Nigeria is endowed with lots of natural and human resources with large expanse of fertile land and estimated to be the most populous country in the Sub-Saharan Africa. And it has different sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, sports and entertainment, tourism etc, yet the citizens live in abject poverty subsisting on less than $2 a day as a result of several factors which includes inappropriate domestic policies and an unfavourable external economic policy and environment. The country discovered oil in 1956, over sixty-eight (68) years ago at Oloibiri in today's Bayelsa state, but over 70 percent of the country's earnings come from oil paying, little or no attention to other sectors of the economy and that is why Nigeria is said to be suffering from what is known as the "Dutch Disease".

In Nigeria, agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy, employing about 65-70 percent of the labor force. Agricultural holdings are generally small and scattered; farming is often of the subsistence variety which characterised by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produce about 80 percent of the total food. About 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres), or 33 percent of Nigeria's land area, are under cultivation. Nigeria's diverse climate, from the tropical areas of the coast to the arid zone of the North, make it possible to produce virtually all agricultural products that can be grown in the tropical and semitropical areas of the world.

Squealing to the discovery of petroleum, Nigeria has rapidly grown into a major food importing nation as the government has become neglectful of the agricultural sector since petroleum is considered a more viable resource for economic development. This situation quickly polarized the nation into high and low income groups. Unfortunately, while only small fraction of the population benefited from the oil wealth, the population suffered the misfortune of food insecurity as they can hardly afford the rising prices of imported foods. However, though at a subsistence level, a sizable ratio of the population in Nigerian is still employed in the agricultural sector.

Food security is a phenomenon which is multidimensional with economic, environmental and social aspects. Unfortunately, the greater share of the population of the undernourished is located in the developing countries. Although the total population of the food insuring people in Asia outweighs that of Africa, 18 out of 23 nations where undernourishment is prevalent are from Africa.

Food is no doubt, the most basic of all human survival needs. Although, so many efforts have been sunk in improving the quality as well as production of world food supplies, food insecurity remains prevalent, particularly in the global southern nations of Asia and Africa, and in Nigeria, malnutrition has resulted in death of many of its citizens. African Food Security Briefs (AFSB) estimated that approximately one out of every three persons in the sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished. Achieving a sustainable economic development in Nigeria and Africa at large will continue to be a mirage without well-nourished and healthy people.

In fact, failure to ensure food security has unavoidably resulted in many social problems including civil unrest and riots in many major cities of the world. Some economic experts, described food system and its governance as a process with complex web which many times overlapped or even contradicted with formal policies and regulations, and made even worse by the unwritten laws and practices which may not be susceptible to political subjugations. Food insecurity is therefore strongly linked with other global issues, such as population growth, surge in energy demand as well as completion for land and water and issues of climate change.

Though, Nigeria prides itself as the giant of Africa with its economy becoming the largest in 2014, the poverty rate in the country is alarming. Not less than 70% of the Nigerian population is surviving on less than $2 per day while food insecurity prevalence in the low income urban house-holds and rural areas respectively stands at 79% and 71%. Since the discovery of oil in Nigeria in the 1956, the agriculture sector became less important to the government as it cannot withstand the economic sagacity of the oil industry. Thus, Nigeria became heavily dependent on importation of food. The rural areas have become even more vulnerable to malnutrition, erratic supply of food items, unaffordable food costs, low quality foods and sometimes complete lack of food. This situation is more prevalent in many parts of the northern region of Nigeria.

Nigeria is blessed with a very diverse and rich vegetation capable of supporting large population of livestock and has estimated surface water volume of about 267.7 billion cubic meter and underground water of about 57.9 billion cubic meters. The ecological zones in Nigeria are also very diverse with the semi-arid Sudan (Sahel) zone, Guinea Savannah and Derived Savannah zone as well as Forest and Mangrove (high rainfall, moist sub-humid and very high humidity) zone. A few variations exist within each ecological zone. The ecology and trends in precipitation in a region determines what kind of farming system the people will practice, their food preference and how they make use of natural resources in their environment.

Agriculture, since independence, has been a major contributor to the Nigeria economy. The agriculture sector has been metamorphosed by commercial activities from small to medium and large-scale level of the market. The principal cash crops, include cocoa, oil palm and rubber while major staple foods are rice, cassava, yams, maize, taro, sorghum and millet. Production of timber and livestock rearing such as goats, sheep, cattle and poultry as well as artisanal fisheries are the common occupation.

