The Nation Newspaper

Tag: root

  • The root of our problems

    SIR: Our biggest problem is not Buhari, nor was it Jonathan – as “wonderful” as his government was. Our biggest problem is our asinine and unjust political-economic system that engenders ethno-religious strife and ensures the reproduction of poor governance at almost every tier and arm of government.

    It is in all our interests to re-work our political and economic systems. We will make no sustainable progress practising an unjust system that generates so much strife, hate and violence. The business of a modern government should not be to be perpetual fire-fighters, putting off different sectarian fires across the country; fires that have and continue to be triggered by the structural flaws of our political-economic system.

    Our “patch-patch” attitude to governance and our well-being is not taking us anywhere, other than over the precipice and the opposition to federalism from the North, which is largely inspired by fear of economic loss or ruin, has been a major impediment to the re-adoption of federalism.

    The fear that federalism is tantamount to the parochial idea of “Resource Control” and will entail the total control of precious oil and gas revenue is unfounded especially seeing that the economic bankruptcy of northern Nigeria is not the goal of federalism nor is it even in the interest of southern Nigeria to have a faltering northern Nigeria. Federalism is not resource-control, whilst a sense of ownership is given to states or communities wherein natural resources are located, the proposed fiscal federalism, does not entail the absolute control of resources by sub-national governments.

    Furthermore, the terms of our new political-economic system, including its fiscal component was enunciated in the 2014 National Conference Report. The report largely canvasses for a simple review of items under the Exclusive list of the 1999 Constitution (as contained in the 2nd Schedule), with a view to devolving economic power to the sub-national units that constitute Nigeria.

    A simple devolution of economic powers to Nigeria’s federating units would engender a lot of positives for the country. It would greatly reduce the frenzied contest by ethnic nationalities for the control of the centre – the sole dispenser of goodies; thus restoring much needed social cohesion.

    It would also engender good governance at the sub-national level by occasioning the emergence of serious minded governors, seeing that the recurrent expenditure of states will have to be financed via the internally generated revenue of states, only men and women prepared to think and to work will present themselves for elective office, knowing that they will not be receiving hand-outs from the government at the centre.

    The benefits of the practice of federalism nay the decentralisation of power will cascade into every facet of our national life, from economic to security, to social cohesion, to power generation and lots more. The current APC- led administration should keep its word by abiding by the contents of its manifesto and consequently ensuring the practice of FEDERALISM,  in order that we may live peaceable and prosperous lives.

    • Ugochukwu Joseph Amasike,

     Lagos.

  • Niger Delta students root for Jonathan

    Niger Delta students root for Jonathan

    Students of Niger Delta origin have held a rally and seminar in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. EMMANUEL AHANONU (Corps member, NYSC Enugu) reports.

    The leadership of the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government (NIDSUG) has urged students from the oil-producing region to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. The NIDSUG held a seminar and a rally, where the students adopted the president as their candidate in the February 14 election.

    Obada Akpomiemie, the NIDSUG president, led about 1,000 Niger Delta students from some higher institutions in a three-hour rally in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, last weekend. The students moved from Arium Hall to Azumini Ezimgbu and to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office on Aba Road.

    They were clad in a white T-shirt with the inscription: “The role of students in consolidating the Transformation Agenda”. Riot policemen trailed the students’ procession to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    After several minutes of pro-Jonathan songs at the NDDC office, the students were addressed by an official, who did not mention his name. He said: “The support for the president’s re-election, which you have taken as a cause is good. But, our principal is not on seat to speak to you.”

    The rally was preceded by a seminar, where Obada urged the students to vote for their kinsman. Speaking on the theme: The role of students in consolidating the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, Obada said the leadership of the union supports Jonathan because he stands for peace and development.

    On why Jonathan should be re-elected, the pioneer president of the NIDSUG, Genesis Idikibiebuma, said the country has been transformed under the present administration. He said despite the problems inherited by Jonathan, the nation is waxing stronger.

    He said the president had given voice to ordinary Nigerians and is fighting their cause. Genesis urged all Niger Delta students to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them exercise their right at the polls.

    Tonbara Yalah, immediate past president of NIDSUG, who spoke on Welfare of Niger Deltans, said no administration achieved what Jonathan had achieved in six years, stressing that the youth must support leaders who care about their welfare.

    “I charge you all not to cast your vote for any political party or individual because of what you will get immediately but because the person has something to offer to the entire nation and generations unborn,” he said.

    A member of the union, Edward Odum, dismissed the notion that  youths of Niger Delta would foment trouble should the election outcome did not favour the president. He said Niger Delta students are not violent but added that the students would ask questions if the exercise is rigged against anyone.

    He said: “Niger Delta comprises merely nine states while Nigeria has 36 states. So, the possibility of Jonathan’s re-lection lies on our ability to convince our colleagues in other states to see reason why the president should be re-elected. If we cannot convince people to buy into this idea, we may have failed,” he said.

    Obada said the event was not sponsored or financed by any politician. He said the union embarked on the project to enlighten students. He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he called “anti-student policies” of Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, calling for change of programmes and promotion of Niger Delta students’ welfare.

  • ‘Mobile vending taking firm root’

    Like any regular working class Nigerian, Samuel Roland dresses up and leaves his home in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, every morning for his business at Ogba. He returns to his family of five (a wife and four children) in the evening with his day’s earnings.

    Mr. Roland’s first three children are plying their ways through primary school. The last is the latest addition to the family with no burden, but worries the parents with increasing expenses. His wife does not work.

