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Reflection…DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH: WHAT WENT WRONG?

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6 months ago

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Reflection…DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH: WHAT WENT WRONG?

BY: YUSUF ADAMU

Growing up as an ‘almajiri’ boy in the early 60s, I was not subjected to the harsh condition being faced by many ‘almajiris’, I see today roaming the street in many northern states. I was living in my father’s house and only go to attend my Qur’anic School. The beauty of it all, ‘almajiris’, in those days, the ‘almajiri’ boy begs in the name of God (Ala’ro). Today, ‘almajiris’, no longer beg using the name of God. All they would say is, ‘we are hungry or we want money.

Recently, I was pondering on issues surrounding the backwardness of my dear North’. In every thing regarding development of this region, once great and mighty. While I was wondering on these issues, I was again confused following my brief chat with an ‘almajiri’ boy in between hours of my long day of worry over so many thing I could not give myself the answer that fetches any relief for me.

In my brief discussion with this lad, I ask him about his background and why at is aged, he was not living in his father’s house. His answers points to poverty, which is the only reasons an typical northerner can give in defense of his present circumstance. “I am from Katsina state, my father, Malam Garba Fori, is not working. My mother, is a petty trader – selling ‘Awara’.” He said.

Indeed, this pointed to nothing but poverty. But why are so many northern elites seemed relax with such an army of wanderers on every street in the north. Is it that, we have forgotten about our social responsibilities as a region?

After the Korean war, South Korea was one of the world’s poorest countries with only $64 per capita income. Economically, in the 1960s it lagged behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – currently holding
elections marred by violence . Since then the country’s fortunes have diverged spectacularly. South Korea now belongs to the rich man’s club, the OECD development assistance committee (DAC). The DRC has gone backwards since independence and, out of 187 countries, ranked bottom in the 2011 Human Development Index.

Thirty -five years ago, China’ s per capita income was only one- third of that of sub – Sahara Africa . Today , China is the world ‘ s largest manufacturing powerhouse : It produces nearly 50 percent of the world ‘ s major industrial goods , including crude steel (800 percent of the U .S . level and 50 percent of global supply ) , cement (60 percent of the world ‘ s production ) , coal ( 50 percent of the world ‘ s production ) , vehicles ( more than 25 percent of global supply ) and industrial patent applications ( about 150 percent of the U .S . level ) . China is also the world ‘ s largest producer of ships, high -speed trains , robots, tunnels , bridges , highways, chemical fibers , machine tools , computers , cellphones , etc.

China ‘ s industrial revolution , which started 35 years ago, is perhaps one of the most important economic and geopolitical phenomena since the original Industrial Revolution 250 years ago. The reason is simple : Less than 10 percent of the world ‘ s population is fully industrialized ; if China can successfully finish its industrialization, an additional 20 percent of the world ‘ s population will be entering modern times . Along the way , China is igniting new growth across Asia , Latin America, Africa and even the industrial West , thanks to the country ‘ s colossal demand for raw materials , energy , trade and capital flows .
China ‘ s rapid growth has puzzled many people, including economists .

Production of natural rubber is concentrated in a few developing countries, with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India accounting for a substantial volume of the world’s exports. Rubber is easily grown in hilly terrain, and has been successfully established in degraded deforested areas, leading to improved land use and a reduction of erosion, siltation and flooding. Productivity has been enormously increased through improved varieties (including better quality rootstocks) and innovations in agronomic practices, including exploitation methods (e.g. low intensity tapping with chemical stimulation to optimize productivity), advanced planting material and micro-tapping (to reduce immaturity period), and other innovations such as high intensity planting.

Palm oil production in Asia amounts to more than half of world production, with Malaysia, Indonesia and now Thailand accounting for the major share. Much progress has been made, particularly in Malaysia, in the addition of value to their products through further processing of palm oil into semi-finished and finished products. Oil palm is the most efficient producer of vegetable oils (500 percent better than soya beans), giving it greater resilience to adverse price changes.

There are prospects of even higher productivity now that improved varieties (clonal planting material) have been introduced, with a good possibility that oil quality characteristics will improve. Over the years there has been expansion of oil palm areas and intensification of downstream processing activities, largely with import substitution objectives.

