The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • US presidential election: Why Harris will beat Trump

    US presidential election: Why Harris will beat Trump

    By Tiko Okoye

    Many eyebrows were raised when Biden picked Kamala Harris as his running mate, given her very early exit from the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. And throughout the last three-and-half years, Harris was generally dissed as a drag on Biden. But she unexpectedly and amazingly moved with the stone-cold deftness of a mafia boss to quell likely sources of opposition to her coronation by leaping like a charging bull from the starting line. And GOP aficionados, including Trump, who reasoned that she would be a much easier opponent are beginning to regret that Biden’s dismal debating performance opened the way for her emergence.

    Nobody can honestly question the extraordinary energy, infectious camaraderie, effusive amity and tangible unity that have been the lot of the Democratic Party since the handing over of the baton to Harris in less than 30 short days – a period within which she has turned a majority of frustrated Dems, who were beginning to tearfully resign themselves to a Trump victory, into born-again believers and fighters in the process! 

    Of course, the United States is very peculiar in terms of democratic mores. Despite the one-man-one-vote mantra, the President is actually elected by an Electoral College skewed towards the GOP-leaning rural mid-America at the expense of the more populous and wealthier Dem-leaning states on the eastern and western coasts. Trump’s divisiveness and vitriolic vituperations have ensured that he isn’t a majority candidate, and will never be. He’s only counting on a sprinkling of MAGA extremists in targeted swing states to carry him past the finish line.

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    Recent polls show Harris leading Trump by 1-2 points in 5 out of 8 swing states. Even Trump’s home state of Florida that he won by 16 points in 2020 has suddenly turned purple with Trump currently ahead by 2 points, well within the margin of error, not to mention the highly intensive anti-Trump campaign ads that ‘Never-Trumpers’ and ‘Republicans-for-Kamala’ are running in the crucial swing states!

    To give Biden his due credit, he isn’t a failed president as conservative and mainstream media organisations and GOP spin doctors would have us believe. Here’s a man who assumed office at a time the US economy was suffering a recession caused by Trump’s atrocious handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that caused more than one million deaths and closure of many businesses. Biden submitted economic recovery bills to the Senate – at a time Democrats still controlled the House – but not a single GOP senator signed on at the behest of Trump and VP Harris had to often hop across from the White House to the Senate to cast the tie-breaking vote!

    What Biden achieved in 4 years surpassed what most other presidents did in 8 years. His policies – eked out like water from a hard rock, given Trump’s vice-like grip on GOP Congressmen – resulted in the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, expansion of Obamacare to include more impoverished Americans, capping insulin for seniors at the unbelievable price of $35, retooling America’s decrepit infrastructures and funding climate-control projects.

    It is tempting to forget that the southern border situation worsened rather than improved during Trump’s 4 years in office, during which period he couldn’t even build the wall he had promised. A conservative Bible-Belt Republican led a bipartisan effort to crystallise an immigration bill that would pass muster, only for most of his GOP colleagues to develop cold feet when Trump ordered them to cease and desist because he wanted to make the border issue a campaign plank. The difference in the character of both men is easy to see. While alluding to the reason why he decided to drop out, in a speech at the Democratic convention, Biden conceded that “I love this job,” before quickly interjecting with “But I love my country more.” Trump clearly loves being president again far more than he loves his country, and voters will take due notice.   

    The real coco of the matter is the messenger, not the message. Despite all Biden’s achievements, GOP strategists successfully scripted a compelling narrative around the “too-old-and-too-senile-to-be-president” trolls. Which is very ironic considering that Biden is only three years older than Trump and the latter is notorious for his ranting and muddled-up identification of people, places and events, but one hardly heard mainstream and conservative media talk about them, as they conspiratorially attributed every misstep to “Trump is just being Trump”! A new messenger is on the block, and although the message practically remains the same, Team Trump is still searching for ways to effectively handle the Kamala-mania phenomenon!

    Trump has made character assessment of candidates in a presidential election no longer relevant. It wasn’t too long ago when damaged goods like Trump were too ashamed to show their faces in the public arena and never considered running again for elective office. Voters would move to restore the dignity of the Oval Office and integrity of its occupant by voting against Trump. Forget immigration and nominal economics and the party that occupies the White House. Ordinary Americans are more interested in who will more directly impact their everyday wellbeing.

    Harris, a product of a working family, has been harping about rebuilding the middle class as the way to economically empower majority of Americans to live out the American dream. On his part, Trump would opt for the old GOP tactic of significantly reducing taxes for the wealthy on the grounds that it would drive expansionist economic investments, despite this trickle-down economic theory never really panning out as being touted. But in actuality, Trump would just be seeking a way to profit his businesses and raise funds to cover his humongous legal debts. 

    It beggars belief that the very same analysts and commentators who lauded Generation Z voters, whose massive support for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, broke the stereotypical mould that saw a candidate of Igbo extraction winning in the unlikeliest places, are the same ones claiming that Barack Obama’s electoral victories in 2008 and 2012 were mere aberrations, and that Americans are not yet ready to elect a female president – and another black one to boot. What will they think of next?

    I can only sympathise with the “many Nigerian Christians” who have reportedly formed prayer groups to shamelessly support the return of a race-baiter, agent provocateur, convicted felon, misogynist, con artist, pathological liar, gaslighter, philanderer, serial-divorcee, blasphemer, election denier and fascist like Trump to the White House, simply on the basis of ostensibly being more favourable to “legal immigrants and anti-abortion policies,” because they neither understand nor fully appreciate what they are asking for. Let me first convey the bad news to such Nigerians that going by the “2025 Conservative Mandate for Leadership” – a 900-page manual that contains Trump’s talking points for a second stint – only White Christians from Europe will be eligible.

    Completely shut out are Blacks, Muslims and Latinos from “shithole” countries. But nothing should surprise the rest of us because it is the same arrogant group of sanctimonious Pharisees who would rather holler for Barabbas to be released than do what’s right.

     And I would love to know what these anti-abortionists would do in situations where their 12-year-old daughter or sister is impregnated by a close relative or a rapist or when the life of a close relative carrying a complicated pregnancy hangs in the balance. Talk is cheap!

    Trump and GOP aficionados must be ruing the missed opportunity to nip Harris’s gravitas in the bud. Harris contested a state-wide election for the very first time in 2010, and was struggling to shed the same San Francisco far-left liberal label that Trump has resuscitated. But even back then, Trump, as a New York-based real estate developer seeking new opportunities in California, contributed the sum of $6,000 to her campaign. If only he had taken a deeper gaze in the crystal ball!

    National Republicans foresaw the long-term threat a diamond-in-the-rough Democrat like Harris could pose in the future, and commenced a counter-strike against her. The gambit was codenamed “Killing Hercules in the crib” in their dirty tricks playbook, a reference to an ancient Greek folklore in which Hera, the wife of Zeus, the mythical king of the gods, knew that Hercules (original Greek version is Herakles) was her husband’s illegitimate son with a mortal female and tried every way possible to kill him as soon as he was born. Initially christened Alcaeus –after his mother, Alcmene – Zeus rechristened him, after foiling so many efforts by Hera to snuff life out of the child, Herakles, meaning “Glory of Hera,” signifying that he would become famous through his difficulties with the goddess.

    The plan centred around a brutal testimonial of the mother of a slain police officer who criticised Harris as a far-left liberal who refused to seek the death penalty for the gang member who killed her son. Harris eventually emerged victorious in one of the tightest races ever in California. The moral of the story is that there’s no killing the beetle. If Republicans couldn’t do it when she was cutting her teeth in politics, they won’t be able to stop her ‘Big Mo’ going forward or kill a Hercules who has since overgrown cribs. Who knows, Kamala might just end up rechristened Trumpala after the smoke finally clears!    

    The 4-5 point post-convention bounce that would accrue to Harris would see her “honeymoon with Americans” extend all the way to November 5. After taking cognisance of both the temporal and spiritual angles, I’m fully persuaded that contrary to the very tight race most pundits are predicting, the election will be a blowout.

    • Ichie Okoye, a Boston University Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, investment banker, microfinance expert, newspaper columnist and public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja

  • Ogun rice production: Vision and driving force

    Ogun rice production: Vision and driving force

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    Ogun State is on the march towards a large scale in rice production. All things being equal, the new initiative is projected to be another major income earner for the state government with no less than N30 billion as an addition to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. On Monday, August 19, 2024, in furtherance of the renewed commitment of his administration to boost food production in the state, the Governor, Prince  Dapo Abiodun flagged off the harvest of 200-hectare of rice plantation at Magboro Rice Farm in Obafemi Owode-Local Government Area of the state.

    Of course, the state is not where it plans to be, but there is the will to achieve the target. The spirit behind the driving force is Governor Abiodun’s vision to revolutionise the traditional mode of farming to make it more productive.     

    Traditionally, Ogun State has a long history of rice production, especially the local brand popularly known as Ofada rice. It is so-called because it is exclusively grown in the town of Ofada. Due largely to its unique taste and nutritional value, it has gained popularity among Nigerians and lovers of Nigerian cuisine worldwide. Unlike imported rice, Ofada is a short-grain rice that is typically unpolished. It retains its outer bran layer, giving it a distinctive brown colour and special flavour. Beyond that, it is highly nutritious, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    However, large-scale production has been severely limited by the use of indigenous farming methods by smallholder farmers. This is despite the various policies initiated by successive governments to support these local farmers not only to promote food security but also to preserve the cultural heritage.

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    With the renewed support of the Abiodun’s administration,  the state is now prospecting for more income from rice production. Already, Ogun State has joined the league of large-scale rice-producing states in the country. To set the record straight, the farm is the brainchild of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project supported by the World Bank.  The initiative aligns with the policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to boost agricultural productivity to provide affordable food to the growing populace.

    In a way, the project can be aptly described as a game changer, as it aims to drive economic growth and development in the state. And this could not have come at a better time than now when the country is grappling with a food crisis. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Abiodun said that with the flag-off, Ogun State is not only joining states like Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa in producing locally grown rice for the consumption of the people, but also fostering economic development, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods within the communities.

    With a sustainable increase in the level of production, the project is expected to generate N30 billion as income for the state government, while the individual farmers also smile to the bank. The Governor, exuding confidence with enthusiasm, had this to say:  “This is a 200-hectare rice farm. The farmers are mainly women and youths from all parts of the country and not just from Ogun State alone.

