Business Post Nigeria

Category: Feature/OPED

  • Delta State Proposed Budget 2024 and Critical Concerns

    Delta State Proposed Budget 2024 and Critical Concerns

    By Jerome-Mario Utomi

    It is common knowledge that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, recently, presented a N714.4 billion Appropriation Bill tagged ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ for the 2024 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

    What is, however, uncertain to Deltans and the watching world is whose interest the bill, if passed, is meant to serve or protect. There is also the concern as to whether it will herald into the political geography called Delta state, a just or an unjust law.

    As we are now, a just law is ‘a man-made code that squares with moral laws or the laws and uplifts human personalities, while an unjust law on the other hand is a code that is out of harmony with moral laws.’

    Going by media reports, the proposed budget as presented among other provisions is made up of recurrent expenditure of N316.6 billion representing 44 per cent and capital expenditure of N397.9 billion which represents 56 per cent of the total budget.

    For a better understanding of the piece, it is important at this stage to highlight briefly the meaning of Capital and recurrent expenditures.

    From what financial analysts and investors are saying, capital expenditure (“CapEx” for short) is the payment with either cash or credit to purchase long-term physical or fixed assets used in a business’s operations. The expenditures are capitalized and considered an investment in expanding business. Simply put, capital expenditure or capital expense is the money an entity spends to buy, maintain, or improve its fixed assets, such as buildings, vehicles, equipment, or land among others.

    Recurrent expenditure on its part consists of regular expenses that go into the running of an entity (organization, state or County). These include salaries and allowances paid to employees; operational costs such as travelling and accommodation, telephone, electricity and water bills as well as funding for costs incurred to cover compulsory obligations such as bank charges, interest on official debt, remuneration costs and other services. It tracks ongoing revenues and expenses that occur regularly, be they monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually. It is also known as the operational budget.

    From the above explanation, one need not be an economist before internalizing the fact that the proposed budget is a manmade bill and therefore, could be likened to an edifice which can never be perfect but must require systematic structural advancement in line with human changing circumstances and the state’s socio-economic and political priorities, demands and developments.

    Beginning with the positive provisions of the proposed budget, aside from its substantial compliance with the global notion which insists that for a society, state or nation to develop, its leadership must cede greater attention to capital expenditures than recurrent outflows, the state government’s decision to allocate recurrent expenditure of N316.6 billion representing 44 per cent and capital expenditure of N397.9 billion which represents 56 per cent of the total budget, amply portrays the proposed budget as a ‘basket of development expenditures’ which, all things being equal, will engineer pivotal role in the growth of the state.

    Without going into concepts, terms and definitions, the budget as proposed in the opinion of this piece, highlighted the cost to be incurred by the state to create assets that will provide long-term public goods.

    Supporting the above assertion is the declaration by the state Governor, during the budget presentation that the ‘state will embark on the construction of more critical road infrastructure in the 2024 fiscal year with the sum of N150 billion on road infrastructure for the Ministry of Works’.

    For me, the above decision by the Governor and his government cannot be faulted or described as misguided priority is that infrastructure enables development and also provides the services that underpin the ability of people to be economically productive.

    Viewed broadly, “good road infrastructure has a huge role in connecting populations to where the work is,” Infrastructure investments help stem economic losses arising from problems such as power outages or traffic congestion. The World Bank estimates that in Sub-Saharan Africa,   closing the infrastructure quantity and quality gap relative to the world’s best performers could raise GDP growth per head by 2.6% per year.

    Another exciting provision by the state’s proposed budget that will significantly assist in restoring the health and vitality of Deltans is allocations to other critical sectors. For example; the Health sector will gulp N18.65 billion; Agriculture, N7 billion and Urban Renewal, N7.5 billion among others.

    Undoubtedly, the Governor’s resolve to advance urban-rural integration remains commendable. Also exemplary and impressive was his disclosure that the state earmarked N150 billion as personnel expenditure in anticipation of a federal government increase in salary in 2024 so that Delta can take the lead in making necessary salary adjustments.

    However, on the other side of the ledger, this piece thinks that it will be safe to say that Deltans would be genuinely concerned about the budgetary allocation of N46.55 billion to the state’s education sector. Also troubling is the ceding of a paltry N1.7 billion to Youth Development, another essential sector by the state’s 2024 budget.

    Separate from being meagre and coming at a time when the global leaders are standing up in support of UNESCO’s budgetary recommendation on education which calls on member states to fund their education sectors with 4 to 6% of GDP or 15 to 20% of public expenditure, allocation of N46.55 billion to an all-important sector like education, is in my view, a enough prove that the state is now faced with clear and present danger with potential to threaten the future manpower need/provision of the state.

    We should equally be concerned, and ask ourselves how we got to this point of relegating to the background; of education and youth development, two key sectors that will shape the future of the state. Is the state unaware that these youths captured in these financially starved sectors will provide the manpower and future leadership needs of the state?

    It will be highly rewarding and considered very logical, rational, practical, and beneficial to the real development of the state if the State House Assembly reverse this dangerous trend and give education and youth development their pride of place.

    Just in case the state leadership is unaware, it is factually supported that there exists in the state shocking phenomenon of declining standards of physical infrastructures and the near-total collapse of basic facilities that ought to be functional in the government tertiary institution, secondary and primary schools in the state. How will the state tackle such a dangerous reality with the paltry budgetary allocation to the education sector?

    Again, whereas there are a large number of youths in the state that are knowledge/education hungry and daily project vividly and openly their potential skills and talent that need to be nurtured in a conducive environment, tragically unique is the awareness that most of the students, particularly in the coastal part of the state are in school where ‘non-learning’ exists due to poor learning infrastructures and abysmal shortage of qualified teachers.

    One point the state government must not fail to remember is that any developmental plan in the state without youth education delivered in a well-structured learning environment and fair fees will amount to a waste of time and effort.

    To catalyze the process, the State Assembly review the education sector allocation in line with the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which Nigeria is a signatory, and among other provisions must recognize the right to education as a human right. This is necessary for enthroning sustainable development in the state, particularly as education is the bedrock of all developments.

    Most importantly, the truth must be told to the effect that the present administration is bound to face confusion in their minds if the House allows the allocation to stand or do nothing to change the narrative.

    Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy) for Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He can be reached via je*********@***oo.com/08032725374

  • Why NDDC Board Should Sustain the Hopeful Signs

    Why NDDC Board Should Sustain the Hopeful Signs

    By Jerome-Mario Utomi

    There exists a time-honoured notion among management experts that for every given task, there is always a strategy to achieve the desired results. In planning, you may have more than one strategy which could be labelled as ‘Plan-A’ and ‘Plan-B’ or even more.

    Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the newly constituted Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, recently demonstrated the understanding that NDDC as an interventionist agency is not left out in clarion formulation of strategies needed for getting hold of stakeholders and converting their support to a springboard for the right vision that will set the tone for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

    Part of this identified hopeful sign was exemplified in his recent declaration during a facility tour of the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, that the new board and executive management will take basic steps that would inform the rollout of new strategies to drive the development process in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

    That is not the only evidence.

    A peep into his acceptance speech during the board’s inauguration also reveals a new leadership that is not only interested in changing the narrative of the region but laced with a burning desire to unleash objectives that inspire new order within the Niger Delta space.

    Although public leadership is a very difficult responsibility, however, this piece believed and still believes that the people of the Niger Delta region will no doubt enjoy the well-pledged commitment of the new leadership and its right vision.

    Supporting the above assertion is Ebie’s promise that the Board will look back at the vision and history of NDDC’s 23-year existential journey, aligning it with current realities and the objectives of the current administration as such approach will illuminate the yearning needs of the people of the Niger Delta, identify the commission’s challenges, and proffer Workable solutions.

