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Opinion

Addressing The Crisis Of E Waste In Our Country

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Malam YZ Yau

 

By Y. Z. Ya’u, CITAD

Technology enthusiasts like most people are data-selective. When we want to show digital progress, we go for internet penetration figure or the more problematic one of PC and android phone ownership. But another statistical data that could also show progress would be to look at the amount of electronic waste that is generated in the country.

We will normally not use this because it has negative connotation, but it is an important issue to address. It is one of the crucial indicators of unsustainability of current digitization, the others being having to substitute fossil fuel with cleaner energy sources to fire our digital systems and the need to address carbon emission from the digital devices.

Across the country, in major cities and towns, you are likely to be confronted by the eyesore of heaps and pyramid of discarded computer boxes, out of service printers, scanner rollers, bodies of refrigerators, television cases, etc.

All of these constitute what is termed as electronic waste or more simply as eWaste. When electronic devices are no longer serviceable, they have to be thrown away as they are no longer useful. The rate at which this waste is produced is a proxy measure of the consumption of electronic goods.

However, rate of generation of wastes varies with countries that manufacture electronic goods producing far lesser amounts of eWaste than those that merely import for consumption, every other thing being equal, the reason being that imported goods for a number of reasons, have shorter life span than those left in the manufacturing countries.

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The International Telecommunications Union defines eWaste as “items of all types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by the owner as waste” This definition was adapted in Nigeria’s solid waste policy.

However, the definition focuses on hardware items such as monitors, handset, etc. It leaves out the non-tangible eWaste such as heat released from the use of ICT systems. In the context of Nigeria, most ICT users will have their generating sets because of insufficient power supply, the emission from generating sets could be significant, thus can be considered a factor in global warming.

This part of the two-part on eWaste focuses on solid waste.
The increasing pyramid of eWaste across cities in the country is due to two factors. On the one hand is the poor enforcement of the relevant local laws and policies regarding disposal and management of eWaste by the government that that has allowed the importation of second-hand digital devices that are not properly screened, the result of which is that a lot of the import is actually ewaste. On the other hand, because of the collapse of the national currency, imported new digital goods have become generally affordable only to a few people in the country.

This has stimulated the demand for more second digital devices. Since secondhand devices have generally shorter life span, they quickly turn to waste and join the growing heaps of eWaste across the country.
There are three sources of eWaste in Nigeria. The first is the obsolesce of equipment and devices. Of recent, this has increased with the importation of second-hand devices as more and more people cannot afford new ones.

The share of second-hand EEE is significantly increasing in the country. In 2010, a study undertaken for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by Ogungbuyi, O, Nnorom, I, C, Osibanjo, and M. Schluep found the share between new and used EEE was about 50%/50%.

This ration must have greatly change with second probably nearly 90% today. The increase in second-hand EEE is driven by low purchasing power and poverty.
The second source is the illegal importation of eWaste. While importation of wastes is illegal, there have been instances of such importation. In 1988, Italy shipped 18,000 barrels of toxic waste marked to a village in Delta State. In 2013, a Ship (MV Marivia) with two containers of eWaste was apprehended. Such importation takes place across the ports and are able to get through because of corruption in the port system and only get exposed due to some disagreement or action of whistleblowers. In this context, it is difficult to estimate the amount of eWaste that gets into the country. In addition, about 30% of second-hand imports were estimated to be non-functioning (therefore need to be declared as e-waste). UNEP report estimated that for 2010, at least 100,000 tonnes of e-waste entered the country illegally.

UNEP survey also found that large quantities of used e-waste are imported with used cars.
A third contributor to ewaste is the local assembly of electronic goods. There are broadly three types of assemblers.

The first are those who assemble items like refrigerators, radio, etc. The second ones who came to the scene in the 1990s are assembling computers. These are relatively large-scale organizations producing their brand of computers.

The last category consists of small-scale assemblers of non-branded computers. What is common to all the three is that they import completely knocked down parts (CKDs) and assemble them in the country.
There are four common ways of dealing with eWaste. One is the collection of the wastes and incinerating them in specifically designated places.

This seems the easiest but not necessarily the best or the safest. For one, a number of the components of eWaste are neither biodegradable nor fire-destroyable and therefore even after incineration, a lot reminds as waste, occupying space and contributing to continued environmental pollution. In addition, both the emission to the air from the burning of eWaste and the seeping of by-products of the burning into the grounds have serious impact to the environment and therefore leave much to be desired.

