturally, it’s common among the human race that when a victor or the second to none in a certain competition emerges, the second best would invariably feel bitter and may end up putting the blame of his/their failure on the umpire.
Such a feeling is natural, in the sense that nobody or competitor wishes to become a loser at the end of any contest, hence that of the PDP isn’t an exception. It’s indisputable that every participant or contestant in any competition definitely looks forward to grabbing the trophy at the end of the show.
In this case, the PDP who has been publicly declared as the best loser is strongly of the view that it deserved to emerge victoriously or as the winner, at the Presidential poll that was reportedly observed by both local and foreign observers.
It’s not anymore news that the aggrieved party has lawfully approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, as was clamoured by its teeming allies as well as followers who share same sentiments with the party’s leadership.
We were equally reliably notified that the plaintiff, who had made a plaintive sound, pleaded with the court for a forensic investigation to be carried out on the sensitive materials used for the said election, in addition to its prayer for the INEC to reverse the declaration in favour of the PDP.
On 6th March 2019, the tribunal consequently rejected the request of the candidate of the PDP, alongside his party, to be allowed to conduct forensic analysis and scanning of the electronic gadgets – such as the computers, card readers and servers, among others – deployed for the conduct of the February 23 Presidential election.
The tribunal declared that such a request was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151 (1) and (2) of the Nigeria’s 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, which permits the inspection of election materials coupled with allied documents upon the request of any concerned individual or entity.
In a unanimous ruling on an ex-parte application tendered by the PDP, a 3-man panel of the tribunal stated “Section 151 of the Electoral Act, which allows an intending petitioner to inspect materials used for an election, only allows inspection and obtaining of certified true copies of such materials” and nothing more.
In the lead ruling by Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, the tribunal granted the prayers that allow the applicant the permission to only inspect the materials and obtain their Certified True Copies (CTC). It also granted the applicant’s prayer for leave to be allowed to bring such application at the pre-hearing stage of the tribunal’s sitting.
It reiterated that the request by Atiku and PDP to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and scanning of INEC gadgets, among other materials, was outside the scope of the meaning of inspection under the aforementioned section of the Electoral Act.
It’s noteworthy that the section in question, which talks about inspection of documents, stipulates as follow:
“151 (1) An order for an inspection of a polling document or an inspection of a document or any other packet in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission may be made by the election tribunal or the court if it is satisfied that the inspection is required for the purpose of instituting, maintaining or defending an election petition.
“(2) A document other than a document referred to in subsection (1) of this section relating to an election and which is retained by the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission in accordance with this section shall be open for inspection on an order made by the Election Tribunal or a Court in exercise of its powers to compel the production of documents in legal proceedings, but shall not otherwise be open for inspection.”
Since the section is obviously silent regarding forensic inspection or investigation, and doesn’t also stipulate whether only manual pattern should be deployed, it’s therefore the statutory obligation of the court to determine the apt line of action prior to amendments in respect of that.
As I appreciate the tribunal for exercising its lawful duties without bias, it’s equally pertinent for the relevant authorities to henceforth consider some key issues for the sake of effectiveness and efficiency as well as way forward in electoral matters.
As a tech expert and activist, I’ve overtime analyzed and advocated on the need for the Nigeria’s political system to join the rest of others globally as regards technology, particularly matters pertaining to elections.
Nigeria is arguably of age to follow suit concerning the issue at hand. The required brains or hands are readily available to initiate the project. But the acclaimed giant of Africa is unequivocally still lacking the enabling environment to strive.
The fact, irrespective of who is aggrieved or victorious, is that forensic audit or means of inspection into matters of public interest enables apt and timely outcome, and equally saves cost. It’s, therefore, cost and labour effective. It creates room for the needed work to be done with ease or effortlessly.
So, considering electioneering issues, it would be wise and ideal for Nigeria to key into such a tech-driven initiative in order to share the numerous benefits enshrined in it. Involving forensic measures in pre, during and post election matters would undoubtedly write the country’s name in gold in regard to her political system and democracy in general.
In view of this professional counsel, the INEC is expected to hold the bull by the horn with a view to thinking towards making all activities or cases pertaining to elections tech-driven. Four years from now, prior to the next general elections, is enough space and opportunity to plan aptly ahead of the awaited lofty approach.
However, such a measure wouldn’t be effective or lawfully acceptable by the system if the relevant laws aren’t amended to suit the quest. Hence, the lawmakers shouldn’t hesitate in doing the needful without much ado.
The recently reviewed Electoral Act, that’s yet to be assented to by the Presidency, ought to therefore be further reviewed to accommodate all the required parameters regarding forensic measures. The time to act is now. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist
& Tech Expert, is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
The last time I checked, the scheduled Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential polls have eventually come and gone, to the glory of God who made the all-inclusive national ritual possible.
Though the historic and remarkable event had been successfully conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ripples and mixed feelings created by its outcome still conspicuously linger.
The news is everywhere that Presdient Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was returned elected by the INEC as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for another period of four years.
In a related development, the news is equally at all corners of the country and beyond that the closest rival to the recognized victor of the poll, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alongside his party leadership refused to accept the outcome of the keenly contested election, citing irregularities at the polls, despite the strong plea from some quarters to concede defeat in good faith.
According to the aggrieved candidate, he was robbed of his presumed victory, thus vowed to “retrieve the mandate” through the court, which is widely believed to be the “last hope of a common man”.
Naturally, it’s common among the human race that when a victor or the second to none in a certain competition emerges, the second best would invariably feel bitter and may end up putting the blame of his/their failure on the umpire.
Such a feeling is natural, in the sense that nobody or competitor wishes to become a loser at the end of any contest, hence that of the PDP isn’t an exception. It’s indisputable that every participant or contestant in any competition definitely looks forward to grabbing the trophy at the end of the show.
In this case, the PDP who has been publicly declared as the best loser is strongly of the view that it deserved to emerge victoriously or as the winner, at the Presidential poll that was reportedly observed by both local and foreign observers.
It’s not anymore news that the aggrieved party has lawfully approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, as was clamoured by its teeming allies as well as followers who share same sentiments with the party’s leadership.
We were equally reliably notified that the plaintiff, who had made a plaintive sound, pleaded with the court for a forensic investigation to be carried out on the sensitive materials used for the said election, in addition to its prayer for the INEC to reverse the declaration in favour of the PDP.
On 6th March 2019, the tribunal consequently rejected the request of the candidate of the PDP, alongside his party, to be allowed to conduct forensic analysis and scanning of the electronic gadgets – such as the computers, card readers and servers, among others – deployed for the conduct of the February 23 Presidential election.
The tribunal declared that such a request was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151 (1) and (2) of the Nigeria’s 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, which permits the inspection of election materials coupled with allied documents upon the request of any concerned individual or entity.
In a unanimous ruling on an ex-parte application tendered by the PDP, a 3-man panel of the tribunal stated “Section 151 of the Electoral Act, which allows an intending petitioner to inspect materials used for an election, only allows inspection and obtaining of certified true copies of such materials” and nothing more.
In the lead ruling by Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, the tribunal granted the prayers that allow the applicant the permission to only inspect the materials and obtain their Certified True Copies (CTC). It also granted the applicant’s prayer for leave to be allowed to bring such application at the pre-hearing stage of the tribunal’s sitting.
It reiterated that the request by Atiku and PDP to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and scanning of INEC gadgets, among other materials, was outside the scope of the meaning of inspection under the aforementioned section of the Electoral Act.
It’s noteworthy that the section in question, which talks about inspection of documents, stipulates as follow:
“151 (1) An order for an inspection of a polling document or an inspection of a document or any other packet in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission may be made by the election tribunal or the court if it is satisfied that the inspection is required for the purpose of instituting, maintaining or defending an election petition.
“(2) A document other than a document referred to in subsection (1) of this section relating to an election and which is retained by the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or any other officer of the Commission in accordance with this section shall be open for inspection on an order made by the Election Tribunal or a Court in exercise of its powers to compel the production of documents in legal proceedings, but shall not otherwise be open for inspection.”
Since the section is obviously silent regarding forensic inspection or investigation, and doesn’t also stipulate whether only manual pattern should be deployed, it’s therefore the statutory obligation of the court to determine the apt line of action prior to amendments in respect of that.
As I appreciate the tribunal for exercising its lawful duties without bias, it’s equally pertinent for the relevant authorities to henceforth consider some key issues for the sake of effectiveness and efficiency as well as way forward in electoral matters.
As a tech expert and activist, I’ve overtime analyzed and advocated on the need for the Nigeria’s political system to join the rest of others globally as regards technology, particularly matters pertaining to elections.
Nigeria is arguably of age to follow suit concerning the issue at hand. The required brains or hands are readily available to initiate the project. But the acclaimed giant of Africa is unequivocally still lacking the enabling environment to strive.
The fact, irrespective of who is aggrieved or victorious, is that forensic audit or means of inspection into matters of public interest enables apt and timely outcome, and equally saves cost. It’s, therefore, cost and labour effective. It creates room for the needed work to be done with ease or effortlessly.
So, considering electioneering issues, it would be wise and ideal for Nigeria to key into such a tech-driven initiative in order to share the numerous benefits enshrined in it. Involving forensic measures in pre, during and post election matters would undoubtedly write the country’s name in gold in regard to her political system and democracy in general.
In view of this professional counsel, the INEC is expected to hold the bull by the horn with a view to thinking towards making all activities or cases pertaining to elections tech-driven. Four years from now, prior to the next general elections, is enough space and opportunity to plan aptly ahead of the awaited lofty approach.
However, such a measure wouldn’t be effective or lawfully acceptable by the system if the relevant laws aren’t amended to suit the quest. Hence, the lawmakers shouldn’t hesitate in doing the needful without much ado.
The recently reviewed Electoral Act, that’s yet to be assented to by the Presidency, ought to therefore be further reviewed to accommodate all the required parameters regarding forensic measures. The time to act is now. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a Policy Analyst, Rights Activist
& Tech Expert, is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Tech I NEMSA And the Commissioned Electricity Lab
By Fred Nwaozor
Is there anyone who’s domiciled in Nigeria that’s yet to realize what the country has overtime been passing through as regards electricity supply? The apt respond to the candid enquiry ought to be ‘No’.
It’s not anymore news that Nigerians in their entirety have hitherto been experiencing untold hardship when it calls for electricity across the nooks and crannies of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
Aside the fact that the Nigerian State cannot boast of a steady power supply, it’s noteworthy that even the available one is densely characterized by myriad of irregularities alongside poor service delivery by the authorities in charge of the said public utility.
This could be one of the reasons that resulted in the emergence of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the government authority that sees to the day-to-day standardization of power supply and other related technical issues across the federation.
NEMSA was established to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, meters and instruments, to ensure efficient production cum delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable power supply as well as guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry coupled with allied matters.
The regular supply of power in any locality around the globe is characterized by three major segments, namely: generation, transmission and distribution. In each of these segments, it’s worth noting that different gadgets or machines are being utilized towards enabling effective and efficient services.
To guarantee apt functionality of these technical materials, an electricity laboratory, or otherwise known as ‘electricity lab’, is needed in the process by the relevant authorities. It’s the said lab that would assure the genuineness and adequacy of the gadgets before they are duly installed in the localities where they are required.
Similarly, whenever any of the instruments broke down or malfunctioned, the same lab is still being used to run some needed tests, or technical diagnoses, to ascertain what is/are actually wrong with them as well as map out strategies on how best the anomalies could be addressed. After the needed ‘diagnosis’, and due corrections afterwards, the equipment would further be installed for onward usage.
It was perhaps the keen quest for such a well-equipped testing unit that informed the practical gesture displayed by NEMSA penultimate month. In the aforementioned period, precisely on 25th January 2019, the agency graciously commissioned an electricity lab in Ijora, Lagos State to aid further testing cum confirmation of the commercial viability of these gadgets used by Generating Companies (GenCos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Distribution Companies (DisCos), virtually on a daily basis.
Commissioning of the upgraded ‘Chemical and Engineering Laboratory’ received tremendous accolades from numerous stakeholders in the power sector, particularly the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who was physically present at the epochal occasion.
In his words, Mr. Fashola who commended the leadership of the NEMSA for adhering to safety compliance and enhancing the growth of the industry, elatedly stated “This is now an upgraded and properly fitted laboratory to help the agency in enforcing compliance in the power sector. This will also make them do their jobs effectively now that they have tools. We hope there will be improvement in all the operators’ compliance conducts”.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NEMSA Mr. Peter Ewesor proudly disclosed that the remodelling of the lab would help the agency to curb substandard equipment in the power sector.
