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INTERVIEW: Power is Not Given, Youths Must Participate…Omishore

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Bamikole ‘Banks’ Omishore is the Special Assistant on New Media to the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Banks received a degree from Coppin State University in Management Science. As New Media Aide to Nigeria’s Senate President, he spear-headed the #MadeInNigeria initiative, which gave a powerful voice to the diversification of the Nigerian economy, with the President of the Senate as the champion. In this interview, he talks about his work as New Media aide to the Senate President of Nigeria, youth, politics and governance amongst other issues.

Excerpts:

You are the Special Assistant on New Media to the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. You’ve worked closely with him even before he became Senate President. Tell us, what does your job entail?

First, let me congratulate you guys for the beautiful work your parent company SIGNAL is doing. In the last few months, you have managed to carve a niche that distinguishes your organization within the fragile media environment and I hope you will be able to build on that. For me, working for Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Special Assistant on New Media has been a great opportunity. The job entails working with other members of the media team to push out information of what’s being done by the Senate President both personally and officially and the Senate as a whole institution to Nigerians on all New Media platforms. We also gather information from different online platforms on which we, the entire media team now itemize a strategic plan of action. The Senate President being an avid new media user himself from time to time directly gives assignments on special projects he wants me to handle.

As a young Nigerian in the corridors of power, what are the three major lessons you have learnt through your work? 

In the six (6) years I have been working with Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, I have learnt quite a whole lot of things but I’m going to narrow it to three major lessons: 1) 100% loyalty is key for a smooth working relationship. 2) A Media Aide is only as effective as the access he has to his Principal and to information. 3) Don’t allow the position to get to your head; Make friends across the divide.

Why do Nigerian youths especially in the new media space appear so divided along party lines? Everything seems to be viewed from the angles of my candidate is better than yours or my party is better than yours?

Well, that is the billion-dollar question that I would love to see a lot of young Nigerians answer. I do agree with the assessment that there is a lot of hostility online that is not based on issues but simply based on party affiliation or individuals. It is important that we start to form a consensus on agreeing that regardless of whoever is doing something that improves the lives of Nigerians we should agree that is good for our nation and if otherwise, we say so with one united voice.

What should young Nigerians do to scale the walls of exclusion in politics and governance?  

Power is never given to anyone or group. You must actively participate to take it. I am of the humble opinion that for Nigerian youths to take their rightful place in politics and public life, we must get involved actively at the local level. From the Polling Unit to Ward, to LCDA, to Local Government Level. We must have strong presence; people must feel the impact you bring to the community that they will rather back you than anyone else regardless of political party affiliation. Imagine a young guy that assists to train younger ones in the community; that leads different community outreach; that improves the life of the people, it will be easier for them to rally around you than just one money-miss-road that they can collect the money and still vote the right person.

The emergence of a 39-year old Macron as President of France has got a lot of young Nigerians thinking and talking. Can Nigerian youths replicate that feat in Nigeria?

Like I said above, to change the status quo we must be able to agree on things outside of political affiliation, religion, tribe and ideological understanding that allows us to use our numerical strength to dictate who our leaders will be.

In the six (6) years I have been working with Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, I have learnt quite a whole lot of things but I’m going to narrow it to three major lessons: 1) 100% loyalty is key for a smooth working relationship. 2) A Media Aide is only as effective as the access he has to his Principal and to information. 3) Don’t allow the position to get to your head; Make friends across the divide.

What is your take on the Not Too Young to Run Bill currently being pushed at the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate?

The Not Too Young To Run Bill which seeks to lower the age for contesting elections is sponsored by Senator Abdul-aziz Murtala-Nyako and has been forwarded to the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. The Bill is a good one as it will improve the participation of younger folks in the electioneering process. I believe both the House of Representatives and the Senate are eager to pass the Bill even as they look at other matters like Diaspora Voting and Independent Candidacy.

There have been concerns that Nigerian youths will be worse than the older generation they are clamoring to displace from power. True?

I really cannot say if Nigerian youths will be better or worse than those currently in power. There are both good and bad people among the younger and older generations. Regardless of age, I am of the opinion that going forward, it is very important that we pay closer attention to what individuals have been able to achieve in their previous endeavor before running for office. We should be able to ask ourselves the hard questions that; is Mr X or Ms X someone that can perform if given the opportunity to govern and the answer should help shape our electoral choice.

Power is never given to anyone or group. You must actively participate to take it. I am of the humble opinion that for Nigerian youths to take their rightful place in politics and public life, we must get involved actively at the local level. From the Polling Unit to Ward, to LCDA, to Local Government Level.

