Agatu vs Fulani:My take!

First of all,I want everybody to know that Fulani herdsmen are seen in most parts of the North and are sometimes seen across the Niger River down South during extreme dry weather conditions.Hence,the issue of clashes between them and local farmers is not new thing at all  (it's inevitable...afterall,the tongue and the teeth in your mouth occasionally clash)! It's just that ransacking villages and killing so many are not as experienced else where as we have in Benue and Plateau states.
In the case of Benue,the issue has been on for a very,very long time,in fact,one can mistake it for a full blown tribal war.This is why one would like to ask as to why it takes such serious dimensions when it comes to the Middle Belt states?
The answer is not far fetched at all!If you are conversant with Middle Belt/North Central political groups on facebook,you would be able to smell the tension right in the air!Members of North Central states of Benue,Plateau (sometimes Kaduna) states are always at logger heads with the Hausa/Fulanis.They are always at each other's throats when it comes to political issues.
The Middle Belt guys consistently accuse the Hausa/Fulani of occupying their lands and refusing to leave.In response,the Fulanis would fight back claiming that they are rightfully residents of the states as well and as a matter of fact,this is Nigeria and they are Nigerians.
Whenever the Middle Belt indigene threatens the forceful evacuation of the Fulanis,they would stand their ground and respond by daring them to do so!This is what I experience first hand in such facebook groups.Initially,I used to wonder why so much hatred brews between them,but,with time,I realized that the Middle Belt guy is still angry with the Hausa/Fulani man for conquering their lands and changing both their POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS landscapes forever!So,whenever an average Middle Belt indigene sees or hear of a Fulani man residing in their indigenous lands,they burn with rage...not to mention hearing him quarrel with a farmer OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS FARM!It's maddening!!!
Before I continue with my post,I'll like to give a quick intro as to the nature of an average Middle Belt man and a Fulani herdsman.
A typical Middle Belt man can be exceptionally stubborn especially when he is on his right,likewise the Fulanis...but the Fulanis,in addition are traditionally war-like in nature.They are always at alert to all forms of threat that come their way.This might be probably due to their Nomadic lifestyle which sees them living in the bush most of the time a midst wild carnivorous animals.This is certainly not the case with the Middle Belt men who live a settled life in his village/town/city.
So,naturally,you'll expect the one with the Nomadic lifestyle to win virtually all the time when men from these different backgrounds clash.Like I said earlier,the Fulanis are known to have had petty clashes from time to time with indigenes of their various host communities but they rarely record as much casualties as they record in the Middle Belt...especially in Benue,Plateau and Kaduna states.
Now,coming back to the incessant clashes between the Herdsmen and the local farmers.It's pertinent to note that the needless clashes and losses of life and properties can be prevented with a simple application of tolerance,understanding and co-operation.
Tolerance
As local farmers and landlords of the Middle Belt,the indigenes have a duty to accept and tolerate peoples of different backgrounds that come or pass through their lands.Failure to do so would paint them bad as intolerant racists and uncivilized people.This is why the traditional rulers and leaders need to wake up to their duties to the people.
For instance,in the report of the recent unfortunate massacre of the Agatus,apart from the call made by the Governor and the visit of the Inspector General,I haven't heard of any report of traditional rulers of both sides coming together to iron issues out.This is so irresponsible of them...I'm sorry!
You might not agree with me,but,the lack of organized meetings between the fighting factions' leaders have contributed immensely to the continuous clashes between them.If the leaders of the Local host communities  meet regularly with the Hausa/Fulani regional traditional leaders,they would,by now come up with several MOU's that would be binding on both the hosts and their guests with or without the interference or involvement of the government!
But,this,unfortunately isn't the case all because of the lack of tolerance.Without tolerance,people,even from the same family would find it extremely difficult to live together!The leaders of local hosting communities and those of the Hausa/Fulani communities must find it within themselves to tolerate one another and learn of each others do's and don't's and work according to them.
Undersatnding
With tolerance comes understanding...you must be ready to accept me first,with my faults if you must understand me.
If the Agatus had tolerated the Fulanis and accepted them with their faults,settling matters and getting justice when cheated or hurt won't be difficult!I stand to be corrected,if the ethnic clashes must cease in the North Central,our traditional rulers and leaders have a very important role to play!
THEY MUST GO PAST THE PETTY QUARRELS,MEET WITH THE HAUSA/FULANI COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AGREE ON TERMS OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE THAT SHALL BE WITNESSED BY MEN OF THE LAW.LAWS MUST BE MADE AND PUNISHMENTS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE TO SERVE AS DETERRENT TO POTENTIAL OFFENDERS!!!
Co-operation
To co-operate,even in marriages,require a lot of tolerance,understanding and CO-OPERATION.The Hausa/Fulanis and the local farmers are not meant to be enemies,as a matter of fact,to me,they are more fit to be partners in progress! 
I mean,come to think of it,farmers provide us with our basic food needs...they plant food crops like vegetables,fruits among other food crops,rice,beans,maize and wheat.On the other hand,the Fulanis provide us with our meat and milk needs which are superb sources of protein. A balanced diet require products of both sides...so,you see,they are indeed meant to be partners in progress.This is why it's a MUST they learn to live together in peace and harmony and trust me,it won't happen if the traditional rulers continue to be complicit on the matter.If there had been a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between the Agatus and the Fulanis,the Fulanis would have no choice but to help fish out the perpetrators of the massacre and the Agatus,in turn would have co-operated by fishing out those that killed the 10 000 cattle and the messenger of peace as claimed by the Fulanis!!!
So,if you are reading this and are either a Hausa/Fulani or a North Central indigene,the key to our long lasting co-existence (which is a MUST for us) are our traditional leaders! They must meet and work out modalities and come out with MOU's that shall be binding on both parties.
Of course,the state and Federal governments can help by establishing grazing fields for our Hausa/Fulani herdsmen...this would serve as a permanent solution to the problem.This is my take!
Regards,
Long live Naija!


