The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Kauru Local Govt: Still at the mercy of bandits

    Kauru Local Govt: Still at the mercy of bandits

    Sir: Recently, the senator representing Southern Kaduna, Marshall Katung, called on both the federal and Kaduna State government to do something urgently to bring to an end, the menace of banditry in three local government areas of Southern Kaduna, including Kauru Local Government. Indeed, the senator merely spoke the minds of many communities in Kauru Local government who in the last two years have never known peace due to the incessant attacks and kidnapping of helpless farmers by bandits.

    Last year, a retired director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was kidnapped with over N300 million paid as ransom before he could regain his freedom. His abduction came at a time when many communities lost their loved ones through kidnapping with the lucky victims only released after millions of naira was paid was as ransom.

    The army of displaced people scattered across Kauru town and other adjacent communities such as Pambegua presents a dire situation that needs an urgent attention. Many farming communities are yet to harvest their crops due to the fear of the unknown. In recent time, efforts were made by Kauru Local Government chairman, Bashir Dawaki, to engage the services of a Civilian Joint Task Force, popularly known as yan bulla to provide security in remote rural areas. The truth however is that the yan bulla cannot, in any way, match the superior fire force of the well-armed bandits.

    Indeed, the yan bulla carried out covert operations and combed up the forest which serve as the hideout of bandits. The operation which lasted for some hours ended up without achieving the desired objectives. The unsuccessful operation by CJTF further emboldened the bandits leading to more attacks and sacking of many communities.

    Read Also: Before Nigeria’s VAR complaints

    Kauru Local Government is a predominantly farming area with majority of its people engaging in agricultural production. Economically, Kauru Local Government communities feed Kaduna State with grains, legumes and other consumable food stuffs and by extension the country at large. For instance, Pambegua, Anchau and Saminaka markets get their uninterrupted supply of good and services from many of Kauru’s communities. With Kauru communities experiencing frequent attacks and farmers abandoning their farms, the grains supply chain has been disrupted with severe consequences on farming activities, jobs and wealth creation.

    Unless concerted efforts are put in place to nip into bud the dangerous activities of bandits, there is tendency that many farmers will not cultivate their land next year. This will lead to food insecurity not only within the local government but also the state. Kauru Local Government has a vast and fertile land. It is estimated that no less than 50 tonnes of grains are being cultivated annually. Unfortunately, the bandits have reduced the area to ghost towns as many inhabitants migrated to safer communities.

    To address the challenges, there is the need for Kaduna State government to solicit support of federal government to establish military formations. The victims of bandits in remote areas have complained that they hardly get emergency response when they come under attacks. This cannot be unconnected with the fact that security personnel are far from bandit-ravaged communities. If military formations are established in strategic locations across the nook and corner of the local government to provide emergency security response in case of distress, the activities of bandits can be squarely addressed. The government should also intensify intelligence gathering to identify informants and logistics suppliers.

    •Ibrahim Mustapha,Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • Board appointees: Heeding the president’s advice

    Board appointees: Heeding the president’s advice

    Sir: While constituting the boards of the 42 federal agencies and organizations recently, President Bola Tinubu advised them to steer clear of the day-to-day administration of those organizations.

    The president’s advice presupposes them to see their role as purely advisory and promotional. They are the think-tanks for their various agencies and organizations on how best to achieve their objectives and goals.

    Given the composition of the boards, which presumably are round pegs in round holes, they seem best suited to advise the organizations’ managements who are bound to respect their views and prognosis. Take the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) for example, the chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi (CFR) was Director General of NIIA and Minister of Foreign Affairs under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1987).

    His board constitutes an asset to the NIIA in its quest to achieve its objectives and profound goal in foreign policy maintenance for the country. Ditto for all other board appointees and their organizations. Nonetheless, over time, despite board appointments, the supposed fortunes of most government agencies and organizations continue to be abysmally ossified. Lack of progress in most of these agencies and organizations have been at the heart of the beck and call for their disposals or privatization.

    The debacles of most government organizations or agencies can be listed under five headings.

    One: the undue dichotomy between board appointees and agencies’ officials. The intolerable disposition of agencies officials who see appointees as interlopers who have come to milk them under the trite pretext of performing oversight functions for the government.

    Read Also: Ten Nigerian designers to watch in2025

    Two: the idea of political appointees seeing their appointment as reward for their labour for the party in power. As such they become desperate for both monetary and material rewards irrespective of the resourcefulness or otherwise of their agencies or organizations.

