Opinion

Of National Conference And Nigeria’s Unity (1)

Published

12 years ago

April 14, 2014

Nigerians at home and in Diaspora have been
calling and agitating for a National Conference in order to brainstorm on issues threatening the unity and wellbeing of the country.
To this end, the Federal Government of Nigeria nominated and set up a 13-man advisory committee headed by Senator Femi Okurounmu. A four point terms of reference was also given to them which includes:
To consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed National Dialogue/conference.
To make recommendations to government, structure and modalities for the proposed National Dialogue/conference.
To make recommendations to government on how representation of various interest groups at the National Dialogue/conference will be determined.
To advise on a timeframe for the National Dialogue/conference.
The Committee was believed to have completed and delivered their assignment as instructed.
In view of this, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has inaugurated a 492 delegates led by Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi for the National Conference in order to pursue goals bordering on forms of government, structures of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, State and Local Government creation, State policing, boundary adjustment, fiscal federalism, indegenship, gender equality and Children’s Rights amongst others.
Delivering his inaugural speech, President Jonathan said that the National Conference would be an important avenue through which the voices of people should be heard pointing out that Nigerians have yearnings and aspirations or desires that needed to be discussed at the conference, and urged participants to table their thoughts and positions on such issues and make recommendations that would advance the unity of the country.
The conference, according to President Jonathan would compliment the effort of both the executive and National Assembly in marching towards a greater and stronger union for the country Nigeria, adding that the conference would not usurp the functions of the legislature.
He however, begged the delegates to jettison the poisonous mind-sets of the past, built on unhealthy competition among diverse groups and people and urged them to have a new mind and a new spirit of oneness and stop seeing Nigeria as a country of many groups and regions saying:
“Yesterday’s prejudices should die with yesterday. Today is a new day. This is the dawn of a new era. This is an opportunity to think anew”
The conference which kick-started on Monday 17 March, 2014 with its inauguration at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja is expected to gulp not less than N7 billion. Out of this sum, each delegate would be paid a total sum of N12 million for the 3 months, the conference is expected to last. That is, to say that each would receive N4 million per month for accommodation, transportation and part of their feeding since they were to have free lunch at the venue of the conference.
As some Nigerians began to raise alarm over the “waste of fund” on the conference, some of the delegates like Pastor Tunde Bakare and Barr. Olisa Agbakoba to mention but a few, declared that they were not after the money but on how to resolve issues of national interest threatening the well-being and unity of the country.
Many good talks and speeches have come and gone but what do we stand to gain in this conference? Is it not amazing to hear that some delegates were asking the Federal government to pay their aides? The said delegates claim that the N12m was meant for them and not their aides and were even asking for the number of aides to come with for the conference, arguing that aides to members of the National Assembly participating in the conference are being paid by the Federal government.
We have a long way to go ooh. Thank god for people like Hon. Ita Giwa who were able to recall that the present situation in the country emanated from past leaders who are also delegates to the conference. Can we then think or believe that these delegates otherwise known as 494 wise men will deliver us from the issues and challenges facing this country? Your answer can be “yes or No” but wait for a while, do not be in a haste to answer that simple but technical question.
It should be noted that most of the delegates were old time politicians who have served this country in one capacity or the other. We have Prof. Jerry Gana of the Almighty Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency, the later being his baby, Senator Ken Nnamani former Senate President and the almighty Dr. Peter Odili former Governor of Rivers State amongst others; who are supposedly good materials for the conference but permit me to ask one question, can we talk about their individual leaderships and conducts before now? The good, the bad and the ugly? Can a Chamelion be constant with its colour? Can a leopard change its skin? This conference will tell.
Oragwa is of the Federal Information Centre, Port Harcourt.
In my thinking, the President of the Federation has done his beat by obeying the voices of Nigerians to constitute a National Conference which is also democratic. Butb come to think of it, what will an 80 year old man give Nigerians in this conference? Because the moment one is above 60, senile dementia sets in therefore, age has so many things to do with the issue at hand. For Christ sake, we have able bodied men capable of doing and saying something meaningful to the problem of this country, who should have been appointed as delegates. Not people that would go for their stomach and selfish interest or desire. Well, the inauguration is already done.
Recently, some groups like the Ogba land have disassociated themselves from the conference as a result of insufficient or lack of representation.
Some Nigerians are talking about true Federalism while some are talking about a parliamentary system of governance but which ever of the two, it can not be a solution to our problem until, we come to realize that if we need to be one Nigeria then, there is every need to kill ethnicity, tribalism, religion and other things that put us apart and stop pursuing shadows.
As long as the data and information demanded at the National, State or Local Government Levels contain State and Local government of origin, religion and their likes, Nigeria will continue to be in dichotomy.

