It was a great tradition and never a luxury for every family in Ovim, Abia State: in the morning, give the boy/girl a FULL loaf of 15 kobo Ezioma bread with Peak milk, 2 cubes of St. Louis sugar, and Lipton, to blend. It was so affordable that it did not require a lot of prayers because those prayers have already been answered!

Then every big Oriendu Market day, Our Society Bread, produced by a legendary Ovim businessman, Chief Umunna, in far away Enugu, would also be available. He made the bread in Enugu, transported it to Ovim, but it was still cheaper in Ovim than what he was selling in Enugu! You begin with Ezioma, you upgrade to Our Society!

But those days have disappeared. Ezioma and Our Society Bread brands had since folded along with many other things. But today, we are reading that Nigeria wants to return to the old path – abundance of food on family tables:

“Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security, following soaring prices of food items in the country. The move follows increasing outcry by Nigerians over the rising cost of living that has made life in the country unaffordable for many.”

This is a good policy and Nigeria must make sure it works.  The #7 “Engagement of security architecture to protect farms and farmers” in the 17-point plan is right on the money. Good Luck, Nigeria.

The 17 steps are as follows:

1. Inclusion of food and water availability and affordability issues within the purview of the National Security Council.
2. Deployment of initiatives to reverse the inflationary trend and ensure future supplies of affordable foods.
3. Short-term strategy to use savings from fuel subsidy removal to revamp the agricultural sector.
4. Release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households (free) as immediate intervention.
5. Urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation and all-year-round farming.
6. Creation of a National Commodity Board to review food prices and maintain a strategic food reserve.
7. Engagement of security architecture to protect farms and farmers.
8. Role of the Central Bank in funding the agricultural value chain.
9. Activation of land banks and increase of available arable land for farming.
10. Collaboration with mechanization companies to clear more forests and make them available for farming.
11. Usage of river basins for irrigation to ensure continuous farming.
12. Deployment of concessionary capital/funding to the sector especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labor, etc.
13. Improvement of transportation and storage methods for agricultural products to reduce costs and food prices.
14. Increase in revenue from food and agricultural exports.
15. Improvement of trade facilitation by working with Nigerian Customs to remove bottlenecks.
16. Massive boost in employment and job creation in the agricultural sector.
17. Target to double the percentage of employment in agriculture to about 70% in the long term.

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: One of the reasons why “religious ignorance” thrives in Nigeria is because of bad leadership. In fact, most of the religious gatherings in Nigeria are organised for seeking the created than the creator. When there is an abundance of food, a lot of our religious jamboree and unnecessary prayers would stop.

Similarly, it’s not enough to declare a state of emergency on food. I wish to see words aligned with actions. Declaring a state emergency when farmers cannot transport their products to the city because of bad roads, a lot of tomatoes are spoiling because of the bad preservation process is like a roar of a toothless Lion.

We should move from vivid imagination to engaging in active and proactive measures. Till then, all political speech will be tagged propaganda and manifesto.

My Response: Sure – I did not write that in the context that it was praying for expectation. I wrote in the context that it had been given. In other words, those prayers were answered that “asking” moved to “thanking”.

Your statement “One of the reasons why “religious ignorance” thrives in Nigeria is because of bad leadership.” may not be correct. The most prosperous and most dynamic era in England was when it prayed most and was exceedingly religious. At the peak of the industrial revolution, England was the global leader in prayers, from John Wesley to all. In other words, they prayed and they had great leadership and they believed. Your statement is not factual.

Nigeria’s problem is not prayers. Our problem is that we do not practice the tenets of even what we pray for.

Comment 2: The news about Bola Tinubu declaring a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria is indeed a positive step. China did this years ago to revive the nerves of her economy. The rising cost of living and the struggles faced by many Nigerians make it crucial to address the issue promptly.

Please Dr, can you explain this to me, item 9.
Federal ministry of housing has land banks in over 26 locations in Nigeria. Lands are in the purview of state governors. Reason grazing path died. How is this going to end. States will reject releasing lands and money gone. pic.twitter.com/lA82WP7nqm

— Ahamefula J. A (@picklescloud) July 13, 2023

My Response: It depends on the way the program is implemented. You can still do that and put that under the domains of LGAs and states. It must not be by the federal government. I do not see any issue there.

Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security, following soaring prices of food items in the country. The move follows increasing outcry by Nigerians over the rising cost of living that has made life in the country unaffordable for many.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said the state of emergency will tackle the rising cost of food and tame food inflation.

“Today, we declared a state of emergency and unveiled a comprehensive intervention plan on food security, affordability, and sustainability, taking decisive action to tackle food inflation. These are steps towards a more food-secure Nigeria for all.

“Our new initiatives will tackle rising food costs, enhance agriculture, and boost job creation. No one will be left behind in our efforts to ensure affordable, plentiful food for every Nigerian,” the statement said.

Food inflation has risen to 24.82% as of May 2023, compounding the struggle of Nigerians to provide adequate food for their families.

Tinubu said his administration remains committed to ensuring every Nigerian has access to affordable food.

Under his ‘Comprehensive Intervention Plan for Food Security, Affordability, and Sustainability,” Tinubu outlined 17 steps his government will take to ensure food security, having “acknowledged that affordability, not availability, is the key issue for Nigerians.”

The 17 steps are as follows:

1. Inclusion of food and water availability and affordability issues within the purview of the National Security Council.

2. Deployment of initiatives to reverse the inflationary trend and ensure future supplies of affordable foods.

3. Short-term strategy to use savings from fuel subsidy removal to revamp the agricultural sector.

4. Release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households (free) as immediate intervention.

5. Urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation and all-year-round farming.

6. Creation of a National Commodity Board to review food prices and maintain a strategic food reserve.

7. Engagement of security architecture to protect farms and farmers.

8. Role of the Central Bank in funding the agricultural value chain.

9. Activation of land banks and increase of available arable land for farming.

10. Collaboration with mechanization companies to clear more forests and make them available for farming.

11. Usage of river basins for irrigation to ensure continuous farming.

12. Deployment of concessionary capital/funding to the sector especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labor, etc.

13. Improvement of transportation and storage methods for agricultural products to reduce costs and food prices.

14. Increase in revenue from food and agricultural exports.

15. Improvement of trade facilitation by working with Nigerian Customs to remove bottlenecks.

16. Massive boost in employment and job creation in the agricultural sector.

17. Target to double the percentage of employment in agriculture to about 70% in the long term.

The plan by the federal government of Nigeria to disburse N500 billion to 12 million households as a palliative measure to mitigate the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians, has stirred widespread criticism. 

The federal government got the approval of the House of Representatives on Wednesday to seek out the fund to be shared among the poorest Nigerian households as the cost of living soars, following a letter by President Bola Tinubu to that effect.

The lawmakers swiftly passed the amendment of the N819 billion Supplementary Appropriation Act, which the N500 billion will be drawn from. The lawmakers, who have asked for salary increase to cushion the effects of subsidy hardship, also approved N70 billion to support the “working condition” of new members.

The money is to be shared N8,000 monthly for 60 million people for the period of six months. 

But Civil Society groups have criticized the move, seeking instead a 300% upward review of minimum wage. The Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had earlier outlined for the government, measures it needs to implement to ameliorate the economic hardship that the subsidy reform has brought. 

The labor unions have called for the implementation of tax holidays for employees in both the public and private sectors who earn less than N200,000 or $500 per month. 

They have also emphasized the necessity of introducing a petrol allowance for individuals earning between N200,000 and N500,000 or $500 and $1,200 annually, whichever amount is higher.

Furthermore, the unions have demanded that the Nigerian government provide mass transit vehicles accessible to all segments of the population. They have also called for an immediate review of the National Health Insurance Scheme to extend coverage to a larger number of Nigerians.

In the medium term, the labor unions have urged the government to fulfill its previous commitment by implementing the nationwide deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The major concern of the labor unions, which most Nigerians share, is that the fund will be looted given the country’s pedigree of corruption. Many believe that the N500 billion will benefit Nigerians more if it is used to pay for petrol subsidy. 

They referenced ex-President Mohammadu Buhari’s humanitarian programs, such as TraderMoni, which involved disbursing money to poor Nigerians but were riddled with corruption, as a basis for their criticism.

“Like the Subsidy script now we have the Tradermoni script.

“1984 used subsidy and Tradermoni to scam Nigerians.

“The Illegal Govt in 2023 is now using the same Subsidy and Tradermoni script to scam Nigerians of Billions right before their eyes.

“Judiciary should wake up,” a Twitter user wrote.

like the Subsidy script now we have the Tradermoni script

1984 used subsidy and Tradermoni to scam Nigerians.

The Illegal Govt in 2023 is now using the same Subsidy and Tradermoni script to scam Nigerians of Billions right before their eyes

Judiciary should wake up https://t.co/tTK9dudmzL

— Niger Delta (@Franeb) July 13, 2023

“”Tinubu has been preparing to be President for 20 years, he is a master strategist, and he will change Nigeria for good.” Tunubu gets into office and immediately reactivates Buhari’s Trader Money, the only difference is that it is N8000 for households. Is this your strategist?” Kelvin Odanz asked.

"Tinubu has been preparing to be President for 20 years, he is a master strategist, he will change Nigeria for good."

Tunubu gets into office and immediately reactivates Buhari's Trader Money, only difference is that it is N8000 for households. Is this your strategist?

— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) July 13, 2023

“This is being done to; 1. Perpetuate a racket.

“2. Convince IMF, World Bank, USAID, DFID etc. “development economists” who will use data, no matter how bad, or contrived – to conduct “studies”, that something is being done about “poverty alleviation”,” Onye Nkuzi wrote.

This is being done to;

1. Perpetuate a racket.
2. Convince IMF, World Bank, USAID, DFID etc. "development economists" who will use data, no matter how bad, or contrived – to conduct "studies", that something is being done about "poverty alleviation". https://t.co/7vgLZfJJe1

— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 13, 2023

“Why not start with an effective transport system at a subsidized rate? Use Lagos and Abuja as a pilot…. Subsidize fertilizer, and built PHCs, rails, bridges, schools, and roads! Increase salaries of public servants by 100%! These are sustainable developments,” Taha Adam wrote.

Why not start with an effective transport system at a subsidized rate? Use Lagos and Abuja as a pilot…. Subsidize fertilizer, built PHCs, rails, bridges, schools and roads! Increase salaries of public servants by 100%! These are sustainable developments….!

— Taha (@TahaAdam_) July 13, 2023

“A lazy solution to a difficult problem. The first thing is to audit to see if the National Social Register of 15.7m people is not filled up with ghost people whose identities cannot be verified by NIN. Secondly, using virement to move funds from one line item to another thru a supplementary amendment is good when you fund something that is sustainable. 

“I understand that for the sake of optics, this might be politically expedient. But the President should understand that the $800m from the World Bank he is asking the National Assembly to approve is a loan the former minister of finance negotiated by staking 535m units (17.1%) of Nigeria’s special drawing rights at the International Monetary Fund with the International Development Association of the World Bank as collateral for an $800m loan. It makes sense to invest it,” Kelvin Emmanuel wrote.

is a loan the former minister of finance negotiated by staking 535m units (17.1%) of Nigeria's special drawing rights at the International Monetary Fund with the International Development Association of the World Bank as collateral for an $800m loan,

It makes sense to invest it

— Kelvin. (@realkelvin07) July 13, 2023

Besides criticism that N8,000 per month will do little to ameliorate peoples’ suffering, there is concern that there is no way to ensure that the fund will get to the “poorest Nigerians” due to lack of reliable data.

Socio-Economic, Transparency & Accountability Project (SERAP) said it is “issuing an FoI request to compel the Tinubu administration to publish details of the proposed transfer of N8,000 monthly to 12 million poor households for six months, such as the list of intended beneficiaries, how they will be selected, and the methods of payments.”

The civil rights group also asked the federal government to “immediately withdraw the unlawful allocation of N70 billion to the National Assembly” or face legal action.