    Three: the usual unhealthy rivalry among board members to gain chairmanship predilection to be favourably treated above other colleagues in the scheme of things.

    Four: the usual disappointment and low morale by board members when monetary and material resources are not forthcoming as expected from the organizations to meet their expected needs.

    Five: the tendency by ambitious political appointees to turn their appointment to political manoeuvring and gerrymandering preparatory for the next election. While not involved in the day today administration of the agencies, board members can at least be think tank for budget debates and implementations for their organizations.

    They should also constitute advisory body for policy and plan implementation for their organizations or agencies. The government should give the boards targets in terms of the development of those organizations and should not hesitate to dissolve any board that fail to meet up with such target.

    Boards must be resourceful and result oriented and like ministers, chairmen of boards should brief the president on quarterly basis about the progress of their organizations. Board appointment should no longer be business as usual if the best are to be achieved from their composition and appointment.

    • Sunday Olagunju Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • States’ fixation with council funds

    States’ fixation with council funds

    Some state administrations just can’t get their fingers off funds federally allocated councils, which the Supreme Court says must be autonomously administered. Cross River became the latest state to enact a local law undermining that autonomy.

    The apex court had in July 2024 affirmed the financial autonomy of the country’s 774 local governments in a suit brought against state governments by the Federal Government. The court held that councils should henceforth receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), and that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to councils in their respective state.

    On the strength of that judgment, councils were billed to start receiving their allocation directly from the AGoF in January 2025, although they eventually didn’t because many had not opened accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as necessary. State governors were not happy with the Supreme Court’s verdict and many voiced their displeasure openly, with some states enacting laws prescribing debits from council allocations after the fact of the apex court’s decision.

    Cross River lately joined the wagon, as its house of assembly okayed the deduction of 7.5 percent from monthly federal allocation to each of the state’s 18 local government areas. The policy is contained in the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025, which scaled second reading and the committee stage, and was passed for third reading by the assembly. Besides the 7.5 percent monthly deduction, each council is mandated to commit a stipulated amount to the state reserve fund.

    Read Also: Eight Nigerian Artists to watch out for at 2025 Grammy Awards

    The bill was sponsored by the assembly’s Majority Leader Davies Ita, representing Abi state constituency. During its sitting, the Chairman, Joint Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Eyo Bassey representing Bakassi constituency, laid the bill before the house and it was adopted as a working document. Bassey said the State Local Government Law 2007 was first amended in 2008 and further amended in 2011, and “it has been harmonised for clarity now.”

    The amendment prescribes other deductions from the monthly allocation of each council. These include a monthly deduction of one percent for the house oversight function, and 0.5 percent for the state community and social development agency. The bill also prescribes one percent deduction to fund the University of Cross River State, and 0.5 percent for the Office of the Auditor-General. There is also four percent deduction for the state road maintenance agency, and one million naira each to be paid into the state reserve fund.

    Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), late last year warned states sternly against enacting laws aimed at circumventing the verdict of the apex court. It would seem Cross River authorities weren’t listening.

  • Chukwueke: Spirituality and humanitarian gestures

    Chukwueke: Spirituality and humanitarian gestures

    • Reasons for embarking on 2024 Christmas palliatives to women, indigents across Imo
    • By Sir Amby Uneze

    Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, marked by various traditions and acts of kindness across the globe. It is also a season of showing empathy on the people especially women and the indigent ones in the society. Due to the moral undertones attached to it, a prominent and compassionate member of the society in Imo State, Chief Jerry Chukwueke (popularly known as Ohamadike, The Geat Mobilizer) took the State by storm and distributed Christmas Palliatives to the people.

    While others who engage in  palliative distributions would attached political gains to their actions, it is important to draw attention the motives of Chukwueke which were purely based on spirituality and humanitarian gestures. In this regard, his particular intention was to enhance the wellbeing  of the vulnerable communities.

    Therefore, the role of spirituality during Christmas is fundamentally a Christian celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, which embodies values such as love, generosity, and compassion. These values foster a sense of community and encourage acts of kindness toward the less fortunate. Spirituality during this period acts as a guiding force, enabling individuals and organisations to focus on sharing resources and uplifting those in need.

    Jerry Chukwueke’s initiatives resonate with the essence of Christmas by emphasising love and care for the less privileged, showcasing how spirituality can translate into impactful actions that benefit the wider community. This initiative indicates that spiritual values strongly influence communal life and humanitarian gestures, especially during festive seasons.

