The Nation Newspaper

Tag: challenge

  • Report: Financial inclusion ‘still a challenge in Africa’s low income communities’

    Africa’s financial environment is as competitive as other developing and high income regions in some countries, but access to finance remains a challenge, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales  (ICAEW).

    In its report, Economic Insight: Africa Q3 2016, the accountancy and finance body notes that whilst some countries have excellent financial soundness access to credit remains a challenge for many Africans.

    The report undertakes a comparative review of the financial systems and regulations in Africa relative to the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. It compares indicators of the financial environment (including credit metrics, risk evaluation and monetary policy), as well as regulation and supervision standards.

    The report looks at the role financing can play in economic development across the continent, and likely developments in the cost of financing in the coming years. In 2016 rankings, Rwanda performed best in SSA in terms of getting credit, followed by Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Mauritius and Uganda. This likely stems from the fact that Rwanda has made six reforms to facilitate getting credit during the 2010-16 period, strengthening borrowers’ and lenders’ collateral laws.

    However, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Michael Armstrong, notes that “financial inclusion remains low in Africa. According to him while many of Sub-saharan Africa’s population have access to a formal banking system, in low income communities the degree to which individuals can access financial services is limited, especially when considering the limited availability of private credit.  He observed the situation could have real effects on economic growth if it remains unchanged. Governments hoping to drive prosperity should consider how they can increase access to finance.

    Quoting a report “Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A)”, he said  in 2015 only 23 per cent of African households had access to formal or semi-formal financial services adding that that there is evidently significant variation between countries’ levels of financial sector development.

    The report notes that South Africa and Mauritius have the highest Private Sector credit extension (PSCE))to GDP ratios on the continent, with South Africa’s figure estimated at 150 per cent in 2015 while Mauritius’ ratio is estimated at around 104 per cent.

  • Our followership ethical challenge 

    Our followership ethical challenge 

    Political leaders in general, and elected officials in particular, get blamed for any and all national headaches— unemployment, poverty, insecurity, corruption, underdevelopment. Blame is justified because leaders ask to lead, and blame for lapses comes with the territory that leaders occupy. Not a few will argue that if political leaders voted into office by the electorate are not prepared for the heat, they should not get into the kitchen of politics.

    However, I argue here that followers also share in the blame of bad governance that creates national headaches. Followership blame may come at two levels. First is the low bar that followers set for the evaluation of potential leaders. Second is followers’ selfish expectation of leaders.

    Normally, we should elect leaders and, once they are in office, judge them by their integrity, by their empathetic feeling of the pain that their followers endure, and above all, by their competence. These three qualities are complementary but they sometimes get emphasised differently at different times.

    In the US presidential election of 1980, integrity played a greater role than competence. That was against the background of the Watergate scandal. Jimmy Carter won handily against Gerald Ford who had pardoned Richard Nixon, to the dismay of many voters. Four years later, competence was brought to the fore by a worsening economy and the Iran hostage crisis which respectively impacted the economic fortunes of voters and shook their sense of national security and national pride.

    With his demonstration of an empathetic understanding of people’s pain, Bill Clinton won the first presidential debate against George H. W. Bush in 1992 and he went on to win the presidency. His demonstrated competence in turning the economy around in his first term won him a second term in 1996 and effectively saved his presidency in 1998 even with his impeachment by the House and his damaged integrity.

    A pertinent question is here in order: If and when their votes are allowed to count and elections are not rigged, are our people also guided by similar concerns of integrity, empathetic understanding of citizens’ pain, and again above all, competence? Or are there other considerations that sway us one way or the other? For reason of space I cannot address this question as fully as it deserves. But I can hint at the route to an answer from our most recent experience.

    Back in 2010 at the time of the unfortunate sickness and eventual demise of former president Yar’Adua, an unexpected crisis arose in a republic guided by a constitution that is very clear on succession. There was a reluctance to have the then Vice President Dr. Jonathan serve as Acting President while the President was out sick. And when the President passed on, there was another crisis on whether the North should present a candidate to contest for and complete Yar’Adua’s second term. In both of these crises of succession as acting and as substantial president, clearly other considerations were in play before reason eventually prevailed.

    In the lead-up to the 2015 presidential election, with the emergence of the All Progressive Congress as a strong contender in the national elections, the criteria of integrity and competence were brought up and advanced in favour of candidate Buhari, while the accusation of incompetence and weakness in dealing with corruption and security were levelled against candidate Jonathan. But as the points and counterpoints were being canvassed and litigated, an extraneous issue that mirrored the interjection of 2010 was brought to the fore. The claim was made without any sense of irony that every zone was supposed to get two terms and that the Southsouth should not be denied a second term. Clearly here, the criteria of integrity, empathy and competence were not considered essential to electing the president.

    The above narrative from our recent past gives us a hint about the issues that we prioritise in the selection of leaders. And as a corollary, it should also provide us with a good barometer of leadership perception, understanding, and appreciation of their responsibilities and obligations to different demographics and constituencies. That the fight against corruption has different meanings for different segments of the population should therefore not come to us as a surprise.

    But there is more. Our differing demographics notwithstanding, each individual and/or group could still demand accountability based on the values that each holds dear. However, it appears that beside the group or traditional culture that makes us cling to nativist urges, we share a Pan-Nigerian culture that privileges certain attitudes which we do not find repugnant even though they are antagonistic to our true interests as individuals and as a people.

    We nurture a culture of negative work-ethic, godlessness despite our religiosity, and materialistic greed. “Possessive individualism” is philosopher C. B. McPherson’s description of the liberal capitalist ideology about the nature of market relations and the ethos that they create from the 17th century to the late 20th century.

