President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will undertake a working visit to Niamey tomorrow to join President Issoufou Mohammadou of Niger Republic in presiding over a scheduled meeting of the High Authority of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation.
The President and his Nigerien counterpart are working to revitalize and reposition the 41-year old commission as a primary platform for effectively addressing emerging cross- border challenges in the areas of security, bilateral trade, health, energy and communications.
The Convention which established the Commission in 1971 gave it the general and exclusive jurisdiction to identify ways and means of coordination and harmonizing the economies of Nigeria and Niger Republic in all fields with a view to achieving increased and more effective cooperation between them.
Article 3 of the Convention also gives the Commission special responsibility for “proposing to the two Governments, measures and projects to be undertaken which will result in a gradual establishment of a rational, harmonious and balanced cooperation capable of ensuring maximum development of the two countries at the least possible cost and with a minimum of delay”.
President Jonathan will seize the opportunity of his visit to Niamey to meet once again with Nigerians living in Niger Republic.
Before returning home on Friday, the President will have a stopover in Bamako, the Malian capital for further consultations on efforts by ECOWAS and the United Nations Security Council to restore normalcy to the country.
It is a truism to say that Delta State contributes marvelously well to the federation account through oil for the development of the entire country. I think that was why in 2006 the administration of the current governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan established the Delta State Oil producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to play the role of community development within the state. The big question now is, can DESOPADEC make impact in the entire Delta State or the oil producing communities within the state?
In my own opinion, it is crystal and abundantly clear that DESOPADEC has been suffering from administrative problems and lacks proper coordination probably due to the fact that we want to always appoint party loyalists to the board and also the attempt of the state government to reflect members of the board from oil producing communities irrespective of their versatility, professionalism or otherwise.
However, it is not in the best interest of the entire state, for the 13% derivation to be managed by DESOPADEC exclusively to areas with oil wells, this is because the negative impact of oil exploration activities also affect communities outside the immediate vicinities of oil wells. In other words, there should be a more liberal application of the functions of DESOPADEC in order to efficiently and effectively achieve the desired goals, especially peace and development, not a strict application limited to oil wells and tribes. If that is the case, the government slogan “Delta, we be one” is no longer relevant. It is important to point out that our communities are mixed, oil operations are extensive and include pipelines, pumping stations, other installations including administrative and housing spread around the communities in a local government area and gas flaring, oil spillage, fire outbreaks, environmental pollutions among others affect communities outside the immediate vicinities of oil wells and oil gathering points. In other words, I think it is improper to strictly use the parameters of oil wells and tribes in the allocation of development projects this is because it will bring more damage than goodwill to the peace, unity and stability of oil producing areas.
In addition, the use of public funds to develop ethnic nationalities contravenes section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) particularly subsection 2(b) (i)-(iii) and subsection 5(b). Local government areas and communities in a particular state are what government should take care of. We must therefore see DESOPADEC as interventionist agency for all communities in the state, it will be counter-productive for the agency to operate on tribal basis or on location of oil wells. No ethnic group should see DESOPADEC as exclusively constituted to provide for them, to the exclusion of other groups. I think and believe the Governor should as a matter of urgency and for the progress and development of all communities in Delta State review the parameters of the operations of the state interventionist body in order to align with one of the governor’s 3-point agenda.
For the DESOPADEC to move forward, the board members should be technocrats not based on party loyalists or from oil producing communities. This, I believe, has made DESOPADEC not to be effective. The federal character principle which late General Murtala Mohammed introduced on Monday, 20th July 1975 while addressing members of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) which has not helped at the federal level for efficiency and effectiveness, should not be brought into the DESOPADEC board. I think the board is always having problems because of level of proper coordination and probably they see it as “come, chop and go”. This is not the best. In 2008, the Delta State House of Assembly Finance and Appropriation Committee questioned the rational behind the use of =N=51 million to renovate a house rented at a cost of =N=39 million by DESOPADEC refer to the Pointer newspaper of 4th March 2008 (front page). Many Deltans will also like to know how DESOPADEC =N=51 billion naira budget was spent.
