BY KENNETH  DARENG

THOSE who are familiar with the writings of  Italian Philosopher, Niccolo Machiavelli’s ‘’The prince’’ would perhaps have an idea of why Plateau state since the return to democratic rule in 1999 had experienced waves of impeachments  which is as a result of political intrigues, divide and rule and other interests within the political establishment.

Some of the events can be characterized as a good script for a typical Nigerian folk stories of a theater of the absurd. The genesis of each act and stanza of what culminated  into change of leadership either at the Executive or Legislative arms became evident that the main actors are either within or outside the state who had acted in tandem with the support and collaboration of some members of the Plateau State House of Assembly [PLHA], either for good or bad.

The case in point was the illegal impeachment in the year 2006 of then Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye by six out of the 24 members of the House who were used in a commando manner to remove from office both Governor Dariye and then Speaker, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong. The beneficiaries were Chief Michael Bot-Mang and Hon. Mike Dapianlong, who were sworn in as Governor and Speaker respectively.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court of Nigeria saved the embarrassment by declaring the action of those members as not only illegal but against the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, it appears those who were at one point or the other elected as representatives of their various constituencies, as honourable members of the State House of Assembly, may have been bad students of history as each administration in the state was bitten by the same bug of divide and rule syndrome and in the process the spate of impeachments became a new normal in the state.

From the eight year tenure of Chief Joshua Dariye and that of his successor Da Jonah David Jang down to the present administration of Governor Simon Lalong, there were so many changes in the leadership of the House which has swelled the lists of presiding officers to not less than ten. The list by my reckoning of those who have led the leadership of PLHA from 1999 to date are; (Dariye’s tenure) Rt. Hon. George Daika, Rt.Hon. Simon Lalong, Hon. Mike Dapianlong, (Da Jonah Jang’s tenure); Rt. Hon. Istifanus Mwansat, Rt. Hon. John clark, Rt. Hon. Titus Alams. (Simon Bako Lalong’s tenure); Rt. Hon. Peter Azi, Rt, Hon. Joshua Madaki, Rt. Hon. Abok Ayuba, and now Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda.

The latest impeachment of the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abok Ayuba , by’’ 6 or 8’’ out of the 24 members and the counter suspension of the Six members of the House who participated in the impeachment of Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok, is raising dust and confusion among concerned citizens of the state as to which of the House factions is in charge which at the same time, is being conceived as, wrong timing as well as a display of impunity, abuse of due process and a contravention of the House Rules by the members themselves.

A clear example of the attitude and behavior of our political leaders portends more bumps and danger ahead in our democratic journey. It is necessary to look at other democratic climes around the world and begin to locate where we are and which direction we are heading towards.

If you look at the politics of Nigeria and try to compare with that of South Africa, India, Britain or United States of America, you will see the amazing consensus of ethnic, religious and other personal interest that characterize our political system which has a dangerous polarization and division along   personal interest coupled with the lack of tolerance or respect for opposing views and ideology among our politicians.

Unfortunately too, both our rich cultural values and our so-called religious beliefs has placed Nigeria as; notoriously religious but largely ruled by ungodly leaders who have taken the people’s mandate for granted. Otherwise, how can one describe the actions of those who betray trust in the name of political interest?  Where then lays the conscience of those who are supposed to create the necessary checks and balances on the Executive arm. Yet some of them may have submitted their rights by even allowing their autonomy to be hijacked at the expense of their own constitutional responsibility as law makers to the whims and caprices of the Executive.

The recent bravado and hullabaloo at the PLHA as displayed in the impeachment saga calls for maturity backed by a moral compass to avoid those pit holes that would rather create a bad precedence instead of insulating themselves from ridicule and illegality in the future.

Perhaps, the party machinery within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could have intervened before the issues were allowed to snowball into the present situation where there seems to be strain in the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative Arms of government.

As the blame game continue within the members of PLHA,  Governor  Simon Bako Lalong, had  exonerated himself from the crisis in the State House of Assembly while citizens of the state expect nothing short of good representation and good governance especially as they await the delivery of dividends of democracy.

On the other hand, it is time for Plateau law makers and other politicians to put an end to the constant use of the state as a testing ground for all manner of political hypothesis.