      
 

N400 Per Dollar...another BIG Change! III

From the previous post,we made it abundantly clear that the problem is with us the citizens.We could make things happen irrespective of the person in power.The Dollar problem is an economic problem not political.Today,we are discussing the solutions Insha Allah.
What can We do About it???
The answer to the question is pretty simple.But,like I said in the previous post,it somewhat lengthy.However,I shall just be brushing through them.
There is a 3-steps solution to our economic problems.They are the DEFINITION,PLANNING AND EXECUTION steps.

Definition

This is the first step in every major project in life.We need to first of all get it right in terms of what we need,to what extent we want to go and when we want it done.In this case of ours - curtailing the fall of the Naira and adding value to it.
We want the Naira to stabilize against the Dollar,we would want to go as far as making the Naira equal to the Dollar (for now) and we want it done ASAP...latest,by the year 2020.

Planning

During the planning step,our line of action shall be guided by the definition we have made above.Stabilizing the Naira require us to reduce,drastically,our rate of importation to only those things we don't produce at all in the country.
For instance,the importation of staple foods like rice,beans,fish,chicken among other stuffs we produce in the country should be gradually discouraged.This can be done by US the citizens NOT the government.All we gotta do is to buy more of those products that are produced within the country DESPITE their flaws.
In that way,we would be putting more money into the hands of our local producers to produce more,it would also serve as an inducement to local investors to put more money into the Economy.It would also translate to employment generation for so many and a mass emigration back to farm to produce more food and raw materials for such industries as the textile industries!
This is why I'm so happy when the present regime promised to focus on the Agricultural sector as a savior of our economy.Let them meet you and I in the place,don't wait on the government...I personally believe more on the might of the citizenry than that of the government and that is because,the government,to me,is a mere reflection of the people of a country.If the people are good,the country would be,(we are good,aren't we?) and where the reverse is the case,please,don't expect Saints to rule in the city of Devils!
If we,the people would change our taste,place more value on what are made in Nigeria over those from foreign lands,the Government has no choice but to follow suit!After all,they'll need our votes to stay in power,won't they?If we make a strong statement with OUR ACTIONS AND CHANGE OF TASTE,they would listen and obey!
Another cool thing about the 'change' thing is that with less importation going on,less Naira would have to go abroad,therefore,gradually,less Naira would be available in the international market which means scarcity of the Naira.According to the Supply rule,the lower the Supply,the higher the price!
Nigerians must be encouraged to invest more in the local economy so that production can be increased and consequently,the Naira would gain value not only against the Dollar,but,other major currencies like the British Pound and the Euro!This encouragement comes ONLY from buying more of Naija.Now,the question is,how many of us are patriotic enough to 'change' our taste for the sake of improving our economy...how many???

Execution

Execution is pretty easy once we are able to scale through the planning stage successfully.Some might argue that execution is in fact the problem.We have been made to understand that there have been so many well planned and well articulated blueprints that have been made over the years,but,lack of political will to execute them has been the problem.
While I agree that this is true,I may also wanna argue that some of those blueprints were done without considering the 'Nigerian' factor.
Most of those that were involved in the making of blueprints hardly leave the comfort of their well furnished and air-conditioned offices to have direct contact with those they are making the plans for.Now,tell me,what do you expect of such think tanks...what type of plans do you think they can come up with???
This is the major reason why most of those that managed to come out for execution fail so woefully...the plans are alien to the Nigerian society and those blueprints that never left the planning stage,believe it or not,they were not actually needed,the organization and the whole process of making the blueprint were merely to serve as a 'dummy' to us...they were not meant to be implemented but to douse a possible revolt that was perceived that's all!Oh,how many times over have we fallen for this same old trick of our politicians!
This plans as proposed can only work if we as Nigerians are ready to move forward and stop wasting time on cheap political rantings.If we truly want to make this country work,we need to start working on the 'change' of our taste by buying more of Naija products so as to encourage local producers and manufacturers and at the same time,we would be putting more value on the Naira by making it stay back home!So,stop putting money on importation business,but, on exportation.I rest my case on this matter for now!Thanks for your time!
God Bless Nigeria and Nigerians!!
Ameen!!!   

N400 Per Dollar...another BIG Change! II

If you had missed the first part of this write up,I'll STRONGLY suggest you go read it up before you read this post.You should see a post with a similar title on the blog.Having said that,it's time to continue from where we stopped.
BREAKING NEWS! Naira has Appreciated by N6 in the Parallel Market!

I woke up to the news that the Naira appreciated against the Dollar,isn't that wonderful?This goes a long way to buttress the point that the Federal Government is trying to make by insisting on the N199/$ mark.
You see,there's a saying in Yoruba that goes thus:"Nani-nani,oun a ba ni lan nani". It literally means that you should value and promote what you have so that others would value it too!
In a situation whereby someone works in Nigerian economy and refused to be paid in Naira but Dollars is highly unacceptable!But,unfortunately,it has happened in Nigeria on several occasions...I heard that a certain construction company who had been a regular contracting firm in Nigeria (name withheld) gets paid in terms of CRUDE OIL, can you just imagine?!
So,when people start talking about how Buhari has been inactive and how innocent or guilty Jonathan has been,I cannot help but to laugh and marvel.The Dollar palava is NOT a political matter but an economic one.True,the government has a large influence on the economy but not as much as we are made to believe.
To so many,the Federal Government is the Alpha and Omega of all that happens in the country,especially the economic sector.To the majority,the only person that can better the economy is the government,no one else can do a thing about it,how true is this?
There's a BIG Difference between Your Personal Finance and Government Finance
When we talk of the Economy,people start ranting about government policies.When we talk of rise in crime rate,it's the government,talk of unemployment,it is the government should do something about it...according to a comedian,it has come to a level that people are beginning to think that the government should be responsible for the high divorce rate in the country! Haba!
What you earn,how you earn it and how you spend or manage what you earn has NOTHING to do with the government...it's solely your responsibility!So,if you are not faring well financially,it's neither the government nor the Nigerian economy that's at fault,YOU are at fault!
There are so many things that you need to learn and do about the way you earn and spend.You must be ready to think and act like a rich man if you want to be rich...for more info,I'll suggest you join therichkidstreasurebox.com 
It's a social networking site for Investors and Entrepreneurs.Go join them,registration is free.There's a welcome package that'll help you understand the basis of what I call Personal Finance.This is a must for all that are not getting it right financially...goodluck!
A Country is as rich as the Citizens of the Country