Oil revenue notwithstanding, Delta State is still basically an agricultural state. This is because about 70 percent of its total population is resident in the rural communities and approximately 64 percent of the working population are engaged in agriculture and related activities. That is to say farming has been and still remains the mainstay of the state economy with greater population, most of which live in the rural areas depending on it for survival.
Apart from the oil producing communities, some other communities in the state have contributed very immensely to the development and sustenance of the state as well as the country in general either through farming or donation of vast land for establishing industry, educational institutions among others.
To support my point above, Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in the present Aniocha-South Local Government Area of Delta State donated vast land to the state government to build the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) booster station in order to improve on the reception of the television and radio stations in all communities in the state, for the purpose of informing, educating and entertaining Deltans of government activities. Furthermore, oil was discovered in Ubulu-Uku in 1958 by Shell British Petroleum (Shell BP) now Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). Further exploration and exploitation could not continue then due to alleged native palaver, which could not be promptly and adequately addressed. Today, the vast land is lying fallow. The people of the community known for the tapping of original palm wine and commercial farming can no longer make effective use of the said land. Such a peaceful town with dedicated and peaceable people must not be abandoned. The town should benefit from oil revenue accuring to the state.
It is abundantly clear that Ubulu-Uku was seen then as a beautiful maiden on whom everybody lavished attention and adulation. The Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in her prime was cultivated without culmination in her being brutalized and raped. Consequently, the town now nurses scores of poisoned ecology and degraded environment. Various commissions and boards in the past and present continue to treat the town shabbily. Even when the town donated vast land for the DBS booster station, the state government, sadly enough tarred the road leading to the station and abandoned the other unmotorable road leading to Isho Quarters within the town and the unmotorable road leading to the neighbouring community that is, Ubulu-Unor. This is not the best for purpose of community relations in public relations practice. I am also quite convinced that such thing cannot happen in the Delta South and Central. Many adjoining roads within these areas were tarred either by the state government or oil companies based on what they gained from such places.
In view of the fact that the entire people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom are not restive and aggressive, that is they do not gbege should not be seen as weakness on their part. They love peace and believe in maximum cooperation. As a result, the state government should pay special attention to the development of Ubulu-Uku through relevant boards agencies, commissions or ministries.
Apart from Ubulu-Uku, there are other towns in the Delta North (Anioma) where oil is not available but the communities denied themselves of their vast land by donating such land to the government either state or federal. For example, the NYSC camp ground at Issele-Uku, because of its accessibility to all corps members coming from different parts of the country. Onicha Olona community donated vast land to the federal government for the building of Onicha Olona Teacher’s Training College, to ensure success of the Universal Free Primary Education (UPE) programme. The state government now benefit from this. The College of Education, Agbor, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, the various state and federal secretariats including Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, St. Thomas Teachers Training College Ibusa, Federal Government Girls College, Ibusa including many others. Any established board or commission should be directed to see the state as one. Carrying drugs to some hospitals and people were asked to line up for treatment because of ‘oil’ is not the best. Such drugs should be made available to all hospitals in the state. One can boldly and proudly say that the state government has tried in the health sector by upgrading some hospitals and establishing new ones as well as health centres in all nooks and crannies.
DESOPADEC should provide facilities that are lacking in these hospitals/health centres like improve electricity and water supply, provide drugs either free or at subsidized rate for people of the state like what Petroleum Trust Fund (PTDF) did throughout the federation.
Whenever there is oil spill in these communities, it is the poor tax payers money from all communities that are used to purchase relief materials and dispatched to these communities. What it implies is that DESOPADEC operations be reviewed so that all communities in the state can benefit. If the commission (DESOPADEC) is misleading, we should think of something else. This is absolutely necessary because various communities contribute to the development of the state. There is the need for the state government to judiciously instill economic justice and consciously eliminate inequity in the provision of amenities in the various communities that make up the state.
It is generally believed that development and provision of facilities, youth empowerment among others cannot be partially rationed or selfishly enjoyed. Any attempt to restrict it will deepen the chasm between “haves” and the “haves not”. Our nemesis will be all the more catastrophic when it occurs. Nothing could be more dangerous than discrimination in the provision of facilities and economic empowerment. With proper empowerment, various communities in the state can exploit natural resources to produce goods and services for immediate consumption and for capital outlay for the benefit of our state.
