Features
Appraising Nigeria/S’Africa Relations
President Buhari and President Zuma
South Africa’s President,
Mr. Jacob Zuma, was in Nigeria on Tuesday, 8th March, 2016, on a two-day state visit. The visit was characterized by some key events which included an address by Zuma to the National Assembly. He also had a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and a meeting with the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum, among others.
Bilateral relations between both countries have not been cordial. That is why some observers see the visit as an attempt to mend fences between the two economic giants of Africa to improve bilateral political, economic and social relations and open up potential new business opportunities. Nigeria has about 32 bilateral agreements with South Africa.
Mr. Zuma’s visit has been termed historic by some analysts, who have said that the South African leader’s presence in Nigeria is a sign of a desire to resolve some mutual complaints that had festered for a while. Both countries share very strong historical ties. However, those bonds were threatened by certain recent events.
They include the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians resident in South Africa and their businesses. The second issue is the battle between the federal government and the MTN over failure of the telecom firm to disconnect about 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards which led to their being fined $3.9 million. The botched arms deal during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime was an additional factor that affected relations between both countries. The SCOAN building collapse in Lagos remains another sore point.
However, Nigeria and South Africa share two similarities. First, they are both super powers in Africa. The role Nigeria plays in the West Africa sub- region extends to the Central Africa sub-region and it is strategic in terms of securing Africa. South Africa also plays a similar role. They have their soldiers on peace mission in Central Africa Republic, Burundi and in all the conflict zones in Southern Africa sub-region including Central Africa.
But what is the crux of this visit and how would Nigeria benefit from it? The most important aspects of a visit of this nature are the foreign policies of the nations involved. The foreign policy of any nation is first of all dictated by economic and security interests. If this is so, it therefore stands to reason that the foreign policy of a nation is an expression of its domestic policies.
Nigeria has been magnanimous in its foreign policy dating back to the 70s. The country has always made Africa the centre of its foreign policy. That was why late Gen. Murtala Mohammed was committed to the fight to end apartheid in South Africa. The late Head of State went as far as introducing a Mandela tax which civil servants in Nigeria were made to pay to dismantle apartheid regime in South Africa. Also, South African students schooled in Nigeria gratis while some members of Africa National Congress, ANC, were kept and protected here.
One recalls the famous speech of Gen. Mohammed which declared that the foreign policy of Nigeria was dictated by core Africanization which made Africa its centerpiece and South Africa was at the heart of it all. Following that, Nigeria was declared a member of the frontline states.
Nigeria’s harmonious relationship with South Africa further led to the establishment of a Bilateral National Commission, BNC that brought about trade investments, promotion of investments, trade and opening up of markets. This resulted in the instituting of over 120 South African companies in Nigeria today. When this is juxtaposed with what Nigeria gained in return, it is glaring that it got nothing but xenophobia and prevention of the businesses of its citizens in South Africa.
The case of Thisday newspaper is a typical example of a Nigerian investment that couldn’t withstand South Africa’s hostile business environment. The newspaper died soon after takeoff. Additionally, Prof. Wole Soyinka was prevented from getting a visa into South Africa for reasons that were not revealed. The question is, why must we have a foreign policy that does not benefit us? That is why Nigeria must begin to think deeply about making reciprocity the centre of its foreign policy.
From the things he said when he addressed members of the National Assembly, it is clear that Zuma acknowledges what Nigeria did for his country, especially during the apartheid era. But one keeps imagining what stopped him from explaining the same thing to his countrymen and women in 2012 when, for just yellow fever card infraction, 125 passengers aboard a Nigerian airline ( Arik Air) were stopped at the airport for days and deported later. Why didn’t he tell the same story to the South Africans who killed or maimed Nigerians and destroyed their investments in xenophobic attacks.
In the face of these, what have we benefitted from all our investments and the troubles we took to make South Africa what it is today? Absolutely nothing. But are the South Africans to blame completely? Certainly not. The reason is that Nigeria had a golden opportunity to move into South Africa and massively invest there after the apartheid regime collapsed, but the chance was frittered away.
We failed to take the advantage we had perhaps because we were comfortable and thought we had so much money or wealth. Nigerian businessmen were indeed docile and failed to realize that political diplomacy goes with economic diplomacy. It is painful to realize that we helped many African countries to stabilise, but failed to make economic gains from our efforts.
Again, who is to blame for the low Nigerian investment in South Africa? The Nigerian government is surely to blame because they didn’t show the way. Most nations that have huge foreign investments successfully did so because their governments took the lead and pointed the way to local investors in their countries. Not only that, their home governments also gave them diplomatic backings to move into other countries to do business.
For instance, when Cote d’ Ivoire fought a civil war few years ago, Zuma, who then was African Union (AU) President, moved into the country with a retinue of South African businessmen for talks to end the war. While the talks were on, the businessmen were busy prospecting for business opportunities in the country. The result of the exploits was that MTN moved into Cote d’ Ivoire before the civil war ended. Today, South Africa has more business presence in Ivory Coast than France.
We made a similar mistake in Liberia where we spent huge resources and expended over $20 billion plus the human lives that wasted without a follow-up policy on how to reap our investments. Similar scenario played out in Sierra Leone when Nigeria intervened in the civil war there. Till date, we really don’t have businessmen or investments in all these countries. Why is it so? Because we got it all wrong in our foreign policy by making Africa its centerpiece but failed to give attention to our strategic national interests.
No country behaves like Nigeria. Take United States of America, USA, as an example. This country, with all its resources, moved into Kuwait during the Gulf War, destroyed the country in the pretext that it was liberating it from Saddam Hussein, and afterwards awarded contracts to American firms to rebuild it. That is what every serious country does.
Indeed, our foreign policy is due for reforms. Since 1960, the centerpiece of our policy has been Africanization. But in the 21st century, Nigeria’s foreign policy needs an absolute paradigm shift. It must be driven by core national economic interest. But in doing that, we must have sound people to man our External Affairs Ministry; people who understand what the nation needs.
Notwithstanding the imbalance in Nigeria’s relations with South Africa, there are areas we can partner with them for our benefit. Security is one aspect. We can articulate our relations with them in this area in a way that will engender mutual benefits. After all, we have the Boko Haram challenge with us and South Africa has a very sophisticated military. Can’t we have a pact with them for their assistance in the war against insurgents?
Food security is another phase we can cooperate. There is need for agricultural training and development. In all, Zuma’s visit presents yet another opportunity for Nigeria to strike deals that will aid its economic growth. But this must be done on mutually beneficial basis.
The times dictate that we formulate a new foreign policy that takes cognizance of our people’s needs. A foreign policy that must be in line with the change mantra of the present administration. But its workability depends on our leaders. This is the challenge before President Buhari.
Arnold Alalibo
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