Features
Paradigm Shift In Nigeria’s Leadership Question
It was a gathering of who is who in the nation’s polity. Past and present political gladiators, captains of industry, actors and actresses, musicians, comedians, youths, students, the physically challenged, market women, truck pushers and ordinary people all converged on Saturday September 18,2010, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to keep a date with history. The event was the public declaration by President Goodluck Jonathan for the ruling party, the PDP’s mandate in the 2011 Presidential Elections.
No one could ever imagine that in a land infested with ethnic and sectional politics, a man from the little town of Otueke in Bayelsa State, deep in the creek of the Niger Delta could pull such a mammoth crowd. But that people came from all the six geopolitical zones and the diasporas to Abuja all because of President Jonathan affirms a biblical saying, when the righteous rule the people rejoice. So on that eventful day, Nigerians came to feast and rejoice with President Jonathan, who in the short five months of being in-charge of the nation’s affairs has delivered the dividend of democracy and given hope to their collective aspirations.
For 50 years Nigerians have waited for a moment like this, however, it seems the longer they waited the longer they have to wait. Hence, with all the governors and leaders of the PDP, except that of Kwara State and other aspirants, who were absent for obvious reasons, leaders of 42 of the 60 registered political parties, civil societies, international observers, the world press, friends and even enemies of the President and his Vice and ordinary people were all together at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday September 18,2010, to tacitly endorse President Jonathan, and make a statement of the coming of age of our democracy and the emergence of a new generation of national leadership.
Given the intimidating support of the people for President Jonathan on that super Saturday, no one need any political fixer to tell other aspirants that they should follow the path of honour and bow out from the race, for God has spoken. As the saying goes, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Hence, by the mammoth crowd that greeted the declaration of President Jonathan, God through the people had spoken that come 2011 President Jonathan would succeed himself for another four years.
That Nigerians have massively declared their support for President Jonathan, from the southsouth, manifest their disdain for sectional politics that has hitherto hindered the country’s emergence as the giant of the black race. Moreover, in the 50 years of Nigeria’s existence as a sovereign entity, the military had ruled the country for 28 years. The consequence of this protracted military interregnum on the nation’s psyche is the complete lack of visionary and popular leadership, and the enthronement of godfatherism and blind loyalty into the polity. This is not good enough for a people in dire need of diversity of opinion for sustainable development. Hence, when President Jonathan decided to seek a fresh mandate for the office and challenged the apostles of zoning and bankrupt leadership in the PDP, Nigerians were unanimous in their support for his candidature.
It is unfortunate that some of those contesting President Jonathan’s decisions for the 2011 Presidency as unpopular and anti-democracy are people who have benefited from undemocratic politics and use of power of incumbency to feather their political nests. As these recycled leaders seek the peoples support, whether for one term or longer terms, should they succeed in stopping President Jonathan as they have vowed, the poorer the welfare of the citizens will be. This is why Nigerians must terminate the politics of recycling leaders with undemocratic tendencies in the name of being experienced, tried and tested. Under their watch, settlement and ‘chop I chop’ became our national political ethos. These leaders dislike accountability and transparency, provided security for their allies, friends and the noveau rich to amass wealth, thereby fostering corruption on the nation, and making our people poorer than they were 50 years ago. Their trademark is love for power for the sake of it, a readiness to get into power by all means, and once in power take actions to ensure their continued stay in office. As Nigeria turns 50, Nigerians must be wiser in their choice of those they support into power.
The past 50 years of the country’s existence had seen the leadership throwaway the virtues of vision and selflessness in place of personal riches and incumbents motivated by greed and gain of retaining political power in order to guarantee their discretionary control over public coffers. This period saw the promotion of political patronage as our national ideology. After 50 years of independence, as a nation are we growing or retrogressing? It is unfortunate for somebody who left office twenty years ago to still think of returning to power, not because the people wanted him for his past outstanding achievements but just because he wants to oil his political ego and greed for power.