By establishing DESOPADEC for the development of some communities in the state, it would appear as if the state is divided and a house divided is against itself. What DESOPADEC should do is to urgently engage in ending community projects for the benefit of all Deltans and not the cosmetic type.
However, it is human nature not to be criticized. It is also our nature to praise even while we are not too spectacular in what we do. Furthermore, to expect to be praised to the high heavens is the height of self delusion. We all must be wary of professional praise singers. This is because for a multitude of them abound. Reason dictates that we prefer well intentioned criticism to an unworthy praise, constructive criticism lifts ones performance, unworthy praises retards progress and gives a false sense of achievement. We need to beware of praise singers. For the criticism of the wise is better than the praises of self-centred people and fools.
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Charles Ikedikwa Soeze, fhnr, fcida, fcai, cpae, son, emba, ksq, is a mass communication scholar from first degree to doctoral level, public affairs analyst and currently Assistant Director (Administration)/Head, Academic & Physical Planning (A&PP) of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria. (08036724193) cherlessoeze@yahoo.ca
Delta state government is to appoint camp commandants in all the rehabilitation centres in the state to ensure that there was order and equitable distribution of relief materials to flood victims in the camps.
The state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who announced this during an interactive session with journalists in the state said the commandants of the camps would have the power to introduce measures that would properly address the needs of the victims and check lawlessness.
According to the governor the appointment of commandants would streamline activities and ensure orderliness.
The governor promised that he would continue to improve facilities in the camps to ensure that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) enjoy the basic necessities of life.
He promised to as much as possible provide three square meals a day for the victims but frowned at the attitude of some Deltans who infiltrate the camps to feed whenever it was time for food to be served.
The governor gave assurance that he would not do anything to stop the unwholesome attitude of those infiltrators who were not affected by the flood but were cutting short the ration of flood victims.
Dr Uduaghan who harped on the need of the medical units in the various camps to do their job diligently especially with professional expertise, enjoined them not to allow patients to buy drugs from outside the premises.
“The medical team knows what to do if there is shortage of drugs. They should use their professional intelligence to move to the next level because they know how to get drugs. They should not at any time allow patients to go outside the camps to buy drugs with their own money,” he said.
Dr Uduaghan said the challenge his government was facing was that of post-camp plan of resettling the victims after their stay in the camp.
He said it was a serious challenge explaining that some of them may not go back to their previous homes adding that such development would pose a very big challenge especially building new homes for them.
In answer to a question, he said most of the social problems building up in the camps were as a result of frustration even as he said that he would continue to make efforts to address their needs and reduce their fears.
In answer to another question, he said skill acquisition centres have been created in the camps while football teams have also been formed to actively engage them and reduce stress.
We (Gurara Forum, a Southern Kaduna based professional organization) wish to condemn in strong terms the massacre of 22 innocent people by unknown bandits in possession of sophisticated weapons in Dogon Dawa area of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
We share the pains and anguish in the unnecessary loss of lives that was perpetrated in the community by yet to be identified gunmen with impunity and without remorse for the sanctity of human life. It is ungodly and once again shows how insecure and vulnerable our communities in Kaduna State and other parts of the North are at the mercy of evil-doers.
While we are commiserating with the community, Birnin Gwari Emirate and the entire Government and good people of Kaduna State, we wish to clearly state that, the matter must not be swept under the carpet.
Security Agencies and the State Government must roll their sleeves and carry out thorough investigation in a bid to bring to book all those found culpable of these heinous crimes. Those behind these serial killings with impunity must also be unmasked for the whole world to know those that have been brazenly killing innocent citizens of Kaduna State at will and without being repelled by security agencies. The culprits must be fished out and subsequently prosecuted. Their prosecution before the court of law and punishment will serve as a deterrent and loud statement to those responsible that henceforth, these acts will not be condoned in our dear State.
