The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Data privacy and Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023)

    Data privacy and Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023)

    Sir: In a significant stride towards safeguarding individual privacy, the Nigerian Data Protection Act (2023), was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12. This legislation builds upon the foundation laid by the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation of 2019 (“NDPR”), addressing shortcomings and bringing the nation more in line with international data protection standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

    The Act was born out of a series of concerns arising from the limitations of the preceding regulation. While the NDPR aimed to create a data protection framework, it fell short in addressing evolving digital challenges. The absence of comprehensive provisions on processing of children’s personal data, inadequate guidelines on cross-border data transfers, and the omission of the legitimate interest as a lawful basis for data processing were among the primary concerns.

    The Act establishes a comprehensive framework for processing children’s personal data, acknowledging the unique vulnerabilities of this demographic in the digital realm. Under the Act, children and persons lacking the legal capacity to consent, such as a lunatic, cannot grant consent for the processing of their personal data. In these cases, the Act directs the Data Controller to obtain consent from their parents or guardians instead. The Act also mandates the Data Controller to utilize available technology to verify the consent and age of the Data Subject, which includes the presentation of any government-approved identification documents.

    The Act’s stance on cross-border data transfers is another significant advancement. It outlines guidelines to ensure that personal data leaving Nigeria is protected in foreign jurisdictions. Prior to the enactment of the Act, the NDPR permitted such transfer subject to the supervision of the Attorney General of the Federation. Under the Act, cross-border transfers of personal data may be permissible if the recipient of the personal data is subject to a law, binding corporate rules, contractual clauses or code of conduct that affords an adequate level of protection with respect to the personal data. 

    One of the core components of the Act is that it prioritizes data security by setting out guidelines for data protection and security measures. It mandates data controllers and processors to implement necessary organizational safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or damage to personal data. Furthermore, the Act establishes stringent requirements for reporting and managing data breaches. It further went ahead to provide that in the event of a breach, the data processor is to notify the data controller, who shall in turn notify the Commission within 72 hours.

    Read Also: Making case for customers’ data privacy, customer-centric initiatives

    The Act is however not without shortcomings as it fails to recognize the legitimate interests (“LI”) of the data controller as a lawful basis for processing personal data. The Act has now rectified this by recognizing LI as a lawful basis. Under the Act, for a data controller to rely on LI as its lawful basis, it must show that: (i) The interest does not override the fundamental rights, freedoms, and interests of data subjects; (ii) The interest is not incompatible with other lawful bases of processing under the Act; (iii) The data subject has a reasonable expectation that personal data would be processed in the manner envisaged.

    Perhaps, the pivotal feature of the Act, which is the establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission which replaces the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau as the primary regulator for data protection in Nigeria, will cure the shortcomings through policy interventions, pending further amendments of the Act. This institution is tasked with enforcing compliance, conducting investigations, overseeing the accreditation, and licensing of entities to provide data protection compliance services, and imposing penalties for violations. This regulatory reinforcement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to effective data governance.

    The Act heralds a new era of data protection in Nigeria, rectifying past shortcomings and embracing global best practices. However, for successful implementation, collaboration between regulators, businesses, and citizens is essential. Stakeholders must engage in rigorous training, awareness campaigns, and continuous compliance efforts to ensure seamless integration of the Act’s provisions.

    Generally, the Act signifies a significant step toward data privacy, showcasing Nigeria’s commitment to upholding individual rights in the digital age. As the Act takes effect, its impact will resonate across industries, society, and governance, fostering a culture of privacy, security, and respect for personal data.

    • Eluyera Oladipupo Mutiu, Abuja.
  • Tinubu, the Baobab

    Tinubu, the Baobab

    Sir: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Yoruba ethnic group has an interesting proverb about ascendancy: Eni t’ó bá ma ga, esè rè á tínrín. (‘Those who would be tall cannot avoid having thin legs.’) Being tall here is the metaphor for recording the highest levels of achievement or reaching the highest rungs on the social ladder. Thin legs, on the other hand, are the metaphor for all the vicissitudes, cumulative challenges and obstacles encountered on the way to the top. No doubt, President Tinubu has had more than his fair share of these legs.

