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When the Worst of the Best is better than the rest By Kehinde Bamigbetan

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2018

Sahara Weekly

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The set theory is a commonsensical heritage of arithmetics. By defining a selection from a universe as a set, it makes value judgments that could relate to the mass. The Economist Intelligence Unit, the research arm of the highly prestigious Economist newsmagazine experiments with the set theory every year. To execute its livability survey, it selects 140 cities out of millions of cities across the world. This means a set of 140 cities out of a million plus universe of cities.

That a city qualifies to be among this chosen few is a loud announcement of its arrival in the league of international destinations of commerce, industry and tourism. It means it is being benchmarked in its region as the most important place people are likely to visit and companies are likely to open shop in that region. That is the positive message for Lagos: that its struggle to modernize its infrastructures and services has attracted the attention of the international players so much that is has been recommended for this study.

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Curious to know why and how Lagos got into the select group of 140 cities, I sent a tweet to Roxanna Slavcheva, the head of the City Practices Unit of the EIU, who put together the research. Her reply: “To answer your question simply, the inclusion of Lagos in the survey was motivated by client demand. Currently we have a fixed list of cities that we conduct the liveability survey for. The ranking is globally focused on business centres around the world. That is why our survey is global and seeks to quantify tangible challenges to lifestyle according to the same set of criteria across all 140 locations.”

The liveability report is an advisory data motivated by the need to give multinational companies seeking to send their staff to locations across the world a guide on what to pay them while there. How does the rating work? Read the EIU: “The concept of liveability is simple: it assesses which locations around the world provide the best or the worst living conditions. Assessing liveability has a broad range of uses, from benchmarking perceptions of development levels to assigning a hardship allowance as part of expatriate relocation packages. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveability rating quantifies the challenges that might be presented to an individual’s lifestyle in any given location, and allows for direct comparison between locations.

Every city is assigned a rating of relative comfort for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure. Each factor in each city is rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable or intolerable. For qualitative indicators, a rating is awarded based on the judgment of in–house analysts and in–city contributors. For quantitative indicators, a rating is calculated based on the relative performance of a number of external data points.

The scores are then compiled and weighted to provide a score of 1–100, where 1 is considered intolerable and 100 is considered ideal. The liveability rating is provided both as an overall score and as a score for each category. To provide points of reference, the score is also given for each category relative to New York and an overall position in the ranking of 140 cities is provided.”

The EIU, a private research consultancy, did not survey all the cities in the world.Rather, it looked at locations “around” the world. Therefore, it couldn’t have reported on an assignment it did not undertake. It chose 140 cities across regions and ranked them based on its liveability indicators such as social stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructures. This report is an annual research product or book sold to countries, companies and individuals. In marketing the report to attract the patronage of this global clientele, the EIU put a nice spin on it by branding it as a “world” report.

That is not the problem. The problem is that the media gullibly swallowed it hook, line and sinker and misrepresented a survey of 140 cities as a survey of the world’s millions of cities.This hasty generalization is logically fallacious and calls to question the failure of rigour among the gatekeepers who are responsible for interrogating information disseminated by a company in a bid to sell its product before uploading for public consumption.

It is more depressing that no controversy over the indices used is trending on Facebook, blogs and twitter handles of the country’s commentariat. For instance, this report uses New York, United States as its reference city. To demonstrate thecontradictions of this modernization model which has been criticised by Third World scholars such as Samir Amir, Bade Onimode and others, resource mobilization influences the provision of infrastructures and services by cities. Considering prudent management as a constant factor between Lagos and New York, the massive difference in the resources available to both cities already shows which lags behind the others. In 2017, New York City Council budgeted $82.2 billion (N29.5 trillion). Same year, Lagos budgeted N7.2 trillion.

Or consider population. With hourly migrant figure of 186 persons, Lagos chokes under a population weight of 22 million people. New York’s most current census of 2015 puts its population at 8, 556,405. Let us add the increase over the years generously to estimate as 10 million today. Matching both resource and the population for both cities, we can see where the pendulum swings. Vienna, the best of the report’s 140 countries, spent 4 million US dollars to service its population of 1,800,000 residents in 2017.

The failure to critically review the report from the perspective of economic development and appreciate the location of each of these cities in the international system of trade and development is a recent handicap of Nigeria’s media scholarship. It is indeed surprising that few, if any has bothered to read the report .The drawbacks in Lagos’ strive to catch up with the world such as the neglect it has suffered since the movement of the federal capital to Abuja and the denial of resources needed for its development due to its political distance from the party controlling the federal government for 16 years of the current democratic dispensation are well known. Today, 37 of the 57 local authorities of Lagos State still demand and deserve federal allocation.

