Tech I As Buhari Returns, Nigeria Seeks Technological Move

By Fred Nwaozor



At the moment, every dick and harry domiciled in Nigeria is apparently well informed concerning how critical the current state of the nation is, especially as regards the political circle.
The Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, boldly stipulates that every elected political leader in the country shall reign in his/her office for a period of four years, upon which fresh elections would be conducted by the electoral umpire to usher in another set of elected leaders.
Since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999 with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the first democratically-elected President in the said era, the country is witnessing its fifth interregnum today being May 29, 2019, meaning literally that the ongoing republic has graciously clocked twenty.
The fourth interregnum saw the enthronement of Muhammadu Buhari as the fourth democratically-elected President in this era. Consequently, the 5th power transition, as being witnessed today, shall once again usher in the said political leader as the fifth elected president of the country in the 4th republic.
The above paragraph signifies that this interregnum is witnessing the return of the just concluded administration, which is predicated on a change mantra with its prime intention of ending corruption, insecurity and revamping the overall economy.
Nigeria as a country has really gone a long way, both in politics and life generally. Her contemporary democratic system has equally covered a tremendous distance thus far having transcended to the point of witnessing five different interregnums.
Nigeria truly deserves some tangible accolades having proceeded this far and been able to sustain a system of government that’s much and widely celebrated across the global community. She has indeed done novel in the eyes of the discerning onlookers.
But how prepared and keen are the teeming Nigerians to continue enjoying this democracy? This is a question every concerned mind would like to ask. One may equally ask; is democracy actually enjoyable?
The candid answer to the latter is Yes. Democracy is arguably enjoyable in all ramifications, because its elements are unequalled compared to other systems of government. It has been popularly opined in various climes and schools of thought that the worst democracy is better than the best autocracy, among others.
Aside the key rudimentary features, such as freedom of speech and what have you, that make a democratic pattern very unique, it’s the only system that imbues the people with the power to enthrone and recall any elected officer, as the case may be.
Beside all these beauties, the greatest of all lies in governance. Democracy ably allocates power to the people to decide the type of governance to be instituted in their respective lands. It suffices to assert that institution of good or bad governance mainly depends on the people.
The aforementioned facts indicate that the people possess the power to repulse any despotic government as it pleases them. Several occurrences, both in the past and present, have showcased that the beauty of democracy is unparalleled and unquantifiable.
However, the citizenry cannot smoothly sustain democracy by talking down on their leaders. As much as we perceive unfair or uncalled leadership, it’s as well pertinent to acknowledge that a redress cannot be actualized by tendering destructive criticism or other related reactions.
As Nigeria witnesses yet another interregnum that’s returning President Buhari for a second term in office, every facet – to include the government, the governed and the onlookers – is expected to keenly and painstakingly embrace a rethink in all their doings towards meaningfully contributing their respective quotas in the days ahead.
The best thing that would happen to any leader is to be widely celebrated while in office and having left the arena. It’s worth noting that no leader can receive such manner of encomium from the followers if he fails to lead sincerely and passionately.
Leadership pays only when the leader extract any element of prank from his day-to-day leadership stride. So, if a certain leader truly wants to be loved by the people, he must endeavour to unconditionally carry everyone along in his scheme of work.
On the other hand, followership equally pays only when the follower extract any form of partisanship in his/her daily doings. It takes the candid efforts of both the leaders and the followers to bring the anticipated good governance.
On their part, the onlookers who may not be citizens of the country or society are also expected to remain rational and impartial at all times. As they make effort to contribute their quota, they mustn’t come up with anything targeted to disrupt the existing peace or that would bring disunity among the entire citizens/residents.
As Buhari continues in his leadership of change, I urge him to strictly focus on national issues or matters that would critically help to strengthen national unity. He ought to be able to eject sycophants or bad bloods from his team in its entirety.
Similarly, the president must equip his caucus with good number of eligible technocrats – who must be truly Nigerians – to enable him aptly pilot the craft to the desired destination. He should therefore endeavour to consolidate on his good works during the first dispensation and be willing to jettison the ones reckoned to be bad.
