The Nation Newspaper

Category: Opinion

  • Phew! The life of a military child

    Phew! The life of a military child

    Life they say isn’t a bed of roses; such is the narrative of a military child.

    Being raised by a military personnel is definitely not a bed laced with roses but one that has scattered stints of thorns along the way.

    A military person is first a human being; therefore performs all the basic biological expectations of a typical homo sapiens .

    However, the difference between a child raised by a “bloody civilian” and that of a “military personnel”, is in the way they stress and enforce some enduring military tenets like discipline and respect.

    First, let’s examine a few of the challenges faced by the military child. There is the overwhelming likelihood that military children hardly see or interact with their parents. Very often, he or she (that is, the parents) is sent on assignment, sometimes outside the country. This becomes a recurring decimal in the parent-child relationship.

    This creates a gap between the military personnel and his or her family, especially the children. Family moments like regular conversations, outings, picnics etc., that are very important condiments in the making of a healthy family relationship are mostly absent.

    A significant number of military children are restricted to mostly the four walls of their homes; they hardly have the opportunity to freely explore and interact with their immediate environment.

    To them, the voice of their parents is one that triggers feelings of fear and trepidation. You’d see some children run to hiding immediately they hear the voice of their parents.

    At certain stages in the psycho-social development of every child, there is a fierce and urgent need to mingle and form their identities with those of their peers. However, the case seems different for a child of military upbringing; parents are usually strict on their children interesting with their peers.

    God help the boy that misses his way in his juvenile need to woo a military girl-child; that day he would literally smell his brain and will NEVER make such a grave error because the kind of slap and beatings he will freely receive will leave an indelible impression in his consciousness for life.

    Sometimes, you will almost think that your parents are “monitoring spirits” will the excessive phone calls you get when you gain admission into higher institution.

    In all honesty, the kind of trainings – discipline, respect, integrity etc., you get from a military upbringing is totally invaluable.

    It sets the pace for life and living and enables you to be able to easily adapt, thrive and survive in whatever endeavour they find themselves.

    There’s a usual saying that “nothing last forever”, therefore, the circular, predictable and sometimes banal life of a military child will surely come to an end. As time passes, the parents begin to lose those extreme claws of clinching to their wards because they (the children) begin to come of age and become independent adults.

  • Money, the root of all evil?

    Money, the root of all evil?

    It is said, the love of money is the root of all evil. Don’t get it twisted, having value for money is different from having love for money, even the bible confirms that.

    I am not saying that money is bad, money can be a good thing but who’s really in control?

    It is a bare fact, that humanity is mostly driven by money (Materialism). Their desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives.

    This drive to always want more is based on the misconceptions that having more will make me happier, more important and command more respect but all three ideas are untrue.

    Possessions only provide temporary happiness because wealth can be lost instantly through a variety of uncontrollable factors.

    Money means different things to different people but the ideas are the same – which is to spend and invest.

    Money is a means of exchange that we as a society all agree on. That is why Louisa May Alcott stated that, “Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we as a Society cannot get on without it.”

    We must understand that money is something that is not real but created first in the mind, and comes to realisation through hard work, determination and focus.

    You make money by thinking big and having creative ideas; not by cutting corners or dubious ways and that is why life is called a “challenge”.

    Money, the root of all evil, has shaped our world into a corrupt Nation, a people without a conscience and a society of desperation. Many people believe that, “Money is the root of injustice?”.

    No, money is not the root of injustice. The root of injustice comes out of the wickedness of man and his love for money.

    It is our egocentric and immoral ways that have perverted and uprooted the basic principles for which the idea of money had been originally devised for.

    I now understand why my pastor Rev. Iniama Emmanuel said that, your self-worth and net-worth are not the same, your value is not determined by your valuables.

    Many people have said a lot about money, the poor says money is the way of life in a sense that, money makes the impossible possible. The rich say, money answers all things. Philosophers say, money is injustice while the bible says, lack of money generate evil to the heart of men.

    I conclude by saying – money is one of the cankerworms that has eaten deep into the minds and caprices of humanity.

    What then is Money to you?

  • PR As Potent Weapon In Terrorism Warfare

    PR As Potent Weapon In Terrorism Warfare

    Terrorism wars are generally acknowledged as very difficult to prosecute on account of its asymmetrical nature. Terrorists and their sympathizers or sponsors have manifold tactics they deploy to operate with maximum safety, prolong terrorism wars and project insurgency as triumphing against the forces of state. And one of its greatest weapons has been the use of propaganda, to market a bogus illusion of victory or strength, even where terrorists are apparently defeated or suffer irrecoverable fatalities.

    The sophistry of propaganda has increasingly attracted attention in the management of terrorism warfare and other wars generally. Experts in the dissemination and management of information about armed conflicts are alarmed at the evolving trends in war-time, which has become an indispensable determinant of final victories in war.

    At the recently concluded workshop anchored by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) christened “DAPR Media Workshop and combined Second/Third Quarter Study Period 2017,” the Director, DAPR, Brig. Gen. SK. Usman made a striking statement. In his opening remarks for media workshop with the theme, “Enhancing Human Rights during Internal Security Operations through Effective Information Management”, Brig.Gen. Usman reeled out a dazzling kicker in these profound words;

    “… the role information management officers play in the various theatres of operations where the physical battle space is witnessing aggression in the forms of propaganda and psychological warfare which is compounded by advancement in information communication technology.”

    It is food for thought. The Nigerian experience in counter-insurgency operations especially in the Northeast drapes with narratives of bitter propaganda by the media in favour of terrorism, even when it became clear Boko Haram terrorists had been decimated and defeated. The advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its genre of Citizen journalism perforated the sacredness of media contents and assisted immensely in festering terrorists propaganda at the expense of state security.

    The social media provided platforms for all manner of reportage, which went into the public space, unregulated, uncensored and unedited. Nigeria has been seriously battered by both social media activists and media practitioners in the traditional media, as most aspects of news reports on the counter-terrorism operations in the country yawningly opposed the tripod of accuracy, fairness and balance. It further abused the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the country and with it, a compromised public security and safety.

    It is plausible to concede that some aspects of the negative reportage of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the country have been spurred by genuine ignorance and the innate helplessness of the reporter to weigh national interest over and above, the exigencies of scooping news. But there are also several instances where the media never faltered in promoting terrorists propaganda at the detriment of public security chiefly out of mischief and a carefully contrived agenda of insidiously emboldening insurgents for some pecuniary benefits. Here, the reporter finds himself doing the hatchet job for some veiled sponsors.

    This has been a serious cause of concern for information managers in war situations. This concern cannot be overlooked or ignored in an age where global consciousness is minutely activated by the media, which is made accessible and much easier with social media platforms. Therefore, the realization that propaganda is key to winning the war on terror explains why the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai spared no effort in matching cyberspace terrorism with the strength of a lion.

    The United States (US) Secretary of States, Mr. Rex W. Tillerson relieved the impact and the imperative for nations of the world to emulate the Nigerian example of the multifaceted strategies and tactics in combating terrorism. He was impressed that Nigeria’s Army Chief and leader of the counter-insurgency war, Gen. Buratai expanded his war-chest to include combating cyberspace terrorism in confronting Boko Haram terrorists, which Tillerson applauded as crucial in the decimation and defeat of terrorists in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the “Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS,” summit in Washington .D.C, Tillerson was plain thus; “But let me be clear: we must fight ISIS online as aggressively as we would on the ground.” It underscores the importance of good public relations management of propaganda in terrorism warfare.