Nigeria is a RICH country considering the so many mineral riches that are found within her territory.But, of what use are the riches of a country when her citizens are poor?I read a guy's post on facebook in which he said that there are 38 solid minerals in the world and 25 of them can be found in Nigeria!Therefore,the country is rich...very rich!But,how rich are Nigerians???
Most Nigerians are raised and trained to go to school,graduate and start looking for a job.Very few are trained to do business.This is the root cause of the widespread poverty in Nigeria.Since we are trained to seek for jobs,we find it highly ridiculous to invest our savings.What we do mostly with our savings is to either build a house,marry a wife or two...or more,some seek out higher certificate of learning so as to get promoted at work.There are some that has no appetite for savings,they just collect their salaries,settle the bills and squander the rest in a beer parlor or pepper soup joint!
This has been the case in Nigeria and unfortunately is still the psyche of most Nigerian youths.This,also,is the main reason why Nigerians are poor.The Economy has been grossly mismanaged by the past regimes,so,has been the government companies that have proved to be the largest employer of labor.Their collapse (government companies like the Railway Corporation)  has led to a massive unemployment rate.
Since Nigeria mainly consist of Employee minded youths and very few entrepreneurs,things are getting increasingly difficult with so many coming out of the Universities without a job on sight.Everyone is forced to jump at whatever means of income luck throws at them GRATEFULLY!
Creativity and Innovation is a long lost asset of Nigerian youths who have turned to scavengers of labor.Just imagine a Master Degree holder begging to be employed as a gatekeeper!It is that bad!!!
What Can we do About It?
Ah! That question has a very long answer...it's so long that I'll suggest we treat it tomorrow,Okay?Please,keep it a date tomorrow.Thanks for your time!

N400 Per Dollar...another BIG Change!

So many have had their say about the current steep upward rise of the Dollar against our dear Naira.As expected,most of the comments have been negative.Some have gone as far as saying that the country is already a failed state.God forbid!
Now,let's be very sincere with ourselves,the economic downturn is NOT the fault of Buhari...it's not TOTALLY that of the past regimes either.Guys,make we no fool ourselves,the problem is more of ours the citizens than our leaders!
How Many Made in Nigeria Products do you Use?
Like I used to say,Nigerians are yet to start seeing themselves as Nigerians.As such,we don't really care about what happens to Nigeria so long we live comfortably.Very few of us truly care about National matters.This is why most of us would say 'Devalue the Naira' even when it's quite obvious that the devaluation would only lead to inflation.We don't care,so long we are not directly affected. This is sad!
What we don't know is that the current economic broo-hoo-waha we find ourselves today is as a result of our careless attitude towards our dear country Nigeria.We want the best of services and products which is normal.But,the problem is that the origin and source of the service/product you use matters.It involves the exchange of currencies.It's all about the normal demand & supply curves...the higher the price,the lower the demand and vice versa.
When you buy foreign products,our Naira flies out of the country to pay for it but when you buy a Nigerian product,the Naira stays at home and improves our overall economic status.In other words,the more often we buy foreign products/services,the more often Naira has to travel oversees...now,the problem is that we Nigerians buy foreign products much more often than we should,hence,the Naira travels out so often that other countries are becoming wary of it.
When you see something too often,you seem to loose taste for it,hence,you treat it with less respect and sometimes downgrade it...that's exactly what's happening to the Naira.
Buy Nigerian Products even if the are Inferior!
I know that some products cannot be produced in Nigeria because we lack the required technology or raw materials,yes,but,can't we limit our importation to those and as a matter of fact strive to extend the number of products/service we produce???Naira needs to stay at home the more so that people out there would miss it and treat it with more respect.
There was a time in this country that the Naira was more valuable than the Dollar so much that Americans would be glad to be paid in Naira!We can bring back those glorious days...together,we can do it and it's easy to do it.
All we have to do is to resolve to buy more Nigerian products as against foreign products even when the Nigerian product is inferior to its foreign counterparts.Buy it Nigerian to keep Nigerians employed and keep the Naira indoors!Buy the products and suggest to the producers how they can make better products...now,that's how to grow an economy...the citizens must be ready to support their country by patronizing products made in their country.You would NEVER see an average American or British citizens patronizing other country's products while there's a local producer of the same product,why can't we do that too??? 
Consumers are the Kings...we are the Kings & Queens!
An open secret is that Traders,Merchants and the Business men sell what WE WANT TO BUY NOT WHAT THEY WANT SELL!

