By Muhyideen Jimoh

In 2003, the World Values Survey reported that Nigeria was home to world’s happiest people.

The study, which was carried out over a period of three years showed that Nigeria beat no fewer than 65 countries to claim the top spot.

More than two decades after, the 2024 World’s Happiness Report released on March 20 to mark the International Day of Happiness ranked Nigeria 102 happiest country of 143 countries surveyed globally.

The report released in partnership with Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board scored Nigeria 4.881 points in its latest 2024 survey.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s happiness scores has remained below 5 points since 2020, fluctuating between 4.552 to 5.268 points.

The report factored self-reported life satisfaction evaluations alongside a 6-point metrics like GDP per capita, social support networks, health expectancy, freedom, generosity, and levels of corruption to determine national happiness rankings.

Why has Nigeria’s performance continued to decline over the years? Experts offer insights.

Dr Christopher Piwuna, Consultant Psychiatrist, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) believes the ability of government to improve the welfare of Nigerians will greatly boost their happiness level.

“In 2003 Nigeria was number one worldwide on happiness assessment, but now we are 102, this is not too good for the nation.

“We have really gone backward though life expectancy has improved within the country.

“The rate of poverty in the land has impacted negatively on the happiness ranking of the country,” he said.

Similarly, Safiya Ojo, General Medical Practitioner, Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, said being happy could help ones general well-being and lifespan.

Aisha Bubah, Counseling Psychologist, Network for Psychosocial Support, Africa (NPS-Africa), said there was the need for Nigerians to take care of their mental health to avoid depression.

“If one is in a happy state, it means less troubles, less stress and better well-being. Conversely if one is unhappy there will be depression, suicide, anxiety, and stress disorder.

“Depression is a significant problem that has affected some youths which has made them to be drug addicts.

“We need to create time for relaxation and look beyond the economic situation of the country; we need to focus on the positives in every bad situation,” Bubah said.

Interestingly while Nigeria is on the slide on the World’s Happiness report, Finland was in March, 2024 crowned the world’s happiest country for a seventh consecutive year.

According to the Finnish Happiness Institute (FHI) study, when asking people living in Finland what makes them happy, Finns always mention proximity to nature and the opportunities it offers for recreation and relaxation.

“In Finland, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a park or forest. Clean water, unpolluted air and unspoiled nature greatly contribute to wellbeing and happiness – and nurture creativity” it said in a report.

Johanna Jäkälä, Executive Director, Finland Promotion Services, Business Finland, says the anti-stress lifestyle, outstanding government and modern facilities help boost the happy lifestyle of the Finnish people.

“The anti-stress lifestyle also influences the Finnish work culture. Finland is a country of low hierarchies, and work-life balance is highly valued.

“When people come here, they also get access to a kind of lifestyle which is pretty unique.

“We like to think that happiness is good for business and happy employees are productive employees,” he said.

“In Helsinki it is completely normal to leave the baby outside, obviously with a baby monitor and if possible by the window, so you can see the stroller while shopping or having coffee,” Jennifer De Paola, a social psychologist and expert on Finnish happiness said.

Elisabet Lahti, PhD, author, researcher and founder of Sisu Lab. stressed the importance of adequate security and working in an egalitarian society for  citizens to feel relaxed and happy.

“In a well-functioning, fair and equal society, people can worry less and concentrate on living their lives.

“Poor life decisions or bad luck don’t necessarily have to mean falling too far behind. To feel safe is one of our primal needs and if we’re not safe, we’re not able to relax into co-creation and innovation,” she said.

Experts say that the Nigerian government can do a lot more to make Nigerians feel happier and more productive.

They say this can be achieved through heavy investment in infrastructure/social amenities and the implementation of sound economic policies.

Mr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), a social justice NGO, said President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, if implemented properly could give hope to the poor and boost Nigerians’ productivity.

“The 8-Point Agenda encompass critical areas such as food security, ending poverty, economic growth, job creation, access to capital, improved security, a fair playing field, rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

“They reflect the aspirations of the citizens for a more inclusive and prosperous society.” he said.

Experts opine that there is a nexus between the Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope’ 8-point agenda and the World Happiness index 6-point parameters which are all geared towards a better economy and society.

They point to the path to the renewal of Nigerians’ fast-eroding happiness. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

** If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Tunde Rahman
Delivering a keynote address at a well-attended National Spokespersons’ Summit and Awards on March 26 in Abuja, former Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority, Prof. Tonnie Iredia, was excellent as he articulated what should constitute the critical success factors in the work of a spokesperson.

The summit with the theme “Change Narrative, Change Society” was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Participants at the summit included communication experts, top journalists, scholars and other dignitaries.

A spokesperson must build trust and credibility through transparent and truthful messaging, Iredia said. Such a person must place premium on facts. “A spokesperson must also employ clarity in his messaging.

There should be no ambiguity. Such a person must deploy positive narratives. The spokesperson must be detailed and persuasive and make sure that he or she is first with the information to avoid speculation. Feedback is important and must be prioritized,” he pointed out.

An erudite scholar, lawyer, administrator and communication expert, Iredia knows his onions and has earned his stripes. He worked with the then Midwest Television in Benin-City (now Nigerian Television Authority) where he rose to become Manager, News and Current Affairs.

It would appear the former NTA DG had the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, a seasoned communication consultant and media mogul in mind, in his brilliant and lucid diagnosis. This is because in his handling of the Federal Government’s information and public communication machinery, Malagi parades all those essentials of effective communication brilliantly encapsulated by Iredia.