    That description fits us perfectly as a people based on the way we like to acquire the so-called goods of life. The difference is that where it originates, there is at least a combination of acquisitive tendencies with positive attitudes to work. For them, the urge for production precedes and predominates the urge for acquisition. They work hard to produce much more than what they need. For us, the reverse is the case as we unceasingly indulge our ferocious appetite for material things without a corresponding interest in production. The consequence is that we have to rely on other countries, including those of our age for the satisfaction of our desires, which are not always desirable.

    The difference between the positive work ethic and modesty of life of the average citizens of countries whose consumption pattern we strive to outdo and ours is alarmingly huge. Our national culture celebrates pomp and pageantry, and respects flamboyance at the expense of modesty. We mock the alowomajaiye (penny pinchers) and applaud the profligates with flashy lifestyles even as we fail to investigate the source of their wealth.

    The anti-corruption fight has divided the country into the camp of supporters and opponents for a number of reasons. Some genuinely believe that it is one-sided. Others argue that the fight has left the economy uncared for. It appears to me, however, that one challenge of the fight is that corruption itself is a national pastime whether we want to honestly admit it or not.

    Corruption permeates all the segments of society and while the big-time culprits are being chased, the small fishes in the pond of corruption are swimming safely in its filthy water without being hunted. It is the television producer who demanded N150, 000 from a prospective interviewee or the programme would be cancelled. And it was cancelled. It is the case of the education officer who demanded padded envelope from a school proprietor for the registration of his school. Once given and received, no further questions would be asked and regulations need not be enforced. And we wonder why the education of our children is in such dire straits! It is the case of the policeman who turned the other way after a handshake with a driver’s stuffed hands, not worrying about the overloading of the vehicle, which went on to crash, killing all the passengers.

    The foregoing samples do not exhaust the list of self-help schemes on the part of those with access to some level of power. Hardly is there an exception. Even teachers who used to be role models for probity have also tasted the forbidden fruit and a variety of fees are their means of making more than ends meet. Examination fraud is team work.

    Folks without access to such formal positions of authority resort to “fine bara” of various shades and at various levels. From area boys to party stalwarts, they depend on the crumbs from the table of the powerful and connected and will entertain nothing that stands in the way. Talking ill of their benefactors gets into their skin; defending him/her is self-interest.

    It follows, therefore, that when leaders are ethically or criminally implicated, followers cannot creditably claim innocence.

  • ENACTUS Nigeria challenge begins

    The national entrepreneurship challenge of the Entrepreneurship Action In Us (ENACTUS) Nigeria starts on Monday, with the theme: Redefining the future. The four-day contest will host students from over 40 tertiary institutions, who will showcase their life-changing projects they carried out in rural communities in the last one year.

    The contest highlights the innovative and business solutions, which ENACTUS students are deploring through community-based educational projects to address real problems people are facing. Contestants will explain how their interventions have impacted businesses and wellbeing of the communities they carried out the projects.

    Apart from shaping the entrepreneurship skills of the contestants, the challenge also has objectives to develop thought-pattern of participating students and prepare them for leadership positions in corporate sector.

    Through the programme, students imbibe business values, such as discipline, integrity, accountability, selflessness and volunteering. The event also helps them to develop management, leadership and communication skills to engender a new breed of value-driving youths whose ideas are geared towards transforming the nation.

    During the competition, students will present their individual innovative projects and the quality of impact they are making before a panel of judges, comprising over 60 business leaders and industry professionals. The contest will run through three stages, with the best team that presents the most sustainable project becoming the overall winner. The best team will represent Nigeria at the ENACTUS World Cup holding in Toronto, Canada in September.

    The contest will also feature Lek Oil Agricultural Competition, which is organised in partnership with LEK Oil to inspire students to explore the opportunities in the value chain of agriculture, while they create innovative solutions to the perennial challenges in the agricultural sector using the bottom-up approach.

    There will also be ENACTUS Nigeria Innovation Summit with the theme: The impact of entrepreneurship in the development and sustenance of an emerging economy. The summit will host Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industries (BOI), Mr Waheed Olagunju, Director, Enterprise Development Center (EDC), Mr Peter Bamkole, and Chief Executive Officer of No Left Over Catering Services, Mrs Ayodeji Megbope.

    Other non-competitive activities to be held during the event include Woman Empowering Woman Discussion Forum, a mentorship and leadership development programme created in partnership with the United States (U.S.) Consulate to empower young women, who have demonstrated good leadership trait in their various communities.

    ENACTUS is an international non-profit organisation that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

  • History and a chief challenge to Buhari

    A few years ago, a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, looked at history with disdain. He translated the disdain into policy.

    Barely a month ago, two key figures in our history were remembered. They were Sir Ahmadu Bello, who was the Sardauna of Sokoto, and Chief Festus Samuel Okotie-Eboh. The cerebral events took place in the north and south respectively.

    The one was the premier of northern Nigeria in the First Republic and the other was a finance minister in the same republic in the Tafawa Balewa government.

    During that Okotie-Eboh event, three-in-one minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), showed how our students no longer studied history. He noted that the students who studied abroad, especially in the United States, knew foreign histories more than ours. For instance, they know who Abraham Lincoln was and when he became president.

    An elder pitched in recently. He is the respectable J.O.S. Ayomike, a historian and chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought. He called for the return of history to the curriculum of schools. He made the call when he was honoured with an Exceptional Lifetime Achievement Award to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State.

    Hear him: “I use this occasion to make a call close to my heart. It has bothered many Nigerians that history, as a formal discipline, is no longer taught in our schools up to tertiary level.”

    To demonstrate his fidelity to the past, he presented a gift of history books to the famous college.

    Chief Ayomike’s gifts, which also included several other books, were emblematic of the value of the past. We cannot know who we are without knowing who we were.