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The sophisticated armoury of this gang of killers also suggests that they have powerful forces behind them who are supplying and. equipping them with weapons and other fire arms.
Finally, the government is expected to demonstrate political will in handling challenges associated with insecurity, while the security agencies on their own side, must also ensure that law abiding people are protected from all forms of attacks at the hands of bandits. It is only in Stateless societies that acts of impunity and brigandage is condoned.
It is our prayer that the State Government and all Security Agencies will be proactive in proffering solutions that will assure the citizenry that this slide to anarchy is fully checked!
Long live Kaduna State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
When the going gets tough in U.S. presidential elections, New Jersey rockers get going.
Bruce Springsteen is set to make campaign appearances in Ohio and Iowa on Thursday in support of President Obama.
The appearances follow the participation of Jon Bon Jovi, a member of the White House Council for Community Solutions, in several campaign events this season, including a big fundraiser Oct. 7 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, where actor George Clooney and musicians Stevie Wonder and Katy Perry also appeared.
The Springsteen stumps in Ohio and Iowa are seen as significant in two pivotal states.
“Bruce has gravitas in this area (of the country) because of his work,” said Jerry Zolten, an associate professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State. “His endorsement carries a lot more weight than other movie stars or rock ‘n’ roll acts. Take a (Springsteen) tune like Youngstown, and you’re bringing in a man who recognizes the dynamics of Youngstown with a candidate whose views he endorses, and you have a real power speaking there.”
Springsteen’s Youngstown, from his 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad, illuminates the loss of manufacturing jobs in the Ohio city of the same name.
“Bruce Springsteen’s values echo what the president and vice president stand for: hard work, fairness, integrity,” said Jim Messina, Obama-Biden campaign manager, in a statement posted on brucespringsteen.net. “His appearances will help with our get-out-the-vote effort in these critical swing states, and we are thrilled with his ongoing support.”
Springsteen will appear Thursday at Iowa State University in Ames. That same day he also will be in Parma, Ohio, at Cuyahoga Community College. Former president Bill Clinton will also appear with Springsteen in Ohio. Obama is not expected to attend.
“My sense is that you know it’s tough to make any inroads with the unconverted at this moment in time,” Zolten said. “But there are enough of the electorate who are for Obama who may not be motivated enough to get out and vote — that’s where the strength of a Springsteen endorsement comes in. I don’t think (Springsteen will) change the mind of anyone not voting for Obama.”
Springsteen performed at several high-profile events for the Obama campaign in 2008, including a rally on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia that drew 50,000 attendees. Springsteen led the 2004 Vote for Change tour in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
There were signs that Springsteen would stay on the sidelines this year.
“I’m not a professional campaigner, and every four years I don’t think that I’m going to go and pick a guy and go after him,” said Springsteen at a news conference in Paris in February.
In September, the Obama campaign picked Springsteen’s We Take Care of Our Own to close out the Democratic National Convention.
Bon Jovi has been active in lower-profile events in support of the Obama campaign.
In addition to the Los Angeles event, he has appeared in Iowa (twice), Las Vegas and Colorado.
Springsteen and Bon Jovi are among a group of celebrities, including Morgan Freeman, Rosie Perez, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Jay-Z, who have publicly expressed their support for Obama.
Clint Eastwood, who used an empty chair as a prop to represent Obama at the GOP convention, Jon Voight and Stacey Dash have publicly supported Mitt Romney.
“We live in a time where celebrities are coming forward to make their views known,” Zolten said. “The candidates could face a tremendous backlash. Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean people want to hear your opinion.”
An Aba based medical doctor, Lawrence Anyanwu of Lawato Hospital, World Bank Housing Estate, Abayi in Osisioma Ngwa Local council of Abia state and two others have been nabbed by the police for child trafficking.
247ureports.com gathered that Anyanwu was arrested alongside his partners in crime, Mr. Ernest Nzekwe and Mrs Ogechi Akalike for abducting one Miss Peace Pius and selling her baby delivered in the hospital.