Agriculture in Nigeria has remained the largest non-oil contributor to the national economy, accounting for 41.84% of the GDP in 2009 and employing almost 70% of the national work force. The farmers are mostly small-scale subsistence farmers totaling about 14 million with an average farm size of 1 hectare in the south and 3 hectares in the north of Nigeria. Despite the fact that the sector has been neglected by the Federal Government sequel to the discovery of commercial quantity of petroleum resource in 1956, the inevitability of agriculture to the Nigerian economy cannot be over emphasized.

Nigeria is grossly an agrarian state which is reflected in the fact that over 70% of her economically active population is employed in the agriculture sector. The difference lies in the kind of crop that cultivated in the various regions of the country depending on the soil characteristics and climatic conditions. However, due to the discovery of oil in most of the south-south region of the country, agricultural activities have been grossly limited resulting from the consequential industrialization and frequent oil spillage. Also, agricultural activities in the north are sometimes plagued by extreme weather conditions such as draught and flooding during the raining season. The south-west and south-east have over the years had a relatively balance conditions for agriculture but unfortunately, these two regions also have the highest level of education in the country and mostly seek for opportunities outside the agriculture sector.

Food insecurity is a multifaceted problem. It is quite an uphill task discussing the driving factors for food insecurity in Nigeria. Nigerians lack enthusiasm for local products and often consider them inferior to imported food products. The emergence of oil sector marked the imminent end of the agriculture sector as the huge revenue generated from the petroleum products shifted attention from agriculture. The government embarked on importation food and local production shrinked away, especially as wealth from oil has changed the status and tastes of many Nigeria in favor of foreign goods. This couple with socio-political instability which precluded the economic downturn, civil war, dwindling human resource base, gender inequality, education decadence, poor health facilities and the general loss of good governance have coexisted to further degenerate food accessibility. The following among others have however, been identified as the prime agents of food insecurity in Nigeria.

Modern agriculture has become so highly industrialized and dependent on energy. Mechanized farmers are very reliant on consistent power supply which has eluded us has become a mirage for successive government to achieve. Now, much of the agricultural products we consume are produced in farms located far away and processed other distant location before being imported via air, water or land.

The whole of these processes requires a lot of power and fuel to keep food price low and affordable for the common man. However, with escalating prices of petroleum products, there have been calls for diversification to increased energy efficiency. One key alternative is biofuel and other agriculture-based energy production. This alternative will create more completion for food item particularly in developing nation and depending on how the process is managed mat increase food insecurity.

Òrúnbon, a journalist, poet and public affairs analyst.

Can be reached via: orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com or 08034493944 and 08029301122.

One of the best pieces of news emerging from the East is the imminent commissioning of the geometric power plant, poised to supply nearly half of Abia state with uninterrupted power for 24 hours. In fact, if fairness were to prevail, the entire area should enjoy round-the-clock electricity, with the one meant for the area to be covered by Geometric Power being redirected to other parts of the state.

During the privatization of power distribution, Mr. Peter Obi, then Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, spearheaded discussions with Geometric Power, culminating in the establishment of a company to bid for privatization. The aim was to empower Geometric to address the power crisis in the region. At that juncture, the project was near completion, and I vividly recall accompanying Mr. Peter Obi on several visits to the project site.

As is often the case in Nigeria, vested interests prevailed over public welfare and optimal solutions. The South-East Governors, in collaboration with Geometric, were sidelined. It was a familiar tale of shortsightedness trumping the greater good.

Since then, Geometric Power has lain dormant. The lethargic governance of Abia State, under Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, failed to take decisive action—though, one might wonder, what could one expect from a governor who, in eight years, couldn't revitalize Aba despite its pivotal role in Abia's fortunes? Such ineptitude amounts to a monumental failure.

While the intricacies behind the scenes remain murky, credit must be given to the current Governor of the State, Dr. Alex Otti, for his undoubted efforts in reigniting the project. It is actions like these that shape our perceptions of leadership and governance.

Hats off to Geometric, hats off to Prof. Bath Nnaji, hats off to the people of Abia State. May the nation one day fully embrace the ingenuity of individuals like Nnaji to tackle its power challenges.

The All Progressives Congress has officially acknowledged the demise of one of its members, Comfort Adebanjo, and six others who sought to buy confiscated rice being sold by the Nigeria Customs Service as a measure to alleviate the economic challenges in the country.

The ruling party made the confirmation on Saturday in an obituary message released to mourn the late party member and the other Nigerians.

The PUNCH reports that customs says it has concluded plans to commence the direct distribution of seized food items to Nigerians due to the demonstration against the soaring cost of living in the country.

