Democracy Day: Gov. Adeleke laments how economic hardship weakens democracy - ITREALMS

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The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has said that resolving national economic challenges is a condition for strengthening democratic culture and enhancing productive participation of the citizenry.

Speaking at the 2023 Democracy Day Lecture organised by Coalition of Civil Society Coalition in the State, the state Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, posited that an economically satisfied citizenry is a strong insurance for thriving democracy and good governance.

Democracy Day: No better time to Konga Me

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As Nigeria marks 19 years of democracy today after the return to civilian rule, opinion is divided on how well the country has harnessed the dividends of democratic governance.

While a school of thought holds that the dark days of military dictatorship and autocratic rule, which the return to democracy in 1999 put paid to, remains a high point worth celebrating; there is a contrary view in many quarters that, in spite of the switch from jack-boots to civilian attire, Nigeria remains mired in a seemingly unending struggle to enthrone the values of true and all-inclusive democracy.

On May 29th 1999, Nigerians had witnessed a momentous change of guard; one which finally saw the country shed its well-worn toga of a pariah state when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo took office as President of Nigeria, the first elected and civilian head of state following 16 long years of military rule.

Nineteen years after, the jury is still out on whether our nascent democracy is thriving…

One area in which a sense of democracy has thrived and continues to thrive, however, is the Nigerian e-commerce sector.

For long regarded as a potential cash-cow, e-commerce in Nigeria has seen the influx of a number of entrants or players, foreign and local, all of whom capitalized on the freedom and democratization of access to take roots, spread their tentacles and attempt to reap the windfall from an industry that has been severally predicted to explode.

And why not?

With a booming youthful population, growing internet access and an aspirational mindset among the majority of its populace, e-commerce in Nigeria is widely regarded as the next big thing; an industry that could transform even the most hopeless start-up to a multi-million-dollar company in a couple of years.

Experience, nevertheless, tells a different tale.

A tale of false starts, of shattered dreams, of the untold stories of many who came, saw and quietly exited the scene.

The Nigerian business terrain, democratic though it may be, is a tough one to successfully navigate. Aside the near-absence of any form of government support for the technology sector, in which e-commerce is firmly situated, start-ups in this industry face a herculean battle to stay afloat. It is a battle akin to swimming against a strong tide.

In addition to being a cost-intensive venture, cracking e-commerce in Nigeria requires a large dose of local knowledge; not only of the peculiar business terrain but also of the cultural nuances and predilections that shape the shopping behavior of the average Nigerian.

One of these shopping traits is the uncompromising desire of every Nigerian for genuine quality.

You may claim to offer the best prices unmatched anywhere else but as long as the item or product in question is fake or sourced from a grey channel, you had better not waste that marketing budget.

Here in Nigeria, e-commerce is democracy; a democratic rule governed by offering the average shopper a range of shopping platforms, online and offline; a multiplicity of payment options: cash, online payment, e-wallet, etc. and delivery solutions that guarantee no late delivery stories.

Above all, you must provide access to genuine products and take responsibility for it.

In reality though, a pertinent question worth asking: how many e-commerce companies in Nigeria can claim absolute responsibility for the quality of products they carry? How many can trace the source of their items to the Original Equipment Manufacturers? And how many can boast of owning warehouses for stocking large volumes?

Perhaps, only one stands out…

Recently, smart Nigerians have begun pushing a movement to enthrone quality democracy in their shopping activities; a democratic insistence on quality.

It began like a whisper that started catching on in social circles and has now gained currency among many.

ITRealms recalls that Konga Me, is a phrase that brings to life the determination of every Nigerian shopper to get only the very best quality. Put in another way, Konga Me is a new universal language for genuine products only. It is a term that has become popular, not only among young ones, but among adults and trendy youths to differentiate quality products from fake ones sourced from unreliable platforms.

Used to refer quality-minded shoppers to Konga, the e-commerce giant that emerged from the merger between Yudala and Konga after the latter’s acquisition by the Zinox Group, Konga Me is also used to request for quality gifts or favours from friends, family and associates.

As Nigeria marks 19 years of democracy today, Tuesday May 29^th 2018, there is no better time to insist on quality product democracy… Indeed, no better time to Konga Me.

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Osinbajo’s top 10 tweechats on Democracy Day

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The acting president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo‏ in the spirit of Democracy Day 2017, shared some 10 interesting tweets. Excerpt is brought to you by ITRealms.

1.    “We have in the last two years added $500 million to our Sovereign Wealth Fund and $87 million to the Excess Crude Account.

2.    “We have taken seriously our promise to save and invested for the future even against the backdrop of our revenue challenges.

3.    “The Efficiency Unit of the Ministry of Finance has succeeded in plugging leakages amounting to billions of Naira over the last two years.

4.    “We are also institutionalizing safeguards and deterrents. We have expanded the coverage of the TSA & introduced efficient budgeting systems

5.    “In the fight against corruption, we have focused on bringing persons accused of corruption to justice. We will not relent in our efforts.

6.   
“We are working with State Govts to design effective strategies to deal with recent threats to security such as herdsmen clashes with farmers’

7.    “Included in that new vision is the long overdue environmental clean-up of the NigerDelta beginning with Ogoniland which we launched last yr’

8.    “President Buhari’s vision for the NigerDelta is a comprehensive plan that will ensure the people benefit fully from the wealth of the region

9.    “In the last two years, close to 1 million displaced persons have returned home and 106 of our daughters from Chibok have regained freedom.

