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Reflection…DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH: WHAT WENT WRONG?

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?
News
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has commenced investigation into the sudden death of a 20-year-old fresh graduate of Information Technology from Babcock University, Ilisan Remo.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Akawa Boluwatife Samuel, was brought to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital by his roommates on Wednesday and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
Police detectives who visited the scene said one of the deceased’s roommates, Adili Leonard Chimdindu, disclosed that Boluwatife had complained of cold and difficulty in breathing on July 27, and was advised to visit the University Medical Centre.
According to him, they were on campus to complete their clearance process ahead of graduation, and the deceased had planned to return home soon.
He further stated that the deceased was in good spirits the previous night and played games on his laptop until around 11:00 p.m. He was, however, found unresponsive by morning.
Photographs of the deceased were taken, and the statement of his elder brother, Akawa Toluwanimi John, was recorded.
The body has been deposited at the university morgue for autopsy and preservation, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
News
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
By: Michael Mike
The Waziri Mushere and community leader in Plateau, Chief Yohana Margif has raised alarm over terrorists’ current occupation of seven villages in Mushere community after displacing the inhabitants from their ancestral homes.
Margif in a statement issued on Friday, expressed his shock over the new development, and listed the occupied villages as Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor and Margif.
According to him, the seven communities, which are all in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state were recently attacked and ravaged by the terrorists, who killed many of the inhabitants and displaced thousands.
He said that for over three months now, the beleaguered communities had been under relentless terrorist attacks and siege, forcing them to flee their incestral homes to take shelter at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.
Margif said that the Fulani invaders, who have taken over their villages, are shockingly building their tents with their cattle gracing on their farms with impunity.
He noted that this was in spite of the state government’s claim that no part of the state was under terrorists’ occupation.
He said: “Am still in a state of shock by the governor’s claim that no part of Plateau State is under the control of bandit terrorists.
“My people have been forced to live in the wilderness at this critical period of the year when they are supposed to be in their farms.
“The terrorists who were previously called unknown gunmen are now known, as they have now set up tents in our lands on which their cattle are grazing, which is visible for everybody to see,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain and gubernatorial hopeful, who lost his bid for the Plateau State governorship seat in the 2023 elections, stressed that terrorists who have built tents and are openly carrying guns around can no longer be regarded as unknown.
He said that the reality on ground contradicted the governor’s assertion as these communities have been practically and brazenly taken over by terrorists, who have usurped their lands and livestock.
“Enough is enough of this, government has abdicated its responsibility of protecting its citizens for too long.
“Now that the terrorists’ identity is known, let the relevant authorities direct the security agencies to go after them, so that our people can return to their ancestral homes.
“The Plateau State government must take immediate and decisive actions to restore peace and security of the communities because the people deserve protection, justice and the right to live in their ancestral homes without fear,” he emphasised.
Margif suggested that government should immediately direct security agencies to flush out the terrorists from the seven affected communities and smoke them out of their well-known sanctuaries in surrounding hills.
He also urged relevant authorities to take decisive steps to address the humanitarian challenges by providing relief to the distraught inhabitants who are currently taking shelter at lDP camps.
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
News
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on Friday urged corps members deployed to the state to contribute meaningfully to its development during their service year.
He made the call while declaring open the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Akko Local Government Area.
The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Inuwa Ibrahim, described corps members as critical stakeholders in nation-building.
Yahaya noted that the immediate past set of corps members had contributed significantly through community development projects, youth mentorship, and empowerment programmes.
“As you serve in Gombe State, I encourage you to be part of our developmental process, contributing to the transformation of our state and the empowerment of our youth.
“Your predecessors did well in nation-building, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue on this positive path,” he said.
He assured the corps members of a safe and conducive environment to enable them serve effectively and impact their host communities positively.
“Gombe State is a safe haven, and we guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” Yahaya added.
In her remarks, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, the NYSC State Coordinator in Gombe, urged the 940 corps members to participate actively in all camp activities as a foundation for their service year.
She encouraged them to adhere to camp rules, shun negative behaviour, and uphold the core values of the NYSC.
Nwachuku also appreciated the Gombe State Government, stakeholders, and residents for their continued support and commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme in the state.
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
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