A world in transition: ‘We will not go quietly into the night’ - By Alfred Dapal DAMIYAL

We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.  – Gwendolyn Brooks

My heart and prayers go out to all the families that lost loved ones in Miango, Bassa, Riyom, Jos North and other parts of our beautiful state at the wicked hands of Fulani herdsmen. May God continue to be our comfort.

To the families of all the innocent commuters, students and passers-by who lost their lives in and around Jos; and also the family of DSP A.I Dan’zakara, may God be our comfort. 

To the family of Major Datong and all the people who live in constant fear of being attacked throughout the state, God shall continue to prove Himself our protector and liberator as He has faithfully done in time past.

This series is titled A WORLD IN TRANSITION, it makes reference to how the world is moving, progressing at an alarming rate – while we are still stuck in the same cycle of violence.

This is indeed a sad time for us as a people. Everyone is grieved beyond words.

“PAIN HAS NO RELIGION”

I read this statement in an online post, and it got me thinking – deep down we are all human, we all have the same aspirations. 

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; a theory that postulates factors that motivate and dictate an individual’s behavior, are physiological (food and clothing), safety (security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization. 

Breakdown all our individual desires and you will realize that in essence these are what we all want – Muslim, Christian or Pagan, Berom, Ngas or Tarok, Northerner or Southerner, men, women or children – we all have basically the same needs. The American constitution sums it up with this comment in the declaration of independence – ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’.

Occasionally the quest to attain these needs will bring us at crossroads with another’s’ aspirations – and that is where compromise within the bounds of respect (especially respect for the right to live) is essential.

 Afterall WE ALL BLEED RED.

NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO PAIN AND GRIEF. 

In this month of August, we were inundated with pictures of the wedding of the Presidents son, I must say I was angry because our political elite lavishly partied while the country burned (and is burning) – what kind of leaders show public joviality while, as at the time of writing this, more than 60 students (our children) of Bethel Baptist School, Kaduna and countless others, are still in the hands of kidnappers.  

Occasionally I wish to have God’s power for just 1 hour, to deal with the kind of evil persons we have in this country…but God knows better than to grant me that wish.

Back to the wedding – looking the at the images presented to us on social media, it is amazing that the same political elites from different party affiliations – ethnic, cultural and religious divides, who will call themselves unprintable names in the media and stir up strife, were busy bumping fists with boisterous laughter, showing no visible evidence of the pseudo-differences they will want us to believe exist. There was no PDP nor APC at the event, North nor South, it was just a collection of individuals feeding fat of our sweat and having the effrontery to flaunt it to our faces.

Should we hate them and live in bitterness? NO

Instead lets learn from them – see how, despite our perception of them as being adversaries, they are actually UNITED ‘cos of the common goal they have of perpetual hold on the political levers of power buoyed by the largess that flows from our democratic experiment.  

‘When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion’ – Author unknown.

I call on us the Plateau people to unite - for in our unity lies strength, in our unity we are better able to  plan strategically and put up defensive structures within the dictates of the law, only in unity can we be  resolute – to boldly stand firm and not cower in what we believe, and finally only in unity can we pray effectively – for we cannot deny the spiritual component of this battle.  

This should be a primary focus as a people. This should be our drive; the unity within, and afterwards we will be in a stronger position to face the enemy without.

In closing, to those who wish to eliminate us, paraphrasing one of my favorite quotes, know that Plateau State as a united front ‘…will not go quietly into the night…we will live on’.  

Alfred Dapal DAMIYAL

Muharram 1443 Ah: Goodwill Mesaage from Alfred D. Damiyal

On behalf of my family and friends, I wish to sincerely felicitate with the Muslim Ummah on the important occasion of Muharram 1443 Ah, an event celebrated to commemorate a new year in line with the Islamic calendar and faith. 

Given the strategic importance of today's occasion, it allows us to reassess ourselves, engage in sober reflection to strengthen our relationship with God as well as celebrate with other brethren. 

Islam is an important part of promoting peace. Literally and thankfully, the whole of the "Torah" is for the purpose of promoting peace. Thus, may today's occasion usher in a new era of peace and stability so that our dear state and country at large will overcome some of the pressing problems staring at us in the face. 

Let us use the opportunity to pray for our state and leaders as well as reflect the true virtues of love, tolerance and unity in our character and activities. 

Once more, accept my sincere felicitation and goodwill. Happy new year. 