For Nigeria to get and remain better, we all must be ready to tell ourselves nothing but the truth. So, as I candidly congratulate Mr. President for this golden moment, I enjoin His Excellency to take into cognizance that Nigerians are earnestly in need of nothing less than gold.
In view of this, he shouldn’t be reminded that this is the time to face the reality squarely. Reality must, therefore, be faced with all manners of seriousness and attention irrespective of the level of challenges to be encountered in the process.
As Buhari returns, Nigeria seeks technological-based issues, especially matters bordering on manufacturing and communication industries, the agricultural, mining and refinery sectors as well as taxation and the civil service at large.
The tech-driven issues related to these areas must be given a key and urgent attention with a view to intensifying the diversification mantra of the last dispensation.
Yes, a lot has already been put in place to boost the manufacturing wing, but it’s imperative to acknowledge that until the dwindling power sector is aptly addressed, we’ll never arrive at the desired point.
In the same vein, the agric sector has obviously witnessed a good and convincing attention by the Buhari-led administration. Moreover, it’s high time the country fully embraced mechanization of agricultural production and processing, particularly by the commercial farmers. Hence, the government should endeavour to subsidize the required machineries.
It’s equally time we started deploying thorough forensic measure in addressing various ongoing taxation crises. Issues regarding multiple taxation can be duly checked by the concerned authorities via forensic approach. Governments at all levels are expected to follow suit towards boosting their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base.
Technological measure is also needed in the country’s civil service in fighting unending existing syndromes such as ghost-workers, age falsification or in-service rebranding of ages and other related pranks continually played by most Nigerian public servants.
Time has really come for us to get it right as a people, technological wise, hence this second missionary journey of Buhari ought to comprehend what Nigeria actually seeks at this critical moment.
We, especially our leaders, must understand that countries like China and others are fast becoming the world power simply because each of them duly embraced the language of technology. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Policy Analyst, Rights Activist &
Tech Exert writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Analysis I As Nigeria Witnesses Another Interregnum

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



At the moment, every dick and harry domiciled in Nigeria is apparently well informed concerning how critical the current state of the nation is, especially as regards the political circle.
The Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, boldly stipulates that every elected political leader in the country shall reign in his/her office for a period of four years, upon which fresh elections would be conducted by the electoral umpire to usher in another set of elected leaders.
Since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999 with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the first democratically-elected President in the era, the country would be witnessing its fifth interregnum on May 29, 2019, meaning literally that the ongoing republic has graciously clocked twenty.
The fourth interregnum saw the enthronement of Muhammadu Buhari as the fourth democratically-elected President in this era. The 5th power transition is once again ushering in the said political leader as the fifth elected president of the country in the 4th republic.
The above paragraph signifies that this interregnum is witnessing the return of the just concluded administration, which is predicated on a change mantra with its prime intention of ending corruption, insecurity and revamping the overall economy.
Nigeria as a country has really gone a long way, both in politics and life generally. Her contemporary democratic system has equally covered a tremendous distance thus far having transcended to the point of witnessing five different interregnums.
Nigeria truly deserves some tangible accolades having proceeded this far and been able to sustain a system of government that’s much and widely celebrated across the global community. She has indeed done novel in the eyes of the discerning onlookers.
But how prepared and keen are the teeming Nigerians to continue enjoying this democracy? This is a question every concerned mind would like to ask. One may equally ask; is democracy actually enjoyable?
The candid answer to the latter is Yes. Democracy is arguably enjoyable in all ramifications, because its elements are unequalled compared to other systems of government. It has been popularly opined in various climes that the worst democracy is better than the best autocracy among others.
Aside the key rudimentary features, such as freedom of speech and what have you, that make a democratic pattern very unique, it’s the only system that imbues the people with the power to enthrone and recall any elected officer, as the case may be.
Beside all these beauties, the greatest of all lies in governance. Democracy ably allocates power to the people to decide the type of governance to be instituted in their respective lands. Hence, institution of good or bad governance mainly depends on the people.
