ISSUES WITH FESTUS FIFEN

The PFIPC Scandal and the Urgent Reforms Required

2026-07-12T10:36:36.435+01:00

By Tunde Rahman

When Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew walked into Phase III Section of the Federal Secretariat in Abuja with a forged letter and emerged with an office, signage, and a semblance of government legitimacy, he did not act alone.

That is the uncomfortable truth of the “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” saga. Adeyemi has been charged with eight counts of fraud and forgery. But the bigger scandal is not one man’s alleged audacity. It is how a non-existent agency got close to N1.3bn in the 2026 budget, secured office space in the heart of government, hosted top government functionaries from Nigeria and abroad, and allegedly operated multiple accounts.

This is not a story about Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila versus Prince Adeyemi. This is a story about systemic failure. And until the system is properly fixed, it is quite probable that the next Adeyemi is somewhere forging another letterhead.

There are several systemic breaches in the saga that public finance analysts and other commentators have already pointed out, but they nonetheless require restating. There is a failure of due diligence in budgeting. The 2026 Appropriation Act contained N1.3bn for the “Presidential Economic Advisory Council/PFIPC”.

The problem, however, is that PFIPC has no legal backing and was never established by the Federal Government.

Top sources in the National Assembly claim the allocation entered “through a backdoor arrangement” without budget defence. For whatever his statement is worth, Adeyemi, in his interview with social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, from his hideout, said he was detained for 23 days while the budget was being prepared. “I did not prepare or defend any budget, and nobody went to defend it on my behalf,” he said. That means the appropriation to the fake agency bypassed the committees that should have asked probing questions such as: "Which agency is this?" What is its mandate? Who are its staff members?

Since the rebirth of democracy over 27 years ago, Nigeria’s budget process has been criticised for “insertions” and “undue inflation”. PFIPC is now the clearest example of why that matters. A ghost agency should not be able to get real money. If the Budget Office, House of Representatives, and Senate all missed this, our first line of fiscal defence needs a long, hard look.

There is also the issue of appointment and office verification. Adeyemi allegedly used a forged appointment letter bearing Gbajabiamila’s purported signature and counterfeit presidential letterhead to present himself as DG. Gbajabiamila’s lawyers insist he has “never had any contact whatsoever with Adeyemi”. Yet somehow, that letter was “accepted at the civil service headquarters without adequate verification”. It secured him an office in the Federal Secretariat for over a year. Up until this month, a sign for PFIPC was still up, directing visitors to the “council’s purported office” inside the Ministry of Health wing.

Just think about that. The administrative hub of the Federal Civil Service could not detect a fake appointment. If letterheads and signatures of top government functionaries are that easy to forge and accept, then no MDA is safe. Tomorrow, it could be a fake NCC or NDDC director. And next week, possibly a fake university VC.

The third system failure is about banking and due diligence. Adeyemi allegedly opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the non-existent agency. Adeyemi himself asked the most damning question in a viral video: “The same acclaimed non-existent agency has a domiciliary account, a pounds sterling account and a Treasury Single Account, all domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. Is it even possible to open an account with fictitious documents in a commercial bank in Nigeria today, let alone at the CBN?”

He also allegedly operated 34 bank accounts linked to fictitious agencies. Banks and government revenue platforms are required by law to conduct a KYC (know your customer) check. How did 34 accounts get opened? Who approved the TSA linkage? The EFCC has recovered items and made arrests, but the institutions that enabled the financial plumbing have not been named.

But how does the Chief of Staff come into all of this? Where does he fit into, for the life of me? Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48% of a N27.4bn take-off grant and collected N400m through proxies.

Gbajabiamila says he has never met Adeyemi in his life and no proxy has acted on his behalf. His lawyers call the allegations “false and gravely defamatory” and have slammed a N10bn suit on Adeyemi. Adeyemi himself admitted in the VDM interview that he never met Gbajabiamila.

Truth is, Gbajabiamila’s office does not issue appointments. Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga had pointed out that much in a statement. The matter of appointment is the prerogative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is the clearing house for all appointments made by the President. Even then, the CoS's letterhead and signature were also found to have been forged.

It was the Office of the CoS that first “blew the whistle” about the fake agency after the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council flagged it. Gbajabiamila caused a disclaimer to be placed on Adeyemi following which he was arrested by the police and arraigned in court.

It is instructive that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission to investigate the entire scandal. That is a commendable step. The President also did not leave the duration of the investigation open-ended; he ordered that the probe be concluded within a month. It was also gathered that KPMG may be brought in if there are larger accounting issues to untangle.

Also, whereas the House of Representatives has elected to launch its own investigations into the matter, the Senate has suspended its own probe, rightfully backing the President’s action.

My point is that the investigation and the legal process must run their course. The CoS should not be guillotined, literally. There should be a presumption of innocence until he is proven guilty.

But the more important point is this: even if every allegation against the CoS is false, as it appears to be, the fact that his name and signature could be forged, and used to access government property still suggests some vulnerability in the administrative controls.

All of that has made a reform of the system imperative.

Arresting Adeyemi so he can answer for his serious misdeeds is necessary. However, that would not be sufficient. Stopping there would be akin to treating malaria with paracetamol.

In my view, at least four immediate reforms are required at this point. One is the budget integrity law. No allocation should appear in the Appropriation Act without being scrutinised by the relevant committee and published with a sponsoring MDA, a legal instrument, and a staff list. A “ghost agency” clause should trigger an automatic audit by the Auditor-General.

Secondly, there is a need for appointment verification portal. Every federal appointment letter must be logged on a public, verifiable portal managed by the SGF. MDAs should not accept physical letters without a portal code. That way, forgery becomes instantly detectable.

Thirdly, the Federal Secretariat must have more access control. A forensic audit of all offices, signage, and allocations in the secretariat is desirable. Any office space given in the last three years without SGF/HoS approval should be revoked and investigated.

The fourth, and perhaps more importantly, is the need for financial institution accountability. The CBN and commercial banks must explain how accounts were allegedly opened for PFIPC and 34 other “agencies.” The Bank Verification Number and CAC database should be crosschecked before any government-linked account is activated.

In the final analysis, Prince Adeyemi allegedly gamed the system. But systems are gamed because they are weak. The PFIPC scandal is a stress test, and the system failed at three points: budget, appointment, and banking.

*Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.

NATIONAL SECURITY: Why Nigeria Must Regulate the Proliferation of Private Security Establishments Before the Shadows Overrun the State

2026-06-22T22:20:26.779+01:00

By Festus Fifen

In the contemporary Nigerian landscape, the sound of sirens and the sight of khaki-clad men wielding batons—or increasingly, assault rifles—have become as ubiquit

ous as the traffic in Lagos or the kulikuli seller in Kano. From the gated communities of Lekki, Maitama, Guzape , Osubi, Effurun to the remote farming outposts of the Middle Belt,the Niger Delta and the south eastern part of Nigeria, a metamorphosis is occurring. " The Vacuum of Order".

Driven by an endemic sense of vulnerability and the perceived inability of the state to fulfill its primary social contract, the protection of lives and property, Nigeria is witnessing an unprecedented explosion in private security establishments and Quasi security arrangements that are daily looking more like an unofficially recognized militia group aimed at protecting lifes and properties.

While the instinctive reaction might be to applaud the "filling of the gap," a deeper philosophical and tactical analysis reveals a ticking time bomb.

The proliferation of private security organizations in both traditional and Urban settings, if left to its current trajectory of unregulated expansion, represents one of the most significant threats to Nigerian national sovereignty and social cohesion in the 21st century. As a media practitioner and public affairs Analyst who is deeply concerned with the architecture of our republic, I contend that the Nigerian government must move beyond the perfunctory oversight of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and implement a rigorous, draconian, and modernized regulatory framework which will help curb the excesses of these self-help strategies.

Failure to do so will transition Nigeria from a democracy into a collection of fiefdoms governed by the highest bidder or highest spender.

To understand the danger, one must understand the "why." Nigeria’s official police-to-citizen ratio falls woefully short of the United Nations recommendation. When you subtract the thousands of police officers illegally or semi-legally attached to VIPs, the "common man" is left virtually unguarded.

This vacuum has birthed three distinct tiers of private security: the formal licensed firms, the state-sponsored "neighborhood watches" (like Amotekun or Ebube Agu and the Hisbah), and the informal, often predatory, local vigilantes.

The danger lies in the blurring of these lines. When the state loses its "Monopoly on the Use of Force"—a concept articulated by Max Weber as the defining characteristic of a state, it ceases to be a state in the functional sense. We are currently witnessing the outsourcing of sovereignty, and the consequences are beginning to bleed into our daily reality.

One of the risks of this kind of arrangement is the Transition from Protection to 'Warlordism'.

The most immediate threat of unregulated private security is the inevitable evolution of "security" into "militia." In a country with sharp ethnic and religious fault lines, a private security outfit rarely remains a neutral entity. Without federal regulation on training, recruitment, and ideological vetting, these establishments often become the private armies of regional power brokers or wealthy elites.

If a private security firm is funded by a single individual or a localized ethnic group without federal oversight, their loyalty is to the paymaster, not the Constitution. We risk a scenario where these groups are used to settle land disputes, intimidate political opponents, or enforce communal "laws" that contradict the laws of the Federation. Unregulated, these groups are but one step away from becoming the very bandits they were hired to thwart, holding the society to ransom under the guise of "protection money."

Secondly, the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) is another downside of uncontrolled security arrangements. Nigeria is already battling a crisis of illegal arms. The proliferation of private security establishments provides a convenient "legal" or "semi-legal" front for the importation and movement of weaponry. When the government does not have a centralized, biometric database of every weapon held by private entities, those weapons inevitably "leak" into the black market.

Furthermore, there is the issue of "arms escalation." If one private firm adopts higher-caliber weaponry to counter local threats, their competitors (and the criminals they fight) will do the same. Without strict regulation on the type of equipment these firms can use, we are inadvertently fueling an internal arms race. In the event of civil unrest, an unregulated private security sector means that thousands of trained, armed men are outside the chain of command of the Commander-in-Chief. This is a recipe for a fractured civil war.

The issue of "Inside Job" and the Intelligence Gap is another lacuna that needs to be taken care of.

One of the most overlooked dangers of the unregulated security boom is the lack of vetting. Currently, many private security guards are recruited with little more than a thumbprint and a guarantor’s signature. In a country battling insurgencies like Boko Haram, ISWAP, Banditry, Lacurawa etc as well as sophisticated kidnapping syndicates, the private security sector is a goldmine for infiltration and illegal recruitment

Without a centralized federal vetting process—where the Department of State Services (DSS) or the Police can cross-reference recruits against criminal databases—terrorist cells can easily plant "sleepers" within private security firms. These individuals gain access to the blueprints of critical infrastructure, the schedules of high-ranking officials, and the security protocols of financial institutions. An unregulated security firm isn’t a shield; it is a Trojan Horse sitting inside the gates of our most sensitive establishments, communities, estate and other institutions.

The issue of unabated Human Rights Abuses and the Absence of Accountability is another reason why the Government needs to regulate these informal arrangements

Who polices the private police? When a member of the Nigeria Police Force commits an extrajudicial killing, there is a chain of command, a Police Service Commission, and a legal framework for redress. When an unregulated or loosely regulated private guard commits a similar act, the lines of accountability are dangerously thin and in some cases not even present at all.

Many private security outfits operate with a "mercenary" mindset. Their objective is the satisfaction of the client, often at the expense of the civil liberties of the public. We are already seeing reports of private "guards" involved in torture, illegal detention, and the harassment of citizens on public roads. If this behavior is allowed to normalize, we are essentially witnessing the privatization of tyranny. The common citizen becomes a victim of a two-tiered justice system: one for those who can afford an army, and one for those who are at the mercy of the others

Economic Sabotage and Extortionist Protection Rackets is another very vital issue to consider

The lack of regulation also has a harrowing economic dimension. In many parts of Nigeria, the line between "private security" and "organized crime" has become paper-thin. In certain markets and transit corridors, "security groups" demand "levies" from traders and drivers. This is not security; it is a protection racket.

