#PleaseSaveAgricultureNow

Take it or leave it; farming in Nigeria has been largely left in the hands of our village dwellers. Worst still, only the old and very few young folks venture into this legendary career often as a last resort.

Yesterday evening, I had a one-on-one discussion with a young farmer friend and when I said I'm proud to be a farmer, he spatted "God forbid! I rebuke it for you" before I could utter a word from my surprise cum laughter ridden ajar lips, he added this amazing prayer "You'll never be so reduced as coming down to the village to farm". Issokay!

Later that evening another friend whose first farm experience was a stereotyped compulsory university practical course could not hold her disdain to herself when I told her farming is a constituent of my daily activities. All my attempts to make her understand that farming is not really bad got this polite "whatever" conclusion: "you may like farming but I don't like it AT ALL".

If you ask my candid opinion, I'll justify these my friends' reactions oh. You know why? Fine!
#Status
A farmer by Nigerians' standard, is a poor and dirty village man who produces crops. Those into animal production are rarely seen as farmers. The mental picture of a farmer that has been thus far drawn is demeaning and unattractive. They've been stigmatised far more than any other occupation (only teachers can boast to be anywhere near farmers' social status).
#Technicality
No other occupation is as demanding as farming. None other requires hard work as much too. God help you if you're into non-mechanised system of farming!
#Income
*On Monday, my mum wanted to go to the market with ten very big tubers of yam so I asked "Mma, how much do you intend to sell these?" She said "N3000 hopefully". She later sold it for N2500.
*A basin of Garri goes for N800!
I would have loved to give more instances of ridiculous food prices but let's restrict it to these two.
#Prospect
The only known occupation with the day of death of a worker as its official retirement day is farming. Nigerian farmers do not retire. There is therefore no such thing as pension. Insurance cover is more than just a luxury.

These been said, who will in his right state of mind venture into farming? Who will wish friend or family such an occupation? Who would be proud to be associated with such a low classed occupation?

But wait oh, I was told Nigeria's economy once thrived on Agriculture. Whatever happened to the cocoa plantations? Why exactly has the groundnut pyramid turn to cups and bags of groundnut? Tell me, where was the yam barns relocated to? Should I assume our palm trees were felled for their fronds? (our party members must hold brooms now). Has the cattle, goats, sheep, chicken gone wild and to the forests return? Where [I pray] can I find the mules, donkeys, oxen and the sorts?

Why has the pride of owning a small/large parcel of farmland evaporated to? Where is the honour of a husbandman whose glory is in his flock? How did the joy and savour of being a farmer go this sour? Where did we get it wrong?

Subsequent government administrations have highly rated the importance of agriculture. Economic experts are of the opinion that Agricultural sector is better able to generate revenue for the country if properly harnessed than any other sector. Nature has favourably and freely thrown itself to us with readiness to cooperate with our agricultural practices...

to be concluded later.

Boko Haram; Likely Possibilities

Okay, I think I've been a bit too sentimental and judgemental about this Boko Haram issue but for peace, unity and progress sake, let's talk it out.

Personally, I have been able to critically identify four likely possibilities and they are as follow:
1. Boko Haram is sponsored by power drunk individuals (opposition you may call them) to discredit, frustrate and destabilise the present administration so as to gain public support and finally get into power.
2. Boko Haram is financed by corrupt government to help rubbish and torment the stronghold of the opposition thereby getting public sympathy and support so as to prolong its stay in power.
3. Boko Haram is powered by an international intruder who feels Nigeria must experience a proportionate quota of insurgency just like most countries world over.
4. Boko Haram is self reliant and doing the bidding of an illtranslated religious tenets.

It's an opinion pool so, set aside sentiment, ethnicity, religion or any dividing factor -be objective!
Thanks

"SO, WHAT IS LIFE?"

My subconscious asked me this four word question the first time I read the news of the death of The Munroes. While pondering on what exactly to give as an answer, some other thoughts came visiting and demand for attention as well.

