Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Can Floating Architecture Save Makoko ?
Kunle Adeyemi of NLÉ has proposed a floating community to improve slum conditions in the lagoon settlement of Makoko in Lagos, Nigeria.
Adeyemi and his firm, NLÉ, are already putting the finishing touches on a three-story, 2,300-square-foot floating school for 100 students between the ages of 4 and 12.
It has been constructed from locally sourced wood and a base of 256 used plastic drums, the new school features enclosed classrooms on the second level and an open-air classroom on the third floor, all anchored by a waterside playground and green space.
The Makoko school, which held a preview celebration earlier this month, completes the first phase of NLÉ's plan to erect a livable city for the 250,000 population on the lagoon.
Well done Mr Adeyemi!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Adeyemi and his firm, NLÉ, are already putting the finishing touches on a three-story, 2,300-square-foot floating school for 100 students between the ages of 4 and 12.
It has been constructed from locally sourced wood and a base of 256 used plastic drums, the new school features enclosed classrooms on the second level and an open-air classroom on the third floor, all anchored by a waterside playground and green space.
The Makoko school, which held a preview celebration earlier this month, completes the first phase of NLÉ's plan to erect a livable city for the 250,000 population on the lagoon.
Well done Mr Adeyemi!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, 29 July 2013
ON THIS DAY 29-07-1975
Whilst Nigeria's Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowan (L) attended an Organisation of African Unity ( OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda, a group of officers announced his overthrow and appointed Brigadier Murtala Mohammed (R) as the head of the new government .
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Sad News! Patience Jonathan's mother dies in crash
Via Punch
THERE was anxiety in Port Harcourt on Monday as news of the death of Mrs. Iwari-Oba, the mother of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, spread in the Rivers State capital.
The mother of Mrs. Jonathan was said to have been involved in a ghastly motor accident along Elele Road in Rivers State.
It was gathered that the woman, who is from Okrika Local Government Area, was on her way to Bayelsa State when the accident happened.
Unconfirmed report indicated that her corpse was taken to Kpaiyama Mortuary by a team of policemen and a member representing Ogu Bolo State Constituency, Mr. Evans Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased.
Though, the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state could not confirm the incident, an aide to Bipi said the First Lady's mother died in a road accident, which occurred at about 4pm
Bipi's aide, Mr. Fred Itobo, told The PUNCH that the President's wife's mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State.
"Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary," Itobo said.
When contacted, the State Director of FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, "I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details."
Though effort to get reactions from the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, proved futile, she had already told a journalist on the telephone that she had not been briefed on such crash.
Monday, 22 July 2013
Minister Inaugurates Broadband Council
Following the approval of the country's broadband policy and its formal presentation to industry stakeholders, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has finally inaugurated the Broadband Council that will drive its implementation. The council, which was inaugurated in Abuja, is made up of 19 members and is chaired by the Johnson. The members will work on implementation modalities for the newly developed and approved Nigerian National Broadband plan for the period 2013 - 2018.
The inauguration of the council represents an important and significant milestone in the implementation roadmap of the national broadband plan.
Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mrs. Efem Nkanga, who made the disclosure, said the terms of reference of the council included providing periodic reports on the progress of the plan, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders during plan implementation, ensuring that relevant agencies, institutions, and the general public are actively engaged. "Where necessary the council shall highlight adjustment areas where needed in the execution of the strategy and roadmap," she said.
The broadband council has both institutional, government and individual representation. Institutional representations include, the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN). Individual representations are knowledgeable Nigerians that are well grounded in the ICT industry and have shown a great passion for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the country. They include the two former co-chairmen of the recently concluded Presidential Committee on Broadband, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Mr. Jim Ovia. Google, Chairman Openmedia Group and Chairman of Visafone, respectively and Microsoft represent a small section of the international partners strongly positioned to advance the broadband agenda.
The government institutions that have the direct mandate to deliver broadband to the country are also included namely the ministry, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The members of the broadband council are: Ndukwe, Ovia; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke; Managing Consultant, Telecom Answers Associates, Titi Omo-Ettu; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo and President, Nigeria Computer Society, Mr Ademola Aladekomo.