 

 

 

Creating jobs through waste management

BY YVONNE SHOLA

A house well swept but with its dustbins filled to the brim or overflowing can not be said to be clean. It’s an understatement if one says the dustbins are filled. To be candid, the best description is that the house is filthy.

It does not matter the efforts made to tidy the house, they are all exercises in futility if the garbage collected remains in the area that has been swept. In most cases, the whole area will be an eyesore, and instead of the place being fresh and refreshing, it will most likely be smelling very bad due to accumulated dirt. A situation that is usually a breeding ground for disease vectors.

This is the narrative of Jos and environs where thousands have been employed to sweep every nook and cranny of the city. Every effort is geared towards keeping Jos and the environs clean. However, poor waste management has rendered all these efforts futile

In the past, a private company was saddled with the responsibility of waste management. It was the practice for each household to package its garbage well in either polythene bags or garbage bins in expectation of the visit of the managers of the garbage. At the end of each month, every household used to pay five hundred Naira (N500) only. We were living in Rikkos then, I wouldn’t know how much high brow areas were charged per household.

The arrangement was very convenient and within most residents’ reach. Shop owners had their arrangements.  If one  wanted one’s garbage to be disposed, one paid a token to the boys that used to come around with their wheelbarrow at the end of each day and they would gladly do the needful. I know that because I was a shop owner at Ahmadu Bello Way.

Somehow, everyone claimed responsibility for his or her garbage. That meant every one had to have a garbage bin where one collected ones garbage and paid for the disposal. There were murmurings but it paid off as garbage was well managed. Fortunately, it also discouraged random disposal.

About 2 weeks ago, a relation and I were at the market – Ahmadu Bello Way till around 8:00 pm.  At about 7:00 pm when shop owners started locking up, we were shocked when right by our side the shop owners started disposing their dirt after sweeping their shops. They dropped their garbage without remorse, right there on one part of the road as if it was designated for that.

Government has pampered us so much that we have become so careless, inconsiderate and insensitive. Our nonchalance has given Jos a new look- eyesore. Government has taken the responsibility to manage waste disposal. The least we can do is to make the work easier for government by packaging and disposing in the designated areas.

As a result of our carelessness, those saddled with the responsibility of waste management are not finding it easy.   The other day I went to dispose of garbage at Topp, Rayfield, just around the clinic. I met some scavengers who were looking at me expectantly. The moment my well packaged garbage were thrown into the incinerator, they did not allow it touch the ground but grabbed each one and carefully loosened the polythene bags where they were packaged and shook off the dirt before rummaging through the garbage.

This is the stock in trade of scavengers. Every find is worth a dime. Empty containers of Swan or disposable containers of drinks or medicine bottles etc are good finds including the polythene bags in which the garbage was packaged. It does not matter what the garbage was like, the polythene bags would be resold to market women.

The empty containers on the other hand have a large market. They are usually sold  palm oil and ground nut sellers,  gruel (kunu) and zobo sellers etc. It does not matter what they were used for after their original content was taken. Thinking of only self, scavengers also scatter the heaps of garbage looking for valuables. All this add up to make the work of waste managers cumbersome. As it stands now, the Ministry of Environment is overwhelmed with the work on ground.

Government can bring sanity to the system by inviting the private sector to take over waste management. Apart from ensuring our streets assume their former status, that move will reduce the number of the unemployed.

There is no gainsaying  that there is untapped wealth in waste management for the private sector. Places like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt have given the free hand to the private sector who have become wealthy through such an opportunity.

If government will consider this, please let it not be given to just one individual. Provide employment to thousands by specifying each person’s area to cover. For example, one person should be given the whole of Rayfield which is very large. Another person should cover Hwolshe. The criteria is to have the trucks, working tools.

Let’s use every disadvantage to our advantage. Once again, our slogan ‘home of peace and tourism’ will carry weight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securing farming communities to improve food security

By NAOMI SANTOS

NIGERIA seems to be sinking into a new dimension of economic crisis as food inflation reached a new high in the North which was previously considered the food basket of the country.

In the olden days, hunger and starvation occurred mainly as a result of instability which forced people to flee their settlements due to raids by slave merchants or war with neighboring villages. People caught in fear and hostilities were prone to hunger and starvation due to lack of farming and other economic activities.

