Resolving the power sector conundrum

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High tension construction for electricity transmission

TITI (Power Generation Companies, GenCos) is an akara seller (Electricity Generated), she was approached by Mama Jubril (NBET- the government appointed bulk buyer and wholesaler who promises to buy the power and provide payment guarantee to the GenCos) who promised to pay for all her akara. Mama Jubril further informs Titi that she has willing and capable customers she can sell to (DisCos- who buys from NBET and sells to Nigerian home users and industries) and pay Titi for the one thousand (1000) akaras (All Electricity Generated and put on the Transmission Grid). Titi agrees with Mama Jubril knowing that the Oga at the top (Federal Government, FGN) is behind her and has promised to guarantee and pay for all akara Titi can produce.

In a similar vein, for better transportation arrangement, Mr. Okafor, the van/truck driver (Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) managed by FGN) that is responsible for the delivery of the akara was introduced to Titi by the Oga at the top (FGN). Mr. Okafor promised he can deliver (can transmit over 5,000MW of electricity) the akara Titi produces. Titi raised the issue of possible truck failure with Mr Okafor but he vehemently argued that he has several plans in the pipeline to put his truck in place and even increase his capacity to deliver more than what Titi can produce.

Titi, in order to avoid disagreements, insisted that they all sign agreements. She signed agreements with Mama Jubril (Power Purchase Agreement, PPA), Mr. Okafor (Transmission Agreement) and the Kerosene or firewood sellers (Gas Sales and Transportation Agreements GSA & GTA). In order not to disappoint Mama Jubril, Titi quickly ran to various banks including UBA, Guarantee Trust, Sterling, and Standard Chartered Bank etc for loan facilities and signed agreements with them.

With all these guarantees from all parties, the loan was given to Titi to enable her to buy her ingredients: beans, utensils, frying pan, crayfish, pepper, onions, salt, oil (representing spare parts, lube oil, machine operators, water usage/rights etc.) and firewood or kerosene (Gas), Titi even hired some boys and girls (O&M team, plant operatives, etc.) to help her out for quick and efficient production of the akara.

Titi prepared the one thousand akara (electricity) as agreed, and sent it to Mr Okafor for delivery. Mr Okafor starts complaining of having problems with his truck and that he can only deliver 800 akaras (who pays for the additional 200 akaras already produced?).

Out of the 800 akaras, he carries on behalf of Mama Jubril (NBET) to her customers (DisCos), about 300 akaras were further rejected (power rejection by Distribution Companies, DisCos) because according to them Mr Okafor delivered them to the wrong address. They prefer another address. Mr Okafor, responding to them, said he is a government driver and can only deliver the akara to the addresses his supervisor (Systems Operator, a Unit under TCN) gave to him.

Deducting 500 from the original 1000 akaras agreed to be produced, that is after the rejection both by Okafor (Transmission) due to his truck condition as well as the akara rejected by Mama Jubril’s customers (DisCos) due to wrong address, of the remaining part sent to Mama Jubril (NBET), she pays whatever she likes, sometimes she pays for 120, 200, 180, 150 or 110 as the case may be. Mama Jubril’s excuse is that her customers (DisCos) refused to pay her after selling (distributing the electricity generated by GenCos) the akara.

Then on the other hand, Titi’s akara consumers are asking her to produce more because her akara is “one in town” and that she should increase her production to two thousand since the one thousand, she is currently producing is not enough.

Titi (GenCos), loves making akara (Generate more electricity) and wants the economy to improve since her akara (electricity is the lifeblood of the nation) is considered “one in town” and is good for the health of consumers (Nigerians and businesses).

However, like any other business person, Titi is asking for payment of the akara she has supplied and has not been paid for. Mama Jubril (NBET) is blaming the customers (DisCos) she supplied the akaras to, the customers on their part (DisCos) are blaming their consumers (Nigerians, businesses and government offices), consumers are insisting they are paying for every akara (Electricity) consumed by them. They are dribbling Titi here and there whilst the consumers are also blaming her for not producing enough akara!

Titi does not have any direct contract/agreement with Mama Jubril’s customers (DisCos) and should certainly not intrude or be affected by how Mama Jubril decides to sell the akaras she gets from her as she has a wholesale agreement (PPA) with her.

