90,000 malaria related deaths are recorded every year in Nigeria – NMEP
By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmad
MEP Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Officer, Eunice Subair, disclose that 90,000 malaria deaths are recorded yearly in Nigeria at the quarterly meeting of the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), held in Abuja on October 3, 2021.
Subair noted that progress is being made to control malaria, with prevalence going down from 42% in 2010 to 27% in 2015, and 23% in 2018 (MIS 2010 and NDHS 2018).
She said malaria was still a significant burden in Nigeria, and that the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), was ongoing in all the eligible states.
She also requested the media to help in achieving the malaria elimination goal by making the disease a topmost topic of discourse to the public by including malaria issues in their programmes. And educating the public on the importance of sleeping inside ITNs every night to protect themselves against mosquito bites, among others.
Subair stressed the need for pregnant women to visit clinics at the earliest stage of pregnancy, to undergo antenatal care and admonished Nigerians to always go to the hospital whenever they suspect their systems to have malaria symptoms.
The Coordinator of the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Ayo Ipinmoye, said more than three billion people, about half of the world’s population, are at risk of malaria, which is treatable and preventable.
He noted that the recently upgraded customised management information system would save the Federal Government about N293,700,000 in logistics cost, out of the N890m budgeted for the implementation of the malaria Intervention programme.
He further explained that the deployment of technology in data collection would help check malaria commodities, such as the ACT and insecticide-treated net.
He said with the latest upgrade of ACOMIS, data could be collected from the field on a real-time basis across all implementing states.
High rate of stealing and its possible solutions
By Nasiru Tijjani
Doubtless, stealing is one of the social problems bedevilling the peace and stability of almost all human societies. Therefore, stealing means taking something away from a person, shop/store, etc., without permission and without intending to return or pay for it. The problem, needless to say, is known to every reasonable person who cares to look and discuss their societal issues. Quote me anywhere that no society can fully develop and excel in all spheres of life if its members are thieves, burglars or robbers. For clarity, thieves are persons who steal things, especially secretly and without using violence. Burglars usually get into a house, office, etc., especially by force, to steal stuff, while robbers steal property from a person or public place, especially using violence.
The rampant cases of stealing are gradually becoming a new normal in our society. The culprits are always employing different strategies to safeguard themselves against an unwarranted arrest by the security agencies and other community volunteers. The community members gradually become helpless and equally lose hope about when to live in peace and comfort with their property. I don’t need to justify anything here for you, or your brother might
Since time immemorial, stealing has been discouraged by Islam and Christianity. The duo has strongly warned their followers through a significant portion of scriptures that they should shun the attitude of taking someone’s property without the owner’s consent. Apparently, the act has been classified as taboo and unethical that can only be committed by the mannerless, heartless and idle good-for-nothing person whose faculty of reasoning is abysmal. The effects of their (thieves) actions negatively affect the peaceful co-existence of the entire society either by crippling the welfare of the people or creating an unresolved hatred and enmity.
What comes first on the list has to do with parents. To me, they should not be left blameless, for they have a role to play in the proper upbringing of their children. They have been saddled with the responsibility of meeting the needs of their children, right from appropriate education to marriage. Nowadays, children are left to stand on their own feet in all walks of life. Parents are gradually disowning the mandates of their children as enshrined in the religious and cultural provisions.
Coming next after the first is peer-group influence. Children usually commit crimes under the influence of friends. This is because they typically get to know the attitude of each other better during their friendship. Psychologists have identified imitation as one of the stages of cognitive development. Therefore, children effortlessly emulate the behaviour of their friends. A friendless child is safe for not associating with rotten eggs, for he is less likely to be influenced by peers.
It is a known fact that the care of children is being placed firmly within the domain of their parents. Therefore, they (parents) should ensure that they fulfil all the mandates saddled on them. They must be answerable for their children’s failure, either for poor upbringing or anything for that matter.
The influence of some films that are of no character-building is equally associated with the topic under discussion. For example, with the recent release of Kannywood seasons, youths learn different tactics of stealing and other unwanted behaviours. “A Duniya“, a new Hausa season produced by Tijjani Asase, is a classic example of such a film. Recently, the Kano State Censorship Board has cautioned its makers and asked them to reshape the season’s activities considering the negativity of some scenes.
The human being is a social animal that cannot live in isolation without associates. However, children/ youths should not be left under the control of friends. Instead, they need to be guided/assisted in choosing or deciding on whom to befriend/mingle with.