    Therefore, the media worshop organized by the DAPR for media practitioners, with expanded participation to include editors, defence correspondents, as well as the Deputy Directors of Army Public Relations, Officers and some select soldiers of this Directorate from the field, is instructive, timely and beneficial to the participants. The media workshop became necessary to assist in training information purveyors on how best to report the counter-insurgency operations in the country anchored by the Nigerian Army, in models of reports which should conform with international best practices and at the same time, promote a sense of public security and patriotism to the nation.

    It is obvious that the DAPR has been instrumental in winning the war against terrorism and consummation of peace by Nigerians. It has mounted the media horse fearlessly, truthfully and unceasingly, which laid the template for public appreciation of troops restoration of peace and the stabilizing the rebuilding process in Nigeria’s Northeast. Sketches of news reports purportedly emanating from the theatre of war and ostensibly, from terrorists agents had from time to time attempted to disrupt and scuttle restoration of normalcy in the region.

    Nigerians witnessed how terrorists e-rats created imaginary terrorists attacks or magnified isolated, minor incidents of bomb explosions, to create fear of insecurity in returnee IDPs and persons who were stitching together pieces of their devastated lives. The negative reports were publicized in the face of glaring and evidential proofs of the defeat of terrorists and the fleeing of remnants of terrorists from the shores of Nigeria.

    But professionally and astutely, the DAPR deflated and countered such propaganda, which sole purpose was to embolden terrorists with the delusion of their potency to strike or competence to overpower Nigerian troops. Added to it, the vile terrorists propaganda was further amplified by other indolent media organizations which became copycats of unconfirmed and unverified news reports.

    However, while interest appeared galvanized in promoting fake and concocted actions of terrorists, the media disappointingly showed disinterest in publicizing the milestones and triumphs of Nigerian troops against insurgents on the battlefield. They unfortunately, failed to understand that the scenario projected two angles; becoming publicists for terrorists was just a sure way of encouraging the extremists and conversely, reflecting the established victories of soldiers against insurgents, served to weaken their zeal and resolve to continue with the war.

    But the DAPR continued to defray the reports and constantly furnished Nigerians with the true picture of the situation of the counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast. The directorate’s reports rekindled hope and instilled confidence in a population frightened by the propaganda of false might and strength by defeated terrorists.

    Consequently, the dismantling of camps, the return of IDPs, the normalcy of nightlife, the revived markets, farms and other commercial activities by victims of terrorism in the Northeast is testimony of the effective work undertaken by the DAPR.

    The media workshop exposed the participants to a range of techniques in reporting the terrorism war in Nigeria, identifying methods that could assist reporters dish out accurate information to the public as well as preserve, rather than endanger lives and property of victims trapped in the furnace of terrorism. It explains the reason for the DAPR’s engagement with the media and by extension the Nigerian public through the forum.

    The Director, DAPR, Brig. Gen. SK Usman sums the essence of the media interface in these words; “it is necessary to address a situation where its successes are often down played while opinions that tend to portray the Nigerian Army in negative light are being amplified, despite genuine efforts to put the records straight. More so, it is unfair that while we repeatedly affirmed our commitment to democratic rule and values, promotion and respect for Human Rights, attempts are still being made to whip up anti-military sentiments through unwarranted antagonism from some media outlets. This often manifest itself in the publication of unverified stories or outright posting of false stories and allegations.”

    It is therefore incumbent on reporters covering specialized beats like defence/war to observe the delicate divide between terrorism propaganda and patriotic commitment to promoting the ideas of public security for peace and development. In the prevailing case, the media is encouraged to avail themselves with the services of the active DAPR to dodge the temptation of becoming publicists for terrorists and their sponsors for the overriding national interest.
    Angula, a public affairs commentator wrote this article from the United Kingdom.

  • Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

    Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

    Last week delivered drama aplenty in the country. There were very interesting and, occasionally, distressing news items.
    We had the appointment of a young and dishy-looking woman, Mrs Zainab Ahmad as  Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria  (CBN), the almighty feud between Dr. Ibe Kachiukwu,  Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Mr. Maikanti Baru, Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the unfortunate outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa State among others.
     Of considerably bigger interest to me, however, was the reported truce between the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson.
    It was a huge surprise to many Nigerians, last Thursday, when Wike , in company of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, stormed the Government House, Yenagoa.
    After the customary  photo ops, Governor Dickson and his guests met behind closed-doors for about three hours. Both governors emerged from the meeting hugging each other right before the  inquisitive Government House correspondents, whom they later addressed.
    Wike, beaming with smiles as though he had just found a long lost brother, said his meeting with Dickson was very successful and expressed willingness to regularly compare notes with the Bayelsa helmsman.  He also praised Dickson for putting Bayelsa State on the path of rapid development.
    “I am not surprised because Dickson prepared for the office and so you can see the result. You know once you prepared for an exam, certainly you will pass very well and that is why Dickson has done very well for his people and for the Ijaw nation. What I have seen today has made PDP proud; it has made the people of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation ‎and the Niger Delta proud,”‎ gushed the Rivers State Governor.
    He particularly commended Dickson for building an iconic Governor’s Office Complex,  jokingly saying that he thought his office was grand before visiting Yenagoa and adding his colleague’s office will make him return to Port Harcourt and do something about his own office..
    Wike expressed his desire to partner with Governor Dickson in the area of political and economic development of the region as well as develop and share common ideas for the overall good of both states‎. He expressed confidence that his relationship with Dickson will consolidate the unity in the South-South zone.
     Dickson thanked Wike for the visit and the kind words he showered on him, saying he looks forward to working with him more closely to help develop regional integration.
     “We talked about a whole lot, including  security and developmental matters within our region‎ and in our respective states. As we progress, you will see all of this unfold and we will do so at the regional level in conjunction with all our brother governors”, Dickson said.
     The meeting came after a protracted cold war between the two governors. For long, the relationship between both men was frosty-and all fronts. The situation nearly shredded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and South-South development initiative known as BRACED Commission. The commission was conceived to foster regional integration and economic development among Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED).
    Their feud climaxed when Wike failed to invite Dickson and Bayelsa State to the recent Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of Rivers State, an event that should have had both states playing prominent roles, given that Bayelsa was carved out of Rivers State.
    Curiously, while the feud persisted, former President Goodluck Jonathan made no effort to intervene despite being viewed as a leader to the rowing governors.
    Indeed in some quarters, the belief is that Jonathan and his wife, Patience, were happy at the spat between the two governors and actively encouraged its continuation. While there is no confirmation yet that Jonathan and his wife caused the feud, no one is in doubt that Jonathan’s inability to reconcile the two governors puts a huge question mark on his personality and leadership of the South-South zone. Could Jonathan have been deriving some benefits from the quarrel?  Perhaps.
    My take from the truce is that Wike realised the need to mend fences with Dickson, did so with flourish and deserves commendation for placing the interests of the region above personal political interests. The cessation of the feud gives many of us and of course, the PDP and the Niger Delta, the chance to breathe more easily. It is only if the two states are at peace that the Niger Delta region will have peace.  It is when the two Governors are on the same page that Rivers and  Bayelsa states will continue to remain in the PDP and neutralize the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    For how long will the new-found peace last? Nobody knows exactly, but I hope it endures for the overall good of the Niger Delta and the PDP.
  • X-raying PMB’s Symbolic Visit to Operation Lafiya Dole

    X-raying PMB’s Symbolic Visit to Operation Lafiya Dole

    To say, I was infinitely inspired by President Muhammadu Buhari’s endearing remarks on the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria’s Northeast and the laudable efforts of the Nigerian military in curtailing the menace of Boko Haram Terrorism (BHT) in his 2017 Independence Day speech to Nigerians is to put it mildly. I was so thrilled to the extent, assuming age was in my favour, I would not have hesitated offering myself for the next enlistment into any arm of the Nigerian military. It captivated me with the feeling of garbing“khaki” to hop into the trenches with the rest of my fellow country men and women in the defence of my cherished country.