A second option that has been used by richer countries is trading in eWaste in which countries with “wasteland” accept eWaste in return for payment from the countries dumping the waste. Nigeria had in the past had received waste as traded item, although now technically importation of waste is banned. Apart from the difficulty of getting a willing buyer, on a global scale this does not address the consequences of eWaste.

The third is built around the concept of recycle, repair and reuse, which requires the recycling for components from eWaste, repairing those that can be repaired and reusing those that can be used for other purposes.

This does not necessarily do away with the waste but rather turn some into useful inputs for either elongating the life span of some digital devices or creating new ones. This in a way serves two dual purposes: reducing the waste and also seeding the circular economy, that reducing consumption of materials for producing electronic goods.

Elongating the life span of devices in general is a response to the challenges of sustainability because it reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources, that are often obtained through environmentally destructive extractive processes that are in the long run not sustainable.
In this sense, while recycling, repair and reuse does not do away with waste per se, it implants a consciousness and practices of the move away from the linear economy of extraction and consumption of materials to a circular economy of repeated use and the uptake of renewable resources.

The 3Rs requires first, an organized and effective system of waste collection, sorting storing. It also requires equipment for pre-processing of wastes. And, finally, it requires skills for the recycling and reuse.

Luckily, in Nigerians, the recycling sub-sector is growing and has in fact transformed from mere concern with health issues to an economic one in which many people are now engaged in recycling as an economic activity. We need government to improve the situation through appropriate policy making.

A fourth strategy is the use of renewable and biodegradable materials for supporting the digital system. This once reduces waste and ensure your that infrastructure is based on sustainable basis. For instance, one of current work in adoption is the move away from steel-based telecommunication towers to ones made from bamboo trees.

Bamboo trees are agricultural product thus both renewable and non-extractive. In addition, wastes from cutting and sizing bamboo are completely biodegradable. This works through careful substitution. Like the 3Rs, government is called upon to support research and experimentation as well innovation to replace extractive components with renewable ones. For instance, it can do a policy to support large scale farming of bamboo in the country and promote its use in the increasing bird-nest of towers in the country.
We also need to challenge device designers and manufacturers to design with the concept of repair and reuse in mind against the current practice of increased decline in the life span of devices and quick to obsolescence that are embedded in current design practices as a means of maximizing profits for investors.

They also need to move from extinctive components to non-extractive. We must also guard against the use of proprietary components which makes it difficult if not impossible, for repairers to substitute components from one manufacturer to device produced by different ones.

In addition to taking the issue of the circular economy serious, the government needs to ensure the effective enforcement of relevant regulations relating to eWaste in the country.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), an agency of the Ministry was established by law in 2007 with responsibility “for the enforcement of environmental standards, regulations, rules, laws policies and guidelines”. In 2011, the government approved the National Environmental (Electrical/Electronic Sector) Regulations in 2011 as the key tool governing Electrical/Electronic waste in the country. In addition to NESREA, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) by virtue of the article on equipment type testing, has power to regulate the quality and standards of devices being brought into the country. Also, in pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4, 70, 132 to be in conjunction with Sections 130 and 134 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, NCC has a window to regulate eWaste in the country.

At the moment lots of second hand handsets get into the country through grey routes that escape NCC oversight. Similarly, NESRIA has not found effective ways of dealing with importation of second hand computers that are merely junk.

Finally, government itself needs to do more in this area. Although Nigeria is a signatory to the ITU, it has not taken measures to implement the decisions of the Plenipotentiary Conference of the ITU set in 2018 with respect to adapting recycling of e-waste to contribute to a global total of 30%​​ and have e-waste legislation to 50. It needs to act on this.

Opinion

Adaora’s Appointment: Behind Zenith Bank Staff Jubilations

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Adaora

 

 

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

There is no doubt about the fact that the staff of Zenith Bank were over the moon, over the appointment of the first female Group Managing -Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank,Adaora Umeoji. My interaction with some of them gave credence to this. Yes there were jubilations across their branches nationwide. The viral video where staff were rejoicing by hailing her is another testament that she is loved hugely by majority of the staff.

