People Rising, Planet Rising.

                                         

People Rising, Planet Rising by Caleb Adebayo

Once upon a time, life on planet earth was not faced with the many challenges it is faced with today. Once upon a time, we did not have to be conscious about every action we took because it could reduce the chances of the planet’s survival. Today is definitely not that time. That time is long gone. Today is a struggle for our planet and people, and we are all part of this struggle. All of us.

According to the World Widelife Fund, We are facing the biggest environmental challenge 

our generation has ever seen. No matter what we are passionate about, something we care 

about will be affected by climate change

In 2009 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference in Copenhagen, emerging countries put up an attitude of nonchalance when issues of climate change, global warming and greenhouse gases emissions were broached. Their argument was that the developed countries should take responsibility to combat climate change effects since they were the ones responsible for the current level of emissions. A refusal of these countries to individually take responsibility for a problem that concerned them too affected the emergence of a vital climate change agreement that year. This attitude should not be the reaction of young people today as the concern for people and planet is everyone’s concern. It has long stopped being the business of the United Nations alone and has become our individual businesses. We have to own it. Every young person has to own it. So the question is, how? And what can we do to act for it?

Acting for ‘People and planet’ simply refers to sustainable living. Life on earth is about people living on a planet. It is more than that today though, it is about living to sustain ourselves while sustaining the planet too.  It is about ensuring that our prosperity and development are not antagonistic to our survival, our health, or our planet, that we live peacefully and divert the resources and energy we use for war to fight poverty and fund activities for sustainable development. This is what we mean when we say ‘for people and planet.’

In the next post, I will  explain five ways I believe young people of all ages can innovatively work for people and planet in their local environment.

Please be sure to read the next post to learn exciting ways through which you can take action for the planet.

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Language and Dispute Resolution Clause.

 Disputable Me series #2



As a passionate lawyer, I am always happy to give my retort to the statement that all lawyers are liars. In two sentences: 1) the tool of a lawyer is language with which he meanders its malleability to suit purpose; 2) truth is relative and accords itself validity with the factual realities we are exposed to per time. As smart or funny as those sentences may sound, if you take some time to read and understand them, you would conclude on the reason why your contracts must be read by a lawyer before you proceed with execution and performance.
In Nigeria, our laws are largely influenced by the English legal system; our lingua franca is the English language; most educated Nigerians have English as their first language; it would therefore be suicidal to draft and sign a contract without proper understanding of the English language. Amongst the plethora of cases that exist, Mohammed Ojengbede v M.O. Esan & Anor (2001) 18 NWLR (pt 746) 771 is very instructive on this position. The courts have expressed no doubt that the official language of superior courts of record in Nigeria is English and that if documents written in any language other than English are to be tendered and properly used in evidence, they must be duly translated into English either by competent witnesses called by the party to the proceedings who needs them to prove his case or by the official interpreter of the court.

You must therefore pay attention to the letters and wording of your contracts. They not only represent the clear intention of the parties, they also serve as proof of such intentions and would form the premise upon which enforcement of the contract can be made. It would be difficult to make amendments when a bad position has been provoked in the favor of one of the parties and usually disputes would arise from such occurrences.
Where disputes arise, a good dispute resolution clause would usually provide for the method of resolving the dispute. Litigation is the traditional way of settling dispute; it is the major hinge of the door of the judiciary. It simply entails strict application of legally established procedural methods in interpreting the law and legal principles in the resolution of disputes before a Court. While this system has its merits, the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have become very popular as a result of the privacy, control and predictability that they permit. Even wider acceptance has been accorded to them because of the possibility of the enforcement of awards or judgments derived from the process. A great clause would list the process, usually ensuring that the parties explore, engage and extinguish all internal processes before engaging third party appointees to mediate, negotiate, conciliate or arbitrate.

