Achieving Universal Electricity Access

Achieving Universal Electricity Access PART I: INTRODUCTION Background of Study The importance of modern energy services in promoting socio-economic development has been extensively documented in the literature (Kaygusuz 2011), (Kanagawa and Nakata 2007) (Kanagawa and Nakata 2008). Access to modern energy services is closely related to other indicators of a descent standard of living in the 21 st century, namely, availability of portable drinking water, literacy, health services, child mortality, etc (Meisen and Akin 2008). For example, in rural areas, the higher luminance of modern lighting brightens homes and encourages pupils to study in the nights; clean cookstoves and cookers using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can reduce incidences of indoor-air pollution caused by reliance on traditional biomass for cooking (Isihak, Akpan and Adeleye 2012), etc. As the most versatile carrier of energy, electricity is important in the provisions of basic social services in health, water, etc. Electricity is also useful promoting t he income formation in rural areas through the development of rural microenterprises (Akpan, Essien and Isihak 2013a). Electricity also powers large machinery in factories to increase productivity. Modern energy services, especially electricity, are crucial to several sectors of the economy of any country: higher education, agriculture, financial services, communication, rural development, etc. Despite the huge advantages of having access to electricity, several millions of persons around the world lack access to electricity. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that in 2011 about xxx billion persons lacked access to electricity of which xxx million were in sub-Saharan Africa (IEA 2011). Consequently, one of the major energy challenges confronting countries in sub-Sahara Africa is that of providing access to modern energy services to its citizens. The electricity access situation in Nigeria is similar to that of many developing countries: the electricity access rate in Ni geria – the percentage of population without access to electricity – is 56% (NPC 2014) which is equivalent to about xxx million persons. However, the electricity access rates in the various states vary significantly from 10.9% in Taraba State to 99.1% in Lagos State as shown in Fig. 1. Figure 1: Electricity access rate in Nigeria by states Source of data : (NPC 2014) Three main factors which are inter-related are responsible for this disparity in the electricity access rates across the states: The population density across the states varies significantly as shown in Fig. 2. Places with higher population density have higher commercial activities and in-turn higher demand for electricity. Therefore, transmission and distribution lines are often constructed to deliver electricity to such locations because the electricity so delivered will not be under-utilized [1] ; The major sources of electricity generation are natural gas and hydro. The gas-powered plants are locat ed in the Niger Delta area where there is abundance of natural gas while the hydropower plants are in Niger State. Because transmission lines are constructed to evaluate power from the generation source to demand areas, these states and other states along the path of the transmission lines tend to have higher electricity access rates; Due to the first two reasons itemized above, the national grid does not cover all parts of the country. The electricity grid covers the states with high population density but not those with low population density as shown in Fig. 3.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Essay Example There are so many parallels that can be drawn between Dorian’s character and today’s generation and particularly youths. For instance, just as today’s youth are generally innocent in the initial day of their life, their innocence eventually disappears mostly under the influence of today’s ‘role models’ who ironically worship vices instead of virtues. This is perfectly in line with Dorian’s character and especially the influence of Lord Henry Wotton, who influences Dorian in entering a â€Å"life of sensual indulgence (Wilde, 1908).† In fact, the path that he takes in his life is perfectly in line with today’s youths from similar background. Hailing from a dysfunctional family, where Dorian maternal grandmother conspires to have his father murdered because of his displeasure with the marriage, Dorian like majority of today’s youths from such dysfunctional family had no inspiration in life and hence his subsequent rio tous nature in life. In fact, his story is a common feature in our ghettoes today where kids in care of their maternal parents are increasingly embracing violence and all sort of extreme vices. Put in the context of today’s life, the overall picture of Dorian life and especially that of murder in the most part, makes him a perfect example of a child growing without any emotional support not only in his generation but in any of the subsequent generations. There is no doubt that Dorian would behave exactly the way he behaved if he found himself living in the 21st century. Dorian picture represent that found in the ghettoes. The murder of Basil for instance, which can be blamed in most part on his emotional build-up can be likened to majority of today’s violence and senseless murders that are being perpetuated by youths of his age in poor neighborhood where the family institution is no longer existent. Dorian life of vices instead of virtue seems to be consistent with the desires of the youths of today, a desire that is particularly driven by the pop culture propagated by the entertainment industry. His life of extremes particularly makes the character Dorian appealing to today’s youth if today pop culture is anything to go by. This appeal is also manifested in Hollywood’s effort since the 1900s at integrating Dorian character and lessons in a good number of their films. Even the struggles that Dorian undergoes in asserting his character to his contemporaries are synonymous with today’s youth obsession with bad-boy image, a classic example being rapper Eminem, who has made a career out of bashing his mother. Another example of the elevation of Dorian character can be found in both the film and print version of the movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Today extreme obsession with sensual beauty and youthfulness, which informs the growing list of beauty products and even cosmetic surgeries, borrows a lot from the book†™s theme on the worship of beauty and youth. There is no doubt that just like Dorian’s obsession with beauty, the modern man and women will spend large amount of resources (time and money) on maintaining the perfect mirrored image of him/herself. This feeling about reality of the 21st century man and woman is consistent with Dorian’

Womens career vs. marriage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Womens career vs. marriage - Research Paper Example It is possible to reduce the social gap between men and women, by creating an environment that makes it possible to pursue their careers. The traditional society had norms and cultures that discriminated against women (Walsh, 41). It defined their roles as house wives, with the capability of doing less paying jobs as cleaners, or even secretaries. This made this group of people to depend on their families, and marriage for social upward mobility. Career development also reduces the level of male domination over women. According to the traditional set up, women and men had different jobs. The responsibility of women was to care for the family, and look after their husbands. The responsibility of men was to feed the family, and provide protection. These roles have not changed, even though women progress in their careers. This is because it is deeply entrenched on the mindset of the two genders, and it would require a lot of time, and efforts to change this particular mindset. It is true, that in certain communities, men are frightened of career women. This is because they threaten their dominion, and authority (Walsh, 51). However it is advantageous for women to work, because they are able to supplement the earnings of their husbands, or the men in their lives. In all cases, financial freedom presents an opportunity to women to gain social freedom. They are able to care for themselves, they are able to resist abuse, and they have the capability of supporting their cause and visions of life. Despite the freedom that comes with financial security, men will still lay a claim over their lives, and try to influence them. However, career development leads to a better livelihood and shelter. It is wrong to assume that because of poor financial abilities of women, majority of them are homeless. This assumption is wrong, because the current global