Nigeria, Yearning for Economic Lobotomy

NIGERIA, YEARNING FOR ECONOMIC LOBOTOMY

      The last time I checked, ‘lobotomy’ remained a medical term that could be described as a surgical operation in which some of the nerves in the brain are cut to address a severe mental imbalance. It isn’t anymore news that the Nigeria’s economic status is currently undergoing a grievous mental disorder that requires such major operation as lobotomy.

      At the moment, the Nigeria’s economic countenance is characterized by low crude oil price, instability in the main oil-producing regions, lack of foreign currency and monetary strengthening. Recently, the naira has been weakening against the U.S. dollar (USD), precisely since June 2016 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) scrapped the currency peg that had kept it at an artificially-high value of about #198 per USD for over a year.

      After the peg was removed, the currency lost over 40% of its value against the USD and fell to #282 per USD. While the CBN had pledged to move to a free-floating exchange regime, it tactically intervened in the foreign exchange market some weeks after the devaluation to keep the ravaging naira between a narrow range of 282 to 285 NGN per USD. However, in mid-July, the apex bank withdrew its interventions, thereby causing the naira to depreciate further. On July 28, the currency fell to a record-low of #322 per USD, which marked a 14.2% depreciation within a month as well as 61.8% depreciation in annual terms. Since then, the naira has been fluctuating at low levels. Right now, it’s sold at about #314 per USD and about #422 at the parallel market.

      Notwithstanding, several analysts cum commentators were of the view that the removal of the currency peg was long overdue. The exchange rate flexibility awakened hopes that the shortage of hard currency and restrictions on imports, which were partly responsible for the country’s unwholesome economic performance in the first quarter of the fiscal year (Q1), would ease immensely. It’s noteworthy that the onward deterioration of the naira prompted the CBN to hike interest rates to a record high in July 2016, in an effort to tackle soaring inflation. In spite of the various perceived remedial approaches, the economic stagnation still lingers.

      Statistics show that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate declined to 0.36% in Q1 of 2016 compared to 2.11% in Q4 of 2015. The GDP had earlier contracted to 3.86% and 2.35% in Q1 and Q2 of 2015 respectively, before rebounding to 2.84% in Q3 of 2015 and further shrunk to 2.11% in Q4 of same year. The current decline represents the first contraction since June 2004, signifying a twelve-year low. Similarly, the unemployment rate climbed to 12.1% in Q1 of 2016 compared to 10.4% and 9.9% in Q4 and Q3 of 2015 respectively. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) equally stated that, as at May 2016, daily oil production reduced to 2.11 million barrels per day (mbpd), or 0.5mbpd lower from production of 2.61mbpd in Q4 of 2015, which is not unconnected with the lingering vandalism of the oil facilities by the Niger-Delta Avengers (NDA). This is a basic symptom of recession.

       Since Nigeria still depends on mono-economy, it’s apparent that she would continue to suffer from an epileptic economy till further notice. The bitter reality is that the oil price has dropped tremendously over the globe; it’s currently sold between $40-45 per barrel as against $145 its initial price as at Q1 of 2015. So, even if Nigeria can boast of up to several mbpd, it will yet not solve the ongoing economic quagmire. Needless to say that it’s high time we stopped thinking about oil toward concentrating on other revenue sources. It’s indeed appalling that, amidst the dwindling oil revenue, a state like Lagos still discusses discovery of more oil wells; this alone implies that we are yet to face reality.

       First; the CBN needs to revisit the drawing board. It’s apparent that most of the ongoing challenges in the money and capital markets are occasioned by the CBN’s miscalculation. Every policy introduced lately by the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN seems to have failed woefully; hence, it’s time to have a rethink. The overall policies must be reviewed for the country’s good. I’m of the view that single-digit interest rate is the only way out if we are truly concerned about diversification, particularly industrialization.

      Devaluation of the currency was never an option. Such policy would only end up enriching the rich while the poor get poorer. Any policy targeted to be one-sided, can only constitute more nuisance than good. A genuine policy must be neutral, strict and result-oriented. The naira deserves a currency peg or a fixed exchange rate, which guarantees accurate long-term predictability for business planning. In addition, the parallel market must be adequately checkmated by the apex bank toward curtailing lapses.