He said “The facility is a specialized analytical laboratory for inspection, sampling, testing and analysis services for transformer insulating and lubricating oils. Others include greases of various grades, turbine oil, and hydraulic oil, used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and allied industries as well as potable and effluent water resources.”
Mr. Ewesor, who is a chartered engineer, further revealed “This laboratory has been operating as a reference quality control laboratory for the entire power industry since the era of the defunct NEPA and PHCN, and now in the post-privatization era when NEMSA took it over in a dilapidated state in 2014. NEMSA, in realization of its key role in furthering its mandate as enshrined in NEMSA Act-2015, embarked on the upgrading and remodelling of the laboratory to provide accurate tests and analyses.”
He added that the electricity lab was equipped with a wide range of world-class test equipment, instruments and devices, including Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) – a diagnostic machine. According to him, it equally contains equipment for detecting, indentifying and evaluating incipient faults within transformers and reactors, such as Dielectric Strength Tester (DST) to determine oil viscosity.
NEMSA may have done novel by thinking it wise to come up with this milestone, but I’m bothered over a certain cankerworm that has overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s system, which remains sustainability syndrome. The country’s sustenance culture has colossally deteriorated that it has eaten deep into her blood stream.
It’s on this premise I urge the leadership of the NEMSA to ensure that this electricity lab is secured and safeguarded at all cost, so that, it would thoroughly succeed in actualizing the core motives for which it was established or upgraded.
Hence, the authority must, therefore, be prepared to fish out saboteurs in their midst. It has been proven that in any clime or entity, there must be a Judas, thus the NEMSA wouldn’t be an exception. The unpatriotic Nigerians or unscrupulous elements found in the agency need to be shown the way out without much ado if its management is truly ready to soar beyond expectations.
Inter alia, as concerned authorities strive towards improving power supply across the federation, the NEMSA alongside the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), needs to became more proactive in their day-to-day bid to monitor the activities of the GenCos, TCN and DisCos by respectively setting up various mobile technical teams.
So, as we celebrate the emergence of this milestone, let’s not forget that the teeming Nigerians are variously suffering from an untold hardship in the hands of these stakeholders that are meant to serve and protect them. Think about it!
How Do You Rate The Card Readers?
The long awaited Presidential and National Assembly elections were eventually conducted across the Nigerian State on 23rd February 2019. As a tech expert, whenever such a national ritual is being carried out, my optimum interest invariably lies in the tech-driven processes involved.
It’s not anymore news that the electronic Smart Card Readers were utilized in the exercise. In my area, what I witnessed indicates that the said device performed as expected. However, some reports I received from other quarters informed that the gadgets malfunctioned.
At this point, prior to the impending gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly polls, I suggest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go back to the drawing board towards ascertaining the variety of technical hitches encountered with a view to forestalling its repeat. This must be handled with all manners of seriousness and rigorosity. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Is there anyone who’s domiciled in Nigeria that’s yet to realize what the country has overtime been passing through as regards electricity supply? The apt respond to the candid enquiry ought to be ‘No’.
It’s not anymore news that Nigerians in their entirety have hitherto been experiencing untold hardship when it calls for electricity across the nooks and crannies of the acclaimed giant of Africa.
Aside the fact that the Nigerian State cannot boast of a steady power supply, it’s noteworthy that even the available one is densely characterized by myriad of irregularities alongside poor service delivery by the authorities in charge of the said public utility.
This could be one of the reasons that resulted in the emergence of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the government authority that sees to the day-to-day standardization of power supply and other related technical issues across the federation.
NEMSA was established to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, meters and instruments, to ensure efficient production cum delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable power supply as well as guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry coupled with allied matters.
The regular supply of power in any locality around the globe is characterized by three major segments, namely: generation, transmission and distribution. In each of these segments, it’s worth noting that different gadgets or machines are being utilized towards enabling effective and efficient services.
To guarantee apt functionality of these technical materials, an electricity laboratory, or otherwise known as ‘electricity lab’, is needed in the process by the relevant authorities. It’s the said lab that would assure the genuineness and adequacy of the gadgets before they are duly installed in the localities where they are required.
Similarly, whenever any of the instruments broke down or malfunctioned, the same lab is still being used to run some needed tests, or technical diagnoses, to ascertain what is/are actually wrong with them as well as map out strategies on how best the anomalies could be addressed. After the needed ‘diagnosis’, and due corrections afterwards, the equipment would further be installed for onward usage.
It was perhaps the keen quest for such a well-equipped testing unit that informed the practical gesture displayed by NEMSA penultimate month. In the aforementioned period, precisely on 25th January 2019, the agency graciously commissioned an electricity lab in Ijora, Lagos State to aid further testing cum confirmation of the commercial viability of these gadgets used by Generating Companies (GenCos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Distribution Companies (DisCos), virtually on a daily basis.
Commissioning of the upgraded ‘Chemical and Engineering Laboratory’ received tremendous accolades from numerous stakeholders in the power sector, particularly the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who was physically present at the epochal occasion.
In his words, Mr. Fashola who commended the leadership of the NEMSA for adhering to safety compliance and enhancing the growth of the industry, elatedly stated “This is now an upgraded and properly fitted laboratory to help the agency in enforcing compliance in the power sector. This will also make them do their jobs effectively now that they have tools. We hope there will be improvement in all the operators’ compliance conducts”.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NEMSA Mr. Peter Ewesor proudly disclosed that the remodelling of the lab would help the agency to curb substandard equipment in the power sector.
He said “The facility is a specialized analytical laboratory for inspection, sampling, testing and analysis services for transformer insulating and lubricating oils. Others include greases of various grades, turbine oil, and hydraulic oil, used in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and allied industries as well as potable and effluent water resources.”
Mr. Ewesor, who is a chartered engineer, further revealed “This laboratory has been operating as a reference quality control laboratory for the entire power industry since the era of the defunct NEPA and PHCN, and now in the post-privatization era when NEMSA took it over in a dilapidated state in 2014. NEMSA, in realization of its key role in furthering its mandate as enshrined in NEMSA Act-2015, embarked on the upgrading and remodelling of the laboratory to provide accurate tests and analyses.”
He added that the electricity lab was equipped with a wide range of world-class test equipment, instruments and devices, including Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) – a diagnostic machine. According to him, it equally contains equipment for detecting, indentifying and evaluating incipient faults within transformers and reactors, such as Dielectric Strength Tester (DST) to determine oil viscosity.
NEMSA may have done novel by thinking it wise to come up with this milestone, but I’m bothered over a certain cankerworm that has overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s system, which remains sustainability syndrome. The country’s sustenance culture has colossally deteriorated that it has eaten deep into her blood stream.
It’s on this premise I urge the leadership of the NEMSA to ensure that this electricity lab is secured and safeguarded at all cost, so that, it would thoroughly succeed in actualizing the core motives for which it was established or upgraded.
Hence, the authority must, therefore, be prepared to fish out saboteurs in their midst. It has been proven that in any clime or entity, there must be a Judas, thus the NEMSA wouldn’t be an exception. The unpatriotic Nigerians or unscrupulous elements found in the agency need to be shown the way out without much ado if its management is truly ready to soar beyond expectations.
Inter alia, as concerned authorities strive towards improving power supply across the federation, the NEMSA alongside the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), needs to became more proactive in their day-to-day bid to monitor the activities of the GenCos, TCN and DisCos by respectively setting up various mobile technical teams.
So, as we celebrate the emergence of this milestone, let’s not forget that the teeming Nigerians are variously suffering from an untold hardship in the hands of these stakeholders that are meant to serve and protect them. Think about it!
How Do You Rate The Card Readers?
The long awaited Presidential and National Assembly elections were eventually conducted across the Nigerian State on 23rd February 2019. As a tech expert, whenever such a national ritual is being carried out, my optimum interest invariably lies in the tech-driven processes involved.
It’s not anymore news that the electronic Smart Card Readers were utilized in the exercise. In my area, what I witnessed indicates that the said device performed as expected. However, some reports I received from other quarters informed that the gadgets malfunctioned.
At this point, prior to the impending gubernatorial and States’ Houses of Assembly polls, I suggest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go back to the drawing board towards ascertaining the variety of technical hitches encountered with a view to forestalling its repeat. This must be handled with all manners of seriousness and rigorosity. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, is National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Tuesday 12 February 2019
Tech I NASS' $1bn Nod On Ajaokuta Project
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
The name Ajaokuta has hitherto remained a household name in Nigeria, perhaps owing to how much or often it’s being cited by must Nigerians in positions of authority.
It’s noteworthy that the famous Ajaokuta is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Kogi State – the North Central part of Nigeria – where the country’s one of the most significant, if not most, tech-driven hub(s) is situated.
The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) alongside Delta Steel Company (DSC) in Delta State, among others, was established in 1979 under the reign of the Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic in accordance with Section 2 of the National Steel Council Decree No.60 of September 19, 1979 and they were incorporated as Limited Liability Companies.
It was reportedly expected to commence production in 1984. Amusingly, and pathetically too, 34 years after it was designed to kick-start Nigeria’s industrialization, the multi-billion naira Ajaokuta complex is yet to produce steel despite attaining about 98% completion since 1994, having sunk about $10bn into the project. It was recently reported that about $2bn was additionally needed to complete the remaining 2% of the entire project.
It would interest us to note that the ASCL, which is reckoned to be the country’s biggest industrial project, is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling Greenfield landmass. The steel plant itself is built on 800 hectares of land. The chosen technology for steel production is the time tested Blast-Furnace, a basic oxygen furnace route.
It was rumoured sometime last year that the President Muhammadu Buhari–led administration was planning to privatize the ASCL whose slogan remains “the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization” in its bid to finance the 2018 deficit budget, but the government frantically refuted the insinuation.
As regards the renewed vigour and quest to complete the remaining phase of the ASCL, on 13th December 2018, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) graciously gave its approval for one billion dollar ($1bn) to be withdrawn from the Federal Government’s (FG’s) share of the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA).
The Senate who acted in line with the consent of the Green Chamber, equally instructed that all monies, loans, grants, and what have you that may from time-to-time be appropriated and authorized by any tier of government or entity, either local or foreign, should be part of the funding for the completion of the project.
It’s worth noting that the resolution followed the passage of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill 2018. The bill slated for concurrence, was presented by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.
The legislation, however, stated that the monies in the fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the NASS only for the construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the project.
I want to bring to our notice that the Ajaokuta integrated steel complex was born out of the then government’s quest for a diversified economy. It was conceived and steadily developed with the vision of erecting a metallurgical process plant cum engineering complex with other auxiliaries and facilities that would help to stimulate the diversified economy.
It was meant to be used to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that were critical to the diversification of the Nigeria’s economy into an industrial one. It’s, therefore, appalling that several decades down the line, the country is still faced with the old song regarding diversification that ought to have been a thing of the past.
Even though the latest development in regard to the long awaited completion of the abandoned ASCL is coming so late or not timely, we should find joy in the fact that at last, the government has remembered the once forgotten national project. But the candid question that’s yearning for answer is: how sincere and determined are the concerned authorities towards doing the needful henceforth?
It’s not anymore news that aside the steel industry, other moribund sectors, such as the petroleum, have equally been granted similar attention in recent times under the watch of President Buhari who’s apparently keen to diversify the country’s mono-economy, yet till date, rather than getting tangible positive results, we keep receiving myriad of excuses. Is it then a function of ineptitude or lack of will?
These impediments witnessed overtime have made most concerned Nigerians to feel impelled to express grave doubts about the determination of any authority, or officer-in-charge, to aptly initiate, carry out as well as complete any project entrusted upon them.
It’s on this premise I challenge the Ministry of Mines and Steel to prove to teeming Nigerians that it is ever-ready to do as expected by presenting to the citizenry the modalities worked out towards the completion of the ASCL. It’s imperative to acknowledge that a befitting framework cannot be actualized if the authority acted without reference to the original blueprint of the project.
Similarly, considering that the project was abandoned for many years, some of the completed phases may have broken down, hence there must be cross-examination in this regard towards averting any possible future breakdown when the company becomes practically in use.