If the government does not regulate the fees, the licensing, and the operational zones of these firms, they become a tax on the poor. Businesses are forced to pay for security that the state should provide, increasing the cost of doing business and driving inflation. Moreover, if a firm becomes powerful enough, they can create the very insecurity they claim to solve, ensuring a perpetual demand for their services—a classic "arsonist-fireman" syndrome.

A closer look at these Quasi arrangements will also expose the issue of Erosion of National Identity

Perhaps the most subtle but dangerous consequence is the psychological erosion of the Nigerian state. When a citizen looks to a local militia or a private firm for safety rather than the Nigerian state, their loyalty shifts. National identity is built on the belief that the state is the ultimate protector. By allowing private security to proliferate without control, the government is signaling its own irrelevance. This fuels secessionist sentiments and ethno-nationalism, as people begin to believe that only "their own" (their local, private security) can keep them safe.

Having pointed out these challenges, the way forward will be A Regulatory Blueprint

The Nigerian government must act with urgency. This is not a call to ban private security—the reality of our current challenges makes them a necessary evil—but it is a call for total, uncompromising regulation.

Firstly, A Unified Digital Registry which will ensure that every private security employee, from the gateman to the CEO, must be captured in a national biometric database linked to their NIN (National Identification Number) and BVN. No one with a criminal record should be allowed to work in this sector.

Secondly, Standardized Training Curricula that will ensure that the federal government dictates the training modules which should include human rights law, conflict de-escalation, and constitutional limits. This will spell it out that Security shouldn't just be about "force"; it must be about "civility."

Strict Weaponry Licensing is another area where the government will have to come in. The use of firearms by private entities must be the exception, not the rule, and must require a high-level federal license that is renewed annually following psychological evaluation.

Every private security firm must be required to carry heavy liability insurance. If a guard violates a citizen's rights, the firm must be held financially and legally responsible, creating a self-regulating incentive for good behaviour.

Im drawing the curtains on this issues, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can continue to allow the haphazard growth of private armies, feigning ignorance as the state’s authority is hollowed out from within. Or, we can assert the supremacy of the law.

The proliferation of private security is a symptom of a sick state, but unregulated proliferation is a terminal diagnosis. If we do not act now to bring these establishments under a strict, transparent, and federal umbrella, we will wake up to a Nigeria where the "government" is merely a title held in Abuja, while the real power—the power of life and death—is held by a thousand different commanders in a thousand different uniforms. For the sake of our democracy and the safety of the next generation, the time for regulation was yesterday. Today, it is a matter of survival.

Festus Fifen is a Journalist, A Media Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst.

He is Currently the chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association Of Nigeria CCAN.

fesfen28@gmail.com.

President Tinubu, Give Us A National Development Framework Document Before You Leave Aso Rock

2025-09-14T20:14:00.005+01:00

By Festus Ejiroghene FIFEN

In May 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Took over the mantle of leadership from the late President Mohammadu Buhari he promised to transform Nigeria making sure all areas of the economy were touched.

For the past Two Years and almost Four Months the Bola Tinubu Administration came on board, a lot has happened in the economy. Some very tough decisions have been executed by this administration.

Though these reforms greeted with mixed feelings have been described by the president as the only option if we must come out of our economic recession, some critics of the government think otherwise. While some Nigerians frown at these reforms, others believe if we must make omelette, we need to break some eggs.

Every administration that is midwifed by a political party designs a blueprint of plans and strategies for the development of the country often referred to as manifestos.

In contemporary governance, political party manifestos are often touted as the guiding frameworks for national development. These documents outline the policies and promises of political parties, seeking to portray their vision for the nation. However, the growing disenchantment with the implementation of these manifestos raises critical questions about their efficacy in fostering sustainable development.

As countries navigate the complexities of modern governance, the need for a robust National Development Framework Document becomes increasingly evident. As the next election circle draws near in 2027, with some states who belongs to the staggered elcrion circle going to the polls earlier than that , i am compelled to examine the shortcomings of political party manifestos and present a persuasive case for a holistic, long-term National Development Framework that transcends electoral cycles, Political Parties, Ethnic or religious differences and powerful individuals

Over the years, since the return of Democracy, we have had a recurring challenge of either not sighting or understanding Political Party Manifestos.

Political party manifestos which are essentially promotional brochures for political parties aim to communicate a party's vision, policies, and strategies in the lead-up to elections. These documents often characterized by bold promises and aspirational goals, serve to attract voters and consolidate support from the electorates. However, once the electoral euphoria subsides, adherence to the promises made within these documents are either forgotten or never implemented. The transient nature of political party manifestos is inherently linked to the electoral cycle, where priorities shift with political leadership.

Manifestos are generally reactive rather than proactive,. They respond to immediate electoral concerns rather than addressing long-term developmental challenges. This leads to a short-term focus that often neglects systemic issues like poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, education reform, and healthcare improvement.

So many political scholars have come up with the Shortcomings of Political Party Manifestos and how it effectively hinders meaningful development if not followed with commitment.

One of their arguments is "Inconsistency and Lack of Follow-Through." Political party manifestos often suffer from a lack of consistency across electoral cycles. Promises made by one party may be repudiated or ignored by the next, resulting in a political landscape characterized by instability and confusion. This inconsistency undermines public trust in governance and leaves critical development goals unmet.

Secondly, the issues of Fragmentation of Policy Initiatives were also highlighted.
Each political party typically presents its manifesto that reflects its ideological premises, leading to fragmented policy initiatives. This fragmentation can result in duplication of efforts or contradictory policies that hinder effective governance. A national development framework would provide a cohesive strategy that aligns the interests of various stakeholders, fostering collaboration and coherence in policy implementation.

Those that believe that political party Manifestos Lack of Stakeholder Engagement emphasized that Political party manifestos are often drafted without adequate consultation with critical stakeholders, including civil society, business communities, and local governments. Consequently, these documents may overlook the needs and realities of the populace. A National Development Framework, developed through stakeholder engagement, would ensure that policies are relevant and responsive to the needs of the people.

On the other hand, some scholars believe Political Party Manifestos are Populism and Unrealistic Promises, maintaining that to win elections, parties may resort to populist strategies, making grandiose promises that are unrealistic and unfeasible. Once in power, the inability to fulfill these promises can result in disenchantment and apathy among the electorate.

A National Development Framework on the other hand would prioritize realistic, evidence-based planning that accounts for available resources and capacities.

The Case for a National Development Framework Document amongst other things can guarantee
"Strategic Vision and Long-term Planning"
A National Development Framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for societal progress beyond the electoral timeline. It emphasizes long-term strategic planning, enabling governments to set clear objectives that are not subject to the whims of electoral success. This vision encapsulates goals such as economic growth, environmental sustainability, social equity, and technological advancement.

The Framework can also ensure Continuity and Stability of Governance. Unlike political party manifestos, a National Development Framework is less susceptible to the changes in political leadership. It instills continuity in governance, allowing for an uninterrupted pursuit of national goals. This stability fosters investor confidence and bolsters international relations, as stakeholders can rely on a consistent policy environment.

This document if consolidated and implemented, it will bring about "Holistic and Integrated Approach"
A National Development Framework promotes an integrated approach to policy-making, ensuring that various sectors work in harmony towards common objectives. Instead of addressing issues in isolation, the framework recognizes the interdependencies between health, education, infrastructure, and economic development. This holistic perspective fosters comprehensive solutions to complex societal challenges.

Another benefit it will bring is an "Inclusive and Participatory Governance"
Developing a National Development Framework necessitates widespread consultation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. This participatory approach not only enriches the policymaking process but also strengthens social cohesion by fostering a sense of ownership among citizens. When people feel involved in shaping their future, they are more likely to support and uphold governmental initiatives.

Lastly for this submission, it can also bring about "Evidence-based Policymaking"
A National Development Framework is rooted in empirical evidence, utilizing data to inform policy decisions and evaluate progress. This analytical approach allows for the identification of best practices, imperfections, and areas requiring improvement. By establishing measurable indicators of success, governments can better track their progress towards achieving developmental goals.

Taking a close look at some economies in the World, we see that Countries that have embraced national development frameworks have often reported higher levels of success in achieving their goals. For example, Singapore’s long-term vision, encapsulated in its various national plans, has enabled it to transform from a resource-poor nation to a global economic powerhouse. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates has implemented its Vision 2021, a roadmap aimed at enhancing various sectors while ensuring sustainability and social well-being.

Another pertinent example can be found in European nations that adopted the European Union’s cohesive frameworks for regional development, which fostered collaboration among member states to achieve common goals. These frameworks emphasize balanced economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

As i end this, i want to say that as the global landscape evolves, it is imperative for countries to rethink their approaches to governance and national development. Political party manifestos, while essential during electoral campaigns, fall short of providing a sustainable framework for long-term progress. The call for a National Development Framework Document is not merely a recommendation but a necessity. By emphasizing strategic vision, continuity, inclusivity, and evidence-based policymaking, such a framework can effectively guide nations towards achieving meaningful and lasting development.

If President Tinubu wants to crown all his Reforms in Nigeria and leave his name engraved in Aso Rock and Zuma Rock Including Idanre Hills and Okuno Rock, it will make an economic sense to develop a development framework that supercedes any political party Manifesto. That will be a lasting legacy to make Nigeria great again. The road ahead for Nigeria as a nation still have challenges, but with the right framework in place, Nigeria can navigate these challenges with resilience and foresight. It is time for governments to shift their focus from transient political promises to a comprehensive, strategic approach that prioritizes the welfare of their citizens and the sustainable development of the nation. It is through this paradigm shift that we can cultivate a politically mature society, capable of fostering genuine progress and equity for all.

The Need to Discourage Irregular Migration by Africans

2025-09-08T19:28:00.000+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

Irregular migration has become a compelling issue in global discussions about human rights, economic development, and security. In Africa, the phenomenon of irregular migration—defined as the movement of people outside the regulatory norms of the destination country—has garnered considerable attention due to its increasing prevalence. Millions of Africans undertake perilous journeys across deserts and seas, often in search of better economic opportunities, safety, and stability. While the motivations behind this migration are complex and multifaceted, it is crucial to address the necessity of discouraging irregular migration for the welfare of individuals, communities, and nations alike.

First, lets Understanding Irregular Migration

To address the need to discourage irregular migration, one must first understand its context. Irregular migration from Africa often involves dangerous and exploitative routes leading to Europe or other parts of the world. These pathways are fraught with risks, including human trafficking, violence, exploitation, and the death of migrants. The Mediterranean Sea has become a notorious graveyard, with thousands of lives lost each year.

What are the Motivations for Irregular Migration in Africa?

These simple but complex questions will help to understand the underlying issues. The reasons why many Africans engage in irregular migration are varied:

Notable among them are

1. Economic Factors: High unemployment rates and poverty in many African countries drive individuals to seek better opportunities elsewhere. The promise of jobs and higher wages in Europe or North America can seem tempting, leading many to take the risk of irregular migration.

2. Political Instability: Armed conflicts, political oppression, and lack of security in several African nations push people to flee in search of peace and safety. Countries like South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Somalia have seen mass exoduses due to ongoing conflicts.

3. Environmental Factors: Climate change and environmental degradation significantly affect livelihoods in Africa, especially for communities reliant on agriculture. Droughts, floods, and desertification can lead to food insecurity, prompting people to migrate.

4. Social Factors: Family reunification remains a key factor for migration, as many individuals already have family members in host countries, providing a pull factor for irregular migration.

Understanding these motivations is vital for developing effective strategies to discourage irregular migration.

Are there risks involved in this dangerous trend?

The journey undertaken by irregular migrants often involves significant risks:

Examples are Life-threatening Conditions

Migrants often travel in unsafe, overcrowded boats or vehicles. The journey across the Sahara Desert is perilous, with risks of dehydration, robbery, and violence. In the Mediterranean, many migrants face drowning. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean, underscoring the lethal risks associated with irregular migration.

Secondly Exploitation and Human Trafficking

Irregular migrants are vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, including human trafficking. Criminal networks take advantage of the desperation of migrants, leading to situations of forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other abuses. Many migrants find themselves trapped in cycles of debt and exploitation, often without access to legal recourse.