The recurrent banditry, have affected communities in the same way as days of old. The unprecedented soaring prices of food items have caused hardship to citizens. Farmers have fled their farms the whole rainy season, sheltering in IDP camps. For many, they do not know how to forge ahead with life in the IDP camps years after the crises in their communities. They are deprived of their means of livelihood by the activities of these cut-throat bandits.

Rural areas are largely the source of food for the cities. So if these places are not secure, there will be a shortage in the food supply chain. This affects the overall food security of the nation. It is therefore imperative for the federal and state economic planning bodies to act fast in order to forestall a disaster in the food industry.

For instance, in Sokoto, no fewer than 40 people were killed as suspected bandits attacked a market in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state. The armed men attacked the market last Sunday, which happened to be the market day.

Sources in the village said the marauders attacked the market in large numbers and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of over 40 persons.

A source which spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the casualty figure was over 40, as the area was still unsafe for residents to access. The attack was the third in the area in two weeks.

Again, of recent, suspected members of the outlawed volunteer vigilante group, also known as Yan Sakai, attacked and killed nine Fulanis at Manmade market in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of the state. Suspected bandits also killed 20 persons at Ungwan Lalle Market in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State.

The Sokoto State government had earlier ordered the closure of markets in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state as a measure to fight the rising insecurity in the state. The Governor, Aminu Tambawal called on the Nigerian Army to carry out coordinated operations in the North-west to stamp out banditry in the region. He made the call on Monday, when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Sokoto State.

The governor disclosed that the operations of the army in Zamfara State were having a negative effect on Sokoto State, especially, the eastern part of the state, hence the need to carry out the operations simultaneously.

“For the past few days, we have lost many people in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.” He appealed to the Nigerian Army to review its operations in the state. He also asked the Chief of Army Staff to deploy more troops, resources, and intelligence to the state to end the banditry.

In reacting to the situation, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said his council would continue to pray for the Army Chief and his people, saying the task before them is more than the civil war era.

Recently, the Nigerian government had declared total war on bandits wreaking havoc in parts of the country, saying their days are numbered. The president, Muhammadu Buhari who was reacting to the killing, on Sunday of over 40 people by bandits at the Goronyo Market, in Sokoto State, sent a tough warning to the criminals and declared, “The clock of your ultimate destruction is ticking as you will no longer have a place to hide.”

He had earlier taken a critical look at the security situation in the country before news of the massacre in Sokoto State filtered in. Buhari boasted that the military and other security agencies were recording greater successes in the bid to rid the country of insecurity.

The massive migration of young men to the cities has taken a toll on agricultural activities in the rural areas, leading to abandoned farmlands. Most government programs are mainly centered in cities and bigger towns. This has led to a disparity in the provision of basic amenities between the towns and villages. In fact, most Nigerian villages are without basic amenities. They seldom have any functional government establishment. Ignoring villages without viable government presence is what has backfired today, which is affecting the whole of northern Nigerian.

Small farmers are the backbone of food security. Statistics shows that they produce almost 80 per cent of farm produce in the country. This, in effect, has an adverse effect on food supply when security cannot be assured. If the security of rural farmers is assured and guaranteed, this will in effect lead to the creation of jobs in the country.

Why the ‘Red Devil’ lost to the ‘Predator’

By VICTOR GAI

FOR respect and sympathy to club fans, I prefer to use the euphemism ‘Red Devils’ because that is their alias and the fans may not be happy hearing or seeing the name bandied around as we speak.

But I have argued and analysed with football fans in the past that manchester there is something that United has done or has not done that is always causing them setbacks.

As a sports journalist, I would say the lack of ruthlessness and decisiveness in the the Manager and the management is the problem. They say “failure to make decisions is a decision itself”.

Nobody would have thought that with the quality in the United squad, they would lose this scandalously. But indeed the United problem is more of psychological and tactical than it is technical.

Now, I have said before that certain players can ruin a team if they are not handled well. I once referred to the Pogba issue. His heart is not in the club and he has shown it openly. But to still stick with such a player as pivot of the midfeld, can be devastating.

For managers like Guardiola, Mourinho and the Liverpool manager, no player is indispensable. They are no respecter of persons and they can show you the exit door once they percieve your mind is not in the team. They are ruthless, they are decisive!

Meanwhile, in analysing the disaster, Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, blamed the loss on the following factors: Quality of the opposition, tactics and ‘Pogba’.

Hear him: “To say a disappointing day would be a complete understatement,” Scholes told Premier League Productions.