    Buhari’s speech reminded Nigerians on the necessity to appreciate the military which is fighting Boko Haram insurgency. He thundered; “… Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets…Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.”
    After the nationwide broadcast, President Buhari proceeded on an official visit to Maiduguri, the headquarters of the Command Theatre, “Operation Lafiya Dole,” as part of activities marking the 57th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. The action was symbolic in many respects. First, the verbal appreciation of the courageous and gallant troops by Mr. President from a distance was complemented by Buhari’s physical presence and interface with troops on the battlefield.

    The elations of troops hatched fresh resolves and determination to safely get to the victorious destinations of the war on terrorism. It means as individuals, and Nigerians, we could also personally appreciate the military in our small or big ways for the sacrifices they are making for our peace and security.

    The pacifying words of succor; the unexpressed words of “I am with you, in body and spirit,” by Mr. President were great stimulants and energizers that could push the fighting spirit of troops to break mountains hitherto dreaded, in search of victory. Anywhere in the world, the visit of Commanders-In-Chief of the Armed Forces is rare and when such visits occur, it changes the direction of several things.

    President Buhari also seized the unique opportunity to clarify any possible doubts on the minds of troops about his resoluteness on Nigeria’s peace and unity. Most importantly, he drummed it to troops that the survival of Nigeria depends largely on their patriotism and loyalty to the country; just like the dismemberment of Nigeria would also terribly commensurate burden on the military.

    PMB sermonized to our troops; “Even for selfish reasons, your loyalty ought to be to the centre, first. “The security of this nation is in the hands of God and in the hands of the security. If you don’t stand firm, I assure you if Nigeria doesn’t exist, the first to be insecure are the security agencies because no matter how many parts Nigeria will be divided, nobody will take another General to preside over his country.”

    Nothing can be greater than this Presidential visit to our troops in the North-East and the ensuing parley. It is further eloquent testimony that Mr. President is not only proud of the Nigerian military, but elated with their performance in quelling BHT and infinitely appreciates the sacrifices and difficulties, but crucially, their unwavering endurance to sustain peace and the unity of Nigeria.

    Quite surely, though, the President never uttered it, but President Buhari is over-joyed with the professionalism and discipline of Nigerian military. He is proud of a military now cultured on the abiding faith in civilian leadership of Nigeria and a military, which have factored absolutely as the guardians of our democracy, a departure from the destructive tendencies of the past.

    The Military high command is working persistently to victoriously vacate the last presidential order of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorism from our shores. The visit of the C-in-C is the sealing of this pact and the affirmation of the Nigerian Army’s effective co-ordination of the anti-terrorism campaigns in the Northeast.

    My attention is not distracted on the fact that through the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency campaigns, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Nigerians are testifying to the military’s records of meeting the C-in-C’s target of ridding the nation of elements of terrorism, in the Northeast and elsewhere in Nigeria.

    It is incontrovertible that Gen. Buratai has proved his mettle as a leader; he has exemplified in a dozen ways his dexterity and professionalism in the handling of the Boko Haram insurgency. On the strength of this reality, Gen. Buratai and his colleagues at the warfront must consistently remember that Nigerians are still anxiously awaiting the final termination of Boko Haram terrorism with the capture of its factional leader, Abubakar Shekau. It is a task we have deemed accomplished, as we have explicit confidence that God will answer our prayers.

    We are no less happy at the execution of the last presidential order, which saw the relocation of all Service Chiefs to Maiduguri and the halting of the insurgents attacks on soft and vulnerable targets in the region. They are irrefutable signs of the final receding of terrorism in Nigeria.
    The raising of Mobile Strike Teams in the North East by “Operation Lafiya Dole” has thrown the leadership of insurgents into disarray. The Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin and with the pleasurable news of blocking terrorists’ logistics bases and routes, the stage has been laid for the final victory over insurgency, which Gen. Buratai and his troops are poised to consummate anytime soon to the delight of all Nigerians.

    As Nigerians continue to appreciate and identity with Nigerian troops at the battlefield, we are sure Gen. Buratai and his colleagues would strive to win the hearts of the people. They must do everything humanly possible to ensure the peace and victory over terrorists which the military have railroaded is sustained to greater levels of success and victory.
    We have not lost sight of the personal sacrifices of troops in prosecuting the terrorism war, much as we are equally empathetic about the deprivations they have endured so that the rest of us can have peace and Nigeria remains one indivisible entity, as against a country dismembered by extremists with some weird ideologies.
    Nigerians will continue to burn the midnight candle in beseeching God for the success of the military in this war. And we are already singing the victory song in anticipation of the day Gen. Buratai flanked by his lieutenants would mount the rostrum to break the cheering news that Boko Haram terrorism is finally over in Nigeria.

    We have set a banquet awaiting the celebration of every one of you.
    The military must realize that although, they are physically on the battlefield, warring with terrorists; but in the actual sense, it is all Nigerians that are at war with insurgents. The military should be buoyed by this reality.

    There is no pretenses that those actually fighting terrorists are the same Nigerians who voted President Buhari to preside over the affairs of this great and prosperous nation at this time in history. And that’s why terrorists cannot triumph over the rest of us. It is our common resolve that we shall never allow characters, with satanic philosophies and ideologies, backed by evil foreign forces to seize the land of our forebears.

    It is on this premise that we hinge the optimism of the inevitably total elimination of Boko Haram terrorists and other budding terrorists sects in the country by the military. Nigeria must be free!

    Raheem, a public affairs commentator and strategist contributed this piece from Barnawa, Kaduna State.

  • Buratai’s Everyday Success Syndrome

    Nigerians are witnessing rare changes in the country from all angles under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Even the Armed Forces which were confined to the unsavoury history of neglect are experiencing positive changes. He has demonstrated that the military is not only good for the trenches alone, but also deserve psychological and physical comfort life can offer so as to excel in the performance of their constitutional duties.

    A military arm which its leadership is foremost in justifying the essence of the niceties of change is the Nigerian Army. There are now noticeable features about the Army, which have been scarce for ages in Nigeria. The leadership of the Nigerian Army by the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has prioritized welfare of personnel and the protection of human rights of Nigerians by soldiers anywhere they are deployed to serve the country.
    Despite the economic crunch, what has consistently preoccupied Gen. Buratai’s mind and attention is the sustained focus on the development of office and residential accommodation for Army personnel. Gone are the days when soldiers lived in dilapidated barracks or decrepit office accommodation.
    Upon assumption of office in July 2015, Gen. Buratai toured army formations across the country to personally access the physical infrastructure in army barracks and get firsthand information about the problems of welfare confronting soldiers. He was saddened by the decay in army barracks and the acute shortage of office and residential accommodation for soldiers. He vowed to effect and change. He proceeded to engage governments at all levels, particularly the Federal Government for immediate intervention.

