Osun: Boosting Economics Of Christmas

By Olowogboyega Oyebade

Can you notice that all the major cities in the State of Osun are well-lit at night? Can you notice numerous flags and  banners of various youth organisationsannouncing sundry programmes of street carnivals?  Do you see how various boutiques, eateries, restaurants, hotels and amusement parks in Osogbo and other towns are improving the ambience of their  front-view?  Can you see neon lights and Christmas trees and decorations in the banking halls twinkling and chorusing carols?  Can you now see that the State of Osun has rejoined the main bowl of the Economics of Christmas?  Do you know that all these bustling and hustling for shopping are a direct  reflection of the positive impact of the government in power in the State?  Do you know that many celebrations are already taking place in the State?  Are you aware that the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria will hold its National Conference in the State of Osunthis week? Do you know that the State of Osun free train service from Lagos to Osogbo in the spirit of the celebration?  Do you know that the State will join the rest of the world to mark 2019  Human Rights Day?  Why are we doing that?   You care?  Come along, please.  

​Are you aware that Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, the day the UN General Assembly adopted, in 1948, 71 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Do you know that this singular declaration contains and celebrates the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language,political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status?  Do you know that the theme of this year’s celebration is: “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights”? Are you aware that the theme is to spotlight the leadership role of youth in collective movements  for a better future for humanity?  Do you know that 2019 World Population Data Sheet shows that 4 in 10 people in the world are aged under 25? Do you know that youth in Africa constitute about 19 percent of the global youth population? Are you aware that it is predicted that the number of youth in Africa will have increased  by 42 percent by 2030? Do you know that Worldometers puts the population of Nigeria at 200,963,599 people as at June 2019?  Do you know that the population of people between ages 0-14 years is 89.645m  representing 43.49 percent?  Do you know that Nigeria has a very high dependency ratio of 88.2 percent consisting of children, unemployed youth and old people above 65 years of age?  Do you know that the current campaign  is designed to encourage the youth to stand up for rights against racism, hate speech, bullying, climate change, to name a few?  

            Do you know that participation in public life is a fundamental principle of human rights for the youth and must be properly informed to make them properly information-conscious?  Do you know that youth have always been major drivers of political, economic and social transformation and are at the forefront of grassroots mobilizations for positive change to allow for fresh ideas and solutions for a better world?    Do you know that studies have revealed that young people are often marginalized and encounter difficulties in accessing and enjoying their rights because of their age? Can you now see why the government of MrAdegboyega Oyetola holds them dear?  Do you know that upholding their rights and empowering them to better know and claim them will generate benefits globally? Are you aware that human rights are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?  Do you know that in the absence of human dignity we cannot drive sustainable development far?  Do you know that progress on human rights will determine how near we are to achieve Social Development Goals?   Do you know that Governor AdegboyegaOyetola has  demonstrated sync with this theme by appointing over 80 percent of his cabinet members from among the youth?  Do you know that his programmes in agriculture, mining, innovation and education are targeted to promoting  employment and prosperity among the youth in the State? Do you know that today, poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge among the youth?  Do you know that combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, but a right to all our dependent population?  Do you know that by tackling poverty as a matter of human rights draws us closer to achieving Social Development Goals?    Do you know that this is the surest way to guarantee permanent happy Christmas celebration?  Do you know that equality, justice and freedom will prevent violence and sustain peace in our State?  Are you aware that whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned, we all are at risk of violence and deaths? ​Do you remember the 2011 youth mass protests  from Tunisia to Cairo, and the ‘Occupy Movement’  of the era?  Do you know that without firing a bullet, the social media was employed to send packing, maximum regimes?  Can you see why the theme for Human Rights Day for 2019 focuses on the youth?  

         Do you know that as our country celebrates the youth, we must educate them on rule of law and the need to obey court orders in all circumstances?  Are you aware that although Nigeria has been active in signing and ratifying international human rights treaties, but slow when trying to implement these treaties domestically?  Do you know that Nigeria operates under a system that cannot apply international treaties unless they are ratified by the National Assembly of Nigeria? Do you know that the Nigerian Constitution protects civil and political rights, but tarries in the protection of cultural, socio-economic, and group rights guaranteed by international treaties like the African Charter?  Do you know that becauseofthe supremacy clause of the Nigerian Constitution, the Supreme Court of Nigeria often resolves conflicts in favour of only the rights contained in Chapter Four of the Constitution, therefore restricting the expansion of potential human rights contained in other international legal treaties endorsed by Nigeria? ​Do you know that election violence is de-marketing enough for our democracy? Do you know that the killing of security officers and the killings by security officers without the force of law are red footnotes on the pages of our democratic credentials?  Do you know that kidnapping, rape, ritual killings are base instincts holding back as we aspire to leap to civilization? Can you believe that the incident of  12–14 December 2015 when the Nigerian Army carried out a massacre of 347 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Zaria, Kaduna State and buried the bodies in mass graves cannot pass the repugnancy test of human rights and cannot serve as a good lesson to our youth on the celebration of 2019 Human Rights Day?  The echo of the Charter resonates: “all human beings are born free and equal, in dignity and rights.”