“I think we all realise it’s been difficult, I just think the manager got caught up in the emotion of the comeback [against Atalanta] on Wednesday night.

“We keep going back to that game, but you were never going to do that against Liverpool, they have too much quality.

“I don’t think it was a lack of effort, I think tactically, they were set up in a way where this could happen and unfortunately, it did happen.

“Paul Pogba coming on to the pitch at halftime to try to help the team and maybe get a little bit of respectability about it, tries to stand on the ball, tries to show how strong he is in the middle of the pitch… gives the goal away.

“Then, later on, gets sent off with a ridiculous tackle, now you’re 5-0 down with 10 men.

“You’d have to think if Ole’s still a manager there, will we see Paul Pogba again in a United shirt? He’s caused mayhem over the last couple of years. Everybody knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tries to give him his head, and let him be the player he’s been.

“But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom, and then he comes on and does something like that.

“It’s not Ole’s fault, don’t get me wrong, but that’s part of it which almost summed the United performance up today.

“Look, he probably will play [again] won’t he? But I don’t think they will be missing anything if he doesn’t.

“He’s had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just [a lack of] discipline and disrespect for your manager and your teammates, what he’s done today,” Scholes stated.

Therefore, if fans are calling for the sack of Ole, I won’t blame them. His lack of decisiveness is legendary. Ronald Koeman gambled with Messi and it has caused the team dearly and still causing them despite his exit.

Managers and management need to be ruthless and decisive when it comes to play on the field and on players.

For Liverpool, every European team must be wary of them. They can be devastating on a good day. The way they preyed on the ‘Red Devils’ only goes to say the devil has no hiding place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middlebelt deserves a development commission

 

BY KENNETH DARENG

OVER the last decade, the agitation for the establishment of development commissions became more pronounced by a cross section of Nigerian nationalities particularly those of the Niger Delta region extraction who  felt that they were worst hit by land degradation occasioned by  oil spillage on their waters and farmlands by oil companies whose exploration activities had racked havoc to their source of livelihood either in terms of fishing, farm produce and water for cooking or drinking.

Unfortunately, most of the communities suffer the same fate ranging from neglect by the oil companies, absence of basic amenities and poor representation by the leadership especially their so called elite who  are mostly seen to be playing the ostrich for personal aggrandizement at the expense of their people’s welfare. It took the restive youth of the Niger Delta a short time to express their frustrations  by displaying bravado and show of strength with attacks on oil installations as well as kidnappings and killing of both  Nigerians and expatriates alike.

The atmosphere became tensed as the Federal Government was losing billions of dollars of revenue earnings and more,  in collateral damage while oil companies had no choice than to pack their baggage for safer havens. The government of  late President Umaru Yar’adua realized quickly enough that, the best option left was to dialogue with those aggrieved youth who have not only graduated to a more sophisticated militancy with a vast cache of arms and ammunitions at their disposal, but also witnessed the surge in other splinter groups with similar motives.

Perhaps, the dialogue became  a major break- through with the militants agreeing to lay down arms in exchange for general amnesty as well as the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC] to serve as a catalyst for inclusiveness and grassroot  empowerment and development in that part of the country.

Again,  with the destruction of lives and property due to the menace of Boko Haram in the North East which ravaged states like; Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba, it futher prompted the Federal Government to  establish the Northeast Development  Commission [NEDC] in a bid to allocate funds for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war torn zone of the country.

However, just recently, the House of Representatives approved the establishment of two more Development  Commissions namely; The Southwest Development Commission[SWDC] and the Southeast Development Commission [SEDC]. This is sequel to the adoption of several clauses and recommendations in three reports of the Bills seeking the establishment of those commissions as contained in THE NATION of Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

According to the publication, the Commission would among other  responsibilities, receive and manage funds from allocations of the Federation Account, including donations and gifts, the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region which would serve as reparation for houses and lost businesses of victims of the Civil War, and other environmental challenges in the region

Surprisingly, one region which is the Middlebelt is conspicuously not  mentioned in the establishment of Development Commission inspite of  the sacrifice its people made in the economic survival of the entire country. For instance, Plateau State was prior to the discovery of crude oil in the Southern part of the country, was a major player in the international  Tin and Columbite  market. It  was from the mining of such mineral deposit that some other sectors were financed.

Today, the devastation left behind are that of mining ponds that have dotted the Jos Plateau landscape and have claimed thousands of lives while farmlands are mostly affected as no farming activity can be done in vast areas which stretches across eight local government areas  of the state. Unfortunately since the departure of the colonial masters, no attempt has been made to either compensate the land owners by way of reparation or reclamation of these farmlands that today still lay barren and unproductive. It is indeed a homeland that was raped and abandoned.

Disturbing is the fact that these lands were forcefully acquired and left to be death traps up till today. Perhaps it is time for our leaders to look at the injury and plight of a people who are also part of the component called Nigeria and by common conscience and in the spirit of equity and fairness  include the Middle –belt areas into reckoning  as a Middle-Belt Development Commission[MBDC] to address the injustice of the past on the region with each state having its own sad story to tell.

Infact, if there is any part of the country that deserves a Development Commission, the Middle-belt region should have been a priority region long time ago. This is a great challenge for Governor Simon Bako Lalong, who fortunately is the Chairman of the Northern Government Forum who together with our political representatives across bi-partisan divide take up the issue with the immediate attention it deserves.

 

How self-censorship is destroying the media profession

 

By Victor Gai

 

HE says, do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats- Isaiah 1:11

The above verse of the Scriptures captures the act of self-censorship in the relationship between media practitioners and media owners in Nigeria where the latter becomes the lord and the former becomes the slave.

The verse is an admonition by the Prophet Isaiah to the people, speaking the mind of God. The Jews actually thought they were doing righteousness by their acts of sacrifice and burnt offerings but to their dismay, that was not what God wanted. In fact, “I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats”, says the Lord.

Today, in the journalism profession, media practitioners have sacrificed the ethics of the profession and their social responsibility on the altar of being ‘politically correct’. That is unfortunate! As a result, the profession has lost credibility and respect while democracy has suffered greatly, considering the role of the media in holding government accountable and its ‘watch dog’ status.

To censor is “to remove the parts of a book, film/movie etc. that are considered offensive, immoral or politically dangerous”, says the Oxford Advanced dictionary.

To go further, Wikipedia defines self-censorship as “the act of censoring or classifying one’s own discourse. This is done out of fear of, or deference to, the sensibilities or preferences (actual or perceived) of others and without overt pressure from any specific party or institution of authority.

Most of the media, especially state-owned media are guilty of this act, which is to the detriment of the state. When I mean the state, I mean government and the people.

For instance, some media organizations frown at criticism of the authorities or the ‘symbol of authority’ for fear that it would ruffle certain feathers and they often hinge on the cliché, ‘you can’t bite the fingers that feed you’. While it is morally wrong to criticize another person or institution without facts, it is not wrong to criticize a person or an authority, so long as it is done in a balanced, responsible way and in the public interest.

Self-censorship as earlier said is”done out of fear of, or deference to, the sensibilities or preferences (actual or perceived) of others and without overt pressure from any specific party or institution of authority. This means our acts (media practitioners) when we censor media discourse or reports, may be mere perception and may not be driven by any “pressure from any specific party or institution of authority”.

Democracy has provided legal safeguards to ensure that citizens express themselves freely while also protecting the authorities against mischievous persons who could go extra mile to abuse that privilege. Therefore, we have the Freedom of Information Act, Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press, enshrined in our constitution.

The media is therefore supposed to play the role of a neutral arbiter by taking the views of the public, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic interests and processing them before making them public. If the views of the one being criticized or discoursed is taken, then balance is achieved.

Quite unfortunately, the media has been reduced to a mere ‘mouth-piece’ of the owners, whether government or private. This is dangerous to the ethos of democracy and the media profession itself.

Ironically and surprisingly too, experience has shown that media owners- whether government or private, have “had enough” of our “sacrifices” and they are not of it. State owned media usually blows the trumpet of the ‘symbol of authority’ out of proportion while the private media usually protects certain vested interests for pecuniary reasons. As a result, certain media establishments have lost the respect of those in authority and have had to pay for their hypocrisy when they are overlooked by those authorities.

As a matter of fact, some political leaders have ended badly because the media has chosen to be silent on certain crucial matters of state which they perceive as ‘sensitive’. The media houses thought they were protecting those public servants by not reporting certain issues, but they ended up putting them in harm’s way. This is not to talk of the harm done to the profession and democracy in general.