Despite these challenges, the reality is that Lagos is not resting on its oars. With the bold and daring push of its helmsmen-Bola Tinubu and Raji Fashola- since the resumption of democratic rule, the megacity has been experiencing transformation in all spheres and playing catch up with centuries –old metropoles. This momentum has been scaled up in the last three years under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode with the massive investment in infrastructures earning the city the description of “a huge construction site”.

Lagos not only means business, it is reforming its processes digitally and humanly to set up shop as the most desirable destination for commerce, industry and tourism. The emerging landscape of the 10-lane Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Oshodi Transportation Interchange, the JK Randle Cultural Centre, the development of waterways and rail infrastructures, Oshodi-Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transport route and first DNA centre in West Africa gradually rises into view.

But it is not all about brick and mortar. More powerful testimonies are being recorded in entrepreneurship as billions of credit to small and medium scale businesses through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund drive the jobless from the streets to factories. The deployment of massive security personnel and equipment, including CCTV technology and street lights elongate the city’s business into the wee hours of the morning. Social inclusion policies have brought the disabled, the youth and the women closer to public resources. Town hall meetings have shown an administration committed to good governance and transparency. These have contributed to the resilience that was globally acknowledged last year.

Ranking 138^th among business locations across the world is the recognition that Lagos has left behind millions of many other cities, including the federal capital, Abuja, to be among the 140 demanded by businessmen. And that is enough reason to conclude that the allegedly worst city among the world’s best 140 is, indeed, better than the rest.

…Bamigbetan is Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy

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Related Topics:Lagos State commissioner for information

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FRN V. Ali Bello & 3 Ors: Court adjourns to May 27 for continuation of hearing

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Panic As The Cardoso Family Takes Possession Of Lagos Land With 300 Houses

FRN V. Ali Bello & 3 Ors: Court adjourns to May 27 for continuation of hearing

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering charges against Ali Bello and three others to May 27, 2024.

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The Judge, on Thursday, adjourned the trial following the conclusion of evidence in chief by the second witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Olomotane Egoro.

The adjournment was to allow counsel to Ali Bello, Abubakar Aliu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, to cross examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.

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At Thursday’s proceedings, in the suit marked: ABJ/CR/573/2022 (FRN Vs. Ali Bello and 3 others), Egoro, a Staff of Access Bank, tendered Bank Statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting and Integrated Limited and testified of cash lodgements into the accounts from 14 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

The witness, who did not state the purpose for which the monies were transferred into the accounts, also testified as to withdrawals from the said accounts.

The lodgements and withdrawals were said to have been made from between 2017 and 2022.

At the end of the Witness’ testimony, Counsel to the 1st Defendant, Ali Bello (A. M. Aliyu SAN) prayed the Court for an adjournment to enable him cross examine the Witness. By agreement of Counsel, the matter was adjourned.

Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa, SAN, appeared for the Prosecution.

Nureini Jimoh SAN appeared for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants.

Ali Bello and three others are facing trial on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the EFCC.

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society

STANDARD PROFILE OF BOMA FEMI JULIUS BY CHINEDU NSOFOR

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Sahara Weekly

STANDARD PROFILE OF BOMA FEMI JULIUS

BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR

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Boma Femi Julius is one individual who has stood out in the dynamic and demanding realm of drilling and well engineering. With a robust educational background and extensive professional experience, Julius stands as a paragon of expertise and innovation in the field. His journey from Nigeria to international acclaim is a testament to his dedication, skill, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

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Education and Skill Set

Julius’ academic foundation is as solid as the wells he helps to engineer. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer and Textile Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, in 2001. Building upon this foundation, he pursued further studies, obtaining a Mini MBA in Business Administration and Management from the Tekedia Institute in 2020. His crowning achievement came with the completion of a Master of Science in Drilling and Well Engineering from the prestigious Robert Gordon University in 2021.

Armed with this impressive academic arsenal, Julius possesses a diverse array of skills that set him apart in his field. As a drilling engineer and drilling fluids specialist, he combines technical acumen with practical experience to tackle even the most challenging drilling environments. Additionally, his expertise extends to the realm of martial arts, where he serves as a karate coach, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to both professional and personal development.

Professional Experience

Julius’ professional journey is marked by a series of notable accomplishments and contributions to the industry. He has held key roles at leading companies such as Schlumberger Gabon, Baker Hughes GE Saudi Arabia, and Sterling Global Oil Resources, among others.

At Schlumberger Gabon, Julius serves as the Lead Drilling Fluids Consultant, providing invaluable technical guidance and support to Assala Oil Company in navigating complex drilling operations. His role involves supervising all aspects of drilling fluids management, from backloading cuttings waste to ensuring adherence to HSE guidelines.

