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 That Tinubu’s Poverty Alleviation Style

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2 years ago

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A key item on the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is poverty alleviation. Early in the week, during the maiden Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the agenda which the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, said was aimed at turning around the economy and making life comfortable for all Nigerians was unveiled. The agenda includes ending poverty, food security, rule of law, economic growth and job creation, improving security, etc. Similarly, during a visit to the president by members of Tinubu Support Organisation, he reassured Nigerians of his determination not to fail the country in carrying out a permanent transformation of the nation’s economy. It is one thing to have plans and to make mouth-watering promises, but the steps taken towards the implementation of the plans go  a long way to determine how successful they will be and to make the people believe in the sincerity of your actions. If you claim to have plans to end poverty and your policies and actions are making more people poorer and poorer,  you definitely risk losing the people’s  trust. A litmus test of Tinubu’s sincere intention and commitment towards ending poverty or better put, alleviating poverty in Nigeria in the next three years is the way his government handles the issue of energy security in the country. The haphazard way the government has been dealing with this all-important issue has been a source of worry to many Nigerians.
The president’s ill-advised removal of fuel subsidy on his inauguration day without any prior plan of how to cushion the effect of such action; the resultant hike in the cost of petroleum motor spirit (petrol) coupled with increase in electricity tariff have obviously sent many Nigerians into poverty within the first 100 days of this current administration. The July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a rise in inflation as a result of the soaring food prices. There is hardly any food item which the price has not tripled – rice, beans, tomatoes, yam, bread, name it. Incidentally, the federal government’s decision to cushion the subsidy removal pain on Nigerians by the approval of N5 billion for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them to procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective states may be another big mistake by Tinubu’s government. Going by the nation’s past experiences especially with regard to Covid-19 palliatives and also palliatives for flood victims in some states, is dolling out these huge sums the best form of palliative that will impact the generality of the people? Should the money have been given to the governors? The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajero, succinctly put it thus, “I have said in unmistakable terms that the governors, from our experiences in the past, should not be allowed in any way to drive the process in the states due to trust deficits. Perhaps, the government has decided to dash N5 billion to the boys in the states.
For them to have done that, it means they do not have the regard for negotiated outcomes with the necessary bargaining institutions in Nigeria.” So, while governors have gotten their own, Nigerians are also waiting to get their share. If they refuse, Nigerian workers will have no other option than to fight for themselves. We are sovereign, we are the owners of Nigeria and as the sovereign, we will mobilise ourselves to do the needful to ensure that those we have elected into office obey us because it is  our desire and interest that they are supposed to serve and protect. We will hold them accountable,” he maintained.The Labour’s stance is that the government should have allowed social dialogue in the palliative talks, which remained a democratic platform to guide its actions and policies. There is no better truth. You cannot jettison organised labour in such a decision that concerns the workers and other masses. The nationwide protest as was witnessed on Tuesday and Wednesday and a prolonged strike is sure to come if the government fails to address the workers’ grievances.If one may ask, what measures are there to ensure thorough transparency and accountability on the part of the state chief executives in the sharing of the palliative items? How is the federal government going to ensure that the palliative items get to the true poor people instead of being shared by members of the ruling political parties in the states? In some states there are already ripples over the appointment of some party loyalists as head and members of the pallitives distribution committees. Most importantly, what are the concrete plans of ending poverty in the country? Government surely cannot continue to doll out cash or supply food items as palliatives.
There must be immediate and long-term plans towards bringing a lot of Nigerians out of poverty.The need for agricultural development as a panacea for poverty reduction in the country cannot be over-emphasised. Government and other capable organisations must support small-scale farmers by providing them with access to credit, modern farming techniques, and markets for their produce. Agriculture is a major source of income for many Nigerians, and boosting productivity in this sector can help reduce poverty. Apparently, for the agriculture sector to thrive, there must be deliberate effort to invest in infrastructure development, including roads, electricity, and water supply, to spur economic growth and create job opportunities. Improved infrastructure can also attract investment and stimulate economic activity in both urban and rural areas.The issue of improved power supply must be urgently addressed. Many small scale and medium scale businesses in the country are folding up due to lack of electricity, high electricity tariff and increased price of petrol. I visited my tailor at Abuloma recently and was sad to see the once bubbling “tailors’ hub” so quiet and deserted. The usual generator noise was absent.  Some of the tailors around were idle. According to them they had clothes to sew but were waiting for PHED Compay to restore power as they could not afford to buy petrol at N700 per litre to power their generators. The story is the same for owners and managers of hairdressing/barbing salons, dry cleaners, business centres and all that. So, for an effective job creation plan, adequate and affordable energy supply must be taken into consideration. Policies that stimulate job creation in the formal and informal sectors must be promoted. This involves reducing regulatory barriers for businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and fostering a conducive business environment.
There should also be efforts at empowering women and youth through targeted programmes and policies, as they are often disproportionately affected by poverty. Gladly, one of the eight-point agenda is solving the insecurity problem in the country. Some poverty alleviation plans of the government like investment in agriculture, employment creation may be difficult to achieve without adequate security. Our farmlands must be made safe. People that deserted their villages due to insecurity should feel safe to return to their homes and farmlands and carry on their farming businesses.Of utmost importance is the need for governments at all levels to come up with and implement anti-corruption measures to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively in poverty reduction programmes. Corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development and without sincerely tackling it, all efforts at poverty reduction will be tantamount to pouring water on a rock. Tinubu and the governors must lead by example by drastically cutting down the cost of governance. Both federal and state lawmakers should follow suit by trimming down their expenses, including their “holiday allowances.” It is a known fact that poverty alleviation is a long-term endeavour that requires sustained commitment and resources. Moreover, coordination among different government agencies and stakeholders is crucial to ensure that these strategies are effectively implemented and monitored for their impact on poverty reduction in Nigeria. As the election petition hurdle has been crossed, it is hoped that the president will be more focused now in fulfilling his promises and making the country a better place to live.

