The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • A premature protest

    A premature protest

    Sir: The planned August 1 protest is ill-timed to say the least.

    President Bola Tinubu is the latest to attempt to steady this desperately stranded ship. Having assumed office just over a year ago, the president has eschewed the volatile vindictiveness that was the trademark of his predecessor. His valiant attempts to unite the country as a necessary precursor to development is commendable. His appointments have shown that he comes prepared to deal a fair hand to every part of the country.

    It has not been easy in a country that is ill at ease and Nigerians are entitled to their frustrations about the grinding cost of living in the country. Indeed, democracy invariably gives priority to the voices of those who live under it, recognizing in their rights, especially their right to free speech, its most important building bloc.

     However, it appears that there are among Nigerians many who neither appreciate the intractability of their country’s problems or the ingenuity needed to fix them. The ignorance of these Nigerians is especially evident in their failure to acknowledge the fact that it would take time to fix their desperately ailing country. In fact, time is the ultimate curative in the pot of medicine needed to resuscitate Nigeria.

    Should disgruntled Nigerians blame their woes which are many years in the making on a man who has barely had time to settle in office? Nigerians desire and demand a miracle worker, but experience has shown that politics abhors a miracle worker. Time oftens exposes politicians who pose as miracle workers because as soon as patience runs out, there is nothing left.

    Nigeria has a legion problems to contend with, but President Tinubu is not one of the legionnaires. The least Nigerians can do for him is to give him time, especially as he is showing a fairness that previous Nigerian presidents were famished for.

    Read Also: ‘Give me more time’ – Tinubu begs Nigerians

    It is telling that since Nigeria returned to democracy, former soldiers have done 16 years as president out of a total of 25 years. President Tinubu, ex-presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Musa Yar’adua who have no military background have split the other eight years between them. But of this trio, President Tinubu is perhaps the only true democrat at heart. He was once exiled for advocating for democracy in the country, and he is unlikely to deploy the kind of force Muhammadu Buhari tragically unleashed on protesters in October 2020 at the Lekki Toll Gate.

    While the government must at every juncture reiterate the right of protesters to protest, those who protest must heed their counsel that Nigeria deserves better. There are no good leaders without good followers, and good followership means courage and forthrightness. Courage necessarily means a willingness to admit difficult truths one of which is that the president has not had enough time to fix Nigeria’s many problems. Who even says that he is the one to fix Nigeria’s difficulties?

    Nigerians will fix their country when they are ready to have a country that works. President Tinubu is but one person despite the enormous constitutional powers at his disposal as president. But he remains but a single person. He is not the permanent secretary in the ministry who has continued to steal and stash away millions of Naira of public funds. Neither is he the director who leads the syndicate siphoning all government contracts or the contractor who refuses to execute government contracts despite being mobilized for same. Is President Tinubu the do-nothing state governors who still receive the adulation of their people despite their chilling ineptitude the local government chairman who continues to steal whatever little funds reach him.

    It is not the responsibility of President Tinubu to fix the mind-sets of Nigerians who have concluded that there is no redemption for Nigeria and are doing all they can to hasten the demise of the country.

    As long as he remains the first citizen of the country, it will be unconscionable to absolve him of rightful blame, but it will also be unjust to apportion unnecessary blame to him. If Nigeria is to find its way out of the current doldrums, it will require layers and layers of accountability springing from the grassroots and cooling all the way to the highest office in the country. Without this, it will be impossible to fix Nigeria, even for a saint.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • Makinde’s antipathy to LG fiscal autonomy

    Makinde’s antipathy to LG fiscal autonomy

    Sir: It was a shock listening to Governor Seyi Makinde on his stand on the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which financially liberated all the local councils from the stranglehold of the state governors.

    Makinde, in presenting his opposing view to the judgement, set up two committees to review the judgement and to come up with recommendations.

    Although there is nothing wrong in setting up committees by a governor to chart the next cause of action for the development of his state, it’s not only laughable but also ridiculous to see a governor trying to review the verdict of a court whose decision constitutionally binds all.