Julius’ tenure at Baker Hughes GE Saudi Arabia was equally impactful, where he led drilling fluids operations to meet the rigorous standards of Saudi Aramco’s offshore operations. His expertise in hole cleaning simulation and quality assurance helped to optimize drilling performance while upholding the highest safety standards.

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Globat Oil and Gas Skills/Mud School, Julius demonstrates his commitment to knowledge dissemination and professional development. Through training programs tailored to industry professionals at all levels, he shares his wealth of experience and expertise, shaping the next generation of drilling engineers and supervisors.

Contributions and Achievements

Julius’ contributions to the field extend beyond his professional roles, encompassing innovative problem-solving, environmental stewardship, and technological advancement. His meticulous approach to mud operations and inventory management has led to significant cost savings and improved drilling efficiency.

Notably, Julius has played a pivotal role in the successful drilling and completion of numerous high-profile projects, including those in H2S fields, HPHT wells, and deep offshore environments. His expertise in mud program development and application of cutting-edge technologies has been instrumental in overcoming complex drilling challenges and achieving operational excellence.

Professional Affiliations and Accolades

Julius is an active member of esteemed professional organizations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Energy Institute. His contributions to the industry have been recognized through various accolades and certifications, underscoring his status as a respected leader and authority in drilling and well engineering. Julius stands among the Amazon 20 best-performing CEOs in corporate Nigeria and ranks among the top 10 notable leaders in the country’s corporate sector.

Additional accolades

His professionalism has been recognized with awards from various organizations, including:

10th West Africa Brands Excellence Awards 2021, bestowed by The Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria, for being West Africa’s Best Oil & Gas Training School of the Year 2021.

Positioning of Globat Oil & Gas Skills as one of the best managed businesses in Nigeria’s private sector 2021, recognized by Guardian Newspaper Limited.

Inclusion among the 100 Most Innovative CEOs for the year 2020 by Africa Oil and Gas Brands Awards 2020, presented by The African Brands Magazine.

Acknowledgment as Africa’s Most Innovative Oil and Gas Training Centre of the Year 2020, honored by Vanguard for Developing Careers in the Oil and Gas Sector.

Recognition as one of Vanguard’s Top 40 Best CEOs 2019, awarded by Vanguard Newspaper Limited.

Conclusion

In Boma Femi Julius, the industry finds not only a consummate professional but also a visionary leader and mentor. His unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his passion for innovation and knowledge sharing, continues to shape the landscape of drilling and well engineering, inspiring others to reach greater heights in their own endeavors. As the industry evolves and challenges emerge, Julius stands ready to lead the way, leaving an indelible mark on the world of oil and gas exploration and production.

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society

LASRRA Eases Registration with New Centre at Blue Line Rail Terminal

Published

9 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Sahara Weekly

LASRRA Eases Registration with New Centre at Blue Line Rail Terminal

…Highlights Benefits of LAG-ID Card

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The Lagos State Residents’ Registration Agency (LASRRA) has taken a significant step towards improving its database by launching a registration centre at the Blue Line Rail Terminal.

The event, which occurred at Marina, Lagos Station, on Thursday, seeks to encourage commuters who reside in Lagos State and use the corridor daily to register and validate their information with LASRRA.

The General Manager of LASRRA, Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, expressed the agency’s commitment to providing convenient registration facilities for residents. Currently, LASRRA operates 62 registration outlets across the five divisions of Lagos. However, the agency plans to establish more centres to cater to the teeming population of the largest city in West Africa.

She highlighted the importance of bringing the registration process closer to residents, particularly those with busy schedules.

“By setting up centres at strategic locations like the Blue Line Terminal, LASRRA aims to ensure that all residents can fulfill their civic responsibility of registering with the agency.

“Similar registration centres will be established at other terminals across the state in the near future. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no resident is left behind. The benefits of the LAG-ID Card, the end product of the registration process are enormous.

“Besides serving as a legitimate form of identification, the LAG-ID Card offers multifaceted usage. To check the status of their cards, registered individuals can simply dial the short USSD code *347*641#.

“It is important to note that the registration process is not complete until individuals collect their printed LAG-ID Card and receive a notification on their registered phone number for pick-up,” she noted.

The highlight of the event was when participants had the opportunity to use their LAG-ID Cards to board the train and experience a ride from Marina to Mile 2. This symbolic gesture showcased the seamless integration of the LAG-ID Card with public transportation and further emphasized the importance of registration for all residents.

She emphasized that LASRRA remains committed to its mission of capturing the information and biometrics of Lagos State residents to provide better services and meet their needs, and the launch of the registration centre at the Blue Line Rail Terminal is a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring the inclusivity of all residents in the state’s development plans.