    It is ironic that Chief Obasanjo who turned our schools against history has been under the spell of history all his life. Was that not why he fought some partisans over the Owu leadership? Was that not why he wanted to reign as civilian president after his time as military leader? Was that not why he wrote books, especially a historical book about the Nigerian civil war?

    If we neglect the past, we lose the future. That was Chief Ayomike’s point. It is high time the lawmakers and the new president returned us to studying our history.

  • Oshiomhole, Obaseki and challenge of reconciliation

    Oshiomhole, Obaseki and challenge of reconciliation

    Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR, who witnessed the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, writes on the challenge of reconciliation in the chapter.

    Katsina State Governor Bello Masari has a piece of advice for the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC). After conducting the primary, which produced Mr. Godwin Obaseki as the APC governorship candidate, he advised party leaders to assist Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the task of reconciling aggrieved aspirants and other chieftains. Masari said reconciliation is necessary, so that the party can retain power in the Southsouth state.

    It is an understatement. The atmosphere at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin-City, the venue of the shadow poll, was tense as delegates cast their votes. But, contrary to the prediction of critics, there was no violence. The exercise was free and fair.

    As the delegates voted, they were monitored by the representatives of the 12 aspirants. The aspirants were Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Blessing Agbomhere, Dr. Pius Odubu, Kenneth Imasuangbon, Comrade Peter Esele, Oserheimen Osunbor, Tina Agbarha, Austin Emuan, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Prof. Ebegbue Amadasun.

    Obaseki won. He polled 1618 votes to defeat his close rival, Dr. Pius Odubu, who got 471 votes.  Chris Ogiemwonyi came a distant third with 137 votes and Kenneth Imasuagbon got 247 votes.

    Others did not get up to 20 votes. Charles Airhiavbere, secured 11 votes, Blessing Agbomhere, got five and Prof. Ebegue Amadasun had eight. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula garnered 10 votes; Austin Emuan got seven votes, Peter Esele secured eight votes, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor garnered nine votes and Tina Agbarha got three votes.

    Masari, who declared Obaseki winner, said all the aspirants were winners. He said: “They should regard themselves as winners. We have to learn to accept defeat and prepare for the next election. The winner should be magnanimous in victory. This is the first leg. I call on him to extend a hand of fellowship to other contestants. The rules and guidelines is that of simple majority. I hereby declare Obaseki as the winner of the primaries.”

    Oshiomhole led the victory dance. But, the supporters of his deputy, Odubu, were not happy. The contest was actually between the governor and other aspirants.

    Some political appointees, including commissioners who were sacked, were on the side of Odubu. To them, the outcome of the primary will teach Oshiomhole a lesson. But, their calculation failed.

    Before the primary, propagandists had swung into action. They said the APC will lose the governorship election, if a politician does not emerge as the candidate.  Obaseki, however, proved his critics wrong when he began canvassing for votes.  The APC chieftains who teamed up with Oshiomhole were Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie, Charles Idahosa, Theophilus Okoh, Pally Iriase, Peter Akpatason, Osarodion Ogie, Philip Shaibu, 18 lawmakers in the House of Assembly, and the Edo APC Caucus in the National Assembly.

    Many issues were raised before the primary. Opponents alleged that Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were being mopped up for N5, 000. There were allegations of  harassment and intimidation of delegates. Some people raised the alarm over an attempt to kidnap delegates. Some said delegates were being made to swear an oath of allegiance. Others alleged that there were plans to manipulate the delegates’ list.

    During a pre-primary meeting  with delegates, Oshiomhole asked the aspirants to swear, if they had not induced delegates with money.

    He said: “As for the allegation of people spending money, the truth is like what they said in the Bible: who will cast the first stone? Of the seven of you here seated, how many can put his hand on the Bible and say, ‘I have not induced delegates with money’?” But, Ogiemwonyi disagreed, saying that he only organised an empowerment programme for the poor.

    The aspirants were shocked when they were informed that accreditation would be done in three centres. The purpose was to ensure a smooth accreditation. The accreditation began simultaneously at the three centres at about 11:30am. Edo South delegates were accredited at Agbado Primary School, while delegates from Edo Central were accredited at George Idah Primary School. Delegates from Edo North were accredited at Imaguero College.

    There was heavy security at the venue of the accreditation. Buses were stationed at the centres to convey delegates to the stadium. After accreditation by each local government, the delegates were taken under tight security to the stadium to prevent anybody from joining the already accredited delegates. All the delegates presented their PVCs before they were accredited and allowed into the stadium.

    Outside the stadium, various groups, which were stopped from entering, were drumming and dancing; singing the praises of their candidates.

    Before voting Masari said 2,582 delegates were accredited, instead of the 2,771 names on the list. He said delegates were free to go home after casting their votes.

    Voting started at about 6pm. Oshiomhole kicked off the exercise, followed by other statutory delegates. Tempers began to rise, when Imasuagbon and Ogiemwonyi, who were observing the voting complained that Oshiomhole was on the field. They accused Oshiomhole of intimidating delegates. They poured invectives on their agents for not being vigilant.

    Osunbor, who came with his wife, sat unruffled. Other aspirants watched as the duo vent their anger. They told the Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, to ask the governor to return to his seat.

    Imasuagbon said he has invested much in sharing rice to people and he had to protect his interest. Despite the complaint that persons not accredited were voting, the exercise went on.

    Oshiomhole left when the counting of votes started. Ogiemwonyi and Imasuagbon left when it was clear that Obaseki would carry the day. They both refused to explain why they had to leave.

    Comrade Esele congratulated Obaseki and left the venue with a promise to support Obaseki at the general elections.

    Hon Akpatason said the alleged purchase of PVCs was a mere business transaction

    He said: “Those are regular rhetorics. In any election, you must hear that; it has become part of politicking in this country. In any case, I am not sure we are going to use the PVC to vote. So, what is the relevance of the PVCs now? As far as I am concerned, it is totally inconsequential. As you can see, it is secret ballot.”