    Gen. Buratai brought the attention of Nigeria to the horrible condition of army barracks in Nigeria at the inauguration of the multiple renovated residential accommodations for soldiers at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Jos.
    He had bemoaned; “It is an unfortunate situation but over the years you can see the state of dilapidation and state of decay in the barracks. The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate but these are just the measures that we are taking to address the situation and we will continue to solicit for more support from government. The decay is enormous but thank God that in this year’s budget there is provision for barracks renovation.”
    And in the last one year, Gen. Buratai has rekindled the confidence and pride of soldiers with streaks of barracks renovations, building of new office and residential accommodation for the Nigerian Army across the country. The result of the renewed interest in the welfare of soldiers is manifest in more ways than imagined. The high spirit soldiers’ exhibit on assignments, posting excellent performances is in informed by the prompt payment of salaries and other legitimate allowances. Much more, soldiers now bask in psychological and physical happiness as personnel who live and operate in humanly habitable, decent and state-of –the art office and residential facilities.
    And the Army Chief has kept unflinching faith with the issue of soldiers’ welfare and has continued to explore new frontiers. A few days ago, at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Gen. Buratai commissioned several residential and office accommodation in the sustained struggle to improve on the shameful shortage of office accommodation in Army Barracks.
    Impressively, the projects were not just a reference point in quantity, but quality architectural edifices, which spurred instant excitement in the beneficiaries. They included 18 flats for personnel at the rank of Corporal and below , comprising both married and singles officers accommodation; a 20-bed Hospital and six offices for Human Rights Desk Offices to handle cases of alleged violations of Human Rights by soldiers within the 7 Division, Nigerian Army.
    At the commissioning ceremony, Gen. Buratai hinted that “These laudable projects are meant to provide decent living accommodation for officers and soldiers and their families as well as conducive office environment to execute your tasks efficiently. I will therefore urge you all to make judicious use of the facilities while remaining focused in your tasks to consolidate our achievements so far. The Nigerian Army under my direction will continue to provide you with the requisite welfare and logistics to enhance your efficiency in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities.”
    The excitement it generated among officers and personnel was palpable, expressive of professionals relieved of a sickening problem of accomodation. The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, captured the mood and leadership focus of Gen. Buratai in these words, “enhancing the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel remains one of the cardinal points of the COAS vision” in order “…to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles’’.
    But the Northeast is not the only region favoured by improved military infrastructure. The drums had earlier reverberated in several other parts of the country. Months back. Gen. Buratai commissioned projects at Elele Barracks, Rivers State at the activated 6 Division, Nigerian Army. Among the array of projects he commissioned were the Chief of Army Staff Guest House, constructed by the Rivers State Government and donated to the Nigerian Army; he unveiled Officers’ transit accommodation camp, the 6 Division’s Guests House and four blocks of 10 apartments for the Junior Non-commissioned Officers, in the Port Harcourt barracks.
    A similar action also took place in the Northwest, as Gen. Buratai commissioned a Nigerian Army unit in Daura town, Katsina state under the 1 Division Nigerian Army. It is a unit his administration has created and provided with take-off facilities to enhance security in the area. The Army Chief named the new army unit as the Fort Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operation Base, Daura, Katsina State and the new Army unit is in compliance with the Nigerian Army approved Order of Battle 2016 (ORBAT 2016) by the Army Council.

    Furthermore, Gen. Buratai also launched the newly built headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at his hometown Buratai in Biu local government area of Borno state. And at Okene, in Kogi State, the Army boss again commissioned a Forward Operation Base, military barracks. At the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the development streak of the Nigerian Army berthed at Giri, where a new army cantonment also named Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment at Giri came on board. The cantonment is replete with fanciful structures to carter for both office and residential accommodation of soldiers.
    Elsewhere, Gen. Buratai has ensured both renovation or construction of new accommodation for the Nigerian Army, as evident at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State, Office of the Military Secretary at the Army Headquarters Abuja and , the building of a new army barracks in Otukpo, Benue
    state.
    No doubt, these accomplishments have been possible with Gen. Buratai’s prudent management of lean resources in a transparent manner. The Army Chief is a leader who has shown commitment and zeal to improve the welfare conditions of his personnel. He sleeps and thinks the welfare of soldiers and with a mindset fixated on the everyday success of the Nigerian Army, the results have been the series of facelift of Army barracks in Nigeria.
    Therefore, there is every indication that if the Federal Government sustains the tempo of funding support to the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai would not only bequeath to Nigeria, a disciplined and re-professionalized army; but parade a military arm that operates in a conducive and befitting accommodation environment. Had his predecessors devoted such attention to the welfare of soldiers, the barracks would not have been in such a mess, as he inherited it.
    A leader, who resists the temptation of embezzlement and who thinks more about excellent service to his subordinates’ deserves applause and should be encouraged to sustain it. Gen. Buratai Is popular among Nigerians and soldiers because of his selfless service. So, when he is petted with appellations like the “ Soldiers’ General,” or the “Project COAS,” it stems from a pure heart of appreciation.
    Nigerians are probably hearing of barracks renovations or building of new office and residential accommodations for the Nigerian Army for the first time after a long while. It is really relieving and a sign that Nigeria appreciates her military.
    Okpabi sent in this piece from New Nile University, Abuja.

  • Ondo: The hidden wealth of a Nation

    Ondo: The hidden wealth of a Nation

    The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the hills spread across the towns showing magnificent view of the horizon, sitting among the dense forested planes that characterize southwestern Nigeria. What and where are we talking about? It is the Sunshine state, Ondo. The domain of intellectuals that harborshuman, capital and natural resources- the habitat home of the rich, wealthy and prominent; the natural environment for animals, plants and other organisms; and a blessed large deposit of Natural resources of oil, rubber, rock, tourism etc.

    It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State and it originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was carved out in 1996 by late former Military Head of State, General Sanni Abacha. Akure is the state capital.It is Located in south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria -majorly, the Yoruba people-known for its hospitality and warmed welcome for strangers, visitors and foreigners.

    The state is predominantly occupied by the Yorubas who speak various dialects of the language such as the Akoko, Akure, Apoi, Idanre, Ijaw, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo and the Owo. Ondo State, which is indeed a miniature of the Nigerian nation, is blessed with resourceful, industrious and hospitable people.

    Her crop of educated elite has led to its being classified as one of the most educationally advanced states in Nigeria. With a population estimated to be 3,441,024 based on preliminary 2016 census figure; comprising 1,761,263 males and 1,679,761 females.The State’s economy is basically agrarian with 65% percent of the State’s labor force in the agriculture sub-sector –like farming, fishing and trading.

    From commercial city of Lagos, its geographical location serves as gate way of economic movement and activities to the northern partof the country including the federal capital territory by Akoko-Ikenne-Lokoja road that links to the North which also situated many stop-overs, hotels and brothels for travelers and commuters. The same also can be said of Benin-Ore road-the busiest after Lagos-Ibadan express road- to the Eastern and Southern-riverine states. And presently, the administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has commissioned the construction of a 50km road project from Araromi area in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State to Akodo in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government in Lagos State that would open up the villages that could benefit from coast line huge development spinning off from Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    The life patterns of the people represent an embodiment of culture, ranging from the local foodstuff to the way of dressing, dancing, wood crafts, such as, carved house posts and decorated doors. The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual of the people achievement speaks volumes. Antiquities and artifacts are also preserved in palaces of traditional rulers some of which have been declared as National Monuments at Owo which houses the wood and ivory carvings, brass and bronze works, excavated at Egbaren Estate, Owo in 1971

    The State has a land mass of about 14,788.723 Square Kilometres (km2) and it geographically lies entirely in the tropical belt. The tropical climate of the state is broadly of two seasons which are the rainy season between April and October and dry season between November and March. A temperature throughout the year ranges between 21 °C to 29 °C and humidity is relatively high. The annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm in the southern areas to 1,150mm in the northern areas. The state enjoys luxuriant vegetation with high forest zone (rain forest) in the south and sub-savannah forest in the northern fringe.

    Ondo State is richly blessed with varied and favourable ecological and climatic conditions with vegetation ranging from mangrove swamps to southern coastal riverine areas through the rainforest of the midlands to derived savannah in the northern part of the state suitable for cattle grazing.

    Idanre Hill(s) listed in UNESCO world heritage sites, is one of the most awesome and beautiful natural landscapes in Ondo State and Nigeria. Located in Idanre Town, about 24 kilometres southwest. The flora, fauna and the topographyof the place is a great virtue of mankind creating excitement to fun lovers of nature witnessing spectacular view of the town. Igbokoda Water Front, Iponle-Iloro Waterfalls, Oko Marie Hills at Oka-Akoko, Ebomi Lake at Epinmi-Akoko are other interesting place to visit in the state.