Alfred D. Damiyal

Opinion: A World in Transition: Face me I face you - By Alfred Dapal Damiyal

“People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”  Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

Some days ago I came across a video, that went viral on social media, of an indigene of Akoka in Edo State, who was visible vexed when he inspected  a road construction in his area that was of very poor quality (See link below). A few days later, the deputy governor of the state responded to the video by visiting the site and revoking the contract.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAyvKm4s6kw

This incident exemplifies the type of response we should be getting from our government officials. 

And to look at it from another angle, it buttresses the essence of having an effective Local Government system in the country; a system of making governance really local…proximal…closer to the governed.

The localization of governance via the 774 LGA's is essential to guarantee that government officials are close to and do not lose touch with people and their needs. Such structure is essential in a democratic system.

The Local Government Administration is the third tier of government in Nigeria and the 1999 constitution has assigned functions, responsibilities and controls to this tier of government; which include pre-school, primary and adult education, provision and maintenance of the public health system, making economic recommendations to the State, collection of taxes and fees, establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences, construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, provision and maintenance of public transportation, registration of births, deaths and marriages, and assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of levying such rates as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of a State, among other functions.

These functions truth be told are foundational to the establishment of a thriving society, and if effectively executed will reduce the cases of misgovernance and the social problems we see prevalent today... because the officials will be closer to the people, and that in itself is a means of ensuring accountability. This is why Calvin Coolidge, a former US president said “What we need is not more Federal government, but better local governments.

 So why are our Local Government Area’s not functional???

Any stable system just like building a house is best done from the bottom up, and in our current democracy we need to have a functional Local Government system and establish it as the foundation of governance. 

For that to happen Governors need to whittle down their overarching influence and interference on the LGA administration. It is surprising that the same Governors who complain of the dictatorial tendencies of the President have established themselves as emperors and demi-gods in their states. Remember the Excess Crude Oil Account (ECA) battles with former President Goodluck Jonathan to the struggle with President Buhari over financial autonomy of the judiciary and State assembly, Governors have accused Presidents of acting autocratic only to turn around and become despots themselves. 

We see these interferences in LGA affairs in two key areas:

Electoral mandate – Since the establishment of State INEC’s, have we ever had elections where the will of the people was respected in electing Local Government Chairpersons and Councillors? And how many times have we seen newly elected Governors upon resumption dissolve LGA administrations and in their place appoint caretaker committees! And this is done despite the many Supreme Court judgements describing such actions as illegal. 

How can LGA officials fully execute the responsibilities of their office when the system that brought them in can be considered akin to an appointment and add to that the fluidity of their tenures!!! 

Finances - Section 162(6-8) of the 1999 Constitution states that “Each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State. Each State shall pay to Local Government Councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its total revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly...

LGA’s are entitled to their full allocation from which the elected officials are meant to carry out the responsibilities, but how can this be achieved when they only receive ‘pocket money’ at the discretion of the governor!!!

The Federal Government has tried different means to circumvent joint State/Local Government accounts so monies meant for the LGA’s get to them directly, but as long as State INEC’s are subject to the dictates of Governors and there is no protection for LGA officials who want to take a stand against this – nothing will change.  

This is why we have primary health care centers in shambles, basic primary education almost non-existent, LGA workers owed salaries month on end – and all these happening more pronounced in our state.

If our Governors truly want the system to work, give the people the freedom to choose those they want to represent them, and in addition let them have their financial due – afterwards set up a system of accountability where the officials that fail to deliver on their mandate and mismanage resources are prosecuted. Remember unlike Governors who have immunity – Local Govt. Chairmen/Chairwomen and Councillors have no immunity from prosecution.

And add to these a continuous enlightenment of the people on the roles each tier of government plays so we know where to channel complaints when failure in delivery of our rights are observed. 

Due to the closeness of LGA’s to the people, it is easier for the people to hold their officials accountable…that is why I titled this article face me I face you. The closer you are to me, the easier I can hold you to deliver on promises made. And given that politics is local, where you wan hide when I fit waka go your papa house?

As an added incentive, Local Government systems in all established democracies are a good training ground for future state and national leaders.

This closeness to the people is the main reason why our Local Government administrations need to be strengthened…it forces vigilance on the follower,  accountability on the leader and provides an environment for tomorrows leaders to be groomed in the art of governance. 

Alfred Dapal Damiyal

Feature: Dr. Patrick Dakum: The Guiding Light and Hope of Our Generation

Very many people may ask who Dr. Patrick Dakum is. He's literally not a new person in Plateau State and Nigeria. Over the years, he has created a niche for himself in the world of leadership and politics. He's a household name and someone many look up to for guidance, mentorship and impact. 

A man of exceptional qualities and attributes. 

Every rain that drops, a flower grows. Every candle that glows in the night, darkness gets dispelled.  In other words, every vision birthed by great men and women in history goes a long way in building an assurance of a tomorrow replete and abounding in grace, hope and endless possibilities. 

Each and every day, we meet new and old people, friends, families and perhaps enemies. At the meeting point, lessons – good or bad are learned. Somehow, you can easily deduce at the meeting point the reflective reality about their lives, ambitions, beliefs, viewpoints and philosophies. Words and actions speak loud for the most part – louder than an electric guitar and their impacts are heavier than a heavy metal. 

On the one hand, it’s ok to think about the things you would like to accomplish now and tomorrow. Every person who has ever achieved true greatness thought about it in fascinating and strategic ways. On the other hand, taking a corresponding action on your dream and beautiful thoughts always result in a win-win opportunity. The true measure of greatness that doesn’t get exhausted is a marriage between your dreams and action. That’s the deal. Let’s go further. 

Meeting Patrick Dakum has taught us lessons metaphorically and literally. Countless others too can attest to the fact that his life is like an epistle, known and read by many. I otherwise couldn’t have learned those lessons if we hadn’t met him. Literally and thankfully, we are proud to meet him. It is just fascinating, you know! 

Making the most or otherwise of lessons learned when opportunities abound is up to you. This is an ultimate reflection of choices and decisions. My choice is deeply rooted and anchored on the endless possibilities of a strong, determined, well-lit, visionary and goal-inspired tomorrow, very much in the spirit of what Dr. Dakum believes in. 

Not all visions are implemented wholly and exclusively. Some rise and fall. In the course of time, some become thorns in the flesh of reality and the wheel of progress. Some, on the other hand are well positioned for productivity. Dr. Dakum's vision is crystal clear. He envisioned a society where youths can come together under the umbrella of collaboration to make sense of the future of Plateau. It’s fair to say, albeit, in subtle ways, the vision is coming to pass. He envisioned a society where the youths are not left out in the pursuit of education and where women are economically empowered to become productive members of the world economy. It is a blessing to know that the vision is on its way to the realm of accomplishment. He envisioned the Plateau of our dream where lives and properties are secured through active and robust security measures and a deep concern for the fragility and susceptibility of the security system. Thankfully, the vision will come to pass. He’s determined to make it happen. He envisioned a robust business environment where investors domestically and internationally can make their businesses thrive and blossom without much pitfalls and downsides. He equally envisioned a never-dwindling and depleting health system where all people including those living in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities can have access to and meet their primary health needs and other emergencies. These and many more are some of the most historic and promising visions clearly spelt out and articulated by Dr Dakum to be achieved as the future beckons. Interesting! Isn’t it? It was an awe-inspiring moment hearing him speak during a recent media chat. 

Plateau needs men and women of vision. In the same token, Nigeria and Africa needs the vision as a matter of urgency. We need to improve, advance, upgrade and move forward as a people. Truly, the future beckons. The best for Plateau is yet to come. It will come surely and fast. The future holds enormous potentials. In my evaluation, Dr Dakum has the courage and capacity to unlock those potentials in the best interest of all. Test and see the beauty of his dreams and visions. Test and see the awesomeness of his blueprint for a better Plateau. Test and see how his people-centred approach to leadership will make an impact. 

Gentle and calm, but very bold in determining a win-win outcome for every opportunity that abounds. Humble, yet, amazingly intelligent. He’s got brilliant ideas and initiatives that can make you go off your comfort zone and spur you to take action on your dreams and purpose. Oh my goodness! That’s Dr. Dakum for you. See you on the spot of success.

Opinion: Managing the future of PKK: The Ezra Dakup resourceful leadership model

When the abbreviation PKK is mentioned, what immediately comes to your mind? For the records, PKK literally stands for Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam. They make up a Federal constituency in Plateau Central Zone – obviously one of the constituencies with enormous complexities, much more, that you have to use a sort of microscopic eye and political will to understand and apply solutions to those emerging complexities. Leaders have come and gone under different platforms, yet, PKK still needs to move forward. Blueprints, strategies, schedules, systems have all been put forward, yet, the constituency hasn’t achieved its desired change. Thus, we have to diagnose this situation precisely and implement corrective measures in order to move in a faster pace. The time is urgent and time calls for immediate action. 