It is not arguable that $1bn is a whole lot of money, but considering the market survey concerning the completion of the ASCL, it’s understandable that more funds are urgently required for the project. Against this backdrop, the government is required to borrow from any individual or entity, particularly indigenous. It’s arguably a capital project of this kind, that would effect tremendous economic growth if completed, that requires borrowing towards its completion.
Then if eventually completed in the long run, having run the company within a reasonable period, the government may decide to sell the shares to the general public, investors in particular, with a view to servicing all the debts incurred in the process. Making the public shareholders, while the government remains the stakeholder, would equally enable the latter sustain the ASCL with ease.
As we greatly appreciate the NASS for approving this lofty move as engineered by President Buhari, it ought to also note that it’s required to use its oversight function to ensure the successful and timely completion of the laudable project. This mustn’t be taken for granted or juxtaposed with politics.
The executive on its part needn’t be reminded that consulting the cognoscenti in the process cannot be compromised for whatever reason. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
The name Ajaokuta has hitherto remained a household name in Nigeria, perhaps owing to how much or often it’s being cited by must Nigerians in positions of authority.
It’s noteworthy that the famous Ajaokuta is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Kogi State – the North Central part of Nigeria – where the country’s one of the most significant, if not most, tech-driven hub(s) is situated.
The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) alongside Delta Steel Company (DSC) in Delta State, among others, was established in 1979 under the reign of the Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic in accordance with Section 2 of the National Steel Council Decree No.60 of September 19, 1979 and they were incorporated as Limited Liability Companies.
It was reportedly expected to commence production in 1984. Amusingly, and pathetically too, 34 years after it was designed to kick-start Nigeria’s industrialization, the multi-billion naira Ajaokuta complex is yet to produce steel despite attaining about 98% completion since 1994, having sunk about $10bn into the project. It was recently reported that about $2bn was additionally needed to complete the remaining 2% of the entire project.
It would interest us to note that the ASCL, which is reckoned to be the country’s biggest industrial project, is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling Greenfield landmass. The steel plant itself is built on 800 hectares of land. The chosen technology for steel production is the time tested Blast-Furnace, a basic oxygen furnace route.
It was rumoured sometime last year that the President Muhammadu Buhari–led administration was planning to privatize the ASCL whose slogan remains “the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization” in its bid to finance the 2018 deficit budget, but the government frantically refuted the insinuation.
As regards the renewed vigour and quest to complete the remaining phase of the ASCL, on 13th December 2018, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) graciously gave its approval for one billion dollar ($1bn) to be withdrawn from the Federal Government’s (FG’s) share of the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA).
The Senate who acted in line with the consent of the Green Chamber, equally instructed that all monies, loans, grants, and what have you that may from time-to-time be appropriated and authorized by any tier of government or entity, either local or foreign, should be part of the funding for the completion of the project.
It’s worth noting that the resolution followed the passage of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill 2018. The bill slated for concurrence, was presented by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.
The legislation, however, stated that the monies in the fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the NASS only for the construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the project.
I want to bring to our notice that the Ajaokuta integrated steel complex was born out of the then government’s quest for a diversified economy. It was conceived and steadily developed with the vision of erecting a metallurgical process plant cum engineering complex with other auxiliaries and facilities that would help to stimulate the diversified economy.
It was meant to be used to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that were critical to the diversification of the Nigeria’s economy into an industrial one. It’s, therefore, appalling that several decades down the line, the country is still faced with the old song regarding diversification that ought to have been a thing of the past.
Even though the latest development in regard to the long awaited completion of the abandoned ASCL is coming so late or not timely, we should find joy in the fact that at last, the government has remembered the once forgotten national project. But the candid question that’s yearning for answer is: how sincere and determined are the concerned authorities towards doing the needful henceforth?
It’s not anymore news that aside the steel industry, other moribund sectors, such as the petroleum, have equally been granted similar attention in recent times under the watch of President Buhari who’s apparently keen to diversify the country’s mono-economy, yet till date, rather than getting tangible positive results, we keep receiving myriad of excuses. Is it then a function of ineptitude or lack of will?
These impediments witnessed overtime have made most concerned Nigerians to feel impelled to express grave doubts about the determination of any authority, or officer-in-charge, to aptly initiate, carry out as well as complete any project entrusted upon them.
It’s on this premise I challenge the Ministry of Mines and Steel to prove to teeming Nigerians that it is ever-ready to do as expected by presenting to the citizenry the modalities worked out towards the completion of the ASCL. It’s imperative to acknowledge that a befitting framework cannot be actualized if the authority acted without reference to the original blueprint of the project.
Similarly, considering that the project was abandoned for many years, some of the completed phases may have broken down, hence there must be cross-examination in this regard towards averting any possible future breakdown when the company becomes practically in use.
It is not arguable that $1bn is a whole lot of money, but considering the market survey concerning the completion of the ASCL, it’s understandable that more funds are urgently required for the project. Against this backdrop, the government is required to borrow from any individual or entity, particularly indigenous. It’s arguably a capital project of this kind, that would effect tremendous economic growth if completed, that requires borrowing towards its completion.
Then if eventually completed in the long run, having run the company within a reasonable period, the government may decide to sell the shares to the general public, investors in particular, with a view to servicing all the debts incurred in the process. Making the public shareholders, while the government remains the stakeholder, would equally enable the latter sustain the ASCL with ease.
As we greatly appreciate the NASS for approving this lofty move as engineered by President Buhari, it ought to also note that it’s required to use its oversight function to ensure the successful and timely completion of the laudable project. This mustn’t be taken for granted or juxtaposed with politics.
The executive on its part needn’t be reminded that consulting the cognoscenti in the process cannot be compromised for whatever reason. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Tech I That Osinbajo's Notice On Modular Refineries
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
Even an imbecile in Nigeria can boldly attest to the lingering fact that the country’s major and highest revenue base – the petroleum sector – has over the decades been clamouring for rescue as its pathetic situation lingers.
This perhaps could be what informed the ongoing seeming efforts of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari towards ensuring that the said sector wears a new look in all ramifications, hence probably understood that only a tech-driven mechanism can fix the unending mayhem.
In his keynote address during the first-ever Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, which held in Abuja between 27-29 November, 2018, the Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo graciously notified the participants that the first set of the privately-owned modular refineries “being developed as part of the private-sector component of the vision” were currently being completed in Delta and Rivers States.
The number two citizen said amidst the gathering, which comprised more than 300 Nigerians living outside the country, that “One of them is a Brownfield Project that is being expanded from 1,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity to 10,000 bpd, while the other is a Greenfield Investment”, as he further disclosed “As at yesterday, another of such modular refinery was coming on stream”.
The 3-day epochal summit, which sought to mobilize the Diaspora to invest in Nigeria as part of the current government’s thrive to reposition the national economy, equally saw the vice-president informing the prospective investors that in each of the efforts, the communities were equity holders and stakeholders in the modular refineries.
According to him, such a gesture was crucial as the government was ensuring that the various communities were economic stakeholders in the development and economic opportunities in the Niger Delta in its quest for a rebranded oil and gas sector.
In the conference and exhibition attended by other top government functionaries such as Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Geoffrey Onyema, Agric – Audu Ogbe, and Power, Works and Housing – Babatunde Fashola, among others, Prof. Osinbajo reminded that “For those who may recall some of the engagements we had with the Niger-Delta, we promised we would ensure we are able to put in place some of the modular refineries that are actively engaged with the local communities.”
It suffices to assert that the remarkable event, which ensured that the diaspora investors have the opportunity to meet potential local partners as well as interact with government institutions, came to an end with wonderful notices and assurances to the people’s delight.
It’s only a dummy that’s yet to comprehend that the bane of the Nigeria’s petroleum sector has conspicuously been lack of refineries and allied matters. It’s a shame, to assert the least, that the world’s six most oil producing country cannot at the moment boast of a single refinery in any part across the federation.
In the past, the Nigeria’s indigenous company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could proudly boast of at least three standard world-class refineries situated in different localities namely: Port-Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna in Rivers, Delta and Kaduna States, respectively. But it’s pathetic that presently the aforementioned investments are mere monuments, and nothing more.
It is ridiculous and absurd that, rather than export petroleum products to other countries, Nigeria is deeply involved in their importation. When the crude oil is extracted from the earth crust, they are transported to foreign nations, thereby refining them over there.
Having made the raw materials available for consumption, the oil marketers who have been contracted or licensed by the Federal Government (FG) would import the finished products towards distributing them among the dealers domiciled in the country. Then the dealers would ensure the commodities are sold to the final consumers. This recurring decimal is what the citizens have been experiencing herein ever since the country’s refineries went into moribund.
This unfortunate occurrence was apparently what triggered the quest for total removal of fuel subsidy in the country by the Buhari-led reign on its emergence in 2015. Having perceived the oil subsidy as an avenue to ‘unfairly’ enriched the marketers who were seen as racketeers, the government was damn determined to completely stop the payment of subsidy on petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and its agitation was reportedly actualized in the long run after series of counter reactions from the teeming Nigerians.
It’s noteworthy that the government’s total removal of the fuel subsidy, as was reported, was primarily informed by its motive to ensure that the downstream sector was thoroughly revived and boosted. But till date, despite all the earlier promises to resuscitate the incapacitated refineries, none is currently wearing a new look. This seeming inaction has signalled a great worry to the concerned citizenry.
It was barely few weeks ago Nigerians realized that the subsidy, contrary to the initial report, wasn’t actually totally removed. This implies some intriguing politics had been taking place underground without the knowledge of the masses. This smacks of pranks.
Taking a painstaking study of the Nigeria’s worrying situation as regards the oil and gas industry, it is only until the government addresses the unwholesome policies therein, the country can boast of a reputable tech-driven economy in respect of the sector in question.
Even as the government is frantically carrying out crusade on random establishment of modular refineries, its sustenance will definitely meet a downfall if it fails to critically consider and implement a set of strict required policies that would guarantee the healthy functionality of the initiative.
Aside the sustenance aspect, failure to set up adequate modus operandi would pose a great threat to further establishment of such refineries in the nearest future. Suffice it to say that such practice might be hijacked by unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements.
This, therefore, is the reason the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) recently passed by the National Assembly (NASS) needs to, henceforth, be further reviewed with a view to amending it where need be. And if passed, its considerations must equally be taken as serious by the Executive Arm if it’s really and genuinely willing to revamp the downstream sector.
Similarly, as we ostensibly make move to support setting up of modular refineries across the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region, we must equally not hesitate to do the needful towards reviving the forgotten standard ones.
Summarily, a lofty tech-driven concept requires a candid political will for apt plan and implementation. And if eventually implemented, sound relevant policies are needed for its onward sustenance. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Even an imbecile in Nigeria can boldly attest to the lingering fact that the country’s major and highest revenue base – the petroleum sector – has over the decades been clamouring for rescue as its pathetic situation lingers.
This perhaps could be what informed the ongoing seeming efforts of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari towards ensuring that the said sector wears a new look in all ramifications, hence probably understood that only a tech-driven mechanism can fix the unending mayhem.
In his keynote address during the first-ever Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, which held in Abuja between 27-29 November, 2018, the Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo graciously notified the participants that the first set of the privately-owned modular refineries “being developed as part of the private-sector component of the vision” were currently being completed in Delta and Rivers States.
The number two citizen said amidst the gathering, which comprised more than 300 Nigerians living outside the country, that “One of them is a Brownfield Project that is being expanded from 1,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity to 10,000 bpd, while the other is a Greenfield Investment”, as he further disclosed “As at yesterday, another of such modular refinery was coming on stream”.
The 3-day epochal summit, which sought to mobilize the Diaspora to invest in Nigeria as part of the current government’s thrive to reposition the national economy, equally saw the vice-president informing the prospective investors that in each of the efforts, the communities were equity holders and stakeholders in the modular refineries.
According to him, such a gesture was crucial as the government was ensuring that the various communities were economic stakeholders in the development and economic opportunities in the Niger Delta in its quest for a rebranded oil and gas sector.
In the conference and exhibition attended by other top government functionaries such as Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Geoffrey Onyema, Agric – Audu Ogbe, and Power, Works and Housing – Babatunde Fashola, among others, Prof. Osinbajo reminded that “For those who may recall some of the engagements we had with the Niger-Delta, we promised we would ensure we are able to put in place some of the modular refineries that are actively engaged with the local communities.”
It suffices to assert that the remarkable event, which ensured that the diaspora investors have the opportunity to meet potential local partners as well as interact with government institutions, came to an end with wonderful notices and assurances to the people’s delight.
