On Elimination Of Violence Against Women

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, November 25 annually remained the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. This signifies that today, the global community is commemorating the 2021 edition of the lofty event. From November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10, the Human Rights Day, the sixteen days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. Undoubtedly, no society in existence can be said to be complete if a woman is yet to be found in it, regardless of its nature or size. We can testify to this fact by considering how a woman came into the world. Of course it is no longer news that having created man, God the creator thought it wise to form a woman from the rib of a man. This was so, because God realized of what benefit a woman could be to a man in any society/arena he finds himself. A family for instance – a nuclear family precisely, which remains the smallest society on earth, can never strive successfully or attain to its anticipated height if a woman is missing. Realistically, a family cannot be formed in the first place if a woman is nowhere to be found.

Having formed a family with the help of a woman, if she eventually dies, the affected family will live to suffer the vacuum her eternal demise has created. This implies that, psychologically, no widower can boast of being a happy man, especially a situation where the late wife left some kids behind. Sometimes, even when the widower has gotten married to another woman, provided the late wife left some indelible footprints on the sand of time, he shall remain in an unending emotional trauma, perhaps for eternity. In such a situation, it is only his creator that can provide a lasting succour. Ab initio, the womenfolk has been considered to constitute the integral part of the wider society. It is obvious that a social union cannot achieve an effective goal if the female members aren’t carried along. It might sound a bit controversial but the truth remains that nature had ordained woman to be the most attractive being in any society she belongs. This is the reason whenever a social group of people intends to pay a courtesy visit to a certain office holder, if they fail to include at least a female member among the delegate, the said outing might end up fruitless. This is so, because the presence of a woman has a natural tendency of arresting the heart of any man irrespective of who he is. The political terrain is not left out. Any man occupying a political position could boldly testify that his beloved wife is the reason he is thriving assiduously and successfully. This implies a woman is in charge of any leadership position, though her impact might seem invisible.

The advisory role, both morally and otherwise, a woman plays in the life of her spouse who occupies a political post supersedes whatever counsel he receives from his appointees, friends, or well-wishers. Considering the church, which is an institution as well as one of the oldest societies across the globe, there’s no need reiterating that its sustainability from the outset has been possible owing to the effort of the womenfolk. Noting that women are closer to the church, the easiest way to conscientize a married man, or any man whatsoever, toward the uplift of a church project is through the woman in his life, since it is obvious a woman has the key to a man’s heart. Similarly, a woman has been proven to be more pious than a man. This is the reason she remains the engine room towards the uplift of the children’s spiritual lives. It is worth noting that someone or a family whose spiritual life is porous is apparently living like a tree without root. Frankly, the role of a woman both in her immediate and wider society cannot be overemphasized. From the aforementioned facts, it can be pinpointed that without a woman, the children cannot be properly raised, be it morally, academically, religiously, and what have you; a man’s social, political and emotional life shall remain incapacitated and in shambles; above all, the affected society would remain seemingly stagnant and retrogressive in its day-to-day activity. In view of the above analysis, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is our civic responsibility to ensure that women or girls whom are ubiquitously vulnerable owing to their nature are duly respected and safeguarded at all cost, with a view to strengthening our respective societies and the nation at large.

We can contribute our quotas, either individually or collectively, by acknowledging that women are the backbone of any society in existence. We can showcase our respective supports in all fora we find ourselves. It is estimated that about 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence by a non-partner at some points in their lives. On the other hand, some studies show that up to 70% has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. It’s noteworthy that, either domestic or not, such form of violence has lingered in various countries, particularly Nigeria, thus making people insinuate that it is an acceptable tradition. Violence against women/girls is a human rights violation. It’s a consequence of discrimination against women both in law and in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women. It’s arguably impedes progress in many areas of human endeavour including poverty eradication, curbing contagious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, strengthening peace and security, thereby crippling nation building. The monster, which continued to be a global pandemic, is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential too. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girl children, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to exist.

Legislation also has a vital role to play. There ought to be a stiff law to ensure that anyone at all levels found guilty of any violence against women/girls to include rape, battering, female genital mutilation, subjection into prostitution, or what have you, is duly brought to book. Violence like rape deserves life imprisonment, or any other form of capital punishment, because such ruthless act can lead to murder. Parents and guardians on their part should equally cough up reasonable time for their wards, particularly the female folks, to enable them know their left from right when they grow up. The various schools should as well revive their guidance and counselling unit towards providing the needed guideline and caution for both the male and female students. The schools can create a strong impact via this measure. The religious bodies are not left out in this crusade. They are expected to devote much time in letting the worshippers realize the dangers inherent in the menace. They ought to equally create enough time to preach salvation rather than material prosperity as it is presently the case. Women and society are interwoven. If you remove either of them, the other one would be ostensibly meaningless. Needless to say that the former is as crucial as the latter, thus must be treated as such at all times. Think about it!

On 2021 World Diabetes Day

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, November 14 annually remained World Diabetes Day. This signifies that last Sunday, the world over commemorated the remarkable event. The day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN Resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921.

It’s noteworthy that the campaign attached to the World Diabetes Day draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes community and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. The theme of this year’s anniversary is “Access to Diabetes Care”. It acknowledges that millions of people with diabetes around the world do not have access to diabetes care. It emphasizes that people with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications. The theme therefore stressed that we cannot wait any longer, hence urging stakeholders at all levels to provide the needed medicine, technologies, support and care for all people with diabetes that require them. It also enjoined governments to increase investment in diabetes care and prevention. Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It is often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach.

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin. When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy. However this implies that, if one has diabetes, his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy; because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly. There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common. In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs. Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes; it is also sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty (40) or usually during the teenage years. If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets. Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as Maturity-onset diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people. During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as Gestational diabetes and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. Record has it that diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year. In several cases, gestational diabetes develops during the second trimester of pregnancy, which is weeks 14 to 26, and disappears after the baby is born. But the truth remains that, women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. The general symptoms of diabetes, which often take place simultaneously, are: feeling very thirsty; urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night; feeling very tired; weight loss and loss of muscle bulk; cuts or wounds that heal slowly; blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry; itching around the private part or frequent episodes of thrush.