No Merchant would like to display products without buyers,so,they do market researches to find out what's trending,what's selling before they go to buy.Since in Nigeria,what sells are foreign products,Marketers and Merchants are forced to provide foreign goods.
Should we,the consumers...the buyers decide to change our taste today and patronize Nigerian products despite their numerous flaws,the Merchants and Marketers are trendy to follow suit by providing us with more Nigerian products!
                                                                                                               ....to be continued!
  
 

Kogi Election: God is the true King Maker!

If you've been doubting if God do really exist or whether He has a say in your life,I beg you to make re-think! Because God is truly alive and is able and capable of all things.He is the true and only King Maker!
About six months ago in Kogi,if you tell an average Kogite that an Ebira man or Okun guy has a chance to become the Governor of the state,the answer of such a person is definite and capital letter spelt NO!Whoever is familiar with the political terrain of Kogi state would tell you without mincing words that unless a miracle happens,no other tribe would be able to ascend the Lord Lugard House's throne.
It has been rumored that the Igala tribe alone constitutes the single majority in Kogi state,therefore,any candidate favored by this large tribe only needs very little fraction of other tribes to secure the Governor's job.The other two major tribes of Okun and Ebira had always contested this fact for years.So,when a close friend of mine's in-law (an Ebira) had the chance to conduct a special CENCUS exercise,he was disappointed with what he discovered.He discovered that the Igalas were truly more populous than Okun and Ebira combined!
Although an uncle of mine disputed this,but for now,they are officially more populous.This is why,I see this as a rare opportunity,a narrow window through which we too can attract some state government's presence to our areas.Some people feel that Faleke was cheated and that Yahya Bello once worked against the APC. To me,these are all flimsy excuses that aren't strong enough to hinder our chance to right some very old wrongs in the political and economic scene of the state.
If Faleke is not ready to become a deputy governor,then,I'll suggest that the APC should find another Okun man that's ready to work harmoniously with Yahya Bello. There are so many out there, it's not a must that it's Faleke that becomes the Deputy Governor...a person that's already elected under another state into a different political post. Okun politicians should 'soji',wake up to the opportunity that stare them in the face!
It's my prayer that Okun politicians realizes quickly enough that the present political play that's going on in the state has no room for personal ego or political ideological tussles. Politics in Nigeria today is all about make do with what you got and maximize its utility before it's passed on!
So, to the Okun people in the house, this is your opportunity to shine...the combo of Ebira and Okun in the Lugard house is about the best deal you can get in this era of ours. I would therefore appeal to our political class to find a substitute for Faleke if he insists on throwing away the rare opportunity given to us by the True King Maker Himself (God Almighty). Let's be grateful, embrace it with both hands and make the very best of it...remember, it's just four years o!
Who knows,this could be a test of gratitude from God Almighty. Perhaps,if we accept the Deputy Governor's seat with gratitude, He might bless us with the Governor's seat really soon.
God Bless Kogi,
God Bless Nigeria!

Fuel Subsidy Removal - My Take II

In my previous post,I made it clear what was meant by fuel subsidy - it's the money paid by the government to reduce the cost price of fuel for the general public.I also made a good run down on the history of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.Today,I shall continue from where I stopped which is discussing the way out.