It’s only a dummy that’s yet to comprehend that the bane of the Nigeria’s petroleum sector has conspicuously been lack of refineries and allied matters. It’s a shame, to assert the least, that the world’s six most oil producing country cannot at the moment boast of a single refinery in any part across the federation.
In the past, the Nigeria’s indigenous company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could proudly boast of at least three standard world-class refineries situated in different localities namely: Port-Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna in Rivers, Delta and Kaduna States, respectively. But it’s pathetic that presently the aforementioned investments are mere monuments, and nothing more.
It is ridiculous and absurd that, rather than export petroleum products to other countries, Nigeria is deeply involved in their importation. When the crude oil is extracted from the earth crust, they are transported to foreign nations, thereby refining them over there.
Having made the raw materials available for consumption, the oil marketers who have been contracted or licensed by the Federal Government (FG) would import the finished products towards distributing them among the dealers domiciled in the country. Then the dealers would ensure the commodities are sold to the final consumers. This recurring decimal is what the citizens have been experiencing herein ever since the country’s refineries went into moribund.
This unfortunate occurrence was apparently what triggered the quest for total removal of fuel subsidy in the country by the Buhari-led reign on its emergence in 2015. Having perceived the oil subsidy as an avenue to ‘unfairly’ enriched the marketers who were seen as racketeers, the government was damn determined to completely stop the payment of subsidy on petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and its agitation was reportedly actualized in the long run after series of counter reactions from the teeming Nigerians.
It’s noteworthy that the government’s total removal of the fuel subsidy, as was reported, was primarily informed by its motive to ensure that the downstream sector was thoroughly revived and boosted. But till date, despite all the earlier promises to resuscitate the incapacitated refineries, none is currently wearing a new look. This seeming inaction has signalled a great worry to the concerned citizenry.
It was barely few weeks ago Nigerians realized that the subsidy, contrary to the initial report, wasn’t actually totally removed. This implies some intriguing politics had been taking place underground without the knowledge of the masses. This smacks of pranks.
Taking a painstaking study of the Nigeria’s worrying situation as regards the oil and gas industry, it is only until the government addresses the unwholesome policies therein, the country can boast of a reputable tech-driven economy in respect of the sector in question.
Even as the government is frantically carrying out crusade on random establishment of modular refineries, its sustenance will definitely meet a downfall if it fails to critically consider and implement a set of strict required policies that would guarantee the healthy functionality of the initiative.
Aside the sustenance aspect, failure to set up adequate modus operandi would pose a great threat to further establishment of such refineries in the nearest future. Suffice it to say that such practice might be hijacked by unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements.
This, therefore, is the reason the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) recently passed by the National Assembly (NASS) needs to, henceforth, be further reviewed with a view to amending it where need be. And if passed, its considerations must equally be taken as serious by the Executive Arm if it’s really and genuinely willing to revamp the downstream sector.
Similarly, as we ostensibly make move to support setting up of modular refineries across the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region, we must equally not hesitate to do the needful towards reviving the forgotten standard ones.
Summarily, a lofty tech-driven concept requires a candid political will for apt plan and implementation. And if eventually implemented, sound relevant policies are needed for its onward sustenance. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Sunday 20 January 2019
Friday 4 January 2019
Analysis I WAEC's Impending Electronic Mode For Certificates
By Fred Nwaozor
Education has in recent times been arguably regarded as one of the greatest investments anyone could lay his hands on. It’s so, because, is an area of life that breeds the mindset towards attaining a remarkable level.
The aforementioned perception could be the reason discerning individuals cum families do not hesitate to sacrifice virtually their entire treasure in their tireless and endless quest for sound education upon their wards.
The Nigeria’s education sector cannot be holistically discussed by any thinker or group without mentioning the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which has over the decades been a household name in the sector.
Owing to the above fact, most times in the contemporary Nigerian society, rather than mention the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), which encompasses the various forms of examining bodies, people find it easier to say ‘WAEC’ while discussing external examinations even when they actually mean the umbrella acronym – SSCE.
This signifies that the overwhelming popularity of WAEC has made it possible for the body to relatively overshadow the relevance of the other existing examining bodies such as the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), among others that equally speak volumes in the country’s education sector.
Hence, no one seems to take any issue pertaining to WAEC for granted, especially when it concerns the overall interest of the concerned public. It suffices to say that whenever the revered exam board comes up with any proposed innovation, people don’t delay in cross-examining the real content and service value of the impending initiative.
It is on this premise that the recent avowal made by the WAEC has triggered mixed feelings among the teeming Nigerians. The Nigeria’s section of the council disclosed, three weeks back, its unflinching intention to, henceforth, start issuing candidates’ certificates via electronic mode otherwise known as e-mode.
According to the statement, which was tendered precisely on 13th December 2018, through the intended e-mode, the concerned candidates would have the access to apply as well as receive their certificates via an online portal.
It further informed that the proposed method became imperative as a result of the backlog of certificates currently available in their quarters domiciled in the country. The notice indicated that there were thousands of printed certificates, involving numerous years, yet to be collected by the supposed owners. The incoming pattern, therefore, would ensure that certificates are only prepared upon request of any affected candidate.
Acknowledging that the human society at large is now conspicuously tech-driven, it’s preposterous to assert that the impending e-mode is a laudable concept that ought to have been born long ago. This implies that the emergence of such an idea is long overdue.
Over the years, prospective candidates of the WAEC have been registering for their intended exams via the online platform, having noted by the council that this is the fastest and easiest way to seamlessly apply for such test of knowledge compared to the manual system that was previously in vogue.
And the online application has hitherto recorded tremendous success, if not a few technical hitches that have overtime posed a threat to the exercise. Aside the electronic application towards sitting for either the May/June or November/December batch of the WAEC’s exams, the Statement of Results of the test can equally be accessed through online.
The target beneficiaries have reportedly been enjoying this systematic approach as some would say that the initiative, since inception, has made it possible for them to get closer to the WAEC irrespective of their respective localities or places of residence.
Now that the WAEC has thought it wise to inculcate another initiative into the existing e-mode of application cum receipt of documents, it’s pertinent for the management of the body to comprehend the rudiments of the awaited exercise with a view to ensuring that all needed parameters are duly considered toward averting possible hitches thereafter.
First, the impending e-site must be a well tested and trusted one devout of any form of barrier as regards online activity. Thus, the portal ought to be foolproof that it wouldn’t give room for any operational anomaly regardless of the circumstance.
Any software to be deployed in the process should be of standard cum latest version and ought to be regularly managed by the personnel with the requisite skills who must be staff of the council. In addition, a special unit that must be willing to work round the clock is expected to be established to handle the A-Z operations and intrigues of the exercise.
Inter alia, world-class anti-hacking softwares are meant to be utilized and maintained as the journey progresses to ensure that internet hackers do not hijack, or have access to, the portal at any time. The WAEC needs to take into cognizance that creating any lapse that could warrant the site to be hacked by any cyber criminal would definitely jeopardize the lofty motive of the body.
Against this backdrop, the council is required to boast of well-experienced anti-hacking professionals in the proposed special unit. Hence, some of the personnel in the unit must, from time to time, undergo in-house workshop and training on ethical hacking terminology towards updating their expertise. So, a reliable entity should be contracted or engaged in respect of this measure.
One of the major good news concerning the latest development is that, if duly implemented, people can from anywhere across the global community apply for and have access to their WAEC certificates without involving themselves in any rigorous processes and what have you, thereby averting any kind of stress or inconvenience.
In view of this, the body needs to ensure that the target beneficiaries don’t spend longer period than anticipated while assessing the e-mode site from any locality. They need to enjoy the services they paid for.
Hence, efforts should also be intensified to ensure that the initiative becomes cost effective so that it won’t end up constituting further financial nuisance to the prospective certificates’ bearers, or the council in particular. Thus, the e-application card is expected to be affordable by all concerned. The site is required to be easily assessed or uploaded to avoid exhausting hundreds of Gigabytes (GB) of data in the process.
As the WAEC is apparently determined to decongest the ‘traffic’ usually constituted by pile-up of printed certificates by introducing an e-mode, it must equally be genuinely ready to guarantee its labour and cost effectiveness so that it wouldn’t in the long run be seen as a menace by the supposed beneficiaries. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Education has in recent times been arguably regarded as one of the greatest investments anyone could lay his hands on. It’s so, because, is an area of life that breeds the mindset towards attaining a remarkable level.
The aforementioned perception could be the reason discerning individuals cum families do not hesitate to sacrifice virtually their entire treasure in their tireless and endless quest for sound education upon their wards.
The Nigeria’s education sector cannot be holistically discussed by any thinker or group without mentioning the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which has over the decades been a household name in the sector.
Owing to the above fact, most times in the contemporary Nigerian society, rather than mention the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), which encompasses the various forms of examining bodies, people find it easier to say ‘WAEC’ while discussing external examinations even when they actually mean the umbrella acronym – SSCE.
This signifies that the overwhelming popularity of WAEC has made it possible for the body to relatively overshadow the relevance of the other existing examining bodies such as the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), among others that equally speak volumes in the country’s education sector.
Hence, no one seems to take any issue pertaining to WAEC for granted, especially when it concerns the overall interest of the concerned public. It suffices to say that whenever the revered exam board comes up with any proposed innovation, people don’t delay in cross-examining the real content and service value of the impending initiative.
It is on this premise that the recent avowal made by the WAEC has triggered mixed feelings among the teeming Nigerians. The Nigeria’s section of the council disclosed, three weeks back, its unflinching intention to, henceforth, start issuing candidates’ certificates via electronic mode otherwise known as e-mode.
According to the statement, which was tendered precisely on 13th December 2018, through the intended e-mode, the concerned candidates would have the access to apply as well as receive their certificates via an online portal.
It further informed that the proposed method became imperative as a result of the backlog of certificates currently available in their quarters domiciled in the country. The notice indicated that there were thousands of printed certificates, involving numerous years, yet to be collected by the supposed owners. The incoming pattern, therefore, would ensure that certificates are only prepared upon request of any affected candidate.
Acknowledging that the human society at large is now conspicuously tech-driven, it’s preposterous to assert that the impending e-mode is a laudable concept that ought to have been born long ago. This implies that the emergence of such an idea is long overdue.
Over the years, prospective candidates of the WAEC have been registering for their intended exams via the online platform, having noted by the council that this is the fastest and easiest way to seamlessly apply for such test of knowledge compared to the manual system that was previously in vogue.
And the online application has hitherto recorded tremendous success, if not a few technical hitches that have overtime posed a threat to the exercise. Aside the electronic application towards sitting for either the May/June or November/December batch of the WAEC’s exams, the Statement of Results of the test can equally be accessed through online.
The target beneficiaries have reportedly been enjoying this systematic approach as some would say that the initiative, since inception, has made it possible for them to get closer to the WAEC irrespective of their respective localities or places of residence.
Now that the WAEC has thought it wise to inculcate another initiative into the existing e-mode of application cum receipt of documents, it’s pertinent for the management of the body to comprehend the rudiments of the awaited exercise with a view to ensuring that all needed parameters are duly considered toward averting possible hitches thereafter.
First, the impending e-site must be a well tested and trusted one devout of any form of barrier as regards online activity. Thus, the portal ought to be foolproof that it wouldn’t give room for any operational anomaly regardless of the circumstance.
Any software to be deployed in the process should be of standard cum latest version and ought to be regularly managed by the personnel with the requisite skills who must be staff of the council. In addition, a special unit that must be willing to work round the clock is expected to be established to handle the A-Z operations and intrigues of the exercise.
Inter alia, world-class anti-hacking softwares are meant to be utilized and maintained as the journey progresses to ensure that internet hackers do not hijack, or have access to, the portal at any time. The WAEC needs to take into cognizance that creating any lapse that could warrant the site to be hacked by any cyber criminal would definitely jeopardize the lofty motive of the body.
Against this backdrop, the council is required to boast of well-experienced anti-hacking professionals in the proposed special unit. Hence, some of the personnel in the unit must, from time to time, undergo in-house workshop and training on ethical hacking terminology towards updating their expertise. So, a reliable entity should be contracted or engaged in respect of this measure.
One of the major good news concerning the latest development is that, if duly implemented, people can from anywhere across the global community apply for and have access to their WAEC certificates without involving themselves in any rigorous processes and what have you, thereby averting any kind of stress or inconvenience.