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days; whilst, many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly. Statistics, according to World Health Organization (WHO), show that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high fasting blood sugar. The most devastating aspect of diabetes is that, almost half of the people suffering from it do not know that they have the disease. In view of this, WHO stipulates that diabetes would be the 7th leading cause of death by the year 2030. Many more people worldwide have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as Pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Above all, they are also advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their doctors or health experts. As the global community commemorates the World Diabetes Day anniversary, I’m using this avenue to urge the general public to endeavour to live a life that would keep them away from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed hundreds of millions of souls as well as maimed several lives both in the past and present. They can achieve this by ensuring they consume balance diets or staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods. The sufferers of the disease ought to also note that they can live as long as possible if necessary precautions are always taken, or if they continually stick to the modus operandi surrounding the disease, such as eating healthily, indulging in regular exercise, carrying out blood tests regularly, and consistent intake of the prescribed drugs or frequent consultation of a physician, among others. Diabetes has no absolute cure but can be prevented, or managed if contracted. Hence, it’s worthy to acknowledge we have every opportunity to live without the disease, or live healthily if eventually infected with it. Think about it.

As FEC Approves N621.23bn For Road Projects

by Fred Nwaozor

Penultimate week, precisely on 27th October 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in its not unusual weekly meeting, approved N621.23 billion for reconstruction of 21 roads covering a total distance of 1,804.6 kilometres across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. It’s noteworthy that the proposed projects are to be undertaken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) through the deployment of its own tax liabilities. The development was graciously disclosed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola while briefing the State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting held in Abuja. According to the Minister, who stated that there would be no more financing problems regarding the execution of road projects across the federation, nine among the 21 roads are in North Central, particularly Niger state. The reason is that Niger State is a major storage centre for the NNPC. He said “NNPC is doing this to facilitate the total distribution of its products across the country.”

He further gave an assurance that in the South-West, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the Agabara Junction, Ibadan to Ilorin (Oyo-Ogbomoso section) would be fixed. Three other roads are reportedly located in the North-East, two in the North-West, and two others in the South-East. The Odukpani-Itu-Ikot/Ekpene road, the minister said, had now been fully covered to resolve the problem of financing. He stated that in the South-East and South-South, there are Aba--Ikot Ekpene in Abia and Akwa Ibom States. Then the Umuahia-Ikwuamo-Ikot Ekpene road and so on. Similarly, in the North-West, it is Gada Zaima-Zuru-Gamji road, and also Zaria-Funtau-Gusau-Sokoto road. In the North-East, it is Cham, Bali Serti and Gombe-Biu roads. It could be recalled that in July this year, the FEC approved the award of a contract to Dangote Industries for the construction of five roads totalling 274.9 kilometres at the cost of N309.9 billion, reportedly advanced by the company as tax credit. In any given clime across the global community, capital projects are invariably what well-meaning citizens clamour for whenever a call to usher in good governance is raised in the public sphere. This is so, because, it is only by establishment of such projects as good road network, creation of portable water, sound health and education systems, that the governed could feel the impact of the government.

This is the sole reason the ratio between the capital and recurrent expenditures of the annual budget of a particular nation for a certain fiscal year often tends to favour the former to the detriment of the latter. It suffices to enthuse that it has become unarguable that capital expenditures usually benefit virtually the entire occupants of the concerned clime compared to recurrent expenditures that’s targeted to favour only a few. In view of these facts, successive governments all over the world that truly mean well for the governed have overtime made frantic and genuine efforts to initiate capital projects that would stand the test of time. Those who actualize this quest invariably succeed in writing their names in bold and gold. In this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, issues pertaining to governance seem to be given a different attention and interpretation by the relevant authorities. We have hitherto observed a prevalent situation whereby a certain prospective government would rigorously embark on election campaigns with the mantra to treat capital projects as priority, but would abruptly sound differently the moment it assumed duty.

This uncalled nonchalant attitude of governments at all levels has continued unabated under our nose as if the people are a set of imbeciles. Sometimes when asked for clarification by the affected citizens, the enquiry would be regarded as unimportant by the failing government. Lest we forget; on Thursday, 10th January 2019, the Federal Government (FG) led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of N100 billion for the Federal Ministry of Works, out of the proceeds of the Sovereign Sukuk fund, to finance critical road infrastructure across the country. The fund was for the construction and rehabilitation of 28 key economic road networks as captured in the 2018 budget. The FG disclosed that the road projects were located in the six geo-political zones of the country with each zone having a total allocation of N16.67bn. This signifies that the capital projects were evenly distributed among the entire regions. Speaking at the presentation of symbolic cheque to the concerned ministry, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed noted that “the funds will be released to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing based on the framework agreed with the Trustees in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of proceeds.”

She added that “the Sukuk funding option is part of the initiatives of the government to diversify government funding sources, while also deepening the Nigerian capital market, mobilizing more savings and promoting financial inclusion.” The roads to be funded “will ease commuting, spur economic activities across the country and further close our infrastructural gap.” In his response, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing (now Ministry of Works and Housing), Mr. Babatunde Fashola stated thus, “roads are coming, those are assets that would enable business that would enable transport, movement of goods and services and assets that will last 25, 30 to 40 years. This is a good investment to make. So, for those who asked why are we borrowing, we are borrowing to build at today’s prices assets that will last us for another 30 years.” He further said “it will be more expensive to build but more importantly, where is the money going. As soon as I collect this cheque, I am going to give it to the contractors. But even, they can’t keep it; they have to give it to their suppliers because they need aggregates, they need materials and labourers but they first need suppliers.” The Minister went further to assure that the Buhari-led administration “Is committed to follow the part of greatness, build the foundation for tomorrow by investing in infrastructure. It means that for example, we have to raise money and I am very happy to learn that over 1,876 investors are already doing business because Buhari government decides to build. That is how to build an economy.”

Two years down the line, the ‘28 key roads’ as mentioned in the said contract are still reportedly undergoing rehabilitation in spite of all the assurances tendered therein. One may then begin to wonder the kind of country called Nigeria we found ourselves. In view of this omen, which has unabated been a recurring decimal in the Nigerian polity, the governed may have lost their trust in any government in power, or its allies. This is the reason the NNPC must take into cognizance that initiating a certain project is quite different from completing it, hence must consider the key steps needed to be followed towards ensuring the proposed projects are duly executed as planned. The contracts are required to be awarded to corporate bodies of proven background and antecedents. Thus, no compromise should be reached for whatever reason. The contracts ought to be implemented in line with the country’s Public Procurement Act, thus a levelling playing ground is expected to be provided among the prospective construction firms. In this regard, the memo for the proposed contracts should be made public to enable any interested firm apply for the job and due process ought to be followed afterwards in awarding the project to the deserving entities. Also, the contracts are meant to be awarded to only indigenous firms towards boosting our local content. So, the Executive Order 5 implemented by President Buhari must be adhered to.

When eventually awarded, the benefitting residents or communities should be properly made to comprehend the profile of the firms handling the respective projects with a view to making them able to alert/contact the relevant agencies whenever they observe any prank or foul play. It suffices to say that the beneficiaries must be a stakeholder in the overall implementation of the projects. As regards adequate monitoring, viable mobile teams comprising reliable personnel ought to be constituted by the concerned authority. This would enable a regular supervision as the work progresses. In the same vein, the contractors must be mandated to complete the projects within a given time frame, else, should be made to face sanctions. We are meant to acknowledge that initiating a capital project by the government is invariably the wish of the governed, but ensuring their completion remains their greatest desire. Think about it!

On Buhari's Sack Of The Power Minister

Fred Nwaozor

In the not unusual way and procedure of holding a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, it held on Wednesday, 1st September 2021, and was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. In the said meeting, something very remarkable and unusual happened, and such had never transpired in the history of FEC meetings under the reign of President Buhari. Therein, the number one citizen of the Nigerian State announced the outright sack of the Honourable Minister of Power in the person of Engr. Sale Mamman as well as his counterpart in the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, Mr. Mohammed Nanono. Consequently, the duo was immediately replaced with Engr. Abubakar Aliyu for Power and Dr. Mohammad Abubakar for Agric. It’s worthy of note that the new bosses were already members of the President’s cabinet, and were previously the Minister of State for Works & Housing, and Environment Minister, respectively. It suffices to say that they were redeployed.

The President, without mincing words, disclosed that the process of reshuffling his cabinet for effective impact shall be continuous, having stated that it was the “tradition of subjecting our projects and programmes implementation to independent and critical self-review through sector reporting during cabinet meetings and at retreats”. He further said the “significant review steps” had helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy as well as improve the “delivery of public good to Nigerians”. Though no definite reason was given for the President’s action, speculations had it that the abrupt development might not be unconnected with performance of the duo as ministers. However, the following day during his interview on the Channels Television, the President’s Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina refuted the claim that the sack of the ministers was linked to poor performance. The media aide said although the President must have had concrete reasons for dropping the duo, there was no place it was stated that their performance was weak, hence asked people to desist from such ill-advised speculations. It’s worth noting that the prime interest and essence of this column has been and remains tech-driven issues, thus my attention to the sack of the country’s power minister, hence this topic. It’s on record that this was the first time the President would sack any serving minister in his government since assumption to office in 2015. This was the reason this very move came as a surprise and shock to his allies, and perhaps the onlookers.

Even when the position of some of the ministers – during the President’s first term – was shrouded in myriad of controversies, and most Nigerians called for their sack without much ado, the boss seemed adamant and apparently gave a deaf ear to the development. It could be recalled that the current cabinet was constituted by the President on 21st August 2019; needless to say that the sack of the ministers came exactly two years after their inauguration. The half-time of any leadership tenure is the most suitable period to x-ray the overall performance and operations of the administration and its appointees with a view to making amends where need be. This is to assert that such action of Mr. President was orderly and acceptable, if it was genuinely done or not politically motivated. But one might wonder why he refused to make such move during his first term, between 2015 and 2019 precisely, not even when several concerns were raised by teeming Nigerians in respect of under-performance, incompetence, misappropriation, corruption, and allied matters. One could recall, I personally told the President on this column and in other fora that there was a compelling need to split the then Power, Works and Housing Ministry headed by Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and a few other well-meaning analysts equally joined in the crusade, yet our collective request wasn’t granted.

I made it clear, as at then, that the power sector deserved to have a separate ministry to be manned by a well-experienced person as minister. The President waited till his second term to do the needful. What if he didn’t succeed in his second-term bid? Notwithstanding, ‘it’s better late than never’. Two years after eventually creating a separate ministry for the power sector, the minister is being presented with a sack letter, and consequently replaced with someone else who probably is believed to possess the required requisite to perform the long-awaited magic in the troubling and dwindling sector. The big question at this juncture, which necessitated this tech-driven topic, is: the actual remedy to the Nigeria’s power sector quagmire, does it lie in the ability of the minister or the extant policies surrounding the said sector? To candidly tender the apt and succinct answer to this enquiry, we may need to revisit the history and facts book. The country’s generation sub-sector comprises about 23 grid-connected generating plants. These plants are in operation round the country with a total installed capacity of 10,396MW, with available capacity of 6,056MW.

The thermal-based generation has an installed capacity of 8,457.6MW, with available capacity of 4,996MW. The hydro-based generation possesses a total installed capacity of barely 1,938.4MW, with available capacity of 1,060MW. It’s noteworthy that the thermal segment has been sold to the private sector, except the Sapele Power Plc – generating about 414MW – that is 51% sold. Similarly, the hydro segment is under long-term concession. In its effort to increase the level of power generation in the country, the Federal Government (FG) in 2004 under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, incorporated the Niger-Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as a public sector funded emergency intervention scheme. The NDPHC was imbued with the mandate to manage the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), which essentially involved the construction of identified critical infrastructure in the generation, transmission, and distribution as well as the natural gas supply sub-sectors of the electric power value chain. In total, the NIPP power stations were targeted to add about 4,774MW of electricity to the national grid network. Some of these stations have been privatized while plans are underway to sell the remaining ones to interested investors towards increasing private-sector participation in the power sector, thereby improving the ongoing reform programme of the FG. In furtherance of the reform policy direction, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has in the past licensed many private Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Some of the IPPs are reportedly at various stages of project development.

This analysis implies that the generation sub-sector is currently operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with almost 97% participation of the private investors. But the transmission segment is completely managed by the FG, whilst the distribution sub-sector is being operated and managed by private investors. It’s imperative to acknowledge that, even if all these generating plants are in good form, or functioning as expected, their total installed capacity will still not generate the needed Megawatts (MW) of electricity across the federation. Recently, by implementing reforms, Nigeria targeted 40,000MW generating capacity by 2020. Going by the estimate, she needed to expend approximately $10bn per annum on the power sector, to achieve the motive. Taking a painstaking cognizance of the abridged survey or review, as presented above, we would understand that the country’s lingering power crisis ought to be blamed on the epileptic policies guiding the sector, not the ability of the minister as being perceived. The fact is that, even if the best brain and most active technocrat is in charge of the Power Ministry, the sector will continue to wail and bleed.

The FG needs to, as a matter of urgency, decentralize the transmission grid, thereby giving room for each region or zone to manage their respective grids. This measure would help to eliminate the unending burden occasioned by theft, criminality, and corruption being experienced by the national grid. Hence, the private sector ought to be allowed to invest in the power transmission. There’s need for a candid legislation in this regard. In the same vein, healthy policies should also be created to encourage generation of electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar. This wouldn’t need to be connected to the national grid, hence the various states can see to its operations and management on a daily basis. The policy should equally create enabling environment to enable our trained technologists or engineers manufacture the needed devices for the generation. More so, formidable policies must be formulated by the FG to discourage the endless rampant importation of conventional household/industrial power generating devices whose operations depend solely on fuel, diesel, or gas, as the case may be. The importers of the equipment won’t live to see a functional power sector in Nigeria, hence the need for a policy or legislation to tame their unwholesome activities in the country. The political will must be worn like clothe to actualize the people’s aim. Hence, we must therefore look inwards towards solving our collective problem, rather than being myopic or shying away from the truth. Think about it!

Checking The Nigeria’s Tech Value

by Fred Nwaozor

It’s worthwhile for one to, from time-to-time, re-examine his or her personality value towards making amends where need be. It equally helps to know the qualities or features to be sustained thereof. Such a step, as mentioned above, isn’t only wholesome for an individual, but also in the case of an entity. It’s, therefore, needless to state that every creature requires the scrutiny. Herein, as the topic implies, we are specifically concerned about the tech value of the acclaimed giant of Africa. In other words, we’re dissecting how far and well she has hitherto fared in tech-driven matters and activities. One might wonder if Nigeria really has technology, let alone its value. The truth is that, the country could currently boast of over ninety tech hubs across the federation, the highest on the African continent. In recent years, Nigeria has ostensibly become an incubator for some of the continent’s biggest start-ups, including online marketplace such as Jumia and Konga; and these digital outlets are unarguably driven by tech expertise. It’s noteworthy that Nigeria reportedly has the largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $448.12 billion compared to its closest rival, South Africa whose present GDP is about $320 billion. However, it’s worthy of note that the real wealth of any nation is calculated by its GDP per capita, and Nigeria ranks 140 out of 186 in GDP per capita global ranking.

Per capita GDP is a financial metric that breaks down a country’s economic value (output) per person, and is calculated by dividing the whole GDP by the country’s overall population. In Economics, it’s widely accepted that technology is the key driver of economic growth of countries, regions or cities. Technological progress allows more efficient production of goods and services, in which prosperity depends on. Technology brings skills, knowledge, process, technique, and tools together, toward solving problems concerning human existence, thereby making their life secure and happy. It’s very pertinent in today’s world, because is driving the global community as well as making it appear better. In fact, it is gradually becoming inevitable in our various homes, offices, and workplaces. The Nigeria’s tech patent has grown to be an envy of all who understands its real content. In terms of human and material attributes, it has over the years remains significant in the global society and market. Take a walk round the world, you would comprehend that, most recent tech inventions and innovations across the globe were mainly as a result of contributions from Nigerians. Similarly, Nigerians remain the reason several countries’ tech sector have grown beyond limits. Ironically, the Nigeria’s tech sector is presently nothing to write home about. As the days unfold, the sector continues to decline in its value, hence taking the country’s name to a state of ridicule. Each day, the governments at all levels come up with empty promises and policies as regards tech-driven activity and innovation. The politicians at the country’s helm of affairs have unequivocally, over the donkey’s years, failed us in this regard. The good news is that, in spite of the lingering hurdles and challenges, the prospects of the country’s tech value remain obviously great, perhaps owing to the fathomless resources lying fallow. It’s worth noting that countless factors are behind the ongoing impediments in the Nigeria’s tech sector. For us to get it right as a people, these barriers continually posing threat must be severely tackled by the concerned authorities at all cost.

A certain tech-driven contract might be awarded by the government, in the long run, we would be greeted with myriad of untold stories attributed to paucity of funds. In such case, it could be either the fund made available for execution of the project had been squandered or that insufficient fund was approved ab initio. The steady economic fluctuation is another glaring factor that cannot be swept under the carpet. This particular plight has left Nigerians tech experts with no choice than to becloud their reasoning with uncertainties and fear of the unknown. More so, those who – amidst the tough times – insisted in putting something together, would not find the apt market to sell their products or patents. This could be as a result of infrastructural decay occasioned by lack of maintenance culture, or the required physical infrastructures have never been in existence from the onset. The cost of running tech firm in Nigeria is too high, to say the least. Poverty has also on its part really posed a great danger to the Nigeria’s tech value. The individuals who have the zeal and ability to invest in their expertise might end up being frustrated, due to lack of capital. This is why the country’s GDP per capita has to be fixed or elevated if she actually wants her tech sector to excel headlong. Nigerians do not trust made-in-Nigeria goods. The mentality of seeing foreign products as superior while branding domestically-made ones inferior, must be tackled. Aside sensitization, apt policies can properly assist in eradicating the social menace, which could best be described as a cankerworm that has eaten deep into our collective bone marrow. The governments must not necessarily invest in technology for their respective tech values to grow. In most countries where technology is seriously thriving, the individuals domiciled therein remain the key players, not the government. But such a phenomenon can never be witnessed if the enabling environment is conspicuously missing. To fix this anomaly, we must be ready and determined to address the quagmire in the political system. The country’s political instability is so intense, and continues to skyrocket by the day, that one cannot possibly say what the nearest future entails for our indigenous tech patent.

The policies are so weak that they can’t even initiate a project, let alone accomplishing it. To get things rightly done, we need to acknowledge that a country’s growth in any sector depends majorly, if not solely, on her extant policies. To be on the same page with me, take a look at any nation that has grown in a certain sector, and then take time to painstakingly x-ray the policies guiding the area in question. Just a research and adequate analysis would make you understand where exactly I’m coming from. Growth is not rocket science; it takes some processes. For such processes or procedures to occur, there must be existing principles. The moment the rules (principles) are thwarted, it marks the beginning of the end of the procedures. There are no two ways about it. Lest I forget, we need to equally take into cognizance that the reason most of the needed policies cannot exist in countries like Nigeria is that, our corrupt political leaders have realized that technology exposes corruption. Read my lips. They are apparently of the view that if tech is deployed in any area, it would certainly expose their corrupt practices. Take for instance, a situation where technology is fully implemented in the country’s electoral system as well as using forensic audit pattern in the finance sector.

The above factors are the reason we ought to clamour for overhaul. The country is in damn need of total overhaul of the system. To achieve this, we need to realize the full benefits of investing in technology. We are not here to reiterate the numerous merits of technology but to point out the goals and lapses in the said sector, in a bid to do the needful. If we spend time to highlight the outpouring merits, three editions of this column might not be sufficient. Artificial intelligence is deeply gaining momentum on a daily basis, signifying it has come to stay. Ease of access to information cannot be overestimated. Ease of mobility is another overwhelming experience. Better communication means and improved banking have, beyond reasonable doubts, made the world to seem not unlike a minute village. Learning has been digitalized, thereby silencing any form of impediment, owing to the presence of technology. Cost efficiency and apt time management are being assured in all tech-driven activities. These are verifiable facts. Countless innovations are springing up by the day in every facet of human endeavour. The ‘disabled’ are now abled, because of tech-driven tools, yet Nigeria and her likes seemingly await more prophets to tell them that technology has come to take the planet to the promised land. Understanding that the presence of adequate tech hub drastically changes the economic outlook of any country involved, is enough reason to place its content ahead of others. Think about it!

X-raying CBN's Plan On e-Naira

by Fred Nwaozor

It’s not anymore news that plans are underway by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fully implement the use of the country’s digital currency, the e-Naira. The apex bank recently postponed the planned unveiling of the e-Naira. It could be recalled that it was earlier scheduled to be officially launched on 1st October 2021 to mark the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary. However, in his words, the CBN’s Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele disclosed that the proposed e-Naira launch wasn’t going to be a one-off thing, but a ‘journey’ or process that would commence on the said date and continues till further notice. This implies that the process has already begun. Many Nigerians are still ostensibly very much confused or ignorant over the essence of the digital currency or what the technique is all about, hence are apparently itching to be well intimated on the tech-driven policy. A quite percentage of the citizenry might thus far be familiar with the term ‘Crptocurrency’, though may be yet to know its origin, usage, operations and value, or what have you. The Cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that deals with collection of binary data designed to work as a medium of exchange, whereby individual coin ownership records are stored in a ledger electronically. Its prefix ‘crpto’ makes it seem like something that’s shrouded in secrecy.

Cryto-currency was invented, or came into existence, in 2008 via an entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto in which the identity of the individual owner(s) was unknown. Consequently, it came into use in 2009 when its implementation was released as open-source software. It’s an electronic file stored in a digital wallet App, either on a smartphone or computer. The Bitcoin, which is a type of Cryptocurrency and popularly used worldwide, can be sent from user-to-user on the peer-to-peer Bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries or middlemen. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency, is created as a reward for a process known as ‘mining’. Bitcoin mining is the act of creating new Bitcoins by solving a computational puzzle by Bitcoin miners. It is decentralized, in the sense that, all over the global community, it isn’t traded, controlled or operated by the aid of a central bank (CB) or single administrator. It suffices to say that the Bitcoin doesn’t have an official regulator. To get the picture clearer on the essence and use of the Crypto-currency, the Bitcoin particularly, people can send Bitcoins or part of one to your digital wallet if you have any and vice-versa. You can as well send Bitcoin to any other individuals. It’s noteworthy that anyone can purchase Bitcoins using ‘real money’, meaning literally the physical cash of any recognized currency. You can also sell things and ask the buyer(s) to pay you with Bitcoins or any digital currency of your choice.

To start using Bitcoin, all you need to do is to create a Bitcoin wallet, get your first Bitcoin, secure your Bitcoins, then send and receive Bitcoins. For the fact that the Cryptocurrency is not being regulated by any authority leaves much to worry for its teeming users. This is the reason it could be described as a ‘Ponzi scheme’. Little wonder the CBN, in February 2021, out-rightly barred all commercial banks and other financial institutions domiciled in Nigeria from dealing, or facilitating transactions, in Crypto-currencies, and subsequently announced its intention to introduce the country’s digital currency, the e-Naira. It’s worthy of note that the awaited implementation of the e-Naira reportedly makes Nigeria one of the first countries on the African continent, and indeed the globe, to adopt the digitization of its currency. The e-Naira, which shall bear exactly the value of the physical Naira and not attract any interest upon transactions or when stored, is quite different from the Bitcoin because it shall be regulated, unlike in the case of the Cryptocurrency whereby corrupt individuals or criminals can store billions of a certain currency without being spotted or noticed. It’s worth noting that each Bitcoin has its equivalent rate (value) in any currency in the world, hence one can store any currency in form of the Bitcoin. The value of the e-Naira doesn’t change regardless of the circumstance. It shall remain same with respect to the physical Naira. It only changes whenever the ‘real Naira’ appreciates or depreciates in value, as the case might be. It’s therefore needless to assert that the e-Naira is a CB-issued digital currency that provides a unique form of money denominated in Naira. According to the CBN, the e-Naira – which shall be issued and regulated by the Mother bank – can be linked to one’s bank account or Pay-As-You-Go with a prepay option. It shall be stored in a wallet known as the ‘e-Naira wallet’ just as we can safe-keep the physical currency notes in our pocket wallets. The e-Naira wallet is a digital storage device to hold the electronic Naira note.

Prospective users are required to download the e-Naira App via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once it is downloaded, they can on-board themselves, fund their e-Naira wallet using their bank accounts or with cash at a registered agent. The e-Naira shall serve as a medium of exchange over transactions as well as store of value to safe-keep one’s funds. It’s reported that customers, or account owners, can be able to move money from their bank account to their e-Naira wallet with ease. The Mother bank promises that the e-Naira would provide a fast, cheap, reliable and available payment channel as well as support digital economy, improve economic activities and ease cross-border trade. It equally pledges to accelerate financial inclusion and enable cheaper and faster remittance inflows. However, my optimum concern and worry at the moment is the needed tools, such as security and awareness, for successful implementation of the lofty monetary policy. As technology expands by the day, tech criminals extend their tentacles towards unleashing their venom on the unsuspecting users of the new device, hence the compelling need to accompany the digital enhancement with stringent securities and sensitization. The CBN has stated that the e-Naira App would feature and reflect brand values centred on ease of use and efficiency while bearing in mind security. We were also notified that the e-Naira wallet shall comprise an embedded ‘security token system’, which would make the owner’s information unreadable to fraudsters, because tokens are randomly generated every time one makes a payment. This is where adequate and thorough orientation needs to come in. The CBN has already chosen Bitt Inc. – the world’s notable Barbados-based FinTech firm – as its technical partner in developing the e-Naira. Also, we’ve been reliably told that the various banks have commenced the integration of the e-Naira feature into their respective Apps. These corporate entities must henceforth holistically assist the apex bank in breaking down the needed information and facts to a layman’s understanding, for their various clients to be fully aware of the nitty-gritty surrounding the awaited digital currency. Hence, various channels ought to be deployed to achieve this objective.

Taking into cognizance that the e-Naira shall be universal, thus anybody can hold or possess it, the targeted users must be well orientated on the true meaning of peer-to-peer exchange and the fact that the e-Naira doesn’t yield any interest in future as well as other related necessary coaching. As much as I commend this brilliant move by the CBN, I wouldn’t hesitate in reminding them that a wrong implementation of an excellent policy is tantamount to failure. Think about it!

As World Commemorates Food Day, Nigeria In Focus

by Fred Nwaozor

October 16 each year remains the World Food Day. It suffices to say that today, the world over is celebrating the 2021 edition of the worthwhile event. It is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. The focus of the day is that food is a basic and fundamental human right. Yet, in a world of billions, over 800 million people worldwide live with chronic hunger, 60% women and almost five million children under the age of five die of malnutrition-related causes every day. Due to the inevitable impact of food on mankind, the World Food Day (WFD) was established during the 20th General Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) in November 1945. During the conference, all the Member States of FAO resolved that October 16 each year should be commemorated as World Food Day. The day was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the founding date of the organization - FAO. In the history of mankind, no one has ever boasted of living a healthy life without an adequate food on his/her table. This implies that a healthy living is not unconnected with consumption of the required dietary.

Food, which remains one of the three basic needs of man on earth, can only be acquired or guaranteed via thorough participation in agricultural practices. No doubt, agriculture is an integral part of human existence considering that it is the only means that can guarantee the three paramount needs of man, which are: food, clothing and shelter. Obviously, several societies in the world depend solely on agriculture as regards Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), and creation of employment opportunities. Such societies jealously safeguard it because they acknowledge it is the most affordable and assessable source of revenue within the reach of man. This is a clear indication that agriculture can function as a revenue source as well as means of survival. Needless to assert that sustenance of agriculture remains one of the prime desires of any rational and vision-oriented society in existence, and Imo wouldn’t be an exception.

Owing to its challenges, including lack of access to mechanized farming, undesirable topography, poor climatic condition, unavailability of land, poor soil texture, and insufficient funds, et cetera, many prospective farmers in most developing nations, like Nigeria, have over the years lost interest in agriculture, thereby endangering the socio-economic status of the affected nations. It’s not anymore news that lack of participation in either subsistence or commercial farming among the populace of a certain country invariably leads to malnutrition and tremendous decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. The most devastating aspect of apathy in agriculture is the one observed amongst the youth as a result of their eager and unending quest for non-existing white-collar jobs. To say the least, the ongoing lack of enthusiasm among the young ones, in the area of farming, contributed immensely to the current scarcity of food in Nigeria. History indicates that between 2011 and 2013, a total of eight hundred and forty-two (842) million individuals, or about one in every eight persons in the world, were estimated to be suffering from chronic hunger. This signifies that the said set of people was not regularly getting enough food for themselves to carry out their active life activities. It’s not anymore news that in the recent times, climate change has remained one of the greatest challenges in this part of the world. One of the biggest issues related to climate change is food security. The world’s poorest – many of whom are farmers, fishers, and hunters – are being hit hardest by higher temperatures and an increasing frequency in weather-related disasters.

At the same time, the global population is skyrocketing and is expected to reach about 9.6 billion by 2050. To meet such a heavy demand, agriculture and food systems will need to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and become more resilient, productive, and sustainable. This is the only way we can ensure the general wellbeing of ecosystems and rural settlements, as well as reduce emissions. Growing food in a sustainable way means adopting practices that produce more with less input, in the same area of land, and use natural resources wisely. It also means reducing food losses before the final product or retail stage through a number of initiatives, including better harvesting, storage, packaging, transport, infrastructure, and market mechanisms, coupled with institutional and legal frameworks. The FAO is using this period to call on countries to address food and agriculture in their climate action plans and invest meaningfully in rural development in their respective jurisdictions. So, as Nigeria joins the global community to celebrate the 2021 annual World Food Day, I urge the government to be more proactive than being reactive with a view to ensuring that the bane of the country’s agricultural institution is thoroughly addressed. It’s appalling that presently the acclaimed Africa’s giant can no longer boast of crops like cocoa, rubber and oil palms that used to be the pride of the country during the post-colonial era, owing to lack of maintenance culture and relegation of the existing healthy policies to the background occasioned by overdependence on mono-source of economy, the oil and gas sector. There is indeed a compelling need for the governments at all levels to provide the needed support for any genuine prospective farmer in their respective jurisdictions, such as soft loan with zero interest rates, arable land, enabling environment, and wholesome policies, as the case may be. The government should equally subsidize the prices of farming machinery/equipment to enable every commercial farmer in the country purchase them without much ado. In the same vein, the ongoing restriction of importation of goods and services into the country must be duly strengthened and intensified by the apt authorities such as the Customs Service, among others, toward increasing the level of demand on locally-made commodities.

There ought to also be an increased awareness among the populace in various quarters on the need to patronize indigenous commodities at all times. This can be actualized by working thoroughly on their mentality. On their part, the farmers ought to, from time to time, validate the membership of all their members, and also encourage the upcoming ones to register, to enable the government or any concerned corporate body easily assess them as well as ascertain the genuineness of anyone who claims to be a practising farmer. They should also sensitize their members on the need for specialization towards boosting production. Farmers need to concentrate on a particular crop or livestock farming, as the case might be, to enable them obtain a desirable outcome during harvest. After creating a sound foundation, any farmer can in the future consider practising mixed farming. Governments at all levels ought to as well endeavour to own and manage various mechanized farm with a view to supplementing the privately owned ones. They mustn’t leave everything for the private sector, in order to ensure adequate price regulation on the goods and services. Such measure would also intensify the ongoing diversification mantra, thereby boosting massive employment opportunities for our teeming youths.

In view of this, every agriculture ministry is expected to boast of staff that are qualified in various agricultural disciplines, rather than professionals from other areas. And, every staff must be prepared to go to the field. Above all, there’s a compelling need for Agricultural Science to be studied by every high school student in Nigeria as a core subject, and equally sit for it during their School Certificate examinations. There’s also need for all the tertiary institutions in the country to introduce Agric Science in their schools’ curricula as a general course for every first year student; there would be need for a formidable legal backing towards ensuring the effectiveness of this very measure. Inter alia, the government and non-governmental organizations, among other stakeholders, should endeavour to continually grant bursary to the undergraduates studying Agric Science or any agric-related discipline towards encouraging prospective ones. Hence, the various relevant civil society groups operating in the country are required to solicit for this on behalf of the students. All in all, viable and formidable policies need to be formulated and consequently kept alive to ensure apt implementation of the outlined measures. A policy is like a tyre that facilitates the needed wholesome movement of a vehicle. Every relevant authority or stakeholder in the country must henceforth be ready and determined to sacrifice now in a bid to enjoy forever. Think about it!

Time Management: Its Intrigues And Features

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, countless individuals cum entities across the global community, particularly in this part of the world, had derailed as regards the interpretation of the real essence of time in our everyday lives. Often times, a lot of questions had been raised in respect of time. Amazingly, on most occasions, people failed to tender the apt answer to the enquiries. Hence, I decided to come up with a very crucial one, which reads ‘how do you manage your time?’ This very one deserves an unalloyed attention because it is targeted to address several anomalies concerning time management. We cannot shy away from discussions pertaining to time management if we are really determined to excel, or distinguish ourselves, in our various field of endeavour. It would shock, or perhaps surprise, you to note that adequate time management is arguably the secret behind most successes recorded by mankind. In his words, Baltasar Gracian said “All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.” This intends to inform us that with time, one can attain to any height in accordance with his or her aspiration. And, the time itself ‘belongs to us’, meaning literally that we can make use of it the way and manner we desire. Frankly, our inability to utilize our time properly has been the prime reason we have failed in various occasions. The last time I checked, most of us were still lagging behind when it calls for utilization of time. And, those who fall in this bracket can never move ahead, even a bit, until they fully comprehend how best to manage their time.

An associate of mine, years ago, missed a mighty contract owing to his inability to abide by the time stipulated in the invitation. He was asked via a text message to report to the firm by exactly nine O’clock in the morning. But as a result of the ‘African time’ mentality, he didn’t take the time seriously, thus he arrived at some minutes past ten. He was, however, granted the interview as planned. He reportedly performed very well after all said and done. But surprisingly, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) said to his face “Mister Ken, you are truly qualified for this job but I am afraid of one thing.” When he tried to ascertain what informed the HRM’s fear, he was rightly told that the company was not ready to engage or contract anyone that believes in African time. That was how they deprived him of the golden opportunity. William Penn opined “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Most people spend most of, or virtually all, their time catching funs or engaging in frivolous activities. They do so, forgetting time wait for no one. Jef Mallett wisely asserted “If time flies when you are having fun, it hits the afterburners when you don’t think you are having enough.” It was the famous Nigerian musician, Mike Okiri that sang in vernacular “Time na money.” In the song, he implored people to use their time judiciously, stressing good things do not fall from heaven but are acquired by hard work. Little wonder John Kennedy counselled “We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch”. Among all, it is pertinent to acknowledge that “Lost time is never found again” as opined by Benjamin Franklin. Hence, we are charged to always take into cognizance that time is invariably of the essence when carrying out any task. This signifies that it is an inevitable tool. So, no matter how much we make effort to steer clear of time, we can never succeed; rather, we will only end up hurting ourselves. It suffices to assert that one who plays with his/her time has played with the future.

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” This was tendered by Maria Edgeworth, and I concur. She was trying to argue that if we properly handle our present situation, the future will certainly have nothing to fear for. And, it is important to understand that it is only adequate management of time that can enable us conquer the challenges of today. On a daily basis, we are expected to schedule our respective useful activities or consignments, and never play with any of the items in the timetable. Each of the items must be given a certain time frame, and you must consciously work not to abuse the schedule. This is a keyword to success for those who truly intend to succeed.