Malagi is humble, cool, calm, not loud, factual, truthful and evinces believability in his appearance, carriage and conduct.

In his speech at the summit, Malagi himself identified the imperatives of some of the earlier mentioned principles behind effective public communication.

He said Nigeria is a diversely blessed and vibrant country, grapples with the need to create a cohesive national identity; one that transcends ethnicity, religion, and political affiliations, and as such “crafting a compelling national narrative becomes paramount as we strive to live up to our vast potential.”

According to him, as communication professionals, the spokesperson must be aware he plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions, disseminating accurate information, and fostering trust.

“Indeed, the nation’s peace, stability, growth, and development can only be attained by how we communicate. We must recognize the critical role that effective communication plays in shaping narratives, building trust, and fostering understanding.”

Both Iredia and Malagi harped on the significance of trust in public communication or indeed in any communication for that matter.

The Minister of Information puts this succinctly: “The future of communication points toward technology, but for technology to make a meaningful impact, it must be anchored on trust. Trust remains a critical element in building relationships; be it at personal, group, and even community levels.

“As spokespersons, we need to make conscious efforts to build trust and restore hope wherever we are. Building and maintaining trust must be a collective responsibility. For trust to have value, it must be anchored on authenticity, transparency, and consistency.”

Like Iredia, who stressed that both external and internal publics are important and that all stakeholders should be carried along because a disgruntled person within the system can endanger the messaging, Malagi also spoke about collaboration and inclusivity at the summit.

“The current trend of communication is driven by technology. While technology allows us to personalize messages like never before, collaboration enables us to build consensus among colleagues, stakeholders, and experts.”

Indeed, Malagi not only believes in his precepts, he practices them. He tries to carry everyone along in an all-inclusive manner. That he acts out his preaching is evident enough in the way and manner he carries on as Information Minister, which is perhaps why he is achieving bounteous positive results.

For instance, as he stepped out as minister he constituted a National Communication Team headed by him and comprising the Information, Strategy, Media and Publicity Managers in the Presidency and Director-Generals of Information and Communication agencies under him to build consensus and synergy and promote collaboration on the important task of disseminating the policies and initiatives of the government and its agencies under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. The team will also track post-messaging feedback.

Recently, the National Communication Team was on tour of Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna states in the North-West. In Jigawa, the team visited wheat, millet and maize farms, an example of dry season farming, which raised the likelihood of the state meeting the expected national targets for domestic consumption and exports. The team also engaged in an interactive session with the farmers, millers, and other important stakeholders in dry season farming in the state.

In Kano, after meeting and exchanging ideas with senior journalists and social media influencers in the North, who had converged on the city, the team returned to also interface with the business community in that commercial city on the government’s economic programmes, their impressions, expectations and challenges.

Arriving in Kaduna to attend the annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the NTA and Voice of Nigeria and attended by prominent Islamic scholars and Emirs from the North, the team opted to return to Abuja by rail so it could inspect the facilities at the train station in Kaduna and interview some of the operators and passengers using the train.

The Information Minister’s speeches on these visits were also remarkable. The speeches reek of the passion and enthusiasm he takes to the job.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, he said: “We are here in Kano as representatives of His Excellency, Mr. President, to meet with Nigerians, from various walks of life.

“The President has tasked us with engaging with various groups of stakeholders, to share and explain what his administration has been doing to make life better for all Nigerians, and to ask for patience and understanding in the face of the economic challenges we are experiencing.”

A day after at a stakeholders’ meeting with the business leaders in Kano, he highlighted the achievements recorded so far by the Tinubu Administration to make Nigeria a better place to live, and do business and investment. He said the President is committed and has shown rare leadership on many fronts.

On why the team decided to return to Abuja by train, the minister said: “The National Communications Team embarked on a train journey back to Abuja from Kaduna after our stakeholders engagement in Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna.

“We had a fruitful interaction with commuters, welcoming their enthusiasm and noting their feedback. We reiterated the commitment of our administration to securing the lives and properties of travellers, safeguarding our rail infrastructure and improving the quality of service delivery.”

-Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

From the early years of Nigeria’s route to into nationhood when Order in Council (London) made laws for it as a Crown Colony, politicians have strived to produce a constitution that meets the citizens’ aspirations.

Right from Clifford Constitution (1922) to Richards (1946), Macpherson (1951), Lyttleton (1954) down to Independence Constitution and the most recent, the 1999 Constitution, agitation for constitution amendment has never ceased.

Although it is practically impossible to have a perfect constitution however, the more loopholes are noticed in the implementation of any constitution the more the need for its amendment.

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, many Nigerians have advocated the review of the 1999 Constitution following observed flaws.

The closest comprehensive effort to that effect was the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s 2014 National Conference whose recommendations were expected to be incorporated into the constitution.

Stakeholders in the political space say this is not unexpected as the constitution is a product of a military regime.

A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku says the implementation of the 1999 so far has thrown up the need for it to be revisited and points to areas that deserve attention.

He said: “The essence of the new constitution should, in recognition of the crucial principle of subsidiarity in every successful federation, involve devolution of powers.

“This is from the central government to fewer and more viable federating units with strong provisions for inclusive governance at the centre and in the regions as was agreed by Nigeria’s founding fathers.

“To arrest the ongoing deterioration of the situation in the country and to achieve the desired transformation for the better, we need a system of government that not only addresses our diversity but is also based on a constitution that can correctly be described as a Nigerian people’s Constitution“.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Robert Clarke also thinks that the status of local governments is among the three key provisions of the 1999 constitution that should be amended.

Other areas, he said, are membership of political parties and independent candidacy.

On Feb. 14, 2024, the Senate listened to the voices of Nigerians and announced a 45-member Constitution Review Committee on the 1999 Constitution, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.

On its part, the House of Representatives hit the ground running by engaging a 9-man team of experts to facilitate the process.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution said the experience of members of the team was critical in the constitution review process.

“Among others, they are to analyze and present the data collected in a simple, concise, and organized manner for the committee’s deliberations and consideration to assist in ultimately taking critical and informed decisions.

“Conduct research on bills, measures, and policies referred to the committee and advise on their viability and likely consequences for proposed constitutional alterations.

“They will also advise the committee to arrive at decisions that are fair to all and in accordance with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Kalu said.

Members of the team include legal luminaries and scholars: Mr Clement Nwankwo, Mr Mamman Osuman, Prof. Nuhu Jamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Others are Chief Chris Uche, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Seni Adio, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Samson Osagie, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, and Prof. Ladi Hammalia.

While issues such as state police and artificial intelligence are said to top the agenda, some stakeholders have said local government autonomy should be on the front burner of the exercise.

Chief Sam Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives, said recently that fiscal autonomy for local government areas should be guaranteed in the amendment to ensure that the three tiers of government get resources to perform their constitutional duties.

He also said without total autonomy for the local governments, it would be difficult for them to have access to funds to perform optimally.

“Many areas of the constitution deserve a second look. I know that we have been taking it bit by bit in ensuring that we amend the constitution to take care of the challenges we have been having.

“We should amend the constitution and grant this autonomy so that we can return to what it was then.

“We need local governments to become fully operational so as to keep the rural people busy and this will go a long way to move governance to the grassroots and reduce criminal activities“, said Onuigbo who is a climate change activist.

He said true autonomy for local governments would ensure that they got their share of national revenue with governors tinkering with its.

Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution clear on local government administration in the country.

“The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed; and accordingly

“the government of every state shall subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”, it says.

However, state governors have so far exploited the loopholes in certain provisions in that section to deny local governments fiscal autonomy.

For instance, while the constitution says local councils have to participate in economic planning and development of their areas, it went ahead to state that the state houses of assembly should establish an economic planning board for local councils.

Stakeholders like Oniugbo frown at the provision of the constitution that gives power to the state houses of assembly to make laws for the local governments, saying it had crippled their functionality.

This, they say, has render local governments lame ducks.

However, some stakeholders said it became deep-rooted when Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, prompting the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration to establish an 11-man Technical Committee on the Restructuring of Local Government in Nigeria in 2003.

The committee made three major recommendations:

One of its recommendations was the recognition of local government as the autonomous third tier of government in Nigeria.

It also recommended the abolition of the State-Local Government Joint Account; and direct remittance to each council of its share of the Federation Account.

Unfortunately, groundbreaking as they were, the recommendations could not be implemented because they required a constitutional amendment.

When the constitution was eventually reviewed in 2011, state governors blocked attempts to grant full fiscal autonomy to local governments.

The same scenario played out in 2023 when former President Muhammadu Buhari signed 16 constitutional amendment bills into law.

Ironically, one of the amended provisions is Section 121 (3), which now grants explicit financial independence to houses of assembly and state judiciary.

Stakeholders argue that granting autonomy to arms of government while depriving a constitutionally-recognised tier of government is an unacceptable affront by governors.

At a forum on constitutional review process in 2012, the late Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, then NULGE president, said governors were exploiting the contradictions and confusion in Section 7 of the constitution to abort democratic governance.

He said the ambiguity of that section made it possible for governors to suspend council elections and impose caretaker or transition committees, thereby usurping the statutory functions of local governments and plundering their resources.

Indeed, a recent report shows that local government councils in 17 states are being run through transition or caretaker committees, with Anambra not conducting council polls in 10 years!

Strengthening local government administration may not present a simple and seemingly magical solution to the problem of grassroots governance.

However, some stakeholders say being the closest to the people, the lack of fiscal autonomy for the third tier of government is forcing grassroots governance to suffer.

Therefore, some are calling for Section 7 to be repealed and replaced with a fresh chapter on local government administration in order to restore its autonomy status as the third tier of government

They are also calling for the repeal of Section 162 (6) which created the special account called “State Joint Local Government Account” and aids the mismanagement of local government resources by state governments.

Since state governments are reluctant to conduct elections in local councils, some stakeholders are also calling for the removal of the State Independence Electoral Commission from Section 197 (1) (a) and Part II of the Third Schedule.

Instead, they want the power to conduct such elections to be transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

As usual, it is expected that state governors will resist another attempt at granting local governments fiscal autonomy through stooges in their various houses of assembly.

For such an amendment to sail through, it must be approved by resolutions of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states in the federation – that is about 24 states.

The 9-man expert committee has promised do its best to ensure that Nigerians have a befitting constitution.

Uche, a member of the committee spoke the mind of his colleagues at a meeting chaired by Kalu in Abuja recently.

“We are operating a constitutional democracy and we have seen the hiccups…

“With our wealth of experience in constitutional engagement and practice we are very certain that some of the things we have come across along the way, we will definitely bring them to bear on our work. So, we assure you, we will put in our best“.

