Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda was the last of Africa’s ‘philosopher kings’ by Nic Cheeseman Sishuwa Sishuwa

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s “founding father” and first president, has died in a military hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s “founding father” and first president, has died in a military hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia. Aged 97, he was the last of the generation of leaders who secured independence for their countries from colonial rule and went on to govern through their own distinctive political and economic philosophies. Like the continent’s other “philosopher kings” — Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Senegal’s Leopold Senghor — Kaunda’s vision for Zambia’s post-colonial future left a profound imprint on society that lasted well beyond his time in power. He will be remembered variously as a freedom fighter who supported liberation struggles across Southern Africa, a nation-builder who avoided divide-and-rule politics, a bad economist who presided over decades of decline, a repressive leader who enforced an unpopular one-party state and an elder statesman who peacefully accepted defeat having lost the 1991 general elections. He was all of these things, embodying both strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures. Yet above all, he is likely to be remembered, against the backdrop of his often corrupt and repressive successors, as a man who was ultimately willing to put the national interest ahead of his own. The rise to power Kaunda, popularly known as KK, was born in Chinsali to parents who were teachers; and, significantly, to a father who came from what is now Malawi. This gave Kaunda a distinctive position in Zambian political life. On the one hand he hailed from an area dominated by the Bemba and spoke the Bemba language, and so could effectively mobilise one of the country’s largest ethnic groups. On the other hand, his mixed heritage encouraged him to stay above ethnic politicking and to seek to balance the representation of different groups in his cabinet. Having initially followed in his parents’ footsteps as a teacher, Kaunda resigned in 1951 to become the organising secretary of the Northern Rhodesian ANC in the Northern Province. In time, he became disillusioned with the moderate stance of ANC leader Harry Nkumbula and quit in 1958 to set up the rival Zambian (ZANC). This new political vehicle, which argued for rapid decolonisation, was quickly shut down by the colonial government, and Kaunda was imprisoned for nine months. Upon his release, and with a reputation bolstered by the time that he had spent in jail, Kaunda took up the leadership of the United National Independence Party, which had been formed while he was in detention. By pushing a more radical message and developing a strong structure in urban areas along the line of rail, UNIP quickly eclipsed the ANC and so it was Kaunda who emerged as the country’s first Prime Minister and then President following independence in 1964. In power, Kaunda sought to strike a delicate balance by not offending the country’s powerful trade unions — which frequently demanded improvements in pay and conditions — international donors, who wanted to see a reduction in government spending, its religious leaders who exerted a strong influence over Zambian hearts and minds, and the country’s different ethnic groups, each of which feared being outmanoeuvred by the others. The multiple compromises this resulted in are well demonstrated by his professed ideology, Zambian humanism, which was leftwing without being explicitly socialist, focused on the struggle for human progress without being “godless”, and was community minded while rejecting the principle of tribalism. This was not simply a political manoeuvre — Kaunda really did believe in these things, and was in many ways more of a moderate than his counterparts elsewhere on the continent. Yet, in consistently trying to balance these competing pressures, Kaunda risked pleasing no one. He failed to make the country less dependent on copper, but this didn’t stop damaging trade union strikes. Meanwhile, leaders from the Bemba rejected his efforts at ethnic balancing, complaining that they had not been sufficiently rewarded for the prominent role that they played in securing independence. As economic conditions worsened, the greatest threat to UNIP was not defeat by the ANC, but rather that a group of Kaunda’s supposed allies would break away to challenge his rule. When his long-time friend and former vice-president, Simon Kapwepwe, left to form the United Progressive Party (UPP), Kaunda realised that a UPP/ANC alliance might defeat UNIP, and so began proceedings to introduce a one-party state in 1972. Freedom fighter Kaunda officially justified the one-party state on the basis that it was necessary because the country was at war. This was self-serving, because the real motivation was domestic not international, but it contained an element of truth. Kaunda had offered support to liberation movements in Southern Africa, offering fierce criticism to foreign leaders who supported white minority rule such as Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, and so feared attacks from apartheid South Africa. Zambia also suffered in other ways. When sanctions were placed on Ian Smith’s Rhodesia, it cut off landlocked Zambia from important trading routes, making a challenging economic situation even more difficult. Initially Kaunda and UNIP’s legitimacy as nationalist heroes allowed them to ride this out but, as the economy continued to suffer, popular support ebbed away and the government was increasingly forced to use repression instead of cooptation and persuasion. Some dissidents were beaten and locked up,others fled the country. By the late 1980s, Kaunda had run out of ideas, UNIP’s official structures were little more than a fiction, and the one-party state was on borrowed time. A leader reborn This is the point at which most incumbent leaders agreed to reintroduce multiparty politics only to use violence, censorship, and intimidation to manipulate the polls and stay in power. But Kaunda took a different path, and in so doing revived his reputation. UNIP tried to manipulate the elections but without the repression seen in places such as Kenya and Togo. The result was a landslide defeat, after which Kaunda gracefully accepted defeat and congratulated his successor. That act allows Zambians to remember KK as a leader who twice put the national interest before his own — in the 1960s and in the 1990s. The relatively poor performance of the leaders who succeeded him only served to boost his political rehabilitation. His immediate replacement, Frederick Chiluba, stole hundreds of millions of dollars and tried to use the fact that Kaunda had Malawian ancestry to claim he was not really Zambian and bar him from contesting the 1996 general election. Viewed against the backdrop of current President Edgar Lungu, who stands accused of dividing the country while mishandling the economy and rigging elections, Kaunda’s record appears to be considerably more impressive. The memory of Kaunda as a nation-builder will also be sustained by the contrast between his manner and the brash style of the contemporary political class. Despite being a national liberation hero, Kaunda never lost his human touch. We interviewed him and saw at first hand his modest lifestyle and lack of pretension. It was a reminder of a less cynical and more idealistic time when leaders were not assumed to be corrupt, arrogant and flashy. As some of those who have taken to social media to share their thoughts on his death have pointed out, it was characteristic of Kaunda that at a time when so many of Africa’s elite fly to the United States or India for medical treatment, he was treated and died in a Zambian hospital. When Zambians observe 21 days of national mourning, they will not just be grieving for KK, but also for a lost era of hope, national pride and human dignity.

Baba Buhari: Benign bullying or battering? (1) By John Ekundayo

“The national interest is predetermined by geopolitics or the history of a country. Important political leaders never just followed their interests – they were concerned about the interests of their people.” – Joseph Nye, Harvard University, emeritus professor of political science Universally, and in Nigeria’s context, the family is headed by a father. It is almost in our lexicon both in the north and south, to refer to the number one person in the family as Baba. In the context of this column, ab initio, Nigeria is viewed with a metaphoric lens depicting it as a particular large and extended family comprising so many children with Baba as the head of the house. The house has felt the absence of the father for some time with many underlying cases that need attention on the table. However, Baba, in his own perspective, seemingly has competent and capable aides to put the house in order. Hence, nobody should sound to be an alarmist as there is nothing to worry about since he was getting adequate and regular feedback from these spokespersons. Alas, the children of the house seemingly exasperated cried out to hear, see and feel their Baba probably his fatherly disposition laced with empathy will sooth their pain and angst! To the majority of them who thought they knew their Baba in and out, they are in sync with the thought of Malcolm X who opined: “You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” In essence, the Baba they know will call a spade a spade thereby putting the house in order otherwise the house might turn into a “house of commotion”! Baba, finally appears! The long-awaited time has come! The household was packed with expectations. However, rather than Baba emphatically listening to the whole house, it was seemingly like vouching and rooting for one section of the big family held together by multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious ties. Afterall, it was John F. Kennedy, former USA President, that stated that “the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” It was the rational thinking of some brothers within the family that Baba will adjudicate fairly and build trust and confidence in the clan again. It was obvious to the others within the family that Baba’s prejudice or predisposition, at whatever cost, for her preferred son is to be dignified by the others whether they like it or not. Objectivity was thrown to the winds with Baba’s obsession for his beloved son who has virtually wronged most members of the clan with impunity. Baba’s Interviews and Backlash This allegory or metaphor depicted above captured Baba Buhari’s interviews, both on Arise Television and NTA. Most Nigerians were jolted to reality and the interviews seemingly did more damage within the polity rather than healing hurts and providing succour for some Nigerians who have suffered losses as a result of banditry and criminal herdsmen’s horrendous acts. It is imperative that the confidants and close friends of the president let him know this. This is my perception as an informed follower within the polity. Without mincing words, the interviews seemingly bully or batter the psychic of many citizens across the country, albeit benignly! It is high time that someone very close to Baba summoned enough courage to let him know the genuine feelers and feedback at the grassroots regarding the true state of the country regarding open grazing and devolution of powers otherwise referred to as restructuring. The southern states governors, aftermath of Baba’s interviews, have vowed not to rescind their stand and stake (11th May Asaba Declaration) especially on ban on open grazing as it is in tune with the 1999 Constitution. How do we get out of this conundrum? Baba Buhari should be fatherly in content, conduct and context to keep the filial bond intact. Bullying and Battering Baba Buhari as the head of the family need not be reminded that the safety and security of his household is paramount as one of his onerous duties and no one member should be threatened whether within or without as it is presently happening almost on a daily basis. Is Baba aware that there are foreign herders who foment friction and fights resulting in loss of limbs and lives all over the country incessantly? The interviews, seemingly made Nigerians to decipher Baba Buhari’s heart for open grazing referring to an archaic and antiquated gazelle of the first republic (later found to be published in 1964 under the laws of the northern region unknown to the 1999 constitution). This is seemingly like bullying the governors of the southern states to submission as the president has spoken! It is on record that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, consented to the communique of the southern governors on ban on open grazing. Benue State already has a law banning open grazing even at the threat to Governor Ortom’s life! In addition, with cacophonies of calls for secession, this is the best time to rejig and rethink restructuring as enshrined in the APC manifesto. Can APC as a party deny this? Finally, in the NTA’s interview, Baba gave a tacit nod to devolution of power referring agitators to approach the National Assembly on the constitution amendment. However, there are about 200 bills, according to the Punch newspaper publication of 30th March 2021 awaiting the president’s assent! Can Baba be trusted that any proposed amendment will be signed into law before this regime expires on 29th May 2023 especially as per electoral matters, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, etc. Conclusion Conclusively, the feelers as expressed by many citizens including elder statesmen (Edwin Clark, Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Olu Adebanjo, etc.) aftermath of Baba Buhari’s interviews, are nothing to cheer about. Moreover, the implication for his party, APC, is also dire as 2023 beckons! He should know that he is not the president of the north. The President and his men in the corridor of power should wake up to reality. Succinctly stated, the north of 2015 and 2019 is not the same as that of 2021! Baba is not also the president of the Fulanis even though in the words of the noble laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Baba Buhari, is their patron. In the words of Soyinka, it is high time he told the herdsmen their business should be done with decency depicting the present age and not apparently endangering citizens’ lives. In his interview with BBC, the noble laureate stated that he could no longer live in his beloved house as the herdsmen found the place so alluring for unrestricted grazing. What has the government done to this? Any hope for myriads of ordinary citizens in Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, Oyo, etc. who, or their loved ones, have been killed, kidnapped, raped by rabid herdsmen; had their houses razed and farmlands rampaged? It is instructive to point out that trust is a currency needed by leaders to engage with followers in a dynamic influential relationship in order to ensure accomplishing mutual outcomes. Dare one say that this trust is waning across some sections of the country? Baba Buhari, as the father of this house, called Nigeria, should be reminded of the words of Aristotle: “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” Time is ticking! A stitch in time saves nine!! Nigeria needs a pathway of peace to progress!!! Dr. Ekundayo, J. M. O., can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

THREAT TO ATTACK DELTA: Dein of Agbor visits Presidency to express concern By Emma Amaize