By: Calista Ezeaku

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Opinion

Trans-Kalabari  Road:  Work In Progress 

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5 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Quote:”This Dream project  is one of  the best things that have happened  to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas in recent times.”
This is the concluding part of this story featured in our last edition.
Good road network helps farmers to convey their agro-allied products to  commercial hubs where buyers and sellers meet periodically to transact business. Road network engineers and motivates people resident in unfriendly geographical terrains, like riverine areas,  to own property and shuttle home with ease. Some people will prefer living in their own houses in a more serene and nature-blessed communities to living in the city that is fraught with  pollution, and other environmental, social and economic hazards. Prior to the cult epidemic that ravaged parts of Rivers State, the Emohuas, Elemes, Ogonis, and Etches were known for rural dwelling. Most public servants from these areas do their official and private transactions from  their villages. For them it was comparatively easier to live in the village and engage in a diversified economic endeavours through farming, fishing or other lucrative business without outrageous charges and embarrassment associated with doing business in Port Harcourt, where land is as scarce as the traditional needle.
That is why the decision to construct the Trans-Kalabari Road by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili was one of the best decisions that administration took. When Dr. Odili vacated office as the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took over and awarded contracts for continuation of the road project which in my considered view is the felt need of  the people of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. Unfortunately, Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s efforts to drive the project was sabotaged by some contractors some of whom are Kalabari people. The main  Trans-Kalabari Road is one project that is dear to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This is because through the road commuters can easily access several communities in the three local government areas. For instance, the road when completed will enable access to eight of the ten communities in Degema Local Government Area,  namely: Bukuma, Tombia,  Bakana, Oguruama, Obuama, Usokun, Degema town  and the Degema Consulate. It will also link 15 of the 16 communities in Asari Toru Local Government Area. The communities are: Buguma, the local government headquarters, Ido, Abalama, Tema, Sama, Okpo, Ilelema, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama, Krakrama, Omekwe-Ama, Angulama. The road will also connect  14  of 17 wards in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, and other settlements. It is interesting to note that It is faster,  and far more convenient and economical for the catchment Communities on the Trans-Kalabari Road network to go to the State Capital than the East West Road.  The people of the three local government areas will prefer  to work or do their transactions in Port Harcourt from their respective communities to staying in Port Harcourt where the house rent and the general cost of living is astronomically high.
 Consequently, development will seamlessly spread to the 28 out of 34 communities of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. The only Communities that are not linked by the road project are Oporoama in Asari Toru,  the Ke and  Bille Communities in Degema Local Government Area and the “Oceania” communities of Abissa, Kula, Soku, Idama, Elem Sangama of Akuku Toru Local Government Area. But because of the economic value of the unlinked Communities to Nigeria, (they produce substantial oil and gas in the area), the Federal, State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), can extend the road network to those areas just as Bonny is linked to Port Harcourt and the Lagos Mainland Bridge is connecting several towns in Lagos and neighbouring States.Kudos to previous administrations who  had constructed the Central Group axis.
 However, what is said to be the First Phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road project is actually a linkage of the “Central Group” Communities which consists of Krakrama, Angulama, Omekwe. Ama, Omekwe Tari Ama, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama. It is the peripheral of the Trans-Kalabari Road. The completion of the  Main Trans Kalabari project will free Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor areas from congestion. It will motivate residents and people of the three local areas to contribute to the development of their Communities. If the Ogonis, Etches, Emohuas, Oyigbos, Okrikas, Elemes can feel comfortable doing business in Port Harcourt from home, residents and people whose communities are linked to Port Harcourt through the Trans-Kalabari Road will no doubt, do likewise. The vast arable virgin land of the Bukuma people can be open for development and sustainable agricultural ventures by Local, State and Federal Government.
It is necessary to recall that the Bukuma community was host to the Federal Government’s Graduate Farmers’ Scheme and the Rivers State Government moribund School-to-Land Scheme under Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome. Bukuma was the only community in Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas that has the capacity to carry those agricultural programmes. However the lack of road to transport farm produce to Port Harcourt and facilitate the movement of the beneficiaries of the scheme who lived in the community which is several miles away from the farms, hampered the sustainability of the programme. The main Trans-Kalabari Road remains the best gift to the people of Degema, Asari Toru, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas. Kudos to Sir Siminilayi Fubara.
By: Igbiki Benibo
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Opinion

That  U.S. Capture of Maduro

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5 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Quote:”Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction.”
The first part of this story was published in our last edition.
 
