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As unemployment rates continue to soar, a stark contradiction emerges: factories that once provided livelihoods are being repurposed into worship centres. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA writes that these buildings, once symbols of industrial progress and with potential solutions to the unemployment crisis, now echo with prayers from worshippers seeking the very jobs these spaces once offered In the 80s and 90s, Hardel & Enic Group was the model of success, commanding attention and admiration across Nigeria. Situated along Funsho Williams Avenue, beside the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, its factory stood as a symbol of industrial excellence. It was a dominant force in the real estate sector, known for its major construction projects, including the iconic Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy during the military era. Hardel & Enic, founded by the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most influential players in the property development sector. At its zenith, the company boasted a workforce of over 4,000 employees and soon spread across different locations, while its operating environments glittered like other progressive firms of that era like Dunlop Tyres, Michelin Tyres, Zoom Mobile, and Apapa Bakery among others. These companies, at the time they thrived, were the lifeblood of the country’s industrial growth, their gleaming operations a testament to the thriving economy of the era. However, the golden years of industrial growth began to fade. Hardel & Enic, along with many other giants, found themselves crippled by rising production costs. The persistent lack of stable electricity, coupled with heavy taxes and a stifling business climate, became their undoing. Faced with these insurmountable challenges, the once thriving factories were forced to shut down, their workers displaced, and their sprawling industrial hubs left to rot and gather dust. In search of more favourable environments, these companies, once the pride of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, were either sold off or moved abroad. What was once a flourishing industrial era now feels like a distant memory, replaced by empty, silent spaces that once echoed with the hum of machinery and the hopes of a growing economy. For Hardel & Enic, the increasingly hostile business environment in Nigeria forced its management to make a drastic move in a bid to reduce operational costs. One major step it took was to scale down its Lagos operations and relocate to the Oriental Plaza office on Okigwe Road, Owerri, Imo State. According to a company representative, Ben Akajiaku, while speaking to our correspondent, there was no longer a need to run both the Lagos and Owerri offices simultaneously given the escalating business challenges. However, Hardel & Enic’s exit from Lagos marked the beginning of a series of changes for the company’s former operational base. It was taken over by Zoom Mobile, a telecommunications firm that initially operated under the name Reliance Telecommunications Limited (Reltel Wireless). Founded on August 25, 1998, Zoom Mobile capitalised on the deregulation of Nigeria’s telecom sector to launch its services in 2001. Despite its promising start, Zoom Mobile faced severe challenges in the competitive telecom industry. After 11 years of operation, the company struggled to remain viable, and harsh business conditions once again forced it to make drastic cuts. In May 2012, based on reports, Zoom Mobile laid off 200 employees as a result of financial losses. This move increased competition from dominant GSM operators, dwindling its revenues. Workers retained to provide minimal services, such as managing the switches and base stations across the country, were later let go as part of the cost-cutting measures. Despite these efforts, Zoom Mobile, allegedly plagued by challenges since its inception, ultimately closed its doors. The property, once home to a thriving business, was subsequently handed over to The Covenant Christian Centre, which transformed it into ‘The Covenant Place.’ Today, the worship centre founded by Pastor Poju Oyemade, has become a prominent church with a congregation of over 5,000 members. Located in Iganmu, Lagos, it rose from the ashes of the businesses that once operated in that space. One of the church officials, Effiong Bassey, explained that The Covenant Place, consecrated by Bishop David Oyedepo, was founded on March 30, 1994, with the aim of blessing the local community, city, and nation in which it is situated. He said, “We marked the 10th Anniversary here. Due to the growing congregation, we now hold three services on Sundays, while Tuesdays and Saturdays are dedicated to weekly activities.” However, Sunday PUNCH observed that the building on the premises that once housed Zoom Mobile had been converted into a children’s church, while the other section had been extended to accommodate the expanding number of worshippers. This transformation—from thriving businesses to a place of worship—paints a vivid picture of the changing landscape in Nigeria’s economy, where industrial hubs are becoming sanctuaries and spaces of spiritual solace in place of once-booming commercial centres. From industrial hub to church headquarters In a dramatic shift in the industrial landscape of Onitsha, Anambra State, the premises of Nigerian Mineral Water Industries Limited, an Indian