In view of this, the body needs to ensure that the target beneficiaries don’t spend longer period than anticipated while assessing the e-mode site from any locality. They need to enjoy the services they paid for.
Hence, efforts should also be intensified to ensure that the initiative becomes cost effective so that it won’t end up constituting further financial nuisance to the prospective certificates’ bearers, or the council in particular. Thus, the e-application card is expected to be affordable by all concerned. The site is required to be easily assessed or uploaded to avoid exhausting hundreds of Gigabytes (GB) of data in the process.
As the WAEC is apparently determined to decongest the ‘traffic’ usually constituted by pile-up of printed certificates by introducing an e-mode, it must equally be genuinely ready to guarantee its labour and cost effectiveness so that it wouldn’t in the long run be seen as a menace by the supposed beneficiaries. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Saturday 29 December 2018
TECH I On INEC's Tracking Devices, Electronic Collation
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
The last time I checked, even a dummy could testify boldly that technology is at the moment gradually dominating the entire system, hence the compelling need for every institution cum economy to be tech-driven.
It could be this conspicuous fact that informed the recent avowal of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It has been in the news that the electoral umpire is looking forward to ensuring that virtually all the impending 2019 elections are tech-driven.
Recently, precisely on 12th July 2018, the commission led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu graciously introduced a new innovation that would help to track the location and movement of any vehicle conveying sensitive electoral materials to its target location.
The INEC boss disclosed that aside ensuring tight security in the transportation of the materials, the commission would equally be tracking all the vehicles carrying them. He said “All we are doing is to maintain our stand on transparency and openness even as we also guard against infiltration.”
According to him, another cogent reason the authority was determined to keep its plans and programmes was that it did not want failure of any form, especially on issues bordering on delivering of voting materials. This implies that cases including late arrival of materials, among others, would soonest be a thing of the past.
The plan to implement vehicular tracking devices come next year was reiterated two weeks back – on December 12, 2018 – when the INEC elatedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with some key vehicle cum traffic unions domiciled in the country, which included the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others.
Tracking devices are veritable tools that have, for years now, been in use. It was primarily invented for the purpose of fighting crimes and allied matters. For instance, if a certain programmed device is stolen by anyone, it can easily be traced, hence recovered, by the concerned authority such as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
I have before now severally hammered on the urgent need for the various law enforcement agencies like the NPF to fully inculcate the use of tracking devices into its day-to-day bid in tackling different forms of grievous social ills, especially at this era when several criminals have gone so digital in their numerous nefarious activities.
It, therefore, suffices to opine that the INEC under the watch of Prof. Yakubu has thus far done well by thinking it wise to come up with this laudable initiative. However, in its quest for thorough utilization of the said electronic device, it’s required to take into cognizance some inevitable factors.
First, it’s expected to set up a special unit at its various states’ jurisdictions that would tactically handle every matter concerning the technicalities of the awaited practice. Such a unit must boast of the required materials as well as experts to ensure its holistic functionality and sustenance throughout the elections.
Among all, on no account should an outsider be contracted or hired to be in charge of the proposed unit, thus the commission needs to ensure that some of its staff in the technical section are duly trained and imbued with the requisite skills. Additionally, well tested softwares must be made available for the exercise to permit adequate monitoring of the moving vehicles.
Similarly, sometime last year, 20th March 2017 to be precise, the INEC during a media parley chaired by Prof. Yakubu, the authority disclosed that the results of the general elections would be collated and transmitted electronically towards replacing the existing manual mode of collation.
The commission’s Chairman stated thus, “INEC decides to securely transmit results from all polling units to central database such that only viewing access is allowed at the ward and local government levels, which ultimately eliminates manual collation processes.”
The INEC Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Chidi Nwafor who’s reportedly a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), informed the gathering that the electronic system in question has a flexible dashboard with real-time user interface showing graphical presentation of status of the results collated per given time.
He equally went further to disclose that the e-collation system has four procedures as follows: the results from polling units would be entered into the e-collation application on the smart card reader; secondly, the results would be transmitted to a central server; thirdly, they would be auto-collated and can be viewed at the ward level and can also be scanned at that level; and lastly, the results’ audit and confirmation shall take place at collation centres at LGAs, state and national levels.
With the analysis and explanations above, it’s imperative for the electoral umpire alongside other concerned bodies to acknowledge wholly that this is not rocket science, hence the compelling need not to place frivolities ahead of priorities as we eagerly await the innovation.
The commission has apparently discovered as well as test-run the viability of the impending electronic collation system, but it’s more pertinent for it to painstakingly consider the possible technical challenges that await its full implementation and usage.
In a country like ours where we are continually being taken aback as regards factors like power supply, software management cum maintenance and what have you, the concerned authorities ought not to be reminded that the aforementioned plans are greatly in need of unequalled pragmatic approach with a view to ensure their apt and adequate implementation as expected by the electorate.
It’s on this premise I urge the INEC as led by Prof. Yakubu to look inwards toward ensuring that the best brains herein are consulted as well as deployed in its seeming frantic efforts to conduct elections whose outcome would stand the test of time. Hence, the cognoscenti must not be relegated to the background in this regard.
As the voters’ hopes are already raised by the electoral umpire, the latter shouldn’t hesitate to collaborate with all the needed entities so that the uplifted optimism of the former wouldn’t be dashed come February 2019. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist,
and National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com; Twitter: @mediambassador
The last time I checked, even a dummy could testify boldly that technology is at the moment gradually dominating the entire system, hence the compelling need for every institution cum economy to be tech-driven.
It could be this conspicuous fact that informed the recent avowal of the Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It has been in the news that the electoral umpire is looking forward to ensuring that virtually all the impending 2019 elections are tech-driven.
Recently, precisely on 12th July 2018, the commission led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu graciously introduced a new innovation that would help to track the location and movement of any vehicle conveying sensitive electoral materials to its target location.
The INEC boss disclosed that aside ensuring tight security in the transportation of the materials, the commission would equally be tracking all the vehicles carrying them. He said “All we are doing is to maintain our stand on transparency and openness even as we also guard against infiltration.”
According to him, another cogent reason the authority was determined to keep its plans and programmes was that it did not want failure of any form, especially on issues bordering on delivering of voting materials. This implies that cases including late arrival of materials, among others, would soonest be a thing of the past.
The plan to implement vehicular tracking devices come next year was reiterated two weeks back – on December 12, 2018 – when the INEC elatedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with some key vehicle cum traffic unions domiciled in the country, which included the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others.
Tracking devices are veritable tools that have, for years now, been in use. It was primarily invented for the purpose of fighting crimes and allied matters. For instance, if a certain programmed device is stolen by anyone, it can easily be traced, hence recovered, by the concerned authority such as the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
I have before now severally hammered on the urgent need for the various law enforcement agencies like the NPF to fully inculcate the use of tracking devices into its day-to-day bid in tackling different forms of grievous social ills, especially at this era when several criminals have gone so digital in their numerous nefarious activities.
It, therefore, suffices to opine that the INEC under the watch of Prof. Yakubu has thus far done well by thinking it wise to come up with this laudable initiative. However, in its quest for thorough utilization of the said electronic device, it’s required to take into cognizance some inevitable factors.
First, it’s expected to set up a special unit at its various states’ jurisdictions that would tactically handle every matter concerning the technicalities of the awaited practice. Such a unit must boast of the required materials as well as experts to ensure its holistic functionality and sustenance throughout the elections.
Among all, on no account should an outsider be contracted or hired to be in charge of the proposed unit, thus the commission needs to ensure that some of its staff in the technical section are duly trained and imbued with the requisite skills. Additionally, well tested softwares must be made available for the exercise to permit adequate monitoring of the moving vehicles.
Similarly, sometime last year, 20th March 2017 to be precise, the INEC during a media parley chaired by Prof. Yakubu, the authority disclosed that the results of the general elections would be collated and transmitted electronically towards replacing the existing manual mode of collation.
The commission’s Chairman stated thus, “INEC decides to securely transmit results from all polling units to central database such that only viewing access is allowed at the ward and local government levels, which ultimately eliminates manual collation processes.”
The INEC Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Chidi Nwafor who’s reportedly a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), informed the gathering that the electronic system in question has a flexible dashboard with real-time user interface showing graphical presentation of status of the results collated per given time.
He equally went further to disclose that the e-collation system has four procedures as follows: the results from polling units would be entered into the e-collation application on the smart card reader; secondly, the results would be transmitted to a central server; thirdly, they would be auto-collated and can be viewed at the ward level and can also be scanned at that level; and lastly, the results’ audit and confirmation shall take place at collation centres at LGAs, state and national levels.
With the analysis and explanations above, it’s imperative for the electoral umpire alongside other concerned bodies to acknowledge wholly that this is not rocket science, hence the compelling need not to place frivolities ahead of priorities as we eagerly await the innovation.
The commission has apparently discovered as well as test-run the viability of the impending electronic collation system, but it’s more pertinent for it to painstakingly consider the possible technical challenges that await its full implementation and usage.
In a country like ours where we are continually being taken aback as regards factors like power supply, software management cum maintenance and what have you, the concerned authorities ought not to be reminded that the aforementioned plans are greatly in need of unequalled pragmatic approach with a view to ensure their apt and adequate implementation as expected by the electorate.
It’s on this premise I urge the INEC as led by Prof. Yakubu to look inwards toward ensuring that the best brains herein are consulted as well as deployed in its seeming frantic efforts to conduct elections whose outcome would stand the test of time. Hence, the cognoscenti must not be relegated to the background in this regard.
As the voters’ hopes are already raised by the electoral umpire, the latter shouldn’t hesitate to collaborate with all the needed entities so that the uplifted optimism of the former wouldn’t be dashed come February 2019. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist,
and National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com; Twitter: @mediambassador
Monday 24 December 2018
TECH I FG's Tour On Automobile Hub
By Fred Nwaozor
The last time I checked, Nigerians in their number were earnestly awaiting the era when the acclaimed giant of Africa would be spotted on the world map as regards automobile industry.
The aforementioned quest is not unconnected with the recent deal struck by the Nigeria’s government and its German counterpart. It isn’t equally unconnected with the candid body language that accompanied the pact.
It would be recalled that recently, on Monday, 3rd September 2018 to be precise, the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari graciously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Volkswagen Group with a view to developing an automobile hub in the country.
The two are reportedly to come up with an enabling policy framework on the proposed project. The epochal move was an offshoot of the recent visit of the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel to Nigeria, precisely in Abuja – the country’s capital city.
It’s noteworthy that under the bilateral arrangement, the automobile firm is expected to implement a phased approach in relation to the assembly of vehicles down to positioning the nation as an automobile hub in the entire West Africa region.
Lest I forget; in regard to vehicles’ assemblage as mentioned in the pact, the government must take into cognizance that there’s need to go extra mile towards reviving the country’s dying pride if we’re really ready to invest in this sector. As we might have forgotten in haste, it’s highly imperative to recall that some of these vehicles – particularly Peugeot products – were being assembled here but the activity has now regrettably gone into moribund.
This, therefore, implies that the FG is required to look inwards with a view to resuscitating and boosting the aforesaid practice, which is currently considered as a lost glory. In a bid for an automobile hub, we must make frantic effort to reawake the seeming dead foundation.
The pact equally includes raising a training academy in conjunction with the German government with the sole aim of equipping pioneer employees of the impending industry with requisite skills as well as imbuing them with the needed industrial qualities.
Definitely, establishing an academy to train the indigenous prospective workers that would kick start the hub is a welcome development. It’s thus needless to state that the MOU included the key recipe with regard to the awaited industry.
However, the bitter truth is that such an approach is liable to collapse on arrival if the stakeholders involved failed to consider the essential factors required for its functionality. Hence, the parties in charge of the initiative must leave no stone unturned towards doing the needful.
It’s similarly pertinent for the government to acknowledge that such an academy deserves to be sustained in the long run. In view of this idea, the institute shouldn’t be utilized only in the case of the ‘pioneer employees’. Thus, it ought to be retained with a view to training subsequent intakes as well as upgrading the skills of those already absorbed in the system.
Recalling other clauses contained in the pact, it’s worthy of note that the FG on its part is to ensure that the Nigerian Automotive Policy, which is currently under consideration, gets a speedy approval from the apt quarters. The policy, though still in the pipeline, includes the gradual transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacturing and distribution of new passenger vehicles.
