MasterCard-branded National eID Card Launched in Nigeria

Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will issue MasterCard-branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality to 13 million Nigerians. This initiative is the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in the country and the broadest financial inclusion program in Africa. 

The eID card forms a key component of the Nigerian Identity Management System, deployed by NIMC as part of its mandate to create, maintain and operate the country’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.

With 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology and Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, the eID card will provide millions of Nigerians – the majority of whom have never had access to a banking product – with the security, convenience and reliability of electronic payments.

At a celebratory event held in Abuja, His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan said: “I am happy that this important milestone of the rollout of the National Identity Management System has been realized today. I am impressed with the quality of the eID card and the work of the corporate partners that made it possible. I commend especially MasterCard, and Access Bank Plc, as well as the Commission [NIMC] for achieving a world-class product.”

He said the card builds a window to a social security benefit system and therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.

NIMC is working with several government agencies to integrate and harmonize all identity databases including the Driver’s License, Voter Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) into a single, shared services platform.

“The National eID program enables us to create an optimized common platform for Nigerian citizens to easily interact with the various government agencies and to transact electronically,” says Barr. Chris ‘E Onyemenam, Director General and CEO of NIMC. “There are many use cases for the card, including the potential to use it as an international travel document, which will have significant implications for border control in Nigeria and West Africa.”

“In close collaboration with both the public and private sectors to achieve the full potential of this program, NIMC is focused on inclusive citizenship, more effective governance, and the creation of a cashless economy, all of which will stimulate economic growth, investment and trade,” he adds.

Through the collaborative efforts of NIMC (the project lead), MasterCard (payments technology provider), Unified Payment Services Limited (payments processor), Cryptovision (Public Key Infrastructure and Trust Services Provider), and pilot issuing banks including Access Bank Plc, 13 million Nigerians will gain access to state-of-art financial services as part of the pilot program.

“This is a memorable occasion for MasterCard as we witness the start of a financial inclusion program that is unprecedented in scale and scope,” says Daniel Monehin, Division President of Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. “Combining an identity card with MasterCard’s prepaid payment capability creates a game changer as it breaks down one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion – proof of identity – while simultaneously enabling Nigerians to access the global economy.

” He said the broader economic impact of the card will be felt as the previously unbanked and under-banked are able to gain access to the mainstream economy, and the visibility of their assets allows them to build a financial history and establish credit-worthiness with financial institutions.

Using the card as a payment tool, Nigerians can deposit funds, receive social benefits,save or engage in many other financial transactions that are facilitated by electronic payments with the extra security assurance that biometric verification provides. They can also pay for goods and services and withdraw cash at millions of merchants and ATMS that accept MasterCard payment cards in Nigeria and in more than 210 countries and territories globally. MasterCard has unsurpassed merchant acceptance; no other brand is more widely accepted. The card also has the added safety and security benefits offered by the EMV Chip and Pin standard.

Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc Herbert Wigwe, said: “Access Bank is a supporter and promoter of innovative ideas that would improve the quality of lives of Nigerians. This initiative provides another opportunity to highlight our commitment to national development and nation building.”

To receive the eID card, Nigerians aged 16 and above need to register at one of the hundreds of NIMC enrollment centers nationwide. The enrollment process involves the recording of an individual’s demographic data and biometric data (capture of 10 fingerprints, facial picture and Iris) to authenticate the cardholder and ensure that there are no duplicates on the system. Upon registration, NIMC issues each Nigerian with a unique National Identification Number (NIN), followed by the national eID card.

Upon completion of the pilot program, NIMC plans to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens.

“By supporting the Nigerian Government in the implementation of a world-class and innovative electronic payments program, we are helping them to reduce the costs of cash to the economy and society, improve efficiencies and prevent fraud and corruption. More importantly, we are opening up a world of financial inclusion to millions of Nigerians and improving lives,” says Monehin.

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Prof Dora Akunyili's Last Public Speech

Her passion and diligence when she was at the helms of affairs as NAFDAC Director General saved many lives as she fought courageously against those involved in the manufacture and sale of fake drugs. She would also be remembered for her re-branding campaign for the country with the popular slogan 'GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION'

As the Heroine is buried today in Anambra State, Tun brings to you her very last public speech at The National Confab...

"Nigerians have for long clamoured for an opportunity such as this to discuss our problems and come up with solutions that will strengthen the bond of our nationhood. I regard this national conference as President Jonathan’s best centenary gift to Nigerians, and a proof that he is a listening president.

Mr. President’s speech oozes humility, modesty, patriotism and a deep concern for the present and future of this beautiful country, Nigeria. Mr. President in that speech admitted that sovereignty belongs to the people. And those in authority are only holding power on trust for the people and of course that nobody has monopoly of knowledge. Hence, the decision for convening this conference. One thing that stands out from Mr. President’s speech is that there is no trace of negativism.

For instance, he made it clear that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable and our duty at this conference is to discuss ways to build a stronger and better Nigeria and I totally agree with him.

I am convinced that Nigeria should remain as one nation after 100 years despite her challenges because our common values overwhelm our differences.

Apart from our long history of togetherness, we’ve also enjoyed many decades of inter-marriages and mutual co-existence. We have to make sure that this conference delivers on the true spirit of Mr. President’s speech.

While we discuss the value of unity as written in his speech, we must realise that millions of Nigerians are being discriminated against in various parts of this country where they are born; where their forefathers lived; based on the so-called state of origin.

The founding fathers of Nigeria had a dream of building a united, prosperous, and developed nation state where social justice reigns. We also have to continue to dream because once we stopped dreaming then life is gone.

In conclusion, I am convinced that Nigeria will work and fulfil its destiny.

I therefore look forward to collaborating with other delegates to chart the way for a better a new Nigeria. We all want to see a positive transform Nigeria and I therefore urge all of us to work individually and collectively so as to set the right agenda for the Nigeria of our dream.

Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates, I leave you with the words of these Greek proverb “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

Ikogosi Water Fall

This warm spring runs down a hilly landscape where it forms a confluence with another cold spring from an adjoining hill and merges into one continuous stream.

Located in Ekiti State, it is an awe inspiring sight where two springs flow side by side (Hot and cold water).

The undulating landscape adds natural beauty to the scenery. The chemistry of the Ikogosi warm spring in south west Nigeria has been studied and all measures used are within classification as fresh water and WHO standards.

The evergreen tall trees which surrounds the spring provide the canopy under which visitors relax. The people of Ikogosi worship the Goddess of the water and have strong believe in the myth around it.

A British clergy who lived in Nigeria for thirty years - Rt Rev Richard Burke expressed thus " I believe there is nowhere in the world where cold and warm water meets, except at the Ikogosi water spring here in Nigeria. Any other one would be man-made which is artificial. Ikogosi is a miracle of nature and a sacred place where God exhibited his power of creativity"

At the Warm Spring resort center, there are modern facilities which could interest tourists to repeat their visit time without number. There are many tastefully furnished charlets and 8 cabins for students on excursions. The chalets are well kept and maintained by trained and qualified staff.

