Opinion

Food Inflation and the Agony of Nigerian Masses

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2024

President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

Let me begin this piece with a quote by Chef Jose Andres “Food is national security. Food is economy. It is employment, energy, history. Food is everything.” One may argue that because he is a chef and he knows the efficacy of having and eating good food at the right time. But nay it doesn’t end there, because an ordinary person on the street in every part of the world knows the significance of food. You can’t do or talk about anything with hunger. In other words, the question of what to eat is fundamental and irreducible vis-a-vis the question of what to do. No human endeavour can be operational when the subject is hungry. The primary sustenance for man is food.

Hence, the issue of food inflation will continue to dominate national discourses at this material time in our history as a Nation. The masses are the worst hit by the recent economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Of course, no president would be happy if the citizens of his country are battling for survival amid inflation. We pray for sustainable relief.

In recent weeks the food inflation is scary; in fact, that of cement, that is not even a consumable is another thing entirely. No committed government should handle the availability and affordability of food with kid gloves. It is in view of this that President Tinubu ordered the release of 42,000 metric tones of grains to Nigerians. It was a good decision and very timely. Meanwhile, some Nigerians are saying that the problem at hand is not about availability but about policies. Be that as it may, the move is a clear indication that the government is unconcerned about the plight of the masses.

*Argument about Subsidy Removal*

Some Nigerians are of the view that removal of fuel subsidy is like taking away the comfort of the masses and giving it to the state Governors without any commensurate effects on the lives of the citizens. They argued that the recent experience about the ravaging inflation has proved that the masses were the major beneficiaries of subsidy regime.

President Tinubu Urges Armed Forces to Safeguard Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity

Another group of people believe that the continuous payment of subsidy is not sustainable going by the current economic reality. While this is acknowledged, however, a distinguished professor of law, Itse Sagay, SAN, while speaking on Channels TV recently, was of the opinion that the president should have given a window of six months before the removal of subsidy. He said the timing of the removal was not appropriate as the food prices have increased more than three hundred percent..

*To State Governors*, The report of the recent engagement of the state governors by President Tinubu has revealed that the governors have been provided with a clue on how they can deflate the food inflation in their various states. In fact, he commended the Kano State Governor for the steps taken so far. These were parts of what the President said as released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

“On rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.

President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.

President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors

President Tinubu implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.

Furthermore, the economic reality of today will expose Governors without basic idea of governance and economy. It is never a nice moment for such Governors. They must begin to think out of the box. A classmate of mine in the university told me recently that people were dying of hunger. It has gotten to a stage that a man in his late 60s went to a shop in Ilorin and requested for a tin milk size of Semovita. What will he do with it? Perhaps to drink it? Lahaola walakuwata!

There was also a viral video of a woman coming out from her village to collect pure water on credit so that she could sell, but before she got there she collapsed. Upon regaining consciousness, she lamented she had not eaten for four days.
If a poor can’t afford the food price then the society should prepare for the worst anger. A quick look at what is happening across social media platforms, an evidence that the masses are suffering.

Our leaders at all levels of government should be ready to make sacrifices by ensuring that they reach out to the less privileged in kind and cash.

If you think President Tinubu is the only problem, you may not be outrightly correct .Some people said Jonathan and Buhari were their problems. Are they still in power? Are those people fairing better now? Is it Tinubu that is asking the cement sellers to increase their products between hours and hours in a day? All of us are the problems, but the reason behind the hue and cry at the moment is because it has to do with food. Food, they say, is life just as water is.

Last week the first Lady Mrs Oluremi Tinubu while in Kano, paid homage to Emir of Kano, Dr Aminu Ado Bayero. The Emir told her that there was hunger in the country and the first Lady responded by saying things would get better.
Similarly, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder as millions of youths are jobless and food is beyond their reach.

To be a leader is a big task; whoever takes the mantle of leadership should pray fervently and work hard . President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be vigilant as there are economic saboteurs. Those he denied subsidy payment may fight back. I am personally worried about the hunger in the land, because it is a basis for which people can easily vent their anger against the state. This is why the FG should listen and address the NLC and TUC demands to avert looming protest by the labour movement. Some Nigerians may be waiting for such a day to unleash violence and looting.

Most importantly, those around Mr President should advise him appropriately and shun praise singing. Psychophants pull down their boss in most cases, because they won’t tell him or her the truth. Deflating the hyper inflation should be at the center of their discussion as President Tinubu has done recently. I campaigned and voted for President Tinubu and my concern is for him to succeed. Chasing hunger away is the real thing now and the hungry population should not be taking for granted.

By way of conclusion let me borrow the words of Ayn Rand “You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality”

May Nigeria succeed.

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

6 days ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

“

As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.