As the nation marks her Diamond Jubilee as a political entity, the fact is not lost on anyone that at no time has the nation been this divided along ethnic and religious lines, the sideshow seems to be controversial. Historically, independence, as it relates to the nation, refers to a situation of freedom from dependence on or control by another person, organization, or state. With this idea and vision into fight for and gain independence, as the people, a vested interest in propagating this belief, however, knew quite clearly what the implication are for them and the future of the country i.e expression without molestation, association without discrimination, participation without barriers among others.
In the case of Nigeria, the first stage of the struggle for independence started in the 1930s and ended in 1947. It was followed by the second stage in the process of attaining independence which was that of transition, which lasted till 1st October 1960, the day Nigeria became independent of colonial domination.
However, immediately after gaining power, the people realized that they have only won Independence without freedom, as the new leadership continued in the same line with their colonial teachers as they utilized every available means, especially the power of the state to continue to suppress the civil society.
Therefore there is an attempt in examining the role of the state in suppressing the voice of the people in independent Nigeria, through the use of brutal force and intimidation in post-colonial Africa, a situation which is a complete semblance of the colonial culture.
Nigeria’s underdevelopment is more of a poor implementation than lack of development vision and programmes, policy Summersault and development project abandonment are common. Political leaders need to be sensitized on putting society’s interest first committing to development visions and programmes. Nigerians need to be sensitized on holding political leaders accountable to campaign promises and development
Nigeria which accounts for one-fifth of the population of the African continent is very critical to Africa’s business development, hence this critique focuses on Nigerian underdevelopment arising from failed development vision and programs where there is no vision, the people of Nigeria which account for one-fifth of the population of the African continent is very critical to Africa’s business development, hence this critique focuses on Nigerian underdevelopment arising from failed development vision and programs where there is no vision, the people perish is an aphorism that has become common knowledge among the Nigerian political leaders, who often articulate vision in colorful and expensive development plans, policies and programs. They are chicken-hearted in the implementation of these plans except to enrich cronies, political stooges, and royal chorister or sycophant, at the end of the tenure, no actualization of the visions, and no regrets for the failure, no review, and no direction. Yet, such a non-performing leader often aspires to continue in office even after his tenure has expired, if and when he leaves or step aside or is forced out of the office, the successor jettisons some of the visions of the previous leaders, adds to the list and repeats the circle of chanting visions slogan for in action.
He may even abandon all the programs of the previous leaders for his new ones, or panel beat them to feign some air of originality, ingenuity, and sagacity.
I think our biggest pain as a nation since after independence has been poor governance. We haven’t gotten it right hence there is an infrastructural deficit, alarming unemployment, hunger, poverty, secessionist struggle, etc.
Regarding our greatest gain, I would ascribe it to the presence of a semblance of democracy. Although we haven’t gotten it right yet, I am certain that it is better than a military dictatorship. With regard to the biggest adjustments that need to be done, first, it would be constitutional re-drafting.
This is because the present 1999 Constitution which the nation is structured with is ridden with loopholes and imbalances. Second, would be cutting down the cost of governance. The juicy and attractive packages around our political offices have made the nation to witness the influx of desperate and unsound minds in the corridors of power that stop at nothing in taking and clinging to their desired positions.
Nigeria is a 60-year-old toddler! It is also better described as a pediatric adult! To be described as such means that at 60, Nigeria is still crawling when its age mates are already grandparents!
“The biggest weakness of Nigeria is the poverty of thought! Nigeria, through its leaders, still reasons like a toddler! This is why myopia is its regular thinking mechanism. A toddler has peculiar needs. .food, sleep, cuddling, and playing! Anything beyond these is a burden. Kids hate burdens.”
Nigeria at 60 has been a consistent tale of disappointments. There is almost nothing to show that we have been making progress. On the economic front, we have the largest number of the poorest people on the globe.
In terms of insecurity, we are the third most terrorized nation on earth, just behind Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the Global Terrorism Index. So, we have very little to celebrate. Our 60th anniversary is a sad reminder of our failings.
We need to restructure immediately to avoid a collision with our failures as that will be a disaster.’ A tale of many misses indeed. But will the incumbent system managers take heed. Time will tell.
Recently, the Southern Governors under the aegis of Southern Governors’ forum on Tuesday 11th May, 2021, converge in Asaba in what is now known as the ‘Asaba Accord’, came up with some resolutions, which were as result of the security situation, agitations, restructuring, prospect for interstate collaborations, and partnership as well as on the incidence of Covid 19 pandemic in the country.
Parts of the communiqué issued by the Governors from the Southern region, affirmed that the region remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence.
Also, stated in the communiqué was the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into Southern part of the country, which has affected normal livelihood including pursuing various productive activities.
The forum also talked on the need to make other ports viable inorder to decongest the Lagos ports. The forum further expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.
Also, the Southern Governors emphasized on the need for restructuring which today has assumed a subject of serious controversy in the country.