The clause, would go further to set this method of resolution within a time frame. Another major distaste for litigation is the uncertainty of time involved and the long process it might take from conflict to filing and then determination by the courts and then extra time to appeal. This time factor in the clause however, represents conflict to commencement of the process of dispute resolution. The wordings would provide for how long parties should have exhausted all other options towards settling the dispute before embarking on the route of ADR.


The seat, the language and judges to sit on the panel should also form part of the draft of the ideal dispute resolution clause. It is important for you to know the place of dispute settlement; an understanding of the laws of this place and a knowledge of expertise in the particular area of trade is important during the negotiation of this clause. Interestingly, the law of contracts allows parties the right of the choice of governing law and choice of seat of settlement. This luxury does not exist in litigation, as courts’ jurisdiction vests by subject matter and or geography (i.e. the place of business of the parties or residence of the parties or where the dispute occurred). This place of settlement of disputes is what is referred to as the “seat”. Linked to this, is the language of the proceedings for settlement. Interestingly, you can by agreement decide to settle a conflicggt in Hong Kong using Spanish and applying the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce to your proceedings. The choice of procedural language informs the nature of judges that would seat on the panel.
Early communications can also be facilitated in this language towards speed and quality of dispute settlement. Where the parties speak different languages and have to resolve disputes without having agreed on a particular language, then proceedings may have to be done with an interpreter which may affect cost and duration of the proceedings.
Where in doubt of anything in your dispute settlement clause, please ask a lawyer.

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RADIO: MAN'S DAILY COMPANION

RADIO: EVERY MAN’S EVERY DAY COMPANION
Often times we fail to recognise the importance of the little pleasures we enjoy every single day until a date on the calendar is set aside for the recognition of one of such things. Even then, the pressures and pleasures of life hardly afford us a chance to truly appreciate these gifts. This is the case of the radio.

The radio has a rich history and is the result of a combination of scientific breakthroughs. It might interest you to know that it took the cumulative efforts of Heinrich Hertz, Alexander Popov, Guglielmo Marconi, Reginald Fessenden, and Edwin Armstrong to figure out how electromagnetic waves could transmit sound signals over distances. We have them to thank for their independent discoveries over decades that finally resulted in the invention of what we now call the radio. Anyway, I have no intention of boring you so I won’t go into the individual contributions of these geniuses.

As a medium of mass communication, the radio has been with us for about a century. Over the years, those boxes have provided company for many, with programming that appeals to both music and sports lovers alike, not forgetting those who just must have a daily dose of current affairs discussions.
In the case of Nigeria, the radio has been with us for decades since the advent of the colonialists. It all started with big boxes that seemed to speak without allowing for feedback. As a result, they earned the name Asoromagbesi from Yoruba speaking Nigerians in the western region. It can be literally translated in English as “He who speaks but does not expect a reply”; a fitting name for those contraptions that brought them information about colonial activities but never allowed for feedback.

The radio has since evolved and now provides an extensive assortment of programmes. In previous years, it was only used to broadcast news; public service announcements; educational, sports, and current affairs programmes; as well as the occasional announcement of important national events, a perfect example is the attempted coup of 1976 where the daily broadcast was interrupted by the following announcement:

“Good morning, fellow Nigerians. This is Lt. Col B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling… Murtala Mohammed’s deficiency has been detected. His government is now overthrown by the young revolutionaries… Curfew is imposed from 6am to 6pm. Thank you.”
Now, Nigerians are treated to talk shows, music countdowns, dramas, discussions, and lots more. Broadcast belts are made more engaging with early morning, midday, and drive time shows. The radio basically accompanies listeners throughout the day and serves them some sort of entertainment with from dusk till dawn. Perhaps it is as a result of its versatility and relevance that the radio has withstood the passage of time, with a digital version now made available to listeners.

One of the intrinsic qualities of radio broadcasting that makes it so special is its accessibility. Listeners can access information and entertainment wherever and whenever just by tuning in; be they in the farthest of villages or late into the night and even in times of emergency as expounded by the United Nations while commemorating the World Radio Day in 2017. The radio also allows for passive and active listening and that is why it has become a favorite companion as anyone can listen while carrying out other tasks; be they in the office, in their cars driving home, at home doing chores, and so on.