       It’s also time we start doing the ‘talking’. I’ve come to agree that Nigeria’s prime predicament remains, laying much emphasis on theory, thereby relegating practical approach to the background. In agriculture, farmers, or prospective ones, need to be conscientized to specialize on a particular farm produce; such measure would definitely boost productivity. And, no farmer should mix crop and livestock farming; mixed farming may come up in the long run after we must have actualized our primary motive. Thus, specialty must be upheld at all costs.

       Governments at all levels must equally be willing to subsidize the cost of tractors, so that, crude system of farming would become a thing of the past. Mechanized farming is the answer. More so, our young ones, especially the youth, ought to be integrated into agriculture, and should be encouraged to study various agricultural disciplines in higher institutions by showering them with innumerable incentives such as bursary and what have you.

      The ongoing tourism mantra ought to be decentralized, or liberalized, whereby it would become mainly a regional/zonal affair. Such measure needs to be extended to the security sector, so that, each geo-political zone would be answerable to their peculiar security challenges. Furthermore, it’s needless to intensify taxation in a growing and struggling economy like Nigeria; rather, we’re bound to concentrate on eradication of tax evasion and leakages.

      We must also revive various technical-oriented practices and institutions, that are moribund, to include the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Teaching Practice (TP), and technical colleges, among others. Millions of our young ones are deeply talented and experienced in numerous industrial fields such as ICT, thus they require an enabling environment in which they can commercialize the patents. By so doing, foreigners would be trouping into the country to purchase our trademarks.

      But, it’s pertinent to note that, all these would end up being a jamboree if we overlook the ongoing power instability. I suggest, the Power, Works and Housing Ministry ought to be disintegrated. Additionally, we must think beyond hydro-electric generation pattern, thus other power generation sources like biomass, solar, coal, that are abound in the country, need to be embraced; and there’s need to decentralize the transmission grid.

      Summarily, towards a successful lobotomy, every concerned authority must endeavour to extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti. Think about it!

 

 

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

Strengthening National Unity Via Friendship

STRENGTHENING NATIONAL UNITY VIA FRIENDSHIP

      The last time I checked, the 2016 edition of the International day of Friendship was commemorated on Saturday July 30. The resolution concerning the annual International Day of Friendship was adopted unanimously by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in May 2011 in recognition of the fact that friendship can contribute meaningfully to the efforts of the global community towards the promotion of dialogue among solidarity, civilization, mutual understanding as well as reconciliation.

      The resolution mandated the international community to recognize July 30 of every year as International Day of Friendship thereby inviting all the UN Member States, several arms of the UN system, as well as other international and regional bodies coupled with civil societies, to observe the day in accordance with the culture/customs and other appropriate circumstances of their respective local, national and/or regional communities through public awareness-raising activities.

      It’s often said that ‘two good heads are better than one’. It’s also widely noted that ‘a tree does not make a forest’. These and many more similar quotations, which signify the essence of partnership or amalgamation, have been adhered to by millions of personalities and schools of thought across the globe owing to their obvious inevitable role in human existence.

      The aforementioned philosophies are not unconnected with the fact that, no individual or group can do it all alone if efficiency or effectiveness remains his/its watchword. No doubt, this was the reason God ensured that a woman was formed having created a man. Needless to say; the creator Himself understood the unavoidable essence of companionship. This simply implies that everyone requires a friend in whom he/she is well pleased toward arriving at the anticipated success room.

      A friend, in a nutshell, is a person that one likes and knows well. It could also be described as a supporter of a cause or a staunch fan of a certain organization. A true friend is the first person you wish to call whenever you receive good news; he/she is equally the person you wish to share your pains with; he is that person or fellow that would like to accompany you on the most boring errands or trips and make them seem fun; he is that fellow that is invariably willing to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.   

      In the same vein, friendship is a kind of relationship between two or more people who care about each other. Since friendship has to do with people who truly care about each other, there’s no gain saying that sometimes it requires that people put someone other than themselves first. Indeed, true friendship signifies that some occasions might warrant you sacrificing your happiness for that of others. Hence, life is all about sacrifice, which is usually a product of compassion. What’s the essence of life if you can’t cough up a reasonable time to think about others?    

