BusinessDay 22 Oct 2017

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32 BD SUNDAY C002D5556 Sunday 22 October 2017 SundayBusiness Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje Ideas Nwaodu Lawrence Chukwuemeka IDEAS Exchange Consulting, Lagos. email - nwaodu. lawrence@hotmail.co.uk Cell: 07066375847. Redistribution’s Violent History:World War II devastated the economic infrastructures of Germany and Japan. It flattened their factories, reduced their rail yards to rubble, and eviscerated their harbors. But in the decades that followed, something puzzling happened: the economies of Germany and Japan grew faster than those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Why did the vanquished outperform the victorious? In his 1982 book, The Rise and decline of Nations, the economist Mancur Olson answered that question by arguing that rather than handicapping the economies of the Axis powers, catastrophic defeat World Food Day and the Dangote initiative The choice of the theme for the World Food Day, 2017 which was celebrated on October 16: ‘Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development’ could not have been better. Globally, the world is in a constant flux. According to a statement from the United Nations Organisation (UNO), more people have been forced to flee their homes now than at any time since the Second World War. This is due to increased wave of conflicts and political instability. Responsible for this, in specific terms are factors such as hunger, poverty and an increase in extreme weather events linked to climate change. For us in Nigeria, the theme is a wakeup call to governments, politicians, the private sector and NGOs to rise up and stem the tide of migration. As at 2016, the number of people in the North-East axis displaced by Boko Haram since 2010 had rocketed to more than 2.1 million, affecting 300,000 households. This is according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Geneva-based inter-governmental organisation revised its previous estimate of 1.3 million a year before and attributed the surge in displaced populations to intensified attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents. Comparatively, about 40percent more people have been displaced throughout Borno State (1.4 million) than the number of migrants that reached Europe by boat back in 2015 (1 million). “Across the region, the war against Boko Haram has forced more people from their homes – 2.6 million – than there are Syrians in Turkey, the country that hosts more refugees than any other”. Of the world’s 17 million displaced Africans, 93.7percent remain inside the continent, and just 3.3percent have reached Europe, according to UN data supplied privately to the Guardian. There is little doubt that the current large movements of people are presenting complex challenges. This calls for global action. “Many migrants arrive in developing countries, creating tensions where resources are already scarce, but the majority, about 763 million, move within their own countries rather than abroad”. These challenges have led to an upshot in food crisis that the UN warns might see hundreds of thousands die from famine in the next few years. So, what should we What kills inequality – Part 1 actually benefited them, by opening up space for competition and innovation. In both Germany and Japan, he observed, the war destroyed special-interest groups, including economic cartels, labor unions, and professional associations. Gone were Germany’s partisan unions and Japan’s family-controlled conglomerates; the U.S. Teamsters, the United Kingdom’s Society of Engineers, and France’s Federation of Building Industries all survived. A generation after the war, only a quarter of West Germany’s professional associations dated back to the prewar era, whereas a full half of the United Kingdom’s did. Olson’s findings had a disturbing implication: in politically stable countries, narrow coalitions of business lobbies hold back economic growth through self-serving policies, and only a major military defeat or a grisly revolution can overcome the resulting inefficiencies. Back when Olson was writing, few economists cared about economic inequality in advanced countries; unemployment and sluggish investment were the problems of the day. To the extent that experts did focus on inequality within countries, they did so with respect to the late industrialisers, where migration from poor villages to richer cities was accentuating income disparities. Even there, however, inequality was considered a temporary side effect of development; the economist Simon Kuznets argued that it dissipated with modernisation. Had Olson considered inequality, he might have noticed that World War II had two other curious economic consequences. First, the devastation reduced inequality— not just in the defeated countries but also in the victorious countries, and even in neutral ones. Second, these reductions proved temporary. Around the 1970s, developed economies started becoming less and less equal, defying Kuznets’ celebrated hypothesis. Such puzzles lie at the heart of The Great Leveler, an impressive new book by the historian Walter Scheidel. Scheidel proposes that ever since foraging gave way to agriculture, high and rising inequality has been the norm in politically stable and economically functional countries. And the only thing that has reduced it, he argues, has been some sort of violent shock—a major conflict such as World War II or else a revolution, state collapse, or a pandemic. After each such shock, he writes, “the gap between the haves and the have-nots had shrunk, sometimes dramatically.” Alas, the effect was invariably short lived, and the restoration of stability initiated a new period of rising inequality. Today, the risk of violent shocks has fallen considerably. Nuclear deterrence has made great-power be doing to salvage an already bad situation that has food insecurity staring millions of Nigeria on the face? Experts advise that since threequarters of the extreme poor people base their livelihoods on agriculture or other rural activities favourable conditions that allow should be provided .This concerns especially the youth, for them to stay at home when they feel it is safe to do so. This is a crucial component of any sustainable plan to tackle the migration challenge. It is in this wise that one applauds the recent move