    There is yet, another hopeful sign.

    Aside from promising that the new board will adopt effective communication with key stakeholders as paramount in the discharge of its duties as this will foster trust, restore transparency and promote accountability; all of which are of great importance to the people of the region and Nigeria in general, also alluring to all was his promise that the board will honour and collaborate with critical stakeholders in the region,  execute legacy projects based on detailed needs assessment,  seek strategic collaborations and partnerships with opinion leaders, community leaders, professionals and development partners to leverage constructive and attainable outlooks.

    For me, the question that is as important as the piece itself are; why must Niger Deltans and Nigerians as a whole applaud this new leadership vision and hopeful expectations in the Niger Delta region?  Is the promised change of narrative in the region by the new board not too early to celebrate?

    First and very fundamental, those who have followed the protracted public leadership provision in the region will agree without a doubt that the inability of these past leaders to conceptualize their objectives set the stage for the region’s backward and degraded environment. This was further exacerbated by crude oil exploration, exploitation and production without disciplined compliance with international best practices, thereby turning into a region where the communal right to a clean environment and access to clean water supplies is violated.

    Secondly, the region as it presently postures symbolizes a location where previous governments employed a non-participatory approach to development, an approach that stripped the people of the Niger Delta sense of ownership over their issues, where the government and other Nigerians failed to see the problem of the region as a national one and not restricted to the region.

    Thirdly and very key, it is a zone where fierce war has been raging between ethnic and social forces in Nigeria over the ownership and control of oil resources. And as a direct result, a long dark shadow has been cast on efforts to improve the well-being and economic development of the region’s peoples and communities.

    While Ebie’s new resolve and verbal declarations are celebrated, this piece insists that as a nation, we are faced with the choice of nation-building in a much larger context and this particular recognition wholly explains why the board must take these declarations beyond words and have same sustainably translated to action.

    For a very long time, the people of the region received from successive administrations in the country responses that seemed substantive but were not, and today, they are beginning to feel as if they were being manipulated.

    At different times and places, they listened with real curiosity to comments by public officials promising to solve the problem of the region. But up till now, the challenges are still alive and active in the region and the politics that kept it going have flourished unabated.

    Out of so many such examples of failed/abandoned promises, those of the immediate past administration stand out. Nigeria’s former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in 2021, at a function in Lagos, told the gathering that the former President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was determined to ensure the completion of all the critical projects it embarked upon in the region. He specifically stated that FG will address present energy demands and empower the Niger Delta people through promoting local content.

    He noted that the Federal Government will in no distant time complete three Modular Refineries in the region. These refineries according to him include the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, NDPR, Modular Refinery in Rivers State; OPAC Modular Refinery in Delta State and Walter Smith Modular Refinery in Imo State.

    On that day, at that time and in that place, the former Vice President also said that the remediation exercise in Ogoni land, under the recommendations of UNEP, shall be completed in no distant time. He specifically underlined that the clean-up commenced in January 2019, and a total of about 57 sites have so far been handed over to contractors by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) under the Federal Ministry of Environment, noting that the Ogoni clean-up will be the first of its kind in the history of the Niger Delta to be handled by the Federal Government for remediation activities within the region.

    He said the Federal Government was also developing several deep-sea ports across the region, including the Bonny, Warri and Ibom Deep Sea ports, among other development projects such as the establishment of Export Processing Zones to boost economic activities.

    Today, while this piece may not have the capacity to judge the outgone Federal government offered the people of the region forlorn hopes, signals coming out from Ogoni land show that the area is still heavily burdened with environmental injustice and those who believed the former Vice President has finally realized that nothing has changed.

    The same ugly fate was visited on the promised deep sea ports across the region. The Bonny, Warri and Ibom Deep Sea ports, among other development projects, have remained in limbo while the government that made the promise is now rested. The people of the region are still waiting like doves for the promised establishment of Export Processing Zones to boost economic activities.

    The new NDDC board must do all within its power to avoid the ‘culture’ of promise and failure as witnessed in the past by the people of the region.

    Finally, even though it will be highly celebrated by all of the board in the open gives a clear definition of the region’s problems, the goals to be achieved, or the means chosen to address the problems and to achieve the goals for the people to see, this piece on its part holds the opinion that it will be safer for the board to imbibe the culture of silence, keep their programmes close to their heart and allow the people to speculate than trying to entice the people with proposed projects and programmes and through the process falls into the trap of ‘promise and fail’ which characterized previous efforts in the region.

    Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator for Media and Public Policy at the Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). He can be reached via Je*********@***oo.com or 09032725374

  • Coker-Odusote: 100 Days at the Helm of NIMC

    Coker-Odusote: 100 Days at the Helm of NIMC

    By Walter Duru, Ph.D

    It was Albert Einstein who once said that “setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” That sentiment expressed by Einstein is the primary essence behind the theory of transformational leadership, which requires passion, charisma, and the ability to motivate others. Transformational leaders are usually very authentic, emotionally intelligent, great listeners, results-focused, visionary, and self-aware.

    In just 100 days at the helm of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has ushered in a new era of transformational leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the organization. Her eventual confirmation as substantive Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission did not come to many as a surprise.

    She did not waste time to hit the ground running and showed commitment to advancing the NIMC’s mission and mandate.

    Coker-Odusote has taken steps to streamline National Identity Number (NIN) registration processes while addressing the long-standing challenges associated with identity registration in Nigeria. This, she is handling through strategic restructuring and the integration of advanced technologies to significantly reduce waiting time and enhance the overall efficiency of the system.

    Today, date of birth and other kinds of modifications at NIMC happen within 48 hours. The several years backlog of date of birth modifications she inherited are almost cleared, as she had given a one-month deadline for the same to relevant staff of the Commission.

    Again, responses to issues and complaints, such as those whose National Identity Numbers did not hit the NIN Verification Portal are now resolved within 24 hours.

    Recognizing the paramount importance of data security in the digital age, the NIMC CEO has taken steps to enhance data security by introducing robust measures to fortify the protection of citizens’ sensitive information. This includes, but is not limited to the adoption of cutting-edge encryption technologies and the establishment of a dedicated cybersecurity team.

    Her interest in improving service delivery at NIMC cannot be overemphasized. She has concluded plans to ensure regular training and retraining for staff of the Commission, emphasizing customer-centric approaches, to ensure a more positive experience for citizens seeking identity services.

    On partnerships, Coker-Odusote, leveraging her extensive network and expertise, has forged strategic partnerships with governmental agencies, private organizations, and international bodies. These collaborations aim to enhance the NIMC’s capacity, foster innovation, and promote information sharing for the betterment of identity management.

    Understanding the pivotal role of technology in modernizing identity management, Engr. Coker-Odusote has spearheaded the integration of biometric advancements and artificial intelligence into the registration and verification processes.

    This not only improves accuracy, user experience and ease of enrolment, but also positions NIMC at the forefront of technological innovation in identity management. A typical example is the NIMC Contactless Biometric Solution, which delivers a best-in-class fingerprint and facial capture image output quality, powered by Artificial Intelligence. The new solution was unveiled by the commission at the 2023 Identity Day, held in Abuja on September 16, 2023.

    In addition, Engr. Coker-Odusote tackled the existing backlog of unprocessed identity requests head-on. Through a combination of strategic staff deployment and redeployment, process optimization, and digitization initiatives, she has made significant strides in clearing the backlog, demonstrating her commitment to prompt and efficient service delivery.

    Recognizing the crucial role played by the NIMC staff in achieving organizational goals, the CEO has developed for implementation, a robust welfare programme aimed at boosting morale and fostering a positive work environment. This includes, but is not limited to training opportunities, health benefits, and performance recognition initiatives.