However, the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the fifth civilian President and 14th Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has certainly opened up the nation’s political space for emerging new thoughts. Today, what was hitherto considered a taboo in political discussions in the country in as recent as four years ago is now being freely canvassed. But attaining that position was not without some sacrifices. Many of our sons like Isaac Adaka Boro, Ken Saro- Wiwa, Moshood Abiola and many others paid the supreme price, some like Professor Tam David- West and Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to mention a few were disgraced out of office and jailed, while our resources are being systematically looted all in the name of the unity and common good of Nigeria.
As the nation beckons on President Jonathan to contest the 2011 elections, one is not oblivious that many political jobbers and those who are against his running in the first place are not happy as his entry has demystified their taunted political supremacy. For the actualisation of JonathanSambo Presidential project, it is worthwhile to ask Nigerians that have suffered under the hegemony of these imperial political overlords to rise up and defend their mandate. The mandate is not President Jonathan’s personal estate, but the peoples. Hence, they must watch and guide their mandate jealously, else the same cabals that stole and annulled their mandate in June 1993 are still very much alive and should never be underrated, because they are evil geniuses in the act of truncating constitutionally elected governments. The day these people are completely silenced and made totally irrelevant as it is now imminent, then shall we have a stable and prosperous country.
This is why all progressive forces in the country must not relax and be carried away by the success of President Jonathan’s declaration for a fresh term. They must know that those opposed to the emergence of a transformed leadership in 2011 will stop at nothing including ganging up and fomenting crisis. These people have a very large war chest of sinister machineries, people, security and intelligence networks, and very deep pockets, and local and international connections that they can deploy at very short notice in their quest for power. They have done it before and are capable of doing same again should the people go to sleep on the euphoria of a very successful declaration by the President. Nigerians from all walks of life, just like they did at Dr Jonathan’s declaration must stand up to defend their mandate whenever it is threatened by a band of political imperialists and looters of our national treasury.
In one of the best speeches ever made in Nigeria’s recent political history by a politician, President Jonathan in an attempt to touch base with his generation, said that if he of all persons, who never had a school bag, wore one pair of uniform without shoes, never knew the colour of electricity, drank garri as ala carte and ate rice and chicken only on Christmas day, could make it in life, then the youths of today who are priviledged to have electricity though epileptic, drink pure water instead of water from streams, ride in buses instead of trekking to school and eat fried rice and chicken at will, can. So, the challenge facing him is how to transform the Nigeria’s huge potentials, human and material resources, and opportunities into making her among the 20 developed economies by the year 2020. He said this is a promise he owes the people for their massive support of his Presidency and will ‘never ever let Nigeria down’.
That Nigerians want and trust President Jonathan as the man to lead them after 50 years of wandering in the wilderness of underdevelopment as a result of the poverty of leadership is because within the short period he has been in office, he has demonstrated in unequivocal terms the capability to effectively and efficiently direct the country on the path to greatness. Even those who hate him for what they termed his non-adherence to the letters of the party zoning arrangement cannot with equanimity fault him; as they know beyond doubt that based on their past leadership records that Nigerians can not trust them with power any longer. They should tell Nigerians how many times they promised the nation and spoken on an issue and failed, compared to how many times President Jonathan has capitulated on any of his words.
Besides, why on earth do these so-called political demagogues think that a sitting President, who is not barred by the Constitution should not seek re-election because of a so called unwritten party agreement. Which should President Jonathan uphold, the nation’s Constitution or a political party unwritten agreement? Can these self seeking politicians point out where it is written in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan swore on May 6, 20I0 to uphold, that in the year 2011 it will be the turn of a particular section of the country or person to be the President of Nigeria. Assuming these turncoat democrats and later day apostles of power shift were in President Jonathan’s shoes, would they have voluntarily left power because of an unwritten party agreement? Let these people who want President Jonathan crucified for not abiding by the so-called zoning agreement in the PDP tell Nigerians how many times they had been in power, and if they voluntarily handed over power to another section of the country. If they don’t know, the people of the south-south and south-east, and even the southwest that one could say may have benefited from the crumbs that fell from their political tables are now wiser and will not fall for their high sounding rhetoric and cheap blackmail to reject President Jonathan.
