Features

MISINTERPRETATION OF FAMILY PLANNING IN NORTHERN NIGERIA By Haruna Mohammed

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2020

MISINTERPRETATION OF FAMILY PLANNING IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
By Haruna Mohammed

Haruna Mohammed in this special report captures how negative cultural norms and religious misinterpretations affect family planning in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria.

Hamza Abdu Katangan Warji, hails from Warji LGA of Bauchi state. He is a father to 40 children; married to three wives and only owns a donkey which he uses to fetch firewood to feed his family, i.e. three wives, his aged mother and the 40 children. He owns a farmland which he inherited from his ancestors and farms during the rainy season.

Abdu has only four rooms; one for each of the three wives and the fourth for his mother. Young male children and unmarried female sleep with their mothers, while the matured male ones squat with friends and neighbours outside his house.

With his donkey and support from his matured children, Abdu strives to provide two square meals for the household, which they eat at night and rewarm the remaining food in the morning for breakfast. In the afternoon, everyone, including the kids is left to hunt for their lunch, sometimes at the mercy of neighbors who drop portions out of pity for the younger children.

Some of his children who attend primary schools are left with no uniforms and books, and they only attend free government primary schools.

Among his 40 children, only Isah Hamza the 13th son holds a Diploma in Shariah and Civil Law from AD Rufai College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau.

Despite the glaring poverty that characterises the household, Abdu is hoping to marry a fourth wife and produce as many children as the wife could bear. His reason for marrying many wives and producing more children is simple, God feeds and provides for every child.

Neither does he believe in child birth spacing nor birth limiting to enable him have moderate household that he can feed and educate.

To him, the whole concept of family planning is a western idea that tries to upset decades of cultural heritage where husbands take pride in the number of wives and children they have.

Although they live approximately150 kms apart, Abdu from Warji and Muhammadu Yusuf from Lafiyari village in Bauchi LGA share many things in common.

The duos maintain polygamous households with many children amidst dwindle purse to address their needs.

They believe that birth limiting for economic or social reason is a direct affront to their understanding of Islamic religion.

Albeit Muhammadu Yusuf has 23 children and do subscribe to the idea of birth spacing, he does not believe in limiting the number of children one should have and his reasons are simple; “you aren’t the one to feed the children, it’s God that does that.”

“I told you earlier that those with moderate households do borrow money from people with larger households and more children; which implies that the many wives and children is not a factor to one’s economic status,” he argued.

Abdu and Muhammadu’s views explain the long held cultural believes and religious misinterpretations surrounding the concept of family planning in northern Nigeria.

It perhaps explains why the concept is still facing resistance amongst some Nigerians who believe that it is a western agenda to depopulate the country.

……HOW THE LIKES OF ABDUL TRANSFER BURDEN TO OTHERS

The costs of Abdu’s decision to have more children than he could cater for does not only lie on him, many innocent people also bear the brunt of his indiscretion of having many children and lean economic power to address their basic needs. For instance, Aminu Adamu is Abdu’s neighbor who is a victim of the resolve of many people like Abdu; “with their reckless behavior, they put a very serious burden on people like us. For instance, I’m a civil servant with a certain salary that may not necessarily solve my basic needs and my immediate family, yet, these kinds of people, being relative or neighbours will be demanding things that you can’t afford to do.”

Aminu said on many occasions, “They ask for money to buy food, drugs when they’re sick and sometimes clothes to put on.

“In some instances they can request you to pay their children’s school fees and if you refuse, they see you as wicked man that doesn’t help his people, that makes you an enemy automatically,” he grudgingly lamented.

Kabiru Suleiman from Boto in Tafawa Balewa LGA also lamented how his refusal to sponsor the children of his elder brother affected their relationship despite being siblings.

“He said I have to sponsor two of his children to write WAEC since they could not pass the aptitude test conducted by the state government that would have enabled them benefit from government scholarship.

“My salary is only N36, 000 a month, I have a wife and two kids who are equally in need, where will I get the money to sponsor two people to write WAEC.

“I told him I don’t have money, he picked offence and that’s how our issues with him started,” he said.