Besides, people should reduce their quest for materialism. For instance, youths should regulate their strong desire to possess smartphones, among other things. Parents and security personnel may begin to ask the owners to account for the source, originality and anything to do with the suspected phones or any other property.
In conclusion, stealing is a correctable problem like all other social vices. I can attest without any iota of hesitation that the above-stated recommendations will surely bring a lasting solution to the unwanted act if taken into consideration. Meanwhile, I fancy the idea of not forgiving the doers of the action, for they know not the purpose of being human.
Nasiru Tijjani, Gwaram Tsohuwa, Jigawa state. He can be contacted via tijjaninasiru@gmail.com.
Bayero University Kano confirms extension of registration period
By Khadija Muhammad
It has been widely circulated that the Senate of Bayero University, Kano, has extended its resumption time from October 4, 2021, to the first week of November. However, students were worried as nothing was mentioned concerning the actual time of closing registration. Nevertheless, today, The Daily Reality newspaper has seen and verified a Facebook post of the Dean, Student Affairs, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Shamsuddeen Umar. The Dean posted as follows:
“Dear BUK Students.
1. With [the] extension of the resumption time, the registration time has also been extended accordingly. So the registration portal will not close and even if it closes it will be opened again. So there is no cause for alarm.
2. The Vice-Chancellor has increased the number of students to benefit from the Indigent scholarship. The list will soon be pasted and this year close [to] 500 students will get #50,000 each to help them register and do other things.
3. The Vice-Chancellor has also directed for the employment of interested students, to do some work during their lecture-free time in the University and they will be receiving payment weekly to enable them [to] cater for themselves while studying.
I wish all of you success,
Prof. Shamsuddeen Umar
DSA
Bandits kill nurse, others in Zamfara
By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmad
The story of the bandits’ attack on Saturday evening killing at least three people, including a humanitarian staff nurse working with Medicine San Frontiers (MSF), has been widely reported on social media.
The victims were all travelling within Zamfara State inside a commercial vehicle.
The MSF nurse, Hassan Muhammad, was returning to his work station in Shinkafi town when the bandits opened fire on the vehicle he was in on the Shinkafi – Kaura Namoda road.
The two other deceased identified are Dahiru Scamper and Musa Moriki, the driver of the vehicle.
One of the injured, Shuaibu Buti, is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Moriki.
A friend of the slain health worker, Usamah Abubakar, confirmed the circumstances of Mr Muhammad’s death.
“Hassan lived a life of service to humanity and God, as a life saving professional. For the much time I knew him, he was a very humble, calm and honest person,” Mr Abubakar said.
Shinkafi is one of the local government areas most plagued by bandits’ attacks in Zamfara State.
Zoning or merit: what path Nigeria?
By Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani
Nigeria, the most populous African country: endowed, cerebral, and should have been one of the most promising countries in the world has democracy as its form of government.
This has not always been the case for a country that will be celebrating her 61st anniversary as an independent country on October 1, 2021. Nigeria’s path to Independence was rather long, laced with procrastination, and unlike most of her fellow African countries. Some of them getting Independence earlier than Nigeria, even when Nigeria was more prepared to handle the travails of life in a newly independent country.
Some of the founding fathers of Nigeria, especially from the northern part of the country had a hand in how this panned out. So many accounts point to the fact that they did all that to protect the interests of our compatriots from the north, who were lagging behind in education, what is referred to as western education, especially in northern Nigeria to differentiate it from the Islamic education, which the north was already well established as a region, with the Kanem Bornu empire having a documented history of more than a millennium in Islamic scholarship.
Thus, some of the founding fathers thought that having independence at one point in time would have affected their region in managing the affairs of an independent state. They worked and took their time in preparation for having what it took to run self-government, which in the end delayed our independence from colonial rule. I hold no brief for any of them despite the fact that I will always have utmost esteem for all of our founding fathers’ because of their contributions to our dear country.
Six decades after Independence. We have tested disparate forms of government and systems. In these periods, Nigeria has seen what it means to be under any of these. It has taken us a long time to settle for what we today practise: democracy. Having experienced many civilians and military regimes in Nigeria. This civilian, democratic dispensation has lasted longer than any in our quest for true nationhood.
When on May 29, 1999, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo mounted the podium to take the most sacred oath of office, as the President and Commander-in-chief of the Nigerian armed forces. It was not only in fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of Nigeria for a sound democratic country but also the inherent freedoms, respect for rule of law, justice, and all ensuing benefits of living in a country where a much-revered document, the constitution explicitly guaranteed all rights that preserve as well as uphold the dignity of all citizens irrespective of faith, region, gender, age, social status, etc.