    The president has, like Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, received the unkindest cut of all from people who, in the normal course of affairs, should be there for him. In fact, a review of the politicking preceding the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary shows clearly that many aspects of the denigration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by Peter Obi (the presidential candidate of Labour Party – LP), Atiku Abubakar (the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP) and their followers were leftovers from the derogation of Asiwaju by significant sections of the Yoruba elite. This bears out the Yoruba proverb that says that the enemy is in the backyard, but the traitor lives right within the house with the target.

    Some detractors have stridently cast aspersions on every bit of the president’s life and have invested huge resources into dragging him through the mud. Considering all the denigration, flagellation, sabotage, ingratitude and peer envy the president has suffered for so long, it is understandable for him, warts and all, to have earned substantial sympathy. Providentially, at every turn, he has been lifted well above his detractors.

    Getting this far in life in spite of the seemingly overwhelming challenges on his path is enigmatic. Steadily, his detractors have inadvertently been creating a mystique around him, making him to live out the Yoruba saying, that the more they debark the baobab tree, the fatter it becomes. I found it noteworthy that a columnist with Nigerian Tribune, Suyi Ayodele, placed the president in the class of àkàndá. Specifically, in the article titled, “Salute to Melchizedek of Nigeria”, he said: “There are people known in Yoruba worldview as Àkàndá (special beings). Everything about them is a mystery (Àdììtú). They get away with everything that would easily consume other mere mortals.”

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints Akawor as RMAFC commissioner

    President Tinubu’s life experience, I believe, is the stuff of which legends are made, and his is the epitome of a grace-filled life. He won a senate seat at the first attempt, won the governorship seat at the first attempt, and won the presidential election at the first attempt. The crowning glory of this legendary winning streak would be his institution of sustainable good governance in Nigeria.

     In this regard, the following articulation by Yap Kioe Sheng of the United Nations (UN) outline of the essentials of good governance is noteworthy: “Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are considered and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.” As another UN-related perspective states, the key question any effort towards good governance would seek to answer is: “Are the institutions of governance effectively guaranteeing the right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair justice and personal security?”

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be deterred by detractors of whatever hue. And when he has recorded optimal success with respect to the above-mentioned indices of good governance, as his Renewed Hope Agenda promises, this nation would have been blessed with a profound visionary, an undisputable hero and an epochal and enduring inspirational figure.

    • Professor Kehinde Yusuf, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
  • Dawn of open banking in Nigeria?

    Dawn of open banking in Nigeria?

    Sir: Poor service culture alongside recent influx of fintech has created a subconscious desire for better services and the United Kingdom regulatory authorities did not hesitate to respond to growing frustrations and yearnings of the public for better services. In 2018, it decided to launch open banking and like wide fire, other European countries and Australia keyed into this new financial service. Few weeks ago, United States financial regulators opened her door to open banking when Personal Financial Data Rights became a law, effectively paving the way for open banking in one of the largest financial markets in the world.

    Open banking empowers customers of banks to authorize their banks to share their financial data online with other financial institutions making it easier for customers to access products from other banks which may not be available in their primary bank. In the near future, open banking will ensure that customers could migrate their bank accounts from one bank to another just like porting GSM phone number from one telecommunication company to another. The 10 digits NUBAN implemented by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) years back provides a good platform for the implementation of this new financial service in Nigeria but it is not enough. A ground work on restructuring and reconfiguration of the IT infrastructures across the banks among many others will be required to make it a success. 

    Read Also: Bank, service provider partner to lift agent banking

    The essence of open banking is that the bank authorized to access customers’ financial data can have access to both historical and instant card transactions, mortgages, credit lines; transfers, standing instructions, pensions and other transactions happening live in customers’ account. Customers have the right to determine what can be accessed or not accessed and revoke the right at any time they deem fit. The end purpose of open banking is to open up customers to varieties of services other banks have to offer without necessarily leaving their main bank thus fostering competition and better services to the customer. 