Suleiman’s brother who has two wives, 16 children and still counting, is a local butcher whose capital does not exceed N3,000.

“I have told him that he should at least allow his wives to rest so that they would be able to take care of the children they have instead of adding more, but he vehemently rejected the suggestion and insisted that it’s God that would take care of everyone,” Suleiman added.

Efforts to get Suleiman’s brother Aliyu for an interview could not yield result despite visiting his house three times on different occasions.

He was said to have left for farm each time this reporter visited the house. His wives did not agreed to grant an interview because, according to them, they were not permitted by Aliyu to speak to the press.

…..THE COSTS OF WRONG DECISIONS ON THE EDUCATION AND HEALTH OF CHILDREN

Abdu’s 40 children and his inability to educate them perhaps explain the consequences of having many children than one can afford to shoulder.

“The health and education of your children is a right. When you failed to give them sound education and address their health needs including nutritious food that would enhance their wellbeing, you have trampled upon their rights and that will continue to haunt them throughout their lives,” said Samuel Sule a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi.

Aminu Adamu, Abdu’s neigbour explained how difficult it was for people with such responsibilities to feed their family, “the kids usually feed themselves in the afternoon through begging and sometimes doing some menial unskilled jobs. “Again, they usually stagnate their education after secondary school for the male, while female obtain primary, junior secondary or Islamic school as the case maybe.

“They almost always ask for money to buy drugs for their sick children, wife, relatives etc. They ask money to buy ram and kolanut when their wives put to bed; they ask for dowry when they want to marry first, second, third or even fourth wives,” he explained.

Aminu said education and food was not the only problem faced by Abdu’s children, “sometimes they resort to staying with neighbours or relatives, like Adda’luHamza, Abdu is one of his children in our house,” citing inadequate rooms to accommodate all the children.

…..HOW SKEWED UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION AND CULTURE IMPACTS FAMILY PLANNING IN BAUCHI

The story of Abdu and Muhammadu has reiterated how distorted understanding of religion and culture influenced people’s decision on whether to space their children or not. There are many people scattered across nook and crannies of Bauchi State and beyond who strongly believe that accepting the idea to space children or limit the number of children based on one’s economic status is a direct confrontation with religious injunctions and cultural dictates where men procreate as much as they remain sexually active.

For people like Muhammdu, having many children is fulfilling a prophecy bequeathed to him by his dad, who was also said to have inherited the practice.

“Look, my dad had more than 30 children and most of them were males who contributed in making him rich because he cultivates huge portions of land when he was alive.

“He was very proud and respected in the community because of the magnitude of household he controls, and that was the prayer he offered to his children—to have as many children as they can bear—that to us is not a problem, because every child has their individual destiny in life,” he insisted.

Aisha Hamza Abdu, the first wife of Abdu has no problem with many children despite their inability to provide shelter and cater for the children, her reason is that, “if one is destined to have many children, so be it, after all our holy prophet Peace be Upon Him said ‘give birth and multiply in number so that I will be proud of you in the day of judgment,” she maintained.

But Aminu Adamu said such kinds of views are induced by ignorance, adding “they could give rise to a bleak, gloomy future.”

“We are battling with what I call cultural misunderstanding of religion. Most of our religious leaders are conservative who have not really integrated their religious knowledge with secular, western style of education.

“Some religious leaders frown at issues of family planning, child spacing and girl child education,” arguing that they have no justification based on available evidence from Islamic jurisprudence.

He said if such views were not confronted with commensurate behavioural change, “there will always be poverty in the community. There’ll be generational transfer of poverty in the lineage and by extension in the society.

……EXPERTS OPTIMISTIC, SAY TRENDS CHANGING

Regional coordinator of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, (PPFN), Yusuf Wabi, said innovative approaches such as the use of traditional and religious leaders to preach the gospel of child birth spacing is turning around the misnomers that have clouded the concept for years.

“looking at the realities on ground, different kinds of innovations and methods including meeting the women one on one, going through the religious and traditional institutions who preach the gospel of the family planning, and what we call the new concept of male involvement will play a greater role in addressing some of the issues affecting family planning in the state,” Wabi said.