The South is accusing the North of believing that the leadership of this country lies with them and that they are using resources from the south for their benefits while the North is accusing the South of hijacking the economy of the country. Nobody trusts each other, for example, immediately President Goodluck came on board, the Islamist insurgency which was already in existence though at a kitchen level, suddenly developed wings and came up in full force. Up till date nobody can give us concrete information about it neither has any of the sponsors being brought to book yet, some known personalities had sworn to make Goodluck’s administration ungovernable, while the Islamic insurgents in the North recently rejoiced that Professors, businessmen from the South would soon run leaving their sandals behind for them to inherit their booty. Are the sponsors of this group stronger than this country and are they above the law? That the law cannot catch up with them?
I expect delegates to the conference to be selfless in this service to the nation and use this opportunity to call for a whole-some constitutional amendments, find effective way of cushioning ignorance among Nigerians through public enlightenment that is not biased as well as finding a way for each to make sacrifice since participation comes at a cost while our mentality to self should also be deliberated on in order to create a new dawn as Mr. President rightly said.
I want to say that the Ministry of Information at both federal and state levels have all it takes to go into the rural areas for the purposes of education and enlightenment of the masses, if the platform is set for such works to be properly executed. The major assignment for all Nigerians and non Nigerians in this country is to ask this one outstanding question, what does it take for us to dwell together in unity? Are we able to remove these shadows that put us apart? Are we able to do it?
If I am allowed to suggest, I think there is need to call for a referendum to enable us decide whether we actually want to still be together or not in order to avoid forcing people who are already disintegrated to be fighting at the conference for nothing, looking for a lasting solution that would never be. Even though Mr. President has said disintegration of the country is a no go area but you and I know it is the only good and best thing that would happen in a country that does not believe one another.
Ukrain is about to, Sudan did, why would not Nigerians quietly and in good faith do same without shedding more innocent blood. At least the 100 years of amalgamation has been full of blood shed without trust and many groups rising from different regions for religious or ethnic jingoism and victimization. Please let us call “a spade a spade and not a garden spoon”. How long can we continue in this pretence, called “One Nigeria” when we know that we are not. May God help this country called NIGERIA!!

Oragwa Lovenda O.
For: Head of Centre,
Port Harcourt.

Lovenda Oragwa

Opinion

Time and Season Can Tell

Published

2 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”In matters of the heart, seasons expose what emotions try to hide.”

There is a silent crisis unfolding in modern relationships—one that many people endure quietly but rarely articulate. It is the experience of emotional attachment without clarity. Unlike betrayal, which announces itself loudly, or conflict, which forces confrontation, this crisis creeps in softly. It begins with warmth, grows through shared vulnerability, and then dissolves into silence. In my observation, some of the deepest emotional wounds are not inflicted by harsh words or dramatic endings. They are caused by something far subtler: the gradual withdrawal of affection without explanation. Silence in relationships is often mistaken for neutrality, but it is not neutral. Silence communicates—only it does so in a language of confusion. When someone slowly retreats without offering clarity, they leave the other person suspended between hope and reality.

There is no clear goodbye, no decisive closure—only distance. The unanswered messages. The reduced enthusiasm. The subtle shift in tone. Emotional ambiguity can be more painful than open rejection because it denies finality while sustaining expectation. It leaves the heart in limbo. In today’s world of instant communication and digital closeness, emotional intensity is frequently mistaken for love. When someone gives us attention, listens attentively, checks in consistently, and offers companionship during vulnerable moments, it is natural to assume that something meaningful is forming. After all, connection feels like commitment. But attention is not always intention. Closeness is not always clarity. In emotionally complicated relationships, there is often an imbalance that goes unnoticed at first. One person invests deeply—emotionally, mentally, even spiritually—while the other remains cautiously detached.

The connection may feel mutual, but the level of commitment is not. And when investment is unequal, pain eventually follows. One of the most dangerous consequences of such relationships is how subtly we lose ourselves in them. It does not happen overnight. It begins with small shifts. We check our phones more often. We rearrange our schedules. We replay conversations in our minds. Gradually, our emotional world begins to orbit around one person. Friends grow distant. Personal goals lose urgency. Self-worth becomes tied—quietly but firmly—to someone else’s presence and validation. When that person withdraws, the collapse feels catastrophic. Yet the devastation is not solely because love has ended. It is because identity has been shaken. We are not grieving only the person; we are grieving the version of ourselves that depended on them.

Silence, I have come to believe, can function as a form of power. When one person controls communication through distance—responding selectively, appearing and disappearing unpredictably—they unintentionally gain emotional dominance. The other person is left waiting, interpreting, hoping. They analyze every word, every delay, every change in tone. This imbalance may not always be intentional. Sometimes it arises from emotional immaturity or fear of confrontation. Yet its impact is undeniable. It reveals an uncomfortable truth: emotional availability is not guaranteed simply because connection exists. Chemistry does not equal commitment. Attraction does not equal accountability. With time, I began to understand that not every relationship is meant to last. Some people enter our lives not as permanent partners, but as temporary teachers.

They are not there to complete us, but to confront us—with our vulnerabilities, insecurities, and unmet needs. At first, this realization felt discouraging. It seemed to reduce love to a series of lessons. But eventually, it felt liberating. Emotional loss stopped looking like failure and started looking like revelation. Each experience—especially the painful ones—exposed areas where I needed growth. Where I needed stronger boundaries. Where I needed deeper self-awareness. Boundaries, I have learned, are not barriers against love; they are protections for it. Love without boundaries is not love—it is emotional exposure. Connection without clarity is not intimacy—it is uncertainty. Affection without commitment is not partnership—it is illusion. Healthy love requires mutual understanding, transparency, and intentionality. It demands that both individuals stand on equal emotional ground. Where one speaks, the other listens.

Where one invests, the other reciprocates. Where one withdraws, the other communicates. Time, more than emotion, reveals truth. In the beginning, feelings are loud. They rush, they excite, they overwhelm. But time tests what emotions promise. It exposes inconsistency. It clarifies intention. It separates temporary attraction from sustainable partnership. Seasons, too, teach us something essential about relationships. No season lasts forever. Some bring growth. Others bring pruning. Some relationships stay long enough to build a foundation; others stay just long enough to teach resilience. Neither is wasted. When we accept that relationships operate in seasons, we release the need to force permanence. We stop chasing clarity from those unwilling to give it. We stop romanticizing inconsistency. We stop equating intensity with depth.

Instead, we begin to value emotional safety over emotional excitement. We learn that peace is more sustaining than passion without direction. We recognize that self-worth must never depend on someone else’s attention.In matters of the heart, time and season always tell.They reveal who is consistent and who is convenient. They expose what is genuine and what is temporary. They show whether a connection is rooted in intention—or merely in circumstance. And perhaps the greatest wisdom is this: not every silence deserves to be decoded. Some silences are answers. When we understand that, we stop fearing endings. We begin trusting timing. We stop clinging to uncertainty and start choosing clarity.Because in the end, the heart may feel quickly—but time always tells the truth.

By: Isiocha Kate

Opinion

Why Adaeze Deserves A Second Chance

Published

2 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”If performance is the standard, then continuity in Rivers’ health sector is not a favour — it is a necessity.”

When the executive council was dissolved and political permutations began to dominate conversations across Rivers State, one sector stood out in the public debate, Health. In a state where access to quality healthcare remains both a social necessity and political responsibility, performance has become the most persuasive argument. And in those conversations, the name of Adaeze Chidinma Oreh consistently resurfaces. Her tenure as Commissioner for Health was marked not by ceremonial appearances but by visible system reforms that ordinary residents could measure in improved service delivery. From the outset, she placed primary healthcare at the centre of the state’s health strategy, reinforcing the idea that sustainable reform begins at the grassroots. Primary Health Centres across several local government areas witnessed structural upgrades, improved staffing coordination, and better supply chain management for essential medicines.

Under her supervision, Rivers State deepened participation in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, ensuring that federal health allocations translated into tangible services at community level. Health insurance enrolment expanded significantly during her time in office, broadening access to affordable care for civil servants, informal sector workers, and vulnerable populations. Public opinion often cites this expansion as one of the most impactful interventions of her administration. HIV service delivery also experienced notable scaling. More facilities were equipped to provide testing and treatment services, reducing travel burdens for patients and strengthening continuity of care. Her administration strengthened disease surveillance mechanisms, an important safeguard in a post-pandemic era where preparedness is as critical as response.Beyond expansion of services, she demonstrated regulatory firmness. Illegal and unlicensed medical facilities were shut down, sending a strong message that patient safety would not be compromised.

This crackdown on quackery earned her both commendation and resistance, but public health advocates widely supported the stance as long overdue. Emergency medical response systems received renewed attention. Ambulance coordination and referral systems were reviewed and strengthened, improving response time in critical cases. Maternal and child health programmes gained renewed emphasis. Immunisation campaigns were intensified, and advocacy for respectful maternal care became more pronounced within state facilities. Health workers frequently described her leadership style as consultative. Stakeholder meetings were not mere formalities; they were platforms for problem-solving and accountability. She engaged development partners strategically, aligning donor support with state priorities rather than allowing fragmented programme implementation.International partnerships brought in technical assistance, equipment upgrades, and training opportunities for healthcare personnel.

Transparency also became a visible feature of her administration. When misinformation circulated — particularly around admissions into health training institutions — she addressed the public directly, clarifying facts and protecting citizens from fraud. Within professional circles, she was regarded as technically sound, able to interpret data and translate policy into operational strategy. Her public briefings were often data-driven, reflecting measurable indicators rather than abstract promises. The Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge saw Rivers State earn recognition during her tenure, reinforcing claims of structured reform. Community outreach was not neglected. Rural communities reported increased supervision visits and closer monitoring of local health facilities. Civil society organisations in Rivers State frequently acknowledged improved responsiveness from the Ministry of Health during her administration.

She maintained visible engagement with frontline workers, visiting facilities and interacting directly with staff and patients. Her approach to governance balanced policy reform with human engagement — a combination many observers believe strengthened trust in the health system. Under her watch, health insurance awareness campaigns improved public understanding of pre-paid healthcare models. She supported integration of technology into health administration, enhancing data reporting and accountability systems. Persons living with HIV/AIDS, women in rural communities, and economically disadvantaged families became central to programme targeting. In public discourse, she was often described as performance-driven rather than politically flamboyant. Awards and recognitions followed, but more importantly, measurable system improvements formed the basis of those honours. Healthcare professionals credited her with restoring a sense of direction to policy implementation.

Her tenure reflected continuity in reform rather than abrupt, cosmetic changes. Critics of political reshuffles argue that the health sector, more than many others, benefits from sustained leadership to consolidate gains. Many residents believe that reform in healthcare requires consistency, institutional memory, and steady administrative hands. As conversations around reappointments intensify, health stakeholders continue to emphasise competence over political balancing. In markets, professional associations, and community meetings, her name surfaces in discussions about measurable impact. The argument is less about sentiment and more about outcomes — expanded insurance coverage, improved primary healthcare structures, firmer regulation, and strengthened partnerships. Rivers State’s health sector remains a work in progress, but public opinion suggests that her administration laid foundations that require continuity rather than disruption.

In a political climate where appointments are often influenced by calculations beyond performance, her tenure stands as a case study in technocratic leadership. If governance is ultimately about service delivery, then health remains one of its clearest tests. And if performance, regulatory courage, grassroots impact, insurance expansion, strengthened disease control systems, and improved public trust are the criteria, then let Adaeze Chidinma Oreh be the person.