    Technological innovations are rapidly changing our world and financial institutions are one of the major beneficiaries of these technological advancement. It will not be long, before a customer can have an account with one bank, request for ATM card and access credit facility from another bank where the account is not primarily domiciled. Like it or not, this will soon happen in Nigeria.

    Agreed, a lot of questions bothering on data privacy, which bank will should be held responsible in the event of fraud, who bears the cost, how revenue is to be shared among the banks will need to addressed. Every innovation comes with its own risk and overtime, addressing these risks will pave way for a new service in Nigerian banking industry.

    • Oluwatosin A.Abraham, oluwatosinabraham@yahoo.com
  • Prioritizing nomadic schools for development

    Prioritizing nomadic schools for development

    • By Maryam Yusuf

    Sir: The prevalent issues of kidnapping, conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, and communal disputes are often rooted in illiteracy, greed, envy, and a deficient education structure, especially in nomadic education. A significant portion of crimes in Nigeria is committed by uneducated individuals.

    Education activist Malala Yousafzai’s assertion that ‘education is the best weapon to fight terrorism’ underscores the vital role education plays in achieving peace. Despite government spending on the defence ministry, Nigeria struggles to attain peace due to existing education challenges.

    Recognizing the importance of education, the United Nations has reaffirmed it as the fundamental building block of every society. It is considered the single best investment countries can make for a prosperous, healthy, and equitable society. Access to quality education is recognized as a fundamental human right and is enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goal number 4.

    However, the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, currently around 20 million according to UNESCO as of October 2022, remains a significant impediment to achieving a peaceful environment. This number has doubled since the 10.5 million recorded by UNICEF in 2020.

    The collapse of primary education, particularly nomadic education, is a major contributor to the prevailing conflicts, kidnappings, and communal disputes in Nigeria. Giving more attention to nomadic schools could be the key to resolving these issues.

    Read Also: Nigeria loses $500 yearly to cybercrimes, says Senate

    Many herders involved in physical confrontations with farmers lack education and orientation on the value of human lives and peaceful coexistence. Neglect by the government and a lack of abundant grazing land contribute to conflicts between herders and farmers.

    Although the nomadic education system was fully established during the Ibrahim Babangida regime with the aim of providing relevant and functional basic education, it is currently non-existent in Nigeria. The neglect of nomads has led to their engagement in criminal activities, further exacerbating the conflict between herders and farmers.

    To address the ongoing insecurity in the nation, the government must prioritize and improve nomadic education. Educating and orienting nomads on the value of human lives, while equipping them with skills to enhance their standard of living, is crucial to mitigating conflicts and fostering national development.

    These individuals possess hidden potential that can contribute positively to society. By neglecting them, the government risks perpetuating destructive behaviours in our communities.

    •Maryam Yusuf,

    University of Maiduguri.

  • Lingering challenge of banditry in Katsina

    Lingering challenge of banditry in Katsina

    • By Abdulsalam Mulima

    Sir: Katsina State, nestled in Nigeria’s northwest, has been marred by the haunting presence of bandits, unleashing a wave of terror and instability. The once-peaceful state, known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant communities, is now grappling with the menacing activities of criminal elements, leaving residents in a state of fear and uncertainty. The government’s response to this escalating crisis has been met with both commendation and criticism, raising questions about the efficacy of its strategies and the plight of affected communities.

    Banditry in Katsina is a multifaceted issue, deeply rooted in a complex web of socio-economic challenges. The region’s porous borders, vast ungoverned spaces, and limited economic opportunities have contributed to the rise of these criminal elements. Initially, banditry was synonymous with cattle rustling, a traditional practice that took a violent turn, evolving into kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery, and attacks on communities.

    The bandits, often operating in forests and rural areas, have exploited the vulnerabilities within the society, sowing seeds of terror and disrupting the normalcy of daily life. Communities have been subjected to gruesome attacks, abduction of schoolchildren, and destruction of property, instilling a sense of insecurity and despair among residents.