Legal and Social Challenges

Irregular migrants often face legal limbo, as they are outside the protections afforded to regular migrants. This lack of status can lead to discrimination, marginalization, and difficulty accessing basic services such as healthcare and education. The stigma associated with irregular migration further exacerbates these challenges, isolating migrants within their communities.

Impact on Host and Home Countries

Irregular migration has implications not only for the migrants themselves but also for the countries they leave and the countries they attempt to enter.

1. Strain on Resources: Host countries may experience strain on their resources, particularly in areas such as healthcare, social services, and housing. This can fuel local resentment and xenophobia toward migrants.

2. Brain Drain: The departure of skilled workers from their home countries can exacerbate existing challenges, slowing down development and innovation.

3. Security Concerns: Irregular migration can complicate national security issues, as governments struggle to manage borders and integrate newcomers.

Why do we need to Discourage of Irregular Migration?

Given the multifaceted challenges associated with irregular migration, discouraging this phenomenon is essential. The need arises from various dimensions which includes

1. Protecting Lives

First and foremost, discouraging irregular migration is vital for protecting lives. Strategies that aim to reduce the motivations for irregular migration can help save countless lives lost at sea or in treacherous conditions. By addressing root causes such as poverty, violence, and environmental degradation, governments and organizations can create conditions that promote safe and legal migration pathways.

2. Strengthening Legal Migration Channels

Encouraging legal migration channels can provide migrants with safe alternatives to irregular pathways. Expanding opportunities for work visas, skilled labor programs, and family reunification can alleviate the pressures that drive individuals to undertake dangerous journeys. Bilateral agreements between countries can facilitate structured migration that benefits both sending and receiving nations.

3. Enhancing Economic Development

Investment in economic development initiatives can help address the root causes of migration. Programs focused on job creation, skill development, and entrepreneurial support can provide individuals with viable opportunities in their home countries. By improving local economies, individuals are less likely to embark on hazardous migration journeys.

4. Promoting Political Stability and Good Governance

Encouraging political stability, good governance, and peacebuilding efforts can alleviate many of the factors driving irregular migration, such as political oppression and violence. International partnerships aimed at strengthening institutions and promoting human rights can create an environment conducive to safe and dignified living conditions for all.

5. Combating Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Discouraging irregular migration also involves addressing the human trafficking and exploitation that often accompany it. Strengthening law enforcement and cooperation among nations to combat trafficking networks is essential. Public awareness campaigns can also educate potential migrants about the risks and realities of irregular migration.

6. Providing Pre-departure Information and Support

Providing accurate information about migration can empower individuals to make informed decisions. Pre-departure information campaigns can help potential migrants understand the risks and realities of irregular migration while promoting legal alternatives. This includes information about their rights and the challenges they may face in their journey.

7. International Cooperation

Discouraging irregular migration requires international cooperation and coordinated responses. Countries of origin, transit, and destination must work together to address shared challenges. This involves creating comprehensive migration policies that respect human rights, enhance security, and promote social cohesion.

After a careful look at the phenomenon above, it can be deduced that Irregular migration is a complex issue that demands a nuanced response. The need to discourage irregular migration by Africans is rooted in the imperative to protect lives, enhance stability, and promote human dignity. By addressing the underlying factors that drive migration and providing viable alternatives, governments and communities can work toward reducing the need for perilous journeys.

As the world continues to grapple with the realities of migration, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals. This involves fostering international cooperation, enhancing opportunities for legal migration, and investing in sustainable development initiatives that empower individuals to thrive in their home countries. Only through such comprehensive approaches can we hope to create a landscape where migration is safe, dignified, and beneficial for all involved.

IBOM AIR SAGA: The Dangers of a Single Story

2025-08-12T22:56:00.003+01:00

By Festus Fifen

In 2012, Somewhere in Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, My very good friend Enitan Obadina shared a TEDx video with us about "The Dangers of a single Story " by the Famous Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

We were having a conversation about stereotypes and the need to hear all sides of a story before we form opinions about individuals, events and occurrence. Having listened to us for a while, he just gave me the video clip and said nothing more. After we all watched that video clip, we knew that was the needed intervention to put the matter to rest. From that single experience, i learnt not to jump into conclusions without first hearing all the sides of a story no matter how convincing it sounds.

Over the years, i have come to realise that there is always more to things than what meets the eye. Things are not always the way they seem.

Since the news of the August 10th Uyo -Lagos Flight by Ibom Air broke out, commentaries and positions of some very respected individuals online including some government agencies have been centered only on visuals by one of the parties involved in the saga, (Ibom Air Crew Members)

Decisions were taken, Judgment was hurriedly passed based on one sided story or what i will call a single story. The airline was quick to barn her for life as if the power of life and death or the life of that organization belongs to those making those pronouncements.

The attitude of the Lady in question did not help matters as some Nigerians were quick to dig up her past photos and videos to buttress a point only known to those making the videos.

The speed at which she was charged and remanded in Kirikiri Prison left some of us alarmed until other angles of the story started showing up online and the situation took a different turn. Nigerians were too in a haste to condemn her, even with the inhumane treatment given to her, "those without sin" already threw their stones. while some of those stones landed on the lady, other stones landed on those that dare to have a different view based on evidence available. Some individuals who felt the Airline crew did not do well were quickly labeled enablers of indecency with comments like "you people are the reason this country is like this" unprintable names were secretly given to some individuals all in the name doing the right thing based on one sided story.

With the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA and other notable lawyers and Non governmental Organizations stepping in to unravel the mystery of the dramatic flight, some truths that were not available within the first 24 hours of the hullabaloo is gradually coming out. Though i have also been a victim of the high handednes of a member of staff of Ibom Air sometimes in 2019, i will refrain from talking about it for the purpose of the credibility of this article. Others flyers who have also had similar experiences with Ibom air are now coming out to state what they know about those working in that organization especially as it pertains to how they handle conflicts and other human relations Issues.

In all these, some mistakes would have been avoided if the hasty decisions based on a single story were delayed till all sides of the story was heard.

The danger of a single story is that it creates stereotypes, incomplete narratives that rob people of their dignity and humanity. When we only hear one version of a story about a person, place, or culture, we miss the rich complexity and shared humanity that lies beneath. These narrow views emphasize our differences instead of our commonalities and make it harder to truly understand each other.

Let’s reject the single story and embrace diverse voices and perspectives. Because every story matters, and together they reveal the full truth.

Yesterday it was KWAM 1, Today it is a Comfort Emmanson, tomorrow it could be you or anybody. No one knows who will be the next to taste the realities of rights abuses.

See something, Say something

RESPONSIBLE PARENTING: A PANACEA TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2025-08-10T23:33:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen

Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed numerous efforts by the three tiers of government — the Federal, State, and Local governments — aimed at preserving national values, cultural symbols, and monuments. These initiatives often emphasize the importance of responsible citizenship and underscore the role of Nigerians as ambassadors of the country, both locally and internationally. These efforts are commendable and underscore a national desire to instill patriotism and unity among the populace.

However, despite these well-meaning policies and programs, a crucial aspect that often remains overlooked is the role of responsible parenting in nurturing future generations capable of carrying the mantle of national development. Too little attention has been paid to how responsible parenting can serve as a foundation for raising responsible Nigerians who will uphold our shared national values, particularly in an African context where communal values and family structures are central to societal progress.

In today’s Nigeria, economic challenges compound the already complex task of parenting. The increasing need for families to secure additional income has led to a growing number of households where both parents must work outside the home to provide for basic needs. While this dual-income household model helps alleviate immediate financial pressures, it also introduces unique challenges to parenting and child upbringing.

When both parents are away, caregiving responsibilities are frequently outsourced to nannies, relatives, or other caregivers. While this arrangement helps bridge the gap in parental presence, it creates a new dynamic that can affect the transmission of values and emotional support essential to child development. The fact remains that many caregivers are motivated primarily by financial remuneration rather than a passion for nurturing and guiding children. This can result in a disconnect between parents and children, leading to gaps in emotional bonding and mentoring, which are critical for raising responsible individuals.

It bears repeating that parents are the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life. They are the initial role models whose behaviors, attitudes, and values children observe and internalize. Responsible parenting means more than providing food, shelter, and clothing; it means active participation in a child's emotional, social, intellectual, and moral development.

When parents engage attentively in their children's lives, they lay a strong foundation that shapes the child’s character and worldview. This foundation helps children develop confidence, compassion, responsibility, and resilience. These qualities are essential for future leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and citizens who will contribute meaningfully to the growth and progress of Nigeria.

Responsible parenting encompasses several critical components. It means providing:

Emotional Support and Unconditional Love
Children thrive in environments where they feel loved and supported. Emotional security allows them to explore the world, take risks, and develop healthy relationships. Emotional neglect can lead to feelings of inadequacy and mistrust, undermining a child’s potential.

Encouragement of Education and Lifelong Learning
Parents must instill an appreciation for education, not as a mere pathway to employment, but as a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, critical thinking, and self-improvement. Education empowers individuals to participate fully in society, innovate, and lead.

Teaching Core Values such as Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility
Values are the compass that guide behavior and decision-making. When children learn to act with honesty and respect for others, they contribute to societal cohesion and justice.

Instilling a Sense of Community and Social Responsibility
Children who understand their place within a community and their duty to contribute positively tend to grow into active citizens who support social development and collective welfare.

When families flourish and raise children equipped with strong values and skills, communities inevitably thrive. These children mature into adults who innovate, create employment, drive economic growth, and provide leadership. They are better equipped to handle the complexities of governance, business, and social challenges. In contrast, neglect in parenting leads to social problems such as crime, unemployment, and political instability, all of which hinder national development.

Responsible parenting, therefore, is not a private or individual concern only but a public and national imperative. It is the cornerstone of sustainable development that governments alone cannot guarantee. While policies, infrastructure, and economic reforms are necessary, they yield limited results without a morally grounded and educated populace to implement and uphold them.

Given the current economic realities, it is understandable that many families require dual incomes to survive. However, society must seek ways to support parents in fulfilling their caregiving roles without compromising family welfare. Governments, employers, and communities can all play a role in this:

Flexible Work Policies and Family-Friendly Work Environments
Employers can adopt flexible hours, remote work options, and parental leave to allow parents to spend quality time with their children.

Affordable Childcare and Parenting Support Programs
Governments should provide affordable, quality childcare services and parenting education programs to help parents understand developmental needs and effective parenting techniques.

Community Support Systems
Neighborhood-based programs where experienced parents mentor younger ones or afterschool programs that reinforce moral and educational development could supplement parental efforts.

A renewed focus on responsible parenting also fosters a cultural renaissance. It enables communities to preserve their cultural identities, languages, and traditions amid globalization pressures. When parents actively pass down cultural narratives and practices, they ensure cultural diversity and national pride continue to thrive.

Nigeria’s quest for genuine national development must begin at the family level. No matter the grand visions or policies to transform the economy, infrastructure, or governance, change begins with responsible parenting. Parents are the architects of the nation's future. When they nurture children with love, instill strong values, encourage education, and teach social responsibilities, they cultivate the human capital necessary for national prosperity.

Let us champion responsible parenting not only as a private family obligation but as the cornerstone of sustainable national development and a brighter future for all Nigerians. Responsible parenting is indeed the panacea that can drive Nigeria towards peace, progress, and prosperity. The journey to a better Nigeria starts at home — with every loving, attentive, and values-driven parent.

ABUJA: CAN NYESOM WIKE CONQUER THE CANCEROUS ABUJA TRANSPORTATION DEBACLE?

2023-11-12T22:20:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

When the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike recently sacked the Board and Head of Agencies under the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, it was greeted with a great sigh of relief as many Abuja residents believed the city needed a breath of "Fresh Air" after 8 years of not too impressive performance by the last administration.

With Nyesom Wike described by many as the bulldozer and "Mr. project" taking over the affairs of managing the city, his decision to purge these Agencies of Government that will help him implement the long awaited reforms was perceived to be working-the-talk.

Though the action was received with mixed feelings, there were jubilations in some agencies and the opposite was the case in the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO) as was seen in a viral video where members of staff were lamenting the sack of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Najeeb Abdulsalam for unceremoniously leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest.

