September 2023

PALLIATIVES: A BLESSING OR CURSE

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The Collins dictionary defines the word PALLIATIVE as an action that is intended to make the effects of a problem less severe but does not actually solve the problem. At the inauguration speech of President Bola Tinubu, he declared that the subsidy on fuel will be removed with immediate effect. This announcement/declaration had a domino effect on the prices of products across all sectors of the economy. This is because simple economics dictates that transportation is one of the key factors of production and when transportation cost increases, the cost of the product will increase. This will lead to the increase the final price the consumer will have to pay. Petrol which was selling for about for less than NGN250.00 in May 2023 now sells for between NGN550.00 and NGN600.00, this is well over 250% increase. With this massive increase, bearing in mind that generally, income has remained the same, a large percentage of the population are feeling the financial pain. On the 14th of July 2023, the federal government declared a state of emergency on the food security situation in the country. Based on the above, the federal government decided to provide funds, rice and fertilizers to the state governments and farmers in other to alleviate the economic strain being felt by the masses. According to reports, each state will get NGN5,000,000,000.00 (Five billion Naira) and 50kg bags of rice and maize. Several online media platforms and Television stations have covered the distribution of these commodities by some of the state governments across the federation. I would like to use this medium to thank His Excellency Gov. Seyi Makinde for the flagging off the distribution of the palliatives across the state. In the current situation we have found ourselves as a nation every little helps. The masses are drowning economically and are looking to the leaders to come up with sustainable solutions. On behalf of the citizens of Oyo State, particularly ‘the poorest of the poor’ I say thank you to our governor. Your Excellency, I know you as a man of the people, a man that works hard to fulfil his promises. There are several issues that I feel need attention regarding the distribution of palliatives, supports for farmers in the form of distribution of agricultural inputs and the sustainable food security. During Omituntun 1.0, there were several distributions of palliatives and distribution of inputs to farmers, this is Omituntun 2.0 and we are already doing the same thing. These distribution activities cost Oyo State billions of Naira, and with the economic situation of Nigeria it is obvious this is not sustainable. This brings me to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development (2019-2023, 2023-2027). In Omituntun 1.0, agriculture/agribusiness was a building blocks for the development of Oyo State. And truth be told there were many ‘brilliant’ programmes/projects that were undertaken particularly form late 2020 to early 2023. I say ‘brilliant’ because no one can fault the idea behind the programmes/projects, the effort, time, and funding. However, it appears that the outcome does not march the effort especially from the point of view of the masses. According to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 -2027, “1,500 students in senior secondary schools have been introduced to various enterprises in the agribusiness value chain through the Start Them Early Program (STEP). STEP is facilitated in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). A further 3,300 youths were trained in technology-driven agri-food systems under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP). Also, working with the French Government, 150 women entrepreneurs were trained under the Support to Women Entrepreneurship in the Agri-food sector in Nigeria (SEFAN/ SWEAN)”. The question that we must all answer is ‘where is the output of all these programmes?’. it is important to note that the bottom-line of any agricultural programme is twofold, the increase in food production for the masses and increase in income for the farmer. If after approximately 3 years of financial and physical effort in agriculture/agribusiness, Oyo State citizens are still dependent on palliatives mainly food items handout, then we must rethink our strategy. For any modern-day farmer, irrigation is key to food production. Your Excellency my request on behalf of the youths that have been trained is that one of the farm settlements be upgraded to a large scaled irrigated farm funded by the state and leased out to the youths trained under the YEAP project. There are a few of the farm settlements that already have dams on site, please select one, landscape it, fence it, irrigate it and provide hostels and basic amenities. This will be cheaper than whatever Fashola has cost I can guarantee and quicker to complete. A project like this will within the shortest possible time increase actual food production as crops such as maize, peppers, tomatoes and vegetables can be produced at least 3 to 4 times a year on an irrigated farm as opposed to the once during the rainy season on the farm without irrigation. The same ‘Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 -2027’ document stated that “In Agribusiness, we were able to attract over N35 billion in investments and $126 million in development partner blended finance. This is in addition to the direct and indirect benefits of training over 4,000 youths in agribusiness and the employment opportunities generated through projects such as the Fashola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, which will be completed in a few months. The result of these efforts is that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Oyo State increased from N2.75 trillion in 2019 to N4.05 trillion as of Q3 2022. Also, the net investment in Oyo State between 2019 and 2022 is N457.76 billion”. Going by the figures above, the Oyo state economy improved by just over 50% between 2019 and Q3 0f 2022, which is impressive. The main task now is how to ensure that the ‘poorest of the poor’ have a direct benefit from the economic expansion. For example, the alleged number of