    The government’s response has been a mixed bag of efforts. The deployment of security forces to affected areas, including the establishment of military operations and joint task forces, was aimed at curbing the activities of these criminal groups. Furthermore, dialogues and amnesty programs were initiated to encourage bandits to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

    However, challenges persist. The vastness of the affected regions makes it difficult for security forces to cover every inch, providing bandits with opportunities to regroup and strike. Moreover, the lack of adequate resources, including modern equipment and trained personnel, has hampered the effectiveness of these security measures.

    Read Also: Oyetola gives marching orders to NPA, NIMASA, SON, NIWA

    The government’s approach of combining military actions with dialogue and amnesty programs has garnered mixed reactions. While some see it as a necessary step towards peace and reconciliation, others criticize it as a sign of weakness, arguing that it could embolden bandits and undermine law and order.

    Beyond the headlines, the banditry crisis has plunged communities into a humanitarian catastrophe. The constant threat of attacks has led to the displacement of thousands of people, forcing them to abandon their homes and seek refuge in overcrowded camps or distant towns. This mass displacement has resulted in a strain on already limited resources, leading to food shortages, inadequate healthcare, and a dire lack of educational opportunities, especially for children.

    The psychological toll on the affected population cannot be overstated. The trauma of living under constant fear, coupled with the loss of loved ones and livelihoods, has left deep scars on the fabric of these communities. The resilience of the people amidst such adversity is both inspiring and heart-breaking.

    Addressing the banditry crisis in Katsina demands a holistic approach that goes beyond military actions. Economic revitalization, infrastructural development, and community engagement are crucial components of any sustainable solution. Investing in education and job creation programs can provide alternatives to vulnerable youth who might otherwise be lured into the folds of the bandits.

    Moreover, strengthening security measures must be complemented by addressing the root causes of banditry, such as poverty, marginalization, and lack of governance. The government’s efforts should also prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of former bandits into society, offering them a chance to lead dignified lives away from crime.

    The banditry crisis in Katsina presents a formidable challenge to the government, testing its ability to protect its citizens and restore peace in the region. While military operations remain crucial in combating the immediate threat, long-term solutions necessitate a comprehensive approach that addresses socio-economic grievances and fosters community resilience. The road ahead may be arduous, but concerted efforts and sustained commitment are imperative to bring hope back to the people of Katsina.

    •Abdulsalam Mulima,

     Borno State University, Maiduguri.

  • Why Nigeria should exercise caution on EU-ACP treaty

    Why Nigeria should exercise caution on EU-ACP treaty

    • By Samuel Jekeli

    Sir: Nigeria, as a key player in the international arena, often finds itself at the crossroads of various global agreements and treaties. One such agreement that has sparked significant debate and deliberation is the proposed treaty between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP). While international partnerships offer numerous benefits, it is crucial for Nigeria to carefully assess the implications before committing to such agreements

    One of the primary reasons for caution lies in the potential for increased economic dependency. Proponents argue that the treaty could open up markets and promote economic growth. However, there is a risk that Nigeria could become overly dependent on the EU, potentially leading to economic vulnerabilities. Unequal power dynamics in trade relations could compromise Nigeria’s economic sovereignty, limiting its ability to pursue independent economic policies.

    The EU-ACP treaty could exacerbate existing trade imbalances. The EU, as a highly developed economic bloc, may have the upper hand in negotiations, potentially leading to terms that favour European interests. Nigeria must carefully evaluate the proposed trade arrangements to ensure they are mutually beneficial and promote equitable economic development.

    Signing the EU-ACP treaty may expose local industries to stiff competition from more advanced European counterparts. This could jeopardize the growth and sustainability of Nigerian industries, leading to job losses and hindered economic diversification. Protective measures must be in place to shield vulnerable sectors and ensure a gradual and sustainable transition.

    The agricultural sector, a crucial component of Nigeria’s economy, could face challenges under the EU-ACP treaty. The influx of subsidized European agricultural products might undermine the competitiveness of local farmers. This could have detrimental effects on food security and the livelihoods of those dependent on agriculture. Safeguards must be established to protect local farmers and ensure a fair playing field.