The chalet forms small letter 'd' from aerial view.

Acknowledgement: Tun Henry

Esther, the Nigerian dress, makes history at the Smithsonian

By Tope Templer Olaiya

American fashion icon, Ralph Lauren, who built a global multi-billion dollar enterprise, when asked the secret of his fame, once responded with a quip: “I don’t design clothes; I design dreams.” This is the statement Patience Torlowei, an artist from Nigeria and a specialist in the textile sector, has brought to life with her stunning dress, Esther.

Simply known among friends and associates as Patience, the founder of Patience Please, the first registered lingerie manufacturer in Nigeria, has caught global attention with Esther, her rave-making special piece of art that has berthed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

Esther is an encapsulated story of the struggles and pain of the Niger Delta; and more importantly, illustrates the power of hope and of one person to change the world by giving people hope.

The dress itself, is a stunning silk ball gown designed and hand painted by Ms. Torlowei. History was made when Esther became the first item of high fashion to be ever requested by the Smithsonian as a permanent exhibit.

However, before making its final journey to Smithsonian, Esther was hosted to a send-off cocktail party in Lagos before a select distinguished audience at the Metropolitan Club.

Before unveiling the spectacle that has launched Nigeria at the biggest home for arts collection, distinguished nonagenarian, Mr. Akintola Williams, was full of praise for Esther. To him, there could be no better way to remold Nigeria’s battered image.

“This special piece of art making deserves our support. She will be leaving our dear country to become a part of the Smithsonian Institute’s permanent collection as the first piece of high fashion ever to have been accepted by the Museum of African Art,” Mr. Williams explained.

“In light of Nigeria’s current image on the world stage, it is clear to me that such high and unique achievement as Esther deserve our support and our acknowledgement of this feat by a Nigerian designer and artist, who has made a mark in a significant moment of our country’s history,” he added to a rousing cheer.

Like all of life’s greatest stories, which would always be incomplete without the tinge of pain and sadness, the story of Esther, was narrated by her designer, Patience, in a stirring address that moved the audience almost to tears.

All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers and it was this special dream that Patience rescued from the brink of botch, which has now deservedly earned her an international acclaim.

“We all go through life looking for a way to leave our own personal mark on the world. Some live their lives never discovering how they can do this, but I was, however, lucky enough to find my tools to leave my mark in the world of art and fashion,” Patience said to a stilled audience, which was already hanging on to her words.

“When things want to happen in life you have to prepare for them, you must go through the required fire. I came to Nigeria in 2009 with a heavy heart, a heart to change my country, to make a mark and Nigeria a hub for under-garment manufacturing, the first in Africa. I know I have to be refined, but I am grateful I met a few people who pulled me through that difficult moment of my life.

“One of the people I met that dusted me up and led me the distance is Ms. Evelyn Oputu. I remember what Oputu once said to me, ‘Patience, why are you so much talented; you are the best designer I can think of, how come it is not putting food on the table for you?’ It got me thinking hard and long on why I returned to Nigeria. I cried my eyes out and asked myself why did I come to Nigeria to be wretched. I was doing well in Europe.”

Unknown to Patience, her name turned out to be a virtue, a bitter pill she had to chew. With such encouragement from the former Bank of Industry Managing Director, Patience picked herself up and once again dusted the tatters of her dream.

“I did a work for Oputu. She called me and told me I have to make her a dress for an event the next day in Abuja. So, I stayed up all through the night to get the dress ready and deliver it in the morning. Later the next day, she called me to say, ‘Patience, expect some calls.’ I didn’t worry about that any more, I was prepared to move back to Europe.

“I had started packing my bag when I got a call to be at a place where an event was being held for children. Incidentally, the jacket I wore resembled the one I made for Oputu, which according to her, caused a distraction while she was delivering her speech. Apparently, this dress was that good and they wanted to know who made it.

“One of the people I made it for went back to America and I got a call few weeks later, ‘Patience, what did you do to this dress you sewed? People have not stopped talking about it and even children are acknowledging me. I have never worn any thing in my entire life that has got me so noticed and it fits me like glove.’ That made my day, but there was more to come.

“She wore the dress to New York, it was to the Smithsonian Institute conference and everyone wanted to know where she got it from. Coincidentally, they were marking a fashion show for an ongoing exhibition and I was selected. I was given a date for this event in August shortly after my mum had passed away in July.

“Eventually the exhibition with the theme ‘Earth Matters’ was held in February and there were eight exhibitors from Africa; I was the only one from Nigeria. The other designers had sponsorships from their countries, four were presidential sponsorships, I had no one to sponsor me. I had to go with my meager sum but I love what I was doing.

“I chose to do something about Africa, with stories covering Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria. When I came up on stage, there was silence in the hall, followed by uproar and a standing ovation. Others were bidden goodbye from the exhibition, I was asked to stay back.” And that began Patience’s journey to stardom.

“I started to get media interviews because of this dress; they wanted to know the value of the dress so they could buy it; but instead I offered to donate it to the museum. I named her Esther, because of my mother. All this happened to me just after she died.”

The Smithsonian Institute, established in 1846 is a group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government. It has an eclectic holding of 137 million items, a nucleus of 19 museums, nine research centers and a zoo

Esther’s designer, Patience has a factory based in Lagos and her design label produces quality lingerie to compliment a woman’s inner beauty and self-respect. She launched her first line in 2006 with Patience Torlowei BVBA, a bridal wear company.

Within two years, the brand has supplied wedding and cocktail dresses to over six countries in Europe alone. In 2008, the company added lingerie to its offerings because of the lack of wedding lingerie available to budding brides. This was further pushed by Patience’s personal love for exquisite underwear.

With a high demand coming from all over Europe for Patience Torlowei designs, she looked to Nigeria, her home country, for production, giving back to a country fighting to join the first world. By educating young unemployed people and giving consideration to the environmental, social and corporate governance issues, she has helped create a sustainable and responsible business that yields returns to a lot of young people.

Among the audience that saw off Esther to the Smithsonian included such fashion afficonado as Abba Folawiyo, Maiden Alex-Ibru, Lilian Unachukwu, Seni Williams, among many others.

Bidding Esther goodbye and ending the night of glitz, Prof. Pat Utomi, thanked the designer, for her masterpiece and wished her well in her future endeavours.

ALAJO SOMOLU, Nigeria’s Most Famous Thrift Collector

Alphaeus Taiwo Olunaike is not a name that many Nigerians are familiar with. But once you mention Baba Alajo Somolu, the eyes of millions of Nigerians will light up. Yes, they are more familiar with this nomenclature. Baba Alajo Somolu was just three years of age when he lost his father. However, he was able to proceed with his education. He started his primary education at the Emmanuel Primary School, Ijebu-Isonyin. He had not finished his education at his small hamlet when his paternal uncle, STA Torimoro came and took him to Lagos where he was able to further his education.

