BusinessDay 01 Apr 2018

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Sunday 01 April 2018 C002D5556 BDSUNDAY 35 SundayBusiness Ideas Economists are obsessed with “job creation,” how about less work? (2) …Increased automation has not reduced our workload. Why not and what if it did? Nwaodu Lawrence Chukwuemeka IDEAS Exchange Consulting, Lagos. email - nwaodu. lawrence@hotmail.co.uk Cell: 07066375847. Do we need to work to be active and happy? No! Some people worry that life with little work would be a life of sloth and psychological depression. They think that human beings need work to have a sense of purpose in life or just to get out of bed in the morning. They look at how depressed people often become when they become unemployed, or at the numbers of people who just veg out when they come home after work, or at how some people, after retirement, don’t know what to do and begin to feel useless. But those observations are all occurring in a world in which unemployment signifies failure in the minds of many; in which workers come home physically or mentally exhausted each day; in which work is glorified and play is denigrated; and in which a life of work, from elementary school on to retirement, leads many to forget how to play. Look at little children, who haven’t yet started school and therefore haven’t yet had their curiosity and playfulness suppressed for the sake of work. Are they lazy? No. They are almost continuously active when not sleeping. They are always getting into things, motivated by curiosity, and in their play they make up stories, build things, create art, and philosophize (yes, philosophize) about the world around them. There is no reason to think the drives for such activities naturally decline with age. They decline because our schools, which value work and devalue play, drill them out of people; and then tedious jobs and careers continue to drill them out. These drives don’t decline in hunter-gatherers with age, and they wouldn’t decline in us either if it weren’t for all the work imposed on us. Schools were invented largely to teach us to obey authority figures (bosses) unquestioningly and perform tedious tasks in a timely manner. In other words, they were invented to suppress our natural tendencies to explore and play and prepare us to accept a life of work. In a world that valued play rather than work, we would have no need for such schools. Instead, we would allow each person’s playfulness, creativity, and natural strivings to find meaning in life to blossom. Work, pretty much by definition, is something we don’t want to do. It interferes with our freedom. To the degree that we must work we are not free to choose our own activities and find our own life meanings. The view that people need work in order to be happy is closely tied to the patronising view that people can’t handle freedom. That dismal view of human nature has been promoted for centuries, and reinforced in schools, in order to maintain a placid workforce. Do culturally valuable discoveries, creations, and inventions depend upon work? No. People love to discover and create. We are naturally curious and playful, and discovery and creation are, respectively, the products of curiosity and playfulness. There is no reason to believe that less work and more time to do what we want to do would cause fewer achievements in sciences, arts, and other creative endeavors. The specific forms our inventiveness takes depend in part on cultural conditions. Among nomadic hunter-gatherers, where material goods beyond what one could easily carry were a burden, discoveries were generally about the immediate physical and biological environment, on which they depended, and creative products where typically ephemeral in nature—songs, dances, jokes, stories, bodily decorations, and the like. Today, and ever since agriculture, creative products can take all these forms plus material inventions that transform our basic ways of living. Nearly all great scientists, inventors, artists, poets, and writers talk about their achievements as play. Einstein, for example, spoke of his achievements in mathematics and theoretical physics as “combinatorial play.” He did it for fun, not money, while he supported himself as a clerk in a patent office. The Dutch cultural historian Johan Huizinga, in his classic book Homo Ludens, argued, convincingly, that most of the cultural achievements that have enriched human lives—in art, music, literature, poetry, mathematics, philosophy, and even jurisprudence— are derivatives of the drive to play. He pointed out that the greatest outpourings of such achievements have occurred at those times and places where a significant number of adults were freed from work and could therefore play, in an environment in which play was valued. A prime example was ancient Athens. Would we degenerate morally without work? No. The 18th century poet and philosopher Friedrich Schiller wrote, “Man is only fully human when he plays.” I agree; and it seems as clear to me as it did to Schiller that part of our humanity, which rises in play, is concern for our fellow human beings. In our work-filled world we too often fall into a pit where the duty of the job overrides our concern for others. Work detracts from the time and energy, and sometimes even from the motivation—for helping neighbors in need, or striving to clean up our environment, or promoting causes aimed at improving the word for all. The fact that so many people engage in such humanitarian activities already, despite the pressures of work, is evidence that people want to help others and make the world a better place. Most of us would do more for our fellow humans if it weren’t for the sink of time and energy and the tendencies