Titi’s business is now going down because she is not able to continue getting loans from the bank to sustain a business where the banks cannot get their interest and/or capital. Titi is finding it almost impossible to keep buying all the ingredients she needs for the akara business including the kerosene and firewood. Also, Titi is finding it hard to keep her salary commitment to the well trained boys and girls who have been working very hard to keep her business going. Prizes of things have all doubled yet her prize is the same, all she asks is full payment of the outstanding.

If you are Titi (GenCos), can you continue to produce more akara (electricity)? Knowing you will not be paid in full? Can you increase the number of akara (Increase Electricity Generation)? Knowing that even the driver (transmission) cannot deliver (transmit) the quantity you are producing? How can you even manage the bank loans? The worker’s salary? Who takes responsibility for the rejected akara (rejected electricity) since Titi cannot store it (considering power cannot be stored)? Who pays for the kerosene and firewood (gas and other materials used in generating) used to prepare the akaras? Should Titi continue to sell the akara (electricity) to Mama Jubril knowing she is incapable of paying for them? How best can Titi transport her akara to Mama Jubril since Mr. Okafor is the only transporter of akara in Nigeria? Since Mr. Okafor’s truck is faulty and may not be fixed anytime soon, do you advise Titi to increase her production?

This is the summary of the problems in the Nigerian electricity market. Nigerians are very intelligent people, they should decide for themselves, the solution to this conundrum.
Dr. Ogaji is the executive secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2nc4Ivr

TA Associate’s stake acquisition in Interswitch to boost payment

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A global growth private equity firm- TA Associates, has acquired a minority interest in Interswitch, an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company.

The transaction was effected through an acquisition of interests from Helios Investment Partners- the majority shareholder of Interswitch, although the financial terms were not disclosed.

This is expected to boost digital payments revolution, which is still is in the early stages of development in Nigeria, with 99 per cent of transactions done in cash, according to McKinsey & Company report.

Interswitch is active across the entire payments value chain, owns and operates the country’s principal domestic debit card scheme, Verve, as well as serves as a third-party transaction processor for many of Nigeria’s largest banks.

It also offers a number of electronic payment services to public and private sector organisations and businesses, including government entities, hospitals, telecommunications companies and utilities.

Founder and Managing Director at Interswitch Limited Mitchell Elegbe, said: “Since our founding, we have been committed to creating social, environmental and economic value by facilitating trade through forms of exchange that are secure, convenient and consistent.

“Keeping that in mind, we believe a partnership with an experienced payments investor such as TA Associates will prove highly beneficial to our ongoing efforts of consolidating the impact of our services and increasing financial inclusion for all.

For the Managing Director of TA Associates, Naveen Wadhera, who will now join the Interswitch board, “Interswitch is a unique and high quality asset located in one of Africa’s leading economies. We are delighted to expand upon our longstanding presence within the global payments.

“By strategically partnering and aligning its interests with key banks, merchants and other institutions, Interswitch has become a leading provider for payments solutions in an emerging and rapidly growing market in Nigeria.”

Helios’s co-founder and Managing Partner, Babatunde Soyoye, said: “For TA Associates to have partnered with us on Interswitch as their first investment into Africa, given the current market context, is a testament to Interswitch’s successful growth trajectory to date, and the quality and resilience of its brand and business model.

A Partner at Helios Investment, Alykhan Nathoo, added: “With our investment in Interswitch in 2011, we backed a talented founder and management team, and have worked hand-in-hand with them to institutionalise the business and build the platform, spearheading growth not only in their core processing and card scheme businesses but also into mobile payments.

“As the majority investor in Interswitch, we look forward to working with the company’s first-rate management team and TA Associates to drive the next phase of the company’s growth.”

However, another Managing Partner at TA Associates, Ajit Nedungadi, said: “We strongly believe in the global trend towards payment digitalization. Given Interswitch’s impressive reach into Nigeria’s payment ecosystem, we expect a continuation of the company’s impressive growth and are honored to have the opportunity to partner with what we believe to be a fantastic management team and a leading African investor,”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2n5bp5I

South Africa’s economy contracts in fourth quarter as mining & manufacturing slip

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Mining

South Africa’s economy contracted 0.3 percent quarter-on-quarter in the final three months of last year as mining and manufacturing output shrank, the statistics agency said on Tuesday, putting credit ratings at risk.