In the year 1927, he arrived Lagos and he was enrolled at the St. Johns School, Aroloya. From there, he proceeded to the Christ Church Cathedral School, Lagos, and finished there in 1934. Two years after his education, he was enrolled as an apprentice under a tailor named Rojaye. He was a tailor-in-training for nine good years before he got his ‘freedom’. When he started working as a tailor, he noticed that the income was not just going to be sustainable for him and he needed an alternative fast.

Therefore, when the younger brother of his late dad, STA Torimoro, was going to Cameroon on a commercial trip, Baba Alajo Somolu decided he would also seize the opportunity and follow him too. Thus, in 1950, Baba Alajo Somolu was on his way to Paul Biya’s nation. Upon reaching Cameroon, Baba Alajo Somolu unleashed the ferocious entrepreneurial spirit that was in him. A very determined fellow, he tried his hands on various tasks and duties in Cameroon. He sold goods, newspapers and tried his hands on many ventures. In Cameroon, one of his neighbours was a thrift collector and he gisted him about the business which immediately caught his fancy.

As a a result, by the time he returned to Nigeria in 1954, he already had it in mind that he was going to start the business of ajo gbigba (thrift collection). He was 39 at that time. Before he left Cameroon, he took with him a copy of the thrift collection card used by his Cameroonian neighbour. Upon reaching Nigeria, he made his own copies of the card and he named his own venture Popular Daily Alajo Somolu. 

At the peak of his career, he was so hardworking and diligent at his work that sayings were coined in his name. The sayings are as follows:

‘’Ori e pe bii ti alajo Somolu, to fodidi oôdun meta gbajo lai ko oruko eni kankan sile, ti ko si siwo san fenikeni.’’ (Your brain is as sharp as that of Alajo Somolu, who collected thrift for three years and paid back all his customers without writing down a single name and without making a single mistake with the payment)

There is also another one that goes thus:

“Ori e pe bii Alajo Somolu, to ta moto, to fi ra keke”. (You are so intelligent like Alajo Somolu, who sold his car to buy a bicycle)

For Baba Alajo Somolu to collect thrift and financial contributions from his countless clients without writing down their names and then returning to pay them as due and as scheduled at the end of every month for years without making any mistake points to an eidetic (photographic) memory. Only someone of a vast and prodigious memory with an outstanding power of recall can effortlessly carry out such an amazing feat. 

One very interesting thing is that many people actually think the story of Alajo Somolu is of myths and legends and that he does not exist. But alas! He did truly exist!

After establishing his Popular Daily Alajo Somolu thrift collection business, he got a bicycle that he planned to use in moving around collecting money for saving from his customers. Then he called an older relative and hinted him of the business, seeking his counsel, advice and suggestion. But he was shocked.

His elder relative took a good look at him and thoroughly discouraged him. He told Alajo Somolu that thrift business was not for people like him, that is was a very difficult and challenging job and he even counted about six people who had started the business of thrift collection but ended up bankrupt. He summed it up by telling Alajo Somolu to try another business as he will not succeed in thrift collection.

After listening to the demotivating tale of his older relative, Alajo Somolu headed to the place of his own elder sister, named Sarah. He explained that he wanted to leave the tailoring job and all that was on his mind to his dear sister. She listened carefully to all he had to say, believed in his passion and took him to a clergy who prayed for him and gave him all the support and encouragement that he needed in his new venture. He also preached to Alajo Somolu to be very honest in all his dealings, and that once he was fair and just, his business would bloom.

An elated Alajo Somolu and his delighted sister left the place of the cleric full of thanks and gratitude. In September 1954, Alajo Somolu went out for the first time to collect thrift from his clients. He had launched his business and he had great hopes. Unfortunately, not a single person patronized him that first day. Many of the market women even taunted him saying he would just collect their money and vanish into the thin air. But he was not discouraged with the negative atmosphere. He persisted in riding his bicycle from stall to stall, from shop to shop until some of the market women pitied him and decided to give him a trial and gave steady contributions of some kobos.

At the end of the first month, all his clients got their money complete and not a dime was missing. Baba Alajo too also made his own profit and he was doubly delighted that his clients had renewed hope in him and that the new business was actually more lucrative than the tailoring he was doing. With time, the news of his honesty, transparency and hardwork spread and his clients swelled in number. Baba Alajo’s prosperity too also shone and he built his first house at No 10, Odunukan Street in Ijesa. He later sold the house to the Deeper Life Ministry and built another one at Olorunkemi, Owotutu Area, Bariga, Lagos.

In a shortwhile, his fame spread like wildfire. He was the thrift collector for the entire axis covering Awolowo Market, Oyingbo Market, Olaleye, Mile 12, Ojuwoye, Baba Oloosa, Sangross and of course in Somolu (Shomolu) where he got his nickname. His customers fell in love with him for his truthfulness, his ability to save them from financial ruins by providing life-saving loans and most importantly, for his outstanding memory. He did not also use a calculator and there were no computers either. The most amazing part of his prodigious memory is this: he does not only pay back the exact amount to his clients, he also pay them back with the same notes and coins that they contributed with. He was so exact that if a client should write down the number on his notes, he would be astonished to get the same notes back at the end of the month. Such brilliance!

Anytime one of his vehicles returned after a trip of thrift collection and the car had depreciated to the point that it is no longer economically viable, he just sells off the car and buys a bicycle instead. Therefore, when people noticed that one of his vehicles was missing and a brand-new vehicle had appeared instead, they will say:

Alajo Somolu has sold his car to buy a bicycle.

But Alajo Somolu knew what he was doing. To him, what is the point of maintaining a car that was not bringing in profits anymore? It was better to sell it and buy more Raleigh bicycles to access all the hitherto inaccessible areas. Let me state here that many of his customers stayed with him for decades and many up to the time he died. They described him as a very friendly, reliable and honest man. He was also praised for his willingness to help others. When he died, one of the other thrift collectors in the area named Oladini Olatunji said that there was a time when he ran into some financial troubles with his business and it almost became a huge debt on him but it was baba Alajo Somolu that helped him pay off the entire debt and saved him from bankruptcy and he never told anyone. For this and many more, all other thrift collectors looked up to him as their father figure and even held the alajo (thrift collector) meetings in his house.

He was happily married and as at the time he was alive, he was the Layreader and Treasurer for 30 years at the Anglican Church that he attended at Somolu. 

Alajo Somolu continued his job with joy until 2010 when he was 95 years old. He really wanted to continue the job but his children insisted that he had to go on voluntary retirement, and that it was time for him to rest.

But you know the most amazing thing? Even though Baba Alajo Somolu followed his children’s suggestion that he retire and not go out again to receive thrift collections, his clients did not let him rest. They had so much faith in him that they personally went to his house to give him their daily contributions which they then returned to collect at the end of every month when it would have accumulated to a sizable portion.

On the 11th of August, 2012, Baba Alajo Somolu breathed his last. He was not sick but died due to old age.

From a humble background and with little formal education, Baba Alajo Somolu was able to remodify esusu, the traditional banking system and became a pioneer in his own right. He was clearly a fulfilled man, with the proceeds from his job, he was able to build houses, send his children to school and sustain his entire family.