Remove the Subsidy!
I'll explain.Let me start by asking you this very simple and logical question.If you are married and had settled your family in a place like Oshogbo while you work in Lagos.There's this expensive imported drug that you usually send to your wife for her ailing mother in Oshogbo. The highest amount of cash your wife can afford is N5000 but there in Lagos it goes for N7500.So,you decided to help by paying N3500 of the price so that your wife would only worry of paying just N4000. But,in the end,you discovered that your wife still pay through the nose as much as N7500 after she might have paid for transportation that you already have taken care of.Now,tell me,what would you do,would still continue to pay for the drugs??? Of course not!
We have been told from reports that subsidy payments are not making the desired effect on the fuel prices we pay,why,then,should the government continue to make such payments?Look,let's be realistic and face the facts.Can we say we have really enjoyed the dividends of being an oil producing country before,weren't we better off when we depended on Agriculture as a major source of national income...CAN ANYONE OF US TRULY SAY THAT HE OR SHE HAD ONCE FELT THE POSITIVE EFFECT OF FUEL SUBSIDY???

Is There Truly a Subsidy to be Removed?
If you carefully study the data presented as regards to subsidy removal from 1978 till date,you'll discover that they only tell you that they are removing fuel subsidy and are quiet as to when the subsidy was added in the first place.I mean,if the subsidy was removed in 1978,when was it re-added to warrant its removal again in 1990?
Okay,let's assume there were so many turbulent years between '78 and '90,but what of between '90 and '92,92 and '93 which were under the same regime,when was it re-added to warrant its removal again...how much exactly was paid as subsidy? The most laughable part is the occurrence in 2000 when subsidy was removed thrice!When was fuel subsidy added and by who before it was removed again?
In case you haven't noticed,the first subsidy removal was during Obasanjo's Military regime,the second,third and fourth were during the Babangida's era before Obasanjo came back in '99 to continue the upward movement of oil prices which was briefly halted and actually reversed backwards by Late Yaradua.Jonathan came to power to play the same old card of his predecessors,Obasanjo and Babangida but was faced by a stern resistance from Nigerians who are now more co-ordinated than ever...thanks to social media!His hands were forced to leave prices at N97/litre.
Now,in all these,there's none have I found much more thought provoking than the fact that despite all the sanctions and difficulties Nigeria faced under General Sanni Abacha,the fuel price was stagnated at N11 per litre!
Before Abacha's regime,I don't think we imported fuel at all,yet,there were subsidy removals but during his tenure when we had started importing fuel,there was no subsidy removal or hike in fuel prices...this is why I ask,is subsidy removal not a fraudulent way of embezzling public funds...WAS THERE ANY SUBSIDY IN THE FIRST PLACE???

Dealing With The Independent Marketers
Thank God,there are no more talks of Oil Cabals,what we got left are the subsidy and independent marketers' talks.
As you can rightly observe,at least in Ilorin where I live,there's scarcity of fuel and an emerging black market force.These are the consequences we have to face following the refusal of independent marketers to lift fuel for public consumption.In Ilorin,it's only the major marketers and the NNPC that sell fuel at the control price as expected.Independent marketers are not selling at all.However,I learnt that in places like Oshobgo and Ogbomosho,fuel are sold in filling stations but not at the control prices.The prices of petrol in those filling stations ranges from N100 - N150.
Now,let me say for the sake of emphasis,all these were happening despite the subsidy,why not just remove the subsidy then,so that we may know those to truly hold responsible?
I mean despite the subsidy,Nigerians have to pay as much as N250 per litre and the Federal Government announces that after the fuel subsidy removal,fuel prices won't exceed N95/litre. Just check out the difference!
What this means is that we are suffering this untold hardship simply because we are afraid of paying more,are we not paying more already???
During the President Jonathan's administration,things went from bad to worse,the emergence of the so called Independent Marketers who literally became the ones that decides how much we,both as a government and public consumers pay served us a very deadly blow.They come around and demand for subsidy payments at will.In fact,rumor has it that they sometimes get paid subsidy for doing absolutely nothing...all they had to do is present documents that a NON EXISTING oil vessel had just arrived and needs the subsidy funds to make necessary payments.Others were reported to have diverted the fuel tankers to neighboring after collecting subsidy payments from Nigerian government...the corrupt practices are way too many to mention!
Whether there was truly subsidy before the present regime's emergence,the regime must be ready to work according to what's on ground!This is because I'm seriously doubting its existence in the first place!