    To Hon. Pally Iriase, “All the noise about collection of cards is neither here nor there. It is to be expected in this period that people will make all kinds of allegations. But we must take some of them with a pinch of salt, because nobody can be forced to give his voters card.

    “As it is, the interest of Edo State has to come first. We know the terrible situation we faced up to 2008, when Edo was completely rotten – infrastructural decay was the order of the day; there was nothing working.

    “We now had the opportunity to see a government that works.  We have seen a government that works and we expect in this exercise (primary) we that we will be able to pick who will carry on with the development that we have seen. That is why some of us have endorsed the candidature of Godwin Obaseki and we have worked to ensure that those who believe in us also follow suit.”

    Oshiomhole described Obaseki as a sound person, who is not strange to governance. He said: “We have had what qualifies to be the very best (primary) that has been organised under the APC government since we assumed office and there is no question, the process has been very transparent, people have behaved very responsibly, delegates have conducted themselves very well.

    “Today, we really have celebrated democracy. In terms of the controversies, I think part of the problem was also yours (media). For example, people alleged that people were buying PVCs. Now, the main criteria for accreditation in this (primary) election was the PVC. Was there any delegate who could not find his PVC to vote?  All of them used the PVC for accreditation, which means that people have their PVCs with them.

    “We all now have to work together, which is something we all understood at the beginning or I believe those who contested understood. We all now have to work together to sell the ticket. I think that will not be a problem because Edo people know that we have a quality of service.

    “The guy (Obaseki) is sound; he is at home with the issues. He is not a stranger to governance. I have worked with him for seven and a half years. He has been part of the system; he has been in the brain box . So, there is no space for learning; he is ready to hit the ground running. For me I feel fulfilled.

    “The delegates won; the delegates have spoken.  Now, the party should be more united. We are ready to hit the ground running for the campaign and God willing, by September 10, Edo will, as usual reaffirm the bond between the people of Edo State and the All Progressives Congress “

    Oshiomhole has scaled the first hurdle of securing nomination for the man who can deliver on electoral promises and consolidate on his achievements. He has shamed critics and proved that he understood the dynamics of politics. The PDP had prayed for the emergence of Obaseki as APC flag bearer. Its leaders boasted that Obaseki will not win the election. September 10 is indeed, Oshiomhole’s last battle.

  • We want to challenge the status quo, says Big & Bold

    An integrated and interactive marketing communications outfit in Lagos, Big and Bold Communications Limited, has expressed its readiness to challenge the status quo in the marketing communication industry.

    Speaking during the agency’s first anniversary and unveiling of its new office on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, the firm’s Chief Brand Strategist, Mr. ‘Jide Adeyemi, said having worked in some top tier agencies and multinationals, the agency has set high standards to attain growth.

    He said while the first year of operation remained exciting, the company has achieved above its set target with plans to further provide innovative solutions for everyday marketing challenges faced by organisations.

    “We are proud to be able to achieve such positive results in our first year, and of course this motivates us to pursue our vision with renewed vigor. We want to be the go-to agency for young Nigerians who are not scared to challenge the status quo to provide innovative solutions to everyday marketing challenges faced by organisations. We want to help our clients create an emotional bond between their brands and the consumer. Of course our fun, relaxed work environment and culture of no 9-5 but when we open our eyes to when we close it will support their aspirations.”

    Last year, Big and Bold clinched the Alcatel Onetouch (now Alcatel) marketing account and helped re-launch the brand into the markets. Since then, the agency has managed advertising, Go-To-Market strategy, retail campaign, activations, public relations, digital marketing and training for clients, such as Alcatel, d.Light, General Electric, Boff and Company Insurance Brokers, Lenovo, Huawei, Glitz and Fero.

    Also, the company’s Executive Director, Ranti Agunloye said the challenging period for businesses, such as economic downturn and the resultant foreign exchange meant that the agency had to a lot of jobs with little or no profit as a slight change in government policy could disrupt planning and strategic direction of most of the agency’s clients.

  • Revisiting the herding challenge

    Revisiting the herding challenge

    Following the President’s public intervention in the precarious situation of herdsmen-farmers conflict, which has resulted in the death of hundreds of Nigerians this year alone, it has become necessary to revisit the matter on which I wrote just a couple of weeks ago. As many informed citizens have confirmed, this has been a perennial national issue, which only just escalated beyond the level of tolerance in the last two or three decades. As it turns out, Mr. President himself had been actively involved in the task of finding a solution to the crisis.

    It may be recalled that at the height of the last presidential campaign, some partisan cliques tried to link then candidate Buhari to the herdsmen-family crisis in OkeOgun.They accused him of calling on Oyo State to stop the harassment of herdsmen by local farmers in the area. Those who raised this as a campaign issue sought to paint the APC standard-bearer in a very bad ethnocentric light. It didn’t work.The reason it didn’t work was that voters were just done with the last administration.

    Now, as the nation’s leader with a huge responsibility for peaceful coexistence among its people, President Buhari has decided that it is time to find a lasting solution to the crisis, which has the potential of tearing the nation apart. He knows that it is not a north-south quarrel. It is also not a Christian-Muslim conflict. It is an economic conflict that pits crop farmers against livestock farmers. Farmers in the northern zones are even hit harder because of their location. There have been scholarly studies of the conflict in Yobe, Borno, Plateau, Benue and other states in the zone. The loss of farm crops to cattle breeders and the loss of cattle to rustlers are just aspects of the incessant conflict.

    It is in the light of the seriousness of the issue that the President’s decision to intervene must be commended. Not that he has an option. After all, he swore to an oath to promote the security of citizens and the unity of the nation. And where the livelihood of citizens is jeopardised, there is potential for violence, which has been demonstrated beyond doubt.