The ball is the court of members of the National Assembly history beckons and how they handle this assignment will determine how history will remember them.

Local Government Councils need to be freed from the shackles of governors and only a constitution that will guarantee this will suffice. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

By Tunde Rahman

Today is President Bola Tinubu’s 72nd birthday.

Instead of rolling out the drums to celebrate the day, the President directed there should be no celebration of any kind, including placing newspaper, radio or television advertorials in his honour. He urged anyone wishing to do such for him to donate the money to charity organisations. The decision was taken in deference to the present challenging times. It is a mark of good leadership for a leader worthy of that name to have compassion for the people, identify with them and demonstrate he shares in their pain.

Showing empathy for the people and the emotional intelligence of identifying with the weak and vulnerable are in President Tinubu’s DNA. This character trait has become a remarkable feature of his birthdays over time.

In March 2020, on the cusp of his 68th birthday, he cancelled his birthday colloquium over the outbreak of coronavirus, explaining that the decision was important amid the overriding public concern over the pandemic.

What happened in respect of his 70th birthday on March 29, 2022 was even more touching. He called off an impressive birthday colloquium, right in the middle of the event at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos with all the dignitaries in attendance, to honour victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack. And last year, even after he had convincingly won the February 25, 2023 election, President Tinubu did not celebrate his birthday, saying he would devote the moment for reflection on the huge task ahead.

This year’s birthday is the first by President Tinubu on the saddle. His administration is in its 10th month. This period, therefore, offers a veritable opportunity to interrogate his personae, character and administration thus far. There is little doubt that the time we are in is a challenging one indeed.

On assumption of office, the President was greeted by a dire economic situation; the economy almost prostrate. The bold reforms the President instituted, notably the removal of the ruinous fuel subsidy and the unification of the multiple, even dubious foreign exchange rates, though bold and necessary decisions applauded by economic experts, did not immediately produce salutary outcomes with a sudden rise in foreign exchange rates, and the consequential serious impact on other sectors.

The cost of petroleum products particularly Premium Motor Spirit and diesel went up with its attendant effects on transport fares. Prices of goods and services particularly staple food items also skyrocketed including prices of other items not dependent on foreign exchange. Inflation rose, hitting 31.70% in February from 29.90% recorded in January 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

However, it’s no longer a depressing story. A combination of courage and determination to change the tide on the part of the President, the employment of the right calibre of economic managers who deployed the right fiscal and monetary policies and perhaps a dose of good fortune helped to gradually change the downward economic curve.

As President Tinubu would now say, the headwinds are already giving way and there is light at the end of the tunnel. This heartwarming development is evident enough, but I will soon return to elaborate on the issue.

It is important and relevant to point out that President Tinubu is no stranger to this kind of trajectory in his chequered political career.

As Governor of Lagos State (1999-2007), his administration was off to a bumpy start with security issues rearing their ugly heads, roads littered with potholes and heaps of refuse taking over the Lagos landscape, amid poor revenue.

There was also the protracted crisis between his administration that inherited a practically insolvent economy and the trade unions as a result of the initial inability to pay the then new National Minimum wage of N7,500. The Tinubu administration confronted all of that and many more crises headlong, successfully altered the situation and left behind important milestones at the end of his tenure.

Writing in his insightful column “Illuminations” on March 16, Segun Ayobolu, surmised that it would appear that President Tinubu thrives more when confronted with crises that compel him to draw on his inner psychological, spiritual and strategic political resources to navigate treacherous terrain and come out triumphantly again and again.

“For instance at the end, in 2007, of his eight-year tenure as governor in Lagos State, the mega city had evolved into a bastion of security of lives and property, rapid infrastructural transformation, and provision of social services especially to the vulnerable segments of the population.”

Perhaps the trajectory of the Tinubu administration in the unfolding Nigerian story in the Fourth Republic is following that route.

The initial seemingly gloomy situation is gradually giving way. Indeed, light is not only assured at the end of the tunnel, it is presently beginning to shine brighter and brighter through the tunnel. There is plenty evidence for this as I previously indicated.

For instance, naira has continued its streak of rebound and steady appreciation. The Nigerian currency had gained considerably against the dollar with the exchange rate standing around N1, 200 to $1 on Wednesday as I was rounding off this piece. The Green Back is expected to fall even further following the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, through a circular on Monday, to offer $10,000 to each eligible Bureau De Change operators at N1, 251/$1 with a directive that they sell to eligible end users at a spread of not more than 1.5% above the purchase price. This is likely to impact the prices of many products.

And to further tighten liquidity in the country and shore up the value of the Naira, the CBN Monetary Policy Committee, at the end of its second meeting in 2024, raised the monetary policy rate by 200 basis points from 22.75% to 24.75%. The Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, and Liquidity ratio were retained at 45% and 30% respectively.

There are other developments and unprecedented data on the economic front indicating the country is turning the corner.

One is the marked improvement in the value of capital importation into the country, which NBS put at 66%, while the recent clearance of the backlog of foreign exchange by the CBN, demonstrating a new regime of trust and confidence at the apex bank, which should help push down high air transport fares in the country, is another.

Additionally, the country’s external reserves increased by $347.53 million to $34.11billion as at March 7, 2024 from $33.016 billion it was on January 2, 2024, recording a 2.83% year-to-date accretion following inflows from foreign capital and remittances.