While some ‘symbols of authority’ ended in jail, their subordinates or aides went scot free whereas they are the real culprits of certain underground practices.

Therefore, the media must brace up and wake up to its responsibility. I feel the several decades of dictatorship has programmed the media to act in a subservient manner. Some political leaders- governors, presidents etc., in the past, have openly admitted that they thrive under a critical atmosphere than in a controlled atmosphere driven by a docile media. The media as an unbiased and neutral umpire is supposed to process those criticisms in a legally, morally and socially responsible manner. This is to ensure that the government, the people and the media itself is protected under a democracy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blueprint for elected Council Chairmen

 

By KENNETH DARENG

THE election of local government chairmen and Councilors last weekend across Plateau State has come and gone and no matter how individuals view it, marks another turning point in the history of our democratic journey as a state. The All Progressives Congress [APC], is the beneficiary of that exercise whereby, the party cleared all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the state which means they have the solid base to govern at the third tier of government.

However, like the popular dictum; ‘’To whom so much is given, much is also expected’’ means it is time to discard any form of differences  irrespective of political, religious or ethnic divide and now work for the common good of the citizens. Above all, it is time to heal the wounds of the past by ensuring that the principle of; ‘’ No victor no vanquish ‘’ comes to play by the singular act of the winner being magnanimous in victory and holding the olive branch to the opponent, seeking his or her support in driving the process of governance to that of collective interest for the sake of peace and development of the grassroots and the entire state at large.

It is also instructive to note that the tasks before the newly elected councils are enormous especially in the light of current paucity of funds and high expectations of the electorate who are not going to tolerate any excuses for lack of performance and delivery of those campaign promises. This also means it is time to get busy and hit the ground running with policies and programmes that would address the basic needs of the rural populace who constitute more than 60 percent of the population of the state. Therefore, the need to urgently tackle  poverty, healthcare, education and other peculiar needs of each community should form a priority list of these Councils.

For too long, the Local government  system has continued to witness a downward trend in its fortunes either for lack of proper vision on the part of leadership or complete disconnect with the social contract entered into with the masses. This is evident in the lack of morale booster for the Local government employees in terms of payment of staff emoluments, near absence of basic infrastructure and coupled with a high wired degree of misapplication of funds and corrupt practices of varying proportions.

Before now, successive state government administrations had viewed the local councils as mere appendages to the state government structure. To them, they are the drain-pipes for self aggrandizement and a means for quick accumulation of wealth from the monthly federation account allocation to the third tier of government.

Perhaps this is the right time to block leakages right from the councils where the issue of ghost workers, massive fraud in the collection and remittance of revenue and other related financial  practices have remained a recurrent decimal within the local government administration.

Unfortunately, in a situation where almost all the local council helmsmen reside outside the local government headquarters and where the chairmen become inaccessible means slow pace of work as reports abound across the councils where in the recent past, some council chairmen were operating mostly from Jos. And some local government secretariats are always under lock and keys in the absence of the principal officers which does not help matters either. However, the lack of administrative independence, the removal of  both political control and bureaucratic redtapism often perpetrated by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has further weakened the councils in terms of ensuring fiscal autonomy must be properly guarded.

The new councils executives  must therefore explore avenues of escaping from the firm grip of state control by expanding their revenue nets to boost their Internally Generated revenue [IGR] as  well as, wield their powers and constitutional authority to impose taxes rather than depending on the  Federal, state and local government grants or allocations. Furthermore, It is now high time for each council to begin to look at their investment portfolios by  setting up cottage industries that would enhance the economic viability of their local government based on comparative advantages.

Also expedient, is the need for local councils to be more innovative by engaging in partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations and corporate agencies to fund certain micro and macro- economic programmes that can accelerate development at the grassroots. Indeed it is time  to provide the framework for competition and inclusion with a commitment of genuine servant leadership across the state.

Influence of peer groups on individuals

By NAOMI SANTOS

ACCORDING to the World Health Organization (WHO). Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundation of good health. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth.

Researchers suggest adolescence undergo three primary developmental stages of adolescence and young adulthood, early adolescence, middle adolescence and late adolescence/young adulthood. Early adolescence occurs between ages 10-14. The ages 11 through 14 years are often referred to as early adolescence. These years are an existing time of many varied and rapid changes. Your child grows taller and stronger and also starts to feel and think in more mature ways.