Judging by part of the Southern Governors’ resolutions stated above, it is indeed obvious that the Southern Governors acted in good faith by putting aside their Political and ethnic sentiments to forge a common ground in-order to protect the lives and livelihood of their people in their region from marauding herdsmen who intrude into farmlands with the aim of maiming and killing
There is no doubt that the general insecurity in the South and in the country may have necessitated the meeting in the first place, other issues of germane concerns were equally considered. However, herdsmen persistent attacks and the nagging restructuring issues see to have generated so much concerns and controversies in certain quarters.
While the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan criticized the Southern Governors clamouring for restructuring, stating emphatically that they are not in position to clamour for restructuring since they are guilty of not been able to devolve powers to their respective Local Governments in their domain and urged the Governors to shun what he termed regionalism.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on his part declared that the Southern Governors don’t have the right to ban open grazing and that banning open grazing is tantamount to banning sale of spare parts by the igbos in the country. This of cause generated a swift response and a tongue-lash by the Southern Governors Forum Chairman. He urged Malami to approach the Court and that the ban on open grazing in the South subsists and that the Southern Governors will do everything to enforce it.
Now that the Governors from the Southern part of region have done everything they considered right in protecting the lives and properties of their citizens, it is therefore important that the President accede to the demands of these Governors, since they are constitutionally recognized as the Chief Security Officers of their respective states. Equally important is the need for their Northern counterparts to reason with them and put an end to open grazing which seems to be tearing the country apart as the move will not only curb insecurity in the South, but will also put to end various secessionists agitations which indeed has caused serious division and
emergence of various secessionist groups down South. Northern Governors equally need to support such clamour from their Southern counterparts for the sake of peace and tranquility in Nigeria. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN recently softens its stand on open grazing by declaring that the practice is outdated. To this end, Northern Governors should consider pooling resources together to build befitting ranches in the region to carter for the needs of MACBAN and save the country from needless bloodletting orchestrated by poor management of farmers-herders crisis, just as it is equally important for the President to engage the Southern Governors and consider the issue of restructuring and other germane issues raised by the Southern Governors in their communiqué to save the country from possible disintegration and enhance the harmonious co-existence amongst the different entities which make up Nigeria.
Agriculture was known to be the main stays of Nigeria’s economy pre-independent era with various regions of the country were noted to for the production of one specific commodity or the other. The Western region was known for cocoa production, just as oil palm production was identified with the Eastern region and the North was famous for the groundnut pyramid.
The advent of oil and the prosperity that came with it led to the dwindling fortune in the Agricultural sector as it considerably nosedived, as Government began to find succour in oil, thereby neglecting the all important Agricultural sector and Nigerians abandon farming for white collar jobs and other vocations considered as more lucrative.
However, the north presently is considered the only region that provides most of Nigeria’s Agricultural needs as it largely involves in farming activities. But with the present security challenges in the country, especially in the north, there seems to be a lacuna in food production in the country and this has greatly led to sustained food inflation in the country. This has therefore thrown up challenges to other regions of the country to engage in Agricultural production, even though the marauding herdsmen all over the country is still a factor affecting agricultural production. 
The recent unveiling of the Ekiti Rice Pyramid Project by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signalled a revolution in Agricultural production from Southern Nigeria.
The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele stated on Tuesday that the Ekiti Rice Pyramid project would serve as catalyst to rice production in the South West region. He further stated that the Bank through its Anchors Borrowers’ programmes was financing numerous rice farmers across the country to boost production and improve agricultural value chain. No fewer than 12,000 farmers were to benefit, with a vision to finance over Three Million rice farmers nationwide.
Emefiele stated further stated that the Bank’s programmes to boost agriculture were spread over all parts of the country, with N300BN out of N700BN earmarked for the Anchor Borrowers Programme had been disbursed in the Southern part of the country for food production.
The CBN Governor, while in Ado Ekiti, while unveiling Ekiti State Rice Pyramid Project and commencement of the 2021 wet season rice planting, said the ABP had expanded agriculture production for 21 crops across the states of Nigeria.
While speaking on the rice Pyramid Project, which is the first in the South west, he said, “The Pyramid unveiling moment for the 2021 wet season started in Niger State, moved to Kebbi, touched Gombe, and now, we are in Ekiti State and we want it to touch all states in the coming months.
Present at the unveiling of the Rice Pyramid in Ekiti State were Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The host Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said, “we are directly producing 12,000 jobs for our farmers, who will in turn provide jobs for another 50,000 persons between now and 2023”.
The Rice pyramid is no doubt a development that will bring about Agriculture revolution in Southern Nigeria and will help to improve production in the entire country. This will therefore become a substitute for food importation in the country. It will equally enhance food sufficiency, serve as diversification programme of the Government and ensures food security.
This move is so essential at preventing some sections of the country at perpetually depending on the other for food production. Agriculture is too important to be left in the hands of a particular region.
Such Agricultural initiative is a proof that given the right policies and commitments, Nigeria can return to the booming Agriculture era.
Written By:
Ahmed Iliyasu Garba
Onwordi Onichabor
Lanre Shodimu