He added that interventions that focus on behaviour change and incorporating greater role on the concept of male involvement will help in mitigating some of the barriers affecting the acceptability of child birth spacing especially in local communities.

Bauchi State coordinator, Usman Mohammed Inuwa Breakthough Action Nigeria BA-N, Usman Mohammed Inuwa, whose organisation focuses on behavioural change in the aspect of family planning expressed optimism that despite the difficulties involved in changing established beliefs, norms and cultures, obnoxious trends are not beyond reversal.

“Before we came, actually it was like a taboo to hear a religious leader coming out publicly to speak about family planning. “Now, our religious leaders are actually very much involved and you know they are speaking publicly on family planning without generating issues, even during religious gatherings like Tafsir during Ramadan you hear our religious leaders talking about family planning, encouraging people to go for child spacing”, he said.

Inuwa said the erroneous impressions attached to child birth spacing using religion and culture as justification is gradually fading out, “because religious scholars have established that child spacing has been in Islam, and they support those arguments with quotes from the Holy Qur’an,” he maintained.
(Culled from Leadership Newspaper)

Economy

Economic Implications of Oil Subsidy Removal on Nigeria’s Rural Population

Published

7 months ago

October 26, 2024

Sunrise

By James Aduku Odaudu

Introduction

The intricate relationship between economic policy and the living standards of rural populations often reveals itself through pivotal changes in subsidy programs. In the context of Nigeria, the recent discourse around oil subsidy removal has sparked critical debates regarding its potential ramifications on rural communities, which predominantly rely on affordable fuel for agricultural and economic activities. Subsidies have traditionally served as a buffer against the volatility of global oil prices, providing essential support to an economy deeply intertwined with crude oil production. However, the potential elimination of these subsidies invites an exploration of alternative economic frameworks and the possible socio-economic repercussions that could arise, particularly for those at the grassroots level who may lack the resilience to absorb sudden increases in fuel costs. This essay will delve into the multifaceted economic implications of this policy shift, examining both immediate impacts and long-term consequences on Nigeria’s rural populace, ultimately arguing for a nuanced understanding of subsidy reform in the broader context of economic development.

* Oil subsidies in Nigeria and their historical context

The historical context of oil subsidies in Nigeria is deeply intertwined with the country’s quest for economic stability and development. Initially implemented in the late 1970s as a response to volatile global oil prices and domestic inflation, these subsidies aimed to shield consumers from the adverse effects of fuel price fluctuations. Over the years, they evolved into a critical aspect of Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric, often being justified through the lens of providing affordable essential goods to the populace. However, this well-intentioned policy also cultivated a dependency that distorted market dynamics led to inefficiencies, and exacerbated corruption. By the early 21st century, the financial burden of these subsidies became increasingly unsustainable, consuming a significant portion of the national budget. This unsustainability has prompted discussions on the necessity of subsidy removal, sparking concerns about its potential economic repercussions, particularly for Nigeria’s rural population that relies heavily on subsidized fuel for transportation and agricultural activities.

* Economic Impact on Rural Livelihoods

The removal of oil subsidies in Nigeria has profound implications for rural livelihoods, particularly regarding income stability and access to essential goods.
When subsidies are eliminated, the immediate effect is an increase in fuel prices, which disproportionately impacts rural communities that depend on affordable transportation for both the movement of goods and access to markets. This heightened cost of living exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, leading to a decline in purchasing power for rural households whose income is predominantly derived from agriculture and informal economies.
Consequently, rural producers face higher operational costs, ultimately jeopardizing food security as agricultural outputs decline due to reduced investments and higher transportation expenses.
Furthermore, the ripple effects within local economies amplify these challenges; diminished income for farmers can lead to decreased demand for services and goods in rural areas, creating a vicious cycle of economic stagnation. Thus, the removal of oil subsidies serves not only as a structural shift in fiscal policy but also as a catalyst for heightened economic precariousness among Nigeria’s rural population.

* Changes in household income and expenditure patterns

The economic landscape in Nigeria is undergoing transformative changes, particularly in rural areas, as households navigate the ripple effects of oil subsidy removal. As these adjustments unfold, a noticeable shift in both income sources and expenditure patterns can be observed.
Rural households, previously reliant on government subsidies for affordable fuel, are now compelled to reassess their budget allocations in response to increased fuel prices. This reassessment often results in a reallocation of funds, diverting resources from non-essential goods and services—such as education and healthcare—towards more pressing needs such as transportation and food. Furthermore, a significant portion of the rural population may explore alternative income-generating activities, seeking to compensate for diminished purchasing power.
The interconnections between household income fluctuations and expenditure patterns underscore a broader socio-economic challenge, suggesting that adapting to these economic changes may ultimately exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and inequality within rural communities. Such dynamics warrant close examination to inform effective policy interventions.

* Effects on Agricultural Production and Food Security

The removal of oil subsidies in Nigeria is poised to create both challenges and opportunities for agricultural production and food security. On one hand, the increased cost of essential inputs such as fertilizers and fuel could lead to higher production costs, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities among smallholder farmers. These farmers, who often operate on thin margins, may struggle to absorb increased expenses, potentially leading to reduced crop yields and a decline in overall agricultural output.

Conversely, the subsidy removal could encourage a shift toward more sustainable agricultural practices, as farmers are forced to innovate and adopt efficient resource management strategies. As the market adapts, investments in alternative energy sources and improved agricultural technologies could emerge, fostering resilience in food systems. Ultimately, the net effect on food security will hinge on the government’s ability to implement supportive measures, such as providing targeted assistance and promoting access to credit for rural farmers, enabling them to thrive in a more competitive economic landscape.

* Relationship between fuel prices and agricultural productivity

Fluctuations in fuel prices directly influence the cost structures within the agricultural sector, significantly affecting productivity levels. High fuel prices increase operational costs for farmers by raising expenses associated with machinery, transportation, and inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. Consequently, these elevated costs can deter investment in essential agricultural practices, leading to decreased yields and reduced profitability. As farmers struggle to adapt to this financial strain, shifts toward less fuel-intensive methods or even the reduction of cultivated areas may ensue, further exacerbating food insecurity.

Additionally, the cyclical nature of fuel price increases can create an unpredictable environment, making long-term planning challenging for agricultural stakeholders. This volatility undermines not only individual productivity but also broader market stability. Therefore, understanding the intricate relationship between fuel pricing mechanisms and agricultural output is crucial for policymakers, particularly in contexts like Nigeria, where rural populations heavily rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. A strategic approach to addressing these challenges could foster more resilient agricultural practices and enhance rural economic stability.

Conclusion

The culmination of this analysis highlights the intricate relationship between oil subsidy removal and its economic ramifications on Nigeria’s rural populace. By eliminating subsidies, the government aims to redirect funds towards infrastructural development and social services, ostensibly fostering long-term economic stability. However, this shift presents immediate challenges for rural communities, which heavily rely on subsidized fuel for transportation and agricultural activities. As fuel prices surge, the cost of goods and services inevitably escalates, disproportionately affecting the livelihoods of rural households already grappling with limited income and access to resources.

Furthermore, the anticipated benefits of subsidy removal, such as improved public services, may take considerable time to materialize, leaving vulnerable populations in a precarious position during the transitional phase. Ultimately, careful consideration of the socio-economic dynamics at play is essential to ensuring that the policy shifts do not exacerbate existing inequalities but rather promote equitable growth for all segments of Nigeria’s diverse society.

• Dr James Odaudu is a development scholar/administrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria. Email: jamesaduku@gmail.com

Features

PRESS FREEDOM AND AGGRAVATED HAZARDS OF JOURNALISM

Published

1 year ago

May 4, 2024

Nats Odaudu

*By Paul Ejime

The more than 100 journalists and media workers killed as of 3^rd May 2024 in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, ignited by Hamas’ unprecedented attack against Israel on 7^th of October 2023, makes it the deadliest period for journalists since the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) began gathering data in 1992.

This year alone, 25 journalists and media workers have been killed, including 20 in Gaza alone, according to the U.S.-based CPJ, a non-profit organization, that advocates for press freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide.