Ezra Dakup is one of the notable and illustrious sons of PKK paying his dues heavily and changing the course of history in political, social, economic and humanitarian contexts. The reality is that, almost everybody has appreciable knowledge of the issues defining PKK and to them, solutions are not far-fetched. That’s ok. However, knowledge comes at different levels and dimensions. What is known by Ezra Dakup may not be known by another person and vice-versa. At the end of the day, we’ve got to appreciate our differences and diversity in knowledge basically to make sense of our futures.

There we go. Having beamed his searchlight on the look-out for practical solutions and sustainable measures, there comes a time when the man whom the cap fits has got to step out and pave the way for PKK’s advancement in assuring ways based on his resourceful vision and leadership approach. Being with him is assuring and humbling. His life is an epistle, known and read by everyone. He’s got the right leadership acumen to assemble our multiple issues and apply solutions. In a recent media chat, when the interviewer asked him why he decided to throw his hat in the ring for PKK’s race, he gave the most epic response in history. In his words, he said, “PKK is my home. The people are my people. I love them with passion. I’m running to identify with them, give them a voice, embrace their concerns and use my time, energy and resources for the advancement of their struggle – a struggle that will pay off and add incredible value in their tomorrow.” 

The aforesaid means, he has justifiable reason to run for office. He’s not running to be famous or amass wealth but he’s running for a purpose – basically to make a difference and upgrade efforts for a better PKK.

It’s been said that “our journeys are neither marathons nor sprints but relays.” In the light of this great reality, Ezra Dakup will have the honor of collecting the baton of leadership from the incumbent. He’s determined to make a mark and bequeath legacies that will stand the test of time. His slogan “The Divine Mandate” means more than what we can imagine. It is literally translated as a mandate anchored on God’s ultimate purpose and will. His aspiration has nothing to do with self but everything to do with God and the good people of PKK. He believes in God, puts the people first, carries others along, shapes the path for greater accomplishments and determines a win-win outcome and success stories for PKK. When given the mandate, Ezra Dakup will work for the sake of conscience and posterity, defying all odds and giving meaning to our collective stories. A technocrat to the core who believes in managing resources and empowerment, his blueprint of economic empowerment of women and youths is at the heart of his mission. An outspoken and intelligent man, his motions, bills and debates will be people-centered and driven by goals, results and vision in the sacred interest of the people of PKK and the overall interests on Nigerians. 

2023, will come and go but Ezra Dakup’s vision for the betterment of PKK will stand. It will stand against the doubts of skeptics and run its course. It will burst upon the sea, traverse the length and breadth of PKK for a lasting impact. It will never be shaken by the whirlwind of despair and distractions until it serves its ultimate purpose for the redefinition of a future built on optimism and prosperity. 

 EZRA DAKUP MEDIA TEAM

Ziphion Chrysanthus visits road safety command, calls for ban of trucks parked along Hawan Kibo road to avoid accidents

Apparently concerned and worried about the constant road crashes at Hawan Kibo Jos road as a result of illegal parking of trucks on the main road, Hon. Ziphion Chrysanthus has paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Road Safety, Hawan Kibo Command to call for the ban of trucks parking illegally on the main road. 

Hon. Chrysanthus made the call while on his way back to Abuja after a series of political engagements in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam respectively. 

Hon. Chrysanthus calls for collaborative efforts between the road safety command and Special Task Force (STF) to ensure the effectiveness of the ban. He premised his call on the many road crashes claiming lives and pockets of insecurity around the axis almost on daily basis. 

On many occasions, due to illegal parking of trucks, motorists plying the Jos/Abuja road at Hawan Kibo face discomfort because the other lane is blocked resulting in the use of one-way. 

Hon. Chrysanthus was warmly welcomed and his concerns were heard. In response, the head of the road safety team said his visit was articulated as a matter of patriotism.

Award Conferment: My underlying interest is Plateau's growth and development - Ziphion Chrysanthus

The MD/CEO of Terziph Services Ltd Abuja Mr Ziphion Chrysanthus said, Tuesday, that the recent Plateau Man of the Year award 2021 conferred on him under the category of "Young Business Leadership of the Year" was dedicated to God as well as the progress and development of Plateau State in a press statement made available to Satisprime Media Online.

According to Chrysanthus, the award was a call for more patriotism to the state and country at large, noting that he will continue to do all he can within his means to serve humanity and use his business as a medium through which lives will be affected on a massive scale wherever he finds himself.

The Statement reads in part.

"I feel good and strengthened in the light of my award conferrment. Firstly, I thank the organizers of the event and those who participated in the voting exercise for finding me worthy. Secondly, I wish to dedicate the award to God as well as the progress and development of Plateau State. It's not about me, but about my people.