The suspects were arrested on a tip off on October 8, 2012 by the anti-robbery operatives of the Aba Area Command led by ASP Anari Anari and have been transferred to the Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Abia state Command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke who confirmed the arrest of the suspects told newsmen in Aba on Wednesday, said that Peace, a pregnant woman of 63 Rivers Road, Warri, Delta was abducted in Aba and kept in the custody of Nzekwe who conspired with Ogechi and later took her to Anyanwu’s hospital.
He said that Peace, after a caesarian operation in the hospital never saw her baby whether alive or dead after the delivery.
247ureports.com further gathered that the suspects had taken the police to the woman who bought the baby, but she is on the run, as efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing culprits.
Narrating her ordeal, Peace told newsmen that she was unconscious when she got to Aba, but later found herself in a house which she hardly know the owner.
She said that she was taken to a hospital by the Samaritan who owned the house, where she was operated upon to deliver the baby.
Peace lamented that she asked for her baby from the doctor when she regained consciousness, but was told that the baby is dead, which she did not believed.
She further claimed that from inquiries she made from the nurses at the hospital, she was told of being safely delivered of a baby boy.
The first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan arrived Abuja International Airport on the afternoon of October 17, 2012. Her arrival to Nigeria came after months of speculation over her health status. She was welcomed warmly as she arrived. Her husband and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and other close associates were at hand to receive her.
The 1st lady was looking strong and healthy as she received hugs and kisses from her close family members and aides. She did not seem to have suffered life threatening illness as falsely reported by saharareporters – repeatedly.
Saharareporters had published what now appears mischievous reports on the 1st Lady’s health condition.
The publication had claimed that Nigeria’s 1st Lady had suffered food poisoning before it changed and published that she suffered from rupture of appendix. Following the publication, they changed again and said she suffered from Parkinson disease. Few days later, the publication released another publication stating that the Nigerian 1st lady suffered from cancer of the uterus.
With the return of the 1st lady, the reports have been put to shame.
In continuation of the on-going sanitization of the state education sector, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday announced the removal of 41 Zonal Inspectors and Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education officers over non-performance and negligence of duty.
The decision, according to him, is the outcome of a continuing performance audit. Also, the Governor announced the demotion of the Vice Principal of New Era College, Mr S.E Akhabue, from Grade Level 15 to Grade Level 14 for being a perpetual late-comer.
While meeting the affected school inspectors and officers at the Government House, the Governor disclosed that the administrative details of the change in the school inspectorate will be made known in the coming days.
It will be recalled that the governor had paid series of unscheduled visits to public schools across the state in the last two weeks where he made mind-boggling discoveries bordering on absenteeism or dereliction of duty by teachers.
Addressing the inspectors yesterday, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “It’s obvious from what I’ve seen today and from what you’ve told me that you’ve all breached your basic duties, which is to monitor schools and file basic reports, which among things, should include reports on those present and absent so that government can take steps to assist those who want to work to remain and those who don’t want to work to go home.
“Edo state government has lost millions of naira of taxpayers’ money because of your failure to do your duties.
“You are guilty of negligence of duty and even abandonment of your duties. I believe that most times, you don’t even come to work. We do not need this set of Zonal Inspectors of Education, Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education Inspectors.
“The days are gone when people don’t do their jobs. It’s shocking that you recognize that you are supposed to have written reports, yet you fail to do so.
“I am happy that parents and guardians are returning their children and wards to public schools as a result of the massive investment we have made in the education sector, yet, you who are to ensure that teachers work do not do so.
“I’m not hiding the fact that only those who are willing to work will keep their jobs. Everybody must be accountable. I am accountable to the Edo people, the House of Assembly is accountable, so if we are accountable, who are you not to be accountable.
“If the teachers don’t teach, we have no future and your brief is to ensure that the teachers work and yet you failed to do that.
“It’s a new Edo, everybody must be put on notice to work and justify their pay. I have a duty to remind you that when you have abandoned your job, you have also lost it.”
The Vice Principal of New Era College, Mr. Akhabue, who was demoted by a Grade Level during an unscheduled visit to the school by the Governor, was found guilty of perpetually getting to the office late. The time-book of the teachers which the Governor went through showed that the Vice Principal sometimes got to the office as late as 9:55am.
