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.
The Nigerian government spent a staggering $3.58 billion on servicing foreign debt within the first nine months of 2024, marking a significant 39.77% increase compared to the $2.56 billion expended over the same period in 2023.
This data, drawn from a recent report on international payment statistics by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), reflects a concerning rise in the country’s foreign debt obligations amid depreciating currency values.
According to the report, the most substantial monthly debt servicing payment occurred in May 2024, totaling $854.37 million. This is a substantial 286.52% increase from May 2023’s $221.05 million.
Meanwhile, the highest monthly payment for 2023 was $641.7 million in July, underscoring the trend of Nigeria’s escalating debt costs.
Detailed analysis of monthly payments further illuminates the trend.
In January 2024, debt servicing costs surged by 398.89%, reaching $560.52 million, a significant rise from $112.35 million in January 2023. However, February saw a modest reduction of 1.84%, with costs decreasing from $288.54 million in 2023 to $283.22 million in 2024. March also recorded a decline of 31.04%, down to $276.17 million from $400.47 million the previous year.
Additional fluctuations in debt payments continued throughout the year, with June witnessing a slight decrease of 6.51% to $50.82 million from $54.36 million in 2023. July 2024 payments dropped by 15.48%, while August showed a 9.69% decline compared to 2023. September, however, reversed the trend with a 17.49% increase, highlighting persistent pressure on foreign debt obligations.
With the rise in exchange rates exacerbating these financial strains, Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing costs are projected to remain elevated.
The central bank’s data highlights how these obligations are stretching national resources as the naira’s devaluation continues to impact debt repayment in dollar terms.
Rising State Debt Levels Add Pressure
The federal government’s debt challenges are mirrored by state governments, whose collective debt rose to N11.47 trillion by June 30, 2024.
Despite allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and internally generated revenue (IGR), states remain heavily reliant on federal transfers to meet budgetary demands.
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the debt burden for Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rose by 14.57% from N10.01 trillion in December 2023.
In naira terms, debt rose by 73.46%, from N4.15 trillion to N7.2 trillion, primarily due to the naira’s depreciation from N899.39 to N1,470.19 per dollar within six months. External debt for states and the FCT also increased from $4.61 billion to $4.89 billion during this period.
Further data from BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report illustrates how reliant states are on federal support. The report revealed that 32 states depended on FAAC allocations for at least 55% of their revenue in 2023.
In fact, 14 states relied on FAAC for 70% or more of their revenue. This heavy dependence on federal transfers underscores the vulnerability of states to fluctuations in federal revenue, particularly those tied to oil prices.
The economic challenges facing both the federal and state governments are stark. The combination of mounting foreign debt, fluctuating exchange rates, and high reliance on federally distributed revenue suggests a need for fiscal reforms to bolster revenue generation and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
With foreign debt obligations continuing to grow, the report emphasizes the urgency for Nigeria to address its debt sustainability to foster long-term economic stability.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has called for a prompt investigation into the increasing occurrences of building collapses in major cities across Nigeria.
In a motion presented to the House on Wednesday, Oseni expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of building collapses, emphasising the threat they pose to the lives and property of Nigerians.
The APC lawmaker, through a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, cited the recent collapse of a two-storey school building at Saint Academy in Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State, on July 12, 2024. The tragic incident, which trapped 154 people and claimed 22 lives, is the latest in a series of similar disasters, raising serious concerns nationwide.
Oseni also referenced a report from The Punch newspaper, which revealed that Nigeria had recorded 135 building collapse incidents between 2022 and July 2024.
“This figure is alarming and unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the urgency of preventing further occurrences.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni reminded the House that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other relevant professional bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with building standards and practices.
“Despite these regulatory frameworks, the recurring collapses suggest that enforcement is lacking. The loss of lives, properties, and resources is staggering, and this disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” he remarked.
He proposed the formation of an Adhoc Committee to investigate the underlying causes of these collapses and recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.
Also, he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure swift implementation of any recommendations.
The House agreed to deliberate on the motion and is expected to present its findings and proposed actions within eight weeks.
The Vice-chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in material pursuits, accusing them of abandoning their spiritual duties in favour of wealth and influence.
Oba Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, made this statement during a visit from the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement “Ayo Ni O,” led by Baba Aladura Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, at his palace in Surulere Local Government on Thursday.
The monarch accused some religious leaders of sharing part of the blame for the moral and political crises that have engulfed the nation. According to him, spiritual leaders, once seen as the moral compass of society, have become compromised by corruption, aligning themselves with the very forces they should condemn.
Oba Alao was unapologetic in his criticism, stating, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders, both political and religious, are spiritually compromised.”
He argued that this moral decay among clerics has made it impossible for them to hold political leaders accountable or speak the truth to those in power, as their integrity has been eroded by their pursuit of material wealth.
“Carnality has taken over spirituality. Our religious leaders can no longer speak the truth to those in authority because their minds have been corrupted. Most of the so-called General Overseers (G.O.) are corrupt and perverted,” Oba Alao added.
He stressed that this shift towards wealth accumulation at the expense of spiritual values has greatly contributed to the country’s stagnation in development and social justice.
Olugbon urged both religious leaders and traditional rulers to reflect on their actions, reminding them that they would be held accountable for their stewardship, both in this world and the next.
“The prayers of sinners are an abomination before God, hence the need for our leaders to rethink,” he warned.
The monarch concluded by reiterating the transient nature of power and the importance of staying true to sacred duties, regardless of the temptation to indulge in worldly gains. “I am a traditional ruler. I don’t belong, and will never belong, to any occultic groups,” he emphasised, drawing a clear line between his position and the corrupt practices of some leaders.
In response to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement’s request for collaboration on community development projects, Oba Alao assured them of his support.
“Your requests are aimed at the development of the Orile Igbon community. I am assuring you that necessary assistance will be provided in this regard.”
Earlier, Prophet Alogbo requested the monarch’s collaboration on a range of community development projects. These initiatives include the establishment of a women and youth empowerment center, clean drinking water initiatives, a bakery, animal production facilities, and farm produce processing.
Other proposals included a diagnostic and medical center, a full-size recreational sports facility, and a home care facility for the elderly.
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