    Committing to the EU-ACP treaty may necessitate aligning domestic policies with EU standards and regulations. While harmonization can foster cooperation, it may also limit Nigeria’s policy autonomy. Striking a balance between international cooperation and safeguarding national interests is imperative to ensure that Nigeria’s policies remain tailored to its unique socio-economic context.

    The EU-ACP treaty involves more than just economic considerations. It has political implications that could impact Nigeria’s sovereignty. The alignment of foreign policies and the influence of external actors on domestic affairs should be scrutinized to ensure that Nigeria’s political autonomy is preserved.

    Read Also: Nigeria loses $500 yearly to cybercrimes, says Senate

    Nigeria must assess whether the terms of the treaty align with its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Any agreement should contribute positively to social development, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. Ensuring that the treaty supports Nigeria’s long-term development goals is crucial for its overall success.

    The EU-ACP treaty may have environmental repercussions that need careful consideration. Trade agreements often involve the exchange of goods and services that impact the environment. Nigeria should assess the environmental sustainability of the proposed treaty and ensure that it aligns with its environmental conservation goals.

    While international treaties and agreements can offer opportunities for economic growth and collaboration, it is paramount for Nigeria to approach the EU-ACP treaty with a discerning eye. The potential economic, political, and social implications require careful consideration to safeguard Nigeria’s national interests. Balancing the desire for international cooperation with the imperative to protect domestic industries and autonomy is essential for ensuring a mutually beneficial agreement. As Nigeria contemplates its position on the EU-ACP treaty, a thorough and transparent assessment of the potential risks and benefits is indispensable for making informed and strategic decisions in the best interest of the nation.

    •Samuel Jekeli,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Blind traffickers and the illicit drug menace

    Blind traffickers and the illicit drug menace

    Sir: The recent news of NDLEA’s bust of a syndicate of drug-trafficking blind men must have come as a rude shock to Nigerians. The story must have been greeted with incredulity because it beats the imagination of the average law-abiding citizen: How on earth could a group of four blind men be able to run a drug trafficking pipeline that connects Lagos to Kano?

    After Adamu Hassan, 40, was arrested in Gwagwalada, Abuja, the trio of Bello Abubakar, 45, Muktar Abubakar, 59, and Akilu Amadu, 25,  were nabbed in Lagos. A fourth member of the blind traffickers’ syndicate who was the de facto chief operating officer of the Kano end of the business, identified as Malam Aminu, is currently at large. 

    For those of us who are keen observers of the weekly NDLEA digest of arrests and seizures, this recently unravelled pattern of drug trafficking in Nigeria is further confirmation that drug trafficking was deeply entrenched in society before NDLEA regained its mojo under the retired but not tired Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa. Good enough, the anti-narcotics agency is doing a good job at foiling the various stratagems of drug trafficking syndicates.

    The waves of arrests by NDLEA have provided insight into Nigeria’s illicit drug situation. We have seen a series of arrests of the calibre of people who ordinarily society would not suspect of trafficking in drugs: women, children, religious figures, and people living with disabilities. These latest arrests involving four blind men further bust the bubble. If anything, it is a confirmation that the rot has eaten deep into our society.

    Read Also: NDLEA rearrests wanted Abuja drug kingpin seven years after escape from prison

    We must appreciate the effort of NDLEA operatives who are putting to shame the criminal ingenuity of drug traffickers. Given the agency’s track record of follow-up arrests, the public expects a complete unravelling of this shocking criminality by the syndicate of blind men in the weeks ahead.

    Having said that, we must not lose sight of the big picture: that we all must rise against this menace of drug trafficking. NDLEA must perform its role effectively, and society, namely you, me, and everybody else, must also support the agency to the hilt. Otherwise, we would all end up as secondary victims of drug abuse someday.

    We should remember that our children and wards are all out there in the larger society and if we fail to curb drug trafficking, those young ones may fall into the trap of illicit substances.

    Importantly, the government has a big role to play as well. The good performance of NDLEA should spur the government to provide the agency with the necessary resources to further raise its game.