    Furthermore, in consultation with in-house experts, elaborate public awareness campaigns are being planned, to ensure that citizens are well-informed about the importance and benefits of identity registration. These campaigns are expected to not only educate the public but also serve to demystify the registration process, encouraging greater participation.

    The NIMC DG has concluded plans to take the ecosystem enrolment forward by taking steps to deepen collaboration with ecosystem implementing partners, supporting to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, a Nigerian Project jointly funded by The World Bank, The European Investment Bank, and the French Development Agency.

    Engr. Coker-Odusote’s strategic vision, commitment to efficiency, and emphasis on technological innovation positions NIMC for a future where identity management is not only secure but also seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of citizens.

    On anti-corruption, the NIMC DG has left no one in doubt about her determination to sanitize the system and entrench a culture of transparency and zero tolerance for corruption. Apart from putting systems and structures in place to discourage graft, she is directly involved in ensuring that the cankerworm has no place in the commission.

    Just recently, in what one may describe as a sting operation, she paid an unscheduled visit to the Federal Capital Territory office of the commission, where she is reported to have arrested some staff for allegedly extorting money from Nigerians, even as she has maintained that enrolment was free.

    Her devotion to supporting the policy direction of the present administration by strengthening the issuance of the NIN for access to service is not in doubt.

    Speaking on Coker-Odusote’s first 100 days in office as NIMC CEO, and Project Coordinator, Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Musa Odole Solomon described her as a vibrant, results-focused leader, determined to make a difference in the Commission.

    “She has taken steps to build bridges of collaboration between NIMC and partners within the country’s identity ecosystem. These collaborations aim to enhance the NIMC’s capacity, foster innovation, and promote information sharing for the betterment of identity management in Nigeria.”

    “The collaboration is also focused on enhancing handshake with institutions involved in the country’s identity ecosystem, to deepen integration with the country’s Identity Management System.”

    “In 100 days, she has taken the lead in working with the Nigeria Digital ID4D Project to speed up the project implementation process, especially, processes geared towards the extension of NIN enrolment to hard-to-reach areas, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups, thereby fostering inclusion and access to social services.”

    “She has introduced some innovations that I consider very progressive, and things are moving very well. The Nigeria Digital ID4D Project is happy to work with her, as she has shown that she has all it takes to assist us succeed.”

    Responding to a question on his impression about the NIMC DG’s leadership style and the future of the relationship between NIMC and his organisation, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra stressed that the relationship between NIMC and NPC has become more robust under Coker-Odusote’s leadership as NIMC CEO.

    “I want to say that the National Population Commission has a long and robust collaborative partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in our efforts to harmonize and integrate biometric databases for planning and development of our country.”

    “However, this partnership has become more dynamic and robust with the assumption into office of Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote as the Director General of NIMC. She has shown an unparalleled commitment and passion in working with the Commission, not only in the registration of births and deaths but also in the upcoming population census. She comes across as a thoroughbred professional and innovator who will give Africa’s greatest nation a deserved identity profile for national unity, security, and development. I am more confident in the future of the Identity Management Commission under her.”

    Responding to a question on the new grounds covered at the NIMC ICT, Director, IT/Identity Database of the Commission, Chuks Onyepunuka has this to say:

    “Our DG is pragmatic, proactive, result-oriented and visionist. Her achievements in ICT in NIMC in the last 100 days include, but are not limited to: “launching of self-modification and enrolments services to ease and simplify the processes for enrolment services; driving the clearing of about 3 million backlog of enrolment records awaiting manual adjudication within 3 weeks; decentralization of operations with objectives of ensuring that we are closer to the enrolees and adequate coverage in the nooks and crannies of the country.”

    “Others are improvement in the process of engaging and revalidating our Frontend Enrolment Partners (FEPs); improvement in our ICT policies, processes and procedures; resolution of 95% challenges/issues affecting our window enrolment software (Res-Web) and commenced the integration and harmonization with National Population Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).”

    Adding her voice, NIMC’s Director of Business Development and Commercial Services, Mrs Carolyn Folami described the DG as a thoroughbred professional, committed to resetting the Commission for the good of the nation.

    “It has been only 100 days, but it seems she has been here far longer, as, within this period, we have achieved a couple of goals towards resetting the NIMC agenda and resettling the NIMC staff for productivity.”

    “Starting with the planning and commencement of training of all staff, to the commitment to all Front-End Partners (FEP) to revalidate the business model for fair play and payment. She is very keen on stakeholder engagement and has secured the buy-in of our harmonisation partners for effectiveness. She is professional, thorough, dedicated, and above all, kind to all.

    Adding his voice, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Project Implementation Unit, Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Dr Emmanuel Akogun argued that Coker-Odusote’s first 100 days in office were characterised by “dynamic, focused and results–oriented leadership,” adding that there is steady progress in NIN enrolment, with “103,500,000 Nigerians and other legal residents captured in the NIMC Database.”

    There is therefore no gainsaying the fact that Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s first 100 days as CEO of the NIMC have been marked by a series of commendable achievements.

    At this point, one can confidently say that with Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote as Chief Executive Officer, NIMC is in safe hands.

    Her recent confirmation as substantive Director General/CEO of the Commission is an act of patriotism by the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    However, as she commences a full tenure of office, following her recent confirmation, one expects that the standard is not lowered.

    As she marks 100 days in office this week, the most challenging part of Abisoye Coker-Odusote’s journey as Chief Executive Officer of the NIMC is the need to sustain the successes recorded, remain focused, deepen stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment, check corruption, strengthen systems and structures, be fair to all, while supporting the policy direction of the present administration.

    Deliberate steps must be taken to ensure the sustenance of the war against extortion at NIMC.

    Again, a deliberate plan should be in place to ensure a more robust stakeholder collaboration, particularly with those involved in the country’s identity ecosystem.

    Elaborate, sustained communication and public enlightenment activities are required, taking advantage of the conventional and unconventional channels of communication to inform, educate and mobilize the citizens on the need for all to register for the NIN. This requires a deliberate strategy and strategic implementation.

    Finally, a deliberate inclusion strategy must be in place and vigorously implemented to ensure that no one is left behind.

    As the DG continues to lead with passion and purpose, NIMC is poised for even greater accomplishments under her guidance.

    Indeed, NIMC is in safe hands!

    Dr Walter Duru (Assistant Professor of Communication and Multimedia Design) is a Communication/Public Relations Strategist, Researcher and Consultant. He could be reached at *********@***il.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>wa*********@***il.com

  • Partnerships for Progress: Collaboration Between Banks and Fintechs is the Future of Banking in Africa

    Partnerships for Progress: Collaboration Between Banks and Fintechs is the Future of Banking in Africa

    By Ike.S Anison

    Historically, the formal banking sector’s penetration in Africa has been relatively low. And, while there has been significant improvement in this area in recent years, there is still a significant portion of the population on the continent who are unbanked or lack access to financial services.

    According to the World Bank, approximately 350 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa are still unbanked, accounting for 17% of the 2 billion global unbanked population. This has largely been due to a struggle to tap into the continent’s low-income segment, the widest proportion of the population. Consumers within this market feel they don’t have enough money to warrant using a financial institution, that it is too costly to do so, or that they simply don’t have access to financial infrastructure such as bank branches and ATMs due to limitations of geographical reach and lack of proof of identity.

    However, the introduction of digital technologies is completely changing the financial services landscape on the African continent. Not only are these new and cutting-edge technologies helping to renew the traditional banking sector, but they have also led to a boom in financial technologies such as the rapidly growing mobile money market and digital payments landscape, with the continent now poised to become the fastest growing FinTech region in the world, with revenues rising by 13x against the global average of 6x.