Africa’s most industrialised economy faces the risk of being downgraded to junk status owing to weak economic growth after it got a reprieve last year. S&P and Fitch’s ratings are one level above junk status, with Moody’s two notches above.

Poor economic growth has stymied revenue collection, and there is no major turnaround imminent with the Treasury expecting growth of just 1.3 percent this year, well short of the government’s target of 5 percent annual growth.

The rand briefly trimmed gains against the dollar, and was trading at 12.9675 at 1100 GMT after touching a session high of 12.9300 earlier.“The decline was largely driven by lower production in mining and manufacturing. The primary sector is continuing to show a declining trend,” said Michael Manamela, chief director for national accounts at Statistics South Africa.

The mining sector fell 11.5 percent in the quarter, while manufacturing was down 3.1 percent.As well as struggling with a volatile political environment, South Africa has been plagued by falling commodity prices and a chronically high unemployment rate.On a year-on-year basis, the economy grew at 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter, unchanged from the previous quarter.

After growing 0.4 percent quarter-on-quarter in the three months to September, the economy shrank by 0.3 percent in the quarter to December, the statistics agency said. The figure lagged the 0.5 percent growth expected by economists polled by Reuters.

The economy grew by 0.3 percent in 2016 versus 1.3 percent in 2015.Fiscal consolidation will remain difficult,” Standard Chartered Bank’s Chief Africa Economist Razia Khan said, adding the economy was not growing enough to make a positive difference to key credit metrics.

“Debt ratios still look troubled. Nothing can be taken for granted. South Africa needs greater economic momentum, but it remains unclear what might drive that,” Khan said.

Capital Economics Africa economist John Ashbourne said in a note the data fell slightly short of what was expected “but the worst is now behind us.” He said underlying figures support the view that growth would pick up faster than most expect in 2017.

A survey showed on Friday that private sector activity remained in growth territory for a sixth straight month in February as businesses saw a small rise in new orders, leading them to increase output and employment.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2nbQ3At

Highlife veteran, Victor Olaiya, exits the stage on health grounds

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Dr Olaiya on stage

Legendary highlife singer, Abimbola Victor Olaiya well known as Victor Olaiya, has retired from active music and public live performances. Born on December 31, 1930, the ‘evil genius of highlife’ as described of him by Alade Odunewu in the then Daily Times, became extremely famous in Nigeria in 1950s and early 1960s, and received little recognition outside the country for his music

The Baby Jowo crooner, who was a regular performer at the Papingo Club of Stadium Hotel, Surulere, Lagos has been conspicuously absent for about a year, due to ailing health and based on doctor’s recommendations.

The highlife veteran is unusually absent from the ‘nightlife faithful gathering’ he established, which holds every Saturday at the Stadium Hotel. Dr Olaiya, as gathered had stopped attending the weekly gig and occasional performances for over a year for obvious health reasons.

“Aside from attending his gigs, he no longer comes to work regularly as a result of age-related health issues,” said Gbenga Adewusi, his manager.

After years of playing with the Sammy Akpabot band, where he was leader and trumpeter for the old Lagos City Orchestra, he joined the Bobby Benson Jam Orchestra session. In 1954, he formed his own band, the Cool Cats and later renamed it the All Stars Band, when they played the 1963 International Jazz festival in Czeechoslovakia.

Dr Olaiya released an album with Ghanaian highlife musician E. T. Mensah. Both the drummer Tony Allen and vocalist Fela Kuti played with highlife maestro and went on to achieve individual success.

The octogenarian released over 26 projects over the course of his active performance from the late 1950s through to 2012. In July 2013, he featured one of Nigeria’s all time hip-hop act, Innocent Ujah Idibia also known as 2Face idibia or 2Baba on the remix of his hit song Baby Jowo (Baby mi).

His music style was influenced by James Brown with horn parts harmonised in Brown’s style, as opposed to the mostly unison lines of Afrobeat. The music includes the swinging percussion of Tony Allen, but not the syncopated style that Allen later pioneered.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m5JKwO

More twists, as fake housemates storm Big Brother house

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Ese and Jon

After the two new housemates Debbie Rise and Bassey joined the Big Brother house, many thought that would be end of surprises in the show. But who would have thought that Biggie still had so much up his sleeves.