    By and large, the Ondo people relatively peaceful environment when compared to other Niger-Delta states. In this fourth republican government, the state has gone through smooth transitional transient of power from one party to another without rancor or breakdown of law and other showing how civil and enlightened the people of the state are. This alone has pushed the state be one of the highest rates on investment returns in Nigeria by providing enabling environment for investors. Knowing fully well that security is a major part of development.

    This fact makes her a most viable investment destination for agro allied industries. There is cultivation of high varieties of arable and fruit crops such as cassava, rice, maize, sugar cane, cashew, maize, mangoes and tomatoes, cocoa, oil-palm produce and rubber. The state is also the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria, responsible for about 40 percent of the country’s production.

    The state possesses a wide ocean fronts and the longest untapped coast line in Nigeria about 180km, bigger and larger than that of Lagos that can gross in millions of revenue for private investors and government like it does in Lagos. The wide variety of fish deposits account for the core of economic activity in the riverine area of the State.

    The presence of a large deposit of stockfish offers remarkable opportunities for potential investors. Ondo state contributes 12 percent of the entire oil production and has one of the largest gas reserves in Nigeria. Bitumen deposit in the state is the largest in Africa and 2nd largest in the world with over 42billion reserves and probably of the highest quality.

    Taking a break from this path, now that number of big oil companies accept that in future they will probably invest less in oil and more in natural gas, as well as in renewable energy and batteries. The world economy is shifting away from oil production as predicted by Rabah Arezki, head of commodities at the IMF, that oil may “at the onset of the biggest disruption in oil markets ever”.

    Ending the oil era and putting more effort to fossil fuels, because oil is an exhaustible resource, new sectors need to be developed so they can take over as the oil and gas industry dwindles. While some countries have ample reserves, hydrocarbon resources in a number of Arab countries could be depleted in the foreseeable future. However, even non-oil activities in many oil-exporting Arab countries are to some extent dependent on funding from oil revenues. The same cannot be said of ours. Nigerian oil reserved has been depleted on white elephant projects creating a lot of confusion.It is time to look away from oil and follow the trend of diversification.

    The Ondo State newly revitalized airport aside the daily Lagos to Akure Air Peace passenger flight, has the potential of being a major cargo hub in West Africa with Key partnership in sub sector include- passenger Terminal completion and equipment installation, runway rehabilitation and expansion, airport facilities development, construction of cargo terminal, bond warehousing and refrigerated spaces for perishable goods and maintenance hangers for planes.

    Also, immense potential to be a maritime hub in West Africa, advantages to investors include: two Free Trade Zones both of which have made accommodations for ports in their masterplan; over 100km of coast line with natural depths of 14m – 18m allowing for the construction of deep sea ports capable of handling the largest class of container vessels thereby saving costs for Ship-to-Ship activities -less than 40km via the coast and inland waterways to Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest market. The facilities on the State’s coastline are closest to three major oil fields in the country; ABO, BONGA and ERHA.

    It is an incontrovertible fact that crude oil has contributed substantially to Nigeria’s revenue, ever since its discovery in 1956 while admitting a paradigm shift away from oil, the federal government has shown commitment to diversify the economy of the nation to other sectors of the economy. It will be highly beneficial for foreign and private investors to look inward and see the potential of the Sunshine State.

    Adeyeye, an International Trade and Investment Lawyer, is a native of Akure, Ondo State. He can be reached via adeyeye@yahoo.com

  • The quiet gas revolution in Nigeria

    “This is the beginning of Nigeria’s gas revolution. Today marks the day we have been waiting for in the past 30 or more years.’’ These were the ecstatic remarks made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, moments after the signing of a Gas Sale and Aggregation Agreement by Greenville Oil and Gas Company Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/ Total Joint Venture and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria in the Minister’s Board Room at the NNPC Towers, on Tuesday 29th August, 2017.

    The Gas Sale and Aggregation Agreement (GSSA) Kachikwu was referring to was for the delivery of 74 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) of gas to the Greenville Oil and Gas Company Limited’s US$500m mini-LNG facility in Rumuji, River State. Under the agreement, Nigeria is to make available to Greenville, a Belgian oil and gas company, a daily supply of 74 million standard cubic feet to the company’s mini-LNG plant at Rumuji near Port Harcourt, River State which sits on an area of 97 hectares of land. Greenville will then process the natural gas in its 22250 tons per day installed facility into LNG and use her initial stock of 250 trucks to distribute the products across the country for domestic consumption.

    Greenville has today become the pioneer Nigerian domestic LNG producer with the main objective of extending gas supply to regions not served or under served by gas pipelines with the hope of producing cheaper energy to many companies and households for industrial and domestic uses.

    The agreement signing ceremony was actively supervised by Kachikwu. The ceremony also had in attendance the representatives of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), Greenville Oil and Gas Company Limited (Greenville) and Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN). The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Gas Association led by its President, Mr. Dada Thomas, was also there to witness the historic deal.

    Ibe Kachikwu in particular had every cause to be happy and to even beat his chest in some form of self-congratulation because what had just unfolded was masterminded by him in fulfilment of one significant arm of the 7 Big Wins programme, the short and medium term priority plans for growing the oil and gas industry which was launched in September last year by President Muhammadu Buhari. The execution of that agreement was a remarkable milestone in the development of Nigeria’s gas market because it fits into the Buhari Administration’s plan to diversify the economy from crude oil to gas based industrialisation.

    The rationale for the on-going shift in favour of gas is that Nigeria is even more of a gas producing nation that an oil producing one. It is interesting to note that the most dominant natural resource Nigeria has is not crude oil but gas. Nigeria is known to have a proven natural gas reserves of 188 million cubic feet (tcf) and she is ranked 9th amongst countries with the largest gas reserves in the world after Iran, Russia, Qatar, Turkmenistan, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Venezuela.

    That volume of Nigeria’s gas reserves will last longer than our crude oil reserves and earn us more revenue than oil in the longer term. What is more, with many prophecies that in the next 15 or more years oil will cease to be a major foreign exchange earner for the nations that produce it, it is just as well that Nigeria is moving much more strongly in the direction of gas. In today’s environment-conscious world, gas is a more environment-friendly energy source than crude oil which has such a ruinous effect on the environment.

    One tragedy of the Nigerian gas situation which the arrangement with Greenville hopes to cure is the fact that Nigeria currently produces about 22 million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) all of which she exports with not a single drop for domestic consumption!

    But following the August 28th agreement Greenville will ensure that domestic LNG market will be serviced. Greenville is to the LNG domestic sector what MTN is to the Nigerian telecommunication sector. As happened when MTN opened  the mobile telecommunication floodgate and others flooded in, it is expected that with the pioneering role of Greenville in Nigeria, other gas companies are likely to follow in droves as LNG is said to be far cheaper and more environment- friendly than other forms of energy such as AGO and DPK.

    For a man like Kachikwu who is not given to speaking in hyperbolic terms, his euphoric outpouring at the agreement signing event, no doubt, reveals the depth of his feeling on what is, by all standards, a landmark achievement in the nation’s oil-dependent economy. The recent revelation by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigeria has ridden herself out of recession due largely to the performance in the oil and gas sector, should be heart-warming to the man superintending our oil and gas affair. The increase in revenues earned from the oil and gas sector is what has proved pivotal in increasing the growth of about 0.55 percent in Nigeria’s GDP. That sector, with especial focus now on gas, still holds the hope for Nigeria’s economic salvation even as valiant efforts are made to diversify the economy away from fossils fuel.