    The distribution of palliatives directly addresses the needs of women and the indigent population in Imo State, who often face economic challenges exacerbated during the festive season. Therefore, initiatives like the ones undertaken by Chukwueke are critical for empowering women and alleviating the plights of the indigent people.

    The practical impact of Chukwueke’s Christmas palliatives are profound. By focusing on women and indigents, and bringing together over 5000 of them that benefitted from the gesture expresses the desire to give hope to the less privileged in the society. The palliatives included food supplies (rice), financial aid, and health services, which are essential for improving quality of life. No doubt, palliatives serve as a crucial buffer for those at risk of falling deeper into poverty.

    Empowering women through support can lead to improved family welfare and community resilience. Studies have shown that when women have access to resources, they are more likely to invest in their children’s education and healthcare, driving positive changes throughout their communities. In that case, Chukwueke’s initiatives not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to the broader goal of fostering sustainable development in Imo State.

    The ceremony which spanned for about three weeks on daily basis took him and his entourage to many communities in the State, including the Catholic dioceses of Ahiara, Orlu and the grand finale took place at Owerri Archdiocese premise. The finest moment was that it was a non-denominational activity that brought all people of diverse religious groups together.

    The most interesting and emulating aspect of the events are the smooth and orderly strong floor management applied that made the whole episodes peaceful and organized, having security of the lives of the beneficiaries at heart.

    Read Also: Chukwueke: Spirituality and humanitarian gestures

    In his short messages at every point, Chief Jerry Chukwueke encouraged the people to continue to have faith in the government of the day and never to lose hope with the current situation of things in the country.

    He opined that the reforms that are going on in the country today would surely lead to a lasting economic greatness, and likened the scenario to that of a great farmer who plants seeds, water them and waiting patiently for it to germinate and at the end he happily harvests his bountiful fruits. He also enjoined the people of the State to continue to support the administration of the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma in his efforts to reposition the State better. He added that the governor “is doing well and needs all the support to succeed citing example with the Egbu-Mbaise-Umuahia dual carriage road which has reduced dreadlocks and crimes on the axis during this yuletide.”

    The Provincial President of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Hon. Placidus Onyedikachi Chijioke thanked Chief Jerry Chukwueke for remembering the Laity and starting with Owerri Province where he came from, he opined that every beneficiary was carefully selected and also seen as the most vulnerable.

    He assured their guest (Chukwueke) of making sure the story of his benevolence is heard in all parts of the Catholic community in Nigeria.

    Leaders from Owerri Archdiocese and that of the Orlu and Okigwe dioceses, in their separate speeches expressed satisfaction with the organization of the program and tagged it as the most peaceful and well planned events.

    Also touched by the love of empathy shown by Chief Chukwueke, Rev. Fr. Lacerian Iwu, the Cathedral Financial Administrator of Ahiara diocese, prayed for him and blessed the items before effective and efficient sharing begun without rancour or stampede. The most significant milestone achieved in this initiative was the quiet and peaceful scene devoid of stampede and other unpalatable stories that were associated with huge gatherings of crowd in sharing of palliatives across the country. Chukwueke applied wisdom, security intelligence and strong tool management techniques to ensure hitch-free programme.

    Some of the beneficiaries expressed happiness and prayed to God to continue to bless Chief Chukwueke in his endeavours as the highlight featured prayer section by the beneficiaries on the sponsor of the programme. Based on the excellent arrangements put up by the organizers, there were encomiums showered on  Chukwueke by the beneficiaries and the the Church leaders. To this end, Chukwueke has scored high points in the management of people which he is used to that long ago earned him the title of ‘the great Mobilizer’.

    Having successfully concluded a statewide palliative programme, Chukwueke commenced the sponsorship of some communities in the State for the enrollment of the State Health Insurance Scheme which began from his Awaka-Ihitteogada clan in Owerri North Local Government.

    He eulogized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodinma for the community health insurance scheme initiatives. Over 5000 residents of his clan are benefiting from this health insurance scheme. Chukwueke also promised to enlist another set of 5000 beneficiaries from across the State into the health insurance initiative. This is indeed a marvelous gesture that needs to be commended holistically.

    This separate occasion had the presence of the Imo State Health  Commissioner, Dr. Prosper Success Ohayagha who assured the Awaka-Ihitteogada community leaders that the State government would take urgent steps to rehabilitate the moribund Awaka Healthcare Centre.

    “This insurance scheme for Awaka and Ihitte Ogada communities means that your people will access free medical treatment from the premium your son, Chief Jerry Chukwueke will pay.”

    In his remarks, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, Executive Secretary of IMSHIS thanked Chief Chukwueke for his bold initiative to help his people access free healthcare. “This act of kindness,” he said, “is the best thing anyone can give to his people. The most significant advantage is that community members will have access to free healthcare services, eliminating the financial burden of medical expenses and hardship. The residue effect is an improved health outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality rates.”

    Chief Jerry Chukwueke, said that he  decided to embark on this project as a sacrifice and to share with others God’s blessings and grace upon his family. The innate desire to touch people’s lives, he said, is a family trait that is in tandem with the just concluded statewide palliative program  for women and indigent families.

    He further said that for the cynics, everything must not be viewed in the cynical lens of politicking “because real hard earned personal resources are involved, and the desire to touch people’s lives and make a difference is real,” saying  “God gave his best and all to redeem mankind and we are today the apostles of the great commission to reach out and touch the lives of the least of our brothers and sisters amongst us. He used the opportunity to appeal to men and women with the means and capacity to do the same for their communities and, by doing so, reduces the burden on the governor and the governed.

    Making his vote of thanks, Justice Paschal Nnadi, Retired Chief Judge of the State who will  oversee the enrollment of residents of the clan into the health insurance scheme, expressed the gratitude of the people of Awaka ancient kingdom to one of their illustrious sons for his act of benevolence and generosity to their people and the good people of Imo State. He prayed for divine guidance, protection,  sustenance, and grace to continue his good works.

    The efforts made by Chukwueke in Imo State exemplify how spiritual values can catalyse meaningful actions that uplift women and the indigent population. By recognising the needs of these groups and responding with acts of kindness, he not only addresses immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for long-term empowerment and development.

  • Climate Change: The position of US under Trump’s presidency

    Climate Change: The position of US under Trump’s presidency

    •     By Adebayo Adeleye

    The presidency of Donald Trump has been marked by a series of controversial decisions and policies, none more significant than his stance on climate change. As the world grapples with the challenges of global warming, Trump’s administration has been criticized for its attempts to roll back environmental regulations and withdraw from international agreements aimed at mitigating climate change.

    A Shift in Climate Policy:

    During his first term, Trump gutted federal climate initiatives and attempted to roll back 125 environmental protections critical to safeguarding people and the planet. Many of these attempts were overturned or halted in the courts, but a second Trump presidency is likely to be more successful in undermining laws and regulations designed to protect the climate, air, water, and vulnerable communities. Some of the major setbacks expected under a second Trump presidency include massive cuts to climate-focused agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Interior, with climate-hostile directors at the helm. Expanding oil and gas production and limiting clean energy development are also likely, as well as rescinding billions in unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and reallocating them toward high-carbon activities.

    Read Also: IGP orders enforcement of third party insurance Feb 1

    The Impact on International Agreements:

    Trump’s presidency has also had significant implications for international agreements aimed at addressing climate change. In 2017, Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a decision that was widely criticized by world leaders and environmental groups. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement also requires countries to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    The Role of Subnational Actors:

    Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s presidency, subnational actors such as states, cities, and businesses have played a crucial role in advancing climate action in the United States. In response to Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a coalition of cities, states, and businesses came together to form the “We Are Still In” movement, committing to meet the emissions-reduction targets set in the Paris Agreement. Many states have also enacted ambitious climate policies, such as California’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 states and territories, has collectively committed to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050.

    The Importance of Clean Energy:

    Clean energy has been a crucial component of climate action in the United States, with many states and businesses investing heavily in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, includes significant incentives for clean energy development, including tax credits for wind and solar energy. Despite Trump’s attempts to roll back environmental regulations, clean energy has continued to grow in the United States, with renewable energy sources accounting for an increasingly large share of the country’s energy mix.

    Conclusion:

    Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and the presidency of Donald Trump has posed significant challenges to climate action in the United States. However, despite these challenges, subnational actors such as states, cities, and businesses have played a crucial role in advancing climate action, and clean energy has continued to grow in the United States. As the world looks to the future, it is clear that climate action will require a concerted effort from governments, businesses, and individuals around the world. Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s presidency, there is still hope for meaningful climate action in the United States and around the world.

