TuesdayRapAround: Of Rodents, Snake, Monkey And Cows

Of Rodents, Snake, Monkey And Cows By Michael Ayotunde 

The animals, indeed, are taking the centre stage as far as Nigeria’s political, economic arena is concerned.

Now you see them at the highest office in the land, the Aso Rock; ministry of Finance, Abuja, JAMB office and even the hallowed chamber of the Senate is not spared, not to talk of farm lands.

We should also not forget in a hurry the Hyenas and jackals – with everyone now fighting for space and attention.

With the emergence of these animals on Nigeria’s socio-political scene, it is only fair that due recognition and tribute is paid to Mr. Nnamdi Kanu for the revelations he had while the heat regarding Biafra/ IPOB was at its peak. Kanu stylishly described Nigeria as a zoo – which laterally means animal kingdom.

Last year shortly after Buhari returned from one of his long vacations in the UK, one of his media aides, Garba Shehu was widely quoted to have said rodents had taken over the President’s Office in Abuja (a prototype of the famous US Oval Office in the White House) – as reason for the president’s inability to resume work at his official office.

There was also the snake-swallowing-money as much as 36 million (CASH) and next to that, we hear that a monkey equally took or stole 70 million naira. Whether these are for jokes or not, it shows a lot of things about Nigeria. We don’t seem to realize that the world is speedily advancing but what we care about is snakes in the monkey shadow.

Suddenly but steadily Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock among committee of nations. As things unfold lately, we shouldn’t be surprised in the nearest future to see cows joining queue on Election Day (either to vote or be voted for) – does this sounds amusing? That is the home truth. Of course, we have seen cows using pedestrian bridges (a public facility for human usage in most city centres); they have besieged entrance to the Ministry of Finance, in Abuja; they have displaced children from their classrooms; chased away workers from one of the council areas in Akure; competing with aircraft on the runway – the list is endless.

As if that’s not enough, those in authority never give a damn, because to them, it is the way to go. Welcome to animal kingdom! More drama surely will still unfold in the coming days, weeks.

On the intervention of animals in the affairs of men, is there any justification? Some school of thoughts are of the view that successive leaders, administrations have reneged, and failed woefully in their respective statutory responsibilities, which is why everyone is all out to lay hold on whatever each can grab – with animals not exempted from the mad rush.

Without doubt, several mini-wars are raging in Nigeria all at once and many more might erupt as news flashes of real and imagined Fulani herdsmen attacks on communities across the country reach us daily. The killings in Benue, Southern Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, Plateau and other communities across the country have continue unabated. Farms are destroyed, crops lost, property burnt and the incentive to plant anew dwindles each passing day. Yet, the Federal Government of Nigeria is not addressing the economic consequences of the widespread conflict.

Sadly too, its officials in the mould of Inspector-General of Police, Defence Minister have been unable to exhibit clear sense of appreciation of the situation at hand, let alone proffer lasting solution to the challenges.

The Osinbajo Committee, reluctantly put together by General Muhammadu Buhari has been described as “irrelevant, diversionary, unconstitutional, and a mere face-saving tactics by the president” among other derogatory characterizations. Instead of being sincere, alive to its responsibility, and allow others more qualified to tackle the monster problem which the FG has created for itself, the government of the day is busy speaking from both sides of the mouth, promising heaven and earth to nail the monster once and for all, without actually making any concise move to address the challenges. Yet, the implications for food insecurity, deepening poverty and more socio-economic instability are as grave as the political damage being done nationwide.

It was so glaring the president was railroaded into taking a decision on the killer herdsmen. But unfortunately, the best he could come up with was a committee headed by his VP – a committee that is ‘dead on arrival’. This simply means nothing meaningful can come from the committee which obviously will not and cannot muster the desire energy/courage to oppose its principal.

A former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank was once reported to have said that “if you allow an intolerable economic situation to persist without solution for too long, suddenly there are no good solutions left”.

Nigeria, without mincing words, might be reaching that stage when the intractable problem of herdsmen/farmer clashes will evolve into mini-wars between herdsmen and entire communities. Unfortunately, the person who should be leading the search for solutions, General Buhari, is now so totally distrusted by the majority of those involved in the conflicts. Buhari has allowed himself to be boxed into a corner. He is now widely perceived as a strong and subjective advocate of the herdsmen such that the tough solutions that will be required to avert further economic losses cannot possibly come from him and be accepted by those who will be required to make sacrifices for peace to reign.

But, Buhari is at the helm of affairs in the country. As such, the bulk stops at his table; and, we cannot wait until May 2019 to start finding lasting solutions to the frequent destruction of farmlands. He, obviously, cannot imagine the colossal damage that the melees are doing to the nation’s capacity in the area of food production; our ability to truly reduce food imports and achieve sustainable food security.

The earlier government and of course, relevant stakeholders put heads together with a view to addressing the monster, the better.

It should of course be noted that no meaningful result/solution can be achieved where there is utter distrust, insincerity on the part of government and its agencies/officials, favouritism, nepotism and undue influence to pervert the course of justice, lack of equity and fairness.