It’s not anymore news that overtime issue regarding policies has bedevilled most of the activities taking place in the country. Acknowledgement of this recurring decimal indicates that the concerned stakeholders are required to go extra mile in their move to ensure that the lofty motive of the FG is duly actualized.
It’s on this premise that I suggest the authorities involved painstakingly consider all the needed parameters as they prepare the policy. Every required factor, ranging from setting up the hub, training academy, in-service workshop/training, to working incentives cum environment, must be holistically looked into so that nothing absolutely would be missing in the process.
In the same vein, the legislators need to be duly lobbied in a quest to witnessing a healthy deliberation. In his words, an Adviser in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Bisi Daniels disclosed that the government was committed to providing a conducive legislative environment for the production of automobiles in the country.
I deem it fit to advise that such a commitment must be fully put into action if the FG is truly determined to create an industry where Nigerians as a people could boast of production of automobile machines that can be presented as well as used anywhere in the world.
As regards the sealed deal, the Minister of the said ministry, Dr. Okechukwu Emelamah strongly affirmed that the MOU was a major step in the FG’s quest for a robust automotive industry in the country, hence assured that the government was damn prepared to achieve the tech-driven objective.
The gospel truth is that, everything centres on the political will that accompanies the quest. Against this backdrop, for the tour in question to arrive at the desired destination, the government must not claim ignorance of the fact that what’s primarily of importance at this point is to support the recently embarked journey with the required will.
Inter alia, for a thorough emergence and sustenance of the incoming industry, the country’s education sector must also be involved. Hence, our technically-inclined students need to be brought closer to realities. It’s appalling and pathetic to note that our teeming graduates in the field of Mechanical Engineering and allied disciplines cannot present the mechanism that constitute main parts of an automobile let alone manufacturing them.
It’s no longer news that in recent times, successive governments had made various lofty moves but en up not actualizing the object of the initiative, owing to their inability to accompany the approach with candid practical steps. It’s thus unnecessary to remind the government that it’s expected to make a difference by acting differently.
As the Buhari-led administration is ostensibly determined to create a technology-driven economy herein, it must do everything humanly possible to separate priorities from frivolities. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator, of Right Thinkers
Movement writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
The last time I checked, Nigerians in their number were earnestly awaiting the era when the acclaimed giant of Africa would be spotted on the world map as regards automobile industry.
The aforementioned quest is not unconnected with the recent deal struck by the Nigeria’s government and its German counterpart. It isn’t equally unconnected with the candid body language that accompanied the pact.
It would be recalled that recently, on Monday, 3rd September 2018 to be precise, the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari graciously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Volkswagen Group with a view to developing an automobile hub in the country.
The two are reportedly to come up with an enabling policy framework on the proposed project. The epochal move was an offshoot of the recent visit of the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel to Nigeria, precisely in Abuja – the country’s capital city.
It’s noteworthy that under the bilateral arrangement, the automobile firm is expected to implement a phased approach in relation to the assembly of vehicles down to positioning the nation as an automobile hub in the entire West Africa region.
Lest I forget; in regard to vehicles’ assemblage as mentioned in the pact, the government must take into cognizance that there’s need to go extra mile towards reviving the country’s dying pride if we’re really ready to invest in this sector. As we might have forgotten in haste, it’s highly imperative to recall that some of these vehicles – particularly Peugeot products – were being assembled here but the activity has now regrettably gone into moribund.
This, therefore, implies that the FG is required to look inwards with a view to resuscitating and boosting the aforesaid practice, which is currently considered as a lost glory. In a bid for an automobile hub, we must make frantic effort to reawake the seeming dead foundation.
The pact equally includes raising a training academy in conjunction with the German government with the sole aim of equipping pioneer employees of the impending industry with requisite skills as well as imbuing them with the needed industrial qualities.
Definitely, establishing an academy to train the indigenous prospective workers that would kick start the hub is a welcome development. It’s thus needless to state that the MOU included the key recipe with regard to the awaited industry.
However, the bitter truth is that such an approach is liable to collapse on arrival if the stakeholders involved failed to consider the essential factors required for its functionality. Hence, the parties in charge of the initiative must leave no stone unturned towards doing the needful.
It’s similarly pertinent for the government to acknowledge that such an academy deserves to be sustained in the long run. In view of this idea, the institute shouldn’t be utilized only in the case of the ‘pioneer employees’. Thus, it ought to be retained with a view to training subsequent intakes as well as upgrading the skills of those already absorbed in the system.
Recalling other clauses contained in the pact, it’s worthy of note that the FG on its part is to ensure that the Nigerian Automotive Policy, which is currently under consideration, gets a speedy approval from the apt quarters. The policy, though still in the pipeline, includes the gradual transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacturing and distribution of new passenger vehicles.
It’s not anymore news that overtime issue regarding policies has bedevilled most of the activities taking place in the country. Acknowledgement of this recurring decimal indicates that the concerned stakeholders are required to go extra mile in their move to ensure that the lofty motive of the FG is duly actualized.
It’s on this premise that I suggest the authorities involved painstakingly consider all the needed parameters as they prepare the policy. Every required factor, ranging from setting up the hub, training academy, in-service workshop/training, to working incentives cum environment, must be holistically looked into so that nothing absolutely would be missing in the process.
In the same vein, the legislators need to be duly lobbied in a quest to witnessing a healthy deliberation. In his words, an Adviser in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Bisi Daniels disclosed that the government was committed to providing a conducive legislative environment for the production of automobiles in the country.
I deem it fit to advise that such a commitment must be fully put into action if the FG is truly determined to create an industry where Nigerians as a people could boast of production of automobile machines that can be presented as well as used anywhere in the world.
As regards the sealed deal, the Minister of the said ministry, Dr. Okechukwu Emelamah strongly affirmed that the MOU was a major step in the FG’s quest for a robust automotive industry in the country, hence assured that the government was damn prepared to achieve the tech-driven objective.
The gospel truth is that, everything centres on the political will that accompanies the quest. Against this backdrop, for the tour in question to arrive at the desired destination, the government must not claim ignorance of the fact that what’s primarily of importance at this point is to support the recently embarked journey with the required will.
Inter alia, for a thorough emergence and sustenance of the incoming industry, the country’s education sector must also be involved. Hence, our technically-inclined students need to be brought closer to realities. It’s appalling and pathetic to note that our teeming graduates in the field of Mechanical Engineering and allied disciplines cannot present the mechanism that constitute main parts of an automobile let alone manufacturing them.
It’s no longer news that in recent times, successive governments had made various lofty moves but en up not actualizing the object of the initiative, owing to their inability to accompany the approach with candid practical steps. It’s thus unnecessary to remind the government that it’s expected to make a difference by acting differently.
As the Buhari-led administration is ostensibly determined to create a technology-driven economy herein, it must do everything humanly possible to separate priorities from frivolities. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator, of Right Thinkers
Movement writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Saturday 22 December 2018
TECH I N-Power And Osinbajo's Tech-Driven Assertion
By Fred Nwaozor
Many within the shores of Nigeria may still be ignorant, or perhaps claim ignorance, of the term ‘N-Power’. Hence, it’s a youth empowerment scheme sponsored by the Federal Government (FG) as the slogan goes ‘Empowering Nigerian youths for posterity’.
N-Power is targeted to address the challenge of youth unemployment while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy. It aspires to provide a platform where most Nigerians can assess skills acquisition and development.
Its target beneficiaries are Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. The modular programmes under the scheme ensure that each participant learns and practices most of what is necessary to find or create work. It’s broadly classified into two categories namely, N-Power Graduate Category and N-Power Non-Graduate Category.
Three weeks back at the 2018 Convocation and 70th Foundation Day Ceremonies of the revered University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, the Nigeria’s Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo boldly and proudly described the ongoing N-Power initiative as a veritable technology platform that’s boosting the education sector.
Prof. Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Visitor to the institution, said “The N-Power employment and training scheme of the Federal Government provides a technology platform to boost education”. He categorically boasted that it offers a technology platform to train teachers quickly and efficiently, aside the existing traditional training institutes.
The number two citizen of the country disclosed thus “N-Power, our employment and skills training programme, now employs 500,000 young men and women who were hired using a technology platform developed by young Nigerians” as he went further to tender that under the initiative, the FG have had the collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Oracle Academy, Microsoft, Cisco Academy and International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation.
As we as a people have apparently come to realize that the modern-day education cannot be said to be whole if technology is missing or it fails to be tech-driven, it’s equally pertinent for us to acknowledge wholly that the best way to inculcate technology into a given system is to commence from the foundation.
In view of this, we mustn’t overlook the elementary study stage in the country known as the primary school coupled with the secondary. Time has really come for our young learners to be fully brought very close to technical knowledge to enable them squarely face the realities of life when they eventually encounter them in the near future. So, our various schools’ curricula need to be reviewed towards suiting this quest.
It’s noteworthy that China as a country is where she is today simply because the governments at all levels therein were able to engage the growing ones into technologically-oriented disciplines. Parents in such a nation are saddled with the responsibility of discovering the talents of their respective wards from day-one. By so doing, they would be duly encouraged by all means to develop the skills.
Talking about collaboration, it has also become imperative for the government, particularly the various coordinators of the N-Power, to start looking inwards with a view to ensuring that the country’s indigenous patents are given a sense of belonging. Time has gone when the universities among other tertiary citadels of learning were seen as places where only teaching takes place, forgetting that research works supposedly begin from such areas.
In the said speech, the law professor further hinted that in the next few years, both teachers’ training and teaching would be largely driven by technology with university education – especially scientific research – made easy by virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools.
It’s however worthy of note that such an anticipation can only be actualized by revisiting the extant policies that bind the system in question. The bitter truth remains that most of the policies guiding the country’s education sector are archaic and outdated, hence require urgent review towards overhauling them. This can be well achieved by wearing the required political will not unlike clothe.
I’m glad in his words, Prof. Osinbajo candidly acknowledged that there had been gap in the country’s educational attainment. He disclosed, therefore, that such lapse had made it clear that we have to change both the substance of education our children receive and the methods by which they are taught.
If this avowal actually came from a sincere mindset, then it’s needless to reiterate that there’s a compelling need to start taking our laboratories, libraries, workshops, learning curriculums, as well as other learning facilities very seriously as this is arguably the only way we could attain our dream society as regards education imbued with technology.
Regarding funding, Prof. Osinbajo equally noted that education could not be left to the government alone, opining none of the world’s leading universities depend solely or even substantially on government’s funding. He thus added that all have evolved innovative means of financing and investment to meet their funding needs and become financially sustainable.
If the above assertion holds water, then it’s unequivocally preposterous to include the said institutions in the ongoing Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy that forbids financial autonomy among the FG’s establishments. They ought to, henceforth, be liberated in this regard.
The public was equally notified by the vice-president in the said occasion that the government’s policy was to develop and introduce science, engineering, arts and mathematics education curriculum in primary and secondary schools. According to him, the curriculum covers training in skills in cross disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and digital technologies, coding, digital arts, design thinking as well as robotics.
We must take into cognizance that no matter how much we make effort to inculcate technically-oriented teaching via introduction of viable policies, the rules and regulations can never be aptly adhered to if proper monitoring teams and mechanisms aren’t established in respect of such lofty motive.
Summarily, as the N-Power scheme ostensibly continues to gain momentum and reportedly gathers accolades, the government must comprehend that wholesome policies and enabling environments are the best factors that can make the acclaimed achievements of the initiative speak volumes. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst &
rights activist, writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Many within the shores of Nigeria may still be ignorant, or perhaps claim ignorance, of the term ‘N-Power’. Hence, it’s a youth empowerment scheme sponsored by the Federal Government (FG) as the slogan goes ‘Empowering Nigerian youths for posterity’.
N-Power is targeted to address the challenge of youth unemployment while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy. It aspires to provide a platform where most Nigerians can assess skills acquisition and development.
Its target beneficiaries are Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. The modular programmes under the scheme ensure that each participant learns and practices most of what is necessary to find or create work. It’s broadly classified into two categories namely, N-Power Graduate Category and N-Power Non-Graduate Category.
Three weeks back at the 2018 Convocation and 70th Foundation Day Ceremonies of the revered University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, the Nigeria’s Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo boldly and proudly described the ongoing N-Power initiative as a veritable technology platform that’s boosting the education sector.