In his usual manner, reacting to the viral video, the Minister described the move as laughable, re-emphasizing that no sentiment will deter him from doing what is right for the people of the FCT. Specifically he said "If the MD was that good like they claimed in the video, why were the mass transit buses not on the roads of the FCT?"

In his maiden Press Conference on assumption of office as the 17th Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike spoke concerning areas that needed urgent attention in Abuja in the short term, which includes an efficient public transport system.

The Question on the lips of an average FCT resident is, Can Nyesom Wike solve this perennial transport challenge that has become cancerous in Abuja.?

Taking a close look at developments in the FCT over the years, it can be said that the master plan did not put into consideration a predictable and efficient transport system or better still the implementation of the master plan over the years left transportation issues behind as if it did not matter.

The Beauty of any Modern city in the world today is the ability to leave point A to point B within a definite and precise timeframe .

A predictable and efficient transport system in any economy is a catalyst for development. When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment, work efficiency, access to prompt healthcare services and additional investments.

A good Transport system carries an important social and environmental load, which cannot be neglected.

Transportation is a reality of our life and without an effective and affordable transportation system it becomes almost impossible for any meaningful movement of goods and services from one place to another which will in turn hinder meaningful development in any city. With Barr. Wike promising to reposition the FCT how fast can this be in the areas of effective and efficient public transportation system ?

One of the reasons given for the relocation of the Nigeria Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja was the growing concerns for congestion and traffic gridlocks in Lagos.

The Nigeria Federal Capital Territory Abuja is one Federal Capital City that was created from nothing, having been conceptualized from scratch to the current state it is now.

As a new Federal Capital City created from nothing, it will not be out of place to assume that the founding principles would be to overcome and correct some of the shortcomings and challenges that Lagos presented which made it unfit to be a federal capital city. However who would have thought that after about 48 years of creating the federal capital and 32 years of the relocation of the seat of Government to Abuja that same problems that bedeviled Lagos as a federal capital will still befall the new capital city?

The Abuja Master Plan which has become a mystery to an average Abuja resident and even to some senior and management staff of Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA is supposed to be a document that guides the development of infrastructure in the new capital city, but this document has not lived up to expectation in the areas of transportation within the city.

Over the years past Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory have tried to implement different phases and “Faces” of the master plan, giving it different interpretations and colouration as it suits their governance style or the will of the "powers" that be.

One major shortcoming or omission of the Abuja master plan if it actually exists is the lack of a clear and unambiguous transportation system that will accommodate the ever-growing influx of people into the city.

The absence of Bus Stops and Bus terminals within the city and other transport infrastructure has made movement of people, goods and services within Abuja a terrible experience. Different levels and shades of insecurity of life and properties and other transport related crimes are now the order of the day.

Apart from the Gwagwalada, Zuba, Utako and Nyanya Motor Parks which are far below the standard of a Modern Motor Park or Transport Terminus befitting a modern capital city like Abuja, other transportation points within the city are more of a makeshift arrangement or personal properties converted to motor parks. This is mostly true of inter - state Transport companies who now use private residential apartments dotted all over the city as offices for transportation Business.

Highways and arterial roads are mostly constructed in Abuja without important road infrastructure such as temporary or emergency stop points, emergency ambulance service points and other security architecture.

The recent Abuja metro rail completed by the President Buhari Led administration soon outlived the joy and excitement of the people when it was shut down during the outbreak of covid -19 in the country a development that later led to vandals carting away critical infrastructure in the metro station.

Though the Abuja metro station was one of the first Neglected infrastructure visited by Nyesome Wike upon assuming office as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, many believe it might just be a show of political “Rascality” associated with politicians as nothing much has been heard from that corner since that visit.

The Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO) established by the then Ministry of Federal Capital Territory now the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 1984 as Abuja Bus Service (ABS) and later registered on 13th November, 1989 as Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited is an example of how things should not be done in an efficient society; as its impact is yet to be felt by resident and visitors to Abuja.

Past ministers of the Federal Capital Territory have not done too well with the AUMTCO in providing a steady and reliable transportation system that could take care of the transportation needs of the evolving capital city.

Malam Nasir El-rufai who popularized the Abuja Green Cab and high capacity Buses which were later christened after him as El-rufai Buses did his best but it was soon brought down by the decay in the system after he left office in 2007. Efforts to re-introduce these high-capacity buses for effective transportation in subsequent administrations have not yielded any positive result that is worthy of note.

Temporary interventions by private investors under the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements of the Jonathan and Buhari Led administration did not stand the test of time as those initiatives were not sustained.

With the coming of "Mr Project" Is there any Hope for the FCT Transportation System?

One of the dangers of the absence of an effective transportation system is the Notorious "One-chance" syndrome which is fast becoming a norm in the FCT. As a result of the failed transportation system, many residents and visitors to the FCT have fallen victim of kidnapping from boarding vehicles and make-shift taxis from the Illegal motor parks dotting the city.

Loss of man-hours to avoidable traffic lock jams from satellite towns into the city Centre is an issue for another day. Workers sometimes spend as much as Four hours or more to cover a distance that should not exceed 15 minutes on a normal day if the vehicular movements are more organized.

Barr. Ezenwo Nyesome Wike the man that is believed to work his talk has been in the news for some transformation initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. From the award of resurfacing contracts of internal roads within the city to the quick appointment of Mandate Secretaries across the mandate secretariats, the establishment of a secretariats for women and children issues in the FCT and Pulling out of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) Scheme of the Federal Government not forgetting the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission which is a work in progress and many other reforms, many are still wondering if he will once again perform “Magic” in the transportation sector.

A lot of ground needs to be covered if he must leave his footprints in Abuja the way he has done in Rivers State.

The Question is, Can He Cure This Cancer?

THINGS BUHARI MUST DO TO LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY.

2022-01-21T07:37:00.006+01:00

By our Reporter.

There is no gainsaying that the President Muhammadu Buhari Led administration has less than 17 months to leave office since Nigerians elected him in 2015 in an election that made history in Nigeria as the only Presidential Election where an opposition candidate defeated an incumbent President.

With the hopes and expectations for a new and better Nigeria compared to the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan, one could imagine the level of frustration and disappointment of Nigerians when the Nation slipped into recession within the first two years of President Muhammadu Buhari heading the government.

The increase in inflation, interest rate, and the high cost of food not sparing the overall harsh economic realities left the government on a defensive part for the better part of the first four years of the administration.

Businesses Closed, those that survived the changes in the business environment had to downsize which led to job loss and so many people thrown into the labor market in the first four years of the Change Mantra.

With the Coming of "Next Level" in 2019, the Majority of Nigerians assumed that the government will consolidate on some of the policies formulated and implemented in the past four years to deliver a better Nigeria to the people. This dream was however short-lived with the outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus Disease Christened Covid-19, which was later declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization WHO.

Covid-19 took the world by storm as most economies globally including Nigeria felt the impact of the dreaded virus which for the first time in recent years led to the shut down of Road, Sea, and Air transportation except for the transportation of medical supplies and other critical emergencies.

Fast forward to 2022, The stage is getting set for who will succeed the Daura Born General in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja after his Eight years tenure as the Second Military man to govern the Nation with President Olusegun Obasanjo as the first.

With so many Already showing interest in succeeding him because nature as it were does not permit vacuum, it is now Expedient for President Muhammadu Buhari to take some deliberate steps to imprint his name in the history book of Nigeria and the world over again as the president that deliberately made policies and signed into law some of the critical decisions that will position Nigeria on the part of greatness.

First on the list is for the president to quickly sign the amended Electoral Bill that has just been passed by the National Assembly into law.

The amended bill which has taken care of the controversial direct primaries clause by Political parties now has the option of either a direct, indirect, or consensus candidacy option for political parties at the primaries.

The Advantage of quickly signing the amended bill by Mr. President though "watered" down will give the Electorate or better still the "Common man" a chance to be actively involved in the election of political office holders which will be a true representation of the people.

When Politicians know that the people will play a role in their election and reelection, the desire to serve the people will be more.

President Buhari in his quest for the highest political office in the land before his emergence in 2015 could boast of 12 million votes he was always getting whenever he goes to the polls. These 12 million people that continually vote for him were those in the grassroots that desired change at all costs but are not part of bigger political structures being managed by money bags. it will be unfair to them and Nigerians that the Man that is the highest beneficiary of the will of the masses will deny them (the masses) of the opportunity to make their voice heard in the selection process of credible leaders.

The second thing the President Should do is to hand over the reign of power to a younger energetic person like the current Vice President of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. By handing over to Osinbajo, the president would have been able to make a statement by not just being the first Democratically Elected President to Handover to his Vice, but also give an assurance that he hands over to a man that played a major role in the little successes recorded in this administration. Handing over to Osinbajo will also be a public show of Continuity on the part of the President as the man he handed over to will be able to continue the policies and programs of this current administration beyond 2023, except if the President does not believe that his deputy is capable enough to continue his legacies in office after 2023.

Another thing that some governors of the ruling party have accused the President of, is his lackluster attitude towards the All progressive Congress APC, A Political party that brought him to power. This attitude over time has positioned the president as an opportunist that enjoys using others to get his goal and abandoning them when they need him the most. it's no longer news that a lot of people predicted the collapse of the All Progressive Congress before the 2023 general Elections due to the dissenting voices that continually reverberated around the party.

The President should do Everything possible to put a strong structure on the ground to make sure the party does not disintegrate either before he leaves office or immediately he leaves office.

The President will also have his name written in Gold like the Minna Born General Abdulsalami Abubakar who willingly handed over power to a civilian government in 1999, if he President Buhari Can Separate the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF from the Minister of Justice a politician. over the years the political colouration of those that occupy that office has left much to be desired in the interpretation and execution of certain laws especially when the ruling party is involved. Many are of the view that if the AGF is a Career Lawyer or Legal practitioner different from the Minister of Justice a politician, there will be some level of sanity in the judicial system in the country. This is simply because the AGF and Minister of Justice as it is today is a member of the ruling party.

Though the list is long but within the short time available to Mr. President before the electioneering process fully starts which will definitely play down governance, the points above will serve as a reference point for the coming generation.

The UK Barn and The Hypocrisy of Covid-19 Guidelines in Nigeria

2021-12-11T16:06:00.000+01:00

By Festus Fifen

Recently the United Kingdom in response to the global red alert on the omicron variant of Covid-19 placed Nigeria as part of the high risk countries which later metamorphose to flight restrictions from Nigeria and other selected African countries by some European countries. The United Kingdom over the years is a trusted partner as far as Nigeria is concerned. The flight restriction moves from some European countries especially the United Kingdom was perceived as unnecessary and discriminatory by a larger part of Nigerians home and abroad. No wonder the government through the honourable Minister of Information and culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed was very critical of the decision describing it as discriminatory and targeted at Nigerians for a virus that originated from China.

After about two days of the story making the rounds on different media platforms across the country, myself and the former Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, Professor, Abdulsalam Nasidi, (a professor of virology) were on a radio station in Abuja, analyzing the implications and the consequences of such action not forgetting the political and economic implications of the flight ban. I remember making a statement before we went on set and the professor agreed with me completely. And what was the statement? I told Prof. that the problem with us as a country is not the discrimination from the western countries. The problem with us is, over time, we don't punish or let me put it this way, there are no consequences for misbehavior or flouting laydown rules and regulations as far as covid-19 regulation is concerned. This attitude over time paints a different picture about our core values as a country. This has even made countries in the world including some African countries cast aspersions on our personalities and the results that originate from our institutions of higher learning and even medical reports.

Now, that leads me to the topic of today, which I really want us to look at closely. While driving to the office this morning, there was this advert I heard through my radio set about a show that was coming up in Abuja the Nigeria Capital, I was trying to catch up with the headlines from the dailies and the adverts ended with “all COVID-19 protocols will be duly observed. I asked myself do we really talk about these COVID-19 principles and non-pharmaceutical guidelines because we want to obey them completely and diligently or we just mention it in public service announcement and advertisements so that people will know that we believe in the covid-19 protocols?