    This has led to significant growth in the number of people who have access to financial services across the continent, as barriers to access have been significantly lowered. But the continent has reached a crossroads in its mission to drive financial inclusion.

    Traditional banks are struggling to overcome challenges such as relentlessly high operating costs and legacy infrastructure that introduce complexities in their efforts to become more flexible and digitise. Meanwhile, FinTechs are still encumbered by the complexities of regulatory and compliance challenges while also faced with difficulties in building trust as many people on the continent are still not comfortable with technology.

    These challenges are making it difficult to sustain the current financial inclusion trajectory in Africa and to deliver increased value. But, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Collaboration between these two sides, who have been pitted against one another as competitors, offers substantial potential to help make it as easy as possible for people to perform transactions and access financial services in a way that is both affordable and reliable.

    Revolutionising, re-energising, and redefining financial services

    A robust partnership between banks and FinTechs would ensure that both parties are able to offset each other’s weaknesses by sharing their complementary strengths with one another.

    For FinTechs, banks are able to bring their well-established customer base and substantial balance sheets to the table, alongside significantly high levels of trust generated through years of tried and tested relationships with customers. Additionally, banks bring substantial expertise and experience in the regulatory environment, facilitating greater levels of compliance.

    Meanwhile, FinTechs can help inject agility and innovation into traditional banks, which would enable them to offer products better suited to the unbanked and give them access to a whole new customer base. By leveraging the cutting-edge financial technologies of FinTechs, banks will be better positioned to modernise and digitise legacy infrastructure while being able to identify and meet customer needs in real-time.

    Such partnerships would also see banks and FinTech players align business rules and regulatory frameworks, among other measures, resulting in a less fragmented payments landscape on the continent.

    Much like the continent itself, the payments environment in Africa is highly dynamic and diverse. Across individuals and countries, payment types can vary significantly, resulting in a splintered and disconnected payment ecosystem. This means that, currently, each merchant or company has to integrate with each different payment service provider individually in order to cater to a wide range of consumers. The World Economic Forum notes that the varied technical standards, laws and regulations that span countries contribute to the fact that many digital payment methods are closed loops and not interoperable with one another.

    But stronger collaboration within Africa’s financial services sector would reduce this disconnect and create ecosystems wherein transactions, payments, and other financial services are omnichannel in nature and able to easily take place across platforms and borders.

    This would better position Africa’s financial services sector to solve problems for both individuals and businesses on the continent through the development of more innovative financial products and services uniquely tailored to Africa’s needs while also reducing the cost of financial transactions and expanding access to financial services. For example, enabling both individuals and businesses to save money digitally, facilitating access to micro-loans by using financial data from fintech apps, and increasing access to global markets for small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Essentially, their collaboration will ensure that they’re able to continue making inroads in driving innovation to create an environment that guarantees seamless delivery of financial services for everyone while fostering economic growth across the continent.

    That desire to foster economic growth across the African continent is the core “reason d’etre” of Onafriq. We are currently connected to over 500 million mobile wallets, covering over 1300 live payment corridors in 40 African countries, with over 200 payment schemes connected. This puts us in a unique position of being a “one stop shop” to entities that want to collect or disburse funds as well as issuing and processing prepaid cards in Africa. We have done the hard work of connecting to the multiple schemes and networks so you don’t have to.

    Ike.S Anison is the Country Director for Ghana/Liberia/Gambia at Onafriq

  • How COP28 Aims to Unlock Trillions for Climate Solutions by Centering Business

    How COP28 Aims to Unlock Trillions for Climate Solutions by Centering Business

    By Badr Jafar

    Over 70,000 individuals from around the world are about to converge on Dubai to participate in COP28. In the lead-up, the UAE’s COP28 Presidency has made no secret of its ambition to make this the most inclusive and consequential COP ever. While much of that effort has elevated historically underrepresented communities, and rightly so, a lesser-known determination of the COP28 Presidency is about transforming how the COP process engages with the private sector.

    From 1-2 December this year, COP28 will feature the biggest gathering of business and philanthropy devoted to solving climate change in history, at the inaugural Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum. Held in parallel with the heads of state-level World Climate Action Summit, the Forum will bring together 1,000 heads of business and philanthropy – alongside policymakers and other stakeholders – to spur tangible climate action.

    While COPs have traditionally been seen as a political process, opening the COP28 summit with this Forum will set an entirely new tone. To expedite the pathway to transformative action, the Forum will include a set of 22 actions that CEOs and philanthropists can take right away. These include game-changing climate ‘moonshots’ and breakthrough technologies, expanding indigenous peoples’ direct access to investment, accelerating food supply chain transformation across the Global South, accelerating technology transfer, de-risking green investments, enhancing natural capital, boosting green SMEs and start-ups, and increasing investment in resilience for vulnerable communities around the world. The goal is to provide an accessible way for the private sector to move beyond declarations, into implementation.

    From the outset, we’ve established global partnerships with major players who will help galvanize business communities around the world. They include the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Economic Forum, the Asian Development Bank, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and XPRIZE.

    Fixing climate finance is a top priority. Global investments of over USD 3 trillion per year will be required to enable the world to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The private sector could play the most consequential role in generating the multiplier effect required to take us from billions to trillions.

    For far too long, business and philanthropy have been relegated to the periphery of global climate negotiations, often dismissed as a part of the problem. But this is a terrible missed opportunity. Private capital markets have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching over $23 trillion. Philanthropic capital alone flowing through the global financial system every year is well above $1 trillion. The latter can often be deployed in more flexible, risk-tolerant and patient ways than other forms of finance.

    Combined, these capital flows are key to unlocking accessible, affordable and targeted solutions to closing the climate finance gap. And we mustn’t neglect the massive additional contributions that businesses everywhere and of all sizes can make to the climate action agenda through their networks, capacity to innovate, and engagement with local communities.

    That’s why the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Forum will support governments, businesses and philanthropists to work together and in parallel, collaborate where they can while playing to their respective strengths. No individual stakeholder can succeed alone. Only when we blend capabilities and capital across these sectors, can we produce outcomes with the required scale and timeframe.

    Business and philanthropy hold the greatest untapped potential for accelerating the implementation of the world’s climate and nature goals. It’s time to mobilize the world’s private capital in service of the planet.

    Badr Jafar is the COP28 Special Representative for Business & Philanthropy, and CEO of UAE-based Crescent Enterprises 

  • Why Environmental Injustice Flourishes In Nigeria

    Why Environmental Injustice Flourishes In Nigeria

    By Jerome-Mario Utomi

    Recently, precisely on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, I participated as a panellist at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands, a panel discussion on The role of multi-stakeholder engagement in achieving environmental justice.

    The gathering, which was held in Victoria Island, Lagos, formed part of training on Environmental Justice: Reducing Ecological and Social Inequalities through Effective and Participatory Land Governance.

    Essentially, in my private study/preparation for the programme, the need to domesticate the subject became paramount to me. To achieve this objective; the following questions came flooding; what is environmental justice? Are there traces or evidence that it exists in any part of Nigeria? In what form or shape? Who are the people responsible? Who are the most impacted? What is the politics that kept it going? How can we creatively achieve effective development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies without discrimination against the have-nots and vulnerable peoples? What strategy and tactics can policy and decision-makers at both Federal and state levels adopt to get the people directly involved in the decision-making process that affects their environment?

    Providing answers to the above questions, beginning with the first, from what experts are saying, environmental justice is a crusade that advocates fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

    Viewed broadly, environmental justice, according to the world information search engine, Wikipedia, is a social movement to address environmental injustice, which occurs when poor or marginalized communities are harmed by hazardous waste, resource extraction, and other land uses from which they do not benefit. The movement has generated hundreds of studies showing that exposure to environmental harm is inequitably distributed.

