National Issues
Agitation for Biafra: A Selfish Agenda.
THESE days, the quest for money takes precedence over the quest for truth. In retrospect, late Odumegwu Ojukwu’s failed attempt to lead the Igbos out of a united Nigeria should be a lesson for all and sundry, but, reverse is the case.
Those who fails to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. To all intents and purposes, Ojukwu’s efforts to actualise Biafra state were quite genuine and altruistic as opposed to the ill fated struggles of the present crop of agitators.
Asides, late Ojukwu’s intellectual endowments which were deployed to win the war can not be compared with those of mental Liliputians gallivanting empty grounds and pontificating over the issues which they were least qualified to comment on not to talk of dissecting same.
Comparatively, Ralph Uwazurike’s approach is more diplomatic than that of the stubborn tout and academic drop-out, Nnamdi Kanu. However, both of them got it wrong.
Liberation struggles in the modern world are embarked upon by those people who are not only trustworthy, but, have that clear vision and objectives which are suited towards promoting the interests of their people. Hence, it can only be brought about by people with sound intellects and thorough knowledge of political history. It is not for the people whose antecedents are not worthy of being propagated when it comes to knitty gritty.
The two arrow heads are not qualified to lead the struggle, even and if, it is necessary. Moreso, Igbo nation parades more credible and highly intelligent men and women who are eminently qualified to lead the struggle. Essentially, there exists world class diplomats, historians, political scientists, finance experts and the related who are imbued with the cest and ethos which are required to actualise the pet project.
At this juncture, it is worth asserting that there is no basis for any secession.This aptly inform the decision of the elites from the zone to distance themselves from this white elephant project. Most of the reasons adduced to justify the imperativeness of the liberation struggle are not only weak and incompetent, but, pedestrian in nature.The much taunted cries of marginalisation are common anthems of all the geo-political zones.What else?
The agitations for the actualisation of Biafra state by the duo of Uwazurike and Kanu have given them undeserved fame and monetary gains.The overzealous politicians who are desirous of using their platforms to win elections have been doling out cash to them. Also, the groups are identified as Igbo militias. Therefore, they have been going round coercing the noveau riches and the middle class to make financial inputs into the struggle. Most of those in this system have no feasible means of livelihood.
It is equally disheartening and nauseating to note that the militias are hirelings in the land disputes where they are ready tools in the hands of the highest bidders. Some of them have constituted themselves into kidnap gangsters terrorising their innocent kinsmen and women for huge pecuniary benefits. Are we morally bound to describe the liberation struggles of these men as genuine and altruistic? No, theirs are for selfish motives.
It is my conviction that the confused youths who are being misled by the arrowheads of the agitation should be wiser now. Application of violence is now a démodé way of pressing home one’s demands. Albeit,violence begets violence. But, the costs in terms of human casualties are enormous. It behoves on all of us that the clever Kanu has since located his immediate family members overseas. If the bubble eventually bursts, he is armed with his own visa and other relevant travelling documents. Those in support of his rascality have nothing to fall back on.
To wit, his co-accused are still languishing in jail while reprieve has come his way through bail. If he is truly committed to the liberation struggle,I wondered the reason why he has not insisted on bail for others as a condition for his own temporary freedom too.
Charity, they say, begins at home. The constitutional democracy in Nigeria has offered all the components therein fair and very wide representations in governance. Governors, legislators, local government chairmen, commissioners, ministers and the like abounds in all the states.
They are saddled with the primary duty of promoting our welfare interests. As such, it is our duty too, to monitor them to ensure that they do the needful instead of resorting to violence over feigned marginalisation claims.
The South-Sudan example has even proven to the world that the sovereignty of Igbo nation may be another commencement of blood letting and senseless genocide in the struggle for political power. To this end, let us all stand for the united Nigeria and uphold her glory.
ƥ Akeem Adebiyi writes from Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
In response to the escalating security challenges plaguing Nigeria, no fewer than 16 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces.
This development was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which took place virtually on Thursday.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealed that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to submit their positions on the matter, though he did not specify which states were among them.
The governors advocating for state police also pushed for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate this crucial reform. Their move underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation across the nation.
Similarly, the NEC received an abridged report from the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control. This committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, highlighted the areas of oil leakages within the industry and identified instances of infractions.
Governor Uzodinma’s committee stressed the imperative of political will to drive the necessary changes and reforms needed to combat crude oil theft effectively.