22 years afterwards we are yet to decide on even the most salient of issues, which deciding who governs the country forms a big part of it at any given time. Since the zoning lexicon was introduced in the 2nd republic by the iconic Dr K.O Mbadiwe, zoning has taken centre stage throughout. Becoming more prominent by every electioneering even when it has been assumed erroneously to become less crucial. In fact, zoning in Nigeria is like the proverbial cat with nine lives that has refused to die.
Zoning of positions has taken an integral place in the political office sharing formula prior to elections and endorsements among political power cycle whether subtly or glaringly. It has reached a point where zoning has almost become a norm. Even though, it is not enshrined in our constitution or clearly stated in the constitution of any of the major political parties in Nigeria to the best of my knowledge. But there seems to be an unwritten rule vividly engraved in the minds of most of the major political actors, followers, average politicians, political pundits, etc. It is a stark reality that there is a gentleman agreement that drives agitation for zoning in the political sphere of Nigeria. This has continued to lead the quest for power at all levels: regions, zones, states, local governments, districts, wards, villages, etc.
Yet, we have failed as a nation to give zoning the priority it deserves in our political discourse. As far as Nigeria is concerned, we are living in self-denial as regards zoning. Zoning is abhorred, cherished, and even discussed when political interests are at stake on many occasions without the pure intent of the interest of the masses at heart. Examples abound in many states of Nigeria where people could study and comprehend zoning. I will dwell more on the presidency, which today is the focal point of strong proponents of zoning who have resolved to ride on the back of it to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the Nigerian President’s official workplace and residence.
‘The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region,’ said in a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting of governors of Southern Nigeria at the Lagos State Government House, Ikeja, Lagos State, on Monday, July 5, 2021, Nigeria.
While the same journey to the coveted Aso rock villa has invited the wrath of the sudden champions of merit over zoning, or any political consideration, the problem is that one doesn’t just grasp anything when zoning is the topic of discussion. For the same proponents of zoning today who believe it is the flawless solution to our difficult decision of the leadership of our country at any given time, most of them were the people who were absolutely against it and clearly asserted that it impedes our progress as a country. They believed only the best deserved to lead this country.
‘The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:- score the majority votes; score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation. In the case of run-up simple majority win the election,’ one of the resolutions of the Northern States Governors’ Forum meeting with Northern Emirs and Chiefs held on Monday, September 27, 2021, in Kaduna.
Today, the views remain astoundingly the same but the majority of those who shared them have seamlessly changed positions from Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is a political and cultural association of leaders in Northern Nigeria, which has sizeable influence in the political scene. Afenifere pan Yoruba socio-political group. Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the apex Igbo socio-political group. Northern Elders Forum, Southern Governors forum, an avalanche of powerful politicians from all over the country, and just recently Northern Governors Forum followed suit, etc.
When former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan succeeded his boss, late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua I could vividly recall the north was against his candidacy, especially the PDP chieftains from the north who said it was the north’s tenure. I recounted the national press is awash with news that concentrated on the candidacy of the then occupant of the Presidential Villa, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. I remembered one of the popular songs then, which was urging him to contest. ‘Run, Goodluck, Run,’ which the amazon Onyeka Onwenu MFR recorded and released in 2011 in support of the former President’s electioneering.
Most of the people who are ardent supporters of zoning today are from the south and they were blatantly against it then and had the unconstitutionality of zoning as their chief reason. Of course, because it didn’t favour them. While those who are mostly antagonistic about it today, are amazingly from the north and have similar motives like those, who were against it then, certainly because it doesn’t favour them too now.
As it is President Muhammadu Buhari who hails from Katsina State, the northern part of the country finishing his last tenure. Should the next President come from the south, we would be back to this same situation in eight years time, if the needful is not done now. That is if we don’t make zoning constitutional now. We have to tackle this issue once and for all. If we fail to do it now, the northern and southern parts of Nigeria will simply change stance without any shame let alone remorse whenever it suits them. What country do we want to bequeath to our children and the future generations indeed, that is if we survive all these self-defeating and self-destruction onslaughts against the country? We must ponder on these things.
It must be noted some of these organisations I have mentioned above are not directly political in nature while others are. But they all have joined this discussion with all vigour, tenacity, and everything they have. This obviously shows that the issue of zoning in Nigeria has transcended political membership and affiliations. It has gone far beyond that.