Others include President, Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Bayo Banjo; -President, Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi; Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Mr. Abdullahi Maikano; Country Manager, Google Global Services Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor ; Director, Etisalat, Mr Junaid Dikko; Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Rudman; Managing Partner, Ayoola Babatunde Oke & Co, Mr Ayoola Oke; Director, Ministry of Communication Technology, John Ayodele; member of the Zinox Group, Mr Emmanuel Onyeje; and Principal Consultant, Business Unusual Limited, Mr. Jimi Sonuga.
Emma Okonji - This Day
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Issues Regarding Section 29 of the Nigerian Constitution
The Nigerian Constitution at Section 29 states:
(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration prescribed manner for the renunciation.
It goes on at Section 4 to state:
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section.
(a) "full age" means the age of eighteen years and above;
(b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.
The Senate amendment committee had sought to delete Section 29 (4) b, thus clearing up any confusion as to whether a day old child could be considered by law of age, simply by the act of marriage. In short to define clearly that 18 was the minimum age.
The amendment went through at the first vote (acquiring the requisite 2/3rd majority for constitutional amendment). However Senator Yerima fillibustered stating that the status quo- which believe it or not -allowed for under-aged marriage was in line with Nigeria's religious diversity and any attemp to to delete it, would serve to discriminate against Muslim's whose religion - he said- permits them to marry a woman even aged 8 or 9 years old.
After an argument with the Senate President, who initially refused his request, since it was clearly against Parliamentary rules, the amendment bill was put to a re-vote.
People are actually arguing and saying this is not what it obviously is. Section 29(4)b essentially provides that a woman is deemed to be of age as long as she is married. The Senate wanted it out because it basically gave some people the right to deem a 4 year old to be of age. Thanks to Yerima the only thing that's clear now is a child can be married and automatically she will be of age.
(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration prescribed manner for the renunciation.
It goes on at Section 4 to state:
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section.
(a) "full age" means the age of eighteen years and above;
(b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.
The Senate amendment committee had sought to delete Section 29 (4) b, thus clearing up any confusion as to whether a day old child could be considered by law of age, simply by the act of marriage. In short to define clearly that 18 was the minimum age.
The amendment went through at the first vote (acquiring the requisite 2/3rd majority for constitutional amendment). However Senator Yerima fillibustered stating that the status quo- which believe it or not -allowed for under-aged marriage was in line with Nigeria's religious diversity and any attemp to to delete it, would serve to discriminate against Muslim's whose religion - he said- permits them to marry a woman even aged 8 or 9 years old.
After an argument with the Senate President, who initially refused his request, since it was clearly against Parliamentary rules, the amendment bill was put to a re-vote.
People are actually arguing and saying this is not what it obviously is. Section 29(4)b essentially provides that a woman is deemed to be of age as long as she is married. The Senate wanted it out because it basically gave some people the right to deem a 4 year old to be of age. Thanks to Yerima the only thing that's clear now is a child can be married and automatically she will be of age.
Osun State Planning To Raise a Sukuk Bond Worth $62 Million
Osun State is planning to raise a sukuk bond worth 10 billion Nigerian naira ( $62 million) from the capital market to fund infrastructural development, the first such step by Africa's second biggest economy.
"(The state) is awaiting final approval from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)," Semiu Okanlawon, spokesman for Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, told Anadolu Agency.
"By the time we get it, the marketing of the bond should hopefully take off from this month," he added.
In March, the SEC approved new guidelines for the issuance of sukuk bonds, only months after new guidelines were also approved for the operation of takaful (Islamic insurance).
"So far, there has been no objection from the SEC. The expectation is high," said Okanlawon.
A local credit ratings agency, Agusto and Co, has given the note – to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange – an A rating.
Okanlawon said the seven-year bond would be issued through "a book-building process," which would earn returns for sukuk holders through a semi-annually paid rent structure called the Ijara.
The spokesman described the move as part of a 60 billion naira debt-raising program by Osun State, which started last year.
"The funds will be used to finance construction of education projects, among other development initiatives with which the governor hopes to lay a solid foundation for the future of the state," said Okanlawon.
Investopedia, an online guide to investment, defines the sukuk as "an Islamic financial certificate, similar to a bond in western finance, which complies with Islamic religious law."
It adds: "Because the traditional western interest-paying bond structure is not permissible, the issuer of a sukuk sells an investor group the certificate, who then rents it back to the issuer for a predetermined rental fee. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the bonds at a future date at par value."