It took everyone by surprise when during the live eviction show Big Brother again introduced two new housemates Jon and Ese. However, the twist is that are both fake housemates!

Now in its fourth week, the tempo has not slowed down. Viewers are excited over the new twists, Social media platforms are on fire, regardless of the fact that the new housemates are there solely to spice up the drama and possibly break up the cliques and alliances and perhaps forge new ones. It is the general opinion that the game is beginning to take a more intriguing dimension and only those who know how to turn with the tide will survive it.

Since the announcement by MultiChoice Nigeria that the season two of the Big Brother Nigeria show will come back to the screens, a few people were skeptical whether the show will be worth all the hype and buzz. If anything, it has been a highly interesting show and everyday, housemates seem to let go of their initial inhibition and truly be themselves. The Saturday parties before the live eviction have become another interesting aspect of the show.

At the last gig, housemates may have been a little tipsy from all the alcohol supplied by Biggie. This emboldened them to again embark on the ‘Truth or Dare’ game that require them to tell that truth about a question asked or dare them to do something crazy. This time around, CoCoIce, who was eventually evicted, was dared and without wasting much time, she unzipped her dress and proceeded to respond to the dare, which sent the Internet on a meltdown.

Ese and Jon’s mission is to create even more drama and give housemates a run for the N25 million prize money. Unknown to the housemates, the new guys are not in the game for the ultimate prize; they are there to infuse confusion and possibly evoke deeper emotions from other housemates. Who says winning N25 million is going to be an easy task?

During the diary session with housemates, Biggie asked what they thought about the new housemates. It was a unanimous view that Ese is giving Bisola a run for her money on who the loudest housemate is. Winning the task of the week and getting the Head of House title made it an arduous task for anyone to relegate Ese, who is beginning to hold sway. Ese herself has been quite assertive and playing the game with gusto. She is surely one of the ladies to look out for.

As for the guys, it is obvious that cute Jon is a threat. Although he assured Ebuka he was not going to be another ‘Miyonse’, he is already very close to TBoss. It is the general opinion that she may be missing Miyonse very much, which is why she is attracted to the light-skinned Jon. Jon says his sight is set on Bally who has been very quiet and coasting slowly to the finish line. Bally is confident so much so that he has not put his Green Card to use. This gives credence to Jon’s observations. With the current chemistry between him and TBoss, one wonders if Jon will be focused on his mission or if a pretty lady will distract him.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l3RB0e

Firm boosts diabetes management in Nigeria

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Diabetes Test

A medical products supplier, ISN Products Nigeria Limited, is to further the crusade of managing diabetic patients in Nigeria so they could lead a more fulfilling life.

The Executive Director (ED), Business Development, Mr. Felix Ofungwu, who gave the indication during a chat after the company’s maiden Customer Appreciation Forum in Lagos recently, noted that it has become imperative to do more to help the patients against the alarming global figure of 400 million diagnosed cases as at 2015 and the forecast of the number doubling in the next 25 years.

Asked how his organisation, the leading marketer of Roche’s range of Accu-Chek blood glucose metres in Nigeria, was doing to better the lot of the patients, he said ISN offers a self-care management programme for the diagnosed to help manage their condition against the background that no known cure had been found for the ailment. He quickly added that the affected persons could still lead a good measure of life if the condition is well managed.

On government’s obligation to this category of persons, though Ofungwu admitted that the awareness of the complications arising from diabetes was still very low nationwide, he, however, indicated that “there is a way we can work with the relevant agencies to improve awareness.”

Earlier, the Strategic Account Manager, Roche, Mrs. Folasade Olufemi-Ajayi and the Diabetes Coordinator for ISN, Miss Confidence Amuneke, had in their presentations given a frightening global figure of patients with Nigeria and Sub Sahara Africa getting a chunk of the statistics.

According to them, Type 2 of the ailment accounts for 95 per cent of global population of patients traceable to diets, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, aging, indifference among others.

Unfortunately, the experts pointed out sadly that 50-80 per cent of the patients do not know that they carry the ailment.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lSy5S4

Police arrest two brothers with fresh human head in Ekiti

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Two brothers from the same parent, suspected to be ritualists, have been arrested by the police with fresh human head in Ado Ekiti.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adeyemi Alberto, gave the names of the suspects as David Oluwatosin and Tosin Oluwatosin. He, however, said that David was at large.