    Historically, the movement began in the United States in the 1980s. It was heavily influenced by the American civil rights movement and focused on environmental racism within rich countries. The movement was later expanded to consider gender, international environmental injustice, and inequalities within marginalised groups.

    The global environmental justice movement arises from local environmental conflicts in which environmental defenders frequently confront multinational corporations in resource extraction or other industries. Local outcomes of these conflicts are increasingly influenced by transnational environmental justice networks.

    Undoubtedly, when the above definition/explanation is juxtaposed with the ongoing degradation in the country in the name of development, it becomes glaringly obvious that environmental injustice exists here in Nigeria and remains a sin that all must share in its guilt.  But if this injustice which daily and harmfully impacts the poor and other vulnerable Nigerians is a challenge in other parts of the country, what is happening in the Niger Delta region, South-South Geopolitical zone is a crisis.

    It is a brazen unfairness planted by the government and signposted in areas such as; a parade of multiple but obsolete environmental laws, poor enforcement habits and brazen lack of capacity to see through to programme monitoring and evaluation,  discrepancy in application and implementation of environmental, policies, programmes and initiatives.

    This environmental ill is further accelerated by corporate organizations’ particularly the International Oil Companies (IOCs) noncompliance with international best practices in their day-to-day quest for profit maximization through crude oil exploration and production in the Niger Delta region and compounded by their erroneous understanding of call for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a dangerous fiction targeted at hand twisting the rich and mighty.

    Out of many such examples, this piece will highlight evidence of incapacity to enforce compliance with environmental regulations and demands.

    Fundamentally, many Nigerians with critical interest had hitherto believed that the advent of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which was signed into law in the aforementioned years, and arguably the most audacious attempt to overhaul the petroleum sector in Nigeria, will solve the real and imagined challenges in the nation’s petroleum sector, and turn Niger delta region, particularly host communities to a zone of peace in their relationship with Crude Oil prospecting and exploration companies.

    But today, facts have since emerged that instead of providing the legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry and the host communities, the Petroleum Industry Act (Act), has contrary to expectation become a first line of conflict between crude oil prospecting, exploration companies and their host communities. Like other Acts that guided crude oil production in the past, PIA has similarly become a toothless bulldog that neither bites nor barks. In fact, analysts and industry watchers have come to a sudden realization that nothing has changed.

    A tour by boat of creeks and coastal communities of Warri South West and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta state will amply reveal that the much-anticipated end in sight of gas flaring is actually not in sight. In the same manner, a journey by road from Warri via Eku-Abraka to Agbor, and another road trip from Warri through Ughelli down to Ogwuashi Ukwu in Aniocha Local Government of the state, shows an environment where people cannot properly breathe as it is littered by gas flaring points.

    To a large extent, the above confirms as true the recently published report which among other concerns noted that Nigeria has about 139 gas flare locations spread across the Niger Delta both in onshore and offshore oil fields where gas which constitutes about 11 per cent of the total gas produced are flared. Apart from the health implications of flared gases on humanity, its adverse impact on the nation’s economy is equally weighty.

    Banking on what experts are saying, the major reason for the flaring of gases is that when crude oil is extracted from onshore and offshore oil wells, it brings with it raw natural gas to the surface where natural gas transportation, pipelines, and infrastructure are lacking, like in the case of Nigeria, this gas is instead burned off or flared as a waste product as this is the cheapest option. This has been going on since the 1950s when crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in Nigeria.

    While Nigeria and Nigerians persist in encountering gas flaring in the country, even so, has successive administrations in the country made both feeble and deformed attempts to get it arrested.

    The facts are there and speak for it.

    In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration enacted Gas Flare Prohibition and Punishment), an act that among other things made provisions to prohibit gas flaring in any oil and gas production operation, blocks, fields, onshore or offshore, and gas facility treatment plants in Nigeria.

    On Monday, September 2, 2018, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum (as he then was) while speaking at the Buyers’ Forum/stakeholders’ Engagement organized by the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria in Abuja among other things remarked thus; ‘I have said to the Department of Petroleum Resources, beginning from next year (2019 emphasis added), we are going to get quite frantic about this (ending gas flaring in Nigeria) and companies that cannot meet with extended periods –the issue is not how much you can pay in terms of fines for gas flaring, the issue is that you would not produce. We need to begin to look at the foreclosing of licenses’.

    The threat has since ended in the frames as the Minister did little or nothing to get the threat actualized.

    The administration also launched the now abandoned National Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP, a programme, according to the Federal Government aimed at achieving the flares-out agenda/zero routine gas flaring in Nigeria by 2020.

    Again, like a regular trademark, it failed.

    Away from Buhari’s administration, in 1979, the then Federal Government in a similar style came up with the Associated Gas Re-injection Act which summarily prohibited gas flaring and also fixed the flare-out deadline for January 1, 1984. It failed in line with the leadership philosophy in the country.

    Similar feeble and deformed attempts were made in 2003, 2006, and 2008.

    In the same style and span, precisely on July 2, 2009, the Nigerian Senate passed a Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill 2009 (SB 126) into Law fixing the flare-out deadline for December 31, 2010- a date that slowly but inevitably failed. Not stopping at this point, the FG made another attempt in this direction by coming up with the Petroleum Industry Bill which fixed the flare-out deadline for 2012. The same Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was protracted till 2021 when it completed its gestation and was subsequently signed into law by President Buhari, as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    Despite this vicious movement to save the environment and its people, the Niger Delta challenge remains. So the question that is as important as the piece itself is; if this legion of laws/Acts cannot save the people of the region, who will? When will it complete its gestation period and deliver the targeted environmental protection/justice to the people of the Niger Delta region?

    While answer(s) to the above question remain germane, this piece also identifies the government’s reluctance to appreciate development plans and reform programs from a rights-based perspective, as another fundamental obstacle to realizing environmental justice in the country.

    This non-infusion of human rights perspective to development adversely acts as an impediment to the application of principles of participation, accountability, transparency and non-discrimination towards the attainment of equity and justice in development initiatives.

    As clarified by the United Nations Independent Expert on the Right to Development, for a programme to be tagged development, it must require a particular process that allows the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights, and all fundamental freedoms, by expanding the capabilities and choices of the individual.

    To operationalize the above guideline, the state and federal government must shun all forms of discriminatory approaches to environmental designs, implementation and enforcement, as the concentration of environmental attention in one part of the state to the detriment of others is nothing but environmental injustice.

    As stated elsewhere “the intentional involvement of traditionally underrepresented communities — especially low-income people of colour — is key to addressing local environmental justice concerns. Not only do these communities benefit from inclusion in the planning processes, but their knowledge can help those making planning and policy decisions in identifying activities of polluters and potential hidden hazards that they may not even realize exist.

    This holds the opinion that both Federal and state governments must internalize these facts.

    Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). He can be reached via Je*********@***oo.com or 09032725374

  • Slave Wages for Contract Private Security Guards in Nigeria

    Slave Wages for Contract Private Security Guards in Nigeria

    By Emmanuel Udom

    Today, most contract security guards are earning slave wages, putting their lives in danger while ensuring the safety of other people, corporate bodies, government agencies, etc, 24/7.

    It is noted that all over the world, security business is deadly, risky, slippery, dangerous and sophisticated.

    Like in other business concerns, owners of registered and yet-to-be-registered private security companies are in for raw deals.

    They are driven by profits, the laws of supply and demand and the desperate hustle for big, juicy contracts, our investigations have shown.

    Private contract security companies hire all sorts of people, give them one or two weeks crash training courses and hire them out to man beats and locations, nationwide.

    With unemployment figures hitting the roof in Nigeria, there are an estimated 5 million contract security guards in our country.

