IMPROVING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN PLATEAU STATE: LAND REGISTRATION EFFORTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF GIZ IN FOCUS

 

If you are visiting here for the first time, let me quickly inform you that the platform is created purposely to advance the interest of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria and the private sector activities generally. Development oriented programmes are also covered. We equally designed activities of the Platform, to reflect our unquenchable interest in inclusion of the vulnerable community, particularly Persons-With-Disabilities (PWDs). For this reason you will be served sumptuously from time to time with updates on the contributions of the PWDs to the social and economic development efforts of Nigeria. We do this convincingly aware that the PWDs have through their tremendous achievements borne out of the desire not be a burden to the society, proven to all and sundry, over and over again that the real disability they face consistently are in the society not the impairment that other people see in them. This revelation is a glaring indication that the PWDs do not need pity, but provisions of the right infrastructure to enable them do even more.

Moving straight into the discussion proper, I wish to draw attention to my earlier promise of identifying with activities that seek to address the Business Enabling Environment (BEE) constraints in Nigeria. I will be doing this taking a cue from the activities of Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit, which for ease of understanding/pronunciation is also referred to as the German Development Agency: GIZ.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT: OVERCOMING LAND REGISTRATION CONSTRAINTS THROUGH THE GIZ EFFORTS... Part One

 

I identified in a previous publication on this platform that the business environment is the sum total of regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks that affect business operations in an environment. The frameworks are fundamentally the policies and laws: the institutional and regulatory conditions that govern business activities.

The Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit is also called German Development Agency: GIZ. Over the years GIZ through the Pro-poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria, referred to also as Sustainable Economic Development In Nigeria: SEDIN; has taken strategic steps targeted constantly at identifying Business Enabling Environment (BEE) constraints mitigating against business development in Nigeria. The Agency has after identifying the BEE constraints devoted resources, in some cases working in collaboration with international donor organization like the European Union (EU) to develop the capacity of both the public and private sector actors in Nigeria, to position them on a firm footing to address in collaborative manner identified BEE issues. The skills offered by the GIZ are designed to build the two parties (public and private sectors) to work together; and navigate Nigeria’s economy from aid dependency to what some segments of the Nigerian society refer to or qualify as economic Eldorado.

SHOOTING FROM EVERY ARSENAL TO ENSURE THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA, IS GIVING A PRIDE OF PLACE

 

The Parafootballers digging it out in style 

at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Gradually we are getting closer to the major purpose of the PARA-Pavilion and Power-lifting column of your darling Platform. I always feel highly elated and inspired coming to interface with my wonderful family, a community of barrier breakers and change makers. I welcome you in a grand style. Yesoooo!

To you my very enthusiastic, inspirational and supportive Able-body members of the public, in particular those that have consistently been shooting from all arsenals to ensure that the Disability community in Nigeria, is giving a pride of place, I cannot not thank you enough. At the appropriate time and place, names will be mentioned. May be, who knows, one day we shall organize Award presentations and offer deserving individuals and groups due recognition for their various roles towards building this community of game changers, over comers and committed contributors to nation building and development.

For those who have not supported our struggle, there are no qualms. We appreciate you too. That you have not supported us does not mean you won’t do so tomorrow. Now that things are the way they are, your non-supportive roles as individuals and groups have gone a very long way to build and strengthen us. Who knows without the huddles arising from your non supportive posture, most of us may not have attained the level of result we have presently; and without such attainment obviously we wouldn’t have been reckoned with. I am optimistic that many of the people who are not supporting the PWDS at the moment will be ardent champions of our course in the future. As we continue to strive in our endevours, a time shall come when we will post the kind of result that will appeal to the non-supportive people, and surely at this point their support will manifest glaringly, strategically and systematic. I belief that some people are not supporting simply because they feel nothing can come out of such support, since to them the PWDs cannot achieve anything in life. For sure they do not hate the PWDs.

BIG DREAMS GIVE STRENGTH, DOES NOT TAKE AWAY ANY

 

The Hearing impaired taking lessons 

on First Aid skills

 

In my last publication on this Platform, I intentionally did not reveal my status in the disability community. Those of you that read in between the lines may have gone ahead of this particular piece to decode my status. If you attempted the best you achieved was putting yourself on a guess mode, a situation that no matter how tried, denied you the confidence to discuss my status from the position of assurance. To release my esteemed reader from that position of loss of confidence regarding my status, I declare:

"As I saddle the drivers’ seat, leading the discussions on PARA-Sports Pavilion and Power-lifting Column on this Platform I do so, writing as a Person-With-Disability, a physically impaired person".