Alberto, who confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday, said Tosin was arrested with the fresh head in Ifaki Ekiti, in Idosi Local Council of the state around 3:35p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, following an intelligence report from an unnamed source.

He said: “Yes, it is true. One of the suspects is on the run. The victim is about 12 years old but we are still looking for the severed body and we are also on the trail of the one at large. After investigation, the suspects would be charged to court.”

The PPRO said the police would also investigate if the two brothers were connected to the recent two incidents of beheading in the state.

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Fedpoly Ile-Oluji laments poor takeoff fund, matriculates 236 pioneers

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The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Prof. Adedayo Fasakin has lamented poor funding of the institution saying this poses a threat to its takeoff and sustenance.

Fasakin who disclosed this during the maiden matriculation of its pioneer students said the institution is faced with many challenges.
The polytechnic was established by a presidential pronouncement in 2014 alongside other three Federal polytechnics namely Oil and Gas, Bonny, Rivers state; Ukana, Akwa Ibom state and the National Institute for Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo state.

“We were the last to take-off. While all the other three took off in 2014, we started on April 1, 2015 and since we took off late, we were not captured in the 2015 budget.

Fasakin said the intervention of governor Olusegun Mimiko who offered a 14-flat complex as administrative take-off site and subsequently approved 152 hectares of land as the institution’s permanent site gave them a ray of hope.

The rector who was full of gratitude to God and the host community said the last polytechnic to take off out of the four named by the together is the only institution that has five accredited programmes and with the largest number of students.

“If the last of four can be best of four in less than two years, then we have all it takes to be among the top five polytechnics in Nigeria in the next five years. This we can surely do.”

Fifty-six students were admitted into Department of Accountancy, 33 into Computer Engineering, 54 into Computer, 39 into Electrical and Electronic Engineering and 54 into Statistics.

Mimiko in his address advised the 236 students to utilise the opportunities available in polytechnic education, which he said, combines the theoretical and practical knowledge for best use in special periods as the prevalent recession worldwide.

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Ekwueme, Ogene make case for Igbo presidency (Read full details)

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Alex Ekwueme

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, President of Ohaneze in Anambra State, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene and other Igbo leaders have called for Igbo presidency, saying, it was long overdue.

Ekwueme who did not specify if the Igbos should take their shot come 2019, said: “I pray that the other people (Igbos) can take it up from there and make progress.

The former vice president, who spoke yesterday at St Bernard Catholic Church, Caliber during the child dedication ceremony of Chief and Lolo Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu (KSM), added: “I would have contested for the number one position in 1987 but the military intervened in 1983 and the civilian regime was cut short.”

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, Ekweme who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ivara Esu, said: “We have conflicting reports about the President’s health. The Minister of Information says he is hale and hearty, but his wife says we should pray for him. So if he is hale and hearty, I don’t know why she said we should pray for him. Whatever it is, we ask God to look after him. We want Nigeria to be at peace and to make progress and see how we can get out of our present difficulties”.

To Ogene, who was also at the event, “an Igbo presidency is overdue but as far as I am concerned it is not something that is coming out now. Our President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, is going to make the stand of Ohaneze known as regards to the presidency. Igbo presidency is long over due whether it is 2019 or 2023, our own President General will make our stand known.”

However, the leaderships of the Yoruba and Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere and Ohanaeze have resolved to work together in protecting the interest of the two nationalities and seeing to the progress of nation.

In a resolution after the first meeting Nwodo would hold with any group outside Igbo land, the two organisations resolved that the paramount interest of Nigeria and the development of all ethnic nationalities that made up the country should be made paramount.
Received by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who stood in for the leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the apex Igbo group said the decision to make the Yoruba socio-cultural group its first place of touching base arose from the fact that it was the first organisation that openly congratulated him and followed with phone calls from its prominent leaders.

Meanwhile, former Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Enechi Onyia (SAN) has warned of the consequences of allowing the organisation to be infiltrated by politicians who parade themselves as leaders of the people.

Onyia told reporters in Enugu at the weekend that it would be dangerous for the Igbo apex socio-cultural grouping to drift from the aspirations of its founding fathers.

He blamed the crisis in the organisation on past leaders who enthroned a reign of impunity by acting independent of its constitution.

Also, Governor Simon Lalong said the Plateau State government had resumed partnership with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

He made the disclosure while receiving leaders of the group led by its vice chairman, Liman Kwande, in Jos at the weekend.

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Trump passionately pursuing his America first agenda

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US President Donald Trump / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT

In his inaugural speech, President of the United State of America, Donald Trump emphatically re-echoed that it would be America first in the scheme of things, whether at home or abroad. He promised to give America back to the people, away from the few he claimed had hijacked the country.

Before now, America has been the big brother around the globe; playing leading roles in ensuring peace, as well as, providing humanitarian support. But under Trump, that is changing and it is premised on wanting to put America first.

That he was serious about putting America first in the scheme of things reflected in his decisions as president in the past two weeks. Not perturbed by the protests staged across different countries around the world on the day he was sworn-in, Trump, on his first working day, signed three executive memos and later followed it during the week with nine other executive memos. Ironically, all the memos were controversial, considering the reactions that trailed them.

The first of the executive memos withdrew the U.S. from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the second reinstated the Mexico City Policy dealing with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and abortion access, and a third freezes federal workforce hiring. 

He did not stop at that. He followed it with meeting chief executives of businesses demanding they return their production lines and factories to America. It was not just a fiat order, he was willing to support businesses with the appropriate business environment, as he was ready to cut regulations by 75 per cent and impose a major ‘border tax’ on goods manufactured abroad and sold in the United States.

Trump, it was reported told the business leaders at the breakfast meeting that businesses spend more time on paperwork, complying with government regulations than on making things.

“We want to start making our products again,” Trump said. “If you look at some of the original great people that ran this country, you will see they felt very strongly about that.”

Central to all his actions and decisions during his first seven days in office was the need to recover for America what he felt are the lost grounds, which resulted in America shipping its business opportunities and jobs to other lands. So, he wanted the businesses back home and jobs for the teaming unemployed in America.

Ironically, Trump is coming from the business background where deals are reached with profit as the over riding interest. But it seems the deals Trump is ready to cut are those that would make America first.

Providing a review of Trump’s stay in office, an historian, Olaide Babalola said one good thing about Trump is that he has mission and even before being sworn in, he has got his cabinet (key positions) ready.

“Upon being sworn in, he moved from rhetoric to action. He is redefining America. Although, many outside the U.S.A would not agree with him, but he has shown what leadership should typify.

“No doubt, he would make mistakes and learn from such. Definitely, he will change the balance of the world relations and power equation. I could observe France and some EU countries being in opposition against him, but that would only reinforce his stance on issues.

“Diplomatic rows would manifest, but none would try military actions. By and large, he has shown leadership, commitment and clear understanding of how he wants to run his government.”

Babalola noted that while campaigning, he emphasized on building a wall between the US and Mexico, many thought he was bluffing, but he has demonstrated that he knows what he wants.

“He admirably cancelled a President’s appointment with him, when he couldn’t agree on who is to bear the financial commitment. That shows being in control, unlike some of leaders in the third world countries. And many lessons to be learnt from him in that regard.

“One dangerous manifestation is that he might tend towards bullying. This would have much negative impact on global relations. One-week perspective of his actions shows he is on course on his electoral promises.”

Also reviewing Trump’s stay in office so far, a lecturer of International Relations at Covenant University, Rosemary Popoola, said his person, policies and perspective is a paradox of the values believed to guide American policies, whether at home or abroad.

She noted that before now, the belief is that America is guided first by the interest of her people, empathy, human rights, which include rights of minority, women to mention a few.

“Except the argument of some is true; that America preaches abroad what it does not practice at home and that America’s own hypocrisy is catching up with her.”

She however stated that events in the past two weeks had further divided the country more than anytime in recent history, noting that his words and actions are not reflective of a leader that is willing and working assiduously to build bridges to connect with others.

“His policy and perspective has created an atmosphere of fear, apprehension and uncertainty. Some of his perspectives on issues take, for instance, the environment may likely reverse the progress that has been made to raise awareness and support on environmental issues both in America and around the world.