      Notwithstanding, a friendship is meant to be a symbiotic relationship rather than a parasitic one. Hence, many qualities are required or necessary for a good friendship to hold, including honesty, transparency, trustworthiness, loyalty, tolerance and unconditional acceptance. These, among other factors, have the tendency to yield an unconditional love between the parties involved. For any friendship to be reliable as well as successful or hitch-free, either or both parties, as the case might be, must possess all of the above at all times.

      In Nigeria, for instance, which is an amalgamation of various friendships or relationships, for the union to remain in peace and progress, the leaders must be willing to be transparent and honest to the teeming followers, thus they must always exercise the political will towards leading transparently. The electorate, on their part, must equally reciprocate the gesture by being loyal and submissive. Any union is anchored on reciprocity among its overall members, and Nigeria isn’t an exception. We must take into cognizance that national unity would continue to suffer from epilepsy if trust is nowhere to be found; and there will never be trust if honesty and transparency is missing.

      Happiness ought to be seen as a keyword by the people or groups who constitute a certain friendship or union, irrespective of the circumstance. Of course, we aren’t unaware that human beings can clash very easily, which is why it’s hard for some persons to maintain many friendships at a time or simultaneously. In view of this assertion, members of a particular friendship are expected to uphold absolute honesty at all cost with the sole aim of sustaining the relationship in question.

      Another pertinent factor to acknowledge towards sustaining national unity is unconditional acceptance. The various ethnic groups across the federation must be prepared to accept each other unconditionally since they are bound to be one indivisible body. We found ourselves together, or as one nation, thus we must strive to sustain the oneness regardless of our respective distinct cultures and backgrounds. No doubt, this is the only way we can boast of unconditional love, which is the only factor that can yield the awaited societal uplift. Unalloyed love produces absolute peace and unity that are required for both human and capital developments. The Ministry of Information and Culture under the watch of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in collaboration with various relevant bodies, can help in making the general public comprehend this fact via awareness cum thorough sensitization campaigns.

      During penultimate year’s commemoration of the International Day of Friendship, precisely on 30^th July 2015, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon urged the global community to use the potential of friendship to strengthen common bonds and inspire efforts for peace and sustainable development. The UN boss further stated that “The day is an important opportunity to confront the misunderstanding and distrust that underlie so many of the tensions and conflicts in today’s world.” He went further to say that the event is a reminder that human solidarity is essential to promoting lasting peace and fostering sustainable growth among mankind, therefore enjoined the international communities to cultivate warm ties that would strengthen our common humanity and promote the well-being of the human race.

      Hence, I call on Nigerians both home and abroad to strive towards achieving national unity through the effort of undiluted friendship. It was Lucius Seneca that said “One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” In her words, Helen Keller stated that “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Similarly, Hubert Humphrey succinctly disclosed that “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” To this end, I appeal to us to receive friendship in our various endeavours since it has been proven beyond doubts to be the pathway to man’s eternal gladness.

     Acknowledging that two good heads are truly better than one, it’s therefore not needful to state that all hands are expected to be on deck toward ensuring that friendship is created as well as sustained at all cost for the sake of national unity and harmony, which definitely would yield the long awaited national development. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

Nigeria and The Just Concluded Rio Olympics

NIGERIA AND THE JUST CONCLUDED RIO OLYMPICS

      The last time I checked, the 2016 Summer Olympic Games that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil graciously ended on Sunday August 21, 2016 as planned. It would be recalled that the last edition of the tournament, hosted in London United Kingdom (UK), took place four years ago, in 2012 to be precise; suffice it to say that the widely celebrated global multi-sporting event is a quadrennial.

     It’s worth noting that, Nigeria participated in eight sporting events only, in line with the earlier disclosure made by the Minister of Youths and Sports Mr. Solomon Dalung. The games in question included men’s football, basketball, canoeing, table tennis, wrestling, high jump, long jump, as well as track and field events. Prior to the commencement of the event, the minister equally promised that the contingents would be well treated financially and otherwise toward ensuring better participation throughout the tournament.

     It’s no doubt mind-boggling and disheartening that among the total of three-hundred and six (306) games played at the tournament, or in a competition that yielded 161 medals for men, 136 for women and 9 mixed medals, Nigeria the acclaimed ‘giant of Africa’ could only boast of participants in just eight of the available games. Such level of apathy isn’t unconnected with the fact that the nature of preparation employed prior to the outing wasn’t in any way encouraging, or was nothing to write home about.

     In his speech two months ago, precisely on Wednesday 15^th June 2016, the Nigerian international and Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola described preparations for the Rio Olympic Games as the ‘worst ever’ in the Nigeria’s sports history. The 42-year-old Toriola who just made history in Brazil as the first African athlete to feature in seven Olympic Games tournaments, stated that he had never seen such poor preparation since his debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games in Spain.

     The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos State, frowned at the level of lack of interest on the part of the government officials responsible for the said preparation. The aggrieved athlete who unequivocally urged Nigerians not to expect ‘much’ from the participating athletes further lamented that it was more painful and pathetic that nobody was even telling them (the athletes) what the next line of action entailed.

     Aside the various lapses that surrounded the preparation, barely three weeks to the tournament, the Nigerian Olympic team was reportedly still uncertain if it would make it to Brazil for the Olympics. The revelation, which triggered the anger of series of sports commentators cum analysts alongside well-meaning Nigerians, was greeted with enormous criticisms and counter-reactions. Many described the experience as ‘untold’ considering that it occurred when the country’s unity was being threatened; according to them, it was only sports that could adequately unite Nigerians.

     However, amidst the uproar and confusion, on Tuesday July 19, about two weeks to the event, President Mohammadu Buhari ordered the immediate release of funds budgeted for Nigeria’s successful participation in the Rio Olympics. The President announced the approval during the official handover of Team Nigeria to the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) at the State House, Abuja.

     During the tournament, the drumbeat never changed; the Nigeria’s notable pattern of treating her sports’ representatives remained the highlights of the event. We kept on hearing series of criticisms, allegations, as well as counter-allegations among the country’s sports officials and the leadership of the men’s football team, particularly between Skipper John Obi Michel, Coach Samson Siasia and Minister Solomon Dalung, as if they were sent to wash the country’s dirty lilies in Rio. It’s not anymore news that some of the athletes such as weightlifter Mariam Usman have vowed that they won’t represent Nigeria again. 

     After the tournament, the story remained unchangeable. Earlier, a Japanese plastic surgeon and football enthusiast, Mr. Katsuya Takasu promised the Dream Team players who were reportedly down by financial inadequacies, that he would donate some cash to boost their morale. Having defeated Honduras on Saturday 20^th August, Mr. Takasu thought it wise to fulfill his pledge, thus he graciously gave the team $390,000. The donor further gave the sharing ratio; hence, the team coach - Siasia and its captain – Mikel Obi were asked to take $200,000 and $190,000 respectively. But reports emerged that some officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) tried to hijack the process and demanded that the prospective donor must hand the money to them for onward disbursement to team members. One may ask: on what grounds were the officials agitating to ‘hijack’ a match bonus?       

     Our last outing in London was obviously poor and disastrous, thus any right thinking Nigerian both home and abroad expected compensation in Brazil. Though our Dream Team VI were able to acquire bronze owing to passion and sheer luck, 20 years after it defeated Argentina to clinch gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, it’s noteworthy that, generally, Nigeria’s outing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was as well pathetic. The consolatory medal won by the male footballers unequivocally indicates a clarion call for restructuring of the country’s sports at large.

       It’s on record that the bane of Nigeria’s sports industry, ab initio, has been inadequate or non preparation whenever a competition is awaited, which is often occasioned by administrative error. Most times when the officials of the various sport authorities in the country are expected to mean business, they would rather prefer to indulge in frivolous politics thereby ending up creating quagmire. Though it’s obvious that there’s an element of politics in whatever we do here on earth, it’s imperative to acknowledge that while discussing how to fortify the nation’s sports arena, politics is required to be set aside.

      For crying out loud, four years is good enough for any preparation, and Olympics aren’t exceptional. We can’t be confidently told that if a competent and reliable fund-raising committee was set up by the apt quarters toward the Rio Olympic Games, Nigeria wouldn’t boast of reasonable sum of money needed to cater for the overall preparations. The plight remains inability to comprehend what to do as well as how best and when to implement it. Rather than concentrate on the needful, the men we entrusted our sports to keep dancing Makosa when they are meant to dance Reggae, or vice-versa. Honestly, there’s a compelling need for a rethink.

     The country has every required potential talent and facility towards participating in any Olympic game to include swimming, golf, table cum long tennis, gymnastics, boxing, javelin, and shot-put; name them. The needed human and natural resources are conspicuously abound; all we need to do is to harness them by using the appropriate technique and mechanism. It’s quite appalling that the intra/inter-school sports competitions, which used to be the talk of the day, are currently no longer in vogue as a result of apathy, laxity, and what have you.

     Every socio-cultural sporting activity that used to speak volumes has abruptly vanished into thin air. All the country needs at this point is indeed, restructuring and nothing more. Think about it!

 

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

     

                    

 

 

Rejuvenating the Youth

REJUVENATING THE TEEMING NIGERIAN YOUTHS

     The last time I checked, the 2016 edition of the famous International Youth Day was commemorated penultimate week, precisely on Friday August 12. The International Youth Day is annually held on August 12 to celebrate the achievements of the world’s youth and to encourage their participation in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions in their respective communities or countries.

     The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria for the first session of the United Nations (UN) World Youth Forum. The forum recommended that an International Youth Day ought to be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with various youth organizations.     

      In 1998, a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth Affairs. That recommendation was later endorsed in 1999 by the UN General Assembly. The International Youth Day was first observed in the year 2000; one of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the UN’s World Youth Awards to the eight Latin American and Caribbean youths and youth-related organizations, in Panama City, Republic of Panama.

      It’s generally noted that the youth is the main productive class or workforce of any society/nation. This is the sole reason anyone in a youthful stage sees himself as one of the major parts of the engine room of any society he belongs. To say the least, the youth remain the main building block of a given society, regardless of its size or location. Suffice it to say that, arguably, any society that cannot boast of, at least, a youth is not unlike a tree that is being deprived of its major root. This is why any country that has lost its youths to social vices invariably lives like a blind man as well as sleeps with both eyes open.

      The definition of the youth regarding age bracket varies from one school of thought to another. Though in a nutshell, it could be described as a group of young people who are in their adulthood stage. Hence, a youth is simply an adult or a fully grown person that is young. Considering the above description, two paramount factors constitute an average youth anywhere in the world, namely: adulthood and youngness. In other words, anyone addressed as a youth must be a young adult.

      Against this backdrop, it’s needless to reiterate the already established fact that the youth, especially the vibrant ones, constitute the major part of the engine room of any nation. When the youth are deeply involved in activism, there are usually greater chances of actualizing the prime motive of the cause. They are regarded as the only class that can vigorously pursue a societal goal with a high level of vitality owing to their nature. In view of this assertion, a society like the contemporary Nigeria, et al where the youth are relegated to the background, often finds it very difficult to accomplish the best of its goals as regards governance or societal uplift.

      As a result of the overwhelming positive attribute of the youth in any society, it’s extremely pathetic and mind-boggling to see a society comprising irrational ones. It’s not anymore news that presently, about ninety percent (90%) of the overall youths in most countries across the globe, particularly developing nations like Nigeria, South-Africa, Zimbabwe, Benin Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, and what have you, have intensely derailed thereby constituting series of inconsequential tantrums, cacophonies, as well as societal menace in various quarters. This might not be unconnected to why their absence is immensely felt in suchlike countries, in regard to youth involvement in nation building.  

      In Nigeria for instance; during the post-colonial era, or thereabouts, virtually every political position in the country was occupied by such youths who were mostly in their twenties as, but not limited to, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Chief Tafawa Balewa, Gen Murtala Mohammed, Gen Theophilus Danjuma, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Sani Abacha, Gen Shehu Musa Yar’adua, Gen Aguiyi Ironsi, Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, and Gen Mohammadu Buhari. The list is undoubtedly endless.

      But today, the reverse is totally the case; you would hardly see a youth in his thirties becoming a commissioner in his/her home state, let alone occupying a ministerial position. Unequivocally, the ongoing profound apathy coupled with complete loss of vision among the majority of the new generation youths who occupy about one-third of the country’s population, calls for an outcry. The most worrisome aspect of their lukewarm attitudes remains, indulgence in partisanship when critical issues bordering the socio-economic and political status of the country are being deliberated.

      So, in the spirit of this year’s commemoration of the International Youth Day, which its theme reads thus ‘The road to 2030: Eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable consumption and production’, I’m soliciting for awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that all the youths are fully rejuvenated towards reviving the ongoing alarming pace of moral decadence, docility, laxity, and mediocrity found among them. To this end, I call on the governments at all levels, non-governmental bodies, religious institutions, the civil society, mass media, and other relevant bodies, to join hands in this enticing crusade targeted toward salvaging our teeming youths from the lingering untold bondage, so that, in no distant time Nigeria can boast of a country filled with only resourceful, vision and conscience-driven youths.

      There’s indeed a compelling need to bring back this set of useful persons whom have obviously gone astray, considering that the derailment in question is to the detriment of the country’s wellbeing. We must acknowledge that there cannot be better time for such laudable crusade than now, thus procrastination is needless. Without mincing words, a second delay is liable to causing an unspeakable mayhem.  

      We can contribute our respective quotas by initiating or sponsoring both social and academic activities such as youth seminars cum conferences on education and empowerment, concerts promoting the Nigerian youth as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that will showcase young people’s accomplishments with a view to thoroughly sensitizing the mindset of the said group on its civic responsibility, rights and privileges.

      If the gospel truth must be told; the youth are today’s leaders; hence, it’s pertinent for them to understand where they belong. This is the prime essence of the ongoing crusade. Hence, we must enjoin them to possess their possession without any fear or favour. It’s time they woke from slumber and do the needful as expected of them.

      The current leaders, on their part, must equally be willing to relinquish most leadership positions to the youth, or accommodate them, as the case may be. Unequivocally, the era of addressing them as ‘leaders of tomorrow’ ought to be a thing of the past; so it’s high time we stopped the deceit and face reality. Thus, prolonging the long awaited phase is completely inconsequential and unacceptable. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

The awaited Brexit and the agitated 'Biafraexit'

THE AWAITED BREXIT AND THE AGITATED ‘BIAFREXIT’

     History was once again made penultimate month, precisely on 23^rd June 2016, when the majority of the overall citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) overwhelmingly voted in favour of the widely nurtured quest for the said kingdom to leave the European Union (EU) via a referendum. This implies that currently, the UK is eagerly awaiting the materialization of the anticipated exit otherwise known as Brexit, though the First Minister of Scotland – Ms. Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland might decline consent for legislation required to leave the EU.

     The awaited British withdrawal from the EU is a political goal that has been vigorously pursued by various individuals, advocacy groups, and political parties from across the political spectrum since the UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC), now called the European Union (EU), in 1973.

     It’s noteworthy that, the UK wasn’t a signatory to the Treaty of Rome which created the EEC in 1957. The country subsequently applied to join the organization (EEC) in 1963 and 1967 respectively, but unfortunately both applications were vetoed by the then President of France – Mr. Charles de Gaulle, probably as a result of a number of aspects of the Britain’s economy ranging from working practices to agriculture coupled with the presumed notion that the Britain harboured a ‘deep-seated hostility’ to any Pan-European project, which made the country incompatible with Europe at large.

     However, the moment Mr. Charles Gaulle relinquished the French presidency, the UK made a third application for membership in 1972, which received a successful outcome. Under the reign of the then UK’s Prime Minister (PM) – Mr. Edward Health who contested under the British Conservative Party (CP), the European Communities Act 1972 was enacted; hence, on 1^st January 1973, the UK successfully joined the EEC – also referred to as a ‘Common Market”.

    Thereafter, the opposition Labour Party (LP) led by Harold Wilson contested the British 1974 general election with a commitment to renegotiate Britain’s terms of membership in the EEC if he became the PM, and he later emerged victorious at the polls. To this end, in 1975, the UK held a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EEC. All of the major political parties and mainstream press supported continuing membership in the EEC, thus there were significant splits among the members of the ruling party (LP).