​Do you know that Nigerians are enough good news at Christmas?  Are you aware that the National Assembly passed the 2020  budget of N10.594 trillion on Thursday, 5th December, 2019, just barely two months after President Buhari submitted it to the National Assembly on 8th October, 2019?  Do you know that the National Assembly adopted the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) as approved before by the National Assembly?  Do you know that the National Assembly tinkered with the budget l especially in additional revenue projection, claiming that it was done in good faith to allow for interventions in areas like national security, road infrastructure, mines and steel development, health, social needs among others?  Do you know that by this passage of the budget in early December, the January to December  Budget Cycle for Nigeria has been gloriously restored?  And one more thing! Do you know that the Senate adopted  oil benchmark of 57 dollars as against the executive proposal of 55 dollars?  Do you know that the lawmakers adopted a daily crude production rate of 2.18 million barrels, as proposed by the executive? Do you know that as at September, 2019, production of crude oil was 2,079, 000 per day which is less than what we project in the budget?  Do you know that we have to walk the talk by maintaining security in the oil corridors of the country to make our projection realizable so that our budget will not fail? Do you know that the daily volatility of the oil market reminds us every day of the need to pursue the diversification agenda of the economy?  Do you know that the people of the State of Osun will have cause to smile too as the House of Assembly will pass the Oyetola Budget of Restoration into Law this December to unlock the rich potentials of the State?  We are enough good news. The voice of Senate President Lawan cuts in: “We hope that with this budget passed, the Executive will ensure full implementation for the benefit of all Nigerians”.

​Do you know that the Federal Government has reviewed the National Security Strategy as submitted by Babagana Monguno The National Security Adviser (NSA)? Do you know that the new strategy will have serious implications on the politics and economy of the West African sub-region and the whole continent of Africa?   Do you know that the 2019 National Security Strategy (NSS) focuses on human security over State security? Do you want to know what that means?  Are you aware that the 2019 strategy document is a review of the 2014 National Security Strategy, a strategy that prides itself in the notion of people’s security over State Security? Do you know that the new strategy aims to tackle transnational organised crimes such as terrorism, illegal oil-bunkering, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, kidnapping, hostage-taking, armed robbery, cyber-crime and smuggling, and illegal migration which have become major threats to national security in Nigeria?  Do you know that it has an in-built mechanism to address the issues of money laundering, financial crimes, drug and human trafficking, piracy, environmental pollution and proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which are the other major security threats confronting the country? Are you aware that the Federal Government once raised an alarm that an estimated seven million illegal weapons were in the hands of non-State- actors and criminal elements in the country? Do you know that these light weapons are in the hands of terror machines waging asymmetric wars against Nigerians and detonating their smart ballistics to pollute the joy of Christmas in some seasons past?    The voice of the National Security Adviser, while speaking at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, cuts in:

“It is estimated that over 70 per cent of the eight to 10 million illegal weapons in West Africa are domiciled in Nigeria and in the hands of non-state actors and criminal groups.These illegal arms stoke up violent conflicts, armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, militancy and the insurgency/terrorism experienced in Nigeria”.

​Are you aware that the Federal Government had in May begun the review of the strategy document in view of the spiraling crime wave across the country?  Do you know that the closure of Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries is part of the new strategy? Do you know that by that closure, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is now generating a daily revenue of N8 billion? Do you know that Nigeria has extensive land and maritime  borders that were before now, under-policed, resulting in trans-border crimes? Do you remember the case of legendary Shina Rambo who held Nigeria hostage through trans-border armed robbery?  Do you know that in the spirit of ECOWAS brotherhood, Nigeria’s neighbours are making a rip-off of the economy of Nigeria by sabotaging tariffs?  Do you know that the change in strategy placing security on people and not on State is a signal to saying like Trump: “Nigeria First”?  ​Do you know that the Federal Government has equally reviewed Nigeria’s Cyber-Security strategy in 2019 to promote efficiency and alignment with global best practices as disclosed by Dr Bala Fakandu Deputy Director of the Office of the National Security Adviser at the maiden Phillips Consulting CIO breakfast meeting  in Lagos recently? Do you know that the government  intends to establish a robust framework for curbing the use of cyber -space for propagating messages such as hate speech and  fake news? Do you know that the initiative is to consolidate on critical information infrastructure protection for Nigeria? Do you know that the new National Security Strategy of Nigeria has affected the take off of ECOWAS Currency Convergence which is scheduled to take off in 2020? Do you care to know how?  Come along, please.

Are you aware that the countries that plan to adopt the currency are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo?  Do you know that together they have a population of about 385 million people, with only Nigeria having over 200 million people, a population and wealth to play the ace-card? Do you know that the eight French-speaking Ecowas members have had a single currency, the West African CFA franc, since colonial times which is currently pegged to the euro? Do you know that part of the criteria for the take-off of the project include: Central Banks in each country debit-financing less than 10 per cent of the previous year’s tax revenues; single-digit inflation of 5 per cent or less; the consolidation of a customs union; at least three months’ import cover from gross external reserves, and the liberalisation and promotion of regional trade?  Are you aware that these criteria will couple with the criteria of  the African Continental Free Trade Agreement of the African Union which has directed a creation of a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business,  persons and investments to expand intra-African trade? Do you know that the AfCFTA framework has an in-built mechanism to remove 90 per cent of tariffs, at this period that Nigeria is closing its borders to neighbours for economic and security reasons? Do you know that if Nigeria yields to the pressure of ECOWAS and the provisions of AfCFTA, Nigeria Customs Service will no longer make about #8 billion daily to finance the 2020 budget?  

Are you aware that a meeting was held in June, 2019  in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire where members were tasked on the implementation of the various institutional programmes and the revised roadmap, adoption of a flexible exchange rate regime with a monetary policy framework focused on targeting inflation, the federal system as the model of the ECOWAS Central Bank as well as the choice of “ECO” as the name of the ECOWAS Single Currency as the hallmarks  of ECOWAS Currency Convergence? Are you aware that a meeting of the ministerial committee of Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Bank on the ECOWAS single currency programme was held on the 6th of December 2019 in Abuja to review the Abidjan report on the currency project? Do you know that the President of the Commission of ECOWAS, H.E Jean Claude Kassi Brou restated the commitment of the Commission to the single currency project  and also reaffirmed ECOWAS Commission’s determination to strengthen cooperation with all member States’ Central Banks and Regional Institutions in order to meet the goals of the project?  Can you believe that monetary integration in ECOWAS  is one of the main objectives of the regional integration programme prompting the regional leaders to decide on 2020 as the year of the launch  of the Monetary Union?  Do you know that a report  is to be presented to the Authority of Heads of State and Government on 21st December, 2019 detailing the work done on the Single currency?  Do you know that the report of the Experts Meeting of the Member States for the Validation of the Draft Charter of the West African Association of Supervisors (WASRA) as well as the Operating Rules of the West African Capital Markets Integration Council (WACMIC) will also be included for discussion during the summit?

Against the back-drop of the new National Security Strategy focusing on people and not States, do you know that the Minister of Finance of Nigeria Hon. Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has played a fast game which looks like a brake to slow down the ECOWAS Currency Convergence taking off in 2020? Are you aware that in her address, she noted that the region is on crossroads over the single currency programme?  Do you know that she advised delegates to come up with a “befitting name” for the single currency, as well as a suitable location of its Central Bank taking into consideration the terms of reference of the project? Do you know that this body language of Nigeria will rub on African Continental Free Trade Agreement of the African Union as it relates to trade liberalisation and tarriffs?  The tweets of President Buhari on the issue interludes:  “Trade is important for us as a nation. Economic progress is what makes the world go around. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, we cannot afford to rush into such agreements without full and proper consultation with all stakeholders.”

​Hurray! Do you know that Governor AdegboyegaOyetola is a major beneficiary of the new National Security Strategy?  Do you know that his efforts at protecting the State, water-tight, has paid off eventually? Are you aware that the Nigerian Air Force is currently conducted Operation ‘Buje Ekun”  in  the State of Osun? Do you know that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday last week conducted a special counter-terrorism simulation exercise at Ipetu-Ijesha in Oriade Local Government Area of our State, combing the possible hide-outs of terror machines in the thick forests along that corridor?  Do you know that the Governor of the State of Osun was the special guest of honour at the event? The voice of the Governor interludes:

“One of my key objectives as the Executive Governor of this state is to ensure that all residents conduct their legitimate activities without fear of molestation from miscreants or bandits.We believe that security is paramount and that no nation can progress or become prosperous without measures emplaced to ensure the adequate security of lives and property of its inhabitants.”

