Selecting Merit over Quota | THISDAYLIVE

I agree with Ben Bruce ... But only in bits...
Nigeria is a very diverse enclave and we need to remain sensitive to that.

I would rather we go for 'Quota with Merit'. This can be achieved ... Takes some work deliver achieve and we have to do that work.

Nigeria's diversity needs to be respected!

I love the talk about getting ... the best from wherever they come from ... Usually easier said than done..

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/04/15/selecting-merit-over-quota/

Schools and more schools.. To improve access to Basic Education!!

Dear friends,

Like me , you must be seeing the numerous schools springing up - both private and institutions - Government , missionaries.

This is often flouted as 'achievements' by Governments, and guess what... It is some kind of achievement.

I often ask the question... Are there other ways of improving access and quality besides more 'structures' scattered everywhere?
The flip side is that the Teacher quality is sometimes abysmal - I don't want to use the term most times... In many states , both public and private sector teachers are owed salaries and where they are paid ... The amounts are pretty low.
Teacher training and retraining is poor and the curriculum may need 'rethinking.

It's pretty difficult to turn 'this table' more because our diagnosis of the issue seem faulty and so wrong 'solutions' are executed.

Our numerous 'analysts' seem to tout the 'problems and solutions'. However, as I listen to many of them, they most times miss the point...

Shall we do something ?





First , let's reflect on what behavioural and technical skill sets we will need to develop our country over the next 50 years and then design an education system to fill that gap?
Nigeria's policy on education is clear ... To develop the skills we need to contribute to development of our dear country.

Can we conserve funds to be able to carry out this assessment by curtailing building new structures and rather 'rent' the numerous churches and mosques that litter our environments as class rooms during the week? By so doing, the edifices are better optimised - they are everywhere and are idle for nearly 70% of the week!!!

I look forward to when we sit to rethink our thinking as regards education in Nigeria.

The world is not waiting for us....

Have a great week ahead.

Reflection Helps!!!

Dear friends,

It's just too 'turbulent' right now ... Too many moving pieces - world , Africa and especially back home in Nigeria. Many of us do not have a good 'handle' on what's coming next.

Can I encourage you to take time out every now and then to reflect on what's happening , filter the 'news' good and bad , absorb and come to terms with the surprises you experience at these times.

Create scenarios for the near future - what would be by September , December , March 2017..how will you b impacted - personal , family and business lives. What will be your response to whatever becomes?
But never lose sight of the medium to longer term goals and aspirations ... Because after the rain , come shine!!!

I suggest you do not join the 'band wagon' , listen to all, imagine the best and the worst but stay 'your' course!!!!

Reflection time ... Really!!

Have a great day.

Private vs Public sector Bureaucracies!!

Food for thought!!!

Yes.. It takes 'two' months to get a response to a letter from government agencies...             That's bad ... Right? Very bad..

But... Look at this ...It takes over '10' years for private sector enterprises to recognise a changing consumer or customer trend!!

Look around you ... I'm seeing a lot.
Rethink your thinking.... I'm doing same...

Reflect on this ....Enjoy your day.

The N18,000.00 teaser!

Dear friends,

What can N18k buy for a family of 3? Also try stretching it over one month!!
I mean N18,000.00....
Share your experience please!!

Have a great day!

Our Quest for development(better life)and the state Govts.

Dear friends,

What if had a deeper look at the state governments and their contribution to better lives for Nigerians ? I am concerned at the undue attention to the federal Govt including such 'mundane' act as Ministerial screening, and in fact , no such attention towards the states and the commissioners.

The states are responsible for the key areas that we ail as a nation.

- Basic education
- Primary health care
- Most of the roads we Ply in our ways in and out of our homes. It takes many people in key cities like Lagos - 2 hrs to do 30 km journeys..
- Pipe borne water for the people

In fact, many of the acts of corruption that the regular Nigerian experiences everyday will be curtailed if the states clean up their acts.

