₦airaland Forum

A question I would like to ask any member of the "court" that sentenced and executed her is, would they have acted in the same manner under the same situation in Onitsha or Aba markets? Certainly no! Their zeal to punish blasphemy is definitely proportionate to their majority population in direct relation to the victim's minority number. Assuming she did what they claim she did, she would have gotten away with it without a single one of them blinking an eye to indicate he notice she blasphemed if it were Onitsha/Aba market. By this, it's easy to conclude that the judgement was not based on conviction of faith but conviction of strength.

This is really a big question.

You can reach him on fb

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1026885884014180&id=100000783337127&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6293446730604286051%3Amf_story_key.-1337204742488553765&__tn__=%2As

By Maiwada Dammalam



The proponents of the murder of Mrs Bridget seem to be missing the most basic ingredient of this case, its poverty of logic, common sense and simple ability to respect rule of law. It's not about what Islam sanction for blasphemy as they continuously argue emptily but, first, about establishing the guilt of the murdered woman, second the inappropriateness of dispensing justice by mob action.

Now, please somebody convince me that the woman truly blasphemed by abusing Nabee Muhammad SAW. What exactly was it she said because all I'm hearing was she blasphemed yet, nobody seem to have an inkling about what she said that constituted blasphemy as defined by Islam or our local laws yet, she's already irreversibly dead; arrested, charged, tried, witnessed, convicted and executed by a single judge - the mob, all in a single sitting of the "court". So much for "nemo judex in causa sua" as members of the learned clan would say.

Most importantly, if members of this "Express Court" truly believe she deserve to die for a hazy and unverified offense for which she was not found guilty by a constituted authority, why is it they are not doing anything about Abdulaziz Dauda, alias "Nyass" who blasphemed in public and on camera, and whose evidence of blasphemy is still being shared on whatsapp. Dauda was charged to court and was convicted to death for the offense yet, he's still living on death row since January 2016 in the same Kano. Why was Mrs Bridget refused the same courtesy of a fair judicial process by the hyper-active albeit ignorant mob?

Yes, you will say Dauda is in a heavily guarded prison therefore out of reach to the mob. But, in the same Kano in 1996 Gideon Akaluka was kept in prison while his crime of blasphemy was in progress yet, was brought out by a mob and executed.

According to reports, Akaluka was not even the offender. His wife was said to have torn a piece of the Holy Quran and used same as toiltet paper. But some muslim youths in the city went after the husband. Akaluka was simply guilty by association if that makes any judicial sense.

Repulsive as the crime of desecrating a holy religious text could be, how does being married to somebody crazy enough to do so constitute a capital offense? Allah SWT will never judge Akaluka for the offense of his wife yet, a charged mob murdered him in cold blood thinking they did it to please a just, merciful, fair and benevolent Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala! That killing was more repugnant than the offense. Please note, I'm discounting the discrepancies in the narratives of the mob's "FIR" on which his conviction was based.

The question of guilt in serious issues like capital punishment is something that shouldn't be toyed with regardless of what belief the offender subscribe to. Islam went as far as to protect the welfare of animals down to those it sanctioned we could kill for our nutritious needs. Nothing was left untouched under Islam as far as life is concerned.

I don't believe the Islam that sanctioned "Whoever kills a person (unjustly)...it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32) on one hand, would turn on the other hand to leave the application of capital punishment in the hands of probably "codeine" charged mob.

Now who would know if Mrs Bridget was killed for reasons related to "market politics" and, if we should know, how could the irreversible verdict be reversed? Isn't that enough reason to subject her to proper judicial process to determine her guilt before taking an irreversible action?

A question I would like to ask any member of the "court" that sentenced and executed her is, would they have acted in the same manner under the same situation in Onitsha or Aba markets? Certainly no! Their zeal to punish blasphemy is definitely proportionate to their majority population in direct relation to the victim's minority number. Assuming she did what they claim she did, she would have gotten away with it without a single one of them blinking an eye to indicate he notice she blasphemed if it were Onitsha/Aba market. By this, it's easy to conclude that the judgement was not based on conviction of faith but conviction of strength.