My Take!
Gaskia!I know one thing for certain,most Nigerians are not affected positively by the subsidy payments,as in,it doesn't reflect on how much I pay for fuel.It has also been known that after the total removal of the subsidy,fuel would land on Nigerian soil at about N78/litre,after the addition of all other forms of charges,it would rally round N94. Hence,the pump price in the end would be...say N100/litre!
To me,a standard and stable price of N100/litre of UNADULTERATED supply of fuel is far,far,much better than N250/litre adulterated black market supply!Forget about the government savings,forget the numerous government's on how the savings would be used. The koko to me is that fuel would be available at a highly stabilized price of N100 and the fact that prices would only go down and not upwards...when our refineries start operating fully!
This is my take - Remove the Subsidy TOTALLY!

Fuel Subsidy Removal - My take.

What is Subsidy?
A subsidy is a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive. Therefore,fuel subsidy is meant to make fuel prices relatively cheap and affordable. Now, I ask you,is that the case with fuel in Nigeria???
You see,I like being blunt and realistic with the truth and not emotional.We all know what had happened to fuel prices in the international markets...fuel prices are in their all time low,hence,subsidizing have started to look foolish indeed.You and I also know that the international market changes in oils prices has no effect on the economy...as in,there's no difference in the way things are whether oil prices increased or reduced.Nigeria's oil prices is very independent of the international markets.So,it's hard to say whether there's a subsidy in the first place!
Another point that's worth discussing is the mechanism of the subsidy in Nigeria considering the corrupt nature of anything government and past events,especially in the oil sector in Nigeria.Let's check it out!

A little Historical Background
From my findings,subsidy has a long history...it began way back from 1978 during Gen Obasanjo's Military regime! Below is a showdown of supposed subsidy removals over the years.
1978, 15kobo per litre
1990, 60kobo per litre
1992, 70kobo per litre
1993, N3.25kobo and N11 per litre
And from 1994 to 1998 the official pump price hovered around N11.0k per liter – these happened during the military era of Nigeria's 'perceived' most horrific tyrannic dictator,Gen. Sanni Abacha.Remember that these same years of the General was the era of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).The PTF was charged with the execution of capital projects from cash saved from the oil sector .We all know how effective and beneficial the PTF was during that time...it was so,so,so, beneficial.
After the demise of General Abacha came the times of General Abdussalaam who handed over to a democratically elected government of General Obasanjo.The rise in price continued to the disappointment of Nigerians.
N11 - N20 - N22  in the year 2000
N22 - N26  in 2001
N26 - N40 in 2003
As may have observed,all this happened during the years of General Obasanjo,who later further jerked up pump price to N65 and finally to N100/ litre just before making his exit.
Late President Yar'adua was nice enough to bring the pump price back to just N65 a price that was maintained till his death. However, with Oga Jonathan,the journey continues,on New year eve,very few Nigerians could possibly forget that year's first Presidential speech.President Jonatrhan greeted Nigerians with an increase in pump price presenting the same old story of fuel subsidy removal as an excuse. It got to a point,we were told to get ready to pay up to N144 per litre!
Fuel subsidy,independent marketers and the OIL CABALS were the talks we hear day in,day out in Nigeria during President Jonathan's administration.Now,we are in General Muhammadu Buhari's regime and fuel subsidy removal is now making rounds again along with the characteristic fuel scarcity and black markets.Bros,for how long are we going to continue like this?

Fuel Subsidy Protests
Just today I read in the news that oil workers are planning to stage a protest against the proposed fuel subsidy of the Federal Government.Sometimes I wonder if staging of protests has not been abused long enough.Every now and then,people would come out and say they are protesting one thing or the other...I tire o! 

Anyway out?
I know that most Nigerians are wary and tired of the fuel saga.Nigerians are tired of the fuel subsidy talks...it has going on for far too long. Now, the question now arises...what's the way forward???
This shall be the point of continuation tomorrow,God's Grace...see you tomorrow!