    He does not own a car, but he can afford transportation fare for himself and his family. He does not suffer lack of food, as he confirms that he and his family eat three square meals every day. He pays his utility bills diligently and wears the best of the outfits he can afford.

    Mr. Roland is a mobile vendor at the Ogba motor park where he advertises his goods by himself everyday from 8:00am till evening and sells as much as he can. His business thrives solely on his oratory power and his ability to convince passengers to patronize him. Another mobile vendor along Oshodi express way, Abdulazeez Adigun leaves home every morning, carrying his big bag of plantain chips to the road side, where he walks in the middle of the traffic, exchanging money for each pack of chips that leaves his hand.

    Gone are the days when one had to walk long distances or drive through traffic to get basic goods and services. From the guys carrying electronic materials and food items, including drinks, in traffic, to the lady that jumps into buses carrying a bag full of pharmaceutical products which she introduces to prospective customers in an attempt to encourage their patronage; including the yoghurt sellers wheeling their bicycles with an attached cooler of yoghurt.

    Mobile vending affords customers ease of access to materials they need to acquire on as short notice as possible and at the fastest pace. It is as easy as rolling down the windows of one’s vehicle on your way to work and you can get almost anything you want, or entering into a commercial bus and your needed product is in front of you and at cheaper rate sometimes.

    Mr. Roland, who sells herbal products at Ogba bus stop in Lagos, says the business is profitable. According to him, he makes about N15 000 at the end of every week. For him, graduate unemployment exists only in the imagination of people that are not creative or lazy.

    A Business Administration student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, he manages to cater for his family, including his education and that of his children. With his education and occupation, Roland also combines his music talent on which he dazzles his audience in churches as often as he is given the opportunity, with the stage name, Ojima.

    “Seeing people such as me shouting in the garage to attract patronage is very rewarding. You not only make profit, you also acquire very good oratory skills. It helps you to master the art of public speaking and you must convince your customers to buy the product. I can even talk to the president now, without fear,” Mr. Roland said.

    A plaguing challenge on the business, however, rests on the quality of products sold by mobile vendors. The products are not affiliated with a certified retailer and the sellers rarely maintain the same position for too long, hence the fear that the goods are substandard or out rightly fake. Counterfeiters do not make the case any easier with their dubious ways of selling fake items to unsuspecting customers.

    Angered and vengeful, Mrs Onwenu Chisom vowed never to patronise roadside vendors anymore since she was deceived into buying a phone that had no battery in traffic. Her tale recalls the verbiage, once bitten, twice shy, as she lamented, “I didn’t want to buy that phone that day, but I needed a small phone urgently and there was no time for me to visit any of the mobile phone dealers in the market, so I just risked buying from one of these boys running about in traffic, not knowing that I would regret it”.

    There is much happier news from Adewumi Adeleye, an engineering student of a prominent private university, who was wearing her sun shades proudly, recently purchased from a mobile vendor.

    Mr. Roland also confirmed that another setback for his business is the mentality of many Nigerians that cheap products mean fake products. According to him, all kinds of people, including millionaires buy his products and even make special orders from him, but it is only those who believe in the potency of herbs.

     

  • NFF board election: Borno stakeholders root for Abiso

    NFF board election: Borno stakeholders root for Abiso

    Football stakeholders in Borno State have put their weight behind the candidature of former chairman of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Bashir Abiso, as board member in the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election.

    A former Director of Sports, Borno State Sports Council, Kachalla Gana, dropped this hint while briefing newsmen shortly after the stakeholders’ meeting held in the state over the weekend.

    Gana said that Abiso, who headed the affairs of the El-Kanemi Warriors from 1999 to 2003, has the credibility and experience to be an NFF board member.

    Gana expressed the need for the state to be considered in the north east and be allowed to produce a board member from the zone in the forthcoming NFF election scheduled for August 26, this year.

    He said that the state’s stakeholders had already started reaching out to contacts within the zone aimed at rallying round Abiso’s candidature, adding that since the establishment of the NFA in 1945, the state is yet to produce a board member.

    Gana said that Abiso, who served as board member in the state’s football association, will definitely promote the right image not only for the state but the entire zone as well as the country at large.

    He then solicited the support of Governor Kassim Shettima of Bornu State financially and morally with a view to achieving the desired objective.

  • Residents root for Ekiti governor

    Residents of communities in Ekiti State are praying for the success of Governor Kayode Fayemi in the governorship election.

    Speaking in Iro-Ekiti, a resident, Madam Rachael Ayantunde said the governor has done a lot to make her happy, adding: “I can point to three things which he has done for me. One is that since the death of Saliu Adeoti, he has been feeding me and when they brought the Owo Arugbo (money for the elderly – Social Seciurity stipend), they have been giving me; he has supported me to complete my house which you can see there. Generally, he has assisted us with our palace project. They will soon finish the palace.”

    Mama Alice Akanni, a resident of Osun-Ekiti, thanked the governor for his programmes.

    Another beneficiary of the social security scheme, Baba Afolayan Awogbami, said Owo Arugbo is reason why many elders in the town has not died, noting: “So many of our people would have died without the money. Fayemi, you are a child to us and we are praying for you. Whoever plans evil for you shall reap evil as profit. You will win this election and continue to win in life.”

    Madam Akanni, 60, explained that although she was not receiving the N5000 monthly stipend for elders, she was impressed. “What I have seen about him (Fayemi) is too much. Since I came to this world and living in this state, I have never seen a government like Fayemi’s. I can say so many things. He has been assisting the people,” she said.