Renowned academician, Professor Augustine Okereke, from the Medgar Evers College/City University of New York, has emphasised the detrimental impact of a lack of strong social institutions on Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Presenting a lead paper at the First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference hosted by the University of Ibadan, Professor Okereke urged President Bola Tinubu to foster robust institutions capable of combatting corruption and addressing social ills.
“All our institutions are on the decline,” warned Professor Okereke, underscoring the urgent need for effective structures to facilitate sustainable development. He highlighted the challenges faced by African countries, emphasising the risk of continued poverty, underemployment, and injustice without these foundational structures.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha, asserted the university’s commitment to providing intellectual, context-specific solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
He called on state and federal governments to patronise researchers in the country, emphasising the faculty’s reputation for producing intellectual leaders.
Professor Nwokocha stated, “Our faculty is reputed for offering deeply intellectual, workable, and context-specific solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria over the ages.” He emphasised the significance of the conference’s theme in aiding Nigeria’s navigation through its complex existential reality marked by despair, rising inflation, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.
During the conference’s opening, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale noted the relevance of the theme, “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues, and the Actualization of Sustainable Development,” urging participants to generate transformative ideas for Nigeria.
Acknowledging the nation’s progress over 63 years, he expressed concern over setbacks in the economy and social indices, hoping the conference would proffer solutions.
In his keynote address, Professor Lai Erinosho stressed the rapid worldwide social change in the digital age, citing both benefits and unanticipated consequences for human survival. He cautioned against embracing same-sex relationships, citing dangerous implications for humanity.
The First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference convened a diverse array of participants to explore solutions and intellectual leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
As the country grapples with economic challenges, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in the inflation rate to 28.92%, according to the December 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on a Monday afternoon.
The CPI, tracking the fluctuation in prices of goods and services, illustrates a notable increase from the previous month’s 28.20%, underscoring the pressing concerns surrounding the nation’s economic stability.
In a recent report, the Statistics Office revealed a notable uptick in the headline inflation rate for December 2023, marking a 0.72 percentage point increase from the previous month’s figure in November 2023.
On a year-on-year basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted a significant surge, with the December 2023 rate standing at 7.58 percentage points higher compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
December 2022 witnessed an inflation rate of 21.34 percent, underscoring the economic dynamics at play.
“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2022),” NBS said.
In a further revelation, the bureau disclosed that the month-on-month headline inflation rate for December 2023 experienced a 2.29 percent surge, surpassing November 2023 by 0.20 percent. This indicates a swifter rise in the average price level compared to the preceding month.
The report highlighted a concerning acceleration in food inflation, reaching 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis for December 2023. This marked a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from December 2022’s rate of 23.75 percent. The data underscores the persistent upward trend in food prices, a trend exacerbated by various government policies, including the removal of subsidies on petrol.
Notably, in July 2023, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on food insecurity to address the escalating food prices. Taking decisive action, the President mandated that issues related to food and water availability and affordability fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, recognising these as essential livelihood items in need of urgent attention.
In Monday’s inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) detailed the key contributors to the year-on-year increase in the headline index. The leading factors include food & non-alcoholic beverages at 14.98 percent, housing water, electricity, gas & other fuel at 4.84 percent, clothing & footwear at 2.21 percent, and transport at 1.88 percent.
Additional contributors encompass furnishings & household equipment & maintenance (1.45 percent), education (1.14 percent), health (0.87 percent), miscellaneous goods & services (0.48 percent), restaurant & hotels (0.35 percent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco & kola (0.31 percent), recreation & culture (0.20 percent), and communication (0.20 percent).
The report highlighted a substantial 24.66 percent change in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. This represents a significant 5.81 percent increase compared to the 18.85 percent recorded in December 2022, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.
Food Inflation
In a concerning trend, the food inflation rate for December 2023 surged to 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from the same period in 2022, when the rate stood at 23.75 percent.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed this rise in food inflation to notable increases in the prices of various essential items. Key contributors include bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, fish, meat, fruit, milk, cheese, and eggs.
These price hikes collectively contributed to the intensified strain on consumers, highlighting the complex dynamics driving the upward trajectory of food prices.
“On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in December 2023 was 2.72 percent, this was 0.30 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2023 (2.42 percent),” it said.
Clarifying the dynamics behind the recent uptick, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) explained that the month-on-month increase in food inflation for December 2023 was spurred by a heightened rate of escalation in the average prices of oil and fat, meat, bread, and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, as well as fish and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.
“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 27.96 percent, which was a 7.02 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in December 2022 (20.94 percent),” the report added.
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