Also, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has approved the removal of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Caro Edo-Osagie from office with immediate effect for dereliction of duty.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Informatuion, Mr Louis Odion, the former Permanent Secretary was directed to hand over all government’s property in her care to her immediate subordinate within 24 hours
The history of man is essentially a story of his attempt to secure himself. For those who accept the Bible literally, man has been stalked by insecurity since leaving the Garden of Eden, For those who prefer to follow man and his struggles by other routes, it is obvious that he has been faced with the spectre of insecurity since his very beginning. Virtually all the great and small wars have been fought to assure or maintain territorial integrity so that man could eat and live peaceably, within the geographical boundary which providence has placed him, with some degree of assurance of security. Michener’s fascinating novel, ‘The Source’, traces a single family through thousands of years and shows its civilisation beginning with a quest to guarantee its domestic security. Sabloff, in “The Patient Earth”, attributes the fall of the classic Maya civilisation to its inability to recognize and deal decisively with the root and the source of its domestic insecurity which was the pressures of over-population on the available food supplies. The great potato famine in Ireland in the 1800s resulted in millions of the Irish emigrating to the United States while those that stayed behind continued to foment trouble that almost brought the entire country to its knees.
Ironically, in man’s efforts to assure himself security, he does not only fail to identify the specific root of its insecurity but also formulates and pursues policies which mitigate against the very solution he seeks. The situation has also taken a radical turn in this contemporary society as relatively minor deviation from the mass-oriented economic policies today may result in widespread disharmony and be a severe drain on the already worn-out security garment of the nations concerned. In this case, Nigeria is certainly not an exception.
It is no longer news that world and Nigerian leaders are concerned about the high spate of bombing and the level of insecurity in Nigeria. These concerns are expressed in various, but to this time, ineffective ways. Various Headlines in Nigeria’s newspapers indicate the concerns of every stakeholder in this country. In addition to this, hundreds of learned papers and books have been written; numerous organisations have been formed, foreign human and financial aid have been given directly and indirectly to combat insecurity in the country while in the 2012 budget alone, #921.91 Billion is accrued to Defense (the largest of all the sectors) and in the proposed 2013 budget, over 13.5 per cent of the budget is dedicated to Defense.
Ironically, however, despite amplified appropriations in the years gone by, the security position continued to worsen by the day as can be witnessed in the incessant killings and astronomic rates in which crimes are being perpetrated across the country in recent years. Consequently, what is required to enclose the security pressures is not an increase in funding but the consecration of more attention to the neglected areas which happened to be the roots of the insecurity.
The high level of insecurity in the country is an highlight of the deep social and economic crisis in Nigeria’s society. Despite her riches in human and natural resources, my country is classified among the poorest countries of the world. The 2011 UN Human Development Index ranks Nigeria 156 out of 187 countries. Water is good for health but Nigeria is ranked 3rd on the world list of countries with inadequate water supply and sanitation coverage globally. Accordingly, the 2012 World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business’ report ranks Nigeria 133rd out of 183 economies, implying that the country lags behind 132 others in terms of how easy the regulatory and physical environment permits the start and conduct of a business. In the area of health, the country has the highest maternal mortality/morbidity rate and the second highest infant mortality rate in the world.
More than 10 million Nigerian children of school age are out of school, according to UNICEF while the National Bureau of Statistics survey that was released in May 2012, revealed that 112 million, which amount to 71.5% of Nigerians, are living below poverty line. The country’s illiteracy used to be about 49% but recent estimates indicate that the figure has risen to about 65%. In addition to this is a crisis of social infrastructure: erratic power supply and a failed transportation system. All the above factors have succeeded in raising the level of unemployment among Nigerians especially the youths. In a recent stunning revelation by the Minister of Youths and Social Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, 28.14 million youths in Nigeria are unemployed in a total population of 67 million youths. This is 42% youth unemployment!