    From our findings, these guards man 24-hour, 12-hour or 8-hour beats and locations nationwide, but most of them are paid from N10,000 to N30,000 on the average as salaries, monthly.

    The list of some A-list private security companies operating in Nigeria are McDon Security, TechnoCrime Security Nigeria Ltd, KingsGuard, Damog Guards, Halogen Security, Eyespy Security Service Limited, Ashaka Security Company, and Proton Security Company Limited.

    Others are Transworld, Mega Guards, G4S, Zoomlens, Evergreen, Kind David and Sherperdhill. Some of these companies have national and international spread and operations.

    The late  Dr Patrick Keku, managing director of Pahek Security Services; Dr Davidson Akhimien, managing director of King David Security Limited; Dr Ona Ekhomu, managing director of Transworld Security; and Richard Amuwa, managing director of Mega Guards Security; are some of the private experts Nigeria is blessed with.

    Encounters 

    Today, Sunday Afolabi is a private security guard contracted by one of the A-list private security companies in Lagos to guard an eatery (names withheld), located in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

    Afolabi, an HND holder from Auchi Polythenic in Delta State, confessed that he roamed the streets of Lagos, wrote series of application letters in search of job, after his graduation five years ago, but was not hired by any company.

    “I read marketing and was forced through frustrations to accept to guard an eatery as a contract security guard, earning N20,000 every month,” he claimed.

    The poly graduate, married with three children and living in face-me-I-face-you apartment somewhere in Ilupeju, Lagos, has been on a 12-hour beat at the eatery for six months, earning slave wages as salary without insurance policy in place for him.

    Miss Patience Okon, an indigene of Akpabuyo in Cross River State is a WAEC holder. She earns N15,000 monthly contracted to guard a motor company, located along Lagos-Apapa expressway.

    Okon is lucky as she is residing with her parents around Okota area in Lagos. She is not paying house rent and presently has nobody to feed, our under-cover investigations reveals.

    Entry Qualifications

    Findings showed that for anybody to be hired as a contract private security guard, the person must know how to read and write.

    At King David Security Academy, located at Shogunle in Ikeja, Lagos, Mr Alex, the Training Officer, told applicants undergoing a one-week training recently that anyone could be hired as a private security guard, provided the person can read and write.

    According to him, “the academy, a training arm of Kind David Security Limited, Lagos, teaches people how to write take over and handover reports as well as situation or observation reports, when hired daily”.

    But Richard Amuwa, Managing Director, Mega Guards Security Limited, Abule Egba, Lagos said private security guard business, has evolved over the years from the mai-guard opening and closing gates to technological driven security deliveries.

    It is therefore a welcome development to note that today, there are graduates of tertiary institutions trained and hired as contract private security guards all over the country.

    The late Chairman/CEO of Phahek Security Company, Lagos, Dr Patrick Keku, once said that there are about 5 million private security guards in Nigeria, assisting government at various levels to tackle criminalities from all fronts.

    Training

    Security Operational Procedure (SOP) is the global handout for the training of private security guards to protect the lives and properties of individuals, corporate bodies, groups, states, or nations, etc, from threats and risks of all kind.

    However, our investigative journalist, who joined the training class for two weeks of a private security company in Lagos, observed that SOP dwelled on definition of security, access control, dog management, gates management, sanctions, rewards, liabilities, terms and conditions for private security officers, neatness and punctuality, among others for intending private security guards.

    Documentations

    After the training, an employment form which contain: personal-bio-data-form, containing two forms to be filled by his or her  guarantors is issued with the instruction  to fill and return the form with his  or her CV, six passport photographs, a formal application letter, and photocopies of the person’s  credentials and certificates.

    Terms and Conditions of Service

    Gbenga Komolafe, General-Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON), is running a corporative society for workers in the informal sectors of our economy.

    Komolafe, an activist said private security guards should key into his scheme to save their future from doom, through saving a portion of their income, daily, weekly or monthly as the case may be.

    There are no retirement benefits or gratuity for most contract private security guards in Nigeria, he said.

    But Amuwa said contract ratio is always: 70: 30, meaning for every contract, the guard gets 70 per cent, while the contracting security company gets 30 per cent.

    As some private contract security guards said in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Bornu, some private security company owners may not be telling the truth, as they alleged that the reverse seems to be the case.

    When you are hired by a private security company, you will be issued with fanciful uniforms, booths, caps, and other items and the cost will be deducted from your salary from the very month you start work, some guards lamented, he said.

    Regulations

    It is noted that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), supervised by the Ministry of Interior, regulates the operation, training and other activities of registered private security companies operating in Nigeria.

    But the NSCDC and the interior ministry seem to be helpless when it comes to regulating the slave wages code-name monthly salaries that are paid to guards.

    Seun Abolurin, Lagos NSCDC spokesman, said the corps only regulates private security companies, not payments to their officers.

    Investigations

    Finings revealed that at locations, the commander and chief security officer, reeled out the rules-coming to work before 6.30 am, indecent dressing, refusal to polish his booth, failure in identifications and documentations, sleeping, or eating while on duty, etc, attracts debits at the end of the month. Meaning, the meagre salaries of the officers were being threatened.

    It was also noted that if a pin is stolen while on duty, the entire security team could be the first in the line of suspects and police could be called in for arrest, investigations and the matter charged to court in preparation for prison.

    However, the angle that broke the Carmel’s back was when this writer was told point-blank that despite his ‘intimidating qualifications’ and considering the fact that the basic qualification for private security officer is the ability to read and write, N22,000 was to be paid as his monthly salary.

    A private security company could quote N50,000 per guide to their clients, the guide assigned to the location ought to be paid N35,000.

    Most of the private security officers, who spoke off records with this writer in the last one month, insisted that very few officers are earning this much, except supervisors, patrol officers and chief security officers or those hired directly by individuals, corporate bodies, or multi-national companies, without going through private security companies.

    Udom, a journalist, teacher and private investigator could be reached via: ee****@***oo.com

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are purely of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of Business Post Nigeria on the subject matter.

  • National Contradictions Tinubu Must Resolve in 2024

    National Contradictions Tinubu Must Resolve in 2024

    By Michael Owhoko, PhD

    Any Nigerian with a rational and open mind knows that the complexity of governance in Nigeria today is rooted in the country’s political system, which by any stretch of imagination and logic, is unsuitable for a heterogenous society like Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups that is characterized by incompatible cultures, varied history, background and interests.

    These ethnic groups were hitherto independent nations that ceded their sovereignty to the Nigerian state under federalism, a political system that took cognizance of their peculiarities and agreed upon by the country’s founding fathers.

    But ever since this system was subverted and replaced with a unitary state structure, Nigeria has been embroiled with unending suspicion, distrust, disunity, disharmony, nepotism, hegemony and rivalry among the various ethnic nationalities, indicative of its inappropriateness.

    The unsuitability of the unitary state structure, inequitable revenue sharing method, breach of the country’s secularity status, dishonest quota system and political location of industries are major national contradictions undermining Nigeria’s potential.  Except to hide under cover of pretence, it is common knowledge that Nigeria’s progress is held down by these national paradoxes. They are aberrations and drawbacks that are fundamentally responsible for the country’s stunted growth. These are what President Tinubu must address in 2024 to set the tone for an equitable and prosperous Nigeria.

    Efforts outside this trajectory amount to a sheer cosmetic administrative routine and a waste of valuable resources incapable of restoring hope. The Unitary system of government has become a Frankenstein monster that is pushing the country towards the precipice with diminished national and global stature.  Until a more suitable political template is introduced, Nigeria will continue to drift in circles like a regional giant with no illuminating potential to inspire public confidence.