Prof. Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Visitor to the institution, said “The N-Power employment and training scheme of the Federal Government provides a technology platform to boost education”. He categorically boasted that it offers a technology platform to train teachers quickly and efficiently, aside the existing traditional training institutes.
The number two citizen of the country disclosed thus “N-Power, our employment and skills training programme, now employs 500,000 young men and women who were hired using a technology platform developed by young Nigerians” as he went further to tender that under the initiative, the FG have had the collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Oracle Academy, Microsoft, Cisco Academy and International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation.
As we as a people have apparently come to realize that the modern-day education cannot be said to be whole if technology is missing or it fails to be tech-driven, it’s equally pertinent for us to acknowledge wholly that the best way to inculcate technology into a given system is to commence from the foundation.
In view of this, we mustn’t overlook the elementary study stage in the country known as the primary school coupled with the secondary. Time has really come for our young learners to be fully brought very close to technical knowledge to enable them squarely face the realities of life when they eventually encounter them in the near future. So, our various schools’ curricula need to be reviewed towards suiting this quest.
It’s noteworthy that China as a country is where she is today simply because the governments at all levels therein were able to engage the growing ones into technologically-oriented disciplines. Parents in such a nation are saddled with the responsibility of discovering the talents of their respective wards from day-one. By so doing, they would be duly encouraged by all means to develop the skills.
Talking about collaboration, it has also become imperative for the government, particularly the various coordinators of the N-Power, to start looking inwards with a view to ensuring that the country’s indigenous patents are given a sense of belonging. Time has gone when the universities among other tertiary citadels of learning were seen as places where only teaching takes place, forgetting that research works supposedly begin from such areas.
In the said speech, the law professor further hinted that in the next few years, both teachers’ training and teaching would be largely driven by technology with university education – especially scientific research – made easy by virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools.
It’s however worthy of note that such an anticipation can only be actualized by revisiting the extant policies that bind the system in question. The bitter truth remains that most of the policies guiding the country’s education sector are archaic and outdated, hence require urgent review towards overhauling them. This can be well achieved by wearing the required political will not unlike clothe.
I’m glad in his words, Prof. Osinbajo candidly acknowledged that there had been gap in the country’s educational attainment. He disclosed, therefore, that such lapse had made it clear that we have to change both the substance of education our children receive and the methods by which they are taught.
If this avowal actually came from a sincere mindset, then it’s needless to reiterate that there’s a compelling need to start taking our laboratories, libraries, workshops, learning curriculums, as well as other learning facilities very seriously as this is arguably the only way we could attain our dream society as regards education imbued with technology.
Regarding funding, Prof. Osinbajo equally noted that education could not be left to the government alone, opining none of the world’s leading universities depend solely or even substantially on government’s funding. He thus added that all have evolved innovative means of financing and investment to meet their funding needs and become financially sustainable.
If the above assertion holds water, then it’s unequivocally preposterous to include the said institutions in the ongoing Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy that forbids financial autonomy among the FG’s establishments. They ought to, henceforth, be liberated in this regard.
The public was equally notified by the vice-president in the said occasion that the government’s policy was to develop and introduce science, engineering, arts and mathematics education curriculum in primary and secondary schools. According to him, the curriculum covers training in skills in cross disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and digital technologies, coding, digital arts, design thinking as well as robotics.
We must take into cognizance that no matter how much we make effort to inculcate technically-oriented teaching via introduction of viable policies, the rules and regulations can never be aptly adhered to if proper monitoring teams and mechanisms aren’t established in respect of such lofty motive.
Summarily, as the N-Power scheme ostensibly continues to gain momentum and reportedly gathers accolades, the government must comprehend that wholesome policies and enabling environments are the best factors that can make the acclaimed achievements of the initiative speak volumes. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst &
rights activist, writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
TECH I As France Returns Artefacts To Benin
By Fred Nwaozor
As countries all over the global community, particularly those on the African continent, are making frantic efforts to redeem and revive their respective technically-oriented heritage as regards culture and history, Benin Republic might soonest be wearing a cheerful physiognomy in respect of the struggle.
This assertion isn’t unconnected with the recent approval cum pronouncement made by the young and vibrant French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron; and cannot equally be totally unconnected with the seeming sincerity that accompanied the avowal.
Two weeks back, precisely on Friday, 23rd November 2018, Mr. Macron who apparently has enormous passion in issues pertaining to culture and tourism, reportedly indicated his government’s willingness to return all the ‘stolen’ cultural artefacts to Benin Republic, the original home of the ornaments.
The decision, which Mr. Macron said should not be seen as an “isolated or symbolic case”, was informed on the receipt of the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.
He therefore agreed to return 26 works, mainly royal statues from the palaces of Abomey – formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey – taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.
The president, who hoped that all possible circulation of these works are duly considered and returned, additionally proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.
It’s noteworthy that in recent times, calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks to the continent, but it’s as well worthy of note that the French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property to any nation or entity even in well-documented cases of pillaging. Notwithstanding, it seems Macron has broken that jinx.
In 2016, the Benin Republic demanded that France return her items including statues, artworks, carving, sceptres and sacred doors. While that request was initially denied, in November same year, President Macron raised hopes in a speech he delivered in Burkina Faso, pledging to repatriate African heritage to the continent.
Following the speech, he asked the French art historian, Mr. Benedicte Savoy and the Senegalese writer, Mr. Felwine Sarr to painstakingly study the matter. Their report, thereafter, was welcomed by advocates of restitution of works that were bought, bartered, looted, or in some cases stolen.
The said report proposes that legislation should be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to the nations that requested them. There are conditions, however, including a proper request from the relevant country, precise information about the origin of the demanded works, as well as the proof of the existence of adequate facilities such as museums to house them back in their home country.
In his further speech, Macron stated that museums would be invited to identify African belongings and organize possible returns and ought to quickly establish an “online inventory of their African collections”. He also called for in-depth work with other European states that still retain collections of the same nature “acquired in comparable circumstances”.
It would be recalled that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it didn’t address historic cases. Nevertheless, with museums fearing they could be compelled to return artefacts, some former colonial powers have sluggishly ratified the resolution: France only did so in 1997, followed by Britain, Germany and Belgium in 2002, 2007 and 2009, respectively.
The aforementioned report as was commissioned by Macron, opined that such collections were severely depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage. It said “On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras.”
As countries across the African continent are currently filled with the desire to see that their technically-oriented heritage are duly returned by their respective colonial masters, Nigeria shouldn’t place herself in abeyance. Since Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, successive governments have sought from Britain the return of the country’s looted artefacts but such quest had ostensibly failed on deaf ears.
Just recently, more than a century after the British soldiers ‘stole’ a collection of priceless artefacts from the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, a deal was struck between the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG) and the Britain towards ensuring that some of the most iconic pieces such as the Benin bronzes are returned on a “temporary basis” to form an exhibition at the new Benin Royal Museum “within three years”. But why must our looted treasures be loaned to us?
As the present Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is seemingly concerned to diversify the country’s economy, it must expedite action to see that the tourism industry is fully resuscitated and boosted by ensuring all the looted artefacts are wholly returned to the country by the Britain. Aside the bronzes, there are many other precious works like the Benin ivory mask that are equally yearning for return.
Similarly, as was stated by the French leader, Mr. Macron in regard to creating an online inventory, the governments at all levels ought to acknowledge that it’s high time they fully embraced the Information Technology (IT) concerning tourism, hence should ensure their respective tourist centres cum possessions could henceforth be assessed online to enable outsiders or foreigners appreciate their worth. The features of the digital age mustn’t be overlooked.
All in all, as the Benin Republic is prepared to graciously welcome their stolen artefacts home from France, Nigeria needs to follow suit headlong. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
As countries all over the global community, particularly those on the African continent, are making frantic efforts to redeem and revive their respective technically-oriented heritage as regards culture and history, Benin Republic might soonest be wearing a cheerful physiognomy in respect of the struggle.
This assertion isn’t unconnected with the recent approval cum pronouncement made by the young and vibrant French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron; and cannot equally be totally unconnected with the seeming sincerity that accompanied the avowal.
Two weeks back, precisely on Friday, 23rd November 2018, Mr. Macron who apparently has enormous passion in issues pertaining to culture and tourism, reportedly indicated his government’s willingness to return all the ‘stolen’ cultural artefacts to Benin Republic, the original home of the ornaments.
The decision, which Mr. Macron said should not be seen as an “isolated or symbolic case”, was informed on the receipt of the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.
He therefore agreed to return 26 works, mainly royal statues from the palaces of Abomey – formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey – taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.
The president, who hoped that all possible circulation of these works are duly considered and returned, additionally proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.
It’s noteworthy that in recent times, calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks to the continent, but it’s as well worthy of note that the French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property to any nation or entity even in well-documented cases of pillaging. Notwithstanding, it seems Macron has broken that jinx.
In 2016, the Benin Republic demanded that France return her items including statues, artworks, carving, sceptres and sacred doors. While that request was initially denied, in November same year, President Macron raised hopes in a speech he delivered in Burkina Faso, pledging to repatriate African heritage to the continent.
Following the speech, he asked the French art historian, Mr. Benedicte Savoy and the Senegalese writer, Mr. Felwine Sarr to painstakingly study the matter. Their report, thereafter, was welcomed by advocates of restitution of works that were bought, bartered, looted, or in some cases stolen.
The said report proposes that legislation should be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to the nations that requested them. There are conditions, however, including a proper request from the relevant country, precise information about the origin of the demanded works, as well as the proof of the existence of adequate facilities such as museums to house them back in their home country.
In his further speech, Macron stated that museums would be invited to identify African belongings and organize possible returns and ought to quickly establish an “online inventory of their African collections”. He also called for in-depth work with other European states that still retain collections of the same nature “acquired in comparable circumstances”.
It would be recalled that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it didn’t address historic cases. Nevertheless, with museums fearing they could be compelled to return artefacts, some former colonial powers have sluggishly ratified the resolution: France only did so in 1997, followed by Britain, Germany and Belgium in 2002, 2007 and 2009, respectively.
The aforementioned report as was commissioned by Macron, opined that such collections were severely depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage. It said “On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras.”
As countries across the African continent are currently filled with the desire to see that their technically-oriented heritage are duly returned by their respective colonial masters, Nigeria shouldn’t place herself in abeyance. Since Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, successive governments have sought from Britain the return of the country’s looted artefacts but such quest had ostensibly failed on deaf ears.
Just recently, more than a century after the British soldiers ‘stole’ a collection of priceless artefacts from the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, a deal was struck between the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG) and the Britain towards ensuring that some of the most iconic pieces such as the Benin bronzes are returned on a “temporary basis” to form an exhibition at the new Benin Royal Museum “within three years”. But why must our looted treasures be loaned to us?
As the present Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is seemingly concerned to diversify the country’s economy, it must expedite action to see that the tourism industry is fully resuscitated and boosted by ensuring all the looted artefacts are wholly returned to the country by the Britain. Aside the bronzes, there are many other precious works like the Benin ivory mask that are equally yearning for return.
Similarly, as was stated by the French leader, Mr. Macron in regard to creating an online inventory, the governments at all levels ought to acknowledge that it’s high time they fully embraced the Information Technology (IT) concerning tourism, hence should ensure their respective tourist centres cum possessions could henceforth be assessed online to enable outsiders or foreigners appreciate their worth. The features of the digital age mustn’t be overlooked.
All in all, as the Benin Republic is prepared to graciously welcome their stolen artefacts home from France, Nigeria needs to follow suit headlong. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Wednesday 5 December 2018
TECH I Dissecting Osinbajo's Avowal on FinTech
By Fred Doc Nwaozor
I pay great attention to leaders of honour whenever they speak in the public domain. I invariably do so, because I’m strongly of the notion that I could deduce something of societal importance from their words.
In the maiden edition of the African Investment Forum (AIF) as organized by the revered African Development Bank (AfDB), which held few weeks back in Johannesburg, South-Africa, in his speech, the Nigeria’s Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo tendered an avowal that caught my attention.
He declared categorically that time had come for the banking sector in Nigeria, Africa in general, to invest in Financial Technology (FinTech) as he stressed the need for the banks to carry out urgent reform so as not to be caught off-guard by rising innovations in fintech space.
Prof. Osinbajo who noted in strong terms that the effect of new innovations in fintech was unavoidable, stated “They have to invest in some of the fintech companies, and they have to see this revolution as inevitable. I think what we are seeing today is the reform around that space. And many of the banks are looking up and understanding that this is going to happen, and it’s already happening”.