The aforementioned facts indicate that the people possess the power to repulse any despotic government as it pleases them. Several occurrences, both in the past and present, have showcased that the beauty of democracy is unparalleled and unquantifiable.
However, the citizenry cannot smoothly sustain democracy by talking down on their leaders. As much as we perceive unfair or uncalled leadership, it’s as well pertinent to acknowledge that a redress cannot be actualized by tendering destructive criticism or other related reactions.
As Nigeria witnesses yet another interregnum that’s returning President Buhari for a second term in office, every facet – to include the government, the governed and the onlookers – is expected to keenly and painstakingly embrace a rethink in all their doings towards meaningfully contributing their respective quotas in the days ahead.
The best thing that would happen to any leader is to be widely celebrated while in office and having left the arena. It’s worth noting that no leader can receive such manner of encomium from the followers if he fails to lead sincerely and passionately.
Leadership pays only when the leader extract any element of prank from his day-to-day leadership stride. So, if a certain leader truly wants to be loved by the people, he must endeavour to unconditionally carry everyone along in his scheme of work.
On the other hand, followership equally pays only when the follower extract any form of partisanship in his/her daily doings. It takes the candid efforts of both the leaders and the followers to bring the anticipated good governance.
On their part, the onlookers who may not be citizens of the country or society are also expected to remain rational and impartial at all times. As they make effort to contribute their quota, they mustn’t come up with anything targeted to disrupt the existing peace or that would bring disunity among the entire citizens/residents.
As Buhari continues in his leadership of change, I urge him to strictly focus on national issues or matters that would critically help to strengthen national unity. He ought to be able to eject sycophants or bad bloods from his team in its entirety.
Similarly, the president must equip his caucus with good number of eligible technocrats – who must be truly Nigerians – to enable him aptly pilot the craft to the desired destination. He should therefore endeavour to consolidate on his good works during the first dispensation and be willing to jettison the ones reckoned to be bad.
For Nigeria to get and remain better, we all must be ready to tell ourselves nothing but the truth. So, as I candidly congratulate Mr. President for this golden moment, I enjoin His Excellency to take into cognizance that Nigerians are earnestly in need of nothing less than gold.
In view of this, he shouldn’t be reminded that this is the time to face the reality squarely. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Tech I Impact Of Telecommunication On Nigerian Society

By Fred Nwaozor



May 17 each year, the global community commemorates the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). This implies that the 2019 edition of the remarkable event was celebrated penultimate week.
In November 2006, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) during its plenipotentiary conference held in Antalya, Turkey resolved to celebrate both the World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day collectively on a day instead of celebrating them separately or individually as they were initially commemorated.
In respect of the above resolution, the organization called on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to declare May 17 of every year as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The day was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the ITU.
The annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is aimed at raising awareness on the possibilities that the use of the Internet/cyberspace and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can yield powerful societies and economies, and also help to bridge the digital divide.
Telecommunication can be defined as the science and activity of sending signals and messages over a long distance by the use of electronic or electrical equipment such as radio, television, telegraph, telephone, computer, cable, and satellite. The term is often used in its plural form – telecommunications, because it involves many different technologies.
Telecommunication – otherwise known as telecom – occurs when the exchange of information between two entities or individuals includes the use of technology. Communication technology uses channels to transmit information as electrical signals, either over a physical medium such as signal cables, or in the form of electromagnetic waves.
It’s worthy of note that ancient means of communicating over a distance included visual signals namely, beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags and optical heliographs.
A revolution in wireless communication began in the first decade of the 20th century with the pioneering developments in radio communications by Guglielmo Marconi who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909.
Other highly notable pioneering inventors and developers in the field of electrical and electronic telecommunications include Charles Wheatstone, Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, Edwin Armstrong, Lee de Forest, John Logie Baird and Philo Farnsworth.
Telecommunication, which is one of the major factors that constitute an information society, has obviously contributed immensely towards nation-building. Indeed, the impact of telecommunications on the social, economic and political development of any country in existence cannot be overemphasized.