    Federalism had been tested in Nigeria, and it worked. It is a system of government where all federating states and central government are financially independent, autonomous, interdependent and co-equal with neither the federal government nor the states inferior to each other. This is the political system that best suits the country’s cultural diversity and sociological complexities, capable of achieving equity, justice and balance.

    In a plural society like Nigeria, the unitary system is a misfit, lacking the capacity to promote unity. It engenders acrimony, disaffection, nepotism, primordial nationalism and marginalization, owing to conflicting cultural aspirations.  The emergence of separatist movements and other related self-determination groups are some of the challenges facing Nigeria today, justifying the need for Federalism to stem the tide. Otherwise, the country risks more ethnic nationalities surfacing to seek autonomy.

    With about 68 items on the Exclusive list and 12 items on the Concurrent list, the 1999 Constitution is in structure, content and spirit, a Unitary constitution, where the destiny of the states and people are determined and centrally regulated, using revenue allocation as a tool for coercion and subservient corporatism. This Constitution has failed Nigerians. The states or geo-political zones want an independent hold of their future within the context of their distinct cultural aspirations.

    As a way out, the concept of the 1963 Constitution should be invoked to allow states to take control of mineral deposits found in their domains.  In other words, fiscal federalism with a derivation principle allowing retention of a 50 per cent minimum of accrued revenue found in or generated by the states, should be introduced. All states and geo-political areas in Nigeria are evidently endowed as God has provided every habitat with natural resources, including agricultural crops for subsistence. This will not only give states the necessary financial autonomy, but will encourage them to harness and optimize their potential, just as it will encourage hard work, healthy competition, and discourage indolence.

    The government’s involvement in religion is also a national contradiction and aberration. Nigeria is a secular state as affirmed by Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution, which says that the Government of the federation or of a state shall not adopt any religion as state religion in Nigeria. However, the federal government’s behavioural disposition undermines this clause when viewed against the backdrop of its contribution and participation in religious matters.

    By establishing the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) to oversee and facilitate the process for participation of Muslims in Hajj or Umra in Saudi Arabia and the pilgrimage of Christians to Jerusalem and other holy sites, the federal government has adopted Islam and Christianity as official religions, contrary to the intention of secularism.

    Deception of Nigeria’s secularity status is further exposed by Nigeria’s membership of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a religious body representing “the collective voice of the Muslim world”, and working “to safeguard the interests and ensure the progress and well-being of Muslims.” Nigeria’s membership is a tacit endorsement of the country as an Islamic state, as depicted by its commitment to dues obligation.

    Religion is a personal affair, and individuals are at liberty to practice their faith as deemed appropriate, as long as it does not violate the rights of others. The huge amount expended by the federal government annually to fund NAHCON and NCPC, as well as meeting financial obligations in OIC, is an infringement on the right of Nigerians whose taxes are used to service these private interests.

    After all, the government’s involvement in religion has not reduced moral decadence in Nigeria, as most beneficiaries of these pilgrimages to Hajj and Jerusalem are involved in corruption that has contributed to the country’s woes. Rather than waste the country’s resources on these unprofitable ventures, such money should be used to shore up decaying infrastructure across the country.

    President Tinubu should therefore dissolve NAHCON and NCPC, and remove Nigeria from membership of OIC, as part of strategies to maintain the secularity of Nigeria. Any state government whosoever desires to fund its citizens to holy sites is free to do so at its own expense. The federal government must hand off religion to save taxpayers’ money.

    The quota system is another national contradiction. It is part of Nigeria’s problems and a source of bureaucratic ineptitude that should be discarded for excellence. This system has been consistently abused and manipulated by government officials to serve primordial and entrenched interests. The system has also deprived millions of brilliant Nigerians of opportunities to serve their fatherland on account of their states of origin.

    When merit is sacrificed on the altar of representation, what you have is incompetence and failure.  Nigeria is currently paying the price of poor performance in government owing to quota application in the recruitment process in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). The outcome has been inefficiency and poor delivery output with no value addition.

    Sadly, the quota system is applicable to the educational sector which is supposed to be the substratum of research and development. Unqualified students are admitted into federal unity schools and universities while brilliant ones are unable to secure placements. In some cases, the appointment of professors and award of PhD degrees are based on a quota system, leading to the production of quota scholars lacking the capacity for research and discovery. What an irony for a country that is striving to compete in global affairs!

    The quota system is a recipe for failure and poor performance. It is not applicable in the private sector because of these gaps. This may have also informed why the powers that be have deliberately refused to introduce the system in the selection of players for the national team, the Super Eagles. They know that if the obnoxious quota is applied, the performance of the Super Eagles will be an outright tragedy for the country.

    Another national contradiction is the political location of industries. Oil and gas companies involved in the exploration of crude oil in the Niger Delta should be compelled to relocate their administrative headquarters to areas where they have a minimum of 70 per cent of their operations. This will not only accelerate the development of the region but will help in resolving current poverty and frustration, resulting from negligence and degradation in the region. The Nigeria LNG Limited which moved its administrative headquarters from Lagos to Bonny Island, Rivers State, where its operational base is located, is enjoying support from its host communities. The company should be commended and emulated.

    Therefore, to reset, reshape and reposition Nigeria for a stronger brand identity aimed at maximizing its full potential to achieve national progress, regional influence and global respect, President Bola Tinubu must address and nip these national contradictions in the bud by next year, 2024.

    Dr Mike Owhoko, Lagos-based journalist and author, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com.

  • Mastering the Art of Painting With Ready Mix Paint: Tips and Techniques

    Mastering the Art of Painting With Ready Mix Paint: Tips and Techniques

    Exploring art opens the door to endless creativity and self-expression. Through a brushstroke, painting lets people express their feelings, stories, and visions beyond language. From beginners learning about color to seasoned painters exploring new mediums, paint choice impacts the story of an artist’s work.

    Ready-mix paint combines accessibility with artistic possibilities. Ready-mix paint, a water-soluble, pre-mixed wonder, gives artists instant access to a rainbow of colors. Liquid composition makes it easy to apply for artists of all levels.

    The colors offered are as varied as the imaginations that use them, allowing a vast pallet for artistic expression. Ready-mix paint turns every surface into a canvas, inviting artists to explore their ideas and create works that reflect their thoughts.

    This article explores strategies and approaches that will help artists master ready-mix painting and unlock its full potential.

    1. Use Quality Supplies

    Any effective artistic endeavor starts with good equipment. To achieve your artistic vision on canvas with elegance and vibrancy, use high-quality ready mix paint. Choose ready-mix paints with rich pigments and smooth consistency to enhance your artwork’s depth and brilliance. High-quality ready-mix paints determine the brilliance and durability of your color pallet and artwork.

    A good brush selection is also important. Well-made brushes let artists apply paint precisely and extend their hands for subtle strokes and exquisite detailing. Choose brushes that match your style, from broad strokes to tiny lines.

    Starting your painting journey with high-quality, ready-mix paints and brushes sets the stage for a magnificent painting experience that showcases your creativity. Quality products bring your artistic vision to life on the canvas.

    2. Try Color Mixing

    Despite the ready-mix paint palette’s variety, color mixing typically inspires artistic originality. Learn about color combinations to improve your painting. Be an artist-chemist and experiment with mix-and-match colors to create unlimited combinations. Blend basic colors to reveal secondary and tertiary tones, giving each stroke a unique tint that adds depth and character to your artwork.

    Customizing your palette is the joy of color mixing. You’ll find shades that match your moods and themes as you blend and overlay. This method increases your color palette and gives your art a unique vibe. Mixed hues in ready-mix paint allow you endless creativity, whether you want delicate gradients or strong contrasts.

    Let curiosity lead you, and let each stroke reflect the rich tapestry of colors you create on canvas. Allow the unexpected to shape your creativity into colorful representations of your distinctive voice.