toward greed and submission to power that work creates. Band hunter-gatherers, who, as I said, lived a life of play, are famous among anthropologists for their eagerness to share and help one another. Another term for such societies is egalitarian societies—they are the only societies without social hierarchies that have ever been found. Their ethos, founded in play, is one that prohibits any one person from having more status or goods than any other. In a world without work, or without so much of it, we would all be less concerned with moving up some ladder, ultimately to nowhere, and more concerned with the happiness of others, who are, after all, our playmates. So, instead of trying so hard to preserve work, why don’t we solve the distribution problem, cut way back on work, and allow ourselves to play? Good question right? For further details call on me for in-depth discussions, business advisory services and training - send a message via WhatsApp or SMS. Food & Beverages With Ayo Oyoze Baje In a research carried out by Bloomberg and published in April, 2017, with a refresh in January, 2018 Nigeria and the citizens were ranked the top of people in countries living with the most stress. Life expectancy dipped below 60 years. ‘Researchers analysed different variables in 74 countries including annual homicide rate, GDP per capita, insecurity, income and health care quality. Other factors included crime rate, suicide rate and air pollution. Sadly, Nigeria ranked above countries like South Africa, Bolivia, Pakistan and Colombia. Similarly, recent researches have also shown that many urban workers, especially in Nigeria are Achieving stress relief with adequate nutrition stressed up. They work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays without annual leave. Stress killed Ikenna Ohanwe back in 2008 at Ibadan due to overwork. So, the million-Naira question is what is stress all about? According to – Dr. Michael Miller (Medical Director, Centre for Preventive Cardiology, University of Maryland, US.) “Stress is an under-estimated rick factor in health”. Explaining it further, Dr. Professor Avijit Lahiri, a cardiologist, cortisol the stress hormone is produced when the body comes under physical or mental strain. And stress leads to coronary artery disease. The good news however, is that good nutrition is essential during the period of stress because nutritious diet keeps your immune and nervous systems working effectively. Under stress, the body relies on the digestive system. The stress hormone, epinephrine is released from the adrenal glands. The consequences are grave. Generally, stress reduces the body’s immune system, making it vulnerable to debilitating diseases. Symptoms: Digestion shuts down. Fats and sugars are released from where they are stored in the body. Cholesterol levels rise. Nerves are frayed. Muscles are cramped. Danger looms. This leads to fight-or-flight response. More importantly, know that what you eat could either worsen or relieve you of stress. So what should you do? (1) Do not skip meals because stress depletes you of energy when you skip meals, you lack the energy to combat stress. Generally, lowfat pop corn, whole wheat bread all increase the production of serotonin in the brain. It helps you to relax, says Judith Wurtman, director Women’s Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. (2) Eat for energy: According to Georgia Kostas, the nutrition director at Copper Clinic, Dallas, eat regular meals, (breakfast, lunch, dinner and fruits/vegetable-rich snacks in between), even if you are not hungry. (3) Eat enough: Those engaged in energy-sapping work in the morning should eat carbohydrate-rich food (bread, Quaker oats) along with low-fat milk. Eat enough for all the meals to provide adequate energy. If not, one would suffer mood swings. (4) Have a launch break: Move away from your place of work. Eat outside the stress-filled environment. Unwind for at least 30 minutes. (5) Do not over eat: There is the tendency to over eat or drink when under stress. Avoid it. Go for fresh fruits, yoghurt, herbal tea. (6) Pasta with cheese, ground turkey or chilled chickens. Pure carbohydrate (spaghetti rice) triggers an increase in the brain chemical, serotonin that makes you feel relaxed. But add the afore-stated to add some protein. (7) Avoid sugar, alcohol, and coffee when under stress, instead, drink lots of fluids as dehydration causes fatigue. It is equally important that we live and work in a clean, spacious, airy and noiseless environment if we want to enjoy a long, healthy life. Narrowing the stress issue to career women, Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, an executive director of the National Women Health Research Centre( NWHRC) explains it this way: “A lot of women in their 20s make the mistake of putting off establishing good eating and fitness habits, but this is the best time to create a foundation of healthy living,”. Here are five key health tips from the NWHRC for women in their 20s: 1. Establish an exercise routine (that you enjoy!) Staying active will help you develop a strong body that looks and feels good as you age. It can lower your risk for disease, reduce stress and protect your bones and joints. So it’s important to take part in physical activities that are not only challenging, but also fun and motivating. Keep things interesting by mixing it up; whether it’s a dance class or a kayaking trip, don’t be afraid to try something new. CBS’s NCIS co-star Cote de Pablo stays in shape by doing a combination of core training and yoga four or five times a week. “I try to find time either in the morning before work or after. I definitely work out on the weekend, because it’s the only time I’m sure I won’t be working. 