The Committee also says that it is investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.

Globally, more than 35,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in Gaza and the West Bank, and 1,200 in Israel since the Hamas attack and Israeli retaliations.

Every death in a conflict is one too many, journalists are not special.

However, the CPJ Programme Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna posits that: “Journalists are civilians who are protected by international humanitarian law in times of conflict. Those responsible for their deaths face dual trials: one under international law and another before history’s unforgiving gaze.”

CPJ’s President, Jodie Ginsberg, put it more succinctly: “Every journalist killed is a further blow to our understanding of the world.”

Speaking on behalf of all advocates of press freedom she said: “(We) must work collectively to ensure that journalist killers are brought to justice … and that the public’s right to be informed is protected from those whose power is threatened by the scrutiny of reporting.”

In his speech to mark this year’s World Press Day or World Press Freedom Day, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights paid tribute to the “countless, fearless individuals daring to question,” including “71 journalists and media workers killed and the 320 imprisoned, in 2023, the highest number ever.”

Describing 2023 as “a devastating year for journalism,” the senior UN official said: “It was a year characterized – again – by impunity. Only 13% of the murder cases have been investigated, he said, adding: “When we lose a journalist, we lose our eyes and ears to the outside world. We lose a voice for the voiceless.”

The 2024 World Press Freedom Day focuses attention on the climate and the environment under the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis.”

Türk said the occasion was being marked “in an era of acute global turmoil and the profound fragmentation and polarisation of humanity,” with “conflict boiling over in many places – from Myanmar to Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and several other parts of the world – causing intolerable human suffering.”

According to him: “Disinformation is infecting our media and digital landscapes, fuelling hate and division. And as climate change batters our fragile planet, the lives and livelihoods of future generations are under the gravest threat this world has ever known.”

He acknowledged “journalists around the world who are working to hold polluters accountable for the damage and the devastation. They are driving open debate and critical thinking,” the UN official affirmed.

“And by separating facts from lies and propaganda, they are pushing for evidence-based policy decisions on the climate crisis that the world so urgently needs.

Environmental journalists need stronger commitments from their governments and their employers to protect them. Better and safer working conditions…

The dramatic consequences of inertia and inaction on the climate crisis are unfolding as we speak. This doesn’t have to be the case,” Türk added.

The World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3rd. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.

The day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluates press freedom around the world, defends the media from attacks on their independence, and pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

The date was also chosen to commemorate the Windhoek (Namibia) Declaration, on free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.

It emphasizes the importance of freedom of the press and reminds governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As part of the commemoration, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is conferred on deserving individuals, organizations, or institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the defence and promotion of press freedom worldwide.

The prize is named after Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper, El Espectador, in Bogotá in 1986.

Cano’s writings offended Colombia’s powerful drug barons, and journalists in other parts of the World face similar threats today.

According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Norway ranks the highest in press freedom, while Eritrea ranks the lowest.

According to the CPJ, of the 320 journalists and media workers imprisoned as of December 1, 2023, China with (44), followed by Myanmar (43), Belarus (28), Russia (22), and Vietnam (19), rank as having the highest number of jailed journalists.

*Ejime, a former War Correspondent, is a Global Affairs Analyst and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Communications

Environment

Nigeria at COP28: Separating the facts from fiction

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2023

Nats Odaudu

By Temitope Ajayi

The number of delegates from Nigeria attending the ongoing Climate Summit in Dubai otherwise called COP28 has generated a lot of controversies and strong social media conversations in the last 24 hours. It is important to set the record straight and provide some clarity. To begin with, the Summit is tagged COP which means Convention of Parties. The ongoing Summit in Dubai with over 97,000 delegates from more than 100 countries around the world is the 28th in the series since the issue of climate change and action took preeminent stage in global affairs. COP27 took place at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt last year.

When the world comes together to take actions on achieving a common goal and proffer collective solutions to a nagging global concern, there are parties involved from government, private sector, civil society, media and multilateral institutions. The people coming together to advance their different agenda and interests from governments, businesses and civil societies are the parties to the convention who represent various shades of opinions and pushing for various mitigating actions.