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MOHBAD: THE ALLEGED BULLYING AND HARASSMENT – THE YOUTHS AND THE ‘MOHBAD MOMENT’

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To start off it is important to define Bullying and Harassment. Bullying: seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone perceived as vulnerable. Harassment: aggressive pressure or intimidation. (Intimidating someone means to make timid or fearful, especially to compel or deter by or as if by threats). On the 12th September 2023, the death of Mohbad a 27 year old musician was announced. Since this announcement, several stories have come to light online, some with accompanying video clips. From some of the online clips, one can see why many people appear to believe that this young man may have been bullied and harassed by certain yet to be identified individuals. From the video clips and the stories that are being told by several individuals, the bullying and harassment became so terrible that this young man became depressed and may have at some stage had suicidal ideation. Several people have called for the Nigerian police to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. All that can be said here is that may justice be done and may his soul rest in peace, and may we not be partakers in burying our young ones. The above case is so sad and so negative, the only positive act that can come from this case is the fact that it has forced us to start a conversation on bullying, emotional and psychological abuse. We live in a society with blurred lines. Culturally, we are respectful and disciplined people, but it is important to recognised that there can be a blurred line between respect/discipline and bullying, emotional and psychological abuse. When a leader or person in power believes that once you question their decisions you have disrespected him or her, then there is a problem. Or people in authority that believe that because they went through some form of difficulties or hardship to get to the top position, therefore, anyone that wants to achieve the same feat must go through the same difficulty or hardship even when easier and more convenient processes have been discovered. This is bullying it is not discipline or respect. We have in times past heard stories of claiming to have been requested to pay money or do other things including sexual ‘favours’ before one can achieve certain awards or positions. The very common one now among the youths is the issue of belonging to a ‘cult’ or group and taking oaths. In relation to the youths across Nigeria and here in Oyo State, they are being bullied at all fronts. The Nigerian State has become the ‘Big Bully’. Within the Nigerian system bullying and harassment thrives, as it is acceptable for people with any form of power to lord it over anyone unfortunate enough to be their subordinate, and the youth are particularly vulnerable. For the youth who have no family, personal, political or religious contact and is unable to buy his or her way through the system, then bullying and harassment is part and parcel of their lives. To get a job employers bully and harass them, they go to school, teachers and lecturers bully them, they walk on the streets uniformed men bully them, they go out for recreation the wealthy bully them. Then the few areas where they can walk freely and breathe a bit of fresh air (amusement pack and gardens) are being auctioned off to serve the interest of the rich people. The government of Nigeria has also directly joined in on the act of harassing and bullying the voiceless, helping to create a group of emotionally and psychologically unstable citizens, the result is what we see around us. This can be seen with several government policies, for example what do we call a government that removes fuel subsidy, moving the price of petrol up by approximately 250% permanently but then gives the people a few cups of rice to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. As the price of transportation goes through the roof, school fees increase, price of food commodities increase, the government officials across the country are either buying luxury cars for themselves and their cronies/supporters or globetrotting under the guise of business development and investment generation. The effect of all these heartlessness is the unconscious creation of heartless, immoral, and unstable communities where religious and elders see the true but focus on money, and the poor engage in extreme get rich schemes. We live in a society where the end justifies the means, we live in a society where ritual killing, kidnapping, fraud, prostitution, and all other vices one can think off has become acceptable means of making a living. Yet our politicians, religious leaders, elders and prominent members of our societies just believe it is business as usual all because their children are kept away securely in foreign lands attending expensive schools and in many cases living off the resources their parents have stolen from Nigeria. It is unfortunate that every Nigerian youth with no contact as described earlier had their ‘Mohbad moment’ or their ‘Mohbad moment’ is around the corner. They just pray that when their ‘Mohbad moment’ arrives, that they will not end up six feet under. The Nigerian youth are crying out at this moment not only because they have lost one of their own, but they are also crying out because they know this can happen to them as well. The political class and leaders have become detached from the people, no feelings no empathy. The politicians and leaders believe it is okay to spend billions of Naira on car, houses, travelling in private jets and so on, but it is unnecessary and a waste to ensure that the masses have access and can afford the basic human needs that is food, shelter, clothing, and clean air. To ensure Mohbad and all the other victims of the system do not die in vain, we must stand back and ask questions: where did we miss it? What do we have in place for our youths from poor

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AGODI GARDENS AND TRANS AMUSEMENT PARK FOR SALE: Idris Animasaun writes Open Letter to Seyi Makinde