You may feel amazed as you watch your child begin to turn into an adult. But this can be a confusing time for both kids and parents. Both must get used to the new person the child becoming.

From ages 11 through 14, a child develops in four main areas. Physical development. A growth spur usually occurs near the time of puberty. Girls begin to develop breasts and start their periods. Boys grow facial hair. Both boys and girls grow pubic hair. Boys may lag behind girls in height during these years, but they usually end up taller.

Cognitive development. This is how the brain develops the abilities to think, learn, reason and remember. Emotional and social development. As they start to move from childhood into adulthood. Adolescents feel the urge to be more independent from their families.

Sensory and motor development. Kids this age may be a little awkward or clumsy. Their brains need time to adjust to longer limbs and bigger bodies. Getting regular moderate exercise an improve coordination and help your child build healthy habits, www.amchp.org.

It is said. ‘Children are the leaders of tomorrow’. This can only be achieved if they are properly groomed. The most delicate stage in their lives is the adolescent stage, which if not carefully monitored and handled, can mar or make their lives or future. During this stage, peer group is an important factor in the development of the adolescents. Adolescence is the period when a young person is developing from childhood into adulthood. This means adolescence begins at puberty; that is between eleven and thirteen years and ends at the start of adulthood. A young boy or girl at this stage is called an adolescent.

The period when a young person is developing into an adult is usually full of challenges, that is why they seek for peer group consists of people who are approximately the same age and status with a similar system of value or share the same interest. During this period, the adolescents can be pressurized by their peers.

Peer pressure is the direct or indirect influence of people by peers or the effect on an individual who is encouraged and want to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behavior to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.

Importance of peer group

Some of the importance of peer group are as follows:

Peer group provides emotional or instrumental support, foster friendship and facilitates social interactions and development.

 

It provides opportunity for self expression and stimulates members of the group to think for themselves, assume responsibilities, acquire new experiences and desire new adventures.

It can help adolescents gain sex education and accept the ensuring changes in their physical development.

It develops social attitudes, group values and the ability to go beyond one’s egocentric interest in concern for the group activity.

Influence of peer pressure

Peer relationship can be a powerful positive or negative influence in the lives of adolescents.

Positive peer pressure is when someone’s peer influences him/her to do something positive or push him/her to grow in a beneficial way. There are plenty of ways adolescents influence others to make good choices.

Having friends and feelings connected to a group gives teenagers a sense of belonging and being valued, which help develop self esteem and confidence.

Friendship also helps teenagers learn important social and emotional skills, like being sensitive to other people’s thoughts, feelings and well-being.

Pushing friends to study harder so they can get better grades; friends can form a group study where they read, discuss, ask and answer questions relating to the subject of study.

Friends who are not extravagant will encourage their peers to do the same.

Friends can encourage each other to learn a trade after school.

Peers who are kind, loyal and supportive influence other to do the same reinforcement or positive habits and attitudes; peers may encourage each other to say ‘No’ in a situation where drugs, alcohol, crime and immortal acts are concerned.

Most adolescents have a strong desire to fit in and are especially sensitive to been picked on, made fun of, or ostracized. Consequently, they are often eager to do something their peers tell them to do.

Negative peers pressure occurs when friends negatively influence each other to do something dangerous or damaging to themselves or others. Examples of negative peers pressure are:

Distraction from school work, some peers convince each there to skip or stay away from school.

Indecent dressing: Some peers believe that they are well developed and want to show that they are attractive through indecent dressing.

Here are few suggested solution for adolescences who are pressurized by their peers;

Spend time with friends who resist negative peer pressure, who are willing to say ‘No’

Build self confidence. Believe that you can achieve you set goals such as standing your ground and not getting intimidated.

Keep away from peers who pressurize you to do things that seem wrong or dangerous.

Learn how to say ‘No’ and avoid situations that feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

Parents

Parents have their own role to play in shaping the lives of the adolescents for good. If they are not vigilant and check the bahaviour of their children, there may be consequences. Listed below are some tips on how parents can assist their adolescents.

Parents should establish a good level of communication with their children early ie they should encourage good conversation and honest communication.

Build self condolence in your children, ensure they feel good about themselves.

Know your children’s friends and how they interact.

