Education! Is education the exposition of the mind of an individual to the body of knowledge, as approved by the particular curriculum of a Government, a parent or a society? No! Education is the determination of an individual to continue to learn, until he knows that he knows that he knows, even though he knows that, that day will never come when he knows all that there is to know. That is Education!
By Eben Farheed Joels
Given all the economic challenges in Nigeria, the prospects of the economy are quite enormous. Despite its huge infrastructural deficit, the economy has a record annual growth rate of about 7%. It has outstripped the majority of emerging markets and the developed economies. This is a clear indication that the Nigerian economy will be able to record double digit growth, once these restraining factors are addressed.
Corporate governance is a buzz word used by many, but it is doubtful if those that use this word understand exactly what it means.
Corporate governance has been perceived by some as:
Nigeria is one of the most developed countries in Africa. By virtue of its population of over 160 million people, it is the largest country in Africa and accounts for about 47% of West Africa’s population. It is also the biggest oil exporter in Africa, with the largest natural gas reserves in the continent. With these substantial reserves of human and natural resources, the country is expected to build a prosperous economy, drastically reduce poverty, and provide health, education and infrastructure services to its large population.
What do people like Ram Charan, Steven Covey, Robert Greene, Brian Tracy, Malcolm Gladwell, etc have in common? Honestly, I don’t know. What is certain is that they all earn thousands of United States Dollars from speaking engagements. Serious business leaders listen to them! Why would a serious business man pay to listen to individuals with no reputation for success in any particular business?
Recently, some oil companies were awarded pioneer status. Pioneer status for the uninitiated is that tax free status granted to companies whose products have been declared pioneer products upon satisfying further administrative requirements of the Minister of Trade and Investments (or the designated agency administering the Industrial Development Act).
In Nigeria, everything and everyone appear to be for sale. I have also offered myself for sale but I am still looking for buyers. On Sunday, August 11, 2013, while meditating on how to source funds to pay off my obligations including delayed salaries –yes the House of Representative member who wants to introduce a law with prison terms for entrepreneurs who owe salaries should please come to my aid– I found a perfect opportunity to sell myself.
The recent demise of Prof. Chinua Achebe is tremendously sad because he was a global icon, born and bred in Nigeria, who spoke fearless over several decades about the decay in Nigeria. However, his death is monumentally disturbing because with his passing, one more Nigerian hero has died without any foreseeable replacement or a sense of belief that he can be replaced or almost replaced.
There are very few bills that have become as famous as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and yet several years after its introduction, it is yet to be passed. It is becoming clearer that it may indeed never be passed; at least not in its current state.
One of the most interesting developments that democracy has brought us is the ability to criticise various governments in Nigeria. There was a time when it was impossible to criticize, let alone, say negative things about the different military junta that ruled Nigeria. Times have changed!
