The Nation Newspaper

Category: Comments

Digital technology in real estate space

By Abidemi Ojo

We live today in a time of great changes in an ever-evolving world, a world that is changing rapidly and quickly. Technological advances are changing the world faster, and transforming the way we live and work in ways that are unimaginable. Switching on an electric light for instance would have been unimaginable for our medieval ancestors, not to talk of internet or smart phones. What an unusual time we live! Time of extraordinarily fast technological change. Interconnectivity of people, businesses and markets has never been as strong and pervasive. We are living in a time of unprecedented and deep transformational change really.

Technology has revolutionized our work environment. Digital technologies promise to bring new levels of productivity and efficiency via a wide variety of applications in organizations, through the employees who actually interact with them every day. The tools and devices we use today have significantly changed how we perform tasks, collaborate, and balance work and life, with many of these systems enabling and enhancing efficiency, productivity, and well-being

One technology that would change the world more profoundly and speed the fast-paced technological change itself is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is changing the narratives in many ways, and it would have a fundamentally transformative impact on our world, and would become more capable in years to come. This is because intelligence is the main driver of the innovation.

In recent decades, globalization has placed increasing demand and pressure on business to change. Globalization require from businesses which must stay alive, and keep thriving in competitive environments to efficiently integrate, through digital processes and collaborative tools. With this being the case, the importance of digital transformation has increased.

Real estate is one of the world’s oldest and most traditional industries. Its origin could even be traced to the beginning of human history, at creation, in the Garden of Eden which God established and put Adam and Eve in charge with an instruction to dress and to manage (a vital aspect of real estate practice), meaning that Eden was the first estate known to man, and managed by man.

However, the evolution of real estate as a distinct and recognized profession is one of the developments which took place during the middle age, rooted in the feudal societies of Europe. The Lords of the Manor of medieval Europe owned extensive and sometimes far-flung land holdings. Usually, only a small portion of each of these estates was held and exploited directly by the land owners, the rest, which constituted the bulk of the holdings, was given out to tenants and serfs to use, either for a fee or under some feudal arrangements. On account of the size and disparate locations of these holdings, each land owner appointed stewards or agents to oversee these estates for them.

As time went on and, real estate business rose in sophistication, the requirements for the job increased.

First, it became necessary that the practitioners were also lettered in order to keep pace with the demands of ever-increasing record keeping. Next, knowledge of book keeping was required to accommodate the accounting requirements involved. Later on, the need to tackle various proprietary and commercial relationships involved in managing these estates brought surveying, law, commerce, economics and statistics into the profession.

In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, a major re-organization took place in Europe. In the United Kingdom especially, this resulted in a massive population shift from rural to urban areas and a subsequent redistribution of land rights and property interests.

At the dawn of the 19th century, the practitioners of the various skills comprising estate management branded themselves into trade groups or guilds. Later on, there were definite moves to form a distinct professional group to embrace the various classifications. From then on, the need to have professionals to manage, improve and sustain real estate investment and development became more demanding.

Increasing digitalization of economies has highlighted the importance of digital transformation and how it can help businesses stay competitive in the market. However, disruptive changes not only occur at the company level; they also have environmental, societal, and institutional implications.

The rapid pace of technological development, combined with the need for digital transformation, navigating governance, achieving return on investments is posing challenges for many businesses and organizations. Meanwhile, digital transformation is critical, and business leaders think it is the single most important investment now and in the future that businesses, practices and organizations can make to drive enterprise value. To stay ahead, it is essential to identify and understand key trends and challenges in order to harness them for business advantage.

Read Also: NFF partners UBEC for African Schools Football Championship

In the era I would refer to as old technology, real estate transaction and processes could be time consuming, labour-intensive and tedious. Digital transformation in the real estate industry is a game-changer which has fundamentally changed the day-to-day operations and interactions between players across the industry. Integration of digital technologies, new tools like artificial intelligence and automation has redefined how real estate firms operate and serve their customers, as well as how agents, sellers, and buyers interact. In order words,

In summary, digital transformation in real estate is about leveraging technology to create a smoother, more efficient experience for everyone involved. Whether it’s automating tasks, enhancing customer interactions, or improving overall operations, embracing digital tools is essential for success in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.

In order words, technological renaissance is going beyond just changing business processes, it is reshaping the entire spectrum of the property customer experience, enhancing businesses scale, innovate, and maintain a competitive edge in an evolving market.

By embracing digital technology, real estate businesses and practices can increase their operational efficiency through the automation of tasks, resulting in streamlined processes that drive growth and expansion beyond traditional geographic limits. From my experience, application of digital technologies in real estate impacts the practice, impacts interaction with clients, boosts productivity, streamlines operational processes, enables remote property inspection and management in diverse and positive ways.

In a nutshell, impact of digital transformation on the real estate sector is profound and far-reaching. The earlier we embrace it, the better for the profession and its practitioners. Even government is towing the same path. Lagos State for example recently launched the electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) platform where residents can apply, search and verify land titles across the state online before purchase is made.

Technology is quickly emerging and shaping the future of real estate; that is the reality we must awake to, key and adapt to in order to remain relevant and impactful.

•Ojo is a logos based real estate consultant.

September 13, 2024
Amosun and ‘Zhongfu Investment’ matter

By Sabiu Gaya

Since the news broke that a Chinese firm, Zhongfu Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, tried to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge because of an unfinished business deal between the company and Ogun State government, there have been consistent debates over whether the behaviour of the firm was right or a mere abuse of international power.

The botched business has also brought out former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, from his cocoon. This is expected because the deal between the company and Ogun State was sealed in 2007, when Amosun governor. In reality, the main issue has to do with a business dispute between two Chinese nationals and corporations, which degenerated into an unlawful attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets.

Nigeria as a country should also think twice before giving Zhongfu International Investment FXE any listening ear because doing so would amount to indulging and encouraging an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate our common patrimony.

Commendably, the federal government acted quickly and wisely by addressing the issues and establishing how the company in question wanted to fraudulently strip Nigeria’s assets abroad.

Reading through Amosun’s reaction captioned: ‘Presidential Jets Seizure: Zhongfu Firm Is An Impostor, It’s Chinese Against Chinese Dispute’ gave me goose bumps. In the short reaction, the former governor spoke to facts, dates and figures. Indeed, available documents on the agreement showed that the management of the Chinese firm denigrated the state and the former governor and assumed they could get away with any claim.

According to the statement, shortly after Amosun’s administration assumed office on May 29, 2011, two different sets of Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE laid claims to management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ). The business dispute and rivalry between the Chinese concerns soon became fierce, grounded seamless business activities and threatened public peace and safety within the zone and neighbouring communities.