Take the two different governors fora whose members come from different parties namely: the leading, All Progressives Congress, the main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance. This speaks volumes for anyone to understand that zoning is what should be thoroughly discussed. For it is what the politicians talk about all the time and reject it only when others are to benefit from it. It is laughable, worrisome, and unfortunate. But it is the most consistent thing about zoning I have painstakingly observed over the years in Nigeria. Take your time, follow, observe, and study Nigerian politics with an emphasis on zoning you would arrive at my point. Nigerians must not shy away from discussing zoning. We have to talk over it with a view to finding lasting solutions.
Over the years, I have constantly advocated for merit over zoning. I have remained consistent on that with copious evidence. But I think there is a need for acceptance of a little change or even outright in my position with the benefit of insight. Time and again the idea of zoning remains constant in Nigeria, while politicians decide what the masses support more often than not without the people having a clue that they are being sacrificed on the altar of self-serving political goals.
Yes, to be fair to them there are quite a number of politicians who are genuinely interested in the sincere and fair sharing of power at all tiers of government. This is a huge reason for us to push forward for a critical discourse that treats this matter frankly with the ultimate goal of eventually completing this seeming personal jigsaw that has refused to fall in place or more correctly we haven’t done much as Nigerians as regards to this.
‘As I ponder on today’s event, I remember with great euphoria that one striking beauty of democracy is the glamour and solidity of majority rule in which the greater number of the people participate in the decision-making process of the system. Hence, de-emphasizing majority rule is a strong negation of democracy and an attempt to deprive the society of that unalienable privilege. However, there is also, the other side of the coin in this discourse…’ because the classical democracy oversimplified its essence to the exaltation of the tyranny of the majority and to the chagrin of the oppressed minority. Thus it is the effort to diminish the tyranny of the majority that people came up with various ideas of which consensus democracy and zoning of political power, etc. are part of.
‘Nigeria’s multi-faceted problems can be encapsulated into economic, cultural, religious and political, but I am of the opinion, that if we can be able to get our politics right, the others will follow suit, this is because, no Nation can be able to achieve meaningful national development if the polity is corrosive, structurally imbalanced and defective, no matter the amount of abundant resources at its disposal,’ Senator (DR.) Ben Ndi Obi CON said, in a seminar organised in 2017 on zoning in Anambra State, Nigeria by Anambra State council of traditional rulers.
Nigerians have to comprehend the peculiarities of their country. It is a unique, complex, diverse, sharply divided along ethnic and religious lines country. If you are a Nigerian full aware of these and all the consequences of these, how best do you advocate that we address this? Do you think after seeing this issue arising over and over again that the best way is to remain static and gloomily speculate that things will change on their own? This is apparently not the best route to take.
Nigerian lawmakers must make new laws or enact ones that will make zoning constitutional until we hopefully reach a point where Nigerians comprehend that only the best or those we believe to be the best based on their proven records of excellence service regardless of region, faith, gender, etc deserve to lead us. I pray that time comes in our lifetime. I hope we all match prayers with great efforts to see it through.
For now, we must address this issue based on the urgency, the state of our polity, and our realities permit. I propose that zoning be institutionalised in Nigeria. This should be made by amending the Nigerian constitution to incorporate zoning into it. But this idea should experiment within some specific years. There should be a well-defined scope of the zoning. I suggest it should be first among regions and then geo-political zones. Regions here means the north and south. Geo-Political zones here represent the northeast, the north-central, the north-west, the south-east, south south, and south-west.
Everyone must be carried along if we must close loopholes that politicians exploit. What is good for the north should definitely be good for the south. What is bad for the north should surely be bad for the south vice versa. If this country should thrive, we must eschew all sentiments and pursue causes that aid the whole country. We must have mutual respect, understanding, and love for one another. It doesn’t help any of us being acrimonious.
So many Nigerians may not agree with what I proposed. As I earlier stated, I was not a supporter of zoning. I still prefer merit to it. But in a country like Nigeria with the level of ethnic tensions, misunderstanding, mistrust, mischief, polarisation, evil machinations, etc: it is for the best that we make sacrifices, test new ideas, or old ones we have shied away from in our aim to get a workable solution for the country we all love.