    With all hands on deck, we can collectively crush the illicit drug menace before it becomes a Frankenstein monster that could devour our society.

    • Valentine Ikechukwu, Owerri, Imo State.
  • Making bonfires of certificates

    Making bonfires of certificates

    Sir: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.” – Nelson Mandela

    The expression “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face” is a lovely English idiom that cautions against irrational, self-destructive reactions fuelled by anger. This advice underscores the importance of avoiding revenge and actions that harm oneself as the consequences might be dire. Unfortunately, Olutimain Ilenre deviates from this wise counsel, disregarding caution and engaging in what appears to be one of the most detrimental self-destructive acts of the 21st century—burning his original certificates.

    In his 13th year as a graduate, Ilenre claims that none of the jobs he secured during this time required any of his certificates: “I finished school in 2010 and did my NYSC in 2010/2011; till today, I haven’t used these certificates to get a job,” Ilenre said in a viral video posted on Facebook. He believes that acquiring certificates in today’s Nigeria is a waste of time and advises parents to prioritize teaching their children handiwork over traditional schooling.

    While some might question his actions, there is no indication of him being crazy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. His voice remained composed while voicing grievances to his friend and proceeding to set his original certificates ablaze, reducing them to ashes. What was going through my mind as I watched him set the certificates ablaze was, “Did this guy know that he may get life-changing opportunities tomorrow that may require him submitting these certificates as proof of his knowledge and expertise?”

    Although his advice to parents to prioritize technical learning for their children instead of traditional education is spot on, echoing sentiments shared by other concerned Nigerians who believe that acquiring skills is the solution to rising unemployment among graduates, stating that going to school to acquire certificates is useless may have been expressed in a moment of anger. It’s essential to recognize that the sole aim of education should not be for certificates, but how much you can think for yourself, by yourself, and at the right time.

    Prominent leaders and entrepreneurs like Nelson Mandela and Elon Musk exemplify the transformative power of education in their lives. Musk, when asked about learning about rockets, reportedly said, “I read books.” Through voracious reading, he launched himself onto the global stage. Mandela also emphasized the importance of education when he said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world”. The experiences of these great men underscore the profound impact education can have on personal and societal development.

    Read Also: Skills, not degrees

    That said, Olutimain’s act of self-destruction should serve as a wake-up call to the powers that be. The current education system is long overdue for review. Let us revive our technical schools. In 1952, there were three technical institutions located at Yaba, Enugu, and Kaduna, along with seven trade centres and 18 handicraft centres scattered across the country. In 1953, the first Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology was opened in Zaria. After a while, similar colleges were opened in Enugu and Ibadan. We need to revive these schools so our students can learn to be great entrepreneurial assets instead of liabilities.

    Currently, Nigeria boasts 170 universities, comprising 79 private, 43 federal, and 48 state universities, including esteemed institutions like the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, and University of Lagos. These universities and polytechnics admit nearly two million students yearly, resulting in approximately 600,000 graduates. As part of its golden jubilee celebration, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stated that no fewer than 400,000 graduates participate in the scheme annually.

    However, a substantial portion of these graduates faces the reality of awaiting government jobs, given the disparity between job vacancies and the annual influx of graduates. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need to overhaul our curriculum, placing a stronger emphasis on technical education.

    Nigerians attending schools need a change of orientation. In first-world countries, people don’t attend schools with the mind-set of acquiring certificates and waiting for government jobs. They go to acquire knowledge and use the knowledge gained to carve a niche for themselves. But here, we attend schools with the target of white-collar jobs, and some don’t even read their books. They do all manner of things to pass exams and when jobs are not forthcoming after NYSC, frustration sets in; it is then we realize that school is a scam. And this is where the problem lies.

    • Zayd Ibn Isah,lawcadet1@gmail.com
  • Curtailing excesses of NLC and TUC

    Curtailing excesses of NLC and TUC

    Sir: There is danger ahead in the country if the excesses of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are not curtailed. It is disheartening that the associations, which ordinarily are meant to protect the interest of a section of Nigerian workers, can brazenly disobey court orders and boast about doing it.