by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, to establish rice farms and engage the youths in agriculture. The company is currently preparing to hit the market with one million metric tons of Dangote rice in 2018. The Dangote Youth Rice Farm project, mainly an out-grower scheme for youths only, was flagged off at the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, Kampe, Ejiba in Yagba West Local Government Area of the state where youths have embarked on rice cultivation over 100 hectares of land. The rice farm project, which was preceded by a special training for the youth farmers on the dynamics of rice farming, will see the youths cultivating the rice paddy on 100 hectares of land, which will then be bought over by the company for processing. Under the scheme, the Dangote Rice Company provides the seedling, anti-pestchemicals, and fertilizers while the Basin Authority provides the land for the young farmers. We need more of such initiatives in other sub sectors of the economy. Rural development has the capacity to address factors that compel young people to move by creating business opportunities and jobs for them. They may not only be crop-based (such as small dairy or poultry production, food processing or horticulture enterprises). These can also lead to increased food security, more resilient livelihoods and better access to social protection. Others include reduced conflict over natural resources and solutions to environmental degradation as well as climate change. Besides, the Nigerian government can benefit from the FAO as it is working with governments, UN agencies, the private sector, civil society and local communities, to generate evidence on migration patterns. It is building countries’ capacities to drastically reduce migration through rural development policies. Such moves would explore the developmental potential of migration, especially in terms of food security and poverty reduction. There should be transparency in the conduct of funds made available to them. All these would add to the progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. For Nigeria, if the restructuring clamour comes into being, states could be allowed to control their resources and could be asked to pay a certain percentage of between 25 to 30 percent of their revenue as tax to the centre. Also, laws should be enacted and enforced to give the needed autonomy to the local government administration. war unthinkable, the decline of communism has rendered wealthleveling revolutions unlikely, powerful government institutions have staved off the risk of state collapse in the developed world, and modern medicine has kept pandemics at bay. However welcome such changes may be, Scheidel says, they cast “serious doubt on the feasibility of future leveling.” Indeed, he expects economic inequality to keep rising for the foreseeable future. The Great Leveler should set off loud alarm bells. Scheidel is right to call on the world’s elites to find ways to equalize opportunities, and to do so before driverless cars, automated stores, and other technological advances complicate the task. A humanoid robot works side by side with employees in the assembly line at a factory in Kazo, north of Tokyo, Japan. The bloody history he recounts suggests that reducing inequality will be difficult, even in the best of circumstances. But he also exaggerates his case; there are reasons to believe that societies can reform without an instigating catastrophe. The march of inequality Jumping across civilisations and eras, The Great Leveler finds example after example of periods of rising inequality punctuated by cataclysmic events that suddenly flattened distributions of income and wealth. The range of evidence is breathtaking. Scheidel tracks the It would bring governance closer to the people. With that in place, povertyalleviation programmes would impact more positively on the Human Development Index (HDI) of the people at the grassroots. For instance, fanciful sounding initiatives such as DFRRI, the Family Support Programme (FSP) during the military era and others such as NAPEP, the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), the Rural Infrastructural Development Scheme (RIDS) and NEEDS under our democratic dispensation all failed. But why? They collapsed because they were far removed from the intended beneficiaries. And some were used as mere conduit pipe for selfenrichment. Another means of alleviating poverty is for the richest Nigerians to borrow a fresh leaf from the laudable Giving Pledge initiative of 38 American billionaires. Inspired by Warren Buffet, back in August 2010 they decided, on their volition to channel at least 50 percent of their enormous wealth to charitable causes in less developed countries. Our billionaire, prosperity-preaching pastors and prophets should also join the fray. Above all, our political helmsmen should realise that true leadership entails finding solutions to existing problems, against all odds; not giving flimsy excuses for successive failures of programmes and policies. The time to act is now! Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media distribution of wealth between 6000 BC and 4000 BC through indications of physical well-being, such as skeletal height and the incidence of dental lesions; signs of conspicuous consumption, such as lavish burials; and evidence of entrenched hierarchies, such as temples. He estimates inequality in the Roman Empire by looking at the assets of top officials and influential families, as reported in censuses. He measures Ottoman inequality by turning to records of estate settlements and official expropriations. For premodern China, fluctuations over time in the number of tomb epitaphs, which only the rich could afford, serve as a proxy for the shifting concentration of wealth. Specialists in particular eras and regions will undoubtedly quibble with some of Scheidel’s assumptions, inferences, and computations. But no reasonable reader will fail to be convinced that inequality has waxed and waned across time and space. Scheidel also seeks to explain what causes inequality. Thomas Piketty, in his best-selling Capital in the Twenty-first Century; answered the question by arguing that the rate of return on investment generally exceeds the rate of economic growth, causing people with capital to get even wealthier than everyone else. Scheidel accepts this mechanism but adds others.