    But what is Mr. President’s solution? Back in his Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days, there was a study and a report on how to resolve the incessant herdsmen-farmers conflict. That study had recommended the establishment of grazing reserves and stock routes throughout the country. Parcels of land were to be mapped out and taken over by the central government and routes were to be created from north to south. This cannot be left to state or local government because as Mr. Muhammad Bello, the Secretary General of Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria revealed in a Premium Times interview, the Nigerian government has a treaty with other countries in the West African region for the facilitation of economic movement across the region. I suspect the reference is to ECOWAS.

    ECOWAS has generated an influx of cattle herdsmen from neighbouring countries traversing the Nigerian landscape for grass and water for their cattle. Because of the treaty, the federal government has responsibility to sister governments to keep their citizens safe and provide for their economic needs. Mr. Bello conceded that in the First Republic, government charged cattle tax but that no one now pays cattle tax. Yet the federal government has responsibility to provide cattle breeders with cattle feed and water for which there is no return to government. In fairness to Mr. Bello, his argument is that cattle breeders do not pay cattle tax because they have not been receiving any service. Therefore, if government were to provide them with grazing fields and veterinary services, they would be sufficiently responsible to reciprocate.

    The PTF study and report to which Mr. President has referred governors and the Minister of Agriculture apparently anticipated Mr. Bello’s position that grazing reserves must be carved out throughout the country.

    Though the story about the ministry’s decision to set up a committee on the matter first broke last July, it did not receive a wide publicity until recently. Various media outlets reported at that time that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Sonny Ochono, announced that the Federal Government had set aside over N1 billion as compensation for farmers who were affected by recent clashes with herdsmen and that more than N310 million had been disbursed to farmers in Kano, Plateau and Bauchi.

    Mr. Ochono also announced the inauguration of “a Committee on Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Grazing Reserves and Stock Routes Nationwide.” He stated at that time that the ministry was acting on the directive of Mr. President. He also stated that the incessant clashes “necessitated Mr. President to direct the ministry to consider the recommendations of the studies commissioned by the PTF and the Northern Governors Forum on the same subject with a view to developing a pragmatic strategic action plan for the development of grazing reserves and stock routes nationwide.” The ultimate objective was to “develop strategic recommendations that will end the persistent farmers and herdsmen conflicts in the country.” This was reported fully by Nigerian Tribune of July 13, 2015.

    It would appear from the terms of reference of the committee that the establishment of grazing reserves was a fait accompli. The name of the committee reveals this much. It has also been confirmed that a bill on the establishment of grazing reserves was introduced in the 7th National Assembly, but it was rejected by the Senate. No effort has been made to reintroduce it in the current Senate.

    Fast forward to 2016. Mr. President made a case for grazing reserves and stock routes, citing the same PTF study. He even revealed that the PTF Report mapped out areas for grazing reserves and stock routes, but that the rich and powerful politicians took over the various lands for themselves. My reading of the President’s remark is that he is all for grazing reserves. With due respect to him, it is not a good idea and it will not work. The federal government has no authority over land. State governments do and they keep the land in trust for the people and for projects that are of common developmental interests.

    Herding or cattle breeding is NOT a COMMON developmental project. Like crop breeding, cattle breeding is PRIVATE BUSINESS. Crop farmers buy their farmland or lease it from government. This is what cattle breeders must do. Nomadism is not a cultural tradition that must be preserved at the cost of national unity.

    The current Minister of Agriculture, a farmer of immense experience, and his team have also been rubbing mind on this issue. As reported by Premium Times of May 11, the ministry has proposed ranches as opposed to grazing reserves and stock routes. As noted by Mr. Lokpobiri, who represented Minister Audu Ogbeh at the Senate hearing on the matter, “The nomadic nature of cattle rearing in Nigeria make (sic) the cattle less productive. In other countries, the cows do not move; they are kept in ranches and so they are very productive.”

    Continuing, Mr. Lokpobiri wondered aloud: “They used to argue that nomadic cattle rearing is a tradition but we have to ask, as a tradition, is it profitable to the rearers; is it sustainable in the modern realities?” These are excellent questions for proponents of grazing reserves and stock route. But there is at least one very important question: With what rationale and what justification will the federal government acquire land from any state government for grazing reserves and stock route? Pray with what justification other than naked and brutish use of federal might?

    The cattle herded by the poor and wretched are owned by rich and powerful individuals who can afford to buy or lease land for private ranching. They can afford to grow nutritious grass to feed their cattle. Why impose that responsibility on states when the venture is a private one? As a matter of justice and fair-play, in the interest of peace and harmony, private ranching for cattle breeding is the most reasonable policy option.

  • History and a chief challenge to Buhari

    A few years ago, a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, looked at history with disdain. He translated the disdain into policy.

    Barely a month ago, two key figures in our history were remembered. They were Sir Ahmadu Bello, who was the Sardauna of Sokoto, and Chief Festus Samuel Okotie-Eboh. The cerebral events took place in the north and south respectively.

    The one was the premier of northern Nigeria in the First Republic and the other was a finance minister in the same republic in the Tafawa Balewa government.

    During that Okotie-Eboh event, three-in-one minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), showed how our students no longer studied history. He noted that the students who studied abroad, especially in the United States, knew foreign histories more than ours. For instance, they know who Abraham Lincoln was and when he became president.

    An elder pitched in recently. He is the respectable J.O.S. Ayomike, a historian and chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought. He called for the return of history to the curriculum of schools. He made the call when he was honoured with an Exceptional Lifetime Achievement Award to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State.

    Hear him: “I use this occasion to make a call close to my heart. It has bothered many Nigerians that history, as a formal discipline, is no longer taught in our schools up to tertiary level.”

    To demonstrate his fidelity to the past, he presented a gift of history books to the famous college.