Read Also: Counter-terrorism operations draining government resources, says FG

The former governor stated that there were claims and counter claims as to who between the two was the lawful representative of the original joint partner, Guangdong Province, China and consequentially who had the right to manage the zone.

Zhongfu International Investment FXE, pretending to be a concerned and genuine tenant and zone stakeholder, volunteered very damaging and destructive information about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, the Joint Venturer and lawful Zone Managers, China Africa Investment FXE and subsequently requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.

Based on the information at the disposal of Ogun State government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE was said to have on March 15, 2012 appointed as Interim Zone Manager pending further evaluation. The whole idea was to ensure that someone was in charge and thereby prevent unwholesome and untoward development in the zone pending the completion of the fact-finding exercise by the state government.

It was later discovered that the information and claims volunteered by Zhongfu International Investment FXE against China Africa Investment FXE were tissues of lies. Unknown to the Ogun State government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and to surreptitiously convert the state-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China together with the zone ownership and management rights of their business rival.

The deceit was further discovered – much later – through the intervention of the Chinese government via Diplomatic Note 1601, dated March 11, 2016. The Government of the People’s Republic of China, via that note 1601 clarified to the Ogun State government, that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor. After due consultation with the relevant organs of government, the state government gave effect to the request of the Chinese government.

Records have since shown that Zhongfu International Investment FXE approached Nigerian courts in different jurisdictions to ventilate its legal and business rights. They lost all their four cases in court. Sadly, nobody has cared to ask questions over all these.

Besides, further developments and findings have revealed that the state government didn’t act alone as effort was made early enough to consult with and seek advice from the State Security Services and the supervising Agency, NEPZA, on the best way forward.

Accordingly, the Ogun State government served Zhongfu International Investment FXE with a formal Termination Notice dated May 27, 2016. But the company didn’t give up, but rather proceeded to court to validate its claims.

Among others, the proceedings in Suit No HCT/417/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs OGFTZ and, FCT/ABJ/CS/601/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs NEPZA & Ors will help to throw light on this business dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa.

The final judgment in one other case, Suit No AB/04/2017: Zenith Global Merchant International Investment Ltd Vs Zhongfu International Investment FXE delivered on March 29, 2017 specifically restrained a reference to arbitration in the special circumstances of the matter being a trade dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa, with little or no connection with either Ogun State or the Federal Government.

Dissatisfied with the decisions of the various courts, Zhongfu International Investment FXE took its case, and wrote petitions at various times to higher authorities in Abuja; the Presidency, Hon Minister of Trade & Investment; Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Inspector General of Police, EFCC and the National Assembly (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) among others.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State government, under Amosun, successfully defended the administration’s actions at all levels before these organs of government, and they all agreed with the state government’s position. Shortly after, Amosun and his team left office in May, 2019.

Amosun has stated that the agreement that was entered into at inception of the Zone in 2007 with his predecessor is what is still in operation and there was no need for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract when his team came in and throughout their eight years tenure. Again, Amosun has refuted claims that his administration sent police or any security agent to harass, intimidate, or beat anyone. “If there was any such situation, it must have been from among the disputing rivals in the bid to outdo one another. Security agencies can further investigate the allegation and uphold the truth,” the former governor stated.

To him, this matter of Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be treated the way Nigeria treated the P&ID case. “There is no basis for negotiation,” he said emphatically.

Amosun has offered himself to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE, or any other entity.

The position of Amosun aligns with that of the Federal Government. In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the federal government emphatically stated that it’s not under any contractual obligation with the company.

From the perspective of law guiding international business relationships, Zhongshan has no legal ground to demand restitution from Ogun State government in this matter.

• Gaya, educationist and public policy analyst, writes from Kano.

September 13, 2024
China trip: Gains and vistas of opportunities
- By Dada Olusegun
President Bola Tinubu last Friday rounded off his official visit to China with very significant and mouth-watering gains for Nigeria. It was obvious that the president was looking forward to a trip heavy on deals that would impact on Nigeria’s quest to improve our infrastructure, agriculture, power, solid minerals etc. judging by the public officials in his official entourage.

From the Finance Minister/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Trade and Investment, Minister of Solid Minerals, Minister of Power, FCT Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Transportation, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Foreign Affairs etc, to the governors of Lagos, Kaduna and Kwara states, the president’s entourage was tailored for purpose.

Completion of Lagos-Kano Railway

Shortly after being warmly received by the Chinese government, President Bola Tinubu on Monday, September 2, visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), during which he acknowledged the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, commending its ongoing railway projects in the country. President Tinubu right there at the headquarters of CRCC promised that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large. Already China is providing funding through the China Development Bank for the ongoing Kaduna-Kano section of the Lagos-Kano railway project. The Ibadan-Abuja section is set to be funded by the Chinese too, thanks to renewed cooperation between Nigeria and China on the Belt and Road Initiative.

After the visit to CRCC headquarters in Beijing, President Tinubu also visited the Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved communities in Nigeria. Chairman of Huawei’s Board of Directors, Liang Hua said that the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year. Huawei also proposed to build two major technology data storage centres in Lagos and Kaduna states, which would create employment and opportunities for more young people in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu held a high-powered bilateral meeting with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, September 3. At the bilateral meeting, the two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership from just a strategic partnership, signalling deeper ties between the world’s second most populous nation and the most populous black nation on earth.

Read Also: Fed govt to leverage technology to boost education sector

At the bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, several bilateral MoUs were signed on the Belt and Road co-operation plan (promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative), economic development, application of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, nuclear energy, peanut exports to China, and news media, among other fields.

The belt and road MoU is particularly very crucial as it further solidifies China’s interest to continue to invest in infrastructural projects in Nigeria especially on railways and roads/bridges. The cooperation agreement on nuclear energy is equally important as it is meant to enhance Nigeria’s capability to harness nuclear technology for electricity and also utilization in medicine.

The MoU on export of shelled peanuts is very important for our agricultural and Nigeria’s quest to increase non-oil exports. It also signals China’s readiness to buy more processed or semi-processed goods from Nigeria. Already, with a trade volume of over $23 billion, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa. With huge potentials for even more trade, Nigeria can surpass South Africa as China’s largest trade partner on the continent.

The president then joined other African leaders to participate in the Forum for Africa-China Cooperation. At the forum, the next chapter of Tinubu’s trip unfolded. On the side-lines of the conference, more MoUs were signed by ministers and governors.