company once famous for producing soft drinks like Limca and Goldspot, had been taken over by three different churches. The most prominent of the churches is the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, founded by Pastor on November 10, 1996. The transformation has made the site, located along the Old Enugu-Onitsha Road, beside Tansian Seminary School and St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, almost unrecognisable. The once-thriving company, a key player in the soft drink industry, has become a distant memory, especially after the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria took control of it. In 1992, Coca-Cola Bottling Company acquired Limca, one of the company’s major brands, marking the end of an era. In yet another striking example of this trend, the site that was once home to a thriving aluminium company, renowned for producing roofing sheets and other products, is now the location of the Living Faith Ministry, popularly known as Winners Chapel. Harsh environment killing businesses Experts studying the relationship between resources and their distribution have warned that the takeover of struggling factories and warehouses by churches was becoming a troubling trend in Nigeria. They also noted that the country’s harsh business environment is slowly killing its industries and exacerbating the economic and unemployment crisis. According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.3 per cent in Q1 2024, up from 5.0 per cent in Q3 2023. Female unemployment stands at a troubling 6.2 per cent, higher than the 4.3 per cent unemployment rate among males. A political economist and lecturer at the Legacy University in Okija, Anambra State, Dr Vincent Ezeme, expressed his deep concern over the growing unemployment crisis and the decline of Nigeria’s economy. He lamented that many factories and industries, once the backbone of the nation’s economy, are now being converted into churches, where worshippers, ironically, pray for the very jobs that these factories once provided. The lecturer affirmed that as businesses shut down due to skyrocketing operating costs, the spaces they once occupied are now being taken over by churches that offer spiritual support but cannot replace the jobs lost. Related News Abuja CoC urges FG to revitalise neglected industrial hub Hardship: Community benefits from church 'shop for free' programme in Ekiti Dismissed soldier nabbed for defrauding job seekers in Bauchi He warned that until the government adopts business-friendly policies, Nigerians will continue to gather in such places to pray for jobs that seem increasingly out of reach. “If there are no factories and businesses to provide jobs, no amount of prayers will bring about jobs that no longer exist. Churches may offer some jobs, but these can’t compare to the jobs created by factories and businesses,” Ezeme maintained. He stressed that addressing the root causes of business failures—such as high operating costs, exorbitant lending rates, erratic power supply, and multiple taxations, among others—is crucial to reversing this trend. Without such reforms, the lecturer warned, more businesses will close, paving the way for churches to occupy their former spaces. “The government knows what needs to be done if it wants to improve this economy. We should look at countries like the UK and the U.S., where underperforming churches are being repurposed for more productive ventures that contribute to the economy. Meanwhile, we are seeing more churches than factories, and it is taking a toll on our economy,” Ezeme said. UK, US experience The saying “nature abhors a vacuum” powerfully illustrates the contrasting realities between the UK, the U.S., and Nigeria regarding citing churches on the premises of closed firms. In these two countries, abandoned churches are often repurposed for practical and profitable uses. According to a media organisation, The Conversation, abandoned and underutilised churches have become a familiar sight in the U.S., and UK cities over the past few decades. In many cases, congregations or church governing bodies sell off their unused buildings to developers, who transform them into apartments, offices, art galleries, museums, breweries, or even performance spaces. This is done primarily to make the spaces more profitable and adaptable to urban needs. For instance, in the U.S., the All Saints Church in Bristol was sold to developers and transformed into apartments and coffee shops, while St. Peter’s Church in Offord D’Arch, now hosts various festivals, including film festivals. Similarly, High Pavement Chapel has been repurposed into art galleries, coffee shops, and even pubs, and St. Mary’s Church in Wythall, Worcestershire, is now the office of an electrical company, as reported by the Baltimore Sun. These adaptive repurposings aim to make underutilised buildings profitable and functional. Scrambling for factories and warehouses In contrast to what is obtainable in these two countries, in Nigeria, at the Oregun industrial axis in Lagos, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry acquired what was once the showroom of a Lebanese company that imported electricity-generating generators and spare parts from Japan. Located along No. 2 Kudirat Abiola Way, the showroom, which once thrived, was gradually shut down as Chinese imports flooded the market, offering cheaper alternatives that led to a decline in demand for Japanese products. Today, the showroom now serves as a place of worship. Not far from there, the Victorious Army Ministries International, founded by Apostle Joseph Agboli in 1995, acquired what was once a thriving industrial hub on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja. The church, which has grown into an international organisation with branches across Nigeria, South Africa, the UK, and the U.S., took over seven warehouses and two empty plots that once served as the base for a bustling business centre. Similarly, a bakery on Kukoyi Street, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, once employing around 15 workers, was purchased by the International Gloryhouse Christian Centre after it was unable to recover from mounting production costs and business decline. The bakery, once the leading supplier of bread and confectionery in the locality, shut down over 14 years ago. A shop owner, Tunde Ibrahim, who is familiar with the bakery’s history, explained that its owner sold the place after being unable to cope with high production costs. As part of ongoing developments in the area, Household of God, led by Pastor Chris Okotie, has reportedly acquired several properties and parcels of land along Kudirat Abiola Way over the years. The church is said to have secured significant tracts of land for its operations in the vicinity. In another case, the property formerly occupied by Dunlop Tyre, a globally recognised brand established by John Boyd Dunlop in 1890 in Dublin, Ireland, has undergone significant changes. Once a major employer in Nigeria, with over 12,000 employees in its prime during the 1980s and 1990s, Dunlop faced increasing challenges due to an unfavourable business environment in the country. This eventually led to its relocation to Ghana, where a more conducive business climate and infrastructure were available. Following Dunlop’s departure, the premises were utilised by Triumphant Christian Centre. The site has since been repurposed, with indications that it is currently available for rent or lease, as noted on a signpost at the property. 800 companies shut within three years – LCC In its 2012 report, the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce revealed that at least 800 companies closed shop in Nigeria between 2009 and 2011 due to the harsh business environment. The companies that survived were also struggling, with over half of them classified as ‘ailing.’ The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Herbert Ajayi, shared these details while presenting a paper at a zonal workshop on economic diversification organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in Asaba, Delta State. However, in an earlier interview with our correspondent, Dr Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise and former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the said government policies were primarily responsible for the failure of businesses. He argued that churches should not be blamed for the closure of businesses, as they are simply occupying available spaces, and that it is better for landlords to collect rent from churches than have properties remain vacant. “If the property doesn’t belong to the company, then the landlord would want to give it to another tenant willing to pay. The church is the only thriving industry right now. Though we don’t export finished goods, we export services.” Yusuf added, “The church has also contributed to the GDP of the country, especially through diaspora remittance. It’s not the churches that killed the businesses. They’re just the only industry thriving right now, so they can afford to acquire the properties of failed businesses.” ‘It’s difficult to assess church’s contributions to GDP’ The General Overseer of Vision of God Bible Church in FESTAC, Lagos, Reverend Victor Obiora, on his part, said it’s difficult to assess how much churches contribute to the country’s GDP. “The church doesn’t kill businesses; they merely utilise available space. However, the church is a significant part of the economy, employing tens of thousands of people and attracting tourists. Remember, people travel to Nigeria because of TB Joshua’s Synagogue of All Nations. The church and business are not the same. We deal with spiritual matters, while businesses focus on commerce.” Churches not responsible for business failures – Economist A former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Professor Olusegun Ajibola, described the current trend as regrettable and a dislocation to the country’s economy, asserting that churches cannot be blamed for business failures. The economist emphasised that the service sector should support, rather than outpace, the real sector in growth. He said, “This imbalance has implications for job creation, GDP, and the overall health of the economy. In a situation where a property is no longer occupied by a failed business, the landlord may opt to lease it to another business or individuals willing to pay. “If the property remains vacant, it will depreciate over time and become vulnerable to vandalism. Therefore, we cannot blame the church or any other entity for stepping in. “If they have the resources and are willing to pay, the landlord will lease the premises to them. However, this is not a healthy trend for the country; it represents a dislocation in the economic structure.” While proffering a way forward, he stressed the need to address the policies that cause businesses to fail. “This is a structural issue within the country that must be fixed so that businesses can thrive and retain their presence,” Ajibola said. “We need effective industrial policies, new investment policies, and updated trade policies. These are critical to ensuring that the business sector of the economy can grow and become strong enough to sustain the nation.”Yankees slugger Judge named American League MVP

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The United States could be approaching another debt ceiling crisis, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signaling that extraordinary measures may be needed by mid-January to prevent a default. Yellen urged Congress to take decisive action to maintain the country's financial credibility. In legal news, Starbucks has faced a setback as a federal appeals court denied its challenge to a National Labor Relations Board ruling. The court found the company unlawfully dismissed baristas seeking union organization, affecting major corporations like Amazon and SpaceX. Cybersecurity alarms are ringing as another telecom company has been compromised by China's Salt Typhoon cyberespionage. Meanwhile, free-speech groups challenge the legality of a U.S. law targeting TikTok, presenting arguments to the Supreme Court. U.S. homelessness records an 18% rise amid economic challenges, highlighting urgent social issues. (With inputs from agencies.)PAGBABAGO A week ago, I attended the wedding of my grand niece, Geline Clemente to Pen Teves at St. Paul’s Parish in Eastwood. I expected the usual traditional wedding of Filipino families – with some 170 guests primarily family and close friends and colleagues, (described as small but is large when compared with counterparts in North America). It was far from the serious rites that most of us elderly usually experience. Except for the traditional all-white attire of the couple, silver color scheme for sponsors and principals, the wedding march, a beautifully adorned church and reception site, and dinner fare, the rest was a welcome relief and quite unconventional. The couple and officiating priest cracked jokes and exchanged witty repartee. Highlight was the post-dinner presentation where family and friends recalled events in the principals’ lives, so edifying and touching that tissues had to be passed around. Amusing episodes that drew lots of laughter were recounted. And a demonstration of current music in song and dance numbers among the slew of talent from both families. Singing and dancing continued among the young who stayed up to early evening. We wish the couple a long and happy life together! Today, Dec. 28, the Christian world celebrates the Feast of Holy Innocents and recalls the slaughter of some 14,000 infants in Bethlehem by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. It is also known as “Dia de los Infantes,” the equivalent of April Fool’s Day when irreverent jokes of all sorts were played on the innocent. People are warned to be careful because it is possible that they might be fooled. As we approach the end of this year, one we describe as a year of both challenge and opportunity, we pray that the lessons of the past won’t be forgotten by the youth who represent the future that we pray and hope would eventually happen. There are several unfinished tasks and challenges for those who continue to nurture the hope of attaining the goals that we have set but which we were unable to achieve. Among these include a more democratic form of governance with a strategy anchored on peace and the transformation of institutions so that each person could have a fairer share in power and resources. The mid-term elections is one such opportunity. Even if we can only win in increments like being able to put seven new trustworthy leaders in the Senate, 40 new representatives in the Lower House, 25 new leaders in provincial government, 50 new mayors and 80 barangay captains representing the values and attributes of governance described above, we can begin to make a difference in the transformation movement. We can then look forward to an increase in the number of this group in the 2028 presidential election. The other mode is for current leaders of the enlightened private sector and NGOs to work with existing government agencies on needed reforms on peace and national security, food, energy, environment, education, justice, social development, and other vital areas. With these hopes and expectations, we wish everyone a blessed and a more productive year! ( [email protected] )

NFL NOTESEAST TENNESSEE STATE 79, AUSTIN PEAY 57Something unusual happened when a journalist in New York called a toll-free 1-800 number last week. The reason for the call wasn't to reach a particular product helpline, but because she wanted to find out about something entirely new. Sitting at her desk, perhaps somewhat anxious, she typed out the number on her phone - 1-800-242-8478. After an initial disclaimer, the phone rang. A woman promptly answered the phone. The conversation began with a cheerful 'Hi!', and what happened next, left her fascinated. The woman who answered the phone seemed to be able to talk about absolutely anything - from giving the recipe for chocolate-chip cookies to an insightful account of the American Civil War. 1-800-242-8478 was indeed 1-800-ChatGPT. Ten days ago, OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, introduced a voice service in the United States, especially for those who do not have the App or aren't tech-savvy. The tech firm believes this could help them get the answers they need over a regular phone call - speaking with someone who sounds like a pleasant and helpful 'human being', except, she's an AI chatbot. There are a few limitation though - while the number in itself is toll-free, the service is free only for 15 minutes per number, per month, and is currently available only in the US. For the rest of the world, OpenAI said it has launched a text service directly on WhatsApp. The number is the same - 1-800-ChatGPT. OpenAI's chief product officer Kevin Weil said that these new features were a project that the team worked up only in the last few weeks. The company believes that these two new features are very important to expand the reach of AI and introduce it to even those without access to high-speed internet. Interestingly though, OpenAI isn't the first company to introduce a voice feature over a phone call. Google had done something similar 17 years ago. Google's GOOG-411 or 'voice local search' feature was launched back in 2007. It provided a speech-recognition-based business directory search. However, it was mysteriously shut down in 2010 and Google never declared why. Though solutions being just a call away makes life simpler, many have raised valid concerns. 'Will my calls be recorded?', 'Will my voice and speech be used as a sample to train AI?', 'Can my voice be replicated in case of a data leak?', 'Can such technology manipulate human emotions?', 'Can people get emotionally attached to AI?', 'Will it lead to people seeking companionship with an AI?', 'Will people get too dependent on a human-sounding chatbot?', 'What impact will it have on those who are lonely?' - Several such though-provoking questions were asked by users online. According to a report, when it questioned whether users agree for OpenAI to record or store their voice while using the feature, OpenAI told them to refer to a copy of their 'privacy policy' and 'Terms of Use' manual. "Before users begin speaking to ChatGPT over the phone, they must agree to OpenAI's Terms of Use and privacy policy by clicking on a button to 'proceed' with the call" they were informed. A disclaimer is also read out to all users informing them that OpenAI may "review the data for safety purposes". On Friday, OpenAI officially declared plans to lay out an entirely new corporate structure - one that will likely end its control by a non-profit. OpenAI was founded as a non-profit organisation in 2015. It later switched to a "capped" for-profit enterprise, which allowed the tech firm a limited level of money making. Now it says that the ceiling limit will be removed. In a blog post, OpenAI said it plans to restructure as a 'for-profit PBC' or Public Benefit Corporation. This would "requires the company to balance shareholder interests, stakeholder interests, and a public benefit interest in its decision making." "It will enable us to raise the necessary capital with conventional terms like others in this space," OpenAI added. However, OpenAI's restructuring efforts will likely face obstacles, with Elon Musk reportedly asking a US court to stop OpenAI from converting into a for-profit enterprise. To remove this article -

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HEWLETT Packard Enterprise (HPE) reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue and a jump in sales of servers to power artificial intelligence (AI) work. Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue increased 15 per cent to US$8.5 billion, the company said on Thursday (Dec 5). Analysts, on average, estimated US$8.3 billion. Profit, excluding some items, was 58 US cents per share, ahead of the average of 56 US cents expected by Wall Street. Demand for high-powered computing to run AI workloads has led to a boom for hardware makers, including HPE, Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer. HPE reported that revenue from AI systems increased 16 per cent to US$1.5 billion in the quarter. Server unit sales jumped 32 per cent to US$4.7 billion. The shares increased about 2 per cent in extended trading after closing at US$21.65 in New York. The stock has gained 28 per cent this year to Thursday’s close. In January, the Texas-based hardware company announced plans to acquire Juniper Networks and orient the combined business around networking. The proposed US$14 billion deal has caught the attention of US competition regulators, who have made their concerns known to the company, Bloomberg has reported. HPE said it expects the deal to close in the “early part” of 2025. “We are working very collaboratively with the DOJ,” chief executive officer Antonio Neri said, referring to the US Department of Justice. “We have received unconditional approval from pretty much all the jurisdictions around the world including the European Union, UK, Australia, South Korea – you name it.” Revenue in Intelligent Edge, HPE’s business unit which includes networking, declined 20 per cent to US$1.1 billion in the period ended Oct 31, in line with estimates. In the quarter ending in January, HPE expects sales growth in the “mid teens”, compared with an average analyst estimate of 15 per cent. Earnings, excluding some items, will be 47 US cents a share to 52 US cents a share. Analysts, on average, estimated 48 US cents. BLOOMBERGStock market today: Wall Street edges back from its records as bitcoin briefly pops above $100,000

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