Personally, the radio wields the power to draw me out of the dreariest of moods as it has done several times in the past. For me, the magic was once delivered through the waves by the duo of Freeze and N6. Others such as Jones Usen, Dan Foster, Olisa, Femi Obong Daniels, IK, Toolz, Emmanuel Etim, Toke Makinwa, Mazino, Yaw, Shola Thompson, Folu Storms, and many others have become household names by delivering awesome radio experiences to numerous Nigerian listeners over the years.




It is as a result of these qualities and abilities that I can say without mincing words that the radio is a powerful tool for communication. It has provided and continues to provide education, information, entertainment, and company for all – young or old, rich or poor, educated or not. The radio is one of the greatest inventions of all time and we must be grateful for its birth.

The importance of the radio cannot be over emphasized in the face of globalization and its attendant effects. There is an indispensable need to have information on global issues at all times and at all places as global awareness is impossible where information is unavailable or access to it is impeded, it is the starting point for taking guided steps towards a sustainable global future.

If you are reading this and are in any doubt, a simple scan through the frequencies on our band will
provide you an interesting array of channels that satisfy whatever listening desire you have. And if you are already an ardent listener, isn’t it time for your daily dose of radio? On a day such as this, when we recognise the numerous contributions of radio to our civilization, why don’t you take a break, sit back, and have yourself a listening treat. Allow me to welcome you to the remarkable experience that is Radio. You’ll thank me later. ;)

This post was written in commemoration of the World Radio Day 2018.


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Renewable Energy; Access and Sustainability (A call to action by Busayo Ogunbiyi.

FACTS: Did you know that Currently 1.3 billion people – one in ve globally – lack any access to electricity. Twice that number – nearly 40 per cent of the world’s population – relies on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste to cook their food (IEA 2010a) (UN Environment Green Economy)


Over the decades, we were happy and excited with the minerals we found to give us electrical energy. As time went on, there was an incessant need for renewable energy as minerals across the world are depleted or maybe it was due to the pollution in the air across nations and/or climate change. However, presently, in this time and day, as at 9:17pm 02/18, there is a need for not only renewable energy but also sustainable and accessible energy.

Science Daily defines Renewable Energy as an energy resource that is replaced rapidly by a natural process such as power generated from the sun or from the wind.

According to UN Environment, The Rio+20 Outcome Document, “The Future We Want” (UN 2012a, paragraphs 125-129), highlights the importance of transition to renewable and accessible energy and emphasises
“the need to address the challenge of access to sustainable modern energy services for all... [including through] increased use of renewable energy sources and other low emission technologies” This they believe will solve some of the world's pressing issues.

As much as I would love to quote some accomplished people/companies, there is no need as the situation is what we can see for ourselves on a daily basis.


I loved this area of discussion so much because when I heard about it first in 2009 under the topic 'URBAN REGENERATION' in Leslie's class (as there are no aunties or uncles or Mr's or Mrs in the UK), it appealed to my creative mind: come up with an energy source that is renewable, not harmful to environment or man and sustainable. In the class as a 16 year old, we were taught wind water sun as energy sources and also how carbon dioxide (Co2, the air we breathe out) can be used in creating clean energy.
2009 is a long time from now but we can see companies striving to be more eco friendly either by reducing their carbon print, recycling or making use of cleaner energy sources. So what is the issue?

The problem is that countries such as the one I live in are not even crying out enough for renewable energy but rather accessible energy. We pay the government NEPA (PHCN/IE) bills and get electricity that destroys out electrical appliances as light is provided for 5 minutes and taken the next 3 and given the next 2 minutes and taken in 1 minute and given the next 4 minutes and then taken for the next 5 days. The major issue here is accessibility to energy, affordable and sustainable energy.