The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Maiwada said that the move was in response to the critical challenges of food security and the soaring cost of essential food items in the country.

He added that the items must be certified fit for consumption before they could be distributed to Nigerians.

However, there was a stampede on Friday, which led to the death of seven persons.

The Coordinator of FKL Ward E1, Lagos State of the APC, Oluwafemi Fadahunsi, and Secretary, Comrade Adebari Adewale, confirmed that Adebanjo was one of the seven persons who died during the stampede.

In the obituary released on Saturday, the party wrote, “It is with heavy hearts and regret we announce the painful death of one of our members in FKL WARD E1, Mrs Adebanjo Comfort Funmilayo of house number 104, Ibidun street by AKINHANMI street, Ojuelegba.

“She was among the 7 victims who died in the course of buying custom rice at Yaba.

“May God grant all the members of her family and all the residents of WARD E1 the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

The title of this piece was influenced by a drama book titled: "Our Husband has gone mad again" authored and published in 1977, by one of Nigeria's leading playwrights and theatre directors — Olawale Gladstone Emmanuel Rotimi, best known as Ola Rotimi.

The award-winning playwright in the book takes a comic swipe at ideological misfits and opportunists who strut the ever-accommodating political landscape of contemporary Africa. A former military Major, takes to politics. His motives have far more to do with vanity than patriotism, and his attempts to adapt to a situation he hardly comprehends produce highly comic results. His predicament is complicated by the unexpected arrival of his American wife who discovers two more marriages contracted without her knowledge and her husband beset by political problems.

It sheds light on the many reasons why a man may marry more than one woman and how although he may do it to solve certain problems in his life, may end up incurring more problems for himself!

The plot of that book smacks off an intriguing semblance to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's presidency.

Since he obsessively got his so-called "lifetime ambition" of becoming Nigeria's President chanting his lustful "Emi lokan" mantra, Tinubu has been commiting one foul or another in the playground of national political leadership.

From day one, on his inauguration ceremony, when he made that gravest tyrannical decree: " fuel subsidy is gone" without adequate cushion on ground to insulate the people from the harsh economic atmosphere it will generate, Nigeria has not been the same.

A country like Nigeria that has been perpetually subsidizing fuel prices for her citizens over the years, can be likened to a drug addict who cannot be forced to stop it abruptly. Rather, he must be counselled properly by experts and offered a medically unique leeway of exorcism to avoid the complications of withdrawal syndrome. In the same vane, to withdraw this necessary evil called "oil subsidy" there was need for an expertly protocols to avert the subsequent withdrawal syndrome that will inevitably ensue as a result. But no, the acclaimed "Lagos city boy" only waved the wand of military fiat and declared an end to subsidy regime which took our economy from ICU where his successor left it, straight to the mortuary.

As we battle this, he came up with unrealizable unification policy of the exchange rate, allowing for free market pressure to regulate the rates. Now Naira is hitting all-time low in forex. As if this was not enough, he committed another handball. Instead of finding solution to resuscitate the economy, he was nepotistically busy relocating key parastatals and agencies of government like FAAN, CBN NSPMC to his hometown of Lagos.

All these foul were not checked because he has the referees and linesmen in his pocket. The judiciary, and the bicameral legislature are all in his kitty. Even the fourth estate of the realm — the Media, who are to Politics, what VAR are to the game of football, are all pliantly abeyant and obeisant.

Incidentally, once these institutions are subjugated in any nation, democracy is interred, and despotism takes the center stage; giving the despot the latitude to abuse power. Perhaps, it's this unfortunate situation which he created that led him into commiting yet another handball on Thursday, February 15 2024, this time around, in heath sector.

On the said date, there was a State House Press Release announcing the appointment one Dr. Babajide Salako (a Medical Doctor) as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). This is anomalous and outright violation of the provisions of Act Cap M25 LFN 2004 2003, which established the Council, and clearly provided the criteria and guidelines for the appointment of the Chairman of the Governing Board.

Ever since that announcement was made, all Medical Laboratory Scientists within and outside the country has risen against the appointment which they call illegal and irrational at the same time. The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) unanimously rejected the illicit appointment.

The Act in its Section 3 (1) (a) clearly stated thus: "There is established for the Council a Goveming Board (in this Act referred to as the "the Board") consisting of — a Chairman who shall be a qualified Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria with 5 years post qualification experience and shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the
Minister from a list of the Fellows submitted by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as "the Association'").