Let's start from the government itself, I mean those people that are in charge of giving ‘us’ these rules and also in charge of implementation and enforcement

In the airports in Nigeria, after all the rigours of adhering strictly to COVID-19 protocols during the boarding process, you go into the aircraft to discover that you just wasted your time in a process that looks very much like a mere ritual. you are jam packed like sardines inside the plane. Without all the necessary precautions. That is a story for another day. I wouldn't want to go there now.

Now you see senior government officials arranging or organizing events, they will go as far as announcing strictly by invitation and COVID-19 protocols will be followed and a few other things only for you to go there you realize that the lawmakers are actually the law breakers.

You will notice it’s a case of 49 sitting 99 standing (in the words of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti). They don't follow any of these non-pharmaceutical guidelines. You will still see people without facemask, no safe distance in the sitting arrangement and no proper coordination in crowd control. come back the next day you will hear COVID-19 protocols fully observed. In front or at the door of almost government office is the bold poster NO FACE MASK, NO ENTRY yet inside those offices are people that have thrown caution to the wind. At the entrance of shopping malls across the Nigerian Capital City Abuja you are forced to wear a face mask before entry, but as soon as you have access to the mall, everything returns to the pre-covid-19 era, same with Hotels and other public facilities and institutions. Let me not mention public transportation and taxies.

Who is deceiving us in this country? Why do we feel that the Foreigners, Diplomats I mean those who work in different high commission and embassies of other countries in Nigeria do not see how we throw caution to the wind in enforcement and implementation of protocols? Why do we feel that when it’s time to give updates about what is happening in Nigeria in the areas of compliance to Covid-19 guidelines they will not give their host country a true picture of what it is? Why do we feel that they (Foreigners) will follow us in our hypocrisy and make everybody believe we are following the guidelines?

Not too long ago stories about some travelers purchasing the vaccination certificate without taking the vaccine was played up by the media and till now no one person punished for doing that, we have also heard cases of health record officers inputting the wrong data for people and nothing has been seen to be done to those perpetrating such evil against humanity. The issues of “express” vaccination report given to international travelers at the airport is another can of worm we won’t open now.

The truth remains that as far as it is now, COVID-19 protocols and the announcement in Nigeria might just be a mere lip service. There are other areas that Nigeria can also look at as a country as far as this is concerned. The areas of the importance the government puts into the covid-19 fight. But we should ask ourselves who has bewitched us as a country?

My take is that the government should intensify efforts to make sure that the level of compliance is high, the high and mighty in the society should also be seen to follow the guidelines, this will go a long way in encouraging others to follow their footsteps. There should be more advocacy messages compared to the subtle threat that we have today in the system. Enforcers of covid-19 guidelines should spare no one in its enforcement approach. Everyone involved in the fight against Covid-19 should do what they are supposed to do, so that we overcome the hypocrisy of COVID-19 vaccines and we will be taken seriously by the international community. Thank you

INSECURITY IN NIGERIA: Is "VOODOOISM" to the Rescue?

2020-03-06T14:59:00.002+01:00

By Festus Ejiroghene Fifen

It is no longer news that the rate of crime and other related activities in the country has reached an alarming stage. The average Nigerian has completely lost hope in the government’s security system for protection.

Almost every other family across the country that can afford it, has one form of informal security arrangement or the other that they believe could come to their rescue when the need arises. In as much as we all believe in Nigeria as one indivisible entity called Nigeria, the few lines you have read above capture the new reality of things except we want to play the ostrich, a game that has brought us to where we are today as a country.

Informal arrangements like Neighborhood Watch, vigilante groups, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Bakassi Boys, Egbesu Cult, Yan Banga and a host of others are security arrangements across the six geopolitical zones of the country that eventually gained popularity amongst Nigerians because of the perceived failure of the Nigeria police and other state-owned security architecture.

The growing popularity these informal arrangements are enjoying is not because of their sophistication in strategic arms and weapons, but for the assumed level of charm and mystical powers they possess to solve problems of theft, kidnapping, armed robbery and other security challenges that are unique to specific regions across the country. No wonder a lawmaker in Ogun state house of assembly during the tenure of Otunba Gbenga Daniel as the governor of the state jokingly said on the floor of the house that other unconventional means could be used to fight corruption in the state by introducing traditional means of administering oath to political office holders in place of the Bible and Quran. His argument was that these others means would ensure total compliance much more than the Bible and Quran which appointees and public office holders have come to abuse over time.

One will better appreciate the new security ideology that is fast gaining acceptability nationwide due to the roles it played prior to the 2015 general elections when the local vigilantes in the Northeast region of Nigeria gained prominence in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. It was assumed then that these natives with dane guns and other mystical powers could succeed where the armed forces of Nigeria failed.

These days, statements like “forget the Police, help yourself” have become a norm amongst the masses who are of the opinion that the Nigeria security architecture is only meant to cater for the rich and privileged few in the society.

I remembered clearly sometime in May 2018 when the men of the “underworld’ robbed me and others in an elite suburb of Abuja where our belongings, including my car, were carted away at gun point. Events after that incident changed my perception about how we see our security system and respond to crime as a people. While I was making plans to fortify the perceived loopholes in the neighborhood, to my surprise, some of my neighbors were consulting different spiritual homes for their compounds or properties to be fortified spiritually against further attacks. You can imagine their response to my submission on the need for security lights and other security measures during the general security meeting. Their responses made me pack out of that neighborhood. The outcome of that robbery incident is story for another day. Though the robbers were caught, I did not recover even a toothpick, till today. Sympathizers that came around during that period also subtly suggested I fortify myself spiritually to avoid a repetition. no one talked about strengthening our security forces

The above short account of my experience goes to show that even the elite is sold to the practice of using other spiritual means of getting justice and protection.

If you have ever considered these alternatives in the past in place of the Police or other law enforcement agencies, it means you could be among the new converts who are gradually becoming “believers”. It is even amazing that some that pretend not to subscribe to it will eventually succumb when assured that they won’t have to spend their money or physically participate in the rituals.

The recent accolades that trailed the “Amotekun” security network in the Southwest region of the country and the public call for other regions to emulate such step is another indication that we are gradually going back to the Stone Age when we depended on “Dibias”, oracles, deities and other ancestral means for intelligence gathering, security and justice delivery.

It is a common knowledge that those that will be recruited by the “Amotekun” system will not be trained by the dreaded “MOSSAD” of the Israeli forces or the “Marines” in Europe. From the mock jingle that was trending after the launch by the Southwest governors, voodooism was being promoted above state-owned policing system. Another shocker that gives credence to this assertion is the speed with which all the State Houses of Assemblies enacted a law to back it up.

The increasing dependence on voodoo in the country at a time other developing countries are getting more sophisticated in technology and other means of intelligence gathering for fighting crime and criminality, raises a few questions as to what we are actually dealing with as a nation. Is our policing system failing? Are the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting life and properties failing in their duties? Or is it just a shift from the norms of society? Could it also be a loss of confidence in the present security arrangement? These and many other questions are begging for urgent answers.

In the meantime, the government needs to take urgent steps in winning back the confidence of the people as these new developments do not tell well of the biggest black nation in the world.

Head of security agencies must ensure that justice is not dependent on the highest bidder syndrome or those with “connections”. The average security or law enforcement agent must be made to understand that he is not doing anyone a favour by ensuring that justice is served at all times.

The remuneration for officers of the police and other paramilitary agents should be commensurate with international best practices so as to avoid cases of accepting bribes to do the biddings of the paymaster.

If we must overcome this budding challenge as a nation, all hands must be on deck to fight for the soul and security of Nigeria.

SEGUN OSOBA BARES IT ALL ON THOSE FROM ABIOLA'S TEAM THAT WORKED WITH ABACHA

2019-07-11T12:51:00.002+01:00

And Another Feather Adorns the Cap.

2017-05-08T11:45:00.001+01:00

By Daniel Osofisan

Last week, Fortune, a part of the TIME network released a list of 34 World Leaders who are changing health care globally, and surprise! surprise! Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Chair of Gavi as well as CEO Seth Berkley, made the list.

While receiving awards and recognitions may seem like second nature to Dr Okonjo-Iweala, one is forced to admit that she is the recipient of countless awards because of her contributions to humanity, particularly to Africans where she has shown, time and again, her heart truly lies.

The African continent has fewer voices who remain consistent and constant in their advocacy than Mrs Iweala. In her pursuit for a better life for the African people, she has maintained a consistent stand whether as Gavi Chair, or as a member of the Asian Advisory Board, or as Finance Minister, or in any of the other capacities she has served or continues to serve. Small wonder, the world stops to listen when she speaks. Her achievements, no matter which side of the divide you fall, are evident to all and only a mind that is so totally biased would say that Okonjo-Iweala is not an Ace performer.

Small wonder former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his memoirs acknowledges that one of the high points of his administration would not have been achieved without the hard work of Okonjo-Iweala. And just as the Paris Club 30-billion-dollar debt relief has gone down in Nigeria’s history, no attempt to rewrite history can wipe her name off the page that she led the team that secured and delivered that relief to our dear country.

But that was not the only achievement that earned her the name “Mama Naija”. As minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Okonjo-Iweala advocated and set up the Sovereign Wealth Fund against the backlash of opposition from state governors. Thankfully, she achieved her aim. If she did not, would we have been able to read that Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Investment almost doubled in 2016, thus encouraging the present government to infuse more funds into the account?

Following on the heels of the Sovereign Wealth Fund came other phenomenal and laudable achievements such as the institutionalisation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA). A strong advocate for system as a means to achieving sustainable development, madam Iweala also started the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and pushed Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Interestingly, Chief Obasanjo was not the only president she worked with who lavished her with exuberant praise. After her service to Nigeria as Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Chair of GAVI and Senior Adviser, Lazard. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his congratulatory message, described her as an achiever whose leadership, as the head of his economic management team, brought about the successful implementation of far-reaching reforms in many sectors including power, telecoms, agriculture, financial services and infrastructural development.

The saying goes, “The reward for hard work is more work”, so it came as no surprise when almost immediately her term as minister ended, she was snapped up by leading global orgnisations like Gavi, Lazard, African Risk Capacity and then the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Even before she had warmed her seat in those positions, more appointments came calling, followed closely by more awards. And like the phenomenal woman, mother and leader that she is, she takes on each appointment, each assignment, each accolade with humility and a sense of responsibility towards the people who have always held her heart, whose battles she has fought, and whose victories she relishes, Africans.

Dan Osofisan writes from University of Jos where he works and resides.

Have something to share? Email me on danosofisan@gmail.com

DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY: Is it Another Political Statement?

2016-07-29T23:22:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

It is no longer news that diversification of the Nigerian economy is one of the recent clichés used in almost every government engagement, event or function, by this I mean every level of government from the Federal to State and Local Government/ Area councils.

This has made Political analyst to imagine if the statement is just another Political "Igodomigodo".

The All Progressive Congress APC as a political party during political campaigns and rallies promised to 'CHANGE' Nigeria with 81 campaign promises as aptly compiled by Naij.com an online publication with the reduction of over dependence on oil revenue as the hub of the 'CHANGE' agenda.

Whether these Promises have been met or is being met is a story for another day

The President did not fail to Echo this in his inaugural speech when he said

"Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises."

After that speech Politicians who are given opportunity to talk especially addressing the public on the dwindling economic fortunes of Nigeria will always sermonise about how over dependence on oil revenue has deprived Nigeria of her economic position as the biggest black Nation in the world.

These Self- Made Economic Specialist never fail to point out farming as an alternative to 'oil money' with a call on all Nigerians to go back to the farm.

Quoting President Muhammadu Buhari in one of his engagements with captains of industries, he said " when oil money came, we quickly threw away our farm implements that was until then our major source of income and came to the city, we developed the culture of importing everything even toothpick, that is why we are were we are today, to overcome this, we must all go back to the farms and agriculture so that we can at least feed ourselves"

In as much as farming is Good, there are a few questions that Nigerians must answer especially those bombarding the airwaves with the ' Go back to farm' story day and Night.

Over the years, there have been one form of diversification especially with emphasis on agriculture as an alternative to oil which all ended as mere political statement. President Shagari had the Green Revolution, Obasanjo had Operation Feed the Nation, Babangida had Back to Land, with President Buhari launching policy on agriculture called The Green Alternative, will it just be a mere policy for the record?