I will go as far as to say majority of the mob that convicted and executed Mrs Bridget will not hesitate a moment to wear a "Cross", clutch a holy Bible and start singing "Halleluyah" to get out of a volatile, life threatening situation in Enugu, Awka or Uyo where they are certain about their weakness as minority.

If they could REASONABLY go this far to save their necks, why were they so reckless as to risk the lives of their brothers and sisters who are in the minority in the South as Mrs Bridget was a minority in the North? Certainly, somebody is not under the silly assumption that there are no crazy people in the South who could pay back actions of crazy people in the North using same measure reasoning.

Until we answer these questions, I don't think anybody would be convinced about the correctness of this crazy "judicial" process. Arguing that death is the punishment for blasphemy is completely off the mark. It's simply an effort to cover up criminality and, though it may serve your interest today, certainly it will work against you some day. Actually that's the purpose and logic for respect to rule of law. It serves and protect everybody without recourse to belief.

By the way, if Allah SWT wanted to have a community ruled by senselessness, HE wouldn't have blessed us with a sense of reasoning. Just because you are comfortable in Kano today doesn't mean you would never be a minority somewhere, some day. The earlier we get used to expectations on us to behave a level above animals the better for humanity.

Esji80:
No, I am Surajo Garba from Kebbi State.

Ok.

Esji80:
Please send the category B list. sgarba80@gmail.com I tried the link above but it is not working. Thank you

Sagir Garba Malumfashi, is that you?

Ok.

[s]

DeltaOil:
Muhammed Ali was really a spotting icon, and fought for black people!

It's a pity he died as a moslem.
As we all know that Mohammed himself said he does not know what will happen to
both he himself "mohammed" & his followers, hence they won't make heaven.

Sura 46:9
"I am not something original among the messengers, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH ME OR WITH YOU(MUSLIMS)."

If he had died as a Christian he would have the promise of salvation that moahmmed did not have nor his following muslims


Mark 16:16 (KJV)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


Jesus went to heaven in the view of people, unlike mohammed that is dead and buried

Act 1
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven

[/s]

Ayyah! The Ugandans have been rejected by their supposed brothers.

B

B

lestat:
I rest my case. Have a pleasant day

Same to you.

lestat:
Then my brother you are not being as honest as you should be. No disrespect intended

To be honest? You mean, to admit your theories? Issokey

lestat:
Wow. Bruv pls respect is reciprocal, one I ain't no young man to you. Secondly I don't lie.
I saw them , I didn't say they where killing but they were moving I as coming from Katsina Oga sir

I am from Katsina. I am a constant traveller from Katsina to Zaria to kaduna and finally to Abuja. All the years I have been travelling haven't see a single herdsman carrying a dangerous weapon except a stick and machete.


I am a farmer, the son of a farmer and the grandchild of a farmer. We have take many conflicts with herders. But trust me, I have never see them carrying an AK47 or any other relate weapon except the sticks, machete or arrow and bows.

lestat:
Funny thing is, in as I dislike the IPOB, I have never ever heard or seen an article states they have arms. But I have personally on Zaria road seen Herds men with shiny Ak47 rifles , I aw over 10 of them with hundreds if cattle.
Now I just wonder why the double standards? Me think this will only bring sympathizers to the IPOB world wide.
I pray PMB removed this Arse before he drags his name into the mud with his misplaced thinking

Young man, you can lie.

agesron:
Lols, first person to insult me. I like dat but I don't know d guy sha. Lols

I don't insult you dear. Na question I dey ask.

oyinkinola:
as far as terroists had return back to their base in the east, the command headquater of operation clear the creek must relocated to enugu, to cope with terrorism, biafran, avenger militants pipe line vandals, house to farm search for weapon, the operation must continue until peace return to the area!

Oga, take am soft soft oo. Fear Ugandans dem don come eat you raw.

Innalillahi wa Inna ihaihi Raji'uun.


The story said the guy in the picture beheaded hid mother for ritual.

So this ugly thing have is now happening in my region?

Ya Allah protect us from this inhuman attitude.