    Chief Ayomike’s gifts, which also included several other books, were emblematic of the value of the past. We cannot know who we are without knowing who we were.

    It is ironic that Chief Obasanjo who turned our schools against history has been under the spell of history all his life. Was that not why he fought some partisans over the Owu leadership? Was that not why he wanted to reign as civilian president after his time as military leader? Was that not why he wrote books, especially a historical book about the Nigerian civil war?

    If we neglect the past, we lose the future. That was Chief Ayomike’s point. It is high time the lawmakers and the new president returned us to studying our history.

     

    • This article was first published on March 17, 2016.
  • Meeting the herding challenge

    Meeting the herding challenge

    The controversy over how to deal with the time bomb that defines the frequent violent clashes between herders and crop farmers is an unfortunate example of our habitual politicisation of issues of economic and social importance. What it requires is simply getting our bearing right and calling a spade by its proper name.

    What are the issues? Herders naturally promote their economic interests by taking care of their cattle, shepherding them to good pasture not minding the economic interests of crop farmers and their farmlands which their cattle feed on indiscriminately. Naturally too, farmers resent the impunity that appears to characterise the actions of herders. They are resentful because it appears to them that herders are subject to no laws or to different codes which protect them from justice. After all, they see many of these herders with AK-47 flung around their shoulders. Do they have the legally approved licence to carry such lethal weapons in pursuit of their economic interests at the expense of the farmer’s interests?

    While some farmers resist confrontation, deciding to have their gods avenge the ill-treatment in the hands of a powerful foe, others have decided to take their destinies into their hands, fighting with whatever they have, what they regard as economic oppression and tyranny of the mighty and powerful. In the midst of what appears to be a raging silent battle for economic and cultural survival, amidst all that have been our terrible lot at the dawn of the 21st century, there are conflicting reports of prospects of governmental intervention. One such was the idea of a grazing land, which has recently come up in media reports but which has now been denied again in media reports. My intention here is to offer some clarifications which I hope can lead to a morally and economically adequate resolution.

    First, we need to understand the commonalities and the differences between farming and herding. In terms of commonalities, I would like to suggest that they are both farming activities. We entertain no controversy when we talk about crop farming and livestock farming. Farming is defined commonly as the activity of growing crops or raising livestock for food or as raw materials. The synonyms for farming include agriculture, cultivation and land management.

    Second, from the foregoing it follows that farming has a number of divisions or sectors including, livestock, grain production, crop production, land management, etc. and whoever is engaged in any of these activities is by definition a farmer. By the same token, a farm is defined as an area of land that is devoted to the activity of producing food crops or raising animals for food and/or raw materials. For farming, farms or farmlands are necessities. And a farmer therefore is someone engaged in the business of farming, which as we just agreed, include cultivating crops and raising livestock. I suggest that herding is one category of farming and a herder is one category of farmer.

    What’s the difference? Herding is an agricultural or farming device to manage animals domesticated for supply of food or raw materials. While crop farming is space-confined, herding can but doesn’t have to be unconfined. Furthermore, while livestock farming is farming for subsistence and for sale by farm owners, herding is usually done by third parties working for livestock farmers or by individual families as small holders.

    Herding has been described as a way of life. It is claimed that herders are culturally nomadic and they cannot live domesticated life. This may be true to some extent. However, it is not supported by experience of recent times. There are stories in the holy scriptures about middle easterners of Abrahamic religions living nomads lives, including Abraham and Lot, Jacob and his in-law, Joseph and his brothers, Moses and his in-law, and David and his Jesse brothers.

    But where is the nomadic way of life in present day Israel! Or with contemporary Bedouin Arabs? Many have settled for urban life enjoying modern facilities including schools and health care. No condition, they say, is permanent and a culture that condemns a large number of human groups to a life of perpetual hardship and suffering is not worth keeping. By the way, as our Minister of Agriculture once observed, the cattle reared in the harsh conditions of nomadic herding are also an unhappy lot.

    If herding is another method of raising domesticated animals, then it is livestock farming. It prevailed as a method under two related realities which no longer exist. First, there was large expanse of land most of which was unclaimed by any specific groups or individuals. Second, the land was unsuitable for crop farming and the shrub and plants on the land was good for the animals. Neither of these realities now exists.

    The land that Nigerian herders frequent with their cattle belong to individuals and families, though by virtue of military fiat much of these lands now belong to state governments. And the approval for the use of most of these lands is now vested in the state governments. It follows that the lands are not free for use as grazing land by herders.

    While small land owners get away with the use of the land once claimed by their ancestors, commercial farmers can only have access to the quantity of land they need by lease or purchase from the government. Herders hardly do any of these and they freely graze their cattle on the lands trespassing on farmlands with impunity.

    This accounts for the frequent clashes that have occurred between herders and farmers who cultivate the lands across the length and breadth of the country. It is incorrect to see this as a north-south conflict. Rather it is a conflict between the economic interests of crop farmers from north and south on the one hand and livestock farmers who practise nomadic herding in the north and south.

    Clarifying the matter this way enables us to deal with it in a rational way. First, both livestock farmers and crop farmers need suitable land for their farming activities. Second, the former can still use herders once they have a legitimate claim to adequate land that does not conflict with the valid claims of crop farmers. Third, having a legitimate claim to land means that livestock farmers, just as their crop farming counterparts, lease or purchase specific parcels of land for their farming operations.

    This is the economically rational approach to livestock farming.This is what private ranches are about in modern livestock farming. The advantage of ranches includes the opportunity to graze cattle and other animals in well nurtured environment with adequate facilities for education and healthcare for those that still choose herding as a job. Furthermore, the cattle that they raise by this method can be given adequate care, with good feeding grass and shrub specifically planted for the purpose as well as veterinary care for the animals.