     Owing to the split between the strongly pro-European and anti-European ministers, Mr. Wilson suspended the constitutional convention of cabinet collective responsibility and allowed ministers to publicly campaign on either side; hence, only seven out of the twenty-three members of the cabinet opposed UK’s EEC membership. On 5^th June 1975, the electorate were asked to vote, and therein, every administrative county in the UK had a majority of the votes except the Shetland Islands and the Outer Hebrides. Consequently, the UK remained a member of the EEC.

      Furthermore, in 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron insisted that there wouldn’t be a referendum. Under pressure from many of his Members of Parliament (MPs) and from the rise of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), in January 2013, Mr. Cameron announced that the Conservative government would hold an in-out referendum on EU membership before the end of 2017 if reelected as the British PM in 2015. Later on, the CP won the 2015 general election. Soon afterwards, the EU Referendum Act 2015 was introduced into the UK parliament to enable the intended referendum.

     In a speech to the House of Commons on 22^nd February 2016, PM Cameron declared a referendum date of 23^rd June 2016 and set out a legal framework for withdrawal from the EU in circumstances where there was a referendum majority vote to leave, citing Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. He spoke on an intention to trigger the Article 50 process immediately, following a leave-vote majority and of the ‘two-year time’ period to negotiate the arrangements for exit as stipulated in the EU rules.

     Contrary to Mr. Cameron’s wish, the result from the scheduled referendum was that the UK had voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48% with a turnout of about 71.8%, which were about 30 million British people. It was noted to be the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election in the country. Due to the devastating attribute of the unexpected outcome, Mr. David William Cameron voluntarily relinquished his position as the PM to Mrs. Theresa Mary May – the incumbent British Prime Minister, on Wednesday July 13, 2016.

     It’s equally worth noting that it was the UKIP, which won the last European elections, that campaigned for Britain’s exit from the EU. Though, about half of Conservative MPs, several Labour MPs, as well as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) were also in support of leaving. Their major reason for the Brexit was that, Britain was being held back by the EU, which they said imposed too many rules on business and charged billions of pounds annually in membership fees for just little in return. They also wanted Britain to take back full control of its borders toward reducing immigration.   

     The last time I checked, since the Brexit campaign got a majority vote at the July 23 referendum, the prime seekers of a sovereign state of ‘Biafra’ have equally been soliciting for ‘Biafrexit’ via a referendum. The agitated or deeply perturbed ‘Biafraexit’ that is currently wearing a pathetic physiognomy has been calling for a rescue from various well-spirited individuals cum groups across the globe towards ensuring that a referendum is held in its favour.

     Lest I forget, there are several factors the Biafran agitators who are calling for a referendum need to consider. They must note that the EU is a bloc whilst Nigeria is a country. Every existing bloc must have an Act that stipulates how a Member State can honourably take a permanent leave when necessary, and the EU isn’t exceptional.

     Secondly, there is no section of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, that permits a referendum or mandates the exit of any interested group. The constitution of most countries in the world likewise that of Nigeria, pays greater attention on how a formidable and undiluted unity among the overall citizens can be actualized. Thus, the paramount aim of the President or Leader of any country, constitutionally, is to ensure oneness among the citizens regardless of the circumstance. This is the reason the only factor that can result to the secession of a certain aggrieved group/region is war. And, obviously, no sane president/leader would like a war to take place under his/her watch, let alone the citizenry of the country. Those who witnessed a glimpse of the Nigerian Civil War would attest to the enormity of the dangers inherent.

     To this end, the agitated ‘Biafrexit’ needs to embrace a rethink. Rather than seeking for a referendum, which is seemingly far-fetched, or indulging in anything that could lead to genocide or massacre, it’s required to participate in peace talks. Thus, the leaders of the movement ought to borrow a leaf from cognoscenti toward arriving at a success room. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador

   

     

ATM Conundrum in the Banking Industry

ATM CONUNDRUM IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY   

     The last time I thoroughly checked, the Automated Teller Machine popularly known as ATM which is its acronym, was really giving its users a nightmare that if proper and drastic measure isn’t taken by the apt authorities, the conundrum is liable to constitute an astronomical financial mayhem to the totality of the contemporary Nigerian society.