Perhaps more remarkable is the courage, political will and personal commitment to effecting a change and improving the quality of life of the people in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda that President Tinubu has brought to the fore. This shone brilliantly in his handling of hydra-headed problems. This determination and taking bold decisions, in my view, are contributory factors in the changing Tinubu governance narrative.

Take for instance the recent abduction of 137 schoolchildren from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State. The President categorically ruled out paying ransom for the release of the children from the hold of the bandits. Mercifully, they were released through the collaborative efforts of the Federal and State Governments and their security agencies. Paying ransom is akin to giving ammunition to the bandits to acquire more sophisticated weapons for their evil activities.

To speedily effect changes in the country’s security architecture to enhance safety of lives and property, the President, working in collaboration with the state governments, has set up a high powered committee to draw up modalities for the introduction of state police. Last week, Vice President Kashim Shettima asked states which are still dragging their feet on the issue to urgently submit their proposals so that necessary legislation could be forwarded to the National Assembly towards this objective.

There is also the Pulaku initiative, a non-kinetic effort aimed at addressing the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts and fostering national unity. President Tinubu quickly ordered the release of N50billion as operational fund for its immediate take off.

The initiative, expected to revitalise the communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmer-herder conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna States.

In this regard, shortly after the removal of the fuel subsidy, the Tinubu administration released a first tranche of N2 billion each to the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to provide palliatives to ease the pains of their people as a result of the economic reforms. The President also recently urged state governments to seize the opportunity of increased Naira revenues from the Federation Account to issue and pay salary awards to their workers just as the Federal Government has been doing through its N35,000 wage award to federal public servants.

Indeed, many state governments have recently stepped up the introduction of palliative measures to provide succour for their people in critical areas including agriculture and food affordability, education and healthcare among others. There are many more.

An executive order to further boost investment, create jobs and business opportunities in the oil and gas sector is in place while the Federal Government in collaboration with states again are engaging in mechanized agriculture.

It is also noteworthy to state that, though the prices of goods may be high, the claim in some quarters that Nigeria is facing food crisis is not supported by facts. Those insinuating this are merely playing politics.

President Tinubu had since ordered the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to the states from the National Grain Reserves. And with what I witnessed last week, along with the National Communication Team led by Information Minister Idris Mohammed Malagi, in respect of massive planting of wheat and maize in Jigawa State, even in dry season, the state is set to meet this year’s target in respect of domestic consumption of the two commodities and exports.

The Tinubu government is thinking and working frantically to ensure all of that and more so that governance remains impactful and enduring.

-Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In 2020, Prof. Lenrie Aina, former National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), decried Nigeria’s ranking as one of the lowest reading culture countries of the world, according to World Culture Statistics.

Aina, a professor of Library and Information Science, made the unpleasant revelation when the NLN donated books to 37 custodial centres in the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“There is what is called World Culture Statistics that tries to measure arts of reading all over the world.

“In the statistics, only two African countries were listed amongst countries that are reading. These countries are South Africa and Egypt; Nigeria was not among these countries.

“As a matter of fact, Nigeria was rated as one of the lowest in terms of reading culture in the world. This has prompted us to see that we try to make Nigerians read,” he said.

Also, recent figures from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education show that 38 per cent of Nigerians are unschooled, while four in 10 primary school children cannot read for comprehension.

The 2014 index that Aina cited showed India as the country that read the most, with over 10 hours per week.

Thailand and China were second and third respectively, with 9.24 and 8 hours per week.

As alarming as the NOP World Culture Score Index appears, some book enthusiasts believe that if similar data were to be released in 2024, Nigeria would have declined even further.

They, however, say that what is fuelling Nigeria’s poor reading culture has more to do with technology-inspired unwillingness rather than the percentage of Nigeria’s unlettered population.

Mr Komolafe Ajayi, an entrepreneur and book enthusiast, shared his view concerning Nigeria’s poor reading culture:

“If you observe, our reading culture was better when our literacy level was even lower. 30, 40 years ago, do we have the number of graduates that we have now? No.

“But our fathers were reading William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and other books then while our GenZ and GenAlpha nowadays don’t read. Even Millennials who came before those two generations don’t read,” he said.

He also narrated how he conducted a social experiment on Facebook asking young people to choose between 10 GB of mobile data and an interesting book worth five thousand naira.

“More than 90 per cent of respondents chose mobile data,” he said.

He concluded that a generation that lives almost its entire life on electronic devices and social media engaging in frivolities risks appearing sophisticated yet empty.

Educationists warn that poor reading culture is depriving the younger generation of becoming well-rounded individuals who can think critically and analytically.

They say other benefits of a good reading culture include improved attention span and focus, a better understanding of the world around us, as well as furnishing the reader with critical life skills.

According to experts, reading also creates opportunities for people of all ages to come together and explore new ideas and it improves expression through writing.

Dr Fatima Akilu, a psychologist and children’s books author, said one of the reasons Nigeria’s reading culture declined is the failure to promote and stimulate good reading culture in schools.

Akilu, who founded The 100-Book Challenge among primary schools in Abuja to encourage reading, said Nigeria’s curriculum design focuses too much on reading for tests and exams.

She also said the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) should completely overhaul its outdated national curriculum to enable it to promote reading culture in schools.

Researchers, Kolajo Susan and Agbetuyi Abike say that the proliferation of internet and digital media have changed the reading habits and as such it is fast disappearing into the thin air.

They also found that the internet seems to have reduced the interest in reading of printed materials, vocabulary development, general knowledge and broadmindedness which individuals get from having good reading habits.