Coconut is another major perennial oil crop in Asia, accounting for more than two-thirds of the world’s production. Major coconut producers are the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Coconut plantations in the region are characterized by low productivity, though efforts were made in the 1980s to improve productivity gains through the introduction of improved varieties (hybrid planting material), better use of inputs, and inter-cropping (including livestock).

In most countries, at present, marketing structures focus on oil extraction and by-product utilization. Considerable initiatives have been made to enhance productivity through improved input use, expansion of processing facilities and support of extension and research institutions.

After the Nigerian civil war, the Igbo’s were given stipend to start their lives all over, and today, the Igbo’s are the movers and shakers of the Nigeria’s economy. The north, in the 60s compare to all the countries mention above is greater. With purposeful leadership, the north is known for its farming and an upcoming revolution in agriculture, commerce and trade. However, so sad that, today, the north is reduce to a begged region. So, the question is, what went wrong?

Reflection…DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH: WHAT WENT WRONG?

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VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election

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10 hours ago

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November 13, 2024

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VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election

*** Says President Tinubu fully behind gov to sustain APC’s commitment to their well-being

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored the people of Ondo State to re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, assuring that the duo will bring hope, prosperity, unity and ensure the sun continues to shine brighter in the Sunshine State.

Specifically, the VP told the electorate in the state to ensure their votes collectively become their voice, conviction and message to those underestimating the strength and will of the state.

Senator Shettima gave the charge on Wednesday while addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, for the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in the state capital ahead of the gubernatorial election.

His words: “Governor Aiyedatiwa is not merely campaigning to hold onto a position—he is campaigning to bring hope, prosperity, and unity to every corner of Ondo State. I am confident he is the leader who can turn these ambitions into realities.

“This election is more than a choice between two candidates. It is a choice between progress and stagnation, between unity and division. It is a chance to stand with a party that has consistently delivered and with a leader who truly understands the heartbeat of Ondo.

“So, as you go to the polls, remember what we stand for. Remember what you deserve: a governor with the experience, the compassion, and the strength to keep pushing Ondo toward greatness. Let’s secure Ondo’s future together. Let’s vote APC, and let’s re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”

Extending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of the state, VP Shettima said the President who is fully in support of Aiyedatiwa is confident that the Governor’s re-election will sustain the commitment of the governing APC to the people’s well-being.

“Today, I bring you the goodwill of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who would have loved to be here today but is currently engaged in securing critical development and investment opportunities for our nation at a summit in Saudi Arabia. Yet, he is with us in spirit, and he has fully endorsed the Aiyedatiwa-Adelami ticket as the torchbearers of prosperity for Ondo State,” he stated.

The Vice President urged the people of Ondo to look beyond what he described as “distractions and the noise from the usual suspects,” even as he told them to “look instead at the integrity and stability the APC has brought to this state.

“Look at the work we’ve done to strengthen our economy, even if the gains may not always be immediately visible. And consider the real, practical solutions the APC offers to make the sun shine brighter in Ondo State,” he added.

Palpably elated by what he termed “the passion” in the faces of the teeming APC supporters in the state, Shettima said he would have asked Governor Aiyedatiwa to return home and wait for them to deliver their mandate to him, adding however that the moment of the campaign grand finale was necessary “to celebrate ahead of election day.

The VP further described Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as men of exceptional courage and leaders who have been tested by challenges that would have deterred many, noting that the Governor “has shown remarkable resilience in building a formidable force for the APC here in Ondo.

“From overcoming politically motivated attacks to uniting our great party, he has proven himself not just a survivor but a leader who stands strong for the good people of the Sunshine State,” he further noted.

Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State and candidate of the APC for the Saturday governorship election, Aiyedatiwa, urged the people to vote for APC.

After asking the mammoth crowd which party they would vote for, and receiving a resounding cheers from the people, he said, “The former Governor of blessed memory, Rotimi Akeredolu, would be happy seeing all of you vote APC to win the election.”

Aiyedatiwa said the late Governor once told him that he would succeed him, and would be glad to see this happen come next Saturday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa observed a minute silence in the late Akeredolu’s honour, telling the crowd that while he was not out to engage in a long statement, the citizens could as well attest to the level of development happening in the state, even as he promised that by the time he returns, he will do his best.

In his remarks, National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, vowed that “by the grace of God come Saturday the 16th of November, Governor Aiyedatiwa will win the gubernatorial election.”

He asked the people of Ondo to come out en masse and vote for Aiyedatiwa, adding that “a vote for the Governor is a vote for unity, a vote for peace and a vote for development.

At the end of his remarks, Ganduje invited Vice President Shettima to hand over the party’s flag to the Governor and candidate of the party.

Earlier, the Vice President had paid homage to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in his palace where he commended the royal father for preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom for many centuries.

VP Shettima said Akure stands proudly as a testament to the greatness that lies in heritage and unity, adding that the kingdom had long been inspiring the nation.

“This place of gathering and governance, preserved across centuries, serves as a pillar of cultural integrity and continuity. The enduring structure of this palace, a monument over 850 years old, is a reminder that Akure’s strength and grace remain constant through generations,” he stated.

Responding, the traditional ruler commended President Tinubu’s administration for his recent approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital in Akure.

“His Excellency, the Vice President, help me to convey my appreciation to the President; he just approved our teaching hospital. Akure is the only state capital that doesn’t have a teaching hospital. The president has just approved it last week. So, help me convey our gratitude to him sir,” the royal father said.

He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving a five per cent monthly allocation for traditional rulers in the state, imploring the people of Akure to vote massively for the APC in next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Also present at the campaign rally were Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Secretary of APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, among many other dignitaries.

VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election

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DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY

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10 hours ago

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November 13, 2024

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DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY

By: Our Reporter

As part of the Nigerian Army’s (NA) commitment to Civil-Military intervention programs, the Commander 18 Brigade NA, Brigadier General Taiye Ahmed, on 12 November 2024, presented a cheque of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) to Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya, a beneficiary of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Scholarship Scheme for Indigent Students 2024.

The presentation took place at 18 Brigade, Litani Barracks Bida, Niger State. Brigadier General Ahmed in his remarks, congratulated Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya on her selection, acknowledging her dedication and potentials. He stated that the COAS Special Scholarship Scheme is a key initiative aimed at offering financial supports to deserving indigent students to help them achieve their academic aspirations ,particularly tertiary education. Brigadier General Ahmed emphasized that the NA is a gender-sensitive institution dedicated to supporting both male and female students who show promises and dedication.

He further highlighted that the scholarship program underscores the NA’s broader commitments to community welfare, contributing to the upliftment of young Nigerians and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder capable minds from realizing their potentials. During the ceremony, a minute silence was observed in honor of the Late COAS Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM,underscoring the Army’s enduring respect and remembrance for its fallen leader who was the initiator of the Scholarship Progeamme.

The event was widely attended by a cross section of dignitaries from the local community , including local authorities, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies as well as the media. The Representative of the Etsu Nupe and the Local Government Chairman in their separate remarks, praised the NA for yet another highly impactful gesture for societal development and encouraged Miss Binta to remain dedicated to her studies.

The Beneficiary, Miss Binta Abubakar Yahaya (an orphan) who hails from Bida Local Government Area and a student of the Department of Business Administration, at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger state, expressed her deep gratitude to the NA and pledged to work hard in her studies to honor the trust and privilege granted to her. The high points of the event was the presentation of the cheque to Miss Abubakar Yahaya and souvenirs to the invited guests.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR COAS SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INDIGENTS STUDENT 2024 BY COMMANDER 18 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY

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NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee

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11 hours ago

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November 13, 2024

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NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee

By: Our Reporter

Borno state Flood Relief Disbursement Committee has taken delivery 970, 50kg bags of rice and 3,470 cartons of spaghetti from the Nigeria-Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG).

Receiving the items on behalf of Borno State government, chairman of the committee Engineer Ba Bukar Gujbaw thanked NLGN for the support.

He assured that the items donated will be used for the purpose intended.

Managing Director and chief Executive officer Nigeria-Liquified Natural Gas NLNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila said the items was to cushion the impact of the September 10 flood disaster.

Represented by the Head, Government relations, Mr Philip Yakubu, the team handed over the food items and conveyed their message of condolence to the government and people of the state over the huge loss.

Mr Yakubu said they were in the state to assist the government and NGOs in returning the people back to their normal lives.

The NLNG team were at the flood relief distribution centre and also the palace of His royal highness the shehu of Borno Dr Abubakar Garbai El-kanemi to pay homage and receive blessings.

NLNG donates 970 bags of rice, 3,740 cartons of spahagetti to Borno Flood Committee

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