      My last trip to Lagos State ushered in a scene which I thought only existed in my home state, Imo. In fact, that of Lagos was even more alarming and worrisome. Initially, I was of the view that I was only viewing a mirage, not until I walked closer to the exact spot of the scene.

      Having parked my car at the designated spot in front of one of the commercial banks situated at Iyana Ipaja, Agege, I was majestically taking a walk towards the location of the bank’s ATMs, till my panoramic view disclosed a scene which was not unlike the Independence Day parade that took place penultimate year at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja. My intention was to assess some cash via the ATM, but the unthinkable crowd I encountered or sighted in the distance ushered in an instant deterrent.

      A lot really needs to be done regarding the use of ATM in Nigeria. The country requires more accurate and efficient technical know-how in the country’s banking industry as regards ATM operations. Technical irregularities or hitches such as out of service, temporarily unable to dispense cash, issuer or switch inoperative, and unreasonable seizing/withholding of transaction cards, among others, which are often encountered while using the machine must be addressed headlong. The ridiculous technical anomalies to include debiting an account without any withdrawal made by the owner, is the most devastating aspect of the ongoing ATM conundrum in Nigeria, among other developing nations.

     The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which serves as the mother-bank of all commercial banks in Nigeria, is expected to intervene especially at this period the country is suffering from an enormous economic crisis. The teeming bank account owners have suffered greatly, thus are in need of the onward intervention of the apex bank towards ensuring that the country’s dream of seeing an arena filled with thorough cashless banking is duly actualized in the nearest future.

     Among all, the routine of loading torn or damaged naira notes in the machines must be put to stop by the CBN. How could notes that are meant to be burnt or replaced be loaded in the ATM thereby creating avenue for frequent circulation of torn naira notes? Does it imply that the country’s Mint and Printing section is incapacitated? Though our technology is unarguably in a sorry state but that doesn’t imply that a country like Nigeria cannot print her currency when necessary.

     The various branches that are currently making use of only one Automated Teller Machine (ATM) must as a matter of urgency install at least two or more ones in order to decongest the banking premises thereby curtailing the chances of being invaded or attacked by armed robbers. The various banks should also from time to time update the softwares used for the said machines; it is appalling to realize that most of them are still making use of outdated or trivial softwares.      
     Against this backdrop, every bank is expected to see its ICT unit as one of the most, if not the most, needed units in the industry so that its viability would be sustained at all cost. Such step would enable the bank to at all times ensure that employing or engaging competent and reliable ICT professionals either as full staff or consultants as the case may be is not compromised.

     It is pertinent to note that most of these challenges are usually occasioned by ignorance on the part of the bearers of the ATM cards. Most users of the card in question are yet to acknowledge that the card is not meant to be kept close to electronic devices or any device that possesses a magnetic field such as the radio set, television, handset, computers, laptop, home theatre, speakers, VCD/DVD, and what have you, especially when they are on or in use. Such practice is liable to permanently stop the activeness of the affected card.

     Similarly, the users are also meant to comprehend that the card is meant to be safeguarded from any iota of scratch particularly on its silver-coated part. More so, if any part of the card bends, the bearer or owner may not be able to access his/her account via the ATM; and if he/she eventually succeeded in doing so, he might not be able to retrieve the card from the machine after the transaction.

     To this end, the banks’ Customer Service Unit is expected to duly orientate their clients the moment they pick the cards as well as ensure that they are regularly sensitized in this regard. They ought to be meant to understand that the debit/credit cards are to be thoroughly pampered with a view to keeping them away from any possible harm. The ICT department of every bank should take this coaching aspect as a priority.

     The CBN alongside other concerned groups like the civil society really needs to take an urgent and severe step towards ending the various lingering abnormalities faced or practised by the various commercial banks in regard to the use of the ATM as well as its cards; else, it’s likely to cost us an unavoidable setback. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Engineering/ICT Consultant, Researcher, Blogger, Analyst & Activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

________________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador