TechDeck I On Lagos' New Building Tech

ON LAGOS’ NEW BUILDING TECH

         

The Lagos State government under the watch of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently introduced a new building technology towards addressing various ongoing anomalies in the state’s housing sector as well as erecting a structure fast and easily.

         

It’s noteworthy that the emergence of the technique was as a result of the colossal housing deficit recorded thus far in the state. Survey indicates that over two million losses had been recorded across the length and breadth of the Nigeria’s biggest city.

         

It’s not anymore news that building collapse alongside allied matters has in recent times been a plight for public discourse within the shores of the Nigerian building industry at large. It suffices to assert that the decadence is ubiquitous.

         

However, it seems that of Lagos is on the rampage compared to other states, perhaps owing to the fact that the territory consists of highest number of erected structures coupled with the deplorable atmospheric condition faced by its residents.

          

In his speech to newsmen, the State’s Commissioner for Housing – Mr. Gbolahan Lawal – disclosed that the new technology was already being used in its ongoing housing estate at Idale in Badagry and would further be deployed in the site situated at Imota in Ikorodu, in a bid to achieving the government’s motive of delivering 2,000 houses across the cosmopolitan city.

         

Mr. Lawal, who equally disclosed that the technique ensures construction of bungalow within 48 hours, stated therein “We want to see how to go into the manufacturing of houses. We make it seamless and produce about 100 units in a month. We have three companies; one is already at site.”

         

He went ahead to opine that investment in the housing sector usually have a multiplier effect on the economy as he informed that various gadgets and accessories such as tiles, electronics, water cum electricity meters, mattresses, TV subscription, in addition to menial jobs for artisans, are tied to construction of houses.

         

I’m glad that Lagos as an over-populated state could eventually arrive at a point where erection of formidable structures is considered as priority and could be done with ease by the builders.

          

It has overtime been insinuated in some quarters that the Nigerian polity was yet to embrace building technology to the fullness considering the level of quackery and mediocrity invariably witnessed in the sector. But it appears the Lagos government is about to disabuse some persons of the notion that Nigeria lacks the apt resources to get it right.

         

Nevertheless, before we celebrate in haste, it would be pertinent for the government to critically consider some factors with a view to ensuring that the newly discovered technique doesn’t fade away in no distant time and is fully domesticated in the state.

         

We aren’t unaware that the firms contracted to handle the job are mainly foreign, hence the need for every discerning mind to worry about the future of the initiative. Though the housing commissioner had disclosed that some indigenous workers are being trained in the technique and process of construction, I’m of the strong view that there’s need to institutionalize it.

         

Institutionalizing the said application would enable our teeming professionals, and the prospective ones, to passionately key into the process. Consequently, our indigenous designers and builders would be in charge of the initiative thereby helping to greatly boost the economy. So, Lagos can take a lead in this aspect.

          

Similarly, there’s a compelling need to establish a strict policy to guide the housing sector in the state. Mr. Lawal had notified the public that a new housing policy aimed at tackling the state’s housing deficit had been drafted. Such a policy, which ought to be implemented as soon as possible, must bear every clause needed to address all forms of lapse currently observed in the state’s building sector.

          

The policy, expected to be designed with the aid of well-experienced and reliable town planners, needs to enshrine reasonable penalty for anyone guilty of violating the development control laws. It’s in record that Lagos was the first state to create a full-fledged Housing Ministry in 1999 because of the priority it accorded shelter, hence such prioritization must be fully upheld by the awaited policy.

         

It’s also time we started recognizing the use of materials like wood, clay and bamboo in the construction of standard structures, either residential or commercial. We have been notified that the Lagos Housing Ministry had in years back experimented on the use of the aforementioned items but the availability and speed of delivery was the reason it dropped the proposed initiative.

         

It’s amusing for one to assert that the required wood for building construction is unavailable, or can’t be found in abundance, in the country. All we need to do is to raise the profile of timber-based architecture toward promoting the demand. Everything centres on adequate recognition of the technique in question and the onward quest to deploy its lofty use.  

         

In addition, we must begin to promote afforestation by assigning grievous punishment to unapproved deforestation via viable policies. By so doing, the needed woods would become more accessible and cheap than concrete and bricks, thus constructing with the former would be done swiftly.

         

As we congratulate Gov. Ambode for recording this feat, he and his team must equally be urged to think deeply towards making advanced building technologies stand the test of time in the state, so that, other states can borrow a leaf from them. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

______________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador                  

           

Analysis I Criticism And Nation Building

CRITICISM AND NATION BUILDING

         

By Fred Nwaozor

 

Criticism can be defined as the expression of disapproval of someone or something. In the same vein, a critic of a person, policy or system disapproves of them and expresses such view publicly.

         

One who writes reviews and expresses opinions about books, films, music or any art work having considered it carefully can equally be referred to as a critic. Hence, it’s all about expressing a contrary view about something or someone in strong terms.

          

The last time I checked, criticism remained a matter of flushing out certain thoughts, policies and/or attitudes, or trying to change them. It is to show that things are not as self-evident as one believes.

          

Thus, criticism ensures that what is accepted as self-evident will no longer be accepted as such. It suffices to say that observance criticism in any society is a matter of making facile gestures or remarks difficult.

           

Criticisms are veritable recipes in any area of human endeavour. For instance; in steward-client relationship, if the latter has a criticism to tender, it means he or she wants to give feedback on the services being rendered to him/her, thereby creating an opportunity for the former to learn more about the person he is working for and how to convert them into a satisfied client member. Same measure is applicable in a trader-customer relationship.

           

Similarly, in business venture, working or partnering with someone who is patient and able to receive as well as act on criticism signifies that both parties involved can work towards a better or greater outcome. Furthermore, in movie production, criticism enables the producer to know what his audience actually wants.

          

If one always thinks he is right but doesn’t get feedback from anyone else, he wouldn’t know if he is really doing well. Whether you are selling, servicing, performing, or leading, listening and acting on those honest views or reactions will tell you precisely what is good and what could be done better. Perhaps, you can use the information to change your performance, exhibition or product, as the case may be.

          

In public service, criticism has the tendency of guiding the public servants away from bad practices, and towards good and acceptable ones. It would enable the said workers to take a step back or have a rethink with a view to making amends or adjustment where need be.

         

The socio-political arena is not left out while discussing the inevitable role of criticism in nation-building. Undoubtedly, a little constructive criticism from the members of the public such as the civil society groups, the electorate, the religious organizations, or what have you, channelled towards the political office holders can yield the anticipated change in the country or society in question.

         

Considering the positive impact of constructive criticism, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is indeed a welcome gesture or required factor toward the socio-economic development of any nation; hence, ought to be sustained. To this end, there is need for us to acknowledge that the language we use in response to criticism is vitally important.

           

Whenever criticism is tendered by any concerned individual or group, the recipient is expected to try at all cost to avoid getting into an argument. Instead, they should turn the exchange into a discussion on how to resolve the predicament. Such approach would keep the door open for the required change.

           

Also, criticisms are not meant to be taken personally. Even if one feels he or she is being criticized unfairly, he shouldn’t retaliate with an extreme knee-jerk reaction. Such response will worsen the situation and can even harm the person’s reputation as well. Therefore, it is essential to always remember to not be offended by someone’s remarks even if you think it is a personal attack.

          

On the other hand; having noted the enormous significance of constructive criticism in nation-building, there is also a compelling need for the critics to be mindful at all times when tendering their criticisms. They ought to know when to tender the criticism and how it ought to be presented.

           

It’s worthy of note that some critics lack the orientation on when and how to present their criticism. This set of persons invariably tender their contrary opinions as a form of antagonism thereby making the supposed recipient misunderstand the gesture.

           

More so, critics are meant to comprehend that criticism is expected to be accompanied by the presumed remedy to the anomaly that is being criticized. Most so called critics usually end up raising a cloud of dust in the name of criticism.

           

Unequivocally, a criticism that is not tendered with a presumed solution to the problem being criticized is simply a mere noise that is intended to cause a pandemonium or controversy rather than addressing the situation at hand.

         

In view of these assertions, everyone at all levels including political leaders, followers, craftsmen, traders, businessmen, teachers and public servants, as might be the case, is expected to take criticism seriously regardless of the circumstance in order not to abuse the remarkable tool.

        

Criticism is arguably a veritable device but is required to be deployed reasonably and selflessly. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst & rights activist, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

DeckTeck I Periodic Table And The New Elements

PERIODIC TABLE AND THE NEW ELEMENTS

           

By Fred Nwaozor

For those who are science-inclined, particularly chemists as well as Chemistry-oriented students and researchers, four new chemical elements were officially and permanently added to the Periodic Table of elements on 30^th November 2016, thereby creating a new face in the world of physical sciences and technology in general.