Wind, Sun, Water and Carbon dioxide conversion are super cool ways to living a pollution free life however they are expensive energy, I would rather bear the smell and sound of a generator than pay for these energy sources with blood because that is what it would entail.


An answer I see to these questions quick efforts by the government of our nation's to provide renewable energy sources for their citizens at not only a subsidized rate but a functioning distribution grid. Another solution I see is where we all come together and stop playing eye service games and strive to help each other as neighbours or fellow country men. I may be wrong but then it is only my opinion and suggestion.

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DISPUTABLE ME SERIES: #1. SIGNING CONTRACTS AND ENVISAGING DISPUTES.

 

#1: Signing Contracts and Envisaging Dispute

“A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.” George Herbert, British Poet

It is quite cliché to refer to the world in 2018 as a global village. We have evolved from the internet connectivity hysteria to the digitization of goods, markets, businesses and systems. However, one thread of difference that has remained a delineating factor of world borders has been: The LAW. While globalization has continued to trend, jurisdictions have remained separate and distinct, leaving a clear space for disputes and defining methods of their resolution. Asides the clear identity problem most businesses in developing countries must deal with, early in their existence and establishment, a “forwards” approach would definitely binge on the thoughts, strategy and model for collaboration and the all inevitable subject: dispute resolution.

If the figures say that micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria have employed 60 million people from a total of about 37 million enterprises, and further accounts for about 48 percent of the nation’s GDP according to 2015 reports, then it means that corporate law awareness must be on the increase, the focal point being the principles of contract law. So far, there is no knowledge of how much of commercial disputes exist in the court system but every litigation lawyer is familiar with the popular phrase from the bench that the “docket of the court is full”. This and the usual tactics of procedures delay cases that are for adjudication before the court. This poses two problems: ignorance of the correct legal position on commercial issues (regardless of the scale) and the tardy judicial process for actions pushed for dispute settlement.

They totally leave the young entrepreneur with a great deal of confusion when he is confronted with issues called legal battles along the line of his hustle towards staying afloat or transiting from small scale to large scale. Would such an entrepreneur need to be proactive or reactive to these issues? We would suggest the former. To do so, would be to understand the space, possess the right knowledge and definitely continue to the deploy the rightproactive strategy towards dealing with conflicts. This space will discuss the pertinent topics around contractual principles and explore in depth alternative dispute resolution methods available to young entrepreneurs, albeit with simplified anecdotes and relatable experiences. 

To kick off however, let’s start with the flirting phase of business stakeholder engagement. At this stage, both parties have a very acquaintance-like approach. Pretty, positive, all north projections, and everything looks good. Stakeholder and project selection might undergo certain checklist for justification to sponsors for larger projects and for smaller size tickets, the demand may already have been created for vendor “plug-in”. It is critical that issues like contractual terms and conditions must be settled, drawn out and agreed to either by negotiations or implication. It is best to have some form of terms of reference whether you are a designer, mechanic, artist or retails store seller. Innovative ways to do this might be by wide conspicuous notices in your space, quick T&Cs on the labels of your wares or receipts of services, or even by well drafted contracts that would be exchanged, reviewed and settled before execution.

The above step is critical for future engagement of the stakeholder in the event of a dispute to either fast track the process, make it complex or unbundle the complications involved. From the method of the dispute settlement, to the time frame involved and even the place of settlement of disputes. These issues might seem very trivial until you engage in more complex transactions as you scale. Some of them including customers, suppliers and other stakeholders from several jurisdictions of the world. Remember how they 

say that when you are faithful in little things, big things come? Start from where you are and put the right legal cautions so that you master the art as you move on. 

We will be discussing more interesting topics that help young entrepreneurs tidy their businesses from a legal standpoint when it comes to contractual terms negotiations and dispute resolution methods and issues. Knowledge is a great tool in the hands of the one who acts on every bit acquired. Start today, start right and stay cautioned, a law suit is far more expensive than caution!