Nigeria needs an accommodating, more inclusive, and better polity that gives room for everyone, even if it means getting it turn-by-turn. With time, we could reach the level where Nigerians will decide that we do away with zoning. Our level of understanding, maturity and development will warrant that one day. Policies, legislation, laws, and whatever are there for the purpose and time they best serve. Once they are no longer fashionable, they don’t address issues they were made in the first place to; amendments or new ones outrightly will be employed.
Nothing is too complicated, overly strenuous, inconceivable, or even impossible to explore in the quest of building that truly great nation that will be the envy of other nations and a clear example of the incredible success that could be achieved when we get it right. I work and I long for the day we will get it right as a nation. Happy 61st Independence anniversary Nigeria. God bless Nigeria.
Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani wrote from Turaki B, Jalingo, Taraba State. He can be reached via abdulrazaksansani93@gmail.com.
Hausa language translation grows bigger in Kano
By Abubakar Muhammad Musa
The Nigerian Institute of Translation and Interpreters (NITI) formed Kano State Council*
Shortly after the International Translation Day organized by the National body, then a three member committee (the NITI National President Prof. Hafizu Miko Yakasai, NITI Publicity Secretary Mustapha Adamu Indabawa and Associate Professor Isa Yusuf Chamo HOD Linguistics & Foreign Languages, Bayero University Kano) coordinated the formation and inauguration of Kano State Council of the Institute. The following executive members were unanimously elected:
1. Mustapha Adamu Indabawa, MIIMA, MNITI – Chairman, Kano State Council.
2. Muhammad Sagir Abdullahi, MNITI: 1st Vice Chairman.
3. Dr. Halima Umar Sani, MNITI: 2nd Vice Chairman.
4. Yagana Ali: 3rd Vice Chairman.
5. Abubakar Muhammad Musa (Saraki), MNITI: Publicity Secretary.
6. Nadiya Muftahu Garba: Treasurer.
7.Dr. Isa Muhammad Inuwa, MNITI: Secretary General.
8. Ibrahim Is’haq Ɗan’uwa Rano: Assistant Secretary General.
9. Prof. Mustapha Ahmad Isa Former Vice Chancellor Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano: Ex-Officio.
10. Dr. Aminu Bello Muhammad, Registrar Kano University of Technology, Wudil: Ex-Officio.
Similarly, the NITI Kano State Council had seen the need for the formation of two special committees that would handle organization of the ITD at State Council level and Trainings for members of NITI at the State Council level. Thus, the two special committees were formed as follows:
i) A special Committee on International Translation Day, with Malam Nura Ahmad of Arewa24 as Chairman, while Malam Badsha Mukhtar and Patience Abo would serve as members of the Committee.
ii) Training and Capacity Building Committee: This Committee would handle seminars, capacity building workshops and professional trainings on translation and interpretation or anything relevant, this Committee would be under the watch of Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi, as Training Officer I and Dr. Jamilu Abdullahi – Training Officer II. Plus two other members fom the media.
Abubakar Muhammad Musa (Saraki), MNITI, Publicity Secretary NITI Kano State Council
What independence do we celebrate?
By Muhammad Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan
I still wonder about the “independence” that people celebrate on Social Media. Are we independent? Anyway, that’s a topic for Postcolonial theorists. However, I pity the barely Nigeria-educated boys and girls who blocked our roads yesterday shouting with fanfare about that “Independence”. Are they celebrating the blessed geographical entity called Nigeria or the non-working national system that was poorly set on the landmass exactly 61 years ago?
I for one find no reason to celebrate these years of bloodletting, corruption, political prostitution, misgovernance and economic mismanagement that destroy education, healthcare, transportation and hope. To respond to some commenters, I do not I receive “free education” from “Nigeria” nor pay very low tax. We all receive the education we pay for and also pay the tax that is barely seen in government’s projects.
We all pay school fees. One may argue that it is low compared to what is paid in other countries. However, the quality education that students receive in those countries is commensurate with what they pay. Here, we pay less money and get less, poor education. I believe he is sick in the head whoever thinks that parents should pay huge amount of money to enroll their children into the highly dilapidated public schools that have no toilets, no seats, no chalkboard let alone marker board; no teachers, no laboratories, no security and any academic aura.
Similarly, do we get electricity, roads, hospitals, schools, etc, from the little tax we pay? What we pay is even bigger than the little they give in return. Whatever subsidy that a government puts in place to ease the life of citizens does not exist in Nigeria. Yet some people tell you that Nigeria is the best country to live in. I pray may God heal their hearts!