Acknowledgement: Abiyamo, Naija Archives, Tun Odunayo

How A Young Nigerian Is Empowering Youths To Build "NIGERIA'S WHOLEFOODS"

It is no more news that Agriculture is key to the future of Africa's largest economy which is why there has been a huge investment drive into this sector of the economy in recent times. 

In Nigeria, the cash crops that can be grown in commercial quantities and exported in large volumes includes cocoa, palm oil, guar gum soyabeans, ginger, neem, castor oil, groundnuts, cotton, rubber, cassava, patchouli oil, coffee, coconuts, cashew, shea nuts, sesame seed, nutmeg, fenugreek, pistachios, macadamia nuts, cloves, fishmeal, cinnamon, eucalyptus, cardamom, and garlic just to mention a few.

Expanding agriculture would boost the establishment of processing facilities, as guaranteed supply is a magnet for investors in this viable sector. It would instantly create thousands of jobs, enhance the development of ancillary industries and above all reduce dependency on oil.

Tun brings to you Busayo Sotunde's interview with Nigeria's Lawrence Alaba Afere, a social entrepreneur with a passion for creating wealth and employment for youths using agriculture.  

Lawrence Alaba Afere is a farmer and social entrepreneur who originally trained as a Business Administrator graduate at Covenant University, Nigeria. He also trained as a Social Entrepreneur at Northwestern University, Chicago, International Institute for Global Leadership, Ashville, USA (online) and from Kanthari International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs in India. As the founder/director of Springboard Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, he develops entrepreneurship, jobs & wealth creation as well as agricultural programs for unemployed and marginalized youth in Ondo State, Nigeria. 

In 2009, based on his innovative approach towards solving youth unemployment in Ondo State, Lawrence was nominated for a national youth award by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in conjunction with Youngstars Foundation, Nigeria. 

He is also a 2014 Mandela Washington Fellow, an initiative of President Obama where he promised to extend his “entrepreneurship and agricultural programs to several unemployed young people across the 18 local government areas in Ondo State, Nigeria

Tell us about the journey towards establishing Springboard farm and why you ventured into agribusiness? 

In 2003, I went to University where I studied Business Management with the intention of graduating and getting a well paid job that would help support my family. I remember it was a Friday, November 17, 2006, when my life changed. This change was triggered by a report in the newspaper about the plight of over 30 million unemployed Nigerian youths. It raised the question: “what would happen to the country by 2020 if nothing was done to solve the situation?” It was written in the report that “By 2020, Nigeria will have over 20 million highly skilled criminals” I was really saddened and concerned after reading this report. 

Immediately, I felt I might someday become a victim of what this report says. And then my perspective shifted from living for myself to finding a way to help the situation and also become self employed. I found myself thinking about this constantly. After graduating from University in 2007, I returned to my town, Akure, a low-income community in Southwest Nigeria. It was a huge shock for my parents, relatives and friends to see me returning home. They all expected me to remain in the city and get a good job. Thinking of the investment they had in me, my parents felt disappointed when I informed them I wanted to do something different with my life by empowering unemployed young people. After some time, I agreed with my parents and went back to the city where I got a job. However, the dream of doing something different was still in my mind and therefore my dream was very much alive. Finally, I quit the job and went back to Akure. 

People, especially family members said I was bewitched! People in Nigeria are suspicious when things are not going as expected. They believe there is a spiritual force that can influence one’s destiny. “Where and how could I start?” I kept asking myself. I was jobless and wanted to do something that would give jobs to unemployed young people in my town and I wanted to have a meaningful occupation myself. I tried several things that failed. For example, selling books to schools. Selling books was not an effective tool for bringing young people together. But this time my undying passion would not let me give up. 

In late 2008, with much inspiration from International Institute for Global Leadership, USA, I had an idea to start a farm where we would cultivate and sell farm products. I shared my idea with the unemployed young people in my church and 5 of them showed interest and also invited 9 of their friends. A parent, who was interested in our idea, lent 7 plots of farmland to us free of cost. We named the farm “Youth Farm Project” and 15 of us began to cultivate the land by planting maize.

In the process, I realized that there is a relationship between a farming process and entrepreneurship. The farming process provides a practical experience for learning how to become an entrepreneur. The project has given opportunities to unemployed youth and I to generate some income. In 2012, after my training at Kanthari International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs, I renamed my organization ‘Springboard.’ 

What do you do at Springboard farm and how do you work to empower people in your host community? 

The mission of Springboard is to create an entrepreneurial and productive community of youth from different background who work together to enhance their livelihood and community through sustainable agriculture. On the Springboard farms, located in Akure, we grow plantain, banana, and maize. We also produce plantain chips from our plantain. In future, we plan to grow cocoa, several mints, and all kinds of vegetables. It is also our goal to add value to all our farm produce. 

What are the challenges and opportunities in creating a business such as yours? 

Our project is a social enterprise and not a business. We maximize wealth and profit. We use every return on our farm to create more value, jobs and projects that benefit the community and Nigeria at large. We use farming as a tool to transform the perspectives of young Nigerians. Our challenge is with the middlemen who supply farmers’ produce to the market. These people make exorbitant profit than the farmers who put so much effort into growing the foods. The farmers are taken advantage of because they lack adequate resources to get their produce to the right market. In future, we want to create the Young farmers Market where our network of farmers display their farm produce three times a week in an open market. 

How do you accept people into your free farm and entrepreneurship training? 

Our training fall into two parts – 6 months training and the short training. Our six months training is full scholarship. And we give our participants business/farm startup capital (micro credit) after the training. We screen all participants who apply for the training and we take participants based on the following criteria: 

#1 A business idea, 

#2 A desire to start a farm/business in the community after the training

#3 A commitment towards community development 

Our short term training runs for less than a week. This is a paid training for the general public. We have one coming up mid-September and it is on starting a plantain farm. 

You are currently working on expanding Springboard. How you intend to do this?

My team has set some big goals for the next 3 years. We will build a factory where we produce plantain chips, corn chips, cocoyam chips and recycle plantain/banana peels and stems. We will start the Youth farmers Market. We will also significantly expand the farm by growing thousands of plantain, banana, cocoa, spinach, several mints and vegetables. We are in the process of getting an international loan and generous donations to construct our factory and training centre. Construction will start by September 2014. Currently, we have over 5 hectares of farmland. So, land is not a problem. We can get more when the need arises. During the planting season in 2015, we are bringing on board, about 10 local and international partners to invest in the farm.

How will this expansion plan benefit people especially in your host community? 

Our dream is to become the WHOLEFOODS of Nigeria, create thousands of jobs for Nigerian youth and good food for the Nigerian people. From our expansion plan, over 100 youth will be trained to start farm and green businesses annually and we shall create several jobs in our factory and farms. 

In your statement on the fundraising site, you said you intend to manufacture sanitary pad from plantain/banana peels and stems. Can you shed more light on this? 

After we started our plantain chips business in 2013, we discovered there are a lot of waste from the plantain peels and stem on the farm. During my fellowship in the U.S.A (Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders), I met one of the fellows who produces sanitary pad from plantain/banana peels and stem in her country. I was really interested in what she does because we have lots of these wastes. I never knew it was possible to recycle these wastes into products that benefit the community especially young girls. 