    “Each farmer was allocated one hectare of farmland. This means that we have 200 farmers in this cluster. This project started in April this year. They began planting in May, and today we are already harvesting, making it a three-month cycle. It means that we can do this three times a year.’

    He noted that the farm, with a seven-metric ton yield per hectare, could translate to 1,400 metric tons for 200 hectares of milled rice with an efficiency yield of about 70 percent, which would also translate to about 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle.

    “20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle should be estimated to cost about N1 billion. So, these 200 farmers, made up of women and youths across the country who farm here in just three months, have a revenue of N1 billion. If they do this three times this year, they will earn N3 billion. We have no business being hungry in Nigeria.

    “In this place, I have 12,500 hectares of land, and all we have farmed is 200 hectares that yielded N1 billion for 200 farmers. From here, I can feed the rest of the country. We will scale up this project immediately from 200 to 2,000 hectares.

    “We can generate N30 billion in revenue. We can take significant steps towards realizing that vision of making Ogun State the food basket of this country,” he added.

    The governor stated that the project is in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to eradicate poverty and hunger by providing affordable food to Nigerians. According to him, it will not only increase rice production but also address animal husbandry.

    Governor Abiodun, noting the abundance of human and material natural resources in the state, stated that agriculture remained an important agenda of his administration to provide employment and raw materials for the numerous industries that abound in the state. He expressed optimism the OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention would provide critical support, including advanced agricultural techniques, access to quality seeds, modern irrigation systems, and technical training for farmers. He explained that the approach was offered to beneficiaries at a 65 percent discount on the cost of each mechanization operation. While commending the people, especially members of the communities, for supporting the project, the governor promised that the farm would be provided with solar pumps to power the boreholes, as well as modern drones for effective pest control.

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said the project was in tandem with the agricultural policy of the Abiodun-led administration to ensure food sufficiency for the people.

    Also, the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, while commending the farmers for their determination, noted that the project was part of the measures to boost food production to feed the populace.

    The Project Coordinator, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odunsi, while appreciating the governor for providing the necessary support, said the project would produce high-quality rice which would impact positively the quality of lives of citizens in all sectors.

     In his goodwill message, the Olu of Magboro, Oba Modiu Alalade, acknowledged the great impact the project had on the communities in the area, assuring of the availability of adequate farmland to accommodate more farmers to produce sufficient food for the country.

    Interestingly, the flag-off of the harvest season coincides with the state’s approval of the reconstruction of the 8.17 kilometres Magboro-Makogi Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. Prince Abiodun announced on Monday during the event which took place in Igboko village.

    The governor said the road would open up the area to more development. He further disclosed the intention of the state government to provide about 2,000 hectares for rice cultivation in the region.

     “I am glad that today, I had the opportunity to drive on this road myself. I have seen the condition of the road; but beyond the condition, I have seen how densely populated this area is. I also appreciate the impact this road will have on our farmland.

    “So today, I know that I am a promise-keeping governor. I only talk and do; I don’t talk without doing. I am going to immediately award the contract for the reconstruction of this road,” Governor Abiodun declared.

    • Ogbonnikan writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital

  • The Chief at 60

    The Chief at 60

    By Gbenga Omotoso

    It was a sunny day. Bright and warm; a day good for outdoor activities.

    From an event in Alimoso, which is often touted as Nigeria’s largest local government, we rushed down to Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja, where another event was underway – the opening of a block of beautiful offices.

    Speeches over, it was time to inspect the building – a befitting testimony to the power of creative financing and good architecture. We moved from the expansive car park to the main door of the four-storey building. We got set to go upstairs, using the brand-new, glittering elevator.

    I’m always wary of using elevators since I got stuck in one in the United States. I had seen technicians working on it and was satisfied that all was well with it, but less than one minute after we moved, it went quiet and remained so for a few minutes before it jerked back to life, and we moved on. What a relief!

    “Don’t worry; this one is new and, of course, it has been well tested,” said the former Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, a frontline engineer with an incredible passion for her job. I believed her.

    Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde, Mrs. Adeyoye and I went into the elevator. We were joined by a gentleman whose identity I really didn’t know. The door closed. Then, the unexpected (?) happened. The elevator would not move. We were stuck.

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    “This is what I was saying. I don’t like elevators,” I grumbled. In no time, I started to sweat. “Calm down. Just calm down,” the Chief said in a cool and confident voice that betrayed no emotion. “It will work; no need to panic,” he added. Mrs Adeyoye joined in the confidence-boosting pep talk. I kept quiet. Within me a volcanic feeling was building up.

    I wished the people watching us, who obviously knew we were in trouble, could do something. They seemed helpless after pressing the buttons for some time. They – the next batch of guests waiting to go in – actually sensed that something was wrong. Through the transparent door of the elevator, they saw us fiddling with the machine’s buttons and they raised the alarm. An official came and wondered why they had not gone up. They told him of our predicament. He moved to the machine and pressed the button. The door opened and we came out, sweating – and sober. Needless to say, we made the trip upstairs by foot.

    Interestingly, that five-minute experience says a lot about Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde. He is calm – and confident – in the face of gripping anxiety and confusion.