Gas-related projects

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) witnessed the signing of critical Project Agreements for the Brass Industrial Park, Gas Gathering Pipelines & Associated Facilities, and the Methanol Complex Project between Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Ltd. (BFPCL) and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

This partnership involving three key projects has the potential to inject about $3.3 billion into Nigeria’s economy and particularly driving growth and innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector. These projects are very pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth and energy security. This is a big win for Nigeria.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and its Chinese counterpart, Sinomach-Hea, a market leader in solid minerals development. The deal is for a $1 billion new iron-ore-to-steel project planned for Kogi State, which has abundant deposits of iron ore and home to the Ajaokuta Steel complex. The Nigerian company, Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited already has a mining license approved by the Cadastal Office and needed both a proven technical and financial partner and thanks to President Bola Tinubu’s trip to China, it has gotten a partner in Sinomach-Hea.

Still on the side-lines of FOCAC and with the full guarantee of the federal government, Lagos State government signed a monumental Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to deliver the ambitious Green Line metro rail project in Lagos. The Green Line, which is a 68km rail line designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina and connecting with the Blue Line at Marina is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million eventually.

The Green line is expected to transform the transport landscape of Lagos as it will complement the Blue and Red Lines and link areas such as Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, etc. The federal government’s Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC would be involved in the design, financing, and construction.

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier signed an MoU with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the construction of the Lekki-Epe link bridge in the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos. With the MoU in place, Lagos state has commenced discussions to award the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to CCECC with feasibility and design studies for the bridge already completed.

During the FOCAC summit in China, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike was also on hand to sign an MoU with CCECC for the provision and installation of solar street lighting in key areas in the FCT such as Maitaima, Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business District, Airport Road. The minister also signed another MoU with China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) for water works including the completion of the Abuja Water Works project and for extension of clean water supply to Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje areas of the FCT. CGCOC also signed MoU on solar street lighting and would cover Mabushi, Katampe and Garki.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that President Bola Tinubu’s China visit was carefully planned to bring home greater infrastructural development for Nigeria. Judging by the five focal infrastructure developmental agreements signed between Nigeria and China, Tinubu’s state visit to China and his participation in the FOCAC summit was a resounding success. These agreements would translate to better transport infrastructure for Nigerians, greater gas utilisation by industries, and open doors for value addition in our solid minerals sector in line with the anti-mine-to-ports policy of the Tinubu administration in the solid minerals sector.

All these mean more jobs, increased productivity, more external trade, more forex earnings and of course increased prosperity for Nigerians. During the trip, President Bola Tinubu did not fail to interact with the Nigeria diaspora community in China. He spoke passionately to his fellow compatriots sojourning in China, explaining to them why his administration is taking the hard decisions necessary to reset Nigeria’s economy and place it on the path of sustainable development.

•Dada is Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media.
September 12, 2024
Hunger: Between leaders and the led
- By ’Femi Osunro
Recently, there was a protest in Nigeria tagged “Hunger Protest”. The protest was not as devastating as earlier envisaged or feared which, I think, was an answer to the prayers of many Nigerians who feared the worst based on the experience of the EndSARS protest. All the same, no one can deny the fact that there is palpable hunger in the land and many more people are “protesting” even if they did not come out to join the protesters.

I expect the government, at various tiers, to take appropriate steps to avoid a situation in future where things almost got to the “precipice”. In the last few days, there had been diverse comments in the media, print and electronics, apportioning blames for the present state of affairs in the country and a-times proposing suggestions on how to put things right to get Nigeria out of the woods. Incidentally, there was a particular comment on a radio station asserting that the “major problem of Nigeria, is bad leadership”. I believe that the “leadership” being referred to by the commentator is political leadership. If my conjecture is right, which, I believe it is, then I want to posit straight – away that the conclusion of the commentator is not totally right.

Yes, the political leadership, which shapes, substantially, the direction of where the country should go, has its own shortcomings. Nonetheless, the blame for the sorry state of affairs in the country should not be on it exclusively. First, there is an incontrovertible fact that a people get the type of leadership they deserve. After all, the political leadership is made up of Nigerians. They are not from another planet or environment and we cannot deny the fact that we made them our representatives.

Apart from this, there is also no denying the fact that the “followership” in Nigeria has also contributed to the malaise in the country. As earlier stated, to put the entire blame on these leaders is to miss the point and to miss the essence of what we should be praying and hoping for as we want to see things get better in this country. I will now try to identify some of the things that we, as followers, are not getting or doing right, which, cumulatively, have resulted in our finding ourselves where we are.

Let me state that not much emphasis is being placed on some forces beyond our control which had, to a large extent, contributed to the on-going food scarcity and exorbitant price of food items in the county. Here, I want to specifically mention the weather which had been most unfavourable to farming in various parts of the country in recent times, particularly in my own part of the country, where we are just harvesting “early maize” when we should, under normal circumstances be expecting “late maize” to start hitting the markets. This phenomenon notwithstanding, it is worrisome that many Nigerians are no longer indulging in farming or food production.

I am not talking exclusively of our wealthy co-citizens who could have invested in expansive mechanized farming. Most of us do not take adequate advantage of our conducive environment to attempt producing some of the food items we consume even in our small individual spaces. In essence, most Nigerians are not interested in investing their time and resources in farming or food production but in other ventures where they can make quick money or get faster returns or yields. This has resulted in a situation where the affluent in the society are mostly interested in investing in distributive trade, exporting of goods and other ventures. The trend is not limited to the affluent people alone or how else do you explain the proliferation of “shops” in almost all high streets where people do buying and selling?

How do we expect to produce the food items that we consume not even thinking of how to have some for export? The fact that many Nigerians are involved in distributive trade, has resulted in a situation whereby we have various ‘middlemen’ whose interventions, on the long run, lead to higher costs of goods thereby further escalating inflation. There is also a disturbing phenomenon whereby our youths are neglecting trades as artisans in various fields. Most of them are now interested in riding ‘Okada’ and ‘Keke Marwa’ and, unfortunately also, in Yahoo business to the utter neglect of other beneficial undertakings particularly farming. This phenomenon has also resulted in an acute shortage of artisans and, hence, the few available ones are charging exorbitant prizes thereby further increasing inflation and financial inconvenience on the populace.

Read Also: Akpabio pledges Senate’s support for Bauchi, Borno flood victims

The fact that many of the available artisans are dishonest has also added to the woes of those who patronize them. It must be mentioned also that the government contributed to this situation of shortage of artisans as they no longer invest in the setting up of technical institutions where such people can be trained. In some cases, the few institutions for these courses have either been underfunded or even allowed to go extinct. One can also mention the disturbing trend of vandalisation or outright theft of government properties or facilities. There are also the ugly incidences of oil bunkering, which have considerably denied the government of considerable resources while government has to commit further resources to combat this evil.

One can also mention the pervading irresponsibility glaringly displayed by many Nigerians in their responses to their civic duties and even inter – personal relationships. For example, one can safely assert that many Nigerians who ought to pay taxes and dues are not doing so while many are underpaying. Then, where do we expect government to get adequate resources to fund development? The pervading indiscipline in the land is equally worrisome; the rates at which people fragrantly break the law by not observing traffic rules and not even caring to ensure that their fellow citizens are comfortable. For example, many motorists on our roads are a menace unto others thereby resulting in avoidable loss of valuable time, resources and even lives. In essence, these culprits make driving on our roads very cumbersome and unpleasant.

