Socio-economy

New Face of Anti-Corruption War

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

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The recent trend the anti corruption war is taking in Nigeria is quite alarming! This is evidence with the recent prosecution of the former anti corruption Czar, Nuhu Ribadu, the light punishment given to Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former governor of Edo State and several “hush-hush” subduing of high profile cases such as the recent Siemens scandal that is not confined to this country alone and several others.

Am quite sure that the international community will watch with bemused expressions the recent antics of the government to nip corruption in the bud. I wonder sincerely,what this dispensation of Farida Waziri has for us in this nation, will it be a period of the dog returning to its vomit, or a period of dog eat dog, or a period of renewed commitment to fight off the lethargy that is threatening to stifle the fight against corruption.

Whatever the case may be,we will “siddon look” and keep our fingers crossed as the drama unfolds this year.

Cheers!

You can conquer almost any fear if you will make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.

Dale Carnegie

PINK ACCOUNT

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

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Recently, Bank Phb launched the Pink Account for women. And I find it quite interesting and curious!

But I have a question, why women and not men? It sounds to me to be a feminine issue here. Why the entire hullabaloo on women saving, having an account, etc?! I personally find it amusing and at the same time disquieting. Access Bank also has an account call GEM for women only, and a finance house also had an account, a mutual funds for women. And am wondering, what’s the problem?! To BankPHB, Pink Account is more than a product. It is a special platform for Women Banking, the platform that shall carry many future initiatives from BankPHB, on special banking services for women to enable them to live and enjoy a good life.

The benefit that was stated by Bank PHB includes;

  1. Financing for baby care products. This will afford the expectant mother, the opportunity to acquire all the necessary and top quality baby products from MotherCare.  These items include baby cot, sterilizing equipment, car seat, etc. This package is from N24, 000 monthly (for 12 months) and there are three packages available for her to choose from.
  2. Financing to enable the woman acquire kitchen appliances like deep freezer, micro wave oven, gas cooker, washing machine, etc  or have a total kitchen makeover with top class kitchen cabinets designed to her taste. This package is from N14, 000 monthly (for 12 months) and there is an option of choosing a total kitchen makeover or selecting the appliances.
  3. Jewelry Financing: Every woman knows good quality jewelry last forever and can be passed on from generation to generation. Our jewelry package will enable the modern woman acquire valuable jewelry that will dazzle like gold, diamonds and gemstones. The woman can pick whatever jewelry she wants from our partner stores with a minimum value of N150,000 and pay back over a period of 12 months.
  4. Discount on Fashion and Beauty items: Each Pink account holder will enjoy instant discount (up to 20%) from our Partner stores for fashion and beauty items like clothes, shoes, beauty products and accessories to enhance her appearance.
  5. Pink Card and Cheque Book: Each account holder will also get a Pink Discount card and Cheque books.

Now, all these benefits are fantastic and mouth watering I must say! But I am not been chauvinistic here, but I can’t help wondering, has all the accounts in the different banks till date being for men only? Or banks are now targeting gender based accounts? It’s a question that I need some answers to please.

In as much as it’s a good thing, but I think the banks are treading on an unfair ground. Come to think of it, if it had been the other way round, won’t we be hearing the shout of marginalization! Women Empowerment! Victimization! ETC! Looking at the benefits stated here, it’s clear who the target is even amongst the women, the upwardly mobile corporate woman! Where is the Market woman? Where is the young average woman who this does not ideally appeal too? The young woman, trying to earn a living?

I think, there are some gray areas that need to be looked at, and the need to downplay the feminist tone about the accounts. Women empowerment is good, but let’s not take it too far.

What Does the Obama Victory Translate to for Africans?

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

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Barack Obama is now the President – Elect of the United States. As I said in my earlier postings, it’s a victory for the peoples of the world and not the United States alone. But, there is a pertinent issue that comes to the fore with this victory. And a particular question leapt into my mind while thinking of it. And this is the question; what does the victory translate to for the African Continent?

The President of our nation, Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua congratulated the President Elect and said, “ I look forward to even more bilateral relations between Nigeria and the US and more productive partnership between Africa and the US in the quest for a more stable, secure, just and equitable world”. The President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe said, “African continent would look forward to a fruitful relationship with the US as part of the gains of the Obama Presidency. Africa today stands proud of your achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship”

So what point am I trying to make,

  • · How do the African people understand this?
  • · Does it mean more liberal entrance into the US?
  • · Does it mean more consideration of African issues on the International scene?
  • · More aid? More funds?
  • · Does it mean the Kenyan people become Africa Leaders?
  • · Does it mean his family automatically qualifies as regular visitors to the White House?

Starting from his family in Kenya, they organized a press conference in their village on Wednesday, am sure to let the world know he is their blood. But we must not forget that they are his Step Sisters and Brothers and his Grandma. Do they have a robust relationship together? Have they ever attempted to reach out to him or him to them?

Will human trafficking stop with a black man in the white house? Will the US borders be more open to foreigners’ pouring in like water torrents? Especially blacks? Even, if possible, does that not translate to racism of some sort?

Kenya declared a public holiday for Obama; does that mean every year public holiday will be declared? Kenya is just recovering from a terrible nightmare of political upheaval, so does it mean a saner society? Or does it make them, the number one country in Africa?

The questions will keep pouring out and the answers………………

But the truth is, we should expect the best actually from the US for it’s a new era in world history. But we need to address ourselves and define what we want as a continent. Moreorless charting a new course for ourselves forgetting the past experience we have had and looking forward to a glorious future for the African Continent.