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  September 19, 2020

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  September 19, 2020

  Lawan Dalha
  Growing up, I noticed something very interesting: A lot of the men in my town who were in the formal economy and could rely on monthly income, died shortly after coming to retirement, normally between three and five years.
  
  Many of them,...  moreLawan Dalha
  Growing up, I noticed something very interesting: A lot of the men in my town who were in the formal economy and could rely on monthly income, died shortly after coming to retirement, normally between three and five years.
  
  Many of them, would have just...  moreGrowing up, I noticed something very interesting: A lot of the men in my town who were in the formal economy and could rely on monthly income, died shortly after coming to retirement, normally between three and five years.
  
  Many of them, would have just semi-completed their building projects (not done but still habitable).
  
  The next thing is for them to finally invest some of their SSNIT cash into their wives’ business (normally groceries store).
  
  Unfortunately, a couple of them still pay fees of children (normally out of wedlock).
  
  They then suddenly die.
  
  The superstitious inclination of the local folks triggered rumours that the poor widow, the wife “knows something about the death” because she wanted the house and the petty business all for herself.
  
  Sometimes family members would even go and enquire from the oracles what killed their man?
  
  But come to think of it, what really killed these men?
  
  I believe it is the “ pension shock” syndrome:
  
  1. A lot of these men will work for an average of 30 years in the formal sector religiously depending solely on their salaries.
  
  2. Personal savings and investments are very alien to them. They chop everything they earn.
  
  3. They believe their biggest security is their children who will come and take care of them when they are old.
  
  4. There is over-reliance on the SSNIT pension. They believe the bulk money will take care of all their problems, including starting/completing their building project.
  
  5. At the peak of their career, they are so indulged in the pleasures of this life, busily funding the “side chick economy” and fathering all manner of children outside their matrimonial homes.
  
  6. Then the day comes, they turn 60. They receive a letter from their employers, it is time to go. Bungalows are vacated, a truck is made ready to transport them back to the destination of choice.
  
  7. Some move to family houses temporarily (or even permanently), others move into their hastily and shabbily completed homes, mainly funded by the proceeds from their pension.
  
  8. Funny enough, they realise there was nothing lumpy about the “lump sum” SSNIT paid them. The money is all gone at this time, and they are forced to solely depend on the monthly pensions, which is a pale version of what they received as working class.
  
  9. Some attempt to farm, with no prior experience, others help casually at their wives’ provision shop, majority sit in their lazy couch most of the day, reading through the dailies with their radio set by them at their porch, intermittently receiving greetings from passers-by.
  
  10. They spiral into bouts of depression when it dawns on them that by being old and broke, they’ve become half (or even less) the men they were. The majority don’t survive this mental turmoil and die before their time.
  
  11. They may also run to contest a chieftaincy stool with the aim of continuing life. The battle of securing the stool coupled with its litigation is also another problem to think of.
  
  So what can we learn from our fathers?
  
  1. Take control of your financial independence. Invest consistently during your working life. SSNIT should not be your plan A.
  
  2. Little drops of money wasted today, will cost you your harvest tomorrow. Keep your focus, avoid the “side chicks” and “side children”.
  
  3. Don’t plan your old age around your children, many of them may not find their feet before you die.
  
  4. Set your spouse up early. Invest in her business when you have access to loan facilities and make sure before you go into retirement, the business is already established.
  
  5. Complete your building many years ahead of retirement. Your pension is not meant for that.
  
  6. Get other sources of income. You have decades of your working life to develop a sustainable side business.
  
  Be determined to...    less

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  • 
    Rahmatu Lawan Very inspirational and true!

    • September 18, 2020
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    Whitney Edna Ibe I did.

    • September 19, 2020
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    Zainab Fatika This is sadly the plight of an average Nigerian retiree. Thanks for sharing

    • September 19, 2020
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    Lawan Dalha Thanks

    • September 19, 2020
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    Lawan Dalha You're welcome!

    • September 19, 2020
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  Zainab Fatika liked Rahmatu Lawan's post.

  July 22, 2020

  Rahmatu Lawan shared Rahmatu Lawan's blog.

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  Zainab Fatika liked Salma Dalha's blog entry.

  July 22, 2020

  

  Types, causes and effects of water pollution

  Polluted water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined. So many chemicals, wastes, oils, and plastics are being dumped into our oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and ponds. The amount of waste in our waters is largely affe...

  • #water pollution
  • #types of water pollution
  • #causes of water pollution
  • #effects of water pollution
  • #how to prevent water pollution

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  Zainab Fatika liked Rahmatu Lawan's blog entry.

  May 28, 2020

  

  What is a Mediterranean diet?

  A Mediterranean diet is an eating style that encourages high intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and nuts. The diet gives preference on using olive oil for cooking and in any form of oil consumption, like eating bread and seafood. Mediterr...

  • #Cooking
  • #Diet
  • #lifestyle
  • #mediterranean diet
  • #mediterranean
  • #healthy food

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  • 
    Kelly Sheldrick You forgot the most important point - this diet doesn't include added processed sugars, or really any processed foods at all. People are so lazy these days. I doubt most people realise what crap they are putting into their bodies. It's quite scary! Keep...  moreYou forgot the most important point - this diet doesn't include added processed sugars, or really any processed foods at all. People are so lazy these days. I doubt most people realise what crap they are putting into their bodies. It's quite scary! Keep a diet pure without these sugars and artificial ingredients is definitely more healthy.  

    • August 7, 2017
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    Rahmatu Lawan Thanks for your observation Kelly, definitely any processed food is a no no to this diet. Sure people need to pay more attention on the kinds of food they take in.

    • August 8, 2017
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    Whitney Edna Ibe I love seafood but I'm cautious of how much I consume. This is quite insightful. Thank you for sharing.