Investopedia goes on to assert that "sukuk must be able to link the returns and cash flows of the financing to the assets purchased, or the returns generated from an asset purchased. This is because trading in debt is prohibited under Sharia. As such, financing must only be raised for identifiable assets."
According to Okanlawon, the planned seven-year paper would be the first sukuk bond to be issued by Africa's second-largest economy.
He said the decision to launch the bond had the blessing of all the members of the state's executive committee.
"[They] see the merit of the State of Osun pioneering this alternative and less burdensome financial service," Okanlawon said.
Osun State's planned multibillion naira sukuk represents Nigeria's most innovative and ambitious attempt thus far to promote Islamic finance.
The move comes within the context of ongoing efforts to attract Middle East investors and consolidate Nigeria's latest foray into alternative financial services.
Mr. Fola Daniel, a commissioner at the National Insurance Commission, hailed the new sukuk bond.
"[It's] a very commendable step in our drive to buy into alternative financial services, which will in turn attract investors from the Islamic world and Asia," he said.
"(The state) is awaiting final approval from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)," Semiu Okanlawon, spokesman for Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, told Anadolu Agency.
"By the time we get it, the marketing of the bond should hopefully take off from this month," he added.
In March, the SEC approved new guidelines for the issuance of sukuk bonds, only months after new guidelines were also approved for the operation of takaful (Islamic insurance).
"So far, there has been no objection from the SEC. The expectation is high," said Okanlawon.
A local credit ratings agency, Agusto and Co, has given the note – to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange – an A rating.
Okanlawon said the seven-year bond would be issued through "a book-building process," which would earn returns for sukuk holders through a semi-annually paid rent structure called the Ijara.
The spokesman described the move as part of a 60 billion naira debt-raising program by Osun State, which started last year.
"The funds will be used to finance construction of education projects, among other development initiatives with which the governor hopes to lay a solid foundation for the future of the state," said Okanlawon.
Investopedia, an online guide to investment, defines the sukuk as "an Islamic financial certificate, similar to a bond in western finance, which complies with Islamic religious law."
It adds: "Because the traditional western interest-paying bond structure is not permissible, the issuer of a sukuk sells an investor group the certificate, who then rents it back to the issuer for a predetermined rental fee. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the bonds at a future date at par value."
Investopedia goes on to assert that "sukuk must be able to link the returns and cash flows of the financing to the assets purchased, or the returns generated from an asset purchased. This is because trading in debt is prohibited under Sharia. As such, financing must only be raised for identifiable assets."
According to Okanlawon, the planned seven-year paper would be the first sukuk bond to be issued by Africa's second-largest economy.
He said the decision to launch the bond had the blessing of all the members of the state's executive committee.
"[They] see the merit of the State of Osun pioneering this alternative and less burdensome financial service," Okanlawon said.
Osun State's planned multibillion naira sukuk represents Nigeria's most innovative and ambitious attempt thus far to promote Islamic finance.
The move comes within the context of ongoing efforts to attract Middle East investors and consolidate Nigeria's latest foray into alternative financial services.
Mr. Fola Daniel, a commissioner at the National Insurance Commission, hailed the new sukuk bond.
"[It's] a very commendable step in our drive to buy into alternative financial services, which will in turn attract investors from the Islamic world and Asia," he said.
Nigeria: Child Marriage - Ex-Gov Saraki's Wife Seeks Amendment of Constitutional Provision
Wife of former Kwara State governor and founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, WBFA, Mrs Oluwatoyin Saraki, has called for an urgent amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), legalizing child marriage.
In a position statement on the resolution of the Senate to retain provisions of the Section in question, Saraki pointed out that the constitutional amendment was desirable for clarification purposes, and to eliminate all forms of equivocation that can and will promote the continued abuse of girls through child marriage.
In the statement signed by the WBFA Executive Director, Mr Temitayo Erogbogbo, the body expressed grave concern over the Senate's resolution which, it said, disenfranchises girls and women, and encourages child marriage which robs girls of a good education, optimal health, opportunities for socio-economic empowerment and violates their rights to security and protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse.
"Section 29 (4) (b) contradicts conventions that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory to, which profess, as commitments, the protection of the rights of girls and women from all forms of abuse, neglect or discrimination, as well as providing the best-available opportunities for self-actualization and fulfillment, through education and other means," the statement said.