Their study entitled “Dwindling Reading Culture in Internet Era and the imperative for Lif Long Reading was published in Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).

However, some experts say all the blame should not be placed on only youths and the education system.

They say parents as the first agents of socialisation are also guilty of not putting their children’s feet on the path of reading as a form of leisure.

High Speed Training (HST), a UK-based resource hub, said “Where a reading culture exists, children read of their own free will, on a regular basis…

“They are willing and active participants, who anticipate the satisfaction they’ll get from picking up a book.”

A report by the National Literacy Trust, quoted by HST, also said that “If reading is to become a lifelong habit, then people must see themselves as participants in a community that views reading as a significant and enjoyable activity.

“Parents and the home environment are essential in fostering a love of reading.”

Book enthusiasts agree that, with many households grappling with how to keep their heads above water, it will be difficult for reading culture to be fostered from home.

However, they warn that improving Nigeria’s reading culture is a sacrifice all stakeholders should be willing to make if the country wants to avoid a vibrant youth population of educated illiterates. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

By Esenvosa Izah, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Minimum Wage – the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for the work performed during a given period – remains a sensitive matter.

The purpose of establishing a minimum wage is to protect workers against exploitation, reduce income inequality, alleviate poverty and promote social and economic well-being.

In Nigeria, minimum wage is based on monthly income with an average working period of eight hours daily and five days weekly.

It is expected to be reviewed every five years. The last review was in 2019, from N18, 000 to N30,000.

As Nigerian workers expect a new minimum wage in 2024, President Bola Tinubu has promised that it will take effect from April.

Workers’ expectations on the minimum wage have been high through their two major labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Workers cross the country are optimistic that the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage, which was set up by the Federal Government on Jan. 30 to determine the new minimum wage, will be realistic in determining the new wage amount.

They expect the committee to put into consideration the high inflation rate of 31.7 per cent in February from 29.9 per cent reported by the National Bureau of Statistics in January, among other factors.

The President of the NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero, had stated that if the inflation would continue,  organised labour might push for a new minimum wage of up to one million Naira for Nigerian workers.

Proposals by TUC and NLC at recent public hearings in the six geopolitical zones and Abuja, indicate that the organised labour may slash the demand from one million Naira but still expects the wage to be able to absorb financial pressures faced by the Nigerian worker today.

During the zonal public hearings in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa and Abuja, workers in the North-West requested for N485,000, North-East, N560,000; North-Central, N709,000 (NLC), and N447,000 (TUC); South-West, N794,000; South-South, N850,000; and South-East, N540,000 by  NLC and N447,000 by TUC.

According to the Chairman of Enugu State Chapter of the NLC, Mr Fabian Nwigbo, the value of N30,000 minimum wage approved in 2019 had been battered by inflation and worsening economic hardship.

Nwigbo argues that Nigerian workers remain the least paid in the entire West Africa.

“We are asking our leaders to consider the plight of Nigerians. It should be N540,000 per month,” he recommends.

The Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Chris Onyeka, regrets that many workers can no longer afford their rents or pay their children’s school fees.

He is also worried that with increase in the cost of transport by almost 300 per cent, many civil servants are trekking to work.

Onyeka says every worker wants to earn a favourable income.

‘’We expect that the minimum wage will take care of the basic needs of the average  Nigerian family.

“How much will that be? A loaf of bread that used to cost N600 is now almost N2,000.

‘’For a family of six, will a loaf of bread be enough for them  in a whole day? Will they not also, at least, take water to eat that bread?

‘’An average family will not spend anything less than N15,000 everyday to take care of themselves; we are talking about a salary that will meet those needs,” he emphasises.

The Lagos State Chairman of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adejumo, is looking forward to a holistic review of the minimum wage.

Adejumo, who is also the Public Relations Officer, NLC, Lagos State Chapter, says:  “There are parameters to be considered, and  expectations from the workforce in terms of productivity too can be measured side-by-side with what government will do in terms of fixing minimum wage.

“As for the parameters, the cost of commodities is a key factor, and the issue of transportation is a key factor.

“We should also be looking at the issue of housing, we have shortage of housing in Lagos vis-a-vis the population; it is really affecting most working class.”

While expectations on the new minimum wage remain high, analysts argue that the challenge about minimum wage in Nigeria is not approval but implementation especially by state governments and some  private employers.

They argue that since inception, minimum wage in Nigeria has suffered non-compliance by some state governments and private employers due to inability to pay and reluctance to pay.

Thus, they believe that ability to pay is very crucial when considering review of minimum wage.

At the recent public hearing organised by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage across the six geo-political zones of the country, Osun State Gov. Ademola Adeleke, who represented the governors in the South-West Zone, said that states lacked equal ability to pay.

‘’While it will be desirable to see that a uniform minimum wage is agreed to on a national basis, it will amount to self-deceit to assume that states have equal ability to pay.

‘’To this effect, I will humbly advise that individual states will have to negotiate with their workers and agree to a realistic and sustainable minimum wage in line with available resources, ‘’ Adeleke said.

However,  the Assistant General Secretary of NLC, Onyeka, argues that  state governments are not complying because there are no consequences for their non-complaince.

‘`If there were, I believe, many will be complying.

‘’The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, which is empowered by law to check abuses and violations of the extant law, does not have the capacity to monitor or enforce.

‘’When we look at the mechanism put in place by the Act to check non-compliance, reporting and enforcement, is the mechanism effective? It has to be strengthened, so that it will become effective,” he argues.