In rural communities in Nigeria, if you are a farmer you will understand this; many girls miss class during their menstrual period because they cannot afford the modern sanitary pad. And because they miss classes, this affects their overall academic performance. Springboard will do something about this problem. Once we have the resources, we will convert our plantain peels and stem into affordable sanitary pads for the rural girls. 

In your opinion, why should people support agricultural investments? 

I see a new wealth coming to Nigeria through the hands of farmers. Farmers will soon become the richest in the country. Presently, some systems are naturally been put in place to make this a reality. For many years, too many farmers have remained cheated and poor. Times are about to change in their favor. Those who want to become prosperous in future should begin to invest in agriculture NOW! Do not wait any longer. 

You said your company practice organic farming. Is this farming socially and economically viable and beneficially especially to rural farmers? 

The best form of farming practices is organic. This system produces non-poisonous food and protects the environment. On the Springboard farms, we do not apply any chemical. We are 100% organic. This practice comes with huge challenge. For example, it is labour intensive and quite expensive to maintain. Because we do not use weed killer, we need to engage laborers to continuously weed the farm. Also, in the Nigeria, and unlike developed nations where people value what they eat, the practice of organic farming is not common and people do not have adequate information about it. So, organic farm produce are still sold at the same price as inorganic farm produce. 

You are one of the 500 fellows at the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Please share some of your experience ? 

50,000 young Africans applied for the fellowship and only 500 were selected. At the programme, I met with President Obama, Michelle Obama and top American business and political leaders. During the fellowship, I received business and entrepreneurship training at one of the top American universities, Northwestern University. And I had the opportunity to visit and learn from top American business organizations such as Google, IBM, McDonalds’ and PWC. The learning experiences gained from this programme will help to take my organization, Springboard to new heights.

 Where do you see Springboard farm in the nearest future? 

Springboard will become the WHOLEFOODS of Nigeria. 

Springboard has launched a fundraising campaign that you can support. Do copy and paste the link below for more details. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-a-new-nigeria-the-springboard-farms

Acknowledgement: Busayo Sotunde, Rural Reporters,Tun Henry

Dr Ameyo Adadevoh - Our National Heroine

The supreme sacrifice for her and a few co-workers was death. Her diligence and vigilance averted a nationwide epidemic that has so far been nipped in the bud. She was determined to do what was right especially in resonance with the ethics and conduct of her profession. Not minding the fact that her patient carrying the deadly Ebola virus was an ECOWAS delegate from Liberia who managed to escape undetected at the airport and who was simply keen on getting a medical clearance from the First Consultant Hospital to travel to Calabar for the “8th Joint Retreat of ECOWAS Institutions, Permanent Representatives and National Units”; the heroine in her came to bear as she ensured that her patient was quarantined, while she quickly sent his blood sample for further analysis at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The result confirmed her suspicion and the authorities were immediately alerted.

She was a professional to the core with a direct, committed, inquisitive, and thorough approach. Testimonies abound of her lack of tolerance for half measures. She was a mother and a family doctor to many.

Her prompt approach witnessed a corresponding and notable response from the authorities who also identified the Ebola Virus as a national threat which portends disaster for Nigeria if left unattended to. Designated quarantine centers were quickly in place in various parts of the country and independent volunteers to care for the few citizens that contacted the virus in addition to the nurses and doctors on ground were solicited. A media campaign was also set in motion with a high sense of responsibility emanating from the highly informed Nigerian public.

Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, senior consultant endocrinologist physician, great granddaughter of one of Nigeria’s founding father- Herbert Macaulay, has done Nigeria a selfless service and has paid the price with her life which deserves every posthumous honor possible.


Her love for Nigeria and indeed humanity would be celebrated for a long time to come.

Adebayo Faleti, a Nigerian Playwright and Veteran Broadcaster

Adebayo Faleti, a Nigerian playwright and veteran broadcaster, was born on the 26th of December 1930 in Agbooye, Oyo State but he lived in Obananko, Kuranga near Oyo State.

Adebayo is the first son of his father, Joseph Akanbi Faleti and the only child of his mother, Durowade Ayinke Faleti.

Adebayo Faleti, from an early age, was passionate about drama. He could not pursue his dream at that time due to lack of funds.As a result of this, he decided to suspend his primary education.

In order to actualize his dream, Adebayo proudly founded the First Operatic Acting Group in Oyo in 1949, with the support of his colleagues who shared the same dream.

Alagba Faleti later found his way back to school by getting a job in a primary school in which he worked for six years. During this period, he was able to raise enough funds for his secondary school education coupled with financial support from his father.

He was a pioneer teacher at Ife Odan near Ejigbo.

In 1966, Adebayo attended the University of Dakar in Senegal and obtained a Certificate of proficiency in French Language and Civilization. Two years later, he graduated from the University of Ibadan with an honours degree in English Language.

In 1971, he attended Radio Netherlands Training Centre, Holland and received a certificate in Television Production.He was one of the pioneer staff members at the First Television Station in West Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), now known as Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, where he worked as a newscaster and a television producer until the split of the cooperation after the creation of Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo States out of the Western Region in 1976.

Adebayo Faleti, an 83 year old poet, translated the Nigerian National Anthem from English to Yoruba when he was the General Manager of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

He initiated the broadcast of Islamic programmes during Ramadan period and and came up with the idea of having Mobile Father Christmas from village to village.

He is a successful Yoruba translator who helped to translate the speeches of military President Ibrahim Babangida, and Chief Ernest Shonekan, head of the National Interim Government from English to Yoruba

Adebayo, a custodian of the Yoruba culture, coined the Yoruba translation of Father Christmas to Baba Keresi

Alagba Faleti, a brilliant and seasoned actor, has produced a number of Yoruba folklore length plays. He has also acted, produced and written several popular Yoruba plays. He has featured in landmark Yoruba movies like Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Thunderbolt (Magun), Ite Oba, Basorun Gaa etc.

Pa Adebayo is also known for famous poems he published. His poems include;  Ijamba Odo Oba, Alagbara Ile ati Alagbara Oko, Adebimpe Ojedokun and many more. 

Adebayo, a man who is extremely knowledgeable about the Yoruba Culture, published a Yoruba dictionary showing the proper use of Yoruba names

The Yoruba Legend, who has a unique way of wearing his cap (Fila), has received several awards, both locally and internationally. His awards include the National Honour, Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), the Festival of Arts awards with Eda Ko L’aropin 1995 and the afro-Hollywood Award for Outstanding Performance in Arts in 2002, to mention a few.

A living legend of the Yoruba's, Pa Adebayo is appreciated for his tireless effort in ensuring the conservancy of the Yoruba Language.

Acknowledgement: Dawn Commission,Tun Odunayo

Funmi Iyanda; The Multi-Talented Media Personality and TV Icon

By Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya... (excerpts)

Funmilola Iyanda stands or sits in a class of her own; no competition, no vanquished, no wannabes, no copycats. She just is.