"The evidence is clear that child marriages deny girls of an opportunity to complete an education, thereby directly diminishing their chances at a good life. In line with the Foundation's long-standing policy we shall continue to strive for improved well being of the girl-child by protecting their rights to security; protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse; education; health; and social and economic empowerment, irrespective of their religious or cultural backgrounds."
Calling for the rejection of any form of stigmatization of married minors, as well as seeking exceptional and increased protection of child rights and citizenship benefits for all existing married minors, the statement said," We look to the House of Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to support our call to action to this end." According to the WBFA, child marriages are detrimental to a girl's health, by a direct effect. "Young girls, by virtue of the fact that their bodies are not yet fully developed, run a high risk of developing complications in pregnancy and childbirth, compared to women. Such complications include prolonged and obstructed labour, bleeding, and even death. Girls who are married young are also more vulnerable to contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS".
The statement observed that chain reaction that results from a mother's ill-health also have direct effects on income-generation, especially in Nigeria where the informal sector, mainly driven by women and girls, has contributed largely to household income.
"Therefore, there is an urgent need for the amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution of Nigeria, if the government must keep to its word of ensuring good health and economic prosperity for its people"
Sola Ogundipe for Vanguard
In a position statement on the resolution of the Senate to retain provisions of the Section in question, Saraki pointed out that the constitutional amendment was desirable for clarification purposes, and to eliminate all forms of equivocation that can and will promote the continued abuse of girls through child marriage.
In the statement signed by the WBFA Executive Director, Mr Temitayo Erogbogbo, the body expressed grave concern over the Senate's resolution which, it said, disenfranchises girls and women, and encourages child marriage which robs girls of a good education, optimal health, opportunities for socio-economic empowerment and violates their rights to security and protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse.
"Section 29 (4) (b) contradicts conventions that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory to, which profess, as commitments, the protection of the rights of girls and women from all forms of abuse, neglect or discrimination, as well as providing the best-available opportunities for self-actualization and fulfillment, through education and other means," the statement said.
"The evidence is clear that child marriages deny girls of an opportunity to complete an education, thereby directly diminishing their chances at a good life. In line with the Foundation's long-standing policy we shall continue to strive for improved well being of the girl-child by protecting their rights to security; protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse; education; health; and social and economic empowerment, irrespective of their religious or cultural backgrounds."
Calling for the rejection of any form of stigmatization of married minors, as well as seeking exceptional and increased protection of child rights and citizenship benefits for all existing married minors, the statement said," We look to the House of Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to support our call to action to this end." According to the WBFA, child marriages are detrimental to a girl's health, by a direct effect. "Young girls, by virtue of the fact that their bodies are not yet fully developed, run a high risk of developing complications in pregnancy and childbirth, compared to women. Such complications include prolonged and obstructed labour, bleeding, and even death. Girls who are married young are also more vulnerable to contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS".
The statement observed that chain reaction that results from a mother's ill-health also have direct effects on income-generation, especially in Nigeria where the informal sector, mainly driven by women and girls, has contributed largely to household income.
"Therefore, there is an urgent need for the amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution of Nigeria, if the government must keep to its word of ensuring good health and economic prosperity for its people"
Sola Ogundipe for Vanguard
Nigeria Planning To Withdraw Troops From Mali, Darfur
ABUJA: Nigeria plans to withdraw much of its 1,200-strong contingent from international peacekeeping missions in Mali and Sudan’s Darfur region saying the troops are needed to beef up security at home, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Nigeria is battling group Boko Haram, but the troop withdrawal comes just 10 days before a presidential election in Mali, which is meant to restore democracy after a coup and the occupation of the desert north by Al-Qaeda-linked rebels last year.
The 12,600-man UN mission in Mali is rolling out to replace most of the 4,500 French forces who intervened successfully in January to halt an Islamist advance south.
“It seems Nigeria is pulling out its infantry but leaving some other elements ... I think that it is because the troops are needed at home,” said a Nigeria-based diplomat.
A Nigerian military source and two other diplomats in West Africa confirmed the planned pullout, saying it was mainly due to the need to tackle the country’s own insurgency.
The UN peacekeeping department said Nigeria would also withdraw some of its troops from the UN-African Union force UNAMID in Sudan’s conflict-torn Western Darfur region as well.