Sunday 22 October 2017 C002D5556 BD SUNDAY 33 BrandsOnSunday SPOTLIGHTING BRAND VALUE Nigeria’s pay Tv market inspiring as Kwese enters with promises … Operators introduce more innovations to delight consumers Stories by Daniel Obi Undeterred of dominant players in the Nigeria’s pay TV market, Kwese TV, which is being driven by Econet Media, a subsidiary company of the globally networked Econet Group founded by Executive Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa of Zimbabwe, has entered Nigerian market. Created for Sub-Saharan African audiences, Kwese TV is coming with the niche in entertainment and sports. The launch of Kwesé TV brings the very best in premium entertainment, international and African series and movies, award-winning children’s entertainment channels, up to-the-minute news and a diverse mix of exclusive channels for the entire family to enjoy. Aware of the competitive Nigerian pay TV market, the owners of the TV said “We are excited to launch our dynamic content business in Nigeria, a market that we know is hungry for a compelling alternative pay TV network. “At Kwesé we pride ourselves in having selected a strong general entertainment and sports programming line-up which we believe will be well received by viewers of all ages – kids, young adults, men and women, alike,” said Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager Kwesé TV Nigeria. “Our business is premised on the concept of TV anywhere .This means we have made our premium content easily accessible across a number of platforms namely linear TV, mobile and digital platforms, providing unlimited viewing options for our subscribers.” “With Kwesé, content is not only accessible through our multi-platform service, but also through a revolutionary payment model. We have pioneered ‘pay-as-youwatch’ subscription packages for premium programming which enables consumers to purchase three and seven days subscriptions at N990 and N1,850 respectively, as well as a 30 day subscription option for only N6,275,” added Amkpa. Subscribing to Kwesé TV is as simple as visiting a Kwesé branded store and purchasing a satellite dish and decoder combo for N10,960 inclusive of installation. What’s more, your first month’s (30 day) subscription to Kwesé TV’s full entertainment and sports bouquet is free! After expiration of this free 30 day pass, Kwesé audiences can continue to enjoy exceptional quality programming at an affordable price of just N6,275 per 30 day pass. The full Kwesé TV bouquet offers over 65 channels of pure entertainment with well-known international channels such as CNN International, DreamWorks, DTX, ESPN, VICELAND, Diddy’s REVOLT TV and home-grown channels such as Channels TV, TVC News and NTA. Kwesé also prides itself in being the exclusive broadcast partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in sub-Saharan Africa. Sport lovers can look forward to live action, weekly previews and highlights from the NBA, international boxing (including exclusive coverage of all Anthony Joshua fights), IAAF World Championships and the National Football League among other sports, on Kwesé Sports 1, Kwesé Sports 2 and Kwesé Seamfix unveils Bioregistra solution for data management Seamfix, Nigeria’s foremost provider of identity management solutions, has unveiled BioRegistra, an innovative data capture and data management platform. BioRegistra is a state of the art platform developed for individuals, corporates and government, among others to assist them capture data, store the data, and have access to the data at any time as they may desire. The platform allows a fully automated process that guarantees seamless execution of all KYC business processes, thus enabling faster customer on-boarding and increasing customer satisfaction. Speaking during the launch, Chimezie Emewulu, Managing Director of Seamfix said BioRegistra was conceptualized to deal with the challenge of managing data. According to him “Our major challenge in Nigeria is gathering needed data for accurate needs and assessment. With BioRegistra, this challenge is history. The platform can be used to capture all forms of data – animate or inanimate”. Emewulu stated that Bio- Registra comes with several benefits which enhance operational excellence. “Bio- Registra offers several benefits to the user. It prevents fraudulent data capture. The Intelligent quarantine engine is designed to detect fraudulent and fictitious records L-R: Charles