I've been a businessman over time and I find pleasure in empowering lives and strengthening destinies. I do so with a sense of responsibility and a clear conviction that the future holds much higher potentials and opportunities for us when we humble ourselves that others might be lifted. Today's award has further opened a new chapter and motivated me to continually do my best for the less privileged members of humanity through my businesses and initiatives. I thank my supporters for believing in me and helping me to chart a new course in my most turbulent moments and engagements. Let us continue to work together through engaging collaboration to make Plateau State a better place. I also encourage the youths to think outside the box and embrace opportunities as they unfold. Let us not depend entirely on government jobs but work hard, build progressive ideas and explore practical initiatives. Everything is in our hands. You can count on me through thick and thin."

A WORLD IN TRANSITION – Rest or Resting in peace? - Alfred Dapal DAMIYAL

Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.

- Nelson MANDELA

‘Home of peace and tourism’...this is one state slogan that many will ponder it's truth. We have the tourist attractions, but can we enjoy them without the peace?

In the nineties, a friend from Lagos schooling at Uni-Jos was always fascinated by how almost every home in Jos never locked their doors during the day. And my answer to him was "why should we?" 

Those were the days I would say we were ‘resting in peace’.

Fast forward to today, and the spate of insecurity has made us a people always on the edge, a people in an almost constant state of suspicion.

How did it get this way? What are the causes? And what are the solutions?

On the level and type of insecurity we are experiencing let me start by saying –

WE CANNOT FIGHT THE WARS OF TODAY WITH THE WEAPONS OF YESTERDAY. 

Permit me to briefly highlight what in my opinion are the root causes of robberies, cultism, kidnappings, rapes, muggings and the other crimes we see ravaging our streets and communities in Plateau State, and afterwards address the most pertinent problem we face; crimes committed by herdsmen (Fulani or not), rustlers, bandits or whatever name we feel comfortable calling them. 

Some major causes of the common types of criminality that we have seen increase astronomically recently  include (1) Unemployment (this is at an unsustainable rate of about 35.2% in Plateau State – and we know ‘an idle mind is….), (2) A weak judicial system (prosecution and dispensing of court cases is often very slow, and mostly favourable to the wealthy or ‘highest bidder’), (3) Easy availability of hard drugs and narcotics, (4) Porous international borders (uncontrolled influx of foreigners and the proliferation of  small arms and light weapons), (5) Developmental and structural imbalance (marginalization - most regional agitations which start as legitimate complaints against government bias always lead to the rise of criminal empires – think Niger-Delta militants), (6) Terrorism (resulting from forced imposition of one’s religious beliefs on others – this requires an address of such ideologies and the strict respect of our religious freedoms as a guaranteed by the constitution), (7) Break-down of moral authority in homes (mostly an economic problem - can a parent who cannot fully cater to the needs of his/her wards have the justification/confidence to set moral boundaries for them) and (8) Corruption in leadership (political leadership, religious leadership, traditional leadership – leaders generally serve as moral references for every society, their actions or in-actions are always used as a yardstick or excuse for the behavior of the followers).  

However, for now I would like to focus on the issue of ‘Fulani’ herdsmen which is currently threatening the very fabric of our existence and unity as a country.

Bandits, Fulani herdsmen, or just plain herdsmen whichever name you find appropriate diplomatically or politically.

Herdsmen of whom in Nigeria are mostly of Fulani descent, is a traditional ‘profession’ characterized by a nomadic lifestyle.

Is this nomadic lifestyle feasible and sustainable in this modern era - I say NO.

We have in time past always had skirmishes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers from as long as I can remember, and I know that within our traditional leadership structure these issues have always been resolved via dialogue and in some instances reprimands via payment of fines. 

The Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes as it pertains to cattle trespassing and destroying crops, and the retaliation and counter attacks, is at its roots an economic issue that bothers on land…and let’s remember that the administration of land within the territory of states is the sole responsibility of the governors who hold it in trust on behalf of the people they govern.

In addition to the farmer/herdsmen clashes, what we are experiencing now is a whole new security challenge with the advent of kidnappings from our homes and armed robbery on our roads – most of which, from testimony of several victims in Plateau state, are perpetrated by persons of Fulani ethnic descent and their occasional local collaborators.

Hence, we have two security issues to address centered around the ‘Fulani herdsman’; herdsmen/farmer clashes and criminality (kidnapping and armed robbery).

 

About 2 years ago, a friend’s daughter (a University student) was kidnapped somewhere around Bauchi ring road in Jos North LGA of the state. And she confirmed to having been taken by Fulani men…however what is strange from her account was how during their walk to the kidnappers’ den they were forced to hide and keep still whenever any Fulani herdsman with cattle were sighted.

And this occurrence has been supported by other kidnap stories as well.

This leads me to the conclusion that we have on one side Fulani herdsmen who normally carry out there nomadic activities (with the attendant clashes with farmers) and on the other side criminals of Fulani descent who engage in kidnappings/armed robberies and roam about freely under the guise of herdsmen.

Where the later come from or how they got here  is a subject of different speculations; from the school of thought that say they are foreigners from Niger, Mali and other sub-saharan countries migrating down to Plateau and other middle belt states as a result of draught, to those who believe them to be mercenaries brought in for political reasons.

However, one thing is certain, separating the Fulani nomadic herdsmen from the Fulani criminal elements is a first step to resolving this security impasse.

It is my suggestion that to resolve both issues of herdsmen/farmer clash and provide a clear path to solving the kidnapping issues will require as a first step putting an end to the nomadic nature of cattle herding, via making ranching of animals mandatory, and incentivizing it.

Ranches should be established in partnership with the private sector and sited in locations -States, where the Fulani’s have cultural and religious affiliations, and make available facilities required for effective cattle rearing. On this  I give kudos to Gov. Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano state, who has taken concrete steps towards the establishment of ranches in Dansoshiya, Samsosua and Falgore forests (based on news reports), and who has been a vocal advocate to ending nomadism.

And I join my voice with his to say “NOMADIC CATTLE REARING MUST END”.

And thinking of the economic potential of ranching; the dairy, meat and leather industries that can be spurn off it, it should be a venture our state can provide incentives to encourage private individuals/companies to establish for the indigenes of our dear state,  after all, even yours humbly was a livestock herder as a boy. Cattle rearing is a profession, a business not ordained for any specific people group. 

The cattle population in Nigeria is estimated to be between 13.9 million  (Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO, of the United Nations) and 19.5m (National Agricultural Sample Census), for the sake of my being an eternal optimist I’ll use the latter figure. 

At 19.5 million cows Nigeria is 4th in Africa (behind Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania – 54m, 41.9m and 24.5m respectively) and globally with 1.36% of the world wide cattle population we are 14th.

Now let us compare our numbers with Brazil, which has the world’s largest cattle population, with 211.7 million cows (that is more than 10 times the cattle population in Nigeria) and of that number nomadic herding of cattle is highly negligible as almost all these cows are in ranches. And this has helped brazil to export about $5.4 BILLION worth of beef annually (yes more than 2 TRILLION-naira exporting ‘nama’).

Nomadic herding of cattle has implications for cattle genetics, adaptation, well-being, nutrition, and production; in other words it decreases the economic output in terms of the quality of meat, milk and skin (leather). An example of this glaring consequence is when you are informed that herded lactating cows in Nigeria produce less than 1 gallon/day of milk, while in Brazil the cows produce an average of 6-7 gallons of milk daily. 

And to think that Nigeria spends $1.2 – 1.5 BILLION (more than N500 BILLION) annually to import dairy products (milk, butter, cheese…).

So you see as much as ranching is a solution to a security problem, it can be a bigger solution to an economic problem.  

Some might argue that nomadism is a cultural practice that is sacred… but CULTURE - defined as the way of life of a people, is never static. Throughout history we have seen culture as represented in our clothing style, language, festivals, beliefs…evolve with changes in demography, technology, climate, economy and other factors. 

And in the light of the security challenges it portends and the potential economic benefits to be derived, shouldn’t the ‘nomadic culture’ of our Fulani brethren evolve with the times we are in?  

We can stubbornly hold on to old systems, but think of it – anytime you enter a Habib Yogurt shop and order a cup of ‘fura da nunu’, each sip is a testament of the dynamism of culture. 

Promoting ranching will kill the proverbial two birds with one stone; (1) Result in a winding down of the perennial herdsmen/farmer clashes while increasing the economic value derived from cattle rearing, and (2) More importantly take away the ‘legitimacy’ of movement, or should I say the ability of the Fulani criminal elements to move stealthily under the cover of herdsmen. 

TAKE AWAY, VIA RANCHING, THESE LEGITIMATE FULANI HERDSMEN, AND ANYONE LEFT BEHIND IN OUR FORESTS IS A CRIMINAL AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.

A people group research carried out by a mission agency shows that in Nigeria very few places still have undiscovered human populations, and I can confidently say that in Plateau state we don’t have any undiscovered/unconnected human settlements. 

This means that any isolated groups of people identified in forested areas should be treated as suspects.

What stops us as a State from deploying satellite imagery, drone technology or simple high-altitude balloons fitted with thermal cameras to monitor human movements at night along major hotspots on the roads and forests?

These supported by a network of local informants and community security outfits like the Hunters’ Association, Vigilante groups and Neighbourhood Watch, equipped with telecommunication gadgets to monitor, track and report movement of unidentified persons in their areas will furnish us with relevant information which can be used by our security agencies for rapid and precise response to threats.

We can also work with traditional rulers, village heads and concerned citizens to perform KYC on new arrivals to our communities and report suspicious activities via this proposed statewide network established for information gathering. And as an added deterrence, laws should be made to confiscate or in extreme cases destroy buildings used for kidnappings or as criminal hideouts, this is to compel owners or landlords to ensure they properly profile and certify people residing in their properties. 

Our state security outfit, Operation rainbow is also critical in combating criminal activities. With the use of intelligent information gathering coupled with the right and proper training, armed with high tech security equipment and strategically deploying personnel to flashpoints and identified criminal routes/hideouts; criminals and criminality can and will be flushed out of our dear state

We live in a world fueled by information technology, and in my industry I have seen drones, acoustic sensors, satellite imagery, radio-based tech, wireless telemetry and other available equipment to gather information that goes into effective monitoring of oil/gas pipelines, and these same technologies are being adapted for security purposes even here in Nigeria.

As criminals and crimes increase, new thinking and new tools are required to evolve new ways of preventing and combating them.  

The wars our generals in the past fought were against enemies you could pin to a geographic location, modern day enemies of the people deploy unconventional ways in carrying out their heinous activities. They are non-state actors, mobile individuals or groups with sinister agenda, often times living among us, occasionally one of us and we need to harness the power that technology offers in terms of gathering data/information to fight these battles. 

This is a matter that needs urgent response to as we are daily seeing the personal and economic impact of the actions of these criminal elements -  we see it in the prices of foodstuff at markets a result of farmers unable to till their lands, our sons and daughters living outside the State afraid to visit home and the loss of our hospitality as a people. 

Our right to live securely, drive through the streets without fear, farm our lands communally, have fun relishing the company of friends and family, and calmly enjoy the warmth of our spouses at night….Is being threatened –  however the security situation we face as a state is not a case of the irresistible force paradox; where an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. 

We as a people have surmounted impossible odds by the strength of our unity, the fervor of our ingenuity and our openness to embrace new thinking. 

So I stand behind the people of our dear state to say “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain…”

- Alfred Dapal DAMIYAL

Opinion: A World in Transition: Plateau State What Do We See? By Alfred Dapal Damiyal

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking”

― Albert Einstein

Just as Moses received a divine message from God from the midst of a burning bush only he could see, as a nation we are faced with our ‘burning bush’ moment, but are we seeing and hearing the message?

Lets take a look at some of the quiet headlines we have seen this year…’President Biden ends the Keystone pipeline project and moves to rejoin Paris climate accords’, ‘French oil giant TOTAL acquires 20% stake in largest solar developer’, ‘54% of new cars sold in Norway in 2020 were electric’, ‘IOC’s in Nigeria reject deep water provisions in PIB’, ‘Surge in Tesla shares makes Elon Musk worlds richest man’, ‘ENI (formerly Agip), Italian energy company eyes clean energy investments in India’, ‘China aims for carbon neutrality by 2060’, ‘Renewable energy surpassed fossil fuel for electricity in Europe in 2020’, ‘All US federal government vehicles to be changed to EV’s’…

These headlines all point to one conclusion – we are seeing a gradual global movement away from petroleum.

It is coming sooner than we think.

Every major industrial change is preceded by a major breakthrough in technology – from the 1st industrial revolution driven by the steam engine powered by coal, which was overtaken by the internal combustion engine which ushered in the petroleum industry, for which Nigeria is a huge beneficiary to the present 4th industrial revolution which is a fusion of advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, genetic engineering, quantum computing, and other technologies. 

In lay man terms – advances in technology gives rise to major changes in the economy of countries, yesterdays economies driven by coal and the steam engine gave way to the ‘big boys’ of crude oil exemplified by OPEC countries,  the IOC’s (International Oil Companies) and our days of economic boom as a country which gave way to the age of computing and data driven economies.

The geometrically increasing power of computing means that advances in technology are coming faster, and with it CHANGES in the global economy. 

The world is moving away from oil, particularly the transportation industry with Electric Vehicles (EV’s) matching ‘petrol’ powered cars in price and performance.

This begs the question ‘Is Nigeria prepared or preparing for a post oil world?’ and ‘Are we in Plateau state aware of the negative impact such a scenario will have on us?’

Crude oil sales account for about 70% of the Nigerian governments revenue – and last year when prices crashed, a result of the pandemic we lost about 80% in revenue resulting in the Federal Government going cap in hand to the World Bank and IMF to borrow funds. And given that these monies are shared monthly via the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Plateau state was not and will not be spared the effect of this shortfall and loan repayments as well.

So what do the figures tell us?

In a space of one year oil price went from ~$66/barrel in 2019 to <$30/barrel in 2020; and Plateau state lost about 22% of its revenue from the federation account. 

In  the first half (H1) of 2019 our state received N21.37 billion from the FAAC and within the same interval, H1 2020, N16.53 billion was received from the FAAC. Internally generated revenue however remained almost constant at N9.41 billion in H1 2019 and N9.40 billion in H1 2020. 

Adjusting these figures for inflation which reached more than 14% last year and we will see that the actual loss of revenue (value) is >30%.

Simply put, if Mr Plateau made one thousand naira (N1000) in 2019 and he could afford to buy 2 large tubers of yam, in 2020 he made less than N800, and he could only afford one large tuber of yam and a little ‘change’ for keke Napep.

With the push by developed countries for increased utilization of renewable energy we should expect to see a continuous decline in revenues from the FAAC (or increased indebtedness beyond our capacity to repay) until a point is reached when Mr Plateau will have to depend on the crumbs from other peoples tables. 

What can we do about this?

As a state, we do not have a lot of control over what is available from the federation account, but what to do about our Internally Generated Revenue is entirely up to us.

The Plateau State Government should take practical steps towards increasing our IGR.

A breakdown of the revenue we generate as a state shows that more than 90% is generated from taxes; taxes on personal income (PAYE), fines, licenses and levies on business activities, road taxes and others. With income from investments being insignificant.

How do we increase this?

How do we attract companies and businesses to invest in the state?

How do we create an environment in the state for existing local businesses to grow?

How do we create industries out of the potential cash crops we have like coffee, wheat and cotton?

How do we utilize a PPP model to generate revenue from investments?

How do we benefit from the mining sector, most of which is done illegally by artisan miners?

How do we………………………………..………?

We as a people need to start asking the right questions of ourselves and our leaders because it is only in asking the right questions do we begin to position ourselves for the new thinking needed to start preparing for a world that is already in transition. 

Change is coming for us whether we acknowledge it or not, and what needs to be done requires us as a State to be strategic and wholistic in approach. 

Some might see this challenge as overwhelming, however as JFK, a former US president once said and I paraphrase………….”LET US BEGIN”.

Alfred Dapal Damiyal

Mr. Alfred Dapal Damiyal calls for support and prayers for Nigeria's armed forces as they celebrate their day

Mr. Alfred Dapal has paid glowing tribute to the armed forces of Nigeria on the occasion of armed forces remembrance day today being Friday 15th January 2021.

In a special goodwill message made available to Journalists, Mr. Dapal said Nigeria's armed forces have played crucial role in maintaining peace, democracy and the rule of law in both hard and good times. 

He said they must be commended in all ramifications of their work for examplifying courage, patriotism, capacity and above all for justifying the struggle of our heroes past for the betterment of our country. 

He further noted that the Nigerian armed forces should be supported to achieve the best for the country so that their ultimate sacrifices will not be in vain. 

While wishing them a fruitful celebration all over Plateau State and the country at large, Mr. Dapal enjoined them never to give up but remain resolute in putting Nigeria on the path of safety and development. 

 *Alfred Dapal Media Team*

Alfred Dapal Congratulates Plateau teachers on the occasion of World Teachers Day

Following the celebration of World Teachers Day, Mr. Alfred Dapal has expressed solidarity and felicitations to all teachers on the Plateau. In a goodwill message made available to Satisprime Media Group, Dapal said teachers “are mentors and pace setters, contributing immeasurably to the success of people and nations, maintaining that their impacts are felt and appreciated every step of the way.”

Mr. Dapal, while congratulating all teachers enjoined them to be relentless in enforcing discipline and moral consciousness in students and the society at large. He further advised them to see their work as services rendered to humanity and God because their efforts “are yielding results in terms of moulding leaders and facilitating development in the best interest of all.”