One of Nigeria’s most celebrated TV Personalities, Funmi Iyanda was nominated as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011, joining the ranks of popular personalities such as TV show host Oprah Winfrey and Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg; the same year, she was listed by Forbes as one of its 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. She is an African Leadership Institute Tutu Fellow and a fellow of the ASPEN Institute’s African Leadership Initiative; and that’s not all.

The multi-award winning, multi-talented Media Entrepreneur, Producer, Talk-Show Host, Journalist, Activist and Mountain-Climber is the CEO of Ignite Media, a Production Company and holds the record for independently producing and hosting Nigeria’s most popular, down-to-earth and cutting-edge talk show ‘New Dawn with Funmi Iyanda’, which ran on the national network [NTA] for eight astounding years. The Show used its influence as a vehicle for social change and transformation by advocating the cause of the vulnerable members of the society, particularly women, youth and children. New Dawn gave birth to the “Change-A-Life” social intervention project.

Where and how did this media maverick emanate? I too would like to know!

A graduate of the University of Ibadan where she studied Geography, Funmi threw her certificates to the wind when she chose to delve into sports journalism; driven by passion.

Reportedly one of a few Nigerian female sports journalists, she covered the 1999 female Football World Cup, the All Africa Games in Zimbabwe, as well as the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens. She was also an active member of the Nigerian Football Association between 1995 and 2003. Surprised?

The vivacious TV personality that she would become reared its proverbial head when she started to present the ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ Show, a breakfast magazine television show. The show became a hit and Funmi sought bigger waters to swim in. Thus the advent of the ‘New Dawn’ daily Show in 2000 which was allegedly terminated in 2008 because she hosted a gay rights Activist.

No. this did not deter the daring amazon; in 2010, she returned to the Tube with a ‘Talk with Funmi’ (TWF), a Show intended to capture the pace of life in Nigeria; from the streets, to the market-places and the corridors of power. In her usual hands-on journalistic style, a ‘Talk with Funmi’ is a thought-provoking, informative and entertaining journey into the life of Nigerians from all over the country.

A philanthropist and change-agent, Funmi’s Change-A-Life project has affected the lives of many children and people through its scholarship, healthcare, counselling and micro-finance intervention scheme.

The gifted lady is also the producer of several internationally nominated productions including ‘My Country Nigeria’, a documentary which aired on the BBC celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence and nominated for “Best News Documentary” 2011 at the Monte Carlo TV Festival and a realistic and innovative web series documenting the 2012 Nigerian fuel subsidy protests via chopcassava.com.

Talking about protests, Funmi is no shrinking violet when it comes to publicly and articulately stating her views. In addition to rallies and walks, Funmi raised the bar by climbing to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2012, with other activists in order to raise global awareness on ending violence against Women and Girls in Africa, as well as secure concrete national commitments from African governments to be implemented by 2015 to end violence against women and girls.

A whetted writer, Funmi writes for local and international newspapers and blogs. The Queen of Tube, who is said to be a voracious reader, also holds a certificate in Global Leadership and Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Acknowledgement : Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya, Tun Henry

Photo Choice : Tun Images 

Photo Source: Google Images

http://www.konnectafrica.net/funmi-iyanda/

GOVERNOR FASHOLA COMMISSIONS NEW 2,640-SHOP CAPACITY MAIN TEJUOSHO SHOPPING COMPLEX, YABA

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Friday officially reopened the Phase One of the rebuilt Main Tejuosho Shopping Complex, Yaba, urging Lagosians to continue to pay their taxes.

The former Tejuosho Market, one of the major trading and commercial centres in the State, was gutted by fire December 17, 2007, and was later shut down on expert advice by the State Government which decided to rebuild it in phases into a major Shopping Complex.

In his remarks at the occasion which took place at the premises of the redeveloped market, Fashola said the complex was part of the long-term radical infrastructure renewal plan by the State Government which, according to him, “is driven by far-sighted vision and pursued by thoroughly committed public servants that will ensure that it is delivered whether I am here or not”.

The Governor added, “The plan has been made, the vision is shared and the commitment is real. It requires only two things to ensure that the vision becomes a reality; first it will require you to continue to pay your taxes. Secondly, it will require you to continue to vote to keep the progressive party, the All Progressives Congress in power to continue its people-oriented policies for the development of the State”.

On the available facilities in the new complex, Fashola said his administration has gone ahead to increase the number of lock-up shops from 1,484 before the fire incident to 2,640 in the new complex adding that instead of the illegal attachments which were used as key-clamps in the old market, Government has provided 1,251 key-clamps almost double the illegal attachments built at the old car-park.

Other facilities, the Governor said, include banking spaces, eight lifts to enable goods, services and people move up, two escalators for up and down movement of people, two ramps designed to assist physically handicapped people to get into and out of the building and a crèche where nursing mothers can attend to and keep their children while they are trading.

There is also a dedicated Fire Service Station within the complex with fire fighting systems built in the market to forestall any incident of fire disaster, he also said, adding that whereas extensions were created in the space provided as car-park in the old market, a dedicated 800-vehicle capacity car-park has been built as part of the new shopping complex..

On the method of payment for the shops, Fashola explained that the shops are offered to prospective traders on Owner-Occupier basis whereby the owner-occupiers would pay for their shops gradually and overtime adding that it would take them eight years of mortgage payment to fully pay for their shops.

Pointing out that shops and houses are not things that could be bought in one day like other commodities, Fashola declared, “ What we have decided to do is to make it easier and convenient for you to pay for it gradually so that you can do your business and put your profit back to own what you have”

He expressed appreciation “to First Bank Plc and its leadership, especially Mr. Bisi Onasanya, “for providing the financing support for the project construction and for agreeing to our request to provide mortgages for small owners to pay their shops gradually and overtime”.

Fashola said it is a way to encourage the poor in the society to aspire to a better life and to lead them to that better life, telling them what the challenges are and pushing the challenges for them so that they too can better and get out of their situation. “That is the way to take people out of poverty”, he said.

“The role of leadership is to help the people at the bottom of the ladder to dream and aspire to take their first foot on that ladder with the help of their colleagues behind them, telling them it is time; so that is the flexibility by First Bank Plc which is commendable given the challenging market in which it operates”, the Governor said adding that by that act, the bank has helped about 2,105 people to begin to make equity contribution for ownership of their shops.

He thanked all the traders “for their understanding during the construction exercise’, adding that there are many lessons that have been learnt during the building process that would help in the building of future development of other projects “that would make even more efficient and certainly better impact on the people”.

In his remarks earlier, Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Mr. Olabisi Onasanya, described the project as a veritable example of how a Private Public Partnership could be deployed adding that the opening ceremony signified the beginning of a new dawn in commercial activities in the State and in the country.

In her goodwill remarks, the Iyaloja-General, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, expressed her appreciation to the Governor for fulfilling his promise to the market traders and urged all the traders to ensure that they abide strictly by the sanitation rules of the market.