________________________________________________________
Modified

Regrettable, I comment without verified the authentic of the pic? We all know there are a number of Ugandans who can read and write in Hausa language. May be there they are desperate to spoil the name Abokis.

Thank you BetterThing for throwing this trash to where it belong.

BetaThings:
Like I said, you are a Christian, you can say ANYTHING
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/204291-man-hacks-law-death.html

kodded:
[s] cc mynd44
2. Don't abuse, bully, deliberately insult/provoke, fight, or wish harm to Nairaland members OR THEIR TRIBES.[/s]

Get sense Ugandan

Has the Idiot paid his worker? Someone should pls tell thid mumu to shut the Bleep up.

Why can't you people fighting for the establishing of canonical law which is a guidance for your religion?

Holy shit!


NCAN never disappoint.

Oh! They want to go all the way to Dubai? Why not Isra'el? The land of their brothers? God don catch you finish.

agesron:
There are too greedy, they should free that guy jare.

Free nko? May be he is your bread winner.

NCAN (Name Checker Association Of Nigeria) Katsina Branch.
Omenka, come and see Ugandan doing hardworking.

Victorvexz:
They re now Ugandans, lol, thanks for d correction tho

Yeah, may be you have missed the trending.
You are welcome.

Victorvexz:
I wonder what the Biafra and Ipob youts Ugandans will say this time. A Igbo have done it oh .They have made us believe child marriages only happens in the north, although the northerners are trying so hard to curb the practice.

Read your post and don't make mistake again next time.

Beremx:
ok lemme send you an email. hope your mail is active?

Yeah

SECURITY


Fight against insurgency: 

*The relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri, since May 2015, contributed to the success in the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country.
*As at February 2016, the total number of persons rescued by the Nigerian troops during the ongoing operations in the North East came to 11,595
*Since December 2015, the well-motivated and rejuvenated Nigerian Military have regained all Nigerian territories previously under Boko Haram control.
*Prioritized regional cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and violent extremism, through the operations of the 8,500 strong Multi-National Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, currently headed by a Nigeria military general.
*Nigeria has provided $21million USD to the Task Force since June 2015 and is committed to an additional $79 million USD, bringing the total of Nigeria’s commitment to the Task Force to 100 million USD.
*Cohesive international support in the fight against terrorism and assistance to victims and communities affected by terrorism, following President Buhari’s meeting with G7 leaders and other world powers.
*In May 2016, Nigeria hosted a Regional Security Summit to boost military operations against Boko Haram and forge a global support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs and rebuilding of the North East.
*In June 2015, the United States announced a 5-million-dollar support for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region.
*In April 2016, during the visit to Ms Samantha Power, the U.S Ambassador to the UN to Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, the U.S Government further announced an additional  $40 million USD for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region
Recruitment of additional 10,000 persons into the Nigeria Police Force is ongoing. The recruitment will address the manpower gap which currently exists in the Nigeria Police
Overhaul of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian military which resulted in optimal result and degradation of the Boko Haram elements.
*Was able to bring back our hitherto military allies; which saw the United States and UK governments commit their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous administration. The Israeli government has also indicated interest in the fight against insurgency.
*Introduction of the motor cycle battalion (This is so that the Nigerian Army can travel to remote areas that were not accessible to cars/trucks)
*Realigned our partnership with regional allies by embarking on foreign visits which resulted in bilateral and multilateral agreements to tackle insecurity back home.
No more roadblocks and curfews, which normally impeded free flow of movement.
*Continuous monitoring of activities in the region of war through the use of satellite images and geographical information system is helping in fighting insurgency and strategizing against the enemy.
*The trips to our neighbouring countries showed the resolve of the President to push Boko Haram elements out of existence by going for the jugular of the group, cutting their arms, food supply routes. Support has thus been mobilized through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
*Another major stride is the Trans National Organized Crime (TNOC) where the president got partnership with regional allies in the fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
*As part of the reconfigured military partnership, the United States donated 24 mine-resistant armoured vehicles (MRAP) which had protected the Nigerian troops from the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices. Today we have less causalities.
*Reached out to the G7 countries and achieved the following: intelligence sharing; technical military training; arms deals/donations
*Overhauling of NIMASA. A reversed policy of the past administration where national infrastructural assets were given to militia leaders to protect as against established bodies like the Nigerian Navy was stopped.
*The President Buhari government has drafted the army to partner with other security agencies in ensuring the security of our national infrastructure and this is already yielding the desired results.
*A major ring of pipeline vandals in Lagos state were captured recently in a joint operation by security forces led by the army.
*The government has renewed its fight against oil bunkering
The Nigerian Navy has recorded tremendous success lately in apprehending vessels used by oil thieves. This operation has improved security on our water ways and it has also helped improve the revenue of government.
*Deployment of sophisticated weapons to ensure vandalism is contained by setting up a pipeline security force in stamping out the menace.
*Effective Management of the Separatist Biafran Movement
Improving the technical capacity of Nigerian Police Force. We now have a forensic lab and GSM tracking device. We now have a more IT integrated Police force.
*Restructuring of Nigerian Immigration to stop cross border crimes.
*NSCDC has become more proactive in the prevention of pipeline vandalization, with arrest of several pipeline vandals.
*Joint operations involving various security outfits in curbing the menace of the herdsmen in the country has been set up.
*The use of surveys and updated mappings across the country as strategies for preventing threats among ethnic groups in Nigeria.