“On the global level, his actions are likely to exacerbate global tension and increase the anti-America sentiment from around the world, but most especially the countries with Muslim majority.

“It is taking America back to her era of Isolationism. This was an era after World Wars when US decided to be less involved in global affairs. Had US continued to maintain isolationist stance, we would not be talking about the free world today. And isolationism in this age and stage of human evolution is choosing to live alone when you have opportunity to do so with others and reap the benefit that such offers, while also sharing the burden

Popoola maintained that Trump’s actions are not surprising when considered from the premise of his campaign promises. “My concern, however, among others is that America is not living up to the spirit and letter of her values, as well as, the democracy that America holds dear, which it has preached for decades abroad and seeks to make other nations adopts and adapt.

“While it may appear too late to change him as President of US since impeachment may be difficult, those who may be most negatively affected by his policies must engage every constitutional means available to voice or register their discontent with his policies, person and his perspectives both on national and global issue,” Popoola said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lwAF44

NITDA seeks curriculum review for national ICT development

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Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami. PHOTO: TWITTER PANTAMI

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced process of engaging the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant Agencies for a review of the national (educational) curriculum to incorporate courses on information and communication technologies.

The Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT 5) National Implementation Committee inaugurated in Abuja recently is believed to be the vehicle to push for the curriculum review.

Members of the committee were drawn from various MDAs comprising of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National University Commission (NUC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt NITDA’s interest in the curriculum review is primarily to include courses that will spur knowledge-based economy and local content development (LCD).

The plan includes the incorporating the ‘internet’ as a discipline for the deepening of the nation’s cyber defense experts and technology entrepreneurs who will lead the local content drives.

Dr. Isa Pantami, director General of NITDA who has been meeting with stakeholders in the ICT industry stressed that the Agency will not rest on its oars in support local content technologies.

During one of such occasions at NiRA office in Lagos, Dr, Pantami represented by Dr, Collins Agu, director, Infrastructure and Technical Support Services at NITDA said, “One of the primary pillars of NiRA is local content which informed the decision for us be supporting our OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)”.

On the need to review the curriculum he said, “I think it is something very workable, especially if NiRA will come up with a document; we will see how to collaborate. I feel that having ‘the Internet’ as a discipline in our schools is something that should be done, but on the implementation I can’t say yes or no for now until the stakeholders come together to decide on it.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has also demonstrated that ‘The Internet’ deserves special course status in universities. The team at ICANN Learn and George Washington University recently created an in-depth look at the current state of digital trade in a free course titled “Digital Trade and Global Internet Governance.”

Backing the moves, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, member of NiRA Board said that the technology trends across the globe support the plea for a review of nation’s school curriculum as the Internet ought to be a discipline in tertiary institutions as showcased by ICANN’s moves.

“I don’t think there is something stopping us from doing that. It only demands we introduce the programme. I know that organization like NiRA through NITDA, NUC and other stakeholders can make it happen. It is not an impossible thing. You don’t need to have people with PhD. Internet Studies before the discipline can be taught in schools. At the advent of Computer Science studies, most of the tutors came by ‘chance’- from physics, Mathematics, but they had the experience.

“So, there is nothing wrong in introducing the course. It can start as an elative in the Computer Sciences department until it attains special status or we can start from the Diploma level. That is what I will suggest,” Dr. Nwannenna said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2ksjwnY

Osinbajo meets with IGP, anti-grafts agencies

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Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

* Recession caused by corruption – Magu‎
Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo last night met with heads of security and anti-graft agencies.‎

Those at the meeting were the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),Ekpo Nta,‎ the Department of State Services (DSS), Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the DG Nigeria Processing Zone Authority (NIPZA).

The agenda of the meeting which lasted for over two hours was not made public at press time.

Meanwhile, the heads of the anti-graft agencies had earlier met in a closed door with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari before proceeding to meet with Acting President Osinbajo.‎

Kyari had also separately met with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ‎Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah.

Speaking in a brief chat with State House correspondents after the closed door meeting, Magu attributed the biting recession in the country to the menace of high level corruption. ‎

Mangu said “I’m asking all Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption. Adults, children, men, women and including you journalists. Corruption is the greatest menace we are facing in the country.

“Corruption is responsible for the recession we are witnessing today. So all Nigerians must join in the fight against.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k93OSl