    To some, he is simply Tayo. Others, especially his friends in politics, call him Buffalo – they say he shares some qualities of that animal (a rare physical strength and survival instinct in a jungle filled up with many dangerous creatures). Those in government circles call him “Chief” – a short form of the title of his office, Chief of Staff.

    From being Chief Detail to then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu (1999 – 2007), now President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Ayinde has remained relevant in political and government circles. He has proven to be an experienced marathoner, who is always at home with politicians, even as he is comfortable in the company of technocrats and ordinary folks, who excitedly scream, “Buffalo! Buffalo!” when they see him.

    Slim, fit and tall, Mr. Ayinde is easy to spot in a crowd. He is friendly, fair and firm. A visitor will always be sure of a face wreathed in smiles after leaving the Chief’s office. Little wonder the place is always filled up with those who come to seek his favour.

    Chief hardly gets angry. He rarely shouts and keeps no malice. He would always throw open any matter of discontent and tell you to your face, “I’m not happy with you”. If you’re convinced that you’re wrong and you apologise, that ends the matter.

    At Executive Council meetings, Mr. Ayinde is always ready to lend his institutional experience to throw light on issues that require some flashback, which will enable the state’s highest policy making body to take a decision on any matter.

    Unknown to many people, Chief is a humorous man who loves to laugh and make people laugh. At a recent Executive Council retreat, his group carried the day at the Gala Night – not because its presentation was the most cerebral; nor because it was the most colourful. Nor was it the most beautiful.

    When it was the team’s turn to take the podium, it simply marched in a convoy of men and women dressed like some Arabian magicians and chanting some esoteric tunes. “Rajaaah! Rajaaah! Rajaah Rajaah!!” they hummed. The hall burst into an uncontrollable bout of laughter.

    When it all ended, Chief’s group carried the day; humour beat action – thanks to the Chief’s wonderful sense of humour.

    For me, it is fit and proper to celebrate Chief at 60, but the question to ask is, “How will he like to celebrate the day?” A trip to the past, tracing the trajectory of his public and private life? A big party with an A-class artiste on the band stand? A trip on the waterways to one of our beautiful beaches to savour the majesty of nature? A quiet time of prayers in church, followed by a cheerful session of praise and worship?  A tournament of youngsters playing his favourite game of table tennis? Some time indoors, eyes glued to the television, to watch Arsenal play?

    It is also fit and proper to offer some words of prayer – that The Almighty will continue to be with Mr Ayinde and keep him as fit as a fiddle.

    Whichever way he chooses to mark his birthday, August 24, one thing is sure – Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde will see an army of admirers who will wine, dine and dance with him while singing, “Happy birthday to you!”.

    • Omotoso is Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

  • Elected representatives: Servants or masters?

    Elected representatives: Servants or masters?

    “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.” — Cicero, 46 B.C.

    Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC), renowned statesman, lawyer, philosopher, poet and ‘the greatest forensic orator Rome ever produced’, was right! We have to go into the past to understand today!

    The present conundrum in the National Assembly highlights just how far we have departed from many rational definitions of public service. It wasn’t always like this! From the early 1950s, with the commencement of self-rule in the regions and at the centre, parliamentarians were on allowances. This is because there was an element of public service entailed. There were no ludicrous, self-serving perks such as constituency allowance and the absurdity of constituency projects had not yet come into place. This system functioned effectively, and the parliamentarians of that era etched their inputs into the public consciousness. The same thing prevailed at the centre. Since the parliamentarians were part-time, on allowances, most of them did second jobs in order to augment their incomes. Sadly, we’ve since abandoned this approach, succumbing to a culture of underperformance and increasing irrelevance.

    An instructive historical illustration comes from France, after the collapse of the 4th Republic on October 5, 1958. When Charles de Gaulle came in as president of the 5th New Republic in January 1959, one of his executive orders was to proclaim a Decree linking every post held by political appointees to a particular post in the civil service. In this way, the Senate President, for example, has the same remuneration as the Permanent Secretary. Today, over 6,000 French civil servants earn more than the president, yet this hasn’t hindered the country’s effectiveness. Instead, de Gaulle’s reforms have fostered a highly regarded public service, attracting top talent and demonstrating that equitable compensation can coexist with strong governance.

    Characteristically, Nigeria’s political establishment has headed into the opposite direction, with predictably disastrous results. The consequences are stark: 133 million people (a conservative estimate) mired in multidimensional poverty, soaring inflation and a public service system that rewards self-serving politicians. The humongous perks obtained by subterfuge is clearly not attracting the best and the brightest into public service since the very concept of public service has been distorted and placed on its head, into not-public, but self-service.

    The furore over Nigerian Senators’ emoluments has ignited a fierce debate, exposing the yawning chasm between the political elite and the masses. It’s a tragic reminder that, in our context, public service has become a euphemism for self-enrichment. The fact that these ‘servants of the people’ have perfected the art of siphoning off public funds while their bank accounts overflow with ill-gotten gains reveals a sinister plot. It’s a twisted game of ‘trickle-down economics’ where the only thing trickling down is the Senators’ tokenistic largesse. One can’t help but ask: what’s the price tag for selling one’s soul?