    References

    ¹ World Resources Institute. (2024). Climate Action Opportunities and Setbacks under Trump.

    ² Carbon Brief. (2024). Experts: What does a Trump presidency mean for climate action?

    Dr. Adebayo Matthew, Adeleye (Ph.D., Ibadan)

    Researcher on Environmental Pollution and Control badeleye@gmail.com  +234 803 525 6450

  • Unanswered questions about youth Confab

    Unanswered questions about youth Confab

    Sir: During his state of the nation address in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proposed a 30-day youth conference to be held in the first quarter of the 2025.

    People like us who are not blinded by sentiments have commended the president because of our optimism and believe in Nigeria. In the same vein, those who don’t wish the country well have condemned the forthcoming conference. They have already expressed misgivings and negative views about the confab. They have called it many names.

    But in a country where 60% of the population are youths, the youth conference will go a long way in providing better channels for the youth to express themselves.

    The youth conference is very important at this point in time. It is not a “jamboree” as some cynics try to portray it.  Because there is no way you can gather people in the name of conference without getting sound ideas that would help the process of nation-building.

    Nigerian youth are not uninformed. They are savvy and cerebral; and therefore, the conference will yield the results.

    Read Also: How Nigerian students balance academics with side hustles

    The conference will also create opportunity for networking amongst the diverse youth groups; strengthen national unity and integration and reinforce the spirit of democracy and democratization in our country.

    Yet, in spite of its significance, the Ministry of Youth Development failed to make budgetary allocation to the conference. No single kobo has been allocated for the national youth conference in 2025 budget. How come there will be a national youth conference; yet there is no budgetary provision?  It is a bad sign that despite the priority that President Tinubu attached to the conference, the ministry sent a budget proposal without a kobo for the youth conference.

    Even if the minister in charge is planning to go on begging development partners and rich people to fund the conference, which I am in total opposition, there’s still need to have a budget that can be scrutinized not only by the National Assembly, but also by all Nigerians. This will ensure accountability and transparency.

    Another unanswered question is the modality of selecting the delegates to attend the conference which the ministry is yet to release. How many state, local government and national delegates will be selected, and who will be responsible for selecting them?

    It should be borne in mind that we are talking about national conference; not local, state or zonal conference. It is also not an engagement with youth organizations. It must follow conference standard and format otherwise, it will not be a conference.

    •Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,Unguwa Katsina.

  • Agriculture varsities and their budgets

    Agriculture varsities and their budgets

    Sir: There are six agriculture universities under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). During the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the then Minister of Agriculture – Chief Audu Ogbe in his quest to mirror successful models in other countries where agricultural education is closely linked to agricultural governance relocated the universities of agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture rather than the Federal Ministry of Education. This arrangement was to foster partnerships with agricultural stakeholders, including donor agencies, agribusinesses, and international organizations, and help position the academia to develop innovation in the agricultural sector so that they will help the federal ministry drive its vision for the sector.

    It was expected that the universities align their programs, research, and training with national agricultural policies. By doing so, they are better positioned to contribute significantly to agricultural research, agricultural extension service delivery, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

    Many years down the line, it has become important to track the progress and lessons learned on this relocation. I use the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) as a reference, although it is not significantly different across the other five universities of agriculture except for the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa State.

    The FUNAAB was allocated a total of N13,857,441,794 for the year 2025, about N12,568,346,291 are for overhead with over N8 billion for salaries and wages, and only about N1,289,095,503 is slated for capital expenditures. In the capital budget to the FUNAAB, there are just four budget line items, and they include; (i) construction and rehabilitation of intra-campus road networks (ongoing) (N100,167,800), (ii) rehabilitation of existing sporting facilities in FUNAAB main campus (N32,000,000), (iii) construction and furnishing of office complex for technical and administrative staff (phase one) (N700,490,478), and (iv) construction of dam for the provision of clean water, distribution network, and irrigation system (reticulation) (N80,000,000).

    It is worrisome to discover that the plan of an institution like FUNAAB revolves around the four items. It is more worrisome that their budget hardly reflects the vision of being a center of excellence in knowledge generation for global development. The budget did not suggest any plan to support the government towards its agricultural transformation agenda. What is more shocking is that the budget lacks substance and is not a reflection of the needs of a specialized academic institution of research and learning.