    The last time I checked, the role of a governor in the Nigerian constitution has not been changed from executing the laws that were created by the state’s legislative arm. Interpretation of law is still the responsibility of the judiciary. So, why did the governor believe he could hijack the role of the judiciary by trying to interpret the law after the Supreme Court had made its final judgement on the issue of LG financial autonomy known? Was the governor proposing to challenge the decision of the apex court?

    Makinde maintained that the judgement created a constitutional lacuna that will throw up different challenges at the local government level. He said that the Supreme Court judgement “is not a silver bullet that will wash away Nigeria’s problems.”

    What I understand is that the law is meant to correct abnormally in the land and initiate normality for peace and progress to reign. I think it is incumbent on Mr Governor to clarify his belief that the Supreme Court judgement lacks influence to wash away Nigeria’s problems.

    I think it’s imperative to inform the governor that the consequence of his move could be fatal as the constitution frowns at disobedience to court decisions and disrespect for judicial officers.

    Here is a note of warning to the elected chairmen and Heads of Local Government administration. Makinde, as governor of Oyo State, enjoys immunity that protects him from being prosecuted while in office. But they (chairmen and LG officials) have no immunity to protect them in case there is misappropriation of LG funds. It’s on this note they need to be very careful in whatever transaction they make in their various local government areas.

    The elected chairmen are accounting officers – though they are excluded from signing cheques and vouchers, they authorize all payments – while the Heads of LG administration and the Directors of Finance in the local councils are signatories to the accounts of the LGs. These people should understand that if there’s any attempt to do the governor’s bidding and go against the directive of the Supreme Court, they may face full wrath of the law.

    Read Also: No need for protest because I’ve heard your call – Tinubu tells Nigerians

    Apart from being protected by immunity, Makinde is never a signatory to the financial transactions of the local councils. He may not have a case to answer if there is any discrepancy or incompatibility between transactions and finances of the local councils. Hence, all the 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State are advised to desist from allowing themselves to be used to undermine the apex court judgment.

    Does the governor still believe that the LG councils cannot function well unless they’re under surveillance? The performances of LG chairmen during the time that they depend financially on state governors are yet to be noticed because they (the chairmen) have no freedom to perform their duties to the fullest as a result of financial restrictions designed by the governors. Must the LGAs be left to suffer while the tradition continues?

    Enough damage has been done to the LGAs across Nigeria; this is the reason the federal government took it upon itself to fiscally set free the chairmen from the governors’ hold for smooth and unhindered development at the grassroots. The governor should accept the judgement and allow the third tier of government to function without interference.

    •Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola,

    babalolaademola39@gmail.com

  • Keep on keeping hope alive

    Keep on keeping hope alive

    Sir: Pessimism is a negative emotion of the mind – if not checked and controlled, could lead to many negative things that adversely affect the individual holding and radiating it in the community. Covert and overt activities of a pessimist result to bitterness, anger that poisons the adrenalin gland. A pessimist fantasizes hopelessness in (the place full of hope) and opportunities, such that he can knowingly or unknowingly bring chaos, which may provoke break down of law and order.

    It is on this note, I advise Nigerians to keep hope alive and be patient to see how the eight-point’s agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR unfolds.

    We have a listening president that listens with a view of joining forces with us to proffer solution. Campaign of calumny on persons of leaders and the government is not a solution to matters – it can only trigger off violent protests and vandalism. What do we gain to instigate street urchins, motor park boys, innocent youth to run amock and vandalize government building buildings, installations and property? Bring in your ideas and let government collate them for action. My own suggestion to the government led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is – prioritise food infrastructure/welfare over road infrastructure and other infrastructural development, for now.

    I consider food infrastructural provision and that of welfare to be the panacea that will bring calm to the raging storm. Funding of agriculture that the government is currently doing is good  –  for long term solution. The atmosphere and homes of ordinary Nigerians are charged with bitterness, hunger, inflation and disease while government appointees, politicians and elites are merry making and ready to dance macabre dance on top of the graves of poor Nigerians.

    Read Also: N6.2 trillion supplementary budget for minimum wage infrastructure-FG

    We are not in famine but in the season ravaged by inflation. Inflation is a global economic phenonmeon; no country in the world of man is immuned to the scourge of inflation. The United States of America, United Kingdom etc, have experienced inflation. The youth should not allow disgruntled politicians, misguided and mischievous persons to instigate them to act of rioting and vandalism. Remember, those who allowed their heads to be used in breaking coco-nut, do not stay alive to eat of it.