In Africa and the Middle East, regime change—whether by invasion, proxy warfare, or sanctions—has often left behind fractured states, weakened institutions, and prolonged instability. Washington’s motivations in Venezuela are widely understood: vast oil reserves, alliances with U.S. rivals, and symbolic defiance of American influence in the Western Hemisphere. But none of these reasons confer legal or moral legitimacy. Strategic convenience does not nullify sovereignty. Political frustration does not authorise military abduction. If every powerful nation acted on its grievances in this manner, global chaos would inevitably follow. International law provides mechanisms for accountability. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), individuals accused of crimes against humanity or other grave offences are subject to investigation and prosecution through judicial processes.
Likewise, extradition treaties, mutual legal assistance agreements, and Interpol mechanisms exist to ensure accountability while respecting due process. These frameworks were designed precisely to prevent unilateral enforcement of “justice” by military force. The most profound consequence of America’s action may not be in Caracas, but in the precedent it sets. If the world accepts that a superpower can unilaterally depose another country’s president, then the foundation of the international system is weakened. Sovereignty becomes conditional—no longer a right, but a privilege tolerated at the discretion of the powerful. Going forward, if another country invades its neighbour, will the United States retain the moral authority to impose sanctions or demand restraint? Some analysts already warn that parallels between Russia’s actions in Ukraine and America’s conduct in Venezuela risk further eroding global norms. Selective adherence to international law breeds cynicism and accelerates the drift toward a world governed by force rather than rules.
Power—military, economic, or political—should serve human progress and collective well-being, not domination and destruction. For African nations, many of which emerged from colonial rule through bitter struggle, this precedent is especially alarming. Sovereignty is not an abstract legal concept; it is a hard-won shield against external domination. Any erosion of that principle anywhere weakens it everywhere. Africa’s painful history of foreign interference makes this lesson especially urgent.  For me, the real issue is not whether Nicolás Maduro is a good or bad leader. That judgment belongs, first and foremost, to the Venezuelan people. The larger issue is whether the international system still operates on law—or has quietly reverted to hierarchy. If America insists it is defending global order, it must ask itself a difficult question: can an order survive when its most powerful guardian feels entitled to violate it? Until that question is answered honestly, the capture of a foreign president will remain not a triumph of justice, but a troubling symbol of a world drifting from law toward force.
If the United States felt so strongly about the allegations of terrorism, drug trafficking  against Maduro, were there no other lawful options? Judicial accountability, diplomacy, regional mediation, and multilateral pressure may be slow and imperfect, but they reflect respect for international law and sovereign equality. Military seizure is a blunt instrument. It humiliates institutions, radicalizes populations, and hardens resistance. It may remove a leader, but it rarely resolves the underlying crisis. History teaches that military interventions seldom result in stable democratic outcomes. More often, they breed resentment, resistance, and long-term instability. For the sake of global order and the rule of law, the United States should reconsider this path and recommit to diplomacy, legal cooperation, and respect for the sovereign equality of states. Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly described the invasion of Venezuela as “unlawful and unwise,” warning that such actions “do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.” Her words reflect a growing recognition, even within the United States, that force without legitimacy undermines both moral authority and global stability.
Should what happened in Venezuela serve as a wake-up call for corrupt African leaders who undermine the people’s right to choose their leaders? The answer is yes. The capture of Maduro should alarm African leaders who manipulate elections, weaken institutions, suppress opposition, undermine citizens’ rights, or cling to power at all costs. Venezuela faced widespread criticism over disputed elections and repression long before this episode, and that context shaped how the world reacted. This does not justify foreign military intervention, but it highlights an uncomfortable truth: prolonged democratic decay isolates nations and invites external pressure—from sanctions to diplomatic censure. Global opinion matters, and legitimacy at home strengthens sovereignty abroad. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and several African leaders have rightly condemned the events in Venezuela, invoking the principles of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in international and regional law.
Beyond condemnation, however, African leaders must look inward. The continent’s future cannot be built on repression, constitutional manipulation, and personal greed. Leadership must reflect the will of the people, not desperation for power. Two days ago, a social commentator on a radio station argued that Trump’s action—though condemnable—demonstrates how far a leader can go for his country’s interest. According to this view, he did not intervene in Venezuela for personal enrichment, but to strengthen his nation. In stark contrast, many African leaders plunder their own countries. They siphon public resources, impose crushing taxes and harmful policies, and leave their citizens poorer—all for selfish gain. That contradiction is the deeper lesson Africa must confront.True sovereignty is protected not only by international law, but by accountable leadership at home.
 By:  Calista Ezeaku
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Opinion

Kudos  Gov Fubara

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2 weeks ago

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January 2, 2026

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Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area.  This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.
The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people.  He said, “our isolation is over.”  That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.
The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.
Samuel Ebiye
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