    Read Also: Remain hopeful, nation’s turnaround is near, Bishop Adelakun urges Nigerians

    I think that a university of agriculture should allocate funds for groundbreaking academic programs, technology, and research activities. Grants, fellowships, and scholarships for students and researchers should be part of the budget. The budget line items should be associated with things like agro-industry development, career services, and upgrading infrastructures like classrooms, laboratories, and hostels. There should be investments in specialized machinery, IT infrastructure, software, digital learning platforms, cybersecurity, and data management systems.

    Unfortunately, a quick appraisal of the capital budgets of the other universities as such did not establish evidence of intelligence and efficiency in resource allocation, academic and institutional planning, and the vision of meeting the objective of looping them with the Ministry of Agriculture ab initio.

    Apart from the universities, there are over 20 institutes and colleges of agriculture also falling into the trap of poor resource allocation. The budget of an academic institution of agriculture typically should have various items that reflect its educational, research, extension, and administrative activities. It is even possible to invest in agro-allied industries in these institutions as students are trained to be agro-entrepreneurs.

    For these institutions to be under the FMAFS, it should ensure a seamless connection between academic research and practical applications in the field. However, for a center of knowledge to fail to demonstrate excellence in resource allocation is rather unfortunate. Going forward, I think the Ministry of Agriculture should guide these universities in designing plans and curricula that address the specific needs of the agricultural sector for national development.

    •Godswill Aguiyi,godswill.aguiyi@gmail.com

  • Trump’s tough policies, wakeup call for African leaders

    Trump’s tough policies, wakeup call for African leaders

    Sir: President Donald Trump on assumption of office as the 47th president of the United States has instituted a comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration and has broadly suspended U.S. foreign aid. Although these actions have different immediate targets, they send a powerful message to African leaders that reliance on foreign aid is increasingly unstable and fragile, and there is no better time than now to work towards self-sufficiency.

    Shortly after his inauguration, Trump enacted Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This order significantly broadens the scope of expedited removals and enhances interior enforcement activities (Federal Register, 2025). It authorizes government agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to carry out large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants. This operation has led to extensive raids in major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, resulting in the detention of thousands of individuals. The administration’s strong stance is further evidenced by the deployment of military assets to expedite deportations. Military aircraft, including C-17 flights, have been used to repatriate deportees to their countries of origin.

    The Trump administration has announced a 90-day suspension of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs as it conducts a thorough review to ensure alignment with the “America First” policy. This abrupt halt in aid has significant implications for international aid organizations, particularly in Africa, where many countries depend heavily on U.S. support for essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. The immediate consequences of this suspension are severe. For example, in Ethiopia, the withdrawal of funding has forced organizations like Action Against Hunger to halt critical nutrition programs, leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals, including malnourished children, without necessary assistance.

    The emergence of these policies starkly illuminates the vulnerabilities inherent in a heavy reliance on external powers. The extensive deportations will undoubtedly result in a significant influx of returnees to various African nations, many of whom are likely to face formidable challenges as they attempt to reintegrate into societies they left behind years ago. The simultaneous withdrawal of funding poses a grave threat to essential services, exacerbating already pressing socio-economic issues that have long plagued these communities.

    African leaders must come to a critical realization that dependence on foreign aid and the exportation of labour is neither sustainable nor effective strategy for fostering long-term development. It is imperative to seek alternative pathways that empower local resources and harness the potential of their populations to build a resilient future.

    Read Also: NIBSS: Nigeria’s e-payment transactions hit $703b

    Given these unfolding trends, African countries must adopt a strategy centered on self-reliance and resilience. This means diversifying their economies to reduce reliance on a narrow range of exports and external financing. By investing in technology, solutions-oriented research, efficient energy, and value-added agriculture, countries can create jobs and foster sustainable economic growth. Additionally, strengthening governance frameworks to improve transparency and accountability will attract both domestic and international investments. Implementing effective tax collection mechanisms and addressing corruption can enhance public revenue, enabling governments to finance their development initiatives independently. Regional cooperation is also essential for achieving these goals.

    The current geopolitical landscape, although poses significant challenges for African countries, however, also provide a critical opportunity for reflection and change. African leaders must seize this moment to reshape the future of their nations by implementing policies that promote self-sufficiency, economic diversification, and regional cooperation. By doing so, they can mitigate the impact of external policy changes and build a foundation for sustainable growth that is resilient to the fluctuations of global politics.