I have said it repeatedly in many of my articles or opinionated pieces in the past that great men or great women were synonymous with humility. This was one of the reasons the staff of Zenith Bank were happy on the announcement of her appointment. Whatever your class in the race of life, humility is key.

It has been discovered that most of the people that have worked with Adaora had a wonderful experience, because of her tenacious tendency in ensuring that staff welfare was not relegated to the background. Of course, in every corporate organization in the world staff welfare is key to effectiveness and performance of staff and the progress of the organization at large.

If you are a Chief Executive Officer of an organization, don’t ever joke with the welfare of your staff, because they can make or mar the progress of the organization. Many people have failed in this regard, that’s why whenever they are eventually removed from office, the staff spur into jubilation. You can only reap what you sow.

The new CEO has particularly been described by her staff as a hardworking personality, because she had her youth service with the bank before she was retained based on sterling performance.

According to some staff of Zenith Bank, she can go to any length to assist them whenever they needed help. She has empathy and focus. In the words of one of the staff “I have never seen a woman as passionate and hardworking like madam”. Olamide Obe, who is also a staff of Zenith Bank could not hide his joy as he shares Adaora’s remarkable journey into Zenith Bank as read in IntelRegion online .He said,” Adaora was someone every corper, ET and EA in Zenith Bank looked up to as role model those days. It’s so pleasant hearing that she has been appointed as the new MD of Zenith Bank. I wish her a succcessful tenure.”

Her success inspired many on social media platforms as netizens shared congratulatory messages. It is interesting to note that those who rejoice with her outnumbered her adversaries who were trying to disparage her. This is life and this is who we are.

If you listen to people’s challenges and you went all out to provide succour; you are invariably helping yourself. God does not forsake the doers of good. Just a prayer from one person could catapult you to a higher pedestal without your knowledge but with that of the Almighty.

She is proactive according to a source, which is also in conformity with the standard in any corporate organization. It is also one of the indices of a good Chief Executive as this can be captured in the words of Arnold Glasow: “One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.”

To Madam, the woman of the moment and the
newest CEO of a bank in town, it is imperative that she does not digress from the excellent attitude people have known her for, over the years. That could surely be a catalyst for her success. She should continue to be large-hearted and kind to her staff and humanity. Finally, she should not forget that moving her bank to a new height is of utmost priority.

She will resume officially on the 1st June,2024 as the new CEO

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

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Opinion

Sports journalists versus Kano Pillars FC matters arising

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.

I have read with dismay the presd statement issued by our great association, SWAN Kano chapter bordering on Kano Pillars FC and its media recalcitrant technical crew led by coach Abdul Maikaba . I harbor pains over how one of the best football tactician, well travelled and expose , Abdul Maikaba allowed himself to be dragged to the centre of the brouhaha with sports journalists in Kano.
Maikaba has not acted differently anyway , he is only toeing the path of those before him, like Salisu Yusuf , Ladan Bosso, Okey Emordi, Babaganaru, maybe in exception of Kadiri Ikhana,who sometimes also would.not hesitate to display his other side too.often too.
These coaches and their paymasters, during their hey days with the Kano darling side. They had prefeered working with journalists based in Abuja or Lagos creating the feelings that SWAN Kano members were second class journalists.
Then and today no SWAN Kano member enjoys direct access to Kano Pillars coaches or players, you had.to rely on second hand interviews
The players were.mentored to see journalists as their potential destroyers, creating such hoaxes psyche in their camp to shield the world.from.the truth about their fraudulent dealings with players. Who had their salaries shared with some.coaches and.officlas.
They didn’t want the players to disclose the Alibaba surrounding the transfer and sign on deals associated with their movements in naira and in foreign currency without accountability .
Kano FA that would have helped the state government unravel the lack of transperrancy in the activities in the club, is suffering from one man show, under Sharu Rabiu Inuwa Ahlqn and.lack of functional secretariat, which solely should represent the interest of the state government is fast asleep under the supervision of one Shehu Buhari, who had failed to use his executive powers ,for reasons best known to him.

