This year 2017, the theme of the African Union Decentralization Day celebrated today 10 August is “Youth Participation”. At the Local Government and UCLG Africa (www.AfriqueLocale.org) levels, we translate this as “Investing in Youth”. It seems we are stating the obvious. According to the US Census Bureau in 2010, 63% of the Africa’s overall population was below the age of 25. The average age of the African population is 19. We are talking of over 300 million people that will become 500 million in less than 20 years from now.
A threat or an opportunity?
A threat if one considers that Africa has the worst schooling outcomes in the world with 51 % out of school in the age group of 6 to 14 years. This translates into the emergence of the phenomenon of “Street Children” in African Cities where more and more children and young people are homeless and live and sleep in the streets.
In Sub-Saharan Africa according to ILO, 3 in 5 of the unemployed are youth, and 72% of the youth population live with less than $2 a day. In addition, 10 to 12 million young people join the labour market each year, adding year in year out to the African working poor.
The African Union has declared 2009-2018 “the African Youth Decade”, but the young people in Africa do not have any real taste of the implementation of this political declaration. The persistence of conflicts and wars on the continent continues to fuel uncertainty for the resolve of African leaders to strive and propose a better life for the youth and future generations, not to mention all the adverse decisions around youth due to poor governance on the continent.
For sure there is no quick fix for the youth situation and the unemployment boom, but the reality is that more and more young people in Africa are losing hope of having any future on the continent. Hence, their despair and struggle to find a better life out of the continent, taking incredible risks to try and cross the Mediterranean sea at the expense of their own lives.
Is the situation definitively desperate? Of course not. Even if there remain a lot of concerns.
The first piece of good news is that Africa represents over 30 % of the world’s youth population. Africa is the youngest continent in the world: 21% of the 1.2 billion people on the continent are between 15 and 24 years old, whereas 42 % are less than 15 years old. In the next 20 years, Africa has the opportunity to benefit from a “demographic dividend” where there will be a large workforce supporting fewer children and the elderly, lowering the dependency burden and freeing up resources for development and the improvement of productivity. There are good reasons to hope that educational efforts can yield results in terms of a better quality and skilled workforce. In that sense, the youth should be considered as the key and unique player for the economic and social structural transformation of Africa. They are the energy and creativity of the future. That is where Africa’s renewal and renaissance will come from.
The second piece of good news is the determination of young people on the continent to take control of their own lives, creating their own jobs in the popular economy, investing in the tech- economy by adapting new technology’s to fit the reality and economic context of Africa.
But this good news still remains fragile. To transform this emerging potential into capabilities with effective scale-up and implementation on the ground, there needs to be a drastic transformation in the way African societies consider youth participation? It takes affirmative action to create an enabling and conducive environment for youth participation in society; and local governments should be at the forefront of this endeavor.
One of the remarkable initiatives in that regard is the proposal from the UCLG Africa network of female Mayors and local elected women of Africa (REFELA) to launch a campaign this year on “African Cities Without Street Children”, to address this emerging phenomenon before it goes out of control. All African local governments are invited to take part in this initiative.
Local governments should also be proactive in opening up new opportunities for youth by:
- Organizing open-door operations for youth in order to acquaint them with the functioning of local councils and administrations;
- Encouraging the creation of municipal councils for the youth that supports and prepares young people to understand more about the dispensation of city management responsibilities;
- Opening a youth desk at the local government premises to collect ideas from young people on the way to address burning issues that impede the improvement of the living conditions of the population or that can boost efficiency in service delivery;
- Launching a youth empowerment program addressing the main concerns of young people, including job creation; support for entrepreneurship; education, culture, arts and heritage; sports and leisure; etc.
But for local governments to be in a proactive position, they themselves need to be empowered by their national governments. It is striking that despite the strong political will expressed by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, that adopted the African Charter on Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development at their Conference in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where only 11 AU members signed it, and only 2 have ratified it. Not to mention the situation where local elections are not organized regularly or in a timely way that allows people to democratically choose their local leaders; and even worse, where elected officials are being replaced by appointed ones to manage local governments.
This is a clear demonstration that celebrating a Decentralization Day has no meaning, if the African Union members cannot honour even commitments made by their Heads of State and Government. Always remember this Egyptian wisdom: “Theheart of the matter is not about speculating around the action, but to act”.
Rabat, 10 August 2017
Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi
Secretary General, UCLG Africa
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.
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.
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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