His Majesty, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, has stormed the Presidency in Abuja to lodge his concerns over the warning by unidentified Fulani Jihadists to cause mayhem at Agbor and Asaba, the state capital, over Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s strong support for the ban against open grazing of cattle ratified by Governors of the 17 Southern States. The Agbor monarch confirmed to Vanguard, yesterday, that he met weekend, with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari to discuss the threat, general insecurity in the country, and proffer solutions. Dein of Agbor, who just returned from overseas, is expected to continue with further consultation on the way out with Governor Okowa, who he said “has been an amazing example of humility, wisdom and fortitude as he continues to pilot the affairs of Delta.” He was very appreciative of the early support and prayers already received from the new, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah. The Chief of Staff, disturbed by the threats by faceless Jihadists, as narrated by the monarch, called for understanding and support by all so that the hydra-headed issue of insecurity facing the country could be addressed once and for all. He, however, expressed his strong confidence in the capacity of the President to find a lasting solution to the insecurity situation in the country; and assured the monarch that the Delta State situation, and particularly that of Agbor, were not being taken lightly. Both front-runners shared their thoughts on the many possible ways of tackling the insecurity situation, and agreed that there was urgent need to bring all stakeholders together for a peaceful and meaningful dialogue. Professor Gambari assured His Majesty that he would continue to contribute his quota in the Presidency by doing the job expected of him. He also assured him that he would continue to preach and promote peaceful co-existence among all the sub-national parts of the country, as well as implore leaders at that level to collectively take measures to restore law and order in their states, as well as the safety of citizens and visitors. They agreed that lessening the fear, tension and uncertainties in the country are crucial, as it will afford the Federal Government the much desired environment to seek for lasting solution to the worrying state of insecurity. They discussed other issues of concern in the country, including the state of the economy and social infrastructure. ALSO READ: COVID 19: Nigeria receives $1m equipment from Saudi Arabia However, they agreed that for government to make significant impact in the economy, there was need to restore confidence that Nigeria is still safe to do business in. While thanking the Chief of Staff for his unalloyed patriotism to Mr. President and the country, HM stressed “the need for all citizens to join hands towards the reduction of tension and uncertainties that pervade the nation.” “I thank the elders, men, women and youths of Agbor as well as the various tribes and people that have made Agbor their home, including the Hausa and Fulani communities for showing such restraint, trust and confidence in him in the face of the threat. I enjoin you all to continue to support him in the rebuilding of Nigeria.” The Dein also expressed gratitude also to the DSS, Commissioner of Police, Delta state, Ari Mohammed Ali, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Agbor, Rex and especially Ime Udofia whom he referred to as an exceptional Area Commander “for his stern but peaceful approach to the security situation under his command.” Vanguard News Nigeria

Moghalu charges Ndigbo to look beyond Buhari, explains why secession will fail By Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Ibrahim Obansa (Lokoja)

Anambra guber aspirant bemoans leadership disconnect from citizens A former presidential candidate, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has charged Ndigbo to look beyond the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and plan towards repositioning the South East region beyond his era.

Insisting that the Buhari government would end in the next 23 months, he also stated that the current secession agitation might not succeed now due to several constitutional, international and other extraneous factors. Moghalu, who spoke on What Do The Igbo Want at the inauguration ceremony of the Igbonine Socio-Cultural Organisation in Enugu yesterday, insisted that although Ndigbo were committed to an indivisible Nigeria, time was ripe for the rest of the country to prove their commitment to a country anchored on equity, fairness and justice. Lamenting the situation of the Igbo since the end of the civil war, he stated that while the region had survived economically, Moghalu, who had declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election, said it had become difficult for the South East to survive politically, due to the psychological impact of defeat in the civil war. He said the situation had brought several choices on the people of the region including constitutional restructuring to true federalism with significant autonomy for regional or state governments, demand for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, secession (Biafra) and allowing the status quo to remain. Moghalu, who is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), argued that although restructuring was inevitable for Nigeria to survive, President Buhari’s public opposition to it would make it difficult to be realised during his time in office. On a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, Moghalu stated that it was essential to stabilise the country and secure full reconciliation after the Nigeria civil war, regretting that the option was, however, under attack from some forces outside the South East region. He also decried the situation in which the two major political parties in the country-the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) were not committed to allowing a president from the South East region. IN a related development, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, yesterday, declared that one of the major challenges to the development and advancement in the country was the disconnect between government and the people. Moghalu, who is a governorship aspirant in the November 6, 2021, Anambra State gubernatorial election, disclosed this in Lokoja, Kogi State, while addressing journalists, maintaining that his mission was to restore the people’s confidence in governance through good leadership. “So, my mission mainly, is to restore confidence, restore the people’s confidence in government before infrastructure development.” The people will be willing to work with the government once their confidence is restored. It is about engagement. “When people see the honesty, commitment and dedication of their leaders, there is no way they won’t listen to the government. Insecurity, insurgence and other challenges will also attract my immediate concern,” he said. On his chances in the APC governorship primaries, he said: “I have offered myself and I know I have what it takes. I believe strongly that power belongs to God and he gives it to whosoever He pleases at His own time. I’m confident that by the grace of God, I will make it.”

Obasanjo contributed to Nigeria’s crisis, he should mind his utterances –Femi Adesina by Kayode Oyero

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo contributed to the current chaos in the country, adding that the ex-military general should mind his utterances. He stated this on Friday in a piece titled, ‘Nigeria’s Unity And All The Iberiberism’. Adesina wrote, “The sabre-rattling about Nigeria’s unity and the possibility of disintegration has got to the point of Iberiberism (a bastardised Igbo word which could mean stupidity). Some people have no other business than doomsday predictions of a crumbled, collapsed Nigeria, as if they actually fast and pray for that eventuality. “When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President between 1999 and 2007, they predicted that he was going to be the last President of a united Nigeria. It didn’t happen. When Umaru Yar’Adua came, they said he was too sick to hold Nigeria together. The country stood. “Under Goodluck Jonathan, they said the man was too weak, and different components of the country would soon say, ‘to your tents oh Israel.’ Nigeria survived. And for six years under Muhammadu Buhari, they have not changed their songs. The Somaliasation of Nigeria was on the way. The Fulanisation of the country would be the final death knell. But Nigeria lives. It trudges on from day to day, month to month, and will surely survive.” Adesina said though some people dwell on negativity, “some fathers of the land will not fold their hands and see Nigeria go down”. “Fortunately, we have one of them as President now. The young Muhammadu Buhari spent 30 months in the frontlines as a young army officer, fighting the war of unity. And he has said it: we will not be around and watch Nigeria go down. Never. We will rather speak to insurrectionists in the language they understand. “And what of Olusegun Obasanjo, a civil war hero. Despite all that he has contributed to the current upheavals by his actions and inactions, words and bile, he says it is idiotic to wish Nigeria disintegration now. Good. But let us put our money where our mouth is. Let Baba mind his thoughts, and his language,” the presidential spokesman added. “Nigeria will survive. The polity will endure. And the component parts will live together in amity and brotherhood. Any other option is Iberiberism,” he concluded. Obasanjo, a military head of state from February 1976 to September 1979, was Nigeria’s democratically elected president between May 1999 and May 2007.

No going back on grazing routes recovery – FG by Okechukwu Nnodim and Jesusegun Alagbe

Not all pastoralists can afford ranching –Agric ministry In spite of the overwhelming outcry against the plan to retrace and recover grazing routes across the country, the Federal Government is not showing signs of relenting. Saturday PUNCH findings revealed that stock routes, popularly called grazing routes, are currently being retraced and recovered by the Federal Government for herders to graze their cattle. The Federal Government said this was meant to address the clashes between herdsmen and farmers. Although some of the routes are believed to have been encroached upon due to human activities, Saturday PUNCH found out that the government had embarked on a process of identifying monuments along the routes in order to get them back as locations for cattle grazing. Contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians particularly in South that the grazing routes retracing and eventual recovery might not see the light of day, officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told one of our correspondents on Friday that the routes’ recovery would go on. They, however, said it would be done mainly in non-conflict zones. They also stated that routes that had been encroached upon as a result of the development of public infrastructure might be left out of the recovery exercise. The acting Director, Animal Husbandry Department, FMARD, Winnie Lai-Solarin, stated that while cattle ranching had been one of the major options canvassed for herders, not every pastoralist would be able to afford ranching at the moment. She said, “There are some stock routes that we have across the country, and in the past, we had monuments along these stock routes, particularly the primary stock routes. “And in the course of farming or other human activities along those stock routes, the monuments were altered, but we know where they are. So we are saying that some of them can be retraced. “And this is particularly for areas that are not encroached upon as of now. The pastoralists know the routes, and on some of those routes, you will see the pieces of the monuments along them.” Lai-Solarin added, “So for those that are not encroached upon and are not in conflict zones, we will go ahead to retrace and guide the pastoralists along them. We didn’t get to where we are today in one day and so we cannot expect that every pastoralist should suddenly start ranching now. “Some would still have to move but let’s keep the movement as safe as possible and in areas that are not conflict zones. That is what I am saying. We are not going to retrace stock routes where there are infrastructures that are for the public good.” Another official at the FMARD familiar with the development stated that the government was not happy with the killings associated with clashes between herdsmen and farmers. The official, who requested not to be named for lack of authorisation, explained that the stock routes were in three classes. The source said, “We need to create safe places that are easy for them (herders) to graze their cattle so that they won’t need to travel on the roads. We have primary and secondary stock routes and in some cases, we have tertiary stock routes.” Providing further explanation on the three classes of routes, the official said, “The primary stock routes are the major routes that run in a North-to-South direction from the Sahel to the coastal market. “And then, there are some major routes that run inter-state from the North, while others run intra-state.” The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, had announced on Thursday that the Federal Capital Territory and 22 states had registered for the National Livestock Transformation Plan as part of measures to establish grazing reserves in their domains. He also announced that seven of these states had earmarked 400,000 hectares of land for the initiative, as the establishment of grazing reserves were currently ongoing in Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Kaduna and some other states. “Twenty-two states and the Federal Capital Territory have registered with the NLTP office, out of which 10 states have created their own teams which have been trained by the federal office,” Nanono stated. He explained that seven of the 10 states earmarked about 19 grazing reserves for the implementation of the NLTP, with a total land size of approximately 400,00 hectares. The NLTP was designed by the Federal Government to address the lingering farmer-herder crisis across the country. The plan was inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2018 at the Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The plan was designed to run from 2019 to 2028 as a collaborative project among the federal and state governments, farmers, pastoralists, and private investors. In February 2021, the Federal Government said it had mapped out 30 grazing reserves across the country for the NLTP implementation. However, some states, especially in the south, had rejected the idea, saying they had no land to donate to the Federal Government for the initiative. They said any individual who wanted to go into ranching should rather look for land and buy. But in a new twist, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), during a recent interview with Arise Television, supported open grazing. He said he had directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to produce a gazette which delineated grazing routes in all parts of the country in the First Republic. The President stated, “What I did was to ask him (Malami) to go and dig the gazette of the First Republic when people were obeying laws. “There were cattle routes and grazing areas. Cattle routes were for when they (herdsmen) were moving upcountry, north to south or east to west. They had to go through there.” The President’s statement followed Malami’s recent criticism of Southern governors for banning open grazing, saying their action was like banning the sale of spare parts in the North. However, several Southern states and institutions like the Nigerian Bar Association and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum have faulted the President on the revival of old grazing routes. For instance, states including Ondo, Delta, Cross River, Enugu, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Oyo said there was no existence of a gazette which marked out grazing routes for cattle across the country. The state governments also insisted on the ban on open grazing despite the President’s opposition to it. Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru, insisted that there was no law on grazing routes in any part of Nigeria. Rather, the lawmaker said the law on grazing reserves recognised as a state law in the 1999 Constitution actually criminalised open grazing. The Osun Central Senatorial District Senator, who holds a doctoral degree in property law, gave the clarification in a statement personally signed by him titled, ‘No law of grazing routes in Nigeria: Either North or South.’ He stressed that modern animal husbandry practices remained the panacea to herders/farmers clashes in Nigeria. Basiru said, “The Grazing Reserves Laws in some states created from the former Northern Region of Nigeria are deemed to be state laws by Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “They have been adopted from the Grazing Reserve Law of Northern Region of Nigeria (NN Law of 1965), including CAP 3 Laws of Kwara State, CAP 56 Laws of Bauchi State and CAP 55 Laws of Katsina State. “On the case of these laws, it was expressly stated that they were adopted from northern Nigeria Laws of 1965. There is no provision for grazing routes as it is being claimed.” Basiru insisted that there had never been any federal legislation on Grazing Reserves and/or Grazing Routes in Nigeria, and northern region laws were not applicable everywhere in Nigeria. He said by the present constitutional provisions, such law could not be within the competence of the National Assembly. “However, what is ‘trade route’ was not defined in the law and there is no other reference to the term ‘trade route’ in the law. Under those laws, animals are only allowed to graze in the grazing reserve or ‘trade route,’” the Senate spokesperson added. Only four states ready for ranching –FG Meanwhile, of the over 20 states that have assented to the National Livestock Transformation Plan, the Federal Government says only four are ready for the scheme’s take-off. They are Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, and Kaduna states. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, Dr Andrew Kwasari, said before the end of June, the four states would receive the Federal Government’s counterpart funding of 51 per cent “We are finalising the processes in the four states that are ready – Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, and Kaduna. So the Federal Government is working on it. I’m sure by the end of the month, they will have it (counterpart funding),” Kwasari told Saturday PUNCH. He said the states that were ready to implement the NLTP would receive 49 per cent funding from the Federal Government. He said, “The Federal Government is working to support states and individuals in implementing the NLTP, which was approved by the National Council of Agriculture in conjunction with the National Economic Council. It’s basically to train the pastoralists in the technical skills they need to run ranches. That’s what we’re working on. “The Federal Government is providing 49 per cent funding, which is about N100bn. The remaining 51 per cent funding is to come from the private sector and development partners.” Asked if the Federal Government was reaching out to development organisations like the African Development Bank and World Bank to support the NLTP project, Kwasari answered in the affirmative. “They are all welcome. In Nasarawa State, we have already gotten a grant of €400,000 (N195m) from The Netherlands. The Federal Government is reaching out to multilateral and bilateral partners so that no stone is left unturned to ensure we close the funding gap. Considering the situation of the oil crisis and others, organisations like the World Bank and AfDB are welcome,” he said. PUNCH.

NDLEA arrest 244 suspects, convicts 21 within one year in A’Ibom By Bassey Anthony

The National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom Command said it has arrested 244 suspects and convicted 21 of them between July 2020 and June 2021. State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Obot Bassey, disclosed this during a press briefing marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2021 in Uyo on Monday. Obot said out of the 244 suspects arrested, 214 were male suspects and 30 were female suspects that were involved in various drug offences. She said that apart from the 21 convictions secured, 23 cases were still pending and were undergoing prosecution at different stages in Courts. The state commander added that a total of 600kg of drug were seized during the period, which included; Cannabis sativa, Cocaine, Heroin and Psychotropic substances. She said that efforts must be prioritised to sensitise and create awareness on the devastating consequences of drug abuse and Illicit trafficking on youths and society. “The data for the year under review shows that there is an increase in the number of seizures recorded as compared to 562kg of drug seized between July 2019 and June 2020,” she said. Obot called on youths to desist from using drug, stressing that the consequences of drug abuse could be devastating and damaging to the body organs. She added that impacts of illicit trafficking were severe and could lead to systemic crimes and violence in the society. “The consequences of drug abuse come in various ways. They may be in the form of physical consequences such as health challenges, organ damage or failures, injuries due to accidents, mental challenges due to depression and other psychological dysfunctions. “The impacts of illicit trafficking are severe. It may lead to systemic crime and violence becoming endemic in affected countries. Traffickers may also attempt to corrupt public officials to protect them from the law,” Obot said. The commander appealed to all Akwa Ibom people to remain drug free to derive optimal health, safety and security for sustained growth of socio economic development and general wellbeing. She commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom for a donation of a brand new Hilux vehicle to support the agency and other partners for their contributions.