         Do you know that the Air Officer Commanding, Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal James Gwani, said the exercise was designed to improve the combat readiness of NAF troops and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said NAF had conducted similar exercises in Kaduna, Kano and Minna in the last four months? Do you know that there were movements of military aircrafts, vehicles, equipment, personnel as well as firing of live ammunition during the period of the routine military exercise? Do you know that there were  restrictions of vehicular movement during the period of the exercise along the corridor and the security of Osun is better for it?  Do you know that the exercise has already put our State on the acute radar of the Ministry of Defence for maintenance of adequate security?   The voice of the Chief of Air Staff cuts in:

​“The essence of these operational exercises is to ensure that NAF personnel maintain a high level of combat readiness to meet the demands of our current security challenges.…This objective, no doubt, is in tandem with our yearnings and aspiration to reposition the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives… This led to the establishment of the Special Operations Command as well as the creation of Quick Response units aimed at addressing the challenges of asymmetric warfare,,,”

​Do you know that Osun is already enjoying the economics of Christmas due to the regularity of salary? Do you know that this annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ is observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world? Are you aware that although the month and date of Jesus’ birth are unknown, the church in the early fourth century fixed the date as December 25 to correspond to the date of the solstice on the Roman calendar?  Do you know that the Economics of Christmas is a viable field of Study?  Are you aware that Christmas is typically a peak selling season for retailers in many nations around the world as sales increase dramatically as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate?  Do you know that with full salary paid by MrAdegboyega Oyetola at Christmas, the workers of the State can equally make ‘yanga’? Do you know that in developed economies, Christmas shopping season starts as early as October?  Do you know that in Canada, business concerns begin advertising campaigns just before Halloween Day which is October 31and step up their marketing following Remembrance Day on November 11?  Do you know that in the United Kingdom, the Christmas shopping season starts from mid-November, around the time when high street Christmas lights are turned on?  Are you aware that in the United States, a quarter of all personal spending takes place during the Christmas/holiday shopping season?  

            Do you know that billions of Dollars are expended on Christmas cards, Christmas trees and decorations?  Do you know that people target the season to move to new homes, acquire new furniture items and electronics?  Do you know that various companies target the season to hold their annual general meetings, to declare dividends or get some new directors on board? Do you know what we call Christmas creep? Are you aware that it is a merchandising phenomenon in which retailers exploit the commercialized status of Christmas  to make the most profit?  Do you know that in developed economies, seasons of heavy spending is celebrated ? Do you know that Black Friday is the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the (fourth Thursday of November), often regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, a season to spend lavishly on loved ones and to enjoy the essence of living?  Do you know that Thanksgiving itself, in the United States is a day billions of Turkeys are slaughtered and cooked for festivities and it is the busiest day in retail shops as family members and loved ones buy and exchange assorted gifts?  Do you know what we call Halloween festival or Remembrance Day in Canada  or Thanks-giving Day  in the United States or Iwude Day in Ilesa?  You care to know?  Enjoy this time out.

            Are you aware that Halloween is observed annually on the night of 31 October, a Celtic celebration marking the division of the light and dark halves of the year, when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest?  Do you know that Halloween customs, such as wearing masks and costumes like ‘egungun’ is believed  to ward off ghosts and  malevolent spirits in Canada? Do you know that meals are prepared for the living and the dead and ritual offerings are left out to appease malevolent spirits that would otherwise bring bad luck to the home or the community in the new year? Do you know that it is part of the social and cultural events marked in Canada to mark the season of Christmas?  ​Do you know that the  annual  Remembrance Day that we do in Nigeria on 15th January is held on every 11 November at 11 a.m in Canada to mark the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the nation’s defence?  Do you know that all these events define Christmas programmes and shopping seasons in all these countries? Do you know that various communities in the State of Osun  celebrate their towns’ days too,  at Christmas to raise funds and to celebrate mutuality? Do you know that the popular Iragbiji Day has just been celebrated?  Do you know that  ‘Iwude  Ijesa Day’ is coming up this December?  Do you know that Orile Owu will celebrate ‘ Anlugbua Day’  to mention but a few?

​Do you know that Governor Adegboyega Oyetolahas put necessary machinery in motion to make Christmas season delightsome ?  Do you know that for the second Christmas season  running during his administration, workers of the State will be paid full salary?  Do you know that the mass of the people will enjoy free train ride from Lagos to Osogbo?  Do you know that some projects will be commissioned by the Governor including the new Shopping Mall newly completed in Osogbo to give ‘Shoprite Treatment’? Do you know that the improved security architecture in the State is alluring enough to make the State tourist destination at Christmas?  Do you know that the generous hospitality of the people of the State is already welcoming numerous guests to the State of Osun? Indeed! Governor Adegboyega  Oyetola is boosting the Economics of Christmas.