I have been monitoring policies from different states for sometime now since diversification of the economy along agricultural line came onboard no one has talked about State-Owned Mechanised farms, there are no mention of Agric Extension services that will ensure adequate planing and implementation of what to plant, how and when; I have not heard of easy loan facilities for willing farmers who may want to go large scale, farmers year in year out always complain of difficulties in getting credit facilities to expand their business, recently the subsidy on fertiliser is been removed, there are no mention of processing factories were these foods when produced will be stored or processed to export quality.

Standard organisation of Nigeria is still struggling with building laboratories that will certify our agricultural products for export.

My visit to makudi the Benue state capital which incidentally the food basket of the nation shows that more than half of their Agricultural produce like Tomatoes, Mango, Oranges etc every year usually waste for lack of storage and processing facilities. These were the days of using farming as a spare duty in Benue state, Now that Friday has been declared a public holiday for everyone to go to farm in Benue state what becomes of the harvest? Where do we store them? Where do we sell them after the local consumption need has been met? Will it be out of place for the Benue State government to invest heavily on juice processing factories to take care of the torns of fruits produced every yearning and around the state? What about the tonnes of yam produced in the state? Are there arrangement on ground for the federal Government to buy off those farm produce and later sell to the consuming Public when the product become scarce?

With Almost everyone going to farm now, when the time of harvest comes our problem will be who to sell these produce to, how will these farm produce even get to the market with the current state of our road networks in this country. How will some of these things be preserved especially the perishable goods?

The sermons should stop, there should be a workable blue print that is void of the usual "grammar" on how Agriculture will be an alternative source of income in Nigeria. Bank of Agriculture should make loans available to farmers, state governments should begin to invest in processing and storage facilities in preparation for the harvest, standard Organisation of Nigeria should do everything possible to make sure that our products are standardised for export to other countries.

Talking does not Solve a problem it's only sincere policy framework that is workable and all inclusive that does. Countries like Isreal that depends to a large extent on Agricultural produce don't speak many grammar. Private investors should invest in storage, processing and packaging.

Nigeria must move from talking Nation to a doing Nation; this policy must not take the same expressway into oblivion the way other of such policies ended.

THE NIGERIAN POLITICIAN: Victim Of our Political Manipulations

2016-05-04T19:11:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

About 3 days ago Sahara Reporters one of the foremost online news medium in investigative journalism published the names and mobile numbers of state governors in Nigeria for the public to see and demand for a "better deal" in terms of governance; this is shortly after the names and mobile numbers of Senators Representing the 109 Senatorial Districts of the country were published on social media by the same organization with a 'Directive' that Nigerians should demand for dividend of democracy from their representatives.

As good this action may seem to some Nigerians, it got me thinking of the impacts those mobile numbers can have on an impoverished people who find it very difficult to feed under the current economic fortune of Nigeria.

This publication reminded me of an article Written by one of my colleagues Ukachi Chukwu with the title, "OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE MORE INTERESTED IN REPRESENTING THEMSELVES" initially I thought oh, this topic has been over flogged, we know this already, they are selfish and self - centered people, they only think about themselves

But again, I told my self that these Politicians might just be victims of our political Manipulations as a country who will always want to eat our cake and still have it.

Why won't they be interested in themselves and their God fathers only? When they practically carry almost all the burdens that brought them to power.

Monitoring the forthcoming presidential elections in America for example, with the ongoing debates and political jingoism currently going on, political parties, their candidates and activities are funded by contributions, levies and donations from card carrying members and other individuals that believe in their ideology.

In Nigeria for example, (I stand to be corrected) the candidates are the ones that mostly sponsor political parties, they bring in the money, I don't know of any political party where members pay levies in Nigeria, instead the members come to share the money that was brought in by these politicians, the politicians print their posters, they give monies to their godfathers to help them lobby prospective voters ahead of the election, they are the ones that buy salt and sugar to share in the village square, they give money to Royal Fathers, Chiefs and pastors for prayers and support, they pay for media interviews aimed at promoting their ideology, the list goes on and on.

In some places they even organize vehicles that will take prospective voters to the polling unit on the day of election to cast their votes and bring them back home to share the largess later in the day.

Before during and after elections in Nigeria, the politician spends Money.

Immediately after winning the election, lobbying for another term in office starts with another round of money spending. We invite them as chairman, sponsors and financiers of one social event or the other, some even ask for money for children school fees, house warming, naming ceremonies others even shamelessly ask for money to marry a third of fourth wife.

I am not holding forth for any politician, but let's face reality where do we want these politicians to get these monies? Don't you think they are the victims in these whole story? I did not mention family pressure and responsibilities on their shoulders as the breadwinner in the family as it is with most political office holders. These same politicians are also looking for a better life when out of the office.

So tell me why won't they be interested in themselves if they do all the spendings? they should recoup their investment before they think of you and your problems.

If you carefully analyze these scenario you will observe that the politician is the endangered specie in our political setting in this country.

If we want them to work for us, let's support them with our money time and energy, let them not feel as if they always buy our votes.

Nigeria will be great again

2016 BUDGET: we may not even Borrow as planned - Femi Adesina

2016-03-26T23:35:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen

In the heels of the successive passage of the 2016 Budget of N6.06 Trillion by the National Assembly which is about N17 Billion less than the initial N6.07 Trillion submitted to the National Assembly on 22nd December 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential spokesman Mr. Femi Adesina has said that from the look of things if the reactions of the president is anything to go by, that Nigeria may not actually borrow the over N2Trillion deficit as at when the Budget was presented to the Nation Assembly over 3 months ago.

In a chat BEN television in an exclusive interview at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja, Mr. Adesina said he is optimistic that some of the steps taken by the president since he assumed office, especially in the Areas of recovery of looted funds, blockage in the revenue leakages of the Government and the strict compliance with the treasury single account TSA, the budget might just be void of borrowing.

In his words, " we know what the provisions are, we look forward to a budget that will be implemented which is the important thing, its a radical budget over 6 trillion Naira, the country was to borrow about N2 trillion but the president is saying we may end up not actually borrowing to fund this budget, I think its a very radical budget and its going to touch Nigerians positively"

Speaking on criticism by some section of the media which are not comfortable with President Buhari making Very strong Policy statements outside the shores of this country, the Presidential spokesman said the most important thing is that those statement are made in the right time

"My response to that is that does it matter wherever he makes these policy statement? Whatever anybody says anywhere in the world in this generation, reverberates round the world. There are terrorist attack in brussels is the whole world not feeling it? when it happened in paris didn't the whole world hear about it? When it happens in Nigeria in the north east, the world hears about it. "

"The world is a global village, it has long been established that it is a global village does it then matter where anybody says anything, it will reverberate round the world. Coupled with the fact that before we travel, we have what we call trip planning meeting; and embedded into the trip planning meeting is a time with the media; that we can depend on because it is planned and so during that trip the president engages international media, when he is home, he is very busy, its not easy to get that window, so that's why it seems he speaks more abroad. But its better to utilise any window he has to speak."

Mr. Adesina who also took time to touch the benefits of the various trips of Mr. President said it is in the overall interest of Nigeria as the president engages stakeholders on how to move Nigeria to the Next level.

" You seems to forget the agenda Mr president pursues when he travels, three things are key, one he talks about securing the country thereby partnering with those countries for intelligence gathering, and those who can give us armament he talks with them and also those who can give training support"

"secondly he talks about the Nigeria economy, how those countries can invest here, he unfolds the opportunities available in Nigeria, they reach agreements and they sometimes even sign bilateral agreements, and thirdly he talks about anti corruption, a good number of this countries, our monies have been starched away there, so he talks to them on how they can assist in getting money illegally starched abroad back to Nigeria. So there are lots of things he discusses abroad and I can tell you we see the yields, the yields are coming"

Commenting on the sincerity displayed as it pertains returning stolen funds by some of the countries the president is discussing with especially when these monies is a major support to such economies. The former president of the Nigeria Guild of Editors said "if you don't try, you will never get it, don't forget that just last week the swiss authority still promised to return some of abacha' s loot, like the saying if you don't ask the answer is already no, if you don't ask those countries, you will never get those monies back, but our president is asking and we have the assurance that we will get it back."

Mr Adesina thereby used the medium to call on all Nigerians to support the present administration of President Buhari in its bid to rebuild a country that we will all be proud of, noting that no single human can bring about change if the people are not willing to support the change agenda.

WHERE ARE THE SOCIAL MEDIA "GURUs"?

2016-03-25T10:00:00.001+01:00

BY FESTUS FIFEN.

It was on a sunday afternoon, after returning from church I decided to take a look at a weblink one of my junior colleague in this profession UK as I call her sent to me days back. Ukachi Chukwu had written an article about what she referred to as the failure of Nigerians to attend the senate public hearing on the controversial social media bill which so many have described as an infringement on the fundamental human right of every Nigerian especially as it has to do with expressing their opinion through available medium.

Ukachi raised some Thought provoking issues in that piece that got me thinking especially the failure of most social media "commandos" to be physically present in that hearing to defend their stand on the issue especially as it affects them in particularly and Nigerians as a whole.

The frivolousness Petition Bill popularly called the anti social media bill could be laid to rest if all stakeholders come to discourse the salient points and address the grey areas to fine tune it for the good of all.

Nigeria is a country of "blame the other man" or blame the government for every failure you experience in life either directly or indirectly someone just have to take the blame.

This attitude of blame game is what has brought Nigeria to where she is today as a nation, where it seems as if nothing will ever work again. The value system is badly affected, institutions can no longer impart the needed knowledge, integrity, diligence, sense of hard work and dedication; being upright is no longer fashionable because we celebrate the wrong values.

One would have expected that those social media 'champions' who use hash tag '#' "on per second Billing" will come out to speak against the proposed bill; but you know what? I am not surprised at all, at least I am not a stranger in this country where suffering and smiling is the order of the day if I am to use the words of the late afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Sometimes people just shout foul for the fun of it, Social activism in Nigeria mostly is a job scouting venture for some people, They don't do it because they love Nigeria, they do it because they want to be heard and be called for settlement later in a round table. Once they get appointments the social activism ends, they begin to sing a different song, using words like ' I now know better'

Nigeria is on her way to being great again, let's stand for what we believe, irrespective of race region and religion. Put your money, your strength and resources where your mouth is, Fight because it is the right thing to do, not because you have a chance of benefiting from the problem.

YOU ARE EITHER INFECTED OR AFFECTED.

Lagos Rats Mass Murder which way Nigeria?

2016-01-26T09:50:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

Life they say is funny. since yesterday, the internet have been awashed with stories on the war against the rats in Lagos State sequel to the outbreak of lassa fever in the country. As funny as this was to me, there is one thing that baffled me concerning the story which is the number of rats killed and the place(s) these rats were killed. Why some media organisations reported 4,400, others reported 7,243 rats . In as much as I don't want to talk about who is correct as far as the number is concerned in this little expression of my thoughts; a few questions came up immediately;( don't blame me, my training has made it difficult for me to see or hear things only from the surface value.) Who killed and counted these rats? Was the first question that was staring at me; is this number an estimation or a confirmed number In a country were our population is and estimated values? Who carried out these mass 'Murder' on innocent rats that were enjoying the conducive environment created by human activities in these markets? Is it a special task force or same government workers that always claim to be busy and following due process when it come to attending to Nigerians? Is it the fault of those rats that the market environment which should be clean were dirty thereby making it a safe haven for rats especially those with the Lassa Fever virus? If we could take out time to count rats that should be destroyed why is it difficult to count humans citizens and visitors alike or better still have a proper census in Nigeria?

All these and many more questions begged for space and answers.

As an individual I have always advocated for first things first; it makes things easier for everyone. If only those markets were clean enough, if only the government deployed sanitary inspectors to these market to at least enforce cleanliness in those markets all these fire brigade approaches we are witnessing wouldn't be there.

Planning would be easy if we know how many we are in this country, corruption would be reduced if we know who stays where, does what, when, why and how. Nigeria the great giant of Africa please let's take first step first. Stumbling on the answer without the process does not mean you know what you are doing.

I just hope other states and their governors won't set up " Task force on Rats Eradication and control.