Prof. Kemi Okuwa, a Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, notes that Nigeria is number 44 in minimum wage cadre in Africa.

Okuwa made a presentation at the recent South-West Zonal public hearing, which took place in Lagos

According to her, the current N30,000 minimum wage is equivalent to $20 per month.

For the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, there must be critical review  of the current minimum wage by all stakeholders.

Oyerinde also urges appropriate recommendations, approval and implementation.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) wants the tripartite committee to take into account the present circumstances, unique characteristics of individual states, and their effects on the abilities of both governments and private sector employers to pay, when determining the  new wage amount.

In a communiqué issued after its virtual meeting, and signed by its Chairman and Kwara  governor. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, and made available to journalists on Thursday, the NGF said: “Members reviewed the progress of the National Minimum Wage Committee and ongoing multi-stakeholder engagements towards agreeing on a fair minimum wage.

“Members urged the National Minimum Wage Committee to consider the current realities, individual states’ peculiarities, and consequential impact on the capacity of  government as well as private sector employers to pay.

“Members also emphasized the need for proposals to be data-driven and evidence-based”, he said.

Analysts urge the 37-member  tripartite committee, comprising government representatives, the organised labour, and employers association, to ensure that the new minimum wage reflects the evolving economic landscape.

They advise that the minimum wage should  meet the needs of the Nigerian  worker, urging also that it should be implementable and sustainable. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Temitope Ajayi
Barely a month after the Federal Executive Council approved the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway, the contractor has moved to site to build what will be a monumental civil engineering project that Nigeria has ever seen.

Since the construction of the iconic Third Mainland Bridge that stretched over 11 kilometres across the lagoon, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road will usher in a new era of ambitious road infrastructural development projects in Nigeria.

The Third Mainland Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world, started during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in 1980. It was completed 10 years after, in 1990, by the military administration of President Ibrahim Babangida.

When completed, the 700km long coastal highway will also enter the world record books among iconic coastal routes like the Wild Atlantic Highway in Ireland and the Pacific Coastal Highway in the United States.

The first phase of the new 700km highway that will run through the nine coastal states is the 47.47km section beginning from Victoria Island. It has five lanes on each side of the dual carriage way and a train track in the middle.

The superhighway is being built by Hitech Construction Company. Part of the funding will be sourced by Hitech, the contractors.

Starting from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island in Lagos, the Coastal road will pass through Lekki Deep Seaport, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom States. At a recent press briefing, Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, said the Coastal road would have two spurs that will link up with Northern Nigeria to further integrate the North and South in terms of movement of people, goods and services.

Economic analysts have revealed that the completion of the first phase of the project alone could increase the size of Lagos State economy by 50 per cent because of the connection to Lekki Deep Seaport and the Lekki economic corridor where Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex is situated alongside other multinational industries.

One of the fascinating and interesting features of the coastal road is how it will compress the distance between Lagos and Ondo State.

For instance, the distance from Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos to Araromi in Ondo State is about 50 kilometres along the coast. This distance translates to about an hour journey. From Araromi to Ore, a major connecting hub in Ondo State is about another 50 kilometres, whereas the existing route from Ibeju-Lekki to Ore currently in use by motorists is 150 kilometres.

Speaking on the game-changing effect of the coastal road and how it will transform the economy of Cross River State, the Commissioner of Information, Erasmus Ekpang, in a press statement, said the state government is overwhelmingly grateful to President Bola Tinubu for embarking on the project decades after the necessity for the coastal road had been muted.

The highway, according to the Commissioner, “will serve as a catalyst to transform the economy of Cross River State for optimum impact. I want to applaud President Tinubu for the political will to translate this lofty dream into concrete reality.

“This coastal highway is going to be a game changer for the socio-economic status of Cross River. It is bound to add value to our rich agricultural produce while enhancing the profit base of local farmers. The benefits in the value chain is unimaginable.”

Ekpang further averred that the highway would boost the tourism economy of Cross River.

“When completed, the road will also boost tourism traffic to our unique tourism sites by attracting an unprecedented number of tourists, given the thrills and frills synonymous with road travel.”

Speaking in like manner, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, Alphonsus Eba, praised President Tinubu for fulfilling a key aspect of his campaign promises to the people of Cross River.

“President Tinubu has once again demonstrated that he is a man of his word by keeping to his promise. When Sen. Ben Ayade voiced out this request during the presidential campaign in Calabar, he knew the economic importance of the road.

“Nothing is more gratifying at the moment than the cheering news of the commencement of the highway. This is a huge boost to the current drive of Gov. Bassey Otu to alter the socio-economic narrative of our state. The highway is bound to ensure our rapid transformation in all facets of economic development by driving traffic of investors and tourists,” the state party Chairman noted.

While many Nigerians are excited that the road project has finally taken off after many years, that the highway is starting now speaks to the capacity of President Tinubu to conceive bold ideas and take on huge and transformational projects. President Tinubu’s penchant for high impact projects preceded his presidency.

As Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, he superintended over the financial and infrastructural renewal of the state.

Apart from the major road projects his administration in Lagos undertook and completed, he set up Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to modernise public transportation systems in the state through intermodal public transport infrastructure.

The Red and Blue Rail Metro lines that were recently commissioned formed part of the grand vision he laid down for the state. The Lekki Deep Seaport, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and Eko Atlantic City projects are landmark projects that will eternally bear the footprints of President Tinubu as governor of Lagos State for eight years.