CORRUPTION


Right from the moment he won the Presidential Election in 2015, the impression of the President as a ‘‘no nonsense and incorruptible leader’’ sent a signal to looters of public funds, with many of them returning funds that had been stolen under the previous administration.
To create a frame work for prosecuting the war against corruption and institutionalize probity, President Buhari set up an Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption.
The anti-corruption battle is gaining ground with several high profile cases already in the courts. The administration is being guided by the rule of law in the prosecution of corruption cases.
President Buhari enlisted the support of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF, security agencies, Western countries and other friendly nations to locate and repatriate stolen assets.
At a London summit on anti-corruption, President Buhari announced that Nigeria will begin the full implementation of the principles of the OPEN contracting data standards.
In the first quarter of 2016, President Buhari embarked on trips to the Middle East to sensitize the governments on the need to repatriate stolen assets and hand over the looters for trial in Nigeria. In January, Nigeria and UAE signed Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.
In March 2016, the Federal Government and the Swiss Government signed a Letter of Intent On the Restitution of Illegally-Acquired Assets forfeited in Switzerland. Under the agreement, Switzerland will repatriate $ 321 million USD illicitly   acquired by the Gen. Sani Abacha family.
In March 2016, the Presidential Committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015 announced the recovery of over N7 billion from indicted companies and individuals.
 

ECONOMY


Implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has provided greater visibility of government revenues and cash flows. Between June 2015 and April 2016, the Federal Government TSA collection clocked N3trillion.
To further instill fiscal discipline, President Buhari directed the closure of all multiple accounts in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, thereby plugging loopholes for leakages with new technology.
The opaque accounting structure of the NNPC has been reconstructed to be more transparent with the closure of more than 40 accounts. As a corporate entity, NNPC is now accountable and more transparent in operations, publishing its monthly financial reports.
For a nimble, measurable and effective entity, the NNPC is undergoing restructuring. The restructuring of the NNPC leaves more room for competition, predictable revenue generation and compliance with global best practice of operations.
Initially grounded before the inauguration, Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are back in operation with 60 per cent capacity and producing 7 million litres of PMS daily. The Kaduna refinery also resumed production at the end of the April, 2016.
The President also resolved the lingering shadowy oil swap deals that had cost the country billions of dollars and left it at the mercy of a few rich Nigerians.
To alleviate the suffering of Nigerians in September 2015, President Buhari directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to disburse N689.5 billion as bailout to 27 states of the federation to pay salaries.
To stimulate the economy and reduce poverty, in April, 2016, President Buhari approved deferment in the payment of the bailout as states were still reeling under the burden of the fall in commodity prices.
Records of more than 34,000 ghost workers draining the nation’s resources were expunged from the Federal Civil Service, saving N2.29 billion monthly.
In 2015, President Buhari ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. By this decision, the government saved about one million U.S dollars and N30m of local expenses
Enforcement of the Bank Verification Number: Also the BVN has ensured that the menace of “ghost workers” are being identified and dealt with, while looters with multiple accounts can no longer hide their loot undetected.
Social Protection: Groundwork for social intervention/palliatives for the poor is being put in place as data is being collated by the economic planning office of the VP in conjunction with the World Bank.
 