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INTENTIONAL HOUSEKEEPING

Side: Do you know that yearly, a household has the potential to produce one TONNE of waste? the mind bugging question is where do these go to?

It's a new year and the common practice is to have resolutions! Try to make all things as new as possible because nobody does the same old things and gets new results as the popular adage goes right? The problem with this newness is what is the impact of our quest to make all things new?

Have you stopped to think amidst the new year resolutions that not all things should be new but what exists should be converted for a new or continuous purpose? This is the core of recycling.

I remember how growing up and even until recently, I had the belief that recycling was within the exclusive preserve of some big company with sophisticated machinery turns out that this is not the case.

Recycling is the process of converting what would have amounted to waste to good use; this could be the continuous use for the same purpose or the conversion of a thing for a new purpose. What can be recycled varies from glass, paper, and cardboard, metal, plastic, tires textiles, electronics, food waste, clothing and almost anything!

The planet daily faces poor treatment by majority of human race, the results of which is a reduction in the quality of the environment. Even the dirtiest of humans will be worried that he or she gets no housekeeping done so why is it that many do not consider the planet which is the platform upon which we exist as well deserving of intentional housekeeping? That is, minding every step we take in our use of the planet and ensuring that we do not put the earth at risk in our decisions and interactions with it. The Guardian in its view on recycling aptly note that the three steps to saving the planet are;
1. Use Less
2. Re-use
3. RECYCLE!

BENEFITS OF RECYCLING.

1. Recycling fosters innovation. It pushes the mind to think of innovative ways to put waste to good use.
2. Recycling helps to ensure that landfills do not run out of space.
3. Recycling reduces pollution. It keeps the environment clean.
4. It creates job opportunities.
5. Recycling saves money. You also make money when you recycle as you may sell recycled products or make money selling waste to recycling companies.
6. Protects animals especially sea creatures.
7. Recycling saves the planet.

WHAT TO DO.

1. Reduce your use of everything essentially! Lol. Use just what you need.
2. Flee from plastic convenience and compulsion! Especially the pet drinks. Reuse plastic as often as possible and ultimately, cut them loose (avoid plastic like a plague).
3. Have a water bottle and a food pack with you always...(or as many times as possible...take out containers are a menace to the environment)
4. Go shopping with your carrier bags! Ditch the plastic shopping bags, our environment can not deal with them.
5. Patronize the thrift shops...not every time new!
6. Recycle everything ! Anything! All things! You don't have to be a company to do this...recycling fosters innovation.
7. Save the planet! Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE!

 Before you bin it, stop and think; what more can I do with you? You will be shocked at the many things you can do with your "waste".

From all of us at The Nineteen Initiative, we wish you all a great and blessed year ahead especially one filled with sustainable innovations.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

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Appreciation Post

Appreciation Post💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼

Compliments of the season readers! It's the end of another year and guess what guys? We are closer to the achievement of the sustainable development goals! Yes! I'm as excited as you are about the new opportunities to explore, new initiatives and a sustainable environment to live in.

The downside to this excitement is that it seems like we are not making any progress as regards climate change 😢( which is largely a result of human activities). Let's think about these things!

We will not give up, we would continue to provide you with information as regards the steps to take to ensure that we nurture a sustainable environment for everyone and generations to come to thrive.

In the next year, we would take action for the goals in phenomenal ways and as such we solicit for your engagement in numerous ways to get the goals to the next level.

Do not hesitate to tell someone about all you have learnt on this blog. We are counting on you for a more impactful 2018!

Please accept our sincere gratitude for your continued support, comments, likes and your constructive criticism. We have found these very energizing and motivating to continue even in the face of latent and obvious challenges.

May God crown the remaining part of the year with goodness and like a spring board, launch us into the amazing days ahead in the new year.

From all of us at the Nineteen Initiative, we wish you all a sustainable year ahead ❤❤❤.