Not surprising, the average life span in my country is a tragic 49 and 59 years for male and female respectively. Meanwhile, all these are at variance with the life of opulence and corruption of members of the ruling elite and political office holders whose take home pay alone is about 40% of annual government budget for the outgoing 2012 fiscal year while the situation remain the same in the newly proposed 2013 budget. This coupled with a deep gulf between the rich and the poor manifested in a tiny 1% laying hold of the oil wealth of Nigeria while over 71% of Nigerians exist on less than $1 per day has created, totally ignitable materials for social discontent.
This series of attack and the rising death toll that always came at its heels also exposed Nigeria as a country that has abandoned the development of its health sector. Rather than develop this all important sector, government would rather spend money on security while the health sector which serve as a major tool of securing and saving the people’s lives are neglected. In 2012 budget for instance, only a paltry sum of #282.77 Billion was allocated to health sector which contrasts sharply with the #921.91 Billion. In the proposed 2013 budget, only a paltry per cent of 5.68 is allocated to the health sector which is too meager especially when we considered the need for resources to meet the targets set nationally and internationally for the health sector requiring at least 15 per cent of the entire budget. The most ridiculous being the 1.65 per cent accrues to the Agriculture and Rural Development.
Finally, the Labour Movement needs to act as a social force that can lead Nigerians out of the mess and created by the government. it is their duty to show government the link between welfare and security. If Nigeria is to be saved from the imminent peril, the trade unions have the responsibility of putting themselves at the head of workers, unemployed youth, students and all oppressed strata who desire a fight back for education, jobs, living wage and a change in the economic structure of the society. The more people government put in jobs, the less security problems it has. They erroneously believe that security is about procurement of more guns, war jets, and expending these collections is how to solve the problems. How to solve the problem is to follow what the constitution articulates: cater for the common good of the people. Put more people in jobs: give more people houses, let them have an unfettered access to free and qualitative education and let them be able to afford sound healthcare facility. When the government does that, there will be less people who will want to take to crime. There are criminals everywhere in the world but when you have a social system that provides for the people, when you have a state that cares about citizens welfare, then you don’t have to bother about crimes because there will be fewer people to deal with.
The Labour unions can play a significant role in this life or death drama, which will be written, directed and acted by Nigerians.
Last week, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2013 budget proposal to the joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, where he submitted that the budget gives priority to food security. Considering that a relatively meager N81.41 billion was budgeted for agriculture and rural development, the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] believes that it is either The President and his team did not put the ongoing nationwide flooding into the picture before making the final draft, or they are ignorant of the precarious situation faced by the people as it concerns food security.
Every Nigerian is affected by the current environmental hazard pummeling the nation, but more affected are the coastal and rural dwellers, the petty agriculturalists and subsistence farming-dependent citizens who can barely survive outside their familiar rural territory. In fact, the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Mailafiya, recently stated that the country faced imminent food crisis, as more than 5,000 farmlands in many states had been washed away and there could be food shortage. We see no other way of addressing the looming danger apart from concerted, strategic and broad intervention based on a budgetary blueprint for next year in the agricultural and rural development sector, which underpin the affected areas. However, looking at provisions for these sectors in the 2013 budget proposal, we can only see the handwriting of a government that is not prepared to face this manifest challenge.
Moreover, as a nation that prides itself as the Giant of Africa, the President, by allocating such paltry sum to Agriculture, has made a statement that he is not ready to abide by the Maputo Declaration, of which Nigeria was a signatory. At the Second Ordinary Assembly of the African Union in July 2003 in Maputo, African Heads of State and Government endorsed the ‘‘Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa’’. The Declaration contained several important decisions regarding agriculture, but prominent among them was the commitment to the allocation of at least 10 percent of national budgetary resources to agriculture and rural development policy implementation within five years. The 2013 budget for agriculture is less than 2 percent.
The ANPP therefore calls on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to give the 2013 budget a second look with food security in mind. Money is needed now for an effective short, medium and long term reaction to the onslaught of climate change which is set to affect the country’s agricultural sector more. Food reserves and silos, adaptive seedlings and species, farm settlements and loan mechanisms, etc, are some of the infrastructure needed now by the country to face the future foisted on us by nature. Our great party believes Nigeria will surmount all its current obstacles, both man-made and nature-made.