    Use of creative ideas remaains the best way of going about revolutionary change. Martin Luther King brought radical change with idea, Confucius through his Confucianism brought revolutionary change in China, late Pa Obafemi Awolowo brought democratic socialism – as a radical political idea in Nigeria. Bring out your own ideas, and stop violent extremism.

    •Osung Edet, DSP (rtd),edetosungedet@gmail.com

  • Nationwide protest not the solution

    Nationwide protest not the solution

     Sir: The bold economic policies introduced by the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have led to a hike in inflation; making it difficult for people to meet their basic needs. The Head Line Inflation Rate rose to 34.19% in June 2024 from 33.95% in May 2024. It has also resulted in large foreign exchange losses for businesses, among other issues.

    However, given the state of the economy when the government took office, these measures were necessary. There was a need for transformational, big-bang changes in economic policies, often referred to as ‘’shock therapy’’. The planned protest is unnecessary, as the government is fully aware of the short-term pains the Nigerian people are experiencing and is working around the clock to alleviate it. It is therefore important to highlight some of the major interventions and achievements of the present administration.

    The federal government introduced a wage award of N35,000 for federal civil servants, pending the implementation of a new minimum wage. Some state governments followed suit and paid wage awards to civil servants in their states at different rates. The good news is that a new national minimum wage of N70,000 has been approved by the federal government and will be implemented once passed by the National Assembly signed into law by Mr President. The new national minimum wage represents a 133% increase from the current national minimum wage of N30,000. While it could have been more, considerations of affordability and sustainability were taken into account.

    The government also made conditional direct cash transfers targeted at millions of households to improve their standard of living. Thousands of metric tons of foodstuffs have also been distributed to alleviate hardship. Many doubt the effectiveness of these interventions; therefore, it is important for the government to conduct independent audits on the efficacy of these intervention programs from time to time.

    Read Also: Expert eyes $10tr global green industry for Nigeria

    To deal with the soaring prices of foodstuffs, President Tinubu approved the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities, including husked brown rice, wheat, maize, and cowpeas, through land and sea for 150 days. He also approved the importation of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize, respectively. These measures are not intended to undermine the efforts of domestic farmers but to address the issue of scarcity that has led to soaring prices. Many believe that the government should have acted earlier.

    The student loan scheme launched by this government is laudable. It will enable children from poor families to attend tertiary education, thereby increasing their chances of having a bright future and making them more useful to society instead of becoming miscreants and a burden and security risk. The introduction of a consumer credit scheme is another great achievement of this administration. This will help stimulate household consumption and the economy as a whole.

    The clearance of a $7billion forex backlog by this government has led to increased foreign investor confidence, which is very commendable. The government has also been able to stabilize the exchange rate to a good extent and reduce the arbitrage between the parallel market and the official market. Exchange rate stability is important for businesses as it facilitates proper planning. The government should ensure that this stability is sustained.

    The removal of the fuel subsidy, though causing hardship for Nigerians as transportation has become very expensive, has helped free up resources for the government to invest in critical areas of the economy, infrastructure, and security. It has also reduced pressure for borrowing. In the long run, fuel price is expected to decrease as domestic refineries commence production. The government should ensure that domestic crude is supplied to these refineries.

    While protests are not the solution to Nigeria’s challenges and therefore unnecessary, there is still room for improvement on the part of the federal government. It should demonstrate care for the plight of the people through its actions and words. The government’s achievements should be properly publicized, emphasizing their importance. Just as the government has intervened in the food crisis, it would also be beneficial for the government to do all it can to reduce the cost of transportation, as it is a major driver of inflation.

    •Kenechukwu Aguolu,Abuja.

  • Bago: Legacy of the farmer governor

    Bago: Legacy of the farmer governor

    Sir: In a nation where agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy and food inflation rises to 40 percent, the importance of visionary leadership in the agricultural sector cannot be overstated. Niger State’s governor Umar Bago, has emerged as a shining example of a leader who not only understands the significance of agriculture but also takes bold steps to revolutionize the sector for the greater good of the state and the nation at large. Bago’s unwavering dedication to transforming the state into a food basket for Nigeria is not just a lofty ambition but a well-thought-out strategy backed by concrete actions.