Having established to some extent that bad political leadership is not solely responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the country, I want to posit that the political leadership can and should start to take some positive decisions/actions to put thing right. I will just cite a few of such actions that can lead to positive changes and kindle or renew hope in the country.

First, I want to suggest that government at all tiers stop funding pilgrimages. Recently, I heard on a radio programme that the various tiers of government expended billions of Naira to sponsor people on pilgrimage in the last three years or so. To me, this is most uncalled for since the issue of religion is a personal affair between an individual and God. Such humongous funds could have been expended to fund much needed development projects in the country. Unfortunately, most of those sponsored on such pilgrimages are those who could afford the cost on their own while some of them had even been there a number of times.

Another positive step which I want to suggest to the government is that we stop the habit of declaring too many holidays or work-free days. The resources lost in terms of money, time and comfort on such occasions are quite enormous. For a start, government should, henceforth desist from declaring separate work-free days for any festival that falls on a weekend. Another suggestion is that government should, deliberately, put in place methods of getting our youth educated and gainfully employed. Government should consider setting up of technical or trade institutions where our young ones can acquire additional skills besides formal education.

Finally is the need to cut down the cost of governance and also ensure more transparency and information about how the resources of government are expended. Our leaders should limit themselves to public expenditures that glaringly show that they appreciate the very tight financial predicament of the populace.

•Osunro is a retired permanent secretary/public administrator and resides in Oyo State.
September 12, 2024
As Lagosians savour Ounje Eko initiative

By Luqmon Balogun

Regardless of status in Nigeria today, no one is impervious to the increase in food prices and its attendant effects on the citizens and economy.

Lawyers, bankers, engineers, town and gowns, and even journalists are all feeling the heat currently hitting the land.

Food is a major source of living, and any nation or sub-national that ignores its security and sufficiency is driving towards a destination of poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

In the last four years, increase in average food prices in Nigeria has reached a crescendo, and with the current food inflation reaching almost 50%, this is an indicator of acute inflationary pressures which is dealing a great blow to the economy, particularly the rural dwellers. And this has indeed strained families to feed from hand to mouth, while the excruciating moments is depleting the family values.

A professor once told me that he sold his car to cater to his family needs. And we have reported cases of men abandoning their families, just to avoid the accumulated and unstable bills created by the increase in food prices.

However, to ensure a reduction in the current high prices of food, and build a proper food reserve management system, the Lagos State government activated the ‘Ounje Eko’ initiative. The innovation, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, is part of the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and ensuring efficient operation of the food supply chains.

Read Also: Nigeria rejects TUC UK’s allegations of human rights abuse — Presidency

The ‘Ounje Eko’ food discount markets allow residents to buy a variety of food items, such as Rice, Beans, Garri, Bread, Eggs, Tomatoes, Pepper, Tatashe, and Onions at 25% discount. This indeed is a good initiative that must be embraced.

The phase one of the initiative held for six editions and, according to the government, the gesture reached over 250,000 beneficiaries across the state. The initiative, launched in early March, was adjudged successful by the residents who sought its return.

Besides the 57 designated markets across all council areas, the Alausa Secretariat and Lekki Phase One were the other two markets established during the first phase of the initiative, making it a total of 59 locations. And pushing steps further, the government expanded the scope of the initiative, with the announcement of its second phase, to capture all and sundry.

This second phase of the ‘Ounje Eko’ started on September 1, and will run for eight weeks across 64 locations, including the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, Alausa Secretariat, Lekki Phase 1, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

The Sunday markets will run from 10am to 5pm, except for those in the Alausa Secretariat and educational institutions that open on Fridays. The market for Mushin Local Government will be at the Fresh Food Hub in Idi-Oro, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The food items available at the markets include a maximum purchasable cap of 5kg each for rice, beans, and garri, two loaves of bread, 1 crate of egg, 2kg of Tomatoes, and 1kg each of pepper, tatashe, and onions per individual.

This initiative stemmed out of the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure implementation of social initiatives aimed at cushioning the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Lagosians. These measures also come under the umbrella of EKO CARES which incorporates health, transportation and education sectors.

I am also aware the state set up about 20 mini markets in some local government areas during the COVID-19 so that people can buy closer to their homes. This initiative shows the state is foresighted by building on the COVID-19 knowledge to float the ‘Ounje Eko’ idea which covers more people.

Although the state government had carried out different tiers of intervention with regards to food distribution among different categories of the society in the past, especially to those that could not afford buying food at all, the ‘Ounje Eko’ initiative is for those who have some funds to buy at cheaper prices.

The Sunday market centres are usually filled up to the brim as long queues remain visible till the last food items are sold. And the decision to include the educational institutions to enjoy the discounted sales is a good idea to address the wellbeing of students and staff of the institutions. Although the prices of the products vary according to locations, residents are full of praises for the idea.

Through this initiative, the government has engaged not less than 6,000 personnel and over 3,000 businesses to supply food items, logistics and transportation, among others. This will enable standard operational conduct and further bolster local economy. And to prevent reselling, double-buying and ensure that all buyers are served, children who come with their parents are not allowed to purchase food items, while the aged, expectant mothers and people with disabilities are given preference.

Close encounters with some of the buyers reveal joy and confidence in the initiative. At the Grammar School market in Ikorodu, Mrs. Fatimah Odubela appreciated the gesture, saying “It has been tough to buy some food items, particularly eggs, but this 25 per cent discount is giving us the opportunity to buy. We thank the government.”

Another buyer at the Agege Dairy Farm Secondary School, Mrs. Uzamat Ojomo, said: “When the first phase was abruptly ended, I was shocked because the Sunday markets had assisted me to buy more for my family, and I was only managing through other periods. But now that it is back I am happy, I think the next eight weeks will bring succour to us here in Agege. Thank you Mr Sanwo-Olu.”

At the Lagos City College, Yaba, Segun Aiyeniromo Abdul said the initiative will bring relief, improve local production and boost economy.

Governor Sanwo-Olu had reassured residents of his administration’s resolve to cater for their wellbeing. He said “It is all about assuring Lagosians that our administration will continue to stand by them. We will continue to find and deploy creative ways of easing their burden.”

To me, this is a way to go. The burden created by the food prices is humongous and initiatives like this, coming from the Lagos State government, is commendable. I hope other states of the federation can replicate this towards saving lives and helping citizens to save more.

Going forward, Lagos and other states must forge collaboration to ensure food security and sufficiency. Efforts must be intensified to empower rural farmers, encourage urban farming, thereby ensuring security of farmers on the field. Dilapidated roads should be fixed to make transportation of food items easy, while multiple taxes on food items phased out.

Ounje Eko Market creates an ambience of happy vendors and happy buyers, and I believe this initiative will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of Lagosians.

•Balogun is a journalist and writes from Lagos.

September 11, 2024
Marching orders to security chiefs and insecurity

By Mike Kebonkwu

The nation is receding and slipping into a state of anomie! Bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements are running amok and everyone is gripped with fear moving from one point to the other. The statistics are staggering; about 150 persons were reportedly abducted in Gobir District a fortnight ago in Sokoto State while the District Head of Gatawa in the same Sokoto State was abducted and killed and the bandits are asking for N6 million to release his dead body. About the same period, some soldiers were reportedly ambushed and killed by bandits in the same Sokoto State. As if that was not depressing enough, just last week, there was a viral video in circulation where bandits seized and burnt down an Armour Personnel Carrier belonging to the Nigerian Army somewhere in Zamfara State. Last month, about 20 medical students from universities of Maiduguri and Jos were abducted on the corridors of Benue State while on their way to Enugu in the Southeast, but thank goodness they have been released.   In the North-central states of Kaduna and Plateau, the people are simply numb as abduction and senseless killings are the orders of the day.

Travelling by road through Lokoja to Edo/Delta States is like a voyage to harvest chestnut from hell; the same is true travelling through Ondo/Akure roads to the Southwest. Most incidents of abductions and kidnappings are not reported or make headlines because they have become a new normal.

The Minister of State for Defence Bello Muhammad Matawalle recently issued marching orders to the security chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State to stem the rising insecurity and the audacious onslaught by bandits. The minister was quoted as saying, “I will be on the ground in the Northwest with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform”.

We have passed this road before; some time ago, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari ordered the former Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai to move to the theatre in Maiduguri in order to combat the insurgency by Boko Haram terrorists. Experience has shown that the marching order did not change anything as it was not bound to do beside the political gimmick of doing something. Military operation is not a soccer game or taekwondo competition where you announced date, time and venue for the tournament. Military operation is top secret to achieve element of surprise against the enemy; not a road show for political objective.

Read Also: NBBF/Zenith Bank Women Basketball: First Bank, Customs unbeaten as Phase  One ends

For the records, insecurity in the country is not limited to the Northwest, Northeast or North-central but covers the Middle Belt, Southeast and indeed the South-south and Southwest in varying degrees; lives are lost and economic activities of the people disrupted. Farmers are not going to farm and there is hunger in the land and it is going to get worse in coming months and years. Government palliatives are grossly inadequate and cannot go round even the civil servants who are the target beneficiaries. The bandits are on a campaign of intimidation when they carried their madness as far as dancing on top of army APC and later set it ablaze. This is the height of the campaign of fright and terror; when bandits carry their siege to the military. To the ordinary citizens who are not armed it is a game up; as the saying goes, if ‘gold rust, what will happen to its brother iron’? If the bandits dare soldiers, then what happens to ‘bloody’ civilians!

The minister donning military combat fatigue in the frontline or addressing troops is not going to change the phase of the battle against those criminals. Putting the marching order in proper perspective, security chiefs do not have to relocate to the theatre to achieve objectives of routing the bandits and other criminal elements terrorizing the country.

The service chiefs have competent commanders at various strategic and tactical levels to coordinate the fighting men and materiel to achieve their objectives. Ordering security chiefs to move to the field has no operational objective in military campaign; it is politics simpliciter! The security chiefs should own the entire process of combating insecurity as experts and should educate the political authorities accordingly and not the other way round as if they do not know what they are doing. We do not need to move the Aso Rock to Sokoto or the Northwest before we can register federal presence or might just the same way we do not need to move the Army Headquarters to the theatre of conflict before we get result.   The Nigerian Army and armed forces are trained fighting force to defend the fatherland. One still believes that with discipline, they have what it takes to rein in the band of criminals terrorizing the length and breadth of the nation if properly equipped, retooled and motivated and give the bandits a bloody nose.

The military is not trained to trade negotiation and dialogue with criminals levying war on the state; it is an aberration and that should be left for politicians and religious clerics. It is time the military brought overwhelming force and firepower on this bunch of criminals and chase them to the gate of hell. Soldiers are trained to be offensive and aggressive and be feared by the enemy; no politics, no tribe and no religion.

Mr President or the minister can take a guided tour to the frontline to see the fighting troops reassuring them that the country will provide them whatever they need to defeat insurgency and criminality in Nigeria. The Chief of Army Staff can undertake operational visit and tour to see the state of the troops and their equipment but does not have to relocate to the battlefield. He has subordinate and competent commanders under him in charge of the fighting troops and operational theatres; the General Officers Commanding (GOCs), the Brigade Commanders, the Commanding Officers down to the riflemen.

We cannot win the war against insecurity when we are creating ethnic militias and regional ‘armies’ who have backing of their sub groups using them to do political negotiations. The military should not relinquish its core command and operational system to the political class. Criminals cannot be seen to seize armour personnel carrier (APC) belonging to the army and later set it ablaze and those elements are still enjoying rain, sunshine, free air and even sleep.   It does not matter whether the APC was bogged down in a marshy terrain and troops successfully extricated themselves before the bandits came dancing on the APC and looting it before setting it ablaze.

We are not telling ourselves the truth; these criminals make videos and post on internet, they make calls demanding for ransoms, they replenish their food and fuel supplies. We saw them with many motorbikes and yet we say the areas are not accessible; how did they get there on bike, haba! Are the Sim cards they are using not provided by communication companies in Nigeria? The security agencies cannot track these criminal elements with all the resources of the state including aerial surveillance at their disposal! There is a huge compromise in the fight against insecurity and until we purge our system the country will continue to remain unsafe.

Internal security operation ordinarily belongs to the Nigeria Police Force. When the military is brought in aid of civil authority, the military high command should make the terms clear- go for them, hunt them down and neutralize them; not negotiate with them; no plenty talk! We watch these criminals torture and butcher hostages yet some people are defending their rights because those hostages are not citizens enough with rights! We have dramatized enough on the fight against insecurity; we cannot continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. The security situation is far from improved; the more things appear to change, the more they have remained the same. Nigeria cannot continue like this! Insecurity cannot be defeated through window-dressing!

•Kebonkwu Esq is an Abuja-based attorney. He writes via mikekebonkwu@yahoo.com

September 11, 2024
The tax man and his burden

By Lere Olayinka

When on June 15, 2023, President Bola Tinubu made his first few appointments and Zacchaeus Adedeji was announced as the Special Adviser on Revenue, it was clear to discerning minds that the next chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had been unveiled. Three months after serving as Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, the final destination of Zacchaeus Adedeji was pronounced.