Telecommunication has helped vastly in so many areas of human endeavour including information dissemination, easy access to news reportage, education, politics, creation of awareness, advertisement, entertainment, as well as job creation and career cum entrepreneurship development.
The availability of telecommunication has enabled people the world over irrespective of age or status to easily access information even in their bedroom. The stated fact is obvious and indisputable.
The recent introduction of the social media, which can be assess via Smartphones and other related gadgets, has succeeded in boosting several personal cum business activities which were formally done on a low pace with the use of the old telecommunication systems such as television and radio, et cetera.
The provision of the visual satellite dishes has also assisted people from all walks of life to greatly appreciate the use of the television, either domestically or industrially, as a result of its ability to simultaneously assess every facet of the globe at all times.
To say the least, the transmission or dissemination of visual signals with the aid of the television alongside newspapers has helped profoundly in marketing of goods and services. This has been enthused by many schools of thought.
The impact of telecommunication on education has become so enormous that it cannot be expressed on a mere sheet of paper. Of course, the functionality of the various distant learning programmes situated all over, which are increasing on a daily basis, wouldn’t have been possible without the telecommunication system such as the internet.
More so, the series of educative programmes, soap operas, and what have you, being televised by the various television stations across the country and beyond can equally be included as one of the avenues that have encouraged distant learning.
As regards politics, the telecom has recently proven to the citizenry that they can as well observe any electoral activity such as voting and counting of election results from their respective homes without stepping out of their respective premises.
The 2014 Presidential primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the 2015 general elections, which was observed by every concerned Nigerian both home and abroad, was a good example of the said practice. Such a step has helped to improve transparency during elections, thereby avoiding occurrence of various possible electoral malpractices and crises.
On a similar note, the inevitable and essential role of the telecommunication was equally felt in the just concluded general elections across the federation. During each of the events, concerned Nigerians were able to painstakingly observe at the comfort of their homes or wherever.
It’s not anymore news that millions of the citizens are currently employed by several telecom companies operating in the country. Statistics show that over twenty percent (20%) of Nigerians are presently engaged with various telecom firms.
It suffices to assert that the telecom industry is, at the moment, one of the major employers of labour in the Nigerian society, likewise other countries across the globe. The facts are conspicuous and verifiable.
Though telecommunication technologies play a very vital role in the information society and socio-economic development of any nation, it’s noteworthy that there are several anomalies needed to be addressed in the sector.
A situation whereby uncensored films, pictures, music or what have you are disseminated either via the television or the social media is totally unwholesome to the state of any nation, thus ought to be looked into severely by the apt authorities in the Nigerian society such as the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The legislative bodies are equally not left out in putting up formidable laws that would tactically assist in checking the aforementioned societal menace. The implementation of such proposed bills, if eventually passed into law, should severely be handled by the executive arm.
As the world commemorate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the governments at all levels in collaboration with the various concerned agencies ought to prepare a stiff measure that would address the various ongoing questionable acts taking place in the said sector including propaganda, fraud, and all forms of immorality. This, no doubt, would go a long way towards sustaining sanity in the system.
On the other hand, this is also a moment to remind all the broadcasting stations within the shores of the country coupled with the NCC and Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) that the proposed switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting, in line with the ITU earlier directive, ought to be treated as sacrosanct hence shouldn’t be lingered any longer. In view of this, the awaited practice ought to be seen as long overdue.
For Nigeria as a country to truly grow in the area of telecommunication and allied matters, all relevant bodies must be up and doing as well as strictly stick to the rules as they variously carry out their statutory obligations.
Telecommunication has undoubtedly assisted tremendously in boosting business prospect and awareness mechanism of every existing locality or entity, but it’s worth noting that a sound and healthy informed society can only be achieved if its telecommunication system is duly regulated by the apt stakeholders.
Aside regulation, the persons and corporate bodies making use of the telecom shouldn’t be told or reminded that whatever that’s worth doing is worth doing well. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Policy Analyst, Rights Activist &
Tech Expert, writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com