Others, who gave goodwill messages at the occasion, including the Babaloja of Tejuosho Market, Mr. Adeshina Oyegunle, the President Ndigbo Traders in Tejuosho and others, also thanked the Governor for keeping to his promise of giving the former shop owners in the old market the opportunity to return after the reconstruction.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Olutoyin Ayinde, said Government was conscious of the untold suffering which the fire disaster in the market brought to the traders pointing out that this informed the determination not to lose the opportunity to restore their hope, adding, “It is a proof of our determination to stand out and not do things the way they used to be done”.

Also present at the occasion were members of the State Executive Council including the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his Finance and Information and Strategy counterparts, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi and Mr. Lateef Ibirogba respectively, prominent members of the Organized Private sector, top executives of First Bank Plc, market traders and other top government functionaries.

Southeast Asian Countries Seek Improved Ties With Nigeria

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called for improved relations with Nigeria given the nation’s immense human and material resources.

This was disclosed during the 47th ASEAN celebration, hosted by the Philippines Embassy in Abuja, recently. Though ASEAN has ten members, only the ambassadors of Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam were present.

At the event, the Malaysian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lim Juay Jin, said, “We are here to promote our countries individually and collectively. ASEAN has been an entity so far, to preserve peace and stability in Asia. ASEAN day is how we are bringing Asia to the Nigerian people.

For example, Jin said that Malaysia is home for Nigerian students. “We had a rough estimate of 10,000 Nigerians pursuing education in Malaysia. We also have so many similarities between both countries to include weather.

“The palm oil seed in Malaysia originally comes from Nigeria. In future we are looking at trade, investments, people relationships, and visits between the two countries.” He added that with ASEAN members have managed to link themselves with the other regions. At the moment member countries are working towards strengthening ASEAN/Nigeria relations.

In his own part, the Ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria, Chailert Limsom Boon, said, “ASEAN is very successful in promoting peace and stability in the Asian region. We have very good economic relations among ASEAN countries” something Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can learn from. “How we did it, we cannot say exactly, we just say we have an ASEAN way of doing things. We don’t know each other very well. We need to learn more about each other.”


http://leadership.ng/news/381059/southeast-asian-countries-seek-improved-ties-nigeria

AUDU MAIKORI, FOUNDER & CEO OF CHOCOLATE CITY

Audu Maikori ,born 13th August 1975 in Kaduna is a Nigerian lawyer,entrepreneur, social activist, poet and founder/CEO of Chocolate City Entertainment, and he is well known in Nigeria as a former Idol series delight.

He worked as a legal consultant holding a variety of legal positions before founding Chocolate City in 2005. 

He signed M.I Abaga touted as one of Africa’s biggest Hip hop icon in 2006 and profited from the success of other artists he signed.

Maikori’s Chocolate City is regarded as one of the biggest and most successful hip hop labels in Africa, helping to guide the careers of several artists including Asa, Djinee, MI, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Nosa, Brymo etc.

A multi award winning entrepreneur and creative industry specialist, Audu soon took off the role of social activism by funding and participating in a variety of youth empowerment projects. Audu was a key member of the Enough is Enough rally in 2010.

Maikori is also a much sought-after public speaker and has travelled widely to speak on the creative entrepreneurship. In 2013, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology selected him to speak at their annual Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship event in Boston, USA.

Acknowledgement: African Celeb, Tun Telev

Lagos Can Indeed Be Africa's Rising Story - Governor Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola , SAN on Wednesday asserted that Lagos can indeed be the African Rising Story going by the progress being made along the lines of clear commitments and the initiatives being planned in the Power, Agriculture, Transportation and Housing sectors among others by the present administration.

The Governor who spoke at the Mail and Guardian Africa Meeting of Great Minds Breakfast Dialogue with the theme, “ Urban Migration and Renewal in Nigeria : Future Drivers of Economic Growth” and the sub-theme , “How African Cities will be the biggest drivers of the Rising Africa Story,” held at Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki, added that the progress made can only reinforce the capacity of Lagos to drive a rising Africa story.

He added that with steady power, the State can can energise her communities, the people and their businesses and provide employment and food through the agriculture value chain.

Continuining, the Governor said the successes recorded in the transportation sector simply means that the people can be moved from one end to the other in an intermodal way and also provide ideal homes through payment by mortgage in the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LAGOSHOMS).

He explained that in Lagos before the world became more knowledge driven and as competitive as it is today, there had been the realization that the education of the people has remained the surest way to develop the nation and the administration has demonstrated commitment to education from cradle to the top.

“Our approach has been to improve all players in the public and private sector. We use competition and choice as drivers to increase productivity of our educational outputs. Our short term bias would be technological and science education to produce people who can do things with their hands rather than people who work with their minds alone.

We need a generation of young men who can build our roads, our bridges, who can build our schools and hospitals, people who can fix MRI machine and CT scan and in that way we can create job opportunities,” he said.

Underscoring the need to embrace Information Technology, the Governor noted that people must be able to stand and use IT to bridge the wider gulf of development that exists between Africa and the West.

“In a way that business that should have been transacted through ledgers are now done through small flash drives and in a way that commerce is now an increasing online business, delivery vehicles may soon yield way to drones for delivering goods at the peoples doorsteps,” he said.

He added that from the various governmental institutions, to schools, to hospitals and the transport services, the ICT footprint is increasing in Lagos State, such that today, Lagos is one of the four African states where it is documented that there is presence of free WIFI in open spaces, stressing that steps are being taken to improve on that front.

He stressed that the approach of the present administration is to seek to reduce poverty by building infrastructure, adding that for some people, Lagos may have bitten more than it can chew.

He noted, however, that the answer to such people lies in a close examination of the yearly budget of the state which is her article of faith, adding that whenever the administration said it wanted to address the infrastructure deficit, her budget also said the same.

“Our first two budgets showed how serious we are in terms of addressing infrastructure deficit. In 2008 we budgeted 60.05 percent for capital and 39.5 percent recurrent while in 2009 Capital was 63 percent while recurrent was 37 percent and by 2010 we bent to 59 to 41percent ratio”.

“ In 2011, things changed a little for us because in those two years there were no less than 2000 construction work going on from the smallest to the biggest and as many of them were coming to completion, what we were seeing was a necessity to maintain them and that was driving up again our recurrent expenditure and it was something we joyfully joke about at Council. It helped us issue out small contracts and commitments and up till 2014, the ratio is 58 percent to 42 percent”, he stressed.

The Governor reiterated that after the budget commitment, the State Government also recorded high performance in the Budget, recording not less than 70 percent every year, saying in 2012 it was 89 percent, 85 percent in 2013 and as at half year of 2014, it had recorded 86 percent.

While shedding more light on the other successes recorded, Governor Fashola said work has been concluded on power plants as well as over 300 km of public lighting, adding that before now a satellite view of Lagos would bring about a dark view but that the state has succeeded in restoring night life through rapid street lighting.