In Nigeria like so many other countries, interested parties comprising government officials from both the Federal and sub-national governments, business leaders, environmentalists, climate activists and journalists are present in Dubai. Also participating are agencies of government such as the NNPC and its subsidiaries, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NIMASA, NDDC. Many youth organisations from Nigeria especially from the Northern and Niger-Delta regions whose lives and livelihoods are most impacted by desert encroachment and hydrocarbon activities are also represented. The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, leads a pan-Ijaw delegation of more than 15 people who registered as parties from Nigeria. Among delegates from Nigeria are also over 20 journalists from various media houses.

Their participation is very important. It is not for jamboree as it is being mischievously represented on social media.

It is important to state here that delegates from all countries whether from government, private sector, media and civil society groups attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees are registered against their countries of origin. This does not mean that they are sponsored or funded by the government. It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone that registered is physically present.

As the biggest country in Africa, biggest economy and one with a bigger stake on climate action as a country with huge extractive economy, it is a no-brainer that delegates from Nigeria will be more than any other country in Africa.

Among the delegates from Nigeria are UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA group, and other billionaires whose businesses are promoting sustainability and climate actions through their philanthropies. These businessmen and women and their staff who came with them to promote their own business interests are part of the 1,411 delegates from Nigeria. Their trip to Dubai is not funded by the Federal Government.

United Nations Climate summit, by its very nature, commands attendance of big names from across the world – statesmen and women, politicians, lawmakers, corporate titans, journalists and activists, etc who promote big global agenda. So, people attend the summit for many reasons. And because climate issue is the biggest global issue of the moment, it is not surprising that over 97,000 people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, King Charles of United Kingdom, Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, US Special Envoy on Climate Change and former Secretary of State, John Kerry, President Bola Tinubu, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, World Bank President, Ajay Banga, International Monetary Fund President, Kristalina Georgieva, World Trade Organisation Director General, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Africa Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina, former US Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Al Gore and almost 100 Heads of States and Governments converged on Dubai for COP28. It is the first of its kind in the history of the summit because of the importance of climate change to global well-being.

After the opening and national statements by Heads of States which began from November 30 when the summit opened and up until Saturday December 2, 2023, the real work of COP28 which are the technical sessions and negotiations, financing, etc will begin from Monday, December 4 till December 12 where agreements will be reached on many proposals for consideration and ratification by the parties.

Those with sufficient understanding and knowledge on climate matters know that issues around the subject have layers and multiplicity of factors that require experts from various fields. There are lined-up technical sessions on financing climate actions at sub-national levels, regions and local governments. State Governors from Nigeria such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom have been really busy with their officials at COP28, making presentations, speaking at panel sessions and pitching some of their sustainability projects to development partners and investors.

Multifaceted stakeholders from different countries including Nigeria are on ground in Dubai because they don’t want decisions that will affect them to be taken without pushing their own agenda. It is the reason delegates from China and Brazil are over 3000 respectively. China is one of the world biggest polluters and Brazil is at the centre of global climate debate with her Amazon rainforest. These two countries know important decisions that will affect them will be taken and they have to move everything to be fully on ground and ensure they are fully represented by their best brains at every level of discussion and negotiation.

Like former President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders who demanded fair deal and climate justice for Africa at previous UN Climate summits, President Tinubu is leading the charge at COP28 on behalf of Nigeria and the rest of the continent, demanding from the West that any climate decision and action must be fair and just to Africa and Nigeria in particular, especially the debate around energy transition.

President Tinubu has been unequivocal in his position that Africa that is battling problems of poverty, security and struggling to provide education and healthcare to her people can not be told to abandon its major source of income which is mostly from extractive industries without the West providing the funding and investment in alternative and clean energy sources. President Tinubu and other officials on the Federal government delegation are in Dubai for serious business not jamboree.

Our President has been very busy representing our country well. Since Thursday morning when he arrived Dubai, President Tinubu has spent not less than 18hours daily in attending very important sessions, pushing our national agenda whilst holding bilateral and business meetings on the sidelines.

-Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity