Deep Thought

 Re: Coup in Niger: ECOWAS, Don't Stir Up the Hornet's Nest By Prof. MK Othman   Is ECOWAS ready to go to war with our closest ally (Niger Republic) to protect "democracy"? Is ECOWAS prepared to face the armed forces of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic backed and trained by Russia's Wagner? The military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso warned of an armed intervention in Niger and will counter with force. Guinea also sided with the putschist leaders. Can we ignore the angle of widespread arms in the region in the hands of miscreants, which the war will promote? We know that in many parts of West Africa, armed groups are swarming like ants on sugar, pulled by a mixture of weak states, bleak economic prospects, burgeoning populations, a punishing climate, and bad and irresponsible governance. Can we worsen the situation by igniting a disastrous war in the region? After Niger, Nigeria may be the primary target for destruction, and then Ghana and othe...

 Coup in Niger: ECOWAS, Don't Stir Up the Hornet's Nest II By Prof. MK Othman I must continue beating the peace drum as heinous fire threatens my neighborhood, Niger Republic. The Nigeria-Niger border has seven states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno covering a distance of 1,608 km. Firing one shot in Niger will massively inject a colossal wave of refugees into these states and escalate gigantic firearms and ammunitions in the hands of non-state actors for nefarious activities. Is the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum to power worth igniting the catastrophic action of war in the West African Sub-region? Whose interest is ECOWAS trying to protect? As mentioned last week, democracy is the best form of government for the people by the people and of the people. Democracy is an evolutionary process nurtured over time, requiring inclusiveness, collective ownership, and self-belonging. Even in Nigeria, we cannot boast of entrenching a democracy as long ...

 Coup in Niger: ECOWAS, do not Stir Up the Hornet’s Nest By Prof. MK Othman Coup d’état is a bad omen to any country, no matter the situation. It means the destiny of a nation and its people is placed squarely in the hands of regimented armed personalities who more often than not, suspend the nation’s constitution and severe the democratic structure with alacrity. They do and undo, make and unmake as they please without qualms. To hell with everybody, the leader of the coup is a kind of “supreme being” who barks orders with the maxim of “obey before complain”. Just like armed robbers, before the coup plotters get involved, they must stake all they have including their lives, and be ready to pay the supreme price in case of failure. There were uncountable losses of lives and properties in the coup process in several countries. Nigeria suffered irreplaceable losses of fine sojas through Coup and counter Coup d’état, the country is still suffering from the hangover of military dictato...

 #EndASUUStrike: Growing Restiveness on Campuses, Silence of the Graveyard? By Prof. MK Othman The industrial action of ASUU and other university-based unions mechanically ended in October 2022 but ineffectively lingers on to date, no thanks to the judicial technicality that muddled the FGN-ASUU conflict into a “winner-loser” solution.  After this imposed solution, the FGN, as the “winner” of the imbroglio is not only refusing to give listening ears to the unions but pretending that all is well on our university campuses.  The unions as “losers” keep appealing to the government to come back to the negotiation table for an amicable and permanent settlement of the imbroglio while the larger society pretends to be indifferent. FGN seems to be busy with other pressing issues and could not spare time for discussion with the unions. There is a growing restiveness on Nigerian university campuses among university workers. The Workers’ confidence and trust in the government of Pre...

 State of Emergency: Agricultural Potential, Challenges, and Way Forward II By Prof. MK Othman Last week, I commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency on food security and for being the only President who had gone the extra mile to demonstrate his seriousness in tackling the monster of hunger. It is the hope and expectation of Nigerians that President Tinubu walks his talk to avoid the catastrophic consequences of food insecurity. I must also commend President Tinubu for answering the call I made two years ago in my column of 9th June 2021. I said “Nigeria must declare a state of emergency in Agriculture; the government at various levels (Fed, State, and LGA) must invest heavily in agriculture, if possible, through legislation to galvanize agricultural revolution through the use of improved technologies, equipment, and expertise”. Now the first part has been done and the second part is the complement of the “state of emergency”. What are the challenges...