It’s noteworthy that the AIF is a meeting place for investors who are keenly interested in Africa. It, thus, showcases bankable projects, attract financing, as well as provide laudable platforms for investing across multiple countries.
The President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina had in his opening address, disclosed that the goal of the forum was to allow investments land smoothly on investment runways in Africa, adding the forum was a 100% transactional platform to develop projects, fast-track the closure deals and improve the business environment for investments to thrive on the continent.
Fintech is the new technology that aims to compete with the traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It’s a modern industry that uses technologies to improve activities. It’s simply a buzzword within the banking sector. It’s the simple task of replacing paper-based processes with software and applications.
Those days, fintech – which is primarily the use of technology across all financial functions – was mainly used for back-office activities by leveraging software to help bank personnel handle accounts, execute transactions, and manage client databases, among others.
But nowadays, fintech has transformed how banks operate. It’s not anymore relegated to the gloomy corners of back offices. It has, therefore, taken centre stage by making itself indispensible to client-facing processes. Every needed digital transaction is currently possible.
The role of mobility in the fintech revolution cannot be overemphasized. The penetration of Smartphone provides clients with an easier method to interact with banks, hence gain real-time views into their bank accounts. However, as mobile apps grew in sophistication, so did client demand for intuitive banking services.
To assert the least, the emergence of digital services in the banking sector coupled with the invention of mobile devices has significantly transformed the very nature of banking globally. Clients no longer have to contend with long queues and wait all-day to deposit cash, conduct trades or even request cheque books.
Ironically, this commendable innovation generally referred to as fintech has intriguingly constituted tremendous stress and troubles among bank clients in this part of the world, perhaps owing to inability of the key players in the said sector to duly and tactically key into the inevitable revolution. This could be what prompted Prof. Osinbajo’s avowal at the AIF.
The drivers of the Nigeria’s banking sector must wake up to their responsibilities as regards fintech. They need to acknowledge the fact that the tool in question has at the moment obviously changed the game for the financial services industry by the introduction of chat bots for client service, machine learning and AI fraud detection, Omni-channel banking, biometrics for stronger security, and block-chain for digital transactions.
It’s worth noting that Omni-channel banking style alone has made establishment of more bank branches in several localities an obsolete practice. As banking shifts from being a branch-specific activity to one that permeates all digital channels, the importance of having multiple brick-and-mortar bank offices decreases.
Research shows that the adoption of Omni-channel banking is driving many banks to reduce the number and size of their branch offices. For instance, survey indicates that in Europe alone, nearly 9100 bank branches were shut down by the end of 2016 as a result of higher adoption of electronic payment system and online/mobile banking.
The amazing merit of this mechanism is that it reduces the cost of banking, thereby yielding more profit in the business. Hence, investors or prospective ones are encouraged to capitalize on this.
Sometime ago when I encountered problem with my Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card as regards online payment, I had to go to the nearest branch of the concerned bank to lay a complaint and equally fix the fault. You wouldn’t believe that I had to wait for many months before the plight was solved. Ordinarily, such an anomaly is something that ought to be addressed right in my bedroom without contacting any banking personnel.
It’s thus needless to reiterate that it has become imperative for the Nigeria’s banking sector to make strategic investments in innovative technologies towards upgrading their operations and delivering seamless services for higher client retention.
The government on its part, via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ought to introduce wholesome cum relevant policies and review them regularly with a view to ensuring that the various banks are invariably equal to the task. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
I pay great attention to leaders of honour whenever they speak in the public domain. I invariably do so, because I’m strongly of the notion that I could deduce something of societal importance from their words.
In the maiden edition of the African Investment Forum (AIF) as organized by the revered African Development Bank (AfDB), which held few weeks back in Johannesburg, South-Africa, in his speech, the Nigeria’s Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo tendered an avowal that caught my attention.
He declared categorically that time had come for the banking sector in Nigeria, Africa in general, to invest in Financial Technology (FinTech) as he stressed the need for the banks to carry out urgent reform so as not to be caught off-guard by rising innovations in fintech space.
Prof. Osinbajo who noted in strong terms that the effect of new innovations in fintech was unavoidable, stated “They have to invest in some of the fintech companies, and they have to see this revolution as inevitable. I think what we are seeing today is the reform around that space. And many of the banks are looking up and understanding that this is going to happen, and it’s already happening”.
It’s noteworthy that the AIF is a meeting place for investors who are keenly interested in Africa. It, thus, showcases bankable projects, attract financing, as well as provide laudable platforms for investing across multiple countries.
The President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina had in his opening address, disclosed that the goal of the forum was to allow investments land smoothly on investment runways in Africa, adding the forum was a 100% transactional platform to develop projects, fast-track the closure deals and improve the business environment for investments to thrive on the continent.
Fintech is the new technology that aims to compete with the traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It’s a modern industry that uses technologies to improve activities. It’s simply a buzzword within the banking sector. It’s the simple task of replacing paper-based processes with software and applications.
Those days, fintech – which is primarily the use of technology across all financial functions – was mainly used for back-office activities by leveraging software to help bank personnel handle accounts, execute transactions, and manage client databases, among others.
But nowadays, fintech has transformed how banks operate. It’s not anymore relegated to the gloomy corners of back offices. It has, therefore, taken centre stage by making itself indispensible to client-facing processes. Every needed digital transaction is currently possible.
The role of mobility in the fintech revolution cannot be overemphasized. The penetration of Smartphone provides clients with an easier method to interact with banks, hence gain real-time views into their bank accounts. However, as mobile apps grew in sophistication, so did client demand for intuitive banking services.
To assert the least, the emergence of digital services in the banking sector coupled with the invention of mobile devices has significantly transformed the very nature of banking globally. Clients no longer have to contend with long queues and wait all-day to deposit cash, conduct trades or even request cheque books.
Ironically, this commendable innovation generally referred to as fintech has intriguingly constituted tremendous stress and troubles among bank clients in this part of the world, perhaps owing to inability of the key players in the said sector to duly and tactically key into the inevitable revolution. This could be what prompted Prof. Osinbajo’s avowal at the AIF.
The drivers of the Nigeria’s banking sector must wake up to their responsibilities as regards fintech. They need to acknowledge the fact that the tool in question has at the moment obviously changed the game for the financial services industry by the introduction of chat bots for client service, machine learning and AI fraud detection, Omni-channel banking, biometrics for stronger security, and block-chain for digital transactions.
It’s worth noting that Omni-channel banking style alone has made establishment of more bank branches in several localities an obsolete practice. As banking shifts from being a branch-specific activity to one that permeates all digital channels, the importance of having multiple brick-and-mortar bank offices decreases.
Research shows that the adoption of Omni-channel banking is driving many banks to reduce the number and size of their branch offices. For instance, survey indicates that in Europe alone, nearly 9100 bank branches were shut down by the end of 2016 as a result of higher adoption of electronic payment system and online/mobile banking.
The amazing merit of this mechanism is that it reduces the cost of banking, thereby yielding more profit in the business. Hence, investors or prospective ones are encouraged to capitalize on this.
Sometime ago when I encountered problem with my Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card as regards online payment, I had to go to the nearest branch of the concerned bank to lay a complaint and equally fix the fault. You wouldn’t believe that I had to wait for many months before the plight was solved. Ordinarily, such an anomaly is something that ought to be addressed right in my bedroom without contacting any banking personnel.
It’s thus needless to reiterate that it has become imperative for the Nigeria’s banking sector to make strategic investments in innovative technologies towards upgrading their operations and delivering seamless services for higher client retention.
The government on its part, via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ought to introduce wholesome cum relevant policies and review them regularly with a view to ensuring that the various banks are invariably equal to the task. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
Wednesday 14 November 2018
TechDeck I How Feasible is Executive Order 5?
President
Muhammadu Buhari recently signed an executive order, prohibiting issuance of
visa to foreign workers or experts whose skills are readily available in
Nigeria.
The
proclamation tagged Executive Order 5, which was endorsed on 5th
February 2018, is targeted to improve local content in public procurement in
regard to science, engineering and technology in general.
It is expected to promote the application of
science and technology with a view to achieving the country’s development and
innovation goals across all sectors of the economy.
The
president, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the 1999 Constitution, as
amended, ordered that all procuring agencies shall give preference to Nigerian
companies in the award of contracts in accordance with the Public Procurement
Act 2007.
The order, however, stipulates that a
situation where the required expertise is lacking within the country, procuring
entities shall grant preference to foreign firms with a “demonstrable and
verifiable plan for indigenous development prior to the award of such
contracts”.
The document entitled ‘Presidential
Executive Order 5 for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian
content in contracts concerning science, engineering and technology components’
further directs ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) to engage indigenous
professionals in the onward planning, design and execution of national security
projects.
It’s always wholesome and ideal to consider
the feasibility study of any newly introduced policies or whatever policy
that’s being awaited, hence that of Executive Order 5 wouldn’t be exceptional
if the government is really prepared to achieve its goals.
So, as Nigerians as a people celebrate the
emergence of this order, as a tech expert and policy analyst, I wouldn’t shy
away from dissecting some key parameters that are likely to pose as limitations
on the lofty policy.
We need to take into cognizance that
the Executive Order 5 is silent regarding the foreign skills already domiciled
in the country. An order of this kind requires additional clauses to make it
more elaborate and understandable for thorough effective implementation.
Since
the order is reportedly meant to promote local content, I’m keenly interested
in knowing what becomes the fate of the foreign firms established anywhere
across the federation. We need to be intimated on how the new tech policy would
affect foreign experts – either individuals or entities – that are already here.
Are
they going to be segregated whenever any procurement process is ongoing or
ought to be treated as equal to the indigenous professionals? If the former is
to be the case, then it simply means the order is equally asking them to
henceforth vacate their stay in Nigeria.
If the government is truly keen in
improving as well as promoting the country’s local content, some clauses must
be stated clearly in the Executive Order 5. I’m not in anywhere advocating for
outright sack of foreign content domiciled herein but it’s pertinent to make
any policy self-explanatory and transparent.
Another amazing part that caught my
attention in the order was where it’s stipulated there must be a plan for
indigenous development in a situation where the needed skills aren’t available
“prior to the award of such contracts”.
That means, before any contract would
be awarded to a foreign contractor as a result of lapse, there must be tangible
plan put in place towards addressing such lapses or loopholes. How possible
could this be actualized if the required mechanisms are not introduced?
I
won’t hesitate to enquire the authority that’s expected to remedy the system
when the aforementioned situation arises. We need to be told the entity that
would be saddled with the responsibility of developing the lacking indigenous
skills. I’m, therefore, asserting that if the government fails to set up a
special agency strictly in this regard, such an order would be dead on arrival.
We have overtime witnessed circumstances where
a sitting government preferred to merely tender a certain policy without
consequently coming up with the needed mechanism toward adequately implementing
the document as well as actualizing every clause enshrined in it. Hence, I pray
this wouldn’t be one of them.
The fact remains that the Nigeria’s tech
sector is severely bleeding, hence seriously in need of an overhaul. It’s
noteworthy that for such total turnaround to be realized, the leaders must wear
the required political will like clothe.
This is the reason as much as I
invariably pick interest in such technologically-oriented policies like the
newly introduced Executive Order 5, I don’t find it difficult to analyze the
prospects and encumbrances surrounding them.
I want to state categorically that the
order in question is a welcome development and a step in the right direction
considering how far and how well the country’s technology at large has fared
thus far. But there’s a compelling need for its feasibility study to be drastically
considered if it’s born out of genuine intention.
In view of this, I urge the Buhari-led
administration to involve reliable and competent hands and also consult the
cognoscenti with a view to ensuring apt implementation of the said order.
It’s not anymore news that those who
are well imbued with technology-related knowledge have for decades now been
sidelined, hence leading to brain drain which is currently affecting our
economy negatively. This aspect needs to be holistically addressed headlong.
So, as I commend Mr. President for introducing
this lofty order, it’s inconsequential to enjoin him to ensure that the needful
is done towards making the policy effective as well as sustaining it. Think
about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, writes
via frednwaozor@gmail.com
via frednwaozor@gmail.com
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UZODINMA AND BUHARI’S ‘WORKING VISIT’ TO IMO
by Fred Nwaozor The last time I checked, Imo was conspicuously at it again, hence needs to be re-examined by all-concerned for the good ...