    • May 28, 2020
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    Rahmatu Lawan You're welcome

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  Rahmatu Lawan is now following Zainab Fatika.

  May 15, 2020
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  Zainab Fatika
  ARE CIGARETTES SMOKERS LIABLE UNDER THE NATONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2007 (NESREA ACT)?
  By Zainab Ibrahim Fatika
  Have you ever wondered if the air you breathe is clean? We have often heard of...  moreARE CIGARETTES SMOKERS LIABLE UNDER THE NATONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2007 (NESREA ACT)?
  By Zainab Ibrahim Fatika
  Have you ever wondered if the air you breathe is clean? We have often heard of the phrase “smokers are liable to die young”, while this is true; it is quite disheartening that smokers are willing to put their lives in danger. But, what is more disturbing is putting the lives of people around them in danger too. It is undeniably true that cigarette smoking causes environmental pollution by releasing toxic air pollutants in the atmosphere.
  An important question to ask is that ‘does a human conduct become criminal because it results into harm to members of society?’
  Medical News Today, a popular blog in the UK published on August 25, 2004 that cigarette smoke produces ten times more air pollution than diesel car exhaust. You can imagine the harm done to the lungs, eyes, throats and even the immunity system by just inhaling the harmful toxin exposed to the environment which is detrimental to human health. This is even worse for people who have asthma; it can trigger their attack and intensify their symptoms.
  In answer to the above question; It is affirmative that cigarette smoking done in a way or place where people are likely to inhale and become exposed to toxic air is criminal because it may result to harm to them.
  The World Health Organisation reported that Nigeria has a mortality rate for air pollution of 307.4 for every 100,000 people. The Air pollution caused by smoking in Nigeria remains dangerously high and as little as it may seem, cigarette smoking is doing a lot of harm to people. Nigeria has not taken adequate steps to control public exposure to the toxic air hanging around the country.
  How does cigarette smoking constitute an environmental crime?
  In a book titled ‘Landmarks in legal development: Essays in honor of Justice C.A.R Momoh (Honorable Chief Judge Of Edo State)’ edited by A.D Badaiki. An environmental crime may be defined to be any act done in violation of those duties which an individual owes to the community in relation to his environment, and for the breach of which the law has provided that the offender shall make satisfaction to the public.
  If one is to agree with this definition, it goes in harmony with the definition of crime under section 2 of the Criminal Code Act which defines crime as acts or omission which render the person doing the act or making the omission liable to punishment under this Code or under any Act or Law.
  Negligence or recklessness seems to be a statutory intent that may be used for an aggrieved party. A smoker should know well the consequences of his actions.
  Smokes from the burning of solid fuels such as charcoal and wood for cooking in open fire are not left out as they all constitutes the element of Air Pollution. Needless to say, Air pollutions remains a can of worms in the cause of a wide range of disease ranging from lung cancer, heart problems and even unborn babies are not safe from the pollution caused by smoke.
  In Nigeria, the principal law regulating environmental crimes is the NATONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2007
  The NESREA ACT has provided sanctions for people who contribute to the release of various harmful toxins in the country.
  Section 27.-(1) of the Act provides ‘that the discharge in such harmful quantities of any hazardous substance into the air or upon the land and the waters of Nigeria or at the adjoining shorelines is prohibited, except where such discharge is permitted or authorized under any law in force in Nigeria. The Act goes ahead in to provide penalty for breach.
  Section 27(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) of this Section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine, not exceeding N 1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.
  The Act has made a beautiful provision to those who feel their right to live in a clean environment and breathe clean air is breached to seek redress in a court of law.
  From the foregoing, cigarette smokers are not exempted from liability caused when there is a discharge of harmful quantities of hazardous substances emanating from pollution caused by them. In essence, cigarette smokers need to be more careful as to where they smoke to avoid liability.
  In conclusion, it is my suggestion that the ministry of environment should be proactive in making citizens comply with the various environmental laws in place. Statistics should be put and published on environmental crimes and measures should be taken to educate Nigerians on the need to safeguard the environment from relative threats.  less

  May 15, 2020

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    Lawan Dalha It's clear, from the analysis, smokers are liable to environmental crime for inflicting harm on themselves and others. What's lacking is proper channelling of laws and the will to enforce them. Thank you so much for sharing this.

    • May 15, 2020
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    Zainab Fatika Exactly. Thank you very much.

    • May 15, 2020
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  Zainab Fatika is now following Khalifa Ibrahim Rijiyarlemo.

  May 13, 2020
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  Khalifa Ibrahim Rijiyarlemo is now following Zainab Fatika.

  May 13, 2020
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  Zainab Fatika liked Penprofile's blog entry.

  May 13, 2020

  

  Wells Mountain Foundation offers bachelors degree scholarships

  Wells Mountain Initiative works to create social change through education and community building by providing bright young people in the developing world with student scholarships and skills training, building a network of grassroots leaders who are catal...

  • #scholarships
  • #bachelors scholarships
  • #developing country scholarships

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  Zainab Fatika
  It's been quite long. I really wish I'd be more active here. I'll try though.

  May 13, 2020

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    Penprofile Quite long time, Zainab. Hope all is well. We look forward to that. Go to Play Store and App Store to download our apps and stay connected.
    
    Stay safe.

    • May 13, 2020
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  May 13, 2020
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  Zainab Fatika created a new group:

  June 11, 2019

  Online Book Club

  Let's read and talk about it

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    Lawan Dalha Nice one, Zainab. I look forward to reading lots and lots of collections from this group.

    • June 11, 2019
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    Zainab Fatika Thank you! I hope so too.

    • June 11, 2019
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  June 11, 2019
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  June 11, 2019