    The denial that there is a grazing land bill before NASS is a great relief. It would not have worked if the goal was to stop the frequent violent clashes between farmers and herders and it would have aggravated the tension. The beginning of wisdom and resolution of the crisis is the recognition that it is too late in this day and age to subscribe to the practice of open range grazing land for cattle or other domestic animals. For besides the conflict it generates, it is also economically unviable. At a time when we are encouraging commercial crop farming, it is counterproductive to encourage open grazing which destroys farmlands and pit crop farmers against herders.

    Livestock farmers who employ the services of herders must not be allowed to put their economic interest above national interest. The nation has a primary interest in harmonious relationship among its various groups. In addition, it also has an abiding interest in the economic prosperity of all its citizens. Private ranching as a globally tested method of livestock farming is the best approach to the promotion of the interests of livestock farmers and herders that work for them as well as the interests of crop farmers.

  • Oshiomhole and challenge of succession

    Oshiomhole and challenge of succession

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole may have endorsed an aspirant as his successor. Mixed reactions have continued to trail his position. His supporters believe that the governor could not be expected to be indifferent to the tendency of his successor. But, critics are of the opinion that the governor has polarised the party by pitching his tent with a contender. Will Oshiomhole succeed in his plan? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the succession battle in the Southsouth state.

    Nine years ago, he seized Edo politics by storm. He was full of zest, vigour and strength. As a veteran labour leader, he has been a household name for decades. Thus, stakeholders were rooting for him. As the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, threw his hat into the ring, it was evident power shift was imminent in Edo State.  At the close of the historic governorship poll in 2007, the candidate of the defunct Action Congress (AC) defeated Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    However, the victory was allotted to the loser. The people protested the hijack, until the stolen mandate was restored by the Supreme Court. When the unionist-turned politician assumed the reins, he set three goals for himself:  massive transformation through infrastructural development, banishment of godfatherism and an  efficient and incorruptible government. Having lived up to expectation, the comrade governor was re-elected in 2012. But, as Oshiomhole’s tenure expires early next year, his major challenge is succession.

     

    Politics of endorsement

     

    Few months ago, the governor dropped a bombshell. Acknowledging the imperative of continuity, he endorsed an aspirant. Although he did not mention any name, sources said the governor has a soft spot for Godwin Obaseki, a banker from Benin-City, the state capital, and leader of the Edo State Economic Team. Justifying his position, Oshiomhole said he has the constitutional right as the governor and the All progressives Congress (APC) leader to anoint a candidate. Many chieftains, who share the governor’s view, believe that Obaseki, who has been part of the decision making process in the last seven years, is eminently qualified to continue where he will stop and sustain the tempo of good governance.

    The APC primary will be very interesting. The governor has not rescinded his decision to support a candidate. Some stakeholders, who want a technocrat to succeed Oshiomhole, are rooting for the dark horse. But, other aspirants-Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Blessing Agbonmhere, Charles Airhiavbere, Peter Esele, Chris Ogienwonyi, Don Pedro Obaseki, Omon Irabor and Amadasun Ebugue-are protesting, saying that the governor is partial. They have also alleged that plans are underway to tinker with the list of delegates to favour the governor’s preferred choice.

    Unlike 2007, APC chieftains are more confident as the poll draws near. Many believe that the APC has a brighter future in the Southsouth state. The party wields the power of incumbency at the federal and state levels. The performance of the governor has been widely acknowledged, unlike his predecessor, Mr. Lucky Igbinedion of the PDP. Prominent indigenes, including former Bendel State Governor Sam Ogbemudia, have promised to assist the governor in his search for a credible successor. But, will the Iyomho-born politician succeed in his plan? Will the successor the governor is grooming be acceptable to the majority of delegates? Will the party remain the same after the primary?

     

    PDP’s credibility crisis

    Sources said the PDP is closely monitoring the APC selection process. Already, the party has zoned its ticket to Benin as the APC has done. “The PDP is waiting for an explosion in the Edo APC. The party thinks that, if the APC primary turns rancorous, it will benefit from defections from the ruling party. If the APC gets it right, the future of the PDP will remain bleak,” said a source.

    The PDP is in a dilemma. It appears the chapter faces a bleak future. The party, led by Chief Dan Orbih, has boasted that it will bounce back. For  eight years, it has been left in the cold, following its defeat at the polls. Thus, its dream of regaining power has always been aborted. Although the party has two senators, it is a divided house. PDP aspirants, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Osaro Onaiwu, Solomon Edebiri and Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, are working at cross purpose. The struggle for the ticket may further weaken the platform.  But, if the APC mismanages its primary, two scenario are possible; there may be defections to the PDP and without defecting to the PDP, some members may subvert the party during the election.

     

    APC aspirants

    No fewer than 10 APC chieftains are warming up for the shadow poll. More are likely to unfold their ambition as the race gathers momentum. APC aspirants include the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, a defector from the PDP, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, former university don Prof. Osunbor, Prof. Amadasun Ebegue, Blessing Agbonmhere, unionist Peter Esele, Omon Irabor, Godwin Obseki and his brother, Pedro Obaseki.

    Osunbor, who hails from Edo Central, is a determined politician. He has experience. But, many APC leaders see him as a new comer. When he left the PDP, many PDP chieftains were taken aback. In the APC, he has not become a force to reckon with.

    The factors against him may also work against Airhiavbere, who was in 2012 was sponsored by the PDP leader, Chief Tony Anenih, the acclaimed ‘Mr. Fix it,’ to challenge Oshiomhole. It was a miscalculation. The PDP lost its deposit and the ego of the eminent politician was deflated.

    Odubu is an experienced  politician. He is a loyal deputy governor.  He is popular in the ruling party. But, his fate lies in the hand of his boss and other party leaders. Already, the governor has anointed Obaseki.