    In his wisdom, Bago prepared 250,000 hectares of land spread across the 25 LGAs for cultivation and sourced 1000 tractors from the famous John Deere Ltd. in an effort to mechanise food production in Niger State. To the delight of Nigerlites, 500 of these tractors have been delivered to the state and the other half are expected to be dispatched anytime soon. Youths including women are being trained in the operation of tractors, harvesters, tillers, warehousing, packaging, and other farming techniques and are being deployed to various local government areas of the state to partake in the agricultural mechanization agenda of the farmer governor.

    Through the Niger State Agricultural Mechanization Revolution for Food Security Emergency Initiative, Niger State is currently experiencing a transformative agricultural revolution that is delivering tangible advantages to farmers, consumers, and the broader economy. Noteworthy among these initiatives is the establishment of the special Agro-processing Free Zone, spanning 3000 hectares of land. Within this zone, 1000 hectares are designated for greenhouse cultivation, another 1000 hectares for dairy and meat processing facilities, and the remaining 1000 hectares allocated for general agro-processing activities.

    One of the most remarkable aspects of the governor’s approach is his hands-on involvement in farming activities through the Niger-Food initiative. As a farmer governor, he leads by example, working side by side with farmers, sharing their challenges, and celebrating their successes. I’m particularly thrilled by the tripartite agreement on food production between Niger Foods, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Niger State Chapter which systematically lured teachers into agriculture and food security.

    Read Also: Expert eyes $10tr global green industry for Nigeria

    Governor Bago’s vision goes beyond just increasing food production; it encompasses a comprehensive strategy to transform the agricultural sector into a modern, efficient, and sustainable industry that can meet the challenges of the 21st century. By strategically investing in infrastructure and enhancing market accessibility through a comprehensive roadmap of road construction and reconstruction projects including the Kontagora-Rijau, Minna-Bida dual carriage way, Bida-Zungeru Federal Road Project, Lemu Township Road, Minna-Kontagora, Bida-Zungeru, Lapai-Mokwa, and Minna-Suleja road initiatives, significant opportunities will emerge for farmers in Niger State. As one of the largest cattle-rearing states in the country, it will see improved livestock transportation.

    Governor Bago’s commitment to making Niger State a powerhouse in agricultural production and feed the nation as a whole has not gone unnoticed though. It fetched him the prestigious Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service and Leadership Governor of the year 2023 award. It has also secured him a seat in the Presidential Food System Coordinating Unit which was created to address the soaring prices of commodities and food crisis in the country. To prove his nomination into this presidential unit as a square peg into a square hole, Governor Bago gave out 50,000MT of foods to be sold at 50% discount in designated areas across the 25 LGAs of Niger State which are from Niger-Food dry season farming that’s initially meant for export.

    As we commend Governor Bago for his bold decision to feed Nigeria, we are reminded of the power of visionary leadership in shaping the future of our nation. His story is not just a story of a farmer governor but a story of a leader who dares to dream big, who takes risks, and who works tirelessly to turn those dreams into reality. It is a shining example for leaders across the nation to follow.

    •Adamu Bello Mai-Bodi, Azare, Bauchi State.

  • Restore social investment programmes

    Restore social investment programmes

    Sir: President Bola Tinubu has written his name in golden letters and deserves commendations for laying the groundwork for full autonomy to local government councils. This is a major accomplishment capable of addressing multitude of problems facing the nation at the grassroots.

    However, Mr President should expedite action on the investigation of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over an alleged mismanagement of N585 million under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP). This is with a view to resuming the life-saving programmes of the ministry to minimise the unprecedented hunger, youth idleness and abject poverty currently afflicting vulnerable Nigerians.

    In fact, the eyes of millions of Nigeria’s unemployed graduates and non-graduates are now on President Tinubu to see what kind of action he will take to defuse their ticking-time bomb of frustration via the creation of massive decent jobs for them.