One of the reasons the older generation has advanced for their inability to trust Nigerian youths with power is the failure of the youths to manage themselves e.g. through bodies like NANS, NYCN etc which have been fraught with scandals and leadership crises. What’s your take? 

I think the youths group can do a better job coordinating themselves but then that goes back with serving for a purpose and not for personal gain.  If we can have leaders across board who are going into positions that we can say Mr or Ms X is running to lead this student/youth group and people remember her antecedents such as championing a campaign that benefitted this number of people and if given the opportunity we expect she will be able to help more people. Then that will enable us to use the bottom up approach to influence the way leaders emerge.

Many vocal Nigerians, especially youth influencers are being arrested and detained for comments in the social media. What do you think is going on?

When you say many influencers are being arrested, I will slightly defer on the use of many but then again one (1) might be too many if they were arrested for speaking which is covered under freedom of speech but where I have a little reservation is that I have seen quite a number of so called influencers try to use their online publicity to blackmail and extort money from people which is important that as much as we want to always uphold freedom of speech, we must find a balance to hold people accountable for false news.

What should Nigerian voters look out for in a presidential candidate in 2019?

Nigerian voters need to look beyond immediate gains and look deeper at those running for office. No matter how you think someone looks or how much people are singing their praises or because they speak your language or practice your religion, you must check if they are capable of delivering on what they are promising. We must move beyond sentiments to ask the candidate about their plans.

Do you see yourself running for office one day?

Some of us will rather work behind closed doors to put Nigeria on the right path. I have seen what my boss goes through and I must say I do not envy him. Every minute of the day, he must be available to those that elected him from his constituency, senators and other political meetings. I do not believe I’m cut out to run for elective post but I will continue to play my own part.

Nigerian voters need to look beyond immediate gains and look deeper at those running for office. No matter how you think someone looks or how much people are singing their praises or because they speak your language or practice your religion, you must check if they are capable of delivering on what they are promising. We must move beyond sentiments to ask the candidate about their plans.

Any final thoughts?

It is possible for new breed of politicians to emerge but we must first unite and begin to trust and respect ourselves. We must also see beyond the ephemeral and focus on the more important things.

Culled from :  www.signalng.com

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How Way and Life Concepts Limited is Setting the Standard in the Real Estate Industry

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Way and Life Concepts Limited is one of the real estate company that has been leaving indelible mark in the industry for its more than one decade of existence.

Founded by Abraham Adebayo Shodiya an indigene of Ogun State, Abeokuta to be precise, though he was born and grew up in Agege, Lagos where he had his primary school at Bishop Oluwolel Memorial Primary School, after which he proceeded to Keke High School Ifako Ijaiye housing Estate and later Fstc Yaba where graduated studying Building Technology Programs.

He thereafter, ventured into Real Estate business with training from Realty Point Limited school of estate in 2008 from where he established his own real estate company, Way and Life Concepts Limited popularity known as “Money in Bush”.

Adebayo, registered the company as a business name “Way and Life Properties Concepts” in 2007 and it was later changed to Way And Life Concepts Limited when he upgraded it to a limited liability company.

The success of the company is attributed to their philosophy which set them apart from their competitors, according to the CEO, the philosophy of the Way and Life Concepts Limited is “the best way to live a real life is for us to pave way for investors to partner with us while we take care of their portfolio as a real estate manager, we also need to be open to customers and to tell them the nitty grity of the venture and how we are going to go about making their dream come through” he explained.

Reacting to stories making the rounds that many real estates Companies collect money but do not allocate land to their subscribers, Adebayo said it is quite unfortunate that business owners are not transparent. In his words “There is the need to be open in every business.

There are challenges and if they have challenges allocating to subscribers they should call for a gathering to address them on what has transpired and the solution and plan to make sure the mess is taken care of, but their not allocating lands to the people and becoming silent or run away is not the solution. Doing that is bringing setbacks to the real estate business.

“Before parting with your money with any real estate agent or developer make sure you do your search to know if the company is registered and is a member of a government registered association. Verifications need to be done when it comes to real estate investment.”He stated.

Talking about the Omo Onile syndrome, Adebayo spoke about the solution to the albatross to the job of real estate. He explained that with his more than a decade experience in the real estate industry, he has been able to not only mastered how to manage the Omo Onile wahala but has also learnt how to relate with Governments simply by recognizing them as a player in the industry.

In his words, “In Nigeria real estate, Omo Oniles are also players in the industry but we have to come into understanding with them and so far this has been helping as they don’t come to disturb our customers”.

Adebayo also explained that they have been able to attract new customers and maintain old ones giving people the opportunity to live the real life and being transparent with their customers and their prospective buyers by exposing the nitty-gritty of the business to them to gain their confidence and thereby improving the real estate portfolio of the investors.

On how they handle issues with governments, he expressed his appreciation to the governments of Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo State for their cooperation and the wonderful relationship they’ve been able to establish, he said their is synergy with these governments as they have good relationship with the Way and Life Concepts Limited from their ministry of Lands to the house committee that oversees land issue in the States.

Way and Life Concepts Limited is currently having housing estate projects available for subscriptions in Shimawa Ogun State, Imota-Ikorodu, Atan-Ota, Ifo and Ibeju Lekki, with a plan to spread the company tentacles to Oyo and Osun State, Adebayo Shodiya explained.

He explained further that one of the easiest ways to acquire land and houses in pocket friendly style is how the company fashioned its installment payment system while giving out heavy discounts to outright payers, he exposed that the company works closely with the clients to come up with a financial plan that will be suitable to both parties.

“We sit down with our customers and make payment plans that will not be difficult for them and us, we also help them build at affordable prices from the foundation level to D.P.C, from D.P.C level to roofing level, from roofing level to external finishings, internal finishings e.t.c. We do this to help our customers in becoming homeowners in the alternative to the cumbersome process of bank loans.

He also said in the case of any investor who dies in course of investment, before the proper handing over of the property to the family who is the next of kin, in his words
“All of our investors have a filled form with us. In the form there is a column for next of kin, this does not mean the property (s)/investment (s) will automatically be transferred to the next of kin but we will get some other details of the investor through the next of kin after which we shall request for an administrative letter from the concern people of the investor. This letter is supposed to be processed from the court of investment/investor’s jurisdiction. This will help us to do a proper investment handover.” He explained.

In dealing with fraudulent people parading themselves as realtors, Adebayo Shodiya calls for due diligence, according to him “You cannot loose totally in real estate investment especially if you have visited the said property site before or during the period of investment.
We presently have private regulatory body and Association who will not cover any fraudulent Estate Company. To avoid the repeat of such, investors need to do their due diligence before parting with their money.”

Responding to issues with allocation, he explained that the company allocates in batches, he stated that “For any of our new projects, we allocate in batches of minimum of 50 to 100 allottees while any of our developing projects produces immediate allocation to individual buyers.

“We have had some cases where we had allocated to so many subscribers while they were still paying in installment, some paid half of the property price, some paid 80% and were allocated. We still plan to repeat such as we kick off our new projects in Simawa, Mowe, Atan-Ota and Ifo areas.” Adebayo revealed.

Our role is to set up every possible mean that will make real estate investment convenient for our prospective customers while the role of our customers and prospects is to be up to date in their payment structure as no business will thrive without exchange of money and consistent activities, Shodiya concluded.

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Explore Other Means Of Transportation – Ex-Ogun Commissioner Tells Nigerians

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People from various walks of life have been enjoined to explore other means of transportation to ease the cuerent fuel subsidy removal in the country.

This was a submission made by the former Commissioner for transportation in Ogun State, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, while receiving the pupils from Divine Grace Foundation Montessori School, Aro Lambo, Oke-Aro, Ogun State.

Engr. Dairo stated this in Abeokuta after giving them (pupils) a Train ride from Lagos, bicycle riding, and also taking them on a boat ride in the state capital.

He further advocated for formal education in various institutions of learning or vocational centres on how to operate other modes of transportation, like bicycles, in order to serve as other modes of transportation in the future.

According to Engr. Gbenga Dairo, Olukunle Michael, one of the pupils who passionately discussed the various modes of transportation in a video he saw online, caught his attention and motivated him to provide them with a real-life experience of these transportation methods.

He said giving them the opportunity to witness and engage them with sustainable transportation firsthand could nurture their curiosity and inspire them to continue envisioning a greener and more interconnected future of Ogun State.

Engr. Dairo urged the people to key into other means of transportation, especially when transporting themselves from one place to another, enjoining Nigerians to explore all modes of transportation, including not only the railway or personal vehicle but also tricycles and others.

 

Speaking, the proprietress of the School, Miss. Oyindamola Bajulaye, appreciated the former commissioners’ gesture, adding that the event was not expected as it would be of great benefit to the kids in the nearest future.

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Half Year, Onne Customs Command Generates N136 bilion Revenue

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With the core mandate of the Federal government on fiscal policies which include revenue generation, anti smuggling and unwavering resolve to facilitate trade, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Port Harcourt Area 11 Command, Onne says it had generated over N136, 213,838, 643. 56 Billion in the half year of 2023, covering January to the 20th of July 2023 and intercepted 32 contraband goods worth over N1Billion the same period under review.