    Ogiewonmonyi served briefly as the Minister of Works under Dr. Jonathan. He is also close to General Ogbemudia. But, party members see him as an independent minded chieftain, who is not tied to the apron-strings of the governor.

    Godwin Obaseki is highly connected. He is from a prominent Benin family. The people of Benin Kingdom; the royalty and chiefs; and prominent indigenes are excited about his candidature.

    His cousin, Pedro Obaseki, is a broadcaster and film maker who has made name in the entertainment industry.

     

    Supremacy battle in PDP

    A section of the party believes that only the founding fathers can rescue the party. But, another caucus has disputed this  claim, saying that the so-called founding chieftains are the architects of the PDP’s misfortune. The second group is of the opinion that many of the founding fathers have dented the image of the chapter, owing to their corrupt tendencies while steering the affairs of the state.

    The two groups locked in a supremacy battle have not reconciled. Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, the arrowhead of the first group, declared that whhoever is going to be the next governor must be one of the PDP founding members. Former Senate Chief Whip Rowland Ovie, who is leading the second group disagreed. He said if the former governor sponsors a candidate, the flag bearer will be tainted. He said his performance in office failure led to the defeat of Osunbor and Airhiavbere in 2007 and 2012. Ovie added: “For the PDP to be seen to have broken ranks with irresponsibility, we have to be sure that our candidate for 2016 will not have any relationship with previous failures of the PDP government in Edo.”

    Can the two camps agree on a candidate? Among the PDP aspirants, two stand out. They are Ize-Iyamu and Edebiri. Pastor Ize-Iyamu is the former Secretary to Government. He served under Igbinedion. He is the former Southsouth leader of the defunct ACN. Many people have described Ize-Iyamu as a hardworking politician; a strategist and organiser. In 2012, he was the Director-General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation. He has the support of Igbinedion. But, some elders, including Dr. Sam Ogbemudia and Owie, are looking at another direction. Party insiders have said that Anenih may not be comfortable with his candidature because he had joined forces in 2012 against the Iyasele of Esanland, when he and Oshiomhole rejected godfatherism. He was a believer in the slogan: “No man is god.”

    Edebiri, a Bini from Edo South, can be described as a serial contestant. The businessman contested in 2007 in the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and in 2012 ran in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

     

    Oshipmhole’s burden

    Since the governor unfolded his succession plan, many APC chieftains who are not favoured by his permutations have been kicking. Pedro Obaseki has urged him to rescind his decision, saying that it could be a recipe for chaos in the party. He reminded Oshiomhole that two of his candidates failed during the last senatorial election, advising him to accept the limitations to his influence. He maintained that only a level playing field at the primary can foster harmony.

    The former Works Minister is bitter and more combative. He decried the endorsement of a candidate by the governor, saying that it can divide the party, ahead of the election. He alleged that plans were underway to tinker with the delegates’ list. But, the governor’s political adviser has denied it.

    The APC aspirants who have kicked against the governor’s endorsement of Obaseki are not teaming up against the Chairman of the Economic Team. On daily basis, Obaseki is waxing stronger on the field. He has concentrated  much efforts on mobilisation across the wards, local governments and senatorial districts. Since Oshipmhole declared his support for him, the governor has not make further statement. Obaseki has continued from there, holding consultations with stakeholders and soliciting for support from traditional rulers, businessmen, potential delegates, women and youths.

     

    Obaseki’s strategy

     While other aspirants are up in arms against him, Obaseki has taken his case to the people. He has presented to them, not as a politician, but a technocrat; tested and trusted. “The project I have embarked upon is inspired by my commitment and passion for service at this time when Nigeria is in crisis,” he said. He said having served Edo in the last seven years under Oshiomole, he knew the enormous power of government, adding that a policy stroke can distabilise a collective dream.

    “I have been part of the team that formulated a blue print and implementation plan. We wanted to pay to serve; we did not want to be paid to serve. I went to the University of Ibadan on Edo bursary; nobody asked me to pay back. The way people view government is how to get money from it, not how to use government to create wealth for all.

    “Governor Oshiomhole inherited insecurity, poor infrastructure and a civil service will a low morale. We said there was the need for us to plan. To budget is to govern. Poor budgeting has been the bane of our economy. How can we run a government without an engine to drive it? While I was working with the governor, I was not an appointee and I felt I could be more effective without been political,” he added.

    Obaseki reflecting on the economic crisis, warning that the challenges of governance in the post-Oshiomhole period will be more challenging. He described himself as the right man to succeed the governor, noting that he understood the Edo situation. He stressed: “In the last seven years, I have been part of the key decisions made by Governor Oshiomhole. The gains may be wiped away, if he is not succeeded by a competent administrator, who understands the foundation and the designs.

    “Governance will be more challenging now that resources are dwindling. The standard of governance cannot be lowered. People’s expectation will continue to rise. I am more than qualified, in terms of professionalism, capacity for planning, managerial ability and knowledge of running institutions.

    “I have been part of the decision-making and implementation process in the last seven years. I don’t see it as a pay back opportunity, but an opportunity to continue the excellent services of the last eight years.”

    Obaseki, who said the gang-up against him will fail, chided his detractors for lack of focus. “I have gone round the 18 local governments. People say they now see me at the wards. They say the person they claim they impose is the person they see and they don’t see other aspirants.”

    Denying the alleged plans to distort the delegates’ list, he said: “When a delegate dies, the vacancy is filled. The APC has a process. Some people defected. Their positions have to be filled. They first said I am unknown, I cannot win, the party will lose. Now, ot is about delegates’ list.”

    On structure, Obaseki said: “I am in a party. I can’t be in a party and build a sub-party. I rely on the party structure. I have been going to the delegates who will vote for me to get the ticket.”