National Issues
Olubadan’s Palace Attack And A Call For Truce
ONE of the reverberating consequences of the Oyo state government/Olubadan face off manifested itself in form of violent attacks on the Olubadan’s palace on Monday, September 25, 2017. The incident coincided with the occasion of the installation of some Baales and Mogajis by the Olubadan.
Prior to this development,there was a stiff opposition from the state government and the newly crowned Obas, who are still subordinate to Olubadan, on the impropriety of carrying out the installation without due approval from the government and Obas in council as stakeholders. Albeit, no live was lost.
Perhaps it was the handiwork of some overzealous guys from either of the two sides who had wanted to impress their paymaster and as a show of absolute loyalty, nobody knows. It can be reasonably infered that this scenario constitute a partial setback to the peace and tranquility in the state.There is no doubt, sustenance of peace and orderliness in Oyo state through the provision of good and efficient security is the flagship of the present administration in Oyo state.
The government laboured hard to secure this peace and tranquility as opposed to the laiz faire attitudes of the past afministrations that only paid lip service to this important area.
Irked by this ugly development and with an intent to guard jealously the prevalent peace in the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi condemned the incident in unequivocal terms. He pointed accusing finger to the opposition camp as the sponsor of the malevolent act.
He specifically linked the leader of opposition in the state, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja with the unfortunate incident. He enthused that his inference was based on Ladoja’s antecedents and exploits on similar matters in the past.There was a counter allegation from Sen. Rashidi Ladoja to the effect that the Oyo state government should be held responsible for the dastardly act.
Up till now, no single arrest has been made on this matter. But, it is gladdening to note that peace has since returned to the area and police has stepped in.
It is worth asserting here that nobody stands to benefit positively from violence.The trajectory partisan dimension which the present face-off has assumed is worrisome and regrettable. Unfortunately, the impasse has snowballed into an orgy of violence, the end of which nobody can predict. It is pertinent to say that the Ibadan elders should resume the peace moves not minding insinuations of smear and blackmail if only to arrest this ugly trend of violence that may lead to carnage.
The sordid fact that the matter is in the law court for adjudication is not a sufficient reason or excuse for the elders in the town to remain indifferent and maintain superfluous passivity.Their continued non-intervention has given the evil doers and some unpatriotic political jobbers on both sides the freedom and liberty to execute their private diabolical missions and agenda.
It is nauseating to observe that drums of war are being beaten on daily basis with provocative interpretations from both camps. And, this portends serious danger and threat to the prevalent peace in Ibadan land. Afterall, “malicious songs precedes a serious rebellion and battle.”
Pending the amicable resolution of this crisis, the peace makers should bar both sides from making press releases with the significant objective of safeguarding the job of the peace and reconciliation committee.This peace initiative should be all encompassing.Out of the court settlement move should be explored and pursued to the logical conclusion.
Furthermore, the Obas in council should be reconciled with the Olubadan with a view to moving the town forward.The present ugly and unabating impasse has heated the state polity to an embarrassing level, thus, rendering it vulnerable to undue and unsolicited security surveillance.
While praising the Governor for his level headedness and maturity on this matter, he should sustain the tempo of this prevailing magnanimity until the matter is finally disposed off. Also, Olubadan should exercise restraints and discourage partisan colourations of this matter by the scores of political jobbers who troops into his palace on daily basis.
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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