Onyeze, agency dept., Knight Frank; Barrister Emeka Nnubia; Abby Osoba, Agile Adviser; Chibuzor Onwurah, executive director; Chimezie Emewulu, managing director; both from Seamfix Nigeria Limited; Mr. Erhabor Ehondor, partner, Knight Frank; Olamide Ajah, head, Service Delivery, Seamfix; and Mike Ogbolu, managing director, Mobile Financial Services at Interswitch at the launch of BioRegistra by Seamfix Nigeria Limited, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Four Point by Sheraton, Oniru, Lagos State. Free Sports which was first introduced to Nigerian audiences in earlier this year. Kwesé Free Sports is Africa’s largest and first Pan-African free-to-air TV channel available in 25 countries providing premium sporting content to sports fans for free. The brand owners said the channel holds exclusive free-to-air rights to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the Premier League. Recently, Telecom Satellite Tv, TStv which is ready for official launch on November 1, announced its entry into the Nigeria’s pay TV market with promises to also offer Nigerians pay- asyou- go service. The entry of more Pay TV is creating innovations in the pay TV industry by operators to attract audience. There has been introduction of more bouquet, adjusting of monthly charging fees and sharing of premium channels contents with less charged bouquets. The consumers who have been clamouring for pay as you go service are anxiously waiting for the commencement of broadcast by the latest operators. However, what would differentiate the channels in the long run is quality content, according to analysts. and prevent them from being processed. In terms of security, the captured data is hosted on a world class, secure, reliable and trusted cloud service so you have no reason to worry about information safety”, he explained. The platform also provides data validation and alltime accessibility from any part of the world. He further called on government and companies to start making data-driven decisions for improved efficiency. “We want government and companies to start making data-driven decisions and this cannot happen if data is still locked in files and paper archives. Traditionally in Nigeria, we fill paper-based forms in loads of situations when we are applying for different things from our letter of identification at the local government areas to affidavits at courts to even marriage registry. Nigerian Breweries enhances businesses through Goldberg’s initiative Nigerian Breweries Plc has enhanced businesses with grants in Osun and Ekiti States through Goldberg’s Isedowo empowerment initiative, which will also be extended to other Southwest states. Beneficiaries of Isedowo, according to a statement have affirmed that the scheme has indeed provided them huge relief from financial challenges hitherto faced in expanding their businesses. So far, 32 artisans and small scale business operators have been supported with N300,000 each by Isedowo in Osun and Ekiti States, while the project continues in other Southwest States. In all, Goldberg will support 100 entrepreneurs through Isedowo across the Yoruba speaking states, the statement said. Ojo Adeosun, a fashion designer who was delighted after receiving the grant, said the N300,000 was a huge relieve from financial challenges as it helped him in purchasing a new sewing machine he had always required to expand his business. He disclosed that he also started selling fabrics and now has three apprentices working with him. Kayode Tope Ogunro, a photo/videographer, disclosed that he had almost concluded arrangement to buy a camera and video lights from a friend in Lagos and intended to open a studio with the grant from Isedowo. He said he would also employ an assistant to further expand his business. Ogunro advised other entrepreneurs to come up with good business ideas with positive impacts on the society. Ayodele Adebalogun, an aluminium fabricator, said Isedowo provided a relief from the daunting struggle to raise capital. He disclosed that he participated in the scheme with his wife, who is a caterer, but the judges did not deem her proposal fit enough for selection. He added that after buying a new cutting machine for his work, he supported his wife’s business with parts of the grant. “My old cutting machine was faulty and Isedowo was there for me when l needed assistance to replace it.
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