Besides, President Jonathan can be trusted to lead Nigeria better, because as Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, he exhibited a high sense of integrity, and loved his boss in sickness and health until death do them part. He was not power hungry. If President Yar’ Adua were alive today to vie for the office, Dr Jonathan would not have gone behind him to collect forms of expression of interest in the office of President. As acting President while his boss was critically ill, Dr Jonathan did not usurp the powers of the office of President. Similarly, even when his boss was smuggled into the country under the cover of darkness without his knowing on February 25, 2010, and he was barred from seeing him for three months before he eventually died Dr Jonathan did not frown at those who orchestrated the whole episode. During those sad moments of our national history, Dr Jonathan demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities and absolute loyalty to the Presidency, which as an institution is bigger than an individual personal ambition, assuming he had one, and the office bigger than the individual occupying it, hence was loyal to his boss till he died.
Da-Wariboko resides in Port Harcourt.
Biobele Da-Wariboko
From the fore going, the fight against drug trafficking should be treated as an international challenge with open collaboration, if the world leadership must win the fight!.
The circumstances or should I say the improvement on drug related activities are modifying and updating on daily basis. A close friend of mine in the United States of America who recently visited Jamaica, came with a lot of complicated information about drug trafficking and transaction. Being a qualified Nurse in US and on a visit to the Reggae Country (Jamaica), she said she was put aback when a man approached her and introduced himself as a Pharmacist. According to her, she immediately picked interest due to her professional background. To her, a business partner is birthed. But she was shocked to the narrows on learning that drug dealers or traffickers and subriquited Pharmacist in that Country. From her account, they ( The Jamaican Pharmacists), are the first set to people to meet and greet you at the Airport. No government or authority challenges them in the open due to the sophisticated nature of their transportation
Come to think of it, who would want to attack a Pharmacist on duty? Nigerians are not left out in the improvement on drug deal. A chat with a confident in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Rivers State Command, so revealed. The Officer draw my attention to the movement of Dispatch Riders. He said part of the reasons they ride with almost speed equivalent of the thunder lightning, is to meet up with the appointment of delivering hard drug consignment to a client of theirs. According to him, those guys popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys are the ones who now payroll dispatch riders so that they can deliver their consignment ( hard drugs) on schedule no matter the sort of traffic or weather condition. The fear of loosing rich clients and that of the unknown treatment that may come of the Boys, as the officer puts it, drives the Riders crazy thus the reason to speed even at the expense of their lives.
The account of a prominent Party Promoter, Wayne Anthony, as obtained online recently, also pointed out that ‘No Legislation Will Stop Clubbers From Doing Drugs’ Party promoter, Wayne Anthony, arrived in Ibiza, a Spanish Island in 1988, at the same time as dance music and the party drug ecstasy. Despite hallucinating badly enough to make him give up the lifestyle forever, he says laws will never stop clubbers taking drugs. “I don’t think you can control these things,” said former party promoter Wayne Anthony. He arrived in Ibiza in 1988 and began setting up club nights and raves in some of the island’s most iconic venues. In the years that followed, the sleepy Spanish island turned into a raver’s haven of clubbing and hedonism, with party drugs like ecstasy commonly found. “What Ibiza represented was this beautiful, hot island which was visually stunning and we knew you could party there quite legally,” said Wayne. “You didn’t have to look over your shoulder. You could just be as free as you possibly could be.”