    Beyond doubt, during the tenure of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, the Social Investment Programmes played a key role in accelerating the attainment of the entire 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. Among the goals are ending poverty and hunger, creating decent jobs for young men and women and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    Read Also: Lagos intensifies advocacy for good sanitation practices

    Presently, according to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, Nigeria ranks 109th out of 125 countries, indicating severe hunger levels, with women, girls and persons with disabilities facing higher food insecurity as a result of rising cost of food and other commodities and poor economic policies. How can this country achieve the vision of zero hunger of the United Nations by the year 2030?

    Shortly after his assumption of office, Mr President declared a state of emergency in agriculture to address extreme hunger, food insecurity and skyrocketing prices of food items. Mr President should match his words with appropriate actions via supporting Nigeria’s farmers. The so-called nationwide protest is a fair warning for the government to revisit the National Social Investment Programme. The federal government is urged to resuscitate all its programs such as N-Power programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Home-Grown School Feeding programme and others. It will certainly go a long way to douse the growing restiveness among the youths.

    After all, it was Aristotle who once said: “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime”. Mr President should consider resuscitating the NSIP to ameliorate the sufferings of jobless youths, poor and vulnerable citizens of the country.

    •Mustapha Baba,Azare, Bauchi State.

  • Protest: A note of caution

    Protest: A note of caution

    Sir: The planned protest scheduled to hold on August 1, has continued to gain traction especially in the social media. Those who are nursing the idea of protest believe that Tinubu administration’s policies in the last one year have made lives more difficult to Nigerians amidst galloping inflation and excruciating cost of living. They cite the deteriorating condition of living among many Nigerians followed by the removal of petroleum subsidy and unification of forex exchange rate at the inception of this government as the chief factors. Though, the removal of fuel subsidy has led to more revenues accrued to the three tiers of government, Nigerians are yet to see commensurate results particularly at the state and local levels. Corruption, unemployment, insecurity and high cost of living are the reasons stated by the faceless conveners of the protest.

    While the 1999 constitution (as amended) gives Nigerians the inalienable right to freedom of expression, assembly and association, there are limitations to those rights. For instance, one cannot hide under the freedom of expression or assembly to incite public disturbance; the same applies to other fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.

    Nigeria has chequered history of protests notable among are the Abeokuta Women’s Revolt 1929, the anti-SAP protest in response to the IMF-imposed Structural Adjustment Program introduced by the Babangida military government, the June 12 protest against IBB’s annulment of1993 presidential election won by late MKO Abiola, the Occupy Nigeria in 2012 against the Jonathan government’s removal of fuel subsidy and the End SARS protest in 2020 among others.

    Read Also: The Role of Static Compensators (STATCOM) in the Stability of Nigeria’s Aging Power Grid

    In any case, our 25 years of uninterrupted democracy is the product of sacrifice, struggle and protest by pro-democracy forces, comprising civil society organisations, members of academic community and organised labour. To that extent, there is nothing can be said to be wrong with protests in a democratic setting. A peaceful protest can create awareness and influence policy changes etc. But most of the protests that occurred in the country had organisers. Many of such protests were organised by either civil rights organisations or leadership of organised labour.

     Protest without coordinating leadership can be hijacked by criminals or enemies of the state to cause great havoc. Nigerians have witnessed many supposedly peaceful protests that turned violent. The results were loss of lives and properties. We have seen African countries such as Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Kenya where massive protests took place not faring better in the end. Those countries are more fragmented than they were before. In saner societies or advanced democracies, people use the election period to effect necessary changes in the polity. If Nigerians truly feel that the Tinubu administration has failed to meet up with their expectations, they should come out in 2027 and vote the administration out; the same with other elective seats. With the high rate of unemployment and hunger in the country, any protest can be infiltrated by the fifth columnists or street urchins to unleash mayhem.

    The frustration and anger across the country due to the high cost of living call for more pragmatic actions. There is the need for government at all levels to come up with more humane policies towards lessening the suffering of Nigerians.

    • Ibrahim Mustapha,Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • As Federal Government moves to tackle the food crisis

    As Federal Government moves to tackle the food crisis

    Sir: At the inauguration of the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU), Vice President Kashim Shettima said, “The nation is facing a rare food security crisis, and the sooner we come to terms with the reality, the better.” Thus, the Bola Tinubu government has finally acknowledged that Nigerians are facing hunger and food crises.