Check this...
Land and building registration
Permits for business
Transport unions
Local governments

These are some of the major things Nigerians engage in on an ongoing basis!!

Do we not NOW need a rethink of our thinking?
Nigeria may continue to develop 'certain slowly' unless more of us bring attention to the real issues stifling our advancement!!!

The states are responsible for a lot more and should be held more accountable!!

Productivity impact ... Traffic Gridlock in Lagos.

Dear friends,

Anyone tried to articulate losses in productivity (translated to Naira and kobo)to time spent in traffic gridlocks across Lagos?
My friends and associates tell me time spent in traffic gridlocks in Lagos per person/day is near 3 hrs average.

The analysts think it's a Lagos government problem , and so , government is responsible to fix this.. As usual..

I have a view!!!

It's our problem as much as it is a Lagos government issue to solve.

What are you and your associates doing about this? Please share with me so I can pass on so we can all benefit from your creativity.

But first, try to articulate the losses to productivity , impact to health and wellbeing etc!!

May just be mind boggling..

Check ... please.

Have a great day..but be creative, think and plan ahead. Don't get locked down in some traffic gridlock today... Re-look your schedule and see if opportunity exists to avoid waste of man hours.

Then again, do something about it.

Odumodu: 80% of Imported Goods Come into Nigeria through the Ports, Articles | THISDAY LIVE

5 years on the job as DG son ... Still guessing and quoting unconfirmed nos.
Incompetence, mediocrity....

Simple , inexpensive research ... That's all he needed to execute every 18 months to be exact!!!

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/odumodu-80-of-imported-goods-come-into-nigeria-through-the-ports/221668/

'Anti corruption' FIGHT... My Take.

>> Dear Friends,
>>
>> I believe like me , you have been following our renewed 'fight against corruption' at 'federal level' following the inauguration of the new administration.
>> As a Nigerian , father , husband , Manager ... I abhor corruption with all my heart. It's evil and every right thinking person should be up against it.
>>
>> I do have some views though...about our approach ... 'fight against corruption'...
>>
>> (a) Can we focus a bit more  to actions to frustrate and disourage people from corrupting or getting corrupted ?This is more pro active and will ensure the bad people do not steal our money and use same money to fight us till eternity. As we fight 'corruption' employing the tired and failed command and control strategy , the guys devise smarter ways as long as the loopholes continue to exist.
>> I thought we should be seen more of the various areas of corruption truly identified and the loopholes listed. I see more reactive means on show plus playing to the gallery tactics and keeping us busy celebrating fictitious and high sounding amounts either 'stolen' or 'recovered'.
>>
>> (b) At the state level , I am hearing little about the actions to enthrone governance and forestall corrupt tendencies. Don't forget the states are largely responsible for much of our our wellbeing - Basic education , Health-care , Water , Social Housing , environment , drainage and canals ,  city roads , refuse management etc.(C) should we rather spend over half of this 'noisy' period getting set to change the laws and statutes against corruption so that we can truly hold people to account when infractions occur?

Promoting Nigeria Premier league

Promoting our premier football league.
Here is a typical football stadium in Nigeria on a match day!!! Empty stands, few spectators. Except for 3 or 4 venues!!!

But the NFF & LMC - managers of the league  continue to seek for sponsors...

Looking at the interest as demonstrated by eyeballs at match venues ... They will be searching for long long time.

If we had competent people running this ... They can do a few things to gain attention...

Without thinking too deep!!!

1. Pack all stadia full with students , area boys , road transport workers , idle men and women ... We have them aplenty. A promise of 1 piece of 'puff puff'  per attendant can attract 10,000 people at every venue!! Believe me...

2. Get some great PR around the league showing off the 'quantity of crowd' at select stadia!! I have a few friends in PR who can spin this...

3. Hype a few players ref interest from all kinds of clubs including some from Syria, Cambodia , Spain , England , India , Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. Mention 'stupid' possible sign on fees eg N114 billion .Nigerians love to hear huge amounts you know.