OIL AND GAS


*Reorganization/restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into a focused, accountable and transparent institution with autonomous Units (Upstream; Downstream, Gas & Power; Refineries; Ventures and lean Group Headquarters)
*Reduction of operational deficits in NNPC by over 50% as at March 2016 as a result of Increased Transparency and Commercial focus
*Conduct of NNPC outstanding Annual Audits from 2011 to 2014, and the publication of Monthly Financial and Operations Reports to ensure transparency
*Introduction of third party financing in order to eliminate direct funding of cash calls by the Federal Government
Renegotiation of existing service contracts under Joint Venture and Production sharing contracts (PSC) Operations by about 30% leading to operational efficiency improvements and cost reductions
*Elimination of the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) through the introduction of the Direct Sales and Direct *Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable off-shore refineries thereby yielding annual savings of US$1 billion
*Resuscitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries presently producing about 7 million litres of products per/day
*Repair of products pipe lines and the resuscitation of supply of products from Atlas Cove-Mosimi- Ibadan- Ilorin after a six year lull
*Repairs of Escravos/ Warri and Bonny/Port Harcourt crude. oil pipe lines
*Introduction of a Price Modulation framework for downstream petroleum product pricing to encourage responsiveness to market dynamics
Guided deregulation of the downstream sector to allow market forces determine product price and eliminate subsidy payments
*Introduction of the initiative on refinery co-location to increase domestic refining capacity and minimize the drain on scarce foreign exchange  for product importation
Commenced policy reforms for gas monetization, flare out and infrastructure development, to fast track power supply and economic diversification.
 


POWER


Under President Buhari, the Federal Government agreed to a 50 million Euro (about N11.15 billion) loan agreement with French government for capacity-building and upgrade of power training facilities in Nigeria.
Nigeria signed a $237 million agreement with World Bank to improve power.
Chinese solar power manufacturers agreed with the Federal Government to set up solar panel manufacturing business in Nigeria.
President Buhari has signed an agreement with the Chinese government to improve Nigeria’s power infrastructure


ENVIRONMENT


Presidential approval for the Implementation of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report 2010 for the clean-up of Ogoniland with regards to oil pollution and inclusion of stakeholders in the process of implementation.
Continuation of the implementation of the Great Green Wall project to fight and contain desertification in Northern Nigeria initiated by past administration.


JUDICIARY


Since assumption of office, President Buhari has maintained a clear stance on the rule of law and respect for separation of powers.
The President has focused on the strengthening of institutions with key appointment of professionals.
Appointment of 30 new Federal High Court Justices
 
NATIONAL IMAGE
 
On assumption of office, the President undertook some foreign trips both within and outside Africa to re-establish Nigeria’s position in the global arena and solicit support for Nigeria and Africa.
President Buhari has continually pushed the agenda for enhancing Nigeria’s global image by always demonstrating Nigeria’s credentials in the 2015 general elections, which saw the country scoring high on peaceful transition.
President Buhari strongly supported the emergence of a Nigerian, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, as President of the Africa Development Bank.
Office of the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/204210-fact-sheet-president-muhammadu-buharis-one-year-office.html#.V0i8B32ApE8.facebook

Beremx:
haba that's not fair! because of tomatoes i have to relocate to katsina? try and send for me na! even if it's dry ones. I will appreciate.

How do you want me to send you? Do you have an errand boy who is persistent travelling up north?

Beremx:
I am yet to see the smuggled tomatoes in the market. Whatever it takes to make sure tomatoes floods the market at cheaper prices. I support o!

Relocate to Katsina, you will enjoy free tomatoes from me.