    In response, the government has initiated several measures to address hunger and hardship. These actions include the planned distribution of 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as the establishment of the PFSCU. Additionally, the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has made significant decisions, such as approving new measures to combat malnutrition and food insecurity, and creating a national nutrition dashboard. This dashboard, to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and made available on the NCN website, aims to improve oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives nationwide. The government states that these efforts are designed to engage states, development partners, and other key stakeholders in addressing the soaring prices of commodities and the overall food insecurity in the country.

    Are these measures sufficient to tackle the food crisis? The common man will only appreciate and commend these efforts if they quickly bring food to the table and help reduce the rising prices of commodities.

    For the federal government to achieve any significant progress in addressing the food crisis, its efforts must directly benefit the common man; otherwise, they will be in vain. Therefore, a well-planned program that reaches the grassroots level is essential, taking into account the unique characteristics of each state.

    The federal government should design a tripartite approach where the federal, state, and local governments work together to achieve one goal: sufficient food production. This effort should include both short-term and long-term solutions. The short-term solutions are what the government is currently doing: distributing food items and stipends. However, the long-term solutions are more impactful. They involve providing real farmers with farm implements, clearing virgin farmlands, and restoring security in areas where farmers have been prevented from farming.

    Benchmarking should also be part of this approach, learning from what other countries that have faced serious food crises have successfully implemented.

    Read Also: Miyetti Allah backs Tinubu’s creation of livestock development ministry

    For example, in the 1960s, when India faced severe food shortages, the country launched the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yield variety seeds, improved irrigation practices, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. This program transformed India’s agriculture, and by the 1970s, India had achieved self-sufficiency in food grains. Similarly, in the late 20th century, China faced food insecurity issues and launched agricultural reforms. The Chinese government implemented the Household Responsibility System, which allowed farmers to own land and sell surplus produce in the market, leading to significant increases in food production. Another example is Brazil’s Zero Hunger Program. In the early 2000s, Brazil faced widespread hunger and malnutrition. The government launched the Zero Hunger Programme (Fome Zero) in 2003, which included initiatives like direct financial support for families, food distribution programs, and incentives for small-scale agriculture. This program significantly reduced hunger and improved food security in the country. In Africa, Ethiopia is a notable example. Despite recurrent food crises due to droughts and other factors, recent years have seen the government focusing on agricultural development and infrastructure improvement. Programs like the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) have helped build resilience among vulnerable communities, leading to improved food security.

    Nigeria has no business facing a food crisis given its abundant fertile land and human resources. What is needed is the political will to develop the agricultural sector through a combination of technological advancements, policy reforms, and targeted programs that reach the real farmers. Nigeria’s recent agricultural programs—the Anchor Borrowers Programme, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), Youth Farm Lab, Paddy Aggregation Scheme, Agricultural Trust Fund, Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI), Food Security Council, etc.—are good; they just need to be remodelled and honestly implemented

    •Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.

  • On FCE (Technical), Akoka crisis

    On FCE (Technical), Akoka crisis

    Sir: The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, hereby jointly call on the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, to urgently and decisively address the lingering crisis rocking the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET), Akoka, Lagos, which has already become a public concern lest it snowballs into a national disaster.We are aware that some disgruntled workers of the college allegedly locked up their provost’s office and issued him a quit notice from his official residence. Led by a few members of the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN), FCET chapter, the protesters insisted that with the amendment of the Educational Colleges Act 2023, which introduced a five-year single term of office for provosts and other principal officers of the colleges, the tenure of Dr. Wahab Azeez had ended on May 26.

    However, the provost asserted that he was appointed for the first term of four years in 2019 and that having been duly reappointed by the institution’s governing council in 2023, he already resumed his second term in office on May 27, 2023 before the amended act was signed into law on June 12, 2023.

    Following letters by the unions seeking clarification on the tenure of office of the provost based on the amended act, the minister wrote the unions in May, affirming the legality of Dr. Azeez’s second term of four years. However, the protesters ignored the minister’s verdict and stubbornly continued to stage unjustified daily protests on the campus, denying management members access to their offices.