Also imminent for implementation is the 4th Mainland Bridge, conceived during the Tinubu era in Lagos.

Indeed, like his many impactful achievements in Lagos, the coastal highway will be one of the many critical transformative economic projects that will hallmark the Tinubu’s presidency.

-Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Publicity

By Shera Ahmed, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

For years now, insecurity has plagued Nigeria. What started as a sect morphed into a monster called Boko Haram that terrorised the north-eastern part of the country for years.

Although its activities have minimised, they still pose a major threat in their enclave. As Boko Haram insurgents ravaged the northeast, several thousands were killed and millions and sent to Internally Displaced Persons camps others fled broad.

Infrastructure in the region took a heavy blow. Many school girls kidnapped in the wake of its murderous misadventure are still in captivity.

As the onslaught by Boko Haram eased, kidnappers and bandits emerged. To say that their actions are traumatic to victims is an understatement.

Another form of security challenge that has left sour test among Nigerians is the farmers and herders clashes. Security experts say the clashes are a major factor in the food insufficiency the country is grappling with.

Many factors have been advanced as the reasons behind insecurity in the country including illiteracy and poverty, unemployment, climate change, religious extremism and political motivation.

Several questions keep agitating the mind among them are: For how long will the state of insecurity last? Do our security personnel have answers to the changing tactics of the criminals? How can the risks they pose be permanently put to rest?

The military say they have carried to battle to the enemies and recorded huge successes.

During his biweekly news briefing on February 8, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said that thousands of terrorists and their leaders have been fatally injured or badly wounded in recent battles.

For instance, he said, troops neutralised 266 terrorists, arrested 463, and rescued 116 kidnapped hostages in January alone.

He advised terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers to surrender or be killed, warning that there is no third option.

The efforts of the military and other security personnel have received the backing of the political class.

The Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru in March praised the military saying they recently killed seven top insurgency commanders.

He also said the President Bola Tinubu was committed to annihilation of insurgents and defeat of any form of security challenge.

But many Nigerians want both the security institutions and politicians to do more in protecting them, with some of them expressing dissatisfaction with the process of recruitment into security agencies.

Mr Osas Afegbai, a public servant, urged a review of the process saying a more thorough process would minimise the recruitment of bad eggs and enhance efficiency in the security system.

Afegbai said more vetting of potential police officers and military and paramilitary personnel was essential in the success of the fight against terrorism and insurgency as well as other security breaches.

Other Nigerians think that the security agencies are not properly equipped hence the need to give them modern terrorism fighting equipment and skills.

One important aspect of the fight against insecurity is equipment and the Federal Government is not relenting in that regard.

For instance recently, President Bola Tinubu inducted two T129 Attack Combat Helicopters and one King Air Beechcraft 360ER mobility aircraft for the Air Force.

But many Nigerians think that these efforts are welcome but not good enough.

Mr Micheal Agboola, a civil servant, suggests that the government should provide adequate, functional, modern and sophisticated equipment for the security personnel.

Agboola said such equipment should include drones, cameras, and trackers.

Dr Kingsley Odafe, a banker, advised the implementation of toll-free emergency numbers for citizens to call in times of emergency.

Mrs Sikira Ahmed, a civil servant, also called on the federal government to deploy more military personnel to help protect Nigerians.

Over the years many Nigerians have advocated a review of the nation’s security structure to pave the way for state police.

The argument was that centralising policing business makes it difficult for governors, as the Chief Security Officers of their states to mobilise policemen in the face of emergency.

Some state governments and regions have adopted the proposal with modifications that make them not to be called police forces, at least in technical terms.

Consequently the Ebube Agu operates in the Southeat, the Ametekun in the Southwest and the Forest Guards of Benue, a kind of special force that polices the state’s forests and forest resources.

Already there are positive results as recently Amatekun was reported to have arrested no fewer than 149 suspected criminals in Ondo State.

The state commander of the corps, Mr Akogun Adeleye, said the suspects were apprehended at three Local Government Areas of the State.

“Whether you like it or not we need community police. It will be very good and effective. The likes of Amatekun and the hunters know the terrain very well.

“They also get information intelligence reports from members of the community on strange movements, people, and happenings within the community.

“So we need them to assist the security agencies in carrying out their duties”, said Mr Jibola Agboola “, a resident of the area

Similarly, Ms Sandra Igwe, an entrepreneur, threw her weight behind state police saying reports indicate that special corps such as Ebube Agu are doing well in complementing the efforts of security agencies.

“So I am an advocate of community policing as a way of ending insecurity in the country”, Igwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

These are the few suggestions given by the masses of Nigeria and we are all hoping the government takes active steps to look into how these suggestions can be implemented to ensure the safety of Nigerians.

Tibubu and the state governors at an emergency meeting at Council Chamber, Presidential Villa in February bought into state police as part of the solution to the security challenges.

Therefore, Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee comprising state governors and representatives of the Federal Government to, among other things, explore modalities for establishing state police.

Security experts advise synergy for Nigeria to come out insecurity quagmire.

“For you to have security you have to have the structure; you have to have the manpower.

For that to happen you have to have the motivation and the men; you have to have collaboration between the people and the security agencies vis-a-vis people and the government’’, the media recently quoted retired Brig.- Gen. Ikponmwen as saying.

Given its implications for food security, general well-being, education, health among others, relevant authorities should take appropriate measures to reduce insecurity in the country to the barest minimum. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)