Whenever we see people in authority who are devoted to serving the people, we hardly waste any time in climbing the rooftops to hail them. Our position is basically not to suffer fools gladly. However, we believe we’ll not be fair if there are some who are doing the right things and we remain taciturn so that people will not believe we’re pandering to power.
The decision of Governor Ganduje of Kano State to invite all herdsmen throughout the nation to make use of the grazing facilities in his state couldn’t have been wiser. Indeed, his excellency has wisely broken an impasse, which for sometime now, has been giving everyone in this country a serious headache.
We once had an occasion to suggest that the cattle should be processed in the north. When that is done, the beef could then be transported to wherever it is needed. I think an industry could be developed from beef processing in Kano State. The federal government can be part of the arrangement.
There should be modern abattoirs equipped with freezing systems. Of course, there must be electric power supply where beef is being preserved. Then we could have refrigerated trains and vans to transport beef throughout the country.
For those who must have live animals to celebrate whatever, it will not be out of place for government to impose a lot of tax on them as a way of discouraging such.
We have always said it that the fact that a state has enough funds to play with in terms of investment is not enough. Indeed, it brings to task an efficient chief executive.
That’s why we have chosen to eulogise Governor Ambode of Lagos State. Lagos State is on the way to having a 24/7 operation in terms of economic activities. The state will soon have unintterupted electric supply too.
But one thing that thrills us is the fact that Yoruba language will no longer be regarded as a vernacular anymore. With time, Yoruba will be used as a language of entry into higher institutions. Again, the language will be used for official communication.
I’m sure the eminent educationist, Professor Babs Fafunwa, would be smiling in his grave. He did a lot for mother tongues to be recognised.
There’s no doubting the fact that the countries that are making waves in the world today are mostly those ones which have not relegated their mother tongues to a distant second, or third position, as the case may be. This is because educationists are of the view that people tend to think first in the mother tongue.
I’m sure other states will find it necessary to go the Lagos way pretty soon.
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