Before more is said here, I wish to note and boldly too that I am a source of inspiration and motivation to many people in life, within and outside the Disability community. I wish that all in the disability community realize that they are. Truth is, even if the only thing a PDW achieved in a year is survival, a lot has already been done by him or her. Taken cognizance of the complain of the average Nigerian in the streets each day, a person-with-disability, will celebrated himself/herself enormous for surviving each passing day. I say cheers, kudos and bravoooooo to all of us members of the Disability community, in and outside this Platform. We individually and collectively achieved so much. If anyone feels otherwise that is entirely up to the person. There is really nothing I can do about that. I make this assertion with every sense of humility and respect to all, especially the so-called able persons. One of the things I owe myself everyday is celebration of me. To my maker I show Him my gratitude daily. I encourage every living to find time daily to do the two. There is power that comes with it. I will continue to do it over and over and over again...

REDESIGNED NAIRA NOTES: IS IT A CASE OF EXCLUSION OF THE INCLUDED?

 

Most of you my esteemed reader are conversant with this prompt: “Do not expose your banking details to third parties”. My position is informed by the fact that it is a common parlance in the banking sector; a popular advice of the banks to the banking public. I have always treated it as an instruction laced with a command, a law even. According to those that know better, the ideas behind the instruction are to:

• Protect and promote the customers Privacy Right
• Protect the customers Bank Account

These reasons are so vital and of huge interest to every bank customer. In terms of inclusive banking, I have always had my doubt, and therefore, was very curious and restless, however I was at a point convinced that inclusive banking will for a very long time remain a fluke in Nigeria, at best an oxymoron. I have always used every little opportunity I had to assert my position and state my reasons clearly.

PARA-SPORTS PAVILION AND POWER-LIFTING COLUMN: ARENA FOR THE PERSONS-WITH-DISABILITIES (PWDs)

 

Let me start on this note:

Welcome on Board the Power-lifting column of the PARA-Sports Pavilion, of or Platform, the

Done with my very brief pleasantry, let me say: this column is disability oriented. It is a purpose driven vehicle for the Persons-With-Disabilities (PWDs). It is centered on pushing the collective interests and aspirations of the PWDs. Briefly speaking; it is a platform for voicing the concerns, expectations and needs of the disability community. Put simply, it is an umbrella for showcasing the achievements, skills and endowments of the PWDs, especially in sports. Indeed we have achieved a lot, individually and collectively. As the driver of the PARA-Sports Pavilion, and the Power-lifting Column presently, I commit to ensuring equitable representation of all interests that define the disability community.

Efforts will be made to cover the entire country, in the area of PARA-Sports. In view of this Para-Sporting activities in each of the states and at the national level will be appropriately reported. Activities of the various PARA-Sports Federations and that of the State Associations will also be covered and efforts centered on giving each of them equal coverage: God giving me the strength. Truth is, I am willing, I am committed, but like every other human being on the planet earth I am limited one way or the other.

EMBRACE IT, SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE, SPECIAL AND REWARDING IS KNOCKING

 

Quickly and urgently too let me reveal to you the juicy part of my story: the secret behind this piece of work that you are reading. It is also the reason I am elated, sharing with you my esteemed reader this particular moment. I am very glad to introduce, to bring to your doorstep something unique, enjoyable and highly rewarding. It is something amazingly heartwarming, nerve suiting and inclusion driven: the PARA-SPORTS Pavilion. I am so elated, deeply excited and encouraged introducing and sharing this Platform with you. Of course I can’t ever imagine that YOU, the reader of this piece or anybody known to you or that associates with you will for any reason  identify with the very shameful, despicable and senseless behaviour, such as: I do not care about Persons-With-Disabilities (PWDs).

Now that you know my reason for being joyful is the same with yours, I can now confidently say that our joy is complete, our energy renewed and our interest for the PWDs reinvigorated profoundly. To this end therefore, let me as a matter of fact welcome you specially on Board the train of inclusion, for the numerous trilling encounters, and joyful moments, loaded to the brim with PWDs oriented issues driven through PARA-SPORTS News, stories, infotainment and advocacy issues. 

Let me say it loud and clear, especially to those who over the years believe seriously that sports and sporting activities have cult-like following that they have never seen anything, I mean their excitement is still little, if they have not embraced the fun encapsulated in Para-sports. I can assure you without mincing words that the excitement is so huge. Thus, as followers of sports, you are on a jolly ride with Para-sports Pavilion on this platform. In this regard I wish to assure at this point that rather than reduce the intensity and magnitude of fun that accrue to you as followers of sports, PARA-SPORTS Pavilion will not only sustain your interest and zeal, but shall surpass the existing records that you have. The mission of the driver is to add, advance and diversify your interest consistently, and in doing so lay a formidable base, laced with multiple opportunities for wealth generation and job creation.