He will be moving to the FIRS as chairman, thus living up to his name; “Zacchaeus The Tax Collector.”

Twelve months after taking charge as the Nigeria’s tax man, things are beginning to look up for the country in terms of diversification of the nation’s revenue from oil.

By the end of 2023, non-oil revenue had increased by 67 per cent, with more than 170,000 new taxpayers and 20 per cent increase in tax compliance recorded as at June, this year. The rise in the number of taxpayers was occasioned by the emergence of more businesses, companies, and industries in the country, as well as simplification and unification of the tax payment system.

Before now, there used to be Tax Duty and Value Added Offices, among others, with taxpayers having to visit different offices to fulfil their tax obligations. Today, taxpayers no longer need to visit FIRS offices. At the click of a button, all tax payments can be made.

Adedeji’s leadership of the FIRS simplified tax processes and payments nationwide, making them more convenient and reducing the cost of compliance and administration. His less than four months in office before the end of 2023 saw to the surpassing of the government’s target of N11.5 trillion by N800 billion.

A total of N12.3 trillion was generated in 2023, exceeding the government’s target by seven per cent.

With a target of N19.4 trillion set for the FIRS in 2024, a sum of N3.94 trillion was generated between January 1 and March 31, compared to N2.52 trillion generated during the same period in 2023.

For instance, Value Added Tax (VAT) collection rose by 19.21 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 to N1.43 trillion. However, despite this performance, the revenue fell short of the quarterly target set by the FIRS, which was N4.8 trillion. This notwithstanding, the Nigeria’s Zacchaeus, is confident that the N19.4 trillion target is achievable and he is not relenting.

Read Also: Expert urges Nigeria’s filmmakers to promote national unity, cultural diplomacy

In the words of Adedeji, “The new target is achievable because of an effective tax collection system and a viable economic environment for businesses to prosper.

“What determines whatever we have comes from micro-economic indices because when the economy runs well, we are going to be taxing prosperity, not poverty.

“We will focus on the fruits and not the seeds. We need to ensure we have that viable economic environment that will lead to economic prosperity. And for us at FIRS, it is just to put the system in place to aid effective collection.

“We are not a revenue-generating agency, but a revenue-collection agency. With the plan of President Bola Tinubu to rejuvenate the economy, companies are going to grow and prosper.

“We have therefore resolved to create an environment of growth by removing every obstacle in the way of corporate entities and ensure a tax administration that is friendly, customer-centric, and ready to help businesses to bear more fruits.”

Already, substantial growth is being witnessed in other revenue sources such as VAT, Import Duty, and the Ecological and Mining Tax Levies (EMTL), along with the Common External Tariff (CET) levies. For instance, in June, out of the gross statutory revenue of N1.432 trillion, a total of N562.685 billion was available from VAT, which was higher than the N497.665 billion available in May by N65.020 billion. The statutory revenue of N1.432 trillion was also higher than the sum of N1.223 trillion received for May by N208.773 billion.

While Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Royalty Crude, Rentals, and Customs External Tariff levies (CET) decreased considerably, Companies Income Tax (CIT) and VAT increased significantly while Import and Excise Duties and the EMTL increased marginally.

But with all these and his determination to raise the revenue bar of the country to such a level that oil revenue will become less significant, will Adedeji be the first tax collector to be loved by the people? I doubt. In the Bible, the occupation of tax collector was looked down upon by the general populace.

Even Mathew, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ was unpopular and distrusted by most of his fellow Jews because he was a tax collector. Hence, from the tax collectors of ancient Israel to the present day ones, the tax man will most probably not stop receiving scorn and contumely.

Reason is, no one likes to pay money to the government. Therefore, it is natural for those who collected the taxes for government to bear the brunt of much public displeasure.

However, it appears this Zacchaeus of Nigeria is not unmindful of the main hazard of his job as a tax man, and he is simply carrying on with the task of putting the country on the strongest pedestal in terms of generation of revenue.

He sure hopes that one day, Nigerians will hear his name and what will come to their minds will be “that’s the Zacchaeus, who made our country less dependent on oil revenue.”

• Olayinka, a journalist writes from Okemesi Ekiti.

September 11, 2024
Reforming court rules for speedy justice delivery

Collins Okeke and
Gukongozi Ugwuezi

As the Nigerian bench and bar prepare for new leadership with the retirement of Justice Ariwoola as Chief Justice of Nigeria and the scheduled inauguration of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, one critical area that demands immediate attention is the speed of justice delivery. Nigeria’s justice system is notoriously slow, with available statistics indicating that simple cases can take between 6 to 10 years to conclude. This glacial pace has far-reaching implications, deterring potential investors and negatively impacting revenue for both legal professionals and the nation as a whole.

The antics of lawyers, judicial attitudes, court rules, and procedures have significantly contributed to this sluggish pace, not only denying citizens timely access to justice but also hindering the country’s economic growth. To address these challenges, it is imperative to reform court rules and procedures, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of justice delivery. This article explores the need for such reforms and their potential impact on Nigeria’s economy.

Adjournment culture: A barrier to swift justice

One of the most significant obstacles to speedy justice delivery in Nigeria is the deeply entrenched “adjournment culture.” Lawyers often exploit procedural devices such as adjournments, call-overs, extension of time and frivolous applications to delay proceedings. Judges, who are also lawyers by training, often empathize with these tactics. This unspoken collusion between the bench and the bar effectively deprives litigants of their day in court and perpetuates a slow, inefficient justice system.

Embracing case management: A path to efficiency

To counter the adjournment culture and accelerate justice delivery, Nigerian courts must adopt a robust case management approach. This involves judges taking an active role in controlling the pace of litigation by setting and enforcing strict timetables, ensuring cases progress efficiently, identifying key issues early in the proceedings, disposing of meritless claims promptly, and limiting the scope of discovery and evidence. By implementing these measures, judges can streamline proceedings and prevent unnecessary delays, thus significantly reducing the time required to resolve disputes.

Harnessing technology for seamless court operations

Read Also: Ingenious strategist, Prof Olatunji leads ACSPN in fresh forward march by Ganiu Okunnu

Reforming court rules should also involve leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and accessibility. Key technological improvements should include implementing electronic filing systems, enabling online fee payments, providing remote access to court proceedings, automating case assignments and utilising case management software. These technological advancements can significantly reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, enable round-the-clock court operations, and help judges and court staff better manage their caseloads and track case progress.

Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Incorporating ADR mechanisms, such as mediation and arbitration, into the court system can help alleviate the burden on courts and provide faster, more cost-effective dispute resolution options for litigants. By mandating ADR for certain categories of cases, such as simple debt claims and tenancy disputes, courts can focus their resources on more complex matters while ensuring that all cases receive appropriate attention. This approach not only speeds up the resolution process but also promotes a more collaborative and less adversarial legal culture.

Simplifying procedures and enhancing judicial feedback

Simplifying court procedures and using plain language in drafting rules can make the justice system more accessible and user-friendly. Additionally, judges should provide timely feedback to parties and their counsel, indicating their provisional views on issues and encouraging settlement discussions when appropriate. This proactive approach can help narrow down contentious issues, promote cooperation between parties, expedite case resolution, and reduce the overall time and resources spent on litigation.

The economic imperative for swift justice delivery

A slow, inefficient justice system has far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s economy. Businesses are reluctant to invest in an environment where commercial disputes cannot be resolved promptly, leading to a loss of investor confidence. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings consistently place Nigeria among the lowest-ranked countries, partly due to the difficulties in enforcing contracts and resolving commercial disputes.

By reforming court rules to prioritize speedy justice delivery, Nigeria can create a more attractive investment climate, foster private sector growth, enhance its reputation in the international business community, improve its standing in global economic rankings, and unlock its vast economic potential.

Conclusion

Reforming court rules and procedures to ensure speedy justice delivery is not merely a matter of legal efficiency; it is a crucial step towards building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria. By adopting case management techniques, leveraging technology, promoting ADR, simplifying procedures, and enhancing judicial feedback, the Nigerian justice system can overcome the challenges posed by the adjournment culture and deliver swift, effective justice.

As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment, a well-functioning, efficient judiciary will be a key enabler of economic growth and development. The time for action is now, and all stakeholders – including the government, judiciary, and legal community – must work together to implement these much-needed reforms. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its justice system to drive economic progress, improve the lives of its citizens, and position itself as a leading destination for global investment and business operations.

•Okeke and Ugwuezi are legal experts with Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL).

September 11, 2024
Kebbi PDP’s desperation

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In Kebbi State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), still wallowing in the trauma of the 2023 defeat, has since April of this year, been releasing a series of highly hypocritical statements purportedly in pursuit of opposition even at a time Governor Nasir Idris is discharging serious governance in the state. First were the rash press releases following the governor’s remarks at the immediate past Eid-il Fitr Sallah Durbar, a glaring display of political opportunism masked as concern for governance. In that blatant attempt to score cheap political points, PDP once again trivialised important issues, veiling its criticism in religious rhetoric, while conveniently ignoring its own track record of hypocrisy and double standards.

It is quite telling that instead of engaging in constructive opposition, the PDP seems more interested in exploiting sensitive religious sentiments or issues it lacked information about to whip up emotions among Kebbi citizens. The press statement twists the governor’s remarks into an attack on clerics, diverting attention from the real issues at hand. The reality is that the PDP is using religion to curry cheap popularity, a tactic they have repeatedly employed to gain sympathy without offering any real solutions. This is a disservice to the people of Kebbi, who deserve a robust debate on governance, not political theatre.

In fact, rather than attempt to paint the Kebbi state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris as being hostile towards clerics, one would expect the PDP to address the very issues those clerics raised, which the governor has taken steps to respond to. How is it that a party that claims to care about the plight of the people is silent on the menace of out-of-school children and unemployment, but chooses to focus on alleged “outbursts” from the governor? Specifically, what did PDP do to arrest these ever-present issues while they held sway? The PDP’s reluctance to engage in meaningful discourse on these critical issues demonstrates their lack of seriousness in addressing the real concerns of the people of Kebbi State.

Instead of suggesting ideas towards collectively addressing the growing number of Almajirai and out-of-school children, PDP sees an opportunity to grandstand about religious freedoms. This is nothing more than a smokescreen to mask their own failure to provide meaningful leadership when they were in power. Their selective outrage and eagerness to stir up religious sentiments only further exposes their penchant for double standards.

Read Also: Nine trending Nigerian gospel singers

For a party that claims to champion freedom of expression, the PDP’s history of harsh muscling of free speech says otherwise. It, therefore, becomes ironic that PDP is accusing the current administration of “gagging” critics, when their own reign in office was marked by recorded cases of attempts to stifle dissent. It is laughable that they would accuse the governor of undemocratic behaviour when they themselves failed to uphold democratic principles during their time in power. No wonder they always fail in elections in Kebbi State.

Moreover, the PDP’s statement conveniently ignores that political freedom also includes the right of any administration to hold individuals accountable for actions that seek to destabilise governance. If religious leaders are to play a role in governance, they must also be held to account when their criticisms cross the line into political agitation. This is why the governor’s remarks on maintaining order and addressing false religious narratives are in fact a defence of good governance, not an attack on religious freedom. But, PDP only sees the blind side where their rookie opposition gains some oxygen.

Worse is the absurdity in PDP’s claim that Governor Nasir Idris is neglecting the “majority” of Kebbi citizens. This is not only misleading, but also an attempt to deflect from the real issues. No part of that press statement is more ridiculous than PDP’s citing of election numbers to argue that the governor only represents a fraction of the population, conveniently ignoring that the majority of Kebbi citizens exercised their democratic rights and chose the current administration. To suggest that the governor is only serving his party’s supporters is not only outrageous, but also a dishonest attempt to delegitimise the will of the people.

Instead of focusing on these baseless accusations, PDP should take a long, hard look at their own failings in Kebbi. Where was their commitment to “equity” when they were in power? Why were issues of unemployment, education and sanitation not adequately addressed during their reign? Why are they always losing elections in the state? Their sudden concern for these issues now reeks of pungent opportunism which the people of Kebbi do not need right now.

The double press statements issued by PDP on June 4 calling for oversight on NG-cares funds and distribution of fertilisers further confirm the party’s poor know-how of opposition politics. Together, these ill-advised press statements have revealed the PDP’s penchant for double standards and religious manipulation which does more harm than good to our dear Kebbi State. Where was the PDP when Governor Nasir Idris was procuring and distributing fertilizers to the good people of Kebbi? The claim by PDP that NG-CARES fund disbursements are being shrouded in secrecy is not only preposterous, it is reminiscent of how the party has handled such issues in the past hence the belief that everyone would be tempted to re-enact their days of magical governance where the more people saw, the less they understood.

Kebbi PDP’s attempt to trivialise the governor’s genuine efforts at governance by turning it into a religious issue is a testament of their desperation to remain relevant. Kebbi State deserves better. We deserve a political discourse focused on development, not one hijacked by religious and political grandstanding.

It is disappointing that in these days of widespread hardship which the government of Nasir Idris is working assiduously to confront, PDP finds nothing to fantasise about but issues that bear no real relevance on the lives of the people. It is about time the PDP stopped pursuing cheap popularity and started engaging in meaningful conversations about governance. The people of Kebbi deserve serious opposition, not one that resorts to hypocrisy and emotional manipulation to score points.