Unemployed Nigerians" and the N5000 Social Safety Net. Matters Arising

2016-01-06T23:32:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen.

Its been a while since I penciled something on this blog not because there are no issues to write on, but because so many people have turn the new media popularly called social media to a medium they use to churn out so many un verified speculation and disinformation which has now made it difficult to know who is right or wrong. But that's a story for another day.

The visit of the International Monetary Fund IMF Boss Christine Laggard played up one issue that has plagued Nigeria as a nation for a very long time, that's the issue of who is a Nigerian? What is the actual population this geographical milieu called Nigeria? How many are Employed, unemployed or under employed? How many of belongs to the lower class, middle class or High class as the case maybe? What is the actual number of those living below this over used cliché of 'living below a dollar per day?' What's the percent of the skilled artisans that we have in our workforce? You will agree with me that the answer to all these questions would have been easy if we had a comprehensive Data base of who is who in Nigeria.

Speaking with the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki,on her official visit to the National Assembly the IMF Boss Christine Laggard said and I quote " as a former finance minister I know it is very difficult to account for subsidy payments, Nigeria can adopt direct cash transfers to these poor and vulnerable group of people who are assumed to benefit from these subsidies, so we don't further enrich the rich to the detriment of the poor in the society"

When I heard this, the N5000 stipend social safty net for unemployed Nigerians by the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration came to mind and I begin to ask myself who are the people that will be entitled to this N5000? How will they be selected since we don't have a comprehensive data base of who is who in the country? Which data base will Those saddled with the execution of the project depend on? there is NIMC data base, Immigration and Road safty have theirs just to mention a few.

Growing up as a child, the National Directorate of Employment NDE popularly called the Labour House then is where you register if in need of a job. Today, that directorate only operates in Name (I stand to be corrected) since getting a job in Nigeria most times is based on Man know Man. MKM for short.

You will agree with me that it will not be out of place to say this administration is sitting on a "Long thing" if I am to use the language of Dbanj the koko master" as far as the N5000 stipend is concerned.

First the issue of a data base should be put to rest with a proper un bias human, intellectual and property censors that will give Nigeria as a nation its true population which will facilitate planning and execution of government policies.

Until nigeria takes that giant step, as a nation, our policies will become just another statement that will not be implemented at the end of every 4 years or 8 as the case may be. Our family budget is based on the Number of wives, children and dependants factored in. Developed Nations of the World depend on on statistics for planning Nigeria as a country cannot be an exception.

The Emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu is Divine - Sen. Clifford Ordia

2015-06-18T23:06:00.001+01:00

With the current development in All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Ike Ekweremadu as deputy, the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, Clifford Ordia has stated that no amount of gang up or selfish alliance by leaders of the ruling party can remove the duo of Saraki and Ekweremadu.

Senator Ordia who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who also played a key role in the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu, spoke to journalists in Abuja, following a statement credited to former Kano state governor, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso and other aggrieved groups that the emergence of the two leaders was faulty. He submitted that the emergence of the two senate leaders was divine.

Ordia who has his background from the private sector as a chartered civil engineer before venturing into politics, reminded politicians that the era of imposition and ethnic politics was over and warned those clamouring for their ouster to either accept their emergence or maintain their peace.

Speaking specifically in defence of Ekweremadu who has come under severe attacks from APC leaders, Ordia said PDP senators will not fold their hands and allow APC losers remove him. "We will defend the mandate of Ekweremadu with every drop of energy we have" he warned.

Senator Ordia said: "I do not know why they are bickering and complaining. Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu got a pan-Nigerian mandate. APC and PDP senators voted for them. Their emergence is divine and we must accept it like that.

"These two senators are cerebral politicians and they understand the workings of the National Assembly. I have no doubt about their ability to deliver and stabilise the Senate. Their emergence is not about APC or PDP. It is about a shift from the past.

"What Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu need right now is the support of every Nigerian in order to succeed. It is a waste of time, calling for their removal. That will never happen. Instead of wasting precious time, why can't the aggrieved senators just drop their pride and accept their emergence?"

Senator Ordia equally re-echoed the need to give the National Assembly ample freedom to operate without undue interference from party leaders. According to him, elections are over and the time has come to begin to fulfil campaign promises.

"We have finished the elections. At this time, political parties should allow their elected representatives to begin work and deliver on their campaign promises. We have a lot of things to do and the time is short. We have the Boko Haram menace, dwidling revenue, high rate of crime, poor state of the economy, unemployment among our teaming graduates and a host of other problems. We must hit the ground running," the Edo lawmaker added.

Politics and traditional institutions in Nigeria, My Take.

2015-06-02T10:15:00.001+01:00

By Festus Fifen

Having covered the swearing-in ceremony of Mallam Nasir El Rufai in kaduna, I understood better what it meant to be loved by your people and what it also means for the people not to like you at all and they begin to clamour for change.

The inauguration ceremony started like every other ceremony of such magnitude at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, until the governor of the state Mallam elrufai who was then the governor elect came in, People hailed him sang and even cried for the man they believe could bring about the change they need at this time. Things were normal until the crowd became over bearing thereby leading to the cancellation of most of the activities slated for the celebration. The usual ritual parade by the joint military personnel was not even observed because of the crowd and their over bearing attitude.

However things went the other way when the military tried to push back the crowd to make way for dignitaries and even the governor who had just taken his oath of office, this action infuriated the youths who felt they were being deprived of their rights, this led to them throwing stones at dignitaries, law enforcement agents and even the VIPs that were present. when I looked closely enough, one thing was different about the direction of the stones, it wasn't too long before I discovered that the Emir of Zazau was sitting comfortably in that direction, the youth threw shoes, stones and whatever they could lay their hands on at the Direction of this first class traditional ruler in Nigeria.

These actions that took different dimension left me with numerous questions begging for Answers. What is the sin of the Emir that his subject couldn't forgive him to the extent that they could publicly stone him without reservation? How come our traditional institutions are now so Involved politically that even their subjects can no longer bear their bias and support for a particular candidate to the detriment of another? how come the traditional institution is no longer revered the way it use to be? All these I pondered on as I put my pen to paper.

As I was thinking of these questions and a possible explanation, I remembered the Lagoon Saga in Lagos State sequel to the Governorship election where a traditional ruler threatened to drawn certain people if they don't vote for his preferred candidate .

Lest I forget the main issue, trust me, I went on an enquiry expedition within the Murtala Mohammed Square to know why the sudden disrespect for a Royal father publicly. what I heard from the people are unprintable things about the Emir, an Advanced educated woman who in my judgment should be a retired civil servant even told me that the situation would have been worse if the former governor Ramalan Yero had come to the venue, adding that we would have witnessed another kind or stone and pure (sachet) water rain.

Like I was saying earlier, I heard unprintable things so you wouldn't expect me to add them in this write up so I won't be guilty of same offence as the irate youths of kaduna, all I can tell you is that is was a case of a traditional ruler getting too involved in politics to the extent that his subjects lost hope in him, I was told that he publicly campaigned for the PDP candidate who eventually lost the election, others even added that he was always getting his share of the loots from the state treasury which the youths felt was the reason for the poverty rate in the state. Their grievance is now that the emir who help sabotage the former administration is getting too close to the incumbent, they wanted to nip it in the budd before things gets too dangerous. They threw stones until dignitaries had to take cover, the emir was taken to a hidden safe place within the premises, these boys insisted on waiting for him to make sure they stone him before he leaves the square. Efforts by joint security forces did not help until the police had to bring in hot water canon which eventually dispel the youths before the royal father was quickly whisked away.

After carefully looking at the whole thing, I came to realise that our traditional rulers and institutions have been compromised by Politicians, Royal fathers have neglected their primary duty and responsibility to their subjects, most of them are now political godfathers of a sought, they now support the highest bidders, most of them are even contractors to the government of the day this makes it difficult for them to chastise anyone who seems to be performing woefully.

To avoid a repeat of what happened in Kaduna in other states and kingdom in the federation, royal fathers should be father to all, and not to a certain group that can afford to pay for their prayers and blessings, they (Royal Fathers) should realise that publicly supporting one of your subjects against the other is like fighting yourself and expecting to Win.

Nigerians are now wiser you can no longer eat your cake and still have, they now know how to fight for their rights. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Our politicians on the other hand should not destroy our traditional institutions for personal gains, they should remember that political offices don't last for ever, if you destroy your home because of a temporary abode you will have yourself to blame at the end of the day.

PDP YOUR BURDENS ARE GONE. By Festus Fifen

2015-05-07T01:51:00.001+01:00

PDP YOUR BURDENS ARE GONE. By Festus Fifen

I have been too lazy these days to pencil anything down, with the so many drama that has taken over the political space in my country Nigeria.

Before I conclude my fact finding research on one issue, another one is staring at me in the face and in most cases the later is always more 'dramatic' that the former but in all of these, putting pen to paper concerning one of the issues top most in my library of issues will not be out of place.

I want to congratulate the People's Democratic Party PDP for loosing the just concluded presidential election in Nigeria, yes you read the right thing i mean congratulations to those who are still under the umbrella; I know more of those fair weather friends will still 'port' to where the grass seems to be greener which for now is the All progressive congress APC.

If the PDP had won the presidential election, there wouldn't have been room for reflection and evaluation of the members of the family especially as it concerns those I have decided to refer to as fair weather friends. The party would have been basking in the Euphoria of victory that the cancerous tumour that plagued the party would have taken over the heart thereby leading to untimely death of the party and also making it impossible to revive her.
Some actions and inaction which are mostly called errors in a man's life most times end up to become the saving grace and a turning point. I have heard so many political analyst analysing how the PDP progressed in error before and during the presidential campaign which later led to the Loss of the party at the presidential polls; it is either they question the calibre, character or integrity and capability of the people appointed into government at the central and state level, or complaining about the body language of some of the principal officers that were calling the shots at the presidential campaigns. To me these were "divinely" design to prevent a future 'Sunami'.

PDP was the party that heralded the return of democracy in 1999 which so many thought would be short-lived.

After the successful civilian to civilian administration which was headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003 respectively, the PDP became the party to beat and later the largest Political Party in Africa which led to the influx of people into the party either out of genuine passion to develop Nigeria or for their selfish interest. success they say carries with it the burden of false friends and deceptive compliments.

As the PDP grew over the years, different interest groups, factions and caucus also sprang up with it; thereby making Personal interest to override the collective interest of the party. Election into leadership positions of the party and the government of the Day was now perceived to be based on " Man Know Man" rather than competence, capability and credibility.

Conventions of the party became controversial with time, primary elections and emergence of candidates even at the ward level of the party made headline stories.

Soon National chairmen of the party were changed and removed in response to pressures from some group who may not be comfortable with political arrangement. Sooner the party became a kind of Animal farm where the Milk was reserved for a privilege few within the party which did not go well with others.

The reservation practices and what some refer to as lack of internal democracy led to the defection of 5 out of the 7 aggrieved governors to the All Progressive Congress APC. this was sequel to the walking out of some members of the PDP during their special National convention in Abuja, that gave way then to the "New PDP" led by its former chairman Kawu Baraje. The fever soon got to the National Assembly with so many Senators and house member joining the Bandwagon.

With the Loss of the presidential Election to the opposition, the ruling party PDP is thinner though the Blame Game has not ended but from my own opinion, the family is Smaller, differences can now be handled amicably.

The Task Ahead is Big but Rejoice for most of your false friends and fare weather members are gone.

Those still under the Umbrella should stand firm and truly give the Power to the People as the slogan of the party implies.

PDP! Empower the People and watch the people Give the power to you in subsequent Elections.

EBONYI IMPEACHMENT SAGA: Between Abuja And Abakaliki

2015-03-08T15:48:00.001+01:00

By George Okonkwo

Finally, President Goodluck Jonathan has heeded the call of many well-meaning Nigerians who advised him to intervene in the political crisis in Ebonyi State. Over the last week, the president and some other party leaders have met to seek a solution to a lingering crisis that could impact on the ruling PeoplesDemocratic Party’s fortunes in the coming elections. The president should complete

his
work by warning those who are hell-bent on sending Governor Martin Elechi parking before his tenure ends in just a matter of weeks to back-off and be reasonable. If they don’t, then they are the real enemies of the president.