One said, "do you know that one Alfa Muruf had a safe ride in a rickety Molue the day Dr Munroe died in the private jet crash?" Another one asked me to read through the condolence messages to see if anyone talked about Munroe's personal property. This I did but found none. They all commended his teachings, books, leadership quality and the sort...

See, personal property has never and will never be used as the unit for measuring achievement. Value addition and impart making are the keywords. Life is more than just amassing wealth, fame and power at the expense of others. To a large extent, it involves love, care and share.

I'll therefore suggest that you resolve to make others better and you'll be forever remembered for doing so.

RIP;  Munroes!

Ambition Over Issue of National Concern?

A President who sees nothing wrong in declaring his ambition to recontest for same position in less than 24 hours after the death of 47 students does not deserve a single vote from anyone who believes in the future.

Sincerely, Mr President's decision to still go ahead with his declaration today could only mean that he places his ambition over any other issue of national concern.

C'mon, this is not fair! If he had been killed while going to school with those wretched barefoot of his (as he claimed) some years back, will he be here talking of contesting for President?

Sir, let me promise you one thing "these blood they are shedding will judge"

"I'LL JOIN BOKO HARAM IF GIVEN THE CHANCE"

On my way to Abeokuta today, a copassenger who couldn't hold his anger and frustration on how things are unfolding in this country said he'll willingly join the dreaded Boko Haram sect if they start recruiting members down South.

One would call it bluff but for the seriousness in his words. Though he wasn't really looking like someone who could hurt a fly but there's a characteristic determination in the words he spoke. If not for the distance between us, I would have asked him a few questions.

Maybe I should ask you this. "Is Boko Haram a religious, polical or ethnic crisis?"

GEJ True Supporters

Mr President, we your true supporters have seen how tired and worn out you are. We understand that you've done your bit and we sincerely appreciate your efforts. You sure have goodwill but you lack strongwill and we've seen a General that has both in abundance.

Sir, it's obviously written all over you that what you need now is rest. Unfortunately, you are surrounded mostly by sycophant and favour seekers who do not care about you or your personal life.

We love you and will not count your underperformance against you peradventure you come back. We're sure you must have learnt your lessons and garner enough strength, doggedness and strongwill to lead us. Trust me, Gen Buhari would have sanitized and quarantined most of those who made your administration this corruption-infested.

Thank you sir

Clean Akindeko; a Possibility.

Greatest Dekoites! Articulate Dekoite!! May I please lend a minute or two from your precious time? Thanks!

The impression on the mind of an average Futarian about our prestigious hall of residence is heart breaking. It is so unbecoming of such an image. It is high time we took our destiny in our hands. How do I mean?

Akindeko will be voted for as the dirtiest hall of residence in FUTA with a landslide margin if there were to be a contest to select the most unkempt place of residence. We may shy away from this fact but it is simply the ugly truth. And no matter how we run away from this, we will always be confronted with its reality each passing day.

What then do we do? How do we redeem our image? How do we restore sanctity and imbibe good hygiene and health etiquette? Simple! I have made personal efforts in convincing the new hall executives and we’ve fashioned out a programme that will be of immense and considerable help…

It begins with you and of course, me! It begins with you making up your mind never to use the toilet without flushing. It begins with you not washing near the tap and on the walk way. It begins with you keeping the sink and other public utilities clean after use. It entails proper disposal of your waste and trash. It begins with your conservation sense of water usage. It begins with you not defacing the walls of the hostel with posters.

Now to the programme; it is a Compulsory Monthly Sanitation Exercise and it’s been slated for the last Saturday of every month. This three hour exercise tagged “CLEAN AKINDEKO; a POSSIBILITY” (CAaP) will start by 7 am and end by 10 am. During this exercise; cooking, playing ball, sleeping, loafing around, and other non-sanitation activities are not allowed.

The Environmental and Public Health Department will provide sanitation tools, supervise the exercise and ensure proper sanitation etiquette. Security personnel will be on ground to maintain law and order as well as ensure zero casualties.

For our labour so far not to be in vain, we will need your co-operation. A tree cannot make a forest. We must all lay ours hands on deck. We must stand with unity of purpose. It is a collective responsibility as no one is left out of this. We all must resolve to make our place of abode a clean haven and a place of pride. We can ’cos it’s in us. iKOH reps Akindeko!

UDEH Caleb Ifeanyi KOH

iKOH and Co

Introducing...

iKOH & Co!

Although, political leadership has been seriously smeared with all manner of corrupt practices over the years, I am of the opinion that people of credible character can make noticeable and uncompromising change.

That won't just happen with any random guy that is morally upright and honest. Virtues need to be tested and tried with nearly irresistible baits over a long period of time to be "trusted".

"KOH & Co" therefore presents a platform for expression, training and exhibition. A virtuesmith. A refinery for crude leadership trait.

I hereby give myself up for tutelage. Teach me and I'll learn. Reprove me and I will have a rethink. Call me to order when I'm heading to the path of insubordination, I'll make a U-Turn. Encourage me when I'm getting it right. Reward me when I deserve it.

A better society is possible! A better Nigeria is possible!! A better world is possible!!!

JUMP OFF THE CLIFF

I recently watched two ants on the lid of my pot. They walked up from God-knows-where when they noticed the change in temperature. So, the hotter the pot became, the more restless they became. They walked from one end to the other as fast as their tiny legs permitted.

After some time, one "jumped" off what seems more like a cliff and guess what? It landed on the table bearing the cooker! It immediately took to its heel as though it is chased by a faster predator.

Seriously, when I saw it slide off the lid, I pitied the poor creature as I thought it's heading straight for the cooker (which is expected to be much hotter than the pot lid). But as God'll have it, it never happened as I rationally thought it would...

We all came into the world without being asked. That is, no one chose to be born. No one chose to be born black or white. No one chose to be born by rich or poor parents. No one chose to be born in a particular location. No one chose to be born on a particular date and time. You just grew up to know that you were born some few years back. That enough is a lesson for us all. How do I mean?

From the facts above, you will agree with me that life is a 'risksphere'. Wait, don't reach for your dictionary yet, you won't find that word there. Let me explain it. Can you remember biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere? Aha! Risksphere is simply a territory of uncertain possibilities. Where you just must plunge into, without a compass or fore-knowledge. But you are expected to arrive the land of fulfillment successfully.

You didn't even bother to ask "what happened to the second ant?". I'll tell you anyway. It eventually got roasted and got blown off the pot lid afterwards. Hmm, they both got off the death zone but only one made it alive. And that was the one that took a giant leap into a seeming uncertainty...

To stay alive, you may have to #JumpOffTheCliff. To effect a change or make a reasonable impart, you'll have to #JumpOffTheCliff. Complacency makes you feel safe but it is a symptom of insecurity. Try new things. Think outside the box. Never limit yourself to what you think you can do. There are a million and one undiscovered potentials in you!

Do have a fallow-ground breaking week ahead!

iKOHCares

BE HEARD FOR FREE

This is to assure all members of the Nigerian Association of Food Science and Technology Students (NAFSTS National) that the 2013/2014 parliamentary administration is bent on serving you with all sincerity of purpose and will do nothing short of delivering dividends of good governance as it has been empowered by the constitution of NAFSTS and the mandate of great Nafstsites.

To this end, we have decided to produce an educative, enterpreneural, inspiring, expository, interactive, fun-filled magazine of international quality for every member* free of charge.

Members who have publishable materials (articles, paper presentation, research works, seminar, pictures, etc) that is in line with this year's annual convention theme**, should send such to ifeanyikoh@yahoo.com on or before 12th Nov., 2014.

Any member who wish to send his/her contribution must include his/her name, department, school and source of material (contacts are optional).
Thanks!