Wednesday, November 16, 2011
POPE's VISIT TO BENIN: Blessing or Curse?
As we approach the end of count-down to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Benin republic, it can easily be seen that Cotonou the commercial nerve-centre is becoming cleaner than ever before.
This new look of a city that was almost hitherto assuming an epidemic level of filthiness is not, however, without collateral damage. Structures adjoining the pavement of most roads and boulevards across the city which serve as business centres or workshops for various types of economic activities have been completely pulled down by agents of the Municipal Council. Ironically, it is the same Council that collects various taxes and rates in respect of these business places on monthly basis, and one wonders how they hope to make up for the losses which happen to constitute a greater percentage of their revenue base.
The effect of this demolition exercise is that more than 30% of businesses in the city have suddenly come to indefinite standstill with the attendant hardship it has brought to hundreds of thousands of breadwinners.
The Pontif's visit is to last just four days, but the demolition exercise started since more than one month, and the big question is how much longer the victims will stay without regular income.
The ripple effect is already being felt at the international markets and restaurants and bars which have suddenly started recorded low or zero customer traffic.
Some desperate traders are said to be planning a mild display of placards during the reception of the august visitor in front of the national stadium to register their plight.Their argument is that since the theme of the Pope's visit is "RECONCILIATION," that government should also consider RECONSTRUCTION of their knocked-down structures or REHABILITATION of law-abiding business people.
Monday, October 24, 2011
NEW EDITION SOLAR COOKING OVEN by Vincent NNANNA
MATERIALS NEEDED:
1 Any dark coloured plastic bowl
2 Recyclable carton sheets
3 Black waterproof sheets
4 Inexpensive reflective louvre blades
5 Super glue
METHOD OF ASSEMBLAGE
Recyclable sheets of carton are trimmed to fit round the interior of the plastic bowl to act as insulation against heat loss. Back side of the tinted reflective louvre blades are further darkened by pasting black waterproof sheets to intensify reflectiveness of the mirrored surface. These blades are thereafter layered round the plastic bowl. The cooking pot is set on top of a little piece of wood at the centre of the bowl ensuring that sun rays act directly on the pot from all angles. Water pasteurization point can be achieved in less than 30 minutes. Most cereals car be cooked in less than one hour.
Friday, August 12, 2011
SOLAR COOKER AT SCHOOLS
Vincent NNANNA has successfully concluded working tour of parts of Ohafia Educational sub-zone in Abia State Nigeria conducting on-hands solar cooker training of students and teachers of selected secondary schools. Above video shows students of Federal Government College building their own solar cookit.
Students of another international school entertain the trainer with some home-made delicary after the workshop.
Friday, August 05, 2011
solar cooker advocacy in schools
Vincent Nnanna has spent the past five months teaching students of Secondary schools and some selected international schools within Ohafia Educational Sub-zone how to build various types of solar cookers. Video above shows students of Federal Government College going to practicals after a demonstration by the Solar Cooker Ambassador. The even was rounded up with
Friday, January 28, 2011
50th Anniversary of the Military in Benin
Benin republic is today celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of its military services which include the Army, the Navy, the Airforce, as well as other paramilitary agencies such as the Gendamerie, Marine Police, Commando force et cetera.
The purpose of this colourful ceremony, according to the Head of Armed Forces Dr. Boni Yayi, is to display the military capability of the country as well as reinforce the potentials of the military with a view to injectingthe spirit of non-partisanship in politics.
Historical Background:The Benin military came into being on the promulgation of Law Number 60-32 of 28th July 1960, but it was not until 1961 that the first embryo of the army was conceived in Ouidah which then served as the official headquarters of the then DAHOMEY now Benin Republic.
November 30 1975 saw the birth of the Peoples Republic of Benin which was promptly followed by the transformation of the Army to the Peoples Army on 14th January 1976.
Recruitment into the military is on quota basis across the 12 provinces of the country reflecting the national character of the military.
The purpose of this colourful ceremony, according to the Head of Armed Forces Dr. Boni Yayi, is to display the military capability of the country as well as reinforce the potentials of the military with a view to injectingthe spirit of non-partisanship in politics.
Historical Background:The Benin military came into being on the promulgation of Law Number 60-32 of 28th July 1960, but it was not until 1961 that the first embryo of the army was conceived in Ouidah which then served as the official headquarters of the then DAHOMEY now Benin Republic.
November 30 1975 saw the birth of the Peoples Republic of Benin which was promptly followed by the transformation of the Army to the Peoples Army on 14th January 1976.
Recruitment into the military is on quota basis across the 12 provinces of the country reflecting the national character of the military.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Adieu Missebo Market
The Missebo International market in Cotonou which constitutes the most populated and most economically viable single centre of trading activities in Benin republic has been reduced to rubbles. This is to enable the Benin authorities build a more dignifying shopping mall with parking facilities on the site. If the dream is realized, it will be the first ever one-stop shop in Benin republic.
This market which was established in 1972 and accommodates more than twenty-five thousand traders from across the West African sub-region is located in the heart of Cotonou municipality, and is the point from which most goods especially textiles and used clothing imported from abroad are distributed across Africa. Revenue generated from this market on a monthly basis runs into millions of dollars both to the Market Authority known as SOGEMA and to the individual traders. But it does appear that government’s decision to embark on this demolition is informed by the fact that little returns is trickling into its purse out of the huge taxation raked in by the market administrators.
According to the President of the Nigerian Community in the diaspora, there have been ongoing discussions between the Benin government market authorities and members of the Nigerian Retailers and Importers Associations respectively concerning relocating the market to a more conducive and accessible environment. However, the Benin government authorities have not been patient in allowing the traders to return from Christmas holidays before the demolition exercise and this has resulted in most people losing their goods while others will return to find that they have no place to put up to continue their business activities.
Some of the displaced traders could be seen from the footage standing aloof and helpless as they are being intimidated by the menacing presence of the arm-carrying policemen.
This incident is happening at a time when schools are just resuming for the second term and parents are at a loss as to where and how to find the money to feed their children let alone paying school fees.
“A hungry man, they say, is an angry man.”
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