     The deportation policy and the suspension of foreign aid are not just policy decisions; they serve as urgent reminders for Africa to prioritize self-reliance. By rising to this challenge, African nations can transform difficulties into opportunities, paving the way for a future where their destinies are shaped not by external influences, but by the collective will and resourcefulness of their own people.

    •Tosin Afeniforo,Italy.

  • Cash transfer politics

    Cash transfer politics

    Revelations by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted challenges faced by the Federal Government in implementing its conditional cash transfer programme. He said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that certain people were trying to influence the composition of the social register for the scheme. 

     According to him, “Some people want us to bend and allow the governors or the states to just generate the list and send. It’s a conditional transfer; conditions are attached to qualifying to benefit from the social safety net.

    “So, we will not bend to allowing any political affiliation or attachment to this conditional cash transfer.”

    In July 2023, some state governors had questioned the integrity of the national social register and considered it unreliable. They gave the impression that the existing register had no input from the states. However, the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) explained that the national social register “is an aggregation of state registers built by each of the 36 states and the FCT.” 

    Yilwatda’s revelations suggest that some political players still oppose the existing cash transfer register and want states to create their own, despite NASSSCO’s explanation of their involvement in its making. This is curious.

    Furthermore, the minister said the government had validated the identities of only 1.2 million out of 19.8 million Nigerians captured on the country’s social register to qualify for social safety nets. It is unclear why the identities of more than 18 million are unvalidated.

    Read Also: Nigerian women key to Africa’s projected $29tn economy by 2050 – Shettima

    Identity validation is crucial. If the processes are uncorrupted, identifying and validating the identities of the poor for cash distribution should be uncomplicated. The large number of unvalidated identities suggests the existing social register may be corrupted. It remains to be seen how many identities will ultimately be validated.

    Also, the minister said he suspended the cash transfers, explaining that National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) were now compulsory for all digital transfers for audit and transparency purposes. “It is going to be clearly digital,” he stated.

    He noted that the scheme is “a partnership between us and the international community involving also the World Bank and civil society organisations (CSOs),” adding, “This time around, we are carrying the CSOs along so that we will ask them to verify all payments. They can do follow-ups and we can have some levels of transparency in what we are doing.”

    It remains to be seen whether the conditional cash transfer programme can be implemented without any whiff of corruption.

  • Good move by Kano’s Hisbah

    Good move by Kano’s Hisbah

    • By Kene Obiezu

    Sir: In Kano State, the  Hisbah Board (Hisbah) operates with all the power and authority of a religious police, which it is. Backed by the state government and drawing what it considers its extensive moral and spiritual authority from the Quran and Sharia Law, the body has been a force to reckon within the state for many years now.

    From seizing and destroying alcoholic drinks to prevent the consumption of alcohol in the state, to enforcing public decency by enforcing modesty among residents by sometimes shaving young boys, to banning the public display of mannequins by cloth sellers, the morality police has been at the center of maintaining public decency in Kano State for many years now. Its efforts have sometimes seen it enter into the very eye of the storm. But in a country where it is easier to become controversial than correct or credible and creditable, it is no surprise that Hisbah is controversial with all the work it does and how charged its encounters can be in the course of doing its work.

    Read Also: Alleged N110.4b fraud: Prosecution opens case, calls first witness in Yahaya Bello, others’ trial

    In Nigeria, the North clearly has the highest number of out-of-school children. A large chunk of these kids are resident in Kano State. A lot of these kids are cast-offs of the Almajiri system of education, a prominent feature of life in Northern Nigeria.  Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, may have recently sought to draw a dichotomy between almajirai and out-of school children, but the spectacular failure of her attempted categorization in the face of the sheer number and destitution of children who beg every day for a living while they should be in school put paid to any further hopes that almajirai are not out-of-school children.

    In the light of the darkness that the out-of-school children represent, Hisbah must be commended for recently relocating about 230 of these children from the streets of Kano. It is clearly a step in the right direction. Kano State witnessed the dangerous use to which these innocent children could be put during the protests of August 2024 when many of them were conscripted by criminals to wreak havoc on public property in the name of peaceful protests.

    The children should be sent to proper schools with the full support of their parents and guardians. Alongside school, they should be made to learn technical skills and entrepreneurship to prepare them for the future. They could also be used as peace ambassadors with a special remit to stand against terrorism in its many dangerous forms.

    That is what the Kano State Government is doing by keeping them in Hajj Camp and away from the streets. This is highly commendable.

    •Kene Obiezu,

    keneobiezu@gmail.com