    This suggests that either the country has degenerated into a banana republic or that there is no leadership at the centre. It is either one or the other. The NLC led by Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo have vowed to make the country ungovernable for President Bola Tinubu.

    Right from the time the Tinubu-led government was sworn in; it has been one threat of strike after another against the federal government. No effort by the federal government has pacified the two union leaders to recognise that what the presidency needs now is total support from every Nigerian and every institution that wants the country to move forward and not confrontation.

    While the president was in Saudi Arabia trying to convince potential investors that Nigeria is a haven for investment, Ajaero and Osifo were busy trying to cripple the economy through a senseless strike.

    Particularly damning is for labour leaders to come to the fore to tell the nation’s judiciary that their orders are meaningless. They did this by defying the interim injunction of the National Industrial Court which directed them to maintain the status quo over their planned strike.

    Read Also: NLC faction asks unpaid Imo workers, pensioners to submit details

    And what was the matter? The belligerent Ajero travelled to Owerri, Imo State to mobilize the state workers against the state government over alleged unpaid salaries. The move was days before the Imo governorship election. Before his voyage to Imo State, there was a court order stopping any planned strike, but Ajaero, who has turned himself into law, would not care about any injunction. Although unfortunate, that he was dealt with, is the reward for his lawless action.

    Unless the federal government wields the big stick against the leadership of the unions, we should not be surprised to wake up one day to find out that Ajaero and Osifo have mobilised some gullible Nigerians to revolt against the government.

    That the two unions have turned themselves into an arm of the ‘Obidient’ movement of Peter Obi cannot be doubted. It is obvious that what Ajaero’s LP has failed to achieve through the ballot box and law courts, they now want to realize through open confrontation with the federal government.  Ajaero might as well do well and resign from his job as a trade unionist and go into full-time politics.

    •Ifeonu Okolo,

    Asaba, Delta State.

  • Sour tale of farmers

    Sour tale of farmers

    • By Joshua Shekwobagu

    Sir: I have been trying to wrap my head around the brazen barbarity going on in my community and elsewhere, perpetuated by boys who wander about with cattle, seeking for sweat of others to devour. I am in shock at the way these people can without emotion take away the money and blood of others for their animals to survive, and in broad daylight.

    Hard earned crops of people are wiped out by cows so that humans are reduced to animals, scraping the leftovers of cattle rearers. And so while common people are striving to provide sustenance for their families,  some miscreants have made it a habit to let their animals torture Nigerians for committing the singular offense of making ends meet.

    I was going about my business one fine Wednesday morning when I was called by a brother to rush to my beans farm in Toko, a village in New Karu, Abuja as cattle rearers had entered the farm and razed it all.

    Out of the two plots of land which was 200×100 ft, less than a quarter was left as consolation. I felt numb as I bent down to start picking the fallen crumbs from the ground. I was wisely advised by a commiserating neighbour to uproot the remnant crops because the raiders may return to finish what they started. True to his advice, they returned.

    While the cows resumed their merriment on the parts they had eaten rather hastily in the first round, the delinquents stood by with an air of entitlement; one of them working on a stick with his machet!

    Read Also: Tinubu’s meets Scholz for investment in power, rail

     When I told my mother who is a retired police officer what had happened, and that I did a video which I intended to take to the police station to report the matter, she asked helplessly, “what would the police do?”

    Many of us common people who are noble citizens, assisting the government to improve food security have been failed. We have been neglected by a government whose first and foremost responsibility to its people is to protect their lives and property.

     Why are the biggest worries of the common man usually made to look impossible to solve in this part of the world? Even if the police have failed to live up to its objective, what is stopping community leaders from standing against the terror perpetuated by their neighbours who live amongst them? It seems stakeholders are turning a blind eye now that farmers are made to look like fools. But what did they say about a cat that is pushed to the wall? Definitely, things can not continue this way.

    •Joshua Shekwobagu,

    New Karu, Abuja.