10. “In the North East of our country, Boko Haram that openly challenged our sovereignty has been put on the back foot by our gallant military.

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Democracy Day: Tinubu warns of anti-democratic forces

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The former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has warned Nigerians to be wry of anti-democratic forces, calling for vigilance, reports ITRealms.

Nigerians he enjoined to keep and nurture democracy, nor for the sake of democracy but for the sake of the country.

“We must remember that should we fall asleep, there are those who would like nothing better than to take it from us,” he said in his message on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day and 2^nd year of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Tinubu said Nigerians should remain vigilant and “by doing so ensure a better future and better Nigeria for ourselves and our progeny”.

A press statement was issued on Sunday in Lagos by Tinubu Media Office and signed by his Media Adviser, Mr. Tunde Rahman.

In the terse statement, the APC national stalwart said: “Democracy Day and our commemoration of it must be more than an empty ritual. It must add up to more than another reason to have another holiday.

“We, as a people, choose democracy as our preferred form of governance not because it would be easy to achieve or to hold even once we have it. We choose democracy because history has taught us that the welfare of the people is best and perhaps only secured by government responsive and accountable to the people. This can only be democracy.

“Many Nigerians have fought and sacrificed to enshrine democracy as our way of governance. We mark this day in honour of these people many of whom laboured in obscurity and without proper thanks to achieve this precious thing for the nation. 

“We mark this day to keep in remembrance that we must not take this good form of government for granted. We must keep and nurture it, not for democracy’s sake but for our own sake. We must remember that should we fall asleep, there are those who would like nothing better than to take it from us. We must remain vigilant and by doing so ensure a better future and better Nigeria for ourselves and our progeny.

“Thus, I congratulate Nigerians on this day. I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and urge him and his administration to continue to do all it can to protect and improve our democratic way of life. I wish all Nigerians a happy Democracy Day,” he said.

Ayo Midele/GEE  

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Yudala celebrates Nigerians on Democracy Day with Wazobia deals

ITRealms:

Africa’s bold statement in electronic and offline commerce retail store, Yudala is celebrating Nigerians on the 2016 Democracy Day with Wazobia deals, reports ITRealms.

The Federal Government at the weekend pronounced Monday, May 29, 2016 as public holiday in commemoration of the rebirth of democracy in the country following an official handover and enthronement of a civilian elected democratic leadership.

The founder and Vice President, Yudala, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, while disclosing this new deal to ITRealms, said that over 17 years of democracy in Nigeria, Yudala believes it is a feat worth celebrating in spite of the challenges the nation is facing.

“As the country further strengthens its institutions and structures to ensure Nigerians reap the dividends of democratic governance, we are doing our own little bit to make this year’s celebration an unforgettable one for all,” he said.

According to him, with several innovative strategies including the first ever drone delivery in Africa, Neighbour to Neighbour Mega Deals, Yudala is not relenting, hence, the company unveiled a week-long mega promotion tagged Wazobia Week through which millions of Nigerians could enjoy best prices and discount deals on a variety of products from diverse categories.

He also disclosed that top on the Wazobia Week deals is a special discount sale of iPowerPlus solutions which kicked off on Friday May 27^th and will run till Sunday, June 5^th 2016.

He cited for instance, iPowerPlus are hybrid inverters with solar options and certified long-life batteries which boasts SNMP capability and pure sine wave output which guarantees superior performance. Since its introduction into the market, iPowerPlus inverters have enjoyed rave reviews and positioning as the most reliable inverters in the country and have helped many individuals, businesses, corporate organizations and religious institutions overcome the challenge of epileptic power supply.

Ekeh explained Yudala is also offering free smartphones to shoppers who purchase iPowerPlus solutions to the tune of N250, 000 from its website or any of its Experience Stores nationwide within the promo period.

Equally featuring as Wazobia Week campaign is a mid-day quick-fire sale tagged Yudala Mid-Day Madness. This promotion which runs from Tuesday, May 31^st till Thursday June 2^nd between 9am-3pm provides shoppers with a unique opportunity to enjoy market-wide best prices on mobile devices including smartphones, laptops, tablets, as well as a range of healthy living and lifestyle products such as air fryers and smoothies makers, kitchen appliances, electronics and much more.

Further subsumed within the Wazobia Week promotion is the much anticipated and widely patronized Yudala Mobile Monday promotion which runs every Monday as the single biggest sales day of mobile devices.

Ekeh pointed out that as the country further strengthens its institutions and structures to ensure Nigerians reap the dividends of democratic governance, Yudala is doing its own little bit to make this year’s celebration an unforgettable one for all.

“With Wazobia Week, we have put together a week-long mega promotion which features several individual offers and campaigns – all of which is targeted at offering Nigerians unmatched prices and best deals for devices and products that will enhance the quality of their lives,” he said.

“For those who are hampered by poor power supply, there are special discounts and free phones on offer for purchases of iPowerPlus inverters. We have also decided to put smiles on the faces of many Nigerians with the prices on offer in our Mid-Day Madness deals which runs from 9am – 3pm, among the many other promotions on offer this week.

“This is our own way of encouraging Nigerians to keep faith with our nascent democracy and with the Yudala brand with which we have also democratized access and improved Nigerians’ experience of e-commerce and service delivery since inception,” Ekeh emphasized.

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