          

The Periodic Table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements in columns and rows in accordance with their atomic numbers – number of protons, electron configurations as well as recurring chemical properties.

          

The order of arrangement signifies periodic trends. The vertical columns are known as ‘groups’ whereas the horizontal rows are called ‘periods’. Within each row (period), the elements are metals on the left and non-metals on the right.

           

Earlier in January 2016, it was announced that four new elements had been discovered, subject to earn a permanent spot on the periodic table with elements 113, 115, 117, and 118 rounding out the seventh row. At the time, they all had temporary names and symbols. But at the moment, they enjoy new and permanent names namely, Nihonium, Moscovium, Tennessine, and Oganesson.

          

Teams of researchers from the United States (US), Russia, and Japan have been credited with the discovery of these new elements, thus were given the naming rights – which come with some basic criteria.

          

As stipulated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the body responsible for confirming the discovery of new elements, any new element must be named after any of the following: a mythological concept or character, including an astronomical object; a mineral or similar substance; a place or geographical region; a property of the element in question; or, a scientist.

          

The scientists first synthesized the new elements between 2002 and 2010, but it wasn’t until December 2015 that the IUPAC officially recognized the discoveries. Then in June of 2016, the scientists who discovered the super-heavy, highly reactive elements sent IUPAC their suggested names for the elements, based on the aforementioned guideline.

           

After a five-month waiting period when members of the public could ask questions about the new elements or tender contrary view if necessary, as the tradition requested, which expired on 8^th November 2016, the foursome were unanimously approved by IUPAC, formally filling their boxes in Chemistry’s most fundamental table – the Periodic Table.

           

Nihonium of atomic number 113 is with symbol Nh, Moscovium of 115 has symbol Mc, Tennessine of 117 goes with symbol Ts, whilst Oganesson of 118 has symbol Og. Nihonium was derived from ‘Nippon’, a Japanese word meaning literally Japan.

           

Moscovium honours the Russian capital city, Moscow.  Tennessine is named after the state of Tennessee, USA known for its pioneering research in Chemistry. According to IUPAC, Tennessine is in recognition of the contribution of the Tennessee region to super-heavy elements’ research.

           

This marks the second US state to be honoured on the periodic table, following California – referenced by Californium (element 98), which was discovered in the 1950s. Similarly, Hassium (element 108) was named after the German state of Hesse.

           

Oganesson is named after the 83-year-old Russian physicist, Yuri Oganessian. History has it that this is barely the second time a new element would be named after a living scientist. The first time such occasion occurred – when in 1993 a team at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory proposed naming element 106 (Seaborgium) after the US nuclear-Chemistry pioneer, Glenn Seaborg – it led to huge controversy.

           

At the time, an IUPAC committee rejected the proposal after passing a resolution that elements were not to be named for living scientists, but the name was later allowed after further critical deliberations.

            

One may wonder why these four elements took so long to make it on the periodic table. Unlike the classics, such as Gold, Iron, and Aluminium, these new elements are not found in nature. They are synthetic elements that can only be created in the lab, and they decay so fast after synthesis. For years, the teams behind their discovery didn’t have an opportunity to get a proper look before they morphed into something else entirely.

           

Kosuke Morita from Japan, one of the scientists that discovered Nihonium, said “For over seven years, we continued to search for data conclusively identifying element 113 but we just never saw another event. However, I was not prepared to give up as I believed that one day, if we persevered, luck would fall upon us again.” Hence, the persistence eventually yielded an absolute success.

           

It’s worth noting that the heaviest element in nature remains Uranium, which has 92 protons. But heavier elements that have more protons in their nucleus can be created via nuclear fusion. The way elements are made nowadays is by shooting a beam of an existing element at another element, and then seeing what happens when they collide.

            

It’s interesting to acknowledge that the Japanese team is now focused on inventing element 119 and beyond. So hopefully, soonest, a dragonian element might be invented.

           

Based on the new incredible development, it’s needless to reiterate that it is high time researchers, teachers and students changed their Chemistry-related text books and research materials. It suffices to say that the country’s schools’ curriculum in regard to Chemistry and other related subjects must be reviewed towards effecting the aforementioned change.

           

Above all, it has become compelling for the government to endeavour to encourage the research works of our various institutions to enable them put the country’s name on the world map as regards scientific discovery. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, policy analyst & rights 

activist, is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

______________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com 

Twitter: @mediambassador