It’s important to note that even before the coming of Governor Idris, Kebbi State has been a APC State and with what he has achieved in just a little more than a year, the people of the state have now got a strong commitment and affiliation with the party given the outcome of the recent local government election where the APC swept all the chairmanship and councillorship position in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

The sad reality for PDP was that they knew defeat was surely waiting for them, so they failed to even campaign for the election. In fact, they don’t have anything to campaign with and were psychologically defeated even before the election. If I were in the PDP in Kebbi State, I would have long ago grabbed the olive branch extended by Governor Idris to be part of the history of building the new Kebbi and also an opportunity to right their wrong than to be permanently in opposition and press statement issuers.

It’s not late!

•Yusuf writes from Abuja.

September 10, 2024
Overpopulation and environmental conservation challenges
- By Oluwole Ogundele
Overpopulation is an unending societal phenomenon tied to the apron strings of expansion arising from increase in births among other factors. This is a threat to the environment at any point in time. An imbalance between human population and environment leads to a lot of stresses and strains. It is tantamount to overloading or over-exploitation of environmental resources such as soils, vegetation, animal and plant species. Similarly, the atmosphere is polluted. Fumes from the numerous power generators in our residential places and offices in Nigeria are poisonous. They (fumes) contain a considerable amount of carbon monoxide which pollutes a given space. This point gains its relevance against the background of the fact that tree planting in residential areas is not yet a popular settlement behaviour in this part of the world.

Suffice it to say, that trees breathe like human beings. However, they inhale carbon monoxide and exhale oxygen needed by humans. Therefore, without trees around our houses, we will be breathing in polluted air (carbon monoxide-filled/laced air). This leads to several health challenges involving the hearts and lungs among other organs. Such a situation negatively affects public health and sustainable development in the long run. Again, the misleading notion that the prodigious population of any country (particularly without some future-sensitive planning) has no adverse effects on the environment, must be erased from our national vocabularies of popular discourse. It is a total disconnection from reality, to see overpopulation as a source of power. A highly populous country without sophisticated sustainable development policies, is a disaster to humanity. Overpopulation disturbs the equilibrium! Education, economy, health, and security suffer a great deal. Up to now, Nigerians are taking from the environment without putting back. This means that modernisation theory with its deep roots in colonialism still occupies a pivotal position in the scheme of things, after more than six decades of independence from Britain.

If truth be told, previous efforts by different administrations to reduce population growth rates in Nigeria, had not been sufficiently successful. This scenario is anchored among other things, to religious and political considerations in an uncritical manner. This is at variance with the principles of social contract inseparable from good governance.

Child-bearing like pigs or rabbits in the 21st century, is one of the vestiges of savagery. It is inimical to modern education and development. No culture is fixed once and for all! Overpopulation enables pollution levels to go up astronomically. The disequilibrium leads to a chain reaction with a special emphasis on aggravated insecurity, poverty, and political instability. Despite this existential reality, many Nigerians believe that Providence is there to take care of their over-numerous children who later become a nuisance to society. Shifting the blame smacks of spiritual and intellectual bankruptcy.

Environment and population growth eminently straddle the line between theoretical and practical boundaries. In 1950, the population figure was 38 million or thereabouts. It went up by seven million in 1960. In 2010, the country had 158 million compared to 206 million in 2020. The population figure is approximately 233million in August . It seems that the government is helpless as far as the issue of overpopulation is concerned. This is very dangerous for sustainable peace and development. No workable development plans. It had been estimated that the population of Nigeria would be 377million by 2050. This would make it, the third most populous country in the world.

If care is not taken, most Nigerians would be living in squalor in the next two decades or thereabouts. A lot of Nigerian settlements especially those experiencing rapid urbanisation (without any corresponding infrastructural planning) would be slums. The current environmental degradation and poverty would be a child’s play compared to what is likely going to happen in the near future except the governments both at the national and sub-national levels, wake up from their slumber.

Again, the ontologically unending rural-urban migrations basically traceable to material poverty, encourage greater noise, air, water and solid waste pollution. According to the World Bank, Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid wastes in a year. The figure would go up to 107million or more by 2050. This would adversely affect public health and economic progress. Therefore, there is no room for empty rhetoric as the clock ticks. Up to now, most Nigerians are well known for throwing household trash along the roads to “decorate” them (roads). Waste management services are generally poor or non-existent.

Most urban dwellers live with mounds of trash. Consequently, abominable stench is no longer irritating to us. Our market places are in most cases, an eye sore. Foodstuffs are often unashamedly displayed on heaps of wastes. Open dumping of refuse and burning, are the two popular methods of waste management. Although there is a legislation aimed at enhancing environmental protection and by the same token, public health, much success has not been recorded. Thus, for example, the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act of 1988 prohibits without lawful authority, the dumping or depositing of harmful wastes in the air, land or waters. But effective enforcement or implementation remains a far cry from what was/is intended.

Read Also: Wike signs MoU with Chinese corporations to boost rural water supply, power

This situation is inseparable from endemic corruption, inadequate numbers of dump sites, and overpopulation. Recycling refuse especially the biodegradable stuffs like food wastes, dead animals and plants for manure, can go a long way in boosting agricultural productions and protecting our environment. On the other hand, plastic wastes that are a form of pollution can become re-usable after recycling.

Recycling or processing of wastes is yet to gain in popularity in this country due basically to uninformed self-satisfaction on a monumental scale. Proper waste management is a lucrative business in most developed countries. Such an enterprise is future-sensitive because it is ecologically friendly. Despite the fact, that the US is the biggest producer of wastes in the world, the issue of proper environmental management is often treated with utmost seriousness. Waste management in the US is anchored to a workable legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates waste management.

Nigeria should learn from the US in this connection. Environmental protection in Nigeria must be an assignment for the local, state, and federal governments. Even the private sector has a critical role to play. Each local government council area needs to have several dump sites or landfills. Large-sized refuse drums have to be provided for each house. Trash is collected weekly while each household pays monthly for the collection services. Fertilisers are produced from the organic wastes. Landfills become factory sites. There is need for birth control. Public enlightenment campaigns by the relevant government agencies cannot be glossed over. We need a rise in education as if tomorrow matters. Rearing children like pigs or rabbits is retrogression to 18th-century cultural practices with negative consequences. For instance, out-of-school children are potential terrorists like Boko Haram members, kidnappers, and bandits. Therefore, our leaders across the board, should stop their unending political theatrics and focus on the issue of environmental and economic sustainability – the foundation of good governance.

•Prof Ogundele is of Dept. of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan.
September 9, 2024