    Indeed, for President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy minister, oil is what brought Nigeria low but they nevertheless believe that the astute management of the critical hydrocarbon sector is what will get Nigeria permanently out of recession and bring long lasting growth and development to the nation’s economy. Ramping up revenues from oil and gas will hasten Nigeria’s economic recovery agenda.

    What will be the benefits of developing gas and marketing it? The economic and other pay-offs are too numerous, according to experts. Development and popular use of LNG in Nigeria will reduce the notorious Greenhouse Gas Emissions, reduce gas flaring especially in the already devastated parts of the Niger Delta region; it will also reduce transport cost and the cost of fuel importation and it will lead to the growth of industries, the growth of employment and the overall growth of the national economy.  The Greenville deal, for instance, is calculated to create thousands of direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs. LNG which is held as the energy of the future has innumerable social, economic and environmental benefits.

    What was done on August 28  is what we ought to have been doing since the discovery of hydrocarbon in commercial quantities oil in 1956 and the discovery also that Nigeria is a gas province with oil in it. But, as the saying goes, it is better late than never.

    • Alibi is the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
  • ALGON: Sustaining Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) and the new initiative

    ALGON: Sustaining Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) and the new initiative

    C-LAP being a Comprehensive Agricultural Plan for Local Government Areas and a blueprint for agricultural revolution.

    ​
    PREAMBLE: The partnership entered into by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and a consortium of five world class reputable firms and institutions which birthed the Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) has indicated growth indices in production as well as output in the Nigerian Agricultural sector.
    The benefits of the project has been highlighted to ensure sustainability by the new executive committee of ALGON ably led by Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye to key into the initiative so as to consolidate on the gains recorded and transform the 774 local governments in Nigeria in line with the focus of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to develop the third tier of government, diversify the economy and make Nigeria not only self sustaining in food production but a major exporter of food.

    BACKGROUND: “CLAP: Road Map On Improving The Agricultural Situation in Nigeria”

    Nigeria is an agrarian society, with agriculture contributing about 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). About 70 percent of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for livelihood. Nigeria is presently facing several challenges in agriculture sector. These problems can be attributed to natural and human causes affecting overall economic development and growth. This has consequently undermined socio-economic growth and thus constitutes a threat to the federal government of Nigeria’s “vision 2020”.
    Recent assessments of the situation in the country confirm the scale of the problem has risen above what communities, local governments, states and federal government can address without help from development partners.
    Consequently, the association of the local government of Nigeria (ALGON) is adopting a bottom –up approach through a comprehensive plan for development of agriculture (CLAP) at “local government level” in 774 LGAs of Nigeria towards the improvement of the agricultural sector.

    THE PROJECT:

    C-LAP is an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of LGAs in agriculture allied sectors. CLAP will add value to Nigeria’s agricultural raw materials and integrate Nigeria into world agricultural markets. ALGON has initiated the process of C-LAP at grassroots level to achieve the following:
    * Prepare a comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.
    *Enable optimum utilization of scarce natural, physical &financial resources.
    *Assess and plan for the infrastructure required to support the agricultural development.
    *Establish linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research etc.
    *Evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmer’s income.

    CONCEPT FOR SUSTAINED PARTNERSHIP:

    1. The C-LAP recognizes that agricultural commercialization is a complex and dynamic process involving social structure, hence its major focus would be on the farmers, traders and processors as the key agents of commercialization, and not on commodities that can be commercialized.

    2. (i) As the stakeholders in the commercialization process are poorly integrated, an integral part of the plan is to provide institutional mechanisms that facilitate the emergence of effective networks and value chains.

    (ii) Emphasize on the need for a demand-driven approach, where the key players themselves make investment decisions related to technology, infrastructure, marketing and capacity, rather than the investments being supply driven by the public sector.

    3.Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary, secondary, tertiary markets and distributive and export market at a national level.

    4. Creating opportunities for value addition by establishing food processing industries in the LAGs and one customized mega Food Park for each state depending on the raw material availability.
    METHODS:

    To address the forward linkages, the project will:
    1. Design food mart retail chain model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.
    2. Strengthen the entire value chain form seed to pate with a shorter value chain ensuring the additional cost at competitive prices. Therefore, aggregating 774 farms and liking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks will result in enhancing the net income.
    3. It will also create business opportunities for franchise operators, jobs for the youth; reduce wastage of agricultural produce as there is a defined retail network to absorb production. Further, empowering farmers and Agripreneurs through self-employment as an option for their additional income or a full-fledged livelihood sustainability.
    4. Create opportunities for private investors to invest in food chains and finally the business can be taken to the capital market in 3-4 years so that ALGON has a major benefit and becomes a financially viable tier of Government.

    THE BIG IDEA:

    The objective of the project is to design an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of local area in general and agriculture and allied sectors in particular. The planning process should be initiated at grass root level i.e. at village /micro-level and obviously the planners at village level will have to collect the Basic primary data. The objectives of comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) are:
    1. To prepare a comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.
    2. To enable optimum utilization of scarce natural, physical & financial resources
    3. To assess and plan for the infrastructure required to support the agriculture development
    4. To establish linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research etc.
    5. To evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmer’s income.
    6. Establish one integrated model/demonstration forms (5 – 20 ha. Each) in each of the 774 LGAs
    7. Aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks.
    8. To address the forward linkages; the project will design food mart retail chain motel to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.
    9. Designing of mega food parks (one per each state) which will be customized to the Local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park.
    10. Designing farmer’s markets in each LGA mega market at the state capitals and one at national level.
    11. To create opportunities for private investors to invest in food chains and finally the business can be taken to the capital market so that ALGON has a major benefit and sustain at its own.

    HOW C-LAP IS STRUCTURED:

    The C-LAP process will ensure local need based and appropriate strategy for the upliftment of the agricultural sector of the country as a whole. The constitution of the plan will be focused on the following aspects:
    1. Agricultural plans are prepared for the local area/district and then integrated in the agricultural plans of the state based on the agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology,
    2. Local needs / crops / feed and fodder / animal husbandry / dairying / fisheries / priorities should be reflected in the plan.
    3. Productivity gaps for important crops and livestock and fisheries will be reduced and the returns to the farmers from these are maximized
    4. Quantifiable qualitative changes in the productivities of the above
    5. Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary, secondary tertiary markets and distributive and export market at national level
    6. Evaluation of opportunities for valuate addition by establishing food processing industries in the LAGs and one customized mega food park for each state depending on the raw material availability
    7. Livestock and fisheries options may be given due consideration as a n important source of income
    8. Infrastructural needs may also be quantified
    9. Risk Analyses and risk mitigation measures may be given proper space in the plan document.

    DELIVERABLES:
    ✓ Designing of comprehensive local government area agricultural development plan
    ✓ Submission of monthly and annual progress reports based on agribusiness strategy.
    ✓ Field /Exposure visits reports.
    ✓ Procurement of tractors and other farm machinery, implements, office equipment etc.
    ✓ Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary secondary, tertiary markets and distributive and export market at national level.
    ✓ Aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks
    ✓ Design food mar retail model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers
    ✓ Evaluation of opportunities for value addition
    ✓ Designing of mega food parks (one per each state ) which will be customized to the local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park
    ✓ Training and capacity building plan/module for implementation of Agribusiness strategy.
    ✓ Technical leaflets, pamphlets, bulletin in collaboration with technical team.
    ✓ Documentation of best practices and success stories of agribusiness in the project.
    ✓ Establishing one integrated model farms in each of the LGA
    ✓ Mid-term and End project impact assessment reports of agribusiness related works of the project.

