Ndigbo’s Role In Lagos And Contemporary Nigeria

 By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

An attempt to delve into what is the place of Ndigbo in Lagos and contemporary Nigeria is vital on account of its currency, especially as the nation has just gone through another electioneering process. The need to know is anchored in the false narrative bandied about in public spaces about the Igbo man planning to take over Lagos. This is utterly amusing. The allegation is specifically borne out of selfish interests and political mischief.

Why is it only during elections that the issue of Igbo domination of cities and takeover comes up? The nation needs to come to terms with and examine the utterances and positions of political, traditional, and opinion leaders in Lagos and Nigeria regarding the Igbo man before and after the elections. 

Nigeria: As Electricity Discos Throw In The Towel

By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

Keen observers and genuine opposition to privatisation of the power sector must be giggling with smiles at the recent turn of events. Core investors of Electricity Distribution Companies are beginning to throw in the towel, after five years of privatisation characterised by ineptitude and abysmal performance. This was coming on the heels of government’s determination to wield the big stick and correct the anomaly prevalent in the power sector for ages.

Government’s position has already sent shivers down the spine of stakeholders especially DISCOs known to have persistently violated the rules of engagement. In its bid to blackmail the government to soft-pedal on certain decisions, the Distribution Companies registered the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED).

From Power Epilepsy To Complete Power Paralysis

By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

After the razzmatazz that accompanied the privatisation of the power sector in 2013, we have awaken to the obvious fact that the nation was manipulated and misled by a few to believe that the best that could have happened to the sector was to auction it. The bogus claim by these then power brokers that privatisation provides every answer to the abysmal power supply situation in the nation has also awfully failed to provide the desired results. The wool placed over the eyes of Nigerians is gradually fallen off as many prominent Nigerians have once again found their lost voices and picked up the guts to constructively criticise the privatisation of the power sector.

A fiery social critic, human right activist and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, Senator Shehu Sani has despite the seeming conspiracy of silence amongst the elites lent his voice to this horrible performance and failure of the post privatisation of the power sector. In his words which summed up the general feelings of Nigerian he said, Power supply has dropped to an unprecedented and embarrassing low level. We are in a state of power paralysis. It’s ironic that high electricity tariff has only led to low electricity supply. Our DISCOs are now distributing darkness. After the privatisation of PHCN, we thought there will be light at the end of the tunnel, but we only transited from the darkness of the tunnel to that of a cave. Private power investors moved Nigeria from manageable power epilepsy to a complete power paralysis. We used to be often in the dark, now we perpetuate in it. Light is now luxury and luxury is now light. We now live “a generator life.” No nation can develop being powered by generators.”

Also in line with the mood of the nation, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to investigate the investments and pledges made by power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Generation Companies (GENCOs). The House also directed the Committee to ascertain the revenue accrued to the companies and their level of compliance with the privatisation agreements. This followed a motion by Rep. Muktar Dandutse which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Dandutse expressed concern over the prevailing situation after the takeover of privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the successor companies.

He lamented among others that DISCOs “particularly charged arbitrary bills, not minding whether there was outage or not.” The lawmaker said there had not been new investments by DISCOs and GENCOs. He added that “transformers, fallen electricity poles, prepaid metres and other basic infrastructure are still being replaced or provided by states, local governments, communities and individuals. Customers are being charged flat rates, which is unjustifiable in this austere period, a situation that is causing untold hardships to the people. He said that the money spent on such infrastructure by communities and individuals could have been used to service other needs.” The House also urged Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure immediate amelioration of the hardships being experienced by the people.

Abbi Community: Another Hapless Victim Of Endless Attacks Of Suspected Fulani Herdsmen

By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
The prevailing peace, harmony and brotherliness existing in Abbi community of Uzo-Uwani Local government Area, of Enugu State was shattered February 9 when assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded the community. The quiet agrarian enclave had no inkling of the evil lurking around that fateful day as people went about their normal daily routines until the marauders struck. More than 150 precious lives were brutally snuffed out by the machete and vicious bullets of the assailants. Houses were torched and farm produces worths millions of Naira destroyed. Like a block buster movie, Abbi went up in flames and in a twinkle of an eye turned out a ghost town.  As reflected in one of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s popular rendition, the assailants left in the wake of the destruction sorrows, tears and blood.

Misery is written all over peoples’ faces and life will never remain the same in Abbi again. People are in dire need of water, food, clothing and shelter. Survivors are presently taking refuge in neighbouring communities of Ugbene- Ajima, Nrobu, Nimbo, Nkpologu and Edem.  Abbi community and others in Uzo-Uwani LGA are accommodating and peace loving people. They are hosts to numerous visitors including Fulani herdsmen who for years have been grazing in and around the local government without molestation.  Some Fulanis even speak local dialects while their children attend public schools with the wards of the host communities. “But the major challenge between them has been the issue of the visitors operating without restriction and even ready to kill anyone who questions their will.  The excesses of the Fulani herdsmen had been a burden on the community, even as they are tolerated among the natives. There have been successive stories of Fulanis grazing in their farms and intimidating them with firearms, raping their women as well as maiming anyone that dared challenge them.” said Felix Ugwoke.

The incessant attacks on innocent communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen have become one too many. From Abbi in Enugu State to Agatu in Benue, Plateau to villages in Nasarawa, the story is gory and the same. The chronicles of attacks unleashed on innocent people by these men are shocking. These attacks have assumed a frightening dimension. It must be addressed before it consumes all of us. In fact, this is the right time for owners of cattle to create farm settlements for their animals. Time for government to establish the much talked about grazing reserves. There is large expanse of land in the north suitable for any kind of grazing reserve. What is needed is the logistics to maintain and keep them going. Therefore, northern state governments should hasten to provide and equip them with the needed facilities to tame the movement of headers which is always the source of the conflicts.