That freedom came with a price. Along with the lavish clubs, all-day-benders and hot Spanish sun came drug cartels and crime. The city transformed into one the world’s most vibrant party capitals, “fuelled by a dangerous and lucrative drugs trade which drew as many criminals to its shores as it did party animals”. Wayne, one of the contributors to the documentary, spoke to Sky News ahead of its release.”I’m not going to sit here and say the cartels aren’t there. They are all there and they’ve been there from the ’90s,” said Wayne. But he said most people tried to ignore the organised crime going on around them. According to Wayne, clubbers usually took the approach of: “‘Give me 10 E’s . Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Hallucinating giant spiders Although he described the Balearic island as the “motherland”, it was eventually a bad experience with drugs that convinced Wayne it was time to leave Ibiza.
He’d been partying for days when he realised he’d taken too many drugs. A friend told him to drink cough medicine, dangerous advice that he now says could have killed him. “I saw the worst hallucination I’ve ever seen in all of my life. I ended up locking myself in the villa with all the shutters down. When he sobered up, he realised he had “come to the end” of his party life on the island. “I never looked back. I never took another drug. I got away from the club world.” ‘I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop it’ Despite his life-changing experience, he doesn’t think criminalising drugs is a good idea – or particularly effective. “If you’re old enough to vote for who’s going to be a world leader, if you’re old enough to put your name down on debt for 25 years, I feel like you should be old enough to govern what you put inside your own body, you know?” said Wayne.
Back to Nigeria, some illicit drugs worth over N30billion seized at Onne Port in Rivers State.
This blood chilling development forced the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port, following what authorities described as repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the said port. To this effect, the government said it was immediately implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in charge of the port via a press conference, said it henceforth, unveiled the seizures of illicit goods by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In defence for his action, Adeniyi said the recurring incidents posed a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
The customs boss stated, “Earlier today, I joined numerous stakeholders to take a significant step towards the cause of trade facilitation through the inauguration of upgraded facilities provided by the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne. “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port. I appreciate your presence, as we all have a shared responsibility in safeguarding our national security. As we are all aware, the policy thrust of Mr President supports the re-energising of our business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow our capacity for exports, Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to Trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches”.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago. It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens. Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination. Seizures on Display include: Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a Paid Duty Value (DPV) of N4,716,573,846.
“Others are, three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized”.
According to the report, more seized items were, “Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90. This very action of the Nigeria Customs Service, further complicated the hope of how soon the fight against drug trafficking could be brought to a halt owing to its high profile nature.
Another hair-raising report of the illicit drug deal has it that when NDLEA bursted a Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs sometime ago in Edo State. This very news report was published in The Tide Newspaper on June 24, 2024. According to the report, NDLEA said its operatives uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs, during an operation in Edo State. The Agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. It further noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
To be cont’d
King Onunwor
The persistent clash between farmers and herders in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue. These conflicts, often, over resources like land and water, have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of large numbers of people, deep-seated mistrust between communities and insecurity. Herders, traditionally nomadic, move their livestock in search of grazing land and water. Farmers, on the other hand, require the same resources for their crops. This competition often leads to clashes, especially in areas where land is becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. As these clashes intensify, there has been a growing call for sustainable solutions. Two weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu took a bold step towards tackling the issue by inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms and creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee which has the president as the chairman and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman has the mandate to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain as well as propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of the recommendations of the National Livestock Reforms Committee. Part of the 21 recommendations submitted to the president include: “This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilisation.
“Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry,” among others. Experts in the agricultural sector have posited that the livestock industry can create millions of jobs directly in farming, processing, and distribution, and indirectly in related sectors like feed production, veterinary services, and marketing. It provides livelihoods for rural populations, helping to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in rural areas. It also increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings through the exports of livestock and livestock products such as meat, dairy, wool and leather.
According to them, a well-funded livestock industry supports the growth of agro-processing sectors, such as meat packing, dairy processing, and leather manufacturing, adds value to raw products and creates additional economic activity as well as stimulates the development of supply chains, including logistics, packaging, and retail, contributing to broader economic growth. It enhances economic resilience by diversifying the agricultural sector and providing a buffer against crop failures or other agricultural shocks and many more. Some other agriculturists have also opined that the livestock industry in Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and that by the creation of the ministry of livestock development will open up the industry which will be a huge money spinner for Nigeria.
