Opinion
Africa And The Food Security Question
A disciple of confuscius once asked his great master what the basic ingredients of good governance are, and Confucius answered “sufficient food, sufficient weapons and the confidence of the people.”
From the foregoing, it is important to note that the great Confucius in his answer placed food first as a priority before arms and confidence of the people. What this means is that food
It is, in fact, a basic truth that food cannot be ignored in the scheme of a government that aspires to identify with the people
have relegated food to the background, despite the vast arable land and acquatic life that abound in the continent. They rather put politics before every other thing, including the development of villages and across the ocean and those battling with huger?
So much has been said and written about politics already and with the way it is practiced here not many people may be interested. Therefore, this is the time to talk of food especially in the face of looming food crisis confronting not only our continent but the entire world. It is becausewe put all our eggs in the basket of politics that the agricultural sector, health, transport and all others are crumbling across the African continent.
Politics can not put food on the table, but agriculture, farms and fish ponds do. Politics can not provide drugs in our hospitals living meaningful.
The idea of making politics the central thing in our lives is like neglecting every other thing that makes life worth living. Otherwise why should politics push agriculture to the background whereas we need food to stay healthy and to play politics.
There is no doubt that if one-tenth of the money put into politics was directed to agriculture, Nigeria and indeed the African continent would have been self-sufficient in food production and even earned more through agricultural exports; and the threat of food crisis in the world would not have been a problem, as our country would have been a home for greens and grains long before now.
In Nigeria for instance, the various agricultural programmes put in place by succeeding governments since independence to give earner for the country have failed woefully as such efforts merely created emergency millionaires who diverted funds for such programmes to their pockets.
And now where do we point at in considering all that has happened in the past? Is it the collapsed infrastructures or the empty treasury? Matter of factly, our continent has wasted so much money and energy in the game of politics and gained a little out of all the sweat and efforts.
It is not reasonable that Africans should continue playing the role of global beggars all the time; we too should have something for which people in other continents would come begging us. This can be achieved though large scale agricultural development, and We should now begin to feed ourselves and think less of depending on people elsewhere to produce what we shall eat, and the earlier we do this the better for our country and our image, honour to our country and continent.
Actually, we have cried so much about democracy and having got it, this is the time to think about food, our stomach and well being. We need to start thinking of the democracy of food, the democracy of stomach.
It is only when we are sure of food that we can begin to listen and understand what is happening around us and make sound contributions that can be meaningful to our overall success. You can only find a sound mind in a well fed and healthy environment.
Patternson Koko
Opinion
Why Reduce Cut-Off Mark for C.O.E ?
Opinion
Welcome! Worthy Future For R/S
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
-
News1 day ago
South-South Contributes N34trn To Nigeria’s Economy In 2024 – Institute
-
Women1 day ago
What To Know About Fufu, Loi Loi
-
Rivers1 day ago
ASALGA Community Debunks Reports On Ownership Of Land Its Settlements
-
Business2 days ago
NCDMB Promises Oil Industry Synergy With Safety Boots Firm
-
City Crime1 day ago
RSG Tasks Federal Government On Maternal Deaths
-
News1 day ago
NOA Set To Unveil National Values Charter — D-G
-
Featured1 day ago
Rivers A Strategic Hub for Nigeria’s Blue Economy -Ibas …Calls For Innovation-Driven Solutions
-
Rivers1 day ago
NDDC Inaugurates Ultra-Modern Market In Rivers Community