    PROJECT KEY OUTCOMES:
    Outcome 1: Designing models, sustainable agricultural technologies and practices for demonstration in the model farm, thereby promoting adoption of farmers centric research centric research. It shall also help to improve on the yield and generate adequate income to manage the overheads and enterprise costs to demonstrate business viability. This will ultimately assist to attain food sufficiency, a much desired goal for food security.
    Outcome 2: Community –level farm enterprises (cereals, High value Crop, Root crops, Livestock, Horticulture, Vegetable farming, floriculture, medicinal plants, farm mechanization, organic farming, Green Manure, Bio-fertilizers, Fodder crops, Mushrooms, Apiary, Social forestry, Boundary plantation, Vermicompost, and community vermincompost facilitated and established In project area under the guidance of international consultants, locally recruited staff and other partners.
    Outcome 3: linking prospective producers and buyer’s to promote convenient marketing of the farmer produce in each LGA. Farmers shall be longer feel the effects of price fluctuation since they shall be able to buy own produce and sell later when price stabilizes. Linking farmers to market at national level.
    Outcome 4: Generating immense employment opportunities for community in each LGAs at large given the diversity of activities involved in integrated farming system and eventually improving the health and quality.

    Outcome 5: Attract heavy investment for establishment of mega or micro food processing centers with higher level of processing to help in minimizing post harvest losses, improving value addition, crop, diversification, ensuring better returns and increased Export earnings. Mega food parks will provide state of the art infrastructure facilities for the food processing along the value chain from the farm to the market. It will include creation of infrastructure near the farm, transportation, logistics and centralized processing centers.
    The aim of food processing industries is to rise the processing of perishables in the country form the existing 2% to 4%, value addition from 20% to 35% and increase the share in global food trade. The expected outcome is increased realization for farmers, creation of high quality processing infrastructure, reduction in wastage, capacity building of producers and processors and creation of an efficient supply chain along with significant direct and indirect employment generation. It is expected to establish 10-15 food processing units in each of the mega food park in each state and employment generation of all at least 2000 from each mega food park is expected. Designing of mega food parks (one per each state) which will be customized to the local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park.

    Outcome 6: provide institutional mechanism for producers, and retailers to work together, to establish a sustainable raw material supply chain for each LGA. Supporting the different types of direct farmer-to –consumer markets and the wide variety of marketing channels used to distribute foods nationally, internationally through ‘farmers Market thereby, building capacity to enhance marketing opportunities through the purchase of new equipment, such as increase refrigerated storage, warehouses etc.

    Outcome 7: Develop new market opportunities for farm and arm operations serving local markets, b developing improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assisting in the development, improvement and expansion of both direct –to- consumer marketing outlets and infrastructure supporting local and regionally produced food products.

    Outcome8: Optimize export potential of agriculture sector through a paradigm shift from supply-led production to export-demand driven high value agriculture by cultivation of high values crops like cassava, cocoa, cola nut, ginger, and cashew etc.

    Outcome 9: Diverse enterprise, to increase resilience of LGAs, to withstand any adverse conditions on the farmer’s field that may threat the agricultural situation and may cause risk to livelihood

    Outcome 10: Farmers, youth, women and children trained in sustainable agricultural practices, technologies and enterprise models, both in the farm and in the communities. Communities from LGAs and other NGOs will be trained based on the demand. Will also empower them through capacity building eventually creating an enabling environment for them to start large scale farming and also to diversify production into areas that are economically more feasible.
    Outcome 11: Strengthen of rural communication services for improving grass root level exchange and linkages. Communities around the farm mobilized and the office bearers of LGAs trained to govern and manage farm in the long run, so that the community leaders are readied to take over management of farm in the coming year.

    Outcome 12: Models, experiences and practices tested and documented and shared for replication and reference. Demonstration of new technologies in farming, mechanization, establishment of integrated model farm and aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks. Design food mart retail chain model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.

    Outcome 13: Encourage large scale production, improving farm worker’s productivity, production efficiency and improving the quality of farm produce.

    Outcome 14: employment Generation: the project is expected to generate direct employment of 2700 in nursery production, pack houses and integrated model farms, mega food parks processing units and indirect employment of 5000 persons per LGA is as follows:
    ➢ Managerial and scientific manpower​​​​100 persons
    ➢ Skilled manpower in Mega food park​​​​600 persons
    ➢ Unskilled manpower​​​​​​2000 persons
    ➢ Indirect employment like transport, marketing etc​​5000 persons
    TOTAL​​​​​​​​7570 Persons
    Outcome 15: Agriculture Revolution, self-efficiency, Replicability, Import Substitution and exports to neighboring countries.

    THE CONSORTIUM:
    The consortium is made up of five globally recognized reputable firms and institutions namely, The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), The Career Point University, the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Progressive Research Organization for Welfare (PROW) and Global Agrisystem.
    BRIEF ON THE FIRMS:

    The

    International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna, has 15 country offices and about 1,000 staff members representing more than 30 nationalities.

    The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was established in 1988 as a not-for-profit trust. MSSRF was envisioned and founded by Professor M. S. Swaminathan with proceeds from the “First World Food Prize” that he received in 1987. The Foundation aims to accelerate use of modern science and technology for agricultural and rural development to improve ives and livelihoods of communities.

    The MSSRF follows a pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature approach and applies appropriate science and technology options to address practical problems faced by rural populations in agriculture, food and nutrition. These efforts have been undertaken in a participatory manner and in partnership with other knowledge-based institutions, public and private sector organizations and local communities.

    From a small beginning, across the years, the Foundation has made its impact felt in various dimensions making a difference to the lives of over 600,000 farm families impacting livelihood of 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk every day with influence that spreads across 18 countries

    The Career Point University

    Core values of the University are defined to provide good services by good governance system. ONS, MEMBERSHIPS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAMS

    The University programs are approved by the Regulatory Commission of HP Government and fee structure by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
    PROW

    Progressive Research Organization for Welfare (PROW) is an autonomous Research and Development consultancy Organization, PROW was set by a team of experienced, eminent and young Professionals with a capability to provide a wide range of research and consultancy services in wide areas including community Development, Environment Management, Feasibility & Situation Analysis, Project and Program Evaluations and Market Research.

    The PROW professionals are committed towards the systematic inquiry, that is designed to collect, analysis, interpret and use data to describe, predict or control a phenomenon either in social or in market sector. In brief, our professionals are devoted towards using research as a basis for generating new knowledge as also for guiding towards better policy formulation and planning.

    PROW has three wings- Research, Field Unit and Data Analysis & Management working in close co-ordination with each other. PROW besides having a panel of more than 50 field investigators has a panel of consultants/technical experts and collaborating organizations on project basis. This arrangement gives PROW the strength to undertake research in a large number of areas.

    Hence PROW professionals are rated high for appropriate conceptualization, strategic thinking and most relevant research based recommendations for improved effectiveness of interventions.

    Global Agrisystem

    Incorporated as Cebeco India with Cebeco Group Cooperative, Holland on 13th January 1998, Global Agrisystem offers consulting , technical assistance, post harvest technology and fresh produce.
    It operates in India and Africa.
    Ü By partnering with farmers on an equitable basis, Global AgriSystem will position itself as India’s premier Supply Chain Managers, providing best quality fresh produce to retailers, exporters and processors.

    Ü Global AgriSystem will revitalize Indian agriculture by introducing post-harvest technology and management skills of the highest international standard.
    Attend the seminar coming up in Abuja on the 4th of October, 2017 for the A-Z on this revolutionary program.

    Agbese is a strategist and sent in this piece from Abuja

  • Egwu Eke II: Soldier, Na Our True Friend!

    Egwu Eke II: Soldier, Na Our True Friend!

    Before now, screaming the word soldiers anywhere in Nigeria would attract instant public panic and hysteria. Nigerian military and especially soldiers had a disgusting public aura. They had an unenviable tag as unfriendly professionals, brutes, barbaric and torturers of civilians.