The Peace and Unity that end our National Anthem are never true to the nation today. No region is peaceful or united from within let alone with other regions around. Everyday dozens of people die like fowls; tens are kidnapped and billions of Naira are embezzled and misappropriated. Still we lie to ourselves about the nation and even celebrate it’s “independence” day.
What is it to celebrate in Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Borno and other places where thousands of women are made widows and their children orphans, still, running into thousands in IDPs? As such, is the celebration not a betrayal of our humanity? Are we truly celebrating this independence that equips bandits, kidnappers and other terrorists with more state-of-the-art weapons than the Nigeria Army?
We are not well-meaning Nigerians by mere celebrating independence day and sharing the “un-presidential” speech of the president who has been cocooned from the real world for years. Poor opportunists! We are not well-meaning Nigerians until we share the tragedy of every Nigerian. Similarly, we could only be Nigerians by fighting injustice, misgovernance and insecurity in every possible way.
Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan is a socio-political analyst. He writes from Kano, Nigeria.
Nigeria and the need for food security
By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi
The right to sufficient food is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international law. Food security is regarded as a situation whereby all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a productive and healthy life. Food security is ensured when food becomes available, affordable and accessible.
However, it is good to note that food security is not simply having sufficient quantities of various staple foodstuffs. It also entails access to the entire citizenry to these food items at affordable prices. It further means that we must not only engage in mass food production but also ensure that Nigeria has sufficient purchasing power to acquire food items that guarantee good feeding and nutrition.
Food security has to do with the absence of threats of hunger or malnutrition people face in their lives. In a broad sense, it entails safety from basic physiological needs. The lack of safety will be manifested in chronic hunger or starvation and malnutrition.
The majority of the rural populace depends on Agricultural related activities for their livelihood. The appraisal in the past showed that successive administrations in Nigeria had initiated programs towards ensuring food availability and accessibility for the teeming population in the country.
These include; the National Accelerated Food Production Program (NAFPP) by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) by Murtala/Obasanjo Administration; River Basin and Rural Development Authority (RBRDA), Green Revolution and World Bank-funded Agricultural Development Project (ADP) by Shehu Shagari and Babangida’s Directorate for Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) among others.
Despite these efforts, Agriculture has been constrained by numerous challenges such as rural-urban migration, insufficient infrastructure, poor agricultural inputs, reliance on oil economy, over-dependence on rain-fed farming, environmental degradation, inadequate funding, poor socio-economic status of farmers, poor mechanization, climate change, corruption and poor commitment to the implementation of agricultural policies.
Yet, the most grievous bottleneck facing the agricultural sector today in Nigeria is the mass abandoning of arable land by farmers due to security challenges. These security threats include but are not limited to insurgency, banditry and kidnappings, killings and farmers-herders’ clashes. Consequently, all these turmoils lead to a deficit in agricultural production.
Nigeria still has the potentials to be food-secure through the adoption and implementation of strategic measures for the peasant farmers to operate in their farming activities through ensuring rural development, provision of easy access to basic farm inputs, adequate budgetary allocations to agriculture, particularly to the food crop sub-sector, enunciation of appropriate policies for food crop sub-sector, political stability, reduction in rural poverty, and peasant farmers’ education among others.
In response to that, the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has initiated multiple agricultural programs aimed at ensuring food security in the country. Notable among them include the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) that commenced in 2015, which provides farm inputs both in kind and cash to smallholders farmers to boost the production of agricultural commodities. Tremendous success stories were achieved through this program, especially with breakthrough rice production in Kebbi State. The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) was launched in 2016, a partnership between Nigeria and Morocco to make fertilizer available to the farmers. In addition, farm Youth Lab (FYL) is another Initiative of the Federal Agricultural Ministry to train Nigerian youths on livestock production and sustainable urban agriculture.
Additionally, the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI) was also launched in 2017 to support the revival of moribund industries, especially agro-processing ones, through facilitating investment, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and enabling access to credit.
Moreover, in March 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the National Food Security Council (NFSC). The council was mandated to develop sustainable solutions to farmers and herders clashes, climate change, piracy and banditry, as well as desertification and their impacts on farmland, grazing areas, lakes and rivers. All these efforts are aimed towards increasing food production in the country.
The latest version of National Security Strategy 2019, a document released by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Retired Major-General Babgana Monguno, noted that with the drastic reduction of food importation, the government would continue to develop agricultural potentials to attain self-sufficiency in food production as well as exportation. “The government will further consolidate investment in agricultural mechanization, irrigation and infrastructure to mitigate the risk and uncertainty occasioned by seasonal rainfall. In addition, modern techniques will be adopted to improve beef and dairy production and consolidate strategic food reserves to ensure that the nation is prepared for major emergencies and shortages”.
The latest Federal Government directives on the establishment of farm estates in 109 Senatorial districts across the nation deserves an accolade. This mandate is to be realized by the recently resuscitated National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), which has already commissioned its first integrated farm estate in Katsina and other states. Across the country, each farm is expected to engage in the rearing of poultry, fish and livestock, apiculture, crop farming, packaging and processing, respectively.
With this development, it is hopeful that the country will achieve food security and self-sufficiency in food production within the near future.
Nonetheless, even if all the policies mentioned above are implemented unless strategic measures are put in place to curtail the rising security challenges bedevilling the country, otherwise, the wish of the country to become a food-secure nation will never be realized.
Thus, peaceful environments should be created for farmers to resettle and muster more strength towards cultivating the vast abandoned arable lands in order to boost agricultural production in the country.
Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi writes from Kano. He can be contacted via ymukhtar944@gmail.com.
PDP can still zone presidency to the North
By Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim
Zoning, especially of the presidency, is not a product of a national consensus but that of certain political parties’ internal dynamics. It is pertinent that we understand that. Nigerians did not sit in a national conference and agree to zone or rotate power. So it is not binding on the broader national politics.
The idea of zoning started with the PDP in 1998, it was entrenched in PDP’s constitution in Article 7, Section 7.2(C), and it prescribes that “In pursuant of the principles of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committees at all levels”.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a southerner, became president in 1999 and prevailed as president for two terms representing eight uninterrupted years. In 2007, Umaru Musa Yaradua was nominated to fulfil this zoning principle and rotation of power to the North. Hence, he was supposed to also prevail as president for eight uninterrupted years as the president of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, he was only able to serve for about three years due to his ill health and subsequent death. As a result, president Goodluck Jonathan, who was the Vice President, assumed office as Acting President through the invocation of the “Doctrine of Necessity” principle and completed the term, which was supposed to be between May 2007 to May 2011.
However, according to the zoning agreement, it was still the turn of the North as a Northern President was supposed to go for eight uninterrupted years. But Goodluck Jonathan was not going to have it; he insisted on contesting the presidency, thereby jettisoning the PDP’s zoning principle.
A serious crisis erupted within the party, and a section of the party’s membership was hell-bent on adhering to the zoning agreement and even went ahead to endorse Atiku Abubakar as the Northern Consensus candidate to complete the North’s uninterrupted eight years.
The stalemate prevailed until a case was made that Jonathan would only be completing the Yaradua Ticket, which he was initially part of. And it was agreed that Jonathan would only be going for a single term. The decision still contravened the zoning arrangement, but Jonathan had his way; he contested and won the 2011 elections.
Jonathan, however, went back on his promise and still contested for the 2015 elections even while it was supposed to be contested by a Northern candidate as per the 2011 agreement and the broader zoning principle. And he lost.
Hence, it is only fair that the presidency is rotated back to the North “In pursuant of the principles of equity, justice and fairness”.
So no matter where the party chairmanship is zoned, the party’s zoning principle will still favour the North for the Presidency. And come to think of it, the circumstance is not novel, for this is not the first time a Northern Presidential candidate would emerge during the chairmanship of a Northern Party Chairman in the PDP. Col Ahmadu Ali was PDP’s Chairman from 2005 to 2008, and Yaradua was nominated to fly PDP’s flag and was voted to office in 2007 while Col Ali was still chairman.
Coming back to the National outlook, the (unofficial) zoning agreement in the APC favours the South for the 2023 elections, while that of the PDP favours the North. And this is where the calculation is!
Peradventure the parties adhere to these zoning agreements, and we get a PDP Northern Candidate (for example, Atiku Abubakar with a running mate like Peter Obi, Nyesom Wike or Okonjo Iweala) and an APC Southern Candidate (for example, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a running mate like Babagana Zulum, Maimala Buni or Boss Mustapha), who would the calculation favour?
Answer this, and you would understand why PDP would want to lure APC into fielding a Southern candidate!
Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim is a political and public affairs analyst. He writes from Zaria and can be reached through haleemabdul1999@gmail.com.
Atiku, Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, others shut out as PDP zones national chairmanship to North
By Ibrahim Siraj
There are indications that Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), would zone its presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country. This follows the decision of the party to zone the national chairmanship seat to the North ahead of its national convention coming up later this month.
Although the party is yet to formally decide on the zone that will produce its flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, the latest decision provides some clue because, based on convention, the party has never zoned the two coveted offices to the same region.
Announcing the decision Thursday, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who is also the Chairman of the party’s zoning committee, said the decision was arrived at at the end of his committee’s meeting.
He said his committee was not mandated to zone the presidential ticket. According to him, “The mandate of the committee does not include zoning of the president, vice president and other executive and legislative offices of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The decision of the party to zone the offices, the Governor adds, “is in line with the constitution of the party on zoning and rotation of party and national offices in the interest of justice, equity and fairness”.
By implication, the decision by PDP to push the national chairmanship seat to the North is likely to dash the hope of politicians eyeing the party’s presidential ticket from the North. Going by tradition, it is almost impossible for the party’s national chairman and presidential candidate to come from one zone.
Prominent among those affected by the party’s decision are former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal and former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. These four politicians are among many others of Northern extraction who dominated the party’s presidential convention in 2019, with Atiku Abubakar eventually emerging as the winner. However, Mr Atiku was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling APC to win reelection.
Atiku unperturbed – Campaign Group
Speaking to The Daily Reality on the development, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulkarim Gama, leader of Atiku Arewa Reporters, a campaign group rooting for the candidature of the former vice president, said his principal remains unperturbed. He said as far as they are concerned, the decision of the zoning committee is not final and only reflects the position of PDP governors. Moreso, he said, the Governor Ahmad Fintiri-led Convention committee is yet to conclude its assignment and submit its report regarding the party’s convention. He maintained that scheming for the party’s presidential ticket would continue until the last minute.
Situation sceptical yet no cause for alarm – Kwankwasiyya leader
On his part, Dr Aliyu Isa Aliyu, a leading Kwankwasiyya member in Kano, warned that the situation remains sceptical even though no cause for alarm as far as Kwankwaso’s presidential ambition is concerned given that the party has not formally taken a final position on the matter. He cited a situation in 2007 wherein late President YarAdua emerged as PDP’s presidential candidate and went ahead to win the presidency even though the national chairman at the time, Col Ahmadu Ali (Rtd), was also a Northerner. Col. Ali was replaced in 2008 by Chief Vincent Ogbulafor following the zoning of the position to the South.
Agitation for power rotation not in the interest of Nigerian masses – Don
PDP’s decisions came when the North and the South are deeply entangled in a heated agitation for power rotation. The Southern governors have, on several occasions, made it utterly clear that power must shift to their region, and the North must shelve any thought of retaining the presidency beyond 2023. This position was, however, countered by Northern governors who consider it as “foolish”, “unconstitutional”, and “undemocratic” any attempt to dictate to the North who to vote for as president.
At the end of the governors’ meeting earlier this week which other leaders from the region also attended, the governors advised their Southern counterparts to explore dialogue and compromise as against confrontation and undemocratic tendencies if they are really interested in securing the support of the North for power to shift to the South.
As the political tug of war between the North and the South continues over the zone that produces the next president, a university don has warned that the rotational presidency is undemocratic and thus has no place in Nigeria’s Constitution. Answering enquiry from TDR, Dr Riyauddeen Zubairu Maitama of the Department of Political Science, Bayero Univerisity, Kano, explains that although so much importance has been attached to the issue of power rotation, what should be more significant for the citizens is justice and development. Of utmost importance to Nigerians, he said, is choosing a leader who will tackle corruption, poverty and widespread insecurity irrespective of the political party or the region such a leader comes from.
Dr Riyauddeen further lamented how politicians from both divides are becoming more preoccupied with zoning and power rotation at the expense of the welfare of the Nigerian masses who voted for them. He described the agitation for secession championed by the likes of Sunday Igboho as Southern Nigeria’s gimmick to harass the North and to exact political concession ahead of the presidential election.
Crucial months ahead
With less than a year and a half to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, the next few months will be crucial as zoning, and other issues are expected to dominate the discourse on the political scene. While the major political parties continue to gear up for their separate national conventions to choose national officers, Nigerians will continue to observe with keen interest how political events will unfold in search of President Buhari’s successor in 2023. The pertinent question for now is: can zoning succeed in ultimately sealing the fate of those presidential hopefuls from the North, or would they be able to come up with something dramatic to turn things around? Only time will tell!