    Unlike the relatively corruption-free First and Second Republics, today’s political system is ravaged by entrenched and widespread corruption. Emoluments have become a tool for buying loyalty and silence, rather than a means of compensating public servants. While previous systems had their flaws, the current excesses have reached catastrophic levels, igniting public outrage and demands for radical reforms. As Nigeria’s democracy teeters on the brink and its economy stagnates, one wonders: what concrete actions are elected representatives taking to alleviate the suffering of the masses?

    Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of simple living and selflessness has inspired generations. Gandhi believed that leaders should prioritize the people’s welfare, living modestly and selflessly. Similarly, Lee Kuan Yew advocated for modest political salaries, prioritizing public service over personal gain. Nelson Mandela embodied this spirit, living modestly and donating a third of his presidential salary to charity. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern demonstrated her dedication to public service by taking a pay cut and prioritizing citizens’ welfare, especially during crises.

    Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica exemplified extreme simplicity by donating most of his salary to charity. Known as the ‘world’s poorest president’, Mujica lived in a modest farmhouse, and drove an old Volkswagen Beetle. In India, former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar earned the nickname ‘Poorest CM’ for his humble lifestyle, living in a simple apartment and using public transport. Without doubt, these iconic leaders demonstrated that true leadership entails selflessness, humility, and a commitment to the greater good.

    In Nigeria, the late Obafemi Awolowo championed modest salaries and allowances for lawmakers to keep them grounded and connected to the people. His philosophy prioritized the masses’ welfare, as reflected in one of his famous quotes: ‘The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.’ Similarly, Ahmadu Bello believed true leadership entailed serving with humility and dedication, not personal gain or aggrandizement. Both leaders emphasized the need for public servants to prioritize the people’s interests above their own.

    Obviously, the revelation of N21m-a-month salaries for senators barely raised an eyebrow, as many Nigerians suspected the figure was even higher. In a clime so blessed as ours, it’s no surprise that the senator who exposed this travesty will likely face suspension! The process has devolved into a farcical ‘boarding house’ dynamic, where the ‘housemaster’ cracks down on dissenting voices at the slightest hint of insubordination. This is not what a modern, democratic parliament looks like! Sadly, the charade will continue, unchecked by any strong moral counterforce, perpetuating the ‘development of underdevelopment’ that has held Nigeria back for so long.

    ‘Parliament’, as it is currently depicted in Nigeria, lacks the technical expertise to effectively monitor and direct affairs in a modern state. The absence of critical institutions like a Congressional Budget Office or Office of Budget Responsibility perpetuates ill-conceived and poorly monitored budget processes, resulting in unimplemented budgets and abandoned projects. This self-serving approach ensures parliamentarians lack access to vital technical inputs, relegating them to irrelevance in a highly competitive, interconnected global economy. Our downward spiral from tragedy to farce continues unabated.

    The controversy surrounding senators’ salaries serves as an unambiguous reminder of the urgent need for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s public service ethos. Perhaps it’s time for the government to pause, reevaluate, and consider bringing in fresh perspectives from independent analysts and operators currently outside the mainstream. Contrarians can offer valuable insights during a stalemate, as the saying goes, ‘out of the mouth of babes…’ At a time like this, it behooves the government to revisit its manifesto commitments to a social market economy, embrace transparency and accountability, and strike a balance between state intervention and market forces.

    Finally, as we reflect on the examples of selfless leaders like Gandhi, Mandela and Mujica, it is clear that true progress can only be achieved when those in power prioritize the welfare of the people over personal gain. Therefore, the Bola Tinubu-led government must continually work hard to justify the mandate freely given by Nigerians and deliver on its promises. This is crucial, as the country cannot afford to stagnate.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

  • Curbing the menace of noise pollution

    Curbing the menace of noise pollution

    • By Faith Oluwadamilola Obamodi

    Sir: Nigeria’s struggle with noise pollution has been a persistent issue, culminating in a significant response with the enactment of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act of 2007 and the National Environmental Noise Standards and Control Regulations of 2009.

    These legislative frameworks were designed to address the escalating noise levels in urban areas, which have become sources of both social unrest and public health concerns. Noise pollution in Nigeria is not a recent phenomenon. The rapid urbanization, coupled with the explosive growth of commercial activities and a population exceeding 200 million, has turned cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt into hubs of relentless noise.

    From the blaring horns of vehicles to the loudspeakers used by religious institutions and street hawkers, the cacophony has become nearly inescapable. Over the years, citizens have voiced increasing frustration with this constant noise, which has been linked to adverse health effects such as hearing loss, stress, and, most notably, sleep disturbances.

    The Nigerian anti-noise pollution initiatives aim to reduce noise levels in urban centres to align with the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). These initiatives focus on three key areas: regulation and enforcement, public awareness, and technological measures. However, the success of these initiatives hinges largely on effective implementation—a challenge that has proven difficult for Nigeria. The country has a history of weak enforcement of environmental laws, often marred by corruption, resource limitations, and public apathy. The enforcement of noise pollution laws is particularly complex due to the diverse and ubiquitous nature of noise sources.