2. Maintain healthy eating habits Stop worrying about your weight, and start thinking about your health. Eating mostly whole foods, including lots of veggies, fruits and whole grains, is the key to feeling and looking your best. Start by adding an additional serving of fruits and vegetables to every meal. Lower your chance of osteoporosis later by consuming more calcium now. Calcium can be found in dairy products including milk, yogurt and cheese, and also in other foods, such as leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, broccoli and tofu. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium so it’s important to take a supplement, eat foods fortified with vitamin D or take a walk outdoors in the sunshine. de Pablo shares an eating habit secret that works for her, “If you’re going to have a really big meal, make it breakfast and then progressively eat less throughout the day. Do not eat heavy, heavy meals at night. Drink lots of water and lead an active lifestyle.” Baje is Nigerian first Food Technologist in the media
C002D5556 Sunday 01 April 2018 36BDSUNDAY SundayBusiness Low household income and challenges of homeownership One of the major challenges of homeownership in Nigeria is household income which is very low among most families. The challenges are deepened by the frustrating poverty level in the country which experts say is endemic in about 70 percent of the country’s population. In most cases, when concerns are raised about the housing demand-supply gap estimated at 17 million units, homeownership level which is below 15 percent and the total housing stock said to be a little above 12 million units, not much is said about the source of housing finance in the country. It is estimated that housing finance by public authorities in Nigeria is about 10 percent; mortgage banks contribute about 2 percent, while contribution from banks and other institutions is insignificant, hence the recourse to own savings by most families for their housing needs. Contrary to what obtains in the advanced economies of the world, where housing finance is synonymous with mortgage and the main way of building or buying and owning homes is by applying for and accessing a mortgage facility, home seekers in Nigeria generally resort to household income or money saved by individuals. This is, perhaps, one of the few countries of the world where homeownership is achieved almost 100 percent from own savings or through communal and co-operative efforts which is not supposed to be. In Lagos, for instance, a city of about 20 million people where about 80 percent of the population lives in rented accommodation, unconfirmed report has it that the construction of about 86 percent of the housing stock in the city was funded from household income. In a comparative analysis of what obtains in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, Sonnie Ayere, CEO, Dunn Loren Merrifield, noted at a forum in Lagos that in South Africa, mortgage contributes about 40 percent of housing finance while in Ghana, our much smaller West African neighbour, the contribution is 3 percent. Low mortgage contribution to housing finance in Nigeria is because of the cumbersome and unfriendly land administration in the country, making it rank highest in property registration and construction permits difficulties. The country is ahead of all other African countries in procedures legally required for registering property. It takes almost 360 days to register property here as against Ghana’s less than 10 days. In Lagos, the cost of registering property was, before now, about 15 percent of the value of the property. Also before now, getting a property registered in Lagos involved long and cumbersome procedures, that required about eight stages and 30 steps for each of the lender and the borrower and this is part of the major reasons for the difficulties in getting mortgage for housing finance. This contrasts with what obtains in other economies including Ghana and South Africa. Ghana, before now, had a dysfunctional land administration, long and expensive procedures that lasted up to five years and involving six different agencies supervising which resulted in inefficient state land bureaucracy and customary tenure. When, however, the country’s government instituted reforms, property registration was cut to 34 days and queues at the lands commission disappeared, making it possible for the mortgage sector Talking Mortgage with CHUKA UROKO (08037156969, chukuroko@yahoo.com) to thrive. In Egypt, government identified high fees and inefficient government agencies that hindered the formalisation of real estate as a major issue and sorted it out by reducing property registration fees; simplifying the property registration process, thus encouraging citizens and companies to obtain titles. To make mortgage contribute significantly to housing finance in Nigeria, governments at both the federal and state levels should start discarding multiple verification payment, deployment of Global Information Services (GIS), making payments with a single receipt, improving capacity building and significant investment in technology. Developers and mortgage providers say this is a way for the mortgage industry in Nigeria and, according to Hakeem Oguniran, managing director, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) plc, there are five drawbacks to housing finance including cost, character, capacity, collateral and conditions. Oguniran said at a real estate event in Lagos that the problem with land registration was with the Nigerian system, explaining that the system was people-driven and not process-driven. He recommended that there should be one-stop-shop for perfecting title