“We can confirm that Nigeria has officially notified (UN peacekeeping) of its intention to withdraw some of its troops — up to two battalions — from UNAMID,” said UN peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer. The United Nations was in discussions with other countries to replace the Nigerians, she said. The standard size for a UN peacekeeping battalion is 850 troops but that is just a recommendation. It was not immediately clear how many Nigerian troops would be withdrawn from Mali.
One of the diplomats said engineers and signals operators would be amongst those left behind with the United Nations.
A two-month offensive against Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in mid-May has stretched its security forces and new rotations are needed to go in.
Underscoring the fragile security in northeast Nigeria, Boko Haram, whose nickname roughly translates as ‘Western education is sinful,’ has targeted at least four schools there over the past month, killings dozens of pupils.
Mali’s own army remains weak, the result of years of corruption and neglect that led to a several defeats by militants in the north followed by a coup by disgruntled officers in Bamako. Attacks on peacekeepers this month illustrated how delicate security remains in Mali’s north.
European Union troops are training the Malian army but are not expected to complete the programme until next March at the earliest.
Former Minister Tiebile Drame, who drafted last month’s peace deal between Mali’s government and northern separatist rebels, pulled out of the July 28 presidential elections on Wednesday, arguing that Western pressure was pushing to Mali into holding them before it is ready.
The withdrawal of Nigerian troops from Darfur comes at difficult time for UNAMID, which according to the UN peacekeeping department has over 19,000 soldiers and police.
Violence has surged since January as government forces, rebels and Arab tribes, armed by Khartoum early in the conflict, fight over resources and land. Peacekeepers are often attacked when they try to find out what is happening on the ground.
Seven peacekeepers were killed and 17 wounded when they came under heavy fire from gunmen in Darfur on Saturday, UNAMID said, the worst toll from a single incident since its deployment in 2008..
Nigeria is battling group Boko Haram, but the troop withdrawal comes just 10 days before a presidential election in Mali, which is meant to restore democracy after a coup and the occupation of the desert north by Al-Qaeda-linked rebels last year.
The 12,600-man UN mission in Mali is rolling out to replace most of the 4,500 French forces who intervened successfully in January to halt an Islamist advance south.
“It seems Nigeria is pulling out its infantry but leaving some other elements ... I think that it is because the troops are needed at home,” said a Nigeria-based diplomat.
A Nigerian military source and two other diplomats in West Africa confirmed the planned pullout, saying it was mainly due to the need to tackle the country’s own insurgency.
The UN peacekeeping department said Nigeria would also withdraw some of its troops from the UN-African Union force UNAMID in Sudan’s conflict-torn Western Darfur region as well.
“We can confirm that Nigeria has officially notified (UN peacekeeping) of its intention to withdraw some of its troops — up to two battalions — from UNAMID,” said UN peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer. The United Nations was in discussions with other countries to replace the Nigerians, she said. The standard size for a UN peacekeeping battalion is 850 troops but that is just a recommendation. It was not immediately clear how many Nigerian troops would be withdrawn from Mali.
One of the diplomats said engineers and signals operators would be amongst those left behind with the United Nations.
A two-month offensive against Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in mid-May has stretched its security forces and new rotations are needed to go in.
Underscoring the fragile security in northeast Nigeria, Boko Haram, whose nickname roughly translates as ‘Western education is sinful,’ has targeted at least four schools there over the past month, killings dozens of pupils.
Mali’s own army remains weak, the result of years of corruption and neglect that led to a several defeats by militants in the north followed by a coup by disgruntled officers in Bamako. Attacks on peacekeepers this month illustrated how delicate security remains in Mali’s north.
European Union troops are training the Malian army but are not expected to complete the programme until next March at the earliest.
Former Minister Tiebile Drame, who drafted last month’s peace deal between Mali’s government and northern separatist rebels, pulled out of the July 28 presidential elections on Wednesday, arguing that Western pressure was pushing to Mali into holding them before it is ready.
The withdrawal of Nigerian troops from Darfur comes at difficult time for UNAMID, which according to the UN peacekeeping department has over 19,000 soldiers and police.
Violence has surged since January as government forces, rebels and Arab tribes, armed by Khartoum early in the conflict, fight over resources and land. Peacekeepers are often attacked when they try to find out what is happening on the ground.
Seven peacekeepers were killed and 17 wounded when they came under heavy fire from gunmen in Darfur on Saturday, UNAMID said, the worst toll from a single incident since its deployment in 2008..
Reuters
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