“We are leading the delivery of embedded power and energy solutions with 3 completed power plants, and two more to come this year, over 300 KW of public lighting by street lights. In Agriculture,we have multiplied increments in Agricultural outputs in the area of poultry, vegetable, and Agro-processing such as rice and cassava milling, transportation: We are implementing 6 simultaneous transport solutions Mile 12 – Ikorodu, Lekki-Epe, Lagos – Badagry, Lagos Light Rail, Lagos Ferry and Lagos Cable Car and in Housing, we are now delivering 200 Housing Units every month with a 10-year mortgage and a maximum interest payment of 9.5 % ”, he explained.

The Governor said the truth for him is that Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa still remains to be fully optimized because if one looks at the missed opportunities of the past, they must inspire the people to multiply the opportunities of today and the prospects of tomorrow.

In his words: “As for the ‘Rising Africa’ part of the topic, who would have thought that any rising in Africa was even within contemplation a little over a decade ago? The honest question is this: Are we rising? My answer for now, must regrettably be in the negative. How much of our food is produced here? How many of our airplanes, vehicles, construction equipment, cell phones and a host of household essentials are made here? What percentage of our workforce is employed at the leadership and management of Africa’s infrastructure projects?”

The Governor asserted that It is fair to acknowledge that some of the prospects are heading in the right direction across many African cities, but the African Renaissance that he foresees must be an honest one built on African determination and self-inspiration to change what is unacceptable.

He added that Africa may only appear to be rising because Europe is not doing well and the margins for returns are thinning out and that is because Africa has been under-served, because a seasonal rising seems on the horizon because returns on investment get better in Europe.

According to the Governor, the real test of any rising is to wait to see what happens when, not if, Europe rebounds and that Africa can only pass that test if she takes concrete and well-articulated steps to position herself to remain competitive and efficient when Europe rebounds.

Fashola opined that while some commentators have argued that this is yet another scramble for Africa, for him, that may well be so and indeed it may not be but importantly it is to look ahead rather than behind.

“Even if this was another scramble for Africa, there is still a difference. The first was for raw materials. This one, (if it is), is for a new market with high investment returns, a large population with increasing purchasing power, that is undeserved because of a deficit of infrastructure and services”.

“What did we do with the first scramble for resources for cocoa, cotton, and timber since 1885 (129 years after)? How much of the chocolate and sweets, fabrics and furniture that we consume, wear and use; is made in Africa, years after that scramble? Now that we have a larger market, increasing disposable income and a horizon of sustainable economic growth, because Europe is working sub-optimally, what should we be doing?”,

Speaking earlier, the Editor of the Mail and Guardian Africa, Mr Charles Onyango Oboh said the visit would afford the team an opportunity to learn and share perspectives on what makes Lagos tick.

He added that in the coming years, Africa would be a Continent of City States and that many would be willing to learn first from the Governor what makes Lagos the fourth largest economy in Africa.

The event moderated by a Senior Lecturer at the Lagos Business School, Dr Salami Adedoyin attracted members of the diplomatic community including South African Consul-General, Ambassador Mokgethi Sam Monaisa, Consul -General of France, Mr Francois Sastoume ,members of the Organised Private Sector, academics, the media and other invited guests.

Yewande Akinola - An Epitome of Service, Passion and Excellence

A woman who loves the challenge of taking engineering ideas from concept through to manufacture, Yewande has been recognized for her commitment to sustainability and innovation, especially around water supply technology.

Yewande works for ARUP as an environmental services engineer, and held the title of the 2012 IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year.

She went to ARUP after completing a degree in engineering design and appropriate technology at the University of Warwick and a master’s in innovation and design for sustainability from Cranfield University.

Originally she had planned to train as an architect, but her mother thought she’d really excel if she entered the engineering world.

“My mum thought that as an engineer I’d have a lot more opportunity to express my desire to create inspiring spaces for people to live and work in, so I gave it some thought,” she says.

“When I started to really think about it, I thought yes, I’m interested in water engineering, I’m interested in transport, energy – having spent time growing up in a developing country energy was a big problem. I thought that instead of designing just comfortable houses, I could design roads and energy systems that would complement the whole idea of comfortable living. That was it for me: I then applied to
Warwick.”

“The beauty of engineering is that its basic principles span across many different areas and aspects: communications, structures etc. That variety has helped me stay interested,” she notes.

When looking back over her career so far there are two projects that Yewande is particularly proud of.

The first is her contribution to the large brownfield redevelopment and sustainable regeneration of Central Saint Giles, London, one of the first city centre projects with a site-wide biomass heating system, extensive green roofs, and recycling of rainwater and grey water.

“I’d like to call this social engineering,” she says. “It was an amazing opportunity to work onsite and communicate my design ideas to the people there. Being able to express engineering concepts and ideas to the people on site is an important part of an engineer’s work,” she explains. 

She’s also hugely proud of designing a product for a school in Devon. “It’s about being able to translate an idea to a finished product, getting it registered and patented, then having it installed in a building and used every day. Seeing it all come together is really good,” she says.

Yewande is also interested in water and sanitation around the world. She has traveled to Ghana to look into developing mechanized systems, and recently went over to Mozambique to work with Water Aid.

Yewande is keen to share the thrills of life in this industry and so combines her career with media roles where she can promote engineering to the general public. She’s already appeared on shows on Discovery Channel as well as Channel 4 , and her work in this arena continues.

“All my media work has been about promoting engineering from start to finish,” she says. “I’ve always been a great believer in enjoying what you do and communicating that fact. No two engineers are the same, but letting people see what you do and that you’re enjoying it means there’s the potential for others to find and love their own niche. Working with the media is my way of expressing that.

”Her first work in this area was appearing on Channel 4’s Titanic: The Mission, which saw a team of engineers reproduce a 30ft section of the ship’s steel bow to scale, and erect it at the Belfast dock where Titanic was launched.

“I heard about it through a colleague at work. I thought I didn't know a lot about ships but it seemed a good challenge, so I called them. I went along to the audition and met the other guys. I had to complete a couple of tasks around carpentry and building things and later got a call asking if I’d like to join the team. It was the

beginning of a new exploration for me. There’s the adrenaline of looking into the unknown and still going for it!”

When it came to winning Young Woman Engineer of the Year in 2012, Yewande says the award meant a lot to her.“These awards are very prestigious. In a way, people in industry see these as the perfect expression of excellence,” she says. 

She decided to apply after an appearance in a newspaper led to friends and colleagues believing she’d already won.

“I appeared in an article in The Independent  and there was an advert on the same page for the Institution of Engineering and Technology awards. Because my picture appeared right next to this a lot of people thought I’d won it,” she laughs.

“I had to tell people no, but I did look it up and realized what it was all about. I thought I’ve got a year to work as hard as possible and come up with some impressive stuff, so I gave myself that year and then applied.

“It’s inspiring and encouraging to be a finalist, let alone a winner,” she continues. “Winning this award encouraged me to work even harder to put all the effort I can into spreading the message about how successful women in engineering are and can be. I’m hoping this would continue to help me tell an effective story that will inspire young girls to consider a career in engineering and will demonstrate the diverse and fantastic opportunities this industry has to offer,” she concludes

Acknowledgement: Institute of Engineering Women's Network