We know some Abuja handprints are on the matter, but then what are they accusing the governor of that took 8 years to prove? It is understood that for lack of substantial allegations upon which to impeach Governor Elechi, those political man Fridays have devised “acts of misconduct”, “misappropriation of funds” and “undermining of the House of Assembly’s authority”. What misconduct? What misappropriation of funds? And how does the governor undermine an arm of government with which, hitherto, he had a smooth working relation with?

The good news is that, even in their rash irrationality, the governor’s adversaries – both in Abuja and Abakaliki – have not been able to accuse him of nonperformance.

In the wake of the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state, the governor embarked on the construction of two giant water treatment plants, one at Oferekpe in Ikwo LGA and Ukawu in Onicha LGA to the tune of N7.6 billion and N3.9 billion respectively. They are expected to serve the need of the people of the state to the capacity of 200 million litres of water per day. That is rapid response from an old man.

The governor has also achieved a lot in education and health. Rural hospitals now deliver prompt and adequate healthcare to the people of Ebonyi; an unprecedented achievement to someone who knew the situation before Elechi became governor. He constructed an international market with over 5000 stores to trigger the transformation of Ebonyi from a civil service state into becoming an epicenter for commercial activities.

Works on the construction of a digitalized Radio and Television corporation, the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) are ongoing. In fact, even with the meager resources the state gets, the governor still embarked on an ambitious power plants project. The Ebonyi State University continues to attract new projects from the governor because of its strategic importance to the governor’s vision.

Except if the Ebonyi State House of Assembly wants to impeach the governor on the account of his performance, options are limited while consequences are grave in ignoring the yearnings of the people of the state. This much has been established by those who have moved in their droves from the PDP to the Labour Party. Like their governor, the people of Ebonyi are politically underrated and taken for granted by the PDP they’ve stayed loyal to since 1999. Already, the Ebonyi Assembly does not have such numerical strength to impeach the governor without resorting to illegality. That speaks volume.

Perhaps, we should ask the Ebonyi legislative actors how the House, currently lacking in numerical legitimacy, intends to institute an impeachment process on the governor without violating the provisions of Section 104 of the 1999 Constitution on the convocation of the House. Ebonyi Assembly requires not less than 24 and not more than 40 members to function as a proper law-making body. Except, of course, if these persons and their Abuja backers bypass the law and resort to the impunity that has come to define their political journeys, they make bare-faced lawlessness look like war scenes from the medieval Game of Thrones. This, they should be warned, is the 21century and we are in a democracy!

Ebonyi has always been a peaceful state. The state that doesn’t rebel against constituted authority should not be rebelled against by those in positions of authority, especially in Abuja. Ebonyi can rarely afford political and social costs if drawn into a crisis that never should be. Elections are coming; one way to keep them peaceful, free and fair is by preventing self-serving politicians from climbing the kind of dangerous cliff they are contemplating.

EBONYI: Climbing the Dangerous Cliff

2015-03-07T14:14:00.000+01:00

By Jacob Nzekwe

Up until November 2014, political onlookers in Ebonyi State never fully appreciated the vicissitudes of the so-called Abuja politicians, in conjunction with their cronies in the EbonyiState House of Assembly. It’s all crystal clear now though, thanks to a phenomenon that is as dangerous as it is laughable. Having subjugated the will of the people in a “palace coup” that saw a fine man and great achiever denied a clear mandate, Abuja politicians of Ebonyi extraction decided it was proper to break long-standing rules of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

By tradition, the party’s machinery at state level has always been in the hands of its state governor, except in states controlled by the opposition. In the case of Ebonyi, the state governor, Martin Elechi, was humiliated and the party’s machinery forcefully taken from him. Ebonyi is therefore the only PDP state whose governor is not in control of PDP’s structure at state level. Why?

It is quite easy to fill in the blank spaces of Ebonyi crisis. The visibility of Abuja’s hand on the wall was evident during the PDP primaries in the state. Democracy was redefined from the choice of the majority to the whims of a few. Then, last week, Hon Linus Okorie put a face to it by pointing out to the House of Representatives, that there were political differences between Governor Elechi and the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Days later, the plans to impeach the governor became public. Suddenly, a two-term governor is accused of “acts of misconduct”, “misappropriation of funds” and “undermining of the House of Assembly’s authority”. All these, two months to the expiration of his tenure. It is a classic case of calling the dog a bad name to get its head on the platter.

Understandably, “honourables” such as Odefa Odefa, Valentine Okike and Francis Nwifuru are enjoying the attention their acts of hooliganism and stupidity is presenting them. They also enjoy being in the company of Abuja politicians. But do they care to ponder on what this ugly situation portends? Do they even calculate the political risk involved in their inactions? Why has the national secretariat of the PDP turned its eyes the other way in this matter? It is easy to see why Ebonyi has been thrown into a state of confusion; in a state similar to that of somebody who swallowed a pestle, for who either to sit or stand happens to be an equally daunting task.

Options are limited while consequences are grave in ignoring the yearnings of the people of the state. Like their governor, they are both underrated and taken for granted by the PDP they’ve stayed loyal to since 1999. Already, the Ebonyi Assembly does not have such numerical strength to impeach the governor without resorting to illegality.

Because of the grave implication current events may bear on the PDP and President Jonathan’s presidency, it is in order to advise Mr President to intervene in this matter. Political hawks may not care if Jonathan loses the support of his loyal friends, insofar as they stay glued to the seats at the corridor of power. In fact, there is enough evidence to suggest that the real enemies of the president are not in such places as Abakaliki, but right there in Abuja, at Aso Rock. These are the people who, as soon as they fetch their share of clean water from the stream, unsettle the stream so to prevent others from fetching clean water.

The PDP should ask itself if it wants to return to the years when single-digit members of a House, sitting in a rented hotel room, would announce the impeachment of a governor. “Moving forwards” means that old inglorious habits be left behind. Ebonyi can rarely afford to boil at this point in time. Elections are coming; one way to keep them peaceful, free and fair is by preventing self-serving politicians from climbing the kind of dangerous cliff they are contemplating.

POLITICISATION OF DECLINING OIL PRICES

2014-12-08T21:48:00.002+01:00

By Olusola Daniel

Over the past few days, I have read and listened to various discussions about the state of the Nigerian economy, and it is disheartening to see some supposed opinion leaders feeding the public with half-truths or blatant lies all in a bid to achieve their sinister objectives. One would expect an issue as crucial as this to be taken with all seriousness rather than being used as an opportunity to score political points while launching ill-advised missiles at well-meaning public servants.

Like King Solomon said in the Holy Writ, sensible people foresee trouble and hide from it, but gullible people go ahead and suffer the consequence.
This aptly describes what we are experiencing in Nigeria today. Like a sentinel watching over the economic affairs of our nation, the finance minister has repeatedly warned of an impending shock. This apostle of prudence, who set up the Excess Crude Account to build up savings for the nation, has continued to caution the political class against profligacy while advocating for healthy savings.

These moves by the finance minister, in addition to her consistent calls for cutting down recurrent expenditure and setting lower budget benchmark in light of global economic realities, have met with stiff resistance from our lawmakers at the national assembly and our all-powerful state governors. Is it not therefore surprising that some folks would say she didn’t sound the alarm early enough when she has been drawing attention to these realities for more than three years now? Shouldn’t we rather question the governors and legislators who have depleted our reserves by constantly laying heavy demands on our oil earnings to fund their profligacy?

While commenting on the issue in April 2012, the minister noted that fiscal federalism has made it difficult for the country to save. “It is difficult getting governors to agree to $1bn savings for the SWF. We had the state governors saying they can only allow $1bn. Now they say it is illegal and the country is not able to save. In the excess crude account today we have left only about $3.6bn. Should the oil price drop today we have no cushion because $3.6bn for this economy is not enough to take us to any length of time,” she said.

Rather than criticising madam Okonjo-Iweala for everything that goes wrong, we should commend her for working hard to stabilise the economy. She has continued to defend the interests of the average Nigerian in spite of stiff opposition from those who would rather squander our commonwealth on self-aggrandisement. Even in this difficult period, she has advanced measures to protect the poor through the retention of critical infrastructure projects and building of social safety nets. Another commendable move is the planned luxury tax on private jets, champagne and other luxury goods such that the rich would also bear the brunt of the economic downturn.

When one objectively examines the measures that the minister has announced for managing the impact of declining oil prices, one cannot but appreciate her diligent efforts to help the nation cushion the shock. Having helped other countries such as Malaysia which have gone through similar challenges, she has brought her experience to bear to ensure that Nigeria has a robust strategy to confront the situation. As a technocrat, the minister of finance has not ceased to condemn profligacy and wasteful spending by politicians. We ought to team up with her in this fight rather than lending unwitting support to political figures who want to destroy confidence in the economy to help pave way for their selfish ambitions especially as we approach 2015 elections.

Olusola Daniel is a political observer and advocate for community development. He writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

WHEN SAVING IS ILLEGAL

2014-12-08T20:41:00.001+01:00

By Issachar Odion

I am no economist. Then again, neither are a whole lot of the people who have written or spoken in recent times on the economic issues prevalent in our nation today. We are, however, stakeholders; after all, it is our country. We live here, earn a living here; our children attend schools here and what have you. Even those of us who are not resident in the country have family members who are, and probably some investment or the other here. So, we are all stakeholders.

Since the first alarm was sounded on the falling prices of crude oil, many of us have been following the news ardently, silently hoping for a reprieve of some sort. It has been several weeks since the first news broke, and though several actions and reactions have taken place since then, the narrative of the general populace has not changed; we are still in the ‘finger pointing’ phase. Two points arise from this phase which require that we take a look at the facts before us critically rather than allow ourselves be swept away in the flood of what at first may appear as ‘public opinion’, but now plays as a well-crafted plan to distract and derail the good people of this dear nation from the things which are true and right.

Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a technocrat, not a politician. She was not appointed as finance minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy because she was owed a political favour, but because the presidency deemed her the right fit for the job. Based on her past service to the country, it is not out of place for me to state that she is not one associated with reckless spending. In fact, it was during her first stint as finance minister that the Excess Crude Account was set up.

Secondly, while she endorsed saving; other parties, wielding political might, undermined her efforts. In April 2013, she openly, and on more than one occasion told us that the Federal Government was compelled to share over $16.4billion revenue accumulated in the excess crude account to the states because the governors argued that it was unconstitutional and even illegal for the Nigerian republic to have savings stashed away for some imaginary rainy day. She was also quoted saying that, “It was a fight to even get $1billion paid into the SWF (Sovereign Wealth Fund). We managed to save $20billion the last time, but now the governors are saying it is illegal. So, the country is not able to save, and what is left in the Excess Crude Revenue Account today is only about $3.6billion”.

The truth is, surviving the current decline in oil prices and its negative impact on national and global economies would have certainly been made easier had we enough funds shored up. Remember, it had been done before during the 2008/09 crises. The government was able to augment its budget deficit and continue with most of its development programmes with revenues from a healthy Excess Crude Revenue Account.

Had Dr Okonjo-Iweala not, in the past, expressed her concerns, reservations and angst about what another economic meltdown without sufficient funds in the ECA would do to us, then she should naturally be our first target for finger-pointing. But she did, several times over, she did. Yet we refuse to blame the people who squandered our future and have faced the one woman who became an enemy of state governors and legislature in her bid to secure the economic future of this country.

The Minister has always been an advocate of the need for the country to continue to create safety nets in the form of savings in order to cushion any potential negative effects of the volatility in the international oil market on the domestic economy should there be any further depression in the global economy. Just as she has repeatedly stressed that increased efforts to diversify the country’s economy remains the only viable option open to pursue in the face of dwindling revenues from crude oil exports as well as increasing volatility in the global oil market.

With elections fast approaching and our current situation becoming fertile ground for politicking, what is needed now is a collaborative paradigm shift. We need to look beyond the problem to the possible solutions; we need to shift our focus from blaming the finance minister and her economic team to focusing on the things that matter. In truth, as stakeholders, everyone has a role to play. Let us not be carried away by the opinions of naysayers as we look towards a better economy in the years ahead.

Issachar Odion is a post graduate student in one of the federal universities.