This was violated in that Dr. Salako was not a Medical Laboratory Scientist, not a fellow of MLSCN and he knew next to nothing about regulations of Laboratory Medicine as a specialty.

The National President of AMLSN — Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi in collegiality of his National Executive Officers (NEOs) hosted a Press Conference on the matter on Monday 19 February 2024 at its national Secretariat — AMLSN House, Durumi Phase I, Abuja where they made their official position against the appointment known. From the conference they met with the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare — Daju Kachollom. After a lengthy session, the Permanent Secretary assured them that the Minister, alongside other stakeholders will see to the remediation of the situation in line with extant laws.

In the words of Casmir: "When political connections supersede professional qualifications, society suffers and progress stagnates." While at Arise TV, he argued that appointing a Medical Doctor as Head of MLSCN Board is like appointing an Army General as Inspector General of Police. While he may know security by his training, he knew next to nothing about civil policing.

Two weeks has gone by, and nothing meaningful, aside mere rhetorics of promisory notes, has come from the authorities concerned.

In a democratic society, the appointment of individuals to sensitive professional positions should be based on merit, qualifications, expertise and experience. Dr. Salako's appointment reeks of political favoritism and nepotism, as he does not meet the criteria stipulated in the Act. This kind of appointment undermines the integrity of Federal Ministry of Health, and raises concerns about the motives behind such decisions.

It further highlights a disturbing trend in Nigerian politics where politicians use appointments to reward their cronies and political allies, regardless of their qualifications or suitability for the position. This practice not only weakens institutions but also deprives qualified professionals of the opportunity to contribute their expertise to the development of the country.

Political appointments should be based on merit and competence, rather than political connections. As Thomas Jefferson once said, "Merit and good works should be rewarded. It is not who makes the appointment, it is who merits it."

This appointment reflects a troubling trend where political leaders use appointments as a tool to reward loyalty and compensate cronies, regardless of their qualifications or merit. Such actions undermine and compromise the quality of leadership in crucial sectors like healthcare.

In December 2017, controversy trailed former President Buhari’s new Board appointees, as names of four of his friends who are ‘Dead’ were found in the list. Tinubu is apparently learning the rope with perfection.

May daylight spare us!

✍️ Jude Eze.

A chieftain of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo, has said no amount of amendments to the 1999 Constitution will solve the various challenges facing the nation.

Adebanjo said the present law guiding the nation is broken and until the constitution is restructured to reflect true federalism, the country would not enjoy peace.

He said the solution to the economic hardship, protests, insecurity challenges and the slide of the naira is to change the constitution back to federalism.

Speaking with TheCable on Saturday, Adebanjo called for the outright overhaul of the 1999 constitution and the birth of a new constitution.

He said: “The issue of insecurity and bad economy are products of the fraudulent constitution that we are using. There can be no progress until that constitution is thoroughly changed. A surgical operation must be done on that constitution.

“Until they bring down this constitution and we have a new beginning, we can’t make any headway. You are just patching things up, amending a constitution that you didn’t make. You are amending a constitution that is already broken-down.

“They will talk of state police today, resource control tomorrow and then they will take the constitution amendment to the parliament. Yet, the parliament is a product of fraud.

“No matter what they are doing, it can’t work. Let all the federating states be autonomous. Let’s go back to the 1963 constitution. No more, no less. Anything short of that, you are just wasting your time.”

Adebanjo’s comments come amid the plan by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 constitution to address some concerns in the country.

With 40 amendment bills received so far, the constitution review committee is expected to be inaugurated on Monday, February 26.

[NaijaNews]

The Federal Polytechnic Daura, in Katsina State, has graduated a total of 399 pioneer students at a maiden convocation on Saturday.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Aliyu Mamman, said 39 of the graduands earned Distinctions, 72 Upper Credits, 104 Lower Credits, and 93 graduated with Passes.

Expressing optimism that the future of the school will be brighter, he said Polytechnic was among the fastest-growing academic institutions in the country.

Some distinguished personalities were given the Fellowship awards for their enormous contributions to the development and growth of the institution since its inception in 2020.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Polytechnic was established by the administration of the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, who incidentally hails from Daura, Katsina State.

Among the awardees were Katsina State governor, Mallam Umaru Dikko Radda, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, former Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Farouk Umar, Late Senator Mustapha Bukar (Post-Humous) and Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita.

While thanking the school for the recognition on behalf of other awardees, the former Governor Masari urged the school to focus more on skills and vocational education, assuring to continue to support the institution.