    3. Use Different Brush Techniques

    Beyond the canvas, painting is about the strokes that bring your imagination to life. Your brush can create varied textures and visual interest with ready-mix paint. Trying new brush techniques gives your art a multi-sensory experience.

    Various brushstrokes can convey emotions, create movement, and give your work a tactile quality. Fine stippling can convey texture and light, while broad strokes convey a landscape’s grandeur. Sculpt impasto effects with the palette knife to give your art depth. Combining brush techniques expands your technical repertoire and gives your work depth beyond the two-dimensional plane.

    Brush selection adds intention and atmosphere. Each brush style gives your work its personality, from flat for strong coverage to round for exquisite detailing. With each brush technique you learn, your artistic voice adds nuance, and your paintings become a visual symphony that resonates with your creative expression.

    So, use your brushes with intention and let the variety of techniques become the brushstrokes that are your artistic masterpiece.

    4. Explore Different Surfaces

    Canvas is more than a backdrop for your paintings; it shapes its essence. Each surface texture in ready-mix paint adds its personality to your artwork. Celebrate surface diversity and use it in your creative story.

    First, try canvas and paper. For watercolor-like effects, paper is absorbent, while canvas is sturdy and textured for bolder expressiveness. Use unusual surfaces like wood or textiles to give your creations a unique individuality. Wood’s texture adds rustic appeal, while the fabric’s suppleness allows color and movement.

    Your ready-mix paint’s contact with the surface can greatly affect the final result. Textured surfaces add depth and detail, whereas smooth ones show details. The wide variety of surfaces allows you to adjust each stroke to the particular properties of your canvas, whether you prefer the structured surface of a canvas or the experimental freedom of fabric.

    You’ll find that the surface actively participates in your creativity-medium dialogue as you explore this world. Allow your imagination to go wild and allow the canvas, in all its shapes, to be part of your artistic quest.

    5. Depth layering

    Layering paint is like writing a symphony—each layer adds to the overall intricacy. Building layers using ready-mix paint gives your artwork depth. This approach boosts color richness and adds visual depth that captivates viewers.

    Start layering by drying each coat before adding more. This method requires patience to avoid muddy colors and clarity loss. Place colors wisely to create foreground and backdrop by considering their transparency and opacity as you build layers. The subtle shifts in color across layers can give your composition a fascinating brilliance.

    Layering is not stylistic or subject-specific. Layering suits your artistic goal, whether you’re painting a still life or an abstract composition. It transforms flat surfaces into compelling narratives by conveying emotion, depth, and complexity.

    Ready-mix paint layers well since it’s forgiving. Since the paint is water-soluble, you can strategically alter it to reveal underlying layers. Test transparent glazes to add color to existing layers or thicker strokes for a dramatic, tactile effect. Your paintings become a visual trip as you layer them, enabling viewers to explore each layer and discover its story.

    Bottomline

    Mastering ready-mix paint requires exploration, technique, and a willingness to try new things. Ready-mix paint gives artists of all levels infinite possibilities. Explore the bright world of ready-mix paint with your brushes and imagination.

  • Beyond Borders: Exploring 3 Pillars of Andi-Co Australia Success

    Beyond Borders: Exploring 3 Pillars of Andi-Co Australia Success

    One company has not only survived the storms but has flourished internationally, creating an enduring impression on the worldwide business scene. Andi-Co Australia is known worldwide as an innovator that provides high-quality production and sustainability. It transcends all limits to indicate success.

    This blog is about the 3 key pillars which have become the foundation of the great success that Andi-Co Australia has achieved and its secrets revealed.

    The ascent of Andi-Co Australia is not just a tale of business triumph; it is also a tale of perseverance, vision, and an unflinching pursuit of excellence.

    Who is Andi-Co Australia?

    Since 1982, Andi-Co Australia has offered its Australian clientele high-quality European appliances. They serve as Australia’s sole distributor of well-known international brands for the home and business markets.

    Kitchen range cookers from Falcon are built in the UK; refrigeration equipment is from Liebherr, designed in Germany; and range cookers are from La Cornue, a luxury brand made entirely by hand in France.

    Andi-Co Australia acknowledges the three globally recognized companies’ unique histories and believes it is crucial to keep sharing their journey.

    Falcon is more than 190 years old and comes from AGA Rangemaster, the oldest cooker manufacturer in the world. The first Falcon cooker was constructed in 1830 at Royal Leamington Spa, UK, and they are still made by hand today in the same facility.

    Having been a leader in the industry for over 60 years, Liebherr is an expert in freezer and refrigeration technology. With every product it brings to market, Liebherr pushes the boundaries of innovation even further. World-renowned Liebherr refrigeration products include Liebherr Commercial, innovative solutions for food service, pharmacy, and biomedical applications, and a wine cellar variety for casual and serious wine enthusiasts.

    Range cookers made by La Cornue have long been associated with celebrating everything wonderful about French and French cuisine. They exude a sophisticated sense of taste and display a timeless flair. Every cooker built today is an original, handcrafted, assembled by a single craftsman in a Parisian workshop. It is manufactured as a single unit to create the most beautiful cookers in the world.

    By entering the Oakleigh, Victoria-based Andi-Co Australia showroom, you may witness their pride, devotion, and passion for providing Australian consumers with the Falcon, Liebherr, and La Cornue brands.

    3 Pillars of Andi-Co Australia’s Success

    1. Innovative Product Design and Quality Craftsmanship

    Andi-Co Australia has achieved this by remaining focused on superior craftsmanship. Its products are developed in an original way. Over the years, it has always broken boundaries and produced products that adhere to and exceed customer desires, setting new standards for the industry.

    Quality Craftsmanship as a Cornerstone

    However, in terms of excellence, master craft vs large-scale production, Andi-Co Australia is a shining light. Experts use high-quality materials to make strong products that have longer durability. Andi-Co Australia’s commitment to quality has earned it the trust of overseas consumers.

    Innovative Design Philosophy

    More so than just looking good, And-Co Australia uses modernism in their design approach. It comes up with stylish designs where form combines with advanced technology for a union that is beautiful and smart.

    1. Commitment to Sustainable Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility

    Apart from maximizing profits, Andi-Co Australia seeks to rise above the standard social norms. As part of its CSR practice, it also educates, facilitates local development, and gives out charity to various groups. B

    y taking an active part in society up liftment, Andi-Co in Australia has managed to improve its awareness of society, thus contributing to the wellbeing of society.

    3. Global Market Expansion and Cultural Adaptability

    The world of international trade is dynamic, and therefore it’s not a luxury but a necessity for cultural sensitivity.

    Andi-Co is an Australian market entrant that has tactically navigated this landscape by recognizing the nuanced cultural nuances of each geographic location. In this regard, Andi-Co Australia recognizes the importance of cultural flexibility for retaining and gaining international market share.

    This includes anything from customizing marketing initiatives with local sentiment in mind to involving many distinctive architectural features that resonate with different national audiences worldwide.

    Strategic Market Expansion

    Andi-Co Australia’s success has spread beyond its domestic market because of its deliberate global expansion. Andi-Co Australia has built a varied clientele that cuts beyond national borders by spotting and seizing growing opportunities. The company’s strategy approach to global expansion is based on careful consideration of local tastes, cultural sensitivity, and research.

    Bottomline

    Andi-Co Australia is the story of how innovation and strategic growth coupled with strong ethics can transform a small company into something of much grandeur and international presence. The company sets itself apart by focusing on high-end product designs emphasizing quality handcrafted products. Due to its tactical approach to global market penetration as well as cultural adaptability the operations in several markets have turned out successful for Andi-Co Australia.

    Besides, the company’s commitment towards CSR and sustainability indicates that this organization appreciates and understands what role it plays in making a good world.