    It was bloody for a “bloody civilian” to inspire military instincts in a soldier, anytime, anywhere. Any civilian victim of a soldier’s intemperate anger was sure of his path to his instant extinction by the demons of hell on earth, before advancing the gates of hellfire.

    But such dispositions and beastliness in soldiers have ebbed out surprisingly under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The appointment of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai was informed by several reasons, which also included the inclination of the Presidency to reform, reposition and re-professionalize the Nigerian Army.

    Undeniably, Gen. Buratai has handled this assignment expertly. These days, the portrait of an average Nigerian soldier anywhere oozes with discipline, professionalism, friendliness and uniquely sociable .

    Nigerians can concede defiantly that in the last two years, Nigerian soldiers have been engaged in numerous special assignments in almost every part of the country. Soldiers have repressed the tempo of militancy in the Niger Delta and determinedly at the verge of the final lethal blow to Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast.

    Neither the armed bandits and cattle rustlers in the Northwest have had the grace to overwhelm civil security and civilians anymore nor their marauding armed comrades terrorizing Nigerians in the Middle Belt, as evidenced in the herders/farmers clashes.

    Insurrectional groups, which have assumed the character of terrorists have kept grumbling and groaning. Soldiers are reinventing their absurd radicalism and repugnant fanatical ideologies to make them better human beings to co-inhabit with other Nigerians peacefully. They preach repentance or resort to combat where necessary for public interest. What is more fascinating is the friendly mien, the civic decorum and the infinite zeal of soldiers on special assignments to passionately protect the human rights of Nigerians.

    The ongoing Operation Python Dance II in Southeast Nigeria, translated into the Igbo vernacular as “Egwu Eke II” is one such rewarding operations to fortify internal security undertaken by the Nigerian Army. In 2016, the clarion call on soldiers necessitated the launch of Operation Python Dance I to cleanse the region of armed criminals who had unrestrictedly seized the peace and security of the Southeast.

    The success of the operation resounded in more ways than imagined, just like what the Army replicated elsewhere in Nigeria. Nigerians now perceive soldiers more as friends and protectors, than trumpeters of war or tormentors of the civilian population. No intention to malign, but today’s Nigerian soldiers are more friendly than the Police.

    Operation Egwu Eke II has definitely attracted some few negative remarks. It is not unexpected, as only a narrow-minded person would think of absolute acceptance of actions of government. In fact, divergent views enliven and strengthen democratic engagement.

    But what cannot be divorced from the “pythonic dance” anchored by the Nigerian Army, in compliance with a Presidential directive is its desirability and timeliness in salvaging a region which had almost given up hope on a peaceful and secured environment. The name of the operation itself is expressive of the denotations.

    In Igbo land, the python snake has a likeable myth to Igbo people. Erudite scholar and literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe explained the value of the python snake to the Igbo in the novel, “Things Fall Apart, ” as a reptile perceived as an ancestral guardian of the people, to the extent no Igbo native dares to kill a python snake in his compound. And if such act is committed in inadvertently, he performs some appeasement rituals and accords the python burial rites similar to a human being.

    So, the Army’s choice of the operation as “Python Dance” itself embodies and explicitly explains the protective mission of soldiers in the Southeast region. It is monotonous to reiterate again that the Southeast has been plunged in weird and violent crimes.

    The Southeast like any other region in Nigeria is not immune or insulated from violent crimes. But with the ascendency of Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), violent crimes engulfed the Southeast and reached a crescendo that submerged the strongest pillars of civil security.

    Before the intervention of Operation Python Dance II, an outsider who visits the Southeast and observes the trend could easily run a hasty conclusion that the undignified life of crime delights and pacifies Nigerians. The falsity of the conclusion is measured by the screams and the near perennial psychological trauma victims of violent crimes precipitated by IPOB keep recounting. It is an indication of strong repulsion to what Kanu and his gangs in IPOB had imposed on the people through crude force.

    No responsible and responsive leadership abuses the sacred provision of the Constitution which confers on any leader the onerous responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizenry. President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) could afford to dilly-dally on some national issues; but dusts off his comic content when threats to public peace, law and order are involved.

    The spate of terrorism and other violent acts which besieged Nigeria, when PMB assumed office in 2015 were not only fantastically awful , but potently choked and suffocated Nigeria. It was dragging the nation into the regrettable path of total ruination, had it been allowed to persist. But he acted swiftly, deploying civil security and burdening soldiers where necessary to secure Nigerians. Operation Python Dance II stems from this mindset and the lamentations of weary citizens over torture by super armed gangs, kidnappers/abductors, assassins and , armed robbers with undisguised affinity with IPOB.

    The one -month span of the Operation Python Dance II is slightly two weeks old, but respite has returned to a once troubled Southeast region. The initial suspicions and cynicisms, which wrongly ascribed the status of brutes to Nigerian soldiers have eclipsed into eulogies of soldiers as peace descends on the Southeast.

    The notion that soldiers were deployed to crush the Igbo nation into submission to federal forces has vanished into the pleasurable savouring of the peace and serene environment violently deprived them by armed gangs. Disciplined and professional soldiers are diligently prosecuting this assignment flawlessly.

    It explains why Nigerians are not stampeded with tales of torture, killings and inhuman treatment of the civilian population even when excited criminals overstretch their bond of radicalism and hostility by unjustifiably attacking soldiers in the line of duty. In extreme situations, soldiers arrest and treat them like fellow compatriots, by serving them food and refreshments.

     

     

     

     

     

    The ordinary Southeasterner, much like the elite, with huge investments in the region, which were intermittently threatened by looting by IPOB’s armed criminal gangs, are collectively singing a new song of liberation. Soldiers have mingled and blended with the civil populace, who are determined now, more than ever, to assist them with privileged information to fish out hardened criminals from the hideouts.

    And to checkmate any dereliction of duty, the COAS constantly excuses himself from the theatre of war in Maiduguri to supervise the operations of Operation Python Dance II to ensure strict adherence to the best rules of engagement and the religious observance of the human rights of members of host communities. This cordial interface has railroaded into free medical services to host communities as these soldiers are famed in the North or South.

    Just recently, Gen. Buratai personally supervised the free medical services, conducted by troops of Operation Python Dance II. It is their distinctive courtship of host communities anywhere they are deployed on special assignments’. The patriotism of soldiers drafted for the operation is legendary, as reflected in the physical and psychological content and fitness, excited by prompt payment of salaries and legitimate allowances.

    An African adage says, after darkness, comes sunshine. Operation Python Dance II has berthed in the Southeast and it is performing a marvelous job to the admiration of law abiding and peace-loving Nigerians in the region. Those scary or gripped by phobia are the armed criminals, who make mince meal of the police but dread soldiers. They are the elements on the run, as the previously obliterated commercial and night life in the region are nicely reviving.

    Those pained by the presence of soldiers and instigating a barrage of campaigns against them are the same criminals who have not been allowed to dupe, loot , assassinate and violently rob the people in preparation for yuletide that are loudly complaining about militarization or arguing for withdrawal of troops.

    The new feeling of security traversing the Southeast is best surmised by the Abia state Deputy Governor, Chief Ude Oko Chukwu who has not only poured unreserved appreciation to the Nigeria Army “for this wonderful exercise, ” but pontificated that “Abia is better for it security wise”. It’s the new status of the Southeast engineered by soldiers.

    It is the guilty who dreads every shadow; much as it is only doubtful and criminal minds that read from different interpretations and perceptions about the presence of soldiers anywhere. But every peaceful and responsible Nigerian echoes loudly today that “soldier Na your friend!”

    Odoma wrote this piece from Asokoro, Abuja.‎