Nigeria, Dec. 30 -- A few years ago, a telecommunications outfit set out to erect a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) at the back of the palace of Oba of Benin. The coordinate fell on Alaka Street, directly behind the palace. Civil works commenced and completed without incident. The next phase involved assembling the tower components of the 75-metre mast. As the riggers worked, the structure began to take shape within hours. However, as the tower rose and became taller than any building in the surrounding area, trouble began.

A group of Benin Palace chiefs arrived and issued an immediate 'stop work' order. The riggers climbed down, and the company's management intervened. Explaining the directive, the chiefs said that the height of the towe...