Our correspondent reports that this disclosure was made available in a press statement issued and signed by the Command’s public Relations officer Superintendent Benjamin Lomba in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Recall that since assumption of Office early this year, Compt. Imam Baba has continued to add value, and innovation which resulted in total face-lift of the entire command especially with the construction of a new 110-seater capacity conference hall, 40-seater training centre among others which have created a conducive business environment for Maritime stakeholders.

Such robust stakeholders’ engagement has resulted in a high revenue profile and ensured strict compliance to import, export and clearance procedures.

Comptroller Imam’s dynamic  and results- oriented leadership style has ensured the blockage of all possible revenue leakages and smuggling activities which resulted in  “the seizures of a total number of containers – Thirty two (32) with Duty Paid Value of ₦1,152,747,338.88; notable among this seizure consists of the following; Pharmaceutical/Medicament and fireworks with Duty Paid Value of 139.8 Million naira;  Vegetable oil with Duty Paid Value of 833.1 Million naira; Plastic with Duty Paid Value of 6.6 Million naira;  Textiles with Duty Paid Value of 3.6 Million.”

Continuing, the statement says “In the Month of June, The Command made a Seizure of drugs in one of the Bonded Terminals. The drugs were handed over to NDLEA in order to fulfill our obligation as contained in the memorandum of understanding between the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA.”

 On the Transire/Bonded Terminal, The Customs Area Controller, Compt Imam Baba, noted that “It is important to inform the public that one of the core functions of Customs is trade facilitation which entails a streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedure for items entering or leaving Nigeria.”

He added that, these Procedures are guides in which all Customs officers must adhere to saying “in recent times the Area 11 Command Onne has observed that stakeholders are misinformed about some of these procedures, especially the procedure for transferring containers to bonded terminals.”

The CAC insisted that it was necessary to educate the public that the final destination of any consignment rests in the choice of the owner even as he stated that “It is necessary to educate the public that the final destination for any consignment into the Country is at the owner’s choice. Hence, the procedure to follow in achieving these cannot be altered by any customs officer including an Area Controller.”

Compt. Imam continued, “Firstly the importer has to stipulate the bonded terminal or port that will be the final destination right at the country of exportation. The Final destination is always indicated in the bill of lading which is transmitted via the shipping companies to the sea port where the vessel will berth.”

The statement continued, “The Onne Command on receiving the transmission by procedure is expected to check two things on the bill of lading. Which are the Nature code and the Transit clause to ensure that the consignments are destined for a bonded terminal outside the command.”

He reiterated that “This negates the erroneous belief that consignments land in Onne port and thereafter the importer decides to move them to a bonded terminal.”

The CAC reaffirmed, “Once again Customs officers cannot determine the final destination of any consignment into the Country.”

“Secondly part of the procedure stipulates that this items moving to bonded terminals should have a bond which is one of the requirements the Onne Command ensure is fulfilled before the third procedure of escort from Onne Port to the bonded terminal.”

He posited that the moment all these requirements were met no Officer not even the area controller can stop these consignments from leaving the port even as he added that ,  by procedure this consignment cannot be examined in the Command before their departure no matter their content.

He explained that the best the Command could do was to relay any intelligence about the consignment to the Customs formation where it was destined to arrive.

Compt Imam, reiterated, that It was worthy to note that it is only the customs officers at the final destination that were allowed by procedure to examine the consignment even as he emphasized that for consignments destined for a bonded terminal under the Command jurisdiction by procedure they are subjected to Payment of duty via the designated banks before proceeding to the bonded terminal.

The Customs Area Comptroller made it  clear that “The public and our stakeholders should note that these procedures are strictly observed by the Onne Customs Command hence should have a rethink before assuming fictitious imaginations about operations in Onne.”

However, the statement stated that the Command recently got a directive from Headquarters in Abuja to ensure that all consignments leaving the port are scanned. “This instruction has been carried out diligently.”

“In view of the development, “All stakeholders involved in movement of containers via transire to other destinations outside the port can testify to the fact that their containers are scanned after fulfilling the necessary procedures before leaving the port.” He asserted.

He therefore called on all importers, exporters and Licensed Customs Agents to adhere strictly to the fiscal policies of the Federal government   vowing that the Command would not condone any action or inaction capable of derailing or undermining the federal government fiscal policies on imports and exports.

 

Credit: Bon Peters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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