One of the major news items in circulation has been the scarcity of tomato. Incidentally, Nigeria is (was) the 14th largest producer of tomato in the world and the second largest producer in Africa, after Egypt, but our country hardly produces enough to meet the local demand of about 2.3 million tonnes, and lacks the capacity to ensure an effective storage or value chain processing of what is produced. Out of the 1.8 million tonnes that the country produces annually, 900, 000 tonnes are left to rot and waste. Meanwhile, tomato-processing companies in the country operate below capacity and many of them have had to shut down.

The CEO of Erisco Foods, Lagos, Eric Umeofia laments that tomato processing companies lack access to foreign exchange to enable them buy heat-resistant seedlings and other tools that would help ensure the country’s sufficiency in local production of tomato paste. Similarly, Dangote Tomato Factory recently suspended operations due to the scarcity of tomatoes and the assault on its tomato farms by a tomato leaves destroying moth, known as “tuta absoluta” – a South American native, also known as the Tomato Ebola, because of its Ebola-like characteristics.

Other reasons have been advanced for the scarcity of tomatoes in our markets: the fuel crisis which has driven up costs making it difficult and expensive for Northern tomato farmers to bring tomatoes to the South, insurgency in the North East which has resulted in the closure of many tomato farms in that region, thus cutting off national output, the recent ethnic crisis in Mile 2, during which Hausa-Fulani traders and other marketers engaged in a murderous brawl, climate-change induced drought and heat wave in the Northern-tomato producing states of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Kano and Gombe. In the best of seasons, Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually on the importation of tomato products. The cost in this regard, seems certain to rise.

Already, the effect of this tomato blight is being felt in households. Whereas a few months ago, a basket of tomato was about N5, 000, it is now about N40, 000 per basket. Housewives are protesting bitterly about how a piece of tomato vegetable has jumped up by about 650%, such that three pieces now go for as much as N500. Tomato in Nigeria today is thus more expensive than a litre of petrol! I have it on good authority, that in those face-me-I-face-you quarters where the poor live, it has in fact become risky to leave a tin of tomato paste carelessly or fresh tomatoes lying around: they would most certainly be stolen, and there have been reports of soup pots suddenly vanishing should the owner take a minute from the communal kitchen to use the loo. Many are resorting to desperate measures to sort out a growing epidemic of empty stomachs and empty pockets. Unless this matter is addressed seriously and urgently, the social crisis may be far too costly in both the short and the long run: hungry people could become sick and angry, hungry citizens could become thieves and a nuisance, they could also become angry voters and a rebellious populace.

However, the most brilliant explanation that we have received so far from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is that there is tomato scarcity because of  “tuta absoluta”. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, a group of experts will be immediately commissioned to advise the government of Nigeria on the way forward. The mandate of these experts is to “appraise the situation”, and then give us “a figure on cost of treatment…so we will source funds to tackle it.” Is that what this is all about? I am not in the mood at this moment, to spoil anyone’s day, with straight-to-the-nose-the-mouth-and-the-groin punches but I think that the response from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is far from adequate, if not stupid. Please, where is that bow-tie wearing Akinwumi Adesina, the former Minister of Agriculture, now on loan to the African Development Bank?

What we are dealing with is a national food security crisis. Before the commissioned outsiders begin to “appraise and cost”, the resident experts in the Ministry, should know that it is not only tomato that has become a scarce and expensive item in Nigerian kitchens, virtually every food item has become unaffordable and there are many homes that can no longer feed properly. The scarcity of tomato is only a metaphor for the spread of staggering inflation and the hunger that ravages the land. A bag of rice that was once N7, 000 is now N19, 000 per bag, a congo of garri has jumped from N170 to N300, bread from N200 per loaf to N300, and same is the case with virtually every food item. More than this, tomato scarcity is a metaphor for the lack of continuity in governance processes (What happened to all that revolution in the agriculture sector under Akinwumi Adesina as Minister?) and of course, for the failure since independence, to take agriculture seriously as a major vehicle of national security and development. If the response to this query is that nothing concrete actually took place under previous administrations, then what is the present Minister’s blueprint? What is his comprehensive agenda for ensuring food sufficiency?