Teach your children to resist getting involved in dangerous or inappropriate activities.

Have ways to help your children get out of an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

In conclusion, if parents, teachers and the society play their roles in the lives of our adolescents by encouraging them to keep p with their good habits, guiding them as they advance in life to overcome their negative habits, then the social vies and other forms of criminality will be reduced to the beeriest minimum.

Belonging to a peer group is not a crime, but the question is “which of the two peer groups do you belong to? The good or the bad? Think about it”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for tomorrow

THE Value Added Tax war that is being spearheaded by the governors of Rivers and Lagos States is a wake-up call for the remaining states that make up the Nigerian nation. It is a wake-up call because it is a sign that the long abandoned fiscal federalism is beginning to manifest and probably reinvent itself. This, for me, is a sign of great things to expect and a test for the political class that sought after power each political season.

This and other agitations that are found all over the place are a  positive and good sign for the growth and development of our society. Positive because our politics would take a different form and shape. Everyone looking for a political office must be able to convince the voting public that he has capacity and is bringing a basket full of ideas to the table that would help grow the economy of the state he intends to govern.

A situation where some persons would ride to the position of authority on rhetoric is near its end. Politicians must show that they would be able to provide leadership. The era where handouts are collected from Abuja and spent without hard work is almost here. Clearly watching Governor Wike argue that he does not support laziness brings to questions the call for some governors on the endowed states to be their brothers keepers. He made it clear that he would not support his brother who steals from him when he is not showing willingness to work and sustain himself.

For me, I think the states must start preparing for the worse now. They must start to look at their areas of strength and advantages. They must commission studies that would help them reach their full potentials. They can not continue to be leeches suckling the blood of others who show drive and hard work. The example that is often referred to at all times in the VAT argument is the destruction of beer by some states yet they share from VAT earnings gotten from those states that allow the sales of liquor.

For any state to survive this era, they must explore their areas of comparative advantage. If it is agriculture and agribusiness that their strengths lies in, then they must pursue that and ensure they make the most of it. They should and must put in place policies that would encourage agriculture. By creating an enabling environment, citizens would be encouraged to pursue a career in it and make a living out of agribusiness.  To do this would mean putting in place the needed infrastructure and ensuring that modernization is pursued to boost production and make agribusiness attractive and competitive.

If a state’s strength lays in tourism, the necessary and needed infrastructure must be put in place to make for the exploitation of this potential to the fullest. We have seen countries whose major sources of survival is just tourism and they have been able to maximally exploit it to serve them. In the past, the various regions had contributed to the centre by paying the required tax to enable the centre carry out its responsibilities until the military brought about the confusion that has led to our stunted growth as a country. The component parts had developed at their pace and like it is being argued, all parts of the country can not develop at the same pace.

This wake up call should not be seen as some disparaging others. It is for me a call to co- operation. The States must take this opportunity to fight together for a change in the Constitution of the country. Some of those things that are in the exclusive list must be taken to the concurrent list where states would be able to have some measures of control. States should be the ones handling mining and paying royalties to the centre instead of what is obtained at the moment. And in carrying out this, value would be added to the minerals before it is taken out of the state other wise the states from where such a venture is undertaken would lose a great deal of revenue. With co-operation the states would be able to get their acts together and flourish for the benefit of their citizenry.

This too is an opportunity to bury for good our sticking points. Ethnicity, religion and regionalism which have served as major drawbacks must be consigned to the dustbin of history. As a people who seek progress and growth we must begin to see ourselves as one whose destinies are tied together and we must take advantage of our numbers which should serve as our strength. The example of Rwanda is suffices here.

Rwanda today is the fastest growing African country because after the 1994 genocide it came to the realisation that it had no option but to be united. It had over reached itself when as a people it allowed base sentiments to push the country and its people to the brink. Mass murder became the order because of the seething hate that was preached by the various divides. But when the country realised that it had nothing to gain if it continues on that path, it retreated and determine never again to tow that path. It has been able to sort itself and has become an example of how a country can be run efficiently. It has been able to fashion its own form of democracy which is working for it.

The calls for true federalism therefore must be pursued by all well meaning people. and this should be done as a preparatory to what is sure to happen in the future. This is because it is often said that he who fails to plan, has set himself on the path to fail. Let us all prepare by investing our energies in those things that unite us. Doing this might open new vistas for growth and development.