It would interest us to note that, even those we look up to, still don’t joke with their time. Survey shows that successful individuals are more conscious of their time than the incoming ones. This is because, out of experience, they have realized how powerful the said tool is. This is why each time you see them, their eyes are on their wrist watch. It’s, therefore, on this note I urge us to invariably bear in mind that time is the conqueror of everything under the sun, hence the need to adore it. At this point, I leave you with the words of Philip Stanhope that says “Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it… And never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” You have all it takes to be in control of your precious time. So, you shouldn’t allow the reverse to be the case. Do not let your time control you, hence you will live your entire life to regret your steps. It only take proper planning to adequately handle or manage the situation. This implies that we must always be mindful of how we plan our schedules. The time has really and obviously come for us to treat our time with absolute seriousness if truly we are determined to arrive at the desired destination as it is being scheduled. Think about it!

PROMOTING TEACHING PROFESSION AMID TEACHERS’ CELEBRATION

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, October 5 annually remained World Teacher's Day. This implies that the 2021 edition of the lofty event was celebrated yesterday, meaning literally that the teachers are still in the mood of celebration. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. This is targeted to highlight the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process as the Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) crisis lingers after one and half years of emergence. In view of the unavoidable impact of teachers on any society, in 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reached a unanimous resolution that October 5 of every year should be observed by all the UN Member States as World Teachers’ Day. The annual World Teachers’ Day, which is aimed at mobilizing support for teachers as well as ensuring that the needs of future generations would continue to be met by teachers, was first commemorated in the year 1994. According to UNESCO, World Teachers’ Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and global development. On its part, Education International (EI), which is the global union federation that represents education professionals worldwide, strongly solicits that World Teachers’ Day ought to be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world. No doubt, every right thinking person eagerly wishes to know what he/she does not or is yet to know. Such attribute can be referred to as man’s quest for knowledge. In the same vein, for anyone to acquire any form of knowledge, he must be taught by someone or something.

In a situation whereby the knowledge recipient is being taught by a non-human such as book, internet, or as the case may be, it is worthy to note that that material or avenue through which he/she acquired the knowledge was invented by someone or a human. In other words, teaching cannot be possible without the effort of a person. Someone who imparts knowledge on other person(s), directly or indirectly, is generally referred to as a teacher. In a concise term, a teacher is someone who teaches others better ways of doing something or a better way of living. He can also be described as someone who helps or contributes meaningfully in the uplift of someone else’s educational status or level. Hence, teaching is simply the act of impacting knowledge. On the other hand, education, in a general sense, is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to another.

Sure, anyone can be identified as a teacher, considering the relationship that exists between the persons involved. It would equally interest us to acknowledge that, there are those or group of persons who embrace teaching as a profession; this set of people could be regarded as institutional teachers. The latter are the people the World Teachers’ Day is targeted to celebrate. The institutional teachers are the ones that are often recognized as ‘teachers’ owing to the fact that they are the only persons that bring out their time, energy, resources, and what have you, to the fullness, to ensure that knowledge is fully and duly obtained by its seekers. Among all, anyone who practises teaching or who takes teaching as a profession, must had passed through a certain professional training in a higher citadel of learning, particularly an education institute. In most nations, it is disheartening to note that this set of people known as teachers, who had contributed immensely and relentlessly to the socio-economic development of the nation, are treated poorly as regards payment of salaries among other incentives.

It is even more pathetic and disgusting to acknowledge that in some quarters, these persons whom are meant to be the leading professionals are regarded as second class, if not third class citizens. If the truth must be told, then we all must agree that it is only an insane man that is yet to comprehend that teachers are the building block of any nation or society. Needless to say; they remain the rudiments or foundation on which any nation is built. As the popular saying goes "No teacher, no nation." So, when realized that same set of individuals are invariably relegated to the background, it becomes a thing of worry to anyone who truly means well for his country, or immediate society. As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the World Teachers’ Day, all relevant stakeholders and authorities are expected to encourage the teaching profession by ensuring that the following conditions are reached by employers of labour:  Good and enticing employment conditions including appropriate contracts, salaries, and prospects for career progression and promotion.  Effective management to include a teacher’s recruitment and deployment.  Conducive and charming work environment as well as high quality pre- and in-service training.

The international community and various governments need to stand firm and united to support teachers as well as quality learning worldwide, especially in those countries where the highest number of out-of-school children exists. In this regard, they are meant to acknowledge that an education system is only as good as its teachers. More so, the various existing teachers’ unions are equally expected to support their respective governments in the area of maintenance of sanity in our schools. By so doing, anomalies to include mediocrity, laxity, apathy, truancy, and other nonchalant attitudes found among most present days’ teachers would be totally eradicated. The above measures, if properly implemented in Nigeria, would enable every teacher in the country to proudly identify him/herself as a ‘teacher’ regardless of the circumstance, which would definitely help to uplift the country’s educational standard. We are, therefore, expected to support this remarkable crusade with utmost passion, especially at this era when the physiognomy of our education sector seems pitiable and epileptic. A teacher needs to be fully rewarded here on earth as he or she strives for excellence. Hence, the usual obnoxious belief that a teacher's reward lies in heaven must be delisted from our collective mindset. Think about it!

FUTO Don Ranks Best Natural Scientist In Nigeria

Professor Emeka E. Oguzie has ranked the Best Natural Scientist within the shores of Nigeria. According to the 2021 edition of the AD Scientific ranking in Nigeria, Professor Emeka Oguzie emerged the overall best on the list of the top twenty researchers across the federation. It's noteworthy that only four natural scientists made it to the list.

Prof. E. E. Oguzie, who is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) on Research Development & Innovation (RDI) in FUTO, obtained his B.Sc, M.Sc and PhD in Analytical & Physical Chemistry from UNN, FUTO and UniCal, respectively. Prof. Oguzie previously served the University as the Dean of School of Environmental Sciences (SOES) between 2017 and 2019. Furthermore, he was appointed as the Director of Africa Centre of Excellence for Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), FUTO; a position he holds till date.

It could be recalled that the don was recently listed by the Stanford University, California among the top two percent of the most cited scientists in the world in various disciplines.