It is indeed absurd that in 2016, we cannot produce enough tomatoes to feed ourselves – the short of it is that that single narrative about “tomato ebola” calls for more rigorous thinking.  It is not enough to deal episodically with tomato scarcity, or the scarcity of any other food item; this must be done within the context of a plan of action. The job of government officials is to give the people hope and not to deepen their agony. A committee of experts looking into the scarcity of tomato, and how to throw money at the problem (!)  is a round-about excuse for doing nothing. The knowledge that is required is within easy reach and much of the issues at stake, those within the province of the Ministry and those located in the larger context, are out there in the public domain, and perhaps, also in those accumulated files and old reports that most officials hardly ever read.  The Ministry also spoke up rather too tardily.

For weeks, there have been all kinds of ethnic and political insinuations about how tomato became scarce, some of which, allowed to fester for too long, could have resulted in other crises.  And we can only hope that the connection between food and health will not be lost on the experts. The health benefits of tomato alone are so many; to have a population no longer eating tomatoes, because of its cost could have long-term health implications. And while we expect the Federal Government to take the lead in terms of visioning, we should remember to ask: what are the state governments also doing? What are the states doing to promote agriculture and ensure food security? Apart from Kaduna state, other state governments have been criminally silent about the food crisis or they really don’t know since they probably get supplies of fresh tomatoes from neighboring countries for their own kitchens. All the big men eating imported fresh tomatoes when we, the people, can’t get tomatoes to eat, just “continuu eh” but don’t forget that a hungry and angry voter is an enemy of politicians.

There is another side to this whole tomato thing that is noteworthy. Special notice must be taken of the reference to the insurgency in the North East as a threat to agriculture. It is also interesting that most of the tomatoes produced in the country are from the North, and the Middle Belt. Check the list of major tomato-producing states in Nigeria: Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Plateau. Also check the list of the states where people are complaining most about the cost of tomato: they are all in the South! We should ask: so Southern Nigerians are grumbling about tomato being expensive and scarce, why are they so dependent on Northern farmers? They want tomatoes from the North, but are these not the same people who don’t want to see Northern cattle herdsmen in the South? Are these not the same people campaigning on social media that Southerners should stop buying beef in order to spoil market for Northern herdsmen? They are now begging for tomatoes from Northern farms?

In Ekiti, the state Governor has already given local hunters an executive order to shoot any AK-47 wielding herdsmen sighted anywhere in the state. It may not have occurred to the Governor that an AK-47 is far more versatile than a “shakabula” that is made by local blacksmiths and that he may actually be sending his local hunters on a suicide mission, but I doubt if the same Governor will stop lorry loads of fresh and healthy tomato baskets coming from Gombe to Ekiti markets!  Thus, whereas cattle-grazing is causing ethnic division, tomato is generating so much hypocritical love for the Northern farmer: “Please, send us tomato, stop selling tomato to the tomato paste producers!”. This country is truly far more integrated and its various units so interdependent, in more ways than the politics of hate and division would ever allow the people to see. It is tomato today, should onions, millet and kolanuts also become very scarce, Southerners may start begging Northern farmers to please bring their produce to the South. This is the truth of our interdependence but we need to get our politics right and those who exploit ethnic divisions must allow the country to grow.

One final point: The scarcity of tomato and the threat of a national food crisis should remind policy makers at all levels, of the importance of agriculture. A nation that can feed itself is a safe and secure nation. A hungry nation can only have sad people. Tomato is incidentally, a versatile vegetable, very easy to grow, usually ready for harvest between 60 – 85 days. Those who are screaming “give us tomatoes”, and playing politics with it, may also do well to embark on subsistence farming: create a small garden in the backyard, turn that uncultivated plot of land into a small farm, plant a variety of food plants, remove that your white collar, stop waiting on the Northern tomato farmer, get on with the food revolution we need…while hoping that some day, Nigerian leaders will stop waiting for oil money and rediscover agriculture as Nigeria’s true gold.

http://m.guardian.ng/opinion/tomato-scarcity-as-metaphor/