Reports have shown that a Livestock Ministry can play a pivotal role in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders by implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering coexistence and sustainable resource management. The Ministry can work towards clearly demarcating grazing routes and farming areas. This would reduce instances of trespassing and accidental crop destruction, a common flashpoint for conflict. While introducing rotational grazing systems can ensure that land is used sustainably, preventing overgrazing and land degradation, establishing water points and boreholes specifically for livestock can reduce competition for water resources. Similarly, promoting the development of pasturelands through reseeding and controlled burns can improve grazing conditions.
According to a veterinary doctor, Dr Andrew Obadiah, by providing training for herders on sustainable livestock practices and for farmers on conflict resolution, both parties can understand the importance of coexistence. He said that extension services of the ministry can offer advice on improving livestock health and productivity, reducing the need for large herds and extensive grazing. “Setting up local committees involving both farmers and herders to mediate disputes can provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Encouraging community-based conflict early warning systems can help prevent clashes before they escalate”, he emphasised.For Mrs. Stella Ugwu, a farmer, having a ministry dedicated to the development of the livestock industry can help in diversifying income sources for both farmers and herders and in turn reduce dependence on land.
”For instance, promoting agro-pastoralism can provide farmers with livestock and herders with agricultural produce”, she explained, adding that providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fodder production or crop insurance, can ease economic pressures. Ugwu was however of the opinion that the creation of a new ministry to handle livestock affairs was uncalled for, since the job can effectively be done by the Technical and Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security and its equivalent on the states level.In some countries, the establishment of a Livestock Ministry or similar bodies has shown promising results. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture includes a dedicated department for livestock which has successfully implemented programmes to improve pastoral livelihoods and reduce conflicts.
In Kenya, the establishment of the National Drought Management Authority has helped manage resources better, thus reducing clashes between herders and farmers during dry seasons.The president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Othman Ngelzarma, sees the Ministry of Livestock Development achieving the same feat for Nigeria in the near future. He told newsmen that, “MACBAN expresses its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for creating a ministry of livestock to unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy. With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the Middle Belt Forum took a different view of the proposed Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it was not enough to sustainably resolve the decades-long farmers-herders crisis in the country. According to the National President of the association, Mr. Bitrus Pogu, what is needed to end the perennial farmers/herders clashes is a deliberate action by regulatory bodies and the government to stop criminal elements from carrying out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, mainly farmers. Hear him: “If the reason for creating the Ministry is to stop clashes, I think it is wrong because all of these attacks and killings that are happening have nothing to do with conflicts between farmers and herders. “Farmers have never connived at any given time to go and attack herders, but rather, criminals who happen to be Fulani gang up and attack farmers, kill, maim and chase them out of their ancestral homes.
“Then, the Fulani will come and occupy them. So, it is more about invasion, criminality, and terrorism. And the majority of those they hire to do these evils are not even those who have cattle. So, a deliberate action has to be taken by the government against the perpetrators, which will address the criminality.” Mr. Pogu suggested that the government should adopt ranching for productivity and enduring peace between the pastoralists and farmers in particular and the entire country in general.While the establishment of a Livestock Ministry presents a viable solution, it is not without challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption can hamper its effectiveness. Additionally, deeply ingrained cultural practices and mistrust between farmers and herders can be difficult to overcome.
Critics argue that without a holistic approach that includes land reform, climate change adaptation, and broader economic development, a Livestock Ministry alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, it must work in tandem with other governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive solutions. “A dedicated Livestock Ministry, with its focus on sustainable resource management, conflict resolution, and economic incentives, offers a promising avenue to address the root causes of these clashes. However, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. With the right strategies and commitment, devoid of any political or selfish interest, it can play a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity in affected regions”, they advised.
Calista Ezeaku