I have declared my personal stand against the protest not because people are not hungry and angry but because it is obviously going to be hijacked and it will in the long run be counterproductive - Osifeko Mark Olaniyi

 

That said, I am surprised at the energy, resources and structure the government at all levels have put in place in the last week to ensure the protest doesn't hold. From the Federal Government, State Government to the Local Government and even Traditional institutions, so many meetings and sensitization has been held to forestall the protest which primarily is about rising cost of food and hunger. If this type of energy, resources and system has been put in place in the last 1 year of this administration to address the looming food crisis, we would not even be here today because most food stable in Nigeria mature in less than 1 year.

I have consistently vented my anger about the Minister of Agriculture who even me as an Agriculturist can't easily remember his name for not showing any serious commitment to tackle the situation. We can easily heap the blame on the President but the truth is a Minister who knows what he is doing should shine under Asiwaju who I know doesn't shut down good ideas. We all see what the Minister of Interior, Hon Tunji Ojo has been able to do with Nigeria's once chaotic International passport situation which he has now changed in less than 6 months. We also all see what the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi is doing in the ministry of works. All contractors now know you cannot take contracts and do a shady job. Why then is the Minister of Agriculture so sloppy and recalcitrant? He should come up with ideas that can change the whole situation in a few months and take it to FEC for approval.

The ministry of defense too must shore up it's architecture to ensure our farmers are protected on their farms because i have lost count of friends who have abandoned their farms due to either insecurity or high cost of production. 2 major crops drive the livestock industry (Maize and Soyabean), Nigeria has the capacity to produce these items but unfortunately, livestock farmers are paying through their nose to get them. Even imported fish meal is available and you can predict the price unlike the ones we locally produce in Nigeria.

Our Governors and council chairmen too need to sit tight and do something in their little capacity in the area of food production. I must commend Niger State Governor, Hon Umar Bago who is making long term investments in the area of Agriculture by deploying tractors, providing inputs and even getting directly involved in the process. His efforts recently attracted 3 world class institutions that have started forestation projects running into billions in the state. You know what that will readily attract to Niger State.

When we started the palliative last year, I said it should be a short term measure because it is not sustainable and we should rather focus on production and empowerment of farmers. The reality has dawned on us now because how many states or local government can still afford the palliative consistently? 

May wisdom prevail in our current situation.