Veteran journalist.and system boy, Mailkawa protected them from the dangers of the pen, they now thought , it is their birth right , that is why a simple question put to coach Maikaba , that ” why did you change your line up from the previous match “led to his being flared up and he allegedly resorted to raining abuses, because him don see Kano SWAN finish.
I blame.Malikawa and Ado Salisu , they have been protecting the crop of sports administrators and technical crew and coaches , who had been escaping the eagle.eyes of.sports journalists, , for years, I pray God will grant comrade Zahradeen Saleh and his team the strength to now take SWAN to the promise land.
You can not hate a child and like the mother. If Kano sports writers want to make a strong statement , to be taken serious on their new.stance on public interest sports journalism , they should boycot all KPFC activities , they should do so, they should go all out, not half way, no diplomacy,SWAN members are trade unionist not diplomats, boycotting Maikaba alone is lopsided. For long KPFC has been taking SWAN members for a prpfessuonal jolly ride, Malikawa was heavily guilty of shielding them from the ills of the pen hammer, this has been ongoing for years, many will testify and are .all living witnesses , how Malikawa had used his vast media network to protect Kano Pillars , amd.they have decided to hate him for daring to now reverse to do his job by asking the rightful question, that serves him.right, because he made them see evil.as good, good as evil, not asking relevant question by journalists as their birth right.
Evidence abound, why sports journalists count on their relationship with Malikawa to look the other way , whenever KPFC crossed the red lines.

if SWAN want to make a clear statement , then no half metted punishment, full dish should containing the media orishirishi should be served on KPFC.
Maikaba.and his gang should not be singled out secondly a letter should be sent to NPFL through SWAN national secretariat, thirdly no secret truce should be reached on this matter . But in all , one or two SWAN members like Malikawa and some others, like Salisu Musa Jegus, Muzamil Dalha Yola and Musibau Bala Chedi Yanguarasa should not be approached secretly as usual and they would start calling for secret truce , you naked me in the market place and you follow me to my bedroom to appease me , imagine. SWAN Kano members shine.your eyes.
The truth hurts oooh. But I will male bold to say that the Ibrahim Little KPFC administration has no professional respect or created a cordial working atmosphere for SWAN members and his administration from day one did not extend the fraternal hand of football friendship to SWAN , Mailkawa was.tryjng to manage the situation, if you understand, but today the truth is out in the open, Maikaba only acted the scrip of his paymasters.
SWAN Kano should take up the gauntlet and breath the courage to confront the KPFC paymasters, let SWAN not kill the message, but could kill the messenger, and also remember to kill the sender that is the encoder.

A ommittee should be set up to inesvitgate the matter and publish the report of the findings of the committee, I am ready to chair the committee , if given the task, to look.at happenings in Kano Pillars fc, in the past, present and way forward, and recommend necessary measures to forestall reoccurrence to the state government and general
public.
SWAN Kano should.go the way of what is known in the legal.system as.Amicus Curae.
The committee should.be mandated to look at Kano Pillars fc finances, recruitment of coaches and players, transfer deals, ticket sales, away matches,.sponsorship deals and.marketing and the general situation in the club and make recommendations to the state government and general.public, telling them what they need to know.
We have Kano Pillars fc that does not know the difference between sponsorship, patronage and patnership .
Most annoying is the attitude of Kano state government under His Excellency Emg Abba Kabir Yusuf towards the affairs of the club, Kano state government is treating Kano Pillars as the least of all lots.of its challenges, that is why Kano Pillars fc will be invited to international.meetings to meet with football investors, they will not attend not even to reply such letters of invitation , because they can always ran to Kano government house and they will.goven millions of naira, KPFC is now a prey on government meagre resources, even when it has the potentials to generate its own revenue into government coffers.
if other states do not know how.to run their football clubs to derive IGR, the incumbent KNSG should light the path,.other clubs don’t have the football revenue potentials of Kano Pillars.
If other states run their club for recreational and public relations purposes, Kano Pillars posses the potentials of achieving everything possible in the football business industry, ask anyone that know football business they will affirm this.
Ibrahim Little and his predecessors prey on government monies and even when the insignificant monies generated are been mismanaged SWAN Kano played the Ostrich , it kept quite, even when KPFC brand became a caricature , even in the face of face me I face you football management of the club, even when Alibaba and the 40 thieves managed the affairs of the club, SWAN was asked to remain cool to avoid distracting the players.
Now the bubble has burst .
Warning, with the brewing crisis between KPFC and sports writers in Kano, the father and son relationship between SWAN and KNSG commissoner of information and former president Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE , a strong supporter of the association, Halilu Babadantiye MNI, may not save the situation.
The relationship between SWAN and Ibrahim Garba ,.the current CPS to Kano deputy governor may not save the situation.
Football news travels like wild fire in the wilderness, SWAN members have sharpen their swords , beware of the ides of March.

