Opinion
A Vote For Unemployment Benefit
The Tide Editorial Comment of Friday, February 12, 2021, deserves not only a serious commendation but also a follow-up. That the Federal Government of Nigeria plans to pay the sum of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months, may sound like a great patriotic policy of empathy for the Nigerian poor masses. That the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged that “magnanimous” gesture of the Federal Government of Nigeria, raises hope that there are still a few Nigerians with vibrant conscience.
Not long ago, a similar magnanimous project of free food for poor Nigerian school children was undertaken by the same empathic federal government. Hitherto, there are numerous sad comments and innuendos hovering around the school free meal affair, with hardly anything said or done to clear the air with regards to accountability on the huge amount of money involved daily to feed poor Nigerian school children. Even when all schools were shut down, thanks to COVID-19 pandemic, the school meal project had no shutdown.
It would be a dangerous frame of mind for anyone to believe that the presumed docility of the average Nigerians is synonymous with stupidity, such that they are ignorant of when they are being short-changed and bamboozled. It is common knowledge among Nigerians that government policies and programmes rarely work out in the best interest of the masses; at least, not all.
Once a distrust in government policies and programmes sets in, it becomes quite difficult to win back the faith and confidence of the masses. This is why SERAP is seen and hailed by the Nigerian public as a hope that can kindle integrity. With regards to the school feeding project, hardly has any single Nigerian expressed satisfaction or faith with transparency of that programme; despite the huge sum of money purportedly spent daily to feed poor children.
Now, with the plan to pay N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months, obviously many Nigerians would be quite skeptical about an accountable and honest implementation of the plan. Nigeria is not a country with accurate record-keeping culture, even with the current hue-and-cry over National Identification Number (NIN) and threat of linking it with everything that an individual needs for survival. Who determines the poorest of the poor, and who would believe that toxic politics would not infect every means of ascertaining correct facts?
According to The Tide Editorial Comment, “Endemic corruption has enriched a small elite and left many Nigerians mired in poverty despite the country being Africa’s top oil producer…” Yet, the issue of corruption is regarded as a plight of the past, rarely tolerated by the present, which claim most Nigerians would laugh away as a mere joke. Fingers would point at the handling of COVID-19 pandemic palliative measures. How fair?
There is hardly any humanitarian project, foreign aid programme or local charity that had been managed and administered properly, with integrity and satisfactory accountability. For this reason, Nigerians are justifiably wary and skeptical about the management of any free gift (be it food or money for the poor) handled by government officials. Frankly, Nigeria is not alone in unsatisfactory management of free gifts meant for the poorest of the poor in the society. Developing countries are particularly notorious in short-changing the under-privileged.
Every country has under-privileged and poor people, and poverty is rarely attributable to laziness but usually linked with a country’s political economy. While it would be quite difficult to alter a well-entrenched political economy, what nations which have disadvantaged citizens often do is to provide unemployment benefits. Nigeria is not an industrialised country but a predominantly agrarian society with old traditional system of farming. Many factors, including oil mineral exploration and herders/farmers conflicts, have undermined traditional farming in Nigeria.
To be able to identify the poorest of the poor in various parts of the country, some reliable database would have to be used, which would include unemployment records. There are many rich Nigerians who would claim to be poor and those who are self-employed who would claim to be jobless. Perhaps, it would be better to pay more attention to out-of-school children, first.
There is the necessity to engage an independent research team to find out the status of Nigerian parents, homes and children in various parts of the country. For example, the money being spent to feed poor school children can be shared such that part of it should cater for children who are not in school at all. Similarly, the N729 billion meant to be paid to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months, can be shared such that a part of it should be invested in unemployment benefit scheme. There are many Nigerians who have lost their jobs in the past few years and whose families are experiencing quite pathetic conditions.
When a nation has a privatised political economy, a few privileged citizens control and monopolise all the resources and opportunities in the land. Even those who are excluded from the few available opportunities usually resort to hustling, scrambling and the use of corrupt means to get what they can. It becomes difficult for anything to work effectively in such a society, neither would there be the zeal and patriotism to serve the nation whole-heartedly. A fair reward system boosts motivation.
The Federal Government means well in providing various palliative measures and succour to cater for the poor, but the problem is usually the effective handling of such measures in the process of implementation. Apart from the “poorest of the poor”, there is a large number of unemployed people as well as those who had lost their means of livelihood, and who have families to cater for. The good gestures of the government should not be allowed to become means of aiding social malpractices. Let us build up strong, reliable, corruption-free institutions!
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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