Nigeria's Infrastructural Development And Maintenance Culture!

To promote growth, responsible governments the world over invest huge sum of money the year round in infrastructure works and integral projects. Howbeit, it is the duty of both governments and citizens to see to it that these infrastructures lasts for a very long time through maintenance. 

Side walk near OandO, Chisco bus-stop, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos

The rate at which supposedly completed projects develop faults and dilapidated in very short time is simply alarming. For instance, the state of the newly built side-walks along Lekki express-way calls for a review on the Nigerian contractors' ethics in using quality materials/ delivering 'good-jobs' and the maintenance culture. 

Side walk at Jakande bus-stop, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos

At some point, these projects appeared as though there were rushed. Bricks on side-walks are not properly laid, where there were, they are placed haphazardly.  Why spend much money on projects that only lasts for as long as there were completed.

Prince George Goes To Schools!

Prince George strikes a pose with his father Prince William, as he starts school at Thomas's Battersea, on Thursday, September 7, 2017. 

Photo Speaks: Oshodi Pedestrian Staircase Needs Attention!

The Photo below shows the current state of the staircase of a pedestrian bridge over the rail, at Oshodi, Lagos state, Nigeria.

"Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in people's lives, our work cannot be said to be done"- Muhammadu Buhari!

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, reacted to the nation's recent emergence from recession, stating that "Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in people's lives, our work cannot be said to be done".

Nigeria's economy experienced a significant growth for the first time in 25-years as the country's Gross Domestic Product increased by 0.55 percent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2017. 

Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics revealed this Tuesday, August, 5, 2017. According to the NBS's report, the nation's GDP shrank by 0.25 year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter of 2017, representing the 5th successive quarter of contraction since the first quarter of 2017.  

The current 0.55 growth is reportedly higher than the -1.49 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2016, and higher than the 1.46 percent points from the rate recorded in the preceding quarter, (revised to - 0.91 percent from -0.52 percent). 

The NBS further disclosed that quarter on quarter, the actual GDP growth was 3.23 percent. This development indicates a first emergence from a 25-year-old recession. 

President Buhari pledged that his administration will ensure that the ordinary Nigerian feels the impact of this recovery.

Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Expecting Baby Number Three!

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton expecting their third child. 

Benue Flood: First Patch Of Emergency Relief To Arrive Makurdi!

Disturbing photo of current flooding of Makurdi, Benue State capital city, central Nigeria, along River Benue. Information revealed that so far, the flood displaced over 100,000 persons.

View of an area affected by flood in Benue State, Nigeria

Following the development, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to aid affected persons and communities. 

Acting on the President's directive, a Humanitarian team from the Director Search and Rescue Headquarters in Abuja, led by Air Commodore Paul Ohemu, dispatched its first batch of emergency relief response of (7) 30 tons truck. The dispatch is expected to arrive the affected communities by Friday, September, 2017.

 The team will assess the situation for further supports.

Focus On The Real MVPs!

The journey into Africa's economic development can not be complete without mentioning the impact of the 'sometimes overlooked' small and medium scale enterprises. This edition on 'The Real MVPs', is focused on the Oluwo Fish Market, Epe, North of Lekki Lagoon, Lagos State, south-west Nigeria. 

 

                          

                                                   

From shrimps, lopsters, snails, crayfish, all kinds of sea food. This publication showcase a small/medium scale, but robust business which through the years have been a bedrock support to the nation's growing economy.

      

Dominated by women of the Epe community and environs, thanks to the Lagoon. Interestingly, women called the shots in fish farming and trading in most river-rine communities across Nigeria, and overtime have built a formidable business empire.

Baskets of Seafood on stand

                               

Some of these women do the fishing, storage, as well as smoking for preservation, and sell in both whole-sale and retail; while some buy the sea food off local fisher-men, and re-sell. 

                           

This age-long enterprise, has over time leveraged local women. One of the traders who spoke with our reporter, said she has been in the fish business for over 25-years and like other traders in the market, supports her family from the proceeds.

More pictures of some of the Sea Food sold at the Oluwo Market:

 

Entrance to Oluwo Market, Epe

These women, with little or no formal education, exposure or credit facilities, successfully called the shots in the fish-market, and immensely contributed to growing the nation's economy. 

They are the real MVPs.