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Opinion

Senator MT Monguno’s Impactful Initiatives: A Comprehensive Overview of Empowerment and Developmental Projects

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Senator MT Monguno

 

By Kashim usman sharif

Senator MT Monguno has been a driving force behind numerous impactful initiatives aimed at empowering communities and fostering development in some various sectors. His dedication and commitment to creating positive change have exalted in series of projects that have touched the lives of many individuals. In this comprehensive overview, we will delve into Senator MT Monguno’s key initiatives, highlighting the innovative approaches he has taken, the laudable results he achieved, and the lasting impact on the zone he’s serving. Join us as we explore the transformative work of Senator MT Monguno and celebrate the positive difference he continues to make through his empowerment and Developmental projects.

 

1. Senator MT Monguno’s background and vision.

Senator MT Monguno is a distinguished leader known for his impactful initiatives aimed at driving empowerment and Developmental projects in his constituency. With a rich background in public service and a steadfast commitment to community progress, Senator Monguno has emerged as a beacon of positive change in the political landscape. His vision revolves around uplifting the lives of individuals through sustainable programs that address key issues such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development. By leveraging his experience and expertise, Senator Monguno has championed various projects that have significantly improved the qualitative life for the residents in his constituency. Hon Kyari Manguno who is an Ex-chairman of manguno LGA is also rendered unflinching support towards the thriving of developmental projects in the constituency and are all attributed by distinguished qualities in all ramifications.Join us as we delve into the comprehensive overview of Senator MT Monguno’s transformative initiatives and the lasting impact they have made on the community.

 

2. Key empowerment initiatives spearheaded by Senator MT Monguno

Senator MT Monguno has spearheaded several key empowerment initiatives that have had a significant impact on the communities he serves. One of his most impactful initiatives is the establishment of skills acquisition centers aimed at providing valuable vocational training to empower youths and women in various trades. These centers have equipped individuals with the necessary skills to start their own businesses and become self-reliant. Additionally, Senator MT Monguno has been instrumental in promoting education by providing scholarships to deserving students, this enable them to pursue their academic aspirations sufficiently. Furthermore, he has initiated various community development projects such as the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and roads to improve the overall quality of life for the people in his constituency. Senator MT Monguno’s commitment to empowerment and development has not only transformed the lives of many individuals but has also contributed significantly to the socio-economic growth of the region.

 

3. Developmental projects implemented in various sectors.

Senator MT Monguno has been a driving force behind numerous impactful development projects spanning various sectors. In the education sector, his initiatives have led to the construction of new schools, the provision of educational materials, and the implementation of teacher training programs to enhance the quality of education in the region. Additionally, in the healthcare sector, Senator MT Monguno has spearheaded the establishment of medical facilities, clinics, and health awareness programs to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the community. Furthermore, his efforts in the infrastructural sector have resulted in the construction of roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure to connect remote areas and stimulate economic growth. Through his multifaceted approach to development, Senator MT Monguno has made a lasting impact on the lives of the people in his constituency, fostering empowerment and sustainable progress across various sectors. The Monguno’s chief of staff also have rendered unflinching support towards the thriving of developmental projects implemented in various sectors.

4. Impact and success stories from the communities served

Senator MT Monguno’s impactful initiatives have brought about significant changes and improvements in the communities he serves. Through various empowerment and developmental projects, Senator Monguno has positively impacted in the lives of his constituents. One such success story comes from a rural village where the senator’s initiative helped set up a women’s cooperative that specializes in handcrafts. The cooperative has not only provided a source of income for the women but has also empowered them to become financially independent and self-sufficient.

In another community, Senator Monguno’s efforts to improve access to education have resulted in the construction of a new school building. This school has opened up opportunities for children who previously had limited access to quality education. As a result, more children in the community are now able to pursue their academic dreams and build a better future for themselves.

These impact and success stories highlight the tangible differences that Senator MT Monguno’s initiatives have made in the lives of the good people of Northern Borno and Borno state at large. By focusing on empowerment and developmental projects, Senator Monguno continues to be a driving force for positive change in his constituency.

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