[Leadership]

Arsenal’s free-scoring Premier League form continued as Newcastle were blown away 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday to move back within two points of leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s men stumbled to a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Porto in midweek, but were quickly back on the horse domestically to take their tally to 25 goals in six consecutive Premier League wins.

Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces forced an own goal from Sven Botman before Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior from another corner killed off Newcastle.

“We continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play,” said Arteta.

“The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game.”

The Gunners are aiming to win a first league title in 20 years and keen to make amends for faltering down the final straight last season as Manchester City stormed clear on their way to win the treble.

Arsenal are the side in red hot form but remain in third, one point behind second-placed City, with the title race fascinatingly poised 12 games from the end of the season.

Defeat is another blow to Newcastle’s aspiration of European football next season.

Eddie Howe’s men were outclassed to remain down in eighth, 15 points adrift of the top four, and have now conceded 23 goals in their last eight league games.

“We were off in most aspects of our game. We didn’t do the basics right,” said Howe.

“Sometimes away from home you have those spells in the game and you have to weather the storm. Unfortunately we didn’t do that and we conceded some bad goals.”

Howe was forced into handing goalkeeper Loris Karius just his second appearance since joining Newcastle in 2022.

Karius was unfortunate for the opening goal as he parried Gabriel Magalhaes’ powerful header, but the ball ricocheted back off Botman and crept over the line.

Arsenal have now scored 19 times from set-pieces in the Premier League this season.

If there was a hint of fortune about the opener, the hosts’ second was a thing of beauty.

Jorginho’s ball over the top picked out the run of Gabriel Martinelli, who turned the ball perfectly into the path of Havertz for his eighth goal of the season.

Saka has now scored seven times in the last five Premier League games and only a fine save from Karius at his near post delayed the England international continuing his scoring streak before half-time.

Havertz should have sealed the three points within two minutes of the second half when he dragged a shot wide after Martinelli’s pass played him clean through on goal.

But the German international was involved for the third goal as from his pass, Saka jinked inside and fired into the far corner for his 16th goal of the season.

Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been credited with Arsenal’s lethal threat from dead balls.

The Frenchman had more cause to celebrate 21 minutes from time when Kiwior’s header from Declan Rice’s corner deflected in off Lewis Miley.

Newcastle did at least muster a consolation five minutes from time when former Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock looped in a header off the post.

But that did little to spoil Arsenal’s Saturday night party as they made another statement to Liverpool and City that they will not crumble under the pressure of a title race like they did 12 months ago.

[DailyTrust]

The Leader and Founder of the Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Emeritus Professor Banjo Akintoye who has been in self-exile since the incarceration of the Yoruba Nation agitator in Benin Republic, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a. Sunday Igboho , has declared his intention to return to Nigeria following the arrival of Igboho to the country last Friday.

The historian stated this on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs S.A. Adeyemo, mother of Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Akintoye said he was highly fulfilled as a Yoruba, to witness the victory of Igboho , and his eventual return to Nigeria, after a long battle with the authorities.

Akintoye spoke through his spokesperson, Chief Gani Alagbala from the United States of America did not mince words to reaffirm that the Nation would soon be realised.

The burial reception held at Sablak Event Centre , Sanyo, Ibadan has in attendance prominent Yoruba personalities, and traditional rulers including the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Olojora of Ijora , Oba Ogundana; and the Olodogbo of Odogbo-Ijesha,  Oba Tunde Oginni amongst others.

While reaffirming the resolve to actualise Yoruba Nation in no distant time, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu is not responsible for the hardship in the country.

[TheNation]

The Leader and Founder of the Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Emeritus Professor Banjo Akintoye who has been in self-exile since the incarceration of the Yoruba Nation agitator in Benin Republic, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a. Sunday Igboho , has declared his intention to return to Nigeria following the arrival of Igboho to the country last Friday.

The historian stated this on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs S.A. Adeyemo, mother of Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Akintoye said he was highly fulfilled as a Yoruba, to witness the victory of Igboho , and his eventual return to Nigeria, after a long battle with the authorities.

Akintoye spoke through his spokesperson, Chief Gani Alagbala from the United States of America did not mince words to reaffirm that the Nation would soon be realised.

The burial reception held at Sablak Event Centre , Sanyo, Ibadan has in attendance prominent Yoruba personalities, and traditional rulers including the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Olojora of Ijora , Oba Ogundana; and the Olodogbo of Odogbo-Ijesha,  Oba Tunde Oginni amongst others.

While reaffirming the resolve to actualise Yoruba Nation in no distant time, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu is not responsible for the hardship in the country.

[TheNation]