By: King Onunwor

Opinion

Empowering Youth Through Agriculture

Published

1 week ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”While job seeking youths should continuously acquire skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment as well as in the global space through the use of digital platforms, government, corporate/ multinational organizations or the organised private sector should generate skills and provide the enabling environment for skills acquisition, through adequate funding and resettlement packages that will provide sustainable economic life for beneficiaries”.

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recently urged youths in the Rivers State to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the State. Governor Fubara noted that global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, and said that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing these opportunities. The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, made this known while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in Port Harcourt. The Governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that it is unrealistic to absorb all job seekers into the civil service.
“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service. This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said. It is necessary to State that Governor Fubara has not only stated the obvious but was committed to drive youth entrepreneurship towards their self-reliance and the economic development of the State It is not news that developed economies of the world are skilled driven economies. The private sector also remains the highest employer of labour in private sector driven or capitalist economy though it is also the responsibility of government to create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth population in Nigeria which has the highest youth unemployed population in the subSahara Africa.
The lack of job opportunities, caused partly by the Federal Government’s apathy to job creation, the lack of adequate supervision of job opportunities economic programmes, lack of employable skills by many youths in the country have conspired to heighten the attendant challenges of unemployment. The challenges which include, “Japa” syndrome (travelling abroad for greener pastures), that characterises the labour market and poses threat to the nation’s critical sector, especially the health and medical sector; astronomical increase in the crime rate and a loss of interest in education. While job seeking youths should continuously acquire skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment as well as in the global space through the use of digital platforms, government, corporate/ multinational organizations or the organised private sector should generate skills and provide the enabling environment for skills acquisition, through adequate funding and resettlement packages that will provide sustainable economic life for beneficiaries.
While commending the Rivers State Government led by the People First Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara for initiating “various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy, among others”, it is note-worthy that the labour market is dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancements, management practices and other emerging factors. So another sector the Federal, State and Local Governments should encourage youths to explore and harness the abounding potentials, in my considered view, is Agriculture. Agriculture remains a veritable solution to hunger, inflation, and food Insecurity that ravages the country. No doubt, the Nigeria’s arable landmass is grossly under-utilised and under-exploited.
In recent times, Nigerians have voiced their concerns about the persistent challenges of hunger, inflation, and the general increase in prices of goods and commodities. These issues not only affect the livelihoods of individuals and families but also pose significant threats to food security and economic stability in the country. The United Nations estimated that more than 25 million people in Nigeria could face food insecurity this year—a 47% increase from the 17 million people already at risk of going hungry, mainly due to ongoing insecurity, protracted conflicts, and rising food prices. An estimated two million children under five are likely to be pushed into acute malnutrition. (Reliefweb ,2023). In response, Nigeria declared a state of emergency on food insecurity, recognizing the urgent need to tackle food shortages, stabilize rising prices, and protect farmers facing violence from armed groups. However, without addressing the insecurity challenges, farmers will continue to struggle to feed their families and boost food production.
In addition, parts of northwest and northeast Nigeria have experienced changes in rainfall patterns making less water available for crop production. These climate change events have resulted in droughts and land degradations; presenting challenges for local communities and leading to significant impact on food security. In light of these daunting challenges, it is imperative to address the intricate interplay between insecurity and agricultural productivity. Nigeria can work toward ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable economic growth in its vital agricultural sector. In this article, I suggest solutions that could enhance agricultural production and ensure that every state scales its agricultural production to a level where it can cater to 60% of the population.
This is feasible and achievable if government at all levels are intentional driving the development of the agricultural sector which was the major economic mainstay of the Country before the crude oil was struck in commercial quantity and consequently became the nation’s monolithic revenue source. Government should revive the moribund Graduate Farmers Scheme and the Rivers State School-to-Land agricultural programmes to operate concurrently with other skills acquisition and development programmes. There should be a consideration for investment in mechanized farming and arable land allocation. State and local governments should play a pivotal role in promoting mechanized farming and providing arable land for farming in communities. Additionally, allocating arable land enables small holder farmers to expand their operations and contribute to food security at the grassroots level.
Nigeria can unlock the potential of its agricultural sector to address the pressing needs of its population and achieve sustainable development. Policymakers and stakeholders must heed Akande’s recommendations and take decisive action to ensure a food-secure future for all Nigerians.

By: Igbiki Benibo