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To His Excellency the Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde Your Excellency Sir, I will like to draw your attention to the rumours going about that the land on which the Trans Amusement Park and Agodi Gardens stand are up for sale. As an indigene of Ibadan this rumour is worrisome, therefore, I decided to call your attention to it. As Yoruba people, we all know the power and status that land ownership gives us individually and collectively. There is also sacred characteristic attach to certain piece/areas of land. It is also important to remember that collective land belongs to the unborn, the living and the ancestors, hence the need to utilize collectively owned land to take care of the present without putting the future in Jeopardy. According to the Land Use Act of 1978 Part 1 (1) ‘Subject to the provisions of this Act, all land comprised in the territory of each State in the Federation are hereby vested in the Governor of that State and such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of this Act’. It is important to remind ourselves of the purpose and importance of the park and garden in question. Globally, Parks and gardens play a crucial role in environmental sustainability in several ways these include: 1. Biodiversity Conservation: Parks and gardens can serve as habitats for various plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity conservation. They provide a safe haven for native flora and fauna, helping to maintain ecological balance. A visit to Agodi Gardens reveals the rare species of trees that has been planted specifically for these purposes and has served research and other purposes. 2. Air Quality Improvement: Green spaces act as natural air purifiers, absorbing pollutants and emitting oxygen. This helps improve air quality, mitigating the effects of pollution and enhancing overall environmental health. 3. Carbon Sequestration: Trees and plants in parks and gardens absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, helping to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 4. Urban Heat Island Reduction: Green spaces help cool urban areas by providing shade and reducing the urban heat island effect. This helps lower energy consumption for cooling and improves the overall comfort of city dwellers. While Trans Amusement Park is surrounded by built up area, the Agodi Parks and Gardens has a large volume of inhabited green landscape with the integration of the park with a water running through it gives the place a cool atmosphere. 5. Stormwater Management: Parks and gardens can absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and the risk of flooding. They also filter pollutants from stormwater, improving water quality in nearby bodies of water. 6. Education and Awareness: These spaces can serve as educational resources, raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices among visitors. 7. Mental and Physical Health Benefits: Access to green spaces enhances the well-being of urban populations, reducing stress and promoting physical activity. This, in turn, can lead to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. 8. Aesthetic Value: Parks and gardens contribute to the aesthetic appeal of cities and provide recreational spaces, encouraging people to spend time outdoors and connect with nature creating a public space that brings together the rich and poor. Sometimes in July, I visited the Pleasure Park in Port-Harcourt and I can only wonder if you have by any chance in some of your numerous visits to River State had the opportunity to witness how the integration of Kiddies play zone, paintball zone, Gym area, Mini soccer area, Basketball area, VIP lounge, open bar, restaurant, Game zone, cinema, Adequate car park space, sidewalks that not only connects all these functions but runs through the entire perimetre of this park into the urban landscape is helping to define the city centre. Also, it is important to learn from the situation in Lagos State where the price of land has gone so high that the indigenous Lagosians can no longer afford to live in the areas set aside for the middle to upper class. Posterity will judge us if we make the same mistake. It will be a disservice to the over 7 million citizens of Oyo State if the Governor were to allow the last remaining park and Garden in Ibadan to be converted into estates that will only serve a selected few, creating an aristocracy in our democracy. Thereby furthering the gap between the haves and the have nots and dispose of the dreams and intentions of our founding fathers. Rumours like this is a wakeup call to all stakeholders such as the professional in construction industry, both in public and private practice to evaluate and be attentive to the land use and allocation activities of all tiers of government to date. An appraisal of all the conversion of use of public space to Estates, to whose benefits and of what importance ,there is the Idi Ishin estate with series of revocation without resettlement, ,Ajumose estate is with no value improvement, trans motel measuring 40,000m² is there in Jericho, Onireke is there, Lere Adigun and many others that are not masses driven, all these are priced out of the reach of the average citizen. To conclude, parks and gardens are integral to environmental sustainability as they support biodiversity, reduce pollution, mitigate climate change, manage water, educate the public, and improve overall quality of life in urban areas. These and many more are the values that both Agodi Parks and Gardens, and Trans Amusement Park has offered for years. Therefore, it is high time that all stakeholders including elected officials work towards the preservation and expansion of parks and gardens as they are essential for a sustainable and resilient future. The youths in Oyo state are prepared to contribute to the maintenance and creation of parks and gardens and such was evident in the proposal recently presented to your representatives by the creative industry on the need to revive the

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