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    Religious institutions, for instance, are among the most significant contributors to noise pollution in Nigeria. The use of loudspeakers during worship, especially in densely populated areas, has sparked numerous complaints. However, regulating these institutions requires delicate negotiations to avoid backlash from religious communities. Similarly, businesses such as markets and street vendors also contribute to noise pollution.

    Enforcing regulations on these businesses is challenging without offering proper incentives and support, as such measures could threaten their livelihoods. Nigeria’s anti-noise pollution initiatives are a crucial step toward addressing a long-ignored environmental issue. Despite the significant challenges, particularly in enforcement and garnering public cooperation, the potential benefits make the effort worthwhile.

    To achieve its goals, the government must adopt a comprehensive approach that combines regulation, education, and community engagement. With sustained commitment and a willingness to address the socioeconomic factors involved, Nigeria could make a significant impact in creating a quieter, healthier, and more liveable environment for all its citizens.

    •Faith Oluwadamilola Obamodi,

    Veritas University, Abuja.

  • Ajaero: He who comes to equity…

    Ajaero: He who comes to equity…

    • By Kola Amzat

    Sir: Recently, detachment of the nation security team led by the Police stormed NLC Headquarters in Abuja to apprehend a suspected terrorist allegedly harboured on the second floor of the NLC complex.

    Even though the authorities have not disclosed the name of the suspect, they have gone ahead to invite the president of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, for questioning, on account of alleged incriminating, indicting and damning correspondence they claimed to have scooped from the second floor of the Labour complex.

    What Nigerians of discerning mind expected the NLC president to do is honour the invitation with a view to defending himself. It is therefore most unfortunate that Comrade Ajaero and his executive council members have opted to make a big issue out of the whole thing.

    They have decided to throw the entire country into confusion and apprehension simply because of letter of invite from the Police to their president. They have even resolved to place workers across the country on red-alert should Ajaero be detained by the police.

     Are they inferring that the labour leader is above the laws of the land? Are they inferring that he’s at liberty to conduct himself in a way and manner that is injurious and inimical to the laws of the land?

    The way and manner that the labour leadership have gone about the whole issue clearly suggested that, they indeed have some things to hide.

    Does Ajaero truly believe that the office he occupies gives him liberty and freedom to involve himself in treasonable acts, and security agencies would just be looking other way, because he leads the Labour movement?

    Is he equally aware that it’s only the president and governors of 36 states that enjoy immunity from prosecution; not even, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives and other National Assembly members?   

    It’s auspicious for Ajaero to come down from his high horse, hug humility and stop deploying his office to settle personal scores with the government, its agencies and security forces.

    Nigerians vividly recall that it’s the same Ajaero that got himself enmeshed in unnecessary struggles with security agencies in Owerri at beginning of this year.

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     Suffice to submit that his tenure as NLC president has been uneventful, riotous, very disruptive and destructive.       

    Nigeria Labour Congress is created to advance the cause of workers across the federation, as well as tactfully, constructively and strategically defend the workers interests with a view to making them stakeholders in the Nigerian project, and, more importantly, collaborate with the government to build a prosperous and developed country.

    It’s not for NLC leadership to continually pitch the workers across the country against the government, through incitement, and casting aspersions on the leadership of government.

    Is it not the same NLC platform that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole rode to become governor of Edo State, APC national chairman and now senator? Is it not the same NLC office through which the late Paschal Bafyau nearly became the vice president?

    One recalls that the immediate past NLC president, Aliyu Wabba was an embodiment of maturity, decorum, knowledge and decency in office!

    Comrade Ajaero must change his ways if he wants to earn respect and honour.

    This is certainly not how to lead labour movement of a country with vibrant and vast population of about 230-240 million people and the largest black nation in the world.

    He is advised to promptly honour the letter of invite of police.

    •Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB)

    Lagos.

  • Charting a new course for excellence beyond Paris 2024

    Charting a new course for excellence beyond Paris 2024

    By Ralph Omololu Agbana

    Sir: Opinions are deeply divided regarding Nigeria’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Many believe that for a nation with Nigeria’s reputation, not appearing on the final medal tally is tantamount to a catastrophe.

    Historically, Nigeria has had its moments of glory, such as at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, which was a defining moment when the Dream Team secured the men’s football gold medal and Chioma Ajunwa won gold in the Women’s Long Jump. In previous Olympics, the Nigerian team had performed excellently, winning admiration and becoming a global sporting brand. Nigerian athletes had become renowned in all sprint events and relays, across both male and female categories. Therefore, the disappointment expressed by some over Nigeria’s performance in Paris this year is understandable. Nations tend to build upon their successes, and with the wealth of raw sporting talent available, Nigeria certainly had the potential to achieve more.

    The incumbent Minister of Sports, Owan Enoh, has admirably accepted responsibility for the situation. One of the most uplifting narratives from Paris 2024 is the emergence of new heroes, marking the unstoppable ascent of Nigerian talent. Please, fellow Nigerians, let us applaud our new amazon, Rena Wakama, the exceptional 32-year-old female basketball coach who opted to represent Nigeria, despite her American heritage. Wakama’s commitment and fervour for her ancestral land have established a new standard in sports leadership, and her triumphs reflect the boundless potential of Nigerian talent. Her journey is the forefront of the Bola Tinubu administration’s concerted efforts to discover and cultivate Nigerian potential worldwide, ensuring the nation’s continued production of elite athletes and leaders.