    It was reported by some sections of the media that the minister invited the provost and the warring factions, especially the leaders of staff unions on the campus, to a reconciliation meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

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    It was reported that the resolution reached at the meeting among others stated that: “The provost should be allowed to operate under the supervision of the chairman of the Governing Council of the College whilst all staff cease to protest forthwith.”

    We are however surprised that the Minister of Education did not make further enquiry about the outcome of his intervention in the matter which is still lingering and jeopardizing the academic activities of the students and thereby denying them the benefits of full-fledged tutelage that they deserve from the college.

    We are worried that if the crisis lingers further than it presently is, and the provost is not allowed to perform his official duties optimally, it is the taxpayers’ money that is being wasted since both the provost and the staff spearheading the crisis will still be entitled to their salaries and allowances.

    We do not expect the minister to allow his wise counsel to be thrown overboard just as the security agencies are not expected to allow such illegality to continue unchecked, especially when the ministry, backed by extant legal instruments, has confirmed it that the provost still has a term of office to execute.

    We call on the Minister of Education to swiftly intervene in the crisis rocking the institution which has already affected academic and administrative activities on the campus. The minister should realize that it will be a negative advertisement and record as well as a stain on his CV if he fails to resolve the dispute immediately. He should brace himself up, put all arsenals in place to call all warring factions to order and iron out grey areas that all parties would agree on as the opposite will be an ill-wind that blows no one any good.

    • Debo Adeniran,deboadeniran@gmail.com

  • President Tinubu’s food importation policy should be applauded

    President Tinubu’s food importation policy should be applauded

    Sir: According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the food inflation rate for June was 40.87% on a year-on-year basis and 2.55% on a month-on-month basis. However, some people believe that the food inflation rates are higher. The hike in food prices has made feeding a herculean task for many Nigerians. On that note, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities including husked brown rice, wheat, maize, and cowpeas through land and sea for 150 days and the proposed importation of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize respectively by the federal government is in the country’s best interest. No responsible government will sit and watch its citizens starve. The president has reiterated his administration’s commitment to drive local food production. Food sufficiency is a gradual process.

    The cost of food production has hiked as a result of the devaluation of the naira and the removal of the fuel subsidy. For example, the cost of fertilizer, seedlings, and operating machines like tractors has risen. Also, the cost of transporting and distributing food items to their point of sale has also increased for the same reasons. All these increased costs are transferred to the final consumer, resulting in cost-push inflation.

    In addition to the increased cost of farming, insecurity has led to many farmers abandoning their farm lands. Dry season farming, which is aimed at ensuring food availability all year round, has become increasingly expensive due to fuel and diesel costs; irrigation is often powered by generators due to the power challenges the country faces. All these factors have led to food shortages and encouraged hoarding and profiteering, resulting in food price hikes. Food shortages cause demand-pull inflation.

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    Livestock farming is also affected. The prices of animal feeds have skyrocketed, leading to increased costs of rearing them. This, in addition to transportation costs and the cost of running generators when necessary, has led to a hike in the prices of meat, eggs, and milk. Cattle rustling is also a challenge.

    The federal government has over the years implemented various intervention programs to promote domestic food production. However, the question remains whether these interventions reached the people they were actually intended for. No matter how laudable a program may seem, without proper execution and monitoring, the intended results may not be met. The Local Government, being the closest arm of government to the people, should play a major role in such intervention programs. The government should continue to promote domestic food production by providing subsidized genetically improved seedlings, fertilizers, low-interest loans, etc.

    While working on improving insecurity, power, and road networks, the government should provide cheaper or subsidized means of transporting food items. Presently, the cost of transporting food from the farms to the final point of sale significantly impacts the final price of the food items. Cheaper distribution costs will result in lower food prices.

    The value chain should be improved to reduce post-harvest losses during the harvest season, improve the quality of food products, and increase the income of farmers. Also, it is worthy to note that food importation and agricultural subsidies are not alien, as even developed nations like United States of America and China engage in them.

    While acknowledging that there is no magic wand for achieving food sufficiency, it is important to note that banning food importation when domestic food production is insufficient often encourages hoarding and profiteering. Therefore, President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities for 150 days and the proposed importation of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize respectively by the federal government is in the best interest of the nation even as he has assured that his administration will continue to drive local food production.

    • Kenechukwu Aguolu   FCA,Abuja.