4. 'Pay' the Governor to 'pretend' to be attending the games -capture photos of him or her at match venue - contractors will start attending the games. Charge them premium gate fees...

Pronto ... Sponsors  , paying soccer enthusiasts show interest and you can raise cash to continue to build the league!!!

This even enables the managers have more cash to 'throw around'- you can call it 'steal' of you wish - there will be a bigger pot of cash with more sponsors interested to pay!!! These guys are not smart ooooo.

This is simple reasoning...

This is not rocket science .nawaaoooo.

We need to start thinking for success!!!

Electric Power Supply Adequacy in Nigeria - My Thoughts

Dear friends,

> How can we design our own way forward to adequacy in Electricity Power supply ?

> Absolutely , we can.
> Background:
> Nigeria currently produces 6,000mw of electricity with only 4,600 mw transmitted through distribution companies into our homes.
> Do note that electricity power penetration in Nigeria is just about 50% (NERC - December 2014).
> Nigeria's need is nearer 20,000mw for adequacy - I am made to understand that you need to factor in another 25% as redundancy - ie 5,000mw.
> Because need for electricty grows with per capita income , we will need to keep raising this capacy by 20% every 3 to 4 years. This is why you hear this African country has 24 HR poweer supply today only to hear 3 years down the line that power cuts have creeped in again.

> We produce 80% of our electric power from huge thermal stations with 20% coming from hydro. These thermal plants are scattered across Nigeria from East to West to North. Gas pipelines are linked into them from the delta. Now you see why you hear stories about vandalism stalling our effort at electric power supply adequacy.

> The generation and distribution assets have been sold to private sector with government keeping a minority shareholding. The transmission company is in the hands of a contract Manager - Monitoba Co of Canada - they have their contract extended by 12 months until June 2016.



> Above scenario is fraught with challenges - this implies it will be a while before we achieve sufficiency in power supply in Nigeria. It could take over next ten years unless we do something different - ie design a short to immediate plan , then a medium to longer term plan.

> Here is my plan:
> Immediate to Short term:

> - Channel 80% of the available power from the national grid to the 9 industrial states - Lagos Ogun , Abia , Anambra , Rivers , Delta , Kaduna , Kano , FCT (govt) . The remaining 20% is distributed to the remaining 28 states. This ensures these key states get at least 12 hours of power supply per day. This is on a consistent basis - not the current situation where I enjoy 16HRs for 3 days and black out for 5 days!!
> - Large organisations - manufacturing industries ( consuming up to 2mw) are advised to disconnect from the GRID while we ensure they receive gas needed to power their own power plants. These guys can produce power at affordable rates.
> - Distribution companies inform users their own schedule - residential areas are supplied at night - 630pm to 630am. Industrial(medium size) and office  areas are fed during the day.
> - Push for embedded power generation system in estates , SME clusters - 1 power generator/ supplier caters to 1000 homes and SMEs. This will be back up to municipal power in the select 9 states and other states. We can potentially see 1000 new companies springing up through this.
> The Distribution companies can register companies based on agreed revenue sharing formula for this.
> - Encourage mix of power sources (solar , diesel , Gas generators etc)  to be able to feed the villages and semi urban areas with largely solar power systems. Then have the embedded power companies provide power to these villages at desired and specific times eg festive seasons etc. This can be done with a mobile generatimg set. This should be made a clear responsibility of state governments.

> Above plan  hold us up until we are able to generate enough power to deliver consistent uptime for Nigeria.

> Medium to Long term:

> Privatise the transmission system - on Regional/sttae basis.
> - Support the private investors to ramp up capacity over the next 6 years - the system should move from huge mega stations to mini power stations across local governments of Nigeria. Gradually phase the system to localised transmission system rather than national system.

> Dear friends - this formula will need some looking at - achieving self sufficiency in power supply is a cumbersome project. It takes time and even maintaining power supply adequacy also takes some doing. We need to hear up for it!!!

> Let me have your views!!