    Furthermore, the selection of one of our basketball players for the prestigious ‘Olympic Team’ marks a notable achievement. This accolade not only highlights the individuals’ extraordinary talent but also heralds Nigeria’s expanding prominence in the international sports domain. Even as we nurse the pain of coming short on the medals table, it is evident that Nigeria’s sports sector is advancing, propelled by a reinvigorated commitment to excellence and global competitiveness.

    One undeniable positive aspect of Nigeria’s participation, which even the staunchest critics must acknowledge, is the impeccable record of our athletes in upholding the integrity of sports. The Nigerian contingent at the Paris 2024 Olympics has set a commendable example of integrity and sportsmanship. With not a single doping incident among our more than 80 athletes, Nigeria has shown a steadfast commitment to fair play and ethical competition. This unblemished record is a source of national pride and reflects the high ethical standards promoted by the Tinubu administration.

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    This accomplishment is all the more significant in an era where doping scandals have tainted the reputation of numerous sporting events. Nigeria’s maintenance of an untarnished record is a testament to the discipline and commitment of our athletes, as well as the effective systems in place to nurture their growth.

    Investing in the future and sports infrastructure should be a top priority for all patriotic Nigerians currently. The Tinubu administration is proactively ensuring that Nigeria’s sports facilities are unparalleled. Minister Owan Enoh has detailed plans to enhance and preserve sports facilities nationwide, recognizing that top-tier infrastructure is crucial for athlete development. These efforts will equip Nigerian athletes with the necessary resources to train and excel at the highest levels domestically.

    The administration’s emphasis on building a success structure for future participation is part of a wider plan to foster a lasting sports ecosystem in Nigeria. Investing in our athletes’ futures and providing an optimal environment for their growth positions Nigeria as a significant contender in global sports.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s steadfast dedication is central to realizing these lofty aspirations. His administration’s forward-thinking stance on sports reflects an acute awareness of its power to unify and elevate the nation. Focusing on restructuring Sports Federations and appointing the right talents to strategic roles, President Tinubu is establishing a foundation for enduring success. Discussions bordering on President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and articulate response to our Paris Olympics performance and avowed commitment to sporting revival are positive takeaways from this Olympics.

    Nigeria’s performance at Paris 2024 is a celebration of resilience, integrity, and hope. As we look forward to future competitions, Nigeria stands poised to continue its ascent, driven by the spirit of determination and a commitment to greatness. The lessons learned from Paris 2024 will be the stepping stones to a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigerian sports.

    •Ralph Omololu Agbana,

    agbana46@gmail.com

  • After the protests

    After the protests

    In the aftermath of the nationwide 10-day so-called hunger protests that turned violent in parts of the country, many Nigerians who allegedly participated in the protests are said to be suffering in detention. 

    A lawyer associated with the #EndBadGovernance protesters, Deji Adeyanju, was reported saying, “We do not have a specific number. But we have no fewer than 1,400 protesters, who were arrested nationwide in detention.

    “In Abuja, we are aware that no fewer than 50 people were arrested. We were able to secure the release of 27 people and it is assumed that 30 or more people are in custody.”

    He added: “Many of the protesters in Abuja are in the Intelligence Response Team, IRT. (Others are in) Bombai in Kano, and Kaduna Police commands, and other parts of the country.”

    He also said “the majority of the protesters feed once a day from what we have heard,” adding that the police “have refused to arraign the protesters before a Federal High Court in Abuja.”

    Three activists arrested in connection with the protests, Adaramoye Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq and Eleojo Opaluwa, were said to be in detention on the orders of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

    Predictably, civil society organisations (CSOs) accused the Federal Government of violating the rights of the detainees by caging them without trial.  For instance, the Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr Zikirullahi Ibrahim, was reported saying, “We hope that a good number of the detained protesters are still alive.”

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    The authorities are not helping matters by keeping the arrested protesters in detention without trial. It is not a fair approach. They should be arraigned without delay. Failure to do so gives the impression that the authorities are lawless.

    Interestingly, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, indirectly acknowledged that the protests were not totally negative. According to him, “We have learnt that even the current protests have made us listen more. Whatever we are doing, we have taken the message that we need to do more, we need to do better, and we need to do it in a hurry.” He spoke at the “Nigerian Economic Summit Group National Economic Dialogue on Nigeria’s Economic Future: 25 Years of Democracy and Beyond.” It can be said that detaining the arrested protesters without trial contradicts his words. 

    The authorities should arraign the detainees, towards establishing that they, indeed, committed crimes during the protests. That is the lawful thing to do.

  • NNPCL: Curse or blessing?

    NNPCL: Curse or blessing?

    Sir: Nigeria’s dream of economic prosperity through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remains unrealisable after all these years. With its unsurmountable proclivity towards corruption, it is at the heart of Nigeria’s corruption, evoking her doom.

    Over the years, there have been diverse shenanigans, with staggering figures diverted from the sales of oil by reactionary elements. In 2013, the then CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, revealed that the NNPC did not remit $48.9 billion accrued from the sales of oil to the central bank. Year 2011 was when we witnessed the N1.7 trillion subsidy overpayment scandal. There was another shocking revelation in 2012. An audit done by KPMG exposed monumental corruption, financial malfeasance and other financial distortions in the NNPC.

    Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark once alleged that a syndicate of military officers, working in cahoots with disgruntled officials of the NNPC were behind the theft of crude oil running into trillions of naira over the years.

    Meanwhile, blessed are the Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Brazil’s Petrobas. They are the equivalent to our NNPC. They are examples of the NNPC with similar mandates. However, the NNPC has not been able to compete with them in terms of profits, nor has it been capable of attracting sizeable investment for sustainable national development.

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    To make NNPCL make profits like its successful colleagues, on September 20, 2021, it transitioned to a limited company with a similar goal of increasing profits. However, a review of the financial statements of the NNPCL shows that this move is yet to yield fruits.

    Saudi Arabia through Aramco invested heavily in Chinese refineries in 2023. It completed its purchase of a 10 percent stake in China’s Rongsheng petrochemical company for about $3.6 billion. The deal will see Aramco supply about 480,000 barrels per day of additional crude oil to Rongsheng-affiliated refineries. Nigeria’s NNPCL could only meet up with the Dangote refinery share of 7.2 percent instead of the agreed 20 percent.

    While the NNPCL is afflicted by the virus of competitive corruption, Brazil’s Petrobas strategic plan for the 2024-2028 foresees investments of around $102 billion. With this increase in investment, the company estimates the generation of 280,000 direct and indirect jobs per year. In Nigeria, if the NNPC had invested massively on agriculture to diversify the economy, the current food crisis would have been a forgone conclusion. It should have also made significant investment on mineral resources exploration.

    When are we going to develop a visionary NNPCL committed to public service, financial transparency and national development?

    • Abdu Abdullahi, aaringim68@gmail.com
  • Local government system and crisis of federalism

    Local government system and crisis of federalism

    SIR: The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy creates a side-line solution to a constitutional crisis on the structure of Nigeria’s federalism. Whereas the judgment reflects the aspiration of many Nigerians on local government autonomy, it is important to situate it within the context and intendment of Section 7(1) which provides that “…accordingly, the government, of every state shall subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their (local government) existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.”; and Section 162(6) that “each states shall maintain special account to be called “State Join Local Government Account” into which shall be paid ALL ALLOCATIONS to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the Government of the state.”.

    Without questioning the wisdom of the learned Justices, the following questions are pertinent: is the local government a component of Nigeria’s federalism? Is the judgment in consonance with the intendment of the provisions of Section 7(1) and 162(6) as earlier referenced? Is the Supreme Court likely to reverse itself in the nearest possible future as has been suggested by some critics of the judgment, particularly in a case that a different Attorney General of the Federation decides to approach the apex for such review?

    These questions are fundamental, given that in the determination of who has the power to make laws in regard to local government councils in Nigeria, the Supreme Court had in A.G Abia State v A.G Federation, held that state governments have jurisdiction over local government areas due to Section 7(1), Section 197 and item 22 of the Second Schedule part 1 of the Constitution. According to the court, the exception to this is in relation to laws made by a state House of Assembly on local government elections, which must not be inconsistent with any law made by the National Assembly on the same subject matter as envisaged by item 11 and 12 of the Concurrent Legislative List.

    Whereas the answer to the first questions demands deepened democratic dialogue, the last question is likely to be in the affirmative, given the complex conflicts of Nigeria’s politics. In the case of the latter, and for the sustainable future of our democracy, it is safer for the Presidency to leverage on the judgment to seek the amendment of Section 7, Section 162 and items 11 and 12 of the concurrent legislative lists to seek periodic and regular elections, local government autonomy, and ensure rational legislation at the subnational level for the effective administration of the local government councils.

    The appreciable judicial activism of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy is now a subsisting law, but for the judgment to stand the test of time, it needs a legislative lifeline in amending the identified relevant provisions of the Constitution. Consequently, the president must send an executive bill for the amendment of the aforementioned Sections of the Constitution. The Bola Tinubu presidency is already defined by some bold structural steps on restructuring Nigeria, local government reform will definitely be a core of this history if conclusively pursued.

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    On the structure of our federalism, I am compelled to argue that we need a system that reflects our current socio-economic realities and development demands. More than 65% of Nigerians live in rural areas where local government councils are meant to have development impact. It is only rational for the scale of good reasoning to weigh towards the logic that the local government system as recognized by Section 162(3) in the outlined tiers of government for the ‘amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account to be distributed – federal, state and local governments’, deserves a constitutional life as a complementary tier of government, complementary to the state government, but not a competing component against the states.

    The proposed bill on “National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission” is likely to further create institutional crisis. Elections hold in each polling units in Nigeria every four years, it will only take INEC extra ballot papers and not logistics, to include local government election for chairmen and ward councillors, during general elections. To truly localize democracy and governance, the people must be involved as envisaged by the Constitution under Section 14 (2)(C) that “the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”.

    It is time for the people to exercise their right as “employer” of public officials, to constant demand for account of service and when necessary, exercise the unfettered right to terminate the employment of their representatives, through recall processes.

    • Ekpa, Stanley Ekpa  ekpastanleyekpa@gmail.com