and should be made business-like. Abimbola Olayinka, MD/CEO, Resort Savings and Loans plc, says the Land Use Act should be used to empower the people and not as an economic and political tool by state chief executives, adding that the Act should be taken away from the constitution so that it could be easily tinkered with. He recommends that land administrators should adopt what he calls three-one-three strategy for land registration, explaining that “land titles should be perfected in three days at one central place, and at the cost of 3 percent of the value of the land”. Property Logic With Akhigbe Dominic Beneficiaries lament as developers thwart the gains of the National Hosing Fund (3) ondary school children weeping by the gate house. He said the Estate managers locked the students into the estate and refused to allow them to go to their various schools as their parents were said to be owing estate dues which has become very unaffordable. In his further words: “...All my pleas that these poor innocent children should be allowed to go to school to write their terminal examinations fell on deaf ears as the security who manned the gate said they were on instruction from the estate developer to refuse the children access to go to school. The estate due is almost equal to an annual rent for a two bedroom flat in the neighborhood. Why would any reasonable fellow expect us to pay estate due of over eight thousand monthly in this ghetto when I paid less than five thousand naira in the estate I lived in Lagos before I moved in here?...” these were the lamentations of the man who simply identified himself as Mr. frank. A third person who identified herself as Sarah could not hold back her tears as she claims she had made the mistake of her life. Sarah told PropertyLogic that the Chairman of the Estate has out- Another resident who is also a property owner in the estate and a beneficiary of the NHF described the happenings as unfortunate. He wondered why Nigerians would always find ways to undermine laudable government policies and projects. In his words, ‘’the estate is worse than a prison yard. We sleep with one eye opened as we cannot say for sure what the developer would do by the next morning...” He was shocked and bewildered when he drove to the gate of the estate one morning only to meet poor primary and seclawed school buses from coming into the estate to pick school children except such a school bus was ready to pay a fee of Five thousand to the Estate Managers account monthly! As if this was not shocking enough, Sarah further informed us that the estate developer has ordered a massive disconnection of residents from the estate transformer, water as well as security. She said there are plans now to restrict property owners from having access to their houses except they pay an unbelievable Five hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira “development fee” for these same facilities with which these same houses were marketed to them. Sarah said all effort to make the Mortgage loan originator call this errant developer to order has failed woefully as the Mortgage company has distanced itself from the activities of the management of the estate. The clear implication of this is that the beneficiaries are now left to their own folly as the Developer who has been fully paid by the Federal Mortgage Bank on behalf of the beneficiaries for the over a hundred housing units he developed is still having a field day blatantly abusing the rights of these helpless beneficiaries. The above is just a tip of the iceberg of the huge abuse of the NHF benefits to Nigerians by developers. It is also very clear that some of these so called Mortgage Loan Originators have got themselves fully compromised by these developers who are only interested in their profit. The same estate which has become a scarecrow to NHF beneficiaries is reputed for churning out houses of the most inferior quality. The subscribers lamented the poor quality of the housing units. Sarah who spoke with us informed that the houses which are barely two years old have started falling apart at the expense of the beneficiaries. The question we are asking the Mortgage Loan Originators who serve as warehouses for HNF and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is; why have they found it difficult to respond to these helpless subscribers agonies? How does the MLO recover loans from beneficiaries whose facilities have been compromised? Is it out of place to call these developers to order? The Mortgage contract is very clear and unambiguous. The MLO has the mandate of the FMBN to act on its behalf. Does this not come with sufficient authority to stand in the way of any meddlesomeness by this developer who is now eating his cake and having it? Does the MLO think it is shielded from any consequential litigation arising from the savaging treatment this developer is melting out to these beneficiaries whose funds are now endangered? The answers to these questions will naturally unfold as the days go by. It is not out of place for wouldbe subscribers to the National Housing Funds facility to engage Real Estate lawyers to guide them through in these processes mostly if such houses to be financed are within developers’ estates. We can also assure those questionable developers that their days of profligacy are clearly numbered as we are aware that certain Nongovernmental organisations that protect consumer interest have decided to rise to the occasion and take this matter up with the Federal Mortgage Bank as well as the National Assembly. A word is enough for the wise!
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BusinessDay 01 Apr 2018

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