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.
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.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures were disclosed in a report released by the NBS on Tuesday, marking an uptick from the 5.0 per cent recorded in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.
According to the NBS, the unemployment rate for males stood at 4.3 per cent, while females experienced a higher rate of 6.2 per cent during the same period. The report also highlighted disparities based on location, with urban areas recording a 6.0 per cent unemployment rate compared to 4.3 per cent in rural areas for Q1 2024.
“The unemployment rate for Q1 2024 was 5.3%, showing an increase from 5.0% recorded in Q3 2023,” the bureau stated in its report. The NBS defines the unemployment rate as the percentage of the labour force, including both employed and unemployed individuals, who are not working but are actively seeking employment.
Youth Unemployment Rate Declines
In a positive development, the report indicated a slight drop in youth unemployment, which fell to 8.4 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 8.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This figure represents the unemployment rate among Nigeria’s young people, a demographic that often faces unique employment challenges.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
The report further provided insights into unemployment rates based on educational attainment. Individuals with postgraduate education recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 per cent, while those with post-secondary education faced a rate of 9.0 per cent. For people with secondary education, the rate stood at 6.9 per cent, and those with only primary education recorded a 4.0 per cent unemployment rate.
Employment-to-Population Ratio Falls to 73.2%
In addition to the unemployment data, the NBS also reported a decline in Nigeria’s employment-to-population ratio, a critical indicator of workforce participation. The ratio dropped to 73.2 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 75.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This ratio represents the percentage of the working-age population that is employed.
Breaking the data down by gender, the employment-to-population ratio for males was 74.2 per cent, while it was 72.3 per cent for females. By place of residence, urban areas had an employment-to-population ratio of 69.5 per cent, while rural areas recorded 78.9 per cent in Q1 2024, compared to 71.1 per cent and 80.7 per cent in Q3 2023, respectively.
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